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No 185 Squadron of the RAF was formed at East Fortune on 21st October 1918. The first squadron to be formed in the torpedo-bomber role, it was equipped with the Sopwith Cuckoo. The squadron never reached operational status and was disbanded on 14th April 1919.

   No.94 Squadron RFC was formed at Harling Road aerodrome, Norfolk, on the 1st August 1917 with staff drawn from 55 Training Squadron. The Squadron undertook advanced flight training.

   

LZ11 Viktoria Luise.

Zeppelin LZ11 Viktoria Luise was a Class type G . First Flight was on 19th February 1912. After commercial use by DELAG it was taken over as a school ship by the German military upon the outbreak of World War I. It broke apart while being put into its hangar on 1st of October 1915.

   

USS Lenape

USS Lenape (ID-2700) was a troop transport for the United States Navy in 1918, during World War I. She was launched in 1912 as SS Lenape, a passenger steamer for the Clyde Line. After the entry of the United States into World War I in 1917, she was chartered by the United States Army as transport USAT Lenape. After her Navy service ended in October 1918, she was returned to the Army.

Lenape was launched by Newport News Shipbuilding Co. of Newport News, Virginia, in 1912 for the Clyde Steamship Company, known as the Clyde Line. She operated as a passenger steamer on the East Coast of the United States, typically on a New York,Charleston,Jacksonville route.

After the United States declared war on Germany, the units that comprised the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) were selected in early May and ordered to Europe within 30 days. The Army, needing transports to get the men and materiel to France, re-formed the Army Transport Service. A committee of shipping executives pored over registries of American shipping and, on 28 May 1917, selected Lenape and thirteen other American ships that were sufficiently fast, could carry enough coal in their bunkers for transatlantic crossings, and, most importantly, were in port or not far at sea. After Lenape discharged her last load of passengers, she was officially chartered by the Army on 1 June.

Army career.

Before any troop transportation could be undertaken, all of the ships had to be hastily refitted — in little more than two weeks in the case of Lenape. Of the fourteen ships, ten, including Lenape, were designated to carry human passengers; the other four were designated as animal ships. The ten ships designated to carry troops had to have all of their second- and third-class accommodations ripped out and replaced with berths for troops. Cooking and toilet facilities had to be greatly expanded to handle the large numbers of men aboard. Structural reinforcement below the platforms was required before the ships could outfit for guns at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The American convoy carrying the AEF was broken into four groups; Lenape was in the second group with Momus, Antilles, and escorts consisting of cruiser Birmingham, armed yacht Aphrodite, and destroyers Fanning, Burrows, Lamson. Major General William L. Sibert and the headquarters of the First Division along with the supply companies and one battalion (of three) of the 26th Infantry Regiment embarked on Lenape at New York.The ship, under the command of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander P. E. Dampman, departed with her group on 14 June for Brest, France, steaming at a comfortable 14-knot (26 km/h) pace. Fanning soon traded places with converted yacht Corsair from the first group, when that ship was unable to maintain the lead group's 15-knot (28 km/h) pace. A thwarted submarine attack on the first convoy group, and reports of heavy submarine activity off of Brest resulted in a change in the convoy's destination to Saint-Nazaire.

As Lenape 's group neared France, U.S. destroyers based at Queenstown, Ireland, and French destroyers joined to escort the convoy. Just before noon 26 June, while the group was 100 nautical miles (190 km) off the coast of France, a submarine was sighted in the distance. It submerged when the escorting destroyers converged on its position, escaping without firing a shot. About two hours later another sub was sighted and chased by Cummings, one of the Queenstown destroyers. Cummings depth charged the location of the sub and noted debris and an oil slick on the surface after one explosion. The convoy arrived at Saint-Nazaire the next day.

After returning to the United States, Lenape sailed on 24 September as part of the 8th convoy with Henderson, Antilles, Finland and escorted by cruiser San Diego. According to Crowell and Wilson, the 8th group was "destined to misfortune". Three days out from New York, Lenape developed engine trouble and was compelled to return to port. On their return journeys, Antilles was torpedoed and sunk, while Finland, also torpedoed, managed to limp back to Brest.

Navy career.

Lenape did not make any more transatlantic crossings under Army control and was acquired by the Navy 10 April 1918. Commissioned on 24 April under command of Commander Robert Morris, the Lenape shifted south to Newport News, Virginia, for her next convoy, her first as a commissioned Navy vessel. Embarking a contingent of troops that included the 122nd Machine Gun Battalion of the 33rd Infantry Division,Lenape sailed at 1830 on 10 May, accompanied by American transports Pastores, Wilhelmina, Princess Matoika, Antigone, and Susquehanna, the British steamer Kursk, and the Italian Duca d'Aosta. The group rendezvoused with a similar group that left New York the same day, consisting of President Lincoln, Covington, Rijndam, British troopship Dwinsk, and Italian steamers Caserta and Dante Alighieri. American cruiser Frederick served as escort for the assembled ships, which were the 35th U.S. convoy of the war. On 20 May, the convoy sighted and fired on a "submarine" that turned out to be a bucket; the next day escort Frederick left the convoy after being relieved by nine destroyers. Three days later the convoy sighted land at 0630 and anchored at Brest that afternoon. Lenape sailed for Newport News and arrived there safely on 6 June with Pastores and Princess Matoika. Fate, however, was not as kind to former convoy mates President Lincoln and Dwinsk. On their return journeys they were sunk by German submarines U-90 and U-151, respectively.

Lenape set sail from Newport News on 14 June with Wilhelmina, Pastores, Princess Matoika, and British steamer Czar. On the morning of 16 June, lookouts on Princess Matoika spotted a submarine and, soon after, a torpedo heading directly for that ship. The torpedo missed her by a few yards and gunners manning the ship's 6-inch (150 mm) guns claimed a hit on the sub with their second shot. Later that morning, the Newport News ships met up with the New York portion of the convoy—which included DeKalb, Finland, Kroonland, George Washington, Covington, Rijndam, Dante Alighieri, and British steamer Vauben—and set out for France. The convoy was escorted by cruisers North Carolina and Frederick, and destroyers Stevens and Fairfax; battleship Texas and several other destroyers joined in escort duties for the group for a time. The convoy had a false alarm when a floating barrel was mistaken for submarine, but otherwise uneventfully arrived at Brest on the afternoon of 27 June. Lenape, Covington, Princess Matoika, Rijndam, George Washington, DeKalb, Wilhelmina, and Dante Alighieri left Brest as a group on 30 June. The following evening at 2115, Covington was torpedoed by U-86 and sank the next afternoon. Lenape, Rijndam, and Dante Alighieri arrived back in the United States on 12 July.

Lenape took on board 1,853 officers and men and sailed from New York on 18 July in the company of George Washington, Rijndam, Antigone, Ophir, and the Italian steamer Regina d'Italia. Joined by a Newport News group, all arrived safely in France on 30 July. Arriving back stateside on 13 August, Lenape sailed again from New York with 2,024 troops nine days later in convoy with President Grant, Wilhelmina, DeKalb, Rijndam, Toloa, and the French steamer Sobral.

Returning from her final cruise for the Navy on 17 September, Lenape was returned to the Army 28 October. In February 1919, Lenape was returned to the Clyde Line. Her ultimate fate is unknown.

   The Samarrah Offensive, named for an Iraqi city located about 80 miles north of Baghdad, took place from 13th of March to 23rd of April 1917 and resulted in a British victory. It was part of the larger Mesopotamian Campaign against the Ottoman Empire that lasted from November 1914 to November 1918.

On 11th of March 1917, an Anglo-Indian force took Baghdad from the Ottomans, but many thousands of Ottoman soldiers were able to escape and re-establish themselves in a line north of the city. Another large Ottoman force was retreating to northern Iraq from northern Persia, from whence they had been pushed out by a Russian army that had advanced south from the Caucasus. The British were concerned that these two Ottoman forces would join together and pose a renewed threat to Baghdad. To help forestall this possibility, the regional British commander decided to seize the railway running through Samarrah. This would impede the consolidation of Ottoman forces while facilitating the movement of British troops.

On 13th of March, a force of 45,000 Anglo-Indian soldiers moved north from Baghdad and forced an Ottoman retreat to the confluence of the Tigris and Adhaim rivers, about 20 miles southeast of Samarrah. On 19th of March, Fallujah, a city located west of Baghdad on the Euphrates River, fell to the British. This stopped any potential Ottoman attempt to flood the plain between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in order to prevent further British movement northward.

An initial British attempt on 25th of March to intercept the Ottoman group moving west from Persia failed, but on 31st of March they were able to capture the town of Dogameh south of the Tigris-Adhaim confluence, forcing an Ottoman retreat to the north. Continued British pressure during the following three weeks forced further Ottoman withdrawals to the north until finally, on 23rd of April, Samarrah and its railway fell to the British.

   Bettisfield Park camp was situated between Whitchurch and Ellesmere in Shrophire. The camp was constructed in the Deer Park of the mansion which was the home of the Hanmer family. It was home to No. 2 (TF) Artillery Training School, later called 2nd Reserve Brigade TF. 3rd Line reserve brigades from East & West Lancs plus Welsh were all posted there.

   National Filling Factory Banbury, Oxfordshire, was built in December 1915, a facility of wooden huts separated by earth blast walls. First output was April 1916.filling 6-pdr. to 9.2-in. shell. In 1917 they also began filling H.2 mines and a mustard gas facility was added, filling gas shells with the blister agent. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management and employed upwards of 1500. The huts were removed in 1924 and the remaining earthworks were placed on the Heritage at Risk Register in 2015. The site is situated beside the M40 shielded by trees and scrub.

   The 11th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Hamilton in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 77th Brigade, 26th Division. They moved to Codford St Mary for training and by December 1914 was in billets in Bristol. They moved to Warminster in February 1915 and then to Sutton Veny in April. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 20th of September 1915 but sailed for Salonika from Marseilles in November 1915. They saw action at the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1916, the Battles of Doiran in 1917 & 18, the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley in September 1918 and crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian border two days before the Armistice with Bulgaria. The Division pushed on towards Adrianople, but the Turkishh Armistice followed soon afterwards. 26th Division then became part of the Army of the Danube and then the Army of the Occupation of Bulgaria. The Division was demolilised in February 1919.

   11th Battalion, The Essex Regiment was raised at Warley in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's third new army, initally attached to 71st Brigade in 24th Division. They moved to Shoreham for training and then on to billets in Brighton in January 1915 returning to Shoreham in March and then moving to Blackdown in June 1915. They proceeded to France on the 30th of August 1915, landing at Boulogne. On the 11th of October 1915 the battalion transferred with 71st Brigade to 6th Division and then to 18th Brigade, in the same Division on the 27th October. In 1916 they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and at Cambrai. In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

   The 18th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry was raised in Durham on 10 September 1914 as a Pals battalion.

The first casualty of enemy action on British soil during the Great War 1914-1918 was Private Theophilus Jones aged 29 who was killed on the 16th December 1914 at Heugh Battery, Hartlepool, when a German naval taskforce bombarded the town. He was one of six men of the Battalion to die in the bombardment, with a further eleven being wounded.

In May 1915 the 18th DLI was attached to 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and set sail for Egypt in December 1915 to defend the Suez Canal. The division was transferred to France in March 1916 for the preparation for the Battle of the Somme in July 1916.

The 31st Division took over the front line opposite the village of Serre, the northern most point of the Somme line. On the morning of the 1st of July, D Company of the 18th DLI were in the first wave of the attack and were situated to the southern edge of the village of Serre, with the 15th and 16th West Yorks. They suffered heavy losses but a few men of D Company managed to reach their objective, Pennant Copse. The other companies of 18th DLI were in the second wave with the 18th West Yorks but made now headway and were held in reserve.

The 18th DLI would later see action in The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The First Battle of Arras.

They moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

   21st (4th Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in at Epsom on the 11th of September 1914 by the Public Schools and University Men's Force. Following initial training near home, on the 26th of June 1915 they joined 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. The Division concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. They proceeded France in November and by the 21st, 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. On the the 26 of February 1916 the battalion transferred to GHQ and was disbanded on the 24th of April 1916 with many of the men being commissioned.

   23rd (1st Sportsman's) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised Formed at the Hotel Cecil in the Strand, London, on 25 September 1914 by E.Cunliffe-Owen. In June 1915 they joined 99th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train were replaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque. On the 25th of November 1915 The Battalion transferred to 2nd Division as part of an exchange to strengthen the inexperienced 33rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme, including the Battle of Deville Wood and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

The 23rd was the first of two Sportsmen's Battalions. The 24th (2nd Sportsmen) was also raised at the Hotel Cecil by Mrs Cunliffe-Owen. The war diaries of both battalions are held by the Fusiliers' Museum at the Tower of London. The 24th RF also served in France until the Armistice, and marched into Germany at the end of 1918. Both battalions were presented with Colours at the end of the war, an unusual mark of distinction for Kitchener battalions, in recognition of their service.

   175th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised in and initially designated Staffordshire. After becoming an army brigade, they saw much action including in the Battle of Messines, at Nieuport and Ypres. In November 1917 they moved to Italy, returning to France in March 1918 where they fought near Arras with the Canadians and during the Battle of Amiens and the advance to victory.

   Fort Brockhurst was constructed in the 1860's, one of five forts to defend the approaches to Portsmouth Harbour, At the outbreak of war in August 1914 it was armed with 4 4.7in. guns, a 3-inch Heavy Anti-Aircraft gun was mounted at the fort in 1917. From 25th Sept. 1915 Brockhurst became No. 2 Depot RGA, previously located at Fort Rowner. This was one of the four main Depots of the RGA where men who enlisted were sent to be approved, numbered, issued with uniform and be given two weeks basic drill before being posted to a regional company for further training and then on to a battery. Fort Brockhurst was also a Demobilisation Centre at the end of the war.

   Fort Elson was one of five forts forming the Gosport Advanced Line, construction began in 1855. Built to an irregular hexagonal plan form, surrounded by a dry ditch which could be flooded with seawater if required, it is the most northern fort in this line, the oldest of the remaining Portsmouth forts, it is situated within the heart of RNAD Gosport and within the restricted area.

The fort went out of military use in 1901, but was rearmed in 1917, with a Quick Fire 3" 20 cwt anti-aircraft gun mounted on a Peerless lorry.

   No.130 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Wyton aerodrome on the 1st March 1918. It moved to Hucknall and was equipped with Airco DH9 to provide training for pilots and observers converting to the bomber. On 1st April 1918 it became no.130 Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

Due to the increased casualty rates caused by the German March Offensive trained aircrew were all promptly posted to France as replacements in operational squadrons. Consequently No.130 never became operational itself and it was disbanded on the 4th July 1918.

   Fort Rowner was built in the late 1850's as part of the outer defence line for Gosport. It was disarmed in 1902 and in 1908 became No.2 Depot of the Southern Group R.G.A. This was one of the four main Depots of the RGA where men who enlisted were sent to be approved, numbered, issued with uniform and be given two weeks basic drill before being posted to a regional company for further training and then on to a battery. In September 1915 No 2 Depot RGA moved to Fort Brockhurst and Fort Rowner was taken over by the RFC. In 1916 it was rearmed with a 6-pounder Hotchkiss heavy anti aircraft gun.

Today the fort is inside the naval base of HMS Sultan.

   Frenchman's Point Coastal Battery was built at Horsley Hill on the coast to the south of Tynemouth, in the early 1900's to complement the Tynemouth Castle Battery. The battery had been reduced to the reserve in 1906, but after the bombardment of Hartlepool in December 1914, the Battery was restored to the Tyne defences with its full complement of guns. It was armed with one 9.2 inch Breech-loading Mk. X and two 6 inch Breech-loading Mk. VII guns.

The battery was sold in 1922 as it was damaged by subsidence and repairs would be cost prohibitive. The area was used as a holiday camp until the Second World War when the emplacements were rearmed and new emplacements were constructed in 1941. Today the site is owned by the National Trust, the original emplacements are now buried but the mounds of the WW2 emplacements are visible.

   The HQ of the 5th (Renfrewshire) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was at Finnart Street, Greenock. A, B, C, D, F and G Companies were based in Greenock, E Coy was based in Port Glasgow and H Coy was based in Gourock and Inverkip. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilised and attached as Army Troops to the Black Watch Brigade on the Scottish coastal defences. In April 1915 they moved to Dunfermline and transferred to the HLI Brigade in the Lowland Division which was renamed 157th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division in May. They departed in early June for Gallipoli via Egypt landing at Cape Helles on 3 July. They remained on the peninsula until January 1916 when they returned to Egypt.

   The HQ of the 6th (Renfrewshire) Battion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was at 66 High Street, Paisley. A, B and C companies were based in Paisley, D Coy was based in Renfrew, E Coy in Johnstone, F Coy in Thornliebank, G Coy in Barrhead and H Coy in Pollockshaws.

   The 4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a Territorial unit with HQ in Grange Road, Birkenhead. A to D Companies were based in Birkenhead, E Coy at Tranmere, F and G Coys at Liscard, H Coy was recruited from Heswall, Parkgate, West Kirkby and Hoylake. Theier cadet corps were: 1st Birkenhead Cadet Corps which was based at St Catherines Institute in Tranmere, 2nd New Brighton Cadet Corps based at 67-67 Rowson Street, New Brighton, 3rd New Brighton Cadet Corps based at Oarside Farm, Mount Pleasant Road, New Brighton, Liscard High School Cadets, 1st Oxton Cadet Corps based in Birkenhead and the 1st Poulton Cadet Coy which was based at St Lukes Parish Hall.

When war broke out in August 1914. They were at once mobilised and moved to Shrewsbury and Church Stretton but by the end of August were at Northampton. In December 1914 they moved to Cambridge and by March 1915 was at Bedford preparing for service in India. On the 13th of May 1915 the Cheshire Brigade was renamed 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean and on the 14th they sailed from Devonport to Alexandria and made a landing at Suvla Bay Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915. They were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined in February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. On the 31st of May 1918 the 4th Cheshires left the Division and sailed for France, joining 102nd Brigade, 34th Division on the 1st of July. They returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

   The 5th (Earl of Chester's) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment had its HQ at Volunteer Street Chester. A Coy were from Altringhan and Knutsford, B Coy from Chester and Kelsall, C Coy from Sale and Cheadle, D Coy from Hartford, E Coy from Chester, F Coy from Frodsham and Lymm, G Coy from Runcorn and H Coy from Hartford.

They were with the Cheshire Brigade, Welsh Division when war was declared in August 1914. They were immediately mobilised and moved to Shrewsbury and Church Stretton, by the end of August they moved to Northampton and then in December to Cambridge for final preparations. They proceeded to France on the 15th of February 1915, landing at at Le Havre to join 14th Brigade, 5th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. On the 29th of November 1915 they became a Pioneer Battalion. On the 13th of February 1916 the 1/5th Chesters transferred to the newly reformed 56th (London) Division, in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

   The 6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a Territorial unit with HQ at The Armoury, Stockport. A and B Coy were based at The Drill Hall, Astley Street, Stalybridge, C Coy were from Hyde, D Coy from Glossop and Hatfield, E, F and H Coys were from Stockport. They were part of the Cheshire Brigade, Welsh Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 10th of November 1914 joining 15th Brigade, 5th Division on the 17 December 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they transferred to GHQ and took over guard and other duties at Rouen, Abbeville and Dieppe. On the 9th of January 1916 they transferred to 20th Brigade, 7th Division then on the 29th of February 1916 to 118th Brigade, in the newly arrived 39th Division to replace units who had remained in England to complete their training. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. On the 28th of May 1918 they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division and were in action at The Battle of the Aisne, on the 17th of June the battalion absorbed men of the 11th Cheshires, which was reduced to cadre. On the 8th of July 1918 they transferred to 21st Brigade, 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

   The 7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment were a Territorial unit with their HQ in Macclesfield.A Coy was from Congleton, B Coy from Congleton and Bollington, C and D Coys were based in Macclesfield, E Coy was from Macclesfield and Winsford, F Coy from Natwich and Crew, G Coy from Sandbach, Middlewich and Winsford and H Coy was from Wimslow, Winsford and Middlewich. They had two associated cadet corps; The Macclesfield Industrial School Cadet Corps and the Macclesfield Grammar School Cadet Corps.

   1/1st Cheshire Yeomanry (Earl of Chester's) were a Territorial unit, part of the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade. They proceeded to Egypt in March 1916.

   The City of Aberdeen Batteries, Royal Field Artillery consisted of the 1st and 2nd Batteries and had their HQ at North Silver Street, Aberdeen. They were a territorial unit, part of the 1st Highland Brigade

   Cinque Ports Fortress Company, Royal Engineers were a Territorial Unit with their HQ at 16 Bench Street Dover.

   City of Aberdeen Fortress Engineers were a territorial unit of the Royal Engineers, they had their HQ at 80 Hardgate, Aberdeen.

   The City of Dundee Battery, was a territorial unit of the Royal Field Artillery, part of the 2nd Highland Brigade. They had their HQ at Dudhope Drill Hall, Brown Street, Dundee.

   City of Dundee Fortress Engineers were a territorial unit of the Royal Engineers, they had their HQ at 52 Taylor's Lane, Dundee.

   The City of Edinburgh Batteries consisted of the 1st and 2nd Batteries and were territorial units, part of the 1st Lowland Brigade. They had their HQ at 30 Grndlay Street, Edinburgh.

   City of Edinburgh Fortress Engineers were a territorial unit of the royal Engineers with their HQ at 28 York Place, Edinburgh.

   The City of Glasgow Batteries consisted of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd City of Glasgow Batteries which were part of the 3rd Lowland Brigade and the 4th and 5th City of Glasgow Batteries whcih were part of the 4th (Howitzer) Lowland Brigade. They were all territorial units and the 3rd and 4th Lowland Brigades also had an Ammunition Column. All were based in the city of Glasgow with their HQ at 8 Newton Terrace, Charring Cross, Glasgow.

   The 6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with HQ the Drill Hall, Thorpe Street, Birmingham (next to the Birmingham Hippodrome) serving with the Warwickshire Brigade, South Midland Division. The units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France, from Southampton, landing at le Havre on the 22nd of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. on the 13th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 143rd Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

   The City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) were a territorial unit, part of the London Mounted Brigade. They had their HQ at 39 Finsbury Sqaure, Finsbury and A, B, C and D squadrons were all based there.

   The Clyde Royal Garrison Artillery was a territorial unit with their HQ in King William Street, Port Glasgow. At the outbreak of war in 1914 there were three Garrison Companies, No.1 (Port Glasgow) Coy., No2 (Helensburgh and Dunbarton) Coy. and No.3 (Dunbarton) Coy.

   The Cornwall Fortress Engineers were a territorial unit of the Royal Engineers, their HQ was at Falmouth. No.1 Electric Lights Coy was based in Falmouth, No.2 Works Coy were based at Lerryn Drill Hall and No.3 Works Coy. were from Penryn, Constantine and Ponsanooth.

   The Cornwall Royal Garrison Artillery (Duke of Cornwall's) were a territorial unit with their HQ in Falmouth. The unit consisted of two heavy batteries, No.1 was from Padstow, St Merryn, Charlestown, Bugle and Parr, No 2 from Penzanace, St Just, and St Buryan with five Garrison Companies: No.3 (Looe), No.4 (Marazion), No.5 (St Ives), No.6 (Falmouth) and No.7 (Truro).

   The County of London Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were territorial units which formed the 2nd to the 8th London Brigades.

2nd London Brigade RFA had its HQ at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich and consisted of the 4th and 5th (Woolwich) Batteries and the 6th (Eltham) Battery and Ammunition Column. Their associated cadets were the 1st Woolwich Cadet Corps based at High Street, Plumstead.

3rd London Brigade RFA had its HQ at the Artillery Barracks, Leonard Street, Finsbury and consisted of the 7th, 8th and 9th (Finsbury) Batteries and Ammunition column.

4th (Howitzer) London Brigade RFA had their HQ at Ennersdale Road, Lewisham and consisted of the 10th and 11th (Lambeth) County of London Batteries and Ammunition Column.

5th London Brigade RFA had their HQ at 76 Lower Kennington Lane, Lambeth and consisted of the 12th and 13th Batteries and the Ammunition Column based in Lambeth and the 14th Battery which was based in Porteous Road, Paddington.

6th London Brigade RFA had their HQ at 105 Holland Road, Brixton and consisted on the 15th, 16th and 17th (Brixton) Batteries and the Brixton Ammunition Column.

7th London Brigade RFA had their HQ in High Street, Fulham and consisted of the 18th (Fulham) Battery, 19th (Shepherds Bush) Battery, 20th (Fulham) battery and the Fulham Amunition Column.

8th (Howitzer) London Brigade RFA had their HQ at Oakland, St Margaret's Road, Woolwich and was made up of the 21st and 22nd Batteries with their Ammunition Column.

   The County of London Yeomanry (Middlesex Hussars) were a territorial unit, part of the London Mounted Brigade with their HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters in King's Road, Chelsea where all their squadrons A to D were based.

   The Westminster Dragoons, County of London Yeomanry were a territorial unit, part of the London Mounted Brigade. Their HQ was at Elverton Street, Westminster where all the squadrons A to D were based. The stables were in Horseferry Road, Westminster (Chanel4 HQ is now on this site)

   The 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) were a territorial unit, part of the London Mounted Brigade, with their HQ at Henry Street (now Allitsen Road), St John's Wood.

   The Cumberland Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were a territorial unit, part of the 4th East Lancashire (Howitzer) Brigade which had its HQ in Workington. The 1st Cumberland Bty was based in Carlisle, the 2nd in Workington and their Ammunition Column in Workington, Whitehave and Maryport.

   The Denbighshire Hussars Yeomanry was a territorial unit, part of the Welsh Mounted Brigade. The 1/1st Denbighshire Hussars served in Egypt and was converted to become 24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers in February 1917. The 2/1st Denbighshire Hussars was formed in 1914 and served with the 2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade in a Home Defence and training role until late 1916 when it converted to become the 3rd (Denbigh and Montgomery) Yeomanry Cyclist Battalion. The 3/1st Denbighshire Hussars was formed in 1915 and was disbanded in early 1917, the troops transferred to 24th and 4th (Reserve) Battalions, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

   The Derbyshire Howitzer Batteries were part of the Territorial Force, 4th North Midland (Howitzer) Brigade. Their HQ was at 91 Siddal's Road, Derby. The unit consisted of the 1st (Derby and West Hallam) Battery, the 2nd (Derby) Battery and the Derby Ammunition Column.

   The Derbyshire Yeomanry were a unit of the Territorial Force, part o fthe Notts and Derby Mounted Brigade. Their HQ was at 91 Siddall's Road, Derby. A Squadron was drawn from Chesterfield, Riply, Belper, Beauchief and Ekington, B Squadron from Bakewell, Buxton, Tideswell, Matlock, Youlgreave and Hartington, C Squadron from Derby, Ormaston Manor, Duffield and Wirksworth, D Squadron from Derby, Ilkeston, Church Gresley and Repton.

   The Devonshire Batteries were part of the Territorial Force, 4th Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery who had their HQ in Exeter. The 1st Devonshire Battery was from Exeter and Exmouth, 2nd from Paignton, Torre and Dartmouth, 3rd from Tavistock, Lydford and Milton, the Ammunition Column from Exeter, Crediton and Teignmouth.

   The Devonshire Fortress Engineers were a Territorial unit of the Royal Engineers, their HQ was at Mutley Barracks, Plymouth. No.1 Coy was from Torquay, Newton Abbott and Yealmpton, No.2 and No.3 Coys were based in Exeter, No.4 and No.5 (Electric Light) Coys were based in Plymouth. They had two associated cadet companies, No.1 Cadet Company based at Yealmpton and No.2 Cadet Coy based at Mutley Barracks.

   The 4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment were a Territorial unit with their HQ in Exeter. they were part of the Devon and Cornwall Brigade, Wessex Division. A Coy was based in Exeter and Broadclyst, B and C Coys in Exeter, D Coy was from Exmouth, Budleigh, Salyterton and Lympstone, E Coy from Tiverton, Brampton and Dulverton, F Coy from Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary, Newton Poopleford, Honiton and Colyton, G Coy from Cullompton, Whimple, Burlescombe and Uffculme, H Coy from Axminster, Chardstock abd Lyme Regis. They had a cadet corps at Exeter Cathedral School.

Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Wessex Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Karachi on the 11th of November and moved to the 3rd (Lahore) Divisional Area at Ferozepore. They served in India until the end of February 1916 when they were sent to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on the 2nd of March 1916 with the independent 41st Indian Brigade. On the 5th of May they transferred to 37th Brigade, 14th (Indian) Division. In February 1917 they moved to Amara to the Tigris Lines of Communication.

   The 5th (Prince of Wales) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment were a Territorial unit with their HQ in Plymouth. They were part of the Devon and Cornwall Brigade, Wessex Division. A coy were from Plymouth and Tavistock, B from Plymouth, C from Plymouth, Ivybridge and Kingsbridge, D Coy from Devonport, E Coy from Newton Abbott and Chudleigh, f Coy from Teignmouth, Dawlish and Torquay, G coy from Moreton Hampstead, Bovey Tracey and Chagford, H Coy from Totnes, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh. Their cadet corps were the Plymouth Lads Brigade Cadet Corps, Haytor Cadet Corps and Totnes Cadet Corps.

Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Wessex Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 9th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Karachi on the 11th of November 1914 and served in 3rd (Lahore) Divisional Area at Multan. In December 1915 they moved to Lahore. In spring 1917 they were sent to Egypt, landing at Suez on the 4th of April, they joined 232nd Brigade, 75th Division on the 25th of June for service in Palestine. They saw action during The Third Battle of Gaza, The Capture of Gaza, The Capture of Junction Station and The Battle of Nabi Samweil. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of Tell'Asur and The Battle of Berukin before being transferred to the Western Front. They landed at Marseilles on the 1st of June and travelled north by train to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. They were in action during The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Selle, The capture of Solesmes and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the advanced units had crossed the Sambre and reached the Maubeuge-Avesnes road. The Division was the only Territorial formation to be selected to enter Germany and took over the area around Schleiden in December.

   The 6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment had their HQ in Barnstable. they were part of the Territorial Force Southern Command. A coy was from Barnstable and Muddiford, B Coy from Okehampton, Hatherleigh, Bow and Sticklepath, C Coy from Bideford, Appledore, Parkham and Hartland, D coy from Torrington, St Giles, Holsworthy and Ashwater, E Coy from South Molton, Witheridge, Molland and Chittlehampton, F Coy from Chumleigh, Winkleigh, King's Nympton, Burrington and Crediton, G Coy from Combe Martin, Berrynarbor, Braunton and Croyde.

Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Wessex Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 9th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Karachi on the 11th of November and served in 3rd (Lahore) Divisional Area at Lahore. In January 1916 they joined the independent 36th Brigade, Indian Army for service in Mesopotamia, and landed at Basra on the 5th of January 1916. In the 12th of May 36th Brigade joined 14th (Indian) Division and in September 1916 they transferred to the Tigris Lines of Communication.

   The 7th (Cyclist) Battalion, Devonshore Regiment were a Territorial Unit of Southern Command, with their HQ in Exeter. A Coy was from Torquay, B Coy from Exeter, Topsham and Woodbury, C Coy from Exeter, D Coy from Cullompton, Bradninch and Silverton, E Coy from Crediton, F Coy from Dartmouth, G Coy from Plymouth, H Coy from Torquay. Their cadet company was the Dartmouth Cadet Company based at Crothers Hill, Dartmouth. As the demand for cyclists in France waned and they were seen to be useful in home defence and the unit did not deploy overseas.

   The Devonshire Royal Garrison Artillery had their HQ at the Artillery Drill Hall, Lambhay Hill, Plymouth. They were a Territorial unit consisting of No.1 (Ilfracombe and Lynmouth) Heavy Battery, No.2 (Devonport, Plympton and Salcombe) Heavy Battery, No. 3 and No.4 (Devonport) Garrison Coy, No.5 and No.6 (Plymouth) Garrison Coy.

   The Dorsetshire Battery were a Territorial unit of the Royal Field Artillery, part of the 3rd Wessex Brigade.

   The Dorsetshire Yeomanry (Queen's own) were a Territorial unit, part of the 1st South Western Mounted Brigade. they had their HQ in Sherborne. A Squadron were from Dorchester, Bridport, Weymouth, Maiden Newton and Charmouth, B squadron from Sherborne, Yeoville and Pulham, C Squadron from Blandford, Wimborne, Wareham and Handley, D Squadron from Gillingham, Shadtesbury, Stalbridge and Sturminster Newton.

   The 4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry were a Territorial unit of the Devon and Cornwall Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division. Their HQ was in Truro and the unit consisted of: A Coy (Penzance), B Coy (Camborne), C Coy was based in Falmouth, with their drill hall on the corner of Berkeley Vale and Brook Street, D Coy at Helston, E Coy (Truro), F Coy (Hayle), G Coy (Redruth) and H Coy (St Just and Pendeen). Their associated cadet company was, A Coy. 1st Cadet Battalion of Cornwall based in Falmouth.

   The 5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry were a Territorial unit, part of the Devon and Cornwall Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division. They had their HQ in Bodmin and were made up of: A Coy (Liskeard), B coy (Saltash and Callington), C Coy (Launceston), D Coy (St Austell and St Stephen), E Coy (Bodin and Lostwithiel), F Coy (Camelford, Wadebridge and Delabole), G Cot (St Columb and Newquay) and H Coy (Bude, Stratton, Kilkhampton and Morwenstow)

   The Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry were a Territorial unit with their HQ at Lancaster House, Whalley Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, they were part of the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade. A Squadron was from Oldham and Rochdale, B Squadron from Bolton and Liverpool, C Squadron from Whalley Range and D Squadron from Preston and Blackpool.

   The 4th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment were a Territorial unit with their HQ in Halifax. A, B, C and F Companies were based in Halifax, D Coy in Brighouse, E Coy in Cleckheaton (Their Drill Hall is now a shopfitters warehouse), G Coy in Elland and H Coy in Sowerby Bridge. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, taking up possition on the coastal defences near Hull and Grimsby. On the 5th of November they moved to billets in Doncaster for the winter. They trained in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in preparation for service overseeas. They proceeded to France on the 14th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 147th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

   The 5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment was a Territorial unit with its HQ at The Drill Hall in St Pauls Street, Huddersfield. A, B, C and D Companies were based in Huddersfield, E Company in Huddersfield and Meltham, F Coy in Holmfirth, G Coy in Kirkburton, and H Coy in Mirfield. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, taking up possition on the coastal defences near Hull and Grimsby. On the 5th of November they moved to billets in Doncaster for the winter. They trained in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in preparation for service overseeas. They proceeded to France on the 15th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 147th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 30th of January 1918 they transferred to 186th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division and absorbed the 2/5th Battalion, and was then renamed the 5th Battalion. They were in action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Selle, The capture of Solesmes and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the advanced units had crossed the Sambre and reached the Maubeuge-Avesnes road. The Division was the only Territorial formation to be selected to enter Germany and took over the area around Schleiden in December.

   The 6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Skipton-in-Craven. A Company was based in Skipton-in-Craven and Barnoldswick, B Coy in Skipton-in-Craven, C Coy in Guiseley, D and E Coys in Keighley, F Coy in Settle and Ingleton, G Coy at The Drill Hall, Drill Street, Haworth and H Coy in Bingley. They had a cadet corps in Settle. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, taking up possition on the coastal defences near Hull and Grimsby. On the 5th of November they moved to billets in Doncaster for the winter. They trained in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in preparation for service overseeas. They proceeded to France on the 16th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 147th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

   The Durham Batteries, Royal Garrison Artillery were units of the Territorial Force. The 1st (Seaham Harbour), 2nd Durham Battery was split with the left half being based at the Drill Hall, Seaham Harbour and the right half at The Barracks, Gilesgate, Durham City. The 3rd (West Hartlepool) Durham Battery, based at The Armoury, West Hartlepool, the Seaham Harbour and Durham Ammunition Column together formed the 3rd (County of Durham) Brigade which had its HQ at the Drill Hall, Seaham Harbour. The 4th (South Shields)Battery and the South Shields and Hebburn Ammunition Column were based at at Bollingbroke Street, South Shields and formed the 4th (Howitzer) County of Durham Brigade, along with the 5th Durham (Howitzer) Bty which was based at The Artillery Drill Hall in Hebburn. The Heavy Battery made up of No.I and No.II Coy's which were based at the Drill Hall, The Green, Sunderland. With No.III; No.IV; No.V and No.VI Coy's being based at The Armoury, West Hartlepool.

   The Durham Fortress Engineers were a Territorial unit of the Royal Engineers, they had their HQ at Western Road, Jarrow. Nos. 1 and 2 Companies were based at the Drill Hall, Western Rd, Jarrow, with No.3 Coy based at the Drill Hall, Elm Grove, Alexandra Rd, Gateshead.

   Oaklands Auxiliary Hospital was located in the mansion, Oaklands which was loaned by the Greenall family, at Preston Brook, Halton, Cheshire. It was staffed by the Daresbury Voluntary Aid Detachment of the Red Cross.

   

The 6th Battalion Durham light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Drill Hall, Union St, Bishop Auckland were A and B Coy's were also based.

C Coy was based at The Armoury, Spennymoor. D Coy at The Armoury, Crook. E Coy at The Armoury, Stanhope. F Coy at The Armoury, King St, Barnard Castle. G and H Coy's were both based at The Armoury, Edith St, Consett.

   The 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at the Drill Hall, Gilesgate, Durham.

A Coy was also based there, being drawn from from Gilesgate, Sherburn Hill, Brandon and Sacriston, B Coy was also based at Gilesgate, C Coy was based in Lumley Terrace Chester-le-Street, D Coy at the Drill Hall, Birtley, E Coy at The Armoury, Beamish and Burnhope, F Coy at the Drill Hall, Stanley, G Coy at The Armoury's in Washington and Houghton-le-Spring and H Coy at Drill Hall, Hamsteels and also recruited from Langley Park and Sleetburn.

After training in Britain they proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915 landing at Boulogne to joined 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915 and in June after suffering heavy casualties merged with the 6th DLI to become the 6/8th until mid August.

They were in action again on the Somme in 1916 and at Arras and Passchendaele in 1917, in 1918 saw action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. In August the 8th DLI transferred to 117th Brigade, 39th Division and was disbanded in France on the 6th of November 1918.

   

The 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at the Drill Hall, Burt Terrace, Gateshead, where A, B, C and D Companies also based. E Coy was based at the Drill Hall, Felling, F Coy at the Drill Hall, Chopwell. G Coy at the Drill Hall in Blaydon and H Coy were based at the Drill Hall, West Ryton.

They proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915 landing at Boulogne to joined 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, on the Somme in 1916 and at Arras and Passchendaele in 1917.

On the 12th of February 1918 the 9th DLI converted to a Pioneer Battalion and transferred to 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. They returned to the Somme fighting at Bapaume in March and took part in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

   The Abbotts VAD Hospital opened at The Abbotts, 49 All Saints Road, Cheltenham in May 1915, when the hospital moved from Moorend Park, Charlton Kings. 50 beds were provided. In October 1916 it moved to a much larger house nearby, The Priory, allowing the number of beds to double. In total the hospital treated 1603 patents between 1914 and 1919 with 20 deaths. Today The Abbotts is used as a children's nursery.

   The American Hospital For English Soldiers was situated at Caen Wood Towers, Hampstead Lane in London.

   The American Women's Hospital was situated at 98-99 Lancaster Gate, London.

   Anstie Grange Officers' Hospital was situated at Anstie Grange near Holmwood in Surrey, loaned by Cuthbert Heath. Nearly 700 patients were treated at Anstie Grange.

   The Arnoldi Hospital was run by Mrs. Arnoldi at 47 Roland Gardens, London, S.W.

 Norfolk Battery, Royal Field Artillery  The Norfolk Batteries of the Royal Field Artillery were part of the 1st East Anglian Brigade. The 1st Norfolk Battery had its HQ at Nelson Road, Great Yarmouth, the 2nd and 3rd Batteries were based in Norwich and the Ammunition Column was based in Norwich and Great Yarmouth. Their associated cadets were the Cadet Norfolk Artillery with their HQ in Surrey Street, Norwich.

   The East Anglian (Essex) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery had their HQ at Artillery House, Stratford Green. They were part of the 54th (East Anglian) Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and took up their defensive positions at Brentwood. They then moved to Chelmsford, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich. They took up coastal defence duties in November until February 1915 when they moved to St Albans. In July 1915 the 54th (East Anglian) Division departed for Gallipoli, but the East Anglian (Essex) Heavy Battery remained in England.

The Battery proceeded to France on the 14th of March 1916 and joined XXIII HA Bde.

   The East Anglian Clearing Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force, Royal Army Medical Corps and had their Head Quarters in Ipswich.

   The East Anglian Transport & Supply Column were part of the Territorial Force, Army Service Corps and had their HQ at 156 High street, Ilford. The Norfolk and Suffolk Brigade Company was based in Kings Lynn and Downham Market, the East Midland Brigade Company was based in Northampton and the Essex Brigade Company were based at Bay Lodge, The Green Stratford and in Woolwich.

   The East Anglian Field Ambulance was part of the Territorial Force, Royal Army Medical Corps. The 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance had their HQ in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich with A, B and C Sections based in Ipswich, Woddbridge, Needham Market and Trimley. The 2nd East Anglian Field Ambulance had their HQ at 44 Bethel Street, Norwich with A, B and C Sections based in Norwich, East Dereham and Lowestoft. The 3rd East Anglian Field Ambulance had their HQ at Walthamstowe Lodge, Church Hill, Walthamstow, with A and B Sections based in Southend, C Section based in Silvertown and Prittlewell.

   The East Anglian Engineers were part of the Territorial Force, Royal Engineers and had their HQ in Ashburnham Road, Bedford, the unit consisted of the 1st(Bedford) Field Company, the 2nd (Bedford and Luton) Field Company and the East Anglian Signal Company, which was organised as No 1 and No 2 (Norfolk and Suffolk) Sections, No 3 (East Midland) Section and No 4 (Essex) Section.

   The East Lancashire Clearing Hospital, was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps with their HQ in Manchester.

   The East Lancashire Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 73 Seymour Grove, Old Trafford, Manchester. The unit was made up of the 1st and 2nd (Old Trafford) Field Companies and the East Lancashire Divisional Signal Company which consisted of No 1 and No 2 (Lancashire Fusiliers) Sections, No 3 (East Lancashire) section and No 4 (Manchester) Section.

 East Lancashire Transport & Supply Column, ASC  The East Lancashire Transport & Supply Column, was a Territorial Force unit of the Army Service Corps. Their HQ was at Hulme Barracks in Manchester. They were made up of the Lancashire Brigade Company based in Manchester, the Manchester Brigade Company with its HQ in Manchester and the East Lancashire Brigade Company based in Rawtenstall.

 East Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps  The East Lancashire Field Ambulance was a unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, part of the Territorial Force. Their HQ was at Upper Chorlton Road, Manchester and all three Field Ambulances were based there. The 1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance consisted of A and B (Manchester) sections and C (Bolton) Section. The 2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance consisted of A and B (Manchester) sections and C (Burnley) Section. The 3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance consisted of A and B (Manchester) sections and C (Bury) Section.

 East Lancashire (Heavy) Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery  The East Lancashire (Heavy) Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a Territorial Force unit, part of the Lancashire Brigade, RGA which had its HQ at Sefton Barracks, Upper Warwick Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. The East Lancs (Heavy) Battery was attached to the East Lancashire Division.

 East Lancashire Regiment, 4th Btn.  The 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Blackburn. A, B, C, D and E Companies were based in Blackburn, F and G Coys in Darwen and H Coy in Clitheroe. When war broke out in August 1914 they were based in Blackburn with the East Lancashire Brigade in East Lancashire Division. They were mobilized for war and moved to to Chesham Fold Camp (Bury) for training then proceeded overseas leaving from Southampton on the 10th of September 1914, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 126th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. On the 14th of February 1918 they transferred to 198th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and absorbed the 2/4th Batallion. In April they were reduced to cadre strength and in August transferred to 118th Brigade in 39th Division on Lines of Communication work.

 East Lancashire Regiment, 5th Btn.  The 5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Mill St, Burnley. The unit was made up of A (Burnley) Company, B (Burnley and Padiham) Coy, C and D (Burnley) coys, F (Accrington) Coy, G (Haslingden and Ramsbottom) Coy and H (Baccup) Coy. When war broke out in August 1914 they were based in Blackburn with the East Lancashire Brigade in East Lancashire Division. They were mobilized for war and moved to to Chesham Fold Camp (Bury) for training then proceeded overseas leaving from Southampton on the 10th of September 1914, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 126th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The Battalion was demobilized at Charleroi between December 18 and March 1919.

 East Riding Batteries, Royal Field Artillery  The East Riding Batteries, were units of the Territorial Force, part of the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. They had their HQ in Hull and consisted of the 1st and 2nd East Riding (Hull) Batteries, supported by the Hull Ammunition Column. The third Battery which made up the Brigade was the North Riding (Scarborough and Whitby) Battery.

 East Riding Fortress Engineers  The East Riding Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force, Royal Engineers, consisting of No 1 (Hull) Works Company and No 2 (Hull) Electric Lights Company. They had their HQ in Colonial Street, Hull.

 East Riding Yeomanry  The East Riding Yeomanry were a Territorial Force unit of the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade and had their HQ in Railway Street, Beverley. A Squadron were based in Walton Street, Hull where they had a Riding School and Gymnasium (now Wenlock Barracks). B Squadron in Beverly, North Cave, Hornsea and Patrington, C Squadron in Fulford and Dunnington and D Squadron in Driffield, Hunmanby, Pocklington, Settrington and Bridlington.

 East Riding Royal Garrison Artillery  The East Riding Royal Garrison Artillery were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Park Street, Hull. The unit was made up of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Hull) Garrison Companies.

 East Surrey Regiment, 5th Btn.  The 5th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, part of the Surrey Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division. their HQ was at 17 St George's Road, Wimbledon. A Coy was based in Streatham, B Coy in Leatherhead, Bookham and Walton-on-the-Hill, C Coy in Sutton, D Coy in Mitcham, E, F, and G Coys in Wimbledon and H Coy in Epsom.

 East Surrey Regiment, 6th Btn.  The 6th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, part of the Surrey Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division. Their HQ was in Orchard Road, Kingston-upon-Thames. A Coy was based in Esher, Cobham and Hersham, B and C Coys in Richmond, D, E and F Coys in Kingston-upon-Thames, G Coy in Chertsey and Weybridge and H coy in Egham. Their cadet corps was at Richmond County School.

 East Yorkshire Regiment, 4th Btn  The 4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Londesborough Barracks, Hull. They served with the York and Durham Infantry Brigade, Northumberland Division. Companies A, B, C, D, E and F were based in Hull, G and H in East Hull. They served as part of York and Durham Brigade, Northumbrian Division. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled to Hull and then moved to Darlington to take up defensive possitions with a number of men being detailed to guard the wireless station at Stockton on Tees. Over 75% of the men volunteered for service abroad at the first time of asking, by the end of October 1914 those who had not volunteered were transferred to other units and other volunteers took their place in the 4th battalion which moved to Newcastle to prepare for service overseas.

They proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915 landing at Boulogne. concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. On the 12th of May became 150th Brigade of the 50th Division. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. On the 15th of July 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre and transferred to Lines of Communication, then on the 16th of August they transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division at Varengeville and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops. The Battalion was demobilised on the 7th of November 1918.

 East Yorkshire Regiment, 5th Btn  The 5th (Cyclist) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force attached to Northern Command. Their HQ was in Park Street, Hull. A, B, C and D Companies were based in Hull, E Coy in Howden, North Cave and Saddlethorpe, F Coy in Beverley, Hessle, Market Weighton and Pocklington, G Coy in Bridlington, Hunmanby and Filey, with H Coy in Hedon and Withernsea.

 Eastern Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC  The Eastern Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, was a Territorial Force unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Their HQ was in Grove Road, Luton, A Section was based in Luton and Dunstable, B Section in Bedford.

 Eastern Mounted Brigade Supply & Transport Column, ASC  The Eastern Mounted Brigade Supply & Transport Column were a Territorial Force unit of the Army Service Corps. Their HQ was in Market Road, Chelmsford.

 Essex and Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery  The Essex and Suffolk Royal Garrison Artillery were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Main Road, Dovercourt. It was made up of No 1 (Harwich and Felixstowe) Garrison Company, No 2 (Stratford) Garrison Company, No 3 (Southend-on-Sea and Leigh-on-Sea) Garrison Company and No 4 (Ipswich) Garrison Company.

 Essex Batteries, Royal Field Artillery  The Essex Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were part of the Territorial Force, serving with the 2nd East Anglian Brigade, whose HQ was was at Artillery House, The Green, Stratford. The 1st Essex Battery was based in Stratford, the 2nd Essex Battery was based at 17 Victoria Road, Romford and the 3rd Essex Battery at The Artillery Drill Hall in Grays. Each was supported by a Company of the Essex Artillery Column.

 Essex Fortress Engineers  The Essex Fortress Engineers were a Territorial Force unit of the Royal Engineers. Their HQ was in Market Road, Chelmsford.

 Essex Regiment, 4th Btn.  The 4th Battalion, Essex Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Brentwood. A Coy was based in Romford, B Coy in Manor Park, C Coy in Ilford, D Coy in Barking, E Coy in Loughton, Abridge and Woodford, F Coy drew from Brentwood, Southminster, Wickford, Billericay, Althorne, Bradwell-on-Sea, Burnham-on-Crouch, Mountnessing and Tillingham. G Coy were from Ongar, Epping and Harlow. H Coy were from Hornchurch, Dagenham, Rainham and Harold Wood. Their associated Cadet Corps were; Cranbrook College Cadets in Ilford, Manor Park Cadet Company, Ongar Grammar School Cadets, Warley Garrison Cadets and East Ham Secondary School Cadets.

   5th Battalion Essex Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Association Buildings, Market Road, Colchester. A Coy was drawn from Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle and Great Waltham. B Coy from Chelmsford, Boreham, Hatfield and Danbury, C Coy from Colchester, D Coy from Manningtree, Dedham and Bradfield. E Coy from Halstead, Hedingham, Yeldham, Pebmarsh, Earls Colne and Maplestead. F Coy from Braintree, Bocking, Dunmow, Thaxted, Great Bardfield, Felstead and Coggeshall. G Coy from Maldon, Wickham Bishops, Witham, Terling, Tiptree and Tollesbury. H Coy from Clacton-on-Sea, Wivenhoe and Walton-on-the-Naze. They had two associated cadet corps at King Edward VI School in Chelmsford and Colchester Royal Grammar School.

   6th Battalion Essex Regiment were a Territorial Force unit with their HQ in West Ham. Companies A to G were based in West Ham and H Coy was from Prittlewell and Grays. Their Cadet Corps were based at Church of the Assension in West Ham, Palmer's School in Grays, Given Wilson Institute in London Road, Plaidstow and Southend High School.

   7th Battalion, Essex Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Walthamstow Lodge, Church Hill, Walthamstow. A to G Coys were based in Walthamstow with a Cadet Corps based at 26 Chester Road, Walthamstow.

   8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Essex Regiment had been raised in 1908 as part of the Essex and Suffolk Cyclist Battalion, which was divided in 1911. They had their HQ in Colchester, A Coy was from Leyton, B Coy from West Ham, C Coy from Colchester, Braintree, Dunmow adn Maldon, D Coy from Saffron Waldon and Stanstead Mountfitchet, E Coy from East Ham, F Coy from Ilford, G Coy from Brentwood and H Coy from Coggeshall. They had a cadet battalion based at Wellington Street, Canning Town.

   The Essex Royal Horse artillery were a unit of the Territorial Force, part of the Eastern Mounted Brigade with their HQ in Market Street, Chelmsford. No 1 Section was based in Colchester, No 2 Section in Chelmsford and Ingatestone, their ammunition column consisted of A Sub-section, based in Colchester and B Sub-section in Chelmsford.

   The Essex Yeomanry were a Territorial Unit, part of the Eastern Mounted Brigade with their HQ at 17 Sir Isaac's Walk, Colchester. A Squadron was drawn from Colchester, Clacton on Sea, Harwich, Walton on the Naze, Great Bentley and Ardleigh. B Squadron was drawn from Braintree, Halstead, Chelmsford and Tiptree. C Squadron from Waltham Abbey, Epping, Loughton, Bishop's Stortford, Newport and Dunmow. D Squadron from Southend on Sea, Brentwood, Grays, Stratford and Orsett.

   The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, known as the Scottish Horse were a unit of the Territorial Force, part of the Highland Mounted Brigade with their HQ in Kirkcaldy. A Squadron were drawn from Cupar, Kirkcaldy, Ladybank and St Andrews. B Squadron from Dunfirmline, Balfron, stirling, Kippen, Kelty, Kinross and Aloa. C Squadron from Dundee and D Squadron from Forfar, Arbroath, Edzell, Montrose and Laurencekirk.

   The Forth Royal Garrison Artillery were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Easter Road Barracks, Edinburgh. Nos 1 to 4 Garrison Companies were from Edinburgh, No 5. from Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn, and No 6. from Burntisland and Inverkeithing.

   Forefarshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery, based in Arbroath was a Territorial Force unit, part of the 2nd Highland Brigade which had its HQ at Dudthorpe Drill Hall, Brown Street, Dundee.

   The Fifeshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force, part of the 2nd Highland Brigade, which had its HQ at Dudthope Drill Hall, Brown Street, Dundee.

   The Glamorgan Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force serving. The 1st Glamorgan Battery was based in Swansea, the 2nd Glamorgan Battery was based in Briton Ferry and Neath, they made up the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade RFA, along with their Ammunition Column which was based in Morriston. Brigade HQ was at 42 Castle Street, Swansea.

The 3rd and 4th Glamorgan Batteries were based in Cardiff along with their Ammunition Column and made up the 2nd Welsh Brigade RFA.

   The Glamorgan Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force Royal Engineers with their HQ in Park Street, Cardiff. The unit consisted of, No 1 Works Company from Cardiff, No 2 Works Company from Barry and Barry Island and No 3 Electric Lights Company from Cardiff.

   Glamorgan Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Cardiff. Nos 1, 2 and 3 Garrison Companies were based in Cardiff, No 4 in Penarth and No 5 in Barry.

   Glamorgan Royal Horse Artillery had its HQ in Port Talbot and consisted of the Port Talbot Battery and ammunition column. It was a unit of the Territorial Force and served with the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

   The Glamorgan Yeomanry was a unit of the Territorial Force, serving with the South Wales Mounted Brigade. Their HQ was in Bridgend. A Squadron was drawn from Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Reynoldston. B Squadron from Bridgend, Maesteg, Cowbridge and Porthcawl. C Squadron from Cardiff and D Squadron from Pontypridd, Nelson, Llwynypia, Caerphilly, Mountain Ash, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil.

   The Gloucestershire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery served with the 1st South Midland Brigade, which had its HQ in Bristol and were part of the Territorial Force. The 1st and 2nd Gloucestershire Batteries and the Gloucestershire Ammunition Column were based in Bristol, the 3rd Gloucestershire Battery was based in Gloucester.

   4th (City of Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ in Queen's Road, Clifton, Bristol. A to E Companies were based in Clifton, F Coy in St George's and G and H Companies in Bristol. They served with the Gloucester and Worcester Brigade, South Midland Division. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to Swindon, then to Maldon in Essex in the second week of August to concentrate with the Division and commence training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Bologne on the 30th of March 1915 The Division concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 144th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

   5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Barracks, Gloucester. A and B Companies were based in Gloucester, C Coy in Stroud and Cirencester, D Coy in Tewkesbury, Forthampton and Kemberton, E and F Coy were based in Cheltenham, G Coy in Dursley and Wotton under Edge while H Coy drew from Campden, Blockley, Willersey, Shipston-on-Stour, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Mickleton and Stowe-on-the-Wold.

They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 taking up station on the Isle of Wight, soon moving to Swindon, then to Maldon in Essex in the second week of August to concentrate with the Division and commence training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Bologne on the 30th of March 1915 The Division concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 145th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau. On the 11th of September they left the Division and returned to France to join 75th Brigade, 25th Division fought in the Final Advance in Picardy.

   Paignton VAD hospital was situated at The Larches on Middle Warberry Road, Torquay.

   6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment had their HQ at St Michael's Hill, Bristol and were a unit of the Territorial Force serving with the Gloucester and Worcester Infantry Brigade, South Midland Division. A to H companies were all based in Bristol and they had two Cadet Companies, also based in Bristol. They were part of the Gloucester and Worcester Brigade, South Midland Division and had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to Swindon, then to Little Baddow in Essex in the second week of August to concentrate with the Division and commence training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Boulogne on the 30th of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 144th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division and were in trenches in Le Gheer, near Ploegsteert,Belgium. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

   The Gloucestershire Yeomanry also called the Gloucestershire Hussars were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Barracks, Gloucester. A Squadron were drawn from Gloucester, Ledbury, Cheltenham and Winchcombe. B Squadron from Stroud, Westonbirt, Yate, Berkley, Cirencester and Bourton-on-the-Water. C Squadron from Newport, Cardiff, Chepstow, Ebbw Vale, Monmouth and Abergavenny. D Squadron from Bristol, Broadmead, Tockington and Horfield. They served with the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade.

   4th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders were a unit of the Territorial Force based in Aberdeen. It consisted on Companies A to H and served with the Gordon Infantry Brigade, Highland Division. They were part of the Gordon Brigade, Highland Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they had just departed for annual camp and were recalled at once to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France on the 20th of February 1915, landing at Le Havre to join 8th Brigade, 3rd Division who were at La Clytte. They were in action in The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 10th of October 1915 they transferred to 76th Brigade still with 3rd Division. On the 23rd of February 1916 they transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In late 1916, the 1/4th Battalion absorbed the Shetland Companies of the Gordon Highlanders. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice, the 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

   5th (Buchan and Formartin) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Peterhead. A Company drew from Strichen, New Pitsligo, New Aberdour, New Deer and Maud. B Company from Peterhead, Longside and St Fergus, C Coy from Peterhead, Boddam and Hatton. D Coy from Turriff, Fyvie and Cuminestown. E Coy from Ellon, Auchnagatt, Methlick, Skilmafilly and Newburgh. F Coy from Old Meldrum, Tarves, Newmachar and Pitmedden, G Coy from Fraserburgh and Rosehearty, H Coy from Fraserburgh and Lonmay. They served with the Gordon Infantry Brigade, Highland Division.

   6th (Banff and Donside) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was a unit of the Territorial Force, part of the Gordon Infantry Brigade, Highland Division. Their HQ was in Keith. A Coy was drawn from Banff, Aberchirder, Cornhill and Portsoy. B Coy from Dufftown, Aberlour, Chapeltown, Glenrinnes and Minmore. C Coy from Keith and Grange. D Coy from Buckie, Findochty and Cullen. E Coy from Inverurie and Pitcaple. F Coy from Alford, Cushnie, Lumsden, Glenbucket, Strathdon, Corgarff, and Towie. G Coy from Bucksburn and Dyce. H Coy from Huntley, Insh and Rhynie.

   7th (Deeside Highland) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Banchory. They served with the Gordon Infantry Brigade, Highland Division. A coy was from Banchory, Durris and Torphins. B Coy from Portlethen, C Coy from Stonehaven, D Coy from Laurencekirk, Auchenblae, Bervie, Fettercairn, Fordoun and Marykirk. E Coy from Ballater, Crathie and Braemar, F Coy from Aboyne, Tarland, Finzean and Logie Coldstone. G Coy from Skene, Blackburn, Monymusk and Echt. H coy from Peterculter and Countesswells. They were part of the Gordon Brigade, Highland Division.

When war broke out in August 1914 they had just departed for annual camp and were recalled at once to home base. They moved to Bedford and on the 3rd of May 1915 they proceeded to France. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. The brigade was renamed 152nd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. On the 6th of October 1918 they amalgamated with 1/6th Battalion to form the 6/7th Battalion. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

   The Shetland Companies, Gordon Highlanders were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Lerwick. A Company was from Lerwick, B Coy from Lerwick and Scalloway, they were attached to the Gordon Infantry Brigade, Highland Division.

   Hampshire Batteries were part of the Territorial Force serving with the Wessex Brigades, Royal Field Artillery.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Hampshire Batteries along with their Ammunition Column, made up the 1st Wessex Brigade, whose HQ was in St Paul's Road, Portsmouth. The 1st and 2nd Batteries were based in Portsmouth, the 3rd in Gosport.

The 2nd Hampshire Howitzer Brigade had its HQ in Ryde and consisted of the 4th Hampshire Battery based in Ventnor and Ryde, the 5th Hampshire Battery based in Freshwater and Newport, and their Ammunition Column based in Ryde, Binstead and Ventnor.

The 6th Hampshire Battery, was based at Victoria Drill Hall in Bournmouth and served with the 3rd Hampshire Brigade which had its HQ at The Armoury, Prospect Place, Swindon.

   Hampshire Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. It consisted of No 1 and No 2 works Companies, based in Hampshire Terrace, Portsmouth, No 3 Works Coy based in Eastleigh, No 4 Electric Light Coy based in Hampshire Terrace, Portsmouth, No 5 Electric Light Coy based in Freshwater, Lymington and East Cowes and No 6 Electric Light Coy based in Gosport.

   4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, serving with the Hampshire Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division. They had their HQ in Winchester and was made up of Companies A to H. They had a cadet corps at Peter Symonds School, Winchester. They were part of the the Hampshire Brigade, Wessex Division. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Karachi on the 11th of November. In January 1915 they transferred to 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade, 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division and on the 18th of March they landed at Basra with 33rd Indian Brigade and served in Mesopotamia and Persia for the rest of the war. They were in action at Kut-el-Amara on the 29th of April 1916, when the Battalion HQ and one Company were captured, the 4th Hampshires then formed a composite Bn with the 1/5th Buffs. From January 1918 they were in action in Persia with Lt Col Matthews' Column. By November the Battalion HQ was at Zinjan. In June 1919 two Companies were attached to Lt Col Matthews' Motor Mobile Column and were in action at Resht in August 1919.

   5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, serving with the Hampshire Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division. They had their HQ at Carlton Place, Southampton and was made up of Companies A to H. They were part of the Hampshire Brigade, Wessex Division. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Karachi on the 11th of November. They remained in India throughout the war. In May 1919 they joined 46th Mobile Indian Brigade at Kohat and saw action in Third Afghan War for a brief period. They returned to England arriving at Southampton on the 8th of November 1919.

   6th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, serving with the Hampshire Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division. They had their HQ at Connaught Hall, Portsmouth and was made up of Companies A to H. They were part of the Wessex Division. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 6th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Karachi on the 11th of November. They served in India until September 1917 when they were sent to Basra to join 52nd Brigade, 17th Indian Division. They remained in Mesopotamia for the duration of the conflict.

   7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, serving with the Hampshire Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division. They had their HQ at 177 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth and was made up of Companies A to H. They had a cadet corps at Lymington. They were part of the Hampshire Brigade, Wessex Division. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 6th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Karachi on the 11th of November. They served in India until January 1918 when they were sent to Aden.

   8th (Isle of Wight, Princess Beatrice's) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, serving with Southern Command. They had their HQ in Newport, Isle of Wight and was made up of Companies A to H. They had cadet corps at Ventnor and Cowes.

   9th (Cyclist) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, formed in 1911 and serving with Southern Command. They had their HQ at Hamilton House, Commercial Road, Southampton and was made up of Companies A to H.

   Hampshire Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in St Mary's Road, Southampton. It consisted of No 1 Heavy Battery, based at Southampton and Eastleigh, No 2 Garrison Company in Southampton, No 3 Garrison Company in Eastleigh and Bishop's Waltham, No 4 Garrison Company in Portsmouth, No 5 Garrison Company in Southampton, No 6 Garrison Company in Woolston and Bitterne, No 7 Garrison Company in Southampton and No 8 Garrison Company in Eastleigh.

   Hampshire Royal Horse Artillery was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force serving with the 1st South Western Mounted Brigade. It had its HQ in Southampton where the Battery was based, and its Ammunition Column was based in Basingstoke.

   Hampshire Yeomanry (Carabiniers) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Hyde Close, Winchester. They consisted of A, B, C and D Squadrons and served with the 1st South Western Mounted Brigade.

   1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Barracks, Hereford. It was made up of Companies A to H and served with the Welsh Border Infantry Brigade. They saw action in Gallipoli. After being evacuated from Gallipoli the regiment fought at the Battle of Romani (Egypt) fought up through Sinai were at the three battles of Gaza, Bathsheba and Jerusalem before returning to France.

   Hertfordshire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery served with the 4th East Anglian Brigade which had its HQ at 28 St Andrew's Street, Hertford. It was a unit of the Territorial Force and consisted of the 1st Hertfordshire Battery based at Artillery Buildings, Harpenden Road, St Albans, the 2nd Hertfordshire Battery, based at Clarendon Hall, Watford and an Ammunition Column which was based at St Andrews St. Hertford.

   1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force serving with the East Midland Infantry Brigade, East Anglian Division. It had its HQ in Hertford and consisted of Companies A to H.

   Hertfordshire Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force based in Hertford. It was amde up of A, B, C and D Squadrons.

   Highland Clearing Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Aberdeen.

   Highland Cyclist Battalion was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Kirkcaldy. It consisted of A Company in Kirkaldy, B Coy in Cowie, C Coy in Tayport, D Coy in Forfar, E Coy in Dunfirmline, F Coy in New Scone, G Coy in East Wemyss and H Coy in Bannockburn.

   1st Highland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Fonthill Road, Aberdeen. It consisted of A, B and C sections and was later renamed 89th (Highland) Field Ambulance.

   2nd Highland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Fonthill Road, Aberdeen. It was made up of A, B and C Sections and served with the 51st Highland Division. The Highland Division was created in 1908 part of the Territorial Force. They had just departed for annual camp when they were recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and concentrated at Bedford. Several units were sent to France as reinforcements for the BEF between November 1914 and March 1915. The rest of the Division proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

   3rd Highland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Dunhope Drill Hall, Brown Street, Dundee. It was made up of A, B and C Sections and served with the 51st Highland Division. The Highland Division, created in 1908 was part of the Territorial Force. They had just departed for annual camp when they were recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and concentrated at Bedford. Several units were sent to France as reinforcements for the BEF between November 1914 and March 1915. The rest of the Division proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

   Highland (Heavy) Battery (Fifeshire), Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Elgin Street, Dunfermline.

   5th (City of Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 24 Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow. It was made up of Companies A to H. They were part of HLI Brigade, Lowland Division. They had just departed for annual summer campwhen war broke out in August 1914, They were at once mobilised and moved to Dunfermline in a defensive role. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 157th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. On the 26th of May they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, via Egypt and Mudros. They landed at Cape Helles on the 3rd of July. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria on the 11th of April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

   6th (City of Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 172 Yorkhill Street, Glasgow. It was made up of Companies A to H. They were part of HLI Brigade, Lowland Division. They had just departed for annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914, They were at once mobilised and moved to Dunfermline in a defensive role. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 157th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. On the 26th of May they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, via Egypt and Mudros. They landed at Cape Helles on the 3rd of July. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria on the 11th of April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

   7th (Blythwood) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 69 Main Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow. It was made up of Companies A to H. They were part of HLI Brigade, Lowland Division. They had just departed for annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914, They were at once mobilised and moved to Dunfermline in a defensive role. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 157th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. On the 26th of May they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, via Egypt and Mudros. They landed at Cape Helles on the 3rd of July. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria on the 11th of April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

   8th (Larnark) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Larnark. It was made up of Companies A to H.

   9h (Glasgow Highland) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 81 Greendyke Street, Glasgow. It was made up of Companies A to H. They were part of HLI Brigade, Lowland Division when war broke out in Augsut 1914. They were at once mobilised and moved to Dunfermline in a defensive role. On the 5th of November the left the Division and proceeded to France, joining 5th Brigade, 2nd Division on the 23rd. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 30th of January 1916 they left the Division and became GHQ Troops. On the 29th of May they joined 100th Brigade, 33rd Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

   Highland Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Rose Street, Inverness.

   Home Counties Clearing Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Surbiton.

   1st Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Eastbourne and Brighton. They served with the Home Counties Divisional Royal Engineers, which had its HQ at Ordnance Yard, Eastbourne. In February 1917 they were redesignated 490th (1st Home Counties) Field Company. They served with 8th Division.

   2nd Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in St-Leonards-On-Sea and Bexhill, part of the Home Counties Divisional Royal Engineers. In February 1917 they were redesignated 491st (2nd Home Counties) Field Company. They saw action on the Western Front as part of 5th Division.

   1st Home Counties Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Palace Maidstone. A Section was based in Maidstone, B Section in Snodland and C Section in Chatham. They were later redesignated 81st (1st Home Counties) Field Ambulance and served with 27th Division. The Division was formed at at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 from regular army units who had arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

   2nd Home Counties Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Ashford. A Section was based in Canterbury, B Section in Ashford and Folkestone and C Section in Whitstable. They were later redesignated 82nd (2nd Home Counties) Field Ambulance and served with 27th Division. The Division was formed at at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 from regular army units who had arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

   3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ st 24 Claremont Road, Surbiton. A, B and C Sections were all based in Surbiton. They were later redesignated 83rd (3rd Home Counties) Field Ambulance and served with 27th Division. The Division was formed at at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 from regular army units who had arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

   Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Faversham.

   Honourable Artillery Company was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Armoury House, Finsbury. It consisted of A Battery, (1st City of London Horse Artillery) and the London Mounted Brigade Ammunition Column, B Battery (2nd City of London Horse Artillery) and the South Eastern Mounted Brigade Ammunition Column along with Four Infantry Companies. It was attached to the 1st London Division.

   Inns of Court Officer Training Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 10 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, Holborn. It was made up of one Cavalry Squadron and A, B and C Infantry Companies.

   Inverness-shire Royal Horse Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force serving with the Highland Mounted Brigade. It had it's HQ in Margaret Street, Inverness and the Ammunition Column was based in King street, Nairn.

   Kent Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force serving with the Home Counties Brigades.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Kent Batteries along with their Ammunition Column formed the 3rd (Cinque Ports) Brigade, which had its HQ in Dover. The 1st Kent Battery was based in Liverpool Street, Dover. The 2nd Kent Battery was based in Sheldon Street, Folkestone. The 3rd Kent Battery was based in High Street, Ramsgate. The Ammunition Column was based in Deal (Gun Section) and Sandwich (Small Arms Section.)

The 4th and 5th Kent Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Erith and formed the 4th Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade with their HQ being at Trevethan, Bexley Road, Erith.

   Kent Cyclist Battalion had its HQ in Tonbridge and was made up of Companies A to H.

   Kent Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force Royal Engineers. Their HQ was at the Submarine Mining School, Gillingham. The unit consisted of No 1 (Tonbridge and Southborough) Works Company, No 2 (Ashford) Works Company, No 3 (Southborough) Works Company, No 4 (Gillingham) Electric Lights Company, No 5 (Gillingham and Gravesend) Electric Lights Company and No 6 (Gillingham) Electric Lights Company. They had two associated Cadet Corps, 1st Cadet Battalion Kent (Fortress) Engineers and the 2nd Cadet Battalion based at the Mathematical School, Rochester.

   Kent Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Sheerness. In 1914 it was made up of three companies, No 1 (Fort Clarence, Rochester and Sheerness) Coy, No 2 (Gravesend and Northfleet) Coy and No 3 (Dover and Folkestone) Coy.

   King Edward's Horse (Oversea Dominions Regiment) was an Imperial Service unit of the Territorial Force until 1912 when it became part of the Special Reserve. It was based at the Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea and was made up of Colonial Subjects living in London, organised into four Squadrons; A (British Asian) Squadron, B (Canadian) Squadron, C (Australiasian) Squadron and D (South African) Squadron.

   5th Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at 65 St Anne Street Liverpool. It was made up of Companies A to H. They served with the Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of February 1915, landing at Le Havre and joined 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. They saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 15th of December 1915 they transferred to 99th Brigade still with 2nd Division and on the 7th of January 1916 they transferred to 165th Brigade, in the newly reformed 55th (West Lancashire) Division which was in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 they were in action in the Battle of the Lys including the Defence of Givenchy on the 9th to the 17th of April. In October they took part in the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice they were ordered to advance through Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were with drawn and the Division was demobilised in Brussels between January and April 1919.

   6th (Rifle) Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at Prince's Park Barracks, Upper Warwick Street, Liverpool. It was made up of Companies A to H. They were serving with Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 25th of February 1915, landing at Le Havre and joined 15th Brigade, 5th Division. They were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. On the 18th of November 1915 they left 15th Brigade and were attached to the Third Army as as Army Troops over the winter. On the 2th of6 January 1916 they transferred to 165th Brigade in teh newly reformed 55th (West Lancashire) Division which was concentrating in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 they were in action in the Battle of the Lys including the Defence of Givenchy on the 9th to the 17th of April. In October they took part in the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice they were ordered to advance through Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were withdrawn and the Division was demobilised in Brussels between January and April 1919.

   7th Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at 99 Park Street, Bootle. It was made up of A to D (Bootle) Coys., E (Cosby) Coy., F (Bootle) Coy, G (Southport) Coy, H (Southport and Formby) Coy. It had a Cadet Corps, Southport Cadet Corps based at 60 Scarisbrick New Road, Southport. They were serving with Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, landing at Le Havre and joined 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. They saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 4th of September 1915 they transferred to 5th Brigade still with 2nd Division then on the 15th of November 1915 they transferred to 22nd Brigade, 7th Division. On the 7th of January 1916 they joined 165th Brigade in the newly reformed 55th (West Lancashire) Division who were concentrating in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 they were in action in the Battle of the Lys including the Defence of Givenchy on the 9th to the 17th of April. In October they took part in the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice they were ordered to advance through Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were with drawn and the Division was demobilised in Brussels between January and April 1919.

   8th (Liverpool Irish) Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at 75 Shaw Street Liverpool. It was made up of Companies A to H. They were serving with Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division. When war broke out in Auguat 1914 they had just arrived at the annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to base. In February 1915 the Liverpool Irish transferred to North Lancashire Brigade then on the 18th of April they transferred with the Liverpool Brigade to the Highland Division, with the brigade being retitled the 3rd Highland Brigade, in less than a month they would be retitled 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of May 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. On the 17th of January 1916 they transferred to the newly reformed 165th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. On the 31st of January 1918 they transferred to 171st Brigade, 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division. They were in action during the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, including assisting in the capture of Cambrai in October, The occupation of Lille and the Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice the Division was at rest in the eastern suburbs of Lille. They moved to Arras on the 21st of November to assist with the clear up and the Division was demobilised between March and July 1919.

   9th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at 57-61 Everton Road, Liverpool. It was made up of Companies A to H. F (Ormskirk) Coy was based at The Drill Hall, Southport Road, Ormskirk beside the Parish Church (now the Civic Hall)

   10th (Liverpool Scottish) Battalion King's (Liverpool) Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at 7 Fraser Street, Liverpool off London Road. It was made up of Companies A to H. They were serving with the South Lancashire Brigade, West Lancashire Division. They were mobilized for war and proceeded to France on the 2nd of November 1914 landing at Le Havre and joining 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15 and on the 6th of January 1916 they transferred to 166th Brigade, in the newly reformed 55th (West Lancashire) Division in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 they were in action in the Battle of the Lys including the Defence of Givenchy on the 9th to the 17th of April. In October they took part in the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice they were ordered to advance through Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were with drawn and the Division was demobilised in Brussels between January and April 1919.

   4th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Ulverston. They served with the North Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they had just departed for annual camp when they were recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and concentrated at Bedford. In April 1915 the North Lancs Brigade joined 51st (Highland) Division and were renamed 154th Brigade. They proceeded to France in May, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. On the 6th of January 1916 the battalion transferred to 164th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 they were in action in the Battle of the Lys including the Defence of Givenchy on the 9th to the 17th of April. In October they took part in the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice they were ordered to advance through Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were with drawn and the Division was demobilised in Brussels between January and April 1919.

   5th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Lancaster. They served with the North Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were based in Lancaster with the North Lancashire Brigade, West Lancashire Division. After training, they proceeded to France, land at Le Havre on the 15th of February 1915, on the 3rd of March 1915 they joined 83rd Brigade, 28th Division. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 21st of October 1915 the battalion transferred to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division and on the 7th of January 1916 they transferred to the newly reformed 166th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division who were concentrating in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 they were in action in the Battle of the Lys including the Defence of Givenchy on the 9th to the 17th of April. In October they took part in the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice they were ordered to advance through Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were with drawn and the Division was demobilised in Brussels between January and April 1919.

   4th (Border) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Galashiels. They were part of South Scottish Brigade, Lowland Division, when war broke out in August 1914 they had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out and were at once recalled to base. They were at once mobilzed and moved to on the Scottish coastal defences at Cambusbarron, Stirling. On the 11th of May 1915 the South Scottish Brigade was renamed 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 24th of May for Gallipoli, landing on the 6th of June. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceeded to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Division took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action in The Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged in clearing Herchies.

   5th (Dumfries & Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Dumfries. They were part of South Scottish Brigade, Lowland Division, when war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual summer camp war and were at once recalled to base. They were at once mobilzed and moved to on the Scottish coastal defences at Bannockburn, Stirling. On the 11th of May 1915 the South Scottish Brigade was renamed 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 24th of May for Gallipoli, landing on the 6th of June. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Division took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May. On the 28th of June the Battalion transferred to the reforming 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. They saw action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

   HMS Test was a Laird Type River Class Destroyer built by the Cammell Laird shipyard at Birkenhead and launched on 6th of May 1905. She had a crew of 70 officers and men and a top speed of 25.5 kn. At the outbreak of war in 1914 she was serving with the 9th Destroyer Flotilla based at Chatham, under the command of Lieutenant C. H. Knox-Little.

   4th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Wakefield. They were made up of A (Wakefield) Coy, B (Wakefield) Coy, C (Normanton) Coy, D (Ossett) Coy whose Drill Hall, on the corner of Station Road and Fairfield Terrace is today used by the Ossett Gun Club, E (Dewsbury) Coy, F (Dewsbury) Coy, G (Batley) Coy whose Drill Hall later became The Yorkshire Fire Museum. H (Morley) Coy who were based at The Drill Hall, Ackroyd Street, Morley. They were part of the 3rd West Riding Infantry Brigade, West Riding Division.

When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised at once for war service, moving to Doncaster. In November they moved to Gainsborough and in February 1915 to York to prepare for service overseas, those men who had not volunteered for Imperial Service transferred tp the newly formed 2/4th Battalion. They proceeded to France, from Folkestone landing at Boulogne on the 12th of April 1915 and the Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

   5th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Frenchgate, Doncaster. They were made up of A (Pontefract) Coy, B (Doncaster) Coy, C (Doncaster) Coy, D (Goole) Coy, E (Featherstone) Coy, F (Doncaster) Coy, G (Conisbrough) Coy, and H (Castleford) Coy. They were part of the 3rd West Riding Infantry Brigade, West Riding Division. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised at once for war service, moving to Doncaster. In November they moved to Gainsborough and in February 1915 to York to prepare for service overseas, those men who had not volunteered for Imperial Service transferred tp the newly formed 2/5th Battalion. They proceeded to France, from Folkestone landing at Boulogne on the 12th of April 1915 and the Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 187th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, absorbed the 2/5th Btn and were renamed 5th Battalion. They were in action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Selle, The capture of Solesmes and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the advanced units had crossed the Sambre and reached the Maubeuge-Avesnes road. The Division was the only Territorial formation to be selected to enter Germany and took over the area around Schleiden in December.

   Kirkcudbrightshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force, serving with the 2nd Lowland Brigade.

   Lanarkshire Yeomanry were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Lanark. They were made up of A, B C and D Squadrons and were part of the Lowland Mounted Brigade.

   Lancashire & Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 19 Low Hill, Liverpool. They consisted of Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Liverpool) Garrison Companies, No 5 (Liscard) Coy, No 6 (New Brighton) and Nos 7 and 8 (Barrow in Furness) Garrison Companies.

   Lancashire Batteries Royal Field Artillery were part of the Territorial Force. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lancashire Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Liverpool and together formed the 1st West Lancashire Brigade, RFA which had its HQ at Windsor Barracks, Spekeland Street, Liverpool.

The 4th (Blackburn) Lancashire Battery along with the 5th (Church) and 6th (Burnley) Lancashire Batteries and their Ammunition Column made up the 1st East Lancashire Brigade, RFA and had their HQ at 50 King Street, Blackburn.

The 7th and 8th Lancashire Batteries, along with their Ammunition Column made up the 4th West Lancashire (Howitzer) Brigade and were based in Edge Lane, Liverpool.

The 9th Lancashire Battery had its HQ in Stanley Street, Preston and was part of the 2nd West Lancashire Brigade which had its HQ at 46 Miller Archade, Preston, along with the 10th Lancashire Battery based in Dallas Road, Lancaster, the 11th Lancashire Battery based in Yorkshire Street, Blackpool and their Ammunition Column which was based in Dallas Road, Lancaster.

The 12th Lancaster Brigade had its HQ at 65 Admiral Street Liverpool, which was also the HQ of the 3rd West Lancashire Brigade, which was made up of the 12th, 13th (Widnes) and 14th (Garston) Lancashire Batteries and their Ammunition Column.

The 15th, 16th and 17th Lancashire Batteries, along with their Ammunition Column made up the 2nd East Lancashire Brigade, known as The Manchester Artillery. They had their HQ in Hyde Road, Manchester.

The 18th, 19th and 20th Lancashire Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Bolton and made up the 3rd East Lancashire Brigade, RFA known as The Bolton Artillery.

   Lancashire Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Sefton Barracks, Upper Warwick Street, Toxeth Park, Liverpool. The 1st Lancashire (Heavy) Battery was attached to the East Lancashire Division and the 2nd Lancashire (Heavy) Battery was attached to the West Lancashire Division.

   Lancashire Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Tramway Road, Aigburth. They were made up of No 1 (Aigburth) Works Company and Nos 2 and 3 (Aigburth) Electric Lights Company.

   5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Castle Armoury, Bury. They were part of the Lancashire Fusiliers Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized for war and were amongst the first territorials to proceed overseas leaving from Southampton, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The Battalion was demobilized at Charleroi between December 18 and March 1919.

   6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Rochdale. They were part of the Lancashire Fusiliers Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August they were mobilized for war and were amongst the first territorials to proceed overseas leaving from Southampton, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. In February 1918 they transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, absorbing the 2/6th Battalion. On the 19th of April 1918 they were reduced to cadre strength and in August absorbed the 12th Battalion who had recently arrived from Salonika. On the 22nd of September they transferred to 198th Brigade in same Division. The Division was selected to march through Belgium to Germany and was demobilized at Rochefort in March 1919.

   7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Cross Lane, Salford. They were part of the Lancashire Fusiliers Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized for war and were amongst the first territorials to proceed overseas leaving from Southampton, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The Battalion was demobilized at Charleroi between December 18 and March 1919.

   8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Cross Lane, Salford. They were part of the Lancashire Fusiliers Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized for war and were amongst the first territorials to proceed overseas leaving from Southampton, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The Battalion was demobilized at Charleroi between December 18 and March 1919.

   Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Prince Albert Road, Liverpool. They were made up of Squadrons A to D and were attached to the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade.

   4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Oxford Street, Leicester. They were part of the Lincoln and Leicester Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. The division embarked for France in February 1915, the first territorial division to arrive on the Western Front where it remained for the rest of the war. The first major action was at Hohenzollern Redoubt in the closing days of the Loos offensive, during the attack on 13th October 1915, all the officers who took part became casualties; the total cost was 20 officers and 453 other ranks and of this total just over 200 were killed or died of wounds.

The Battalion's finest hour was in the crossing of the St Quentin Canal on 29 September 1918, breaking through the Hindenburg Line. During the Great War 1914-1918 the battalion lost 628 men, nearly a third of them died on the morning of 13th October 1915 at the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

   5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force, had its HQ in Loughborough and was with the Lincoln and Leicester Brigade of the 46th (N Midland) Division. They arrived in France on the of 28th February 1915 and spent the first few months of the war in the Armentieres sector before moving south to Loos. During the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, which decimated the 4th Battalion, 5th Battalion was in reserve.

In December 1915 the Division war wasordered to Egypt and the 1/5th battalion embarked at Marseille on the 21st January 1916 in the Cunarder Andania, a ship which was described as a floating palace, the next morning the were ordered to disembark and the division went back to the trenches of the Western Front.

   Leicestershire Royal Horse Artillery were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 1 Magazine Square, Leicester. They were made up of one battery and their Ammunition Column and served with the North Midland Mounted Brigade.

   Leicestershire Yeomanry (Prince Albert's Own) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ and Riding School (now County Museum) in Leicester. They were part of the North Midland Mounted Brigade.

   Lincolnshire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were part of the Territorial Force and together formed the 1st North Midland Brigade, RFA. Their HQ was in Grimsby. The 1st Lincolnshire Battery was based in Boston at The Drill Hall, Main Ridge, where they had four 15-pr. B.L.converted guns. (B troop Lincolnshire Yeomanry and C Coy, 4th Lincolns were also based there). The 2nd Lincolnshire Battery was based in Grimsby and the 3rd Lincolnshire Battery in Grimsby and Louth, with their Ammunition Column having sections based with each.

   4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Lincoln. They were part of the Lincoln and Leicester Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. C Coy were based at The Drill Hall, Main Ridge, Boston. (B troop Lincolnshire Yeomanry and 1st Lincolnshire Battery RFA were also based there). G Coy was based at The Drill Hall, South Street, Horncastle.

When war broke out they were at once mobilised for war service and the Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. The 4th Lincolns proceeded to France, on the 1st of March 1915 landing at Le Harve, the North Midland Division being the first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the Division was ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. The 4th Lincolns sailed from Marseilles on the 7th of January 1916, but after only a few days in Egypt the Division was ordered to return to France and on the 4th of February 1916 they embarked from Alexandria and returned to Marseilles. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. On the 31st of January 1918 they transferred to 177th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division, and absorbed the 2/4th Battalion as the army was reorganised. After further training they went back into the line at Bullecourt on the 11th of February 1918. In March 177th Brigade and the divisional artillery were in action in The Battle of St Quentin. The whole Division then suffered heavily in the The Battle of Bapaume and The Division, without the artillery, moved to Poperinge in Flanders, receiving new drafts of men. On the 5th of April they took over the front line at Passchendaele. On the 13th of April they moved to reinforce the Lys area and were in action during The Battle of Bailleul, suffering heavy losses as the enmy broke through, they moved back to Mont Noir and fought in the The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. In early May the Division was reduced to a training cadre establishment.

On the 2nd of June the 4th Lincolns transferred to 49th Brigade, 16th Division, then on the 17th to 102nd Brigade, 34th Division and on the 27th to 117th Brigade, 39th Division. On the 27th of July 1918 they transferred to 118th Brigade still with 34th Division and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. On the 28th of September 1they transferred to 116th Brigade, still with 34th Division. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. On the 8th of November 1918 the 4th Lincolns were disbanded in France.

   5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at the Drill Hall in Doughty Road, Grimsby. They were part of the Lincoln and Leicester Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. C Coy were based at The Drill Hall, Halton Road, Spilsby, with an outlying drill station at Skegness. D Coy were based at Louth, with an outlying drill station at North Thoresby. E Coy were based at The Drill Hall, Barton upon Humber. F Coy were based at The Territorial Drill Hall, South End, Alford. G Coy were based in Frodingham with an outlying drill station at Brigg and H coy were based at Gainsborough.

They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. On the 31st of January 1918 they transferred to 177th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division who were training at Le Cauroy for rest and further training, going back into the line at Bullecourt on the 11th of February 1918. In March 177th Brigade and the divisional artillery were in action in The Battle of St Quentin. The whole Division then suffered heavily in the The Battle of Bapaume. The Division, without the artillery, moved to Poperinge in Flanders, receiving new drafts of men. On the 5th of April they took over the front line at Passchendaele. On the 13th of April they moved to reinforce the Lys area and were in action during The Battle of Bailleul, suffering heavy losses as the enmy broke through, they moved back to Mont Noir and fought in the The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. In early May the Division was reduced to a training cadre establishment but was reconstituted and took over a sector on the 25th of July with Third Army. On the 31st of July they absorbed 2/5th Lincolns. They were in action during the The Battle of Albert near Ablainzeville and in The final advance in Artois and Flanders with Fifth Army, entering Lille on the 16th of October, reaching Valenciennes on the Belgian border by the 23rd after heavy fighting on the Scheldt. By the Armistice the advance units were north-east of Tournai in Belgium, facing Lessines. They moved to the area south and south east of Lille, moving to Noeux les Mines and Bethune in the first week of December where demobilisation began.

   Lincolnshire Yeomanry were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Old Barracks, Lincoln (now The Museum of Lincolnshire Life). They were part of the North Midland Mounted Brigade. B troop were based at The Drill Hall, Main Ridge, Boston, C Coy, 4th Lincolns and 1st Lincolnshire Battery RFA were also based there.

   London Batteries Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd City of London Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Bloomsbury and together made up the 1st (City of London) Brigade, RFA which had its HQ in Handle Street, Bloomsbury.

The 4th, 5th and 6th County of London Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Woolwich and Eltham and together made up the 2nd London Brigade, RFA which had its HQ at The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.

The 7th, 8th and 9th County of London Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Finsbury and together made up the 3rd London Brigade which had its HQ at The Artillery Barracks, Leonard Street, Finsbury.

The 10th and 11th London Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Lewisham and together made up the 4th London (Howitzer) Brigade which had its HQ in Ennersdale Road, Lewisham.

The 12th, 13th County of London Batteries were based in Lambeth and along with 14th County of London Battery which was based in Porteous Road, Paddington along with their Ammunition Column which based in Lambeth, together made up the 5th London Brigade which had its HQ at 76 Lower Kennington Lane, Lambeth.

The 15th, 16th and 17th County of London Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Brixton and together made up the 6th London Brigade which had its HQ at 105 Holland Road, Brixton.

The 18th, 19th and 20th County of London Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Fulhan and together made up the 7th London Brigade which had its HQ in High Street, Fulham.

The 21st and 2nd County of London Batteries along with their Ammunition Column were based in Woolwich and together made up the 8th London (Howitzer) Brigade which had its HQ at St Margaret's Road, Woolwich.

   1st London Clearing Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea.

   2nd London Clearing Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea.

   London Electrical Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force comprising six companies. They had their HQ at 46 Regency Street, Westminster.

   4th London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with it's HQ at The School of Ambulance, Brookhill Road, Woolwich and Drill Stations in Dartford and Erith. They served with 47th (2nd London) Division. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

   6th London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with it's HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea. 6th London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 47th (2nd London) Division. They were part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 6th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 6th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

   12th (The Rangers) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, Holborn. They were serving with 3rd London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in August 1914. They moved on mobilisation to Bullswater, moving in September to Crowborough. In October, they were employed in guarding the Waterloo-North Camp railway at Aldershot railway. In December they moved to Roehampton to prepare for deployment overseas. On the 25th of December 1914 they left the Division and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre. They joined 84th Brigade, 28th Division on the 8th of February 1915 who were concentrating in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and on the 20th of May the battalion transferred to GHQ Troops and formed a composite unit with the 1/5th and 1/13th Londons, resuming identity on the 11th of August. On the 12th of February 1916 the 12th Londons transferred to the reforming 168th Brigade, 56th (London) Division who were concentrating in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. On the 31st of January 1918 they transferred to 175th Brigade, 58th (2/1st London) Division and absorbed the disbanding 2/12th Londons. They were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and engaged in other actions on the Somme, The Battle of the Avre, The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy and the Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice the Division had crossed the River Scheldt with the advanced units being south of Ath. They remained in the Peruwelz area until demobilisation.

   3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Abergavenny, it was part of the Welsh Border Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. When war was declared in August 1914, they were mobilised to Pembroke Dock but had moved to Oswestry by the 10th of August and went on to at Northampton by the end of August. In December they moved to Bury St Edmunds and then to Cambridge in January 1915. On the 14th of February they left the Division and proceeded to France to join 83rd Brigade, 28th Division who were concentrating in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres, suffering heavy casualties, on the 27th of May they amalgamated with the 1/1st and 1/2nd Battalions, resuming their own identities on the 11th of August. They also fought in The Battle of Loos. On the 2nd of September they transferred to 49th (West Riding) Division as as a Pioneer Battalion. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme and on the 9th of August they left the Division and became GHQ Troops. On the 31st of August, the battalion was disbanded with troops transferring to 1/1st and 1/2nd Monmouths.

   Norfolk Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Cattle Market Hill, Norwich. It was part of the Eastern Mounted Brigade.

   North Midland Heavy Batteries, Royal Garrison Artillery were units of the Territorial Force with its HQ at the RGA Drill Hall, Wilfred Place, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent. 1/1st North Midland Heavy Battery proceeded to France with the 46th (North Midland) Division, in March 1915, it transferred to XIII Heavy Brigade, RGA. 2/1st North Midland Heavy Battery was formed at Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent on 31st of August 1914 and trained with 59th (2nd North Midland) Division, proceeding independently to France in May 1916. 3/1st North Midland Heavy Battery was formed as training unit and had a short existence during 1916.

   7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 14 Fenckle St, Alnwick. A Coy was based in Copper Chare, Morpeth. B Coy at the Drill Hall, Ashington. C Coy at the Armoury, High St, Belford. D Coy at at 14 Fenckle St, Alnwick. E Coy at the Drill Hall, Amble. G and H Coy's were based at Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed. They proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In February 1918 they transferred the 42nd Division as a Pioneer Battalion, and saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

   6th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers was raised at Ayr in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training in the Ayr area they joined 27th Brigade, 9th Scottish) Division at Bordon and in February 1915 moved to Bramshott for final training. They proceeded to France on the 11th of May 1915, landing at Boulogne and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. On the 7th of May 1916 they transferred to 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division and amalgamated with 7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers to become 6/7th Battalion.

   

   Armstrong-Whitworth's Low Walker yard at Newcastle-on-Tyne, had six building slips from 650 to 450ft, the yard had previously been owned by Charles Mitchell & Co.

   Furness Withy & Co had a shipyard at Main Harbour, Hartlepool and were engaged in the construction of sloops, war cargo ships, tankers and mercantile shipping.

   Sandhill Camp was situated near Warminster in Wiltshire.

   During the course of the war No.4 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps participated in the following battles:

  • Battle of the Marne (Sept 1914)
  • Battle of Neuve Chapelle (1915)
  • Second Battle of Ypres
  • Battle of Loos (Sept 1915)
  • The Battle of the Somme (July 1916)
  • Battle Arras 1917
  • Battle of Messines June 1917
  • Battle of Passchendaele


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       5th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the South Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division and had their HQ in Mill St, St Helens, behind Lowe House RC Church (today used by Cadets as TS Scimitar). They proceeded to France on the 13th of February 1915 landing at Le Havre and joining 12th Brigade, 4th Division. They were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and spent the winter on the Somme attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, with 12th Brigade training the newly arrived Division. On the 6th of January 1916 the 1/5th South Lancashires transferred to 166th Brigade in the newly reformed 55th (West Lancashire) Division in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 they were in action in the Battle of the Lys including the Defence of Givenchy on the 9th to the 17th of April. In October they took part in the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice they were ordered to advance through Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were withdrawn and the Division was demobilised in Brussels between January and April 1919.

       

    The 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a regular unit of the British Army. When war broke out in August 1914 they were based in Lichfield, serving with 18th Brigade, part of 6th Division.

    In August 1914, they moved to Dunfermline then by the 13th August they were at Cambridge engaged in training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire and at once moving to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF on the Aisne.

    They then moved North to Flanders and in 1915 saw action at Hooge. In 1916 they were on The Somme and in 1917 at Hill 70 and Cambrai. In 1918 they were again on the Somme then moved to Flanders in the Spring taking part in the fighting retreat as the German's advanced through Baillieul to Kemmel.

    The 2nd DLI were in action during the Allied Advance in Flanders later that year and returned to the Cambrai area during Battles of the Hindenburg Line. The were billeted around Bohain at the Armistice on the 11th of November 1918 and the Division was selected to march into Germany as part of the occupation force.

       

       The SMS Kurfurst Friedrich Wilhelm was one of the first battleships of the Imperial German Navy, launched in 1893. Her only combat tour was when she supported the German troops during the Boxer Rebellion. In 1910 she was sold to the Ottoman Empire and renamed the Barbaros Hayreddin. She saw heavy combat during the Balkan Wars, providing artillery support to the Ottoman forces in Thrace. She fought the Greek Navy at the Battle of Elli and the Battle of Lemnos in 1912. The old battleship was partially disarmed and her guns used as coastal defenses when the Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers.

    8th Aug 1915  HMS India sunk

       The SS India was a passenger liner that operated by the P&O (Peninsular and Oriental Navigation Company) between 1896 and 1915. She operated on a route between Britain, India and Australia. In March of 1915 she was hired by the British Admiralty as an armed merchant cruiser in the 10th Crusier Squadron.

       

     

       

       2/4th Battalion Black Watch wass formed at Dundee in early September 1914 as a Second Line Territorial Battalion, they moved to Broughty Ferry to man the Tay Defences. They served on Home Defence duty until disbanded at the end of 1917.

       2/6th (Perthshire) Battalion, Black Watch was a Second Line Territorial Units formed at Perth in September 1914, they served on Home Defence duties until disbanded in September 1917.

       12th (Labour) Battalion, Black Watch was formed in Blairgowrie in May 1916, they served on the Western Front. In April 1917 the Battalion was split and redesignated as 5th and 6th Coys, Labour Corps.

       245th Machine Gun Company was raised and trained in Grantham MG Training Base and moved to France joining the 50th (Northumberland) Division as part of the Divisional Troops on the 30 July 1917. It was later moved into the 50th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps on the 1 March 1918 as part of more tactic changes to further increase the concentration of Divisional firepower.

       Lafayette Escadrille was a French Air Force Squadron manned mainly by American pilots, it was originally called Escadrille Americaine.

     

       Heckla Works, was situated in Sheffield, on the site now occupied by the Meadowhall Shopping Centre. Their war production was projectile shells in patented "ERA" steel.

       The 131st Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was trained in the 104th Westminster Fusiliers Regiment in New Westminster. During World War I the Battalion supplied drafts to Canadian units in France.

     

       

    HMS Viknor was formerly RMS Atrato, built for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. She was later renamed SS Viking when sold to Viking Cruising Company and then Viknor by the Admiralty. She was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to an armed merchant ship and was attached to the 10th Cruiser Squadron blockading the seas between the North of Scotland and Iceland. She was crewed mainly by Royal Naval Reservists with a ships complement of 22 Officers and 273 Ratings.

    It was officially recorded that HMS Viknor has been destroyed by an enemy mine, in January 1915, somewhere off Tory Island and that no one had survived of the almost three hundred onboard. Some of the bodies of the crew washed up on Irish and Scottish soil over the course of several days.

       HMS Godetia was a Arabis-class sloop of the Royal Navy Fishery Protection Squadron. She was launched in 1916, having a displacement of 1350 tons, and was broken up in 1937.

    The Arabis class was the third class of minesweeping sloops and the largest building project completed under the Emergency War Programme for the Royal Navy in World War I. The ships were employed in addition to their minesweeping ability as patrol vessels, tugs, and personnel and cargo transports. The design for the Arabis class was made at the end of 1914. All 36 British vessels were ordered in July 1915, and were built in three batches, averaging 12 vessels. The design was highly appealing, as most shipyards were capable of building them, and construction could be completed in five months.

       The Battle of Neuve Chapelle began on the 10th of March 1915, a British offensive in the Artois region of France and broke through at Neuve-Chapelle, but the British were unable to exploit the advantage. More troops had arrived from Britain and relieved some French troops in Flanders and enabled a continuous British line to be formed from Langemarck to Givenchy. The battle was intended to cause a rupture in the German lines, which would then be exploited with a rush to the Aubers Ridge and possibly Lille, the railway terminus from the east and south-east which was used by the Germans.

    The attack was carried out by IV Corps under Lieutenant General Sir Henry Rawlinson. The First Army’s line rans through the water logged meadows of the Lys valley, dominated to the east by the 40 foot high Aubers Ridge, which offered drier ground and observation over the flat plains in all directions. The village of Neuve Chapelle, had been captured by the Germans in October 1914 and lay in a salient about 2,000 yards across, within sight of the strategic town of Lille.

    The plan top secret plan was to capture Neuve Chapelle in two days, launching with a ‘hurricane’ bombardment of only 35 minutes duration, using 66 heavy guns. Artillery timetables are issued, giving each battery its exact targets for each stage of the action, a most important innovation. Gun platforms are devised to give stability in the soft muddy ground. The new innovation of Aerial photographs are used to create a map showing the network of German trenches. Each of the two corps involved receives 1,500 copies of this map. Haig insisted that every man must know exactly what his duty is. Officers familiarize themselves with the ground over which they will attack and the assaulting infantry are rehearsed in their tasks. To exploit a success, five divisions of cavalry are brought up behind the offensive front. Forming up trenches are dug along with dummy trenches for deception, advanced ammunition and supply dumps are established, the roads are improved ready for battle traffic and a light railway laid down.

    At 7.30am The British bombardment opened, with three hundred forty-two guns firing on the German trenches, directed in part by eighty-five reconnaissance aircraft. More shells are fired in this short opening barrage than in the entire South African War.

    At 08:05 the British and Indian divisions attacked along an 8,300 yard front. After three hours of hand to hand fighting, Neuve Chapelle is captured and four lines of German trenches over run. However, in the northern sector, a 400 yard length of German front line was not bombarded, as the guns allocated to this sector did not reach the front in time to take part in the attack. The three waves of men who advanced across No-Man’s Land faced intact German wire defences and most became casualties.

    The battle would continue for three days, costing 7000 British and 4200 Indian lives. German losses are estimated to have been around 12,000.

     British Army Battle Formations during the Great War - 1914-1918.  Prior to the First World War the largest unit in the British Army was a Division and the Army was much smaller than the French or German Armies prior to commencement of hostilities in August 1914. Never before had so vast a conflict been fought and its immediate effect was to increase manpower and merge units in large configurations to match its opponent’s dispositions.

    An Order of Battle (often shortened to ORBAT) is the identification, strength, command structure and disposition of the personnel, units and equipment of any military force. It is an organisational view of the army.

    Battalion (Infantry)

    The structure of the Army starts with the soldier who is a member of a Battalion, consisting of about 1000 men, which is normally organised into a number of companies (usually 4 and a Headquarters company), which are further subdivided into platoons and sections. This enables supervision to be taken down to the smallest section and individual.

    Regiment

    The next grouping is by Regiment which is the historical backbone of the Army carrying the Monarch’s Colours which display Battle Honours from the past. Most Regiments have a traditional link with towns or regions where they were originally raised or created. During peacetime most Regiments have one or two Regular Battalions (full time soldiers) and a couple of Territorial Battalions (part times soldiers), however during wartime extra battalions including reserve battalions are called up or mobilized and recruits sought usually encouraging men to join their local regiment. At the start of the Great War a large number of additional Battalions were raised, these were known as Service or Kitchener's Battalions after the Minister, Lord Kitchener. The Pals Battalions were all Kitchener's Battalions.

    Brigade

    The next upward chain of command is the Brigade which then consisted of 4 infantry battalions (from a mix of regiments) and other special groups which will be explained later along with the Division.

    Division

    Then we come to the traditional Division which had a structure laid down as the largest unit for war in the past. The Division is so important to the overall conduct of the war that it will also be explained at the end of this guide.

    Corps

    The huge numbers raised to fight in this largest and costliest of wars resulted in the need for further coordination of Divisions resulting in the creation of Corps and resulted in many early appointments of General Officers at this new grouping level.

    Armies

    Again to coordinate very large operation groups, Armies were formed which had a minimum of two Corps attached. The British Command eventually had 5 Armies in France and Flanders.

    GHQ

    Overall command of all the units rested with General Headquarters which was itself commanded by the War Office in London.

    Changing Tactics as the war progresses.

    Now there is a need to explain the higher echelons of command and this requires some understanding of the effects of this large scale warfare and the developing roles of infantry support.

    Prior to this war fighting was on land or at sea (Naval Battles) with some Naval support in smaller wars further afield. Now it was to be Land, Sea and a new concept, Air.

    Other units were already in existence to support the Infantry mainly Cavalry (mounted infantry) and Artillery.

    Cavalry

    Soldiers were organised on the same lines as Infantry Regiments but with sword, lance and Horse. Most were eventually dismounted and trained as infantry as the cavalry role became outdated in this more mechanised war.

    Artillery

    Soldiers in the Artillery would serve in a Battery or Ammunition Column. A Battery consisted of two and later four guns and a Brigade consisted of usually four Batteries. Artillery was further divided into Field Guns (Royal Field Artillery and Royal Horse Artillery) and Heavy Guns/Howitzers (Royal Garrison Artillery). As the war progressed ever increasing concentration of firepower led to increased use of Divisional Artillery Grouping of Brigades and Ammunition Columns. Artillery played a huge part in trench warfare and it took the allies a long time to gain superiority in this field.

    Other Corps.

    Now we introduce a different use and meaning of the word Corps. So far we have used it as an overall command level created in this war to command groups of Divisions. Corps was previously in use as a regiment (Kings Royal Rifle Corps) and for special support units such as Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical, Army Service, Tank and Royal Flying all of which had Corps in their titles. (Some had the Royal added to their titles after the war).

    Machine Gun Corps.

    Initially each Battalion had two Machine Gun crews and started the war with the Maxim Machine Gun. This was later changed to the Vickers machine gun, similar design but lighter and better firing mechanism. As the war bogged down into trench warfare the need for greater concentration of firepower became obvious so machine gun were removed in stages from the infantry battalions and two schools were set up to train machine gunners in new tactics forming specialist machine gun companies. Each Brigade was given a machine gun company and each Division got a Divisional machine gun company. All these company personnel became part of the Machine Gun Corps. However the Corps did not survive for long after the war as lighter and faster semi-automatic weapons became available at all levels for troops. In order to maintain and improve the firepower of infantry battalions after removal of their machine guns, the even lighter Lewis Gun was issued as they became available, initially 4 then subsequently 8 Lewis guns per battalion, increasing mobility and firepower considerably.

    Two New Corps

    Totally new to warfare were the concept of Tanks and Aircraft which led to the formation of the Tank Corps (Royal was added later) which was originally formed as the Heavy Division of the Machine Gun Corps. The introduction of aeroplanes led to the formation of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps, forerunner to a separate arm of the Armed Forces, the Royal Air Force.

    The British Armies of 1914-1918

    In France and Flanders, the size of the British army was eventually such that it was subdivided into five Armies, each commanded by a Lieutenant-General. Armies were also formed at home and the force in Salonika also went by the title, although those in Gallipoli, Italy and Palestine did not.

    Now for that explanation of Brigade and Division Structure.

    At the outbreak of was the standard British Army Division consisted of:

    3 Brigades, each consisting: 4 Infantry Battalions, 1 Machine Gun Company** and 1 Trench Mortar Battery

    Divisional Troops consisting: 1 Infantry Battalion, 1 Pioneer Battalion and 1 Machine Gun Company** (formed into Machine Gun Battalion 1918)

    Divisional Mounted Troops: 1 Cavalry Battalion and 1 Cyclist Battalion

    Divisional Artillery: 3 Brigades Royal Field Artillery, 1 Howitzer Battery RFA, 1 Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, 1 Divisional Ammunition Column, 1 Heavy Trench Battety RFA and 1 Medium Trench Battery RFA

    Royal Engineers: 3 Field Companies and 1 Signal Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps: 3 Field Ambulance Companies

    Divisional Train Army Service Corps: Mobile Veterinary Section

    From this list one can observe that a Division was a reasonably self-sufficient military unit but it still needed a massive amount of logistic support. Bearing in mind that there were more than 50 Divisions in the Western Front at various stages in the war gives us some idea of the amount of labour needed to keep this vast army supplied with men, equipment, ammunition, animals, food and fodder.

    There were many other special units but it is hoped that this guide give a reasonably broad approach to understanding the basics of the British Army’s organisation, and reorganisation - for the pursuit of its objectives in the Great War.

       HMS Bristol was a light cruiser launched in 1910. She saw action in the Battle of the Falkland Islands on the 8th of December 1914

       HMS Natal was a Warrior-class armoured cruiser built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 20th century. She escorted the royal yacht in 1911,1912 for the newly crowned King George V's trip to India to attend the Delhi Durbar. During World War I the ship was assigned to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet, but did not participate in any battles.

    On 30th of December 1915, Natal was lying in the Cromarty Firth with her squadron, under the command of Captain Eric Back. The captain was hosting a film party aboard and had invited the wives and children of his officers, one civilian friend and his family, and nurses from the nearby hospital ship Drina to attend. A total of seven women, one civilian male, and three children were in attendance that afternoon. Shortly after 1525hrs, and without warning, a series of violent explosions tore through the rear part of the ship. She capsized five minutes later. Some thought that she'd been torpedoed by a German U-boat or detonated a submarine-laid mine, but examination of the wreckage revealed that the explosions were internal. The divers sent to investigate the ship reported that the explosions began in either the rear 9.2-inch shellroom or the 3-pounder and small arms magazine. The Admiralty court-martial in the causes of her loss concluded that it was caused by an internal ammunition explosion, possibly due to faulty cordite. The Admiralty issued a revised list of the dead and missing that totaled 390 in January 1916, but did not list the women and children on board that day.


       109th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery arrived in France on the 23rd of September 1914. In March 1915 they joined 1st Heavy Brigade.

       110th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery arrived in France on the 20th of September 1914. In March 1915 they joined 1st Heavy Brigade.

       King Edward VII Hospital was situated in Grosvenor Gardens, London

       The Yorkshire Hussars, were a Territorial unit, who were mobilised on 5th Aug 1914, and the men assembled at their squadron headquarters: A Squadron - Leeds (Maj F H Fawkes) B Squadron - York (Maj Viscount Helmsley) C Squadron - Knaresborough (Maj A E Collins) D Squadron - Middlesborough (Maj E A Herbert)

    They were issued with horses and infantry rifles. The yeomanry rank and file were not issued with swords. Within two days they had stationed themselves along the east coast of Yorkshire with the HQ at Scarborough. Lt-Col Stanyforth was CO. with Lord Deramore 2nd in Command. D Squadron was split up and distributed among the other 3 squadrons.

    Later in August the Foreign Service Regiment was formed from those willing to serve overseas plus recruits. This was later called the 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars, commanded by Lt-Col Viscount Helmsley. They spent the winter of 1914-15 in Harlow, Essex, waiting impatiently to go to France. In February they were told that the regiment was to be split up and the 3 squadrons to serve in the 46th 49th and 50th Divisions.

    Their machine-gun section, commanded by Lt T Preston, was sent to the Essex Yeomanry, 8th Brigade and took part in the Battle of Loos in September. In 1916 the Machine Gun Corps was formed and the YH section became part of the 8th MG Squadron in the 3rd Cavalry Division. They were in the Thiepval trenches on the Somme in August 1816 and took a prominent part in the Battle of Arras in April 1917. They sustained casualties in the cavalry operations of the spring and autumn of 1918 and were awarded many decorations. They were thus the only part of the Yorkshire Hussars to serve as cavalry throughout World War 1.

    Major G R Lane Fox commanded A Squadron which was assigned to 50th Division. They arrived in France on the eve of the 2nd Battle of Ypres. From 22nd to 25th May they were in the dismounted role in the Menin road where they lost 5 men killed and 5 wounded, including Maj Lane Fox. The next few months were spent in the Bailleul-Hazebrouk area providing men for digging parties, police duties etc.

    B Squadron, commanded by Maj W G Eley who had served in 14th Hussars, was with the 46th Division. They were also in the Menin Road area but later moved to Bethune. At the end of Aug 1915 they lost an officer, Lt E S Turton who was killed by a sniper whilst he was attached to the Sherwood Foresters. In Jan 1916 the division was sent by train to Marseilles where it was intended that they be shipped off to Mesopotamia, but the idea was scrapped and they were sent back to the trenches in the St Pol area.

    C Squadron was commanded by Major E York who later commanded the regiment in 1924. They were part of the 49th (West Riding) Division, billeted in turn at places like Merville, Steenwerck, Proven and Esquelbecq.

    In May 1916 it was decided that the static nature of the war required a rethink of the cavalry role and that the cavalry regiments were to work as units within a Corps, and that the Corps Commander would control their movements. On 10th May 1916 the Yorkshire Hussars were reunited as a regiment under 17th Corps, at Gouy-en-Ternois. On 1st June there was a new CO, Lt-Col W Pepys of 13th Hussars. They later moved to Berles, between Arras and St Pol, where they remained for more than a year. The initial delight at being a united regiment with the prospect of cavalry action began to wear off as winter approached and the new year produced no more hope. In Nov 1916 their CO left and was replaced by newly promoted Lt-Col Eley. They spent the winter at Warne and then moved to Berles and Habarcq. Here, on 14th Aug 1917, they were given the sad news that the regiment was to be broken up and used as reinforcements to various infantry battalions.

    However, the regiment did survive as a unit. They were initially sent for 5 or 6 weeks infantry training and then on the 11th Oct 1917 they went to Zudrove, 20 officers and 396 other ranks. They joined the 9th West Yorkshires in the 32nd Brigade, 11th Division. They were a complete battalion, called the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. They wore their regimental cap-badges but West Yorks collar badges, and were commanded by Lt-Col F P Worsley DSO. They were at Passchendale in the line north of Lens and then carried out a successful raid on the Norman Brickstacks. This was led by Captain Roger Walker and consisted of 250 men. One of the officers was killed, Lt C S Haslam. They spent the winter in the depressing colliery district south of Bethune. They were holding the sector opposite Hulluch and Haisnes through the spring of 1918 and suffered gas shelling on 9th April, and the following days, at St Elie. On 15th June they carried out a raid on the St Elie Craters in which a tunnel was successfully blown up by 2nd LT A Dalley. On 24th Aug they were moved to the Arras front for the final advance. They lost two killed and 6 wounded in the line east of Pelves, but they captured a complete German clothing store. On 27th Sep, the battalion, now commanded by Maj R E M Cherry MC made a successful attack on Aubencheul-au-Bac, and on 3rd Oct Marquion Quarry was assaulted and captured. The enemy were in retreat and the battalion crossed the Sensee Canal on 10th Oct.

    A new CO was taken on in October, Captain R H Waddy. The battalion was sent back for a short rest and they then advanced south and east of Valenciennes. They dug in on the evening of 3rd Nov just beyond the Jenlain-Curgies railway line, and advanced at dawn through thickly wooded country. They captured Le Triez, taking prisoners and releasing civilian captives. They pushed on to Roisin but had to retire because their flank was exposed. They were in a sunken road but it gave them no protection from enemy shelling. They lost 5 officers and 12 other ranks killed, and 2 officers and 57 other ranks wounded, and a further 44 missing. They sustained 43 more casualties the following day when the Germans shelled the densely populated village of Roisin.

    On 10th and 11th November 1918 the 11th Division was relieved and the 9th Battalion's active part in the Great War had come to an end. They marched back and spent the winter at Wallers, 5 miles west of Valenciennes. On 20th Feb 1919 they were presented with Colours and were demobilised. There were 6 officers and 41 men remaining.

     

     Zeppelin L31  The first flight of Zeppelin L31 took place on the 12th of July 1916 She was an R Class craft built under Production Code LZ72. L31 took part in an important reconnaissance mission in fleet operation against Sunderland. She made six attacks on England dropping a total of 19,411 kilograms (42,794 lb) of bombs along with L32, L 33 and L34 in a Zeppelin raid on night of 23 September 1916. L31 was intercepted and destroyed by British fighter pilot Lt V Tempest on the 2nd of October 1916 near Potters Bar, North of London. L31 was commanded by the leading airship commander of the time, Kapitän Leutnant Heinrich Mathy, who died with his entire crew after jumping from the flaming Zeppelin.

       

       

       

       

       The 10th (Service) Battalion, The Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined the 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initial training in the Winchester area they moved to Blackdown and then in February 1915 to Witley. They moved to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April 1915 for final training and then proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915 landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area.

       

    SS (later HMS) Fauvette

    HMS Fauvette was launched on 18th July 1912 by Sir Raylton Dixon & Co Ltd, Middlesbrough as Yard Nr 572 named Fauvette for General Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London November 1912 completed as a passenger and cargo vessel, carrying 106 passengers in one class on her owners' London - Bordeaux Service. In 1914 at the beginning of WW1 she was lying at Bordeaux when War was declared and brought the British Colony there back to England. She was used as a Despatch Vessel at the behest of the French Govt while they remained at Bordeaux. In February 1915 the ship was requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a Stores Ship and took the Boom defence to the island of Mudros and laid in the approaches to the harbour. On 9th of March 1916 while on her way home from Girgenti to London, she struck two mines in quick succession which had been laid by UC-7(Oberleutnant zur See Georg Haag) off North Foreland and sank in four minutes in position 51.24N 01.29E with the loss of fourteen lives. The wreck remained pointing North and upright on the seabed until after the First World War when it was blown up as it was classed as a maritime shipping hazard with the demolition of the wreck leaving a field of debris on the seabed.

       G.T.Hawkins Shoe factory was situated in Lower Mounts, Northampton and produced boots for the allied army.

    1915-05-02   

       

       7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Bury St Edmunds in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 35th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. 35th Brigade and the Divisional Artillery concentrated near Shorncliffe, in late August. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France on the 30th of May landing at Boulogne, the Division concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 19th of May 1918 the 7th Suffolks were reduced to cadre strength and on the 24th transferred to 39th Division with over 400 men transferring to the 1/1st Cambridgeshires. On the 16th of August they transferred to 197th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. They were in action in The Battle of Cambrai, The Pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. On the 20th of October the Division was withdrawn to the Serain area for rest, then advanced through Le Cateau from the 2nd of November engaging in sharp fights with the enemy until the Armistice.

       St John's VAD Hospital opened in 1915. It was originally at The Grange, Roe Lane, Southport then moved to The Woodlands, Manchester Road, Southport. It closed in 1919.

       An Extract from Red Cross Description of VAD services.

    What was a VAD, exactly?

    In 1909 the War Office issued the Scheme for the Organisation of Voluntary Aid. Under this scheme, the British Red Cross was given the role of providing supplementary aid to the Territorial Forces Medical Service in the event of war.

    In order to provide trained personnel for this task, county branches of the Red Cross organised units called voluntary aid detachments. All voluntary aid detachment members (who themselves came to be known simply as 'VADs') were trained in first aid and nursing. Within twelve months of the scheme's launch, they numbered well over 6,000.

    Membership grew still further on the outbreak of war in 1914. The British Red Cross and the Order of St John of Jerusalem, a body which was also empowered to raise detachments under the War Office Voluntary Aid Scheme, combined to form the Joint War Committee (JWC) to administer their wartime relief work with the greatest possible efficiency and economy, under the protection of the red cross emblem and name. This was such a successful working partnership that when the Second World War broke out in 1939, the British Red Cross and Order of St. John joined together again to form the Joint War Organisation (JWO).

    What kind of work did VADs do?

    The VADs working under both the JWC and the JWO performed a variety of duties. Both the Committee and the Organisation administered auxiliary hospitals and convalescent homes in Britain throughout the world wars and much of the VAD service was performed in these homes and hospitals. Volunteers performed general nursing duties and administered first aid.

    Qualified nurses were also employed to work in these establishments, while many VADs gave their service in military hospitals. In addition, VADs performed clerical and kitchen duties. With many men engaged in military service, women VADs took on roles such as ambulance drivers, civil defence workers and welfare officers. VADs were also sent abroad during both world wars as the Committee and the Organisation operated overseas in countries such as France, Italy and Russia.

       2nd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was in Malta when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they returned to England and joined 23rd Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park. They proceeded to France on the 7th of November landing at Le Havre, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

       3rd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was in Cawnpore, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they returned to England arriving in December and joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester. They proceeded to France, via Southampton landing at Le Havre on the 19th of January 1915. The Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and the 2nd East Surreys moved to Salonika on the 2nd of December. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France. The remainer of the Division, including the 2nd East Surreys were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

       

       

    HMS Murray, an M Class destroyer was the first ship to carry the name HMS Murray and was built by Palmer at Jarrow. It was laid down 4th December 1913, launched 6th August 1914 and completed December 1914. Weighing 1010 tons she was armed with 3-4in, 1-2pdr, 4-21in tt. She was based at Harwich from 1914 to 1917 with a short spell at Dover in 1916, then served in the Mediterranean 1917-18. HMS Murray saw action off the Belgian Coast in 1916. She was sold 9th May 1921 to Ward of Briton Ferry and was broken up in January 1923

       Zeppelin LZ40(L10) was a Class type: P. First Flight was on 13th May 1915. 8 reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and 5 attacks on England dropping a total of 9,900 kg (21,800 lb) of bombs. It was destroyed in a thunderstorm on 3rd of September 1915 near Cuxhaven killing 19 crew members.

       Zeppelin LZ54 (L19) was Class type:P which had its first flight on 27th November 1915 . It raided England on 31 January 1916, dropping a total of 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) of bombs. On 2nd of February 1916 after a raid on England with three engines failing, it came under Dutch fire and sank in the North Sea, drowning all crew members as nearby English fishing trawler the King Stephen refused any help to them. In the last hours Kapitan-Leutnant Loewe and his crew dropped into the sea their last messages, which washed up six months later in Sweden. On 23rd of April 1916 Torpedo boat G41 attacked and sank the King Stephen, taking its crew prisoner.

       Zeppelin LZ72(L31) was a Class type R which had its first flight on the 12th of July 1916. It made one important reconnaissance mission in fleet operation against Sunderland and 6 attacks on England dropping a total of 19,411 kilograms (42,794 lb) of bombs; with L 32, L 33 and L 34 part of Zeppelin raid on night of 23 September 1916; intercepted and destroyed by British fighter pilot Lt V Tempest on 2 October 1916 near Potters Bar, north of London, while commanded by the leading airship commander of the time, Kapitän Leutnant Heinrich Mathy, who died with his entire crew after jumping from the flaming Zeppelin.

       

    LZ13 Hansa

    Zeppelin LZ13 Hansa was a Class type G civilian and later Military craft which had its first Flight on 30th July 1912 It travelled 44,437 km in 399 flights. First passenger-carrying flight outside Germany (commanded by Count Zeppelin during first visit to Denmark and Sweden on the 19th September 1912). It was taken over by the German military upon outbreak of World War I and decommissioned in summer 1916.

       Zeppelin LZ21 (ZVI) was a Class type K, first flight was on 10th November 1913. In World War I it was mainly used in Belgium as a bomber.

    During a bombing raid of Liège, dropping artillery shells instead of bombs, the ship's inadequate lift kept it at low altitude so that the bullets and shrapnel from defending fire penetrated the hull. The ship limped back to Cologne but had to be set down near Bonn in a forest, completely wrecking it on the 6th August 1914.

       

       LZ22 (ZVII) was a L Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on 8th of January 1914, it was limited to a flight ceiling of around one mile. On the 21st August 1914 it was sent to find the retreating French Army around the Vosges mountains in Alsace, and dropped bombs on the camps. After passing through clouds found itself low, right above the main army whose infantry fire penetrated many gas cells. The ship leaking heavily, the crew forced it down near St. Quirin, Lorraine.

       Zeppelin LZ23 (LVIII) was a Class L Zeppelin which had its first flight on 11th of May 1914. Operating under same orders as Z VII on 21st August 1914, It engaged French Army units while a few hundred feet up and according to Lehmann received "thousands of bullets and shell splinters" which forced it to drift and make a forced landing in no man's land near Bandonvillers. The crew destroyed all documents and tried to burn the wreck but so little gas remained it would not burn. French Cavalry arrived and a gunfight ensued with the German crew retreating. The airship was captured and plundered by the French Army.

       Zeppelin LZ24 was a Class M Military craft which had its first flight on the 11th of May 1914 It carried out 24 reconnaissance missions over the North Sea and participated in the first raid over England on the 19th January 1915.During a later mission on the 17th February 1915, it was abandoned by its crew after a forced landing in Denmark due to engine failure, compounded by strong headwind and insufficient fuel to reach Germany. The wind was so strong it blew the airship, now unmanned but with engines still running, out across the sea.

       Zeppelin LZ25 (ZIX) was a M Class Zeppelin with its first flight on 13th July 1914. Mainly used for reconnaissance missions and bombings in Northern France.

       Zeppelin LZ27 (L4) was launched on the 18th August 1914, a class M craft, she carried out 11 reconnaissance missions over the North Sea.

       Zeppelin LZ28 (L5) was a Class type M which undertook its First Flight on the 22nd September 1914. It would carry out 47 reconnaissance missions over North and Baltic Seas and proved especially useful in discovering enemy mines. Two attack missions, dropping 700 kg bombs were also undertaken but it was damaged beyond repair by Russian air defences on the 7th August 1915. Attacking Riga and she was damaged beyond repair by the Russian air defenses over Dunamunde. She made a forced landing at Plungiany and had one man wounded by ground fire. It is not know if the crew was made prisoner or if they made it back to their own lines.

       Zeppelin LZ29 (ZX) was a M Class type which undertook its first flight on the 13th October 1914. It later carried out two attacks on Calais and Paris, dropping 1,800 kg of bombs. On the way back it was damaged by enemy fire and dismantled after forced landing in St. Quirin.

       Zeppelin LZ30 (ZXI) an M Class craft undertook its first flight on the 15th November 1914. It ent on to be used for raids on Warsaw, Grodno and other targets on the Eastern Front. It was destroyed in an accident on the 20th May 1915.

       Zeppelin LZ41 (L11) was a P Class Military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 7th of June 1915. It flew 31 reconnaissance missions, notably during the Battle of Jutland and 12 raids on England dropping a total of 15,543 kg (34,266 lb) of bombs. Significant raid on Sunderland on 1 April 1916, when 22 people died. Several of the L 11 crew transferred to the ill-fated L 48(LZ 95). The craft was decommissioned in April 1917.

       Zeppelin LZ31 was a Class M Military craft which has its first flight on the 3rd of November 1914. LZ31 took part in the German defence during the Cuxhaven Raid on 25th of December 1914, unsuccessfully attacking HMS Empress. It made 36 reconnaissance missions around North Sea, including marking of mine fields. one successful raid on England, dropping 700 kilograms (1,500 lb) of bombs. LZ31 Caught fire during inflation whilst in its hall at Fuhlsbüttel and was destroyed together with L 9/LZ 36 on 16th of September 1916.

       Zeppelin LZ32 (L7) was an M Class craft which had its first flight on 20th November 1914. It went on to carry out 77 reconnaissance missions over the North Sea and made several unsuccessful attempts to attack the English coast. It was brought down on the 4th May 1916 by British fire from HMS Phaeton and HMS Galatea and its wreck was destroyed by the submarine E31

       Zeppelin LZ33 (L8) an M Class craft undertook its first flight on the 17th December 1914. It was used for reconnaissance missions along the Western Front. It was brought down by Anti Aircraft fire at Tirlemont on the 5th March 1915. The crew of 21 were all killed.

       Zeppelin LZ34 was an M Class Zeppelin with its first flight on 6th of January 1915 Two raids at the Eastern Front, dropping a total of 1,110 kg (2,450 lb) of bombs. It was heavily damaged by enemy fire on the 21st June 1915 and destroyed by fire following a forced landing near Insterburg.

       Zeppelin LZ35 was an M Class Zeppelin with its first flight on 11th January 1915 It made two raids on Paris and Poperinghe in Belgium, dropping a total of 2,420 kg (5,340 lb) of bombs. It made a forced landing near Aeltre (Belgium) due to damage by enemy fire and was then destroyed by a storm.

     

       

    LZ36 L9

    Zeppelin LZ36 (L9) was a Class O Military craft which had its first flight on the 8th March 1915.

    It carried out 74 reconnaissance missions in the North Sea and four raids on England dropping a total of 5,683 kg (12,529 lb) of bombs. It also undertook several attacks on British submarines. It was burnt out in its hangar on 16th of September 1916 together with L6 (LZ 31).

       Zeppelin LZ100 (L53) was a V Class craft which had its first flight on 8th August 1917. It carried out 19 reconnaissance missions and 4 attacks on England, dropping a total of 11,930 kilograms (26,300 lb) of bombs. It was intercepted and destroyed by a Sopwith Camel flown by Lt Culley, who took off from a lighter towed by the destroyer HMS Redoubt, on the 11th August 1918. LZ 100 was the last Zeppelin destroyed in the air during the war.

        Zeppelin LZ101 (L55) was a V Class craft which had its first flight on 1st of September 1917. It went on to carry out two attacks dropping a total of 5,450 kilograms (12,020 lb) of bombs. It was heavily damaged in the second one on 19 October 1917 and it drifted behind the Western Front. It rose to a Zeppelin all-time world record altitude of 7,600 metres (24,900 ft) to escape, but was then dismantled following a forced landing.

       Zeppelin LZ103 (L56) was a V Class military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 24th of September 1917. It flew 17 reconnaissance missions and participated in the last raid on England on 6 August 1918. It was destroyed by its crew on 23rd of June 1919.

       

    LZ104 L59

    Zeppelin LZ104 (L59) Production Ref: LZ104 was a class W Zeppelin whch had its First Flight on the 30th of October 1917. It was known as "das Afrika-Schiff" (the Africa Ship) and was stationed in Yambol (Bulgaria). L 59 broke a long-distance flight record (6,757 kilometres (4,199 mi) in 95 hours and 5 minutes) when she started out on a mission to resupply German troops in German East Africa, but turned back upon (false) reports of a German surrender. During one attack on Naples, Italy she dropped 6,400 kilograms (14,100 lb) of bombs. L59 caught fire during a raid on Malta on 7th of April 1918.

       Zeppelin LZ106 (L61) was a V Class military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 12th of December 1917 It carried out 9 reconnaissance missions and two attacks on England dropping a total of 4,500 kilograms (9,900 lb) of bombs. In 1920 it was ordered to be transferred to Italy as war reparations.

       Zeppelin LZ107 (L62) was a V Class military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 19th of January 1918 It flew two reconnaissance missions and two attacks on England dropping a total of 5,923 kilograms (13,058 lb) of bombs. During the raid on the 12/13th April 1918 her gunners managed to damage and drive away an attacking airplane, the only known instance of this happening. It crashed north of Helgoland on the 10th of May 1918, having been shot down by Felixstowe F2A flying-boat N4291, flown by Capt T.C. Pattinson and Capt T.H. Munday.

       Zeppelin LZ108 (L60) was a V Class military Zeppelin which has its first flight on the 18th of December 1917. It flew 11 reconnaissance missions and one attack on England dropping 3,120 kg of bombs. It was destroyed together with L 54 when British Sopwith Camel fighters launched from the aircraft carrier HMS Furious bombed the zeppelin halls.

       Zeppelin LZ109 (L64) was a V Class military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 11th of March 1918 It flew 13 reconnaissance missions over the North Sea and along with L 60, L 61, L 62 and L 63 raided the North of England dropping 2800 kg in bombs. In 1920 it was transferred to Britain as war reparations. It was scrapped at short notice when the hangar was required for the damaged British R36.

       Zeppelin LZ110 (L63) was a V Class military Zeppelin with its first flight on the 4th March 1918. It dropped a total of 8,915 kilograms (19,654 lb) of bombs in three attacks on England and participated in the last raid over England on the 6th of August 1918. It was destroyed by its crew on the 23rd of June 1919.

       Zeppelin LZ111 (L65) was a V Class Military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 17th of April 1918 It participated in the last raid over England on the 6th of August 1918 and was destroyed by its crew on the 23rd of June 1919.

       Zeppelin LZ112 (L70) was a X Class Military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 1st of July 1918 It directed the last raid over England on the 6th of August 1918, with KK Peter Strasser, Commander of the Navy Airship Department on board. It was intercepted and destroyed over North Sea by British DeHavilland DH-4 flown by Major Egbert Cadbury, with Captain Robert Leckie (later Air Vice-Marshal) as gunner. Both these men shot down two Zeppelins. Prior to L 70, Cadbury had downed L 21 and Leckie had downed L 22.

       Zeppelin LZ43 (L12) was a P Class Military Zeppelin, it had its first flight on the 21st of June 1915. It flew on 5 reconnaissance missions. After being damaged by Anti Aircraft fire during a raid in which it bombed Dover, it came down in the English Channel and was towed back to Ostend on the 10th August 1915, but caught fire during the salvage operation.

       Zeppelin LZ44 (LZ74) was a P Class Military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 8th of July 1915. It carried out two attacks on England dropping a total of 3,500 kg (7,700 lb) of bombs. It was wrecked when it flew into a mountain in the Schnee Eifel on the 8th October 1915.

       Zeppelin LZ45 (L13) was a P Class Military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 23rd of July 1915. It carried out 45 reconnaissance missions, including one in which it played a significant part in the action of 19 August 1916. It took part in 15 attacks on England dropping a total of 20,667 kg (45,563 lb) of bombs. It was decommissioned on 25th of April 1917.

       Zeppelin LZ47 (LZ77) was a P Class Military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 24th of August 1915. It took part in 6 attacks on England and France dropping a total of 12,610 kg (27,800 lb) of bombs, but was destroyed by enemy fire on the 21st February 1916 in the Battle of Verdun, killing the crew of 15. Reports at the time indicated LZ77 had searchlights, eight machine guns, two so-called 'revolver' guns in the top lookout post. It was accompanied by fixed-wing aircraft and at least one other Zeppelin and had orders to bomb the nearby railway lines.

       Zeppelin LZ48 (L15) was a P Class Military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 9th of September 1915. It flew 8 reconnaissance missions and 3 attacks on England dropping a total of 5,780 kg (12,740 lb) of bombs. It was damaged by ground fire from Dartford AA battery during a raid on London on the 1st of April 1916 and came down at Kentish Knock Deep in the Thames estuary. One crew member was killed and the other 17 were taken prisoner.

       Zeppelin LZ50 (L16) was a Class P craft which had its First Flight on the 23rd of September 1915 It Carried out 44 reconnaissance missions and 12 attacks on England dropping a total of 18,048 kg (39,789 lb) of bombs. It also delivered supplies to German Isles in Winter 1916. It was damaged beyond repair during a training mission at Nordholz Airbase on the 19th October 1917.

       Zeppelin LZ53 (L17), Production Ref: LZ53 was a P Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 20th October 1915. L17 completed 27 reconnaissance missions and 9 attacks on England dropping a total of 10,724 kg (23,642 lb) bombs. It was destroyed in its hangar on the 28th December 1916 when LZ69 (L24) broke its back and caught fire.

       Zeppelin LZ55 (LZ85) was a Class P craft which had its first flight on 12th September 1915. It carried out 6 attacks dropping a total of 14,200 kg (31,300 lb) of bombs on Dünaburg (Latvia), Minsk, the railroads of Riga, and Saloniki (twice). It was damaged by fire from the battleship HMS Agamemnon on the 5th May 1916 and it came down in the Vardar marshes. The crew of 12 were captured.

       

    LZ59 L20

    Zeppelin LZ59 (L20) was a Q Class Military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 21st of November 1915 It carried out 6 reconnaissance missions and 2 attacks on England dropping a total 2,864 kilograms (6,314 lb) bombs. Ran out of fuel after raiding Scotland on 3rd of May 1916, drifted and stranded near Stavanger, Norway. The crew destroyed the airship. 16 were captured and 3 died. Kapitänleutnant Stabbert escaped six months later.

       Zeppelin LZ62 (L30) was a Class R Military craft which had its first flight on the 28th of May 1916 It was the first of the Type R "Super-Zeppelins" with a volume of 55,200 m3. It carried out 10 raids on England dropping a total of 23,305 kilograms (51,379 lb) of bombs. It also completed 31 reconnaissance missions above the North and Baltic Seas and at the Eastern Front. It was retired on the 17th November 1917 and laid up at Seerappen. In 1920 it was ordered to be transferred to Belgium as part of war reparations, where it was dismantled. Some components, including an engine car, are preserved at the Royal Army and Military History Museum, Brussels.

       

    LZ66 L23

    Zeppelin LZ66 was a Q Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on 8th April 1916. The vessel carried out 51 reconnaissance missions and 3 attacks on England dropping a total of 5,254 kg (11,583 lb) of bombs. It was destroyed on the 21st August 1917 by 2nd Lt Bernard A Smart flying a Sopwith Pup launched from a platform on the cruiser HMS Yarmouth. Smart later led the Tondern raid which destroyed L54 and L60.

       Zeppelin LZ68 (LZ98) was a Q Class military craft which had its first flight on the 28th of April 1916. It made one attack on London dropping 1,513 kilograms (3,336 lb) bombs, plus several flights which were aborted due to bad weather. It was handed over to the German Navy in November 1916 and carried out 15 reconnaissance missions around the Baltic Sea before being decommissioned in August 1917.

       Zeppelin LZ71 (LZ101) was a Q Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 29th of June 1916, It was stationed in Yambol, Bulgaria. It carried out seve attacks dropping a total of 11,934 kg (26,310 lb) of bombs on Bucharest, Ciulnita, Fetesti, Galati, Odessa, Mytilene, Iasi and Mudros. The craft was dismantled in September 1917.

     

       

    LZ76 L33 Wreckage.

    Zeppelin LZ76 (L33) was a R Class Super Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 30th of August 1916. L33 was part of the Zeppelin group that bombed London and surrounding counties (L31, L32, L33 and L34) on the night of the 23rd September 1916. During its first mission, in which 3200 kg bombs had been dropped, an anti-aircraft shell seriously damaged it. Commander Kapitan-Leutnant Alois Bocker turned over Essex and was attacked by 39 Home Defence Squadron night fighters from Hainault Farm and hit several times (credit for disabling was given to B.E.2c No. 4544), but even after dropping guns and equipment Bocker decided he would not make it back across the North Sea. They made a forced landing in Little Wigborough, Essex on the 24th September 1916 with no fatalities. The crew were only partly successful in burning the hull and British engineers examined the skeleton and later used the plans as a basis for the construction of airships R33 and R34.

       Zeppelin LZ79 (L41) was an R Class Super Zeppelin which has its first flight on the 15th of January 1917. It carried out 15 reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and four attacks on England dropping a total of 6,567 kilograms (14,478 lb)of bombs. It was used as a training school ship from the 11th December 1917. Destroyed by its crew on the 23rd of June 1919.

       Zeppelin LZ85 (L45) was an R Class Super Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 12th of April 1917. It carried out 12 reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and 3 attacks on England, dropping a total of 4,700 kilograms (10,400 lb) of bombs. It ran out of fuel on the 20th of October 1917 and was destroyed in a forced landing near Sisteron, France, the crew being taken captive.

       Zeppelin LZ86 (L39) was an R Class Super Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 11th of December 1916 It carried out two reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and one attack on England dropping 300 kg bombs. On return it was destroyed by French flak fire near Compiègne on the 17th of March 1917.

       Zeppelin LZ87 (L47) was an R Class Super Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 11th of May 1917. It carried out 18 reconnaissance missions and three attacks dropping a total of 3,240 kilograms (7,140 lb) of bombs around the North Sea and England. On the 5th January 1918, a giant explosion in the air base in Ahlhorn destroyed four Zeppelins (including L47) and one non-Zeppelin built airship, housed in three adjacent hangars. This was presumed to have been an accident, though sabotage could not be ruled out.

       Zeppelin LZ89 (L50) was an R Class Super Zeppelin, which had its first flight on the 9th of June 1917 It carried out 5 reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and two attacks on England dropping a total of 4,135 kilograms (9,116 lb) of bombs. It ran out of fuel on the 20th of October 1917 and was driven to the Mediterranean Sea after a forced landing near Dammartin, France.

       Zeppelin LZ91 (L42) was an S Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 21st of February 1917. It was the first of the Height-Climber S class, which had a lightened structure to improve maximum altitude. The strength of the structure was therefore compromised, which proved disastrous when unwittingly copied, as with the British R38 (ZR-2), and USS Shenandoah. L42 carried out 20 reconnaissance missions and 4 attacks on England dropping a total of 6,030 kilograms (13,290 lb) of bomb. It was used as a training school ship from 6 June 1918 and destroyed by its crew on 23rd of June 1919.

       Zeppelin LZ92 (L43) was an S Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 6th of March 1917. It carried out 6 reconnaissance missions and one attack on English docks, dropping 1,850 kilograms (4,080 lb) of bombs. Shot down by British fighter aircraft on the 14th of June 1917 during a reconnaissance mission.

       Zeppelin LZ93 (L44) was a T Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 1st of April 1917. It carried out 8 reconnaissance missions and 4 attacks on England and British Royal Navy units. It was driven south to France by a heavy storm and shot down over Lunéville on the 20th of October 1917.

       Zeppelin LZ94 (L46) was a T Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 24th of April 1917. It carried out 19 reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and 3 raids on England dropping a total of 5,700 kilograms (12,600 lb) of bombs. It was destroyed in the Ahlhorn explosion.

       Zeppelin LZ95 (L48) was a U Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 22nd of May 1917. Several of the L11 crew transferred to the L48 which flew one successful reconnaissance mission. As part of an attempted attack on London with 3 others it became lost and was then intercepted and destroyed by British fighters over the sea near Great Yarmouth on the 17th June 1917, crashing near Leiston. There were only three survivors and the remainder of the crew were buried at Theberton, Suffolk.

       

    LZ96 L49

    Zeppelin LZ96 (L49) was a U Class military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 13th of June 1917. It carried out two reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and one raid on England dropping 2,100 kilograms (4,600 lb) of bombs. While returning, it was forced to land near Bourbonne-les-Bains on the 20th of October 1917 and was captured almost undamaged by French forces.

    Plans derived from the LZ96 were later used in the United States for construction of the first US Zeppelin, the USS Shenandoah (ZR-1),they were also used for the design of the British R38.

       Zeppelin LZ97 (L51) was a U Class Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 6th of June 1917. It carried out 3 reconnaissance missions and one raid on the English coast, dropping 280 kg bombs. It was destroyed in the Ahlhorn explosion along with LZ87 (L47).

       Zeppelin LZ98 (L52) was a U Class military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 14th of July 1917. It carried out 20 reconnaissance missions and was accidentally flown above London by an unexpected storm during a raid and dropped 2,020 kilograms (4,450 lb) of bombs there. It was destroyed by its crew on the 23rd of June 1919.

       Zeppelin LZ99 (L54) was a U Class military Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 13th of August 1917 It carried out 14 reconnaissance missions and two attacks on England dropping a total of 5,840 kilograms (12,870 lb) of bombs. It was destroyed together with L60 when seven British Sopwith Camel fighters from the first aircraft carrier, HMS Furious, bombed the halls in Tondern. (Only two fighters returned to the Furious, though three of the others landed in Denmark after running low on fuel).

       Penally Camp is situated on the coast near Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales and the firing range at Giltar Point, built in the 19th century is still in use by the MOD today. To the east of Giltar Point, remains of WW1 practice trenches are visible.

       The 4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force based at The Drill Hall, Bath Road Chippenham (now The Chippenham Youth & Community Centre) with the South-Western Brigade, Wessex Division. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November. They joined Dehra Dun Brigade and served in the 7th (Meerut) Divisional Area, until March 1917 when they transferred to Poona Brigade and moved to 6th (Poona) Divisional Area. In September they were orded to Egypt to join 233rd Brigade, 75th Division. They were in action during Third Battle of Gaza, The Capture of Gaza, The Capture of Junction Station and The Battle of Nabi Samweil. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of Tell'Asur, The Battle of Berukin, and The Battle of Sharon. In September the Division was withdrawn for rest at Tyre until the 22nd of October, when they moved to Haifa and was there when Turkey signed an Armistice on the 31st. They moved back to Egypt and the last of the division were demoblised in April 1920.

       Schütte-Lanz SL3 had its first flight on the 4th of February 1915

    • Length: 153.1 metres (502 ft)
    • Diameter: 19.75 metres (65 ft)
    • Gas Capacity: 32,390 cubic meters
    • Performance: 84.6 km/h
    • Payload: 13.2 tonnes
    • Engines: 4 Maybach 840 hp/626 kW total

    SL3 naval airship was based at Seddin and flew 30 reconnaissance missions and one bombing mission over England. The highlight of SL3's career was the attack on the British submarine E4 on the 24th of September 1915. The structure of the ship degraded because of atmospheric exposure and the ship was stranded near Riga on the 1st May 1916.

        The Air Ship Schütte-Lanz SL7 had it's first flight on 3rd September 1915 Measuring 162.1 metres (532 ft) long with a diameter of 19.75 metres (65 ft) and a Gas Capacity of 35,130 cubic meters, she was capable of 92.9 km/h, with a payload of 15.6 tonnes. She was powered by 4 Maybach 840 hp/626 kW Engines

    The Army airship was based at Königsberg and carried out three reconnaissance missions and three bombing raids before suffering structural failure. The ship was repaired and possibly enlarged before being decommissioned on the 6th March 1917 when the army terminated airship operations.

       3rd South Midland Royal Field Artillery Brigade, were based at The Drill Hall, Stoney Lane, Birmingham. later renamed 242 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, they served as Divisional artillery with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. They left the Division on the 20th of January 1917.

       1st South Midland Mounted Brigade Company ASC were based at The Drill Hall, Taunton Road, Birmingham (now an Asian Supermarket)

       Staffordshire Yeomary were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Bismark Road, Wolverhampton.

       Norfolk & Suffolk Brigade, Army Service Corps were a unit of the Territorial Force with their Headquarters at Purfleet Quay, King's Lynn.

       

       4th Battalion Border Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force. C Coy were based at The Volunteer Assembly Rooms, Southey Street, Keswick.

       3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were based at Fenham Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne.

       

    3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry were based at Fenham Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne.

       

    The 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were based at Fenham Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne. They were at Barnard Castle when war broke out in August 1914 and were at once mobilised and moved the Tyne defences.

    In December the battalion moved to Killingworth then to Forest Hall in January 1915 and finally to Seaham Harbour in September 1915, where it then remained as part of the Tyne Garrison.

       Horncastle Voluntary Aid Detachment used the Drill Hall on the Wong as a Red Cross Hospital, with much of the equipment and furniture and being donated or lent by locals.

       2/8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters were a second line territorial unit, formed in September 1914 at Newark. They were stationed home defence duties in Norfolk and made up from a core of men of the 1/8th Battalion who had not volunteered for Imperial Service. The battalion was also engaged in training new recruits who would join their sister battalion as reinforcements. They saw action in Dublin during the Easter Rising and completed their training in Ireland before proceeding to France in January 1917. They were in action during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres.

       The 8th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division. They trained at Codford and spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth from November 1914, when they became Divisional Troops with 25th Division. In March 1915 they transferred to the newly formed 112th Brigade, 37th Division at Ludgershall and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 21st of February 1918 the 8th East Lancashires were disbanded in France with the officers and men transferring to the 11th East Lancashires.

       11th (Accrington) Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, more commonly known as The Accrington Pals, was raised in September 1914 in Accrington, Lancashire. After training in the local area the Battalion departed with a great send off in February 1915 for Caernarvon. In May they moved to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley and joined the 94th Brigade, 31st Division. In July they moved to Ripon and then in September to Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury and in December the Division proceeded Egypt to defend the Suez Canal against the Turkishh threat. At the end of February 1916, the 31st Division was ordered to France, to prepare for the attack on the Somme. They were in action at Serre in The Battle of The Somme, suffering very heavy casualties. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and in 1918 they transferred to 92nd Brigade, 31st Division and fought at St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras before moving north to counter the German Spring Offensive on the Lys. Towards the end of the conflict they were in action in the the Final Advance in Flanders.

       

    The 10th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised at Newcastle on the 22nd of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division.

    They trained at Woking, moved to Aldershot, then to Witley in November 1914 for the winter and returned to Aldershot in February 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of May 1915, landing at Boulogne. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette.

    In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 12th of February 1918 the 10th DLI was disbanded in France when the army was reorganised.

       The West Riding Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force. 1st Brigade had their HQ in Fenton Street, Leeds and was made up of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Leeds) West Riding Batteries and the Leeds Ammunition Column. 2nd Brigade had their HQ in Valley Parade, Bradford and consisted of the 4th (Bradford), 5th (Halifax), 6th (Heckmondwike) West Riding Batteries and the Bradford and Halifax Ammunition Column. 3Rd Brigade had their HQ at Norfolk Barracks, Sheffield and consisted of the 7th, 8th and 9th (Sheffield) West Riding Batteries and the Sheffield Ammunition Column. 4th (Howizter) Brigade had their HQ at The Drill Hall, Otley (opposite the Bus station) and was made up of the 10th (Otley), 11th (Burley and Ilkley) West Riding Batteries and the Burley and Ilkley Ammunition Column.

       6th (Glamorgan) Battalion Welch Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Richardson Steeet, Swansea, next to the Vetch football ground. B, C and D Coy's were based in Swansea, and there were Drill Halls at 220 Oxford Street and in Strathen Place. E Coy had their Drill Hall at 128 Neath Road, Hafod. They proceeded to France on the 29th of October 1914, landing at Le Havre and took up a role working in the Lines of Communication. On the 5th of July 1915 they joined 84th Brigade, 28th Division and on the 23rd of October transferred to 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. On the 15th of May 1916 the 1/6th became a Pioneer Battalion to 1st Division and saw action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

       5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Rotherham. A and B Coys were based in Rotherham, C Coy in Barnsley, their Drill Hall is now used by the Barnsley Chronicle. D Coy were based in Wath on Dearne, E Coy in Barnsley, F Coy in Rotherham, G Coy in Treeton and H Coy in Birdwell with their Drill Hall in Sheffield Road (now a hair salon). When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, moving to Doncaster. In November they moved to Gainsborough and in in February 1915 to York to prepare for service overseas, those men who had not volunteered for Imperial Service transferred tp the newly formed 2/4th Battalion. They proceeded to France on the 14th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

     Zeppelin Raids on Britain  German strategic bombing during World War I

    The best-known German strategic bombing campaign during World War One was the campaign against England, although strategic bombing raids were carried out or attempted on other fronts. The main campaign against England started in January 1915 using airships. From then until the end of World War I the German Navy and Army Air Services mounted over 50 bombing raids on the United Kingdom. These were generally referred to as "Zeppelin raids", although both Zeppelin and Schütte-Lanz airships were used. The Zeppelin company was much better known and was responsible for producing the vast majority of the airships used. Weather conditions and night flying conditions made airship navigation and therefore bombing accuracy difficult. Bombs were often dropped miles off target (one raid on London actually bombed Hull) and accurate targeting of military installations was impossible. The civilian casualties made the Zeppelins an object of hatred, and they were widely dubbed "baby-killers".

    With the development of effective defensive measures the airship raids became increasingly hazardous, and in 1917 the airships were largely replaced by aeroplanes. Although the direct military effect of the raids was small, they caused widespread alarm, leading to the diversion of substantial resources from the Western Front and some disruption to industrial production. Concern about the conduct of defence against the raids, the responsibility for which was divided between the Admiralty and the Army, led to a parliamentary inquiry under Jan Smuts, whose report was to lead to the creation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. The defence organisation developed by the British was an important precursor of the fighter direction system that would prove vital in winning the Battle of Britain. The raids were also influential because they led to an overestimation of both the material and psychological effects of the bombing of cities. Airships made about 51 bombing raids on England during the war. These killed 557 and injured another 1,358 people. More than 5,000 bombs were dropped on towns across Britain, causing £1.5 million in damage. 84 airships took part, of which 30 were lost, either shot down or lost in accidents. Aeroplanes carried out 27 raids, dropping 246,774 lb (111,935 kg) of bombs for the loss of 62 aircraft, resulting in 835 deaths, 1972 injured and £1,418,272 material damage



     

     Australian Troop Transports  

    HMAT A74 Marathon Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

    The HMAT A74 Marathon weighed 7,827 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 28th July 1917.

     Australian Troop Transports  

    HMAT A8 Argyllshire

    The HMAT A8 Argyllshire weighed 10,392 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Scottish Shire Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 24th January 1918.

       HMS Zinnia was a Flower-class, Azalea-type, minesweeping sloop. She was built by Swan Hunter and launched on 12th August 1915. She served through the War, and was sold to Belgium on 19th April 1920.

       

       

    The 14th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised at Newcastle upon Tyne in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army.

    The new Battalion joined 64th Brigade, 21st Division and moved to Aylesbury for training, then to Halton Park in October. They spent the winter in billets in High Wycombe from November 1914, training in the local area and returned to Halton Park in April 1915, where they were billetted in huts. They moved to Witley in July for final preparation and proceeded to France on the 11th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne.

    After a long march the division was brought up as reserve for the British assault at Loos and they saw their first action on the 26th of September, the second day of the battle. The division suffered over 3,800 casualties, many cut down by machinegun fire as they advanced on the Germans who had brought in large numbers of troops overnight for a counterattack.

    On the 28th of November 1915 the 14th DLI transferred to 18th Brigade in 6th Division. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. The Battalion was disbanded in February 1918.

       

    RMS Andania

    RMS Andania was a passenger and cargo ship from Great Britain launched 22 March 1913. She was 13,405 tons and built in the Greenock Dockyard Company by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Ltd and completed 13 July 1913. The Andania made its maiden voyage on 14th of July 1913 from Liverpool via Southampton to Quebec and Montreal.

    In August 1914 she was requisitioned as a troopship and made several trips carrying Canadian troops. For a few weeks in 1915 the Andania was used to accommodate German POWs in the Thames. In the summer of 1915 it was used in the Gallipoli campaign when she was used to transport the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Dublin Fusiliers to Cape Helles for the landings at Suvla.

    After transporting more Canadian troops in 1916, it returned to passenger service in 1917 on the Liverpool-New York route. The Andania left Liverpool on 26th of January 1918 with 40 passengers and a crew of around 200. On the 27th of January the ship was hit amidships by a torpedo from German submarine U-46 captained by Leo Hillebrand two miles north-northeast of Rathlin East (Altacarry Head) lighthouse on Rathlin Island (County Antrim). The ship immediately took a list to starboard and began to sink. Attempts were made to tow the ship but it sank after a few hours. A great deal of the people on board were saved, but Andania's sinking killed seven crew members. The wreck is lying at a depth of between 175 and 189 metres.

       

       

    HMHS Britannic

    HMHS Britannic was the third and largest Olympic-class ocean liner of the White Star Line. She was the sister ship of RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic, and was intended to enter service as the transatlantic passenger liner, RMS Britannic. She was launched just before the start of the First World War and was laid up at her builders in Belfast for many months before being put to use as a hospital ship in 1915.

    The keel for Britannic was laid on 30 November 1911 at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, 13 months after the launch of the Olympic. Due to improvements introduced as a consequence of the Titanic disaster, Britannic was not launched until 26 February 1914, which was filmed along with the fitting of a funnel. Fitting out began subsequently. She was constructed in the same gantry slip used to build RMS Olympic. Reusing Olympic's space saved the shipyard time and money by not clearing out a third slip similar in size to those used for Olympic and Titanic. In August 1914, before Britannic could commence transatlantic service between New York and Southampton, the First World War began. Immediately, all shipyards with Admiralty contracts were given top priority to use available raw materials. All civil contracts (including the Britannic) were slowed down. The military authorities requisitioned a large number of ships as armed merchant cruisers or for troop transport. The Admiralty was paying the companies for the use of their ships but the risk of losing a ship in military operations was high. However, the big ocean liners were not taken for military use, because the smaller ships were much easier to operate. White Star decided to withdraw RMS Olympic from service until the danger had passed. RMS Olympic returned to Belfast on 3 November 1914, while work on her sister continued slowly. All this would change in 1915.

    The need for increased tonnage grew critical as military operations extended to the Eastern Mediterranean. In May 1915, Britannic completed mooring trials of her engines, and was prepared for emergency entrance into service with as little as four weeks notice. The same month also saw the first major loss of a civilian ocean ship when the Cunard liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed near the Irish coast by SM U-20. The following month, the British Admiralty decided to use recently requisitioned passenger liners as troop transports in the Gallipoli campaign (also called the Dardanelles service). The first to sail were Cunard's RMS Mauretania and RMS Aquitania. As the Gallipoli landings proved to be disastrous and the casualties mounted, the need for large hospital ships for treatment and evacuation of wounded became evident.

    RMS Aquitania was diverted to hospital ship duties in August (her place as a troop transport would be taken by the RMS Olympic in September). Then on 13 November 1915, Britannic was requisitioned as a hospital ship from her storage location at Belfast. Repainted white with large red crosses and a horizontal green stripe, she was renamed HMHS (His Majesty's Hospital Ship) Britannic and placed under the command of Captain Charles A. Bartlett (1868,1945).

    She had a Medical Staff strength of 53 Officers, 101 Nurses and 336 auxiliaries and other medical staff. She had an accommodation capacity. of 169 Officers, with 32 cots, and 2074 berths. She began life as a hospital ship on the 13th of November 1915.

     British Troopship  

    RMS Andania

    RMS Andania was a passenger and cargo ship from Great Britain launched 22 March 1913. She was 13,405 tons and built in the Greenock Dockyard Company by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Ltd and completed 13 July 1913.

    In World War I the Andania was used to transport the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Dublin Fusiliers to Cape Helles for the landings at Suvla. The landing at Suvla Bay by the British IX Corps was part of the August Offensive during the Battle of Gallipoli.

    The Andania measured 158.58 by 19.50 meters (520.3 ft × 64.0 ft) and had twin funnels and masts. The hull was made of steel and the vessel was propelled by a twin propellers configaration, powered by eight quadruple-expansion engines creating a service speed of 15 knots. The Andania held accommodations for 520 second-class and 1,540 third-class passengers. Her sister ships were the Alaunia and Aurania which were almost identical and "catered only for second and third class passengers". The old-style third class dormitories were replaced by four or six-berth cabins.

    History.

    The Andania made its maiden voyage on 14 July 1913 from Liverpool via Southampton to Quebec and Montreal. In August 1914 it was requisitioned as a troopship and made several trips carrying Canadian troops. For a few weeks in 1915 the Andania was used to accommodate German POWs in the Thames. In the summer of 1915 it was used in the Gallipoli campaign when she was used to transport the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Dublin Fusiliers to Cape Helles for the landings at Suvla.

    After transporting more Canadian troops in 1916, it returned to passenger service in 1917 on the Liverpool-New York route. The Andania left Liverpool on 26 January 1918 with 40 passengers and a crew of around 200. On the 27 January the ship was hit amidships by a torpedo from German submarine U-46 captained by Leo Hillebrand two miles north-northeast of Rathlin East (Altacarry Head) lighthouse on Rathlin Island (County Antrim). The ship immediately took a list to starboard and began to sink. Attempts were made to tow the ship but it sank after a few hours. A great deal of the people on board were saved, but Andania's sinking killed seven crew members. The wreck is lying at a depth of between 175 and 189 metres.

       3rd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps were in Meerut, India, part of Bareilly Brigade, Meerut Division when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England arriving on the 18th of November and joined 80th Brigade, 27th Division at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester. They proceeded to France via Southampton on the 21st of December 1914 landing at Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and on the 18th the 3rd KRRC sailed from Marseilles, arriving on the 5th of December. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm In 1917 they were in action durinhg the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in Sepetember the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

       

    USS Von Steuben

    SS Kronprinz Wilhelm was a German passenger liner built for the Norddeutscher Lloyd, a former shipping company now part of Hapag-Lloyd, by the AG Vulcan shipyard in Stettin, in 1901. She took her name from Crown Prince Wilhelm, son of the German Emperor Wilhelm II, and was a sister ship of the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse.

    She had a varied career, starting off as a world-record-holding passenger liner, then becoming an auxiliary warship from 1914,1915 for the Imperial German Navy, sailing as a commerce raider for a year, and then interned in the United States when she ran out of supplies. When the U.S. entered World War I, she was seized and served as a United States Navy troop transport until she was decommissioned and turned over to the United States Shipping Board, where she remained in service until she was scrapped in 1923.

    Kronprinz Wilhelm was launched on 30 March 1901 and started her transatlantic maiden voyage on 17 September 1901 from Bremerhaven via Southampton and Cherbourg to New York. She was one of the fastest and most luxurious liners on the North Atlantic and stayed on that run until 1914. The ship had a Marconi telegraph, electric central heating and electric light of 1,900 lamps on board. About 60 electric motors worked bridge cranes, fans, elevators, refrigerators and auxiliary machinery. Kronprinz Wilhelm had a control panel in the map room to close or open the 20 watertight doors. If a door was closed, this was shown by a lamp. This security system alone needed 3.2 km (2.0 mi) of special cables and 1.2 km (0.75 mi) of normal cables.

    In September 1902, captained by August Richter, Kronprinz Wilhelm won the Blue Riband for the fastest crossing yet from Cherbourg to New York in a time of five days, 11 hours, 57 minutes, with an average speed of 23.09 kn (42.76 km/h; 26.57 mph).

    In her time as a passenger liner, many famous international personalities sailed on Kronprinz Wilhelm. These included the lawyer and politician Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler Jr. (1903), the opera singer Lillian Blauvelt (1903), the theatrical manager and producer Charles Frohman (1904); the inventor and author John Jacob Astor (1906) who died in 1912 aboard the RMS Titanic; the most picturesque woman in America, Rita de Acosta Lydig and her second husband, Captain Philip M. Lydig (1907); the author Lloyd Osbourne (1907); the star conductor Alfred Hertz (1909); the ballerina Adeline Genée (1908); the theatrical and opera producer Oscar Hammerstein together with the conductor Cleofonte Campanini and the opera singers Mario Sammarco, Giuseppe Taccani and Fernando Gianoli-Galetti (1909); and the multi-millionaire, politician and lawyer Samuel Untermyer (1910).

    In 1902, Prince Heinrich of Prussia (1862,1929)—brother of Kaiser Wilhelm II—made a state visit to New York, where he was received by President Theodore Roosevelt. Media-oriented, he sailed on the new, impressive Kronprinz Wilhelm, on which a huge number of reporters could accompany him, and not the imperial yacht. There were also 300 passengers and 700 Steerage passengers aboard. This state visit was also an early example of film reporting. This was also the ship's first voyage under Captain August Richter, who was the captain until August 1907.'

    When Germany entered World War I, Kronprinz Wilhelm was on the western side of the Atlantic, under the command of Captain Grahn. She was commissioned into the Imperial German Navy, and ordered to rendezvous with SMS Karlsruhe to take on two 88 mm (3.46 in) rapid-firing guns, 290 rounds of 88 mm ammunition, a machine gun, and 36 rifles as well as one officer, two non-commissioned officers, and 13 ratings. She was commissioned as an auxiliary cruiser. Lieutenant Commander (Kapitanleutnant) Paul Thierfelder—formerly Karlsruhe's navigation officer—became her commander, and Grahn was made 1st Officer.

    The close proximity of the British cruiser HMS Suffolk abbreviated the rendezvous, forcing the two German ships to cast off hastily and speed away in different directions. Kronprinz Wilhelm took a meandering course towards the Azores, arriving on 17 August and rendezvousing with the German steamer SS Walhalla off São Miguel Island.

    Walhalla and Kronprinz Wilhelm headed south from the Azores, while transferring coal from Walhalla to Kronprinz Wilhelm. She then learned from German representatives at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands that no further coal would be available in the neighborhood of the Azores and the Canaries. Consequently, her commanding officer decided to head for the Brazilian coast, where he hoped to find sources of coal more friendly to Germany or at least a greater choice of neutral ports in which to intern his ship if she should find herself unable to replenish her supplies from captured ships.

    During the voyage to the Azores and thence to the South American coast, Kronprinz Wilhelm had to avoid contact with all shipping since she was not ready to embark upon her mission raiding Allied commerce. The guns had to be emplaced and a target for gunnery practice constructed. The crew—mostly reservists and civilians—received a crash course in their duties in a warship and in general naval discipline. A "prize crew" was selected and trained in the techniques of boarding captured vessels (prizes), inspecting cargo and ship's papers, and using explosive charges to sink captured ships. Finally, all members of the crew were outfitted in some semblance of a naval uniform.

    The crew worked at a feverish pace in order to be ready, and by the time Kronprinz Wilhelm met Karlsruhe's tender—SS Asuncion—near Rocas Reef north of Cape San Roque on 3 September, preparations were nearly complete. At 2030 the following evening, the auxiliary cruiser encountered a target, the British steamer SS Indian Prince. The merchantman stopped without the raider's firing a shot. Heavy seas, however, postponed the boarding until shortly after 0600 the following morning. The prize crew found a cargo composed largely of contraband, but before sinking the ship, Commander Thierfelder wanted to salvage as much of her supplies and fuel as he could. Continued heavy seas precluded the transfer until the afternoon of 8 September. Indian Prince's crew and passengers were brought over to Kronprinz Wilhelm at around 1400, and the two ships moved alongside each other immediately thereafter. Coaling started and continued throughout the night of 8/9 September. The following morning, the German prize crew detonated three explosive charges which sank Indian Prince. Kronprinz Wilhelm then headed south to rendezvous with several German supply ships.

    Coal, more than any other factor, proved to be the key to the success of Kronprinz Wilhelm's cruise. The hope of finding that commodity had brought her to the coast of South America, and her success in locating sources of it kept her there. Initially, she replenished from German steamers sent out of South American ports specifically for that purpose. She spent the next month coaling from four such auxiliaries before she even contacted her next victim. That event occurred on 7 October, when she hailed the British steamer SS La Correntina well off the Brazilian coast at about the same latitude as Rio de Janeiro. The next day, the raider went alongside the captured ship to seize the prize's coal and cargo of frozen meat before sinking her. She took La Correntina's two ammunition-less 4.7 in (120 mm) guns and their splinter shields. The raider later mounted the additional guns aft, where they were used for gun drills and to fire warning shots with modified, blank salute cartridges. She continued coaling and provisioning operations from La Correntina until 11 October, when bad weather forced a postponement. On 14 October, she resumed the transfer of fuel but broke off again when she intercepted a wireless message indicating that her captive's sister ship SS La Rosarina had departed Montevideo two days earlier and would soon pass nearby. The prize crew placed the usual three explosive charges, and La Correntina sank that same day.

    During the ensuing five months, Kronprinz Wilhelm cruised the waters off the coast of Brazil and Argentina. Allied newspapers often reported that Kronprinz Wilhelm had been sunk, torpedoed, or interned, but between 4 September 1914 and 28 March 1915, she was responsible for the capture (and often sinking) of 15 ships—10 British, four French, and one Norwegian—off the east coast of South America. Thirteen of them sank from direct actions of Kronprinz Wilhelm; another she damaged severely by ramming, and it probably sank later. The remaining ship served to transport into port what had become an unbearable number of detainees on board after her 12th capture.

    "Ships were usually captured either by Kronprinz Wilhelm simply overtaking them with superior speed and size, ordering them to stop, and then sending over a boarding party, or by pretending to be a ship in distress (or of a friendly nationality) and luring unsuspecting prey to her in that way. The targeted ships were usually caught by surprise (some did not even yet know that war had been declared), and their captain had to make the quick decision of whether to run, fight, or surrender. Since the captured ships were no match in speed, and usually had few or no arms, the unpleasant but expedient choice was to surrender. Kronprinz Wilhelm would send over a boarding party to search the captured vessel. If it appeared to have nothing of value or military significance, it was released and sent on its way. If it did have valuable (or contraband) cargo, or was a warship or a ship that might someday be converted to military use, the crew of Kronprinz Wilhelm would then systematically (and quite politely) transfer all of the crew, passengers, and their baggage and other valuable cargo from the captured ship to their own, including coal and other supplies. Then they would usually scuttle the captured vessel by opening up the seacocks (valves in the hull below the waterline), thereby causing the captured ship to fill with water after small charges were detonated, and sink. Throughout the entire journey, not a single life was lost." Lieutenant Alfred von Niezychowski, author of The Cruise of the Kronprinz Wilhelm, the book about her 251 days as a commerce raider in World War I. In this way she took the following:

    • SS Highland Brae, United Kingdom
    • Schooner Wilfred M., United Kingdom
    • Barque Semantha, Norway
    • Barque Anne de Bretagne France
    • SS Guadeloupe, France
    • SS Tamar, United Kingdom
    • SS Coleby, United Kingdom
    • Schooner Pittan, Russia (released)
    • SS Chasehill, United Kingdom
    • SS Indian Prince, United Kingdom
    • SS La Correntina, United Kingdom
    • Four-mast Barque Union, France
    • SS Bellevue, United Kingdom
    • SS Mont Agel, France
    • SS Hemisphere, United Kingdom
    • SS Potaro, United Kingdom
    She missed one potential success, when on 14 September 1914 she came across the British armed merchant cruiser RMS Carmania, already badly crippled following a battle with the German auxiliary cruiser SMS Cap Trafalgar, which had sunk shortly before Kronprinz Wilhelm's arrival. However, Kronprinz Wilhelm's commander chose to be cautious, and believing it to be a trap, steamed away without attacking the severely damaged Carmania.

    Late in March 1915, the auxiliary cruiser headed north to rendezvous with another German supply ship at the equator. She arrived at the meeting point on the morning of 28 March and cruised in the neighborhood all day. That evening, she sighted a steamer in company with two British warships 20 mi (17 nmi; 32 km) distant. Though Kronprinz Wilhelm did not know it at the time, she had just witnessed the capture of her supply ship—SS Macedonia—by two British cruisers. The raider steamed around in the general vicinity for several days, but the passage of each succeeding day further diminished her hopes of a successful rendezvous.

    Finally, a dwindling coal supply and an alarming increase in the sick list forced Kronprinz Wilhelm to make for the nearest neutral port. The apparent cause of the illness was malnutrition from their diet consisting mainly of beef, white bread, boiled potatoes, canned vegetables, and oleomargarine. The few fresh vegetables they seized from the captured vessels were reserved for the officers' mess.

    Dr. Perrenon—the ship's surgeon—is reported to have said, "We had many cases of pneumonia, pleurisy and rheumatism among the men. They seemed to lose all resistance long before the epidemic broke out. We had superficial wounds, cuts, to deal with. They usually refused to heal for a long time. We had much hemorrhage. There were a number of accidents aboard, fractures, and dislocations. The broken bones were slow to mend." Slow healing is an early symptom of scurvy.

    Early in the morning of 11 April, she stopped off Cape Henry, Virginia, and took on a pilot. At 1012 that morning, she dropped anchor off Newport News, and ended her cruise, during which she steamed 37,666 mi (32,731 nmi; 60,618 km) and destroyed just under 56,000 long tons (57,000 t) of Allied shipping. She and her crew were interned, the ship was laid up at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, and her crew lived in a camp nearby, as "guests". During their internment, the crews of these vessels—numbering about 1,000 officers and men—built in the yard—from scrap materials—a typical German village named "Eitel Wilhelm", which attracted many visitors.

    The name Kronprinz Wilhelm was reclaimed by the German navy in 1918 when it renamed its battleship SMS Kronprinz as SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm. This ship was scuttled in June 1919 with the remainder of the High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow.

     

       SS Nevasa was built in 1912, by Barclay, Curle & Co., Glasgow for British India Steam Navigation Co. She was 9,071 gross tons, length 480.5ft x beam 58.1ft, one funnel, two masts, twin screw, speed 14 knots, accommodation for 128-1st and 98-2nd class pasengers. Launched 12th Dec.1912 She started her maiden voyage from London to East Africa and Calcutta on 22nd March 1913. In Aug 1914 she was taken over and converted to a troopship, and from Jan 1915 to 1918 was fitted as a 660 bed hospital ship.

    • Medical Staff strength. Officers:6 Nurses:12 Other:52
    • Accommodation capacity. Cots:254 Berths:460

    The ship was used in the East Africa, Persian Gulf, Salonika and Mesopotamia campaigns. Later in 1918 she was used as a North Atlantic as a troopship, ferrying US troops and later repatriating Allied forces. In late 1919 she resumed commercial service on the UK - East Africa and UK - Calcutta services.

    In 1925 she was rebuilt as a permanent troopship with capacity for 1,000 men. In 1935-37 she carried out a series of off-season educational cruises for the School Journey's Association, London and in 1937 attended the Spithead Coronation Naval Review. Between 1939 and 1945 she was used to carry troops between the UK, India, Basra, Madagascar and for the Normandy Landings. She resumed commercial service in 1946 but was basically a troopship. In Jan 1948 laid up in the River Blackwater and was then scrapped at Bo'ness.

       Rohilla was a steamship of the British India Steam Navigation Company which ran aground in 1914 while serving as HMHS Rohilla (His Majesty's Hospital Ship Rohilla). The steamship was named Rohilla in honour of Rohillas, Afghan highlanders (Roh means mountains and Rohilla literally means mountaineer or highlander) who entered India with Nadir Shah Durrani and were awarded territory in northern India later renamed Rohilkhand, in the modern Uttar Pradesh state. Rohilla (7,114 tons gross) was built in 1906 in Belfast by Harland & Wolff. It was called up at the outset of World War I and converted into a naval hospital ship.

       

    HS Anglia

    Anglia was built by Wm Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland for the London and North Western Railway and was delivered in 1900. At first she was used on the Holyhead to Dublin North Wall service, then from 1908 on the Holyhead to Kingstown (later named Dún Laoghaire) service.

    SS Anglia was a steam ship requisitioned for use as a hospital ship during the First World War and refitted as an auxiliary hospital ship the H.M.H.S. Anglia, under the command of Captain Lionel J. Manning. With a Medical Staff strength of 3 Officers, 4 Nurses and 28 Orderlies. He patient accommodation capacity was 6 Officers, 25 Cots and 244 Berths. Her period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport was from 25th April 1915 to 17th November 1915.

    On November 17th 1915 the Anglia was returning to Dover from Calais, and was loaded with 390 injured officers and soldiers, and their doctors and nurses. In addition there were 56 crew - predominantly Anglesey men - on board. They could not know that the German submarine UC-5 had been laying mines in the English Channel. At around 12:30 pm, one mile east of Folkestone Gate, H.M.H.S. Anglia struck a mine, and quickly began to sink. The Royal Navy ship H.M.S. Hazard raced to her aid. It took the Anglia just 15 minutes to sink, and during that time many acts of bravery were witnessed. The total loss of life is not truly known, but estimates vary between 120 and 164 personnel - including 25 of her crew - who were either killed by the explosion, or by drowning. The tragedy had occurred only 12 days after her sister ship - H.M.S. Tara (renamed from the S.S. Hibernia) - had been sunk off Tripoli by a torpedo from a German U-boat. The people of Anglesey, and in particular the town of Holyhead, were distraught.

       

    HS Dover Castle

    SS Dover Castle was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 443. Her propulsion was steam, with quadruple expansion engines, 969 nhp, 14.5 knots. She was launched on Thursday, 04/02/1904 as a Passenger/Cargo Vessel, Tonnage: 8271, Length 476.4ft, Breadth 56.7ft, Draught 31.9 ft. She was owned by the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co Ltd, London and was Torpedoed & Sunk on the 26th of May 1917

    The Dover Castle was converted to a hospital ship in WW1 and had a Medical Staff strength of 11 Officers, 9 Nurses and 60 other staff. Her accommodation capacity was 5 Officers, 286 Cots, 316 Berths. She served as a Hospital Ship from:11th August 1915 to 26th May 1917.

     Hospital ship  

    HMHS Aquitania

    RMS Aquitania was a Cunard Line ocean liner designed by Leonard Peskett and built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland. She was launched on 21 April 1913 and sailed on her maiden voyage to New York on 30 May 1914. Aquitania was the third in Cunard Line's "grand trio" of express liners, preceded by the RMS Mauretania and RMS Lusitania, and was the last surviving four-funnelled ocean liner. Widely considered one of the most attractive ships of her time, Aquitania earned the nickname "Ship Beautiful".

    In her 36 years of service, Aquitania survived military duty in both world wars and was returned to passenger service after each. Aquitania's record for the longest service career of any 20th-century express liner stood until 2004, when the Queen Elizabeth 2 (ultimate career service of 40 years) became the longest-serving liner.

    Aquitania's maiden voyage was under the command of Captain William Turner on 30 May 1914. This event was overshadowed by the sinking of the RMS Empress of Ireland in Quebec the previous day with over a thousand drowned. The following month Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, and the world was plunged into World War I, interrupting Aquitania's civilian career. After only three round trips she was taken over for military use. At first "Aquitania" was converted into an armed merchant cruiser, for which provision had been made in her design. The Admiralty found that large liners were too profligate in their use of fuel to act as cruisers, so Aquitania did not serve long in that role. After being idle for a time, in the spring of 1915 the Cunarder was converted into a trooper, and made voyages to the Dardanelles, sometimes running alongside Britannic or Mauretania. Aquitania then was converted into a hospital ship, and acted in that role in during the Dardanelles campaign. In 1916, the year that White Star's third ship, Britannic, was sunk, Aquitania was returned to the trooping front, and then in 1917 was again laid up. In 1918, the ship was back on the high seas in troopship service, conveying North American troops to Britain. Many of these departures were from the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia where the ships spectacular dazzle paint scheme was captured by artists and photographers, including Antonio Jacobsen. On one occasion "Aquitania" transported over 8,000 men.

    • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
    • Medical Staff strength.
    • Officers:41
    • Nurses:102
    • Other:351
    • Accommodation capacity.
    • Officers:196
    • Cots:893
    • Berths:3093
    • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
    • Date From:4th September 1915
    • Date To:27th December 1917
    • Ships Crew details:

    After the end of hostilities, in June 1919, "Aquitania" ran a Cunard "austerity service" between Southampton and New York. In December of that year Aquitania was docked at the Armstrong Whitworth yards in Newcastle to be refitted for post-war service. The ship was converted from coal burner to oil-fired, which greatly reduced the number of engine room crew required. The original fittings and art pieces, removed when refitted for military use, were brought out of storage and re-installed. At some point around this time during the ship's history, the wheelhouse was moved up one deck as the officers had complained about the visibility over the ships bow. The second wheelhouse can be seen in later pictures of the era and the old wheelhouse area below has had the windows plated in.

       

    HMT Plassy

    HM Troopship Plassy was built by Caird of Greenock for the P & O Steam Navigation Co., launched on 23rd November 1900 and delivered 9th January 1901. Her maiden voyage was 29th January 1901 from London to Shanghai. She was a 450 foot, 6,500 ton, steamship capable of carrying around 200 passengers.

    Plassy operated mostly as a troop transport during the Boer War and then on the Indian Garrison rotation run. On 25th September 1906 she was seriously damaged in collision with the steamer Masterful while berthed at Southampton; she was repaired and returned to service.

    During the First World War she was converted for use as a hospital ship and was present at the Battle of Jutland, taking on the wounded from the battle cruisers "Lion" and "Princess Royal". Decommissioned and scrapped at Genoa in 1924.

       

    SS Glengorm Castle

    The Glengorm Castle was built as the SS German for the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company in 1898 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with a tonnage of 6763grt, a length of 440ft, a beam of 53ft and a service speed of 12.5 knots. In 1900 she served as a troopship during the Boer War.

    In August 1914 she was renamed Glengorm Castle following the outbreak of war with Germany and in the September was commissioned as a hospital ship and refitted with 423 beds. She served as a Hospital Ship during WW1, from 19th September 1914 and was She was one of the last hospital ships to be decommissioned in 1921. She had a Medical Staff strength of, Officers:18, Nurses:6, Other:94. Accommodation capacity for patients was Officers:20, Cots:127 and Berths:206.

    She continued to operate as a troopship in the Far East until 1922-23 when she carried British peace-keeping troops to Turkey. Returning to Union-Castle in 1925 she served on the Intermediate service until 1930 when she was broken up in Holland.

       

    SS Ellora

    SS Ellora was built in 1911 by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd at their Govan Yard as a passenger and cargo liner, she was in service with the P&O Group from 1914 to 1938 and was owned by British India Steam Navigation Company Ltd. She had a Gross tonnage of 5,201, Length 124.90m (409.8ft), Breadth 15.94m (52.3ft), Depth 8.32m (27.3ft), Draught 7.132m (23.4ft). Her engines were two triple expansion steam engines, giving power of 6,700 ihp, Propulsion Twin screw, Speed 16.7 knots (trials). Her passenger capacity was 26 first class, 17 second class and 1,928 deck passengers. She was employed in the Indian Ocean (mainly Bay of Bengal or Singapore Straits). From September 1914 to July 1916 she served as an Indian Expeditionary Force transport and took part in the major convoy from Bombay.

    In July 1916 she became an Indian Expeditionary Force Hospital Ship with 475 beds. She served mainly between Bombay and the Persian Gulf, being equipped with 475 Cots. From November 1917 to January 1920 she served as an ambulance transport vessel. The ship then returned to her civilian role and in 1938 was sold for Rs 110,000 at Bombay and was broken up in Italy.

       

    SS Gloucester Castle

    SS Gloucester Castle was built in 1911 by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. at Glasgow with a tonnage of 7999grt, a length of 450ft 7in, a beam of 56ft 2in and a service speed of 13 knots. She was built for the Intermediate service. On 24th September, 1914 she was commissioned as a 410 bed hospital ship with 128 cots. She had a Medical Staff strength of 8 Officers, 10 Nurses and 41 other staff. Accommodation capacity was 40 Officers, 128 Cots and 242 Berths.

    On 30th March 1917, although clearly identified as a hospital ship, she was torpedoed by UB-32 in the English Channel whilst on passage from Le Havre to Southampton. Fortunately, only 3 of the 399 passengers died during the transfer to rescuing trawlers but it took two weeks to tow the ship to safety for repair.

    In April 1919 she resumed commercial operations on the Intermediate service and later on the Round Africa service. But her slow speed earned her the name 'Go Slowster Castle'.

    In 1926 she was replaced by the Llandaff Castle and reverted to Intermediate status until 1939 when she was laid up at Netley in Southampton Water.



       

    SS Guildford Castle

    SS Guildford Castle was built in 1911 by Barclay, Curle & Co. at Glasgow with a tonnage of 7995grt, a length of 450ft 7in, a beam of 56ft 2in and a service speed of 13 knots. Sister of the Gloucester Castle and the Galway Castle she undertook the first intermediate sailing which terminated at Mauritius in July 1914.

    When the First World War broke out she participated in the first troop convoy to Europe and on 22nd September 1914 was commissioned as a hospital ship with 427 beds. Her Medical Staff strength was Officers:9, Nurses:13, Other:59. She had an accommodation capacity of Officers:43, Cots:134, Berths:250.

    During the German West and East African campaigns in 1915 she remained in Southern African waters where she was more occupied with coping with disease rather than war wounds. She was decommissioned on 9th November 1918 and returned to commercial service initially on the Intermediate service in 1920 and then on the round Africa service.

    On 31st May 1933 she was in collision with the Blue Funnel ship Stentor in the estuary of the River Elbe when two people lost their lives, an accident for which the pilot was blamed. She was beached on the following day and declared a total constructive loss.

       

    SS Herefordshire

    SS Herefordshire was built in 1905 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with a tonnage of 7182grt, a length of 452ft 4in, a beam of 54ft 4in and a service speed of 15 knots. Sister of the Worcestershire she was launched on 31st August 1905 and completed on 29th November.

    When the First World War was declared she remained on the Burma run until 25th July 1916 when she was requisitioned as a hospital ship for 380 patients serving Salonika, Mesopotamia and East Africa.

    The Medical Staff strength was, 8 Officers, 10 Nurses and 43 Orderlies. The ship had an accommodation capacity of 50 Officers, 230 Cots and 100 Berths.

    On 1st January 1918 she was decommissioned and on 4th February was narrowly missed by two torpedoes during her first Mediterranean convoy. When the torpedo tracks were spotted her Master, Capt.G. E. Millson, ordered the helm hard over and one engine to full astern which slewed the ship around. One torpedo passed under the counter stern missing by a foot or so and one of the torpedoes went on to hit P&O's Sardinia.

    In 1920 she was refitted by her builder and converted to oil burning. She was rebuilt for cargo services only in 1929 and equipped with, in addition to modifications for transiting the Manchester Ship Canal, a heavy lift derrick on the foremast. In April 1933 she was laid up at Dartmouth and on 9th March 1934 left in tow bound for Clyde shipbreakers. On 15th March she grounded on Cardigan Island and was a total loss.

       Hooley Hill Munitions factory was situated in Hooley Hill Mill on William Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, bordered by the canal. It was run by the Hooley Hill Rubber and Chemical Company and opened in March 1915 by Sylvain Dreyfus and Lucien Gaisman, contracted to produce 10 tons of T.N.T per week, by 1916 this had risen to 22.5 tons per week. The mill was destroyed in an explosion on the 13th of June 1917.

       The Military Heart Hospital was located at Sobraon Barracks in Colchester.

       1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was stationed at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield in August 1914 when war broke out, on the 7th August they moved to Dunfermline then six days later they transferred to Cambridge. They proceeded to France, landing at St Nazaire on the 10th of September 1914, with 18th Brigade in 6th Division to inforce the BEF on the Aisne. They remained on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action the the Battle of the Somme, at Hill 70, on the Lys and the Hindeburg Line. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

       6th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire egiment (Green Howards) was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at Richmond on 25 August 1914. They joined 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division and underwent training at Belton Park near Grantham. In April 1915 the moved to Witley Camp near Godalming in Surrey. They embarked from Liverpool on the 3rd of July 1915 to Mudros. They saw action in the landings at Suvla bay, Gallipoli on the 6th and 7th of August 1915. In December 1915 the Division was evacuated from Gallipoli and sailed to Egypt via Imbros. They took over the Suez Defences in February. In June 1916 they received orders to move to France to reinforce the Divisions on The Somme. By the 7th of July Divisional HQ had been set up at Flesselles, and by the 27th the troops were in action on the front line.

    In 1917 they saw action on the Ancre then moved to Flanders for the Battle of Messines and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of Arras and on the 15th of May 1918 were reduced to cadre strength and attached to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division for ten days between the 19th and 29th June, before returning to England. They landed at Folkestone on the 30th of June and transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division, moving to Mytchett near Aldershot, then in July they moved to Margate. The Battalion absorbed 19th Bn during August and on the 9th of September 1918 the 75th Brigade was redesignated the 236th Brigade, for service in North Russia. They sailed from Dundee on the 17th of October and arrived at Murmansk on the 27th November 1918.

       1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers were in Madras when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britain landing at Plymouth on the 21st of December 1914. They went into to billets in Torquay, moving in January 1915 to Nuneaton to join 86th Brigade, 29th Division. On the 16th of March 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth for Gallipoli, via Alexandria and Mudros. They landed at Cape Helles on the 25th of April 1915. After suffering heavy casualties and on the 30th of April they merged with the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers forming a unit nick named the 'Dubsters'. They resumed their own identity on the 19th of May 1915. They were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January, returning to Egypt. On the 13th of March 1916 they sailed from Port Said for Marseilles, travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck. On the 19th of October they transferred to 48th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division. On the 10th of February 1918 they absorbed 200 men from the disbanding 8/9th Battalion. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties and on the 14th of April 1918 the battalion amalgamated with 2nd battalion. On the 26th of April 1918 the 1dt Dublin Fusiliers transferred to 86th Brigade, 29th Division. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

       The 22nd (Service) Battalion (3rd County Pioneers) was formed at West Hartlepool on 1 October 1915 by the Durham Parliamentary Recruiting Committee and moved to Catterick on 9 March 1916.

    • 17 June 1916 : landed at Le Havre and then attached to 19th (Western) Division
    • 2 July 1916 : transferred to 8th Division and became Pioneer Battalion
    • 3 July 1918 : absorbed by 1/7th Battalion

         2/5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment was formed in Birmingham in October 1914 as a second line battalion and became part of 2nd Warwickshire Brigade, 2nd South Midland Division. August 1915 : redesignated as 182nd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. Landed in France on 21 May 1916. 20 February 1918 : disbanded in France.

         

      HMHS Letitia

      HMHS Letitia was built by Scott's Shipbuilding and Engineering Co, Greenock for the Donaldson Line of Glasgow in 1912, she was a 8,991 gross ton ship, length 470.4ft x beam 56.9ft, one funnel, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 14 knots. There was passenger accommodation for 300-2nd and 950-3rd class. Launched on 21st February 1912, she left Glasgow on 4th May 1912 on her maiden voyage to Quebec and Montreal. Employed as a hospital ship during the Great War from 18th November 1914 to 1st of August 1917. Her Medical Staff strength was 8 Officers, 12 Nurses and 60 Orderlies. With an accommodation capacity of 44 Officers, 161 Cots and 344 Berths.

      She was wrecked on 1st August 1917 at Chebucto Head, Halifax. While entering the Portuguese Cove on the 1st August 1917 she was bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia in heavy fog and due to Pilot error ran aground. Only 1 casualty a stoker accidently left behind, drowned while trying to swim ashore.

         

      HMHS Valdivia

      H.M. Hospital Ship Valdivia was a French passenger ship, built 1911 by Chantiers & Ateliers de Provence, Port de Bouc for Societe Generale de Transports Maritimes a Vapeur, Marseilles. She was 7,137 gross tons, length 463ft x beam 54.4ft, two funnels, two masts, twin screw, speed 15½ knots and used on their South America service to Buenos Aires. She was loaned to the British Admiralty for use as a hospital ship, managed by Union-Castle Mail Steam Ship Company.

      Her Medical Staff strength was Officers:6, Nurses:12, Other:60. She had an a accommodation capacity of 24 Officers, 257 Cots and 270 Berths. Sh eserved as a Hospital Ship from:29th November 1914 to 22nd December 1919. In 1919 she was returned to her owners and in 1933 she was scrapped at Savona.

         1/5th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

      • August 1914 : in Doncaster. Part of 3rd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division.
      • Moved on mobilisation to Doncaster and in November 1914 to Gainsborough.
      • Moved on to York in February 1915.
      • 12 April 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
      • 15 May 1915 : formation became 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.
      • 2 February 1918 : transferred to 187th Brigade in 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division and absorbed 2/5th Battalion Renamed 5th Battalion

           25th (2nd Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals Battalion, raised at Newcastle on the 9th of November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. In June 1915 the Battalion joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon and after further training they moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. The proceeded to France in January 1916 where 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer.

        They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 3rd of February 1918 they transferred to 102nd Brigade, still with 34th Division. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. On the 17th of June 1918 they transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division and on the 29th July 1918 to 197th Brigade, in the reforming 66th Division. They returned to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

           6th (Service) Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. Formed at Lincoln in August 1914 as part of K1 and came under command of 33rd Brigade in 11th (Northern) Division. Moved to Gallipoli in July 1915. Landed at Suvla Bay 7 August 1915. Went to Egypt in January 1916 and thence to France in July 1916.

           The 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a territorial battalion based at Bishop Auckland serving with DLI Brigade, Northumbrian Division. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base.

        The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences with the 6th DLI being based at Bolden Colliery, then went on Ravensworth Park near Newcastle by October. They proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time.

        The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. On the 14th of May the formation was renamed 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. On the 3rd of June after suffering heavy casualties, the 1/6th and 1/8th Battalions merged to form 6/8th Battalion and on the 15th of July the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and transferred to the Lines of Communication.

        They resumed their own identities on the 11th of August after recieving reinforcements and on the 16th the 6th DLI joined 117th Brigade 39th Division. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre.

        In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part in The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg.

        The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and the 6th DLI were disbanded in France on the 6th of November 1918.

           Northern Cyclist Battalion 1/1st Battalion: Headquartered at the Drill Hall on Hutton Terrace, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, the battalion moved on mobilisation in early August 1914 to its pre-planned war station at Morpeth. By 1916 it had moved to nearby Alnwick where it remained as part of the Tyne Garrison. 2/1st Battalion: Formed in late 1914 as a second line unit. By 1916 was at Skegness and in June 1918 was at Burton Constable as part of the Humber Garrison. 3/1st Battalion: Formed in 1915 as a depot/training unit. Disbanded in March 1916 and its men posted to the 1/1st and 2/1st, with some going to the Machine Gun Corps.

           The Tank Corps was formed from the Heavy Branch MGC on 27 July 1917 and the Battalions adopted numbering rather than letter designations (although tank names followed the same lettering: for example, 7th Battalion tanks were all named with a letter G, like Grouse, Grumble, etc.) Each Tank Battalion had a complement of 32 officers and 374 men. Originally formed as Companies of the Heavy Section MGC, designated A, B, C and D, each Company consisted of 4 Sections of 3 tanks of each type (male and female Mk 1's). Companies also had another machine in reserve. In November 1916 the Companies were expanded to Battalions, carrying the same letter designations. A Battalion consisted of 3 Companies. Three mobile workshops provided the engineering back-up to service the tanks. An expansion programme was ordered by GHQ, to build a force of 14 additional Battalions.

            21st (2nd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was raised on the 26th of October 1914 in Newcastle mainly from men of Scottish decent from the North East. Initially training in Newcastle City centre the 2nd Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle on the 29th of January 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915. In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, attacking just north of the village of La Boisselle, not far from Albert. At 7.28 am on 1st July 1916 two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 2nd Tyneside Scottish had 500 yards to cover, under heavy machine gun fire, before reaching the German lines, and many men of the battalion lost thier lives. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

        1st August 1914   

        HMHS Tagus

        SS Tagus was built by Robert Napier Govan, Yard No 466. Propulsion: steam - single screw - Speed 15 knots. Launched: Tuesday, 27/06/1899
        Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel. Ship's Role: Southampton - West Indies. Tonnage: 5545 grt, Length: 410 feet, Breadth: 30 feet.

        Owner History: Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, London 1920 Hijos de Jose Taya, Barcelona

        Remarks: Maiden voyage 15th November 1899. Troopship 1900 in Boer War. Hospital ship (as in picture) 1914 - 18.

        • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
        • Medical Staff strength.
        • Officers:7
        • Nurses:8
        • Other:42
        • Accommodation capacity.
        • Officers:
        • Cots:
        • Berths:418
        • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
        • Date From:24th August 1915
        • Date To:31st March 1916
        • Ships Crew details:

        Final Name: Principe de Viana (1920) 1920 Hijos de Jose Taya, Barcelona Status: Scrapped - 1926

           9th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 as a Kitchener Battalion. After training they proceeded to France in July 1915 with 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division, their first role being to hold front lines in the southern area of the Ypres salient. In 1916 they were involved in fighting at The Bluff in spring and moved south in early summer seeing action at the Battle of Albert and Delville Wood on The Somme. In 1917 they took part in the the Arras Offensive then in August 1917 transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division, seeing action at Broenbeek in The Third Battles of Ypres in October. Having absorbed the 2/1st Northumberland Yeomanry and became the 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion in September. In 1918 they saw action on The Somme and suffereed hevy losses in The Battles of the Lys. The division was reorganised and on the 26th of May they transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division, for the Final Advance in Picardy.

           18th (1st Tyneside Pioneers) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle on the 14th October 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. They converted to a Pioneer Battalion on the 8th of February 1915 and joined 34th Division in June. After further training at Ripon and Salisbury Plain, they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 8th of January 1916. They saw action in The Battle of the Somme in 1916, in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917.

        In June 1918 they joined 39th Division in an infrantry role following heavy losses in the 39th during the Battle of the Lys. The Division was then engaged in training the troops of the 77th American Division. In July the 1st Tyneside Pioneers resumed thier original role when they transferred to 66th Division for operations on the Flanders Coast and the Third Battle of Ypres, in 1918 they again saw action on The Somme.

           13th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised at Edinburgh September 1914, as part of Kitchener's First New Army. They moved to Aldershot and joined 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. In November they went to billets in Bramshott for the winter, moving to Basingstoke in February 1915 and then to Chisledon for final training in March. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

           

        The 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry were a unit of the Territorial Force. HQ, A, B, C, D, E and F Companies were all based at the Drill Hall, Livinstone Rd, Sunderland with G and H Companies based in Stanhope Rd, South Shields.

        They were part of the DLI Brigade, Northumbrian Division. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for their annual summer camp and were recalled immediately their home base. They were at once mobilsed and moved to the coastal defences by mid August, then to Ravensworth Park for training and by October were at Newcastle undertaking final training.

        They proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne and concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde, just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle.

        On the 14th of May 1915 the DLI Brigade was redesignated 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge.

        On the 16th of November 1915 the 7th Durhams left 151st Brigade and converted into a Pioneer Battalion for 50th (Northumbrain) Division. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres.

        In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. On the 20th of June 1918 they transferred to 8th Division and on the 3rd of July absorbed the 22nd Durhams taking their place as Pioneer Battalion of the 8th Division and were in action in The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           SS Hazelwood was built by Ropner & Son, Stockton in 1914 and owned at the time of her loss by Gascony SS Co Ltd (L Watford Ltd) was British Steamer of 3120 tons. On 19th October 1917, Hazelwood on a voyage from the Tyne with a cargo of coal was sunk by a mine from a German submarine UC-62 (Max Schmitz) 8 miles SxE1/2E from Anvil Point. 32 persons were lost.

         

         

           SM U-17

        Type U 17 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 11) Ordered 6 May 1910 Laid down 1 Oct 1910 Launched 16 Apr 1912 Commissioned 3 Nov 1912.
        Commanders.
        1 Aug 1914 - 7 Mar 1915 Oblt. Johannes Feldkirchner.
        2 Mar 1915 - 9 Jan 1916 Hans Walther

        Career 4 patrols start date unknown - 10 Jan 1916 Baltic Flotilla 1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown II Flotilla 10 Jan 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 training Flotilla

        Successes 11 ships sunk with a total of 15,122 tons. 2 ships taken as prize with a total of 4,956 tons.

        • 20 Oct 1914 U 17 Johannes Feldkirchner Glitra 866 British
        • 12 Jun 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Cocos 85 Danish
        • 12 Jun 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Desabla 6,047 British
        • 18 Jun 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Ailsa 876 British
        • 8 Aug 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Glenravel 1,092 British
        • 8 Aug 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Malmland 3,676 Swedish
        • 10 Aug 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Utopia 155 British
        • 14 Aug 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Gloria 130 British
        • 15 Aug 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Götaland (p.) 3,538 Swedish
        • 15 Aug 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Marie 158 Danish
        • 16 Aug 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Romulus 819 Norway
        • 16 Aug 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Tello 1,218 Norway
        • 24 Oct 1915 U 17 Hans Walther Rumina (p.) 1,418 Swedish

        Fate 27 Jan 1919 - Stricken, broken up at the Imperial Dockyard, Kiel. Pressure hull sold to Stinnes, Hamburg on 3 Feb, 1920. .

        On 20 October, 1914 this boat was the first to sink a merchant vessel. This was the British steamer SS Glitra, which was sunk in strict accordance with prize rules.

           SM U-22 was a Type U 19 submarine built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, in Danzig (Werk 16). She was Ordered on 25th Nov 1910, laid down on 14th of Nov 1911, launched on 6th Mar 1913 and commissioned 25th Nov 1913.
        Commanders:
        25 Nov 1913 - 22 Aug 1916 Bruno Hoppe.
        23 Aug 1916 - 31 May 1917 Oblt. Karl Scherb.
        1 Jun 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen

        She had a career of 14 patrols.
        1 Aug 1914 - 23 Aug 1916 III Flotilla.
        23 Aug 1916 - 16 Mar 1917 Baltic Flotilla.
        16 Mar 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla

        43 ships were sunk with a total of 46,570 tons, 3 ships were damaged with a total of 9,044 tons. 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,170 tons.

        • 21 Jan 1915 U 22 Misidentified and torpedoed the U7 off Dutch coast 24 dead and 1 survivor.
        • 21 Apr 1915 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Ruth 867 sw
        • 22 Apr 1915 U 22 Bruno Hoppe St. Lawrence 196 br
        • 15 Jun 1915 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Strathnairn 4,336 br
        • 16 Jun 1915 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Trafford 215 br
        • 16 Jun 1915 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Turnwell (damaged) 4,264 br
        • 20 Jun 1915 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Premier 169 br
        • 8 Aug 1915 U 22 Bruno Hoppe India 7,940 br
        • 12 Aug 1915 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Grodno 1,955 br
        • 6 Apr 1916 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Vennacher (damaged) 4,700 br
        • 8 Apr 1916 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Adamton 2,304 br
        • 13 Apr 1916 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Chic 3,037 br
        • 21 Jun 1916 U 22 Bruno Hoppe Francoise D’amboise 1,973 fr
        • 2 Nov 1916 U 22 Karl Scherb Vanadis 384 ru
        • 2 Nov 1916 U 22 Karl Scherb Runhild (prize) 1,170 sw
        • 3 Nov 1916 U 22 Karl Scherb Ägir 427 sw
        • 3 Nov 1916 U 22 Karl Scherb Frans 134 sw
        • 3 Nov 1916 U 22 Karl Scherb Jönköping 82 sw
        • 8 Nov 1916 U 22 Karl Scherb Taimi 134 ru
        • 11 Nov 1916 U 22 Karl Scherb Astrid 191 sw
        • 7 Aug 1917 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Jarl 1,643 sw
        • 11 Oct 1917 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Elve 899 br
        • 16 Oct 1917 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Jennie E. Righter 647 am
        • 17 Oct 1917 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen California 5,629 br
        • 19 Oct 1917 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Australdale 4,379 au
        • 19 Oct 1917 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Staro 1,805 nw
        • 20 Oct 1917 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Snetinden 2,859 nw
        • 6 Jan 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Saint Mathieu 175 fr
        • 2 Mar 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Stina 1,136 sw
        • 11 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Michael 150 ru
        • 12 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Kong Raud 60 nw
        • 12 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Tennes 58 nw
        • 12 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Vea 40 nw
        • 14 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Stairs 54 nw
        • 16 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Polarstrommen 54 nw
        • 16 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Fedor Tschishoff 832 ru
        • 16 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Ukn fishing vessel 80 ru
        • 19 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Forsok 31 nw
        • 20 May 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Hertha 253 ru
        • 19 Aug 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Buoni Amici 265 it
        • 20 Aug 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Magalhaes Lima 196 pt
        • 22 Aug 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Maria Luiza 148 pt
        • 31 Aug 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Norte 254 pt
        • 1 Sep 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Libertador 185 pt
        • 4 Sep 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Santa Maria 48 pt
        • 4 Sep 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Villa Franca 46 pt
        • 4 Sep 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Unnamed Barge 300 pt
        • 4 Sep 1918 U 22 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen Ukn. sail. vsl (damaged) 80 pt
        U 22 surrendered on 1st of Dec 1918.

           SM U-23 was a Type U 23 built at Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 177). Ordered 18 Mar 1911, Laid down 21 Dec 1911, Launched 12 Apr 1912 and Commissioned 11 Sep 1913.
        Commanders.
        1 Aug 1914 - 25 Nov 1914 Erwin Weisbach.
        26 Nov 1914 - 17 Dec 1914 Hans Adam.
        18 Dec 1914 - 12 Jan 1915 Egewolf Freiherr von Berckheim.
        13 Jan 1915 - 20 Jul 1915 Oblt. Hans Schultheß

        Career 3 patrols.
        Start date unknown - 20 Jul 1915 III Flotilla.
        1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown IV Flotilla

        Successes 7 ships sunk with a total of 8,822 tons.

        • 13 Mar 1915 U 23 Hans Schultheß Invergyle 1,794 br
        • 15 Mar 1915 U 23 Hans Schultheß Fingal 1,562 br
        • 15 May 1915 U 23 Hans Schultheß Martha 1,182 da
        • 19 May 1915 U 23 Hans Schultheß Chrysolite 222 br
        • 19 May 1915 U 23 Hans Schultheß Crimond 173 br
        • 19 May 1915 U 23 Hans Schultheß Lucerne 154 br
        • 22 May 1915 U 23 Hans Schultheß Minerva 3,735 nw

        On the 20th of Jul 1915 U23 was Torpedoed by HM Sub C27 in connection with the decoy trawler Princess Louise at 58.55N, 00.14E. 24 dead and 10 survivors.

        There was another U 23 in World War Two.
        That boat was launched from its shipyard on 28 Aug 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 24 Sep 1936.

           SM U-24 was a Type U 23, Built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 178) Ordered 18 Mar 1911, Laid down 5 Feb 1912, Launched 24 May 1913 and Commissioned 6 Dec 1913.
        Commanders.
        6 Dec 1913 - 3 Jun 1916 Rudolf Schneider.
        4 Jun 1916 - 10 Jul 1917 Walter Remy.
        11 Jul 1917 - 1 Aug 1917 Otto von Schubert

        Career 7 patrols.
        1 Aug 1914 - 11 Aug 1917 III Flotilla.
        24 Aug 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 training Flotilla

        Successes 34 ships sunk with a total of 106,122 tons.
        3 ships damaged with a total of 14,318 tons.
        1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,925 tons.
        1 warship sunk with a total of 15,000 tons.

        • 26 Oct 1914 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Admiral Ganteaume (damaged)4,590 fr. The first to attack an unarmed merchant ship without warning. The SS Admiral Ganteaume was torpedoed but was able to be towed to port.
        • 1 Jan 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Formidable 15,000 br
        • 2 Apr 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Lochwood 2,042 br
        • 4 Apr 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider City Of Bremen 1,258 br
        • 10 Apr 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider The President 647 br
        • 11 Apr 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Frederic Franck (d.) 973 fr
        • 27 Jun 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Edith 97 br
        • 27 Jun 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Indrani 3,640 br
        • 27 Jun 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Lucena 243 br
        • 28 Jun 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Dumfriesshire 2,622 br
        • 28 Jun 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Armenian 8,825 br
        • 29 Jun 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Scottish Monarch 5,043 br
        • 30 Jun 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Thistlebank 2,411 nw
        • 1 Jul 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider L.C. Tower 518 br
        • 1 Jul 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Sardomene 2,000 it
        • 1 Jul 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Welbury 3,591 br
        • 6 Jul 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Ellen 169 da
        • 7 Aug 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Geiranger 1,081 nw
        • 12 Aug 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Osprey 310 br
        • 13 Aug 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Cairo 1,671 br
        • 19 Aug 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Arabic 15,801 br
        • 19 Aug 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Dunsley 4,930 br
        • 19 Aug 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider New York City 2,970 br
        • 19 Aug 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider St. Olaf 277 br
        • 24 Aug 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Sinsen (prize) 1,925 nw
        • 25 Dec 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Van Stirum 3,284 br
        • 26 Dec 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Cottingham 513 br
        • 26 Dec 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Ministre Bernaert 4,215 be
        • 28 Dec 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider Huronian (damaged) 8,755 br
        • 28 Dec 1915 U 24 Rudolf Schneider El Zorro 5,989 br
        • 11 Jul 1916 U 24 Walter Remy Nellie Nutten 174 br
        • 30 Oct 1916 U 24 Walter Remy Nellie Bruce 192 br
        • 10 Dec 1916 U 24 Walter Remy Agder 305 nw
        • 21 Mar 1917 U 24 Walter Remy Stanley 3,987 br
        • 22 Mar 1917 U 24 Walter Remy Svendsholm 1,998 nw
        • 27 Mar 1917 U 24 Walter Remy Glenogle 7,682 br
        • 28 Mar 1917 U 24 Walter Remy Cannizaro 6,133 br
        • 18 Jun 1917 U 24 Walter Remy Elele 6,557 br
        • 18 Jun 1917 U 24 Walter Remy English Monarch 4,947 br

        Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Swansea in 1922.

        There was another U 24 in World War Two.
        That boat was launched from its shipyard on 24 Sep 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 10 Oct 1936.

           SM U-26 was a Type U 23 built at Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 180). Ordered 18 Mar 1911, Laid down 31 May 1912, Launched 16 Oct 1913 and Commissioned 20 May 1914.
        Commanders:
        1 Aug 1914 - 17 Dec 1914 Egewolf Freiherr von Berckheim.
        13 Jan 1915 - 30 Sep 1915 Egewolf Freiherr von Berckheim

        Career: 1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown IV Flotilla
        start date unknown - 30 Sep 1915 Baltic Flotilla.

        Successes 3 ships sunk with a total of 3,700 tons. 2 warships sunk with a total of 11,375 tons.

        • 11 Oct 1914 U 26 Egewolf Freiherr von Berckheim Pallada 7,775 ru
        • 23 Apr 1915 U 26 Egewolf Freiherr von Berckheim Fråck 849 ru
        • 4 Jun 1915 U 26 Egewolf Freiherr von Berckheim Yenisei 3,600 ru
        • 25 Aug 1915 U 26 Egewolf Freiherr von Berckheim Petshora 1,982 ru
        • 30 Aug 1915 U 26 Egewolf Freiherr von Berckheim Zemlya 869 ru

        On 4th od September 1915, she spotted a Russian transport ship north west of the island of Worms. The U-26 torpedoed the Russian ship, and then disappeared. It is believed she was the victim of a mine, laid near the larger island of Dago in The Gulf of Finland. 30 dead (all hands lost).

        There was another U 26 in World War Two.
        That boat was launched from its shipyard on 14 Mar 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 6 May 1936.

           SM U-34 was a Type U 31 uboat built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 194) Ordered 29 Mar 1912, laid down 7 Nov 1912 she was launched 9 May 1914 and commissioned 5 Oct 1914.
        Her Commanders were: 5 Oct 1914 - 11 Dec 1916 Claus Rücker, 12 Dec 1916 - 17 Jan 1918 Johannes Klasing, 18 Jan 1918 - 13 Mar 1918 Wilhelm Canaris and 14 Mar 1918 - 21 Oct 1918 Johannes Klasing

        U34 undertook 17 patrols sailing with II Flotilla until 23 Aug 1915 then Pola Flotilla until 21 Oct 1918 She claimed 119 ships sunk with a total of 257,652 tons. and 5 ships damaged with a total of 14,208 tons.

        • 18 Mar 1915 Blue Jacket (damaged) 3,515 br
        • 18 Mar 1915 Glenartney 5,201 br
        • 21 Mar 1915 Cairntorr 3,588 br
        • 22 Mar 1915 Concord 2,861 br
        • 1 Jun 1915 Victoria 155 br
        • 2 Jun 1915 Delta B 220 be
        • 2 Jun 1915 Hirose 274 br
        • 3 Jun 1915 Penfeld 793 fr
        • 4 Jun 1915 Inkum 4,747 br
        • 7 Jun 1915 Superb 1,515 nw
        • 4 Sep 1915 Natal Transport 4,107 br
        • 8 Sep 1915 Indien 800 fr
        • 10 Nov 1915 Bosnia 2,561 it
        • 14 Nov 1915 Treneglos 3,886 br
        • 15 Nov 1915 Orange Prince 3,583 br
        • 19 Nov 1915 Hallamshire 4,420 br
        • 24 Dec 1915 Ville De La Ciotat 6,431 fr
        • 24 Dec 1915 Yeddo 4,563 br
        • 29 Dec 1915 Kenkoku Maru 3,217 jp
        • 30 Dec 1915 Abelia 3,650 br
        • 1 Jan 1916 Glengyle 9,395 br
        • 4 Jan 1916 Coquet 4,396 br
        • 3 Apr 1916 Ellaston 3,796 br
        • 3 Apr 1916 Sneaton 3,470 br
        • 5 Apr 1916 Chantala 4,951 br
        • 6 Apr 1916 Yonne 4,039 br
        • 8 Apr 1916 Zafra 3,578 br
        • 11 Apr 1916 Angus 3,619 br
        • 11 Apr 1916 Imperator (damaged) 394 ru
        • 12 Apr 1916 Orlock Head 1,945 br
        • 12 Apr 1916 Vega 2,957 fr
        • 15 May 1916 Mira 3,050 fr
        • 16 May 1916 San Andrea 225 it
        • 18 May 1916 Adamantios Korais 2,947 gr
        • 20 May 1916 Erminia 1,544 it
        • 20 May 1916 Fabbricotti F. 150 it
        • 20 May 1916 Languedoc 1,612 fr
        • 21 May 1916 Myosotis 356 fr
        • 21 May 1916 Tjømø 1,453 nw
        • 22 May 1916 Australia 1,586 it
        • 22 May 1916 Genista 1,856 it
        • 22 May 1916 Istros 1,891 gr
        • 22 May 1916 Orealla 1,876 it
        • 22 May 1916 Roberto G 587 it
        • 23 May 1916 Cornigliano 2,862 it
        • 23 May 1916 Regina 593 ru
        • 30 May 1916 Julia Park 2,900 br
        • 21 Aug 1916 Maria 242 it
        • 22 Aug 1916 San Pietro 53 it
        • 24 Aug 1916 Alix 141 it
        • 24 Aug 1916 Angelina 153 it
        • 25 Aug 1916 Socoa 2,772 fr
        • 27 Aug 1916 Torridon 1,526 it
        • 28 Aug 1916 Gorgona 861 it
        • 29 Aug 1916 Fede 1,273 it
        • 31 Aug 1916 Santa Maria 947 it
        • 31 Aug 1916 Nostra Signora Assunta 1,256 it
        • 31 Aug 1916 Quinto 836 it
        • 1 Sep 1916 Baron Yarborough 1,784 br
        • 1 Sep 1916 Giuseppe 180 it
        • 4 Sep 1916 Pasquale Lauro 1,188 it
        • 4 Sep 1916 Silverstream 1,224 it
        • 7 Sep 1916 Luigia 917 it
        • 8 Sep 1916 Elizabeth Iv 7,395 nw
        • 10 Sep 1916 Elli 631 gr
        • 10 Sep 1916 Spiridon 562 gr
        • 12 Sep 1916 Panaghia Akathistou 421 gr
        • 26 Oct 1916 Valborg 207 da
        • 28 Oct 1916 Germaine 2,573 gr
        • 29 Oct 1916 Marie Therese 219 fr
        • 2 Nov 1916 Giovanni Anteri Beretta 332 it
        • 4 Nov 1916 Mogador 1,364 fr
        • 8 Nov 1916 Luigi Pastro 3,228 it
        • 8 Nov 1916 Sheldrake 2,697 br
        • 19 Mar 1917 Angiolina (damaged) 3,541 it
        • 20 Mar 1917 Paul Et Marie 321 fr
        • 23 Mar 1917 Artemis 528 gr
        • 23 Mar 1917 Bellatrix 2,568 nw
        • 23 Mar 1917 Noli 1,569 it
        • 28 Mar 1917 Antonietta R. 84 it
        • 28 Mar 1917 Carlo T 134 it
        • 28 Mar 1917 Giuseppina 223 it
        • 28 Mar 1917 Giuseppina Rosa 132 it
        • 28 Mar 1917 La Maria 43 it
        • 28 Mar 1917 Pietro Lofaro 291 it
        • 28 Mar 1917 Raffaele 53 it
        • 4 May 1917 Francesco C. 984 it
        • 9 May 1917 Harpagus 5,866 br
        • 10 May 1917 Carmen 319 sp
        • 11 May 1917 Lefkosia 1,087 gr
        • 11 May 1917 Medjerda 1,918 fr
        • 12 May 1917 Zanoni 3,851 br
        • 14 May 1917 Gravelinoise 129 fr
        • 14 May 1917 Tejo 201 pt
        • 15 May 1917 Tung Shan 3,999 br
        • 16 May 1917 Dorothy Duff 186 br
        • 16 May 1917 Patricio (damaged) 2,164 sp
        • 17 May 1917 Alfonso 230 it
        • 19 May 1917 Mardinian 3,322 br
        • 20 May 1917 Caspian 3,606 br
        • 21 May 1917 Saint Michel 175 fr
        • 28 Jun 1917 Minerve 723 fr
        • 30 Jun 1917 Mont Viso 4,820 fr
        • 3 Jul 1917 Marthe Roux 1,962 fr
        • 4 Jul 1917 Fratelli Bianchi 3,542 it
        • 7 Jul 1917 Wilberforce 3,074 br
        • 12 Jul 1917 Ondine 84 fr
        • 2 Dec 1917 Berwick Law 4,680 br
        • 2 Dec 1917 Minas 2,506 gr
        • 6 Dec 1917 Ilvington Court 4,217 br
        • 12 Dec 1917 Emanuele C. 284 it
        • 28 Jan 1918 Djibouti 4,305 fr
        • 30 Jan 1918 Maizar 7,293 br
        • 6 Feb 1918 Ville De Verdun 4,576 fr
        • 12 Apr 1918 Autolycus 5,806 br
        • 12 Apr 1918 Moyune 4,935 br
        • 19 Apr 1918 Elka 2,128 gr
        • 19 Apr 1918 Lord Charlemont 3,209 br
        • 22 Apr 1918 Dronning Maud 2,663 br
        • 28 Aug 1918 Emilia G. 246 it
        • 28 Aug 1918 Johanne 234 da
        • 4 Sep 1918 Richard 175 nw
        • 9 Sep 1918 Policastra (damaged) 4,594 br
        • 9 Sep 1918 War Arabis 5,183 br

        U34 Sailed on 18th of October 1918 and was never heard from again. 38 dead (all hands lost). It has been reported that U34 was depth charged by HMS Privet on 9th of November 1918 near Gibraltar. But U 34 was in all likelihood lost well before this date.

           SM U-35 was a Type U 31 u-boat built by Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 195). Ordered 29 Mar 1912, the hull was laid down 20 Dec 1912, launched 18 Apr 1914 and Commissioned 3 Nov 1914.
        Her Commanders were, from 3 Nov 1914 to 12 Nov 1915 Waldemar Kophamel. From 13 Nov 1915 to 16 Mar 1918 Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière. From 17 Mar 1918 to 13 Aug 1918 Ernst von Voigt and from 14 Oct 1918 until 11 Nov 1918 Heino von Heimburg.

        U-35b had a career of 17 patrols, sailing until 1st of Aug 1915 with II Flotilla then from 23 Aug 1915 with Pola Flotilla until the end of the war She claimed 223 ships sunk with a total of 535,700 tons. 9 ships damaged with a total of 36,439 tons. 3 ships sunk with a total of 2,798 tons and 1 warship damaged with a total of 450 tons.

        • 9 Mar 1915 Blackwood 1,230 br
        • 9 Mar 1915 Gris Nez 208 fr
        • 15 Mar 1915 Hyndford (damaged) 4,286 br
        • 30 Apr 1915 Laila 748 nw
        • 2 Jun 1915 Cubano 4,352 nw
        • 4 Jun 1915 George & Mary 100 br
        • 6 Jun 1915 Sunlight 1,433 br
        • 7 Jun 1915 Trudvang 1,041 nw
        • 8 Jun 1915 Express 115 br
        • 8 Jun 1915 La Liberte 302 fr
        • 8 Jun 1915 Strathcarron 4,347 br
        • 8 Jun 1915 Susannah 115 br
        • 10 Jun 1915 Thomasina 1,869 ru
        • 12 Jun 1915 Bellglade 664 nw
        • 12 Jun 1915 Crown Of India 2,034 br
        • 13 Jun 1915 Diamant 324 fr
        • 13 Jun 1915 Hopemount 3,300 br
        • 13 Jun 1915 Pelham 3,534 br
        • 10 Aug 1915 Baltzer (damaged) 343 ru
        • 10 Aug 1915 Francois 2,212 fr
        • 10 Aug 1915 Morna 1,512 nw
        • 17 Sep 1915 Ravitailleur 2,815 fr
        • 19 Sep 1915 Ramazan 3,477 br
        • 20 Sep 1915 Linkmoor 4,306 br
        • 18 Oct 1915 Scilla 1,220 it
        • 23 Oct 1915 Marquette 7,057 br
        • 3 Nov 1915 Woolwich 2,936 br
        • 5 Nov 1915 Tara 1,862 br
        • 5 Nov 1915 Abbas 298 ag
        • 5 Nov 1915 Nour-el-bahr (damaged) 450 ag
        • 6 Nov 1915 Caria 3,032 br
        • 6 Nov 1915 Clan Macalister 4,835 br
        • 6 Nov 1915 Lumina 6,218 br
        • 7 Nov 1915 Moorina 4,994 br
        • 8 Nov 1915 Den Of Crombie 4,949 br
        • 8 Nov 1915 Sir Richard Awdry 2,234 br
        • 8 Nov 1915 Wacousta 3,521 nw
        • 9 Nov 1915 Californian 6,223 br
        • 17 Jan 1916 Sutherland 3,542 br
        • 18 Jan 1916 Marere 6,443 br
        • 20 Jan 1916 Trematon 4,198 br
        • 26 Feb 1916 La Provence 13,753 fr
        • 27 Feb 1916 Giava 2,755 it
        • 28 Feb 1916 Masunda 4,952 br
        • 29 Feb 1916 Primula 1,250 br
        • 23 Mar 1916 Minneapolis 13,543 br
        • 13 Jun 1916 Maria C. 77 it
        • 13 Jun 1916 Motia 500 it
        • 13 Jun 1916 San Francesco di Paola 43 it
        • 14 Jun 1916 Antonia V 132 it
        • 14 Jun 1916 Giosue 20 it
        • 14 Jun 1916 San Francesco 28 it
        • 14 Jun 1916 Tavolara 701 it
        • 15 Jun 1916 Adelia 170 it
        • 15 Jun 1916 Anette 112 it
        • 15 Jun 1916 Audace 144 it
        • 15 Jun 1916 S. Maria 515 it
        • 15 Jun 1916 Sardinia 1,119 br
        • 16 Jun 1916 Dolmetta M 48 it
        • 16 Jun 1916 Era 1,078 it
        • 16 Jun 1916 Eufrasia 71 it
        • 16 Jun 1916 Gafsa 3,922 br
        • 16 Jun 1916 Rondine 112 it
        • 17 Jun 1916 Poviga 3,360 it
        • 18 Jun 1916 Aquila 2,191 nw
        • 18 Jun 1916 Beachy 4,718 br
        • 18 Jun 1916 Olga 2,964 fr
        • 18 Jun 1916 Rona 1,312 br
        • 19 Jun 1916 France Et Russie 329 fr
        • 19 Jun 1916 Mario C. 398 it
        • 23 Jun 1916 Giuseppina 1,872 it
        • 23 Jun 1916 Herault 2,299 fr
        • 24 Jun 1916 Canford Chine 2,398 br
        • 24 Jun 1916 Checchina 184 fr
        • 24 Jun 1916 Daiyetsu Maru 3,184 jp
        • 24 Jun 1916 San Francesco 1,060 it
        • 24 Jun 1916 Saturnina Fanny 1,568 it
        • 25 Jun 1916 Clara 5,503 it
        • 25 Jun 1916 Fournel 2,047 fr
        • 27 Jun 1916 Mongibello 4,059 it
        • 27 Jun 1916 Pino 1,677 it
        • 27 Jun 1916 Roma 2,491 it
        • 27 Jun 1916 Windermere 2,292 br
        • 29 Jun 1916 Carlo Alberto 312 it
        • 29 Jun 1916 Giuseppina 214 it
        • 29 Jun 1916 Teano 1,907 br
        • 28 Jul 1916 Dandolo 4,977 it
        • 30 Jul 1916 Britannic 3,487 br
        • 30 Jul 1916 Ethelbryhta 3,084 br
        • 30 Jul 1916 Giuseppe Marta 111 tu
        • 30 Jul 1916 Katholm 1,324 da
        • 31 Jul 1916 Citta Di Messina 2,464 it
        • 31 Jul 1916 Einar 135 nw
        • 31 Jul 1916 Emilio G. 166 it
        • 31 Jul 1916 Erling 122 nw
        • 31 Jul 1916 Generale Ameglio 222 it
        • 1 Aug 1916 Heighington 2,800 br
        • 2 Aug 1916 Eugenia 550 it
        • 2 Aug 1916 Neptune 151 fr
        • 3 Aug 1916 Tricoupis 2,387 gr
        • 4 Aug 1916 Favonian 3,049 br
        • 4 Aug 1916 Siena 4,372 it
        • 4 Aug 1916 Teti 2,868 it
        • 4 Aug 1916 Tottenham 3,106 br
        • 5 Aug 1916 Achilleus 843 gr
        • 5 Aug 1916 Mount Coniston 3,018 br
        • 7 Aug 1916 Newburn 3,554 br
        • 7 Aug 1916 Trident 3,129 br
        • 8 Aug 1916 Imperial 3,818 br
        • 8 Aug 1916 Speme 1,229 it
        • 9 Aug 1916 Antiope 2,973 br
        • 9 Aug 1916 Ganekogorta Mendi 3,061 sp
        • 9 Aug 1916 Sebastiano 3,995 it
        • 10 Aug 1916 Temmei Maru 3,360 jp
        • 11 Aug 1916 Pagasarri 3,287 sp
        • 12 Aug 1916 Gina 443 it
        • 12 Aug 1916 Nereus 3,980 it
        • 12 Aug 1916 Regina Pacis 2,228 it
        • 12 Aug 1916 Saint Gaetan 125 fr
        • 13 Aug 1916 Balmoral 2,542 it
        • 13 Aug 1916 Eurasia 1,898 it
        • 13 Aug 1916 Francesco Saverio D 214 it
        • 13 Aug 1916 Ivar 2,139 da
        • 14 Aug 1916 Emilia 319 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 Francesca 161 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 Henriette B. 176 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 Ida 242 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 Lavinia 243 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 Louis B. 212 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 Pausania 107 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 Rosario 188 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 San Francesco di Paolo 112 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 San Giovanni Battista 1,066 it
        • 14 Aug 1916 San Giuseppe Patriarca 62 it
        • 15 Aug 1916 Augusta 523 it
        • 15 Aug 1916 Candida Altieri 282 it
        • 15 Aug 1916 Vergine Di Pompei 146 it
        • 16 Aug 1916 Madre 665 it
        • 17 Aug 1916 Swedish Prince 3,712 br
        • 18 Aug 1916 Erix 923 it
        • 19 Sep 1916 Doride 1,250 it
        • 19 Sep 1916 Teresa C. 270 it
        • 22 Sep 1916 Garibaldi 1,374 it
        • 22 Sep 1916 Giovanni Zambelli 2,485 it
        • 23 Sep 1916 Charterhouse 3,021 br
        • 24 Sep 1916 Bronwen 4,250 br
        • 24 Sep 1916 Bufjord 2,284 nw
        • 24 Sep 1916 Nicolo 5,466 it
        • 25 Sep 1916 Benpark 3,842 it
        • 26 Sep 1916 Newby 2,168 br
        • 26 Sep 1916 Roddam 3,218 br
        • 26 Sep 1916 Stathe 2,623 br
        • 27 Sep 1916 Rallus 1,752 br
        • 27 Sep 1916 Secondo 3,912 br
        • 27 Sep 1916 Vindeggen 2,610 nw
        • 29 Sep 1916 Venus 3,976 it
        • 2 Oct 1916 Rigel 1,250 fr
        • 3 Oct 1916 Samos 1,186 gr
        • 4 Oct 1916 Birk 715 nw
        • 4 Oct 1916 Gallia 14,966 fr
        • 5 Oct 1916 Aurora 2,806 it
        • 5 Oct 1916 Vera 2,308 sw
        • 5 Jan 1917 Lesbian 2,555 br
        • 5 Jan 1917 Salvatore Padre 200 it
        • 6 Jan 1917 Hudworth 3,966 br
        • 7 Jan 1917 Mohacsfield 3,678 br
        • 8 Jan 1917 Andoni 3,188 br
        • 8 Jan 1917 Lynfield 3,023 br
        • 11 Feb 1917 Assunta 132 it
        • 12 Feb 1917 Lyman M. Law 1,300 am
        • 13 Feb 1917 Percy Roy 110 br
        • 14 Feb 1917 Mery 178 ru
        • 14 Feb 1917 Oceania 4,217 it
        • 15 Feb 1917 Buranda (damaged) 3,651 br
        • 16 Feb 1917 Oriana 3,132 it
        • 16 Feb 1917 Prudenza 3,307 it
        • 17 Feb 1917 Pier Accavan Ubert 112 it
        • 18 Feb 1917 Giuseppe 1,856 it
        • 18 Feb 1917 Guido T 324 it
        • 18 Feb 1917 Skogland 3,264 sw
        • 23 Feb 1917 Longhirst 3,053 br
        • 23 Feb 1917 Mont Viso (damaged) 4,820 fr
        • 24 Feb 1917 Dorothy 3,806 br
        • 24 Feb 1917 Prikonisos 3,537 gr
        • 3 Apr 1917 Ardgask 4,542 br
        • 4 Apr 1917 Marguerite 1,553 am
        • 4 Apr 1917 Parkgate 3,232 br
        • 7 Apr 1917 Maplewood 3,239 br
        • 11 Apr 1917 Miss Morris 156 br
        • 12 Apr 1917 India 2,933 gr
        • 13 Apr 1917 Giuseppe Accame 3,224 it
        • 13 Apr 1917 Odysseus 3,463 gr
        • 13 Apr 1917 Stromboli 5,466 it
        • 14 Apr 1917 Patagonier 3,832 br
        • 15 Apr 1917 Panaghi Drakatos 2,734 gr
        • 17 Apr 1917 Brisbane River 4,989 br
        • 17 Apr 1917 Corfu 3,695 br
        • 17 Apr 1917 Fernmoor 3,098 br
        • 18 Apr 1917 Trekieve 3,087 br
        • 19 Apr 1917 Sowwell 3,781 br
        • 20 Apr 1917 Leasowe Castle (damaged) 9,737 br
        • 20 Apr 1917 Lowdale 2,260 br
        • 20 Apr 1917 Nentmoor 3,535 br
        • 23 Apr 1917 Bandiera E Moro 2,086 it
        • 24 Apr 1917 Bien Aime Prof. Luigi 265 it
        • 24 Apr 1917 Nordsøen 1,055 da
        • 24 Apr 1917 Torvore 1,667 nw
        • 24 Apr 1917 Vilhelm Krag 3,715 nw
        • 27 Apr 1917 Triana (damaged) 748 sp
        • 13 Oct 1917 Alavi 3,627 br
        • 13 Oct 1917 Despina G. Michalinos 2,851 gr
        • 13 Oct 1917 Doris 3,979 it
        • 13 Oct 1917 Lilla 2,819 it
        • 15 Oct 1917 City Of Belfast (damaged) 1,055 br
        • 18 Oct 1917 Lorenzo 2,498 it
        • 19 Oct 1917 Ikoma Maru 3,048 jp
        • 25 Oct 1917 Fannie Prescott 404 am
        • 29 Oct 1917 Namur 6,694 br
        • 31 Oct 1917 Cambric 3,403 br
        • 2 Nov 1917 Maria di Porto Salvo 91 it
        • 2 Nov 1917 San Francesco di Paola G. 91 it
        • 11 Dec 1917 Persier 3,874 br
        • 20 Dec 1917 Fiscus 4,782 br
        • 20 Dec 1917 Waverley 3,853 br
        • 23 Dec 1917 Pietro 3,860 it
        • 24 Dec 1917 Turnbridge 2,874 br
        • 25 Dec 1917 Argo 3,071 br
        • 25 Dec 1917 Cliftondale 3,811 br
        • 25 Dec 1917 Nordpol 2,053 nw
        • 23 Feb 1918 Humberto 274 pt
        • 26 Feb 1918 Pytheas 2,690 nw
        • 27 Feb 1918 Kerman (damaged) 4,397 br
        • 27 Feb 1918 Marconi (damaged) 7,402 br
        • 6 Mar 1918 Daiten Maru 4,555 jp
        • 7 Mar 1918 Begona No.4 1,850 sp
        • 9 Mar 1918 Silverdale 3,835 br

        On the 26th of November 1918 U35 surrendered. she was broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

        There was another U 35 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 24 Sep 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 3 Nov 1936.

           SM U-36 was a Type U 31 built at Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 196). Ordered 29 Mar 1912, Laid down 2 Jan 1913, Launched 6 Jun 1914 and Commissioned 14 Nov 1914.
        Commanded from the 14 Nov 1914 to 24 Jul 1915 by Ernst Graeff, she had a career of 2 patrols sailing with II Flotilla. Successes claimed include 14 ships sunk with a total of 12,674 tons and 3 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,466 tons.

        • 8 May 1915 Lilian Drost 1,966 da
        • 10 May 1915 Björn (prize) 1,241 sw
        • 10 May 1915 Niobe (prize) 654 nl
        • 19 Jul 1915 Nordlyset 82 nw
        • 22 Jul 1915 King Athelstan 159 br
        • 22 Jul 1915 Rubonia 3,644 ru
        • 22 Jul 1915 Star Of Peace 180 br
        • 23 Jul 1915 Danae 1,505 fr
        • 23 Jul 1915 Fimreite 3,819 nw
        • 23 Jul 1915 Hermione 210 br
        • 23 Jul 1915 Honoria 207 br
        • 23 Jul 1915 Sutton 332 br
        • 24 Jul 1915 Anglia 107 br
        • 24 Jul 1915 Cassio 172 br
        • 24 Jul 1915 Pass Of Balmaha (prize) 1,571 am
        • 24 Jul 1915 Roslin 128 br
        • 24 Jul 1915 Strathmore 163 br

        On the 24th of Jul 1915 she was sunk by gunfire from Q-Ship Prince Charles commanded by Lieutenant Mark Wardlaw RN, off the Hebrides 5907N 0530W. The first U-boat to be sunk by a Q-Ship. There were 18 dead and an unknown number of survivors.

        There was another U 36 in World War Two.
        That boat was launched from its shipyard on 4 Nov 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 16 Dec 1936.

           Hepburn, Cole and Ross were based in Bermondsey and were engaged in the manufacture of 1914 Pattern equipment for the British Army. It was similar to the 1908 webbed version, with the exception of the pouches which were similar to the pre-Boer War pattern, designed to hold two 50 round bandoliers.

           

           SM U-38 was a Type U 31 built in the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 198) Ordered 12 Jun 1912, Laid down 25 Feb 1913, Launched 9 Sep 1914 and Commissioned 15 Dec 1914.
        Commanders.
        5 Dec 1914 - 15 Sep 1917 Max Valentiner.
        16 Sep 1917 - 15 Nov 1917 Wilhelm Canaris.
        16 Nov 1917 - 18 Jan 1918 Oblt. Hans Heinrich Wurmbach.
        19 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Clemens Wickel

        Career 17 patrols.
        start date unknown - 11 Nov 1915 II Flotilla.
        11 Nov 1915 - 22 May 1916 Pola Flotilla.
        22 May 1916 - 7 Sep 1918 Constantinople Flotilla
        7 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

        Successes 138 ships sunk with a total of 292,445 tons: 6 ships damaged with a total of 26,139 tons, 3 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,550 tons, 1 warship sunk with a total of 680 tons, 1 warship damaged with a total of 10,850 tons.

        • 18 Apr 1915 Brilliant (prize) 1,441 nw
        • 22 Apr 1915 Eva 312 nw
        • 22 Apr 1915 Oscar 766 nw
        • 24 Apr 1915 Nidaros (prize) 1,024 da
        • 27 Apr 1915 Torwald (prize) 1,085 sw
        • 30 Apr 1915 Elida 1,693 sw
        • 20 Jun 1915 Roxburgh (damaged) 10,850 br
        • 21 Jun 1915 Carisbrook 2,352 br
        • 22 Jun 1915 Leo 269 ru
        • 23 Jun 1915 Elizabeth 94 br
        • 23 Jun 1915 Four 84 br
        • 23 Jun 1915 Josephine 85 br
        • 23 Jun 1915 Piscatorial 84 br
        • 23 Jun 1915 Research 89 br
        • 23 Jun 1915 Uffa 79 br
        • 23 Jun 1915 Ugiebrae 79 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 Commander 149 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 J. M. S. 78 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 Lebanon 111 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 Monarda 87 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 Primrose 91 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 Quiet Waters 63 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 Star Of Bethlehem 77 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 Viceroy 150 br
        • 24 Jun 1915 Vine 110 br
        • 5 Aug 1915 Hans Emil 106 da
        • 5 Aug 1915 Vanadis 484 nw
        • 6 Aug 1915 Ocean Queen 185 br
        • 6 Aug 1915 Westminster 252 br
        • 9 Aug 1915 Thrush 264 br
        • 10 Aug 1915 Oakwood 4,279 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 Bonny 2,702 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 George Baker 91 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 Glenby 2,196 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 Isidoro 2,044 sp
        • 17 Aug 1915 Kirkby 3,034 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 Maggie 269 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 Paros 3,596 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 Repeat 107 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 The Queen 557 br
        • 17 Aug 1915 Thornfield 488 br
        • 19 Aug 1915 Baron Erskine 5,585 br
        • 19 Aug 1915 Restormel 2,118 br
        • 19 Aug 1915 Samara 3,172 br
        • 20 Aug 1915 Bittern 1,797 br
        • 20 Aug 1915 Carterswell 4,308 br
        • 20 Aug 1915 Daghestan 2,817 be
        • 20 Aug 1915 Martha Edmonds 182 br
        • 21 Aug 1915 Cober 3,060 br
        • 21 Aug 1915 Ruel 4,029 br
        • 21 Aug 1915 San Melito (damaged) 10,160 br
        • 21 Aug 1915 Windsor 6,055 br
        • 22 Aug 1915 Diomed 4,672 br
        • 22 Aug 1915 Palmgrove 3,100 br
        • 23 Aug 1915 Silvia 5,268 br
        • 23 Aug 1915 Trafalgar 4,572 br
        • 3 Nov 1915 Woodfield 3,584 br
        • 3 Nov 1915 Yasukuni Maru 5,118 jp
        • 4 Nov 1915 Dahra 2,127 fr
        • 4 Nov 1915 Ionia 1,816 it
        • 4 Nov 1915 Le Calvados 1,658 fr
        • 4 Nov 1915 Mercian (damaged) 6,305 br
        • 5 Nov 1915 Buresk 3,673 br
        • 5 Nov 1915 Sidi Ferruch 2,797 fr
        • 6 Nov 1915 Elisa Francesca 208 it
        • 6 Nov 1915 Glenmoor 3,075 br
        • 6 Nov 1915 Ticino 1,470 it
        • 6 Nov 1915 Yser 3,545 fr
        • 7 Nov 1915 France Iv 4,025 fr
        • 8 Nov 1915 Ancona 8,210 it
        • 9 Nov 1915 Firenze 3,960 it
        • 21 Dec 1915 Yasaka Maru 10,932 jp
        • 30 Dec 1915 Clan Macfarlane 4,823 br
        • 30 Dec 1915 Persia 7,951 br
        • 9 Feb 1916 Springwell 5,593 br
        • 23 Feb 1916 Diadem 3,752 br
        • 23 Feb 1916 Roubine 327 fr
        • 24 Feb 1916 Denaby 2,987 br
        • 24 Feb 1916 Fastnet 2,227 br
        • 24 Feb 1916 Torborg 1,266 sw
        • 29 Feb 1916 Alexander Wentzel 2,832 ru
        • 29 Feb 1916 Elisa S 209 it
        • 1 Mar 1916 Kilbride 3,712 br
        • 16 May 1916 Clifford 487 br
        • 8 Jun 1916 Malorossija (damaged) 893 ru
        • 8 Jun 1916 Cementcrug 1,086 ru
        • 8 Jun 1916 Ekaterina 70 ru
        • 8 Jun 1916 Vera (damaged) 1,231 ru
        • 10 Jun 1916 Orion 429 ru
        • 2 Jul 1916 Rockcliffe 3,073 br
        • 9 Jul 1916 Vperied 859 ru
        • 10 Jul 1916 Florida 3,238 ru
        • 14 Aug 1916 Remembrance 3,660 br
        • 19 Aug 1916 Dea 166 it
        • 23 Aug 1916 Elios 190 it
        • 23 Aug 1916 Maria Brizzolari 152 it
        • 23 Aug 1916 Tanina 138 it
        • 24 Aug 1916 Isdalen 2,275 nw
        • 24 Aug 1916 Liegeoise 3,895 be
        • 25 Aug 1916 Leandros 1,658 gr
        • 25 Aug 1916 Nostra Signora Del Carmine 1,575 it
        • 26 Aug 1916 Atlantico 3,069 it
        • 29 Aug 1916 Antigoon 1,884 be
        • 29 Aug 1916 Francois Joseph 114 fr
        • 29 Aug 1916 Stella Del Mare 1,166 it
        • 30 Aug 1916 Nostra Signora Della Guardia 1,588 it
        • 31 Aug 1916 Bacchus 3,583 fr
        • 31 Aug 1916 Duart 3,108 br
        • 31 Aug 1916 Piero Maroncelli 3,225 it
        • 1 Sep 1916 San Francesco di Paola 68 it
        • 1 Sep 1916 Swift Wings 4,465 br
        • 2 Sep 1916 Strathallan 4,404 br
        • 2 Sep 1916 Uranie 109 fr
        • 3 Sep 1916 Villa D’oro 134 it
        • 4 Sep 1916 Laristan 3,675 br
        • 5 Sep 1916 Saint Marc 5,818 fr
        • 25 Nov 1916 Michael 2,410 gr
        • 26 Nov 1916 Chemung 3,062 am
        • 3 Dec 1916 Dacia 1,856 br
        • 3 Dec 1916 Kanguroo 2,493 fr
        • 3 Dec 1916 Surprise (mn) 680 fr
        • 8 Dec 1916 Brask 1,464 nw
        • 8 Dec 1916 Britannia 1,814 br
        • 9 Dec 1916 Brizella 282 pt
        • 10 Dec 1916 Esemplare 2,595 it
        • 13 Dec 1916 Angelo Parodi 3,825 it
        • 13 Dec 1916 Kaupanger 3,354 nw
        • 15 Dec 1916 Emmanuele Accame 3,242 it
        • 17 Dec 1916 Tripoli 56 it
        • 20 Dec 1916 Itonus 5,340 br
        • 25 Jan 1917 Sylvie 2,591 fr
        • 7 Feb 1917 Aphrodite 130 fr
        • 14 Feb 1917 Trowbridge (damaged) 3,712 br
        • 14 Feb 1917 Michele 41 it
        • 12 May 1917 Egyptian Prince 3,117 br
        • 13 May 1917 Rio Amazonas 2,970 it
        • 25 May 1917 Kohinur 2,265 br
        • 26 May 1917 Holmesbank 3,051 br
        • 1 Jul 1917 Corrado 120 it
        • 1 Jul 1917 Volto Santo G. 225 it
        • 7 Jul 1917 La Resolu 186 fr
        • 12 Jul 1917 Claire 1,157 be
        • 15 Jul 1917 Atalante 124 fr
        • 19 Jul 1917 Eloby 6,545 br
        • 20 Aug 1917 Incemore 3,060 br
        • 19 Apr 1918 Salambo 248 fr
        • 5 May 1918 Alberto Treves (damaged) 3,838 it
        • 8 May 1918 Ingleside 3,736 br

        On the 23rd of Feb 1919 U-38 surrendered to France, she was broken up at Brest during July 1921.

         

           SM U-39 was Type U 31 U-Boat built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 199). she was ordered on the 12th of Jun 1912, laid down on the 27th of Mar 1913, launched on the 26th of Sep 1914 and commissioned on the 13th of Jan 1915.
        Commanders:
        13 Jan 1915 - 9 Feb 1915 Hans Kratzsch.
        11 Feb 1915 - 14 Oct 1917 Walter Forstmann.
        15 Oct 1917 - 18 May 1918 Heinrich Metzger.

        U39 had a career of 19 patrols. sailing with II Flotilla and from the 15th of Sep 1915 to the 18th of May 1918 with Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla.

        She claimed 153 ships sunk with a total of 405,035 tons, 7 ships damaged with a total of 30,552 tons, 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 798 tons and 1 warship sunk with a total of 1,290 tons.

        • 1 May 1915 Balduin 1,059 nw
        • 1 May 1915 Elsa 120 sw
        • 2 May 1915 St. Louis No. 1 211 br
        • 2 May 1915 Sunray 165 br
        • 3 May 1915 Scottish Queen 125 br
        • 4 May 1915 Elsa 329 sw
        • 5 May 1915 Sceptre 166 br
        • 6 May 1915 Truro 836 br
        • 7 May 1915 Benington 131 br
        • 10 May 1915 Olga (prize) 798 da
        • 26 Jun 1915 Campania 167 br
        • 29 Jun 1915 Cambuskenneth 1,924 nw
        • 29 Jun 1915 Kotka (damaged) 952 nw
        • 30 Jun 1915 Lomas 3,048 br
        • 1 Jul 1915 Caucasian 4,656 br
        • 1 Jul 1915 Craigard 3,286 br
        • 1 Jul 1915 Gadsby 3,497 br
        • 1 Jul 1915 Inglemoor 4,331 br
        • 1 Jul 1915 Richmond 3,214 br
        • 2 Jul 1915 Hirondelle 183 fr
        • 2 Jul 1915 Boduognat 1,411 be
        • 2 Jul 1915 City Of Edinburgh (damaged) 6,255 br
        • 3 Jul 1915 Fiery Cross 1,448 nw
        • 3 Jul 1915 Larchmore 4,355 br
        • 3 Jul 1915 Renfrew 3,488 br
        • 4 Jul 1915 Anglo-Californian (damaged) 7,333 br
        • 2 Sep 1915 William T. Lewis (damaged) 2,166 br
        • 9 Sep 1915 Cornubia 1,736 br
        • 9 Sep 1915 L’Aude 2,232 fr
        • 9 Sep 1915 Ville De Mostaganem 2,648 fr
        • 28 Sep 1915 H. C. Henry 4,219 ca
        • 29 Sep 1915 Haydn 3,923 br
        • 30 Sep 1915 Cirene 3,236 it
        • 2 Oct 1915 Sailor Prince 3,144 br
        • 7 Oct 1915 Halizones 5,093 br
        • 8 Oct 1915 Thorpwood 3,184 br
        • 9 Oct 1915 Apollo 3,774 br
        • 12 Oct 1915 Restore 93 br
        • 30 Nov 1915 Middleton 2,506 br
        • 3 Dec 1915 Dante 889 it
        • 3 Dec 1915 Helmsmuir 4,111 br
        • 5 Dec 1915 Petrolite (damaged) 3,710 am
        • 5 Dec 1915 Pietro Lofaro 517 it
        • 6 Dec 1915 L. G. Goulandris 2,123 gr
        • 7 Dec 1915 Veria 3,229 br
        • 9 Dec 1915 Busiris 2,705 br
        • 9 Dec 1915 Orteric 6,535 br
        • 10 Dec 1915 Porto Said 5,301 it
        • 18 Dec 1915 Lottie Leask 94 br
        • 22 Jan 1916 Norseman 9,542 br
        • 31 Mar 1916 Egeo 1,787 it
        • 31 Mar 1916 Riposto 1,003 it
        • 2 Apr 1916 Simla 5,884 br
        • 3 Apr 1916 Clan Campbell 5,897 br
        • 4 Apr 1916 Giuseppe Padre 184 it
        • 4 Apr 1916 Maria Carmella Findari 42 it
        • 6 Apr 1916 Stjerneborg 1,592 da
        • 6 Apr 1916 Colbert (damaged) 5,394 fr
        • 9 Apr 1916 Caledonia 1,815 da
        • 13 Apr 1916 Lipari 1,539 it
        • 20 May 1916 Redentore 228 it
        • 20 May 1916 Valsesia 248 it
        • 21 May 1916 Birmania 2,384 it
        • 21 May 1916 Rosalia Madre 251 it
        • 23 May 1916 Hercules 2,704 it
        • 23 May 1916 Maria Porto di Salvezza 39 it
        • 23 May 1916 Teresa Accame (damaged) 4,742 it
        • 23 May 1916 Washington 2,819 it
        • 24 May 1916 Aurrera 2,845 sp
        • 25 May 1916 Fratelli Bandiera 3,506 it
        • 25 May 1916 Rita 200 it
        • 27 May 1916 Mar Terso 3,778 it
        • 27 May 1916 Trunkby 2,635 br
        • 28 May 1916 Lady Ninian 4,297 br
        • 29 May 1916 Baron Vernon 1,779 br
        • 29 May 1916 Elmgrove 3,018 br
        • 29 May 1916 Southgarth 2,414 br
        • 30 May 1916 Baron Tweedmouth 5,007 br
        • 30 May 1916 Dalegarth 2,265 br
        • 30 May 1916 Hermesberg 2,884 it
        • 30 May 1916 Rauma 3,047 nw
        • 1 Jun 1916 Dewsland 1,993 br
        • 1 Jun 1916 Salmonpool 4,905 br
        • 13 Jul 1916 Silverton 2,682 br
        • 14 Jul 1916 Antigua 2,876 br
        • 14 Jul 1916 Ecclesia 3,714 br
        • 15 Jul 1916 Sylvie 1,354 br
        • 16 Jul 1916 Euphorbia 3,837 br
        • 16 Jul 1916 Sirra 3,203 it
        • 16 Jul 1916 Wiltonhall 3,387 br
        • 17 Jul 1916 Angelo 3,609 it
        • 17 Jul 1916 Rosemoor 4,303 br
        • 18 Jul 1916 Llongwen 4,683 br
        • 20 Jul 1916 Cettois 974 fr
        • 20 Jul 1916 Grangemoor 3,198 br
        • 20 Jul 1916 Karma 3,710 br
        • 20 Jul 1916 Yzer 3,538 br
        • 21 Jul 1916 Wolf 2,443 br
        • 22 Jul 1916 Knutsford 3,842 br
        • 22 Jul 1916 Olive 3,678 br
        • 23 Jul 1916 Badminton 3,847 br
        • 24 Jul 1916 Maria 198 it
        • 29 Jul 1916 Letimbro 2,210 it
        • 29 Jul 1916 Rosarina G.V. 131 it
        • 19 Oct 1916 Penylan 3,875 br
        • 20 Oct 1916 Mombassa 4,689 br
        • 22 Oct 1916 Cluden 3,166 br
        • 22 Oct 1916 Nina 3,383 it
        • 22 Oct 1916 Ravn 998 nw
        • 22 Oct 1916 W. Harkess 1,185 br
        • 27 Nov 1916 Margarita 1,112 gr
        • 27 Nov 1916 Reapwell 3,417 br
        • 28 Nov 1916 King Malcolm 4,351 br
        • 28 Nov 1916 Moresby 1,763 br
        • 2 Dec 1916 Istrar 4,582 br
        • 3 Dec 1916 Plata 1,861 it
        • 9 Jan 1917 Baynesk 3,286 br
        • 15 Jan 1917 Garfield 3,838 br
        • 28 Jan 1917 Admiral Magon 5,566 fr
        • 14 Feb 1917 Torino 4,159 it
        • 15 Feb 1917 Minas 2,854 it
        • 17 Feb 1917 Ala 359 it
        • 20 Feb 1917 Rosalie 4,237 br
        • 21 Feb 1917 Wathfield 3,012 br
        • 22 Feb 1917 Ville De Bougie 508 fr
        • 23 Feb 1917 Trojan Prince 3,196 br
        • 26 Feb 1917 Burnby 3,665 br
        • 3 Mar 1917 Anna E. 41 it
        • 3 Jun 1917 Petronilla Madre 43 it
        • 6 Jun 1917 Diane 590 fr
        • 8 Jun 1917 Huntstrick 8,151 br
        • 8 Jun 1917 Isle Of Jura 3,809 br
        • 8 Jun 1917 Ml 540 37 br
        • 8 Jun 1917 Ml 541 37 br
        • 8 Jun 1917 Valdieri 4,637 it
        • 10 Jun 1917 Petrolite 3,710 am
        • 11 Jun 1917 Wera 476 ru
        • 12 Jun 1917 Gaita 396 ru
        • 15 Jun 1917 Espinho 740 pt
        • 19 Jun 1917 Kyma 3,420 gr
        • 20 Jun 1917 Eli Lindoe 1,116 nw
        • 22 Jun 1917 Toro 1,141 ur
        • 23 Jun 1917 Isere 2,159 fr
        • 29 Jul 1917 Manchester Commerce 4,144 br
        • 30 Jul 1917 Carlo 5,572 it
        • 30 Jul 1917 Ganges 4,177 br
        • 31 Jul 1917 Carolvore 1,659 nw
        • 31 Jul 1917 Ypres 305 br
        • 3 Aug 1917 Halldor 2,919 nw
        • 5 Aug 1917 Ryton 3,991 br
        • 27 Sep 1917 Swan River 4,724 br
        • 1 Oct 1917 Mersario 3,847 br
        • 1 Oct 1917 Normanton 3,862 br
        • 2 Oct 1917 Almora 4,385 br
        • 2 Oct 1917 Hikosan Maru 3,555 jp
        • 2 Oct 1917 Nuceria 4,702 br
        • 14 Nov 1917 Buenaventura 257 sp
        • 18 Nov 1917 Candytuft 1,290 br
        • 21 Nov 1917 Schuylkill 2,720 am
        • 23 Nov 1917 Markella 1,124 gr
        • 25 Nov 1917 Karema 5,263 br
        • 17 May 1918 Sculptor 4,874 br

        On the 18th of May 1918 U39 was interned at Cartagena, Spain after being damaged by allied escorts and aircraft that same day. She surrendered to France on the 22nd of Mar 1919 and was broken up at Toulon in 1923.

        There was another U 39 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 22nd of Sep 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 10th of Dec 1938.

           RNAS Howden was an airship station was situated a few miles north of the market town of Howden, 15 miles from York in Yorkshire. The site was built during the winter of 1915-1916, two coastal airship sheds and a rigid airship shed with long windbreaks were constructed along with a hydrogen production plant. A new railway line was built to allow materials to be brought in, Airships were built and operated from the site. The site was taken over by the RAF in 1918 and huge twin airship shed was added.

         

         

         

           SM U-40 was a type U 31 u-boat built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 200), Ordered 12th of Jun 1912, Laid down 3rd of Apr 1913, Launched 22nd of Oct 1914 and Commissioned 14th of Feb 1915. From 14th of Feb 1915 to 23rd of Jun 1915 she was commanded by Gerhardt Fürbringer and sailed with II Flotilla

        On the 23rd of Jun 1915 the u-boat was torpedoed by HM Sub C24 in connection with decoy trawler Taranaki at 57.00N, 01.50W. with the loss of 29 of her crew with an unknown number of survivors.

        There was another U 40 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 9th Nov 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 11th Feb 1939.

           SB U-41 was a Type U 31 built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 201). Ordered 12 Jun 1912, Laid down 22 Apr 1913, Launched 10 Oct 1914 and Commissioned 1 Feb 1915.
        Commanders: 1 Feb 1915 - 24 Sep 1915 Claus Hansen

        Career 4 patrols: start date unknown to 24 Sep 1915 II Flotilla

        Successes 28 ships sunk with a total of 58,648 tons.
        1 ship damaged with a total of 4,409 tons.
        1 ship taken as prize with a total of 355 tons.

        • 2 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen America 3,706 nw
        • 2 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Cruiser 146 br
        • 2 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Martaban 148 br
        • 2 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Mercury 222 br
        • 2 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen St. George 215 br
        • 3 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Oscar 107 nw
        • 3 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Roxane (prize) 355 sw
        • 25 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Nebraskan (damaged) 4,409 am
        • 26 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Morwenna 1,414 br
        • 27 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Cadeby 1,130 br
        • 28 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Ethiope 3,794 br
        • 28 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Spennymoor 2,733 br
        • 28 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Tullochmoor 3,520 br
        • 29 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Cysne 623 pt
        • 29 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Dixiana 3,329 br
        • 29 May 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Glenlee 4,140 br
        • 16 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Balva 1,165 ru
        • 17 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen General Radetzky 2,118 ru
        • 24 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Grangewood 3,422 br
        • 25 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Celtic 264 br
        • 25 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Cydonia 259 br
        • 25 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Emblem 157 br
        • 25 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Gadwall 192 br
        • 25 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Honoria 179 br
        • 25 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Leelenaw 1,923 am
        • 28 Jul 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Trondhjemsfjord 4,350 nw
        • 23 Sep 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Anglo-colombian 4,792 br
        • 23 Sep 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Chancellor 4,586 br
        • 23 Sep 1915 U 41 Claus Hansen Hesione 3,363 br

          Fate 24 Sep 1915 - Sunk by gunfire from Q-Ship Baralong in Western Approaches 49.10N 07.23W. 35 dead and 2 survivors.

          There was another U 41 in World War Two.
          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 28 Jan 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 22 Apr 1939.

             SM U-164 was a Type U 93 built at the Shipyard Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack (Werk 651). Ordered 27 Jun 1917, Launched 7 Aug 1918 and Commissioned 17 Oct 1918 and sailed with IV Flotilla On the 22nd Nov 1918 the u-boat surrendered and was broken up at Swansea in 1922.

          There was another U 164 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 1 May 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 28 Nov 1941.

             

             SM U-154 was a Type U 151 u-boat built at the Shipyard Flensburger Schiffbau (Werk 381). Ordered 29th of Nov 1916, launched on the 10th of Sep 1917 and commissioned on the 12th of Dec 1917

          From the 12th of Dec 1917 to 11th of May 1918 she was commanded by Hermann Gercke and sailed with U-Kreuzer Flotilla She claimed 5 ships sunk with a total of 8,132 tons and 4 ships damaged with a total of 18,220 tons.

          • 12 Mar 1918 Nordkyn 3,244 nw
          • 17 Mar 1918 Guadalquivir 2,078 sp
          • 21 Mar 1918 Chincha (damaged) 6,371 am
          • 26 Mar 1918 Beira Alta 101 pt
          • 7 Apr 1918 La Bruyere (damaged) 2,198 fr
          • 9 Apr 1918 President Howard 73 lib
          • 10 Apr 1918 Burutu (damaged) 3,902 br
          • 25 Apr 1918 Kawachi Maru (damaged) 5,749 jp
          • 25 Apr 1918 Michelet 2,636 fr

          On the 11th of May 1918 U154 was torpedoed in the Atlantic at 3651N 1150W by HM Sub E35. 77 dead (all hands lost).

          There was another U 154 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 21 Apr 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 2 Aug 1941.

             SM U-152 was a Type U 151 built at Shipyard Reiherstiegw., Hamburg Ordered 29 Nov 1916, Launched 20 May 1917 and Commissioned 17 Oct 1917 She was Commanded by Constantin Kolbe from 20 Oct 1917 to 3 May 1918, Gehrard von Zitzewitz from 4 May 1918 to 24 Aug 1918 and from 25 Aug 1918 to 15 Nov 1918 by Adolf Franz. She had a career for two patrols with U-Kreuzer Flotilla and claimed 19 ships sunk with a total of 37,505 tons plus 3 ships damaged with a total of 11,406 tons.

          • 25 Jan 1918 Giralda 2,194 sp
          • 26 Jan 1918 Germano 236 pt
          • 26 Jan 1918 Serra Do Gerez 257 pt
          • 27 Jan 1918 Julia Frances 183 am
          • 28 Jan 1918 Neptuno 321 pt
          • 5 Feb 1918 Sebastian 2,563 sp
          • 9 Feb 1918 Ceferino 3,647 sp
          • 15 Feb 1918 Neguri 1,859 sp
          • 16 Feb 1918 Mar Caspio 2,723 sp
          • 24 Feb 1918 Gaetana Costanzo 1,027 it
          • 26 Feb 1918 Siljestad 4,298 nw
          • 6 Mar 1918 Elector 134 pt
          • 7 Mar 1918 Luigi 3,549 it
          • 13 Mar 1918 A. E. Whyland 130 am
          • 16 Mar 1918 Ellaston 3,192 br
          • 31 Mar 1918 Indien 4,199 da
          • 3 Apr 1918 Elsie Birdett 118 br
          • 11 Sep 1918 Constance (damaged) 199 da
          • 29 Sep 1918 George G. Henry (damaged) 6,936 am
          • 30 Sep 1918 Ticonderoga 5,130 am
          • 14 Oct 1918 Stifinder 1,745 nw
          • 15 Oct 1918 Messina (damaged) 4,271 br

          On the 24th of Nov 1918 U152 surrendered and was scuttled on 30th of June 1921 off the Isle of Wight.

          There was another U 152 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 14 Dec 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 29 Jan 1941.

             Pompier Camp was located near Kemmel in Flanders.

             

          SM U-139

          SM U-139 was a Type U 139 built at the Shipyard of Germaniawerft in Kiel (Werk 300). Ordered 1 Aug 1916, it was launched 3 Dec 1917 and Commissioned 18 May 1918 Her Commander from 18th of May 1918 to 11 Nov 1918 was Lothar von Arnauld de la Periere U139 had a Career of only one patrol with the U-Kreuzer Flotilla, But claimed 4 ships sunk with a total of 6,788 tons and one ship damaged with a total of 2,502 tons.

          • 1 Oct 1918 Bylands 3,309
          • 1 Oct 1918 Manin 2,691
          • 1 Oct 1918 Perth (damaged) 2,502
          • 2 Oct 1918 Rio Cavado 301
          • 14 Oct 1918 Augusto De Castilho 487

          On the 24 Nov 1918 U139 surrendered to France, she then became the French submarine Halbronn until 24th of July 1935. She was then broken up.

             Primrose Bank Military Hospital was located in the infirmary ofthe Burnley Workhouse off Briercliffe Road, Burnley.

             SM U-106 was a Type U 93 built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 275) Ordered 5 May 1916, Launched 12 Jun 1917 and Commissioned 28 Jul 1917 Her commander was Hans Hufnagel and she undertook a single patrol sailing on the 2nd of Sep 1917 with IV Flotilla

          She claimed one 1 ship damaged with a total of 5,867 tons and 1 warship sunk with a total of 957 tons.

          • 18 Sep 1917 Contest 957 br
          • 18 Sep 1917 City Of Lincoln (damaged) 5,867 br

          On the 7th of Oct 1917 she was lost in a minefield about 40 miles north of Terschelling while homeward bound. 41 dead (all hands lost).

          The U 106 was located and identified on the 16th of March 2011 off the Dutch coast. Apparently the boat was found in Oct 2009 by Dutch ship HMS Snellius and then the wreck was checked by HMS Maassluis and HMS Hellevoetsluis with their Seafox equipment. An air bottle was retrieved and identified from a number on its air bottles.

          There was another U 106 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 17 Jun 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 24 Sep 1940.

             SM U-105 was a Type U 93 built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 274) Ordered 5 May 1916, Launched 16 May 1917 and Commissioned 4 Jul 1917. She was commanded by Friedrich Strackerjan and had a career of 6 patrols sailing with IV Flotilla. She claimed 19 ships sunk with a total of 55,834 tons and 2 ships damaged with a total of 0 tons.

          • 14 Oct 1917 Ecaterini C. D. 3,739 gr
          • 15 Oct 1917 Saint Paul 79 fr
          • 15 Oct 1917 St. Helens 1,497 am
          • 17 Oct 1917 Antilles 6,878 am
          • 19 Dec 1917 Vinovia 7,046 br
          • 22 Dec 1917 Colemere 2,120 br
          • 24 Dec 1917 Canova 4,637 br
          • 28 Dec 1917 Lord Derby 3,757 br
          • 24 Feb 1918 Sarpfos 1,458 nw
          • 26 Feb 1918 Dalewood 2,420 br
          • 27 Feb 1918 Largo 1,764 br
          • 1 Mar 1918 Penvearn 3,710 br
          • 2 Mar 1918 Carmelite 2,583 br
          • 29 Apr 1918 Christiana Davis 86 br
          • 29 Apr 1918 Johnny Toole 84 br
          • 7 May 1918 Nantes 1,580 br
          • 7 May 1918 Saxon 1,595 br
          • 2 Jul 1918 Pieuse Paysanne (damaged) unknown fr
          • 2 Jul 1918 Albert 1er (damaged) unknown fr
          • 31 Aug 1918 Milwaukee 7,323 br
          • 7 Sep 1918 Ruysdael 3,478 br

          On the 20th of Nov 1918 U105 was urrendered to France and later became the french submarine Jean Autric, sailing with the French navy until 27 Jan 1937. Broken up in 1938.

          There was another U 105 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 15 Jun 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 10 Sep 1940.

             SM U-104 was a Type U 57 uboat built at Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 255) Ordered 15 Sep 1915, Laid down 4 Aug 1916, Launched 3 Jul 1917 and Commissioned 12 Aug 1917 Commanded by Kurt Bernis, U104 had a career of 4 patrols between 1st of October 1917 and 25th of Apr 1918 with II Flotilla She claimed 8 ships sunk with a total of 10,795 tons.

          • 26 Oct 1917 Sapele 4,366 br
          • 15 Dec 1917 Maidag 1,253 nw
          • 21 Dec 1917 Spro 1,507 nw
          • 25 Dec 1917 Ajax 1,018 da
          • 2 Mar 1918 Kenmare 1,330 br
          • 12 Apr 1918 Njaal 578 ru
          • 16 Apr 1918 Widwud 299 ru
          • 22 Apr 1918 Fern 444 br

          On the 25th of April 1918 u104 was epth charged by HMS Jessamine in the St George's Channel and sank at 5159N 0626W with 41 lost and 1 survivor

          There was another U 104 in World War Two, was launched from its shipyard on 25 May 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 19 Aug 1940.

             SM U-99 was a Type U 57 submarine built at Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 250) Ordered 15 Sep 1915, Laid down 30 Nov 1915, Launched 27 Jan 1917 and Commissioned 28 Mar 1917. She was Commanded from 28th of Mar 1917 to 7th of July 1917 by Max Eltester and had a career of one patrols, from the 7th of June 1917 until her loss with II Flotilla. She is believed to have been torpedoed by HM Sub J2 at 5800N 0305E on the 7th of July 1917 with the loss of all hands (40 crew).

          There was another U 99 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Mar 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Apr 1940.

             SM U-98 was a Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 262), Ordered 15 Sep 1915, Launched 28 Feb 1917 and Commissioned 31 May 1917

          Her Commanders were from 31 May 1917 until 24 Nov 1917 Curt Beitzen, from 25 Nov 1917 to 21 Dec 1917 Oblt. Walter Strasser and between 22 Dec 1917 and 11 Nov 1918 Rudolf Andler Her career spanned 5 patrols with IV Flotilla

          U-98 claimed 3 ships sunk with a total of 1,799 tons plus 1 ship damaged with a total of 5,430 tons.

          • 24 Mar 1918 Anchoria (damaged) 5,430 br
          • 26 May 1918 Janvold 1,366 nw
          • 14 Jul 1918 Maurice 164 fr
          • 31 Jul 1918 Alkor 269 nw

          The uboat was surrendered on the 16 Jan 191 and was broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

          There was another U 98 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 31 Aug 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Oct 1940.

             SM U-94 was a Type U 93 Uboat built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 258) Ordered 15 Sep 1915. Laid down 25 Mar 1916 and launched 5 Jan 1917. The U Boats was Commissioned 3 Mar 1917 Commanderded from 3 Mar 1917 to 24 Mar 1918 by Alfred Saalwächter. Then until 11 Nov 1918 by Oblt. Martin Schwab she had a career on 13 patrols and from 20 Apr 1917 to 11 Nov 1918 was part of IV Flotilla She claimed 21 ships sunk with a total of 61,881 tons and 3 ships damaged with a total of 19,326 tons.

          • 9 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Deveron 1,261 nw
          • 11 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Thessaly (damaged) 4,310 br
          • 12 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Amakura 2,316 br
          • 13 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Cederic 2,344 nw
          • 20 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Salvia (hms) 1,250 br
          • 24 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Sylvanian 4,858 br
          • 26 Jun 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Haverford (damaged) 11,635 br
          • 29 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Ingeborg 1,207 da
          • 29 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Adalia 3,847 br
          • 30 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Kildin 1,640 ru
          • 30 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Manchester Inventor 4,112 br
          • 30 Jul 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Souma 2,200 ru
          • 6 Aug 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Argalia 4,641 br
          • 12 Aug 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Lynorta 3,684 br
          • 16 Aug 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Svanholm 1,400 da
          • 19 Sep 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Hydra 174 da
          • 24 Sep 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Petersham (damaged) 3,381 br
          • 15 Dec 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Bernard 3,682 br
          • 16 Dec 1917 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Bristol City 2,511 br
          • 19 Feb 1918 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Barrowmore 3,832 br
          • 26 Feb 1918 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Snyg 370 nw
          • 2 Mar 1918 U 94 Alfred Saalwächter Rockpool 4,502 br
          • 18 May 1918 U 94 Martin Schwab Hurunui 10,644 br
          • 25 May 1918 U 94 Martin Schwab Saphir 1,406 nw

          Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Bo'ness in 1919-20.

          There was another U 94 in World War Two.
          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Jun 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 10 Aug 1940.

             SM U-91

          Type U 87 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 35) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 1 Aug 1916 Launched 14 Apr 1917 Commissioned 17 Sep 1917

          Commanders.
          17 Sep 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Alfred von Glasenapp

          Career 8 patrols.
          13 Dec 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla

          Successes 37 ships sunk with a total of 87,119 tons.
          2 ships damaged with a total of 11,821 tons.

          • 24 Dec 1917 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Elmleaf (damaged) 5,948 br
          • 28 Dec 1917 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Robert Eggleton 2,274 br
          • 2 Jan 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Boston City 2,711 br
          • 4 Jan 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Otto 139 br
          • 5 Jan 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Knightsgarth 2,889 br
          • 7 Jan 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Premier 89 br
          • 19 Feb 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Beacon Light 2,768 br
          • 22 Feb 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Haileybury 2,888 br
          • 23 Feb 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Birchleaf (damaged) 5,873 br
          • 23 Feb 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp British Viscount 3,287 br
          • 24 Feb 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Renfrew 3,830 br
          • 2 Mar 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Bessy 60 br
          • 20 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Florrieston 3,366 br
          • 20 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Lowther Range 3,926 br
          • 21 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Landonia 2,504 br
          • 21 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Normandiet 1,843 br
          • 22 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Baron Herries 1,610 br
          • 26 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Ethel 100 br
          • 27 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Gresham 3,774 br
          • 27 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Walpas 312 ru
          • 28 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Damao 5,668 pt
          • 28 Apr 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Oronsa 8,075 br
          • 1 Jul 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Westmoor 4,329 br
          • 6 Jul 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Port Hardy 6,533 br
          • 9 Jul 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Silvia 3,571 it
          • 13 Jul 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Badagri 2,956 br
          • 16 Jul 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Fisherman 136 br
          • 25 Jul 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Tippecanoe 6,187 am
          • 1 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Therese et Marthe 32 fr
          • 2 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Maia 185 fr
          • 2 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Marie Emmanuel 32 fr
          • 2 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Ave Maris Stella 22 fr
          • 4 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Mercedes 2,164 sp
          • 5 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Heathpark 2,205 br
          • 5 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Erindring 1,229 br
          • 8 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Cazengo 3,009 pt
          • 9 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Pierre 354 fr
          • 11 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Luksefjell 2,007 nw
          • 14 Oct 1918 U 91 Alfred von Glasenapp Bayard 55 fr

          Fate 26 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to France. Broken up at Brest during July 1921.

          There was another U 91 in World War Two.
          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 30 Nov 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 28 Jan 1942.

             SM U-90 was a Type U 87 built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, in Danzig (Werk 34). Ordered 23 Jun 1915. Laid down 29 Dec 1915. Launched 12 Jan 1917. Commissioned 2 Aug 1917.

          Commanders.
          2 Aug 1917 - 31 Jul 1918 Walter Remy.
          1 Aug 1918 - 31 Aug 1918 Oblt. Helmut Patzig.
          1 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Heinrich Jeß

          She had a career of seven patrols. 10 Sep 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 with III Flotilla Successes were 30 ships sunk with a total of 74,175 tons and 2 ships damaged with a total of 8,594 tons.

          • 25 Sep 1917 Union Republicaine 44 fr
          • 27 Sep 1917 Deux Jeannes 50 fr
          • 27 Sep 1917 Liberte 49 fr
          • 27 Sep 1917 Peuples Freres 41 fr
          • 30 Sep 1917 Drake 2,267 br
          • 30 Sep 1917 Heron 885 br
          • 1 Oct 1917 Neuilly 2,186 fr
          • 3 Oct 1917 Jeannette 226 fr
          • 20 Nov 1917 Robert Morris 146 br
          • 21 Nov 1917 Aros Castle 4,460 br
          • 22 Jan 1918 Corton (damaged) 3,405 br
          • 22 Jan 1918 Victor De Chavarri 2,957 sp
          • 24 Jan 1918 Charles 78 br
          • 25 Jan 1918 Normandy 618 br
          • 26 Jan 1918 Union 677 fr
          • 30 Jan 1918 Lindeskov 1,254 da
          • 31 Jan 1918 Martin Gust 248 ru
          • 1 Feb 1918 Arrino 4,484 br
          • 16 Mar 1918 Oilfield 4,000 br
          • 28 Mar 1918 City Of Winchester 114 br
          • 8 Apr 1918 Superb 489 nw
          • 29 May 1918 Begum 4,646 br
          • 29 May 1918 Carlton 5,265 br
          • 31 May 1918 President Lincoln 18,168 am
          • 15 Aug 1918 Montanan 6,659 am
          • 15 Aug 1918 J. M. J. 54 fr
          • 16 Aug 1918 West Bridge (d.) 5,189 am
          • 17 Aug 1918 Escrick 4,151 br
          • 17 Aug 1918 Joseph Cudahy 3,302 am
          • 24 Aug 1918 Graciosa 2,276 pt
          • 14 Oct 1918 Dundalk 794 br
          • 16 Oct 1918 Pentwyn 3,587 br

          On 20 Nov 1918 she was surrendered and was broken up at Bo'ness in 1919-20. There was another U 90 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 25 Oct 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 20 Dec 1941.

           

             SM U-46 was a Type U 43 built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 24). She was ordered on the 4th of Aug 1914, launched on the 18th of May 1915 and commissioned on the 17th of Dec 1915

          Her commanders were:
          17 Dec 1915 - 6 Dec 1917 Leo Hillebrand
          7 Dec 1916 - 15 Jan 1917 Alfred Saalwächter
          16 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Leo Hillebrand

          U-46 had a career of 11 patrols between the 29th of Mar 1916 and 11 of Nov 1918 she sailed with III Flotilla She claimed 52 ships sunk with a total of 140,314 tons and 1 ship damaged with a total of 7,378 tons.

          • 29 Sep 1916 Ravn 1,260 nw
          • 29 Sep 1916 Sinsen 1,925 nw
          • 30 Sep 1916 Hafnia 962 nw
          • 30 Sep 1916 Hekla 950 nw
          • 4 Oct 1916 Brantingham 2,617 br
          • 6 Oct 1916 Erika 2,430 ru
          • 9 Oct 1916 Astoria 4,262 br
          • 11 Oct 1916 Iolo 3,903 br
          • 16 Dec 1916 Chassie Maersk 1,387 da
          • 16 Dec 1916 Taki Maru 3,208 jp
          • 16 Dec 1916 Gerda 775 da
          • 17 Dec 1916 Bayhall 3,898 br
          • 19 Dec 1916 Falk 948 nw
          • 23 Dec 1916 Marques De Urquijo 2,170 sp
          • 25 Dec 1916 Marie Pierre 166 fr
          • 27 Dec 1916 Aislaby 2,692 br
          • 27 Dec 1916 Goulfar 259 fr
          • 21 Mar 1917 Hindustan 3,692 br
          • 23 Mar 1917 Argo 1,563 pt
          • 24 Mar 1917 Montreal 3,342 fr
          • 1 Apr 1917 Aztec 3,727 am
          • 3 Apr 1917 Hesperus 2,231 ru
          • 5 Apr 1917 Benheather 4,701 br
          • 7 Apr 1917 Fiskaa 1,700 nw
          • 15 May 1917 Grosholm 1,847 nw
          • 17 May 1917 Lewisham 2,810 br
          • 18 May 1917 Llandrindod 3,841 br
          • 18 May 1917 Penhale 3,712 br
          • 20 May 1917 Lady Patricia 1,372 br
          • 22 May 1917 Tansan Maru 2,443 jp
          • 24 May 1917 Jersey City 4,670 br
          • 24 Jul 1917 Brumaire 2,324 br
          • 24 Jul 1917 Zermatt 3,767 br
          • 25 Jul 1917 Peninsula 1,384 br
          • 25 Jul 1917 Purley 4,500 br
          • 27 Jul 1917 Begona No. 4 2,407 br
          • 31 Jul 1917 Shimosa 4,221 br
          • 22 Oct 1917 Zillah 3,788 br
          • 24 Oct 1917 Ilderton 3,125 br
          • 28 Oct 1917 Baron Balfour 3,991 br
          • 4 Nov 1917 Irina 2,210 ru
          • 7 Nov 1917 Obj 1,829 nw
          • 27 Jan 1918 Andania 13,405 br
          • 31 Jan 1918 Towneley 2,476 br
          • 1 Feb 1918 Cavallo 2,086 br
          • 3 Feb 1918 Lutece 1,346 fr
          • 5 Feb 1918 Cresswell 2,829 br
          • 13 Mar 1918 Crayford 1,209 br
          • 18 Mar 1918 Atlantic Sun 2,333 am
          • 30 Mar 1918 Stabil 538 nw
          • 25 May 1918 Rathlin Head (damaged) 7,378 br
          • 16 Sep 1918 Tasman 5,023 br
          • 25 Sep 1918 Gloire a Jesus 60 fr

          On the 26th of Nov 1918, U46 surrendered to Japan. She was in Japanese service as the O2 during 1920 and 1921, before being partially dismantled at Kure Navy Yard in April 1921. she wa then rebuilt at Yokosuka Navy Yard 1925 as a testbed for submarine salvage operations carried out by the tender ASAHI. During her transfer from Yokosuka to Kure on 21st of April 1925 she was caught by a storm and lost. On the 5th of Aug 1927 her hulk was spotted by a U.S. merchant, west of Oahu and she was later scuttled.

          There was another U 46 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 10th of Sep 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 2nd of Nov 1938.

             SM U-45 was a type U 43 u-boat built at Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 23). Ordered 22 Jun 1914, Launched 15 Apr 1915 and Commissioned on the 9th of Oct 1915.

          Commanded by Erich Sittenfeld U-45 undertook 7 patrols between the 11th of Nov 1916 and 12th of Sep 1917 with III Flotilla. Successes amounted to 27 ships sunk with a total of 47,286 tons and 1 ship damaged with a total of 3,891 tons.

          • 27 Apr 1916 Industry 4,044 br
          • 30 Apr 1916 Vinifreda 1,441 sp
          • 2 May 1916 Le Pilier 2,427 fr
          • 2 May 1916 Maud 120 br
          • 5 Jul 1916 Geertruida 140 nl
          • 28 Sep 1916 Fuchsia 145 br
          • 21 Jan 1917 Gladys 275 br
          • 21 Jan 1917 Lucy 280 br
          • 21 Jan 1917 Star Of The Sea 197 br
          • 26 Jan 1917 Tabasco 2,987 br
          • 2 Feb 1917 Garnet Hill 2,272 ru
          • 3 Feb 1917 Belford 1,905 br
          • 3 Feb 1917 Eavestone 1,858 br
          • 4 Feb 1917 Eridania 3,171 it
          • 4 Feb 1917 Thor Ii 2,144 nw
          • 10 Feb 1917 Ostrich 148 br
          • 28 Apr 1917 Olga 1,672 ru
          • 3 May 1917 Palm Branch (damaged) 3,891 br
          • 3 May 1917 Truvor 2,462 ru
          • 11 May 1917 Hermes 3,579 ru
          • 19 May 1917 Elise 137 da
          • 1 Jul 1917 Eclipse 185 br
          • 15 Jul 1917 Mariston 2,908 br
          • 16 Jul 1917 Ribston 3,372 br
          • 17 Jul 1917 Haworth 4,456 br
          • 20 Jul 1917 Nevisbrook 3,140 br
          • 21 Jul 1917 Dafila 1,754 br
          • 24 Jul 1917 Zateja 67 ru

          On the 12th of Sep 1917 U45 was torpedoed by HM Sub D7 west of the Shetlands at 5548N 0730W with the loss of 43 of her crew, there were only 2 survivors.

          There was another U 45 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 27 Apr 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 25 Jun 1938.

             U48 was a Type U 43 built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft in Danzig (Werk 26). Ordered on the 4th of Aug 1914, the vessel was launched on the 3rd of Oct 1915 and commissioned on the 22nd of Apr 1916

          Commanders:
          22 Apr 1916 - 9 Mar 1917 Berndt Buß.
          10 Mar 1917 - 16 Mar 1917 Hinrich Hermann Hashagen.
          17 Mar 1917 - 24 Nov 1917 Karl Edeling

          U48 under took 8 patrols between 8 Jun 1916 and 24 Nov 1917 with III Flotilla Successes amounted to 34 ships sunk with a total of 104,558 tons. 1 ship damaged with a total of 180 tons. 2 ships taken as prize with a total of 5,904 tons.

          • 6 Aug 1916 Pendennis (prize) 2,123 br
          • 2 Oct 1916 Lotusmere 3,911 br
          • 4 Oct 1916 Brink 1,391 nw
          • 6 Oct 1916 Suchan (prize) 3,781 ru
          • 6 Oct 1916 Tuva 2,270 sw
          • 29 Dec 1916 Tuskar 3,042 ru
          • 6 Jan 1917 Alphonse Conseil 1,591 fr
          • 6 Jan 1917 Ville Du Havre 5,026 fr
          • 7 Jan 1917 Borgholm 1,719 nw
          • 7 Jan 1917 Evangelos 3,773 gr
          • 8 Jan 1917 Tholma 1,896 nw
          • 12 Jan 1917 Emeraude 183 fr
          • 12 Jan 1917 Vestfold 1,883 nw
          • 14 Jan 1917 Sydney 2,695 fr
          • 16 Jan 1917 Esperanca 4,428 nw
          • 19 Jan 1917 Nailsea Court 3,295 br
          • 3 Mar 1917 Connaught 2,646 br
          • 4 Mar 1917 Adelaide (damaged) 180 br
          • 4 Mar 1917 The Macbain 291 br
          • 7 Mar 1917 Navarra 1,261 nw
          • 9 Mar 1917 Abeja 174 br
          • 9 Mar 1917 East Point 5,234 br
          • 12 Mar 1917 Guerveur 2,596 fr
          • 12 May 1917 San Onofre 9,717 br
          • 13 May 1917 Jessmore 3,911 br
          • 15 May 1917 Meuse 4,075 fr
          • 17 May 1917 Margareta 1,873 ru
          • 21 May 1917 Lynton 2,531 ru
          • 21 May 1917 Madura 1,096 nw
          • 13 Jul 1917 Gibel-Yedid 949 br
          • 14 Jul 1917 Exford 5,886 br
          • 15 Jul 1917 Torcello 2,929 br
          • 16 Jul 1917 Asama 284 br
          • 31 Aug 1917 Westbury 3,097 br
          • 7 Sep 1917 Minnehaha 13,714 br
          • 9 Sep 1917 Elsa 1,236 da
          • 15 Sep 1917 Rollesby 3,955 br

          On the 24th of Nov 1917 while waiting for the moon to set, U 48 drifted and eventually went aground at high tide on the Goodwin Sands. She was discovered at dawn by British patrol craft. After a brief exchange of gunfire, scuttling charges were set and the crew abandoned the boat. 19 of the crew lost their lives with 17 survivors. The shifting of the Goodwin Sands occasionally exposes the wreck of U 48.

          There was another U 48 in World War Two.
          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 8 Mar 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 22 Apr 1939.

             12th (Service) Battalion (Teesside Pioneers) Yorkshire Regiment was raised at Middlesbrough on 21 December 1914 by the Mayor and Town. They underwent training at Gosforth and in August 1915 moved to Cannock Chase. Being adopted by War Office on the 27th of August 1915. In September 1915 they arrived at Badajoz Barracks at Aldershot and converted to a Pioneer Battalion, joining 40th Division. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre. They went into the front line near Loos in October 1915. In 1916 they saw action in the Battle of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March, the capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie during April and early May and the Cambrai Operations, in November which including the capture of Bourlon Wood. Early 1918 they were in action on the Somme and then in the Battles of the Lys where the Division suffered heavy casualties and on the 5th of May they were reduced to cadre strength, on the 28th June 1918 those remaining transferred to 17th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.

             SM U-89 was a Type U 87 uboat built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 33). She was Ordered on 23 Jun 1915, Laid down 15 Dec 1915, Launched 6 Oct 1916 and Commissioned 21 Jun 1917.

          Commanders.
          21 Jun 1917 - 15 Jan 1918 August Mildenberger
          16 Jan 1918 - 12 Feb 1918 Wilhelm Bauck

          Her career spanned 3 patrols, from the 6 Sep 1917 - 12 Feb 1918 she sailed with III Flotilla Her recorded successes amount to 4 ships sunk with a total of 8,496 tons and 1 ship damaged with a total of 324 tons.

          • 2 Oct 1917 Trafaria 1,744 pt
          • 3 Oct 1917 Baron Blantyre 1,844 br
          • 6 Oct 1917 Victorine 1,241 fr
          • 12 Dec 1917 Reine D'arvor (damaged) 324 fr
          • 21 Dec 1917 Boa Vista 3,667 pt

          On the 12th of Feb 1918 she was rammed North of Malin Head by HMS Roxburgh and sank at 5538N 0732W. 43 dead (all hands lost).

          There was another U 89 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 20 Sep 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 19 Nov 1941.

             

          SM U-86 was a Type U 81, built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 256). Ordered 23 Jun 1915, Laid down 5 Nov 1915, Launched 7 Nov 1916 and Commissioned 30 Nov 1916. Commanders were from 30 Nov 1916 to 22 Jun 1917 Friedrich Crüsemann. Froto 23 Jun 1917 to 25 Jan 1918 Alfred Götze and from 26 Jan 1918 to 11 Nov 1918 Oblt. Helmut Patzig U86 undertook 12 patrols sailing with IV Flotilla, claiming 33 ships sunk with a total of 117,583 tons and 1 ship damaged with a total of 163 tons.

          • 23 Mar 1917 Queenborough 165 br
          • 5 Apr 1917 Dunkerquoise 127 fr
          • 5 Apr 1917 Marie Celine 142 fr
          • 5 Apr 1917 Siberier 2,968 be
          • 6 Apr 1917 Rosalind 6,535 br
          • 18 Apr 1917 Atalanta 1,091 sw
          • 28 May 1917 Antinoe 2,396 br
          • 28 May 1917 Limerick 6,827 br
          • 29 May 1917 Oswego 5,793 br
          • 31 May 1917 N. Hadzikyriakos 3,533 gr
          • 2 Jul 1917 Bessie 66 sw
          • 10 Aug 1917 Capella I 3,990 nw
          • 13 Aug 1917 Turakina 9,920 br
          • 15 Dec 1917 Baron Leopold Davilliers (damaged) 163 fr
          • 20 Dec 1917 Polvarth 3,146 br
          • 14 Feb 1918 Bessie Stephens 119 br
          • 17 Feb 1918 Pinewood 2,219 br
          • 19 Feb 1918 Wheatflower 188 br
          • 20 Feb 1918 Djerv 1,527 br
          • 23 Feb 1918 Ulabrand 2,011 nw
          • 30 Apr 1918 Kafue 6,044 br
          • 30 Apr 1918 Kempock 255 br
          • 2 May 1918 Medora 5,135 br
          • 5 May 1918 Tommi 138 br
          • 6 May 1918 Leeds City 4,298 br
          • 11 May 1918 San Andres 1,656 nw
          • 12 May 1918 Inniscarra 1,412 br
          • 16 May 1918 Tartary 4,181 br
          • 22 May 1918 Meran 656 nw
          • 21 Jun 1918 Eglantine 339 nw
          • 26 Jun 1918 Atlantian 9,399 br
          • 27 Jun 1918 Llandovery Castle 11,423 br
          • 1 Jul 1918 Covington 16,339 am
          • 1 Jul 1918 Origen 3,545 br

          On 27 June, 1918 this boat sank the hospital ship Llandovery Castle in violation of international law, and fired on the survivors, killing most of them. The commander and his watch officers were tried and convincted for this incident after the war.

          On the 20th of Nov 1918 U86 surrendered. The uboat sank in the English Channel on the way to be broken up in 1921.

          There was another U 86 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 10 May 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 8 Jul 1941.

           U-Boat  SM U-82 was a Type U 81, built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 252) Ordered 23 Jun 1915, Laid down 31 Aug 1915, Launched 1 Jul 1916 and Commissioned 16 Sep 1916 From her launch until the 29th of Apr 1918 she was commanded by Hans Adam then from the 30th of Apr 1918 to the 11th of Nov 1918 she was commanded by Heinrich Middendorff. Her career spanned 11 patrols with IV Flotilla Claiming 36 ships sunk with a total of 110,160 tons and 3 ships damaged with a total of 32,914 tons.

          • 5 Dec 1916 Dorit 242 da
          • 5 Dec 1916 Ella 879 nw
          • 6 Dec 1916 Christine 196 da
          • 6 Dec 1916 Robert 353 da
          • 10 Dec 1916 Gerda 287 da
          • 2 Jan 1917 Omnium 8,719 fr
          • 3 Jan 1917 Viking 761 da
          • 4 Jan 1917 Calabro 1,925 it
          • 5 Jan 1917 Ebro 1,028 da
          • 6 Jan 1917 Beaufront 1,720 br
          • 23 Apr 1917 Marita 1,759 nw
          • 24 Apr 1917 Thistleard 4,136 br
          • 25 Apr 1917 Hackensack 4,060 br
          • 4 May 1917 Ellin (damaged) 4,577 gr
          • 11 Jun 1917 Zylpha 2,917 br
          • 13 Jun 1917 Storegut 2,557 nw
          • 14 Jun 1917 Highbury 4,831 br
          • 14 Jun 1917 Ortolan 1,727 br
          • 15 Jun 1917 Albertine Beatrice 1,379 nl
          • 15 Jun 1917 Westonby 3,795 br
          • 16 Jun 1917 Jessie 2,256 br
          • 18 Jun 1917 Thistledhu 4,026 br
          • 25 Jul 1917 Monkstone 3,097 br
          • 31 Jul 1917 Orubian 3,876 br
          • 31 Jul 1917 Quernmore 7,302 br
          • 19 Sep 1917 Saint Ronald 4,387 br
          • 15 Nov 1917 De Dollart 243 nl
          • 19 Feb 1918 Glencarron 5,117 br
          • 19 Feb 1918 Philadelphian 5,165 br
          • 8 Apr 1918 Tainui (damaged) 9,965 br
          • 10 Apr 1918 Westfield 3,453 br
          • 5 Jun 1918 Argonaut 4,826 am
          • 7 Jun 1918 Brisk 1,662 nw
          • 8 Jun 1918 Hunsgrove 3,063 br
          • 8 Jun 1918 Saima 1,147 br
          • 4 Sep 1918 Dora 7,037 am
          • 5 Sep 1918 Mount Vernon (uss) (damaged) 18,372 am
          • 12 Sep 1918 Galway Castle 7,988 br
          • 16 Sep 1918 Madryn 2,244 br

          On the 16th of Jan 1919 U82 surrendered. She was broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

          There was another U 82 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 15 Mar 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 14 May 1941.

             J.C. & J Field Ltd was a candle manufacturer situated in Ferry Lane at Rainham on the banks of the Thames in Essex. During the Great War the factory was rented by the nearby Rainham Chemical Works as an extension to the HM Explosives Factory at their premises.

             SM U-73 was a type UE1 u-boat, built at Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 29). She was ordered on the 6th of Jan 1915, launched on the 16th of Jun 1915 and commissioned on 9th of Oct 1915

          Her Commanders were:.
          9 Oct 1915 - 21 May 1917 Gustav Sieß.
          22 May 1917 - 15 Jan 1918 Ernst von Voigt.
          16 Jan 1918 - 15 Jun 1918 Karl Meusel.
          16 Jun 1918 - 15 Sep 1918 Oblt. Carl Bünte.
          16 Sep 1918 - 30 Oct 1918 Fritz Saupe

          U-73 undertook 2 patrols and from 30 Apr 1916 to 30 Oct 1918 she served with the Pola/Mittelmeer II Flotilla Her successes included 18 ships sunk with a total of 86,849 tons, 3 ships damaged with a total of 8,067 tons and 3 warships sunk with a total of 28,750 tons.

          • 11 Apr 1916 Inverlyon 1,827 br
          • 17 Apr 1916 Terje Viken 3,579 nw
          • 27 Apr 1916 Nasturtium 1,250 br
          • 27 Apr 1916 Russell 14,000 br
          • 28 Apr 1916 Aegusa 1,242 br
          • 4 May 1916 Crownsin 137 br
          • 3 Aug 1916 Clacton 820 br
          • 9 Aug 1916 Lorenzo Donato 140 it
          • 24 Oct 1916 Propontis 700 gr
          • 31 Oct 1916 Kiki Issaias 2,993 gr
          • 14 Nov 1916 Burdigala 12,009 fr
          • 20 Nov 1916 Spetzai (damaged) 788 gr
          • 20 Nov 1916 Sparti (damaged) 961 gr
          • 21 Nov 1916 Britannic 48,158 br
          • 23 Nov 1916 Braemar Castle (damaged) 6,318 br
          • 21 Dec 1916 Murex 3,564 br
          • 23 Dec 1916 Thistleban 4,117 br
          • 2 Jan 1917 Peresvyet 13,500 ru
          • 12 Mar 1917 Bilswood 3,097 br
          • 29 Sep 1917 R 235 15 fr
          • 30 Sep 1917 Midlothian 1,321 br
          • 30 Sep 1917 Nicolosa 50 gr
          • 1 Oct 1917 Ludvicos 50 br
          • 19 Oct 1918 Almerian 3,030 br

          On the 30th of Oct 1918 U73 was scuttled at Pola in position 44.52N, 13.50E during the evacuation from there.

          There was another U 73 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 27 Jul 1940 and was commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 Sep 1940.

             

          HMS Russell

          HMS Russell, was a Battleship of 14,000 tons, built in 1901, byPalmer & Co., Jarrow, for the Royal Navy. HMS Russell was commissioned for the Mediterranean Fleet in February 1903, returning to the UK and joining the Home Fleet in April 1904 and the Channel Fleet in April 1906, transferring to the Atlantic Fleet in February 1907. Russell returned to the Mediterranean in July 1909 until August 1912 when she became a unit of the 1st (Home) Fleet and the 2nd Fleet at The Nore in September 1913.

          On the outbreak of war Russell was with the 6th Battle Squadron in the Channel, but was later attached to the Grand Fleet carrying out patrols in the North Sea. On 22 November 1914 she bombarded Zeebrugge along with HMS Exmouth, before returning to the Grand Fleet for more North Sea patrols. Russell returned to the Mediterranean for the last time in November 1915, covering the withdrawal from Gallipoli on 7 January 1916.

          HMS Russell struck a mine at the entrance to Valetta Harbour, Malta on the 27th April 1916. The Mine had been laid by U73.

             SM U-75

          Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 57) Ordered 9 Mar 1915 Launched 30 Jan 1916 Commissioned 26 Mar 1916

          Commanders.
          26 Mar 1916 - 1 May 1917 Curt Beitzen.
          2 May 1917 - 13 Dec 1917 Fritz Schmolling

          Career 7 patrols.
          29 Jun 1916 - 13 Dec 1917 I Flotilla

          Successes 11 ships sunk with a total of 18,347 tons.
          2 ships damaged with a total of 4,192 tons.
          1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,700 tons.
          1 warship sunk with a total of 10,850 tons.

          • 5 Jun 1916 U 75 Curt Beitzen Hampshire 10,850 br
          • 22 Jun 1916 U 75 Curt Beitzen Laurel Crown 81 br
          • 7 Aug 1916 U 75 Curt Beitzen John High 228 br
          • 12 Aug 1916 U 75 Curt Beitzen Kovda 1,125 ru
          • 20 Sep 1916 U 75 Curt Beitzen Etton 2,831 br
          • 16 Nov 1916 U 75 Curt Beitzen Fenja 433 da
          • 22 Nov 1916 U 75 Curt Beitzen Reserv (prize) 1,700 sw
          • 23 Nov 1916 U 75 Curt Beitzen Arthur 1,435 sw
          • 9 Apr 1917 U 75 Curt Beitzen Ganslei 1,273 ru
          • 15 Apr 1917 U 75 Curt Beitzen Arctic Prince (damaged) 194 br
          • 10 Aug 1917 U 75 Fritz Schmolling Solglimt 1,037 nw
          • 16 Aug 1917 U 75 Fritz Schmolling Palatine 2,110 br
          • 3 Sep 1917 U 75 Fritz Schmolling Treverbyn 4,163 br
          • 22 Nov 1917 U 75 Fritz Schmolling King Idwal 3,631 br
          • 10 Dec 1917 U 75 Fritz Schmolling Aureole (damaged) 3,998 br

          Fate 13 Dec 1917 - Struck a mine off Terschelling . 23 dead, unknown number of survivors.

          There was another U 75 in World War Two.
          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 18 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 19 Dec 1940.

           

           HMS Hampshire  

          HMS Hampshire

          HMS Hampshire was an Armored cruiser of GRT 10,850 tons Built in 1903 at Armstrongs in Elswick.

          HMS Hampshire was commissioned into the 1st Cruiser Squadron, Channel Fleet in August 1905 until December 1908. She refitted at Portsmouth and recommissioned into the 3rd Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet in September 1908. She was present at the Coronation Fleet Review for King George V in June 1911. Later that year she transferred to the 6th C.S. Mediterranean Fleet and later the China Fleet.

          At the outbreak of war Hampshire was at Wei-hei-Wei. She took part in patrols in the South China Sea, searching for Emden and later Königsberg. On one of these patrols the German collier Elsbeth was sunk on 11 August 1914. These patrols were based on Hong Kong in August, Singapore in September and Colombo in October. In November she joined the escort of the first Australian troop convoy, escorting it as far as Alexandria.

          December 1914 was spent in the Mediterranean and Hampshire returned to Devonport in January 1915. From there she joined the 6th Cruiser Sqn. Grand Fleet.

          Hampshire took part in North Sea patrols based on Cromarty or Scapa Flow and in November - December 1915 undertook a voyage to Alexanddrovisk in Northern Russia. She was present at the Battle of Jutland and sank whilst taking Lord Kitchener to Russia in June 1916.

          Sank on the 15th June 1916 off the west coast of the Orkney Islands, after striking a mine laid by U-75, while en route to Russia with Lord Kitchener on board. The loss of life was extremely heavy as the warship sank in a heavy gale.

             SM U-79 was a Type UE 1 u-boat built at Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 61), ordered 9 Mar 1915, launched 9 Apr 1916 and commissioned 25 May 1916

          Commanders.
          25 May 1916 - 20 Feb 1917 Heinrich Jeß.
          21 Feb 1917 - 26 Oct 1917 Otto Rohrbeck.
          27 Oct 1917 - 23 Nov 1917 Otto Dröscher.
          24 Nov 1917 - 15 Apr 1918 Karl Thouret.
          16 Apr 1918 - 17 Aug 1918 Oblt. Rudolf (i.V.) Zentner.
          18 Aug 1918 - 26 Aug 1918 Oblt. Martin Hoffmann.
          27 Aug 1918 - 15 Sep 1918 Ltn. Rudolf (i.V.) Haagen.
          16 Sep 1918 - 14 Oct 1918 Woldemar Petri.
          15 Oct 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Oblt. Kurt Slevogt

          U-79 had a career of 11 patrols from 30 Jul 1916 to 11 Nov 1918 with I Flotilla Successes 22 ships sunk with a total of 34,479 tons. 2 ships damaged with a total of 7,474 tons. 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,125 tons. 1 warship sunk with a total of 14,300 tons. 1 warship damaged with a total of 790 tons.

          • 14 Sep 1916 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Counsellor 4,958 br
          • 26 Dec 1916 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Johan 828 da
          • 27 Dec 1916 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Copsewood 599 br
          • 27 Dec 1916 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Ida 1,300 nw
          • 30 Dec 1916 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Danmark 1,875 da
          • 1 Jan 1917 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Laupar 1,407 nw
          • 2 Jan 1917 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Older 2,256 nw
          • 3 Jan 1917 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Angela 2,422 it
          • 3 Jan 1917 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Valladares 124 pt
          • 4 Jan 1917 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Chinto Maru 2,592 jp
          • 10 Jan 1917 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Brookwood 3,093 br
          • 24 Jan 1917 U 79 Heinrich Jeß Nanna (prize) 1,125 nw
          • 14 Jun 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Carthaginian 4,444 br
          • 22 Jun 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Maggie 1,118 nw
          • 23 Jun 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Corientes 280 br
          • 26 Jun 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Charles Astie 295 br
          • 26 Jun 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Serapis 1,932 br
          • 30 Jun 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Bröderna 39 sw
          • 30 Jun 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Lancaster 77 sw
          • 30 Jun 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Preceptor 55 sw
          • 13 Aug 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Camito (damaged) 6,611 br
          • 2 Oct 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck HMS Brisk (damaged) 790 br
          • 2 Oct 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck HMS Drake 14,300 br
          • 2 Oct 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Lugano 3,810 br
          • 23 Oct 1917 U 79 Otto Rohrbeck Earl Lennox 226 br
          • 12 Jan 1918 U 79 Karl Thouret Caledonia (damaged) 863 nl
          • 15 Jan 1918 U 79 Karl Thouret Westpolder 749

          On 21 Nov 1918 U79 was surrendered to Franc and became the French submarine Victor Reveille until being broken up in 1935.

          There was another U 79 in World War Two.
          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 25 Jan 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 13 Mar 1941.

             

          HMS Brisk

          Name HMS Brisk, Type Destroyer Operator Royal Navy.
          GRT 790 tons, Country British.
          Built 1910. Builder John Brown & Co., Ltd., Clydebank, Glasgow

          History

          On the 2nd October 1917 she responded to assistance call from HMS Drake and was damaged when she struck a mine laid by U-79 South West of Bull Point, County Antrim (Barrage 171b)causing 32 casualties.

          HMS Brisk was one of the ships sent to assist HMS Drake, which had been torpedoed by U 79 on the 2nd October 1917 .

             

          HMS Drake

          HMS Drake was the lead ship of her class of armoured cruisers built for the Royal Navy around 1900.

          HMS Drake, named after the Elizabeth adventurer Sir Francis Drake,was laid down at Pembroke Dock on 24 April 1899 and launched on 5 March 1901, when she was christened by Mrs. Lort Phillips, wife of local landowner F. Lort Phillips, of Lawrenny. She was completed on 13 January 1903 and assigned to the Cruiser Squadron of the Channel Fleet, under the command of the future First Sea Lord, Captain Francis Bridgeman.

          John Jellicoe, also a future First Sea Lord and commander of the Grand Fleet, was her next captain in 1903,04. In 1907 the ship was commanded by Captain Arthur Hayes-Sadler and serving as the flagship of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Charles Henry Adair. The following year, Drake became the flagship of 1st Cruiser Squadron of the Channel Fleet and then was assigned to the 5th Cruiser Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet of the Channel Fleet from 1910,11.

          She served as the flagship of the Australia Station from 1911,13 before returning home and joined the 6th Cruiser Squadron of the 2nd Fleet.

          That fleet was merged into the Grand Fleet upon mobilization in mid-1914 and Drake became flagship of Rear Admiral William Grant, commander of the squadron. The squadron was briefly deployed at the beginning of the war to blockade the northern exit from the North Sea.

          The ship was refitted in October 1915 and then transferred to the North America and West Indies Station for convoy escort duties. She participated in the unsuccessful search in the West Indies for the SMS Möwe in December 1916.

          Drake was torpedoed by the German submarine U-79, commanded by Kapitanleutnant Otto Rohrbeck,on 2 October 1917 after her Convoy HH24 had dispersed for its several destinations. The ship was about 5 miles (8.0 km) off Rathlin Island at the tip of Northern Ireland when she was hit. The torpedo struck No. 2 Boiler Room and caused two of her engine rooms and the boiler room to flood, killing 18 crewmen. These gave her a list and knocked out her steam-powered steering. Her captain decided to steam for Church Bay on Rathlin Island and accidentally collided with the merchant ship SS Mendip Range before she dropped anchor. The collision did not damage Drake much, but Mendip Range was forced to beach herself lest she sink. Drake's crew was taken off before she capsized later that afternoon.

          Her wreck at 55°17.1084′N 06°12.5136′WCoordinates: 55°17.1084′N 06°12.5136′W in Church Bay is a favourite site for divers because the wreck is only at a depth between 15,19 metres (49,62 ft) and generally has good visibility. Salvage of the wreck began in 1920 and continued for several years.

          On the night of 3 November 1962, the steam trawler Ella Hewett struck the wreck and subsequently sank almost atop Drake. Ammunition and ordnance was salvaged during the 1970s and the wrecks were demolished with depth charges to reduce the chance of any other ships coming to grief on the wrecks. In 1978, the remaining oil fuel was salvaged to reduce pollution from leaking oil.

           

             SM U-52 was a Type U 51 built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 234) Ordered 23 Aug 1914, Laid down 13 Mar 1915, Launched 8 Dec 1915 and Commissioned 16 Mar 1916.

          Her commanders were:
          8 May 1916 - 18 Sep 1917 Hans Walther.
          19 Sep 1917 - 29 Oct 1917 Oblt. Johannes Spieß.
          17 Nov 1917 - 28 Feb 1918 Siegfried Claaßen.
          1 Mar 1918 - 5 May 1918 Waldemar Haumann.
          6 May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Franz Krapohl.

          She had a career of 4 patrols, sailing with I Flotilla until 25th of May 1916, 25 May 1916 to 24 Dec 1916 with II Flotilla, 24 Dec 1916 to 27 Apr 1917 with Pola Flotilla and 27 Apr 1917 to 11 Nov 1918 with II Flotilla.

          Successes totalled 30 ships sunk with a total of 70,856 tons:

          • 11 Jul 1916 Onward 266 br
          • 19 Aug 1916 HMS Nottingham 5,400 br
          • 26 Sep 1916 Conqueror Ii 526 br
          • 26 Sep 1916 Sarah Alice 299 br
          • 26 Sep 1916 St. Gothard 2,788 br
          • 25 Nov 1916 Egyptiana (damaged) 3,818 br
          • 25 Nov 1916 Suffren 12,750 fr
          • 10 Dec 1916 Emma Laurans 2,153 fr
          • 30 Mar 1917 Michelina Catalano 78 it
          • 4 Apr 1917 Missourian 7,924 am
          • 4 Apr 1917 Ravenna 4,101 it
          • 5 Apr 1917 Angel Marina 257 it
          • 7 Apr 1917 Seward 2,471 am
          • 8 Apr 1917 Alba 1,639 it
          • 9 Apr 1917 Esterel 2,574 fr
          • 11 Apr 1917 Ansgar 301 da
          • 12 Apr 1917 Glencliffe 3,673 br
          • 14 Apr 1917 Tres Macs 163 pt
          • 15 Apr 1917 Cabo Blanco (damaged) 2,163 sp
          • 16 Apr 1917 Crios 4,116 gr
          • 19 Apr 1917 Senhora Da Conceicao 206 pt
          • 20 Apr 1917 Caithness 3,500 br
          • 21 Apr 1917 Heather (hms) (damaged) 1,250 br
          • 23 Apr 1917 Acadia 1,556 nw
          • 6 Jul 1917 Flora 818 nw
          • 9 Jul 1917 Prince Abbas 2,030 br
          • 11 Jul 1917 Vanda 1,646 sw
          • 12 Jul 1917 Fredrika 1,851 sw
          • 17 Jul 1917 C 34 321 br
          • 20 Aug 1917 Bulysses 6,127 br
          • 1 Sep 1917 Tarapaca 2,506 fr
          • 2 Sep 1917 Wentworth 3,828 br
          • 4 Sep 1917 Peerless 3,112 br
          • 5 Sep 1917 Echunga 6,285 br
          • 5 Sep 1917 San Dunstano (damaged) 6,220 br
          • 11 Sep 1917 Tobol 3,741 ru
          • 16 Aug 1918 Fylde (damaged) 256 br

          U52 Surrendered on the 21st of Nov 1918, she was broken up at Swansea in 1922.

          There was another U 52 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 21 Dec 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Feb 1939.

             SM U-53 was a Type U 51 built in the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 235). Ordered 23 Aug 1914 the vessel was laid down 17 Mar 1915, launched 1 Feb 1916 and commissioned 22 Apr 1916

          Commanders.
          22 Apr 1916 - 17 Aug 1918 Hans Rose.
          18 Aug 1918 - 29 Nov 1918 Otto von Schrader.

          U53 undertook 13 patrols between 31 May 1916 and 11 Nov 1918 with II Flotilla Successes amounted to 87 ships sunk with a total of 224,314 tons. 10 ships damaged with a total of 46,339 tons. 1 warship sunk with a total of 1,050 tons.

          • 11 Jul 1916 Calypso 2,876 br
          • 8 Oct 1916 Blommersdijk 4,850 nl
          • 8 Oct 1916 Christian Knutsen 4,224 nw
          • 8 Oct 1916 Stephano 3,449 br
          • 8 Oct 1916 Strathdene 4,321 br
          • 8 Oct 1916 West Point 3,847 br
          • 22 Jan 1917 Anna 154 fr
          • 22 Jan 1917 Zeta 3,053 nl
          • 28 Jan 1917 Nueva Montana 2,039 sp
          • 29 Jan 1917 Algorta 2,117 sp
          • 31 Jan 1917 Hekla 524 nw
          • 2 Feb 1917 Odin 1,045 nw
          • 3 Feb 1917 Housatonic 3,143 am
          • 4 Feb 1917 Aimee Maria 327 fr
          • 4 Feb 1917 Bangpuhtis 259 ru
          • 5 Feb 1917 Bravalla 1,519 sw
          • 9 Feb 1917 Marian 71 nl
          • 2 Mar 1917 Gazelle 119 br
          • 2 Mar 1917 Utopia 184 br
          • 3 Mar 1917 Theodoros Pangalos 2,838 gr
          • 5 Mar 1917 Federico Confalonieri 4,434 it
          • 9 Mar 1917 Cavour 1,929 it
          • 9 Mar 1917 Lars Fostenes 2,118 nw
          • 10 Mar 1917 St. Feodor (damaged) 126 ru
          • 11 Mar 1917 Folia 6,705 br
          • 11 Mar 1917 Gracia 3,129 sp
          • 12 Mar 1917 Hainaut 4,113 be
          • 14 Mar 1917 Aquila 1,092 nw
          • 18 Apr 1917 Scalpa 1,010 br
          • 18 Apr 1917 Sculptor 3,846 br
          • 19 Apr 1917 Tempus 2,981 br
          • 21 Apr 1917 Pontiac 1,698 br
          • 22 Apr 1917 Neepawah 1,799 ca
          • 23 Apr 1917 Eptapyrgion 4,307 br
          • 24 Apr 1917 Anglesea 4,534 br
          • 24 Apr 1917 Ferndene 3,770 br
          • 25 Apr 1917 Elisabeth (damaged) 217 da
          • 25 Apr 1917 Laura 335 br
          • 26 Apr 1917 Hekla 169 da
          • 27 Jun 1917 Ultonia 10,402 br
          • 8 Jul 1917 Asheim 2,147 nw
          • 8 Jul 1917 Atlantic 1,087 da
          • 10 Jul 1917 Cedric 197 br
          • 10 Jul 1917 Mabel 205 br
          • 10 Jul 1917 Pacific 235 br
          • 10 Jul 1917 Peridot 214 br
          • 10 Jul 1917 Pretoria 283 br
          • 10 Jul 1917 Romantic 197 br
          • 10 Jul 1917 Sea King 185 br
          • 10 Jul 1917 Stoic 200 br
          • 16 Aug 1917 Athenia 8,668 br
          • 21 Aug 1917 Devonian 10,435 br
          • 21 Aug 1917 Roscommon 8,238 br
          • 22 Aug 1917 Verdi 7,120 br
          • 23 Aug 1917 Boniface 3,799 br
          • 26 Aug 1917 Durango 3,008 br
          • 26 Aug 1917 Kenmore 3,919 br
          • 10 Oct 1917 Bostonian 5,736 br
          • 10 Oct 1917 Gowrie 1,031 br
          • 11 Oct 1917 Lewis Luckenbach 3,906 am
          • 15 Oct 1917 San Nazario (damaged) 10,064 br
          • 17 Oct 1917 Manchuria 2,997 br
          • 17 Oct 1917 Polvena 4,750 br
          • 19 Oct 1917 Parkhaven 2,635 nl
          • 20 Nov 1917 Megrez 2,695 nl
          • 20 Nov 1917 Nederland 1,832 nl
          • 23 Nov 1917 Westlands 3,112 br
          • 24 Nov 1917 Dunrobin 3,617 br
          • 1 Dec 1917 Helenus (damaged) 7,555 br
          • 5 Dec 1917 Earlswood (damaged) 2,353 br
          • 6 Dec 1917 Jacob Jones (uss) 1,050 am
          • 9 Dec 1917 Nyanza (damaged) 6,695 br
          • 9 Dec 1917 War Tune 2,045 br
          • 10 Dec 1917 Øiekast 605 nw
          • 4 Feb 1918 Treveal 4,160 br
          • 6 Feb 1918 Holkar 61 br
          • 6 Feb 1918 Marsouin 55 fr
          • 7 Feb 1918 Beaumaris 2,372 br
          • 8 Feb 1918 Basuta 2,876 br
          • 9 Feb 1918 Lydie 2,559 br
          • 11 Feb 1918 Merton Hall 4,327 br
          • 2 Apr 1918 Meaford 1,889 br
          • 7 Apr 1918 Cadillac (damaged) 11,106 br
          • 7 Apr 1918 Knight Templar (damaged) 7,175 br
          • 7 Apr 1918 Port Campbell 6,230 br
          • 20 Jun 1918 Aisne (damaged) 315 br
          • 27 Jun 1918 Keelung 6,672 br
          • 28 Jun 1918 Queen 4,956 br
          • 30 Jun 1918 W.m.l. 145 br
          • 2 Jul 1918 Erme 116 br
          • 6 Jul 1918 Gullfaxi 46 is
          • 28 Aug 1918 Pauline 134 ru
          • 1 Sep 1918 Ami De Dieu 45 fr
          • 1 Sep 1918 Etoile Polaire 51 fr
          • 2 Sep 1918 Hirondelle 38 fr
          • 2 Sep 1918 Nicolazic 42 fr
          • 4 Sep 1918 War Firth 3,112 br
          • 5 Sep 1918 Rio Mondego (damaged) 733 pt

          On 1 Dec 1918 U53 Surrendered and was broken up at Swansea in 1922.

          There was another U 53 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 6 May 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 24 Jun 1939.

             SM U-55 was a Type U 51 u-boat, built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 237). Ordered 23 Aug 1914, Laid down 28 Dec 1914, Launched 18 Mar 1916 and Commissioned 8 Jun 1916

          Her Commanders were:
          9 Jun 1916 - 9 Aug 1918 Wilhelm Werner.
          10 Aug 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Alexander Weiß .
          15 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Oblt. Hans Friedrich

          Her career consisted of 14 patrols between the 29th of July 1916 and 11th of Nov 1918 with II Flotilla. Successes included, 64 ships sunk with a total of 133,742 tons, 7 ships damaged with a total of 26,161 tons and 2 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,466 tons.

          • 28 Sep 1916 Orsino 172 br
          • 30 Sep 1916 Atle (prize) 1,725 sw
          • 30 Sep 1916 Talavera (prize) 1,741 sw
          • 24 Oct 1916 Clearfield 4,229 br
          • 28 Oct 1916 Marina 5,204 br
          • 22 Jan 1917 Ethel 23 br
          • 23 Jan 1917 Eden 142 ru
          • 23 Jan 1917 Salland 3,657 nl
          • 27 Jan 1917 Artist 3,570 br
          • 30 Jan 1917 Euonymus 60 br
          • 30 Jan 1917 Helena And Samuel 59 br
          • 30 Jan 1917 Marcelle 219 be
          • 30 Jan 1917 Merit 39 br
          • 30 Jan 1917 Trevone 46 br
          • 30 Jan 1917 W.A.H. 47 br
          • 30 Jan 1917 Wetherill 46 br
          • 31 Jan 1917 Dundee 2,290 ca
          • 31 Jan 1917 Saint Leon 230 fr
          • 31 Jan 1917 Yvonne 87 fr
          • 1 Feb 1917 Ada 24 br
          • 1 Feb 1917 Essonite 589 br
          • 1 Feb 1917 Inverlyon 59 br
          • 2 Feb 1917 Pomoschnick 167 ru
          • 6 Feb 1917 Saxon Briton 1,337 br
          • 7 Feb 1917 Yola 3,504 br
          • 4 Apr 1917 H. B. Linnemann (damaged) 444 da
          • 5 Apr 1917 Vilja 1,049 nw
          • 6 Apr 1917 Vine Branch 3,442 br
          • 8 Apr 1917 Petridge 1,712 br
          • 8 Apr 1917 Torrington 5,597 br
          • 8 Apr 1917 Umvoti 2,616 br
          • 12 Apr 1917 Toro 3,066 br
          • 15 Apr 1917 Astræa 260 da
          • 17 Apr 1917 Cairnhill 4,981 br
          • 8 Jun 1917 Russian Prince (damaged) 4,158 br
          • 9 Jun 1917 Achilles 641 br
          • 11 Jun 1917 Ausonia (damaged) 8,153 br
          • 12 Jun 1917 Coronado (damaged) 6,539 br
          • 23 Jun 1917 Sophie 89 da
          • 23 Jun 1917 Star 120 da
          • 31 Jul 1917 Belgian Prince 4,765 br
          • 6 Aug 1917 Eugenia 4,835 it
          • 9 Aug 1917 Oakfield (damaged) 3,618 br
          • 12 Aug 1917 Falkland 4,877 nw
          • 17 Aug 1917 Edina 455 br
          • 18 Aug 1917 Benjamin Stevenson 255 br
          • 4 Jan 1918 Rewa 7,305 br
          • 5 Jan 1918 War Baron 6,240 br
          • 9 Jan 1918 Ula 839 nw
          • 16 Jan 1918 Genevieve 1,598 fr
          • 20 Jan 1918 Hirondell 28 fr
          • 21 Jan 1918 Maria Caterina 71 nl
          • 26 Feb 1918 Eumaeus 6,696 br
          • 26 Feb 1918 Mouche 65 fr
          • 1 Mar 1918 Borga 1,046 br
          • 7 Mar 1918 Brise 160 fr
          • 7 Mar 1918 Saint Georges 102 fr
          • 7 Mar 1918 Saint Joseph 434 fr
          • 8 Mar 1918 Madeline 2,890 br
          • 10 Mar 1918 Cristina 2,083 sp
          • 15 May 1918 War Grange (damaged) 3,100 br
          • 16 May 1918 Tagona 2,004 ca
          • 17 May 1918 Motricine 4,047 fr
          • 18 May 1918 Denbigh Hall 4,943 br
          • 18 May 1918 Scholar 1,635 br
          • 16 Jul 1918 Miefield 1,368 nw
          • 17 Jul 1918 Carpathia 13,603 br
          • 23 Jul 1918 Anna Sofie 2,577 br
          • 31 Jul 1918 Zwaantje Cornelia (damaged) 149 nl
          • 1 Oct 1918 Montfort 6,578 br
          • 2 Oct 1918 Keltier 2,360 be
          • 4 Oct 1918 Uranus 350 ru
          • 10 Oct 1918 Andre 160 fr

          On the 26th of November 1918 U55 surrendered to Japan. The u-boat was taken in japanese service and renamed the O3 in 1920. She was dismantled at Sasebo Navy Yard between March and June 1921.

          There was another U 55 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 19 Oct 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 21 Nov 1939.

           

             SM U-56 was a Type U 51 u-boat, built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 238). Ordered 23 Aug 1914, Laid down 28 Dec 1914, Launched 18 Apr 1916 and Commissioned 23 Jun 1916

          Between the 24th of Feb 1916 and 3rd of Nov 1916 she was commanded by Hermann Lorenz, and from the 18th of Jun 1916 sailed with II Flotilla. Successes totalled 5 ships sunk with a total of 5,701 tons.

          • 22 Oct 1916 Theodosi Tschernigowski 327 ru
          • 23 Oct 1916 Rensfjell 781 nw
          • 25 Oct 1916 Dag 963 nw
          • 26 Oct 1916 Oola 2,494 br
          • 1 Nov 1916 Ivanhoe 1,136 nw

          U56 went missing on or after the 3rd of November 1916 with all 35 hands lost. It had been reported that U56 was sunk by gunfire from the Russian destroyer Grozovoi off Khorne Island, Norway (near Vardö), but the vessel survived this attack. U 56 had put the crew of the Norwegian merchant ship Ivanhoe ashore at 07:45 on 3rd of November at Lodsvik. The Norwegian sailors were aboard during the action the previous day and their description matches the Russian account.

          There was another U 56 in World War Two, launched from its shipyard on 3 Sep 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 26 Nov 1938.

             SM U-57 was built at the Shipyard of A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 212) Ordered 6 Oct 1914, Laid down 25 Aug 1915, Launched 29 Apr 1916 and Commissioned 6 Jul 1916.

          Her commanders were:
          6 Jul 1916 - 19 Dec 1917 Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg.
          20 Dec 1917 - 6 Mar 1918 Oblt. Günther Sperling.
          7 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Walter Stein

          U57 had a Career of 7 patrols between 7th of Jul 1916 and 11th of Nov 1918 with II Flotilla She claimed 55 ships sunk with a total of 91,606 tons, 6 ships sunk with a total of 15,687 tons and 1 warship sunk with a total of 1,250 tons.

          • 24 Sep 1916 Ranee (Damaged) 194 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Albatross 158 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Aphelion 197 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Briton 134 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Devonshire 148 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Laila 807 nw
          • 24 Sep 1916 Marguerite 151 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Otter 123 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Sunshine 185 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Tarantula 155 br
          • 24 Sep 1916 Otterhound 150 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Cynthia 133 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Fisher Prince 125 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Gamecock 151 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Harrier 162 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Loch Ness 176 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Nil Desperandum 148 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Quebec 133 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Seal 135 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 St. Hilda 94 br
          • 25 Sep 1916 Trinidad 147 br
          • 23 Oct 1916 HMS Genista 1,250 br
          • 26 Oct 1916 Rowanmore 10,320 br
          • 30 Oct 1916 Floreal 163 br
          • 31 Oct 1916 Saturn 1,108 nw
          • 18 Jan 1917 Manchester Inventor 4,247 br
          • 22 Jan 1917 Euphrates 2,809 be
          • 22 Jan 1917 Minho 179 pt
          • 22 Jan 1917 Trevean 3,081 br
          • 26 Jan 1917 Bisagno 2,252 it
          • 22 Mar 1917 Sirius 1,053 nw
          • 27 Mar 1917 Holgate 2,604 br
          • 28 Mar 1917 Gafsa 3,974 br
          • 29 Mar 1917 Crispin 3,965 br
          • 29 Mar 1917 Lincolnshire 3,965 br
          • 30 Mar 1917 Lady Patricia (damaged) 1,372 br
          • 31 Mar 1917 Braefield 427 br
          • 5 Apr 1917 Ebenezer 181 da
          • 12 May 1917 Refugio 2,642 br
          • 14 May 1917 Arlington Court (damaged) 4,346 br
          • 19 May 1917 Farnham 3,102 br
          • 24 May 1917 Belgian 3,657 br
          • 1 Jun 1917 Teal 141 br
          • 2 Jul 1917 May Flower 55 sw
          • 5 Jul 1917 Cuyahoga 4,586 br
          • 7 Jul 1917 Tarquah 3,859 br
          • 8 Jul 1917 Pegu 6,348 br
          • 10 Jul 1917 Garmoyle 1,229 br
          • 16 Jul 1917 Benguela (damaged) 5,530 br
          • 8 Oct 1917 Aylevarroo 908 br
          • 8 Oct 1917 Richard De Larrinaga 5,591 br
          • 12 Oct 1917 Cape Corso (damaged) 3,890 br
          • 12 Oct 1917 Georgios Markettos 2,269 gr
          • 13 Oct 1917 Diu 5,556 pt
          • 14 Oct 1917 East Wales 4,321 br
          • 20 Oct 1917 Norden 703 sw
          • 28 Nov 1917 Perm 1,312 da
          • 29 Nov 1917 Pierre 112 fr
          • 30 Nov 1917 Courage 51 br
          • 30 Nov 1917 Gazelle 40 br
          • 3 Dec 1917 Copeland 1,184 br
          • 6 Dec 1917 Saint Antoine De Padoue (damaged) 355 fr

          On the 24th of Nov 1918 U57 was surrendered to France, she was broken up at Cherburg in 1921.

          There was another U 57 in World War Two.That boat was launched from its shipyard on 3 Sep 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 29 Dec 1938.

           

             SM U-60 was a Type U 57 built by A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 215). Ordered 6 Oct 1914, Laid down 22 Jun 1915, Launched 5 Jul 1916 and Commissioned 1 Nov 1916.

          Commanders.
          1 Nov 1916 - 31 Oct 1917 Karlgeorg Schuster.
          1 Nov 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 Karl (i.V.) Jasper.
          21 Nov 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Franz Grünert

          Career 10 patrols.
          13 Jan 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 II Flotilla

          Successes 52 ships sunk with a total of 107,940 tons.
          3 ships damaged with a total of 7,447 tons.

          • 4 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Ghazee 5,084 br
          • 5 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Lux 2,621 br
          • 5 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Warley Pickering 4,196 br
          • 7 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Storskog 2,191 nw
          • 14 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Hopemoor 3,740 br
          • 17 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Dalbeattie 1,327 nw
          • 17 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Iolo 3,840 br
          • 21 Feb 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Tecwyn 132 br
          • 29 Mar 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Os 637 nw
          • 4 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Domingo 2,131 it
          • 6 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Marion 1,587 nw
          • 7 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Salmo 1,721 br
          • 16 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Queen Mary 5,658 br
          • 19 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Howth Head 4,440 br
          • 20 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Torr Head 5,911 br
          • 23 Apr 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Svanen 1,807 da
          • 10 Jun 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Clan Alpine 3,587 br
          • 17 Jun 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Nostra Madre 649 it
          • 19 Jun 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Brookby 3,679 br
          • 27 Jun 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Armadale 6,153 br
          • 29 Jul 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Cesarevitch Alexei 2,387 ru
          • 30 Jul 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Canis 526 nw
          • 9 Aug 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Agne 1,010 sw
          • 9 Aug 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Export 2,712 ru
          • 22 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Mascotte 199 fr
          • 23 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Gloire 51 fr
          • 23 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Henry Lippitt 895 am
          • 23 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Jeune Mathilde 58 fr
          • 25 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Edouard Detaille 2,185 fr
          • 29 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Bon Premier 1,352 fr
          • 29 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Eugenie Fautrel 2,212 fr
          • 29 Sep 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Percy B. 330 br
          • 1 Oct 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Saint Pierre 277 fr
          • 2 Oct 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Eugene Louise (damaged) 283 fr
          • 3 Oct 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Saint Antoine 217 fr
          • 3 Oct 1917 U 60 Karlgeorg Schuster Stella 219 fr
          • 11 Dec 1917 U 60 Franz Grünert Bard 709 nw
          • 12 Dec 1917 U 60 Franz Grünert St. Croix 2,530 nw
          • 19 Dec 1917 U 60 Franz Grünert Ingrid Ii 1,145 nw
          • 22 Dec 1917 U 60 Franz Grünert Hunsbrook (damaged) 4,463 br
          • 21 Feb 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Hugin 1,667 sw
          • 25 Feb 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Apollo 242 da
          • 3 Mar 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Northfield 2,099 br
          • 4 Mar 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Quarnero 3,237 it
          • 28 Apr 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Poitiers 2,045 fr
          • 28 Apr 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Rimfakse 1,119 nw
          • 29 Apr 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Saint Chamond 2,866 fr
          • 2 May 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Girdleness 3,018 br
          • 4 May 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Polbrae 1,087 br
          • 5 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Vera Elizabeth 180 br
          • 13 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Plawsworth 4,724 br
          • 17 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Harlseywood (damaged) 2,701 br
          • 17 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Saint Georges 633 fr
          • 20 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Gemini 2,128 br
          • 20 Jul 1918 U 60 Franz Grünert Orfordness 2,790 br

          Fate 21 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Ran aground on the English East coast on the way to be broken up in 1921.

          There was another U 60 in World War Two.
          That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Jun 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 22 Jul 1939.

             KUK U-15 Austrian submarine was a Type U-10 launched in April 1915 and commissioned on the 6th of October 1915

          Commanders:
          6 Oct 1915 - 18 Nov 1915 Friedrich Schlosser
          28 Nov 1915 - 25 Mar 1916 Friedrich Fähndrich
          25 Mar 1916 - 10 May 1916 Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg
          10 May 1916 - 11 Dec 1916 Friedrich Fähndrich
          9 Oct 1916 - 28 Oct 1916 Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg
          11 Dec 1916 - 12 Jun 1917 Otto Molitor
          12 Jun 1917 - 17 Jul 1917 Otto Molitor
          17 Jul 1917 - 9 Mar 1918 Ludwig Müller
          17 Mar 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Andreas Korparic

          U15 claimed 5 ships sunk with a total of 8,044 tons

          • 18 Dec 1915 Erzen 25 al
          • 18 Dec 1915 Figlio Preligiona 80 al
          • 17 May 1916 Stura 2,237 it
          • 23 Jun 1916 Citta Di Messina 3,495 it
          • 23 Jun 1916 Fourche 745 fr
          • 25 Oct 1916 Polceverra 2,207 it

          U15 was scrapped in 1920.

             KUK U-4 Austrian Submarine, a type U-3 was launched on the 20th November 1908 and commissioned on 29th August 1909 She was commanded by: Hermann Jüstel 7 Jul 1913 - 2 Apr 1915, Edgar Wolf 2 Apr 1915 - 9 Apr 1915, Rudolf Singule 9 Apr 1915 - 30 Nov 1917 and Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg from 30th of Nov 1917 onwards.

          She claimed 14 ships sunk with a total of 15,039 tons, 2 ships damaged with a total of 3,535 tons, 3 ships taken as prize with a total of 13 tons, 1 warship sunk with a total of 7,234 tons and 1 warship damaged with a total of 5,400 tons.

          • 28 Nov 1914 k.u.k. U4 Hermann Jüstel Fiore Del Mare (prize) 13 al
          • 9 Jun 1915 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Dublin (hms) (damaged) 5,400 br
          • 18 Jul 1915 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Giuseppe Garibaldi 7,234 it
          • 9 Dec 1915 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Gjovadje (prize) unknown al
          • 9 Dec 1915 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Papagallo 10 al
          • 3 Jan 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Halil (prize) unknown al
          • 2 Feb 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Jean Bart Ii 475 fr
          • 30 Mar 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule John Pritchard 118 br
          • 14 Aug 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Pantellaria 204 it
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Inverbervie 4,309 br
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Ml 246 (damaged) 37 br
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Italia (damaged) 3,498 it
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Ml 230 37 br
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Ml 253 37 br
          • 14 Sep 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Ml 255 37 br
          • 13 Oct 1916 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Margaretha 2,092 it
          • 4 May 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Perseo 4,857 it
          • 30 May 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Italia 1,305 fr
          • 19 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Cefira 411 fr
          • 19 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Edouard Corbiere 475 fr
          • 12 Jul 1917 k.u.k. U4 Rudolf Singule Berthilde 672 fr

          She was scrapped in 1920.

             

          HMS Dublin

          HMS Dublin, was a British Light cruiser of 5,400 tons. Built in 1911 by W. Beardmore & Co. Ltd. Glasgow for the Royal Navy She was damaged during attack by the Austrian Submarine KUK U4 commanded by Rudolf Singule off Cape Pali on the 9th of June 1915 with the loss of 12 lives.

             

          HMS Edgar

          HMS Edgar was a Protected Cruiser with a GRT of 7,350 tons. She was built 1890 at the Devonport Dockyard. Edgar was damaged during attack by the Austrian U-Boat KUK U29 commanded by Leo Prásil on the 4th April 1918 (35.06N, 14.24E). No casualties.

             Austrian Submarine KUK SM U-23 was a Type U-20 which was launched on the 5th of January 1917 and commissioned 1st September 1917. From the 15th of Apr 1917 to 21 Feb 1918 she was commanded by Klemens Ritter von Bezard. KUK SMU-23 was sunk on the 21st of February 1918.

             

             

          HMS Triumph

          HMS Triumph, was a Swiftsure class pre-dreadnought battleship. Built Vickers, Barrow, laid down February 1902, completed June 1904, at a cost of £956,596. She was 462 feet 6 inch long at the waterline 475 feet 3 inch overall, beam 71 feet 2 inches, draught 24 feet 8 inches, displacement 11,740 load 13,432 tons deep. Her propulsion was 2 shaft Triple Expansion, 12,500 ihp, speed 19 knots. Armour was 7-3inch belt, 10inch barbettes, 10inch gun houses, 3-1inch decks. Armament was 4 x 10inch 45 cal BL (2 x 2), 14 x 7.5inch BL (14 x 1), 14 x 14pounder QF (14 x 1), 2 x 12pounder QF (2 x 1), 4 x 6pounder (4 x 1), 2 x 18inch TT. Crew complement 729 Officers and ratings. Originally designed by Sir Edward Reed for Chile to counter Argentinean armoured cruisers but owing to financial problems these ships were put up for sale before completion. The ships were purchased by the British government in December 1903 mainly to prevent their possible sale to Russia. The design emphasised speed and a heavy secondary armament at the expense of protection and main armament.

          World War 1 Service:

          • In reserve at Hong Kong at the start of war and re-commissioned there.
          • Took part in search for Admiral Graf Spee and captured a German collier.
          • August-November 1914 attached to Japanese Second Fleet for action against German base at Tsingtau.
          • November 1914-January 1915 under refit at Hong Kong.
          • February 1915 joined Dardanelles Squadron.
          • Took part in attacks on forts and supported landings.
          • 18 April 1915 one of her picket boats along with one from HMS Majestic destroyed the grounded British submarine E15 to prevent capture.
          • 25 May 1915 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U21.


             HMS Redoubtable was known as HMS Revenge from 1894 to 1915 then renamed Redoubtable (1915 to 1919). due to a new HMS Revenge being launched in 1915 The ship was a pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Sovereign class of the British Royal Navy. She notably served as the flagship of the Flying Squadron and bombarding the coast of Flanders during World War I Laid down by Palmers on 12 February 1891, launched on 3 November 1892, and completed in March 1894. She was 410 feet long and had a maximum cruising speed of 17 knots. Her armament included four 67-ton 13.5-inch (343-mm) guns and several smaller calibre guns.

          The Royal Sovereign-class battleships were designed by Sir William White and were the most potent battleships in the world until HMS Dreadnought rendered them obsolete overnight in 1906. In their day the Royal Sovereigns had also embodied revolutionary improvements in firepower, armour and speed. The main armament of four 13.5-inch (343-mm) guns was housed in two barbettes, rather than turrets, at either end of the ship which allowed a high freeboard, greatly increasing their capacity for fighting in rough weather; however, they tended to develop a heavy roll in some conditions, and after HMS Resolution rolled badly in heavy seas in 1893, the entire class was nicknamed the Rolling Ressies, which stuck even though the problem was quickly corrected by the fitting of bilge keels. The secondary armament was designed to provide potent, quick firing support for the main battery. Despite their greatly increased weight, thanks to a main armour belt which ran for two thirds of their length, they were the fastest capital ships in the world in their time. In 1906, the Royal Sovereigns were made obsolete with the launch of the revolutionary HMS Dreadnought. HMS Revenge was the only the Royal Sovereign class to see the outbreak of World War 1.

          HMS Redoubtable was sold for scrap in December 1919.

             

          HMS Jupiter - Malta 1915

          HMS Jupiter was a Majestic class pre-dreadnought battleship, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, which sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

          • Ships in Majestic Class
          • Caesar
          • Hannibal
          • Illustrious
          • Jupiter
          • Magnificent
          • Majestic
          • Mars
          • Prince George
          • Victorious

          When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line. Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes. Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

          The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

          The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide. More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts, as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

          When World War I broke out in August 1914, Jupiter was transferred to the 7th Battle Squadron of the Channel Fleet. During this service, she covered the passage of the British Expeditionary Force from England to France in September 1914. In late October 1914, Jupiter was reassigned to serve alongside her sister ship Majestic as a guard ship at the Nore. On 3 November 1914, Jupiter and Majestic left the Nore and relieved their sister ships Hannibal and Magnificent of guard ship duty on the Humber. In December 1914, Jupiter moved on to guard ship duty on the Tyne. On 5 February 1915, Jupiter was detached from her guard ship duty to serve temporarily as an icebreaker at Arkhangelsk, Russia, while the regular icebreaker there was under refit. In this duty, Jupiter made history by becoming the first ship ever to get through the ice into Arkhangelsk during the winter; her February arrival was the earliest in history there.

          Jupiter left Arkhangelsk in May 1915 to return to the Channel Fleet, and was paid off at Birkenhead on 19 May 1915. She then began a refit by Cammell Laird there that lasted until August 1915. Her refit completed, Jupiter was commissioned at Birkenhead on 12 August 1915 for service in the Mediterranean Sea on the Suez Canal Patrol. On 21 October 1915, she was transferred to the Red Sea to become guard ship at Aden and flagship of the Senior Naval Officer, Red Sea Patrol. She was relieved of flagship duty by the troopship RIM Northbrook of the Royal Indian Marine on 9 December 1915 and returned to the Suez Canal Patrol for Mediterranean service. This lasted from April to November 1916, with a home port in Port Said, Egypt.

          Jupiter left Egypt on 22 November 1916 and returned to the United Kingdom, where she was paid off at Devonport to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She remained at Devonport until April 1919, in commission as a special service vessel and auxiliary patrol ship until February 1918, when she was again paid off. After that she became an accommodation ship. In April 1919, Jupiter became the first Majestic-class ship to be placed on the disposal list. She was sold for scrapping on 15 January 1920, and on 11 March 1920 was towed from Chatham to Blyth to be scrapped.

             

             

          HMS London

          HMS London was a pre-dreadnought battleship of the Formidable class. She was laid down at Portsmouth Dockyard on 8th of December 1898, launched on 21st of September 1899, and completed in June 1902. After the first three Formidables, there was a change in design for the last five ships, starting with London; as a result they are often considered to constitute the London class, but also can be viewed as in effect a sub-class of the Formidable class. The main difference in the Londons was thinner deck armour, some other detail changes to the armour scheme and the consequent lower displacement.

          HMS London commissioned at Portsmouth Dockyard on 7th of June 1902 for service in the Mediterranean Fleet. Before departing home waters, she served as flagship for the Coronation Review for King Edward VII at Spithead on 16th of August 1902. While in the Mediterranean, she underwent refits at Malta in 1902,1903 and 1906. In March 1907, London transferred to the Nore Division, Home Fleet, at the Nore, then to the Channel Fleet on 2nd of June 1908, serving as Flagship, Rear Admiral, Channel Fleet. She underwent a refit at Chatham Dockyard in 1908, and paid off there on 19th of April 1909 to undergo an extensive refit. Her refit complete, London commissioned at Chatham on 8th of February 1910 to serve as Second Flagship, Rear Admiral, Atlantic Fleet. Under the fleet reorganisation of 1 May 1912, she became part of the Second Home Fleet at the Nore, reduced to a nucleus crew and assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron. She collided with the merchant steamer SS Don Benite on 11 May 1912. She transferred to the 5th Battle Squadron and was used in experiments with flying off aircraft from May 1912 until 1913, employing a ramp built over her forecastle which had been transferred from the battleship Hibernia. During these experiments, Commander Charles Rumney Samson, who had made the world's first takeoff from a moving ship in May 1912 from Hibernia using a Short Improved S.27 biplane and the same ramp—repeated his feat by taking off in the same aeroplane from London on 4th of July 1912 while London was underway.

          Upon the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the 5th Battle Squadron was assigned to the Channel Fleet and based at Portland. Their first task was to escort the British Expeditionary Force across the English Channel. A number of experimental paint schemes were tried during the first month of the war but these were quickly abandoned in favour of battleship grey. It was briefly planned to deploy the squadron to replace the ships lost during the Action of 22nd of September 1914 but the orders to transfer to the Medway were rescinded.

          The squadron transferred to Sheerness on the 14th of November 1914 to guard against a possible German invasion. While there HMS London was present when HMS Bulwark exploded and London's crew joined in the attempts to rescue survivors. The enquiry into the explosion was carried out aboard HMS London. The squadron returned to Portland on 30th of December 1914.

          On the 19th of March 1915, London was transferred for service in the Dardanelles Campaign. She joined the British Dardanelles Squadron at Lemnos on 23rd of March 1915, and supported the main landings at Gaba Tepe and Anzac Cove on 25th of April 1915.

          London, along with battleships HMS Implacable, HMS Queen, and HMS Prince of Wales, was transferred to the 2nd Detached Squadron, organised to reinforce the Italian Navy in the Adriatic Sea when Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. She was based at Taranto, Italy, and underwent a refit at Gibraltar in October 1915 during her Adriatic service. In October 1916, London returned to the United Kingdom, paid off at Devonport Dockyard to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels, and was laid up. While inactive, she underwent a refit in 1916,1917.

          In February 1918, London moved to Rosyth and began conversion to a minelayer. The conversion included removal of all four of her 12-inch (305-mm) guns and her anti-torpedo nets, replacement of her after main-battery turret with a 6-inch (152-mm) gun, and installation of minelaying equipment on her quarterdeck, including rails for 240 mines, and of a canvas screen to conceal the entire quarterdeck from external view. The conversion was completed in April 1918, and on 18th of May 1918 London was recommissioned at Rosyth for service in the Grand Fleet's 1st Minelaying Squadron. Before the war ended on 11th of November 1918, London had laid 2,640 mines in the Northern Mine Barrage.

          In January 1919, London was reduced to reserve at Devonport as a depot ship. As part of a post-war fleet organisation, she was assigned to the 3rd Fleet there. London was placed on the disposal list at Devonport in January 1920, and on the sale list on 31st of March 1920. She was sold for scrapping to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company on 4th of June 1920. She was resold to the Slough Trading Company, then again resold to a German firm. She was towed to Germany for scrapping in April 1922.

             

          HMS Venerable at Malta 1915

          HMS Venerable was laid down at Chatham Dockyard on 2 January 1899, launched on 2 November 1899, and completed in November 1902. After many delays due to difficulties with her machinery contractors, HMS Venerable commissioned on 12th November 1902 for service as Second Flagship, Rear Admiral, Mediterranean Fleet.On 13 May 1912 she transferred to the Second Home Fleet at the Nore and went into the commissioned reserve with a nucleus crew as part of the 5th Battle Squadron.

          When World War I broke out in August 1914, the 5th Battle Squadron was assigned to the Channel Fleet, based at Portland. Returning to full commission, HMS Venerable patrolled the English Channel. HMS Venerable paid off into care and maintenance at Portland at the end of December 1918. She was sold to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company for scrapping on 4th of June 1920, resold to Slough Trading Company in 1922, then resold again to a German firm in the middle of 1922. She was towed to Germany for scrapping.

           

           HMS Albemarle  

          HMS Albemarle

          HMS Albemarle was a pre-dreadnought Duncan-class battleship of the Royal Navy, named after George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle. She was amongst the fastest battleships of her time when she was commissioned, but she was superseded by the new dreadnoughts which began entering service from 1906. Despite this, she served with the Grand Fleet on the Northern Patrol during the early stages of World War I. She was dispatched to Murmansk in Russia for guard and icebreaking duties for most of 1916. On her return to England, she underwent a refit and was in reserve for the remainder of the war. Decommissioned in April 1919, she was scrapped in 1920.

          HMS Albemarle was laid down on 1 January 1900 at Chatham Dockyard,[5] and launched on 5 March 1901, when Lady Kennedy, wife of Admiral Sir William Kennedy, Commander-in-Chief of the Nore, performed the christening.[6] She was completed in November 1903.

          World War I

          When World War I began in August 1914, plans originally called for Albemarle and battleships Agamemnon, Cornwallis, Duncan, Exmouth, Russell, and Vengeance to form the 6th Battle Squadron and serve in the Channel Fleet, where it was to patrol the English Channel and cover the movement of the British Expeditionary Force to France. However, plans also existed for the 6th Battle Squadron to be assigned to the Grand Fleet, and, when the war began, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, requested that Albemarle and her four surviving sister ships of the Duncan class (Cornwallis, Duncan, Exmouth, and Russell) be assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet for patrol duties to make up for the Grand Fleet's shortage of cruisers. Accordingly, the 6th Battle Squadron was abolished temporarily, and Albemarle joined the 3rd Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow on 8 August 1914, and worked with Grand Fleet cruisers on the Northern Patrol.

          Albemarle and her four Duncan-class sisters, as well as the battleships of the King Edward VII class, temporarily were transferred to the Channel Fleet on 2 November 1914 to reinforce that fleet in the face of German Navy activity in the Channel Fleet's area. On 13 November 1914, the King Edward VII-class ships returned to the Grand Fleet, but Albemarle and the other Duncans stayed in the Channel Fleet, where they reconstituted the 6th Battle Squadron on 14 November 1914. This squadron was given a mission of bombarding German submarine bases on the coast of Belgium, and was based at Portland, although it transferred to Dover immediately on 14 November 1914. However, due a lack of antisubmarine defenses at Dover, the squadron returned to Portland on 19 November 1914. The 6th Battle Squadron returned to Dover in December 1914, then transferred to Sheerness on 30 December 1914 to relieve the 5th Battle Squadron there in guarding against a German invasion of the United Kingdom.

          Between January and May 1915, the 6th Battle Squadron was dispersed. Albemarle left the squadron in April 1915 and rejoined the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet. She underwent a refit at Chatham Dockyard in October 1915.

          In November 1915, Albemarle was ordered to move to the Mediterranean with a division of the 3rd Battle Squadron that also included the battleships Hibernia (the flagship), Zealandia, and Russell. The ships left Scapa Flow on 6 November 1915, but encountered extremely heavy weather that night in the Pentland Firth. Albemarle, heavily loaded with spare ammunition, suffered severe damage early on 7 November when two large waves struck her in rapid succession, wrecking her forebridge and chart house, shifting the roof of her conning tower, and flooding her forward main gun turret, mess decks, and flats. An officer and rating were washed overboard and lost, another rating was killed, and three officers and 16 ratings suffered serious injuries; two of the injured ratings later died. In an 8th November 1915 letter to First Sea Lord Admiral Henry B. Jackson, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet Admiral John R. Jellicoe described what had happened, saying that Albemarle had been making 16 knots when water from the two waves had risen as high as the bottom of her lower foretop, filling the foretop with water, sweeping her forward deck clear and smashing the forebridge, most of which was found in pieces on her upper deck. Accompanied by Zealandia, Hibernia assisted her in proceeding for repairs to Scapa Flow, where she arrived later on 7 November and transferred 24 injured ratings on stretchers and three officers to the hospital ship Plassey for further treatment.

          When her repairs were complete in December 1915, Albemarle was ordered to rejoin the Grand Fleet. She thus became the only Duncan-class ship (other than Montagu, which had been wrecked before the war) with no wartime Mediterranean service.

          In January 1916, Albemarle was detached from the Grand Fleet to serve in North Russia at Murmansk as guard ship and as an icebreaker in the approaches to Arkhangelsk. At Murmansk, she also served as flagship of Senior Naval Officer, Murmansk.

          Decommissioning

          Albemarle returned to the United Kingdom in September 1916, paying off at Portsmouth to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She began a refit at Liverpool in October 1916, and upon its completion in March 1917 she went into reserve at Devonport Dockyard; her main-deck casemate 6-inch (152-mm) guns were removed and replaced with four 6-inch (152-mm) guns on her battery deck between September 1916 and May 1917.

          Post-World War I

          Albemarle was in reserve until April 1919, used as an overflow accommodation ship for the naval barracks at Devonport, and was attached to the Gunnery School in 1919.

          Disposal

          Albemarle was placed on the disposal list in April 1919 and on the sale list in August 1919. She was sold for scrapping to Cohen Shipbeaking Company on 19 November 1919 and arrived at Swansea for scrapping in April 1920.

             

          HMS Cornwallis

          HMS Cornwallis was laid down by Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company at Leamouth, London on 19 July 1899 and launched on 17 July 1901, when she was christened by Mrs. William L. Ainslie, wife of one of the directors. The launching ceremony was subdued, due to the Court mourning, yet the launch was witnessed by a vast throng of spectators, including diplomats from the other naval powers at the time. After delays due to labour troubles, she was completed in February 1904. HMS Cornwallis commissioned on 9 February 1904 to relieve battleship Renown in the Mediterranean Fleet. In the Mediterranean Sea she collided with the Greek brigantine Angelica on 17 September 1904, but suffered no serious damage. She transferred to the Channel Fleet in February 1905, then to the Atlantic Fleet on 14 January 1907. During her Atlantic Fleet service, she underwent a refit at Gibraltar from January to May 1908, and became Second Flagship, Rear Admiral, on 25 August 1909. In August 1909, Cornwallis transferred back to the Mediterranean Fleet and was based at Malta. Under a fleet reorganization on 1 May 1912, the Mediterranean Fleet battle squadron became the 4th Battle Squadron, Home Fleet, based at Gibraltar rather than Malta, and Cornwallis thus became a Home Fleet unit at Gibraltar. She was reduced to a nucleus crew in the 6th Battle Squadron, Second Fleet, in March 1914.

          When World War I began in August 1914, plans originally called for Cornwallis and battleships Agamemnon, Albemarle, Duncan, Exmouth, Russell, and Vengeance to combine in the 6th Battle Squadron and serve in the Channel Fleet, where the squadron was to patrol the English Channel and cover the movement of the British Expeditionary Force to France. However, plans also existed for the 6th Battle Squadron to be assigned to the Grand Fleet, and, when the war began, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, requested that Cornwallis and her four surviving sister ships of the Duncan class (Albemarle, Duncan, Exmouth, and Russell) be assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet for patrol duties to make up for the Grand Fleet's shortage of cruisers. Accordingly, the 6th Battle Squadron was abolished temporarily, and Cornwallis joined the 3rd Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow on 8 August 1914.

          Cornwallis and her four Duncan-class sisters, as well as the battleships of the King Edward VII class, temporarily were transferred to the Channel Fleet on 2 November 1914 to reinforce that fleet in the face of German Navy activity in the Channel Fleet's area. On 13 November 1914, the King Edward VII-class ships returned to the Grand Fleet, but Cornwallis and the other Duncans stayed in the Channel Fleet, where they reconstituted the 6th Battle Squadron on 14 November 1914. This squadron was given a mission of bombarding German submarine bases on the coast of Belgium, and was based at Portland, although it transferred to Dover immediately on 14 November 1914. However, due a lack of antisubmarine defenses at Dover, the squadron returned to Portland on 19 November 1914. The 6th Battle Squadron returned to Dover in December 1914. Cornwallis was detached from the squadron in late December 1914 and assigned to West Ireland, where she was based at Clew Bay and Killarney Bay. She remained there until January 1915.

          In January 1915, Cornwallis was ordered to the Dardanelles to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign. She departed Portland on 24 January 1915 and arrived at Tenedos to join the British Dardanelles Squadron on 13 February 1915. HMS Cornwallis participated in all the operations of the Dardanelles campaign. She took part in the opening bombardment of the Ottoman Turkish entrance forts on 18 February 1915 and 19 February 1915 (firing the first shell of the bombardment), combined with battleships Albion, Triumph, and Vengeance in using her secondary battery to silence forts Sedd el Bahr and Kum Kale on 25 February 1915, and took part in the main bombardment of the Narrows forts on 18 March 1915. She also supported the landings at Morto Bay on 25 April 1915. From 18 December 1915 through 20 December 1915, she covered the evacuation of Allied troops from Suvla Bay, firing 500 12-inch (305-mm) and 6,000 6-inch (152-mm) rounds, and was the last large ship to leave the Suvla Bay area.

          After the Suvla Bay evacuation was complete, Cornwallis was transferred to the Suez Canal Patrol, which she joined on 4 January 1916. She operated as part of this patrol and on the East Indies Station until March 1916, including convoy duty in the Indian Ocean. She returned to the eastern Mediterranean in March 1916, and underwent a refit at Malta in May and June 1916.

          On 9 January 1917, Cornwallis was hit on her starboard side by a torpedo from German submarine U-32, commanded by Kurt Hartwig, in the eastern Mediterranean, 60 nautical miles (110 km) east of Malta. Some of her stokeholds flooded, causing her to list about ten degrees to starboard, but counter flooding corrected the list. About 75 minutes after the first torpedo hit, another did, also on the starboard side, and Cornwallis rolled quickly to starboard. Fifteen men were killed in the torpedo explosions, but she stayed afloat long enough to get the rest of the crew off. She sank about 30 minutes after the second torpedo hit.

             

          HMS Exmouth

          HMS Exmouth was laid down by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead on 10 August 1899. She was floated out on 31 August 1901, when she was named by Lady Alice Stanley, wife of Lord Stanley, Financial Secretary to the War Office, who afterwards gave a speech. After delays due to labour problems, she was completed in May 1903. HMS Exmouth was commissioned at Chatham Dockyard on 2 June 1903 for service in the Mediterranean Fleet. She returned to the United Kingdom in May 1904, and on 18 May 1904 recommissioned as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Home Fleet, serving as flagship of Sir Arthur Wilson. When the Home Fleet was redesignated as the Channel Fleet, she continued in her capacity as flagship as a Channel Fleet unit. She transferred her flag in April 1907, was reduced to a nucleus crew, and entered the commissioned reserve to begin a refit at Portsmouth Dockyard. Her refit complete, she recommissioned on 25 May 1907 to serve as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Atlantic Fleet. On 20 November 1908 she transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet to serve as flagship there, and underwent a refit at Malta in 1908,1909. Under a fleet reorganization of 1 May 1912, the Mediterranean Fleet became the 4th Battle Squadron, First Fleet, Home Fleet, and changed its base from Malta to Gibraltar. Exmouth became Flagship, Vice Admiral, Home Fleet, in July 1912. In December 1912, battleship HMS Dreadnought replaced Exmouth in the 4th Battle Squadron, and Exmouth began a refit at Malta. Upon completion of her refit, Exmouth recommissioned on 1 July 1913 at Devonport Dockyard with a nucleus crew to serve in the commissioned reserve with the 6th Battle Squadron, Second Fleet. She was assigned duties as a gunnery training ship at Devonport.

          When World War I began in August 1914, plans originally called for Exmouth and battleships Agamemnon, Albemarle, Cornwallis, Duncan, Russell, and Vengeance to combine in the 6th Battle Squadron and serve in the Channel Fleet, where the squadron was to patrol the English Channel and cover the movement of the British Expeditionary Force to France. However, plans also existed for the 6th Battle Squadron to be assigned to the Grand Fleet, and, when the war began, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, requested that Exmouth and her four surviving sister ships of the Duncan class (Albemarle, Cornwallis, Duncan, and Russell) be assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet for patrol duties to make up for the Grand Fleet's shortage of cruisers. Accordingly, the 6th Battle Squadron was abolished temporarily, and Exmouth joined the 3rd Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow on 8 August 1914. She worked with the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. When the Grand Fleet dreadnought battleship HMS Audacious struck a mine north of Ireland on 27 October 1914, Exmouth was sent to tow her to safety, but Audacious had to be abandoned before Exmouth arrived; Audacious capsized and exploded just as Exmouth appeared on the scene.

          Exmouth and her four Duncan-class sisters, as well as the battleships of the King Edward VII class, temporarily were transferred to the Channel Fleet on 2 November 1914 to reinforce that fleet in the face of Imperial German Navy activity in the Channel Fleet's area. On 13 November 1914, the King Edward VII-class ships returned to the Grand Fleet, but Exmouth and the other Duncans stayed in the Channel Fleet, where they reconstituted the 6th Battle Squadron on 14 November 1914. This squadron was given a mission of bombarding German submarine bases on the coast of Belgium, and was based at Portland, although it transferred to Dover immediately on 14 November 1914. However, due a lack of antisubmarine defenses at Dover, the squadron returned to Portland on 19 November 1914.

          Exmouth and Russell bombarded Zeebrugge, which was used by German submarines on passage from their base at Bruges, on 23 November 1914, firing over 400 rounds in what was described as a highly successful action in contemporary Dutch reports but actually achieved very little and discouraged the Royal Navy from continuing such bombardments.

          The 6th Battle Squadron returned to Dover in December 1914, then transferred to Sheerness on 30 December 1914 to relieve the 5th Battle Squadron there in guarding against a German invasion of the United Kingdom. Between January and May 1915, the 6th Battle Squadron was dispersed. Exmouth left the squadron when she transferred to the Dardanelles on 12 May 1915 for service in the Dardanelles Campaign as Flagship, Rear Admiral, supporting squadron, flying the flag of Rear Admiral Nicholson. She was fitted with extra-heavy anti-torpedo nets for this service. After the torpedoing and sinking of battleships HMS Goliath, HMS Triumph, and HMS Majestic, all within the space of two weeks in May 1915, she was the only battleship allowed to remain off the Gallipoli Peninsula beaches. She supported the Allied attack on Achi Baba on 4 June 1915 and Allied attacks in the Cape Helles area in August 1915.

          Exmouth left the Dardanelles in November 1915 and transferred to the Aegean Sea to become Flagship, 3rd Detached Squadron, a force based at Salonika that had been organized to assist the French Navy in blockading the Aegean coast of Greece and Bulgaria and to reinforce the Suez Canal Patrol. On 28 November 1915, she took aboard personnel of the British Belgrade Naval Force as they were being evacuated from Serbia. From September to December 1916 she served in the Allied force supporting Allied demands against the government of Greece, participating in the seizure of the Greek fleet at Salamis and landing Royal Marines at Athens on 1 December 1916.

          Exmouth transferred to the East Indies Station in March 1917, where she performed convoy escort duties in the Indian Ocean between Colombo and Bombay. In June 1917, she ended this service to return to the United Kingdom, calling at Zanzibar, The Cape and Sierra Leone during the voyage. She arrived at Devonport in August 1917, and paid off to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. Exmouth remained in reserve at Devonport until April 1919, and was used as an accommodation ship beginning in January 1918.

          Exmouth was placed on the sale list in April 1919 and sold for scrapping to Forth Shipbreaking Company on 15 January 1920. Her hull was scrapped in the Netherlands.

             

          HMS King Edward VII

          HMS King Edward VII was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 8 March 1902. She was launched by King Edward VII on 23 July 1903, and completed in February 1905. Named after King Edward VII, was the lead ship of her class of Royal Navy pre-dreadnought battleships. King Edward VII consented to having King Edward VII carry his name on the condition that she always serve as a flagship. The Royal Navy honoured this wish throughout her career. She was commissioned in 1905, and entered service with the Atlantic Fleet as Flagship, Commander-in-chief (by request of the King, she was always to serve as a Flagship). Rendered obsolete in 1906 with the commissioning of the revolutionary Dreadnought, she underwent a refit in 1907, following which she was assigned to the Channel Fleet and then to the Home Fleet. In 1912, she, together with her sister ships, formed the 3rd Battle Squadron.

          At the outbreak of the Great War, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth, with King Edward VII continuing her service as squadron flagship. The squadron was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. The squadron returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November, although King Edward VII remained behind temporarily, not returning to the Grand Fleet until 30 November 1914.

          King Edward VII served in the Grand Fleet until her loss in January 1916. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sisters often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

          On 6 January 1916, King Edward VII — having transferred her flag temporarily, departed Scapa Flow at 07:12 on a voyage around the northern coast of Scotland to Belfast, where she was scheduled to undergo a refit. At 1047, she struck a mine that had been laid by the German auxiliary cruiser SMS Möwe off Cape Wrath. The explosion occurred under the starboard engine room, and King Edward VII listed 8° to starboard. Her commanding officer, Captain Maclachlan, ordered her helm put over to starboard to close the coast and beach the ship if necessary, but the helm jammed hard to starboard and the engine rooms quickly flooded, stopping the engines. Counterflooding reduced her list to 5°.

          Signals to the passing collier Princess Melita induced her to close with King Edward VII and attempt to tow the battleship; soon, flotilla leader Kempfenfelt also arrived and joined the tow attempt. Towing began at 14:15, but King Edward VII settled deeper in the water and took on a 15° list in a rising sea and strong winds and proved unmanageable. Princess Melita's towline parted at 1440, after which Captain Maclachlan ordered Kempfenfelt to slip her tow as well. With flooding continuing and darkness approaching, Captain Maclachlan ordered King Edward VII abandoned. The destroyer Musketeer came alongside at 14:45, and she and destroyers Fortune and Marne, took off the crew with the loss of only one life (a man fell between the battleship and one of the rescue vessels), the last man off being Captain Maclachlan, who boarded destroyer Nessus at 16:10. Fortune, Marne, and Musketeer departed to take the battleship's crew to port, while Nessus stayed on the scene until 1720 with tugs that had arrived to assist. After Nessus departed, the tugs continued to stand by, and saw King Edward VII capsize at 2010 and sink around nine hours after the explosion.

          At the time it was not clear whether King Edward VII had hit a naval mine or a been torpedoed. The presence of the minefield was determined from an examination of German records after the war.

          Divers first visited the wreck of King Edward VII, in 377 feet (115 meters) of water, in April 1997.

           

           HMS New Zealand  

          HMS New Zealand

          HMS New Zealand was one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers built for the defence of the British Empire. Launched in 1911, the ship was funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain, and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912. She had been intended for the China Station, but was released by the New Zealand government at the request of the Admiralty for service in British waters. During 1913, New Zealand was sent on a ten-month tour of the British Dominions, with an emphasis on a visit to her namesake nation. She was back in British waters at the start of World War I, and operated as part of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet, in opposition to the German High Seas Fleet. During the war, the battlecruiser participated in all three of the major North Sea battles—Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank, and Jutland—and was involved in the response to the inconclusive Raid on Scarborough, and the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. New Zealand contributed to the destruction of two cruisers during her wartime service and was hit by enemy fire only once, sustaining no casualties. Her status as a "lucky ship" was attributed by the crew to a Maori piupiu (warrior's skirt) and hei-tiki (pendant) worn by the captain during battle. After the war, New Zealand was sent on a second world tour, this time to allow Admiral John Jellicoe to review the naval defences of the Dominions. In 1920, the battlecruiser was placed in reserve. She was broken up for scrap in 1922 in order to meet Britain's tonnage limit in the disarmament provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty.

          • Name: HMS New Zealand
          • Namesake: Dominion of New Zealand
          • Builder: Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering, Govan
          • Laid down: 20 June 1910
          • Launched: 1 July 1911
          • Commissioned: 19 November 1912
          • Struck: 19 December 1922
          • Fate: Sold for scrap, 19 December 1922

          New Zealand was sent on a ten-month flag-waving tour of New Zealand via South Africa in 1913. During this tour, the ship was seen by an estimated half-million New Zealanders, almost half the population and her captain was presented with a Maori piupiu (a warrior's skirt made from rolled flax) together with a greenstone hei-tiki (pendant), which were intended to ward off evil. The Admiralty requested that New Zealand return to the United Kingdom when the tour concluded, rather than remain in the Pacific region as originally planned. The New Zealand Government acceded to the request and, upon her arrival on 8 December 1913, New Zealand joined the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron (1st BCS) of the Grand Fleet. The squadron visited Brest in February 1914, and Riga, Reval and Kronstadt in the Russian Empire the following June. On 19 August 1914, shortly after World War I began, New Zealand was transferred to the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron (2nd BCS). HMS New Zealand became flagship of the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet on 15 January 1915, and saw action the following week in the Battle of Dogger Bank.

          The squadron joined the Grand Fleet in a sortie on 29 March, in response to intelligence that the German fleet was leaving port as the precursor to a major operation. By the next night, the German ships had withdrawn, and the squadron returned to Rosyth. On 11 April, the British fleet was again deployed on the intelligence that a German force was planning an operation. The Germans intended to lay mines at the Swarte Bank, but after a scouting Zeppelin located a British light cruiser squadron, they began to prepare for what they thought was a British attack. Heavy fog and the need to refuel caused Australia and the British vessels to return to port on 17 April and, although they were redeployed that night, they were unable to stop two German light cruisers from laying the minefield. From 26 to 28 January 1916, the 2nd BCS was positioned off the Skagerrak while the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron swept the strait in an unsuccessful search for a possible minelayer. On the morning of 21 April 1916, the 2nd BCS sailed again for the Skagerrak, this time to support efforts to disrupt the transport of Swedish ore to Germany. The planned destroyer sweep of the Kattegat was cancelled when word came that the High Seas Fleet was mobilising for an operation of their own (later learned to be timed to coincide with the Irish Easter Rising) and the British ships were ordered to a rendezvous point in the middle of the North Sea, while the rest of the Grand Fleet made for the south-eastern end of the Long Forties. On the afternoon of 22 April, the Battlecruiser Fleet was patrolling to the north-west of Horn Reefs when heavy fog came down. The ships were zigzagging to avoid submarine attack when Australia collided with sister ship New Zealand twice in three minutes. Australia was damaged badly enough to be put out of action for several months, but New Zealand returned to the fleet on 30 May, a day before the start of the Battle of Jutland. It relieved Indefatigable as flagship. New Zealand was relieved by Australia as flagship of the 2nd BCS on 22 February 1915, but took over again following a collision with the Australia.

          HMS New Zealand saw action in the Battle of Jutland and was again New Zealand was relieved by Australia as flagship on 9 June and temporarily attached to the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, until HMS Renown relieved her in September. On the evening of 18 August, the Grand Fleet put to sea in response to a message deciphered by Room 40 that indicated that the High Seas Fleet, minus II Squadron, would be leaving harbour that night. The German objective was to bombard Sunderland on 19 August, based on extensive reconnaissance provided by airships and submarines. The Grand Fleet sailed with 29 dreadnought battleships and six battlecruisers. Throughout the next day, Jellicoe and Scheer received conflicting intelligence; after reaching the location in the North Sea where they expected to encounter the High Seas Fleet, they turned north in the erroneous belief that they had entered a minefield. Scheer turned south again, then steered south-eastward to pursue a lone British battle squadron sighted by an airship, which was in fact the Harwich Force of cruisers and destroyers under Commodore Tyrwhitt. Realising their mistake, the Germans changed course for home. The only contact came in the evening when Tyrwhitt sighted the High Seas Fleet but was unable to achieve an advantageous attack position before dark, and broke off contact. The British and the German fleets returned home. The British lost two cruisers to submarine attacks and one German dreadnought had been torpedoed. New Zealand underwent a refit at Rosyth in November 1916. She temporarily replaced Australia as squadron flagship between 29 November and 7 January 1917. The ship's company were firm believers both in the old chief's prophecy and in the ability of the piu piu and tiki to ward off trouble. More than a year after the Battle of Jutland, on the last occasion that New Zealand sighted enemy ships and went to action stations, a seaman was seen to climb a ladder to the bridge and take a quick look around. "It's all right," he called to his mates below, "he's got them on", a shout that assured them that the captain was wearing the piu piu and tiki.

          German minesweepers and escorting light cruisers were attempting to clear British-laid minefields in the Heligoland Bight in late 1917. The Admiralty planned a large operation for 17 November to destroy the ships, and allocated two light cruiser squadrons and the 1st Cruiser Squadron covered by the reinforced 1st Battlecruiser Squadron and, more distantly, the 1st Battle Squadron of battleships. New Zealand was attached to the 1st BCS for this operation, which became known as the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. New Zealand did not fire her guns during the battle. As in previous engagements, Captain Green wore the piupiu and tiki for luck.

          During 1918, New Zealand and the Grand Fleet's other capital ships were used on occasion to escort convoys between Britain and Norway. The 2nd BCS spent the period from 8 to 21 February covering these convoys in company with battleships and destroyers, and put to sea on 6 March in company with the 1st BCS to support minelayers. The 2nd BCS again supported minelayers in the North Sea from 25 June or 26 June to the end of July. During September and October, New Zealand and the 2nd BCS supervised and protected minelaying operations north of Orkney. The battlecruiser was present at the surrender of the High Seas Fleet as part of the 2nd BCS.

          Dominion tour

          Following the war, Admiral Jellicoe was tasked with helping to plan and coordinate the naval policies and defences of the British Dominions. New Zealand was made available for his transportation, and was refitted between December 1918 and February 1919 for the tour. The main changes were the removal of her flying-off platforms and the lower forward four-inch guns. The first stop was India, with New Zealand arriving in Bombay on 14 March 1919 and departing six weeks later. The battlecruiser arrived at Albany, Western Australia, on 15 May, where Jellicoe and his staff disembarked to take an overland route across the country. New Zealand sailed via Melbourne and Hobart to depart from Sydney for New Zealand on 16 August. The ship was particularly popular in New Zealand, where crowds flocked to visit her as they had done in 1913. Jellicoe, too, was popular and he later returned to New Zealand to serve as Governor-General from 1920 to 1924. The ship stopped off at Fiji and Hawaii before arriving on 8 November in Canada, the final country to be assessed. After returning to the United Kingdom, the battlecruiser was paid off into reserve on 15 March 1920. New Zealand was regarded as obsolete by the Royal Navy, because her 12-inch guns were inferior to the 15-inch guns deployed on the latest generation of battlecruisers. She was sold for scrap on 19 December 1922 to meet the tonnage restrictions set on the British Empire by the Washington Naval Treaty. The New Zealand Government completed paying off the loan used to fund the ship in the 1944/45 financial year.

          Many items from the battlecruiser were sent to New Zealand after she was scrapped. Equipment including several 4-inch guns, a range finder and laundry equipment, were used by military units while other artifacts were placed on display in museums. During World War II, the 4-inch guns were the main armament of the land batteries which protected the entrances to the harbours at Auckland, Wellington and Lyttelton. The captain's piupiu was returned to New Zealand in 2005 and is on display at the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum in Auckland alongside the ship's bell and other artifacts. The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington also holds several items from the ship in its collection.

           

             

          HMS Bellerophon

          HMS Bellerophon was the first of the class of three dreadnought battleships in the Bellerophon class. The cost of building was £1,763,491, making her the most expensive of her class. She was laid down built Portsmouth Dockyard on 6th of December 1906, launched 27 July 1907 and commissioned into the fleet on 20 February 1909. On trials she made 21.25 knots, a speed lower than that of her sisters due to inferior shp; she developed 25,061 shp, as opposed to HMS Superb's 27,407 shp and HMS Temeraire's 26,966 shp. Upon completion she joined the 1st Battle Squadron of the Home Fleet. On 26 May 1911 she was in a collision with the battlecruiser HMS Inflexible. Bellerophon received damage whilst Inflexible took bow damage which put her in the dockyard until November.

          On the 1st of August 1914, after the Fleet Mobilisation and the formation of the Grand Fleet, she joined the 4th Battle Squadron. On the 27th of August during the journey to the fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow, Bellerophon collided with the vessel SS St Clair off the Orkney Islands but sustained no major damage. In May 1915, she headed to the Royal Dockyard, Devonport for a refit.

          At the Battle of Jutland in May 1916, the vessel was under the command of Captain Edward F. Bruen in the Fourth Division (commanded by Rear Admiral Alexander Duff) of the 4th Battle Squadron under Vice Admiral Doveton Sturdee. The 4th Battle Squadron deployed behind the 2nd Battle Squadron in line ahead during the main part of the battle, and Bellerophon fired 62 12 inch rounds without receiving one hit. After the battle she swept with the other vessels of the Grand Fleet regularly. Between June and September 1917 she served as the flagship of the 2ic of the 4th Battle Squadron, carrying the flag of Rear Admiral Roger Keyes and then Rear Admiral Douglas Nicholson. Unlike her sister ships she was not deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron in October 1918.

          Placed in reserve in 1919 by dint of their less powerful main armament (in comparison to the later super-dreadnought-type ships of the Orion, King George V, Iron Duke, Queen Elizabeth, and Revenge classes), she and sister ship Superb were used as Gunnery Schools (Turret Drills); her sister Temeraire became a cadet training ship (seagoing). With a view towards both the relative obsolescence of the class and the need for compliance with the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty that was shortly to be signed by Great Britain, HMS Bellerophon was sold to the breakers in November 1921 and broken up in 1923. The ship in profile can be seen on the ten-dollar note from the Royal Bank of Canada issued in 1913.

             

             

          HMS Superb

          HMS Superb was a Bellerophon-class battleship of the British Royal Navy. She was built in Elswick at a cost of £1,744,287, and was completed on 19 June 1909. She was only the fourth dreadnought-type battleship to be completed anywhere in the world, being preceded only by HMS Dreadnought and by her two sister ships HMS Bellerophon and HMS Temeraire Having been ordered on 26 December 1906 and laid down on 6 February 1907 she was only completed in May 1909. Her building was significantly delayed by labour disputes in the dockyard. She was commissioned at Portsmouth on 29 May 1909 into the first division of the Grand Fleet. She undertook normal peacetime exercises with other units of the fleet, and on 24 June 1911 was present at the Coronation fleet review. On 1 May the first division became the First Battle Squadron.

          She continued routine peacetime activity until 29 July 1914 when the Grand Fleet relocated to its war base at Scapa Flow. On 10th of November 1915 Superb was transferred to the Fourth Battle Squadron, which changed her place in the command structure but not her geographical location. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 Superb was the flagship of the fourth battle squadron, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Alexander. L. Duff. She received no hits and sustained no casualties. She saw no other active service during the First World War; routine exercises continued until 1918.

          In October 1918 she was sent to reinforce the British Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, and in November, as the flagship of Vice-Admiral Gough-Calthorpe, led a combined Franco-British force through the Dardanelles to Constantinople (now Istanbul) after the signing by Turkey of the armistice at the conclusion of the war.

          In April 1919 she was relieved and sailed for England, and on 26 April 1919 was reduced to reserve status at Sheerness. In May 1922 she was used as a gunnery target, and later in the year as a target for aerial attack. In December 1922 she was sold to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company of Dover, and was towed to Dover where she was broken up.

             

          HMS Temeraire

          HMS Temeraire was a Bellerophon-class battleship in the Royal Navy built at the Royal Dockyard, Devonport. She was ordered under the 1906 Naval Estimates at the cost of £1,641,114. Although not externally much different from her predecessor Dreadnought, internally she and others of the Bellerophon-class were much improved, with better sub-division of bulkheads against torpedo attack. A heavier secondary armament (originally, 16 single-mounted 4 inch in casemates placed in the superstructure) was believed to be capable of fighting off torpedo boat attacks. She was built at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth, laid down on 1st January 1907, launched on 24th August 1907 and commissioned on 15th May 1919.

          For the majority of the Great War, Temeraire was a member of the 4th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. On a sweep of the North Sea on 18 March 1915, she unsuccessfully attempted to ram U-29, which had just attacked Neptune; in the process, she nearly collided with Dreadnought, which ended up ramming and sinking U-29. During the summer of that year, she refitted at HM Dockyard, Devonport.

          At the Battle of Jutland, Temeraire, under the command of Captain E.V. Underhill, fired seventy-two 12 in (305 mm) and fifty 4 in (102 mm) shells, at the crippled German light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden, claiming 2 or three hits, at the battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger and German destroyers. Temeraire received no damage. In October 1918, she was detached to the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron under the overall command of Vice Admiral Gough-Calthrope.

          With the end of hostilities, Temeraire was converted to a seagoing cadet training ship. With the other members of her class, she was regarded as obsolete; with a view towards the need for compliance with the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty that was shortly to be signed by Great Britain, she was decommissioned and sold for scrap in 1921.

             The 13th (Service) Battalion (Forest of Dean)(Pioneers) Gloucestershire Regiment was formed at Malvern in December 1914 by Lieut-Col. H. Webb, MP. Adopted by War Office 12 July 1915.

        • August 1915 : attached as Divisional Pioneers to 39th Division.
        • Moved to Aldershot in September 1915 and landed in France 3 March 1916.
        • 6 May 1918 : reduced to cadre strength.

             

          HMS Neptune

          HMS Neptune was a Royal Navy dreadnought battleship, intended to be the lead ship of three Neptune-class battleships, but the subsequent two ships had slightly thicker belt armour and were reclassified as the Colossus class. Ordered in the 1908 Naval Estimates and built by Portsmouth Dockyard. Laid down on the 19th January 1909, Launched on the 30th September 1909 and Commissioned on the 11th January 1911.

          she had a displacement of 19,900 tons (22,000 full load), Length: 546 ft (166 m), Beam: 85 ft (26 m), Draught: 27 ft (8.2 m).
          Powered by Parsons steam turbines, direct drive on four shafts, 25,000 shp, 18 Yarrow boilers, she had a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h) and a range of 6,330 nm at 10 knots (19 km/h). Her crew complement was 756 officers and ratings. She was armed with 10 × BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk XI guns (5×2), 12 × BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 × 18 inch (457 mm) torpedo tubes (later removed).

          She was the first Royal Navy battleship that differed in her gun turret layout from Dreadnought. She had two wing turrets staggered en echelon so that all five turrets could shoot in broadside, although in practice the blast damage to the superstructure and boats made this impractical except in an emergency. To achieve this staggering firepower with such a small increase in hull length, the ship was equipped with superfiring rear turrets; arranged so that one would fire over the other when shooting towards the stern. She was the first Royal Navy ship to have a superfiring main armament. However, the upper of the two turrets could not fire within 30 degrees of the stern without the lower turret being damaged by blast through its sighting hoods. A further saving in length was achieved by siting the ship's boats on a flying deck over the two midships turrets to reduce the length of the vessel. However, had the flying deck been damaged during action, they may have fallen onto the turrets, immobilising them. The bridge was also situated above the conning tower, which risked similarly being obscured if the bridge collapsed.

          She was one of the first battleships to be built with director gun-control and was used for trials of this then-novel system. She was flagship of the Home Fleet from May 1911 until May 1912 when she was transferred to the 1st Battle Squadron, where she remained until June 1916, just after the Battle of Jutland. She was accidentally struck by SS Needvaal in April 1916 but no serious damage was done. She was present at the Battle of Jutland as part of Admiral Jellicoe's Battle Fleet. She fired only 48 12 inch (305 mm) shells but is credited with scoring several hits on the German battlecruiser Lützow. Her captain was Vivian Bernard.

          After the war she was quickly transferred to the reserve fleet and subsequently scrapped in 1922.

             

          HMS Colossus

          HMS Colossus of the British Royal Navy was a Colossus-class dreadnought battleships. She was built by Scotts of Greenock, laid down on the 8th July 1908, launched on 9 April 1910 and commissioned on the 8th August 1911. Although very similar to Neptune she was not part of Neptune's class as Colossus and her sister ship, Hercules, had greater armour. She had a displacement of 19,680 tons (normal) and 22,700 tons fully laden. Length: 546 ft (166 m) Beam: 85 ft (26 m) Draught: 26.3 ft (8.0 m) She was powered by Steam turbines fed by 18 boilers, with 4 shafts and 25,000 hp Her top speed was 21 knots (39 km/h) She had a crew complement of 755 officers and ratings, with up to 800 in wartime Her armament consisted of 10 × BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk XII guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 × 21 in torpedo tubes Her armour was 11 inch (280 mm) on her waterline beltm 3 inch (76.2 mm) on her deck and her turrets were 11 inch (280 mm). She joined the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Home Fleet.

          When the First World War began in August 1914, Colossus became the flagship of the 1st Battle Squadron. While commanded by Captain Dudley Pound she fought with distinction at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 while acting as the flagship of Rear-Admiral Ernest Gaunt. During the battle, Colossus took two hits which caused minor damage and six casualties. When the war came to a close, Colossus became a training ship until 1920 when, under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, she was stricken and eventually broken up in 1928. Her sister-ship was scrapped in 1921.

             

          HMS Hercules

          HMS Hercules was a Colossus-class battleship built by Palmers, launched on 10 May 1910, and commissioned on 31 July 1911 at Portsmouth. She was a 20,000-ton dreadnought, mounting ten 12 inch (305 mm) guns in five twin gun turrets, sixteen 4 inch (101.6 mm), four 3 pounders, and three 21 inch (533.4 mm) torpedo tubes. She was capable of 21 knots (39 km/h). Her crew numbered 751 officers and ratings. She was flagship of the 2nd Division Home Fleet and from July 1912 to March 1913 she was flagship of the 2nd Battle Squadron. On 22 March 1913 during a gale she collided with and damaged SS Mary Parkes of Glasgow, suffering only minor damage herself.

          Hercules had a reputation as 'A pugilists ship' amongst the men. Many a 'troublemaker' was posted to Hercules. Discipline was strict. She was equipped with a boxing ring. Breaches of discipline, especially those that resulted in arguments or fights, would very often be dealt with by 'volunteering' those involved to fight in the ring. Large wagers were often placed on these bouts by both the officers and men. Another punishment meted-out, was to lock miscreants in the brig with a length of used heavy hawser. The offender was allowed out as soon as he had, with his bare hands, unpicked the hawser. This might take days and result in ripped and bleeding nails.

          In August 1914 she joined the Grand Fleet. On the 31st of May 1916, at the Battle of Jutland, she fought in the 6th Division along with Marlborough, Revenge and Agincourt. She was the 23rd ship in line after deployment. She engaged enemy battlecruisers from 19.00-19.15 achieving hits with her fifth and sixth salvoes. She fired 98 rounds from her main armament during the whole engagement. She was straddled and hit by splinters, but sustained no damage or casualties. Turned to avoid several torpedoes, one of which was seen to pass right alongside.

          In June 1916, Hercules was transferred to become flagship of the 4th Battle Squadron. 19 August 1916 she was at sea with the Squadron to intercept the German High Seas Fleet's attempted raid on Sunderland; during this foray she carried out the first test of a towed kite balloon (without observers). 24 April 1918, with HMS St. Vincent she was ordered to Orkney to support Agincourt and the 2nd Cruiser Squadron during the last sortie of the High Seas Fleet. 21 November, Hercules took part in Operation ZZ. She was in the southern line of ships escorting the nine battleships, five battlecruisers, seven light cruisers and 49 destroyers of the Imperial German Navy as they were surrendered to the Grand Fleet and sailed to the Firth of Forth.

          On the 3rd of December 1918, Hercules was detached to take the Allied Naval Armistice Commission to Kiel, returning to Rosyth on 10 December. She was accompanied by the destroyers Verdun, Venetia, Viceroy and Vidette. On this occasion, she flew three Admirals' flags from her single tripod mast. They were flown side by side on the lower yard, a British Vice Admiral's and an American Rear Admiral's on the (senior) starboard side and a French Rear Admiral's on the port side thus giving equal dignity to each flag. Junior officers commented that it was all very unseamanlike and irreverently speculated whether the yard could stand the strain. In February 1919 she was reduced to the Reserve Fleet. On 8 November 1921, she was sold to a German ship breaker, Hercules left Rosyth under tow to be scrapped at Kiel.

             

          HMS Collingwood

          HMS Collingwood was a St. Vincent-class dreadnought battleship of the British Royal Navy. Her design was essentially similar to the design of the previous ships, the Bellerophon class. The Admiralty perceived in the planned building of German dreadnoughts a potential threat to the naval security of Great Britain, and saw the need to construct a significant modern battle fleet as fast as possible. Building to an existing concept clearly saved time. It was intended that there should be initially a core battle-fleet of eight similar battleships; HMS Dreadnought, three Bellerophon class, three St. Vincent class and one further unnamed ship, later authorised as HMS Neptune. Collingwood was ordered on 26 October 1907. She was laid down at Devonport dockyard on 3 February 1908; launched on 7 November 1908 and completed in May 1910. On 3 May 1910, she was commissioned at Portsmouth into the first division of the Home Fleet.

          With other members of the fleet she took part in regular peacetime exercises and in February 1911 damaged her bottom plating on an uncharted rock off Ferrol, needing dockyard repair. On 24 June 1911 she was present at the Coronation Fleet Review at Spithead. On 1 May 1912 the first division was renamed the First Battle Squadron. She underwent an extensive refit in 1912,1913 and recommissioned on 21 April 1914 as flagship of the second-in-command, first battle squadron.

          Between 17 and 20 July 1914, she took part in a test mobilisation and fleet review. There were more dreadnought-class battleships present at this review than at any review before or since. On 29 July 1914 she sailed to the war station of the fleet at Scapa Flow. She was based briefly (22 October to 3 November 1914) with the greater part of the fleet at Lough Swilly while the defences at Scapa were strengthened.

          Collingwood was in the battle line at the Battle of Jutland, being the twentieth ship from the head of the line after deployment. She engaged a König-class dreadnought between 1854 and 1926 and claimed hits on her. During the charge of the German battle cruisers she engaged SMS Derfflinger.

          Prince Albert (the future King George VI) was a sub-lieutenant commanding "A" turret and he is reported as having sat in the open on the turret roof to watch the action. The ship saw no other action during World War I except for routine patrolling and exercises but was present in the Southern line of the Grand Fleet at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918.

          In March 1919 she was reduced to reserve, becoming for a short time a gunnery training ship at Portsmouth. In March 1921 she was placed on the disposal list; on 1 December she was sold to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company and in March 1922 she was towed to Dover and broken up.

             

          HMS St Vincent

          HMS St. Vincent was the lead ship of the three St. Vincent class of battleships of the British Royal Navy, the other two being Collingwood, and Vanguard. Visually, they were very difficult to distinguish from the Bellerophons. The major innovation in this class was the adoption of longer 50 calibre main armament, increased from the 45 calibre fitted to previous classes

          Ordered in 1907, HMS St Vincent was laid down at Portsmouth Dockyard on the 30th December 1907 and launched on the 10th September 1908. She was commissioned on 3 May 1910 as 2nd flagship of 1st Division Home Fleet at Portsmouth. She was commanded by Capt. Douglas Nicholson and was flagship of Rear-Admiral Richard Peirse, M.V.O., Home Fleet, at the Coronation Spithead Review of 24 June 1911.

          In April 1914, she became flagship of the Second-in-Command, 1st Battle Squadron Home Fleet, which she remained until November 1915, when she became a private ship. She was in the 5th Division of the battlefleet at the Battle of Jutland, 20th in the line of battle, and engaged a German battleship believed to have been of the König class. In June 1916, she was transferred to the 4th Battle Squadron. In March 1919, she was reduced to reserve and became a gunnery training ship, which she remained until placed on the Disposal list in March 1921. Her captain had been Harold Briggs. She was sold for scrap in 1921.

             

          HMS Vanguard

          HMS Vanguard, the ninth vessel to bear the name, was ordered in 1907 and built at Vickers Barrow-in-Furness, She was laid on the 2nd of April 1908, Launched on the 22nd of February 1909 and Commissioned on 1st of March 1910. Vanguard was a St. Vincent-class dreadnought battleship with a displacement of 19,560 t. Length: 152.4 m (500 ft) Beam: 25.6 m (84 ft) Draught: 8.7 m (28.5 ft). Her propulsion was 4 shaft Parsons turbines, coal-fired boilers, 24,500 shp, giving a top speed of21.7 knots (40.2 km/h) She had a range of 6,900 nautical miles (12,780 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h) and her crew complement was 758 officers and ratings. She was armed with:

          • 10 × BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk XI guns (5×2)
          • 12 × BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns
          • 1 × 4 inch AA gun
          • 1 × 3 inch AA gun
          • 3 × 18 inch torpedo tubes (submerged)
          At the outbreak of World War I, Vanguard joined the First Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow, and fought in the Battle of Jutland as part of the Fourth Battle Squadron. As one of twenty-four dreadnoughts in Jellicoe's Battle Fleet, she did not suffer any damage or casualties.

          Just before midnight on 9 July 1917 at Scapa Flow, Vanguard suffered an explosion, probably caused by an unnoticed stokehold fire heating cordite stored against an adjacent bulkhead in one of the two magazines which served the amidships gun turrets 'P' and 'Q'. She sank almost instantly, killing an estimated 804 men and there were only two survivors. One of the casualties of the disaster was Captain Kyōsuke Eto, a military observer from the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was allied with the Royal Navy at the time through the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.

          The site is now designated as a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act. In terms of loss of life, the destruction of the Vanguard remains the most catastrophic accidental explosion in the history of the UK, and one of the worst accidental losses of the Royal Navy.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Elstead in November, returning to Aldershot in March 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the battalion was reduced to a cadre and on the 17th of June 1918 returned to England and were absorbed by 33rd Battalion, London Regiment.

             2/6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles)

        • Formed in London in August 1914.
        • Moved in October to Walton-on-Thames, then Burgess Hill in November where placed under orders of 2/1st London Brigade in 2/1st London Division.
        • Moved to Norwich in May 1915 and formation retitled as 174th Brigade in 58th (2/1st London) Division.
        • Moved on to Ipswich next month, then Stowmarket and Sudbury and then to Sutton Veny in July 1916.
        • 25 January 1917 : landed at Le Havre.
        • 31 January 1918 : absorbed by 1/6th Battalion

             8th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, was raised at Newcastle in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham. On the 4th of April 1915 the new 11th Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They served with 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division proceeding to Gallipoli in July 1915 sailing from Liverpool to Murdos, landing near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th of August 1915. On the 20th December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli to Imbros and then to Egypt in January 1916 where they took over defence of a section of the Suez canal. They were recalled to France in June, embarking from Alexandria on 3rd of July, arriving as reinforcements to the battle of The Somme. In 1917 they saw action in the Battle of Messines and Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they saw action in the Second Battles of Arras and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, reaching high ground east of Havay when the Armistice was signed. The 8th Battalion was demobbed in 1919.

             

          HMS Orion

          HMS Orion was a dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy. Launched in 1910, she was the lead ship of her class; she was the first so-called "super-dreadnought", being the first British dreadnought to mount guns of calibre greater than twelve inches, and the first British dreadnought to have all of its main armament mounted on the centreline.

          HMS Orion was an Orion-class battleship with a displacement of 22,000 long tons (22,000 t) Length: 581 ft (177 m), Beam: 88 ft 7 in (27.00 m), Draught: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
          she was propelled by Steam turbines red by 18 boilers with 4 shafts, giving 27,000 hp (20 MW). Her top speed was 21 kn (39 km/h) She had a crew complement of 750,1,100 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 10 x BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns, 16 x BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 x 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged)

          Orion was laid down in Portsmouth Dockyard on 29 November 1909. She was launched on 20 August 1910, ran her sea trials starting in September 1911 and was commissioned on 2 January 1912. She joined the second division of the Home Fleet as second flag-ship, in which role she relieved the pre-dreadnought battleship Hibernia. On 7 January 1912 she was damaged when Revenge broke loose from her moorings and collided with Orion, causing minor damage to the port side.

          At Jutland on 31 May 1916 she carried the flag of Rear-Admiral Arthur Leveson, the second in command of the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She took part in the general battleship action, claiming no hits and receiving none. In the later part of the action she claimed four hits on the German battlecruiser Lützow. As this battlecruiser did not survive the action confirmation was not possible. She remained with the Grand Fleet, seeing, in common with the rest of the battle-fleet, no more action during the remainder of the war. On 3 October 1919 she became flagship of the Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth, and in June 1921 she became a seagoing gunnery training ship at Portland.

          On 12 April 1922 she was paid off onto the disposal list under the terms of the Washington Treaty. On 19 December she was sold to shipbreakers Cox and Danks, and from February 1923 she was broken up at Upnor.

             

          HMS Conqueror

          HMS Conqueror was an Orion-class battleship of the Royal Navy, built by William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir at a cost of £1,891,164 Laid down on the 5 April 1910, she was launched on 1 May 1911 and Commissioned on 1 December 1912 She had a displacement of 22,000 long tons (22,000 t). Length: 581 ft (177 m), Beam: 88 ft 7 in (27.00 m), Draught: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
          Her propulsion was provided by Steam turbines fed by 18 boilers with 4 shafts, giving 27,000 hp (20 MW) and a top speed of 21 kn (39 km/h). Her Crew Complement was 750,1,100 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 10 x BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns, 16 x BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 x 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged).

          She served in the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet in World War I, and fought at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, suffering no damage. As a result of the Washington Naval Convention she was decommissioned in 1921 and sold for scrap

             

          HMS Monarch

          HMS Monarch was an Orion-class battleship of the Royal Navy these were the first battleships in the Royal Navy to feature an all-big-gun armament on the centre line. HMS Monarch, was bult by Armstrong, Elswick, at a cost of £1,888,736. She was laid down on 1 April 1910, launched on 30 March 1911 and was commissioned in February 1912. She had a displacement of 22,000 long tons (22,000 t). Length: 581 ft (177 m), Beam: 88 ft 7 in (27.00 m), Draught: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m) Propelled by 4 shafts, powered by steam turbines, fed by 18 boilers, giving 27,000 hp (20 MW) she had a top speed of 21 kn (39 km/h)Her Crew Complement was 750,1,100 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 10 x BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns, 16 x BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 x 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged). On her commissioning in Feb 1912, Monarch was the second of the Orion class to be completed, she was followed by the HMS Thunderer in June and HMS Conqueror in November of the same year, together they formed the second division of the 2nd Battle Squadron. Pre-war their lives were typical of any other major warship in the British fleet with fleet manoeuvres and battle practice.

          Early in World War I, Monarch was unsuccessfully attacked by the German submarine U-15, on 8 August 1914 and off the Fair Isle channel, U-15, an early gasoline engined boat, was sighted on the surface by the cruiser HMS Birmingham, after Birmingham opened fire the submarine commenced diving, the cruiser then rammed the submarine which was lost with all 25 of her men, it was U-15's first and last patrol.

          On 27 December 1914 Monarch rammed HMS Conqueror suffering moderate damage to her bow, she received temporary repairs at Scapa Flow before proceeding to Devonport for full repairs, she rejoined her sister-ships on 20 January 1915, HMS Conqueror was also seriously damaged in this collision. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 all four of the Orion-class ships were present under the leadership of Rear Admiral Arthur Leveson flying his flag in the Orion; his CO was Captain O. Backhouse. Monarch was commanded by Captain G.H. Borret. Monarch's first action at Jutland came at 1833 when she sighted five German battleships, three König and two Kaiser-class ships. She opened with Armour Piercing Capped shells at the leading König-class ship, but could only fire two salvoes before the König ships disappeared. She then fired a further salvo at the leading Kaiser-class ship. Although claiming a ‘straddle’ on the leading König, she actually scored one hit on SMS König herself. This 13.5" shell hit the 6.75" casemate side armour in way of Number 1 port 5.9" gun, the shell burst on the armour blowing a hole some three by two feet in size. Most of the blast went downwards, blowing a ten foot square hole in the 1.5" thick armoured upper-deck; the deck was also driven down over a large area. Several charges for the 5.9" gun were ignited and burnt including those in the hoists to Number 14 magazine, but the fires did not penetrate the magazine. The crew of the gun had a lucky escape as an earlier nearby hit had forced them to evacuate the gun-house due to gas from the explosion and so no injuries were incurred. The gun however whilst largely undamaged had its sights and control cables destroyed. In 1914 Monarch sighted the German battlecruiser Lützow and opened on her with five salvos of Armour Piercing Capped shells at a range of 17,300 yards increasing to 18,500 yards; straddles were claimed but no hits before the target was lost in smoke and spray. There were five hits on the Lützow at this time and they could only have been fired by either the Orion or the Monarch. Lützow was in serious trouble and was only saved from further serious damage by the actions of her escorting destroyers in making smoke and shielding her from view. This was effectively the end of the battle for the Orion class as the German high seas fleet was in retreat to the south under cover of smoke and a torpedo attack by their destroyers which for a while had the British fleet turned away to the North to avoid the torpedoes. In total Monarch fired 53 rounds of 13.5" shell all of which were Armour Piercing Capped shells. Like the rest of her sister ships she did not use her 4" secondary batteries, and also like the rest of her sister ships she received no damage or injuries. After the Battle of Jutland the German High Seas put in very few appearances on the North sea so life for the British fleet became mainly sweeps and patrols of the North Sea.

          As a result of the Washington Naval Convention she was decommissioned in 1921. On 14 June 1924, Monarch was assigned her final role, that of target ship. She was decommissioned and stripped of anything valuable including scrap metals at Portsmouth Dockyard. She was then towed out by dockyard tugs into Hurd's Deep in the English Channel approximately 50 miles (93 km) south of the Isles of Scilly and on 21 January 1925 was attacked by a wave of Royal Air Force bombers, which scored several hits; this was followed by the C-class light cruisers HMS Caledon, HMS Calliope, HMS Carysfort, and HMS Curacoa firing shells of 6-inch (152-mm) caliber, and the V and W-class destroyer HMS Vectis, using her guns of 4-inch (102-mm) calibre.

          Following this exercise, the battlecruisers HMS Hood and HMS Repulse and the five Revenge-class battleships HMS Ramillies, HMS Resolution, HMS Revenge, HMS Royal Oak, and HMS Royal Sovereign commenced firing at her with their 15-inch (381-mm) guns. The number of hits on Monarch is unknown, but after nine hours of shelling she finally sank at 2200 after a final hit by Revenge.

             

          HMS Thunderer was the third Orion-class battleship built for the Royal Navy and was the last vessel to be constructed by Thames Iron Works. She was the last and largest warship ever built on the River Thames, and after her completion her builders declared bankruptcy. She was ordered in 1909, laid down on 13 April 1910, launched on 1 February 1911 and commissioned in May 1912 at a cost of £1,892,82 Displacement was 22,000 long tons (22,000 t) Length: 581 ft (177 m), Beam: 88 ft 7 in (27.00 m), Draught: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m). Her Propulsion consisted of Steam turbines fed by 18 boilers, propelling 4 shafts, with 27,000 hp (20 MW), giving a top speed of 21 kn (39 km/h) Crew Complement:= was 750 to 1,100 officers and ratings. Her armament consisted of 10 x BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns, 16 x BL 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mk VII guns and 3 x 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged)

          On commissioning in June 1912 Thunderer and her three Orion-class sisters, Orion, Conqueror and Monarch formed the 2nd Division of the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet and she remained with her sister ships throughout.

          In December 1914, she was refitted. She was present with her squadron at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, firing 37 13.5" (343 mm) shells. Thunderer first came to action on the 31st Of May 1916 at 18:30 when indistinct ranges of 22 to 18,000 yards were obtained on some German ships. Due to poor visibility from smoke she did not open fire at this time, it must be remembered Thunderer was at the rear of the 2nd division and her visibility would be affected by the smoke of the three leading ships. At 1915 Thunderer sighted two enemy battleships visible between the Royal Oak and the Iron Duke. She fired two salvoes of Common Percussion Capped shell at the leading ship; no hits were made and the second salvo was actually fired over the top of the Iron Duke. Thunderer did not sight the enemy again, however during the German fleet's run to the south after they broke off the engagement the Moltke sighted four large ships at 2240; these were the four Orion-class ships, so she had a lucky escape that the British lookouts did not see her. In total, Thunderer fired just 37 rounds of 13.5" all being Common Percussion Capped, she did not use her 4 in batteries at all. She suffered no damage. Post-Jutland, the Orion class ships spent their time on routine fleet manoeuvres.

             

          HMS King George V

          King George V, was built by HM Dockyard Portsmouth Laid down 16th January 1911, Launched 9th October 1911, Completed in November 1912. She had a displacement of 23,400 tonnes, Length: 598 ft (182.3 m), Beam: 89 ft (27.1 m), Draught: 28 ft (8.5 m) Her propulsion was 18 boilers feeding 4 Parsons turbines with direct drive to 4 shafts, giving 27,000 shp (20,100 kW) and a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) Her Armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (343 mm) Mk V guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns, 4 × 3-pounder (47-mm) guns and 3 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Her Armour Belt was 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm), decks 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm) barbettes 3 to 10 in (76 to 254 mm) and turrets 11 in (279 mm) She had a crew complement of 870, though this increased substantially by 1916 to 1,110.

          On the outbreak of the First World War, the 2nd Battle Squadron became part of the Grand Fleet, with King George V serving as flagship for the squadron. In November 1914, King George V was found to suffer from problems with her condensers. This forced the ship to be withdrawn from operations while her port condenser was retubed, which took until 12 December, with her starboard condenser being retubed in January. The 2nd Battle Squadron, including King George V sailed from Scapa Flow on 15 December in an attempt to combat German warships that were bombarding towns on the East coast of England. When German battlecruisers and cruisers under the command of Franz von Hipper attacked Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby on 16 December, the 2nd Battle Squadron and the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron was deployed to try and intercept the German force, unaware that the German entire High Seas Fleet had been deployed to support Hipper's ships. While the 2nd Battle Squadron came to within 10 miles of the much larger High Seas Fleet, no engagement occurred.

          She took part in the Battle of Jutland, on the 31st of May 1916, being the lead ship of the 1st Division of the 2nd Battle Squadron. Her sister-ships were HMS Centurion, HMS Audacious and HMS Ajax. At the Battle of Jutland, the 2nd Battle Squadron was divided into two divisions, with Vice Admiral Martyn Jerram, in command of the 1st Division, flying his flag aboard King George V, while Captain Frederick Field served as the ship's captain. King George V was lightly engaged during the battle, firing nine 13.5 in rounds at the German battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger, which missed. King George V was undamaged in the battle.

          HMS King George V was decommissioned in 1919, used as a training ship between 1923,26 and scrapped in 1926.

             

          HMS Centurion

          HMS Centurion was the second super-dreadnought battleship of the King George V class. Her sister ships were: HMS King George V, HMS Audacious, HMS Ajax. She was built at HM Dockyard, Devonport, laid down on the 16th of January 1911, launched 18 November 1911 and commissioned in May 1913. She had a displacement of 25,500 tonnes, Length: 598 ft (182.3 m), Beam: 89 ft (27.1 m), Draught: 28 ft (8.5 m) Her propulsion was 18 boilers with 4 Parsons turbines and direct drive to 4 shafts producing 27,000 shp (20,100 kW) which gave her a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) The ships complement was 782 officers and ratings. Her armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (343 mm) Mk V guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns, 4 × 3-pounder (47-mm) guns and 3 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Her armour dBelt was 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm), Decks: 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm), Barbettes: 3 to 10 in (76 to 254 mm) and Turrets: 11 in (279 mm)

          HMS Centurion was attached upon completion to the 2nd Battle Squadron, led by sister ship HMS King George V. She was present at the Battle of Jutland as part of the main body of Grand Fleet under the command of Captain Michael Culme-Seymour but was only lightly engaged, firing four salvos of her main armament at the German Battlecruiser Lützow before HMS Orion blocked Centurion's line of fire to Lützow.

          After duty in the North Sea, where she was commanded for a time by Roger Keyes, she was sent to the Eastern Mediterranean in 1918 with HMS Superb to oversee the capitulation of the Ottoman Empire. In 1919, Centurion was dispatched to the Black Sea in the Allied Intervention in the Russian Civil War.

          With the signing of the Washington Naval Treaty Centurion was decommissioned and made a target ship to replace HMS Agamemnon in 1924. She remained in this role at Portsmouth Harbour until April 1941, where she was fitted with a false superstructure so as to resemble the battleship HMS Anson then building at HM Dockyard, Portsmouth.

          On 4 April 1941, the Admiralty suggested that a heavy naval bombardment of the Libyan city of Tripoli should be made by the Mediterranean Fleet and followed up by blocking the port with a block ship, the Centurion. Admiral Andrew Cunningham declined the offer due to her slow speeds and heavy enemy air cover, so this idea was shelved. In June 1942, she sailed with Operation Vigorous in the eastern Mediterranean to simulate an operational battleship. Between 1942 and 1944 Centurion was stationed off Suez as an anti-aircraft ship and to give pause to Regia Marina action in the area—the Italians thought that her false wooden 13.5-inch guns were real and kept their super-dreadnoughts away. Her final act after a long and somewhat understated career was to be sunk as a breakwater off the Normandy beaches after D-Day. Reportedly the Germans thought that the old vessel had been sunk by shore batteries of the German 352nd Division with great loss of life when only 70 crewmen were observed leaving the sinking vessel; in fact the 70 men were the entire crew.

             

          HMS Ajax

          HMS Ajax was a King George V-class battleship (one of four ships of the class). Ajax was laid down at Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering, Greenock yard on 27 February 1911. She was launched on 21 March 1912 and completed in March 1913. She underwent sea trials during April 1913, and was commissioned into the first division of the second battle squadron of the Grand Fleet at Devonport on 31 October 1913. She had a displacement of 23,400 tonnes, Length: 598 ft (182.3 m), Beam: 89 ft (27.1 m), Draught: 28 ft (8.5 m) Her propulsion was provided by 18 boilers driving 4 Parsons turbines, and direct drive to 4 shafts, producing 27,000 shp (20,100 kW), which gave her a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) Her ships complement was 900 officers and ratings. Her armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (343 mm) Mk V guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns, 4 × 3-pounder (47-mm) guns, 3 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Her Armour Belt was 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm) Decks: 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm) Barbettes: 3 to 10 in (76 to 254 mm) Turrets: 11 in (279 mm) Her only distinctive pre-war activity was her participation, with her sisters HMS King George V, HMS Audacious and HMS Centurion, at the Kiel canal celebrations in June 1914. She transferred to Scapa Flow with the rest of the Grand fleet on 29 July 1914, in response to the increasing political tension in Europe.

          She remained with the Grand Fleet for the duration of World War I. She saw action only at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. In this action the first division of the second battle squadron, commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir Martyn Jerram, consisted of HMS King George V, HMS Ajax, HMS Centurion and HMS Erin. She sighted the leading ships of the battle line of the German High Seas Fleet and the German battle cruisers and fired on them. She herself received no hits; because of the number of ships involved it was not possible to establish if she made any hits on her targets.

          She remained at Scapa Flow until June 1919, being transferred to the third battle squadron for the final four months of her time there. In June 1919 she was transferred to the fourth battle squadron, which formed part of the Mediterranean Fleet. She took part with her battle squadron in actions against the Bolsheviks and Turkish nationalists in 1919 in the Black Sea and in the Sea of Marmora. When the Sultan of Turkey was deposed in 1923 he was conveyed to Mecca in HMS Ajax. In April 1924 she returned to Devonport, and was part of the Reserve Fleet until October 1926, when she was paid off onto the disposal list. On 10 December 1926 she was sold to Alloa Shipbreaking Company, and broken up at Rosyth from 14 December 1926.

             

          HMS Erin

          HMS Erin was a dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy, built for an order placed by the Ottoman government with the British Vickers company, originally under the name of Reşad, but was renamed Reşadiye during construction. The Ottomans intended was to procure a battleship which was at least the equal of any other ship currently afloat or building. The design was based on that of King George V, but with some features of Iron Duke. The ship was laid down at Vickers shipyard on 6 December 1911, launched on 3 September 1913.

          In 1914, when the First World War broke out the ship was nearly completed; at the orders of Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, she was seized for use by the Royal Navy and renamed Erin. She was completed in August 1914. She was taken over for the Royal Navy on 22 August 1914. She had a displacement of 27,500 long tons (27,940 t) (normal), 30,250 long tons (30,740 t) (full load) Length: 559 ft 6 in (170.54 m), Beam: 91 ft (27.7 m), Draught: 28 ft (8.5 m) Her power was 26,500 shp (19,800 kW), produced by 4 Parsons steam turbines fed by 15 Babcock boilers and driving 4 shafts, giving her a top speed of 21 kn (38.9 km/h) Her complement was 1,070 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 10 × 13.5 in (343 mm) Mk VI guns (5x2), 16 × 6 in (152.4 mm) guns, 6 × 6-pounder 57 mm (2.2 in) guns, 2 × 3 in (76.2 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns and 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes. Her Armour Belt was 12 in (30.5 cm), Main armour was 9 in (22.9 cm) and Turrets 4,11 in (10.2,27.9 cm)

          It has been claimed that the seizing of Erin and the Sultân Osmân-ı Evvel (renamed Agincourt) was instrumental in bringing the Ottoman Empire into the war on the side of the Central Powers, but this is disputed given that the Ottomans and Germans had concluded a secret alliance on 2 August. An attempt by the British to compensate the Ottomans for the loss of their battleships was ignored. On 5 September 1914, she joined the Grand Fleet at its principal war base at Scapa Flow in Orkney. She was briefly part of the Fourth Battle Squadron, being transferred to the Second Battle Squadron in October 1914.

          On the 31st of May 1916, she was present at the Battle of Jutland. After the deployment of the battle fleet, the Second Battle Squadron formed the head of the line; its first division consisted of King George V (the flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir T. H. Martyn Jerram), Ajax, Centurion and Erin, which was therefore the fourth ship in the line. She remained with the Grand Fleet for the remainder of the war, seeing no further enemy action.

          In October 1919, she was placed in Reserve at the Nore. From December 1919, she was used at Chatham Dockyard as a turret drill ship. In July and August 1920, she underwent a refit at Devonport Dockyard. It had been intended that under the terms of the Washington treaty of 1921 she should be retained as a training ship, but a change of plan meant that this rôle was filled by Thunderer, and in May 1922, she was placed on the disposal list. On 19 December 1922, she was sold to the shipbreaking firm of Cox and Danks, and in 1923 she was broken up at Queenborough.

             

          HMS Agincourt with Erin in background

          HMS Agincourt was a dreadnought battleship built in the United Kingdom in the early 1910s as part of Brazil's role in a South American naval arms race, she held the distinction of mounting more heavy guns (fourteen) and more turrets (seven) than any other dreadnought battleship constructed, in keeping with the Brazilians' requirement for an especially impressive design. Brazil ordered the ship as The Rio de Janeiro and she was laid down on 14 September 1911 by Armstrongs in Newcastle upon Tyne and launched on 22 January 1913. But the collapse of the rubber boom and a warming in relations with the country's chief rival, Argentina, led to the ship's sale while under construction to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Navy renamed her Sultan Osman I, after the empire's founder. The ship was nearly complete when World War I broke out, and was undergoing sea trials before delivery. The Ottoman crew arrived to collect her, the Turkish captain, waiting with five hundred Turkish sailors aboard a transport in the Tyne, threatened to board his ships and hoist the Turkish flag; Churchill gave orders to resist such an attempt "by armed force if necessary." the British Admiralty fears of a German,Ottoman alliance led to her seizure for use by the Royal Navy. This act was a significant contributor to the decision of the Ottoman government to join the Central Powers, as the payments for the ship and another which would become HMS Erin were complete, and distrust of Britain increased. Such an action was allowed for in the contracts, as First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill had not wanted to risk the ships being used against the British, but it had consequences. The takeover caused considerable ill will in the Ottoman Empire, where public subscriptions had partially funded the ships. When the Ottoman government had been in a financial deadlock over the budget of the battleships, donations for the Ottoman Navy had come in from taverns, cafés, schools and markets, and large donations were rewarded with a "Navy Donation Medal". The seizure, and the gift of the German battlecruiser Goeben to the Ottomans, influenced public opinion in the Empire to turn away from Britain, and they entered the war on the side of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire against the Triple Entente of Britain, France, and Russia on 29th of October 1914, after Goeben had attacked Russian facilities in the Black Sea.

          The Royal Navy made modifications to Agincourt before her commissioning, in particular removing the flying bridge over the two centre turrets. The ship was also initially fitted with Turkish-style lavatories that had to be replaced. Her name, Agincourt, was a favourite of Churchill's, and had initially been allocated to a sixth vessel of the Queen Elizabeth class ordered under the 1914,15 Naval Estimates, but not yet begun at the war's outbreak. Her nickname, The Gin Palace, came from her luxurious fittings and a corruption of her name (A Gin Court), pink gin being a popular drink among Royal Navy officers at the time. The Admiralty was unprepared to man a ship of Agincourt's size at such short notice and her crew was drawn from the highest and lowest echelons of the service: the Royal yachts and the detention barracks. Agincourt's captain, Captain Douglas Romily Lothian Nicholson and executive officer came from HMY Victoria and Albert III, most of whose crew was also transferred to Agincourt on 3rd of August 1914. Most of the naval reservists had already been called up by this time and sent to other ships so a number of minor criminals who had had their sentences remitted were received from various naval prisons and detention camps.

          Agincourt was working up until 7th of September 1914, when she joined the 4th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. The fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow was not yet secure against submarine attack and much of the fleet was kept at sea, where Agincourt spent forty of her first eighty days with the Grand Fleet. This was the beginning of a year and a half of inaction, only broken by occasional North Sea 'sweeps' intended to draw the enemy from his bases. The ship spent the bulk of her time during the war on patrols and exercises. On 1st of January 1915, Agincourt was still assigned to the 4th BS, but was assigned to the 1st Battle Squadron before the Battle of Jutland on 31st of May 1916.

          Although the Grand Fleet made several sorties over the next few years it is not known if Agincourt participated in them. On 23 April 1918, Agincourt and Hercules were stationed at Scapa Flow to provide cover for the Scandinavian convoys between Norway and Britain when the High Seas Fleet sortied in an attempt to destroy the convoy. The reports from German Intelligence were slightly off schedule, as both the inbound and outbound convoys were in port when the Germans reached their normal route so Admiral Scheer ordered the fleet to return to Germany without spotting any British ships.

          Agincourt was later transferred to the 2nd Battle Squadron and was present at the surrender of the High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918. She was placed in reserve at Rosyth in March 1919. After unsuccessful attempts to sell her to the Brazilian Government, she was listed for disposal in April 1921, but was used for experimental purposes later that year. She was sold for scrap on 19 December 1922 to comply with the tonnage limitations of the Washington Naval Treaty, although she was not actually broken up until the end of 1924.

             

          HMS Canada

          HMS Canada was built as the Almirante Latorre, named after Juan José Latorre, a super-dreadnought battleship for the Chilean Navy. Construction began at Armstrong Whitworth's Elswick yard in Newcastle upon Tyne soon after the ship was ordered in November 1911. She had a displacement of 25,000 long tons (25,401 t) standard and 32,000 long tons (32,514 t) full load. Length: 625 ft (191 m), Beam: 92.5 ft (28.2 m), Draught: 33 ft (10 m) Her propulsion was provided by coal and oil fuel in 21 Yarrow boilers feeding low pressure Parsons and High pressure Brown-Curtis steam turbines, giving 37,000 shp (27,591 kW), Her top speed 22.75 knots (42.13 km/h; 26.18 mph) Her Ships Complement was 834 officers and men and her armament consisted of 10 × 14 in (356 mm)/45 caliber BL guns, 16 × 6 in (152 mm) guns, 2 × 3 in (76 mm) anti-aircraft guns, 4 × 3-pounder guns and 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged). Her Armour Belt was 9 in (230 mm), Deck: 1.5 in (38 mm), Barbette: 10 in (250 mm), Turret: 10 in (250 mm) and Conning tower: 11 in (280 mm). She was launched on the 27th of November 1913, as Almirante Latorre and was approaching completion when she was purchased by the United Kingdom's Royal Navy on the 9th of September 1914. she was not forcibly seized like the Ottoman Reşadiye and Sultân Osmân-ı Evvel, two other ships being built for a foreign navy, because the Allies' reliance on Chilean munitions imports made retention of Chile's friendly neutral status with the United Kingdom a matter of vital importance. The ship was modified for British service, the bridge was taken off in favour of two open platforms, and a mast was added in between the two funnels to support a derrick that would service launches. The super-dreadnought completed fitting-out on 20th of September 1915 and was commissioned into the Royal Navy on the 15th of October 1915, she served in the Grand Fleet as HMS Canada for the duration of the war. She saw action during the Battle of Jutland, firing 42 rounds from her 14-inch guns and 109 6-inch shells during the battle, and suffered no hits or casualties. During the battle, she got off two salvoes at the disabled cruiser Wiesbaden at 1840, and fired five more at an unknown ship around 1920. Her 6-inch guns were utilized for firing at German destroyers at 19:11. HMS Canada was transferred to the 1st Battle Squadron on 12 June 1916. In 1917,18, she was fitted with better rangefinders and range dials, and two of the aft 6-inch secondary guns were removed after they suffered blast damage from the middle 14-inch turret. In the latter year, flying-off platforms for aircraft were added atop the superfiring turrets fore and aft.

          HMS Canada was put into the reserve fleet in March 1919 and was repurchased by Chile in 1920. She took back her original name of Almirante Latorre, and served as the Chilean flagship and frequently as presidential transport. She underwent a thorough modernization in the United Kingdom in 1929,31. In September 1931, crewmen aboard Almirante Latorre instigated a mutiny, which the majority of the Chilean fleet quickly joined. After divisions developed between the mutineers, the rebellion fell apart and the ships were returned to government control. Almirante Latorre was placed in reserve for a time in the 1930s because of the Great Depression, but she was in good enough condition to receive interest from the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This overture was declined and the ship spent most of the Second World War on patrol for Chile. She was scrapped in Japan beginning in 1959.

             

          HMS Benbow

          HMS Benbow was an Iron Duke-class battleship of the Royal Navy, the third ship of the class and the third ship to be named in honour of Admiral John Benbow. She was ordered under the 1911 Naval Estimates and built in the yards of William Beardmore and Company, of Glasgow. She was laid down on 30 May 1912 and launched on 12 November 1913. She was commissioned in October 1914 after the outbreak of the First World War. Her sister ships were: Iron Duke, Marlborough and Emperor of India. She had a displacement of 25,000 tons / 29,500 full load Length: 622 ft 9 in (189.8 m), Beam: 90 ft (27.4 m), Draught: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m) Her propulsion was 4 shaft Parsons steam turbines with direct drive, fed by 18 Babcock & Wilcox or Yarrow boilers delivering 29,000 hp, giving her a top speed of 21.25 knots (39.4 km/h) and a range of 14,000 nm at 10 knots (18.5 km/h) Her armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns (5 × twin turrets), 12 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk VII guns (single mounts), 2 × QF 3 inch 20 cwt AA guns and 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes Her Armour Belt was 12 in, Bulkheads: 8 in, Barbettes: 10 in, Turrets: 11 in and Decks: 2.5 in

          Benbow served as the 4th Battle Squadron's flagship until June 1916. She was initially the flagship of Admiral Douglas Gamble, until he was replaced in February 1915 by Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee. Her commander was Captain H. W. Parker.

          Prior to the Battle of Jutland, Benbow left Scapa Flow with the rest of the Grand Fleet under the command of Admiral John Jellicoe on 30 May 1916. She led the 4th Division, consisting of HMS Bellerophon, HMS Temeraire and HMS Vanguard. She spent the remainder of the war at anchor at the 4th Division's home port of Scapa Flow, or on manoeuvres and routine patrols in the North Sea.

          In 1919 Benbow was deployed in the Mediterranean, and then with the Black Sea squadron in support of the White Russians in the Russian Civil War. She carried out a number of shore bombardments, until she left the squadron in 1920. She became part of the Mediterranean fleet until 1926. Benbow's captain between 1921 and 1923 was James Fownes Somerville, later Sir James Fownes Somerville, Admiral of the Fleet. HMS Benbow left the Mediterranean in 1926 and joined the Atlantic Fleet until 1929, when she was paid off into reserve. She was disarmed in 1930 under the terms of the London Naval Treaty and placed on the disposal list. Benbow was sold for scrap in January 1931 and scrapped in March 1931 by Metal Industries, of Rosyth.

             

          HMS Queen Elizabeth

          HMS Queen Elizabeth was built at HM Dockyard Portsmouth, laid down on 21st October 1912, launched on 16th October 1913 and commissioned on 22nd December 1914. HMS Queen Elizabeth was the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth-class of dreadnought battleships, named in honour of Elizabeth I of England. She saw service in both World Wars. A super-dreadnought class of battleships, she and the other vessels in the class were the first ships of their type to be powered by oil instead of coal. She was launched on 16 October 1913 at Portsmouth, Hampshire, and entered service in January 1915 during World War I.

          While still undergoing testing in the Mediterranean, the Queen Elizabeth was sent to the Dardanelles for the Allied attempt to knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. The Queen Elizabeth was the only modern battleship to participate, though a number of battle cruisers and pre-dreadnought battleships were also involved. She became the flagship for the preliminary naval operations in the Dardanelles Campaign, leading the first line of British battleships in the battle of 18 March 1915. During the attempted military invasion of the Gallipoli on 25 April, the Queen Elizabeth was the flagship for General Sir Ian Hamilton, commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. However, after the sinking of HMS Goliath by a Turkish torpedo boat on 12 May, the Queen Elizabeth was immediately withdrawn to a safer position.

          She joined Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas's 5th Battle Squadron (consisting of Queen Elizabeth-class battleships) of the Grand Fleet based at Scapa Flow, but she missed the Battle of Jutland due to being in dock for maintenance.

             

          HMS Barham

          HMS Barham was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship of the Royal Navy named after Admiral Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham, built at the John Brown shipyards in Clydebank, Scotland, and launched in 1914. She had a crew of 950 to 1300 officers and ratings.

          Barham was commissioned in August 1915, and joined the 5th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet based at Scapa Flow as flagship on 2 October 1915. On 1 December 1915, she collided with her sister ship Warspite, with both ships receiving significant damage. After temporary repair at Scapa, Barham was sent to Invergordon for more permanent repairs, sailing again on the 23rd of December. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May to 1 June 1916, Barham was Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas's flagship of the 5th Battle Squadron, attached to Admiral David Beatty's battlecruiser fleet. Barham fired 337 15-inch shells and 25 6-inch shells during the battle. The number of hits cannot be confirmed, but it is believed that she and her sister ship Valiant made 23 or 24 hits between them, making them two of the most accurate warships in the British fleet. She received six hits during the battle, five from 12-inch shells and one from an 11-inch shell, suffering casualties of 26 killed and 46 wounded. Following Jutland, Barham was under repair until 5 July 1916. She was refitted at Cromarty between February and March 1917, being fitted with a pair of 12-pounder anti-aircraft guns that year, and was again refitted in February 1918. She was sunk during the Second World War on 25 November 1941 by the German submarine U-331

             

          HMS Warspite

          HMS Warspite was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship, built at HM Dockyard Devonport, laid down on 31st of October 1912, launched on 26th of November 1913 and commissioned on 8th of March 1915. She was the seventh warship of the Royal Navy to carry the name. Her thirty-year career covered both world wars and took her across the Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Pacific Oceans. She was involved in several major engagements, including battles in the North Sea and Mediterranean, earning her the most battle honours ever awarded to an individual ship in the Royal Navy and the most awarded for actions during the Second World War. For this and other reasons Warspite gained the nickname the "Grand Old Lady" after a comment made by her most famous commander, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham in 1943.

          When she was launched in 1913 the use of oil as fuel and untried 15-inch guns were revolutionary concepts in the naval arms race between Britain and Germany, a considerable risk for Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty and Admiral John Fisher who had advocated the design. However, the new fast battleships proved to be an outstanding success.

          In 1916 she was damaged during action at the Battle of Jutland. Upon the completion of her repairs, Warspite rejoined the 5th Battle Squadron. Further misfortune struck soon afterwards, when she collided with Valiant after a night-shooting exercise, necessitating more repair work at Rosyth. Captain Philpotts avoided reprimand on this occasion, but was moved to a shore-based job as Naval Assistant to the new First Sea Lord, Admiral Jellicoe. He was replaced by Captain de Bartolome in December 1916. In June 1917, Warspite collided with a destroyer, but did not require major repairs. In the following month, Warspite was rocked at her moorings in Scapa Flow when Vanguard, a St. Vincent-class battleship, exploded with the loss of hundreds of her crew when an ammunition magazine detonated. Early in April 1918 she joined the Grand Fleet in a fruitless pursuit of the German High Seas Fleet which had been hunting for a convoy near Norway. In 1918, Warspite had to spend four months being repaired after a boiler room caught fire. Captain Hubert Lynes relieved Captain de Bartolome and on 21st of November he took the Warspite out to escort the German High Seas Fleet into internment at Scapa Flow following the signing of the Armistice.

          HMS Warspite was refitted twice between the wars, but advances in technology and the cumulative effects of battle damage relegated her to the role of shore bombardment towards the end of the Second World War. She was decommissioned in 1945 and wrecked off the Cornish coast on the way to the scrap yard.

             

          HMS Malaya

          HMS Malaya was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship built at Armstrong Whitworth, at High Walker on Tyneside. She was laid down on 20 October 1913, launched 18 March 1915 and commissioned the on 1st February 1916. She had a displacement of 27,500 tons standard, 36,500 tons full load Length: 645 ft 9 in (196.82 m), Beam: 90 ft 6 in (27.58 m), Draught: 30 ft 2 in (9.19 m) Propulsion was provided by Parsons direct drive steam turbines, fed by 24 boilers driving 4 shafts giving 75,000 shp, and a top speed of 24 knots (44 km/h). Her bunkerage held 3,400 tons oil, giving a range of 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h). Her Ships Complement was 950,1300 officers and ratings. She was armed with 8 × BL 15-inch Mk I guns (4 x 2), 16 (Queen Elizabeth) or 14 (other ships) × single BL 6-inch Mk XII guns, 2 × single QF 3-inch 20cwt anti-aircraft guns, 4 × single 3-pdr (47 mm) saluting guns and 4 × 21-inch (530 mm) submerged torpedo tubes. HMS Malaya flew the red-white-black-yellow ensign of the Federated Malay States and was named in honour of the Federated Malay States in British Malaya, whose government paid for her construction. She served in Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas's 5th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She took part in the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, where she was hit eight times and took major damage and heavy crew casualties. A total of 65 men died, in the battle or later of their injuries. Among the wounded was Able Seaman Willie Vicarage, notable as one of the first men to receive facial reconstruction using plastic surgery and the first to receive radical reconstruction via the tubed pedicule technique pioneered by Sir Harold Gillies.

          On 17 November 1922 Malaya carried the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed VI, from Istanbul into exile on Malta (and later San Remo). In August,September 1938 she served in the port of Haifa during the 1936,39 Arab revolt in Palestine.

             

          HMS Valiant

          HMS Valiant was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship built at Fairfield, Clydebank, laid down on 31 January 1913, launched 4 November 1914 and commissioned on 13 January 1916.

          The Queen Elizabeths were the first battleships to be armed with 15-inch (381 mm) guns, and were described in the 1919 edition of Jane's Fighting Ships as "the most successful type of capital ship yet designed." They saw much service in both world wars.

          HMS Valiant had a displacement: 27,500 tons standard, 36,500 tons full load. ength: 645 ft 9 in (196.82 m), Beam: 90 ft 6 in (27.58 m), Draught: 30 ft 2 in (9.19 m) Her propulsion was provided by Parsons direct drive steam turbines fed by 24 boilers, driving 4 shafts to give 75,000 shp and a to speed of 24 knots (44 km/h). With a bunkerage of 3,400 tons oil, she had a range of 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) Her Ships Complement was 950,1300 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 8 × BL 15-inch Mk I guns (4 x 2), 16 × single BL 6-inch Mk XII guns, 2 × single QF 3-inch 20cwt anti-aircraft guns, 4 × single 3-pdr (47 mm) saluting guns, and 4 × 21-inch (530 mm) submerged torpedo tubes. Her turbines were manufactured by Fairfields, and her armour plate was provided by William Beardmore and Company. Upon completion on 19 February 1916 under Captain Maurice Woollcombe she joined the recently formed Fifth Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet.

          At the Battle of Jutland she fired 288 15-inch shells at the German High Seas Fleet. Despite the severity of damage suffered by her sister ships in the battle, she suffered no damage. One of her 15-inch guns which had been in Valiant at Jutland was later removed and became one of the three guns of the Johore Battery at Singapore. However, on 24th of August that same year she collided with HMS Warspite and was in repairs until the 18th of September.

          From 1919 to the end of 1924 she was part of the 1st Battle Squadron, Atlantic Fleet after which she was with the 1st Battle Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet until March 1929. She was broken up at Cairnryan in 1948.

             

          HMS Revenge (1915)

          HMS Revenge was a Revenge class battleship built by Vickers-Armstrong, laid down on 22nd December 1913 under the name Renown, launched 29th May 1915 and commissioned on the 1st February 1916.

          The Revenge-class battleships (listed as Royal Sovereign class in several editions of Jane's Fighting Ships, and sometimes also known as the "R" class) were five battleships of the Royal Navy, ordered as World War I loomed on the horizon, and launched in 1914,1916. There were originally to have been eight of the class, but two were later redesigned, becoming the Renown-class battle cruisers, while the other, which was to have been named HMS Resistance, was cancelled.

          HMS Revenge had a displacement of 29,150 tons standard, 33,500 tons full load. Length: 624 ft (190 m), Beam: 88.5 ft (27.0 m), Draught: 28.6 ft (8.7 m) Her propulsion was provided by Steam turbines, driving 4 shafts, fed by 24 boilers, giving 26,500 shp (20 MW) She had a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h) and range of 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) Her Ships Complement was 997,1,150 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 8 × 15 in /42 guns (381 mm), 14 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XII guns, 2 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns, 4 × 47 mm guns and 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged). Armour Belt was 13 in (330 mm) amidships; 4,6 in (102,152 mm) ends. Deck: up to 5 in (127 mm). Turrets: 13 in (330 mm) faces; 5 in (127 mm) sides; 5 in (127 mm) roof Barbettes: up to 10 in (254 mm) and citadel: 11 in (279 mm).

          Revenge was in action at The Battle of Jutland under the command of Captain E. B. Kiddle. The day before the Grand Fleet departed their base to confront the surrendering German High Seas Fleet in Operation ZZ, a visit was made by senior members of the British Royal Family: King George V, Queen Mary and Edward, Prince of Wales. The King and his son visited USS New York, HMS Lion and Revenge. Queen Mary had tea in Revenge.

          In 1919, at Scapa Flow, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter issued the order to the now interned German High Seas Fleet to scuttle the entire fleet of 74 ships to prevent their use by the victorious Allies. After the incident, von Reuter was brought to the quarterdeck of Revenge, flagship of Vice-Admiral Sydney Fremantle and accused of breaching naval honour. Von Reuter replied to the accusation, "I am convinced that any English naval officer, placed as I was, would have acted in the same way." No charges were brought against him.

          In January 1920, the 1st Battle Squadron was detached to the Mediterranean due to crises in the region. While there, Revenge supported Greek forces and remained in the Black Sea, due to concerns about the Russian Civil War until July, when she returned to the British Atlantic Fleet. In 1922, Revenge, with her sister ships Ramillies, Resolution and Royal Sovereign, was again sent to the Mediterranean due to further tension in the area, in no small part due to the forced abdication of King Constantine I of Greece. Revenge was stationed at Constantinople and the Dardanelles throughout her deployment. She rejoined the Atlantic Fleet the following year.

          In January 1928 she was paid off for refit at Devonport Dockyard; this included her 3-inch anti-aircraft guns being replaced by 4-inch guns and a control system was installed to direct them from a station on the foremast. Two of the 6-inch guns were removed from the foc’sle deck. She was recommissioned in March 1929 into the British Mediterranean Fleet. A further minor refit in May 1931 added two platforms for the new eight-barrelled 2-pounder pom-pom anti-aircraft guns, although only the starboard set of guns was actually fitted due to a shortage. On 16 July 1935, Revenge was part of the Naval Review of 160 warships at Spithead in celebration of George V's Silver Jubilee. Later that year she was stationed at Alexandria due to potential dangers posed by the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.

          In 1936 she was paid off for another refit. She was recommissioned a year later into the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. Early in 1939, her single 4-inch guns were replaced with four twin Mark XVI 4-inch guns and the fire control system was upgraded with a second system being added astern. She finally received the port multiple 2-pounder pom-pom and two four barrelled Vickers .50 machine guns were fitted on either side of the control tower. On 9 August 1939 she was part of another Fleet Review, that was observed by George VI. Revenge was now becoming rather antiquated and slow, but she was still used a great deal throughout the war, being assigned to the North Atlantic Escort Force, together with her sister-ship Resolution.

             

          HMS Royal Oak

          HMS Royal Oak, a Revenge Class Battleship was built at HM Dockyard, Devonport, laid down on 15 January 1914, launched on 17 November 1914 and commissioned on 1st May 1916 at a final cost of £2,468,269. She was the eighth vessel to bear the name Royal Oak, replacing a pre-dreadnought scrapped in 1914. She had a displacement of 29,150 tons standard, 33,500 tons full load. Length: 624 ft (190 m), Beam: 88.5 ft (27.0 m), Draught: 28.6 ft (8.7 m) Her propulsion was provided by Steam turbines, driving 4 shafts, fed by 24 boilers, giving 26,500 shp (20 MW) with a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h) and a range of 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h). Her Ships Complement was 997,1,150 officers and ratings. Armament consisted of 8 × 15 in /42 guns (381 mm), 14 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XII guns, 2 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns, 4 × 47 mm guns and 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged). Her Armour Belt was 13 in (330 mm) amidships; 4,6 in (102,152 mm) ends. Deck: up to 5 in (127 mm). Turrets: 13 in (330 mm) faces; 5 in (127 mm) sides; 5 in (127 mm) roof. Barbettes: up to 10 in (254 mm) and Citadel: 11 in (279 mm)

          Upon completion Royal Oak was assigned to the Third Division of the Fourth Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet and engaged the German High Seas Fleet in the Battle of Jutland. Under the command of Captain Crawford Maclachlan, Royal Oak left Scapa Flow on the evening of 30 May in the company of the battleships Superb, Canada and Admiral Jellicoe's flagship Iron Duke. The next day's indecisive battle saw Royal Oak fire a total of thirty-eight 15-inch and eighty-four 6-inch shells, claiming three hits on the battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger, putting one of its turrets out of action, and a hit on the cruiser SMS Wiesbaden. She avoided damage herself, despite being straddled by shellfire on one occasion. Following the battle, Royal Oak was reassigned to the First Battle Squadron.

          On 5th November 1918 — the final week of the First World War — she was anchored off Burntisland in the Firth of Forth accompanied by the seaplane tender Campania and the light battlecruiser Glorious. A sudden Force 10 squall caused Campania to drag her anchor, collide with Royal Oak and then with Glorious. Both capital ships suffered only minor damage; Campania, however, was holed by her initial collision and sank five hours later without loss of life.

          At the end of the First World War, Royal Oak escorted several vessels of the surrendering German High Seas Fleet from the Firth of Forth to their internment in Scapa Flow and was present at a ceremony in Pentland Firth to greet other ships as they followed. She was sunk at Scapa Flow in October 1939.

             

          HMS Lion

          HMS Lion, was a Battlecruiser, built by HM Dockyard Devonport, laid down on 29 September 1909, launched on 6 August 1910 and completed in May 1912 at a cost of £2,086,458. Like all ships of the Lion Class, she had a Displacement of 26,270 long tons (26,690 t) normal load, 30,820 long tons (31,310 t) deep load. Length: 700 ft (213.4 m), Beam: 88 ft 6.75 in (27.0 m), Draught: 32 ft 5 in (9.9 m) at deep load Power: 70,000 shp (52,000 kW), 42 Yarrow boilers, Propulsion: 4 shafts, Parsons direct-drive steam turbines She had a Maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) and a range of 5,610 nmi (10,390 km; 6,460 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). The ships Complement was 1,092 officers and ratings, and she was armed with: 4 × 2, BL 13.5-inch guns, 16 × 1, BL 4-inch guns and 2 × 1, 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes Her armour belt measured 9,4 inches (229,102 mm), bulkheads were 4 inches (102 mm), barbettes at 9,8 inches (229,203 mm) turrets were 9 inches (229 mm), her decks measured 2.5 inches (64 mm) and her conning tower was 10 inches (254 mm) thick.

          The Lion-class battlecruisers were designed to be as superior to the new German battlecruisers of the Moltke class as the German ships were to the Invincible class. The increase in speed, armour and gun size forced a 65% increase in size over the Indefatigable class and made them the largest warships in the world.

          Lion's first action was as flagship of the battlecruiser force under the command of Admiral Beatty during the Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28th of August 1914. She took part in the chase after the enemy raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby on the 16th of December. She was also in action during the Battle of Dogger Bank on the 24th of January 1915. She fired 243 rounds from her main guns, but only made four hits: one each on Blücher and Derfflinger, and two on Seydlitz. In return she had been hit by the Germans sixteen times, but only suffered one man killed and twenty wounded. Lion was badly damaged and Indomitable was ordered to tow her back to port at 1500, but it took two hours and two tries before she could start to tow Lion, and a further day-and-a-half to reach port at speeds of 7,10 knots (13,19 km/h; 8.1,11.5 mph), even after Lion's starboard engine was temporarily repaired. After repairs at Palmers Shipyard, she rejoined the Battlecruiser Fleet, again as Beatty's flagship, on 7 April.

          On 31 May 1916 Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet put to sea to intercept a sortie by the High Seas Fleet into the North Sea at the Battle of Jutland. Lion became the flagship of Vice-Admiral W. C. Pakenham in December 1916 when he assumed command of the Battlecruiser Fleet upon Beatty's promotion to command of the Grand Fleet. Lion had an uneventful time for the rest of the war, conducting patrols of the North Sea as the High Seas Fleet was forbidden to risk any more losses. She provided support for British light forces involved in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight on 17 November 1917, but never came within range of any German forces.

          The 1st BCS, including Lion, sailed on the 12th of December 1917 in a futile attempt to intercept the German destroyers that had sunk the convoy en route to Norway earlier that day, but returned to base the following day. Lion, along with the rest of the Grand Fleet, sortied on the afternoon of 23 March 1918 after radio transmissions had revealed that the High Seas Fleet was at sea after a failed attempt to intercept the regular British convoy to Norway. However, the Germans were too far ahead of the British and escaped without firing a shot.

          HMS Lion was among the escorting ships when the High Seas Fleet sailed for Scapa Flow on 21st of November 1918 to be interned. Along with the rest of the 1st BCS she guarded the interned ships until she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet in April 1919. She was then placed in reserve in March 1920 and was paid off on 30 March 1922. Despite a press campaign to have her saved for the nation as a memorial, Lion was sold for scrap on 31 January 1924 for £77,000 to meet the tonnage limitations of the Washington Naval Treaty.

             

          HMS Princess Royal

          HMS Princess Royal was built by Vickers, Barrow, laid down on 2 May 1910, launched on 24 April 1911 and completed in November 1912 at a cost of £2,092,214. She was the second of two Lion-class battlecruisers built for the Royal Navy before World War I. Designed in response to the Moltke-class battlecruisers of the German Navy, the ships significantly improved on the speed, armament, and armour of the preceding Indefatigable class. The ship was named for The Princess Royal, a title occasionally granted to the Monarch's eldest daughter.

          HMS Princess Royal served in the Battle of Heligoland Bight a month after the war began. She was then sent to the Caribbean to prevent the German East Asia Squadron from using the Panama Canal. After the East Asia Squadron was sunk at the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914, Princess Royal rejoined the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. During the Battle of Dogger Bank, Princess Royal scored only a few hits, although one crippled the German armoured cruiser Blücher. Shortly afterwards, she became the flagship of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Osmond Brock.

          She was moderately damaged during the Battle of Jutland and required a month and a half of repairs. Apart from providing distant support during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1917, the ship spent the rest of the war on uneventful patrols of the North Sea. Princess Royal was placed into reserve in 1920, then was sold for breaking up as scrap in 1922 to meet the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty.

          The other deviation from working with the Home Fleet was that Princess Royal sailed from Cromarty on 28 September to rendezvous with a Canadian troop convoy bound for the United Kingdom. She rejoined the 1st BCS on 26 October, but was detached again a few days later to reinforce the North Atlantic and Caribbean Squadrons in the search for Admiral Graf Spee's German East Asia Squadron after it destroyed the West Indies Squadron on 1 November 1914. Princess Royal arrived at Halifax on 21 November, then spent several days off New York City before she steamed down to the Caribbean to guard against the possibility that Graf Spee would use the Panama Canal. The East Asia Squadron was sunk off the Falkland Islands on 7 December, and Princess Royal left Kingston, Jamaica to sail to the UK on 19 December.

             

          HMS Iron Duke

          HMS Iron Duke was a dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy, the lead ship of her class, named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. She was built by Portsmouth Dockyard, and her keel laid in January 1912. Launched ten months later, she was commissioned into the Home Fleet in March 1914 as the fleet flagship. She was armed with a main battery of ten 13.5-inch (340 mm) guns and was capable of a top speed of 21.25 knots (39.36 km/h; 24.45 mph).

          In August 1914, after the outbreak of World War I, the Home Fleet was reorganised as the Grand Fleet; Iron Duke remained the flagship of the fleet, now under Admiral John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe. On the evening of 22 November 1914, the Grand Fleet conducted a fruitless sweep in the southern half of the North Sea; Iron Duke stood with the main body in support of Vice Admiral David Beatty's 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. The fleet was back in port in Scapa Flow by 27 November. Iron Duke and most of the fleet remained in port during the German raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby in December 1914, though the 3rd Battle Squadron was sent to reinforce the British forces in the area. Iron Duke went to sea with the 2nd and 4th Battle Squadrons for gunnery practice north of the Hebrides on 23 and 24 December. The following day, the rest of the fleet joined Iron Duke for a sweep in the North Sea, which concluded on 27 December.

          Iron Duke and the rest of the fleet conducted gunnery drills on 10,13 January 1915 west of the Orkneys and Shetlands. On the evening of 23 January, the bulk of the Grand Fleet sailed in support of Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet, but Iron Duke and the rest of the fleet did not become engaged in the ensuing Battle of Dogger Bank the following day. Upon returning from the operation, Iron Duke went to Invergordon for refit; while she was away, HMS Centurion acted as the temporary fleet flagship. The work was completed by 23 February, after which she returned to Scapa Flow. On 7,10 March, the Grand Fleet conducted a sweep in the northern North Sea, during which it conducted training manoeuvres. Another such cruise took place on 16,19 March. On 11 April, the Grand Fleet conducted a patrol in the central North Sea and returned to port on 14 April; another patrol in the area took place on 17,19 April, followed by gunnery drills off the Shetlands on 20,21 April.

          The Grand Fleet conducted a sweep into the central North Sea on 17,19 May without encountering any German vessels. On 25 May, Iron Duke carried Jellicoe to Rosyth to meet with Admiral Henry Jackson, the new First Sea Lord. Iron Duke returned to Scapa Flow on 28 May, in time to participate in another sweep into the North Sea on 29,31 May. After returning to Scapa Flow, Iron Duke immediately departed for Cromarty. The fleet conducted gunnery training in mid-June. Iron Duke, the 2nd Battle Squadron, and the 1st Cruiser Squadron conducted gunnery training at Cromarty on 2 August; after completing the drills, the ships returned to Scapa Flow. On 7 August, the ship again took Jellicoe to Cromarty for another meeting, this time with the Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith. Iron Duke was back in Scapa Flow by 16 August.

          On 2,5 September, the fleet went on another cruise in the northern end of the North Sea and conducted gunnery drills. Throughout the rest of the month, the Grand Fleet conducted numerous training exercises. Iron Duke went to Invergordon on 1 October for another period of refitting—the work lasted until 11 October. Two days later, the majority of the fleet conducted another sweep into the North Sea, returning to port on 15 October. On 2,5 November, Iron Duke participated in another fleet training operation west of the Orkneys. Another such cruise took place on 1,4 December. Later in the month, Iron Duke took part in gunnery drills, and during them, conducted an experiment of sorts to determine the accuracy of the ship's gunners. Jellicoe concluded that the "result was very satisfactory."

          Iron Duke collided with the tanker Prudentia on 12 January 1916 while in Scapa Flow, and the latter sank. The tanker had come loose during a severe gale, which had winds of up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h). Iron Duke was undamaged in the accident. The typical routine of gunnery drills and squadron exercises occurred in January. The fleet departed for a cruise in the North Sea on 26 February; Jellicoe had intended to use the Harwich Force to sweep the Heligoland Bight, but bad weather prevented operations in the southern North Sea. As a result, the operation was confined to the northern end of the sea. On the night of 25 March, Iron Duke and the rest of the fleet sailed from Scapa Flow to support the Battlecruiser Fleet and other light forces that raided the German zeppelin base at Tondern. By the time the Grand Fleet approached the area on 26 March, the British and German forces had already disengaged and a severe gale threatened the light craft. Iron Duke guided the destroyers back to Scapa while the rest of the fleet retired independently.

          On 21 April, the Grand Fleet conducted a demonstration off Horns Reef to distract the Germans while the Russian Navy relaid its defensive minefields in the Baltic Sea. The fleet returned to Scapa Flow on 24 April and refuelled before proceeding south in response to intelligence reports that the Germans were about to launch a raid on Lowestoft. The Grand Fleet did not arrive in the area until after the Germans had withdrawn. On 2,4 May, the fleet conducted another demonstration off Horns Reef to keep German attention focused on the North Sea.

          On the 31st of May she was in action at the Battle of Jutland as the flagship of the Grand Fleet. She inflicted significant damage on the German battleship SMS König early in the main fleet action. On 18th of August, the Germans again sortied, this time to bombard Sunderland; Scheer hoped to draw out Beatty's battlecruisers and destroy them. British signals intelligence decrypted German wireless transmissions, allowing Jellicoe enough time to deploy the Grand Fleet in an attempt to engage in a decisive battle. Both sides withdrew, however, after their opponents' submarines inflicted losses: the British cruisers Nottingham and Falmouth were both torpedoed and sunk by German U-boats, and the German battleship SMS Westfalen was damaged by the British submarine E23. After returning to port, Jellicoe issued an order that prohibited risking the fleet in the southern half of the North Sea due to the overwhelming risk from mines and U-boats.

          In the aftermath of Jutland, the Royal Navy determined that horizontal protection, particularly over ammunition magazines, was insufficient. As a result, many ships in the Grand Fleet had additional armour installed; Iron Duke went into dock for this work in October. The work, which saw over 100 long tons (100 t) of armour added to the ship, was completed by December. On 28 November 1916, while she was still in dry dock, Admiral Beatty replaced Jellicoe as the commander of the Grand Fleet; Iron Duke served as his flagship until January 1917, when he transferred to Queen Elizabeth.[28] In 1918, flying-off platforms for aircraft were installed on Iron Duke's "B" and "Q" turrets.

          In January 1917, she was relieved as fleet flagship. After the war, Iron Duke operated in the Mediterranean as the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. She participated in both the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War in the Black Sea and the Greco-Turkish War. She also assisted in the evacuation of refugees from Smyrna. In 1926, she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, where she served as a training ship.

          Iron Duke only remained on active duty for a few more years; in 1930, the London Naval Treaty specified that the four Iron Duke-class battleships be scrapped or otherwise demilitarised. Iron Duke was therefore converted into a gunnery training ship; her armour and much of her armament was removed to render her unfit for combat. She served in this capacity until the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, when she was moored in Scapa Flow as a harbour defence ship. In October, she was badly damaged by German bombers and was run aground to avoid sinking. She continued to serve as an anti-aircraft platform for the duration of the war, and was eventually refloated and broken up for scrap in the late 1940s

             

             Walkergate City Hospital was built on Benfield Road in 1888 as an isolation hospital for Infectious Diseases, often known as The Fever Hospital. During the Great War two temporary pavilions were constructed on the east side of Benton Road for military use, they were also in military use during WW2 and were converted into a geriatric unit in 1953, remaining in use until 1979 when they were demolished.

             Lemington Bond Munitions Works was a filling factory managed by Armstrong, Whitworth and Co. It was situated at Lemington Point, on an island on the River Tyne formed by an old loop of the river, Lemmington Gut, later the site of the Anglo Great Lakes Graphite Plant. The munitions factory was nicknamed "Canary Island" by locals due to the cordite turning the skin of workers a shade of yellow.

             Derwenthaugh Munitions Works was part of the Armstrong Munitions Factory on the Tyne and was engaged in the assembly of shells.

             Dick, Kerr & Co was a manufacturer of electric trams with a factory on Strand Road in Preston, Lancashire, during the Great War they converted part of the factory to produce ammunition for the war effort. they also produced petrol-electric locomotives for use on the light railways of the western front.

             Cleveland House on Eston Road, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, belonging to Bolkow and Vaughn Works was used as a Naval Hospital during the Great War. The buidling became the Council Offices in 1920.

             Bolkow Vaughn, based in Middlesbrough were Ironmasters, steel manufacturers and colliery owners. Their products are listed in 1914 Whitakers Red Book as; "Cleveland pig iron, hematite, ferro-manganese and spiegeleisen steel rails and plates, tramrails, ironstone, coal, coke and byproducts such as sulphate of ammonia, benzol, toluol, xylol, sol, naphtha and motor spirit; also fire brick and plate bricks, ground annealed slag and artificial stone. The manufacture of steel is carried on by the acid and basic processes, both Bessemer and Siemens. Employees 18,000"

             Lennel House in Coldstream, the country home of Lady Clementine Waring was a convalescent hospital for officers of the rank of Major and above under the care of Neurology specialists.

             Seven hundred acres of land at Grange Farm, Billingham was purchased in 1917 as a site for the production of chemicals for explosives. Some production of Nitrogen began in late 1918, but the massive complex was not completed until after the end of the war and the works were put up for sale in 1919 and were purchased by Brunner Mond.

             

          HMS Invincible

          HMS Invincible was a battlecruiser of the British Royal Navy, the lead ship of her class of three, and the first battlecruiser to be built by any country in the world. She was built by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick. An Invincible-class battlecruiser, she was laid down on on 2nd of April 1906, Launched on 13th April 1907 and commissioned on the 20th of March 1909 at a cost of £1,768,995 She had a displacement of 17,250 long tons (17,530 t), 20,420 long tons (20,750 t) at (deep load). Length: 567 ft (173 m) overall, Beam: 78.5 ft (23.9 m), Draught: 30 ft (9.1 m) deep load Powered by 31 Yarrow boilers giving 41,000 shp (31,000 kW), and propelled by four-shaft Parsons direct-drive steam turbines. She had a top speed of 25.5 knots (47.2 km/h; 29.3 mph) with a range of 2,270 nmi (4,200 km; 2,610 mi) at 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph), 3,090 nmi (5,720 km; 3,560 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) Her ships complement was 784 officers and ratings, but she allowed for up to 1000 in wartime. Her armament consisted of 4 × 2 - BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk X guns, 16 × 1 - QF 4-in (102mm) Mk III guns. 7 × 1 - Maxim guns and 5 × 1 - submerged 18-inch (450-mm) torpedo tubes.

          Entering service from the second half of 1908 she was assigned to the Home Fleet. In 1914, Invincible was refitting in England when war broke out. She participated in the Battle of Heligoland Bight and was the flagship of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron during the Battle of Jutland. The squadron had been detached from Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet a few days before the battle for gunnery practice with the Grand Fleet and acted as its heavy scouting force during the battle. She was destroyed by a magazine explosion during the battle on teh 31st of May 1916, after 'Q' turret was penetrated by fire from German Battleships Lützow and Derfflinger. Only 6 of her crew of over 1000 survived the explosion.

             

          HMS Inflexible

          HMS Inflexible, a Battlecruiser of theInvincible class, was built by John Brown of Clydebank. Laid down on 5 February 1906, Launched on 26 June 1907 and commissioned on 20th October 1908 at a cost of £1,768,229. she had a displacement of 17,250 long tons (17,530 t), 20,420 long tons (20,750 t) at (deep load) Length: 567 ft (173 m) overall, Beam: 78.5 ft (23.9 m), Draught: 30 ft (9.1 m) deep load. Powered by 31 Yarrow boilers giving 41,000 shp (31,000 kW) to four-shaft Parsons direct-drive steam turbines . She had a top speed of 25.5 knots (47.2 km/h; 29.3 mph) and a range of 2,270 nmi (4,200 km; 2,610 mi) at 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph), 3,090 nmi (5,720 km; 3,560 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) Her ships complement was 784 (up to 1000 in wartime) officers and ratings. Her armament consisted of 4 × 2 - BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk X guns, 16 × 1 - QF 4-in (102mm) Mk III guns, 7 × 1 - Maxim guns and 5 × 1 - submerged 18-inch (450-mm) torpedo tubes.

          HMS Inflexible had an active career during the war. She tried to hunt down the German battlecruiser SMS Goeben and the light cruiser SMS Breslau in the Mediterranean Sea when war broke out and she and her sister ship Invincible sank the German armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau during the Battle of the Falkland Islands. Inflexible bombarded Turkish forts in the Dardanelles in 1915, but was damaged by return fire and struck a mine while maneuvering. She had to be beached to prevent her from sinking, but she was patched up and sent to Malta, and then Gibraltar for more permanent repairs. Transferred to the Grand Fleet afterwards she damaged the German battlecruiser Lützow during the Battle of Jutland and watched Invincible explode. She was deemed obsolete after the war and was sold for scrap in 1921.

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

           

             

             

             

          HMS Queen Mary

          HMS Queen Mary was the last battlecruiser built by the Royal Navy before World War I. The sole member of her class, Queen Mary shared many features with the Lion-class battlecruisers, including her eight 13.5-inch guns. She was completed in 1913 and took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1914. Like most of the modern British battlecruisers, she remained in the North Sea during the war. As part of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, she was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to intercept a German force that had bombarded the North Sea coast of England in December 1914. She was refitting in early 1915 and missed the Battle of Dogger Bank in January, but was present and met her fate in the Battle of Jutland. She was hit twice by the German battlecruiser Derfflinger during the early part of the battle and her magazines exploded shortly afterwards, sinking the ship. Her wreck was discovered in 1991 and rests in pieces, some of which are upside down, on the floor of the North Sea. Queen Mary is designated as a protected site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 as it is the grave of 1,266 officers and men.

          Queen Mary was ordered under the 1910,11 Naval Programme. It was standard practice to order only one battlecruiser with each naval programme. She differed from her predecessors of the Lion class in the layout of her secondary armament in the location of the officers' quarters. All battleships since HMS Dreadnought in 1905 had the officers' quarters closer to their action stations amidships. After complaints from the Fleet, Queen Mary was the first battlecruiser to restore their quarters to their traditional place in the stern. In addition, she was the first battlecruiser to mount a sternwalk. Queen Mary, the only ship of her name ever to serve in the Royal Navy, was named for Mary of Teck, the wife of King George V. The Queen's representative at the ship's christening on 20 March 1912 was the wife of Viscount Allendale. Queen Mary was laid down at Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow, on 6 March 1911. She was launched on 20 March 1912 and was completed in August 1913 at a total cost of £2,078,491 (including guns). The ship came under the command of Captain Reginald Hall on 1 July and was the last battlecruiser introduced before the start of World War I, being commissioned on 4 September 1913. Assigned to the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron (BCS) under the command of Rear Admiral David Beatty, Queen Mary and the rest of the 1st BCS made a port visit to Brest in February 1914 and the squadron visited Russia in June.

          During World War I HMS Queen Mary's first action was as part of the battlecruiser force under the command of Beatty during the Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28th of August 1914. Like most of the Grand Fleet she remained in the North sea area during the Great War. Her next action was an unsuccessful attempt to cut off the German Squadron after the bombardment of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool on the 16th December 1914 Queen Mary was undergoing refitting in January and February 1915 and missed the Battle of Dogger Bank. Her final engagement was in the Battle of Jutland where she sunk with the loss of 1,266 crewmen. Eighteen survivors were picked up by the destroyers HMS Laurel, HMS Petard, and HMS Tipperary. A further two were rescued by the Germans.

          Queen Mary, along with the other Jutland wrecks, has been declared a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 to discourage further damage to the resting place of 1,266 officers and men. Surveys of this site conducted by nautical archaeologist Innes McCartney in 2001,03 have shown the wreck is in three sections, with the two forward sections being heavily damaged and in pieces. Her aft end is upside down and relatively complete except for her propellers, which have been salvaged. Examination of the damage to the ship has suggested that the initial explosion was not in the magazine of 'A' or 'B' forward main turrets, but instead in the magazine of the forward 4-inch battery. An explosion of the quantity of cordite in the main magazine would have been sufficient to also ignite 'Q' magazine, destroying much more of the ship. The explosion in the smaller magazine would have been sufficient to break the ship in two, the blast then spreading to the forward magazine and ripping apart the forward section.

             

          HMS Tiger

          HMS Tiger was the sole battlecruiser in the 1911,12 Naval Programme. She was laid down at the John Brown and Company shipyard in Clydebank on 6 June 1912, launched on 15 December 1913 and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 3 October 1914, at a cost of £2,593,100, including armament. The ship was still under construction when the First World War broke out in August 1914. On 3 August 1914 Captain Henry Bertram Pelly was appointed to command the ship. Beatty described Pelly at the time as "a very charming person and, what is more important just now, a very efficient officer". After the Battle of Coronel and the deployment of three battlecruisers to hunt for the German East Asia Squadron, Tiger was ordered to cut short her firing trials off Berehaven and was commissioned into the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron (1st BCS) two months later, on 3 October. She began trials and working up and Beatty described Tiger to the First Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher of Kilverstone, as "not yet fit to fight. Three out of her four dynamoes are out of action for an indefinite period, and her training is impeded by bad weather, which might continue for many weeks at this time of year and at present is quite unprepared and inefficient."

          Tiger took part in the First Battle of Dogger Bank and The Battle of Jutland. She was also present in support during the second Battle of Heligoland Bight and the unsuccessful attempt to intercept German ships after a planned bombardment of Sunderland.

          After her repairs were completed, Tiger served as the temporary flagship of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron while Lion was under repair. In the meantime, on the evening of 18 August the Grand Fleet put to sea in response to a message deciphered by Room 40 which indicated that the High Seas Fleet, less the II Squadron, would be leaving harbour that night. The German objective was to bombard Sunderland on the 19th, with extensive reconnaissance provided by airships and submarines. The Grand Fleet sailed with 29 dreadnought battleships and six battlecruisers. Throughout the 19th, Jellicoe and Scheer received conflicting intelligence, with the result that having reached its rendezvous in the North Sea, the Grand Fleet steered north in the erroneous belief that it had entered a minefield before turning south again. Scheer steered south-eastward pursuing a lone British battle squadron reported by an airship, which was in fact the Harwich Force under Commodore Tyrwhitt. Having realised their mistake the Germans then steered for home. The only contact came in the evening when Tyrwhitt sighted the High Seas Fleet but was unable to achieve an advantageous attack position before dark, and broke off contact. Both the British and the German fleets returned home. The British had lost two cruisers to submarine attacks and a German dreadnought had been damaged by a torpedo.

          The ship received a lengthy refit from 10 November 1916 to 29 January 1917 at Rosyth where her deck and turret roof armour were reinforced and additional rangefinders were added over her conning tower and the rear of 'X' turret. For the remainder of the war, Tiger uneventfully patrolled the North Sea, as both fleets were essentially forbidden to risk any more losses. She provided support for British light forces involved in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight on 17 November 1917, but never came within range of any German forces. The same year saw her undergo a minor refit during which a flying-off platform for a Sopwith Camel was mounted on 'Q' turret and a searchlight platform was added to her third funnel. She underwent a more extensive refit in 1918 which saw her topmast shifted to the top of the derrick-stump and a more substantial observation platform added to the foremast. Some of her short rangefinders were replaced by longer ones as well.

          Tiger remained in service with the Royal Navy after the Armistice with Germany and she had a flying-off platform added on 'B' turret's roof in 1919. The ship collided with the battleship Royal Sovereign in late 1920 while assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. Tiger survived the culling of older capital ships following the Washington Naval Treaty, although she was placed in reserve on 22 August 1921. The ship was refitted in March 1922 with a 25-foot rangefinder fitted on 'X' turret, her original pair of 3-inch AA guns replaced by four 4-inch guns and the flying-off platform on 'Q' turret was removed. On 14 February 1924, Tiger was recommissioned and became a seagoing training ship, a role she served in throughout the 1920s. Her last major period of activity came in 1929, when Hood went into dockyard hands for refit. While Hood was out of commission, Tiger returned to active service to keep the Royal Navy's three-ship Battlecruiser Squadron (normally made up of Hood plus the smaller Renown and Repulse) up to strength. Although by the 1930s Tiger was still in reasonable condition, the decision was taken to discard her following the London Naval Conference of 1930 as part of an overall reduction in world battleship fleets. Under the command of Captain Kenneth Dewar from 1928 to 1929, her final commander was Arthur Bedford, and she remained in service with the fleet until Hood came out of refit in early 1931, at which time she was taken out of commission in accordance with the terms of the London Naval Treaty. Tiger took the cheers of the Atlantic Fleet on 30 March 1931 at Devonport.

          She was paid off on 15 May 1931 at Rosyth, before being sold to T. W. Ward of Inverkeithing for breaking up in February 1932.

             HMS Defence was a Minotaur-class Armoured Cruiser. She joined 5th Cruiser Squadron in February 1909 but transferred to 1st CS in July (Home Fleet); escorted Royal Yacht Medina November-December 1912, and then went to China Station as flagship. Joined 1st CS as flagship in 1913, and took part in hunt for Goeben and Breslau in August 1914. Stationed off Dardanelles in September but sent to South Atlantic to reinforce Rear-Admiral Cradock's squadron; diverted to Cape of Good Hope in November 1914. Became flagship 1st CS, Grand Fleet, in January 1915 and was sunk by gunfire of German battleship Friedrich der Grosse at Jutland, 31 May 1916. All hands (893 officers and men) lost as a result of cordite charges catching fire in the ammunition passages. (Battle honour - Jutland 1916).

           

             

             On the 21st of March 1918 the German Army launched attack on the Western Front, code named Operation Michael. Half a million German troops were moved from the Russian front to take part in the offensive. Attack opened with a huge bombardment over 45 miles of the front line . One million artillery shells were fired on the Allied lines during a five hour barrage. This was followed by a swift assault across a battered landscape swathed in mist and artillery smoke. Sixty five Divisions of the Imperial German Army overwhelmed the 26 Allied Divisions who were holding the trenches. The front lines were pushed back across the hard fought battlefields of the Somme and by the time the advance was brought to a halt in early May, parts of the front line were further west than the old front line had been prior to the 1st of July 1916 when the Allied had launched their assault.

           HMS Courageous  

          HMS Courageous

          HMS Courageous was the lead ship of the Courageous-class cruisers built for the Royal Navy during the First World War. Designed to support the Baltic Project championed by the First Sea Lord, John Fisher, the ship was very lightly armoured and armed with only a few heavy guns. Courageous was completed in late 1916 and spent the war patrolling the North Sea. She participated in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in November 1917 and was present when the German High Seas Fleet surrendered a year later. Courageous was decommissioned after the war, but rebuilt as an aircraft carrier during the mid-1920s. She could carry 48 aircraft compared to the 36 carried by her half-sister Furious on approximately the same tonnage. After recommissioning she spent most of her career operating off Great Britain and Ireland. She briefly became a training carrier, but reverted to her normal role a few months before the start of the Second World War in September 1939. Courageous was torpedoed and sunk in the opening weeks of the war, going down with more than 500 of her crew.

          • Name: HMS Courageous
          • Ordered: 14 March 1915
          • Builder: Armstrong Whitworth
          • Cost: £2,038,225
          • Laid down: 26 March 1915
          • Launched: 5 February 1916
          • Completed: 4 November 1916
          • Reclassified: Converted to aircraft carrier, June 1924, February 1928
          • Fate: Sunk by U-29, 17 September 1939

          Laid down on 26 March 1915, Courageous was launched on 5 February 1916 and completed on 4 November. During her sea trials later that month, she sustained structural damage while running at full speed in a rough head sea but the exact cause is uncertain. The forecastle deck was deeply buckled in three places between the breakwater and the forward turret. In addition the side plating was visibly buckled between the forecastle and upper decks. Water had entered the submerged torpedo room and rivets had sheared in the angle irons securing the deck armour in place. The ship was stiffened with 130 long tons of steel in response. As of 23 November 1916, she cost £2,038,225 to build. Upon commissioning, Courageous was assigned to the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. She became flagship of the 1st Cruiser Squadron near the end of 1916 when that unit was re-formed after most of its ships had been sunk at the Battle of Jutland in May. The ship was temporarily fitted as a minelayer in April 1917 by the addition of mine rails on her quarterdeck that could hold over 200 mines, but never actually laid any mines. In mid-1917, she received half a dozen torpedo mounts, each with two tubes. One mount on each side of the mainmast on the upper deck and two mounts on each side of the rear turret on the quarterdeck. On 30 July 1917, Rear-Admiral Trevylyan Napier assumed command of the 1st Cruiser Squadron and was appointed Acting Vice-Admiral Commanding the Light Cruiser Force until he was relieved on 26 October 1918. On 16 October 1917, the Admiralty received word of German ship movements, possibly indicating some sort of raid. Admiral Beatty, the commander of the Grand Fleet, ordered most of his light cruisers and destroyers to sea in an effort to locate the enemy ships. Courageous and Glorious were not initially included amongst them, but were sent to reinforce the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron patrolling the central part of the North Sea later that day. Two German Brummer-class light cruisers managed to slip through the gaps between the British patrols and destroy a convoy bound for Norway during the morning of 17 October, but no word was received of the engagement until that afternoon. The 1st Cruiser Squadron was ordered to intercept, but was unsuccessful as the German cruisers were faster than expected.

          Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

          Throughout 1917 the Admiralty was becoming more concerned about German efforts to sweep paths through the British-laid minefields intended to restrict the actions of the High Seas Fleet and German submarines. A preliminary raid on German minesweeping forces on 31 October by light forces destroyed ten small ships. Based on intelligence reports, the Admiralty allocated the 1st Cruiser Squadron on 17 November 1917, with cover provided by the reinforced 1st Battlecruiser Squadron and distant cover by the battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron, to destroy the minesweepers and their light cruiser escorts. The German ships—four light cruisers of II Scouting Force, eight destroyers, three divisions of minesweepers, eight sperrbrechers (cork-filled trawlers) and two other trawlers to mark the swept route—were spotted at 0730. Courageous and the light cruiser Cardiff opened fire with their forward guns seven minutes later. The Germans responded by laying an effective smoke screen. The British continued in pursuit, but lost track of most of the smaller ships in the smoke and concentrated fire on the light cruisers. Courageous fired 92 fifteen-inch shells and 180 four-inch shells during the battle and the only damage she received was from her own muzzle blast. One fifteen-inch shell hit a gun shield of the light cruiser SMS Pillau but did not affect her speed. At 0930 the 1st Cruiser Squadron broke off their pursuit so they would not enter a minefield marked on their maps. The ships turned south, playing no further role in the battle. After the battle, the mine fittings on Courageous were removed, and she spent the rest of the war intermittently patrolling the North Sea. In 1918, short take-off platforms were fitted for a Sopwith Camel and a Sopwith 1½ Strutter on both 15-inch turrets. The ship was present at the surrender of the German High Seas fleet on 21 November 1918. Courageous was placed in reserve at Rosyth on 1 February 1919 and she again became Napier's flagship as he was appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding the Rosyth Reserve until 1 May. The ship was assigned to the Gunnery School at Devonport the following year as a turret drill ship. She became flagship of the Rear-Admiral Commanding the Reserve at Devonport in March 1920. Captain Sidney Meyrick became her Flag Captain in 1920.

             High Beech Camp was situated in Loughton, Essex.

           HMAS Australia  

          HMAS Australia

          HMAS Australia was one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers built for the defence of the British Empire. Ordered by the Australian government in 1909, she was launched in 1911, and commissioned as flagship of the fledgling Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1913. Australia was the only capital ship ever to serve in the RAN. At the start of World War I, Australia was tasked with finding and destroying the German East Asia Squadron, which was prompted to withdraw from the Pacific by the battlecruiser's presence. Repeated diversions to support the capture of German colonies in New Guinea and Samoa, as well as an overcautious Admiralty, prevented the battlecruiser from engaging the German squadron before the latter's destruction. Australia was then assigned to North Sea operations, which consisted primarily of patrols and exercises, until the end of the war. During this time, Australia was involved in early attempts at naval aviation, and 11 of her personnel participated in the Zeebrugge Raid. The battlecruiser was not at the Battle of Jutland, as she was undergoing repairs following a collision with sister ship HMS New Zealand. Australia only ever fired in anger twice: at a German merchant vessel in January 1915, and at a suspected submarine contact in December 1917. On her return to Australian waters, several sailors aboard the warship mutinied after a request for an extra day's leave in Fremantle was denied, although other issues played a part in the mutiny, including minimal leave during the war, problems with pay, and the perception that Royal Navy personnel were more likely to receive promotions than Australian sailors. Post-war budget cuts saw Australia's role downgraded to a training ship before she was placed in reserve in 1921. The disarmament provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty required the destruction of Australia as part of Britain's commitment, and she was scuttled off Sydney Heads in 1924.

          • Namesake: Nation of Australia
          • Ordered: 9 December 1909
          • Builder: John Brown & Company, Clydebank
          • Yard number: 402
          • Laid down: 26 June 1910
          • Launched: 25 October 1911
          • Commissioned: 21 June 1913
          • Decommissioned: 12 December 1921
          • Fate: Scuttled, 12 April 1924

          Following her commissioning, Australia hosted several official events. On 30 June, King George V and Edward, Prince of Wales, visited Australia to farewell the ship. During this visit, King George knighted Patey on the ship's quarterdeck—the first time a naval officer was knighted aboard a warship since Francis Drake. On 1 July, Patey hosted a luncheon which was attended by imperial dignitaries, including Reid, the Agents-General of the Australian states, First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, Secretary of State for the Colonies Lewis Harcourt, and the High Commissioners of other British Dominions. That afternoon, 600 Australian expatriates were invited to a ceremonial farewelling and were entertained by shows and fireworks. Journalists and cinematographers were allowed aboard to report on Australia prior to her departure and an official reporter was embarked for the voyage to Australia. His role was to promote the ship as a symbol of the bond between Australia and the United Kingdom. Australia was escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Sydney during the voyage to Australia. On 25 July, the two ships left England for South Africa. The visit was part of an agreement between the Prime Ministers of Australia and South Africa to promote the link between the two nations, along with the nations' links to the rest of the British Empire. The two ships were anchored in Table Bay from 18 to 26 August, during which the ships' companies participated in parades and receptions, while tens of thousands of people came to observe the ships. The two ships also visited Simon's Town, while Australia additionally called into Durban. No other major ports were visited on the voyage, and the warships were instructed to avoid all major Australian ports. Australia and Sydney reached Jervis Bay on 2 October, where they rendezvoused with the rest of the RAN fleet (the cruisers Encounter and Melbourne, and the destroyers Parramatta, Warrego, and Yarra). The seven warships prepared for a formal fleet entry into Sydney Harbour. On 4 October, Australia led the fleet into Sydney Harbour, where responsibility for Australian naval defence was passed from the Royal Navy's Australia Squadron, commanded by King-Hall aboard HMS Cambrian, to the RAN, commanded by Patey aboard Australia.

          Early service

          In her first year of service, Australia visited as many major Australian ports as possible, in order to expose the new navy to the widest possible audience and induce feelings of nationhood. Naval historian David Stevens claims that these visits did more to break down state rivalries and promote the unity of Australia as a federated commonwealth than any other event. During late 1913, footage for the film Sea Dogs of Australia was filmed aboard the battlecruiser; the film was withdrawn almost immediately after first screening in August 1914 because of security concerns. During July 1914, Australia and other units of the RAN fleet were on a training cruise in Queensland waters. On 27 July, the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board learned through press telegrams that the British Admiralty thought that there would be imminent and widespread war in Europe following the July Crisis, and had begun to position its fleets as a precaution. Three days later, the Board learned that the official warning telegram had been sent: at 22:30, Australia was recalled to Sydney to take on coal and stores. On 3 August, the RAN was placed under Admiralty control. Orders for RAN warships were prepared over the next few days. Australia was assigned to the concentration of British naval power on the China Station, but was allowed to seek out and destroy any armoured warships (particularly those of the German East Asia Squadron) in the Australian Station before doing so. Vice Admiral Maximilian von Spee, commander of the German squadron, was aware of Australia's presence in the region and her superiority to his entire force. The German admiral's plan was to harass British shipping and colonies in the Pacific until the presence of Australia and the China Squadron forced his fleet to relocate to other seas.

          World War I - Securing local waters

          The British Empire declared war on Germany on 5 August, and the RAN swung into action. Australia had departed Sydney the night before, and was heading north to rendezvous with other RAN vessels south of German New Guinea. The German colonial capital of Rabaul was considered a likely base of operations for von Spee, and Patey put together a plan to clear the harbour. Australia's role was to hang backand, if the armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau were present, the other RAN vessels would lure them into range of the battlecruiser. The night-time operation was executed on 11 August, and no German ships were found in the harbour. Over the next two days, Australia and the other ships unsuccessfully searched the nearby bays and coastline for the German ships and any wireless stations, before returning to Port Moresby to refuel. In late August, Australia and Melbourne escorted a New Zealand occupation force to German Samoa. Patey believed that the German fleet was likely to be in the eastern Pacific, and Samoa would be a logical move. Providing protection for the New Zealand troopships was a beneficial coincidence, although the timing could have been better, as an Australian expedition to occupy German New Guinea departed from Sydney a few days after the New Zealand force left home waters—Australia was expected to support both, but Patey only learned of the expeditions after they had commenced their journeys. The battlecruiser left Port Moresby on 17 August and was met by Melbourne en route on 20 August. The next day, they reached Nouméa and the New Zealand occupation force, consisting of the troopships Moeraki and Monowai, the French cruiser Montcalm, and three Pelorus-class cruisers. The grounding of Monowai delayed the expedition's departure until 23 August so the ships reached Suva, Fiji on 26 August, and arrived off Apia early in the morning of 30 August. The city surrendered without a fight, freeing Australia and Melbourne to depart at noon on 31 August to meet the Australian force bound for Rabaul. The Australian invasion force had mustered off the Louisiade Archipelago by 9 September; the assembled ships included Australia, the cruisers Sydney, and Encounter, the destroyers Parramatta, Warrego, and Yarra, the submarines AE1 and AE2, the auxiliary cruiser HMAS Berrima, the storeship SS Aorangi, three colliers and an oiler. The force sailed north, and at 0600 on 11 September, Australia deployed two picket boats to secure Karavia Bay for the expeditionary force's transports and supply ships. Later that day, Australia captured the German steamer Sumatra off Cape Tawui. After this, the battlecruiser stood off, in case she was required to shell one of the two wireless stations the occupation force was attempting to capture. The German colony was captured, and on 15 September, Australia departed for Sydney.

          Pursuit of von Spee

          The presence of Australia around the former German colonies, combined with the likelihood of Japan declaring war on Germany, prompted von Spee to withdraw his ships from the region. On 13 August, the East Asia Squadron—with the exception of SMS Emden, which was sent to prey on British shipping in the Indian Ocean—had begun to move eastwards. After appearing off Samoa on 14 September, then attacking Tahiti eight days later, von Spee led his force to South America, and from there planned to sail for the Atlantic. Patey was ordered on 17 September to head back north with Australia and Sydney to protect the Australian expeditionary force. On 1 October, Australia, Sydney, Montcalm, and Encounter headed north from Rabaul to find the German ships, but turned around to return at midnight, after receiving an Admiralty message about the Tahiti attack. Although Patey suspected that the Germans were heading for South America and wanted to follow with Australia, the Admiralty was unsure that the intelligence was accurate and tasked the battlecruiser with patrolling around Fiji in case they returned. Australia reached Suva on 12 October and spent the next four weeks patrolling the waters around Fiji, Samoa, and New Caledonia. Despite Patey's desires to range out further, Admiralty orders kept him chained to Suva until early November. As Patey predicted, von Spee had continued east, and it was not until his force inflicted the first defeat on the Royal Navy in 100 years at the Battle of Coronel that Australia was allowed to pursue. Departing on 8 November, the battlecruiser replenished coal from a pre-positioned collier on 14 November, and reached Chamela Bay (near Manzanillo, Mexico) 12 days later. Patey was made commander of a multinational squadron tasked with preventing the German squadron from sailing north to Canadian waters, or following them if they attempted to enter the Atlantic via the Panama Canal or around Cape Horn. Patey's ships included Australia, the British light cruiser HMS Newcastle and the Japanese cruisers Izumo, Asama, and the ex-Russian battleship Hizen. The ships made for the Galapagos Islands, which were searched from 4 to 6 December. After finding no trace of von Spee's force, the Admiralty ordered Patey to investigate the South American coast from Perlas Island down to the Gulf of Guayaquil. The German squadron had sailed for the Atlantic via Cape Horn and was defeated by a British fleet after attempting to raid the Falkland Islands on 8 December. Patey's squadron learned of this 10 December, while off the Gulf of Panama; Australia's personnel were disappointed that they did not have the chance to take on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Nevertheless, the battlecruiser's presence in the Pacific during 1914 had provided an important counter to the German armoured cruisers, and enabled the RAN to participate in the Admiralty's global strategy. Moreover, it is unlikely that the attack on Rabaul would have gone ahead had Australia not been available to protect the landing force.

          North Sea operations

          As the threat of a German naval attack had been removed by the destruction of the East Asia Squadron, Australia was free for deployment elsewhere. Initially, the battlecruiser was to serve as flagship of the West Indies Squadron, with the task of pursuing and destroying any German vessels that evaded North Sea blockades. Australia was ordered to sail to Jamaica via the Panama Canal, but as it was closed to heavy shipping, she was forced to sail down the coast of South America and pass through the Strait of Magellan during 31 December 1914 and 1 January 1915. Australia is the only ship of the RAN to cross from the Pacific to the Atlantic by sailing under South America. During the crossing, one of the warship's propellers was damaged, and she had to limp to the Falkland Islands at half speed. Temporary repairs were made, and Australia departed on 5 January. A vessel well clear of the usual shipping routes was spotted on the afternoon of the next day, and the battlecruiser attempted to pursue, but was hampered by the damaged propeller. Unable to close the gap before sunset, a warning shot was fired from 'A' turret, which caused the ship—the former German passenger liner, now naval auxiliary Eleonora Woermann—to stop and be captured. As Australia could not spare enough personnel to crew the merchant ship, and Eleonora Woermann was too slow to keep pace with the battlecruiser, the crew was taken aboard and the ship was sunk. Following the Battle of Dogger Bank, the Admiralty saw the need for dedicated battlecruiser squadrons in British waters and earmarked Australia to lead one of them. On 11 January, while en route to Jamaica, Australia was diverted to Gibraltar. Reaching there on 20 January, the battlecruiser was ordered to proceed to Plymouth, where she arrived on 28 January and paid off for a short refit. The docking was completed on 12 February, and Australia reached Rosyth on 17 February after sailing through a gale. She was made flagship of the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron (2nd BCS) of the Battlecruiser Fleet, part of the British Grand Fleet on 22 February. Vice Admiral Patey was appointed to command this squadron. In early March, to avoid a conflict of seniority between Patey and the leader of the Battlecruiser Fleet, Vice Admiral David Beatty, Patey was reassigned to the West Indies, and Rear Admiral William Pakenham raised his flag aboard Australia. British and Allied ships deployed to the North Sea were tasked with protecting the British Isles from German naval attack, and keeping the German High Seas Fleet penned in European waters through a distant blockade while trying to lure them into a decisive battle. During her time with the 2nd BCS, Australia's operations primarily consisted of training exercises (either in isolation or with other ships), patrols of the North Sea area in response to actual or perceived German movements, and some escort work. These duties were so monotonous, one sailor was driven insane. Australia joined the Grand Fleet in a sortie on 29 March, in response to intelligence that the German fleet was leaving port as the precursor to a major operation. By the next night, the German ships had withdrawn, and Australia returned to Rosyth. On 11 April, the British fleet was again deployed on the intelligence that a German force was planning an operation. The Germans intended to lay mines at the Swarte Bank, but after a scouting Zeppelin located a British light cruiser squadron, they began to prepare for what they thought was a British attack. Heavy fog and the need to refuel caused Australia and the British vessels to return to port on 17 August and, although they were redeployed that night, they were unable to stop two German light cruisers from laying the minefield. From 26 to 28 January 1916, the 2nd BCS was positioned off the Skagerrak while the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron swept the strait in an unsuccessful search of a possible minelayer. On the morning of 21 April, Australia and her sister ships sailed again for the Skagerrak, this time to support efforts to disrupt the transport of Swedish ore to Germany. The planned destroyer sweep of the Kattegat was cancelled when word came that the High Seas Fleet was mobilising for an operation of their own (later learned to be timed to coincide with the Irish Easter Rising) and the British ships were ordered to a rendezvous point in the middle of the North Sea, while the rest of the Grand Fleet made for the south-eastern end of the Long Forties. On the afternoon of 22 April, the Battlecruiser Fleet was patrolling to the north-west of Horn Reefs when heavy fog came down. The ships were zigzagging to avoid submarine attack, which, combined with the weather conditions, caused Australia to collide with sister ship HMS New Zealand twice in three minutes. Procedural errors were found to be the cause of the collisions, which saw Australia (the more heavily damaged of the two ships) docked for six weeks of repairs between April and June 1916. Initial inspections of the damage were made in a floating dock on the River Tyne, but the nature of the damage required a diversion to Devonport, Devon for the actual repair work. The repairs were completed more quickly than expected and Australia rejoined the 2nd BCS Squadron at Rosyth on 9 June, having missed the Battle of Jutland.

          On the evening of 18 August, the Grand Fleet put to sea in response to a message deciphered by Room 40, which indicated that the High Seas Fleet, minus II Squadron, would be leaving harbour that night. The German objective was to bombard Sunderland on 19 August, with extensive reconnaissance provided by airships and submarines. The Grand Fleet sailed with 29 dreadnought battleships and 6 battlecruisers. Throughout the next day, Jellicoe and Scheer received conflicting intelligence, with the result that having reached its rendezvous in the North Sea, the Grand Fleet steered north in the erroneous belief that it had entered a minefield before turning south again. Scheer steered south-eastward to pursue a lone British battle squadron sighted by an airship, which was in fact the Harwich Force under Commodore Tyrwhitt. Having realised their mistake, the Germans changed course for home. The only contact came in the evening when Tyrwhitt sighted the High Seas Fleet but was unable to achieve an advantageous attack position before dark, and broke off. Both the British and German fleets returned home, with two British cruisers sunk by submarines and a German dreadnought battleship damaged by a torpedo. The year 1917 saw a continuation of the battlecruiser's routine of exercises and patrols into the North Sea, with few incidents. During this year Australia's activities were limited to training voyages between Rosyth and Scapa Flow and occasional patrols to the north-east of Britain in search of German raiders. In May, while preparing the warship for action stations, a 12-inch shell became jammed in the shell hoist when its fuze became hooked onto a projection. After the magazines were evacuated, Lieutenant-Commander F. C. Darley climbed down the hoist and successfully removed the fuze. On 26 June, King George V visited the ship. On 12 December, Australia was involved in a second collision, this time with the battlecruiser HMS Repulse. Following this accident, she underwent three weeks of repairs from December 1917 until January 1918. During the repair period, Australia became the first RAN ship to launch an aircraft, when a Sopwith Pup took off from her quarterdeck on 18 December. On 30 December, Australia shelled a suspected submarine contact, the only time during her deployment with the 2nd BCS that she fired on the enemy. In February 1918, the call went out for volunteers to participate in a special mission to close the port of Zeebrugge using blockships. Although many aboard Australia volunteered their services in an attempt to escape the drudgery of North Sea patrols, only 11 personnel—10 sailors and an engineering lieutenant—were selected for the raid, which occurred on 23 April. The lieutenant was posted to the engine room of the requisitioned ferry HMS Iris II, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his efforts. The other Australians were assigned to the boiler rooms of the blockship Thetis, or as part of a storming party along the mole. All ten sailors survived—Australia was the only ship to have no casualties from the raid—and three were awarded the DSM, while another three were mentioned in dispatches. One of the sailors was listed in the ballot to receive a Victoria Cross, but he did not receive the award. During 1918, Australia and the Grand Fleet's other capital ships on occasion escorted convoys travelling between Britain and Norway. The 2nd BCS spent the period from 8 to 21 February covering these convoys in company with battleships and destroyers, and put to sea on 6 March in company with the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron to support minelayers. From 8 March on, the battlecruiser tested the capabilities of aircraft launched from platforms mounted over 'P' and 'Q' turrets. Australia, along with the rest of the Grand Fleet, sortied on the afternoon of 23 March 1918 after radio transmissions had revealed that the High Seas Fleet was at sea after a failed attempt to intercept the regular British convoy to Norway. However, the Germans were too far ahead of the British and escaped without firing a shot. The 2nd BCS sailed again on 25 April to support minelayers, then cover one of the Scandinavian convoys the next day. Following the successful launch of a fully laden Sopwith 1½ Strutter scout plane on 14 May, Australia started carrying two aircraft (a Strutter for reconnaissance, and a Sopwith Camel fighter) and operated them until the end of the war. The 2nd BCS again supported minelayers in the North Sea between 25,26 June and 29,30 July. During September and October, Australia and the 2nd BCS supervised and protected minelaying operations north of Orkney.

          War's end

          When the armistice with Germany was signed on 11 November 1918 to end World War I, one of the conditions was that the German High Seas Fleet was to be interred at Scapa Flow. The German fleet crossed the North Sea and, on 21 November, the British Grand Fleet sailed out to meet it. Australia led the port division of the fleet. Australia then escorted the battlecruiser SMS Hindenburg to Scapa Flow and was assigned as the German vessel's guardship. Australia subsequently formed part of the force which guarded the High Seas Fleet during late 1918 and early 1919 and spent much of her time either at anchor at Scapa Flow, or conducting patrols in the North Sea. This monotonous duty contributed to low morale among some sections of the ship's crew. After being formally farewelled by the Prince of Wales and First Sea Lord Rosslyn Wemyss on 22 April 1919, Australia departed from Portsmouth for home the next day. She sailed in company with HMAS Brisbane for the first part of the voyage, but the light cruiser later had to detach to tow the submarine J5. Australia arrived in Fremantle on 28 May 1919, the first time the ship had seen home waters in four and a half years. Despite returning home, the battlecruiser remained under Admiralty control until 1 August 1919. Australia was not awarded any official battle honours, although personnel aboard the battlecruiser and her successor claimed the operations in the Pacific, the North Sea patrol duties, and the battlecruiser's presence at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet as unofficial honours. Following a reorganisation of RAN battle honours in 2010, the honours "Rabaul 1914" and "North Sea 1915,18" were retroactively awarded on 1 March 2010.

          Mutiny

          Post-war

          In May 1920, Australia participated in celebrations and naval activities associated with the visit of the Prince of Wales. From July to November 1920, an Avro 504 floatplane of the Australian Air Corps was embarked aboard Australia as part of a series of trials intended to cumulate in the creation of a naval aviation branch. The aircraft was stored on the quarterdeck next to 'Q' turret, and was deployed and recovered by derrick. Inter-service rivalry and the ship's reduction to non-seagoing status in September prevented further operations. Following the demise of German naval power in the Pacific the fleet unit concept was no longer seen as being relevant, and Australia did not have a clear role. As a result, post-war budget cuts prompted the RAN to take the battlecruiser out of active service, as the large share of resources and manpower consumed by Australia could be better used elsewhere in the RAN. In August 1920 the battlecruiser was rated by the Naval Board as 11th out of the RAN's 12 priorities. Accordingly, her crew was reduced later that year and she was assigned to Flinders Naval Depot as a gunnery and torpedo training ship. In the event of a major conflict, Australia was to serve in a role akin to coastal artillery. She was not considered to have been placed in reserve at this time, however, as it was not possible for the RAN to provide a trained crew at short notice.

          Decommissioning and fate

          Australia returned to Sydney in November 1921, and was paid off into reserve in December. By this time battlecruisers built before the Battle of Jutland were considered obsolete, and there is no record of the Admiralty suggesting that Australia purchase a replacement. Moreover, it is unlikely that the Australian Government would have agreed to such a suggestion given the prevailing political and financial conditions. As the Admiralty had decided to phase out 12-inch guns and had stopped the manufacture of shells for these weapons shortly after the war, it would have been necessary to replace Australia's main armament once the Navy's stock of shells reached their expiry date given that it was not possible to produce replacement shells in Australia. This was also not financially feasible for the government, particularly given the RAN's lack of interest in retaining the ship. The 1922 Washington Naval Treaty was a mutual naval arms limitation and disarmament treaty between the five major naval powers of the time (the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Japan, Italy, and France). One of the main aspects of the treaty was the limitation on the number and size of capital ships each nation possessed. As the RAN was counted as part of the Royal Navy for the purposes of the treaty, Australia was one of the battlecruisers nominated for disposal to meet the British limit. The battlecruiser had to be made unusable for warlike activities within six months of the treaty's ratification, then disposed of by scuttling, as Australia did not have the facilities to break her up for scrap, and the British share of target ships was taken up by Royal Navy vessels. This was the only time the Australian military has been affected by a disarmament treaty until the 1997 Ottawa Treaty banning the use of anti-personnel mines. Some equipment had been removed when Australia was decommissioned for use in other ships, but after the November 1923 decision by the Cabinet confirming the scuttling, RAN personnel and private contractors began to remove piping and other small fittings. Between November 1923 and January 1924, £68,000 of equipment was reclaimed; over half was donated to tertiary education centres (some of which was still in use in the 1970s), while the rest was either marked for use in future warships, or sold as souvenirs. Some consideration was given to reusing Australia's 12-inch guns in coastal fortifications, but this did not occur as ammunition for these weapons was no longer being manufactured by the British, and the cost of building suitable structures was excessive. It was instead decided to sink the gun turrets and spare barrels with the rest of the ship. There was also a proposal to remove Australia's conning tower and install it on the Sydney Harbour foreshore; although this did not go ahead, the idea was later used when the foremast of HMAS Sydney was erected as a monument at Bradleys Head. The ship's outer starboard propeller is on display at the Australian War Memorial, while other artefacts are in the collections of the War Memorial, the Australian National Maritime Museum, and the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre. The scuttling was originally scheduled for Anzac Day (25 April) 1924, but was brought forward to 12 April, so the visiting British Special Service Squadron could participate. On the day of the sinking, Australia was towed out to a point 25 nautical miles north east of Sydney Heads. Under the terms of the Washington Treaty, the battlecruiser needed to be sunk in water that was deep enough to make it infeasible to refloat her at a future date. The former flagship was escorted by the Australian warships Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Anzac, and Stalwart, the ships of the Special Service Squadron, and several civilian ferries carrying passengers. Many personnel volunteered to be part of the scuttling party, but only those who had served aboard her were selected. At 1430, the scuttling party set the charges, opened all seacocks, and cleared the ship. Explosive charges blew a hole in the hull a few minutes later, but it took 20 minutes for the intake of water to bring holes cut in the battlecruiser's upper flanks to the waterline. The angle of list increased significantly, causing the three spare 12-inch barrels lashed to the deck to break free and roll overboard, before Australia inverted completely and began to sink stern-first. Australia submerged completely at 1451. A Royal Australian Air Force aircraft dropped a wreath where the warship had sunk, while Brisbane fired a rolling 21-gun salute. The wreck was gazetted as being at 33°53'25?S 151°46'5?E, 270 metres (890 ft) below. However, there were discrepancies with other sources and the exact location of Australia was unknown. There are two schools of thought surrounding the decision to scuttle the battlecruiser. The first is that sinking Australia was a major blow to the nation's ability to defend herself. Following the battlecruiser's scuttling, the most powerful warships in the RAN were four old light cruisers. The battlecruiser had served as a deterrent to German naval action against Australia during the war and with growing tensions between Japan and the United States of America, that deterrence may have been required if the nations became openly hostile towards each other or towards Australia. The opposing argument is that, while an emotive and symbolic loss, the ship was obsolete, and would have been a drain on resources. Operating and maintaining the warship was beyond the capabilities of the RAN's post-war budgets, necessitating the ship's reduction in status in 1920 and assignment to reserve in 1921. Ammunition and replacement barrels for the main guns were no longer manufactured. To remain effective, Australia required major modernisation (including new propulsion machinery, increased armour and armament, and new fire control systems) at a cost equivalent to a new County-class cruiser. In 1990, a large, unknown shipwreck was encountered by the Furgo Seafloor Surveys vessel MV Moana Wave 1 while surveying the path of the Pacific Rim West Submarine Telecommunications Cable. One of the survey ship's crew theorised that the wreck, located at 33°51'54.21?S 151°44'25.11?E in 390 metres (1,280 ft) of water, was Australia, but Furgo kept the information to themselves until 2002, when the company's Australian branch mentioned the discovery during a conference. This piqued the interest of a member of the New South Wales Heritage Office (now the Heritage Branch of the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage) requested copies of the company's data. The size and location of the ship pointed towards it being Australia, but the depth meant verification through inspection could only be achieved with a remote operated vehicle. The RAN was approached in 2007 for assistance, but although they supported the project, the RAN did not have the equipment to assist. In March 2007, the United States Navy loaned the deep-sea ROV CURV-21 to the Australian Government, to locate and recover a Black Hawk helicopter which crashed during the Australian response to the 2006 Fijian coup d'état. While en route back to Australia, the ROV, carried aboard Defence Maritime Services vessel Seahorse Standard, was directed to Furgo's coordinates at the request of the NSW Heritage Office to verify and inspect the wreck. Video footage captured by the ROV allowed the NSW Heritage Office to confirm that the wreck was Australia by matching features like the superstructure and masts to historical photographs. Although initially sinking stern-first, the battlecruiser levelled out as she sank, with the aft mast the first to strike the bottom. After hitting the seabed, Australia slid about 400 metres (1,300 ft) to her final resting place. The wreck site is protected under the federal Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

           HMS Renown  

          HMS Renown

          HMS Renown was the lead ship of her class of battle cruisers of the Royal Navy built during the First World War. She was originally laid down on the 30th of December 1914 as an improved version of the Revenge-class by Fairfield at Govan, Scotland. Her construction was suspended on the outbreak of war on the grounds she would not be ready in a timely manner. Admiral Lord Fisher, upon becoming First Sea Lord, gained approval to restart her construction with a revised design which could be built and enter service quickly. The Director of Naval Construction (DNC), Eustace Tennyson-D'Eyncourt, quickly produced an entirely new design to meet Admiral Lord Fisher's requirements and the builders agreed to deliver the ships in 15 months. Construction of the revised design began on the 25th of January 1915. They did not quite meet that ambitious goal, but the ship was launched on the 4th of March 1916 and commissioned on the 20th of September 1916 at a cost of £3,117,204.

          Renown, and her sister HMS Repulse, were the world's fastest capital ships upon completion. Renown did not see combat during the war and was reconstructed twice between the wars before seeing service during the Second World War. She was sold for scrapping on the 19th of March 1948

             

          HMS Repulse

          HMS Repulse was a Renown-class battlecruiser of the Royal Navy. She was originally laid down as an improved version of the Revenge-class battleships and her construction was suspended on the outbreak of war because she would not be ready in a timely manner. Admiral Lord Fisher, upon becoming First Sea Lord, gained approval to restart her construction as a battlecruiser that could be built and enter service quickly. The Director of Naval Construction (DNC), Eustace Tennyson-D'Eyncourt, quickly produced an entirely new design to meet Admiral Lord Fisher's requirements and the builders agreed to deliver the ships in 15 months. They did not quite meet that ambitious goal, but the ship was delivered a few months after the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Repulse, and her sister HMS Renown, were the world's fastest capital ships upon completion. Repulse was laid down by John Brown, Clydebank, Scotland on 25th of January 1915. The ship was launched on 8th of January 1916 and completed on 18th of August 1916, after the Battle of Jutland. Her construction cost £2,829,087. She served with the Grand Fleet in the North Sea during the remaining two years of the First World War. Repulse relieved HMS Lion as flagship of the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron for the duration of the war and saw action during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. On 12th of December 1917, Repulse was damaged in a collision with the battlecruiser HMAS Australia. The ship was present at the surrender of the High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow on 21st of November 1918.

          She was reconstructed twice between the wars. The 1920s reconstruction increased her armour protection and made lesser improvements, while the 1930s reconstruction was much more thorough. HMS Repulse was sunk by Japanese air attack off Malaya on 10th of December 1941

           

             

             

             

             

             The 2nd Battalion Eastern Ontario Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force was created in response to the First World War. The battalion comprised local militia in many regions of Ontario (and even from Quebec City). Men came from as far away as Sault Ste. Marie to join in Canada’s military endeavor. Local militia gathered at Valcartier, in August 1914 and became part of the 2nd Battalion.

          The original officers were drawn from the various regiments that recruited for the battalion, including the Governor General's Foot Guards of Ottawa, the 16th Prince Edward Regiment, the 40th Northumberland Regiment, the 41st Brockville Rifles, and the 42nd Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew), among others.

          The battalion boarded the S.S. Cassandra from Quebec City on 22 September 1914, but sailed only as far as the Gaspé Basin, where more troops were collected. The battalion finally left the Gaspé Basin on 3 October as part of a convoy of at least 30 other ships, carrying a combined 32,000 Canadian soldiers, which would be the first of the Canadian infantry contributions to the war.

          The Cassandra landed at Plymouth on 25 October, where the battalion disembarked and began rigorous training for the European battlefield.

          On 8 February 1915, the battalion was mobilized for war. They sailed out of England aboard the S.S. Blackwell, bound for France. The battalion’s first taste of battle came later that month, on 19 February, when they entered the trench system at Armentières.

          Their first battle was the Second Battle of Ypres, in April 1915. When the battalion pulled out of the battle, on 29 April, the final count included 6 officers and 68 other ranks killed, 4 officers and 158 other ranks wounded, and 5 officers and 302 other ranks missing, for a combined loss of 543 men.

          The 2nd Battalion also fought at the battles of Ypres, St. Julien, Festubert, Pozières, Vimy (1917), Arleux, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, and Canal du Nord, to name only a few. By the end of the war, 242 officers and 5,084 other ranks had fought with the battalion. Of those, 52 officers and 1,227 other ranks were killed in action, accidentally killed, or died of their injuries.

          At 8:30 on the morning of 24 April 1919, the 2nd Battalion was officially demobilized at Kingston, Ontario.

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

             

          16th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 16th December 1916   33rd Battalion AIF up to 6 am 16th December 1916
          Right (1) Sub Sector
          Intelligence Summary

          Our operations: Artillery: I-10,2 heard (?) at 8 pm two minutes 10 seconds. Shelled railway salient at 9:30 pm with shrapnel. Fired one salvo at 12 midnight on target in rear of enemy firing line. Fired six shots over 2-10,6 on to enemy support line.
          Vickers guns: Fired during night on targets in the rear of enemy position.
          Lewis guns: Fired on an enemy patrol - strength not known, which was moving in front of left Co. wire. Otherwise quiet. 1 gun put out of action by split cartridge case jamming in trench. Replaced from reserve.

          Patrols: At 6 pm patrol left strong point at left can left-centre of A gap. They patrolled towards enemy lines moving towards the left. At 7 pm a noise was heard on our wire almost directly in front of where they went out. 10 minutes later it was heard again. One of the men coughed, there was a rustling sound then quietness. A short time after this, not long enough to allow anyone to reach the hostile lines 12 very lights were sent up by him in quick succession. Patrol returned at 8:15 by the same route as it went out. Otherwise patrols report very everything quiet on front I -16,4 and I, 10,1 during night. A patrol left the north of mushrooms salient at 5:35 to examine no mans land returned at 5:50 and reported an enemy patrol inside our wire. Lewis gun fired in its direction. Patrol went out again and reported talking closer. Two verey lights were fired by us but could not see patrol. Lewis gun again fired. Patrol left same place 645 to reconnoitre in front of wiring party to north of mushroom. Return 730 reporting no enemy seen.

          Patrol from left of mushroom 9 pm returned 1050 reconnoitred no mans land reported enemy working party on his wire in front of C Post but could not fire on them on account of patrol from B Co. being out. Patrol went out from I-10-D- 9.5,7 worked to the fourth, then returned by same route reported having been fired on by machine gun in old disused trench in no mans land at about I-11,c-2.5,95. This is doubtful however, as it was probably the gun in the railway salient firing. They also report enemy were opposite I-10,3 very strong. The above machine gun killed one man in a party covering our wiring party at about 10:30 pm. Otherwise nothing to report on frontage I-10,2 to I-10,3.

          On front I-10,4, I-10,5 patrols went out from 5:30 pm. These returning up to 10:15 pm reported all quiet. Patel left C Post at 10:15 reported having seen a hostile patrol in no mans land at 11:15 pm. Did not succeed in getting in touch with them. Patrols from 12 midnight onwards had nothing of note to report.

          Frontage: I-10,6, I-10,7 Patrols from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm report all quiet. Patrol left I-10,6 at 9:35 and after moving out 100' heard an enemy patrol in front. Lewis guns open fire and two Verey lights were fired but no patrols seen. Patrol then proceeded and worked towards the north. They returned at 11:30 but had nothing further to report. Patrol left I-10,6 at 11:30 and patrolled enemy wire opposite. They found it in fairly good condition. Patrols from then onwards report all quiet. Enemy operations: Enemy artillery: for most part quiet all day. They fired a few about 10 rifle grenades which fell short of the parapet in front of I-10,1 some of which were duds. A 77 mm fired on left centre Co. about I-10-B-8-4 at 11:45. Fired 11 rounds apparently at working party. The gun was firing from about a bearing of 1040 from I-10-d-9.5,2.5. Enemy fired some light trench mortar at Central Avenue at about 10 am without result. At about 1.45 to 2.45 enemy fired six rounds 77 mm HE from same gun as above at same place. No damage done.

          Machine guns: Gun above reported to be in No mans land reported by covered ground in front of C gap and traversed our parapet. Gun in railway salient fired frequently during the night apparently over our firing line at target in rear. New gun heard near railway salient particulars later. Machine gun opposite B post very troublesome during night wounding one man. It is believed to be behind the front line in the support line. In front of I-10,6 & 7 machine guns were quieter than usual.

          Enemy defences: No new work observed.

          Enemy movement: Enemy can be seen just after daylight with a telescope moving along communication trench about I -11-C-6,8 showing head and shoulders. He cannot be seen during the day. He is wearing leather waistcoats similar to those issued to our troops also round blue caps. Communications: Enemy fired many verey lights during the night. During the evening bombardment of our support and communication trenches at 12:35 pm. Two lights were observed in Armentières. These lights appeared at intervals during the enemy bombardment but disappeared as soon as the bombardment closed. They were observed for about 15 minutes. The bearing of these lights from La Petite Porte Farm was 312° and 315° magnetic and were in high buildings.

          Aircraft: Enemy observation balloon was up for a very short time early in the morning well back and some distance to the left of the Battalion position well in rear.

          Miscellaneous: On14th instant enemy registered his own wire south of railway salient with 77 mm. Enemy frequently bombed his own wire during the night. Transport heard behind enemy line all night. Enemy fired a number of rifle grenades during the day over I-10,6, I-10-7 most of which burst in the air harmlessly. A number of rifle grenades were fired from our position I-10-6 which appeared to land within enemy trenches.

             1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry were based at Tipperary with 16th Brigade, 6th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilsed and returned to England, where 6th Division concentrated near Cambridge for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

             

             

             The 9th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War. It was the first battalion recruited in Queensland, and with the 10th, 11th and 12th Battalions it formed the 3rd Brigade. The 9th battalion was raised within weeks of the declaration of war in August 1914 and embarked just two months later. After preliminary training, the battalion sailed to Egypt, arriving in early December. The 3rd Brigade was the covering force for the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915, and so was the first ashore at around 4.30 am. The battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the Anzac beachhead. It served at Anzac until the evacuation in December 1915. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. It was split to help form the 49th Battalion and bought up to strength with reinforcements. In March 1916 the battalion sailed for France and the Western Front. From then until 1918 the battalion took part in operations against the German Army. The battalion’s first major action in France was at Pozières in the Somme valley. The 9th Battalion attacked on the extreme right of the line and it was during this action that Private John Leak won, with the bayonet, the battalion’s only Victoria Cross. Later the battalion fought at Ypres, in Flanders, before returning to the Somme for winter. In 1917 the battalion moved back to Belgium for the advance to the Hindenburg Line, and in March and April1918 helped stop the German spring offensive. The battalion participated in the great allied offensive of 1918 and fought near Amiens on 8 August. The advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as "the black day of the German Army in this war".

          The battalion continued operations until late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. The November armistice was followed by the peace treaty of Versailles, signed on 28 June 1919.

          In November 1918 members of the AIF began to return to Australia for demobilisation and discharge. On 5 February 1919, the 9th and 10th Battalions were amalgamated.

             During WW1 Crystal Palace was used as a training establishment for the Royal Navy. It was officially known as HMS Victory VI, and informally as HMS Crystal Palace. 125,000 officers and men were trained here.

             North Irish Horse A Squadron proceeded to France on 19th of August 1914 and was attached to GHQ. On 4th of January 1916, it was transferred to 55th (West Lancashire) Division and on 10th of May 1916 went to VII Corps, forming the 1st North Irish Horse together with D and E Squadrons. This unit transferred to XIX Corps in July 1917 and to V Corps in September 1917. In March 1918, the unit became a Cyclist Battalion, which it then remained.

             HMS Orvieto sailed as part of the Northern Patrol which enforced a British blockade of Germany and her allies, preventing trade across the Altantic.

          31st December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.12  Not to be taken in front line trenches
          33rd Battalion A.I.F.
          Routine Order No.122
          By
          Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead.
          Commanding
          Chappelle d'Armentières 31?12.16.

          Lewis Gun School. 1193.
          The following NCO has been detailed to attend Lewis Gun school at Le Touquet, commencing 3rd December, 1916: Cpl G.A. Cawkwell.
          Front line area. 1194.
          All Officers, N.C.O.s and men visiting the front line must first report at the Battalion Headquarters and obtain permission and guides to move to forward lines.

          Repair of lines. 1195.
          Company Commanders will be entirely responsible for the maintenance and repair of their lines. In order to assist them the O.C., 209th Field Company R.E. is placing sappers at disposal of Battalion. One sapper will report to each Co. Headquarters daily at 8 am. These sappers will be accommodated and rationed by O.C. 209th Field Company, but will be under the Company Commanders of whose Battalion sub-sector they are allotted for all arrangements regarding their work. At least 15 men per Company to be detailed to work under these sappers.

          Sanitary. 1196. Units when occupying the Subsidiary Lines must pay special attention to the latrines and cleanliness of same.

          Dress. 1197.
          Men must not be allowed to leave their Battalion billeting area. If so, they must be in possession of a pass bearing office stamp and must carry their rifle and wear their equipment (less pack) field dressing, and anti-gas appliances.
          Runners need only carry rifle, 10 rounds ammunition, field dressing, and anti-gas appliances.
          All working parties must parade in fighting order with anti-gas appliances.

          Shaving. 1198.
          All ranks must shave daily.

          Trench feet. 1199.
          In the future every man who contracts "trench feet" through neglect to take the necessary precautions as ordered for its prevention will be brought to trial Field General Court-Martial in the same way as men found to be suffering from self-inflicted wounds.

          Forward Zone. 1200.
          Every man in the forward zone must take care that he is never, under any circumstances, parted from his rifle.

          Chloride of lime. 1201.
          It's you should be restricted almost entirely for the purpose of sterilisation of drinking water. Tins must be kept closely fastened.

          Enemy food supplies. 1202.
          Warning is issued of the possibility of food found in enemy trenches being purposely contaminated with disease especially any found in parcels.

          Issue of rum. 1203.
          Rum will only be issued to troops who return to quarters after completing a tour of duty. It will then only be issued on the advice of medical officer. Battalions must arrange for the issue of hot tea, cocoa, etc two men on duty during bad weather conditions.

          Fuel pumps. 1204.
          Quartermaster will arrange through Group Supply Officer to send transport with loaders to fuel dumps to draw fuel.

          Appointments and promotions. 1205.
          Lt. W. Layton is seconded for duty with the 3rd Australian Divisional Training Battalion. Dated 6th November, 1916.

          The undermentioned officers are transferred to the 52nd Battalion. Dated 30th October, 1916.

          Lt. H.J. Moore (who ceases to be seconded for duty with 9th Infantry Training Battalion on transfer.)
          2/Lt. H.P. York.

          9th Infantry Training Battalion.
          They undermentioned officer ceased to be seconded for duty with the Training Battalion on transfer to 52nd Battalion.
          Lt. H.J. Moore. Dated 30th October 1916.
          Reductions. 1206.
          No. 179 Lt/Cpl. E.G. Shaughnessy having ceased his duties as Cpl Bugler, reverts to the ranks forthwith.

          Transfer. 1207.
          The undermentioned transfers have been approved:-
          No.14. Private W.J. Bath from open Headquarters to A. Co.
          No. 356. Private E. G. Atley from B. Co. to Headquarters.

          (Signed) R.C. Jones 2/Lt. Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

              The 1st Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was first raised in 1688.

          The 1st Battalion was a regular army battalion and were in Mullingar, Ireland at the outbreak of war. They left England as part of 15th Infantry Brigade in the 5th Division and landed in France on the 16th of August 1914. They were known as one of the battalions of Old Contemptibles who outfought the German Army in the early engagements of the war.

          They were at Mons in August and fought at Le Cateau, where 5 VC’s were won. After service on the Aisne, they took their position in Flanders and were also involved in the actions at Neuve-Chapelle and La Bassee. By the end of November the Division had suffered 5,000 casualties and remained in a purely defensive role that winter. Between the 3rd of March and 7th of April 1915 they were attached with 15th Brigade to 28th Division in in exchange for 83rd Brigade in order to familiarise the newly arrived troops with the Western Front. In early 1915, the 1st Battalion was engaged at the Second Ypres, defending Hill 60, where another 4 VCs were won in one day. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

              The 1st Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was first raised in 1688.
          The 1st Battalion was a regular army battalion and were in Mullingar, Ireland at the outbreak of war. They left England as part of 15th Infantry Brigade in the 5th Division and landed in France on the 16th of August 1914. They were known as one of the battalions of Old Contemptibles who outfought the German Army in the early engagements of the war.

          They were at Mons in August and fought at Le Cateau, where 5 VCs were won. After service on the Aisne, they took their position in Flanders and were also involved in the actions at Neuve-Chapelle and La Bassee. By the end of November the Division had suffered 5,000 casualties and remained in a purely defensive role that winter. Between the 3rd of March and 7th of April 1915 they were attached with 15th Brigade to 28th Division in in exchange for 83rd Brigade in order to familiarise the newly arrived troops with the Western Front. In early 1915, the 1st Battalion was engaged at the Second Ypres, defending Hill 60, where another 4 VCs were won in one day. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

             The 2nd Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment can be traced back to 1858.

          In 1914 the battalion was stationed at Roberts Heights near Pretoria in South Africa when war broke out. They were immediately recalled to England, landing at Southampton on 19th September 1914. Having rekitted for European warfare, joined 21st Brigade, 7th Division and left Southampton at 8am 5th October on the S.S. Winifredian and after a brief stop at Dover for supplies, landed in Zeebrugge at 6.30am on the 7th October to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army.

          7th Division met the enemy for the first time in a brief skirmish on the 18th October 1914, around the 10 km marker stone on the Ypres-Menin road. Their involvement in the Great War on the Western Front would last for another forty-nine months, with their last action being fought at Preux-au-Bois on the 4th November 1918, 8 km north east of Le Cateau and not far from their first engagement four years earlier.

          The Battalion was in action throughout the Western Front, being made up of regular soliders, they were regarded as the primary assault unit and despite sustaining many casualties they always acquitting themselves excellently. The 7th Division became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. The 2nd Bedfords transferred with 21st Brigade to 30th Division in exchange for 91st Brigade on the 19th of December 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme in March 1918 the 2nd Bedfords fought almost to the last man in attempting to stem the German advance after the Russian forces had capitulated, allowing additional troops to be transferred to the Western Front. So heavy were the casualties that they were amalgamated with the 7th Bedfordshire Battalion. On the 22nd of May 1918 they transferred to 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division and were in action in The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre.

             The 3rd Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised as a 'Militia' battalion in 1757.When war broke out in August 1914 the Battalion was based in Bedford, within a few days they moved to Felixstowe, manning the Harwich Garrison to defend the coast. It would be their base for the remainer of the war, where they provided home defence and trained drafts for front line units.

             The 4th (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment was originally formed in 1757, and was stationed in Bedford when war broke out on the 4th of August 1914. A training unit, it moved within a few days of declaration of war to Felixstowe to provide home defence around Harwich. It also supplied drafts for front-line battalions until mid-1916 and the Battle of the Somme.

          On the 25th of July 1916, the 4th Battalion converted to war service, landing at Le Havre on the 25th July 1916 attached to 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. Engagements as part of the 190th Brigade between July 1916 and November 1918 include the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of the Ancre (both 1916), the Battle of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres at Passchendaele (both 1917), the German Spring Offensive (Operation Michael) and the final Hundred Days Offensives (both in 1918).

             The 5th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised as a 'Rifle Volunteer Battalion' in 1860, becoming the 5th Territorial Battalion in Haldene's reforms in 1908. They were embodied in August 1914 and provided home defence in East Anglia and on the Norfolk coast until they were sent abroad in July 1915. They served in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine until disembodied in June 1919.

             The 2/5th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in October 1914 and trained drafts for the front line 1st/5th Battalion.

             The 3/5th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in June 1915 and trained drafts for the front line 1st/5th Battalion.

             The 6th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in Bedford in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army they joined 9th (Scottish) Division as Divisional Troops. In March 1915 they transferred to 112th Brigade, 37th Division and proceeded to France in August. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and on the 20th of May they were reduced to cadre with 700 men transferring to 1/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. On the 20th the remaining cadre transferred to 39th Division. and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. On the 4th of August 1918 the 6th Bedfords disbanded in France.

              The 7th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was raised at Bedford in September 1914 for the duration of the war as a part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They joined 15th (Scottish) Divisionas divisional troops. On the 25th of February 1915 they transferred to 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. The bulk of the battalion was transferred into the 2nd Battalion on the 25th of May 1918. A cadre of officers and NCO's were assigned to train American Units with 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, until the battalion was disbanded in July 1918, the remaining troops joining the 2nd Bedfords.

             The 8th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was a 'Service' Battalion raised in October 1914 as a part of Kitchener's third army, attached to 71st Brigade, 24th Division. They served on the Western Front from August 1915. On the 11th October 1915 they transferred with 71st Brigade to 6th Division. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. On the 16th of February 1918 the battalion was disbanded and the men were then transferred into the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th Battalions.

             The 9th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was a 'Service' Battalion raised in October 1914 as a part of K4, for the duration of the war. It remained in England as a Reserve Battalion, providing drafts for the front line units until it was transferred into the 28th Battalion Training Reserve in August 1916.

             The 10th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was a 'Service' Battalion raised in December 1914 as a part of K4, for the duration of the war. It remained in England as a Reserve Battalion and transferred into the 27th Battalion Training Reserve in September 1916, later becoming the Regiment's 53rd Battalion in October 1917.

             The 11th Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment was a Territorial Battalion raised in January 1917, providing home defence on the Suffolk coast until disbanded in 1919.

             The 12th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in December 1916 as a Transport Workers Battalion. They were based in Croydon and were never armed. They were disbanded in August 1919

             The 13th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was raised in March 1917 as a Transport Workers Battalion. They were based in Croydon. They were disbanded in September 1919

             The 1st Battalion, The Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) was based in Mandora Barracks, Aldershot on the outbreak of war on 4 Aug 1914, part of 6th Brigade in 2nd Division. The battalion embarked for France and Flanders in the first elements of the British Expeditionary Force on the 13th of August 1914, landing at Rouen. They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. On 13th of December 1915 the battalion was transferred to 99th Brigade in 2nd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. The 1st Battalion ended the war at Escarmain, north of Solesmes, France. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

             At the outbreak of war in August 1914 the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment were in Jhansi, India. They returned home, arriving in England on the 22nd of October and joined the 25th Brigade in Winchester for a short period of training before proceeding to France to reinforce the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914. They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

             The 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was raised at Reading on 6 November 1914 as a second line unit. They undertook training at Maidenhead, moving to Chelmsford in April 1915 and then to Salisbury Plain in March 1916. They proceeded to France with the 184th Brigade in 61st (2nd South Midland) Division, landing at Le Havre on the 27th of May 1916. The suffered heavy casualties at Fromelles in July 1916 and saw action on The Somme and Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, St Quentin, The Somme, the Battles of the Lys and in Picardy during 1918, ending the war near Cambrai.

             The 5th (Service) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at Reading on the 25th August 1914. They underwent training at Shorncliffe, Folkestone and Malplaquet Barracks at Aldershot. They proceeded to France on the 31st of May 1915 and served with 35th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division on the Western Front. They underwent instruction withthe more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. On the 6th of February 1918 rhe 5th Berkshires transferred to 36th Brigade still with 12th (Eastern) Division. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

             The 6th (Service) Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment was raised at Reading in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They trainined at Colchester and moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in May 1915. They proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915 and the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 12th of February 1918 the 6th Berkshires disbanded in France, with troops transferring to 1st, 2nd and 5th Berkshires.

             The 8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at Reading in September 1914 and joined 26th Division. They underwent training on Salisbury Plain and returned to Reading in November 1914. They moved to Sutton Veny in May 1915 and proceeded to France on the 8th of August 1915, landing at Le Havre to join 1st Brigade, 1st Division who had suffered heavy casualties in the first year of the war.They served in France and Flanders taking part in many major battles, including Loos in late 1915, The Somme in 1916 and Ypres in 1917. In February 1918 they transferred to to 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division and fought on The Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line.

             The 7th Battalion, Berkshire Regiment was raised at Reading in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and placed joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They trained at Codford St Mary spending the winter in billets in Reading. They moved to Fovant in May 1915 and to Longbridge Deverell in July for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 20th of September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

              1st Battalion, The Black Watch were based in Aldershot with the 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France almost at once, landing at le Harve on the 14th, being amongst the first troops of the British Expeditionary Force. They fought in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and the Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             2nd Battalion, The Black Watch were serving in Bareilly, India with the Bareilly Brigade in Meerut Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilized and sailed for France on the 21st of September 1914, landing at Marseilles on the 12th of October, crossing Frnace by train to join the British Expeditionary Force. They saw action in in the Battle of Givenchy. In 1915 the were in action at Neuve Chapelle in March, Festubert in May, and suffered heavy casualties in attacks at Loos in September. On the 26th they were brought up to strength by amalgamating with the 1/4th Black Watch, working at one unit unit November. They moved to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on the 31st of December 1915, their formation being renamed 21st Brigade, 7th Indian Division. They suffered greatly in the attempted relief of Kut-el-Amara, against the Turks. On the 4th of February 1916, having suffered heavy casualties at Shaikh Sa'ad, they joined with the 1st Seaforth Highlanders to form the Highland Battalion, resuming their own idemtities on the 12th July 1916. In March 1917 they were in action at Bagdad. In January 1918 they moved to Palestine, arriving at Suez on the 13th, taking part in Allenby's successful action at Megiddo in September.

             4th Battalion, The Black Watch was a territorial unit based in Dundee with the Black Watch Brigade when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 26th of February 1915, landing at Le Havre and on the 4th of March joined the Bareilly Brigade, Meerut Division. On the 26th of September they amalgamated with 2nd Black Watch but resumed their own identity on the 6th of November when they transferred to 139th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division. On the 14th they transferred again, this time to 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. On the 7th of January 1916 they transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division, then on the 29th of February they transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division and amalgamated with 1/5th Battalion to form the 4/5th Black Watch on the 15th of March 1916.

             8th Battalion was raised at Perth on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. Following inital training in the Perth area they moved to Aldershot. In January 1915 they moved to Alton and in March to Bordon. They proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at Boulogne and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval in which the fierce fighting reduced the 8th Black Watch to just 171 men, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

             7th Battalion, The Black Watch was a Territorial unit based at St Andrews under command of the Black Watch Brigade, when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilized and moved to Queensferry to man the Forth Defences. In November 1914 they moved to the Tay Defences. On the 16th of April 1915 they moved to Bedford to join 2nd Highland Brigade in Highland Division and prepare for deployment overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 2nd of May 1915. On the 12th of May the formation was renamed 153rd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division and concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq. They were rushed to the defence of Ypres when the enemy attacked using poison gas on the 22nd of April 1915, and were in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

             9th Battalion, The Black Watch was raised at Perth on the 13th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They trained at Aldershot, Liss, Chisledon, and commenced final training at Tidworth in May 1915. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 8th of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. On the 7 February 1918 they transferred to 46th Brigade still with 15th (Scottish) Division and fought in The First Battle of Bapaume. After suffering very heavy losses in The First Battle of Arras, they were reduced to a cadre and on the 21st of May 1918 they transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division. On the 17th of June they transferred to 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England. They absorbed the 15th Battalion and transferred to 47th Brigade, still with 16th (Irish) Division. They returned to France, landing at Boulogne on the 28th of July 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

             10th Battalion, The Black Watch was raised at Perth on the 13th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, they joined 77th Brigade, 26th Division. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. The 10th Black Watch spent the winter in billets in Bristol and trained at Sutton Veny. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 20th of September 1915, the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In July 1918 some units of the Division, including the 10th Black Watch moved back to France. On the 21st of July they joined 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 15th of October the 10th Black Watch was disbanded in France.

             13th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, The Black Watch was formed on the 1st of October 1916 at Abbassia in Egypt from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd dismounted Scottish Horse Yeomanry. They moved to to Salonika, arriving on the 21st of October and joined 81st Brigade, 27th Division. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France including the 13th Black Watch, who joined the reforming 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 15th of July. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

             1st Battalion, The Border Regiment were in Maymyo, Burma when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, landing at Avonmouth on the 10th of January 1915. They joined 87th Brigade in 29th Division at Rugby. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 17th of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

             The 2nd Battalion, The Border Regiment were based at Pembroke Dock when war broke out in August 1914. On the 5th of September they moved to Lyndhurst to join 20th Brigade in 7th Division. They landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th of October 1914 ready for action on the Western Front. They saw action in The First Battle of Ypres at teh end of 1914 and in 1915 were in action at: The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy, and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they moved to The Somme and were in action at Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin and the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and Operations on the Ancre In 1917 they took part in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Arras offensive in the flanking operations around Bullecourt, and the Third Balle of Ypres includig; The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. At the end of the year the 7th Divsion were ordered to Italy taking up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. In October 1918 they had a central role in crossing the River Piave, and were in action in the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

             The 3rd Battalion, The Border Regiment was a reserve battalion, it remained in UK throughout the war as a depot and training unit. At the outbreak of war in August 1914 they were based in Carlisle but moved to Shoeburyness on mobilisation and then in January 1916 to Conway, in November 1916 to Barrow and finally in March 1917 to Great Crosby for duty with the Mersey Garrison.

             4th (Cumberland and Westmoreland) Battalion, The Border Regiment were based in Carlisle when war broke out in August 1914 attached to the East Lancashire Division.They moved to Barrow and then in September 1914 they moved to Sittingbourne and transferred to Middlesex Brigade in Home Counties Division. On the 29th September 1914 they sailed from Southampton for India. The Division was broken up on arrival and remained in India throughout the war. On arrival they were attached to Burma Division and moved to Rangoon in early December 1914. In February 1918 they transferred to Jubbulpore Brigade in 5th (Mhow) Division.

             2/4th (Cumberland and Westmoreland) Battalion, The Border Regiment was formed at Kendal in September 1914 as a home service unit. They moved to billets in Blackpool for training and on the 4th of March 1915 sailed from Avonmouth for India. They Remained in India throughout the war. Attached on arrival to Poona Brigade in 6th (Poona) Divisional Area and in November 1915 they transferred to Jubbulpore Brigade in 5th (Mhow) Division. In March 1916 they transferred to Peshawar Brigade in 1st (Peshawar) Division, and in March 1917 moved to 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division. In December 1917 they joined the Nowshera Brigade in 1st (Peshawar) Division. Then in October 1918 returned to the 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division.

             5th (Cumberland) Battalion, The Border Regiment was based in Carlisle in August 1914, they were attached to the East Lancashire Division and trained in Barrow. They proceeded to France on the 26th of October 1914 landing at Le Havre. On the 5th of May 1915 they joined 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division and on 20 December 1915 they transferred to 151st Brigade also in 50th Division. They saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres, on The Somme, the Battle of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 12th of February 1918 the Battalion transferred to as Pioneer Battalion to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and were in action on the Somme. On the 7th of May 1918 they transferred to 97th Brigade in 32nd Division and absorbed a cadre of the Border regiment's 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion and were in action during the Battle of the Hindenburgh Line and during the final advance in Picardy.

             The 2/5th Battalion, Border Regiment was raised at Kendal in October 1914 as a home service, second line unit. They moved to billets in Blackpool and underwent training. In November 1915 the Battalion was at Falkirk where it was merged with the 2/4th and 2/5th Bns of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, to form the 13th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers.

             The 3/5th Battalion, Border Regiment was formed at Kendal in March 1915 as depot and training, third line unit. They moved to Ramsey on the Isle of Man in December 1915 and became a Reserve Battalion on the 8th of April 1916. On the 1st of September 1916 they were at Witley and were absorbed by the 3/4th Battalion. They moved to Ripon in January 1917 then to Hunmanby near Scarborough in May 1917 and to Filey in November 1917.

             3/4th Battalion, The Border Regiment was formed at Kendal in March 1915 as depot and training, third line unit. They moved to Ramsey on the Isle of Man in December 1915 and became a Reserve Battalion on the 8th of April 1916. On the 1st of September 1916 they were at Witley and the 3/4th absorbed 3/5th Battalion. They moved to Ripon in January 1917 then to Hunmanby near Scarborough in May 1917 and to Filey in November 1917.

             6th (Service) Battalion, The Border Regiment was raised in Carlisle in August 1914 as part of Kitcheners First New Army, joined 33rd Brigade in 11th (Northern) Division. The 6th Battalion trained at Belton Park, Grantham then moved to Frensham in April 1915. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool on the 1st of July 1915, they landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. They saw action until they were withdrawn to Imbros on the 19th of December 1915 and were evacuted to Egypt January 1916 they were evacuated to Egypt and took over the defence of a section of the Suez Canal. In mid June 1916 orders were received for a to France, and they sailed from Alexandria on the 3rd of July. The Division went into the front line on the Somme on the 27th of July 1916 and were in action at Flers-Courcelette and Thiepval. In 1917 they saw action on the Ancre and then moved to Flanders were they took part in the Battle of Messines. They were in action throughout the Battle of Paschendaele and in 1918 were in action during the Second Battle of Arras and the Battle of the Hindenburgh Line. The 6th Battalion was on the high ground east of Havay at the Armistice and were disbanded at Mazingarbe in France on the 9th of February 1918.

              7th (Service) Battalion, The Border Regiment was raised in Carlisle on the 7th September 1914 as part of Kitcheners Second New Army, they were attached to 51st Brigade in 17th (Northern) Division. They trained at Andover and moved to Bovington in January 1915 and then to Winchester in June 1915. They proceeded to France on the 15th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated near St Omer and and underwent trench familiarisation then took over a section of front line in the Southern part of the Ypres Salient. In the Spring of 1916 they were in action near the Bluff on the Commines Canal, south east of Ypres. They then moved to the Somme and saw action in the Battle of Albert where the Division captured Fricourt, and the Battle of Deville Wood. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and The Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). On the 22nd of September 1917 the 7th Battalion absorbed the dismounted Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry and was renamed 7th (Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry) Battalion. 1918 saw them in action on The Somme and in the Battle of the Hindenburgh Line and the Final Advance in Artois.

             8th (Service) Battalion, The Border Regiment was raised in Carlisle in September 1914 as part of Kitcheners Third New Army. They joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division and moved to Codford for training in November 1914, being billeted in Boscombe. The Battalion moved to Romsey in May 1915 and then to Aldershot following in June.

          They proceeded to France on the 27th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne. The 25th Division concentrated around Nieppe and saw action in 1916 on Vimy Ridge. The Division then moved to The Somme in late June 1916 and saw action in the Battle of Albert with 75th Brigade suffering heavily on the 3rd of July near Martinsart and again in mid July in the Ovillers area. Between the 23rd of July and 10th of August 1916, the 25th Division held a sector of the line north of the River Ancre and in late September and October they were in action during the Battle of the Ancre Heights. At the end of October the Division moved to Flanders and took over the Ploegsteert sector where they would spend the first quarter of 1917. The Battalion was in action in the Battle of Messines and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action at the The Battle of St Quentin and The First Battle of Bapaume, before returning to Flanders. The 25th Division was in the front line at Ploegsteert when the enemy launched the Spring Offensive on the 12th of April and the 75th Brigade suffered heavily around the area of Hill 63 before withdrawing to Kemmel and then to Ballieul taking part in heavy fighting throughout the Battles of the Lys. In early May 1918 the 25th Division were sent to the Champagne for a period of rest, but the enemy launched an attack at 1am on the 27th of May and the Division was once again in action. The 8th Borders were sent to hold the Aisne bridges at Pontavert and Concevreux but by mid-day the Germans had broken through and crossed the Aisne. The 25th Division was all but destroyed.

          The remnants of the units of the 25th Division were broken up to reinforce other Division and on the 22nd of June 1918 the 8th Borders transferred to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, returning to action in October 1918 during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             10th (Reserve) Battalion, The Border Regiment remained in England throughout the war as a training battalion.

             1st Garrison Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in Bedford in December 1915 for service in India.

             2nd Garrison Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in Bedford in December 1916 for service in India.

             3rd Garrison Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in Bedford in January 1917. They served in India and Burma.

             18th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in January 1917 by the redesignation of the 68th Provisional Battalion, Territorial Force. They served in the UK until the end of the Great War.

             51st (Graduated) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in October 1917 by the redesignation of the 249th Graduated Battalion. The served in the UK until the end of the conflict, mainly in a training role.

             52nd (Graduated) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in October 1917 by the redesignation of the 252nd Graduated Battalion. The Battalion served in the UK until the end of the conflict, mainly in a training role.

             53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was a UK based training unit, formed in October 1917 from the 27th Young Soldier Battalion.

             11th (Lonsdale) Battalion, The Border Regiment was raised in Penrith, Carlisle, Kendal and Workington on 17 September 1914 by the Earl of Lonsdale and an Executive Committee. They trained at Carlisle Racecourse. In May 1915 they moved to Prees Heath and joined 97th Brigade in 32nd Division. In June 1915 they moved to Wensleydale and then to Fovant in August. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 27th of August 1915.

          They proceeded to Framce and landed at Boulogne on the 23rd of November 1915. They saw action at The Battle of the Somme in 1916, Operations on the Ancre and the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917. In early 1918 they were in action on The Somme. On the 10th of May 1918 the Battalion was reduced to cadre strength, with surplus men being transferred to 1/5th Battalion On the 13 May the remainder of the Battalion transferred to the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and on the 31st of July 1918 the 11th Battalion was absorbed by 5th Bn

             The 12th (Reserve) Battalion, Border Regiment remained in England throughout the war as a training battalion.

             1st Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) were in Fermoy when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilsed with 16th Brigade and returned to England, where 6th Division concentrated near Cambridge for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

             2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) were in Madras when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrision, the 2nd Buffs returned to England, arriving on the 23rd of December. They joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

             6th (Service) Battalion, The East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was raised at Canterbury in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Purfleet with final training being undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining the Division. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

             7th (Service) Battalion, The East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was raised at Canterbury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

             8th (Service) Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was raised at Canterbury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th of September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In October the 8th Buffs transferred to 17th Brigade, still with 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. When the armmy was reorganised in February 1918 the 8th Buffs were disbanded in France with teh troops transferring to other units.

             The 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was in Edinburgh when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force, landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. On the 5th of September they joined 1st Brigade in 1st Division and saw action at The Battle of Mons, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and the First Battle of Ypres. They were involed in the winter actions leading into 1915 when they saw action at The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the the Battles of the Somme, having been reinforced by troops from 1/4th Battalion which has been disbanded. In 1917 they took part in the The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They were in action at the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre in 1918. After the Armistice the 1st Division advanced into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             The 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was in Poona, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing Devonport on 16 November 1914, then moved to Winchester and joined 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They proceeded to France on the 20th of December 1914 landing at Le Havre. They were in action at St Eloi and The Second Battle of Ypres, but were ordered to Salonika, arriving on the 5th of December 1915. In 1916 they were involved in the capture of Karajakois, the capture of Yenikoi and the battle of Tumbitza Farm. They were in action in the capture of Homondos in 1917 and in 1918, the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. After the Armistice with Bulgaria on the 30th of September, 27th Division continued to advance, but was ordered to halt on the on 2nd of November, soon after it had passed Krupnik. In December they embarked for operations on the Black Sea and reached Constantinople on the 19th and Tiflis in January 1919. The 27th Division was disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

             The 3rd Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was based at Inverness when war broke out in August 1914, it moved on mobilisation to Cromarty and then Invergordon remaining a depot and training unit. In November 1917 it moved to Birr in Ireland and in March 1918 to Ballyvonare, Limerick in April and later returned to Ballyvonare.

             The 5th (Service) Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was raised at Inverness in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. The Battalion moved to Aldershot for training and in February 1915 went to Bordon. They porceeded to France and landed at Boulogne on the 10th of May 1915. They saw action in The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, the Third Battle of Ypres and the last phase of the Cambrai operations in 1917. In 1918 the Battalion was in action on the Somme, the Battles of the Lys and The Final Advance in Flanders. The 9th (Scottish) Division was withdrawn for rest in late October and was in billets at the Armistice on the 11th of November. The Division then advanced to the Rhine as part of the occupation force and entered Germany on the 4th of December 1918, based in the Cologne brideghead. In late February 1919, war units left and were demobilised, being replaced by regular troops.

             The 6th (Service) Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was raised at Inverness in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army Joined 45th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. The Battalion moved to Aldershot for training and went to Bramshott in November then to Basingstoke in February 1915 and Chisledon in April. They proceeded to France on the 10th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. They saw action at the The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme, in the the Battles of the Marne and The Final Advance in Artois in 1918.

             The 7th (Service) Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders was raised at Inverness in September 1914 and moved to Aldershot for training in November, joining 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division on the 13th of January 1915. They moved into billets at Liphook in January 1915, then to Cirencester in February, Chisledon in April, then Tidworth in May. They proceeded to France on the 9th of July 1915 and landed at Boulogne. They saw action at the The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme in early 1918. On the 10th of June 1918, the 7th Battalion was reduced to a cadre, with 400 troops being transferred to the 6th Battalion. The 7th Battalion was disbanded in France on the 14th of August 1918.

             The 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in 1881 from the 26th (The Cameronian) Regiment of Foot.

          At the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 the 1st Battalion was in Glasgow. They proceeded to France and landed at Rouen on the 11th of August 1914 as Lines of Communication troops with the BEF. On the 22nd of August 1914 they joined 19th Infantry Brigade, which was an independent command at this time, but became part of 6th Division on the 12th of October 1914. On the 31st of May 1915 the 19th Brigade transferred to 27th Division, and saw action in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 19th of August 1915, 19th Brigade transferred to 2nd Division and saw action in the Battle of Loos in the Autumn before transferring to 33rd Division on the 25th of November 1915. They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburg Line, the Flanders Coast and the Third Battles of Ypres during 1917. In 1918 they took part in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in 1881 from the 90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers) (Light Infantry). They proceeded to France in November 1914 with the 23rd Brigade, 8th Division to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 they moved south for the Battle of the Somme and in 1917 they were involved in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battle of Ypres. In February 1918 they transferred to 59th Brigade, 20th Division and were again in action on The Somme suffering in heavy fighting. In April the Division was withdrawn to the South West of Amiens and recieved new drafts of men before going into action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 3rd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was in Hamilton when was broke out in August 1914. The 3rd Battalion was a training unit and remained in Britain throughout the war, moving in August 1914 to Nigg and then in early 1918 to Invergordon to form part of the Cromarty Garrision.

             The 4th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was in Hamilton in August 1914. The 4th Battalion became a training unit and remained in Britain throughout the war. In August 1914 it moved to Gourock and then in April 1916 to Greenock. In 1917 it took over coastal defence work at Haddington and in June 1918 moved to Edinburgh for duty with the Forth Garrison.

             The 5/6th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed on the 29th of May 1916 when the 5th Cameronians merged with 6th Cameronians to become 5/6th Battalion and became part of 19th Brigade, 33rd Division.

          They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, on the Hindenburg Line, the Flanders Coast and in the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, the Third Battles of Ypres, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy in 1918.

             The 9th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Hamilton in August 1914 as part of Kitcheners First new Army and joined 28th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon for training and in March 1915 went on to Bramshott. They proceeded to France and landed at Boulogne on the 12th of May 1915 with 27th Brigade in same Division. They saw action at The Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, the Third Battle of Ypres and the Cambrai operations in 1917. On the 5th of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division and were in action on the Somme. On the 21st of April 1918 they transferred to South African Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division and were in action in the the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. On the 12th of September 1918 the 9th Battalion transferred to 28th Brigade in same Division. The Division was withdrawn for rest in late October and were in billets on the 11th of November at the Armistice. The Division crossed into Germany as part of the occupation force on the 4th of December 1918 and were possitioned in the Cologne brideghead. The war units were replaced in February 1919 and the men demobilized.

             The 10th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Hamilton in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon for training and in February 1915 went into billets at Winchester then moved on to Park House and Chisledon Camps on Salisbury Plain in April 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne the 10th of July 1915. They saw action at the Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battles of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme, in the Battles of the Marne and the Final Advance in Artois in 1918.

             The 13th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Hamilton in July 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. After training close to home the joined 120th Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot in September. In February 1916 the battalion was absorbed by 14th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

             The 18th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was raised at Aldershot on the 1st of June 1918 and moved to Deal, absorbing the cadre of the 6/7th Royal Scots Fusiliers on the 20th. On the 2nd of July 1918 they joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and proceeded to France, landing on the 31st of July. They were in action in The Final Advance in Artois.

             The 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a regular unit of the British Army and was in Londonderry when war broke out in August 1914 with 15th Brigade in 5th Division. They sailed from Belfast to France to join the British Expeditionary Force, landing at Le Havre on the 16th of August 1914. They saw action at The Battle of Mons, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee, at Messines and in The First Battle of Ypres. Between the 3rd of March and 7th of April 1915 they were attached with 15th Brigade to 28th Division in in exchange for 83rd Brigade in order to familiarise the newly arrived troops with the Western Front. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In March 1916 they took over a sector in the front line in the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, in front of Arras. The 5th Division arrived on the Somme to relieve the British units who had suffered badly in the attack on the first of July and went into action at High Wood, being withdrawn in October. The Division spent late Autumn and winter near Festubert and in 1917 were in action in the Battles of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they took part in the Battle of Hazebrouck, with the 1st Cheshires fighting in the Defence of Nieppe Forest. In August after a short period of rest they returned to the Somme and the 5th Division was in more or less continuous action until the end of October 1918, seeing action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy, being near Le Quesnoy at the Armistice. They returned to Flanders in December where demobilisation began.

             The 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a regular unit of the British Army and was in Jubbulpore, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Devonport on the 24th of December 1914. They joined 84th Brigade, 28th Division, at Winchester and proceeded to France, embarking at Southampton and landing at Le Havre on the 17th of January 1915. 28th Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck. They saw action in the The Second Battle of Ypres, where casualties were high and The Battle of Loos. In October 1915 were ordered to Egypt and sailed from Marseilles for Alexandria, then on to Salonika in January 1916. They took part in the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a in October 1916. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Barakli and Kumli and in 1918 were in action in the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When hostilities with Bulgaria ended on the 30th of September 1918 they were in the area of Trnovo and in early November they moved to Gallipoli to occupy the Dardanelles Forts.

             The 8th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 12th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkish attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsuccessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

             The 9th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 13th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They moved to Salisbury Plain for training and went into billets in Basingstoke in December 1914 for the winter, returning to Salisbury Plain in March 1915. They proceeded to France on the 19th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 7th of February 1918 they transferred to 56th Brigade in same Division. In 1918 they fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

             The 10th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 10th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's ThirdNew Army and joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They trained at Codford St Mary and spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. They moved to Aldershot for final training in May 1915 and proceeded to France on the 26th of September, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 26th of October they transferred to 7th Brigade still with 25th Division. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy lossed. On the 21st of June 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength with many troops transferring to the 9th Cheshires. The cadre crossed to England and returned to Aldershot, moving to North Walsham where in July they were absorbed by 15th South Wales Borderers.

             The 11th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 17th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They trained at Codford St Mary and spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. They moved to Aldershot for final training in May 1915 and proceeded to France on the 26th of September, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 26th of October they transferred to 7th Brigade still with 25th Division. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy lossed. On the 17th of June 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength with many troops transferring to the 1/6th Cheshires. On the 23rd of June the cadre transferred to 39th Division and on the 3rd of August was disbanded in France.

             The 12th (Service) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Chester on the 13th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 22nd Division as army troops. They trained at Seaford, spending the winter in billets in Eastbourne. In February 1915 they transferred to 66th Brigade, still with 22nd Division. They moved to Aldershot for final training in June and proceeded to France on the 6th of September, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their first action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. They were in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

             The 13th (Wirral) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised at Port Sunlight on 1st of September 1914 by Gershom Stewart, MP. They moved to Chester and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division in Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division assembled in the area around Salisbury for training and the 13th Cheshires spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. The Division moved to Aldershot in May 1915 for final training. They proceeded to to France on the 25th of September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first major action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 16th of February the 13th Cheshires were disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 15th (1st Birkenhead) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised at Birkenhead as a Bantam Battalion on the 18th of November 1914 by Alfred Bigland MP. Bantam Battalions were those which admitted troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches After initial training close to home, they moved to Hoylake. In June 1915 :they joined 105th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 15th of August 1915 and they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, landing at Le Havre and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

             The 16th (2nd Birkenhead) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised at Birkenhead as a Bantam Battalion on the 3rd of December 1914 by Alfred Bigland MP. Bantam Battalions were those which admitted troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they moved to Hoylake. In June 1915 :they joined 105th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 15th of August 1915 and they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, landing at Le Havre and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 6th of February the 16th Cheshires disbanded in Belgium, with troops transferring to other units.

             1st Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment were in Jersey when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 21st of August, landing at Le Havre, they joined Lines of Communication Defence Troops. On the 14th of September 1914 the 1sy Battalion joined 8th Brigade, 3rd Division. The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne on the 30th of September they transferred to 14th Brigade, 5th Division. The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. On the 12th of January 1916 they transferred to 95th Brigade in same Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. %th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance on the 7th of April 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilisation began.

             8th (Service) Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment was raised at Exeter on the 19th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 14th (Light) Division as Divisional Troops. In May 1915 they left the Division, having completed training, but a lack of ammunition delayed them and it was not until the 26th of July that they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre. On the 4th of August 1915 they joined 20th Brigade, 7th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

             The 9th (Service) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was raised at Exeter on the 15th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They were attached as Divisional Troops to 20th (Light) Division which assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott, but training was difficult due to lack of equipment. In February 1915 the Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, then in April they moved to Salisbury Plain, for final training. The 9th Devonshire's left the Division and on the 28th of July they proceeded to France landing at Le Harve. On the 8th of August 1915 they joined 20th Brigade, 7th Division. The were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The 9th Devonshires left the Division and returned to France, joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division on the 16th September 1918. They were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment was in Belfast in August 1914 at the outbreak of war, serving with 15th Brigade, 5th Division. The battalion was sent to France, arriving on 16th August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war. The Battalion's worst losses were at Hill 60 at the beginning of May 1915 during Second Battle of Ypres. The Germans launched a gas attack which resulted in just under 500 casualties. in November 1915 the 1st Battalion transferred to the newly arrived 32nd Division as part of an exchange to stiffen the inexperienced volunteer division with the more experienced 5th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment was in India when war broke out in August 1914, serving with the 16th (Poona) Brigade, 6th Indian Division. It took part in the Mesopotamian campaign and was besieged in Kut and was captured when General Townshend surrendered in April 1916. The Battalion reconstituted in July 1916 and became Corps Troops in the Tigris Corps. In January 1917 it was allocated to the 9th (Sirhind) Brigade, 3rd Indian Division and went to Egypt in April 1918 and from there on to Palestine.

             At the outbreak of war in August 1914, 4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment was the regiment's only Territorial battalion. Subsequently a reserve, the 2/4th and second reserve the 3/4th, were formed. The 1/4th and 2/4th went to India in 1914 and in February 1916 the 1/4th went to Mesopotamia with 42nd Indian Brigade and fought throughout the campaign.

             The 2/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment went to India in 1914 and then to Egypt in August 1917, they then fought in Palestine with the 75th Division. The 2/4th Battalion was disbanded in August 1918.

             The 5th (Service) Battalion were raised in 1914 through the Kitchener Scheme. The 5th began life as Army Troops and then joined the 11th Division and saw action at Gallipoli between August and December 1915. The Battalion moved to the Western Front and saw action there from July 1916 until the end of the war.

             The 6th (Service) Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment was raised at Dorchester on 6 September 1914 through the Kitchener Scheme. After initial training close to home, the battalion joined 17th (Northern) Division as Army Troops and moved to Wareham. In March 1915 they transferred to 50th Brigade still with 17th (Northern) Division and moved to Romsey in May. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne the 14th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers were in Gravesend, as part of 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they moved to Harrow to prepare to join them. The 2nd Dublin Fusiliers proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 22nd of August 1914 arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south to The Somme taking part in the Battles which began on the 1st of July. On the 15th of November 1916 the Battalion transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 10th of February 1918 as the army was reorganised, the 2nd Battalion absorbed 200 men from disbanded 8/9th Battalion. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties and on the 14th of April 1918 the 2nd Battalion amalgamated with 1st. On the 1st of June 1918 the remaining cadre of the 2nd Battalion transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division. The Battalion was reconstituted on the 6th of June, absorbing troops from the 7th Battalion and on the 16th of June they transferred as Army Troops to Lines of Communication, until the 15th of July when they transferred to 149th Brigade in the reforming 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December.

             The 6th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised at Naas in August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. They joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and moved to the Curragh. In May 1915 they sailed from Holyhead and moved to Basingstoke, England for final training. On the 11th of July 1915 they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli via Mytilene. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and of the 27th of April the 6th Dublin Fusiliers left the Division, and were sent to the Western Front. They sailed from Alexandria on the 3rd of July to Taranto, then travelled by train to The Somme. On the 21st of July they joined 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 10th of september 1917 they transferred to 198th Brigade still with 66th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Cambrai, The Pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. On the 31st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest and moved to Serain area. They returned to action on the 2nd of November and advanced through Le Cateau engaging the enemy in some sharp fights until the Armistice.

             The 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised at Naas in August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. At the request of Mr Browning, the President of the Irish Rugby Football Union, the CO of the new battalion agreed to keep open D Company as a special company, for the Pals from the Irish Rugby Union volunteers. They joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and moved to the Curragh. In May 1915 they sailed from Holyhead and moved to Basingstoke, England for final training. On the 11th of July 1915 they sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli via Mytilene. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and the 7th Dublin Fusiliers left the Division, sailing from Alexandria to Marseilles arriving on the 1st of June 1918. They travelled by train to the Somme and on the 6th were reduced to cadre, with troops transferring to the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers. The cadre then returned to England and was absorbed into the 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

             8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Buttevant, then moved to Ballyhooley in June 1915. In September they crossed to England for final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France in December 1915, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Divisieon captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 24th of October 1917 the 8th Dublin Fusiliers amalgamated with the 9th Battalion to form 8/9th Battalion.

             9th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Buttevant, then moved to Ballyhooley in June 1915. In September they crossed to England for final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France in December 1915, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Divisieon captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 24th of October 1917 the 9th Dublin Fusiliers amalgamated with the 9th Battalion to form 8/9th Battalion.

             10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was raised in Dublin in late 1915. They trained at Buttevant, moving to Ballyhooley in June 1915. They crossed to England in August 1916 for final training at Pirbright and proceeded to France on the 19th of August 1916, landing at Le Havre and joining 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. They were in action during The Battle of the Ancre and the Operations on the Ancre between January and March 1917. They moved north to Arras and fought in The Second Battle of the Scarpe, capturing Gavrelle, and The Battle of Arleux. On the 23rd of June 1917 they transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and fought in the later stages of the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark. On the 24th of October 1917 they absorbed the 8/9th Battalion. The 10th Dublin Fusilers was disbanded in France on the 15th of February 1918, with men going to 19th Entrenching Battalion as the army was reorganised.

             1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry were at the Curragh in Ireland serving with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre 15 August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. on the 12th of January 1916 the 1st DCLI transferred to 95th Brigade still with 5th Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

             2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry were in Hong Kong when war was declared in August 1914. They returned to England early November 1914, once a Territorial unit arrived in Hong Kong to take over the garrison. They joined 82nd Brigade, 27th Division at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester and proceeded to France via Southampton on the 21st of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarked from Marsailles arriving on the 5th of December. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

             6th (Service) Battalion, DCLI was raised at Bodmin in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot and spent the winter Witley, returning to Aldershot in February 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 22nd of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 20th of February 1918 the 6th DCLI was disbanded in France.

             10th (Service) Battalion (Cornwall Pioneers), DCLI was raised at Truro on the 29th of March 1915 by the Mayor and the City and trained at Penzance They were adopted by War Office on the 24th of August 1915 and in October moved to Hayle. They proceeded to France on the 20th of June 1916 landing at Le Havre and joined 2nd Division as Pioneers, being under direct command of Divisional HQ. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras. Between the 16th of July and 7th of November 1917 they were temporarily attached as Pioneers to the recently arrived 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and took part in Operations on the Flanders Coast and The Battle of Poelcapelle before returning to 2nd Division. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

             13th Battalion, DCLI was raised at Aldeburgh on the 1st of June 1918 and joined the reforming 49th Brigade, 16th Irish Division. The battalion was absorbed by the 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry later in June.

             

          The 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a territorial battalion serving with the York & Durham Brigade, Northumbrian Division.

          They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base at Stockton-on-Tees. They moved to the Hartlepools on the 10th of August, then to Ravensworth Park and were in Newcastle by October.

          They proceeded to France, Landing at Boulogne on the 18th of April 1915 and joined 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, on the Somme in 1916 and at Arras and Passchendaele in 1917.

          On the 12th of February 1918 they transferred to 151st Brigade in same Division and were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. In July after heavy losses, the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and transferred to Lines of Communication, and on the 16th of August 1918 the 5th DLI transferred to 117th Brigade in 39th Division were engaged in training the newly arrived American troops.

          They remained a training cadre and were disbanded in France on the 9th of November 1918.

             

          The 2/8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised at Durham in October 1914 as a second line unit. They moved to Leam Camp (Heworth) and were placed under orders of 190th Brigade in 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division.

          They moved to Doncaster in November 1915 and in July 1916 the 63rd Division was broken up and 190th Brigade moved to Catterick.

          On the 29th of November 1916 they moved to Basingstoke and in December 1917 the battalion was disbanded in England.

             

          The 2/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised at Ravensworth Park on the 11th of September 1914 as a second line unit. They moved to Leam Camp (Heworth) and were placed under orders of 190th Brigade in 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division.

          They moved to Doncaster in November 1915 and in July 1916 the 63rd Division was broken up and 190th Brigade moved to Catterick. On the 29th of November 1916 the 2/9th moved to Andover then in March 1917 to Colchester and Frinton in September.

          On the 4th of November 1916, they sailed from Southampton to France and proceeded to Salonika arriving on the 15th of November taking up duty as Army Troops in area of Salonika town where they remained for the duration of the war.

             

          The 11th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division.

          After training close to home with little equipment, they moved to Woking, then to Pirbright. On the 6th of January 1915 they converted into a Pioneer Battalion with the same Division. They moved to Witley in February 1915 and then to Larkhill in March 1915 for fianl training.

          They proceeded to France on the 20th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation.

          In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in the Battle of Delville Wood, the Battle of Guillemont, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy.

          In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battle of Langemarck, the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, the Battle of Polygon Wood and the Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in the Battle of St Quentin, the actions at the Somme crossings and the Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer.

          They returned to action at the Battle of the Selle and fought in the Battle of Valenciennes, the Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle.

          At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area.

          Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             

          The 12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 and joined the 68th Brigade in 23rd Division, alongside the 13th Battalion. They moved to Aldershot, Hampshire in November, then to Willesborough, Kent in February 1915 and went on in May to Bramshott.

          They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August and concentrating near Tilques.

          On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions.

          They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th.

          During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest.

          On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling.

          In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers.

          In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th.

          On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars.

          In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December.

          In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile.

          They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

             

          The 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 joined the 68th Brigade in 23rd Division, alongside the 13th Battalion. They moved to Aldershot, Hampshire in November, then to Willesborough, Kent in February 1915 and went on in May to Bramshott.

          They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions.

          They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest.

          On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling.

          In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers.

          In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th.

          On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme.

          They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele.

          In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau

          On the 14th of September 1918 the 13th DLI left 23rd Division and returned to France, joining 74th Brigade, 25th Division at St Riquier on 19 September 1918 and were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

             

          The 19th (2nd County) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised in Durham on the 13th of January 1915 by the Durham Parliamentary Recruiting Committee as a Bantam Battalion, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches.

          After initial training close to home they moved to Cocken Hall in May 1915, where they joined 106th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire in June 1915 and moved to Perham Down, Salisbury Plain for final training in August.

          They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 1st of February 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer.

          They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm.

          The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose.

          In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 8th of February 1918 they transferred to 104th Brigade, still with 35th Division.

          In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont.

          They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

             

          The 20th (Wearside) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was raised in Sunderland on the 10th of July 1915 by the Mayor and a committee.

          After inital training close to home the moved to Wensleydale in August and then to Barnard Castle in October. In January they joined 123rd Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot.

          They proceeded to France on the 5th May 1916 landing at Le Havreand and the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme.

          In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt.

          They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys.

          In March they transferred to 124th Brigade, still with 41st Division. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead.

          Demobilisation began; in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment was in Colchester serving with 11th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914.

          4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and the 1st East Lancashires moved to Harrow on the 18th of August and proceeded to France on the 22nd, landing at Le Harve.

          They arrived in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time.

          They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914.

          In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme.

          In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele.

          On the 1st of February 1918 the Battalion transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division, as the army was reorganised. They were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses.

          The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops.

          On the 26th of May 1918 the 1st East Lancashires transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division and were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy, crossing the Sambre, in the first week of November.

          The Division began to demobilise in January 1919.

             2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment was in Wijnberg, South Africa when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Southampton on the 30th of October 1914 and joined 24th Brigade in 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 6th November 1914 a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 24th Brigade to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 3rd of February 1918 tthe 2nd east Lancashires transferred to 25th Brigade still with 8th Division. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

             The 6th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division and trained at Lucknow Barracks, Tidworth spending the winter in billets at Winchester. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, with the 6th East Lancashires at Alma Barracks. They sailed from Avonmouth on the 16th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

             The 7th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Tidworth and moved into billets in Andover in December 1914 for the winter. In February 1915 they moved to Clevedon and then to Perham Down in late March for final training. They proceeded to France on the 18th of July 1915, the divsion concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7th East Lancashires were disbanded in France on the 22nd of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             13th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment,was raised in France on the 11th of June 1918 as the 8th Garrison Guard Battalion, they were renamed on the 13th of July. They served with 119th Brigade, 40th Division and saw action action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

             1st Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was in Dublin with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. On the 12th of January 1916 transferred to 95th Brigade atill with 5th Division. In March 1916, 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

             2nd Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was in Chaubattia, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they returned to England, landing at Devonport on the 23rd of December 1914. They joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester. They proceeded to France, via Southampton landing at Le Havre on the 19th of January 1915. The Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and the 2nd East Surreys moved to Salonika on the 1st of December. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France. The remainer of the Division, including the 2nd East Surreys were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

             7th Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was raised at Kingston-upon-Thames in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 37th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Purfleet and spent the winter in billets in Sandgate. They moved to Albuhera Barracks in Aldershot in February 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 2nd of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. The 7th East Surrey's were disbanded in France on the 5th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment was raised at Kingston-upon-Thames in Septeber 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 55th Brigade in 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Purfleet for training but joined the rest of the division at Colchetser by April 1915. In May they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne 28 July 1915, the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

             9th Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was raised at Kingston-upon-Thames in Septeber 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 72nd Brigade in 24th Division. They trained at Worthing, moving to Shoreham by April 1915 the moving to Blackdown, Aldershot in June for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 1st of September 1915. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

             12th (Bermondsey) Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was raised at Bermondsey on the 14th of May 1915 by the Mayor and Borough. After inital training close to home they moved to Witley in October to join 122nd Brigade, 41st Division. They moved to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot in February 1916 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 2nd of May, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             13th (Wandsworth) Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment was raised at Wandsworth on the 16th of June 1915 by the Mayor and Borough and was adopted by the War Office on the 28th of August 1915. After initial traning close to home they moved to Witley in September and joined 41st Division. In October they transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division at Barrossa Barracks, Aldershot, returning to Witley in November. On the 23rd of February 1916 they moved to Blackdown and transferred to 120th Brigade, 40th Division and underwent final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 4th of June 1916, the division concentrating near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie and The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. On the 16th of February 1918 they transferred to 119th Brigade, still with 40th Division. They fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 5th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 3rd of June transferred to 34th Division, then on the 17th to 39th Division and on the 30th to 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They returned to England and went to Lowestoft, where the battalion was reconstituted by troops transferring from the 15th East Surreys. On the 3rd of November 1918 the battalion was disbanded in England.

             1st Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own) went to France with 18th Brigade, 6th Division, joining the BEF at the Battle of the Aisne. In November 1915 it was transferred to 64th Brigade, 21st Division with which it remained for the rest of the war on the Western Front. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919. The 1st Battalion suffered 1,536 losses during the Great War 1914-1918.

             2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York's Own) was in India in August 1914 when war broke out, it arrived home in December 1914, to join the newly formed 28th Division, near Winchester. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

             6th (Service) Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment was raised at Beverley on 27 August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army joined 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham, to train with other units of the Division. In December 1914 the 6th East Yorks became the Pioneer Battalion to the 11th Division. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Avonmouth via Mudros on the 1st of July 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria and landed at Marseilles on the 10 July 1916. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

             The 10th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment was known as the Hull Commercials or 1st Hull Pals and was raised in Hull on the 29th of August 1914 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, the later to Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

          In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

          Not long after arriving on the Western Front they took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and in 1918 they fought at St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras before moving north to counter the German Spring Offensive on the Lys. Towards the end of the conflict they were in action in the the Final Advance in Flanders.

             The 11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment was known as the Hull Tradesmen or 2nd Hull Pals and was raised in Hull on the 2nd of September 191 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, then later to South Camp, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

          In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

          Not long after arriving on the Western Front they took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and in 1918 they fought at St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras before moving north to counter the German Spring Offensive on the Lys. Towards the end of the conflict they were in action in the the Final Advance in Flanders.

             The 12th Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment was known as the Hull Sportsmen or 3rd Hull Pals and was raised in Hull on the 11th of August 1914 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, then later to South Camp, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

          In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

          Not long after arriving on the Western Front they took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. On the 8th of February 1918 the Hull Sportsman's Battalion was disbanded in France

             The 13th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment was known as the 4th Hull Pals or the Hull T'Others and was raised in Hull on the 2nd of September 1914 by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding TF Association. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, then later to South Camp, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

          In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

          Not long after arriving on the Western Front they took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. On the 8th of February 1918 the Hull Sportsmen Battalion was disbanded in France

             The 14th (Reserve) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment was formed at Lichfield in August 1915 as a Reserve battalion and moved to Clipstone Camp. By April 1916 they were at Seaton Delaval. On the 1st of September 1916 they were renamed 90th Training Reserve Battalion with 21st Reserve Brigade and moved to Blyth.

             1st Battalion, The Essex Regiment was in Mauritius when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, arriving in December. On the 18th of January 1915 they moved to Banbury to join 88th Brigade, 29th Division. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 21st of March sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. On the 4 February 1918 they transferred to 112th Brigade, 37th Division and were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment was in Chatham serving with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing and the 2nd Essex were sent to Cromer and Norwich in a defensive role. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they were recalled to Harrow then proceeded to France, landing at Le Harve on the 28th of August. They arrived in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 the 2nd Essex were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Essex Regiment was raised at Warley in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Shorncliffe and then to Colchester and to Codford St Mary in May 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the divsion concentrating near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

             1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment were at Bordon serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             7th (Service) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 39th Brigade 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. They moved to Tidworth and and spent the winter in billets in Basingstoke. They moved to Blackdown, Aldershot in February 1915 for final training and sailed from Avonmouth on the 19th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

             8th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 57th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Perham Down and in March 1915 moved to Tidworth for final training. They proceeded to France on the 18th of July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

             9th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division. They trained at Codford St Mary, spending the winter in billets in Cheltenham. In April 1915 they moved to Longbridge Deverill for final training and proceeded to France on the 21st of September. They moved to Salonika travelling via Marseilles in November 1915. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France including the 9th Gloucesters who left the division on the 4th of July. On the 21st of July they joined 198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and became a Pioneer Battalion on the 22nd of September. They returned to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

             10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and was attached to to 26th Division. They moved to Salisbury Plain for training and by November 1914 had moved to billets in Cheltenham. They returned to Salisbury Plain in April 1915 to complete thier training. They proceeded to France on the 8th of August 1915 and joined 1st Brigade, 1st Division on the 17th. They first saw action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 14th of February 1918 the 10th Gloucesters were disbanded in France.

             The 12th (Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol on the 30th of August 1914 by the Citizens Recruiting Committee. After training cloe to home, in June 1915 they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division at Wensleydale, being officially adopted by the War Office on the 23rd of June. They moved to Codford on Salisbury Plain for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France on the 21st of November 1915. On the 26th of December 1915 they transferred with 95th Brigade to 5th Division as part of an exchange designed to stiffen the inexperienced 32nd Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 12th Gloucesters were disbanded in France in the 19th of October 1918.

             13th (Forest of Dean Pioneers) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Malvern in December 1914 by Lieut-Col. H. Webb, MP. After inital training close to home, the battalion was adopted by War Office on the 12th of July 1915. In August 1915 they joined 39th Division as Divisional Pioneers and moved to Aldershot in September for final training. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of March 1916. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 6th of May 1918. On the 16th of June they transferred to 197th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and on the 20th of September 1918 to the Lines of Communication.

             The 14th (West of England) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised at Bristol on the 22nd of April 1915, by the Citizens Recruiting Committee, as a Bantam Battalion, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, on the 23rd of June the Battalion was adopted by War Office they joined 105th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on 30 January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The Pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 11th of February were disbanded in France, with troops transferring to other units, including the 13th Gloucesters.

             18th (Service) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was raised in Clacton on the 20th of June 1918 from the remaining cadre of the 5th Baattalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. On the 2nd of July they joined the reforming 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They proceeded to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

             1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was based in Plymouth with 8th Brigade in 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 14th of August 1914, landing at Boulogne. They were in action They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, and after taking heavy casualties at Le Cateau, they transferred to Army Troops, on the 12th of September 1914. They returned to 8th Brigade on the 30th of September. On the 19th of October 1915 they transferred to 76th Brigade still with 3rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             8th (Service) Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders was raised at Aberdeen in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. After inital training in the Aberdeen area they moved to Aldershot and in February 1915 went to Bordon for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 10th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. On the 7th of May 1916 they joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division at Bethune and on the 11th amalgamated with 10th Battalion to form the 8/10th Gordons.

             9th (Service) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was raised in Aberdeen in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They trained at Aldershot and in November moved to Haslemere, becoming a pioneer Battalion for 15th (Scottish) Division on the 12th of January 1915. In February the moved to Perham Down, then to Andover for final training in May. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was raised in Aberdeen in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They trained at Aldershot and in November moved to Midhurst then to Chisledon in March 1915 and to Tidworth for final training in May. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915, landing at Boulogne. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position, suffering heavy losses and on the 11th of May 1916 they amalgamated with 8th Battalion to form the 8/10th Gordons.

             8/10th (Service) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was formed on the 11th of May 1916 when the 8th Gordons amalgamated with the 10th. They served with 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

             The 1st Battalion, Green Howards was in Barian, Punjab, India with the 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division when war broke out in August 1914. The Battalion remained in India throughout the conflict.

             The 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was in Guernsey in August 1914 when war broke out. They were ordered to return to England and landed at Southampton on the 28th of August and joined 21st Brigade, 7th Division. They proceeded to Belgium to join the BEF on the 6th of October 1914 landing at Zeebrugge. They suffered very heavy losses in the First Battle of Ypres and did not regain full strength until February 1915. They took part in the major battles of 1915 including, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert, the second action at Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 20th of December 1915 21st Brigade transferred to 30th Division. They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. In early 1918 they saw action on the Somme and at the Battle of the Lys, following which the army was reorganised, the 2nd Battaion absorbed the 6th Battalion on the 11th of May 1918 and transferred to 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. They saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburgh Line and at the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

             3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was in Richmond when war broke out in August 1914. They remained in UK throughout the war, providing drafts for other battalions. The regimental depot remained at Richmond while battalion moved to war station at West Hartlepool, with detachments at Seaton Carew and South Gare.

             4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was a territorial unit, they had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base in Northallerton. They proceeded to France on the 18th April 1915, landing at Boulogne. They arrived in Flanders as the enemy attacked Ypres with poison gas for the first time and went straight into action. They remained in the Ypres sector throughout the Second Battle of Ypres. On the 14th of May 1915 the York & Durham Brigade, Northumbrian Division, of which the 4th Btn were part, was renamed 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. In 1916 they saw action in the Battle of the Somme and in 1917 took part in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme, the Lys and the Aisne. The Division was reorganised due to the men suffering exhaustion and heavy casualties and on the 16th of July 1918 the Division was reduced to cadre strength and moved back to take over the Lines of Communication. On the 16th of August 1918 the 1/4th Battalion transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division and were engaged in training the newly arrived American 77th Division. They remained a training cadre and were demobilised on the 6th of November 1918.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at Richmond on September 1914. They joined 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division and moved to Wareham for training moving in May 1915 to Romsey. They proceeded to France on the 14th of July 1915 landing at Boulogne and taking over the front line in the southern Ypres Sector.In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             8th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was formed at Richmond, North Yorkshire on the 22nd September 1914 and served with the 69th Brigade, 23rd Division. The battalion moved to Frensham and in February 1915 went on to Folkestone and Maistone in Kent, landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August 1915, the division concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

             9th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was formed at Richmond, North Yorkshire on the 26th of September 1914 and served with 69th Brigade, 23rd Division. The Battalion moved to Frensham and in February 1915 went on to Folkestone then to Maistone in Kent. They landed at Boulogne on the 26th of August 1915 the division concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau. The 9th Green Howards returned to France in September 1918 to join the 74th Brigade, 25th Division seeing action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The Battalion were involved with salvage work around Cambrai after the Armistice. in the first three months of 1919, men who had enlisted before 1st January 1916 were demobbed, men who had enlisted later were transferred to other units and joined the Army of Occupation on the Rhine.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was a Kitchener Battalion raised at Richmond on 30th of September 1914. They joined the 62nd Brigade, 21st Division and moved to Berkhamsted and then on to Halton Park near Tring for training in October. Between November 1914 and May 1915 they were in billets in Aylesbury whilst training before returning to Halton Park. In August 1915 they moved to Witley Camp the proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne. They saw action in the Battle of Loos and in 1916 were in action at The Battle of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action on the Hindenburg Line, in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai. In 1918 they were involved in action on the Somme, the Battles of the Lys and Hindenburgh Line and the final advance in Picardy. On the 10th of February 1918 the Battalion disbanded in France with some men transferring to other units.

             13th (Service) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) was raised Richmond in July 1915 as a Bantam Battalion, accepting men who did not meet the minimum height and chest measurements required for service in the army at that time. They trained at Aldershot and joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division. On the 2nd of April 1916 they absorbed the 18th Sherwood Foresters. They proceeded to France, landing at le Havre on the 6th of June 1916, the division concentrating near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 6th of May the 13th Green Howards was reduced to cadre strength and were attached to 34th Division for two weeks, followed by two weeks attached to 30th Division. On the 30th of June they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division, returning to England and absorbing the 19th Green Howards in August to return to strength. On the 9th of September 75th Brigade was redesignated the 236th Brigade and they sailed from Dundee on the 17th of October for service in North Russia, arriving at Murmansk on the 27th of November 1918.

             1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment were in Colchester with 11th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. This Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and the 1st Hampshires moved to Harrow to prepare to proceed to France. They landed at Le Havre on the 23rd of August 1914 arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment were in Mhow, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, landing at Plymouth on the 22nd of December 1914. They moved to Romsey and then on to Stratford-upon-Avon on the 13th of February to join 88th Brigade, 29th Division. They moved to Warwick and were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 29th of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

             Thorpe Lodge, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich was used as convalescent hospital during the Great War.

             Larkhill Camp, on Salisbury Plain was designated the School of Instruction for Royal Horse and Field Artillery. Construction began on 12 August 1914 and the camp was completed in early 1915, the buildings were mainly built of corrugated iron and the roads were constructed using chalk, the local stone. The camp was connected to the London and Southwestern Railway at Amesbury Station by a military light railway. Today Larkhill Camp is still in use as the School of Artillery for the British Army.

             10th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Winchester in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and moved to Dublin, and joined 10th (Irish) Division as Divisional Troops. They moved to Mullingar in September and in March 1915 to the Curragh, transferring to 29th Brigade still with 10th (Irish) Division. They retruned to England in May and underwent final training at Basingstoke. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool on the 7th of July, via Mudros. They landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 2nd of November 1916 the 10th Hampshires transferred to 82nd Brigade, 27th Division. In 1917 they were in action durinhg the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in Sepetember the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

             11th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to Dublin, to join 16th (Irish) Division as Army Troops. They moved to Mullingar in September and converted to Pioneers in December 1914. They moved to Kilworth in March 1915 and then to Aldershot for final training in September 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 18th of December 1915. concentrating in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, suffering very heavy casualties. On the 2nd of May 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and returned to England with the division on the 18th of June 1918 and reconstituted at Lowestoft, absorbing the 13th Battalion, Border Regiment. They moved to Aldershot on the the 3rd of July and returned to France, landing at Boulogne on the 1st of August. 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

             12th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 79th Brigade in 26th Division. They trained at Codford, spending the winter in billets in Basingstoke, but training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They moved to Bath in March 1915 and to Sutton Veny for final training in May. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

             14th (1st Portsmouth) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Portsmouth on the 3rd of September 1914 by the Mayor and a local Committee. After initial training close to home, the battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 30th of May 1915. In October they moved to Witley to join 116th Brigade, 39th Division. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 6th of March 1916, the division concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 22nd of March the 14th Hampshires were disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units, including the 20th Entrenching Battalion.

             15th (2nd Portsmouth) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was raised at Portsmouth on the 5th of April 1915 by the Mayor and local Committee and was adopted by The War Office on the 30th of May 1915. After inital training close to home they joined 122nd Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot in October. In February 1916 they moved to the Marlborough Lines, Albdershot for final training and proceeded to France in early May, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. On the 27th of September 1917 they amalgamated with the dismounted 1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry and were renamed as the 15th (Hampshire Yeomanry) Battalion, at Caestre. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised at Hamilton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home they joined 28th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon and in March 1915 went on to Bramshott for final training. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 12th of May 1915, attached to the South African Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. On the 14th of May 1916 they transferred to 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and amalgamated with 11th (Service) Battalion to form the 10th/11th Battalion. They would not resume their own identity until the 21st of June 1918 when they had returned to England after heavy losses and were reformed absorbing the 22nd HLI, they returned to France on the 5th of July landing at Bologne with 43rd Brigade 14th (Light) Division and went into action at Ypres and fought in the Final Advance in Flanders.

             10th/11th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was formed on the 14th of May 1916 when the 10th HLI amalgamated with 11th HLI to form the 10/11th Battalion and they joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 119th Brigade, 40th Division then on the 16th to 120th Brigade in the same Division as the Army was reorganised. They were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck, suffering very heavy losses. On the 6th of May 1918 the Battalion was reduced to cadre on the 3rd of June they transferred to 34th Division and on the 16th to 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division at Boulogne and they returned to England. They moved to Brookwood near Aldershot and on the 21st of June 1918 the Battalion was rebuilt by absorbing the 22nd Battalion HLI. The battalion was retitled the 10th HLI and returned to France on the 5th of July, landing at Boulogne and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders.

             11th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised at Hamilton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home they joined 28th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon and in March 1915 went on to Bramshott for final training. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 12th of May 1915, attached to the South African Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. On the 14th they transferred to 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and amalgamated with 10th (Service) Battalion to form the 10th/11th Battalion.

             12th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised at Hamilton in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Bordon for training and in March 1915 moved to Romsey then to Chisledon Camp on Salisbury Plain for final training in April 1915. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 10th of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. On the 3rd of February 1918 they transferred to 106th Brigade, 35th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem during the Final Advance in Flanders.

             14th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised at Hamilton in July 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. They trained at Troon until September when they moved to Blackdown to join 120th Brigade, 40th Division. On the 2nd of March 1916 they absorbed the 13th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). They proceeded to France in June 1916, where the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, on the 3rd of June the 14th HLI transferred to 34th Division, then on the 17th to 39th Division. On the 16th of August they transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, returning to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

             15th (Glasgow Tramways) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised in Glasgow on the 2nd of September 1914 by the Lord Provost and City, with many recruits coming from the Tramways Department. They trained at Gailes and in May 1915 moved to Prees Heath to join 97th Brigade in 32nd Division. The camp was found to be too wet for training and they moved in June 1915 to Wensleydale. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office on the 1st of July 1915 and they moved to Salisbury Plain in August for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 23rd of November 1915 In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On the 3rd of January 1918 they transferred to 14th Brigade still with 32nd Division and were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             18th (4th Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was raised in Glasgow on the 26th of February 1915 by the Lord Provost and City as a Bantam Battalion with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they moved to Girvan and then to Gailes in May 1915. In June they joined 106th Brigade 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Battalion was adopted by the War Office in July, and in August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France on February 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. On the 23rd September 1917 the 18th HLI was brought up to strength by absorbing the HQ and two Squadrons of the Glasgow Yeomanry and were retitled the 18th (Glasgow Yeomanry) Battalion. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

             1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was at Shorncliffe serving with 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They moved at once to York and then to Harrow on the 18th of August to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France on the 23rd of August, landing at Boulogne, and crossing France in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe. On the 3rd of August 1917 they transferred to 36th (Ulster) Division and joined 107th Brigade on the 24th. They were in action in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 8th of February 1918 they transferred to 108th Brigade still with 36th (Ulster) Division. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers were at Quetta in India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britain, and joined 82nd Brigade, 27th Division at Winchester on the 20th of November 1914. They proceeded to France via southampton landing at le Havre on the 19th of December. as a much-needed reinforcement. The 27th div concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, with the 2nd Irish Fusiliers sailing in mid December, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm On the 2nd of November 1916 they transferred to 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

             5th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised at Armagh in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. After training in Ireland they moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In October 1915 they moved via Mudros to Salonika and on the 2nd of November 1916 absorbed the 6th Royal Irish Fusiliers. In September 1917 they moved to Egypt for service in Palestine. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and on the 30th of April 1918 the 5th Irish Fusiliers left the Division and sailed from Port Said to Marseilles arriving on the 27th of May. They travelled by train to the Somme and joined 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 23rd of July. On the 24th of August they transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and absorbed the 11th Irish Fusiliers. They were in action in The Final Advance in Artois.

             7/8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was formed on the 15th of October 1916 when the 7th Battalion amalgamated with 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th Battalion. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7/8th was disbanded on the 10th of February 1918, when the army was reorganised, the men transferred to the 1st and 9th Irish Fusiliers.

             6th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised at Armagh in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. After training in Ireland they moved to Basingstoke, England in April 1915 for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In October 1915 they moved via Mudros to Salonika and on the 2nd of November 1916 the battalion was absorbed by the 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised at Armagh in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Tipperary and crossed to England in September 1915, for final training at Pirbright. They proceeded to France in February 1916. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. on the 15th of October 1916 the 7th Battalion amalgamated with 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th Battalion.

             8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised at Armagh in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Tipperary and crossed to England in September 1915, for final training at Pirbright. They proceeded to France in February 1916. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. on the 15th of October 1916 the 8th Battalion amalgamated with 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th Battalion.

             9th (County Armagh) Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers was raised in Belfast in September 1914, from the Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan Volunteers, units of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force. The Battalion was attached to 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915.

          The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for thier action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach thier objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 25th September 1917 the 9th (County Armagh) Btn was renamed 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, absorbing two squadrons of the North Irish Horse. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

          The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

          Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

          A DVD was released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, which follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The International Group for Great War Archaeology.

          You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




             11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was formed at Greatham, West Hartlepool on the 1st of June 1918. On the 18th June, it absorbed the cadre of the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers and on the 28th moved to Aldershot to join 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They proceeded to France in late in July and on the 29th of August were absorbed by the 5th Battalion.

             2nd Garrison Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers was formed in Dublin in April 1916 and moved to Templemore in May. Moved to Salonika in August 1916 and was attached to 228th Brigade, 28th Division between March and August 1917.

              1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment was in Dover serving with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 23rd of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and moved south to The Somme. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. The 1st Kings Own were in action during the Battles of the Somme in 1916. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

             2nd Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was in Lebong in India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a Territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison at Lebong, the 2nd King's Own returned to England, arriving on the 22nd of December. They joined 83rd Brigade, 28th Division at to Hursley Park. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on the 16th of January 1915, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

             6th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) was raised at Lancaster in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division and trained on Salisbury Plain. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

             7th (Service) Battalion, The King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The new Division concentrated in the Bulford area with the 7th Kings Own being based at Tidworth Pennings for training. They spent the winter in billets in Andover, moving to Clevedon in February 1915 and returning to Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7th Kings Own was disbanded in France on the 22nd of February 1918 when the army was reorganised with troops transferring to the 1/4th and 1/5th Kings Own, and the 6th Entrenching Battalion.

             8th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in October 1914 as part of Kitcheners's Third New Army and joined 76th Brigade, 25th Division which assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France on the 27th of September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. On the 15th of October 1915 the 8th Kings Own, transferred with 76th Brigade to 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             9th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in October 1914 as part of Kitcheners's Third New Army and joined 65th Brigade, 22nd Division. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 6th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

              11th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was raised at Lancaster in August 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. They joined 120th Brigade, 40th Division and on the 2nd of March 1916, absorbed the 12th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. They proceeded to France in the first week of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In ealy 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 7th of February 1918 the 11th Kings Own were disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units.

             4th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment was in Seaforth, Liverpool when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 6th of March 1915, landing at Le Havre and joining Sirhind Brigade, Lahore Division of Indian Corps. On the 10th of November 1915 they transferred to 137th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division then on the 3rd of December transferred again to 56th then on the 19th to 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. On the 27th of February 1916 they transferred to 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

             11th (Service) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised at Seaforth on the 23rd of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, and joined 14th (Light) Division. On the 11th of January 1915 they converted into Pioneer Battalion. After training they proceeded to France, landing on the 30th of May. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April the Battalion was reduced to a cadre and they returned to England on the 17th of June and were absorbed by the 15th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

             12th (Service) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised at Seaforth 1n tSeptember 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, and joined 20th (Light) Division as Army Troops. After training close to home with little equipment, they moved to Aldershot. In January 1915 the 12th Kings Liverpool joined 61st Brigade, still with 20th (Light) Division. In February 1915 they Division moved to Guildford, then to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France on the 27th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             13th (Service) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised at Seaforth in September 1914, part of Kitchoner's Third New Army, which assembled in the area around Salisbury. The 13th Kings Liverpool were initally attached as Army Troops to 25th Division. In February 1915 they transferred to 76th Brigade in same Division. They proceeded to France on the 27th of September 1915, landing at Le Havre and concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 15th of October 1915 the Battalion transferred with 76th Brigade to 3rd Division then on the 23rd the Battalion transferred to 8th Brigade, still in 3rd Division. On the 4th of April 1916 they transferred to 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             14th (Service) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised at Seaforth in October 1914, part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and joined 65th Brigade, 22nd Division which assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. The 14th Kings proceeded to France on the 5th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. The 14th Kings left 22nd Division and returned to France in June 1918, joining 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 23rd of July. On the 13th of August they were absorbed by the 18th Kings.

             17th (1st City) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was the first of all the Pals Battalions, raised by Lord Derby at the old watch factory, Prescot, Liverpool on the 29th of August 1914. They joined 89th Brigade, 30th Division which concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France on the 7th of November 1915 landing Bologne, the division concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy lossed. On the 14th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 16th of June 1918 transferred to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 30th they transffered to 75th Brigade, 25th Division and crossed to England. On the 9th of September the Brigade was retitled 236th Brigade and on the 11th of October they sailed from Glasgow for service in North Russia, where they remained until September 1919.

             18th (2nd City) Battalion, The King's Regiment (Liverpool) was raised by Lord Derby at the old watch factory, Prescot, Liverpool on the 29th of August 1914. After training in the Liverpool areas, on the 30th of April they joined 89th Brigade, 30th Division which concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France on the 7th of November 1915 landing Bologne, the division concentrating near Amiens. On the 25th of December 1915 they transferred to 21st Brigade, still with 30th Division.In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. On the 24th of September they absorbed 16 officers and 290 men from the 1/1st Lancashire Hussars and the 18th (2nd City) Battalion was renamed the 18th (Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion. On the 11th of February 1918 they transferred to 89th Brigade still with 30th Division. They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy lossed. On the 14th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 19th of June transferred to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 13th of August they were brought up to strength by absorbing the 14th Kings Liverpool and on the 19 of September 1918 joined 199th Brigade 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, returning to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

             2nd (Garrison) Battalion, The King's Liverpool Regiment was formed at Pembroke Dock in November 1915. They moved to Egypt in March 1916 then on to Salonika, where they joined 228th Brigade, 28th Division on the 28th of August 1917. They were in action during the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and the remainder of the Division, including the 2nd Garrision battalion were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. 228th Brigade transferred to the Greek Crete Division on the 30th of September 1918 and was broken up on the 4th of October 1918.

             1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps were based at Aldershot with 6th Brigade, 2nd Division when war broke out in Auguat 1914. The proceeded to France with the BEF on the 13th of August 1914, landing at Rouen and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 13th of December 1915 they transferred to 99th Brigade still with 2nd Division. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

             2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps were at Blackdown with 2nd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France landing at le Harve on the 13th of August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             4th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps were in Gharial, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England with the 3rd KRRC arriving on the 18th of November and joined 80th Brigade, 27th Division at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester. They proceeded to France via Southampton in mid December 1914 landing at Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and on the 19th the 4th KRRC sailed from Marseilles, arriving on the 25th. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm In 1917 they were in action durinhg the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in Sepetember including the 4th KRRC who moved to France in June and joined the reforming 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 16th of July. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

             7th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 19th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Grayshott in November and to Bordon in February 1915, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 25th of April, the 7th KRRC was reduced to a training cadre and on the 16th of June they transferred to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England for re-establishment and were absorbed by 34th Battalion, London Regiment at Clacton.

             8th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Grayshott in November and to Bordon in February 1915, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the 8th KRRC was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June they transferred to 34th Division, on the 27th they joined 39th Division. The 8th KRRC was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

             9th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Petworth in November, returning to Aldershot in March 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 20th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the 9th KRRC was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June they transferred to 34th Division, on the 27th they joined 39th Division. The 9th KRRC was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

             10th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on 14th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After training close to home they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. On the 5th of February 1918 the 10th KRRC was disbanded at Dickebusch when the army was reorganised.

             11th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After training close to home they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Larkhill in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             12th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on the 21st of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After training close to home they moved to moved to Bisley, then to Blackdown in November 1914 then February 1915 to billets in Hindhead. They moved to Larkhill on the 10th of April 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of July 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             13th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Winchester on the 7th of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 21st Division as army troops. They trained at Halton Park, moving into winter billets in November at Amersham and Great Missenden. They moved to Windmill Hill on Salisbury Plain in April 1915 and transferred to 111th Brigade in 37th Division. They proceeded to France on the 31st of July, landing at Boulogne and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             16th (Church Lads Brigade) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Denham, Buckinghamshire on the 19th of September 1914 by Field-Marshal Lord Grenfell, Commandant of the Church Lads Brigade, from current and previous members of this organisation. After inital training close to home they moved to Rayleigh in March then returned to Denham in May. They joined 100th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone Camp in June 1915 and moved to Perham Down for final training in August. They proceeded to France on the 17th of November landing at Le Havre. 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

             17th (British Empire League) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised in London on the 16th of May 1915 by the British Empire League. After inital training cloe to home, they moved to Paddockhurst. In July they joined 117th Brigade, 39th Division, moving in September to Hursley Park and in January 1916 to Witley for final training, spending a brief spell at Aldershot then returning to Witley. They proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1916, landing at Le Havre, teh division concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 16th of May and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. On the 16th of August 1918 the 17th KRRC transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and took up duties on lines of Communication work at Durcat.

             18th (Arts & Crafts) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised at Gidea Park in London on the 4th of June 1915 by Major Sir Herbert Raphael. After inital training close to home they joined 122nd Brigade, 41st Division At Witley in October. In November they moved to Aldershot, in Feburay to Witley and returned to Aldershot for final training. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of May 1916 landing at Le Havre, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             20th (Service) Battalion (British Empire League Pioneers), King's Royal Rifle Corps were raised in London on the 20th of August 1915 by the British Empire League. In February 1916 they moved to Wellingborough for final training and proceeded to France on the 30th of March 1916 landing at Le Havre. On the 19th of May 1916 they joined 3rd Division as a Pioneer Battalion. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps was raised in September 1915 from volunteers from the farming communities of Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland by the Northern Command. They trained at Duncombe Park, Helmsley, moving to Aldershot to join 124th Brigade, 41st Division for final training. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. At this time the army was being reorganised and in March the battalion was disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

             4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was a territorial unit and were based in Shrewsbury as Army Troops attached to Welsh Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised for war and moved to Sittingbourne. On the 29th of October 1914 they sailed from Southampton for India, arriving at Bombay on 1st of December. On the 10th of February 1915 they moved to Singapore, with a detachment being sent to the Andaman Islands, remaining there until the 13th of April 1917. The battalion was recalled to Britain, pausing at Capetown from the 30th of May until the 29th of June when they sailed for Southampton. Once in England, they re-equipped and proceeded to France on the 27th of July 1917, landing at Le Havre. On the 18th of August they joined 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and saw action in The Second Battle of Passchendaele, in December were involved in The action of Welsh Ridge. On the 4th of February 1918 the battalion transferred to 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division and fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

             5th (Service) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was raised at Shrewsbury in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot and moved to Chiddingfold in March 1915, before returning to Aldershot for final training. They proceeded to France on the 20th of May 1915, landing at Boulogne. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They were disbanded at Jussy on the 4th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised, with the men transferring to the 1st, 1/4th, 6th and 7th Battalions.

             6th (Service) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was raised at Shrewsbury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initial training the in the Shrewsbury area with little equipment, they moved to Aldershot and then to Larkhill in April 1915 for final training. The proceeded to France on the 22nd of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

             7th (Service) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry were raised at Shrewsbury in September 1914, part of Kitchener's First Army they were attached to 76th Brigade, 25th Division. They moved to Codford for training then to Bournemouth in May 1915, to Romsey in late May then in June to Aldershot. They proceeded to France on the 28th of September 1915 landing at Boulogne and and concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 15th of October 1915 76th Brigade were transferred to 3rd Division and on the 19th the Battalion was moved to 8th Brigade still with 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

             8th (Service) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry were raised at Shrewsbury in September 1914, part of Kitchener's Third Army and joined 66th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained at Seaford, spending the winter in billets at Eastbourne from December returning to Seaford in March 1915. They moved to Aldershot in May for final training and proceeded to France on the 5th of September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

             1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers were in Lucknow, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, arriving on the 28th of December 1914 to join 87th Brigade, 29th Division at Rugby. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 18th of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles arriving on the 18th of March and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

             2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers were based in in Dublin serving with 13th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force, landing at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops, the 2nd Battalion remained with 5th Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

             6th (Service) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers was raised in Berwick-on-Tweed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First Army after inital training thethe Berwick area they joined 28th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. In March 1915 they moved to Bramshott for final training. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. On the 6th of May 1916 they transferred to 27th Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

             7th (Service) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers was raised in Berwick-on-Tweed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, after inital training in the Berwick area they joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. In February 1915 they went into billets at Winchester then moved to Park House and Chisledon Camps on Salisbury Plain in April 1915 for final training. The proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 10th of July 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. On the 28th of May 1916 they merged with the 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th KOSB.

             8th (Service) Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers was raised in Berwick-on-Tweed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, after inital training in the Berwick area they joined 46th Brigade in 15th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. In February 1915 they went into billets at Winchester then moved to Park House and Chisledon Camps on Salisbury Plain in April 1915 for final training. The proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 10th of July 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. On the 28th of May 1916 they merged with the 8th Battalion to form the 7/8th KOSB.

             10th (Service) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers was formed in France on 11 June 1918, they joined 120th Brigade, 40th Division and saw action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

             1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were in Singapore when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, as soon as a Territorial unit arrived to man the garrision, landing at Southampton on the 9th of November. They moved to Hursley Park moving to Harwich on the 18th November. On the 17th of December they returned to Hursley Park to joing 83rd Brigade, 28th Division. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on the 16th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and the 1st KOYLI went on to Salonika on the 7th of December 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France including the 1st KOYLI who left the division on the 20th of June and moved to France via Taranto, Italy.. They joined the reforming 151st Brigade in 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 16th of July. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

             2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were in Dublin with 13th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF and landed at Le Havre on the 16th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, the Battalion was one of the units of 5th Division which were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops, on the 28th of December 1915 they transferred to 97th Brigade in 32nd Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             6th (Service) Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised at Pontefract on the 12th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Woking, moving to Witley in November 1914 for the winter, then moving to Aldershot in February 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of May 1915 landing at Boulogne. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 19th of February 1918 the 6th KOYLI were disbanded in France as the army was reorganised.

             8th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 70th Brigade, 23rd Division. They undertook training in England at Pontefract, Frensham, Aldershot, Hythe and Bordon, before proceeding to France. They landed at Boulogne in August 1915. They transferred to with 70th Brigade to 8th Division on the 18th of October 1915, in an exchange with 24th Brigade allowing the inexperienced troops to learn from those who had battle experience, returning to their orginal divisions in June 1916. The 23rd Division were at Bomy beginning a period of intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

             9th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 64th Brigade, 21st Division. After initial training close to home they moved to Berkhamsted and then to Halton Park in October. They spent the winter in billets in Maidenhead from November and returned to Halton Park in April 1915. They moved to Witley for final training in August and proceeded to France in September 1915. They marched across France and went straight into action in reserve of the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September, suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             10th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 64th Brigade, 21st Division. After initial training close to home they moved to Berkhamsted and then to Halton Park in October. They spent the winter in billets in Maidenhead from November and returned to Halton Park in April 1915. They moved to Witley for final training in August and proceeded to France in September 1915. They marched across France and went straight into action in reserve of the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September, suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 the army was reorganised and the 10th Yorkshire light infantry was disbanded on the 13th of February with the troops transferring to other units, including the 20th Entrenching Battalion.

             15th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was formed on the 11th of June 1918, in France. They served with 120th Brigade, 40th Division and saw action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

             2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were in Dover with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war was declared in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 20th of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Divisional Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 4th of November 1915 the 2nd Lancashires moved with 12th Brigade to 36th (Ulster) Division to provide training over the winter months and returned to 4th Division on the 3rd of February 1916. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised in Bury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, they joined 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 15th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             11th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised at Codford in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division. The Division assembled for training in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France on the 25th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys. On the 12th of August 1918 the 11th Lancashire Fusiliers was disbanded in France.

             12th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised in Bury in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, they joined 65th Brigade, 22nd Division. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France on the 5th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne, the divsion concentrated near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika arriving on the 5th of November. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In July 1918 they 12the Lancashire Fusiliers left Division and returned to France, joining 199th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 16th and being absorbed by 6th Lancashire Fusiliers.

             15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were known as the 1st Salford Pals, the battalion was raised in Salford, Manchester, in September 1914. The began training near home and on the 28 December 1914 they moved to Conway for training. They became part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division and moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was found to be too wet for training and the Division moved on the 21st of June 1915 to Catterick in North Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 22nd of November 1915. Their first taste of action was at Thiepval Ridge on The Somme on the 1st of July 1916, the battle resulted in the Salford Pals being almost wiped out. The battalion was reinforced and saw action throughout the war. In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             16th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were known as the 2nd Salford Pals, the battalion was raised in Salford on the 15th of November 1914, by Mr Montague Barlow MP and the Salford Brigade Committee. They began training near home and on the 28 December 1914 they moved to Conway for training. They became part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division and moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was found to be too wet for training and the Division moved on the 21st of June 1915 to Catterick in North Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 22nd of November 1915. Their first taste of action was at Thiepval Ridge on The Somme on the 1st of July 1916, the battle resulted in the Salford Pals being almost wiped out. The battalion was reinforced and saw action throughout the war. In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             17th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised as a Bantam Battalion (troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches) in Bury on the 3rd of December 1914 by Lieut-Col. G. E. Wike and a Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Chadderton near Oldham on the 16th of March 1915. On the 21st of June they joined 104th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. They moved to Cholderton, Salisbury Plain for final training in August and the Battalion was formally adopted by the War Office on the 27th. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 29th of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

             18th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was raised as a Bantam Battalion (troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches) in Bury on the 13th of January 1915 by Lieut-Col. G. E. Wike and a Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Garswood Park, Ashton in Makerfield on the 8th of April 1915. On the 21st of June they joined 104th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. They moved to Cholderton, Salisbury Plain for final training in August and the Battalion was formally adopted by the War Office on the 27th. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 29th of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

             19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were known as 3rd Salford Pals, the battalion was raised in Salford on the 15th of January 1915, by Mr Montague Barlow MP and the Salford Brigade Committee. They began training near home and in March they moved to Conway for training. They became part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division and moved on the 21st of June 1915 to Catterick in North Yorkshire. using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at le Harve on the 22nd of November 1915. On the 5th of January 1916 they transferred to 14th Brigade still with 32nd Division. Their first taste of action was at Thiepval Ridge on The Somme on the 1st of July 1916, the battle resulted in the Salford Pals being almost wiped out. On the 29th of July 1916 they transferred to GHQ and converted to be a Pioneer Battalion, joining 49th (West Riding) Division on the 7th of August. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

             20th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were known as the 4th Salford Pals, the battalion was raised in Salford on the 23rd of March 1915, by Mr Montague Barlow MP and the Salford Brigade Committee as a Bantam Battalion (troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches). After initial training close to home, they moved to Conway in July 1915 and joined 104th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire in June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France on the 30th of January 1916, landing at Le Havre and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 4th Salford Pals were disbanded in Belgium on the 16 February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

             1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment were in Fermoy when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilsed with 16th Brigade and returned to England, where 6th Division concentrated near Cambridge for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF before moving north to Flanders. They were in action at Hooge in 1915. On the 17th of November 1915 the battalion transferred to 71st Brigade still in 6th Division. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

             The 2/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was a 2nd line Territorial Force unit and had its HQ in Loughborough as part of the Lincoln and Leicester Brigade, North Midland Division and was mobilised in September 1914. In January 1915 the battalion moved to Luton being billeted in private homes, in February and march they had a spell at Epping digging practice trenches. In July moved to the St Albans area, under canvas at Briton Camp for training and route marches. In Aug 1915, the Brigade was retitled 177th Brigade, 59th Division (2nd North Midland) and in October they were moved back to billets in Harpenden. Throughout 1915 some members of the 2/5 Leicesters also provided guards for the prisoner of war camp at Donnington Hall.

          In January 1916 parties of Officers were sent to France on tours of instruction in the trenches and in March, the long awaited orders to proceed overseas were received. But on Easter Monday, the rebellion in Ireland, forced a rapid change of plans. The 177th Brigade were recalled from leave and ordered move to Liverpool at midnight, the following day the sailed from Liverpool on the SS Ulster, a fast mailboat, escorted by a Royal Navy destroyer. Their first taste of action was not to be in the trenches of the Western Front, but in the streets of Dublin. By the end of the month the main uprising was over and the 2/5th Battalion were employed as search parties in Ballsbridge and guarded railways, bridges and other key infrastructure. On the 10th of May they moved out of the city to tackle pockets of resistance in Co. Kerry, moving from village to village, searching homes and making arrests. In June word was received that the Battalion would be moving to France and training resumed with long route marches through Ireland. Over 7 days in August they marched 80 miles from Tralee to Fermoy Barracks, where they would remain until January 1917, engaged in live fire training in trench warfare. The return trip from Ireland was made aboard the SS Ulster and they arrived at Fovant Camp in Wiltshire by train at 7pm on the 6th of January 1917.

          After embarkation leave they proceeded to France via Southampton, arriving at Le Harve on the 24th February 1917. They were sent to the Somme area where the enemy were retreating to the Hindenburgh line. The made their first attack on the villages of Hesbecourt and Hervilly on the 31st of March 1917, capturing both villages and suffering a number of casualties.

          In September the 2/5th Battalion moved north to Ypres to prepare for the Third Balle of Ypres. They saw action at Polygon Wood in the area of Hill 37. They moved to Lens on the 13th of October 1917 and were involved in the Cambrai Operations and spent Christmas resting at Le Cauroy. In February 1918 the 2/5th Battalion was disbanded, with the men being split between the 1st Battalion, 1/4th and 2/4th Battalions.

             6th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 9th (Scottish) Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 37th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrating near Tilques. On the 7th of July 1916 they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Secind New Army and joined 15th (Scottish) Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 37th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrating near Tilques. On the 7th of July 1916 they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 23rd Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 38th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrating near Tilques. On the 8th of July 1916 they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys suffering heavily. On the 28th of June 1918 the 8th Leicesters was reduced to cadre strength with troops transferring to the 7th Leicesters. The cadre transferred to 25th Division and returned to England, on the 7th of July they were absorbed by the 14th Battalion, West Riding Regiment.

             9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment was raised at Leicester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 23rd Division as Divisional Troops. In April 1915 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 39th Division and proceeded to France on 29th of July 1915 the Division concentrating near Tilques. On the 9th of July 1916 they transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In early 1918 the army was reorgansied and on the 20th of February the 9th Leicesters was disbanded in France with troops transferring to the 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th Leicesters, the 20th Entrenching Battalion and some being sent to VIII Corps Reinforcement Camp where they were posted to other units.

             1st Battalion, Leinster Regiment were in Fyzabad, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England and landed Plymouth on the 16th of November 1914. They joined 82nd Brigade, 27th Division at Winchester and proceeded to France from Southampton on the 20th of December, landing at Le Havre. The 27th Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm On the 2nd of November 1916 the 1st Leinsters transferred to 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. On the 14th of September 1917 concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

             2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment were at Cork with 17th Brigade in 6th Division when war was declared in August 1914. They returned to England and moved Cambridge on the 18th of August then on to Newmarket. They proceeded to France on the 12th of September 1914 landing at St Nazaire. They marched at once across to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. In mid October 1915 they transferred to 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. On the 1st of February 1918 the transferred to 47th Brigade in 16th (Irish) Division at Tincourt and absorbed troops from disbanded 7th Btn. On the 13th of April 1918 they absorbed troops from disbanded 6th Connaught Rangers and on the 23rd of April 1918, transferred to 88th Brigade in 29th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders, including the The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63. After the Armistice 29th Division selected to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads in Germany and they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918 and arrived in Cologne on the 9th. The 29th Division was demobilised in early 1919.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Leinster Regiment was raised at Fermoy in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They moved to Kilworth in January 1915 and crossed to England in September 1915, undertaking final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France on the 18th of December 1915 landing at Le Havre and concentrating in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 14th of April 1918 the 7th Leinsters were disbanded at Tincourt with the men transferring to 2nd Leinsters and the 19th Entrenching Battalion.

             1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were in Portsmouth at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 serving with 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. They proceeded to France witt the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. On the 14th of November 1915 the 1st Lincolns transferred to 62nd Brigade, 21st Division, who had suffered heavy casualties at at Loos. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were in Bermuda when war broke out in August 1914 they returned to England via Halifax, Nova Scotialanding on the 3rd of October. They joined 25th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. The proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 6th of November 1914 a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 4th of February 1918 they transferred to 62nd Brigade, 21st Division. They fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys, the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 21st Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

             2/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was formed in Grimsby on the 6th of February 1915 as a Second Line Territorial Battalion. In July they joined 177th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division, at St Albans and were renamed 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. The Military Services Act of 1916, meant that all troops were now liable for overseas service and the Division began training for deployment to France. When the Irish rebellion broke out in April 1916, the Division was sent to Dublin, Ireland and was engaged in fierce fighting against the Irish nationalist forces, suffering their first casualties. They then moved to the Curragh, returning to England in January 1917 and moved to Fovant for final training. They proceeded to France in February and the Diviison concentrated at Mericourt and went into the front line south of the Somme, near Estrees. In April they were in action in The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in the Somme area, but their lack of training became obvious and whilst they suceeded in capturing Jeancourt they were viciously replused at Le Verguier. Though they were engaged in attacks at Villeret and Hargicourt quarries. In May the Division was withdrawn for a few days rest then moved back into the front line at Havrincourt and Flesquieres. In June they moved to rest at Barastre then in late August travelled by train from Acheux to Winnezeele, arriving in Flanders on the 1st of September. They were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood. In October they moved to Lens taking over the front line then moved to Bapaume on the 17th of November. They were in action during The capture of Bourlon Wood and The German counter attacks. On the 23rd of November they moved to Etricourt, until the 29th when they returned to Bourlon Wood. On the 1st of December 470 Field Company RE, which was marching to Gouzeaucourt, was caught up in the German advance and assisted in the defence of the area until the Guards Division was able to counter attack. On the 23rd of December they moved to Le Cauroy for rest and further training, going back into the line at Bullecourt on the 11th of February 1918. In March 177th Brigade and the divisional artillery were in action in The Battle of St Quentin. The whole Division then suffered heavily in the The Battle of Bapaume. The Division, without the artillery, moved to Poperinge in Flanders, receiving new drafts of men. On the 5th of April they took over the front line at Passchendaele. On the 13th of April they moved to reinforce the Lys area and were in action during The Battle of Bailleul, suffering heavy losses as the enmy broke through, they moved back to Mont Noir and fought in the The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. In early May the Division was reduced to a training cadre establishment. On the 29th of May the 2/5th Linclons transferred to 21st Brigade, 30th Division, then on the 28th of June they joined 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, being absorbed by 1/5th Battalion on the 31st of July.

             6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

          6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was raised at Lincoln in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 33rd Brigade in 11th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training.

          They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February.

          On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval.

          In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle.

          In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay. Between 26-28 November the Division was moved back behind the River Scheldt.

          Demobilisation began in January 1919 and ended in June 1919.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was raised at Lincoln in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             The 7th Battalion The London Regiment was nicknamed the ‘Shiny Seventh’ was formed as part of the Territorial Force in April 1908, having previously been the 3rd City of London Rifle Volunteers. The Battalion landed in France in March 1915 as part of the 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. They first saw action at Festubert in May 1915, and later took part in major battles at Loos in September 1915, Vimy in May 1916, High Wood in September 1916, Butte de Warlencourt in October 1916 moving to Belguim in 1917 and seeing action in the battle of Passchendaele at Messines in June of that year before returning to France for the battles at and Cambrai in November 1917. In 1918 the 1/7th amaganated with the 2/7th to become the 7th Battalion, seeing action at Villiers Bretonneux, Mallard Wood, Epehy, Courrieres, Maulde.

             9th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, The 1st Queen Victoria’s Rifles are the descendants of The Duke of Cumberland’s Corps of Sharpshooters which was inaugurated in September 1803. In 1908, when the Territorial Force was created, the 9th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) was allocated to the 3rd London Brigade, 1st London Division.

          In August 1914 they had their HQ at 56 Davies Street and were part of 3rd London Brigade, 1st London Division. They Moved on mobilisation to Bullswater, going on in September to Crowborough. Early in the Great War, the 1st London Division was broken up to provide reinforcements for the BEF and on 5th November 1914 the 9th Battalion landed at Havre and joined 13th Brigade, 5th Division. The battalion fought with 5th Division throughout 1915, at Hill 60, Second Ypres and St Julien. In February 1916 the 56th Division was formed in France and the 9th Battalion were allocated to the 169th Brigade. It fought with this division on the Somme, Arras, Third Ypres and Cambrai and transferred to the 58th Division in February 1918 where it amalgamated with the 2/9th to become the 9th Battalion.

             1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were based in Aldershot serving with 2nd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at le Harve on the 13th. The 1st Loyals fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 7th of February 1918 they transferred to 1st Brigade, 1st Division and were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

             2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were in Bangalore, India when war broke out in August 1914. On the 3rd of November 1914 they landed at Tanga in German East Africa, with the 27th Indian Brigade. In May 1916 they moved to South Africa for a period of rest as the troops were in ill-health. They proceeded to Egypt, landing at Suez on the 18th of January 1917 and joined 232nd Brigade, 75th Division on the 14th of April, transferring to 233rd and then 234th Brigades of the same Division. On the 9th of August 1917 following a medical board they left the Division and moved to Sidi Bashr and then went into the Lines of Communication at Gaza. On the 27th of May 1918 they moved to France, landing at Marseilles and travelling by train to join 94th Brigade, 31st Division on the 4th of June. On the 28th of June they transferred to 101st Brigade, 34th Division and went into to action at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

             7th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. After training close to home they moved to Bulford and then to Whitchurch in December 1914 for the winter before going to Tidworth for final training. They proceeded to France on the 17th of July 1915 landing at Boulogne, the division concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7th Loyals were disbanded in France on the 10th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             8th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division. The new division assembled in the area around Salisbury for training. The 8th Loyals moved to billets in Boscombe in December, then to Bournemouth in January, they returned to Boscombe in March. In May they moved to Romsey and to Aldershot for final training in June. They proceeded to to France on the 16th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. On the 26th of October the battalion transferred to 7th Brigade, still with 25th Division. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 8th Loyals were disbanded at Courcelles on the 16th of February 1918, with the troops tramsferring to other units.

             2/1st Battalion, London Regiment was a Territorial unit with HQ at Tufton Street in Westminster as part of 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division, when war was declared in August 1914. They were mobilised at once to guard the Amesbury-Southampton docks railway. On the 4th of September 1914 they sailed with the 1st London Brigade from Southampton to Malta, arriving in Valetta on the 14th of September to take over the garrison, allowing the regular units to return home for service in France. They left Malta on the 2nd of January 1915 landing at Marseilles on the 6th, the travelled north by train 17th Brigade, 6th Division on the 17th of February. On the 14th of October they transferred with 17th Brigade to 24th Division then on the 9th of February 1916 they transferred to 169th Brigade in the newly formed 56th (London) Division, which was concentrating in the Hallencourt area. They were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

             3rd/9th (3rd Queen Victoria’s Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, was formed in April 1915 and remained in Britain throughout the Great War in the role of training and providing reinforcements for the other two QVR battalions.

             2/3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment was formed in London in September 1914. They trained at Epsom Downs and Tonbridge, joining 2/1st London Brigade, 2/1st London Division. On the 31st of December they left the Division and moved to Malta to replace the 1/3rd Londons at the garrison there. On the 27th of August 1915 they moved to Egypt, and went on to land at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 13th of October 1915, joining the 86th Brigade, 29th Division. They were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt and transferred to 53rd (Welsh) Division. In April 1916 they left the Division and moved to France. In June 1916 the original 2/3rd Londons were disbanded at Rouen, with the 3/3rd Batalion then being renamed 2/3rd. When the army was reorganised in ealy 1918, the 2/3rd battalion was absorbed by 1/3rd Londons, on the 6th of February 1918.

             The 2/6th Battalion, London Regiment was formed at the end of August 1914 and became part of 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division. The 2/6th arrived in France in January 1917 with 174th Brigade, 58th Division, and saw its first major action at Bullecourt. The Battalion also took part in the Third Battle of Ypres in late 1917. At the end of January 1918 the 1/6th and 2/6th were amalgamated and became known at the 6th Battalion, serving with the 58th Division until the end of the war.

             2nd/9th (2nd Queen Victoria’s Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, was formed in August 1915. The 2/9th went to France in February 1917 with 58th Division and saw action at Bullecourt and Third Ypres before amalgamating with the 1st/9th Battalion.

             2/14th (2nd London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment, was a second line Territorial unit formed in London in September 1914, from the troops of the 14th (1st London Scottish) Battalion who had not volunteered for serviceover seas. They joined 2/4th London Brigade, 2/2nd London Division at White City, later retitled 179th Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. They moved to Maidstone in January 1915 then to Watford in April, to Saffron Walden in June and to Sutton Veny in January 1916 to prepare for service overseas. Due to the Irish rebellion, plans to embark for France were with drawn and on the 28th of April the 2nd London Scottish landed at Cork for security duties in Ireland, based at Ballincollig and moving to Macroom. On the 14th of May they returned to England, sailing from Rosslare to Fishguard and returned to Sutton Veny to continue training. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of June, landing at Le Havre. In November they were ordered to Salonika. Travelling by train fom Longpre to Marseilles and sailing via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on 25 December 1916. In 1917 they were in action during the The Battles of Doiran in April and May. They moved to Egypt, concentrating at Moascar in the Southern Suez Canal Zone then advanced into Palestine. They were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza including the capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria position and The capture and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they saw action in The capture of Jericho, The battle of Tell'Asur, The first Trans-Jordan raid (as part of Shea's Force) The attack on Amman (as part of Chaytor's Column) and The second Trans-Jordan raid. In the spring and summer the division was \"Indianised\" with British units leaving for France and units of the Indian Army taking their place. The 2nd London Scottish left the Division on the 30th of May and returned to France, joining 90th Brigade, 30th Division on the 2nd of July. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

             2/15th (2nd Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, was a second line Territorial unit formed at Somerset House, London in September 1914, from the troops of the 15th (1st Civil Service Rifles) Battalion who had not volunteered for serviceover seas. They joined 2/4th London Brigade, 2/2nd London Division at White City, later retitled 179th Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. They moved to Maidstone in January 1915 then to Watford in April, to Saffron Walden in June and to Sutton Veny in January 1916 to prepare for service overseas. Due to the Irish rebellion, plans to embark for France were with drawn and on the 28th of April the 2nd London Scottish landed at Cork for security duties in Ireland, based at Ballincollig and moving to Macroom. On the 14th of May they returned to England, sailing from Rosslare to Fishguard and returned to Sutton Veny to continue training. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of June, landing at Le Havre. In November they were ordered to Salonika. Travelling by train fom Longpre to Marseilles and sailing via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on 25 December 1916. In 1917 they were in action during the The Battles of Doiran in April and May. They moved to Egypt, concentrating at Moascar in the Southern Suez Canal Zone then advanced into Palestine. They were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza including the capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria position and The capture and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they saw action in The capture of Jericho, The battle of Tell'Asur, The first Trans-Jordan raid (as part of Shea's Force) The attack on Amman (as part of Chaytor's Column) and The second Trans-Jordan raid. In the spring and summer the division was \"Indianised\" with British units leaving for France and units of the Indian Army taking their place. The 2nd Civil Service Rifles left the Division on the 30th of May and returned to France, joining 90th Brigade, 30th Division on the 2nd of July. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

             2/17th (2nd Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were raised in London in August 1914. After training in the London area they joined 2/5th London Brigade, 2/2nd London Division at Reigate in January 1915. The division was later retitled 180th Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. They moved to St Albans in March 1915, then to Bishops Stortford in May 1915 and to Sutton Veny in January 1916 for final training. They proceeded to France on the 23rd of June, landing at Le Havre. In November 1916 they moved to Salonika. they were ordered to Salonika. Travelling by train fom Longpre to Marseilles and sailing via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on 25 December 1916. In 1917 they were in action during the The Battles of Doiran in April and May. They moved to Egypt, concentrating at Moascar in the Southern Suez Canal Zone then advanced into Palestine. They were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza including the capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria position and The capture and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they saw action in The capture of Jericho, The battle of Tell'Asur, The first Trans-Jordan raid (as part of Shea's Force) The attack on Amman (as part of Chaytor's Column) and The second Trans-Jordan raid. In the spring and summer the division was Indianised with British units leaving for France and units of the Indian Army taking their place. On the 27th of May the 2/17th Londons left the Division and moved to France, joining 89th Brigade, 30th Division the 30th of June at Audruicq. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

             2/23rd Battalion, London Regiment was raised at Clapham Junction, London in August 1914. After training in the London area they joined 2/6th London Brigade, 2/2nd London Division at Redhill, later named 181st Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. They moved to St Albans in March 1915, then to Braintree in May 1915 to and Sutton Veny in January 1916 for final training. They proceeded to France in June landing at Le Havre. In November they were ordered to Salonika. Travelling by train fom Longpre to Marseilles and sailing via Malta, they arrived in Salonika on 25 December 1916. In 1917 they were in action during the The Battles of Doiran in April and May. They moved to Egypt, concentrating at Moascar in the Southern Suez Canal Zone then advanced into Palestine. They were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza including the capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria position and The capture and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they saw action in The capture of Jericho, The battle of Tell'Asur, The first Trans-Jordan raid (as part of Shea's Force) The attack on Amman (as part of Chaytor's Column) and The second Trans-Jordan raid. In the spring and summer the division was \"Indianised\" with British units leaving for France and units of the Indian Army taking their place. On the 26th of May the 2/23rd Londons left the Division and moved to France and joined 21st Brigade, 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

             33rd Battalion, London Regiment was formed at Clacton-on-Sea in early June 1918. On the 18th they moved to Pirbright and absorbed the cadre of the 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade, joining the reforming 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of July 1918, landing at Boulogne. The Division joined Second Army and saw action at Ypres and in the final advance in Flanders.

             34th Battalion, London Regiment was formed at formed in Clacton-on-Sea in early June 1918. On the 27th of June, they moved to Aldershot, absorbing the cadre of the 7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps and joining the reforming 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They proceeded to France on the 1st of August 1918, landing at Boulogne and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

             Formed by Lord Baden Powell in 1907 the Boy Scouts played a vital role on the Home Front during the Great War, from assisting the army and police as watchers and signallers to raising money for the war effort and collecting material for recycling. The discipline and training was also an excellent preparation for military service and an outlet for patriotic fervour amongst young boys keen to do their bit for King and Country.

             National Reserve was formed in the years just before the War as a register of men who had military experience, but who were not liable to be recalled for military service. Those who enrolled signed an honourable obligation with the Territorial Force County Associations to serve in the event of war. In August 1914 the numbers of old soldiers in The National Reserve numbered over 200 thousand. On the 6th of August 1914 the War Office announced that National Reserve members would be accepted for enlistment into the army upto the age of 42 yrs. The men of the National Reserve were called up for duty by the end of the month to free up the Territorial Forces for active service.

             9th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 74th Brigade, 25th Division. The new division assembled in the area around Salisbury for training. The 9th Loyals moved to billets in Christchurch in December, then to Southbourne in January. In May they moved to Romsey and to Aldershot for final training in June. They proceeded to to France on the 26th of September 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 21st of June 1918 they formed 2nd Composite Battalion with the 8th Border Regiment and transferred to 50th (Northumbrian) Division. On the 12th of August 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France.

             10th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Preston in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army joined 22nd Division as army troops. They trained on the South Downs, spending the winter in Eastbourne. In April 1915 they transferred to the newly forming 112th Brigade, 37th Division, which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 1st of August, the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 4th of February the 10th Loyals were disbanded in France.

             15th (Service) Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was raised at Cromer on the 1st of June 1918. On the 19th of June they absorbed the cadre of the 11th King's Liverpool Regiment, who had just returned from France. At Brookwood they joined 14th (Light) Division, as a Pioneer Battalion and proceeded to France on the 5th of July, landing at Boulogne. They joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the Final Advance in Flanders.

             2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment were in Curragh serving with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They mobilised and proceeded to France landing at Le Harve on the 17th of August 1914 and entrained to La Cateau. They went into action on the 23rd forming a defensive line near Wasmes on the Mons-Conde canal at The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat. They were also in action at The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units from 5th Division were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops and the 2nd Manchesters moved with 14th Brigade to 32nd Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On the 6th of February 1918 the battalion transferred to 96th Brigade, still with 32nd Division. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 12th (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised at Ashton-under-Lyne in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, and joined 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Wimborne in January 1915 they in May 1915 moved to Hursley Park, Winchester for final training. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 17th of July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders, on the 24th of September 1917 they absorbed the Head quarters troops and two squadrons of the dismounted Duke of Lancaster's Yeomanry. and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

             The 13th (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised at Ashton-under-Lyne in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and joined 25th Division as army troops. They moved to Seaford and in October transferred to 66th Brigade, 22nd Division. In November they moved to billets in Eastbourne for the winter, returning to Seaford in March 1915. In May they moved to Aldershot for final training. They proceeded to France in early September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. On the 22nd of June 1918 the 13th Manchesters left 22nd Division and returned to France, arriving at Abancourt on the 11th of July. They joined 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 21st and absorbed the 17th Manchesters on the 30th of July. On the 13th of August 1918 the 13th Manchesters were absorbed by the 1/9th Manchesters.

             The 16th (1st City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 28th of August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially they trained at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where they joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They to Larkhill in September 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1915. concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 13th of May 1918 the 16th Manchesters were reduced to cadre strength. They transferred to 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division on the 18th of June 1918 they returned to England via Boulogne and were reconstituted at Cowshott, absorbing the 29th Manchesters. They returned to France on the 4th of July 1918 and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders.

             The 17th (2nd City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 28th of August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially they trained at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where they joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They to Larkhill in September 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1915. concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. On the 11th of February 1918 they transferred to 21st Brigade, still with 30th Division. They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavily. On the 15th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 19th of June transferred to to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On the 30th of July 1918 the 17th Manchesters were absorbed into the 13th Manchesters.

             The 18th (3rd City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 28th of August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially they trained at White City in Old Trafford, then at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where they joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They to Larkhill in September 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1915. concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 18th Manchesters were disbanded at Haut Allaines on the 20th of February 1918, with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 19th (4th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 28th of August 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. Initially they trained at Heaton Park but moved in April 1915 to Belton Park, where they joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They to Larkhill in September 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1915. concentrating near Amiens. on the 21st of December they transferred to 21st Brigade, still with 30th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 18th Manchesters were disbanded in France on the 6th of February 1918, with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 20th (5th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in in Manchester on the 8th of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. They moved to Morecambe for training and in April 1915 moved to Grantham to join 91st Brigade, 30th Division. In September 1915 they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France in November 1915, landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 1915, 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division the 20th Manchesters then transferred to 22nd Brigade still with 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave, in late January 1918. On the 13th of September 1918 the 20th Manchesters left 7th Division and returned to France, joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 21st (6th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 13th of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. They moved to Morecambe for training in January 1915 and in April moved to Grantham to join 91st Brigade, 30th Division. In September they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France in early November, landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 1915 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 13th of September 1918 the 21st Manchesters left 7th Division and returned to France, joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They were in action during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

             The 22nd (7th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 21st of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. They moved to Morecambe for training in January 1915 and in April joined 91st Brigade, 30th Division at Grantham. They moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training in September 1915 and proceeded to France in early November, landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 1915 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

             The 23rd (8th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 21st of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City as a Bantam Battalion, comprised of troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they moved to Morecambe in December 1914. In June 1915 they joined 104th Brigade in 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, landing at Bologne and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 23rd Manchesters were disbanded in France on the 16th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 24th (Oldham) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Oldham on the 24th of October 1914 by the Mayor and Town. They moved to Llanfairfechan in March 1915 and joined 91st Brigade, 30th Division at Grantham in April 1915. In September 1915 they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France in early November landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division and the 24th Manchesters transferred to 22nd Brigade, with 7th Division. On the 22nd of May 1916 they converted into a Pioneer Battalion and transferred to the command of 7th Division HQ. The Oldham Pioneers were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

             1st Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was at Woolwich when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 11th of August landing at Le Harve and taking on duties as Lines of Communication troops at Rouen. On the 22nd they became attached to 19th Infantry Brigade, which was an independent command at this time, not attached to any division. On the 12th of October 1914 the battalion transferred with 19th Brigade to 6th Division. On the 31st of May 1915 they transferred with 19th Brigade to 27th Division, then on the 19th of August to 2nd Division. On the 25th of November 1915 the Battalion transferred to 98th Brigade to the newly arrived 33rd Division. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme, in 1917 at Arras, on the Hindenburg Line, during the Operations on the Flanders Coast and in the Third battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 33rd Division was in a period of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval

             4th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was based in Devonport with 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 14th of August 1914 landing at Boulogne. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 14th of November 1915 they transferred to 63rd Brigade in 21st Division In 1916 they were in action in Battle of The Somme, on the 8th of July 1916 they moved with the Brigade to 37th Division. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

             3/10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was formed in May 1915 and after training in Kent moved to to Bourne Park. They proceeded to France on the 1st of June 1917 landing at Le Havre and joined the South African Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. On the 2nd of August 1917 they transferred to 10th Brigade, 4th Division. Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. The 3/10th Middlesex was disbanded in France on the 20th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             11th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Colchester moving to Shorncliffe in November and in February 1915 they moved into Ramillies Barracks at Aldershot for final training. The Division proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. The 11th Middlesex were disbanded in France on the 7th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

             12th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Colchester for training, undertaking final training at Codford, on Salisbury Plain from May 1915. They proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915 landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 13th of February 1918 the 12th Middlesex was disbanded in France as the army was reorganised.

             The 13th (Service) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. They trained on the South Downs, sepnding the winter billets in Hove. They moved to Shoreham in May then to Pirbright in June for final training. They proceeded to France on the 2nd of September 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

             The 16th (Public Schools) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 1st of September 1914 by Lt-Col. J.J.Mackay. They trained at Kempton Park racecourse, moving to Warlingham in December. They joined 100th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone Camp in July and moved to Perham Down for final training in August. They proceeded to France on the 17th of November, landing at Boulogne. 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. On the 25th of February 1916 they left Division and transferred to GHQ Troops then joined 86th Brigade, 29th Division on the 25th of April. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 11th of February the 16th Middlesex were disbanded near Poperinghe in Belgium with troops transferring to other units.

             The 17th (1st Football) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 12th of December 1914 by W. Joynson Hicks MP. They trained at White City, moving to Cranleigh in April 1915. They joined 100th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone Camp in July and moved to Perham Down for final training in August. The proceeded to France on the 18th of November landing at Boulogne. On the 8th of December they transferred to 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. They fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and onthe 10th of February 1918 the 1st Footballers were disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

             The 18th (1st Public Works) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 19th of January 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. They trained at Alexandra Palace, and moved to Rayleigh in May. They joined 33rd Division as a Pioneer Battalion at Clipstone Camp in July and moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. Their role as Pioneers was to provide and maintain support services to the Front Line including repairing trenches, tunnelling, laying rail tracks, revetting canals etc. They proceeded to France on the 15th of November, landing at Le Havre. 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 the division were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a period of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

             20th (Shoreditch) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in Shoreditch on the 18th of May 1915 by the Mayor and Borough. In July 1915 they joined 118th Brigade in 39th Division and moved to Aldershot. In February 1916 they moved to Witley and transferred to 121st Brigade, 40th Division. They proceeded to France in June 1916 and the divison concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 6th of May 1918 they were reduced to a cadre and on the 31st they transferred to 16th (Irish) Division. On the 20th of June they absorbed the 34th Middlesex and moved to Boulogne on the 16th of July, transferring to 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They returned to England on the 17th and moved to Brookwood. They returned to France on the 5th of July 1918 landing at Boulogne, they joined Second Army and saw action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

             21st (Islington) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in Islington on the 18th of May 1915 by the Mayor and Borough. After initial training close to home, in July 1915 they joined 118th Brigade, 39th Division and moved to Aldershot in October. In February 1916 they moved to Witley and transferred to 121st Brigade, 40th Division for final training. They proceeded to France in the first week of June and the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie and The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. On the 5th of February 1918 they transferred to 119th Brigade still with 40th Division, they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 5th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 3rd of June they transferred to 34th Division. On the 30th they moved to Boulogne, transferring to 74th Brigade, 25th Division and crossed to England the folowing day. At Aldershot they left the Division and were sent to Cromer to man the coastal defences.

             22nd (2nd Islington) Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised at Mill Hill in June 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. After inital training close to home they joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot in October. They moved to Witley in February 1916 and on the 2nd of April the battalion was disbanded in England with the troops transferring to other units.

             23rd (2nd Football) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 29th of June 1915 by W. Joynson Hicks MP. They trained at Cranleigh and in November joined 123rd Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, and the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began; in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.

             26th (3rd Public Works Pioneers) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) was raised in London on the 9th of August 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. They trained at Alexandra Park. They proceeded to Salonika, arriving on the 24th of August 1916 and joined 27th Division as a Pioneer Battalion. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division, including the 3rd Middlesex Pioneers were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

             The Guards Division was uniquely formed in France in August 1915 when various Guards units were drawn from other Divisions already in Flanders to form this unit. It served on the Western Front throughout WW1.

          In Autumn 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at the The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, in which the Division captured Lesboeufs. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and Third Battle of Ypres including The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Poelkapelle and The First Battle of Passchendale. In 1918 They fought on the Somme during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume. Also The 1918 First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to The Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre

          The division, which was in and around Maubeuge at the Armistice, was joined by the 4th (Guards) Brigade from 31st Division on 17 November 1918. The Guards Division was then ordered to the Rhine and crossed the German frontier on 11 December. Battalions began to return to England on 20 February 1919 and the final moves of the Division were completed by 29 April 1919.

          Divisional Order of Battle of the Guards Division:

          1st Guards Brigade

          • Joined as complete 4th (Guards) Brigade from 2nd Division on 20 August 1915 and renumbered two days later.
          • 2nd Bn, the Grenadier Guards
          • 2nd Bn, the Coldstream Guards
          • 3rd Bn, the Coldstream Guards left 8 February 1918
          • 1st Bn, the Irish Guards
          • 1st Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company formed by 19 September 1915 and left to move into 4th Bn Guards MG Regiment 1 March 1918
          • 1st Guards Trench Mortar Battery formed by 18 May 1916

          2nd Guards Brigade

          • 3rd Bn, the Grenadier Guards joined 19 August 1915
          • 1st Bn, the Coldstream Guards joined 25 August 1915
          • 1st Bn, the Scots Guards joined 25 August 1915
          • 2nd Bn, the Irish Guards joined 17 August 1915, left 8 February 1918
          • 2nd Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company formed by 19 September 1915 and left to move into 4th Bn Guards MG Regiment 1 March 1918
          • 2nd Guards Trench Mortar Battery formed in April 1916

          3rd Guards Brigade

          • 1st Bn, the Grenadier Guards joined 4 August 1915
          • 4th Bn, the Grenadier Guards joined 19 August 1915, left 18 February 1918
          • 2nd Bn, the Scots Guards joined 9 August 1915
          • 1st Bn, the Welsh Guards joined 20 August 1915
          • 3rd Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company formed by 19 September 1915, left to move into 4th Bn Guards MG Regiment 1 March 1918
          • 3rd Guards Trench Mortar Battery formed 24 March 1916

          Divisional Troops

          • 4th Bn, the Coldstream Guards joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 15 August 1915
          • 4th (Foot Guards) Bn, the Guards Machine Gun Regiment joined 27 March 1917 as 4th Guards MG Company, became Bn 1 March 1918
          • Guards Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          The Household Cavalry Divisional Squadron joined 5 August 1915, broken up 20 June 1916

          Divisional Artillery

          • LXI (Howitzer) Brigade 24 August 1915 until 14 November 1916
          • LXXIV Brigade, RFA from 30 August 1915
          • LXXV Brigade, RFA from 4 September1915
          • LXXVI Brigade, RFA from 4 September 1915 to 19 January 1917
          • Guards Divisional Ammunition Column joined 3 September 1915, from 16th (Irish) Division. The four Brigade Ammunition Columns were amalgamated into DAC on the 13th of May 1916
          • V. Guard Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA was formed May in 1916, left 8 February 1918
          • X.Gds, Y.Gds and Z.Gds Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed March 1916; on 8 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 55th Field Company from September 1915
          • 75th Field Company from August 1915
          • 76th Field Company from August 1915
          • Guards Divisional Signals Company from August 1915 (previously 16th (Irish) Division)

          Royal Army Medical Corps units

          • 3rd Field Ambulance from 25 August 1915
          • 4th Field Ambulance from 19 August 1915
          • 9th Field Ambulance from 28 August 1915
          • 45th Sanitary Section from August 1915, transferred to XVII Corps on 9th April 1917

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 4th Divisional Train ASC 11, 124, 168, 436 Companies, joined 24 August 1915
          • 46th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC from 17 August 1915
          • Guards Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop from 23 August 1915, transferred to Divisional Train on 9th April 1916


              1st Division was one of the first British formations to move to France, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions:

          In 1914 The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the Rearguard Affair of Etreux, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights and the Action of Chivy and First Battle of Ypres

          In 1915 the Winter Operations 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos

          In 1916 they were in action during the following Battles of the Somme: The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval.

          In 1917 they fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Second Battle of Passchendaele which was part of Third Battle of Ypres.

          In 1918 they were in action during The Battle of Estaires - Lys, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bethune, The Battle of Drocourt-Queant, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of Beaurevoir, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal

          The Division was selected to advance into Germany and form part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

          Divisional Order of Battle of the 1st Division

          1st Brigade

          • 1st Bn, Coldstream Guards left August 1915
          • 1st Bn, Scots Guards left August 1915
          • 1st Bn, Black Watch
          • 2nd Bn, Royal Munster Fusiliers left August 1914
          • 1st Bn, Cameron Highlanders joined September 1914
          • 1/14th Bn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left February 1916
          • 10th Bn, Gloucestershire Regt joined August 1915
          • 8th Bn, Royal Berkshire Regt joined August 1915, left 2 February 1918
          • 1st Trench Mortar Battery joined by 27 November 1915
          • 1st Machine Gun Company formed on 26 January 1916, left to move into 1st MG Battalion 28 February 1918
          • 1st Bn, Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined February 1918

          2nd Brigade

          • 2nd Bn, Royal Sussex Regt
          • 1st Bn, Loyal North Lancashire Regt left for 1st Brigade February 1918
          • 1st Bn, Northamptonshire Regt
          • 2nd Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
          • 1/5th Bn, Royal Sussex Regt joined February 1915, left August 1915
          • 1/9th Bn, King's (Liverpool Regt) joined March 1915, left November 1915
          • 1/5th Bn, King's Own (Lancaster Regt) joined October 1915, left January 1915
          • 2nd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 27 November 1915
          • 2nd Machine Gun Company formed on 26 January 1916, left to move into 1st MG Battalion 28 February 1918

          3rd Brigade

          • 1st Bn, Queen's left November 1914
          • 1st Bn, South Wales Borderers
          • 1st Bn, Gloucestershire Regiment
          • 2nd Bn, Welsh Regiment
          • 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined November 1914, left February 1918
          • 1/4th Bn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914, left September 1915
          • 1/6th Bn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1915, left May 1916
          • 1/9th Bn, King's (Liverpool Regt) joined November 1915, left January 1916
          • 3rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 27 November 1915
          • 3rd Machine Gun Company formed on 26 January 1916, left to move into 1st MG Battalion 28 February 1918

          Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

          • 1/6th Bn, Welsh Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion May 1916
          • 216th Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 22 March 1917, left to move into 1st MG Battalion 28 February 1918
          • 1st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 28 February 1918
          • 1st Divisional Train ASC 6, 13, 16 and 36 Companies
          • 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
          • 204th Divisional Employment Company joined 19 May 1917 at which time it was 6th Divisional Employment Company; renamed 14 June 1917
          • 1st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop Unit joined by 30 January 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 7 April 1916

          Divisional Mounted Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

          • C Squadron, 15th (King's) Hussars left April 1915
          • B Sqn, 1/1st Northumberland Hussars joined 13 April 1915, left 18 April 1916
          • 1st Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 15 June 1916

          Divisional Artillery

          • XXV Brigade, RFA
          • XXVI Brigade, RFA left January 1917
          • XXXIX Brigade, RFA
          • LXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 14 November 1916
          • 1st Divisional Ammunition Column
          • 26th Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
          • V.1 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 30 January 1917, broken up 9 February 1918
          • X.1, Y.1 and Z.1 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined by 16 March 1916; on 9 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 23rd Field Company
          • 26th Field Company
          • 1st (Lowland) Field Company joined December 1914, later renamed 409th Field Company
          • 1st Divisional Signals Company

          Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 1st Field Ambulance
        • 2nd Field Ambulance
        • 3rd Field Ambulance left for Guards Division 24 August 1915
        • 142nd Field Ambulance joined 24 August 1915
        • 13th Sanitary Section joined by 30 January 1915, left 2 April 1916


           2nd Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France, and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions.

        1914

        • The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, the Affair of Landrecies, the Rearguard affair of Le Grand Fayt and the Rearguard actions of Villers-Cotterets
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights
        • First Battle of Ypres

        1915

        • Winter Operations 1914-15
        • The Battle of Festubert
        • The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • The Battle of Delville Wood
        • The Battle of the Ancre
        • Operations on the Ancre

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The First Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Battle of Arleux
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Battle of Cambrai

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin
        • The Battle of Bapaume
        • The First Battle of Arras 1918
        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume
        • The Battle of Havrincourt
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918
        • The Battle of the Selle

        2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and form part of the Occupation Force.

        Order of Battle of 2nd Division

        4th (Guards) Brigade

        On the formation of the Guards Division in August 1915, the Brigade left 2nd Division and moved to Guards Division being renamed 1st Guards Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Grenadier Guards
        • 2nd Btn, Coldstream Guards
        • 3rd Btn, Coldstream Guards
        • 1st Btn, Irish Guards
        • 1/1st Btn, Hertfordshire Regiment from November 1914

        5th Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Worcestershire Regiment until December 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
        • 2nd Btn, Highland Light Infantry
        • 2nd Btn, Connaught Rangers until November 1914
        • 1/9th Btn, the Highland Light Infantry from November 1914 until January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from January 1915 until July 1915
        • 1st Btn, Queen's from July 1915 until December 1915
        • 1/7th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) from September 1915 until November 1915
        • 17th Btn, Royal Fusiliers from December 1915 until February 1918
        • 24th Btn, Royal Fusiliers from December 1915
        • 5th Machine Gun Company was formed on 1st January 1916, became part of 2nd MG Battalion on 4th of March 1918
        • 5th Trench Mortar Battery from 11th of March 1916

        6th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
        • 2nd Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment until December 1915
        • 1st Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps until December 1915
        • 1/5th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) from February 1915 until December 1915
        • 1/7th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) from March 1915 until September 1915
        • 17th Btn, Middlesex Regiment from 8 December 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 13th Btn, Essex Regiment joined December 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 17th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined February 1918
        • 6th Machine Gun Company formed on 4th of January 1916, became part of 2nd MG Battalion on 4th of March 1918
        • 6th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 18 March 1916

        19th Brigade

        19th Brigade joined from 27th Division to replace the 4th (Guards) Brigade on 19th August 1915 transferred to 33rd Division on 25th November 1915

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
        • 1/5th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
        • 1st Btn, Middlesex Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

        99th Brigade

        99th Brigade joined 33rd Division on 25th November 1915

        • 17th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 22nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 23rd Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 24th Btn, Royal Fusiliers until December 1915
        • 1/5th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) from February 1915 until December 1915
        • 1st Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment from March 1915
        • 1st Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps from 8th December 1915
        • 99th Machine Gun Company from 28 April 1916, became part of 2nd MG Battalion 4th of March 1918
        • 99th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 18 March 1916

        Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 10th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (Cornwall Pioneers) joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1916, left in July 1917 then returned in November 1917
        • 242nd Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 18 July 1917, absorbed into 2nd MG Battalion 4th of March 1918
        • 2nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 4th of March 1918
        • 2nd Divisional Train ASC 8, 11, 28, 31, 35 Companies. 11 Coy left with 4th (Guards) Brigade in August 1915
        • 3rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 205th Divisional Employment Company joined 18 May 1917 at which time it was 7th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917
        • 2nd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop Unit joined by 4 April 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops.

        • B Squadron, 15th (King's) Hussars until April 1915
        • B Sqn, South Irish Horse joined May 1915 until May 1916
        • 2nd Company, Army Cyclist Corps until June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XXXIV Brigade, RFA until January 1917
        • XXXVI Brigade, RFA
        • XLI Brigade, RFA
        • XLIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA until May 1916
        • 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column
        • 1st Siege Battery RGA from February 1915 until April 1915
        • 26th Heavy Battery RGA from February 1915 until April 1915
        • 35th Heavy Battery RGA until April 1915
        • No 11 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 22nd September 1914 to 25th January 1915
        • No 7 Mountain Battery RGA attached 4th February 1915 to 9th December 1915
        • V.2 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 26 May 1917, left by 3 January 1918
        • X.2, Y.2 and Z.2 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in April 1916; on 24 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 5th Field Company
        • 11th Field Company left December 1915
        • 226th Field Company joined December 1915
        • 1st (East Anglian) Field Company from January 1915, later renamed 483rd Field Company RE
        • 2nd Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 4th Field Ambulance left for Guards Division 19 August 1915
        • 5th Field Ambulance
        • 6th Field Ambulance
        • 19th Field Ambulance from August 1915 until November 1915
        • 100th Field Ambulance from November 1915
        • 11th Sanitary Section joined by 9 January 1915 until 27th of December 1916


           3rd Division was one of the first British formations to move to France and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. It was initially part of II Corps.

        1914

        • The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the the Rearguard action of Solesmes
        • The Battle of Le Cateau
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne including participation in the Actions on the Aisne heights
        • The Battles of La Bassee and Messines 1914
        • First Battle of Ypres

        1915

        • Winter Operations 1914-15
        • The First Attack on Bellewaarde
        • The Actions of Hooge
        • The Second Attack on Bellewaarde (in support of the opening attack in the Battle of Loos)

        1916

        • The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bazentin - Somme in which the Division helped capture Longueval
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Battle of Arleux - Arras 1917
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras 7 in which the Division helped capture Roeux
        • The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1917

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The First Battle of Arras 1918 - Somme
        • The Battle of Estaires - Lys
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Lys
        • The Battle of Bethune - Lys
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Selle

        The Division was selected to advance into Germany and form part of the Occupation Force.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 3rd Division

        7th Brigade

          7th Brigade transferred to 25th Division on 18 October 1915

        • 3rd Btn, Worcestershire Regt
        • 2nd Btn, South Lancashire Regt
        • 1st Btn, Wiltshire Regt
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Rifles
        • 1/1st Btn, Honourable Artillery Company joined from 8th Brigade 9 December 1914, left 14 October 1915
        • 1/4th Btn, South Lancashire Regt joined 24 February 1915, left to become Pioneers 12 October 1915

        8th Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regt left 24 October 1914
        • 4th Btn, Middlesex Regt left 13 November 1915
        • 1st Btn, Gordon Highlanders left 12 September 1914, returned 30 September 1914
        • 1st Btn, Devonshire Regt joined 14 September 1914, left 30 September 1914
        • 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regt joined 25 October 1914, left for 76th Brigade 22 October 1915
        • 1/1st Btn, Honourable Artillery Company joined 10 November 1914, left for 7th Brigade 9 Dec 1914
        • 1/4th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined 27 February 1915, left for 76th Brigade 19 October 1915
        • 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 23 October 1915, left for 9th Brigade 4 April 1916
        • 7th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry joined from 76th Brigade 19 October 1915
        • 1/5th Btn, London Regiment joined 25 October 1915, left 10 February 1916
        • 8th Btn, East Yorkshire Regimentt joined 16 November 1915, left 17 February 1918 to form 10th Entrenching Btn with 12th West Yorks
        • 1st Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined from 9th Brigade 5 April 1916
        • 8th Machine Gun Company formed on 22 January 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918
        • 8th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 18 April 1916

        9th Brigade

           9th Brigade temporarily transferred to 28th Division between 17 February and 2 April 1915, exchanged with 85th Brigade.

        • 1st Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 4th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment left 13 November 1915
        • 1st Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers left for 8th Brigade 5 April 1916
        • 1/10th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 25 November 1914, left 6 January 1916
        • 12th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment joined 16 November 1915, left February 1918
        • 9th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 8 February 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918
        • 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 8th Brigade 4 April 1916
        • 9th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 1 May 1916

        76th Brigade

           76th Brigade was transferred from 25th Division on 18 October 1915 an exchange with 7th Brigade.

        • 8th Btn, King's Own (Lancaster)
        • 10th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left 15 February 1918 to form 8th Entrenching Btn with 19th RWF
        • 7th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry left 19 October 1915 for 8th Brigade
        • 13th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 23 October 1915 for 8th Brigade
        • 1st Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined from 8th Brigade 19 October 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regt joined from 8th Brigade 22 October 1915
        • 76th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 13 April 1916, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918
        • 76th Trench Mortar Battery joined on 1 April 1916 (previously named 43rd TMB)

        Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1/4th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment became Divisional Pioneer Battalion from 7th Brigade 12 October 1915, left 9 January 1916
        • 20th Btn, the King's Royal Rifle Corps joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 19 May 1916
        • 233rd Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 18 July 1917, left to move into 3rd MG Battalion 6 March 1918
        • 3rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 6 March 1918
        • 3rd Divisional Train ASC comprised 15, 21, 22, 29 HT Companies ASC
        • 11th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 206th Divisional Employment Company joined 31 May 1917 previously named 8th Divisional Employment Company.
        • 3rd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop Unit joined by 18 April 1915, transferred to Divisional Supply Column 9 April 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • B Squadron, 15th (King's) Hussars left 14 April 1915
        • C Sqn, South Irish Horse joined May 1915, left 11 May 1916
        • 3rd Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 31 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XXIII Brigade, RFA left to become an Army Brigade 21 January 1917
        • XL Brigade, RFA
        • XLI Brigade, RFA
        • XXX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 14 May 1916
        • 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column
        • 48th Heavy Battery RGA left 19 April 1915
        • No 5 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 20 September 1914 to December 1914
        • No 5 Mountain Battery RGA attached 14 December 1914 to 3 March 1915
        • V.3 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed July 1916, left 6 March 1918
        • X.3, Y.3 and Z.3 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in February 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 56th Field Company
        • 57th Field Company left 7 April 1915
        • 438th (1/1st Cheshire) Field Company joined 22 December 1914
        • 529th (1/1st East Riding) Field Company joined 20 September 1915
        • 3rd Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 7th Field Ambulance
        • 8th Field Ambulance
        • 9th Field Ambulance left for Guards Division 26 August 1915
        • 142nd Field Ambulance joined 26 August 1915
        • 4A Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 3 April 1917, renamed 5th Sanitary Section in April 1916


           4th Division Division was initially planned to be part of the original British Expeditionary Force, but at the last minute the formation was held back in England to counter any German landing. A decision was soon taken to despatch it to France and it arrived just in time to play a valuble part at Le Cateau. The 4th Division then remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions.

        1914

        • The Battle of Le Cateau (The Division fought in this action without its Mounted Troops, Heavy Battery, Divisional Ammunition Column, Field Companies RE, Signals Company RE, Field Ambulances RAMC and Divisional Train, which were all still en route from England)
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of Messines 1914

        1915

        The Second Battle of Ypres

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

        1918

        • The First Battle of Arras 1918 - Somme
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck in which the battalion fought in the Defence of Hinges Ridge - Battle of Lys
        • The Battle of Bethune - Battle of Lys
        • The Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of the Scarpe - Second Battles of Arras
        • The Battle of Drocourt-Queant - Second Battles of Arras
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Battles of the Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy

        The Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 4th Division

        10th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Seaforth Highlanders
        • 1st Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers left August 1917
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers left November 1916
        • 1/7th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined January 1915, left March 1916
        • 1/9th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined May 1915, left July 1915
        • The Household Battalion joined November 1916, disbanded February 1918
        • 3/10th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined August 1917, disbanded February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined February 1918
        • 10th Machine Gun Company formed on 22 December 1915, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • 10th Trench Mortar Battery formed June 1916

        11th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 1st Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Hampshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 1/5th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left May 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined July 1915, left May 1916
        • 11th Machine Gun Company formed on 23 December 1915, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • 11th Trench Mortar Battery formed in June 1916

        12th Brigade

        12th Brigade was attached to 36th (Ulster) Division between 4 November 1915 and 3 February 1916 in exchange for 107th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, King's Own (Lancaster)
        • 2nd Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left December 1914
        • 2nd Btn, Essex Regiment
        • 1/2nd Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined November 1914, left January 1916 but absent May to July 1915
        • 1/5th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined February 1915, left January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regt joined March 1915, left July 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined January 1916, left February 1918
        • 12th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 24 January 1916, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • 12th Trench Mortar Battery formed 11 June 1916

        107th Brigade

        107th Brigade joined from 36th (Ulster) Division in temporary exchange for 12th Brigade (listed above)

        Divisional Troops

        • 21st Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in June 1916
        • 234th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 16 July 1917, left to move into 4th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • 11th Entrenching Battalion formed 20 February 1918 from troops from disbanded 3/10th Middlesex Regiment
        • No 4 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 26 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • B Squadron, 19th Hussars left April 1915
        • A Sqn, 1/st Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined 13 April 1915, left 11 May 1916
        • 4th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XIV Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • XXIX Brigade, RFA
        • XXXII Brigade, RFA
        • XXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left February 1915
        • CXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade left May 1916
        • 4th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 31st Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
        • No 4 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 20 September 1914 to January 1915
        • No 2 Mountain Battery RGA attached 14 December 1914 to 21 April 1915
        • V.4 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed by July 1916, left 8 February 1918
        • X.4, Y.4 and Z.4 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in February 1916; on 8 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 7th Field Company left April 1915
        • 9th Field Company
        • 1st (West Lancashire) Field Company joined February 1915, left February 1916
        • 1st (Durham) Field Company joined September 1915, later renamed 526th Field Company RE
        • 1st (Renfrew) Field Company joined May 1916, renamed 406th Field Company RE
        • 4th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 10th Field Ambulance
        • 11th Field Ambulance
        • 12th Field Ambulance
        • 4th Sanitary Section joined as 3A Section 20 February 1915, renamed in April 1916, left 29 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 4th Divisional Train ASC 18, 25, 32, 38 Companies
        • 4th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 207th Divisional Employment Company joined 17 May 1917 at which time it was 4th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917
        • 4th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined by 18 April 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           5th Division was part of the original British Expeditionary Force and remained on the Western Front until late 1917 when it moved to Italy. It took part in most of the major actions.

        1914

        • The Battle of Mons and subsequent retreat, including the Action of Elouges
        • The Battle of Le Cateau and the Affair of Crepy-en-Valois
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battles of La Bassee and Messines 1914
        • The First Battle of Ypres

        1915

        The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60

        In late 1915, many units were switched for those of 32nd Division, a newly arrived volunteer formation. The idea was to strengthen the inexperienced Division by mixing in some regular army troops; even though by now many of the pre-war regulars had gone and the regular battalions themselves were often largely composed of new recruits.

        1916

        March 1916 saw a move, with 5th Division taking over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, in front of Arras. This was a lively time, with many trench raids, sniping and mining activities in the front lines. When the Franco-British offensive opened on the Somme on 1 July 1916, the 5th Division was enjoying a period of rest and re-fit and was in GHQ Reserve. However, this restful time was not destined to last.

        • The Attacks on High Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Morval - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        By 5th of October 1916 the Division had left the Somme and was holding a quieter line near Festubert. There was a constant threat from enemy artillery and sniper fire, but in comparison with the Somme it was a relatively tranquil period that lasted until March 1917.

        1917

        • The Battle of Vimy - Arras
        • The Attack on La Coulotte - Arras
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras 1 including the Capture by the Division of Oppy Wood
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

        5th Division was one of five British formations selected to be moved to Italy in Late 1917. This was a strategic and political move agreed by the British Government at the request of the Allied Supreme War Council, in an effort to stiffen Italian resistance to enemy attack after a recent disaster at Caporetto. Many diaries at this time, by men who had witnessed slaughter in the floods of Passchendaele, talk of the move and Italy as being "like another world". Much work was done preparing to move into the mountainous area of the Brenta, but eventually the Division was instead moved to the line along the River Piave, taking up positions in late January 1918. Unfortunately this pleasant period was not to last, for the Division was recalled hurriedly to France, once the enemy had made an attack in overwhelming strength on 21 March 1918.

        1918

        • The Battle of Hazebrouck, the Defence of Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Drocourt-Queant - Somme
        • The Battle of the Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy

        The Division remained in the area of Le Quesnoy until mid-December 1918, as demobilisation commenced. On 13 December, the Division began a march into Belgium, eventually to the area between Namur and Wavre. The first men were demobilised on 22 December and more followed at regular intervals through early 1919.

        Order of Battle of the 5th Division

        13th Brigade

        13th Brigade was attached to 28th Division between 23 February 1915 and 7 April 1915 in exchange for 84th Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers
        • 2nd Btn, Duke of Wellington's left January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Yorkshire Light Infantry left December 1915
        • 1/9th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1915, left February 1915
        • 14th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined December 1915, left October 1918
        • 15th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined January 1916, disbanded October 1918
        • 16th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined October 1918
        • 13th Machine Gun Company formed on 24 December 1915, left to move into 5th MG Battalion 26 April 1918
        • 13th Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

        14th Brigade

        14th Brigade transferred to 32nd Division on 30 December 1915

        • 1st Btn, Devonshire Regiment left for 95th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Suffolk Regiment left September 1914
        • 1st Btn, East Surrey Regiment left for 95th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry left for 95th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 1/5th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined February 1915, left November 1915
        • 1/9th Btn, Royal Scots joined November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined November 1915

        15th Brigade

        15th Brigade was attached to 28th Division between 3 March 1915 and 7 April 1915 in exchange for 83rd Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Norfolk Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Cheshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment t left November 1915
        • 1/6th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined December 1914, left March 1915
        • 1/6th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment ) joined February 1915, left November 1915
        • 16th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined December 1915, left October 1918
        • 15th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 27 December 1915, left to move into 5th MG Battalion 26 April 1918
        • 15th Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

        95th Brigade

        Brigade transferred from 32nd Division on 26 December 1915

        • 14th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment left for 13th Brigade 28 December 1915
        • 15th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment left for 14th Brigade 28 December 1915
        • 16th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment left for 15th Brigade 26 December 1915
        • 12th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment disbanded October 1918
        • 1st Btn, Devonshire Regiment joined from 14th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 1st Btn, East Surrey Regiment joined from 14th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry joined from 14th Brigade 12 January 1916
        • 95th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed on 20 December 1915 as 14th Company, left to move into 5th MG Battalion 26 April 1918
        • 95th Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 1/6th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in June 1915, left October 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in November 1915, left February 1916
        • 14th Btn, the Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in October 1918
        • 205th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 19 March 1917, left to move into 5th MG Battalion 26 February 1918
        • No 5 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 26 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Squadron, the 19th Hussars left April 1915
        • C Sqn, 1/st Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined and left in early April 1915
        • 5th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • VIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left May 1916
        • XV Brigade, RFA
        • XVII Brigade, RFA
        • XVIII Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • 5th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 108th Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
        • No 6 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 12 September 1914 to December 1914
        • V.5 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 18 October 1916, left November 1917
        • X.5, Y.5 and Z.5 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined in April 1916; on 15 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 17th Field Company left September 1915
        • 59th Field Company
        • 2nd (Home Counties) Field Company joined February 1915, later renamed 491st Field Company RE
        • 2nd (Durham) Field Company joined September 1915, later renamed 527th Field Company RE
        • 5th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 13th Field Ambulance
        • 14th Field Ambulance
        • 15th Field Ambulance
        • 6th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 2 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 5th Divisional Train ASC 4, 6, 33 and 37 Companies
        • 5th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 208th Divisional Employment Company joined 22 May 1917 at which time it was 10th Divisional Employment Company being renamed in June 1917
        • 5th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined by 13 June 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 16 April 1916


           6th Division was a peacetime Division of the pre-war British Army. The units were quartered in Ireland and England at the outbreak of war, and were ordered on mobilisation to concentrate near Cambridge. By early September it was fully equipped and trained. On the 10th of September 1914 it landed at St Nazaire and proceeded to the Western Front, where it remained throughout the war. The Division arrived in time to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF on the Aisne, before the whole army was moved north into Flanders.

        The 6th Division in 1914-1918

        1914

        The actions on the Aisne heights

        1915

        The action at Hooge

        1916

        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Morval - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The Battle of Hill 70
        • The Cambrai Operations

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bailleul - The Advance in Flanders
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - The Advance in Flanders
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge - The Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Beaurevoir - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle
        • The Battle of the Selle

        6th Division was billeted around Bohain at the Armistice on 11 November 1918. It was selected to march into Germany as part of the occupation force and began to move between the 14th and 18th of November to Solre-le-Chateau to assemble. The Division crossed the German border on 13th of December and reached its destination at Bruehl on 23rd of December.

        The Units forming the 6th Division.

        16th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, East Kent Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left November 1915
        • 1st Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 2nd Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 1/5th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined February 1915, left June 1915
        • 8th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined 17 November 1915, disbanded 16 February 1918
        • 16th Machine Gun Company formed in February 1916, left to move into 6th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 16th Trench Mortar Battery formed 3 April 1916

        17th Brigade

        Brigade transferred to 24th Division in exchange for 71st Brigade on 14th of October 1915

        • 1st Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Leinster Regiment
        • 3rd Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 2nd Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 1/2nd Btn, London Regiment joined February 1915

        18th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Sherwood Foresters left October 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Durham Light Infantry
        • 1/16th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left January 1916
        • 11th Btn, Essex Regiment joined October 1915
        • 14th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined November 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 18th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed in February 1916, left to move into 6th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 18th Trench Mortar Battery formed 16 April 1916

        19th Brigade

        Brigade joined from GHQ Troops on 12 October 1914 and left to join 27th Division on 31 May 1915

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Cameronians
        • 1st Btn, Middlesex Regt
        • 2nd Btn,Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
        • 1/5th Btn, Cameronians joined November 1915

        71st Brigade

        Brigade transferred to 24th Division in exchange for 17th Brigade on 11 October 1915

        • 9th Btn, Norfolk Regiment
        • 9th Btn, Suffolk Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 8th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment left November 1915
        • 11th Btn, Essex Regiment left October 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Sherwood Foresters joined October 1915
        • 1st Btn, Leicestershire Regiment joined November 1915
        • 71st Machine Gun Company formed 14 March 1916, left to move into 6th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 71st Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in April 1916
        • 192nd Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 15 December 1916, left to move into 6th MG Battalion 1 March 1918.
        • No 6 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 1 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • C Squadron,19th Hussars left April 1915
        • B Sqn, 1/st Northamptonshire Yeomanry joined April 1915, left May 1916
        • 6th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • II Brigade, RFA
        • XII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left May 1916
        • XXIV Brigade, RFA
        • XXXVIII Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • 6th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 24th Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
        • No 2 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 4 October 1914 to 16 December 1914
        • V.6 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 20 July 1916, left 6 March 1918
        • X.6, Y.6 and Z.6 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined on 1 April 1916; on 15 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 12th Field Company
        • 38th Field Company left April 1915
        • 1st (London) Field Company joined December 1914, later renamed 509th Field Company RE
        • 2/2nd (West Riding) Field Company joined October 1915, later renamed 459th Field Company RE
        • 6th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 16th Field Ambulance
        • 17th Field Ambulance
        • 18th Field Ambulance
        • 8th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 5 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 6th Divisional Train ASC 17, 19, 23 and 24 Companies
        • 6th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 209th Divisional Employment Company joined 20 May 1917 at which time it was 11th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917
        • 6th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined by 10 June 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           Formed by Lord Baden Powell, the Girl Guides undertook messenger duties on the Home Front during the Great War and were also trained in first aid.

           1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were in Rangoon, Burma when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britain, landing at Avonmouth on the 10th of January 1915. They joined 86th Brigade, 29th Division at Coventry and on the 16th of March 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth for Gallipoli, via Alexandria and Mudros. They landed at Cape Helles on the 25th of April 1915 suffering heavy casualties and on the 30th of April they merged with the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers forming a unit nick named the 'Dubsters'. They resumed their own identity on the 19th of May 1915. They were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January, returning to Egypt. On the 13th of March 1916 they sailed from Port Said for Marseilles and travelled by train to the Somme. On the 25th of April 1916 they transferred to the Lines of Communication and on the 28th joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division, absorbing the disbanded 9th Munsters. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. On the 22nd of November 1916 they transferred to 47th Brigade, still with 16th (Irish) Division absorbing over 400 troops from the disbanding 8th Munsters. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, suffering very heavy casualties. On the 19th of April they transferred to 172nd Brigade, 57th (2nd North Midland) Division absorbing the 2nd Munsters. They were in action during the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, including assisting in the capture of Cambrai in October, The occupation of Lille and the Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice the 57th Division was at rest in the eastern suburbs of Lille. They moved to Arras on the 21st of November to assist with the clear up and the Division was demobilised between March and July 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were based at at Aldershot with 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division when war was declared in August 1914. They were amongst the first troops to proceed to France, arriving at le Harve on the 14th of August. They fought at The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat and after suffering heavy casualties at Etreux, the battalion was with drawn from 1st Division on the 14th of September 1914. After receiving reinforcements they joined 3rd Brigade, 1st Division on the 9th of November 1914. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, having been futher strengthened by troops from disbanded 9th Battalion who arrived on the 30th of May. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 3rd of February 1918 the 2nd Munsters transferred to 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division and on the 14th of April absorbed the 19th Entrenching Battalion. On the 19th of April 1918 the 2nd Munsters was reduced to cadre, with troops transferring to 1st Munsters. On the 31st of May the cadre transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division and receiving troops from disbanded 6th Munsters. near the end of June they transferred to Lines of Communication amnd joined the reforming 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 15th of July 1918. They then saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

           6th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were raised at Tralee in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They moved to the Curragh for training and in May 1915 moved to Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, England. On the 9th of July they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. On the 3rd of November 1916 they absorbed the 7th Munster Fusiliers. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units, and on the 30th of April 1918 they left the Division and sailed from Port Said to Marseilles, arriving on the 1st of June. They travelled by train to the Western Front and on the 5th of June the 6th Munsters was absorbed by 2nd Battalion, leaving a cadre which joined 117th Brigade, 39th Division who were supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. The cadre was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

           7th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were raised at Tralee in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They moved to the Curragh for training and in May 1915 moved to Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, England. On the 9th of July they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 7th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 70 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. On the 3rd of November 1917 they were absorbed by the 6th Munster Fusiliers.

           8th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers were raised in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at to Fermoy, then moved to Mitchelstown in November, to Templemore in February 1915 and back to Fermoy in May. They crossed to England in September 1915, undertaking final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France on the 18th of December 1915, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated in the Bethune area. On the 30th of May 1916 they absorbed over 200 men from the disbanding 9th Munster Fusiliers. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. On the 23rd of November 1916 teh battalion was disbanded in France, with the men transferring to the 1st Battalion.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers was raised in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. They trained at Kilworth, then moved to Ballyvonare in January 1915 and to Ballyhooley in June. They crossed to England in September 1915, for final training at Blackdown. They proceeded to France on the 20th of December 1915, landing at Le Havre the division concentrated in the Bethune area. On the 30th of May 1916 the 9th Munsters was disbanded in France, with the men transferring to the 1st, 2nd and 8th Munsters.

           1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was in Holywood, Belfast serving with 15th Brigade, 5th Division, when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in mid August. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. Between the 3rd of March and 7th of April 1915 they were attached with 15th Brigade to 28th Division in in exchange for 83rd Brigade in order to familiarise the newly arrived troops with the Western Front. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

           7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was raised at Norwich in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 35th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. 35th Brigade and Divisional artillery concentrated near Shorncliffe, in late August. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France on the 31st of May landing at Boulogne, the Division concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was raised at Norwich in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France, landinf at Boulogne on the 25th of July 1915, the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 12th of February 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France, with the men transferring to the 7th and 9th Norfolks.

           9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was raised at Norwich in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. They joined 71st Brigade in 24th Division in the area of Shoreham for training. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 30th of August 1915. The 24th Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th of September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. On the 15th of October 1915 the 9th Norfolks transferred with 71st Brigade to 6th Division. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

           12th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was formed at the Suez Canal defences in Egypt on the 11th of February 1917 from the 1/1st Norfolk Yeomanry. They moved to El Arish and joined 230th Brigade, 74th Division. They saw action in The Second and Third Battles of Gaza including the Capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria Position. They were also in action during the The capture and defence of Jerusalem and The Battle of Tell'Asur. On the 1st of May they sailed from Alexandria for Marseilles, landing on the 7th of May and travelling by train to the Western Front. On the 21st of June 1918 they transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

           1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment were in Blackdown near Aldershot serving with 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. They proceeded to France, landing at le Harve on the 13th of August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

           2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment were in Alexandria, Egypt when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, in October and joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park near Winchester. They proceeded to France landing at Le Harve on the 5th of November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           5th (Service) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment was raised at Northampton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 12th (Eastern) Division as divisional troops. They trained at Shorncliffe moving to Hythe in November 1914. In January 1915 they converted to a Pioneer Battalion and moved to Aldershot for final training in February 1915. They proceeded to France on the 30th of May landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           6th (Service) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment was raised at Northampton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 18th (Eastern) Division as army troops. They moved to Colchester for training and in November transferred to 54th Brigade in the same Division. They moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915 for final training and proceeded to France on the 26th of July 1915, where the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           The 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment were at Buttevant as part of 17th Brigade in 6th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They moved to Cambridge and quickly on to Newmarket before proceeding to France of the 12th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They marched across France to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred to 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment was based in Lichfield when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised and moved to Guernsey to take over the garrison from a regular unit. They moved to Marske in October 1916 and by March 1917 was at Saltburn, North Yorkshire. In June 1917 they moved to Westerner and joined 200th Brigade, 67th Division. On the 7th of October they left the Division and proceede to France, landing at Le Havre to join 167th Brigade, 56th (London) Division. On the 15th of November they transferred to 106th Brigade, 35th Division. On the 3rd of February 1918 they transferred to 105th Brigade, still with 35th Division. In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

           7th (Service) Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, was raised Lichfield on the 29th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 39th Brigade 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. They moved to Tidworth and and spent the winter in billets in Basingstoke. They moved to Blackdown, Aldershot in February 1915 for final training and sailed from Avonmouth on the 19th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

           8th (Service) Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment was raised Lichfield on the 18th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 57th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division. They trained on Salisbury Plain, spending the winter in billets in Bristol from December 1914. In February 1915 they moved to Weston-super-Mare, then in April they moved to Tidworth for final training. They proceeded to France on the 18th of July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 7th of February 1918 they transferred to 56th Brigade, still with 19th Division. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

           9th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment was raised at Lichfield on the 20th of September 1914 as part of as part of Kitchener's Third New Army joined 22nd Division as army troops. They trained on the South Downs, spending the winter in billets in Hastings from December. On the 20th of April 1915 they became a Pioneer Battalion and transferred to the newly forming 37th Division, which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 29th of July, the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres.

           The 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers were in Portsmouth at the outbreak of war in August 1914. They proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. Serving with the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, BEF. They remained on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action in most of the major battles. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           The 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers were serving in India at the outbreak of war in August 1914. They arrived in England on the 22nd of December 1914 to join 84th Brigade, 28th Division. On the 18th of January 1915 they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre. They saw action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. They were sent to Egypt in October 1915, sailing from Marseilles to Alexandria and then on to Salonika in January 1916. They took part in the occupation of Mazirko and saw action at Barakli Jum'a. In June 1918 they returned to France and joined 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division taking part in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the final advance in Picardy.

           10th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 and joined 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos 23rd Division held the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 and joined 68th Brigade, 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos 23rd Division held the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           12th (Service) Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 62th Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, whilst the artillery moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted and the RE to Wendover. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France their first experience of action being in the British assault at Loos on 26th September 1915,suffering heavy casualties, just a few days after arriving in France. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive. In August 1917 they joined with the 13th battalion to form the 12/13th Battalion.

           13th (Service) Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 62th Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, whilst the artillery moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted and the RE to Wendover. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France their first experience of action being in the British assault at Loos on 26th September 1915,suffering heavy casualties, just a few days after arriving in France. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive. In August 1917 they joined with the 12th battalion to form the 12/13th Battalion.

           14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 as part Kitchener's Third New Army. They were attached to the 21st Division as a pioneer battalion The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, whilst the artillery moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted and the RE to Wendover. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They embarked for France in September 1915 and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. The division served on the Western Front through out the conflict, seeing action in many of the major battles. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

           15th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Kitchener Battalion, formed in Darlington in October 1914. On the 10th of April 1915 they became a Reserve battalion and in September 1916 they were absorbed into Training Reserve Battalions of the 1st Reserve Brigade. They remained in Britain throughout the conflict in a training role, providing reinforcements for service abroad.

           16th (Newcastle) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 by the Newcastle & Gateshead Chamber of Commerce, one of the Pals Battalions. They served with 96th Brigade, 32nd Division, and began training near home then moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was found to be too wet for training and the Division moved to Wensley and Richmond in Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of November 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           17th (Service) Battalion (North Eastern Railway Pioneers) The Northumberland Fusiliers was raised in Hull in September 1914 by the North Eastern Railway Company. In January 1915 the became a Pioneer Bn and in June joined 32nd Division. They proceeded to France and landed at La Havre on the 21st of November 1915. They saw action in the Battle of The Somme and on the 19th of October 1916 transferred to GHQ as Railway Construction Troops. In the first week of September 1917 they rejoined 32nd Division until the 15th of November when they rejoined GHQ as Railway Construction Troops. On the 31st of May 1918 they resumed their pioneer role joining 52nd (Lowland) Division who had just arrived in France from Palestine. They saw action on The Somme, Arras, the Hindenburg Line and the final Advance in Artois.

           19th (2nd Tyneside Pioneers) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised at Newcastle on the 16th of November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. After initial training close to home, they became a Pioneer Battalion on the 8th of February 1915 and joined 35th Division in July at Masham, North Yorkshire then moved to Salisbury Plain in August for final training. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 29th of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

           20th Battalion, 1st Tyneside Scottish, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was raised in 1914 in Newcastle mainly from men of Scottish decent from the North East. Initially training in Newcastle City centre the 1st Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle on the 29th of January 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915. In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, attacking just north of the village of La Boisselle, not far from Albert. At 7.28 am on 1st July 1916 two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 1st Tyneside Scottish had 500 yards to cover, under heavy machine gun fire, before reaching the German lines, 26 Officers and 564 men from this battalion lost thier lives. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

           22nd Battalion, 3rd Tyneside Scottish, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised on the 5th November 1914 in Newcastle mainly from men of Scottish decent from the North East. Initially training in Newcastle City centre the 3rd Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle on in early May 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division who were concentrating at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, and in late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer.

        The 1st Tyneside Scottish were in action on the 1st of July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme attacking just south of the village of La Boisselle, not far from Albert. At 7.28 am on 1st July 1916 two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 3rd Tyneside Scottish followed the 2nd Tyneside Scottish across 200 yards of No Man's Land, 20 Officers and 628 men of the 3rd Tyneside Scottish were lost.

        In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek.

        In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses.

        On the 17th of May 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength, they transferred to 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England on the 18th of June. They were brought back to strength by absorbing the new 38th Northumberland Fusilers joining 48th Brigade, still with 16th (Irish) Division. They returned to France in July 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

           23rd (4th Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was raised on the 26th of November 1914 in Newcastle mainly from men of Scottish decent from the North East. Initially training in Newcastle City centre the 3rd Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle on in early May 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division who were concentrating at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, and in late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. The 1st Tyneside Scottish were in action on the 1st of July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme attacking just south of the village of La Boisselle, not far from Albert. At 7.28 am on 1st July 1916 two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 3rd Tyneside Scottish followed the 2nd Tyneside Scottish across 200 yards of No Man's Land, 20 Officers and 628 men of the 3rd Tyneside Scottish were lost. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. On the 17th of May 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength, on the 17th of June they transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division, then on the 29th of July to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, and on the 20th of September they transferred with 197th Brigade to the Lines of Communication.

           24th (1st Tyneside Irish) Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals Battalion, raised at Newcastle on 14 November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. After initial training near home, they joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and after further training they moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916, where the division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and on the 10th they amalgamated with 27th Battalion to form the 24/27th Battalion.

           26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals Battalion, raised at Newcastle in November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City. After initial training near home they joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and after further training they moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916, where the Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 3rd Tyneside Irish were disbanded on the 3rd of February 1918 in France, teh troops transferring to other units.

           27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals Battalion, raised at Newcastle in January 1915, by the Lord Mayor and City.After initial training near home, they joined 103rd Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon in June 1915 and after further training they moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916, where the division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and on the 10th they amalgamated with 27th Battalion to form the 24/27th Battalion.

           1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were a territorial unit based in Aylesbury, serving with South Midland Brigade, South Midland Division. The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5th of August and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August and commenced training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Bologne on the 31st of March 1915. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 145th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

           The 7th (Service) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised at Oxford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 78th Brigade. 26th Division. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France on the 21st September 1915, landing at Boulogne and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

           6th (Service) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised at Oxford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initial training the in the Oxford area with little equipment, they moved to Deepcut In February 1915 they moved to Godalming and then to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France on the 22nd of July, landing at Bologne and the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 15th of February th e6th Ox & Bucks were disbanded in France, with troops transferring to the 2/4th and 5th Ox & Bucks and the 14th Entrenching Battalion.

           5th (Service) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was raised at Oxford in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. After training they proceeded to France, landing at Bologne on the 21st of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the battalion was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June thet transferred to 16th (Irish) Division and returned to England. On the 20th of June 1918 they were absorbed by the 18th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.

           1st Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) were at in Bordon Camp serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914. They were in action at The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres. On the 8th of November 1914 the Battalion transferred to the direct command of I Corps and were in action in the The Battles of Aubers and Festubert. On the 21st of July 1915 they transferred to 5th Brigade, 2nd Division and were in action at The Battle of Loos. On the 15th of December 1915 they transferred to the newly arrived 100th Brigade, 33rd Division to strengthen the formation. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. on the 5th of February 1918 they moved to 19th Brigade still in 33rd Division and were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took place throughout the first months of 1919.

           2nd Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) were in Pretoria when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing on the 19th of September 1914. They joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division who were concentrating in the New Forest, Hampshire. They landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 20th of December 1915 the 2nd Queens transferred to 91st Brigade still with 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

           2/4th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Croydon in August 1914 as Second Line unit. They joined 2nd Surrey Brigade, 2nd Home Counties Division. On the 24th of April 1915 they joined 160th Brigade, 53rd Division at Cambridge, as a composite unit with the 2/5th Queen's, but in June they became separate units once more, having moved to Bedford in May. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and The Division, without their artillery, embarked at Sevonport on the 14th of July, to Lemnos via Alexandria. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August, many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units. On the 29th of June the 2/4th Queens joined the reforming 101st Brigade, 34th Division in France. and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

           3/4th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Windsor in June 1915. After training close to home they joined 200th Brigade, 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division in July 1915. They proceeded to France on the 9th of August 1917 and joined 62nd Brigade, 21st Division. The were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 11th of February the 3/4th Queens were disbanded in France, with men transferring to the 7th Queen's and then 20th Entrenching Battalion.

           6th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Guildford in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Purfleet with final training being undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining the Division. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           7th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Guildford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           8th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Guildford in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In February 1918 the 8th Queens transferred to 17th Brigade, still with 24th Division. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           10th (Battersea) Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Battersea on the 3rd of June 1915 by the Mayor and Borough of Battersea, they joined 124th Brigade, 41st Division and trained at Aldershot. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys suffering bery heavy casualties. On the 16th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and the following day transferred to 39th Division. On the 14th of August the battalion was disbanded in France with the remain troops transferring to other units.

           11th (Lambeth) Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) was raised at Lambeth on the 16th of June 1915 by the Mayor and Borough of Lambeth, they joined 123rd Brigade, 41st Division and trained at Aldershot. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

           1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade were at Colchester with 11th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 23rd of August 1914 in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade were at Kuldana in India when war was broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britain, embarking from Bombay on the 20th of September arriving at Liverpool on the 22nd of October. They joined 25th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester and proceeded to France landing at Le Harve on the 6th of November 1914. They were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade were at Cork serving with 17th Brigade in 6th Division when war was declared in August 1914. They mobilised to England and moved to Cambridge then swiftly on to Newmarket. They proceeded to France on the 12th of September 1914 landing at St Nazaire. They immediatley marched across France to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They then moved north to Flanders and in October 1915 transferred with 17th Brigade to 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Grayshott in November, returning to Aldershot in March 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the battalion was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June 1918 they left the Division and the cadre was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They trained at Aldershot, moving to Petworth in November, returning to Aldershot in February 1915 for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 2nd of February 1918 they transferred to 43rd Brigade still with 14th (Light) Division. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 27th of April, the battalion was reduced to a cadre and on the 16th of June 1918 they left the Division and the cadre was disbanded on the 3rd of August 1918.

           10th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initail training in the Winchester area they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 5th of February 1918 the 10th Rifles were disbanded at La Clytte, the troops transferring to other units.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initail training in the Winchester area they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 21st of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

           12th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initail training in the Winchester area they moved to Blackdown, then in February 1915 to Witley and to Larkhill in April for final training. They proceeded to France on the 22nd of July 1915, landing at Boulogne, the division concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

           13th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised at Winchester in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 21st Division as army troops. After training close to home they moved to Halton Park and spent the winter in billets in High Wycombe from November. In April they moved to Andover and transferred to 111th Brigade still with 37th Division. They proceeded to France on the 31st of July, landing at Boulogne and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

           16th (St Pancras) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was raised in the Borough of St. Pancras on the 2nd of April 1915 by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Paddockhurst. In August 1915 they joined 117th Brigade, 39th Division at Hursley Park. In November they moved to Aldershot for a brief spell then to Whitley for final training. They proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1916, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 16th of May and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. On the 16th of August the St Pancras Rifles moved to Abancourt to join 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and on the 20th of September took up duties on lines of Communication work.

           1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were in Kinsale when war broke out, serving with 17th Brigade, 6th Division. They returned to England and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On the 14th of October 1915 17th Brigade transferred to 24th Division. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were in Calcutta, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, arriving in December and joining 86th Brigade, 29th Division at Nuneaton. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

           3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were in Lucknow, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they returned to England, arriving in December. They joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester. They proceeded to France, via Southampton landing at Le Havre in mid January 1915. The Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France, including the 3rd Royal Fusiliers who joined the reforming 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

           4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) were based in Parkhurst, Isle of Wight serving with 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Hounslow on 21st August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. 36th Brigade underwent training at Colchester then final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. The Division proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. The 8th Royal Fusiliers was disbanded in France on the 6th of February 1918 when teh army was reorganised.

           9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Hounslow on 21 August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. 36th Brigade underwent training at Colchester then final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. The Division proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 49th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 9th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 9th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           10th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in the City of London in August 1914 as an independent unit named The Stockbrokers Battalion. In September 1914 they joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division in the Colchester area, when it was raised as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, and became Army troops in the same division in October. In March 1915 the 10th Fusiliers transferred to 111th Brigade, 37th Division, moving in April in Cholderton on Salisbury Plain where the division was concentrating and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 30th of July 1915 and concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

           11th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Hounslow on the 6th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           12th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Hounslow in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 73rd Brigade, 24th Division. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France on the 1st of September. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In October they transferred to 17th Brigade. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. When the army was reorganised in early 1918 the 12th Royal Fusiliers were disbanded on the 13th of February, the troops transferring to the 1st, 10th and 11th Royal Fusiliers.

           17th (Empire) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in London on the 31st of August 1914 by the British Empire Committee. On the 26th of June 1915 they joined 99th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orders to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train were replaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque. On the 25th of November 1915 The Battalion transferred to 2nd Division as part of an exchange to strengthen the inexperienced 33rd Division. On the 13th of December 1915 the Battalion transferred to 5th Brigade, still in 2nd Division. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they transferred on the 6th of February to 6th Brigade in same Division and fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

           18th (1st Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in at Epsom on the 11th of September 1914 by the Public Schools and University Men's Force. Following initial training near home, on the 26th of June 1915 they joined 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. The Division concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. They proceeded France in November and by the 21st, 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division and the on the 27th of November, the 1st Public Schools Battalion transferred to 19th Brigade. On the the 26of February 1916 the battalion transferred to GHQ and was disbanded on the 24th of April 1916 with many of the men being commissioned.

           19th (2nd Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in at Epsom on the 11th of September 1914 by the Public Schools and University Men's Force. Following initial training near home, on the 26th of June 1915 they joined 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. The Division concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. They proceeded France in November and by the 21st, 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. On the 26th of February 1916 the battalion transferred to GHQ and was disbanded on the 24th of April 1916 with many of the men being commissioned.

           20th (3rd Public Schools) Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in at Epsom on the 11th of September 1914 by the Public Schools and University Men's Force. Following initial training near home, on the 26th of June 1915 they joined 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. The Division concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. They proceeded France in November and by the 21st, 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division and the on the 27th of November, the 3rd Public Schools Battalion transferred to 19th Brigade. On the the 26 of February 1916 the battalion transferred to GHQ.

           22nd (Kensington) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at White City on the 11th of September 1914, by the Mayor and Borough of Kensington. In June 1915 they joined 99th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train were replaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque. On the 25th of November 1915 The Battalion transferred to 2nd Division as part of an exchange to strengthen the inexperienced 33rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. The Battalion was disbanded in France on the 3rd of February 1918.

           24th (2nd Sportsman's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at the Hotel Cecil in the Strand, London, on the 25th of September 1914 by E.Cunliffe-Owen. In June 1915 they joined 99th Brigade, 33rd Division at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train were replaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division had concentrated near Morbecque. On the 25th of November 1915 The Battalion transferred to 2nd Division as part of an exchange to strengthen the inexperienced 33rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

           26th (Banker's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in London on the 17th of July 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City of London, from volunteers who were mainly bank clerks and accountants. After inital training close to home they joined 124th Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot in November 1915. They proceeded to France on the 4th of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

           32nd (East Ham) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised in London on the 18th of October 1915 by the Mayor and Borough of East Ham. After inital training close to home they joined 124th Brigade, 41st Division at Aldershot in November 1915. They proceeded to France on the 5th of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. At this time the army was being reorganised and on the 18th of March the battalion was disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

           38th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was raised at Plymouth on the 20th January 1918 from Jewish volunteers, who were mainly Russian immigrants. They sailed for Egypt on the 5th of February 1918. After training they joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division on the 11th of June 1918. On the 25th of July they were detached from their Brigade and during September they were attached to the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were in Dover with 12th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914, they soon moved to Norfolk. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre on the 22nd of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at Messines in 1914. On the 6th of December 1914 the Battalion became GHQ Troops, on the 26th of January 1915 they transferred to 5th Brigade in 2nd Division and saw action at The Battle of Festubert. On the 22nd of July 1915 they transferred as Army Troops to Third Army, then joined 14th Brigade, 5th Division on the 8th of November 1915. On the 24th of December 1915 the Battalion transferred to 96th Brigade, 32nd Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. When the Army was reorganised in February 1918 the 2nd Inskillings transferred to 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division and were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

           5th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was raised at Omagh in August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. They joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and moved to Dublin for training then on to Kildare by early 1915. In April 1915, they moved to Basingstoke, England for final training. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos and landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units, and the 5th Inniskillings were sent to France, joining 198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the 19th of July 1918. They were in action in The Battle of Cambrai, The Pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. On the 31st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest and moved to Serain area. They returned to action on the 2nd of November and advanced through Le Cateau engaging the enemy in some sharp fights until the Armistice.

           6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was raised at Omagh in August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. They joined 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and moved to Dublin for training then on to Kildare by early 1915. In April 1915, they moved to Basingstoke, England for final training. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos and landed at Sulva Bay on the 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 6th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units, and the 6th Inniskillings were sent to France on the 2nd of May. On the 7th of June they joined 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division, then on the 18th transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. On the 29th they transferred to Lines of Communication and on the 16th of July joined 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau and demobilisation began December.

           7th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was raised at Omagh in October 1914, part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division, training at Tipperary, moving in August 1915 Finner Camp. They crossed to England in September 1915 for final training at Woking. They proceeded to France in February 1916 and were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 23rd of August 1917 they amalgamated with 8th Inniskillings to become the 7/8th Battalion.

           8th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was raised at Omagh in October 1914, part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division, training at Tipperary, moving in August 1915 Finner Camp. They crossed to England in September 1915 for final training at Woking. They proceeded to France in February 1916 and were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 23rd of August 1917 they amalgamated with 7th Inniskillings to become the 7/8th Battalion.

           9th (County Tyrone) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed at Omagh, in September 1914, from the Tyrone Volunteers they were attached to 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division. On the 2nd November 1914 the formation was renamed 109th Brigade, 36th Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915.The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for their action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach their objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

        The Ulster Tower, at Theipval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Theipval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

        Please note that Theipval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:


         More info.

           The 7/8th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed on the 23rd of August 1917 when the 7th Battalion amalgamated with 8th. They were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties and on the 22nd April 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength. On the 17th of June they transferred to 102nd Brigade, 34th Division then on the 26th to GHQ Troops. The battalion was re-established with men joining from 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and on the 3rd of July 1918 they joined 89th Brigade, 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

           The 10th (Derry) Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed at Omagh, in September 1914, from the Derry Volunteers. They were attached to 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division until the 2nd of November 1914 when they formation was renamed 109th Brigade, 36th Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915. The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for thier action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach thier objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. The Battalion was disbanded in France on the 21st January 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

        The Ulster Tower, at Theipval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Theipval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

        Please note that Theipval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 11th (Donegal and Fermanagh) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed at Omagh in September 1914, from the Donegal and Fermanagh Volunteers. The Battalion was attached to 3rd Brigade, Ulster Division until the 2nd of November 1914 when the formation was renamed 109th Brigade, 36th Division. The men trained at Dufferin and Ava Estate at Clandeboye, County Down and in July 1915, the Division moved to Seaford, in Sussex, England and then to France in early October 1915. The 36th Ulster Division are most famous for their action on the 1st of July 1916, when they were one of the few Divisions to reach their objective. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood, troops crossed about 400 yards of No Man's Land, entering the Schwaben Redoubt, (close to where the Ulster Tower stands today) then advancing on towards Stuff Redoubt. The men held out for the day but as their stocks of bombs and ammunition dwindled, they were forced to fall back. The casualties suffered by the 36th Division on the 1st of July were over 5,000 in total. Nine men of the 36th Division were awarded the Victoria Cross on the 1st of July 1916.In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. When the army was reorganised in early 1918 the Battalion was disbanded in France on the 21st January 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.


        The Ulster Tower, at Theipval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

        Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           13th Garrison Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed June 1918 and served with 119th Brigade, 40th Division. On the 13th of July 1918 it was renamed 13th (Service) Battalion. They saw action action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was in Devonport serving with 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee where the Battalion suffered very heavy losses near Le Pilly with many troops taken as Prisoners of War. On the 24th of October 1914 what remained of the 2nd Royal Irish transferred as Army Troops to Lines of Communication. Reinforcements arrived over the winter and on the 14th of March 1915 they transferred to 12th Brigade, 4th Division. they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and on the 26th of July 1915 they transferred to 11th Brigade still with 4th Division. On the 22nd of May 1916 they transferred to 22nd Brigade, 7th Division and were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the Sapture of Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin and the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. On the 14th of October 1916 they transferred to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 23rd of April 1918 they transferred to 188th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. They were in action at the The Battle of Albert in August 1918, then moved north to arras seeing action at The Battle of Drocourt-Queant in September, then the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, and The passage of the Grand Honelle in the first week of November during the Final Advance in Picardy.

           5th (Pioneers) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was raised at Clonmel in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. In June 1915, they converted to Pioneer Battalion. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool to Mudros. They landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipolli and were in action at Kiretch Teke Sirt between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 1st of April 1918 they transferred to 52nd (Lowland) Division and sailed for France, landing at Marseilles and the Division concentrated near Abbeville. They moved to Aire and went into the front line near Vimy on the 6th of May. On the 31st of May 1918 the 5th Royal Irish transferred to the Lines of Communication, then on the 14th of July 1918 joined 50th (Northumbrian) Division as a Pioneer Battalion. They went into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December.

           6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was raised at Clonmel on the 6th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. In March 1915 one Company from the Guernsey Militia joined the battalion. They proceeded to France in December 1915, landing at le Havre and concentrating in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties and on the 6th of February 1918 the 6th Royal Irish was disbanded in France.

           7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was formed in France, from the dismounted 1st and 2nd South Irish Horse on the 1st of September 1917. They joined 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division on the 14 October 1917 during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of April 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units, the 7th Battalion was reformed on the 26th of June and transferred to 21st Brigade, 30th Division on the 4th of July. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was formed in France, on the 25 May 1918 from the 2nd Garrison Battalion. They joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division on the 20th June and were in action in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

           1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment was in Nasiribad when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to Britainm landing at Devonport on the 18th of November and joining 82nd Brigade, 27th Division. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton, landing at Le Havre on the 20th of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The 27th Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November the Division was ordered to Salonika and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. The 1st Battalion Irish Regiment sailed from Marseilles on the 28th of Noevember. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. On the 3rd of November 1916 the Battalion transferred to 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

           1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles were in Aden at the out break of the Great Was in August 1914. They embarked for Britain on the 27th of September 1914 and arrived at Liverpool on the 22nd of October they joined 25th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to on the 6th November 1914 landing at Le Havre a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In Feb 1918 the 1st Irish Rifles transfered to to 107th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. They were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles were based at Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Rouen on the 14th of August. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. On the 13th of November 1917 they transferred to 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division, absorbing the 7th Battalion then on the 8th of February 1918 they transferred to 107th Brigade, still in 36th Division. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where it remained and was demobilised by June 1919.

           6th Battalion, The Royal Irish Rifles were raised at Dublin in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division. They moved to the Curragh in February 1915 then in May 1915 they moved to Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, England for final training. On the 7th of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. They landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 15th of May 1918 the 6th Royal Irish Rifles was disbanded at Deir-el-Nidham.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles was raised at Belfast in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. From January 1915 they trained at Ballyvonare, absorbing a company of the Royal Jersey Militia on the 5th of March. In June they moved to Ballyholley and crossed to England in September for final training at Aldershot. They proceeded to France on the 20th of December 1915, landing at le Havre, the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and on the 23rd of August they transferred to 49th Brigade still with 16th (Irish) Division. They were in action The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres and on the 14th of October 1917 they transferred to 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The 7th Battalion was absorbed by the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles on the 14th of November 1917.

           8th (East Belfast) Battalion was raised in Belfast September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They joined the 107th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division at Ballykinler. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 8th served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th Battalion amalgamated with 9th Btn to form 8th/9th Btn. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 8/9th Royal Irish Rifles was disbanded in France on the 7th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 9th (West Belfast) Battalion was raised in Belfast September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They joined the 107th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division at Ballykinler. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 9th Battalion served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th amalgamated with 9th Btn to form 8th/9th Battalion The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 9th battalion was disbanded in France on the 7th of February 1918.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 10th (South Belfast) Battalion was raised in Belfast September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They joined the 107th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division at Ballykinler. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 8th served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th amalgamated with 9th Bn to form 8th/9th Battalion The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 8th battalion was disbanded in France on the 20th of February 1918.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 11th (South Antrim) Battalion was raised in County Antrim September 1914. They joined the 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division at Clandeboye in December 1914. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 13th of November 1917 the Battalion amalgamated with 13th Btn to form the 11/13th Royal Irish Rifles. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 11/13th battalion was disbanded in France on the 18th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to 22nd Entrenching Battalion.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 12th (Central Antrim) Battalion was raised in County Antrim in September 1914. They joined the 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division at Newtownards. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 9th Battalion served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th amalgamated with 9th Btn to form 8th/9th Battalion The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 13th of November 1917 the Battalion amalgamated with 13th Btn to form the 11/13th Royal Irish Rifles. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 11/13th battalion was disbanded in France on the 18th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to 22nd Entrenching Battalion.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           The 13th (1st County Down) Battalion was raised in County Down in September 1914 from the Down Volunteers. They trained at Clandeboye and joined 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 13th of November 1917 the Battalion amalgamated with 13th Btn to form the 11/13th Royal Irish Rifles. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and the 11/13th battalion was disbanded in France on the 18th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to 22nd Entrenching Battalion.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           14th (Young Citizens) Battalion was raised in Belfast in September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They moved to Bundoran in December 1914, then to Randalstown in January 1915. and joined 108th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. The 14th battalion was disbanded in France on the 18th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           15th (North Belfast) Battalion was raised in Belfast September 1914 from the Belfast Volunteers. They joined the 107th Brigade 36th (Ulster) Division at Ballykinler. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville. From the 5th November 1915 to 3rd Feb 1916 the 8th served with with 107th Bde, 4th Division for winter training. On the 29th August 1917 the 8th amalgamated with 9th Bn to form 8th/9th Battalion The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archaeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           16th (2nd County Down Pioneers) Battalion was raised in Lurgan in September 1914 from the Down Volunteers and became the pioneer battalion for 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, landing at Boulogne. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. 36th (Ulster) Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

        The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland.

        Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches. Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

        A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

        You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:




           1st Battalion, Royal Scots were in Allahabad when war broke out in August 1914, they returned to England, landing on the 16th of November 1914 and joining 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They sailed from Southampton to Le Havre on the 20th of December 1914. The 27th div concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm In 1917 they were in action durinhg the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in Sepetember the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Scots were based in Plymouth with 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing Bologne on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots was a Territorial unit with HQ at 89 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh serving with the Lothian Brigade, Scottish Coast Defences. They proceeded to France on the 26th of February 1915 landing at Le Havre and joining 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 24th of November 1915 they transferred to 14th Brigade, 5th Division and on the 25th of January 1916 transferred to Third Army Troops. On the 1st of March 1916 they joined 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. In February 1918 the British Army was reorganised and on the 6th the 1/9th Royal Scots transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (South Midland) Division. they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and The Actions at the Somme Crossings they then returned to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck and The Battle of Bethune. On the 1st of June 1918 they transferred to 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They were in action in Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised at Edinburgh in August 1914, as part of Kitchener's First New Army. after initial training in the Edinburgh area they joined 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. They proceeded to France in May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           12th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised at Edinburgh in August 1914, as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training in the Edinburgh area they joined 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division and moved to Bordon. They proceeded to France in May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           15th (1st Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised in September 1914 by the Lord Provost and City with half the men being recruited in Edinbugh and half in Manchester, for this reason the Battalion is sometimes known as the Manchester Scottish. After initial training close to home, they moved to Troon in March 1915 then in June they joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in September and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 8th of January 1916. 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. The 15th Royal Scots transferred to 39th Division at Wolphus on the 17th of May. The battalion was disbanded in France on the 14th of August 1918.

           16th (2nd Edinburgh) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised in December 1914 by Lt-Col. G.McCrae, MP. After initial training close to home, they joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915 at Ripon. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in September and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 8th of January 1916. 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. The 15th Royal Scots transferred to 39th Division at Wolphus on the 17th of May. The battalion was disbanded in France on the 14th of August 1918.

           17th (Rosebery) Battalion, Royal Scots was raised in Edinburgh in February 1915 by Lord Rosebery, as a Bantam Battalion from men who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they moved to Glencorse in April 1915 then to Selkirk in May. In June they joined 106th Brigade, 35th Division at Masham and went on to Chisledon, for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 1st February 1916, and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

           1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were based in Gosport with 9th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 5th of April 1916 they transferred to 8th Brigade still in 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were in Gibraltar when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing in September 1914 and joining 21st Brigade, 7th Division who were concentrating in the New Forest in Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of December 1915 the 2nd Royal Scots transferred with 21st Brigade to 30th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 7th of April 1918 the Battalion transferred to 120th Brigade, 40th Division and on the 26th of April moved to South African Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. On the 13th of September 1918 they transferred to 28th Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were a territorial unit based in Kilmarnock serving with the South Scottish Brigade, Lowland Division. They had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences at Stirling. In May 1915 the formation was renamed 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 21st of May for Gallipoli, via Mudros. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged in clearing Herchies.

           5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were a territorial unit based in Ayr serving with the South Scottish Brigade, Lowland Division. They had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences at Stirling. In May 1915 the formation was renamed 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 21st of May for Gallipoli, via Mudros. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged in clearing Herchies.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was raised at Ayr in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division they moved to Aldershot for training and in November 1914 went on to Bramshott and spent the winter billets in Basingstoke, in March they moved to Draycott Camp at Chisledon for final training. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 9th of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. On the 7th of May 1916 they amalgamated with 6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers to become 6/7th Battalion.

           2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders were based at Shorncliffe with 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing and the 2nd Seaforths were mobilised to North Yorkshire, being based at around the city of York. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel,soon brought a move to Harrow to prepare to proceed to France. They crossed the channel on the 23rd of August 1914, landing at Boulogne and crossing France in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south to The Somme taking part in the Battles there over the summer months. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           5th (Sutherland and Caithness) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders were a territorial unit based at Golspie with the Seaforth & Cameron Brigade, Highland Division. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France on the 2nd of May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. The brigade was renamed 152nd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was raised at Fort George in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 26th Brigade in 9th (Scottish) Division. After initial training in Scotland they moved to Aldershot and in January 1915 going into billets in Alton. They moved on to Bordon in March for final training and proceeded to France in mid May landing at Boulogne. They went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was raised at Fort George in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. They moved to Aldershot for training and in November moved to Petersfield, then to to Chisledon Camp on Salisbury Plain in February 1915, then to Tidworth for final training in May. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

           9th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was raised at Fort George in October 1914. after initial training in Scotalnd they moved to Aldershot in November and the on 3rd of December joined 9th (Scottish) Division. They became a Pioneer Battalion in early 1915 and moved to Rowledge near Farnham for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 10th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

           1st Garrison Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was formed at Tillicoultry in July 1916. They moved to Salonika in August 1916 and on the 1st of March 1917 joined 228th Brigade, 28th Division. They were in action during the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and the remainder of the Division, including the 2/5th Durhams were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. 228th Brigade transferred to the Greek Crete Division on the 30th of September 1918 and was broken up on the 4th of October 1918.

           1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) were in Bombay, India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Plymouth on the 2nd of October 1914 and joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was a territorial unit with HQ in Newark, serving with the Notts. & Derby Brigade in the North Midland Division. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. In November they moved to Braintree to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 25th of February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

           9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, they moved to Belton Park, Grantham. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

           10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 51st Brigade in 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Wool then to West Lulworth in October and back to to Wool in December. In June 1915 they Moved to Winchester for final training. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landed at Boulogne on the 14th of July 1915, the division concentrated near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

           11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and became part of 70th Brigade in 23rd Division. They undertook training in Derby the moved to Stanhope Lines at Aldershot in December 1914, then to Shorncliffe in February 1915 and in May they moved to Bordon. They proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 27th of August 1915. They transferred to with 70th Brigade to 8th Division on the 18th of October 1915, in an exchange with 24th Brigade allowing the inexperienced troops to learn from those who had battle experience, returning to their orginal divisions in June 1916. The 23rd Division were at Bomy beginning a period of intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau. The 11th Sherwood foresters left 23rd Division in September 1918 and moved to France to join 74th Brigade in 25th Division and were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

           12th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby on the 1st of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 24th Division as army troops. They trained at Shoreham though the division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In April 1915 the 12th Sherwoods converted to be a Pioneer Battalion for same Division. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France on the 29th of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. The Battalion became famous for the production of the trench newspaper "Wipers Times" which it first began to print when in the town of Ypres in Belgium in 1916.

        In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           15th (Nottingham) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Nottingham in February 1915, by the Mayor and a Committee, as a Bantam Battalion, from troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they joined 105th Brigade in 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire in June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France on the 1st of February 1916, and the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

           16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby on the 16th of April 1915, by the Duke of Devonshire and the Derbyshire Territorial Force Association. They moved to Buxton on the 4th of May and then on to Redmires near Sheffield on 8th of June. On the 2nd of September they moved to Hursley near Winchester to join 117th Brigade, 39th Division. They moved to Aldershot on the 30th of September and then to Witley for final training. They proceeded to France on the 6th of March 1916, landing at Le Havre, and concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 16th of May and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. On the 16th of August the 16th Sherwoods transferred to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, returning to action in October in The Battle of Cambrai and The Pursuit to the Selle. They fought in The Battle of the Selle and on the 21st of October the Division was withdrawn for rest moving to the Serain area. On the 2nd of November they advanced through Le Cateau engaging in sharp fighting. On the 9th of November a number of units of the Division were selected to advance through Belgium to occupy the Rhone Bridgeheads and were placed under command of Bethell's Force. At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line of Pont de Republique through Grandrieu to Montbliart. They advanced into Germany and remained there until demobilised.

           17th (Welbeck Rangers) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Nottingham on the 1st of June 1915 by the Mayor and a Recruiting Committee. After initial training close to home they joined 117th Brigade, 39th Division at Aldershot in October. They moved to Witley for final training in November 1915 and proceeded to France on the 6th of March 1916, landing at Le Havre, the Division concentrating near Blaringhem. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 12th of February the 17th Sherwoods were disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

           18th (Service) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment) was raised at Derby on the 27th of July 1915, as a Bantam Battalion. After inital training close to home they joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot in October. On the 2nd of April 1916 the Battalion was absorbed by the 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment at Woking.

           At the outbreak of war in 1914 The 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was in Colchester, with 11th Brigade, 4th Division, was one of two regular battalions of the Somerset Light Infantry. The Battalion arrived in France with the BEF on 22 August 1914, in time to fight in the battle of Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons. They remained on the Western Front with 4th Division, throughout the war, suffering 1,315 losses. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           The 6th (Service) Battalion Somerset Light Infantry was raised at Taunton in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Army and was attached to 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. They proceeded to France in May 1915 and served on the Western Front throughout the war. They took part in The Action of Hooge, in which the Division became the first to be attacked by flamethrowers, and The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they fought at Delville Wood and Flers-Courcelette in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 They were involved in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they suffered heavily in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, due to the heavy casualties the Division was withdrawn to the rear and on the 14th of April 1918 the 6th Somerset Light Infantry formed a composite unit with the 5th Battalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry, the unit was reduced to cadre strength two weeks later. On the 18th of June they transferred to the 16th Division and returned to England. On the 20th June the 6th Somerset Light Infantry was reconstituted and absorbed 13th Bn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, they returned to France on the 1st of August 1918, landing at Boulogne, as part of 49th Brigade 16th (Irish) Division and joined Second Army. They were in action in the Final Advance in Flanders.

           The 8th (Service) Battalion was raised at Taunton in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army, they were attached to 63rd Brigade, 21st Division, which initially concentrated in the Tring area, with troops spending some time in camp at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park and on the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1915 and landed at Le Havre. The Division embarked on lengthy marches and went into action in the British assault at Loos on 26 September, where the Division suffered over 3,800 casualties. In 1916 they were in action in The Battle of The Somme and on the 8th of July 1916 the battalion transferred with 63rd Brigade to 37th Division. In 1917 the took part in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they returned to The Somme seeing action in the The Battle of the Ancre and the Battle of Albert, they then took part in the the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           The 11th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry was raised during the war as a Territorial Battalion. They saw action on the Western Front with the 59th Division, arriving in France in May 1918.

           The 12th (West Somerset Yeomanry) Battalion was converted from a yeomanry regiment to infantry in Egypt in January 1917, serving with the 74th Division. They were sent to France in May 1918.

           The 2/4th Battalion was formed as a second line Territorial battalion of The Somerset Light Infantry. The 2/4th joined 34th Division in France in July 1918, becoming a divisional pioneer battalion. They were in action at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

           The 2/5th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry was a second line Territorial battalion raised at Taunton in September 1914 as a Second Line battalion, part of 135th Brigade, 2nd Wessex Division. They were sent to India to replace regular army units who were returning home to join the BEF in France and on the 12th of December 1914 they landed in India. The Division was broken up on arrival and the 2/5th Battalion became divisional troops with the Burma Division. In January 1916 they transferred to the Rangoon Brigade in same Division. They remained in India for the duration of the war.

           2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was based at Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war was decalred in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF and landed at Le Havre on the 14th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division and on the 26th they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. On the 21st of June 1916 they transferred to 64th Brigade in 21st Division and were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 30th of June 1918 they transferred to 89th Brigade, 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919, 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

           6th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division, they trained at Tidworth spending the winter in billets at Winchester. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, with the 6th East Lancashires at Alma Barracks. They sailed from Avonmouth on the 16th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           7th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 56th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Tidworth and moved in billets in Andover in December 1914. They moved to Clevedon in February 1915 then returned to Tidworth in March for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 18th of July 1915, the division and concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. The 7th South Lancashires were disbanded in France on the 22nd of February 1918 when the army was reorganised.

           8th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division. They trained at Codford, spending the winter in billets in Bournemouth. They moved to Wokingham in May 1915 and to Aldershot in June for final training. They proceeded to France on the 28th of September 1915, the division concentrating in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 16th of February 1918 the 8th South Lancashires were disbanded in France with the troops transferring to other units.

           9th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 66th Brigade, 22nd Division They moved to Seaford for training and in December they moved to billets in Eastbourne for the winter. In March 1915 they returned to Seaford, moving to Bourley near Aldershot in May for final training. The proceeded to France on the 7th of September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 29th, arriving on the 5th of November. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

           11th (St Helens Pioneers) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at St. Helens on the 1st of September 1914 by Lord Derby. After initial training close to home they moved to Bangor in February 1915. On the 15th of May 1915 they moved to Grantham and joined 30th Division as a Pioneer Battalion. They were adopted by the War Office on the 15th of August 1915 and moved to Larkhill for final training in September. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 7th of November 1915, the division concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys suffering heavy losses. On the 15th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 19th of June transferred to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, on the 30th they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division and returned to England, moving to Aldershot. On the 3rd of July the battalion was brought back up to strength by absorbing the 18th South Lancashires and they returned to France as Pioneers with 25th Division and saw action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

           12th (Service) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was raised at Warrington in June 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. After inital training close to home they joined 120th Brigade, 40th Division at Blackdown in January 1916 . On the 2nd of March 1916 they were absorbed by the 11th Battalion the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).

           15th (Transport Workers) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was formed at Bebington in December 1916, they were based and worked in the Mersey docks.

           16th (Transport Workers) Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was formed at Prescot in April 1917, they were based and worked in the Mersey docks.

           17th (Transport Workers) Battalion was formed at Bidston, Cheshire in April 1918 they were employed in working the canals.

           1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment were in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. They returned to England, landing Southampton on the 19th of September 1914 and joined 22nd Brigade in 7th Division at Lyndhurst where they were concentrating in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 20th of December 1915 the 1st South Staffs transferred to 91st Brigade still with 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

           4th (Service) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was based at Lichfield in August 1914 when war broke out. They moved at once to Jersey, remaining there until September 1916 when they moved Marske near Redcar. In June 1917 they moved to Canterbury and proceeded to France on the 10th of October 1917, landing at Le Havre and joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They saw action in the Third battle of Ypres, during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys, sufferingheavy losses. On the 22nd of June they moved with the remnants of various battalions to form 25th Composite Brigade and transferred to 50th (Northumbrian) Division. On the 11th of July 1918 the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division. On the 6th of November the 4th South Staffords were disbanded in France.

           5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was a territorial unit based in Walsall serving with the Staffordshire Brigade in North Midland Division, when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August, they moved to Bishops Stortford in November to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. They first saw action at Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector in April 1915. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

           6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was a territorial unit based in Wolverhampton serving with the Staffordshire Brigade in North Midland Division, when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August, they moved to Bishops Stortford in November to prepare for service over seas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. They first saw action at Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector in April 1915. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

           7th (Service) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was raised at Lichfield in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First Army and joined 33rd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. They moved to Belton Park, Grantham for training then to Frensham in April 1915 for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

           8th (Service) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was raised at Lichfield in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Wareham, Dorset to continue training, moving to West Lulworth and then to Wool in January 1915. In June 1915 they moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. on the 23rd of February 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France with men transferring to the 2/6th and 7th Battalions of the South Staffordshire Regiment and the 7th Entrenching Battalion.

           9th (Service) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment was raised at Lichfield in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army. They undertook training at Aldershot and in December 1914 went into Talavera Barracks. The Battalion was attached to 23rd Division as Army Troops, and became a Pioneer Battalion in December 1914. They moved to Shorncliffe in March 1915 and to Oxney Park, Bordon in May before proceeding to France. They landed at Boulogne on the 24th of August 1915, the division concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers were in Bordon serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, including the recapture Gheluvelt at the height of the crisis on 31st of October, alongside the 2nd Worcesters. They were in action at The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

           2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers were in in Tientsin, China when war was declared in August 1914. On the 23rd of September they landed at Lao Shan Bay and were engaged in operations against the German territory of Tsingtao. They moved to Hong Kong and embarked for England on the 4th of December, landing at Plymouth on the 12th of January 1915. They joined 87th Brigade, 29th Division. at Rugby. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 17th of March, sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles, arriving on the 15th of March and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

           4th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           5th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Park House Camp, Tidworth and spent the winter in billets in Basingstoke. On the 10th of January 1915 they converted to be a Pioneer Battalion and moved to billets in Burnham. In March 1915 the moved to Bulford and then in April to Perham Down for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 16th of July 1915. 19th (Western) Division concentrated near St Omer and their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

           6th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon on the 12th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 76th Brigade, 25th Division which assembled in the area around Salisbury with the 6th South Wales Borderers based at Codford..they spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. In February 1915 they converted to be a Pioneer Battalion Moving to Hursley Park in April for a short while then moving to Aldershot for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 25th of September 1915, the division concentrateing in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys. On the 2nd of July they transferred to 30th Division. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

           7th Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon on the 14th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained at Seaford, spending the winter in billets at St Leonards, and returning to Seaford in April 1915. They moved to Aldershot for final training in May and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 6th of September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

           8th (Service) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon on the 19th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 68th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained at Seaford, spending the winter in billets at St Leonards, and returning to Seaford in April 1915. They moved to Aldershot for final training in May and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 6th of September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 30th. 68th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their first action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. The 8th South Wales Borderers left the 22nd Division on the 30th of June 1918.

           10th (1st Gwent) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon in October 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee. After inital training close to home they moved by end to Colwyn Bay and joined 130th Brigade, 43rd Division, which was renamed 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 29th of April 1915. They moved to Hursley Park near Winchester in July 1915 but then to Hazeley Down for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 4th of December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919

           11th (2nd Gwent) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Brecon on the 5th of December 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee. After inital training close to home they moved by end to Colwyn Bay and joined 130th Brigade, 43rd Division, which was renamed 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 29th of April 1915. They moved to Hursley Park near Winchester in July 1915 but then to Hazeley Down for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 4th of December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 27th of February 1918 the 11th South Wales Borderers was disbanded in France with troops tramsferring to other units.

           12th (3rd Gwent) Battalion, South Wales Borderers was raised at Newport in March 1915 by the Welsh National Executive Committee as a Bantam Battalion, they joined the Welsh Bantam Brigade. After intial training close to home, they moved to Prees Heath in July 1915. In eptember they moved to Aldershot, for final training and the brigade was renamed 119th Brigade, 40th Division. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 2nd of June 1916, and the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 10th of February 1918 the battalion disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were in Khartoum, Sudan when war was declared in August 1914. They returned to England as soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison. The 1st Suffolks arriving home on the 23rd of October. On the 17th of November 1914 they joined 84th Brigade 28th Division, at Winchester. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on 18th of January, the divison concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and on the 24th they left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt, all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and the division went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

           2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were at the Curragh in Ireland serving with 14th Brigade, 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England and proceeded to France landing at Le Harve on the 17th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, after suffering heavy casualties at The Battle of Le Cateau the transferred to GHQ Troops. On the 22nd of October 1915 they transferred to 76th Brigade in 3rd Division. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

           4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were a territorial unit with HQ in in Portman Road, Ipswich, they were part of Norfolk & Suffolk Brigade, East Anglian Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 9th of November 1914, landing at Le Havre, and joining Jullundur Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. On the 15th of November 1915 they transferred to 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division, then on the 22nd of February 1916 they transferred to 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 15th of February 1918 they transferred to 58th (2nd London) Division as a Pioneer Battalion. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume on the Somme. In September they fought in The Battle of Epehy and were in action in October and November during the Final Advance in Artois.

           9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Bury St. Edmunds in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. They joined 71st Brigade in 24th Division in the area of Shoreham for training. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 30th of August 1915. The 24th Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th of September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. On the 11th of October 1915 the 9th Suffolks transferred with 71st Brigade to 6th Division. In 1916 they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. The Battalion was disbanded in France on the 16th of February 1918.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Bury St Edmunds in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France on the 25th of July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 7th of February 1918 the 8th Suffolks were disbanded in France.

           11th (Cambridgeshire) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Cambridge on the 25th of September 1914, by the Cambridge and Isle of Ely TF Association. After initial training close to home, they joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division in May 1915 at Ripon. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in September and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 9th of January 1916. 34th Division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 3rd of February 1918 they transferred to 103rd Brigade still with 34th Division. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre. On the 26th of May the 11th Suffolks transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. They were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy, crossing the Sambre, in the first week of November. The Division began to demobilise in January 1919.

           12th (East Anglian) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was raised at Bury St. Edmunds in July 1915, as a bantam battalion. In November 1915 they joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division. They proceeded to France on the 6th of June 1916, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 6th of May 1918 the 12th Suffolks were reduced to cadre strength and on the 16th of June transferred to 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division and returned to England the following day. They were reconstituted by absorbing the 16th Suffolks and retruned to France on the 5th of July 1918, landing at Boulogne. The Division joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

           2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment were in Woking serving with 2nd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was raised at Chichester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. They moved to Colchester for training and on the 4th of February 1915 converted to be a Pioneer Battalion. In May they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training, proceeding to France, landing at Boulogne in late July and the division concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           11th (1st South Down) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was raised at Bexhill on the 7th of September 1914 by Lieut-Col. Lowther, MP and Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Maidstone in July 1915 and were adopted by the War Office. They moved to Aldershot in September and then to Witley to join 116th Brigade, 39th Division in October. They proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre in March 1916, the division concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade who had remained in England to complete thier training. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre on the 23rd of May. On the 30th of June they transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division and crossed back to England, going to Aldershot. In July they absorbed the 13th Royal West Kents to return to strength. On the 9th of September the Brigade was renamed 236th Brigade and left the Division. On the 17th of October they sailed from Dundee for service in North Russia.

           12th (2nd South Down) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was raised at Bexhill on the 3rd of November 1914 by Lieut-Col. Lowther, MP and Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Maidstone in July 1915 and were adopted by the War Office. They moved to Aldershot in September and then to Witley to join 116th Brigade, 39th Division in October. They proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre in March 1916, the division concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade who had remained in England to complete their training. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 8th of February the 12th Sussex were disbanded in France, with troops transferring to other units.

           13th (3rd South Down) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was raised at Bexhill on the 20th of November 1914 by Lieut-Col. Lowther, MP and Committee. After initial training close to home, they moved to Maidstone in July 1915 and were adopted by the War Office. They moved to Aldershot in September and then to Witley to join 116th Brigade, 39th Division in October. They proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre in March 1916, the division concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade who had remained in England to complete their training. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and were reduced to a cadre on the 23rd of May. On the 17th of June 1918 the 13th Sussex transferred to 118th Brigade still with 39th Division and on the 14th of August the abttalion was disbanded in France, with troops transferring to the 1/4th Sussex to bring that Battalion back to full strength.

           1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was based in Shorncliffe with 10th Brigade, 4th Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and the 1st Warwicks proceeded to France on the 22nd of August 1914, arriving in time to provide infantry reinforcements at the Battle of Le Cateau, the Artillery, Engineers, Field Ambulances and mounted troops being still en-route at this time. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres and in 1916 moved south to The Somme taking part in the Battles there over the summer months. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was in Malta when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, arriving on the 19th of August 1914 and joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division. After training they proceeded to France, landing at Zeebrugge on the 6th of October 1914.

           295th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery were armed with 6inch 26cwt Vickers Howitzers. They were in action at Messines from 7th of April 1917 until moving further north in the Ypres Salient in July, where they were in action until November 1917 in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. They saw action at Piave from 27th of October 1918. Their war service totalled 20789 Rounds Through.

           East Weare Battery overlooks Portland Harbour below the cliff to the east of the Verne Citadel. It was built in the 1860s by recommendation of the Royal Commission to guard the new Portland harbour and Royal Navy institutions on Portland island. The Battery was remodelled in the 1880's and was armed with C pivot 9-inch RMLs. The batteries were equipped with standard artillery stores, a small redoubt, a resident gunner's house and a self-defensible detention barracks, East Weare Camp, was built directly above B battery. In 1891, more modifications were made, the two centre gun positions of C Battery were altered to take 2 x 10-inch RMLs on C pivots with sunken way. B Battery was also modified to take 2 x 10-inch RML in positions 1 and 2, whilst the third gun was removed. A-battery was re-armed with 4 x 10-inch RMLs. During 1899-1901 two 9.2-inch BL guns were installed in A-Battery and three six inch BL guns in B-Battery new magazines were built along with a lamp room and paint store, whilst the old main magazine was converted for use as the sergeant's mess and quarters. A range finding station and Battery Observation Post were placed near to the Detention Barracks.

        In 1915 the disused D Battery, which had its own magazine adjacent, was handed over to the Royal Navy, who used the magazine for storing explosives. By 1917 one 6-inch gun was removed and the other two followed by 1919.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised at Warwick in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 39th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 39th Brigade moved to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th (Service) Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th . The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised at Warwick in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 24th Division as army troops. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In April 1915 the 11th Warwicks transferred to 112th Brigade, 37th Division at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France on the 30th of July, the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In ealry 1918 the army was reorganised and the 11th Warwicks were disbanded in France on the 7th of February 1918 with the troops transferring to other units.

           14th (1st Birmingham Pals) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised in Birmingham in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and a local committee. After training they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division on the 26 June 1915. They proceeded to France on the 21st of November 1915, landing at Boulogne. On the 28th December 1915 they transferred to 13th Brigade, 5th Division as part of an exchange designed to strengthen the newly arrived 32nd Division with more experienced troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918. They saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. On the 5th of October 1918 the Birmingham Pals became a Pioneer Battalion with 5th Division. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

           15th (2nd Birmingham Pals) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised in Birmingham in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and a local committee. After training they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division on the 26 June 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 21st of November 1915. On the 28 December 1915 they transferred to 14th Brigade, 5th Division, one of many units were exchanged to stiffen the inexperienced 32nd Division with regular army troops. On the 14th of January 1916 they transferred to 13th Brigade still with 5th Division In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. They then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until October and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. On the 6th of October 1918 the 2nd Birmingham Pals were disbanded with troops transferring to the 1st and 3rd Birmingham Pals Battalions.

           16th (3rd Birmingham Pals) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was raised in Birmingham in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and a local committee. After training they joined 95th Brigade, 32nd Division on the 26th of June 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 21st of November 1915. On the 26th of December they transferred to 15th Brigade, 5th Division as part of an exchange to stiffen the inexperienced 32nd Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. On the 4th of October 1918 they transferred to 13th Brigade still with 5th Division. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

           1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers were in Malta when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Southampton on the 3rd of September 1914. They joined 22nd Brigade, 7th Division who were concentrating in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge on the 7th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

           2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers were in Portland when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France on the 11th of August landing at Rouen and taking on duties as Lines of Communication troops. On the 22nd they became attached to 19th Infantry Brigade, which was an independent command at this time, not attached to any division. On the 12th of October 1914 the battalion transferred with 19th Brigade to 6th Division. On the 31st of May 1915 they transferred with 19th Brigade to 27th Division, then on the 19th of August to 2nd Division. On the 25th of November 1915 the battalion transferred with 19th Brigade to the newly arrived 33rd Division. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme, in 1917 at Arras, on the Hindenburg Line, during the Operations on the Flanders Coast and in the Third battles of Ypres. On the 6th of February 1918 the 2nd Welsh Fusiliers transferred to 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut including the actions fought at Hanna, Fallahiya, and Sanniyat. After taking the first two, the 13th Division was stopped by the Turkish forces under the overall command of Khalil Pasha at the Battle of the Sanniyat on 9 April 1916. During the fighting 5,9 April 1916, four of the 13th Division's soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross.. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham on the 9th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They trained at to Tidworth, spending the winter in billets in Basingstoke, they returned to Tidworth in March 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 19th of July 1915. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

           10th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham on the 16th of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 76th Brigade, 25th Division. They moved to Codford St Mary for training and spent the winter in billets in Bournemouth. They moved to Romsey on the 29th of April 1915 and ten to Aldershot for final training on the 3rd of June 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 27th of September 1915. On the 15th of October 1915 the Battalion transferred with 76th Brigade to 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 8th of February 1918 when the army was reorganised, the 10th Welch Fusiliers disbanded in France, with the men transferring into the 8th Entrenching Battalion.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham on the 18th of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained at Seaford and spent the winter in billets in St Leonards. They returned to Seaford in April 1915 then moved to Aldershot for final training in June 1915. The proceeded to France in early September, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

           13th (1st North Wales) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Rhyl on the 3rd of September 1914 by the Denbigh and Flint Territorial Force Associations, but transferred to the Welsh National Executive Committee on the 10th of October. In November 1914 they joined 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno, which was renamed 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           14th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Llandudno on the 2nd of November 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee. Later in the month they joined 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno, which was renamed 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           15th (1st London Welsh) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised in London on the 20th of October 1914. After initial training the London area, in December they joined 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno, which was renamed 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in early 1918 the army was reorgansied and on the 27th of February the 15th Welsh Fusiliers were disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Llandudno in November 1914 by the Welsh National Executive Committee from recruits surplus to 13th Battalion. Later in the month they joined 128th Brigade, 43rd Division at Llandudno, which was renamed 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           17th (2nd North Wales) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Llandudno at Llandudno on the 2nd of February 1915. they trained in Llandudno, joining 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           

           19th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised in March 1915 by the Welsh National Executive Committee as a Bantam Battalion. They trained with 38th (Welsh) Division at Deganwy until August 1915 when they joined 119th Brigade, 40th Division at Aldershot. They proceeded to France in early June 1916 and the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie and The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 6th of February 1918 the 19th Welsh Fusiliers disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to the 8th Entrenching Battalion.

           24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was formed in at El Arish Egypt on the 1st of March 1917 from the Denbighshire Yeomanry, they joined 229th Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. They saw action in The Second and Third Battles of Gaza including the Capture of Beersheba and the capture of the Sheria Position. They were also in action during the The capture and defence of Jerusalem and The Battle of Tell'Asur. On the 1st of May they sailed from Alexandria for Marseilles, landing on the 7th of May and travelling by train to the Western Front. On the 21st of June 1918 they transferred to 94th Brigade, 31st Division. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

           1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment were in Chakrata, India, with Dehra Dun Brigade, Meerut Division when war was declared in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, the 1st Welsh returned to England, landing at Plymouth on the 22nd of December joining 84th Brigade, 28th Division at Hursley Park near Winchester. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve on the 18th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

           2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment were in Bordon serving with 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war was declared in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 13th of August 1914 and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

           4th Battalion, The Welsh Regiment was a Territorial unit based in in Carmarthen with the South Wales Brigade, when war broke out in August 1914. They moved to Tunbridge Wells for training in November 1914 the in February 1915 moved to Scotland to man to the Forth and Tay defences. On the 17th of April 1915 they transferred to 159th Brigade in 53rd (Welsh) Division and moved to Bedford to prepare for deployment abroad. They emabarked from Devonport for the Gallipoli front on the 19 July 1915 and made a landing at Suvla Bay on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses, on the 8th of October 1915 the 1/4th Battalion amalgamated with 1/5th to form the 4th Welsh Composite Ballation. (They would resumed their original identity on the 10th of February 1916) By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. On the 3rd of July 1917, the 1/4th again amalganated with the 1/5th and bcame known as the 4/5th Battalion. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August, many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units, the artillery also remained with the Division. In September they were in action at The battle of Nablus before being with drawn for rest on the 26th and moved back to Tell'Asur. They then moved to Ramle where they entrained for Alexandria on the 27th of October. The Armistice with Turkey took effect on 31st of October and the Division was demobilised with the first parties leaving for England on the 22nd of December.

           8th (Pioneers) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, in January 1915 they became a Pioneer Battalion. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           9th (Service) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff on the 9th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. They trained on Salisbury Plain and moved into billets in Basingstoke in November 1914 for the winter. In January they moved to Weston Super Mare and to Perham Down in May 1915 for final training. They proceeded tp France, landing at Boulogne in mid July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

           The 10th (1st Rhondda) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised in the Rhondda Valleyin September 1914 by D. Watts Morgan, MP. They moved to Codford St Mary for training and joined 76th Brigade in 25th Division. On the 30th of September they transferred to 129th Brigade, 43rd Division at Rhyl. On the 29th of April 1915, the formation was renamed, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. They moved to Winchester in August 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 6th of February 1918 the 10th Welsh were disbanded in France.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. They trained on the South Downs and spent the winter in billets in Hastings from December 1914. They moved to Seaford in April 1915 and then to Aldershot in May for final training. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 6th of September 1915, the division concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 30th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

           13th (2nd Rhondda) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised in Cardiff on the 23rd of October 1914. They joined 129th Brigade, 43rd Division at Rhyl. On the 29th of April 1915, the formation was renamed, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. They moved to Winchester in August 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           14th (Swansea) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised Swansea in October 1914 by the Mayor and Corporation and the Swansea Football and Cricket Club. After initial training close to home they joined 129th Brigade, 43rd Division at Rhyl. On the 29th of April 1915, the formation was renamed, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. They moved to Winchester in August 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           15th (Carmarthenshire) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised by the Carmarthenshire County Committee in October 1914. After initial training close to home they joined 129th Brigade, 43rd Division at Rhyl. On the 29th of April 1915, the formation was renamed, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. They moved to Winchester in August 1915 for final training and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

           16th (Cardiff City) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff in November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and Corporation. They joined 130th Brigade in 43rd Division and trained at Colwyn Bay. The brigade was renamed 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of April 1915. They moved to Winchester for final training in August 1915 and proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in December. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 7th of February 1918 the 16th Welsh were disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           17th (1st Glamorgan) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised in Cardiff in December 1914 as a Bantam Battalion. After initial training close to home they joined 43rd Division at Rhyl, they moved to Rhos in January 1915 and to Prees Heath in July where they transferred to 119th Brigade, 40th Division. In September they moved to Aldershot for final training and proceeded to France in June 1916 and the division concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 9th of February 1918 the 17th Welsh were disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           18th (2nd Glamorgan) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Cardiff in January 1915 as a Bantam Battalion. They moved to Porthcawl and joined 43rd Division. In July they moved to Prees Heath, transferring to 119th Brigade, 40th Division. They moved to Aldershot in September. The Division proceeded to France in the first week of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. On the 5th of May 1918 the 18th Welsh was reduced to cadre strength and returned to England, transferring on the 18th of June 1918 to 47th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division at North Walsham. The Battalion was reconstituted, absorbing the 25th Battalion. They moved to Aldershot and returned to France on the 29th of July. They were in action in The Final Advance in Artois.

           19th (Pioneers) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was raised at Colwyn Bay in February 1915 as a Pioneer Battalion. They joined 43rd Division in February 1914, which was renamed the 38th (Welsh) Division, 28 April 1915. They proceeded to France, landed at Le Havre in December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919

           23rd (Welsh Pioneers) Battalion, Welsh Regiment was formed at Porthcawl in September 1915. They moved to Aldershot in March 1916 and in May to Thetford to join 69th Division, In June they left the division and on the 13th of July sailed from Devonport for Salonkia where they joined 28th Division as a Pioneer Battalion on the 24th of August. They were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

           1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was based in Dublin with 13th Brigade, 5th Division when war was declared in August 1914. hey proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops, but the 1st West Kents remained with 5th Division. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

           6th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Maidstone on the 14th of August 1914 as part ofKitchener's First New Army and joined 37th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Colchester and moved to Purfleet in September 1914 they spent the winter in billets in Hythe from December. They moved to Aldershot for final training in February 1915 and proceeded to France on the 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Maidstone on the 5th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. after initial training near home, they moved to Colchester in April 1915 and then to Salisbury Plain in May for final training. They proceeded to France on the 27th of July 1915 landing at Le Havre the Division concentrating near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they transferred to 53rd Brigade still with 18th (Eastern) Division. They saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

           8th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Maidstone on the 12th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. They trained at Shoreham and moved to billets in Worthing for the winter in December, returning to Shoreham in April 1915. They moved to Blackdown in July for final training and proceeded to France on the 30th of August 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

           10th (Kent County) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Maidstone on the 3rd of May 1915 by Lord Harris, Vice Lieutenant of Kent, at the request of the Army Council. After inital training close to home they joined 118th Brigade, 39th Division in July. In October they transferred to 123rd Brigade, 41st Division. They moved to Aldershot for final training in January 1916 and proceeded to France on the 4th of May where the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul.

        In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso.

        In February 1917 they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender.

        41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began; in March 1919 and the Division was renamed the London Division.

           11th (Lewisham) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was raised at Lewisham on the 5th of May 1915 by the Mayor and a local committee. They trained at Catford and joined 118th Brigade, 39th Division in July. In in October they transferred to 122nd Brigade, 41st Division. They moved to Aldershot for final training in January 1916 and proceeded to France on the 3rd of May, and the division concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. On the 16th of March 1918 the 11th Kents were disbanded in France with troops transferring to other units.

           When the Great War war broke out in August 1914, the 1st Battalion West Riding Regiment was in Lahore, India, where it had been since 1905. It was one of eight regular battalions to remain in India throughout the war.

           2nd Battalion West Riding Regiment was raised as 76th Foot in 1787. At the outbreak of the Great War the battalion was stationed in Dublin with the 13th Brigade, 5th Division. They arrived in France on the 16th of August 1914 and within a short time it was in action at Le Cateau and the Retreat from Mons, suffering 360 casualties. They saw action on the Marne, the Aisne and at Ypres.

        On the 11th of November 1914, the Germans launched a desparate attack to on Ypres and in the fighting the 2nd Battalion almost eliminated the Fusilier battalion of the 2nd (Prussian) Guard Grenadier Regiment (4th Guard Brigade) whose casualties numbered 15 officers and 500 men. The 2nd Duke of Wellingtons lost 400 officers and men. On the 18th of April 1915, in a successful assault on the high ground at Hill 60, the battalion suffered 421 casualties, 15 of them officers. On 5th May the Germans attacked using chlorine gas and recaptured the lost ground, inflicting a further 350 casualties on the Battalion.

        In January 1916 the battalion was transferred to the 4th Division in which it served for the rest of the war. Seeing action in 1916 in the Battles of the Somme, in 1917 in the Battles of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they took part in The First Battle of Arras 1918, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, the Second Battles of Arras 1918, The Battle of the Canal du Nord on the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           7th Battalion West Riding Regiment was a Territorial unit based in Milnsbridge, serving with 2nd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, taking up possition on the coastal defences near Hull and Grimsby. On the 5th of November they moved to billets in Doncaster for the winter. They trained in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in preparation for service overseeas. They proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 147th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

           8th Battalion West Riding Regiment was raised at Halifax in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 34th Brigade in 11th (Northern) Division. Moved to Belton Park (Grantham) On the 18th of January 1915 they transferred to 32nd Brigade still in 11th (Northern) Division. They moved to Witley in April 1915 for final training and in July sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli, via Mudros. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. On the 13th of February 1918 the battalion was disbanded in France at the reorganisation of the Army.

           9th Battalion West Riding Regiment was raised at Halifax in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, they moved to Wareham, then to Bovington in October and to Wimborne in November 1914. They moved to Hursley Park, Winchester in June 1915 for final training. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France landing at Boulogne on the 15th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

           2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was in Malta in August 1914 when war broke out, they returned to England landing at Southampton on the 25th of September to join 23rd Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park near Winchester. After training they proceeded to France landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF.

        The 2nd Battalion remained on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge and Bois Grenier during 1915, in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, in te eretreat to the the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme, the Aisne, the Second Battle of Arras and the Final Advance in Artois in 1918.

           3rd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was in York in August 1914 when war broke out, they soon moved to Whitley Bay to defend the coast. The 3rd Battalion remained in Britain throughout the conflict, training troops to reinforce other units abroad.

           4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was in York in August 1914 when war broke out, they soon moved to Falmouth, going on to Redcar in December 1915 and to West Hartlepool in April 1916 to defend the coast. The 4th Battalion remained in Britain throughout the conflict, training troops to reinforce other units abroad.

           5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion was in York in August 1914 when war broke out, on the 10th of August they moved to Selby, and end of the month to Strenshall, in late October they returned to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough before proceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne with the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

        They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Picardy.

           2/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was raised at York on the 28th of September 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they moved to Matlock to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. In May they moved to Thoresby Park, and in October 1915 to Retford, November to Newcastle, January 1916 they moved to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft then in October 1916 to Bedford. On the 5th of January 1917 they proceeded to France, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre.

        They saw their first action on the Ancre in February, and went on to take part in many major actions, including, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburgh Line, and at Cambrai in 1917. On the Somme, Arras, the Hidenburgh Line and the final advance in Picardy in 1918.

           6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion was based in Bradford in August 1914 when war broke out, on the 10th of August they moved to Selby, and end of the month to Strenshall, in late October they moved to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough before proceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne with the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

        They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, in the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lys and the final advance in Picardy.

           2/6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was raised at Bradford on 12 September 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they moved to Matlock to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. In May they moved to Thoresby Park, and in October 1915 to Retford, November to Newcastle, January 1916 they moved to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft then in October 1916 to Bedford. On the 5th of January 1917 they proceeded to France, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre.

        They saw their first action on the Ancre in February, and went on to take part in many major actions, including, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburgh Line, and at Cambrai in 1917. On the Somme, Arras, the Hidenburgh Line and the final advance in Picardy in 1918.

           7th Battalion, (Leeds Rifles) West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion was at Carlton Barracks, Leeds in August 1914 when war broke out. On the 10th of August they moved to Selby, and end of the month to Strenshall, in late October they moved to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough before proceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne with the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

        They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lys and the final advance in Picardy.

           2/7th (2nd Leeds Rifles) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was raised at Leeds on the 15th of September 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they moved to Matlock to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd west Riding) Division. In May the moved to Thoresby Park, then in October 1915 to Retford, in November to Newcastle, in January 1916 to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft. In October 1916 they moved to Bedford. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in January 1917.

        They saw their first action on the Ancre in February, and went on to take part in many major actions, including, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburgh Line, and at Cambrai in 1917. On the Somme, Arras, the Hidenburgh Line. On the 16th of June 1918 the Battalion was reduced to cadre strength and returned to England to be absorbed into 18th Battalion York & Lancs Regiment.

           8th Battalion, (Leeds Rifles) West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), a territorial battalion was based at Carlton Barracks, Leeds in August 1914 when war broke out. On the 10th of August they moved to Selby, and end of the month to Strenshall, in late October they moved to York. In March 1915 they moved to Gainsborough before proceeding to France, sailing from Folkestone on the 15th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne with the 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. They served on the Western Front throughout the conflict, seeing action at Aubers Ridge, on the Somme, the Flanders Coast, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Lys and the final advance in Picardy. On the 30th of January 1918 they absorbed the 2/8th Battalion and transferred to 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division.

           2/8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was raised at at Leeds, 14 September 1914. On the 1st of March 1915 they moved to Matlock to join 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd west Riding) Division. In May the moved to Thoresby Park, then in October 1915 to Retford, in November to Newcastle, in January 1916 to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft. In October 1916 they moved to Bedford. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in January 1917.

        They saw their first action on the Ancre in February, and went on to take part in many major actions, including, the Arras Offensive, the Hindenburgh Line, and at Cambrai in 1917. On the 1st of February 1918 the Battalion was absorbed by 1/8th Btn and took part in in the final advance in Picardy.

           9th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), was a Kitchener Battalion, raised at York on the 25th of August 1914, as part of 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. After initial training they moved to Grantham in Lincolnshire, then on the 4th of April 1915 they moved to Frensham for final training. On the 3rd of July 1915 they sailed from Liverpool to Mudros. Their first action was the landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 6th of August 1915. On the 19th of December 1915 they were withdrawn from Gallipoli and moved to Imbros and on to Egypt to take over defence of of a section of the Suez Canal. They were ordered to France to reinforce the British Army on the Somme, and on the 1st July 1916 they landed at Marseilles and travelled by train to the Western Front. They went into action on the Somme where they were to remain for the rest of the year. In 1917 they saw action on the Ancre, then moved to Flanders for the Battle of Messines and the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 13th of November 1917 they absorbed all 400 men remaining men of the 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars and became 9th (Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion. In 1918 they were in action at the Second Battle of Arras and on the Hindenburg Line.

           10th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was raised at York on the 3rd of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne the 14th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

           11th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was formed at York, on 10th October 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third Army. They joined 69th Brigade, 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           12th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was raised at York on the 16th of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New army and joined 63rd Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September, landing at Le Havre and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. On the 16th of November 1915 the Battalion transferred to 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 17th of February 1918 the 12th West Yorks was disbanded in France, the troops amalgamating with the 8th East Yorks to form the 10th Entrenching Battalion.

           12th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) was raised at York on the 16th if September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New army and joined 63rd Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September, landing at Le Havre and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. On the 16th of November 1915 the Battalion transferred to 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 17th of February 1918 the 12th West Yorks was disbanded in France, the troops amalgamating with the 8th East Yorks to form the 10th Entrenching Battalion.

           15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Leeds Pals) was raised in Leeds in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and moved to South Camp, Ripon and later to Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury. In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. Their first taste of action was at Serre on the Somme where they suffered heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. In early 1918 they were on the Somme then moved north into Flanders for the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

           16th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, the 1st Bradford Pals, was raised in Bradford in September 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and moved to South Camp, Ripon and later to Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury. In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. Their first taste of action was at Serre on the Somme where they suffered heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. They were disbanded in France on the 15th of February 1918.

           17th (2nd Leeds Pals) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment was raised in Leeds in December 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City, as a Bantam Battalion from men who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, they joined 106th Brigade, 35th Division in June 1915 at Masham, North Yorkshire. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France on the 1st of February 1916, landing at Le Havre, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. On the 16th of November 1917 they left 35th Division to join XIX Corps on railway work. In December they amalgamated with 15th Battalion, West Yorks.

           18th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, the 2nd Bradford Pals, was raised in Bradford on the 22nd of January 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 the Battalion joined the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and moved to South Camp, Ripon and later to Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury. In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. Their first taste of action was at Serre on the Somme where they suffered heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras. They were disbanded in France on the 15th of February 1918.

           21st (Wool Textile Pioneers) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment was raised in Halifax on the 24th of September 1915 by the Lord Mayor and City of Leeds. After initial training in Halifax they moved to Skipton in February 1916. They proceeded to France in June 1916 and joined 4th Division as Divisional Pioneer Battalion. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

           1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment were based at at Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Rouen on the 14th of August. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, and on the 21st of June 1918 they transferred to 110th Brigade, 21st Division. They took part in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 21st Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

           2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment were in Gibraltar when war broke out in August 1914, they returned to England, landing Southampton on the 3rd of September 1914. They joined 21st Brigade, 7th Division at Lyndhurst.in the New Forest in Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge on the 7th of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On gthe 19th of December 1915 the transferred with 1st Brigade to 30th Division. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 13th of May 1918 the 2nd Wiltshires transferred to 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division and were in action the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay.

           5th (Service) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment was raised in Devizes in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 13th (Western) Division as divisional troops. They moved to Tidworth and then to Chisledon in October 1914. In December 1914 they moved to billets in Cirencester and joined 40th Brigade still with 13th (Western) Division. They moved to Woking in February 1915 and then to Bisley in May. On the 1st of July 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They suffered heavy casualties in the Turkish attack on the 10th of August and were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

           6th (Service) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment was raised in Devizes in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 19th (Western) Division as diviaional troops, training on Salisbury Plain. In December 1914 they moved to billets in Basingstoke for the winter and joined 58th Brigade still with 19th (Western) Division. They moved to Perham Down in March for final training and proceeded to France in July 1915. and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 20th of September 1917 they amalgamated with the Wiltshire Yeomanry, and were retitled the 6th (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Battalion. In 1918 They fought on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. On the 13th of May 1918 they were reduced to cadre strength with menn transferring to the 2nd Battalion. On the 16th of June they transferred to 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division and returned to England via Boulogne. At Brookwood, the Battalion was reconstituted and absorbed the 9th Dorsetshire regiment. They returned to France on the 4th of July, landing at Boulogne and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders.

           7th (Service) Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment was raised in Devizes in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 79th Brigade in 26th Division. They trained at Codford, spending the winter in billets in Marlborough, but training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They moved to Sutton Veny for final training in April. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France including the 7th Wiltshires who arrived at Serqueux on the 1st of July and joined the reforming 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 16th. They returned to action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England

           1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were in Cairo whe war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Liverpool on the 16th of October 1914, they joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 6th of November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. They transferred to 23rd Division on the 18th of October 1915 transferred returning to 8th Division on the 15th of July 1916. In 1916 they were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

           2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based at Aldershot with 5th Brigade, 2nd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the BEF, landing at Boulogne on the 14th of August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 20th of December 1915 they transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a period of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took place throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

           3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in Tidworth with 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Rouen on the 16th of August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 18th of October 1915 the 3rd Worcesters transferred with 7th Brigade to 25th Division to strengthen the newly arrived Division and on the 10th of November they transferred to 74th Brigade still in 25th Division. The 25th Division's first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys. In 22 June 1918 the 3rd Worcesters transferred to 57th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division, and absorbed the 10th Battalion. They were in action in the Final Advance in Picardy and at the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay.

           4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in in Meiktila, Burma when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrison, they departed for England, landing at Avonmouth on the 1st of February 1915. They joined 88th Brigade, 29th Division at Leamington Spa. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 21st of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

           5th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in Worcester when war broke out, they were mobilised and moved to Plymouth.

           6th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment were based in Worcester when war broke out, they were mobilised and moved to Plymouth.

           7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was a territorial unit based in in Kidderminster serving with the Gloucester and Worcester Brigade in South Midland Division. The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to Swindon, then to Maldon in Essex in the second week of August to concentrate with the Division and commence training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Bologne on the 31st of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 144th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

           8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was raised at Worcester in August 1914 and joined the Gloucester and Worcester Brigade, South Midland Division. They moved Swindon but by the second week of August moved to Maldon in Essex. They proceeded to France on the 31st of March 1915, landing at Boulogne. The Division concentrated near Cassel and on the 15th of May the formation was renamed the 144th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau. On the 17th of September the battalion returned to France and transferred to 75th Brigade, 25th Division seeing action in the Final Advance in Picardy.

           9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was raised at Worcester in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined 39th Brigade 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. They moved to Tidworth and and spengt the winter in billets in Basingstoke. They moved to Blackdown, Aldershot in February 1915 for final training and sailed from Avonmouth on the 19th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

           10th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was raised at Worcester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 57th Brigade in 19th (Western) Division. They trained at Perham Down and in March 1915 moved to Tidworth for final training. They proceeded to France on the 18th of July 1915, the division concentrating near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. On the 22nd of June 1918 the 10th Worcesters was reduced to cadre strength, with most troops transferring to the 3rd Worcesters. On the 28th the cadre joined 121st Brigade, 40th Division and on the 10th of July was absorbed by the 17th Worcesters.

           11th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was raised at Worcester in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division. They trained at Codford St Mary, spending the winter in billets in Cheltenham. In April 1915 they moved to Longbridge Deverill for final training and proceeded to France on the 21st of September. They moved to Salonika travelling via Marseilles in November 1915. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

           2nd Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment were serving at at Limerick with the 16th Brigade, 6th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were mobilised and returned to England, where 6th Division concentrated near Cambridge for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire and marched to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

           4th (Hallamshire) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was a Territorial unit based in Sheffield serving with the 3rd West Riding Brigade, West Riding Division. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service, moving to Doncaster. In November they moved to Gainsborough and in in February 1915 to York to prepare for service overseas, those men who had not volunteered for Imperial Service transferred tp the newly formed 2/4th Battalion. They proceeded to France on the 14th of April 1915, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

           6th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army They joined 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division and after initial training in the Pontefract area moved to Belton Park, Grantham to train with the other infantry units of the Division. They moved to Witley in April 1915 for final training and on the 3rd of July 1915 sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli, via Mudros. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

           7th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract as part of Kitchener's Second Army and joined 17th (Northern) Division. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Wareham in Dorset to continue training and converted to a Pioneer Battalion, in late May 1915 moved to the Hursley Park, Winchester. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne the 14th of July 1915, concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

           8th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army and joined the 70th Brigade in 23rd Division. They undertook training at Frensham, Aldershot, Hythe and Bordon Before proceeding to France. They landed at Boulogne on the 27th of August 1915 and in October 1915 they transferred with the 70th Brigade to the 8th Division. On the 17 July 1916 they returned to the 23rd Division and saw action on The Sommein The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           9th (Service) Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army and joined 70th Brigade in 23rd Division. They undertook training at Frensham, Aldershot, Hythe and Bordon Before proceeding to France. They landed at Boulogne on the 27th of August 1915 and in October 1915 they transferred with the 70th Brigade to the 8th Division. On the 17 July 1916 they returned to the 23rd Division and saw action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

           10th (Service) Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army and joined 63rd Brigade in 21st Division. After initial training close to home they moved to Halton Park, spending the winiter in billets in Leighton Buzzard from December. They moved to Tring in May 1915 then to Witley in August for final training. They proceeded to France on the 11th of September, landing at Boulogne. The Division embarked on lengthy marches and went into action in the British assault at Loos on 26 September, where the Division suffered over 3,800 casualties. In 1916 they were in action in The Battle of The Somme and on the 8th of July 1916 the battalion transferred with 63rd Brigade to 37th Division. In 1917 the took part in the Arras Offensive and the Third Battle of Ypres. In early 1918 the army was reorganised and on the 4th of February the 10th Yorks and Lancs was disbanded in France, with the troops transferring to other units.

           York and Lancaster Regiment, 12th (Sheffield) Battalion, known as The Sheffield Pals was raised on the 10th September 1914 with almost 1000 volunteers being recruited in the first two days. Training began at drill took place at Bramhall Lane, home of Sheffield United Cricket and Football Club, the activities did nothing for the quality of the pitch and on Saturday 5th December 1914 the battalion left Sheffield for Redmires Camp, a few miles west of the city. The Battalion joined the 94th Brigade, 31st Division. They also trained at Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

        In December 1915 The Sheffield Pals boarded HMT Nestor at Devonport and set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. The ship arrived in Alexandria on 1st January 1916 thus all the men of the division missed qualification for the 1914-15 Star by one day.

        The expected Turkishh invasion did not appear and in March 1916 The Sheffield Pals and the rest of 31 Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France,a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

        18 days after arriving in France The Sheffield Pals took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1917 they were in action in the Battle of Arras and in 1918 they fought at St Quentin, Bapaume and Arras before moving north to counter the German Spring Offensive on the Lys. Towards the end of the conflict they were in action in the the Final Advance in Flanders.

           York and Lancaster Regiment, 13th (Barnsley) Battalion, known as The 1st Barnsley Pals was raised on 17 September 1914 by the Mayor and Town. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 94th Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, the later to Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury. In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916. 18 days after arriving in France The Barnsley Pals took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

           York and Lancaster Regiment, 14th (2nd Barnsley) Battalion, known The 2nd Barnsley Pals was raised on 30 November 1914 by the Mayor and Town. After training locally they moved to Silkstone in December 1914. In May 1915 The Battalion joined the 94th Brigade, 31st Division moving to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley, the later to Ripon and Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury.

        In December 1915 they set sail for Alexandria in Egypt to defend the Suez Canal. In March 1916 The 31st Division left Port Said aboard HMT Briton bound for Marseilles in France, a journey which took 5 days. They travelled by train to Pont Remy, a few miles south east of Abbeville and marched to Bertrancourt arriving on 29 March 1916.

        18 days after arriving in France The Barnsley Pals took over a stretch of the front line opposite the village of Serre at the northern most end of The Somme suffering very heavy casualties as the battle was launched. In 1

           18th (Service) Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment was formed at Margate on the 11th of June 1918, absorbing the cadre of the 2/7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. On the 11th of June 1918 they joined the reforming 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division and proceeded to France on the 3rd of July 1918, landing at Boulogne. The Division joined Second Army and saw action at Ypres and in the final advance in Flanders.

         Divisional History  The 36th (Ulster) Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 36th (Ulster) Division

        In September 1914, the Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force which raised thirteen battalions for the three Irish regiments based in Ulster: the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Royal Irish Rifles. A unique situation existed.

        This summary is from Ray Westlake’s "Kitchener’s Army"

        "It took several weeks after war was declared before permission to form an Ulster Division was granted. The Ulster Volunteer Force, a Protestant organisation created by Sir Edward Carson as a force to counter the threat of the Home Rule Bill, was already in existence and its members were as eager as any to join the war. However, due to the political situation in Ireland, things were held up. Many volunteers refused to wait and either crossed to England or Scotland to enlist, or joined the 10th or 16th Divisions already being formed by the War Office in Ireland.

        With over 80,000 members, it was clear that the UVF was in a position to make an important contribution to the recruitment of the New Armies. Lord Kitchener met with Sir Edward Carson in London who, although eager to help was concerned at how the situation in Ireland might turn while his force was away at war. The Government were not able to give any guarantees that might put Sir Edward’s mind at rest. However, he later agreed to raise a Division, without any conditions, and within days had placed an order for 10,000 uniforms with a London firm of outfitters."

        The UVF was not only organised but trained to some extent as a military force and had been armed. It was therefore considerably more advanced as a formed body of men than the similar formations of the New Armies now being created elsewhere.

        These battalions were clothed and administered by their raisers in the same way as the locally raised New Army battalions in Great Britain."

        1914

        August: Formed in Ireland as the Ulster Division, with Brigades numbered 1,2 and 3. On 28 August 1914, the Division and its Brigades adopted the titles shown on this page.

        1915

        July: the Division moved to Seaford on the Sussex coast of England. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division there on 27 July 1915, and later remarked to Carson "your Division of Ulstermen is the finest I have yet seen".

        Another inspection took place, by King George V, on 30 September 1915.

        3-6 October: the Division moved to France, although the artillery remained in England until November.

        The Ulster Division initially concentrated in the area around Flesselles, some ten miles north of Arras. Gradually, men were sent in groups for familiarisation with trench warfare conditions and were attached to the Regular Army 4th Division for the purpose in the (at this time) quiet area north of the River Ancre near Albert.

        On 21 October the Division was moved away from the fighting area towards Abbeville, where it spent most of the winter of 1915-16 continuing training. One of the Brigades was attached to 4th Division for several weeks at this time and the artillery finally rejoined.

        1916

        The whole Division finally took over a complete section of the front line on 7 February, between the River Ancre and the Mailly-Maillet to Serre road. Division HQ was at Acheux. In the first week of March, the Division extended its front, the 109th Brigade taking over the sector south of the Ancre, known by the name of Thiepval Wood.

        The Division remained in the Western Front in France and Flanders throughout the rest of the war and took part in the following engagements

        The Battle of Albert in which the Division attacked at the Schwaben Redoubt near Thiepval. This was part of the Battle of the Somme 1916.

        The ground over which the Ulstermen attacked on 1 July.

        Their front line skirted the northern edge of Thiepval wood, facing a gentle upward slope toward the Schwaben Redoubt, a defensive complex in the second main German trench system north of Thiepval.

        The Division was relieved on 2 July, having suffered 5104 casualties of who approximately 2069 died.

        1917

        • The Battle of Messines, in which the Division captured Wytschaete
        • The Battle of Langemarck part of the Third Battles of Ypres 1917
        • The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood

        1918

        The Division was substantially reorganised in February 1918.

        Battle of St Quentin

        On 21 March 1918 the Division was holding a sector of the British front line and Forward Zone south west of St Quentin. The main defences consisted of a number of isolated redoubts, in which the Ulstermen held on for several hours while under bombardment and ultimately being surrounded and cut off.

        • The Actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Messines - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The action of Ooteghem - Final Advance in Flanders

        On 11 November the Division was at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing. It remained there throughout the period of demobilisation. It ceased to exist on 29 June 1919.

        The Great War cost the 36th (Ulster) Division 32186 men killed, wounded or missing.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 36th (Ulster) Division

        107th Brigade

        This brigade was attached to 4th Division for instructional purposes between 5 November 1915 and 3 February 1916

        • 8th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (East Belfast) renamed as 8/9th from August 1917 and disbanded 7 February 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (West Belfast) merged into 9th Bn from August 1917
        • 10th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (South Belfast) disbanded 20 February 1918
        • 15th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (North Belfast)
        • 107th Machine Gun Company joined 18 December 1915, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 107th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined August 1917, left for 108th Brigade February 1918
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined February 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined February 1918

        108th Brigade

        • 11th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim) renamed as 11/13th from 13 November 1917 and disbanded 18 February 1918
        • 12th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim)
        • 13th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (County Down) merged into 11th Bn on 13 November 1917
        • 9th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (County Armagh)
        • 108th Machine Gun Company joined 26 January 1916, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 108th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916
        • 7th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined October 1917, merged into 2nd Bn November 1917
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined November 1917, left February 1918
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined from 107th Brigade February 1918

        109th Brigade

        • 9th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (County Tyrone)
        • 10th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Derry) disbanded January 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Donegal and Fermanagh) disbanded February 1918
        • 14th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizens) disbanded February 1918
        • 109th Machine Gun Company joined 23 January 1916, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 109th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 April 1916
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined February 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined February 1918

        12th Brigade

        This brigade was attached from 4th Division in exchange for 107th Brigade between 4 November 1915 and 3 February 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 16th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (County Down Pioneers) Divisional Pioneer Battalion
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined August 1917, left for 107th Brigade same month
        • 266th Machine Gun Company joined 17 January 1918, moved to 36th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 36th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • Service Sqn, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons left June 1916
        • 36th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps broken up 31 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The original artillery of 36th (Ulster) Division, shown below, did not accompany the Division to France in November 1915, but rejoined it there in December.

        The artillery of the 56th (1st London) Division moved to France with 36th (Ulster) Division and remained under command until 12 December 1915.

        • CLIII Brigade, RFA
        • CLIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up late September 1916
        • CLXXII Brigade, RFA broken up 31 January 1917
        • CLXXIII Brigade, RFA
        • 36 Heavy Battery RGA raised with that Division but broken up while still at home
        • 36th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.36 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 20 June 1916; disbanded 11 February 1918
        • X.36, Y.36 and Z.36 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 1 June 1916; on 11 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 121st Field Company
        • 122nd Field Company
        • 150th Field Company
        • 36th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 108th Field Ambulance
        • 109th Field Ambulance
        • 110th Field Ambulance
        • 76th Sanitary Section left April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 36th Divisional Train ASC 251, 252, 253 and 254 Companies.
        • 48th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 233rd Divisional Employment Company joined 21 July 1917
        • 35th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded April 1916


           8th Division was formed in England during October 1914 by the bringing together of regular army units which had been stationed at various points around the British Empire. The Division moved to France in November 1914, a badly-needed reinforcement to the BEF. It remained on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war, taking part in the following actions:

        1915

        • The Battle of Neuve Chapelle
        • The Battle of Aubers
        • The action of Bois Grenier (a diversionary attack coinciding with the Battle of Loos)

        1916

        The Battle of Albert (the first phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Pilkem - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battle of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The actions at the Somme crossings - Somme
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme
        • The actions of Villers-Bretonneux - Somme
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Final Advance in Artois in which the Division captured Douai

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 8th Division

        23rd Infantry Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Devonshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Scottish Rifles left February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Middlesex Regiment
        • 1/6th Btn, Scottish Rifles joined March 1915, left June 1915
        • 1/7th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined March 1915, left February 1916
        • 23rd Machine Gun Company formed 15 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918
        • 23rd Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916

        24th Infantry Brigade

        24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division in exchange for 70th Brigade on 18 October 1915. Returned to 8th Division on 15 July 1916.

        • 1st Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 2nd Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment
        • 1/5th Btn, Black Watch joined November 1914, left while Brigade was with 24th Division
        • 1/4th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined February 1915, left April 1915
        • 24th Machine Gun Company formed 19 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918
        • 24th Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916

        25th Infantry Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment left February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Royal Irish Rifles left February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 1/13th Btn, London Regiment joined November 1914, left May 1915
        • 1/1st Btn, London Regiment joined May 1915, left February 1916
        • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined August 1915, left October 1915
        • 2nd Btn, East Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918
        • 25th Brigade Machine Gun Company formed 10 January 1916, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918
        • 25th Trench Mortar Battery formed February 1916

        70th Infantry Brigade

        70th Brigade transferred from 23rd Division in exchange for 24th Brigade on 18 October 1915. Returned to 23rd Division on 17 July 1916.

        • 11th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 8th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
        • 8th Btn, York & Lancaster Regt
        • 9th Btn, York & Lancaster Regt
        • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regt joined October 1915, left February 1916
        • 70th Machine Gun Company joined 5 March 1916
        • 70th Trench Mortar Battery formed January 1916

        Divisional Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1/5th Btn, Black Watch joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion October 1915, left January 1916
        • 22nd Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 2 July 1916
        • 1/7th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined 20 June 1918, absorbed 22nd DLI and replaced it as Pioneer Btn 3 July 1918
        • 218th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 23 March 1917, left to move into 8th MG Battalion 20 January 1918
        • No 8 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps formed 20 January 1918
        • 8th Divisional Train ASC 42, 84, 85 and 87 Companies
        • 15th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 211th Divisional Employment Company joined May 1917
        • 8th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 20 October 1914, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops under the direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry left April 1915
        • C Sqn, 1/1st Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry joined April 1915, left 13 May 1916
        • 8th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 12 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • V Brigade, RHA left January 1917
        • XXXIII Brigade, RFA
        • XLV Brigade, RFA
        • CXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined August 1915, left May 1916
        • 8th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • No 7 Mountain Battery RGA attached 13 to 24 December 1914
        • No 5 Mountain Battery RGA attached 3 to 26 March 1915
        • U.8 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 5 June 1916, disbanded 8 August 1916
        • W.8 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed May 1916, left February 1918
        • X.8, Y.8 and Z.8 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined May 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 2nd Field Company
        • 15th Field Company
        • 1st (Home Counties) Field Company joined February 1915, later renamed 490th Field Company RE
        • 8th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance
        • 25th (2nd Wessex) Field Ambulance
        • 26th (3rd Wessex) Field Ambulance
        • 14th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 16 April 1917


           7th Division was formed during September and very early October 1914, by the bringing together of regular army units from various points around the British Empire. They were assembled in the New Forest in Hampshire before initially moving to Belgium. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, ordered to assist in the defence of Antwerp. However, by the time they arrived the city was already falling and the 7th was instead ordered to hold certain important bridges and other places that would help the westward evacuation of the Belgian army. Once the Belgians were through, the Division was moved westwards, where the infantry entrenched in front of Ypres, the first British troops to occupy that fateful place.

        1914

        The First Battle of Ypres: the Division fought the advancing German army to a standstill at "Wipers". All units suffered grievous losses and it was not until the following January - February that it was once more in a complete enough condition to be considered as being at full fighting strength. After First Ypres, it was often known as the "Immortal Seventh".

        1915

        • The Battle of Neuve Chapelle
        • The Battle of Aubers
        • The Battle of Festubert
        • The second action of Givenchy
        • The Battle of Loos

        The Division took part in the initial assault north of the Vermelles-Hulluch road, facing the Quarries and a series of strongpoints. Suffering badly from British cloud gas - which was not moved sufficiently by the gentle breeze - and badly cut up by German machine gun fire and artillery, the Division nonetheless seized the Quarries and only failed to penetrate the third German line due to the relative weakness of the numbers of men that got through. The Divisional Commander, Major-General Thompson Capper, died of wounds received during this action.

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured Mametz
        • The Battle of Bazentin and the attacks on High Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme
        • Operations on the Ancre

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Arras offensive in which the Division fought in the flanking operations round Bullecourt - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

        1918

        Italy

        7th Division wasone of five British formations selected to be moved to Italy. This was a strategic and political move agreed by the British Government at the request of the Allied Supreme War Council, in an effort to stiffen Italian resistance to enemy attack after a recent disaster at Caporetto. Many diaries at this time, by men who had witnessed the slaughter in the floods of Passchendaele, talk of the move and Italy as being "like another world". Much work was done preparing to move into the mountainous area of the Brenta, but eventually the Division was instead moved to the line along the River Piave, taking up positions in late January 1918. In October 1918 the Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, the Battle of Vittoria Veneto and the eventual defeat of Austria-Hungary.

        14 Victoria Crosses were awarded to men of the 7th Division, which from October 1914 to the Armistice suffered a total of approximately 68,000 of all ranks killed, wounded or missing in action.

        Order of Battle of the 7th Division

        20th Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Grenadier Guards left August 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Scots Guards left August 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Border Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Gordon Highlanders
        • 1/6th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined December 1914, left January 1916
        • 8th Btn, Devonshire Regiment joined August 1915
        • 9th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left September 1918
        • 1/6th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined January 1916, left February 1916
        • 20th Machine Gun Company formed 10 February 1916, left to move into 7th MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 20th Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 February 1916

        21st Brigade

        21st Brigade transferred to 30th Division in exchange for 91st Brigade on 19 December 1915

        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Yorkshire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers
        • 2nd Btn, Wiltshire Regiment
        • 1/4th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined April 1915

        22nd Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Queen's left December 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment left December 1915
        • 1/8th Btn, Royal Scots joined November 1914, left August 1915
        • 1/7th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment ) joined November 1915. left January 1916
        • 20th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined December 1915, left September 1918
        • 24th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined December 1915, left May 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined May 1916, left October 1916
        • 2/1st Btn, Honourable Artillery Company joined October 1916
        • 22nd Brigade Machine Gun Company formed 24 February 1916, left to move into 7th MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 22nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 April 1916

        91st Brigade

        91st Brigade transferred from 30th Division in exchange for 21st Brigade on 20 December 1915

        • 21st Btn, Manchester Regiment left September 1918
        • 22nd Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 1/4th Btn, Cameron Highlanders left January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Queen's joined December 1915
        • 1st Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment joined December 1915
        • 91st Machine Gun Company formed 14 March 1916, left to move into 7th MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 91st Trench Mortar Battery formed May 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 24th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in May 1916
        • 220th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 25 March 1917, left to move into 7th MG Battalion 1 April 191 8
        • No 7 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 1 April 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • 1/1st Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry B and C Sqns left 12 April 1915, remainder left 13 May 1916
        • 7th Company, Army Cyclist Corps left June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XIV Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • XXII Brigade, RFA
        • XXXV Brigade, RFA
        • XXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined June 1915, left may 1916
        • 7th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • III Heavy Brigade RGA left March 1915
        • No 7 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 25 September 1914 to 20 December 1914
        • No 5 Mountain Battery RGA attached 26 March to 20 April 1915
        • V.7 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed June 1916, disbanded 12 November 1917
        • X.7, Y.7 and Z.7 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined by March 1916; on 22 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 54th Field Company
        • 55th Field Company left September 1915
        • 2nd (Highland) Field Company joined January 1915, left January 1916
        • 3rd (Durham) Field Company joined January 1916, later renamed 528th Field Company RE
        • 7th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 21st Field Ambulance
        • 22nd Field Ambulance
        • 23rd Field Ambulance
        • 10th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 8 August 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 7th Divisional Train ASC 39, 40, 42 and 86 Companies
        • 12th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 210th Divisional Employment Company joined 21 May 1917 at which time it was 12th Divisional Employment Company; renamed in June 1917
        • 7th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 20 June 1915, transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           9th (Scottish) Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Scottish Command. Having been in training at home since late August 1914, although only gradually as arms and equipment were obtained, the recruits were judged to be ready for war by May 1915. The 9th Division served on the Western Front throughout the war, and was regarded by many as one of the best fighting formations of the first world war.

        Training locations: August 1914: Salisbury Training Centre, September 1914: Bordon

        The units of the Division crossed to France from 9th to 12th of May 1915 and then took part in the following actions:

        1915

        The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bazentin - Somme in which the Division captured Longueval
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The action of Welsh Ridge (the last phase of the Cambrai operations 1917)

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The First Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Messines - Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Lys
        • The First Battle of Kemmel - Lys
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel - Lys
        • The Advance in Flanders in which the Division captured the Outtersteene Ridge
        • The Final Advance in Flanders in which the Division fought in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem

        The Division was withdrawn for rest on 26-27 October 1918 and was still in billets at the Armistice. It was selected to advance to the Rhine as part of the occupation force and crossed into Germany on 4 December 1918, taking up a position in the Cologne bridgehead. In late February 1919, the original units left and were demobilised, being replaced by others. The Division was renamed as the Lowland Division and the fine history of the 9th (Scottish) Division was at an end.

        52,055 officers and men of the Division were killed, wounded or captured during the war.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 9th (Scottish) Division

        26th Brigade (Highland)

        • 8th Btn, Black Watch
        • 7th Btn, Seaforth Highlanders
        • 8th Btn, Gordon Highlanders left May 1916
        • 5th Btn, Cameron Highlanders
        • 1/5th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined December 1915, left January 1916
        • 10th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined from 27th Brigade May 1916, left February 1918
        • 26th Machine Gun Company formed 29 January 1916, left to move into 9th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 26th Trench Mortar Battery joined 15 June 1916

        27th Brigade (Lowland)

        • 11th Btn, Royal Scots
        • 12th Btn. Royal Scots
        • 6th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers left May 1916
        • 10th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left for 26th Brigade May 1916
        • 6th Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers joined from 28th Brigade 6 May 1916
        • 9th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) joined May 1916, left February 1918
        • 27th Machine Gun Company formed 23 December 1915, left to move into 9th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 27th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1916

        28th Brigade

        28th Brigade was broken up on 16 May 1916 and replaced by the South African Brigade. Reformed as a three-battalion brigade in September 1918

        • 6th Btn, the King's Own Scottish Borderers left for 27th Brigade 6 May 1916
        • 9th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) returned September 1918
        • 10th Btn, Highland Light Infantry
        • 11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry
        • 28th Machine Gun Company formed 3 January 1916,
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined September 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Newfoundland Regt joined September 1918
        • 28th Trench Mortar Battery joined 11 September 1918

        South African Brigade

        Brigade joined Division on 22 April 1916 and left on 13 September 1918.

        • 1st Regiment, South African Infantry
        • 2nd Regiment, South African Infantry
        • 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry disbanded 18 February 1918
        • 4th Regiment, South African Infantry
        • 28th Machine Gun Company joined 6 May 1916, left to move into 9th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • South African Trench Mortar Battery joined 13 June 1916
        • 3/4th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined 6 June 1917, left 15 June 1917
        • 3/10th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined 6 June 1917, left 23 July 1917
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined 26 April 1918, left 13 September 1918
        • 9th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) joined 21 April 1918, left 12 September 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment left March 1915
        • 6th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left April 1915
        • 9th Btn, Seaforth Highlanders joined December 1914, became Divisional Pioneer Battalion early 1915
        • 10th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 30 April 1915, left 11 June 1916
        • 197th Company, the Machine Gun Corps joined 19 December 1916, left to move into 9th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • No 9 Battalion, the Machine Gun Corps formed 1 March 1918
        • 11th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 7 October 1918, left 7 November 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • B Sqn, 1/1st Glasgow Yeomanry joined 15 May 1915, left 10 May 1916
        • 9th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 1 December 1914, left 26 June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • L Brigade, RFA
        • LI Brigade, RFA
        • LII Brigade, RFA left 8 January 1917
        • LIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 11 September 1916
        • 9th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 9th Heavy Battery RGA left 16 May 1915
        • V.9 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined May 1916, left February 1918
        • X.9, Y.9 and Z.9 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined April 1916; on 13 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 63rd Field Company
        • 64th Field Company
        • 90th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 9th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 27th Field Ambulance
        • 28th Field Ambulance
        • 29th Field Ambulance left May 1916
        • South African Field Ambulance joined May 1916, left 13 September 1918
        • 2/1st (East Lancashire) Field Ambulance joined 26 September 1918
        • 20th Sanitary Section left 29 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 9th Divisional Train ASC 104, 105, 106 and 107 Companies
        • 21st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 212th Divisional Employment Company formed by 23 June 1917
        • 9th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop transferred to Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           1st Cavalry Division went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914. Originally titled as the Cavalry Division, it was re-titled as 1st Cavalry Division on 16th of September 1914 when a second division was formed. It remained on the Western Front in France and Flanders throughout the war. The Division took part in most of the major actions where cavalry was used as a mounted mobile force, and also many others where the troops were dismounted and effectively served as infantry, including:

        1914

        • The Battle of Mons (23 August, with subsequent Action of Elouges and Rearguard Action of Solesmes)
        • The Battle of Le Cateau (26 August, with subsequent Rearguard Affair of Etreux, Affair of Nery and Rearguard Actions of Villers-Cotterets)
        • The Battle of the Marne
        • The Battle of the Aisne (12 - 15 September and subsequent Actions on the Aisne Heights)
        • The Battles of Ypres 1914

        1915

        • Winter Operations 1914-15
        • The Battles of Ypres 1915

        1916

        The Battle of Flers-Courcelette

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Tank Attack (20 - 21 November, Cambrai Operations)
        • The capture of Bourlon Wood (24 - 26 November, Cambrai Operations)
        • The German counterattacks (30 November - 3 December, Cambrai Operations)

        1918

        The Battle of St Quentin

        On 24 March 1918 each brigade and the machine gun squadron furnished a regiment to be constituted as a Dismounted Division. These units returned to 1st Cavalry Division two days later.

        • The Battle of Bapaume
        • The Battle of Rosieres (8 - 10 August)
        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918
        • The Pursuit to the Selle
        • The Final Advance in Picardy

        The Division was selected to advance into Germany as an advance screen for Second Army and form part of the Occupation Force. The move began on 17 November, and brigades reached the Rhine at Cologne and Bonn on 12 December.

        Divisional Order of Battle of the 1st Cavalry Division

        1st Cavalry Brigade

        • 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays)
        • 5th Dragoon Guards
        • 11th Hussars
        • 1st Signal Troop RE
        • I Battery, RHA joined 17 September 1914
        • 1st Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 28 February 1916

        2nd Cavalry Brigade

        • 4th Dragoon Guards
        • 9th Lancers
        • 18th Hussars
        • 2nd Signal Troop RE
        • H Battery, RHA joined 28 September 1914
        • 2nd Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 28 February 1916

        3rd Cavalry Brigade

        left for 2nd Cavalry Division 13 September 1914

        • 4th Hussars
        • 5th Royal Irish Lancers
        • 16th Lancers
        • 3rd Signal Troop RE

        4th Cavalry Brigade

        left for 2nd Cavalry Division 14 October 1914

        • Composite Regiment of Household Cavalry
        • 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)
        • 3rd Hussars
        • 4th Signal Troop RE

        9th Cavalry Brigade

        formed 14 April 1915

        • 15th Hussars
        • 19th Hussars
        • 1/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry joined 12 June 1915
        • 1/1st Warwickshire Battery, RHA
        • 9th Signal Troop RE
        • 9th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 28 February 1916

        Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1st Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars joined 31 October 1914, left for 2nd Cavalry Division 11 November 1914
        • 8th Motor Machine Gun Battery MGC joined 18 March 1916, left 23 October 1917
        • 1st Cavalry Divisional HQ ASC 27 (Horsed Transport) Company
        • 1st Cavalry Divisional Auxiliary (Horse) ASC 574 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 26 September 1915
        • 1st Cavalry Divisional Supply Column ASC 57 and 58 (Mechanical Transport) Companies. 57 absorbed 58 on 10 October 1916. No 3 (Amm.) Section of this company left for Cavalry Corps Ammunition Park on 11 October 1918
        • 771st Divisional Employment Company formed 16 September 1917
        • 1st Cavalry Division Field Ambulance Workshop joined 14 May 1915, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 6 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        Note above the RHA batteries serving under brigade command III Brigade (D and E Batteries), RHA and III Brigade Ammunition Column, RHA left for 2nd Cavalry Division 17 September 1914

        VII Brigade (I and L Batteries), RHA and VII Brigade Ammunition Column, RHA Following very serious losses at Nery on 1 September 1914, "L" Battery was withdrawn from action, returning to the UK to be reformed. It was temporarily replaced by a battery made from various other units and designated Z Battery. L's permanent replacement, "H", joined from VI Brigade in England in late September 1914. "I" Battery left for 1st Cavalry Brigade on 17 September 1914 and "H" Battery left for 2nd Cavalry Brigade on 28 September 1914

        Royal Engineers

        • 1st Field Squadron
        • 1st Signal Squadron

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 1st Cavalry Field Ambulance
        • 2nd Cavalry Field Ambulance left for 2nd Cavalry Division 13 September 1914
        • 3rd Cavalry Field Ambulance
        • 4th Cavalry Field Ambulance left for 2nd Cavalry Division 16 October 1914
        • No 9 Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915

        Royal Army Veterinary Corps

        • 1st Mobile Veterinary Section
        • 8th Mobile Veterinary Section left for 2nd Cavalry Division 13 September 1914
        • 9th Mobile Veterinary Section left for 2nd Cavalry Division 13 September 1914
        • 10th Mobile Veterinary Section left for 2nd Cavalry Division 16 October 1914


           1st Cyclist Division was formed in July 1916 by the conversion of the 1st Mounted Division. It was then broken up in November 1916 without being involved in active service.

           The 1st Mounted Division was formed in August 1914 for the home defence of the United Kingdom. It was formed from existing mounted brigades of the Territorial Force, each of three regiments of Yeomanry. The Divisional order of battle was subject to frequent changes as the First Line Brigades left for service overseas and were then replaced by Second Line units. It was converted to the 1st Cyclist Division in July 1916, and was then broken up in November 1916 without being involved in active service.

        An unrelated 1st Mounted Division was formed in July 1916, from the 3rd Mounted Division, lasting until September 1917. Another incarnation of 1st Mounted Division was created in April 1918 from the Yeomanry Mounted Division, lasting until July 1918

        Divisional Order of Battle.

        Commanding Generals

        • Major General E. Alderson (5 August to 28 September 1914)
        • Lieutenant General Robert George Broadwood (September 1914 to November 1916)

        Eastern Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Suffolk Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Norfolk Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Essex Yeomanry - left on 1 December 1914 and joined the 8th Cavalry Brigade in France.
        • 2nd King Edward's Horse - replaced Essex Yeomanry, left on 1 February 1915 for the Canadian Cavalry Brigade.
        • 1/1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry - replaced King Edward's Horse.
        • 1/1st Essex Battery RHA

        In September 1915, the brigade was dismounted and moved via Egypt to ANZAC bridgehead on Gallipoli, attached to 54th Division.

        1st South Midland Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
        • 1/1st Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
        • 1/1st Warwickshire RHA

        The Brigade moved to the 2nd Mounted Division in September 1914, and was replaced in the Division by the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

        2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Berkshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
        • 1/1st Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars - left on 19 September 1914 and joined the 4th Cavalry Brigade in France.
        • 1/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry - replaced Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars.
        • 1/1st Berkshire RHA

        The Brigade moved to the 2nd Mounted Division in September 1914 and was replaced in the Division by the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade.

        Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
        • 1/1st South Nottinghamshire Hussars
        • 1/1st Derbyshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Nottinghamshire RHA

        The Brigade moved to the 2nd Mounted Division in August 1914 and was replaced in the Division by the North Midland Mounted Brigade.

        South Wales Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Glamorganshire RHA

        The Brigade joined the Division in September 1914 to replace the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade and was itself replaced in the Division by the 2/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade.

        In November 1915 the Brigade units were dismounted and moved to Egypt in March 1916. They were absorbed along with the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade into the 4th Dismounted Brigade which joined the Western Frontier Force. It was re-designated as the 231st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division.

        Welsh Border Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Shropshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Cheshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Denbighshire Hussars
        • 1/1st Shropshire RHA

        The Brigade joined the Division in September 1914 to replace the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade. In November 1915 the regiments were dismounted and moved to Egypt in March 1916. It was absorbed into 4th Dismounted Brigade along with the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

        North Midland Mounted Brigade

        • 1/1st Staffordshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry - left in late October 1914 and joined the 7th Cavalry Brigade in France.
        • 1/1st Lincolnshire Yeomanry
        • 1/1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry - replaced Leicestershire Yeomanry and transferred to the Eastern Mounted Brigade in February 1915.
        • 1/1st East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry - replaced Welsh Horse in May 1915.
        • 1/1st Leicestershire RHA

        The Brigade joined the Division in September 1914,to replace the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade. In October 1915, the Brigade left and became an independent command and would be replaced in the Division by the 2/1st North Midland Mounted Brigade. The orders to move to Salonika were altered and the Brigade moved to Egypt instead, arriving November 1915. They were then redesignated the 22nd Mounted Brigade in April 1916.

        2/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Essex Yeomanry

        The Brigade joined Division in March 1916, to replace the South Wales Mounted Brigade. They left the Division by July 1916.

        2/1st South Wales Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Pembroke Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Glamorganshire RHA

        The Brigade replaced the Eastern Mounted Brigade in October 1915. They were then redesignated the 4th Mounted Brigade in July 1916. In the same month when this Division became the 1st Cyclist Division, they were then redesignated as the 4th Cyclist Brigade. The Brigade was broken up in November 1916.

        2/1st North Midland Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Staffordshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Lincolnshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Leicestershire RHA

        The 2/1st North Midland Mounted Brigade Replaced the North Midland Mounted Brigade in October 1915. It was redesignated as the 3rd Mounted Brigade in July 1916. In the same month when this Division became the 1st Cyclist Division, they were then redesignated as the 3rd Cyclist Brigade. The Brigade was broken up in November 1916.

        2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Shropshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Cheshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Denbighshire Hussars
        • 2/1st Shropshire RHA

        The brigade joined the Division in March 1915 to replace the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade, they would leave the Division in July 1916 and were replaced by the 2nd Mounted Brigade.

        1st Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Lovat Scouts
        • 2/2nd Lovat Scouts

        The brigade which was redesignated from the 2/1st Highland Mounted Brigade, joined the Division in May 1916 to replace the 2/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade, they would leave the Division in July 1916.

        2nd Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Royal 1st Devon Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Royal North Devon Yeomanry
        • 2/1st West Somerset Yeomanry

        The brigade which was redesignated from the 2/2nd South Western Mounted Brigade, joined the Division in May 1916 to replace the 2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade. In July 1916 when this Division became the 1st Cyclist Division, they would be redesignated as 1st Cyclist Brigade. The Brigade was broken up in November 1916.

        Cyclist Units

        • 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, the Norfolk Regiment
        • 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment
        • 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment
        • 1/25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, the London Regiment (left and moved to India in January 1916)
        • 2/25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, the London Regiment (joined by November 1915)


           4th Mounted Division was formed on 20th of March 1916. It remained in England on Home Defence duties throughout its existence. In July 1916 the yeomanry regiments were dismounted and their horses sent to remount depots. The regiments then converted to yeomanry cyclist regiments and the division was then renamed the 2nd Cyclist Division. The Headquarters was at Colchester and Brigadier-General Lord Lovat was appointed to command.

        Order of Battle, April 1916

        13th Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Eastern
        • 2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Essex Yeomanry
        • 13th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop, RE
        • 13th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 13th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC

        14th Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st South Eastern
        • 2/1st Royal East Kent Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Queen's Own West Kent Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Sussex Yeomanry
        • 14th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 14th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 14th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC

        15th Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st South Western
        • 2/1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st North Somerset Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Hampshire Yeomanry
        • 15th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop, RE
        • 15th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 15th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC

        16th Mounted Brigade

        • 2/1st Southern
        • 2/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Surrey Yeomanry
        • 16th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 16th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 16th Mounted Brigade Company, ASC

        Divisional Troops

        • 4th Mounted Division Signal Squadron RE
        • 4th Mounted Division Company, ASC


           2nd Cyclist Division was formedby the conversion of the 4th Mounted Division, the yeomanry regiments were dismounted and their horses sent to remount depots. The regiments then converted to yeomanry cyclist regiments. It was assigned to the Southern Army, Home Defence Troops. Divisional Headquarters remained at Colchester and Lord Lovat remained in command.

        Order of Battle

        5th Cyclist Brigade

        • 2/1st Suffolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Norfolk Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Sussex Yeomanry[a]
        • 1/8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Essex Regiment
        • 5th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 5th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 5th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC

        6th Cyclist Brigade

        • 2/1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st North Somerset Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Hampshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion
        • 6th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 6th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 6th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC

        7th Cyclist Brigade

        • 2/1st Royal East Kent Yeomanry[a]
        • 2/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Surrey Yeomanry
        • 7th (Cyclist) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment
        • 7th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troops RE
        • 7th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 7th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC

        8th Cyclist Brigade

        • 2/1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
        • 2/1st Berkshire Yeomanry
        • 2/1st Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
        • 2/8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Essex Regiment
        • 8th Cyclist Brigade Signal Troop RE
        • 8th Cyclist Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 8th Cyclist Brigade Company, ASC

        Divisional Troops

        • 2nd Cyclist Division Signal Squadron RE
        • 2nd Cyclist Division Company, ASC

        The Headquarters moved to Ipswich in September 1916. The division was broken up in November 1916, having remained in England on Home Defence duties throughout its brief existence. The cyclist brigades were dissolved and the yeomanry regiments were amalgamated in pairs to form yeomanry battalions in new cyclist brigades.

           The 3rd Mounted Division was formed in March 1915 by the renaming of the 2/2nd Mounted Division a depot formation for the 2nd Mounted Division which was being sent abroad on active service. In July 1916 its name changed again, to 1st Mounted Division (the original 1st Mounted had just become the 1st Cyclist Division).

           2/2nd Mounted Division was formed on 6 March 1915 as a depot formation for the 2nd Mounted Division which was being sent abroad on active service.

        The 2/2nd comprised the second-line formations of all units in the 2nd Mounted Division, and took over the 2nd's Home Defence role of guarding the Norfolk coast against a possible invasion. The division was very undermanned and under equipped at first. Each second-line Territorial unit formed at their original depots were scattered across London and the Midlands, and then had to assemble on the east coast to form the division. At first, rather than growing in size, the division shrunk as men were drafted off to active units overseas. The division also suffered lack of equipment; the artillery batteries were issued with the older 15 pounder Breech Loading Cannon rather than the 15 pounder Quick Firing gun that was the standard weapon of first line TF RHA units. There was also a lack of Lee Enfield rifles, and some soldiers had Japanese-made carbines instead. By March 1916 the division was mostly up to strength and at this point it was renamed the 3rd Mounted Division.

         Divisional History  The 2nd Mounted Division was a Yeomanry (Territorial Army Cavalry) Division that served in the First World War. At the outbreak of war it was assigned to defence of the Norfolk coast. In March 1915 it formed a second-line duplicate of itself, the 2/2nd Mounted Division. Leaving the 2/2nd on coastal defence, it then fought at Gallipoli from April to December 1915, under the command of Major General William Peyton, before being disbanded in January 1916.

        A different 2nd Mounted Division, was formed in Egypt in 1918 from the Indian elements of the 5th Cavalry Division in France, but then renumbered as the 5th Cavalry Division, served in Palestine and was a part of the Palestine Occupation Force

        Formation

        A decision was made to form a new mounted division from the mounted brigades in and around the Churn area of Berkshire. On 2 September 1914, 2nd Mounted Division, with Headquarters at Goring, came into being with three mounted brigades transferred from 1st Mounted Division (1st South Midland Mounted Brigade at Newbury, 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade at Churn and the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade at South Stoke) along with the London Mounted Brigade at Streatley. The brigades were relatively widely dispersed to allow an adequate water supply for the horses and to provide sufficient training areas.

        Order of Battle, September 1914

        1st South Midland Mounted Brigade

        • Warwickshire Yeomanry
        • Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
        • Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars

        London Mounted Brigade

        • 1st County of London Yeomanry
        • City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders)
        • 3rd County of London Yeomanry

        2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade

        • Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
        • Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
        • Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry[n 1]
        • Berkshire Yeomanry

        Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade

        • Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
        • South Nottinghamshire Hussars
        • Derbyshire Yeomanry

        Divisional Troops

        Medical - RAMC

        • 1st South Midland Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • 2nd South Midland Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • Notts. and Derby. Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • London Field Ambulance, RAMC

        Divisional Artillery

        • Royal Horse Artillery (Territorial Force)
        • I Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.)
        • Warwickshire RHA and 1st South Midland Ammunition Column
        • B Battery, HAC
        • II Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.)
        • Berkshire RHA and 2nd South Midland Ammunition Column
        • Nottinghamshire RHA and Notts. and Derby. Ammunition Column
        • A Battery, HAC and London Ammunition Column
        • B Battery, HAC

        Veterinary - AVC

        • 1st South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section
        • 2nd South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section
        • Notts. and Derby. Mobile Veterinary Section
        • London Mobile Veterinary Section

        Signal Service RE

        • 1st South Midland Signal Troop
        • 2nd South Midland Signal Troop
        • Notts. and Derby. Signal Troop
        • London Signal Troop
        • 2nd Mounted Division Signal Squadron

        2nd Mounted Division Train ASC

        • 1st South Midland Transport and Supply Column, ASC
        • 2nd South Midland Transport and Supply Column, ASC
        • Notts. and Derby. Transport and Supply Column, ASC
        • London Transport and Supply Column, ASC
        • 2nd Mounted Division Company, ASC

        In November 1914, the division moved to Norfolk on coastal defence duties. Headquarters was established at Hanworth and the mounted brigades were at King's Lynn (1st South Midland), Fakenham (2nd South Midland), Holt (Notts. and Derby.) and Hanworth (London).

        Egypt

        In March 1915, the division was put on warning for overseas service. In early April, the division starting leaving Avonmouth and the last elements landed at Alexandria before the end of the month. By the middle of May, the Divisional Headquarters, the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade and Notts. and Derby. Mounted Brigade were at Cairo, the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade was at Alexandria, and the London Mounted Brigade and the horse artillery batteries were near Ismaïlia on Suez Canal defences.

        The mounted brigades were numbered at this time.

        On 10 August 1915, the division was reorganized as a dismounted formation in preparation for service at Gallipoli. Each Yeomanry Regiment left a squadron headquarters and two troops (about 100 officers and men) in Egypt to look after the horses.

        The artillery batteries and ammunition columns, signal troops, mobile veterinary sections, Mounted Brigade Transport and Supply Columns and two of the Field Ambulances were also left behind in Egypt.

        The Yeomanry Mounted Brigade, which was formed in Egypt in January 1915, was likewise dismounted and joined the division on 13 August as a fifth brigade.

        The division entrained for Alexandria on 13 August, sailed the next day and reached Mudros on 17 August. It landed at Suvla Bay that night.

        The division landed at "A" Beach, Suvla Bay on the night of 17 August and morning of 18 August and moved into reserve positions at Lala Baba on the night of 20 August. On 21 August it advanced to Chocolate Hill under heavy fire and took part in the attack on Hill 112.

        Due to losses during the Battle of Scimitar Hill and wastage during August 1915, the division had to be reorganised. On 4 September 1915, the 1st Composite Mounted Brigade was formed from the 1st, 2nd and 5th Mounted Brigades, and the 2nd Composite Mounted Brigade from the 3rd and 4th Mounted Brigades. Each dismounted brigade formed a battalion sized unit, for example, 1st South Midland Regiment (Warkwickshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Yeomanry).

        The Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade landed as Suvla on 2 September and joined the division. Likewise, the Highland Mounted Brigade joined the division after landing on 26 September. Both brigades were dismounted in the UK before sailing directly for Gallipoli.

        Order of Battle, September 1915

        1st Composite Mounted Brigade

        • 1st South Midland Regiment
        • 2nd South Midland Regiment
        • 5th Yeomanry Regiment

        2nd Composite Mounted Brigade

        • 3rd Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment
        • 4th London Regiment

        Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade

        • 1st Scottish Horse
        • 2nd Scottish Horse
        • 3rd Scottish Horse

        Highland Mounted Brigade

        • Fife and Forfar Yeomanry
        • 1st Lovat Scouts
        • 2nd Lovat Scouts

        Divisional Troops

        • 2nd Mounted Division Company, ASC
        • 2nd Mounted Division Train, ASC
        • 2nd Mounted Division Signal Squadron, RE

        Medical - RAMC

        • 2nd South Midland Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • London Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • Scottish Horse Field Ambulance, RAMC
        • Highland Field Ambulance, RAMC

        Engineers RE

        • 1st Kent Field Company, RE
        • 2nd Kent Field Company, RE

        Return to Egypt

        The division returned to Egypt from Gallipoli in December 1915 and was reformed and remounted. The artillery batteries and other units left in Egypt rejoined the division between 10 and 20 December 1915. However, the dismemberment of the division began almost immediately as units were posted to the Western Frontier Force or to various other commands.

        1st South Midland Mounted Brigade left the division on 3 and 4 January 1916 for Es Salhia. The brigade served as Corps Troops in Egypt from 21 January 1916. On 31 March 1916, the remaining Mounted Brigades were numbered in a single sequence. As a consequence, the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade was redesignated as 5th Mounted Brigade on 20 April. It joined the Imperial Mounted Division in January 1917.

        2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade left the division on 17 January 1916 and was sent to the Western Frontier of Egypt as an independent formation. It was redesignated as 6th Mounted Brigade in April 1916. It served with the Western Frontier Force from January to October 1916 and also joined the Imperial Mounted Division in January 1917.

        Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Mounted Brigade left the division on 18 and 19 January 1916. In February 1916 the brigade was sent to take part in the Salonika Campaign. It was redesignated as 7th Mounted Brigade and returned to Egypt in June 1917.

        London Mounted Brigade left the division on 18 January 1916 and was sent to Abbassia. It served as part of the Suez Canal Defences. It was redesignated as 8th Mounted Brigade. From November 1916 to June 1917 it also served at Salonika before returning to Egypt in June 1917. The brigade joined the newly formed Yeomanry Mounted Division on 21 July 1917 at el Fuqari.

        Yeomanry Mounted Brigade left the 2nd Mounted Division on 7 December 1915, was reformed and remounted, and joined the Western Frontier Force.

        By March 1916, the brigade had been broken up.

        On 21 January 1916, 2nd Mounted Division was disbanded.

           2nd Cavalry Division was formed on the 13th of September 1914. The Division remained on the Western Front in France and Flanders throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions.

        1914

        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of Messines 1914
        • The Battle of Armentieres
        • The Battle of Gheluvelt

        1915

        • Winter Operations 1914-15
        • The Battle of Neuve Chapelle
        • The Battle of St Julien
        • The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge

        1916

        No major engagements

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Tank Attack
        • The capture of Bourlon Wood
        • The German counterattacks (Cambrai Operations)

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck
        • The Battle of Amiens
        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal
        • The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918
        • The Pursuit to the Selle
        • The Final Advance in Picardy

        The Division was selected to advance into Germany as an advance screen for Fourth Army and form part of the Occupation Force. The move began on 17 November, Cinet and Rochefort were reached five days later and the 5th Cavalry Brigade crossed the German border south of St Vith on 1 December. The Division ceased to exist at midnight 31st March / 1st of April 1919.

        Order of Battle of the 2nd Cavalry Division

        3rd Cavalry Brigade joined on 13 September 1914

        • 4th Hussars
        • 5th Royal Irish Lancers
        • 16th Lancers
        • D Battery, RHA joined from III Brigade RHA 17 September 1914
        • 3rd Signal Troop RE
        • 3rd Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 29 February 1916

        5th Cavalry Brigade joined on 13 September 1914

        • 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys)
        • 12th Lancers
        • 20th Hussars
        • E Battery, RHA joined from III Brigade RHA 17 September 1914
        • 5th Signal Troop RE
        • 5th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 26 February 1916

        4th Cavalry Brigade joined from 1st Cavalry Division on 14 October 1914

        • Composite Regiment of Household Cavalry left 11 November 1914
        • 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)
        • 3rd Hussars
        • 1st Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars joined 11 November 1914
        • J Battery, RHA
        • 4th Signal Troop RE
        • 4th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 28 February 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • III Brigade, RHA and III Brigade Ammunition Column, RHA joined from 1st Cavalry Division 17 September 1914; D Battery then placed under 3rd Cavalry Brigade and E Battery under 5th Cavalry Brigade. Brigade HQ then broken up and not reformed until March 1916
        • 1/1st Warwickshire Battery, RHA joined 4 December 1914, left 14 April 1915

        Royal Engineers

        • 2nd Field Squadron joined 16 October 1914
        • 2nd Signal Squadron formed about 28 September 1914

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 2nd Cavalry Field Ambulance joined with 3rd Cavalry Brigade
        • 5th Cavalry Field Ambulance joined with 5th Cavalry Brigade
        • 4th Cavalry Field Ambulance joined 16 October 1914
        • No 4 Sanitary Section joined 12 January 1915, retitled as 4A in December 1915

        Royal Army Veterinary Corps

        • 7th Mobile Veterinary Section joined 16 September 1914
        • 8th Mobile Veterinary Section joined with 3rd Cavalry Brigade
        • 9th Mobile Veterinary Section joined 15 October 1914

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry joined 14 March 1918, absorbed into regiments of 3rd Cavalry Brigade 4 April 1918
        • 2nd Cavalry Divisional HQ ASC 424 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 10 October 1914
        • 2nd Cavalry Divisional Auxiliary (Horse) ASC 575 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 25 September 1915
        • 2nd Cavalry Divisional Supply Column ASC 46 and 413 (Mechanical Transport) Companies. 46 absorbed 413 on 10 October 1916.
        • 772nd Divisional Employment Company formed on 16 September 1917
        • 2nd Cavalry Division Field Ambulance Workshop joined by 26 February 1915, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 16 April 1916


         Divisional History  The 10th (Irish) Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 10th (Irish) Division

        The Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Irish Command. After initial training at the regimental depots, the units of the Division moved in 1915 to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare, where training in Brigade strength began.

        In May 1915 the Division moved to England and concentrated around Basingstoke. It was inspected by Lord Kitchener at Hackwood Park on 28/29 May 1915.

        On 27 June1915, the Division received orders to prepare for service at Gallipoli.

        1915 and 1916

        Divisional HQ embarked at Liverpool on 9 July, and by the end of the month most units had assembled on Lemnos. On 6-7 August 1915 the Division landed at Suvla Bay, less 29th Brigade which went to ANZAC Cove.

        The main body made an attack on Chocolate Hill 7/8 August. Parts of 29th Brigade took part in actions on Sari Bair 6-10 August and at Hill 60 later that month.

        On 29 September 1915 the Division withdrew from Gallipoli and moved to Mudros. On the 4-5 October it went on to Salonika, landing there 5-10 October. It took part on 7 and 8 December 1915 in the action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Brigades of the Division were in action at the Karajakois (30 September to 2 October 1915) and Yenikoi (3-4 October 1915). Salonika

        1917 and 1918

        On 18 August 1917, the Division was ordered to concentrate at the port of Salonika for embarakation. Early in September it moved to Egypt, completing assembly near Rafa by 16 October 1917. The Division was involved in the Palestine campaign thereafter. Between April and June 1918, a major reorganisation took place as many British units were replaced by Indian ones.

        On 12 November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, ready for moving back to Egypt. By 1 December it was at Cairo.

        From 1915 to 1918 the Division suffered a total of 9,363 officers and men killed, wounded or missing in action.

        The units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 10th (Irish) Division.

        29th Brigade

        • 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Regt left June 1915
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles disbanded 15 May 1918
        • 5th Bn, the Connaught Rangers left 29 April 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Leinster Regt left 2 May 1918
        • 10th Bn, the Hampshire Regt joined March 1915, left November 1916
        • 1st Bn, the Leinster Regt joined November 1916
        • 29th Machine Gun Company formed 10 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 1918
        • 29th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 October 1916 (title up to 8 December 1916 was No 7 Stokes Mortar Battery). It was merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917
        • 1/54th Sikhs joined 27 April 1918
        • 1/101st Grenadiers joined 30 April 1918
        • 2/151st Infantry joined 10 June1918

        30th Brigade

        • 6th Bn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers left 30 April 1918
        • 7th Bn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers absorbed by 6th Bn, 3 November 1916
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers left 27 May 1918
        • 7th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers left 30 April 1918
        • 1st Bn, the Royal Irish Regt joined 3 November 1916
        • 30th Machine Gun Company formed 10 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 1918
        • 30th Trench Mortar Battery joined 28 September 1916 (title up to 8 December 1916 was No 8 Stokes Mortar Battery). It was merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917
        • 38th Dogras joined 29 April 1918
        • 46th Punjabis joined 25 May 1918
        • 1st Kashmir Rifles joined 30 April 1918

        31st Brigade

        • 5th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left 28 May 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left 2 May 1918
        • 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers left 30 April 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers absorbed by 5th Bn 2 November 1916
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined 2 November 1916
        • 31st Machine Gun Company formed 11 May 1916, left to move into 10th MG Battalion 7 May 19188
        • 31st Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 October 1916 and merged into Divisional TMB 17 October 1917
        • 38th Bn, the Royal Fusiliers joined 11 June 1918, left 17 July 1918 2/42nd Deoli joined 18 July 1918
        • 74th Punjabis joined 29 April 1918
        • 2/101st Grenadiers joined 1 May 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1915, left April 1918
        • Divisional Trench Mortar Battery formed 17 October 1917, broken up 9 June 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        10th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 7 December 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LIV Brigade, RFA left for 28th Division 29 August 1917
        • LV Brigade, RFA left for 13th Division January 1916
        • LVI Brigade, RFA left for 13th Division January 1916
        • LVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left for XII Corps artillery 28 August 1917
        • 10th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA the original column did not go overseas with the Division. The Column formerly with 29th Division joined in Egypt in October 1915. Suffered losses when transport "Marquette" torpedoed off Salonika on 23 October. Numbers were made up by men, horses and equipment from 42nd Division Ammunition Column. Formally renumbered 10th DAC on 4 March 1916
        • LXVII Brigade, RFA joined from 13th Division October 1915
        • LXVIII Brigade, RFA joined from 13th Division October 1915
        • 10th Heavy Battery RGA joined March 1915, left by 10 August 1915
        • 15th Heavy Battery RGA joined 10 August 1915, left by 19 December 1915
        • IV (Highland) Mountain Bde, RGA joined 13 August 1915
        • 2nd Mountain Battery RGA joined 30 December 1915, left for 27th Division 27 February 1916
        • CXXXII (Howitzer) Bde, RFA joined 26 April 1916, broekn upo 25 January 1917
        • Hong Kong & Singapore Mountain Battery RGA joined 1 September 1918, left 26 October 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 65th Field Company left 14 July 1918
        • 66th Field Company
        • 85th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 10th Divisional Signals Company
        • 18/3 Sappers & Miners joined by 17 July 1918

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 30th Field Ambulance
        • 31st Field Ambulance
        • 32nd Field Ambulance
        • When the Division was Indianised, the three Field Ambulances above handed over all stores and equipment to the 154th, 166th and 165th Camel Field Ambulances and left on 20 May 1918, going to base
        • 21st Sanitary Section left 31 July 1915, rejoined October 1915, left again 22 October 1917
        • 18th Sanitary Section joined 22 October 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 10th Divisional Train ASC 108, 109, 110 and 111 Companies. Did not move overseas with the Irish Division and transferred to 22nd Division. Replaced by 52nd Divisional Train (471, 472, 473 and 474 Companies) in October 1915
        • 25th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 212th Divisional Employment Company formed by 23 June 1917
        • 10th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained with original Divisional Train when it left


         Divisional History  75th Division was an infantry division of the British Army in World War I. It was raised in the field by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) in 1917 and uniquely it included British, Indian and South African troops. It served in the Middle East during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign being involved in the Battles of Megiddo.

        Formation

        On 16 March 1917 the War Office gave the EEF permission to raise a new British division from infantry battalions of the Territorial Force arriving in Egypt as reinforcements from India. These were primarily from the 43rd (Wessex) and 45th (2nd Wessex) divisions, which had sailed to India in 1914 to relieve Regular troops. The division was assigned the number 75, and its three infantry brigades the numbers 232, 233 and 234. Brigadier-General Philip Palin of 29th Indian Brigade was promoted to command the new division.

        232nd Brigade began to form at Moascar on 14 April 1917, but on 24 May the War Office ordered that some Indian Army battalions should also be included in order to speed up the formation of the Division. The first of these came from Palin's 29th Indian Brigade. The War Office then decided on 11 June that the division should be 'Indianised', with an establishment of one British and three Indian battalions to each brigade. However, this conversion was not completed until the summer of 1918. The process of assembling the division was drawn out: 233rd Brigade began to assemble at Zeitun on 25 May 1917, but then took over the Rafa defences in Sinai and only joined 75th Division on 18 August. The division officially came into existence on 25 June when 234th Brigade started to assemble at el'Arish.

        Finding the necessary artillery for the division was a real difficulty. A new CLXXII Field Brigade reached Alexandria from the United Kingdom on 23 July, and was immediately broken up to form the nucleus of two second-line Territorial brigades, CLXXII and XXXVII, taking the numbers of units that had been disbanded in France. The third field brigade came from South Africa in July, and joined 75th Division on 12 September after it had been reorganised and re-equipped with 18-pounder guns. However, due to the shortage of 4.5-inch howitzers it was not until October that the British brigades received their howitzer batteries, and the South African brigade's did not arrive until the following April.

        Divisional Order of Battle for 75th Division

        75th Division Staff

        • General Officer Commanding: Maj-Gen Sir Philip Palin
        • General Staff Officer Grade 1:
        • Lt-Col J. Spencer
        • Lt-Col S.H. Kershaw (from 6 December 1917)
        • Lt-Col G.B. Rowan-Hamilton (from 30 August 1918)
        • Lt-Col D. Ovey (from 29 October 1918)
        • Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General:
        • Lt-Col R.L. Macalpine-Leny

        232nd Brigade

        • 1/5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment
        • 2/5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
        • 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
        • 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
        • 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles
        • 2/4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 1/4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
        • 72nd Punjabis
        • 2/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
        • 3rd Battalion, Kashmir Rifles
        • 229th Machine Gun Company
        • 232nd Trench Mortar Battery

        233rd Brigade

        • 1/5th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (had gone to India with 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division in October 1914; joined 25 May 1917)
        • 2/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (had gone to India with 45th (2nd Wessex) Infantry Division in December 1914; joined 25 May 1917; left for Western Front 2 May 1918 and joined 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division)
        • 3rd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles (joined 30 June 1917 from 29th Indian Brigade of 10th Indian Division)
        • 230th Machine Gun Company (joined 15 July 1917; transferred to 75th Battalion Machine Gun Corps 3 May 1918)
        • 233rd Trench Mortar Battery (joined 1 September 1917; disbanded 27 November 1918)
        • 1/4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (had gone to India with 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division in October 1914; joined 15 October 1917; transferred to 232nd Brigade 3 May 1918)
        • 2/4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (had gone to India with 45th (2nd Wessex) Division in December 1914; transferred from 234th Brigade 25 April 1918; disbanded by 10 August 1918)
        • 29th Punjabis (joined from India 28 April 1918)
        • 2nd Battalion 154th Infantry (a new battalion formed at Basra with one company each from:
        • 102nd Grenadiers
        • 108th Infantry
        • 119th Infantry (The Mooltan Regiment)
        • 122nd Rajputana Infantry
        • and joined from Mesopotamia 25 July 1918)

        234th Brigade

        • 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
        • 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
        • 123rd Outram's Rifles
        • 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)
        • 2/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
        • 2/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment
        • 1/152nd Infantry
        • 231st Machine Gun Company
        • 234th Trench Mortar Battery [1]

        Divisional Artillery

        Artillery Brigadier-General, Royal Artillery: Brig-Gen H.A. Boyce

        • XXXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
        • 389 Battery, RFA
        • 390 Battery, RFA
        • 405 (Howitzer) Battery, RFA

        • CLXXII Brigade, RFA
        • 391 Battery, RFA
        • 392 Battery, RFA
        • 406 (Howitzer) Battery, RFA

        • I South African Field Brigade
        • A Battery
        • B Battery
        • C (Howitzer) Battery (from April 1918)

        • VIII Mountain Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery (25 March,15 September
        • 1918) 11th Mountain Battery, RGA (3.7-inch mountain howitzers)
        • 13th Mountain Battery, RGA (3.7-inch mountain howitzers)
        • 17th Mountain Battery, RGA (2.75-inch mountain guns)

        • X.75, Y.75 and Z.75 Medium Trench Mortar Batteries (joined 3 October 1917; disbanded 22 February 1918)
        • 75th Divisional Ammunition Column (formed 29 August 1917 from brigade ammunition columns)

        • Machine guns
        • 75th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (formed 3 May 1918) 229th, 230th and 231st MG Companies (from 232, 233 and 234 Brigades respectively)

        Royal Engineers

        • Engineers Commanding Royal Engineers:
        • Lt-Col G.S.C. Cooke
        • Lt-Col A.G. Turner (from 1 September 1918)
        • 495th (1/Kent) Field Company, Royal Engineers (from 54th (East Anglian) Division 26 August 1917; returned to 54th 26 May 1918)
        • 496th (2/Kent) Field Company, RE (from 53rd (Welsh) Division 4 July 1917)
        • 10th Company, 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Sappers and Miners (from Palestine Lines of Communication 7 December 1917)
        • 16th Company, 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Sappers and Miners (joined from India 23 May 1918)
        • 75th Divisional Signal Company, RE

        • Pioneers
        • 2nd Battalion, 32nd Sikh Pioneers (10 May,24 July 1918)

        Medical

        • 145th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (joined 14 August 1917; handed over personnel, equipment and transport to 123rd CFA and disbanded 19 May 1918)
        • 146th Field Ambulance, RAMC (joined 14 August 1917; handed over to 127th CFA and disbanded 19 May 1918)
        • 147th Field Ambulance, RAMC (joined 14 August 1917; handed over to 163rd CFA and disbanded 19 May 1918)
        • 123rd Indian Field Ambulance (joined 30 June 1917; became 123rd Combined Field Ambulance 21 May 1918)
        • 127th Combined Field Ambulance (originally from 7th (Meerut) Division, joined 14 May 1918)
        • 163rd Combined Field Ambulance (joined from India 14 May 1918)
        • 107th Sanitary Section (joined from France 14 July 1917)

        Veterinary

        60th Mobile Veterinary Section (joined 3 July 1917)

        Transport

        75th Divisional Train (originally formed as 'X' Divisional Train; joined 3 July 1918) 925, 926, 927 and 928 Horse Transport Companies, Army Service Corps

        Active Service

        75th Division joined XXI Corps and took part in the invasion of Palestine, beginning with the Third Battle of Gaza on 27 October 1917, leading to the capture of Gaza (6,7 November) and Junction Station (13,14 November), and the Battle of Nebi Samwil (20,24 November). In the Spring of 1918 the division was involved in the actions at Tell 'Asur (11,12 March) and Berukin (9,11 April).

        Battle of Sharon

        The Battle of Tabsor was fought on 19,20 September 1918 beginning the Battle of Sharon, which along with the Battle of Nablus formed the set piece Battle of Megiddo fought between 19 and 25 September in the last months of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of the First World War. During the infantry phase of the Battle of Sharon the British Empire 60th Division, XXI Corps attacked and captured the section of the front line nearest the Mediterranean coast under cover of an intense artillery barrage including a creeping barrage and naval gunfire. This Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) victory over the entrenched Ottoman Eighth Army, composed of German and Ottoman soldiers, began the Final Offensive, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the equivalent of one Ottoman army, the retreat of what remained of two others, and the capture of many thousands of prisoners and many miles of territory from the Judean Hills to the border of modern-day Turkey. After the end of the battle of Megiddo, the Desert Mounted Corps pursued the retreating soldiers to Damascus, six days later. By the time the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire five weeks later, Aleppo had been captured.

        During the Battle of Tabsor the 3rd (Lahore), 7th (Meerut) and 75th Divisions attacked the entrenched Ottoman Empire Eighth Army defending the Tabsor defences. These defences were located in the middle section of the front line, assigned to the XXI Corps. On their left the Battle of Tulkarm was being fought with the Battle of Arara fought on their right. Together with the cavalry phase, these battles make up the Battle of Sharon, which, with the Battle of Nablus, fought by the XX Corps and Chaytor's Force, have become known as the Battle of Megiddo. Megiddo developed into a major set piece offensive, when large formations of the Allied EEF, attacked and responded to the reactions of three Ottoman armies, each time following a predetermined plan. The offensive resulted in defeat for Ottoman forces in Palestine, Syria and the Transjordan.

        These operations began the Final Offensive, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the equivalent of an Ottoman army and the retreat in disarray of what remained of two armies. The defeat of the Yildirim Army Group, commanded by Otto Liman von Sanders, resulted in the capture of many thousands of prisoners and many miles of territory stretching from the Judean Hills. After the battle of Megiddo, Desert Mounted Corps pursued the retreating German and Ottoman soldiers to Damascus, which was captured six days later, when the pursuit continued on to close to the border of modern-day Turkey. Five weeks after the Final Offensive began and with Aleppo captured, the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire ending the fighting in this theatre.

        Following its reorganisation in the summer of 1918, 75th Division joined General Allenby's final offensive (the Battles of Megiddo). At the Battle of Sharon (19 September), 75th Division was given the task of taking Miske and the trench system around the village of Et Tire, held by the Turkish 49th Division. Palin had under his command 'A' Squadron (Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry) of the Composite Corps Cavalry Regiment and 2nd Light Armoured Motor Battery, Machine Gun Corps.

        There was no preliminary bombardment: the advance began at 04:30 in moonlight behind a barrage fired by the field artillery, trench mortars and machine guns onto the enemy front line, while the howitzers and heavy artillery fired on specific targets behind. Once the attackers reached the front line, the 18-pounders laid a creeping barrage in front of them onto the subsequent objectives. 75th Division had 232nd Brigade on the right, while 234th Brigade was on the left with two companies of the 5/Somerset Light Infantry from 233rd Bde. The Somerset LI companies were to advance between 234th's left and right battalions to capture an isolated work while the others moved straight ahead. The rest of 233rd Brigade was in reserve.

        232nd Brigade swept through the enemy's front line, meeting little opposition. The pack mules carrying the brigade signal equipment were stampeded by the bombardment, so no news got back, but the brigade captured Miske with the aid of the South African Field Artillery, which had moved forward quickly after completing its bombardment programme. Et Tire, surrounded by trenches and cactus edges, was more formidable, and the leading troops were exhausted. The Imperial Service Troops of the 3rd Kashmir Rifles had moved up to Brigade HQ on the initiative of their British liaison officer, and were sent in to reinforce the attack. Simultaneously the divisional GSO1 (Lt-Col Rowan-Hamilton) had been sent up by Palin with the cavalry squadron and armoured cars. With the renewed attack and with armoured cars outflanking the village, the Turks evacuated their positions, leaving behind all the papers of their XXII Corps HQ.

        234th Brigade had an easier task. The creeping barrage was so accurate that the leading battalions and the Somerset LI companies were able to follow close behind it and gain their objectives with little opposition. In fact the barrage was too slow, and the enemy was able to get away, the only hard fighting being on the Turkish gun lines, which were taken at bayonet point by the 1/152nd Indian Infantry.

        By 17:00, XXI Corps' attack had rolled up the whole Turkish right and allowed the Desert Mounted Corps to sweep forward to complete the envelopment of the Turkish army and begin the pursuit.

        Postwar

        After the end of the fighting on 19 September, 75th Division and the rest of XXI Corps were left on salvage work and road repair until the Armistice with the Turks was signed on 31 October. Demobilisation began early in 1919, but 75th Division was selected for the Army of Occupation of Palestine.

        In March 1919 it returned to garrison duty in Egypt, becoming responsible for the Eastern Delta, which was renamed 75th Division Area. Many other units were attached for this work. After July 1919 the disturbances in Egypt began to die down and units began to disperse to their home countries. On 1 April 1920 the Division Area and remaining troops were handed over to 10th (Irish) Division and 75th Division ceased to exist.

        The divisional number has never been reactivated.

           The 11th (Northern) Division was formed as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of Kitchener's First New Army. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Northern Command. After initial training at the regimental depots, the units of the Division concentrated: the infantry at Grantham in Lincolnshire, artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon in Northamptonshire, RE at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield, ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire.

        On 18th of October 1914, still desperately short of uniform and equipment, the infantry of the Division was inspected by Lord Kitchener at Belton Park. On 4 April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham, where final training was undertaken. King George V inspected the Division on Hankey Common on 31 May 1915. On 12 June 1915, the Division received orders to prepare for service at Gallipoli.

        1915

        Embarkation took place at Liverpool from 30th of June, with much of the Division sailing on the Aquitania and Empress of Britain. Mudros was reached by Divisional HQ and 32nd Brigade on 10 July. On 6-7 August 1915 the Division landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay.

        On 19th/20th of December 1915 the Division withdrew from Gallipoli and moved to Imbros.

        1916

        On 26 January the Division began to move to Egypt, landing at Alexandria on 2 February and concentrating at Sidi Bishr six days later. 19 February saw the Division take over a section of the Suez canal defences.

        The Division received orders on 17 June 1916 for a move to France. Embarkation at Alexandria was completed on 3rd July and by 7th of that month Divisional HQ had been set up at Flesselles. By 27 July, the Division had taken over part of the front in Third Army sector. The Division then took part in the following operations:

        • The capture of the Wundt-Werk (Wonder Work) - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Thiepval - Somme

        1917

        • Operations on the Ancre
        • The Battle of Messines
        • The Battle of the Langemarck - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of the Scarpe - Second Battles of Arras
        • The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line - Second Battles of Arras
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle

        When the Armistice halted the fighting, the Division was on high ground east of Havay. Between 26-28 November the Division was moved back behind the River Scheldt. Demobilisation began in January 1919 and ended in June 1919.

        From 1915 to 1918 the Division suffered a total of 32,165 officers and men killed, wounded or missing in action.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 11th (Northern) Division.

        32nd Brigade

        • 9th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 6th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left December 1914
        • 6th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left June 1918
        • 6th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined 18 January 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 32nd Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918
        • 32nd Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 July 1916
        • 2nd Btn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined May 1918

        33rd Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
        • 6th Btn, Border Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment
        • 9th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 33rd Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918
        • 33rd Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1917

        34th Brigade

        • 8th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 9th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
        • 5th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment
        • 11th Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 34th Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918
        • 34th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1917

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, the East Yorkshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in December 1914
        • 11 Motor Machine Gun Battery joined early 1915, left before embarkation
        • 250th Machine Gun Company joined 16 November 1917, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918
        • 11th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 28 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, Royal Glasgow Yeomanry 2-30 June 1915 only
        • B Sqn, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 4 April - July 1916
        • 11th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed January 1915, left 12 July 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LVIII Brigade, RFA
        • LIX Brigade, RFA
        • LX Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917
        • LXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left before embarkation
        • 11th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 11th (Hull) Heavy Battery, RGA left before embarkation
        • 91st Heavy Battery, RGA left before embarkation
        • 10th Heavy Battery, RGA attached at Suvla Bay 14 August to 17 December 1915
        • CXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined 26 April 1916, broken up January 1917
        • V.11 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 9 August 1916, left 12 February 1918
        • X.11, Y.11 and Z.11 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined 9 August 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 67th Field Company
        • 68th Field Company
        • 86th Field Company joined February 1915
        • 11th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 33rd Field Ambulance
        • 34th Field Ambulance
        • 35th Field Ambulance
        • 21st Sanitary Section left 9 December 1916

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 11th Divisional Train ASC 112, 113, 114 and 115 Companies. Did not move overseas with the Division and transferred to 26th Division.
        • Shared 10th Divisional Train at Gallipoli and Egypt.
        • 11th Divisional Train ASC reformed (479, 480, 481 and 482 Companies) July 1916
        • 22nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 213th Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917
        • 11th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained with original Divisional Train when it left


         Divisional History  The 74th (Yeomanry) Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 74th (Yeomanry) Division

        This formation was created during the war. On 14 January 1917 the GOC Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Sir Edmund Allenby, gave orders for the reorganisation of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Dismounted Brigades of Yeomanry - at the time all were serving on Suez Canal defences - and for their conversion and redesignation as the 229th, 230th and 231st Infantry Brigades. These Brigades were organised as a Division, which began to assemble on 4 March 1917 near El Arish. It was, strictly, a Division of the Territorial Force. The Divisional artillery did not join until July, by which time the Division had already taken part in its first action, the Second Battle of Gaza. It remained in action in Palestine until April 1918, taking part in the following engagements:

        1917

        • The Second Battle of Gaza (17 - 19 April 1917)
        • The Third Battle of Gaza (27 October - 7 November 1917, including the Capture of Beersheba on 31 October and the capture of the Sheria Position on 6 November)
        • The capture of Jerusalem (8 - 9 December 1917)
        • The Defence of Jerusalem (27 - 30 December 1917)

        1918

        The Battle of Tell'Asur (8 - 12 March 1918)

        On 3 March 1918 the Division received a warning order to prepare to leave Palestine and move to France. It was relieved on 7-9 March and marched back to Lydda. Here the artillery was reorganised, a pioneer battalion joined and the machine gun battalion was formed. On 14 April Divisional HQ moved to Kantara, followed by the rest of the units.

        Embarkation began at Alexandria on 29 April. The first units landed at Marseilles on 7 May 1918 and entrained for the north. Concentration was completed in the area of Rue (near Abbeville) by 18 May.

        Training for unfamiliar operations, notably gas defence, was undertaken before, towards the end of May, the units moved to the Doullens - St Pol Area. In June a reduction to a nine-battalion format took place while training continued and the Division was held in GHQ Reserve. On 14 July, the Division took over a sector of front line near Merville and then remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war, taking part in the following engagements:

        • The Second Battles of the Somme (Second Battle of Bapaume, 2-3 September 1918)
        • The Battles of the Hindenburg Line (Battle of Epehy, 18 September 1918)
        • The Final Advance in Artois and Flanders
        The Division crossed the Scheldt on 9 November and two days later the advanced units crossed the Dendre (Dender) Canal. When the Arnistice came into effect they had occupied Ath. Five days later the Division moved to the area Rebaix - Herinnes - Tournai, with HQ being at Frasnes-les-Buissenal. Work was carried out on repairing the Tournai-Leuze railway.

        King George V visited the Division on 7 December 1918.

        Although demobilisation took place principally in the first months of 1919, Divisional HQ was kept in operation near Lessines until the 10 July 1919.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 74th (Yeomanry) Division

        • 229th Brigade formerly 2nd Dismounted Brigade
        • 16th Bn, the Devonshire Regiment
        • 12th Bn, the Somerset Light Infantry
        • 12th Bn, the Royal Scots Fusiliers left 21 June 1918
        • 14th Bn, the Black Watch
        • 4th Machine Gun Company moved to 74th Bn MGC 11 April 1918
        • 229th Trench Mortar Battery

        230th Brigade formerly 3rd Dismounted Brigade

        • 10th Bn, the Buffs
        • 12th Bn, the Norfolk Regiment left 21 June 1918
        • 15th Bn, the Suffolk Regiment
        • 16th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regiment
        • 209th Machine Gun Company moved to 74th Bn MGC 11 April 1918
        • 230th Trench Mortar Battery

        231st Brigade formerly 4th Dismounted Brigade

        • 24th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers left 21 June 1918
        • 25th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 24th Bn, the Welsh Regiment
        • 10th Bn, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 210th Machine Gun Company moved to 74th Bn MGC 11 April 1918
        • 231st Trench Mortar Battery formed 27 June 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 1/12th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 10 April 1918
        • 261st Machine Gun Company joined 5 March 1918, moved to 74th Bn MGC 11 April 1918
        • 212st, 262nd, 264th, 271st and 272nd Machine Gun Companies MGC joined May 1917, left to form Fourth Army Troops MG Battalion on arrival in France
        • 74th Battalion MGC formed 11 April 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        A Sqn, 1 /2nd London Yeomanry joined 5 April 1917, left for XX Corps Cavalry Regiment 23 August 1917

        Divisional Artillery

        • XLIV Brigade, RFA
        • CXVII Brigade, RFA
        • CCLXVIII Brigade, RFA broken up at Lydda 31 March 1918
        • 527 (Howitzer) Battery, RFA attached 7 - 24 March 1918
        • 16th Mountain Battery, RGA attached 7 - 9 March 1918
        • Hong Kong & Singapore Mountain Battery RGA attached 31 October - 4 November 1917
        • 74th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • X.74 and Y.74 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined at Houvin 12 June 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 439th (2/1st Cheshire) Field Company joined at Ramle 9 April 1917
        • 496th (1/2nd Kent) Field Company joined at Rafa 12 April 1917, left 25 May 1917
        • 5th Royal Monmouth Field Company joined at Deir-el-Belah 12-19 April 1917
        • 5th Royal Anglesey Field Company joined at Deir-el-Belah 14 April 1917
        • 74th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 229th Field Ambulance
        • 230th Field Ambulance
        • 231st Field Ambulance
        • 87th Sanitary Section joined at Deir-el-Belah 22 April 1917, left for Fourth Army 25 may 1918

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 74th Divisional Train ASC 447, 448, 449 and 450 Companies ASC, formerly
        • 42nd (East Lancashire) and 53rd (Welsh) Divisional Train
        • 59th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined at Deir-el-Belah 13 April 1917
        • 985th Divisional Employment Company formed 18 May 1918


         Divisional History  On the outbreak of World War I the Territorial Force (TF) immediately mobilised for home defence, but shortly afterwards (31 August 1914), its units were authorised to raise 2nd battalions formed from those men who had not volunteered for, or were not fit for, overseas service, together with new volunteers, while the 1st Line went overseas to supplement the Regulars. Early in 1915 the 2nd Line TF battalions were also raised to full strength to form new divisions, and began to form Reserve (3rd Line) units to supply drafts. The remaining Home Service men were separated out in May 1915 to form brigades of Coast Defence Battalions (termed Provisional Battalions from June 1915).

        9th Provisional Brigade

        9th Provisional Brigade was formed in East Kent mainly from details of local units and infantry from Lancashire. It had the following composition:

        • 9th Provisional Yeomanry Squadron formed at Margate on 14 September 1915 from detachments of the South Western Mounted Brigade and the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles and was initially stationed at Whitstable.
        • 9th Provisional Cyclist Company formed at Herne Bay on 8 September 1915 from two platoons of Home Service men drawn from 1/1st and 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalions, the remainder from 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment; it was temporarily attached to 42nd Provisional Battalion.
        • 9th Provisional Battery and Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery formed at Hastings on 9 September 1915 and shortly afterwards moved to Herne Bay; it was equipped with four French 90 mm field guns.
        • 9th Provisional Brigade Ammunition Column RFA
        • 9th Provisional Field Company Royal Engineers
        • 9th Provisional Signals Section RE
        • 41st Provisional Battalion from home service details of the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).
        • 42nd Provisional Battalion formed on 1 September 1915 at Herne Bay from home service details of the 2/4th, 3/4th, 2/5th and 3/5th Battalions of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
        • 44th Provisional Battalion formed on 1 September 1915 from home service details of 7th, 8th and 9th Battalions of the King's (Liverpool) Regiment and stationed in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Sandwich.
        • 45th Provisional Battalion formed from home service details of the Manchester Regiment.
        • 9th Provisional Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps, formed at Ramsgate on 19 September 1915 from the home service details of the 2/1st, 2/2nd and 2/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulances.
        • 9th Provisional Brigade Train Army Service Corps, from home service details from Middlesex and Surrey.

        A number of men on the strength of these units were absent on civil employment such as munitions work.

        In the autumn of 1915 the brigade was under the command of 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division in Second Army of Central Force. By July 1916 the brigade was under the control of Southern Army of Home Forces, with its battalions billeted as follows:

        • Brigade Headquarters: Margate
        • 41st Provisional Bn: Westgate-on-Sea
        • 42nd Provisional Bn: Broadstairs
        • 44th Provisional Bn: Ramsgate
        • 45th Provisional Bn: Margate

        73rd Division formed

        Late in 1916 the War Office decided to form three new home-service divisions; 73rd was the last of these, assembling at Blackpool in November. The division was based on 9th Provisional Bde, which moved from Margate and provided four infantry battalions and many of the support units. (On 1 January 1917 these all received new designations and numbers.) In addition, 189th (2/1st Yorkshire and Durham) Brigade, left over after the earlier disbandment of 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division, provided other components. Personnel to help form the other five artillery batteries were transferred from other home service divisions. The rest of the division was composed of new units.

        After assembling in Lancashire, 73rd Division moved in early January 1917 to join Southern Army of Home Forces, stationed in Essex and Hertfordshire, with the following composition:

        Staff

        • General Officer Commanding:
        • Major-General Hon. C.E. Bingham (2 November 1916,4 April 1917)
        • Major-General J.C. Young (4 April,6 September 1917)
        • Major-General H.G. Ruggles-Brise (6 September 1917,4 March 1918)
        • General Staff Officer Grade 1:
        • Lieutenant-Colonel E.B.C. Boddam (1 November 1916,12 January 1917);
        • Lieutenant-Colonel C.M. Davies (16 January,31 December 1917)
        • Assistant-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General:
        • Colonel C.L. Macnab (1 November 1916,17 April 1917);
        • Lt-Col F.C. Dundas (24 April 1917,1 March 1918)

        HQ: Chelmsford

        218th Brigade

        • 218 Brigade was drawn from 9th Provisional Bde:
        • General Offficer Commanding:
        • Brigadier-General H. Martin (1 November 1916,17 March 1917)
        • Brigadier-General W.M. Withycombe (17 March,10 July 1917)
        • Brigadier-General A. Martyn (10 July 1917,31 January 1918)
        • 41st Provisional Bn: became 12th Bn King's Own; disbanded 23 March 1918.
        • 42nd Provisional Bn: became 14th Bn Loyals; the battalion was gradually drafted and disappeared by 17 December 1917.
        • 44th Provisional Bn: 26th Bn King's; disbanded 29 March 1918.
        • 267th Bn Training Reserve: joined by 23 July 1917, became 52nd (Graduated) Bn Leicestershire Regiment; transferred to 69th (2nd East Anglian) Division 17 January 1918.

        The units of 218 Brigade were stationed at Witham, Terling and Kelvedon.

        219th Brigade

        • 219 Brigade was newly formed:
        • General Officer Commanding:
        • Brigadier-General R. Dawson (1 November 1916,7 September 1917)
        • Brigadier-General F.L. Bandon (7 September 1917,22 February 1918)
        • 8th (Home Service) Bn Dorsetshire Regiment; originally 2nd Garrison Bn Dorsets; the battalion was gradually drafted and disappeared by 3 December 1917.
        • 13th (Home Service) Bn Loyals: newly formed at Blackpool; disbanded 29 March 1918.
        • 45th Provisional Bn from 9th Provisional Bde: became 28th Bn Manchesters; disbanded March 1918.
        • 270th Bn TR: joined by 9 September 1917, became 52nd (Graduated) Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry; transferred to 69th Division January 1918.

        The units of 219 Brigade were stationed at Danbury and Maldon, later moving to Southend.

        220th Brigade

        • 220 Brigade was formed from 189th (2/1st Yorkshire and Durham) Bde:
        • GOC: Brigadier-General F.F.W. Daniell (1 November 1916,27 February 1918)
        • 2/4th Bn Green Howards; the battalion was gradually drafted and reduced to a cadre by the end of July 1917; it disbanded on 21 December 1917.
        • 2/5th Bn Green Howards; disbanded 29 March 1918.
        • 17th (Home Service) Bn Green Howards: newly formed at Blackpool; disbanded 15 December 1917.
        • 273rd Bn TR: joined 23 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Bn Durham Light Infantry; transferred to 69th Division on 15 January 1918.
        • 274th Bn TR: joined 9 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment; transferred to 68th (2nd Welsh) Division by 11 March 1918.

        The units of 220 Brigade were stationed at Chelmsford, Widford and Arbour Lane.

        Divisional mounted troops

        • 9th Provisional Cyclist Company: became 73rd Divisional Cyclist Company Army Cyclist Corps (Home Service); disbanded by 1 April 1918.
        • 1/8th (Cyclist) Bn Essex Regiment (attached January,October 1917).
        • 2/7th (Cyclist) Bn Devonshire Regiment (attached October 1917,January 1918).

        The mounted troops were stationed at Wickford and Southminster.

        Royal Artillery

        • Brigadier-General Royal Artillery:
        • J.J. MacMahon (8 November 1916,12 March 1917)
        • W.A. Robinson (12 March,19 November 1917)
        • L.A.C. Gordon (19 November 1917,4 February 1918)

        HQ: Chelmsford

        • CCCLIV Field Brigade RFA at Danbury:
        • A Battery (later 1211 Field Battery): formerly 9th Provisional Battery[15], 6 x 18-pounder QF guns
        • B Battery, 6 x 18-pdr
        • C (Howitzer) Battery, 4 x QF 4.5-inch howitzer
        • CCCLV Field Brigade RFA at Great Leighs:
        • A Battery, 6 x 18-pdr
        • B Battery, 6 x 18-pdr
        • C (Howitzer) Battery, 4 x 4.5 Howitzer
        • 73rd Divisional Ammunition Column: formerly 9th Provisional Brigade Ammunition Column.

        Royal Engineers

        • Commanding Royal Engineers: Lieutenant-Colonel H.W. Sanders
        • 1/6th Kent Fortress Company RE: became 546th Field Company[15][31]
        • 1/7th Kent Fortress Company RE: became 547th Field Company[15][31]
        • 9th Provisional Field Company RE: became 648th (East Lancashire) Field Company
        • 9th Provisional Signal Section: became 73rd Divisional Signal Company

        The field companies were stationed at Qitham and Chelsmford, and the signal company at Hitchin.

        Medical services

        • 9th Provisional Field Ambulance RAMC:
        • A Section: became 307th (Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • B Section: became 308th (Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • C Section: became 309th (Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • 109th Sanitary Section

        58th Mobile Veterinary Section Army Veterinary Corps

        Transport

        • 73rd Divisional Train:
        • 9th Provisional Brigade Company ASC: became 829th Horse Transport Company ASC
        • 830th, 831st and 832nd HT Companies ASC: newly formed

        Training

        The Military Service Act 1916 swept away the Home/Foreign service distinction, and all TF soldiers became liable for overseas service, if medically fit. Henceforth part of the role of the Home Service divisions was physical conditioning to render men fit for drafting overseas, alongside units of the Training Reserve. 'Graduated Battalions' of the Training Reserve were organised in four companies according to age, from 18 to 19 years. Recruits progressed from one to another company after three months, so that every three months there was a company of trained 19-year-old men available for drafting overseas. In July 1917 it was decided that the Graduated Battalions could serve in a Home Defence role while completing their training. Between July and September 1917, four Graduated Battalions joined 73rd Division, and in October these were affiliated to line regiments and adopted territorial designations.

        Disbandment

        Towards the end of 1917 the War Office decided to break up the three home service divisions, and on 22 December 1917 the Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces, was ordered to break up the division as soon as possible. Three battalions left in January, the artillery was broken up in February, and the division ceased to exist on 8 April 1918. Only the divisional engineers remained, and on 22 June 1918 the HQ and field companies went to France for active service on the Western Front.

        The 73rd Division title has never been reactivated.

         Divisional History  The 72nd Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 72nd Division

        This formation was created during the war. Late in 1916 orders were given for the formation of three additional home-service Divisions; they would have the dual role of carrying out training of men for overseas drafts, plus providing forces for home defence. 72nd was one of the three Divisions formed, and was initially established in Somerset. Division HQ was set up at Weston but soon moved to Bath. It moved between 5-18 January 1917 to Bedford, Wellingborough and Northampton (taking the place of 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, recently departed for France). The Division came under command of Southern Army, Home Forces, and was responsible for East Coast defences from the River Deben to Orfordness. On 21 December 1917 orders were received that the Division should be broken up. Disbandment began in January 1918 and the final elements disappeared on 8 April 1918.

        On 1 January 1917 the Provisional units were all retitled, as shown in the Order of Battle below.

        A number of non-regimentally-affiliated Graduated Battalions joined in July 1917. They were affiliated and retitled on 27 October 1917.

        The order of battle of the 72nd Division

        215th Brigade

        • The three battalions comprising this Brigade had previously been with 8th Provisional Brigade, which was not under a Division
        • 28th Provisional Battalion became 13th Lincolnshire Regiment, left by July 1917
        • 70th Provisional Battalion became 15th Royal Sussex Regiment
        • 81st Provisional Battalion became 18th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, left by 24 December 1917
        • 258th Graduated Battalion joined by 23 July 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry on 27 October 1917
        • 259th Graduated Battalion joined by 24 September 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers on 27 October 1917

        216th Brigade

        • 10th Bn, the Somerset Light Infantry left by July 1917
        • 14th Bn, the Yorkshire Light Infantry disbanded 8 April 1918
        • 83rd Provisional Battalion from 8th Provisional Bde; became 10th Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry; left by July 1917
        • 261st Graduated Battalion joined by 23 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on 27 October 1917
        • 262nd Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 27 October 1917

        217th Brigade

        • 2/4th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers disbanded by 8 April 1918
        • 2/5th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers left by July 1917
        • 2/6th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers left by 10 December 1917
        • 264th Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) on 27 October 1917
        • 265th Graduated Battalion joined by 24 September 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers on 27 October 1917

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        72nd Divisional Cyclist Company, ACC broken up by 25 February 1918

        Divisional Artillery broken up by 25 February 1918

        • CCCLII Brigade, RFA
        • CCCLIII Brigade, RFA
        • 72nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA

        Royal Engineers all units joined by 20 November 1916

        • 550th (3/1st Glamorgan) Field Company joined as a Fortress Company and redesignated; landed in France 23 June 1918 and went to Second Army
        • 551st (2/2nd Glamorgan) Field Company broken up by 8 April 1918
        • 647th (South Midland) Field Company broken up by 8 April 1918
        • 72nd Divisional Signals Company joined as 8th Provisional Signals Section and redesignated; broken up 4 February 1918

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • The 8th Provisional Field Ambulance joined 4 December 1916 and formed the three FAs for 72nd Division
        • 304th (South Midland) Field Ambulance disbanded by 18 March 1918
        • 305th (South Midland) Field Ambulance disbanded by 18 March 1918
        • 306th (South Midland) Field Ambulance disbanded by 11 March 1918
        • 105th Sanitary Section

        • 72nd Divisional Train ASC 825, 826, 827 and 828 Companies ASC. 825 had previously been 8th Provisional Company ASC; the others were new and formed for the Division in November 1916; disbanded by 8 April 1918
        • 57th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined January 1917, disbanded by 4 March 1918

        There is no memorial or published history of 72nd Division.

         Divisional History  The 71st Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 71st Division

        This formation was created during the war. Late in 1916 orders were given for the formation of three additional home-service Divisions; they would have the dual role of carrying out training of men for overseas drafts, plus providing forces for home defence. 71st was one of the three Divisions formed, and was initially established in Hampshire and Surrey. Division HQ was set up at Gostrey House at Farnham but soon moved to nearby Elmer House. The entire Division moved in the first week of March 1917 to Suffolk and Essex, concentrating in the Colchester area. The Division came under command of Southern Army, Home Forces, and was responsible for East Coast defences from Mersey Island to Walton on the Naze. On 21 December 1917 orders were received that the Division should be broken up. Disbandment began in January 1918 and the final elements disappeared on 8 April 1918.

        On 1 January 1917 the Provisional units were all retitled, as shown in the Order of Battle below.

        A number of non-regimentally-affiliated Graduated Battalions joined in July 1917. They were affiliated and retitled on 27 October 1917.

        In October 1917, 214th Brigade was formed into a special brigade for operations at Murmansk in North Russia. It was transferred to 67th Division on 12 February 1918.

        The order of battle of the 71st Division

        212th Brigade

        • The three battalions comprising this Brigade had previously been with 6th Provisional Brigade, which was not under a Division; broken up 7 March 1918
        • 61st Provisional Battalion became 11th Norfolk Regiment, left by 29 October 1917
        • 100th Provisional Battalion became 29th London Regiment, to 226 Mixed Brigade
        • 101st Provisional Battalion became 30th London Regiment, to 226 Mixed Brigade 5 February 1918
        • 249th Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment on 27 October 1917, left 19 February 1918
        • 250th Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment on 27 October 1917, left 26 February 1918

        213th Brigade broken up 11 March 1918

        • 16th Bn, the Queen's formed at Farnham 11 November 1916, to 214th Brigade 12 November 1917
        • 25th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment joined 3 November 1916, left 22 December 1916
        • 66th Provisional Battalion from 6th Provisional Bde; became 16th Essex Regiment; left by 24 December 1917
        • 18th Bn, the Hampshire Regiment formed at Alton 22 December 1916; left by 24 December 1917
        • 252nd Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment on 27 October 1917; left by 25 February 1918
        • 253rd Graduated Battalion joined by 17 September 1917; became 51st (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment on 27 October 1917; left by 25 February 1918
        • 52nd (Graduated) Bn, the Queen's joined from 214th Brigade 12 November 1917; left by 18 February 1918

        214th Brigade October 1917, formed into a special brigade for operations at Murmansk in North Russia; left for 67th Division 12 February 1918

        • 2/6th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined 29 November 1916, to 226 Mixed Brigade
        • 2/7th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined 29 November 1916
        • 2/8th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined 29 November 1916, left by 9 July 1917
        • 255th Graduated Battalion joined by 9 July 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Queen's on 27 October 1917; to 213th Brigade 12 November 1917
        • 256th Graduated Battalion joined by 17 September 1917; became 52nd (Graduated) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment on 27 October 1917; left by 18 February 1918
        • XLIX Brigade, RFA formed 22 October 1917
        • 2/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry TF joined 26 October 1917, left with Brigade
        • 2/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry TF joined 26 October 1917, left with Brigade
        • 252 Company, MGC joined 9 November 1917, left with Brigade
        • 253 Company, MGC joined 9 November 1917, left with Brigade
        • 16th Bn, the Queen's joined from 213th Brigade 12 November 1917

        226th Mixed Brigade joined 13 April 1917, left for 67th Division 12 February 1918

        • 2/6th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined from 214th Brigade
        • 29th Bn, the London Regiment joined from 212th Brigade
        • 30th Bn, the London Regiment joined from 212th Brigade 5 February 1918
        • 2/1st London Heavy Battery, RGA
        • 2/2nd London Heavy Battery, RGA

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • 71st Divisional Cyclist Company, ACC joined 11 January 1917, disbanded 3 February 1918
        • C Sqn, 2/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry TF jpoined 6 March 1917

        Divisional Artillery broken up by 25 February 1918

        • CCCL Brigade, RFA formed 13 November 1916, disbanded 25 February 1918
        • CCCLI Brigade, RFA formed 13 November 1916, left 29 January 1918
        • 71st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA joined as 6th Provisional BAC 27 November 1916, disbanded 25 February 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 548th (2/1st Dundee) Field Company joined as a Fortress Company 27 November 1916 and redesignated; left 30 March 1918 for service in North Russia
        • 549th (2/3rd Lancashire) Field Company joined as a Fortress Company 12 December 1916 and redesignated; left 30 March 1918 for service in France
        • 645th (West Lancashire) Field Company joined as 6th Provisional Field Company 14 November 1916, renumbered on 3 February 1917; left for 67th Division 26 October 1917
        • 71st Divisional Signals Company joined as 6th Provisional Signals Section and redesignated; left with 214th Special Brigade
        • 492nd Field Company joined from 67th Division 26 October 1917; left 12 February 1918 for service in North Russia

        Royal Army Medical Corps the 6th Provisional Field Ambulance joined 4 December 1916 and formed the three FAs for 72nd Division

        • 301st (Welsh) Field Ambulance disbanded by 31 January 1918
        • 302nd (Welsh) Field Ambulance left with 214th Special Brigade
        • 303rd (Welsh) Field Ambulance disbanded by 31 January 1918
        • 104th Sanitary Section

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 71st Divisional Train ASC 821, 822, 823 and 824 Companies ASC. 821 had previously been 6th Provisional Company ASC; the others were new and formed for the Division in December 1916; disbanded by 23 February 1918
        • 56th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 8 January 1917, left 7 March 1918

        There is no memorial or published history of 71st Division.

         Divisional History  The 12th (Eastern) Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 12th (Eastern) Division

        The Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Eastern Command. It was assembled from late August 1914: 35th Brigade and artillery in the area of Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially at Aldershot and then at Lord's cricket ground.

        Divisional training was completed near Aldershot from 20 February 1915, where the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joined. The Division moved to France on 29 May - 1 June 1915 and after two days rest near Boulogne, moved to concentrate near St Omer and by 6 June had moved to the Meteren-Steenwerck area. Next day Divisional HQ established at Nieppe. Units of the Division were placed under temporary orders of 48th (South Midland) Division for the purposes of instruction. The third of the New Army formations to go to France (after 9th (Scottish) and 14th (Light) Divisions) the 12th Division served with distinction on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war.

        1915

        On 23 June 1915 the Division took over a sector of the front line for the first time, at Ploegsteert Wood, relieving 46th (North MIdland) Division. 6th Queen's, 6th Buffs and 11th Middlesex were the units that first entered the trenches. By 15 July the Divisional front had extended south to reach east of Armentieres; the 12th was now holding 7000 yards. In just holding this relatively quiet sector, in July alone the Division suffered the loss of 7 officers and 64 men killed, 18 officers and 413 men wounded.

        The Battle of Loos

        On 26 September, after this battle had started, the Division was relieved by the 1st Canadian and 50th (Northumbrian) Divisions and moved towards the Loos front. It arrived on 29 September and relieved outgoing units in the Gun Trench - Hulluch Quarries sector on the night of 30 September - 1 October. The Division commenced consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. The Officer Commanding, Major-General Frederick Wing CB, was killed in action on 2 October 1915. His ADC, Lieutenant Christopher Tower DSO, was killed by the same shell. On 8 October, the Division repelled a heavy German infantry attack. Five days later the Division took part in a large scale action to renew the offensive, now called the "Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt". The Division succeeded in capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men were killed or wounded. By the end of 21 October the Division had been relieved and moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune. It took over the Hohenzollern Redoubt front after a very short rest of five days and spent a cold, wet and miserable month here before being relieved on 15 November by 15th (Scottish) Division, whereupon it moved into reserve at Lillers.

        On 9 December, 9th Royal Fusiliers was given the unusual task of assisting in a round-up of spies and other uncertain characters in the streets of Bethune. Next day the Division moved up and relieved 33rd Division in the front line north of the La Bassee canal at Givenchy.

        1916

        Between 12 December 1915 and 18 January 1916 in a quiet period of trench-holding, the Division nonetheless suffered the loss of 102 officers and 670 men killed, wounded or missing. Relieved on 19 January and moved to Busnes, the Division had a spell of training in open warfare. Units moved back into the Loos trenches at the Quarries on 12-13 February 1916 and by 15 February held the line from there to the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

        The area of the Hohenzollern Redoubt had in the meantime become one where underground mine warfare was very active. A plan was evolved that required 4 mines to be blown under the enemy positions, which would be followed by an infantry assault aimed at capturing the enemy front trench called "The Chord". 36th Brigade made the attack after 170 Tunnelling Company RE detonated the mines at 1745 on 2 March 1916, successfully capturing the craters and gaining important observation over enemy lines as far as Fosse 8. Severe fighting in the crater area continued for some weeks, with the Division suffering more than 4000 casualties until being finally relieved on 26 April. A period of rest and training began, until finally - beginning with the RE Field Companies - the Division moved to the Somme.

        The Battles of the Somme 1916

        The Battle of Albert

        By 18 June 1916 the Division was based at Flesselles. It immediately carried out a training exercise to practice a planned attack to capture Martinpuich. This action never materialised. The Division moved up to Baizieux on 30 June and reached Hencourt and Millencourt by 10am on 1 July, in reserve to the British infantry attack that had begun earlier that morning. It moved to relieve 8th Division, which had suffered a severe repulse at Ovillers-la-Boisselle, during the night of 1-2 July.

        Ordered to continue the attack on Ovillers, 35th and 37th Brigades went in at 0315 on 2 July (just before this, Divisional HQ received information that a British attack on their left, by X Corps against Thiepval, was cancelled). Unlike the troops of 8th Division who had to cross a wide no man's land in the bright morning sun, the 12th Division attack, at night, adopted sensible tactics of advancing across no man's land while the artillery bombarded the enemy and rushed the last few yards when it lifted. The first wave of the attack met with mixed success: for example the 9th Essex came under heavy shellfire before it had reached even the British front line; it was difficult to keep direction in the deep shellholes; yet the 5th Berkshire and 7th Suffolk crossed, finding the enemy wire was well cut, and took at least two lines of German trenches before becoming bogged in intense bombing fights in the trenches. 6th Queen's were held up by wire and machine gun fire from Mash Valley. Heavy fire from the Leipzig salient - where X Corps would have been attacking - halted supporting units in no man's land, and the attack failed to achieve its objective.

        On 7 July 36th Brigade, with 74th Brigade attached to the Division for the purpose, attacked again and in spite of heavy casualties from German artillery and machine guns in Mash Valley, succeeded in holding the first and second lines that they captured on the spur on which Ovillers stands. By the time the Division was withdrawn to the area on Contay on 9 July, 189 officers and 4576 men had become casualties.

        The Battle of Pozieres

        After short spells at Bus-les-Artois and in the front line at Beaumont Hamel, the Division moved back to the Ovillers area for an operation north and northwest of Pozieres designed to destroy the enemy garrison holding Thiepval. On 3 August, an attack aimed at capturing 4th Avenue Trench was successful and pushed on to Ration Trench next day. German counter attacks including flamethrowers were beaten off over the next few days. An attack on 8 August to finally capture the stubborn enemy Point 77 failed with heavy casualties to 7th Sussex. Severe local fighting continued for five more days, when the Division was relieved and moved to the area of Doullens. Casualties since 28 July amounted to 126 officers and 2739 men.

        The Battle of Le Transloy

        Marched for five days after leaving Somme and relieved 11th (Northern) Division on the Arras front on 22 August. A comparatively quiet time, punctuated by trench raids. Relieved on 26-7 September and moved back to Somme, taking over forward positions in appalling conditions at Geudecourt, Grid and Grid Support on 1-2 October. Fourth Army mounted an attack on 7 October: the objective for the Division was Bayonet Trench and 500 yards beyond. A small gain was made in spite of heavy enemy fire. So few men made it to Bayonet Trench that it could not be held. Troops came under machine gun fire from German aircraft on 9 October. More efforts were made on 12 and 19 October, that got no further. The Division - except its artillery - was relieved on 19 October and returned to Arras. Another 135 officers and 3176 men had become casualties. In all, almost 11000 casualties had been sustained in a total of just 43 days fighting on the Somme.

        Again, Arras proved to be a relatively quiet sector although there were frequent trench raids and shellfire. On 17 December 1916, the Division moved out of the front line for rest - its first since June - in the Grande Rullecourt and Ambrines areas.

        1917

        The Arras Offensive

        The First Battle of the Scarpe

        As early as January 1917, the Division received notice that it would take part in an offensive at Arras. It moved to the front in that sector on 14 January. It did not leave other than for periods of rest until towards the end of 1917. The position held at Arras was not affected by the German withdrawal from the Somme to the Hindenburg Line in March

        The task of the Division, now part of VI Corps, in the Arras attack was to capture the enemy's "Black Line" (forward position) then go on to the "Brown Line" (the Wancourt-Feuchy trench including the strong point at Feuchy Chapel). The artillery bombardment opened on 4 April 1917, and the infantry - many of whom had been able to approach the front line in the long tunnels and subways reaching out from Arras itself, advanced behind a creeping barrage on 9 April. Resistance was rapidly overcome; fine counter-battery work had stifled the German guns. The leading troops quickly captured the Black Line, but German fire increased as successive waves came through to advance on the Feuchy Switch trench, notably from Observation Ridge. In places, the German soldiers were seen retreating at a run and by noon, 37th Division had pushed through with orders to capture Monchy le Preux. The 12th Division remained in position, as snow and sleet fell.

        On the night 11-12 April, 36th and 37th Brigades moved up and relieved units of of 8th Cavalry Brigade east of Monchy. Next day, 29th Division relieved 12th Division, whereupon the units moved back to the area between Arras and Doullens. The attack had been highly successful, making an advance on the Divisional front of some 4000 yards for a total of 2018 casualties.

        The Battle of Arleux

        After a ten day rest the Division re-entered the Arras battlefield, 37th Brigade going into the forward positions between the north east of Monchy and the River Scarpe. On 28 April, formations north of 12th Division undertook an operation to capture Roeux. 35th Brigade took part and attacked Rifle and Bayonet Trench but owing to heavy enemy shellfire and machine guns firing from Roeux - which was not captured - fell back to its start point.

        The Third Battle of the Scarpe

        This action included the Division's role in the capture of Roeux. A larger effort - including the British Fifth, Third and First Armies - took place on 3 May 1917, with an artillery bombardment that began two days earlier. 12th Division's role was to make an advance of some 2500 yards, including the capture of Pelves on the left flank. A preliminary attack on the left by 36th Brigade in the early hours of 2 May, including a gas barrage fired by Livens projectors, was not entirely successful but apparently caused considerable casualties to the enemy. The main attack was of mixed fortune, although 7th Royal Sussex reached the objective and then beat off determined counter attacks. Once again, German shellfire was the primary cause of problems and and heavy machine gun fire from Roeux caused many casualties. Shellfire was heavy over the next few days and the uncertain position of the advanced troops in Devil's Trench meant that British artillery was cautious in replying on German trenches. The Division was relieved on 16 May and moved to the area of Le Cauroy, having suffered a total of 141 officers and 3380 other ranks casualties since 25 April 1917.

        Between 17 May and 19 October 1917, the Division held positions east of Monchy le Preux, mounting several raids and small scale attacks and beating off some made against them, notably in the area of Hook Trench - Pick Avenue - Tites Copse. Much manual work took place, for the position held in May was of shell holes and disconnected parts of trenches, with few dugouts and no communications. When out of the line, units took part in training at Beaurains, where a scale model of the area occupied had been built for the purposes of instruction. A very successful major raid was carried out on 14 October. Five days later the Division was relieved by 4th Division, and returned to La Cauroy. (It should be noted that in holding the Arras front for as long as it did, 12th Division did not take part in the Third Battle of Ypres).

        The Cambrai operations

        Divisional HQ moved to Hesdin on 30 October, preparatory to a move to the Cambrai front. Commander in Chief Sir Douglas Haig watched a rehearsal attack carried out by 6th Buffs and 7th East Surrey on 13 November. Next day, a gradual move to the Heudecourt - Vaucelette Farm area began, where the Division went into III Corps for the offensive. It was the right-most formation of the attacking force.

        The special role of 12th Division in the attack of 20 November 1917 was to capture its first objective and then form a defensive flank to the south east, keeping in touch with 55th (West Lancashire) Division which was not attacking. Advancing from Gonnelieu, the Division moved forward through Sonnet and Pam Pam Farms, Bonavis and Lateau Wood, and dug in a defensive flank to allow the cavalry to pass unrestricted, as ordered. On the extreme right of the attack, the 7th Royal Sussex got into Banteux, which had been subjected to gas attack from Livens projectors. The next three days were spent in consolidating as the centre of the battle moved to the north. On 24 November a local operation to move the line to Quarry Post - Bleak Quarry - to gain command of a better line of observation - was carried out by 35th and 36th Brigades, which met with mixed success.

        By 29 November it had become apparent that the enemy was assembling a force in the area of Villers Guislain, south of 12th Division in area of 55th. Warning orders were issued: just in time, for on 30 November at 0645, heavy shellfire began to fall and by 0745 Divisional HQ was already out of touch with its forward units. The failure of the 24 November attack now became apparent as the enemy had invisibly assembled a considerable attacking force in the canal valley. A hard and confused fight followed as the German infantry advanced, the Division falling back across the recently won ground. By the end of the day the line had held at La Vacquerie. Further German efforts on 1 December were largely held off, although by now losses to some units had been as high as 50% of the strength they had before the counter attack. Relieved on 3-4 December, the Division - excluding its artillery which stayed a while longer - moved to Albert and from there moved by train to Aire, with billets at nearby Thiennes and Berguette.

        1918

        On 5 January 1918 Divisional HQ moved to Merville and on 13 January moved again to Croix du Bac where it came under orders of XV Corps, while the brigades relieved 38th (Welsh) Division in the Fleurbaix front line. Various trench raids took place here, as did the reduction of brigades from 4 battalions to 3. On 22 March orders were received warning the Division of an imminent move. Two days later the Division, less its artillery, concentrated in the Busnes area and moved that night by motor lorry to Albert.

        The First Battles of the Somme 1918

        The Battle of Bapaume

        On the morning of 24 March the Division arrived in the area of Senlis, Warloy and Bouzincourt. A tiring and confusing day was to follow. That afternoon, 36 and 37 Brigades moved forward to the line Montauban-Bazentin le Grand, on the old 1916 Somme battlefield. But events were moving fast as the enemy's offensive pressed forward. 35 Brigade after much marching took up a position covering Albert. 37 Brigade, in the area of Ovillers, covered the withdrawal of 47th (London) Division and then itself withdrew to Aveluy and by 0430 on 26 March 36 Brigade had also taken up a position west of the Ancre. There were no prepared trenches or wire defences and natural lines, such as the railway embankment north of Albert, were taken up to await the expected German attack. There was no touch with other Divisions to the right but contact was made with 2nd Division on the left.

        26 March 1918

        The First Battle of Arras 1918

        Soon after midday on 26 March, Germans were seen advancing down the slopes into the Ancre valley. They were also seen in large numbers to the south of Albert moving on Meaulte and Dernancourt and by 7pm Albert itself was full of them. The 7/Suffolks had to withdraw through the ruined town to west of the railway line. On the northern side too, it seemed that the Division was in great danger of being outflanked, for enemy had got to Grandcourt and Beaumont Hamel. All units came under increasing pressure as the enemy pressed on. Many enemy attacks were repelled with heavy casualties, although the Division suffered 1634 casualties in halting their advance.

        The Division was finally relieved by 47th (London) Division on 29 March and moved to Warloy. After a short rest, the Division came back to the front line on 2 April. Further enemy efforts on 5 and 6 April were beaten off, yet by the time relief came from 38th (Welsh) Division and the 12th Division had withdrawn to Toutencourt, another 1285 men were lost.

        April to July were spent in the area of Auchonvillers and Mailly-Maillet, where new drafts arrived to replace the losses.

        Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was to say in his "British Campaign in France and Flanders, January to July 1918" of the Division's role in March and April that they "withdrew from the line in glory, for it is no exaggeration to say that they had fought the Germans to an absolute standstill". He was right. The enemy offensive in Picardy had finally been defeated.

        On 1 July 1918, two years to the day that the British offensive had opened on the Somme, the Division carried out an attack at Bouzincourt. After initial success, counter attack drove the attacking units back at a cost of 680 casualties. The Division was relieved on 10 July and came under orders of XXII Corps. It was moved to the area south of Amiens.

        The Battle of Amiens

        The Divisional artillery supported the successful attack of the French 66th Division near Moreuil on 23 July 1918. It remained in action near Gentelles in covering the 2nd Australian Division, and between 8 and 25 August played a part in the highly successful attack by Fourth Army, the Battle of Amiens. Meanwhile the infantry of the Division continued to rebuild and train. On 30 July, the Division moved to III Corps and the area of Vignacourt, Canaples and Pernois.

        The Battle of Albert, a phase of the Second Battles of the Somme 1918

        Under the command of III Corps and on the left flank of this Corps front along the River Ancre, the Division generally played only a holding role on 8 August 1918 when Fourth Army made its great attack. However, German withdrawal from the Ancre and from Dernancourt being observed before the attack took place, 35 Brigade - on the Division's right - became involved. The 7/Norfolk and 9/Essex advanced to their objectives, consolidating a new line from the west of Morlancourt to the Ancre, but the Cambridgeshires on the right were held up by heavy fire from the Sailly Laurette road. The battalion renewed its attack later in the day, assisted by a tank, and achieved its objectives, capturing 316 enemy, 14 machine guns and 10 mortars. 37 Brigade took up this attack later on 9 August and succeeded in further captures. By the evening of 10 August the old Amiens defence line had been recaptured: in all the Division had by now advanced almost two miles.

        After a brief rest, the Division attacked again on 22 August, pushing right across the wilderness of the old Somme battlefield, capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood, which was reached after a week's continuous fighting. The Division had made an advance of another 15000 yards. It was relieved on 30 August by 47th (London) Division and moved back to the Carnoy-Briqueterie area.

        On 4-5 September 1918 the Division relieved 18th (Eastern) Division east of the Canal du Nord and just south of Manancourt, for an attack on Nurlu. Formidable wire defences and German counter attacks were overcome, Nurlu was taken. The German army retreated in haste for several miles, pursued by the Division which reached the line Sorel Wood - Lieramont cemetery. The advance was continued early on 8 September, capturing Guyencourt although in spite of heavy casualties. The movement halted 1000 yards west of Epehy and Pezieres, where the Division was relieved. It was now some 17 miles ahead of where the offensive had opened on 8 August. More than 1000 prisoners had been taken, as well as 17 artillery pieces and dozens of smaller weapons.

        The battles of the Hindenburg Line

        The Battle of Epehy

        After a rest in the area of Manancourt, the Division was ordered to renew the attack on Epehy. This took place on 18 September. Enemy strongholds at Malassise Farm and Fishers Keep held on stubbornly and caused heavy casualties but gradually resistance was overcome. Over the next few days further attacks were made against heavily defended posts and trenches; fighting was intense and progress slow.

        The Battle of the St Quentin canal

        On 27 September 1918, the British Third and Fourth Armies made a heavy attack on the Hindenburg Line. The role of 12th Division, still involved in pushing through and past the Epehy defences, was to secure the vantage points up to the St Quentin Canal and to protect the left flank of the 27th Division of the United States Army which was attacking under orders of Fourth Army. Localised actions took place at first before the main attack on 29 September, in which the Division fought up through the formidable mass of enemy trenches in front of Ossus Wood before reaching the western outskirts of Vendhuile. This successful action gave the US Division, 46th (North) Midland and Australian Divisions to the right the chance to break through the Hindenburg Line on this most important day in the the final offensive. The Division was now 26 miles from where the offensive had begun on 8 August and for that ground had lost 6229 officers and men. The Division was withdrawn for rest in the areas of Savy, Acq and Aubigny and left III Corps at this point.

        The Final Advance in Artois

        On the night 6-7 October 1918, the Division relieved 20th (Light) Division in Third Army, taking over the front sector between Oppy and Eleu dit Leauvette. It became apparent that the enemy was in the process of withdrawing from this area, leaving only stubborn outposts. Patrols pushed out and a general advance began through Drocourt, Mericourt and Billy-Montigny (east of Lens), in which the strong Drocourt-Queant Line was occupied by the Division. The advance had now assumed the characteristics of open warfare: the trenches were of the past and this battle became one of pursuit, communications and logistics. The advance pushed on through Courcelles, Henin-Lietard, past the Canal de la Haute Deule. By 23 October, the Division was crossing the River Scarpe at St Amand and four days later were at the Scheldt Canal. The Division was withdrawn for rest on 30 October and as events turned out, had finished its war.

        Once the enemy had signed the Armistice, the Division - not selected to advance into Germany - moved to the area east of Douai. Main activities were battlefield salvage and sports, as demobilisation began. On 22 March 1919, the Division ceased to exist.

        The order of battle of the 12th (Eastern) Division

        35th Brigade

        • 7th Bn, the Norfolk Regt
        • 7th Bn, the Suffolk Regt left May 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Essex Regt
        • 5th Bn, the Royal Berkshire Regt left February 1918
        • 35th Machine Gun Company formed 1 February 1916, left to move into 12th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 35th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 25 June 1916
        • 1/1st Bn, the Cambridgeshire Regt joined May 1918

        36th Brigade

        • 8th Bn, the Royal Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Royal Fusiliers
        • 7th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regt
        • 11th Bn, the Middlesex Regt disbanded February 1918
        • 36th Machine Gun Company formed 1 February 1916, left to move into 12th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 36th Trench Mortar Battery formed 15 June 1916
        • 5th Bn, the Royal Berkshire Regt joined February 1918

        37th Brigade

        • 6th Bn, the Queen's
        • 6th Bn, the Buffs
        • 7th Bn, the East Surrey Regt disbanded February 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Royal West Kent Regt
        • 37th Machine Gun Company formed 4 February 1916, left to move into 12th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 37th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 15 June 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 5th Bn, the Northamptonshire Regt
        • 9 Motor Machine Gun Battery joined early 1915, left 20 June 1915
        • 235th Machine Gun Company joined 16 July 1917, left to move into 12th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 12th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 1 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, the King Edward's Horse ljoined April 1915, left June 1916
        • 12th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 15 June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXII Brigade, RFA
        • LXIII Brigade, RFA
        • LXIV Brigade, RFA left 6 January 1917
        • LXV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 30 August 1916
        • 12th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 12th Heavy Battery, RGA left 8 June 1915
        • V.12 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 31 July 1916, disbanded 12 February 1918
        • X.12, Y.12 and Z.12 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed 1 July 1916; on 16 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 69th Field Company
        • 70th Field Company
        • 87th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 12th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 36th Field Ambulance
      • 37th Field Ambulance
      • 38th Field Ambulance
      • 23rd Sanitary Section left 1 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 12th Divisional Train ASC 116, 117, 118 and 119 Companies
      • 23rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 214th Divisional Employment Company joined 16 June 1917
      • 12th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 7 June 1915, absorbed into Divisional Train 16 April 1916


         The 13th (Western) Division came into existence as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Western Command. The infantry brigades began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914; 39th went to Basingstoke in January 1915. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire.

      1915

      On 7 June 1915, orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. All mechanical transport was withdrawn and the first reinforcement drafts were ordered not to sail (other than those for the artillery, end RE Companies).

      13 June 1915 : first transports left port, and sailed to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing at Gallipoli. Between 6-16 July 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles and relieved 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3-5 August 1915.

      Gallipoli

      • The Battle of Sari Bair
      • The Battle of Russell's Top
      • The Battle of Hill 60, ANZAC

      Soon afterwards the Division was transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. It was evacuated from Suvla 19-20 December 1915, whereupon the infantry moved after a weeks rest to the Helles bridgehead.

      1916

      The last Turkish attacks at Helles

      On 8-9 January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Helles and by 31 January was concentrated at Port Said. The Division held forward posts in the Suez Canal defences.

      On the 12th February 1916 it began to move to Mesopotamia, to strengthen the force being assembled for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. By 27 March, the Division had assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad and came under orders of the Tigris Corps. It then took part in the attempts to relieve Kut. After these efforts failed and Kut fell, the British force in the theatre was built up and reorganised.

      1917

      • The Battle of Kut al Amara
      • The capture of the Hai Salient
      • The capture of Dahra Bend
      • The passage of the Diyala

      At 10.30am on 11 March 1917, D Squadron, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry and the 6th (Service) Btn, King's Own were the first British troops to enter Baghdad, which fell on this day.

      During the rest of March and April 1917, operations were undertaken to consolidate the position won at Baghdad, by pushing north across Iraq. As part of "Marshall's Column", the Division fought at Delli 'Abbas (27-28 March), Duqma (29 March), Nahr Kalis (9-15 April), crossed the 'Adhaim (18 April) and at Shatt al 'Adhaim (30 April).

      It also fought later in the year, in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin (18-20 October and 3-6 December 1917), and finally at Tuz Khurmatli (29 April 1917).

      1918

      By 28 May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and it remained here until the end of the war. In this inhospitable place, men endured summer temperatures as high as 111 degrees F in the shade. Many working parties were supplied for work on maintaining roads.

      On 1 July 1918, Division received orders to detach 39th Brigade for the North Persia Force. It left the Division between 10 July and 19 August 1918. Brigade HQ arrived in Baku at Dunsterforce HQ on 24 August 1918.

      In October and early November 1918, parts of 40th Brigade and the Divisional artillery took part in operations as part of "Lewin's Column", pushing north towards Turkey, with advance units reaching as far as Altun Kopri when Turkey signed an Armistice on 31 October 1918.

      By 31 December 1918, all areas north of Kirkuk had been evacuated. On 11 January 1919, the Division - by now only some 12,000 strong - began to move south to Amara, and disbandment of the Division proceeded there during February 1919.

      6th (Service) Btn, East Lancashire and 6th (Service) Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment were selected for the Army of Occupation in Mesopotamia and were posted to join 34th Indian Infantry Brigade.

      13th (Western) Division, the only wholly British Division to have served in Mesopotamia, ceased to exist on 17 March 1919. During the war it had suffered 12,656 killed, wounded and missing, and 57,667 went sick (most of whom returned to duty, and this figure will include men who reported on more than one occasion).

      The units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 13th (Western) Division

      38th Brigade

      • 6th Btn, King's Own
      • 6th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
      • 6th Btn,South Lancashire Regiment
      • 6th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
      • 38th Machine Gun Company joined 24 October 1916
      • 38th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917, merged into Div Train 1 August 1918
      • 38th Trench Mortar Battery G Battery joined from 39th Brigade 7 October 1917, renamed 38th Battery February 1918
      • 38th SAA Section ASC joined March 1918

      39th Brigade

      1 July 1918 : Brigade received orders to be detached from Division and to be attached to the North Persia Force. It left the Division between 10 July and 19 August 1918. Brigade HQ arrived in Baku at Dunsterforce HQ on 24 August 1918.

      • 9th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
      • 7th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment
      • 9th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
      • 7th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment
      • 39th Machine Gun Company joined 26 October 1916
      • 39th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917
      • 39th Trench Mortar Battery joined as G Battery 13 January 1917, moved to 38th Brigade 7 October 1917. Replaced by H Battery, which arrived from 14th (Indian) Division on 8 October 1917 and was renamed 39th Battery 18 February 1918
      • 39th SAA Section ASC joined March 1918

      40th Brigade

      • 8th Btn, Cheshire Regiment
      • 8th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
      • 4th Btn, South Wales Borderers
      • 8th Btn, Welsh Regt left January 1915 to become Divisional Pioneer Bn
      • 5th Btn, the Wiltshire Regt joined December 1914
      • 40th Machine Gun Company joined 24 October 1916
      • 40th Supply & Transport Column ASC formed January 1917, merged into Div Train 1 August 1918
      • 40th Trench Mortar Battery joined as I Battery 23 September 1917, renamed 40th battery 18 February 1918

      Divisional Troops

      • 5th Btn, Wiltshire Regt left for 40th Brigade December 1914
      • 8th Btn, Welsh Regt became Divisional Pioneer Battalion from January 1915
      • 273rd Company, MGC formed October-November 1917

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • C Sqn, 33rd (Indian) Cavalry attached briefly in March 1916
      • D Sqn, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry joined 8 July 1916, left 20 November 1916, rejoined 3 March 1917, left 3 August 1917
      • 13th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps

      Divisional Artillery

      • LXVI Brigade, RFA
      • LXVII Brigade, RFA left for 10th (Irish) Division October 1915
      • LXVIII Brigade, RFA left for 10th (Irish) Division October 1915
      • LXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916
      • LV Brigade, RFA arrived from 10th (Irish) Division January 1916
      • LVI Brigade, RFA arrived from 10th (Irish) Division January 1916, left July 1916
      • 13th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA joined August 1914, but did not go overseas with the Division. Unlike in most other Divisions, each artillery brigade retained its own Ammunition Column
      • 13th Heavy Battery, RGA raised for this Division, the Battery was ordered to France on 30 May 1915 as part of XVII Heavy Brigade. On 23 October 1915, it joined 28th Division
      • 91st Heavy Battery, RGA joined for Gallipoli 7 June 1915, left for XCVI Brigade RGA in 1917
      • 74th Heavy Battery, RGA joined in Mesopotamia 24 August 1916, left for LXVI Brigade 23 November 1916
      • 157th Heavy Battery, RGA one section was attached January-February 1917
      • 2/104th Heavy Battery, RGA attached February-March and October-December 1917
      • 157th Siege Battery, RGA attached briefly in February 1917 26 (Jacob's) Mountain Battery, RGA joined 23 October 1917, left 10 August 1918
      • 177th Heavy Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 29 May 1918
      • 384th Siege Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 1 October 1918
      • 387th Siege Battery, RGA joined 25 October 1917, left 24 March 1918
      • The Division had no Medium or Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries, but had four "Trench Howitzer Batteries" armed with 2-inch mortars. They were numbered 133, 135, 136 and 137. Joined Division January-February 1917.

      Royal Engineers

      • 71st Field Company
      • 72nd Field Company left for North Persia Force with 39th Brigade Group
      • 88th Field Company
      • 13th Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 39th Field Ambulance
      • 40th Field Ambulance left for North Persia Force with 39th Brigade Group
      • 41st Field Ambulance
      • 24th Sanitary Section went to Egypt
      • 28th Sanitary Section joined in Mesoptamia in March 1916

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 13th Divisional Train ASC originally 120, 121, 122, 123 Coys. This Train did not sail for Gallipoli. It moved to Egypt in November 1915 and joined 28th Division. A Divisional Transport and Supply Column was formed for the Division in Mesopotamia. On 1 August 1918, the Brigade Transport and Supply Columns from 38th and 40th Brigade merged with it, at which point this unit once again became known as 13th Divisional Train
      • 24th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 13th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined Division September 1915 but did not go overseas
      • 10th Field Bakery ASC joined as first British mobile field bakery, 23 April 1916
      • 31st Field Butchery ASC joined 23 April 1916


         The 14th (Light) Division was formed as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of K1. It was formed of volunteers. At first it was numbered the 8th (Light) Division, but as more regular army units became available to create a Division, they were given precedence and this was renumbered as the 14th (Light) Division. Initially without equipment or arms of any kind, the recruits were judged to be ready by May 1915, although its move to the fighting front was delayed by lack of rifle and artillery ammunition. The 14th (Light) Division served on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in the following engagements:

      1915

      • The Action of Hooge, in which the Division had the misfortune to be the first to be attacked by flamethrower.
      • The Second Attack on Bellewaarde

      1916

      • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
      • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
        • The Battle of Langemark - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of the Avre - Somme
        • The Battle of Ypres and the final advance in Flanders

        On the Somme in 1918 the Division suffered very severe casualties, losing almost 6,000 troops. XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the line and placed on the construction of a new defensive line in the rear. On 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre. Various units were temporarily attached before the Division was moved to England for re-establishment on 17th of June 1918. The refreshed Division, although still short on numbers, moved back to France and joined Second Army in early July 1918.

        On 24 March 1919 the Division ceased to exist, having suffered more than 37,100 casualties during the war.

        The units forming the divisional order of battle of the 14th (Light) Division

        41st Brigade

        • 7th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left February 1918
        • 8th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 7th Btn, Rifle Brigade left June 1918
        • 8th Btn, Rifle Brigade left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 41st Machine Gun Company joined 15 February 1916, left to move into 14th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 41st Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 May 1916
        • 18th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment joined in England June 1918
        • 29th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined in England June 1918
        • 33rd Btn, London Regiment joined in England June 1918

        42nd Brigade

        • 5th Btn, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 5th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
        • 9th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 9th Btn, Rifle Brigade left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 42nd Machine Gun Company joined 24 February 1916, left to move into 14th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 42nd Trench Mortar Battery joined 15 April 1916
        • 6th Btn, Wiltshire Regt joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt
        • 16th Btn, Manchester Regt joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt
        • 14th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt

        43rd Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry left June 1918
        • 6th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
        • 6th Btn, Yorkshire Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
        • 10th Btn, Durham Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
        • 43rd Machine Gun Company formed at Houtkerque 16 February 1916, left to move into 16th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 43rd Trench Mortar Battery joined 24 April 1916
        • 9th Btn, Cameronians joined February 1918, left April 1918
        • 7th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined February 1918, left as a cadre June 1918
        • 12th Btn, Suffolk Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt
        • 6th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers briefly attached June 1918
        • 20th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt
        • 10/11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined as a cadre June 1918 and rebuilt

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) became Divisional Pioneer Battalion joined January 1915, left June 1918
        • 8th Btn, Devonshire Regt left May 1915
        • 15th Btn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined in England June 1918
        • 6th Btn, the Leinster Regt briefly attached July 1918
        • 8th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined early 1915, left 5 November 1916
        • 249th Machine Gun Company joined 21 July 1917, left 1 October 1917
        • 224th Machine Gun Company joined 17 November 1917, left to move into 14th MG Battalion 1 March 1918
        • 14th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 1 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • D Sqn, Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry left 11 May 1916
        • 14th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 11 January 1915, left 11 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XLVI Brigade, RFA
        • XLVII Brigade, RFA
        • XLVIII Brigade, RFA left 7 January 1917
        • XLIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 6 October 1916
        • 14th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 14th Heavy Battery, RGA formed as 8th (New) Heavy Battery RGA - the most senior Heavy Battery of the New Armies - on 12 October 1914. Designation changed soon after, and joined Division 9 February 1915. Left on 8 June 1915 and joined XVI Heavy Artillery Brigade.
        • V.14 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 28 July 1916, left 19 January 1918 to join Fifth Army Mortar School
        • X.14, Y.14 and Z.14 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed 11 March 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 61st Field Company
        • 62nd Field Company
        • 89th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 14th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 42nd Field Ambulance
        • 43rd Field Ambulance
        • 44th Field Ambulance
        • 25th Sanitary Section left 1 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 14th Divisional Train ASC 100, 101, 102 and 103 Companies
        • 26th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 215th Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps joined by 9 June 1917
        • 14th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           15th (Scottish) Division was established by the Scottish Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The Division was inspected by HM King George V on 26 September 1914 - the first occasion on which the Division paraded as a formed unit, and with the exception of the Staff, plain clothes were worn. By 22 January 1915 the Division was in uniform for an inspection by Kitchener. By the early summer of 1915, the Division was considered to be ready for France and embarkation orders were received on 3 July 1915. The Division served with distinction on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in most of the significant actions and winning regard by the enemy as one of the most formidable in the British army.

        1915

        The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • In spring 1916, the Division was involved in German gas attacks near Hulluch (27-29 April 1916) and in the defence of the Kink position (11 May 1916). These are among the engagements officially known as the Actions of Spring 1916.
        • The Battle of Pozieres - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme in which the Division captured Martinpuich
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme in which the Division took part in attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive in which the Division captured Guemappe
        • The Battle of Pilckem - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Langemark - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The First Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
        • The Battle of the Soissonnais and of the Ourcq including the the attack on Buzancy, a phase of the Battles of the Marne
        • The Final Advance in Artois

        Order of Battle of the 15th (Scottish) Division

        44th Brigade

        • 9th Btn, Black Watch left February 1918
        • 8th Btn, Seaforth Highlanders
        • 9th Btn, Gordon Highlanders left January 1915
        • 10th Btn, Gordon Highlanders left May 1916
        • 7th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined January 1915, left as a cadre June 1918
        • 1/4th Btn, Black Watch joined November 1915, left January 1916
        • 8th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined May 1916, left as a cadre June 1918. Renamed 8/10th Btn from May 1916
        • 44th Machine Gun Company joined 12 January 1916, left to move into 15th MG Battalion 17 March 1918
        • 44th Trench Mortar Battery joined 25 June 1916
        • 4/5th Btn, Black Watch joined June 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joined June 1918

        45th Brigade

        • 13th Btn, Royal Scots
        • 7th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers. joined in September 1914, renamed 6/7th Btn in May 1916, left February 1918
        • 6th Btn, Cameron Highlanders
        • 11th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left as a cadre in June 1918
        • 45th Machine Gun Company joined 12 February 1916, left to move into 15th MG Battalion 17 March 1918
        • 45th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916
        • 1/8th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined June 1918

        46th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers
        • 8th Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers merged and became 7/8th Bn, May 1916
        • 10th Btn, Cameronians
        • 12th Btn, Highland Light Infantry left February 1918
        • 1/4th Btn, Suffolk Regiment joined November 1915, left February 1916
        • 1/4th Btn, Seaforth Highlanders joined November 1915, left February 1916
        • 46th Machine Gun Company joined 11 February 1916, left to move into 15th MG Battalion 17 March 1918
        • 10/11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined May 1916, left February 1918
        • 46th Trench Mortar Battery joined 20 June 1916
        • 9th Btn, Black Watch joined February 1918, left as a cadre May 1918
        • 4/5th Btn, Black Watch joined May 1918, left June 1918
        • 1/9th Btn, Royal Scots joined June 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 7th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment left February 1915
        • 7th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left April 1915
        • 9th Btn, Gordon Highlanders joines as Divisional Pioneer Battalion January 1915
        • 11th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 23 June 1915, left 22 July 1916
        • 225th Machine Gun Company joined 19 July 1917, left to move into 15th MG Battalion 17 March 1918
        • 15th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 17 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • B Sqn, Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry joined 23 June 1915, left 10 May 1916
        • 15th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 23 December 1914, left 21 June 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXX Brigade, RFA
        • LXXI Brigade, RFA
        • LXXII Brigade, RFA left 20 January 1917
        • LXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 1-3 December 1916
        • 15th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 15th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to Gallipoli and was attached to 10th (Irish) Division in 1915
        • V.15 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined November 1916, left 9 February 1918
        • X.15, Y.15 and Z.15 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by June 1916; on 9 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 73rd Field Company
        • 74th Field Company
        • 91st Field Company joined January 1915
        • 15th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 45th Field Ambulance
        • 46th Field Ambulance
        • 47th Field Ambulance
        • 32nd Sanitary Section left 29 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 15th Divisional Train ASC 138, 139, 140 and 141 Companies
        • 27th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 216th Divisional Employment Company joined 22 May 1917
        • 15th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 9 April 1916


           16th (Irish) Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The Division moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. The training and preparation of the Division was slowed by the loss of many of its units to the 37th and Guards Divisions when they were created in 1915.

        In December 1915 the Division moved to France and concentrated in the Bethune area. It served on the Western Front with distinction throughout the war.

        1916

        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme in which the Division captured the village
        • The Battle of Ginchy - Somme

        1917

        • The Battle of Messines
        • The Battle of Langemark

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme

        On the 18th of June 1918 after suffering very heavy casualties a decision was taken to return the Division to England for refit and it was then significantly reconstituted. The Division lost virtually all of its remaining Irish units at this point. They returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and took part in the Final Advance in Artois.

        The Division suffered the loss of more than 28,000 casualties during the war.

        Order of Battle of the 16th (Irish) Division

        47th Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment disbanded 9 February 1918. Troops were redeployed to 2nd and 7th Royal Irish Regiment
        • 6th Btn, Connaught Rangers reduced to cadre 13 April 1918. Troops were redeployed to 2nd Leinster, left June 1918
        • 7th Btn, Leinster Regiment disbanded 14 February 1918. Troops went to 2nd Btn and to 19th Entrenching Bn,
        • 8th Btn, the Royal Munster Fusiliers absorbed by 1st Btn of the regiment on 23 November 1916
        • 47th Machine Gun Company MGC joined 28 April 1916, moved to 16th Battalion MGC 9 March 1918
        • 47th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916, reformed in England 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined 22 November 1916, left 20 April 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Leinster Regiment joined 2 February 1918, left 23 April 1918
        • 14th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment joined 26 June 1918, after absorbing 2/4th Btn of the regiment
        • 6/7th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as a cadre June 1918, left July 1918
        • 9th Btn, Black Watch joined 2 July 1918 after absorbing 15th Btn of the regiment
        • 18th Btn, Welsh Regiment joined 7 July 1918 after absorbing 25th Btn of the regiment

        48th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, Royal Irish Rifles left 23 August 1917
        • 9th Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers disbanded 30 May 1916. Troops deployed to 1st, 2nd and 8th Bns of the regiment
        • 8th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers merged and became 8/9th Bn 24 October 1917. Surplus troops went to 10th Btn. Disbanded 10 February 1918, troops went to 1st Btn
        • 9th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers amalgamated into 8/9 Btn 24 October 1917
        • 48th Machine Gun Company MGC joined 28 April 1916, moved to 16th Battalion MGC 9 March 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined 28 May 1916, left 22 November 1916
        • 48th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 24 June 1916, reformed in England 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 16 November 1916, amalgamated with 1st Btn 14 April 1918. 2nd Btn was then reformed as a training cadre. Left 1 June 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 19 October 1917, amalgamated with 2nd Btn 14 April 1918. Left 26 April 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined 3 February 1918, left as cadre 19 May 1918, surplus troops going to 1st Btn. Left 31 May 1918
        • 22nd Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined 2 July 1918, after absorbing 38th NF.
        • 18th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) joined 2 July 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers joined 10 June 1918, absorbed by 5th Bn 29 August 1918
        • 5th Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers joined 24 August 1918
        • 10th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 23 June 1917, left 13 February 1918. Disbanded two days later and troops went to 19th Entrenching Bn

        49th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers amalgamated with 8th Btn 15 October 1916 and became 7/8th Btn. Disbanded 10 February 1918, troops going to 1st and 9th Btns
        • 8th Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers amalgamated with 8th Btn 15 October 1916 and became 7/8th Btn
        • 7th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers amalgamated with 8th Bn 23 August 1917 and became 7/8th Btn. Reduced to cadre 22 April 1918, surplus troops to 2nd Royal Irish Regiment. Cadre left 17 June 1918
        • 8th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined October 1914, amalgamated with 7th Btn 23 August 1917
        • 49th Machine Gun Company MGC joined 29 April 1916, moved to 16th Battalion MGC 9 March 1918
        • 49th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916, reformed in England 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined 14 October 1916, left 23 April 1918
        • 7th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined 14 October 1917, reduced to cadre 18 April 1918. Left 17 June 1918
        • 34th Btn, London Regiment joined 27 June 1918
        • 7th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 34th London Regiment in same month
        • 5th Btn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 18th Gloucesters in same month
        • 13th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 6th Somersets in same month
        • 7th Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 11th Royal Irish Fusiliers in same month
        • 6/7th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as a cadre June 1918, absorbed by 18th Scottish Rifles in same month
        • 18th Btn, the Gloucestershire Regiment joined 2 July 1918
        • 6th Btn, the Somerset Light Infantry joined 4 July 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, Hampshire Regiment joined 20 September 1914. Absorbed many troops of 13th Btn, Border Regiment in June 1918
        • 269th Machine Gun Company MGC joined 18 January 1918, moved to 16th Battalion MGC 9 March 1918
        • 16th Machine Gun Battalion MGC formed 9 March 1918. Broken up at Camiers on 8 May 1918 and troops transferred to infantry. A new Bn was formed at Grantham on 18 June 1918 and joined the Division on 2 August 1918
        • 19th Entrenching Battalion joined 4 April 1918, disbanded 5 May 1918. Troops went to 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • 16th Divisional Cyclist Company joined 11 December 1914, disbanded 1 June 1916. Troops redeployed to the infantry
        • C Squadron, South Irish Horse joined January 1915, left 17 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXXIV Brigade RFA left in July 1915 to join Guards Division
        • LXXV Brigade RFA left in July 1915 to join Guards Division
        • LXXVI Brigade RFA left in July 1915 to join Guards Division
        • LXXVII (H) Brigade RFA left in July 1915 but rejoined in France 22nd of February 1916, left 22nd of February 1917
        • CLXXVII Brigade RFA joined in France on 22nd of February 1916
        • CLXXX Brigade RFA joined in France on 22nd of February 1916
        • CLXXXII Brigade RFA joined in France on 22nd of February 1916. Broken up on 27th of August 1916
        • 16th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA the original DAC left in August 1915 to join Guards Division. A new DAC joined Division in France on 22nd of February 1916
        • 16th Heavy Battery RGA raised for the Division but moved independently to France in July 1915
        • X.16, Y.16 and Z.16 Medium Trench Mortar Batteries RFA joined by June 1916. Z.16 broken up 27 February 1918. X.16 and Y.16 broken up 20 April 1918, troops being absorbed by other units
        • V.16 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined by 5 September 1916, left February 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 75th Field Company left 13 August 1915 to join Guards Division
        • 76th Field Company left 13 August 1915 to join Guards Division
        • 16th Divisional Signal Company left 13 August 1915 to join Guards Division. A new Company joined in September 1915
        • 95th Field Company joined 30 January 1915 from 26th Division, left 17 August 1915 to join 7th Division
        • 155th Field Company joined in August 1915
        • 156th Field Company joined in August 1915
        • 157th Field Company joined in August 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 48th Field Ambulance left June 1915 and joined 37th Division
        • 49th Field Ambulance left June 1915 and joined 37th Division
        • 50th Field Ambulance left June 1915 and joined 37th Division
        • 111th Field Ambulance joined September 1915
        • 112th Field Ambulance joined September 1915
        • 113th Field Ambulance joined September 1915
        • 81st Sanitary Section joined before embarkation, left for IX Corps in April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 16th Divisional Train ASC 142, 143, 144 and 145 Companies
        • 16th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 25 December 1915 from
        • Lahore Division. Absorbed into Divisional Train by 9 April 1916
        • 217th Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917
        • 47th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC


           17th (Northern) Division was established by the Northern Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Wareham - Lulworth - Swanage - Wool- Bovington area of Dorset but moved in late May 1915 to the Winchester area. After receiving an order that the Division would be retained for home defence (subsequently cancelled), advance parties left for France on 6th of July. Main embarkation began on 12 July and units moved to concentrate near St Omer. The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1915

        The Division spent its initial period of trench familiarisation and then holding the front lines in the southern area of the Ypres salient.

        1916

        • The Actions of Spring 1916.
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured Fricourt
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Capture of Roeux - Arras Offensive
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Amiens - Somme
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Havrincourt - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Artois
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Artois

        When the Armistice came into effect at 1100 on 11th of November 1918 the leading elements of the Division were south east of Maubeuge. Over the next two days the Division was withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau; on 6 December it moved behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation began in January 1919 and the Division ceased to exist at the end of May.

        In all the 17th (Northern) Division had suffered the loss of 40258 killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 17th (Northern) Division

        50th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment left March 1915
        • 6th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment joined March 1915
        • 50th Machine Gun Company joined 12 February 1916, left to move into 17th MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 50th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 25 June 1916

        51st Brigade

        • 7th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Border Regiment
        • 8th Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 10th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 51st Machine Gun Company joined 12 February 1916, left to move into 17th MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 51st Trench Mortar Battery formed by 3 July 1916
        • 3/4th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined 22 June 1917, left 12 July 1917

        52nd Brigade

        • 9th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers left August 1917
        • 10th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 9th Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment
        • 12th Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 52nd Machine Gun Company joined 12 February 1916, left to move into 17th MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 52nd Trench Mortar Battery formed by 15 June 1916
        • 3/4th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined 3 August 1917, disbanded by 20 February 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment left March 1915
        • 7th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment joined as Pioneer Battalion March 1915
        • 3/4th Btn, the Royal West Kent Regiment attached as Pioneer Battalion 12 July - 3 August 1917
        • 12th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 10 July 1915, left 7 May 1916
        • 236th Machine Gun Company joined 17 July 1917, left to move into 17th MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 17th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 24 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry left 10 May 1916
        • 17th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 24 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXXVIII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXIX Brigade, RFA
        • LXXX Brigade, RFA broken up 31 August 1916
        • LXXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 1-27 January 1917
        • 17th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 17th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France and joined XXIX Heavy Artillery Brigade on 9 October 1915
        • V.17 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 22 August 1916, left 28 February 1918
        • X.17, Y.17 and Z.17 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by 22 August 1916; by 28 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 77th Field Company
        • 78th Field Company
        • 93rd Field Company
        • 17th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 51st Field Ambulance
        • 52nd Field Ambulance
        • 53rd Field Ambulance
        • 34th Sanitary Section left 10 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 17th Divisional Train ASC 146, 147, 148 and 149 Companies
        • 29th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 218th Divisional Employment Company joined 9 June 1917
        • 17th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 2 April 1916


           18th (Eastern) Division was established by Eastern Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were difficult, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved in May 1915 to Salisbury Plain. King George V inspected the Division on 24 June. Embarkation for France began on a month later and the units assembled near Flesselles, completing concentration there five days later.

        They served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured its objectives near Montauban
        • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme in which the Division captured Trones Wood
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Thiepval Ridge - Somme
        • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme in which the Division played a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and in the capture of Regina Trench
        • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • Operations on the Ancre (notably Miraumont and the capture of Irles)
        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe, a phase of the Arras offensive
        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of the Avre - Somme
        • The actions of Villers-Brettoneux - Somme
        • The Battle of Amiens
        • The Battle of Albertin - Somme. in which the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and recaptured Trones Wood
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Artois
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Artois

        When the Armistice came into effect at 11am on 11 November 1918 the units of the Division were in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau. Demobilisation began on 10th of December 1918 and by 19th/20th of March 1919 the Division ceased to exist. 18th (Eastern) Division casualties amounted to 46503 killed, wounded and missing, of whom 13727 died and are listed in the Divisional roll of honour held at St James's Church in Colchester.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 18th (Eastern) Division

        53rd Brigade

        • 8th Btn, Norfolk Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 8th Btn, Suffolk Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 10th Btn, Essex Regiment
        • 6th Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 53rd Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918
        • 53rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 17 June 1916
        • 8th Bn, Royal Berkshire Regiment joined February 1918
        • 7th Bn, Royal West Kent Regiment joined February 1918

        54th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, Royal Fusiliers left October 1914
        • 11th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 8th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment left February 1915
        • 12th Btn, Middlesex Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 6th Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment joined November 1914
        • 7th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined February 1915
        • 54th Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918
        • 54th Trench Mortar Battery joined 1 June 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined May 1918

        55th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, The Queen's
        • 7th Btn, The Buffs
        • 8th Btn, East Surrey Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment left February 1918
        • 55th Machine Gun Company joined 13 February 1916, left to move into 18th MG Battalion 16 February 1918
        • 55th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment left November 1914
        • 10th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined October 1914, left March 1915
        • 8th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment joined as Pioneer Bn February 1915
        • 15th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 22 July 1915, left 4 May 1916
        • 18th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 16 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • C Sqn, Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry joined 15 June 1915, left 10 May 1916
        • 18th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 8 December 1914, left 21 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXXXII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXXIII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXXIV Brigade, RFA left 25 January 1917
        • LXXXV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 3 December 1916
        • 18th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 18th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to Egypt in October 1915 and spent most of the war in Salonika
        • V.18 and W. 18 Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries RFA V Bty formed 28 April 1916; was attached to Fourth Army TM School until 6 May 1916; left for II Corps on 19 February 1918. W Bty formed 21 May 1916, but broken up by 26 November 1916, having by then received no weapons
        • X.18, Y.18 and Z.18 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by 19 June 1916; by 19 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 79th Field Company
        • 80th Field Company
        • 92nd Field Company
        • 18th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 54th Field Ambulance
        • 55th Field Ambulance
        • 56th Field Ambulance
        • 35th Sanitary Section. left 24 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 18th Divisional Train ASC 150, 151, 152 and 153 Companies
        • 30th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 219th Divisional Employment Company joined 3 June 1917
        • 18th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 16 April 1916


           19th (Western) Division was established by the Western Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions moved into billets for the winter, in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare. In March 1915 all units concentrated near Tidworth. The Division was inspected by King George V on 23 June 1915. Advanced parties left for France on 11 July and the main body crossed the English Channel 16-21 July. Units initially moved to the point of assembly near St Omer. The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1915

        The Action of Pietre

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme in which the Division captured La Boisselle
        • The attacks on High Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme
        • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme
        • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • The Battle of Messines
        • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of Ypres
        • First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Messines - Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Lys
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Lys
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy and the passage of the Grand Honelle

        The Division advanced across Marlborough's old battlefield at Malplaquet on 8 November, after which it was withdrawn into XVII Corps Reserve. When the Armistice came into effect at 1100 on 11 November 1918 the units of the Division were in billets near Bavay. By 26 November they had moved west to Naours. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and by 18/19 March 1919 the Division ceased to exist. Final cadres returned to England 21-27 June 1919.

        In all the 19th (Western) Division had suffered the loss of 39381 killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 19th (Western) Division.

        56th Brigade

        • 7th Btn, King's Own disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 7th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 4th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 3 December 1915, left 19 December 1915
        • 56th Machine Gun Company joined 14 February 1916, although a provisional Company existed September - December 1915, left to move into 19th MG Battalion 14 February 1918
        • 56th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916, broken up 5 February 1918 and reconstructed 6 March 1918
        • 9th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined February 1918
        • 1/4th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry joined February 1918
        • 8th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined February 1918

        57th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment
        • 10th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment left as a cadre June 1918
        • 8th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment left February 1918
        • 57th Machine Gun Company joined 14 February 1916, left to move into 19th MG Battalion 14 February 1918
        • 57th Trench Mortar Battery joined 15 June 1916
        • 3rd Btn, Worcestershire Regiment joined June 1918

        58th Brigade

        • 9th Btn, Cheshire Regiment left February 1918
        • 9th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 5th Btn, South Wales Borderers left December 1914
        • 9th Btn, Welsh Regiment
        • 6th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment joined December 1914, left as a cadre June 1918
        • 58th Machine Gun Company joined 14 February 1916, left to move into 19th MG Battalion 14 February 1918
        • 58th Trench Mortar Battery joined 15 June 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Wiltshire Regiment joined May 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 6th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment left December 1914
        • 5th Btn, South Wales Borderers joined as provisional Pioneer Bn December 1914, conversion completed February 1915
        • 13th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 14 July 1915, left 7 March 1916 246th Company, MGC joined 19 July 1917, moved into 19 Mg Bn 14 February 1918
        • 19th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 14 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • C Sqn, Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry joined 26 June 1915, left 21 April 1916
        • 19th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 19 November 1914, left 21 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • LXXXVI Brigade, RFA left 23 January 1917
        • LXXXVII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXXVIII Brigade, RFA
        • LXXXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 8-9 September 1916
        • 19th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 19th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France on 15 July 1915 and joined XXI Brigade RGA
        • W.19 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined May 1916, disbanded 19 February 1918
        • X.19, Y.19 and Z.19 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by May 1916; on 18 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 81st Field Company
        • 82nd Field Company
        • 94th Field Company
        • 19th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 57th Field Ambulance
        • 58th Field Ambulance
        • 59th Field Ambulance
        • 36th Sanitary Section left 9 July 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 19th Divisional Train ASC 154, 155, 156 and 157 Companies
        • 31st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 220th Divisional Employment Company joined 19 July 1917
        • 19th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train 6 April 1916


           20th (Light) Division was established in September 1914 as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener's Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division first assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. Artillery was particularly hard to come by; 12 old guns arrived from India in February 1915. When in the same month the Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, the artillery had to go by train as there was insufficient harness for the horses. Another move was made, to Salisbury Plain, in April 1915. The Division was inspected by King George V at Knighton Down on 24 June 1915, by which time all equipment had arrived and the Division was judged ready for war. On 26th of July 1915 the Division completed concentration in the Saint-Omer area, all units having crossed to France during the preceding few days. Early trench familiarisation and training took place in the Fleurbaix area.

        The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1916

        • The Battle of Mount Sorrel
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Morval - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Cambrai Operations

        1918

          The Battle of St Quentin - Somme The actions at the Somme crossings - Somme The Battle of Rosieres - Somme

        The Division was withdrawn after the heavy fighting of the Somme battles, moving on 20th of April 1918 to an area south west of Amiens. During the summer months it received many new drafts of men.

        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy and the passage of the Grand Honelle

        The Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge when the Armistice came into effect at 1100 on 11th of November. Late in the month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. demobilisation began on 7 January 1919 and the final cadres crossed to England on 28 May..

        In all the 20th (Light) Division had suffered the loss of 35470 killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 20th (Light) Division

        59th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps disbanded February 1918
        • 11th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
        • 10th Btn, Rifle Brigade disbanded February 1918
        • 11th Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 59th Machine Gun Company joined 3 March 1916, left to move into 20th MG Battalion 15 March 1918
        • 59th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 July 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Cameronians joined February 1918

        60th Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry left February 1918
        • 6th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 12th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
        • 12th Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 60th Machine Gun Company joined 3 March 1916, left to move into 20th MG Battalion 15 March 1918
        • 60th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 July 1916

        61st Brigade

        • 7th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 7th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
        • 7th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry left February 1918
        • 11th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left January 1915
        • 12th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1915
        • 61st Machine Gun Company joined 3 March 1916, left to move into 20th MG Battalion 15 March 1918
        • 61st Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 July 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 12th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left January 1915
        • 9th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left April 1915
        • 11th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined as Pioneer Bn January 1915
        • 14th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 26 January 1915, left 22 April 1916
        • 217th Company, MGC joined March 1917, moved into 20 MG Bn 15 March 1918
        • 20th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 15 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • HQ, D Sqn and MG Section, the Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry joined 24 June 1915, left 29 April 1916
        • 20th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 22 December 1914, left 17 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XC Brigade, RFA broken up 30 August 1916
        • XCI Brigade, RFA
        • XCII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left 8 January 1917
        • XCIII Brigade, RFA broken up 8-9 September 1916
        • 20th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 20th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France in August 1915
        • V.20 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed by 24 May 1916, broken up 2 February 1918
        • X.20, Y.20 and Z.20 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed by 24 May 1916; on 2 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 83rd Field Company
        • 84th Field Company
        • 96th Field Company joined from 26th Division in January 1915
        • 20th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 60th Field Ambulance
        • 61st Field Ambulance
        • 62nd Field Ambulance
        • 33rd Sanitary Section left 24 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 20th Divisional Train ASC 158, 159, 160 and 161 Companies
        • 32nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 221st Divisional Employment Company joined 30 June 1917
        • 20th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded 31 March 1916


           The 29th Division was one of three Divisions creates as regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England after having received recall orders soon after war was declared, many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them. The 29th Division was formed in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area of Warwickshire in January-March 1915. Originally intended for France, pressure on Lord Kitchener to launch a ground attack at Gallipoli forced him to deploy the Division there. The 29th Division embarked at Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd of March 1915 and went via Malta to Alexandria. On 7 April the first units to have arrived at Egypt Bena Ro re-embark for the move to Mudros, the deep water harbour at the island of Imbros that was going to be used as a forward base for operations at Gallipoli. The Division landed at Cape Helles on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and subsequently took part in the following actions:

        1915

        • The Naval bombardment of the Straits Forts
        • The Naval attempt to force the Straits
        • The Landings at Cape Helles and ANZAC Cove
        • The deployment of the RMLI to Gallipoli
        • The First Battle of Krithia
        • The Turkish night counter-attack
        • The Second Battle of Krithia
        • The Third Battle of Krithia
        • The Battle of Gully Ravine
        • The Landings at Suvla Bay and the ANZAC attack on Chunuk Bair
        • The Battle of Scimitar Hill and attack on Hill 60
        • Evacuation of ANZAC bridgehead and Suvla Bay
        • Evacuation of Cape Helles bridgehead

        1916

        On the nights on the 7th and 8th of January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Gallipoli and all units returned to Egypt. Orders were received there on 25th of February for a move to France. Embarking in March it arrived at Marseilles and moved to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy between 15th and 29th of March. The Division remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war.

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Cambrai

        1918

          The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Messines 1918 - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence on Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys The Action of Outtersteene Ridge - Advance in Flanders The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 - Advance in Flanders The Battle of Ypres 1918 - Final Advance in Flanders The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders

        After the Armistice the Division was among those selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead. All units crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on 4th of December 1918 and arrived in Cologne five days later. The Division crossed the Rhine by the Honhenzollern Bridge on 13 December. Gradually, demobilisation began and by March 1919 most units were down to cadre strength.

        Divisional Order of Battle of the 29th Division

        86th Infantry Brigade (Fusilier Brigade)

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers left April 1916
        • 1st Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers left October 1917, rejoined April 1918
        • 2/3rd Btn, London Regiment joined August 1915, left January 1916 86th Machine Gun Company formed 26 February 1916, moved to 29 Battalion MGC on 15 Feb 1918
        • 16th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined April 1916, disbanded February 1918
        • 86th Trench Mortar Battery formed 21 April 1916
        • 1st Btn, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry joined October 1917, left April 1918

        87th Infantry Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, South Wales Borderers
        • 1st Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers
        • 1st Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Border Regiment
        • 87th Machine Gun Company formed 16 February 1916, moved to 29 Battalion MGC on 15 Feb 1918
        • 87th Trench Mortar Battery formed 28 April 1916

        88th Infantry Brigade

        • 4th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Hampshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Essex Regiment left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Royal Newfoundland Regiment left April 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Royal Scots joined March 1915, left July 1915
        • 2/1st Btn, London Regiment joined August 1915, left January 1916
        • 88th Machine Gun Company formed 21 February 1916, moved to 29 Battalion MGC on 15 Feb 1918
        • 88th Trench Mortar Battery formed 16 April 1916
        • 2nd Btn, the Leinster Regiment joined April 1918

        Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 1/2nd tBn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in May 1916
        • 29th Divisional Train 246, 247, 248 and 249 TF Companies, ASC. This was originally the Wessex Divisional Train from the Wessex Division. This transferred to 53rd (Welsh) Division in Egypt, March 1916, after seeing action in Gallipoli. A new Divisional Train was formed in England, consisting of 225, 226, 227 and 228 Companies, ASC. It moved to France and joined the Division 24 March 1916
        • 18th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 226th Divisional Employment Company joined on 25 May 1917 as 28th Employment Company, 1st Labour Corps; redesignated in June 1917
        • 29th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained in Egypt when Division moved to France. A fresh unit joined in France, and it was absorbed by the Divisional Supply Column in April 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • C Sqn, Surrey Yeomanry left 11 May 1916
        • 1 Section, 10 Squadron, Royal Naval Armoured Car Detachment attached between 5 May 1915 and 20 June 1915

        Divisional Artillery

        • XV Brigade, RHA
        • XVII Brigade, RFA
        • CXLVII Brigade, RFA left January 1917
        • IV Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA left July 1915
        • 29th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA original 29th DAC remained in Egypt when the Division moved to France (in October 1916 it was transferred to the 10th (Irish) Division. While en-route to Salonika its ship was torpedoed and more than 100 men were lost). On arrival in France the former DAC of the 53rd (Welsh) Division joined 29th Division
        • CXXXII Brigade, RFA formerly LVII (H) joined 2 March 1916, broken up 12 September 1916
        • V.29 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed May 1916, broken up 4 February 1918
        • X.29, Y.29 and Z.29 Medium Trench Mortar Batteries, RFA joined April 1916; on 4 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 2nd (Lowland) Field Company left February 1916
        • 510th Field Company renamed from 2nd (London) Field Company
        • 455th Field Company renamed from 1st (West Riding) Field Company
        • 497th Field Company joined February 1916, renamed from 3rd (kent) Field Company
        • 1st London Divisional Signal Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 87th (1st West Lancashire) Field Ambulance
        • 88th (1st East Anglian) Field Ambulance
        • 89th (1st Highland) Field Ambulance
        • 16th Sanitary Section left April 1917


           The 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Tring area, spending some time in camp at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, the artillery went to Aston Clinton (One brigade staying at Berkhamsted) and the RE to Wendover. Rifles were received in late June 1915 and after firing their first course the infantry moved from 9 August to Witley Camp. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division on the march on 12 August. Advanced parties embarking for France began on 2 September and the main body began to cross the Channel five days later. Units moved to assemble near Tilques, completing concentration on 13 September. The Division's first experience was truly appalling. Having been in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos. GHQ planning left it too far behind to be a useful reinforcement on the first day, but it was sent into action on 26 September, whereupon it suffered over 3,800 casualties for very little gain.

        The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1915

        The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
        • The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt - Somme
        • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme

        1917

        • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The flanking operations around Bullecourt - Arras Offensive
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Cambrai Operations

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The First Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Messines - Lys
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel - Lys
        • The Battle of the Aisne
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy

        When the Armistice came into effect at 1100 on 11th of November 1918 the units of the Division were halted around Berlaimont. Next day they moved to Beaufort, going between 12-20 December to west of Amiens. Demobilisation began and by 19 May 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

        In all the 21st Division had suffered the loss of 55581 killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 21st Division

        62nd Brigade

        • 12th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 13th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers merged into 12th Bn in August 1917, renamed 12/13th Btn
        • 8th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left November 1915
        • 10th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment joined November 1915
        • 62nd Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, left to move into 21st MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 62nd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 16 June 1916
        • 3/4th Btn, Queen's joined 9 August 1917, disbanded by 11 February 1918, with large number of men going to 7th Queen's
        • 2nd Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment joined February 1918

        63rd Brigade

        On 8 July 1916 63rd Brigade was transferred to the 37th Division

        • 8th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 12th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left November 1915
        • 10th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 4th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined November 1915
        • 63rd Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916
        • 63rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 16 June 1916

        64th Brigade

        • 9th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
        • 10th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire LI disbanded February 1918
        • 14th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left November 1915
        • 15th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
        • 1st Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment joined November 1915
        • 64th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, left to move into 21st MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 64th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 16 June 1916
        • 2nd Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined 21 June 1918, left 30 June 1918

        110th Brigade (Leicester Tigers Brigade)

        On 7 July 1916 110th brigade was transferred from the 37th Division in exchange for 63rd Brigade

        • 6th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left June 1918
        • 9th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 110th Machine Gun Company left to move into 21st MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 110th Trench Mortar Battery
        • 1st Btn, Wiltshire Regiment joined June 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 14th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers became Divisional Pioneer Battalion in February 1915
        • 13th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left April 1915
        • 13th Btn, Rifle Brigade left April 1915
        • 237th Machine Gun Company joined 17 July 1917, left to move into 21st MG Battalion 24 February 1918
        • 21st Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 24 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, South Irish Horse joined January 1915, left May 1916
        • 21st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed February 1915, left 10 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XCIV Brigade, RFA
        • XCV Brigade, RFA
        • XCVI Brigade, RFA broken up 13 January 1917
        • XCVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 28-31 August 1916
        • 21st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 21st Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved to France as part of XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade on 21 August 1915
        • V.21 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 1 June 1916, left February 1918
        • W.21 Medium Mortar Battery RFA joined May 1916, left August 1916
        • X.21, Y.21 and Z.21 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined 1-13 March 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 85th Field Company left January 1915
        • 86th Field Company left February 1915
        • 97th Field Company
        • 98th Field Company
        • 126th Field Company joined March 1915
        • 21st Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 63rd Field Ambulance
        • 64th Field Ambulance
        • 65th Field Ambulance
        • 38th Sanitary Section left 1 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 21st Divisional Train ASC 182, 183, 184 and 185 Companies
        • 33rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 222nd Divisional Employment Company joined 30 June 1917
        • 21st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column April 1916


         Divisional History  The 22nd Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 22nd Division

        This Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units began to assemble in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery at Lewes, from September 1914. The Division remained in these areas, other than when the infantry moved for two weeks entrenchment training to Maidstone in April 1915, as it was trained and equipped.

        The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, all units being concentrated near Flesselles by 9th of the month. But the stay in France was to be very short.

        On 27 October 1915, the Division, having been moved by train to Marseilles, began to embark for Salonika. It completed concentration there in November, although the final artillery units were still coming in as late as 13 December 1915. The 22nd Division remained in the theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the following operations:

        1915

        8-13 December: the Retreat from Serbia (Advanced Divisional HQ, 6th Brigade, 9th Border and 68th Field Ambulance only)

        1916

        • 10-18 August 1916: the Battle of Horseshoe Hill
        • 13-14 September 1916: the Battle of Machukovo

        1917

        24-25 April and 8-9 May 1917: the Battles of Doiran

        1918

        The Division lost a number of units in mid 1918; they were transferred to France

        18-19 September 1918: the Battle of Doiran

        An Armistice with Bulgaria was signed on 30 September 1918.

        By 18-20 October, units of the Division had marched back to Stavros. Here they embarked on destroyers with the intention of a landing at Dede Agach to continue the fight against Turkey. After one attempt was called off due to rough weather, the infantry finally landed on 28 October 1918. On reaching Makri, the Division learned that an Armistice with Turkey was imminent. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and the Division ceased to exist by 31 March 1919.

        The 22nd Division had suffered casualties of 7,728 killed, wounded and missing during the war but vastly larger numbers sick with malaria, dysentery and other diseases rife in the Salonika theatre.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 22nd Division

        65th Brigade

        • 9th Bn, the King's Own
        • 14th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 11 June 1918
        • 12th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers left 2 July 1918
        • 9th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment
        • 65th Machine Gun Company joined 14 July 1916
        • 65th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined by 17 July 1916
        • 65th Trench Mortar Battery joined 3 November 1916
        • 8th Bn, the South Wales Borderers joined July 1918

        66th Brigade

        • 9th Bn, the Border Regiment left February 1915
        • 9th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment
        • 8th Bn, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 13th Bn, the Manchester Regiment left 28 June 1918
        • 12th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined February 1915
        • 66th Machine Gun Company joined 14 July 1916
        • 66th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined by 17 July 1916
        • 66th Trench Mortar Battery joined 5 November 1916

        67th Brigade

        • 11th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 7th Bn, the South Wales Borderers
        • 8th Bn, the South Wales Borderers left 30 June 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Welsh Regiment
        • 67th Machine Gun Company joined 14 July 1916
        • 67th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined by 17 July 1916
        • 67th Trench Mortar Battery joined 4 November 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 12th Bn, the Cheshire regiment left February 1915
        • 10th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left April 1915
        • 9th Bn, the North Staffordshire Regiment left April 1915
        • 9th Bn, the Border Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in February 1915
        • 10th Bn, the Hampshire Regiment joined January 1919, left February 1919
        • 2nd Bn, the QVO Rajput Light Infantry joined January 1919, left February 1919
        • 10th Bn, the Hampshire Regiment joined January 1919, left February 1919
        • 1/10th Bn, the Jats briefly in January 1919
        • 95th Bn, Russell's Infantry joined January 1919, left February 1919

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • D Sqn, the Lothians & Border Horse Yeomanry joined July 1915, left 29 November 1916
        • 22nd Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed February 1915, left November 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • XCVIII Brigade, RFA
        • XCIX Brigade, RFA
        • C Brigade, RFA
        • CI Brigade, RFA
        • 22nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA transferred to become 'A' Section of XII Corps Ammunition Column, January 1915. 22nd Division retained the Brigade Ammunition Columns
        • 22nd Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved to France joining XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade on 31 August 1915

        Royal Engineers

        • 87th Field Company left February 1915
        • 88th Field Company left February 1915
        • 99th Field Company joined February 1915
        • 100th Field Company joined February 1915
        • 127th Field Company joined by June 1915
        • 22nd Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 66th Field Ambulance
        • 67th Field Ambulance
        • 68th Field Ambulance
        • 39th Sanitary Section

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 22nd Divisional Train ASC 186, 187, 188 and 189 Coys ASC joined October 1914 but moved to 30th Division when 22nd Division left France; 108, 109, 110 and 111 Coys ASC joined from 10th (Irish) Division when in Salonika
        • 34th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 816th Divisional Employment Company formed 10 October 1917
        • 22nd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained in France


           The 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division began to assemble at Bullswater (68th Brigade) and Frensham (69th and 70th Brigades and RE) in Hampshire in September 1914. The King, Queen and Princess Mary visited the fledgling Division on 29 September. The artillery formed at Mytchett Camp from November onwards. In early December, as the weather worsened, the Division moved into Aldershot, with CII and CIII Brigades of the artillery going to Ewshott. More moves were made to Shorncliffe in Kent at the end of February 1915 and to Bordon in Hampshire at the end of May. In April and May, some of the infantry was engaged on building defences to the south of London. Between 21 and 26 August 1915 the Division landed in Boulogne and proceeded to the concentrate near Tilques. The 23rd Division thereafter served on the Western Front until late 1917 when it moved to Italy.

        Actions:

        1915

        On 5 September the Division was attached to III Corps and moved to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, where trench familiarisation began under the tutelage of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. The Division took responsibility for a front line sector for the first time nine days later, taking over between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road. CIII and CV Brigades RFA were attached to 8th Division for operations in connection with the Battle of Loos. At this time, 23rd Division was holding the front at Bois Grenier. It remained in this area for a considerable time. 10th Northumberland Fusiliers carried out the Division's first trench raid in the night of 31st of December / 1st of January.

        1916

        The Division was relieved after a lengthy five month spell in the front line by 34th Division, between 26 January and 8 February 1916. After a certain amount of confusing movement, Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem and the units concentrated around Bruay. On 3 March 1916 orders were received to relieve the French 17th Division in the Carency sector. The front to be held was between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River, including the posts on the Notre Dame de Lorette hill behind. Artillery was positioned in the area Carency - Ablain St Nazaire - Bois de Bouvigny, an exposed position in which it was subject to severe shelling. In early March many former miners were withdrawn from the ranks to establish a Tunnelling Company of the Royal Engineers. Mid March saw 68th Brigade taking over the Calonne front and 69th the Angres front. Many parties attached to 176 Tunnelling Company RE especially for work in the Noulette sector. Relieved by 2nd Division between 12 and 19 April and withdrew to Bruay area. Moved back into the Souchez-Angres front 10-13 May.

        The German Attack on Vimy Ridge

        The enemy attack on 21 May fell most heavily on 47th (London) Division, which was to the 23rd Division's right in the area of Berthonval. Shellfire fell heavily around Aix Noulette from 1630. Divisional artillery was very active in support of the 47th Division until 24 May and again on 1 June when 2nd Division continued operations to recover lost ground. 23rd Division was relieved by 47th (London) Division on 11 June and moved to Bomy, with the artillery going to Chamblain Chatelain ("Charlie Chaplin") and Therouanne. Intensive training commenced.

        23rd Division took part in the following major engagements:

        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge
        • The Battle of Pozieres
        • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette
        • The Battle of Morval
        • The Battle of Le Transloy

        1917

        • The Battle of Messines
        • Operations carried out during the Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of the Menin Road
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele

        In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy where it then remained. It completed concentration between Mantua and Marcaria on 16 November and took over the front line at the Montello on 4 December.

        1918

        • The campaign in Italy
        • The fighting on the Asiago Plateau
        • The Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and of the Monticano.

        On 2 November the Division came out onto XIV Corps Reserve and when the Armistice took effect in Italy at 3pm on 4 November, units were halted midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. The Divisional units moved to a billeting area west of Treviso on 11th of November. Demobilisation took place largely in January and February 1919. By March the Division had been reduced to cadre strength.

        During the war the Division lost 23574 men killed, wounded and missing.

        Order of Battle of the 23rd Division

        68th Brigade

        • 10th (Service) Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 11th (Service) Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
        • 12th (Service) Btn, Durham Light Infantry
        • 12th (Service) Btn, Durham Light Infantry left 14 September 1918
        • 68th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 68th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 13 June 1916

        69th Brigade

        • 11th (Service) Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
        • 8th (Service) Btn, Yorkshire Regiment
        • 9th (Service) Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left 13 September 1918
        • 10th (Service) Btn, Duke of Wellington's
        • 69th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 69th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 23 June 1916

        70th Brigade

        • 18 October 1915 transferred to 8th Division, returning 17 July 1916
        • 11th (Service) Btn, Sherwood Foresters left 13 September 1918
        • 8th (Service) Btn, King's Own Yorkshire LI
        • 8th (Service) Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 9th (Service) Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined October 1915, left February 1916
        • 70th Machine Gun Company joined July 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 70th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 18 June 1916

        24th Brigade

        • 18 October 1915 transferred from 8th Division, returning 15 July 1916
        • 1st Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 2nd Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment
        • 24th Machine Gun Company formed by 17 February 1916
        • 24th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 13 June 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 8th (Service) Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left 8 April 1915
        • 9th (Service) Btn, Leicestershire Regiment left 8 April 1915
        • 9th (Service) Btn South Staffordshire Regiment converted to Pioneer Battalion in April 1915
        • 194th Machine Gun Company joined near Vlamertinghe 16 December 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 1 April 1918
        • 23rd Machine Gun Battalion created 1 April 1918
        • 100 (Warwicks and South Notts Yeomanry) Machine Gun Battalion joined 2 October 1918, left 19 October 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • RHQ, MG Section and C Sqn, the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry joined 27 June 1915, left 20 April 1916
        • 23rd Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed in January 1915, left 20 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CII Brigade, RFA
        • CIII Brigade, RFA
        • CIV Brigade, RFA left 18 January 1917
        • CV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up by 3 September 1916
        • 23rd Heavy Battery, RGA raised in August 1914 for the Division but left and moved independently to France on 15 September 1915, joining No. 1 Group in I Corps. In November 1915 moved to XXII HA Brigade
        • 23rd Divisional Ammunition Column
        • V.23 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed in the Division in March 1916, disbanded in late October 1917
        • X.23 Medium Trench Mortar Battery RFA raised as 12th TM batt in 1915, joined Division in January 1916 and redesignated as X Battery in March 1916
        • Y.23 Medium Trench Mortar Battery RFA raised as 21st TM batt in 1915, joined Division in January 1916 and redesignated as Y Battery on 15 March 1916
        • Z.23 Medium Trench Mortar Battery RFA, formed in the Division in March 1916 and initially armed with French 58mm mortars. Broken up in March 1918; X and Y Batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 89th Field Company left for 14th Division 22 January 1915
        • 90th Field Company left for 9th Division in January 1915
        • 101st Field Company joined from 32nd Division 1 February 1915
        • 102nd Field Company joined from 32nd Division 1 February 1915
        • 128th Field Company joined by 9 April 1915
        • 23rd Divisional Signals Company
        • 2 Sections of 180 Tunnelling Company RE attached briefly in October 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 69th Field Ambulance
        • 70th Field Ambulance
        • 71st Field Ambulance
        • 40th Sanitary Section joined 20 August 1915, left 10 April 1917 for X Corps

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 23rd Divisional Train ASC 190, 191, 192 and 193 Companies, formed 16 January 1915
        • 35th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 20 June 1915
        • 223rd Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917
        • 23rd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop merged into Divisional Supply Column April 1916


           The 24th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. It was March 1915 before makeshift drab uniforms arrived and not until July before rifles were issued. The Division moved between the 19th and 23rd of June 1915 to Aldershot for final training. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division at Chobham ranges on 19 August and next day it was the turn of King George V. Orders were received on 19 August to move to France and the first units departed one week later. Concentration was completed in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September. The Division's first experience was truly appalling. Having been in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos. GHQ planning left it too far behind to be a useful reinforcement on the first day, but it was sent into action on 26 September, whereupon it suffered over 4178 casualties for very little gain.

        The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:

        1915

        The Battle of Loos

        1916

        • The German gas attack at Wulverghem
        • The Battle of Delville Wood - Somme
        • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme

        1917

        • The Battle of Vimy Ridge, a phase of the Arras offensive
        • The Battle of Messines
        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Cambrai Operations (the German counter attack)

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme
        • The First Battle of the Avre - Somme
        • The Battle of Cambrai 1918, a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy including the passage of the Grand Honelle

        When the Armistice came into effect at 11am on 11 November 1918 the units of the Division were holding positions 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. Between 17-19 November they moved back to the area between Denain and Douai and 25-27 November went to the area St Amand-Orchies. On 18 December the Division moved once more, to Tournai. Demobilisation began and by 26 March 1919 only cadres were left.

        In all the 24th Division had suffered the loss of 35362 killed, wounded and missing.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 24th Division

        71st Brigade

        • Brigade moved to 6th Division on 11 October 1915 in exchange for 17th Brigade
        • 9th Btn, Norfolk Regiment
        • 9th Btn, Suffolk Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment
        • 11th Btn, Essex Regiment

        72nd Brigade

        • 8th Btn, Queen's left February 1918
        • 8th Btn, Buffs left October 1915
        • 9th Btn, East Surrey Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment
        • 1st Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined October 1915
        • 72nd Machine Gun Company joined 14 March 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 5 March 1918
        • 72nd Trench Mortar Battery formed by 19 July 1916

        73rd Brigade

        • 12th Btn, Royal Fusiliers left October 1915
        • 9th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Northamptonshire Regiment
        • 13th Btn, Middlesex Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Leinster Regiment joined October 1915, left February 1918
        • 73rd Machine Gun Company joined 14 March 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 5 March 1918
        • 73rd Trench Mortar Battery formed by 15 June 1916

        17th Brigade

        • 18 October 1915 transferred from 6th Division, in exchange for 71st Brigade
        • 1st Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 12th Btn, Royal Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Leinster Regiment left October 1915
        • 3rd Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 8th Btn, Buffs joined October 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 1/2nd Btn, London Regiment left 9 February 1916
        • 17th Machine Gun Company formed 17 January 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 5 March 1918
        • 17th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 26 July 1916
        • 8th Btn, Queen's joined February 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined before March 1915, left 9 April 1915
        • 13th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined before March 1915, left 9 April 1915
        • 12th Btn, Sherwood Foresters joined before March 1915, converted to Pioneer Battalion in April 1915
        • No 3 Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 30 October 1915, left 23 November 1915
        • 191st Machine Gun Company joined 15 December 1916, moved into Divisional MG Battalion 5 March 1918
        • 24th Machine Gun Battalion created 5 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, 1st Royal Glasgow Yeomanry joined 30 June 1915, left 29 April 1916
        • 24th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed by 15 February 1915, left 29 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CVI Brigade, RFA
        • CVII Brigade, RFA
        • CVIII Brigade, RFA left 27 January 1917
        • CIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 3 October 1916
        • 24th Heavy Battery, RGA raised in August 1914 for the Division. Redesignated 130th HB. Left before Division went to France and joined XXXV HA Brigade for service in Egypt. Not same as 24th Heavy Battery, a unit of the pre-war regular army
        • 24th Divisional Ammunition Column
        • 13th Divisional Ammunition Column joined 3 July 1915, left 6 August 1915
        • V.24 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 30 July 1916, left February 1918
        • X.24, Y.24 and Z,24 Medium Trench Mortar Batteries RFA joined by 30 April 1916, Z.24 broken up in February 1918 and X and Y expanded to six guns each

        Royal Engineers

        • 91st Field Company left January 1915
        • 92nd Field Company left January 1915
        • 103rd Field Company joined February 1915
        • 104th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 129th Field Company joined March 1915
        • 24th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 72nd Field Ambulance
        • 73rd Field Ambulance
        • 74th Field Ambulance
        • 41st Sanitary Section left 5 April 1917 for First Army

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 24th Divisional Train ASC 194, 195, 196 and 197 Companies
        • 36th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 25 June 1915
        • 223rd Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917
        • 24th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop merged into Divisional Supply Column April 1916

        There is no main memorial to the 24th Division but it is well remembered in the village of Verguier, where it fought so valiantly against the German attack on 21 March 1918.

         Divisional History  The 25th Division in 1914-1918

        The history of 25th Division

        This Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division began to assemble in the area of Salisbury. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. Inspected by Lord Kitchener on 12 August 1915, the units of the Division crossed to France 25 - 30 September and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. The 25th Division thereafter served on the Western Front throughout the war, except for a period in 1918 when it underwent a major refit and reorganisation.

        1916

        German attack on Vimy Ridge

        During this defensive fight, the Division's first Victoria Cross was won by Lieutenant Richard Jones of the 8th Loyal North Lancs. It was a posthumous award, for this officer was killed in action on 21 May 1916.

        Withdrawn for rest and training, west of St Pol. Moved to the area behind the Somme front in the third week of June 1916, in the area around Warloy. Was in Fourth Army Reserve at the opening of the offensive.

        The Battle of Albert (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        7th and 75th Brigades with some supporting units received orders on 2 July to move to Aveluy Wood and Martinsart respectively, and came under orders of 32nd Division. On 3 July, 75th Brigade made a virtually unsupported and inevitably costly and unsuccessful attack in one of the awful, piecemeal, efforts to hold on to the minor gains made in the Thiepval area on 1 July. The rest of the Division relieved 32nd Division in the night of 3/4 July. More localised and equally ineffective attacks were made. On 5 July, 74th Brigade was detached for duty with 12th (Eastern) Division at La Boisselle, where it took part in an attack on Ovillers. Divisional HQ moved to Henencourt on 8 July and the following day, 25th Division took over the front held by 12th (Eastern) Division.

        The Battle of Bazentin (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        As the Somme offensive moved from its early phase (designated the Battle of Albert) to the next major push (the Battle of Bazentin), the 25th Division continued to carry out operations on a small scale in the Ovillers area. Casualties were heavy, with no gains of any significance being made. Relieved by 48th (South Midland) Division during the night 16/17 July, the Division moved to Beauval.

        The Battle of Pozieres (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        From 23 July to 10 August 1916, the Division held a sector of the line north of the River Ancre. Once again,just as in the Bazentin battle, the Division is recognised as having been in action during the Battle of Pozieres, without being in the area of most attention during the fighting. Relieved by units of 6th and Guards Divisions between 7 and 14 August, the Division moved to Bus les Artois for rest and training. Divisional HQ moved up to Hedauville on 18 August and the infantry moved into the trenches of the Leipzig Salient. A local attack by 7th Brigade on 21 August was carried out successfully, using for the first time a device known as a "push pipe mine" to destroy enemy defences before the infantry went in. Further attacks were made on 23, 25 and 26 August. On 3 September, a larger scale attack was made in support of the 4th Australian Division which was assaulting Mouquet Farm. The Division was relieved on 11 September by 11th (Northern) Division and moved by bus to Abbeville.

        The Battle of the Ancre Heights (a phase of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

        On 26 September, 74th Brigade took over a sector of line immediately south of the River Ancre. The rest of the Division followed. After a series of small scale raids and operations, a major attack was made by the Division on 9 October - in appalling ground conditions - that captured the northern face of Stuff Redoubt. German counter attacks were beaten off, before another attack went in to capture "The Mounds" just north of Stuff Redoubt. Relieved and moved to Doullens area on 22/23 October 1916. On 31 October, Divisional HQ moved to Bailleul and the forward units took over the Ploegsteert sector.

        1917

        The first quarter of 1917 was spent in the Ploegsteert sector: a relatively quiet time punctuated by frequent raids and minor operations.

        The Battle of Messines

        The Division was selected to be one that would make the assault and was placed in the front line between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. The New Zealand Division was on the right and the 36th (Ulster) Division on the left of 25th Division. The attack was made by 74th Brigade on the right, 7th Brigade on the left, with 75th Brigade in close support. In addition to its own field artillery, the Division enjoyed the support of the Guards Division artillery and 34th, 93rd and 2nd New Zealand Army Field Brigades RFA. Two of the huge mines exploded at the start of the attack - those at Spanbroekmolen and Ontario Farm - fell just outside the boundaries of the Divisional front. The Division lost no fewer than 24 infantry company commanders during this action. In total, the losses in this successful action were 145 officers and 2907 men killed, wounded or missing. A further attack was carried out on 14-15 June, designed to advance the line another 800 yards. The Divisional front for this action was between the Blauwepoortebeek stream and the river Douve. Again, this was a successful action and the Division reached the line through Gapaard. On the night of 22-23 June, the Division began to withdraw and moved to rest in the area of Bomy, near St-Omer. It then moved on 7 and 8 July to Ypres, where much work began preparing for the Division's part in the next great offensive.

        The Battle of Pilkem (a phase of the Third Battles of Ypres)

        On 8 July 1917, Divisional HQ was established at Busseboom and came under orders of II Corps for the opening of the Third Ypres offensive. When the attack began on 31 July, 25th Division was in Corps Reserve, behind 24th, 30th and 8th Divisions which were in the front line. 7th and 75th Brigades, in place at Belgian Chateau, received orders to reinforce the attacking units as early as 0830 but were not called upon to take up the advance as expected, due to the attack being held up. 7th and 75th Brigades relieved the tired units of 8th Division in the front line of the Westhoek and Bellewaarde ridges on 1 August. On 10 August, 74th Brigade took part in the renewal of the attack. In a successful action, Westhoek was captured, although at a severe cost: 47 officers and 1244 men killed, wounded or missing. The 13th Bn, the Cheshires alone lost 19 officers and 395 men. Heavy and continuous localised fighting took place until the Division was withdrawn on 9 September 1917, whereupon it moved to the Bethune area.

        At the beginning of October 1917, the artillery went into action for a few days near Lievin, in support of 11th (Northern) Division. 25th Division took over the Givenchy sector on 4 October and held it for seven weeks. The Divisional history notes the establishment of a Reinforcement Camp at Ferme du Roi. No operations of any significance took place at this time, Many Portuguese units carried out familiarisation in trench warfare while attached to the Division.

        On 1 December 1917, the Division moved by train to Achiet le Grand and moved to relieve 3rd Division south of Bullecourt. It remained in this position, carrying out much work in digging a continuous front trench system, until relieved on 13 February 1918.

        1918

        The Division moved to the area north west of Bapaume on 13 February, becoming reserve Division to IV Corps. AS rumours of an impending enemy attack grew, 74th and 75th Brigades moved up closer to the front, at Fremicourt and Biefvillers respectively, where manual work in cable laying was undertaken.

        The Battle of St Quentin (a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918)

        In this battle, the units of the Division were ordered to reinforce other sorely pressed formations in a piecemeal fashion. From the opening phases of the attack until the Division was withdrawn six days later, it fought continuously under strange commanders and staffs, and not as a Division. 74th Brigade was ordered to support 51st (Highland) Division on the Bapaume-Cambrai road; 75th Brigade moved up to Favreuil to reinforce 6th Division. 7th Brigade moved up as support and took up position at Fremicourt.

        The First Battle of Bapaume (a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918)

        The defensive fight was continuous and confusing, as enemy units pushed forward on all sides. Carrying out a fighting withdrawal, by 26 March the Division found itself on the 1916 Somme battlefield. On that date, the Division was finally relieved and moved to Pommier and thence to Couin. By 28 March, the Brigades were south of Doullens and out - for the moment - of harm's way. The Division was desperately tired, having been in continuous action and covering on 27 and 28 March a considerable distance on foot (36 miles in 36 hours). It had also lost more than half its fighting strength: 318 officers and men dead, 1496 wounded and 1588 missing, many taken prisoner.

        On 30 and 31 March, the Division entrained and moved to Caestre. (The Divisional artillery remained behind, supporting the New Zealand Division, until 7 April). Here, many reinforcements arrived, bringing the Division back up to full strength, although of course with many newly trained recruits and large numbers of 19 year-olds. The absence of experienced NCOs and troops who had worked together for a lengthy period would soon be keenly felt. In addition, many senior officer positions in the Division changed hands: the 25th Division of 9 April was a very different one to that which had been ordered forward on 21 March. The Division was once again holding the front line near Ploegsteert when the enemy struck again.

        The Battle of Estaires (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        74th Brigade was in Divisional Reserve when the enemy attacked the British positions to the south (between Armentieres and Givenchy) on 9 April 1918. It was ordered to join the defence south of Steenwerck and held on only with difficulty.

        The Battle of Messines, 1918 (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        The enemy attack broke through the British Ploegsteert and advanced along the Ypres road, endangering the garrison holding Ploegsteert Wood. Ordered to counter attack, 75th Brigade, the Royal Engineers, Machine Gun Battalion and other elements of the Division became involved in heavy fighting. With the enemy infiltrating on either side on 10 May, losses at the Catacombs of Hill 63 were serious although there were many remarkable acts as some units managed to extricate themselves and withdraw. Further retirements were forced upon the Division - which also had 100th Brigade of 33rd Division under orders - on 12 April; the forward position on this day ran through Kortepyp. The army's line of defence that ran in front of Dranoutre and Kemmel, was held by a hastily organised composite force of units and men of the Division.

        The Battle of Bailleul (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        By the morning of 13 April, 74th Brigade was established on the high ground east of Bailleul. Coming under bombardment from 0930 onwards and attacked by infantry two hours later, the Brigade fought a staunch defence - as did 7th and 75th Brigades nearby. Fighting continued throughout the 14th, and next day the high ground and the town of Bailleul itself fell to the Germans. The Division was by now thoroughly shattered: broken up, exhausted by continuous fighting for five days, and fragmented by heavy losses. A sad composite formation of what was left of 7th and 75th Brigades withdrew through Boeschepe on 16 April but were ordered up to the area south of Mont Noir in support of 34th Division.

        The First Battle of Kemmel (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        By 17/18 April it had been withdrawn to Abeele. 74th Brigade came out to Proven on 20/21 April.

        The Second Battle of Kemmel (a phase of the Battles of the Lys)

        There would be little rest. After four days out of the line, during which French troops had joined the line and lost on 25 April 1918 the key position of Kemmel Hill, 25th Division was ordered to reinforce and counter attack under orders of the French 2nd Cavalry Corps. The attack went in at 0300 on 26 April after a heavy overnight fall of rain. Two brigades of the artillery of 38th (Welsh) Division supported the 25th Division in this enterprise. Assisted by fog but held up by the flooded Kemmelbeek, the objectives were captured although the line of the railway could not be held and the troops consolidated. Casualties were light at first but heavier in the withdrawal from the railway position. The Divisions to the left and right fared less well, leaving 25th Division holding a narrow sector including the Le Clytte (De Klijte) - Kemmel road.

        Intelligence reports began to indicate that an attack might be expected against the British positions as far north as Ypres. German shellfire opened in the early morning of 29 April but British artillery and infantry firepower from 75th Brigade broke up several enemy attempts. The line afterward became comparatively quiet, and the Division was withdrawn by 4 May to about 10 miles west of Poperinge. From the start of the Battle of the Lys on 9 April, the Division had suffered another 7702 casualties, of whom 270 were known to be dead. This was two thirds of the Division's fighting strength. Of the total, 3407 were missing. The 10th and 11th Cheshires, 4th South Staffordshires, 1st Wiltshires and 9th Loyal North Lancashires suffered particularly heavy casualties.

        The Battle of the Aisne 1918

        The Division entrained at Rexpoede on 9 May and undertook a long journey to Fismes, 20 miles SE of Soissons in the Champagne. It was the last of four British Divisions making up IX Corps to arrive in the area, under a plan to relieve fresh French Divisions for the north. The front line on the Chemin des Dames and south of the Aisne had been very quiet since spring 1917 and it was expected that the tired Divisions could recuperate there.

        On 26 May, intelligence confirmed a heavy German attack could be expected. 25th Division was in reserve and ordered up into a closer support position.

        The Allied front line on the Aisne. The 25th Division was ordered up to the area of Guyencourt - Muscourt - Ventelay, south of the River Aisne and north east of Fismes, when the enemy struck south across the Chemin des Dames.

        At 0100 on 27 May 1918, a heavy German bombardment with gas and high explosive hit the entire area between the front line beyond the Chemin and Fismes itself. The infantry began to attack three hours later. The Division was instructed to hold the second line of defence, except for the poor 8th Border which was sent off to hold the Aisne bridges at Pontavert and Concevreux. By 10am, all three Brigades had come under orders of the 21st, 8th and 50th Divisions respectively, which by now were fighting for their lives north of the river. By mid-day the Germans had broken through and crossed the Aisne: the units of 25th Division were thrown piecemeal into action. They were all but destroyed. The 11th Lancashire Fusiliers, holding high ground north of the Vesle, held out to the last man. The remnants of many units were temporarily joined into composite units, fighting a withdrawal as the enemy pressed on many miles across the River Marne. Casualties between 26 May and 14 June amounted to 4338 officers and men, of whom 2511 were missing.

        By 9 June, a decision had been taken to break up what was left of the Division to reinforce other formations. On 24 June, Divisional HQ with the artillery, Field Ambulances and Machine Gun Battalion entrained for Hesdin. HQ returned to England on 30 June 1918 to begin the process of rebuilding. The infantry was assigned to other Divisions. The reformed Division moved back to France in September 1918, moving at first to St Riquier near Abbeville. Late in the month, it entrained for Fourth Army, coming under XIII Corps which was by now engaged in the more or less continuous and eventually victorious advance across Picardy.

        The Battle of Beaurevoir (a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line)

        Marching up from between Amiens and Albert to Templeux-le-Guerard, the Brigades took up position on 3 October at Ronssoy, Moislains and Nurlu, preparatory to an attack on the enemy's defensive line at Beaurevoir. Fighting for the well defended position went on until 7 October, by which time a 3000 yard advance had been made despite heavy casualties. 508 German prisoners were taken.

        The Battle of Cambrai 1918 (a phase of the Battles of the Hindenburg Line)

        8 October proved to be a highly successful day for the Division, which made a fine advance in the area of Ponchaux with few casualties.

        The Pursuit to and Battle of the Selle (phases of the Final Advance in Picardy)

        The following days followed a similar pattern as the Division pressed through Honnechy and St Benin, although losses mounted. The Division was relieved during the night 11/12 October by 50th Division. The Division rested in the area Serain - Premont - Ellincourt until 16 October.

        The Battle of the Sambre (phases of the Final Advance in Picardy)

        In this action, the Division fought the passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal at Landrecies. The crossing of the canal was a considerable feat: it was 55 feet wide and over 6 feet deep. Fortunately, wooden foot bridges left by the Germans were captured quickly, thanks to a brilliant rapid advance in which the suppression of stubborn machine gun posts was a feature. Many prisoners and stores were taken in Landrecies itself. The advance pressed on next day across the Petit Helpe river. In all, the Division moved forward 12 miles in difficult country, including the Bois l'Eveque, halfway between Le Cateau and the Foret de Mormal. The Division was relieved by 66th Division in the night of 7/8 November.

        1919

        Casualties in the operations since returning to France were 5289 in all. After the signing of he Armistice on 11 November 1918, the Division moved to billets in the area of Le Cateau and began salvage work near Cambrai two weeks later. Some 3000 men who had enlisted after 1 January 1916 were transferred to units going forward as part of the Army of Occupation of the Rhine. By 1 March 1919, all men who had enlisted before 1916 had been sent home for demobilisation.

        The Division was demobilised by 28 March 1919, having suffered 48,300 casualties during the war.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 25th Division

        74th Brigade from formation to mid 1918

        • 11th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers disbanded August 1918
        • 13th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment disbanded August 1918
        • 8th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment left November 1914
        • 8th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left October 1915
        • 9th Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left June 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles joined October 1915, left November 1917
        • 74th Machine Gun Company joined on 17 March 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
        • 74th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 17 June 1916
        • 3rd Bn, the Worcestershire Regiment joined November 1917, left June 1918
        • 74th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
        • 2/7th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined June 1918, disbanded July 1918
        • 21st Bn, the Middlesex Regiment joined June 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined September 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Sherwood Foresters joined September 1918
        • 13th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined September 1918
        • 74th Trench Mortar Battery see above

        75th Brigade from formation to mid 1918

        • 10th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left October 1915
        • 11th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left as a cadre June 1918
        • 8th Bn, the Border Regiment left June 1918
        • 8th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment joined October 1915, left June 1918
        • 75th Machine Gun Company joined on 15 March 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
        • 75th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916
        • 75th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
        • On 9 September 1918, the Brigade was renumbered as 236th Brigade and was placed under orders for service in North Russia. It left the 25th Division at this point and sailed from Dundee on 17 October 1918.
        • 1/6th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined May 1918, left July 1918
        • 17th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment ) joined June 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined June 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined June 1918
        • 13th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined June 1918
        • A new 75th Brigade was formed on 17 September 1918
        • 1/8th Bn, the Royal Warwicks joined September 1918
        • 1/8th Bn, the Worcesters joined September 1918
        • 75th Trench Mortar Battery see above

        76th Brigade - left to join 3rd Division on 15 October 1915

        • 8th Bn, the King's Own
        • 10th Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 6th Bn, the South Wales Borderers left February 1915
        • 10th Bn, the Welsh Regiment joined and left in September 1914
        • 7th Bn, the ing's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 13th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined February 1915

        7th Brigade - joined from 3rd Division in exchange for 76th Brigade on 18 October 1915

        • 10th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment left as a cadre July 1918
        • 3rd Bn, the Worcestershire Regiment left November 1917
        • 2nd Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment left to join 75th Brigade a week after Brigade joined Division
        • 8th Bn, the Loyal North Lancahire Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 1st Bn, the Wiltshire Regiment left June 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles left to join 74th Brigade a week after Brigade joined Division
        • 7th Machine Gun Company joined on 12 January 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
        • 7th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 17 July 1916
        • 4th Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment joined October 1917, left June 1918
        • 7th Brigade during and after reconstitution in mid 1918
        • 13th Bn, the East Surrey Regiment joined as cadre in, June 1918, disbanded November 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Devonshire Regiment joined September 1918
        • 20th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1918
        • 21st Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1918
        • 7th Trench Mortar Battery see above

        Divisional Troops

        • 13th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined September 1914, left October 1914
        • 13th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined October 1914, left February 1915
        • 8th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment joined November 1914, left March 1915
        • 6th Bn, the South Wales Borderers joined as Divisional pioneer battalion February 1915, left June 1918
        • 8th Bn, the Leicestershire Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918
        • 11th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment joined as a cadre June 1918, became Divisional pioneer battalion October 1918
        • 195th Machine Gun Company joined 16 December 1916, moved into 25 MG Bn 1 March 1918
        • 25th Machine Gun Battalion created 1 March 1918, left 23 July 1918, rejoined 19 October 1918
        • 100 (Warwicks and South Notts Yeomanry) Machine Gun Battalion joined 2 October 1918, left 19 October 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        RHQ and B Sqn, the Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry joined summer 1915, left May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The Divisional artillery remained in France when the rest of the Division returned to England for re-fit after severe casualties in June 1918. It was attached in succession to Third Army, then IV Corps and III Corps in Fourth Army. On 31 July 1918, it covered 58th Division, and between 4 and 30 August 1918 12th Division, where it took part ion the Battles of Amiens and Albert. On 30 August it transferred to 47th Division, taking part in the Second Battle of Bapaume. The Divisional Artillery subsequently covered the 58th, 74th and 12th Divisions. CX Brigade took part in the Battle of Epehy. On 25 September, it transferred to the Australian Corps and took part in the Battle of the Saint-Quentin Canal, then rejoined the 25th Division on 4 October 1918.

        • CX Brigade, RFA between 26 May and 4 June 1918, attached to 8th Division
        • CXI Brigade, RFA broken up 27 November 1916
        • CXII Brigade, RFA between 26 May and 21 June 1918, attached to 21st Division
        • CXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left 14 February 1917
        • 25th Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France
        • 25th Divisional Ammunition Column the four Brigade Ammunition Columns amalgamated into DAC in May 1916
        • W.25 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined by 17 July 1916, broken up 4 March 1918
        • X.25, Y.25 and Z.25 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined by 19 April 1916; on 4 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each)

        Royal Engineers

        • 93rd Field Company left February 1915
        • 94th Field Company left February 1915
        • 106th Field Company joined January 1915
        • 105th Field Company joined February 1915
        • 130th Field Company joined May 1915
        • 25th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 75th Field Ambulance
        • 76th Field Ambulance
        • 77th Field Ambulance
        • 42nd Sanitary Section left 18 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 25th Divisional Train ASC 198, 199, 200 and 201 Companies, joined November 1914.
        • 37th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 225th Divisional Employment Company joined 21 May 1917
        • 25th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined 14 November 1915, merged into Divisional workshops 7 April 1916

        A history of the Division was written by Lieutenant Colonel M. Kincaid-Smith while the war was still in progress. It does not cover any period before July 1916 and it must be said is not among the best of Divisional histories. This can perhaps be excused by the fact that it was written by 5 March 1919. The book includes long lists of gallantry awards, with selected citations even down to those for awards of the Military Medal.

           The 26th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Army Order 388 authorising Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Khaki uniform and equipment were not made available until February-April 1915 and in the meantime eveything was improvised. Embarkation for France began in September 1915 and the concentration of units at Guignemicourt (west of Amiens) was completed before the end of the month. However, the Division was not destined to remain on the Western Front, because in November 1915 it moved to Salonika where it then remained. On 2 November, the Division concentrated at Flesselles and moved to Salonika via embarkation at Marseilles. On 26 December 1915, units began to move from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp and all units were in place there by 8 February 1916. The 26th Division remained in the Salonika theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the following operations:

        1916

        • The Battle of Horseshoe Hill

        1917

        • The Battles of Doiran

        1918

        The Division lost a number of units in mid 1918, which were transferred to France

        • The Battle of Doiran
        • The Pursuit to the Strumica Valley.

        Forward units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boundary on 25 September 1918. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople (as the war with Turkey was still underway) but this also soon ceased. 26th Division successively became part of the Army of the Danube and then of the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace the dwindling British presence. By 10 May 1919, the Division ceased to exist.

        The 26th Division had suffered casualties of 8,022 killed, wounded and missing during the war but vastly larger numbers sick with malaria, dysentery and other diseases rife in the Salonika theatre.

        Order of Battle of the 26th Division

        77th Brigade

        • 8th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers
        • 11th Btn, Cameronians
        • 10th Btn, Black Watch left 30 June 1918
        • 12th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
        • 77th Machine Gun Company joined 24 July 1916
        • 77th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 27 July 1916
        • 77th Trench Mortar Battery joined 3 November 1916

        78th Brigade

        • 9th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment left 4 July 1918
        • 11th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Ox & Bucks. Light Infantry
        • 7th Btn, the Royal Berkshire Regiment
        • 78th Machine Gun Company joined 22 July 1916
        • 78th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 27 July 1916
        • 78th Trench Mortar Battery joined 12 November 1916

        79th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, Devonshire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
        • 12th Btn, Hampshire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment left 16 June 1918
        • 79th Machine Gun Company joined 15 July 1916
        • 79th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 27 July 1916
        • 79th Trench Mortar Battery joined 3 November 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 10th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment left August 1915
        • 8th Btn, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry became Divisional Pioneer Battalion in February 1915
        • 8th Btn, Royal Berkshire Regiment left August 1915

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • A Sqn, e Lothians & Border Horse Yeomanry joined 30 July 1915, left 29 November 1916
        • 26th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed 4 January 1915, left 16 December 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CXIV Brigade, RFA
        • CXV Brigade, RFA
        • CXVI Brigade, RFA
        • CXVII Brigade, RFA left 9 August 1917 for 74th (Yeomanry) Division
        • 26th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA transferred to XII Corps Ammunition Column, 22 January 1917. 22nd Division retained the Brigade Ammunition Columns
        • 131st Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division in January 1915 but moved to France joining XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade on 12 March 1916
        • LVII Brigade, RFA joined September 1917
        • XXXI Brigade, RFA briefly attached 17 June to 24 August 1917
        • IV Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA briefly attached in August 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 95th Field Company left 29 January 1915 for 16th (Irish) Division
        • 96th Field Company left 1 February 1915 for 20th (Light) Division
        • 107th Field Company joined 30 January 1915 from 35th Division
        • 108th Field Company joined 30 January 1915 from 35th Division
        • 131st Field Company joined 25 April 1915
        • 26th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 78th Field Ambulance joined 25 August 1915
        • 79th Field Ambulance joined 25 August 1915
        • 80th Field Ambulance joined 25 August 1915
        • 43rd Sanitary Section

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 26th Divisional Train ASC 202, 203, 204 and 205 Companies ASC joined in November and December 1914 but remained when the Division moved to Salonika, becoming the 32nd Divisional Train. 112, 113, 114 and 115 Coys ASC then transferred from 11th (Northern) Division.
        • On 22 January 1916, the Train was on board the "Norseman" when it was torpedoed in the Gulk of Salonika but all personnel were saved, although 600 mules lost their lives.
        • In October 1916 the Train was reorganised into "Pack and Wheel Echelons"; in July 1917 it was further reorganised, to suit local conditions
        • 38th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 817th Divisional Employment Company formed October 1917
        • 26th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined June 1915 but remained in France


           The 27th Division was one of three Division formed as regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England, having been recalled soon after the declaration of war but many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them. The 27th Division was formed at Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 and was soon rushed as a much-needed reinforcement to France. Shortage of some types of units were filled by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. It embarked at Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 20th-23rd of December 1914 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Aire and Arques. The Division subsequently took part in these actions:

        1915

        • The Action of St Eloi
        • The Second Battle of Ypres

        The Division was ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on 17 November, but it was not until 13 February 1916 that the last of the Division finally arrived.

        1916

        • The capture of Karajakois
        • The capture of Yenikoi
        • The battles of Tumbitza Farm

        1917

        • The capture of Homondos

        1918

        The Division lost a number of units in mid 1918, which were transferred to France

        • The final offensive in Salonika
        • The Roche Noir Salient
        • The passage of the Vardar river and pursuit to the Strumica valley

        Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on 30 September, with the Division by then in the area Kosturino - Rabrovo - Cestovo. The Division continued to advance and passed Krupnik by the end of October. 27th Division was ordered to halt and turn about on 2 November, embarking in December for operations on the Black Sea. It reached Constantinople on 19 December and opened HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was not disbanded until 24 September 1919, by which time it was at Batum.

        Order of Battle of the 27th Division

        80th Infantry Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry
        • 3rd Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
        • 4th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps left June 1918
        • 4th Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry left for 3rd Canadian Division, November 1915
        • 80th Machine Gun Company joined 16 May 1916
        • 80th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 September 1916
        • 80th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 28 September 1916

        81st Infantry Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Royal Scots
        • 1st Btn, Gloucestershire Regt left November 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Cameron Highlanders
        • 1st Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
        • 1/9th Btn, Royal Scots joined February 1915, left November 1915
        • 1/9th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined February 1915, left May 1915
        • 81st Machine Gun Company joined 16 May 1916
        • 81st SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 28 September 1916
        • 81st Trench Mortar Battery joined 16 October 1916
        • 13th Bn, Black Watch joined October 1916, left June 1918

        82nd Infantry Brigade

        • 1st Btn, Royal Irish Regt left November 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Duke of Cornwall's LI
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers left November 1916
        • 1st Btn, Leinster Regiment left November 1916
        • 1/1st Btn, Cambridgeshire Regt joined February 1915, left November 1915
        • 82nd Machine Gun Company formed 16 May 1916
        • 82nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 31 July 1916
        • 82nd SAA Section Ammunition Column joined 28 September 1916
        • 10th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined October 1916, left June 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Gloucestershire Regt joined November 1916
        • 10th Btn, Hampshire Regiment joined November 1916

        19th Infantry Brigade

        This Brigade joined from 6th Division on 31 May 1915 but left to go to 2nd Division on 19 August 1915.

        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
        • 1st Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
        • 1/5th Btn, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
        • 1st Btn, the Middlesex Regt
        • 2nd Btn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

        Divisional Troops

        • 26th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in August 1916
        • 27th Divisional Train 95, 96, 97 and 98 Companies ASC joined in November and December 1914 but remained when the Division moved to Salonika, becoming the 55th Divisional Train.
        • A new Train, comprising 483, 484, 485 and 486 Companies sailed from Devonport on 16 January 1916.
        • In April 1916 the Train was reorganised into "Pack and Wheel Echelons"; 852, 853, 845 and 856 Companies also later joined.
        • 16th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 818th Divisional Employment Company formed 14 September 1917
        • 27th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined February 1915 but remained in France when Division moved to Salonika

        Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • A Sqn, Surrey Yeomanry left 27 December 1916
        • D Sqn, Derbyshire Yeomanry joined 26 March 1916, left June 1916
        • 27th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 7 December 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • I Brigade, RFA
        • XIX Brigade, RFA
        • XX Brigade, RFA
        • CXXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined August 1915
        • 27th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA formed December 1914 from the IV Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade TF RFA; disbanded 8 January 1917. 27th Division retained the Brigade Ammunition Columns
        • 130th Howitzer Battery, RFA attached between 8 January and 21 February 1915
        • 61st Howitzer Battery, RFA attached between 21 February 1915 and June 1915
        • 2nd Mountain Battery, RGA briefly attached 17 to 24 July 1916
        • Bute Mountain Battery of IV Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA attached between 22 July and 8 September 1918, and again 23 September and 25 September 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 1st (Wessex) Field Company later renamed 500th Field Company
        • 2nd (Wessex) Field Company later renamed 501st Field Company
        • 1st (South Midland) Field Company left March 1915
        • 17th Field Company joined March 1915
        • Wessex Divisional Signal Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 81st (1st Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • 82nd (2nd Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • 83rd (3rd Home Counties) Field Ambulance
        • 7th Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915, left 16 April 1917


           28th Division was one of three Divisions formed as regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England, many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them. The 28th Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen Hill Camps near Winchester in December 1914 - January 1915 and was rushed as a much-needed reinforcement to France. Shortage of some types of units were filled by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. The units of the Division embarked at Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 16-19 January 1915 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck. The Division subsequently took part in these actions:

        1915

        • The Second Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Loos

        The Division was ordered on 19 October 1915 to to prepare to sail. The first units left Marseilles for Alexandria (Egypt) five days later and all units (except XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) were there by 22 November. The Division was then ordered on to Salonika and completed its disembarkation on 4 January 1916.

        1916

        • The occupation of Mazirko
        • The capture of Barakli Jum'a

        1917

        • The capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a)
        • The capture of Barakli and Kumli

        1918

        The Division lost a number of units in mid 1918 which were transferred to France

        • The Battle of Doiran
        • The pursuit to the Strumica valley

        Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on 30 September, with the Division by then in the area of Trnovo. The Division was ordered in early November to move to Gallipoli to occupy the Dardanelles Forts. On 14 November 85th Brigade arrived at Constantinople and Divisional HQ was established at Chanak

        Order of Battle of the 28th Division

        83rd Infantry Brigade

        83rd Brigade was temporarily under the command of 5th Division between 3 March and 7 April 1915, when it was replaced in 28th Division by 15th Brigade from that Division.

        • 2nd Btn, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
        • 2nd Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry left June 1918
        • 1st Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
        • 1/5th Btn, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) joined March 1915, left October 1915
        • 1/3rd Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined March 1915, left September 1915. Absent May to August 1915 having amalgamated with its sister 1/1st and 1/2nd Btns following serious casualties at Ypres
        • 83rd Machine Gun Company formed 21 May 1916
        • 83rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 September 1916, original title No 4 TMB
        • 83rd SAA Section Ammunition Column formed May 1916

        84th Infantry Brigade

        This Brigade was temporarily under the command of 5th Division between 23 February and 7 April 1915, when it was replaced in 28th Division by 13th Brigade from that Division.

        • 2nd Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers left June 1918
        • 1st Btn, Suffolk Regiment
        • 2nd Btn, Cheshire Regiment
        • 1st Btn, Welsh Regiment
        • 1/6th Btn, Welsh Regiment joined July 1915, left October 1915
        • 1/1st Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined February 1915, left September 1915
        • 1/12th Btn, the London Regiment joined February 1915, left May 1915
        • 84th Machine Gun Company formed 18 May 1916
        • 84th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined May 1916
        • 84th Trench Mortar Battery joined 7 November 1916

        85th Infantry Brigade

        Brigade transferred temporarily to 3rd Division between 19 February 1915 and 6 April 1915. It was replaced by the 9th Brigade from that Division.

        • 2nd Btn, Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
        • 3rd Btn, Royal Fusiliers left July 1918
        • 2nd Btn, East Surrey Regiment
        • 3rd Btn, Middlesex Regiment left November 1916
        • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined March 1915, left June 1915
        • 85th Machine Gun Company formed 18 May 1916
        • 85th Trench Mortar Battery formed September 1916, original title No 5 TMB
        • 85th SAA Section Ammunition Column joined May 1916

        Composite Infantry Brigade

        Following serious casualties at Ypres in April 1915 a Composite Brigade was formed, composed of the 2nd Buffs, 2nd Cheshire Regiment, 1st Welsh Regiment and 1st Btn York & Lancaster Regiment. It was dissolved on 19 May 1915 and the formation assumed its normal configuration.

        228th Infantry Brigade

        This Brigade was formed on 26 February 1917 as Army Troops, although it was always associated with this Division. It came under the command of the Greek Crete Division from 30 September 1918 and was broken up on 4 October 1918.

        • 2nd (Garrison) Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
        • 2/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
        • 1st Garrison Btn, Seaforth Highlanders
        • 2nd Garrison Btn, Royal Irish Fusiliers left August 1917
        • 22nd Btn, Rifle Brigade joined November 1916
        • 277th Machine Gun Company formed 11 September 1917, originally as 228th Company
        • 228th Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 September 1917
        • 228th Signal Section RE formed 15 March 1917
        • 143rd Field Ambulance RAMC formed 19 March 1917

        Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

        • 23rd Btn, Welsh Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in August 1916
        • 28th Divisional Train 120, 21, 122 and 123 Companies ASC joined from
        • 13th Division in November 1915
        • 17th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 819th Divisional Employment Company formed 14 September 1917
        • 28th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined February 1915 but remained in France when Division moved to Salonika

        Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

          B Sqn, Surrey Yeomanry left 27 December 1916
        • 28th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 8 December 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • III Brigade, RFA
        • XXXI Brigade, RFA
        • CXLVI Brigade, RFA left August 1917
        • VIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA attached from 5th Division between 21 February and 23 June 1915
        • 28th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA Division also retained the Brigade Ammunition Columns
        • 71 and 121 Heavy Batteries, RGA joined 18 January 1915, left 6 April 1915
        • 61st Howitzer Battery, RFA attached between 21 February 1915 and June 1915
        • CXXX (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined September 1915
        • 13 Heavy Battery, RGA raised for 13th Division, the Battery was ordered to France on 30 May 1915 as part of XVII Heavy Brigade. On 23 October 1915, it joined 28th Division and moved to Salonika. On 26 February, left Division and joined XXXVII Heavy Brigade
        • 7th Mountain Battery, RGA attached between 30 December 1915 and 18 June 1916
        • IV Highland Mountain Brigade, RGA joined December 1916, left 10 September 1918
        • LIV Brigade, RFA joined August 1917
        • III Mountain Brigade, RGA joined 16 September 1918

        Royal Engineers

        • 1st (North Midland) Field Company left April 1915
        • 1st (Northumbrian) Field Company left June 1915
        • 3rd (London) Field Company left April 1915
        • 38th Field Company joined April 1915
        • 17th Field Company joined June 1915
        • 2/1st (North Midland) Field Company joined 19 June 1915, left 10 July 1915
        • 2/1st (Northumbrian) Field Company joined July 1915, later renamed 449th Field Coy
        • 1/7th (Hampshire) Field Company joined October 1915, later renamed 506th Field Coy
        • Home Counties Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 84th (2nd London) Field Ambulance
        • 85th (3rd London) Field Ambulance
        • 86th (2nd Northumbrian) Field Ambulance
        • 15th (London) Sanitary Section


         Divisional History  This Division was not formed until World War Two.

           The 30th Division was formed as one of six new Divisions authorised by War Office in December 1914 comprised of units of Kitchener's 5th New Army, they were initially numbered 37 to 42. But renumbered with 37 becoming 30th Division. As the Earl of Derby (Lord Stanley) was a driving force behind the raising of many of the units in this Division, when asked he gave permission for a variation of his family crest to be used as the Divisional symbol. After training near home, the units were moved to concentrate near Grantham in April 1915. There were severe shortages of arms, ammunition and much equipment - for example there was only one gun carriage available even by mid July and even that was for funerals! It was not until October that the artillery was in a position to commence firing practice, a few weeks after the Division had moved to the area of Larkhill on Salisbury Plain. On 4th of November the Division was inspected by Lord Derby, and entrainment began two days later. The Division sailed to le Havre and Boulogne and all units concentrated near Ailly le Haut Clocher (near Amiens) by 12 November 1915. The 30th Division subsequently remained in France and Flanders and took part in these actions:

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

        1917

        • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme
        • The Battle of Rosieres - Somme
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of the Scherpenberg - Battles of the Lys

        The army reorganisation in February 1918 and following the Battles of the Somme and Lys completely changed 30th Division, with the Pals battalions of Liverpool and Manchester being mostly replaced by the London Regiment.

        • The capture of Neuve Eglise - Advance in Flanders
        • The capture of Wulverghem - Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders

        The Division's advance across Flanders continued after the fighting at Courtrai on 14th to 19th of October. On 9th of November, 89th Brigade forced a crossing of the River Scheldt and by that night elements of the Division were at Renaix. At the time when the Armistice came into effect, 1100 on 11 November, the advanced units had reached the line Ghoy - la Livarde, north west of Lessines. Relieved by 29th Division, the 30th began a series of westwards moves and by 4 December was in billets at Renescure. In early January, units of the Division moved for duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples. Here, men began to be demobilised. The first unit to have been demobilised down to a cadre left for England in May 1919; others were disbanded in France. The Division ceased to exist on 1 september 1919.

        The Great War had cost 30th Division a total of 35182 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 30th Division

        89th Brigade

        • 17th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left June 1918
        • 18th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left December 1915, rejoined February 1918, left June 1918
        • 19th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
        • 20th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) disbanded February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined December 1915, left February 1918
        • 89th Machine Gun Company joined 13 March 1916, moved to 30th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 89th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 16 June 1916
        • 7th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment cadre joined May 1918, left June 1918
        • 2nd Btn,South Lancashire Regiment joined June 1918
        • 7/8th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined July 1918
        • 2/17th Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918

        90th Brigade

        • 16th Btn, Manchester Regiment left as cadre June 1918
        • 17th Btn, Manchester Regiment left February 1918
        • 18th Btn, Manchester Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 19th Btn, Manchester Regiment left December 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined December 1915
        • 90th Machine Gun Company joined 13 March 1916, moved to 30th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 90th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 16 June 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment joined February 1918, left May 1918
        • 14th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined April 1918, left June 1918
        • 2/14th Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918
        • 2/15th Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918
        • 2/16th Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918

        91st Brigade

        91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division on 20th of December 1915 in exchange for 21st Brigade

        • 20th Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 21st Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 22nd Btn, Manchester Regiment
        • 24th Btn, Manchester Regiment

        21st Brigade

        21st Brigade joined from 7th Division on 20 December 1915 in exchange for 91st Brigade

        • 2nd Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment moved to 89th Brigade soon after joining Division
        • 2nd Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left May 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers moved to 90th Brigade soon after joining Division
        • 2nd Btn, Wiltshire Regiment left May 1918
        • 18th Btn,, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 89th Brigade in exchange for 2nd Bedfords
        • 19th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined from 90th Brigade in exchange for 2nd RSF
        • 21st Machine Gun Company joined 8 March 1916, moved to 30th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 21st Trench Mortar Battery formed by 5 July 1916
        • 17th Btn, Manchester Regiment joined February 1918, left as cadre June 1918
        • 2/5th Btn,Lincolnshire Regiment joined May 1918, left June 1918
        • 7th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined July 1918
        • 1/6th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined July 1918
        • 2/23rd Btn, London Regiment joined July 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 11th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion May 1915, left as cadre June 1918
        • 7th Btn, Sherwood Foresters joined as cadre May 1918, left June 1918
        • 13th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment joined and left as cadre, June 1918 6th Bn, the South Wales Borderers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion July 1918
        • 226th Machine Gun Company joined 19 July 1917, moved to 30th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 30th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918, reduced to cadre 13 May 1918 (540 men moved to 31st Bn), being replaced on 29 June 1918 by "A" Bn, MGC which was then redesignated as 30th Bn
        • 19th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 10 February 1916, left 6 June 1916

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • D Sqn, Lancashire Hussars left 10 May 1916
        • 30th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 21 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CXLVIII Brigade, RFA
        • CXLIX Brigade, RFA
        • CL Brigade, RFA left 2 January 1917
        • CLI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 26 August 1916
        • 30th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • 11 (Hull) Heavy Battery, RGA joined June 1915, left March 1916
        • 125 Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but moved independently to France on 29 April 1916
        • V.30 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined by 7 October 1916, left by 11 February 1918
        • X.30, Y.30 and Z.30 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA by 11 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 200th (County Palatine) Field Company
        • 201st (County Palatine) Field Company
        • 202nd (County Palatine) Field Company
        • 30th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 111th Field Ambulance left September 1915
        • 112th Field Ambulance left September 1915
        • 113th Field Ambulance left September 1915
        • 70th Sanitary Section left 2 April 1917
        • 96th Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 97th Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 98th Field Ambulance joined November 1915

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 30th Divisional Train ASC 186, 187, 188 and 189 Companies ASC joined from 22nd Division in France in November 1915
        • 40th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 227th Divisional Employment Company joined 24 May 1917
        • 30th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop merged into Divisional workshops 7 April 1916


           The 31st Division was one of six Divisions formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army. The Division was largely comprised of locally raised units often known as Pals. It was a predominantly Northern Division, with most units originating in Lancashire or Yorkshire, hence the use of the red and white roses in the Divisional symbol. On 16th of December 1914, two Companies of the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry became the first troops of the New Armies to come under enemy fire, when they were manning the trenches of the Tyne and Tees defences which were shelled by the German ships Derfflinger, Von Der Tann and Blucher. After in most cases commencing training near home, the units were moved to concentrate at South Camp at Ripon in April and May 1915. There were severe shortages of arms, ammunition and much equipment. It was not until September that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Fovant on Salisbury Plain. In late November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France. Advance parties began to depart. But on 2 December final orders were received that the Division would go to Egypt, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division. Its own artillery would join 32nd Division in France. The advanced parties were recalled and the Division sailed from 7 December, with Divisional HQ being established at Port Said on Christmas Eve. The last units arrived in Egypt on 23 January 1916. The Division took over the No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal defences and Divisional HQ moved to Kantara on 23rd of January. The stay in Egypt was short, and between 1st and 6th of March the Division sailed to Marseilles for service on the Western Front. The 31st Division subsequently remained in France and Flanders and took part in these actions:

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme including the attack on Serre
        • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • Operations on the Ancre
        • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Capture of Oppy Wood - Arras Offensive

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
        • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys
        • The Defence of Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys
        • The attack at La Becque - Battles of the Lys
        • The capture of Vieux Berquin - Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The action of Tieghem - Final Advance in Flanders

        The Division's advance across Flanders continued on 9 November when units forced a crossing of the River Scheldt. At the time when the Armistice came into effect, 1100 on 11 November, the advanced units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. The Division moved back to the Arques-Blendecques are and here men began to be demobilised. The Division ceased to exist on 20 May 1919.

        The Great War had cost 31st Division a total of 30091 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 31st Division

        92nd Brigade

        On 16 April 1918 it was decided that due to the heavy casualties recently sustained, the 92nd and 93rd Brigades would be temporarily amalgamated and called the 92nd Composite Brigade. It was broken up two days later and the 92nd and 93rd Brigades were reconstituted soon after.

        • 10th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Commercials)
        • 11th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Tradesmen)
        • 12th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (Hull Sportsmen)
        • 13th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (Hull t'Others)
        • 92nd Machine Gun Company joined 20 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918
        • 92nd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 11 April 1916
        • 11th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918 (Accrington Pals)

        93rd Brigade

        • 15th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment (1st Leeds Pals)
        • 16th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (1st Bradford Pals)
        • 18th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left February 1918 (2nd Bradford Pals)
        • 18th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (Durham Pals)
        • 93rd Machine Gun Company joined 20 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918
        • 93rd Trench Mortar Battery joined by 12 April 1916
        • 13th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment joined February 1918 (1st Barnsley pals)

        94th Brigade

        The Brigade was broken up between 11 and 16 February 1918. It was reformed on 30 May 1918, principally from units that had been reduced down to training cadres. It was fully reconstituted on 21 June 1918 by the addition of units from the 74th Division, and redesignated 94th (Yeomanry) Brigade.

        • 11th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918 (Accrington Pals)
        • 12th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded February 1918 (Sheffield City Battalion)
        • 13th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment (1st Barnsley Pals)
        • 14th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded February 1918 (2nd Barnsley Pals)
        • 94th Machine Gun Company joined 21 May 1916, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918
        • 94th Trench Mortar Battery joined by 11 April 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined as cadre May 1918, left June 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined and left June 1918
        • 12th Btn, Norfolk Regiment joined June 1918 (Norfolk Yeomanry)
        • 12th Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined June 1918 (Ayr & Lanark Yeomanry)
        • 24th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined June 1918 (Denbighshire Yeomanry)

        4th (Guards) Brigade

        Brigade joined from Guards Division on 8th February 1918, left for GHQ Reserve on 20th May 1918

        • 4th Btn, Grenadier Guards
        • 3rd Btn, Coldstream Guards
        • 2nd Btn, Irish Guards
        • 4th Guards Trench Mortar Battery

        Divisional Troops

        • 12th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion May 1915
        • 243rd Machine Gun Company joined 18 July 1917, moved to 31st Bn MGC 21 February 1918
        • 31st Battalion MGC formed 21 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • B Sqn, Lancashire Hussars left 9 May 1916
        • 31st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 9 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The original Divisional Artillery joined the 32nd Division between 30 December 1915 and 3 January 1916

        • CLV Brigade, RFA
        • CLXI Brigade, RFA
        • CLXIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
        • CLXVIII Brigade, RFA
        • 31st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • The original artillery of the 32nd Division moved to France to join the 31st Division on 8 December 1915
        • CLXV Brigade, RFA
        • CLXIX Brigade, RFA broken up 24 January 1917
        • CLXX Brigade, RFA
        • CLXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 27 August 1916
        • 31st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.31 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 4 June 1916, broken up 5 February 1918
        • X.31, Y.31 and Z.31 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 31 March 1916; by 15 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 210th (Leeds) Field Company
        • 211th (Leeds) Field Company
        • 223rd (Leeds) Field Company
        • 31st Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 93rd Field Ambulance
        • 94th Field Ambulance
        • 95th Field Ambulance
        • 71st Sanitary Section left to join XIII Corps 4-11 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 31st Divisional Train ASC originally 217, 218, 219 and 220 Coys, but this Train remained in Egypt in March 1916, joining 52nd (Lowland) Division. 221, 222, 223 and 279 Companies joined from 32nd Division in France
        • 41st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 228th Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917
        • 31st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop left for 52nd (Lowland) Division 21 April 1916


           32nd Division was one of six new divisions formed in December 1914 and was largely made up of Pals Battalions. It was a predominantly Northern Division. After commencing training near home (although the Glasgow battalions moved to camp at Gailes and the 11th Border at Blackhall), the units were moved in May 1915 to concentrate in Shropshire but Prees Heath was found to be too wet for training and the brigades instead moved to Yorkshire encamped at Wensley and Richmond, with use of the firing ranges at Strenshall. It was not until August that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain. In November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France. It remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

          The Battle of Albert - Somme The Battle of Bazentin - Somme The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

        1917

        • Operations on the Ancre
        • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line

        1918

        • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
        • The Battle of Amiens
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Beaurevoir - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Sambre, including the passage of the Oise-Sambre Canal, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 32nd Division

        95th Brigade

        This brigade left the Division and was transferred to 5th Division on 26 December 1915 .

        • 14th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (1st Birmingham City)
        • 15th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (2nd Birmingham City)
        • 16th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (3rd Birmingham City)
        • 12th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment (Bristol's Own)

        96th Brigade

        • 16th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers (Newcastle)
        • 15th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers (1st Salford Pals)
        • 16th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers (2nd Salford Pals)
        • 19th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers left January 1916 (3rd Salford Pals)
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined January 1916, left February 1918
        • 96th Machine Gun Company joined 15 March 1916, moved to 32nd Bn MGC 21 Feb 1918
        • 96th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Manchester Regiment joined February 1918

        97th Brigade

        • 11th Btn, Border Regiment left as a cadre May 1918 (Lonsdale)
        • 15th Btn, Highland Light Infantry left January 1916 (Glasgow Tramways)
        • 16th Btn, Highland Light Infantry left February 1918 (Glasgow Boys Brigade)
        • 17th Btn, Highland Light Infantry disbanded February 1918 (3rd Glasgow)
        • 2nd Btn, King's Own Yorkshire LI joined December 1915
        • 97th Machine Gun Company joined 15 March 1916, moved to 32nd Bn MGC 21 Feb 1918
        • 97th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916
        • 10th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined February 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Border Regiment joined May 1918

        14th Brigade

        Brigade joined from 5th Division on 30 December 1915

        • 1/9th Btn, Royal Scots left January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Devonshire Regiment left January 1916
        • 1st Btn, East Surrey Regiment left January 1916
        • 1st Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry left January 1916
        • 2nd Btn, Manchester Regiment joined December 1915, left February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment joined 7 January 1916
        • 19th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers joined January 1916, left July 1916
        • 15th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined January 1916
        • 14th Machine Gun Company joined February 1916, moved to 32nd Bn MGC 21 Feb 1918
        • 14th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916
        • 1/5th Btn, Royal Scots joined 29 July 1916

        Divisional Troops

        • 17th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1915, left October 1916, returned September 1917, finally left November 1917 (North Eastern Railway Pioneers)
        • 1/12th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion November 1916, left January 1917
        • 16th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion February 1918 (Glasgow Boys Brigade)
        • 219th Machine Gun Company joined 25 March 1917, moved to 32nd Bn MGC 21 Feb 1918
        • 32nd Battalion MGC formed 21 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • F Sqn, North Irish Horse briefly, between April and June 1916
        • 32nd Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 31 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The original Divisional Artillery remained in England and on 2 December 1915 joined the 31st Division

        • CLXV Brigade, RFA
        • CLXIX Brigade, RFA
        • CLXX Brigade, RFA
        • CLXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
        • The original Divisional Artillery of the 31st Division joined to replace them between 30 December 1915 and 3 January 1916
        • CLV Brigade, RFA left 20 January 1917
        • CLXI Brigade, RFA
        • CLXIV (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up September 1916
        • CLXVIII Brigade, RFA War diary click here
        • 32nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.32, W.32 Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by June 1916; W Bty broken up 28 December 1916; V redesignated X on 12 February 1918
        • X.32, Y.32 and Z.32 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed May 1916; by 12 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 206th (Glasgow) Field Company
        • 218th (Glasgow) Field Company
        • 219th (Glasgow) Field Company
        • 32nd Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 96th Field Ambulance left November 1915
        • 97th Field Ambulance left November 1915
        • 98th Field Ambulance left November 1915
        • 90th Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 91st Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 92nd Field Ambulance joined November 1915
        • 72nd Sanitary Section left 17 April 1917
        Other Divisional Troops

        • 32nd Divisional Train ASC originally 221, 222, 223 and 224 Companies ASC. This Train remained behind when the Division sailed in November 1915 and was replaced by 202, 203, 204 and 205 Companies. The original train later joined 31st Division
        • 42nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 229th Divisional Employment Company joined 25 March 1917
        • 32nd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded 6 April 1916


           70th squadron RFC was formed on April 22, 1916 at Farnborough, and was equipped with the Sopwith 1½ Strutter. The squadron was posted to France, and in 1917 re-equipped with Sopwith Camels. The squadron briefly disbanded in January 1920, reforming nine days later at Heliopolis, Egypt via the renumbering of No. 58 Squadron. The squadron was equipped with the Vickers Vimy bomber.

           The 33rd Division was one of six new Divisions authorised in December 1914 made up of the newly raised Pals Battalions, with units raised by the public schools, footballers and other sportsmen and the Church Lads Brigade, among others. 33rd Division troops were predominantly from the south of England. After commencing training near home, the units were moved in July 1915 to concentrate at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. It was not until August that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Salisbury Plain. In November 1915 the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France, but the original artillery and Train would not accompany it; instead, it would receive the artillery that had been raised for and trained with the 54th (East Anglian) Division. The move began on 12 November and by 21 November all units had reached the concentration area near Morbecque. Soon after arrival the Division was considerably strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division, and other changes.

        The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert - Somme
        • The Battle of Bazentin - Somme
        • The attacks on High Wood - Somme
        • The capture of Boritska and Dewdrop Trenches - Somme

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
        • The actions on the Hindenburg Line
        • Operations on the Flanders coast (Operation Hush)
        • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The Battle of Messines - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
        • The defence of Neuve Eglise - Battles of the Lys
        • The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The fighting for and recapture of Ridge Wood - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of the Epehy - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line - Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Cambrai - Hindenburg Line
        • The pursuit to the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
        • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy

        On 26th of October the Division captured Englefontaine and was that night relieved by the 38th (Welsh) Division. After a period of rest at Troisvilles it re-entered the line on 5th of November, advancing through the Foret de Mormal. By 7th of November it was on a line to the east of the Avesnes-Maubeuge road. It was there once again relieved by the Welsh Division and moved to the Sambre valley near Leval; it was there at the Armistice. By 4 December the Division had moved to Montigny and was there inspected by King George V; by 17th of December it was at Hornoy. Demobilisation continued throughout the first months of 1919. Divisional HQ moved to Le Havre on 28 February and on 30 June the Division ceased to exist.

        The Great War cost 33rd Division 37404 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 33rd Division

        98th Brigade

        • 18th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (1st Public Schools) to 19th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 19th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (2nd Public Schools) left 28 February 1916
        • 20th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (3rd Public Schools) to 19th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 21st Btn, Royal Fusiliers (4th Public Schools) left 28 February 1916
        • 1st Btn, Middlesex Regiment from 19th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders from 19th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 4th Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 27 February 1916
        • 1/4th Btn, Suffolk Regiment joined 28 February 1916, left February 1918
        • 98th Machine Gun Company joined 28 April 1916, moved to 33rd Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
        • 98th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 30 June 1916

        99th Brigade

        Brigade left to join 2nd Division on 25 November 1915

        • 17th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (Empire)
        • 22nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers (Kensington)
        • 23rd Btn, Royal Fusiliers (1st Sportsmen's)
        • 24th Btn, Royal Fusiliers (2nd Sportsmen's)

        100th Brigade

        • 13th Btn, Essex Regiment left 22 December 1915 (West Ham)
        • 16th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left 25 February 1916 (Public Schools)
        • 17th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left 8 December 1915 (1st Football)
        • 16th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Church Lads Brigade)
        • 1st Btn, Queen's joined 15 December 1915, to 19th Brigade 14 February 1918
        • 2nd Btn, Worcestershire Regiment joined 20 December 1915
        • 1/6th Btn, Cameronians joined and left February 1916
        • 100th Machine Gun Company joined 28 April 1916, moved to 33rd Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
        • 1/9th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined 29 May 1916
        • 100th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 13 June 1916

        19th Brigade

        19th Brigade joined from 2nd Division on 25th of November 1915

        • 1st Btn, Middlesex Regiment to 98th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders to 98th Brigade 27 November 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left 4 February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Cameronians
        • 1/5th Btn, Cameronians became 5/6th Bn May 1916
        • 18th Btn, Royal Fusiliers from 98th Brigade 27 November 1915, left 26 February 1916
        • 20th Btn, Royal Fusiliers from 98th Brigade 27 November 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 19th Machine Gun Company formed 24 February 1916, moved to 33rd Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
        • 19th Trench Mortar Battery formed by 24 June 1916
        • 1st Btn, Queens joined from 100th Brigade 14 February 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 18th (1st Public Works Pioneers) Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion July 1915
        • 19th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined November 1915 but left and moved independently to France 6 February 1916
        • 248th Machine Gun Company joined 21 July 1917, moved to 33rd Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
        • 33rd Battalion MGC formed 19 February 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • F Sqn, North Irish Horse joined January 1915, redesignated at B Sqn on 25 May 1916, left 19 April 1916 for 1st Cavalry Division
        • 33rd Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 19 April 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The original Divisional artillery was designated Camberwell, as it was raised there by the Mayor and a committee between January and June 1915. Initial assembly and training took place in Dulwich. It joined the Division at Bulford between 5 and 8 August 1915. However the artillery did not proceed to France with Division. Instead, it took the artillery of the 54th (East Anglian) Division. 33rd Divisional artillery (as shown below) crossed to France and rejoined its Division in December 1915

        • CLVI Brigade, RFA
        • CLXII Brigade, RFA
        • CLXVI Brigade, RFA broken up 12 September 1916
        • CLXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 12 September 1916
        • 126 (Camberwell) Heavy Battery RGA left for XXII Heavy Artillery Group on 2 May 1916
        • 33rd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.33 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 29 May 1916; broken up February 1918
        • X.33, Y.33 and Z.33 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 4 May 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 212th (Tottenham) Field Company
        • 222nd (Tottenham) Field Company
        • 226th (Tottenham) Field Company left for 2nd Division 2 December 1915
        • 33rd (Tottenham) Divisional Signals Company
        • 11th Field Company joined from 2nd Division 2 December 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 99th Field Ambulance
        • 100th Field Ambulance left for 2nd Division late November 1915
        • 101st Field Ambulance
        • 73rd Sanitary Section left 31 March 1917
        • 19th Field Ambulance joined from 2nd Division late November 1915

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 33rd Divisional Train ASC originally 225,226, 227 and 228 Companies. Embarked for France 12 November 1915 but transferred in March 1916 to 29th Division.
        • 170, 171, 172 and 173 Companies, formerly the 28th Divisional Train, joined on 13 November 1915.
        • 172 Company switched with 8 Company from 2nd Divisional Train in late November 1915
        • 43rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 230th Divisional Employment Company joined 1 June 1917
        • 33rd Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column on 31 March 1916


           On 10th of December 1914 the War Office authorised the formation of the Fifth New Army. Like the other Kitchener Armies, it comprised six Divisions, in this case numbered 37 to 42. What eventually became 34th Division was originally numbered 41st. In April 1915, the original Fourth New Army was broken up and its units converted for training and draft-finding purposes. When this took place the Fifth New Army became Fourth New Army and its Divisions were renumbered to 30th - 35th: thus what we remember as 34th Division was born.

        The Division was largely comprised of locally raised units often known as "Pals", notably those raised in the north east and known as the Tyneside Scottish and Tyneside Irish. There were also the Manchester Scottish, the Grimsby Chums and others. After in most cases commencing training near home, the units were moved in mid 1915 to concentrate at Ripon in Yorkshire. It was not until late August that the Division moved for final training and firing practice at Salisbury Plain.

        On 3 January 1916 embarkation orders arrived; by 15 January the Division had crossed the Channel and was concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. (Note: it follows that no man who was with the original contingent of this Division was awarded the 1914-1915 Star).

        The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

          The Battle of Albert - Somme 1916 including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme 1916 The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme 1916 The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme 1916 (only 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers)

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive 1917
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive 1917
        • The Battle of Arleux - Arras Offensive 1917
        • The fighting at Hargicourt (August)
        • The Third Battles of Ypres (fighting for the Broenbeek, 13-23 October 1917)

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
        • The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys

        After suffering heavy losses during the Battles of the Lys, the Division was withdrawn from fighting and moved on 21 April to the area west of Poperinge. It was reorganised here while put to work digging a new defensive line Abeele-Watou. On 13 May the infantry moved to near Lumbres and was then reduced to a cadre, employed training American troops. Between 19 June and 1 July the Division was reconstituted and entered the final phase of the war as a very different Division:

        • The Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq
        • The capture of Baigneux Ridge
        • The 4th Battle of Ypres
        • The Battle of Courtrai
        • The action of Ooteghem
        • The action of Tieghem

        On 1 November the Division was relieved and was in the area east of Courtrai at the Armistice. It was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began its move across Belgium and into Germany on 14 November. Between 12-19 December it was billeted near Namu, on 22 December a large number of miners and others with industrial skills left to be demobilised. By 29 January 1919 the Division had occupied the Cologne bridgehead. The infantry of the Division was once again reconstituted in March 1919 and on 15 March the whole formation was renamed the Eastern Division.

        The Great War cost 34th Division 41183 men killed, wounded or missing.

        The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 34th Division

        101st Brigade

        • 15th Bn, the Royal Scots (1st Edinburgh) left May 1918
        • 16th Bn, the Royal Scots (2nd Edinburgh) left May 1918
        • 10th Bn, the Lincolnshire Regiment (Grimsby Chums) left February 1918
        • 11th Bn, the Suffolk Regiment left May 1918
        • 101st Machine Gun Company joined 27 April 1916, moved to 34th Bn MGC 26 Feb 1918
        • 101st Trench Mortar Battery joined 18 February 1916, broken up 16 May 1918, reformed 2 July 1918
        • 2/4th Bn, the Queens joined June 1918
        • 1/4th Bn, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined June 1918
        • 2nd Bn, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined June 1918

        102nd Brigade (Tyneside Scottish)

        The Brigade was attached to the 37th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916, following extremely heavy casualties incurred by the Brigade during the attack at La Boiselle on 1 July 1916

        • 20th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) disbanded February 1918
        • 21st Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Scottish) disbanded February 1918
        • 22nd Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Scottish) left June 1918
        • 23rd Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish) left June 1918
        • 102nd Machine Gun Company joined 27 April 1916, moved to 34th Bn MGC 26 Feb 1918
        • 102nd Trench Mortar Battery joined 18 February 1916, broken up 16 May 1918, reformed 10 July 1918
        • 25th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers joined February 1918, left June 1918
        • 1/4th Bn, the Lincolnshire Regiment joined and left June 1918
        • 7/8th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined june 1918 as cadre, left July 1918
        • 1/1st Bn, the Herefordshire Regiment joined June 1918
        • 1/4th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined July 1918
        • 1/7th Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined July 1918

        103rd Brigade (Tyneside Irish)

        The Brigade was attached to the 37th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916, following extremely heavy casualties incurred by the Brigade during the attack at La Boiselle on 1 July 1916

        • 24th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Irish) disbanded February 1918
        • 25th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Irish) left February 1918
        • 26th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (3rd Tyneside Irish) disbanded February 1918
        • 27th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Irish) disbanded February 1918
        • 103rd Machine Gun Company joined 27 April 1916, moved to 34th Bn MGC 26 Feb 1918
        • 103rd Trench Mortar Battery joined 18 February 1916, broken up 16 May 1918, reformed 1 July 1918
        • 9th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers joined August 1917, left 26 May 1918
        • 10th Bn, the Lincolnshire Regiment (Grimsby Chums) joined February 1918, left June 1918
        • 1st Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918, left May 1918
        • 1/5th Bn, the King's Own Scottish Borderers joined June 1918 1/8th Bn, the Cameronians joined June 1918
        • 6th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined and left June 1918
        • 1/5th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined June 1918

        111th and 112th Brigades

        Both Brigades were attached from the 37th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916, in exchange for the 102nd and 103rd Brigades

        Divisional Troops

        • 18th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion July 1915, left June 1918
        • 19th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined November 1915 but left and moved independently to France 6 February 1916
        • 240th Machine Gun Company joined 18 July 1917, moved to 34th Bn MGC 26 Feb 1918
        • 34th Battalion MGC formed 26 February 1918
        • 2/4th Bn, the Somerset Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion June 1918
        • Note: a number of battalions joined the Division for short periods during its reorganisation in mid 1918:
        • 13th Yorkshire, 13th East Surrey, 2/5th Sherwood Foresters, 21st Middlesex, 8th and 9th King's Royal Rifle Corps, 1/5th North Staffordshire, 3/4th Royal West Kent, 10/11th and 14th Highland Light Infantry, 6th Connaught Rangers, 6th Leinster Regiment, 8th Rifle Brigade. All had left by July 1918.

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • E Sqn, the North Irish Horse left May 1916
        • 34th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 11 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        The Divisional artillery was was placed under temporary command of 5th Division while the infantry was being reorganised in mid 1918

        • CLII Brigade, RFA
        • CLX Brigade, RFA
        • CLXXV Brigade, RFA left 26 January 1917
        • CLXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 28 August 1916
        • 130 Heavy Battery RGA raised with Division but moved independently to France
        • 516 Heavy Battery RGA joined CLXXV Brigade 7 October 1916
        • 34th (Nottingham) Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.34 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 16 August 1916; left for VI Corps 6 March 1918
        • X.34, Y.34 and Z.34 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 18 June 1916; on 6 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 105th Field Company left February 1915
        • 106th Field Company left February 1915
        • 207th (Norfolk) Field Company joined May 1915
        • 208th (Norfolk) Field Company joined May 1915
        • 209th (Norfolk) Field Company joined May 1915
        • 34th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 102nd Field Ambulance
        • 103rd Field Ambulance
        • 104th Field Ambulance
        • 74th Sanitary Section left 31 March 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 34th Divisional Train ASC 229, 230, 231 and 232 Companies.
        • 44th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 231st Divisional Employment Company joined 25 May 1917
        • 34th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop disbanded 31 March 1916


           Royal Engineers, 34th Division proceeded to France in January 1916 and remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war. They took part in the following engagements:

        1916 The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 The First Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The Second Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux, The fighting at Hargicourt in August and The Third Battles of Ypres (fighting for the Broenbeek, 13-23 October 1917). In 1918, The Battle of St Quentin, Battle of the Lys, The Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq on the Marne, The capture of Baigneux Ridge, The 4th Battle of Ypres, The Battle of Courtrai, The action at Ooteghem and The action of Tieghem.

          34th Divisional Engineers was made up of
        • 207th (Norfolk) Field Company, RE
        • 208th (Norfolk) Field Company, RE
        • 209th (Norfolk) Field Company, RE
        • 34th Divisional Signals Company, RE.


           The liner Bayano was taken over early in the First World War for service as an auxiliary cruiser.

           35th Division was authorised by the War Officer in December 1914 as a formation of the Fifth New Army. The Division was largely comprised of Bantam Battalions, manned by troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After early training near home, the units concentrated in June 1915 in North Yorkshire. Divisional HQ was at Masham and units were at Roomer Common, Marfield, Fearby and Masham. In August 1915 the Division moved to Salisbury Plain, HQ being set up at Marlborough. Over the next few weeks moves were made to Chiseldon and Cholderton. In late 1915 orders were received to kit for a move to Egypt but this was soon rescinded. On 28th of January 1916 the Division began to cross the English Channel and by early on 6th of February all units were concentrated east of St Omer.

        The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme
        • The fighting for Arrow Head Copse and Maltz Horn Farm - Somme
        • The fighting for Falfemont Farm - Somme

        On 8th of December the Divisional commanding officer Major General H. J. S. Landon, submitted a report complaining that replacement drafts he had received were not of the same tough physical standard as the original bantams but were undeveloped, unfit men from the towns. A medical inspection was duly carried out and 1439 men rejected from the ranks. A second inspection removed another batch, bringing the total to 2784. These men were in the main transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places were filled with men transferred from disbanded yeomanry regiments; they had to be quickly trained in infantry methods and a Divisional depot was formed for the purpose. Brigades were then ordered that no more bantams were to be accepted. Original bantams who passed the medical inspection remained in place.

        1917

        • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The fighting in Houthulst Forest - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

        1918

        • The First Battle of Bapaume, a phase of the First Battles of the Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders
        • The action of Tieghem - Final Advance in Flanders

        On 9th of November the Division established a bridgehead across the River Scheldt near Berchem. two days later the Division was ordered to push on to the line of the River Dender and before 11am had entered Grammont; by the time of the Armistice posts had been established across the river and at the sluice. The Division was ordered to move west on 12th of November and continued to do so over the next few days, passing through Ypres on 28th of November. By 2nd of December Divisional HQ had been established at Eperlecques. Many miners were demobilised during the month and demobilisation happened apace. In January 1919, units of the Division was called upon to quell rioting in the transit camps at Calais. The Division ceased to exist by the end of April 1919.

        The Great War cost 35th Division 23915 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 35th Division

        104th Brigade

        • 17th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 18th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
        • 20th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
        • 23rd Btn, Manchester Regiment disbanded February 1918
        • 104th Machine Gun Company joined April 1916, moved to 35th Bn MGC February 1918
        • 104th Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1916
        • 9th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined August 1917, left May 1918
        • 19th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined February 1918

        105th Brigade

        • 15th Btn, Cheshire Regiment (1st Birkenhead)
        • 16th Btn, Cheshire Regiment (2nd Birkenhead) disbanded February 1918
        • 14th Btn, Gloucestershire Regiment (West of England) disbanded February 1918
        • 15th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
        • 105th Machine Gun Company joined April 1916, moved to 35th Bn MGC February 1918
        • 105th Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1916
        • 4th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined February 1918
        • 1/7th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined July 1918

        106th Brigade

        • 17th Btn, Royal Scots (Rosebery)
        • 17th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment (2nd Leeds) left November 1917
        • 19th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (2nd County) left February 1918
        • 18th Btn, Highland Light Infantry (4th Glasgow) disbanded February 1918
        • 106th Machine Gun Company joined April 1916, moved to 35th Bn MGC February 1918
        • 106th Trench Mortar Battery joined April 1916
        • 4th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined November 1917, to 105th Brigade February 1918
        • 12th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined February 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers Divisional Pioneer Battalion
        • 241st Machine Gun Company joined 18 July 1917, moved to 35th Btn MGC February 1918
        • 35th Battalion MGC formed 2 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • F Sqn, Lancashire Hussars left 9 May 1916
        • 35th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 10 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CLVII Brigade, RFA (Aberdeen)
        • CLVIII Brigade, RFA (Accrington and Burnley) broken up 28 February 1917
        • CLVIX Brigade, RFA (Glasgow)
        • CLXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA (West Ham) broken up 9 September 1916
        • 131 Heavy Battery RGA raised in Lewisham for 26th Division on 22 January 1915, but did not sail with that Division and was then attached to 35th. Left Division and moved independently to France, joining XXIII HA Group in March 1916
        • 35th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA (British Empire League)
        • V.35 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 16 August 1916; left for VI Corps 6 March 1918
        • X.35, Y.35 and Z.35 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 28 June 1916; on 8 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 203rd (Cambridge) Field Company
        • 204th (Cambridge) Field Company
        • 205th (Cambridge) Field Company
        • 35th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 105th Field Ambulance
        • 106th Field Ambulance
        • 107th Field Ambulance
        • 75th Sanitary Section left 9 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 35th Divisional Train ASC 233, 234, 235 and 236 Companies.
        • 45th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 232nd Divisional Employment Company joined 9 June 1917
        • 35th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 31 March 1916


           The 37th Division was raised for the Sixth New Army in March 1915. It was originally known as 44th Division. A War Office decision to convert the Fourth New Army into training units and to replace 16th (Irish) Division in Second New Army led to it being promoted. It was renamed 37th Division and joined Second New Army. Divisional HQ was established at Andover on 12th of April 1915. In April 1915 the Division concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and on 25 June the units were inspected by king George V at Sidbury Hill. On 22 July 1915 the Division began to cross the English Channel and by 2 August all units were concentrated near Tilques. The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • The Battle of the Ancre

        1917

        • The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux
        • The Second Battle of the Scarpe
        • The Battle of Arleux
        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge
        • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood
        • The Battle of Broodseinde
        • The Battle of Poelcapelle
        • The First Battle of Passchendaele

        1918

        • The Battle of the Ancre
        • The Battle of the Albert
        • The Battle of Havrincourt
        • The Battle of the Canal du Nord
        • The Battle of Cambrai
        • The pursuit to the Selle
        • The Battle of the Selle
        • The Battle of the Sambre
        At the Armistice on 11th of November 1918 the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. After moving back to the Bethencourt - Caudry area, it moved on 1st December 1918 to Charleroi. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and by 25 March 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

        The Great War cost 37th Division 29969 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of 37th Division

        110th Brigade

        110th Brigade (Leicester Tigers Brigade) transferred to 21st Division on 7 July 1916

        • 6th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 7th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 9th Btn, Leicestershire Regiment
        • 110th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved to 37th Bn MGC February 1918
        • 110th Trench Mortar Battery formed on 13 June 1916 from two sections that arrived in March

        111th Brigade

        111th brigade was attached to 34th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916

        • 10th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
        • 13th Btn, Royal Fusiliers moved to 112th Brigade 4 February 1918
        • 13th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
        • 13th Btn, Rifle Brigade
        • 111th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved to 37th Bn MGC 4 March 1918
        • 111th Trench Mortar Battery formed 2 July 1916 from two sections that joined in May

        112th Brigade

        112th Brigade was attached to 34th Division between 6 July and 22 August 1916

        • 11th Btn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment disbanded 7 February 1918
        • 6th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment left 21 May 1918
        • 8th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment disbanded 4 February 1918
        • 10th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment disbanded 4 February 1918
        • 112th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved to 37th Bn MGC 4 March 1918
        • 112th Trench Mortar Battery formed 1 July 1916 from two sections that joined in May and June
        • 13th Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined from 111th Brigade 4 February 1918
        • 1st Btn, Essex Regiment joined 4 February 1918
        • 1/1st Btn, Hertfordshire Regiment joined 11 May 1918

        63rd Brigade

        63rd brigade joined from 21st Division in exchange for 110th Brigade on 8 July 1916

        • 8th Btn, Lincolsnhire Regiment
        • 8th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry
        • 4th Btn, Middlesex Regiment
        • 10th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded 4 February 1918
        • 63rd Machine Gun Company moved to 37th Bn MGC 4 March 1918
        • 63rd Trench Mortar Battery

        Divisional Troops

        • 9th Bn,Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment Divisional Pioneer Battalion (attached to 34th Division in 1916)
        • 16th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 26 July 1915, left 9 May 1916
        • 247th Machine Gun Company joined 19 July 1917, moved to 37th Btn MGC 4 March 1918
        • 37th Battalion MGC formed 4 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • RHQ and B Sqn, Yorkshire Dragoons left May 1916
        • 37th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 12 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CXXIII Brigade, RFA transferred to 37th Division April 1915
        • CXXIV Brigade, RFA transferred to 37th Division April 1915
        • CXXV Brigade, RFA broken up 31st August 1916
        • CXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917
        • 37 Heavy Battery RGA raised with the Division but was broken up early 1915
        • 37th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.37 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 25 May 1916; left 6 February 1918
        • X.37, Y.37 and Z.37 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed May 1916; on 6 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 152nd Field Company
        • 153rd Field Company
        • 154th Field Company
        • 37th Divisional Signals Company raised as 40th Divisional Signals Company, joined 17 June 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 48th Field Ambulance joined from 16th (Irish) Division in June 1915
        • 49th Field Ambulance joined from 16th (Irish) Division in June 1915
        • 50th Field Ambulance joined from 16th (Irish) Division in June 1915
        • 37th Sanitary Section left 20 April 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 37th Divisional Train ASC 288, 289, 290 and 291 Companies.
        • 28th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 234th Divisional Employment Company joined 16 June 1917
        • 35th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 6 April 1916


         Divisional History  38th (Welsh) Division was formed after official sanction was given for a Welsh Army Corps to be raised by public subscription on 10th of October 1914. The Corps was never actually formed. The Division moved to France between 21st of November and 6th of December 1915 and remained in France and Flanders throughout the war.

        1916

        • The Battle of Albert

        1917

        • The Battle of Pilkem
        • The Battle of Langemark

        1918

        • The Battle of Albert
        • The Battle of the Bapaume
        • The Battle of Havrincourt
        • The Battle of Epehy
        • The Battle of Beaurevoir
        • The Battle of Cambrai
        • The Battle of the Selle
        • The Battle of the Sambre

        The Division was demobilised between December 1918 and June 1919, having suffered 28,600 casualties during the war.

        The order of battle of the 38th (Welsh) Division

        113th Brigade

        • 13th (1st North Wales) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914
        • 14th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914
        • 15th (1st London Welsh) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914, disbanded 8 February 1918
        • 16th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined November 1914
        • 17th (2nd North Wales) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined February 1915, left July 1915
        • 113th Machine Gun Company joined 19 May 1916, moved into 38 MG Bn March 1918
        • 113th Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 December 1915

        114th Brigade

        • 10th Btn, (1st Rhondda) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined September 1914, disbanded February 1918
        • 13th (2nd Rhondda) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1914
        • 14th (Swansea) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1914
        • 15th (Carmarthenshire County Committee) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1914
        • 114th Machine Gun Company joined 19 May 1916, moved into 38 MG Btn March 1918
        • 114th Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 December 1915

        115th Brigade

        • 16th Btn, (Cardiff City) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined October 1914, disbanded February 1918
        • 10th (1st Gwent) Btn, South Wales Borderers joined November 1914
        • 11th Btn, (2nd Gwent) Btn, South Wales Borderers joined January 1915, disbanded February 1918
        • 17th (2nd North Wales) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined July 1915
        • 2nd Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined February 1918
        • 115th Machine Gun Company joined 19 May 1916, moved into 38 MG Bn March 1918
        • 115th Mortar Battery joined 26 December 1915

        Divisional Troops

        • 19th (Glamorgan Pioneers) Btn, Welsh Regiment joined as Divisional pioneer battalion February 1915
        • 176th Machine Gun Company joined 28 March 1917, moved into 38 MG Btn March 1918
        • 38th Machine Gun Battalion formed 2 March 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • HQ, MG Section and D Squadron, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry joined by 4 December 1915, left 31 May 1916
        • 38th Divisional Cyclist Company joined 22 April 1915, left 10 May 1916

        Divisional Artillery

        • CXIX Brigade, RFA joined by August 1915, left 14 January 1917
        • CXX Brigade, RFA joined by August 1915, broken up late August 1916
        • CXXI Brigade, RFA joined by August 1915
        • CXXII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined by August 1915
        • 38 Heavy Battery, RGA raised with the Division but left for XLII Heavy Artillery Group soon after
        • 38th Divisional Ammunition Column joined December 1914. The four Brigade Ammunition Columns amalgamated into DAC in May 1916
        • V.38 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed by 28 July 1916, left for V/XV Corps 9 February 1918
        • X.38, Y.38 and Z.38 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed April 1916; Z Bty broken up 9 February 1918 when batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 123rd Field Company joined April 1915
        • 124th Field Company joined April 1915
        • 151st Field Company joined August 1915
        • 38th Divisional Signals Company

        Royal Army Medical Corps units

        • 129th Field Ambulance joined December 1914
        • 130th Field Ambulance joined December 1914
        • 131st Field Ambulance joined December 1914
        • 77th Sanitary Section left April 1917
        • No 5 (Welsh) Bacteriological Section transferred to First Army 3rd of December 1915

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 38th Divisional Train ASC 330, 331, 332 and 333 Companies, formed April 1915
        • 235th Divisional Employment Company joined 23 June 1917
        • 49th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined December 1914
        • 38th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop joined from Meerut Division 30 November 1915, left April 1916


           The 39th Division was formed near Winchester in early August 1915. The units who had already joined moved to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on 28th of September. The remainder (except the Divisional mounted squadron, 118th Infantry Brigade, the Field Ambulances and Veterinary Section) joined at Aldershot in mid October the entire Division moved to Witley, where it was completed. Mobilisation orders were received in February 1916 and advance parties departed late in the month. 118th Brigade was well behind in training and was left behind, but its HQ staff went to France and took over five new battalions on 29th February. The other units of the Division crossed to Le Havre and by 11th March all units were concentrated near Blaringhem. The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • Attack near Richebourg l'Avoue
        • The fighting on the Ancre
        • The Battle of Thiepval Ridge
        • The Battle of the Ancre Heights
        • The Battle of the Ancre

        1917

        • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge
        • The Battle of Langemarck
        • The Battle of the Menin Road
        • The Battle of Polygon Wood
        • The Second Battle of Passchendaele

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin
        • The actions at the Somme crossings
        • The Battle of Bapaume
        • The Battle of Rosieres
        • The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge
        • The First Battle of Kemmel
        • The Second Battle of Kemmel
        • The Battle of the Scherpenberg

        After suffering heavy losses during the Battles of the Lys a decision was taken to reduce the Division down to a cadre. This took place by 1 June. After this it was engaged in supervising courses of instruction for American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division. Divisional HQ was based at Eperlecques from 11th April to 7th June 1918, it then moved to Wolphus and then Varengeville and to Rouen. Orders were received on 1 November to demobilise the training cadres. The Division was reconstituted by taking over the 197th Brigade from 66th Division. They embarkation camps and reinforcement depots in early 1919. Demobilisation proceeded and by 10 July 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

        The Great War cost 39th Division 27869 men killed, wounded or missing.

        Order of Battle of the 39th Division

        116th Brigade

        116th Brigade was originally raised (numbered 121st) for the original 40th Division of the Fifth New Army.

        • 11th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment (1st South Down) left as cadre June 1918
        • 12th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment (2nd South Down) disbanded 8 February 1918
        • 13th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment (3rd South Down) left as cadre June 1918
        • 14th Btn, Hampshire Regiment (1st Portsmouth) disbanded 23 February 1918
        • 116th Machine Gun Company joined 18 May 1916, moved to 39th Bn MGC 14 March 1918
        • 116th Trench Mortar Battery formed on 16 June 1916 from two sections that joined in April
        • 1/1st Btn, Hertfordshire Regiment joined from 118th Brigade 8 February 1918, left 9 May 1918

          Units attached as cadres for short periods after 21 May 1918

          • 15th and 16th Royal Scots
          • 18th and 23rd Northumberland Fusiliers;
          • 1/4th and 10th Lincolnshire Regiment
          • 7th Suffolk Regiment
          • 1/4th East Yorkshire Regiment
          • 6th Bedfordshire Regiment
          • 1/4th and 1/5th Yorkshire Regiment
          • 4th South Staffordshire Regiment
          • 1/5th North Staffordshire Regiment

        117th Brigade

        • 16th Btn, Sherwood Foresters (Chatsworth Rifles) left as a cadre 16 August 1918
        • 17th Btn, Sherwood Foresters (Welbeck Rangers) disbanded 8 February 1918
        • 17th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (British Empire League) left as a cadre 16 August 1918
        • 16th Btn, Rifle Brigade (St Pancras) left as a cadre August 1918
        • 117th Machine Gun Company joined 18 May 1916, moved to 39th Bn MGC 14 March 1918
        • 117th Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 June 1916 from two sections that joined on 15 April

          Units attached as cadres for short periods after 21 May 1918

          • 2/10th Btn, King's (Liverool Regiment)
          • 1/4th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
          • 11th Btn, Cheshire Regiment
          • 2/5th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
          • 8th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
          • 9th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps
          • 1/5th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment
          • 1/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
          • 1/6th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
          • 1/8th Btn, Durham Light Infantry
          • 6th Btn, Connaught Rangers
          • 8thBtn, Rifle Brigade
          • 9th Btn, Rifle Brigade
          • 6th Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers

        118th Brigade 118th Brigade was raised in London in July 1915 but reorganised at Aldershot on 16 October 1915. It moved to Witley and joined 39th Division in November 1915.

        • 10th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment (Kent County) left 16 October 1915
        • 11th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment (Lewisham) left 16 October 1915
        • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment (Wandsworth) remained in England 23 February 1916
        • 20th Btn, Middlesex Regiment (Shoreditch) remained in England 23 February 1916
        • 21st Btn, Middlesex Regiment (Islington) remained in England 23 February 1916
        • 14th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders remained in England 23 February 1916
        • 1/6th Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined in France 29 February 1916, left 28 May 1918
        • 1/4th Btn, Black Watch joined in France 29 February 1916, amalgamated with 1/5th Btn, March 1916 and became 4/5th Btn, resumed own identity 6 May 1918, left 14 May 1918
        • 1/5th Btn, Black Watch joined in France 29 February 1916, amalgamated with 1/5th Bn March 1916 and became 4/5th Bn
        • 1/1st Btn, Cambridgeshire Regiment joined in France 29 February 1916, left 9 May 1918
        • 1/1st Btn, Hertfordshire Regiment joined in France 29 February 1916, left for 116th Brigade 8 February 1918
        • 118th Machine Gun Company joined 21 March 1916, moved to 39th Bn MGC 14 March 1918
        • 118th Trench Mortar Battery formed 1 July 1916 from two sections that joined 7 April 1916

          Units attached as cadres for short periods after 21 May 1918

          • 1/4th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
          • 1/5th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
          • 1/6th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
          • 18th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
          • 1/4th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment
          • 6th Btn, Bedfordshire Regiment
          • 4th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
          • 11th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment
          • 13th Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment
          • 9th Btn, Black Watch
          • 8/10th Btn, Gordon Highlanders
          • 7th Btn, Cameron Highlanders
          • 11th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

        39th Divisional Composite Brigade

        Formed on 10th April 1918 after the Division suffered heavy losses and placed under command of Brig-Gen. A. Hubback. Fought in the Battles of the Lys as an independent command attached to XXII Corps. Returned to Division and men deployed to old units by 6 May 1918

    • 1st Btn, formed from remnants of 11th Royal Sussex and 1/1st Hertfordshire
    • 2nd Btn, formed from remnants of 13th Gloucestershire and 13th Royal Sussex
    • 3rd Btn, formed from remnants of units of 117th Brigade
    • 4th Btn, formed from remnants of units 118th Brigade
    • 5th Btn, formed from remnants of units of all three Brigades
    • 118th Trench Mortar Battery
    • No 4 (287) Company, 39th Divisional Train ASC

    Divisional Troops

    • 13th Btn, the Gloucestershire Regiment (Forest of Dean) left as a cadre by 6 May 1918
    • 228th Machine Gun Company joined 19 July 1917, moved to 39th Bn MGC 14 March 1918, left for 40th Division 11 September 1918
    • 39th Battalion MGC formed 14 March 1918

      Units attached as cadres for short periods after 21 May 1918

      • 25th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers
      • 13th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment
      • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment
      • 7th Btn, Sherwood Foresters
      • 21st Btn, Middlesex Regiment
      • 14th Btn, Highland Light Infantry
      • 8th Btn, Suffolk Regiment

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • E Sqn, South Irish Horse joined 17 March 1916, left for I Corps Cavalry Regiment 10 May 1916
      • 39th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps joined 14 November 1915, left for XV Corps Cyclist Battalion 10 May 1916

      Divisional Artillery < ul>

    • CLXXIV Brigade, RFA raised by the Thames Ironworks Company.
    • CLXXIX Brigade, RFA raised by the Thames Ironworks Company, broken up 18 January 1917
    • CLXXXIV Brigade, RFA raised by the Thames Ironworks Company, broken up 30 November 1916
    • CLXXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
    • 39th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.39 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 27 August 1916, broken up 7 February 1918
    • X.39, Y.39 and Z.39 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 17 June 1916; on 7 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 225th (Stockton on Tees) Field Company
    • 227th (Stockton on Tees) Field Company
    • 234th (Stockton on Tees) Company
    • 39th Divisional Signals Company (Empire)

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 132th Field Ambulance
    • 133rd Field Ambulance
    • 134th Field Ambulance
    • 82nd Sanitary Section left 17 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 39th Divisional Train ASC 284, 285, 286 and 287 Companies
    • 50th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 236th Divisional Employment Company joined 30 June 1917
    • 39th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 9 April 1916


       3rd Cavalry Division was formed at Windmill Hill Camp at Ludgershall in early September 1914. It left there on 5 October and began to embark next day at Southampton. After some sailing delay due to suspected submarine activity in the English Channel, it arrived at Ostende on 8 October and proceeded to Bruges as part of IV Corps. The Division then remained on the Western Front in France and Flanders, taking part in the following engagements:

    1914

    • The Antwerp operations
    • Battles of Ypres 1914
    • The Battle of Langemarck
    • The Battle of Gheluvelt
    • The Battle of Nonne Bosschen

    1915

    • Winter Operations 1914-15
    • The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge
    • The Battle of Loos

    1916

    No major engagements

    1917

    • The First Battle of the Scarpe
    • The attack on Monchy le Preux

    1918

    The Battle of St Quentin

    Between 22 and 25 March 1918 the Division provided the 3rd Dismounted Division, organised into three dismounted brigades. It also provided a mounted detachment under "Harman's Detachment" and then "Reynolds's Force" between 23 and 29 March.

    • The actions at the Somme crossings
    • The Battle of the Avre
    • The Battle of Amiens
    • The Battle of Cambrai 1918
    • The Pursuit to the Selle
    • The Final Advance in Flanders

    By 11th of November 1918 the advance units of the Division had reached the line of the River Dender at Leuze and Lessines.

    The Division was selected to advance into Germany as an advance screen for Second Army and form part of the Occupation Force. The move began on 17 November; Waterloo was reached four days later. Transport and supply difficulties caused a change of plan and the Division remained in Belgium throughout the winter. The Division ceased to exist at midnight 31 March / 1 April 1919.

    Order of Battle of the 3rd Cavalry Division

    6th Cavalry Brigade began to form on 19 September 1914

    • 1st Royal Dragoons
    • 10th Hussars left for 8th Cav Brigade 20 November 1914, rejoined from 8th Cav Brigade 12 March 1918
    • 3rd Dragoon Guards joined 4 November 1914
    • 1/1st North Somerset Yeomanry joined 13 November 1914, left for 8th Cav Brigade 13 March 1918
    • C Battery, RHA joined 19 October 1914
    • 6th Signal Troop RE
    • 6th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 29 February 1916

    7th Cavalry Brigade formed on 1 September 1914

    • 1st Life Guards left 10 March 1918
    • 2nd Life Guards left 10 March 1918
    • Royal Horse Guards left for 8th Cav Brigade 21 November 1914
    • 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry joined 12 November 1914, left for 8th Cav Brigade 7 November 1917
    • K Battery, RHA joined 1 October 1914
    • 7th Signal Troop RE
    • 7th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 29 February 1916, broken up 14 April 1918
    • 7th Dragoon Guards joined 10 March 1918
    • 6th Inniskilling Dragoons joined 10 March 1918
    • 17th Lancers joined 10 March 1918

    8th Cavalry Brigade formed 20 November 1914, left 14 March 1918

    • Royal Horse Guards joined from 7th Cav Brigade 21 November 1914, rejoined 7th Cav Brigade 7 November 1917
    • 10th Hussars joined from 6th Cav Brigade 20 November 1914, rejoined 6th Cav Brigade 12 March 1918
    • 1/1st Essex Yeomanry joined 11 December 1914
    • G Battery, RHA joined 25 November 1914, left for 5th Cavalry Division 13 March 1918
    • 8th Signal Troop RE
    • 8th Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron MGC formed 29 February 1916, left for 7th Cav Brigade 11 March 1918
    • 1/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry joined from 7th Cav Brigade 7 November 1917

    Canadian Cavalry Brigade attached between 10 April and 17 June 1916, joined 13 March 1918

    • Royal Canadian Dragoons
    • Lord Strathcona's Horse
    • Fort Garry Horse
    • Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade
    • Cavalry Cavalry Machine Gun Squadron
    • Canadian Signal Troop RE

    Divisional Artillery

    XV Brigade, RHA and XV Brigade Ammunition Column, RHA formed 1 October 1914 and retitled as IV Brigade in May 1915

    Royal Engineers

    • 3rd Field Squadron joined 19 October 1914
    • 3rd Signal Squadron formed 12 September 1914

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 6th Cavalry Field Ambulance formed 14 September 1914
    • 7th Cavalry Field Ambulance formed 3 October 1914
    • 20th Cavalry Field Ambulance joined ?, left 23 December 1914
    • 8th Cavalry Field Ambulance joined 23 December 1914, left 14 March 1918
    • 7th Canadian Field Ambulance joined 13 March 1918
    • No 12 Sanitary Section joined 9 January 1915

    Royal Army Veterinary Corps

    • 13th Mobile Veterinary Section
    • 14th Mobile Veterinary Section
    • 20th Mobile Veterinary Section joined 9 March 1915, left 14 March 1918
    • 'A' Canadian Veterinary Section joined 13 March 1918

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 7th Motor Machine Gun Battery MGC joined 30 March 1916, left 18 July 1917
    • 3rd Cavalry Divisional HQ ASC 81 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 14 September 1914
    • 3rd Cavalry Divisional Auxiliary (Horse) ASC 576 (Horsed Transport) Company, formed 23 September 1915
    • 3rd Cavalry Divisional Supply Column ASC 73 and 414 (Mechanical Transport) Companies, formed 4 and 16 September 1914 respectively. 73 absorbed 414 on 10 October 1916.
    • 773rd Divisional Employment Company formed 16 September 1917
    • 3rd Cavalry Division Field Ambulance Workshop joined 14 May 1915, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 1 April 1916


       40th Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of some bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. Weeding out of very under-sized or unfit men delayed the training programme and it was not until late spring 1916 that the Division was ready to proceed on active service. The Divisional staff assembled at Stanhope Lines, Aldershot, early in September 1915 and by December the various units had concentrated at nearby Blackdown, Pirbright and Woking.

    The Division moved to France between 2 and 6 June 1916 and by 9 June had concentrated near Lillers. It then served between June and late October 1916 on the front near Loos. The 40th Division remained on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war and took part in the following engagements:

    1916

    The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

    1917

    • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
    • The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie
    • The Cambrai Operations, in which the Division participated in the capture of Bourlon Wood

    1918

    • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
    • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys

    After suffering heavy losses during the Battles of the Lys a decision was taken to reduce the Division down to a cadre. This took place from 2 May. Divisional HQ moved to St Omer to 4 June, then went to Lederzeele and Renescure (from 23 June). By the middle of the month all training cadres had left. A number of Garrison Guard Battalions joined during June and were converted to fighting units. Orders were received to reorganise the Division and this was completed by mid July 1918. From 18 July the Division once again took part in active operations.

    1918

    The Final Advance in Flanders, including the Battle of Ypres

    On the night 10th/11th of November the Division was relieved and Divisional HQ moved to Lannoy.

    The Division moved to Roubaix on 25 November. Demobilisation proceeded and by mid May 1919 the Division ceased to exist.

    The Great War cost 40th Division 19179 men killed, wounded or missing.

    Order of Battle of the 40th Division

    119th Brigade

    This brigade was often known as the Welsh Bantam Brigade, until February 1918.

    • 19th Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers disbanded February 1918
    • 12th Btn, South Wales Borderers disbanded February 1918
    • 17th Btn, Welsh Regiment disbanded February 1918
    • 18th Btn, Welsh Regiment disbanded February 1918
    • 119th Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 40th Bn MGC March 1918
    • 119th Trench Mortar Battery formed 25 June 1916
    • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment joined from 120th Brigade February 1918, left as cadre June 1918
    • 21st Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined February 1918, left as cadre May 1918
    • 10/11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined and left February 1918
    • 13th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined as 13th Garrison Bn in June 1918
    • 13th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment joined as 8th Garrison Guard Bn in June 1918
    • 12th Btn, North Staffordshire Regiment joined as 12th Garrison Bn in June 1918

    120th Brigade

    • 11th Btn, King's Own disbanded February 1918
    • 13th Btn, Cameronians left February 1916
    • 14th Btn, Highland Light Infantry left as a cadre June 1918
    • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment joined February 1916, left for 119th Brigade February 1918
    • 14th Btn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left April 1918
    • 12th Btn, South Lancashire Regiment joined January 1916, absorbed into 11th King's Own March 1916
    • 120th Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 40th Bn MGC March 1918
    • 120th Trench Mortar Battery joined 8 June 1916
    • 10/11th Btn, Highland Light Infantry joined February 1918, left as cadre June 1918
    • 2nd Btn, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined and left April 1918
    • 10th Btn, King's Own Scottish Borderers joined June 1918
    • 15th Btn, Yorkshire Light Infantry joined June 1918
    • 11th Btn, Cameron Highlanders joined as 6th Garrison Guard Bn June 1918

    121st Brigade

    • 12th Btn, Suffolk Regiment left May 1918
    • 13th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left June 1918
    • 18th Btn, Sherwood Foresters merged with 13th Yorkshire R in April 1916
    • 22nd Btn, Middlesex Regiment disbanded April 1916
    • 20th Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined 23 February 1916, left as cadre May 1918
    • 21st Btn, Middlesex Regiment joined 23 February 1916, left February 1918
    • 121st Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 40th Bn MGC March 1918
    • 121st Trench Mortar Battery joined 25 June 1916
    • 8th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined as 8th Garrison Bn June 1918
    • 23rd Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers joined as 23rd Garrison Bn June 1918
    • 23rd Btn, Cheshire Regiment joined June 1918
    • 9th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment joined as cadre June 1918, absorbed July 1918

    Divisional Troops

    • 12th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment Divisional Pioneers left June 1918
    • 244th Machine Gun Company joined July 1917, moved to 40th Bn MGC March 1918
    • 40th Battalion MGC formed March 1918, disbanded May 1918
    • 17th Btn, Worcestershire Regiment Divisional Pioneers joined June 1918
    • 104th Battalion MGC formed 24 August 1918, left 16 September 1918
    • 39th Battalion MGC joined 11 September 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • A Sqn, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry left 20 June 1916
    • 40th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 11 June 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CLXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA
    • CLXXXI Brigade, RFA
    • CLXXXV Brigade, RFA broken up 31 August 1916
    • CLXXXVIII Brigade, RFA broken up 1 September 1916
    • 40th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA (Hammersmith)
    • V.40 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 4 July 1916; broken up 7 March 1918
    • X.40, Y.40 and Z.40 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 25 June 1916; on 7 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 224th Field Company
    • 229th Field Company
    • 231st Company
    • 40th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 135th Field Ambulance
    • 136th Field Ambulance
    • 137th Field Ambulance
    • 83rd Sanitary Section left April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 40th Divisional Train ASC 225, 226, 227, 228 Companies joined November 1915 but were replaced by 292, 293, 294 and 295 Companies by April 1916
    • 51st Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 237th Divisional Employment Company joined April 1917
    • 40th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop left after June 1918


       The 1st (Peshawar) Division was a Regular Division of the British Indian Army. It was formed after the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army in 1903. During World War I it remained in India for local defence but it was mobilised for action on the North West Frontier on several occasions during the period.

    The Division was in the Northern Army, later called Northern Command. In 1919, the Division was mobilised for operations in Afghanistan during the Third Afghan War. Typical of all Indian Army formations, it contained a mixture of British units and Indian ones and unlike British Divisions it contained a mixture of cavalry and infantry components.

    Units forming Divisional Order of Battle in 1914.

    1st (Risalpur) Cavalry Brigade

    • 13th Duke of Connaught's Lancers
    • 14th Murray's Jat Lancers
    • 1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse
    • Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force)
    • Lumsden's Cavalry
    • 21st Lancers
    • M Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • 1st Guides Infantry.

    1st (Peshawar) Infantry Brigade

    • 2nd Btn, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
    • 1st Btn, Royal Sussex Regiment
    • 14th Sikhs
    • 21st Punjabis
    • 72nd Punjabis.

    2nd (Nowshera) Infantry Brigade

    • 1st Btn, Durham Light Infantry
    • 24th Punjabis
    • 46th Punjabis
    • 82nd Punjabis
    • 112th Infantry

    Peshawar Brigade - Formed July 1918

    • 1st Btn, Yorkshire Regiment
    • 30th Lancers.

    Divisional Troops

    • 2/1st Guides Rifles
    • 38th Dogras
    • 51st Sikhs.


       41st Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915. The majority of the units that comprised the division were originally locally raised ones, primarily from the south of England. The division was inspected by king George V and Field Marshal Lord French on 26th of April 1916. The units of 41st Division moved to France between 1st and 6th of May 1916 and by 8th May had concentrated between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. The division then remained on the Western Front until October 1917 and took part in the following engagements:

    1916

    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Messines
    • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
    • The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battles of Ypres
    • Operations on the Flanders coast

    On 7 November the Division was notified that it was to be transferred to Italy. The move (by train) began five days later and by 18 November all units had concentrated north west of Mantua. The Division took over a sector of front line behind the River Piave, north west of Treviso, between 30 November and early on 2 December.

    1918

    On 28 February 1918 the Division concentrated in Campo San Piero, preparatory to returning to France. By 9 March it had completed concentration near Doullens and Mondicourt.

    • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
    • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The Battle of Arras - Somme
    • The Battles of the Lys
    • The Advance in Flanders
    • The Battle of Ypres - Final Advance in Flanders
    • The Battle of Courtrai - Final Advance in Flanders
    • The action of Ooteghem - Final Advance in Flanders

    The forward units of the Division were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and on the line of the River Dender near Grammont when the Armistice brought fighting to an end. Selected to join the Army of Occupation, the Division began to move on 18 December, going via Enghien - Hal - Braine 'Alleud - Sombreffe - Temploux - north of Namur and Huy. On 6 January the move was completed by train and on 12 January the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead.Demobilisation began; on 15 March the Division was retitled as the London Division.

    The Great War cost 41st Division 32158 men killed, wounded or missing.

    Order of Battle of the 41st Division

    122nd Brigade

    • 12th Btn, East Surrey Regiment (Bermondsey)
    • 15th Btn, Hampshire Regiment (2nd Portsmouth)
    • 11th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment (Lewisham) disbanded March 1918
    • 18th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Arts and Crafts)
    • 122nd Machine Gun Company joined May 1916, moved to 41st Battalion MGC March 1918
    • 122nd Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

    123rd Brigade

    • 11th Btn, Queen's
    • 10th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment (Kent County)
    • 23rd Btn, Middlesex Regiment (2nd Football)
    • 20th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (Wearside) left for 124th Brigade in March 1918
    • 123rd Machine Gun Company joined June 1916, moved to 41st Battalion MGC March 1918
    • 123rd Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

    124th Brigade

    • 10th Btn, Queen's West Surrey Regiment (Lambeth)
    • 26th Btn, Royal Fusiliers
    • 32nd Btn, Royal Fusiliers disbanded March 1918
    • 21st Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps (Yeomen Rifles) disbanded March 1918
    • 124th Machine Gun Company joined June 1916, moved to 41st Bn MGC March 1918
    • 124th Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916
    • 20th Btn, Durham Light Infantry (Wearside) joined from 123rd Brigade March 1918

    Divisional Troops

    • 13th Btn, East Surrey Regiment (Wandsworth) left October 1915
    • 23rd Btn, Middlesex Regiment (2nd Public Works) joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn October 1915
    • 238th Machine Gun Company joined July 1917, left October 1917
    • 199th Machine Gun Company joined October 1917, moved to 41st Battalion MGC March 1918
    • 41st Battalion MGC formed March 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • B Sqn, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry left 31 May 1916
    • 41st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps left 28 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CLXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up November 1916
    • CLXXXVII Brigade, RFA
    • CLXXXIX Brigade, RFA left January 1917
    • CXC Brigade, RFA
    • 41st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA (West Ham)
    • V.41 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed July 1916; disbanded October 1917
    • X.41, Y.41 and Z.41 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed May 1916; in April 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each
    • XIII Belgian Field Artillery Regiment attached January to May 1917

    Royal Engineers

    • 228th (Barnsley) Field Company
    • 233rd (Ripon) Field Company
    • 237th (Reading) Company
    • 41st Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 138th Field Ambulance
    • 139th Field Ambulance
    • 140th Field Ambulance
    • 84th Sanitary Section left April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 41st Divisional Train ASC 296, 297, 298 and 299 Companies
    • 52nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 41st Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop left May 1916


       42nd (East Lancashire) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5th of August 1914.

    1914

    The East Lancashire was the first Territorial Division to move overseas. The Division was warned on 5th of September 1914 that it would be sent to Egypt and four days later it began to embark at Southampton, the first transports sailing on 10 September. Disembarkation began at Alexandria on 25th of September, and with the exception of the Manchester Brigade concentrated around Cairo, where acclimatisation and further training commenced. The Manchester Brigade remained at Alexandria, sending one battalion to Khartoum and half a battalion to Cyprus, to garrison key military installations. Initially, Britain set out only to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkish troops that were massed in Palestine, and it was for this purpose that the East Lancashire Division was moved to the theatre. Detachments from the Division began to move to the Canal Zone in October 1914. The first clash in the Suez area occurred on 20 November 1914, when a patrol of the Bikanir Camel Corps met 200 Turk-controlled mounted Bedouin east of Kantara.

    1915

    By mid January 1915 the Turks were ready to advance, having assembled a force of two Divisions with another in reserve, plus assorted camel and horse units. This was not a big force, considering the scale of their ambition was to wrest Egypt from British control and score a strategic success by seizing the canal. The force took the central route across the Sinai desert, taking ten days to reach the canal zone, intending to capture Ismailia and therefore the critical drinking water supplies. British aircraft tracked their progress; on 28 January 1915 observers identified a large column of troops on the centre route. British and French ships entered the canal, and opened fire while infantry manned defensive positions. Patrols clashed on 2 February, but a sandstorm halted any further action until next day.

    Various units of the East Lancashire Division were engaged in defending against the Turk attack on 3 February 1915.

    Turkish attack on the Suez Canal Once this first threat had subsided, they remained in the Canal Zone, until ordered to reinforce the beleaguered garrison on Gallipoli.

    Gallipoli

    The East Lancashire Division began to embark at Alexandria on 1st of May 1915. The first transports left next day, and the last on 6 May. 14,224 men of the Division landed at Cape Helles. The Division was involved in three notable attempts to break out of the Helles bridgehead to capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. These attacks took place on 6-8 May (in which only the Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade of the Division took part), 4 June and 6-13 August. The last of these is known officially as the Battle of Krithia Vineyard, which gives some impression of the relatively small areas being so violently contested. It was undertaken not only to try to capture ground but to divert Turk attention from a large British landing further up the coast at Suvla Bay; an enterprise which failed and ultimately led to the decision to evacuate the hopeless position on Gallipoli.

    By mid August 1915 the East Lancashire Division, through battle casualties and sickness, was down to little more than one third of its normal establishment. It received reinforcement in the shape of men of the Yeomanry, fighting dismounted. The Division, along with all other units in the Helles bridgehead, made a successful withdrawal from Gallipoli by 8 January 1916.

    1916

    After a short stay on Mudros while sufficient shipping was made available and the army administration got on top of the flood of units coming to Egypt from Gallipoli, the Division returned to Alexandria.

    The Battle of Romani (4-5 August 1916)

    Further work was undertaken on the Suez Canal defences throughout the spring and summer of 1916. In early August 1916, the Lancashire Fusiliers and Manchester Brigades made a very long march under blazing sun, towards Romani where a short engagement took place in which the Turkish units were pushed back with heavy loss. The Brigades (of the by now retitled 42nd (East Lancashire) Division) had to wade and struggle through loose sand, and the physical effort was extreme. Many men collapsed.

    Romani was an important victory, because from there the British force pushed a railway and water line across the Sinai desert that would enable an assault with the intention of clearing Palestine. The East Lancs were involved as advance guards as the building moved forward as far as El Arish. However, a decision had been taken to restructure the force in Palestine, and in consequence the Division was ordered for the first time to the Western Front. All units embarked at Alexandria by the end of February 1917.

    1917

    On arrival and after being re-equipped for trench warfare in very different conditions to those the men had become accustomed to, the Division entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. They remained in this area, soon moving to Havrincourt where they remained until 8 July. These positions faced the formidable German Hindenburg Line in front of Cambrai. Through the rest of July and August, the Division carried out rest and training, in the area of Albert (on the old Somme battlefield of 1916).

    September 1917 saw a move north, to join the offensive at Ypres that had opened on 31 July. This is officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, or more popularly, Passchendaele. Although the battle opened well it had soon become literally bogged down as Flanders endured the worst August weather for many years. September, however, was very warm and dry. During this time the British Second and Fifth Armies made a number of costly but successful "bite and hold" advances. The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division relieved 15th (Scottish) Division in XIX Corps of Fifth Army on the overcast day of 28 August.

    The Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade carried out an unsuccessful attack on 6 September, against strongly held German pillboxes at Iberian, Borry and Beck House Farms. The small amount of ground they captured was in fact given up next day. The 4th East Lancashires made an attack on a strongpoint called Sans Souci on 15 September.

    Later in the month, the Division moved to the Belgian coast at Nieuport. This was now a relatively quiet sector and it gave an opportunity for the Division to reorganise and assimilate many new drafts. The Division remained in this area until November, when relieved by a French Division, and moved to Givenchy, on the La Bassee Canal near Bethune.

    Givenchy was a notorious spot. Although the front line here had been static since late 1914, it had been constantly fought over and was in particular a place where underground mine warfare had been undertaken by both sides. The lines were made of the lips of many craters of mines that had been blown in 1915 and 1916. The Division was mostly used in the construction of concrete defence works (which, incidentally, were used to great advantage by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division in stemming a strong enemy attack here in April 1918.

    The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division then remained on the Western Front and took part in the following engagements:

    1918

    • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
    • The pursuit to the Selle - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of the Selle, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy

    The forward units of the Division were at Hautmont and across the River Sambre when the Arnistice brought fighting to an end at 1100 on 11 November 1918. Not selected to join the Army of Occupation, the Division was visited by King George V on 1st of December 1918. Units moved to the Charleroi area between 14th and 19th of December and demobilisation began. By midnight 15th/16th of March the units were down to their last cadres.

    The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    The Units forming the divisional order of battle of the 42nd (East Lancashire)Division

    125th (Lancashire Fusiliers) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
    • 1/6th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers left February 1918
    • 1/7th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
    • 1/8th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers
    • 125th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1916, moved to 42nd Battalion MGC 25 February 1918
    • 125th Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 March 1917

    126th (East Lancashire) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment left February 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment
    • 1/9th Btn, Manchester Regiment left February 1918
    • 1/10th Btn, Manchester Regiment
    • 123rd Machine Gun Company joined 14 March 1916, moved to 42nd Battalion MGC 23 Feb 1918
    • 123rd Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 March 1917
    • 1/8th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined from 127th Brigade February 1918

    127th (Manchester) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, Manchester Regiment
    • 1/6th Btn, Manchester Regiment
    • 1/7th Btn, Manchester Regiment
    • 1/8th Btn, Manchester Regiment left for 126th Brigade February 1918
    • 127th Machine Gun Company joined 14 March 1916, moved to 42nd Battalion MGC 23 Feb 1918
    • 127th Trench Mortar Battery joined 26 March 1917

    Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 268th Machine Gun Company joined 20 January 1918, moved to 42nd Battalion MGC 23 Feb 1918
    • 1/7th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneers 12 February 1918
    • 42nd Battalion MGC formed 23 February 1918
    • 42nd Divisional Train ASC retitled from the East Lancashire Divisional Transport and Supply Column on 17 January 1916, and the units also retitled as 447, 448, 449 and 450 Companies ASC. Remained in Egypt when the Division moved to France and was transferred to 53rd (Welsh) Division). replaced in France by 428, 429, 430 and 431 Companies ASC which joined at Pont Remy on 4 March 1917
    • 19th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 239th Divisional Employment Company joined 1 June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    A Sqn, Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry embarked with Division but remained in Egypt, did not go to Gallipoli, left 29 January 1917

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCX Brigade, RFA
    • CCXI Brigade, RFA
    • CCXII Brigade, RFA broken up 21 February 1917
    • CXCIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 26 December 1916
    • 2nd Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division and moved independently to France, joining XVI HA Brigade RGA on 15 February 1916
    • 42nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.42 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 23 March 1917; left for I Corps 3 February 1918
    • X.42, Y.42 and Z.42 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 23 March 1917; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 427th (1st East Lancashire) Field Company
    • 428th (2nd East Lancashire) Field Company
    • 420th (2nd West Lancashire) Company joined August 1915, left June 1916
    • 429th (3rd East Lancashire) Field Company joined July 1916
    • 42nd (East Lancashire) Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance
    • 2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
    • 3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
    • 22nd Sanitary Section joined 9 February 1916, left for XIX Corps 19 April 1917


       43rd (Wessex) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed as the Wessex Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

    The units of the Division had moved to their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain in late July 1914 when War Office instructions arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On 3 August the brigades moved to defended ports while Divisional HQ was established at Exeter. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914. Five days later the Division reconcentrated at Salisbury Plain and HQ moved to Tidworth. On 22nd of September 1914 the Government of India agreed to send 32 British and 20 Indian regular army battalions to Europe in exchange for 43 TF battalions. Lord Kitchener proposed instead to send the Wessex Division. The entire Division was to go, with the exception of the staffs of the infantry brigades, the ammunition columns of the artillery brigades, the Royal Engineers, the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Hampshire Heavy Battery, RGA. All units assembled at Southampton on 9th of October. Sailing via Malta and Suez, the main body of the Division went to Bombay, landing on 9th of November, with three units (4th, 5th and 6th Devons) landing at Karachi two days later.

    On arrival, the units reverted to peacetime service conditions but remained embodied for full time duty.

    1915

    In March 1915, the 4th Hampshire Regiment and 5th Hampshire Howitzer Battery RFA left for service in Mesopotamia.

    4th Hampshire Howitzer Battery RFA went to Aden in September 1915.

    1916

    Large numbers of units were sent to Mesopotamia; they were replaced by Second Line TF and Garrison units coming out from England. These units, while taking over the roles, were not placed under Divisional command.

    1917

    Three units left for Palestine and others went to Mesopotamia and Aden.

    In 1919, some men being sent home from Mesopotamia were retained in India and formed into provisional battalions on account of local civil disorders. They were retained in India for the Third Afghan War. This aside, units were gradually reduced to cadres and sailed for England. The Wessex Division was reformed in England in 1920.

    Order of Battle of the 43rd (Wessex)Division

    128th (Hampshire) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Hampshire Regiment left March 1915 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, Hampshire Regiment
    • 1/6th Btn, Hampshire Regiment left September 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/7th Btn, Hampshire Regiment physically left January 1918 (Aden) but remained under Divisional command

    129th (South Western) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, Somerset Light Infantry left May 1917 (Palestine)
    • 1/4th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/4th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment left September 1917 (Palestine)

    130th (Devon & Cornwall) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left April 1917 (Palestine)
    • 1/6th Btn, Devonshire Regiment left January 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/4th Btn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry left January 1916 (Aden) then went to Palestine in February 1917

    Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    Wessex Divisional Transport and Supply Column ASC did not go to India (instead formed 29th Division Train and 27th Divisional Reserve Park in England)

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXV (I Wessex) Brigade, RFA left October 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • CCXVI (Howitzer) (II Wessex) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXVII (III Wessex) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXVIII (IV Wessex) Brigade, RFA
    • Wessex (Hampshire) Heavy Battery, RGA did not go to India

    Royal Engineers

    • I Wessex Field Company did not go to India (joined 27th Division in England)
    • II Wessex Field Company same
    • Wessex Divisional Signals Company same

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st Wessex Field Ambulance did not go to India (joined 8th Division in England)
    • 2nd Wessex Field Ambulance
    • 3rd Wessex Field Ambulance


       44th (Home Counties) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed as the Home Counties Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914.

    Early in September 1914 two battalions which had already reached the required proportion of men agreeing to overseas service (1/7th and 1/8th Middlesex Regiment) were detached and sent to Gibraltar in order to relieve units of the regular army that were needed for France. On 22nd of September 1914 the government of India agreed to send 32 British and 20 Indian regular army battalions to Europe in exchange for 43 TF battalions. Lord Kitchener proposed to send the Home Counties Division. The entire Division was to go, with the exception of the staffs of the infantry brigades, the ammunition columns of the artillery brigades, the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps and the Divisional Transport and Supply Column ASC. All units that were going to India assembled at Southampton and sailed on 30 October. They all went to Bombay, landing between 1st and 3rd of December. The Brecknockshire Battalion of the South Wales Borderers was detached and embarked at Bombay on 9 December for Aden, where it arrived seven days later. On arrival, the units reverted to peacetime service conditions but remained embodied for full time duty. Units moved out to garrison Kamptee, Mhow, Jullundur, Mooltan, Ferozepore, Jubbulpore, Lucknow, Cawnpore, Fyzabad, Mhow, Jhansi, Dinapore and Fort William. Two units went to Burma, being stationed at Rangoon and Myanmo. One of these, the 1/4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry, also sent a detachment to the Andaman Islands.

    1915

    The 1/4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry in Rangoon was ordered on 21 January to disarm a native infantry battalion of the local garrison which was threatening mutiny. Soon after, another mutiny at Singapore caused more than half the battalion to be sent there and the 2/4th Border Regiment, which arrived in April, was sent to reinforce Rangoon.

    In August the Brecknockshire Battalion returned form Aden, where it was replaced by 1/4th Buffs.

    Large numbers of units were sent to Mesopotamia; they were replaced by Second Line and Garrison units coming out from England. These units, while taking over the roles, were not placed under Divisional command. This process, along with rotation of units going to Aden, continued through 1916, 1917 and 1918.

    1919

    Some units were retained in India for the Third Afghan War (1/4th Bn, the Queen's, 1/4th and 2/4th Bns, the Border Regiment and 1/4th Bn, the Royal West Kent Regiment). This aside, units were gradually reduced to cadres and sailed for England. The Home Counties Division was reformed in England in 1920.

    The units forming the divisional order of battle of the 44th (Home Counties) Division

    131st (Surrey) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Queen's
    • 1/5th Btn, Queen's left December 1915 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, East Surrey Regiment left December 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/6th Btn, East Surrey Regiment served in Aden 7 February 1917 to 8 January 1918

    132nd (Middlesex) Brigade

    • 1/7th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left September 1914
    • 1/8th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left September 1914
    • 1/9th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left November 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/10th Btn, Middlesex Regiment left September 1917 (Palestine)
    • 1/4th Btn, Border Regiment joined October 1914
    • 1/4th Btn, King's Shropshire Light Infantry) joined October 1914, served in Rangoon, Singapore and Hong Kong 91915/1916), Ceylon (April-May 1917) then left Division and went via South Africa to France
    • 1/1st Brecknockshire Battalion, South Wales Borderers joined October 1914, served in Aden 16 December 1914 - 5 August 1915
    • 2/4th Btn, Border Regiment joined March 1915

    133rd (Kent) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Buffs served in Aden 4 August 1915 to 28 January 1916
    • 1/5th Btn, Buffs left December 1915 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/4th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment left January 1916 (Mesopotamia)
    • 1/5th Btn, Royal West Kent Regiment left December 1917 (Mesopotamia)

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXX (I Home Counties) Brigade, RFA left December 1915 for service in Mesopotamia but returned to India July 1916; left again October 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • CCXXI (Howitzer) (II Home Counties) Brigade, RFA left October 1917 (Mesopotamia)
    • III Home Counties (Cinque Ports) Brigade, RFA left May 1916 (Mesopotamia) (did not have title CCXXII until later)
    • IV Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left for 27th Division December 1914
    • Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery, RGA did not go to India; to France December 1915

    Royal Engineers

    • I Home Counties Field Company left for 8th Division in France February 1915
    • II Home Counties Field Company left for 5th Division in France February 1915
    • Home Counties Divisional Signals Company left for 28th Division January 1915

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 27th Division November 1914 (retitled 81st FA)
    • 2nd Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 27th Division November 1914 (retitled 82nd FA)
    • 3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 27th Division November 1914 (retitled 83rd FA)

    Other Divisional Troops

    Home Counties Divisional Transport and Supply Column ASC left for 27th Division in November 1914

       45th (2nd Wessex) Division was formed in September 1914 as a second line territorial divisin. In September 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all men of the units of the Territorial Force who had agreed to serve overseas from that that had not. Those left as home service only were formed into second line units. These units were organised into 14 Divisions, each a mirror image if its first line.

    The Wessex Division (later numbered 43rd) departed for India in October 1914. Some of the second line units had already formed but most came into existence after the departure of the first line. Arrangements had already been made to send the Welsh Division to India, to release regular units from garrison duty for active service. On 25 November 1914 it was decided to instead send from the 2nd Wessex 10 battalions of infantry and the artillery. The other 'second line' units (Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps, Army Service Corps, etc) of the Division would not go and many were eventually posted to fill gaps in other Divisions. The transport and horses of all units going to India were left behind. The Division, thus depleted, sailed from Southampton on 12th of December 1914. The total strength was 283 officers and 9344 men, with 36 guns. Two battalions (2/4th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and 2/4th Hampshire Regiment went to Karachi (arriving 9 January 1915) via Aden; the rest landed at Bombay (4-8 January 1915). The artillery was stationed at Kirkee, Secunderabad and Bangalore; the infantry at Bombay, Poona, Secunderabad, Bangalore, Ahmednagar, Karachi, Quetta, Wellington and Meiktila.

    The units of the Division were repeatedly called upon to supply drafts to the 'first line'. It had been originally conceived that at some point the Division might be withdrawn from India for France, but this became an impractical proposition and it remained in India throughout the war. It was reduced in 1919 and eventually ceased to exist.

    Order of Battle of the 45th (2nd Wessex) Division

    134th (2/1st Hampshire) Brigade, ceased to exist from September 1917

    • 2/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment left for Egypt May 1917
    • 2/5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment left for Egypt April 1917
    • 2/6th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment did not go to India; left February 1915 and joined 84th Provisional Battalion; later became 17th Hampshire Regiment
    • 2/7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment left for Mesopotamia September 1917

    135th (2/1st South Western) Brigade

    • 2/4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry left for Egypt September 1917
    • 2/5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry
    • 2/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment left for Egypt August 1917
    • 2/4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment

    136th (2/1st Devon & Cornwall) Brigade

    • 2/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment left for Egypt October 1917
    • 2/5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment did not go to India; went to Egypt September 1915
    • 2/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment left for Mesopotamia September 1917
    • 2/4th Battalion, Duke of Conrwall's Light Infantry

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCCXV (2/I Wessex) Brigade, RFA broken up April 1917
    • 2/II Wessex Brigade, RFA did not go to India; remained at home as training unit
    • CCCXVII (2/III Wessex) Brigade, RFA
    • CCCXVIII (2/IV Wessex) (How) Bde, RFA


     Divisional History  The 46th (North Midland) Division in 1914-1918

    The history of 46th (North Midland) Division

    The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914.

    1914

    The units of the Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August 1914.

    1915

    King George V inspected the Division on 19th of February 1915. Advance parties landed at Boulogne on 23 February and eight days later the units began to arrive. Concentration was completed by 8th of March. The North Midland was thus the first TF Division to arrive complete in a theatre of war. The first months were spent in the Ypres salient.

    On 12th of May 1915 the Division was retitled as the 46th (North Midland) Division and the brigades were also retitled.

    The Division then took part in the following engagements:

    • The German liquid fire attack at Hooge (30-31 July 1915)
    • The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt (13 October 1915)

    On 23 December 1915 the Division was ordered to proceed to Egypt, leaving the Divisional Ammunition Column (for the 55th Division), the Divisional Train (with the 56th Division) and the Mobile Veterinary Section. Most units reached Egypt via Marseilles by 13 January.

    1916

    After just a few days in Egypt, the move of the Division was countermanded and the units were returned to France, whereupon the DAC, Train and Vets rejoined. The Division remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war, taking part in the following engagements:

    The diversionary attack at Gommecourt (1 July 1916)

    1917

    • Operations on the Ancre (March)
    • Occupation of the Gommecourt defences (4 March)
    • The attack on Rettemoy Graben (12 March)
    • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
    • The attack on Lievin (1 July)
    • The Battle of Hill 70 (15-25 August)

    1918

    • The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise - Hindenburg Line 1918
    • The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line - Hindenburg Line 1918
    • The Battle of Cambrai - Hindenburg Line 1918
    • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
    • The Battle of Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy

    The forward units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord on 11 November 1918. Not selected to join the Army of Occupation, the Division moved back to Landrecies on 14-15 November. Units moved to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 and demobilisation began. By June it was down to cadre level.

    The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    The units forming the divisional order of battle of the 46th (North Midland) Division

    137th (Staffordshire) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, the South Staffordshire Regiment
    • 1/6th Btn, the South Staffordshire Regiment
    • 1/5th Btn, the North Staffordshire Regiment left January 1918
    • 1/6th Btn, the North Staffordshire Regiment
    • 4th Btn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined November 1915, left December 1915
    • 1/4th Btn, the Seaforth Highlanders joined and left November 1915
    • 1/4th Btn, the London Regiment joined and left November 1915
    • 137th Machine Gun Company joined 7 March 1916, moved to 46th Btn MGC 28 February 1918
    • 137th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 March 1916

    138th (Lincoln & Leicester) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, the Lincolnshire Regiment left January 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, the Lincolnshire Regiment
    • 1/4th Btn, the Leicestershire Regiment
    • 1/5th Btn, the Leicestershire Regiment
    • 138th Machine Gun Company joined 22 February 1916, moved to 46th Btn MGC 28 Feb 1918
    • 138th Trench Mortar Battery joined 2 March 1916

    139th (Sherwood Forester) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, the Sherwood Foresters
    • 1/6th Btn, the Sherwood Foresters
    • 1/7th Btn, the Sherwood Foresters left January 1918
    • 1/8th Btn, the Sherwood Foresters
    • 1/4th Btn, the Black Watch joined and left November 1915
    • 1/3rd Btn, the London Regiment joined and left November 1915
    • 139th Machine Gun Company joined 16 February 1916, moved to 46th Btn MGC 26 Feb 1918
    • 139th Trench Mortar Battery joined 9 March 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/1st Btn, the Monmouthshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in September 1915
    • 178th Machine Gun Company joined 28 March 1917, moved to 46th Bn MGC 28 Feb 1918
    • 46th Battalion MGC formed 28 February 1918
    • 100th Battalion MGC joined 26 September 1918, left 1 October 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • B Sqn, the Yorkshire Hussars left 5 May 1916
    • North Midland Divisional Cyclist Company left 9 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXXX Brigade, RFA
    • CCXXXI Brigade, RFA
    • CCXXXII Brigade, RFA left January 1917
    • CCXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up August 1916
    • North Midland (Staffordshire) Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left for XIII HA Brigade, RGA on 18 April 1915
    • 46th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.46 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 20 June 1916; left for I Corps 3 February 1918
    • X.46, Y.46 and Z.46 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 9-17 March 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 465th (1st North Midland) Field Company left January 1915, rejoined April 1915
    • 466th (2nd North Midland) Field Company
    • 468th (2/1st North Midland) Company
    • 57th (3rd East Lancashire) Field Company joined April 1915, left July 1915
    • 46th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st North Midland Field Ambulance
    • 2nd North Midland Field Ambulance
    • 3rd North Midland Field Ambulance
    • 17th Sanitary Section joined 4 March 1915, left for V Corps 21 March 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 46th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the North Midland Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 451, 452, 453 and 454 Companies ASC
    • 1st North Midland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 46th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 6 April 1916
    • 240th Divisional Employment Company joined 25 June 1917


       47th (2nd London) Division was a first line formation of the Territorial Force, formed as the 2nd London Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

    1914

    The units of the Division had just arrived for annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the St Albans area by mid August 1914. In October the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service. Many units were detached from the Division and sent independently to France as sorely needed reinforcements for the BEF.

    1915

    Units began to cross to France on 8th-9th of March. 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the rest concentrated near Bethune by 22 March. 5th London Brigade then rejoined. The 2nd London was the second TF Division to arrive complete in France. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

    • The Battle of Aubers Ridge
    • The Battle of Festubert
    • The Battle of Loos
    • The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt

    1916

    • The German attack at Vimy Ridge
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme, in which the Division captured High Wood
    • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme, in which the Division captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye
    • The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Messines
    • Third Battles of Ypres
    • The Cambrai Operations, in which the Division captured Bourlon Wood and fought the German counter attacks

    1918

    • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
    • The First Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
    • The operations in Artois including the official entry into Lille a phase of the Final Advance in Artois

    The forward units of the Division reached Franses-lez-Buissenal / Moustier, north of Leuze, on 10th of November 1918. Next day the Division marched back to Tournai and on 26 November moved on to the Bethune area. Not selected to join the Army of Occupation, the demobilisation of the Division began and the first parties moved to England 1-10 January 1919. By 28 March it was down to cadre level. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    Order of Battle of the 47th (2nd London) Division

    140th (4th London) Brigade

    • 1/13th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
    • 1/14th Battalion, London Regiment left September 1914
    • 1/15th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/16th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
    • 1/6th Battalion, London Regiment joined November 1914, left January 1918
    • 1/7th Battalion, London Regiment joined November 1914, left February 1918
    • 1/8th Battalion, London Regiment joined November 1914, left February 1918
    • 140th Machine Gun Company formed 13 Dec 1915, moved to 47th Battalion MGC 1 March 1918
    • 140th Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916
    • 1/17th Battalion, London Regiment joined from 141st Brigade February 1918
    • 1/21st Battalion, London Regiment joined from 142nd Brigade February 1918

    141st (5th London) Brigade

    • 1/17th Battalion, London Regiment left for 140th Brigade February 1918
    • 1/18th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/19th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/20th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 141st Machine Gun Company formed 12 Dec 1915, moved to 47th Battalion MGC 1 March 1918
    • 141st Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    142nd (6th London) Brigade

    • 1/21st Battalion, London Regiment left for 140th Brigade February 1918
    • 1/22nd Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/23rd Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/24th Battalion, London Regiment
    • 1/3rd Battalion, London Regiment joined November 1915, left February 1916
    • 142nd Machine Gun Company formed 10 Dec 1915, moved to 47th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
    • 142nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company joined August 1914, left September 1914
    • 1/28th Battalion, London Regiment joined August 1914, left October 1914
    • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneers September 1915
    • 239th Machine Gun Company joined 17 July 1917, left 1 October 1917
    • 255th Machine Gun Company joined 19 November 1917, moved to 47th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
    • 47th Battalion, MGC formed 1 March 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • C Sqn, 1st King Edward's Horse left June 1916
    • 2nd London Divisional Cyclist Company left 1 June 1916

    Divisional Artillery

      The artillery of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division was also attached to the 47th Division between 13 and 25 August 1918, whereupon it was transferred to the 3rd Australian Division

    • CCXXXV Brigade, RFA
    • CCXXXVI Brigade, RFA
    • CCXXXVII Brigade, RFA left November 1916
    • CCXXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917
    • CCLXXX Brigade, RFA attached 3-26 January 1916
    • CCLXXXII Brigade, RFA attached 27 January - 19 February 1916
    • 47th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.47 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 6 November 1916; left for V Corps 16 February 1918
    • X.47, Y.47 and Z.47 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA X and Y joined 17 November 1915, originally as No 7 and No 8, and Z was formed in April 1916; on 1 February 1918, X broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each, Z Batt being redesignated X Battery

    Royal Engineers

    • 517th (3rd London) Field Company left December 1914, rejoined April 1915
    • 518th (4th London) Field Company
    • 520th (2/3rd London) Company joined June 1915
    • 47th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 4th London Field Ambulance
    • 5th London Field Ambulance
    • 6th London Field Ambulance
    • 47th Sanitary Section left for Second Army 18 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 47th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the 2nd London Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 455, 456, 457 and 458 Companies ASC
    • 2nd London Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 47th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 3 April 1916
    • 241st Divisional Employment Company joined May 1917


       The 48th (South Midland) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed as the South Midland Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

    1914

    The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by mid August 1914.

    On 13th of March the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service and entrainment began a week later. Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades went via Folkestone-Boulogne while all other units went from Southampton to Le Havre. By 3 April the Division had concentrated near Cassel. The Division then remained in France and Flanders until late 1917 and took part in the following engagements:

    1916

    • The Battle of Albert - Somme
    • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme, in which the Division captured Ovillers
    • The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

    1917

    • The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, in which the Division occupied Peronne
    • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of the Ypres
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of the Ypres
    • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battles of the Ypres
    • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of the Ypres

    Divisional HQ received orders on 10th of November for a move to Italy. Entrainment began on 21st of November and all units had detrained around Legnano (Adige) by 1 December. The Division them moved north to the area allotted to XI Corps.

    1918

    The Division relieved 7th Division to hold the front line sector at the Montello between 1st and 16th of March. It then moved west, to the Asiago sector. The Division took part in:

    • The fighting on the Asiago Plateau
    • The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto, in the Val d'Assa rather than the Vittoria Veneto itself.

    The Division had the distinction on 3 November of surrounding and capturing the commander of the Austrian III Corps (General von Ritter-Romer), three Divisional commanders and about 14 battalions. By the Armitice (which here was at 1500 on 4 November), the Division had pushed forward into the Trentino and was eight miles NW of Levico. In so doing the Warwickshire Brigade also took the distinction of being the first British formation to enter into what had been European enemy "home ground" before the war. By 10 November the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza; by five days later it was at Trissino. The demobilisation of the Division began in early 1919 and the service of the Division came to an end on 31 March when the final cadres left for England.

    The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    Order of Battle of the 48th (South Midland) Division

    143rd (Warwickshire) Brigade

    • 1/5th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
    • 1/6th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
    • 1/7th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
    • 1/8th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment left September 1918
    • 143rd Machine Gun Company formed 8 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
    • 143rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916

    144th (Gloucester & Worcester) Brigade

    • 1/4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
    • 1/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
    • 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
    • 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment left September 1918
    • 144th Machine Gun Company formed 23 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
    • 144th Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916

    145th (South Midland) Brigade

    • 1/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment left September 1918
    • 1/4th Battalion, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • 1/1st Bucks Battalion, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
    • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • 145th Machine Gun Company formed 11 January 1916, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
    • 145th Trench Mortar Battery formed 14 June 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneers August 1915
    • 251st Machine Gun Company joined 16 Nov 1917, moved to 48th Battalion, MGC 22 March 1918
    • 48th Battalion MGC formed 22 March 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • B Sqn, 1st King Edward's Horse joined April 1915, left June 1916
    • South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company left 14 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXL (I South Midland) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXLI (II South Midland) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXLII (III South Midland) Brigade, RFA left to become Army Brigade 20 January 1917
    • CCXLIII (IV S.M.) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up October 1916 South Midland (Warwicks) Heavy Battery, RGA left 16 April 1915
    • 48th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.48 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 21 April 1916; disbanded 10 November 1917
    • X.48, Y.48 and Z.48 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 15 March 1916; on 21 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 474th (1st South Midland) Field Company left December 1914, rejoined May 1915
    • 475th (2nd South Midland) Field Company
    • 7th Field Company joined April 1915, left June 1915
    • 419th (1st West Lancashire) Field Company attached 18-28 April 1915
    • 476th (2/1st South Midland) Field Company joined June 1915
    • 48th Divisional Signal Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st South Midland Field Ambulance
    • 2nd South Midland Ambulance
    • 3rd South Midland Field Ambulance
    • 48th Sanitary Section formed 21 February 1915, left for III Corps 4 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 48th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the South Midland Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 459, 460, 461 and 462 Companies ASC
    • 1st South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 48th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 4 April 1916
    • 242nd Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917


       49th West Riding Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as a result of the Haldane reforms in 1908 and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime Territorial Force.

    1914

    The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5th of August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area by mid August 1914.

    1915

    49th Division was prepared for overseas service and entrainment began on 12th of April. Divisional infantry sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne while all other units went from Southampton to Le Havre. By the 19th of April the Division had concentrated in the area of Estaires - Merville - Neuf Berquin. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

    1915

    • The Battle of Aubers Ridge
    • The defence against the first Phosgene attack

    1916

    • The Battle of Albert - Somme
    • The Battle of Bazentin Ridge - Somme
    • The Battle of Pozieres Ridge - Somme
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme

    1917

    • Operations on the Flanders Coast (Hush)
    • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battles of the Ypres

    1918

    • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of Messines - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of Bailleul, in which the Division defended Neuve Eglise. - Battles of the Lys
    • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
    • The Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of the Scherpenberg - Battles of the Lys
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
    • The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy

    The Division was resting at Douai on the 11th of November 1918. Demobilisation began in early 1919 and the service of the Division came to an end on 30th of March when the final cadres left for England. 49th Division was reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    Divisional Order of Battle of the 49th (West Riding) Division.

    146th (West Riding) Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
    • 1/6th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
    • 1/7th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment
    • 1/8th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment left January 1918
    • 146th Machine Gun Company formed 27 January 1916, moved to 49th Btn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 146th Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • 1/5th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment left January 1918
    • 1/6th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • 1/7th Btn, Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • 147th Machine Gun Company formed 26 January 1916, moved to 49th Btn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 147th Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    148th (3rd West Riding) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    • 1/5th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry left February 1918
    • 1/4th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
    • 1/5th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment
    • 148th Machine Gun Company formed 6 February 1916, moved to 49th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 148th Trench Mortar Battery formed 12 June 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/3rd Btn, Monmouthshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn in April 1915, left August 1916
    • 19th Btn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn August 1916
    • 199th Machine Gun Company joined 19 December 1916, left 29 October 1917
    • 254th Machine Gun Company joined 26 Nov 1917, moved to 49th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 49th Battalion MGC formed 1st of March 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • C Sqn, 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars left 8 May 1916
    • F Sqn, North Irish Horse briefly between April and June 1916
    • West Riding Divisional Cyclist Company left 26 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXLV (I West Riding) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXLVI (II West Riding) Brigade, RFA
    • CCXLVII (III West Riding) Brigade, RFA broken up 28 February 1917
    • CCXLVIII (IV W. R.) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 18 October 1916
    • West Riding Heavy Battery, RGA a Battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join VIII Brigade, II Group HA on 24 April 1915; returned to Division 13 May 1915, and finally left on 28 June 1915, rejoining VIII Brigade
    • 49th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • W.49, V.49 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 17 May 1916; V absorbed W by 7 June 1917; left for X Corps on 7 February 1918
    • X.49, Y.49 and Z.49 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 4 April 1916 from former 34, 37 and 48 TMB's; by 9 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 1st West Riding Field Company left for 29th Division on the 6th of February 1915.
    • 456th (2nd West Riding) Field Company
    • 458th (2/1st West Riding) Field Company joined June 1915
    • 57th Field Company joined July 1915
    • 49th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st West Riding Field Ambulance
    • 2nd West Riding Ambulance
    • 3rd West Riding Field Ambulance
    • 49th Sanitary Section left for XI Corps 2 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 49th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the West Riding Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 463, 464, 465 and 466 Companies ASC
    • 1st West Riding Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 49th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 4 April 1916
    • 243rd Divisional Employment Company joined 16 June 1917


       The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In early April 1915 the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service and entrainment began on 16 April. By 23 April the Division had concentrated in the area of Steenvoorde. It had arrived just as the German army had attacked at nearby Ypres, using poison gas for the first time, and was rushed into the battle. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

    • The Battle of St Julien - Second Battles of Ypres
    • The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge - Second Battles of Ypres
    • The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge - Second Battles of Ypres

    1916

    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of Morval - Somme
    • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

    1917

      The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive 1917 The Capture of Wancourt Ridge - Arras Offensive 1917 The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive 1917 The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of the Ypres

    1918

      The Battle of St Quentin - Somme The Actions at the Somme Crossings - Somme The Battle of Rosieres - Somme The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys The Battle of the Aisne

    The Division had now taken part in the three great battles against the German offensives of 1918. It had suffered heavy casualties and was exhausted. A decision was taken to rebuild the Division. The original infantry units left and others arrived to take their place. It was not until October that the Division was once again considered to take the field and went on to see action in:

    • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
    • The Battle of Valenciennes - Final Advance in Picardy

    The Division had been relieved and was resting at Solre le Chateau on 11th of November 1918. Demobilisation of the Division began December and the service of the Division came to an end on 19 March when the final cadres left for England. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

    The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division

    149th (Northumbrian) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/6th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/7th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers left 10 February 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Border Regiment joined May 1915, left for 151st Brigade December 1915
    • 149th Machine Gun Company formed 6 February 1916, moved to 50th Btn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 149th Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 June 1916
    • 3rd Btn, Royal Fusiliers joined 15 July 1918
    • 13th Btn, Black Watch joined 15 July 1918
    • 2nd Btn, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 15 July 1918

    150th (York & Durham) Brigade

    • 1/4th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/4th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left for 151st Brigade 12 February 1918
    • 150th Machine Gun Company formed 1st of February 1916, moved to 50th Btn MGC on the 1st of March 1918
    • 150th Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 June 1916
    • 2nd Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers joined 16 July 1918
    • 7th Btn, Wiltshire Regiment joined 15 July 1918
    • 2nd Btn, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined 15 July 1918

    151st (Durham Light Infantry) Brigade

    • 1/6th Btn, Durham Light Infantry reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/7th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left to become Pioneer Bn 16 November 1915
    • 1/8th Btn, Durham Light Infantry reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 1/9th Btn, Durham Light Infantry left 12 February 1918
    • 1/5th Btn, Loyal North Lancashire Rgt joined 11 June 1915, left 21 December 1915
    • 1/5th Btn, Border Regiment joined from 149th Brigade December 1915, left 12 February 1918
    • 151st Machine Gun Company formed 6 February 1916, moved to 50th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 151st Trench Mortar Battery formed 18 June 1916
    • 1/5th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined from 150th Brigade 12 February 1918, reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918
    • 6th Btn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined 16 July 1918
    • 1st Btn, King's Own Yorkshire LI joined 15 July 1918
    • 4th Btn, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined 16 July 1918

    Divisional Troops

    • 1/7th Btn, Durham Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 16 November 1915, left 20 June 1918
    • 245th Machine Gun Company joined 30 July 1917, moved to 50th Bn MGC 1 March 1918
    • 50th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918
    • 5th Btn, Royal Irish Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 14 July 1918
    • A number of units joined the Division on a temporary basis during the reorganisation in mid 1918 including 8th Border Regiment, 4th South Staffordshire Regiment and 9th Loyal North Lancashire. All had left by August 1918

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • RHQ and A Sqn, 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars left 10 May 1916
    • Northumbrian Divisional Cyclist Company left 20 May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    From 1 August 1918, the Divisional Artillery served variously under the command of 18th, 58th, 47th, 3rd Australian and 11th Divisions, and did not return to 50th Division until 20 October 1918

    • CCL (I Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
    • CCLI (II Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
    • CCLII (III Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA broken up 20 January 1917
    • CCLIII (IV Nthbrn) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 16 November 1916
    • Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery, RGA a Battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join XIII Brigade HA on 16 May 1915
    • 50th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
    • V.50 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined Jul y 1916, left for V/VIII Corps on 11 February 1918
    • X.50, Y.50 and Z.50 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 5 March 1916 from former 23, 29 and 31 TMB's; by 1 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 446th (1st Northumbrian) Field Company left December 1914, rejoined June 1915
    • 447th (2nd Northumbrian) Field Company
    • 7th Field Company joined June 1915
    • 50th Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance
    • 2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance left December 1914
    • 3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance
    • 2/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance joined April 1915
    • 50th Sanitary Section left for Fourth Army 3 April 1917

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 50th Divisional Train ASC retitled from the Northumbrian Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 467, 468, 469 and 470 Companies ASC
    • 1st Northumbrian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 50th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 3 April 1916
    • 244th Divisional Employment Company joined 9 June 1917


       

    HMS Aquitainia was a troop ship

       51st (Highland) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as the Highland Division a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

    1914

    The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5th of August 1914. A week later the Division was ordered to concentrate at Bedford. On 22md of October it was inspected there by King George V. Several units left the Division during the period November 1914 to March 1915, being sent independently to France as reinforcements for the BEF.

    1915

    On 13th of April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service. It crossed the Channel between 30th of April and 3rd of May and by the 6th of May had concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq. In early May 1915, the Highland Division was hurried to the defence of Ypres. The enemy had attacked on 22nd of April 1915, using poison gas for the first time. All available reserves were deployed to stop the Germans taking advantage of the initial surprise. The Division remained in action until moved to the area of Estaires on the River Lys, on 19th of May. The Division also took part in the following engagements in 1915:

    • The Battle of Festubert
    • The Second Action of Givenchy

      1916

      • The attacks on High Wood - Somme
      • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme in which the Division captured Beaumont Hamel and took more than 2000 prisoners.

      1917

      • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
      • The Second Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
      • The capture and defence of Roeux - Arras Offensive
      • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres
      • The Battle of Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres
      • The tank attack - Cambrai Operations
      • The capture of Bourlon Wood - Cambrai Operations
      • The German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

      1918

      • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme
      • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme
      • The Battle of Estaires - Battles of the Lys
      • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys
      • The Battle of the Tardenois - Battles of the Marne
      • The Battle of the Scarpe - Second Battles of Arras
      • The Pursuit to the Selle
      • The Battle of the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy

      The Division had been relieved and was resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area on 11th of November 1918. The demobilisation of the Division began December and the service of the Division came to an end in March when the final cadres left for England. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders had the honour of selection to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919. The Division was reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 51st (Highland) Division

      152nd (1st Highland) Brigade (Seaforth and Cameron Brigade up to 12 May 1915)

      • 1/4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders left November 1914
      • 1/5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
      • 1/6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
      • 1/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders left February 1915
      • 1/6th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined from 153rd Brigade April 1915, left June 1915
      • 1/8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined from 153rd Brigade April 1915, left February 1918
      • 1/6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders joined June 1916 (later retitled 6/7th Battalion)
      • 152nd Machine Gun Company formed 16 January 1916, moved to 51st Bn MGC 19 Feb 1918
      • 152nd Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916

      153rd (2nd Highland) Brigade (Gordon Brigade up to 12th of May 1915)

      • 1/4th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders left February 1915
      • 1/5th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders left February 1918
      • 1/6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders left December 1914
      • 1/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders left October 1918
      • Shetland Coys, the Gordon Highlanders absorbed late 1916
      • 7th Battalion, Black Watch
      • 153rd Machine Gun Company formed 15 January 1916, moved to 51st Battalion MGC 19 Feb 1918
      • 153rd Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916
      • 1/6th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined 6 October 1918

      154th (3rd Highland) Brigade (Argyll & Sutherland Brigade) units exchanged with those of the the North Lancashire Brigade from West Lancashire Division on 18th April 1915 and retitled on 12th May 1915. The components of the former North Lancashire Brigade returned to their old Division on 6th of January 1916being replaced by Scottish units.

      • 1/6th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left for 152nd Brigade April 1915
      • 1/7th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left December 1914, rejoined March 1916
      • 1/8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left for 152nd Brigade April 1915
      • 1/9th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders left February 1915
      • 1/4th Battalion, King's Own joined 18 April 1915, left 6 January 1916
      • 1/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 18 April 1915, left 6 January 1916
      • 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers joined 18 April 1915, left 6 January 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Rgt joined 18 April 1915, left 6 January 1916
      • 1/6th Battalion, Cameronians joined 2 June 1915, left 12 January 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Black Watch joined 6 January 1916, left 29 February 1916
      • 1/5th Battalion, Black Watch joined 6 January 1916, left 29 February 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders joined 7 January 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders joined 7 January 1916, left 26 February 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders joined 23 February 1916
      • 1/9th Battalion, Royal Scots joined 1 March 1916, left 6 February 1918
      • 154th Machine Gun Company formed 14 January 1916, moved to 51st Battalion, MGC 19 Feb 1918
      • 154th Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916
      • 1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry joined from 151st Brigade 12 February 1918, reduced to cadre and left 15 July 1918

      Divisional Troops

      • 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 19 August 1915
      • 232nd Machine Gun Company joined 20 July 1917, moved to 51st Battalion, MGC 19 Feb 1918
      • 51st Battalion MGC formed 19 February 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • D Squadron,North Irish Horse left May 1916
      • Highland Divisional Cyclist Company left 9 May 1916

      Divisional Artillery

      • CCLV (I Highland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLVI (II Highland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLVIII (III Highland) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 21 August 1916
      • IV Highland (Mountain) Brigade, RFA left 10 March 1915
      • CCLX (I Lowland) Brigade, RFA joined 10 November 1915, broken up 28 January 1917
      • Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery, RGA a Battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join IV Brigade HA on 3 May 1915
      • 51st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.51 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 18 October 1916, left for IV Corps in February 1918
      • X.51, Y.51 and Z.51 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 28 April 1916, in February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

      Royal Engineers

      • 400th (1st Highland) Field Company
      • 404th (2/2nd Highland) Field Company
      • 3rd (Durham) Field Company joined 19 September 1915, left 30 January 1916
      • 404th (2nd Highland) Field Company rejoined January 1916
      • 51st Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2nd Highland Field Ambulance
      • 3rd Highland Field Ambulance
      • 2/1st Highland Field Ambulance joined May 1915
      • 51st Sanitary Section left for XVII Corps 17 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 51st Divisional Train ASC retitled from the Highland Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 471, 472, 473 and 474 Companies ASC
      • 1st Highland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 51st Divisional Ambulance Workshop joined May 1915, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 6 April 1916
      • 245th Divisional Employment Company joined 6 June 1917


         The 52nd (Lowland) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed as the Lowland Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

      1914

      The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions on the Scottish coastal defences by mid August 1914. Several of the Division's units left in the period November 1914 - March 1915

      1915

      On 5th of April the Division was warned that it would go on overseas service; on 7th of May this was confirmed, with the destination being Gallipoli. The units embarked at Liverpool and Devonport between 18th of May and 8th of June. On 22nd of May when a train carrying the battalion HQ and two Companies of the 1/7th Royal Scots crashed in an accident at Quntinshill near Gretna. 3 officers and 207 men died, 5 officers and 219 were injured. Fewer than 70 men survived this crash unscathed. Two of the field artillery brigades and the heavy battery remained on the Forth defences. The first units landed on Gallipoli (Cape Helles) on 6th of June. The Division was then involved in the following moves and engagements:

      • Gully Ravine
      • Achi Baba Nullah
      • Krithia Nullahs
      • The evacuation of Helles

      1916

      The Division moved to Egypt after being evacuated from Gallipoli and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. It subsequently moved to El Kantara and on 2 March took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences.

      • Dueidar - Palestine
      • The Battle of Romani - Palestine

      1917

      The following actions took place in the ongoing Palestine campaign.

      • The First Battle of Gaza
      • The Second Battle of Gaza
      • The Third Battle of Gaza
      • Wadi el Hesi
      • Burqa (156th Brigade)
      • El Maghar (155th Brigade)
      • The capture of Junction Station
      • The Battle of Nabi Samweil
      • The Battle of Jaffa, including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja

      1918

      52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918. Orders were received on 24th of March that the Division would be relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and that it would then proceed to France. The Divisional artillery was exchanged with that of the Indian Division and all units sailed from Alexandria between 4 and 11 April. The Division went via Marseilles and concentrated near Abbeville by 23 April. The ship Kingstonian, carring IX Brigade RFA, 413 Company RE and a section of the Divisional Ammunition Column) was torpedoed on 11th of April. On 29th of April the Division moved to Aire and took over a sector of front line near Vimy on 6 May. It was withdrawn into reserve on 23 July and eight days later once again went into the line north east of Arras:

      • The Battle of Albert
      • The Battle of the Scarpe
      • The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line
      • The Battle of the Canal du Nord
      • The Final Advance in Artois

      The Division was in the front line north of the Mons Canal and was engaged on clearing Herchies on 11th of November 1918. The demobilisation of the Division began in December and the service of the Division came to an end on 31 May when the final cadres left for home. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 52nd (Lowland) Division

      155th (South Scottish) Brigade

      • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
      • 1/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
      • 1/4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers
      • 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers left 28 June 1918
      • 155th Machine Gun Company formed 23 March 1916, moved to 52nd Battalion, MGC 28 April 1918
      • 155th Trench Mortar Battery formed 24 May 1917

      156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade

      • 1/5th Battalion, Cameronians left November 1914
      • 1/6th Battalion, Cameronians left March 1915
      • 1/7th Battalion, Cameronians
      • 1/8th Battalion, Cameronians left 28 June 1918
      • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Scots joined April 1915
      • 1/7th Battalion, Royal Scots joined April 1915
      • 156th Machine Gun Company formed 16 March 1916, moved to 52nd Battalion, MGC 28 April 1918
      • 156th Trench Mortar Battery formed 27 June 1917

      157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade

      • 1/5th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
      • 1/6th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
      • 1/7th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
      • 1/9th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry until November 1914
      • 1/5th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined April 1915, until 28 June 1918
      • 157th Machine Gun Company formed 14 March 1916, moved to 52nd Battalion, MGC 28 April 1918
      • 157th Trench Mortar Battery formed 11 June 1917

      Divisional Troops

      • 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment - Divisional Pioneer Battalion 3 April 1918 - 31 May 1918
      • 17th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers - Divisional Pioneer Btn from 31 May 1918
      • 211th Machine Gun Company formed before 15 September 1917 in XXI Corps, joined Division 1st of April 1918, became 52nd Battalion, MGC 28 April 1918
      • 52nd Battalion MGC formed 28 April 1918
      • 1st Dismounted Brigade (Ayrshire and Lanarkshire Yeomanry, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Scottish Horse, 1 Signals Coy, 1 MG Coy, 1 Field Ambulance) was also attached to the Division 8 February 1916 to 28 June 1916 on the Suez Canal defences

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • Lowland Divisional Cyclist Company broken up 1 August 1915, reformed in Egypt 27 March 1916, left for XXI Corps 8 December 1917
      • RHQ and C Sqn, 1/1st Royal Glasgow Yeomanry joined 10 October 1915, left for XXI Corps Cavalary regiment on 21 August 1917
      • Lowland Mounted Brigade (Ayrshire and Lanarkshire Yeomanry) was also attached to the Division between 11 October and 31 December 1915
      • A troop, 4th Hussars and a detachment of VIII Corps Cyclist Battalion were attached to the Division 30 October to 11 November 1918

      Divisional Artillery

      From 1 August 1918, the Divisional Artillery served variously under the command of 18th, 58th, 47th, 3rd Australian and 11th Divisions, and did not return to 52nd Division until 20 October 1918

      • CCLXI (II Lowland) Brigade, RFA remained in Egypt when Division went to Gallipoli, left 3 April 1918
      • CCLXIII (IV Lowland) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA remained in Egypt when Division went to Gallipoli, broken up 30 December 1916
      • CCLXII (III Lowland) Brigade, RFA rejoined 17 March 1916, left 3 April 1918
      • CCLXIV (V Lowland) Brigade, RFA rejoined 17 March 1916, left 3 April 1918
      • Lowland (Edinburgh) Heavy Battery, RGA did not sail with the Division; moved independently to France 16 february 1916 and joined XVII HA Brigade
      • 52nd Pom-Pom Battery, RFA attached during June 1917
      • IX Battery, RFA joined 1 April 1918
      • LVI Battery, RFA joined 1 April 1918
      • 52nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA remained in Egypt when Division went to Gallipoli, broken up 17 March 1916, reformed 1 january 1917, excahnged for the DAC of 7th (Meerut) Div on 1 April 1918
      • X.52, Y.52 and Z.52 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 30 October 1917, all left for 7th (Meerut) Division 3 April 1918, replaced by two batteries (X and Y) from TM School on 8 May 1918

      Royal Engineers

      • 1st Lowland Field Company until December 1914
      • 410th (2nd Lowland) Field Company until March 1915, rejoined 24 February 1916
      • 412th (2/1st Lowland) Field Company from March 1915
      • 413th (2/2nd Lowland) Field Company from March 1915
      • 52nd Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 1st Lowland Field Ambulance
      • 2nd Lowland Field Ambulance
      • 3rd Lowland Field Ambulance
      • 52nd Sanitary Section until October 1915, rejoined October 1917, until 4 May 1918

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 52nd Divisional Train ASC (Lowland Divisional Transport and Supply Column) consisting of 471, 472, 473 and 474 Companies ASC. until October 1915. Replaced by 217, 218, 219 and 220 Companies ASC from March 1916.
      • 1st Lowland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 52nd Divisional Ambulance Workshop from 21 April 1916, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column in June 1917
      • 984th Divisional Employment Company from April 1918


         53rd (Welsh) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as the Welsh Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

      1914

      The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions at Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oswestry and Fort Scoveston by 11 August 1914. At the end of the month the entire Division moved to Northampton. Several of the Division's units left in the period November 1914 - February 1915. They were gradually replaced by second line units, but these suffered from shortages of arms, slowing training. These units were subsequently replaced in early 1915. The Division received a warning order on 18 November, advising preparation for a move to India, but this was cancelled a week later and eventually the 2nd Wessex Division went in its place. The Welsh Division moved to Cambridge in December.

      1915

      King George V inspected the Division on 11 February 1915. The Division moved to Bedford in May. On 2 July the Division was ordered to refit for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and embarked at Devonport. Sailing via Alexandria (25-30 July), the ships reached Lemnos 29 July - 7 August. On 9 August units landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. The Division was then involved in the following moves and engagements:

      • The landing at Suvla Bay
      • Operations in the Suvla Bay area

      The effects of fighting, few reinforcements and the dreadful blizzard of November reduced the Division to just 162 officers and 2428 men (about 15% of full strength). On 11th and 12th of December the Division was evacuated to Mudros and then went on to Alexandria, where it began to arrive 20th of December. The last units reached Wardan three days later.

      1916

      The divisional artillery rejoined at Wardan 11-22 February 1916.

      The Battle of Romani - Palestine.

      1917

      • Ongoing Palestine Campaign Activity
      • The First Battle of Gaza (158th Brigade only)
      • The Second Battle of Gaza
      • The Third Battle of Gaza including the Capture of Beersheba and the Capture of Tell Khuweilfe
      • The Capture of Jerusalem
      • The Defence of Jerusalem

      1918

      • Continued campaign in Palestine
      • The Battle of Tell'Asur
      • Between 4 June and 29 August 1918 the Division, other than the artillery, was "Indianised", which meant that Indian units arrived to replace most of the British ones. Many of the latter were ordered to France.
      • The battle of Nablus - Battles of Megiddo

      On 26 September the Division was withdrawn for rest and moved back to Tell'Asur. By 12 October it had moved to Ramle, and on 27 October began entraining for Alexandria. It was there when the Armistice with Turkey took effect on 31 October. The first parties to be demobilised left for England on 22 December.The final cadres sailed home from Port Said on 15 June 1919. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 53rd (Welsh) Division

      158th (North Wales) Brigade

      This Brigade served under command of 2nd Mounted Division between 31 October and 28 November 1915

      • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left November 1914
      • 1/5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
      • 1/6th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers amalgamated with 1/5th on 2 August 1918
      • 1/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers left for 160th Brigade 24 June 1918
      • 1/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment joined from 160th Brigade 24 April 1915, left 1 June 1918
      • 158th Machine Gun Company formed 26 April 1916, moved to 53rd Battalion, MGC 25 April 1918
      • 158th Trench Mortar Battery formed 22 July 1917
      • 4/11th Ghurka Rifles joined 4 June 1918
      • 3/153rd Infantry joined 10 June 1918
      • 3/154th Infantry joined 3 August 1918

      159th (Cheshire) Brigade

      This Brigade served under command of 2nd Mounted Division between 29 November and 9 December 1915

      • 1/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment left 31 May 1918
      • 1/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment left February 1915
      • 1/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment left November 1914
      • 1/7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment left 1 June 1918
      • 2/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined November 1914, left April 1915
      • 2/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined February 1915, left April 1915
      • 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment joined 17 April 1915
      • 1/5th Battalion, Welsh Regiment joined 17 April 1915, between 8 October 1915 and 20 February 1916 merged with 1/4th to form 4th Welsh Composite Battalion and fully amalgamated 30 July 1918
      • 159th Machine Gun Company formed 20 April 1916, moved to 53rd Battalion, MGC 25 April 1918
      • 159th Trench Mortar Battery formed 28 June 1917
      • 3/152nd Infantry joined 4 June 1918
      • 2/153rd Infantry joined 5 June 1918
      • 1/153rd Infantry joined 2 August 1918

      160th (Welsh Border) Brigade

      • 1/1st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment left February 1915
      • 1/2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment left November 1914
      • 1/3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment left February 1915
      • 1/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment left for 158th Brigade 24 April 1915
      • 2/4th Battalion, Queen's joined 24 April 1915, left 31 May 1918
      • 1/4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined 24 April 1915, left 30 May 1918
      • 2/4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment joined 24 April 1915, left 25 August 1918
      • 2/10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment joined 24 April 1915, left 19 August 1918
      • 160th Machine Gun Company formed 11 May 1916, moved to 53rd Battalion, MGC 25 April 1918
      • 160th Trench Mortar Battery formed 26 June 1917
      • 21st Punjabis joined 26 May 1918
      • 110th Mahratta Light Infantry joined 28 June 1918, left 19 July 1918
      • 1st Cape Corps joined 22 July 1918, left 15 May 1919
      • 17th Infantry joined 6 August 1918

      Divisional Troops

      • 2/1st Battalion, London Regiment joined 15 January 1916, left April 1916
      • 2/3rd Battalion, London Regiment joined 15 January 1916, left April 1916
      • 2/2nd Battalion, London Regiment joined 22 February 1916, left April 1916
      • 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment joined 22 February 1916, left April 1916
      • 155th Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 12 August 1918
      • 53rd Battalion MGC formed at Ain Sinia 15-25 April 1918
      • Cape Corps Machine Gun Company joined 17 September 1918 and added to 53rd Bn MGC

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • Welsh Divisional Cyclist Company formed May-June 1915
      • A Sqn, the 1/1st Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry joined 1 February 1917, left for XXI Corps Cavalry Regiment on 23 August 1917

      Divisional Artillery

      The Divisional Artillery did not leave England when the Division embarked for service at Gallipoli. It remained at Bedford and was there rearmed. It sailed for France from 20 November 1915 and concentrated near Pont Remy by five days later. Entrainment began on 1 February 1916, embarkation at Marseilles began two days later and by 22 February 1916 the artillery had concentrated at Beni Salama and came once again under command of this Division.

      • CCLXV (I Welsh) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 26 May 1916
      • CCLXVI (II Welsh) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXVII 25 December 1916
      • CCLXVII (Cheshire) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXV 25 December 1916
      • CCLXVIII (III Welsh) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXVI 25 December 1916
      • Welsh (Caernarvonshire) Heavy Battery, RGA did not sail with the Division; moved independently to France 3 March1916 and joined XXIII HA Brigade
      • 53rd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA

      Royal Engineers

      • 436th (1st Welsh) Field Company renumbered on 4 February 1917
      • Cheshire Field Company left November 1914
      • 439th (2/1st Cheshire) Field Company joined November 1914, renumbered on 4 February 1917
      • 437th (2/1st Welsh) Field Company sailed 4 October 1915, landed at Suvla 24 October and was initially attached to IX Corps, joining Division at Lala Baba 2 December 1915, renumbered on 4 February 1917, left 9 April 1918
      • 53rd Divisional Signals Company HQ and No 1 Section of this Company was attached to 54th (East Anglian) Division at Suvla between 10-23 August 1915; on 15 December 1915 it was ordered to Salonika and joined XII Corps there on 27 December 1915; it landed at Alexandria 21 January 1916 and came back under orders of this Division at Wardan next day
      • 72nd Company, 3rd Sappers & Miners joined 5 August 1918

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 1st Welsh Field Ambulance left 21 August 1918
      • 2nd Welsh Field Ambulance absorbed into 170 Combined Field Ambulance on 11 September 1918
      • 3rd Welsh Field Ambulance attached to 54th (East Anglian) Division at Suvla between 11-18 August 1915, absorbed into 171 Combined Field Ambulance on 8-11 September 1918
      • 53rd Sanitary Section formed April 1915
      • 113th Combined Field Ambulance joined 3 July 1918
      • 170th Combined Field Ambulance joined 29 August 1918
      • 172st Combined Field Ambulance joined 23 August 1918

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 53rd Divisional Train ASC comprising 479, 480, 481 and 482 Companies ASC, the original Train did not sail with the Division. It transferred to join 11th (Northern) Division for service in France.
      • The units of 29th Divisional Train joined this Division on 17 March 1916, comprising 246, 247, 248 and 249 Companies ASC
      • 53rd (Welsh) Mobile Veterinary Section AVC formed 27 June 1915, did not sail with the Division, embarked 21 March 1916 and rejoined Division 11 April 1916

      There is a memorial to the 53rd (Welsh) Division in Ramleh War Cemetery, which is now in Israel.

         54th (East Anglian) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as the East Anglian Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

      1914

      The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions at Brentwood by 10 August 1914. Ten days later the entire Division moved to the areas of Chelmsford, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich. Several of the Division's units left in the period November 1914 - February 1915. Some were gradually replaced by second line units. The Division was employed on coastal defence duties at this time.

      1915

      The Division moved to St Albans in May 1915 under orders for overseas service. On 8th of July the Division was ordered to refit for service at Gallipoli. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left between 14th and 19th of July and embarked at Devonport. Sailing from Liverpool and Devonport, the first ships reached Lemnos on 6th of August. On 10 August units landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. The Division was then involved in the following moves and engagements:

      • The landing at Suvla Bay
      • Operations in the Suvla Bay area

      On 26 November the Division was ordered to prepare to withdraw to Mudros. On 3-8 December the Division was evacuated from Gallipoli, only 240 officers and 4480 men strong. On 13 December it then went on to Alexandria, where it arrived on the 18th December. The units then concentrated at Sidi Bishr.

      1916

      The divisional artillery rejoined at Mena Camp (Cairo) 11-15 February 1916. The Division occupied No 1 (Southern) Section of the Suez Canal defences on 2 April 1916.

      1917

      • Actions during Palestine Campaign 1917
      • The First Battle of Gaza
      • The Second Battle of Gaza
      • The Third Battle of Gaza including the Capture of Gaza
      • The Battle of Jaffa

      1918

      • Ongoing Palestine Campaign Activity 1918
      • The fight at Ras el'Ain (162nd Brigade only)
      • The operations at Berukin
      • The Battle of Sharon - Battles of Megiddo

      On 24th of September the Division concentrated at Hable and began an advance to Haifa three days later. This move was completed on 4th of October. The division was ordered to Beirut on 20th of October; this move began three days later and the brigades moved on successive days via Acre, Ras es Naqura, Tyre and Sidon. The units concentrated at Beirut between 31st October and 5th of November, but the Turks signed an Armistice on 31st of October. The Division moved to El Qantara, back in Egypt, from 28 November. The first parties to be demobilised left for England in January 1919.The final cadres sailed home on 30 September 1919. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 54th (East Anglian) Division

      161st (Essex) Brigade

      • 1/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment
      • 1/5th Battalion, Essex Regiment
      • 1/6th Battalion, Essex Regiment
      • 1/7th Battalion, Essex Regiment
      • 161st Machine Gun Company formed 23 April 1916, moved to 54th Battalion, MGC 19 April 1918
      • 161st Trench Mortar Battery formed 17 May 1917

      162nd (East Midland) Brigade

      • 1/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
      • 1/4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment
      • 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment left February 1915
      • 1/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment left November 1914
      • 2/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment joined February 1915, left April 1915
      • 1/10th Battalion, London Regiment joined April 1915
      • 1/11th Battalion, London Regiment joined April 1915
      • 162nd Machine Gun Company formed 26 April 1916, moved to 54th Battalion, MGC 19 April 1918
      • 162nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 5 May 1917

      163rd (Norfolk & Suffolk) Brigade

      • 1/4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment
      • 1/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment
      • 1/4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment left November 1914
      • 1/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
      • 1/8th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment joined 19 April 1915
      • 163rd Machine Gun Company formed 1 May 1916, moved to 54th Battalion, MGC 19 April 1918
      • 163rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 9 May 1917

      Divisional Troops

      54th Battalion MGC formed 19 April 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • East Anglian Divisional Cyclist Company left February 1917
      • HQ and A Sqn, 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry joined 20 March 1917, left for XXI Corps Cavalry Regiment on 26 August 1917

      Divisional Artillery

      The Divisional Artillery did not leave England when the Division embarked for service at Gallipoli. It remained at Brandon and Thetford and was there rearmed. It sailed for France from 17 November 1915 and concentrated near Blaringhem by four days later. Entrainment began on 11 January 1916, embarkation at Marseilles began on 30 January and between 8-15 February 1916 the artillery had concentrated at Mena Camp and came once again under command of this Division.

      • CCLXX (I E Anglian) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXXII 21 December 1916
      • CCLXXI (II E Anglian) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLXXII (III E Anglian) (How) Brigade, RFA broken up 21 December 1916
      • CCLXXIII (IV E Anglian) Brigade, RFA renumbered CCLXX 21 December 1916
      • East Anglian (Essex) Heavy Battery, RGA did not sail with the Division; moved independently to France 14 March 1916 and joined XXIII HA Brigade
      • 54th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • X.54, Y.54 and Z.54 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined 3 October 1917, disbanded 2 March 1918 when Corps took over TM responsibilities

      Royal Engineers

      • 1st East Anglian Field Company left December 1914
      • 484th (2nd East Anglian) Field Company
      • 486th (2/1st East Anglian) Field Company joined September 1914
      • 495th (1st Kent) Field Company joined 1 July 1916
      • 53rd Divisional Signals Company
      • 54th Divisional Signals Company HQ and No 1 Section of this Company was attached at Suvla between 10-23 August 1915

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance left January 1915
      • 2nd East Anglian Field Ambulance
      • 3rd East Anglian Field Ambulance
      • 2/1st East Anglian Field Ambulance joined late 1914
      • 54th Sanitary Section

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 54th Divisional Train ASC comprising 483, 484, 485 and 486 Companies ASC, the original Train did not sail with the Division. It transferred to join 27th Division for service in Salonika.
      • A new Train joined this Division on 5-24 February 1917, comprising 428, 429, 430 and 431 Companies ASC which were renumbered on 18 April 1917 to become 921, 922, 923 and 924 Companies ASC
      • 54th (East Anglian) Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 11 April 1916
      • Detachement Francais de Palestine et Syrie (7/1st Tirailleurs Algeriens, 1 and 2nd Armeniens and various other snmaller units) attached 12 - 28 September 1918 for Megiddo operations


         The 55th (West Lancashire) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as the West Lancashire Division as a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. In August 1909, the West Lancashire became the first TF Division to take the field when it assembled for annual camp at Caerwys in North Wales.

      1914

      The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914. All of the infantry units left the Division during the period November 1914 - March 1915, most being sent independently to France as reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division temporarily joined with its second line, the 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.

      1915

      The Divisional artillery moved to France in October 1915 and joined 2nd Canadian Division. In November the War Office authorised the re-formation of the West Lancashire Division, now to be known as the 55th, in France.

      1916

      The Division began to concentrate in the Hallencourt area on 3rd of January and was completed by 27th of January. The Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras - in the area Wailly - Bretencourt - by 16 February. Trench warfare commenced, with many raids and minor operations. On 17 April 1916, a large scale raid was undertaken by the 1/8th (Irish) Battalion, the King's (Liverpool), in which 2/Lt E. F. Baxter became the Division's first winner of the Victoria Cross. In this relatively "quiet" period before the Division moved into the Battle of the Somme, it nonetheless suffered casualties of 63 officers and 1047 men killed, wounded or missing. Relieved by 11th (Northern) Division on 25 July 1916, the 55th now moved south and took up a place in the front line opposite the village of Guillemont. It then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

      • The Battle of Guillemont - Somme
      • The Battle of Ginchy - Somme
      • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
      • The Battle of Morval - Somme

      Relieved by 41st Division on 28 September, the Division withdrew to the area of Buire and Ribemont. Here, orders were received to move to Flanders. 55th relieved 29th Division in the Ypres salient in October 1916. It was destined to remain in this area for almost a year. The first section of line that was occupied by the Division was Wieltje to Railway Wood.

      1917

      The first half of the year was spent in the salient, which had a comparatively quiet time, if being surrounded by enemy on three sides and under constant artillery fire could be described as quiet.

      • The Battle of Pilkem Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
      • The Battle of Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres
      • The tank attack and the German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

      1918

      The Division relieved 42nd (East Lancashire) Division in the front line at Givenchy and Festubert on 15 February. Here, it faced numerous strong enemy raids in March. Early April was at first much quieter: it was a lull before a storm.

      • The Battle of Estaires including the Defence of Givenchy (9-17 April) - Battles of the Lys
      • The Battle of Hazebrouck - Battles of the Lys
      • The capture of Givenchy craters
      • The capture of Canteleux trench
      • The pursuit to Mons - Final Advance in Artois

      On 15th of November 1918 55th Division received orders to join the British force that would advance across Belgium and move into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads. These orders were cancelled on 21 November, at which time the Division was employed on road and railway repair work in the area of Leuze. King George V visited the Division on 7th of December. On 15th of December the Division began to move to the Brussels area. King Albert of the Belgians reviewed the Division, which had begun to demobilise, on 3 January 1919. The service of the Division came to an end by April 1919 when the final cadres left for England. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

      Order of Battle of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division

      164th (North Lancashire) Brigade This Brigade joined the Highland Division on 18 April 1915, being redesignated 154th Brigade. It returned to this Division in January 1916.

      • 1/4th Battalion, King's Own
      • 1/5th Battalion, King's Own left 15 February 1915
      • 1/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt
      • 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt left 13 February 1915
      • 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers joined February 1915
      • 1/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1916, left January 1918
      • 164th Machine Gun Company formed 19 February 1916, moved to 55th Battalion, MGC 7 Mar 1918
      • 164th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916

      165th (Liverpool) Brigade

      • 1/5th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 22 February 1915, rejoined January 1916
      • 1/6th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 25 February 1915, rejoined January 1916
      • 1/7th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left 8 March 1915, rejoined January 1916
      • 1/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left February 1915
      • 1/9th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1916, left February 1918
      • 165th Machine Gun Company formed 26 February 1916, moved to 55th Battalion, MGC 7 Mar 1918
      • 165th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916

      166th (South Lancashire) Brigade

      • 1/9th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left March 1915
      • 1/10th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left November 1914, rejoined January 1916
      • 1/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment left 13 February 1915
      • 1/5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment left 13 February 1915, rejoined January 1916
      • 2/5th Battalion, King's Own joined February 1915, left April 1915
      • 1/5th Battalion, King's Own joined 7 January 1916
      • 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Rgt joined January 1916
      • 166th Machine Gun Company joined 1 March 1916, moved to 55th Battalion, MGC 7 Mar 1918
      • 166th Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916
      • 2/10th Battalion, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined April 1918 but absorbed into 1/10th in same month

      Divisional Troops

      • 1/4th Battalion,, the South Lancashire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn January 1916
      • 196th Machine Gun Company joined 22 December 1916, moved to 55th Battalion, MGC 17 Mar 1918
      • 55th Battalion MGC formed 7 March 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 1/1st Lancashire Hussars left 29 October 1915
      • A Sqn, North Irish Horse joined January 1916, left May 1916
      • West Lancashire Divisional Cyclist Company joined 16 January 1916, left 11 May 1916

      Divisional Artillery rejoined from 2nd Canadian Division in January 1916

      • CCLXXV (I West Lancs) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLXXVI (II West Lancs) Brigade, RFA
      • CCLXXVII (III West Lancs) Brigade, RFA left January 1917
      • CCLXXVIII (IV West Lancs) (How) Bde, RFA broken up October 1916
      • 1st Lancashire) Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join 57th Division in early 1915
      • 55th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.55 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 25 May 1916, left 29 January 1918
      • X.55, Y.55 and Z.55 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed by 3 June 1916, on 29 January 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

      Royal Engineers

      • 419th (1st West Lancs) Field Company
      • 2nd West Lancs Field Company left June 1915
      • 422nd (2/1st West Lancs) Field Company joined January 1916
      • 423rd (2/2nd West Lancs) Field Company joined January 1916
      • 55th Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 1st West Lancs Field Ambulance left January 1915
      • 2nd West Lancs Field Ambulance left October 1915
      • 3rd West Lancs Field Ambulance rejoined 16 January 1916
      • 2/1st West Lancs Field Ambulance joined 17 January 1916
      • 2/1st Wessex Field Ambulance joined 16 January 1916
      • 55th Sanitary Section joined 16 January 1916, left for VIII Corps 12 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 55th Divisional Train ASC The original Divisional Train, formed in September 1915 and composed of 505, 506, 507 and 508 Companies ASC, remained at home when the units of the Division moved to France. It was transferred to the 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division. A complete Train, composed of 95, 96, 97 and 98 Coys joined from 27th Division 1 January 1916
      • 1st West Lancs Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 5 January 1916
      • 55th Divisional Ambulance Workshop joined 6 January 1916, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 3 April 1916
      • 246th Divisional Employment Company joined 16 June 1917


         60th (2/2nd London) Division was created as a result of an order issued on the 31st of August 1914. The War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward. The units of the Division were quickly filled and a partial concentration carried out at White City in October. Early parades and training was done in civilian clothes and with only a bare minimum of available equipment. In December the units of the Division began to move to the Dorking-Reigate area in Surrey.

      Drafts of men began to be supplied to the corresponding 'first line' units as early as January 1915. In that month, the first rifles arrived but they were Japanese models and with only 100 rounds of ammunition each. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division at Epsom Downs on 21st of January 1916, by which date only one battalion was fully equipped with rifles.

      In March 1917, the 47th (2nd London) Division was preparing to embark for service in France. Many large drafts left 60th Division to bring the 'first line' up to full strength. Later that month the Division moved to St Albans. At the end of May Divisional HQ moved to Bishops Stortford and the units were scattered across Hertfordshire and Essex. At last, 6300 Lee Enfield rifles were received in November 1915. Modern artillery also began to arrive at the end of the month. The Division moved to Warminster (Salisbury Plain) training area in late January 1916, with Divisional HQ being set up at Sutton Veny. King George V inspected the Division there on 31st of May. Orders were received on 14th of June 1916 to send advance parties to Le Havre and Boulogne to prepare for the Division to cross to France. The crossing was completed by the 29th of June and the Division concentrated in XVII Corps area.

      On 1st of November 1916 the Division received orders to re-organise, preparatory for a move to Salonika. Units entrained at Longpre between 14-25 November and, going via Marseilles and Malta, assembled at Salonika on 25 December 1916. The Division then took part in the following engagements:

      1917

      • The Battle of Doiran
      • The Third Battle of Gaza
      • The capture of Jerusalem
      • The defence of Jerusalem

      1918

      • The capture of Jericho
      • The battle of Tell'Asur
      • The first Trans-Jordan raid
      • The attack on Amman
      • The second Trans-Jordan raid

      Between 26th of May and 1st of August 1918 the Division was "Indianised"; that is, British units (most of which went to France) were exchanged for units of the Indian Army. They then saw action in:

      • Battle of Sharon

          Divisional HQ moved to Mulebbis on 24th of September and thence to Auja in early October. It moved (after the Armistice) to Lydda, then five days later a longer move via Qantara to Alexandria commenced. By the 26th of November the whole Division was at Alexandria and demobilisation commenced and was complete by the 31st of May 1919 when the Division ceased to exist.

          179th (2/4th London) Brigade

          • 2/13th Battalion, London Regiment
          • 2/14th Battalion, London Regiment left 30 May 1918
          • 2/15th Battalion, London Regiment left 30 May 1918
          • 2/16th Battalion, London Regiment left 30 May 1918
          • 179th Machine Gun Company joined 29 June 1916, moved to 60th Battalion, MGC 14 May 1918
          • 179th Trench Mortar Battery joined 4 July 1916
          • SAA Section Ammunition Column joined December 1916, left June 1917
          • 3/151st Infantry joined 4 June 1918
          • 2/19th Punjabis joined 23 June 1918
          • 2/127th Baluchis joined 26 June 1918

          180th (2/5th London) Brigade

          • 2/17th Battalion, London Regiment left 27 May 1918
          • 2/18th Battalion, London Regiment disbanded 4-7 July 1918
          • 2/19th Battalion, London Regiment
          • 2/20th Battalion, London Regiment left 27 May 1918
          • 180th Machine Gun Company joined 29 June 1916, moved to 60th Battalion, MGC 14 May 1918
          • 180th Trench Mortar Battery joined 4 July 1916
          • SAA Section Ammunition Column joined December 1916, left June 1917 2nd Guides joined 13 July 1918
          • 2/30th Punjabis joined 13 July 1918
          • 1/50th Kumaon Rifles joined 23 July 1918

          181st (2/6th London) Brigade

          • 2/21st Battalion, London Regiment disbanded 3 June 1918
          • 2/22nd Battalion, London Regiment
          • 2/23rd Battalion, London Regiment left 26 May 1918
          • 2/24th Battalion, London Regiment left 26 May 1918
          • 181st Machine Gun Company joined 29 June 1916, moved to 60th Battalion, MGC 14 May 1918
          • 181st Trench Mortar Battery joined 4 July 1916
          • SAA Section Ammunition Column joined December 1916, left June 1917
          • 2/97th Infantry joined 26 June 1918
          • 130th Baluchis joined 26 June 1918
          • 2/152nd Infantry joined 30 June 1918

          Divisional Troops

          • 1/12th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 1 June 1916, left 30 April 1918
          • 2/155th Pioneers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 28 June 1918, left for 10th Division 19 July 1918
          • 2/107th Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion 16 September 1918 60th Battalion, MGC formed 14 May 1918

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          • 2/2nd City of London Yeomanry left 24 January 1916
          • 60th Divisional Cyclist Company left 5 September 1916
          • B Sqn, 1/1st Hampshire Carabiniers joined 26 April 1916, left 8 July 1916
          • A Sqn, Duke of Lancaster's Yeomanry were briefly attached in August 1917

          Divisional Artillery

          • CCC (2/V London) Brigade, RFA broken up 30-31 August 1916
          • CCCI (2/VI London) Brigade, RFA
          • CCCII (2/VII London) Brigade, RFA
          • CCCIII (2/VIII London (Howitzer)) Brigade, RFA
          • 60th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
          • 2/2nd London Heavy Battery RGA left 24 January 1916
          • 1/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA joined 7 April 1915, left 24 January 1916
          • 2/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA joined April 1915, left 24 January 1916
          • W.60 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 28 July1916; left December 1916
          • X.60, Y.60 and Z.60 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 6 July 1916; all disbanded in arrival in Egypt

          Royal Engineers

          • 2/3rd London Field Company left and moved independently to France 23 June 1915, joined 47th (2nd London) Division
          • 521st (2/4th London) Field Company
          • 519th (3/3rd London) Field Company joined by November 1915
          • 522nd (1/6th London) Company joined June 1915, left 18 July 1918
          • 60th Divisional Signals Company

          Royal Army Medical Corps

          • 2/4th London Field Ambulance broken up 30 June - 4 July 1918
          • 2/5th London Field Ambulance broken up 30 June - 4 July 1918
          • 2/6th London Field Ambulance broken up 30 June - 4 July 1918
          • 60th Sanitary Section joined 29 February 1916
          • 121st Combined Field Ambulance joined 29 June 1918
          • 160th Combined London Field Ambulance joined 30 June 1918
          • 179th Combined Field Ambulance joined 1 July 1918

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 60th Divisional Train ASC 517, 518, 519 and 520 Companies ASC (while in Salonika the Train was reorganised. These Companies became the Wheeled Echelon. A Pack Echelon, consisting of 861, 862, 863 and 864 Companies, was also formed. The organisation reverted once in Egypt)
          • 2/2nd London Mobile Veterinary Section AVC


           Divisional History  The 56th (1st London) Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. It was formed as 1st London Division was a result of the reforms of the army carried out in 1908 under the Secretary of State for War, Richard Burdon Haldane and was one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF.

          1914

          The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914. All of the infantry units left the Division during the period September 1914 - April 1915, most being sent independently to France as reinforcements for the BEF.

          1915

          1916

          In January 1916 the War Office authorised the re-formation of the London Division, now to be known as the 56th, in France. The Division began to concentrate in the Hallencourt area on 5th of February and was largely completed by 21 February. It then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

          • The diversionary attack at Gommecourt - Somme
          • The Battle of Ginchy - Somme
          • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
          • The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles - Somme 1916
          • The Battle of the Transloy Ridges - Somme

          1917

          • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
          • The First Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
          • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
          • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of the Ypres
          • The capture of Tadpole Copse - Cambrai Operations
          • The capture of Bourlon Wood - Cambrai Operations
          • The German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

          1918

          • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
          • The Battle of Albert - Somme
          • The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
          • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of the Cambrai - Hindenburg Line
          • The pursuit to the Selle - Final Advance in Picardy
          • The Battle of the Sambre - Final Advance in Picardy
          • The passage of the Grand Honelle - Final Advance in Picardy

          By the end of the 10th of November 1918 the Division had been withdrawn for rest, although the artillery was still in action up to the Armistice at 1100 on 11th of November. The forward infantry was on that date at Harveng. The Division received orders to join the British force that would advance across Belgium and move into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads. These orders were cancelled on 21 November, at which time the Division was employed on road and railway repair work in the area of Harveng. In all, the Division existed as such for 1010 days during the Great War; it spent 330 days at rest, 195 in quiet sectors, 385 in active sectors and 100 days in battle. Demobilisation began and the final cadres left for home on 18 May 1919. The Division reformed as part of the Territorial Army in April 1920.

          Order of Battle of the 56th (1st London) Division.

          167th (1st London) Brigade. Left the Division and moved to Malta in September 1914. It reformed at Hallencourt in February 1916.

          • 1/1st Battalion, London Regiment left May 1915, rejoined February 1916
          • 1/2nd Battalion, London Regiment left February 1915
          • 1/3rd Battalion, London Regiment left May 1915, rejoined February 1916, left January 1918
          • 1/4th Battalion, London Regiment left January 1915
          • 1/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment joined February 1916
          • 167th Machine Gun Company formed 22 March 1916, moved to 56th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
          • 167th Trench Mortar Battery joined 14 June 1916
          • 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment joined October 1917, left November 1917

          168th (2nd London) Brigade. Broken up in November 1914. It reformed at Yanville in February 1916.

          • 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
          • 1/6th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
          • 1/7th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
          • 1/8th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914
          • 1/4th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/12th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916, left January 1918
          • 1/13th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/14th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 168th Machine Gun Company formed 16 March 1916, moved to 56th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
          • 168th Trench Mortar Battery joined 13 June 1916

          169th (3rd London) Brigade. Broken up in April 1915. It reformed at Hallencourt in February 1916.

          • 1/9th Battalion, London Regiment left November 1914, rejoined February 1916, left February 1918
          • 1/10th Battalion, London Regiment left April 1915
          • 1/11th Battalion, London Regiment left April 1915
          • 1/12th Battalion, London Regiment left December 1914
          • 1/2nd Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 1/16th Battalion, London Regiment joined February 1916
          • 169th Machine Gun Company formed 17 March 1916, moved to 56th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
          • 169th Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 June 1916

          Divisional Troops

          • 1/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, February 1916
          • 193rd Machine Gun Company joined 24 December 1916, moved to 56th Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
          • 56th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          • 2nd County of London Yeomanry left April 1915
          • B Squadron, 2nd King Edward's Horse joined March 1915, left 30 May 1915
          • 1st London Divisional Cyclist Company joined April 1916, left May 1916

          Divisional Artillery The Divisional Artillery was attached to the 36th (Ulster) Division in September 1915, after which the Brigades were attached to various other Divisions and formations before rejoining in February 1916.

          • CCLXXX (I London) Brigade, RFA
          • CCLXXXI (II London) Brigade, RFA
          • CCLXXXII (III London) Brigade, RFA left January 1917
          • CCLXXXIII (IV London) (How) Bde, RFA broken up November 1916
          • 1st London Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which left the Division to join 58th Division in early 1915
          • 56th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
          • V.56 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed May 1916, left February 1918
          • X.56, Y.56 and Z.56 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed mid May 1916, in early February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 1st London Field Company left December 1914
          • 2nd London Field Company left January 1915
          • 416th (1st Edinburgh) Field Company joined May 1916
          • 512th (2/1st London) Field Company joined February 1916
          • 513th (2/2nd London) Field Company joined February 1916
          • 56th Divisional Signals Company original company went with 1st Brigade to Malta and remained there; replaced in February 1916 by the Signals Company from 58th Division

          Royal Army Medical Corps

          • 1st London Field Ambulance left June 1916
          • 2nd London Field Ambulance left December 1914
          • 3rd London Field Ambulance left December 1914
          • 2/1st London Field Ambulance joined February 1916
          • 2/2nd London Field Ambulance joined February 1916
          • 2/3rd London Field Ambulance joined February 1916
          • 56th Sanitary Section joined 11 February 1916, left for VII Corps 1 April 1917

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 56th Divisional Train ASC Originally 170, 171, 172 and 173 Coys but they were detached in November 1915 and moved to Salonika with 28th Division. Replaced by 213, 214, 215 and 216 Coys ASC from 30th Division
          • 1st London Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 14 March 1916
          • 56th Divisional Ambulance Workshop joined 28 February 1916, absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 31 March 1916
          • 247th Divisional Employment Company joined 23 June 1917


             The 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division was formed as the 2nd West Lancashire Division a second line Territorial Division On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. When some of the 'first line' units of the senior 55th (West Lancashire) Division were sent overseas, their place in that Division was taken by the 'second line'. The remainder, less the artillery which was in a parlous state as far as equipment went, moved to concentrate at Canterbury, Maidstone and Ashford and were formed into the 2nd West Lancashire Division, which got the number 57 in August 1915. The Divisional symbol is a D on its side, the D standing for Lord Derby. The 'second line' Divisions suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The artillery did not leave its home basis for Canterbury until September 1915, having received some obsolescent equipment from the 'first line' units which were being re-equipped with modern guns. The infantry received Japanese rifles, quite different to the Lee-Enfields that equipped the British armies in the fields, and only got modern rifles and ammunition in late November 1915.

          1916

          The passing of the Military Service Act in early 1916 deemed all men to have agreed to serve overseas and thus the Division was available to be sent, once it was trained. In July 1916 the units of the Division moved to the Aldershot area, being based at Blackdown, Deepcut, Pirbright, Woking and other places in the vicinity.

          1917

          The Division received a warning order on 5th of January 1917 that it would soon depart for France. The units crossed the Channel between the 7th and 22nd of February and completed concentration at Merris on 23rd of February 1917. Three days later it took over the right sector of II Anzac Corps, north of Le Tilleloy. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

          The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

          1918

          • The Battles of the Lys (Divisional artillery only)
          • The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
          • The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line - Arras
          • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of the Cambrai - Hindenburg Line in which the Division assisted in the capture of Cambrai
          • The occupation of Lille during the general final advance in Artois

          The Division was withdrawn for rest on 1 November and was in the eastern suburbs of Lille at the Armistice. On 21st of November 1918 the Division received orders to move to Arras to begin the process of clearing up. It had arrived in the area by 4 December. Here the units began to demobilise and by 23rd of March 1919 the Division was down to a small set of cadres. The last of these started for England on 25th of June 1919 and on 4th of July the last artillery sailed, bringing the history of the Division to an end.

          Order of Battle of the 57th (West Lancashire) Division

          170th (2/1st North Lancashire) Brigade

          • 2/4th Battalion, King's Own left 20 October 1915
          • 2/5th Battalion, King's Own
          • 2/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
          • 2/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left February 1918
          • 4/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined 22 October 1915, absorbed by 1/5th Bn February 1918
          • 170th Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, moved to 57th Battalion, MGC 1 Mar 1918
          • 170th Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1917
          • 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment joined February 1918

          171st (2/1st Liverpool) Brigade

          • 2/5th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) disbanded February 1918
          • 2/6th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
          • 2/7th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment)
          • 2/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) absorbed by 1/8th Battalion, January 1918
          • 171st Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, moved to 57th Battalion, MGC 1 Mar 1918
          • 171st Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1917
          • 1/8th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1918

          172nd (2/1st South Lancashire) Brigade

          • 2/9th Battalion,e King's (Liverpool Regiment) absorbed by 1/9th Bn January 1918
          • 2/10th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) left April 1918
          • 2/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment
          • 2/5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment left 13 February 1915, rejoined January 1916
          • 172nd Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, moved to 57th Battalion, MGC 1 Mar 1918
          • 172nd Trench Mortar Battery joined February 1917
          • 1/9th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined January 1918
          • 1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers joined April 1918

          Divisional Troops

          • 2/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regt joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn February 1918
          • 173rd Machine Gun Company joined 31 March 1917, moved to 57th Battalion, MGC 1 Mar 1918
          • 57th Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          • 1/1st Lancashire Hussars left 29 October 1915 (1 Squadronn) and 14 November 1915 (2 Squadrons)
          • 1/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion joined October 1915, left 2 December 1915
          • A Squadron, 2/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry joined 1916, left before Division sailed
          • West Lancashire Divisional Cyclist Company left 7 December 1915
          • 57th Divisional Cyclist Company joined 1916, left before Division sailed

          Divisional Artillery the artillery of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division also served with this Division from April to September 1915

          • CCLXXXV (2/I West Lancs) Brigade, RFA
          • CCLXXXVI (2/II West Lancs) Brigade, RFA
          • CCLXXXVII (2/III West Lancs) Brigade, RFA broken up 20 February 1917 (2/IV West Lancs) (How) Bde, RFA broken up July 1916 (ie before brigades were numbered)
          • 1st Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which joined from 55th Division in April 1915, left 28 December 1915 and moved independently to France, arriving on 26 January 1916 and coming initially under orders of XXIX Heavy Artillery Brigade
          • 2/1st Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA joined 26 November 1915, received four 4.7-inch guns on 29 December 1915, later moved independently to France, arriving on 1 July 1916 and coming initially under orders of II Anzac Corps
          • 57th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
          • W.57 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined 1 March 1917, left for XV Corps 17 February 1918
          • X.57, Y.57 and Z.57 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 1 March 1917, in February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 422nd (2/1st West Lancs) Field Company left December 1915
          • 423rd (2/2nd West Lancs) Field Company left December 1915
          • 421st (1/3rd West Lancs) Field Company joined December 1915
          • 502nd (1/3rd Wessex) Field Company joined December 1915
          • 505th (2/3rd Wessex) Field Company joined February 1916
          • 57th Divisional Signals Company

          Royal Army Medical Corps

          • 2/1st West Lancs Field Ambulance left 7 December 1915
          • 1/2nd West Lancs Field Ambulance left 22 October 1915
          • 1/3rd West Lancs Field Ambulance left 7 December 1915
          • 2/2nd Wessex Field Ambulance joined 4 December 1915
          • 3/2nd West Lancs Field Ambulance joined 4 December 1915
          • 2/3rd Wessex Field Ambulance joined 5 December 1915
          • 57th Sanitary Section left for Second Army 15 April 1917

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 57th Divisional Train ASC The original 55th Divisional Train, formed in September 1915 and composed of 505, 506, 507 and 508 Companies ASC, remained at home when the units of that Division moved to France. It was transferred to the 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division.
          • 57th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined by September 916
          • 248th Divisional Employment Company formed by 16 June 1917


             The 58th (2/1st London) Division was formed as the 2/1st London Division, a second line Territorial Division. On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. When many of the 'first line' units of the senior 56th (1st London) Division were sent overseas, that Division was temporarily disbanded and the rest of its units joined the 'second line' in the 2/1st London Division. The number 57 was not issued until August 1915.

          The 2/1st London Infantry Brigade was sent for garrison duty at Malta in early 1915, being replaced in the Division by the 'third line' 3/1st London Infantry Brigade. The 'second line' Divisions suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The passing of the Military Service Act in early 1916 deemed all men to have agreed to serve overseas and thus the Division was available to be sent, once it was trained. After being based in the Ipswich area, the Division took over the East Coast defences in spring 1916. It moved again, to Sutton Veny, in July 1916.

          1917

          The Division received a warning order on 1st of January 1917 that it would soon depart for France. The units crossed the Channel from Southampton and Boulogne from 20th January and completed concentration at Lucheux on 8th of February. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

          • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of Bullecourt
          • The actions of the Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of Ypres
          • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of Ypres
          • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battles of Ypres

          1918

          • The Battle of St Quentin
          • The Battle of the Avre
          • The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux
          • The Battle of Amiens
          • The Battle of Albert - Somme
          • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme
          • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line
          • The general final advance in Artois

          The Division had crossed the River Scheldt and the forward units were south of Ath on 11 November 1918. The Division remained in the Peruwelz area after the Armistice. Here the units began to demobilise and by early March 1919 the Division was down to a small set of cadres which were moved to Leuze. The last units sailed for home at the end of June 1919, bringing the history of the Division to an end.

          Order of Battle of the 58th (London) Division

          2/1st London Brigade Brigade left the Division for Malta in early 1915

          • 2/1st Battalion, London Regiment arrived Malta 11 February 1915
          • 2/2nd Battalion, London Regiment arrived Malta 31 December 1914
          • 2/3rd Battalion, London Regiment arrived 31 December 1914
          • 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment arrived 31 December 1914

          174th (2/2nd London) Brigade

          • 2/5th Battalion, London Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
          • 2/6th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 6th Battalion 31 January 1918
          • 2/7th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 7th Battalion 2 February 1918
          • 2/8th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 8th Battalion 2 February 1918
          • 198th Machine Gun Company joined 21 February 1917, moved to 58th Battalion, MGC 2 Mar 1918
          • 174th Trench Mortar Battery

          175th (2/3rd London) Brigade

          • 2/9th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 9th Battalion on 1st February 1918
          • 2/10th Battalion, London Regiment
          • 2/11th Battalion, London Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
          • 2/12th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 12th Battalion 31 January 1918
          • 44th Machine Gun Company attached 23 February 1917 to 22 March 1917
          • 215th Machine Gun Company joined 21 March 1917, moved to 58th Battalion, MGC 2 Mar 1918
          • 175th Trench Mortar Battery

          173rd (3/1st London) Brigade formed April 1915, replaced 2/1st London Brigade in this Division in August 1915

          • 3/1st Battalion, London Regiment renamed 2/1st Battalion, June 1916, disbanded 31 January 1918
          • 3/2nd Battalion, London Regiment renamed 2/2nd Battalion, June 1916, left 12 September 1918
          • 3/3rd Battalion, London Regiment renamed 2/3rd Battalion, June 1916, became 3rd Bn 31 January 1918
          • 3/4th Battalion, London Regiment renamed 2/4th Battalion, June 1916, aborbed into 2/2nd Battalion, 12 September 1918
          • 197th Machine Gun Company attached 22 February 1917 to 26 March 1917
          • 214th Machine Gun Company joined 25 March 1917, moved to 58th Battalion, MGC 2 Mar 1918
          • 173rd Trench Mortar Battery
          • 2/24th Battalion, London Regiment joined at Guyencourt 11 September 1918

          Divisional Troops

          • 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 15 February 1918
          • 206th Machine Gun Company joined 24 March 1917, moved to 58th Battalion, MGC 2 Mar 1918
          • 58th Battalion MGC formed 2 March 1918
          • 100th Machine Gun Company attached 7-25 September 1918

          Divisional Mounted Troops

          • 1/1st Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry broken up early 1915
          • A Sqn, Hampshire Carabiniers joined 21 March 1916 (A Sqn moved independently to France 17 January 1917, rejoined 25 January 1917)
          • 1/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion joined October 1915, left 2 December 1915
          • 2/1st Wessex Divisional Cyclist Company left before Division sailed

          Divisional Artillery note: the artillery of 1st London Division came under command of this Division August 1915 - 23 September 1915 when transferred to the 36th (Ulster) Division

          • CCXC (2/I London) Brigade, RFA joined 25 September 1915
          • CCXCI (2/II London) Brigade, RFA joined 27 September 1915
          • CCXCIII (2/III London) Brigade, RFA joined 25 September 1915, became Army Brigade January 1917 (note: Brigade included 1st Glamorgan RHA and 1st Shropshire RHA)
          • 2/IV London (How) Bde, RFA joined 21 September 1915, broken up July 1916 (ie before brigades were numbered)
          • 1st London Heavy Battery, RGA a battery of four 4.7-inch guns which joined from 1st London Division in early 1915, left 11 February and moved independently to France, arriving on 3 March 1916 and coming initially under orders of XXVII Heavy Artillery Group
          • 2/1st London Heavy Battery, RGA joined 24 September 1915, did not sail and remained in England
          • 58th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
          • V.58 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA most personnel to X.58 and Y.58 on 8 February 1918, rest left for V/III Corps 18 February 1918
          • X.58, Y.58 and Z.58 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined 1 March 1917, on 7-8 February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

          Royal Engineers

          • 2/1st London Field Company left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 2/2nd London Field Company left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 511th (1/5th London) Field Company joined 16 November 1915
          • 503rd (2/1st Wessex) Field Company joined 22 February 1916
          • 504th (2/2nd Wessex) Field Company joined 23 February 1916
          • 58th Divisional Signals Company

          Royal Army Medical Corps

          • 2/1st London Field Ambulance left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 2/2nd London Field Ambulance left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 2/3rd London Field Ambulance left for 1st London Division 21 February 1916
          • 2/1st Home Counties Field Ambulance joined 22 February 1916
          • 2/2nd Home Counties Ambulance joined 22 February 1916
          • 2/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance joined 22 February 1916
          • 58th Sanitary Section left for VIII Corps 30 March1917

          Other Divisional Troops

          • 58th Divisional Train ASC 509, 510, 511 and 512 Companies ASC
          • 58th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined 21 November 1915
          • 249th Divisional Employment Company formed by 23 June 1917, broken up 22 April 1919


             The 59th (2nd North Midland) Division was formed as the 2nd North Midland Division, a second line territorial division. On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward. The 'first line' 46th (North Midland) Division went to France in March 1915. The units of the 'second line', the 2nd North Midland Division, remained at home for some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected

          In early January 1915 the units moved and concentrated in the Luton area. Drafts began to leave for the 'first line' units in June, and their places taken by new recruits.In July 1915 the Division moved to St Albans and soon afterward the number 59 was issued and the full title became 59th (2nd North Midland Division).

          1916

          In April 1916 the Division was hurriedly ordered to Ireland to assist in quelling troubles that broke out in Dublin and elsewhere. Severe fighting took place in the battle against the Irish nationalist forces. The Division's first battle casualties were incurred. Once things had settled down the units moved from Dublin to the Curragh. The passing of the Military Service Act in early 1916 deemed all men to have agreed to serve overseas and thus the Division was available to be sent, once it was trained.

          1917

          The Division returned to England in January 1917 and was based at Fovant by the end of the month. (The 65th (2nd Lowland) Division replaced it in Ireland). Orders were received to the effect that it would soon depart for France. Advanced parties left on 2 February: they missed an inspection by King George V that took place on 13 February. The units crossed the Channel from 17 February and completed concentration at Mericourt on 3 March 1917. Reports said that the Division could not be considered properly trained (largely as it had been split up in Ireland) but it did not have any opportunity to add to its training before it was thrown into the front line south of the Somme, near Estrees. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

          • The pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line
          • The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge - Third Battles of the Ypres
          • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battles of the Ypres
          • The capture of Bourlon Wood - Cambrai Operations
          • The German counter attacks - Cambrai Operations

          1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin - Somme (only 177th Brigade and the artillery)
        • The Battle of Bapaume - Somme 1918
        • The Battle of Bailleul - Battles of the Lys
        • The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge - Battles of the Lys
        • The Battle of Albert - Somme 1918
        • The Final advance in Artois and Flanders.

        In May, the battalions of 176th Brigade left to go to Egypt. By July 1919 the Division was down to a small set of cadres and on 1 September 1919 the history of the Division came to an end.

        Order of Battle of the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division

        176th (2/1st Staffordshire) Brigade

        • 2/5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
        • 2/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 30 May 1918
        • 2/5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment merged with 1/5th Battalion, 30 January 1918, reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
        • 2/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment reduced to cadre 9 May 1918, left 7 June 1918
        • 174th Machine Gun Company joined 178th Brigade 28 February 1917
        • 176th Trench Mortar Battery formed 20 January 1917, disbanded 8 May 1918, reformed 11 July 1918
        • 6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as cadre 7-10 May 1918 and left for 176th Brigade 18 June 1918
        • 1st Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion,joined 13 May 1918, renamed 17th Garrison Battalion, Worcestershire regiment on 25 May, left 18 June 1918
        • 2nd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, left for 177th Brigade 22 May 1918
        • 3rd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, left for 177th Brigade 22 May1918
        • 4th Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined 13 May 1918, redesignated as 23rd Garrison Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers 25 May 1918, left 18 June 1918
        • 4th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined 16 May 1918, renamed 26th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 25th Garrison Guard Battalion, Kings (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 177th Brigade 16 June 1918, renamed 25th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 5th Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined 13 May 1918, renamed 17th Garrison Guard Battalion, 25 May 1918 and then 17th Bn 16 July 1918

        177th (2/1st Lincoln & Leicester) Brigade

        • 2/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment merged with 1/4th Battalion, 31 January 1918, reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
        • 2/5th Battalion,Lincolnshire Regiment reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 29 May 1918
        • 2/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment reduced to cadre 8 May 1918, left 18 June 1918
        • 2/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
        • 44th Machine Gun Company attached 23 February 1917 to 22 March 1917
        • 177th Machine Gun Company joined 127 February 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
        • 177th Trench Mortar Battery formed 20 January 1917, disbanded 8 May 1918, reformed 17 August 1918
        • 2/6th Garrison Guard Battalion, Durham Light Infantry joined 10 May 1918, renamed 2/6th Bn 16 July 1918
        • 11th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment joined 12 May 1918, renamed 11th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 15th Garrison Guard Battalion, Essex Regiment joined 12 May 1918, renamed 15th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 2nd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined from 176th Brigade 22 May 1918, redesignated as 25th Garrison Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps on 25 May 1918, left to become Divisional Pioneers 16 June 1918
        • 3rd Provisional Garrison Guard Battalion, joined from 176th Brigade 22 May 1918, redesignated as 13th Garrison Battalion, Duke of Wellington's on 25 May 1918, left for 178th Brigade 16 June 1918

        178th (2/1st Sherwood Forester) Brigade

        • 2/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, left 2 June 1918
        • 2/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
        • 2/7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters merged with 1/7th Battalion, 31 January 1918, reduced to cadre 7 May 1918, left 28 May 1918
        • 2/8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters disbanded by 30 January 1918
        • 174th Machine Gun Company attached 24 February 1917 to 6 March 1917
        • 175th Machine Gun Company joined 13 March 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
        • 178th Trench Mortar Battery
        • 36th Garrison Guard Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers joined 12 May 1918, renamed 36th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 11th Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined 12 May 1918, renamed 11th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 2nd Garrison Guard Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment joined 17 May 1918, resdignated 8th Garrison Battalion, 25 May 1918, left 19 June 1918
        • 25th Garrison Guard Battalion, Cheshire Regiment joined 25 May 1918, left 19 June 1918
        • 13th Garrison Battalion, Duke of Wellington's joined from 177th Brigade 16 June 1918, renamed 13th Battalion, on 16 July 1918

        Divisional Troops

        • 6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion, 21 February 1918, reduced to cadre 7-10 May 1918 and left for 176th Brigade
        • 200th Machine Gun Company joined 18 January 1917, moved to 59th Battalion, MGC 7-8 Mar 1918
        • 59th Battalion MGC formed 7-8 March 1918, reduced to cadre and disappeared May 1918
        • 25th Garrison Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 16 June 1918, retitled as 25th Battalion, 16 July 1918
        • 200th Machine Gun Company joined 2 October 1918

        Divisional Mounted Troops

        • 2/1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry left when Division moved to Ireland
        • 2/1st North Midland Divisional Cyclist Company joined 17 March 1915, left when Division went to France
        • C Squadron, 2/1st Northumberland Fusiliers joined 28 March 1916, left for
        • XIX Corps on 26 March 1917

        Divisional Artillery

        • CCXCV (2/I N Midland) Brigade, RFA
        • CCXCVI (2/II N Midland) Brigade, RFA
        • CCXCVII (2/III N Midland) Brigade, RFA broken up before Division moved to France
        • CCXCVIII (2/IV N Midland) (How) Bde, RFA leftto become Army Brigade 4 April 1917
        • 2/1st North Midland Heavy Battery, RGA joined 5 February 1915, left and moved independently to France, arriving on 3 May 1916 and coming initially under orders of VI Corps Heavy Artillery
        • 1/IV Home Counties (How) Bde, RFA attached 10 March to 27 June 1915
        • 1/I Wessex Heavy Battery, RGA attached 13 March to 7 April 1915
        • 2/I Wessex Heavy Battery, RGA attached 20 February to April 1916
        • 59th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
        • V.59 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed 20 January 1917, left March 1918
        • X.59, Y.59 and Z.59 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed 20 January 1917, in February 1918 Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

        Royal Engineers

        • 467th (1/3rd North Midland) Field Company
        • 469th (2/2nd North Midland) Field Company joined 4 February 1915
        • 470th (3/1st North Midland) Field Company joined 4 February 1915
        • 59th Divisional Signals Company joined 4 February 1915

        Royal Army Medical Corps

        • 2/1st North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
        • 2/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
        • 2/3rd North Midland Field Ambulance joined 3 February 1915
        • 59th Sanitary Section left for Cavalry Corps 18-19 May 1917

        Other Divisional Troops

        • 59th Divisional Train ASC 513, 514, 515 and 516 Companies ASC
        • 59th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
        • 250th Divisional Employment Company formed by 16 June 1917


           61st (2nd South Midland) Division was formed in 1914. On 31st of August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward. The 'first line' 48th (South Midland) Division went to France in March 1915. The units of the 'second line', the 2nd South Midland Division, remained at home for some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions suffered it greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected

        In early January 1915 the units moved and concentrated in the Northampton area. Drafts began to leave for the 'first line' units, and their places taken by new recruits. In April 1915 the Division moved to Chelmsford and soon afterward the number 61 was issued and the full title became 61st (2nd South Midland Division). The units were inspected by Lord Kitchener on 6 August 1915. In February and early March 1916 the Division moved to Salisbury Plain. King George V inspected the Division at Bulford on 5 May 1916. The Division was warned in May that it would go on overseas service and entrainment began on the 21st. By 28 May the Division, less the Ammunition Column (which was still at Le Havre), had concentrated in the area of Merville - Gonnehem - Busnes - Thiennes. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

        1916

        • The Attack at Fromelles

        1917

        • The Operations on the Ancre
        • The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
        • The Battle of Langemarck - Third Battles of Ypres
        • The German counter attacks at Cambrai

        1918

        • The Battle of St Quentin
        • The Actions at the Somme Crossings
        • The Battle of Estaires
        • The Battle of Hazebrouck
        • The Battle of Bethune
        • The Battle of the Selle
        • The Battle of Valenciennes

      The Division was relieved on 3rd of November and was south of Valenciennes, along the River Ecaillon, at the Armistice. It withdrew west, being near Cambrai by 17th of November and west of Dullens from 28 November. The Division began to demobilise in January 1919 and for a time men were leaving for home at a rate of 1,000 per week. Two battalions were detached for duties at the Base Ports, otherwise the Division was chiefly employed on guard duty and working parties. A battalion was sent to restore order when trouble broke out between the British West Indies Regiment and the Chinese Labour Corps at Abancourt. In July drafts were sent to Egypt and the Black Sea, and Divisional HQ in France closed on 30 July 1919.

      Order of Battle of the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division

      182nd (2nd Warwickshire) Brigade

      • 2/5th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 2/6th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
      • 2/7th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment
      • 2/8th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 182nd Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 61st Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
      • 182nd Trench Mortar Battery formed 13 June 1916
      • 2/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment joined from 183rd Brigade February 1918

      183rd (2nd Gloucester & Worcester) Brigade

      • 2/4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 2/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 2/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment disbanded February 1918
      • 2/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment left for 182nd Brigade February 1918
      • 183rd Machine Gun Company joined 19 June 1916, moved to 61st Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
      • 183rd Trench Mortar Battery formed 27 June 1916
      • 1/9th Battalion, Royal Scots joined February 1918, left June 1918
      • 1/5th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders joined February 1918, left June 1918
      • 1/8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders joined February 1918, left June 1918
      • 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers joined June 1918
      • 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment joined June 1918
      • 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment joined June 1918

      184th (2nd South Midland) Brigade

      • 2/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
      • 2/4th Battalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
      • 2/1st Battalion, Ox & Bucks Light Infantry disbanded February 1918
      • 2/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment
      • 184th Machine Gun Company joined 20 June 1916, moved to 61st Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
      • 184th Trench Mortar Battery formed 27 June 1916

      Divisional Troops

      • 1/5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn April 1916
      • 267th Machine Gun Company joined 18 January 1918, moved to 61st Battalion, MGC 1 March 1918
      • 61st Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 2/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry joined October 1915, left February 1916
      • 2/2nd County of London Yeomanry joined 24 January 1916, left February 1916
      • C Sqn, 1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry joined 18 March 1916, left 7 June 1916
      • 2nd South Midland Divisional Cyclist Company left June 1916

      Divisional Artillery Note: the artillery of 59th Division was also attached between 8 and 26 August 1918

      • CCCV (2/I South Midland) Brigade, RFA broken up 17 September 1916
      • CCCVI (2/II South Midland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCVII (2/III South Midland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCVIII (2/IV S.M.) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up 27 January 1917
      • 2/1st South Midland (Warwicks) Heavy Battery, RGA left 3 February 1916
      • 2/2nd London Heavy Battery RGA joined 24 January 1916, left 3 February 1916
      • 1/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA attached 24 January to February 1916
      • 2/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA attached 24 January to February 1916
      • 61st Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.61 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA formed by 16 August 1916; left 7 February 1918
      • X.61, Y.61 and Z.61 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA formed June 1916; on 7 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

      Royal Engineers

      • 477th (2/1st South Midland) Field Company moved independently to France and joined 48th Division June 1915
      • 478th (2/2nd South Midland) Field Company
      • 479th (3/1st South Midland) Field Company
      • 476th (1/3rd South Midland) Field Company joined by May 1916
      • 61st Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st South Midland Field Ambulance
      • 2/2nd South Midland Ambulance
      • 2/3rd South Midland Field Ambulance
      • 61st Sanitary Section left for IV Corps 12 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 61st Divisional Train ASC 521, 522, 523 and 524 Companies ASC
      • 2/1st South Midland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 251st Divisional Employment Company joined 7 June 1917


       Divisional History  The 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division in 1914-1918

      The history of 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division

      On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

      The 'first line' 49th (West Riding) Division went to France in April 1915.

      The units of the 'second line', the 2nd West Riding Division, remained at home for quite some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions suffered it greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The Division also continually supplied drafts of men to the 'first line', which delayed things terribly.

      In March 1915 Divisional HQ moved to Matlock Bath and the various units gradually moved to the Matlock, Derby, Belper, Nottingham and Bakewell areas. Two months later moves were made to Thoresby Park, Babworth Park, Welbeck Park, Southwell and Beverley. A further move in October 1915 saw all units concentrated in the area of Retford, then quickly going to Newcastle and in early 1916 to Salisbury Plain. Yet another move was made in June 1916, with the Division going to Lowestoft, Wangford, Flixton Park, Bungay and Somerleytown.

      The Division was inspected by King George V on 26 July 1916. The units made a final move to Bedford, Wellingborough and Northampton in October 1916, where orders were received to embark for France.

      The Divisional Ammunition Column sailed from Avonmouth for Rouen on 30 December 1916; the rest crossed from Southampton to Le Havre from 5 January 1917 and by 18 January concentration was completed in Third Army area between the rivers Canche and Authie. The Division then remained on the Western Front in France and Flanders for the rest of the war and took part in the following engagements:

      1917

      • The Operations on the Ancre ( 15 February - 13 March)
      • The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line (14 - 19 March)
      • The first attack on Bullecourt (part of the Arras offensive) (11 April)
      • The German attack on Lagnicourt (part of the Arras offensive) (15 April)
      • The Battle of Bullecourt (part of the flanking operations round Arras) (3 - 17 May)
      • The actions on the Hindenburg Line (20 - 28 May)
      • The Cambrai Operations (Tank attack 20 - 21 November and the capture of Bourlon Wood 27 - 28 November)

      1918

      • The Battle of Bapaume (25 March) - Somme 1918
      • The First Battle of Arras 1918 (28 March) - Somme 1918
      • The Battle of the Tardenois (Battles of the Marne 1918) (20 - 30 July)
      • The Battle of the Scarpe (26 - 30 August) - Arras 1918
      • The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line (2 September) - Arras 1918
      • The Battle of Havrincourt (12 September) - Hindenburg Line
      • The Battle of the Canal du Nord (27 - 30 September) - Hindenburg Line
      • The Battle of the Selle (17 - 23 October) - Final Advance in Picardy
      • The capture of Solesmes (20 October) - Final Advance in Picardy
      • The Battle of the Sambre (4 November) - Final Advance in Picardy

      On 9 November the Division entered the southern outskirts of Maubeuge, crossed the Sambre and reached the Maubeuge-Avesnes road. The Division was selected to form part of the army which would advance across Belgium and occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, the only Territorial formation to receive this honour. The move began on 18 November, although the Division halted 1 - 9 December between Ciney and Rochefort. The German border was crossed on 15 December and the last units reached the allotted area around Schleiden on Christmas Day.

      In February 1919, Scots battalions began to arrive and the Division was renamed as the Highland Division on 15 March 1919.

      The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division

      185th (2/1st West Riding) Brigade

      • 2/5th Bn, the West Yorkshire Regiment disbanded 13-18 August 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the West Yorkshire Regiment disbanded 31 January 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the West Yorkshire Regiment disbanded 16-19 June 1918
      • 2/8th Bn, the West Yorkshire Regiment became 8th Bn on 1 February 1918
      • 212th Machine Gun Company joined 9 March 1917, moved to 62nd Bn MGC 9 March 1918
      • 185th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 1/5th Bn, the Devonshire Regiment joined 6 June 1918
      • 2/20th Bn, the London Regiment joined 9 August 1918

      186th (2/2nd West Riding) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the Duke of Wellington's
      • 2/5th Bn, the Duke of Wellington's became 5th Bn on 1 February 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Duke of Wellington's disbanded 31 January 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Duke of Wellington's disbanded 17-18 June 1918
      • 213th Machine Gun Company joined 9 March 1917, moved to 62nd Bn MGC 9 March 1918
      • 186th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 2/4th Bn, the Hampshire Regiment joined 14 June 1918

      187th (2/3rd West Riding) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the King's Own Yorkshire LI
      • 2/5th Bn, the King's Own Yorkshire LI became 5th Bn on 2 February 1918
      • 2/4th Bn, the York & Lancaster Regiment
      • 2/5th Bn, the York & Lancaster Regiment disbanded 3 February 1918
      • 208th Machine Gun Company joined 4 March 1917, moved to 62nd Bn MGC 9 March 1918
      • 187th Trench Mortar Battery

      Divisional Troops

      • 1/9th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 12 February 1918
      • 201st Machine Gun Company joined 30 March 1917, moved to 62nd Bn MGC 9 March 1918
      • 62nd Battalion MGC formed 9 March 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • HQ, MG Section and B Sqn, the 2/1st Northumberland Hussars joined 18 April 1916, left before embarkation
      • 62nd Divisional Cyclist Company formed 23 March 1915, left 19 January 1917

      Divisional Artillery Note: the artillery of 59th Division was also attached 15-24 April 1918 and 17 May - 19 June 1918

      • CCCX (2/I West Riding) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXI (2/II West Riding) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXII (2/III West Riding) Brigade, RFA broken up 28 February 1917
      • 2/IV West Riding (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up may 1916
      • 2/1st West Riding Heavy Battery, RGA left before embarkation and attached to Tyne garrison
      • 62nd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.62 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA broken up 11 February 1918
      • X.62, Y.62 and Z.62 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA on 11 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have six 6-inch weapons each

      Royal Engineers

      • 2/1st West Riding Field Company left for 49th Division 23 June 1916, later retitled 458th
      • 2/2nd West Riding Field Company left for 6th Division 13 October 1915, later retitled 459th
      • 461st (3/1st West Riding) Field Company
      • 457th (1/3rd West Riding) Field Company joined by November 1916
      • 460th (2/3rd West Riding) Field Company joined by November 1916
      • 62nd Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st West Riding Field Ambulance
      • 2/2nd West Riding Ambulance
      • 2/3rd West Riding Field Ambulance
      • 62nd Sanitary Section left for First Army 8 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 62nd Divisional Train ASC retitled from the 2nd West Riding Divisional Transport and Supply Column, and the units also retitled as 525, 526, 527 and 528 Companies ASC
      • 2/1st West Riding Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined by November 1916
      • 252nd Divisional Employment Company formed by 14 July 1917


       Divisional History  The 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division in 1914-1918

      The history of 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division

      On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

      The 'first line' 50th (Northumbrian) Division went to France in April 1915.

      The units of the 'second line', the 2nd Northumbrian Division, remained at home. Along with other 'second line' Divisions suffered it greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected.

      Divisional HQ was set up at Newcastle and took responsibility for coastal defences of the sector Seaham Harbour - Sunderland - Newcastle; 188th Brigade at Swallwell Camp; 189th Brigade at Cramlington Camp and 190th at Heworth. The artillery was at Newcastle, Gosforth Park and Gateshead; the RE at Newcastle. King George V inspected the Division at Newcastle on 20 May 1915.

      On 26 July 1915 orders were received that 600 was the minimum strength for any 'second line' infantry battalion and any men in excess of that number could be taken for overseas service.

      On 30 November 1915, HQ moved to Retford in Nottinghamshire. 188th Brigade went to York; 189th Brigade to Retford and 190th to Doncaster. The artillery moved to Retford, York and Doncaster, with the heavy battery RGA going to Hedon; the RE to Worksop. It then remained at these locations.

      In late May 1916, the artillery left for service in France, going at first to Heytesbury and on 2 July 1916 sailing to join 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

      Orders were received to break up the Division and it ceased to exist on 21 July 1916, although the brigades remained a while longer (see below). 189th and 190th moved to Catterick on 22 July 1916.

      The units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division

      188th (2nd Northumbrian) Brigade broken up 14 November 1916

      • 2/4th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers moved to 72nd Division in November 1916
      • 2/5th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers moved to 72nd Division in November 1916
      • 2/6th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers moved to 72nd Division 27 November 1916
      • 2/7th Bn, the Northumberland Fusiliers sailed for Egypt 20 January 1917

      189th (2nd York & Durham) Brigade broken up 11 November 1916

      • 2/4th Bn, the East Yorkshire Regiment left 4 November 1916 for garrison duty at Bermuda
      • 2/4th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment moved to 73rd Division 9 November 1916
      • 2/5th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment moved to 73rd Division 9 November 1916
      • 2/5th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry left 31 October 1916 for garrison duty at Salonika

      190th (2nd Durham Light Infantry) Brigade broken up 4 December 1916

      • 2/6th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry moved to 71st Division 29 November 1916
      • 2/7th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry moved to 71st Division 29 November 1916
      • 2/8th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry moved to 71st Division 29 November 1916
      • 2/9th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry left 1 November 1916 for garrison duty at Salonika

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 1/1st Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade were under Divisional command to August 1915;
      • 2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade to April 1916;
      • 1/1st East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry until 21 May 1915
      • 2nd Northumbrian Divisional Cyclist Company formed at Whitburn Hall between 13 February and 19 April 1915

      Divisional Artillery left late May 1916

      • CCCXV (2/I Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXVI (2/II Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXVII (2/III Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXVIII (2/IV Nthbrn) (How.) Brigade, RFA
      • 2/1st Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery, RGA left 9 November 1915 for Tyne garrison

      Royal Engineers

      • 2/2nd Northumbrian Field Company joined 15th (Indian) Division in Mesopotamia by 1 December 1916. Numbered 448 Company 6 March 1917
      • 3/1st Northumbrian Field Company joined 15th (Indian) Division in Mesopotamia by 10 March 1917. Numbered 450 Company 6 March 1917
      • 1/3rd Northumbrian Field Company joined ny January 1916; moved on to
      • 15th (Indian) Division in Mesopotamia by 10 January 1917. Numbered 451 Company 6 March 1917
      • 2nd Northumbrian Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance moved to Salonika as Army Troops September 1916
      • 3/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance
      • 2/3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance moved to Salonika as XVI Corps Troops September 1916
      • 2/1st Northumbrian Sanitary Section left for Fourth Army 3 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 63rd Divisional Train ASC formed November 1914, the units were eventually titled 529, 530, 531 and 532 Companies ASC
      • 2/1st Northumbrian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC left 11 August 1915
      • 63rd Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 1916


         The Royal Marine Brigades were formed in August 1914 from the Reserves of the Royal Navy. They saw action in defence of Antwerp. The Royal Naval Division was formed on England in September 1914. The survivors of the RM Brigades joined in October. The Division moved to Egypt and saw action in the Gallipoli campaign. Transferred from the Admiralty to the War Office on in April 1916 the Division was redesignated 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on 19th of July 1916. They arrived at Marseilles in May 1916 and remained on the Western Front for the rest of the Great War.

      They saw action in The Battle of the Ancre, in November 1916, Operations on the Ancre in early 1917, Second Battle of the Scarpe in April 1917 in which the Division captured Gavrelle and the Battle of Arleux. In autum 1917 they saw action in the Third Battles of Ypres 1917 and The action of Welsh Ridge in December, They were in action during the German Spring offensive and The Battle of Albert in the summer of 1918, followed by the Battle of Drocourt-Queant in September 1918 and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy 63rd Royal Naval Division was demobilised in France in early 1919. It had suffered over 47,900 casualties during the Great War.

      Order of battle of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division

      • 1st Royal Naval Brigade was formed in August 1914, renamed 1st (Royal Naval) Brigade, then 1st Brigade. It was broken up in July 1916 with personnel transferred to the 3rd (Royal Marine) Brigade.
        • 1st (Drake) Battalion left May 1916
        • 2nd (Hawke) Battalion left May 1916
        • 3rd (Benbow) Battalion disbanded 9 June 1915
        • 4th (Collingwood) Battalion left 30 May 1915
        • 5th (Nelson) Battalion joined April 1915, left May 1916
        • 7th (Hood) Battalion joined August 1915, left July 1916
        • 12th (Deal) Battalion joined 12 March 1915, left 30 May 1915
        • 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment joined October 1915, left January 1916
        • 188th Machine Gun Company joined 12 May 1917, moved to 189th Brigade 19 June 1917
      • 2nd Royal Naval Brigade formed in August 1914, was renamed 2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade, and later 2nd (Royal Naval) Brigade. On the 19 July 1916, it became 189th Brigade.
        • 5th (Nelson) Battalion, transferred to 1st Brigade in April 1915, rejoined May 1916
        • 6th (Howe) Battalion left July 1916
        • 7th (Hood) Battalion transferred to 1st Brigade in August 1915, rejoined July 1916
        • 8th (Anson) Battalion left May 1916
        • Chatham & Deal Battalion joined August 1915, renamed 1st Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry, left May 1916
        • Portsmouth & Plymouth Battalion joined August 1915, renamed 2nd Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry, left May 1916
        • 2/2nd Battalion, London Regiment joined October 1915, left January 1916
        • 2nd (Hawke) Battalion, joined from 1st Brigade May 1916
        • 4th (Collingwood) Battalion joined from 1st Brigade May 1915, disbanded in June 1915
        • 1st (Drake) Battalion joined from 1st Brigade in July 1916
        • 189th Machine Gun Company joined from 1st Brigade 12 June 1917, moved to 63rd Btn MGC 1 March 1918
        • 189th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1916
      • Royal Marine Brigade formed in August 1914, renamed 3rd (Royal Marine) Brigade and disbanded in August 1915.
        • Royal Marine A Battalion left 31 August 1914
        • 9th (Chatham) Battalion
        • 10th (Portsmouth) Battalion
        • 11th (Plymouth) Battalion
        • 12th (Deal) Battalion
      • 3rd (Royal Marine) Brigade was formed in May 1916, it was redesignated the 1st (Royal Naval) Brigade, then 188th Brigade.
          8th (Anson) Battalion joined from 2nd Brigade May 1916
        • 1st Royal Marines joined May 1916
        • 2nd Royal Marines joined May 1916
        • 6th (Howe) Battalion joined from 2nd Brigade July 1916
        • 188th Machine Gun Company, August 1916, transferred to Base Depot in May 1917. 223rd MG Company joined in June 1917. Moved into 63rd Btn MGC on 1st March 1918
        • 188th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1916
        • 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment joined April 1918
      • 190th Brigade formed July 1916
        • 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers joined July 1916
        • 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment joined July 1916
        • 1/1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company joined July 1916, left June 1917
        • 10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined August 1916, left June 1917
        • 190th Machine Gun Company joined July 1916, moved to 63rd Battalion, MGC on 1 March 1918
        • 190th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1916
        • 1/28th Battalion, London Regiment joined June 1917
        • 1/4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry joined August 1917, left February 1918
      • Divisional Troops
        • Armoured Motor Machine-Gun Squadron joined March 1915, left May 1915
        • 14th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneers June 1916
        • 223rd Machine Gun Company joined September 1917, moved to 63rd Battalion, MGC in March 1918
        • 63rd Battalion MGC formed 1 March 1918
        • RN Divisional Cyclist Company broken up June 1916
      • Divisional Artillery, joined from 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division, July 1916
        • CCXXIII (I/IV Home Counties) (How) Brigade, RFA joined June 1916, broken up July 1916
        • CCCXV (2/I Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA joined July 1916, left February 1917
        • CCCXVI (2/II Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA joined July 1916, broken up 31 August 1916
        • CCCXVII (2/III Northumbrian) Brigade, RFA joined July 1916
        • CCCXVIII (2/IV Northumbrian) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined July 1916
        • 63rd Divisional Ammunition Column RFA joined July 1916
        • V.63 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined July 1916, broken up February 1918
        • X.63, Y.63 and Z.63 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined July 1916. In February 1918, Z Battery was broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each
      • Royal Engineers
        • RE Detachment, Royal Marine Brigade joined September 1914
        • No 1 Company, redesignated 247th Field Company Feb 1917
        • No 2 Company, redesignated 248th Field Company Feb 1917
        • No 3 Company, redesignated 249th Field Company Feb 1917
        • 63rd Divisional Signals Company
      • Royal Army Medical Corps.
        • No 1 Field Ambulance, redesignated 1st (Royal Naval) Field Ambulance July 1916
        • No 2 Field Ambulance, redesignated 2nd (Royal Naval) Field Ambulance July 1916
        • No 3 Field Ambulance, redesignated 3rd (Royal Naval) Field Ambulance July 1916
        • Royal Naval Sanitary Section joined March 1915 remained in Egypt.
        • 63rd Sanitary Section formed 31st May 1916, left for First Army April 1917
      • Divisional Troops
        • RND Divisional Train ASC joined March 1915, the original Companies left in March 1916 and replaced in June 1916 by 761st, 762nd, 763rd and 764th Companies ASC which became 63rd Divisional Train in July 1916.
        • 19th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined March 1915, left February 1916
        • 53rd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC joined June 1916


       Divisional History  The 64th (2nd Highland) Division in 1914-1918

      The history of 64th (2nd Highland) Division

      On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

      The 'first line' 51st (Highland) Division went to France in late April and early May 1915.

      The units of the 'second line', the 2nd Highland Division, remained at home. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected.

      Divisional HQ was set up at Perth in January 1915; the infantry Brigades at Blair Atholl, Scone and Falkirk. The artillery was at Edzell, Forfar, Brechin and Rothesay with the heavy battery at Dunfermline; the RE, RAMC and ASC at Blair Atholl, Perth and Scone. Later that year a move was made to winter quarters. Divisional HQ remained at Perth; 192st Brigade went to Pitlochry, Crieff, Aberfeldy and Auchterarder; 192nd Brigade to Blairgowrie and Forfar; 193rd to Montrose and Arbroath. The artillery was now at Blairgowrie, Forfar, Brechin and Rothesay; the RE at Perth, Alyth, Dundee and Coupar, RAMC at Comrie, Alyth and Forfar and ASC at Kirriemuir, Montrose, Blairgowrie and Crieff.

      On 26 July 1915 orders were received that 600 was the minimum strength for any 'second line' infantry battalion and any men in excess of that number could be taken for overseas service.

      Between November 1915 and April 1916 the infantry battalions titles were changed. For example the 2/4th Seaforth Highlanders in 191st Brigade became No 1 Battalion.

      In March 1916, the Division moved to England, with HQ being set up in Norwich. The brigades went to Kelling, Taverham and North Walsham; the artillery to Blickling and Worstead; RE at Norwich, Taverham, North Walsham and Kelling.

      During 1917 a major restructuring of the Division took place, with the 'second line' units being withdrawn and replaced by Graduated Battalions. Further moves around East Anglia were made throughout the year and 1918.

      Orders were received to demobilise in early 1919 and by 15 April the Division had ceased to exist.

      The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 64th (2nd Highland) Division

      191st (2nd Seaforth & Cameron Highlanders) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the Seaforth Highlanders left by February 1918, disbanded June 1918
      • 2/5th Bn, the Seaforth Highlanders absorbed into 2/6th Bn in October 1915
      • 2/6th Bn, the Seaforth Highlanders left by February 1918, disbanded June 1918
      • 2/4th Bn, the Cameron Highlanders left by February 1918, disbanded June 1918
      • 2/4th Bn, the Black Watch joined by November 1915, disbanded December 1917
      • 201st Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Highland Light Infantry on 27 October 1917
      • 202nd Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Gordon Highlanders on 27 October 1917
      • 51st (Graduated) Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined 25 February 1918
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment joined 25 February 1918

      192nd (2nd Gordon Highlanders) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the Gordon Highlanders absorbed into 2/5th Bn in November 1915
      • 2/5th Bn, the Gordon Highlanders disbanded on 31 July 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Gordon Highlanders absorbed into 2/7th Bn in November 1915
      • 2/7th Bn, the Gordon Highlanders disbanded on 30 September 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Black Watch disbanded in September 1917
      • 2/7th Bn, the Black Watch disbanded in April 1918
      • 205th Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 52nd Bn of the Highland Light Infantry on 27 October 1917
      • 206th Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Devonshire Regiment on 27 October 1917
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Queen's joined 25 February 1918
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment joined from 193rd Brigade 26 February 1918

      193rd (2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) Brigade

      • 2/6th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders disbanded 13 March 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders disbanded Autumn 1917
      • 2/8th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders disbanded 19 July 1918
      • 2/9th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders disbanded October 1917
      • 209th Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Middlesex Regiment on 27 October 1917
      • 210th Graduated Battalion joined 16 July 1917, became 52nd Bn of the Devonshire Regiment on 27 October 1917, left for 192nd Brigade 26 February 1918
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment joined 25 February 1918
      • 51st (Graduated) Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment joined 25 February 1918
      • 52nd (Graduated) Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment joined 25 February 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 2nd Highland Divisional Cyclist Company
      • C Sqn, 2/1st Glasgow Yeomanry brief ely between April 1916 and June 1917

      Divisional Artillery

      • CCCXX (2/I Highland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXI (2/II Highland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXII (2/III Highland) (How) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916
      • (new) CCCXXII Brigade, RFA joined by 3 November 1916, broken up by 29 January 1917
      • Bute Mountain Battery, RFA attached April - September 1916
      • 1129 Battery, RFA attached May 1917
      • 2/1st Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery, RGA left September 1916

      Royal Engineers

      • 2/1st Highland Field Company later numbered 403 Company
      • 3/2nd Highland Field Company later numbered 405 Company
      • 1/3rd Highland Field Company later numbered 402 Company
      • 2nd Highland Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/2nd Highland Field Ambulance later numbered 311 Field Ambulance
      • 2/3rd Highland Field Ambulance later numbered 312 Field Ambulance
      • 3/1st Highland Field Ambulance later numbered 310 Field Ambulance
      • 2/1st Highland Sanitary Section left late 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 64th Divisional Train ASC formed November 1914, the units were eventually titled 533, 534, 535 and 536 Companies ASC
      • 2/ 1st Highland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 64th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 1916


       Divisional History  The 65th (2nd Lowland) Division in 1914-1918

      The history of 65th (2nd Highland) Division

      On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

      The 'first line' 52nd (Lowland) Division went to Gallipoli in July 1915.

      The units of the 'second line', the 2nd Lowland Division, remained at home. Along with other 'second line' Divisions suffered it greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected.

      Divisional HQ was set up at Bridge of Allan; the infantry Brigades at Rumbling Bridge, Cambusbarraon and Dunfermline. The artillery was at Edinburgh, Larbert and Tillicoultry with the heavy battery at Stirling; the RE at Bridge of Allan; RAMC and ASC at Dunfermline, Rumbling Bridge and Stirling. in November 1915 a move was made to winter quarters.

      On 26 July 1915 orders were received that 600 was the minimum strength for any 'second line' infantry battalion and any men in excess of that number could be taken for overseas service.

      In March 1916, the Division moved to England, with HQ being set up in Chelmsford. The brigades went to Chelmsford, Billericay and Danbury.

      Early in 1917 the Division moved to Ireland, allowng the release of 59th (2nd North Midland) Division for service in France. By 10 January Divisional HQ had been established at the Curragh. The brigades of the Division were widely dispersed: 194th to Dublin and the Curragh; 195th to Fermoy, Tralee, Limerick, Moore Park and Kilworth; 196th at the Curragh, Galway and Naas. In August 1917 194th moved to Oughterard and Moycullen, and 196th to Dublin.

      During 1917 a restructuring of the Division took place, with the 'second line' units being withdrawn and replaced by Graduated Battalions.

      Orders were received on 11 January 1918 to disband the Division. The various units were redeployed or disbanded and Divisional HQ closed on 18 March 1918. The final details had left the Division by 15 May 1918.

      The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 65th (2nd Lowland) Division

      194th (2nd South Scottish) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the Royal Scots Fusiliers merged in November 1915 with 2/5th Bn and 2/5th Border Regiment to form 13th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 and absorbed 2/5th Battalion Disbanded 15 May 1918
      • 2/5th Bn, the Royal Scots Fusiliers merged in November 1915 with 2/4th Bn and 2/5th Border Regiment to form 13th Battalion Absorbed into 2/4th Bn in January 1916
      • 2/4th Bn, the King's Own Scottish Borderers merged in November 1915 with 2/5th Bn to form 14th Battalion Absorbed into 2/5th Bn in January 1916
      • 2/5th Bn, the King's Own Scottish Borderers merged in November 1915 with 2/4th Bn to form 14th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 and absorbed 2/4th Battalion Disbanded 15 May 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Royal Scots joined November 1915, initially retitled as 15th Bn but resumed identity in January 1916
      • 2/8th Bn, the Royal Scots joined November 1915, initially retitled as 16th Bn but resumed identity in January 1916; disbanded summer 1917
      • 213th Graduated Battalion joined 23 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the Cheshire Regiment on 27 October 1917

      195th (2/1st Scottish Rifles) Brigade

      • 2/5th Bn, the Cameronians merged in November 1915 with 2/8th Bn to form 17th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 and absorbed 2/8th Battalion Disbanded 15 May 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Cameronians merged in November 1915 with 2/7th Bn to form 18th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 and absorbed 2/7th Battalion Disbanded 15 May 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Cameronians merged in November 1915 with 2/6th Bn to form 18th Battalion Absorbed into 2/6th Bn January 1916
      • 2/8th Bn, the Cameronians merged in November 1915 with 2/5th Bn to form 17th Battalion Absorbed into 2/5th Bn January 1916
      • 2/4th Bn, the Royal Scots joined November 1915 and amalgamated with 2/5 and 2/6th to become 19th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916 2/9th Bn, the Royal Scots joined November 1915 and renamed 20th Battalion Resumed identity in January 1916. Disbanded March 1918
      • 217th Graduated Battalion joined 23 July 1917, became 51st Bn of the King's (Liverpool Regiment) on 27 October 1917

      196th (2/1st highland Light Infantry) Brigade

      • 2/5th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry temporarily renamed as 21st Bn between November 1915 and January 1916
      • 2/6th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry temporarily renamed as 22nd Bn between November 1915 and January 1916
      • 2/7th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry temporarily renamed as 23rd Bn between November 1915 and January 1916. Disbanded by end of 1917
      • 2/9th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry temporarily renamed as 24th Bn between November 1915 and January 1916
      • 221st Graduated Battalion joined 23 July 1917, became 52nd Bn of the Cheshire Regiment on 30 October 1917

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • 2/1st Lowland Divisional Cyclist Company
      • A Sqn, 2/1st Glasgow Yeomanry briefly in 1916-1917

      Divisional Artillery

      • CCCXXV (2/I Lowland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXVI (2/II Lowland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXVII (2/III Lowland) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXVIII (2/IV Lowland) (How) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916 65th Divisional Ammunition Column
      • 2/1st Lowland (City of Edinburgh) Heavy Battery, RGA left May 1916 and went to France, arriving Le Havre 30 May

      Royal Engineers

      • 3/1st Lowland Field Company later numbered 414 Company
      • 3/2nd Lowland Field Company later numbered 415 Company
      • 1/3rd Lowland Field Company later numbered 411 Company
      • 2nd Lowland Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st Lowland Field Ambulance later numbered 313 Field Ambulance
      • 2/2nd Lowland Field Ambulance later numbered 314 Field Ambulance
      • 2/3rd Lowland Field Ambulance later numbered 315 Field Ambulance
      • 2/1st Lowland Sanitary Section left 7 May 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 65th Divisional Train ASC formed November 1914, the units were eventually titled 537, 538, 539 and 540 Companies ASC
      • 2/1st Lowland Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 65th Divisional Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Supply Column 1916


       Divisional History  The 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division in 1914-1918

      On 31st of August 1914 The War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas (Imperial Service) were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, their battalion names prefixed with 2/ which would be this reserve.

      With the Imperial Service territorials in the 'first line' battalions of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division ordered to prepare to depart for Egypt in September 1914. The units of the 'second line', the 2nd East Lancashire Division, were joined by many new recruits from September onwards. The Division was to remaine at home for quite some time. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The Division also continually supplied drafts of men to the 'first line'.

      In 1916 the Division moved to the south of England and took responsibility for the defence of part of the east Coast. Most units were based in Suffolk.

      1917

      The Division received orders on 11 February 1917 for embarkation for France. Entrainment began on 25th of February and by 16th of March all units had arrived and the Division concentrated under XI Corps. The Division then remained in France and Flanders and took part in the following engagements:

      • The Operations on the Flanders Coast (Operation Hush) (26 June to 25 September 1917)
      • The Battle of Poelcapelle 1917 - Third Battles of the Ypres (6th to 10th of October 1917)

      1918

      • The Battle of St Quentin (21-23 March 1918)
      • The Actions at the Somme Crossings (24-25 March 1918)
      • The Battle of Rosieres (26-27 March 1918)

      The Divisional Artillery and 541 Company ASC of the Divisional Train remained in action when the rest of the Division was withdrawn from action, and did not rejoin until 8 November.

      As a result of the losses it had suffered in this fighting, the Division was reduced to a training cadre and reformed and reconstituted. 197th Brigade left the Division and was retained in training drafts and reinforcements. It splace was taken by the South African Brigade. Many cadre units were attached to the Division for short periods between June and September 1918.

      • The Battle of Cambrai (8-9 October 1918)
      • The Pursuit to the Selle (9-12 October 19180)

      The Battle of the Selle, a phase of the Final Advance in Picardy (17-20 October 1918)

      On 20-21 October the Division was withdrawn and rested in the Serain area until 1 November. It advanced through Le Cateau from 2 November and had some sharp engagements over the next few days. On 9 November a number of units of the Division were placed under command of Bethell's Force (see below). At the Armistice the advanced units of this Force were on the line Pont de Republique - Grandrieu - east of Sivry - Montbliart.

      The Division was selected to march through Belgium as part of the British force for occupying the Rhine bridgeheads. The move began on 18 November and took the Division through Philippeville, Dinant and Ciney. The units billeted in the area Dinant - Huy - Marche - Rochefort and there halted.

      Demobilisation began here and at midnight 24-25 March 1919 the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, the "Clickety Clicks", ceased to exist.

      The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division

      • 2/5th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers left 18 April 1915
      • 2/6th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers renamed 6th Bn 20 February 1918, left for 199th Brigade 22 July 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers left June 1918
      • 2/8th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers reduced to cadre 22 April 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
      • 3/5th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined April 1915, disbanded 13 February 1918
      • 202nd Machine Gun Company moved to 66th Bn MGC 11 March 1918
      • 197th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 6th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined 21 July 1918, left for 198th Brigade 19 August 1918
      • 9th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment joined 21 July 1918, left to become Divisional Pioneer Bn 22 September 1918
      • 18th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined 66th Div as cadre on 19 June 1918, moved to 197th Brigade 8 August 1918, left for 199th Brigade 19 September 1918

      198th (East Lancashire) Brigade

      • 2/4th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment renamed 4th Bn 19 February 1918, reduced to cadre April 1918, left August 1918
      • 2/5th Bn, the East Lancashire Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, left July 1918
      • 2/9th Bn, the Manchester Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, left for 199th Brigade 22 July 1918
      • 2/10th Bn, the Manchester Regiment disbanded 15 February 1918
      • 203rd Machine Gun Company moved to 66th Bn MGC 11 March 1918 198th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 5th Bn, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined at Abancourt 19 July 1918
      • 6th Bn, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers joined from 197th Brigade 19 August 1918
      • 6th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined from 199th Brigade 22 September 1918

      199th (Manchester) Brigade

      • 2/5th Bn, the Manchester Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
      • 2/6th Bn, the Manchester Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
      • 2/7th Bn, the Manchester Regiment reduced to cadre April 1918, disbanded 31 July 1918
      • 2/8th Bn, the Manchester Regiment disbanded 13 February 1918
      • 204th Machine Gun Company moved to 66th Bn MGC 11 March 1918 199th Trench Mortar Battery
      • 6th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers joined from 197th Brigade 22 July 1918, left for 198th Brigade 22 September 1918
      • 2/9th Bn, the Manchester Regiment joined as cadre from 198th Brigade 22 July 1918
      • 5th Bn, the Connaught Rangers joined 25 August 1918
      • 18th Bn, the King's (Liverpool Regiment) joined from 197th Brigade 19 September 1918

      South African Brigade joined from 9th (Scottish) Division 13 September 1918.

      • 1st Regt, the South African Infantry
      • 2nd Regt, the South African Infantry
      • 4th Regt, the South African Infantry
      • South African Trench Mortar Battery

      Divisional Troops

      • 10th Bn, the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry attached as Divisional Pioneer Bn from 2nd Division 6 July to 7 November 1917
      • 1/5th Bn, the Border Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn 13 February 1918, left 7 May 1918
      • 9th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Bn from 197th Brigade 22 September 1918
      • 66th Battalion MGC formed 11 March 1918, broken up 15 April 1918
      • 100th Battalion MGC joined 19 October 1918

      Divisional Mounted Troops

      • B Sqn, 2/1st Bedfordshire Yeomanry did not go to France
      • 66th Divisional Cyclist Company did not go to France

      Divisional Artillery Note: the artillery of 59th Division was also attached between 8 and 26 August 1918

      • CCCXXX (2/I East Lancs) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXXI (2/II East Lancs) Brigade, RFA
      • CCCXXXII (2/III East Lancs) Brigade, RFA broken up April 1917
      • 2/IV East Lancs (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up May 1916
      • 1/2nd Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA left 5 January 1916
      • 2/1st Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA left July 1916
      • 2/2nd Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA left when the Division moved to France
      • 2/1st Wessex Heavy Battery RGA attached 24 January to February 1916
      • 66th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
      • V.66 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, RFA joined February 1917; left 3 February 1918
      • X.66, Y.66 and Z.66 Medium Mortar Batteries, RFA joined February 1917; on 3 February 1918, Y broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each, Z then renamed Y

      Royal Engineers

      • 430th (2/1st East Lancs) Field Company moved independently to France and joined 48th Division June 1915
      • 431st (2/2nd East Lancs) Field Company
      • 432nd (2/3rd East Lancs) Field Company
      • 66th Divisional Signals Company

      Royal Army Medical Corps

      • 2/1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance left for 27th (American) Division 22 June 1918
      • 2/2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
      • 2/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance
      • South African Field Ambulance joined 23 September 1918
      • 3/1st London Sanitary Section left before Division went to France
      • 66th Sanitary Section joined near St Venant 5 March 1917, left for XI Corps 8-9 April 1917

      Other Divisional Troops

      • 66th Divisional Train ASC 541, 542, 543 and 544 Companies ASC
      • 1/1st East Lancashire Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
      • 254th Divisional Employment Company formed by 14 July 1917

      Attached Troops

      A number of units were attached to the Division in the period June to September 1918, while it was being rebuilt and reconstituted. Most stayed for short periods and most had already been reduced to cadres. Others were disbanded or absorbed into other units while under the command of the Division. The rest were eventually transferred to other Divisions or the Lines of Communication:

      • 18th, 23rd and 25th Bns, the Northumberland Fusiliers;
      • 14th, 17th and 19th Bns, the King's (Liverpool Regiment);
      • 2/5th and 10th Bns, the Lincolnshire Regiment;
      • 7th Bn, the Suffolk Regiment;
      • 7th Bn, the Bedfordshire Regiment;
      • 6th Bn, the Yorkshire Regiment;
      • 12th Bn, the Lancashire Fusiliers;
      • 13th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment;
      • 11th Bn, the Border Regiment;
      • 2/6th Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment;
      • 11th Bn, the South Lancashire Regiment;
      • 10th Bn, the Black Watch;
      • 7th and 16th Bns, the Sherwood Foresters;
      • 17th Bn, the King's Royal Rifle Corps;
      • 13th and 17th Bns, the Manchester Regiment;
      • 2/6th Bn, the North Staffordshire Regiment;
      • 14th Bn, the Highland Light Infantry;
      • 5th Bn, the Royal Irish Fusiliers;
      • 16th Bn, the Rifle Brigade;
      • 6th Bn, the Leinster Regiment;
      • 2/20th and 2/24th Bns, the London Regiment.

      Bethell's Force

      Formed on 9 November 1918, Bethell's Force included a number of units from this Division: the South African Brigade and Field Ambulance, three Field and Signals Companies RE, one Company of the 9th Bn, the Gloucestershire Regiment, one Company of the 100th Battalion MGC and detachments from 2/2nd and 2/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance.

      The Force was dissolved after the Armistice and the units returned to the Division.


       Divisional History  There is little reference in websites regarding this 3rd line Division formerly known as the 2nd East Anglian Division (Home Territorial Force). It remained in the UK on Home Defence Duties and provided reinforcements for other Divisions.

      The 2nd East Anglian Division was formed from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 54th Division, formed in Great Britain late in 1914. The Division remained in Great Britain throughout the war providing many drafts for the units overseas.

      Infantry Units

      206th (2nd Essex) Brigade.

      • 238th Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Northumberland Fusiliers.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. 05 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 2/4th Bn Essex Regt. Dec 1914 - 06 Dec 1915. Disbanded.
      • 2/5th Bn Essex Regt. Dec 1914 - Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/6th Bn Essex Regt. Dec 1914 - Jan 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/7th Bn Essex Regt. Dec 1914 - 10 Oct 1917. To the 67th Division.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Durham Light Infantry. 15 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Durham Light Infantry. 15 Jan 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 237th Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Rifle Brigade.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Rifle Brigade. 27 Oct 1917 - Feb 1918. To the 67th Division.
      • 4/1st Bn Hertfordshire Regt. 17 Nov 1915 - Aug 1917. Disbanded.

      207th (2nd East Midland) Brigade.

      • 242nd Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn West Yorkshire Regt.
      • 51st Graduated Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 27 Oct 21917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn West Yorkshire Regt. 23 Feb 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 2/5th Bn Bedfordshire Regt. Jan 1915 - 18 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Leicestershire Regt. 15 Jan 1918 - Autumn 1918. To the 208th Brigade.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Leicestershire Regt. 17 Jan 1918 - Autumn 1918. To the 208th Brigade.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Sherwood Foresters. 23 Feb 1918 - Apr 1918. To the 208th Brigade.
      • 2/4th Bn Northamptonshire Regt. Early 1915 - 14 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 51st Graduated Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. May 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 241st Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 52nd Graduated Bn Rifle Brigade.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Rifle Brigade. 27 Oct 1917 - Feb 1918. To the 67th Division.
      • 2/1st Bn Cambridgeshire Regt. Dec 1914 - Feb 1915. To the 54th Division.
      • 2/1st Bn Cambridgeshire Regt. Apr 1915 - 08 Oct 1917. To the 67th Division.
      • 2/1st Bn Hertfordshire Regt. Early 1915 - 14 Mar 1918. Disbanded.

      208th (2nd Norfolk and Suffolk) Brigade.

      • 245th Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Queen’s.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Queen’s. 27 Oct 1917 - 20 Apr 1918. To the 68th Division.
      • 2/4th Bn Norfolk Regt. Nov 1914 - Jun 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/5th Bn Norfolk Regt. Nov 1914 - May 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/4th Bn Suffolk Regt. Nov 1914 - Dec 1915. Disbanded, personnel to the 3/4th Battalion
      • 2/5th Bn Suffolk Regt. Nov 1914 - 28 Sep 1917. To the 67th Division.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Leicestershire Regt. Autumn 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Leicestershire Regt. Autumn 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 246th Graduated Battalion Summer 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Sherwood Foresters.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Sherwood Foresters. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Sherwood Foresters. Apr 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 51st Graduated Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 15 Jan 1918 - May 1918. To the 207th Brigade.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Jan 1918 - May 1918. To the 207th Brigade.
      • 4/1st Bn Cambridgeshire Regt. Nov 1915 - Oct 1917. Disbanded.

      Attached Troops.

      • 23rd Bn Welsh Regt. 13 May 1916 - 22 Jun 1916. To the 28th Division.
      • 1/12th Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt. 13 May 1916 - 01 Jun 1918. To the 60th Division.
      • 26th Bn Middlesex Regt. 01 Jun 1916 - 22 Jun 1916. To the 62nd Division.


       Divisional History  There is little recorded on website records regarding the 68th Welsh Division formerly known as the 2nd Welsh Division. It remained in the UK on Home Defense duties and provided reinforcements for other Divisions.

      The 2nd Welsh Division was formed from the Home Service men of the Territorial Force units in the 53rd Division, formed in Great Britain in April 1915. The Division remained in Great Britain throughout the war but did supply many men to overseas units.

      Infantry Units

      203rd (2nd North Wales) Brigade.

      • 51st Graduated Bn King’s. 11 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 2/4th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 22 Apr 1915 - Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/5th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Apr 1915 - 16 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
      • 2/6th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Apr 1915 - 08 Sep 1917. Disbanded.
      • 2/7th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Apr 1915 - 12 Sep 1917. Disbanded.
      • 226th Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Welsh Regt.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Welsh Regt. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 225th Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn Manchester Regt.
      • 51st Graduated Bn Manchester Regt. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
      • 52nd Graduated Bn Manchester Regt. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.

      204th (2nd Cheshire) Brigade.

    • 51st Graduated Bn Queen’s. Jul 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 51st Graduated Bn Royal Fusiliers. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn Royal Fusiliers. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 2/4th Bn Cheshire Regt. Mar 1915 - 18 Dec 1915. Absorbed by the 2/7th Battalion
    • 2/5th Bn Cheshire Regt. 22 Apr 1915 - 21 Apr 1918. Disbanded.
    • 2/6th Bn Cheshire Regt. 22 Apr 1915 - Jul 1917. Disbanded.
    • 2/7th Bn Cheshire Regt. Mar 1915 - 31 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
    • 230th Graduated Battalion 24 Sep 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 51st Graduated Bn South Wales Borderers.
    • 51st Graduated Bn South Wales Borderers. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 2/4th Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. 26 Nov 1915 - Dec 1917. Absorbed by the other Battalions in the Brigade.
    • 229th Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 52nd Graduated Bn Manchester Regt.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn Manchester Regt. 27 Oct 1917 - Mar 1918. To the 203rd Brigade.

    205th (2nd Welsh Border) Brigade.

    • 51st Graduated Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn Royal Warwickshire Regt. Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 233rd Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 52nd Graduated Bn King’s.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn King’s. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 234th Graduated Battalion 23 Jul 1917 - 27 Oct 1917. Became the 52nd Graduated Bn Welsh Regt.
    • 52nd Graduated Bn Welsh Regt. 27 Oct 1917 - 11 Nov 1918.
    • 2/1st Bn Monmouthshire Regt. Apr 1915 - 31 Mar 1918. Disbanded.
    • 2/2nd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. Apr 1915 - 21 Apr 1918. Disbanded.
    • 2/3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regt. Apr 1915 - Aug 1917. Disbanded, personnel to the 2/1st and 2/2nd Bns.
    • 2/1st Bn Herefordshire Regt. Apr 1915 - 10 Sep 1917. Disbanded.

    Attached Troops.

    • 2/1st Brecknockshire Bn (SWB). End 1915 - Nov 1916. Absorbed by the 2/7th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
    • 2/25th Bn London Regt. May 1917 - Mar 1918. To the 227th Brigade.


     Divisional History  The 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division in 1914-1918

    The history of 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division

    On 31 August 1914 the War Office issued instructions for all units of the Territorial Force to form a reserve unit. The men who had agreed to serve overseas were separated from the rest. Those left as 'home service only' were formed into 'second line' units, which would be this reserve. They were joined by many new recruits from September 1914 onward.

    The 'first line' 44th (Home Counties) Division went to India in October 1914 and the formation of the 'second line', the 2nd Home Counties Division, was accelerated. It remained at home throughout the war. Along with other 'second line' Divisions it suffered greatly from lack of equipment of all sorts, and training was inevitably affected. The infantry received Japanese rifles, quite different to the Lee-Enfields that equipped the British armies in the fields, and only got modern rifles and ammunition in late November 1915; the artillery were initially given some French guns and some 15 pounders for which there was no ammunition, and the gunners were not fully equipped until well into 1916.

    Initial orders were to form the Division in the area around Windsor, and the three infantry brigades were duly located at Staines, Ascot and Sunninghill. By November 1915 the Division came under orders of Second Army, Central Force and had moved to Sevenoaks (HQ and 201 Brigade), Reigate and Redhill (200 Brigade), Tonbridge (202 Brigade and two RE Field Companies), Brighton (cyclists), Southborough (one RE Field Company). The artillery was scattered at Westerham, Brasted, Riverhead, Seal and Ightham. Further moves were made in 1916, with HQ going to Canterbury, but the Division remained in Kent.

    Between September and the end of 1917 the infantry was completely reorganised, and at this time the Division lost its Territorial distinction, being renamed as just the 67th Division. During the winter it moved to Essex and Suffolk: Colchester (HQ, two brigades and some artillery and engineers), Ipswich (the other brigade and some artillery), Great Bentley (cyclists and heavy artillery), Driffield (some engineers).

    The Division ceased to exist on 17 March 1919.

    The order of battle of the 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division

    • 3/4th Bn, the Queen's left to go to France, landing 1 June 1917
    • 2/5th Bn, the Queen's
    • 2/5th Bn, the East Surrey Regiment
    • 2/6th Bn, the East Surrey Regiment
    • 4th (Extra Reserve) Bn, the North Staffordshire Regiment joined June 1917, left to go to France, landing 7 Oct 1917
    • 200th Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1917, appears to have left by September 1917
    • 276th Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 3rd Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn Northumberland Fusiliers on 27 October 1917
    • 277th Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 9th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn West Yorkshire Regiment on 27 October 1917
    • 278th Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 9th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn Sherwood Foresters on 27 October 1917
    • 2/1st Bn, the Cambridgeshire Regiment joined 8 October 1917

    201st (2/1st Middlesex) Brigade

    • 2/7th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment left for Gibraltar February 1915
    • 2/8th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment left for Gibraltar February 1915
    • 2/9th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment disbanded November 1917
    • 2/10th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment left April 1915
    • 3/7th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment replaced 2/7th Bn, renamed 2/7th Bn on 10 June 1917
    • 3/8th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment replaced 2/8th Bn, renamed 2/8th Bn on 15 June 1917
    • 3/10th Bn, the Middlesex Regiment joined May 1915; left to go to France, landing 1 June 1917
    • 4th (Extra Reserve) Bn, the South Staffordshire Regiment joined June 1917; left to go to France, landing 10 Oct 1917
    • 201st Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1917, appears to have left by September 1917
    • 280th Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 33rd Training Reserve Bn); renamed 51st (Graduated) Bn Hampshire Regiment on 27 October 1917
    • 281st Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 93rd Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn Hampshire Regiment on 27 October 1917
    • 282nd Graduated Battalion joined 24 September 1917 (formerly 57th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn South Wales Borderers on 27 October 1917
    • 2/7th Bn, the Essex Regiment joined 10 October 1917 52nd (Graduated) Bn, the Rifle Brigade joined February 1918 - sources differ, some saying 51st.

    202nd (2/1st Kent) Brigade

    • 2/4th Bn, the Buffs
    • 2/5th Bn, the Buffs
    • 3/4th Bn, the Royal West Kent Regiment left and landed in France 1 June 1917
    • 2/5th Bn, the Royal West Kent Regiment disbanded November 1917
    • 1st Bn, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry joined May 1917, and landed in France 27 September 1917
    • 284th Graduated Battalion joined 17 September 1917 (formerly 17th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 51st (Graduated) Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps on 27 October 1917
    • 286th Graduated Battalion joined 17 September 1917 (formerly 40th Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn Gordon Highlanders on 27 October 1917
    • 2/5th Bn, the Suffolk Regiment joined 28 September 1917; disbanded April 1918
    • 285th Graduated Battalion joined by 1 October 1917 (formerly 22nd Training Reserve Bn); renamed 52nd (Graduated) Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps on 27 October 1917
    • 52nd (Graduated) Bn, the Rifle Brigade joined 22 February 1918

    214th Brigade joined from 71st Division 12 February 1918

    • 2/7th Bn, the Durham Light Infantry left by 23 September 1918 and moved to North Russia
    • 2/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry TF left by 2 September 1918
    • 2/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry TF left by 2 September 1918
    • 16th Bn, the Queen's left by 28 October 1918
    • 4th Reserve Bn, the Buffs joined by 28 October 1918
    • 4th Reserve Bn, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers joined by 28 October 1918
    • 51st (Graduated) Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined by 2 December 1918
    • 52nd (Graduated) Bn, the Cheshire Regiment joined by 2 December 1918

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCCXXXV (2/I Home Counties) Brigade, RFA broken up during 1917
    • CCCXXXVI (2/II Home Counties) Brigade, RFA
    • CCCXXXVII (2/III Home Counties) Brigade, RFA
    • CCCXXXVIII (2/IV Home Counties) (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA broken up during 1916
    • 67th (2 Home Counties) Divisional Ammunition Column
    • 1/1 Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery, RGA joined 30 October 1914, left 17 November 1915
    • 2/1 Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery, RGA established 26 December 1914, left 7 February 1916
    • 130th Heavy Battery, RGA attached 19 November 1915 - 7 February 1916, then Egypt
    • 2/2 Lancashire Heavy Battery, RGA attached September 1916 - August 1917
    • 2/1 Warwickshire Heavy Battery, RGA attached September 1916 - August 1917
    • XLIX Brigade, RFA joined with 214th Infantry Brigade, disbanded by 25 March 1918
    • 2/1 London Heavy Battery, RGA joined 12 February 1918
    • 2/2 London Heavy Battery, RGA joined 12 February 1918

    Royal Engineers

    • II/I Home Counties Field Company
    • II/II Home Counties Field Company
    • I/III Home Counties Field Company joined 6 November 1915
    • 67th (2nd Home Counties) Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 2/1st Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 58th Division on 22 February 1916
    • 2/2nd Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 58th Division on 22 February 1916
    • 2/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance left for 58th Division on 22 February 1916
    • 67th Sanitary Section joined 5 June 1918
    • 3/1st Home Counties Field Ambulance formed to replace 2/1st
    • 3/2nd Home Counties Field Ambulance formed to replace 2/2nd
    • 3/3rd Home Counties Field Ambulance formed to replace 2/3rd

    Other Divisional Troops

    • 2/1st Kent Cyclist Bn joined May 1917, left August 1917
    • 67th Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 2nd Home Counties Divisional Train ASC By 10 November 1915 the units making up the Train had been numbered as 545, 546, 547 and 548 Companies ASC
    • 67th Motor Ambulance Workshop absorbed into Divisional Train during 1916


     Divisional History  History 10th Indian Division

    First formation

    The 28th, 29th and 30th Indian Brigades were formed in October 1914 and posted to Egypt as Indian Expeditionary Force F. The 10th Indian Division was formed on 24 December 1915 with these three brigades and little else in terms of divisional troops. The division beat off Turkish attempts to cross the Suez Canal on 3,4 February 1915 in the Actions on the Suez Canal.

    Thereafter, the division was soon dissolved with a brigade (30th) sent to Mesopotamia in March 1915, another (29th) detached to Gallipoli from April to December 1915, and the third (28th) detached to Aden from July to September 1915, before it also departed for Mesopotamia in November.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle (January 1915)

    28th Indian Brigade (Major-General Sir G. Younghusband)

    • 51st Sikhs (Frontier Force)
    • 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force)
    • 56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 1/5th Gurkha Rifles

    29th Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General H.V. Cox)

    • 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs
    • 69th Punjabis
    • 89th Punjabis
    • 1/6th Gurkha Rifles

    30th Indian Brigade (Major-General C.J. Melliss

    • 24th Punjabis
    • 76th Punjabis
    • 126th Baluchistan Infantry
    • 2/7th Gurkha Rifles

    Divisional troops VII Mountain Brigade, IMA

    • 21st Kohat Mountain Battery (Frontier Force)
    • 26th Jacob's Mountain Battery
    • Field Ambulances
    • 105th Indian Field Ambulance
    • 108th Indian Field Ambulance[e]
    • 123rd Indian Field Ambulance
    • 135th Indian Field Ambulance

    Re-formed

    The division was re-formed on 7 January 1916 as part of the Suez Canal Defences with units and formations in Egypt:

    • 20th Indian Brigade joined from 7th (Meerut) Division,
    • 29th Indian Brigade rejoined from Gallipoli and
    • 31st Indian Brigade joined from 11th Indian Division.

    The new division was short lived: it was broken up again on 7 March 1916 as the need to reform depleted units from France made this plan unrealistic.

    Order of Battle, January 1916

    The division commanded the following units in January 1916:

    20th Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General H.D. Watson)

    • 2/2nd Gurkha Rifles
    • 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles
    • 39th Garhwal Rifles[g]
    • 4th Gwalior Infantry (I.S.)

    29th Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General P.C. Palin)

    • 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs
    • 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 1/5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 1/6th Gurkha Rifles

    31st Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General A.H. Bingley)

    • 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 1/4th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2/8th Gurkha Rifles
    • 1st Patiala Infantry (I.S.)

    Divisional Troops

    • 33rd Punjabis
    • 2/10th Gurkha Rifles
    • Alwar Infantry (I.S.)
    • Mounted Troops Mysore Lancers (I.S.)
    • Patiala Lancers (I.S.)
    • Hyderabad Lancers (I.S.)
    • Bikaner Camel Corps (I.S.)
    • Artillery Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery Battery
    • Engineers 10th Company, 2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners
    • Pioneers 23rd Sikh Pioneers
    • Field Ambulances
    • 105th Indian Field Ambulance
    • 108th Indian Field Ambulance
    • 123rd Indian Field Ambulance
    • 135th Indian Field Ambulance


       The St George was a steel copper sheathed first class cruiser of the Naval Defence Act Programme and was launched in 1892. She was built by contract at the yard of Messrs Earle at Hull and engined by Messrs Maudsley & Co. She was commissioned at Portsmouth in October 1894 as the flagship of the Commander in Chief on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Stations. She then carried the flag of Rear Admiral Harry H Rawson C.B. Up to May 1906 HMS St George served as Boys Training Ship in 4th Cruiser Squadron. But after May she went into reserve at Devonport. In 1909 she was converted to a destroyer depot Ship at Chatham and re commissioned as depot ship for the 3rd destroyer squadron at the Nore in March 1910. In June 1910 she suffered some damage after grounding off Sheerness. Served with 6th destroyer Flotilla 1912 - 1913 and then 9th Destroyer Flotilla 1913 - 1914.

    During the early months of world war one she served as part of the Humber Patrol. In 1917 was converted to support submarines and went to the Aegean in 1918 - 1919 with the 2nd Submarine Flotilla. She was paid off in 1920 and scrapped June 1920.

     Divisional History  The 11th Indian Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army during World War I. It was formed in December 1914 with two infantry brigades already in Egypt and a third formed in January 1915. After taking part in the Actions on the Suez Canal, the division was dispersed as its brigades were posted away.

    The division was commanded throughout its existence by Major-General A. Wallace.

    History

    The pre-war 22nd (Lucknow) Infantry Brigade and the 32nd Indian Brigade (formed in October 1914) were posted to Egypt to help defend the Suez Canal. The 11th Indian Division was formed on 24 December 1915 with these two brigades and little else in terms of divisional troops. A third brigade (31st) was formed in January 1915 with other units already in Egypt. The division beat off Turkish attempts to cross the Suez Canal on 3,4 February 1915 in the Actions on the Suez Canal.

    Thereafter, the division was dissolved in May 1915 with its brigades posted to the Suez Canal Defences. The brigades did not last much longer: the 22nd and 32nd Brigades were broken up in January 1916 and the 31st Brigade joined 10th Indian Division at the same time, but was also broken up a month later.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle, January 1915

    The division commanded the following units in January 1915:

    Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade

    • 1st Hyderabad Lancers
    • Mysore Lancers
    • Patiala Lancers

    22nd (Lucknow) Brigade (Brigadier-General W.A. Watson)

    • 2/10th Gurkha Rifles
    • 3rd Brahmans
    • 62nd Punjabis
    • 92nd Punjabis

    31st Indian Brigade (Brigadier-General A.H. Bingley)

    • 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Rajput Light Infantry
    • 27th Punjabis
    • 93rd Burma Infantry
    • 128th Pioneers

    32nd (Imperial Service) Brigade (Brigadier-General H.D. Watson)

    • 33rd Punjabis
    • Alwar Infantry (I.S.)
    • 4th Gwalior Infantry (I.S.)
    • 1st Patiala Infantry (I.S.)

    Divisional troops

    • 23rd Sikh Pioneers
    • 21st (Kohat) Mountain Battery (Frontier Force)
    • 121st Indian Field Ambulance
    • 124th Indian Field Ambulance


     Divisional History  The 12th Indian Division was formed in March 1915 from units of the British Indian Army. It formed part of the Tigris Corps, for service during the Mesopotamia Campaign of World War I. The Division arrived in Mesopotamia in April 1915 and remained there until it was broken up in March 1916. The Division's brigades remained in Mesopotamia as independent formations until forming part of the 15th Indian Division in May 1916. During its short existence it fought in a number of actions including the Battle of Shaiba between April 12,14, 1915, the Battle of Khafajiya between May 14,16, 1915, the Battle of Nasiriya between July 5, 13-14, 24 1915, where 400 British and Indian soldiers were killed in the battle and up to 2,000 Turkish Soldiers.[citation needed] The Occupation of Nasiriya and the affair at Butanuja, January 14, 1916.

    Formation

    12th Indian Brigade Commanding Officer, Brigadier K E Lean

    • 2nd Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • 4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs
    • 44th Merwara Infantry
    • 90th Punjabis

    30th Indian Brigade Commanding Officer, Major General C J Melliss

      24th Punjabis 76th Punjabis 2/7th Gurkha Rifles

    33rd Indian Brigade Commanding Officer, Brigadier R Wapshare

      1/4th Btn Hampshire Regiment 11th Rajputs 66th Punjabis 67th Punjabis

    Divisional Cavalry

    Two sqns 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry.

    Divisional Artillery

    • 86 Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 104 Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 1/5th Hants Howitzer Bty Royal Field Artillery

    Divisional Engineers

    • 12 Field Coy Sirmur Imperial Service Coy, Sappers & Miners
    • 12 Div Signal Coy


     Divisional History  The 14th Indian Division was formed during World War I, for service in the Mesopotamia Campaign. It was composed of Battalions of the Regular British Army the British Territorial Force and the British Indian Army.

    The Division now part of the Tigris Corps was involved in a number on minor engagements the Second Battle of Kut and the Fall of Baghdad, the Division's 36th Brigade was left in Baghdad as the Garrison.

    The Division remained in Mesopotamia until the Armistice of Mudros 31 October 1918.

    Battles

    • Advance to the Hai and capture of the Khudaira Bend. 14 December 1916.
    • Capture of the Hai Salient. 25 January, 5 February 1917.
    • Capture of Sannaiyat. 17,24 February 1917.
    • Second Battle of Kut. 23 February 1917
    • Passage of the Tigris. 23,24 February 1917.
    • Fall of Baghdad (1917). 8,11 March 1917
    • Passage of the ‘Adhaim. 18 April 1917.
    • Action of the Shatt al Adhaim. 30 April 1917.
    • Second action of Jabal Hamrin. 16,20 October 1917.
    • Third action of Jabal Hamrin. 3,6 December 1917.

    Formation May 1917 - units in the Divisional Order of Battle.

    35th Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
    • 37th Dogras
    • 102nd Grenadiers
    • 2/4th Gurkha Rifles

    36th Brigade

    • (Garrison of Baghdad city)
    • 1/4th Btn Hampshire Regiment
    • 26th Punjabis
    • 62nd Punjabis
    • 82nd Punjabis

    37th Brigade

      2nd Btn Norfolk Regiment
    • 67th Punjabis
    • 1/2nd Gurkha Rifles
    • 2/9th Gurkha Rifles

    Artillery

    • 13th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
    • C/69th Howitzer battery [1]


     Divisional History  The 15th Indian Division was a formation of the British Indian Army, operational from 1916 to 1919.

    The division was formed on 7 May 1916 on the Euphrates Front in Mesopotamia, as a replacement for 12th Indian Division. It served throughout the war on the Euphrates Front, and was formally disbanded in March 1919. The division was not attached to either of the army corps operating in Mesopotamia, the I Corps and III Corps.

    Battle honours

    • 11 September 1916 Action of As Sahilan
    • 28,29 September 1917 Capture of Ramadi
    • 9 March 1918 Occupation of Hit
    • 26,27 March 1918 Action of Khan Baghdadi

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle July 1918

    12th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 1/5th Battalion Queen's Royal Regiment
    • 1st Battalion 90th Punjabis
    • 1st Battalion 43rd Erinpura Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 128 M.G. Coy
    • 12 Lt. T.M. Bty

    42nd Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 1/4th Battalion Dorset Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion 6th Gurkha Rifles
    • 1st Battalion 5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 130 M.G. Coy
    • 42 Lt. T.M. Bty

    50th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 1st Battalion Ox & Bucks
    • 1st Battalion 6th Jat Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion 14th Ferozepore Sikhs
    • 1st Battalion 97th Deccan Infantry
    • 256 M.G. Coy
    • 50 Lt. T.M. Bty

    Divisional Artillery

    • CCXXII Brigade RFA
    • 375 Bty. RFA
    • 1070 Bty. RFA
    • 1072 Bty. RFA
    • 429 (Howitzer) Bty. RFA
    • CCXV Brigade RFA
    • 1087 Bty. RFA
    • 1088 Bty. RFA
    • 816 Bty. RFA
    • 524 (Howitzer) Bty. RFA Volunteer Battery

    Divisional troops

    • 22nd Cavalry (Frontier Force)
    • 448 Field Company RE
    • 450 Field Company RE
    • 451 Field Company RE
    • 48th Pioneers
    • 275 M.G. Coy


     Divisional History  The 16th Indian Division was an infantry division of the Indian Army during World War I. It was formed in December 1916, during World War I. It was the only war formed division of the British Indian Army that was not sent overseas, instead it was sent to guard the North West Frontier. The division took over the responsibilities of the 3rd Lahore Divisional Area when it was disbanded in May 1917.

    The 16th Division was called into action for the Waziristan Campaign in 1917, the 45th (Jullundur) Brigade under command of Brigadier Reginald Dyer were responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In 1919, they were sent into Afghanistan during the Third Afghan War.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle

    43rd Indian Brigade

    • 2/6th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 12th Pioneers
    • 1st Battalion 124th Duchess of Connaught's Own Baluchistan
    • 1st Battalion 4th Gurkha Rifles

    44th (Ferozepore) Brigade - joined the division in February 1917:

    • 1/9th Battalion Hampshire Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 17th Infantry
    • 2nd Battalion 30th Punjabis (Replaced by the 3rd battalion August 1918)

    45th (Jullundur) Brigade - joined the division in May 1917:

    • 1/25th Battalion London Regiment
    • 3rd Battalion 23rd Sikh Pioneers
    • 55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 2nd Battalion 151st Sikh Infantry

    In the Third Afghan War the formation was:

    • 1 Squadron 37th Lancers (Baluch Horse)
    • 1/25th Battalion London Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion 41st Dogras
    • 2nd Battalion 69th Punjabis
    • 3rd Battalion 150th Indian Infantry
    • 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 1 Company 2/4th Battalion Border Regiment
    • 23rd (Peshawar) Mountain Battery (Frontier Force)[2]

    Ambala Brigade - joined the division in May 1917:

    • 1/9th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
    • 4th Battalion 30th Punjabis

    Divisional troops

    • 23rd Battalion Rifle Brigade
    • 2nd Battalion 10th Jats


     Divisional History  The 17th Indian Division was formed in 1917 from units of the British Indian Army for service in the Mesopotamia Campaign during World War I. The division was involved in the Action at Fat-ha Gorge on the Little Zab between October 23,26, 1918 and the Battle of Sharqat, October 28,30, 1918. At the end of the Great War it was part of the occupation force in Iraq until it was disbanded in 1928.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle.

    34th Brigade

    • 2nd Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • 31st Punjabis
    • 1/112th Infantry
    • 114th Mahrattas

    51st Brigade

    • 1st Btn Highland Light Infantry
    • 1/2nd Rajputs
    • 14th Ferozepore Sikhs
    • 1/10th Gurkha Rifles

    52nd Brigade

    • 1/6th Btn Hampshire Regiment
    • 45th Rattray's Sikhs
    • 84th Punjabis
    • 1/113th Infantry

    Artillery

    • 220th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
    • 221st Brigade Royal Field Artilley


     Divisional History  The 18th Indian Division was formed during World War I in 1917 from units of the British Indian Army, for service in Mesopotamia and Persia, in what was called the Mesopotamia Campaign. The Division was attached to the Tigris Corps and was involved in the Actions at the Fat-ha Gorge and on the Little Zab between the 23,26 October 1918 and the Battle of Sharqat between 28,30 October 1918.

    At the end of the war the division would remain in Iraq as part of the Iraq Occupation Force, until it was disbanded in 1920

    Units within the Divisional Order of Battle Formation 30 March 1918

    53rd Brigade

    • 1/9th Btn Middlesex Regiment
    • 89th Punjabis
    • 3rd Gurkha Rifles
    • 7th Gurkha Rifles (at Falluja Temporarily attached to 15th Indian Infantry Division)
    • 1 Squadron Patiala Lancers
    • 2 Squadrons 10th Lancers

    54th Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
    • 25th Punjabis
    • 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force)

    55th Brigade

    • 1/5th Btn East Surrey Regiment
    • 10th Jats
    • 94th Russell's Infantry
    • 116th Mahrattas

    Divisional Artillery

    • 336th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
    • 337th Brigade Royal Field Artillery


     Divisional History  The 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division was a regular army division of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1903 after the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army. During World War I it remained in India for local defence but it was mobilised for action on the North West Frontier on several occasions during the period. The Division was mobilised in 1919 for service during the Third Afghan War.

    Units in Divisional Order of Battle Formation in August 1914

    Sialkot (2nd) Cavalry Brigade

    • 17th Lancers
    • 6th Cavalry
    • 19th Lancers

    Abbottabad (3rd) Brigade

    • 1st Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles
    • 1st Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles
    • 68th, 94th and 104th Companies, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • VII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
    • 4th, 38th and 78th Batteries, RFA

    Rawalpindi (4th) Brigade

    • 21st Lancers
    • 5th Cavalry
    • 35th Sikhs
    • 84th Punjabis
    • 9 Mountain Battery, RGA
    • W Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • II Mountain Brigade, RGA
    • 1st and 6th Mountain Batteries, RGA

    Jhelum (5th) Brigade

    • 21st Cavalry
    • 37th Dogras
    • 69th Punjabis
    • 76th Punjabis
    • 87th Punjabis

    Divisional Troops

    • 32nd Pioneers (at Sialkot)
    • 1st Battalion, Green Howards
    • 4th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
    • 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade
    • 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment (at Murree)
    • I Mountain Brigade, Indian Mountain Artillery (at Abbotabad),
    • 27th and 30th Mountain Batteries, IMA
    • V Mountain Brigade, IMA
    • 23rd, 28th and 29th Mountain Batteries, IMA


       The 3rd (Lahore) Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army, first organised in 1852. It saw service during the Great War with the Indian Corps in France before being moved to the Middle East where it fought against troops of the Ottoman Empire.

    Western Front 1914

    In 1914 the 3rd (Lahore) Division was part of Indian Expeditionary Force A sent to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force fighting in France. The bulk constituted an infantry division as part of Indian Corps, while the Ambala Cavalry Brigade was detached to form part of 1st Indian Cavalry Division in the Indian Cavalry Corps. While in France the division was known as the Lahore Division, and its brigades by their names, to avoid confusion with the 3rd British Division. Despatch from India was delayed by the activities of the German raiders Emden and Konigsberg operating in the Indian Ocean, and by the slow speed of the transport vessels. The first two brigades landed at Marseilles on 26 September 1914, but there were further delays while the troops were re-armed with the latest pattern rifle, and the supply train could be improvised, using tradesmen's vans procured locally.

    The 3rd Lahore Divisional Area was formed in late 1914 to take over the garrison duties of the 3rd Division when it left for France. The 3rd Lahore Divisional Area was disbanded in May 1917, the responsibilities of the area being taken over by the 16th Division.

    Ferozepore Brigade - GOC: Brig-Gen R.G. Egerton, CB

    • 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers
    • 9th Bhopal Infantry
    • 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis

    Jullundur Brigade - GOC: Maj-Gen P.M. Carnegy, CB

    • 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment
    • 4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (Territorial Force) - joined from GHQ Reserve 4 December 1914
    • 15th Ludhiana Sikhs
    • 47th Sikhs
    • 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)

    Sirhind Brigade - arrived at Marseilles from Egypt 30 November, joined 9 December 1914 - GOC: Maj-Gen J.M.S. Brunker

    • 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry
    • 125th Napier's Rifles
    • 1/1st Gurkha Rifles
    • 1/4th Gurkha Rifles

    Divisional Troops: Mounted Troops:

    15th Lancers (Cureton’s Multanis)

    Artillery:

    • V Brigade, Royal Field Artillery - joined 22 November 1914 from 7th (Meerut) Division 64th, 73rd & 81st Batteries, V Brigade Ammunition Column
    • XI Brigade, RFA - joined 22 November 1914 from 7th (Meerut) Division 83rd, 84th & 85th Batteries, XI Brigade Ammunition Column
    • XVIII Brigade, RFA 59th, 93rd & 94th Batteries, XVIII Brigade Ammunition Column
    • 109th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (4.7-inch guns) Heavy Battery Ammunition Column
    • Lahore Divisional Ammunition Column

    Engineers

    • 20th & 21st Companies, 3rd Sappers and Miners
    • Signals Service: Lahore Signal Company

    Pioneers - 34th Sikh Pioneers

    Supply & Transport - Lahore Divisional train

    Medical Units:

    • 7th & 8th British Field Ambulances
    • 111th, 112th and 113th Indian Field Ambulances

    The division finally got into action piecemeal at the simultaneous Battles of La Bassee, 1st Messines and Armentieres along the British part of the Western Front in October,November 1914. When the troops were relieved in November 1914, the reassembled division defended a section of the front in Indian Corps' sector.

    Western Front 1915

    After winter operations (in which the Indian soldiers suffered badly) the division next took part in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos in 1915.

    Order of Battle May 1915 - GOC: Maj-Gen H.D'U. Keary

    Ferozepore Brigade - GOC: Brig-Gen R.G. Egerton, CB

    • 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers
    • 1/4th Btn. London Regiment (Territorial Force)
    • 9th Bhopal Infantry
    • 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis

    Jullundur Brigade - GOC: Brig-Gen E.P. Strickland

    • 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment
    • 1/4th Btn. Suffolk Regiment (Territorial Force)
    • 1/5th Btn Border Regiment (Territorial Force)
    • 40th Pathans
    • 47th Sikhs
    • 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)

    Sirhind Brigade - GOC: Brig-Gen W.G. Walker, VC

    • 1st Btn. Highland Light Infantry
    • 4th Btn. King's Regiment (Special Reserve)
    • 15th Ludhiana Sikhs
    • 1/1st Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)
    • 1/4th Gurkha Rifles

    Divisional Troops: As before, with addition of XLIII (Howitzer Bde, RA (40th & 57th Batteries)

    Mesopotamia

    On 13th of August 1915, General Sir John Nixon, commanding Indian Expeditionary Force D in Mesopotamia, requested one of the Indian infantry divisions in France as reinforcements for his advance on Baghdad. Coincidentally, on the same day, the Secretary of State for India, Austen Chamberlain, told the Viceroy of India that he was anxious for the Indian infantry to be withdrawn from France before they had to endure another winter. The system for supplying drafts had broken down and the Indian battalions were becoming very weak after the heavy casualties they had suffered. Although the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, objected to their withdrawal from the Western Front, orders were issued on 31 October for the two divisions of Indian Corps (3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Division) to embark at Marseilles for Mesopotamia. They were to leave behind their attached Territorial Force and Special Reserve battalions, and the three RFA brigades of 18-pounder guns of 3rd (Lahore) Division. The two divisions were relieved in the front line on 6 November and were due at Basra in December, but their departure from Marseilles was delayed because of fear of submarine attack. 3rd (Lahore) Division finally arrived in Mesopotamia in April 1916 and joined Tigris Corps, too late to relieve 6th (Poona) Division at Kut-al-Amara.

    Palestine

    After the fall of Baghdad, the Palestine Campaign was given priority over Mesopotamia, and in March 1918 the division was transferred to Egypt to join Sir Edmund Allenby's Egyptian Expeditionary Force until the end of the war. At the Battle of Megiddo in September 1918 it formed part of Sir Edward Bulfin's XXI Corps on the right flank.

    Order of Battle September 1918 - GOC: Maj-Gen A.R. Hoskins

    7th Brigade

    • 1st Btn. Connaught Rangers
    • 2/7th Gurkha Rifles
    • 27th Punjabis
    • 91st Punjabis

    8th Brigade

    • 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment
    • 47th Sikhs
    • 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 2/124th Baluchistan Infantry

    9th Brigade

    • 1st Btn. Seaforth Highlanders
    • 28th Punjabis
    • 92nd Punjabis
    • 125th Napier's Rifles


     Divisional History  The 9th (Secunderabad) Division was a formation of the British Indian Army. It was part of the Southern Army and was formed in 1904 after Lord Kitchener was appointed Commander-in-Chief, India between 1902 and 1909. He instituted large-scale reforms, including merging the three armies of the Presidencies into a unified force and forming higher level formations, eight army divisions, and brigading Indian and British units. Following Kitchener's reforms, the British Indian Army became "the force recruited locally and permanently based in India, together with its expatriate British officers." The Division remained in India on internal security duties during World War I, but some of it brigades were transferred to serve with other units. Its 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade, traveled to France and served on the Western Front as part of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division. The 27th Banglore Brigade served in East Africa as part of the Indian Expeditionary Force B. Force B was broken up in December 1914 and its units used for the defence of East Africa.

    Composition in 1914 - Divisional Commander, Lt General Woon

    9th Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade - Commander Brigadier General Wadeson

    • 7th (Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • Signal Troop

    1st Secunderabad Infantry Brigade - Commander Major General Wilkinson

    • 2nd Btn King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    • 1st Brahmans
    • 88th Carnatic Infantry
    • 94th Infantry
    • XIX Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    2nd Secunderabad Infantry Brigade - Commander Brigadier General Rodwell

    • 1st Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
    • 6th Jat Light Infantry
    • 83rd Wallajahabad Light Infantry
    • XIII Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    27th Bangalore Brigade - Commander Brigadier General Wapshare

    • 2nd Btn Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
    • 61st Pioneers
    • 101st Grenadiers
    • 108th Infantry
    • IV Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    Later formed the Indian Expeditionary Force B for service in British East Africa the formation was;

    • 2nd Btn Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
    • 63rd Palamcottah Light Infantry
    • 98th Infantry
    • 101st Grenadiers

    Southern Brigade - Commander Brigadier General W Hamilton

    • 2nd Btn Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
    • 1st Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers
    • 73rd Carnatic Infantry
    • 75th Carnatic Infantry
    • 86th Carnatic Infantry
    • IX Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery


       4th (Quetta) Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army. It was formed by General Kitchener while he was Commander-in-chief of India. During World War I the division remained in India under the command of Lt General H Grover.

    Divisional Order of Battle

    1st Quetta Infantry Brigade - Brigadier General Sitwell

    • 2nd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry
    • 12th Pioneers
    • 19th Punjabis
    • 58th Vaughn's Rifles
    • 1/7th Gurkha Rifles
    • 2/7th Gurkha XXI Brigade Royal Field Artillery

    2nd Quetta Infantry Brigade - Major General Mellis, VC

    • 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers
    • 40th Pathans
    • 67th Punjabis
    • 106th Hazara Pioneers
    • 114th Mahrattas
    • IV Mountain Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery

    Karachi Brigade Brigadier - General Shaw

    • 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers - left for England in December 1915.
    • 127th Baluch Light Infantry
    • 69th Company RGA

    Divisional troops

    • 10th Duke of Cambridge’s Own Lancers (Hodson’s Horse)
    • 22nd Cavalry (Frontier Force)
    • 28th Light Cavalry
    • 15th Sikhs
    • 29th Punjabis
    • 31st Punjabis
    • 60th Company RGA


     Divisional History  The 5th (Mhow) Division was a regular division of the British Indian Army and part of the Southern Army which was formed in 1903 after Lord Kitchener was appointed Commander-in-Chief, India between 1902 and 1909. He instituted large-scale reforms, including merging the three armies of the Presidencies into a unified force and forming higher level formations, eight army divisions, and brigading Indian and British units. Following Kitchener's reforms, the British Indian Army was "the force recruited locally and permanently based in India, together with its expatriate British officers."

    The Division remained in India on internal security duties during World War I, but some of its units were transferred to serve with other Formations. The Cavalry units formed the 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade in the 1st Indian Cavalry Division and served in France and Egypt.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle in 1914

    Commanding General Major General H Payne

    Nasirabad Brigade - Commanding General Major General Davison

    • 27th Light Cavalry
    • 1st Btn Royal Irish Regiment
    • 42nd Deoli Regiment
    • 43rd Erinpura Regiment
    • 44th Merwara Infantry
    • 90th Punjabis
    • XIII Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery
    • XI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
    • XIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

    Jubbulpore Brigade - Commanding General, Major General Fanshawe

    • 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • 32nd Lancers
    • 2nd Btn Cheshire Regiment
    • 1st Btn York and Lancaster Regiment
    • 2nd Btn East Yorkshire Regiment
    • 16th Rajputs (The Lucknow Regiment)
    • 63rd Palamcottah Light Infantry
    • 97th Deccan Infantry
    • 98th Infantry
    • Royal Garrison Artillery, 71 and 90 Companies

    Jhansi Brigade - Commanding General, Major General Townshend

    • 8th Lancers
    • 38th Central Indian Horse
    • 2nd Btn Royal Berkshire Regiment
    • 10th Jats
    • 99th Deccan Infantry
    • 107th Pioneers
    • 116th Mahrattas
    • Royal Garrison Artillery, 60 Company

    Divisional Troops

    • 14th King's Hussars
    • 2nd Btn Hampshire Regiment
    • 96th Berah Infantry
    • 125th Napier's Rifles
    • VI Brigade RFA
    • XX Brigade RFA


     Divisional History  The 6th (Poona) Division was a division of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1903, following the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army.

    World War I

    The 6th (Poona) Division served in the Mesopotamian campaign. Led by Major General Barrett then Major General Townshend, the division were the first British Indian troops to land in Mesopotamia in November 1914 at the Fao Landing. After a string of early successes, the 6th Division was delivered a setback at the Battle of Ctesiphon in November 1915. Following this engagement, the division withdrew back to Kut, where Townshend made the decision to hold the city. After a lengthy siege by the Ottomans, Townshend surrendered in April 1916. 10,061 troops were taken captive. Following the surrender, the garrisoned force conducted a forced march back to Anatolia. The suffering of the enlisted soldiers was particularly egregious, and over 4000 died in captivity.

    After the surrender, the Poona Division ceased to exist until another 6th Division was raised in 1920 for the Iraq Rebellion.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle December 1914

    16th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
    • 1st Battalion 20th Duke of Cambridge's Own Infantry (Brownlow's Punjabis)
    • 1st Battalion 104th Wellesley's Rifles
    • 1st Battalion 117th Mahrattas

    17th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 1st Battalion Ox & Bucks
    • 1st Battalion 119th Infantry (The Mooltan Regiment)
    • 1st Battalion 103rd Mahratta Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion 22nd Punjabis

    18th Indian Infantry Brigade

    • 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment
    • 1st Battalion 110th Mahratta Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion 120th Rajputana Infantry
    • 1st Battalion 7th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Rajputs

    Divisional Artillery X Brigade, Royal Field Artillery

    • 76 Bty. RFA
    • 82 Bty. RFA
    • 63 Bty. RFA
    • 1st Indian Mountain Artillery Brigade
    • 23rd (Peshawar) Mountain Battery (Frontier Force)
    • 30th Mountain Battery
    • 1/5th Hampshire Howitzer Battery

    Divisional troops

    • 33rd Queen Victoria's Own Light Cavalry
    • 17 Co. 3rd Sappers and Miners
    • 22 Co. 3rd Sappers and Miners
    • 48th Pioneers


     Divisional History  The 7th (Meerut) Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army that saw active service during World War I.

    Pre-Mutiny

    The Meerut Division first appeared in the Indian Army List in 1829, under the command of Sir Jasper Nicolls, KCB. At this period Divisions were primarily administrative organisations controlling the brigades and stations in their area, rather than field formations, but they did provide field forces when required. There were generally one Indian cavalry and two Indian infantry regiments stationed at Meerut itself, in addition to British troops: in 1829 these were the 4th Bengal Light Cavalry, 29th and 32nd Bengal Native Infantry.

    Indian Mutiny

    In May 1857, on the eve of the 'Indian Mutiny' (or 'First War of Independence'), the troops at Meerut comprised the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) and a battalion of the 60th (King’s Royal Rifle Corps), the 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry, and 11th and 20th Bengal Native Infantry under the command of Maj-Gen W.H. Hewitt. The mutiny outbreak at Meerut was one of the first and most serious of the whole conflict.

    Post-Mutiny

    The division was reconstituted when peace returned. Over succeeding decades, the stations controlled by Meerut Division varied, and the forces under command were regularly rotated.

    Pre,World War I

    Under the reforms introduced by Lord Roberts as Commander-in-Chief (CinC) India, the Divisions were renamed 1st Class Districts in 1890. In the next round of reforms inaugurated by Lord Kitchener as CinC, they became numbered divisions with their territorial affiliation as a subsidiary title. The title 7th (Meerut) Division first appeared in the Army List between 30 September and 31 December 1904, as part of Western (later Northern) Command. On the eve of World War I, the division had its HQ at Mussoorie, and had the Meerut Cavalry Brigade and the Bareilly (HQ Ranikhet), Dehra Dun and Garhwal (HQ Lansdowne) Infantry Brigades under command.

    World War I

    Western Front

    In 1914 the 7th (Meerut) Division was part of Indian Expeditionary Force A sent to reinforce the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) fighting in France. The bulk constituted an infantry division as part of Indian Corps, while the Meerut Cavalry Brigade was detached to form part of 2nd Indian Cavalry Division in the Indian Cavalry Corps. While in France the division was known as the Meerut Division, and its brigades by their names, to avoid confusion with the 7th British Division. Despatch from India was delayed by the activities of the German raiders Emden and Konigsberg operating in the Indian Ocean, and by the slow speed of the transport vessels. The division landed at Marseilles 12,14 October 1914, but there were further delays while the troops were re-armed with the latest pattern rifle, and the supply train could be improvised, using tradesmen's vans procured locally. The division finally got into action at the Battles of La Bassee, 1st Messines and Armentieres in October,November 1914.

    Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle, October 1914

    GOC: Lieut-Gen C.A. Anderson, CB - GSO1: Col C.W. Jacob

    Dehra Dun Brigade GOC: Brig-Gen C.E. Johnson

    • 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
    • 6th Jat Light Infantry
    • 2/2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Regiment)
    • 1/9th Gurkha Rifles

    Garhwal Brigade GOC: Maj-Gen H.D’U. Keary, CB, DSO

    • 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment
    • 1/39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 2/39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 2/3rd Gurkha Rifles

    Bareilly Brigade GOC: Maj-Gen F. Macbean, CVO, CB

    • 2nd Battalion Black Watch
    • 41st Dogras
    • 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 2/8th Gurkha Rifles

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    4th Cavalry

    Divisional Artillery

    • IV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA) - replaced V Brigade (transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division) 17 October 1914
    • 7th, 14th & 66th Batteries
    • IV Brigade Ammunition Column
    • IX Brigade,
    • RFA 19th, 20th & 28th Batteries
    • IX Brigade Ammunition Column
    • XIII Brigade, RFA - replaced XI Brigade (transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division 17 October 1914
    • 2nd, 8th & 44th Batteries
    • XIII Brigade Ammunition Column
    • 110th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
    • Heavy Battery Ammunition Column
    • Meerut Divisional Ammunition Column

    Engineers

    • 3rd & 4th Companies, 1st King George’s Own Sappers and Miners
    • Signals Service
    • Meerut Signal Company
    • Divisional Pioneers
    • 107th Pioneers
    • Supply & Transport:
    • Meerut Divisional train
    • Medical Units:
    • 19th & 20th British Field Ambulances
    • 128th, 129th and 130th Indian Field Ambulances

    After winter operations (in which the Indian soldiers suffered badly) the division next took part in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos in 1915.

    Order of Battle, May 1915

    GOC: Lieut-Gen Sir C.A. Anderson, KCB

    Dehra Dun Brigade - GOC: - Brig-Gen Col C.W. Jacob

    • 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
    • 1/4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (Territorial Force)
    • 6th Jat Light Infantry
    • 2nd Battalion 2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Regiment)
    • 1st Battalion 9th Gurkha Rifles

    Garwhal Brigade GOC: - Brig-Gen C.G. Blackader

    • 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment
    • 1/3rd Battalion London Regiment (Territorial Force)
    • 39th Garhwal Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles
    • 2nd Battalion 8th Gurkha Rifles

    Bareilly Brigade GOC: Brig-Gen W.M. Southey

    • 2nd Battalion Black Watch
    • 1/4th Battalion Black Watch (Territorial Force)
    • 41st Dogras
    • 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)
    • 125th Napier's Rifles

    Divisional Troops

    As before, with the addition of 30th Battery of XLIII (Howitzer Brigade) RGA.

    By the Battle of Loos in September 1915, Maj-Gen Claud Jacob had replaced Anderson as GOC of 7th (Meerut) Division, and the exhausted 61st Jats and 41st Dogras had been replaced by the 93rd Burma Infantry and 33rd Punjabis (from Egypt), while 30th Battery, XLII (How) Brigade had been replaced by 61st Battery, VIII (How) Bde.

    Mesopotamia

    On 13 August 1915, General Sir John Nixon, commanding Indian Expeditionary Force D in Mesopotamia, requested one of the Indian infantry divisions in France as reinforcements for his advance on Baghdad. Coincidentally, on the same day, the Secretary of State for India, Austen Chamberlain, told the Viceroy of India that he was anxious for the Indian infantry to be withdrawn from France before they had to endure another winter. The system for supplying drafts had broken down and the Indian battalions were becoming very weak after the heavy casualties they had suffered. Although the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, objected to their withdrawal from the Western Front, orders were issued on 31 October for the two divisions of Indian Corps (3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Division) to embark at Marseilles for Mesopotamia. They were to leave behind their attached Territorial Force battalions. The two divisions were relieved in the front line on 6 November and were due at Basra on 1 December, but their departure from Marseilles was delayed until after 25 December because of fear of submarine attack. 7th (Meerut) Division finally arrived in Mesopotamia in Spring 1917 and joined Tigris Corps, too late to relieve the 6th (Poona) Division at Kut-al-Amara.

    The division participated in the battles at the Sheikh Sa'ad, Wadi, Hanna, Dujailia, and the Sannaiyat. After the fall of Kut, as part of the reorganization of the British and Indian forces in the region, the division spent much of the summer and fall refitting. The Meerut and Lahore Divisions would eventually become part of the I Indian Army Corps, part of the newly formed Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, participating in the capture of Baghdad in March 1917.

    Palestine

    After the fall of Baghdad, the Palestine Campaign was given priority over Mesopotamia, and in December 1917 Sir Edmund Allenby, commanding the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), was informed that after he had captured Jerusalem he would be reinforced by the 7th (Meerut) Division from Mesopotamia. The division moved from Mesopotamia to Egypt in December, and then on 1 April 1918 it relieved the 52nd (Lowland) Division, which was on its way to the Western Front. The EEF undertook few operations during the hot weather of Summer 1918, but the Meerut Division captured 'North Sister' and 'South Sister' Hills on 8 June, and raided 'Piffer Ridge' on 27 June. It subsequently took part in Allenby's advance through Palestine, including the Battle of Megiddo as part of Lieutenant-General Bulfin's XXI British Corps operating on the right flank.

    Order of Battle September 1918

    GOC: Maj-Gen Sir V.B. Fane

    19th Brigade:

    • 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
    • 28th Punjabis
    • 92nd Punjabis
    • 125th Napier’s Rifles

    21st Brigade:

    • 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    • 1st Battalion Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (Frontier Force) (Lumsden's) Infantry
    • 20th Punjabis
    • 1/8th Gurkha Rifles

    28th Brigade:

    • 2nd Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment
    • 51st Sikhs (Frontier Force)
    • 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force)
    • 56th Punjabi Rifles


     Divisional History  The 8th (Lucknow) Division was a formation of the British Indian Army's Northern Army that was first formed as a result of the Kitchener reforms of the Indian Army in 1903. The Division remained in India on internal security duties during World War I, though the 8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade was transferred to the 1st Indian Cavalry Division and served in France on the Western Front and the 22nd Lucknow Infantry Brigade served as part of the 11th Indian Division in Egypt.

    Division formation in 1914

    8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade - Commander: Major General Cookson

    • 1st King's Dragoon Guards
    • 16th Cavalry
    • 36th Jacob's Horse
    • 39th Central India Horse

    22nd Lucknow Infantry Brigade - Commander: Major General A Wilson

    • 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
    • 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • 17th Infantry (The Loyal Regiment)
    • 36th Sikhs
    • 74th Punjabis
    • U Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • V Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 63rd, 64th and 73rd Batteries

    Fyzabad Brigade - Commander: Brigadier General Kavangh

    • 12th Cavalry
    • 1st Battalion, Leinster Regiment
    • 9th Bhopal Infantry

    Allahabad Brigade - Commander: Brigadier General Cowper

    • 17th Cavalry
    • 1st Battalion, Royal Scots
    • 3rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
    • 62nd Punjabis
    • 92nd Punjabis

    Presidency Brigade

    Presidency Brigade was based in Calcutta - Commander: Major General May

    • 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
    • 2nd Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
    • 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • 11th Rajputs
    • 22nd Punjabis
    • 93rd Burma Infantry
    • 2/10th Gurkha Rifles
    • XVII Brigade RFA 10th, 26th and 92nd Batteries
    • 51st and 62nd Companies RGA

    Divisional Troops

    • 5th Light Infantry, at Nowgong
    • 113th Infantry, at Dibrugarh
    • 123rd Outram's Rifles, at Manipur
    • 1/8th Gurkha Rifles, at Shillong


     Divisional History  The 1st Indian Cavalry Division was a division of the British Indian Army formed at the outbreak of World War I. It served on the Western Front, being renamed as 4th Cavalry Division on 26 November 1916. In March 1918, the 4th Cavalry Division was broken up. The British units remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt to help constitute 1st Mounted Division.

    The division sailed for France from Bombay on October 16, 1914, under the command of Major General H D Fanshawe. The division was re-designated the 4th Cavalry Division in November 1916. During the war the Division served in the trenches as infantry. Due to the difference in troop levels between infantry and cavalry regiments, each cavalry brigade formed one dismounted cavalry regiment.

    The high number of officer casualties suffered early on had an effect on its later performance. British officers that understood the language, customs, and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien environment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers. The division served in France and Flanders, held in reserve for the expected breakthrough. It provided dismounted parties for trench duties, but its only battle was the Battle of Cambrai, during the German counterattacks of 30 November, 3 December. In March 1918 it was broken up and the Indian regiments combined in Egypt with the Yeomanry Mounted Division to form the 1st Mounted Division (later 4th Cavalry Division).

    Order of Battle November 1914

    2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade

    • 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own)
    • 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry
    • 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse)

    3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade to 15 September 1915, then to 2nd Indian Cavalry Division

    • 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars
    • 9th Hodson's Horse
    • 30th Lancers (Gordon's Horse)

    8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade

    • 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards
    • 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)
    • 36th Jacob's Horse

    5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade from 2nd Indian Cavalry Division on 15 September 1915

    • 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
    • 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • 38th King George's Own Central India Horse

    I Indian Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery

    • A Battery, RHA with 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade then 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade
    • Q Battery, RHA with 2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade
    • U Battery, RHA with 8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade
    • I Indian RHA Brigade Ammunition Column


     Divisional History  The Burma Division was a static formation of the British Indian Army. It was created as part of the 1903 reforms of the Indian Army by Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener then Commander-in-Chief, India. The task of such formations was to oversee area brigades commanding Internal Security troops. The formation is best thought of as a provincial or district command rather than as an infantry division.

    The headquarters of the division was at Maymyo.

    At the start of World War I the division consisted of:

    Commander Major General T Pilcher

    Rangoon Brigade, Brigadier General Johnstone

    • 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
    • 1st Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers
    • 66th Punjabis
    • 79th Infantry
    • 89th Punjabis
    • 64th & 75th Batteries Royal Garrison Artillery
    • 22 Mountain Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

    Mandalay Brigade, Major General Raitt

    • 1st Battalion Border Regiment
    • 64th Pioneers
    • 80th Infantry
    • 91st Punjabis
    • 1/10th Gurkha Rifles


     Divisional History  The 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was a division of the British Indian Army formed at the outbreak of World War I. It served on the Western Front, being renamed as 5th Cavalry Division on 26 November 1916. In March 1918, the 5th Cavalry Division was broken up. The British and Canadian units remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt to help constitute 2nd Mounted Division.

    The division sailed for France from Bombay on October 16, 1914, under the command of Major General G A Cookson. During the war the division would serve in the trenches as infantry. Due to the difference on troop levels each cavalry brigade, once dismounted, formed a dismounted regiment.

    In March 1916 the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was attached to the British Fourth Army. On July 1, 1916 the Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade moved into a reserve position on the Somme, ready to exploit any breakthrough. The same brigade was sent up again on July 14, to Montauban to support the attack on the Bazentin, Longueval ridge. At 1730 the leading two regiments were ordered to advance between High Wood and Delville Wood. The British 7th Dragoon Guards and the Indian 20th Deccan Horse galloped forward to a position between the woods, but little could be achieved. At 0330 on July 15, they returned to Montauban, having suffered casualties of 74 men and 110 horses. Cavalry units were again brought forward on September 15 to support the attack on Flers-Courcelette, but were not drawn into the fighting and played no further part in the Battle of the Somme except as labour units in reserve. The high number of officer casualties suffered early on had an effect on its later performance. British officers that understood the language, customs, and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien environment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers. The 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was renamed the 5th Cavalry Division on 26 November 1916 and attached to the 5th Army. In March 1918 the division was transferred to Egypt, although its two British regular cavalry regiments (8th Hussars and 7th Dragoon Guards) remained in France.

    Order of Battle December 1914

    5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade to 15 September 1915, then to 1st Indian Cavalry Division

    • 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons
    • 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • 38th King George's Own Central India Horse
    • X Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

    7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade to June 1916

    • 13th Hussars
    • 3rd Skinner's Horse
    • 18th King George's Own Lancers
    • V Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

    9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade

    • 7th (Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • N Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

    II Indian Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery

    • N Battery, RHA attached to 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade
    • V Battery, RHA attached to 7th (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade
    • X Battery, RHA attached to 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade then 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade
    • II Indian RHA Brigade Ammunition Column

    Order of Battle March 1917

    3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade from 1st Indian Cavalry Division on 15 September 1915

    • 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars
    • 9th Hodson's Horse
    • 30th Lancers (Gordon's Horse)X Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • 14th Machine Gun Squadron

    9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade

    • 7th (Princess Royal's) Dragoon Guards
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • N Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • 13th Machine Gun Squadron

    Canadian Cavalry Brigade from June 1916

    • Royal Canadian Dragoons
    • Lord Strathcona's Horse
    • Fort Garry Horse
    • Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade
    • (A and B Batteries, RCHA)
    • Canadian Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron

    XVII Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (II Indian Brigade, RHA redesignated)

    • N Battery, RHA attached to 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade
    • X Battery, RHA attached to 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade
    • XVII RHA Brigade Ammunition Column

    Order of Battle September 1918

    Main article: Battle of Megiddo (1918)

    13th Cavalry Brigade (Brigadier General Philip James Vandeleur Kelly)

    • Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
    • 9th Hodson's Horse
    • 18th King George's Own Lancers

    14th Cavalry Brigade (Brigadier General Goland Vanhalt Clarke)

    • Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse

    15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade (Brigadier General Cyril Rodney Harbord)

    • Jodhpur Lancers
    • Mysore Lancers
    • 1st Hyderabad Lancers
    • B Battery, Honourable Artillery Company
    • Essex Battery RHA with Divisional Ammunition Column.
    • 11th LAM Battery
    • No. 1 Light Car Patrol


       4th Cavalry Division (British Indian Army) was formed in July 1918 by the renaming of the 1st Mounted Division which had been active since April 1918, when the Yeomanry Mounted Division was merged with elements of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division withdrawn from the Western Front, it was the third distinct division to bear the title of 1st Mounted Division. On 24th April 1918, the 6th Mounted Brigade was merged with elements of the 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade, the 8th Mounted Brigade with the 8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade, and the 22nd Mounted Brigade with the 2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade. Six of the Yeomanry Regiments were merged in pairs, converted to Machine Gun Battalions, and posted to the Western Front: C Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed by the merger of the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars and the Berkshire Yeomanry. D Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed by the merger of the Lincolnshire Yeomanry and the East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry, E Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed by the merger of the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) and the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) They were replaced by Indian Cavalry Regiments from France. The Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections merged with their Indian counterparts. Other units were retained unchanged, though some were renumbered to reflect the new divisional designation.

    On 22nd of July 1918, the 1st Mounted Division was renumbered as the 4th Cavalry Division and the brigades renamed the 10th, 11th and 12th Cavalry Brigades. The sub units (Signal Troops, Combined Cavalry Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections) were also renumbered. The Division served as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine in World War I seeing action in Palestine during the Second Trans-Jordan Raid, the Battle of Megiddo and the Capture of Damascus. It remained in Palestine after the end of the war on occupation duties. However, Demobilization had began immediately and most of the British war time units had left by May 1919, though the 1/1st County of London Yeomanry did not leave until March 1920. The Division was finally broken up in 1921.

    4th Cavalry Division Order of Battle, September 1918

    10th Cavalry Brigade

    • Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry
    • 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
    • 38th King George's Own Central India Horse
    • 17th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 10th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 10th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 10th Mobile Veterinary Section

    11th Cavalry Brigade

    • 1st County of London Yeomanry
    • 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)
    • 36th Jacob's Horse
    • 21st Machine Gun Squadron
    • 11th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 11th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 11th Mobile Veterinary Section

    12th Cavalry Brigade

    • Staffordshire Yeomanry (Queen's Own Royal Regiment)
    • 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry
    • 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse)
    • 18th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 12th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 12th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 12th Mobile Veterinary Section

    Divisional Artillery

    • XX Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery
    • Hampshire RHA
    • Berkshire RHA
    • Leicestershire RHA
    • XX RHA Brigade Ammunition Column

    Divisional Troops

    • 4th Field Squadron, RE
    • 4th Cavalry Division Signal Squadron
    • 4th Cavalry Division Train

    • 999th Company ASC
    • 1000th Company ASC
    • 1001st Company ASC
    • 1002nd Company ASC


     Divisional History  The 2nd Mounted Division was a cavalry division that served as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine in World War I. It was formed in April 1918 when three brigades already in Palestine were merged with elements of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division withdrawn from the Western Front. In July 1918, the division was renamed as the 5th Cavalry Division. It remained in Palestine after the end of the war on occupation duties until finally broken up in 1920.

    Formation

    2nd Mounted Division

    In March 1918, the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was broken up in France. The Canadian (Canadian Cavalry Brigade) and British units (notably 7th Dragoon Guards, 8th Hussars and N and X Batteries RHA) remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt.

    By an Egyptian Expeditionary Force GHQ Order of 12 April 1918, the mounted troops of the EEF were reorganised when the Indian Army units arrived in theatre. On 24 April 1918, the 2nd Mounted Division was formed on the Indian Establishment. This new formation should not be confused with the original 2nd Mounted Division that saw action in the Gallipoli Campaign, though the 5th and 7th Mounted Brigades served in both.

    • The 5th Mounted Brigade was transferred from the Australian Mounted Division and merged with elements of the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade.
    • The 7th Mounted Brigade (which had been acting in an independent role) was merged with elements of the 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade.
    • The Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade (which had been on service in Egypt and Palestine since 1914) joined as the division's third brigade.
    • Two of the Yeomanry Regiments were merged (Warwickshire Yeomanry of the 5th Mounted Brigade and the South Nottinghamshire Hussars of 7th Mounted Brigade) to form B Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. It was posted to France, arriving in June.
    • The Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars became the XX Corps Cavalry Regiment. They were replaced by Indian Cavalry Regiments from France.
    • The Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections merged with their Indian counterparts.
    • The Essex Battery, RHA and ammunition column joined with 7th Mounted Brigade.
    • Other divisional elements were raised for the new division.

    5th Cavalry Division

    On 22nd July 1918, the 2nd Mounted Division was renumbered as the 5th Cavalry Division and the Brigades as the 13th, 14th and 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigades. The sub units (Signal Troops, Combined Cavalry Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections) were renumbered on the same date.

    Divisional Order of Battle, September 1918

    13th Cavalry Brigade

    • Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
    • 9th Hodson's Horse
    • 18th King George's Own Lancers
    • 19th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 13th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 13th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 13th Mobile Veterinary Section

    14th Cavalry Brigade

    • Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
    • 20th Deccan Horse
    • 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
    • 20th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 14th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop
    • 14th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 14th Mobile Veterinary Section

    15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade

    • Mysore Lancers
    • 1st Hyderabad Lancers
    • 1st Jodhpur Lancers
    • 15th I.S. Machine Gun Squadron
    • 15th Kathiawar Signal Troop
    • 15th I.S. Cavalry Field Ambulance
    • 15th I.S. Mobile Veterinary Section

    Artillery

    • Essex Battery, RHA
    • Nottinghamshire Battery, RHA
    • Ammunition Column

    Divisional Troops

    • 5th Field Squadron, RE
    • 5th Cavalry Division Signal Squadron
    • 5th Cavalry Division Train
      • 1044th Company ASC
      • 1103rd Company ASC
      • 1104th Company ASC
      • 1105th Company ASC

    Battles

    The 2nd Mounted / 5th Cavalry Division served with the Desert Mounted Corps for the rest of the war, taking part in the following actions.

    • Second Transjordan Raid (30 April to 4 May 1918, 15th I.S. Brigade only),
    • Affair of Abu Tellul (14 July), and the Final Offensive including the Battle of Megiddo (19 to 25 September),
    • Capture of Haifa (23 September, 15th I.S. Brigade only) and Damascus (1 October),
    • Affair of Haritan (26 October, 15th I.S. Brigade only) and Occupation of Aleppo.

    The division remained in Palestine on occupation duties after the end of the war. However, demobilization began immediately and most of the British war time units had left by the middle of 1919. 14th Cavalry Brigade was broken up in September 1919 and the 15th (I.S.) Cavalry Brigade in January 1920. The division was finally broken up in April 1920.

     Divisional History  The Cavalry Division was formed in 1916 during First World War by units of the British Army and the British Indian Army stationed in India for service in Mesopotamia in the Mesopotamia Campaign. The Division was broken up in 1918, but its brigades then served independently.

    6th Indian Cavalry Brigade

    • 14th King's Hussars
    • 21st Cavalry
    • 22nd Cavalry
    • 15th Machine Gun Squadron
    • S Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
    • No 2 Troop, 2nd Sappers & Miners
    • 6th Cavalry Brigade Supply & Transport Company

    7th Indian Cavalry Brigade

    The 7th Indian Cavalry Brigade later served as an independent brigade when the Division was broken up. In 1918 it fought at the Battle of Sharqat and was present at the occupation of Mosul at the end of the campaign, shortly after the armistice.

    • 13th Hussars
    • 13th Duke of Cambridge's Own Lancers (Watson's Horse)
    • 14th Murray's Jat Lancers
    • 16th Machine Gun Squadron
    • V Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

    11th Indian Cavalry Brigade

    The 11th Indian Cavalry Brigade also served as an independent brigade when the Division was broken up. It was formed in September 1917 from three cavalry regiments sent from India and an artillery battery sent from the Western Front. Its machine gun squadron and other support units were assembled in Mesopotamia. It fought at the Action of Khan Baghdadi and the Battle of Sharqat. It also was present at the occupation of Mosul at the end of the campaign.

    • 7th Hussars
    • Guides Cavalry
    • 23rd Cavalry (Frontier Force)
    • 25th Machine Gun Squadron
    • W Battery, Royal Horse Artillery


       1st Australian Division 1914-1918

    On 3rd of August 1914, the day before Britain declared war - the Government of Australia offered an expeditionary force of 20,000 men, to be composed of a Division plus a brigade of Light Horse and titled the Australian Imperial Force. The original AIF sailed on 1 November 1914 and proceeded via Colombo to Egypt. The original intention was that the force would continue on to England but problems of accommodation being experienced by the Canadian units then in England forced a change of mind. The Force halted in Egypt and training recommenced. Thereafter the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

    1915

    • 3 February 1915: two battalions involved in defending against Turkish attack on Suez Canal
    • March 1915 : 3rd Brigade moves to Lemnos
    • 1 April 1915 : Division receives orders to prepare to make amphibious assault at Gallipoli
    • 25 April 1915 : Division lands at what was to become forever known as ANZAC Beach
    • The Division withdrew from Gallipoli in late 1915.

    1916

    On 13 January 1916 it was decided that the AIF would be developed to create five Divisions, four Australian and one New Zealand. The infantry brigades of 1st Division were split to create a nucleus of the 14th, 15th and 16th Brigades and places in all six brigades were filled by new drafts. The Division was warned for France and sailed on 13 March 1916. It remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war.

    The Battle of Pozieres including the fighting for Mouquet Farm - Somme 1916

    1917

    • Operations on the Ancre including the capture of the Thilloys
    • The Arras Offensive, in which the Division fought the German attack on Lagnicourt and in the Battle of Bullecourt
    • The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

    1918

    The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918. When the enemy launched its second phase of the spring offensive, the Division was rushed from the Somme to help plug the gap.

    • The Battle of Hazebrouck in which the Division fought the defence of Nieppe Forest - Battles of the Lys
    • The Battle of Amiens
    • The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Chuignes - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of Epehy - Hindenburg Line

    The Division was in Australian Corps reserve at the Armistice and was not selected to advance into Germany.

    Demobilisation commenced in early 1919 and by March 1919 the Division merged with 4th Australian Division.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 1st Australian Division

    1st Australian Brigade

    • 1st Battalion, AIF
    • 2nd Battalion, AIF
    • 3rd Battalion, AIF
    • 4th Battalion, AIF
    • 1st Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 1st Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 1st Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    2nd Australian Brigade

    • 5th Battalion, AIF
    • 6th Battalion, AIF
    • 7th Battalion, AIF
    • 8th Battalion, AIF
    • 2nd Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 1st Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 2nd Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    3rd Australian Brigade

    • 9th Battalion, AIF
    • 10th Battalion, AIF
    • 11th Battalion, AIF
    • 12th Battalion, AIF
    • 3rd Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 1st Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 3rd Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    Divisional Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 1st Australian Pioneer Battalion formed in Egypt
    • 21st Australian Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into 1st Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 1st Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
    • 1st Australian Divisional Train ASC later titled 741, 742, 743 and 744 Companies
    • 1st Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 1st Australian Divisional Employment Company joined August 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 4th Australian Light Horse left April 1915, returned after Gallipoli and left March 1916
    • 1st Australian Cyclist Company formed in Egypt, left May 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 1 Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 2 Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 3 Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 21 Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA formed in Egypt, absorbed by July 1916
    • 1st Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • 1st Australian Heavy Battery RGA formed at Gallipoli in November 1915, disbanded in December
    • V.1.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed June 1916, left February 1918
    • X.1.A, Y.1.A and Z.1.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed April 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

  • 1st Australian Field Company
  • 2nd Australian Field Company
  • 3rd Australian Field Company
  • 1st Australian Divisional Signals Company

Royal Army Medical Corps

  • 1st Australian Field Ambulance
  • 2nd Australian Field Ambulance
  • 3rd Australian Field Ambulance


   2nd Australian Division sailed for Egypt in May and June 1915. By August they had been joined there by new artillery units from Australia and other ancillary units largely improvised from the reserves in Egypt. They were formed into the 2nd Australian Division. In August 1915 the Division reinforced the garrison at Gallipoli. Thereafter the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

1915

  • Gallipoli campaign

1916

The Division sailed for France on 13th of March 1916. It then remained in France and Flanders for the rest of the war. The Division then took part in the following battles and engagements:

  • The Battle of Pozieres including the fighting for Mouquet Farm - Somme

1917

  • Operations on the Ancre including the capture of the Thilloys and Irles
  • During the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Division captured Bapaume
  • The Arras Offensive, in which the Division fought the German attack on Lagnicourt and in the Battle of Bullecourt
  • The Battle of the Menin Road - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

1918

The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

  • The Battle of the Avre
  • The Capture of Hamel
  • The Second Battle of Bapaume in which the Division captured Mont St Quentin
  • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal - Hindenburg Line
  • The Battle of Beaurevoir in which the Division captured Montbrehain - Hindenburg Line

The Division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in early 1919 and by March 1919 the Division merged with 5th Australian Division.

The Divisional Order of Battle of the 2nd Australian Division

5th Australian Brigade

  • 17th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 18th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 19th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 20th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 5th Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 2nd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 5th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

6th Australian Brigade

  • 21st Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 22nd Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 23rd Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 24th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 6th Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 2nd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 6th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

7th Australian Brigade

  • 25th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 26th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 27th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 28th Btn, Australian Imperial Force
  • 7th Australian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 2nd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 7th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

Divisional Troops

  • 2nd Australian Pioneer Btn formed in Egypt in March 1916
  • 22nd Australian Machine Gun Company joined March 1917, left to move into 2nd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
  • 2nd Australian Divisional Train ASC formed in Egypt in August 1915, later titled 745, 746, 747 and 848 Companies
  • 2nd Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC formed in Egypt in August 1915
  • 2nd Australian Divisional Employment Company joined January 1917

Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

  • 13th Australian Light Horse joined July 1915, broken up February 1916
  • 2nd Australian Cyclist Company formed in Egypt, left May 1916

Divisional Artillery

  • 4th Australian Brigade, RFA
  • 5th Australian Brigade, RFA
  • 6th Australian Brigade, RFA
  • 22 Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA formed in Egypt, absorbed by May 1916
  • 2nd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
  • 1st Australian Heavy Battery RGA formed at Gallipoli in November 1915, disbanded in December
  • V.2.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed June 1916, left February 1918
  • X.2.A, Y.2.A and Z.2.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed June 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

Royal Engineers

  • 5th Australian Field Company formed in Egypt in July 1915, renumbered 8th and left February 1916
  • 6th Australian Field Company joined from Australia in February 1916
  • 7th Australian Field Company joined from Australia in February 1916
  • 2nd Australian Divisional Signals Company

Royal Army Medical Corps

  • 5th Australian Field Ambulance formed in Egypt in August 1915
  • 6th Australian Field Ambulance formed in Egypt in August 1915
  • 7th Australian Field Ambulance formed in Egypt in August 1915


   3rd Australian Division was formed in March 1916 and arrived in England from July 1916. After intensive training it crossed to France in December and saw action in many of the major battles of the war.Initially under the command of then Major General John Monash, generally regarded asone of the finest military commanders of the war. He was succeeded on 31st of May 1918 by Major General John Gellibrand.

1917

  • The Battle of Messines
  • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
  • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

1918

The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

  • The Battle of the Avre (First Battles of the Somme 1918)
  • The Capture of Hamel
  • The Battle of Albert - Second Battles of the Somme 1918
  • The Second Battle of Bapaume in which the Division captured Mont St Quentin - Second Battles of the Somme 1918
  • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal (Battles of the Hindenburg Line)

The Division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in late 1918 and by May 1919 the last troops of the Division had departed for home.

The Divisional Order of Battle of the 3rd Australian Division

9th Australian Brigade

  • 33rd Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 34th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 35th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 36th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 9th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 3rd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 9th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed August 1916

10th Australian Brigade

  • 37th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 38th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 39th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 40th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 10th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 3rd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 10th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed August 1916

11th Australian Brigade

  • 41st Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 42nd Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 43rd Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 44th Btn, Australian Infantry
  • 11th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 3rd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 11th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed August 1916

Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

  • 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion formed in Egypt in March 1916
  • 207th Machine Gun Company (British Army). Joined October 1916, left October 1917
  • 23rd Australian Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into 3rd Australian MG Battalion February 1918
  • 3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
  • 3rd Australian Divisional Train ASC later titled 867, 868, 869 and 870 Companies
  • 3rd Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC formed in Egypt in August 1915
  • 3rd Australian Divisional Employment Company joined January 1917

Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

  • 3rd Australian Cyclist Company left July 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 7th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 8th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 9th Australian Brigade, RFA broken up in January 1917
    • 23rd Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA absorbed in January 1917
    • 3rd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • V.3.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed August 1916, left February 1918
    • X.3.A, Y.3.A and Z.3.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed August 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 9th Australian Field Company
    • 10th Australian Field Company
    • 11th Australian Field Company
    • 3rd Australian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 9th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 10th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 11th Australian Field Ambulance


       4th Australian Division began to form in Egypt in February 1916, after a decision to essentially duplicate the original Australian Imperial Force which had now withdrawn from Gallipoli. Delays in assembling the artillery meant that the Division could not depart for France before June 1916. It entered the front line near Armentieres late that month and then took part in the following battles and engagements:

    1916

    The Battle of Pozieres including the fighting for Mouquet Farm (Somme)

    1917

    • Operations on the Ancre
    • The advance to the Hindenburg Line
    • The Arras Offensive including the Battle of Bullecourt
    • The Battle of Messines
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

    1918 The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

    • The First Battle of Arras - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme
    • The actions of Villers-Bretonneux - Somme
    • The Capture of Hamel
    • The Battle of Amiens
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme The Battle of Epehy (Battles of the Hindenburg Line)

    The Division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in late 1918 and in March 1919 the Division merged with 1st Australian Division.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 4th Australian Division

    4th Australian Brigade - joined in Egypt

    • 13th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 14th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 15th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 16th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 4th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 4th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed in July 1916

    12th Australian Brigade

    • 45th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 46th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 47th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 48th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 12th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 12th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916

    13th Australian Brigade

    • 49th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 50th Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 51st Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 52nd Battalion, Australian Infantry
    • 13th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 13th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed July 1916

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion formed in Egypt in March 1916
    • 23rd Australian Machine Gun Company joined June 1917, left to move into 4th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 4th Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
    • 4th Australian Divisional Train ASC later titled 753, 754, 755 and 756 Companies
    • 4th Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 4th Australian Divisional Employment Company joined January 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • B Squadron, 13th Australian Light Horse joined March 1916, left July 1916
    • 4th Australian Cyclist Company left June 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 10th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 11th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 12th Australian Brigade, RFA left January 1917
    • 24th Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA absorbed in January 1917
    • 4th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • V.4.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed July 1916, left February 1918
    • X.4.A, Y.3.A and Z.4.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed July 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 4th Australian Field Company
    • 12th Australian Field Company
    • 13th Australian Field Company
    • 4th Australian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 4th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 12th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 13th Australian Field Ambulance


     Divisional History  The 5th Australian Division in 1914-1918

    This Division began to form in Egypt in February 1916, after a decision to essentially duplicate the original AIF which had now withdrawn from Gallipoli. Delays in assembling the artillery meant that the Division could not depart for France before June 1916:

    1916

    The attack at Fromelles (Somme 1916 - diversionary action)

    1917

    • Operations on the Ancre including the capture of the Thilloys
    • The advance to the Hindenburg Line
    • The Arras Offensive including the Battle of Bullecourt and actions on the Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

    1918

    The Australian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

    • The Battle of the Avre - Somme 1918
    • The actions of Villers-Bretonneux - Somme 1918
    • The Capture of Hamel
    • The Battle of Amiens
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme 1918
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume including the occupation of Peronne - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of the St Quentin Canal and the capture of the Bellicourt tunnel defences (Hindenburg Line)

    The Division was not selected to advance into Germany. Demobilisation commenced in late 1918 and in March 1919 the Division merged with 1st Australian Division.

    The order of battle of the 5th Australian Division

    8th Australian Brigade - joined in Egypt in December 1915

    • 29th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 30th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 31st Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 32nd Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 8th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 5th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 8th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed in France July 1916

    14th Australian Brigade - formed in Egypt

    • 53rd Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 54th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 55th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 56th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 14th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 5th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 14th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed in France July 1916

    15th Australian Brigade - formed in Egypt

      57th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 58th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 59th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 60th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 15th Australian Machine Gun Company left to move into 5th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 15th Australian Trench Mortar Battery formed in France July 1916

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 5th Australian Pioneer Bn formed in Egypt in March 1916
    • 25th Australian Machine Gun Company joined September 1917, left to move into 5th Australian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 5th Australian Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
    • 5th Australian Divisional Train ASC later titled 757, 758, 759 and 760 Companies
    • 5th Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 5th Australian Divisional Employment Company joined January 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • C Sqn, 13th Australian Light Horse joined March 1916, left July 1916
    • 5th Australian Cyclist Company left June 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 13th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 14th Australian Brigade, RFA
    • 15th Australian Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917
    • 25th Australian (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA absorbed in January 1917
    • 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • V.5.A Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed July 1916, left February 1918
    • X.5.A, Y.5.A and Z.5.A Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed July 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 8th Australian Field Company
    • 14th Australian Field Company
    • 15th Australian Field Company
    • 5th Australian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 8th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 14th Australian Field Ambulance
    • 15th Australian Field Ambulance


     Divisional History  The New Zealand and Australian Division in 1914-1916

    The history of the New Zealand and Australian Division

    A New Zealand Expeditionary Force of just under 8500 men, volunteers for overseas service drawn from the recently raised Territorial Force, sailed from home on 14 October 1914. En route they linked up with an Australian brigade and, original intentions of going to England having been changed, together arrived at Egypt on 3 December 1914.:

    1915

    • 2 February 1915 : engaged in defending against Tuirkish attack on the Suez Canal
    • 1 April 1915 : Division receives orders to prepare to make amphibious assault at Gallipoli
    • 25 April 1915 : Division lands at what was to become forever known as ANZAC Beach
    • Gallipoli
    • 8 August 1915 : a key date for New Zealand history as the force assaults Chunuk Bair.
    • The Division withdrew from Gallipoli in late 1915.

    1916

    Reconstituted as the New Zealand Division in February and March 1916

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the New Zealand and Australian Division

    New Zealand Brigade

    • Wellington Bn
    • Canterbury Bn
    • Auckland Bn
    • Otago Bn
    • Maori Bn under command from February 1915

    4th Australian Brigade

    • 13th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 14th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 15th Bn, the Australian Infantry
    • 16th Bn, the Australian Infantry

    Divisional Mounted Troops

    • Otago Mounted Rifles attached to New Zealand Brigade
    • New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade attached to New Zealand Brigade
    • Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington Mounted Rifles attached to New Zealand Brigade
    • 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade consisted of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Light Horse, attached to 4th Australian Brigade
    • 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade consisted of 8th, 9th and 10th Australian Light Horse, attached to 4th Australian Brigade

    Divisional Artillery

    • 1 New Zealand Brigade, RFA
    • 2 New Zealand Brigade, RFA formed at Gallipoli in July 1915

    Royal Engineers

    • 1st New Zealand Field Company
    • 2nd New Zealand Field Company
    • 4th Australian Field Company
    • New Zealand and Australian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • New Zealand and Australian Field Ambulance formed January 1915
    • 4th Australian Field Ambulance
    • New Zealand and Australian Mounted Field Ambulance formed May 1915

    Other Divisional Troops

  • 4th Australian Light Horse attached to 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade in April 1915
  • 12th Australian Light Horse arrived Egypt July 1915, attached to 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade August-December 1915
  • New Zealand and Australian Divisional Train ASC formed January 1915
  • New Zealand and Australian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC formed January 1915

     Divisional History  The New Zealand Division in 1914-1918

    The history of New Zealand Division

    Formed in Egypt in March 1916, the Division was based on the New Zealand and Australian Division. In April 1916 the Division moved to France and remained there. It developed a reputation as being among the best of the formations under British command, fighting in many of the major actions of the war.

    1916

      The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme 1916 The Battle of Morval - Somme 1916 The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme 1916

    1917

    • The Battle of Messines
    • The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres
    • The First Battle of Passchendaele - Third Battle of Ypres

    1918

    The Division was not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

    • The First Battle of Arras - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of the Ancre - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of Albert - Somme 1918
    • The Second Battle of Bapaume - Somme 1918
    • The Battle of Havrincourt - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Cambrai - Hindenburg Line
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of the Selle
    • The Battle of the Sambre and the capture of Le Quesnoy

    The Division was selected to advance into Germany and demobilisation commenced there in late 1918.

    The Division was disbanded in Germany in March 1919.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the New Zealand Division

    1st New Zealand Brigade - joined from the New Zealand and Australian Division in Egypt in March 1916

    • 1st Wellington Bn
    • 1st Canterbury Bn
    • 1st Auckland Bn
    • 1st Otago Bn
    • 1st NZ Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into New Zealand MG Bn February 1918
    • 1st NZ Trench Mortar Battery formed in France April 1916

    2nd New Zealand Brigade - formed in Egypt February 1916

    • 2nd Wellington Bn
    • 2nd Canterbury Bn
    • 2nd Auckland Bn
    • 2nd Otago Bn
    • 2nd NZ Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into New Zealand MG Bn February 1918
    • 2nd NZ Trench Mortar Battery formed in France April 1916

    3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade - formation completed in Egypt March 1916

    • 1st New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • 2nd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • 4th New Zealand Rifle Brigade
    • 3rd NZ Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into New Zealand MG Bn February 1918
    • 3rd NZ Trench Mortar Battery formed in France April 1916

    4th New Zealand Brigade - joined May 1917, broken up February 1918

    • 3rd Wellington Bn
    • 3rd Canterbury Bn
    • 3rd Auckland Bn
    • 3rd Otago Bn
    • 5th NZ Machine Gun Company left to move into New Zealand MG Battalion February 1918
    • 4th NZ Trench Mortar Battery

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • New Zealand Pioneer Battalion formed February 1916 from Maori Bn, Otago Mounted Rifles and 2nd Maori Contingent
    • 4th NZ Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into New Zealand MG Battalion March 1918
    • NZ Machine Gun Battalion formed February 1918
    • NZ Divisional Train ASC later titled 749, 750, 751, 752 and 1048 Companies
    • NZ Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • NZ Divisional Employment Company joined February 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    Otago Mounted Rifles joined Pioneer Bn in February 1916, one Sqn remaining until March 1916 when it left to become II ANZAC Corps Cavalry Regiment

    Divisional Artillery

    • 1st NZ Brigade, RFA
    • 2nd NZ Brigade, RFA left December 1916
    • 3rd NZ Brigade, RFA
    • 4th NZ (Howitzer) Bde, RFA broken up January 1917
    • NZ Divisional Ammunition Column
    • V.NZ Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed June 1916, left February 1918
    • X.NZ, Y.NZ and Z.NZ Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed April 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    • 1st NZ Field Company
    • 2nd NZ Field Company
    • 3rd NZ Field Company
    • 4th NZ Field Company formed March 1917, broken up February 1918
    • NZ Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st NZ Field Ambulance
    • 2nd NZ Field Ambulance
    • 3rd NZ Field Ambulance
    • 4th NZ Field Ambulance joined June 1917, broken up February 1918


     Divisional History  The Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division was a mounted infantry division of the British Empire during the First World War. The division was raised in March 1916 and was assigned to the I ANZAC Corps. On establishment, it consisted of four brigades comprising three Australian light horse and one New Zealand mounted rifles, supported by British horse artillery. In 1917, one of the Australian brigades was replaced by a British yeomanry brigade. After April 1917, the standard order of battle was reduced to two Australian brigades and one New Zealand brigade, although the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade and other British mounted brigades were temporarily attached several times during operations.

    The division had two wartime commanders; the first was the Australian Major-General Harry Chauvel, who had commanded the 1st Light Horse Brigade at Gallipoli. When Chauvel was promoted to command the Desert Column, of which the division was part, he was replaced by the New Zealander Major-General Edward Chaytor from the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, who remained in command for the rest of the war. Post-war, Brigadier-General Granville Ryrie commanded the division from December 1918 until it was disbanded in June 1919.

    In December 1915, the brigades that would form the ANZAC Mounted Division were evacuated from the Gallipoli Campaign and became part of the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force. In March 1916, after raising, the division served, as the mounted formation, in the I ANZAC Corps. Then subsequently served under the command of Eastern Force for most of 1916. The division served in the Desert Column from the end of 1916 until mid-1917, when the column was expanded and renamed the Desert Mounted Corps. The division fought and won almost all the major battles across the Sinai Peninsula during 1916, and the following year it fought from Gaza to Jerusalem in southern Palestine. In 1918, it took part in the Jordan Valley operations, the raid on Amman, the raid on Es Salt and the final advance to Amman and Ziza, part of the Battle of Megiddo. During which the division formed the main part of Chaytor's Force, which captured 10,300 men from the Turkish Fourth Army.

    Battles

    1916

    • Jifjafa,
    • Romani,
    • Bir el Ard,
    • Magdhaba

    1917

    • Rafa,
    • 1st Gaza,
    • 2nd Gaza,
    • Beersheba,
    • Tel el Khuweilfe,
    • Mughar Ridge,
    • Ayun Kara

    1918

    • Jericho,
    • Amman,
    • Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt,
    • Third Transjordan attack


     Divisional History  The Australian Mounted Division originally formed as the Imperial Mounted Division in January 1917, was a mounted infantry, light horse and yeomanry division. The division was formed in Egypt, and along with the Anzac Mounted Division formed part of Desert Column, Egyptian Expeditionary Force in World War I. The division was originally made up of the Australian 3rd Light Horse Brigade, (formerly Anzac Mounted Division) the reconstituted 4th Light Horse Brigade, and two British yeomanry brigades; the 5th Mounted Brigade and 6th Mounted Brigade.

    History

    During the First Battle of Gaza, the division (as the Imperial Mounted Division) provided protection from counter-attack on the eastern flank while the main infantry assault was underway. The brigades became the rearguard during the withdrawal from Gaza after the attack was called off.

    Divisional Order of Battle

    3rd Light Horse Brigade

    • 8th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria, Australia)
    • 9th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria and South Australia)
    • 10th Light Horse Regiment (Western Australia)

    4th Light Horse Brigade

    • 4th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria)
    • 11th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland and South Australia)
    • 12th Light Horse Regiment (New South Wales)

    5th Mounted Brigade (January 1917, April 1918)

    • Warwickshire Yeomanry
    • Royal Gloucestershire Hussars
    • Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars
    • 16th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 5th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop
    • 5th Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 5th Mounted Brigade Mobile Veterinary Section

    The British 5th Mounted Brigade (formerly the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade) joined from Corps Troops in January 1917 on formation of the division. With the division, it took part in the First and Second Battles of Gaza.

    The brigade remained with the division when it was renamed Australian Mounted Division on 30 June 1917. It then took part in the Third Battle of Gaza including the Capture of Beersheba and the Battle of Mughar Ridge. It also resisted the Turkish counter-attacks in the Turkish Defence of Jerusalem.

    Three of the brigade's squadrons took part in the Charge at Huj, the last British cavalry charge against enemy guns.

    In March 1918, the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was broken up in France. The Canadian (Canadian Cavalry Brigade) and British units (7th Dragoon Guards, 8th Hussars and N and X Batteries, RHA) remained in France and the Indian elements were sent to Egypt.

    By an Egyptian Expeditionary Force GHQ Order of 12 April 1918, the mounted troops of the EEF were reorganised when the Indian Army units arrived in theatre. On 24 April 1918, the 2nd Mounted Division was formed on the Indian Establishment. 5th Mounted Brigade was merged with elements of the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade and assigned to the new division.

    6th Mounted Brigade (January 1917, June 1917)

    6th Mounted Brigade Organisation, July 1917

    • Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars
    • Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry
    • Berkshire Yeomanry
    • 17th Machine Gun Squadron
    • 6th Mounted Brigade Signal Troop
    • 2/South Midland Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC
    • 4/1st North Midland Mobile Veterinary Section

    The British 6th Mounted Brigade (formerly the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade) joined from the Western Frontier Force in January 1917 on formation of the division. With the division, it took part in the First and Second Battles of Gaza. The complete brigade was transferred to the newly formed Yeomanry Mounted Division on 27 June 1917, joining it at el Maraqeb.

    5th Light Horse Brigade (from mid-1918)[edit]

    • 14th Light Horse Regiment
    • 15th Light Horse Regiment
    • 16th Regiment Mixte de Marche de Palestine et Syrie (also known as the 1er Régiment Mixte de Marche de Cavalerie du Lavant)
    • XIX Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (T.F.)[edit]
    • HAC 13-pounders March 1918
    • 1st Nottinghamshire Battery Royal Horse Artillery (RHA)
    • 1/1st Berkshire Battery RHA
    • A Battery, Honourable Artillery Company (HAC)
    • B Battery, Honourable Artillery Company
    • XIX RHA Brigade Ammunition Column

    Light Horse Field Ambulance

    • Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance
    • 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance
    • 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance


     Divisional History  Searching for details reveals no record of an actual Canadian Cavalry or Mounted Division but it seems that the major Canadian Cavalry units were formed into the Canadian Cavalry Brigade details of which are recorded as follows.

    The Canadian Cavalry Brigade was raised in December 1914, under it first commanding officer Brigadier-General J.E.B. Seely. It was originally composed of two Canadian and one British regiments and an attached artillery battery. The Canadian units were the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) and the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery battery. The British regiment was the King Edward's Horse (The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment).

    History

    The brigade's units arrived in England in 1914, then left as a dismounted formation for France in April 1915. The brigade arrived in France during the Battle of Festubert and then served in the trenches during the Battle of Givenchy.

    The brigade remained serving as infantry until the end of January 1916, when it was re-formed as a cavalry force. It became part of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division (later 5th Cavalry Division) in the British Cavalry Corps.

    It was held in reserve during the Battle of the Somme, its first mounted operation being during the German retreat to the Hindenberg Line. In the final days of the war the brigade, finally able to get into open ground, cleared nine French villages, captured around 400, with several artillery pieces and about 100 machine guns.

    Formation Brigade Commanders

    • Brigadier-General J.E.B Seely
    • Brigadier-General R.W. Paterson — from May 1918

    Cavalry Units in Brigade

    • Royal Canadian Dragoons
    • Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
    • King Edward's Horse (The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment) later replaced by The Fort Garry Horse
    • Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

    Notable members

    • Lieutenant Harcus Strachan, VC
    • Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey, VC
    • Lieutenant Gordon Flowerdew, VC


     Divisional History  The 5th Canadian Division of the Canadian Corps was formed during World War I. The 5th began assembling in Britain in February, 1917, but was broken up in February 1918 before it was fully formed. Its men were used as reinforcements for the other four Canadian divisions, helping to maintain the over-strength Divisions of 22,000-25,000 with more than 100,000 men Total.

    Infantry Units

    13th Canadian Brigade

    • 128th (Moose Jaw) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 1917. Absorbed by the 15th Canadian Reserve Battalion; 160th Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 1918. Absorbed by the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 164th (Halton and Dufferin) Battalion Canadian Infantry. May 1917 - April 1918. Absorbed by the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 202nd Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 28, 1918. Absorbed by the 9th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 208th Battalion Canadian Infantry. May 1917 - January 3, 1918. Absorbed by the 2nd and 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalions.

    14th Canadian Brigade

    • 125th Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - April 16, 1918. Absorbed by the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 150th (Carabiniers Mont Royal) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 156th (Leeds and Grenville) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 161st Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

    15th Canadian Brigade

    • 104th (New Brunswick) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 13th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 119th (Algoma) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - April 16, 1918. Absorbed by the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - February 15, 1918. Absorbed by the 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 198th (Canadian Buffs) Battalion Canadian Infantry. April 1917, March 9, 1918. Absorbed by the 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion;
    • 199th (Duchess of Connaught's Own Irish Canadian Rangers) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - April 1917. Absorbed by the 23rd Canadian Reserve Battalion.

    Attached Troops

    • 164th (Halton and Dufferin) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 1917. To the 13th Canadian Brigade;
    • 198th (Canadian Buffs) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - April 1917. To the 15th Canadian Brigade;
    • 208th Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 1917. To the 13th Canadian Brigade;
    • 236th (MacLean Highlanders) Battalion Canadian Infantry. February 1917 - May 1917. Disbanded on March 13, 1918.
    • 12 Canadian Field Ambulance


       1st Canadian Division 1914-1918

    On 1st of August 1914, three days before Britain declared war, the Governor-General of Canada offered help should war break out. On 7th August Lord Kitchener responded that the Canadians might form a Division. An Expeditionary Force soon began to assemble at Valcartier (Quebec). The Division sailed on 3rd of October 1914 and arrived in England eleven days later. Training re-commenced on Salisbury Plain and the Division embarked for St Nazaire in early February 1915. It arrived in the Hazebrouck -Strazeele area on 15th of February and thereafter the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

    1915

    • The Second Battle of Ypres
    • The Battle of Festubert
    • The Second Action of Givenchy

    1916

    • The Battle of Mount Sorrel
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of Thiepval - Somme
    • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Vimy
    • The Battle of Arleux
    • The Third Battle of the Scarpe and the capture of Fresnoy
    • Operations towards Lens
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele

    1918

    The Canadian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918. They were also fortunate in avoiding the defensive fighting against the German offensives of spring 1918.

    • The Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery
    • The Battle of the Scarpe - Arras
    • The Battle of Drocourt-Queant - Arras
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Cambrai - Hindenburg Line

    The Division was selected to advance into Germany but demobilisation commenced in late 1918.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 1st Canadian Division

    1st Canadian Brigade

    • 1st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Western Ontario)
    • 2nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Eastern Ontario)
    • 3rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Toronto)
    • 4th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Central Ontario)
    • 1st Canadian Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into 1st Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 1st Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed May 1916

    2nd Canadian Brigade

    • 5th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Western Cavalry)
    • 6th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Fort Garry Horse) left December 1914
    • 7th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (1st British Columbia)
    • 8th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (90th Rifles)
    • 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force joined December 1914
    • 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 1st Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 2nd Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    3rd Canadian Brigade

    • 13th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Royal Highlanders)
    • 14th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Royal Montreal)
    • 15th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (48th Highlanders)
    • 16th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadian Scottish)
    • 3rd Canadian Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 1st Canadian MG Battalion February 1918
    • 3rd Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed April 1916

    4th Canadian Brigade - broken up by January 1915

    • 9th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
    • 10th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force - moved to 1st Brigade in December 1914
    • 11th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
    • 12th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 17th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Nova Scotia Highlanders) left January 1915, became reserve unit
    • 18th Battalion - disbanded September 1914
    • Newfoundland Contingent - left December 1914, later formed complete Battalion
    • 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion formed march 1916
    • 13th Canadian Machine Gun Company joined January 1917, left to move into 1st Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 1st Canadian Machine Gun Battalion formed March 1918
    • 1st Canadian Divisional Train ASC later titled 437, 438, 439 and 440 Companies
    • 1st Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 1st Canadian Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • Service Sqn, the 19th Alberta Dragoons left May 1916
    • 1st Canadian Cyclist Company left May 1916
    • Royal Canadian Dragoons joined October 1914, left February 1915
    • Strathcona's Horse joined October 1914, left February 1915
    • Automobile Machine Gun Brigade No 1 left February 1915

    Divisional Artillery

    • 1st Canadian Brigade, RFA
    • 2nd Canadian Brigade, RFA
    • 3rd Canadian Brigade, RFA left May 1917
    • Royal Canadian Horse Artillery RHA joined September 1914, left February 1915
    • 1st Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • CXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA British unit. Joined February 1915, left June 1916
    • 22nd Canadian Brigade, RFA formed June 1916, disbanded March 1917
    • W.1.C Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined June 1916, retitled as V.1.C in 1918
    • X.1.C, Y.1.C and Z.1.C Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed March 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    Field Companies formed into a Brigade in June 1918

    • 1st Canadian Field Company
    • 2nd Canadian Field Company
    • 3rd Canadian Field Company
    • 1st Canadian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 1st Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 3rd Canadian Field Ambulance


       On 6th of October 1914 the Governor-General of Canada offered a second Division. The 2nd Canadian Division sailed in May 1915 and arrived in England shortly afterward. It completed training at Shorncliffe and crossed to France 15-18 September 1915. Thereafter the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

    1916

    • The Actions of St Eloi Craters
    • The Battle of Mount Sorrel
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of Thiepval - Somme
    • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Vimy - Arras Offensive
    • The Attack on La Coulotte - Arras Offensive
    • The Battle of Arleux - Arras Offensive
    • The Third Battle of the Scarpe and the capture of Fresnoy - Arras Offensive
    • Operations towards Lens - Arras Offensive
    • The Battle of Hill 70 - Arras Offensive
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres)

    1918

    The Canadian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918.

    • The First Battle of Arras 1918
    • The Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery
    • The Battle of the Scarpe
    • The Battle of Cambrai (Hindenburg Line)
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of the Sambre, notably the passage of the Grand Honelle

    The Division was selected to advance into Germany but demobilisation commenced in late 1918. The last elements returned home in May 1919.

    The order of battle of the 2nd Canadian Division

    4th Canadian Brigade - formed when the original 4th Brigade, initially with 1st Canadian Division, was converted into a reserve

    • 18th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Western Ontario)
    • 19th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Central Ontario)
    • 20th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Central Ontario)
    • 21st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Eastern Ontario)
    • 4th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into 2nd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 4th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916

    5th Canadian Brigade

    • 22nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Canadien Francais)
    • 24th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force(Victoria Rifles)
    • 25th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Nova Scotia Rifles)
    • 26th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (New Brunswick)
    • 5th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed January 1916, left to move into 2nd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 5th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined March 1916

    6th Canadian Brigade

    • 27th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (City of Winnipeg)
    • 28th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (North West)
    • 29th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Vancouver)
    • 31st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Alberta)
    • 6th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed February 1916, left to move into 2nd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 6th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed May 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion joined March 1916
    • 14th Canadian Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into 2nd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 2nd Canadian Machine Gun Battalion formed March 1918
    • 2nd Canadian Divisional Train ASC later titled 672, 673, 674 and 675 Companies
    • 2nd Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 2nd Canadian Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • A Sqn, 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles joined March 1916, left May 1916
    • 2nd Canadian Cyclist Company joined May 1915, left May 1916
    • Borden's Armoured Motor Battery joined May 1915, left December 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • 4th Canadian Brigade, RFA left May 1917
    • 5th Canadian Brigade, RFA
    • 6th Canadian Brigade, RFA not sent to France and disbanded
    • 7th Canadian Brigade, RFA broken up March 1917
    • 2nd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • CXXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA British unit. Joined September 1915, left June 1916
    • 6th Canadian Brigade, RFA formed as 8th Brigade but retitled before joining January 1916
    • W.2.C Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined June 1916, retitled as V.2.C in 1918
    • X.2.C, Y.2.C and Z.2.C Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed March 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    Field Companies formed into a 2nd Brigade in June 1918

    • 4th Canadian Field Company
    • 5th Canadian Field Company
    • 6th Canadian Field Company
    • 2nd Canadian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 4th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 5th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 6th Canadian Field Ambulance


       3rd Canadian Division was formed in France in December 1915 from Canadian troops already overseas in reserve. A shortage of reserve artillery resulted in the guns of the 3rd (Lahore) Division of the Indian Corps joining. The Division saw action many of the major battles of the war.

    1916

    • The Battle of Mount Sorrel
    • The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme
    • The Battle of Thiepval - Somme
    • The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme
    • The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Vimy - Arras Offensive
    • The Attack on La Coulotte - Arras Offensive
    • The Third Battle of the Scarpe - Arras Offensive
    • Operations towards Lens - Arras Offensive
    • The affairs south of Souchez river - Arras Offensive
    • The capture of Avion - Arras Offensive
    • The Battle of Hill 70 - Arras Offensive
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres)

    1918

    • The Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery
    • The Battle of the Scarpe and the capture of Monchy le Preux - Arras 1918
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord and the capture of Bourlon Wood - Hindenburg Line
    • The Battle of Cambrai and the capture of the town - Hindenburg Line
    • The pursuit to the Selle
    • The Battle of Valenciennes and the capture of Mons

    The Division was not selected to advance into Germany and demobilisation commenced in late 1918. Most elements crossed to England in February 1919 and were sent home soon after.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 3rd Canadian Division

    7th Canadian Brigade

    • Royal Canadian Regiment
    • Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
    • 42nd Btn, Canadian Infantry (Royal Highlanders)
    • 49th Btn, Canadian Infantry (Edmonton)
    • 7th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed April 1916, left to move into 3rd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 7th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

    8th Canadian Brigade

    • 1st Btn, Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • 2nd Btn, Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • 4th Btn, Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • 5th Btn, Canadian Mounted Rifles
    • 8th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 3rd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 8th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined June 1916

    9th Canadian Brigade

    • 43rd Btn, Canadian Infntry (Cameron Highlanders)
    • 52nd Btn, Canadian Infantry (North Ontario)
    • 58th Btn, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario)
    • 60th Btn, Canadian Infantry (Victoria Rifles)
    • 9th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed April 1916, left to move into 3rd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 9th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed May 1916

    Divisional Troops

    • 3rd Canadian Pioneer Battalion joined January 1916, retitled from 48th Bn, the Canadian Infantry
    • 15th Canadian Machine Gun Company joined February 1917, left to move into 3rd Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 3rd Canadian Machine Gun Battalion formed March 1918
    • 3rd Canadian Divisional Train ASC later titled 676, 677, 678 and 679 Companies
    • 3rd Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 3rd Canadian Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • Service Sqn, 1st Hussars joined February 1916, left May 1916
    • 3rd Canadian Cyclist Company joined February 1916, left May 1916
    • Eaton's Armoured Motor Battery joined February 1916, left December 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • V Brigade, RFA British unit. Joined 20 March 1916, left 13 July 1916
    • XVIII Brigade, RFA British unit. Joined 20 March 1916, left 13 July 1916
    • 8th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined July 1916, left June 1917
    • 9th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined July 1916
    • 10th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined July 1916
    • 11th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined July 1916, broken up June 1917
    • 3rd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • W.3.C Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined June 1916, retitled as V.3.C in 1918
    • X.3.C, Y.3.C and Z.3.C Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed March 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    Field Companies formed into a 3rd Brigade in June 1918

    • 7th Canadian Field Company
    • 8th Canadian Field Company
    • 9th Canadian Field Company
    • 3rd Canadian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 8th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 9th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 10th Canadian Field Ambulance


       4th Canadian Division was formed in England in April 1916, the Division assembled at Bramshott and crossed to France in August 1916. As with other Canadian Divisions, a lack of artillery was the constraint and the Division was initially joined by the former artillery of 3rd (Lahore) Division, recently attached to 3rd Canadian Division. Once overseas the Division fought in many of the major actions of the war.

    1916

      The Battle of Le Transloy - Somme The Battle of the Ancre Heights - Somme The Battle of the Ancre - Somme

    1917

    • The Battle of Vimy - Arras Offensive
    • Operations towards Lens - Arras Offensive
    • The affairs south of Souchez river - Arras Offensive
    • The capture of Avion - Arras Offensive
    • The Battle of Hill 70 - Arras Offensive
    • The Second Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres)

    1918

    The Canadian Divisions were not affected by the restructuring of the army to having three brigades per Division, that took place in the British Divisions in February 1918. They were not involved in the defensive fighting against the German attack in spring 1918.

    • The Battle of Amiens and actions around Damery
    • The Battle of Drocourt-Queant (Arras)
    • The Battle of the Canal du Nord and the capture of Bourlon Wood (Hindenburg Line)
    • The Battle of Valenciennes and the capture of Mont Houy
    • The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle

    The Division was not selected to advance into Germany and demobilisation commenced in late 1918. Most elements crossed to England in March 1919 and home soon after.

    The Divisional Order of Battle of the 4th Canadian Division

    10th Canadian Brigade

    • 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba)
    • 46th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (S Saskatchewan)
    • 47th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (British Columbia)
    • 50th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Calgary)
    • 10th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed August 1916, left to move into 4th Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 10th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined October 1916

    11th Canadian Brigade

    • 54th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Kootenay)
    • 75th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Mississauga)
    • 87th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Grenadier Guards) joined June 1916
    • 102nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (N British Columbia)
    • 11th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed August 1916, left to move into 4th Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 11th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery joined October 1916

    12th Canadian Brigade

    • 38th Battalion, Canadian Infntry (Ottawa)
    • 51st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Edmonton) left 3 November 1916
    • 72nd Battalion, Canadian Inf (Seaforth Highlanders)
    • 73rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Royal Highlanders)
    • 78th Battalion, Canadian Inf (Winnipeg Grenadiers)
    • 87th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Grenadier Guards) left June 1916
    • 12th Canadian Machine Gun Company formed August 1916, left to move into 4th Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 12th Canadian Trench Mortar Battery formed October 1916

    Divisional Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 4th Canadian Pioneer Battalion retitled from 67th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Scots), disbanded April 1917
    • 124th Canadian Pioneer Battalion joined March 1917, retitled from Governor-General's Bodyguard, moved into Engineer Brigade June 1918
    • 16th Canadian Machine Gun Company joined December 1916, left to move into 4th Canadian MG Battalion March 1918
    • 4th Canadian Machine Gun Battalion formed March 1918
    • 4th Canadian Divisional Train ASC later titled 784, 795, 796, 797 Companies
    • 4th Canadian Mobile Veterinary Section AVC
    • 4th Canadian Divisional Employment Company joined June 1917

    Divisional Mounted Troops - under direct command of Divisional HQ

    • 4th Canadian Cyclist Company joined April 1916, left May 1916
    • Yukon Detachment (Machine Gun) joined April 1916, left August 1916

    Divisional Artillery

    • V Brigade, RFA (British). Joined September 1916, left July 1917
    • XI Brigade, RFA (British). Joined April 1916, left July 1917
    • XVIII Brigade, RFA (British). Joined September 1916, left July 1917
    • 3rd Canadian Brigade, RFA joined May 1917
    • 4th Canadian Brigade, RFA joined May 1917
    • 4th Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column
    • W.4.C Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined June 1916, retitled as V.4.C in 1918
    • X.4.C, Y.4.C and Z.4.C Medium Mortar Batteries RFA formed June 1916; in February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each

    Royal Engineers

    Field Companies formed into a 4th Brigade in June 1918

    • 10th Canadian Field Company
    • 11th Canadian Field Company
    • 12th Canadian Field Company
    • 4th Canadian Divisional Signals Company

    Royal Army Medical Corps

    • 11th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 12th Canadian Field Ambulance
    • 13th Canadian Field Ambulance


       City of Marseilles 8250 gross tons, length 469.3ft x beam 57ft, one funnel, two masts, twin screw, speed 14 knots. Accommodation for 141-1st and 46-2nd class passengers. Launched on 26th Oct 1912 by Palmers Co Ltd Jarrow for Ellerman's Hall Line, she left Liverpool on 26th Jan 1913 on her maiden voyage to New York, Port Said and Bombay. She subsequently sailed between Liverpool and Bombay. On 23rd Nov 1915 she was attacked by a submarine en route from Liverpool to Bombay and hit it with her gunfire.

       460th Howitzer Battery, Royal Field Artillery was formed in 1914 as part of 132nd Brigade and moved to 17th Brigade in 1915, being increased to six howitzers and renamed D Battery. They moved to 15th Brigade in 1916 which was attached to the 5th Division.

       No 2 Squadron of the RFC played a part in the battles of Mons and Ypres in 1915, at Loos and the Somme in 1916, at Arras in 1917 and the second battle of the Somme in 1918. It was redesignated No. 2 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       No. 3 Squadron was formed on 13 May 1912 taking over the aircraft of No. 2 (Aeroplane) Company at Larkhill. It proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914 to undertake reconnaissance duties. It was redesignated No. 3 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       The Royal Flying Corps was constituted in 1912 and in August 1913 a single flight of No. 3 Squadron, was detached to create No. 5 Squadron, based at Farnborough. The squadron's aircraft were four Maurice Farman, Longhorns and three Avro 504s. The squadron was engaged in testing new aircraft types alongside the adjacent Royal Aircraft Experimental Factory. On 28th of May 1914 No. 5 Squadron moved to Netheravon for battle training equipped with one flight of Sopwiths and two flights of Henry Farmons. Then on 6th of July 1914, it moved to Fort Grange, Gosport, intended as a home base for the squadron. The Sopwith’s proved unsatisfactory and were replaced with Avros.

    No. 5 Squadron proceeded to France in August 1914 in a reconnaissance role, becoming specialized observers for artillery flying the BE2 and from May 1917 the RE8. It was redesignated No. 5 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918. At the end of the war they moved to Germany.

       No. 6 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Farnborough on 31st of January 1914. They proceeded to France in August 1914. However their aircraft and many of their crews were then immediately reassigned to other Squadrons in order to bring them up to strength, and the squadron was not operational until October. It was renamed No. 6 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       No. 7 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps formed at Farnborough on 1st of May 1914, the last squadron of the RFC to be formed before the outbreak of war, but was disbanded to bring other Squadrons up to strength. It was reformed on 28th September 1914 and proceeded to France in April 1915. The squadron was engaged in both bombing and reconnaissance during the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and 1917, and at Ypres in 1917, and in support of Belgium forces in the closing months of the war. Becoming No. 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918, it disbanded at the end of 1919.

       No. 9 Squadron was formed at St. Omer France on 8th of December 1914 from the HQ Wireless Unit RFC and was known as No. 9 (Wireless) Squadron. It flew with aircraft of other squadrons to provide communication with ground forces. The demand for wireless was such that flights from 9 Squadron were soon attached to the individual Wings. It was redesignated No. 9 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918

       No. 12 Squadron was formed on 14 February 1915 at Netheravon from a nucleus from No. 1 Squadron. In April 1916 the Squadron moved to St Omer France flying BE2Cs to undertake a long-range reconnaissance role.

       No. 14 Squadron was formed at Shoreham on 3rd of February 1915 from a nucleus from No. 3 Reserve Squadron. They proecced to the Middle East in November for Army co-operation duties in Egypt Palestine and Arabia.

       Hamble Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hamble House, Hamble-le-Rice in Hampshire. Built in 1740 by a naval ship builder, it was later home to Sir A.V.Roe who had an aircraft factory at Hamble during the Great War. The property has been demolished.

       No 20 Squadron formed at Netheravon on 1st September 1915 from crew of No. 7 Reserve Squadron. They proceeded to France in January 1916 as the R.F.C.'s first officially designated 'fighter-reconnaissance" squadron, equipped with the ungainly-looking but very strong and reliable F.E.2B design from the Royal Aircraft Factory. These 2-seater fighters were exceptionally light and agile and, with a pusher propeller at the rear and the observer/gunner positioned ahead of the pilot with uninterrupted field of fire, these proved to be one of the more successful early designs. The unit's main role was to carry out deep reconnaissance behind the German lines: photographing and reporting all German army movements, defences and troop dispositions within the patrol area, while simultaneously seeking out and destroying German aircraft and occasionally carrying out bombing raids. As an effective fighter force they were often deployed to protect and keep watch over reconnaissance missions by other squadrons.

       No. 22 Squadron was formed at Fort Grange, Gosport on the 1st of September 1915. The Squadron went to France on 1st of April 1916 equipped principally with FE 2b as a general-purpose squadron to be used for reconnaissance, bombing and photographic work.

       Grayshott War Hospital was located in one wing of the Convent of the Cenacle at Grayshott, and opened on the 18th of September 1914 with 25 beds. Rev. Mother Superior and the Sisters of the Convent staffed the hospital alongside local doctors, surgical sisters and volunteers. The hospital closed on the 14th of January 1919 having treated 835 patients.

       No. 26 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on 8th of October 1915 with a nucleus from the South African Air Corps. It served in East Africa and was redesignated No. 26 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       

       No. 33 Squadron formed at Filton on the 12th January 1916 from personnel who had not proceeded to France with No. 12 Squadron. 33 Squadron moved to Yorkshire flying BE2Cs in Home Defence duties mainly countering enemy airship raids on towns and cities.

       No. 35 Squadron formed on the 1st February 1916 at Thetford in Norfolk from a flight from No.9 (Reserve) Squadron. They moved to Narborough in June and trained alongside a Cavalry unit with the intention that it would operate as a cavalry cooperation unit.

       

       

       No 46 Squadron formed at Wyton on the 19th of April 1916 from a nucleus supplied by No 2 Reserve Squadron. They proceeed to France in October for artillery spotting duties and photographic reconnaissance sorties flying Nieuport two-seaters.

       

       The 2nd/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment was formed at Wigan in August 1914 as a second line unit, initially made up of territorials from the 5th Battalion who had not signed up for Imperial Service overseas. Their main role was home defence and training new recruits. In November they joined 199th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. In May 1915 the moved to Crowborough then in March 1916 to Colchester to undertake final training for overseas service. They proceeded to France in February 1917 and saw their first action in June with the launch of Operation Hush on the Flanders Coast. They were in action during the Battle of Poelcpelle in October before moving south to The Somme where they suffered heavy losses during Operation Michael in March 1918, suffering heavy losses. The battalion was reduced to a cadre and was disbanded on the 31st of July with the remaining men being transferred to other units.

       No 49 Squadron formed on the 15th of April 1916 at Dover as a training unit flying Martinsyde Elephants, BE2Cs and RE7s. It received its first DH4s in April 1917 and by November the squadron was fully equipped with them. It was redesignated No. 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       

       No 56 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 8th of June 1916 from a nucleus from No 28 Squadron. In July they moved to London Colney in July. They became the first squadron to be equipped with the SE5 in March 1917 just before they proceeded to France in April.

       No 59 Squadron formed at Narborough Norfolk on the 1st of August 1916 as a Corps Reconnaissance squadron equipped with RE8s. After training they proceeded to St Omer France in February 1917.

       No 64 Squadron formed as a training unit on the 1st of August 1916 at Sedgeford equipped with FE2bs. DH5 fighters arrived in June 1917 and they proceeded to France in October. It was redesignated No. 64 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

       No 66 Squadron formed at Filton as a fighter squadron on the 30th of June 1916 equipped with Sopwith Pup. They proceeded to France in March 1917.

       

       No 71 Squadron was the British official designation for No.4 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps from when it was formed on 27th March 1917 until February 1918. However it was always known by its Australian designation by its men and the Australian authorities.

       No 74 Squadron formed at Northolt on the 1st of July 1917 as a training unit moving to London Colney on the 10th. In March 1918 the squadron re-equipped with SE5As and proceeded to France in April. 

       No 76 Squadron formed on the 15th of September 1916 at Ripon for home defence duties over Yorkshire flying BE2s and BE12s. The squadron re-equiped with Bristol F2Bs in 1918. 76 squadron disbanded at Tadcaster on the 13th of June 1919.

       

       No 79 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 1st of August 1917 as a fighter unit equipped with Dolphins. They proceeded to France in December 1917.

       No 80 Squadron formed at Montrose on the 1st of August 1917 as a fighter unit equipped with Sopwith Camels. They proceeded to France in January 1918

       

       No 82 Squadron formed as a Corps reconnaissance unit at Doncaster on the 7th of January 1917 flying Armstrong Whitworth FK8s. They proceeded to France in November 1917.

       No 83 Squadron formed on the 7th of January 1917 at Montrose and moved to Spittlegate in Lincolnshire for training. They were at Wyton in September 1917 before moving to Narborough at the end of the year where re-equipped with FE2b and FE2d aircraft.  They proceeded to France in March 1918 arriving at the start of the German Operation Michael.

       No 87 Squadron formed on the 1st of September 1917 at Upavon from D Squadron of the Central Flying School. They proceeded to France in April 1918 where they flew fighter and ground attack operations.

       No 88 Squadron formed at Gosport on 24 July 1917. They proceeded to France in April 1918.

       No 90 Squadron formed as a fighter unit at Shawbury on the 8th of October 1917 but its personnel were transferred to other squadrons as reinforcements and the squadron disbanded on 3 August 1918. 90 Squadron was reformed at Buckminster on the 14th of August as a home defence squadron flying the fighter version of the Avro 504K. It was disbanded again on 13th of June 1919

       No 91 Squadron formed at Spittlegate on the 1st of September 1917 moving to Chattis Hill on the 14th as a W/T training squadron being equipped with a variety of types of aircraft. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 91 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was disbanded on the 4th of July 1918 but immediately reformed as a fighter squadron at Kenley.

       No 92 Squadron formed as a Canadian fighter unit at London Colney on 1st September 1917. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 92 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They proceeded to France equipped with SE5As in July 1918.

       No 93 Squadron formed at Croydon from a nucleus provided by No 40 Training Squadron on the 23rd of September 1917. They moved to Chattis Hill in October 1917 and then to Tangmere in March 1918. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 93 Squadron, Royal Air Force. 93 Squadron disbanded on the 17th August 1918. It was reformed on the 14th of October 1918 but not fully equipped or staffed at teh time of the Armistice and was disbanded again on the 21st November 1918.

       No 94 Squadron formed as a pilot training unit at Harling Road on 1st of August 1917 from a nucleus of No 55 Training Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 94 Squadron, Royal Air Force. In September 1918 it was re-equipped with SE5As and was mobilised, proceeding to France at the end of October 1918.

       No 95 Squadron formed on paper on the 1st of September 1917 from a nucleus of No 43 Training Squadron; in practice it assembled at Ternhill in October. They moved to Shotwick at the end of the month. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 95 Squadron, Royal Air Force. It was disbanded on the 4th July 1918 without becoming operational.

       No 96 Squadron formed as a training unit at South Carlton on the 8th October 1917. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 96 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The Squadron was disbanded on 4 July 1918 to provide re-enforcements of men and machines to existing operational squadrons. It reformed at RAF Wyton on 28 September 1918 but did not become operational before the Armistice and its formation was abandoned by December 1918.

       No 97 Squadron formed as a training unit at Waddington on the 1st of December 1917 . They moved to Netheravon in March 1918 and converted to Handley Page O/400 heavy bombers. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 97 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They proceeded to France in August 1918 to the Independent Force employed in strategic bombing.

       No 98 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit at Harlaxton on the 30th of August 1917 from a nucleus from No 4 Training Squadron. They moved to Old Sarum the next day to equip with DH9s. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 98 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They proceeded to France in April 1918 and were at once engaged in repelling the German attack of Operation Georgette.

       No 99 Squadron formed at Yatesbury on the 15th of August 1917 from a nucleus from No 13 Training Squadron. It was equipped with DH6s and BE2e s but converted to DH9s in April 1918 just before they proceeed to France to join the No 41 Wing in a day bomber role. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 99 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No 100 Squadron formed at Hingham on the 23rd of February 1917 from . Made up largely of experienced Home Defence crew from No.51 Squadron, they swiftly proceeded to France in March 1917. They were equipped with FE2bs for night bomber duties - the first night bomber squadron - under the operational control of RFC HQ in 3rd Brigade area. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 100 Squadron, Royal Air Force. In May 1918 the squadron transferred to 41st Wing in the Nancy Area.

       No 101 Squadron formed at Farnborough as a night bomber unit on 12th of July 1917 equipped with FE2s. They proceeded to France at the end the month. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No. 102 Squadron formed at Hingham as a night bomber unit in August 1917 equipped with FE 2bs and ds They proceeded to France in September. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No 103 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit at Beaulieu on 1st of September 1917 equipped with DH9s. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They proceeded to France in May 1918.

       No 104 Squadron formed as a light bomber unit onthe 4th of September 1917 at Wyton equipped with DH9s. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 104 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They moved to Andover then proceeded to France in May 1918 to join the Independent Force in attacking industrial targets in the Saar region of Germany.

       No 105 Squadron was formed at Waddington on the 14th of September 1917 as a day bomber unit. It moved to Andover to undertake training. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force, as a Corps Reconnaissance unit. Equipped with RE8s, it was sent to Omagh in Ireland to provide support to local security units.

       No 106 Squadron formed at at Andover on the 30th of September 1917 equipped with RE8s for a Corps reconnaissance role. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was posted to Ireland in May 1918 and remained there until it was disbanded on the 8th of October 1919.

       No 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force was formed as a day bomber unit at Lake Down on 15th of May 1918 equipped with DH9s. They proceeded to France in June and operated against targets such as enemy airfields base areas and lines of communication.

       No 108 squadron formed as a DH9 equipped day bomber unit on the 11th of November 1917 at Stonehenge. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 108 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They transferred to the Western Front in July 1918 to begin operations against targets in Belgium.

       No 109 Squadron was formed as a new bomber squadron at South Carlton on the 1st of November 1917 from a nucleus from No 61 Training Depot Station. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 109 Squadron, Royal Air Force. It was disbanded on 19th August 1918 without becoming operational.

       No 110 Squadron formed as a light bomber squadron at Rendcombe on the 1st of November 1917 initially as training squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 110 Squadron, Royal Air Force. In July 1918 the Squadron received the first DH9As. These were the gift of His Exalted Highness, the Nizam of Hyderabad. Each aircraft bore an inscription to that effect, and the unit became known as the 'Hyderabad' Squadron in the newly formed Royal Air Force. The next two months were spent working up. They proceeded to France in September to joining the Independent Force and carried out daylight raids against targets in Germany. After the Armistice they remained on the continent in the role of light transport (mail) unit until the squadron was disbanded on 27th of August 1919.

       No 111 Squadron was formed as a fighter unit at Deir-el-Belah in Palestine on the 1st of August 1917 its first role was to support General Allenby s campaign against the Turks.

       No. 112 Squadron formed at Throwley on the 30th of July 1917 and was engaged in a home defence role equipped initially with Sopwith Pups. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 112 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No 113 Squadron formed on the 1st of August 1917 at Ismailia Egypt as a Corps reconnaissance unit in Egypt, and later in Palestine. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 113 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No 114 Squadron formed at Lahore India on 22nd of Sep 1917 from a nucleus from No 31 Squadron. They flew BE2c and 2es in support of the Army on the North-West Frontier. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 114 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

       No. 115 Squadron formed at Catterick on the 1st of December 1917 from a nucleus from No 52 Training Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 115 Squadron, Royal Air Force. After training they received Handley Page O/400s in July 1918 and they joined the Independent Force in France in September. They carried out strategic bombing operations against targets in Germany until the Armistice.

       No 116 Squadron was formed at RAF Andover on 1 December 1917 as a night bomber unit and moved to Bicester to begin training with FE2bs. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 116 Squadron, Royal Air Force: at that time it was at RAF Netheravon. They were due to be re-equipped with Handley Page O/400s but the due to the Armistice the squadron was disbanded at Feltham on the 20th of November 1918.

       No. 117 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit at Beaulieu on the 1st of January 1918 and began training with DH4s at Wyton. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 117 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was primarily engaged in training US aircrew. It was disbanded at Norwich in September 1918, but in October it was reformed at Wyton, and once again equipped with DH9s.

    In May 1919 it moved to Ireland for internal security operations. They disbanded on 31st of January 1920.

       No. 118 Squadron formed at Catterick on 1st of January 1918 as a heavy bomber unit equipped with Handley Page O/400s. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 118 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They moved to Bicester in June and disbanded on the 7th of September 1918.

       No 119 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit on 1st of March 1918 (or some sources say 1st January 1918) at Andover. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 119 Squadron, Royal Air Force. It was disbanded at Wyton on the 6th of December 1918 without becoming operational.

       No. 120 Squadron formed as a day bomber unit at Cramlington on 1st of January 1918, drawing initial crew from 75 Training Squadron based there. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force. They only received the DH.9 bomber for training purposes in October 1918 and were never operational in that role. They moved to Hawkinge in May 1919 and operated a mail service to and from France until August. The squadron was disbanded on the 21st of October 1919.

       No. 121 Squadron formed at Narborough on 1st of January 1918 as a light bomber squadron equipped with DH9s. Shortly after it was formed it was given the role of training members of the American Air Service belonging to the 20th, 24th and 163rd United States Aero Squadrons. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 121 Squadron, Royal Air Force. By the summer there were more than 20,000 US aero troops in Britain, almost 75% of this number training to be mechanics. After the US Squadrons had all departed for service on the Western Front, no.121 Squadron was disbanded on 17th of August 1918.

    The squadron reformed on the 14th of October 1918 at Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln with the intention that it should become a day-bomber unit, but folowing the Armistive it was disbanded again in November before their allotted DH10 aircraft had arrived.

       No 122 Squadron formed as a training squadron at Sedgefield on the 1st of January 1918. The squadron was disbanded on the 17th of August having been due to move on the 18th to Upper Heyford to convert to DH9s and mobilise as a day bomber unit. The squadron was reformed at RAF Upper Heyford in October 1918 but the Armistice was declared before new aircraft arrived and it was disbanded on 20th of November 1918.

       Durham R.G.A.(T.F.) became a unit in it's own right in 1908 when it was formed from the old 4th Durham R.G.A.(Volunteers). The organisation of the unit in 1914 was:

    • H.Q. - The Armoury, West Hartlepool.
    • No.1 Heavy Battery - Sunderland.
    • No.2 Company - West Hartlepool.
    • No.3 Company - West Hartlepool.
    • No.4 Company - West Hartlepool.
    • No.5 Company - Hartlepool.

    No.1 Heavy Bty, Durham R.G.A.(T.F.) went on to form a second line battery, the two now became 1/1st(H.B.),Durham R.G.A.(T.F.) & 2/1st(H.B.),Durham R.G.A.(T.F.). On the 31st October 1915 teh two batteries amalgamated as 142nd(Durham)Heavy Battery, R.G.A.(T.F.), which was made up entirely of Durham R.G.A.(T.F.) personnel.

       174th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers moved into the Houplines area on formation in 1915. They also worked in the Rue du Bois sector before moving to the Somme in July 1915, taking over French mine workings between La Boisselle and Carnoy. They gave up part of this front to the newly-formed 183rd Company in October 1915, and concentrated on Mametz sector. By October 1916, the company had moved north of the Ancre, to an area facing Beaumont-Hamel. In the German attack of March 1918, they suffered severe casualties while working on machine-gun emplacements at Bullecourt and fought as emergency infantry. They then worked on a long section of trench near Monchy-au-Bois.

       HMS Cressy was an Armoured Cruiser. During the early months of World War 1 the Royal Navy maintained a patrol of old Cressy class armoured cruisers, known as Cruiser Force C, in the area of the North Sea known as the Broad Fourteens. There was opposition to this patrol from many senior officers, including Admiral Jellicoe and Commodores Keyes and Tyrwhitt, on the grounds that the ships were very vulnerable to a raid by modern German surface ships and the patrol was nick named the "live bait squadron". The Admiralty maintained the patrol on the grounds that destroyers were not able to maintain the patrol in the frequent bad weather and that there were insufficient modern light cruisers available.

    In the early hours of September 20th 1914 the cruisers HMS Euryalus, HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue and HMS Cressy were preparing to go on patrol under Rear Admiral Christian in Euryalus. Normally the patrol was under command of Rear Admiral Campbell in HMS Bacchantes but he was absent so Christian helped fill the gap although he had other duties. The weather was too bad for destroyers to be at sea and unfortunately Euryalus had to drop out due to lack of coal and weather damage to her wireless, Rear Admiral Christian had to remain with his ship rather than transfer to another ship as the weather was too bad to transfer. He delegated command to Captain Drummond in Aboukir although he did not make it clear that Drummond had the authority to order the destroyers to sea if the weather improved, which it did towards the end of September 21st.

    Early on September 22nd 1914 the German submarine U9 under the command of Commander Otto Weddigen sighted the Cressy, Aboukir and Hogue steaming NNE at 10 knots without zigzagging. Although the patrols were supposed to maintain 12-13 knots and zigzag the old cruisers were unable to maintain that speed and the zigzagging order was widely ignored as there had been no submarines sighted in the area during the war. U9 manoeuvred to attack and at about 0625 fired a single torpedo at Aboukir, which stuck her on her port side. Aboukir rapidly suffered heavy flooding and despite counter flooding developed a 20 degree list and lost engine power. It was soon clear that she was a lost cause and Captain Drummond ordered her to be abandoned, although only one boat had survived the attack so most crew had to jump into the sea. At first Drummond thought that Aboukir had been mined and signalled the other two cruisers to close and assist but he soon realised that it was a torpedo attack and ordered the other cruisers away, but too late. As Aboukir rolled over and sank, half an hour after being attacked, U9 fired two torpedoes at HMS Hogue that hit her amidships and rapidly flooded her engine room. Captain Nicholson of Hogue had stopped the ship to lower boats to rescue the crew of Aboukir, thinking that as he was the other side of Aboukir from U9 he would be safe. Unfortunately U9 had manoeuvred around Aboukir and attacked Hogue from a range of only 300 yards.

    The firing of two torpedoes affected the trim of U9 which broke the surface briefly and was fired on by Hogue without effect. It only took Hogue ten minutes to sink as U9 headed for HMS Cressy. Cressy, under Captain Johnson, had also stopped to lower boats but got underway on sighting a periscope. At about 0720 however U9 fired two torpedoes, one of which just missed but the other hit Cressy on her starboard side, Cressy briefly firing on U9s periscope with no effect. The damage to Cressy was not fatal but U9 turned round and fired her last torpedo which hit Cressy sinking her within a quarter of an hour.

    Survivors were picked up by several nearby merchant ships including the Dutch Flora and Titan and the British trawlers JGC and Corainder before the Harwich force of light cruisers and destroyers arrived. Flora returned to Holland with 286 rescued crew who were quickly returned to Britain even though the neutral Dutch should have interned them. In all 837 men were rescued but 1459 died, many of which were reservists or cadets. In the aftermath of the attack the patrol by armoured cruisers was abandoned, the stopping of major ships in dangerous waters banned and the order to steam at 13 knots and zigzag re-emphasised.

    A court of inquiry was set up and found that some blame was attributable to all of the senior officers involved - Captain Drummond for not zigzagging and for not calling for destroyers, Rear Admiral Christian was criticised for not making it clear to Drummond that he could summon the destroyers and Rear Admiral Campbell for not being present and for a very poor performance at the inquiry at which he stated that he did not know what the purpose of his command was. The bulk of the blame was directed at the Admiralty for persisting with a patrol that was dangerous and of limited value against the advice of senior sea going officers

       The Royal Defence Corps was formed in 1916 by the conversion the Garrison Battalions of the infantry regiments on Home Service, which were made up of conscripts and soldiers either too old or medically unfit for service overseas. The Protection Companies of the RDC provided troops to guard the infrastructure of the UK such as ports, bridges and factories and also to guard military and prisoner of war camps, taking over the duties from the Territorial units. The Observer Companies took over the duties of keeping watch over the coast and skies for enemy activity.

       250th Brigade was re-designated from the 1st Northumbrian Brigade on the 16th May 1916 which had been part of the prewar 50th (Northumbrian) Division. D Battery was the Howitzer Battery for the Brigade.

    They saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme in 1916

     

       Q Ships were armed vessels disguised as merchant ships. The Q-ships were certainly an exciting and heroic part of the war at sea. However, the loss of six Special Service ships as late as August 1917 lends credence to the impression they were not a useful part of the Allied anti-submarine effort.

    Whatever they accomplished, it is worth noting that apart from the actual U-boats sunk, there were other benefits to the Allies. Even more U-boats were damaged, sometimes severely, and it must have made it that much harder for U-boats to get into survivable attacking positions for fear the target might turn out to be a Q-ship. Hence many merchant ships could have been spared torpedoing or gun attack because Q-ships were at sea. Certainly the Q-ships were, at least until mid 1917, a large but valuable part of the Allies anti-U-boat campaign

    Types of Q-ships or Special Service ships included:

    • Steamships - cargo ships, coasters, colliers, store carriers, tramps, tugs
    • Fishing vessels - steam trawlers, drifters, trawling smacks
    • Sailing ships, some fitted with auxiliary engines - schooners, barquentines, brigantines, ketches
    • Convoy sloops - 1 decoy ship, 13 PC-"type decoy patrol boats, and convoy sloops of the "Azalea","Aubrietia" and "Anchusa" classes

    Most Special Service ships paid off after a period varying from months to years, and reverted to other duties. Not all the ships were lost while on Special Service. Some were sunk after reverting to other duties.

     German Army Structure  The Imperial German Army (Deutsches Heer) was the name given to the combined land and air forces of the German Empire. The term Deutsches Heer is also used for the modern German Army, the land component of the Bundeswehr. The German Army was formed after the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership in 1871, and dissolved in 1919, after the defeat of the German Empire in World War I.

    The basic peacetime organizational structure of the Imperial German Army was based around the Army inspectorate (Armee-Inspektion), the army corps (Armeekorps), the division, and the regiment. During wartime, the staff of the Army inspectorates formed field army commands, which controlled the corps and subordinate units. During World War I, a higher command level, the army group (Heeresgruppe) was created. Each army group controlled several field armies.

    Military Service - Conscription.

    All European countries, except Britain, required compulsory military service for it's young men, a tradition created by Napoleon Bonaparte. In Germany, all able bodied men between the ages of 17 and 45, were liable for military service. Some men working in professions considered more important than military service were exempt. During the War, some agricultural workers, heavy industrial workers, and munitions workers were also exempt.

    The German Army had four classifications of military service; Active, Reserve, Landwehr and Landsturm. At the age of 17, a man might be called up to serve in the Landsturm 1st Ban, a sort of National Guard for home defense. The British Army equivalent was the Territorial Force. In peacetime, it was mandatory to serve in the Army upon a man's 20th birthday. A 2 year period of Active service then began, or 3 years in the cavalry and field artillery. After that time, a man would be liable to serve the next 4 to 5 years in the Reserve, usually a 2 week training period each year. Serving in the Reserve during peacetime, was generally regarded as a vacation from home and work. After the Reserve period, a man was then liable to serve in the Landwehr for the next 11 years. The last stage was being liable for service for 7 years in the Landsturm 2nd Ban. After the age of 45, a man was then free from further military service. It was only in times of war that the Landwehr and Landsturm were expected to be called for duty.

    After 1900, another measure was created, the Ersatz (Supplement or Reinforcement) Reserve. The Ersatz Reserve was made up of men fit for active duty, but excused for family or economic reasons, and for minor physical defects. These men were liable for Reserve service for 12 years, where they might be called up for 3 annual training sessions. In practice only a small number of these men underwent any training before 1914. Men unfit for war service were still liable for service in the Landsturm from the age of 17-45.



       Alnwick Camp was situated on the pastures beneath Alnwick Castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland, across the River Aln from the castle. This area has been used for training camps by the military before the war, in late 1914 hutted camps were constructed to house men in training.

     German Army - ORBAT  First Army was commanded by Generaloberst Alexander von Kluck.

    Order of Battle

    II Corps (General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen)

    • 3rd Infantry Division
    • 4th Infantry Division

    III Corps (General der Infanterie Ewald von Lochow)

    • 5th Infantry Division
    • 6th Infantry Division

    IV Corps (General der Infanterie Friedrich Bertram Sixt von Armin)

    • 7th Infantry Division
    • 8th Infantry Division

    IX Corps (General der Infanterie Ferdinand von Quast)

    • 17th Infantry Division
    • 18th Infantry Division

    III Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Hans von Beseler)

    • 5th Reserve Division
    • 6th Reserve Division

    IV Reserve Corps (General der Artillerie Hans von Gronau)

    • 7th Reserve Division
    • 22nd Reserve Division

    IX Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Max von Boehn)

    • 17th Reserve Division
    • 18th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 10th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 11th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 27th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • Pionier Regiment


       Stockwood House near Luton was used as the North Midland Divisional Veterinary Hospital. Mobile Veterinary Sections 911 to 1041 were based there.

     German Army - ORBAT  2nd Army was commanded by Generaloberst Karl von Bülow.

    Guards Corps (General der Infanterie Karl von Plettenberg)

    • 1st Guards Infantry Division
    • 2nd Guards Infantry Division

    VII Corps (General der Kavallerie Karl von Einem)

    • 13th Infantry Division
    • 14th Infantry Division

    X Corps (General der Infanterie Otto von Emmich)

    • 19th Infantry Division
    • 20th Infantry Division

    Guards Reserve Corps (General der Artillerie Max von Gallwitz)

    • 3rd Guards Infantry Division
    • 1st Guards Reserve Division

    VII Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Hans von Zwehl)

    • 13th Reserve Division
    • 14th Reserve Division

    X Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Günther Graf von Kirchbach)

    • 2nd Guards Reserve Division
    • 19th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 25th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 29th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 4 Mortar Battalions
    • 10-cm Gun Battalion
    • 2 Heavy Coastal Mortar Batteries
    • 2 Pionier Regiments



     German Army - ORBAT  3rd Army was commanded by Generaloberst Max von Hausen.

    XI Corps (General der Infanterie Otto von Plüskow)

    • 22nd Infantry Division
    • 38th Infantry Division

    XII (1st Royal Saxon) Corps (General der Infanterie Karl d'Elsa)

    • 23rd Infantry Division
    • 32nd Infantry Division

    XIX (2nd Royal Saxon) Corps (General der Kavallerie Maximilian von Laffert)

    • 24th Infantry Division
    • 40th Infantry Division

    XII (Royal Saxon) Reserve Corps (General der Artillerie Hans von Kirchbach)

    • 23rd Reserve Division
    • 24th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 47th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • Mortar Battalion
    • Pionier Regiment



     German Army - ORBAT  4th Army was commanded by Generaloberst Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg.

    VI Corps (General der Infanterie Kurt von Pritzelwitz)

    • 11th Infantry Division
    • 12th Infantry Division

    VIII Corps (Generalleutnant Erich Tülff von Tschepe und Weidenbach)

    • 15th Infantry Division
    • 16th Infantry Division

    XVIII Corps (General der Infanterie Dedo von Schenck)

    • 21st Infantry Division
    • 25th Infantry Division

    VIII Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Wilhelm Freiherr von Egloffstein)

    • 15th Reserve Division
    • 16th Reserve Division

    XVIII Reserve Corps (Generalleutnant Kuno von Steuben)

    • 21st Reserve Division
    • 25th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 49th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 2 Mortar Battalions
    • Pionier Regiment



     German Army - ORBAT  5th Army was commanded by Generalmajor Wilhelm, Crown Prince of Germany.

    V Corps (General der Infanterie Hermann von Strantz)

    • 9th Infantry Division
    • 10th Infantry Division

    XIII (Royal Württemberg) Corps (General der Infanterie Max von Fabeck)

    • 26th Infantry Division
    • 27th Infantry Division

    XVI Corps (General der Infanterie Bruno von Mudra)

    • 33rd Infantry Division
    • 34th Infantry Division

    V Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Erich von Gündell)

    • 9th Reserve Division
    • 10th Reserve Division

    VI Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Konrad von Goßler)

    • 11th Reserve Division
    • 12th Reserve Division
    • 13th Mixed Landwehr Brigade

    2nd Landwehr Division(Senior Landwehr Commander 2)

    • 43rd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 45th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 53rd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 9th Bavarian Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 13th Mixed Lanfwehr Brigade

    Army Troops

    • 4 Mortar Battalions
    • 2 Pionier Regiments



     German Army - ORBAT  6th Army was commanded by Generaloberst Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria.

    XXI Corps (General der Infanterie Fritz von Below)

    • 31st Infantry Division
    • 42nd Infantry Division

    I Bavarian Corps (General der Infanterie Oskar Ritter und Edler v. Xylander)

    • 1st Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 2nd Bavarian Infantry Division

    II Bavarian Corps (General der Infanterie Karl Ritter von Martini)

    • 3rd Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 4th Bavarian Infantry Division

    III Bavarian Corps (General der Kavallerie Ludwig Freiherr von Gebsattel)

    • 5th Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 6th Bavarian Infantry Division

    I Bavarian Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Karl Ritter von Fasbender)

    • 1st Bavarian Reserve Division
    • 5th Bavarian Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • Guards Ersatz Division
    • 4th Ersatz Division
    • 8th Ersatz Division
    • 10th Ersatz Division
    • 3 Mortar Battalions
    • Heavy Coastal Mortar Battery
    • Heavy Coastal Gun Battery
    • 2 Pionier Regiments



     German Army - ORBAT  7th Army was commanded by Generaloberst Josias von Heeringen.

    XIV Corps (General der Infanterie Ernst Freiherr von Hoiningen, Gen. Huene)

    • 28th Infantry Division
    • 29th Infantry Division

    XV Corps (General der Infanterie Berthold von Deimling)

    • 30th Infantry Division
    • 39th Infantry Division

    XIV Reserve Corps (General der Artillerie Richard von Schubert)

    • 26th Reserve Division
    • 28th Reserve Division

    Army Troops

    • 19th Ersatz Division
    • Bavarian Ersatz Division
    • 60th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • Upper Rhine Fortifications
    • 55th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 110th Reinforced Landwehr Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Bavarian Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 2nd Bavarian Mixed Landwehr Brigade



     German Army - ORBAT  Eastern Front - Eighth Army

    8th Army was commanded by Generaloberst Maximilian von Prittwitz.

    I Corps (Generalleutnant Hermann von François)

    • 1st Infantry Division
    • 2nd Infantry Division

    XVII Corps (General der Kavallerie August von Mackensen)

    • 35th Infantry Division
    • 36th Infantry Division

    XX Corps (General der Infanterie Friedrich von Scholtz)

    • 37th Infantry Division
    • 41st Infantry Division

    I Reserve Corps (Generalleutnant Otto von Below)

    • 1st Reserve Division
    • 36th Reserve Division
    • 3rd Reserve Division
    • 1st Cavalry Division

    Landwehr Corps (General der Infanterie Remus von Woyrsch)

    • 3rd Landwehr Division (Senior Landwehr Commander 3)
    • 17th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
    • 18th Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    • 4th Landwehr Division (Senior Landwehr Commander 4)
    • 22nd Landwehr Infantry Brigade
    • 23rd Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    Army Troops

    • 2nd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 6th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
    • 70th Mixed Landwehr Brigade



     German Army - ORBAT  Army of the North

    9th German North Army

    IX Reserve Corps (General der Infanterie Max von Boehn)

    • 17th Reserve Division
    • 18th Reserve Division
    • 1st Landwehr Division (Senior Landwehr Commander 1)
      • 33rd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
      • 34th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
      • 37th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
      • 38th Mixed Landwehr Brigade

    Central Reserves and Border Fortresses

    Strassburg 30th Reserve Division

  • 60th Reserve Infantry Brigade
  • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade
  • 10th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Brigade

    Metz 33rd Reserve Division

    • 8th Bavarian Infantry Brigade
    • 66th Reserve Infantry Brigade
    • Reserve Infantry Regiment Metz

    Thorn 35th Reserve Division

    • 5th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
    • 20th Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    Königsberg

    • 9th Landwehr Infantry Brigade Königsberg
    • Ersatz Infantry Brigade Königsberg

    Posen 19th Landwehr Infantry Brigade

    Graudenz Provisional 69th Infantry Brigade



     German Army Corps  German Army Corps

    The main battle formation was the Army Corps (Armeekorps). Each corps consisted of two or more divisions and various support troops. It covered a specific geographical area. The corps was also responsible for maintaining the Reserves and Landwehr in the corps area.

    By 1914, there were twenty-one Army Corps areas under Prussian jurisdiction and three Bavarian Army Corps. Besides the regional corps, there was also a Guard Corps (Gardecorps), which controlled Prussia's elite Guard units. Besides it's divisions, a corps generally included a light infantry (Jäger) battalion, a heavy artillery (Fußartillerie) battalion, an engineer battalion, a telegraph battalion and a trains battalion. Some corps areas also included fortress troops.

    Each of the 25 corps had a Field Aviation Unit (Feldflieger Abteilung) attached to it.

    During World War One, the Army Corps became a mobile tactical formation. In addition four Higher Cavalry Commands were formed from the Cavalry Inspectorate. These were the equivalent of corps as they each had at least two divisions of cavalry.

    The former corps areas each became the responsibility of a Wehrkreis (Military District, sometimes translated as Corp Area). Their primary purpose was to supervise the training and enlisted of reservists and new recruits. Originally each Military District was linked to an Army Corps, so Wehrkreis I took over I Armeekorps area of responsibility and sent replacements to it's designated Army Corps units.

    The first sixteen Reserve Corps raised followed this pattern, however these links between rear areas and front line units were gradually broken as the war went on and later Corps were raised or reinforced with troops from all over Germany.

     

     Corps Structure  1st Bavarian Army Corps part of 6th Army Group.

    Divisions

    • 1st Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 2nd Bavarian Infantry Division


     Corps structure  2nd Bavarian Army Corps part of 6th Army

    Divisions

  • 3rd Bavarian Infantry Division
  • 4th Bavarian Infantry Division

     Corps structure  3rd Bavarian Army Corps part of 6th Army

    Divisions

    • 5th Bavarian Infantry Division
    • 6th Bavarian Infantry Division


     Corps structure  1st Bavarian Reserve Army Corps part of 6th Army

    Divisions

    • 1st Bavarian Reserve Infantry Division
    • 5th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  21st Army Corps part of 6th Army

    Divisions

    • 31st Infantry Division
    • 42nd Infantry Division


     Corps structure  2nd German Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 3rd Infantry Division
    • 4th Infantry Division

    Later transformed as Headquarters of the German South Army from 11th January 1915 to 25th January 1918, serving exclusively on the Eastern Front.

     Corps structure  3rd German Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 5th Infantry Division
    • 6th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  4th German Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 7th Infantry Division
    • 8th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  9th German Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 17th Infantry Division
    • 18th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  3rd German Reserve Army Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 5th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 6th Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  9th German Army Reserve Corps part of 1st Army and Army of the North

    Divisions

    • 17th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 18th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 1st Landwehr Division


     Corps structure  4th German Army Reserve Corps part of 1st Army

    Divisions

    • 7th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 22nd Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  German Guards Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 1st Guards Division
    • 2nd Guards Division


     Corps structure  7th German Army Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 13th Infantry Division
    • 14th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  10th German Army Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 19th Infantry Division
    • 20th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  7th German Army Reserve Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 13th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 14th Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  German Guards Reserve Army Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 3rd Guards Infantry Division
    • 1st Guards Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  10th German Army Reserve Corps part of 2nd Army

    Divisions

    • 2nd Guards Reserve Division
    • 19th Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  5th German Army Corps part of 5th Army

    Divisions

    • 9th Infantry Division
    • 10th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  13th German Army Corps part of 5th Army

    Divisions

    • 26th Infantry Division
    • 27th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  16th German Army Corps part of 5th Army

    Divisions

    • 33rd Infantry Division
    • 34th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  5th German Army Reserve Corps part of 5th Army

    Divisions

    • 9th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 10th Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  6th German Army Reserve Corps part of 5th Army

    Division

    • 11th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 12th Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  11th German Army Corps part of 3rd Army

    Division

    • 22nd Infantry Division
    • 38th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  12th German Army Corps part of 3rd Army

    Divisions

    • 23rd Infantry Division
    • 32nd Infantry Division


     Corps structure  19th German Army Corps part of 3rd Army

    Divisions

    • 24th Infantry Division
    • 40th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  12th German Army Reserve Corps part of 3rd Army

    Divisions

    • 23rd Reserve Infantry Division
    • 24th Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  6th German Army Corps part of 4th Army

    Divisions

    • 11th Infantry Division
    • 12th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  8th German Army Corps part of 4th Army

    Division

    • 15th Infantry Division
    • 16th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  18th German Army Corps part of 4th Army

    Divisions

    • 21st Infantry Division
    • 25th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  8th German Army Reserve Corps part of 4th Army

    Divisions

    • 15th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 16th Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  18th German Army Reserve Corps part of 4th Army

    Divisions

    • 21st Reserve Infantry Division
    • 25th Reserve Infantry Division


     Divisional History  1st Guards Division part of the Guards Corps and 2nd Army

    Order of battle 1914

    • 1st Guards Brigade
      • 1st Foot Guards Regiment
      • 2nd Foot Guards Regiment
    • 2nd Guards Brigade
      • 3rd Foot Guards Regiment
      • 4th Foot Guards Regiment
      1st Artillery Guards Brigade
      • 1st Guards Artillery Regiment
      • 3rd Guards Artillery Regiment



     Divisional History  1st German Guards Division

    Additions to Order of Battle in 1915

    • 1st Guards Engineering Battalion
    • Field Company Guards Pioneers
    • 1st Guards Pontoon Engineers
    • 4th Guards Telephone Detachment


     Corps structure  14th German Army Corps part of 7th Army

    Divisions

    • 28th Infantry Division
    • 29th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  15th German Army Corps part of 7th Army

    Divisions

    • 30th Infantry Division
    • 39th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  14th German Army Reserve Corps part of 7th Army

    Divisions

    • 26th Reserve Infantry Division
    • 28th Reserve Infantry Division


     Corps structure  1st German Army Corps part of 8th Army - Eastern Front

    Divisions

    • 1st Infantry Division
    • 2nd Infantry Division


     Corps structure  17th German Army Corps part of 8th Army

    Divisions

    • 35th Infantry Division
    • 36th Infantry Division


     Corps structure  20th German Army Corps part of 8th Army

    Divisions

    • 37th Infantry Division
    • 41st Infantry Division


     Corps structure  1st German Army Reserve Corps part of 8th Army

    Divisions

    • 1st Reserve Infantry Division
    • 3rd Reserve Infantry Division
    • 1st Cavalry Division


     Corps structure  German Landwehr Corps part of 8th Army

    Divisions

    • 3rd Landwehr Division
      • 17th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
      • 18th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
    • 4th Landwehr Division
      • 22nd Landwehr Infantry Brigade
      • 23rd Landwehr Infantry Brigade


     Divisional Structure 1916  1st German Guards Division

    Revised Order of Battle 1916

    1st/2nd Guards Brigade

    • 1st Foot Guards Regiment
    • 2nd Foot Guards Regiment
    • 4th Foot Guards Regiment

    Cavalry

    • Guards Regiment (Massow)
    • 1st Squadron
    • 2nd Squadron
    • 3rd Squadron
    • 4th Squadron
    • Body Guard Hussars Regiment
    • 6th Dragoon Regiment
    • 2nd Squadron

    Artillery

    • 1st Guards Brigade
    • 1st Guards Artillery Regiment
    • 3rd Guards Artillery Regiment

    Engineers and Liaison

    • 1st Guards Engineering Battalion
    • 1st Guards Pioneer Company
    • 1st Guards Trench Mortar Company
    • 1st Guards Pontoon Engineers
    • 1st Guards Telephone Detachment


     Divisional Structure 1917  1st German Guards Division

    Revisions to Divisional Order of Battle 1917

    1st Guards Brigade only but no changes in the 3 divisions.

    Cavalry

    • 2nd Squadron Body Guard Hussars left the Division
    • 4th Squadron Body Guard Hussars left the Division

    Artillery restructured to include.

    • 1st Guards Artillery Command
    • 1st Guards Artillery Regiment

    Engineering and Liaison - no changes

    Medical and Veterinary

    • Field Hospital
    • 1st Ambulance Company
    • Veterinary Hospital

    Transport

    Divisional Motor Transport Column

    Attached

      35th Machine Gun Battalion
    • Sharpshooter Company



     Order of Battle 1918  1st German Guards Division

    Revised Divisional Order of Battle in 1918

    Infantry

    1st Guards Brigade

    • 1st Foot Guard Regiment
    • 2nd Foot Guard Regiment
    • 4th Foot Guard Regiment

    Cavalry

    3rd Squadron Body Guards Hussars Regiment

    Artillery

    1st Guards Artillery Command

    • 1st Guards Field Artillery Regiment (less 4 and 5 Abteil)
    • 1st Abteil Light Guards Foot Artillery Regiment (1, 2 and 4 Batteries)
    • 870 Light Ammunition Column
    • 1099 Light Ammunition Column
    • 1128 Light Ammunition Column

    Engineering and Liaison

    • Guards Pioneer Battalion (1st and 5th Company Guards Pioneers)
    • 23 Searchlight Section

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 1st Ambulance Company
    • 4th Field Hospital
    • 6th Field Hospital
    • 1st Guards Veterinary Hospital



     Allied Intelligence evaluation 1917  1st German Guards Division

    Allied Intelligence Value - 1917 Estimate

    The 1st Guard Division may be considered one of the very best German divisions. Excellent conduct under fire. It displayed on the Aisne as well as on the Somme, energy and determination while on the defensive. Among its heavy losses there was an exceedingly small number of prisoners. Again on the Aisne (April-May, 1917), it displayed remarkable military qualities. It received important reinforcements of the younger classes (15-16-17), 30 per cent from the class of 1917. Its normal value was reduced temporarily on account of the arrival of elements which had never been under fire (June, 1917). Prisoners taken in the Argonne (June, 1917) seemed less keen for fighting.

    The above quote from a joint French and American report based on observation and prisoner interrogation which was compiled for all German Divisions active during 1914 to 1918.

      Allied Intelligence evaluation 1918

     Corps structure  1st German Cavalry Corps preceding 3rd Army (General der Kavallerie Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen)

    Divisions

    Each Cavalry Division consisted of 3 Brigades, each of 2 Cavalry Regiments (24 squadrons in total), 3 horse artillery batteries (of 4 guns each) and an MG detachment (with 6 Machine Guns).

    • Guards Cavalry Division
    • 5th Cavalry Division



     Corps structure  2nd German Cavalry Corps - preceding 1st and 2nd Armies (General der Kavallerie Georg von der Marwitz)

    Divisions

    Each Cavalry Division consisted of 3 Brigades, each of 2 Cavalry Regiments (24 squadrons in total), 3 horse artillery batteries (of 4 guns each) and an MG detachment (with 6 Machine Guns).

    • 2nd Cavalry Division
    • 4th Cavalry Division
    • 9th Cavalry Division


     Corps structure  3rd German Cavalry Corps - preceding 6th Army(General der Kavallerie Rudolf Ritter von Frommel)

    Divisions

    Each Cavalry Division consisted of 3 Brigades, each of 2 Cavalry Regiments (24 squadrons in total), 3 horse artillery batteries (of 4 guns each) and an MG detachment (with 6 Machine Guns).

    • 7th Cavalry Division
    • 8th Cavalry Division
    • Bavarian Cavalry Division



     Corps structure  4th German Cavalry Corps - preceding 4th and 5th Armies (General der Kavallerie Gustav Freiherr von Hollen)

    Divisions

    Each Cavalry Division consisted of 3 Brigades, each of 2 Cavalry Regiments (24 squadrons in total), 3 horse artillery batteries (of 4 guns each) and an MG detachment (with 6 Machine Guns).

    • 3rd Cavalry Division
    • 6th Cavalry Division



    26th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF shortage of Dixies

     Corps structure  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    The Alpenkorps was a mountain division formed by the Imperial German Army during World War I. It was considered by the Allies to be one of the best units in the German Army.

    After experiencing considerable difficulties in fighting the French Chasseurs Alpins in the Vosges Mountains during the Battle of the Frontiers, the German Army decided to form its own specialized mountain units. The Royal Bavarian 1st and 2nd Snowshoe Battalions were formed in Bavaria on November 21, 1914. A third battalion was formed in April 1915 from the 4th, 5th and 6th companies of the second battalion.

    In May 1915, the three battalions were brought together with a fourth (composed of other battalions and Bavarian Landwehr troops) to form the 3rd Jäger Regiment.

    In October 1915, the designation Schneeschuhbataillon (literally snow shoe battalion) was removed. (units were also called Ski Battalions)

    Additionally, in May 1915, the Bavarian 1st, 2nd and 2nd Reserve Jäger Battalions were joined to form the Royal Bavarian 1st Jäger Regiment. The Prussian 10th, 10th Reserve and 14th Reserve Jäger Battalions were also joined together, forming the 2nd Jäger Regiment.

    These units, along with the elite Royal Bavarian Infantry Lifeguards Regiment and the Bavarian Army Bodyguard Regiment, became the core of the Alpenkorps. They were provided with additional artillery, machine gun and other support units.

    The Alpenkorps was officially founded on May 18, 1915 with Bavarian Generalleutnant Konrad Krafft von Dellmensingen as its commander. Bavarian Generalmajor Ludwig Ritter von Tutschek and Prussian Generalmajor Ernst von Below were appointed as his Jäger Brigade commanders.

    Alpine Corps - Order of Battle in May 1915

    • 1st Jäger Brigade
      • 1st Bavarian Jäger Bodyguard Infantry Regiment
    • 2nd Jäger Brigade
      • 2nd Jäger Regiment
      • 3rd Jäger Regiment

    Army Troops

    • 203 Field Artillery Regiment
    • 201 Mountain Machine Gun Detachment
    • 202 Mountain Machine Gun Detachment
    • 205 Mountain Machine Gun Detachment
    • 209 Mountain Machine Gun Detachment

    Although titled as the Alpine Corps, its size and classification was realistically that of a Division within the German Army.

     Corps structure  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Divisional Order of Battle - changes in 1916

    Army Troops

    Artillery changed to 2 Mountain Field Artillery Company formed from Detachments of 187, 203 and 204 Field Artillery Regiments

    Engineering and Liaison

    • 102 Pioneer Company
    • 105 Pioneer Company
    • 106 Pioneer Company
    • 175 Trench Mortar Company
    • Cyclist Battalion (dissolved in June 1916)



     Corps structure  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Order of Battle - 1917

    1st Bavarian Jäger Brigade

    • Bodyguard Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Bavarian Jäger Regiment
    • 2nd Jäger Regiment

    Army Troops

    Artillery

    • 203 Field Artillery Regiment - 1 Abteil (Company)
    • 6 Mountain Artillery Abteil

    Engineers and Liaison

  • 102 Pioneer Company
  • 283 Pioneer Company
  • 175 Trench Mortar Company
  • 204 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
  • 102 Bavarian Searchlight Section
  • 622 Telephone Detachment
  • 88 Divisional Wireless Detachment

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 201 Ambulance Company
    • 239 Ambulance Company
    • 202 Field Hospital
    • 203 Field Hospital
    • 18 Bavarian Field Hospital
    • Veterinary Hospital

    Transport

    • 444 Motor Transport Column
    • 695 Motor Transport Column
    • 790 Motor Transport Column



     Corps structure  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Changes to Order of Battle in 1918

    Infantry Brigade - no change

    Cavalry

    3 Squadron, 4th Bavarian Cavalry Regiment.

    7 Artillery Command

    • 204 Field Artillery Regiment
    • 1 Abteil - 1st Bavarian Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
    • 1 Abteil - 6th Mountain Artillery (Staff + 1,2 and 17 Batteries)
    • 1401 Light Ammunition Column
    • 1402 Light Ammunition Column
    • 1403 Light Ammunition Column

    Engineering and Liaison

    • 9th Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
    • 102 Pioneer Company
    • 283 Pioneer Company
    • 175 Trench Mortar Company
    • 102 Searchlight Section
    • 622 Signal Command
    • 622 Telephone Detachment
    • 133 Bavarian Wireless Detachment

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 201 Ambulance Company
    • 239 Ambulance Company
    • 201 Field Hospital
    • 44 Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 18 Bavarian Field Hospital

    Transport

    695 Bavarian Motor Transport Company



     Allied Intelligence evaluation 1917  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Recruiting and Value - 1917 Estimate.

    The Leib Regiment and the 1st Regiment of Jaegers are Bavarian, recruited principally from upper Bavaria. The 2nd Regiment of Jaegers is purely Prussian.

    Value - 1917 Estimate.

    The discipline and firmness of the commanding officers make the Alpine Corps an elite body, of genuine combat value.

     Allied Intelligence evaluation 1918  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Value - 1918 Estimate.

    The Alpine Corps was considered one of the best German units. It showed its worth by retaking the village of Flallu on the l1th of August, and while counterattacking at Foislains on the 2nd September. Nevertheless, the morale was lowered. The Alpine Corps comprised about 3,500 Infantry combatants early in August 1918. It lost about 700 prisoners in August and September.

     Outline History WW1  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

    Outline of main locations 1915 to 1918

    First campaigns in the Dolomites and France

    Although Germany and Italy were not at war until 1916, the Alpenkorps was immediately dispatched to reinforce the thinly occupied front line in the Dolomite mountains. It did not undertake offensive actions, but defended the front against repeated attacks by the Italian Alpini until Austria was able to extract enough forces from the eastern war theatre and relocate them to the new front. The unit had an air arm, which was FFA 9, flying Pfalz Parasol aircraft. After four months, the Alpenkorps returned briefly to the Western Front, as now the Austrian defenders were sufficient in numbers and entrenched enough to hold the front on their own. The Austrian Kaiserschützen honored the men of the Alpenkorps by awarding them their unit insignia: the Edelweiss.

    Serbia

    After only a week in France and the Dolomites, the Alpenkorps was sent to fight in the Serbian Campaign.

    Verdun

    The Alpenkorps returned to France in March 1916. After a short respite, it entered into the Battle of Verdun in June 1916. The regiments of the Alpenkorps lost over 70% of their strength in the fighting around Fort Vaux and Fleury.

    After leaving the line, the regiments were reconstituted, and in mid-July 1916 the 3rd Jäger Regiment was transferred from the division. The 2nd Brigade headquarters was eliminated and the Alpenkorps became a triangular division with 1st Brigade controlling the other two Jäger regiments and the Infanterie-Leib-Regiment.

    Romania

    Romania entered the war on the side of the Entente on August 27, 1916. In September, the Alpenkorps was dispatched to fight in the Romanian Campaign. The Infanterie-Leib-Regiment suffered a number of losses in the mountain fighting in Romania, including one of its most prominent members, Prince Heinrich of Bavaria, a major and battalion commander. The Alpenkorps remained in Romania until April 1917 and then again returned to the Western Front. In August 1917, the Alpenkorps returned to Romania and participated in the final battles there in the wake of the Kerensky Offensive.

    Caporetto

    In September 1917, the Alpenkorps was sent once more to the Italian Front to reinforce the Austrian Army for the upcoming 12th Battle of the Isonzo. By this point, the Royal Württemberg mountain battalion had been attached to the division, and one of its members, the later-Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, would distinguish himself at Caporetto in November. Another company commander who distinguished himself at Caporetto, the Infanterie-Leib-Regiment's Ferdinand Schörner, would also rise to Field Marshal in World War II.

    France

    The Alpenkorps returned to the Western Front in 1918. It participated in the Battle of the Lys in April and fought in the Battle of Picardy in the Hundred Days Offensive.

    In October, it returned to the Balkans, where it was at the time of the Armistice.

    Traditions

    The Alpenkorps was dissolved after the end of hostilities, but the traditions of its constituent regular units were carried on in the Reichswehr and then the Wehrmacht. The Edelweiss became the symbol of the German Gebirgsjäger. Although the Bundeswehr does not formally carry the traditions of any pre-1945 units, the Gebirgsjäger continued to wear the Edelweiss cap badge and informally maintain the traditions of the Alpenkorps.

       The 30th Punjabis were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army raised in 1857, as the 22nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 30th Punjabis in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 16th Punjab Regiment in 1922. In 1947, it was allocated to the Pakistan Army, where it continues to exist as 13th Battalion The Punjab Regiment. The regiment was raised during the upheaval of the Indian Mutiny, by Captain R.O.T. Nicholls at Ludhiana on 10 June 1857, as the 22nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry. The men were mostly drawn from other infantry and police battalions in the Punjab and their class composition was Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Dogras. For the next two years, the regiment remained engaged in suppressing the rebellion. The regiment took an active part in the Bhutan War of 1864-66, the Second Afghan War of 1878-80, the Chitral Expedition of 1895, and the Tirah Campaign of 1897.

    During the First World War, the 1st Battalion, 30th Punjabis served with distinction in the East African Campaign, while their 2nd Battalion, raised in 1918, served in the Palestine Campaign and fought in the Battle of Megiddo. During the war, 30th Punjabis raised two more battalions, which stayed in India. All war-raised battalions were disbanded after the war.

     Divisional Structure 1918  Bavarian Cavalry Division part of 3rd Cavalry Corps - preceding 6th Army.

    Order of Battle 1918

    Cavalry 1918

    • 1st Bavarian Cavalry Brigade
      • 1st Heavy Reiter Regiment
    • 4th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade
      • 1st Bavarian Uhlan Regiment
      • 2nd Bavarian Uhlan Regiment
    • 5th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade
      • 1st Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment
      • 6th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

    Artillery

    5th Bavarian Horse Artillery Abteil.

    Engineering and Liaison

    • Pioneer Detachment
    • 1st Bavarian Machine Gun Battery
    • 300 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company

    Attached: Glanz Landsturm Infantry Battalion (VI/9)

    Divisional History 1918

    The units of this division were used on police duty in the Ukraine and in Roumania in the spring of 1918.

    A part of the division was serving in the Crimea in the early summer. It continued in that general area through the year.

    Allied Intelligent Estimate 1918.

    The division was rated as fourth class.

     Divisional Structure 1914  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1914

    • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
      • 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
      • 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 59th Landwer Brigade
      • 28th Ersatz Regiment
      • 120th Landwehr Regiment


     Divisional Structure 1915  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Addition to Divisional Order of Battle 1915

    Infantry - no changes

    Artillery

    • 1st Ersatz Abteil Field Artillery Regiment - 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division
    • 2nd Ersatz Battery 8th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment



     Divisional Structure 1916  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1916

    Infantry

    • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
      • 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
      • 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 59th Landwehr Brigade
      • 28th Ersatz Regiment
      • 81st Landwehr Regiment

    Cavalry

    Ersatz Cavalry Detachment - 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division

    Engineering and Liaison

    • 2nd Landwehr Pioneer Company - 2nd Bavarian Cavalry Division
    • 3rd Landwehr Pioneer Company - 3rd Bavarian Cavalry Division
    • 1st Bavarian Mining Company
    • 1st Bavarian Heavy Trench Mortar Detachment



     Divisional Structure 1917  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1917

    Infantry

    3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade

    • 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 28th Ersatz Regiment

    Cavalry

    • 1st Squadron, 6th Bavarian Reserve Schutzen Cavalry Regiment
    • Ersatz Cavalry Abteil, 1st Bavarian Cavalry Division.

    Artillery Command

    Bavarian Ersatz Field Artillery Regiment

    Engineers and Liaison

    • Pioneer Battalion: 4th and 6th Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Companies.
    • 1st Bavarian Mining Company
    • 100 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
    • 5th Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section
    • 551 Telephone Detachment

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 9th Bavarian Ambulance Company
    • 40th Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 41st Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 33rd Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

    Transport

    767 Motor Transport Company

     Divisional Structure 1918  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1918

    Infantry

    3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade

    • 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 15th Bavarian Reserve Regiment
    • 18th Bavarian Reserve Regiment

    Cavalry

    1st Squadron, 6th Bavarian Reserve Schutzen Cavalry Regiment

    19th Bavarian Artillery Command

    Bavarian Ersatz Field Artillery Regiment

    Engineers and Liaison

    • 13th Pioneer Battalion: 4th and 6th Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Companies.
    • 1st Bavarian Mining Company
    • 100 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
    • 5th Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section
    • 551 Bavarian Telephone Detachment

    Medical and Veterinary

    • 9th Bavarian Ambulance Company
    • 40th Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 41st Bavarian Field Hospital
    • 33rd Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

    Transport

    767 Motor Transport Company

     Divisional Structure 1914  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1914

    Infantry

    • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
      • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
      • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
    • 15th Reserve Brigade
      • 64th Reserve Regiment
      • 93rd Reserve Regiment
    • Guards Reserve Snipers Battalion

    Cavalry

    Guards Reserve Dragoons - 3 Squadrons

    Artillery

    • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
    • 3rd Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment



     Divisional Structure 1915  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

    Divisional Order of Battle 1915

    Infantry

    • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
      • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
      • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
    • 15th Reserve Brigade
      • 64th Reserve Regiment
      • 93rd Reserve Regiment
    • Guards Reserve Snipers Battalion

    Cavalry

    Guards Reserve Dragoons Regiment

    Artillery

    • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
    • 3rd Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

    Engineers and Liaison

      1st Engineers Battalion
      • 2nd Field Company
      • 3rd Field Company
      • 28th Pioneer Company
      • 1st Guards Reserve Pontoon Engineers
      • 1st Guards Reserve Telephone Detachment



       Divisional Structure 1916  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

      Divisional Order of Battle 1916

      Infantry

      • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
        • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
        • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
        • 64th Reserve Regiment

      Cavalry

      Guards Reserve Dragoons Regiment 3 Squadrons

      Artillery

      • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
      • 3rd Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

      Engineers and Liaison

        1st Engineers Battalion
        • 2nd Field Company
        • 3rd Field Company
        • 28th Pioneer Company
        • 1st Guards Reserve Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Guards Reserve Telephone Detachment
        • 5th Guards Trench Mortar Company



         Divisional Structure 1917  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1917

        Infantry

        • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
          • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
          • 64th Reserve Regiment

        Cavalry

        Guards Reserve Dragoons Regiment 1st Squadron

        Artillery

        • 7th Guards Artillery Command
        • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (9 Batteries)

        Engineers and Liaison

          1st Engineers Battalion
          • 2nd Field Company
          • 3rd Field Company
          • 28th Pioneer Company
          • 401 Guards Telephone Detachment
          • 5th Guards Trench Mortar Company

          Medical and Veterinary

          • 266 Ambulance Company
          • 395 Field Hospital
          • Veterinary Hospital

          Transport

          701 Motor Transport Column



           Divisional Structure 1918  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

          Divisional Order of Battle 1918

          Infantry

          • 1st Guards Reserve Brigade
            • 1st Guards Reserve Regiment
            • 2nd Guards Reserve Regiment
            • 64th Reserve Regiment

          Cavalry

          Guards Reserve Dragoons Regiment 1st Squadron

          Artillery

          • 8th Guards Artillery Command
          • 1st Guards Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
          • 2nd Abteil 1st Foot Artillery Regiment (Staff, 7, 8 and 13 Batteries)
          • 701 Light Ammunition Column
          • 1269 Light Ammunition Column
          • 1328 Light Ammunition Column

          Engineers and Liaison

          • 28th Pioneers Battalion
            • 2nd Pioneers Company
            • 3rd Pioneers Company
            • 61st Searchlight Section
          • 401 Guards Signal Command
            • 401 Guards Telephone Detachment
            • 17th Wireless Detachment

          Medical and Veterinary

          • 266 Ambulance Company
          • 389 Field Hospital
          • 395 Field Hospital
          • 401 Veterinary Hospital

          Transport

          701 Motor Transport Column



           Divisional Structure 1914  Guard Ersatz Division part of German 6th Army

          The Guard Ersatz Division (Garde-Ersatz-Division) was a division of the Imperial German Army during World War I. Ersatz is German for replacement. The division was formed from companies of the replacement battalions (Ersatz-Bataillone) of the regiments of Prussian Guards and several other Prussian regiments. The division was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914.

          • The Guard Ersatz Division fought in the opening phases of the war in the Battle of the Frontiers and then participated in the Race to the Sea.
          • In 1916, the division fought in the Battle of Verdun.
          • In 1917, the division participated in the Second Battle of the Aisne.
          • In July 1917, the division was sent to the Eastern Front, where it fought in the Baltic region. It returned to the Western Front in September 1917 near Verdun and remained on the Western Front until the Armistice.

          Divisional Order of Battle 1914

          Infantry and Support

          • 1st Mixed Guard Ersatz Brigade
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 1
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 2
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 3
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 4
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 5
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 6
            • Guard Cavalry Ersatz Abteilung Berlin
            • 1st Guard Field Artillery Ersatz Abteilung
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Ersatz Abteilung
            • 1st Ersatz Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
          • 5th Mixed Guard Ersatz Brigade
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 5
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 6
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 7
            • Guard Brigade Ersatz Battalion number 8
            • Cavalry Ersatz Abteilung Pasewalk - 2 Army Corps
            • Forward Pomeranian Field Artillery Ersatz Abteilung 38
            • Rear Pomeranian Field Artillery Ersatz Abteilung 53
            • 1st Ersatz Company Guard Pioneer Battalion 2


           Divisional Structure 1918  Guard Ersatz Division part of German 6th Army

          Divisional Order of Battle - 8th March 1918

          Guard Ersatz Brigade

          • 6th Guard Regiment
          • 7th Guard Regiment
          • 399th Infantry Regiment
          • Machine Gun Abteilung 29
          • 5th Squadron 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment
          • Guard Artillery Command 6
          • 7th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
          • 89th Foot Artillery Battalion
          • 501 Stab Pioneer Battalion
          • 301 Guard Pioneer Company
          • 302 Guard Pioneer Company
          • 7th Guard Trench Company
          • 551 Guard Division Communications Command



           Divisional Structure 1914  Guards Cavalry Division part of German 1st Cavalry Corps preceeding 3rd Army

          Pre-war - The Guards Corps had four cavalry brigades organised as the Guards Cavalry Division, the only peace-time Cavalry Division in the German Army. On mobilisation, the pre-war cavalry brigades were withdrawn from their divisions. 33 Brigades (66 regiments) were used to form the 11 Cavalry Divisions. The remaining 22 brigades (44 regiments) were broken up and their regiments were employed as divisional cavalry for the 50 active divisions

          The Guards Cavalry Division (Garde-Kavallerie-Division) was a unit of the German army that was stationed in Berlin. The division was a part of the Guards Corps (Gardekorps).

          Before the outbreak of war, the division order of Battle was:

          • 1st Guards Cavalry Brigade
            • Gardes du Corps
            • Guards Cuirassiers
          • 2nd Guards Cavalry Brigade
            • 1st Guards Uhlans
            • 3rd Guards Uhlans
          • 3rd Guards Cavalry Brigade
            • 1st Guards Dragoons "Queen of Great Britain and Ireland"
            • 2nd Guards Dragoons "Empress Alexandra of Russia"
          • 4th Guards Cavalry Brigade
            • Life Guards Hussars
            • 2nd Guards Uhlans

          The division was initially assigned to I Cavalry Corps, which preceded the 3rd Army on the Western Front. It served on the Western Front until December 1914, then undertook frontier guard duties against Holland until 30 June 1915, when it relocated to Russia.

          From 16 March 1918 to 9 April 1918, it was dismounted, re-formed and trained on the Zossen troop training ground. Thereafter, it served as the Guard Cavalry Schützen Division on the Western Front. It was in Artois until May 1918, then Champagne and Aisne. By the end of the war, it was serving under VI Reserve Corps, 1st Army, Heeresgruppe Deutscher Kronprinz on the Western Front.



           Divisional Structure 1916 to 1918  Guards Cavalry Division part of German 1st Cavalry Corps preceeding 3rd Army

          Conversion to Schutzen Division (Dismounted Infantry Role)

          Guard Cavalry Schützen Division

          The Guard Cavalry Division was extensively reorganised in the course of the war, culminating in conversion to a Cavalry Schützen Division, i.e. Dissmounted Cavalry. The cavalry brigades were renamed Cavalry Schützen Commands and performed a similar role to that of an infantry regiment command. Likewise, the cavalry regiments became Cavalry Schützen Regiments and were allocated the role of an infantry battalion (and their squadrons acted as infantry companies). However, these units were much weaker than normal infantry formations (for example, a Schützen squadron had a strength of just 4 officers and 109 NCOs and other ranks, considerably less than that of an infantry company).

          • 1st Guards Cavalry Brigade became independent on 9 April 1917
          • 2nd Guards Cavalry Brigade became independent on 6 June 1916
          • 3rd Guards Cavalry Brigade became independent on 18 October 1916
          • 19th Cavalry Brigade joined from 9th Cavalry Division on 8 April 1917 and became independent on 12 February 1918
          • 11th Cavalry Brigade joined from 5th Cavalry Division on 23 March 1918 and was renamed 11th Cavalry Schützen Command on 8 May 1918
          • 14th Cavalry Brigade joined from 9th Cavalry Division on 23 February 1918 and was renamed 14th Cavalry Schützen Command on 8 May 1918
          • 38th Cavalry Brigade joined from 8th Cavalry Division on 20 April 1918 and renamed 38th Cavalry Schützen Command on 8 May 1918



           Divisional Structure 1918  Guards Cavalry Division part of German 1st Cavalry Corps preceeding 3rd Army

          Divisional Order of Battle - Late 1918

          • 5th Landwehr Brigade
            • 11th Cavalry Schützen Command
              • Guards Cuirassiers
              • 1st (Silesian) Life Cuirassiers "Great Elector"
              • 8th (2nd Silesian) Dragoons "King Frederick III"
            • 14th Cavalry Schützen Command
              • 4th (1st Silesian) Hussars "von Schill"
              • 11th (2nd Westphalian) Hussars
              • 5th (Westphalian) Uhlans
            • 38th Cavalry Schützen Command
              • 4th (Westphalian) Cuirassiers "von Driesen"
              • 2nd Jäger zu Pferde
              • 6th Jäger zu Pferde

          • 1st Guard MG Detachment
          • 1st Squadron, 5th Jäger zu Pferde (mounted cavalry)
          • 132nd Artillery Command 3rd Guards Field Artillery
          • 722nd Light Ammunition Column
          • 852nd Light Ammunition Column
          • 1135th Light Ammunition Column
          • 412th Pioneer Battalion 2nd Ersatz Company, 18th Pioneer Battalion
          • 307th Pioneer Company
          • 226th Signal Command
          • 226th Telephone Detachment
          • 183rd Wireless Detachment

          Medical and Veterinary

          • 257th Ambulance Company
          • 642nd Ambulance Company
          • 1st Field Hospital
          • 302nd Field Hospital
          • 262nd Veterinary Hospital

          Transport

          636th Motor Transport Column

           Jäger Structure - WW1  Jäger Units development in German Imperial Army.

          Pre-war units

          Theses were organised units of light infantry or sharpshooters basically at battalion level and attached to larger units (divisions/corps) mainly as scouts or light quick reaction forces.

          • Germany (Imperial) Army
            • Royal Prussian Guard Jäger Battalion
            • Royal Prussian Guard Schützen Battalion
            • Royal Prussian Jäger Battalion Count York von Wartenburg (East Prussian) No.1
            • Royal Prussian Jäger Battalion Prince Bismarck (Pomeranian) No.2
            • Royal Prussian Brandenburg Jäger Battalion No.3
            • Royal Prussian Magdeburg Jäger Battalion No.4
            • Royal Prussian Jäger Battalion von Neumann (1st Silesian) No.5
            • Royal Prussian 2nd Silesian Jäger Battalion No.6
            • Royal Prussian Westphalian Jäger Battalion No.7
            • Royal Prussian Rhineland (or Rhenish) Jäger Battalion No.8
            • Royal Prussian Lauenburg Jäger Battalion No.9
            • Royal Prussian Hanoverian Jäger Battalion No.10
            • Royal Prussian Electoral Hessian Jäger Battalion No.11
            • Royal Saxon Jäger Battalion No.12
            • Royal Saxon Jäger Battalion No.13
            • Grand-Ducal Mecklenburg Jäger Battalion No.14
            • Royal Bavarian 1st Jäger Battalion
            • Royal Bavarian 2nd Jäger Battalion

          With the onset of WW1 more battalions were raised and were formed into larger regiments usually with two or three battalions.

          WW1 1914 to 1916

          Germany (First World War)

          1914

          • Guard Reserve Jäger Battalion
          • Guard Reserve Schützen Battalion
          • Reserve Jäger Battalions 1-14
          • Bavarian Reserve Jäger Battalions 1-2
          • Bavarian Ski Battalions 1-2

          1915

          • Reserve Jäger Battalions 15-26
          • Royal Prussian 27th Jäger Battalion (Finnish Volunteers)
          • Bavarian Ski Battalions 3-4
          • Württemberg Ski Company (later renamed the Württemberg Mountain Company and expanded to a Battalion, then a Regiment)
          • Bavarian Jäger Regiment No.1 (1st and 2nd Bavarian Jäger Battalions, 2nd Bavarian Reserve Jäger Battalion)
          • Jäger Regiment No.2 (10th Jäger Battalion, 10th and 14th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Bavarian Jäger Regiment No.3 (1st - 4th Bavarian Ski Battalions)
          • Alpine Corps (1st, 2nd & 3rd Jäger Regiments)

          1916

          • Württemberg Mountain Battalion
          • Jäger Regiment No.4 (11th Jäger Battalion, 5th and 6th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.5 (17th, 18th and 23rd Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.6 (5th, 6th and 14th Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.7 (13th Jäger Battalion, 25th and 26th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.8 (4th, 16th and 24th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.9 (8th Jäger Battalion, 12th Reserve Jäger Battalion)
          • Jäger Regiment No.10 (12th Jäger Battalion, 13th Reserve Jäger Battalion)

          During 1917 reorganisation into regiments continued and a Jäger Division was created.

          1917

          • Royal Bavarian 29th Infantry Regiment (Jager Regiment) (1st Bavarian Reserve Jager Battalion, 7th and 9th Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • German Jäger Division (11th, 12th & 13th Jäger Regiments)

          The German Jäger Division included

          • 11th Jäger Regiment
          • 12th Jäger Regiment
          • 13th Jäger Regiment

          It also included other divisional support units.

          1918

          • Württemberg Mountain Regiment
          • Jäger Regiment No.11 (Guard Reserve Jäger Battalion, Guard Reserve Schützen Battalion, 1st Jäger Battalion)
          • Jäger Regiment No.12 (2nd and 7th Jäger Battalions, 1st Reserve Jäger Battalion)
          • Jäger Regiment No.13 (8th, 20th and 21st Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Jäger Regiment No.14 (15th, 19th and 22nd Reserve Jäger Battalions)
          • Bavarian Reserve Jäger Regiment No.15 (1st Bavarian Reserve Jager Battalion and Caucasian Railway Protection Battalion)



           Divisional Structure 1918  Jäger Division part of 54th Corps z.b.V - German Second Army.

          Divisional Order of Battle on formation in 1917.

          Stab 5th Ersatz Infantry Brigade

          • Stab 4th Dragoon Regiment - von Bredow (1st Schlesisches)
          • Guards Reserve Jäger Battalion
          • Guards Reserve Schützen Battalion

          • Stab 2nd Uhlen Regiment - von Katzler (Schlesisches)
          • 1st Reserve Jäger Battalion
          • 2nd Pomeranian Jäger Battalion (Fürst Bismarck)

          • Stab 8th Royal Bavarian Chevalliers Regiment
          • 8th Reserve Jäger Battalion
          • Wurttemberg Mountain Battalion
          • Brandenberg Jäger Battalion

          Notes

          Stab refers to a Headquarters or Command to which units can be attached.

          In the Corps title - z.b.V (zur besonderen Verwendung) translates to "For Special Use"

           Divisional Structure 1918  Jäger Division part of 54th Corps z.b.V - German Second Army.

          Divisional Order of Battle 1918

          5th Ersatz Infantry Brigade

          • Jäger-Regiment Nr. 11
            • The Regiment was formed in October 1917 on the Italian front.
            • The regimental staff was the staff of the Dragoner Nr. 4
            • Garde Reserve Jäger Bataillon,
            • Garde Reserve Schützen Bataillon,
            • Jäger Bataillon Nr. 1
            • The Regiment was part of the Deutsche Jäger Division, the commander was Oberstleutnant Freiherr von Bettendorf
          • Jäger-Regiment Nr. 12
            • The Regiment was formed in October 1917 on the Italian front.
            • The regimental staff was the staff of the Ulanen Regiment Nr. 2
            • Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 2,
            • Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 1,
            • Jäger Bataillon Nr. 12 (from 1.12.1917)
            • The Regiment was part of the Deutsche Jäger Division, the commander was Oberstleutnant von Pappritz of the Ulanen Regiment Nr. 2
          • Jäger-Regiment Nr. 13
            • The Regiment was formed in October 1917 on the Italian front.
            • The regimental staff was the staff of the 8. Bayerische Chevauleger-Regiment
            • Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 8,
            • Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 20,
            • Reserve Jäger Bataillon Nr. 21
            • The Regiment was part of the Deutsche Jäger Division, the commander was Oberstleutnant von Bibra of the 8, Bayerische Chevauleger-Regiment
          • 1st Squadron 10th Dragoon Regiment - King Albert of Saxony (east Prussian)

            224th Artillery Command

            • 24th Holstein Field Artillery Regiment
            • 4th Bavarian Foot Artillery Regiment

            422 Pioneer Battalion

            901 Communications Command

            Divisional Commanders

            • Oberst Georg von Wodtke - 14th Sep to 23rd Nov. 1917
            • Generalmajor Johannes von Dassel - 24th Nov 1917 to 14th Dec 1918.



             

             

             Order of Battle 1918  17th German Army

            Commander (1918) General der Infanterie Bruno von Mudra

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps
              • 187th Division
              • 26th Reserve Division
              • 10th Ersatz Division
              • 208th Division
            • 2nd Bavarian Corps
              • 234th Division
              • 25th Division
            • 18th German Army Corps
              • 220th Division
              • 35th Division
              • 6th Division
            • 14th German Army Reserve Corps
              • 214th Division
              • 111th Division
              • 48th Reserve Division
              • 206th Division
              • 12th Division
              • 28th Reserve Division



             Order of Battle 1918  18th German Army

            Commander (1918) General der Infanterie Oskar von Hutier

            • 1st Bavarian Corps
              • 19th Reserve Division
              • 29th Division
              • 15th Reserve Division
              • 200th Division
              • 204th Division
              • 34th Division
            • 26th German Reserve Corps
              • 75th Reserve Division
              • 9th Division
              • 18th Division
              • 6th Bavarian Division
            • 18th German Reserve Corps
              • 231st Division
              • 238th Division
              • 81st Reserve Division
              • 2nd Division
              • 1st Reserve Division
              • 82nd Reserve Division (two-thirds)
              • 5th Reserve Division
            • 14th German Corps
              • 232nd Division
              • 237th Division
              • 11th Division
              • 221st Division
              • 105th Division
              • 87th Division
            • Army Command
                5th Ersatz Division



             Order of Battle 1918  19th German Army

            Commander (1918) Generaloberst Felix Graf von Bothmer

            • 19th German Army Corps
              • 84th Landwehr Brigade
              • 48th Landwehr Division
            • 66th German Army Corps (zbV)
              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division
              • 19th Ersatz Division
              • 17th Reserve Division
            • 15th German Army Corps
              • 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division
              • 83rd Division


             Order of Battle 1918  Armee Abteilung A

            Commander (1918) General der Infanterie Johannes von Eben

            • 59th German Army Corps (zbV)
              • 96th Division
              • 21st Landwehr Division
              • 75th Reserve Division
            • 7th German Army Corps
              • 82nd Composite Reserve Infantry Brigade
              • 301st Division
            • 15th Bavarian Army Corps
              • 39th Bavarian Reserve Division
              • 61st Landwehr Division
            • 9th Austro-Hungarian Army Corps
              • 37th Austro-Hungarian Division
              • 4th Landwehr Division



             Order of Battle 1918  Armee Abteilung B

            Commander (1918) General der Infanterie Erich von Gündell

            • 64th German Army Corps (zbV)
              • 6th Bavarian Landwehr Division
              • 4th Cavalry Schützen Division
              • 7th Cavalry Schützen Division
            • 10th German Army Corps
              • 26th Landwehr Division
              • 30th Bavarian Reserve Division
              • 31st Division
            • 12th German Army Corps
              • 44th Landwehr Division
              • 25th Landwehr Division



             Order of Battle 1918  Armee Abteilung C

            Commander (1918) Generalleutnant Georg Fuchs

            • 13th German Army Corps
              • 5th Guards Division
              • 3rd Bavarian Division
              • 241st Division
            • 5th German Army Corps
              • 13th Landwehr Division
              • 94th Division
              • 35th Austro-Hungarian Division
            • 12th German Army Reserve Corps
              • 5th Landwehr Division
              • 224th Division
            • 57th German Army Corps (zbV)
              • 8th Landwehr Division
              • 255th Division
            • Group Metz
              • 31st Landwehr Brigade
              • 10th Division
              • 18th Landwehr Division
              • 2nd Landwehr Division
            • Army Troops
              • 45th Reserve Division



             Corps structure  German Naval Corps part of German 4th Army.

            Divisions

            • 1st Naval Division
            • 2nd Naval Division
            • 38th Landwehr Division (two-thirds)
            • 3rd Division (one-third)
            • 85th Landwehr Division



             Corps structure  18th Austro-Hungarian Army Corps part of 5th German Army

            Divisions

            • 33rd Division
            • 32nd Division
            • 106th Austro-Hungarian Division (less elements)
            • 37th Division
            • 236th Division
            • 20th Division



             Corps structure  9th Austro-Hungarian Army Corps part of Armee Abteilung A

            Divisions

            • 37th Austro-Hungarian Division
            • 4th Landwehr Division



             Corps structure  55th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 6th German Army

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 38th Division
            • 12th Bavarian Division
            • 5th Bavarian Division
            • 4th Ersatz Division (two-thirds)
            • 9th Reserve Division



             Corps structure  40th German Army Reserve Corps part of 6th German Army

            Divisions

            • 16th Division
            • 8th Division



             Corps structure  51st German Army Corps (zbV)part of 2nd German Army

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 2nd Cyclist Brigade
            • 243rd Division
            • 121st Division
            • 54th Division
            • 1st Guards Reserve Division
            • 22nd Reserve Division

            Army Troops

            17th Reserve Division



             Corps structure  54th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 2nd German Army

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 21st Reserve Division
            • 22nd Division
            • 4th Division
            • 113th Division
            • 239th Division
            • 12th Reserve Division
            • Jäger Division
            • 185th Division



             Corps structure  German Army Group Metz part of Armee Abteilung C

            Divisions

            • 31st Landwehr Division
            • 10th Division
            • 18th Landwehr Division
            • 2nd Landwehr Division



             Corps structure  57th German Army Corps (zbV) part of Armee Abteilung C.

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 8th Landwehr Division
            • 255th Division



             Corps structure  15th Bavarian Army Reserve Corps part of Armee Abteilung A.

            Divisions

            • 39th Bavarian Reserve Division
            • 61st Landwehr Brigade



             Corps structure  58th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 5th German Army

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

            • 240th Division
            • 15th Bavarian Division
            • 52nd Division
            • 31st Division



             Corps structure  59th German Army Corps (zbV) part of Armee Abteilung A.

            zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

            Divisions

          • 96th Division
          • 21st Landwehr Division
          • 75th Reserve Division



           Corps structure  64th German Army Corps (zbV) part of Armee Abteilung B.

          zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

          Divisions

          • 6th Bavarian Landwehr Division
          • 4th Cavalry Schützen Division
          • 7th Cavalry Schützen Division
          • 26th Landwehr Division



           Corps structure  66th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 19th German Army

          zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

          Divisions

          • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division
          • 19th Ersatz Division
          • 17th Reserve Division



           Corps structure  65th German Army Corps (zbV) part of 7th German Army

          zbV (zur besonderen Vervendung) [for special use]

          Divisions

        • 5th Division
        • 4th Guards Division
        • 216th Division
        • 50th Division



         Corps structure  24th German Army Reserve Corps part of 1st German Army

        Divisions

        • 51st Reserve Division
        • 7th Division



         Corps structure  25th German Army Reserve Corps part of 3rd German Army

        Divisions

        • 9th Landwehr Division
        • 199th Division
        • 3rd Guards Division
        • 1st Guards Division



         Corps structure  26th German Army Reserve Corps part of 18th German Army

        Divisions

        • 75th Reserve Division
        • 9th Division
        • 18th Division
        • 6th Bavarian Division



         Corps structure  38th German Army Reserve Corps part of 3rd German Army

        No divisions assigned in 1918.



         Divisional Structure 1914  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1914

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 41st Regiment
        • 2nd Infantry Brigade
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Brigade

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 52nd Field Artillery Regiment



         Divisional Structure 1915  1st German Division was part of 1st Army Corps and 9th Army of the North

        Divisional Order of Battle 1915

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 41st Regiment
        • 2nd Infantry Brigade
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Brigade

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 52nd Field Artillery Regiment

        Engineers and Liaison

        • 1st Engineers Battalion (1st Command District)
        • 1st Pioneers Field Company
        • 1st Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Telephone Detachment



         Divisional Structure 1916  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 10th Army of the South

        Divisional Order of Battle 1916

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 41st Regiment
        • 2nd Infantry Brigade
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Brigade

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 52nd Field Artillery Regiment

        Engineers and Liaison

        • 1st Engineers Battalion (1st Command District)
        • 1st Pioneers 3rd Field Company
        • 1st Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Telephone Detachment
        • 1st Trench Mortar Company
        • 271st Pioneer Company

        Attached 100th Labour Battalion



         Divisional Structure 1917  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1917

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        3rd Squadron 8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Command (z)

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 52nd Field Artillery Regiment

        Engineers and Liaison

        • 112th Engineers Battalion
        • 1st Pioneers 3rd Field Company (z)
        • 1st Telephone Detachment
        • 1st Trench Mortar Company
        • 271st Pioneer Company
        • 305th Searchlight Section
        • 311th Searchlight Section
        • 312th Searchlight Section
        • 392nd Searchlight Section

        Medical and Veterinary

        • 4th Ambulance Company
        • Field Hospital
        • 1st Veterinary Hospital

        Transport

        534th Motor Transport Column

        Attached units

        • 66th Machine Gun Sharpshooting Detachment
        • 54th Light Machine Gun Section
        • 55th Light Machine Gun Section
        • 56th Light Machine Gun Section
        • 57th Light Machine Gun Section



         Divisional Structure 1918  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1918

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Infantry Brigade
          • 1st Grenadiers Regiment
          • 3rd Grenadiers Regiment
          • 43rd Regiment

        Cavalry

        3rd Squadron 8th Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Artillery Command

        • 16th Field Artillery Regiment
        • 10th Field Artillery Regiment - 1st Abteilung (Staff, 1, 3 and 4 Batteries)
        • 1083 Light Ammunition Column
        • 1095 Light Ammunition Column
        • 1096 Light Ammunition Column

        Engineers and Liaison

        • 110th Pioneer Battalion
        • 1st Pioneers 3rd Field Company (z)
        • 1st Trench Mortar Company
        • 271st Pioneer Company
        • 108th Searchlight Section
        • 1st Signal Command
        • 1st Telephone Detachment
        • 43rd Wireless Detachment

        Medical and Veterinary

        • 4th Ambulance Company
        • 13th Field Hospital
        • 16th Field Hospital
        • 1st Veterinary Hospital

        Transport

        534th Motor Transport Column



           German Army of the South

        10th South German Army

        The South Army was formed in Breslau, on 11 January 1915, by the transformation of II Corps for the Hungarian Carparthian Front. II Corps commander, General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen took over the new army command.

        On 8 July 1915, von Linsingen transferred as commander of the new Army of the Bug. In his place, General der Infanterie Felix Graf von Bothmer of II Bavarian Reserve Corps took command of the South Army. With the Russians withdrawing from the war (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk) and the run down of German forces on the Eastern Front, the army was dissolved on 25 January 1918.

        The headquarters of the army was located in Mukachevo (from 11 January 1915), Stryi (from 5 June 1915), Berezhany (from 4 September 1915), Khodoriv (from 15 November 1916) and Chortkiv (from 4 August 1917).

        Commanders

        The South Army had the following commanders during its existence

        • From the 11th January 1915 General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen, previously II Corps and later moved to Army of the Bug (8th July 1915).
        • From the 8th July 1915 General der Infanterie Felix Graf von Bothmer, previously II Bavarian Reserve Corps and later moved to 19th Army (25th January 1918).



         Divisional Structure 1914  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1914

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
        • 72nd Reserve Brigade
          • 18th Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment
        • 1st Jäger Battalion

        Cavalry

        • 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment (3 Squadrons)
        • 1st Reserve Ersatz Cavalry Regiment (3 Squadrons)

        Artillery

        1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (6 Batteries)



         Divisional Structure 1915  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1915

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
        • 72nd Reserve Brigade
          • 18th Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment
        • 1st Jäger Battalion

        Cavalry

        • 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment (3 Squadrons)
        • 1st Reserve Ersatz Cavalry Regiment (3 Squadrons)

        Artillery

        1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (6 Batteries)

        Engineering and Liaison

        • 2nd Engineers Battalion No. 1
        • 1st Reserve Company Pioneers Battalion
        • 1st Reserve Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Reserve Telephone Detachment



         Divisional Structure 1916  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1916

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
        • 72nd Reserve Brigade
          • 18th Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment
        • 1st Jäger Battalion

        Cavalry

        • 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (6 Batteries)

        Engineering and Liaison

        • 4th Field Company, 2nd Pioneers Battalion.
        • 204th Trench Mortar Company
        • 1st Reserve Pontoon Engineers
        • 1st Reserve Telephone Detachment



         Divisional Structure 1917  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1917

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment
        • 1st Jäger Battalion

        Cavalry

        • 1st Reserve Uhlan Regiment (3 Squadrons)

        Artillery

        1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (9 Batteries)

        Engineering and Liaison

        • 4th Field Company, 2nd Pioneers Battalion.
        • 1st Field Company, 2nd Pioneers Battalion.
        • 301st Engineering Battalion
        • 201st Trench Mortar Company
        • 348 Searchlight Section
        • 1st Reserve Telephone Detachment

        Medical and Veterinary

        • 501st Ambulance Company
        • 399th Field Hospital
        • 9th Reserve Field Hospital
        • Veterinary Hospital

        Transport

        Motor Transport Column



         Divisional Structure 1918  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        Divisional Order of Battle 1918

        Infantry Brigades

        • 1st Reserve Brigade
          • 1st Reserve Regiment
          • 3rd Reserve Regiment
          • 59th Reserve Regiment

        Cavalry

        • 4th Squadron, 2nd Guards Uhlan Regiment

        Artillery

        • 1st Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (9 Batteries)
        • 2nd Abteilung 1st Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
        • 1363 Light Ammunition Column
        • 1390 Light Ammunition Column
        • 1393 Light Ammunition Column

        Engineering and Liaison

        • 4th Field Company, 2nd Pioneers Battalion.
        • 1st Field Company, 34th Reserve Pioneers Battalion.
        • 301st Engineering Battalion
        • 201st Trench Mortar Company
        • 31st Searchlight Section
        • 401st Signals Command
        • 401st Telephone Detachment
        • 158th Wireless Detachment

        Medical and Veterinary

        • 501st Ambulance Company
        • 399th Field Hospital
        • 9th Reserve Field Hospital
        • 137th Veterinary Hospital



         Divisional History  1st Reserve Division part of 1st German Army Reserve Corps and 8th German Army

        The 1st Reserve Division (1. Reserve-Division) was a reserve infantry division of the Imperial German Army in World War I. It was formed, on mobilization in August 1914, from reserve infantry units, primarily from East Prussia and was part of I Reserve Corps. The division served on the Eastern Front from the beginning of the war until October 1917, after which it was transferred to the Western Front for the wars final campaigns. It was rated a third class division by Allied intelligence, mainly due to its losses in heavy fighting and reduced quality of replacement troops.

        1st Reserve Division (1. Reserve-Division)

        Active from 1914 to 1919

        Division Size Approx. 15,000

        World War I - Main activities: Gumbinnen, Tannenberg, 1st Masurian Lakes, Lodz, Spring Offensive, Hundred Days Offensive.

        Late World War I organization

        German Divisions underwent many changes during the war, with regiments moving from division to division, and some being destroyed and rebuilt. During the war, most divisions became triangular - one infantry brigade with three infantry regiments rather than two infantry brigades of two regiments (a square division). The 1st Reserve Division triangulated in June 1917. An artillery commander replaced the artillery brigade headquarters, the cavalry was further reduced, the engineer contingent was increased and a divisional signals command was created.



         Divisional Structure 1914  1st German Landwehr Division part of 9th German Army Reserve Corps and Army of the North

        On mobilization, the 1st Landwehr Division was created by aggregating four mixed Landwehr brigades (gemischte Landwehr-Brigaden), each of which generally included its own infantry, cavalry and artillery.

        Order of Battle in 1914

        • 33rd Mixed Landwehr Brigade
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 75
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 76
          • 2nd Guard Landwehr Squadron
          • 1st Landwehr Squadron/IX Corps
          • 1st Landwehr Battery/IX Corps
        • 34th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 31
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 84
          • 3rd Guard Landwehr Squadron
          • 2nd Landwehr Squadron/IX Corps
          • 2nd Landwehr Battery/IX Corps
        • 37th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 73
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 74
          • 2nd Landwehr Squadron/X Corps
          • 2nd Landwehr Field Artillery Battalion/X Corps
        • 38th Mixed Landwehr Brigade
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 77
          • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 78
          • 3rd Landwehr Squadron/X Corps

            The 33rd and 34th Mixed Landwehr Brigades were raised in the IX Corps area (the Province of Schleswig-Holstein, part of the Province of Hanover, the Grand Duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and the Hanseatic Cities of Bremen, Hamburg, and Lübeck). The 37th and 38th Mixed Landwehr Brigades were raised in the X Corps area (the Province of Hanover, the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, and the Duchy of Brunswick).

            On 27 August, the division was ordered to reinforce the eastern front; however, the 37th and 38th Mixed Landwehr Brigades were left behind to guard the northern coast and later transferred to the western front.

             Divisional Structure 1918  1st German Landwehr Division part of 9th German Army Reserve Corps and Army of the North

            Order of Battle 1918

            German Divisions underwent many changes during the war, with regiments moving from division to division, and some being destroyed and rebuilt. During the war, most divisions became triangular - one infantry brigade with three infantry regiments rather than two infantry brigades of two regiments (a square division). In the case of Landwehr divisions, the mixed Landwehr brigades were converted to regular infantry brigades before being triangularized and were often used to form new units. The 1st Landwehr Division's order of battle on 15 January 1918 was as follows:

            34th Landwehr Brigade

            • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 31
            • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 33
            • Landwehr Infantry Regiment No. 84
            • 3rd Squadron, Light Cavalry Regiment No. 12
            • Artillery Command 128
            • Field Artillery Regiment No. 96
            • Pioneer Battalion No. 401
            • 1st Ersatz Company, Pioneer Battalion 'Prinz Radziwill' (East Prussian) No. 1
            • 2nd Landwehr Pioneer Company/II Corps
            • Trench Mortar Company No. 301
            • Divisional Signals Command 501



             Army Structure  German Army of the Bug

            The Army of the Bug (German: Bugarmee / Armeeoberkommando Bug / A.O.K. Bug) was an army level command of the German Army in World War I named for the Bug River. It was formed against Russia on 8 July 1915 and served exclusively on the Eastern Front. It was dissolved on 31 March 1918.

            History

            The Army of the Bug was formed on 8 July 1915 by renaming the previous South Army headquarters in Lemberg. After the commander, General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen, had been appointed to simultaneous command of Heeresgruppe Linsingen on 20 September 1915, the Army of the Bug was split into Armee-Gruppen that were under the direct command of the Heeresgruppe. At various times, these included

            • Armee-Gruppe Gronau (formerly XXXXI Reserve Corps) 20 September 1915, 18 September 1916 (then raised to the status of an Armee-Abteilung)
            • Armee-Gruppe Marwitz (formerly VI Corps) 15 June 1916, 22 August 1917
            • Armee-Gruppe Litzmann (formerly XXXX Reserve Corps) 28 July 1916, 28 January 1918

            The dissolution of the last of these on 28 January 1918 marked the end of the Army of the Bug as well.

            Commanders

            The Army of the Bug was commanded throughout its existence by General der Infanterie Alexander von Linsingen (previously commander of South Army). Linsingen was simultaneously commander of Heeresgruppe Linsingen from 20 September 1915 and remained its commander when the Army of the Bug was disbanded.

             

             

             

             Divisional Structure 1914  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army.

            Divisional structure 1914

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Brigade
              • Body Infantry Regiment
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 16th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            8th Bavarian Light Cavalry

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Brigade
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 7th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 1st Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 3rd Field Company



             Divisional Structure 1915  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

            Divisional structure 1915

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 24th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            8th Bavarian Light Cavalry

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Brigade
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 7th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 1st Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 3rd Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
            • 1st Bavarian Telephone Detachment



             Divisional Structure 1916  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

            Divisional structure 1916

            Infantry

            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 24th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            8th Bavarian Light Cavalry - 3 Squadrons

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Brigade
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 7th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 1st Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Engineers Battalion - 3rd Field Company
            • 1st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 1st Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
            • 1st Bavarian Telephone Detachment



             Divisional Structure 1917  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

            Divisional structure 1917

            Infantry

            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 24th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry - 2nd Squadron
            • 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry - 3rd Squadron

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Pioneers Company
            • 3rd Bavarian Pioneers Company
            • 1st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 1st Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
            • 1st Bavarian Telephone Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Searchlight Section

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 1st Bavarian Ambulance Company
            • Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column



             Divisional Structure 1918  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

            Divisional structure 1918

            Infantry

            • 2nd Bavarian Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Regiment
              • 24th Bavarian Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry - 2nd Squadron

            Artillery

            • 1st Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 9th Bavarian Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 123rd Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
            • 146th Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
            • 158th Bavarian Light Ammunition Column

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Pioneers Battalion
            • 1st Bavarian Pioneers Company
            • 3rd Bavarian Pioneers Company
            • 1st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 1st Bavarian Signal Command
            • 1st Bavarian Telephone Detachment
            • 40th Wireless Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Searchlight Section

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 1st Bavarian Ambulance Company
            • 3rd Bavarian Field Hospital
            • 4th Bavarian Field Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column



             Divisional Structure 1914  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
            • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 12th Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment



             Divisional Structure 1915  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1915

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
            • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 12th Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Engineering Battalion
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Telephone Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Pontoon Engineers



             Divisional Structure 1916  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1916

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 4th Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 201st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Telephone Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Pontoon Engineers



             Divisional Structure 1917  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            3rd Squadron, 3rd Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            • 13th Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 17th Bavarian Engineering Battalion
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 17th Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 201st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 401st Bavarian Telephone Detachment
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 15th Bavarian Ambulance Company
            • 45th Bavarian Field Hospital
            • 48th Bavarian Field Hospital
            • 49th Bavarian Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital

            Transport

            750th Motor Transport Column



             Divisional Structure 1918  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Brigade
              • 1st Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment
              • 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment

            Cavalry

            3rd Squadron, 3rd Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

            Artillery

            • 13th Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
            • 1st Abteilung, 1st Bavarian Foot Artillery Regiment (Staff, 1,2 and 4 Batteries)
            • 101st Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
            • 145th Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
            • 147th Bavarian Light Ammunition Column

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 17th Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 17th Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 201st Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 18th Bavarian Reserve Searchlight Section
            • 401st Bavarian Signals Command
            • 401st Bavarian Telephone Detachment
            • 106th Bavarian Wireless Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 15th Bavarian Ambulance Company
            • 45th Bavarian Field Hospital
            • 48th Bavarian Field Hospital

            Transport

            750th Motor Transport Column



             Divisional Structure 1914  1st Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Infantry

            • 13th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Brigade
              • 8th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 10th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
            • 14th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Brigade
              • 15th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 122nd Royal Wurttemberg Landwehr Infantry Regiment
            • 60th Landwehr Infantry Brigade
              • 60th Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 71st Thuringen Landwehr Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            • Cavalry Ersatz Abteilung -2nd Guards Uhlan Regiment
            • 1st Landwehr Squadron - 2nd Bavarian Army Corps

            Artillery

            • 2nd Ersatz Abteilung 22nd Westphalian Field Artillery Regiment
            • 1st Ersatz Abteilung 84th Strassburg Field Artillery Regiment
            • Landau Battery Royal Bavarian Landsturm

            Engineers and Liaison

            1st Landwehr Pioneer Company - Bavarian Army Corps



             Divisional Structure 1918  1st Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            • 5th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Brigade
              • 4th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 6th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 7th Royal Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment
              • 6th Machinegun Sharpshooter Abteilung

            Cavalry

            3rd Squadron - 8th Royal Bavarian Chevalliers Regiment

            Artillery

            • 22nd Royal Bavarian Artillery Command
            • 1st Royal Bavarian Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 24th Royal Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Royal Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
            • 18th Royal Bavarian Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 301st Royal Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
            • 501st Royal Bavarian Communications Command



             Divisional Structure 1914  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Infantry

              1st Naval Brigade 2nd Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Landwehr Squadron, 10th Command District

            Artillery

            • 1st Landwehr Field Artillery Detachment, 10th Command District
            • 2nd Landwehr Field Artillery Detachment, 10th Command District

            Unfortunately no breakdown of which brigade and Division at any given time during WW1, but units of the German Naval Corps - (all Divisions) served by the sea on the extreme west of the Western Front throughout the Great War.

             Divisional Structure 1915  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1915

            Infantry

              1st Naval Brigade 2nd Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Landwehr Squadron, 10th Command District

            Artillery

            • 1st Naval Artillery Brigade
            • 1st Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • 2nd Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • Torpedo-Matrosen Artillery Regiment



             Divisional Structure 1916  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1916

            Infantry

              1st Naval Brigade 2nd Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            1st Landwehr Squadron, 10th Command District

            Artillery

            • 1st Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • 2nd Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Naval Field Artillery Regiment
            • Torpedo-Matrosen Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Naval Pioneer Company
            • 2nd Naval Pioneer Company
            • 165th Trench Mortar Company

            Attached units

            124th Labour Battalion



             Divisional Structure 1917  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            1st Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Cavalry

            4th Squadron, 6th Cuiraisier Regiment

            Artillery

            • 258th Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment
            • Torpedo-Matrosen Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Naval Pioneer Company
            • 2nd Naval Pioneer Company
            • 337th Pioneer Company
            • 165th Trench Mortar Company
            • Telephone Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • Ambulance Company
            • 1st Naval Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Attached units

            41st Cyclist Company



             Divisional Structure 1918  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            1st Naval Brigade

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment

            Cavalry

            4th Squadron, 6th Cuirassier Regiment

            Artillery

            • Marine Field Artillery Regiment
            • 1st Matrosen Artillery Regiment
            • Marine Corps 1st Foot Artillery Ammunition Column
            • 2nd Light Ammunition Column of Marine Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Marine Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Marine Pioneer Company
            • 4th Marine Pioneer Company
            • 1st Entrenching Company
            • 2nd Entrenching Company
            • 291st Marine Signal Command
            • 291st Marine Telephone Detachment
            • 291st Marine Wireless Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 1st Marine Ambulance Company
            • 1st Marine Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital (Ostend)

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Attached and Odd units

            • 1st Section Flanders Reconnaissance Flight
            • 2nd Section Flanders Reconnaissance Flight
            • 41st Cyclist Company



             Divisional Structure 1914  1st German Cavalry Division part of 1st Reserve Cavalry Corps and 8th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            • 1st Cavalry Brigade (from 1st Corps District)
              • 3rd (East Prussian) Cuirassiers (Count Wrangel)
              • 1st (Lithuanian) Dragoons (Prince Albrecht of Prussia)
            • 2nd Cavalry Brigade (from 1st Corps District)
              • 12th (Lithuanian) Uhlans
              • 9th Jäger zu Pferde
            • 41st Cavalry Brigade (from 20th Corps District)
              • 5th (West Prussian) Cuirassiers (Duke Frederick Eugene of Württemberg)
              • 4th (1st Pommeranian) Uhlans (von Schmidt)

            Horse Artillery

            Abteilung of the 1st (1st Lithuanian) Field Artillery (Prince August of Prussia)

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 5th Machine Gun Detachment
            • Pioneer Detachment
            • Signals Detachment
            • 17th Heavy Wireless Station
            • 7th Light Wireless Station
            • 14th Light Wireless Station

            Transport

            Cavalry Motorised Vehicle Column



             Divisional Structure 1918  1st German Cavalry Division part of 1st Reserve Cavalry Corps and 8th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            • 2nd Cavalry Brigade (from 1st Corps District)
              • 3rd (East Prussian) Cuirassiers (Count Wrangel)
              • 1st (Lithuanian) Dragoons (Prince Albrecht of Prussia)
              • 12th (Lithuanian) Uhlans

            Horse Artillery

            • Abteilung of the 1st (1st Lithuanian) Field Artillery (Prince August of Prussia)
            • Abteilung of the 35th (1st West Prussian) Field Artillery

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Pioneer Detachment
            • 347th Searchlight Section

            Medical and Veterinary

              70th Ambulance Company 66th Veterinary Hospital 142nd Veterinary Hospital

            Other Units

            • 152nd Cyclist Company
            • 153rd Cyclist Company
            • 159th Cyclist Company



               Lynch Camp was situated at Kilworth, Cork, Ireland, halfway between Fermoy and Mitchelstown. The 14,000 acre training camp was purchased by the British military in the 1880's and the firing opened there in 1886. The site is still in use as a military training area.

             Divisional Structure 1915  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1915

            Infantry

            • 3rd Naval Brigade
            • 4th Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment



             Divisional Structure 1916  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1916

            Infantry

            • 3rd Naval Brigade
            • 4th Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Artillery

            • Marine Field Artillery A Battery

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 3rd Naval Pioneer Company

            Attached units

            27th Labour Battalion



             Divisional Structure 1917  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            • 3rd Naval Brigade
            • 4th Naval Brigade

            The following units alternated between the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions and their Naval Brigades

            • 1st Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 5th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 6th Marine Fusilier Regiment
            • 4th Marine Infantry Regiment

            Artillery

            • 1st Marine Field Artillery Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Field Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 3rd Naval Pioneer Company
            • 4th Naval Pioneer Company
            • 377th Pioneer Company
            • Telephone Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • Ambulance Company
            • Field Hospital
            • Veterinary Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Attached units

            Coast Defense Battalion



             Divisional Structure 1918  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            3rd Marine Brigade

            • 3rd Marine Regiment
            • 4th Marine Regiment
            • 5th Marine Regiment

            Cavalry

            4th Squadron, 10th Hussar Regiment

            Artillery

            • 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 2nd Marine Pioneer Battalion
            • 2nd Marine Pioneer Company
            • 3rd Marine Pioneer Company
            • 3rd Entrenching Company
            • 4th Entrenching Company
            • 292nd Marine Signal Command
            • 292nd Marine Telephone Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 2nd Marine Ambulance Company
            • 3rd Marine Field Hospital
            • 4th Marine Field Hospital

            Transport

            Motor Transport Column

            Attached and Odd units

            • Coast Defense Battalion



             Divisional Structure 1917  2nd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            4th Naval Brigade

            • 1st Marine Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Regiment

            Artillery

            • 9th Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Company Marine Pioneer Battalion
            • 2nd Company Marine Pioneer Battalion
            • 337th Pioneer Company
            • 165th Trench Mortar Company

            Attached units

            Coast Defense Battalion



             Divisional Structure 1918  3rd German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            Marine Infantry Brigade

            • 1st Marine Regiment
            • 2nd Marine Regiment
            • 3rd Marine Regiment

            Cavalry

            3rd Squadron, 7th Hussar Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Matrosen Field Artillery Regiment
            • 925th Light Ammunition Column
            • 1234th Light Ammunition Column
            • 1292nd Light Ammunition Column

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 115th Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Reserve Pioneer Company
            • 4th Marine Pioneer Company
            • 293rd Signal Command
            • 293rd Telephone Detachment
            • 68th Wireless Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 610th Ambulance Company
            • 2nd Marine Field Hospital
            • 390th Field Hospital
            • 569 Veterinary Hospital (Ostend)

            Transport

            679th Motor Transport Column

            Attached and Odd units

            • Coast Defense Battalion



             Divisional Structure 1914  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
            • 4th Guard Brigade
              • 3rd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment
            • 5th Guard Brigade
              • 5th Grenardier Regiment
              • 5th Foot Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Brigade
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment
            • 4th Guard Field Artillery Regiment


            2015-01-29 HMS OTTER  

            HMS Otter in Hong Kong 1914

            HMS OTTER was an Avon-class, 3 funnel, 30 knot destroyer ordered under the 1895-6 Naval Estimates. She was built by Vickers at Barrow in Furness. Laid down 1896-06-09, launched 1896-11-23, and commissioned 1900-03-01. She displaced 355 tons standard, and was 214 feet long overall, beam 20feet, draught 8feet 5in. She had 4 x Thorneycroft water tube boilers and 2 x Vertical Triple Expansion turbines driving 2 shafts developing 6300shp. This gave her 30 knots top speed.

            Armamment was 1 x 3in QF 12 pdr gun, with 15rpm rate of fire and a max range of 11700 yds, 5 x 2.25in QF 6pdr guns with 25rpm rate of fire and a range of 4000yds. Complement was 63 officers and men.

            On commissioning she sailed for Hong Kong and served throughout her time on the China Station on typical anti-piracy, anti-smuggling patrols. She was refitted and her boilers re-tubed in 1902. In 1912 she was redesignated a C-class destroyer. She was paid off and sold for breaking up in Hong Kong on 1916-10-25.

             Divisional Structure 1915  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1915

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
            • 4th Guard Brigade
              • 3rd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 4th Guards Brigade
            • Body Guard Hussar Regiment
            • 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Brigade
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment
            • 4th Guard Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Guard Engineers Battalion
            • Field Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 2nd Guard Pontoon Engineers
            • 2nd Guard Telephone Detachment



             Divisional Structure 1916  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1916

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
            • 4th Guard Brigade
              • 3rd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment

            Cavalry

            • Cavalry Regiment Schlotheim
            • 2nd Squadron, 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment
            • 5th Squadron, 2nd Guard Uhlan Regiment
            • 1st Squadron, 9th Dragoon Regiment
            • Ersatz Squadron, 2nd Uhlan Regiment
            • Ersatz Squadron, 1st Horse Jäger Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Brigade
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment
            • 4th Guard Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 1st Guard Engineers Battalion
            • 2nd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 1st Company 28th Pioneer Battalion
            • 281st Pioneer Company
            • 2nd Guard Pontoon Engineers
            • 2nd Guard Telephone Detachment
            • 2nd Guard Trench Mortar Company



             Divisional Structure 1917  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1917

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 1st Squadron, 9th Dragoon Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Command
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 102nd Engineers Battalion
            • 2nd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 3rd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 278th Searchlight Section
            • 281st Searchlight Section
            • 298th Searchlight Section
            • 2nd Guard Pontoon Engineers
            • 2nd Guard Telephone Detachment
            • 2nd Guard Trench Mortar Company

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 2nd Ambulance Company
            • 2nd Field Hospital
            • 3rd Field Hospital
            • 2nd Guard Veterinary Hospital

            Attached Units

            • 2nd Machine Gun Sharpshooter Detachment
            • 1st Abteilung 43 Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Abteilung 43 Reserve Field Artillery Regiment
            • 1st Abteilung 16th Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 2nd Abteilung 11th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 10th Battery 13th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 190th Foot Battery
            • 9th Battery 12th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment with Transport
            • 1st Battery 57th Landwehr Foot Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Company 87th Labour Battalion
            • 1133rd Wireless Detachment (from 27th Division)
            • 289th Pigeon Loft
            • 3rd Balloon Section
            • 327th Ammunition Train
            • 191st Motor Transport Column
            • 216th Motor Transport Column
            • 853rd Motor Transport Column
            • 865th Motor Transport Column
            • 188th Depot Supply Train



             Divisional Structure 1918  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

            Divisional Structure in 1918

            Infantry

            • 3rd Guard Brigade
              • 1st Grenardier Regiment
              • 2nd Grenardier Regiment
              • 4th Grenardier Regiment

            Cavalry

            • 1st Squadron, Body Guard Hussar Regiment

            Artillery

            • 2nd Guard Artillery Command
            • 2nd Guard Field Artillery Regiment
            • 3rd Abteilung, 3rd Foot Artillery Regiment (Staff,10,11 and 12 Batteries)
            • 535th Foot Artillery Battery
            • 965th Light Ammunition Column
            • 1385th Light Ammunition Column
            • 1386th Light Ammunition Column

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 102nd Pioneer Battalion
            • 2nd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 3rd Company Guard Pioneer Battalion
            • 211th Searchlight Section
            • 2nd Guard Signal Command
            • 2nd Guard Telephone Detachment
            • 73rd Wireless Detachment

            Medical and Veterinary

            • 2nd Ambulance Company
            • 2nd Field Hospital
            • 3rd Field Hospital
            • 2nd Guard Veterinary Hospital



             Divisional History  2nd Guards Reserve Division part of 10th German Army Reserve Corps and German 2nd Army

            Divisional History

            The 2nd Guards Reserve Division (2. Garde-Reserve-Division) was a reserve infantry division of the Imperial German Army in World War I. Despite its name, it was not a reserve formation of the Prussian Guards like the 1st Guards Reserve Division. Instead, other than the 55th Reserve Infantry Regiment, which was raised by the 4th Guards Grenadiers, it was primarily made up of non-Guards reservists from Westphalia and Hanover. It was formed on mobilization in August 1914 as part of X Reserve Corps and dissolved in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after the Armistice.

            The division spent the entire war on the Western Front. It fought in the First Battle of the Marne in 1914, the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Battles of Arras and Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, and occupied various parts of the front throughout the war. It participated in the 1918 German Spring Offensive. It was rated by Allied intelligence as a second class division.

             Divisional Structure 1914  2nd Guards Reserve Division part of 10th German Army Reserve Corps and German 2nd Army

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            On mobilization in August 1914, reserve infantry regiments from Westphalia and Hannover, as well as smaller German states adjoining these Prussian provinces, were called up and formed the core of the 2nd Guards Reserve Division. They were joined by artillery, cavalry, and engineer units also from various parts of Germany. The 2nd Guards Reserve Division's initial wartime organization was as follows:

            Infantry

            • 26th Reserve Infantry Brigade
              • 15th Westfälisches Reserve Infantry Regiment
              • 55th Westfälisches Reserve Infantry Regiment
            • 38th Reserve Infantry Brigade
              • 77th Hannoversches Reserve Infantry Regiment
              • 91st Hannoversches Reserve Infantry Regiment
              • 10th Hannoversches Reserve Jäger Battalion

            Cavalry

            2nd Reserve Uhlan Regiment

            Artillery

            20th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            10th Battalion 4th Hannoversches Pioneers

              Divisional Structure 1918

             Divisional History  2nd German Cavalry Division part of 2nd Cavalry Corps which preceded 1st and 2nd German Armies.

            Divisional History

            The 2nd Cavalry Division (2. Kavallerie-Division) was a unit of the German Army in World War I. The division was formed on the mobilization of the German Army in August 1914. The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I.

            It was initially assigned to II Cavalry Corps, which preceded the 1st and 2nd Armies on the Western Front. On 12 November 1914, it was transferred to Russia and then to Romania on 25 November 1916, returning to the West in December 1916. It served as a Frontier Guard on the Dutch border from 26 February 1917 to 10 September 1917; then it was again transferred to Russia and finally to the Ukraine in March 1918.

             Divisional Structure 1914  2nd German Cavalry Division part of 2nd Cavalry Corps wnich preceeded 1st and 2nd German Armies.

            Divisional Structure in 1914

            Cavalry

            • 5th Cavalry Brigade (from III Corps District)
              • 2nd (1st Brandenburg) Dragoons
              • 3rd (1st Brandenburg) Uhlans (Emperor Alexander II of Russia)
            • 8th Cavalry Brigade (from IV Corps District)
              • 7th (Magdeburg) Cuirassiers (von Seydlitz)
              • 12th (Thuringian) Hussars
            • Leib Hussar Brigade (from XVII Corps District)
              • 1st Life Hussars (Totenkopf)
              • 2nd Life Hussars (Queen Victoria of Prussia)

            Artillery

            Horse Artillery Abteilung of the 35th (1st West Prussian) Field Artillery Regiment

            Engineers and Liaison

            • 4th Machine Gun Detachment
            • Pioneer Detachment
            • 1st Signals Detachment Heavy Wireless Station
            • 5th Light Wireless Station
            • 6th Light Wireless Station

            Transport

            Cavalry Motorised Vehicle Column 2

             Divisional Structure 1918  2nd German Cavalry Division part of 2nd Cavalry Corps which preceded 1st and 2nd German Armies.

            Divisional Structure 1918

            From August 1916, the Division was significantly restructured.

            • Leib Hussar Brigade became independent on 20 August 1916
            • 5th Cavalry Brigade became independent on 8 August 1916
            • 8th Cavalry brigade was transferred to 1st Cavalry Division on 25 July 1916
            • 22nd Cavalry Brigade joined on 13 August 1916 from 3rd Cavalry Division
            • 25th Cavalry Brigade joined on 23 September 1916 also from 3rd Cavalry Division
            • 7th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade "Siebenburgische" joined (previously independent) and left again on 18 February 1918

            The organisation in 1918

            • 22nd Cavalry Brigade (11th Corps District)
              • 5th (Rhenish) Dragoons "Baron Manteuffel"
              • 14th (2nd Kurhessian) Hussars "Landgrave Frederick II of Hesse-Homburg"
            • 25th Cavalry Brigade (18th Corps District)
              • 23rd Guards Dragoons (1st Grand Ducal Hessian)
              • 24th Life Dragoons (2nd Grand Ducal Hessian)
            • 7th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade "Siebenburgische"
              • 4th Royal Bavarian Chevau-légers "King"
              • 5th Royal Bavarian Chevau-légers "Archduke Albrecht of Austria"

              Artillery

              Horse Artillery Abteilung of the 15th (1st Upper Alsatian) Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 2nd Pioneer Detachment
              • 7th Cavalry Pioneer Detachment
              • 200th Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
              • 2nd Machine Gun Detachment
              • 3rd Machine Gun Detachment

              Medical and Veterinary

              21st Ambulance Company

              Attached units

              • 4th Jager Battalion
              • 1st Cyclist Company, 3rd Jager Battalion
              • 2nd Cyclist Company, 3rd Jager Battalion



               

               Divisional Structure 1914  2nd German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1914

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
              • 4th Infantry Brigade
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment
                • 45th Infantry Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Brigade

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment
              • 37th Field Artillery Regiment



               Divisional Structure 1915  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1915

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
              • 4th Infantry Brigade
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment
                • 45th Infantry Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Brigade

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment
              • 37th Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 1st Pioneer Battalion
              • 1st Field Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Pontoon Engineers
              • 2nd Telephone Detachment



               Divisional Structure 1916  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1916

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment
                • 3rd Landsturm Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Brigade

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment
              • 37th Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 1st Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Field Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Trench Mortar Company
              • 2nd Pontoon Engineers
              • 2nd Telephone Detachment



               Divisional Structure 1916  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1917

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment, 2nd Squadron

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Command

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 1st Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 4th Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Trench Mortar Company
              • 2nd Searchlight Section
              • 2nd Telephone Detachment

              Medical and Veterinary

              • 5th Ambulance Company
              • 11th Field Hospital
              • 12th Field Hospital
              • 195th Veterinary Hospital

              Transport

              535 Motor Transport Column

              Attached

              • 150th Bavarian Anti-Aircraft Section
              • Cyclist Detachment - 2nd Landsturm Battalion.



               Divisional Structure 1918  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

              Divisional Structure in 1918

              Infantry

              • 3rd Infantry Brigade
                • 4th Grenadier Regiment
                • 44th Infantry Regiment
                • 33rd Fusilier Regiment

              Cavalry

              10th Horse Jäger Regiment, 2nd Squadron

              Artillery

              2nd Artillery Command

              • 1st Field Artillery Regiment
              • 4th Abteilung 6th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
              • 872 Light Ammunition Column
              • 1364 Light Ammunition Column
              • 1392 Light Ammunition Column

              Engineers and Liaison

              • 1st Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 4th Company Pioneer Battalion
              • 2nd Trench Mortar Company
              • 4th Searchlight Section
              • 2nd Telephone Detachment
              • 159th Wireless Detachment

              Medical and Veterinary

              • 5th Ambulance Company
              • 11th Field Hospital
              • 12th Field Hospital
              • 195th Veterinary Hospital

              Transport

              535 Motor Transport Column

              Attached



               Divisional Structure 1917  2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 8th Army

              Divisional Structure 1917

              Infantry

              9th Bavarian Landwehr Brigade

              • 2nd Landwehr Bavarian Regiment
              • 5th Landwehr Bavarian Regiment
              • 10th Landwehr Bavarian Regiment

              Cavalry

              5th Squadron, 4th Bavarian Light Cavalry

              Artillery Command

              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment
              • 811 Field Artillery Battery
              • 905 Field Artillery Battery

              Engineers and Liaisons

              • 25th Bavarian Engineers Battalion
              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
              • 3rd Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
              • 502 Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
              • 502 Telephone Detachment

              Medical and Veterinary

              • 24th Bavarian Ambulance Company
              • 17th Bavarian Field Hospital
              • 63rd Bavarian Field Hospital
              • 32nd Veterinary Hospital

              Transport

              Motor Transport Column

              Attached

              156th Labour Battalion.

               Divisional Structure 1918  2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 8th Army

              Later (1918) part of 66th Corps(zbV) and 19th Army (zbV = zur besonderen Vervendung) (for special use)

              Divisional Structure 1918

              Infantry

              9th Bavarian Landwehr Brigade

              • 2nd Landwehr Bavarian Regiment
              • 5th Landwehr Bavarian Regiment
              • 10th Landwehr Bavarian Regiment

              Cavalry

              3rd Squadron, 1st Bavarian Reserve Cavalry Regiment

              Artillery Command

              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment

              Engineers and Liaisons

              • 25th Bavarian Engineers Battalion
              • 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
              • 3rd Bavarian Landwehr Pioneer Company
              • 12 Bavarian Searchlight Section
              • 502 Telephone Detachment
              • 502 Signals Command

              Medical and Veterinary

              • 24th Bavarian Ambulance Company
              • 17th Bavarian Field Hospital
              • 63rd Bavarian Field Hospital



               Divisional Structure 1914 and 1915  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

              Divisional Structure in 1914 and 1915

              Infantry

              • 53 Mixed Landwehr Brigade
                • 124 Landwehr Regiment
                • 125 Landwehr Regiment
              • 9th Bavarian Mixed Landwehr Brigade
                • 6th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment
                • 7th Bavarian Landwehr Regiment

                Cavalry

                3rd Landwehr Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.

                Artillery

                1st Landwehr Battery, Landsturm Battalion (13th Cavalry District).



                 Divisional Structure 1916  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                Divisional Structure in 1916

                Infantry

                • 53 Mixed Landwehr Brigade
                  • 124 Landwehr Regiment
                  • 125 Landwehr Regiment
                  • 120 Landwehr Regiment
                  • 122 Landwehr Regiment
                  • 6th Reserve Jäger Battalion

                  Cavalry

                  • 3rd Landwehr Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.
                  • 3rd Landsturm Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.

                  Artillery

                  2nd Landwehr Regiment.

                  Engineers and Liaison

                  • 6th Company, 13th Pioneers
                  • 3rd Company, 18th Pioneers
                  • 302nd Trench Mortar Company



                   Divisional Structure 1917  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                  Divisional Structure in 1917

                  Infantry

                  • 54 Landwehr Brigade
                    • 120 Landwehr Regiment
                    • 122 Landwehr Regiment
                    • 125 Landwehr Regiment

                  Cavalry

                  • 3rd Landwehr Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.
                  • 4th Squadron, 20th Uhlan Regiment.

                  Artillery

                  • 142nd Artillery Command
                  • 2nd Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment

                  Engineers and Liaisons

                  • 402 Engineering Battalion
                  • 1st Landwehr Company 13th Pioneers
                  • 5th Landwehr Company 13th Pioneers
                  • 302 Trench Mortar Company
                  • 299 Searchlight Section
                  • 502 Telephone Detachment

                  Medical and Veterinary

                  • 572 Ambulance Company
                  • 254 Field Hospital
                  • 25 Landwehr Field Hospital
                  • 502 Veterinary Hospital

                    Transport

                    772 Motor Transport Column



                     Divisional Structure 1918  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1918

                    Infantry

                    • 54 Landwehr Brigade
                      • 120 Landwehr Regiment
                      • 122 Landwehr Regiment
                      • 125 Landwehr Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    • 3rd Landwehr Squadron, 13th Cavalry District.
                    • 4th Squadron, 20th Uhlan Regiment.

                    Artillery

                    • 142nd Artillery Command
                    • 2nd Landwehr Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaisons

                    • 402 Engineering Battalion
                    • 1st Landwehr Company 13th Pioneers
                    • 5th Landwehr Company 13th Pioneers
                    • 302 Trench Mortar Company
                    • 224 Searchlight Section
                    • 502 Signal Command
                    • 502 Telephone Detachment
                    • 176 Wireless Detachment

                    Medical and Veterinary

                    • 572 Ambulance Company
                    • 254 Field Hospital
                    • 25 Landwehr Field Hospital
                    • 502 Veterinary Hospital

                    Transport

                    772 Motor Transport Column



                     Divisional Structure 1914  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1914.

                    Infantry

                    • 3rd Bavarian Brigade
                      • 3rd Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment
                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    4th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Brigade
                    • 4th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    2nd Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion



                     Divisional Structure 1915  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1915.

                    Infantry

                    • 3rd Bavarian Brigade
                      • 3rd Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment
                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    4th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Brigade
                    • 4th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    • 2nd Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 2nd Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
                    • 2nd Bavarian Telephone Detachment



                     Divisional Structure 1916  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1916.

                    Infantry

                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    3 Squadrons, 4th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Brigade
                    • 2nd Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    • 2nd Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 4th Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 2nd Reserve Company, 19th Pioneers
                    • 2nd Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
                    • 2nd Bavarian Pontoon Engineers
                    • 2nd Bavarian Telephone Detachment



                     Divisional Structure 1917  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1917.

                    Infantry

                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    2 and 3 Squadrons, 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Command
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    • 2nd Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 4th Field Company, 1st Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                    • 2nd Bavarian Trench Mortar Company
                    • 2nd Bavarian Telephone Detachment

                    Medical and Veterinary

                    • 2nd Bavarian Ambulance Company
                    • 6th Bavarian Field Hospital
                    • Veterinary Hospital

                    Transport

                    682 Motor Transport Column



                     Divisional Structure 1918  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                    Divisional structure in 1918.

                    Infantry

                    • 4th Bavarian Brigade
                      • 12th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 15th Bavarian Regiment
                      • 20th Bavarian Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    3 Squadrons, 8th Bavarian Light Cavalry Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 2nd Bavarian Artillery Command
                    • 9th Bavarian Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 1st Abteilung, 3rd Bavarian Reserve Foot Artillery Regiment
                    • 151 Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
                    • 153 Bavarian Light Ammunition Column
                    • 160 Bavarian Light Ammunition Column

                    Engineers and Liaison

                    • 7th Bavarian Pioneer Battalion
                      • 2nd Bavarian Pioneer Company
                      • 4th Bavarian Pioneer Company
                      • 2nd Bavarian Trench Mortar Company

                    2nd Bavarian Signal Command

                    • 2nd Bavarian Telephone Detachment
                    • 107th Wireless Detachment

                    Medical and Veterinary

                    • 2nd Bavarian Ambulance Company
                    • 6th Bavarian Field Hospital
                    • 8th Bavarian Field Hospital

                    Transport

                    682 Motor Transport Column



                     Divisional Structure 1916  3rd German Guards Division part of Guards Reserve Corps and 2nd German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1916

                    Infantry

                    • 6th Guard Brigade
                      • Guard Fusiliers
                      • Landwehr Regiment
                      • 9th Grenadier Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    Guard Reserve Uhlan Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 5th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • (formed of the Juterbog Instruction Regiment)

                    Engineers and Liaisons

                    • Pioneer Company
                    • 3rd Guard Trench Mortar Company
                    • 3rd Guard Pontoon Engineers
                    • 3rd Guard Telephone Detachment

                    Attached

                    75th Anti-Aircraft Section



                     Divisional Structure 1914  3rd German Guards Division part of Guards Reserve Corps and 2nd German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1914: Organised in August 1914 with elements taken from 1st and 2nd Guard Divisions.

                    Infantry

                    • 5th Guard Brigade
                      • 5th Foot Regiment
                      • 5th Grenadier Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Brigade
                      • Guard Fusiliers
                      • Landwehr Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    Guard Reserve Uhlan Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 5th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • (formed of the Juterbog Instruction Regiment)



                     Divisional Structure 1915  3rd German Guards Division part of Guards Reserve Corps and 2nd German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1915

                    Infantry

                    • 5th Guard Brigade
                      • 5th Foot Regiment
                      • 5th Grenadier Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Brigade
                      • Guard Fusiliers
                      • Landwehr Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    Guard Reserve Uhlan Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • 5th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • 6th Guard Field Artillery Regiment
                    • (formed of the Juterbog Instruction Regiment)

                    Engineers and Liaisons

                    • Pioneer Company
                    • 3rd Guard Pontoon Engineers
                    • 3rd Guard Telephone Detachment



                     Divisional Structure 1917  3rd German Guards Division part of Guards Reserve Corps and 2nd German Army

                    Divisional Structure in 1917

                    Infantry

                    • 6th Guard Brigade
                      • Guard Fusiliers
                      • Landwehr Regiment
                      • 9th Grenadier Regiment

                    Cavalry

                    • 3rd Squadron Guard Reserve Uhlan Regiment
                    • 1st Squadron 2nd Guard Dragoon Regiment

                    Artillery

                    • Artillery Command
                    • 5th Guard Field Artillery Regiment

                    Engineers and Liaisons

                    • 104th Pioneer Battalion
                    • 1st Company, 28th Pioneers
                    • 274th Pioneer Company
                    • 3rd Guard Trench Mortar Company
                    • 280th Searchlight Section
                    • 3rd Guard Telephone Detachment
                    • 55th Telephone Detachment

                    Medical and Veterinary

                    • 7th Ambulance Company
                    • 265th Ambulance Company
                    • 393rd Ambulance Company
                    • 35th Field Hospital
                    • 3rd Guards Veterinary Hospital

                    Transport

                    Motor Transport Column

                    Attached

                    75th Anti-Aircraft Section



                      Divisional Structure 1918

                       16th General Hospital was situated at Le Treport on the coast of France.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       The Grange Auxiliary Hospital opened on 30th January 1915 in a house lent by a Mrs Vivian Brettell, on the slopes of St Ann's Hill, a 20-minute walk away from Chertsey. It was large and comfortable with pleasant grounds, mature shady trees, and tennis and croquet lawns. The Hospital opened with 10 beds and received overflow patients from St George's Hill Auxiliary Hospital. By the end of March 1915 the beds were all occupied and soon increased to 20, then 25 beds, and the Hospital became affiliated to the Tooting Military Hospital. The nursing staff consisted of a Sister-in-charge and members of the Surrey 82nd, 96th and 122nd Voluntary Aid Detachments.

                    By 1917 the Hospital had 30 beds for wounded servicemen, who usually stayed for about two weeks, receiving general treatment and massage (physiotherapy). The nursing staff included a Matron and 2 resident V.A.D. nurses.

                    The Hospital closed on 23rd January 1919. During its operational lifetime, some 1,038 patients had been treated. The expenses of the Hospital, beyond the military grant, had been borne entirely locally, and included gifts of vegetables, fruit, flowers, cakes, etc.

                    Since 1965 the building has been a nursing home - the Grange Retirement Home.

                     

                       Peter Meadows and Edward Waterson in Lost houses of County Durham describe Cocken Hall as "a little known house in a fine setting beside the River Wear". The core of the house appears to have been 17th century with later additions. The site was better known for its ornamental gardens and picturesque prospects in the late 18th century but seems to have hit hard times in the early 19th century. In 1802 the collection of pictures had been removed, some of the woods had been cut down and the place was no longer "one of the shew places of Durham". It seems to have been reduced in size as some point. In 1804 the house was occupied by a community of nuns who had been expelled from Belgium. They remained until 1830 when the establishment of Cocken Pit to the east made a quiet and contemplative life impossible. Later tenants included John Gully 1783-1863, a remarkable character who started out as a prize fighter and became a Member of Parliament.

                    The property seems to have come into the ownership of the Earls of Durham in the 1870s although more research is required on this subject. A set of sale particulars survives from the 1870s which give a valuable insight into the layout of the house. The ground floor consisted of an entrance hall, large drawing room, music room, dining room, smoke room and a W.C., a bedroom and butler’s pantry, housekeeper’s room, still room, large ale and wine cellar, a kitchen, scullery, servants’ hall, shoe house, wash house, laundry, bake house, stick house and larder with one wing not in use but formerly used as a chapel. The yard had a dairy, apple room, coal house, ash pit and other "conveniences". The first floor contained the Maple room and dressing room, a large billiard room, Green room and dressing room, lobby and W.C. with three bedrooms down a passage, two in the clock square and four servant’s bedrooms. The second floor had two large bedrooms with a south and west view and a W.C., a nursery and two bedrooms. There were cottages at the hall for the gamekeeper, butler, gardener, coachman and cowman with a detached cottage for the woodman. The stables comprised seven stalls and a loose box, a coach house and harness room with a hay loft and granary above. Also three stalls for cart horses, two coach houses, dog kennels, cart shed, pony stable, gun room, two cow houses, pot houses and a joiner’s shop. Interesting though this information is no detailed plan of the house is known so it is impossible to locate most of these rooms precisely.

                    The house was occupied by a number of tenants up to 1908 when some renovation was undertaken for a new tenant who died before he could take up residence. It was not re-let for some reason and was only occupied by a caretaker who in spring 1914 discovered a very inept attempt by suffragettes to set fire to the place.

                       When war broke out in August 1914 3rd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment were at Pontefract. They were a depot and training unit, they moved on mobilisation to Cleadon and in January 1915 moved to Sunderland. In August 1915 they moved to Durham and returned to Sunderland in February 1916 as part of the Tyne Garrison.

                       The first battalion to arrive at Cocken Hall was the 18th DLI in September 1914. In May 1915 the camp became home to 19th DLI and later in the year the training camp was taken over by 3rd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.

                      OfThe Gallipoli Campaign

                       Phalempim Aerodrome is situated on a farm on the D62 in Phalempin, just south of Lille in France, only the bomb store remains of the WW1 buildings. It was home to Jasta 30.

                       Roucourt Aerodrome, to the east of Arras was constructed in the grounds of Roucourt CVhaeteau, which is privately owned and not accessible to visitors. Roucourt was home to Jasta 11 and Jasta 12, responsible for much destruction during "Bloddy April" 1917.

                       Chocques Aerodrome was situated next to the Chateau de Werppe, to the west of Bethune in France. Initially the aerodrome was named Gonneham. It was home to 3 Squadron RFC who arrived on the 24th of November 1914 and the Portuguese Flying Corps who flew with 10 Squadron from January 1917.

                       Hesdigneul Aerodrome was home to No 2 Squadron RFC from the 30th of June 1915 to June 1918. The airfield is situated to the south west of Bethune and now lies beneath houses and a sports ground.

                       Bruay Aerodrome situated in Bruay to the south west of Bethune in France was at various times home to 3, 16, 18, 23, 35, 40, 46 and 54 Squadrons RFC as well as No 4 Australian Squadron. Today little remains of the airfield with the Stade-Prac Municiple Roger Salengers now occupying the site.

                       Mont-St-Eloi Aerodrome was situated close to the ruined abbey in Mont-St-Eloi, just north of Arras. It was home to No 3 and no 8 Naval Squadrons of the Royal Naval Air Service.

                       Le Hameau Aerodrome, to the north west of Arras was home to two airfields. At the eastern end fighter squadrons flew from Filescamp Farm and at the western end, sometimes known as Izel-les-Hameaux, two seaters were based.

                       Avesnes-le-Comte Aerodrome to the north west of Arras was home to 12 Squadron from March 1916 to May 1917 and No 43 Squadron from March to June 1918.

                       Auxi-le-Chateau Aerodrome to the north west of Doullens, was opened in April 1918 when the RFC had to abandon some of its forward airfields as the Germans advanced. It was home to No 8 and No 52 Squadrons.

                       La Bellevue Aerodrome to the east of Doullens opened in February 1916 and was at various times until May 1919, home to 2, 8, 11, 32, 35, 49, 59, 60, 62, 73 and 80 Squadrons.

                       The Arras Offensive

                    The First Battle of the Scarpe

                    As early as January 1917, the Division received notice that it would take part in an offensive at Arras. It moved to the front in that sector on 14 January. It did not leave other than for periods of rest until towards the end of 1917. The position held at Arras was not affected by the German withdrawal from the Somme to the Hindenburg Line in March.

                    The task of the Division, now part of VI Corps, in the Arras attack was to capture the enemy's "Black Line" (forward position) then go on to the "Brown Line" (the Wancourt-Feuchy trench including the strong point at Feuchy Chapel). The artillery bombardment opened on 4 April 1917 and the infantry - many of whom had been able to approach the front line in the long tunnels and subways reaching out from Arras itself - advanced behind a creeping barrage on 9 April. Resistance was rapidly overcome; fine counter-battery work had stifled the German guns. The leading troops quickly captured the Black Line, but German fire increased as successive waves came through to advance on the Feuchy Switch trench, notably from Observation Ridge. In places, the German soldiers were seen retreating at a run and by noon, 37th Division had pushed through with orders to capture Monchy le Preux. The 12th Division remained in position, as snow and sleet fell.

                    On the night 11-12 April, 36th and 37th Brigades moved up and relieved units of of 8th Cavalry Brigade east of Monchy. Next day, 29th Division relieved 12th Division, whereupon the units moved back to the area between Arras and Doullens. The attack had been highly successful, making an advance on the Divisional front of some 4000 yards for a total of 2018 casualties.

                    The Battle of Arleux

                    After a ten day rest the Division re-entered the Arras battlefield, 37th Brigade going into the forward positions between the north east of Monchy and the River Scarpe. On 28 April, formations north of 12th Division undertook an operation to capture Roeux. 35th Brigade took part and attacked Rifle and Bayonet Trench but owing to heavy enemy shellfire and machine guns firing from Roeux - which was not captured - fell back to its start point.

                    The Third Battle of the Scarpe

                    This action included the Division's role in the capture of Roeux. A larger effort - including the British Fifth, Third and First Armies - took place on 3 May 1917, with an artillery bombardment that began two days earlier. 12th Division's role was to make an advance of some 2500 yards, including the capture of Pelves on the left flank. A preliminary attack on the left by 36th Brigade in the early hours of 2 May, including a gas barrage fired by Livens projectors, was not entirely successful but apparently caused considerable casualties to the enemy. The main attack was of mixed fortune, although 7th Royal Sussex reached the objective and then beat off determined counter attacks. Once again, German shellfire was the primary cause of problems and and heavy machine gun fire from Roeux caused many casualties. Shellfire was heavy over the next few days and the uncertain position of the advanced troops in Devil's Trench meant that British artillery was cautious in replying on German trenches. The Division was relieved on 16 May and moved to the area of Le Cauroy, having suffered a total of 141 officers and 3380 other ranks casualties since 25 April 1917.

                    Between 17 May and 19 October 1917, the Division held positions east of Monchy le Preux, mounting several raids and small scale attacks and beating off some made against them, notably in the area of Hook Trench - Pick Avenue - Tites Copse. Much manual work took place, for the position held in May was of shell holes and disconnected parts of trenches, with few dugouts and no communications. When out of the line, units took part in training at Beaurains, where a scale model of the area occupied had been built for the purposes of instruction. A very successful major raid was carried out on 14 October. Five days later the Division was relieved by 4th Division, and returned to La Cauroy. (It should be noted that in holding the Arras front for as long as it did, 12th Division did not take part in the Third Battle of Ypres).

                    The Cambrai operations

                    Divisional HQ moved to Hesdin on 30 October, preparatory to a move to the Cambrai front. Commander in Chief Sir Douglas Haig watched a rehearsal attack carried out by 6th Buffs and 7th East Surrey on 13 November. Next day, a gradual move to the Heudecourt - Vaucelette Farm area began, where the Division went into III Corps for the offensive. It was the right-most formation of the attacking force.

                    The special role of 12th Division in the attack of 20 November 1917 was to capture its first objective and then form a defensive flank to the south east, keeping in touch with 55th (West Lancashire) Division which was not attacking. Advancing from Gonnelieu, the Division moved forward through Sonnet and Pam Pam Farms, Bonavis and Lateau Wood, and dug in a defensive flank to allow the cavalry to pass unrestricted, as ordered. On the extreme right of the attack, the 7th Royal Sussex got into Banteux, which had been subjected to gas attack from Livens projectors.The next three days were spent in consolidating as the centre of the battle moved to the north. On 24 November a local operation to move the line to Quarry Post - Bleak Quarry - to gain command of a better line of observation - was carried out by 35th and 36th Brigades, which met with mixed success.

                    By 29 November it had become apparent that the enemy was assembling a force in the area of Villers Guislain, south of 12th Division in area of 55th. Warning orders were issued: just in time, for on 30 November at 6.45am, heavy shellfire began to fall and by 7.45am Divisional HQ was already out of touch with its forward units. The failure of the 24 November attack now became apparent as the enemy had invisibly assembled a considerable attacking force in the canal valley. A hard and confused fight followed as the German infantry advanced, the Division falling back across the recently won ground. By the end of the day the line had held at La Vacquerie. Further German efforts on 1 December were largely held off, although by now losses to some units had been as high as 50% of the strength they had before the counter attack. Relieved on 3-4 December, the Division - excluding its artillery which stayed a while longer - moved to Albert and from there moved by train to Aire, with billets at nearby Thiennes and Berguette.

                       E30 was built by Armstrong Whitworth, Newcastle upon Tyne. She was laid down on 29 June 1914 and was commissioned in November 1915. E30 was mined off Orfordness, Suffolk in the North Sea on 22 December 1916. There were no survivors from her compliment of 30.

                       Q-Ship HMS Prize was a topsail schooner of 200 tons, under command of Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, R.N.R. She sighted an enemy submarine on the 30th April, 1917. The enemy opened fire at three miles range and approached slowly astern. The panic party, in the charge of Skipper William Henry Brewer, R.N.R. (Trawler Section), immediately abandoned ship. The ship's head was put into the wind, and the guns' crews concealed themselves by lying face downwards on the deck. The enemy continued deliberately shelling the schooner, inflicting severe damage and wounding a number of men. For 20 minutes she continued to approach, firing as she came, but at length, apparently satisfied that no one remained an board, she drew out on the schooner's quarter 70 yards away. The white ensign was immediately hoisted, the screens dropped, and all guns opened fire. A shell struck the foremost gun of the submarine, blowing it to atoms and annihilating the crew. Another shot demolished the conning tower, and at the same time a Lewis gun raked the survivors off the submarine's deck. She sank four minutes after the commencement of the action in clouds of smoke, the glare of an internal fire being visible through the rents in her hull. The captain of the submarine, a warrant-officer and one man were picked up and brought on board the Prize, which was then herself sinking fast. Captors and prisoners, however, succeeded in plugging the shot holes and keeping the water, under with the pumps. The "Prize" then set sail for the land, 120 miles distant. They were finally picked up two days later by a motor-launch and towed the remaining five miles into harbour.

                    This submarine U93 did not sink and managed to return to base. As a result the actions of this Q ship were known to the Germans and she was sunk on the 13th August by U48. The sinking was witnessed by British submarine D8 which was working with HMS Prize at the time.

                       HMS Amphion was a Royal Navy Light Cruiser which was mined and sunk in the North Sea on the 6th August 1914. Around 150 British sailors were killed in the sinking, as well as 18 of the crew rescued from Königin Luise ( The German minelayer which had just laid the minefield and was pursued and sunk by two British Destroyers).

                       HMS Indefatigable was a battlecruiser of the Royal Navy and the lead ship of her class. Her keel was laid down in 1909 and she was commissioned in 1911. She was an enlarged version of the earlier Invincible class with a revised protection scheme and additional length amidships to allow her two middle turrets to fire on either broadside.

                    When the First World War began, Indefatigable was serving with the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron (BCS) in the Mediterranean, where she was unsuccessful in the pursuit of the battlecruiser Goeben and the light cruiser Breslau as they fled towards the Ottoman Empire. The ship bombarded Ottoman fortifications defending the Dardanelles on 3 November 1914, then, following a refit in Malta, returned to the United Kingdom in February where she rejoined the 2nd BCS. Indefatigable was sunk on 31 May 1916 during the Battle of Jutland. Part of Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet, she was hit several times in the first minutes of the "Run to the South", the opening phase of the battlecruiser action. Shells from the German battlecruiser Von der Tann caused an explosion ripping a hole in her hull, and a second explosion hurled large pieces of the ship 200 feet (60 m) in the air. Only two of the crew of 1,019 survived.

                    HMS Indefatigable World War 1 Service includes:

                    • 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron as Flagship of the British Mediterranean Fleet.
                    • August 1914 spent unsuccessfully hunting SMS Goeben and Breslau.
                    • 18 August became flagship of Dardanelles squadron.
                    • 3 November 1914 bombarded Dardanelles forts.
                    • 24 January 1915 left for refit at Malta.
                    • 14 February 1915 left Malta for home waters.
                    • 20 February joined 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet.
                    • 31 May 1916 sunk by SMS Von der Tann at the Battle of Jutland.



                       Wordsley Hospital was near Stourbridge, Worcs and was noted for its pioneering plastic surgery unit.

                     

                     

                     

                       At the outbreak of war in August 1914 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment were in Jullundur, India serving with the 8th (Jullundur) Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. They embarked with the Division from India on 29th of August 1914 as part of the Indian Corps and landed at Marseilles, France on 26th of September 1914. They served on the Western Front the 10th of December 1915, when they proceeded to Mesopotamia, landing at Basra on 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt in March 1918 to become part of the 8th Indian Brigade of 3rd Indian Division. and later moved to Palestine. At the time of the Turkish Armistice on 30th of October 1918 the 1st Battalion was situated at Jaljulye, Palestine, north east of Jaffa.

                       Ripon Camp in North Yorkshire was was a vast First World War training camp, accommodating 30,000 troops. It was situated to the south west of the city. A military hospital with 670 beds stood opposite the turning to Studley Roger and is today the site of a memorial. An estimated 350,000 men passed through Ripon Camp during the course of the Great war.

                       Rushmoor Camp, Aldershot is in Hampshire.

                       Mayfield Camp was situated in Sunderland.

                       Riding Mill POW Camp, Slayley P.O. was a working camp administered by the parent camp at Catterick.

                       1st Northern General Hospital POW Camp was a working camp administered by the parent camp at Catterick.

                       The POW Camp at Catterick was a main camp, the administrative headquarters for the working camps in the area. Situated on the site of the present day Catterick Garrison and opened as a training camp in 1915, by the end of the Great War 5000 prisoners of war were held at Catterick.

                       The Derbyshire Howitzer Battery was initially part of the 4th (North Midlands) Howitzer Brigade which was later re-designated as A Battery in the 233rd Howitzer Brigade and served with the 46th (North Midland) Division. This brigade was broken up and the Derby Howitzer Battery then became D (Howitzer) Battery (1st Derbyshire) in 230th Brigade Royal Field Artillery (1st North Midland) which remained with the 46th (North Midland) Division.

                       

                    Guiseley Town Hall was used as an Auxiliary Hospital from August 1916.

                       No 1 Battery Royal Field Artillery had been equipped with the horse drawn 18-pounder since 1908. The gun had a range of 6525 yards and a maximum rate of fire of approximately 13 rounds per minute. Later versions of the 18-pounder had an increased range of up to 11000 yards and a rate of fire of 30 rounds per minute.

                    In August 1914 No1 Battery were stationed at Trawsfynydd in North Wales with the Depot Brigade. On 3rd August 1914, with the outbreak of War imminent, orders were received for the Battery to return to their main base in Leeds. On 5th August orders were received to mobilize and the following day the Battery sent 4 officers, 82 other ranks and 56 horses to various units of the British Expeditionary Force to make other units up to their war establishment. On 10th August, under the command of Maj Head, No 1 Battery was made up to war strength by reservists and the local purchase of horses. They moved moved to Hursley Camp near Winchester in September where it joined the Divisional Artillery of the newly formed 8th Division commanded by Maj Gen F J Davies. The Battery embarked on SS Armenian at Southampton and disembarked at Le Havre.

                    The Battery first saw action on 16th November 1914 when they engaged enemy machine guns at Aubers in support of the infantry. They were in action in Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, the Battle of Loos in September 1915, the Battle of the Somme in July 1916 and in the diversionary attack the at Fromelles. In 1917 they were in action at the Third Battle of Ypres. They were on the Somme during the 1918 German Spring Offensive and suffered heavy casualties during the attack on the quiet sector in which tehy ahd been sent to rest. In October they returned to action in the final Allied Advance to Victory.

                       Prior to WW1 the Royal Warwickshire Regt had two regular infantry battalions. Consistent with many other regiments, one battalion was home based and was used as a feeder battalion to the overseas battalion as necessary to keep that one up to strength. This is the main reason why the service records of some soldiers can sometimes appear to be contradictory in respect of which battalion they served with. In the case of the R/W/Regt. many soldiers who were sent out to join the 1st Bn in India were later to be found serving with the 2nd Bn in WW1. (The 2nd Bn R/W/Regt. never served in India) The 1st Bn sailed from India back to the UK in Dec 1912. (At the same time the 2nd Bn was outbound to Malta) The 1st Bn arrived back in early January 1913 and were initially based at Shorncliffe, near Folkestone. On 8th August 1914, amid fears of a German invasion of the East coast, they were sent by train to Yorkshire. Almost immediately this fear was seen to be unfounded and they were sent back to join other units of the 10thBrigade, 4th Division of the BEF at Southampton. There they boarded the SS Caledonian on 22nd August and landed at Boulogne in France the following day.

                     

                       The Lowca Chemical Factory near Whitehaven produced Benzol and Toluene, a main ingredient for artillery shells.

                       The Royal Edward was a passenger ship that could accommodate 1,114 passengers in three classes. At the outbreak of WWI both the Royal Edward and her sister ship the Royal George were requisitioned by the Royal Navy as troopships. The Royal Edward was first used to bring Canadian troops to Europe. On July 28th she left the port of Avonmouth with 1,367 officers and men of the British 29th Infantry, headed to Gallipoli. She arrived at Alexandria on August 10th, and then she sailed to the island of Lemnos, the staging base for the Dardanelles.

                       Ben-my-Chree was chartered by the Royal Navy in January 1915 and the packet steamer was converted into a seaplane carrier by replacing part of her aft superstructure with a hanger that could house four to six seaplanes. The aircraft were lifted in and out of the water by derricks in the front and rear of the ship. In May of 1915 she sailed for the Dardanelles carrying only two Short 184 torpedo bombers. Torpedo bombers were another untested weapon of WWI. They had been used in training, with the first aerial torpedo was dropped from a Short Type 81 on July 28, 1914 by Arthur Longmore. However one had not been used in combat yet. The Ben-my-Chree’s two airplanes were used for reconnaissance and for spotting naval gunfire for the troops on Gallipoli.

                       

                    HMPMS Eldridge was a paddle minesweeper.

                     

                       After the British had captured Ngaundere at the end of June the Germans retreated to Tangere and the Mora Mountain. The Allies tightened their lines closer around the mountain, but the attacks slowed to small actions. German commander von Raben offered his African soldiers the freedom to leave, but none accepted and they all stayed to fight. One of the German Askaris, Sergeant Batinga, led a squad of men on a night time raid burning down the British camp at Sava. More raids by the Germans brought in food, guns, ammunition and other supplies, while they killed 10 British soldiers and wounded four more.

                    On the 6th of August 1915 the French attempted to take the village of Kilwe. The tribe in the village supported the Germans and led by Sergeants Weissenberger and Steffens, they counterattacked, killing one French soldier and forcing the rest out of their village. The Germans could only leave a dozen soldiers in the village to stop another attack.

                       Austro-Hungarian submarine U-5 was built in 1907 and launched in 1909 and was used as a training boat until the beginning of the war. Her second commander in the war was Georg Johannes von Trapp. Von Trapp had entered the Royal Austro-Hungarian naval academy at the age of fourteen, following his father’s footsteps. He traveled the world, doing a cruise to Australia and toured the Biblical sites in the Holy Land. He brought seven bottles of water from the River Jordan which was later used to baptize his first seven children. After his graduation from the academy he was assigned to the cruiser SMS Kaiserin und Konigin Maria Theresia and he was decorated for his performance during the Boxer Rebellion. He was fascinated by submarines and in 1908 he transferred to the newly formed submarine division. He was given command of the U-6, launched by his wife, Agatha Whitehead.

                    Von Trapp took command of the U-5 on April 17, 1915 and conducted nine combat patrols. The largest ship sunk was the French armored cruiser Leon Gambetta, sunk south of Cape Santa Maria di Leuca, Italy.

                    Before the war Von Trapp’s wife, Agatha Whitehead’s father, Robert Whitehead, opened up a torpedo factory in Fiume (Croatia). Robert Whitehead was the inventor of the modern torpedo and when the invention was rejected by the British government the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef invited him to open his factory in his empire. Agatha’s inherited wealth sustained the couple and she gave Georg von Trapp seven children. After the war Agatha died of scarlet fever that she contracted from her daughter Agatha. Von Trapp acquired a villa in Aigen, a suburb of Salzburg and moved his family there in 1924. In 1926 his daughter Maria was unable to go to school due to an illness so Von Trapp hired Maria Augusta Kutschera from the nearby Nonnberg Abbey to tutor his daughter. Von Trapp married Maria in 1927 and had three more children with her. In 1935 Von Trapp tried to help a friend in the Austrian banking business by withdrawing his money from a bank in England and depositing it in an Austrian bank. A hostile Germany was bringing economic pressure on Austria and the bank failed, wiping out most of the family’s fortune. Maria took charge of providing for the family and had the family sing at various events to earn money. After Germany took over Austria Von Trapp was offered a commission in the Germany Navy in 1938. Von Trapp was opposed to Nazi ideology and turned down the offer. He knew there would be a chance he would now be arrested so he decided to leave Austria with his family.

                    The movie The Sound of Music is based upon his life with Maria. Unlike the movie, the Von Trapp’s were considered Italian citizens since George Von Trapp had been born in the Italian territory of Zara. The family left Austria by train and went to Italy in daylight. From there the family booked passage to the United States for their first concert tour in 1939. They returned to Europe to tour Scandinavia and returned to Salzburg for a few months in 1939. The family eventually settled in Vermont in 1941. Georg von Trapp died in 1947 in Stowe, Vermont.

                       After the Germans cavalry breakthrough at Gorlice-Tarnow they began a double envelopment of the Russian Armies in Poland. There was a disagreement between the 'easterners' under Hindenburg and Ludendorff and the 'westerners' under Falkenhayn that led to the northern half of the attack moving too far south west to prevent the Russians from escaping to the east. However Warsaw was now threatened.

                    The attack began on July 13th with the new German Twelfth Army under General von Gallwitz attacking towards the Narev River, north of Warsaw. They quickly reached the river and by the end of July the German troops had reached the Russian fortress of Nov-Georgievsk, northwest of Warsaw. The Russian Commander in Chief, Grand Duke Nicholas, decided to evacuate the city and focus on defending the fortress. The city was stripped of everything that might be useful to the Germans. The factories were dismantled and sent eastward. Gold was taken from the banks, books and papers from the Government offices, relics and sacred items taken from churches, bells taken from towers, copper from roofs and wire from telegraph poles. All were loaded into wagon trains that were miles long. Half a million refugees streamed eastward while only the Poles and the poorest Jews remained. Everyday German aircraft bombed the streets and Germans shells burst among the houses, causing great fires. On August 5th the Vistula bridges were blown up to make it harder for the Germans. Three hours later the German cavalry galloped in and captured the city without a fight.

                    Bavarian Prince Leopold arrived that evening and took the palace as his quarters. In the east the horizon glowed from the Russians burning the crops and villages as they fell back, using the same tactic that had defeat Napoleon. The Kaiser was overjoyed and wrote to his sister, the Queen of Greece, that "the war drama is now coming to a close."

                       HMS Campania had originally been built in 1893 for the White Star Line, but by 1914 she was considered worn out. The Royal Navy purchased the Campania and converted her into an armed merchant cruiser with eight 120mm quick firing guns. She was converted to an aircraft carrier by adding a 160 foot "flying off deck" and two derricks to transfer seaplanes to the water. She could carry seven large seaplanes and four small seaplanes in her two holds. The flight deck had to be lifted off the holds to get access to the seaplanes. The HMS Campania was commissioned on 17th of April 1915.

                    The first takeoff from a flight deck took place on 2nd August 1915 when a Sopwith Schneider floatplane mounted on a wheeled trolley took off as the Campania steamed into the wind. In future trials the North Sea proved too rough to launch aircraft. The captain recommended that the flight deck be lengthened and given a steeper slope to allow gravity to boost the aircraft’s acceleration. The ship was modified and the flight deck was lengthened to 245 feet and her forward funnel was divided into two.

                       Lonehort Fort was situated on Bere Island in Southern Ireland

                     

                       Bodelwyddan Park was situated near Rhyl.

                     

                     

                       Rolston Camp was situated near Hornsea.

                     

                     

                     

                       South Dalton Camp was situated near Pocklington in Yorkshire. The 2nd Northumberland RFA were based there in the summer of 1915.

                     

                       34th Company Machine Gun Corps served with 11th Division, in Egypt from 1st of March 1916. They amalgamated with 32nd & 33rd Companies to form No 11 Battalion, MGC on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 32nd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division in March 1916 in Egypt whilst manning the Suez Canal defences. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. They amalgamated with the other Machine Gun companies of the Division to form the 11th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 33rd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 33rd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division in March 1916 in Egypt whilst manning the Suez Canal defences. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. They amalgamated with the other Machine Gun companies of the Division to form the 11th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 1st Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 1st Guards Brigade, 1st Division on the 26th of January 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved into 1st MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 10th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division on the 22 December 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of The Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. On the 26th of February 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division to become the 4th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       100th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 100th Brigade 33rd Division on the 28th of April 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 19th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 33rd Division and became 33rd Battalion MGC.

                       101st Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 101st Brigade 34th Division on the 27th of April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 26th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 34th Division and became 34th Battalion MGC.

                       102nd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 102nd Brigade 34th Division on the 27th of April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 26th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 34th Division and became 34th Battalion MGC.

                       103rd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 103rd Brigade 34th Division on the 27th of April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 26th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 34th Division and became 34th Battalion MGC.

                       104th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 104th Brigade, 35th Division in April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 35th Division and became 35th Battalion MGC.

                       105th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 105th Brigade 35th Division in April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 35th Division and became 35th Battalion MGC.

                       106th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 106th Brigade 35th Division in April 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 35th Division and became 35th Battalion MGC.

                       107th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 107th Brigade 36th Ulster Division on the 18th of December 1915. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 36th Division and became 36th Battalion MGC.

                    The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

                    Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

                    A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

                    You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:



                     More info.

                        108th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 108th Brigade 36th Ulster Division on the 26th of January 1916. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 the Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 36th Division and became 36th Battalion MGC.

                    The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

                    Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

                    A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

                    You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:



                     More info.

                       109th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 109th Brigade 36th Ulster Division on the 23rd of January 1916. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 the Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 36th Division and became 36th Battalion MGC.

                    The Ulster Tower, at Thiepval is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, built as a copy of Helen's Tower at Clandeboye, County Down, where men of the 36th Division trained. There is a small visitor centre with a cafe behind the tower which is staffed by members of the Somme Association. Inside the tower is a small chapel with a number of paintings and plaques from Northern Ireland. Today Thiepval Wood is owned by The Somme Association and guided tours are available of a section of recently excavated trenches.

                    Please note that Thiepval Wood is not open the public, it is used by French huntsmen who use live ammunition and who will shoot, you are putting yourself at risk by entering without permission. Please go to the visitor centre at the Ulster Tower to arrange a guided tour.

                    A DVD is now available, released for the official opening of the wood for guided tours on the 1st of July 2006, follows the Community Archeology Project, undertaken by The Somme Association and No Man's Land, The European Group for Great War Archaeology.

                    You can order a copy on-line by clicking the image below:



                     More info.

                       The 11th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 11th Brigade, 4th Division on the 23rd of December 1915. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of The Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. On the 26th of February 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division to become the 4th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 110th Machine Gun Company joined, 110th Brigade, 37th Division on the 4th of March 1916. On the 7th of July the brigade transferred to 21st Division. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 111th Machine Gun Company joined, 111th Brigade, 37th Division on the 4th of March 1916. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion on the 4th of March 1918.

                       The 112th Machine Gun Company joined, 112th Brigade, 37th Division on the 4th of March 1916. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion on the 4th of March 1918.

                       The 113th Machine Gun Company joined, 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 19th of May 1916. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 38th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 114th Machine Gun Company joined, 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 19th of May 1916. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 38th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 115th Machine Gun Company joined, 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 19th of May 1916. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 38th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 116th Machine Gun Company joined, 116th Brigade, 39th Division on the 18th of May 1916. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 39th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of March 1918.

                       The 117th Machine Gun Company joined, 117th Brigade, 39th Division on the 18th of May 1916. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 39th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of March 1918.

                       The 118th Machine Gun Company joined, 118th Brigade, 39th Division on the 21st of March 1916. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 39th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of March 1918.

                       The 119th Machine Gun Company joined, 119th Brigade, 40th Division on the 19th of June 1916. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 40th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 12th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division on the 24th of January 1916. They were in action during the Battles of The Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. On the 26th of February 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division to become the 4th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 120th Machine Gun Company joined, 120th Brigade, 40th Division on the 19th of June 1916. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 40th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 121st Machine Gun Company joined, 121st Brigade, 40th Division on the 19th of June 1916. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 40th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 122nd Machine Gun Company joined, 122nd Brigade, 41st Division in May 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 41st Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 123rd Machine Gun Company joined, 123rd Brigade, 41st Division in May 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 41st Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 124th Machine Gun Company joined, 124th Brigade, 41st Division in May 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 41st Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 125th Machine Gun Company joined, 125th (Lancashire Fusiliers) Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the 4th of March 1916. The division had just arrived on the Western Front having served in Egypt and Gallipoli. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 42nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 25th of February 1918

                       The 126th Machine Gun Company joined, 126th (East Lancashire) Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the 14th of March 1916. The division had just arrived on the Western Front having served in Egypt and Gallipoli. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 42nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 23rd of February 1918.

                       The 127th Machine Gun Company joined, 127th (Manchester) Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the 14th of March 1916. The division had just arrived on the Western Front having served in Egypt and Gallipoli. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 42nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 23rd of February 1918

                       The 12th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 12th (Eastern) Division. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       The 13th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 13th Brigade, 5th Division on the 24th of December 1915. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 26th of April 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 5th Division to become the 5th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 137th Machine Gun Company joined 137th (Staffordshire) Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division on the 7th of March 1916 in France. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 46th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 138th Machine Gun Company joined 138th (Lincoln & Leicester) Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division on the 22nd of February 1916 in France. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 46th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 139th Machine Gun Company joined 139th (Sherwood Forester) Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division on the 16th of February 1916 in France. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 46th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 14th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 14th Brigade, 5th Division on the 27 December 1915, They were later renamed the 95th Brigade Machine Gun Company. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 26th of April 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 5th Division to become the 5th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 140th Machine Gun Company was formed in 140th (4th London) Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division on the 13th of December 1915 in France. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 47th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 141st Machine Gun Company was formed in 141st (5th London) Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division on the 12th of December 1915 in France. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 47th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 142nd Machine Gun Company was formed in 142nd (6th London) Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division on the 12th of December 1915 in France. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 47th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 143rd Machine Gun Company was formed in 143rd (Warwickshire) Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division on the 8th of January 1916 in France. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 48th Machine Gun Battalion on the 22nd of March 1918.

                       The 144th Machine Gun Company was formed in 144th (Gloucester & Worcester) Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division on the 23rd of January 1916 in France. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 48th Machine Gun Battalion on the 22nd of March 1918.

                       The 145th Machine Gun Company was formed in 145th (South Midland) Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division on the 11th of January 1916 in France. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 48th Machine Gun Battalion on the 22nd of March 1918.

                       The 146th Machine Gun Company was formed in 146th (West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division on the 27th of January 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 49th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 147th Machine Gun Company was formed in 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division on the 26th of January 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 49th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 148th Machine Gun Company was formed in 148th (3rd West Riding) Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division on the 6th of February 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 49th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

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

                       The 14th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 14th (Light) Division. They were in action at Ypres and in the final advance in Flanders

                       The 15th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division on the 27th of December 1915. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 26th of April 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 5th Division to become the 5th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 150th Machine Gun Company was formed in 150th (York & Durham) Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 1st of February 1916. They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 50th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 151st Machine Gun Company was formed in 151st (Durham Light Infantry) Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the 6th of February 1916. They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 50th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 152nd Machine Gun Company was formed in 152nd (1st Highland) Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division on the 16th of January 1916. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 51st Machine Gun Battalion on the 19th of February 1918.

                       The 153rd Machine Gun Company was formed in 153rd (2nd Highland) Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division on the 15th of January 1916. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 51st Machine Gun Battalion on the 19th of February 1918.

                       The 154th Machine Gun Company was formed in 154th (3rd Highland) Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division on the 14th of January 1916. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 51st Machine Gun Battalion on the 19th of February 1918.

                       The 155th Machine Gun Company was formed in 155th (South Scottish) Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division on the 23rd of March 1916. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 52nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of April 1918.

                       The 156th Machine Gun Company was formed in 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division on the 16th of March 1916. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 52nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of April 1918.

                       The 157th Machine Gun Company was formed in 157th (Highland Light Infantry) Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division on the 14th of March 1916. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 52nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of April 1918.

                       The 15th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 17th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 15th (Scottish) Division. They were in action action at The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       The 16th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 16th Brigade, 6th Division in February 1916. In 1916 they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 6th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 16th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 9th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 16th (Irish) Division. They were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties, the battalion was broken up at Camiers on the 8th of May 1918 with the troops transferring to infantry battalions. A new 16th Machine Gun Battalion was formed at Grantham on the 18th of June 1918 and joined the 16th (Irish) Division at Samer on the 2nd of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       The 176th Machine Gun Company joined 38th (Welsh) Division on the 28th of March 1917. They were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 38th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 178th Machine Gun Company joined 46th (North Midland) Division on the 28th of March 1917 in France. They were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 46th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918.

                       The 17th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 24th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 17th (Northern) Division. they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt.

                       The 18th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 18th Brigade, 6th Division in February 1916. Later that year they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other MG Companies of the Division to form the 6th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 18th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 20th of April 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 18th (Eastern) Division. They saw action during in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       19th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 19th Brigade 33rd Division on the 24th of Feburary 1916. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 19th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 33rd Division and became 33rd Battalion MGC.

                       The 191st Machine Gun Company joined 24th Division on the 15th of December 1916. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. On the 5th of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 24th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 194th Machine Gun Company joined 23rd Division on the 16th of December 1916, near Vlamertinghe In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 23 Battalion, MGC.

                       The 195th Machine Gun Company joined 25th Division on the 16th of December 1916. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 25 Battalion, Machine Gun Corps.

                       The 197th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 9th (Scottish) Division on the 19th of December 1916 as the Divisional Machine Gun company under the direct Command of Divisional HQ. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. They joined 9th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918

                       The 199th Machine Gun Company joined 41st Division in October 1917. They were in action in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 41st Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 19th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 14th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 19th (Western) Division. They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       The 2nd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 2nd Guards Brigade, 1st Division on the 26th of January 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved into 1st MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 20th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 20th Brigade, 7th Division on the 10th February 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 1st of April 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 7th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 205th Machine Gun Company joined 5th Division on the 19th of March 1917 as the Division was preparing for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 26th of February 1918 they became the 5th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 20th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 15th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 20th (Light) Division. They fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       The 21st Machine Gun Company joined 21st Brigade, 30th Division on the 8th of March 1916. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 30th Battalion MGC on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 211th Machine Gun Company was formed in XXI Corps, they joined 52nd (Lowland) Division on the 1st of April 1918. They proceeded to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 52nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of April 1918.

                       The 216th Machine Gun Company joined 3rd Brigade, 1st Division on the 22nd of March 1917, they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved into 1st MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 217th Machine Gun Company joined 20th (Light) Division in March 1917, they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. They moved into 20th Machine Gun Battalion on the 15th of March 1918

                       The 218th Machine Gun Company joined 8th Division on the 23rd of March 1917. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai. On the 20th of January 1918 they became the 8th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 21st Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 24th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 21st Division. They were in action during the Battles of the Lys, the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       The 22nd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 22nd Brigade, 7th Division on the 24th of February 1916. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 1st of April 1918 they joined with the other MG Companies of the Division to form the 7th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 220th Machine Gun Company joined 7th Division on the 25th of March 1917. They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 1st of April 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to become the 7th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 225th Machine Gun Company joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 19th of July 1917 and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume and The First Battle of Arras. On the 17th of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to become the 15th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 226th Machine Gun Company joined 30th Division on the 19th of July 1917. They took part in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 30th Battalion MGC on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 227th Machine Gun Company was formed in 228th Brigade, 28th Division on the 11th of September 1917 in Salonika, originally named 227th MGC. In 1918 they were in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       The 228th Machine Gun Company joined 39th Division on the 19th of July 1917. They fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 39th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of March 1918.

                       The 23rd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 23rd Brigade, 8th Division on the 15th of January 1916. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 20th January 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 8th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 232nd Machine Gun Company joined 51st (Highland) Division on the 20th of July 1917. They were in action in the The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 51st Machine Gun Battalion on the 19th of February 1918.

                       The 233rd Machine Gun Company joined 3rd Division on the 18 July 1917 and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 234th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 4th Division on the 16th of July 1917 as the Divisional Machine Gun company under the direct Command of Divisional HQ. They were in action in the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. On the 26th of February 1918 they amalgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division to become the 4th Machine Gun Battalion who were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       The 235th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 12th (Eastern) Division on the 16th of July 1917. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. They combined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 11th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 236th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 17th of July 1917 and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. They combined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 17th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918

                       The 237th Machine Gun Company joined 37th Division on the 17th of July 1917. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 21st Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 238th Machine Gun Company joined 41st Division in July 1917. They were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. They left the Division in October 1917.

                       The 239th Machine Gun Company joined 47th (2nd London) Division on the 17th of July 1917 in France and were in action in the last few days of The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres. They left the Division on the 1st of October 1917.

                       The 23rd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 23rd Division. They were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       The 24th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 24th Brigade, 8th Division on the 10th of January 1916. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 20th January 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 8th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       240th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 34th Division on the 18th of July 1917. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. On the 26th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 34th Division and became 34th Battalion MGC.

                       241st Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 35th Division on the 18th of July 1917. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 35th Division and became 35th Battalion MGC.

                       The 242nd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 2nd Division on the 18th of July 1917 as the Divisional Machine Gun company under the direct Command of Divisional HQ. They saw action at The Battle of Cambrai. They amalgamated with the other MG Coys of 2nd Division to become the 2nd MG Battalion on the 4th of March 1918 and then fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle

                       243rd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 31st Division on the 18th of July 1917. On the 21st of February 1918 they merged with other MGC of the Division to become 31st Bn MGC still with 31st Division. In early 1918 they were on the Somme before moving north to Flanders for the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

                       The 244th Machine Gun Company joined 40th Division in July 19117. They they saw action during The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 40th Machine Gun Battalion in March 1918.

                       The 246th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 19th (Western) Division on the 19th of July 1917. They were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 19th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of February 1918.

                       The 247th Machine Gun Company joined 37th Division on the 19th of July 1917. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion on the 4th of March 1918.

                       248th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 33rd Division on the 21st of July 1917. They took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 19th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 33rd Division and became 33rd Battalion MGC.

                       The 249th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 14th (Light) Division on the 21st of July 1917. They fought in The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They left the Division on the 1st of October 1917.

                       The 24th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 5th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 24th Division. they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       The 25th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 25th Brigade, 8th Division on the 10th of January 1916. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 20th January 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 8th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 250th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 11th (Northern) Division on the 16th of November 1917 they combined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 11th Machine Gun Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 251st Machine Gun Company joined 48th (South Midland) Division on the 16th of November 1917. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 48th Machine Gun Battalion on the 22nd of March 1918.

                       The 254th Machine Gun Company joined 49th (West Riding) Division on the 19th of December 1916. They were in action in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 49th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 255th Machine Gun Company joined 47th (2nd London) Division on the 19th of November 1917 in France. They were in action The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 47th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 25th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 25th Division. They briefly left the division between the 23rd of July and 19th of October 1918. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       The 26th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division on the 29th of January 1916. they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme and on the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 9th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       266th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 36th Ulster Division on the 17th of January 1918. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 36th Division and became 36th Battalion MGC. They were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       The 268th Machine Gun Company joined 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the 20th of January 1918. They joined with the other machine gun companies of the Division to form 42nd Machine Gun Battalion on the 23rd of February 1918.

                       The 269th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 18th of January 1918, they combined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 16th Machine Gun Battalion on the 9th of March 1918

                       The 27th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division on the 29th of January 1916. they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme and on the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 9th Machine Gun Battalion

                       The 273rd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps was formed in 13th (Western) Division in October and November 1917. they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       The 28th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 28th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division on the 3rd of January 1916. On the 6th of May 1916 they transferred to the South African Brigade still with 9th (Scottish) Division. They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme and on the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 9th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 29th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division on the 10th May 1916 at Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 7th of May 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 10th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 3rd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division on the 26th of January 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved into 1st MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918

                       The 30th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 30th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division on the 10th May 1916 at Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. The 30th Brigade landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 30th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 7th of May 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 10th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 30th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 30th Division. They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys, being reduced to a cadre on the 13th of May 1918 with 540 men transferring to 31st Battalion. On the 29th of June 1918 they were brought back to full strength by absorbing \"A\" Battalion MGC. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       The 31st Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 31st Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division on the 11th May 1916 at Basingstoke. They served in Salonika, on the 7th and 8th of December 1619 they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. On the 7th of May 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form the 10th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 31st Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 21st of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 31st Division. They saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       The 33rd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 19th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 33rd Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took place throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

                       The 34th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 26th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 34th Division. They were in action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       The 35th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 35th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division on the 1st of February 1916. the Division moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. They amalgamated with the other Machine Gun companies of the Division to form the 12th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 36th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 2nd of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 36th Division. They were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       The 37th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division on the 4th of February 1916. the Division moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. They amalgamated with the other Machine Gun companies of the Division to form the 12th Machine Gun Battalion on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 37th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 4th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 37th Division. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       The 38th Machine Gun Company joined 13th (Western) Division on the 24th of October 1916 as they pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       The 38th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 2nd of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 38th Division. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       The 39th Machine Gun Company joined 13th (Western) Division on the 26th of October 1916 as they pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

                       The 39th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 14th of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 39th Division. They took part in The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       The 3rd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the MG companies of the 3rd Division. They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       The 40th Machine Gun Battalion was formed in March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 40th Division. They were in action during The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses and were disbanded in May.

                       The 41st Machine Gun Company joined 14th (Light) Division on the 15th of February 1916. They were in action on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 14th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 41st Machine Gun Battalion was formed in March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 41st Division. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       The 42nd Machine Gun Company joined 14th (Light) Division on the 24th of February 1916. They were in action on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 14th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 42nd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 23rd of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 42nd Division. They saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       The 43rd Machine Gun Company formed at Houtkerque on the 16th of February 1916 and joined 14th (Light) Division . They were in action on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 14th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 44th Machine Gun Company joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 12th of January 1916. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 15th MG Battalion on the 17th of March 1918.

                       The 45th Machine Gun Company joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 11th of February 1916. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 15th MG Battalion on the 17th of March 1918.

                       The 46th Machine Gun Company joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 11th of February 1916. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 15th MG Battalion on the 17th of March 1918.

                       The 46th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 28th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 46th (North Midland) Division. They saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                       The 47th Machine Gun Company joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 28th of April 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 16th MG Battalion on the 9th of March 1918.

                       The 47th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                       The 48th Machine Gun Company joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 28th of April 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 16th MG Battalion on the 9th of March 1918.

                       The 48th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 22nd of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 48th (South Midland) Division in Italy. They saw action in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       The 49th Machine Gun Company joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 29th of April 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 16th MG Battalion on the 9th of March 1918.

                       The 49th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 49th (West Riding) Division. They were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       The 4th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 26th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 4th Division when the army was reorganised. They were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       The 50th Machine Gun Company joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 12th of February 1916. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 17th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 50th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 50th (Northumberland) Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

                       The 51st Machine Gun Company joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 12th of February 1916. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 17th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 51st Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 19th of February 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 51st (Highland) Division in the Cambrai area, where they remained until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

                       The 52nd Machine Gun Company joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 12th of February 1916. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 17th Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 52nd Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 28th of April 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 52nd (Highland) Division. The Division took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

                       The 53rd Machine Gun Company joined 18th (Eastern) Division on the 13th of February 1916. they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 18th Machine Gun Battalion on the 16th of February 1918.

                       The 54th Machine Gun Company joined 18th (Eastern) Division on the 13th of February 1916. They were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 18th Machine Gun Battalion on the 16th of February 1918.

                       The 55th Machine Gun Company joined 18th (Eastern) Division on the 13th of February 1916. They were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 18th Machine Gun Battalion on the 16th of February 1918.

                       The 56th Machine Gun Company joined 19th (Western) Division on the 14th of February 1916, though the machine gunners of the 56th Brigade had formed a provisional company the previous September. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 19th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of February 1918.

                       The 57th Machine Gun Company joined 19th (Western) Division on the 14th of February 1916. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 19th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of February 1918.

                       The 58th Machine Gun Company joined 19th (Western) Division on the 14th of February 1916. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 19th Machine Gun Battalion on the 14th of February 1918.

                       The 59th Machine Gun Company joined 20th (Light) Division on the 3rd of March 1916. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 20th Machine Gun Battalion on the 15th of March 1918.

                       The 5th Machine Gun Battalion was formed in Italy on the 26th of February 1918 from the 205th Machine Gun Company and continued to serve with 5th Division. The Division was recalled to France to assist with countering the German Advance in late March 1918 On the 26th of April 1918 they absorbed the 15th, 16th and 95th Machine Gun Companies and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       The 60th Machine Gun Company joined 20th (Light) Division on the 3rd of March 1916. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 20th Machine Gun Battalion on the 15th of March 1918.

                       The 62nd Machine Gun Company joined 21st Division on the 4th of March 1916. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 21st Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 63rd Machine Gun Company joined 21st Division on the 4th of March 1916. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, on the 8th of July 1916 they moved with the Brigade to 37th Division. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 37th Machine Gun Battalion in February 1918.

                       The 64th Machine Gun Company joined 21st Division on the 4th of March 1916. They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. They joined with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to form 21st Machine Gun Battalion on the 24th of February 1918.

                       The 65th Machine Gun Company joined 22nd Division on the 14th of July 1916 in Salonkia. The were in action at in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       The 66th Machine Gun Company joined 22nd Division on the 14th of July 1916 in Salonkia. The were in action at in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       The 67th Machine Gun Company joined 22nd Division on the 14th of July 1916 in Salonkia. The were in action at in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       The 68th Machine Gun Company was formed Grantham, Lincolnshire on the 4th of March 1916 and joined 68th Brigade, 23rd Division at Bullswater in September, as the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent then to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of May for final training. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. They fought alongside the 10th Btn. and 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusilers, the 12th and 13th battalions Durham Light Infantry and the 68th Trench Mortar Battery. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 23 Battalion, MGC.

                       The 69th Machine Gun Company was formed Grantham, Lincolnshire on the 4th of March 1916 and joined 69th Brigade, 23rd Division at Frensham in September, as the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent then to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of May for final training. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. They fought alongside the 10th Btn. and 11th Btn. Northumberland Fusilers, the 12th and 13th battalions Durham Light Infantry and the 69th Trench Mortar Battery. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. On the 1st of April 1918 the Company joined with the other MGC's of the Division to become No 23 Battalion, MGC.

                       The 7th Machine Gun Company joined 7th Brigade, 25th Division in January 1916. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme. On the 1st of March they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 25th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 70th Machine Gun Company was formed on the 5th of March 1916, they joined 70th Brigade, 23rd Division in July 1916. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       The 71st Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 71st Brigade, 6th Division on the 14th of March 1916. Later that year they were in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 6th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 72nd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 72nd Brigade, 24th Division on the 14th of March 1916. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. On the 5th of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 24th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 73rd Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 73rd Brigade, 24th Division on the 14th of March 1916. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. On the 5th of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 24th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 74th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 74th Brigade, 25th Division on the 17th of March 1916. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 25th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 75th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 75th Brigade, 25th Division on the 15th of March 1916. They were in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 25th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 76th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of 76th Brigade, 3rd Division on the 13th of April 1916. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they joined with other MG companies of the Division to become the 6th Machine Gun Battalion.

                       The 77th Machine Gun Company joined 77th Brigade, 26th Division on the 24th of July 1916. They were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       The 78th Machine Gun Company joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division on the 22nd of July 1916. They were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       The 79th Machine Gun Company joined 79th Brigade, 26th Division on the 15th of July 1916. They were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       The 7th Machine Gun Battalion was formed in Italy on the 1st of April 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 7th Division. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       The 8th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 8th Brigade, 3th Division on the 22 January 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. They alamgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to become 3th MG Battalion on the 28th of February 1918 In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       The 80th Machine Gun Company joined 80th Brigade, 27th Division on the 2nd of September 1916 in Salonika. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       The 81st Machine Gun Company joined 81st Brigade, 27th Division on the 16th of May 1916 in Salonika. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units of the Division returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       The 82nd Machine Gun Company was formed in 82nd Brigade, 27th Division on the 16th of May 1916 in Salonika. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units of the Division returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       The 83rd Machine Gun Company was formed in 83rd Brigade, 28th Division on the 21st of May 1916 in Salonika. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       The 84th Machine Gun Company was formed in 84th Brigade, 28th Division on the 18th of May 1916 in Salonika. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       The 85th Machine Gun Company was formed in 85th Brigade, 28th Division on the 18th of May 1916 in Salonika. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       The 86th Machine Gun Company was formed in 86th Brigade, 29th Division on the 26th of February 1916. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 29th Battalion MGC on the 15th of February 1918.

                       The 87th Machine Gun Company was formed in 87th Brigade, 29th Division on the 16th of February 1916. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 29th Battalion MGC on the 15th of February 1918.

                       The 88th Machine Gun Company was formed in 88th Brigade, 29th Division on the 21st of February 1916. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 29th Battalion MGC on the 15th of February 1918.

                       The 89th Machine Gun Company joined 89th Brigade, 30th Division on the 13th of March 1916. they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 30th Battalion MGC on the 1st of March 1918.

                       The 8th Machine Gun Battalion was on the 20th of April 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 8th Division. They saw action during The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       The 9th Machine Gun Company was formed from the Machine Gun Sections of the 9th Brigade, 3th Division on the 8th February 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. They alamgamated with the other Machine Gun Companies of the Division to become 3th MG Battalion on the 29th of February 1918 In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       The 90th Machine Gun Company joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division on the 13th of March 1916. They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. They joined with the other Machine GunCompaies of the Division to form the 30th Battalion MGC on the 1st of March 1918.

                       91st Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps was formed in 91st Brigade 7th Division on the 14th of March 1916. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. On the 1st of April 1918 they merged with other Machine Gun Companies of 7th Division to become 7th Battalion Machine Gun Corps.

                       92nd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps was joined 92nd Brigade 31st Division on the 20th of May 1916. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. On the 21st of February 1918 they merged with other Machine Gun Companies of 31st Division to become 31st Battalion Machine Gun Corps.

                       93rd Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 93rd Brigade 31st Division on the 20th of May 1916. They saw action at Serre at Battle of the Somme in 1916 and were on the Ancre and in the Battles of Arras in 1917. On the 21st of February 1918 they merged with other MGC of the Division to become 31st Bn MGC still with 31st Division. In early 1918 they were on the Somme before moving north to Flanders for the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

                       94th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 94th Brigade 31st Division on the 21st of May 1916. They saw action at Serre at Battle of the Somme in 1916 and were on the Ancre and in the Battles of Arras in 1917. On the 21st of February 1918 they became 31st Bn MGC with 31st Division. In early 1918 they were on the Somme before moving north to Flanders for the Battle of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

                       96th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 96th Brigade 32nd Division on the 15th of March 1916. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme 1916, In 1917 they were involved in Operations on the Ancre and the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On the 21st of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 32nd Division and became 32nd Battalion MGC.

                       98th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps joined 98th Brigade 33rd Division on the 28th of April 1916. they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 19th of February 1918 they joined with the other machine gun companies of 33rd Division and became 33rd Battalion MGC.

                       The 99th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps was raised in Grantham and joined 33rd Brigade, 2nd Division in France on the 28th of April 1916. They fought in the Battles of the Somme, including the Battle of Deville Wood and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. On the 4th of March 1918 they amalgamated with other units to form No 2 Bn, MGC, they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle.

                       The 9th Machine Gun Battalion was on the 1st of March 1918 from the Machine Gun Companies of 9th (Scottish) Division. They saw action during in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice.

                       100th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps with 33rd Division. Following initial training near home, the units concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train werereplaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division, and 100th Field Ambulance transferred to 2nd Division with them. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice

                       101st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 33rd Division. Following initial training near home, the units concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train werereplaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

                       102nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 334th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       103rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 334th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       105th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

                       106th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

                       107th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919

                       108th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade from 4th Division were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       109th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade from 4th Division were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       10th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 10th Brigade, 4rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend Britain against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August 1914. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       10th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 7th Division on the 9th of January 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They left the division on the 5th of April 1917 and transferred to Corps command.

                       110th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade from 4th Division were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       111th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 30th Division, the Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. They transferred to 16th (Irish) Division in September 1915. They proceeded to France in December 1915 and the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       112th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 30th Division, the Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. They transferred to 16th (Irish) Division in September 1915. They proceeded to France in December 1915 and the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       113th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 30th Division, the Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. They transferred to 16th (Irish) Division in September 1915. They proceeded to France in December 1915 and the division concentrated in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       11th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 11th Brigade, 4rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend Britain against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August 1914. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       129th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 38th (Welsh) Division from December 1914. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       12th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 12th Brigade, 4rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend Britain against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August 1914. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       130th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 38th (Welsh) Division from December 1914. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       131th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 38th (Welsh) Division from December 1914. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       132nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       133rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       134th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       135th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       136th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       137th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       138th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       139th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       13th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 13th Brigade, 5rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 5th Division arrived in France with the BEF in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       13th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 1st Division in January 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They left the division on the 2nd of April 1916 and transferred to Corps command.

                       142nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 3rd Brigade, 1st Division on the 24th of August 1915 and were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       143rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was formed on the 19th of March 1917 as part of 228 Brigade, 28th Division in Salonika. They were in action during the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and the remainder of the Division, including the 2nd Garrision battalion were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. 228th Brigade transferred to the Greek Crete Division on the 30th of September 1918 and was broken up on the 4th of October 1918.

                       14th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 14th Brigade, 5rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 5th Division arrived in France with the BEF in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       14th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 8th Division on the 9th of January 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They left the division on the 16th of April 1917 and transferred to Corps command.

                       15th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 15th Brigade, 5rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 5th Division arrived in France with the BEF in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       15th (London) Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 28th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       16th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 16th Brigade, 6th Division, they proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Then marched at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       16th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 29th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 29th Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. The left the division in April 1917.

                       17th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 6th Division, they proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Then marched at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       17th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 46th (North Midland) Division from March 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. On the 21st of March 1917 they transferred to V Corps.

                       18th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 6th Division, they proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. Then marched at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       19th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 2nd Division in August 1915, they saw action at The Battle of Loos before leaving 2nd Division in November 1915 when 33rd Division was strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division, near Morbecque. They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February

                       1st East Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       1st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 1st Brigade, 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       1st West Riding Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 49th (West Riding) Division The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations.

                       21st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 7th Division in late September 1914, as regular army units concentrated in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       2/1st Highland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 51st (Highland) Division from May 1915. The Division proceeded to France in early May 1915 and concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

                       21st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the RAMC trained at Sheffield. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. They left 11th (Northern) Division on the 9th of December 1916. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations.

                       22nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 7th Division in late September 1914, as regular army units concentrated in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       22nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division from the 9th of February 1916. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The East Lancashire Division at that time was engaed in defending the Suez Canal from the Turkish forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkishh attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embarked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They left the division on the 19th of April 1917 and joined XIX Corps

                       23rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 7th Division in late September 1914, as regular army units concentrated in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       23rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 12th (Northern) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe. 23rd Sanitary Section left the division on the 1st of April 1917 and transferred to Corps command.

                       24th (1st Wessex) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       24th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia in March 1916. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       25th (2nd Wessex) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       25th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Light) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They left the division on the 1st of April 1917 and came under Corps command.

                       26th (3rd Wessex) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       27th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

                       28th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

                       29th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice. 9th (Scottish) Division was selected be part of the occupation force and on the 4th of December they crossed into Germany to take up a position at the Cologne brideghead on the Rhine. In late February 1919, the original units were demobilised, being replaced by others and The Division was renamed the Lowland Division.

                       2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       2nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       2/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 50th (Northumbrian) Division in April 1915, just before they proceeded to France. The division concentrated in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battles of the Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on the 19th of March when the final troops left for England

                     

                       30th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 10th (Irish) Division 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and 30th Field Ambulance returned to base, handing all their stores and equipment over to the 154th Camel Field Ambulance who replaced them on the 20th of May 1918.

                       31st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and 31st Field Ambulance returned to base, handing all their stores and equipment over to the 166th Camel Field Ambulance who replaced them on the 20th of May 1918.

                       32nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917, concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units and 32nd Field Ambulance returned to base, handing all their stores and equipment over to the 165th Camel Field Ambulance who replaced them on the 20th of May 1918.

                       32nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 15th (Scottish) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       33rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the infantry at Grantham, the artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon, the Engineers at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield and ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       33rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 20th (Light) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They left the division on the 24th of April 1917.

                       34th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the infantry at Grantham, the artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon, the Engineers at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield and ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       34th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 17th (Northern) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919

                       35th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the infantry at Grantham, the artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon, the Engineers at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield and ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       35th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 18th (Eastern) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       36th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       36th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 19th (Western) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines. 36th Sanitation Section left the division on the 9th of July 1917.

                       37th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 37th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       37th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 37th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. was formed in early 1915, in April the Division concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July, concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe. They left the Divsion on the 20th of April 1917.

                       38th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 38th Brigade at Colchester, 38th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       38th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 21st Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. 38th Sanitary Section left the Division on the 1st of April 1917

                       39th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       3rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 3rd Brigade, 1st Division when war broke out in August 1914, They were one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers. The 3rd Field Ambulance transferred to the Guards Division on the 24th of August 1915 and were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs. In 1917 they were in action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Third Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on The Somme, during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice they were near Maubeuge and were then ordered to the Rhine, crossing the German frontier on the 11th of December. Battalions began to return to England on the 20th of February 1919 and had all returned home by the 29th of April 1919.

                       3rd North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 3rd of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                       40th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 40th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. In July 1918, 40th Field Ambulance was detached with 39th Brigade and joined the North Persia Force which was in Transcaspia by October 1918.

                       40th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 23rd Division from the 20th of August 1915 joining then near Tilques. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. On the 10th of April 1917 they left the Division and transferred to X Corps.

                       41st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 41st Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 41st Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       41st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 24th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 24th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. They left 24th Division on the 5th of April 1917 and came under the command of First Army.

                       42nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       42nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 25th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 25th Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       43rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       43rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 26th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The 26th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of teh new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       44th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       45th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       46th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       47th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 14th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       47th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 47th (2nd London) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. They left the Division on the 18th of April 1917, transferring to Second Army.

                       48th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 16th (Irish) Division. 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. In June 1915 they transferred to 37th Division which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July,the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       48th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was formed on the 21st of February 1915 and served with 48th (South Midland) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre.

                       49th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 16th (Irish) Division. 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. In June 1915 they transferred to 37th Division which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July,the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       49th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was served with 49th (West Riding) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. They left the Division on the 2nd of April 1917, transferring to XI Corps.

                       4th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 2nd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 2nd Division was one of the first formations to proceed to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and saw action at The Battle of Festubert. 4th Field Ambulance RAMC transferred to the Guards Division on the 19th of August 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs. In 1917 they were in action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Third Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on The Somme, during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice they were near Maubeuge and were then ordered to the Rhine, crossing the German frontier on the 11th of December. the Guards Division began to return to England on the 20th of February 1919 and had all returned home by the 29th of April 1919.

                       50th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 16th (Irish) Division. 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. In June 1915 they transferred to 37th Division which was concentrating at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July,the division concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       50th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the division concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. They left the Division on the 3rd of April 1917, transferring to Fourth Army.

                       51st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919

                       51st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was served with 51st (Highland) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They proceeded to France in May 1915, concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel. They left the Division on the 17th of April 1917, transferring to XVII Corps.

                       52nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919

                       52nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 52nd (Highland) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Lowland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They sailed from Liverpool and Devonport between 18 May and 8 June for Gallipoli. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs. They left the Division in October 1915, transferring to 10th (Irish) Division and moving to Salonika. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They sailed from Salonika to Egypt in early September 1917. They rejoined 52nd (Lowland) in October 1917, then transferred to XI Corps on the 4th of May 1918.

                       53rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

                       54th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       55th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       56th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       57th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       58th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       59th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       5th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 2nd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 2nd Division was one of the first formations to proceed to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and saw action at The Battle of Festubert. and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

                       60th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiens and received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       61st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiens and received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       62nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiens and received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       63rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 21st Division. The Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       64th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 21st Division. The Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       65th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 21st Division. The Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       66th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       67th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 67th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       68th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. In April 1915 the infantry underwent two weeks entrenchment training at Maidstone. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. 68th Brigade, 9th Borders, 68th Field Ambulance and the Advanced Divisional HQ saw their fisrt action in the second week of December in the Retreat from Serbia. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       69th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       6th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 2nd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 2nd Division was one of the first formations to proceed to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and saw action at The Battle of Festubert. and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Arras and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Selle. 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force after the Armistice.

                       70th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 70th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       70th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 30th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban.

                       71st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 71st and 71st brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       71st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 31st Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. After initial training close to home, the units concentrated at South Camp, Ripon in April and May 1915. Training was difficult due to severe shortages of arms, ammunition and equipment. In September they moved to Fovant on Salisbury Plain for final training for service in France. Advance parties had already crossed the channel when the division was ordered to Egypt in December, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division in exchange for thier own Divisional artillery. They sailed for Egypt in December and took over No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal. They were recalled to France and sailed to Marseilles during the first week of March for service on the Western Front. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre. They left the Division and trasnferred to XIII Corps in the second week of March 1917.

                       72nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. Training suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       73rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. Training suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       73rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 33rd Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. Following initial training near home, the units concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train werereplaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, leaving 33rd Division on the 31st of March 1917.

                       74th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. Training suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       74th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 34th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They left the Division on the 31st of March 1917.

                       75th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. tion, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       75th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 35th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. They left the Division on the 9th of April 1917.

                       76th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 76th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. tion, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       76th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 36th (Ulster) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. They left the Division in April 1917.

                       77th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 77th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. tion, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       77th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 38th (Welsh) Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Welsh Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. 77th Sanitary Section left the Division in April 1917.

                       78th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 26th Division on the 25th of August 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       79th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 26th Division on the 25th of August 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       7th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 7th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       7th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 27th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The 27th Division was formed at at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 from regular army units who had arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       80th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 26th Division on the 25th of August 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       81st Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 16th (Irish) Division, which they joined in England in late 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 16th (Irish) Division proceeded to France in December 1915 concentrating in the Bethune area. In 1916 they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       82nd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 39th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. 39th Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       83rd Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 40th Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They left the division in April 1917.

                       84th (2nd City of London) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 28th Division. The 28th Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       84th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 41st Division. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. They left the division in April 1917.

                       85th (3rd London) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 28th Division. The 28th Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 23rd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of the Northumbrian Division in the Territorial Force. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. The 2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance left the Division in December 1914 and transferred to 28th Division in December, they were later redesignated 86th (2nd Northumbrian) Field Ambulance. The 28th Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 23rd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       87th (1st West Lancashire) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       88th (1st East Anglian) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       89th (1st Highland) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       8th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       8th Sanitary Section, Royal Army Medical Corps was formed in 6th Division on the 9th of January 1915. The Sanitary Section was responsible for providing clean water, cooking facilities, billets, washing and de-lousing stations. They left the division on the 5th of April 1917 and transferred to Corps command.

                       93rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps Served with 31st Division. After initial training close to home, the units concentrated at South Camp, Ripon in April and May 1915. Training was difficult due to severe shortages of arms, ammunition and equipment. In September they moved to Fovant on Salisbury Plain for final training for service in France. Advance parties had already crossed the channel when the division was ordered to Egypt in December, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division in exchange for thier own Divisional artillery. They sailed for Egypt in December and took over No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal. They were recalled to France and sailed to Marseilles during the first week of March for service on the Western Front. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       94th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps Served with 31st Division. After initial training close to home, the units concentrated at South Camp, Ripon in April and May 1915. Training was difficult due to severe shortages of arms, ammunition and equipment. In September they moved to Fovant on Salisbury Plain for final training for service in France. Advance parties had already crossed the channel when the division was ordered to Egypt in December, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division in exchange for thier own Divisional artillery. They sailed for Egypt in December and took over No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal. They were recalled to France and sailed to Marseilles during the first week of March for service on the Western Front. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       95th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 31st Division. After initial training close to home, the units concentrated at South Camp, Ripon in April and May 1915. Training was difficult due to severe shortages of arms, ammunition and equipment. In September they moved to Fovant on Salisbury Plain for final training for service in France. Advance parties had already crossed the channel when the division was ordered to Egypt in December, accompanied by the artillery of 32nd Division in exchange for thier own Divisional artillery. They sailed for Egypt in December and took over No 3 Sector of the Suez Canal. They were recalled to France and sailed to Marseilles during the first week of March for service on the Western Front. Their first action being the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       96th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 30th Division in November 1915, as the division was concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       97th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 30th Division in November 1915, as the division was concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       98th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps joined 30th Division in November 1915, as the division was concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       99th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps served with 33rd Division. Following initial training near home, the units concentrated at Clipstone camp near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in July 1915. In August they moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and firing practice. In November they received orderes to prepare to proceed to France and the Divisional Artillery and Train werereplaced by the units raised for the 54th (East Anglian) Division. By the 21st of November the 33rd Division concentrated near Morbecque, being strengthened by the exchange of 98th Brigade for the experienced 19th Brigade from 2nd Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they took part in the Arras Offensive, The actions on the Hindenburg Line, the Operations on the Flanders coast and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in a peroid of rest in the Sambre valley near Leval Demobilisation took placr throughout the first months of 1919 with Divisional HQ moving to Le Havre on the 28th of February.

                       9th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was part of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. on the 26th of August 1915, 9th Field Ambulance transferred to the Guards Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       10th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 9th (Scottish) Division on the 30th of April 1915, went into action in the The Battle of Loos. They left 9th (Scottish) Division on the 11th of June 1916

                       The 11th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 11th (Northern) Division for training in early 1915 but left the Division before they went overseas in June. They joined 15th (Scottish) Division on the 23rd of June 1915, and proceeded to France in July. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres but left 15th (Scottish) Division on the 22nd of July. They joined 9th (Scottish) Division on the 7th of October 1918 they were in action during The Advance in Flanders and left the Division on the 7th of November 1918.

                       The 12th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 17th (Northern) Division on the 10th of July 1915. They proceeded to France and moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal. They left the Division on the 7th of May 1916.

                       The 13th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 19th (Western) Division on the 14th of July 1915. They were in action at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. They left the Division on the 7th of March 1916.

                       The 14th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 20th (Light) Division on the 26th of January 1915 in the St Omer area. They left the Division on the 22nd of April 1916.

                       The 15th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 18th (Eastern) Division on the 22nd of July 1915 near Flesselles in France. They left the Division on the 4th of May 1916.

                       The 16th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 37th Division on the 26th of July 1915 near Tilques. They left the Division on the 9th of May 1916.

                       The 19th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 34th Division in November 1915 on Salisbury Plain. They left the Division on the 6th of February 1916 and proceeded to France.

                       The 3rd Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 24th Division on the 30th of October 1915 and left on the 23rd of November 1915

                       The 8th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 14th (Light) Divsion in early 1915. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late May 1915. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They left 14th Division on the 5th of November 1916.

                       The 9th Motor Machine Gun Battery joined 12th (Eastern) Division in early 1915. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. They left 12th (Eastern) Division on the 1st of March 1918.

                       10th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. Went the Division departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos, the original column remained behind, their place being taken by the men formerly of 29th Division Column which joined 10th (Irish) Division in Egypt in October 1915. They suffered losses when transport \"Marquette\" was torpedoed off the coast of Salonika on the 23rd of October and replacements were transferred from 42nd Division Ammunition Column. They were formally renumbered 10th Divisional Ammunition Column on the 4th of March 1916. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

                        11th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the infantry at Grantham, the artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon, the Engineers at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield and ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       12th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       14th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, also XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       15th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 15th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action duringthe Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       16th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 16th (Irish) Division. 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. Some units were transferred to the 37th and Guards Divisions when they were formed in 1915, amongst them the Divisional Ammunition Column, being renamed accordingly. A new 16th Divisional Ammunition Column joined 16th (Irish) Division in France on the 22nd of February 1916. Later that year they were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       17th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

                       18th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       19th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1918.

                       1st Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       20th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       21st Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       23rd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919

                       24th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 24th Division. The was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                    11th March 2016   

                    25th Division of the Royal Field Artillery leaving Frome © Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) Frome Society for Local Study

                    The origin of the 25th Division of the RFA dates back to Army Order No. 388 in September 1914 with the formation of six divisions (21st to 26th) and Army Troops to the Regular Army. The war diary places the early formation of the 25th Division, as reported in the Somerset Standard newspaper, to have taken place in the Somerset town of Frome. The Somerset Standard of 20th November 1914 reported that Col Bethell had been in the market town of Frome during the week to advise those connected with the arrangements that had already been made, that the Market Hall and the Market Yard in the center of the town would be in use very shortly by the new recruits that were expected, quite soon, and that the officers of the newly formed 25th Division of the Royal Field Artillery would use the Masonic Hall as their headquarters. "On Monday 23th November 1914 the first of 300 new artillery recruits arrived by special train at Frome Railway Station for their initial training, from London. The men arrived "light" at approximately 6.30 am and marched in the direction of the Market Hall where they were given the first of many breakfasts. Following on from breakfast the men did some drills in the market yard and later in the afternoon marched back to the railway station and collected their kit bags. In the evening they were free to acquaint themselves with what the town of Frome had to offer. On the following day a further 400 recruits arrived. Of these first batch of 700 recruits the majority where Londoners with the remainder being Scots. "The Officer commanding the 25th Division of the Royal Field Artillery had recently been promoted to Brigadier-General with Colonel Grundy as his second in command. The division comprised of four brigades with each brigade made up of four batteries of 200 men in each battery. Most of the non-commissioned officers were men who had served at the battle on Mons and who had been wounded and subsequently recovered from their wounds. It was understood that six guns were to be allocated to each brigade and that some 200 horses would also be acquired, at some stage." Over the coming weeks the Somerset Standard reported that on 29th November a further 350 troops had arrived from Cosham near Portsmouth and that on 18th December an additional 600 troops had arrived from Exeter or from Ipswich or Brighton. Around Christmas 1914 the Somerset Standard reported that there was a further arrival of some 60 or 70 men from Torquay and that the troops quartered in the town now number some 1,500 and that in addition to dismounted drills the men are daily exercised with the horses and guns. The 25th Division of the RFA, led by Brigadier-General H A Bethell, left Frome for its next location in England, as stated in the Somerset Standard dated 16 April, 1915. It is assumed that the next location was in fact Heytesbury Military Camp and then possibly Larkhill Military Camp. The 25th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery was formed in May 1916 from the four brigade ammunition columns of 25th Division. The division was in action in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June the Division returned to England to reconstitute. They returned to France and fought in The Battle of the Aisne, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       26th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 26th Division. The 26th Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill On the 22 of January 1917 the DAC transferred to XII Corps Ammunition Column, with the division retaining brigade level ammunition columns.

                    In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       27th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery was formed in December 1914 from the IV Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade TF, RFA and served with 27th Division. The 27th Division was formed at at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 from regular army units who had arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. The DAC was disbanded on the 8th of January 1917 with 274th Division retaining the Brigade Ammunition Columns

                       28th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 28th Division. The Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       29th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when the Division returned to Egypt. In March 29th Division was sent to France, but the DAC remained in Egypt, joining 10th (Irish) Division in October. The DAC of 53rd (Welsh) Division transferred to become the new 29th DAC as the Division concentrated in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 2nd Division. 2nd Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 2nd Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       30th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 30th Division. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began

                       31st Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain. They trabnsferred to 32nd Division and proceeded to France, rejoining 31st Division when they returned from Egypt in March. They were in action during the attack on Serre in on the 1st of July during The Battle the Somme. They were also in action during The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, they moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began.

                       34th (Nottingham) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 34th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April they moved to the area west of Poperinge for reorganisation and was engaged in digging a new defensive line between Abeele and Watou. On the 13th of May the infantry units moved to the area around Lumbres and reduced to a cadre which was then employed in the training of newly arrived American troops. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       35th (British Empire League) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. The division received new drafts of men to replace losses suffered on the Somme, but the CO. soon discovered that these new recruits were not of the same physical standard as the original Bantams, being men of small stature from the towns, rather than the miners and farm workers who had joined up in 1915. A medical inspection was carried out and 1439 men were transferred to the Labour Corps. Their places being taken by men transferred from the disbanded yeomanry regiments, who underwent a quick training course in infantry methods at a Divisional depot set up specifically for that purpose. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

                       36th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 36th Division. The Ulster Division was formed from the Ulster Volunteer Force in August and September 1914, a process complicated by the tension surrounding the issue of Home rule. In July 1915 they moved to Seaford, Sussex in England. They proceeded to France in the first week of October, minus the Divisional Artillery, which followed in November. The 36th (Ulster) Division concentrated near Flesselles, north of Arras. With training and familiarisation, including periods in the trenches with 4th Division in the front line north of the River Ancre near Albert. On the 21st of October they moved to the area around Abbeville, for winter training. Between the 5th of November 1915 and 3 February 1916, 12th Brigade from 4th Division were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction. The 36th Ulster Division took over the front line in Spring. In 1916 they Division suffered heavily on the first day of the Battle of the Somme where they attacked at Thiepval. In 1917 They were in action at The Battle of Messines, capturing Wytschaete and in the The Battle of Langemarck during the Third Battles of Ypres and the The Cambrai Operations where the Division captured Bourlon Wood. In 1918 they were in action the Somme in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice they were at Mouscron, north east of Tourcoing, where the Division remained throughout demobilization which was complete by June 1919.

                       37th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 37th Division. The was formed in early 1915, in April the Division concentrated at Cholderton on Salisbury Plain and proceeded to France in July, concentrating near Tilques. They went into action in The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The First Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Monchy-le-Preux, The Second Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They were in action during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Demobilisation began on Boxing Day and was complete by 25 March 1919.

                       38th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 38th (Welsh) Division from December 1914. The 38th Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. The four Brigade Ammunition Columns amalgamated into the DAC in May 1916. In July the Division were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       39th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       3rd Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 3rd Division. 3rd Divsion proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle. After the Armistice 3rd Division advanced into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       40th (Hammersmith) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       41st (West Ham) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       42nd (East Lancashire) Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       46th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                       47th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 47th (2nd London) Division. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                       48th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were iin action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       49th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 49th (West Riding) Division. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919

                       4th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 4th Division. 4th Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The 4th Division was demobilised in Belgium in early 1919.

                       50th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed in 1908 as one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In April they proceeded to France concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England.

                       51st Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 51st (Highland) Division. The Highland Division created in 1908 part of the Territorial Force. They had just departed for annual camp when they were recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and concentrated at Bedford. Several units were sent to France as reinforcements for the BEF between November 1914 and March 1915. The rest of the Division proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December. The 6th Black Watch, 4th Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

                       5th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 5th Division. 5th Division arrived in France with the BEF in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       6th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 6th Division. They proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire and moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       7th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 7th Division. In late September 1914 7th Division concentrated in the New Forest, Hampshire. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       8th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       9th Divisional Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery served with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice.

                       L Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 9th Scottish Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice.

                       LI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 9th Scottish Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The action of Welsh Ridge. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Advance in Flanders, capturing the Outtersteene Ridge and seeing action in in the Battle of Courtrai and the action of Ooteghem. They were resting in billets at the Armistice.

                       108th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 5th Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front. They saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15.

                       10th Heavy Battery were attached to 10th (Irish) Division between March and August 1915, They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke and departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. They landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. They joined 11th (Northern Division) at Sulva Bay on 14th of August and remained with the division until 17th of December 1915. In 1917 they were with 96th Brigade RGA, 75th Division equipped with 4 x 60pdrs, as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

                       10th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 16th of February 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       113th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 12th of June 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       11th (Hull) Heavy Battery were formed from the 1st Hull Heavy Battery in 1916. They had trained with 11th (Northern) Division, but left the Division in June 1915 to join 30th Division. In February 1916 they transferred to 38th Brigade RGA and were deployed in the East African Campaign, arriving at Kilindini on the 16th of March 1916.

                       11th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 21st of April 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       121st Heavy Battery joined 28th Division on the 18th of January 1915. On the 6th of April 1915 the left the division.

                       122nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       125th Heavy Battery was raised with 30th Division. The Division was formed in April 1915 and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. 125th Heavy Battery left the divison on the 29th of April 1916.

                       12th Heavy Battery were attached to 12th (Eastern) Division until the 8th of June 1915. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with the artillery training near Shorncliffe. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division. 12th Heavy Battery left the Division on the 8th of June 1915.

                       12th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       130th Heavy Battery, RGA was raised as divisional artillery for 24th Division in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division began to assemble in the area of Shoreham but suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training. 130th Heavy battery left the division to join XXXV Heavy Artillery Brigade and proceeded to Egypt.

                       131st Heavy Battery, RGA was raised in Lewisham as divisional artillery for raised for 26th Division on the 22nd of January 1915, but left 26th Division when they went overseas. They then joined 35th Division and later moved independently to France, joining XXIII Heavy Artillery Group in March 1916.

                       138th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to Salonika in August 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       13th Heavy Battery was raised for 13th (Western) Division as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The division began to assemble on Salisbury Plain in August 1914. Near the end of February 1915 the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire for final training. 13th Heavy Battery left the Division and were sent to France on the 30th of May 1915 as part of XVII Heavy Brigade. On 23rd of October 1915, they joined 28th Division who were preparing to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt arriving the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       13th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 23rd of April 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       141st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 9th of August 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       144th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in August 1916

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       14th Heavy Battery was the first heavy battery of the Kitchener's New Army, initally named 8th Heavy, they were quickly redesignated and joined 14th (Light) Division on the 9th of February 1915. They left the division on the 8th of June 1915 and joined XVI Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       14th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to Gallipoli in 1915 and after the withdrawal were sent to France

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       15th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 15th (Scottish) Divsion and trained at at Charlton Park, Woolwich. They left the Division and landed on Gallipoli at Sulva Bay on the 10th of August 1915. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli to Mudros and then moved to Egypt.

                       15th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 11th of July 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       160th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 18th of September 1916

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       16th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 16th (Irish) Divsion by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. In 1915 16th Heavy Battery left the Division and proceeded to France.

                       16th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 20th of July 1915

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory

                       177th Heavy Battery joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia on the 25th of October 1917, they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. They left the division on the 29th of May 1918

                       17th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 17th (Northern) Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They left the Division and proceeded to France on the 9th of October 1915.

                       17th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery served in Gallipoli from July 1915 and later transferred to the Western Front.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       18th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 18th (Eastern) Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They left the Division and proceeded to Egypt in October 1915 spending most of the war in Salonika.

                       18th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in late September 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       195th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 28th of November 1916

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       19th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 19th (Western) Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 15th to join XXI Brigade RGA

                       19th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in May 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       1st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 2nd Division on the 17th of September 1914 with the BEF. They saw action at Mons, the battle of the Marne, Battle of the Aisne and the 1st Battle of Ypres. In April 1915 they left 2nd Division.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       200th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceede to France on the 2nd of November 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       1st London Heavy Battery was part of the 56th (1st London) Division TF who had just set out for their annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914.

                    The Battery, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns left the Division to join 58th (2/1st London) Division in early 1915 remaining with them in England until 11th of February 1916. They proceeded to France on 3rd of March 1916 where they joined XXVII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       1st Lancashire Heavy Battery was part of the West Lancashire Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division were recalled and underwent training in England before proceeding to France and being renamed 55th (West Lancashire) Division.

                    The Battery, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns left the West Lancashire Division to join 57th Division in April 1915 remaining with them in England until 28th of December 1915. They proceeded to France on 26th of January 1916 where they joined XXIX Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       20th Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 20th (Light) Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France in August.

                       20th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in June 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       21st Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 21st Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 21st of August with XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       21st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in May 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       220th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France, 25th of December 1916.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       22nd Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 22nd Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 31st of August joining XXIII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       22nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in October 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       236th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 29th of January 1917.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       23rd Heavy Battery was raised as divisional artillery for 23rd Divsion in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, they moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe in Kent then moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of May. They left the Division in July 1915 and proceeded to France on the 15th of September 1915, joining No. 1 Group in I Corps. In November 1915 they ransferred to XXII HA Brigade.

                       23rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 20th of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       24th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a pre war unit, which served with 6th Division, they proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire and moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and left the Division in May 1915.

                       24th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 20th of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       25th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was raised with 25th Division in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. 25th Heavy Battery left the division and proceeded to France independently

                       25th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 3rd of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       262nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       26th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 1st Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front.

                    They saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15. They transferred to 2nd Division in February 1915

                       26th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 3rd of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       27th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 4th of September 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       28th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 4th of September 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       297th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       29th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 3rd of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       2nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 17th of September 1914 with the BEF. On the 5th of November 1914 the Battery was in a position near Loisine Beuvry. the war diary records: "Loisne was shelled by the enemy between 10 & 10.30am and again between 1.30 & 2.20pm. During the latter period one shell pitched in the Battery's bivouac killing two gunners (S. Cole and Squires, G)."

                    They were in action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in 1915

                    In late 1918 they were part of Fourth Army, XIII Corps, 85 Brigade RGA, affiliated to 50th Division. On the 10th of October 1918 they were positioned just North of Reumont, providing harassing fire on roads east of Le Cateau.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       31st Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 4th Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front. Equipped with 60pounder guns, they saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15.

                       35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 2nd Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front.

                    They saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15.

                       37th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was raised as part of 37th Division, but was broken up before the Division proceeded to France.

                       384th Siege Battery joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia on the 25th of October 1917, they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib enduring extreme summer temperatures. They left the division on the 1st of October 1918.

                       387th Siege Battery joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia on the 25th of October 1917, they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin. They left the division on the 24th of March 1918

                       38th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was raised as part of 38th Division, but left before the Division proceeded to France, and joined XLII Heavy Artillery Group.

                       395th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery served in Italy in 1917 and went to Mesopotamia in March 1918 with 11th Cavalry Brigade attached to 15th Brigade.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       3rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 17th of September 1914 with the BEF.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       41st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed under the command of Major H.C. Hall in July 1915 composed of regular solider from Hong Kong and Singapore and Territorials from Durham RGA. They proceeded to France on the 9th of December 1915 with four 6 inch Howitzer Guns, which had a range of 9000 yards.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       42nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery saw action at Gallipoli from the 11th of July 1915 and later transferred to the Western Front.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       45th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France arriving on the 31st of August 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       48th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France with 3rd Division, being amongst the first troops to arrive on the Western Front.

                    They saw action in the Battle of Mons, The Marne, The Aisne and First Ypres as well as the Winter operations of 1914-15.

                       4th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 17th of September 1914 with the BEF.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       5th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in September 1914 with the BEF.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       6th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed from men of the 23rd, 39th and 107th Companies RGA. They proceeded to France in September 1914 with the BEF, armed with horse-drawn 6 inch Howitzers of the older 30 cwt type.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       71st Heavy Battery joined 28th Division on the 17th of February 1915. On the 6th of April 1915 they left the Division as the Heavy Artillery was reorganised.

                       74th Heavy Battery joined 13th (Western) Division in Mesopotamia on the 24th of August 1746. They transferred to LXVI Brigade on the 23rd of November 1916

                       8th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery joined the BEF in France in mid October 1914.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 4, 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       91st Heavy Battery trained with 11th (Northern) Division, but left the Division to join 13th (Western) Division on the 7th of June 1915. They proceeded to the Mediterranean landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. They left 13th (Western) Division and joined XCVI Brigade RGA in 1917

                       9th Heavy Battery was formed on the 26th of August 1914 equipped with 4, 4.7inch guns. They proceeded to France with 9th (Scottish) Division in May 1915 and almost immediatley joined H.A.Reserve and went into action near Armentieres. Later the Battery transferred to 16th H.A.Brigade and was re-equipped with 60 pdrs in January 1917

                       9th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 21st of April 1915.

                    The Siege Batteries were deployed behind the front line, tasked with destroying enemy artillery, supply routes, railways and stores. The batteries were equipped with heavy Howitzer guns firing large calibre 6, 8 or 9.2 inch shells in a high trajectory.

                       The 1/1st Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery was part of the 51st (Highland) Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and were sent to Bedford the following week for training . The Highland (Fifeshire) Heavy Battery proceeded to France with 51st Division in late April 1915, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns. Shortly after the Division arrived in Flanders, there was an attack on Ypres, the first using poison gas and the Highland Division was rushed into action to the defend Ypres On 3rd May 1915 the Battery joined IV Brigade HA.

                       The 1/1st Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery was part of the 44th (Home Counties) Division TF at the out break of war in August 1914 the division was mobilized and the brigade artillery took up position at the defensive forts on the south coast.

                    On 22nd September 1914 the Indian Government agreed to exchange 52 regular British and Indian army battalions for 43 Territorial Battalions and the infantry battalions of Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery TF was selected to be sent to India. The Artillery, Medical Corps and Royal Engineers remained in Europe.

                    The Home Counties (Kent) Heavy Battery proceeded to France in December 1915.

                    On 11 Nov 1918 the Battery was in 92nd Brigade RGA supporting 3rd Division.

                       The 1/1st Lowland (Edinburgh) Heavy Battery was part of the 51st (Highland) Division TF who had just set out for their annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and took up position on the Scottish Coastal Defences. The Lowland (Edinburgh) Heavy Battery remained on the Coastal defences when the 51st Division departed for Gallipoli in May 1915. The Battery proceeded to France on the 16th of February 1916 and joined XVII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       1/1st Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery was part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division TF who had just set out for their annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home took up their positions on the Tyne Defences. The Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery proceeded to France with 50th Division in mid April 1915, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns. Shortly after the Division arrived at Steenvoorde in Flanders, there was an attack on Ypres, the first using poison gas and the 50th Division were rushed into action. On 16th May 1915 the Battery joined XIII Heavy Artillery Brigade.

                       1/1st North Midland (Staffordshire) Heavy Battery, was part of the 46th (North Midland) Division TF and was mobilised at the outbreak of war in August 1914 and underwent training in the area around Luton. The battery was equipped with four 4.7-inch guns and they proceeded to France in February 1915 being the first complete TF Division to arrive on the Western Front, spending the first few months of active service in the Ypres Salient.

                    They joined XIII HA Brigade, RGA on 18th of April 1915

                       1/1st South Midland (Warwick) Heavy Battery, was part of the 48th (South Midland) Division TF, based in Birmingham and was mobilised at the outbreak of war in August 1914 and underwent training in the area around Chelmsford, having been recalled from their summer camp. They sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne in mid March 1915 and the Division concentrated near Cassel. The Battery left the Division on 16th of April 1915.

                       1/1st Welsh (Caernarvonshire) Heavy Battery was part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and took up their defensive positions at Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oswestry and Fort Scoveston. At the end of August they moved to Northampton and then to Cambridge in November. In July 1915 the 53rd (Welsh) Division departed for Gallipoli, but the Welsh (Caernarvonshire) Heavy Battery remained in England.

                    The Battery proceeded to France on the 3rd of March 1916 and joined XXIII HA Bde.

                       1/1st Wessex Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was part of the 43rd (Wessex) Division TF at the out break of war in August 1914 the division was mobilized and the brigade artillery took up possition at the defensive forts on the south coast.

                    On 22nd September 1914 the Indian Government agreed to exchange 52 regular British and Indian army battalions for 43 Territorial Battalions and the infantry battalions of 43rd (Wessex) Division TF was selected to be sent to India. The Artillery, Medical Corps and Royal Engineers remained in Europe.

                       1/1st West Riding Heavy Battery was part of the 49th (West Riding) Division TF who had just set out for thier annual summer camp when war was declared in August 1914. The Division returned home and underwent training in south Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The West Riding Heavy Battery proceeded to France on sailing from Southampton to Le Havre in April 1915, equipped with four 4.7-inch guns. On 24 April 1915 the Battery joined VIII Brigade, II Group Heavy Artillery, but returned to support the 49th Division between 13th May and 28th June 1915 at Aubers Ridge.

                       Commanded by a Major (or Captain) with a Captain as second-in-command, each Battery of the Royal Field Artillery was armed with six guns. There were three sections each with two guns, under a Lieutenant (or 2nd Lieutenant). The Battery consisted of 198 men: A Major, a Captain, 6 Lieutenant (or 2nd Lts), a Battery Sergeant-Major, Battery Quartermaster Sergeant, a Farrier-Sergeant, 4 Shoeing Smiths, 2 Saddlers, 2 Wheelers, 2 Trumpeters, 7 Sergeants, 7 Corporals, 11 Bombardiers, 75 Gunners, 70 Drivers and 10 Gunners acting as Batmen for the officers. There was also a small contingent of men trained as signalers and telephonists responsible for the upkeep of telephone lines open between Forward Observation Officers and the Battery, so that fire accuracy or target locations could be reported. The task was extremely hazardous as the lines were repeatedly severed by shellfire, and signallers were responsible for making repairs whilst the Batteries were in action and under enemy fire.

                       LXV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, consisting of 205, 206 and 207 (Howitzer) Batteries and 65th Brigade Ammunition Column served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground.

                    In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were renamed A, B, C and D. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. On the 18th of June C Battery left the brigade and would join 129 Brigade, 27th Division in September.

                    The Brigade underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded. By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916.

                    The Brigade Artillery was reorganised on the 25th of May 1916. A an B Batteries transferred to 62 and 63 Brigades respectively. D Batteries of 62, 63 and 64 Brigades joined and were renamed A, B and C Batteries, 65th brigade. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. LXV (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 30th of August 1916, HQ and one section of A Battery along with B & D Batteries joined 63 Brigade. The guns of B were divided to bring all the brigade batteries up to six guns each. The remaining section of A Battery along with C Battery, moved to 62 Brigade.

                       67th or LXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. In October 1915 they transferred to 10th (Irish) Division who were concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

                       LXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 214, 215 and 216 Batteries RFA and 68th Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were renamed A, B, C and D.

                    The division joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to reinforce the troops at Gallipoli and 68 Brigade RFA rmbarked from Avonmouth on the 18th of June 1915, landing at Alexandria (Egypt) on the 4th of July. Orders were received for 68 Brigade RFA to proceed to Salonika to join the 10th (Irish) Division. They landed at Salonika between 13th and 15th October 1915. On 7th and 8 December 1915 they were in action at Kosturino and later in the retreat from Serbia. Brigades of the Division were in action at the Karajakois between 30th of September and 2 October 1915 then at Yenikoi on the 3rd and 4th of October 1915.

                    On the 31st of July 1916 D Battery transferred and became C Battery, 57 Brigade RFA. B (Howitzer) Battery, 57 Brigade joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 68 Brigade RFA. A Battery was divided on the 27th of December 1916, with one section of two guns each joining B and C Batteries, to bring them up to six guns each, and the former C Battery was renamed A Battery.

                    On the 18th of August 1917, the Division was ordered to concentrate at the port of Salonika for embarkation. Early in September it moved to Egypt and assembled near Rafa. 68 Brigade Ammunition Column merged with 10th Divisional Ammunition Column on the 25th of September 1917. D (Howitzer) Battery was renamed C (Howitzer) Battery before the 3rd of October 1917.

                    The Division was involved in the Palestine campaign thereafter. Between April and June 1918, a major reorganisation took place as many British units were replaced by Indian ones. On 12 November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, ready for moving back to Egypt. By the 1st of December it was at Cairo.

                       LXX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 220, 221 and 222 Batteries RFA and the 71 Brigade Ammunition Column served with 15th (Scottish) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and renamed A, B, C and D. 70 Brigade proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915.

                    In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. On the 22nd of May 1916 71 Brigade Ammunition Column merged with other columms of the divisional artillery to form the 15th Divisional Ammunition Column. On 7th of June 1916 D Battery, 71 Brigade exchanged with B Battery, 73 (Howitzer) Brigade and each adopted the other's name.

                    71 Brigade were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. The brigade was reorganised in early December 1916. C Battery was divided between A and B Battery to bring them up to six guns each, with C Battery, 73 (Howitzer) Brigade joining and being renamed C Battery, 71 Brigade. On the 22nd of January 1917 a section of two howitzers moved from 532 (Howitzer) Battery, 72 Brigade to bring D Battery up to six guns.

                    In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       LXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 223, 224 and 225 Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column served with 15th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. 71 Brigade proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. They were in action in the The Battle of Loos in 1915.

                    In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. On the 22nd May 1916 the Brigade Ammunition Column merged with other columns of the divisional artillery to form the 15th Divisional Ammunition Column. On the 7th of June 1916 D Battery exchanged with C Battery, 73 (Howitzer) Brigade of the same division, each adopting the others name. 71 Brigade were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. The brigade was reorganised in early December 1916. C Battery was split between A and B Battery to bring them up to six guns each. B Battery, 73 (Howitzer) Brigade joined and was renamed C Battery, 71 Brigade. On the 22nd of January 1917 a section of two howitzers from 532 (Howitzer) Battery, 72 Brigade joined to make to D (Howitzer) Battery but to six guns.

                    In 1917 they were in action in The First and Second Battle of the Scarpe, including the capture of Guemappe during the Arras Offensive. They then moved north to Flanders and were in action during the The Battle of Pilckem and The Battle of Langemark. In 1918 they fought in The First Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Soissonnais and the Ourcq taking part in the attack on Buzancy, and The Final Advance in Artois.

                       LXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 226, 227 and 228 Batteries RFA and 72 Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 15th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In February 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. Their first major action was in the The Battle of Loos in September 1915. The Brigade Ammunition Column left on the 22nd of May 1916 merging with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the 15th Divisional Ammunition Coumn. On 7 June 1916 D Battery exchanged with D Battery. 73 (Howitzer) Brigade of the same division and each adopted the other's name. In spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. 532 (Howitzer) Battery, which had just arrived in France, joined on the 16th of November 1916. On the 2nd of December 1916 C Battery was divided between A and B Battery to bring them up to six guns each. A new section of two howitzers joined D Battery.

                    72 Brigade left 15th (Scottish) Division on the 20th of January 1917 to become an Army Brigade RFA. The same day, B Battery 252 Brigade RFA, 50th Division joined on and was renamed C Battery, 72 Brigade RFA. On the 22nd of January 1917, 532 (Howitzer) Battery was split into sections moving to 70 and 71 Brigades RFA.

                       XXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 229, 230 and 231 (Howitzer) Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column, served as Divisional Artillery with 15th (Scottish) Division. 15th (Scottish) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In February 1915 the three six-howitzer batteries were reorganised to become four four-howitzer batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. They proceeded to France in the second week of July 1915. On 7th of August 1915 A (Howitzer) Battery left to join 130 (Howitzer) Brigade of 28th Division and was remamed C (Howitzer) Battery 130 Bde. 73rd Howitzer Brigade were in action in the The Battle of Loos in autumn 1915 and in spring 1916, they were involved in the German gas attacks near Hulluch and the defence of the Kink position. The Brigade Ammunition Column left on 22 May 1916 to merge with others in the divisional artillery to form the 15th Divisional Ammunition Column. On the 7th of June 1916 B, C and D (Howitzer) Batteries moved to 70, 71 and 72 Brigades RFA respectively. The D Batteries of those three brigades arrived to replace them, becoming B, C and D Batteries respectively. In July B, C and D Batteries were renamed as A, B and C respectively.

                    They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich, The Battle of Le Transloy and the attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. 73 (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in the first week of December 1916 A Battery was divided between to B and C Battery. B Battery then moved to 71 Brigade and was renamed C Battery, 71 Bde. C moved to 70 Brigade and was renamed C Battery, 70 Bde.

                       LXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 232, 233 and 234 Batteries RFA and 74 Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 16th (Irish) Division. The 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. Some units were transferred to the 37th and Guards Divisions when they were formed in 1915, including 74 Brigade RFA. On the 23rd of January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were renamed A, B, C and D. In July 1915 74 Brigade RFA left 16th (Irish) Division for training on Salisbury Plain.

                    They landed at Le Havre on the 29th of August 1915 and joined the Guards Division. In 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos. On the 13th of May 1916, 74 Brigade Ammunition Column merged with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the Guards Divisional Ammunition Column. In 1916 they fought on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs. On the 14th of November 1916 the batteries were reorganised into six-gun units. C Battery being divided between A and B Batteries. A Battery, 61 Brigade RFA joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 74 Brigade. Half of D Battery 76 (Howitzer) Brigade joined D (Howitzer) to make the battery up to six howitzers.

                    In 1917 they were in action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Third Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they fought on The Somme, during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice they were near Maubeuge and were then ordered to the Rhine, crossing the German frontier on the 11th of December. Battalions began to return to England on the 20th of February 1919 and had all returned home by the 29th of April 1919.

                       LXXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 247, 248 and 249 Batteries RFA and 79 Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. In January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were renamed A, B, C and D Batteries. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area.

                    In the second week of May 1916 79 Brigade Ammunition Column merged with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form 17th Divisional Ammunition Column. On the 20th of May 1916 D Battery, transferred and became B Battery, 81 Brigade. C (Howitzer) Battery, 81 Brigade joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 78 Brigade. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. C Battery and a section of B Battery, 80 Brigade RFA joined on 31st of August 1916 and brought A, B and C Batteries up to six guns each. On the 10th of January 1917 a section of D (Howitzer) Battery, 81 Brigade joined to make D (Howitzer) Battery up to six guns. They moved up to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

                       LXXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, consisted of 238, 239 and 240 Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column served with 16th (Irish) Division. On 23rd of January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. In July 1915 they left the 16th (Irish) Division and underwent training on Salisbury Plain. They landed at Le Havre on the 3rd of September 1915 and joined the Guards Division. In Autumn 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos. The Brigade Ammunition Column left the brigade on the 13th of May 1916 merging with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the Guards Divisional Ammunition Column. In 1916 they fought on the Somme at the The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, in which the Division captured Lesboeufs. The batteries were reorganised on 14th of November 1916 becoming six-gun units. Two guns of B Battery joined A and C Batteries. B Battery, 61 Brigade RFA joined, merging with half of D Battery 76 (Howitzer) Brigade to become D (Howitzer) Battery, 75 Brigade. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and Third Battle of Ypres including The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Poelkapelle and The First Battle of Passchendale. In 1918 They fought on the Somme during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume. Also The 1918 First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to The Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre

                       LXXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, initially made up of 235, 236 and 237 Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 16th (Irish) Division. The 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. On 23 January 1915 the three six-gun batteries were reorganised to become four four-gun batteries and were titled as A, B, C and D. In July 1915 they left the 16th (Irish) Division and underwent training on Salisbury Plain. They landed at Le Havre on the 3rd of September 1915 and joined the Guards Division. In Autumn 1915 they were in action in The Battle of Loos.

                    The Brigade Ammunition Column left the brigade on the 13th of May 1916 merging with the other columns of the divisional artillery to form the Guards Divisional Ammunition Column.

                    In 1916 they fought on the Somme at the The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, in which the Division captured Lesboeufs. The batteries were reorganised on 14th of November 1916 becoming six-gun units. Two guns of B Battery joined A and C Batteries. B Battery, 61 Brigade RFA joined, merging with half of D Battery 76 (Howitzer) Brigade to become D (Howitzer) Battery, 75 Brigade.

                    In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and Third Battle of Ypres including The Battle of Pilkem, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Poelkapelle and The First Battle of Passchendale. In 1918 They fought on the Somme during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Albert and The Second Battle of Bapaume. Also The 1918 First Battle of Arras, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to The Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre

                       The Naval Hospital at Hull Royal Infirmary, was organised by Lady Nunburnholme. She persuaded the Board of Guardians to loan the East and West wings of the hospital located at Argyle Street. Equipped by Lady Nunburnholme and Lord Glenconner, the Naval Hospital was staffed by trained Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurses. With 220 beds available, it was initially used as a military hospital for the Humber Garrisons, but by early 1917 it was receiving a weekly Royal Navy Ambulance Train.

                     

                       C Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of A, B, C and D Batteries RFA and 100 Brigade Ammunition Column served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. On the 21st of July 1916 C Battery transferred to 101 Brigade, and was renamed C Battery, 101 Brigade. D Battery, 100 Brigade was renamed C Battery, 100 Brigade. C (Howitzer) Battery, 101 Brigade joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 100 Brigade.

                    In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. On the 12th of June 1917 D (Howitzer) Battery transferred to 114 Brigade RFA in 26th Division and was not replaced. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder of the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       CL Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 30th Division. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units of Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. CL Brigade left the Division on the 2nd of January 1917.

                       CLV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain.

                       CLI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 30th Division joining in August 1915. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. CLI (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 26th of August 1916.

                       CLII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 34th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April and the Divisional Artillery joined 5th Division whilst the Infantry was reorganised. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and they returned to action at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                     

                       CLVII (Aberdeen) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

                       CCLV (I Highland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 51st (Highland) Division. They proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

                       256 Brigade RA consisted of A (Forfarshire) Bty, B (Fifeshire) Bty, C (City of Dundee) Bty and an Ammunition Column. They served with served with 51st (Highland) Division. They proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. Initially they were equipped with 15 Pdr Guns then re-equipped with 18Pdr Guns in August 1915. D Heavy Howitzer Bty was added to 256 Brigade in May 1916 armed with 4.5 inch Howitzers when 1/2nd Highland Brigade RFA was renamed to 256 Bde. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

                       CCLVIII (III Highland Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 51st (Highland) Division. The Highland Division was created in 1908 part of the Territorial Force. They had just departed for annual camp when they were recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and concentrated at Bedford. Several units were sent to France as reinforcements for the BEF between November 1914 and March 1915. The rest of the Division proceeded to France in early May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood. 258 (III Highland Howitzer) Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 21st of August 1916.

                       CCLX (I Lowland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 51st (Highland) Division on the 10th of November 1915. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. 260 Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 28th of January 1917.

                       CCX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised

                       CCXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       CCXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the first Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. CCXII Brigade was broken up on the 21st of February 1917.

                       CCXL (I South Midland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       CCXLI (II South Midland) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                       CCXLIII (IV South Midland) (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. They were broken up in October 1916.

                       CCXLV (I West Riding) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 49th (West Riding) Division. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919

                       CCXLVI (II West Riding) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 49th (West Riding) Division. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were involved in the Operations on the Flanders Coast and the The Battle of Poelcapelle during the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action during the Battles of the Lys, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice, The 49th Division was resting at Douai, demobilisation began in early 1919

                       CCXLVII (II West Riding) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 49th (West Riding) Division. The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. CCXLVII (III West Riding) Brigade was broken up on the 28th of February 1917.

                       CCXLVIII (IV West Riding) (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 49th (West Riding) Division The West Riding Division was part of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in August 1914, the units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. They concentrated in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area for training. They proceeded to France in April 1915, the infantry sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne and the other units sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division concentrated in the area around Estaires. Their first action was in the The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of the Somme. CCXLVIII (IV West Riding) (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 18th of October 1916.

                       CCXV (I Wessex) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional Artillery with the Wessex Division which was part of the Territorial Force. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November. They left the Division October 1916 and moved to Mesopotamia.

                       CCXVI (Howitzer) (II Wessex) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with the Wessex Division which was part of the Territorial Force. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November and remaining in India through out the conflict.

                       CCXVII (III Wessex) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional Artillery with the Wessex Division which was part of the Territorial Force. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November and remaining in India through out the conflict.

                       IV Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later renamed CCXVIII Brigade, served as Divisional Artillery with the Wessex Division which was part of the Territorial Force. Just before war broke out in August 1914 the units of the Division gathered on Salisbury Plain for their annual summer camp and ordered arrived for precautionary measures to be taken. On the 3rd of August they broke camp and moved to take up defensive positions at the ports. The division was mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August and by the 10th had returned to Salisbury Plain to prepare for service overseas. The Wessex Division was ordered to India to replace British and Indian regular army units who were to be deployed to the Western Front. They sailed from Southampton on the 19th of October, via Malta and Suez, arriving at Bombay on the 9th of November and remaining in India through out the conflict.

                       4th (North Midlands) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery later renamed CCXXX Brigade served as Divisional artillery with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                       CCXXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                       CCXXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. CCXXXII Brigade left the Division in January 1917.

                       CCXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. CCXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, was broken up in August 1916.

                       5th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later renamed CCXXXV Brigade, served as Divisional artillery with 47th (2nd London) Division. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                       6th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 47th (2nd London) Division. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt.

                    On the 17th of May 1916 6th London Brigade RFA were renamed CCXXXVI Brigade, RFA. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                       7th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later renamed CCXXXVII Brigade, served as Divisional artillery with 47th (2nd London) Division. The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. 237 Brigade, RFA left the Division in November 1916

                       8th London (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later renamed CCXXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, served as Divisional Artillery with 47th (2nd London) Division The 2nd London Division was part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. 238 (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA was broken up in January 1917.

                       CI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       CII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       CIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of A, B, C and D Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column, served with 23rd Division. The batteries were each armed with four 18-pounder field guns. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CIII and CIIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. In mid May 1916 the Brigade Ammunition Column merged with the others of the brigade to become 23rd Divisional Ammunition Column. On the 20th of May 1916 D Battery transferred out and was renamed B Battery, 105 Brigade. B (Howitzer) Battery, 105 Brigade joined and was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 103 Brigade. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In the first week of September 1916 the field gun batteries were made up to six guns with B Battery, 105 Brigade joining to provide two guns to B Battery, 105 Brigade and two guns to C Battery, 103 Brigade. Two guns also joined A Battery, 103 Brigade from C Battery, 105 Brigade. On 18 January 1917 the howitzer battery was also made up to six guns when a section of two joined from C (Howitzer) Battery, 104 Brigade. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       CCLIII (III Northumbrian Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed in 1908 as one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In April they proceeded to France concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. CCLIII (III Northumbrian Howitzer) Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 16th of November 1916.

                       CCX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                       CCLI (II Northumbrian) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was a territorial unit which served with 50th (Northumberland) Division. They saw action on the Western Front from April 1915 until the Armistice of the Great War.

                       CCXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The East Lancashire Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, when war broke out in August 1914 all units were mobilised at once for war service. They were the firts Territorial Division to move overseas, embarking for Egypt on the 9th of September 1914 to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. CCXII Brigade was broken up on the 21st of February 1917.

                       CIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CIII and CIIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Messines, The Battles of the Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In November 1917 the Division moved to Italy concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at the Montello on the 4th of December. In 1918 they were in action during the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and the Monticano. At the Italian Armistice at 3pm on the 4th of November, the 23rd were midway between the Rivers Livenza and Meduna, east of Sacile. They moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation took place in January and February 1919.

                       LIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. On the 29th of August 1917 they transferred to 28th Division, they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       CIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 23rd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, they moved to Aldershot. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIVI and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy including the capture of Le Sars. On the 18th of January 1917 CIV Brigade left 23rd Division.

                       LIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the Artillery training at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       CLVIII (Accrington and Burnley) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. CLVIII Brigade, was broken up on the 28th of February 1917

                       CLVIX (Glasgow) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. In 1917 they were in action during The pursuit to the Hindenburg Line, at Houthulst Forest and The Second Battle of Passchendaele.In 1918 they fought in the First Battle of Bapaume, and the Final Advance in Flanders including The Battle of Courtrai and The action of Tieghem. Hey crossed the River Scheldt near Berchem on the 9th of November and by the Armistice they had entered Grammont. They moved back to Eperlecques and many of the miners were demobilised in December. In January 1919, units of the Division were sent to Calais to quell rioting in the transit camps. The last of the Division were demobilised in April 1919.

                       CLX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 34th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. 103rd Brigade and the Divisional Pioneers also saw action in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in the The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the The Battle of Arleux during the Arras Offensive. In August they were involved in the fighting at Hargicourt and in October they took part in The Third Battles of Ypres at the Broenbeek. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin and then moved to Flanders seeing action in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Bailleul and The First Battle for Kemmel Ridge during the Battles of the Lys, suffering heavy losses. The 34th Division was then withdrawn from fighting and on the 21st of April and the Divisional Artillery joined 5th Division whilst the Infantry was reorganised. By the 1st of July 1918 34th Division had been reconstituted and they returned to action at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                       CLXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain.

                       CLXIII (West Ham Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 35th Division. The Division was largely comprised "Bantam" units, with troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches. After initial training close to home, the new division concentrated around Masham, North Yorkshire June 1915. The Division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training in August. They were ordered to Egypt in late 1915, but the order was soon cancelled and they proceeded to France in the last week of January 1916, the division concentrated east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme at Bazentin Ridge, Arrow Head Copse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. CLXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, was broken up on the 9th of September 1916.

                       CLXIV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain.

                       CLXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 31st Division on the 30th of December 1915 at Fovant on Salisbury Plain.

                       CLXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised by the Thames Ironworks Company and served as Divisional artillery with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                        CLXXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised by the Thames Ironworks Compan and served as Divisional artillery with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. CLXXIX Brigade was broken up on the 18th of January 1917.

                       CLXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served wth 34th Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's Fifth New Army and was mainly comprised of locally raised Pals Battalions. After initial training near home, they concentrated at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid 1915, In late August they moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. CLXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 28th August 1916.

                       CLXXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 22nd of February 1916 in France. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 with the Division suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       CLXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served wth 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       CLXXX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 22nd of February 1916 in France. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. In 1917 they fought at the The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Langemark, during the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme 1918 with the Division suffering very heavy casualties. On the 18th of June 1918 the Division returned England and was reconstituted loosing almost all of its remaining Irish units at this point. The reformed Division returned to France on the 1st of August 1918 and fought in The Final Advance in Artois.

                       CLXXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The capture of Fifteen Ravine, Villers Plouich, Beaucamp and La Vacquerie abd The Cambrai Operations, including the capture of Bourlon Wood in November. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume on the Somme then the The Battle of Estaires and The Battle of Hazebrouck in Flanders, suffering heavy losses. The Division was reduced to a cadre and were reorganised, returning to action in July in The Final Advance in Flanders and the Battle of Ypres. At the armistice they had just been relieved and moved to Lannoy. On the 2th of November they moved to Roubaix and demobilisation began.

                       CLXXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 16th (Irish) Division on the 22nd of February 1916 in France. They were in action on the Somme during the The Battle of Guillemont in which the Division captured the village and The Battle of Ginchy. The Brigade was broken up on the 27th of August 1916.

                       CLXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentratingbetween Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. CLXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up November 1916

                       CLXXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised by the Thames Ironworks Compan and served as Divisional artillery with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubth of November 1916.

                       CLXXXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. CLXXXIX Brigade left the division in January 1917.

                       CLXXXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. CLXXXV Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 31st of August 1916.

                       CLXXXVI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 39th Division. The Division was formed in the Winchester area in early August 1915 moving to the Marlborough Lines at Aldershot on the 28th of September where additional units joined and they moved to Witley in October, where the full compliment was reached. The Division, minus 118th Brigade who were behind with their training, proceeded to France in late February 1916, concentrating near Blaringhem and receiving five battalions from other divisions to replace those of 118th Brigade. On the 30th June 1916 they were in action in an attack near Richebourg l'Avoue with the Sussex battalions suffered heavy casualties. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including, the fighting on the Ancre, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre heights and the capture of Schwaben Reddoubt and Stuff Trench as well as The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they fought in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action at The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Rosieres before moving to Flanders. They took part n The fighting on Wytschaete Ridge, The First and Second Battle of Kemmel and The Battle of the Scherpenberg. The Division had suffered heavy losses and they were reduced to a cadre by the 1st of June 1918 and took on a role supervising courses of instruction for newly arrived American troops, beginning with units of the 77th American Division at Wolphus. They moved to Varengeville on the 15th of August. By the Armistice the order had already been given to disband the training cadres and they took over the role of operating embarkation camps and reinforcement depots as demobilization began.

                       CLXXXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       CLXXXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 40th Division. The Division was formed between September and December 1915. They proceeded to France between the 2nd and 6th of June 1916 and concentrated near Lillers. They went into the front line near Loos and were later in action in The Battle of the Ancre on the Somme. CLXXXVIII Brigade, RFA was broken up on the 1st of September 1916.

                       CV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 23rd Division. 23rd Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and concentrated in Hampshire in September with 68th Brigade at Bullswater, 69th and 70th brigades at Frensham. The artillery units assembled at Mytchett Camp in November. As the winter set in, the Division moved to Aldershot, with CII and CIII Artillery Brigades moving to Ewshott. At the end of February 1915 they moved to Shorncliffe, Kent, and some of the infantry were engaged in constructing defences to the south of London in April and May, before the Division moved to Bordon, Hampshire at the end of the month. They proceeded to France in the third week of August, landing at Boulogne and concentrating near Tilques. On the 5th of September 23rd Division became attached to III Corps, moving to the Merris-Vieux Berquin area, for trench familiarisation under the guidance of the 20th (Light) and 27th Divisions. They took over front line sector between Ferme Grande Flamengrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right on the 14th. During the Battle of Loos CIII and CV Brigades RFA were in action attached to 8th Division. With 23rd Division holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On the 3rd of March they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division, with the Artillery taking over an exposed position between Carency and Bois de Bouvigny where it was subjected to heavy shelling. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid April they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid May when they again took over the Souchez-Angres front, just before the German Attack on Vimy Ridge on the 21st. The brunt of the attack fell on 47th (London) Division, to the right of 23rd Division and the 23rd Divisional Artillery went into action in support of the 47th. On the 1st of June the Artillery supported 2nd Division as they undertook operations to recover lost ground. On the 11th of June the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. They were in action in The Battle of Albert including the capture of Contalmaison, The Battles of Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres. CV (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in early September 1916.

                       CVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       CVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Vimy Ridge in the Spring, The Battle of Messines in June and Third Battle of Ypres in October before moving south where they were in action during The Cambrai Operations when the Germans counter attacked. In 1918 they were in action on the Somme and The Battle of Cambrai and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were in the line 1.5 miles east of the Maubeuge-Mons road. They moved back to the area between Denain and Douai at the end of November moved to St Amand-Orchies, then on the 18th of December the Division moved to Tournai for demobilisation, which was completed by 26 March 1919.

                       CVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on 4 September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. CVIII Brigade left 24th Divsion on the 27th of January 1917.

                       CX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June most units of the Division returned to England to reconstitute. The atillery remained in France and between the 26th of May and 4th of June CX Brigade was attached to 8th Division. On the 31st of July the fought with 58th Division, and joined 12th Division on the 4th of August, for the Battles of Amiens and Albert. On the 30th of August they transferred to 47th Division and were in action at the Second Battle of Bapaume. CX Brigade took part in the Battle of Epehy and on the 25th of September transferred to the Australian Corps and was in action in the Battle of the Saint-Quentin Canal. They rejoined the 25th Division on the 4th of October during the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       CXC Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 41st Division. The Division was formed at Aldershot in September 1915 from locally raised units from the south of England. They proceeded to France in the first week of May 1916, the division concentrating between Hazebrouck and Bailleul. In 1916 they were in action at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges on the Somme. In 1917 they fought during The Battle of Messines, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of the Menin Road and took part in the Operations on the Flanders coast. In November the Division was ordered to Italy, moving by train to Mantua. The Division took the front line near the River Piave, north west of Treviso. In February they were summoned back to France and departed from Campo San Piero, travelling by train to concentrate near Doullens and Mondicourt. They were in action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The Battle of Arras before moving to Flanders for The Battles of the Lys. They were in action during the Final Advance in Flanders, at Courtrai and Ooteghem. At the Armistice the advanced units were at Nederbrakel, Tenbosch and the River Dender. 41st Division was chosen to join the Army of Occupation, and on the 12th of January 1919, the Division took over the left section of the Cologne bridgehead. Demobilisation began in March and the Division was renamed the London Division.

                       CXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. CXI Brigade was broken up on the 27th of November 1916.

                        CXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. In 1917 they were in action at The Battle of Messines attacking between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. In the Third battle of Ypres were were in action during The Battle of Pilkem. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, where the suffered heavy casualties and in June most units of the Division returned to England to reconstitute. The atillery remained in France and between the between the 26th of May and 21st of June 1918 CXII Brigade was attached to 21st Division. On the 31st of July the fought with 58th Division, and joined 12th Division on the 4th of August, for the Battles of Amiens and Albert. On the 30th of August they transferred to 47th Division and were in action at the Second Battle of Bapaume. On the 25th of September transferred to the Australian Corps and was in action in the Battle of the Saint-Quentin Canal. They rejoined the 25th Division on the 4th of October during the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       XIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 25th Division. The Division was formed in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and assembled in the area around Salisbury. They proceeded to to France in late September 1915 and concentrated in the area of Nieppe. Their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to The Somme and joined the Battle just after the main attack, with 75th Brigade making a costly attack near Thiepval on the 3rd of July. The Division was in action at The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights. CXIII (Howitzer) Brigade left the division on the 14th of February 1917.

                       CXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       CXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 38th (Welsh) Division from August 1915. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months and CXIX Brigade left they division on the 14th of January 1917.

                       CXLIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 30th Division. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units of Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       CXLVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 28th Division The Division was formed at Hursley, Pitt Hill and Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester during December 1914 and January 1915, as regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception CXLVI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and left the divsion in August 1917.

                       CXLVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 30th Division. 30th Division was formed in April 1915 from units of Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November, sailing to Le Harve and Bologne and concentrating near Amiens. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in which the Division captured Montauban. In 1917 they took part in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras Offensive and The Battle of Pilkem Ridge. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. The army reorganisation in February 1918 brought big changes to 30th Division, with many of the Pals battalions being replaced by Battalions from the London Regiment. They were in action during the Advance in Flanders and by the Armistice had crossed the River Scheldt with advanced units reaching the line between Ghoy and la Livarde, north west of Lessines. In January 1919 30th Division took up duty at the Base Ports of Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne and Etaples and demobilisation began.

                       CXLVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 29th Division. The Division was formed in late 1914 from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In January 1917 they left 29th Division.

                       CXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       CXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 hey were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 some units of the Division moved back to France and the remainer were in action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       CXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill. In 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. On the 9th of August 1917 they transferred to 74th (Yeomanry) Division and were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza, including the Capture of Beersheba, and the capture of the Sheria Position and in December the capture of and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they were in action during The Battle of Tell'Asur until the 9th of March when the moved back to Lydda and the artillery was reorganised. In April they moved to Kantara then sailed from Alexandria on the 29th of April for Marseilles, moving by train to Rue, near Abbeville. Training for trench warfare was undertaken, notably gas defence drills and at the end of May they moved to Doullens. On the 14th of July, the Division took over in the front line near Merville. In September they were in action in The Second Battles of the Somme (Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battles of the Hindenburg Line including the Battle of Epehy and fought in The Final Advance in Artois and Flanders. at the Armistice the division was at Ath. Five days later they moved to the area around Tournai.

                       CXX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 38th (Welsh) Division from August 1915. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months and CXX Brigade was broken up broken up in late August 1916.

                       CXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served as Divisional artillery with 38th (Welsh) Division from August 1915. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       CXXII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional artillery with 38th (Welsh) Division from August 1915. The Division was formed from volunteer units that had already been raised by public subscription and private projects. They proceeded to France between in late November and early December 1915. In July 1916 they were in action at Mametz Wood on The Somme, suffering severe casualties. The Division did not return to major action for more than a 12 months. In 1917 they were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres, in 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy Demobilisation began in December 1918 and was complete by June 1919.

                       CXXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 27th Division joining in August 1915. The 27th Division was formed at at Magdalen Hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 from regular army units who had arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       CXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 4th Division. The Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. They left 4th Division in May 1916.

                       CXXVIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       CXXX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined 28th Division in September 1915 as the division assembled near Winchester with regular units arrived back in England from garrisons of the Empire. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       CXXXII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 10th (Irish) Division from 26 April 1916. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. They were broken up on the 25th of January 1917.

                       CXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 11th (Northern) Division from 26 April 1916. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. CXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in January 1917.

                       I Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 13, 67 and 69 Batteries, was stationed in Edinburgh when war broke out. In the first few moths, 13 Battery transferred to 17 Brigade and 67 Battery moved to 20 Brigade RFA and 98 Brigade joined from 20 Brigade The brigade was re-formed at Winchester on 23rd of November 1914 and joined 27th Division. 1st Brigade, RFA now comprised of 98, 132 and 133 Batteries.

                    27 Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions.

                    On the 9th of February 1915, 11 Battery arrived from 15 Brigade but one section (two guns) of 11 Battery then transferred to 20 Brigade on the 10th. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived.

                    On the 25th of July 1916, 133 Battery exchanged places with B Battery, 129 Brigade which was renamed D (How) Battery, 1 Bridage. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. On 28th of December 1916 98 Battery was split up, with two sections joining 11 and 132 Batteries respectively. 132 Battery was then renamed 98 Battery, 1 Brigade.

                    In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       In August 1914 II Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was in Ireland and comprised number 21, 42 and 53 Batteries. They were mobilised and joined 6th Division and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On 12 May 1916, 87 (Howitzer) Battery (less one section) joined from 12 Brigade. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy, in 1917 they were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai.In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       In August 1914 III Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of of 18, 62 and 75 Batteries was based at at Jullundur, with 75 Bty stationed at Peshawar. They were ordered to return to England and landed on the 16th of November 1914. At Winchester, the batteries were reorganised, 75 Battery left the brigade and 365 Battery was formed from part of 62 Battery.

                    3 Brigade, now made up of 18, 62 and 365 Batteries, joined 28th Division. They proceeded to France in January 1915 and the Division concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. On 20 February 1915, 22 Battery joined from 34 Brigade. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. They were ordered to Salonika in October, 22 Battery left the Brigade before the move. They arrived at Alexandria in Egypt by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. On 10th of August 1917, D Battery joined from 146 Brigade and now became D (Howitzer) Battery, 3 Brigade. The following day, 365 Battery was split with the two sections joining 18 and 62 Batteries respectively. In 1918 they were in action at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts.

                       LII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 9th Scottish Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Le Transloy. They left the Division on the 8th of January 1917.

                       LIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 9th (Scottish) Division. 9th (Scottish) Division was formed in late August 1914, part of Kitchener's First New Army. Following training in Scotland, they moved to Salisbury in late August and to Bordon in September. They proceeded to France between the 9th and 12th of May 1915 and went into action in the The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, including the capture of Longueval and The Battle of Delville Wood. The formation was broken up on the 11th of September 1916.

                       CIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 24th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army and began to assemble in the area of Shoreham. The division suffered from a lack of equipment and a lack of trained officers and NCOs to command the volunteers. In late June 1915 they moved to Aldershot for final training and they proceeded to France at the end of August. The Division concentrated in the area between Etaples and St Pol on the 4th of September and a few days later marched across France into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, going into action on the 26th of September and suffering heavy losses. In 1916 they suffered in the German gas attack at Wulverghem and then moved to The Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Guillemont. CIX (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 3rd of October 1916.

                       LV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In January 1916 they transferred to 13th Division who had taken part in The last Turkishh attacks at Helles. They were evacuated from Helles to Egypt and concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis,), crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       LVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In January 1916 they transferred to 13th Division who had taken part in The last Turkishh attacks at Helles. They were evacuated from Helles to Egypt and concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis,), crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.

                       LVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 10th (Irish) Division. 10th (Irish) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training at the regimental depots, in 1915 the Division moved to the Curragh, Newbridge and Kildare. They moved to England in May concentrating around Basingstoke. They departed from Liverpool on the 9th of July for Lemnos. Most of the Division landed at Sulva Bay on the 6th and 7th of August 1915 and made an attack on Chocolate Hill on the 7th and 8th. The 29th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove and went into action on Sari Bair between the 6th and 10th of August then went on to attack Hill 60 later in the month. They were withdrawn from Gallipoli on the 29th of September 1915 to Mudros, moving to Salonika, landing between the 5th and 10th of October. On the 7th and 8th of December they were in action at Kosturino, in the retreat from Serbia. Some units of the Division were in action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi in late September and early October. In January 1916 they transferred to 13th Division who had taken part in The last Turkishh attacks at Helles. They were evacuated from Helles to Egypt and concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. They left the Division to join XII Corps Artillery on the 28th of August 1917, serving with 26th Brigade from September 1917. They saw action in the Third Battle of Doiran and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley. Advance units crossed the Serbian-Bulgarian boarder on the 25th of September but the Armitice with Bulgaria came just two days later. The Division advanced towards Adrianople in Turkey, but fighting was soon at an end and 26th Division became part of the Army of the Danube and later the Occupation of Bulgaria. Demobilisation began in February 1919, with Italian troops arriving to replace British units.

                       LVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the Artillery training at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. In 1917 they were in action in Operations on the Ancre then moved north to Flanders for The Battle of Messines, The Battle of the Langemarck, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. In 1918 they were at Arras for The 1918 Battle of the Scarpe and The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line and fought in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armistice the Division was on high ground east of Havay.

                       LX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 11th (Northern) Division. 11th (Northern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After initial training close to home, the units of the Division concentrated with the Artillery training at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon. On the 4th of April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training. They sailed for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros at the end of June 1915. They landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on the 6th and 7th of August. On the 19th and 20th of December 1915 the Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli, moving to Imbros then to Egypt at the end of January. They concentrated at Sidi Bishr and took over a section of the Suez canal defences on the 19th of February. On the 17th of June 1916 the Division was ordered to France to reinforce Third Army on The Somme. They departed from Alexandria on with the last units leaving on the 3rd of July. By the 27th July, they were in the front line on the Somme and took part in The capture of the Wundt-Werk, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Thiepval. LX Brigade was broken up in January 1917.

                       LXI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       62nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                        LXIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. In March 1918 they moved by motor lorry from Busnes to Albert and were in action in The Battle of Bapaume and spent the spring engaged in heavy fighting a the enemy advanced across the old Somme battlefields. On the 1st of July 1918, they attacked Bouzincourt. but were repelled by the enemy. They were relieved on the 10th and moved to the area south of Amiens. They were in action in The Battle of Amiens and were engaged in heavy fighting from the 22nd pushing the enemy back and capturing Meaulte, Mametz, Carnoy, Hardecourt and Faviere Wood with in a week. In September they were in action in a successful attack on Nurlu and pursued the enemy back to Sorel Wood. They were in action during The battles of the Hindenburg Line, including The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of the St Quentin canal. In October they fought in The Final Advance in Artois reaching the Scheldt Canal by the 27th. They were withdrawn for rest on the 30th and after the Armistice moved to the area east of Douai and were engaged in battlefield salvage and sports until demobilisation began.

                       LXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. They moved north and in 1917 were in action at Arras in The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of Arleux and The Third Battle of the Scarpe. They remained in the Arras sector until the 30th of October when they moved to Hesdin for the Cambrai offensive in which the Division suffered heavy losses. LXIV Brigade left the division on the 6th of January 1917

                       LXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. In October 1915 they transferred to 10th (Irish) Division who were concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

                       LXV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 12th (Eastern) Division. 12th (Eastern) Division was formed in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army. The Division concentrated in late August with 35th Brigade and artillery near Shorncliffe, 36th Brigade at Colchester, 37th Brigade at Purfleet, Engineers and RAMC at Hounslow, ASC initially were at Aldershot then moved to Lord's Cricket Ground. Final training was undertaken near Aldershot from the 20th of February 1915, with the cavalry, motor machine gun battery, sanitary and veterinary sections joining. They proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. In June they moved to Flesselles and carried out a training exercise. They moved to Baizieux on the 30th June and went into the reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt by mid morning on the 1st of July. They relieved the 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boisselle that night and attacked at 3.15 the following morning with mixed success. On the 7th they attacked again and despite suffering heavy casualties in the area of Mash Valley, they succeeded in capturing and holding the first and second lines close to Ovillers. They were withdrawn to Contay on the 9th July. They were in action in The Battle of Pozieres on the 3rd of August with a successful attack capturing 4th Avenue Trench and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn on the 9th. LXV (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 30th of August 1916.

                       CXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 26th Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The units of the new division began to to assemble in the Salisbury Plain area from September 1914. Training was much improvised as equipment and Khaki uniforms were not available until early spring 1915. They proceeded to France in September 1915 and the division concentrated at Guignemicourt to the west of Amiens. In November 1915 26th Division moved to Salonika via Marseilles. On the 26th of December they moved from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill. In 1917 the fought in the First and Second Battles of Doiran. On the 9th of August 1917 they transferred to 74th (Yeomanry) Division and were in action during The Third Battle of Gaza, including the Capture of Beersheba, and the capture of the Sheria Position and in December the capture of and defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 they were in action during The Battle of Tell'Asur until the 9th of March when the moved back to Lydda and the artillery was reorganised. In April they moved to Kantara then sailed from Alexandria on the 29th of April for Marseilles, moving by train to Rue, near Abbeville. Training for trench warfare was undertaken, notably gas defence drills and at the end of May they moved to Doullens. On the 14th of July, the Division took over in the front line near Merville. In September they were in action in The Second Battles of the Somme (Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battles of the Hindenburg Line including the Battle of Epehy and fought in The Final Advance in Artois and Flanders. at the Arnistice the division was at Ath. Five days later they moved to the area around Tournai.

                       LXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 13th (Western) Division. 13th (Western) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army and began to assemble on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914 and 39th Brigade to Basingstoke in January 1915. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, he capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined \"Marshall's Column\" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma), Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. In October 1915 they transferred to 10th (Irish) Division who were concentrating near Rafa to prepare for the Palestine Campaign. Between April and June 1918, many British units of the Division were replaced by Indian units. On the 12th of November 1918 the Division concentrated at Sarafand, before moving back to Egypt, being in Cairo by the 1st of December.

                       LXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 16th (Irish) Division. The 16th Irish Division was established by the Irish Command in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They moved to England and into barracks in Aldershot by the end of the month. They left the Division in July 1915 but rejoined in France on the 22nd of February 1916 and saw action on the Somme, they left the Division on the 22nd of February 1917.

                       LXXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. In 1917 they moved to Arras and saw action in The First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and The Capture of Roeux. In late summer they moved to Flanders and fought in The First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Amiens, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Havrincourt, The Battle of Epehy and The Battle of Cambrai followed by The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was south east of Maubeuge and was quickly withdrawn to the area west of Le Cateau. On the 6th of December they moved back behind Amiens and went to billets around Hallencourt. Demobilisation of the Division began in January 1919.

                       LXXX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. LXXX Brigade was broken up on the 31st of August 1916.

                       LXXXI (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 17th (Northern) Division. 17th (Northern) Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After initial training close to home, the Division moved to Dorset to continue training and then in late May 1915 moved to the Winchester area. The division had been selected for Home Defence duties, but this was reversed and they proceeded to France in July 1915 concentrating near St Omer. They moved into the Southern Ypres salient for trench familiarisation and then took over the the front lines in that area. In the spring of 1916 they were in action at the Bluff, south east of Ypres on the Comines canal then moved south to The Somme seeing action during The Battle of Albert in which the Division captured Fricourt and The Battle of Delville Wood. LXXXI (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up in January 1917.

                       LXXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       LXXXIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they took part in the Operations on the Ancre including Miraumont and the capture of Irles, the fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and in The Third Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Flanders. They were in action in The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Langemarck and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of the Avre, The actions of Villers-Brettoneux, The Battle of Amiens and The Battle of Albert where the Division captured the Tara and Usna hills near La Boisselle and once again captured Trones Wood. They fought in The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre. At the Armistice the Division was in XIII Corps Reserve near Le Cateau and demobilisation began on the 10th of December 1918.

                       LXXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. They left the division on the 25th of January 1917.

                       LXXXIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 19th (Western) Divsion. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. The Brigade was broken up on the 9th of September 1916.

                       LXXXV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 18th (Eastern) Division. 18th (Eastern) Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The Division initially concentrated in the Colchester area but moved to Salisbury Plain in May 1915. They proceeded to France in July and concentrated near Flesselles. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme in The Battle of Albert capturing their objectives near Montauban, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge including the capture of Trones Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Thiepval Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights playing a part in the capture of the Schwaben Redoubt and Regina Trench and The Battle of the Ancre. LXXXV (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up 3 December 1916

                       LXXXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. They left the division on the 23rd of January 1917.

                       LXXXVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       LXXXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 19th (Western) Division. The Division was formed in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. The new units concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being based at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions spent the winter in billets in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare, returning to the area around Tidworth on the 15th of March 1915. They proceeded to France in mid July and concentrated near St Omer. Their first action was at Pietre, in a diversionary action supporting the Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battle of the Somme, capturing La Boisselle and being involved in The attacks on High Wood, The Battles of Pozieres Ridge, the Ancre Heights and the Ancre. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines and the Third Battles of Ypres. In 1918 They fought on The Somme during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of Bapaume and in the Battles of the Lys at Messines, Bailleul and The First Battle of Kemmel Ridge. They fought in The Battle of the Aisne and during the Final Advance in Picardly they were in action in The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice were were in billets near Bavay. Demobilisation began in December 1918 and the final cadres returned to England on the 27th of June 1919.

                       VIII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, comprised 37, 61 and 65 (Howitzer) Batteries, and was in Ireland serving with 5th Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre in mid August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. On the 21st of February 1915, 61 (Howitzer) battery transferred to 27th Division. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. VIII (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up on the 21st of May 1916 with 37 (Howitzer) Battery minus one sections transferring to to 27 Brigade RFA and 65 (Howitzer) Battery less one section transferring to 28 Brigade RFA and the two remaining sections became D Battery, 15 Brigade RFA.

                       XL Brigade, Royal Field Artillery comprised of 6,23 and 49 Batteries, served with 3rd Division and proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In May 1916, 130 (Howitzer) battery joined the Brigade. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 They were at Arras, seeing action at Battles of the Scarpe and The Battle of Arleux. They moved north to the Flanders and were in action during The Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. Then moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Battle of the Selle.

                       XLI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 2nd Division and proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre.

                       XCI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of the Menin Road Ridge, The Battle of Polygon Wood and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought in The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings and The Battle of Rosieres engaging in heavy fighting in each battle, on the 20th of April they were withdrawn to the area south west of Amiensand received many new drafts of men during the summer. They returned to action at The Battle of the Selle and fought in The Battle of Valenciennes, The Battle of the Sambr and the passage of the Grand Honelle. At the Armitice the Division was in the area between Bavay and Maubeuge and later that month the units moved to the Toutencourt-Marieux area. Demobilistion of the Division began in January 1919 and was complete by the end of May.

                       92nd (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served wth 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. XCII (Howitzer) Brigade, left the Division on the 8th of January 1917.

                       XCIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont. XCIII Brigade was broken up on the 9th of September 1916.

                       XLIV (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 2nd Division and proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914, they remained on the Western Front throughout the war. It took part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15 and in 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos.

                       XCIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919.

                       XCIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       XLV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 8th Division. 8th Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       XLVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, XLVI and XLVII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       XLVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 14th (Light) Division. 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The First and Third Battle of the Scarpe at Arras, The Battle of Langemark and The First and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they returned to the Somme and were in action during The Battle of St Quentin and The Battle of the Avre, suffering very heavy casualties with almost 6,000 men of the Division killed or injured, XLVII and XLVIII Brigades RFA lost all their guns. The Division was withdrawn from the front line and were engaged building a new defensive line to the rear. On the 26th of April, the infantry battalions were reduced to a training cadre and on the 17th of June the Division returned to England for re-establishment. They returned to France in the first week of July and joined Second Army, seeing action at Ypres 1918 and in the final advance in Flanders

                       XLVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served as Divisional Artillery with 14th (Light) Division. The Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They left 14th Division on the 7th of January 1917.

                       XCVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       XII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 43, 86 and 87 (Howitzer) Batteries, served with 6th Division and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On the 18th of May 1915 86 (Howitzer) Battery transferred to 127 Brigade in 4th Division. They left 6th Division and 12 Brigade RFA was broken up on the 12th of May 1916, 43 (Howitzer) Battery less a section moved to 24 Brigade, 87 (Howitzer) Battery less a section moved to 2 Brigade and the remaining two sections became D Battery, 38 Brigade.

                       XIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, comprised 39th, 68th and 88th Batteries and served as Divisional artillery with 4th Division. The Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. 14th Brigade, RFA were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. 39th Battery transferred to XIX Brigade on the 8th of February 1915. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. In 1916 they moved south and 86 (Howitzer) Battery (less one section) joined in May. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme. They left 4th Division on the 14th January 1917 to become an Army Brigade. B Battery, 188th Brigade RFA joined and became A Battery of the Brigade and 86th (Howitzer) Battery transferred to XXXII Brigade RFA.

                       XIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 95, 96 and 97 Batteries, was in India as part of 6th (Poona) Division, Indian Army when war broke out. they were recalled to England and joined 27th Division at Winchester on the 19 November 1914. 19 Brigade RFA was reorganised, with 95 Battery being divided to form a new 131 Battery. 97 Battery transferred to 167 Brigade. The Division proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. On 9th of February 1915 39 Battery arrived from 14 Brigade. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 25th of July 1916, 95 Battery left for 129 Brigade. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war wasordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       XC Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 20th (Light) Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. After training close to home with little equipment, the units of the Division assembled in the Aldershot area with brigades at Blackdown, Deepcut and Cowshott. In February 1915. The Division moved to Witley, Godalming and Guildford, with the artillery moving by train as there not enough harnesses for the horses, though they had just been equipped with 12 old guns brought back from India. The Division moved to to Salisbury Plain in April for final training and proceeded to France in late July, concentrating in the Saint-Omer area. They moved to the Fleurbaix area for trench familiarisation. In 1916 they were in action at the The Battle of Mount Sorrel, in which the Division, along with the Canadians, recaptured the heights. They were in action on the Somme in The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont. XC Brigade was broken up on the 30th of August 1916.

                       XLIX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 14th (Light) Division 14th (Light) Division was formed as part of Kitchener's First New Army. After training they proceeded to France. They fought in the The Action of Hooge, being the first division to be attacked by flamethrowers. They were in action in The Second Attack on Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were on the Somme seeing action in The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette. They were broken up on the 16th of October 1916

                       XCIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 22nd Division. The Division was established in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army. The division assembled for training in the area of Eastbourne and Seaford, with the artillery based at Lewes. They proceeded to France in early September 1915, concentrating near Flesselles. In October they moved to Marseilles by train and embarked for Salonika on the 27th. In 1916 the division fought in the the Battle of Horseshoe Hill and Battle of Machukovo. In 1917 they were in action during the Battles of Doiran. In mid 1918 a number of units transferred to France, the remainder fo the division again being in action at Doiran just before the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed at the end September 1918. By the 20th of October the Division was at Stavros and embarked on destroyers to attempt a landing at Dede Agach, but rough weather forced abandonment and the infantry finally landed on the 28th and reached Makri before the Armistice with Turkey. Demobilisation began at Chugunsi and was complete by the end of March 1919.

                       XCV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations. In 1918 they fought on The Somme then moved north and were in action during the Battles of the Lys,,the Battle of the Aisne, The Somme, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the Division were around Berlaimont, on the 12th they moved to Beaufort, then in mid December they moved west of Amiens and demobilisation began being completed by the 19th of May 1919

                       XCVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, served with 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. XCVI Brigade was broken up on the 13th of January 1917.

                       XCVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served wth 21st Division. 21st Division was established in September 1914, as part Kitchener's Third New Army. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets, with the artillery at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted. In May 1915 they moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp for final training. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France to going into the reserve for the British assault at Loos on the 26th of September suffering heavy casualties. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. XCVII (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up at the end of August 1916.

                       XV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, comprised 11, 52 and 80 Batteries and served with 5th Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battles of La Bassee and Messines and The First Battle of Ypres. On the 9th of February 1915, 11 Battery transferred to I Brigade. In 1915 they were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and the Capture of Hill 60. In autumn 1915, many units were exchanged with units from the newly arrived volunteer 32nd Division, to stiffen the inexperienced Division with regular army troops. In March 1916 5th Division took over a section of front line between St Laurent Blangy and the southern edge of Vimy Ridge, near Arras. On the 21st of May 1916 a section from 37 (Howitzer) Battery and one from 65 (Howitzer) Battery of VIII Brigade joined and became D Battery. They moved south in July to reinforce The Somme and were in action at, High Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. On 14 October 1916 526 (How) Battery joined (it was renamed C Battery XV brigade by the 11th of December). On the on 21st of January 1917 C Battery was broken up with sections transferring to D Battery and to XXVIII Brigade, in exchange for A Battery XXVII Brigade, which became A Battery XV Brigade. In October they moved to Festubertand remained there until March 1917 when they moved in preparation for the Battles of Arras. On 7 September 1917 the 5th Division moved out of the line for a period of rest before, being sent to Flanders where they were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. 5th Division was sent to Italy and took up positions in the line along the River Piave in late January 1918. They were recalled to France to assist with the German Advance in late March 1918 and were in action during the Battles of the Lys. On the 14th of August 1918 the 5th Division was withdrawn for two weeks rest. Then moved to The Somme where they were more or less in continuous action over the old battlegrounds until late October 1918 and saw action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice they were in the area of Le Quesnoy and moved to Belgium to the area around Namur and Wavre in December and demobilization began.

                       XVII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 10, 26 and 92 Batteries, were at Allahabad in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned to England, 10 Battery was replaced by 13 Battery from 1 Brigade RFA. They joined 29th Division which was formed from regular units arriving home from the most distant garrisons of Empire, having been replaced by Territorial units. The new division concentrated in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area in the first three months of 1915. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth between the 16th and 22nd March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria and on to Mudros in April. 460 (Howitzer) Battery joined and was renamed as D (Howitzer) Battery. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. On 16 September 1916, D (Howitzer) Battery transferred to 15 Brigade RHA, being replaced by D (Howitzer) Battery from 132 Brigade. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918. Demobilisation began in December.

                       XX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 98, 99 and 100 Batteries was in India when war brok out. They returned to England and joined 27th Division at Winchester on the 19th of December 1914. 98 Battery transferred to 1 Brigade and 100 Battery to 31 Brigade, one section of each remained behind and became 364 Battery, 20 Brigade. 67 Battery joined from 1 Brigade. They proceeded to France via Southampton on the 20th to 23rd of December 1914 as a much-needed reinforcement. The Division concentrated in the area between Aire and Arques being joined by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. On 10th of February 1915 148 Battery joined 20 Brigade, having been formed by one section each from 11 and 39 Batteries. In 1915 they saw action at St Eloi and in The Second Battle of Ypres. In November they were ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on the 17th, but it was not until the 13th of February 1916 that whole Division finally arrived. Between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 1916 they were engaged in the capture of Karajakois, followed swiftly by the capture of Yenikoi and then the battle of Tumbitza Farm. In 1917 they were in action during the capture of Homondos. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France and in September the remaining units of the 27th Division were in action in the final offensive in Salonika, including the capture of the Roche Noir Salient, the passage of the Vardar river and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased on the 30th of September, the 27th Division continued to advance and war was ordered to halt and turn about on the 2nd of November, being ordered to the Black Sea. The Division reached Constantinople on the 19th of December and set up a HQ at Tiflis in January 1919. The Division was finally disbanded on the 24th of September 1919 at Batum.

                       XXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery comprised of 104, 105 and 106 Batteries, they joined 7th Division in the New Forest in Hampshire in late September 1914. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert. On the 24th of June 1915 35 (Howitzer) Battery joined from IV Corps. They fought in The Second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       XXIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery comprised of 107, 108 and 109 Batteries and served with 3rd Division and proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. On the 15th of April 1916, 109 Battery left the Brigade, transferring to 238rd Brigade. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, The Battle of Delville Wood and The Battle of the Ancre. On the 23 November 1916, 534 (Howitzer) Battery joined the brigade being renamed as C (Howitzer) Battery. XXIII Brigade left 3rd Division to become an Army Brigade on the 21st of January 1917. On the 24th of January 1917, A Battery joined from 169 Brigade, A Battery was renamed C Battery, with C (Howitzer) Battery being renamed D (Howitzer) Battery.

                       XXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 110, 111 and 112 Batteries served with 6th Division and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. On 12th of May 1916, 43 (Howitzer) Battery, less one Section, joined from 12 Brigade. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. A Section, C Battery, 38 Brigade joined 43 (Howitzer) Battery on the 14th of January 1917. In 1917 24 Brigade were in action at Hill 70 and Cambrai. In 1918 they saw action in the Battle of St Quentin, The Battles of the Lys, The Advance in Flanders, Battles of the Hindenburg Line and The Pursuit to the Selle. After the Armistice, 6th Division were selected to join the occupation force and they moved into Germany in mid December, being based at Bruehl by Christmas 1918.

                       XXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 113, 114 and 115 Batteries, served with 5th Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The 2nd Battle of Ypres. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. On the 14th of January 1917, 40 (Howitzer) Battery joined from 26 Brigade. In 1917 they saw action on Vimy Ridge at Oppy Wood and in the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in the Defence of Nieppe Forest, they were withdrawn for reat in August but after two weeks were back in action in the Second Battles of The Somme, The Battle of the Selle.

                       XXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 125th, 126th and 127th Batteries, served as Divisional Artillery with 4th Division. The Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres. On the 21st of May 1916, 128th (Howitzer) Battery transferred to 29th Brigade RFA from 30th (Howitzer) Brigade RFA. In 1916 they were in action during the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       XXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 119, 120 and 121 Batteries served with 5th Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The 2nd Battle of Ypres. On the 21st of May 1916, two sections of 37 (Howitzer) Battery joined from 8 (Howitzer) Brigade. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. On 21st of January 1917, 37 (Howitzer) Battery was brought up to full strength with a section joining from "C" (Howitzer) Battery, 15 Brigade RFA. In 1917 they saw action on Vimy Ridge at Oppy Wood and in the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in the Defence of Nieppe Forest, they were withdrawn for reat in August but after two weeks were back in action in the Second Battles of The Somme, The Battle of the Selle.

                       XXX (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, comprised of 128, 129 and 130 (Howitzer) Batteries, they served with 3rd Division and proceeded to France in August 1914. They saw action in The Battle of Mons and the rearguard action at Solesmes, The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, at La Bassee, Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The First Attack on Bellewaarde and the Actions at Hooge. In May 1915, 128 (Howitzer) Battery left the Brigade. On the 14th of May 1916 XXX (Howitzer) Brigade was broken up.

                       XXXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 131, 132 and 133 Batteries and their Ammunition Column was based in Sheffield when war broke out. They joined 28th Division at Winchester in December 1914, and the Brigade was reorganised with 69 Battery joining from 1 Brigade RFA, 100 Battery joining from 20 Brigade RFA and 103 Battery joining from 21 Brigade. They proceeded to France from Southampton, landing at le Harve between the 16th and 19th of January, they concentrated in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. On the 17th of February 1915, 118 Battery joined from 26 Brigade RFA. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and The Battle of Loos. On the 19th of October 1915 orders were recieved to prepare to sail and five days later the first units left Marseilles for Alexandria in Egypt all units (with the exception XXXI and CXLVI Brigades RFA) arrived the by 22nd of November and they went on to Salonika on the 4th of January 1916. Later in the year they were in action during the occupation of Mazirko and the capture of Barakli Jum'a. On the 25th of July 1916, 118 Battery transferred to 130 Brigade, exchanging with A (Howitzer) Battery, 130 Brigade RFA which was renamed D (Howitzer) Battery, 31 Brigade. On the 25th of December 1916, 103 Battery was split between 69 Battery and 100 Battery. In 1917 they were involved in the capture of Ferdie and Essex Trenches (near Barakli Jum'a) and then the capture of Barakli and Kumli. In mid 1918 a number of units returned to France The remainer of the Division were later in actio at the Battle of Doiran and the pursuit to the Strumica valley. When Hostilities with Bulgaria ceased at the end of September the 28th Division was in the area of Trnovo. They moved in early November to Gallipoli and occupied the Dardanelles Forts. .

                       XXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 27, 134 and 135 Batteries and their Ammunition Column, served as Divisional Artillery with 4th Division. The Division was held back from the original British Expeditionary Force by a last minute decision to defend England against a possible German landing. The fate of the BEF in France and the lack of any move by the Enemy to cross the channel, reversed this decision and they proceeded to France in late August. They were in action at the The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and at The Battle of Messines in 1914. In 1915 they fought in The Second Battle of Ypres. D Battery, 32 Brigade RFA, formed by a section joining from each 86 (Howitzer) Battery and 128 (Howitzer) Battery ex 127 Brigade, had joined by June 1916. In 1916 moved south and were in action during the Battles of the Somme. On the 14th of January 1917, D Battery was dissolved and the two sections returned to their original Batteries, being replaced 86 (Howtizer) Battery arriving from 127 Brigade. In 1917 they were at Arras, in action during the The First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, before heading north for the Third Battle of Ypres, where they fought in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, then returned to Flanders fighting in the Defence of Hinges Ridge during The Battle of Hazebrouck and in The Battle of Bethune, The Advance in Flanders The Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                       XXXIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 32, 33 and 36 Batteries and their Ammunition Column served as Divisional Artillery with 8th Division. The Division was formed at Hursley Park, Winchester during October 1914 from regular army units returning from around the British Empire. They proceeded to France in November 1914, a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 24th Brigade transferred to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. On the 18th of May 1916, 55 (Howitzer) Battery, transferred from 128 Brigade. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. In 1916 They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

                       XXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 22, 50 and 70 Batteries and their Ammunition Column served with 2nd Division and proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914. They were in action in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the Actions on the Aisne heights and First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations 1914-15. On the 4th of February 1915, 22 Battery transferred to 3 Brigade RFA, 28th Division. In 1915 saw action at The Battle of Festubert and The Battle of Loos. On the 26th of May 1916, 56 (Howitzer) Battery, (less one section) joined from 44 Howitzer Brigade. In 1916 they fought in the Battles of the Somme and the Operations on the Ancre. On the 16th of November 1916, 521 (Howitzer) Battery arrived to become D Battery, 34 Brigade RFA. On the 25th of January 1917, 34 Brigade RFA left 8th Division to be an Army Field Artillery Brigade. D Battery remained with 8th Division, and was split between 47 Battery, 41 Brigade RFA and D Battery, 36 Brigade RFA. They were replaced by A Battery, 40 Brigade which transferred in from 11th Division to become C Battery, 34 Brigade RFA. 56 (Howitzer) Battery was also increased with a section joining from C Battery, 40 Brigade.

                       XXXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       XXXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 12, 25 and 58 Batteries and their Ammunition Column were based at Woolwich when war was declared. They joined 7th Division in the New Forest in Hampshire in late September 1914. The Division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, to assist in the defence of Antwerp, they arrived too late prevent the fall of the city and took up defensive positions at important bridges and junctions to aid in the retreat of the Belgian army. The 7th Division then became the first British Troops to entrench in front of Ypres, suffering extremely heavy losses in the The First Battle of Ypres. By February 1915 the Division had been reinforced to fighting strength and they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The Second action of Givenchy and The Battle of Loos. On the 17th of May 1916, 31 (Howitzer) Battery, (less one section), joined from 37 (Howitzer) Brigade. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. On the 13th of February 1917, 31 (Howitzer) Battery was brought up to full strength when one section transferred in from 509 (Howitzer) Battery. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 the 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave,in late January 1918. The Division played a central role in crossing the Piave, in October and the Battle of Vittoria Veneto.

                       XXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, joined 7th Division in June 1915 and were in action in The Battle of Loos. They left 7th Division in May 1916.

                       XXXVIII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 6th Division and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914, landing at St Nazaire. They moved at once to the Aisne to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF. They moved north to Flanders and were in action at Hooge in 1915. In 1916 they were again in action at Battle of Flers-Courcelette on The Somme, and again in The Battle of Morval and The Battle of Le Transloy. They left the Division in January 1917

                       V Brigade, made up on 64, 73 and 81 Batteries, initially served with 7th (Meerut) Division of the Indian Army and were based in India before the war. They travelled to France via Suez, landing at Marseilles on the 26nd of September 1914. They were in action during the Battle of La Bassee then transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division on the 22nd of November 1914. They were involved in the defence of Givenchy in December and in 1915 they fought in The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Festubert. The Artillery remained in France when the Lahore Division moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915. Between the 20th of March and 13th of July 1916 the brigade came under command of the 3rd Canadian Division and were in action during The Battle of Mount Sorrel and on the Somme. They transferred to 4th Canadian Division in September 1916, seeing action on Vimy Ridge and in the battle of Arras In July 1917 5 Brigade RFA became an Army Brigade and served with Second Army in October 1917, Third Army in December 1917, First Army in February 1918, Fifth Army in July 1918 and Fourth Army in October 1918.

                       VI Brigade RFA was part of 7th (Meerut) Division,Indian Army and only had one Battery, 77 Battery. In 1914 they were based at Jhansi and remained in India when the rest of the Division proceeded to France. In 1915-16 they joined the 1st (Peshawar) Division, part of the Northern Army, or Northern Command and were in India throughout the conflict. They saw action on the North West Frontier and in 1919 took part in operations in Afghanistan.

                       VII Brigade RFA made up of 4th, 38th and 78th Batteries RFA, 84th Company RGA and 104th Battery RGA . It was based at Rawalpindi as part of 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division, Northern Army, Indian Army. It remained in India throughout the war. 104th Battery RGA left for Mesopotamia in March 1915 and in June the 1/4th Sussex Battery joined the brigade, serving with them until June 1916. 77th (How) Battery joined and 78 Battery departed in June 1917. They fought in the Third Afghan War from May 1919.

                       IX Brigade Royal Field Artillery, made up of 19, 20 and 28 Batteries, served with 7th (Meerut) Division. Indian Army. They proceeded to France in September 1914 and moved to Mesopotamia in 1915 then Palestine in 1917. D Battery, 69 Brigade transferred to the Brigade. On the 1st of April 1918 they transferred to 52nd (Lowland) Division at Moascar and returned to France, sailing from Alexandria on 4 April 1918. The transport ship the Kingstonian was torpedoed en route. The guns and equipment were lost but the men were rescued. They landed on the 12th of April at Marseilles onboard Lychnis and Berberis. They were re-equipped on 23-26 April 1918

                       X Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 76, 81 and 82 Batteries served with 6th (Poona) Division, Indian Army. 63 Battery replaced 81 before the Division sailed for Mesopotamia in autumn 1914 and saw service in the Tigris campaigns before being besieged at Kut-al-Amara. On 29 April 1916 the gunners were taken prisoner when the garrison of Kut surrendered.

                       XI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 83, 84 and 85 Batteries, was part of 7th (Meerut) Division, Indian Army. The Brigade transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division on the 22nd of November 1914.and were based in India before the war. They travelled to France via Suez, landing at Marseilles in September 1914. They were in action during the Battle of La Bassee then transferred to 3rd (Lahore) Division on the 22nd of November 1914. They were involved in the defence of Givenchy in December and in 1915 they fought in The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Festubert. The Artillery remained in France when the Lahore Division moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915. The brigade came under command of the 3rd Canadian Division and were in action during The Battle of Mount Sorrel and on the Somme. They transferred to 4th Canadian Division in October 1916, seeing action on Vimy Ridge and in the battle of Arras In July 1917. 7 Brigade RFA became an Army Brigade and served with Fourth Army in August 1917, Fifth Army in November 1917, Fourth Army again in December 1917, Second Army in February 1918.

                       XIII Brigade Royal Field Artillery, made up of 2, 8 and 44 Batteries, served with 7th (Meerut) Division, Indian Army in France, Mesopotamia and Palestine

                       XVI Brigade Royal Field Artillery, made up of 89, 90 and 91 Batteries served with 1st (Peshawar) Division, Indian Army, was based at Nowshera and remained in India throughout the war. They saw action on the North West Frontier. 91 Battery was detached for duty at Peshawar between January and June 1915. In December 1916 74 (Howitzer) Battery arrived to replace 91 Battery. In June 1918, 74 (Howitzer) Battery was detached for duty at Peshawar. They moved to Rawalpindi in November 1918. In 1919, they took part in operations in Afghanistan.

                       XVIII Brigade, made up of 53, 93 and 94 Batteries, served with 3rd (Lahore) Division in France until the division moved to Mesopotamia in late 1915. On the 20th of March 1916 they joined 3rd Canadian Division, on the 13th of July 1916 they moved to 4th Canadian Division. Former B (Howitzer) Battery, 131 Brigade RFA joined in late January 1917 and was renamed as D Battery, 18 Brigade. In August 1917, 18 brigade were in action in the Third Battle of Ypres, under command of Fifth Army.

                       XXI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 101, 102 and 103 Batteries, was based at Hyderabad in India as part of 4th (Quetta) Division, Southern Command, Indian Army. They remained in India throughout the conflict. In December 1914, 103 Battery departed. From June 1917 21 Brigade RFA came under orders of the Karachi Brigade. In April 1917 C (Howitzer) Battery, 228 Brigade joined and was renamed 1107 (Howitzer) Battery. In December 1917 101 Battery was detached for duty at Quetta, they were joined by 1107 (Howitzer) Battery in June 1918 until December. 101 Battery returned to 21 Brigade in November 1918, with 102 Battery taking over duties at Quetta.

                       XXVI Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 116, 117 and 118 Batteries, served with 1st Division. 1st Division was one of the first British formations to proceed to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. On the 4th of February 1915, 118 Battery moved to 31 Brigade RFA, 28th Division. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. On 22nd of May 1916 40 (Howitzer) Battery, less one section, joined from 43 (Howitzer) Brigade, 1st Division. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. On the 14th of January 1917, 26 brigade left 1st Division to become an Army Field Artillery Brigade. 40 Battery transferred to 25 Brigade RFA, 1st Division and was replaced by "A" Battery from 165 Brigade RFA, 33rd Division. In 1917 they saw action in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 the Battles of the Lys, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of the Sambre, in which the Division fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. At the Armistice, 1st Division was selected to advance into Germany and formed part of the Occupation Force at Bonn.

                       XV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery made up of 11, 52 and 80 Batteries served with 5th Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914, and fought on the Western Front throughout the war, taking part in most of the major actions. In 1914 they were involved in The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. On the 9th of February 1915, 11 Battery left to join 1 Brigade. In 1915 they were in action during The 2nd Battle of Ypres. In May 1916, A sections of 37 and 65 (Howitzer) Batteries joined to form D Battery, 15 Brigade. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme. On the 14th of October 1916, 526 (Howitzer) Battery joined and was renamed C Battery, 15 Brigade sometime before the 11th of December 1916. C Battery was broken up on the 21st of January 1917 with a section joining D Battery and the remainder transferred to 28 Brigade. On the 21st of January 1917, A Battery, 28 Brigade joined and was renamed A Battery, 15 Brigade. In 1917 they saw action on Vimy Ridge at Oppy Wood and in the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in the Defence of Nieppe Forest, they were withdrawn for reat in August but after two weeks were back in action in the Second Battles of The Somme, The Battle of the Selle.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Rimac camp was situated on the east coast near Saltfleetby, Lincolnshire.

                       3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards were a regular unit of the British Army. They were based at Chelsea Barracks, Aldershot when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force and were in action during The Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne, First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the Winter Operations of 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Loos. on the 25th of August they transferred to the 2nd (Guards) Brigade of the same Division. During 1916 they fought at The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval. In 1917 they saw action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they fought at The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Battle of Bethune, The Battle of Drocourt-Queant, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of Beaurevoir, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of the Sambre. The 3rd Coldstreams were near Maubeuge in France when the Armistice was declared.

                     

                     

                     

                       Felix Hall Camp was situated at Felix Hall (also known as Fillol's Hall) an extensive country house to the north of Kelvedon in Essex.

                     

                     

                       Bayley Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Clinton Terrace, The Park, Nottingham.

                       XV Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery formed part of 3rd Cavalry Division and consisted of "C" and "K" Batteries, joined by "G" Battery on 25th November 1914. The Brigade was retitled IV Brigade during May 1915.

                       After retreating from Ctesiphon the 6th (Poona) Division under Major General Charles Townshend fell back to the town of Kut. The British troops that arrived there on December 3rd had lost many men in the failed attack on the Turkish positions and were down to around 11,000 men. Townshend decided to stay and defend Kut, instead of retreating downriver to Basra, despite the overextended supply lines from Basra to Kut. On 7th of December 1915 the Ottoman army, commanded by Nurredin Bey, arrived and began to lay siege to the town of Kut. The Ottomans initially numbered 11,000, the same as the British forces, but Townshend ordered his cavalry to escape to the south and German reinforcements bolstered the Ottoman forces. they soon outnumbered the British. Over the last decade, the Ottoman army had been modernized under the direction of German General Baron von der Goltz. Under his direction, the Turks began building siege fortifications and defensive positions further down the river to cut off any relief and guard against a possible attack from the Tigris River.

                    Townshend waited at Kut for reinforcements, from the Suez Canal, reporting that he only had a month's worth of food, but in reality he had four months supply.

                       14th (Severn Valley Pioneer) Battalion Worcestershire Regiment was raised in September 1915 at Norton Barracks by Colonel H Webb MP. They proceeded to France in June 1916 and served with 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

                      Training

                       White City Amusement Park on Chester Road, Old Trafford, became the training camp for the 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. The site had previously housed the Royal Manchester Botanical Gardens but in 1907 it was sold to Heathcote and Brown, who build the White City Amusement Park. Behind the impressive white colonnade of the gates, the latest mechanical rides, haunted houses and helter skelters entertained visitors alongside a circus, shows, novelties, water chutes, minature railways, cake walks and roller skating rinks. The scenic railway employed the latest in lighting and projection techniques as the trains passed though almost a mile of tunnels. The Grand Restaurant offered lunches, dinners, teas and suppers in elegant surroundings beneath a vast glass roof. The vast ballroom provided space to dance

                    The amusement park closed in 1928 and two years later a greyhound track was built on the site, also used for speedway and later stockcars, until 1982. Today the site is home to the White City Retail Park.

                       Snipe House Aerodrome was a landing ground near Alnwick used by the RFC whilst defending the area against Zeppelin attacks.

                       Ashington Aerodrome served as Defence Flight Station between October 1916 and June 1919 and as a Marine Operations Station from July 1918 until January 1919. It was situated at Ashington in Northumberland. Occupying 105 acres of land, in the south east corner of the aerodrome were two HD pattern aeroplane sheds as a coupled unit, one Bessonneau hangar occupied by 256Sqn aircraft and 1912 RAF pattern canvas hangar for MT.

                    The site was home to BE.2c aircraft of 36(HD) Sqn C Flt who arrived from Cramlington on the 12th of October 1916. On the 12th of August 1917 they were re-designated 36(HD) Sqn, B Flt and remained until they were disbanded on the 13th of June 1919, flying FE.2b, FE.2d, Bristol F.2B and Sopwith Pup aircraft. 525 Flt, 256 Squadron arrived from Rennington on the 28th of June 1918 flying DH.6 aircraft.

                       Backworth Camp was situated at Backworth in Northumberland. Training took place at Castle Farm, with the troops being accommodated in hutments at Castle Farm, Middle Farm and in the grounds of Backworth Hall. The Hall itself was used for Officer's accommodation.

                       Scotts House Camp was situated between West Boldon and Pelaw, near Sunderland. It was home to the 3rd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers who arrived shortly after mobilization when war broke out in 1914. It was later home to the Northumberland Fusiliers Depot Training Companies.

                       Hylton Castle Camp was situated at Hylton Castle in Sunderland, it was home to the 3rd Btn Yorks and Lancacster Regiment and 4th Btn Sherwood Forresters, both training battalions which also manned the Tyne Garrison coastal defences between the Wear and the Tyne. The Castle was built in the 14th Century and has long been in ruins.

                       Spion Kop was a tented camp at Spion Kop, Hartlepool for soldiers manning the coastal defences of the Tees Garrison close to the town.

                       Lydd Camp in Kent was home to the School of Siege Artillery of The Royal Garrison Artillery.

                       Doonfoot Camp was situated in Ayr.

                    The site was used as a POW camp in WW2.

                       Offley Holes POW Camp was a satellite of Pattishall POW Camp in Hertfordshire. It was situated at Offley Holes House, Preston which was taken over on the 28th of January 1918. Around 60 prisoners of war were accommodated in the house and surrounding outbuildings, with the rest of the house being occupied by officers running the camp. The men worked on local farms. On the 12th of February 1919, the house was destroyed in a blaze. Attempts to quell the fire were hampered by the water supply being frozen and the camp guards displayed great heroism in rescuing the Germans from the property.

                       Pattishall POW Camp, which was initially named as Eastcote Camp was situated at Pattishall, near Towcester in Northamptonshire. The camp opened soon after the outbreak of war, to hold members of the National Sailors' and Fireman's Union working on British merchant vessels, who were to be interned as enemy aliens. The camp was run by the NSFU at their retirement home, Eastcote House, with hutments being built in the grounds. By April 1915 the camp housed almost 800 and the relationship between the prisoners and administrators was amiable. The sinking of the Lusitania in May changed attitudes, the NSFU were horrified by the patriotic reaction of the German prisoners and asked for the camp to be placed under the control of teh War Office. In October 1915 the NSFU handed Eastcote Camp over to the British Government and the facilities were expanded to hold military German, Austrian, Bulgarian and Turkish POWs captured during the fighting. Additional huts, a hospital and recreational facilities were built, the camp was also supplied with electricity. In January 1919, 4509 prisoners were held in the camp with a further 14,507 being housed in satellite work camps administrated from Pattishall. The camp closed in 1920 and the huts were sold, one being purchased for use as Pattishall Village Hall.

                       Billericay POW Camp was a satellite of Pattishall Camp, in Northamptonshire prisoners of war captured during the fighting were accommodated in Billericay Union Workhouse and worked in the local area.

                       Marshmoor POW Camp was situated in in North Mymms, Hertfordshire, it was a satellite camp of Pattishall POW Camp.

                       Aldborough POW Camp, Norwich was an agricultural group working camp attached to Kings Lynn Agricultural Depot and was a satellite camp of Pattishall POW Camp.

                       Billingford POW Camp was situated at Billingford Maltings, near Diss, it was a satellite working camp of Pattishall Camp.

                       Burnham Market POW Camp was a satellite working camp administered from Pattishall Camp.

                       East Dereham POW camp was a working camp, a satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       Kings Lynn POW Camp was situated on Estury Road, Kings Lynn. It was a satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                     

                       St James Hall POW Camp was situated in Kings Lynn, Norfolk and was a working camp under Pattishall Camp.

                       Lakenham Mills POW camp in Norfolk was a working camp satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       West Tofts POW Camp at Mundford in Norfolk was a working camp satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       Shouldham POW Camp in Norfolk was a working camp under administration of Patishall Camp.

                       Warren Wood POW Camp was situated at Croxton near Thetford in Norfolk, it was a satellite working camp of Pattishall Camp.

                       Whitwell POW Camp was an agricultural group working camp attached to Kenninghall Agricultural Depot and was a satellite of Pattishall Camp.

                       Brocton POW camp was situated on Cannock Chase just above the village of Brocton in Staffordshire.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       HMS Lady Ismay was a paddle steamer employed as a Royal Navy auxiliary minesweeper. She had been built in 1911 by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., in Troon, Scotland for the Campbell Bros, White Funnel Line of Bristol Her tonnage was 495grt, her compound diagonal steam engines driving side paddles provided 165 n.h.p. giving a top speed of 17 knots. She was sunk by a mine on the 21st of December 1915

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Elswick Hopper was cycle factory in Barton, Lincs. During the war years it received a range of government contracts to make field kitchens, saddle arches, rifle clips, machine gun band clips and 3" Stokes Mortar shells.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       The large private house, Kirkham on South Crescent, Hartlepool was used donated for use as a convalesent hospital during the Great War. The house was built about 1905 for John Roger Butterwick, a wine and spirit merchant, it was later used as a hotel and today has been split into two private houses.

                       Thorpe House in the High Street, Norton was used as a hospital during the Great War.

                       Tunstall Court, a large private house in Hartlepool was used donated for use as a convalesent hospital during the Great War. The house built for Christopher Furness in 1897. It had a swimming pool, a large ballroom and the staircase and windows being decorated with motifs of the various ships built in Hartlepool and trades of the town. After the war it was used as s sports club and later as a school. It was demolished in 2014 having been empty for many years.

                       Caythorpe Court which was an Auxiliary Military Hospital for officers siutated in Caythorpe, Lincolnshire

                       Milton Hill Hospital, situated at Hilton Hill House, Steventon was a section of No3. General Hospital under Southern Command. 220 beds were provided with a staff of 40, the hospital was financed entirely by the Singer brothers. A total of 4560 patients were treated.

                       St Luke's Hospital was situated in Salterhebble near Halifax.

                       Kings Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital was situated at Clifton Park, Blackpool. It was under the orders of Western Command and admitted men whose homes were in Lancashire or who belonged to Lancashire Regiments from any command.

                       Dorset County Hospital was located on Princes Street in Dorchester, founded in 1840, the cottage hospital was funded by sub­scriptions and donations. At the outbreak of war, the Chairman of the Management committee offered to provide 120 military beds. 70 additional beds were added to the main hospital, which also continued in its usual role treating the local community with an annexe in the Masonic Hall and associated auxiliary hospitals at Colliton House and Church Street providing another 50 beds between them. The medical staff also treated prisoners of war held in the nearby Poundbury Camp.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Dawdon Camp near Seaham Harbour. According to the sale documents in 1919, the camp was equipped with 7 living huts which were weatherboarded with felt roof, abultions shed, corrugated iron latrines, latrine channels, corrugated iron cook house, portable ranges, three portable boilers.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       HMS Roxburgh was a cruiser of the Devonshire-class launched on the 19th of January 1904. With a crew of 655 she was armed with 4x7.5in, 6x6in, 2x12pdr, and 2x18in guns. During the Great War she sailed with the Grand Fleet. She was refitted in January 1915 and was hit by torpedo from U39 on the 20th of June 1915 but escaped with serious damage to bow. After repairs completed in April 1916 Roxburgh served in Norwegian waters until September when she transferred to the North America and West Indies Station until the Armistice. Whilst escorting a convoy off Northern Ireland on the 12th of February 1918 she rammed and sank U89. Roxburgh went into reserve at Portsmouth in June 1919 but was recommissioned as W/T trials ship until she was paid off in February 1920 and was sold in 1921.

                     

                     

                       The Phoenix Dynamo Munitions Factory was located in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

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                       HMS Primula was a minesweeper.

                     

                       The 1/1st Warwickshire Battery, Royal Horse Artillery were the first Territorial Force battery to be deployed to France. Equipped with four Ordnance QF 15 pounder guns, they disembarked at Le Havre on 1st of November 1914 from the S.S. Victorian, but they were delayed in joining the BEF in action as many of their horses became sick shortly after their disembarkation, it was not until the 4th of December that they were able to join 2nd Cavalry Division.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Kirby Cane Hall is situated near Bungay in Suffolk. The grounds were home to the Cheshire Yeomanry whilst on defence duties on the coast in autumn 1914.

                       Langley Park Camp was situated in the grounds of Lanley Hall at Loddon, near Norwich and was home to the Cheshire Yeomanry from October 1914 whilst they were engaged in coastal defence duties.

                    Today the site is occupied by Langley School.

                       The Mont Dore Hospital was situated in the Mont Dore Hotel in Bournemouth, which was requisitioned for use as a military hospital on the 20th of November 1914. The hospital closed in 1919 and today the building is Bournemouth Town Hall.

                       Ampthill Park Relief Hospital, was located in the house at Amphill Park, situated about 8 miles south of Bedford, the grounds were used as a training camp. The military hospital was run by Lady Emily Villers and her daughters, 8,369 patients were treated of whom 3,545 were returned to the front.

                       Ampthill Road Schools VAD Hospital was located in Ampthill Road School, Bedford. It was staffed by the six officers and 50 men of the RAMC and members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment No 6 Bedfordshire, commanded by Mrs Thompson, with assistance from No 3 Bedfordshire. The hospital provided 12 beds in 11 wards, four revolving shelters and an open air pavilion. There was a well equipped operating theatre and a busy out-patients department.

                       Biggleswade VAD Hospital was situated in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

                       Chicksands Priory, was founded in the 12th century as a Gilbertine priory and is situated about two miles west of Shefford in Bedfordshire. It was the home of the Osborn family, who allowed the house to be used as a military convalescent hospital during the Great War. In 1936 the estate was bought by the crown and became an RAF base, the site is still in use my the military today.

                       Convalescent Hospital Old Warden Park House was situated in the Jacobean style 3 storey mansion in Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Owned by the Shuttleworth family, Dorothy Shuttleworth, who was trustee of the estate following her husband's death, offered the use of the house as a military hospital in 1914 to support the war effort.

                    Today the building is part of Shuttleworth College.

                       Council Cottages Hospital, was situated in Beeston, Sandy, Bedfordshire.

                       HMS Blanche was a Blonde-class scout cruiser, built in 1909. During World War I, she was assigned to battleship squadrons of the Grand Fleet. She was present at, but did not fight in, the Battle of Jutland in mid-1916. The ship was converted into a minelayer in early 1917 and made 16 sorties to lay mines during the war. She was paid off in 1919 and sold for scrap in 1921

                       Hinwick House VAD Hospital, was situated in Hinwick near Podington in north Bedfordshire. Set in 36 acres of magnificent parkland, the hospital opened in the Queen Ann house on 21st of November 1914. It was staffed by Mrs F H Orlebar (Commandant), Doctor S E Baxter (of Wollaston) and a team of nursing staff from Detachment No 4. The hospital provided 26 beds and 552 patients were cared for before it closed in December 1918.

                       Howbury Hall VAD Hospital was situated in in the main house at Howbury Hall, Renhold, which was generously offered to the Red Cross Society as a Relief Hospital by Mr C Polhill in August 1915. The grounds of the Hall were in use as a training camp.

                       Leighton Buzzard VAD Hospital was situated in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

                       Wardown VAD Hospital was situated in a large Victorian mansion in Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, Luton. It was was affiliated to the the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge. The hospital first opened in October 1914, as a reception for the sick of the North Midland Division billeted in Luton and from the nearby Biscot Camp Artillery Training School, under the care of a trained Sister and a staff of local V.A.D. nurses. Mrs R. H. Durler was Joint Commandant with Mrs J. W. Green. Medical Officers of the RAMC administered the more in depth medical procedures.

                    65 beds were provided with three large wards on the ground floor, three smaller wards the first floor along with an isolation ward with two beds. 20 beds were situated in a newly constructed wooden annexe to the east side of the house, accessed via the fire exit in the regiment gallery. Also on the ground floor was the Operating Theatre equipped with up-to-date fittings, including a folding operating table, high pressure steam sterilizer for dressings and wash-basins with elbow swing taps. Cases requiring major operations were sent to either the Bute Hospital, Luton or the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge. X Ray's were taken at the Bute Hospital. A Pack Store was provided for patients’ belongings and kit, the hospital also had use of the kitchens, pantries, offices. There was also a large Recreation Room furnished with comfortable chairs, tables, indoor games, a small library, and an excellent bagatelle table. A second bagatelle table was placed on the first floor landing which led to bathrooms for staff and patients, rooms for the matron and nurses and offices for the Commandants and Secretary.

                       The 4th Northumberland V A hospital was located at Dilston Hall, On the west side of the B6307, near Corbridge.

                    Today the hall is a further education college for young people with learning difficulties

                       8th Northumberland VAD Hospital opened in 1914 in the Duchess School at Derwentwater House, at the north east end of Bailiffgate in Alnwick. By 1916 the hospitalhad moved to Alnwick Camp, in the grounds of Alnwick Castle.

                     

                       Richard Murray Hospital was built in 1914, paid for by a £60,000 bequest from Richard Murray, brewer and spirit merchant of Benfieldside, Shotley Bridge. The new hospital was used as the 12th Durham V A Hospital for military patients during the Great War, it was located on St Cuthbert's Avenue, Blackhill, Consett.

                    The hospital reverted to being the Richard Murray Hospital in 1922, it closed in 1971 and became a Cheshire Home named Murray House, today the site is occupied by the houses of Murray Court.

                       Monkwearmouth Red Cross Hospital was located at Jeffrey Memorial Hall in Monk Street, Monkwearmouth, which was the Church Hall for the Church of the Venerable Bede on Newcastle Road. The hospital opened in the church hall in 1914. It was run by Dr. Isaac Gibson Modlin, honorary surgeon to the Monkwearmouth and Southwick Hospital in Roker Avenue, the V A hospital was staffed by nursing volunteers of the 4th Durham VAD under the charge of a nursing sister. Pupils from Redby School gave concerts at Jeffrey Hall for the soldiers.

                    In recognition of his work at the Jeffrey Memorial Hall Hospital and at the Monkwearmouth & Southwick Hospital Dr. Modlin was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1920. The Lady Superintendent and Matron of the V.A.D. hospital, Miss Connie Ballinghall, and the Nursing Sister, Miss Margaret Sharpe Cuthbertson were both awarded the Royal Red Cross 2nd Class Award for their services. The building was demolished in the 1960's.

                       Hammerton House Red Cross Hospital was located in Hammerton House, 4 Gray Road, Sunderland, a Edwardian Mansion built by the notable Sunderland architect Clayton Greene. It was staffed by the 3rd Durham V.A.D.

                    The building was later used as part of the School of Education, Sunderland Polytechnic and has now been converted in private apartments.

                       Chester Road Red Cross Hospital was run by 11th Durham V.A.D. was located in the Union Congregational Church Social Centre, Chester Road in Sunderland with nurses quarters next door.

                    Today the building is part of the Royalty Theatre and is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of old soldiers treated at the hospital.

                       Highfield Hospital was situated on Hylton Road in Sunderland, with the grounds stretching between Hylton Road and Chester Road. It provided 500 military beds in temporary wards, single storey wooden huts built in the hospital grounds on the Chester Road side of the site.

                    Many of the huts remained in use until the late 1990's as part of Sunderland District General Hospital, today the site of the huts is occupied by a carpark.

                       Jarrow Red Cross Hospital was run by 10th Durham V.A.D and was located in Mayfield, a semi-detatched villa on Pine Street, Jarrow.

                    The building became St Bede's Senior Girls' School in 1928 and became home to St Bede's infants following an air raid in WW2. Mayfield was demolished in the 1970s.

                       Vane house Red Cross Hospital was run by 13th Durham V.A.D. and was located in Vane House, the home of the Dawdon Colliery manager, near Edith Street, Seaham Harbour. Norah Dillon, daughter of Malcolm Dillon (Lord Londondery's Chief Agent) was Commandant of the 10 bed hospital. It was closed by the war office as it was too small to be economical. Norah Dillon continued her war service, nursing in France, and later became Commandant at Ashburne Hospital in Sunderland.

                    The building was demolished in 1955 following a fire and the site is now an industrial estate.

                       Fencehouses Red Cross Hospital was run by the 14th Durham VAD and was situated in Morton House, a large country house, set in its own grounds near Fencehouses. Owned by shipbuilder Richard Charles Thompson, the hospital was run by his wife.

                    Today Morton House is a private residence.

                       Castle Eden Red Cross Hospital was run by the 15th Durham VAD, the Commandants were Mrs M. A. Burdon and Mrs Nimmo, was located in Parklands, Castle Eden. The house was owned by Rowland Burdon, and had been built for his mother. It had been in military use since the 1860's as a drill hall for the 1st Volunteer Battalion (later renamed 5th Battalion) Durham Light Infantry which Lt Col Burdon commanded, a rifle range was built in the grounds at that time.

                    After the war Parklands was let out for social functions, during WW2 it was taken over by the Civil Defence as a head quarters. In 1953 it was bought by the Castle Eden Village Association as a parish hall. Today Parklands has been split into private residences and a golf course occupies the grounds.

                       Shotley Bridge Red Cross Hospital was run by 16th Durham VAD and was loacted at Shotley House at 2 The Terrace, Shotley Bridge. Built in around 1860 for J. Priestman, and had excellent views over the Derwent Valley. The commandant was Annie Cecilia Walton-Wilson.

                    Today it is a private residence.

                       Mission House Red Cross Hospital was located in Mission House, the colliery manager's home, at the top of Australia Street, New Seaham. The Commandant was Clara Swallow, wife of Wardle Asquith Swallow, the Seaham Colliery Manager and it was staffed by the 22nd Durham V.A.D.

                       Etherley Red Cross Hospital was located in The Red House in Etherley, Bishop Auckland. Home to mineowner Henry Francis Stobart, the hospital was run by his wife, Jessica and staffed by the 17th Durham VAD.

                    The Red House was also used by the military during the second world war to billet troops. It was demolished after the war and the site is now occupied by the houses of Red House Estate.

                       Hebburn Hall Red Cross Hospital was located in Hebburn Hall Infirmary, off Victoria Road Hebburn-on-Tyne. The Commandant was Mrs Isabella Shearer and it was staffed by the 18th Durham VAD. Also known as Ellison Hall, one wing of the 17th-century country mansion had been converted to a hospital in 1897, donated to the community by the Ellison family.

                    Later renamed Ellison Hall Infirmary it remained in use as a hospital specialising in ear, nose and throat surgery until 1976 after which it became a social club. Today the building is private apartments.

                       Mill Dam Red Cross Hospital was located at Mill Dam, South Shields. It was staffed by the 2nd Durham V.A.D. Matron in charge in 1914 was Mrs Muir and the role was later taken on by Mrs Henrietta Stalker.

                       Windlestone Hall Red Cross Hospital was located in Windlestone Hall, Rushyford, a large stately home set in 25 acres owned by the Eden family. It was staffed by the 19th Durham VAD.

                    From 1958 to 1984 Windleston Hall was a residential school for 130 children with chronic health conditions, predominantly asthma, and then for children with behavioural problems until 1998. Today it is in private hands.

                       Low Fell Red Cross Hospital opened in 1915 at Whinney House off Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead and was staffed by the 1st Durham V.A.D. The mansion had been taken over by the Jesuits in 1913 and was and was re-named St. Bede's Catholic Retreat. Built around 1865 it had a glazed walk leading from a large conservatory, a gazebo, and an elaborate fountain with the figure of a girl at its centre.

                    The house was sold in 1921 and became a tuberculosis hospital and later the Gateshead Academy for Torah Studies, recently it has been converted into appartments.

                       Bishopwearmouth Red Cross Hospital was located in St. Gabriel's Institute, the church hall of the Tin-Tabernacle, St. Gabriel's in Kayll Road, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland. The hospital was prepared soon after the war broke out by the Commandant Dr. G. E. Pearcey, Matron Mrs. Cryle and Quartermaster Mrs. Morris. Volunteer nurses of 20th Durham V.A.D. were trained at Ambulance Classes held at the church. The facilities were not needed straight away, so was used as a recreation room by soldiers billeted nearby until May 1915 when the first patients arrived. Mrs. Hildebrand succeeded Mrs. Cryle as Matron and by 1916 Mrs Margaret Shield had taken over. In 1917 the hospital was extended with tin buildings being added between the hall and the church to create an isolation ward, bathrooms and additional lavatories. Musical instruments were gathered and the Blue Boys Band was formed. By the time the hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918 1,044 patients had been treated there.

                       Herrington Hall Red Cross Hospital was in Herrington Hall, West Herrington, Sunderland, a two-storey Georgian mansion, with bow windows and splendid staircase, home to the Vaux family. The Matron was Mary Vaux and it was staffed by the 21st Durham V.A.D.

                    Herrington Hall was demolished in 1958 with the stable block being converted into centre for the Boy Scouts who had a long connection with the hall.

                       Riversdale Red Cross Hospital was located at Riversdale, a victorian residence off Ashville Avenue, Eaglescliffe. It was staffed by the 23rd Durham V.A.D.

                     

                       The North Riding (Fortress) Coy, Royal Engineers was raised at Middlesbrough on 27th of November 1886 as the Tees Division Submarine Miners, detailed to man the fixed mines which were being installed to defend British seaports. They were based at the Submarine miners depot at South Gare with their HQ at the Drill Hall in Bright Street. In 1907 submarine mining duties were handed over to Militia units and the Volunteer submarine miners were converted into electrical engineers and to continue manning the electric searchlights of the harbour defences. The Middlesbrough unit was briefly retitled the Tees Division Electrical Engineers. They were renamed under the Haldane Reforms in 1908 and when the TF companies of the RE were numbered in February 1917, the unit became 595th North Riding Fortress Company.

                    As the war progressed and air raids became more frequent, the RE fortress companies began to operate coastal defence guns in an Anti-Aircraft role in addition to operating the searchlights. By mid-1916, the North Riding and East Riding Fortress Engineers had combined to provide personnel for No 3 (Yorkshire) AA Company, RE. Later a barrage line of lights was organised up the East Coast with the North Riding Fortress Engineers forming No 36 (North Riding) AA Company at Middlesbrough. By May 1918 the Tees AA Defence Control formed part of Northern Air Defences. The men were demobilised in 1919, but the TA units would reform in 1920.

                       HMS Lucia was previously the Hamburg-America liner Spreewal, which had been captured by the in September 1914 by HMS Berwick and converted on the Clyde to be a submarine depot ship. She sailed with the 10th Submarine Flotilla, based at Teesport, South Bank, on the River Tees near Middlesbrough.

                       HMS E39 was built by Palmers Shipbuilding & Engineering at Jarrow and was launched on the 18th of May 1916. She transferred to Armstrong Whitworth to be fitted out and was commissioned in October 1916. She sailed with 10th Flotilla on the Tees.

                    HMS E39 was sold for scrap in on the 13th October 1921. On her way to the breakers under tow on the the 13th September 1922, she foundered in Watick Bay, Milford Haven.

                       E44 was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend, and was launched on the 21st of February 1916. On the 18th July, she was commissioned to the 10th Flotilla, based on the River Tees at South Bank. She was sold to the South Wales Salvage Company for scrapping on the 13th of October 1922.

                       HMS E49 sailed with the 10th Flotilla based at South Bank on the River Tees.

                       HM Submarine E35 was built by John Brown, Clyde and launched on the 20th of May 1916. She was commissioned in July 1916 and joined 8th Flotilla attached to the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Maidstone based at Harwich.

                       HMS Medea was laid down as the Kriti, Yard No 429 by John Brown at Clydebank for the Greek Navy on 6th of April 1914, she was purchased by the Admiralty in August 1914. Medeas was launched on the 30th of January 1915. Powered by 3 shaft Brown-Curtis turbines with 3 Yarrow oil boilers providing 25,000shp giving 32 knots. She was armed with 3 x 4in 45cal QF Mk VII, and 4 x 21in TTs. She had a crew of 80. Commissioned on the 22nd of June 1915 she joined the 10h Destroyer Flotilla at Harwich. Between 1916 and 1918 she served with the 10th Submarine Flotilla, based at Southbank on the Tees. Medea was sold on the 9th of May 1921 to Ward, Milford Haven and was broken up in 1922.

                       G Class Submarine, HMS G13 was built by Vickers, she was laid down on the 9th of April 1915, launched on the 18th of July 1916 and commissioned on the 23rd of September 1916. She served with the 10th Submarine Flotilla based at Southbank on the River Tees. She was sold on the 20th of January 1923.

                       HMS G8 was a Royal Navy G class submarine, a twin-shafted vessel, with two eight-cylinder diesels that together generated 1600 bhp, giving a surface speed of 14 knots. Two single armature motors, each of 420 bhp, gave a submerged speed of 9 knots, 200 cells in two battery tanks gave a submerged endurance of 95 miles at 3 knots. She undertook one patrol out of Harwich from 9th Flotilla in August 1916, before joining the 10th Flotilla based at South Bank on the Tees. She also operated out of Scapa Flow during 1917. Her patrol areas were from North of Shetland to Norway, Skagerrak, Kattegat and the Horns Reef. G8 was commanded by Lt. Charles de Burgh from 30th of June 1916 to 30th of July 1917 and Lt. John F. Tryon until her loss on the 14th of January 1918. Her last patrol was from Tees, leaving with G12 and the destroyer Medea for the Kattgat on the 27th of December 1917. She due to return to Tees on or around 6th of January 1918. She didn't return and was never heard from again, being officially declared missing on 14th of January 1918. The cause remains unknown but it is believed she may have hit a mine. HMS G8 was discovered in 2011, in 47m (154 ft) of water off the Danish coast near Jutland.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Woodcote Park Military Convalescent Hospital was situated on the Woodcote Park Estate, Epsom in Surrey. It was built as a training camp in 1914 with over 100 wooded huts, clad in corrugated iron, laid out in the grounds of the estate. The hospital was initially a camp hospital, but in 1915 it was decided that it would become a convalescent hospital for Imperial troops and increased to 500 beds. The Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote Park opened on 5th of September 1915, staffed by the Canadian Army Medical Corps. Initially the hospital had 500 beds, but these were soon increased to 1000. With the huge numbers of injured arriving from Gallipoli, the hospital was expanded to 1000 beds. It continued to grow and took over the whole camp, by August 1916 there were 3800 beds and all the facilities that went with them. A range of kitchen huts which were manned by women employed as cooks, sports facilities, physiotherapy and a huge recreational hall which could hold an audience of 1500 for a theatre show, film, concert or lecture. Soldiers would usually spend 6 weeks here on a graduated programme of recovery, all under military discipline, which built them back up to full fitness.

                    The hospital closed on the 30th of June 1919 and the site then became Queen Mary's Convalescent Centre for the continuing treatment and training of ex-servicemen.

                       Berrington War Hospital was situated in the Atcham Union Workhouse in the village of Cross Houses, 4 miles south east of the town of Shrewsbury. It opened in May 1916, Berrington railway station, from which it took its name, was situated opposite and patients were taken straight from the ambulance train into the hospital, having boarded the train at Southampton Docks. Patients would be assessed, treated and then transferred to other hospitals depending on their condition. The hospital has around 400 beds and was also the administration centre for all the war hospitals in Shropshire and adjoining counties.

                    After the war it became Cross Houses Hospital and more recently has been converted into apartments.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       13th General Hospital was located in The Casino, Bolougne.

                       Morant Hall Hospital was located in Morant Hall, also called New Forest Hall, on Lyndhurst Road approximately opposite Greenways Road, Brockenhurst. It was also known as Meerut Indian General Hospital. Offering 120 beds, in the hall, in tents,galvanized roofed buildings and in the commandeered Balmer Lawn and Forest Park Hotels. It was opened in late 1914 to ease overcrowding at the Lady Hardinge Hospital for Wounded Indian Soldiers. In 1916 the hospital was taken over by the No.1 New Zealand General Hospital, as a British Red Cross Auxiliary Convalescent Depot and was renamed the Morant War Hospital. The hospital closed in 1919.

                    Meerut Road, Auckland Avenue and Auckland Place in Brockenhurst are named in commemoration of the hospital and its patients.

                     

                     

                       Pine Hill Hospital was situated in Benslow Lane, Hitchin. Built in 1908 as a German Convalescent Home for patients of the German Hospital in Dulwich, London, the foundation stone laid was by Princess Louise Augusta of Schleswig-Holstein. The hospital was staffed by German surgeons, doctors and nurses. The nurses were known as the Bethel Sisters as they came from an epileptic institution in the Rhine town of Bethel. When war broke out in 1914, the Hospital Committee decided to continue for as long as possible, the surgeons were soon recalled to their homeland and staff shortages reduced the hospital to urgent admissions only. In 1915 the hospital was taken over by the war office for the convalescence of British soldiers and wounded German prisoners of war, with the nurses from Bethel remaining on duty. Zeppelin raids heightened anti German feelings and there were rumours of a nest of spies.

                    In 1920 the hospital was handed back after the Second World War it was taken over by the National Health Service and today is a private hospital.

                       Hitchin Camp, situated off Bedford Road, Hitchin, was a hutted camp, home to the Royal Engineers Signal Draft Depot, where Engineers would gather from the training and be posted on to units at the fronts. The entrance was on Bedford Road with Bearton Lodge, being used as the guard house.

                    Today part of the site is home to a Territorial Army barracks, with housing occupying the rest.

                       Staple Hall in Fenny Stratford was requisitioned by the army on the 16th August 1914 for use as a Territorial training camp. The officers were accomodated in the Hall with other ranks in a tented camp in the grounds or billeted in houses around the town. After the Territorials left, on the 22nd January 1915 Staple Hall became a Royal Engineers Signals Training School, with the Headquarters in the Hall, a dispatch riders school with over 100 horses occupied the stables and they also took over Fenny Stratford Town Hall. The men laid telephone lines around the district and by the end of 1915 52 wooden huts had built, for living accommodation, classrooms and a medical centre. Oliver Road Sports Field was used for football matches with Cricket matches being played at nearby Bletchley Park. A Royal Engineers Band was formed, which played at regimental functions and public events, concerts were frequently held at the Old Picture Palace in the High St and the Spurgeon Memorial Chapel in Aylesbury St. The International Stores on the corner of George Street and Aylesbury Street, was transformed into a soldier’s institute, serving tea and buns and offering a reading and indoor games. In late 1917 the camp became the Royal Engineers (Wireless) Depot with the telecommunications moving out and wireless personnel moving in. The camp was wound down after the Armistice with the huts being sold off in February 1920, one became Simpson village hall. Today the site is occupied by housing.

                       Devonshire Lodge Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was situated on Bath Road, Reading and opened on the 2nd of December 1916 by Mrs Benyon as a replacement for Cliff House. Staffed by Berkshire 52 VAD there were 50 beds available. The hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918

                    Today no trace of the building remains and the site is occupied by housing

                       The SS Duchess of Argyll had been built on the Clyde for the Caledonian Line and was requisitioned in February 1915 by the Admiralty as a troop carrier. Under the command of her existing master Captain John McNaughton with most of her usual crew, she spent the war on the English Channel. During four and a quarter years, she made 655 trips across the Channel, carrying 326,608 men, steaming a total of 71,624 miles.

                      Guard Duty

                       Cliff House Hospital was located in The Warren, Caversham, the house was lent to the Red Cross by Mrs Cotton. The hospital was run by the Berkshire 52nd VAD and opened on the 10th of May 1915 providing 22 beds, capacity was later increased 50. Miss Musson was the matron until in September 1915 when Miss Alice Russell took over. The Medical Officers were Dr Lambert, Dr Hope, Dr Holden and Dr Walters. On the 11th November 1916 the hospital transferred to Devonshire Lodge. A total of 904 patients were treated across the two sites.

                    Cliff House Hospital re-opened on the 30th of May 1917 as a 25 bed country annexe to the Freemason's Hospital, London, offering massage and electrical treatment. The matron was Mrs Mallam and Medical Officer Dr Sidney Gilford. 450 patients were treated between June 1917 and the closure of the hospital.

                       No 1. Reading War Hospital was situated on Oxford Road, Reading, in the buildings of the Reading Union workhouse which was requisitioned by the War Office on the 1st March 1915 and all the inmates were moved out. Commanded by by Lt Col E A Hanley RAMC and and later by Col W J Maurice RAMC, the hospital was staffed by around 200 RAMC personnel and was also a teaching hospital, training medical personnel who would go on to serve overseas. Beds were provided for 440 other ranks but within three years the number of beds had risen to 3000. An officers' section with 110 beds was created in summer 1916 when one of the blocks was converted. 350 men could be accommodated in the adjacent West End Free Library which was used for lightly wounded and convalescents. An orthopaedic section was formed in October 1917. It became one of the largest military hospitals in the country providing a surgical section, dysentery centre, malaria centre, opthalmic branch and the national centre for pathological research.

                    By the closure at the end of July 1919 the hospital had received 493 convoys of wounded from France and had treated 39,312 patients including 2,518 officers. After the war, the hospital became Battle Infirmary

                       Struan House Auxiliary Hospital was located in Reading and was affiliated to the Reading War Hospital, run by the Red Cross, it was staffed by the Berkshire 52 VAD. The hospital opened on the of 25th November 1914 providing 77 beds. The commandant was Lady Berkeley, a role later taken over by Miss Kemble. The medical officers were Dr Rowland, Dr Cane and Dr Fosbery. 1980 patients were treated at Struan House during the war.

                       Number 6 Section Reading War Hospital was located in the West End Free Library, Reading. It was taken over as a hospital in the summer of 1916 and treated convalescent and lightly wounded soldiers and was attached to Reading War Hospital. It closed in Spring 1919 and today the building is in use as Battle Library.

                       Reading No.5 War Hospital was located in the requisitioned Central School on Crescent Road, Reading, it was attached to the Reading War Hospital.

                    The building later became Alfred Sutton Primary School.

                       Inniscarra Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Inniscara, Bath Road, Reading, which was rented from Trustees by the Red Cross. The convalescent hospital opened on the 11th of March 1916 and provided 50 beds. It was staffed by Berks 68 VAD, the Commandant was Mrs Henderson and the Medical Officers were Dr Cane, Dr Hurry, Dr Walters and Dr March. Each ward was named after the person who donated the furniture.

                    The hospital closed on the 28th of March 1919 and had treated 913 patients in total.

                       Redlands, Reading No.4 War Hospital was located on Redlands Road, Reading. It was operated by the RAMC as an annex of Reading War Hospital.

                       St. Annes Hall Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital, was located in Caversham in the home of Mrs Crawshaw OBE who was the Commandant and loaned the property, free of charge to the Red Cross and also met all hospital expenses. The hospital opened on the 13th May 1915 with 23 bed staffed by Berks 60 VAD. By the time the hospital closed on the 31st of May 1919, 772 patients had been treated.

                       St. Lukes Hall Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in the parish hall of St Luke's Church, Reading. It opened on the 27th of November 1914 with 30 beds, and was staffed by the Berkshire 34 VAD, commanded by Mrs Abram MBE. The medical officer was Major Abram. A number of temporary buildings were erected around the parish hall to accommodate the needs of the hospital, funded by donations to the Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                    By the time the hospital closed on the 31st of January 1919, 909 patients had been treated.

                       Sutherlands Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital, Reading was situated in the private house named Sutherlands and an annexe of a neighbouring house belonging to Mr Leonard Sutton, who also gave the use of his garden for the patients. The hospital opened on the 2nd of November 1916 and was staffed by the Berkshire 50 VAD. The commandant was Mrs Childs, the Matron was Miss Lawton and the medical officers were Dr Hastings Gilford and Dr March. The hospital closed on the 14th of February 1919 having treated 1330 patients.

                    On the 1st of March 1919 the hospital re-opened at the request of the Ministry of Pensions and offered 35 regular beds plus four emergency beds for ex-soldiers requiring ongoing treatment. The hospital continued to be run by the Berkshire Red Cross with Mrs Phipps-Hornby as Commandant and Quartermaster. There were two sisters, three VAD nurses, two cooks and a housemaid. Between March and the end of October 1919 the hospital cared for 169 patients and 54 operations were carried out by the surgeon Dr Hastings Gilford with anaesthetist Dr MacFarlane.

                       Reading No.2 Hospital was also known as Wilson Hospital and was located in the buildings of Wilson School on Wilson Road, Reading. It was operated by the RAMC and was an annex of the Reading War Hospital.

                       Neston Red Cross Hospital was situated in Neston Institute, which had been built in 1903. The building, which had been in use as a cinema, was leased from Sir William Lever by the Congregational Church on the 16th of November 1915. The place was cleaned, painted and varnished, a new gas stove and baths were installed to transform it into a hospital.

                    The hospital closed in 1919 and today the Institute is Neston Civic Hall. The War Hospital had a sum of cash remaining along with the hospital equipment, this was used to establish a hospital in Neston as a memorial to those who had fought and fallen in the war. Additional funds were raised and Dee View on Little Neston Green was purchased and eleven bed Neston and District War Memorial Cottage Hospital was opened by the first Lord Leverhulme on 26th June 1920.

                       Hanover Park V.A.D. Hospital was established in two houses belonging to the drapers Jones & Higgins in Hanover Park, Peckham. When war broke out, Mr. Charles Higgins had offered his firm's Male Hostel to the War Office for use as a hospital. Until 18th December 1915, the hostel was used to accommodate Belgian war refugees. The Hanover Park V.A.D. Hospital opened with 35 beds, attached to the First London (T.F.) General Hospital in Camberwell was officially opened on 24th January 1916 by the Marchioness of Ripon. The owners made a generous donation to the Hospital, laid linoleum floor covering throughout and agreed to pay for the electric lighting. The wards were painted a soft shade of green and the curtains and quits were either in a contrasting colour or a harmonising shade of green. The wards were named Gordon, Havelock, White, Roberts, Botha, Kitchener after the Generals with another being named after Dr. Shapter Robinson, founder of the Camberwell Division British Red Cross Society. Another was named after Isla Stewart, Matron of St Bartholomew's Hospital, it had two large windows almost to floor level, the beds were covered with deep pink quilts. Many of the beds were supported by donors, including the Mayoress of Camberwell who requested that the Camberwell coat-of-arms be placed over the bed. Bed No. 12 in the Shapter Robinson ward was the 'Morley College bed', the cost of £26 a year, was raised by the students through concerts and silver paper collections. The convalescent patients were also invited to the College for tea. A well-equipped operating theatre was situated on the top floor and was also used as a salle de pansements, where fresh dressings to wounds were applied.

                    The hospital was staffed by Fourteen members of the London/220 Voluntary Aid Detachment, over seen by the Matron, a Staff Sister, two Day Sisters and a Night Sister. The V.A.D. members not only performed nursing duties, but also worked in the kitchen and performed most of the domestic duties. In May 1917 the hospital expanded to 50 beds and was staffed by 3 trained nurses and 90 part-time V.A.D. members.

                    The Hospital closed on 30th April 1919 and today the site is occupied by a supermarket car park.

                       Cloan Auxiliary Hospital was located in Cloan House, Auchterader, Perthshire, Scotland, in the family home of Viscount Haldane, Secretary of State for War with the Liberal government between 1905 and 1912, and responsible for the army reforms of 1908 which included the formation of the Territorial Army. The country house house is located to the south of the town, at the entrance to Cloan Glen, set in 55 acres of gardens and woodland, it is accessed via a tree lined drive and commands views over the Grampians and Cairngorms. Although the house has the appearance of an ancient castle, the tower and turrets date from a redesign in 1865.

                       Chaloner Hall Hospital was situated in Guisborough, North Yorkshire in a property owned by Lord and Lady Guisborough. The hospital opened on the 13th of December 1915, providing 20 beds and was attached to the Military Hospital in York. The Commandant was Lady Holden of Aston and the hospital was staffed by the Yorks 26 VAD along with trained nurses. By the time it closed on the 31st of March 1917, 220 patients had been treated at Chaloner Hall.

                       Manor House Hospital was located in The Manor House in Stokesley, North Yoprkshire, the family home of Heanage Wynne-Finch, Lord of the Manor of Stoklesley. Providing 60 beds, it was affilitaed to the East Leeds War Hospital and opened on the 28th of October 1914, the first patients to arrive were fourteen injured Belgian soldiers. The Commandant was Mrs Ann Gjers, Vice President of the North Riding branch of the British Red Cross Society and the hospital was staffed by the Yorks No.42 VAD with Dr Yeoman and Sister Grainger. The hospital closed on the 18th of January 1919 and in total 801 patients were treated.

                       Ayton Firs Hospital was run by Mrs Kitching at Ayton Firs Hall, Great Ayton, her family home, a substantial 19th century brick country house between Little Ayton and Stokesley, North Yorkshire. The hospital, which was affiliated to the Military Hospital in York opened on the 10th of December 1914 providing 20 beds at Mr & Mrs Kitching's expense. It was staffed by trained nurses and the household staff of Ayton Firs Hall. The hospital closed on the 11th of November 1915 having provided treatment for 50 patients.

                     

                       Crathorne Hall Hospital provided 24 beds in the beautiful setting of Crathorne Hall, an Edwardian country mansion on the outskirts of Crathorne village near Yarm in North Yorkshire. All expenses were met by the Dugdale family, the owners of the hall and Mrs Dugdale was the commandant. The hospital was staffed by members of the Yorks 24 VAD and trained nurses. By the 9th of July 1917 when the hospital closed, 423 patients had been treated, most having arrived for convalescence and physiotherapy from the War Hospital at Newcastle.

                    Today the hall is a hotel.

                     

                       Rounton Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was situated in the Village Institute at East Rounton and was run by Lady Florence Bell President North Riding of Yorkshire Branch Red Cross Society and the wife of Sir Hugh Bell, Director of the Bell Brother's Middlesbrough Steel Works and the North Eastern railway. The village had been built by Sir Hugh's father on his estate at Rounton Grange. The hospital was staffed by members of the Yorks 44 VAD and trained nurses, opening on the 25th of November 1914 it provided 37 beds and treated a total of 387 patients before it closed on the 3rd of January 1919.

                    Today the building is still in use as the village hall.

                     

                       Red Barns Hospital was situated in Red Barns at 31 Kirkleatham St, Coatham, the home of Sir Hugh Bell, Director of the Bell Brother's Middlesbrough Steel Works and the North Eastern railway. The commandant was Mrs E Pease and the hospital opened on the 9th of January 1915, staffed by Yorks 8 VAD and trained nurses. Offering 90 beds, it was affiliated to the East Leeds War Hospital. Sir Hugh had a private platform on the railway line between Middlesbrough and Redcar at the bottom of the garden where patients would arrive by train from the hospital in Leeds to convalesce.

                    The hospital closed on the 30th of April 1919 having treated 1,345 patients. Red Barns later became part of Sir William Turner's Grammar school, then became a hotel and today has been converted into private apartments.

                     

                       Middlesbrough Red Cross Hospital was located in the Holgate Infirmary at the Middlesbrough Union Workhouse which was situated between Ayresome Park Road and Ayresome Green Lane. Affiliated to the Military Hospital in York, it opened on the 1st of October 1917, providing 51 beds. The commandant was Mrs May Hedley and it was staffed by members of the Yorks 32 VAD working alongside trained nurses. The hospital closed on the 30th of April 1919 having treated 577 patients.

                    The workhouse later became Middlesbrough General Hospital, it was demolished in the 1980's and the site is now occupied by housing.

                     

                       Hemlington Auxiliary Hospital was located in the pavilions of Hemlington Isolation Hospital for Infectious Diseases near Middlesbrough and opened on the 17th of September 1914, affiliated to the War Hospital in Newcastle, providing 150 beds. The Matron was Miss Rosina Webb working with Dr Longbotham and Dr Ellis, it was staffed by members of the Yorks 29 VAD working alongside trained nurses. Patients arrived by train at Middlesbrough station and were taken by cars and motorbus in a convoy to the hospital, which was made up of a number of single story corrugated iron buildings. As it had been built for patients confined to their beds, it lacked any sort of communal facilities. The long driveway up to the site was in very poor condition and there were problems with transport to the isolated location, with the bus having difficulty with the narrow gateposts at the entrance and at one point the manager of the Imperial Tramways Company refused to allow their motorbus to drive up to the hospital until the potholes in the track were repaired. The isolated location also caused discipline issues amongst the patients and an army corporal was posted to the hospital to oversee the men. The hospital closed on the 8th of August 1918 having treated 3,345 patients.

                    The Isolation Hospital closed in 1986 and was demolished. One of the pavilions was reputed to be haunted by a great war soldier who had a wooden leg.

                       Clifden Red Cross Hospital in Saltburn by the Sea, North Yorkshire, was established by Miss Robertson and opened on the 23rd of December 1914 providing 50 beds. It was affiliated to the East Leeds War Hospital, the Commandant was A.J.Longley and it was staffed by trained nurses and members of Yorks 76 VAD. The hospital closed on the 16th of August 1919 having treated 1152 patients.

                       Skelton Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was established at Wharton Hall, in Green Road, Skelton-in-Cleveland on the 1st of April 1915. The hall had previously been used as the drill hall of the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment territorials and was loaned by the Wharton family of Skelton Castle. It was affliated to the East Leeds War Hospital and provided 36 beds. The Commandant was E.J. Burnett and was staffed by members of the Yorks 20 VAD. In 1916 the hospital was enlarged by the additional loan of the old soldiers home by Col. Wharton. The hospital closed on the 19th of January 1919 having treated 480 patients.

                       Kirkleatham Hall Red Cross Hospital was established in Kirkleatham Hall near Redcar. The Matron was Miss Kate A Emerson.

                       The Alexandra Hospital on The Broadway, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire is a substantial red brick hospital built in 1890 in the Queen Anne Revival style as a private establishment for treating rheumatism. In 1914 it was taken over by the Red Cross, staffed by the members of Woodhall Spa VAD and adapted to suit the needs of nursing injured soldiers, including the installation of, lighting, heating and hot water. The first patients were fifty five injured Belgian and sick British soldiers.

                    In 1948 the Alexandra Hospital was taken over by the NHS, it closed in 1983 after the well which provided water to the Spa collapsed. Today the building has been converted in private apartments.

                       Coalville and District Auxiliary War Hospital was situated at Broom Leys, Coalville. The Senior Surgeon was Dr R W Jamie

                    Today the building is in use as a primary school.

                       Hazelbank Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Gosforth, near Seascale in Cumbria.

                       Crump Farm Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Crump Farm, Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire.

                       Langstone Towers Red Cross Hospital was located at Langstone Towers, Langstone High Street, Havant, which was loaned by Messrs Sten. The hospital opened on the 8th of December 1914, specialising in Massage and Electrical Treatment and offering 30 beds, which was later increased to 46. The Commandant was Mrs L C Paxton, Dr. Stewart Norman was the Physician, Dr. Burford Norman as Surgeon, Drs. Gedge and Levick as Medical Officers and Mr. C. S. Davies as Pharmacist worked with two trained nurses and the members of Hants 22 VAD. The hospital closed on the 31st of January 1919 having treated 1,430 patients.

                       Huskards Auxiliary Hospital was located at Huskards on Back Lane, Fryerning near Ingatestone in Essex. Loaned by Major and Mrs. Hilder, 55 beds were provided in the house and hutted accommodation in the grounds.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       126th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed in April 1916. Armed with four 8-inch howitzers pulled by Holt 75 caterpillar-tracked mechanised tractors, they saw action on the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Messines Ridge, the Third Battle of Ypres and The 1918 Battles of the Somme.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       90th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery arrived in France in mid-June 1916 armed with four 9.2" howitzers. They saw action in the Battle of the Somme and Messines Ridge.

                     

                       Granville Special Hospital opened in Ramsgate, Kent. The hospital was situated in a requisitioned Victorian Spa hotel on the cliff top overlooking the sea. It specialised in treating shell shock, nerve, joint and bone injuries and accommodated 800 patients. It later moved to Derbyshire to escape air raids on the Kent coast.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       67th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in March 1916 armed with four 8" Howitzers. They joined 1st Canadian Heavy Artillery Group in October 1917 then transferred to 62 Heavy Artillery Brigade in December.

                       289 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed at Plymouth in November 1916 and was equipped with six-inch howitzers. They proceeded to France in March 1917 and in November were sent to Italy as part of 80 (Mobile) Brigade RGA and remained there for the duration.

                       100th Siege Battery, RGA was formed at Tynemouth Defences. They proceeded to France in May 1916.

                       467th Siege Battery, RGA was formed at Deepcut Barracks in 1917. The battery was broken up and the men sent out to France as reinforcements for other batteries in November 1917.

                       217th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery were formed at Tynemouth on the 31st of July 1916.

                       23rd Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France with 25th Heavy Artillery Brigade on 20th of August 1915, armed with four 6" Howitzers (30 cwt.)

                       151st Siege Battery, RGA was formed in Broughty Ferry in May 1916 from territorials of the North Scottish RGA and men drafted from the Derby Scheme. They were armed with four eight-inch howitzers which was increased to six in 1917.

                       140th Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on the 1st of August 1916 armed with four 6" Howitzers (26 cwt).

                       520th Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on the 31st of March 1918.

                       521st Siege Battery, RGA was formed in November 1917 and was based at Borden until they proceeded to France, minus their guns, on the 1st of April 1918. They were equipped in France with six BL 6 inch Mk XIX guns.

                       544th Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on the 1st of April 1918.

                       143 Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France from Folkestone and arrived Boulogne on the 16th August 1916, equipped with four 9.2-inch howitzers.

                       331 Siege Battery, RGA was formed at Prees Heath on the 12th of December 1916. They proceeded to France, armed with four 6" Howitzers (26cwt) on the 15th of May 1917. They joined 18 Heavy Artillery Group on 24th of May 1917 then transferred to I Corps Heavy Artillery on 29th of July 1917. It joined 89 HAG on 13th of July 1917 then 76 HAG on 7th of September 1917. On 27th of Sep 1917 it joined 69 Brigade, RGA and remained with them until the end of hostilities. The Battery was disbanded in 1919.

                       155 Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on the 29th of Aug 1916 armed with four 6" Howitzers (26cwt).

                       301st Siege Battery RGA proceeded to France on the 2nd of April 1917 armed with 4 x 6in Howitzers.

                       352nd Siege Battery RGA was formed at Dover on the 6th of January 1917 and proceeded to France on the 18th of May 1917.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Elkington Camp was situated near Louth.

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                     Cocken Hall - Main House  From the 25th of September 1914 the Hall and outbuildings were used as billets for C and D Companies.

                    Letters home relate that the men slept on the oak floorboards and at least one room was furnished with a marble fire place.

                     The Kitchens  The Battalion Kitchens were located in the court yard at the western end of the Hall. The open air arrangements were found to be unsanitary and a roof was constructed to cover the cooking facilities.

                    On the 19th of October 1914 it was reported that shed over the kitchens had made some progress, but it was not yet finished.

                    19th Apr 1915 - "The question of the cookhouse was considered. The medical officer having reported that in hot weather, at all events; it was unfit for its purpose, from a sanitary point of view; and it was determined to erect a cook house according to Government plans; and that application should be made to the War Office for permission to carry out this work."

                    23rd Apr 1915- "A new cook house must be provided. I propose to go on with this quite independent of the 18th (Service) Battalion leaving Cocken, as it must be provided for the incoming Battalion; about which I am writing to York."

                    7th May 1915 - "the sanitary conditions at Cocken; which will be further improved by the building of the new Cookhouse, which I have obtained authority to proceed with (on a contract with the Darlington Construction Co.) for £330, including drainage, laying on water, etc."

                    A small part of the court yard was excavated by Steve Litherland's team in June 2015.

                     The Recreation Room & Canteen  

                    The minutes of the 26th of October 1914 note: "The foundations for the Recreation Room had been laid."

                    9th Nov 1914 - "instead of a new building for a Canteen it was decided to add a wing to the Recreation Hut to answer that purpose." (A tent was used as the first canteen)

                    20th Nov 1914 - Recreation Room is approaching completion.

                    23rd Nov 1914 - "Regimental Institute was in a very advanced state, and waiting for the addition of the Canteen."

                    7th Dec 1914 - "Colonel Bowes was instructed to place the stoves in the Regimental Institute in the most convenient place. Instructions with regard to the painting of the wood work of the Regimental Institute had been given, and were satisfactory."

                    22nd Nov 1914 -"The most conspicuous building on the ground is the recreation room, capable of holding the whole battalion. When I was there it was just completed, and it is to be so arranged that whereas it can be divided by curtains into three, with a canteen at one end, it can be quickly thrown into one large hall for concerts and other gatherings. Billiards and all kinds of games will be provided. The recreation room is similar in style to the huts, but is covered externally with corrugated iron." (Newspaper report)

                     Accomodation Huts  

                    At the meeting on the 5th of October 1914: "erection of huts, to hold 700 men..... Sites for the huts - as suggested by the Darlington Construction Co, and laid out by Mr Ventris this morning - were approved. Construction is to be commenced at once."

                    At the meeting of the 19th, it is stated "Fourteen huts, in various stages of completion, were now standing" (It is not clear if these are all accommodation huts).

                    26th Oct 1914 - "It was noted that six huts had been completed and were occupied; three completed, but unoccupied; and the remainder - with one exception, under construction" also "It was decided to carry out the additional lighting of the huts with our own staff, as we had in the ranks men perfectly capable of doing it."

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "It was decided not to line the roofs of the huts."

                    20th Nov 1914 - "Samples for the furnishing of huts were inspected; but were not found to be satisfactory; and the Clerk of the Works was instructed to proceed to Newcastle, and obtain further samples from Messrs Emley & Messrs Walker."

                    23rd Nov 1914 - "Colonel Burdon reported that the electric light for 2 rows of the huts had been completed"

                    7th Dec 1914 - "Satisfactory samples of upholstering, etc, for the huts have been received and selected, and the furnishing was being proceeded with"

                    22nd Dec 1914 - "There are some 28 of these huts, set out in rows. They are uncommonly like streets, and in this work-a-day Durham district almost suggest a new colliery village. ... The huts are well built, roomy and high. They are constructed of cladding outside, asbestos inside, and are roofed with felt, while the heating is by coke stoves. At dinner time the forty men accommodated by each can dine with freedom of movement for all. At bedtime down come the palliasses, out come the blankets, and to peaceful sleep goes "Tommy," his clothing hanging in apple-pie order on the pegs over his head. "Do the men undress?" I innocently asked, having visions of night attacks. "Undress, yes," replied a cheery sergeant. "Most of them sleep in pyjamas. Many of the men came to enlist in cuffs and collars."" (Newspaper Report)

                    4th Jan 1915 - "It was decided to obtain, through the Clerk of the Works, tenders for the erection of shelves in the barrack huts."

                    11 Jan 1914 - "Colonel Bowes stated that tenders for the shelves in the barrack huts had been obtained, but were so much more expensive than was expected that the matter had been again referred to the Clerk of the Works."

                    11th Jan 1914 - "Authority for the erection of four more barrack huts had been applied for to York to accommodate the Depot Company: Colonel Bowes having stated that it was possible to carry on with that amount of accommodation: but on talking the matter over, and in view of the fact that two Depot Companies will eventually have to be provided, and that it would be a great convenience to the Bantam Battalion if the County Battalion resigns the use of Newton Hall in their favour, it was decided that as Colonel Bowes said that he would be able to provide for both Depot Companies, if six new huts were built, and he could rely upon the use of West Rainton Drill Shed, Col. Burdon should write to York, and ask for permission to build six huts; and as the tendency of contracts to rise Col. Burdon accepted a tender from the Darlington Construction Company for six huts at £153 each, lined, and with stove fitted (but not including cost of stove); the first two to be ready in a fortnight; and the remainder within a month; or, if possible five weeks." (The additional 6 huts were authorised)

                    5th Feb 1914 - "The new huts have again been delayed; but must be ready for occupation in a day or two."

                     Bath House and Drying Rooms  

                    Authority was given to proceed with construction of the Bath House as soon as possible was given at the meeting in the 12th of October 1914.

                    26th Oct 1914 - The question of the bath house, combining bath and drying house, was considered; and it was decided that an amended plan was decided upon should be made.

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "It was decided to obtain some oil stoves for the purpose of turning two huts into temporary drying sheds for the men’s clothes." also "Colonel Burdon was instructed to accelerate the carrying out of the drying room as far as possible."

                    9th Nov 1914- "oil stoves had been obtained for the purpose of drying the clothes in one of the huts; but up to the present there had been no necessity to use them."

                    20th Nov 1914 - "The frame of the drying shed is erected"

                    7th Dec 1914 - "The lighting of the bath house will have to be attended to; and it will be necessary to put glass in the upper part of the outside wall, as the opening at present is too much. The bath house was very nearly ready for occupation."

                    22nd Dec 1914 - "The Cocken camp also boasts a complete bathing and washing establishment. In the lavatory are long rows of wash basins, with water laid on, and in the bath house there are 40 cubicles, each with a bath and hot and cold water. There are also several clothing drying houses, where the men’s garments are dried on rows of steam pipes." (Newspaper report)

                    4th Jan 1914 - "It was decided to obtain, through the Clerk of the Works, tenders for wooden grids for the bath-room... Colonel Bowes reported that the bath-room had been taken into use and was satisfactory: that a drying room had been allowed to each Company to be used as required during certain hours"

                     Concrete Pad  

                    19th Oct 1914 - "The Quarter Master was instructed to lay a cement floor (for which he was to borrow men from the Darlington Construction Company) for the purpose of a bin for refuse."

                     Rifle Range  

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "The tender of the Darlington Construction Company for the Range, according to Government plans, was accepted, at the price of £195."

                    9th Nov 1914 - Col Burdon has "ordered 20,000 rounds of short, and 5000 rounds of long .22 miniature Rifle Cartridges; (and a further quantity - 100,000 rounds, was reserved) from the Army & Navy stores."

                    20th Nov 1914 - Range is approaching completion.

                    7th Dec 1914 - "some slight alteration will have to be made at the miniature Rifle Range; and the lighting at the Target end will be provided for by 2 Acetylene Generators kindly lent by Messrs R.E. Hall & Co."

                    22nd Dec 1914 - "An elaborate covered-in range is provided, where the use of the rifle is taught so thoroughly that it will not be the fault of the instructors if the men are not worthy followers of the original British Expeditionary Force, whose shooting so surprised the Germans. Great emphasis is placed on visual training, and in the huts the men are given pictorial targets to study from, and to practise at picking out objects such as a man in khaki, represented in Lilliputian form, at a supposed distance of 300 yards and over. In the rifle range itself, with the miniature rifle, shooting is reduced to an exact science, and the men are practised in long-distance firing. The range is fitted up with the Solano moving and disappearing targets, and with the Hill-Siffken landscape targets." (Newspaper report)

                    15th Feb 1915 - "The Rifles which had been lent to the Battalion by various members of the public were directed to be returned to their owners."

                     Ablutions & Latrines  

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "Major Tristram was instructed to communicate to Mr Gradon our opinion that undoubtedly the drains of the ablution sheds should, as he suggests - be made of proper sanitary pipes, and not let into field drains."

                    7th Dec 1914 - "The new latrines and ablution sheds had been taken into use, and appeared to be working satisfactorily; but the pipes will require protection from the frost."

                    11th Jan 1915 - "Colonel Burdon should write to Messrs. Gradon and call their attention to the fact that the Latrines were not yet finished, in spite of continued notifications."

                    29th Mar 1915 - "Colonel Blackburn, Chief Engineer, Northern Command, York, inspected on the 24th inst: He had given certain directions with regard to the disposal of the drainage, which will be carried out."

                     Orderley Room & Guard House  

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "an attempt should be made to find other premises for the Orderly Room, in order that the present Orderly Room might be turned into the Guard House."

                    9th Nov 1914 - "Major Tristram reported that it had been decided to leave the Orderly Room where it was, but to put the Guard Room and sick room opposite the front door of the Hall."

                     Sentry Boxes  

                    2nd Nov 1914 - "Major Tristram was instructed to obtain 6 Sentry Boxes from the Contractor or elsewhere."

                       "Cocken lies just across the River Wear from the picturesque ruins of Finchale Priory. Its name derives from Cocca's Ea, thought to describe a stretch of river where fishing rights belonged to someone called Cocca. The side of the Wear is densely wooded here and forms a beautiful gorge. At the top of the riverbank, swathes of farmland stretch out between Great Lumley to the north and West Rainton to the east. There is no village called Cocken, but the river forms a rather striking loop that encircles Low Cocken Farm, near Cocken Bridge. This iron bridge dating from 1886 links Cocken to open countryside surrounding Plawsworth and Newton Hall housing estate on the western bank.

                    At the neck of the loop, on a piece of raised land, was once a 17th century mansion called Cocken Hall. It was variously home to a convent of nuns, an MP and a champion fighter. Nothing is known of the Anglo-Saxon owner, Cocca, but in 1133, a priest called Ellafus gave Cocken to the Priory of Durham. In agreement with Roger of Kibblesworth, the priory exchanged it for lands at Wolviston. Roger's daughter and heir, Petronilla, then sold it to Finchale Priory. After the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII gave Cocken to John Hilton, of Newcastle, whose wife, Isabel, had previously been married to Newcastle mayor Ralph Carr. After Hilton's death, she married another Newcastle man, John Frankleyn. Her grandson from her first marriage, also called Ralph Carr, inherited Cocken in the late 16th century. Cocken passed through this line until 1642, when another branch of the Carr family purchased the estate. A later member of this family was yet another Ralph Carr, who was mayor of Newcastle in 1676, 1693 and 1705. He was also an MP. In about 1671, the Carrs of Cocken acquired additional land at High Grange, near Gilesgate, an estate that stretched as far as the north side of what is now Carrville High Street. This 19th century colliery village may well have been named after the family. Although the Carrs remained owners of the property, the hall became a convent for a group of Teresian (Carmelite) nuns in the early 19th Century. The nuns had been expelled from England during the Reformation and took refuge at Lierre, in Belgium. But in 1795, the French Revolution forced them to return to England, by now a country more tolerant of Catholicism. They found accommodation at St Helen's Hall, in St Helen Auckland then, in 1804, the Carrs took the nuns to Cocken Hall. The convent consisted of 16 choir nuns, six lay sisters and a prioress called Dame Jessop. They remained at Cocken until 1830, when the opening of a nearby coal mine forced them to seek a new site. The nuns moved to Field House in what was then open countryside near Darlington, and the convent still exists in the town's Nunnery Lane.

                    Cocken had remained in the Carr family then, in 1812, William Carr inherited some Cheshire land and a title, making him William Standish -Standish of Duxbury Hall. He spent his later years at Cocken, where he died in 1856. Because the churchyard of Houghton parish, which included Cocken, was apparently full after a cholera epidemic in Sunderland, an old hillside quarry had been consecrated in Houghton-le-Spring to allow it to be used as a cemetery. It was here that William was buried. Some local people say he committed suicide by riding his horse off the neighbouring cliff, and his ghost is believed to haunt the site.

                    Some time after the departure of William, although the exact date is uncertain, a champion pugilist turned coal owner, John Gully, went to live at the hall. Gully, who was originally from Bath, once competed - and lost - in a 59-round bare-knuckle boxing bout. Later, however, he would become a champion, investing his winnings in racehorses and mines in Durham, including Thornley, Ludworth and Wingate. From Cocken, Gully moved to North Bailey in Durham City, where he died in 1863, at the age of 80. He left 24 children from two marriages.

                    At the end of the 19th century, Cocken Hall was home to Sunderland shipbuilder Samuel Austin, but in July 1914, The Northern Echo reported that the house had been without a tenant for eight years. Its last occupant was a shipowner called Hudson, but in succeeding years the house, by then a property of the Earl of Durham, remained empty and was looked after by a caretaker called Herdman. On arriving at the house at 7.30am on July 14, 1914, he found literature plastered with the words "Votes for Women" and "This is the work of militants" strewn around its exterior. The caretaker also found a drawing room window open and inside was much evidence of elaborate preparations to start a fire. The staircase had been saturated with oil, but was only smouldering when Herdman arrived on the scene, and he was able to prevent a fire. Among other items found were an alarm clock, which had been fitted with a fuse and had stopped at 12.25, and a bag of oil and resin. Farmers saw a car in the area at about midnight, which then returned half an hour later. The Northern Echo concluded that the hall was singled out because of its uninhabited and isolated situation.

                    Later in 1914, a service battalion of the Durham Light Infantry occupied the house and many photographs still exist showing the soldiers training outside the hall. Sadly, some time after the war, the house was flattened. Nothing has been built in its place. Today, Cocken, although undoubtedly a beautiful spot, exists only as a collection of scattered farmhouses and a nine-hole golf course." - http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/news/1690313.home_to_saxons_nuns_an_mp_and_champion_boxer/

                    "Sir Ralph Carr (1634-1710), of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumb. and Coken, Houghton-le-Spring, Co. Dur. Carr’s family had been merchants in Newcastle since the 15th century, first representing the town in 1491. Carr’s father, although one of the ruling oligarchy in the town, was probably a parliamentary sympathizer in the Civil War. He served on the common council during the Interregnum, and was appointed to the assessment committee in 1652 and the militia committee in March 1660, shortly before his death. Carr himself bought an estate in Durham from a cousin in 1665, adding the valuable mineral rights six years later" - http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/carr-sir-ralph-1634-1710#family-relations

                    Samuel Peter Austin, of Cocken Hall was High Sherrif of Durham in 1898.

                    The motto for Carr of Cocken is "There is no deceit" - http://www.geni.com/surnames/carr

                    "Ref: D/X 1377/1 Copy will of Ralph Carr of Cocken, esq., in which he devises: all his personal estate (except his chaise and harness, three horses, silver plate, china, pictures, furniture, fixtures and other goods in Cocken Hall and High Farm, Cocken), to his trustees, Sir John Eden of Windlestone, bart., John Drake Bainbridge of Durham, surgeon, and Christopher Bramwell of Darlington, wine merchant, to pay his two old servants, Ralph Woodifield and Ann Hay, £30 each, and then to pay any debts; all his property at Stotfold in Elwick and Crows Houses Farm in Pittington is to be sold and the income used for the payment of any debts; the residue of his personal estate and residual income from the sale of Stotfield and Crows Houses Farm to be held in trust for his nephew, Carr Ibbetson, 3rd son of his sister, Lady Isabella Ibbetson, deceased; High Farm, Cocken, and named fields to be held in trust for his servant, Jane Nicholson of Cocken, for life, providing that she remained unmarried, and after her marriage or death, to be held in trust to the uses declared for the residue of his real property; the Lodge at Cocken, occupied by Ralph Miller, to be held in trust for his servant, Hannah Mitchinson, for life, providing that she remained unmarried, and after her marriage or death, to be held in trust to the uses declared for the residue of his real property; £200 p.a. to Jane Nicholson for life, providing that she remained unmarried, to be charged on Grange Farm in Durham St. Giles; the contents of the trunks and boxes in the Turning Room at Cocken Hall to Jane Nicholson, to be delivered to her unopened; the post-chaise and harness, and the choice of three horses, and all the silver plate, china, linen, pictures, furniture, and books at High Farm, Cocken, to Jane Nicholson; £10 p.a. to Hannah Mitchinson for life, providing that she remained unmarried, to be charged on Grange Farm in Durham St. Giles; Cocken Hall and the residue of his real estate to be held in trust for his nephew, Carr Ibbetson, for life, and on Ibbetson's death, for his cousin, Ralph Carr jun., eldest son of Rev. Ralph Carr of Alderley, Cheshire, clerk; the residue of his personal estate to his nephew, Carr Ibbetson; his body to be buried in the family vault at Houghton-le-Spring, and that 'no pomp, parade or unnecessary ceremony or expence be used or made at my funeral nor that any persons attend the same except my household servants then residing at Cocken', 21 December 1787" -http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/AdvancedSearchCatalogueDetail.aspx?SearchType=Param&SearchID=168a8f3c-78fc-497a-86df-3ef6a674f75c&Page=1&ItemID=168877

                       COCKEN, a township, in the parish of Houghton-le-Spring, union of Chester-le-Street, N. division of Easington ward and of the county of Durham, 4 miles (N. N. E.) from Durham; containing 65 inhabitants. Cocken was separated from the constablery of West Rainton, and made distinct in 1726. It is situated on the river Wear, and comprises by measurement 380 acres, of which 250 are arable, 120 meadow and pasture, and 10 waste: coal is obtained in the neighbourhood. The whole township is the property of William Standish Standish, Esq., of Duxbury Park, Lancashire. The manor-house, which is surrounded by beautiful scenery, became, at the commencement of the present century, the residence of a convent of nuns of the order of St. Theresa, who were driven by the revolutionists from their former settlement at Lier, in Flanders. After residing here for upwards of twenty years, they removed to Field House, near Darlington. Mrs. Standish has established a dame's school, at her own expense, within the grounds.

                       

                       

                       

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       124th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery trained at Hedon Racecourse Camp, Hull. They proceeded to France in April 1916 and were in action during the Battle of the Somme.

                       Hedon Race Course Camp was situated on the race course at Hedon, six miles from Hull in East Yorkshire. It was an artillery training camp with recruits learning the skills required to operate the guns of the Heavy Batteries, Royal Artillery.

                       237th Siege Battery RGA was formed at Hedon Race Course Camp, near Hull in August 1917. They moved to Codford where they were armed with with four 6 inch Howitzers (26 cwt) pulled by FWDs. They proceeded to France on the 23rd of January 1917 sailing from Portsmouth to Le Havre. Their first action was near Ypres.

                       95th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed at Crosby, near Liverpool in Jan 1916 from personnel of the Lancashire and Cheshire, RGA TF. They trained at Horsham, before proceeding to France in May 1916, sailing from Folkestone to Boulogne, armed with four 9.2 inch Howitzers. They joined 35th Heavy Artillery Group on 23rd of May 1916 and transferred to 46 HAG on 5th of July 1916, then to 28 HAG on 25th of July, to 31 HAG on 5th of Oct, then to 6 HAG on the 28th. They joined 18 HAG on 3rd of Dec 1916 then 70 HAG on 6th of Feb 1917 and 50 HAG on the 27th Feb before returning to 70 HAG on 15th of Apr 1917, then joining 87 HAG on 20th of Apr 17. They joined 88 HAG on 30th of May 17 then 57 HAG on 13th of Jun 1917, 90 HAG on the 19th and then 70 HAG on 24th of June 1917. One section joined the battery from 419th Siege Battery, RGA on the 28th of August 1917 to bring the battery up to six guns. They joined 59 HAG on 8th of Sep 1917 transferring to 58 HAG on the 28th then 90 HAG on 24th of Oct 1917, they joined 71 HAG on 17th of Nov 17 then 90 HAG on 26th of Nov and 71 HAG on the 30th. The battery joined 90th Brigade, RGA on 3rd of Dec 1917. On 5th Jan 1918 the batteries four old-pattern 9.2" Howitzers were returned to Base and then was rearmed with six Mark II 9.2" Howitzers, on 12th of Jan 1918.

                    They saw action at the Battle of the Somme, Vimy Ridge, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Cambrai. Just prior to Christmas No. 4 gun had a premature that destroyed the gun and killed and wounded the personnel. They were in action during German Spring Offensive in March 1918.

                       48th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed on the 30th of July 1915 in Portsmouth from a nucleus of the Devon RGA Territorial Force. They proceeded to Egypt in January 1916 and later transferred to France armed with four 9.2 inch Howitzers. They were in action during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917 In early 1918, the batteries were reorganised to man six guns.

                       602 Company, Army Service Corps was formed in October 1915 as the Ammunition Column for 36th Brigade RGA. The unit was later absorbed into 48th Siege Battery RGA.

                       34th Siege Battery was armed with four 9.2" howitzers. The Right Section of 34th Siege Battery, RGA proceeded to France on 18th of August 1915 and joined 26th Heavy Artillery Brigade, RGA on the 24th. The Left Section followed on the 11th of September 1915 and joined 26th HAB on the 18th. On the 4th of April 1916 the battery joined XIII Corps Heavy Artillery then transferred to XV Corps Heavy Artillery on the 29th. In May they transferred to 21st Heavy Artillery Group then to 3rd HAG on 10th of December 1916. They joined 14th HAG on 5th of February 1917 then 2nd HAG on 24th of June 1917, they moved to 45th HAG on 29th of July 1917 then 60th HAG on 28th of August 1917. On 15th of November 1917 they joined 85th HAG and remained with it until the armistice. One section from 190th Siege Battery joined on the 16th of December 1917 to make 34 Siege Battery up to six guns but on 10th of January 1918 it was again reduced to four guns. On 13 March 1918 it was again made up to six guns when one section from 495th Siege Battery joined. On the 25th January 1919 the Battery was transferred to 83rd Brigade RGA whilst stationed at Scalyn on the Rhine.

                       173rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery trained at Pendennis Castle in Cornwall and were stationed at Yarmouth before moving to Aldershot to prepare to proceed to France, spending some time on the ranges of Salisbury Plain. They sailed from Southampton to Le Havre on the 2nd of October 1916 Armed with four 6 inch Howitzers, they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Arras, Vimy Ridge and the 3rd Battle of Ypres, they were on the Somme and the Hindeburgh Line in 1918.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Red Lodge Camp was located in deep tunnel dugouts beneath Hill 63 at the western edge of Ploegsteert Wood. There were two main entrances, one near Red Lodge and one at Hyde Park Corner.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       St Martins Camp was situated near Ostrohove, Boulogne and was a transit camp for troops crossing the channel.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       RNAS Dover was situated on Guston Road, Dover in Kent.

                       St Margaret’s Aerodrome was situated on the cliff top to the east of Dover in Kent. Originally named as Swingate Aerodrome it was used for flying from 1910 when Charles Rolls rented the land from the war office to house his aircraft. It was from Swingate that he made the first two way channel crossing by air in June 1910. Two days before the outbreak of war, the first military aircraft landed at St Margaret's aerodrome and No2 Squadron were the first to make the crossing to France. Fourteen hangers were swiftly erected and the airfield became the main departure point for Squadrons proceeding to France. Hutted accommodation for the RFC was erected on Northfall Meadow between Horseshoe Bastion and Hudson's Bastion behind Dover Castle.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Connaught Barracks is located about half a mile south of Fort Burgoyne in Dover and opened in July 1913. During the First World War the barracks were used for training and the assembly of large quantities of men and supplies to cross the channel to France. The site remained in military hands until 2006.

                       Furstenfeldbruck Hospital was attached to Lechfeld POW Camp. The prisoners held in the hospital were treated by German Doctors and captured members of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Roomer Camp, also known as Masham South Camp, was situated on Roomer Common between Masham and Grewlthorpe in North Yorkshire, it was an infantry training camp.

                       Marfield Camp, also known as Masham North Camp was situated to the north of Masham in North Yorkshire and was a training camp for the Royal Artillery.

                       Masham Red Cross Hospital was situated in the Town Hall, Masham in North Yorkshire.

                     

                     

                     

                       Orchard Hospital was built on the riverbank at Long Reach near Dartford by the The Metropolitan Asylum Board as a temporary hospital in 1902 to cope with an epidemic of smallpox. The long rows of single storey timber and iron buildings provided 800 beds. The military took possession of the Orchard Hospital in 1915 for the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers. On the 9th October 1916 it became the 3rd (Dartford) Australian Auxiliary Hospital, under the command of Lieutenant-Col. H Arthur Powell. The capacity increased to 1,200 and the hospital provided work for 110 Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members. In 1919 the hospital reverted to a temporary infectious disease hospital. It was used as a training facility during the Second World War and was hit by a doodlebug just after the last occupants had departed for the D-Day landings, causing a fire which destroyed many of the buildings.

                       Dartford War Hospital on Gore Road, Dartford, Kent was built in 1902 as an extension to Gore Farm Hospital by the The Metropolitan Asylum Board as a small pox hospital. It was renamed Lower Southern Hospital in 1911 and was handed over to the military in May 1915 for the treatment of prisoners of war. The Upper Southern Hospital, which shared the 160 acre site was taken over by the US Army in June 1918 and became U.S. Base Hospital No. 37, treating American wounded soldiers. After the war the hospital reverted to bring a fever hospital and was in military use again during the Second World War.

                       Elveden Explosives Area was located on the Elveden Estate near Thetford in Norfolk, it was home to The Heavy Section, Machine Gun Corps and their tank training school. Use of the estate was acquired by the military in April 1916 and the first tank, Mother, arrived by rail at Barnham station on the 4th of June and was driven by road in darkness to the estate in great secrecy. A further twenty arrived by the end of the month. In July the railway was extended into the estate so that the tanks could travel by rail and unloaded on a siding near Lodge Farm under cover of darkness. Explosions were ignited frequently to maintain the illusion of danger to deter visitors. Screens were erected along the boundary of the estate on the main road to conceal activity from passers by. Brandon Road, which cut across the estate was closed and the boundary was guarded by the Royal Defence Corps and Cavalry, who had no inkling of the activities inside the estate. Tank training took place in the centre of the estate in a cordoned off area, with more usual army training taking place in the rest of the site to give an impression of normality. A full scale trench system was constructed for realist training complete with wire defences.

                       William Foster & Co. of Lincoln designed and manufactured the first tanks during the Great War at the Wellington Foundry, New Boultham. They were a well known agricultural machinery company producing threshing machines, traction engines and steam tractors.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Dülmen POW camp was located at Haltern am See in the district of Lembraken/Sythen near Dülmen. Two officers barracks remain near the entrance of the POW camp and have been converted for residential use. The site of the compound has been quarried and is now a lake. The WWI POW camp cemetery is located in Dülmen, it is believed the camp administration may also have been located there.

                       The American Women's War Hospital was located at Oldway House, Paignton, the home of Paris Eugene Singer the son of the inventor of the Singer sewing machine, who loaned the substantial property in August 1914. An operating theatre was built on the first floor and the rooms converted into wards. A wooden chapel was erected for the patients in the grounds of the house, with services of all denominations being held there. Over 7,000 men were treated at the hospital which closed on the 6th of March 1919.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       XLVIII Brigade comprised of 154, 155 and 156 Batteries RFA, each armed with six-guns, and the Brigade Ammunition Column. They proceeded to France with 14th (Light) Division in May 1915.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Fairview Auxiliary Hospital was located in a private house named Fairview in Wilbraham Road, Fallowfield, Manchester. It was run by the Red Cross a initially offering 20 beds and was later expanded to 36 beds. It was affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Heald Place Hospital was located in the newly constructed Heald Place School, Rusholme, Manchester, which was taken over as a hospital, the opening as a school being delayed until after the war. 172 beds were provided for Other Ranks as a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Newbury Auxiliary Hospital was located in a large house named Neuburg on Daisy Bank Road, Victoria Park, Manchester. It was run by the Rusholme Red Cross and was initially set up in June 1914 for training and named after the house, but renamed due to anti German feeling, the property had been built for a wealthy German textile merchant, but had been home. Initially 30 beds were provided with a further 30 being added in a pavilion in the garden.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Ford Military Hospital, opened in July 1915 with 435 beds and was part of the 4th Southern General Hospital. It was situated in the three storey brick workhouse on between Wolseley Road and Melville Road, Devonport, Plymouth, which dated from 1854.

                    The buildings were damaged by bombing during the Second World War and were later demolished and a school built on the site. Today the site is occupied by a supermarket.

                       Wharncliffe War Hospital opened in 1915 and was situated in the South Yorkshire Asylum, Wadsley, Sheffield which was loaned to the War Office by the Asylum's Board. A number of improvements and alterations were made before the hospital opened, including the fitting out of three operating theatres. Offering just over 2000 beds, over 37,000 patients would be treated during the Great War.

                       Dumbleton Auxiliary Hospital was situated in the village hall at Dumbleton which was then Gloucestershire. It opened on the 6th of May 1915, staffed by the Gloucester 54 Voluntary Air Detachment, under Commandant Mrs Pyke-Nott. 30 beds were provided and 667 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 30th of November 1918.

                       Graylingwell War Hospital was located in the West Sussex County Asylum, which had been built in the 1890's at Graylingwell Farm, Summersdale on the outskirts of Chichester. The first patients were admitted on the 24th of March 1915 with 29,412 being treated during the Great War. The military hsopital closed in 1919 and the buildings returning to use as a mental health hospital and was closed in 2001. Most of the buildings have since been demolished.

                       Duston War Hospital was located in the Berrywood Asylum, near Northampton and opened in 1916. After WW2 the hospital was renamed St Crispin's, it closed in 1995.

                     

                     

                       Ampthill V.A.D. Hospital was opened in in December 1914 at Wilmington Lodge, Amphill to provide medical care for soldiers training at Ampthill Park. It was staffed by Ampthill No.34 Detachment, The Hon. Constance Russell was commandant and the medical officer Dr Garner. The hospital changed premises in December 1915 and the Duke of Bedford cut the ribbon and later funded a new hut bringing the total number of beds to 17. The hospital closed on the 14th of June 1918 and was replaced by a tented hospital at Amptill Camp. 634 Patients were treated at this hospital.

                       Albion House Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Albion House, Donnington and was staffed by Berkshire 44 Voluntary Aid Detachment and opened in December 1914, with the first patients arriving in January 1915. Specialising in treating paralysis, the hospital later became an Auxiliary to Reading War Hospital and the building was enlarged, the costs being borne by the generosity of Mrs Langford. at it's greatest capacity Albion House offered 50 beds. It closed in 1919 but the specially built annexe was used as the "Lest We Forget Club" for soldiers and sailors.

                       The Club Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital in Mortimer opened in October 1914, the first patients were 15 Belgian soldiers. During 1915 the hospital was attached to the 3rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford, in April 1917 it became an Auxiliary to No. 1 War Hospital, Reading. The building was demolished in 2006 and house now occupy the site.

                       Allerton Beeches was built for Sir Henry Tate, the sugar magnate in 1883, and was located off Allerton Road, Liverpool, facing Calderstones Park. during the Great War it was used as a convalescence home for injured soldiers. The house was demolished in 1939.

                       Ross Red Cross Hospital was located at Caradoc Villas, Ross-on-Wye, the Commandant was Miss Fox.

                       St Albans V.A.D. Hospital was located at Bricket House, Bricket Road, St Albans and opened in March 1915 offering 35 beds, affiliated to the Napsbury (County of Middlesex) War Hospital. The hospital was staffed by the Herts 38 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Mrs L. Boycott. By 1917 the Hospital had expanded to 40 beds. 2,298 patients were treated at Bricket house before it closed in 1918. The Herts 38 V.A.D. continued to run orthopaedic clinics providing physiotherapy for war veterans in the stables of Bricket House. The clinics continued until 1948 when the NHS took over. Bricket House became a private nursing home and was later used as a maternity home. The building was destroyed by fire in 1983 and the site is now occupied by an office development.

                     

                     

                       Wallfields VAD Hospital in Hertford was primarily established to care for the Territorials of the Hertford Regiment, but the detachment offered half of the 24 beds to the War Office for wounded soldiers arriving from the front.

                     

                       Lutterworth VAD Hospital was located in the schoolroom of the Methodist Chapel at the corner of Coventry Road and Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth.

                     

                       Ullesthorpe Court VAD Hospital was located on Frolesworth Road, Ullesthorpe, near Lutterworth. It opened in 1915 with the new wing, museum and gallery being used as wards, offering twenty beds. The hospital was run by the owners pf Ullesthorp Court, Mr & Mrs Goodacre, with one nursing sister living on site with members of local Voluntary Aid Detachment assisting. The hospital closed in 1918 and today the building is in use as a hotel.

                       Petwood in Woodhall Spa was built in 1904 for Baroness Grace van Eckhardstein, in 1910 she married politician Sir Archibald Weigall and the house was well known to their many guests. During the Great War the extensive house was used as rehabilitation centre for wounded soldiers. In the 1930's Petwood became a hotel and is perhaps best known as the officers mess of the Dambusters during the Second World War.

                     

                       East Kirkby Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914, offering 12 beds and was staffed by Lincolnshire 22 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The first patients were 12 Belgian soldiers, who remained at the hospital for four months. After a short closure the Hospital reopened in May 1915 as the East Kirkby Annexe to Spilsby Auxiliary Hospital.

                     

                     

                       Spilsby Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall, Spilsby the pre war home of C Company, 5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. The hospital opened on the 25th of October 1914 and 1,386 patients were treated by local Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurses before it closed on the 20th of February 1919. From May 1915 the Red Cross Hospital at East Kirkby was used as an annex. after the war the Lincolnshire Regiment returned to the Drill Hall. Today the building is named Franklin Hall and a collection of photos taken at the hospital is kept in the Spilsby History Society archive.

                     

                       Birkett Hospital was located at 7 Mandeville Place, London, an established nursing home run by Miss Birkett. In December 1914 she offered the War Office the use of two beds for wounded soldiers, but by 1917 the whole Nursing Home was in use as the Birkett Hospital offering 40 officer's beds. The Commandant was Miss Annie Birkett and the hospital was affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital, Millbank.

                     

                       The first specially built Ambulance Trains in the Great War were specially built by Great Western and Eastern Railways and paid for by the UK Flour Millers' Association which presented them to the Red Cross. Each train was in effect a full staffed mobile hospital, allowing patients to be treated and emergency operations to be carried out on the move. Each could carry around 400 patients, either lying in three tier beds which lined the carriages or sitting if they were able. The middle bed was designed to fold, allowing the lower bunk to be used as seating when required. These two trains were worked in France during 1915, alongside a third which was converted from ordinary French rolling stock. around thirty ambulance trains were sent to transport patients from the Casualty Clearing Stations of the Western Front to hospitals, with another twenty trains running in Britain to carry patients from the ports to one of the 196 receiving railway stations where they would be transferred directly to hospital.

                     

                       Sir Titus Salt Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Sir Titus Salt Hospital in Saltaire, which was built in 1868 to care for the mill workers of Saltaire, it was located at the junction of Victoria Road with Saltaire Road. The hospital opened in October 1916 and closed in January 1919 reverting to its original purpose until it closed in 1979. The building was the used as a nursing home and was later converted into flats.

                       Bradford War Hospital was located in Little Horton, Bradford in the buildings of the Bradford Union Workhouse, between Packington Street and Little Horton Lane. After the war it became St Luke's Hospital, many of the buildings were demolished in 2010, but the listed buildings remain.

                       Abram Peel Hospital was situated on Leeds Road, Bradford and was run by Bradford Corporation. It opened in July 1917 with 437 beds for the treatment of soldiers suffering nervous shock and neurasthenia. The hospital was staffed by the Royal Army Medical Corps, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service and volunteers. It closed in April 1919.

                       Bowling Park Auxiliary Hospital, Bradford was situated in the Bradford Board of Guardians home for male imbeciles at Bowling Park Colony off Rooley Lane. It opened on the 16th of April 1915, offering 80 beds as an auxiliary to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds. In June 1915 it became an auxiliary of the East Leeds War Hospital. It closed in October 1916 when the Bradford War Hospital opened.

                       Clayton Auxiliary Hospital was located in the North Bierley Union Infirmary on Highgate Road, Clayton Heights. The Auxiliary Hospital opened in spring 1917 and was used until March 1919.

                       Field House Auxiliary Hospital, was located in the convalescent home of Bradford Royal Infirmary, a mansion at Daisy Hill, Bradford. Run by the Bradford Board of Guardians the hospital opened on the 24th of February 1915 with 50 beds. The mansion was situated in parkland and a large conservatory was used as a lounge for patients. The ambulance service to and from the hospital was run by the Bradford Automobile Club. The hospital closed at the end of July 1916 due to the refusal of the treasurer to provide a balance sheet to the Army Council, the patients being transferred to the Bradford War Hospital. The hospital reopened in January 1918 and closed in February 1919.

                       Woodlands Auxiliary Hospital was located in Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Woodlands convalescent home at Rawdon, it opened in October 1914 with 120 beds and treated around 3000 injured soldiers before it closed in February 1919.

                       Mill House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Mill House, Church Lane, South Wingfield, the building was loaned by the Bower family who owned a local mill. The commandant was Mrs Ella Smith and the matron Miss Thompson. Eighty eight patients were treated during the 14 months the 12 bed hospital was open.

                       Ardleigh Red Cross Hospital was located in Ardleigh Church Hall in The Street it provided 18 beds and opened on the 5th of December 1914 with the arrival of eight patients suffering from frostbite. The Commandant was Mrs Rous, Matron was Mrs Ball and Dr Lownds gave his services free.

                       Blake Hall Auxiliary Hospital for Officers at Blake Hall near Ongar opened in July 1915 offering 20 beds for convalescent officers in a building in the grounds of the hall, which had been used as am indoor tennis court. It was loaned by Mr and Mrs William Buckley Gladstone and the building was converted into a first-rate ward with a Dining and Recreation Room at one end. Mr Gladstone also lent a motor car and his chauffeur for the use of the Hospital and paid for the acetylene lighting and other expenses. The hospital was affiliated to Colchester Military Hospital and by 1916 had been expanded to 30 beds. During summer months, an additional six beds were provided in a marquee, lent by Lord and Lady Wolverton. By 1917 the number of beds had increased to 39. The hospital closed in May 1919.

                       Adhurst St Mary Auxiliary Hospital was located in the main house on the Adhurst St Mary estate surrounded by parkland and formal gardens. The hospital was well equipped, massage and electric shock treatment was provided for the patients.

                    Today the building is empty and in a poor state of repair, there is no public access to the site.

                       Royal Naval Hospital Haslar was situated in Gosport, it opened in 1753 and was a military hospital. It closed in 2009 and the site is being redeveloped.

                       Christchurch Red Cross Hospital was situated in Fairmile House, Jumpers Road Christchurch, built as a workhouse in 1886. The property later became Christchurch Hospital, today most of the buildings have been demolished.

                       5th Australian Auxiliary Hospital, also known as Digswell House Relief Hospital, was situated at Digswell House, Welwyn in Hertfordshire. The house was loaned by The Hon. Mrs. Acland, whose husband and son were serving in France. The hospital provided 25 beds for officers and the grounds were used for sporting activities. The facilities were mainly used by Australian Officers but British and Belgians were also treated there. Today the house has been converted into private appartments.

                       St. Ives Red Cross Hospital was located in the Methodist Church, St Ives, Huntingdon, a gothic chapel built in 1905.

                       Crayford Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Parish Hall of of St. Paulinus Church, Crayford in Kent. It was staffed by the Kent 84 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital was located in St John's Hall, Hollybush Lane, Sevenoaks, it was run by Kent 56 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The first patients were wounded Belgian soldiers who arrived in October 1914. The Commandant was Miss Lambarde.

                       Blackley Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Blackley Institute, Blackley near Manchester.

                       Pavilion Auxiliary Hospital, was located in the cricket pavilion at Lancashire County Cricket Club at Old Trafford. The first patients were wounded Belgian Soldiers who arrived in October 1914.

                       New Bridge Street Hospital, was located in the New Bridge Street Workhouse and nearby Boys School in Manchester. It was a specialist venereal disease hospital with 530 beds. The buildings were demolished in the 1920's and the site became a railway goods yard, today it is occupied by the MEN Arena and the NEC car park.

                       Pike Law Military Hospital was situated in the Union Infirmary, Higher Pike Law, Rawtenstall. After the war the buildings later became Rossendale General Hospital which closed in 2010.

                       Tenby Auxiliary Hospital was located in Somerset House, Esplanade, Tenby.

                       5th London General Hospital opened in March 1915, taking over 200 beds of St. Thomas' Hospital in Lambeth Palace Road, London. Most admissions were surgical cases. As the war progressed the need for additional beds grew and hutted wards were erected in the grounds taking the capacity up to 94 beds for officers and 568 for other ranks. 11,396 military patients received treatment at the 5th London General before it closed on the 31st of March 1919, at which point the huts were removed. St Thomas's Hospital is still one of London's main hospitals.

                       Chepstow Red Cross Hospital was located in Gwy House, Chepstow, opened in November 1914 offering 20 beds. The first batch of 18 patients arrived on the 17th of March 1915. Mr W R Lysaght allowed the field opposite to be used for recreation. The hospital closed temporarily on the of 12th February 1916 for cleaning and redecorating. It re-opened on 1st of April 1916.

                       St. Georges Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Varrich Hotel, Church Hill, Morningside, Edinburgh.

                       Aglionby Grange, a substantial house in its own grounds off Holme Lane, Aglionby near Carlisle was in use as a hospital during the Great War. After the second world war it was used for a time as a children's home, today the house is divided into private dwellings.

                       Fusehill Millitary Hospital was located in the buildings of the Fusehill workhouse in Fusehill Street, Carlisle. The hospital opened in April 1917 with 400 beds, the nearby buildings of Brook Street and Newtown Schools were also requisitioned for use as hospital wards, increasing capacity to 680 and later to 861. By the time the hospital closed in June 1919, 9,809 patients had been treated there. The building later became the City General Hospital, then St Martin’s College and today is part of the University of Cumbria.

                       Turriff Hall Red Cross Hospital was located in in the United Free Church Hall, Turriff and provided 20 beds. It was affiliated to the 1st Scottish General Hospital in Aberdeen and was opened on 30th January 1915 by Mrs Ainslie of Delgaty, the first 10 patients arrived the same day. Today the building is now St Andrew's Hall and a a plaque commemorating it's role as a hospital is on display.

                       Ripon Drill Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Somerset Row, Ripon in the drill hall which had been the pre war headquarters of No 3 Troop, C Sqd. Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry and H. Company, 5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. The building is now the Hugh Ripley Hall and is used as a community centre.

                       4th Southern General Hospital was located in Salisbury Road Schools in Plymouth and the adjacent Baptist Church, the school was equipped with an operating theatre and an X-ray machine. The hospital opened on the 20th of August 1914, providing 520 beds. The first patients arrived the following day. At its peak it provided beds for 193 officers and 1029 other ranks. A specialist neurological section was opened, treated men suffering from shell shock and nerve damage.

                       Great Eastern Railway Hotel in Harwich was requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as a hospital, known as The Garrison Military Hospital. It opened on the 6th of August 1914 and provided beds for 6 officers and 121 other ranks. Nursing staff were provided by the all male Essex 33 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Essex 84 VAD which was an all female unit. The hospital closed in mid 1919 and the building reopened as a hotel, which closed in 1923, it later became the Town Hall and today has been converted in flats.

                       Victoria Hall on Akeman Street, Tring was built in 1886 as a dance hall. In late 1914 it was used as a Military Hospital for the men of 21st Division who were training in the area. In December 1914 a high fence was erected around the playground of the High Street Schools and the hospital moved into the school buildings.

                       The vicarage of St. Peter & St. Paul Parish Church in Shoreham was used as a hospital during the Great War.

                       Chudleigh V. A. Hospital was located at Alpha House, 11 Fore Street, Chudleigh in Devon.

                       Whitworth Auxiliary Hospital was situated in the Whitworth Institute, Darley Dale near Matlock. The Institute, a fine stone building was gifted to the people of the town by Lady Louisa Whitworth, it opened in 1890 and provided an indoor swimming pool, an assembly hall, various reading and committee rooms, a library and billiard room all set in a landscaped park. The hospital at first provided 40 beds, but this was later increased to 55 then to 88. Around 2000 patients were treated at the hospital.

                       In late 1914 an Auxiliary hospital was established at The Hut, Ferndown, Wimborne by the Dorset 48th Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       West Ham House was located off the western side of Worting Road, Basingstoke. During the Great War the property in use as an auxiliary hospital, which may have been in temporary structures in the grounds. The house was demolished in the 1970's and Grafton Way was built on the site.

                       Quarry Hill House in Tonbridge became an auxiliary hospital, the first wounded to arrive were Belgian soldiers in October 1914.

                       Ewell War Hospital was located in Hook Road, Epsom in Surrey in the villas of the Ewell Epileptic Colony, which had opened in 1903. The single storey buildings built in the Queen Anne Revival style, were set in woodland and were named: Holly, Lime, Pine, Elm, Chestnut, Hawthorn, Walnut and Beech. Each had been designed to accommodate 38 patients. An additional two villas were added in 1909. The site was taken over by the Ministry of Pensions in 1918 and became the Ewell War Hospital, treating neurasthenic ex-servicemen until 1927 when it returned to public use as the Ewell Mental Hospital. It was renamed St Ebba's Hospital in 1938 and has recently been redeveloped for housing with most the buildings being demolished.

                       Charlton House Auxiliary Hospital was located in rooms of Charlton House a Jacobean manor house in Old Charlton, which were loaned to the Red Cross by Sir Spencer and Lady Maryon-Wilson in Autumn 1918. The Hospital opened on the 14th of October 1918 with 50 beds, it was affiliated to the Brook War Hospital and was staffed by a Sister-in-charge, a Day Sister and a Night Sister with one full-time and 55 part-time members of Voluntary Aid Detachments from the Greenwich and Woolwich Division. The house was reputed to be haunted and one of the rooms offered was not used as the nurses refused point-blank to enter it. 168 Patients were treated before the hospital closed on 30th April 1919. Today the house is used as a wedding and conference venue, the grounds and a cafe in the foyer are open to the public.

                       Reckitts Convalescent Home was in Holland Road, Clacton-On-Sea and was built in 1908, funded by Mr Francis Reckitt of the household products firm Reckitt & Sons. It provided 30 convalescence beds for patients of the Great Northern Central Hospital in Holloway, London. During the Great War it became The Reckitt’s Home Auxiliary Hospital. The building is no longer standing.

                       1st London General Hospital took over St Gabriel's College in Cormont Road, London in August 1914 and Cormont Secondary School next door being requisitioned and equipped for 300 convalescent cases. A a long covered passage was constructed to link the two buildings and much work had to be carried out to install new plumbing and bathrooms. Medical and nursing staff were seconded from St Bartholomew's Hospital. By 1917 the Hospital provided 231 beds for officers and 1,038 for enlisted men, the capacity being extended by hutted wards being built in Myatt's Fields and a relief hospital at 71 Upper Tulse Hill. A recreation hut was built and workshops encouraged woodwork and handicrafts as part of the patient's rehabilitation. The Hospital closed in 1919, today the college building is now private apartments whilst the school returned to its former use.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Manor Red Cross Hospital was located at Chaigley Manor near Longridge Fell which belonged to the Co-operative Wholesale Society and had been used as a home for Belgian Refugees in autumn 1914.

                       Ivybank Auxiliary Hospital was located in Ivybank House in Nairn by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment. the first patients arrived on the 30th of November 1914. The hospital closed in 1918.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Hill House Military Hospital was located in the Thanet Union Workhouse and opened in 1915. The hospital closed in 1920 and the buildings later became Hill House Hospital until 1986 and were demolished in 1989.

                       Fairhope Hospital was located in Fairhope a large house in Eccles Old Road, Pendleton which was owned by the Prestwich Family. It opened on the 12th of December 1914. Today the site is occupied by houses.

                     

                       Rosemary Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rosemary, 28 Milton Road, Harpenden which was loaned by Mr H. T. Hodgson. It was affiliated to the County of Middlesex War Hospital Napsbury with 25 beds and opened on the 15th of March 1917, staffed by the local St John's VAD. A recreation hut was erected in the garden and the house was later extended to bring the capacity to 50 beds. Three hundred and two men were treated before the hospital closed in March 1918. Today the house is a private residence.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       1st Guards Brigade Machine Gun Company served with 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division, the company was formed in the first week of September 1915 from the Machine Gun Sections of the 2nd Btn, Grenadier Guards, 2nd Btn, Coldstream Guards, 3rd Btn, Coldstream Guards and 1st Btn, Irish Guards. They saw action at the Battle of Loos, the Battles of the Somme, the third Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai. On the 1st of March 1918 they amalgamated with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th MG Guards Coys to become 4th Battalion Machine Gun Guards Regiment.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Hylton Aerodrome was located near Sunderland and was home to 36 Squadron who were tasked with the defence of the coast between Whitby and Newcastle, this area was later extended up to the Forth. The airfield was renamed Usworth in 1918 and the site was again used as an airfield during the second world war. In the 1960's the site became Sunderland Airport and today is home to the Nissan car plant and the North East Land Sea and Air Museum.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       No. 15 Hospital was located at East Mudros on the Greek island of Lemnos. The hospital provided staff for the hospital transport ships Aragon, Franconia and Dongola.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       311th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was formed in February 1915 and served with 62nd Brigade until January 1917 when they became an Army Brigade.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       The 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were a regular battalion of the British Army. When the Great War broke out in August 1914 they were stationed in Trimulgherrey, India. They were recalled home, their place in the Indian Garrison being taken over by a Territorial Battalion and landed at Avonmouth on the 10th of January 1915. They joined 87th Brigade, 29th Division who were in training at Rugby. In March 1915 the Division sailed for Egypt and then to Lemons, they made a landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on the 25th of April 1915. They would remain on the peninsular until January 1916 when they were evacuated to Egypt and then ordered to the Western front. On the 18th of March 1916 they landed at Marseilles and entrained for Northern France. They saw action at the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Arras and Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. On the 5th of February 1918 the battalion transferred to 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division and were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and the Final Advance in Flanders.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was formed at Chichester on the 12th of August 1914 as part of Kitcheners New Army. They joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. After initial training they moved to Shorncliffe Camp in October 1914 and went into winter billets in Folkestone in December 1914. In March they moved to Ramillies Barracks at Aldershot to complete their training. They proceeded to France on the 1st of June 1915, landing at Boulogne. They saw action at the Battle of Loos in 1915, The Battles of the Somme in 1916 and the Battles of Arras and at Cambrai in 1917. They were in action on the Somme, at Arras on the Hindenburgh Line and the Final Advance in Artois in 1918

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       HMS Ferret served with the First Destroyer Flotilla from 1911 and joined the British Grand Fleet upon the outbreak of World War I. She saw action in The Battle of Heligoland Bight. In 1917 the Acheron-class destroyers Ferret, Sandfly and Ariel were converted to minelaying destroyers, with a capacity of 40 mines. HMS Ferret served with the 7th Flotilla on the East Coast of England from July 1917 and transferred to the 20th Flotilla in March 1918 operating out of Immingham. HMS Ferret was sold for scrap in 1921.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       The Royal Victoria Hospital, Boscombe was situated in Shelly Road, Bournemouth. During the Great War the hospital was expanded by the addition of tented wards in the grounds for the treatment of wounded soldiers. It built as Boscombe Hospital in 1876, a tuberculosis sanatorium. In 1911 it merged with the Royal Victoria Hospital in Poole Road, Westbourne and both sites were together known as the Royal Victoria & West Hants Hospital. The buildings were mostly demolished in 1993 but some of the decorative tile panels depicting fairy tales were incorporated into the buildings of the new hospital at Littledown.

                       The Royal Victoria Military Hospital, also known as Netley Hospital was situated at Netley, near Southampton. Construction started in 1856 and upon competition it became the world's longest building. The hospital was in extensive use during the Great War and was expanded to 2,500 beds, with hutted wards being built in the grounds behind the main block. Most of the regular staff were sent to man hospitals overseas and most of the nursing duties were taken over by Red Cross Volunteers. Around 50,000 patients were treated at Netley during the war. The main building was demolished in 1966 having been damaged by fire, only the chapel survives and is now a visitor centre presenting information on the hospital. Today the site is open to the public and is known as Royal Victoria Country Park.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       No. 59 Squadron was formed at Narborough in August 1916, with a cadre of experienced pilots, the CO being Lt. A.C. Horsbrugh, already a veteran of the Western Front. The Squadron was equipped with the new RE8 and DH2 aircraft for advanced flying training.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Kimnel Camp was located in the grounds of Kinmel Hall near Abergele in North Wales. The camp complex consisted of twenty sub-camps (with their own canteens and messes), a small hospital, Post Office, Bakery, Theatre, Wesleyan, Free Church, Salvation Army and three YMCA buildings. The Railway Station, Kinmel adjacent to the main camp entrance was a small collection of civilian-owned shops, nicknamed 'Tintown'.

                    No physical barriers separated the camp from the surrounding countryside, even the stone wall that marked the extremity of the camp was pierced to allow ready access to the sub-camps. It was protected to its southerly parts by concrete and wire posts. The upper, southerly area off the A55 contained the HQ and the permanent buildings, whilst the area lying northwards, containing the bell tent arrangements was left open. Bodelwyddan village itself showed evidence of the military layout, with street names such as Artillery Row, Fusilier Close (still in use). The Marble Church at Bodelwyddan, apart from containing the Canadian Graves (those who died during the March 1919 Mutiny and the forty or so who died in the Spanish Influenza outbreak of 1919), also contain the graves of other service men and women who died at intermittent times during the war - killed in training, died of wounds etc. The camp layout consisted of fields containing the concrete foundations of admin, guardhouse, buildings, and the level earthworks on which timber huts were laid, basic concrete and metal surface of connecting roads to the main pathways and The cinema, Kinmel Camp connecting routes. The huts were built of weather clad timber on basic concrete bases, bunked to hold about 180 men. Every fourth hut also had cookhouse facilities containing the original brick chimneys. The practice trench area was in the easterly part of the camp and were easily accessible and well cared for. They were replicas of those to be expected in France which companies spent days being 'acclimatised' by living in them.

                       The Grimsby Chums Battalion was raised at Grimsby from the 9th of September 1914 by the Mayor and Town, becoming the 10th (Grimsby) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. The Grimsby Chums trained in a camp erected on the Brocklesby Estate, 10 miles from their home town. They joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division at Ripon Camp in June 1915 and later moved to to Sutton Veny, Wiltshire for final training before proceeding to France in January 1916. Their first major action would be in the Battle of the Somme where they suffered heavily. In 1917 they saw action in the Battle of Arras and the Third Battle of Ypres. In February 1918 they transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division and saw action during the Battle of the Lys. In May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength. In June the unit transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division then in August to 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. On 6th of July 1919, the colours of the 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment were formally handed over to St. James Church in the town for safe keeping.

                     

                       11th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was formed in October 1915 as a reserve battalion, from the depot companies of the 10th (Grimsby Chums) Battalion at Lincoln. Their main role was in training new recruits and home defence. They moved to Harrogate to join the 19th Reserve Brigade in January 1916 and then moved to Durham and later to Newcastle upon Tyne. On the 1st of September 1916 they were renamed 82nd Training Reserve Battalion.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       The 2nd Eastern General Hospital at Brighton occupied a boys' grammar school and several elementary schools. During the war, 233 London, Brighton and South Coast Railway ambulance trains carried 30,070 patients to Brighton. The 2nd Eastern contained 98 Officer beds and 1190 Other Ranks beds.

                       Cecils Red Cross Hospital was located in Chappell Croft, Mile Road in West Worthing having transferred from Clifton Road, Worthing.

                       The 2nd London General Hospital, Chelsea was located at St Mark's College at 552 King's Road, Chelsea and the adjoining LCC secondary school, it provided 66 Officer beds and 995 Other Ranks beds. It opened in September 1914, staffed by a Commanding Officer, Registrar, Quartermaster and six Lieutenants of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Consultancy was provided by staff from the London Hospitals, including Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals.

                    St Marks College building had wards on two floors, with female nurses' accommodation on the third floor and the kitchens in the basement. Male medical personnel were housed in a detached building. A section of wall was removed between the college and the school to link the two parts of the hospital.

                    The school building was converted into wards for surgical cases, the smaller rooms became wards for serious cases or officers with 4 or 5 beds in each. The operating theatre was also installed with in the school. To allow direct access for patients brought in on ambulance trains, a section of wall was demolished to make an entrance onto the platform at Chelsea station. Two hundred additional beds of the 2nd London General Hospital were established at St Thomas' Hospital and a further 40 at the Great Northern Hospital in Holloway, use of a private motor car was donated by a local lady to ease the problem of medical staff traveling between the hospitals.

                    The first patients troops who had been injured during training in England, but by the end of September 1914, men were arriving from from the Western front. The patients mostly arrived in a terrible condition, their clothes stiff with mud and blood from wounds, which were often septic. The wounds were mainly caused by shrapnel to the upper extremities. By January of 1915 the Hospital had received 22 patients who had been blinded and The War Office decided that hospitals should specialize in their treatment of the wounded and in future all patients with eye injuries would be sent to the 2nd London General Hospital or to the 3rd London General, if no beds were available at the 2nd. Staff from St Dunstan's Hostel for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors, visited daily to help the newly blind to cope with the depression that inevitably accompanied the first moments of a lifetime of blindness. In May 1915 all Territorial General Hospitals were required to establish Neurological Sections, for the treatment of patients with shell shock or neurasthenia.

                    The 2nd London General Hospital closed in 1919 and the buildings were returned to their original use.

                       The 3rd London General Hospital started life in Wandsworth, in 1859, as the Victoria Patriotic Asylum for orphan daughters of soldiers, sailors and marines, endowed from the Patriotic Fund of the Crimean War. In 1914 the now renamed Royal Patriotic School was made into a Territorial Force hospital, one of the largest in the Territorial Force Hospital scheme. Hospital staff came from the Middlesex, St Mary's and University College Hospitals. It contained 806 Officer Beds and 224 Other Ranks Beds. Such was its size that it had its own newspaper, The Gazette, run largely by a group of RAMC orderlies drawn from the Chelsea Arts Club. The building still stands, as the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building and has been converted into housing.

                       The 4th London General Hospital was first established in Lincoln's Inn Fields but moved to Denmark Hill in 1904, to a pavilion hospital of 600 beds, opening in 1909 and completely transferred by 1913. In 1914 Kings College Hospital, became the 4th London General Military Hospital, expanding into Ruskin Park which was across the adjacent railway line, with tents and huts providing accommodation. The hospital was turned back to civilian use in 1919. During the war its complement was 300 Officer beds and 1625 Other Ranks beds.

                       The 1st Northern General Hospital was a Territorial General Hospital based at Armstrong College, Durham University in Newcastle (now part of Newcastle University). In 1914 the provision was for 540 beds, but by 1917 this had risen to 2166 and the unit took over the Newcastle Workhouse Infirmary (now Newcastle General Hospital) and a private house to serve as additional hospital accommodation.

                       The 2nd Northern General Hospital was situated at Beckett's Park Hospital in Leeds, Yorkshire. The teacher training college at Beckett's Park, Leeds was built in 1913, during the First World War it was converted to a military hospital. It was officially called the 2nd Northern General Hospital but was more commonly referred to as Beckett's Park Hospital. There were 60 Officer beds, 2039 Other Ranks beds and the hospital treated 57,200 soldiers between 1914 and 1918. The hospital was gradually returned to educational use until WW2 when it was used to treat the Dunkirk wounded.

                       3rd Northern General Hospital had its headquarters at Collegiate Hall, Ecclesall Road in Sheffield, proving 454 beds on site. Numerous buildings across the city came under its command, including: Royal Infirmary (133 beds), Royal Hospital (60 beds), Winter Street Hospital, Carter Knowle School, Greystones School, Shiregreen School, Lydgate Lane School, Ranmoor School, Western Road School, Firshill School, Firvale Hospital, Ecclesall Infirmary, Oakbrook Hall, Longshaw Lodge, Endcliffe Hall, Bramall Lane Cricket Pavilion and a range of auxiliary hospitals in the surrounding area. The capacity of the 3rd Northern General Hospital was 57 Officer beds and 1360 Other Ranks beds.

                       With the threat of war in 1913 the 3rd Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was formed as a territorial unit, alongside the Field Ambulance under the command of Lt Col J Sinclair White. By 1914 the strength of this Unit had grown to 3 officers and 43 other ranks. Both Units drew a number of their officers, on formation, from medical officer appointments in the local volunteer Units. Their HQ was in Leeds.

                       The 4th Northern General Hospital in Lincoln occupied the old buildings and fields of the former Lincoln School (now Lincoln Christ's Hospital School). It held 41 Officer beds and 1126 Other Ranks beds with over 45,000 men being treated there during the war. Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery, near the hospital, contains 139 First World War burials.

                       The 5th Northern General Hospital was located in the buildings which had previously been the Leicestershire Lunatic Asylum. The county asylum had been built in 1837 near the racecourse on what is now University Road but by the late 1880s overcrowding was endemic and a new institution was built at Narborough. The old asylum remained empty until 1914 when, on the outbreak of the first World War, it became an army medical hospital, the 5th Northern General Hospital. The hospital provided 111 Officer beds and 2487 Other Ranks beds. It closed in 1919, and the building became home to The University of Leicester which was founded in 1921 as a memorial to the local men who died in the Great War.

                       The main hall of the University of Birmingham in Selly Oak, was, in 1909, equipped as a 520-bed hospital in the event of future war. The hospital was complete by the arrival of the first 120 casualties on the 1st of September, 1914. By the spring of 1915 more buildings were converted, adding 1000 more beds, and in 1916 another 570 beds were added. Various annexes and converted schools were added, providing in total beds for 2357 other ranks, and 130 officers.

                    Auxiliary hospitals attached to the 1st Southern General were:

                    • Uffculm (200 beds and a limb-fitting centre)
                    • Moor Green Hall Hospital (1914 with 63 beds)
                    • Moor Green House (1917 for officers)
                    • Hill Crest in Edgbaston (1914 operated by VAD and St John's Ambulance with 25 beds.)
                    • The Norlands Hospital (British Red Cross, 1915, 60 beds)
                    • Lordswood Hospital, Harborne (VAD, 1915, 70 beds)
                    • Highbury (May 1915, 140 beds)
                    • Beeches Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital (December 1915, from 1918 concentrated on facial injuries had 46 beds)
                    • Allerton
                    • The Hollies
                    • Stonleigh (VAD 1916, 62 beds)
                    • Stapylton House (an annexe to Harborn Hall 1917, 35 beds.)
                    • Farcroft (VAD 1917, 74 beds)
                    • Mayfield (1918)
                    • Monyhull Section (18-casualty neurological unit.)


                       2nd Southern General Hospital was located in the new wing of the Bristol Royal Infirmary, the hospital soon expanded, taking over other buildings across the city including Southmead Hospital. The former workhouse at Southmead became the very first poor law building accepted by the government for use by the military as a hospital. The 2nd Southern General Hospital became a Specialist Military Surgical Hospital and remained open until 1920.

                       The 3rd Southern General Hospital was a territorial-force hospital based in Oxford and opened at the Examination Schools on 16 August 1914 with a dedication ceremony attended by the Bishop of Oxford. The hospital took over buildings in a number of colleges and local hospitals, including the Oxford Masonic Buildings, New College Shelter, Radcliffe Infirmary, The Durham and Radcliffe Buildings at University College and the Oxford Eye Hospital. The Hospital also commanded around 1,000 beds in Auxiliary Hospitals in the surrounding area.

                       The 1st Scottish General Hospital, Aberdeen was a Territorial Force hospital, with 62 Officer beds and 1297 Other Ranks beds. The hospital was spread across several buildings in Aberdeen, including the music rooms at the High School for Girls, now Harlaw Academy.

                       The 2nd Scottish General Hospital, Edinburgh was located in the former Craigleith Poorhouse, previously known as St. Cuthberts Poorhouse. In 1914 the poorhouse was been taken over by the Territorial Force as a military hospital providing 1032 beds. After WW1 the buildings became Craigleith Hospital.

                       3rd Scottish General Hospital was located at Stobhill Hospital,Glasgow, which was requisitioned in 1914 for use as the 3rd and 4th Scottish General Hospitals under RAMC Territorials. Wounded troops, brought from the continent by train, arrived at a temporary platform on a railway siding which ran into the grounds of the hospital. The 3rd Scottish General Hospital provided 70 Officer Beds and 1629 Other Ranks beds. The military staff left in 1919 and the hospital reverted to civilian use in 1920.

                       4th Scottish General Hospital was located at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow which had been requisitioned in 1914 as the 3rd and 4th Scottish General Hospitals under RAMC Territorials. 1040 beds were provided for wounded troops brought from the continent by train to the hospital. A temporary platform was erected on the railway siding which ran into the grounds of the hospital to help receive these patients. The military staff left in 1919 and the hospital reverted to civilian use in 1920.

                       1st Western General Hospital was located in Fazakerley Hospital in Liverpool with the wounded arriving by train to Fazakerley Station. Beds for 153 officers and 4204 other ranks were provided, with additional beds under the command of the hospital provided at Auxiliary Hospitals in the surrounding area. Fazakerley became a specialist centre for the surgical treatment of injuries to the jaw and fractures of the thigh. Today the site is the University Hospital Aintree.

                       The 2nd Western General Hospital opened in 1914 at the Central High School for Boys in Whitworth Street Manchester providing 520 beds. The hospital soon expanded and took over at least another 20 buildings, including a number of schools across Manchester and Stockport.

                       The 3rd Western General Hospital was located in Cardiff with its Headquarters at Cardiff Royal Infirmary. The hospital quickly expanded and took over other buildings across the city and beyond, including Woolaston House (part of Newport Workhouse). It was also responsible for overseeing the Auxiliary Hospitals in the surrounding area. The hospital provided over 2500 military beds.

                     

                       Addenbrooke’s Hospital on Trumpington Road, Cambridge admitted war wounded during the Great War. The hospital was affiliated to the 1st Eastern General Hospital and many of the medical staff of Addenbrooke’s Hospital were members of the Territoral Force RAMC which staffed the Eastern General Hospital.

                       Eaton Scoon VAD Hospital was located in the home of Mrs Mary Butler, the wife of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Noel Butler commander of the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. The hospital opened on the 13th of November 1914. The Matron was Mrs Butler, assisted by the members of the Eaton Socon No.8 Bedfordshire V.A.D. Mrs Thornhill was the Commandant and Mr R. Coates MRCS is gave his services voluntarily as physician and surgeon. The hospital was financed by by Mrs Catherine Alington of Little Barford and many people in the village contributed towards to furnishing the wards.

                       Houghton Regis VAD Hospital opened on the 13th of January 1915 with six beds, which was later increased to nine and was run by Bedford 46 V.A.D. The Commandant was K. M. Baker.

                       Ascot Auxiliary Military Hospital, also called Lady Robert's Hospital, was located in the Racecourse Grandstand buildings at Ascot, it opened in October 1914 and was part of Aldershot Command. On the 26th of April 1917 it moved to Sandridge House on London Road, Ascot.

                       West Woodhay House Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was situated in West Woodhay House near Newbury. On opening, it was affiliated to Albion House at Donnington but later changed affiliation to Reading War Hospital.

                       The Technical Institute Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at 42 High Street, Hungerford and opened in February 1915. It was run by the 42 Berks Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Commander was Miss Wooldridge. Initially equipped with 10 beds in a single ward and kitchen facilities, the capacity was later increased to 40 beds across three wards. The medical officer was Dr Starkey-Smith.

                       Newport Pagnell Auxiliary Hospital was located at Tickford Abbey. It provided 40 beds, was staffed by the Bucks 48 Voluntary Aid Detachment and came under the medical command of No.3 Southern General Hospital, Oxford. Today the building is used as a care home.

                       High Wycombe VAD Hospital was opened in the buildings of the High School in Benjamin Road in Autumn 1914, the school being accomodated in private houses in London Road. During the Great War around 3,500 wounded were treated at the hospital, with some being housed in temporary buildings to erected in the school grounds.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were stationed at Karachi, India at the outbreak of the Great War. They returned to the UK in January 1915 to join 86th Brigade, 29th Division and embarked for Gallipoli via Egypt in March. They saw action throughout the peninsula conflict and returned to Egypt in January 1916. They were deployed to France and saw action on the Western Front on the Somme, at Arras and in the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918 they fought in Flanders ending the war at Moen south east of Courtrai.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Ducie Avenue Military Hospital was located in the requisitioned buildings of Ducie Avenue School on the north side of Whitworth Park, Moss Side, Manchester. It was part of the 2nd Western General Hospital and provided 240 beds and 88 specialist beds for jaw cases. The hospital had an an orthopaedic section until 1917 when it moved to Grangethorpe Hospital

                       High Street Military Hospital was located in the red brick buildings of the Elizabeth Gaskell School of Domestic Economy, Victoria Park, which today is the Elizabeth Gaskell Campus of Manchester Metropolitan University. The hospital provided 170 Officer beds.

                       The Firs Military Hospital was a a tented hospital with 1200 beds, set up in the grounds of The Firs off Oak Drive, Fallowfieldwas. Set in 52 acres of grounds The firs had been built for Sir Joseph Whitworth, but was at that time the home of C.P. Scott, the Editor of the Manchester Guardian.

                       Grangethorpe Military Hospital opened in November 1917, with the the orthopaedic department at Ducie Avenue School moving to the larger hsopital, which was located at Grangethorpe on the southerly edge of the Platt Hall estate, Manchester. It was the home of Herbert Smith-Carrington, a director of the Whitworth-Armstrong engineering company, who sold the property to the Red Cross in early 1917, the property was intended for use as a long-term nursing home for badly injured service-men, but the Ministry of War was in need of an orthopaedic hospital in the Manchester area and requested to use the 11 acre grounds. Six wards for Other Ranks, an operating theatre, a gymnasium, accommodation for nursing staff and an administrative block were built, connected by covered walkways. Matron and the senior medical staff had quarters in the mansion, which also accommodated wards for officers. Grangethorpe Hospital lead the way in pioneering work on the reconstruction of damaged limb nerves, tendon transplants and bone grafts, with a team of surgeons lead by Captain Platt, R.A.M.C. The hospital remained opened until 1929 by which time over 15,000 patients had received treatment. Today the site is home to the Manchester High School for Girls.

                       Moreland Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 and was located at Morelands on Tweed Green, Peebles. In total 959 patients were treated at the hospital. In 1922 Morelands and two adjoining houses were handed over to the community as The War Memorial Hospital, which remained in use until 1983.

                       Alexandra Park Military hospital was located in Alexandra Park Junior School in Edgeley, Stockport and provided 216 beds for Other Ranks. It was affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospital and opened in April 1915 with the pupils moving to share the facilities at Edgeley Council Infants School until the hospital closed in September 1919.

                       Alfred Street Military Hospital was situated in the Alfred Street School, Harpurhey, Manchester a two-storey red brick building overlooking the Irk valley from a hilltop position. Affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospita, 214 beds were provided for Other Ranks. Today the building is home to Harpur Mount Primary School.

                       Alma Park Military Hospital was located in Alma Park School in Leverhulme, Manchester. 173 Other Rank beds were provided and the hospital was affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Bank Meadow Military Hospital was located in Bank Meadow School, Manchester and provided 200 beds for Other Ranks.

                       Clyne House Military Hospital was situated in the buildings of the Royal School for the Deaf and Dumb, Royal Botanical Gardens, Old Trafford. It was affiliated to the 2nd Western General Hospital and provided 101 beds for Other Ranks.

                       Grange Street Military Hospital opened in 1916 in the buildings of Grange Street School, Manchester. Providing 156 beds it was a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Grecian Street Military Hospital was located in Grecian Street School, Broughton, Manchester. It was a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital and provided 178 beds for Other Ranks.

                       Greek Street Military Hospital was situated in Stockport, in the buildings of Greek Street School. 160 beds were provided for Other Ranks and it was a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital.

                       Hollywood Park Military Hospital was situated in Stockport in the requisitioned buildings of Hollywood Park School. It was a section of the 2nd Western General Hospital and provided 120 beds for Other Ranks.

                       Huddersfield Royal Infirmary provided 100 beds for injured servicemen.

                       Storthes Hall Hospital was situated in the buildings of the Storthes Hall Asylum in Huddersfield and specialised in the treatment of shell shock and gas poisoning.

                       Huddersfield War Hospital was located at Royds Hall, Luck Lane in the Paddock area of Huddersfield. The Royds Wood Estate had been bought by Huddersfield Corporation in 1913 and it was intended to build houses and a school for disabled children on the land. The outbreak of war delayed the plans and the war hospital was officially opened by Mayor Blamires and his wife in 1915 providing 600 beds in wards built in the grounds. In 1917 the capacity was increased to 2000 beds. Huddersfield war hospital treated 22,000 soldiers during the war and had the lowest death rate of any war hospital in the country. The hospital closed in 1919 and Royds Hall became a secondary school.

                       Durker Roods Hospital was located in Meltham, Huddersfield. It opened on the 30th of October 1914 providing 30 beds staffed by three qualified nurses and 18 VAD's. The Commandant was Miss C M Wrigley. After treating 123 injured servicemen, the hospital closed in October 1915 with patients transferring to the new Huddersfield War Hospital.

                       Holmfirth Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on the 12th of November 1914 with six beds. Almost entirely funded through local donations and staffed by unpaid female volunteer VADs. By the closing Ceremony on the 4th of March 1919, nearly 1000 soldiers had been treated. Temporary buildings were re-located to form the first hospital in the valley, which is still open as the Holmfirth Memorial Hospital. The nurses were known locally as the 'Angels of Bottoms' (the location of the Auxiliary Cottage Hospital) The daily history of the war is captured 100 years on through a Twitter feed @angelsofbottoms

                       Honely Auxiliary Hospital in Huddersfield opened on the 11th of November 1914 and provided 60 beds. 754 patients had been treated by the time the hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918.

                       Kirkburton Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall, Shelley Lane, Kirkburton near Huddersfield. It opened on the 29th of November 1914 and provided 35 beds, 23 in the Drill hall and the remainder in tented wards erected in the grounds. 765 patients were treated at the hospital before it closed on the 31st of December 1918. The building later became Kirkburton Surgery and was demolished in 2005, the site now being occupied by a car park.

                       Lepton Auxiliary Hospital, Huddersfield opened on the 9th of September 1916 providing 12 beds. It in closed 1917 following the decision to close all hospitals with under 25 beds. It was run by the West Riding 150 and 152 VADs. The Lepton Hospital reopened with 40 beds in July 1918 and remained open until January 1918.

                       Lightridge House Auxiliary Hospital at Fixby, Huddersfield opened on the 13th of November 1914 and provided 12 beds. The Commandant was Nurse Fletcher. The hospital closed in November 1917.

                       Shepley Auxiliary Hospital, Huddersfield opened on the 8th of May 1916 and provided 18 beds. It was later expanded to 30 beds and treated 520 patients during the conflict.

                       Stanwick Park Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Stanwick Hall, Stanwick St John, in North Yorkshire. The house was owned by the Duke of Northumberland and had been let to tennants since the death of Eleanor Percy, Duchess of Northumberland in 1911. The house was demolished in 1923.

                       Sleights Red Cross Hospital was situated in Sleights Institute and was run by Dr. T. H. English and his wife with a staff of Red Cross VADs. Today the building is in use as Sleights Village Hall.

                       Darrington Auxiliary Hospital was in Darrington near Pontefract and was affliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital at Becketts Park, Leeds.

                       Allerton House Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Thorner in a house lent by T. G. Mylchrest, Esq., of Eltofts, Thorner. It was run by West Riding 78 VAD (St John's) and was affiliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds. The Commandant was Mrs. Harding Churton, the Quartermaster was Miss Pflaum, Matron was Miss H Mann and the Medical Officer Capt. Munby. The Hospital opened on the 30th of March 1916, providing 35 beds. later increased to 57. From June 1916 it was reserved for jaw cases and was expanded to 57 beds. By the time it closed on the 17th of April 1919, 1320 patients had been treated.

                       The Duchess of Connaught Red Cross Hospital, was located in 15 acres of the grounds of Cliveden, a stately home set in an 376-acre estate near Taplow. The hospital was built by the wealthy American Astor family and furnished by the Canadian Red Cross for the treatment of mainly Canadian soldiers. The first patients arrived in March 1915. It was later renamed 15th Canadian Hospital. The military hospital closed on the 15th of September 1919.

                     

                       Dorton House Hospital was located in Dorton House in Buckinghamshire. Today the property is home to Ashford School.

                       Bramshott Military Hospital was located at the Canadian Army's Bramshott Camp on the common between Bramshott and Liphook in Hampshire. It became the 12th Canadian General Hospital on the 12th of October 1917.

                       12th Canadian General Hospital opened on the 12th of October 1917 at the renamed Bramshott Military Hospital at the Canadian Army's Bramshott Camp on the common between Bramshott and Liphook in Hampshire. The hospital closed on the 23rd of September 1919.

                       Arnold Auxiliary Hospital, Doncaster was run by the West Riding 76 VAD and was affiliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds. It was located in Edenfield House, Thorne Road, the use of which was donated by local building contractor W. S. Arnold. The Commandant was Mrs Pickering. The building now Rutland House used as a conference centre.

                       Askham Grange Auxiliary Hospital in York was run by West Riding 80 VAD, in the home of the Mr and Mrs Wailes Fairbairn, who remained resident with Mrs Wailes Fairburn being the Commandant, with the held of Sister Parry and the Medical Officer Dr. Armytage. The Hospital provided 10 beds and opened briefly for the treatment of 16 Belgian Soldiers on the 23rd of October 1914. It then reopened on the 8th of July 1915 and was later expanded to 30 beds. The hospital closed on the 4th of January 1919, having treated 441 additional patients.

                       Beaulieu Auxiliary Hospital in Harrogate was located in a house lent and fully equipped by Mr. and Mrs. Lund of Becca Hall, Aberford, who bore all expenses not covered by the 2/- Army grant, with the exception of a few gifts for endowed beds. The hospital was staffed by the West Riding 86, 94 and 118 VADs with Mrs Lund acting as Head of the Hospital. The hospital opened on the 9th of October 1914 providing 15 beds, which was later increased to 30. By the time the hospital closed on the 11th of April 1919, 1002 patients had been treated.

                       Castle Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Mytholmroyd in a house lent by Miss E. M. Rigby, who acted as Commandant. The Quartermaster was Mr. E. Howarth and the Medical Officer was Dr. Bradley. Providing 16 beds the hospital opened on 13th of October 1916 and 212 patients were treated before it closed on the 26th of November 1918.

                       Clifford Street Auxiliary Hospital was situated in the Friends' Meeting House in Clifford Street, York, which was lent by the Trustees. It was run by the West Riding 36, 38, 80 and 88 VADs and opened on the 23rd of March 1915, the first patients being a convoy of soldiers who arrived direct from the Front. The hospital provided 40 beds which was later increased to 56. By the time the hospital closed on the 10th of January 1919, 819 patients had been treated.

                       Elland Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated in The Plains, a private house which was lent by the Trustees of the late John Dewhirst. It was run by the West Riding 184 VAD and opened on the 10th of January 1917, providing 30 beds. An additional 30 beds were provided in Brooksbank, a school-building lent by the EIland Branch of the S.J.A.A. which opened on the 23rd of April 1917. The Commandant was Dr. G. Hoyle, the Quartermaster Miss Ainley an the Medical Officers were Dr. G. Hoyle Dr. G. W. Holton. The Hospital closed on the 21st of May 1919, having treated 919 patients.

                       Gledhow Hall Auxiliary Hospital in Leeds was run by the West Riding 82 VAD and opened on the 22nd of May 1915 providing 52 beds. A further 86 beds were later added in hutted accommodation in the grounds of the hall. The Commandant was Miss E. Cliff, the Quartermaster. Miss Sykes and the Medical Officer Dr. Eustace Carter. The house was lent by Lord Airedale and was in perfect condition, the staff and patients made it their pride that it should not suffer from their occupation. The hospital has its own cinema and tea shop and silver cups were presented to be competed for in weekly inter-ward competitions. By the time it closed on the 31st of March 1919, 2,250 patients had been treated at Gledhow Hall.

                       Crow Wood Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Sowerby Bridge in a house lent by W. P. Eglin Ltd., of Raymont, Halifax. The Hospital opened on the 25th of April 1917, providing 50 beds, which was later increased to 59. The Commandant was Miss Gowing, the Quartermaster Miss Gaukroger and the Medical Officers were Dr. J. A. Adams, Dr. P. J. Fry and Dr. J. P. Brown. By the time the hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919, 764 patients had been treated.

                       Knaresborough Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the buildings of the Knaresborough Workhouse on Stockwell Road, lent by the Local Government Board and the Knaresborougb Board of Guardians. The hospital opened on the 9th of November 1916, provided 47 beds and was run by West Riding 32 VAD. The Commandant was Lady Evelyn Collins, succeeded by Miss Collins, who initially acted as Quartermaster and was succeeded by Miss Alexander. The Medical Officer was Dr. Mackay. The Hospital closed on the 13th of February 1919, having treated a total of 573 patients. The site later became Knaresborough Hospital and was demolished in 1996 to make way for new housing.

                       Denby Dale Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Victoria Hall, Denby Dale near Huddersfield. It opened in December 1916 providing 50 beds the official title being the Denby Dale and Cumberworth, Skelmanthorpe and Clayton West Joint Convalescent Hospital.

                       Flounders College Auxiliary Hospital, Ackworth near Pontefract was situated in the Flounders Institute, a former teacher training centre which was lent by the Hunhill Detachment of the Society of Friends. The hospital opened on the 12th of March 1915 providing 40 beds and was run by West Riding 22 VAD. It was equipped by Miss Neilson who bore all expenses not covered by the army grant. The number of beds was later increased to 100. The hospital closed on the 15th of March 15th 1919 having treated 1670 patients.

                       Grove House Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated in Grove House on Skipton Road, Harrogate. Built in 1745-54 as World's End Inn, a square shaped hostelry around an inner quadrangle, it was the first house in Yorkshire to have gas lighting and heating. The hospital opened in November 1914 and provided 64 beds. The Commandant was Evelyn L Lascelles. The hospital remained open until April 1919. Today the buildings is owned by the Royal Antidiluvian Order of Buffaloes.

                       Harewood House, near Leeds was offered by the Earl of Harewood for use as a Convalescent Hospital for wounded Officers. It was affiliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds

                       Hooton Pagnall Hall Auxiliary Hospital near Doncaster was run by Julia Warde-Aldam whose husband William owned Hooton Pagnell Hall. She served as the Commandant of the hospital and also as the matron and general administrator of the single ward which was set up in the drawing room.

                       Hopton Grove Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Hopton Lane, Mirfield.

                       Ilkley Auxiliary Military Hospital was run by the West Riding 102 VAD and was affiliated to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds, being designated as No 1. Auxiliary Hospital. It was situated in The Ilkley Convalescent Home in The Grove, the first patents to be admitted were 62 wounded Belgian Soldiers who arrived on the 16th of October 1914. The hospital provided 100 beds. Today the building is used as a care home.

                       Ledston Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Ledston Hall, a statley home in Ledston near Castleford. The medical officer was Capt. G. B. Hillman, RAMC who had previously been in charge of the Spinola and Hamrun military hospitals in Malta. Today the gardens are open to the public.

                       Lotherton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Aberford, Leeds and was run by the Gascoigne family who remained in residence. Laura Gwendolen Gascoigne was the Commandant. The hospital was open from autumn 1914 to 1919 and in total 655 patients were treated. Today the Hall is open to the public.

                       Loversall Hall Auxiliary Hospital, Doncaster was run by Mrs Sophia Skipwith, whose family owned the hall, with assistance from the West Riding 50 VAD. The hospital opened in December 1914 providing 100 beds.

                       Middlewood Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Darfield near Barnsley, loaned by the Taylor family, whose daughter Phyllis worked as a red cross nurse at the hospital. Run by the West Riding 132 VAD, it was affiliated to the Wharncliffe War Hospital in Sheffield and provided 32 beds.

                       Normanby Park Auxiliary Hospital was opened in Normanby Hall near Doncaster which was loaned by by Sir Berkeley Sheffield and his wife, Lady Julia for use as a hospital. Over 1,200 soldiers were treated at the hospital between 1914 and 1919. Today the hall is open to the public during the summer months and includes an exhibition on the WW1 hospital.

                       North Deighton Manor Hospital for Officers was situated in teh 17th century manor house at North Deighton near Wetherby. It was staffed by the West Riding 14 VAD.

                       Nunthorpe Hall Auxiliary Hospital was staffed by West Riding 36, 38 and 88 VADs. Nunthrope Hall was located in York and was lent to the Red Cross by Sir Edward Lycett-Green who bore all hospital expenses not covered by the government grant. The hospital opened on the 1st of October 1915, providing 50 beds across eight wards. This was later increased to 76 beds. By the time it closed on the 14th of April 1919, 915 patients had been treated at the hospital. The Hall was demolished in 1977 and the site is now occupied by the houses of Coggan Close, between Albemarle Road and Philadelphia Terrace.

                       Oakwood Hall Auxiliary Hospital in Rotherham was staffed by the West Riding 144 VAD and provided 100 beds. Today Oakwood Hall is part of Rotherham General Hospital.

                       Oulton Hall Officers Hospital was situated in Oulton Hall, Oulton near Leeds. It was a convalescent home for the wounded officers and also housed some Belgian refugees and Military Hospital offices. Today the Hall is in use as a hotel.

                       Priestley Green Auxiliary Hospital was a Convalescent Hospital near Halifax.

                       Roundhay Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated at Gledhow Hill, Leeds loaned by H.W. Thompson and opened in 1915. It was staffed by the West Riding 122 VAD and was an auxiliary to East Leeds War Hospital.

                       St. Marys Convent Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Micklegate Bar, York and was an auxiliary to the 2nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds.

                       Spring Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Spring Hall mansion situated off Huddersfield Road, Halifax. It opened on the 1st of February 1916 when the house, its annexe and the neighbouring Shaw Lodge were requisitioned as a Convalescent and Auxiliary Hospital for injured servicemen, staffed by War and Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses Initially providing 84 beds, the number was later increased to 142. In total 3,619 patients were treated at Spring Hall.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Brunner Mond Club Hospital was situated in the Brunner Mond Club at the Company's Middlewich Works with additional beds provided in an annex at Ravenscroft Hall.

                       Newton Abbot Auxiliary Hospital was located in Newton Hall, College Road, Newton Abbot. The building has since been demolished.

                       The Baptist School on Wilbraham Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy was used as an auxiliary hospital during the Great War. Today the site is occupied by sheltered housing.

                       Chorlton-cum-Hardy Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the Baptist School on Wilbraham Road with an annexe in the Wesleyan School.

                       Dane Hall Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Dane Hall, Bishops Stortford.

                       Fernleigh Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Fernleigh House, Larkfield. The house was demolished in 1966 and today the site is occupied by the housing on The Ferns.

                       Aughton Auxiliary Hospital was located in Aughton near Ormskirk. The Matron was Miss Mary Jane Bailey.

                       Druids Cross Military Hospital was situated in a Victorian mansion, Druid’s Cross in Liverpool which was loaned by Sir Alexander Brown and had previously been used as a girls school. 150 beds were provided in five wards on the ground floor, along with operating theatre, accommodation for the nurses was on the first floor. The hospital opened on the 29th of June 1918 and over 700 patients were treated. The building was later used as St Catharine’s Orphanage for Roman Catholic Girls.

                       Acton Hospital was situated on Gunnersbury Lane, London, it opened in May 1898 as The Passmore Edward Cottage Hospital, in 1915 one ward of the civilian hospital was given over to military patients and the Committee Room was converted into a second military ward. After the war a new wing was built by public donation as a War Memorial and the hospital was renamed the Acton War Memorial Hospital. The hospital closed in 2001.

                       Braeside V.A.D. Hospital was situated at 1 Connaught Avenue, Loughton in Essex and was staffed by Essex 36 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Providing 15 beds the hospital opened in January 1915 and was affiliated to the Colchester Military Hospital. The number of beds was increased to 25 in 1917 and later to 33. It closed in 1919.

                       Blake Hall Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was situated in the covered tennis court at Blake Hall, Stony Lane, Bobbingsworth near Ongar in Essex. It was lent by Mr and Mrs William Buckley Gladstone who also lent his chauffeur and a motorcar for hospital use. It opened in July 1915 with 20 beds which was later increased to 39 with the erection of a marquee in the grounds. The hospital closed in May 1919 and today Blake Hall is used as a wedding venue.

                       Bleakdown Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated in the dining room of the Clubhouse of Bleakdown Golf Club on Sheerwater Road in West Byfleet, Surrey. The hospital opened in October 1916 with 38 beds which was later increased to 46. The hospital closed in October 1919 and today the club is known as the West Byfleet Golf Club.

                       Blythswood Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Blythswood, a house loaned by Mr John H. Robinson on Elmstead Road in West Byfleet, Kent. The Hospital opened in November 1915, providing 45 beds, it was affiliated to the South African Military Hospital in Richmond and was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Hospital closed on 31st December 1918 and today the building is a private residence.

                       Binefield Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Binefield on Woodhurst Lane in Oxted, Surrey. It opened in October 1914 providing 20 beds staffed by the Surrey 46 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In June 1915 the hospital became an annexe to Charing Cross Hospital. The Hospital closed on 29th November 1917 as the Governors of Charing Cross Hospital decided to give up two auxiliary hospitals. After being and was thoroughly cleaned the hospital reopened on the 21st of December 1917, now affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank. The hospital closed on the 30th of June 1918, 550 patients had been treated at the Hospital, most of them being cot cases spending a long stretch at the hospital. Today the house is a private residence.

                       Bexley Military Hospital was located in the buildings of the The Seventh London County Asylum on Old Bexley Lane, Bexley, Kent which continued in used as a mental asylum during the Great War.

                       Brondesbury Park Military Hospital was situated in The Mission House on the corner of Christchurch Avenue and Brondesbury Park which was loaned by Revd Dr Herbert Vaughan. It opened in March 1915 and was affiliated to the 1st London General Hospital. Initially providing 22 beds, this gradually increased to 60, taking over all the large rooms as wards. The Commandant was Miss Maude T. Thomas, the Quartermaster was her sister, Miss F.T. Thomas who was a qualified dispenser. It was staffed by the London 144 VAD. In 1917 the large neighbouring property, Beversbrook was lent by Mr Stanley Gibbs as an annexe, with an additional 50 beds bringing the total to 120 beds. The Hospitals closed in March 1919. The house was later demolished and the site has been rebuilt, only the gate posts and boundary wall remain.

                       Brook War Hospital was located in the buildings of the Brook Fever Hospital on Shooters Hill Road, Woolwich. It opened on the 2nd of September 1915 providing 1000 beds. By the time it closed on the 5th of November 1919, 414 Officers and 30,080 Other Ranks.

                       Brooklyn V.A.D. Hospital was situated at Brooklyn, 12 Crystal Palace Park Road in Sydenham. It was staffed by the Kent 132 Voluntary Aid Detachment and opened in May 1915 with 20 beds, affiliated to the Royal Herbert Hospital. The number of beds was increased to 29. In 1918 the Hospital transferred to the Edgehill Auxiliary Hospital. The house was demolished in the 1930's and Park Court was built on the site.

                       Battersea Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at 9 Cedars Road, Clapham. It opened in October 1914 and the first patients were Belgian Soldiers. From March 1915 it was affiliated to the 1st London General Hospital and provided 40 beds. The hospital closed in 1919.

                       Beckett Hospital for Officers was situated at 34 Grosvenor Street in London and was run by Hon. Mrs Beckett, wife of the banker, Major the Hon. Rupert Evelyn Beckett. The hospital opened in December 1914 it was occupied providing 25 beds, affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank. The Hospital closed in 1917.

                       Beech House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Nos 16 and 18 The Avenue in Brondesbury. It opened on 12th of March 1915 in No. 16 The Avenue and was affiliated to the 1st London General Hospital, providing 50 beds. This was later expanded to 81 beds taking over the house next door at No. 18 The hospital closed on 31st May 1919 with 1,560 patients having been treated.

                       Bolingbroke Hospital was located in Five Houses Lane (now Bolingbroke Grove) on the edge of Wandsworth Common in London. It opened in 1878 as a voluntary hospital and was rebuilt and expanded in the early 1900's. During the Great War the hospital provided 25 beds for Military patients transferred from the 3rd London General Hospital. The Hospital closed in 2007.

                       Dobson War Relief Hospital was located at 22 Charlton Road in Blackheath and provided 50 beds. It opened in Autumn 1914 and was affiliated to the Royal Herbert Hospital in Shooters Hill. It closed in May 1919.

                       Dollis Hill House Auxiliary Hospital was located in Dollis Hill House tearooms in Gladstone Park, on Dollis Hill Lane, Willesden. The hospital opened in 1916 providing 23 beds. The Commandant was Mrs Aubrey Richardson and the hospital was staffed by the Middlesex 3rd Voluntary Aid Detachment. In early 1917 open-air huts were erected in the grounds expanding the Hospital to 52 beds, this was increased to 71 by the end of the year. In May 1919 the Hospital was taken over by the Ministry of Pensions and remained open until 1923. The building was demolished in 2011.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Festungs Lazaret was a hospital which treated injured allied Prisoners of War and was situated in Cologne.

                       Hollingworth Camp was located on the shore of Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough in the area now occupied by the visitor centre.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       4th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment had just returned to Warwick and were due to be disbanded when war broke out in August 1914, the disbandment was cancelled and they were sent to the Isle of Wight. The Battalion was engaged in training new recruits. They moved to Dover around the end of September 1917.

                     

                       Tesdale House Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at 22 Marcham Road, Abingdon-on-Thames, with two adjacent houses also being rented to provide hospital accommodation totalling 60 beds. A nissen hut was erected in the garden as a recreation room. Run by the Berkshire Branch of the British Red Cross Society. Tesdale House was noted to be the most economically run hospital in the county. Opening in March 1915, over 1000 soldiers were treated before the hospital closed in March 1919.

                       Cintra Terrace Auxiliary Hospital was located in the five storey Cintra Terrace on Hills Road in Cambridge was staffed by the Cambridge 28 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The building was later renamed Cintra House and became home to The Open University.

                       Cottenham Red Cross Hospital opened in the Baptist School with 40 beds and later transferred to Rectory and Schools. The Commandant was Florence Cox, wife of the local doctor.

                       Ingestre Auxiliary Military Hospital was located on Moss Lane, Ashton upon Mersey in Cheshire. The Matron was Miss Elizabeth Fisher.

                       The Vicarage Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Highlands Road, Runcorn.

                       Chadwick Auxiliary Hospital was opened in Chadwick Memorial Industrial School, Etterby Scaur, Carlisle on 25 March 1915, providing 23 beds for Other Ranks, this was later increased to 45. The hospital was under the control of No.1 Western General Hospital, Fazakerley, the Commandant was Mrs Cecil Donald. Chadwick Hospital closed on the 7th of March 1919 having treated 627 patients. Today the building is in use by the Austin Friars School.

                       Bulstrode Park Hospital was a convalescent military hospital situated in the mansion owned by Sir John and Lady Ramsden on Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. It opened on the 11th of November 1914, when the first patients arrived from the Third Southern General Hospital in Oxford. In February 1915 it became affiliated to the Second London General Hospital, accepting patients who had been treated there. 266 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 1st of December 1915.

                    Bulstrode was in military used again during WW2 when it became the Royal Air Force College in 1942 and a Canadian Red Cross Hospital occupied the grounds.

                       Cockermouth Castle Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Cockermouth Castle, it was staffed by members of the Cumberland 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital opened in March 1917 and provided 20 beds.

                       Osmaston Manor Red Cross Hospital was situated in Osmaston Manor, a stately home in the Derbyshire Dales. It was also used as a hospital during WW2.

                       Morley Manor Red Cross Hospital was situated in Smalley near Derby and opened in autumn 1914. The Matron was Anna Lister-Kaye. The building was later used as a children's home.

                       Hamilton Convalescent Hospital was situated at Thorpe Bay, Southend on Sea, it opened in autumn 1914.

                       Eastleigh Military Hospital was situated in Chamberlayne School, Eastleigh. The hospital handled 72,000 wounded during the war. It was first called the Eastleigh Clearing Hospital, then the Eastleigh Military Hospital and then the Eastleigh Casualty Clearing Station. It opened in Spring 1915 as a Clearing Hospital taking men directly from the transports arriving at Southampton, who were sick or had minor wounds. Providing 1250 beds, the majority of patients had a short stay before being transferred to Auxiliary Hospitals or to Convalescent Camps.

                       Kington Red Cross Hospital was situated in Kingswood Hall, the infirmary of the Kington Union Workhouse. Providing 40 beds, the hospital opened on the 18th of March 1915 and was staffed by members of the Hereford No.10 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It closed on 4th of February 1919.

                     

                     

                     

                       3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards were was stationed in London in 1914. They proceeded to France on the 27th of July 1915, landing at Le Havre and joined 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. They saw action in the The Battle of Loos, The Battles of the Somme, German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Third Battles of Ypres, The Battle of Cambrai and in 1918 on the Somme, the Hindenburg Line. After the armistice they moved to the Rhine and returned to England in 1919.

                       70th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force was raised in September 1915 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel I. R. Towers in London, Ontario. The Battalion recruited in Essex, Kent, Lambton and Middlesex counties. They embarked overseas from Halifax on the 24th of April 1916 aboard the SS Lapland, arriving in England on the 5th of May 1916. On the 7th of July 1916 the Battalion was absorbed by 39th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

                       201st (County Palatine) Field Company, Royal Engineers was raised in January 1915 and joined 30th Division when it was formed in April 1915 from units from Kitchener's 5th New Army and concentrated near Grantham. In the Autumn they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury and proceeded to France in November.

                       Camberley Auxiliary Military Hospital was situated in Firlands House, Firlands Avenue, Camberley and was affiliated to Aldershot Command. It was also used as a hospital during WW2. In the 1930's the building became the Camberley Court Hotel, it was demolished in the 1970's and the site is now occupied by Court Gardens.

                       No.7 Depot, Royal Field Artillery was based at Frome and Romsey.

                       Henham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was situated in Henham Hall, Henham Park near Blythburgh in Suffolk. The Georgian Mansion was loaned by the 3rd Earl of Stradbroke and the hospital was run by the Red Cross. The house was demolished in 1952 but the park remains and hosts many events throughout the year.

                       Gippeswyk Red Cross (Isolation) Hospital was located in Gippeswyk Hall, on the corner of Gippeswyk Avenue & Birkfield Drive in Ipswich. It opened in March 1915, with Miss Mary Caroline Coulcher, secretary of the local St John's Ambulance as Commandant. Today the building is home to the Red Rose Chain Film & Theatre Company, who have restored the building and added a community drama space at the rear.

                       Fairfield Red Cross Hospital was located on London Road, Lowestoft.

                       Finborough Red Cross Hospital was located in Finborough Hall, Stowmarket

                       Foxborough Hall Red Cross Hospital was situated in Foxborough Hall, Melton, Woodbridge.

                       Northgate Red Cross Hospital was located on Northgate Street, Bury St. Edmunds.

                       Sussex Lodge Red Cross Hospital was located in Sussex Lodge, Newmarket.

                       Woolverstone Red Cross Hospital was situated in Woolverstone Hall on the banks of the River Orwell near Ipswich, loaned by Mr. Charles Hugh Berners. The hall was used as a Naval training establishment in WW2 and today the building is in use as a school.

                     

                       Third Battle of Ypres was launched by the allies on the 31st July 1917 and raged until the 10th November 1917, the weather was notoriously wet, turning the difficult Flanders clay into an impossible quagmire. Due to conditions on the battlefield, it was difficult to recover the remains of those who lost their lives and many remain where they fell, their names recorded on the panels of the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

                    The Battle was made up of a number of actions:

                    • Battle of Pilckem, 31st July to 2nd August.
                    • Battle of Langemarck, 16th to 18th August.
                    • Battle Of The Menin Road, 20th to 25th September.
                    • Battle of Polygon Wood, 26th September to 3rd October.
                    • Battle of Broodseinde, 4th October.
                    • Battle of Poelcapelle, 9th October.
                    • First Battle of Passchendaele, 12th October.
                    • Second Battle of Passchendaele, 26th October to 10th November.


                       The Women's Auxiliary Army Corps was formed in July 1917, allowing women to contribute to the war effort, taking over some roles from their male counterparts, freeing up more men for active service. The WAAC was renamed the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps in April 1918 and was disbanded in September 1921.

                       Leigh POW Camp, was situated close to Liford Street in Leigh, Lancashire in buildings belonging to the Lilford Weaving Company. The first group of German prisoners arrived on the 29th of January 1915. Some of the men held were engaged in work at the Partington Steel Works in Irlam.

                       36th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps was formed as part of 36th Division and went overseas with them in October 1915 but was disbanded on the 31st of May 1916, with the men being allocated to other units.

                       Raikeswood POW Camp near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales was built as a training camp for the Bradford Pals and used for holding Officers late in the war.

                       Raikeswood Camp near Skipton in the Yorkshire Dales was built in late 1914 as a training camp for the Bradford Pals.

                       Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service was formed in 1902 under the patronage of Queen Alexandra to provide nursing care to those who served in the Royal Navy.

                       Gadebridge Camp was situated in the grounds of Gadebridge House near Hemel Hempstead.

                       13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers was raised at Hounslow on the 13th of September 1914, a battalion of Kitchener's 3rd New Army. They joined 24th Division as Army Troops until March 1915 when they joined 111th Brigade, 37th Division. They proceeded to France on the 30th of July 1915, landing at Boulogne.

                     

                       Scoveston Fort is located on the northern shore of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire and was built in the 1860's as part of the harbour defence. At the outbreak of the Great War a trench system was built either side of the fort from Waterston to Llangwm. Today the fort is not accessible by the public.

                     

                     

                       Garendon Camp was located in the grounds of Garendon Hall near Loughborough in Leicestershire and was home to the Royal Horse Artillery.

                     

                     

                       The Battle of the Lys began on the 9th of April 1918 when the German army launched an attack on Allied lines near Armentieres. It was a carefully planned attack, in the aftermath of Operation Michael, the German offensive on the Somme which had begun on the 21st of March. Many of the Allied units who had been exhausted by the fighting withdrawal had been moved north to the quieter sectors of Flanders. The German troops first targeted a section of the line held by inexperienced Portuguese troops and broke through rapidly, this was followed by a sustained attack which pushed the Allied lines back all along the Ypres Salient, south of the city of Ypres, which held firm against the onslaught.

                       The Hundred Days Offensive was the Allied advance to victory, made up of a series of operations on the Western Front which began on the 8th of August 1918 and led to the Armistice on the 11th of November 1918.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                      Congratulatory Telegram

                       The Princess Club Hospital was located in the buildings of the Princess Club at 100 to 108 Jamaica Road, Bermondsey in London, which had been established by Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, one of Queen Victoria's grandaughters for the workers of Rotherhithe and Bermondsey. It was a Red Cross convalescent home with 85 beds and 25 members of staff, it also boasted a rooftop garden which was used by the patients.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Chilwell National Filling Factory No. 6. opened in late 1915 and was located near the village of Chilwell, Nottinghamshire beside the railway on the main road from Nottingham to Ashby de la Zouch. The site is now occupied by the Chetwynd Barracks.

                       HMS Tara was a converted passenger steamer, previously named SS Hibernia owned by the London and North Western Railway she had been sailing their service between Holyhead and Dublin before the war. Her crew was mostly made up of Welshmen and the majority remained with her as Tara took on her wartime role as an anti-submarine patrol vessel.

                       Longshawe Lodge Red Cross Hospital, situated on the Longshawe Estate near Grindleford in Derbyshire, the building was a shooting lodge loaned by the Duke of Rutland. It provided convalescent 62 beds and was affiliated the 3rd Northern General Hospital. Today the building is owned by the National Trust.

                       Bishops Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bishops Hall, Lambourne End in Romford, loaned by the Lockwood family.

                       Knebworth Golf House in Hertfordshire was used as hospital during the Great War.

                       Abbots Ripton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Abbots Ripton Hall, Abbots Ripton in Huntingdonshire, loaned for use as a hospital by Lord De Ramsey.

                       Whitstable Auxiliary Hospital was located at Barn House in Whitstable, a large timbered building with an attractive garden which had been Queen Mary's Coronation Holiday Home. Thirty beds were provided for soldiers recovering from wounds.

                       Tankerton Military Hospital was located in the Marine Hotel, Marine Parade on the seafront at Tankerton near Whitstable. The hotel was closed at the outbreak of war and preparations for the hospital began.

                       Crofton Auxiliary Hospital was located on North Sudley Road, Liverpool and opened in January 1917 offtering 55 beds and staffed by No. 27 Voluntary Aid Detachment. 657 patients were treated at the hospital before it closed in 1919.

                       Bracondale Auxiliary Hospital, Norwich was staffed by the members of No. 66 Voluntary Aid Detachment

                       The Platanes at 10 Champion Hill, Camberwell was the officers section of the Maudsley Military Hospital, the neurological section of the the 4th London General Hospital. Fourty Four beds were provided for officers suffering from shell shock, from 1915 to 1920. Today the building is in use as student accommodation for King's College Hall.

                     

                     

                       No. 26 General Hospital was at Etaples in France. It opened in June 1915.

                       No. 2 General Hospital was located at Quai De Escales, Le Havre in France.

                       Highfield Military Hospital, was located at Knotty Ash, Liverpool and opened in May 1915 in the buildings previously used as Highfield Sanatorium, a treatments centre for tuberculosis. It was made up of eight pavilions, over a 33 acre site, each having two wards with 30 beds. The hospital was equipped with operating theatres and an x-ray department. Highfield had a specialist section for facial disfigurement and 1917 became a centre for orthopaedic treatment. The site later became Broadgreen Hospital.

                       Horton (County of London) War Hospital was located on Long Grove Road, Epsom in Surrey in the Horton Asylum and opened in May 1915. It was a specialist centre for ear, nose and throat injuries and later for seriously injured officers. Over 44,600 patients were treated before the hospital was handed back to London County Council.

                       Schiff Hospital for the Wounded was located in the Schiff Home for Recovery, set in 48 acres of Knowle Hill Park on Fairmile Lane, Cobham in Surrey. The convalescent home offered 21 beds to the war office and on the 28th of September 1915 it became affiliated to the Horton War Hospital. A further 40 military beds were provided in 1918. The wards were handed back on the 2nd of October 1919.

                       Heywood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Heywood House, Cobham, the home of cigarette manufacturer Walter Butler of Lambert & Butler. Offering 21 beds, the hospital opened in August 1915 and was affiliated to Horton War Hospital. Mildred Butler, Walter's wife, was the Commandant. The hospital closed at the end of 1918, today the property is home to the ACS Cobham International School.

                       The Epsom and Ewell War Hospital (Grandstand) was located in the newly built a new four storey luncheon annexe behind the Epsom Racecourse Grandstand and opened in October 1914. 672 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 29th of February 1916. The building was demolished in 2007.

                       Clandon Park War Hospital was located at Clandon Park, the stately home of the Earl and Countess of Onslow. Lady Onslow was commandant. Clandon offered 100 beds, later increased to 132, and received men directly from the front. 5059 patients were treated before the hospital closed.

                       Mount Stuart Naval Hospital was located at Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute, the house was offered as a Naval Hospital at the outbreak of war by the Marchioness of Bute Augusta Crichton Stuart, wife of the 4th Marquess. Lady Bute oversaw the transformation of the house which in addition to wards, offered x-ray facilities and an operating theatre. 2,120 patients were treated before the hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Kingston House was a neurasthenia hospital for Officers, overlooking Liberton Brae in Edinburgh. It was a grand turreted mansion built for a wealthy businessman in the 1860's, it was purchased by Edinburgh council in March 1918 for use as a hospital. The hospital closed in 1925 and today the building has been converted into apartments.

                       South Wingfield VAD Hospital was located in Mill House, opposite the school on Church Lane,South Wingfield, Derbyshire. The house was loaned by the Bower family and the hospital opened on the 5th of November 1914 initially providing 12 beds.

                       Belper Red Cross VAD Hospital was located at Green Hall, King Street, Belper which was previously a boys' school. The hospital opened in December 1914 providing 40 beds and an up-to-date operating theatre, at the expense of George Herbert Strutt, whose wife Emily became the Commandant. Over 3,000 patients were treated before the hospital closed.

                       Willersley Red Cross Hospital was located at Willersley Castle, Cromford near Matlock. The majority of the Castle was loaned as a hospital at the outbreak of war with Mr F.C. Arkwright, Deputy Lieutenant for Derbyshire reserving only two rooms for his family.

                       The Ontario Military Hospital was located on Sevenoaks Road, Orpington in Kent. It opened on the 19th February 1916, providing over 1000 beds, with all equipment and staff being from Canada. In 1917 the hospital was renamed No. 16 Canadian General Hospital and the number of beds was doubled. The hospital closed in May 1919, having treated over 30,000 patients. Today the site is home to Orpington Hospital.

                       Corsham Red Cross Hospital was located in the Town Hall and opened on the 26th October 1914 providing 30 beds.It was staffed by the members of Wiltshire 30 Voluntary Aid Detachment. A nurses home was established in Pickwick Road and an electrotherapy room in Church Street. The hospital closed in August 1919 having treated 875 patients. The names of those who staffed the hospital are recorded on a memorial in a first floor room at the Town Hall.

                       Brighton Pavilion Hospital was opened as a convalescence hospital for Indian soldiers. In April 1916 it became a rehabilitation centre for limbless soldiers. 526 beds were available and the patients received vocational training as well as medical care. The Queen Mary’s Workshops were opened in the Pavilion grounds and patients were taught practical skills to help them find employment, courses included vehicle mechanics, electrical engineering, carpentry and woodwork, boot and shoe-mending, book-keeping, shorthand, typewriting, English and grammar. The hospital closed in 1920 having treated over 6000 patients.

                       Bishops Palace VAD Hospital opened in the Bishop of Gloucester's Palace in 1916, moving from Hillfield House, Wotton as additional beds were required to meet the demands of casualties arriving from the Somme. Today The Palace is part of King's School.

                       Hillfield House VAD Hospital opened at Hillfield House, Wotton Gloucester and moved to the Bishop of Gloucester's Palace in 1916, Hillfield House is now used as government offices.

                       Great Western Road Hospital was run by the Red Cross and was located in the newly built Union Infirmary on the south side of Great Western Road, Gloucester. The site later became the City General Hospital.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       

                    HMS Epsom taken in 1915

                    HMS Epsom was a Racecourse Class minesweeper built by George Brown and Company in Greenock and launched on the 4th of May 1916. She had a crew compliment of 50 and was commissioned on the 17th of July 1916.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Lindrick Camp was located a couple of miles west of Ripon in North Yorkshire.

                       St Edward's Church Vicarage, Racecommon Road, Barnsley became the Lancaster Convalescent Home for wounded soldiers in November 1914. St Edward's Church and Vicarage had been built in 1902 by Edward George Lancaster of Keresforth Hall, Barnsley in memory of his father Edward Lancaster. Edward George Lancaster was a local landowner, valuer and auctioneer who allowed the Vicar to live there rent-free. However, the Vicar found the Vicarage too large and expensive to live in and left to live in smaller premises. When war broke out in 1914 the Vicarage had been empty for a number of years and Mr Lancaster offered the Vicarage to the War Office to be used as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers for the duration of the war and to be run entirely at Mr Lancaster's expense. 562 men received treatment there during the Great War but no official records exist to tell us about the men who received treatment there.

                    The wounded men held fundraising concerts to raise money for tobacco and 'health-giving' drives in the countryside. Local newspapers regularly reported events at the Lancaster Home, and from these we are able to name some of the men who stayed there. A local photographer, Mr Lamb took photographs of groups of men and these can be found in the book 'Kingstone Remembers the Great War' produced by the Kingstone Heritage Group in Barnsley that meets in St Edward's Church. The Lancaster Convalescent Home was closed in March 1919 and once again became St Edward's Church Vicarage.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       5th Southern General Hospital was based at the Priory School in Fawcett Road, Fratton, Portmouth with additional wards at Portsea Island Union Infirmary in Milton Street and in private homes nearby.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       3rd West Lancashire Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was a territorial unit made up of the 12th, 13th and 14th Lancashire Batteries. They proceeded to France in October 1915 and served with 2nd Canadian Division. They rejoined 55th West Lancashire Division in January 1916 and the formation was renamed 277th (3rd West Lancashire) Brigade in May 1916.

                     

                     

                       205th (1st Dundee) Field Company, Royal Engineers was raised in Dundee as part of Kitchener's 5th New Army in March 1915. They served with 35th Division.

                       23rd Company, Royal Engineers served with 1st Division, proceeding to France in 1914.

                       26th Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 1st Division and proceeded to France in 1914.

                       1/1st Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 1st Division in France from December 1914 onwards. They were later renamed 409th (1/1st Lowland) Field Company.

                       1st Divisional Signals Company, Royal Engineers served in France with 1st Division from August 1914.

                       5th Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 2nd Division. They proceeded to France in August 1914.

                       11th Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 2nd Division, proceeding to France in August 1914. They transferred to 33rd Division in December 1915.

                       226th (Tottenham) Field Company, Royal Engineers proceeded to France in July 1915 with 33rd Division. They transferred to 2nd Division in December 1915.

                     

                       Ampthill House Convalescent Hospital was located at Ampthill House, Ampthill and provided 18 beds for patients transferring from Wrest Hospital. Between autumn 1914 and the summer of 1915, 60 patients were treated.

                       Tingrith Hospital provided 10 beds.

                       Wrest Park Military Hospital was located in the main house at Wrest Park, Silsoe and provided 100 beds. The house was the residence of Lord Lucas and he stood the expense of equipping the hospital, his sister Hon. Miss Herbert acted as Matron. The hospital closed in September 1916 after a large fire devastated part of the building.

                       Woburn Abbey Military Hospital was located on Duke of Bedford's Estate at Woburn, organised by the Duchess Mary and provided 102 beds. In 1917 the hospital became a special surgical military hospital, with convoys of the wounded being received direct from France. In total 2453 NCOs and men were treated the hospital. A marble Memorial Tablet listing those who died at the hospital is located inside the Church of St Mary the Virgin on the estate.

                       Dallow Road VAD Hospital was located in the Recreation Room in Dallow Road, Luton, possibly connected to the Diamond Foundry?

                       Bute Hospital on Dunstable Road, Luton opened in 1882, it provided beds for military cases as well as continuing to treat civilians during the Great War.

                       Town Hall VAD Hospital was located in Bedford Road, Sandy.

                       Victoria Road VAD Hospital was located in St Leonard's Church Centre, Victoria Road, Bedford.

                       Kintbury Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in Barton Court, a manor house in in Kintbury near Newbury in Berkshire. Today the house is in private ownership.

                       Benham Valence Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Benham Park House on Bath Road, Speen, Newbury, a large manor house overlooking a lake in parkland landscaped by Lancelot Brown.

                       Bisham Abbey Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in the manor house at Bisham, Berkshire. Today the property is used by Sport England as a National Sports Centre.

                       Buckhurst Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Buckhurst Manor, Buckhurst Lane, Wokingham.

                       Church House Auxiliary Hospital was located in All Saints Church Hall on Easthampstead Road, Wokingham and provided 17 beds. It opened on the 31st of January 1915, treating over 500 patients before it closed on 12th of March 1919.

                       Englefield House Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in Englefield House a stately home near Reading. The hospital opened in August 1914 in the Long Gallery, organised and funded by the Benyon family with their housekeeper Miss Dobbie as Quartermaster and staffed by the Berkshire 8th VAD. The first patients arrived on the 29th of October 1914. Today the house remains in the ownership of the Benyon family but the gardens are open to the public.

                       Fernhill Auxiliary Hospital, as an officers convalescent hospital providing 20 beds. It was located at Fernhill Park, Cranbourne in Windsor Forest, a large country house set in parkland with a lake.

                       Heatherside Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in Heatherside House, Crowthorne, organised by Miss E Monck of Aldworth, Crowthorne.

                       Kitemore Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Kitemore House, Faringdon.

                       Oaklea Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in Bracknell, organised by Mrs L A Berwick of Sunny Rise, Bracknell.

                       Park House Auxiliary St. Johns Hospital was located in Park House, Newbury.

                       Popeswood Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Binfield.

                       Rectory Cottage Hospital was located at Rectory Cottages near All Saints Church in Didcot.

                       Ridgelands Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Ridgeland House, Finchampstead.

                       Silwood Park Auxiliary Hospital was located in the house at Silwood Park, near Sunninghill. An officers convalescent hospital providing 20 beds. Today it is a rural campus of Imperial College London.

                       Maidenhead Technical Institute Red Cross Hospital was located in Maidenhead Technical School on Marlow Road. Initially providing 43 beds, the number was increased to 50 in 1916 and to 80 in April 1917, then to 100 in Jan 1918. In May 1918 the number was increased to 200 when the adjacent drill hall was converted for use as wards. Out patients were also treated at the premises.

                       Woodclyffe Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located in the The Woodclyffe Hall, a community hall in Wargrave, and had an annexe known as Gladdy House.

                       Bracknell Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located at Saunders Lodge, Bracknell. It later moved to Oaklea.

                       Basildon Park Hospital was located in the main house at Basildon Park near Goring on Thames, was a convalescent hospital. 50 beds were provided for Officers of the Guards Brigade, in which the owner was serving. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       White House Auxiliary Hospital was located in the White House in the grounds of Basildon Park near Goring on Thames. 14 Other Ranks beds were provided. Today the property is owned by the National Trust, the main house on the estate was in use as an officers hospital.

                       Newbury District Hospital provided 196 military beds as well as continuing to serve the local community. An annexe was built to accommodate soldiers, the hospital staff being assisted by Berkshire 54 Red Cross Detachment.

                       Highclere Castle, near Newbury provided 20 beds and was organised by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, Lady Almina who acted as Matron. The hospital,funded by her father, Alfred Rothschild, was staffed by 30 nurses, and provided an operating theatre in the Arundel bedroom. The first patients arrived in September 1914. The hospital became a centre for orthopaedic excellence.

                       Ardington House Hospital at Sandhurst was a convalescent home for VAD Nurses.

                       Chalfont and Gerrards Cross Hospital was located in Chalfont St. Peters and provided militray beds during the Great War. The buildings have been demolished to make way for a new hospital.

                       Chequers Court Hospital was located at Chequers near Ellesborough. It was loaned by Lord Lee for use as a military hospital during the Great War. In 1921 the house became the country residence of the Prime Minister.

                       Langley Park Hospital was located in Langley Park a country house built by the Duke of Marlborough near Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire.

                       Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital in Aylesbury was built in 1863 and provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Slough Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was located a large private house on Middle Green Road, George Green and had an annexe at St Bernard's School Hall, Langley.

                       Stoke Court Officers Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stoke Court near Stoke Poges in Buckinghamshire.

                       Winslow VAD Hospital was located at The Elms on the High Street, Winslow. The building has since been demolished.

                       Alexandra Theatre Wisbech was used as a Military Hospital during the Great war. The building was demolished in the 1930's.

                       Fulbourn Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Assembly Room Institute and Infant School in Fulbourn. 27 beds were provided. Today the building is used as a library.

                       Old House Auxiliary Hospital was located on Blackhorse Lane, Swavesey.

                       Huntly Auxiliary Hospital was located on Herschel Road, Cambridge.

                       Linton Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Linton Workhouse and later moved to Manor House in Linton.

                       Mountblow Auxiliary Hospital was located at Mountblow, now renamed Middlefield off Hinton Way and later moved to the Chestnuts now named Browning House in Tunwells Lane, Great Shelford.

                       Whittlesford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Orient House and Institute, later moving to The Lodge in North Road, Whittlesford.

                       Balsham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Park House, Balsham.

                       Ely Auxiliary Hospital was opened in Silver Street and later moved to the Theological College, Ely.

                       St Chads Auxiliary Hospital was located at 48 Grange Road, Cambridge.

                       Histon Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Firs, Histon and later transferred to the Old Schools in Histon.

                       Balsham Auxiliary Hospital, was located in the house next to the old school on the Green at Balsham.

                       Fordham Auxiliary Hospital opened at The Manse, Fordham and later transferred to Victoria Hall.

                       Willingham Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall and the Rectory, Willingham House at 50 Church Street, Willingham.

                       Shepreth Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall, Shepreth.

                       Newham Auxiliary Hospital was located in Wordsworth Grove, Newnham, Cambridge.

                     

                       Kings Buildings Hospital was located at No4. Kings Buildings in Chester.

                       Abbeyfield Hospital was located at Abbeyfield, Middlewich Road, Sandbach. Today the building has been converted into apartments.

                       Abbotsford Auxiliary Hospital was located at 26 Stanley Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead.

                       Rockferry Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in Ionic Street School in 1914. It closed for a time as the building was used as a billet for the Cheshire Bantams during training.

                       Acton Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Parish Hall at Acton and provided 20 beds.

                       Alderley Park Hospital was located in the the Tenants Hall, Alderley Park, opening in November 1914 run by Lord and Lady Stanley. The number of beds was later increased with additional wards being opened in other rooms of the stalely home. The hospital closed in closed in February 1919.

                       Brookdale Hospital was located at Brookdale, Alderley Edge and opened in Autumn 1914. The Commandant was Emily Fenton Armitage Hutton OBE. 1817 patients were treated before the hospital closed in February 1919, at its peak, 73 beds were provided, including some in open air pavilions. Today Brookdale is home to Alderley Edge School for Girls.

                       Altrincham General Hospital offered one ward of 16 beds for military cases at the outbreak of the Great War. Red Cross nurses were also trained at the hospital.

                       Ancoats Convalescent Hospital was located in Warford and opened in 1903. During the Great War it was offered for the use of convalescing soldiers and remained in this role until April 1919 when it reverted to civilian use.

                       Ashton Hayes Auxiliary Hospital was located in Aston Hayes, possibly in the village hall.

                       Frodsham Auxiliary Military Hospital was opened in the Roller Skating Rink at Forest Hills, Frodsham Hill. Today the site is occupied by Forest Hills Hotel.

                       Barlow Fold Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Barlow Fold a large house just outside Poynton.

                       Maplas Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Bolling, a large Georgian house in Church Street, Malpas.

                       Higginsfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Higginsfield House south of Croxton Green.

                       Brabyn Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Brabyns Hall, Marple Bridge with an annexe at Rose Hill. Miss Fanny Hudson, the owner was Commandant of the hospital. The hall was demolished in the 1950's but the extensive gardens remain and are open to the public.

                       Brine Baths Hotel, off Shrewbridge Road, Nantwich was used as a military hospital, utilising the spa facilities as part of the recovery process for patients.

                       Lymm Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brookfields, Lymm with an annexe at Beech House.

                       Calveley Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Calveley Hall near Milton Green.

                       Cheadle House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cheadle House in the High Street, Cheadle. After the war the property became a school, today the property is occupied by shops and flats, the front gardens have been built on.

                       Cheerbrook Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cheer Brook Farm House, Butt Green near Stapeley.

                       Colshaw Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Colshaw Hall, Over Peover. Today the property is used as a wedding venue.

                       Hale Red Cross Hospital was located in the Congregational Church and St Peter's School rooms in Cecil Road, Hale. The hospital opened in November 1914.

                       Knutsford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Danebury, 8 Tabley Road, Knutsford and later transferred to Kilrie, Knutsford.

                       Dowery House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Dowery House, Barker Street in Nantwich.

                       Haigh Lawn Auxiliary Hospital was located at Haigh Lawn in St. Margaret’s Road, Altricham with an annexe in the Assembly Rooms, Altricham. The Commandant was Mary Johnson, wife of Rev. Hewlett Johnson, vicar of St. Margaret's church. Nurses were accommodated in the club house of the nearby Croquet Club off St Mary's Road, the patients had access to one of the croquet lawns, the other being used to graze goats, which provided milk for the hospital.

                       Disley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Harewood in Red Lane, Disley.

                       Heathfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Whitby Heath, Cheshire.

                       Bredbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Highfield Hall, Bredbury.

                       Hoole Bank House Auxiliary Hospital near Upton opened in October 1914, the house, which had been for sale at the outbreak of war, being loaned by the owner George Hayes who met the expenses for the conversion. Over 1200 soldiers were treated before the hospital closed in May 1919. The house was then donated to the National Institute of the Blind as a guest house. Today the building is home to an independent school.

                       Mere Hall Officers Hospital was located at Mere Hall, Mere near Knutsford. Today the hall is a hotel.

                       Heyesleigh Red Crosss Hospital was located at Heyesleigh, Timperley with an annex at Pickering Lodge.

                       Hurdsfield House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hurdsfield House set in 30 acres of wooded parkland off Hurdsfield Road in Macclesfield. The hospital opened in 1915. Today the house is named Brocklehurst Manor and has been converted into apartments.

                       Linden Lea Red Cross Hospital was located at Linden Lea, a large house in Brooklands Road, Sale. The house is no longer standing and today the site is occupied by flats.

                       Lord Derby War Hospital opened in May 1915 in the Lancashire County Asylum on Newton Road, Winwick, the inmates having been moved to other hospitals. The military patients arrived by train to a temporary platform built on the railway line which usually delivered supplies. The hospital resume it's original role after the military wards closed in October 1920. Most of the buildings were demolished in the 1990's and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Lyme Hall (Belgian Officers) Hospital was located at Lyme Hall, Disley. The property is now owned by the National Trust.

                       Manor Hill Red Cross Hospital in Birkenhead was initially located at 19 Pal Grove. Mrs Blanche Spence was the matron and the hospital had an annexe at Priory Ward.

                       Moorfield Red Cross Hospital, Glossop opened on 18 March 1915, the house being loaned by Major Hill-Wood, M.P. 102 beds were provided, affiliated to the 2nd Western Hospital, Manchester and 1554 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 24th of February 1919.

                       Partington Home, Glossop was a convalescent home belonging to the Corporation of Glossop. It was opened to military patients on the 31st of October 1914 and provided 40 beds, affiliated to the 2nd Western Hospital in Manchester. A total of 618 patients were treated before the hospital closed for Military use on 28th of February 1919 and reopened as a Maternity Home. Today the building is private apartments.

                       Nunsmere Red Cross Hospital was located at Nunsmere Hall near Sandiway, home of the Brocklebank Shipping Line owner Sir Aubrey Brocklebank and his wife Grace. Today the Hall is a luxury hotel.

                       Oakfields Red Cross Hospital at Upton, transferred from Eaton Hall to Oakfields Manor in 1917 when Eaton became an Officers Hospital. In 1930 Oakfields Manor became home to Chester Zoo.

                       Eaton Hall Military Hospital opened in Autumn 1914 as an All Ranks hospital, the mansion being loaned to the Red Cross by 1st Duke of Westminster. In 1917 the Hall became an Officer's hospital, with the all ranks hospital relocating to Oakfield Manor. Eaton Hall remains a private home.

                       Mottram Old Hall Auxiliary Hospital transferred from Early Bank in Stalybridge.

                       Parkgate Red Cross Hospital was located in Parkgate, on the estuary of the River Dee on the Wirral.

                       Peckforton Castle near Beeston was built in 1844 in the style of a medieval castle. During the Great War the castle was used as a military hospital.

                       Pendlebury Hall Military Hospital was located at Pendlebury Hall, an orphanage on Lancashire Hill, Stockport. The hospital opened in Autumn 1914 and provided 75 beds. 1811 men were treated during the Great War. Today it the building is Hilltop Hall Care Home.

                       Wallasey Auxiliary Hospital was located on Penkett Road, Wallasey.

                       Wallasey Military Hospital opened in 1916 in the newly built Town Hall on Brighton Street, which was requisitioned for use as a hospital. Providing 350 beds, over 3500 soldiers were treated before the building was returned to the council in 1919.

                       Tarporley Red Cross Supply Depot opened at Portal, a country house on Forest Road, Tarporley by Mrs Marshall Brookes. In 1919 when the Military hospital closed the house and grounds war purchased with money collected in Tarporley and surrounding villages as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the war to become Tarporely War Memorial Hospital.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       95th Brigade was raised during the Great War as part of Lord Kitchener's New Army and served with 32nd Division. It was made up of the 14th, 15th and 16th Battalions, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and the 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. They proceeded to France in November 1915. Soon after arrival 95th Brigade transferred to 5th Division as part of a reorganisation to include experienced units alongside the newly trained battalions. The battalions of the Warwickshire Regiment moved to other brigades and the 12th Gloucesters served alongside the 1st Devons, 1st East Surreys and 1st DCLI. 95th MGC and 95th TMB joined on their formation. In late 1917 and early 1918 the Brigade served in Italy and then returned to the Western Front.

                     

                     

                       Raddon Court Red Cross Hospital, was located at Raddon Court, a large house on Knutsford Road opposite the Hollies in Latchford and had an annexe at Stockton Heath. Opening in 1914, the hospital closed in 1919 and the building was demolished in the 1940's.

                       Bowden Red Cross Hospital was located at Brachendene, a large mock-Tudor house on Charcoal Road, Bowdon near Altrincham. It later moved to Raynor Croft, now known as Bowden Croft.

                       Helsby Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Britannia Telegraph Works Recreation Hall on Britannia Road, Helsby.

                       Bromborough Red Cross Hospital was located in the club house of Bromborough Golf Club and opened on the 22nd of May 1915. It was equipped to a high standard by donations from locals and employees of Cammell Laird & Co. Ltd with 160 beds and an operating theatre. The Officer in charge was Lady Carter, the Honorary Commandant of the Cheshire Red Cross and patients arrived directly from France. 1245 patients were treated before the hospital closed and the building handed back to the golf club. The Clubhouse was rebuilt in 1974.

                       Rock Bank House on Clarence Road, Bollington was a convalescence home for wounded soldiers during the Great War. Today the building is appartments and has been renamed Carterbench House.

                       Rode Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rode Hall, Scholar Green, loaned by the Wilbraham family. Today the property is still owned by the family, the house and gardens are open to the public.

                       Somerford Park Red Cross Hospital was located at Somerford Park, a country estate near Congleton. The house was demolished in the 1920's and today the parkland is known as Somerford Park Farm in use as an equestrian centre.

                       St. John Hospital Dukinfield was run by the local branch of St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Stamford Red Cross Hospital was located at Dunham Massey Hall, opened in April 1917 and was run by Lady Stamford. The main ward was located in the dinning room and 282 soldiers were treated before the hospital closed in February 1919. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport was taken over for use as a military hospital during the Great War.

                       The Cenacle Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Cenacle Convent, a tall gothic style house previously named Sandrock, situated in wooded grounds at the top of Atherton Street in New Brighton. The site is now home to SS Peter & Paul Church which was built in the 1930's.

                       Hoylake Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Chalet on St Margarets Road, Hoylake with an annexe at New Bunnee, Hoylake. It opened in 1915.

                       Willington Red Cross Hospital was located at The Leys, a large house with seven bedrooms and a separate coach house and stables, in extensive gardens on the corner of Moss Road and Winnington Lane. The house was owned by Brunner, Mond and Co. as accommodation for a senior member of staff, and the officer in charge of the hospital was Lady Charlotte Jarmay, the wife of Brunner Mond’s managing director, Gustav Jarmay. The hospital closed in 1919. The house was demolished in the 1950's and Brunner House, a large office block was built for ICI, today the site is occupied by housing.

                       The Oaks Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Oaks on Heald Road, Bowdon

                       The Orchard Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Orchard, Rossmill Lane, Hale Barns.

                       The Quinta Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Quinta, rectory of Swettenham near Congleton.

                       Wimslow Auxiliary Hospital opened at The Rectory, Wimlsow and later transferred to Knutsford Road.

                       Thelwall Heys Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thelwell Heys, a large house on Cliffe Road, Grappenhall near Warrington.

                       Thornaton Manor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thronton Manor, Thornton Hough the home of home of the Lever family famous for the soap industry in nearby Port Sunlight.

                       Vernon Institute Auxiliary War Hospital was located in the Vernon Institute in Great Saughall French doors were installed to allow easier access for wheeled stretchers. It opened on the 14th of November 1914 and provided 46 beds, later increasing to 54 and in October 1917 another ward and operating threatre were added. Staffed by the 76th Cheshire VAD, the hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919.

                     

                       Chester War Hospital opened in the Chester Union Workhouse on on Hoole Lane, Shester at the end of August 1917, the inmates being transferred to Upton Asylum. In 1919 the site became the City Hospital which closed in the early 1990's, most of the buildings have been demolished though the chapel remains.

                       Bunbury Auxiliary Hospital was opened in the Village Hall, Bunbury in Cheshire. Lady Wynford Tollemache was the Commandant and Mrs Nancy Archer the Matron.

                       Tattenhall Auxiliary Hospital was located in the The Barbour Institute, High Street Tattenhall. It opened in 1915 providing 10 beds in the hall and accommodation for nurses on the upper floor. This was later increased to 28 beds with a further 18 in an annexe at The Rookery, home of the Commandant, Mrs Edith Marguerite Wignall.

                       Cheadle Hulme Military Hospital was located in the Warehouseman and Cherks School, today known as Cheadle Hulme School. Over 1400 wounded men were treated before the hospital closed.

                       Webb Convalescent Home was located in the East Wing of Webb Orphanage on Victoria Avenue, Crewe, which was a home for orphaned children of former London and North Western Railway employees. The building is currently known as Webb House.

                       Willington Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Willington Hall in Cheshire. Today the building is the Willington Hall Hotel.

                       Winsford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Winsford Lodge, Winsford with an annexe at Catsclough. The Commandant was Miss Emily Vardin.

                       Witton House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Witton House, Northwich, Cheshire.

                       Northenden Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Beech House on Yew Tree Lane in Northenden, Cheshire.

                       Bankfield Military Hospital was located at Bankfield Mansion, Workington. The hospital closed on the 22nd of December 1918 and the building was demolished in the 1980's.

                       Castletown Military Hospital was located at Castletown House near Rockliffe in Cumbria.

                       Claremont Auxiliary Hospital was located at Claremont on Moor Street, Longtown.

                       Dalston Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Dalston Hall, Dalston in Cumbria. The property is now a hotel.

                       Dr. Lediards Home on George Street, Carlisle was used as an Auxiliary Hospital during the Great War.

                       Englethwaite Auxiliary Hospital was located at Englethwaite Hall, Armathwaite in the Eden Valley, Cumbria. The property was demolished in 1969 and today the grounds are home to a caravan site.

                       Ennim Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ennim near to Blencow, Penrith in Cumbria.

                       Glinger Bank Auxiliary Hospital was located at Glinger Bank just north of Longtown in Cumbria.

                       Hayton Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hayton House, How Mill in Cumbria.

                       Holmrook Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holmrook Hall, Holmrook in Cumbria.

                       Greystoke Auxiliary Hospital was located at Latterdales House in Greystoke near Penrith, Cumbria.

                       Lingholme Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lingholme, Stair near Keswick in Cumbria.

                       Moresby House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Moresby House, Howgate, Whitehaven. Today the building is the Howgate Hotel.

                       Murrell Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Murrell Hill House in Nelson Street, Carlisle. The house was loaned to the Red Cross by James Morton of Alexander Morton & Company. The hospital opened on the 25th of March 1915, with 28 beds, later increasing to 40. Before the hospital closed on the 27 March 1919, a total of 504 patients had been treated including 110 major operations. The building was demolished in 1967.

                       Rockliffe Old Hall Hospital was located at The Old Hall on the banks of the River Eden at Rockcliffe in Cumbria.

                       Scaurbank Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Scaurbank, a large house on the riverside on the outskirts of Longtown in Cumbria.

                       Scotby Auxiliary Hospital was located at Scotby House, Scotby in Cumbria. Today the building is known as Scotby Grange and has been converted into apartments.

                       Skiddaw Grove Auxiliary Hospital was located at Skiddaw Grove in the Lake District.

                       St. Andrews Parish Rooms in Penrith were used as an Auxiliary Hospital during the Great War.

                       During the Great War, 864 patients were treated at St Michael's Rest in extensive grounds off Longtown Road near Brampton, Cumbria. Today the building is the The Oakwood Park Hotel.

                       Warwick Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Warwick Hall near Wetheral in Cumbria.

                       Whitehall Convalescent Hospital was located at Whitehall, near Dalston and was an annexe of Dalston Hall Hospital.

                       Wordsworth Hall Auxiliary Hospital was loacted in the Wordsworth Hall Sunday School of the Methodist Church on Wordsworth Road, Penrith.

                     

                       Aston Hall Red Cross Hospital was located at Aston Hall, Aston-on-Trent, Derbyshire, organised by Mrs Winterbottom, head of the local Red Cross. 33 beds were provided and the hospital was affiliated to the 3rd Northern General Hospital. In the 1920's the estate became a mental hospital with additional buildings in the grounds, these were demolished in 2014 and the hall has been converted into apartments.

                       Blackwell Red Cross Hospital was located in the Boy's Brigade Hall, Primrose Hill, Blackwell near Alfreton. Today the building is the Cottage Inn.

                       Chatsworth Royal Naval Hospital was a convalescent hospital located on the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, in the building now occupied by the estate office.

                       The Devonshire Royal Hospital on Manchester Road in Buxton provided military beds during the Great War. Today the building is part of Derby University,

                       Haye Leigh Red Cross VAD Hospital was located at Haye Leigh, 174 Duffield Road, Derby. 24 Beds were provided for the treatment of Other Ranks and was affiliated to 5th Northern General Hospital in Leicester. The hospital closed before autumn 1917. The house has now been divided into two properties.

                       Bootle Auxiliary Hospital was located at 17 Breeze Hill, Bootle.

                       Egginton Hall Red Cross Hospital was established by Mrs Arthur Dugdale at Eggington Hall, Eggington in Derbyshire, a country house set in 18 acres of parkland. The hall was demolished in 1954.

                       Elmton Red Cross Hospital was located in Clowne near Bolsover, Derbyshire.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital Creswell was opened in 1914 in the Boys Brigade, Creswell Drill Hall on Elmton Road, today known as Creswell Social Centre.

                       Foremarke Hall Hospital was located in Foremarke Hall, near Milton in Derbyshire. Today the Hall is home to Repton Preparatory School.

                       Frith Knoll Red Cross Hospital was located on Eccles Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith.

                       Ilkeston Hospital on Heanor Road, Ilkeston in Derbyshire provided military beds for wounded and sick soldiers.

                       Dore Red Cross VAD Hospital was located in the chapel on Abbeydale Road, today used as a Royal Mail Sorting office. An annexe was opened in the nearby Masonic Hall.

                       Normanton Barracks Hospital at Normanton Barracks, the headquarters of the Sherwood Foresters in Derby provided treatment for wounded and sick soldiers during the Great War. The building was demolished in 1981 and the site is now occupied by Foresters Leisure Park.

                       Ashbourne Red Cross VAD Hospital was located in Century Hall on Station Road, Ashbourne.

                       Chesterfield Red Cross Hospital, opened in the Trinity Institute and later transferred to Ashgate House, Chesterfield.

                       Bakewell Red Cross VAD Hospital was located on Baslow Road, Bakewell and provided 60 beds.

                       Duffield Red Cross VAD Hospital was located in the newly built Church Hall on King Street in Duffield. It opened in November 1914 and closed in 1919. Today the property is a private residence.

                       Hathersage Red Cross Hospital in Hathersage provided 37 beds and was affiliated to the 3rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

                       Long Eaton Red Cross Hospital opened in Trent College and later transferred to Christ Church Sunday School on College Street, Long Eaton.

                       Ockbrook Red Cross Hospital was located in the Moravian Lecture Hall, 3 The Settlement, Ockbrook, a building which had been built as a Sunday School and is now a community hall. The Commandant was Miss Nelson.

                       Spondon Red Cross Hospital was located at Spondon House, Spondon.

                       New Mills Red Cross Hospital was located at Albert House, Buxton Road, Newtown, New Mills, with an annexe at The Beeches. 40 Beds were provided.

                       Smalley Hall Red Cross Hospital was at Smalley Hall, Smalley, Derbyshire.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital Derby opened in 1915 in the County Cricket Pavilion at the Racecourse Ground. In 1917 it moved to Mill Hill Lane, Derby.

                       Grafton House, Buxton in Derbyshire was used by St Johns's Ambulance as a hospital during the Great War.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital in Buxton opened in the Royal Exchange Buildings in 1914 and moved to Holker House, Hardwick Mount in 1917 then later to The Balmoral. it was run by the 8th Derby Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Barnstaple V.A.D. Hospital was located in The Miller Institute in Barnstaple, today the building is Yeo Vale school.

                       Budleigh Salterton V.A.D Hospital was located at Serai, 11 Sherbrook Hill in Budleigh Salterton, the home of Col. Barton. The hospital provided 20 beds and was run by Mrs Harriet Barton from the outbreak of war until January 1919.

                       Western Lodge Military Hospital was located in Crediton.

                       Crediton V.A.D. hospital was located in the workhouse infirmary at Crediton.

                       Dawlish V.A.D. Hospital provided beds for wounded soldiers during the Great War.

                       Exmouth V.A.D. Hospital was run by the local Red Cross detachment.

                       Honiton V.A.D. Hospital was loacted in Honiton, Devon.

                       Ilfracombe V.A.D. Hospital was located at Westwell Hall a Victorian gothic house in Torrs Park, Ilfracombe. Today the building is a hotel.

                       Instow V.A.D Hospital was in Devon.

                       Ivybridge V.A.D Hospital was located at Stowford Lodge, Ivybridge in Devon, now renamed Stowford Manor. The hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Kingsbridge V.A.D Hospital was located at Collapit Creek House on the edge of the creek near Kingsbridge Estuary in Devon.

                       Northam V.A.D. Hospital was located at Commons, Northam in Devon.

                       Okehampton Artillery Camp Hospital was located within the military camp near Okehampton.

                       Okehampton V.A.D. Hospital was located at Dartmoor House in Okehampton.

                       Plymouth Naval Hospital at Stonehouse, Plymouth opened in 1765 and provided 1,200 beds in sixty wards across ten blocks. The hospital closed in 1995 and has been converted into a residential complex named Millfields.

                       Plymouth V.A.D. Hospital opened in the Drill Hall on Millbay Road, Millbay in Plymouth, which was the HQ of the 2nd Wessex Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps.

                       Plympton V.A.D. Hospital was located at Mount Priory, Plympton in Plymouth.

                     

                     

                       Town Hall Hospital, was located in Torquay Town Hall on the corner of Union Street Torquay. staffed by the Red Cross it provided 50 beds, the first convoy of wounded, 40 men, arrived from France on a hospital train on the 21st of October 1914. Additional beds were provided by an annexe at The Mount which later moved to Rockwood House.

                       Stoodley Knowle Hospital for Officers was located at Stoodley Knowle the home of Torquay's MP Colonel Burn and run by his wife and daughter. The first patients, 8 British Officers arrived on the 21st of October 1914 on a hospital-train which pulled into Torre station.

                       Western Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the Western Hospital for Consumptives, Torquay with an annexe at Underwood.

                       Salcombe V.A.D. Hospital was located at Overbecks, Sharpitor, Salcombe, overlooking the Salcombe Estuary. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Seaton and District V.A.D. Hospital was located at Ryalls Court, Seaton in Devon.

                       Sidmouth Officers Treatment Centre was located at The Baths, Victorian hot and cold Brine Baths situated towards the western end of Regency Esplanade in Sidmouth. Today the building is the Kingswood Hotel.

                       Sidmouth V.A.D. Hospital was located at The Beacon, Sidmouth, a thatched house on the south side of Peak Hill Road which backs onto the beach.

                       Peak House Auxiliary Hospital on Cotmaton Road, Sidmouth provided 100 beds for wounded soldiers. The property was loaned to the Red Cross by Thomas Dewey, President of the Prudential Assurance Company.

                       Tavistock V.A.D. Hospital was run by the local Red Cross Detatchment.

                       Tiverton V.A.D. Hospital was located at Knightshayes Court, a large country house near Tiverton. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Topsham V.A.D. Hospital was located in Riversmeet Terrace, Topsham, Devon.

                       Torrington V.A.D. Hospital was located in Sydney House, Great Torrington, loaned to the Red Cross by William Vaughan JP. At it's peak 100 beds were provided. The property was demolished following a fire in 1942, today the site is the entrance to South Street Car Park.

                       Totnes V.A.D. Hospital was located at Follaton House, Totnes. Today the property is in use as council offices.

                       Uplyme V.A.D Hospital was located at Rhode House, a Georgian Mansion on Rhode Hill, Uplyme near Lyme Regis in Devon.

                       No.1 V.A.D Hospital, Exeter was located in the West of England Eye Hospital. Today the building is a luxury hotel.

                       No.2 V.A.D Hospital, Exeter was located in the The Episcopal Modern School, later known as Bishop Blackhall School.

                       No.3 V.A.D Hospital, Exeter was located in the newly built Children's Home of Exeter Workhouse on Heavitree Lane, Exeter, later known as the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

                       No.4 V.A.D Hospital, Exeter was located in Topsham Barracks on Topsham Road, Exeter.

                       No.5 V.A.D. Hospital, Exeter was located in Bradninch Hall, a Georgian Building off Castle Street, Exeter.

                       Bigadon V.A.D Hospital for Officers was located at Bigadon House, in a country estate near Buckfastleigh in Devon. The house was demolished in the mid 20th Century.

                       Yealmpton V.A.D Hospital was located at Puslinch House, above the River Yelm near Puslinch Bridge, Yealmpton. It was loaned by the Yonge family.

                       Church Street Military Hospital was opened at 4 Church Street, Dorchester. The commandant was Mrs Nora Acland, wife of Capt John Acland who was the Chairman of the Dorset County Hospital management committee.

                       Colliton House Red Cross Hospital on Glyde Path Road, Dorchester was associated with the Dorset County Hospital. Today the property is in use as a country club.

                       Beaucroft Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Beaucroft House on Beaucroft Lane, Wimborne Minster.

                       Branksome Gate Hospital for Officers opened in June 1916 at Branksome Gate on Western Avenue, Branksome Park, Bournemouth.

                       Buckland Ripers Red Cross Hospital was located in Buckland Ripers in Dorset.

                       Chetnole VAD Hospital opened Hill House in Yetminster on the 31st of October 1914. Staffed by Dorset 64 Voluntary Air Detachment, the Commandant was Mrs Mildred Alexander of The Grange, Chetnole. On the 29th of March 1915 the hospital relocated to The Grange, Chetnole. The hospital closed on the 12th of December 1918 having provided treatment for 573 patients, with only one death.

                       Cluny Auxiliary Hospital was located at 20 Cluny Crescent, Swanage. Today the property is YHA Swanage.

                       Compton House Red Cross Hospital was opened on the 30th of March 1915 at Compton House near Sherbourne in Dorset. The was Commandant Mrs Caroline Goodden MBE of Compton House. Before it closed on the 18th of January 1919 the hospital treated 448 convalescent patients.

                       Crag Head Red Cross Hospital opened in October 1914 at Crag Head on Manor Road, Bournmouth and was a convalescent home for recovering soldiers who had been treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley. 100 beds in 14 wards were provided. The hospital was closed in December 1918. The building was was demolished in 1972, the site is now occupied by a a block of apartments.

                       Fifehead House Auxiliary Hospital was located in Fifehead House at Fifehead Magdalen between Shafsbury and Sherborne in Dorset. The manor house was situated to the east of the church, today only the gate posts and garden walls remain.

                       Grata Quies Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 21st of November 1914 at 29 Western Avenue, Branksome Park, Borunmouth in Dorset. Initially providing 40 beds, increasing to 70 by May 1915. The hospital closed on 18th of March 1919.

                       Greenhill Military Hospital opened in Sherborne School Sanatorium in Acreman Street, Sherborne on the 31st of October 1914, providing 22 beds staffed by the Dorset 70 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Mrs Frances McAdam of Greenhill House. In January 1915 to it moved to Greenhill Court, Greenhill and in May 1916 capacity was increased by the addition of open-air treatment revolving huts in the garden of Greenhill House (now known as The Green, Hospital Lane). The hospital closed on the 10th of December 1918, having treated 904 patients with only five deaths.

                       Holnest Military Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 24th of March 1915 at Chantmarle Manor, Cattistock staffed by Dorset 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant Lady Lilian Digby of Lewcombe Manor, Dorchester. In November 1915 it moved to Holnest House, Sherbourne. In total 1134 patients were treated with one only death, the hospital closed on the 20th of January 1919.

                       Iwerne Minster Auxiliary Hospital, was located in the village of Iwerne Minster near Blandford in Dorset.

                       Leweston Manor Military Hospital opened on the 14th of September 1914 was run by Commandant Mrs Ada Hamilton Fletcher of Leweston Manor and staffed by Dorset 8 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on the 1st of April 1915. following the death of the Commandant’s son, 2nd Lt Gareth Hamilton Fletcher, of the Grenadier Guards.

                       Massandra V.A.D. Hospital was located at 16 Greenhill, Weymouth, an imposing five story house on the sea front.

                       Mount Hospital for Officers was located in Parkstone, Dorset.

                       Newton Red Cross Hospital was loacted at Newton Farm, Sturminster-Marshall in Dorset.

                       Plank House Red Cross Hospital was located at Plank House, Wyke Street in Gillingham, Dorset.

                       Wimborne Red Cross Hospital was in Wimborne, Dorset

                       Ryme Red Cross Hospital was located on Old Castle Road, Weymouth in Dorset.

                       Sandacres Hospital for Officers was located on Shore Road, Parkstone. Today the building is in use as a local supermarket.

                       South Lychett Red Cross Hospital opened at South Lychett Manor off Dorchester Road, Lytchett Minster near Poole and provided 40 beds. The estate is currently home to a caravan and camping site.

                       Springfield Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located at Springfield on Castle Hill, Parkstone in Dorset.

                       St Johns V.A.D. Hospital Weymouth was located on Glendinning Avenue in Weymouth.

                       St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles in Dorset, the seat of the Earl of Shaftesbury provided rooms for a Military Hospital during the Great War.

                       Station Road Auxiliary Hospital, at 9 Station Road, Gillingham opened on the 21st of October 1914 and treated 792 patients before the hospital closed on the 6th of March 1919. An annexe was opened in the building which is now The Royal British Legion Club on School Lane.

                       Studland House Hospital for Officers overlooked Studland Bay in Dorset.

                       The Castle Auxiliary Hospital, opened on the 31st of October 1914 at Sherborne Castle, which was built in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh, the home of the Wingfield-Digby family. Mrs Gwendoline Wingfield-Digby was the vice president of the Sherbourne Division of the Red Cross. The Commandant Mrs Frances Mary Holford-Hardman and the hospital was staffed by the Dorset 2 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In November 1916 the hospital moved to The Cedars in Long Street, Sherborne. In total 898 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 8th of March 1919.

                       The Convent Auxiliary Hospital was located on Carlton Road North in Weymouth. The building was home to the Convent of the Sacred Heart School until 1992.

                     

                     

                       The Garden Hospital was located in Upwey, Dorset.

                       The Retreat Auxiliary Hospital was in Bell Street, Shaftesbury. Today the building is a guest house.

                       Trent Auxiliary Hospital was located at Flamberts, Trench near Sherborne. It opened on the 24th of March 1915 taking convalescent cases, it was upgraded to a Class A hospital in March 1917 and received patients direct from Cosham Military Hospital, Portsmouth. The hospital closed on the 17th of August 1917.

                       Lulworth V.A.D. Hospital was located at Lulworth near Wareham in Dorset.

                       Sturminster Newton V.A.D. Hospital was located in Sturminster Newton, Dorset.

                       Mere VAD Hospital was located in the The Grove Building, Mere in Dorset.

                       Ropner Red Cross Hospital was located at Ropner Convalescent Home in Middleton St George. It was staffed by the 24th Durham Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Ashburne Red Cross Hospital was located at Ashburne House on Ryhope Road in Sunderland loaned to the Red Cross by William and Arthur Backhouse. The hospital was staffed by the 25th Durham Voluntary Aid Detachment andopened on the 20th of October 1914 with 41 beds. Capacity was increased to 58 and an operating theatre was added over the winter of 1915-1916, the hospital re-opened on 19th of February 1916. Today the building is used by Sunderland University.

                       Shotley Bridge Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the 27th Durham V.A.D. and was was located at Benfieldside House in Shotley Bridge. The property was demolished in the 1960s and houses have been built on the site.

                       Seaham Hall Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the 28th Durham V.A.D. and was located at Seaham Hall, Seaham Harbour. Today the property is a hotel.

                       North Bailey Red Cross Hospital was located at 17 North Bailey in Durham City and staffed by the 5th Durham V.A.D. Today the Georgian building is part of St Chad's College, Durham University.

                       Woodside Red Cross Hospital was located at Woodside, a large house on the high ground between Consicliffe Road and Blackwell Lane in Darlington. The house was loaned to the Red Cross by the Pease family and the hospital was staffed by the 6th Durham V.A.D. The property was demolished in the 1920's and the site is now occupied by housing

                       Brancepeth Castle Red Cross Hospital was located in Brancepeth Castle, the home of Viscount Boyne. 126 beds were provided in one wing of the house and revolving huts built in the grounds. It was staffed by the 7th Durham V.A.D.

                       West Hartlepool Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the 8th Durham V.A.D. and was located at Normanhurst on Wooler Road in West Hartlepool, loaned by the shipbuilder William Cresswell Gray. Today the building is the White House pub.

                       Chilton Moor Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the 9th Durham V.A.D. and was located in The Long Room at Chilton Moor.

                     

                       Saltwell Towers St John's Ambulance Brigade Hospital, was located at Saltwell Towers in Saltwell Park Gateshead. In teh 1930's the property became a museum, today the gothic mansion is a visitor centre and wedding venue.

                       Malton VAD Hospital opened on the 26th of February 1915, at Arncliffe House in York Road, Malton, the family home of William Lupton, wool merchant in Leeds. His daughter Agnes was Commandant of the 23 bed hospital. 500 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 8th of January 1919.

                       Earls Colne Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall on York Road, Earls Colne. The Commandant was Miss Thyra Heyworth and it was staffed by the 9th Essex Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital opened on the 13th of November 1914 and at its peak provided 45 beds, closing on the 22nd of February 1919.

                       Witham Auxiliary Hospital, also known as The Bridge School Hospital, was located in the hospital wing of The Bridge School on Hatfield Road, Witham and opened in October 1914. A Red Cross Depot and Work Party was also run on the site which had previously been the Witham Union Workhouse. At its peak the hospital provided 34 beds, under the Commandant, Miss C. Gimson. The hospital closed in March 1919.

                       Braeside Red Cross Hospital was located at Braeside, 1 Connaught Road in Loughton, today named Godiva House.

                       Brookfield Red Cross Hospital was located in the grounds of Brookfield House, Oak Hill, near Hale End. Thomas Armstrong of Brookfield House, reputedly paid for the brick building which was opened by the Countess of Warwick on the 15th of April 1916, though the hospital seems to have been in use, likely in hutted accommodation from early 1915. 30 beds were provided in the airy new ward, equipment and running costs were funded by the Hale End District Association. The Red Cross Hospital closed in February 1919, but the building remained in medical use for a time as an admissions ward for Walthamstow Isolation Hospital in Chingford and from 1923 until 1939 as the Brookfield Orthopaedic Hospital and School for Crippled Children. The building was demolished in the 1950s and Brookfield House School was built on the site.

                       Budworth Hall Auxiliary Hospital was opened in Budworth Hall on the High Street, Chipping Ongar in 1915, initially providing 35 beds. It was staffed by the Essex 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The number of beds was increased to 51 and in 1917 to 60, with the building being extended to accommodate the additional ward. The Hospital closed on 22nd of January 1919, having treated 1,333 soldiers.

                       Colchester Military Hospital was part of Colchester Barracks and was equipped with 221 beds. The hospital closed in 1977.

                       Coombe Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Coombe Lodge, Great Warley in Essex loaned by Mr Evelyn Heseltine, whose daughter Mrs. Muriel De Rougemont was Commandant. Opening in November 1914,the hospital was staffed by the Essex 18 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Today the building is known as The Squirrels and is in use as a nursing home.

                       Down Hall Military Hospital was opened at Down Hall near Harlow, the home of Mrs Louisa Calverley who acted as Persident. Today the mansion is a luxury hotel.

                       Greenstead Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Greenstead Hall, Greenstead Green near Halstead in Essex. The house was loaned by Claude Shoolbred and his wife Eleanor was the commandant, the hospital was sometimes referred to as Mrs. Shoolbred’s convalescent hospital. The hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Guisnes Court V.A.D. hospital was loacted at Guisnes Court off Back Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, loaned to the Red Cross by Thomas Binney and his wife Susan. Opening on the 28th of June 1915, it was staffed by the Essex 24 Voluntary Aid Detachment and provided 20 beds. The hospital closed in December 1918.

                       Hanover House V.A.D. Hospital opened in April 1915 at Hanover House on High Road, Woodford Wells in Essex. It was staffed by Essex 6 Voluntary Aid Detachment and initially provided 15 beds. 120 patients were treated before the hospital closed in January 1918.

                       Hillsborough Red Cross Hospital was located at Hillsborough House, Churchgate Street in Harlow, loaned by Captain Seymour Gosling. The Hospital opened on the 21st of November 1914 and closed in February 1919.

                       Ingatestone Court Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ingatestone Court, the home of Captain and Mrs. Wigan. 20 beds were provided.

                       Ivylands Auxiliary Hospital opened at Ivylands on Bridge Road in Moreton, Essex.

                       Marshalls Park Auxiliary Hospital was located off North Street, Romford, Essex. The property as the home of Mrs McIntosh, the Vice-President of the Romford Division of the British Red Cross Society. Staffed by the Essex 51 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 20 beds. After the war, houses were build in the grounds, the driveway becoming The Avenue. Marshalls house was demolished in 1959, a school being built on the site.

                       Newbury Park Military Hospital was located in Ilford Emergency Hospital on Abbey Road, Newbury Park, which was taken over almost entirely as a military hospital in May 1915. The hospital returned to civilian use in March 1919.

                       Oakwood VAD Hospital was located on High Road, Chigwell and opened in opened in March 1915. It was staffed by the Essex 82 voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed in February 1919.

                       Ormonde House Auxiliary Hospital on High Road, Buckhurst Hill opened in 1914 and provided 31 beds. The site is now occupied by houses in Forest Side and Ormonde Rise.

                       Overcliffe Red Cross Hospital opened in January 1915 in the Overcliff Hotel on the Leas, Westcliff.

                       Rivercourt Red Cross Hospital was located at Rivercourt, 19 Fullbridge Street Maldon and opened in August 1914 providing 30 beds. In 1915 an annexe was opened in the newly built Baptist Sunday School on Butt Lane with a further 24 beds.

                       St Laurence V.A.D. Hospital was located at St Laurence’s Church Hall on Corbets Tey Road, Upminster. It opened in 1914 as a Convalescent Home for the wounded, funded by the local community. It was taken over by the Red Cross as class B hospital for ambulant patients patients from the Colchester Military Hospital.

                       Stanstead Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in the home silk mill owner Samuel Courtauld at Stanstead Hall on Stanstead Hall Road, Greenstead Green near Halstead. Mrs. Elizabeth Courtauld was the commandant and nursing staff were provided from those employed at the owner's Halstead Courtauld factory.

                       Stanway Rectory V.A.D. Hospital was located at Stanway Rectory, Church Lane in Stanway and provided 20 beds. The property was loaned to the Red Cross by Rev. Richard Hartley O’Reilly and his wife Bertha. Today the building is Comrie House, part of St. Mary’s School.

                       The Glen Red Cross Hospital was located in The Glen on the corner of Southchurch Road and Southchurch Avenue in Westcliffe-on-Sea and opened in October 1914 with 50 beds staffed by Essex 34 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It was later taken over by Essex 28 VAD and expanded to 116 beds.

                     

                       Theydon and Grays Retreat Auxiliary Hospital was located at Theydon and Grays Retreats, large tearooms, Greys offered a playground with a helter skelter, situated either side of Coppice Row, near the church in Theydon Bois, Essex. Theydon Retreat was owned by Riggs who operated a number of similar facilities in Epping Forest. Greys Retreat was destroyed by a parachute mine during WW2.

                       Theydon Towers Hospital opened in November 1914 at Theydon Towers off Theydon Road, Theydon Bois, the mansion being loaned by the Soper brothers. Staffed by Essex 48 Voluntary Detachment, 40 beds were initially provided. After the war the property became a convalescence home for children and today has been converted into apartments.

                       Thorpe Le Soken Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thorpe Hall off Frinton Road, Thorpe Le Soken in Essex. The mansion was demolished in the early 2000's and the site is now occupied by a hotel and spa, much of the orignial gardens remain.

                       Town Hall Hospital, Waltham Abbey was situated in the Town Hall on Highbridge Street, opposite Waltham Abbey Church. The hospital opened on the 10th of December 1914 providing 32 beds, staffed by the Essex 16 Voluntary Aid Detachment, the Commandant was Honoria Mary Fisher. In 1917 the number of beds incraesed to 50 and a hut was later added to accommodate a further 14. Today the building is home to Holy Cross Council offices.

                       Braintree VAD Hospital was opened in the Boardroom building of the Braintree Union Workhouse on Rayne Road, Braintree. The commandant was Mrs Maud Gold. It opened on 31st of May 1915 and 587 patients were treated before it closed on 8th of February 1919.

                       Valentine Mansions Auxiliary Hospital was located in Valentine Mansions off Emerson Road, Ilford. It was staffed by the local branch of St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Walden Place Red Cross Hospital at Waldon Place, off the High Street in Saffron Walden opened on the 16th of May 1915. The Commandant was Mrs J Atkinson. The hospital closed in May 1919 having treated 1,101 patients.

                       Wethersfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wethersfield Place, Wethersfield in Essex, the house being loaned to the Red Cross by Mr. Simmons. The hospital opened on the 5th of November 1914. The Red Lion Inn on the Green is reported to have been used as an annexe.

                       South Woodford Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Woodford Memorial Hall on High Road, South Woodford.

                       Woodhouse Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodhouse Farm on Coach Road, Great Horkesley in Essex. It was accommodated in a barn which was loaned by Col. H. J. Lermitte and his wife Susan was Commandant of the hospital which opened on the 22nd of October 1914 providing 15 beds. Capacity later increased to 60 beds and 1,522 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 15th of April 1919.

                       Hylands Military Hospital at Hylands House, Writtle near Chelmsford opened on the 14th of August 1914, the ground floor of the house being converted into a military hospital by the owner Sir Daniel Gooch. 20 beds were initially provided. Over 1500 patients were treated before the hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Abbotswood Red Cross Hospital was located at Abbotswood, near Upper Swell, Stow-on-the-Wold, the house was loaned by business man Mark Fenwick. The hospital was ready for use in October 1914, but was not required until 27th of February 1915. In early 1916 it moved to Kitebrook, Moreton-in-Marsh.

                       Kitebrook Red Cross Hospital, Moreton-in-Marsh opened in early 1916, when the the hospital moved from Abbotswood, Stow-on-the-Wold, lent by Mr Freer. The majority of the staff moved with the hospital. At its closure on the 20th of December 1918 the hospital provided 70 beds and 1037 patients had been treated across both sites. Today Kitebrook House is in use as a prep school.

                       Moorend Park VAD Hospital, Charlton Kings opened on the 5th of November 1914, providing 40 beds. The Commandant was Miss S. H. Smith. In May 1915 it moved to The Abbots in Cheltenham where the number of beds could be increased to 50.

                       The Priory VAD Hospital opened in Cheltenham in October 1916 when the hospital moved from The Abbotts into the larger property The Priory which was the Hostel of St. Paul's Training College on the corner of London Road and Priory Street. The number of beds was increased from 50 to 100 and outpatients were also treated. The Commandant was Miss S. H. Smith it was staffed by the Gloucester 30 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In total the hospital treated 1603 patents between 1914 and 1919 with 20 deaths. The Priory was demolished in 1967, replaced by a concrete office block, but in 2000 was rebuilt to a similar plan to the original building.

                       Winchcombe Red Cross Hospital was located in the The Unionist Workmen's Club on the corner of Abbey Terrace and Vineyard Street in Winchcombe and the old Infant Schoolroom a few hundred yards away. Opening on the 16th of May 1915 with 45 beds, it was staffed by the Gloucestershire 6 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Commandant was Miss E. Wedgwood. 809 patients were treated before the hospital closed in early 1919.

                       Bitton Red Cross Hospital was located at Beach House, Bitton lent by Mr Walker. The Hospital opened on the 17th of March 1915 and provided 35 beds. The Commandant was Mrs Walker and it was staffed by the Gloucester 100 Voluntary Aid Detachment and a few staff from Glous 44 VAD. It was a class B hospital taking convalescent patients mainly from Cleve Hill and Horton Hospitals.

                       Bingham Hall Red Cross Hospital opened in Bingham Hall on King Street, Cirencester on the 10th of December 1914 providing 85 beds. Patients arrived direct from Southampton and the hospital was staffed by Gloucester 84 Voluntary Aid Detachment, the Commandant was Mrs Swanwick. The hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918 having treated 1852 patients. The hall was built in 1908 as a gift to the town and included an indoor rifle range and a hall used for sports, social events and theatre performances, it remains in this use today.

                       Boddington Red Cross Hospital opened on the 25th of March 1915 in Staverton Vicarage providing 18 Class B beds for convalescent patients mainly from Gloucester Red Cross Hospital. Staffed by Gloucester 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment, the Commandant was Mrs R. E. Grice-Hutchinson. 484 patients were treated before the hospital closed in December 1918.

                       Nailsworth Red Cross Hospital opened on the 20th of March 1915 at Chestnut Hill in Nailsworth loaned by Mr Clissold. The Class B convalescent hospital provided 25 beds for patients were transferred mainly from Cirencester and Stroud Hospitals. The Commandant was Mrs Wilson and it was staffed by the Gloucester 54 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Cleve Hill Red Cross Hospital, was located at Cleve Hill, a large house in Downend near Fishponds to the east of Bristol. The hospital opened on the 27th of October 1914 and provided 100 beds, staffed by members of the Gloucseter 74, 22 and 98 Voluntary Aid Detachments. The house was loaned by Sir Charles Cave and his wife was the Commandant. The hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919 having treated 1343 patients.

                       Copse Hill Red Cross Hospital was located at Copse Hill House, Lower Slaughter near Bourton-on-the-Water, loaned to the Red Cross by Captain Brassey. Opening on the 7th of May 1915, it provided 50 convalescent beds, staffed by Gloucester 54 Voluntary Aid Detachment under the Commandant Miss Agnes Witts.

                       Forthampton Court Hospital for Officers was located at Forthampton Court in Forthampton, near Tewkesbury, it provided 20 beds for convalescent officers and was run by the Yorke family and their staff without assistance from the VAD. 104 patients were treated and the hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919.

                       Gloucester Red Cross Hospital opened on the 21st of October 1914 in the newly built infirmary building of the Gloucester Union Workhouse. Staffed by Gloucester 32 & 60 Voluntary Aid Detachments, the Commandants were Mrs Lee-Williams and later Mrs E. B. Evans. Initially 60 beds were provided in two wards, but the other wards of the building were taken over and a hutted ward built taking the number of beds to 272. The hospital closed on the 26th of March 1919 having treated 4822 patients. The building became part of the Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary.

                       Harley House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Harley House in Chipping Sodbury.

                       Horton Red Cross Hospital was located in the home of Mr Hugh Harford at Horton near Chipping Sodbury, his wife was the Commandant. Opening on the 24th of October 1914 with 28 beds, it was staffed by the Gloucester 24 Voluntary Aid Detachment. 338 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 26th of February 1917 when Mr Harford was taken ill.

                       Leckhampton Red Cross Hospital was located at Leckhampton Court in Leckhampton near Cheltenham, the home of Major Cecil Elwes of the Gloucestershire Yeomanry who was serving overseas. 100 beds were provided, being ready for patients by the 1st November 1914, staffed by the Gloucester 40 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Mrs Ward. The first patients arrived on the 27th of February 1915 and 1579 wounded were treated before the hospital closed in March 1919.

                       Tewkesbury Red Cross Hospital opened on the 13th of November 1914, with 35 beds in the Watson Memorial Hall and 15 beds in the Rural Hospital, Tewkesbury. Staffed by the Gloucester 12 Voluntary Aid Detachment, accommodation was cramped and expansion was impossible. In May 1915 the hospital moved to Mitton Farm, a large house on the outskirts of town loaned by Lord Coventry and capacity was increased to 60 beds. The hospital closed on the 2nd of Jan 1919 having treated 1188 patients.

                       Naunton Park Red Cross Hospital opened on the 12th of June 1915 in Naunton Park Council Schools in Cheltenham, staffed by the Gloucester 106 Voluntary Aid Detachment. 2751 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 29th of December 1918. Today the building remain in use as a school.

                       New Court Red Cross Hospital opened on the 21st of October 1914 at New Court, a large house on Lansdown Place, Cheltenham providing 55 beds. The Commandant was Miss A. C. King and it was staffed by the Gloucester 16 Voluntary Aid Detachment. By the time the hospital closed on the 18th of December 1918, the number of beds had increased to 90 and a total of 1697 patients had been treated.

                       Norton Hall Red Cross Hospital opened at Norton Hall, Chipping Campden on the 11th of November 1914. The Commandant was Miss Maye Bruce, daughter of the owner Sam Bruce who was living in London. The hospital provided 50 beds staffed by the Gloucester 64 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The number of beds was been increased to 65, with additional beds provided in tented wards during the summer taking the maximum to 110. By the time the hospital closed on the 26th of March 1919, 2029 patients had been treated.

                       Badminton Red Cross Hospital opened on the 9th of November 1914 at Portcullis House, next to the railway station in Badminton which was loaned by the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. 37 beds were provided, staffed by the Gloucester 4 Voluntary Aid Detachment with and annexe of 13 beds at Hawkesbury from May to September 1917. Between 10th of August 1915 and 15th of December 1915 Badminton became an annexe to Roehampton Hospital caring for limbless patients who were waiting for admission to the specialist centre at Roehampton. The Hospital closed on the 28th of December 1918 having treated 510 patients.

                       Racecourse Red Cross Hospital opened on the 28th of October 1914 in the grandstand of Cheltenham Racecourse at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham. The Commandant was Miss Ratcliff and it was staffed by members of the Gloucester 14, 18 and 50 Voluntary Aid Detachments. 100 beds were provided, increasing to 150 in April 1917 and to 200 1918. Huts and revolving shelters were erected to provide additional accommodation, the viewing balconies of the grandstand were used for open air treatments. The hospital closed on the 26th of March 1919 having treated 3169 patients.

                       Lydney Red Cross Hospital opened on the 28th of October 1914 in the Cottage Hospital and Town Hall with 45 beds across the two sites, staffed by the Gloucester 102 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The number of beds was increased when part of the secondary school next door to the Town hall was taken over by the hospital, in July 1916 another 36 were added at Redhill, loaned by Lord Bledisloe and a further 40 were added in November at the Craft School loaned by the County Education Committee. By the time the hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919, it could offer 236 in various buildings, all under one administration. A total of 3048 patients were treated at this hospital.

                       St. Briavels Red Cross Hospital was a convalencent hospital located at The Ghyll House, St. Briavels in the Forest of Dean, the newly built house was loaned by Mr Lamb. Opening on the 17th of March 1915, it provided 20 beds and was staffed by the Gloucester 104 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       St. Johns VAD Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 in St. John's School on Gloucester Road in Cheltenham. Initially providing 120 beds, later increased to 180, it was staffed by the Gloucester 108 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on the 31st of January 1919 having treated 2995 patients. The school was demolished in 2003 and houses now occupy the site.

                       St. Martins Red Cross Hospital opened on the 23rd of June 1915 at Eversleigh in Parabola Road, Cheltenham, loaned by Cheltenham Ladies' College, who still use the building today. The hospital provided 40 beds and was staffed by former pupils of the Ladies' College, some of whom were members of the Gloucester 68 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In September 1918 the hospital moved to Lisle House on Clarence Square loaned by Mrs James Winterbotham. The hospital closed on the 26th of March 1919 having treated 690 patients, Lisle house then became a 20 bed hospital for paralysed soldiers. Today the property has been converted into flats.

                       Standish Red Cross Hospital opened on the 13th of May 1915 with 100 beds at Standish House, Stonehouse lent by Lord Sherborne. In 1916 and 17 an additional 30 beds were provided in open air wards and other facilities were provided in hutted accommodation in the grounds. The hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919 having treated 2292 patients. Standish House and the facilities in the grounds were then used as a TB hospital and it continued to be used as a hospital until 2004.

                       Suffolk Hall Red Cross Hospital opened on the 19th of December 1914 at Suffolk Hall on Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham which was at that time in use as a boys school. Providing 65 beds, the Commandant was Miss M. Hattersley-Smith and it was staffed by the Gloucester 26 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on the 29th of March 1919 having treated 1368 patients.

                       Stroud Red Cross Hospital opened on the October 28th 1914 providing 30 beds in the Trinity Parish Rooms and 10 in the General Hospital nearby. In 1916 a further 60 beds were added at Roxburgh House and a further 5 at the General Hospital. The Commandant was Mrs J. Middleton Martin and it was staffed by the Gloucester 90 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on the 3rd of January 1919 having treated 1015 patients.

                       1st New Zealand General Hospital opened at Brockenhurst in June 1916, the hospital having previously been used for Indian patients. The main hutted and tented hospital was also known as Lady Hardinge Hospital with sections at Balmerlawn and Forest Park. Over 21,000 patients were treated before the hospital closed at the end of January 1918.

                       U.S.A. Base Hospital No. 33 was located in the Portsmouth Borough Asylum, Portsmouth on the south coast of England from the 3rd of June 1918.

                       4th Canadian General Hospital was located at Park Prewitt, Basingstoke and opened in September 1917. The hospital closed in June 1919.

                       Hayling Island Red Cross Hospital was located at No.s 7 and 8 The Crescent on Hayling Island.

                       Alexandra Military Hospital was built in 1907 on Portsdown Hill near Cosham. In 1926 it was taken over by the Ministry of Pensions for the care of disabled ex-servicemen and transferred to the NHS in 1951. Today it is known as the Queen Alexandra Hospital and has been completely rebuilt.

                       Alresford Place Auxiliary Hospital was located in Alresford Place, a large house built as Alresford Rectory in 1740. Today the property is owned by the Diocese of Winchester and is used as a conference centre.

                       Alton Red Cross Hospital was located in the Assembly Rooms off the High Street in Alton. The hospital opened in November 1914 and closed in January 1919.

                       Alverstoke VAD Hospital was run the the St John's Ambulance Brigade and was located in Stokesmead, the Alverstoke National Children's Home on Clayhall Road.

                       Chewton Lodge Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was located at Chewton Lodge, Highcliffe in Christchurch, with an annexe at Mount Joy.

                       Barnfield Red Cross Hospital was located at Barnfield House in Weston near Southampton. Today the property, now named Barnfield Court, has been converted into flats and the gardens are occupied by a housing estate.

                       Bassett Heath Hospital for Officers was located opposite st Michael's church at Basset Heath off Basset Avenue, Southampton. Today the site is part of the University of Southampton's Glen Eyre Halls.

                       Bere Hill Hospital was located at Berehill House on Newbury Road, Whitchurch. Today the property is Berehill House Care Home.

                       Bighton Wood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bighton Wood House near the village of Bighton in Hampshire.

                       Bishops Court Auxiliary Hospital was in Alresford.

                       Bitterne Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital was situated on Westend Road in Bitterne.

                       Blackmoor Red Cross Hospital was located at Blackmoor House, a mansion set in a large deer park near Blackmoor on the western edge of the ancient Woolmer Forest in Hampshire.

                       Branksmere Red Cross Hospital was located at Branksmere on Kent Road, Southsea.

                       Cadland Red Cross Hospital was located at Cadland House, a country house on the Cadland Estate, overlooking the Solent near Fawley in Hampshire. It was loaned by the Drummond Family. The house was demolished in the late 1940s.

                       Cambridge Military Hospital, built in 1879 was located at the Stanhope Lines in Aldershot Garrison. It was the first British hospital to provide plastic surgery, under Captain Harold Gillies and many with facial wounds underwent reconstructive surgery at this hospital.

                       Clayton Court Hospital was located at Clayton Court, Hill Brow near Liss in Hampshire. Today the property is a care home.

                       Coldhayes Red Cross Hospital was located at Coldhayes, Steep in Hampshire, loaned by the Palmer family. The house is on high ground with terraced gardens and is surrounded by a wooded estate. Today the property remains a private family home.

                       Connaught Military Hospital was located at the Marlborough Lines, Aldershot Garrison in Hampshire. Built in the 19th Century, it was a 1100 bed hospital and had a large specialist unit for venereal, mental and prisoner cases as well as general medical beds.

                       Daneshill Red Cross Hospital was located at Daneshill House, Lychpit, built by Edwin Lutyens in 1903 on a ridge overlooking Old Basing, Hampshire. It was loaned to the Red Cross by Mr Walter Hoare. Today it is known as The Manor House, Lychpit and is used as a business centre with office blocks and car parks occupying much of the gardens.

                       Elmsleigh Red Cross Hospital was located in Bassett, Southampton.

                       Fair Mile Red Cross Hospital was located in the Union Workhouse, Christchurch. Today the building is Christchurch Hospital which specialises in rehabilitation.

                       Fareham House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fareham House in the High Street, Fareham in Hampshire.

                       Farnborough Court Auxiliary Hospital was located at Farnborough Court, a large mansion set in 12 acres near St Michael's Abbey, Farnborough in Hampshire. The property was demolished after the second world war and today the site is occupied by housing.

                       Yateley Auxiliary Hospital was opened with 20 beds on 5th October 1914 at The Vicarage on Vicarage Road, now named Glebe House. A 10 bed annexe was also opened at Fir Grove House, Eversley, now named Firgrove Manor. The hospital was staffed by the Hants 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Commandant was Miss Jubb. On the 25th January 1917, the Hospital moved to Yateley Lodge, Cricket Hill. It closed in December 1917.

                       Fir Grove Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fir Grove, Eversley now named Fir Manor, which was was loaned by Miss Anne Tindal. In October 1914 it opened as an annexe to Yateley Auxiliary Hospital, providing one ward with 10 beds, known as Fir Grove Ward, and staffed by the Hants 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In 1915 the number of beds was increased to 21. In 1917 Yatley Auxiliary Hospital was forced to move premises and about this time Fir Grove became a separate hospital, with the number of beds being increased to 41. It closed on the 31st of January 1919.

                       Golden Fields Auxiliary Hospital was located at Golden Fields, a large house with a clock tower in the village of Liphook, Hampshire.

                       No.1 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Omer in November 1914 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Escaudoeuvres. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.2 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bailleul in August 1914 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Valencienne and later moving into Germany. The wounded, having already had wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick, referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.3 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in August 1914 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Caudry. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.4 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Poperinghe in October 1914 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Solesmes. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.5 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in August 1914 and made a number of moves before the end of the conflict. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.6 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Merville in September 1914 and made a number of moves ending the war at Bois de Montigny. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.7 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Merville in December 1914 and made a number of moves ending the war at Ligny St Flochel. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.8 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bailleul in January 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Les Trois Tilleuls. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.9 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Omer in December 1914 and made a number of moves before the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the CCS behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.10 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in April 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Tourcoing. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.11 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Doullens Citadel in June 1916 and made a number of moves ending the war at St Andre. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.12 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in June 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Tincourt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.13 Casualty Clearing Station opened in Egypt, moved to France in July 1916 and made a number of moves ending the war at Ascq. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.15 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in July 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Don. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.17 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in July 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Les Trois Tilleuls. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.18 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Lapugnoy in August 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Ytres. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.19 (2/1st Northumbrian) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Doullens in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Caudry. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.20 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Warlencourt in July 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.21 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Corbie in April 1916 and made a number of moves ending the war at Caudry before moving into Germany. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.22 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Aire in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Boisleux au Mont. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.23 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Lozinghem in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Auberchicourt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.24 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Aubigny in September 1915 and moved to Italy in 1917. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.28 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Fouilloy in September 1915. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.29 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Gezaincourt in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Delsaux Farm. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.30 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Aubigny in December 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Cambrai. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.32 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Venant in November 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Lozinghem. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.33 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bethune in September 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Denain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.34 (1st West Lancashire) Casualty Clearing Station arrived in France in November 1915 and made a number of moves ending the war at Solesmes. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS

                       No.35 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Doullens in June 1916 and made a number of moves, going into Germany after the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.36 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Heilly in April 1916 and made a number of moves, being at Sweveghem at the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.37 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Avesnes in April 1916 and made a number of moves, including a spell in Italy, being at Busigny at the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.38 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Heilly in May 1916 and made a number of moves, including a spell in Italy, being at Awoingt at the Armistice. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.39 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Ouen in May 1916 and made a number of moves, including a spell in Italy. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.41 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Wanquetin in March 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Roisel. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.42 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Aubigny in February 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Douai. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.43 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Frevent in April 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Boisleux. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.44 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Puchevillers in May 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Courtrai. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.45 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Edgehill near Dernancourt in September 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Awoingt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.46 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Proven in June 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Delsaux Farm. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.47 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hesdin in July 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bihecourt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.48 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Grovetown in September 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Charleroi. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.49 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Gezaincourt in July 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Caudry. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.50 (Northumbrian) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.51 (Highland) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Lillers in June 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Estaires. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.53 (North Midland) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bailleul in September 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Roisel. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.54 (1/2nd London) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in April 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Cambrin. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.55 (2/2nd London) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Grovetown in September 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.56 (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hazebrouck in June 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.57 Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Venant in March 1917 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Quevant. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.58 (West Riding) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Lillers in October 1915 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Tincourt. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.59 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Hesdin in April 1917 and made a number of moves. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.61 (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Resmenil Farm in July 1916 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Bohain. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.62 (1/2nd London) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Doullens in May 1917 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Remy Siding. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.63 (1/1st London) Casualty Clearing Station opened at Boubers sur Canche in February 1917 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Ascq. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.64 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Mendighem in July 1917 and made a number of moves, ending the war at Dadizeelehoek. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No.83 Casualty Clearing Station opened at Bandagehem in June 1917. The wounded, having already had their wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       Meerut Casualty Clearing Station opened at St Venant in September 1915. The wounded, having already had wounds dressed at a Dressing Station would be brought to the tented hospital behind the lines, which also dealt with the sick, referred to them by the Medical Officer of the man's battalion. The CCS was equipped with an operating theatre and tented wards. Those who needed further treatment would be transferred to one of the hospitals, though some were able to return to their unit after a stay at the CCS.

                       No. 1 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on 13th of May 1912, when No. 1 Company of the Air Battalion was redesignated. It proceeded to France on the 7th of March 1915 in a mainly reconnaissance, becoming a dedicated fighter squadron on 1st of January 1917. It was redesignated No. 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918 and returned to the UK in March 1919.

                     

                       No. 4 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed at Farnborough in 1912. They proceeded to France in August 1914 for reconnaissance duty. It was redesignated No. 4 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No.8 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Brooklands on 1st of January 1915. It proceeded to France on the 15th of April 1915 in a bombing and reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 8 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918 and moved to Germany with the army of occupation after the Armistice.

                       No. 10 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on 1st of January 1915 at Farnborough and operated in an observation and bombing role on the Western front. It was redesignated No. 10 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918

                       No. 11 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on 14th of February 1915 as a fighter squadron and proceeded to France in July. It was redesignated No. 11 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918

                       No. 13 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at RAF Gosport on 10th of January 1915 and proceeded to France in October 1915. Initally undertaking Army co-operation duties and subsequently pioneered formation bombing. It was redesignated No. 13 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 15 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed Farnborough on 1st of March 1915 as a training unit. It proceeded to France on 22nd of December 1915, undertaking a reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 16 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at at Saint-Omer in France on 10th of February 1915 from elements of Nos. 2, 6 and 9 Squadrons. It was redesignated No. 16 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 17 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Gosport in February 1915 and served in the Middle East. It was redesignated No. 17 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 18 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Northolt on 11th of May 1915 and proceeded to France on the 19th of November 1915. It was redesignated No. 18 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 19 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on the 1st of September 1915 and proceeded to France in July 1916. It was redesignated No. 19 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 21 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on 23rd of July 1915 and proceeded to France in January 1916 in a reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 21 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 23 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Fort Grange, Gosport on 1st of September 1915 with a nucleus from 13 Squadron and proceeded to France on the 1st of April 1916. It was redesignated No. 23 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 24 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Hounslow Heath on 1st of September 1915 and proceeded to France in February 1916. It was redesignated No. 24 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 25 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at at Montrose on 25th of September 1915 and undertook a training role until proceeding to France 20 February 1916 as a long-range reconnaissance and fighter unit. It was redesignated No. 25 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 27 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed Hounslow Heath on the 5th of November 1915 and proceeded to France in early 1916. It was redesignated No. 27 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 28 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on the 7th of November 1915 and initially operated as a training unit, before proceeding to France as a fighter squadron.

                    In October 1917 it was sent to Italy to support the war against Austria. It was redesignated No. 28 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 29 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed on the 7th of November 1915 proceeding to France on the 25th of March 1916 as a fighter squadron. It was redesignated No. 29 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 30 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Moascar in Egypt on 24th of March 1915. It was redesignated No. 30 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 31 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Farnborough on 11th of October 1915 and was deployed to the North-West Frontier in India. It was redesignated No. 31 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 32 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on the 12th January 1916 and proceeded to France in May as a fighter squadron. It was redesignated No. 32 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 33 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed from a nucleus from 12 Sqn at Filton on 12th of January 1916 and was deployed as a home defence squadron. It was redesignated No. 33 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 34 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed from a nucleus from 19 Squadronn at at Castle Hooskow on 7th of January 1916. It proceeded to France in July 1916 as a reconnaissance unit and was later deployed to Italy. It was redesignated No. 34 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 36 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Cramlington on the 18th of March 1916. It operated as a Home Defence Squadron protecting the north east of England and later took on a training role. It was redesignated No. 36 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 37 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Orfordness on 15th of April 1916 but was soon disbanded and reformed in September. It operated as a Home Defence Squadron protecting London. It was redesignated No. 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 38 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Thetford on the 1st of April 1916 but shortly became No.25 (Reserve) training squadron. A new No.38 Squadron was formed at Castle Bromwich on the 14th July 1916. It operated as a Home Defence Squadron protecting the West Midlands. It was redesignated No. 38 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918. At the end of May 1918 it was sent to Dunkirk as a night bomber force.

                       No. 39 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Hounslow Heath in April 1916. It operated as a Home Defence Squadron protecting the London. It was redesignated No. 39 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 40 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Gosport on the 26th of February 1916. It was redesignated No. 40 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 41 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Fort Rowner, RAF Gosport, in mid April 1916 with a nucleus from 28 Squadron RFC and was renumbered 27 Reserve Squadron on 22nd of May 1916. 41 Squadron was re-formed on 14th of July 1916 with a nucleus its original Squadron. It proceeded to France on 15th of October 1916 as a fighter unit. It was redesignated No. 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 42 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Filton on the 1st of April 1916 with a nucleus from 19 Squadron RFC. It proceeded to France in a reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 42 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 43 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Stirling on 15th of April 1916 with a nucleus from 18 Reserve Squadron RFC. It proceeded to France in January 1917 in a reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 43 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 44 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Hainault Farm on 24th of July 1917 as a Home Defence Squadron protecting London. It was redesignated No. 44 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 45 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Gosport on 1st of March 1916 and proceeded to France in October. In October 1917 it was sent to Italy to support the war against Austria. It was redesignated No. 45 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918. In September 1918 it returned from Italy to the Western Front and joined the Independent Air Force.

                       No. 46 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Wyton on 19th of April 1916 from a nucleus trained by No. 2 Reserve Squadron and proceeded to France in October. In July 1917 it returned to defend London for a few weeks before returning to the Western Front. It was redesignated No. 46 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 47 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Beverley on 1st of March 1916 as a home defence squadron protecting East Yorkshire and the port of Hull. In September the Squadron was split, two flights joined 33 Squadron, and the rest deployed to Salonika for the Macedonian Front. It was redesignated No. 47 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918. In April 1919, the Squadron proceeded to Southern Russia.

                       No. 48 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon on 15th of April 1916 and proceeded to France in March 1917 as a fighter unit. It was redesignated No. 48 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No 50 Squadron formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Dover as a home defence squadron and protected the south east from airfields in Kent. It was redesignated No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No 51 Squadron formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Thetford as a home defence squadron. It was redesignated No. 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No 52 Squadron formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Hounslow Heath as a Corps Reconnaissance squadron and proceeded to France in November. It was redesignated No. 52 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 53 Squadron formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Catterick as a training squadron, but proceeded to France in a reconnaissance role in December. It was redesignated No. 53 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 54 Squadron formed on the 5th of May 1916 at Castle Bromwich as a home defence squadron, but proceeded to France in a day fighter role in December. It was redesignated No. 54 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 55 Squadron formed on the 27th of April 1916 at Castle Bromwich as a training squadron, but proceeded to France in a day bomber role in March 1917. It was redesignated No. 55 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 56 Squadron formed on the 8th of June 1916 and proceeded to France in a fighter role in April 1917. It was redesignated No. 56 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 57 Squadron formed on the 8th of June 1916 at Copmanthorpe as a training squadron, with a nucleus from 33 Squadron. It proceeded to France in a fighter-reconnaissance role in December 1916. It was redesignated No. 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 58 Squadron formed on the 8th of June 1916 at Cramlington as an advanced training squadron, with a nucleus from 36 Squadron. It proceeded to France in a night bomber role in January 1918. It was redesignated No. 58 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918 and moved to Egypt in 1919.

                       No. 60 Squadron formed on the 30th of April 1916 at Gosport and proceeded to France in late May. It was redesignated No. 60 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 61 Squadron formed on the 24th of July 1917 at Rochford in a Home Defence role to protect London. It was redesignated No. 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 62 Squadron formed on the 8th of July 1916 at Filton with a necleus from 7 Training Squadron. It proceeded to France in January 1918 in a fighter-reconnaissance role. It was redesignated No. 62 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       

                       

                       

                       No. 66 Squadron formed on the 3rd of June 1916 at Bristol and proceeded to France in March 1917. It returned to England for a spell on Home Defence duties before proceeding to Italy in November 1917. It was redesignated No. 66 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       No. 70 Squadron formed on the 22nd of April 1916 at Farnborough and proceeded to France. It was redesignated No. 70 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 72 Squadron formed on the 28th of June 1917 at Upavon and proceeded to Mesopotamia in late December. It was redesignated No. 72 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 73 Squadron formed on the 2nd of July 1917 at Upavon and proceeded to France in January 1918. It was redesignated No. 73 Squadron, Royal Air Force in April 1918.

                       No. 74 Squadron formed on the 1st of July 1917 at London Colney as a training Squadron and proceeded to France in April 1918 having been redesignated No. 74 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 75 Squadron formed on the 1st of October 1916 at Goldington as a Home Defence Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 76 Squadron formed on the 15th of September 1916 at Ripon as a Home Defence Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 77 Squadron formed on the 1st of October 1916 at Edinburgh. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 77 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 78 Squadron formed on the 1st of November 1916 at Harrietsham as a Home Defence Squadron. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 79 Squadron formed on the 1st of August 1916 at Gosport and proceeded to France in February 1918, specialising in low-level ground-attack operations. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 79 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 80 Squadron formed on the 1st of August 1917 at Montrose and proceeded to France in January 1918, initially in a fighter role and from March in ground-attack operations. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 80 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       

                       No. 82 Squadron formed on the 7th of January 1917 at Doncaster as an army co-operation unit. It proceeded to France on 20th of November 1917 to undertake artillery spotting and photo-reconnaissance. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 82 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 83 Squadron formed on the 7th of January 1917 at Montrose as a night bomber squadron. It proceeded to France in March 1918. In April 1918 it was redesignated No. 83 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       Melchet Court Red Cross Hospital, proving 60 bed convalescent beds, was located at Melchet Court near Plaitford in Hampshire, a large red brick house set in gardens and a deer park. It was loaned by Alfred Mond of Brunner Mond & Co, chemical works. Today the property is St Edward's School.

                       No. 89 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps formed on the 1st of September 1917 at Netheravon as a training squadron. It was disbanded on 4th of July 1918.

                       No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force was formed in France by the redesignation of No. 6 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service, on 1st of April 1918 as photo-reconnaissance unit.

                       No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force was formed on the 31st of December 1916 and flew Nieuport 17s and later Sopwith Camels on the Western Front until it was disbanded on the 27th of August 1917. It reformed on 1st of January 1918 as a bomber and reconnaissance unit flying Airco DH9s. On 1st of April 1918 it was redesignated No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

                       No. 209 Squadron, Royal Air Force on the 1st of April 1918 by the redesignation of No. 9 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service at Clairmarais in France. Equipped with Sopwith Camels they flew fighter and ground support operations.

                       Hawkstone Red Cross Hospital was located at Hawkstone House on Osbourne Road in Fareham.

                       Heath Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was at Heath Lodge, Newbury in Hampshire.

                       Heathcote Red Cross Hospital, also called Beechwood Auxiliary Hospital, opened on the 7th of November 1914 at Beechwood House, Bartley in the New Forest, the home of Colonel and Mrs. Heathcote. The 16 bed hospital was run by the Hants 26 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Commandant was Mrs Heathcote. The hospital closed in Feb 1917, having provided treatment for 102 patients.

                       Heron Court Red Cross Hospital opened on the 4th of November 1914 at Heron Court, Hurn, Christchurch, initially with 20 convalescent beds. From 1952 the property was home to Hurn Court School which closed in the 1980s.

                       Highfield Hall Red Cross Hospital, was located at Highfield Hall, Highfield, Southampton with an annexe at 8 Highfield Lane.

                       Hill House Red Cross Hospital was located at Hill House in the New Forest, loaned by Canon Oldfield and opened on 24th of March 1915, with 23 beds. Until September patients arrived from Netley Hospital and then from the 1st New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst. 1,016 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 31st July 1918.

                       Hollington House Red Cross Hospital was at Hollington House, Woolton Hill in Hampshire.

                       Home Mead Red Cross Hospital was located in Lymington, Hampshire.

                       Osborne Road Red Cross Hospital, was located at 20 Osbourne Road, Southsea.

                       Hursley Park Military Hospital was a 350 bed hutted hospital for Other Ranks at Hursley Park Camp in Hampshire.

                       Lady Cooper's Hospital for Officers opened in October 1914 in the main house at Hursley Park.

                       Idsworth Relief Hospital was Idsworth House near Blendworth in Hampshire.

                       Kingsclere House Red Cross Hospital was located at Kingsclere House, Kingsclere in Hampshire.

                       Laverstoke Red Cross Hospital was located at Laverstoke House in Laverstoke Park in Hampshire.

                       Marcia Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodpath, Southsea in Hampshire.

                       Marsh Court Red Cross Hospital was located at Marsh Court a country house near Stockbridge in Hampshire and provided 60 beds. The Commandant was Violet Johnson, the lady of the house.

                       Mayfield Red Cross Hospital was located at Mayfield House, Mayfield Park Woolston, Southampton loaned by Lord Rostock. It was affiliated to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley.

                       Minley Red Cross Hospital at Minley Lodge, Farnborough opened on 21st of September 1914 providing 36 beds for patients from Connaught and Cambridge Hospitals. The Commandant was Mrs Currie whose family owned the property and it was staffed the the Hants 186 Voluntary Aid detachment. Minley Lodge was demolished in the early 1940s when the airfield was extended.

                       Meerut Indian General Hospital was located at Morant Hall on Lyndhurst Road almost opposite Greenways Road in Brockenhurst. 120 beds were provided, for Indian soldiers until 1916 when the facility was handed over to the New Zealanders and the hospital was renamed Morant War Hospital, taking patients from the No.1 New Zealand General Hospital.

                       Newtown Red Cross Hospital was located at Newtown House, Newtown in Hampshire.

                       Northbrook Red Cross Hospital was located at Northbrook House in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire.

                       Northlands Red Cross Hospital was located at Northlands on Horndean Road, Emsworth, just to the north of the railway bridge. The hospital opened in 1914. The property became a maternity home and was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the road bridge carrying the A27.

                       Oatlands Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in 1914 at Oatlands, Kingston Crescent in Portsmouth, the property being lent to the local St John Ambulance Association. 30 beds were provided.

                       Paultons Auxiliary Hospital was located at Paultons, a large country house in Paultons Park at Ower near Romsey in Hampshire. The property became a hotel and was demolished in 1963 following a fire, today the park is a theme park.

                       Purbester House Auxiliary Hospital, Fareham was located at Purbester House and was staffed by the local St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Pylewell Park Officers Auxiliary Hospital was located at Pylewell House near Lymington in Hampshire.

                       Hurstbourne Park Red Cross Hospital was located at Hurstbourne Park near St Mary Bourne, Whitchurch in Hampshire. The house was loaned by The Right Honourable Newton Wallop. The property was rebuilt in the 1960's following a fire.

                       Rothesay Red Cross Hospital was located on Weyhill Road, Andover.

                       Rownhams Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rownhams House, Rownhams Southampton. The house was loaned to the St John's Ambulance Brigade by Lord Abinger.

                       West Cliff Auxiliary Hospital was located at West Cliff Hall off West Street in Hythe near Southampton.

                       Rushes Road Billet Hospital was located on Rushes Road in Petersfield.

                       Sheldons Red Cross Hospital was located in Hook, Hampshire.

                       Sherfield Manor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sherfield Manor, Sherfield on Loddon. Today the property is Sherfield School.

                       Shorne Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Shorne Hill, Totton in Hampshire and was staffed by the St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Somerley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Somerley House near Ellingham in Hampshire.

                       Southampton Docks Detention Hospital was located at Southampton Docks which was the main port of arrival for wounded returning to Britain and was the departure point for many embarking for France.

                       Stanswood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stanswood Farmhouse near Fawley in Hampshire.

                       Forest Park Hospital at Lymington was a section of the 1st New Zealand General Hospital.

                       Stourwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stourwood, 3 Bracken Road, Southbourne. The newly built house was equipped with 10 beds and the first patients arrived on the 1st of December 1914. In May 1915 the number of beds was increased to 30 and later two tented wards were erected in the gardens increasing capacity to 62. The hospital closed on the 31st of December 1918.

                       Sydney House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sydney House off Freemantle Common Road in Bitterne, Southampton. The hospital was staffed by the St John's Ambulance Brigade. The property was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War.

                       Shawford Red Cross Hospital opened in the Parish Hall on Pearsons Lane Shawford, near Winchester in 1915.

                       St. John's Kelston House Hospital was located at Kelston, Regents Park Road in Southampton. Run by the St John's Ambulance Brigade, it opened in 1915 and closed in 1919. The building was later used as a church and was demolished in the early 2000's, the site is now occupied by flats.

                       Thorney Hill Auxiliary Hospital Bransgore was a convalencent hospital taking recovering Officers who had been treated at the 1st New Zealand Hospital. It was located Dial House, Thorney Hill at Bransgore in the New Forest.

                       Thurlston Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thurlston House on Victoria Hill Road in Fleet.

                       Tylney Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Tylney Hall near Hook in Hampshire. Today the property is the Tylney Hall Hotel.

                       Uplands Auxiliary Hospital was located at 19 Romsey Road, Winchester (now no.45 due to renumbering).

                       Bodorgan Road Auxiliary Hospital was run by the St John Ambulance Brigade and was located at 2 Bodorgan Road, Bournemouth. It opened in November 1915 providing 25 beds for troops billeted nearby. On the 28th of April 1916 it took patients from Boscombe Military Hospital and capacity was increased to 57 beds in 1917 with two tented wards being erected. The hospital closed on the 28th of February 1919 having treated 1,414 patients.

                       Wakeswood Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Wakeswood, a large house situated near St Mary Bourne, loaned by Lt Col. Henry Longfellow Cooper.

                       Waterlooville Red Cross Hospital was situated in Waterlooville in Hampshire.

                       Wentworth Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was a convalescent hospital located at Wentworth Lodge in Boscombe, loaned by Lord Portman, whose wife Frances was involved in the running of the hospital.

                       Odiham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Western House, 127 High Street in Odiham.

                       Winchester Red Cross Hospital was located at Chernocke House on St Thomas Street, Winchester.

                       Woodlands Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Woodlands on Manchester Road in Southport. It was run by the St John's Ambulance Brigade and opened in 1915.

                       Beechwood Red Cross Hospital was located in Hereford.

                       Hampton Court Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hampton Court Castle near Hope Under Dinmore in Herefordshire, a 15th Century Medieval castle in 935 acres of grounds. The house was owned by Nancy Burrel who was the commandant.

                       Hampton Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hampton Grange on Hampton Park Road, Hereford. Today the property is a nursing home.

                       Leintwardine Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hightree House in Leintwardine. Today the property is known as Leintwardine Manor.

                       Sarnesfield Court Red Cross Hospital was located at Sarnesfield Court, Weobley, loaned by Isaac Marsall and opened on the 2nd of June 1915. 636 patients were treated before the hospital in 1919, the property was demolished in the 1950s.

                       Upper Hall Military Hospital was located at Upper Hall off Church Street, Ledbury, loaned by Mr Martin. It opened on the 12th of February 1915 providing 12 beds. After the war the property became part of Ledbury Grammar School.

                       Ashridge Auxiliary Hospital opened at Ashridge House, a gothic mansion near Berkhampstead in Hertfordshire.

                       Ashwellbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ashwell Bury, a large house near Ashwell in Hertfordshire. The Commandant was Phyllis Fordham and it was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Ayot House Officers’ Hospital was located at Ayot House, Ayot St Lawrence in Hertfordshire.

                       Boxmoor House Auxiliary Hospital opened at Boxmoor House, Boxmoor on the 26th of October 1915 providing 20 beds.

                       Bragbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bragbury End near Stevenage.

                       Chorley Wood Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall on Chorleywood House Estate, loaned by Lady Ela Russell. Today the property is used by the scouts.

                       Bishops Stortford Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Clare House, Bishops Stortford.

                       Codicote Red Cross Hospital was located at Pond House on the High Street in Codicote, Hertfordshire.

                       High Barnet Red Cross Hospital was located at Ewen Hall, Wood Street, Barnet which was the church hall of Barnet United Reformed Church. Providing 25 beds it opened in March 1915, staffed by the Hertford 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment and Miss Winifred Game was the Commandant. By the end of the conflict the number of beds had increased to 70 and the hospital closed in closed in April 1919.

                       Goldings Auxiliary Hospital was located at Goldings, a large country house near Waterford in Hertfordshire, owned by Margaret Alice Smith. After the war the house became the William Baker Technical School and today has been split into apartments.

                       Ken Cottage Auxiliary Hospital opened in March 1915 at 4 Crescent West, Hadley Wood providing 10 beds, staffed by the Hertford 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Miss Winifred Game. Today the property is no.34 Crescent West.

                       Kings Waldenbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Kingswalden Bury, a manor house near the church in King's Waldon, Hertfordshire.

                       Ladys Close Red Cross Hospital was located in the Lady’s Close, Grammar School for Girls in Watford.

                       Lamer Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lamer Park, Wheathampstead.

                       Potters Bar Red Cross Hospital opened in autumn 1914 at Little Heath Wood House, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar proving 18 beds. Today the site is occupied by Gresley Court.

                       Hatfield Red Cross Hospital was located at Northcotts, a large house which had once been a school, just north of Hatfield station on the opposite side of Great North Road, Hatfield. The property was loaned by Lord Salisbury for use as a hospital. Today the site is occupied by a block of flats.

                       Federated Malay States Hospital was located at Blackmore End in Kimpton, owned by the Baxendale family who had strong business connections in Malaysia, it was funded by subscriptions from the ex-pat community.

                       Park House Red Cross Hospital opened at Park House, 8 Totteridge Common, Totteridge near Barnet in autumn 1914.

                       Rose Hill Red Cross Hospital was located at Rose Hill in Hoddesdon, Herts.

                       Rickmansworth Red Cross Hospital was located at St Augustine's Hall, behind the Roman Catholic Church in Park Road, Rickmansworth and provided 20 beds. A further 16 beds were provided in an annexe at The Studio in Rectory Lane. By the end of the war the hospital had 42 beds.

                       New Barnet Red Cross Hospital opened in March 1915 in St James Parish Hall in East Barnet Road, New Barnet. 20 beds were provided, staffed by the Hertfordshire 32 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Today the building is the Barnet Subud Centre.

                       St. Pauls Walden Bury Auxiliary Hospital was located at St Paul's Walden Bury a large country house near the village St. Paul’s Walden in Hertfordshire. It was loaned by the Bowes-Lyon family for use as a hospital.

                       The Beeches Red Cross Hospital,was located at The Beeches in Berkhamsted.

                       Much Hadham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodham House, 54 High Street in Much Hadham.

                       Croxley Green Auxiliary Hospital was located in The Institute, Dickinson Square in Croxley Green loaned by John Dickinson & Co., who ran the nearby paper mill. On opening in May 1916 the hospital provided 30 beds, in 1917 this was increased to 50. The building was badly damaged by a fire in the 1960s and the site is now occupied by The Guildhouse apartment block.

                       Hitchin Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Maples, Bedford Road, Hitchin. The building later became a maternity home.

                       The Mount Auxiliary Hospital provided 30 beds and was located at The Mount on Camlet Way, Hadley Wood, run by Lady Rachel Byng, daughter of the Earl of Strafford. In April 1915 it moved to Hillside in Potters Bar but returned to The Mount in May 1917. Today the property is home to St Martha's School.

                       Ware Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Priory, on the High Street in Ware, Hertfordshire. It was loaned for use as a hospital by Mrs Elizabeth Croft, of Fanhams Hall. Today the building is used as offices of Ware Town Council and offers rooms for events and weddings.

                       Royston Auxiliary Hospital opened in the Infant and County Council Mixed Schools on Queens Road, Royston on the 25th of March 1915, the pupils having moved out at the outbreak of war, taking their lessons at the Town Hall and the British School. 35 beds were provided. The hospital closed in December 1918 and the pupils returned in 1919.

                       Wall Hall V.A.D. Hospital opened on the 23rd March 1915 providing 24 beds for typhoid patients in a large garage at Wall Hall, Aldenham near Watford, loaned by American banker J.P. Morgan, Jr. The accommodation was unsatisfactory for the treatment of typhoid and the hospital was used for convalescent patients. Capacity was increased to 30 beds by June 1916 and then to 48 in 1917. The hospital closed in 1919.

                       Woodhall Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodhall House, a large country house near Watton-at-Stone. Today the property is home to a school.

                       Wormleybury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wormleybury a large house in a landscaped park near Wormley, Hertfordshire.

                       Buckden Towers Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Buckden Towers, one time palace of the Bishop of Lincoln near Buckden.

                       Whitehall Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Whitehall near Sawtry.

                       Brampton and Buckden Red Cross Hospital opened in the Old Rectory in Church Road, Brampton and later relocated to Buckden Towers.

                       Kimbolton Red Cross Hospital was located at The Mandeville Hall in Kimbolton. Today the hall is still used as a village hall

                       St. Neots VAD Hospital was located at 20 Market Place, St. Neots

                       Walden House VAD Hospital opened in December 1914 at Walden House on Market Hill, Huntingdon. It provided 85 beds and over 3900 in-patients and further out-patients were treated before it closed in January 1919.

                       Afton Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Afton Lodge in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.

                       Hazelwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hazelwood a large house in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

                       Northwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Northwood House, East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

                       Quay Street Red Cross Hospital was located on Quay Street in Newport on the Isle of Wight.

                       Seely Red Cross Hospital was located at Gatcombe House, Newport on the Isle of Wight.

                       The Castle Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 at The Castle in Ryde, loaned by Colonel Cradock.

                       Underwath Auxiliary Hospital was located on Woolverton Road, St. Lawrence, Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.

                       Herne Bay Red Cross Hospital was located at 1 Downspark in Herne Bay, Kent.

                       Bromley Red Cross Hospital was staffed by the Kent 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It opened in October 1914 and treated patients until the end of December 1918. A number of buildings across the town were used including, Bromley Palace, Church House, Holy Trinity Convent in Plaistow Lane, Langley Wood on Barnfield Wood Road, 21 Holwood Road, 36 Bromley Common, The Rookery on Bromley Common, Quernmore, South Hill Wood, Whitegarth, the Primitive Methodist Schools, St. Mary's Church Hall and the Masonic Hall.

                       Nevill Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at 8 Nevill Park, Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

                       Abbey Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Abbey Lodge, 54 Lubbock Road, Chislehurst in Kent, staffed by the Kent 60 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In September 1915 a 50 bed annexe was added at Lamas, 103 Lubbock Road, previously used as St Hugh's Preparatory School which had moved out due to the war. In 1918 a 40 bed annexe was added at Hillside, next door to Lamas, loaned by Mr Adcock. Abbey Lodge Hospital and its annexes closed on 31st March 1919.

                       Abbots Barton V.A.D. Hospital was located at Abbots Barton on New Dover Road in Canterbury. Today the property is a hotel.

                       All Hallows Auxiliary Hospital was located in the village of All Hallows, Isle of Grain on the Thames estuary, in Kent.

                       Balgowan Road Auxiliary Hospital was located in the newly built Balgowan Road Schools in Beckenham and opened in November 1915 staffed by the Kent 96 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It closed in March 1919 and the buildings reverted to their intended use.

                       Bidborough Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bidborough Court, Bidborough near Tunbridge Wells.

                       Blackhurst Auxiliary Hospital was located at Blackhurst Park, Tunbridge Wells.

                       Brooklyn Auxiliary Hospital opened in autumn 1914 at Brooklyn on Lubbock Road in Chislehurst loaned by John Acton Garle. The hospital closed in spring 1915 when the house was sold. Today the site is occupied by the flats of Ross Court.

                       Christ Church Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Christ Church parish hall on Lubbock Road in Chislehurst. It opened in autumn 1914 providing 25 beds.

                       Christ Church Auxiliary Hospital opened with 50 beds on the 15th of October 1914 in Christ Church Halls in Fairfield Road, Beckenham, with an isolation ward in No. 1 Christ Church Road. In October 1916 the hospital moved to the the recently built Girls Secondary School in Lennard Road, Beckenham. The name Christ Church Hospital was retained and it was still run by the Kent 86 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Affiliated to the Royal Herbert Hospital, it provided 120 beds which was later increased to 130. Out-Patient facilities were established at the Hospital and at the Balgowan Road Schools Hospital. In 1918 Christ Church Hospital was used as an infection hospital during the Spanish flu epidemic in an attempt to avoid infection of patients at the Royal Herbert Hospital. It closed in December 1918.

                       Brooklyn Red Cross Hospital was located at Brooklyn, 12 Crystal Palace Park Road in Sydenham. It opened in May 1915 with 20 beds and was staffed by the Kent 132 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The site was redeveloped in the 1930's and became Park Court.

                       Calverley Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Calverly Lodge, Calverley Park in Tunbridge Wells.

                       Chatham Royal Naval Hospital was part of Chatham Barracks and was built in 1903. It became a civilian hospital in 1965 ad is now known as the Medway Maritime Hospital.

                       Chipstead Place Auxiliary Hospital was located at Chipstead Place, a large country house in Kent. The property was demolished after a fire in the 1930s.

                       Church House Red Cross Hospital was located at Church House in Bromley.

                       Church House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Church House on the High Street in Edenbridge. The property is now the Eden Valley Museum.

                       Church House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Church House on East Street in Shoreham.

                       Clare House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Clare House in East Malling.

                       Kemsing Auxiliary Hospital was located in the village hall, St Edith's Club in Kemsing, Kent.

                       Coed-Bel School Sanatorium on Lubock Road in Chislehurst opened as a hospital for lightly wounded soldiers. It provided only 8 beds but remained open until March 1919.

                       Sidcup Congregational Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Congregational Lecture Hall and Congregational Sunday Schools on Station Road in Sidcup. Staffed by the Kent 62 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 34 beds. Today the property is the New Community Church.

                       Cornwall Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cornwall Hall in Sevenoaks. Today the property is The Drive Methodist Church.

                       Crothers Auxiliary Hospital was located in a large house owned by Robertina Crothers in Southborough.

                       Dane John Auxiliary Hospital was opened at Chantry Hall, Dane John near Canterbury.

                       Cranbrook Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall on Causton Road, Cranbrook.

                       Eden Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Eden Hall, St Andrews Convent, Edenbridge in Kent.

                       Edgehill Red Cross Hospital was located at Edgehill House, 25 Peak Hill in Lower Sydenham and provided 58 beds staffed by the Kent 132 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Elstree V.A.D. Hospital opened in 1915 at Elstree, 41 Westmoreland Road in Bromley which was loaned by Frederick Medcalf. Staffed by the Kent 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 24 beds and an operating theatre.

                       Fairfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fairfield House on Fairfield Road in Broadstairs, Kent.

                       Foresters Hall Red Cross Hospital was located at Foresters Hall on the High Street in Lenham. Today the building is known as the Lenham Social Club.

                       Lenham Hospital was a large tuberculosis sanatorium on the North Downs near Lenham, newly built in 1914 it was taken over for the treatment of mainly Canadian soldiers who had been gassed. In 1919 the property returned to its intended use.

                       Stanfield Red Cross Hospital was located at Stanfield House in The Square, Lenham, the home and practice of Dr Temperley Grey who was the Commandant and Medical Officer. It provided 18 beds staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Crayford Red Cross Hospital was located in the Friendly Society Hall on London Road near the junction with Roman Way in Crayford.

                       Gardenhurst Red Cross Hospital was located at Gardenhurst on Parkhill Road in Bexley loaned by Mrs Barrett. It was staffed by the Kent 130 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Granville Road Red Cross Hospital was located in the school hall of the Wesleyan Church in Granville Road, Sidcup. Staffed by the Kent 62 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 16 beds.

                       Bexleyheath VAD Hospital was located on the corner of Crook Log and Clarence Road and was staffed by members of the Kent 158 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                     

                     

                       Bangor Military Hospital was located in the Poor Law Infirmary off Caernarfon Road, in Bangor, North Wales. It opened in October 1914 initially providing 50 beds. The site later became St. David's Hospital and is now occupied by a retail park.

                       Ty’r Enfys overlooking Trearddur Bay in North Wales opened as a privately run convalescent home for wounded soldiers.

                       Bodlondeb Castle Red Cross Hospital was located at Bodlondeb Castle on Church Walks in Llandudno.

                       Caernarfon Military Hospital opened in the New Poor Law Caernarfon Infirmary in 1916 and treated soldiers until 1919.

                       Great Hermitage Red Cross Hospital was located at Great Hermitage House in Higham. The property was destroyed by fire in the 1930s and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Hayes Grove Red Cross Hospital was located at Hayes Grove, Prestons Road on the edge of West Wickham Common in Hayes. Today the building is in use as Priory Hospital.

                     

                       Hayle Place Red Cross Hospital was located at Hayle Place, a large house off Teasaucer Hill, Maidstone

                       Heath Close Red Cross Hospital was located at Heath Close in Dartford and was staffed by the Kent 116 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       High Beach Red Cross Hospital was located at High Beach on Sea Road in Westgate, Kent.

                       Holbrook Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 14th October 1914 at 45 Holbrook Lane, Chislehurst in Kent, staffed by the Kent 66 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed in July 1916 when the property was required by the owner, Mr Cyril Heywood. The patients were transferred to The Gorse Auxiliary Hospital.

                       Hornbrook Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 17th of October 1914 at Hornbrook House on the High Street in Chislehurst which had previously been used as a prep school by the Roman Catholic Sisters of Mercy. staffed by the Kent 66 Voluntary Aid Detachment it initially provided 50 beds. The hospital closed in August 1918 and the building was demolished in the 1970s, the site is now occupied by a car park.

                       Hollington House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hollington House on High Road, Chislehurst, loaned by Mrs Teichman and staffed by the Kent 66 Voluntary Aid Detachment. Today the site is occupied by the apartments of Hollington Court.

                       Holy Trinity Convent Hospital was in Plaistow Lane, Bromley.

                       Howard-de-Walden Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Howard de Walden Institute for Women, an educational centre on Marsham Street, Maidstone. It was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Attachment. Part of the building was destroyed by a bomb during WW2, the remainder is today known as the Howard De Walden Community Centre.

                       Ingress Abbey Canadian Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ingress Abbey near Greenhithe in Kent.

                       Leigh Red Cross Hospital was located in the village hall in Leigh, Kent, also known as the institute, Lyghe.

                     

                       Pembury Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the Poor Law Institution in Pembury, Kent. The building was demolished in 2011

                       Kingsbury Auxiliary Hospital was located at Kingsbury in Shortlands near Bromley in Kent. The building has since been demolished.

                       Knock Hall Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Knock Hall Lodge in Swanscombe, Kent. The building was demolished and new houses built on the site in the 1950s.

                       Langley Wood Red Cross Hospital was located at Langley Wood on Barnfield Wood Road in Bromley, Kent.

                       Lees Court Military Hospital was located at Lees Court near the village of Sheldwich in Kent, a stately home owned by the Sondes family.

                       Lidwells Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lidwells House near Goudhurst in Kent.

                       Lodore Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lodore, 22 Masons Hill in Bromley. It opened in October 1914 providing 7 beds staffed by the Kent 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It closed in 1915 and the patients transferred to Oakley House.

                       Macquarie Auxiliary Hospital was located at Macquarie on Pembury Road in Tunbridge Wells. The property later became the Salvation Army's Sunset Lodge and today is a nursing home.

                       Littlestone Red Cross Hospital was located at Madeira House, Littlestone in Kent.

                       West Malling VAD Hospital was located at Malling House on Town Hill, West Malling, loaned by Mr. Percy Nevill. It provided 50 beds, staffed by the Kent 150 Voluntary Aid Detachment and opened on the 16th of November 1914.

                       Folkestone Red Cross Hospital was located at The Manor House on The Lees in Folkestone. It opened in 1914 and was run by the Kent 24 Voluntary Aid Detachment under Commandant The Hon. Miss Florence Daly.

                       Mansford House Red Cross Hospital was located at Mansford House on Spencer Road in Birchington.

                       Manton House Red Cross Hospital was located at Manton House on Burleigh Road in Charing.

                       Marlpit Hill Institute VAD Hospital provided 10 beds in the Marlpit Hill Men's Institute in Edenbridge. It was staffed by the Kent 88 Voluntary Aid Detachment and opened on the 14th of October 1914.

                       Masonic Hall VAD Hospital was located in the Masonic Hall in Bromley and was staffed by the Kent 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                    In October 1914 a number of annexes were opened, these all closed in 1915.

                    • Mr and Mrs H.D. Keif opened a 4 bed annexe in their home at 88 Hayes Road, Bromley.
                    • A 12 bed annexe was opened at 21 Holwood Road, Bromley, the home of Mr and Mrs Percival Boyd.
                    • Mr Coles Child and his wife opened an 8 bed annexe at their home, Bromley Palace in Stockwell Close.
                    • Mr and Mrs Herbert M. Rogers opened a 12 bed annexe at their home, Langley Wood on Barnfield Wood Road.



                       Mugswell Red Cross Hospital was located in the Mission Hall on Green Lane, Mugswell near Chipstead.

                       Myrtle Cottage Auxiliary Hospital was located at Myrtle Cottage, between Church Street and Middle Street in Shoreham.

                       Nethercourt Red Cross Hospital was located at Nethercourt in Ramsgate. The property was demolished and new houses built on the site in the 1950s.

                       Hawkhurst Red Cross Hospital was located at Oakfields on the High Street in Hawkhurst.

                       Shortlands Red Cross Hospital was located in the Parish Room on Shortlands Road, Shortlands, Kent.

                       Park House Red Cross Hospital was located at Park House in Southborough. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Park House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Park House, Tunbridge Wells. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Penrhyn Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Penrhyn Lodge on Sea Road, Westgate in Kent.

                       Quex Park Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Quex House near Birchington, Isle of Thanet in Kent, loaned by Major and Mrs Powell Cotton. It opened on the 14th of October 1914 and provided 45 beds staffed by the Kent 178 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In total 1,241 patients were treated at the hospital. Today the property is a museum

                       The Strood and Frindsbury VAD Hospital was located in the Workmen’s Institute on Frindsbury Road, Rochester and the Rochester and Strood Co-operative Society Hall in Gun Lane and the nearby Wesleyan Church Sunday School. Opening on the 3rd of September 1914, a maximum of 130 beds were provided, staffed by the Kent 104, 106 and 126 Voluntary Aid Detachments.

                       Roseneath Red Cross Hospital was located at Roseneath in Broadstairs. The property has been demolished.

                       Rosherville VAD Hospital was located in the disused Rosherville Hotel on Burch Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, loaned by John Russell. The hospital opened in November 1914 with 64 beds, this was later increased to 126 and then to 201. It closed on the 31st of January 1919.

                     

                     

                       Rusthall VAD Hospital was located at Rusthall House in Rusthall and later opened an annexe in the Girl's School. Nurses were accommodated in the Beacon on Teagarden Lane.

                       Ramsgate VAD Hospital opened at the Royal Sailors’ Rest on Harbour Parade, Ramsgate on the 10th of October 1914, with the first ward being located in the chapel, known as the Bethel. The property was loaned by the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society and 72 beds were provided, staffed by the Kent 2 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Sholden Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sholden Lodge in Deal, Kent.

                       Shoreham Place Auxiliary Hospital was located at Shorham Place, Shoreham in Kent.

                       Abbey Wood Red Cross Hospital was located at Shornells on Bostall Hills Road, Abbey Wood.

                       Southwood V.A.D. Hospital was located at Southwood on Oldfield Road in Bickley, loaned for use as a hospital by Mr and Mrs Ernest J Wythes of Copped Hall, Epping. Staffed by the Kent 78 Voluntary Aid Detachment, the hospital opened on 14th October 1914 and 1,418 patients were treated before it closed on the 31st of January 1919. The property was demolished in the 1960's, only the lodge at the gates remains toady.

                       Walmer Auxiliary Hospital was located at St. Anselm’s and Generals Meadow, two large houses on St Clare Road, Walmer in Kent both loaned by Sir Charles Sargant. Lady Millie Sargant was the hospital commandant and 100 beds were provided across the two properties. The hospital opened in October 1914 and closed at the end of March 1919.

                       Swanton House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Swanton House on Elwick Road in Ashford.

                       Technical Institute Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Technical Institute Auxiliary Hospital on the corner of Elwick Road and Station Road in Ashford.

                       Tenterden VAD Hospital was located at Clifton House on Ashford Road in Tenterden.

                       The Bevan Hospital opened in autumn 1914 in the former Alfred Bevan Memorial Convalescent Home in Sandgate near Folkestone.

                       The Elms Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Elms on Rusthall Common, Rusthall in Kent.

                       Glovers VAD Hospital was located at The Glovers in Sittingbourne. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Whitehall Red Cross Hospital was located at Whitehall on Bell Road in Sittingbourne. Today the property is in use as offices.

                       Trinity Hall VAD Hospital opened at Trinity Hall in Sittingbourne in October 1914.

                       The Gorse Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Gorse, Manor Park in Chislehurst.

                       Faversham Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Mount on London Road, Faversham. Today the property has been divided into apartments.

                       The Warren Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Warren on Croydon Road in Hayes. Today the property is home to the Metropolitan Police Sports Club.

                       Charing Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Vestry Hall in Charing, Kent. It opened on the 14th of October 1914 and provided 20 beds staffed by the Kent 20 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Wakeley House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wakeley House, Charing in Kent. It provided 42 beds, staffed by the Kent 20 Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Cranbrook Vestry Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Vestry Hall on Stone Street in Cranbrook, Kent.

                       Victoria Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Victoria Hall on London Road in Southborough, Kent.

                       Ash Red Cross Hospital was located in the Village Hall on Queen's Road in Ash near Sandwich in Kent.

                       Biddenden Red Cross Hospital was located in the Village Hall on Tenterden Road, Biddenden in Kent.

                       Orpington Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall in Orpington, Kent.

                       Paddock Wood Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall at Paddock Wood in Kent.

                       Rolvenden Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Village Hall, Rolvenden in Kent.

                       Wanstead House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wanstead House in Margate.

                       Farnborough Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Wesleyan Church Hall on Starts Hill Road in Farnborough.

                       Wildernesse Red Cross Hospital was located at Wildernesse off Woodland Drive in Seal. After the war it became a golf club and more recently the property was occupied by Dorton House School.

                       The Firs Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Firs in Seal, Kent.

                       Whitegarth Auxiliary Hospital was located at Whitegarth on Holwood Road in Bromley, Kent.

                       Yacht Club V.A.D. Hospital opened on the 15th of October 1914 in the club house of the Yacht Club, which had formerly been the the Clifton Hotel on Clifton Marine Parade in Gravesend. Staffed by the Kent 92 Voluntary Aid Detachment, 86 beds were provided. The number of beds was soon increased to 106 with the opening of an annexe at Knock Hall Lodge. The hospital closed on the 31st of May 1919 having treated 2,361 patients.

                       Burford Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at numbers 1 and 3 Burford Road in Whalley Range, Manchester.

                       Princes Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at 10 Princes Road in Liverpool.

                       Woodlands No. 1 Hospital was located at The Woodlands off Wigan Lane, Wigan loaned by Lord & Lady Crawford. The hospital opened on the 6th of October 1914.

                       Woodlands No. 2 Hospital opened at The Marie-Bonne off Wigan Lane, Wigan the property being loaned by Lord and Lady Crawford for use as a hospital.

                       Woodlands No.3 Hospital was located at The Beeches off School Lane in Standish.

                       Holt House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holt House, 54 Ullet Road in Liverpool.

                       Abbeyhills Hospital was located on Abbey Hills Road in Oldham.

                       The Accident Hospital in Widnes provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Chaigeley Red Cross Hospital was located at Chaigeley Manor near Longridge Fell in Lancashire.

                       Albert House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Albert House off Manchester Road in Ashton-under-Lyne.

                       Albert Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at Providence House, 24 Albert Road in Colne, loaned by Henry Hewtt-Dean for use as a hospital. Today the property is occupied by the Britannia Building Society.

                       Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Whitefield Auxiliary Hospital was located in All Saints School in Church Lane, Whitefield. The property was demolished in the 1970s.

                       Ancoats Hospital on Great Ancoat Street in Manchester provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Baxenden Auxiliary Home Hospital was located in the village of Baxenden in Lancashire.

                       Morecambe Auxiliary Military Hospital was in Morcambe, Lancashire.

                       Poulton-le-Fylde Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in The Vicarage at Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire.

                       Avenue Hospital for Officers was in Liverpool.

                       Bank Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital was at Bank Hall, the former home of the Thursely family in Burnley. It was loaned by the Burnley Corporation who had purchased the house in 1913.

                       Baptist Tabernacle Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Baptist Tabernacle in Southport, Lancashire.

                       Barraclough Auxiliary Military Hospital was loacted at Barraclough House off Whalley Road, Pendleton in Lancashire.

                       Basford House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Basford House on Seymour Grove in Old Trafford, Manchester. Today the property is still in use by the NHS.

                       Billinge Military Convalescent Hospital provided 400 beds for those recovering from wounds or illness.

                       Birchfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Birchfield on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme, Manchester. The property was demolished in the 1950's and the site is now occupied by Holling College.

                       Birkdale Officers Hospital was located at Birkdale, Southport in Lancashire.

                       Blair Convalescent Home on Hospital Road, Bromley Cross in Bolton provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Bleasdale Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bleasdale House in Silverdale, Lancashire.

                       Bradstones Auxiliary Hospital was located at Bradstones, a large house in Sandfield Park, West Derby, Liverpool loaned by by Mr and Mrs Walter Beer.

                       Brook House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brook House in Levenshulme. It opened on the 18th of December 1914 and closed on the 4th of February 1920. The property was used as the Out-Patient department of the Duchess of York Hospital from 1928. The property has been demolished and a nursing home now stands on the site.

                       Camp Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Camp Hill, Woolton in Liverpool.

                       Castleton Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Castleton House, Castleton near Rochdale.

                       Centre Vale Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on the 17th January 1914 at Centre Vale off Burnley Road in Todmorden. The house was loaned by the Todmorden Corporation who had purchased the property and parkland in 1910. The hospital closed on 28th February 1919. The building became a museum but was demolished in the 1950s when it became unsafe. The grounds remain in use as a public park.

                       Crompton Fold Auxiliary Hospital was locate at Crompton Fold, a country house set in parkland off Long Lane in Bolton. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Croxteth Hospital for Officers opened on the 9th of June 1916 at Croxteth Hall, West Derby, the property being loaned by Lord and Lady Sefton who also financed the endeavour. Over 1000 patients were treated at the hospital before it closed in July 1919.

                       Cuerden Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on the 1st of May 1915 at Cuerden Hall, Cuerden in Lancashire. The hospital closed on the 8th of June 1917.

                       Didsbury Military Hospital was located in the Wesleyan theological college on Wilmslow Road, Didsbury with an annexe in Didsbury Lodge. The building later became a teacher training college and today has been converted into apartments.

                       Eaves Lane Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Chorley Union Workhouse on Eaves Lane in Chorley.

                       Eccles and Patricoft Hospital in Cromwell Road, Eccles provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Grange-over-Sands Red Cross Hospital was located at Eggerslack House, Grange-over-Sands.

                       Ellerslie Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 28th of October 1914 at Ellerslie on Bury Fold Lane, Darwen. It provided 28 beds on opening which was increased to 41 in August 1915, an annexe was opened to increase the capacity to 50 in April 1916. In July a second annexe opened at Staveleigh, bringing teh total number of beds to 75. In June 1917 the hospital moved to the newly built Public Halls in Northgate, Blackburn allowing capacity to be increased to 120.

                       Elm Bank Auxiliary Hospital was located at Elm Bank on Bindloss Avenue in Eccles.

                       Elmfield Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Elmfield Hall in Gatty Park, Church in Lancashire.

                       Fairview Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fairview on Daltongate, Ulverston.

                       Fern Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Fern Hill House at Stacksteads near Bacup in Lancashire.

                       Garswood Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Garswood Hall, Ashton-in-Makerfield, run by Lady Mary Gerard. The property was demolished in the 1920s and the parkland is now home to a golf club.

                       Greenbank Military Hospital was in Bolton, Lancashire.

                       Hartley Military Hospital was located in Hartley College in Alexandra Road, Manchester.

                       Heysham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Heysham Rectory. The property was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Heywood Auxiliary Hospital was located in a church hall in Heywood, Lancashire, it opened in 1916. The Commandant was Mary Duckworth.

                       Huntroyde Auxiliary Hospital was located at Huntroyde near Padiham in Lancashire.

                       The L. and Y. Railway Hospital on Brunel Street in Horwich, Bolton provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Lancaster House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lancaster House in Whalley Range, Manchester.

                       Lawnhurst Auxiliary Hospital was lacated at Lawnhurst in Didsbury, Lancashire.

                       Longford Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Longford Hall, Stretford in Lancashire.

                       Haigh Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Haigh Hall, a stately home in extensive grounds, near Wigan in Lancashire. The property was loaned by the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres for use as a hospital. Today it is home to a gold club and a country park.

                       St John's Ambulance Brigade Hospital was located in the Mechanics Institute on the corner of Church Street and Warrington Street in Ashton-under-Lyne. The building had formerly been an educational facility and was loaned by the local council. Today the property has been divided into apartments.

                       Scott House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Scott House, Memorial Home for Crippled Children on Clay Lane, Norden, near Rochdale in Lancashire. The property later became the Rochdale Children’s Hospital.

                       Meols Hall Convalescent Hospital was located at Meols Hall off Botanic Road in Churchtown, Lancashire.

                       Moor Park Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital was a purpose built hutted hospital on Moor Park in Preston. It opened in January 1915 with a ward for 35 patients in a pavilion provided by the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society. As further accomdation was needed, money for build additional wards was raised locally. In early 1918 an annexe with 28 beds was opened in Grove House on the corner of Moor Park Avenue and Garstang Road. After the war the site became a school. Two of the original pavilions survive and are used by the Sea Cadets, their HQ is named TS Galloway after the former President of the Preston VAD, W.W. Galloway J.P.

                       Moorlands Auxiliary Hospital was located at Moorlands in Kersel. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Moss Bridge Auxiliary Military Hospital, Darwen opened in autumn 1914 providing 29 beds. In early 1915 capacity was increased to 55 with a new wing being built.

                       Facit Auxiliary Hospital was located at Mount Pleasant on Studd Brow in Facit, near Whitworth in Lancashire.

                       Myrtle Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Myrtle Street Sheltering Homes building, a children's home at 2A Myrtle Street with an annexe at 1 Sugnall Street in Liverpool. It opened on the 26th of July 1915 and provided 104 beds staffed by the Lancashire 56 Voluntary Aid Detachment under commandant Mrs Connel. Today the building is in use as part of the University.

                       Nell Lane Military Hospital opened in Withington Hospital on Nell Lane, Withington. It was a large pavilion style hospital, having been built in 1855 as a workhouse for the Chorlton Poor Law Union. It later became Withington Community Hospital which closed in 2002 and the buildings have been converted into apartments.

                       New Hall Hey Military Hospital was located at New Hall Hey House in the centre of Rawtenstall. It opened in July 1915 with 18 beds, capacity was increased in October 1916 with a new ward of 25 beds being opened, by the time it closed in 1919 capacity was 66 beds. almost 700 patients were treated at the hospital. The site is now occupied by a roundabout and the Fire Station.

                       Oakdene Auxiliary Hospital opened opened in March 1915 at Oakdene on Lawton Road in Rainhill proving 30 beds, staffed by the West Lancashire 40 Voluntary Aid Detachment. By 1917 the number of beds had increased to 65 and a further 40 beds were added in an annexe at Oaklands on St. James' Road staffed by the West Lancs 10 VAD.

                       Paddock House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Paddock House, Oswaldtwistle with hutted wards in the grounds. The property later became a school.

                       Park House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Park House on the corner of Lower Park Road and Regent Place, Victoria Park in Manchester.

                       Parkfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Parkfield on Middleton Road, Crumpsall near Manchester.

                       Providence Schools Auxiliary Hospital was located in the buildings of the Providence Schools at Middleton in Lancashire.

                       Haslingden Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Public Hall in Haslingden, Lancahire.

                       Pembroke Auxiliary Hospital was located at 16 Clifton Drive, Ansdell in Lytham. Today the property is a Care Home.

                       The Pilkington Special Orthopaedic Hospital opened on Borough Road, St Helens in 1916, established by surgeon James R Kerr with the Pilkington Brothers, glass manufacturers. It provided treatment and rehabilitation for wounded soldiers and sailors.

                       Queen Mary's Military Hospital opened on the 14th April 1915 in the newly built Calderstones Institution for the Mentally Defective on Mitton Road in Whalley, loaned by the Lancashire Asylums Board. The last wards of the Military Hospital on the 5th of November 1920. Today much of the property has been demolished though Calderstones Hospital remains on part of the site.

                       Denton Red Cross Hospital was located in the school buildings on Duke Street, Denton in Lancashire. Today the property is the Tameside Young People's Centre.

                       Reedyford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Reedyford Hall in Nelson, Lancashire. The property became a cottage hospital in 1920. The Reedyford War Memorial Hospital was later built in the grounds as a memorial to those from the town who had lost their lives in the Great War. Both properties were demolished in the 1980s.

                       Heaton Moor Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Heaton Chapel Reform Club on the corner of Heaton Moor Road and Gibsons Road in Heaton Moor, loaned by the Heaton Chapel and District Liberal Club.

                       Richmond House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Richmond House on York Place, Ashton-under-Lyne. The property is no longer standing.

                       Ryecroft Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ryecroft Hall of Manchester Road, Audenshaw loaned by local industrialist Austin Hopkinson. After the hospital closed, the property was was presented to Audenshaw UDC for the use of the community.

                       Saddleworth Red Cross Hospital opened in January 1916 at Ashway Gap House, near Dove Stone Reservoir in Lancashire, providing 60 beds. The property was loaned by the the Ashton, Stalybridge and Dukinfield Joint Waterworks Committee for use as a hospital. The property was demolished in the 1980's and today the site is a picnic area.

                       Seafield Military Hospital was located in the Seafield Hotel on the Promenade in Blackpool. The property was demolished and rebuilt in the 1930s.

                       Sedgley Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sedgley Hall a statley home set in parkland near Prestwich in Lancashire.

                       Toxteth Park Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the buildings of the Toxteth Park Workhouse on Smithdown Road, Liverpool. The site later became Sefton General Hospital.

                       Jubilee School Red Cross Hospital was located in the buildings of Jubilee School on Bury Old Road in Manchester.

                       Shenstone House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Shenstone House, 13 Upper Park Road in Broughton Park, Manchester. Today the property is home to a school.

                       Southbank Road Auxiliary Hospital was located on Southbank Road in Southport, Lancashire. It was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       The Rochdale St. John Ambulance VAD Hospital was located in the Drill Hall on Summer Street in Rochdale.

                       Radcliffe's St. John Auxiliary Military Hospital was located in the Ambulance Drill Hall in Radcliffe.

                       Woodlands St. John VAD Convalescent Home was located at The Woodlands in Atherton, Lancashire.

                       Stanley House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stanley House on Phillips Park Road, Whitefield in Lancashire.

                       Starr Hills Auxiliary Hospital was located at Starr Hills on Ansdell Road in Lytham with an annexe in a nearby property. Today Starr Hills is a care home.

                       Station Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at Centenary House, 38-40 Station Road in South Shore, Blackpool.

                       Stubbins Vale Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stubbins Vale House in Ramsbottom, loaned by Lt Col Austin Townsend Porritt of the 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment. It opened in Autumn 1914 with 10 beds, capacity was later increased to 30 and by the time the hospital closed it provided over 50 beds.

                       Sunnyside Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sunnyside Villa, 52 College Road in Whalley Range. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Mossley VAD Hospital was located on the ground floor the Mechanic's Institute, also called the Technical School on Hanover Street, Mossley in Lancashire. It opened in August 1914, initially providing 10 beds, staffed by the local detachment of the St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Oswaldtwistle School Auxiliary Hospital was located at Oswaldtwistle Technical School on Union Road, Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire.

                       Chaseside Convalescent Hospital opened in May 1916 at Chaseside on the corner of Beach Road and St George's Square, St. Annes-on-the-Sea in Lancashire. 30 beds were provided. Today the property is a care home.

                       The Deanery Auxiliary Military Hospital was in Manchester.

                       Southport St John's Ambulance Brigade Hospital was the largest in the country, located at The Grange on Roe Lane, loaned by Major Fleetwood Hesketh and Woodlands on Lord Street. The hospital opened at The Grange in 1914 and in 1915 £2000 was raised by the local community to vastly expand the hospital. Additional wards were erected in the grounds of The Grange and Woodlands was converted for use as a hospital, the available accommodation across the two properties was around 500 beds. The hospital closed in February 1919.

                       The Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Grange, 72 Stump Lane in Chorley, Lancashire.

                       The Tower Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Tower, off Mill Lane in Rainhill. Today the property is used by a school.

                       Timberhurst Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Timberhurst, a large house in Bury, Lancashire.

                       Trafford Hall Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Trafford Hall, Trafford Park in Manchester.

                       Victoria Auxiliary Hospital was located on Council Street in Stretford.

                       Watermillock Auxiliary Hospital was located at Watermillock House in Bolton. Today the property is a restaurant.

                       Welwyn Military Hospital was located at Welwyn in Grassendale Park, Liverpool

                       Heaton Mersey Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Wesleyan Sunday School building on Didsbury Road in Heaton Mersey, Lancashire.

                       West End Auxiliary Home Hospital was located on Albert Road, Colne in Lancashire.

                       Wharmton Towers Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Wharmton Towers House on Oldham Road, Greenfield in Lancashire.

                       Wibbersley No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wibbersley House in Flixton, Lancashire. The property was demolished in the 1920s.

                       Wibbersley No. 2 Auxiliary Hospital was located at 350 Flixton Road, Flixton in Lancashire.

                       Widnes Accident Hospital on West Bank in Widnes provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Willow Bank Auxiliary Hospital was located on Moss Lane East in Manchester.

                       Windy Knowe VAD Hospital opened in early 1915 at Windy Knowe a large Victorian house on Serpentine Road South, Blundellsands in Lancashire. It was staffed by the members of the Civic Service League and provided Acute Medical beds for patients transferred from Seaforth Hospital.

                       Woodfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodfield in Werneth Park, Oldham. The property later became a maternity home.

                       Woodlawn Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodlawn on Mersey Road in West Didsbury.

                       Woolton Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woolton Hall off Speke Road in Woolton.

                       Woolton Convalescent Hospital was located at Woolton Manor, off Allerton Road in Liverpool.

                       Worsley Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Worsley Old Hall, Worsley. Today the property is a restaurant.

                       Wray Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wray House on Hornby Road, Wray in Lancashire.

                       Market Harborough Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Park House on Park Drive in Market Harborough.

                       Cavendish Bridge VAD Hospital was located in Shardlow on the River Trent.

                       Knighton VAD Hospital was located at Evington House in Evington Park, Leicester.

                       Newton House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Newton House in Leicester.

                       Stapleford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Stapleford Hall, Stapleford in Leicestershire. Today the property is a hotel.

                       Wicklow Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wicklow Lodge on Burton Road in Melton Mowbray.

                       Alford Auxiliary Hospital was in Alford, Lincolnshire.

                       Allan House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Allan House on Carlton Road in Boston, Lincolnshire. The property became a school in the 1920s.

                       Brocklesby Auxiliary Hospital was located in Brocklesby Park, Lincolnshire.

                       Boultham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located in Boultham Park, Lincoln. It was staffed by the St John's Ambulance Brigade.

                       Mablethorpe Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital was in Maplethorpe, Lincolnshire.

                       Easton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Easton Hall, Easton in Lincolnshire. The property was demolished in the 1920s but the walled gardens remain.

                       Ewerby Auxiliary Hospital was in the village of Ewerby near Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

                       Holden House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holden House in Boston, Lincolnshire. The Commandant was Margaret Clegg.

                       Rauceby Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rauceby Hall in South Rauceby, Lincolnshire.

                       Alford Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was in Alford, Lincolnshire.

                       Cleethorpes Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was at St. Aidan's Church on the corner of Grimsby Road and Hart Street and Cleethorpes.

                       Skegness Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Derby Boys Home at 1 Scarborough Avenue, Skegness.

                       Horncastle Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the New Drill Hall on Boston Road, Horncastle.

                       Louth Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Methodist Church on Eastgate in Louth.

                       Old Palace Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Old Palace near the cathedral in Lincoln.

                       Wainfleet Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire.

                       Scopwick House Auxiliary Hospital was at Scopwick House at Scopwick in Lincolnshire.

                       Suffolk House Auxiliary Hospital was at Suffolk House on Westgate in Louth.

                       Grantham Barracks Hospital was at Grantham Barracks on the corner of Sandon Road and Beacon Lane in Grantham.

                       Billingborough Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Old Hall on High Street, Billingborough in Lincolnshire.

                       Sleaford Auxiliary Hospital was located in The Old Place on Boston Road, Sleaford in Lincolnshire.

                       Bourne VAD Hospital was located in The Vestry Hall off North Street, Bourne in Lincolnshire which was in use as the local Territorial Drill Hall.

                       Winthorpe Auxiliary Hospital was in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

                       During the Great War, 25 Portland Place in London was used as an Auxiliary Hospital.

                       Mrs F.W. Salisbury-Jones Hospital for Officers was located at 27 Berkeley Square in Mayfair and provided 18 convalescent beds. It opened on the 1st of March 1916 and closed on 1st of May 1919 having treated 496 patients.

                       Acheson Hospital for Officers opened on the 9th of January 1917 at 32 Albert Road, Regent's Park in London, the property being loaned by Dr Acheson. 418 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 21st of January 1919. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the apartments of Kings Court.

                       Alexandra Park Auxiliary Hospital was located on South View, Muswell Hill in London.

                       All Saints Hospital for Wounded Soldiers was located at All Saints specialist urological hospital at 49-51 Vauxhall Bridge Road in London. It provided 22 beds for officers. The building is no longer standing.

                       Amhurst Park Hospital opened in 1918 at Rokesby, 9 Amhurst Park in Stoke Newington it was run by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment and provided 43 beds. 182 patients were treated before the hospital closed on 31st of October 1919.

                       The Anglo-Chilean Hospital for officers of the Royal Air Force opened on the 3rd of December 1918 at 6 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, the home of the the home of the American ambassador who had returned to the US. The property was destroyed during the blitz in WW2.

                       The Artists Rifles Convalescent Hospital for Officers opened on 28th of April 1915 at 4 Lyndhurst Gardens, Hampstead with 23 beds. It was staffed by the London 104th (Artists' Rifles) Voluntary Aid Detachment, which was made up mainly of relatives and friends of those serving in the Artists Rifles Battalions. 947 patients were treated before the hospital closed on the 31st of May 1919.

                       Astley Hospital for Officers, also known Dorchester House Hospital opened in November 1914 at Dorchester House on Park Lane, London, loaned by Lt Col Sir George Holford. 25 convalescent beds were provided. The property was demolished in 1929 and the site is now occupied by the Dorchester Hotel.

                       Atkinson Morley Convalescent Home on Copse Hill, Wimbledon was taken over for the use of military patients during the Great War.

                       Aubrey House Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at Aubrey House on Aubrey Road in Kensington admitting 15 convalescent Belgian soldiers to a ward in the Garden Room. By July the following year, most had returned to active service and those remaining moved to a new ward in the stables. Following the death of the owner,the house was loaned to the war office for use as a Hospital for Officers and was converted for use as a 20 bed hospital, which began to take patients in autumn 1916 and remained open until April 1920.

                       Great Stanhope Street Auxiliary Home Hospital opened in January 1917 at 14 Great Stanhope Street, Mayfair with beds for 8 convalescent officers. The owner of the house, Mrs Holdsworth covered all the costs.

                       Weymouth Street Auxiliary Home Hospital was opened in October 1914 by surgeon Mr Herbert T. Herring and his wife in their home at 40 Weymouth Street in Marylebone. By the end of the war, the hospital had expanded to 55 beds and 7,396 patients had been treated.

                       The Rookery Auxiliary Home Hospital opened in October 1914 at The Rookery, Bromley Common, the home Mr and Mrs Archibald Cameron Norman. Staffed by the Kent 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment, 18 beds were provided in 3 wards. It closed in 1915 and patients transferred to Oakley House.

                       Oakley House Auxiliary Hospital opened at Oakley House, Bromley Common in 1915. It was staffed by the Kent 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment, who had previously run a number of very small hospitals in private homes across the town, these were closed on the opening of Oakley House.

                       Whitegarth Auxiliary Home Hospital was opened in October 1914 by Mr and Mrs Alfred H.K. Squire in their home at Whitegarth on Cumberland Road in Bromley. 14 Convalescent beds were provided under the care of Mrs Squire and her friends. The hospital closed in 1915.

                       An Auxiliary Home Hospital was opened at 338-340 King Street in Hammersmith on 15th of March, 1915 providing 20 convalescent beds for patients from the 2nd London General Hospital. It was staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment. The number of beds had increased to 45 by 1917 and a total of 257 patients were treated before the hospital closed.

                       Harcourt House Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened at 1 Harcourt House, 19 Cavendish Square in September 1915 with 7 convalescent beds. The hospital was part funded by Mrs Dous, an American lady resident in London. The hospital closed in December 1918.

                       Sussex Square Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened in April 1916 at 11 Sussex Square, Bayswater loaned by Mrs Waley Cohen. It provided 8 Convalescent beds for officers and closed in August 1916.

                       Hyde Park Gardens Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened in August 1916 at 19 Hyde Park Gardens, loaned by Mr F. Carbutt. 21 Convalescent beds for officers were provided, additional running costs over the usual War Office contribution were met by Mr Fenwick Harrison and his son Captain Harrison. The hospital closed in May 1919 and today the property has been divided into apartments.

                       Primitive Methodist School Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at the Sunday School on Bloomfield Road, Bromley Common. It provided 25 beds staffed by the Kent 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment. It closed in 1915 and the patients and staff transferred to Oakley House.

                       Putney Heath Auxiliary Hospital was located at 9 Heathfield Gardens, Putney Heath.

                       Streatham Common Auxiliary Hospital was at Streatham Common. The property was demolished in the 1970s.

                       Balgowan V.A.D. Hospital opened in December 1915 in the newly built Balgowan Road School on Balgowan Road in Beckenham, Kent, loaned by Beckenham Urban District Council. Staffed the the Kent 96 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 100 beds, this was later increased to 200 and then to 240 with two tended wards being added in the grounds. It closed in December 1919, having treated 5,257 patients. The property is still in use as a school.

                       Barham Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Barham Lodge, 149 Oatlands Drive in Weybridge, Surrey, loaned by Mr Clermont Wood. It opened in September 1915 with 35 beds for enlisted men, this later increased to 45 beds. The hospital closed on 19th of March 1919.

                       Barnet Military Hospital was located at The Barracks on High Street, Barnet in Hertfordshire. It provided 10 beds. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by a the car park of the Spires Shopping Centre.

                       Barnet War Hospital opened in June 1916 in the newly built infirmary of the The Barnet Union Workhouse on Wellhouse Lane, Barnet. Over 6000 patients were treated before the building was returned to its owners in October 1919, it then became Wellhouse Hospital.

                       Baroness de Goldsmids Hospital for Officers opened at 35 Chesham Place Belgravia in October 1914 and provided 9 beds. It was funded by the Baroness without Ware Office grants and closed in May 1918.

                       Baroness d'Erlangers Auxiliary Hospital opened in autumn 1914, providing 10 beds in the Baroness d'Erlanger's Convalescent Home for Children on Kent View, Shooters Hill. The property is no longer standing.

                       Bathurst House Hospital for Officers opened in autumn 1914 at 12 Belgrave Square in Belgravia. In 1917 it is recorded as having 29 beds and being affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital at Millbank.

                       Belmont Prisoner of War Hospital was located in the buildings of the Belmont Workhouse in Sutton. German prisoners of war, There were 92 beds for German officers and 1,175 for other ranks. The site also housed an internment camp with 90 beds for civilian enemy aliens awaiting repatriation. The site is now occupied by housing.

                       Bermondsey Military Hospital was on Ladywell Road, Bermondsey.

                       Bethnal Green Military Hospital opened in 1915 when the Bethnal Green Infirmary on Cambridge Heath Road was taken over as a military hospital. It provided 709 beds. The hospital returned to civilian use in 1920 and closed in 1990, today the site is occupied by housing.

                       Bexley & Welling Hospital at 14 Upton Road, Bexleyheath provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Brackley Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brackley Lodge, Weybridge.

                       Brassey Hospital was run by Lady Violet Brassey at 40 Upper Grosvenor Street in London.

                       Brooklands Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in October 1915 with 75 beds at Brookland on Heath Road, Weybridge in Surrey. The property was loaned by Mr Hugh Locke-King of the North Surrey and Kingston Red Cross Branch. In the summer of 1916 an open air ward with 12 beds was added in the gardens. By 1917 the hospital had a capacity of 140 with an additional 20 open air beds in the summer months. A new hutted ward was under construction at the armistice and opened in January 1919 with an additional 30 beds. The hospital closed in November 1919.

                       Brookshill Convalescent Hospital for Officers opened on 20th of July 1918 at Brookshill, loaned by Frank Blackwell of Cross and Blackwell. It was staffed the the London 6 Voluntary Aid Detachment and the hospital was furnished and funded by the department stores, Debenhams and Marshall & Snelgrove, they also provided a motor ambulance which was used the the London 1 VAD as well as the hospital. The hospital closed on 8th of February 1919, the property was demolished in the 1960s and today the site is occupied by the housing of Harrow Weald Park.

                       Byculla and Crosfield V.A.D. Hospital opened in 1916 at Byculla on Broadlands Road, Highgate loaned by Mr A. Stern. It provided 32 beds, increasing to 42 beds and then to 82 when the adjoining property was loaned by Sir Arthur Crosfield. The Hospital closed in March 1919 having treated 2,493 patients. The properties are no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the apartments of Broadlands Lodge.

                       Campbell Hospital for Officers opened in late 1914 by Mrs Muirhead Campbell at 10 Cambridge Square, Paddington, providing 10 beds. The hospital closed in 1917 and the building was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Canadian Convalescent Hospital was located at 26 Park Lane, London.

                       1 Hyde Park Place in London was home to a Canadian Hospital during the Great War.

                       Carnarvon Hospital was opened by Lady Carnarvon at 48 Bryanston Square in London.

                       Caterham Military Hospital was in Caterham, Surrey.

                       Catherine Gladstone Relief Hospital was at Ravensbury Park House off Seddon Road in Mitcham, set in 7 acres of grounds. During the Great War it was taken over for use by military patients and provided 60 beds. The property was demolished in the 1940s.

                       The Cavalry Hospital at Combermere Barracks in Windsor was used throughout the Great War.

                       Cedar Lawn Military Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 25th of November 1914 at Cedar Lawn on North End Road, Hampstead loaned by Lord Leverhulme. The hospital provided 36 beds and was staffed by the London 60 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In 1917 capacity was increased to 90 beds. The hospital closed on 20th of June 1919 having treated 2,383 patients.

                       Central London Throat Nose and Ear Hospital on Grays Inn Road in London provided beds for military patients during the Great War. In 1916 a 20 bed annexe was added for the treatment of soldiers deafened by explosions and in 1917 the hospital became specialist section of the 2nd London General Hospital.

                       Charing Cross Hospital on Agar Street in London provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Chelsea V.A.D. Hospital opened on 17th of March 1915 at 13 Grosvenor Crescent Belgravia, loaned by Lady Morrison-Bell. Staffed by the Chelsea Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 80 beds and an operating theatre. The hospital closed on 30th of April 1919 having treated 2,010 patients.

                       Chiswick Red Cross Hospital was located on Bolton Road in Chiswick.

                       Chorleywood Pavilion Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Drill Hall at Chorleywood House Estate off Rickmansworth Road in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.

                       The City of London Hospital for Officers was located in Fishmongers’ Hall.

                       The City of London Military Hospital opened in 1914 in the City of London Union workhouse in Clifden Road, it provided 713 beds for NCO's and Other Ranks and 14 beds for Officers. The hospital returned to civilian use in 1919.

                       City Of London Red Cross Hospital was located at Osnabrook House.

                       Clapham Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at 9 Cedars Road in Clapham.

                       Coney Hill Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at Coney Hill, a large house in Croydon Road, West Wickham loaned by Mrs H.G. Hoskier.

                       The Coulsdon and Purley Patriotic Fund Hospital opened with 30 beds in early 1915 in the Congregational Hall at 906 Brighton Road in Purley, loaned by the Purley Congregational Church. The hospital closed on the 29th of March 1919.

                       Coulter Hospital opened in September at 5 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, the property being loaned by Sir Walpole Greenwell. It provided 100 beds for officers. The building was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Countess of Dundonalds Hospital opened in January 1916 at 87 Eaton Square in Belgravia, the property being loaned by Winifred Cochrane, Countess of Dundonald who also paid for the hospital to be equipped. It was initally run by Hon. Margaret Amherst and staffed by the Norfolk 110 Voluntary Aid Detachment whop transferred to London. In 1917 the Commandant was Mrs Edith Georges and trained medical staff were assisted by the London 248 St John's V.A.D. The Hospital closed in August 1917 and the building is still standing.

                       County of Middlesex Red Cross Hospital opened in January 1915 at Hanworth Park House off Forest Road, Feltham in Middlesex. It provided 100 beds and was staffed by the Middlesex 62 and 64 Voluntary Aid Detachments. The hospital closed in January 1919. After the war the property became a flying club and later a hotel.

                       Croslands Military Hospital opened in March 1918 at Croslands, 14 Stonebridge Park in Willesden, loaned by Mr & Mrs Lee. The hospital closed in 1919 and the property became The Edgar Lee Home for Invalid Boys, the house was demolished after it was bomb damaged during WW2.

                       No.1 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 at Davidson Road School in Croydon, Surrey. It provided 250 general military beds for the sick and wounded.

                       No.2 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 at Ecclesbourne Road School in Thornton Heath, Surrey. 140 beds were provided and the establishment specialised in joint injuries.

                       No.3 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 at Ingram Road School, Thornton Heath. It provided 165 beds for patients needing massage and exercise.

                       No.4 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 in the newly built Stanford Road School, Norbury with 165 beds. The hospital specialised in the treatment of mandibular fractures and provided special diets for the patients until they were able to chew food normally again.

                       No.5 Croydon War Hospital opened on the 30th of June 1915 at The Crescent Schools in Croydon. 350 beds were provided and the hospital specialised in treating nerve injuries.

                       Darell Hospital was located at 58 Queen Anne Street in London.

                       Devon Nook Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in December 1914 at the Devon Nook Nursing Home on Dukes Avenue in Chiswick. It was also known as Miss Grace Lloyd's Hospital, as Grace Lloyd was the owner and became the commandant of the military hospital. The property was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Dover House Auxiliary Hospital was at Dover House in Roehampton.

                       Passmore Edwards East Ham Hospital was on Shrewsbury Road, East Ham and provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Eastcote V.A.D. Hospital opened in at Fieldend Lodge, 50 Field End Road in Eastcote loaned by Mr Benjamin James Hall and his wife Annie. Initially it was a 1914 bed annexe of Northwood V.A.D. Hospital, but became an independent hospital in April 1915 and capacity was increased to 28. It was staffed by the Middlesex 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed in November 1918 with the patients transferring to Northwood V.A.D. Hospital.

                       Eccleston Auxiliary Hospital was located at 26 Eccleston Square in London.

                       Edgehill Auxiliary Hospital opened at Edgehill House, 25 Peak Hill in Lower Sydenham.

                       Elm House Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in September 1916 at Elm House, a former school located at 9 Gentleman's Row, Enfield in Middlesex. Initially providing 50 beds, this was later increased to 70 and then to 120 with the addition of an annexe. The hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Elstree V.A.D. Hospital opened in 1915 at Elstree, 41 Westmoreland Road in Bromley, the property was loaned by Mr Frederick Medcalf. The hospital was a replacement for the nearby Whitegarth Auxiliary Hospital which had closed. The move to the larger premises allowed the closure of four very small annexes of the Masonic Hall Hospital in the town.

                       Empire Hospital for Officers (for injuries to the nervous system) opened in early 1916 in a private nursing home at 69 Vincent Square in London. It specialised in care for those who had traumatic paraplegia and brain injuries under neurologist, Henry Head. Along with the enlisted men's spinal unit at King George Hospital, Head and Medical Officer Capt. George Riddoch were able to learn much about spinal injury. Their research was invaluable to the advancement of understanding of the nervous system. The building is now the Grange Rochester Hotel.

                       Endell Street Military Hospital opened in opened in May 1915 in the former St Giles Workhouse off Endell Street, Covent Garden. The disused building required much work to convert it to a hospital, including operating theatres and 17 wards. Providing 520 beds, it was staffed by members of the Women's Hospital Corps, whose medical staff were all graduates from the London School of Medicine for Women, many were also suffragists. The majority had been nursing the wounded in France since the outbreak of war. In August 1917 a 60 bed women's section was opened at the Hospital to provide treatment for women wounded or taken ill on active service. The Hospital closed in December 1919 having treated 24,000 male patients and 2,000 female. Over 7,000 operations had been performed. The building is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by Dudley Court.

                       Endsleigh Palace Hospital for Officers opened in July 1915 at the Endsleigh Palace Hotel, 25 Gordon Street in Endsleigh Gardens. It provided 100 beds and two operating theatres. The hospital closed in 1919 and today the building is occupied by the University College London Union.

                       The Epping Union Workhouse Infirmary in Epping, Essex was used for military patients from 1917 to 1919.

                       Erin Lodge Red Cross Hospital provided 20 beds and opened on the 13th of November 1914 at Erin Lodge, 21 Oatlands Avenue in Weybridge, Surrey, loaned by Mrs Farmer. The hospital closed between August 1916 and March 1917, reopening with 35 beds, increasing to 40. The Hospital closed in July 1918, the property is no longer standing.

                       Fairlawn Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in November 1914 at Fairlawn, Honor Oak Road, Forest Hill loaned by Mr F.C. Yates. Initially providing 35 beds it was staffed by the London 216 and London 35 Voluntary Aid Detachments. In 1916 an bed annexe opened a Border Lodge, loaned by Mr A. Finsler and in 1917 a second annexe opened at Manor Mount bringing capacity to 174 beds. The hospital closed in October 1919 having treated 2,724 patients.

                       First Home of Recovery Highfield opened in 1917 at Highfield, a former girls' boarding school in Golders Green as a Home of Recovery for discharged servicemen who had been treated at the Maida Vale Hospital for Nervous Diseases. Electrical treatment, physiotherapy and psychotherapy were provided as well as gardening and practical craft workshops. The home closed in May 1918 and the site was taken over by the Royal Air Force. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       The Battle of Amiens opened at 4.20am on the 8th of August 1918. British 18th (Eastern) Division and 58th (2/1st London) Division attacked north of the River Somme supported by the 33rd American Division. The Australian 2nd Division and 3rd Division attacked south of the river with the Canadian 2nd and 3rd Divisions on their right, the French First and Third Armies were also in action to the south. German forces were pushed back across the ground they had captured in the Spring Offensive.

                     

                       The Foot Guards Hospital at Victoria Barracks in Windsor provided treatment for the wounded during the Great War.

                       Freemasons No. 1 War Hospital opened in September 1916 at 237 Fulham Road in London, providing 77 beds. The building had formerly been the Chelsea Hospital for Women and although rather old fashioned, the building provided all the facilities needed. After the end of the war it became the Freemasons' Hospital and Nursing Home and the facade was remodelled in 1938. Today the building is home to the Chester Beatty Laboratories, part of the Institute of Cancer Research.

                       Freemasons No. 2 War Hospital opened on the 31st of May 1918 at Fulham Palace on Bishops Avenue in London, providing 100 beds.

                       The French Hospital at 172-176 Shaftesbury Avenue provided 30 beds of its 70 beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Fulham Military Hospital opened in 1915 in the Fulham Union Infirmary on St Dunstans Road, it had provided some beds for military patients from the outbreak of war. The hospital provided 1130 beds, including 318 for German prisoners of war. In 1919 the hospital reverted to civilian use, today the site is occupied by Charring Cross hospital.

                       Furzedown Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at Furzedown on Grubb Street in Limpsfield, Surrey. Staffed by the Surrey 62 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 20 beds.

                       Garden Suburb Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 in extensions to the Club House, a community centre on Willifield Way in Golders Green. It was staffed by the Middlesex 40 Voluntary Aid Detachment of the St John's Ambulance Brigade. The hospital closed in July 1919 having treated 1700 patients. The building was destroyed by bombing during WW2 and today the site is occupied by Fellowship House.

                       The Garland Home opened in 1917 at 4 Norfolk Street in Mayfair, a newly built house loaned by Mr Penryn Vaughan-Morgan. It provided 36 beds for Officers. Norfolk Street was renamed Dunraven Street in the 1930s today and the property is named Warburton House and has been divided into apartments.

                       Garth House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Garth House on Grange Road in Ealing.

                       General Service Hospital for VAD Members was located at Nottingham Place in London.

                       Gerstley-Hoare Hospital for Officers opened in January 1916 at 53 Cadogan Square in Belgravia with 25 beds staffed by the London 58 Westminster Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed in in April 1919 having treated 550 patients.

                       Golders Green Military Convalescent Home opened on 23rd of March 1915 at 24 Woodstock Road in Golders Green loaned by Mr James Gibb, Jnr. Staffed by the Middlesex 36 Voluntary Aid Detachment the hospital provided 24 beds.

                       Golf View Military Hospital was at Walton-On-Thames.

                       Green Gable Auxiliary Hospital opened on 15th of December 1914 with 6 beds in one room of at 23 Middle Road, Harrow loaned by Mr and Mrs M.F. Coventry. It was staffed by the Middlesex 168 Voluntary Aid Detachment. On 30th of May 1915 the hospital moved to Holmleigh, on College Road with 10 beds. The hospital closed on 10th of November 1916.

                       Grosvenor Crescent VAD Hospital was located at 13 Grosvenor Crescent in Chelsea.

                       Grove Lane Hospital was located at Grove Lane Schools in Grove Lane, London.

                       Southgate Auxiliary Military Hospital opened at Grovelands House, The Bourne in Southgate with 60 beds. Capacity was later increased to 78 and then to 160 staffed by the Southgate branch of the Middlesex Voluntary Aid Detachment.

                       Guards Hospital was in Basildon Park, Pangbourne, London.

                       Guys Hospital in St. Thomas Street, London provided beds for military patients.

                       Hall Hill Auxiliary Hospital opened on 21st of October 1914 at Hall Hill in Beadles Lane, Broadham Green in Oxted loaned by Mrs Michaelis. Staffed by the Surrey 46 and 62 Voluntary Aid Detachments it provided 11 beds.

                       Hall-Walker Hospital for Officers opened with 16 beds in 1914 in Sussex Lodge, 27 Sussex Place in Regents Park, London, loaned by Colonel and Mrs William Hall-Walker. Capacity was later increased to 27 beds. The property was demolished in the 1950s and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology was built on the site.

                       Hamilton Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened in April 1918 at 75 Harrington Gardens in Kensington by Mrs Hamilton. Staffed by the London 40 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 20 beds. The hospital closed in 1920.

                       Hammersmith Auxiliary Hospital was in Hammersmith, London

                     

                     

                       Harold Fink Memorial Hospital was a private hospital located at 17 Park Lane in Mayfair, London run by surgeon Mr Andrew Shields funded by Mrs Catherine Fink in memory of her son Harold, it opened in 1912. During the Great War Mr Shields served with the Expeditionary Force and the hospital was used as a Hospital for Wounded Officers, providing 20 beds, it continued to be financed by Mrs Fink. The building has been demolished and the site is now occupied by the offices of St Andrew's House.

                       Harrow Cottage Hospital on Roxeth Hill, Harrow provided 20 military beds during the Great War.

                       Hast Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located on Baston Manor Road in Bromley, Kent.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Haverstock Hill General Hospital on Haverstock Hill in Hampstead provided military beds for sick and wounded soldiers during the Great War.

                       Hillingdon V.A.D. Hospital opened on the 16th of October 1914 at Westcombe Lodge, Hayes End in Middlesex, the property being loaned by Lady Hillingdon. It was staffed by the Middlesex No.2 Voluntary Aid Detachment and provided 25 beds in five wards. The hospital closed in 1919. Westcombe Lodge Drive was built on the site in the 1990s.

                       Holly Park Auxiliary Hospital opened on 9th of December 1915 at Park House, Crouch Hill in Hornsey, North London. It provided 36 beds for bed ridden cases in 5 wards, later increased to 42 beds. The Hospital closed on 20th of April 1919, having treated 291 patients.

                       Holmleigh Auxiliary Military Hospital on the 30th May 1915 at 8 College Road in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, when staff and patients of Green Gable Auxiliary Hospital moved to the property. The house was loaned by Mr. Alfred Bird and his mother, it provided 20 beds in four wards, later expanding to 35 beds in two further wards being opened in the living rooms. The Hospital closed on 23rd of December 1918 having treated 1,006 patients.

                       Homedale Hospital was located at Homedale on The Avenue in Upper Northwood, London.

                       Hon. Mrs Robert Lindsay's Hospital for Officers was located at 7 Charles Street in Mayfair in the home of the Hon. Mrs Robert Lindsay. It opened in August 1914 providing 15 beds, which soon increased to 22. Today the property has been converted into appartments.

                       Hornsey Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on 24th of June 1916 at Durham House School, 102 Crouch Hill in Hornsey. It initially provided 72 beds across 8 wards, later increased to 90 and then to 130. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by Ivor Court.

                       Hospital For Belgian Soldiers was located at 78 Onslow Gardens, London.

                       Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis was located at 4 Maida Vale, London. An established civilian hospital, it provided 35 beds for military patients with neurological injuries. The Hospital closed in 1993 and the site has been developed for housing.

                       Park Street Hospital for Officers opened on 19th of November 1914 at 24 Park Street in Mayfair loaned by Mr Granville Farquhar. Staffed by the Westminster Voluntary Aid Detachment, it provided 19 beds, later increased to 28. The Hospital closed on 15th February 1919 having treated 1,004 patients.

                       Portland Place Hospital for Officers opened at 83 Portland Place, London in June 1915. It provided 20 beds for convalescent officers transferred from Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital. The Hospital closed in April 1919.

                       Norfolk Street Hospital for Officers (Facial Injuries) was located at 24 Norfolk Street in London.

                       Imperial Order Of The Daughters Of The Empire Hospital was located at 1 Hyde Park Place, London.

                       Lady Inchcape Hospital was located at 7 Seamore Place, London.

                       Italian Hospital was located in Queen Square, London.

                       Brook Street Hospital for Facial Injuries, also known as the Jaw Hospital was located at 78 Brook Street in London.

                       Kensington And Fulham General Hospital on Earls Court Road in London provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Kensington Palace Auxiliary Hospital opened in the apartment of Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll at Kensington Palace, London in 1916, staffed by members of the London 50 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Duchess also provided an open house for Officers of her Regiments in her apartment at the Palace.

                       Kingston Surbiton and District Red Cross Hospital opened in August 1915 in buildings at Norbiton Common Farm on Kingston Road, New Malden, part of the Kingston Union workhouse. It provided 198 beds for enlisted servicemen, increasing to 232 in 1916 and to 270 in 1917. The Hospital closed in the first week of June 1919 having treated over 5,000 patients. The buildings later became the the Morris Markowe Unit but were demolished in the 1990s and the site is now occupied by the houses in Springfield Place.

                       King Edward Hall Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 in King Edward Hall at 7 Hendon Lane in Finchley Church End. It provided 60 beds and closed in April 1919.

                       King George Hospital opened at the end of May 1915 in the newly built five storey warehouse of the H.M. Stationery Office in Stamford Street, Waterloo. The building was connected to the London Underground by tunnels from Waterloo Station and the wounded were brought in by train. The hospital provided 1650 beds with the warehouse being partitioned into wards and a garden was created on the roof for the patients. In March 1917 capacity was increased to 1,850 beds. The Hospital closed on 15th of June 1919, having treated some 71,000 patients. Today the building is part of Kings College.

                       Chelsea Red Cross Hospital for Officers, also known as Lady Brassey's Hospital was located at 40 Upper Grosvenor Street in London.

                       Kitchener House opened in February 1917 at 8 Cambridge Gate, Regents Park in London. It provided daytime rehabilitation for enlisted men who were still in hospital, with educational and practical classes as well as recreational facilities.

                       Lady Aberconways Hospital for Officers opened in the drawing room of Lady Aberconway's home at 43 Belgrave Square, London in August 1914. The building is now home to the Turkish Embassy.

                       Lady Carnarvons Hospital for Officers opened at 48 Bryanston Square, London in January 1916, relocating from Highclere Castle. It had 40 beds, many in single rooms. The Hospital closed on 15th of February 1919.

                       Lady Evelyn Masons Hospital for Officers opened in 1914 at 16 Bruton Street in Mayfair. Initially providing 30 beds, capacity was later increased to 50. The Hospital closed in 1918, today the site is occupied by Berkeley Square House.

                       Lady Mary Meynells Hospital for Officers opened in 1915 providing 23 beds in Lady Mary's home at 8 Lennox Gardens in Knightsbridge. Staffed by the by the Chelsea Voluntary Aid Detachment, capacity was later increased to 29 beds. It closed in December 1918, today the building has been converted into apartments.

                       Lady Mountgarrets Hospital for Officers opened in November 1914 at 18 Cadogan Gardens, Sloane Square in London. Staffed by the London 88 St John Voluntary Aid Detachment, it initially provided 8 beds in the house lent by Robinia, Viscountess Mountgarret. Capacity was increased to 12 and then to 14. The hospital closed in 1917.

                       Lady Northcliffes Hospital for Officers opened in 1915 with 20 beds at 14 Grosvenor Crescent, London. The Hospital closed in 1919 and the building became the headquarters of the British Red Cross Society.

                       Lady Ridleys Hospital for Officers opened in autumn 1914 with 25 beds at 10 Carlton House Terrace, St James in London. Staffed by the London 52 Voluntary Aid Detachment, capacity was increased to 60 by 1917. The hospital closed in closed in January 1919.

                       Lambeth Auxiliary Hospital opened in July 1916 with 16 beds at Homedale, 44 The Avenue, Upper Norwood. At the end of November 1917 the Hospital moved to Woodhall, College Road, Dulwich. Homedale has been demolished and redeveloped for housing, Turkey Oak Close, Hamlyn Gardens and Homelands Drive now stand on the site.

                       Lambeth Red Cross Hospital opened in December 1917 with 57 beds at Woodhall, 101 College Road, Sydenham Hill, loaned by the family of James Crossley Eno. The hospital had previous been located at Homedale in Upper Norwood, it was staffed by the Lambeth Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Hospital closed on 31st January 1920 having treated over 2000 patients. Woodhall was destroyed by a V1 rocket in July 1944 during WW2 and the site was redeveloped for housing in the 1960s.

                       Lewisham Military Hospital provided 24 beds for officers and 838 for servicemen including 190 for prisoners of war at the Lewisham Union Workhouse, 390 High Street in Lewisham. In 1929 the building became Lewisham Hospital. The hospital has been largely rebuilt, though some original buildings are still in use.

                       Life Guards Hospital was located at Regents Park in London.

                       Livingstone College Relief Hospital opened in August 1915 with 51 beds, it was on Matlock Road in Walthamstow in the buildings of Livingstone College. The Hospital closed at the end of 1918, the property was demolished in the 1960s and the site is now occupied by is now occupied by Greg Close.

                       London Hospital in Whitechapel provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       London Temperance Hospital on Hampstead Road in London provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Londonderry House at 19 Park Lane in London was used as a military hospital during the Great War.

                       Lonsdale House Hospital opened by the Ministry of Pensions in 1918 at 22 Poynders Road, Clapham Park in London, to accommodate 32 disabled servicemen. From April 1918 it was administrated by the National Hospital for Paralysis and provided physiotherapy and electric treatment. The Hospital closed in 1936. The property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by Poynders Gardens.

                       Lytton Hospital opened in 1914 at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street in Mayfair, the family home of Lord Dartmouth Earl of Lytton, his wife Lady Lytton supervised the hospital. Initially 45 beds were provided, later capacity was increased to 75. The Hospital closed in 1918 and today the building is in use as a conference centre.

                       Mackinnon Hospital was opened by Mrs Mackinnon in her home at 46 Queens Gate Terrace, South Kensington in autumn 1914, providing 20 beds. The Hospital closed in early 1919.

                       Manor House Hospital opened in 1917 with 102 beds in hutted wards on the Manor Estate, North End Road in Golders Green. It was run by the Allied Hospital Benevolent Fund. In 1919 the organisation was renamed the Industrial Orthopaedic Society and the hospital continued to treat those injured in industrial accidents. The hospital closed in 1999 and the site has been redeveloped for housing, it is now known as Manor Heights.

                       Marylebone Auxiliary Hospital was located at 40 Weymouth Street, Marylebone, London.

                       Maudsley Military Hospital opened in the newly built Maudsley Hospital at Denmark Hill, Camberwell in London as the Neurological Section of the 4th London General Hospital. It was a clearing hospital and treatment centre for soldiers diagnosed with shell shock and neurasthenia. After the Great War the hospital returned to civilian use and is still open today.

                       Maxillo-Facial Hospital opened on the 1st of October 1916 on Prince's Road, Kennington with 30 beds for discharged servicemen with facial and jaw injuries. The Hospital closed on 31st of December 1918. Today the building is known as William Geoffrey House.

                       McCaul Hospital for Officers opened in autumn 1914 with 15 beds in Miss Ethel McCaul's private nursing home at 51 Welbeck Street, London. The property next door, No. 52 was later taken over and capacity increased to 46 beds. Today the property is used as offices.

                       McKinnon Hospital was located at 46 Queens Gate Terrace in London.

                       Metropolitan Ear Nose And Throat Hospital at 2 Fitzroy Square, London became a Sectional Special Hospital of the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital. It provided 28 beds for military patients suffering from "gunshot injuries of the face and throat, injuries and disorders of the ears caused by explosions of mines, gun-firing and microbic infection inevitable in trench warfare waged in highly cultivated soil".

                       Metropolitan Hospital on Kingsland Road, London provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Meynell Hospital was located at 8 Lennox Gardens, London.

                       Michie Hospital opened on the opened on 13th of March 1916 at 184 Queens Gate, South Kensington, loaned by Mrs Mary Coutts Michie. Staffed by the Westminster 242 Voluntary Aid Detachment, it provided 168 beds under the commandant Mrs Isaacs. In spring 1917 an annex with 108 beds was opened at 193 Queen's Gate loaned by Major Leyland and a second annexe with 45 beds opened at 179 Queen's Gate bringing capacity to 321 beds, with 61 being for officers. In 1918 Mrs Michie became the commandant with Mrs Issacs taking over the newly opened Queen's Gate Hospital at No. 194. 2,859 were treated at the Michie Hospital before it closed in 1919. Only No.183 Queen's Gate survives, the other properties have been redeveloped.

                       Middlesex Hospital on Berners Street, London provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Mile End Military Hospital was located on Bancroft Road in London.

                       Shepherds Bush Military Orthopaedic Hospital was on Du Cane Road, Shepherds Bush.

                       Mill Hill Military Hospital provided 12 beds at Mill Hill Barracks off Bittacy Hill in Mill Hill East, London. The barracks closed in 1961 and teh site has been redeveloped.

                       Miss Icombes Auxiliary Hospital was opened in 1914 by was opened by Miss Grace Icombe at Garth House, 6a Grange Road in Ealing providing 41 beds for convalescent enlisted servicemen. The Hospital closed in 1919, the property has been demolished and the site is now occupied by Balmain Close.

                       Miss Pollacks Hospital for Officers opened in 1914 at 50 Weymouth Street, London, funded by the businessman Sir Robert Hudson Borwick it provided 50 beds for Colonial officers. In September 1918 the Hospital became the Belgravia Nursing Home. Today the property at the corner of Beaumont Mews and Weymouth Street has been converted into apartments.

                       Mrs Mitchison's Hospital for Officers was opened with 30 beds in June 1916 by Mrs Mary E. Mitchison in her home at The Clock House, Chelsea Embankment in London. The Hospital closed in April 1918 having treated 366 patients.

                       Mons Hospital was located at 59 Fitzjohn’s Avenue in London.

                       Montpelier House Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 at 1 Montpelier Road in Ealing. It provided 23 beds for convalescent patients transferred from the Fourth London General Hospital, capacity was increased to 80 by 1917.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                      Background Information

                       The Durham Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force. 1st Durham Battery and ammunition column were based in Seaham Harbour, 2nd Durham Battery in Silksworth, 3rd Durham Battery was based in West Hartlepool, together they made up the 3rd (County Durham) Brigade RFA. 4th Durham (Howitzer) Battery was based in South Shields along with the Howitzer Ammunition Column, 5th Durham (Howitzer) Battery was based in Hebburn, together they made up the 4th (County Durham) Howitzer Brigade. They proceeded to France with 50th Division. In 1916 they were reorganised. 3rd (County of Durham) Brigade became 252nd Brigade R.F.A. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Durham Batteries were renamed A, B and C Batteries. 4th (County of Durham) Howitzer Brigade became 253rd (Howitzer) Brigade R.F.A.

                     

                     

                     

                       Princess Christians Hospital for Officers opened in opened in March 1916 at 6 Grosvenor Place, Belgravia, London. It provided 35 beds and remained open until March 1919.

                       Princess Henry of Battenbergs Hospital for Officers opened in August 1914 at 30 Hill Street Square in Mayfair, loaned by Lady Jeanne Coats.

                       Gifford House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Gifford House in Putney Park Lane, Roehampton lent by Mr and Mrs John Douglas Charrington. It opened on 21st of June 1915 providing 80 beds, staffed by members of the London 96 Voluntary Aid Detachment of the Order of St John. Capacity quickly increased to 140 beds, by January 1916 the Hospital had 190 beds, by August 1916, 210 beds and by March 1919, 230 beds. After the war the hospital became Queen Alexandras Hospital Home for Discharged Soldiers and remained at Gifford House until September 1933 when it moved to Worthing. The property was demolished in the 1950s and the site is now occupied by the Ashburton Estate, the house being located at the junction of Tildersley Road and Putney Heath.

                       Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital. Millbank opened on John Islip Street, Milbank, London in 1905. It closed in the 1970s.

                       Queen Marys Convalescent Auxiliary Hospital opened in July 1915 with 20 beds at Dover House, Putney Park in London, was loaned by the American banker Mr John Pierpoint Morgan, Jr. From 1916 onwards the hospital provided a limb-fitting service for limbless officers, working closely with Queen Mary's Hospital at nearby Roehampton House.

                       Queen Mary's Hospital was a a rehabilitation hospital specialising in the fitting of artificial limbs. It opened on the 28th of June 1915, providing 180 beds at Roehampton House on Roehampton Lane, London in 1915, the property being loaned by Mr. Kenneth Wilson of Ellerman's Wilson Line. By the end of WW1 it had expanded to 900 beds and become a a leading limb-fitting and rehabilitation centre. The hospital was renamed Queen Mary's (Roehampton) Hospital in 1925, a new hospital was now been built in the grounds and Roehampton House has been converted into apartments.

                       Red Cross Clinic for the Physical Treatment of Disabled Officers was located at 126 Great Portland Street in London. It opened on the 2nd October 1916 the Red Cross Society taking over the previously private clinic run by Mr King, it provided physiotherapy for wounded Officers who were still serving and those who had been discharged due to wounds.

                       Richmond Military Hospital was located in the workhouse and infirmary of the Richmond Union Workhouse on Grove Road, Richmond, London.

                       Robert Fleming Hospital for Officers opened in 1914 providing 10 beds at 27 Grosvenor Square in Belgravia, the home of investment banker Robert Fleming and his wife.

                       Rochester Row Military Hospital was located on Rochester Row, London.

                       Rockwells Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Rockwells on Fountain Road in Upper Northwood. The property is no longer standing.

                       Roseneath Voluntary Hospital opened on 3rd December 1914 at Roseneath a large house set in 11 acres off Vicars Moor Lane, Winchmore Hill, loaned by William Thomas Paulin, J.P. Staffed by the London 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment, it provided 40 beds. Capacity increased to 50 by October 1915 and then to 74 in 1917 and 90 by 1918. The Hospital closed in April 1919.

                       Rosslyn Lodge Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on 1st July 1916 at Rosslyn Lodge on Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead loaned by Mr Herbert Hill. Initally 36 beds were provided for cot cases, capacity was later increased to 54 beds and then to 63 and finally to 100. The Hospital closed on 31st of October 1919, having treated 2,227 patients. Today only part of the property survives and is in use as the HQ of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

                       The Royal Eye Hospital on St. Georges Circus, London provided treatment for military patients during the Great War.

                       Royal Flying Corps Hospital at 37 Bryanston Square, London opened in May 1916, providing 20 beds. The property was loaned by Lady Tredegar.

                       Royal Flying Corps Hospital opened at 37 Dorset Square, London was established by Dr Charles Atkin Swan in October 1915, the first auxiliary hospital specifically for the RFC. Previously sick and wounded airmen has been treated at Netley Hospital.

                       Royal Flying Corps Hospital opened at 82 Eaton Square, London in 1917, the 3rd RFC auxiliary hospital. In 1918 it was renamed the Royal Air Force Auxiliary Hospital. Today the property has been converted in apartments.

                       The Royal Free Military Hospital for Officers opened in 1915 in the newly built Helena Building of the Royal Free Hospital on Grays Inn Road, London. It provided 150 beds. The building returned to civilian use in 1920.

                       Royal Herbert Hospital at Shooters Hill, Greenwich was a military hospital which opened in 1865.

                       Royal Horse Guards Hospital was a military hospital located at the Royal Horse Guard barracks in Regents Park, London.

                       Royal Hospital For Diseases Of The Chest was located on City Road in London. Treatment was provided for military patients during the Great War.

                       The Royal Hospital on Kew Foot Road in Richmond reserved 50 beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital on City Road in London provided treatment for military patients during the Great War.

                       Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at 234 Great Portland Street in London reserved between 100 and 130 beds for treatment of military patients during the Great War.

                       The Royal National Throat Nose & Ear Hospital at 32-33 Golden Square in London reserved 30 beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Rutland Hospital for Officers opened in 1914 at Rutland House, 16 Arlington Street, St James, London by the Duchess of Rutland. It provided 17 beds.

                       Samuelson Hospital was opened by Mrs. Samuelson at her home at 58 Grosvenor Street in London.

                       Sir John Ellermans Hospital for Disabled Officers opened on the 27th of January 1917 at St Johns Lodge, Regents Park, providing 60 beds.

                       South African Military Hospital opened on the 16th of June 1916 at Richmond Park providing 300 beds in purpose built hutted wards. Capacity was later expanded to 600 beds with further wards being built. On the 1st of July 1918, it joined with the Richmond Park Military Hospital and was renamed the South African Military Hospital, with a total of 1,098 beds. An additional 250 beds were made available by billeting patients in nearby houses. The hospital closed in 1921 and the huts were removed from the park in 1925.

                       Southwark Military Hospital opened on 11th of November 1915 in the Southwark Union Infirmary on East Dulwich Grove, Southwark. The military Hospital closed in April 1919 having treated 12,522 patients, the building was returned to the Guardians of the Union and it was renamed Southwark Hospital in 1921. The hospital closed in 2005 and teh site has been largely redeveloped.

                       Southwark Red Cross Hospital opened on 17th of July 1918 at 119 Kennington Park Road, Southwark, providing 40 convalescent beds for patients with severe head or eye injuries. The Hospital closed on 28th of February 1919 having treated 174 patients.

                       Southwood Hospital opened in July 1915 at Southwood House, 56 Court Road in Eltham, which had been in used as accommodation for the Avery Hill teacher training centre. Providing 60 beds it was staffed by the Greenwich Voluntary Aid Detachment. In 1918 it moved to another large property, Cathay on the same road. The Hospital closed on 13th of June 1919 having treated a total of 1,765 patients.

                       Spalding Hall V.A.D. Hospital opened in 1915 at Spalding Hall in Victoria Road, Hendon, loaned by the Hendon Congregationalist Church. Providing 20 beds and was staffed by the Middlesex 16 Voluntary Aid Detachment Capacity was later increased to 60. Today the property is in use as a gym and offices.

                       Special Hospital for Officers opened in January 1915 at 10 Palace Green, Kensington. It provided 33 beds in single rooms for officers suffering from functional neuroses, traumatic neurasthecia and the milder psychoses. Capacity was later increased with 11 Palace Green being taken over as part of the hospital. Severe psychotic cases were transferred to Latchmere House. It continued to treat patiences well into the 1920's.

                       Special Hospital for Officers opened at Latchmere on Church Road, Ham Common, Richmond in November 1915. It provided 51 beds for psychotic shell-shocked officers. At the end of the war the hospital transferred to the Ministry of Pensions and remained open until 1939. Today the property is in use as a prison.

                       The Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum on Devons Road, Bromley-by-Bow provided training for RAMC orderlies and reserved one pavilion for Military patients.

                       St Dunstan's Hostel for Blinded Soldiers and Sailors opened on the 26th of March 1915 at The Lodge, Regents Park loaned by American financier Otto Kahn. It provided rehabilitation and training to help the blinded back to their own homes and into a trade. By October 1916 the number of blinded servicemen had increased and a 200 bed annexe opened at Holford House loaned by Regent's Park College. A second annexe opened at 40 Lee Terrace, Blackheath and additional St Dunstan's facilities opened in Brighton, Torquay. In 1920 St Dunstan's moved out of The Lodge to nearly premises.

                       St Georges Hall V.A.D. Hospital opened on the 16th of January 1915 in the church hall of St George's Presbyterian Church on Willesden Lane, Brondesbury. Staffed by the Middlesex 4, St John's Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 16 beds, capacity later increased to 20. The Hospital closed in January 1919 and the building is no longer standing.

                       St Johns Hospital on Morden Hill, Lewisham provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       St Mary's Russian Hospital for British Officers opened on 17th of October 1916 at 8 South Audley Street in Mayfair. Providing 30 beds, later increasing to 40, it was was financed by the former Russian diplomat, Monsieur Mouravieff-Apostol, his wife acted as Commandant. The hospital closed in 1918, today the building is in use as the Nehru Centre.

                       St. Andrews Hospital on Dollis Hill, London was loaned to the Red Cross for the duration of the war. Providing 70 beds it became a section of the 2nd London General Hospital. the Hospital administrator, Monsignor Maurice Carton de Wiart, was from Belgium and the hospital specialised in treating French speaking patients. The hospital returned to civilian use in March 1919 having treated treated 2,430 military patients.

                       During the Great War St. Bartholomews Hospital in West Smithfield, London reserved one wing for military patients. A plaque on the building states that 2,430 military patients received treatment at St Barts during the conflict.

                       St James' Infirmary on Ouseley Road, Balham in London reserved 68 beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       St. Mary’s Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hampton-on-Thames.

                       Stanwell House Auxiliary Hospital was near Staines.

                       Stormont House Red Cross Hospital opened on the 29th January 1916 in the Stormont House Industrial School at 75 Downs Park, Hackney Downs. Providing 42 beds for Convalescent soldiers it remained open until March 1919 and provided treatment for 1,192 patients. After the war the building returned to use as a school. Though the building has been demolished and replaced, the site continues in that role to this day.

                       Streatham Relief Hospital was located in the Queen Alexandra Wing of the British Home and Hospital for Incurables on Crown Lane in Streatham. Staffed by members of the local Voluntary Aid Detachment, 26 beds were provided for military patients referred from the 5th London General Hospital. The wing returned to use as part of the civilian hospital after the war and remains so today.

                       Summerlee V.A.D. Hospital was located at Summerlee on Fortis Green in East Finchley. The hospital opened in 1916 providing 40 beds staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment, by the end of 1917 capacity had increased to 100. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Summerlee Avenue.

                       Sutton Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital opened on 11th of June 1915 at Benfleet Hall, Benhilton, Sutton loaned by Mr W.K. Appleton. Staffed by members of the Surrey 102 and Surrey 104 Voluntary Aid Detachments, it provided 60 beds, capacity increased to 103 in 1917. The hospital closed on 7th of April 1919 having treated 2,186 patients. The property is no longer standing and the site is occupied by the houses of Benfleet Close.

                       Streatham Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital opened on 15th of April 1916 at 3 Christchurch Road in Streatham. Providing 33 beds, the property was loaned by Mrs Hughes. The Hospital closed in July 1919 having treated 930 patients.

                       Swedish War Hospital for British Wounded opened in 1914 in The Central Institute for Swedish Gymnastics at 16 Paddington Street, Marylebone. It was funded by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in London and remained open until late 1918. Today the property is the Hellenic Centre.

                       Syon House Auxiliary Hospital opened in June 1916 in the Riding School of Syon House on Park Road, Brentford in Middlesex. Established by Helen Magdalen, Duchess of Northumberland, it provided 35 beds staffed by the Middlesex 64 Voluntary Air Detachment. The hospital closed in January 1919. and today the building is part of the Syon Park garden centre.

                       Teddington Red Cross Hospital opened in April 1918 at Shaftesbury House on at the corner of Manor and Ferry Roads, Teddington in Middlesex. Providing 49 beds it was run by a committee led by Mr Charles Burge, a successful local builder, his wife was commandant of the local Voluntary Aid Detachment who staffed the hospital. After the war the property became a school.

                       Templeton House Hospital was located at Templeton House on Priory Lane, Roehampton.

                       The Castle Relief Hospital provided 20 beds at Castle Hill House, off Castle Street, Bletchingley.

                       Theodore Hospital was opened in August 1917 at 53 Mount Street, Mayfair by Mrs Zarifi. 20 beds were provided for convalescent officers transferred from Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital. The hospital closed in 1919 andtoday the property is in use as an office block.

                       Tottenhall Auxiliary War Hospital was in Tottenhall Road, London

                       The Grove Military Hospital opened in November 1916 in the requisitioned property of the The Grove Fever Hospital on Tooting Grove London. It provided 550 beds for the sick. It closed in September 1919 having treated 2,499 officers and 13,459 other ranks. The hospital then returned to civilian use, today it is St George's Hospital, most of the site has been rebuilt but two of the original ward blocks remain in the Knightsbridge Wing.

                       Palmer’s Green Auxiliary Hospital was located in the the buildings of Tottenham Road Schools in Palmer’s Green.

                       Tudor House Military Hospital opened in the summer of 1918 at Tudor House, The Grove, Hampstead Heath. The property had previously been the Clara Baroness de Hirsch Convalescent Home. Funded by Mrs Bischoffsheim, the hospital provided 50 beds for Jewish servicemen. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by Summit Lodge.

                       Willesden Military Hospital was also known as St Mary's Road V.A.D. Hospital and St Matthew's Hall V.A.D. Hospital. It opened in December 1914 in St Matthew's Church Hall on St. Marys Road in Willesden. Staffed by the the Middlesex 16 St John's Voluntary Aid Detachment, it provided 30 beds. The property was badly damaged by a bomb in WW2 and was rebuilt in the 1950s.

                       Venetian Road Schools Auxiliary Hospital in Camberwell opened in 1915 in the buildings of Caldicot School situated between between Bessemer Road and Venetian Road. The hospital provided 25 Officer beds and 198 Other Ranks beds for Malaria cases and was a section of 4th London General Hospital. Today the surviving part of the school is the Normanby Building of King's College Hospital.

                       Wallacefield Auxiliary Hospital opened in September 1914 at Wallacefield, Coombe Road in South Croydon loaned by George Goodsir, J.P. It provided 20 beds in 8 wards, affiliated to the 4th London General Hospital, capacity increased to 29 in 1917. The hospital closed in December 1918 having treated 1,152 patients. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Blossom Close.

                       Wardell Auxiliary Hospital opened in the Mary Wardell Convalescent Home for Scarlet Fever at Verulam House, Brockley Hill, Stanmore. It provided 56 beds initally for French and Belgian soldiers. The Hospital closed in 1917, when Miss Wardell died at the age of 84 years. Part of the property remains and is now named Eastgate House, used as the administration offices of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

                       Weir Military Hospital opened on the 17th of November 1914 in the Weir Maternity Hospital at 12 Weir Road, Balham, loaned by the trustees to the Kensington Division of the British Red Cross Society. Initially 36 beds were provided but this increased to 50 by the end of the year. In autumn 1915 capacity was increased to 100 beds and later to 160 with the addition of hutted wards. The hospital returned to civilian use on 30th of June 1919, having treated 4,535 military patients.

                       West End Hospital for Diseases of the Nervous System at 73 Welbeck Street, London reserved 20 beds for military patients at the outbreak of the Great War. This was later increased to 30 beds. In 1915 the Hospital was renamed the West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases. After the war, the property became the Out-Patients Department with the main hospital moving to larger premises. The property is no longer standing and has been replaced by a multi-storey car park.

                       During the Great War the West London Hospital in Hammersmith reserved 36 beds for military patients referred from the 4th London General Hospital.

                       Westbourne Hospital opened on 28th of April 1915 at 55 Porchester Terrace, Bayswater. It provided 60 beds staffed by the Paddington 2 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The hospital closed on 31st of May 1919, the building is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by a private house.

                       White City Military Hospital opened on the 21st of October 1914 in the Royal Pavilion of the White City Exhibition site, on White City Road, Hammersmith. The whole site had been requisitioned for use as a military training camp for 12,000 recruits. The hospital was staffed by the London 28 Voluntary Aid Detachment and initially provided 16 beds, far too few for the size of the camp and was quickly doubled with the addition of a second pavilion and then increased again. The Hospital closed on 30th of April 1915 having treated 996 in-patients, over 10,000 out patients and administered inoculations to all the trainees. The site of the Royal Pavilion is now occupied by Canberra Primary School.

                       At the outbreak of the Great War, Wimbledon Hospital on Thurston Road, Wimbledon reserved 32 beds for military patients. In 1917 further military beds were provided in marquees in the grounds. The hospital returned to full civilian use on the 19th of February 1919 having treated over 500 military patients.

                       Wood Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wood Hall, 101 College Road, Dulwich. The building was destroyed by a v1 rocket in 1944.

                       Woodstock Road Auxiliary Hospital was on Woodstock Road in Golders Green.

                       Charnwood Forest VAD Hospital was located in the Charnwood Convalescent Home on Breakback Road, Loughborough.

                       City of London Military Hospital opened on 2nd of October 1915 with 100 beds in the Bueckers Hotel at 26 Finsbury Square, London. Capacity was later increased to 130 beds. The Hospital closed in 1919, the property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the offices of Finwell House.

                       Great Northern Central Hospital on Holloway Road in London provided 206 beds for military patients as a section of the 2nd London General Hospital. It reverted to civilian use in 1919.

                       All Hallows Hospital was run by the nuns of All Hallows Convent in Ditchingham. During the Great War the cottage hospital treated military patients, returning to civllian use in 1919.

                       St. Nicholas Auxiliary Hospital was on St Nicholas Street in Thetford.

                       Bears Farm Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1915 at Bears Farm on Bears Lane, Hingham. It closed on the 28th of December 1918.

                       Berry Hall Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Berry Hall, a medieval mansion in Walsingham, Norfolk.

                       Buckenham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Buckenham Hall, Mundford.

                       Carrow Auxiliary Hospital was located in a property belonging to Coleman's the mustard manufacturer at Bracondale Woods, Norwich.

                       Catton Hall Military Hospital was located at Catton Hall off Parkside Drive, Old Catton in Norfolk.

                       Cawston Manor Red Cross Hospital was at Cawston Manor in Cawston near Norwich. The property later became a school.

                       Cliff House Military Hospital was at Cliff House in Hunstanton, Norfolk.

                       Colne House Military Hospital was at Colne House Hotel on Colne Road in Cromer.

                       The Convalescent Hospital on Valentine Road, Hunstanton was used for military patients during the Great War. The property is currently used as a Council Information office.

                       The Convent Hospital on Chapel Field Road in Norwich provided care for military patients during the Great War. The property is no longer standing.

                       Coonoor Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Coonor in Thorpe St Andrew in Norfolk.

                       Thorpe St Andrew Military Hospital was in the Norfolk County Asylum on Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew in Norfolk. The property later became St Andrews Hospital which closed in the 1990s and the site has been redeveloped for housing.

                       Felthorpe Hall Red Cross Hospital opened on 11th November 1914 at Felthorpe Hall, Felthorpe, loaned by the Lawrence family. Staffed by the Norfolk 120 Voluntary Aid Detachment it provided 23 beds. The hospital closed on 15th of January 1919 having treated 432 patients. There is a memorial plaque in Felthorpe church, stating the hospital flags were deposited in the church when the hospital closed.

                       Garboldisham Military Hospital was located at Garboldisham Manor, Garboldisham near Thetford.

                       Gunthorpe Hall Military Hospital was at Gunthorpe Hall, Gunthorpe in Norfolk.

                       Hardingham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Hardingham Hall, Hardingham in Norfolk.

                       Hedenham Hall Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 3rd of April 1915 at Hedenham Hall, Hedenham in Norfolk. It provided 35 beds. The hospital closed on 23rd of December 1918 having treated 771 patients.

                       Hillington Hall Military Hospital was located at Hillington Hall, Hillington in Norfolk. The property is no longer standing, having been rebuilt in the 1940s.

                       Holkham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holkham Farm House near Holkam on the north coast of Norfolk. Today it is named Model Farm, Holkham Park.

                       Hoveton Hall VAD Hospital was located at Hoveton Hall, Hoveton in Norfolk.

                       Ingham Military Hospital was located at Ingham Old Hall, Ingham in Norfolk.

                       Lower House Red Cross Hospital was located at Lower House on Mundesley Road, North Walsham in Norfolk. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Greenway Close.

                       Lower House Red Cross Hospital was located at Lower House on Mundesley Road, North Walsham in Norfolk. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Greenway Close.

                       North Walsham VAD Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Wellingtonia on Mundesley Road, North Walsham in Norfolk.

                       Lynford Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Lynford Hall near Mumford. Today the property is a hotel.

                       Brancaster Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Manor House, Brancaster in Norfolk.

                       Overstrand Military Hospital opened on the 1st of August 1916 at Overstand Hall, Overstrand on the Norfolk coast and provided 15 beds for Officers. The hospital closed on 21st of October 1916 due to the danger of air raids.

                       Prince Edward Home on Kings Lynn Road, Hunstanton was used for military patients during the Great War. Today it is known as Valentine Court.

                       Red House VAD Hospital was located at The Red House on Cromwell Road in Cromer. Today it is named Halsey House and is a British Legion home for ex-service personnel.

                       Saxlingham Auxiliary Hospital was located at Saxlingham Old Hall, Saxlingham Nethergate in Norfolk.

                       Seafield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Seafield on the corner of Kings Road and Nelson South Road in Great Yarmouth.

                       St. Gregorys VAD Hospital was located at 11 Stalham Road, Hoveton

                       Sunny Hill Auxiliary Hospital opened in March 1915 at Sunnyhill in Thorpe St. Andrew, loaned by Mr and Mrs G F Buxton. The hospital moved from Larchwood where it had been since December 1914, but the property had proved too small. It was run by the Norfolk 7 and 16 Voluntary Aid Detachments. The hospital closed on 30th November 1918 having treated 1152 patients.

                     

                       HMS Aphis was built by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company and launched on 15th of September 1915. An Insect class gun boat of 635 tons, 237ft 6" in length with a Beam of 36ft and draught of 4 feet. She had a compliment of 55 and a top speed of 14 knots. Her armament was two 6inch guns and two 12pounders.

                    23rd Dec 1916  Launch

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Swanton House Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Swanton House on Dereham Road in Swanton Novers. Today the property is a care home.

                       The Dales Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Dales in Upper Sheringham. The property is now a hotel.

                       Bishop's Palace Red Cross Hospital was located in the Bishop's Palace, Cathedral Close in Norwich.

                       Town Close Lodge Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 10th of August 1915 at Town Close Lodge on Newmarket Road in Norwich. It provided 46 Officer beds and treated 2087 patients before it closed on the 15th of February 1919.

                       Attleborough Red Cross Hospital was located in the Town Hall in Church Street, Attleborough.

                       Union House Auxiliary Hospital was located in the buildings of the Henstead Union Workhouse at Swainsthorpe in Norfolk. The property later became The Vale Hospital.

                       Brundall House Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1914 at Brundall House in Brundall. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Finch Way.

                       Caltofts VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Caltofts on Broad Street, Harleston.

                       Diss VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Uplands House, Walcott Road in Diss.

                       Downham Market VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located across two properties, Forester's Hall and The Towers in Downham Market.

                       East Dereham VAD Auxiliary Hospital opened on 16th November 1914 located at The Vicarage in East Dereham and provided up to 70 beds, with the addition of tented wards in the garden. The hospital closed on 5th of April 1919 having treated 2067 patients.

                       Fakenham VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Grove House in Tunn Street, Fakenham.

                       Kirstead VAD Auxiliary Hospital was a hutted hospital near the village of Kirstead Green in Norfolk.

                       Letheringsett VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Glavenside in Letheringsett near Holt in Lincolnshire.

                       Lodden VAD Auxiliary Hospital opened on the opened on 19th November 1914 in St John's Church Methodist Hall in George Lane, Loddon. It provided 20 beds. At the end of October 1918 the hospital moved to the Vicarage after the hall was destroyed by a fire. The hospital closed on 23rd of November 1918, having treated 474 patients. The hall was rebuilt in the 1920s.

                       Narborough Hall VAD Auxiliary Hospital opened with 40 beds at Narborough Hall in spring 1916 when the hospital moved from West Bilney Manor.

                       Overstrand VAD Auxiliary Hospital opened on 1st August 1916 until at Overstrand Hall loaned by by Lord and Lady Hillingdon. It provided 15 officer beds. The hospital was closed on 21st October 1916 due to air raids.

                       Thornham VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located in the village of Thornham on the north Norfolk coast.

                       Walsingham VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Oddfellows Hall in Little Walsingham.

                       Wymondham VAD Auxiliary Hospital was located at Abbotsford House, 10 Vicar Street in Wymondham.

                       Weasenham Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Racquet Court at Weasenham Hall, Weasenham. The property is no longer standing.

                       West Harling Auxiliary Hospital was located at West Harling Hall near Thetford. The property was demolished in the 1930s.

                       White House Auxiliary Hospital was located at the White House in Mendham Lane, Harleston.

                       Woodbastwick Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Woodbastwick Hall in Woodbastwick, Norfolk. The property later became an Agricultural Training College, it was demolished in 1971 and rebuilt in 2004.

                       Abington Avenue Hospital was located on Abington Avenue in Northampton.

                       Addison Villas Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Addison Villas on the corner of Palmerston Road and Billing Road in Northampton.

                       Blakeseley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Blakeseley Hall near Blakeseley in Northamptonshire. The property is no longer standing.

                       Brackley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brackley in Northamptonshire.

                       Cottesbrooke Auxiliary Hospital was at Cottesbrooke Hall, Cottesbrooke.

                       Daventry Auxiliary Hospital was located at 36 High Street in Daventry.

                       Guilsborough Auxiliary Hospital was located at Guilsborough Hall, Guilsborough, it was owned by American novelist Irene Osgood who ran the Auxiliary Hospital. The property is no longer standing.

                       Higham Ferres Auxiliary Hospital was located on Midland Road, Higham Ferrers. The property is now used as a library.

                       Lois Weedon Officers Hospital was located at Lois Weedon house in Weedon Lois, Northamptonshire.

                       London Road Auxiliary Hospital was located on London Road in Kettering.

                       Wellingborough Auxiliary Hospital was in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

                       Barnwell Castle Auxiliary Hospital was at Barnwell Castle, Barnwell in Northamptonshire.

                       Barry Road Auxiliary Hospital was located at Barry Road Schools and Baths in Northampton.

                       Burghley House Auxiliary Hospital was at Burghley House near Stamford.

                       Castile House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Castile House Memorial Hall, in Castilian Street, Northampton.

                       Dallington Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Dallington Hall on Dallington Park Road, Dallington. The property has been divided into apartments.

                       Duncote Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Duncote Hall near Greens Norton, Northamptonshire.

                       East Haddon Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at East Haddon Hall, behind the church in East Haddon, Northamptonshire.

                       East Haddon Institute Auxiliary Hospital was loacted in the village hall on Main Street, East Haddon in Northamptonshire.

                       Everdon Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Everdon Hall, Little Everdon in Northamptonshire.

                       Eydon Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Eydon Hall, Eydon in Northamptonshire.

                       Golf House Auxiliary Hospital was located in the club house of the golf club at Church Brampton, Northamptonshire.

                       Hinwick House Auxiliary Hospital was at Hinwick House near Wellingborough.

                       King Street Emergency Hospital in Northampton provided military beds during the Great War.

                       Milton Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Milton Hall in Milton Park and provided convalescent beds for officers. The property was loaned by George and Evelyn Fitzwilliam who moved out of the house into a smaller property on the estate so that the house could be used as a hospital.

                       Rushton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Rushton Hall, Rushton near Kettering. The property is now a hotel.

                       Sulby Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sulby Hall, Sulby in Northamptonshire. The property was demolished in the 1950s.

                       The Palace Auxiliary Hospital was located at the Bishop of Peterborough's Palace.

                       Thornby Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at Thornby Grange, Thornby.

                       Weston Favell Convalescent Home on Wellingborough Road became a Red Cross Hospital in November 1914. The property is now a care home.

                       Wothorpe Villas Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wothorpe Villas on Second Drift, Wothorpe.

                       Tynemouth V.A. Hospital was located at 48 Percy Gardens in Tynemouth.

                       Ashington Infirmary in Ashington provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       6th Northumberland Hospital was located at the Borough Hall on Wellway, Morpeth. Additional beds were provided at Moore House, Whalton near Morpeth.

                       9th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was at Chesters House in Humshaugh.

                       3rd Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located in a convalescence home on Hextol Terrace, Hexham. additional beds were provided in an annexe which opened at Cotfield House.

                       13th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Etal Manor, Cornhill-on-Tweed.

                       12th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Fowberry Towers near Chatton and Hetton House in Wooler.

                       2nd Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Haggerston Castle. The property was demolished in the 1930's, the site is currently in use as a holiday park.

                       14th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was at Holeyn Hall in Wylam-on-Tyne.

                       1st Northumberland V.A. Hospital was at Howick Hall near Lesbury.

                       7th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Oxford House, Oxford Street in Whitley Bay.

                       10th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was located at Pendower Hall off West Road, Benwell. The property is currently a business centre.

                       11th Northumberland V.A. Hospital was at Woolsington Hall, Woolsington.

                       Newcastle-on-Tyne St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital was located at 6 Kensington Terrace in teh city. The property is now used by Newcastle University.

                       Ropewalk Auxiliary Hospital was located at 9 Ropewalk, Nottingham. It provided 60 beds. The property is no longer standing.

                       Albert Hall Military Hospital was located in the Albert Hall, a Wesleyan Methodist mission and concert venue on Wellington Circus, Nottingham.

                       Arnot Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located at Arnot Hill House in Arnold, Nottingham. The grounds were opened as a public park in 1919 and today the building is a civic centre.

                       Babworth Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Babworth Hall, Babworth a large country house near Retford in Nottinghamshire.

                       Bagthorpe Military Hospital opened in the buildings of the Nottingham Bagthorpe Workhouse Infirmary. Today the site is occupied by Nottingham City Hospital, a few of the original buildings survive.

                       Bowden Auxiliary Hospital was located at Elmswood on Mapperley Road Nottingham, the property was loaned by Frank Bowden, the founder of the The Raleigh Cycle Company, Ltd. 55 beds were provided.

                       Brackenhurst Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Brackenhurst Hall near Southwell, Notts. Today the property is home to Brackenhurst College, the Agricultural Department of Nottingham Trent University.

                       Burgage Manor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Burgage Manor on King Street, Southwell in Nottinghamshire.

                       Carrington Military Hospital was in Nottingham.

                       Lamcote Auxiliary Hospital for Officers opened at Lamcote House in Racliffe-on-Trent in 1918, it was staffed by the Nottingham 94 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The Commandant was Claire Birkin, the owner of Lamcote House.

                       Mapperley Hall Auxiliary Hospital provided 80 beds at Mapperley Hall, 51 Lucknow Avenue in Nottingham.

                       Musters Road Military Hospital was on Musters Road in West Bridgeford, Nottingham.

                       Newark Red Cross Hospital was on Lombard Street in Newark-on-Trent, Notts.

                       Nottingham General Hospital provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Plaisaunce Military Hospital was located at Plaisaunce on the south banks of the River Trent in Nottingham, the home of Sir Jesse Boot, founder of Boots the Chemist.

                       The Sherwood Rangers Headquarters Hospital was located at 12 Lime Tree Avenue, Retford.

                       Sycamore Road Military Hospital was in Sycamore Road in Nottingham.

                       Batley Red Cross Hospital was on Derby Road in Nottingham.

                       The Cedars Auxiliary Hospital was at The Cedars, off Mansfield Road, Sherwood, Beeston.

                       Thorseby Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Thorseby Hall near Budby, Notts. The property is now a hotel.

                       Trent Bridge Pavillion VAD Hospital was located in the pavilion of the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, West Bridgford. 90 beds were provided.

                       Eastwood VAD Hospital was in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire.

                       Welbeck Abbey Auxiliary Hospital was at Welbeck Abbey near Worksop in Nottinghamshire, the property was loaned by the Duke of Portland.

                       Bruern Abbey VAD Hospital was at Bruern Abbey in Oxfordshire.

                       Burcote House (Orthopaedic) Hospital was at Burcote House, Burcote in Oxfordshire.

                       Clanfield VAD Hospital was located at the Carter Institute in Clanfield, Oxfordshire.

                       Harpsden Court Auxiliary Hospital was at Harpsden Court, Harpsden near Henley on Thames.

                       Hill Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was at Hill Lodge, Spring Street, Chipping Norton. After the war it became the Memorial Hospital.

                       Sywncombe House VAD Hospital was at Sywncombe House, Sywncombe in Oxfordshire.

                       Henley-on-Thames VAD Hospital was located in the Town Hall, Henley-on-Thames.

                       University VAD Hospital was located at Felstead House, 23 Banbury Road in Oxford.

                       Battle House VAD Hospital was at Battle House, Goring-on-Thames.

                       Bicester Hall VAD Hospital was at Bicester Hall in Bicester.

                       Grimsbury VAD Hospital was in West Street, Grimsbury.

                       Officers were treated at Somerville College on Woodstock Road and High Wall on Pullens Lane. Other Ranks were treated at the Examination Schools on High Street, Magdalen College School, Cowley Road, Oxford Masonic Buildings, New College Shelter, Radcliffe Infirmary, Town Hall and Durham Building. Radcliffe Building The Wingfield Convalescent Home

                       Thame VAD Hospital was located in the Old Grammar School in Thame.

                       Ashwell Auxiliary Hospital was at Ashwell Lodge, Ashwell in Oxfordshire.

                       Burley-on-the-Hill Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Burley-on-the-Hill, a large country house at Burley in Oxfordshire.

                       Hambleton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Hambleton Hall, Upper Hambleton in Rutland. The property is now a hotel.

                     

                       Ardmillan Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ardmillan House in Oswestry.

                       Manton Grange Auxiliary Hospital was at Manton Grange, Manton near Oakham.

                       Uppingham Auxiliary Hospital was located on Leicester Road in Uppingham.

                       Aston Hall Auxiliary Hospital, was at Aston Hall in Aston-on-Clun.

                     

                       Attingham Park Military Hospital was at Attingham Park near Atchem in Shropshire. The property is now owned by the National Trust.

                       Broughall Auxiliary Hospital, was located at Broughall Cottage, Broughall near Whitchurch. The property is now named Ashdale House.

                       Cheswardine Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cheswardine Hall, Cheswardine. The property later became a school and is now a residential home.

                       Cloverley Auxiliary Hospital was at Cloverley Hall near Calverhall in Shropshire.

                       Cyngfeld Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cyngfeld, 39 Kennedy Road in Shrewsbury.

                       Earlsdale Auxiliary Hospital was located at Earlsdale in Pontesford, Shropshire.

                       Church Stretton Red Cross Hospital was located at Essex House in Church Stretton.

                       Hatton Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hatton Grange near Ryton in Shropshire.

                       Hawkestone Military Hospital was at Hawkestone Hall near Marchamley in Shropshire.

                       Hildern Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Hildern House on Shrewsbury Road, Shifnal.

                       Hodnet Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hodnet Hall near Hodnet in Shropshire.

                       Longford Auxiliary Hospital was located at Longford Hall, Longford near Newport in Shropshire.

                       Oakley Manor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Oakley Manor, Belle Vue in Shewsbury.

                       Oteley Auxiliary Hospital was located at Oteley, a large country house near Ellesmere in Shropshire. The property was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Overmead Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Overmead off Livesey Road in Ludlow.

                       Pell Wall Hall Military Hospital was located at Pell Wall Hall near Market Drayton in Shropshire.

                       Pentrepant Hall Military Hospital was located at Pentrepant Hall near Oswestry.

                       Peplow Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Peplow Hall, Peplow in Shropshire.

                       Quarry Place Auxiliary Military Hospital was in Shrewsbury.

                       Raven House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Raven House in Station Road, Adderley.

                       Seven Sisters Auxiliary Hospital was located at Seven Sisters near Ellesmere

                       Shavington Military Hospital was at Shavington Park in Shropshire.

                       St. Georges Auxiliary Hospital was located in the church hall at Pontesbury, Shropshire.

                       Stokesay Court Military Hospital was located at Stokesay Court near Ludlow in Shropshire.

                       The Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was near Ludlow. Today the site is Elm Lodge golf course.

                       Walcot Military Hospital was located at Walcot House near Lydbury North in Shropshire.

                       Wellington Auxiliary Hospital was loacted on Sutherland Road, Wellington in Shropshire. The property is now in use as Wrekin College.

                       Westholme Auxiliary Hospital was located at Westholme, Prospect Road in Market Drayton. The property was demolished in the 1990s and a care home now occupies the site.

                       Worfield VAD Hospital was located in the Worfield Recreation Room at Worfield near Bridgenorth in Shropshire.

                       Sydenham Road Auxiliary Hospital was located in Sydenham Road, Smethwick.

                       Churchfields Auxiliary Hospital was at Churchfields, West Bromwich.

                       Ellaston VAD Hospital was located in the parish hall at Ellaston.

                       Leek Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Foxlowe on Stockwell Street in Leek.

                       Lightwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Lightwood House off Hagley Road West in Smethwick.

                       Merridale Auxiliary Hospital was in Smethwick.

                       Ravenhill Red Cross Hospital was located at Ravenhill House in Rugeley, loaned by Lady Zouche. It provided 20 beds. The property was demolished in the 1990s.

                       Eccleshall Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was at Johnson Hall near Eccleshall in Staffordshire.

                       Sandon Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sandon Hall on the River Trent near Salt in Staffordshire.

                       St Josephs Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at St Joseph's Hall on Station Road in Stone, additional beds were provided at Stonefield House.

                       Sunny Bank VAD Hospital was located at Sunny Bank House on Snow Hill, Shelton, Stoke on Trent. The property has previously been named The Hollies and today is in use as the Hanley Masonic Lodge.

                       Tettenhall VAD Hospital was located at The Old Manor House in Tettenhall.

                       Burton-on-Trent Town Hall VAD Hospital was located in the Town Hall on Borough Road, Burton-on-Trent.

                       Trent Vale Red Cross Hospital was in Trench Vale, Stoke on Trent.

                       Stafford VAD Hospital for Local Troops was located at 21 Foregate Street in Stafford. The property is no longer standing.

                       Aldeburgh Red Cross Hospital was located at Belstead House School in Aldeburgh.

                       Ampton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Ampton Hall near Bury St Edmunds.

                       Beceles Red Cross Hospital was located at The Manse on Frederick's Road, Beccles.

                       Brettenham Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Brettenham Hall, Brettenham. Today the property is in use as a school.

                       Broadwater Auxiliary Hospital was located at Broadwater on Belstead Road in Ipswich.

                       Campsea Ashe Auxiliary Hospital was located at High House, Campsea Ashe in Suffolk. The property was demolished in the 1950s.

                       Corton Red Cross Hospital was at Corton near Lowestoft, possibly in the village hall.

                       Drinkstone Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Drinkstone Park near Bury St. Edmunds. The property was demolished in the 1950s.

                       East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital on Anglesea Road, Ipswich provided beds for military patients during the Great War.

                       Easton Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Easton Park Mansion near Framlingham in Suffolk. It was staffed by the Suffolk 76 Voluntary Aid Detachment. The property was demolished in the 1920s.

                       Elvenden Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Elvenden Hall, Elvenden in Suffolk.

                       Gunton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Gunton near Lowestoft. The property was demolished in the 1960s.

                       Hengrave Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hengrave Hall, Hengrave in Suffolk.

                       Ixworth Red Cross Hospital was at Ixworth in Suffolk.

                       Sproughton Auxiliary Hospital was located at Maryland on Burstall Lane, Sproughton in Suffolk. The property has been renamed Cherwell House.

                       Orwell Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Orwell Park near Nacton in Suffolk. Today the property is in use as a school.

                       Plumton House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Plumton House near Whepstead in Suffolk.

                       Rous Auxiliary Hospital was situated on Old Station Road in Newmarket.

                       Severals House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Severals House on Bury Road in Newmarket. Teh property later became the Severals Hotel and today has been divided into apartments.

                       Shrubland Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Shrubland Hall near Coddenham in Suffolk.

                       Sudbourne Auxiliary Hospital was located at Sudbourne Hall, Orford in Suffolk. The property was demolished in 1953.

                       Sudbury Red Cross Hospital was at Belle Vue off Newton Road in Sudbury, Suffolk.

                       Tostock Place Auxiliary Hospital was located at Tostock Place, Tostock near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

                       Saxmundham VAD Hospital was located at The Gannon Institute on Station Approach, Saxmundham. Today the property is known as The Gannon Rooms.

                       Wherstead Park Auxiliary Hospital was located at Wherstead Park, Wherstead near Ipswich.

                       Woolpit Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Rectory on Rectory Lane, Woolpit in Suffolk.

                       Addington Park War Hospital opened on the 13th of December 1914 at Addington Palace, Gravel Hill, Addington near Croydon. It provided 200 beds for military patients suffering from acute infectious diseases in hutted accommodation in the grounds, plus 150 beds in the house for convalescents recovering from enteric disease including typhoid and dysentery. The men were tested to determine if they were carriers of the disease, those who were were discharged from the army as they could easily pass the infection to others in the close living quarters of army life. In 1916 hutted accommodation for another 350 patients was added and later accommodation for further 1000 convalescents and Addington Park received convalescent patients from the other twelve dysentery hospitals in Britain.

                       Thurstan Road Auxiliary War Hospital was on Thurstan Road in Wimbledon. The property was demolished in the 1980s.

                       Barham Lodge Auxiliary Military Hospital was located at Barham Lodge on Oatlands Drive in Weybridge. The property is no longer standing.

                       Auxiliary Hospital for Officers Clubhouse Shirley Park Golf Course was in the Clubhouse of Shirley Park Golf Course in Surrey.

                       Beechcroft Military Hospital was at Beechcroft on Heathside Road in Woking, Surrey.

                       Binefield Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at Binefield on Woodhurst Lane, Hurst Green in Oxted. It provided 20 beds staffed by the Surrey 46 Voluntary Aid Detachment. In June 1915 it became an annexe to Charing Cross Hospital, it closed on the 29th November 1917. The hospital reopened on 21st December 1917, affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank. It was finally closed on the 30th June 1918 having treated 550 patients, most of them long stay. The property is now named Chartlands.

                       Bleakdown Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Golf Club clubhouse at West Byfleet in Surrey.

                       Blytheswood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Blytheswood on Elmstead Road, West Byfleet.

                       

                    HMHS Galeka was a hospital ship requisitioned from the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, she served as a troop ship in 1915 and was refitted as a hospital ship with accommodation for 366 wounded. She was lost on 28th of October 1916 when she hit a mine laid by the German U-boat UC-26 while entering Le Havre to collect the wounded.

                       Broom House Auxiliary Hospital was at Broom House off Long Reach, East Horseley in Surrey.

                       Burntwood Auxiliary Hospital was located at Burntwood, 106-112 Burntwood Lane, Caterham in Surrey.

                       Caenshill Auxiliary Military Hospital opened on 27th of October 1914 at Caens Hill in Chaucer Avenue, Weybridge. The property was loaned by Mr Hugh Locke-King, whose wife Ethel was the Commandant. 32 beds were provided, staffed by the local Voluntary Aid Detachment. In 1916 capacity was 40 and an operating theatre was added, the hospital became affiliated to the Special Neurological Hospital at Tooting and an additional 4 beds for Officers were added. The hospital closed on 31st of August 1919, today the property has been converted into apartments.

                       Charterhouse Auxiliary Hospital was at Charterhouse School near Godalming in Surrey.

                       Church Hill Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 19th April 1917 at Church Hill House on Church Hill, Haslemere opposite St Bartholomew's church. The property was loaned by Mrs Parsons and the alterations were paid for by Miss Newton. Initially 38 beds were provided, this was later increased to 45 with the addition of a hutted ward and recreation room. The property is now named Peperham House.

                       Cowley House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Cowley House, Highclere, Weybridge in Surrey.

                       Warlingham Military Hospital was located in the village hall at Warlingham in Surrey.

                       Esher Red Cross Hospital also called Lammas Auxiliary Hospital, was located at The Lammas, 8 Lammas Lane in Esher, Surrey.

                       Great Roke Auxiliary Hospital was located at Great Roke House, Witley, near Godalming in Surrey, loaned by Charles Dixon, a Governor of Birmingham University. Although of Tudor style, the 20 bedroom house was built in 1909. The house was sold in the 1920's and renamed Barrow Hills, it became a school.

                       Hatchlands Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hatchlands House set in the 430 acre Hatchlands Park in East Clandon, Surrey. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Henley Park Military Hospital was located at Henley Park near Guilford in Surrey, loaned by the Halsey family. The property has been divided into apartments.

                       High Rough Auxiliary Hospital was located at High Rough on Farnham Lane, Haslemere in Surrey.

                       Hilders Military Hospital was located at Hilders off Hindhead Road, Shottermill near Haslemere, loaned by Lady Aberconway. Today the property is the Branksome Conference & Training Centre.

                       Hill House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hill House on Harvey Road, Guildford.

                       Hillfield Red Cross Hospital opened on the 2nd of November 1914 at Hillfield on Raglan Road, Reigate loaned by Mr Spencer Langston. It provided 50 beds staffed by the Surrey 50 and 58 Voluntary Aid Detachments. The Hospital closed on 31st of December 1918. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by housing.

                       Holborn Military Hospital was located in the Holborn Poor Law Union workhouse on Western Road, Mitcham in Surrey. Opening in 1916 it provided 954 beds. The Hospital closed in 1919. The workhouse remained empty until the 1920s when they were used as industrial units until the 1980's when the site was redeveloped as an industrial and shopping park.

                       Kenry House Hospital for Officers opened in January 1917 at Henry House, Kingston Hill in Kingston-upon-Thames loaned by Lord and Lady Dunraven. 22 beds were provided, patients received general treatment, massage, radiant heat and electrical treatments. Kenry House is now owned by Kingston University.

                       Kirkstall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Kirkstall on St Pauls Road, Dorking. The property is no longer standing.

                       Kitto Relief Hospital was located at Mrs Kitto's Free Convalescent Home off Church Road, South Park in Reigate. Today the property is Margaret Laurie House an Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.

                       Lady Ellenborough's Hospital was in Windlesham, Surrey.

                       Llandaff Auxiliary Military Hospital was at Llandaff on Caenswood Close in Weybridge.

                       Manor (County of London) War Hospital was in Horton Lane, Horton Near Epsom, Surrey.

                       Merstham Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital was at Chaldon Rise on Rockshaw Road in Merstham, Surrey.

                       Morden Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Morden Hall Road in Morden, Surrey.

                       No.2 New Zealand General Hospital opened on the 31st of July 1915 at Mount Felix in Walton-on-Thames.

                       Oatlands Park Hospital opened in 1916 at the Oatlands Park Hotel on Oatlands Drive in Weybridge, Surrey. It was affiliated to the No.2 New Zealand General Hospital.

                       Newlands Corner Auxiliary Hospital was at Newlands Corner near Guildford. Today the property is the The Manor House Hotel.

                       Oakenshaw Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 18th of November 1914 at Oakenshaw, Oakhill in Surbiton in the home of Mr F. and Mrs Kathrine Marden-Ranger. 46 beds were provided staffed the local Voluntary Air Detachment. The Hospital closed in April 1919. The site is now occupied by the houses of Oakenshaw Close.

                       Oaklands Red Cross Hospital was at Oaklands off Knowle Lane, Cranleigh.

                       Ottermead Auxiliary Military Hospital opened in December 1914 at Ottermead near Ottershaw in Surrey, loaned by the Countess of Meath. Initially 12 beds were provided, capacity was later was increased to 30 beds, specialising in eye cases and those suffering from shell-shock. The hospital closed in March 1919. The property is no longer standing and the site is now occupied by the houses of Chaworth Road.

                       Ottershaw Park Auxiliary Hospital in October 1914 at Ottershaw Park near Chertsey in Surrey, loaned by Friedrich Eckstein. The hospital closed in January 1919.

                       Park View Auxiliary Hospital was located at Park View, off Camp Road, Woldingham in Surrey.

                       Piccards Rough Relief Hospital was in Sandy Lane, Guildford.

                       Chandon Rise Red Cross Hospital was at Chandon Rise, Rockshaw Road in Merstham, Surrey.

                       The Freen Red Cross Hospital was located at The Freen in Richmond, Surrey.

                       Red Gables Auxiliary Hospital was located at Red Gables, The Conduit in Bletchingley.

                       Red House Auxiliary Hospital was at Red House, Bull Hill in Leatherhead, Surrey.

                       Redhill War Hospital opened in June 1917 with 80 beds at the requisitioned Redhill General Hospital on Pendleton Road, Earlswood Common, Redhill in Surrey. It closed on 31st of December 1918 but continued to provide care for discharged soldiers still in need of medical treatment. The civilian hospital closed in the 1990s and St John's Park estate now occupies the site.

                     

                       Sawyers Auxiliary Hospital was at Sawyers on Chequers Lane, Walton-on-the-Hill.

                       St Dorothy's Convalescent Home for Soldiers was at 52 Croham Manor Road in South Croydon.

                       St Georges Hill Auxiliary Hospital was located in the clubhouse of St Georges Hill Golf Club in Weybridge, Surrey.

                       The Beeches Auxiliary War Hospital was at The Beeches in Reigate Hill.

                       The Highlands Hospital was on Highlands Close, Shortheath in Farnham.

                       The Hill Auxiliary Hospital was off Latchwood Lane, Farnham.

                       The Princess Christian British Red Cross Hospital was a hutted hospital at Englefield Green.

                       The White House Auxiliary Hospital was in Cheam in Surrey.

                       Thorncombe Military Hospital was located at Thorncombe Park near Bramley.

                       Wallington Red Cross Hospital was in Woodcote Road, Wallington in Surrey.

                       Waverley Abbey Auxiliary Hospital was located at Waverley Abbey House near Farnham, loaned by the Anderson family. Mrs Amy Anderson was the Commandant of the hospital. Over 5000 patients were treated at the country house.

                       Windlesham Moor Auxiliary Hospital was located at Windlesham Moor, a country house near Windlesham in Surrey.

                       Percival Terrace Hospital for Officers was located at Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 10 Percival Terrace in Brighton.

                       Kitchener Indian Hospital was in the buildings of the Brighton workhouse in Elm Grove. On the 10th of September 1917 the 10th Canadian General Hospital moved in. The hospital closed on the 3rd of September 1919.

                       Chichester Terrace Officers Hospital was at no. 5 and No. 11 Chichester Terrace in Brighton.

                       Marine Parade Officers Hospital was at 129 Marine Parade in Brighton.

                       Cantelupe Road Auxiliary Hospital was at 13-15 Cantelupe Road in Bexhill-on-Sea. 36 Beds were provided.

                       Sussex Square Hospital for Officers was at 2 Sussex Square in Brighton.

                       Palmeira Auxiliary Hospital was at 24 Palmeira Square in Hove.

                       Upperton Road Auxiliary Hospital was at 27 Upperton Road in Eastbourne.

                       Clarendon Terrace Hospital for Officers was at 6 Clarendon Terrace, Brighton.

                       Third Avenue Auxiliary Hospital was at 6 Third Avenue in Hove.

                       Portland Place Auxiliary Hospital was at 83 Portland Place, Hove

                       Eastern Terrace Hospital for Officers was at 9 Eastern Terrace in Brighton.

                       Ashdown Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Ashdown Park in the Ashdown Forest near Wych Cross in Surrey. The property is now the Ashdown Park Hotel.

                       Heene Terrace Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was in Heene Terrace, Worthing.

                       Bannow Auxiliary Hospital was at Bannow on Quarry Hill in St. Leonards-on-Sea.

                       Beech Green Hospital was at Beech Green Park near Withyham in Sussex.

                       Beechlands Auxiliary Hospital opened in 1916 at Beechlands, Chailey Lane in Newick, when the hospital moved from Hickwells on Cinder Hill. Staffed by the Sussex 54 Voluntary Aid Detachment, 40 beds were provided.

                       Belgrave House Auxiliary Hospital was at Belgrave House in Littlehampton. The property was demolished in the 1980s.

                       Bellevue Auxiliary Hospital was in Rosemary Lane, Petworth in Sussex.

                       Bignor Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Bignor Park estate near Bignor in Sussex.

                       Broadhill Auxiliary Hospital was at Broadhill near Keymer in Sussex.

                       Brook House Auxiliary Hospital was at Brook House in Chailey. It is now named Chailey Place.

                       Church Hall Auxiliary Hospital was off Upper Lake in Battle, Sussex.

                       Church House Auxiliary Hospital was at Church House in Beckley, Sussex.

                       Claytons Auxiliary Hospital opened at Claytons in Newick Lane, Mayfield. The hospital moved from Greenhill in Rotherfield.

                       Crawley and Ifield Auxiliary Hospital was in Sussex.

                       De Walden Court Auxiliary Hospital was at De Walden Court, 51 Meads Road in Eastbourne Eastbourne, the hospital moved from Wish Rocks Hospital.

                       East Chiltington Auxiliary Hospital was at East Chiltington in Sussex.

                       East Lodge Auxiliary Hospital was at East Lodge, Crawly Down. The property was later named The White House, it is no longer standing.

                       Eastbourne Military Hospital opened in April 1915 in the infirmary of the Eastbourne Workhouse in Eastbourne Sussex. It provided 12 Officers beds and 312 Other Ranks beds. In January 1917 it was taken over by No. 14 Canadian General Hospital. The hospital returned to civilian use in October 1919.

                       No. 14 Canadian General Hospital opened in the the infirmary of the Eastbourne Workhouse, which had previously been the Eastbourne Military Hospital. It provided 12 Officers beds and 312 Other Ranks beds. The hospital returned to civilian use in October 1919.

                       Esperance Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was in Hartington Place, Eastbourne.

                       Fairfield Court Hospital was at Fairfield Court in Eastbourne. The property was demolished in the 1970s.

                       Felbridge Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Felbridge Park in East Grinstead.

                       Filsham Park Auxiliary Hospital opened in October 1914 at The Convent of our Lady at the top of Filsham Road in St. Leonards. It was staffed by the Sussex 16 Voluntary Air Detachment. By 1917 the hospital had outgrown the premises and it moved to a larger house in Dane Road in St. Leonards-on-Sea.

                       Goring Hall Hospital for Officers was located at Goring Hall off Aldsworth Avenue in Goring by Sea near Worthing. Today the property is a private hospital.

                       Great Dixter Auxiliary Hospital was located at Great Dixter House off High Park in Northiam. The house and gardens are open to the public in spring and summer.

                       Harecombe Auxiliary Hospital was located at Harecombe Manor, Southview Road in Crowborough. The hospital moved to this property from Walsh Manor, Jarvis Brook. The Commandant was Honourable Beatrix Wickens, Lady Gatacre.

                       Hastings Military Hospital was in Hastings, Sussex, it became the 13th Canadian General Hospital in January 1917.

                       13th Canadian General Hospital moved to Hastings Military Hospital in Hastings, Sussex in January 1917.

                       Heene Terrace Auxiliary Hospital for Officers was located at 8-9 Heene Terrace in Worthing.

                       Herbert Samuelson Hospital was a convalescent home for Officers, located at 2 Sussex Square in Brighton.

                       Herley Baxter Convalecent Home was in Sussex and provided treatment for military patients during the Great War.

                       Hill House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hill House, High Street, Wadhurst in Sussex.

                       Kempston House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Kempston House, 3 Granville Road in Eastbourne.

                       Meeching Auxiliary Hospital was at Meeching Boys School off Bay View Road in Newhaven, Sussex. Today the property is the Hillcrest Community Centre.

                       Normanhurst Auxiliary Hospital was located at Normanhurst Court, Battle in Sussex. The property is no longer standing.

                       Old Hastings House Auxiliary Hospital was located at Old Hastings House on the High Street in Hastings.

                       Princess Patricia’s Canadian Convalescent Hospital was at Ramsgate in Kent from 26th of Jan 1917 to 14th of Jan 1918 and then relocated to Bexhill,On-Sea in Sussex. It provided 2250 beds. The hospital closed on the 18th of Aug 1919.

                       Ditchling Red Cross Hospital was located at Meadowcroft in Ditchling, Sussex.

                       Hailsham Red Cross Hospital was in Hailsham, Sussex.

                       Lindfield Red Cross Hospital was located in the King Edward Hall on the High Street in Lindfield, Sussex.

                       Redburn War Auxiliary Hospital was located at 71 Carlisle Road in Eastbourne.

                       Shernfold Park Auxiliary Hospital was at Shernfold Park near Frant in Sussex.

                       Slindon House Officers Hospital was located at Slindon House, Slindon in Sussex. Today the property is used as a college.

                       St. Annes Auxiliary Hospital was in Lewes, Sussex.

                       St. Johns Auxiliary Hospital, Hastings was at Holmesdale Gardens in the town.

                       St. Marks Auxiliary Hospital was located in Tunbridge Wells.

                       St. Wilfrid’s Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at St. Wilfrid’s Priory in Arundel, Sussex.

                       Staveley Court Auxiliary Hospital opened at Staveley Court in Eastbourne, when the hospital moved from Great Stanhope Street in London and Rosemount in Eastbourne.

                       Stildon House Auxiliary Hospital was at Stildon House in East Grinstead. The property was destroyed by fire in 1918.

                       Summerdown Camp Military Convalescent Hospital opened in April 1915 near Eastbourne in Sussex in a purpose built hutted camp. Over 150,000 soldiers passed through the hospital before returning to duty or being discharged from the army.

                       Sunshine Home Auxiliary Hospital was in the Sunshine Home, a holiday home for the poor and sick women from London, located off the High Street in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. The property is still used as a holiday centre.

                       Tappington Grange Auxiliary Hospital was located at Tappington Grange, off Station Road in Wadhurst, Sussex.

                       The Brewery House Auxiliary Hospital was located in The Brewery House, East Grinstead.

                       The Convent Auxiliary Hospital was at the Convent on East Street in Rye, Sussex.

                       The Hollonds Auxiliary Hospital was located at the The Hollonds off Broom Lane, Langton Green near Tunbridge Wells.

                       The Knowle Auxiliary Hospital was located at The Knowle on Stockcroft Road, Balcombe. The property has also been named Tower House and is now a private home known as Beechcroft.

                       The Monastery VAD Hospital was on Conduit Hill in Rye, Sussex.

                       The Sealand Auxiliary Hospital was in Seaford, Sussex.

                       Upperton Red Cross Hospital was at 27 Upperton Road in Eastbourne, Sussex.

                       Urmston VAD Hospital was in Eastbourne, Sussex.

                       Cooden VAD Hospital was in the club house of the Tennis Club in Clavering Walk, Cooden near Bexhill in Sussex.

                       Haywards Heath VAD Hospital was in Haywards Heath, Sussex.

                       Cuckfield VAD Hospital was at Queens Hall on the High Street in Cuckfield. Today the property is a museum.

                       West Dene Auxiliary Hospital was located at West Dene, 14 Hollington Park Road in St. Leonards on Sea, Sussex.

                       Wych Cross auxiliary Hospital was located at Wych Cross Place, Wych Cross, Forest Row in Sussex.

                       Aldridge V.A.D. Hospital was located at Aldridge Manor House on Little Aston Road, Aldridge.

                       Ashlawn Red Cross Hospital was located at Ashlawn House off Ashlawn Road, Rugby.

                       Wootton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was loacted at Wootton Hall in Wootton Wawen.

                       Barford Hill Auxiliary Hospital was in Barford, Warwickshire. The property is no longer standing

                       Berkswell Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 26th of May 1915 at The Rectory near the church in Berkswell. Today the property is named The Well House.

                       Bilton Hall Red Cross Hospital was at Bilton Hall off Church Walk in Bilton.

                       Brailes Auxiliary Hospital was located in the Brailes Institute in Lower Brailes, loaned by the the Brailes Mechanical and Craft Society.

                       Olton Red Cross Hospital opened on the 9th of February 1915 in the Congregational Church Room on the corner of Kineton Green and Brookvale Roads in Olton.

                       Farnborough Hall Auxiliary Hospital was at Farnborough Hall in Farnborough near Banbury. Today the property is owned by the National Trust.

                       Guys Cliffe Auxiliary Hospital was at Guy's Cliffe House, Warwick.

                       Halford Auxiliary Hospital was at Halford Manor, Halford in Warwickshire.

                       Halloughton Hall Auxiliary Hospital was located at Halloughton Hall near Coleshill in Warwickshire.

                       Heritage Auxiliary Hospital was at Tudor Grange House off Blossomfield Road, Solihull in Warwickshire, loaned by Alfred Bird, the custard manufacturer. Today it is part of Solihull College.

                       Hill House Auxiliary Hospital was in Warwick.

                       Hillcrest Auxiliary Hospital was located at Hillcrest on the west side of Radford Road in Coventry, before the road was moved it stood opposite the junction of Light Lane. The property was demolished in the 1960s and the site is now beneath the ring road.

                       Holmdene Auxiliary Hospital was located at Holmdene, 36 Warwick Place in Leamington Spa. Today the property has been converted into flats.

                       Marston Green Auxiliary Hospital opened on the 6th of September 1915 at Ivy Cottage in Marston Green near Solihull.

                       Kineton Auxiliary Hospital was located at Clarendon House, Bridge Street in Kineton, Warwickshire.

                       Longbridge Auxiliary Hospital was located at Longbridge Manor off Stratford Road, Longbridge in Warwickshire.

                       Longfield Auxiliary Hospital was located at Longfield on Park Drive, Little Aston in Warwickshire.

                     

                       The Second Battle of the Sambre was launched by the Allies on the 4th of November 1918, 17 British Divsions and 11 French Divisions made an attack over a 30 mile front. The German defensive line included the Sambre-Oise Canal and the flooded fields surrounding it.

                     

                       Ternhill aerodrome near Market Drayton in Shropshire was first opened by the RFC in 1916. It was used by a number of squadrons for training. It was taken over by Royal Air Force (RAF) on 1 April 1918 when it was designated as No.13 Training Depot Station.

                       Shotwick aerodrome on the Wirral peninsular north of Chester was opened by the RFC in 1917 as a Training station. It was utilised by 90, 95 and 96 squadrons with Sopwith Pups and Camels, and Avro 504s in late 1917. In April 1918 it transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force. In 1924 it was renamed RAF Sealand.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       162nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was raised at Grove Vale, East Dulwich in early 1915, they joined 33rd Division as Divisional Artillery and proceeded to France in December 1915.

                     

                       No. 2 British Red Cross Hospital was located at Rouen in France.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Turweston Aerodrome is near the village of Turweston, near Brackley in Buckinghamshire. It was used as a satellite field during the Great War.

                     

                      Note to a Nurse

                     

                     

                     

                       Cleveland Shipyard was located on the the southern bank of the River Tees at Middlesbrough a short distance downstream from the Transporter Bridge. During the Great War it was owned by William Harkness.

                     

                       Newport Iron Works on the south bank of the River Tees at Newport, Middlesbrough manufactured shell cases during the Great War, the main contract being for the French army.

                       Richard Hills, Marsh Wire Works was located at Newport near Middlesbrough, close to the Newport Bridge. The works produced barbed and communication wire as well as wire for gun barrels.

                       Gjers Ayresome Works produced iron and steel for war manufacturing during WW2, it was located on the edge of the river Tees in the Iron Masters District of Middlesbrough. The works included four blast furnaces and its own wharf and rail links.

                       The Observer Companies, Royal Defence Corps provided the eyes and ears of the Anti Aircraft Defence system protecting the United Kingdom from enemy attack during the Great War. Staffed initially by the territorial army and later by the Special Constabulary assisted by Boy Scout messengers, they manned Observation Posts, Sound Mirrors and Wireless listening stations which were linked by telephone to the gun control centres and also provided air raid warnings to the police.

                       The Britannia Works was located in the centre of the Iron Masters district of Middlesbrough and produced steel for shipbuilding and shells as well as wire and hawsers.

                       No. 8 Observer Company, Royal Defence Corps manned the observation posts and sound mirrors of the 2nd Sub District Anti Aircraft Defence Control in the Northern Air Defence Area. The HQ was at The Poplars on Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough, from where the guns and searchlights were directed.

                       No. 8 Observer Company, Royal Defence Corps observation posts and sound mirrors linked to the HQ of 2nd Sub District Anti Aircraft Defence Control in Middlesbrough.

                    • Barnard Castle
                    • Boulby A 17 foot Sound Mirror was built by the Royal Engineers in 1916 west of Boulby Barns Cottage on Boulby Bank. The Mirror and traces of associated trenches survive
                    • Bransby
                    • Brotton
                    • Burn Howe Rigg
                    • Coxwold
                    • Eaglescliffe
                    • Guisborough
                    • Great Ayton
                    • Castleton
                    • Glaisdale
                    • Goathland
                    • Hackness
                    • Hedon
                    • Holme on Spalding Moor
                    • Kirklington
                    • Normanby
                    • Redcar

                      A Sound Mirror was built by the Royal Engineers in 1916, it is located at the at the junction of Holyhead Drive and Greenstones Road, Redcar.

                    • Stillington
                    • Strensall
                    • Stockton on Tees

                      A Naval wireless listening Y Station was located in a bungalow, the site is now in Marley Close and the building is a private dwelling. During the Great War the property was on a 3 acre site surrounded by a high fence. The station was manned by four operators and an officer at a time and was linked to the telegraph wires of the nearby railway line, sending coded messages to the Air Defence HQ in Middlesbrough and Admiralty Room 40. The station monitored German U Boat transmissions on 750K/cs and tracked Zeppelins by intercepting their navigation transmissions in compass code, which had been cracked by the Admiralty.

                    • Stokesley
                    • Thirsk


                       Marton Road Red Cross Hospital opened in 1915 at St John's school, located between Marton Road and Bright Street in Middlesbrough. The building is no longer standing and the site is now a car park.

                       Friends Meeting House Hospital was opened by the Middlesbrough branch of the St John's Ambulance in the Friends Meeting House on Dunning Street, Middlesbrough. The building was converted in August 1914 and the hospital closed in May 1919. The building is no longer standing.

                       Southfield Road Red Cross Hospital was located at 12 Southfield Road, Middlesbrough. The building is now part of Teesside University campus.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       32nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment was formed on the 1st of January 1917, by the redesignation of the 63rd Provisional Battalion. They served in the UK with 225th Mixed Brigade, until the end of the conflict.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       No.1 Canadian Tunnelling Company was formed in eastern Canada and served on the Western Front from early 1916 onwards.

                       2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment were in India when the Great War broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the Garhwal Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division in September and saw action on the Western Front until late 1915. They transferred to the Middle East and saw action in Mesopotamia and Palestine.

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                       Ostrohove Camp was a rest camp at Boulogne, mainly used to house troops arriving from England over night before they entrained for the front.

                     

                       No. 4 Heavy Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery also known 4th Heavy Artillery Group served with 2nd Army in France and Flanders.

                       271st Company, Machine Gun Corps served in Mesopotamia with 3rd (Lahore) Division from 1st October 1917. They became part of A Battalion MGC, XIX Corps in late May 1918.

                     

                       4th Cavalry Brigade was based at Canterbury when war broke out in August 1914. The formation consisted of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), 3rd (King's Own) Hussars and 4th Signal Troop, Royal Engineers. The Household Cavalry Composite Regiment and 4th Cavalry Brigade Field Ambulance joined on mobilisation. The Brigade proceeded to France in August 1914 with The Cavalry Division and saw action in the Battle of Mons, the Battle of Le Cateau, the Action at Néry, the Battle of the Marne and the Battle of the Aisne. In October 4th Cavalry Brigade transferred to 2nd Cavalry Division and saw action in First Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and the Second Battle of Ypres. In 1917 they were in action during the Battle of Arras and the Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Advance in Picardy. They moved into Germany as part of the Occupation Force.

                       33rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 8th of August 1915 and served with 1 Corps, initially supporting 9th Division.

                       Bath War Hospital opened at Combe Park in May 1916. 500 Beds were provided in a hutted hospital, rising to 1100 by the following year. Patients were mainly brought in by rail with hospital trains arriving at Midland Road Station. 24,333 men were treated at the hospital between May 1916 and November 1919 when the site became Ministry of Pensions Hospital.

                       5th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force was raised in Victoria and served in Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

                       291st (2/2nd London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 58th (2nd London) Division from September 1915 and proceeded to France in January 1917.

                       6th Divisional Train, Army Service Corps was made up of 17th, 19th, 23rd and 24th Companies. They were responsible for the supply and transport of all supplies, equipment and food required by 6th Division, with the exception of ammunition.

                       6th Divisional Artillery was serving in Ireland when war broke out in August 1914. They were summoned to England at once and proceeded to France on the 10th of September 1914. They served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                    6th Divisional Artillery comprised of,

                    • II Brigade, RFA
                    • XII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA until May 1916
                    • XXIV Brigade, RFA
                    • XXXVIII Brigade, RFA until January 1917
                    • 6th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA
                    • 24th Heavy Battery RGA left April 1915
                    • No 2 Pom-Pom Section RGA attached 4 October 1914 to 16 December 1914
                    • V.6 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA formed 20 July 1916, left 6 March 1918
                    • X.6, Y.6 and Z.6 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined on 1 April 1916; on 15 March 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each


                    •    67th Heavy Artillery Group was formed in September 1916 and proceeded to France in October.

                         1st Heavy Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, also called No.1 Heavy Artillery Group, consisted of 109th and 110th Heavy Batteries and saw action on the Western Front.

                         43rd (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery went to France with the British Expeditionary Force early in the Great War. It was composed of three (Howitzer) Batteries equipped with 4.5-inch howitzers. In May 1916 the RFA was reorganised and the Howitzer Brigades were broken up to create mixed Brigades.

                         42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, made up of 41st, 45th and 29th Batteries, were at Bulford when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force.

                         1st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed on the 28th of February 1918 from the MG Companies of 1st Division, No's 1, 2 and 3 Companies.

                       

                       

                       

                         Harrowby Camp was a training camp of the Machine Gun Corps situated to the south of Belton Park, Grantham.

                       

                         9th Heavy Artillery Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, also called 9th Heavy Artillery Group was in command of a group of Heavy and Siege Batteries.

                         224th Company, Machine Gun Corps was formed in late 1917 and served with 14th Division. In March 1918 it was absorbed into 14th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps along with the other Divisional Machine Gun Companies

                       

                         21st Infantry Brigade served with 7th Division until December 1915 when they transferred to 30th Division. They saw action on the Western Front and in Italy during the Great War.
                        21st Brigade was made up of
                      • 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
                      • 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment
                      • 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
                      • 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
                      • 4th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (April to December 1915)


                         22nd Infantry Brigade served with 7th Division on the Western Front during the Great War.
                        22nd Brigade was made up of
                      • 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
                      • 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
                      • 1/8th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) (until August 1915)
                      • 1/7th Battalion, King's (Liverpool Regiment) (from November 1915 to January 1916)
                      • 2nd Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) (until December 1915)
                      • 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment (until December 1915)
                      • 20th (Service) Battalion (5th City), Manchester Regiment (from December 1915)
                      • 24th (Service) Battalion (Oldham), Manchester Regiment (from December 1915 to 22nd of May 1916)
                      • 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (from May 1916 to October 1916)
                      • 2/1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (from October 1916)


                         99th Brigade served with 33rd Division during training and proceeded to France in November 1915, soon after arriving it transferred to 2nd Division. They saw action on the Western Front during the Great War.
                        99th Brigade was made up of
                      • 17th (Empire) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
                      • 22nd (Kensington) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
                      • 23rd (1st Sportsmen's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
                      • 24th (2nd Sportsmen's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (to December 1915)
                      • 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps (from December 1915)

                           156th Brigade served with 52nd (Lowland) Division during the Great War. They saw action in the Middle East, Palestine and on the Western Front.
                          156th Brigade consisted of
                        • 5th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (to November 1914)
                        • 6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (to March 1915)
                        • 7th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
                        • 8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (to 28 June 1918)
                        • 4th (Queen's Edinburgh Rifles) Battalion, Royal Scots (from April 1915)
                        • 7th Battalion, Royal Scots (from April 1915)
                        • 156th Machine Gun Company, Machine Gun Corps (from 16 March 1916 to 28 April 1918)
                        • 156th Trench Mortar Battery (from 27 June 1917)


                         

                           77th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 27th of March 1916 and were in action on the Western Front until the Armistice.

                           56th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France on the 22nd of February 1916 and served on the Western Front until the end of the conflict.

                           Lorna Camp was located at Hopoutre, near Poperinghe.

                           2nd Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry served with 80th Brigade, 27th Division. They proceeded to France in in December 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           18th (London) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was formed in September 1915, a second line Territorial Battalion. They served in Rangoon, Burma, arriving in January 1916.

                           19th (Western) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a second line Territorial battalion, formed in late 1915. They served in Britain and Egypt.

                           20th (Northern) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a second line Territorial battalion formed in late 1915. They served in Britain and Egypt.

                           21st (Midland) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a Territorial battalion formed in late 1915. They served in Britain, Egypt and India.

                           22nd (Wessex and Welsh) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a Territorial battalion formed in late 1915. They served in Britain, Egypt and Salonika with 228th Brigade, 28th Division.

                           23rd (North Western) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was a Territorial battalion formed in late 1915. They served in Britain and India.

                           24th (Home Counties) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was formed in late 1915 and served in Britain and India.

                           25th (Garrison) Battalion, Rifle Brigade was formed in August 1916 and was based in Falmouth.

                         

                         

                         

                         

                           D Company, MGC Heavy Branch proceeded to France in late summer 1916 and saw action on the Western Front. They were renamed 4th Battalion, Tank Corps.

                         

                           The Advance in Flanders, also called the 5th Battle of Ypres took place from 28th of September to 2nd of October 1918. The Allies regained much of the ground lost in the spring from just north of Ypres to the River Lys,

                           2/13th (2nd Kensington) Battalion, London Regiment was a territorial unit formed in August 1914. They served in Ireland in April 1916 and on the Western Front, Salonika and Palestine with 179th Brigade, 60th (2nd London) Division.

                         

                           Lodge Hill Battery was an Anti Aircraft Battery near Cooling, Medway in Kent and was part of the part of the Anti-Aircraft defences of the Thames and Medway.

                           No. 38 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery were based in Plymouth when war broke out in 1914. They served in the UK on home defence duties.

                           No.12 Red Cross Hospital was at Vadelaincourt, near Verdun in France.

                         

                           Roberts Battery was a coastal battery situated at Seaton Sluice in Northumberland. It was built in 1917 for the defence of the Tyne and emplaced a naval gun turret with two 12" guns which had previously been mounted on HMS Illustrious.

                         

                           505th Company, Army Service Corps was formed in in September 1915 as part of 55th Divisional Train. The Company transferred to 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and proceeded to France in early 1917.

                           506th Company, Army Service Corps was formed in in September 1915 as part of 55th Divisional Train. The Company transferred to 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and proceeded to France in early 1917.

                           507th Company, Army Service Corps was formed in in September 1915 as part of 55th Divisional Train. The Company transferred to 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and proceeded to France in early 1917.

                           508th Company, Army Service Corps was formed in in September 1915 as part of 55th Divisional Train. The Company transferred to 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and proceeded to France in early 1917.

                           248th Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 and served with 57th Division on the Western front.

                         

                           101st Infantry Brigade served on the Western Front as part of 34th Division.

                         

                           7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers had their HQ in Artillery Place, Finsbury. at the outbreak of war in 1914 they served on home duties. They proceeded to France in late July 1916 and served on the Western Front with 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division.

                           122nd Field Company, Royal Engineers served with 36th (Ulster) Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           In January 1915 an Ottoman Force invaded the Sinai Peninsula which was part of the British Protectorate of Egypt, and attempted a raid on the Suez Canal, sparking the Sinai and Palestine Campaign which continued for well over three years.

                           3/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a third line Territorial unit. They served on Home Defence and training duties during the Great War.

                           3/7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a third line Territorial unit. They served on Home Defence and training duties during the Great War.

                           3/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a third line Territorial unit. They served on Home Defence and training duties during the Great War.

                           3/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a third line Territorial unit. They served on Home Defence and training duties during the Great War.

                           2/7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a 2nd Line Territorial unit formed in Macclesfield in October 1914. The served on Home Defence and training duties through out the Great War.

                           2/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a 2nd Line Territorial unit formed in Stockport in September 1914. The served on Home Defence and training duties through out the Great War.

                           2/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a 2nd Line Territorial unit formed in Chester in November 1914. The served on Home Defence and training duties until disbanded in April 1918.

                           2/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was a 2nd Line Territorial unit formed in Birkenhead in September 1914. The served on Home Defence and training duties until amalgamated with the 2/7th Battalion in December 1915.

                           3/5th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in November 1914. They served in a Training and Home Defence role throughout the Great War.

                           3/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Hamilton in April 1915. They served in a Training role until amalgamated with the other third line battalions of the Regiment in September 1916.

                           3/7th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in March 1915. They served in a Training role until amalgamated with the other third line battalions of the Regiment in September 1916.

                           3/8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in March 1915. They served in a Training role until amalgamated with the other third line battalions of the Regiment in September 1916.

                           2/5th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in September 1914. They served in a Home Defence and Training role. They served in Ireland from mid 1917 until disbanded in May 1918.

                           2/6th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Hamilton in September 1914. They served in a Home Defence and Training role. They served in Ireland from mid 1917 until disbanded in May 1918.

                           2/7th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in September 1914. They served in a Home Defence and Training role. They were absorbed by the 2/6th Battalion in early 1916.

                           2/8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Glasgow in September 1914. They served in a Home Defence and Training role. They were absorbed by the 2/5th Battalion in early 1916.

                           15th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed by the redesignation of the the 10th Provisional Battalion, Territorial Force in January 1917.

                           1st Garrison Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in Hamilton in February 1916 for service in India.

                           12th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed Nigg in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's 4th New Army. They served in the UK and were redesignated 56th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916

                           14th (Labour) Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in June 1916 served on the Lines of Communication of the Western Front. In April 1917 the battalion was spilt and became No. 3 and 4 Companies, Labour Corps.

                           16th (Transport Workers) Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in Paisley in December 1916. They served at ports in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           17th (Transport Workers) Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed in Paisley in December 1916. They served at ports in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           18th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was formed at Aldershot in mid 1918 and served on the Western Front with 48th Brigade, 16th Division

                           4th/5th Battalion, Black Watch was formed on the 15th of March 1916 by the amalgamation of the 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions. They served with 15th Scottish Division.

                           1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned to the UK and joined 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They saw action on the Western Front and in Salonika.

                           2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based in Scotland when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           3rd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based in Scotland when war broke out in 1914. They served in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           4th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based in Scotland when war broke out in 1914. They served in the UK throughout the Great War in a Training and home Defence role.

                           6th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Territorial unit based at at Paisley. They saw action on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           2/5th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Greenock in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           2/6th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Paisley in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           2/7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Stirling in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           2/8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Dunoon in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           2/9th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Dumbarton in September 1914. They remained in the UK during the Great War.

                           3/5th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           3/6th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           3/7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           3/8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           3/9th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in April 1915. They remained in the UK on training and Home Defence Duties during the Great War and were amalgamated with the other Third Line Battalions, in September 1916.

                           10th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was raised in Stirling in August 1914. They saw action on the Western Front with 9th (Scottish) Division.

                           11th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was raised in Stirling in September 1914. They saw action on the Western Front with 9th (Scottish) Division.

                           12th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was raised in Stirling in September 1914. They saw action on the Western Front and in Salonika.

                           13th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was formed in Blackheath in November 1914. They served in Training and Home Defence and were redesignated 41st Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916.

                           14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was formed at Stirling in early 1915. They saw action on the Western Front.

                           15th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was formed at Gailes in November 1915. They served in the UK in a Training Role. The battalion was redesignated as a Training Reserve Battalion and joined 9th Reserve Brigade in September 1916.

                           9th Battalion, Border Regiment was raised in Carlisle in September 1914 and joined 66th Brigade 22nd Division and retrained as Pioneers. They saw action on the Western Front and in Salonika.

                           2/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Cambridge in September 1914. They served in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           3/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment was a Third Line Territorial unit formed at Cambridge in February 1915. They served in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           4/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment was a Territorial unit formed at Newmarket in November 1915. They served in the UK until disbanded in late 1917.

                           10th Battalion, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders was formed in Cairo in September 1916 by the redesignation of the 1/1st and 1/2nd Lovat's Scouts. The saw action in Salonika and on the Western Front.

                           2/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was a Second Line Territorial unit formed in Inverness in September 1914. They served in the UK until being disbanded in February 1918.

                           3/4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was a Third Line Territorial unit formed in Inverness in April 1915. They served in the UK until being disbanded in July 1916.

                           1st Garrison Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was formed at Invergordon in February 1917. They served in the UK and were redesignated 18th Battalion, Royal Defence Corps in August 1917.

                           8th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was raised in Invergordon in November 1914. They served in the UK and were redesignated 40th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916.

                           9th (Labour) Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was formed in Blairgowrie in August 1916. The served on the Lines of Communication of the Western Front. In April 1917 the battalion was split and redesignated 7th and 8th Companies, Labour Corps.

                           11th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders was formed on the 13th of July 1918 by the redesignation of 6th Garrison Guard Battalion.

                           3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was based in Chester when war broke out in August 1914. They served on Home Defence duties through out the Great War.

                           23rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed in January 1917 by the redesignation of 46th Provisional Battalion. They served on Home Defence duties and on the Western Front as part of 178th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division and later 121st Brigade, 40th Division.

                           14th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was raised in Birkenhead in October 1914 and joined 105th Brigade, 35th Division. They served in the UK and were redesignated 50th Training Reserve Battalion in September 1916.

                           18th (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed at Oldham in March 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 56th and 57th Companies of the Labour Corps in April 1917.

                           19th (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed at Oldham in April 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 58th and 58th Companies of the Labour Corps in April 1917.

                           20th (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed in Chester in July 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 60th and 61st Companies of the Labour Corps in April 1917.

                           21st (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed in Chester in July 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 62nd and 63rd Companies of the Labour Corps in May 1917.

                           22nd (Labour) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed in Chester in December 1916 and served on the Western Front. The Battalion was split and redesignated 64th and 65th Companies of the Labour Corps in April 1917.

                           24th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment was formed at Mundesley on in April 1918.

                           2/1st Cheshire Yeomanry was formed in 1914 and served with 2/1st Welsh Border Mounted Brigade, 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division, transferring to 1st Mounted Division in April 1916. They served on Home Defence duties and in Ireland.

                           3/1st Cheshire Yeomanry was formed in 1915 and served in the UK and in Ireland.

                           1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards were based at Aldershot when war broke out in August 1914. The proceeded to France with the 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division as part of the BEF. They served on the Western Front through out the Great War, transferring to 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division in August 1915.

                           2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards were based in Windsor when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with the 4th (Guards) Brigade, 2nd Division as part of the BEF. They served on the Western Front through out the Great War, transferring to 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division in August 1915.

                           4th Battalion, Coldstream Guards was formed at Windsor in July 1915, as Guards Pioneer Battalion. They proceeded to France in August 1915 and joined Guards Division on the Western Front.

                           5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards was formed by the redesignation of 4th (Reserve) Battalion which had been formed at Windsor in August 1914. They served in the UK through out the Great War.

                           1st Provisional Battalion, Coldstream Guards was formed at Aldershot on 7th of August 1918 and served in the UK in a training role.

                           1st Cavalry Brigade was based in Aldershot when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France with 1st Cavalry Division and saw action on the Western Front throughout the conflict.
                          1st Cavalry Brigade was made up of
                        • 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)
                        • 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales') Dragoon Guards
                        • 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars
                        • 1st Signal Troop, Royal Engineers
                        • I Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
                        • 1st Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron, Machine Gun Corps


                           L Battery, Royal Horse Artillery proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914 as part of 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Their most notable action was at Néry on 1st of September 1914, when three Victoria Crosses were won. They later joined 15th Brigade RHA and served with 29th Division.

                           49th Battalion (Edmonton Regiment), Canadian Expeditionary Force was formed in November 1914 and sailed for England in June 1915. After training it proceeded France on 9th of October 1915, and served with 7th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division on the Western Front until the end of the Great War.

                           2/7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters was a second line Territorial unit formed in September 1914. They served with 178th (2nd Notts and Derby) Brigade, 59th Division. They served in Ireland from April 1916 and proceeded to France in early 1917. The battalion was absorbed by the 7th Sherwoods in February 1918.

                           2/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters was a second line Territorial unit formed in September 1914. They served with 178th (2nd Notts and Derby) Brigade, 59th Division. They served in Ireland from April 1916 and proceeded to France in early 1917. The battalion was disbanded in July 1918.

                         

                           21st Coy. Labour Corps was formed from the 13th (Labour) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in 1917. They served on the Western Front as part of Third Army.

                           20th Coy. Labour Corps was formed from the 13th (Labour) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in 1917. They served on the Western Front as part of Third Army.

                           35th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed on the 1st of March 1918 by the amalgamation of 35th Division's Machine Gun Companies, 104th Coy, 105th Coy, 106th Coy and 241st Coy, MGC. They served on the Western Front.

                           The Battle of the Boar’s Head occurred on 30 June 1916 in the northern French village of Richbourg-L’Avoue, about one mile southwest of Neuve Chapelle. It involved an attack by the 116th (Southdowns) Brigade, 39th Division, on a defensive position held by elements of the German 6th Army. The attack was planned as a diversionary maneuver in preparation for launching the Somme offensive, which opened the following day.

                        Although considered technically a tactical success, in that it met the objective of clearing the enemy’s position, the battle was very much a Pyrrhic victory due to the horrific (and according to some commanders, unncessary) number of casualties sustained by the three Southdowns battalions (the 11th, 12th, and 13th) of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

                         

                           1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was based in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned to Europe and served on the Western Front. In late 1915 they were sent to Mesopotamia were they spent the remainder of the Great War.

                         

                           59th Heavy Artillery Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery served with 2nd Army on the Western Front.

                           163rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in autumn 1916 and saw action on the Western Front.

                           No.125 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Old Sarum aerodrome on 1st February 1918 as a training squadron. It became No.125 Squadron Royal Airforce on the 1st April. It was planned that it would mobilise as a day bomber unit for deployment to France in September, but then it was disbanded on 17 August 1918 without becoming operational.

                         

                         

                           No 127 Squadron was formed in a day bomber role on the 1 January 1918, at Catterick. It becmae no. 127 Squadron of the Royal Air Force on the 1st April 1918. It never became operational, and was disbanded on 4 July 1918.

                           No. 128 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was formed as a day bomber unit on 1st February 1918 at Thetford. The Squadron became 128 Squadron Royal Air Force on the 1st April 1918. The Squadron was disbanded on 4 July 1918 without having become operational.

                         

                         

                           271st (1st/2nd East Anglian) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 54th Division, but did not accompany the Division to Gallipoli and remained in the UK until November 1915. After a short spell in France they rejoined 54th Division in Egypt for service on the Suez Canal and later in Palestine.

                           The Second Battle of Ypres began on the 22nd of April 1915 and was made up of series of engagements as the German's attempted to take the town of Ypres from the Allies. It was launched with the first use of poisonous gas by the Imperial German Army. By the 25th of May the front line had been pushed back closer to Ypres, but the town was not taken.

                           102nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was formed Egypt as D Battalion, MGC in April 1918 from the Lincolnshire Yeomanry and the East Riding Yeomanry. They proceeded to France from Egypt in mid 1918 and served with First Army on the Western Front.

                           No 129 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was formed at Duxford aerodrome on 1st March 1918 as a day-bomber training unit. On 1st April 1918 it became no.129 Squadron Royal Air Fporce. It served as a training unit until disbanded at Duxford on 4th July 1918.

                         

                           Oakbank War Hospital was located on Possil Road, between Garscube Road and the Forth and Clyde Canal in Glasgow, Scotland. It was also known as the Western District Hospital and was opened in 1904 as a General Hospital. During the Great War it was used for the treatment the wounded, the Officer in charge was Dr. David Watt Torrance. In 1919 it returned to civilian duties. The hospital closed in the early 1970s and has since been demolished.

                           Carr Garth at the junction of Bailey Lane and Knowlys Road in Heysham was loaned for use as a Convalescent Home for Officers by Miss Smith. It opened in 1915.

                         

                         

                           223rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was formed in June 1916 by the redesignation of the 1/4th Home Counties Brigade RFA. They were equipped with 4.5inch Howitzers and served with 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the Western Front.

                           59th Siege Battery RGA were based in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned to England in December and proceeded to France in early 1915. They served on the Western Front until the end of the conflict.

                           No 131 Squadron was formed at Shawbury on 1 March 1918 as a bomber unit. On the 1st April 1918 it became No.131 Squadron, Royal Air Force. After functioning as a bomber training unit it was disbanded at Shawbury on 17th August 1918 without becoming operational.

                           54th Reserve Division, Imperial German Army fought on the Western Front from mid October 1914. They saw action during the Race to the Sea and in the Battle of the Yser, the Second Battle of Ypres and the First Battle of Bellewaarde. In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme. In December 1916 and January 1917 they saw action at Verdun. In May 1917 they took part in the Second Battle of the Aisne and returned to Verdun in August 1917. They saw action the Third Battle of Ypres in October. In March 1918 they moved south for in the German Spring Offensive on the Somme, where it remained seeing action there against the Allied offensive later in 1918.

                         

                         

                         

                           20th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers, was known as A Fortress Company, in 1914 when they were mobilised for war. They proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front as part of 2nd Army.

                           3/6th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was formed in 1916 and was based in Purfleet for a short time before being absorbed into the 4th (Reserve) Battalion.

                           10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was formed at Warwick in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. They served on the Western front from July 1915 until the end of the Great War as part of 57th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division.

                           18th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was formed in January 1917 at Bath, by the redesignation of the 81st Provisional Battalion. It was allocated to 215th Brigade, 72nd Division and served in Britain in a defence and training role.

                           2/4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was a second line Territorial unit formed at Kilmarnock in October 1914. They served in the UK in a home defence and training role as part of 194th Brigade, 65th Division.

                           2/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a second line Territorial unit formed in Stockton on Tees in September 1914 and joined 189th Brigade, 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division. They served in Salonkia from November 1915 as part of XVI Corps and transferred to 228th Brigade, 28th Division.

                         

                           2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Sunderland on the 16th of September 1914. They served in the UK on home defence and training duties. In October 1918 they proceeded to North Russia.

                           3/4th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Gateshead in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Sunderland in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Gateshead in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Durham in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and was absorbed by the 3/5th Battalion.

                           3/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Stockton on Tees in early 1915 and served in a training role at Catterick Camp. In September 1916 it moved to Newcastle and absorbed the other 3rd Line Territorial Battalions of the DLI. They served in the UK on a home defence role for the remainder of the Great War.

                           3/4th Battalion, Black Watch was formed in Dundee in spring 1915 as a third line Territorial unit. They served in the UK throughout the conflict.

                           3/5th Battalion, Black Watch was formed at Forfar in spring 1915 as a third line Territorial unit. They served in the UK and the unit was absorbed by the 3/4th Battalion in September 1916.

                           3/6th Battalion, Black Watch was formed at Perth in spring 1915 as a third line Territorial unit. They served in the UK and the unit was absorbed by the 3/4th Battalion in September 1916.

                           3/7th Battalion, Black Watch was formed at St Andrews in the spring of 1915 as a third line Territorial unit. They served in the UK and the unit was absorbed by the 3/4th Battalion in September 1916.

                           2/5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Second Line territorial unit formed at Plymouth in September 1914. They served with 2nd Devon and Cornwall Brigade, 2nd Wessex Division and were in Egypt from September 1915 until disbanded in June 1916.

                           2/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Barnstaple in September 1914. They served with 2nd Devon and Cornwall Brigade, 2nd Wessex Division in the UK and in December 1914 proceeed to India and served at Bombay as part of the 6th (Poona) Division. In March 1916 they transferred to 7th (Meerut) Division and in August 1916 to Peshawar Brigade, 1st (Peshawar) Division. They served in Mesopotamia, from September 1917 until the end of the Great War as Lines of Communication troops.

                           3/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Territorial unit formed at Barnstable in October 1914. They served in Britain throughout the Great War, including in Ireland in 1918.

                           3/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Third Line Territorial unit formed at Exeter in March 1915. They served in the UK until spring 1918 when they proceeded to Ireland.

                         

                           159th (Cheshire) Brigade was part of 53rd (Welsh) Division, during the Great War they saw action at Gallipoli and in Palestine. It was made up of 4th Cheshire Regiment, 7th Regiment, 4th Welsh Regiment and 5th Welsh Regiment.

                           No.133 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on the 1st March 1918 at Ternhill aerodrome. It was a day bomber training unit equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory FE2. On the 1st April 1918 the Squadron was designated as 133 Squadron RAF. It was re-equipped with the Handley Page O/400 and was expected to move to France, but was instead disbanded on 4th July 1918.

                           No.134 Squadron was formed on the 1st March 1918 at RAF Ternhill to undertake night bomber training. On the 1st April 1918 it became no.134 Squadron RAF. It was disbanded on 4th July 1918 without becoming operational.

                        Proposed were made for the Squadron to reform on 13th September for deployment on 13 November, but on 29th July these plans were suspended and finally cancelled on 17 August without any action being taken.

                           258th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery were equipped with four six inch Howitzers. They served as part of 88th Heavy Artillery Group on the Western from early 1917 until the end of the Great War

                           1st Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division.

                           3rd Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division.

                           4th Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division.

                           5th Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division. It was redesignated Y Battery of 1st Division Medium & Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries in 1916.

                           6th Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division.

                           2nd Trench Mortar Battery was part of the Royal Field Artillery and was formed in 1915, serving with 1st Division. It was redesignated X Battery of 1st Division Medium & Heavy Trench Mortar Batteries in 1916.

                           Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps Sick Hostel, was located at 53 Holland Park in London.

                        5th August 1916  To Annezin

                         

                         

                           The Staffordshire Batteries were territorial units of the Royal Field Artillery. The 3rd North Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery had their HQ at Riding School Drill Hall, Park Road East, Wolverhampton. The 4th Staffordshire Battery were based at Wolverhampton, 5th Staffordshire Battery at Drill Hall, Carter's Green, West Bromwich, 6th Staffordshire Battery at Friars' Walk Drill Hall in Stafford and the 3rd North Midland Ammunition Column was based in Wolverhampton.

                         

                           300th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 60th (2nd London) Division and were broken up at the end of August 1916.

                           301st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 60th (2nd London) Division and were equipped with 18 pounders.

                           302nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 60th (2nd London) Division and were equipped with 18 pounders.

                           303rd (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 60th (2nd London) Division.

                         

                           Construction began on National Filling Factory No.13, at White Lund, Morecambe in November 1915, across a 400 acre site. The NFF filled a range of shells with Amatol. Much of the factory was destroyed by an explosion and fire in October 1917.

                         

                         

                         

                           Birmingham War Hospital opened in 1915 in the Birmingham Workhouse Infirmary on Dudley Road, Birmingham. In 1920 it became the Dudley Road Hospital

                           No. 137 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed at Shawbury on 1 April 1918. It trained crew to be a day bomber unit on Airco DH.9s but it never became operational, and was disbanded on 4th July 1918. Reformation was briefly considered in July 1918 but plans were abandoned without any action being taken on 17th August.

                           30th Heavy Artillery Group, Royal Garrison Artillery (also known as 30th Heavy Brigade RGA) served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           2/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry was a second line territorial unit formed in September 1914. They served in India from late 1914 to 1918.

                           2/5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry was a second line territorial unit formed in May 1915. They served in the UK and were redesignated 5th (Reserve) Battalion in April 1916.

                           No.69 General Hospital was located in Alexandria, Egypt during the Great War.

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                           Queen Mary's Needlework Guild was formed by Queen Mary on the 21st of August 1914, it aimed to assist the production of knitted garments known as Comforts, as the companies producing uniform were overwhelmed by demand as recruitment was stepped up. Standard knitting patterns were issued and wool was distributed through the Red Cross. The volunteers worked in their own homes and in organised community groups.

                           No.140 Squadron was initially planned as a bomber squadron to be formed on 1st April 1918, however this did not take place.

                        The Squadron was formed on 1st May 1918 at RAF Biggin Hill for home defence equipped with Bristol F.2B Fighters. By the time training was underway, German air-raids on south-east England had stopped. The squadron was never operational and was disbanded on 4th July 1918.



                         

                           90th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery served at Gallipoli, on the Western Front and in Italy during the Great War.

                           No 142 Squadron RFC was formed on the 2nd February 1918 at Ismailia, Egypt, as an army co-operation squadron. It undertook tactical reconnaissance and artillery observation duties in Egypt and Palestine until the end of the war. On 1 April 1918, 142 Squadron was at RFC Julis in Palestine, and was designated as No. 142 Squadron Royal Air Force.

                           2/1st Lowland (City of Edinburgh) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was raised in Edinburgh in 1914. Equipped with 60 pounders, they served on the Western Front from May 1916 until the end of the Great War.

                           HM Gunboat Bee was launched on the 8th of December 1915. An Insect class Gunboat built for service on the Danube and had a complement of 53. She survived WWI and was scraped in 1939. Her armament was two 6in guns and two 12 pounder guns.

                           HMS Abercrombie was a Monitor built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast and her guns were fitted on the Clyde, initially named HMS Admiral Farragut after the American General but as the USA was neutral she was renamed soon after her launch, which took place on the 15th April 1915. She saw action in the Dardanelles durind teh Gallipoli campaign.

                           HMS Aberdare was built by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in Troon, Ayrshire. and was launched on 29th of April 1918.

                           HMS Acacia was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend on the Tyne and was launched on the 15th of April 1915. She was a Flower class Fleet Minesweeping Sloop of 1200 tons and armed with two 12pounders and two 3pounder Anti Aircraft guns. Her compliment was 90.

                           HMS Acasta was built by John Brown of Clydebank and was launched on the 10th of September 1912. She saw action at Jutland and was badly damaged, after repairs she returned to service.

                           HMS Achates was a destroyer built by John Brown on the Clyde and launched in 1913. She was armed with three 4 inch QF guns and two torpedo tubes and has a crew compliment of 74.

                           HMS Acheron was a Thornicroft Special destroyer built by John I. Thornycroft & Company at Woolston and launched on the 27th of June 1911. She has a displacement of 70 tons and was armed with two BL 4 inch L/40 Mark VIII guns, two QF 12 pounder naval guns and two 21 inch torpedo tubes. He crew compliment was 72.

                           HMS Achilles was built by Armstrong Whitworth at the Elswick Yard and was launched on the 17th of June 1905. She had a displacement of 13,770 tons and was armed with six BL 9.2 inch Mk X guns, four BL 7.5 inchMk II or Mk V guns, twenty six QF 3 pounder guns and three 18 inch torpedo tubes. She had a crew compliment of 712.

                           HMS Acorn was a destroyer, built by John Brown at Clydebank and launched in 1910. She was armed with two 4inch BL Mk VIII guns, two 12 pounder QF guns and two 21 inch torpedo tubes. Her crew compliment was 72.

                           7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was raised at Canterbury as part of Kitchener's Second New Army in September 1914. They served with 55th Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division and saw action on the Western Front.

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                           No 144 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Port Said, Egypt, on 20th March 1918. Intended as an Army Cooperation unit, it twas equipped with BE2's and BE12's. It was redeisgnated as no.144 Squadron RAF on the 1st April 1918. In August 1918 it was re-equipped with Airco DH9 bombers and went into Palestine as part of the Palestine Brigade.

                           23rd Heavy Artillery Group, also known as 23rd Heavy Artillery Brigade served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           No.145 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 15th May 1918 at Aboukir in Egypt as a fighter unit. It was a 'half Squadron', allocated only 8 SE5As. It moved to Palestine in August 1918 where it supported General Allenby's final offensive against the Turks.



                           B Squadron, South Irish Horse proceeded to France with the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914. They joined 2nd Division in 1915. They became part of I Corps Cavalry Regiment in May 1916. In September 1917, they converted to infantry and were redesignated 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment.

                         

                           Plans for the formation of No.147 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps were made in January 1918 as a bomber squadron for deployment to Egypt. However deployment was deferred to April, then changed to June and then July but on 31 May 1918 its formation was abandoned. As a result 147 Squadorn was never formed in WW1.



                           148 squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Andover Aerodrome on 10th February 1918. It moved to Ford Junction Aerodrome in March where it was equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b. the Squadron was designated 148 Squadron Royal Air Force on the 1st April 1918. It moved to France in April as a night bomber unit.



                         

                           Weddington Hall near Nuneaton, also called Weddington Castle was leased for use as a Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital in March 1916 and local industry contributed to the costs of running the hospital. The wards were names after the companies which funded them. It opened in July 1916 with 55 beds, this had increased to over 350 by 1918. The Commandant was Mrs Fowler and the Medical Officers, Dr Wolfendale and Dr Edward Nason. Voluntary Aid Detachment staff were provided by the Nuneaton and Hartshill Red Cross.

                         

                           No.149 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, was formed on 3rd March 1918 at RAF Ford, near Yapton, West Sussex. The Squadron was designated 149 Squadron Royal Air Force onthe 1st April 1918. Equipped without delay with RAE FE2 bombers, and staffed with experienced airmen, they undertook only a short period of night flying training befoe moving to France in April. They undertook night bombing and reconnaissance above occupied France and Belgium.

                        The Squadron was noted for innovation. An officer of the Squadron, Captain CES RusseIl, developed a "flame reducer" which successfully damped all exhaust flame, an important requirement for night-flying aircraft, and teh device was eventually fitted to all the night flying squadrons equipped with the FE2. All 149 Squadron aircraft were also fitted with special racks, designed by one of the squadron's mechanics, which could carry either Michelin flares or bombs without modification. The FEs were thus instantly adaptable for either bombing or reconnaissance duties.

                        After the Armistice No. 149 Squadron in the reconnaissance role was part of the Army of Occupation in Germany.



                           6th (Reserve) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was a training unit based in the UK during the Great War.

                         

                         

                         

                           93rd Brigade part of Kitchener's New Army and served with 31st Division in Egypt and the Western Front.

                          It was made up of:
                        • 15th (1st Leeds) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
                        • 16th (1st Bradford) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
                        • 18th (2nd Bradford) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment
                        • 18th (1st County of Durham) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
                        • 93rd Machine Gun Company
                        • 93rd Trench Mortar Battery


                         

                           No. 1 Company, RGA was based in the Eastern District of Malta during the Great War.

                           No. 2 Company, RGA was based in Sheerness on the East Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 3 Company, RGA was based in Bermuda during the Great War.

                           No. 4 Company, RGA was based in the Southern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 5 Company, RGA was based in the Western District of Malta during the Great War.

                           No. 6 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in the Northern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 7 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in the Southern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 8 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in the Southern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 9 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in the Northern Section of Gibraltar during the Great War.

                           No. 10 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based in Queenstown Harbour as part of the South Irish Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 11 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Golden Hill, Isle of Wight as part of the Southern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 12 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Tynemouth, protecting the River Tyne, as part of the North Eastern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 13 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Landguard Fort part of the Port of Harwich Coastal Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 14 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Shoeburyness on the Eastern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 15 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Londonderry as part of the North Irish Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 16 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Weymouth on the Southern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 17 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based on Guernsey and Alderney during the Great War.

                           No. 18 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Sheerness as part of the Eastern Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 20 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based on Jersey during the Great War.

                           No. 21 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Leith as part of the Scottish Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 22 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Lower Twydall Redoubt at Sheerness as part of the East Coast Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 23 Siege Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Fort George as part of the Scottish Coastal Defences during the Great War.

                           No. 28 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery was based at Weymouth as part of the Southern Coastal Defences during the Great War.

                           357th Siege Battery was formed on the 21st of January 1917 and served on the Western Front. They were equipped with four 8 inch Howitzers.

                           375th Siege Battery was formed at Prees Heath Camp on the 12th of February 1917 and served on the Western Front from late summer 1917 onwards.

                           32nd Infantry Brigade served with 11th Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           68th Siege Battery, RGA was formed at Dover on the 9th of October 1915 and served on the Western Front.

                           No 1 Depot (Coastal), Royal Garrison Artillery was located at at Newhaven, Sussex in 1914.

                           

                        Accrington Pals "The men are a good deal rattled" by Rory MacColl

                        In January 2021 East Lancashire Concert Band were delighted to be contacted by Rory MacColl, the grandson of Lt. Col. Arthur Rickman. He was working on a documentary film about the Pals and his grandfather's role. His plan was to use some of the Band's music in the sound effects, the band provided an array of music for him to choose from, not least of all, Letters for Home, which was specially commissioned by us to commemorate the Pals and WW1 Centenary. He has made this film as a labour of love for use without any commercial application, a condition of much of the copyright material used, and all the music has been provided by the East Lancashire Concert Band. Founded in 1842 as Accrington Old Band they became the Accrington Pals Band in 1914.

                           28th (North West) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force was formed in 1914 and recruited in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The served on the Western Front as part of 6th Canadian Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division.

                        6th of September 1915  In camp (UK)

                        6th of September 1915  In camp (UK)

                        7th September 1915  In camp (UK)

                         

                           2/10th Battalion, Manchester Regiment was formed at Oldham in August 1914 as a Second Line Territorial Battalion. They served with 198th Brigade, 66th Division and proceeded to France in March 1917 and served on the Western Front until the end of the Great War.

                           Langholm Auxiliary Hospital was located in Langholm Parish Church Hall and opened in October 1914.

                           The Women's Royal Naval Service was formed in 1917. The majority of roles were land based and supported the work of the Royal Navy, though some Wrens did serve at sea.

                           Ploughman's POW Camp was located at Rushden House, Rushden.

                           No. 1 Stationary Hospital opened at Le Mans in September 1914 and moved to Rouen in October.

                           No. 2 Stationary Hospital was based in France throughout the Great War.

                           No. 3 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France and opened at Rouen in February 1915. In late March 1919 it moved to Rotterdam.

                           No. 4 Stationary Hospital was located at St. Omer.

                           No. 5 Stationary Hospital was located at Le Mans.

                           No. 6 Stationary Hospital was located in France throughout the Great War.

                           No. 7 Stationary Hospital, proceeded to France with the BEF and was situated at Boulogne from October 1914 onwards.

                           No. 8 Stationary Hospital opened at Wimereux in March 1915 and remained there throughout the Great War.

                           No. 9 Stationary Hospital was located in France during the Great War.

                           No. 10 Stationary Hospital was located in France during the Great War.

                           No. 11 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France and opened at Rouen in October 1914.

                           No. 12 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France and opened at Rouen in February 1915 moving to St Pol in mid 1916.

                           No. 13 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in October 1914 and opened at Boulogne.

                           No. 14 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in October 1914 and opened at Wimereux.

                           No. 25 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in March 1915 and opened at Rouen.

                           No. 32 Stationary Hospital opened in Wimereux on the 14th of July 1916, taking over from the Australian Voluntary Hospital.

                           No. 38 Stationary Hospital was based at Calais from July 1917.

                           No. 39 Stationary Hospital was based in France from May 1917 until the end of the Great War.

                           No. 40 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in May 1917 and opened at Harfleur.

                           No. 41 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in May 1917.

                           No. 42 Stationary Hospital proceeded to France in October 1917.

                           No. 46 Stationary Hospital was based at Etaples and was also known as the Etaples Isolation Hospital.

                           No. 52 Stationary Hospital was based at Le Havre, opening there in July 1915 and was also known as the Le Havre Isolation Hospital.

                         

                         

                           No.151 Squadron, Royal Air Force, was formed at Hainault in Essex on 12th June 1918. It was equipped with Sopwith Camel aircraft as the RAF's first Night Fighter Squadron. The Squadron saw service in France for the remainder of the war.



                           No. 68 Squadron RFC was for a time the official British military designation for No.2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. The Squadron was formed on 20 September 1916 at the RFC training school in Kantara, Egypt from elements of 1 Squadron AFC and volunteers serving with local Australian forces there. The title 68 Squadron RFC was not formally recognised by the Australians and the Squadron was officially redesignated as No.2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps in January 1918.

                         

                         

                           The Northern Cyclists Battalion was a territorial unit raised in October 1908 as the 8th (Cyclist) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, and redesignated in 1910 as an independent Battalion. A memorial stained glass window to the battalion was unveiled at their regimental church, St Barnabas in Jesmond on the 10th of April 1920.

                           4th Battalion, British West Indies Regiment served on the Western Front.

                         

                           353rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was formed in early 1917 served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           13th Heavy Artillery Brigade, or Group, Royal Garrison Artillery served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           No. 152 Squadron, Royal Air Force, was formed at Rochford on 1st October 1918 as a night fighter squadron. It joined the 82nd wing at Carvin on 18th October. By then the German Air Force was in no position to make serious night raids so No. 152 Squadron saw little action before the end of the war.



                           The Leaf Hospital was located at 1-3 Marine Road, Eastbourne and had opened in 1888 as a Homoeopathic Cottage Hospital. In the 1930's the hospital moved to St Annes Road and that property is still known as Leaf Hospital and is in use as a medical facility as part of the university.

                         

                            No. 153 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1st November 1918 at Hainault Farm, Essex, drawing experianced aircrew from Home Defence Squadrons. It was intended to be a night fighter unit but the war ended as the squadron began to assemble and it did not become operational.



                           At the outbreak of the Great War, 97th Deccan Infantry was stationed at Jubbulpore (Jabalpur) with the Jubbulpore Brigade, 5th (Mhow) Division British Indian Army. They served on the North Western Frontier then moved to Mesopotamia in late 1915 to join 35th Indian Infantry Brigade, 14th Indian Infantry Division.

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                           9th Lancers served with 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division during the Great War and proceeded to France in August 1914.

                         

                         

                           No.166 Squadron was formed on 13 June 1918 at RAF Bircham Newton as the first squadron to be equipped with the Handley Page V/1500 heavy bomber. Designed for the long-range bombing role and particularly for raids on Berlin the squadron worked up with training on long-range navigation. It had three aircraft ready for the first operation by November 1918, but with the Armistice was not flown operationally. The squadron was disbanded on 31st May 1919.



                         

                         

                           HMHS Ardeer Factory was a hospital launch which served in the Dardanelles.

                           No. 156 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed in October 1918 for day-bombing, but disbanded in November 1918 without having become operational.



                           2/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment was a second line territorial unit formed in Bristol in September 1914. They proceeded to France in May 1916 as part of 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. The Battalion was disbanded in February 1918.

                           165th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was formed in Lytham St Annes in the spring of 1915 as part of 32nd Division. It was made up of four batteries, each armed with four 18pounder field guns. They transferred to 31st Division in December and proceeded to France from Egypt in March 1916. They served on the Western Front until the Armistice.

                           HMS Vectis was built by J. Samuel White at Cowes, Isle of Wight and launched on 4th of September 1917. She saw active service during the Great War with a crew of 110.

                           13th Hussars served as part of 2nd Indian Cavalry Division and proceeded to France in December 1914, moving to Mesopotamia in July 1916.

                           1st Dragoon Guards (Kings) Were in India when war broke out in 1914. They returned home and saw action on to the Western Front until October 1917, when they returned to India.

                           2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays) saw action on the Western Front during the Great War, serving as part of 1st Cavalry Division.

                           2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front through out the Great War as part of 5th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division.

                           3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales) proceeded to France in October 1914 and remained on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           3rd Kings Own Hussars served on the Western Front throughout the Great War as part of 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division.

                           4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish) proceeded to France with the BEF in August 1914 and served as part of 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division on the Western Front through out the Great War.

                           4th Queens Own Hussars were based in Ireland when war broke out in 1914. The proceeded to France to join the BEF and served as part of 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division.

                           5th Dragoon Guards (Princess of Wales) proceeded to France is August 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           5th Lancers (Royal Irish) were in Ireland when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France and served on the Western Front as part of 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division through out the Great War.

                           6th Dragoon Guards (The Carabiniers) proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the great War as part of 4th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

                           6th Dragoons (Inniskilling) were in India when war broke out in August 1914. They returned home and proceeded to France to join the BEF. They served on the Western Front through out the Great War.

                           7th Dragoon Guards (Princess Royals) were serving in India when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France and served on the Western Front from October 1914 until the end of the Great War.

                           7th Queens Own Hussars were stationed in India when war broke out in 1914. They were sent to Mesopotamia in November 1917 and served as part 11th Indian Cavalry Brigade.

                           8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars were in India when war broke out in 1914. They arrived in France in November 1914 and served with 1st Indian Cavalry Division on the Western Front. In September 1915 they transferred to 2nd Indian Cavalry Division and in In March 1918 to 9th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

                           10th Hussars (Prince Of Wales Own) were in South Africa when war broke out in 1914. They returned home and served on the Western front as part of 6th Cavalry Brigade,3rd Cavalry Division from October 1914 until the Armistice.

                           11th (Prince Alberts Own) Hussars proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           12th Lancers served with 5th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           14th Kings Hussars was in India when war broke out in 1914. They saw action in Mesopotamia and Persia.

                           15th Kings Hussars proceeded to France in August 1914 and served on the Western Front throughout the Great War. They joined 9th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in 1915.

                           16th Lancers (The Queens) were in Ireland when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France and served as part of 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division on the Western Front throughout the Great War.

                           No. 157 Squadron Royal Air Force was formed on 14th July 1918 at RAF Upper Heyford and was eventually equipped with Sopwith TF.2 Salamander aircraft for ground support duties. However the Squadron saw no service beofre the armisticve and it was disbanded on 1 February 1919 without becoming operational.



                           2/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Alnwick, on 26th of September 1914 as a second line territorial unit. They served in the UK until January 1917 when they proceeded to Egypt.

                           No. 158 Squadron Royal Air Force was formed on 4 September 1918 at Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire and designated for the ground attack role. The Squadron was scheduled to receive Sopwith Salamander aircraft but may not have received any. The squadron did not see any action before the First World War came to an end and was disbanded in November 1918.

                           N Special Company, Royal Engineers was formed in March 1917 by the re-designation of N Company, No.4 Special Battalion, Royal Engineers. They served on the Western Front.

                           No 159 Squadron formed on 1 June 1918 but disbanded almost immediately on 4 July 1918. The personnel intended for this squadron were diverted to existing units in France as reinforcements.



                           Murton Aerodrome was located in North Yorkshire close to the village of Murton near the A64. It was home to 76 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps from October 1917 onwards. A memorial to those who flew from here is located at the entrance to the industrial estate.

                           Bramham Moor Aerodrome was located near Bramham, 4 miles from Tadcaster, it was renamed RAF Tadcaster in spring of 1918. It was built in 1915 and closed in 1920 and the site became an agricultural college, today one of the hangers still survives.

                        27th January 1918  Kit inspections.

                        16th October 1918  Close Order and Ceremonial drill.

                         

                         

                         

                           272nd Company, Machine Gun Corps served with 7th Indian Division in Mesopotamia and Egypt.

                           No 162 Squadron formed on 1st June 1918, intended to receive DH9A bombers. No aircraft were delivered and the squadron was disbanded on 4 July 1918.



                           When war broke out in August 1914, 2nd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment were based in Bombay, India as part of 18th (Belagum) Brigade, 6th (Poona) Division. They proceeded to Mesopotamia in November. Most of the Battalion was taken prisoner at Kut-al-Amara in April 1916, and was then reformed in July from the remainder and reinforcements. In February 1917 they transferred to 37th Brigade, 14th Indian Division.

                           13th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was formed in mid 1916 and was based in Plymouth. In April 1917 the unit was renamed 3rd Labour Battalion. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War.

                          19th Manchester Regt. on the right.

                           No.7 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of 9th (Labour) Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.

                           No.1 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 19th (Labour) Battalion, Royal Scots.

                           No.2 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 19th (Labour) Battalion, Royal Scots.

                           No.3 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 14th (Labour) Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

                           No.4 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 14th (Labour) Battalion, Scottish Rifles.

                           No.5 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 12th (Labour) Battalion, Black Watch.

                           No.6 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 12th (Labour) Battalion, Black Watch.

                           No.8 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of half of the 9th (Labour) Battalion, Cameron Highlanders.

                           No.9 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of the 1st Infantry Labour Company, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

                           No.10 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of the 2nd Infantry Labour Company, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

                           No.11 Company, Labour Corps was formed in 1917 by the redesignation of the 3rd Infantry Labour Company, Royal Scots Fusiliers.

                           No.4 (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps served as the 2nd Company of 5th Divisional Train on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           No.6 (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps was the HQ Company of 5th Divisional Train. They served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           No.33 (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps served as the 4th Company of 5th Divisional Train on the Western Front During the Great War.

                           No.37 (Horse Transport) Company, Army Service Corps served as the 3rd Company of 5th Divisional Train on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           6th (Royal Bavarian) Infantry Regiment was based in Amberg and served with 12th Infantry Brigade, Bavarian Army. They saw action on the Western Front during the Great War.

                         

                           3rd Light Horse Regiment, AIF was raised in September 1914. They proceeded to Egypt and saw action at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and in the Middle East as part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade.

                           No.102 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery served on Malta during the Great War.

                           15th (Australian) Light Railway Operating Company, Royal Engineers was raised at Bordon in 1918 and served on the Western Front.

                           1st Brigade Tank Corps was formed near Arras on the 1st of February 1917.

                         

                           Red Maids Military Hospital was located in Bristol, it opened in 1916 and provided 200 beds.

                        11th March 1919  Route marches during morning.

                         

                           No.166 Squadron of the RAF was formed on 13th June 1918 at RAF Bircham Newton as the first squadron to be equipped with the Handley Page V/1500 heavy bomber. Designed for the long-range bombing role, and particularly for raids on Berlin, the squadron worked up with training on long-range navigation. It had three aircraft ready for the first operation but, due to the Armistice, they never flew operationally.



                           Dunbarton Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital opened in January 1915 in the United Free High Church Mission Hall providing 25 beds. The hospital also occupied and the extension to the Cottage Hospital. Later it moved to the Parish Church Hall and provided 63 beds. The hospital closed in December 1918.

                           St. Leonards Auxiliary Hospital was located on Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh.

                           Fitzwilliam Officer's Auxilliary Hospital was situated at 33 Upper Fitzwilliams Street in Dublin

                           10th Australian Field Ambulance was raised in Victoria and served with 3rd Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           9th Australian Field Ambulance was raised in New South Wales and served with 3rd Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           1st Australian Field Ambulance was raised in New South Wales and served with 1st Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           2nd Australian Field Ambulance was raised in Victoria and served with 1st Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           3rd Australian Field Ambulance served with 1st Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           5th Australian Field Ambulance was raised in New South Wales and served with 2nd Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           6th Australian Field Ambulance was raised in Victoria and served with 2nd Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           7th Australian Field Ambulance served with 2nd Australian Division at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           4th Australian Field Ambulance served with 4th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           12th Australian Field Ambulance served with 4th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           13th Australian Field Ambulance served with 4th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           8th Australian Field Ambulance served with 5th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           14th Australian Field Ambulance served with 5th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           15th Australian Field Ambulance served with 5th Australian Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           1st Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with 1st Anzac Mounted Division in the Gallipoli and Palestine campaigns during the Great War.

                           2nd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with 1st ANZAC Mounted Division in the Gallipoli and Palestine campaigns during the Great War.

                           3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with 1st ANZAC Mounted Division in the Gallipoli campaign and with the Australian Mounted Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           4th Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with the Australian Mounted Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           5th Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance served with the Australian Mounted Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           School Hill House Military Hospital was located on School Hill in Lewes. It opened in October 1914 and close in December 1918 having treated over 800 patients.

                         

                           3rd Canadian Tunnelling Company formed in December 1915 from the Canadian Mining Sections. They worked in the Ypres Sector of the Western Front.

                           11th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was raised in October 1914 at Hull. They joined 90th Brigade, 30th Division at Harrogate as a training unit. In autumn 1916 it was redesignated 8th Training Reserve Battalion.

                           The Electrical Hospital for Officers and Men was situated at 21 Grosvenor Square, London.

                           Hazelwood House Auxiliary Hospital was situated at Haelwood House, Situated on a peninsula jutting into Lough Gill, just east of Sligo Town in County Sligo, Ireland. The house was the home of Murial and Philip Dudley Percival.

                           During the Great War the British Red Cross and St Johns Ambulance Brigade formed a Joint Committee and worked side by side to provide medical services to the wounded, comforts to servicemen and prisoners of war and also provided an enquiry service for relatives of those who had gone missing in action.

                           In Britain the Police service is organised into County Constabularies. During the Great War the Police Force was not a reserved occupation and in the first few months of the war, policemen were actively encouraged to join the armed forced. This left the Force very depleted, to make up the shortfall in officers, those who were too old or unfit to serve were encouraged to join the ranks of the Special Constabulary. From late 1915 women were also accepted and the Women's Police Service came into being, previously women serving with the police did not have any powers of authority and worked mainly within police stations dealing with women and young children who were brought in.

                           7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was a Kitchener's battalion, raised in September 1914. They served as part of 61st Brigade, 20th (Light) Division and proceeded to France in July 1915.

                           89th Infantry Brigade was part of 30th Division and saw action on the Western front during the Great War.

                         

                         

                        9th May 1919  Working party

                        31st May 1919  Move

                           Lady Sykes' Hospital in Hull was located in the Metropole Hall, West Street, Hull.

                           2nd Light Horse Regiment, AIF was raised in September 1914. They proceeded to Egypt and saw action at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and in the Middle East as part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade.

                           1st Light Horse Regiment, AIF was raised, from recruits from New South Wales in Sydney in August 1914. They proceeded to Egypt and saw action at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and in the Middle East.

                           1st Light Horse Brigade was made up of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Regiments, Australian Imperial Force. They proceeded to Egypt and saw action at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and in the Middle East.

                           Boothroyd was a large palatial house, now the William Henry Smith School. Dr. Bond was the medical advisor for the Rastrick Local Board, founder member of the Rastrick St. John Ambulance Brigade and helped to convert Boothroyd, into a military hospital for soldiers wounded in the 1st World War. Dr. Bond spent the entire war years dedicating his time to nursing hundreds of wounded soldiers back to full health again. In addition, Boothroyd was used to house Belgian refugees, who had fled their country after the German occupation.

                           During World War I, the hospital was requisitioned by the War Office for the treatment of military casualties, opening in September 1915 as the Brook War Hospital, with 1000 beds. MAB nurses were replaced by nurses from the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service, and the War Hospital was equipped with two new operating theatres and an X-ray room. It ceased to be a War Hospital on 5 November 1919, having provided treatment for 414 officers and 30,080 other ranks during the war.

                           Wingfield House Red Cross Hospital, the seat of Sir Vincent and Lady Caillard. It operated as a military hospital from October 1914, commencing with seventeen beds and increasing to accommodate forty. Lady Caillard acted as commandant and was assisted by her only daughter. Over four hundred patients passed through between it opening and January 1918. Sir Vincent Caillard was formerly in the Sappers and was a director of Vickers Ltd.

                           Osnabruck House at 105 Denmark Hill was owned by Fritz Rommel. During WW1 it was used as part of the the 4th London General Hospital, having being requisitioned by the War Office. It was home to 25 beds for officers suffering from neurological disorders. The Hospital closed in 1919 and was demolished to build the Denmark wing of King’s College Hospital.

                           Jubilee Cottage Hospital, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Jubilee Cottage Hospital first opened in November 1889. It was designed by local architect Robert Duncan, and built at a cost of £1257, and was named in honour of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. On 5 October 1916 the hospital, with the exception of the fever hospital, was handed over to the Red Cross for the treatment of soldiers. It ceased to be a Red Cross Hospital in January 1919.

                           Hopetoun Auxiliary Hospital, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland. On 12th March 1915, ‘The Scotsman’ reported that Lord Linlithgow had fitted the Ballroom of Hopetoun House as an Auxiliary Hospital with 41 beds. It was staffed by a Matron and 11 voluntary nurses. The only alterations needed were the addition of a kitchen and office. Men were arriving regularly from the first line hospitals, mostly suffering from bullet wounds in the limbs and frostbite. The 'Edinburgh Committee for Providing Concerts for the Wounded Soldiers', arranged concerts to entertain the convalescents, and Hopetoun House was among the hospitals and camps visited. From November 1915 to New Year's Day 1916, 64 concerts were arranged.

                           Dalmeny Park Auxiliary Hospital, South Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland. On 13th November 1914, ‘The Scotsman’, reported: ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Christian visited Dalmeny Hospital. Her Royal Highness was received by Lord Rosebery and after the various members of staff had been presented, she made a tour of the wards. Her Royal Highness spoke to the individual patients of whom there are over 80 at present in the hospital, and expressed at the end of her visit her great apprehension of the comfort of the patients and the general arrangements of the hospital.’ On 21 3 1916, the Scotsman reported that an ambulance train from England had arrived at the Caledonian Station, Edinburgh, with 124 sick and wounded soldiers. 35 men were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 20 to Craiglieth Hospital and 40 to Dalmeny Hospital.

                           Kinmel Park Military Hospital, Abergele, Denbighshire, Wales. The Kinmel camp was built in 1914 on the grounds of Kinmel Hall near Abergele. The large basic training facility took over a substantial area of parkland, and had its own branch railway line connecting to the main line at Foryd Station in Rhyl. In addition to the medical facility, the camp also contained a number of stores, a Post Office, a bakery, a theatre/cinema, and a number of churches. The camp included areas set aside for bayonet practice and trench fighting, a series of trenches being built both at Kinmel and in nearby Bodelwyddan Park. Kinmel Camp gained notoriety for riots which took place on March 4th and 5th, 1919. The riots are believed to have been caused by delays in repatriation and by the Canadian soldier's resentment at being used by their British officers as forced labour. About 15,000 Canadian troops were stationed at Kinmel Camp for a period after the War and were kept in undesirable conditions while their officers received pay and were free to leave the camp. Five men were killed, and 23 were injured.

                           Castle Auxiliary Hospital, Glamis, Angus, Scotland. During the First World War Glamis Castle was converted to an auxiliary hospital, affiliated to the Dundee War Hospital. The great table was removed from the dining room and replaced by 16 beds. Nurses were employed to care for soldiers and women took over many jobs previously held by male employees who had gone to war. The late queen mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon she saw her family home, Glamis Castle, turned into an auxiliary hospital. The Glamis website records: “During the First World War Glamis Castle became a convalescent hospital. Lady Elizabeth’s kindness won her the hearts of many of the soldiers who passed through Glamis. “On September 16, 1916, two soldiers discovered a fire in a room under the castle roof. As they ran to raise the alarm, the first person they came across was Lady Elizabeth, who showed great presence of mind and immediately telephoned both the local and Dundee fire brigades. “She then marshalled everyone to fight the fire, organising a chain to convey buckets of water from the river. Later, with the fire raging above them, she organised the removal of the valuables out onto the lawn.”

                           Pale Hall, Llanderfel Auxiliary Military Hospital, Corwen, Denbighshire, Wales. In September 1917 Sir Henry Robertson handed over his house for use as a military hospital, run by a matron and staffed by local volunteers who had been trained by the St John’s Ambulance Association. On 20th August 1917, eighteen wounded soldiers came to the hospital at Pale Hall and more were due to arrive. By 2nd October, 17 of the patients were ready to return to their regiments. The hospital presumably closed for a time in 1918 as it is reported as being re-opened in August 1918 with Miss N. R. Lloyd-Williams as commandant. Captain Henry Robertson himself was fighting at the front for some of the time that the hospital was in use, coming home only on leave. He was back at home when in August 1918 he was fined for using his motor vehicle without permission to go salmon fishing, which he defended by saying that he provided the salmon to the wounded soldiers in his private hospital. Miss Kate Jarrett of Faerdref House, who worked at the Hospital was also secretary of the Corwen Ladies Ambulance Class. Pale Hall is now a hotel.

                           Bodlondeb Castle Red Cross Hospital, Llandudno, Carnarvonshire, Wales. The building was owned by Henry Rees Davies, a member of a former shipping family. While he was away on active service during the First World War the house was converted into a Red Cross convalescent home under the command of his sister-in-law, Mrs John Davies of Ceris. The nursing staff were from the Red Cross and from the local Women’s Patriotic Guild and all were unpaid volunteers. Gifts of food were donated to the hospital, some from harvest festivals. The gifts included 10 brace of partridges and 12 brace of pheasants. Patients were entertained by Bangor Choir and had whist drives and billiard tournaments. In early May 1915, 20 wounded soldiers were received at Bodlondeb. They took the train to Menai Bridge station and were met there by the Bangor VAD Men’s Detachment and some cars lent by local residents to take them to the hospital Later in the month 23 soldiers injured in the Dardanelles arrived. Some were Australian and one was “Russian”, actually Polish from Warsaw. (that part of Poland was under Russian control at the time).

                           Caerynwch Military Hospital, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales. The Caerynwch Red Cross auxiliary military hospital opened for two years during the First World War in Caerynwch Hall. The hospital closed on 22 March 1919. The girls and staff of Dr Williams’ School, Dolgellau provided entertainments, eggs and newspapers for the convalescing wounded soldiers. The hospital was run by Mary Richards, a keen botanist, who won the Royal Red Cross Medal for her work in the hospital.

                           Wern Military Hospital, Porthmadog, Carnarvonshire, Wales. The manor was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the First World War. The first patients arrived on 13th December 1915. 25 beds were initially intended, but by July 1917 there were 41 patients. The house was lent, rent free, by Mr and Mrs Greaves, who also provided water, electricity, heating, and food such as vegetables and rabbits. Contributions of money, equipment and food were requested from the public. All the staff were volunteers with the exception of the Sister-in-Charge, who, according to Red Cross rules had to be a paid professional. The cook was also paid for by the Greaves, who were still living in the house and paid the hospital for their own board. Mrs Greaves was also the matron of the hospital, for which work she was given an MBE in 1918. Mrs Greaves did make an appeal to the public for funds to cover “smokes”, rail fares, prizes and treats. Patients visited Pwllheli on Wednesdays and made use of a rest room there. Local people made a collection to enable them to supply tea to the patients. Teas were also provided for patients visiting Porthmadog. David Lloyd George’s daughter Olwen spent part of her Christmas holiday nursing at the hospital. In spring 1918 the hospital was renovated and the patients were moved to Aberartro Hospital, Llanbedr The hospital closed in December 1918 and it was proposed that the equipment be reused in a new cottage hospital in Porthmadog.

                           110th Trench Mortar Battery was formed in June 1916 and served with 110th Brigade, 21st Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           111th Trench Mortar Battery formed in July 1916 and served with 111th Brigade, 37th Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           The Village Hall in Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire was built in 1912 and given to the village by Lord Ernest St Maur in memory of his brother Lord Percy. During the First World War it was used as a military hospital.

                           Mrs Greenway's Hospital was loacted at 27 Ovington Square, London and was established in 1914 by Mrs Maud Greenway as a Hospital for Officers. By 19th December 1914 all 4 beds were occupied.

                           Murthly War Hospital, Perthshire, Scotland was based in the Perth District Asylum which had opened in 1864 it was the second district asylum to open in Scotland. Between January 1917 and March 1919 the hospital was used as a Military Psychiatric Hospital, the civilian patients being moved to other local psychiatric hospitals. A short railway branch line ran from Murthly Station into the hospital grounds. This terminated at a turntable at the north-west of the site. A siding ran east to the north of the site to enable the delivery of coal for the central heating boilers.

                           Mrs Thal's Hospital at 17 Upper Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London opened during WW1 with 10 beds for officers. It was affiliated to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital in Millbank.

                           Schaw Convalescent Home, Bearsden, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Built in 1895, Schaw House was an elegant, three-storied structure approached by a sweeping driveway. Impressive stone steps lead to a castellated tower, flanked on either side by two vast wings. It was a convalescent home for patients, many very poor, discharged from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary During the First World War, the managers placed 30 beds at Schaw Home for the use of wounded sailors and soldiers.

                           2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), Canadian Expeditionary Force saw action on the Western Front as part of 1st Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division.

                           65th Field Artillery Brigade was part of 40th Division, US Army. They proceeded over seas in August 1918 and returned to the USA in April 1919.

                          It was made up of:
                        • 143d Field Artillery Regiment
                        • 144th Field Artillery Regiment
                        • 145th Field Artillery Regiment
                        • 115th Trench Mortar Battery
                        • 115th Engineer Regiment
                        • 115th Field Signal Battalion
                        • 115th Military Police Battalion
                        • 115th Ammunition Train
                        • 115th Supply Train
                        • 115th Sanitary Train (later 115th Medical Regiment)
                          • 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th California Ambulance Companies
                          • 1st and Second California, 1st Colorado, and 1st Utah Hospital Companies


                         

                           7th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops was formed on the 8th of March 1917 by the redesignation of the 257th Battalion. They proceeded to France in March 1917 and served on the Western Front.

                           21st (Eastern Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force embarked for the UK in May 1915 and proceeded to France in September 1915 as part of the 4th Canadian Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. It served on the Western Front until the end of the Great War.

                         

                           42nd (Royal Highlanders of Canada) Battalion embarked for Great Britain in June 1915 and proceeded to France in October as part of the 7th Canadian Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. They fought on the Western Front until the end of the Great War.

                           13th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force was raised in New South Wales in 1914. The served with 4th Australian Brigade and saw action at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

                           4th Australian Brigade, consisted of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th Battalions, AIF and was made up mainly of men from New South Wales. The saw action at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.

                           2/1st Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers were a second line Territorial unit raised in 1914 in Brighton and Eastbourne. They were redesignated 493rd (2/1st Home Counties) Field Coy. RE, they were part of 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division and served in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           3rd Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers was a Territorial unit raised at Newhaven in August 1915 as part of 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division. They were redesignated 492nd (3rd Home Counties) Field Company, Royal Engineers in February 1917 and in October of that year transferred to 71st Division. In September 1918 they proceeded to Murmansk where they remained until mid 1919.

                           2/2nd Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers was a second line Territorial unit which served with 67th (2nd Home Counties) Division in the UK during the Great War. In February 1917 they were resedignated 494th (2/2nd Home Counties) Field Company, Royal Engineers.

                           M Special Company, Royal Engineers was formed in spring 1917 for the purposes of Gas Warfare on the Western Front.

                           102nd Field Company, Royal Engineers served as part of 23rd Division and saw action on the Western Front and in Italy during the Great War.

                           The 1st Renfrew Field Company, Royal Engineers, was formed from men of the Renfrewshire Fortress Engineers, and renamed 406th (Renfrew) Field Company, Royal Engineers in early 1917. They served as part of 4th Division and saw action on the Western Front.

                         

                           1/1st Essex Yeomanry were based in Colchetser when war broke out in 1914. They proceeded to France as part of the 8th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division and remained on the Western Front until the Armistice.

                           1/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry was a territorial unit, they proceeded to Egypt in March 1916. In March 1917 they retrained as infantry and converted to become 24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan) Battalion, Welsh Regiment.

                           10th (Shropshire & Cheshire Yeomanry) Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry was formed in March 1917 from the 1/1st Shropshire Yeomanry and 1/1st Cheshire Yeomanry. They saw action on the Western front.

                           1/1st City of London (Rough Riders) Yeomanry was a territorial unit which saw action at Gallipoli, in Salonkia, Palestine and on the Western front during the Great War.

                           16th (2nd Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was raised in Glasgow in September 1914. They served on the Western Front with 97th Brigade, 32nd Division

                           97th Brigade was formed in 1915 as part of 32nd Division and was initially made up of 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion, Border Regiment 15th (1st Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, 16th (2nd Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry and 17th (3rd Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

                           13th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was formed in Hull in December 1914 as a part of Kitchener's 4th New Army. In September 1916 they converted to become 15th Training Reserve Battalion, 3rd Reserve Brigade.

                           Mesopotamia Stokes Mortar Brigade arrived in the region in May 1916 and was made up of 12 Batteries each armed with 4 guns.

                        30th January 1917  Route march

                         

                         

                         

                         

                           The Overseas Training Brigade was a unit of the Australian Imperial Force based in Wiltshire, England. It's role was to train soldiers who had been wounded or ill, to bring their fitness and skills back to that required to enable them to rejoin units at the front or depots in the UK.

                           No.8 British Red Cross Hospital, known at the Baltic and Corn Exchange Hospital opened in autumn 1914 and was located in Calais. It moved to Paris Plage Le Touquet in September 1915 and in December 1917 it moved to Boulogne.

                         

                           Lady Hadfield's Anglo-American Hospital, also called No.5 British Red Cross Hospital opened at at Wimereux in Dcember 1914. It was organised by Lady Frances Hadfield the American wife of Sir Robert Hadfield, owner of Hadfield’s Steel, Sheffield. The hospital provided 100 beds, the cost of which, some £75,000 was met by the Hadfields. It closed on 10th of January 1919 having treated over 16,000 patients.

                         

                           252nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in February 1917 and saw action on the Western Front.

                           187th Division, Imperial German Army was formed in mid 1916 and saw action in Romania and on the Western Front. In 1918 it became part of the 1st Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps, 17th Army.

                           The Women's Royal Air Force was formed in 1918 to support the Royal Air Force in administrative and technical trades. It was disbanded in 1920.

                        17th October 1917  500 15cm H.E. falling

                           2/9th Battalion, Kings Regiment (Liverpool) was formed as a second line Territorial unit in Liverpool in October 1914. They saw action on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           3rd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was based at Winchester when war broke out in August 1914. They were a training and depot unit and remained in the UK throughout the conflict.

                         

                           25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was formed in 1917 by the amalgamation of the 1/1st Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and 1/1st Welsh Horse Yeomanry. They served in the Middle East and on the Western Front.

                         

                           Dunster Force was formed in December 1917 and was deployed in North Persia and the South Caucasus. It was commanded by Major-General Lionel Dunsterville.

                         

                           4th Moroccan Brigade was formed in September 1914 as part of 152nd French Division. They transferred to 38th French Division in 1915.

                           The Ottoman Naval bombardment of Russian ports in the Black Sea on 29th of October 1914, resulted in to Russia declaring war on the Ottoman Empire. Fighting continued until the Russian Revolution of February 1917 when the Russian Forces were replaced by Allied units. Although Persia declared neutrality in August 1914, it's forces were drawn into conflict due to its location.

                           101st Field Company, Royal Engineers was part of 32nd Division then transferred to 23rd Division in early 1915. They served on the Western Front and in Italy.

                         

                           The Battle of Arras began on the 9th of April 1917 following days of artillery bombardment, Allied troops launched an attack on German lines to the east of Arras between Vimy and Bullecourt. There had been a huge build up before the battle and in the British Sector the chalk caves beneath Arras to were utlized conceal their troops, many of whom entered the lines via tunnels dug from the existing network to the trenches. Hard fighting continued until the 16th of May 1917 with the German front line being pushed back significantly.

                           6th/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was formed in May 1916 by the amalgamation of the 6th and 7th Battalions. They served with 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division on the Western Front then became a pioneer battalion to 59th Division in February 1918. In May they were reduced to a cadres and then transferred to 47th Brigade, 16th Division, in July the remaining personnel were transferred to 18th Battalion, Cameronians.

                           2/10th (2nd Hackney Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment was formed in London in September 1914 as a second line territorial unit of the 10th (Hackney Rifles) Battalion. The saw action as part of 175th Brigade, 58th (2/1st London) Division, on the Western from February 1917 until the Armistice.

                           3rd Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was based in Pontefract. On the outbreak of war in 1914 it moved to its war station in Hull to defend the coast. The battalion remained in the UK throughout the war and trained men who went on to see action with other units.

                           3rd Battalion, Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment was based in Lancaster. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War, engaged in Home Defence and training men who would go on to see action with other units.

                           3rd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was based in Hamilton. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War engaged on Home Defence and training duties.

                           4th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was based in Hamilton. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War engaged on Home Defence and training duties.

                           3rd Battalion, Kings Regiment (Liverpool) was based at Seaforth Barracks in Liverpool. Throughout the Great War they remained in the the UK on Home Defence and training duties.

                           3rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment was based in Lincoln, they served on Home Defence and training duties between August 1914 and early 1918 when they were sent to Ireland.

                           3rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment were based at Ashton under Lyme. They remained in the UK throughout the Great War engaged in Home Defence duties and training new recruits.

                           4th Battalion, Manchester Regiment were based at Ashton under Lyme. They were engaged in training and Home Defence duties throughout the Great War and did not go overseas.

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                           19th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles was formed in Ireland in autumn 1915 as a training and depot unit. They were absorbed by the 3rd Battalion in spring 1918.

                           Camp 12 was at Chipilly near Amiens, France.

                           X Camp was located near Poperinghe in Belgium.

                           Grove Park Camp was a training depot for the Army Service Corps. It was located in the buildings of the old Grove Park Hospital on Marvels Lane, Lee in south east London.

                           Sandbeck Park Camp was located at Sandbeck Park, Maltby, near Rotherham. The estate was loaned to the army by the Earl of Scarbrough as a training facility.

                           Doncaster Racecourse Camp was located on the race course at Doncaster, on the south east side of the town.

                           Newtonards Camp was located to the south of the town of Newtonards in Ireland. It was built in the autumn of 1914 and remained in military use until 1920 when it became a training facility for the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

                           Portobello Barracks, near Rathmines was constructed in the early 1800's and remains in use by the military. Today it is known as Cathal Brugha Barracks.

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                           No 185 Squadron was formed in East Lothian in October 1918 as a torpedo-bomber squadron, but did not see any active war service and was disbanded in April 1919.

                           116th Infantry Brigade saw action on the Western Front as part of 39th Division.

                         

                           123rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 37th Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                           6th Battalion, Leinster Regiment was raised in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's New Army. They served with 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and saw action at Gallipoli, in Salonika and Palestine. In May 1918 they transferred to 198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division on the Western Front and were disbanded in September 1918.

                         

                         

                         

                           Cottonera Hospital, near Zabbar Gate , Malta was built in 1873 as a military hospital. At the outbreak of the Great War it provided 167 Surgical and Medical beds, which was expanded to 314 to meet demand due to the number of casualties arriving from Gallipoli and later from the Salonkia Campaign.

                           St Patricks Hospital, Malta was a tented hospital situated in the centre of the island. It opened on 15th August 1915, providing 1,000 beds and closed in spring 1917.

                           St George's Hospital was located at St George's Barracks on the northern side of St George's bay on the east coast of Malta.

                         

                         

                         

                         

                         

                           No. 188 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 20th December 1917 at Throwley to provide night pilot training.

                         

                           No. 190 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 24th October 1917 at Newmarket to provide night flying pilot training.



                           1st Battalion, 1st Gurkha Rifles can be traced back to the East India Company's Bengal Army in 1815, by the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 were known as 1st/1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment). They were part of Sirhind Indian Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division and proceeded to France in December 1914. In December 1915 they were sent to Mesopotamia then to Palestine in early 1918.

                        13th March 1918  Report on Raid

                           No. 191 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 6th November 1917 at Marham as a training unit for night fighter pilots for both home defence and overseas units.



                           No. 192 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on 5th September 1917 at Gainsborough as an advanced night fighter training unit.



                          Operation Orders No.66.

                           400th (Highland) Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force, originally named 1/1st Highland Field Company, RE. They served with 51st Division on the Western Front during the Great War.

                          Reinforcements.

                           193 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps formed as a training squadron at Amriya in Egypt on 9th August 1917. It disbanded on 21st July 1918 by being redesignated as No 20 Training Depot Station.



                        16th March 1919  Church Parades

                           333rd Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers proceeded to France in spring 1917 and served on the Western Front.

                           194 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps formed as a training squadron at Amriya in Egypt on 9th August 1917. It disbanded on 21st July 1918 by being redesignated as No 16 Training Depot Station.



                           3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a training unit which remained in the UK throughout the Great War.

                           481st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery proceeded to France in late 1917 and saw action on the Western Front.

                           281st (2nd London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 56th (London) Division during the Great War and saw action on the Western Front.

                           283rd (4th London Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 56th (London) Division during the Great War and saw action on the Western Front.

                           280th (1st London) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery served with 56th (London) Division during the Great War and saw action on the Western Front.

                           G Company, MGC Heavy Branch was formed in November 1916 and first saw action on the Western Front in 1917. They were renamed 7th Battalion, Tank Corps in April 1918.

                         

                           No 196 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was Formed as a training squadron at Heliopolis in Egypt on 9th August 1917. It disbanded on 13th November 1917 by being redesignated as the Aerial Flying School.



                         

                           The Battle of Aubers Ridge on 9th of May 1915 was an attack by British First Army to assist a larger attack by the French the Second Battle of Artois. The attack was a faileur, no ground was gained and British casualties were high. The action exacerbated the shortage of artillery ammunition and led to the political Shell Crisis which caused a change of government in the UK.

                           3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital was located at Orchard Hospital, at Dartford in Kent which had previously been in use as a small pox hospital. It opened on 9th of October 1916 and was able to accommodate 1,400 patients in single storey pavilion type wards.

                           Bevan Military Hospital, Sandgate High Street, Sandgate was previously known as the Alfred Bevan Memorial Home. Run by the Kent VAD, it provided 250 beds. It opened in October 1914 and closed in March 1919.

                           The Grange VAD Hospital opened in 1914 at The Grange, Deal and provided 28 beds. Today the building is in use by Brewood School.

                           Canadian Convalescent Hospital, was located at the Lewis Turkish Bath Hotel on Ingles Road, Folkestone. It was a hospital for Officers and opened in 1916.

                           Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Monks Horton, near Ashford was a 650 bed tented hospital. It opened on 1st of May 1915 and closed 1st of August 1918.

                           The Ear and Eye Hospital, at Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells offered 15 beds for military patients alongside its civilian role. Today the building is known as Fairlawn House.

                           Lympne Castle Auxiliary Hospital was a convalecent hospital for Canadian soldiers. It was located at Lympne Castle, Castle Close, Lympne. It opened in October 1916 with 70 beds and had expanded to 100 beds before closing in February 1917.

                         

                           No. 197 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed as a training squadron at Almaza in Egypt on 9th August 1917. It was redesignated as the Artillery Observation School just 3 months later on 20th November 1917.

                           No 198 (Depot) Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Rochford on 27th June 1917 tasked with night training. It disbanded in September 1919.



                           1/2nd Wessex Field Company, Royal Engineers was a Territorial unit based in Winchester. Later renamed 501st (Wessex) Field Company, Royal Engineers, they proceeded to France in December 1914 as part of 27th Division and served on the Western Front for 12 months before moving to Macedonia.

                          Few rounds were fired by "H" Battery

                         

                           44th (Lincoln & Welland) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force served on the Western Front during the Great War.

                        22nd of June 1918 

                        1st Sep 1915 19 Squadron formed  No. 19 Squadron was formed from a nucleus from No. 5 Reserve Squadron at Castle Bromwich on 1st of September 1915.

                        21st of August 1913  Lecture

                           Zeppelin LZ88 (L40) was an R Class Super Zeppelin which had its first flight on the 3rd of January 1917 It carried out 6 reconnaissance missions and 2 attacks on England dropping a total of 3,105 kilograms (6,845 lb) of bombs. Damaged beyond repair while landing on the 16th of June 1917 in Nordholz.

                           SM U-80 was a Type UE 1, built at Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 62) Ordered 9 Mar 1915, Llaunched 22 Apr 1916 and commissioned 6 Jun 1916

                        Commanders.
                        6 Jun 1916 - 31 Jul 1917 Alfred von Glasenapp.
                        1 Aug 1917 - 30 Oct 1917 Gustav Amberger.
                        31 Oct 1917 - 22 Dec 1917 Karl Scherb.
                        23 Dec 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Karl Koopmann

                        Her career spanned 17 patrols from 27th Aug 1916 to 11th Nov 1918 with I Flotilla

                        Successes 25 ships sunk with a total of 48,880 tons. 4 ships damaged with a total of 35,608 tons. 1 ship sunk with a total of 1,025 tons.

                        • 4 Nov 1916 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Skerries 4,278 br
                        • 18 Dec 1916 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Opal 599 br
                        • 19 Dec 1916 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Liverpool 686 br
                        • 25 Jan 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Laurentic 14,892 br
                        • 15 Feb 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Celtic (damaged) 20,904 br
                        • 1 Mar 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Pheasant (hms) 1,025 br
                        • 3 Mar 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Hermes 785 nw
                        • 10 Mar 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp San Eduardo (damaged) 6,225 br
                        • 16 Mar 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Motagua (damaged) 5,977 br
                        • 17 Apr 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Gisella (damaged) 2,502 br
                        • 7 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp H. H. Petersen 192 da
                        • 7 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Sophie 237 da
                        • 9 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Hans Broge 1,432 da
                        • 11 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Anna Alwina 364 ru
                        • 11 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Calchas 6,748 br
                        • 21 May 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Senator 211 br
                        • 1 Jul 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Don Emilio 3,651 br
                        • 15 Aug 1917 U 80 Gustav Amberger Hylas 4,240 br
                        • 16 Aug 1917 U 80 Gustav Amberger Caroline Kock 316 da
                        • 20 Aug 1917 U 80 Alfred von Glasenapp Kirkland 224 br
                        • 25 Aug 1917 U 80 Gustav Amberger Junona 3,462 ru
                        • 6 Sep 1917 U 80 Gustav Amberger Tuskar 1,159 br
                        • 17 Dec 1917 U 80 Karl Scherb Neptune 50 br
                        • 19 Dec 1917 U 80 Karl Scherb Arno 1,386 da
                        • 23 Apr 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Plethos 210 br
                        • 5 Jun 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Anton 1,036 sw
                        • 29 Jun 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Midtsjö 185 nw
                        • 3 Jul 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Gripen 1,191 sw
                        • 3 Jul 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann P. C. Peterson 673 nw
                        • 9 Sep 1918 U 80 Karl Koopmann Helvetia 673 nw

                        On the 16th Jan 1919 she was surrendered and was broken up at Swansea in 1922.

                        26th February 1913 

                           The 5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with HQ at the Drill Hall, Thorpe Street, Birmingham (next to the Birmingham Hippodrome) serving with the Warwickshire Brigade, South Midland Division. The units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France, from Southampton, landing at le Havre on the 22nd of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. on the 13th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 143rd Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                           SS Armenian was a Victorian Class Ocean Liner built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast. The ship was launched on the 25th of November 1895 as the SS Indian for Frederick Leyland & Co. but was renamed as the Armenian, before her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Boston on 28th September 1896. She served as a transport ship during the Boer War. In 1903 she returned to civilian life and was loaned to the White Star line for the cargo service between Liverpool and New York until 1910 when she returned to the Leyland Line.

                        At the outbreak of the Great War she was laid up, but quickly returned to service as a horse transport sailing between Britain and France.

                           The SS. Welshman was built in 1891 for the White Star Line as the SS. Tauric and was renamed after she had been sold to the Dominion Line in 1903. During the Great War she served as a horse transport vessel.

                           1st City of London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territoral Force with it's HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea.

                           3rd City of London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with it's HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road, Chelsea. They were later renamed 85th (3rd London) Field Ambulance.

                           5th London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with it's HQ at 159 Greenwich Road, Greenwich. They served with 47th (2nd London) Division, part of the First Line Territorial Force formed in 1908. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. Many units were detached from the Division and sent to France to be needed reinforcements for the BEF. The remainder of the Division proceeded to France on the 8th of March 1915, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in teh first week of January 1919.

                           1st London Field Company Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Bethnal Green. They were part of the 1st London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at 10 Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green. They were later renamed 509th (1st London) Field Coy.

                           2nd London Field Company Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Bethnal Green. They were part of the 1st London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at 10 Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green. They were later renamed 510th (2nd London) Field Coy.

                           1st London Divisional Signal Coy, Royal Engineers a unit of the Territorial Force based in Bethnal Green. It was organised as Headquarters Section, No 1 Section, No 2 (1st London) Section, No 3 (2nd London) Section and No 4 (3rd London) Section. They were part of the 1st London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at 10 Victoria Park Square, Bethnal Green.

                           3rd London Field Company Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Chelsea. They were part of the 2nd London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea. They were later renamed 517th (3rd London) Field Coy.

                           4th London Field Company Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Chelsea. They were part of the 2nd London Divisional Royal Engineers which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea. They were later renamed 518th (4th London) Field Coy.

                           1st London General Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea.

                           2nd London General Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea.

                           3rd London General Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at 3 Henry Street, Holborn.

                           4th London General Hospital was a unit of the Territorial Force which had its HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, Kings Road Chelsea.

                           London (Heavy) Batteries, Royal Garrison Artillery were units of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Offord Road, London. The 1st London (Heavy) Battery served with the 1st London Division. The 2nd London (Heavy) Battery served with the 2nd London Division.

                           London Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 3 Henry Street, Gray's Inn Road, Holborn.

                           1st (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), The London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Handel Square, St Pancras. They were part of the 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in august 1914. They were at once mobilised for war, taking up position guarding the London to Newhaven railway line. On the 4th of September 1914 they were dispatched to Malta to relieve a unit of the regular army and 1st London Brigade sailed from Southampton to Malta, arriving in Valetta on the 14th. They were stationed in Malta until the 11th of February 1915 when they sailed for Avonmouth, arriving on the 21st. They proceeded to France, landing at le Havre on the 11th of March and joined the 25th Brigade, 8th Division. They were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 8th of February 1916 they transferred to 167th Brigade in the newly reformed 56th (1st London) Division. in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. On the 6th of February 1918 when the army was reorgansised, they absorbed the disbanded 2/1st London Battalion. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           2nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 9 Tufton Street, Westminster, serving as part of 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in August 1914. The battalion was mobilised and allocated the task of guarding the Amesbury-Southampton docks railway. On the 4th of September 1914 they sailed with the Brigade from Southampton to Malta, arriving at Valetta on the 14th of September. They remained in Malta until the 2nd of January 1915 and arrived at Marseilles on the 6th of January heading for the Western Front by train. They joined the 17th Brigade, 6th Division on the 21st of February 1915 and on the 14th of October they transferred with the Brigade to 24th Division and on the 9th of February 1916 they were assigned to the 169th Brigade in 56th (London) Division, which was being reformed in France. The 56th Division concentrated in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July also seeing action in The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 21 Edward Street, St Pancras. (Edward Street was renamed Varndell Street in 1938, the site is now occupied by a block of flats named Staveley.) They were serving with 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in 1914. They moved on mobilisation to guarding the Basingstoke-Eastleigh railway and soon began to prepare for service overseas. On the 4th of September 1914 they sailed with the Brigade from Southampton to Malta to man the garrison, allowing the regular army unit to return home for service in France. They left Malta on the 2nd of January 1915, sailing to Marseilles for service on the Western Front and joined Gharwal Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division on the 10th of February. On the 17th they transferred to Dehra Dun Brigade in same Division. In November they transferred to 139th Brigade in 46th (North Midland) Division then moved again to 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. On the 9th of February 1916 they transferred to 167th Brigade, 56th (London) Division. They were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. On the 3rd of January 1918 they transferred to 173rd Brigade, 58th (2/1st London) Division, absorbing the disbanded 2/3rd Battalion and were renamed 3rd Battalion. They were in action on The Somme, during the Second Battles of Arras 1918, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.

                           4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers) The London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 112 Shaftsbury Street, Shoreditch. They were serving with 1st London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out in August 1914, they were mobilised at once and took up duties guarding the Basingstoke-Waterloo railway. The battalion soon began preparations for service overseas. On the 4th of September they sailed with the Brigade from Southampton to Malta, arriving at Valetta on the 14th of September to take over the garrison. They left Malta on the 2nd of January 1915 sailing to Marseilles for the Western Front. They joined Ferozepore Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division on the 10th of February 1915. On the 11th of November they transferred to 137th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division and on the 15th transferred again to 140th Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. On the 9th of February 1916 they transferred to 168th Brigade, 56th (London) Division. They were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 130 Bunhill Road, Finsbury. When war broke out in August 1914, they were part of 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division and were at once mobilised, moving to Bisley. In September they moved to Crowborough for final training and on the 5th of November 1914 the Battalion left the London Division, proceeding to France, landing at Le Havre. On the 17th of November they joined 11th Brigade, 4th Division. They were in action at The Second Battle of Ypres and on the 19th of May 1915 the Battalion transferred to GHQ Troops, forming a composite unit with the 1/12th and 1/13th Battalions the London Regiment, whilst they recovered from lossed. The 1/5th resumed their own identity on the 11th of August. On the 25th of October 1915 they transferred to 8th Brigade, 3rd Division and on the 10th of February 1916 they transferred to 169th Brigade, in the newly reformed 56th (London) Division, in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           6th (City of London) Battalion (Rifles), London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 57a Farringdon Road, Holborn. They were serving with the 2nd London Brigade, 1st London Division when war broke out. In November 1914 the battalion was transferred to 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division, later transferring to 140th Brigade, 47th Division with which it remained till January 1918. The 6th Battalion landed in France in March 1915 and saw its first major action at Loos in September. The Battalion fought on the Somme, and at Messines, in the Third Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai. At the end of January 1918 the Battalion amalgamated with the 2/6th Battalion and joined the 174th Brigade, 58th Division.

                           7th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 24 Sun Street, Shoreditch.

                           8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 130 Bunhill Road, Finsbury.

                           9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria's Rifles), London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 56 Davies Street, Westminster.

                           10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney), London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 49 The Grove, Hackney.

                           11th (County of London) Battalion (Finsbury Rifles), London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 17 Penton Street, Finsbury.

                           13th (Kensington) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Iverna Gardens, Kensington. They were serving with 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division when war broke out in August 1914. They were at once mobilised for war and moved to Abbotts Langley. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 4th of November and joining 25th Brigade, 8th Division on the 13th. they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers. On the 20th of May 1915 they transferred to GHQ Troops and formed a composite unit with 1/5th and 1/12th Londons, reuminhg their own identity on the 11th of August. On the 11th of February 1916 they transferred to 168th Brigade in the newly reformed 56th (London) Division in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           14th (1st London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment, a Territorial unit had thier headquarters at 59 Buckingham Gate when war broke out in August 1914. They were attached to 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division and were quickly mobilised and moved to Abbotts Langley. They proceeded to France, landing at le Harve on the 16th of September 1914. They saw thier first action at Messines on the 31st of October 1914 under the command of the Cavalry Corps. On the 7th of November 1914 the battalion joined 1st Brigade, 1st Division and were in action during the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Loos. On the 8th of February 1916 they transferred to the newly arrived 168th Brigade, 56th (London) Division who were assembling in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           15th (Prince of Wales's Own Civil Service Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had thier headquarters at Somerset House, Westminster. When war broke out in August 1914, they were serving as part of 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training, with the 15th Battalion at Bedmond, and then moving to billets at Watford in November. They proceeded to France on the 18th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Queen's Hall, 58 Buckingham Gate, Westminster. When war broke out in August 1914, they were part of the 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. They were mobilised and moved to the Hemel Hempstead area, being billetted in Leverstock Green in the late summer and early autumn of 1914, where they are commemorated with a stained glass window in the local church. They proceeded to France on the 3rd of November 1914, landing at Le Havre to join 18th Brigade, 6th Division. On the 10th of February 1916 they transferred to the newly reformed 169th Brigade, 56th (London) Division which concentrated in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had thier headquarters at 66 Tredegar Road, Bow, when war broke out in August 1914, serving as part of 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training, with the 17th Battalion at St Albans. They proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           18th (London Irish Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Duke of York's Headquarters, King's Road, Chelsea. When war broke out in August 1914, serving as part of 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 141st Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           19th (St Pancras) Battalion, London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had thier headquarters at 76 High Street, Camden Town, serving as part of 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 141st Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Holly Hedge House, Blackheath. (Holly Hedge House, was bombed in WW2 and most of the 20ths records held there destroyed in the resulting fire.) When war broke out in August 1914, they were serving with the 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division and had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain, they were recalled home and were mobilised at once, moving to the St Albans area. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre of the 10th of March 1915. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel but rejoined the rest of the Division at the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the 5th London Brigade was redesignated 141st Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           21st (First Surrey Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment, a Territorial unit and had their headquarters at 4 Flodden Road, Camberwell, when war broke out in August 1914, serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           22nd (The Queen's) Battalion, The London Regiment, were a Territorial unit with their headquarters at 2 Jamaica Road, Bermondsey, serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division in 1914. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1921 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           23rd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 27 St John's Hill, Battersea. They were serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division in 1914. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1921 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           24th Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 71 New Street, Lambeth. They were serving as part of 6th London Brigade, 2nd London Division in 1914. The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war wasdeclared in August 1914, they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service. The Division concentrated in the St Albans area for training. They proceeded to France on the 16th of March 1915, landing at le Havre, being only the second TF Division to arrive in theatre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month. On the 11th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. They saw action in The Battle of Aubers Ridge, The Battle of Festubert, The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1921 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. On the 1st of February 1918 they transferred to 140th Brigade still with 47th (2nd London) Division. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           25th (County of London) Cyclist Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Fulham House, Putney Bridge, Putney.

                           28th (The Artists Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Dukes Road, St Pancras diagonally opposite Euston Station. The Artists Rifles originated in May 1860 as a corps of rifle volunteers, formed by an art student, Edward Sterling, from members of the artistic professions. When the Territorial Force was created in 1908 it became the 28th Battalion, London Regiment. Shortly after the outbreak of the Great War second line and third line battalions were formed, the 2nd/28th an 3rd/28th.

                        The Artists Rifles arrived in France at the end of October 1914 and became an Officers Training Corps (OTC) at Bailleul and in April 1915 it moved to St Omer. In November the 28th and 2nd/28th were merged and the battalion was sent to the front at the end of June 1917, allocated to the 190th Brigade, 63rd (RN) Division.

                           Lothians and Border Horse were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at 7 Wemyss Place, Edinburgh. They were made up of A, B, C and D Squadrons and were part of the Lowland Mounted Brigade.

                           1st Lovat Scouts were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Beauly they were part of the Highland Mounted Brigade.

                           2nd Lovat Scouts were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Beauly they were part of the Highland Mounted Brigade.

                           Lowland Clearing Hospital, Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Glasgow.

                           1st Lowland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow. They served with 51st (Lowland) Division. The Lowland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They sailed from Liverpool and Devonport between 18 May and 8 June for Gallipoli. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged in clearing Herchies.

                           2nd Lowland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow. They served with 52nd (Lowland) Division. The Lowland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They sailed from Liverpool and Devonport between 18 May and 8 June for Gallipoli. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

                           3rd Lowland Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Easter Road Barracks, Edinburgh. The Lowland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They sailed from Liverpool and Devonport between 18 May and 8 June for Gallipoli. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 7th and 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 3rd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 53rd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 53rd Divisiobn took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 53rd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

                           1st Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Rutherglen. It was later renamed 409th (1st Lowland) Field Company.

                           2nd Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Rutherglen. It was later renamed 410th (2nd Lowland) Field Company.

                           Lowland (City of Edinburgh) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at McDonald Road, Edinburgh and consisted of one Battery and Ammunition Column.

                           Lowland Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow.

                           5th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Bank Chambers, Wigan. They were part of the Manchester Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized and moved to Rochdale to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to Egypt arriving at Alexandria on the 25th of Sepetmber to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of February 1918 they transferred to 126th Brigade still with 42nd Division. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                           6th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 3 Stretford Road, Hulme. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized and moved to Rochdale to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to Egypt arriving at Alexandria on the 25th of Sepetmber to defend the Suez Canal from the Turkishh forces in Palestine. They were in action in the Turkish attack on the Suez Canal on the 3rd of February 1915. In the first week of May the division embraked from Alexandria, landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they saw action in the attempts to capture the heights of Krihia and the Battle of Krithia Vineyard which was a diversionary attack for the British Landing at Sulva Bay. The much depleted division were evacuated from Gallipoli in the first week of January 1916, returning to Alexandria via Mudros. They returned to duty on the Suez Canal and were in action in the Battle of Romani in August. In early 1917 they were ordered to the Western Front, departing from Alexandria in February. They went into the front line at Ephey, moved to Havrincourt then were withdrawn to Albert for rest and training during July and August. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres at Iberian, Borry Farm, Beck House Farm and Sans Souci. At the end of the month they moved to the coast at Nieuport until November when they moved to La Bassee Canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of February 1918 they transferred to 126th Brigade still with 42nd Division. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of Bapaume, The First Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Ancre, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The pursuit to the Selle and The Battle of the Selle. At the Armictice the advance units of the division had crossed the River Sambre at Hautmont. They were moved back to the Charleroi area in mid December where they were demobilised.

                           7th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Burlington Street, Manchester (MacDougall Sports Centre, Manchester University). They were part of the Manchester Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division. F Coy were based at The Drill Hall, Cromwell Road Eccles, Greater Manchester.

                           8th (Ardwick) Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at the Drill Hall, Ardwick Green, Ardwick. They were part of the Manchester Infantry Brigade, East Lancashire Division, which concentrated near Rochdale.

                           9th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. They were part of the east Lancashire Brigade, East Lancashire Division.

                           10th Battalion Manchester Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Rifle Street, Oldham. They were part of the east Lancashire Brigade, East Lancashire Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized for war and moved to to Chesham Fold Camp (Bury) for training then proceeded overseas leaving from Southampton on the 10th of September 1914, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 126th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

                        On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. The Battalion was demobilized at Charleroi between December 18 and March 1919.

                           7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Priory Road, Hornsey They were part of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division. A Coy were based at the Drill Hall, Holly Bush Vale, Heath Street, Hampstead (The Everyman Theatre). When war broke out in August 1915 they were at once mobilised for war and moved to the Isle of Grain. In September 1914 they left the Division and moved to Gibraltar, arriving on the 17th. In February 1915 they returned to England, going to Barnet to prepare for deployment. They proceeded to France on the 13th of March 1915 landing at Le Havre and joining 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. They fought at The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. Between the 23rd of June and 2nd of August 1915, they amalgamated with 1/8th Battalion On the 8th of February 1916 they transferred to 167th Brigade in 56th (London) Division who were reforming in the Hallencourt area. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in 202a Hanworth Road, Hounslow They were part of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilised at once and moved to Sheerness and then to Sittingbourne. In September 1914 they left the Home Counties Division and were dispatched to Gibraltar, to replace a unit of the regular army, arriving on the 17th. They remained in Gibraltar until February 1915 when they returned to England. They proceeded to France, laning at Le Havre on the 9th of March 1915 and joining 85th Brigade, 28th Division. They were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres and on the 27th of August 1915 they transferred to 25th Brigade, 8th Division and on the 23rd of October they transferred to 70th Brigade still with 8th Division. On the 9th of February 1916 they transferred to 167th Brigade in the newly reformed 56th (London) Division who were concentrating in the Hallencourt area in February. In 1916 they were in action on The Somme taking part in the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on the 1st of July. Also The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Combles and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Battles of Arras in April, then The Battle of Langemarck in August, then the Cambrai Operations in November. In 1918 They were in action on The Somme, in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the infantry were in a rest period, whilst the artillery were in action. The Division received orders to join the British force to occupy the Rhine bridgeheads, but these orders were cancelled on the 21st of November, when they were in the area of Harveng undertaking road and railway repairs. Demobilisation was completed on the 18th of May 1919.

                           9th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Drill Hall, Pound Lane, Willesden. They were part of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division. When war broke out in August 1914 they were mobilized for war and moved to to Chesham Fold Camp (Bury) for training then proceeded overseas leaving from Southampton on the 10th of September 1914, arriving in Egypt on the 25th of September 1914. The Division underwent training around Cairo and defended the Suez Canal against the Turkishh attack in February. In May the Division became 126th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division and went on to land at Cape Helles in Gallipoli and took part in the action capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. By August, the division had lost about 2/3rd of it's men through battle casualties, injuries or sickness and reinforcements arrived. The Battalion made a successful withdrawal from the Helles bridgehead and on the 28th of December 1915 landed on Mudros and then returned to Egypt.

                        On the 27th of February 1917 they landed Marseilles and proceeded to the Western Front. They were re-equipped for trench warfare and entered the line at Epehy, as part of III Corps in Fourth Army. In September they moved north to Flanders and were in action at the Battle of Passechendaele for a short time before moving to the coast at Nieuport. In November they moved to Givenchy where they undertook the construction of concrete defence works. On the 19th of February 1918 they transferred to 198th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and absorbed the 2/9th Batallion. In July they were reduced to cadre strength and in August transferred to 199th Brigade in same Division. They absorbed the 13th Battalion who had just arrived from Salonika, on 13 August 1918.

                           10th Battalion Middlesex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Stamford Brook Lodge, Ravenscourt Park. They were part of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           Midlothian Battery, Royal Field Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 30 Grinslay Street, Edinburgh. It was part of the 1st Lowland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

                           Monmouthshire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force and made up the 4th Welsh Brigade RFA which had its HQ in Lime Street, Newport. The 1st Monmouthshire Battery was based in Newport, along with the Brigade Ammunition Column. The 2nd Monmouthshire Battery was based in Risca and the 3rd Monmouthshire Battery was based in Griffithstown. They had a Cadet Corps which was based at Newport Post Office.

                           1st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Stow Hill, Newport, it was part of the Welsh Border Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. When war was declared in August 1914, they were at once mobilised for war and moved at once to defend Pembroke Dock. They moved to Oswestry by the 10th of August and were at Northampton by the end of August. In December they moved to Bury St Edmunds and to Cambridge in January 1915. They proceeded to France on the 13th of February to join 84th Brigade in 28th Division, who were concentrating in the area between Bailleul and Hazebrouck, being joined by additional Territorial units. In 1915 they were in action in The Second Battle of Ypres, suffering very heavy losses and on the 27th of May they amalgamated with the 1/2nd and 1/3rd Bns at Vlamertinghe, resuming their own identity on the 11th of August. On the 3rd of September they transferred as a Pioneer Battalion to 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                           2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Osbourne Road, Pontypool, it was part of the Welsh Border Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. When war was declared in August 1914, they were at once mobilised for war and moved to defend Pembroke Dock. By the 10th of August they moved to Oswestry and by beginning of September they were at Northampton. They proceeded to France on the 7th of November 1914 landing at Le Havre to join 12th Brigade, 4th Division. They fought in The Second Battle of Ypres, then moved South to the somme where they were were attached to 36th (Ulster) Division, providing instruction to the newly arrived Division. On the 30th of January 1916 the Battalion left 4th Division and moved to the Lines of Communication. On the 1st of May 1916 they became a Pioneer Battalion, joining 29th Division who had just arrived from Egypt. In July they went into action in the Battles of the Somme. In 1917 they were in action in the The First, Second and Third Battle of the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, then moved to Flanders and fought in the The Battle of Langemarck, The Battle of Broodseinde and The Battle of Poelcapelle. Before moving south for The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were in action in The Battle of Estaires, at Messines and The Battle of Hazebrouck including the defence of Nieppe Forest and The Battle of Bailleul. They were involved in The Action of Outtersteene Ridge, The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63 during the Advance in Flanders. At the Armistice the 29th Division was selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead, they crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on the 4th of December 1918.

                           Montgomeryshire Yeomanry were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Welshpool. They were part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

                           5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in East Dereham, they were part of the Norfolk and Suffolk Infantry Brigade, East Anglian Division.

                           4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in St Giles, Norwich, they were part of the Norfolk and Suffolk Infantry Brigade, East Anglian Division. G Coy were based at the Guildhall, Thetford.

                           6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Cattle Market Street, Norwich, they were attached to Eastern Command. D Coy were based in Station Road, Thetford.

                           4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 97 Avenham Lane, Preston. They were part of the North Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division.

                           5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Fletcher Street, Bolton. They were part of the North Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division. When war broke out in 1914 they were mobilised and moved to Chipping Sodbury for training, then in November they moved to Sevenoaks. In February 1915 the battalion left the West Lancashire Division and proceeded to France, landing at le Havre to join 16th Brigade, 6th Division. On the 11th of June 1915 the 1/5th Battalion transferred to 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division and saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres. On the 21st of December 1915 they transferred to 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division then on the 8th of January 1916 they transferred to the re-formed 166th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division which was concentrating in the Hallencourt area. On the 16th of February 1916 the Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, they moved to The Somme in late July taking over a section of front line near the village of Guillemont. They were in action at the The Battle of Guillemont, The Battle of Ginchy, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval. The Division moved to Flanders in october 1916 and took over the front line between Wieltje and Railway Wood. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south to Cambrai where the 1/5th Loyal North Lancashires suffered very heavily during the German Counter Attacks on the 30th of November 1917. In the Spring of 1918 having been much re-enforced, they were in action in the Battle of the Lys. On the 4th of June 1918 the battalion transferred to 170th Brigade in 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division and absorbed the 4/5th Battalion. They were in action during the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line including assisting in the capture of Cambrai in October, The occupation of Lille and the Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice the Division was at rest in the eastern suburbs of Lille. They moved to Arras on the 21st of November to assist with the clear up and the Division was demobilised between March and July 1919.

                           North Midland Clearing Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Leicester.

                           1st North Midland Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Smethwick. They were part of the North Midland Divisional Royal Engineers, which had its HQ at Norton Hall, Norton Canes. They were later renamed 465th (1st North Midland) Field Company.

                           2nd North Midland Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force based in Norton Canes. They were part of the North Midland Divisional Royal Engineers, which had its HQ at Norton Hall, Norton Canes. They were later renamed 468th (2nd North Midland) Field Company.

                           1st North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 91 Siddals Road, Derby. They served with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                           2nd North Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Deanery, Stafford Street, Wolverhampton. They served with 46th (North Midland) Division. The North Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force and was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 2nd of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began

                           North Midland Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in in Ninevah Road, Handsworth.

                           North Riding Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force based in Scarborough and Whitby, they were part of the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade RFA. They proceeded to France with 50th Division. In 1916 they were reorganised. 2nd Northumbrian Brigade became 251st Brigade R.F.A. with 1st, 2nd and 3rd East Riding Batteries renamed A, B and C Batteries.

                           North Riding Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Bright Street, Middlesbrough.

                           North Scottish Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Broughty Ferry. It consisted of No 1 Garrison Company based in Fonthill Road Aberdeen, No 2 Garrison Company based in Montrose, No 3 Garrison Company based in Broughty Ferry, No 4 Garrison Company based in Cromarty, Jemimaville, Newhall and Davidson.

                           North Somerset Yeomanry were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Bath, they were part of the South Western Mounted Brigade.

                           5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Drill Hall, College Rd, Hanley, they were part of the Staffordshire Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August, they moved to Bishops Stortford in November to prepare for service over seas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. They first saw action at Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector in April 1915. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 41/5th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                           6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Burton-on-Trent, they were part of the Staffordshire Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August, they moved to Bishops Stortford in November to prepare for service over seas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne in late February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. They first saw action at Wulverghem in the Ypres Sector in April 1915. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                           Northamptonshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Queens Road, Peterborough. They were part of the 4th East Anglian Brigade which had its HQ at 28 St Andrew's Street, Hertford.

                           4th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Territorial Headquarters, Clare Street, Northampton.

                           Northamptonshire Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Territorial Headquarters, Clare Street, Northampton. They were part of the Eastern Mounted Division. B Squadron were based in Queen street, Northampton.

                           Northern Command Signal Companies were units of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Leeds. They comprised of the Northern Wireless Signal Company, the Northern Cable Signal Company and the Northern Airline Signal Company. Their Cadet Corps was the Leeds Postal Telegraph Messengers Cadet Company.

                           Northern Cyclist Battalion was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Hutton Terrace, Sandyford Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A and B Companies were based at The Drill Hall, Southwick, Sunderland, C Coy at the Drill Hall, Naval Barracks, West Hartlepool, D Coy in Chester-le-Street, E Coy at Cambridge Hall, Newcastle, F Coy in Blyth, G Coy in Whitley bay and H Coy at Cambridge Hall, Newcastle.

                           1st Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Hutton Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The unit took over Armstrong College, part of Newcastle University for the duration of the Great War.

                           2nd Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Harewood Barracks, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds.

                           3rd Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Sheffield.

                           4th Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 6b Guildhall Street, Lincoln.

                           5th Northern General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Leicester.

                           Northumberland Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Drill Hall, Barrack Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They consisted of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Northumberland Batteries and their Ammunition Column and together made up the 1st Northumbrian Brigade Royal Field Artillery. 1st & 2nd Northumberland Bty's and the Ammunition Column were based at the HQ. 3nd Northumberland Bty was based at The Drill Hall, Dunn St, Newcastle.

                        They proceeded to France with 50th Division. In 1916 they were reorganised. 1st Northumbrian Brigade became 250th Brigade R.F.A. with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Northumberland batteries renamed A, B and C Batteries.

                           Northumberland Fortress Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Clifford's Fort, North Shields, they were part of the Tyne Electrical Engineers.

                           4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Armoury, Battle Hill, Hexham, A and G Coy's were also based there. B Coy was based at The Armoury, Bellingham. C Coy in John Martin St, Haydon Bridge. D and H Coy's at The Armoury, 6 Vane Tce, Prudhoe. E Coy at the Drill Hall, Corbridge and F Coy at The Armoury, Town Hall Crescent, Haltwhistle. When war broke out in August 1914 they took on a defensive role and after additional training they proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme and Battles of the Lys and Hindenburg Line.

                           5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at the Drill Hall, Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne where H.Q, A, B and C Coys were all based. D Coy was based at the Drill Hall, Newburn. With E and F Coy's at St.Georges Drill Hall, Wallsend, G and H Coy's were based at the Drill Hall, Gosforth. They proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme and Battles of the Lys and Hindenburg Line.

                           6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at St George's Drill Hall, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where Companies A to H were all based. They proceeded to France in April 1915, to join the 149th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They took part in the Second Battles of Ypres in 1915 and the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive where they captured Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 they again saw action on The Somme and Battles of the Lys and Hindenburg Line.

                           Northumberland Hussars were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Riding School, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They were part of the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade. H.Q. and A' Squadrons were based at Northumberland Rd. B Squadron was based at Woodside House, South Shields. C Squadron was based at Fenwick Grove, Morpeth and D Squadron at Causey Hill Farm, Hexham.

                           Northumbrian Clearing Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

                           1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Hutton Terrace, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. They served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed in 1908 as one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In April they proceeded to France concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battles of the Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England

                           3rd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Wenlock Barracks, Walton Street, Hull. They served with 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Northumbrian Division was a formation of the Territorial Force, formed in 1908 as one of 14 Divisions of the peacetime TF. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out and they were at once recalled their home base. The 50th division was mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and took up their allotted positions on the Tyne defences by mid August 1914. In April they proceeded to France concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battles of the Ypres. In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. The orginal infantry units were withdrawn and others arrived to take their place. The reformed Division went back into action in October in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. At the Armistice the 50th Division was resting at Solre le Chateau, demobilisation began December and the service of the Division was disbanded on 19th of March when the final troops left for England

                           1st Northumbrian (Newcastle) Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was later renamed 446th (1st Northumbrian) Field Company.

                           2nd Northumbrian (Newcastle) Field Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was later renamed 449th (2nd Northumbrian) Field Company.

                           Northumbrian (Newcastle) Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It was made up of Headquarters Section, No's 1 and 2 (Northumberland) Sections, No 2 (York and Durham) Section and No 4 (Durham Light Infantry) Section.

                           Northumbrian (North Riding) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Middlesbrough. It was made up of one Battery and its Ammunition Column.

                           Nottinghamshire Royal Horse Artillery was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Derby Road, Norttingham. It was made up of one Battery and its Ammunition Column and was part of the Notts and Derby Mounted Brigade.

                           Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Retford. They were part of the Notts and Derby Mounted Brigade.

                           South Nottinghamshire Hussars were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Derby Road, Nottingham. They were part of the Notts and Derby Mounted Brigade.

                           Notts & Derby Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Derby Road, Nottingham.

                           4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Oxford. It was part of the South Midland Infantry Brigade, South Midland Division. They had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5th of August and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August and commenced training. They proceeded to France from Folkestone, landing at Bologne on the 31st of March 1915. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. On the 15th of May the formation was renamed 145th Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                           Oxfordshire Yeomanry (Queens own Hussars) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Oxford. They were part of the 2nd Midland Mounted Brigade.

                           Pembroke Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Milford Haven. It was made up of No 1 Garrison Company based at Milford Haven, No 2 Garrison Company based at Saundersfoot and Tenby, and No 3 Garrison Company based at Fishguard and Pembroke Dock.

                           Pembroke Yeomanry (Castlemartin) were a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Tenby. They were part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade.

                           4th Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Croydon. They were part of the Surrey Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           5th Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Guildford. They were part of the Surrey Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           Renfrewshire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery were units of the Territorial Force with their HQ in South Street, Greenock. They consisted of the 1st and 2nd Renfrewshire Batteries and their Ammunition Column, together they made up the 3rd (Howitzer) Highland Brigade, RFA.

                           Renfrewshire Fortress Engineers were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at Fort Matilda, Greenock. They were made up on No 1 (Paisley) Works Company and No 2 (Greenock) Electric Lights Company.

                           4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at St Mary's Butts, Reading, part of the South Midland Infantry Brigade, South Midland Division.

                           Royal Devon Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 9 Dix's Field, Exeter. Part of the 2nd South Western Mounted Brigade.

                           Royal East Kent Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Canterbury. Part of the South Eastern Mounted Brigade.

                           Royal North Devon Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Barnstable. Part of the 2nd South Western Mounted Brigade.

                           4th (Queen's Edinburgh Rifles) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Forrest Hil Edinburgh. It was part of the Lothian Infantry Brigade.

                           5th (Queen's Edinburgh Rifles) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Forrest Hill, Edinburgh with the Lothian Brigade, Scottish Coast Defences when war broke out in August 1914. On the 11th of March 1915 they transferred to 88th Brigade, 29th Division at Leamington Spa. They were training for France when orders arrived to prepare to depart for Gallipoli. They embarked from Avonmouth on the 20th of March 1915 sailing via Malta to Alexandria then on to Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915 and were involved in heavy fighting until the evacuation on the nights of the 7th and 8th of January 1916 when they returned to Egypt. In March they were sent to France, sailing to Marseilles, landing on the 10th of March and travelling by train to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy by the end of March. On the 24th of April the 5th Royal Scots transferred to Lines of Communication and on the 15th of June 1916 they amalgamated with the 1/6th to become the 5/6th Battalion.

                           6th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 33 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh. It was part of the Lothian Infantry Brigade.

                           7th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at Dalmeny Street, Leith. It was part of the Lothian Infantry Brigade. They had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. On the 24th of April 1915 they transferred to 156th (Scottish Rifles) Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. On the 22nd of May, A and D Companies were involved in a rail accident at Quintinshill near Gretna, whilst travelling to Liverpool from Larbert in Stirlingshire. It was the worst disaster in British railway history, with 473 casualties, including 210 men of the 7th Royal Scots who lost their lives with a further 224 being injured. The remainder of the battalion sailed from Liverpool on the 24th of May 1915 to Gallipoli, via Egypt. They were in action at Gully Ravine, Achi Baba Nullah, Krithia Nullahs and The evcuation of Helles on the 8th of January 1916. They moved to Egypt and concentrated at Abbassia near Cairo. They moved to El Kantara and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd of March. They were in action at Dueidar in April and The Battle of Romani in August. In 1917 they were in action during The First, Second and Third Battles of Gaza, at Wadi el Hesi, The capture of Junction Station, The Battle of Nabi Samweil and The Battle of Jaffa including the passage of the Nahr-el-Auja. 52nd Division remained in the line near Arsuf until March 1918 when it was relieved by the 7th (Meerut) Division and proceedrd to France, sailing from Alexandria in early April, via Marseilles they concentrated near Abbeville. 52nd Division took over a sector of front line near Vimy on the 6th of May until the 23rd of July when they moved to take over the line north east of Arras. They were in action inThe Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and The Final Advance in Artois. At the Armistice 52nd Division was north of the Mons canal engaged on clearing Herchies.

                           8th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Haddington. It was attached to the Lothian Infantry Brigade. They had just departed for annual summer camp war broke out in August 1914, they were at once recalled to base. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914 and moved to take up position on the Scottish coastal defences. They proceeded to France on the 5th of November 1914 landing Le Havre and joining 22nd Brigade, 7th Division on the 11th. They were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The Battle of Festubert. On the 19th of August 1915 the 8th Royal Scots transferred to 51st (Highland) Division as a Pioneer Battalion. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

                           9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 89 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh. It was attached to the Lothian Infantry Brigade.

                           10th (Cyclist) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Linlithgow. It was attached to Scottish Command.

                           5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Middle Street, Hastings. It was attached to the Home Counties Division.

                           4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Horsham. On the 24th of April 1915 they transferred to 160th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division at Cambridge and in May moved to Bedford. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and The Division, without their artillery, embarked at Sevonport on the 14th of July, to Lemnos via Alexandria. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. In May they left the Division and moved to France where they joined the reforming 101st Brigade 34th Division on the 30th June and returned to action, at The Battles of the Soissonais, the Ourcq and the capture of Baigneux Ridge. On the 14th of August they absorbed the cadre of 13th Sussex. They took part in the Final Advance in Flanders and at the Armistice was at rest in the area east of Courtrai. 34th Division was selected to join the Army of Occupation and began to move towards Germany on the 14th of November. On the 22nd of December a large number men with industrial and mining skills were demobilised. By the end of January 1919 the Division was occupying the Cologne bridgehead.

                           5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ in Middle Street, Hastings. They were attached to the Home Counties Division. They proceeded to France in early 1915 and on the 21st of February 1915 became attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. They were in action during The Battle of Aubers and on the 20th of August 1915 they transferred as a Pioneer Battalion to 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                           6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with its HQ at 18 Montpelier Place, Brighton.

                           Brocton Camp and Rugeley Camp were situated on Cannock Chase, Staffordshire. The estate, owned by Lord Lichfield, had been used for Military Training since the 1870's and in 1914 two large hutted camps, Brockton and Rugeley were constructed, mainly by Irish labourers.

                           The City of Chester was used as a troop transport ship sailing between Southampton and Le Harvre in the early months of the war.

                           2/28th (2nd Artists Rifles) Battalion London Regiment trained at Hare Hall Camp in Gidea Park in the London Borough of Havering.

                           The 7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with HQ in Coventry. The Drill hall was situated in Queen Victoria Rd, Coventry. Their cadet Corps was based at Bablake School, Coventry. They served with the Warwickshire Brigade, South Midland Division. The units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France, from Southampton, landing at le Havre on the 22nd of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. on the 13th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 143rd Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                           The 8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with HQ at Aston Barracks, Aston Manor, Birmingham. The Drill hall was situated next to Villa Park. They were serving with the Warwickshire Brigade, South Midland Division. The units of the Division had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5th August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France, from Southampton, landing at le Havre on the 22nd of March 1915. The Division concentrated near Cassel. on the 13th of May 1915 the formation was renamed 143rd Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. In 1916 They were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering hevy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in The fighting on the Asiago Plateau. The battalion left the Division and returned to France on the 11th of September and joined 75th Brigade, 25th Division and fought in the Final Advance in Picardy.

                           4th (Denbighshire) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Wrexham, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the North Wales Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. When war broke out in August 1914, they were mobilised and moved at once to Conway and then at the end of August they went to Northampton. They left the Brigade and proceeded to France on the 6th of November 1914 landing at Le Havre. On the 7th of December 1914 they joined 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. In 1915 they were in action during The Battle of Aubers and on the 1st of September 1915 they transferred to 47th (2nd London) Division as a Pioneer Battalion and saw action at The Battle of Loos and The subsequent Actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. In 1916 they fought during The German attack at Vimy Ridge, and on The Somme in The Battle of Flers-Courcelette capturing High Wood, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges in which the captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye and The attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. In 1917 they were in action in The Battle of Messines, the Third Battles of Ypres and The Cambrai Operations where they captured Bourlon Wood and fought against the German counter attacks. In 1918 they were in action on The Somme and the Final Advance in Artois including making the official entry into Lille. At the Armistice the the forward units of the Division had reached Franses-lez-Buissenal. They marched back to Tournai and on the 26th of November moved on to the Bethune area where demobilisation began with the first parties returning to England in the first week of January 1919.

                           5th (Flintshire) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Flint, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the North Wales Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. A Coy had their Drill Hall in Earl St, Mold. D Coy were based in Holywell, the Drill Hall being in Halkyn Street. C Coy were based at the Drill Hall in John Street, Rhyl. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just set out for their for annual summer camp, they were at once recalled and were mobilised for war, taking up possition at Conway. At the end of August they went to Northampton to join the rest of the Division and to prepare for deployment to overseas. On the 18th of November orders were recieved to prepare for a move to India, but this was withdrawn. They moved to Cambridge in December and to Bedford in May 1915, when the formation was renamed 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and they embarked at Devonport on the 19th of July to Imbros. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August,many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units, the artillery remained with the Division. On the 3rd of August 1918 the battalion amalgamated with 1/6th btn to form the 5/6th Battalion.

                           6th (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Carnarvon, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the North Wales Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. C Coy had their Drill Hall at County Hall, Penygroes. E Coy were based in Llandudno with their Drill Hall being in Argyll Rd. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just set out for their for annual summer camp, they were at once recalled and were mobilised for war. At the end of August they went to Northampton to join the rest of the Diviison and to prepare for deployment to overseas. On the 18th of November orders were recieved to prepare for a move to India, but this was withdrawn. They moved to Cambridge in December and to Bedford in May 1915, when the formation was renamed 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and they embarked at Devonport on the 19th of July to Imbros. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August,many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units, the artillery remained with the Division. On the 3rd of August 1918 the battalion amalgamated with 1/5th btn to form the 5/6th Battalion.

                           7th (Merioneth & Montgomery) Btn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Newtown, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the North Wales Infantry Brigade, Welsh Division. F Coy were based at the Drill Hall, Brook St. Towyn. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just set out for their for annual summer camp, they were at once recalled and were mobilised for war. At the end of August they went to Northampton to join the rest of the Diviison and to prepare for deployment to overseas. On the 18th of November orders were recieved to prepare for a move to India, but this was withdrawn. They moved to Cambridge in December and to Bedford in May 1915, when the formation was renamed 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On the 2nd of July orders arrived to re-equip for service in the Mediterranean. Leaving the artillery and train behind, the rest of the Division left 14-19 July and they embarked at Devonport on the 19th of July to Imbros. The Division made a landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 9th of August 1915 and were involved in operations in the Suvla Bay area suffering heavy losses. By the time they were evacuated to Mudros on the 11th of December the Division stood at just 162 officers and 2428 men (approx 15%). From Mudros they went on to Alexandria and to Wardan, where the the divisional artillery rejoined between the 11th and 22nd of February 1916. They were in action at The Battle of Romani in the Palestine campaign and in 1917 158th Brigade fought at The First Battle of Gaza and the whole Division were in action during The Second Battle of Gaza, The Third Battle of Gaza when they were involved in capture of Beersheba, Tell Khuweilfe, and The Capture of Jerusalem. In December they were in action in The Defence of Jerusalem. In March 1918 they fought at The Battle of Tell'Asur. Between the beginning of June and the end of August,many of the units were ordered to France, being replaced by Indian units, the artillery remained with the Division. On 24 June 1918 the battalion transferred to 160th Brigade still with 53rd (Welsh) Division. In September they were in action at The battle of Nablus before being with drawn for rest on the 26th and moved back to Tell'Asur. They then moved to Ramle where they entrained for Alexandria on the 27th of October. The Armistice with Turkey took effect on 31 October and the Division was demobilised with the first parties leaving for England on the 22nd of December.

                           4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in Tonbridge, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the Kent Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           5th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ in East Street, Bromley, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of the Kent Infantry Brigade, Home Counties Division.

                           The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at The Butts, London Road, Chippenham, at the outbreak of war in 1914, they were part of 1st South Western Mounted Brigade.

                           Craig Taylor & Co Ltd was a ship yard on the River Tees at Thornaby, engaged in building mercantile and war cargo ships.

                           Ropner & Sons Ltd were ship builders on the River Tees at Stockton-on-Tees engaged in building mercantile, war cargo ships and sloops.

                           Richardson Duck & Co Ltd, at Thornaby were shipbuilders on the River Tees engaged in building mercantile, war cargo ships, tankers and sloops.

                           Sir Raylton Dixon & Co Ltd were shipbuilders based at Middlesbrough Dock on the River Tees. They were engaged in the construction of 600t Monitors, war cargo ships, tankers and mercantile shipping.

                           William Harkness & Son Ltd were shipbuilders based at Middlesbrough dock on the River Tees. They were engaged in the construction of minesweepers, partol boats, war coasters and mercantile shipping.

                           Smith's Dock Co Ltd were ship builders based at Southbank, Middlebrough on the River Tees. They were engaged in building trawlers, submarine chasers, minesweepers, patrol boats, trawlers and mercantile shipping as well as repairing damaged vessels.

                           Robert Irvine & Co were shipbuilders based at West Harbour, Hartlepool. They were engaged in the construction of war cargo ships, motorised barges, sloops and mercantile shipping. They were later renamed Irevine's Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co Ltd.

                           Blyth Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co Ltd were based in Blyth, Northumberland and were engaged in the construction of war and mercantile ships.

                           Charles Rennoldson & Company were shipbuilders on the River Tyne at South Shields.

                           J P Rennoldson & Sons Ltd built ships on the River Tyne at South Shields.

                           Hepple & Company were ship builders on the River Tyne at South Shields.

                           John Redhead & Sons Ltd were ship builders on the River Tyne at South Shields, they were engaged in the construction of War cargo, mercantile ships and patrol boats.

                           Baird Brothers were shipbuilders on the River Tyne at North Shields.

                           Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd was based at Howdon-on-Tyne.

                           Palmers were shipbuilders based at Howdon-on-Tyne.

                           Palmer's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd was based at Hebburn and Jarrow-on-Tyne, thwir two yards had fourteen building slips between them, with the docks at Hebburn being big enough for Dreadnoughts. They employed over 9000 and were a private yard which had been engaged in building warships before the war. During the conflict they continued to build warships and war cargo ships.

                           Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. built ships at Willington-Quay-on-Tyne, Howdon, including mercantile, war cargo ships and patrol boats.

                           Wallsend Slipway was a ship building yard on the north bank of the Tyne at Wallsend.It was owned by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd.

                           R & WHawthorn Leslie & Co. Ltd were shipbuilders based at Hebburn, on the south bank of the River Tyne with 3000 employees. The yard consisted of nine slips, the longest being 700ft. Before the war they had been engaged in the construction of destroyers, which continued during the conflict along with war cargo ships, cruisers, mercantile ships and TBD's.

                           Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd were based at Wallsend-on-Tyne, their yard had seventeen building berths, eleven of which were equipped with overhead electric cranes and four were covered. They employed around 7000 and were engaged in the construction of warships before and during the Great War.

                           William Dobson & Co Ltd were shipbuilders at Walker on the north bank of the River Tyne.

                           J D Morris Ltd were shipbuilders at Hebburn on the south bank of the river Tyne.

                           High Walker Naval Yard was owned by Armstrong-Whitworth and had eight building slips, ranging from 500 to 1000 feet in length. The yard was engaged in the construction of warships before and during the Great War.

                           Wood Skinner & Co Ltd were shipbuilders of Gateshead on the south bank of the River Tyne, they were engaged in the construction of war cargo, mercantile ships and river gunboats.

                           Armstrong Whitworth Elswick Yard had three large building slips and six smaller slips, it was situated five miles upstream from the company's Walker yards, by the outbreak of war, the company had transferred most of the shipbuilding work to their new yards at Walker. During the conflict submarines and warships were built at Elswick, with the works mainly being engaged in ordnance work. Armstrong Witworth employed around 25,000 people across their three shipyards on the Tyne.

                           Bartram & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders at South Dock on the River Wear at Sunderland.

                           Sunderland Shipbuilding Co Ltd were based at South Dock on the River Wear at Sunderland.

                           John Bulmer & Co were shipbuilders at North Dock, Sunderland.

                           Joseph L Thompson & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders with a yard at North Sands, Sunderland

                           John Crown & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders at North Sands, Sunderland.

                           S P Austin & Son Ltd were shipbuilders on the River Wear at Wearmouth Bridge, Sunderland.

                           Robert Thompson & Sons Ltd, were shipbuilders at the Wearmouth Bridge & Southwick yards, on the River Wear at Sunderland.

                           Sir James Laing & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders at Deptford, Sunderland.

                           William Doxford & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders on the River Wear at Pallion Sunderland. They were engaged in the construction of destroyers and war cargo ships.

                           William Pickersgill & Sons Ltd were shipbuilders on the north bank of the River Wear at Southwick, Sunderland.

                           Sir John Priestman & Co were shipbuilders with a yard on the north bank of River Wear at Southwick, Sunderland.

                           Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd (of Tyneside) had a shipbuilding yard at Southwick, Sunderland on the River Wear building mercantile ships and war colliers.

                           Short Brothers Ltd were shipbuilders based at Pallion on the south bank of the River Wear near Sunderland.

                           William Grey & Co (of Hartlepool) ran the Ellerman, Gray, Incape, Strick Shipyard on the south bank of the River Wear at Pallion, Sunderland.

                           Graham Osbourne & Co were ship builders engaged in the construction of small naval craft, war colliers and mercantile shipping at their yard on the north bank of the River Wear at North Hylton near Sunderland.

                           William Grey & Co Ltd were shipbuilders based at Jackson Dock, Hartlepool.

                           1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry were a regular unit of the British Army. When war broke out in August 1914 they were in Nowshera in India with the 3rd (Abbottabad) Brigade, part of 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division.

                           Hareshaw Common Camp was an Artillery Camp, situated near Bellingham in Northumberland.

                           Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, London was a Royal Ordnance Factory, founded circa 1695. Its output included the making and repairing of guns and carriages, making, filling and assembling shells and shell components, making small arms and ammunition. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                           Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey, Essex was a Royal Ordnance Factory, founded in 1787. Its output included cordite, gunpowder, tetryl, guncotton and fuse powder. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                           Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, London was a Royal Ordnance Factory, founded in 1804. Its output included rifles, machine guns and small arms. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                           The Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, Hampshire, opened in 1905. Its output included aircraft and aircraft materials and undertook mainly experimental work. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                           HM Explosives Factory Coleford, Gloucestershire opened in 1913 to produce acetate of lime by wood distillation. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                         Abbs Battery  Abbs Battery was located at Sunderland, 140m north of Roker Battery.

                           Canvey Fort, also known as Deadman's Battery, was situated at Deadman’s Point on Canvey Island, to defend the River Thames. Two 6-inch naval guns, breach loaders on barbette carriages, were installed in concrete casements 40 yards apart, with a central magazine and the `usual offices'.

                           Castle Battery was situated at Tynemouth Castle, to defend the river Tyne. The 13th Century castle had first been armed with artillery in 1584, and in 1902 a new gun battery was constructed with two 6" guns and two 12pdr quick firing guns. In 1904 a 9.2" gun was added, with a range of 27km, this was later removed, but was reinstated before war was declared in 1914.

                           Cliffords Fort at North Shields, was built in 1672 and was the principal recruiting centre in North Shields and base of the Royal Marine Submarine Miners.

                           Synthetic Ammonia Works, Billingham, construction of the works began in 1917.

                           Fort Coulson is situated on the coast at Blyth in Northumberland. Named after the Royal Engineer Captain responsible for overseeing the construction in the late 19th century.

                           Fort Fareham was built as one of five forts in the Gosport Advanced Line in the 1860's and is situated immediately to the west of Salterns Creek adjacent to the railway line. In the defence review of 1901 the guns were removed, but the fort continued to be used as a barrak. In 1908 it became home to 1st Heavy Brigade, Royal Garison Artillery.

                           Fort Gilkicker is situated at the eastern end of Stokes Bay, Gosport, Hampshire, built in the 1860's to replace an earlier fort on the site. Semi-circular in design with twenty two guns housed in casemates and five heavier guns in open positions. The fort was disarmed following the review of 1905, but was rearmed in 1916 with a 3-inch Quick Fire Anti-Aircraft gun on a high angle mounting in the eastern 9.2inch B.L. position on top of the fort

                           Fort Grange was constructed in the early 1860's a one of five forts forming the outer defence line for Gosport. By 1910 it was in use as the District Headquarters of the Royal Garrison Artillery and at the outbreak of the great War was manned by No.23 (Siege) Company, Southern Group RGA. In 1916 it was armed with a 1-pounder heavy anti aircraft gun on a travelling carriage

                        Fort Grange became the HQ for the Military Wing RFC and in 1917 the School of Special Flying was formed at the Fort. In 1918 Fort Grange became part of RAF Gosport

                           Fort Matilda is situated on the River Clyde at Whitefarline Point. Construction began in 1814 as an ‘L’ shaped battery for eleven guns on traversing platforms. During the mid 19th century the fort was remodled and it became home to a submarine mining establishment which operated a minefield between Greenock and Kilcreggin from the mid 1880's until 1904, with two 6pdr. Quick Fire guns mounted at the fort. In 1904 the Fort was remodelled for two 4.7-inch Quick Fire guns and two searchlights.

                        In autumn 1914 the battery was manned by 2/1 Company, Clyde Royal Garrison Artillery and a large military camp was established in the ajacent parkland as the training camp for the 3rd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Initally a tented camp, huts were constructed and buildings in the town were taken over with Drumslea beaing used as the officers' mess. The Esplanade on the seafront was used as the parade ground. 480 officers and 15,486 men passed through Fort Matilda during the Great War.

                           Fort Nelson was built in the 1860's one of five defensive forts built on the summit of Portsdown Hill to protect the naval base of Portsmouth. Today it is part of the Royal Armouries and houses their collection of artillery.

                        In 1905 Fort Nelson became home to 35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

                           Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton was completed in 1829 to protect the port of Liverpool. At the outbreak of the Great War it was manned by the Lancashire and Cheshire Heavy Brigade, Territorial Army.

                           Fort Wallington was built in the 1860's on Portsdown Hill to portect the naval base at Portsmouth. Between 1905 and 1914 it was manned by 26 (H) Company Southern Group R.G.A. (later renamed 26 Heavy Battery R.G.A.)

                           Fort Walney was situated on Walney Island, Barrow in Furness and was first used in 1881. The site was rebuilt in 1911 and manned by the Lancashire and Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery.

                           Fort Warden on the Isle of Wight was built in the 1860's near Totland, as part of the Needles Passage defences.

                           Fort Widley, situated on Portsdown Hill was built in the 1860's to protect the naval base of Portsmouth, it was disarmed in 1902. During the Great War it was used as a transit depot.

                           Freshwater Redoubt on the Isle of Wight was built in in the late 1850's on the western headland overlooking the beach at Freshwater Bay. During the Great War the fort was manned by detachments of 2 officers and 29 other ranks from the New Needles and Warden Point batteries. Only the Lower Battery was armed and a A battery command post was positioned at the south-east corner of the fort. In 1915 two 6-pounder Quick Firing guns were relocated to Culver Battery, being replaced with two 12-pounder quick firing guns brought from Fort Albert. In February 1916 these were replaced with two 15-pounder quick firing field guns. The fort was disarmed in March 1918 as it was felt that the redoubt was too small to mount the new larger weapons.

                           Garrison Point Fort was built on the Isle of Sheppy at Sheerness in the 1860's on the site of much earlier fortifications to protect the entrance to the Medway and the Chatham Dockyards.

                           Godwin Artillery Battery situated in Kilnsea, Yorkshire (now the site of Sandy Beaches Holiday Village) and was built in 1914 part of the outer defences of the Humber. It was armed with two 9.2" breech loading guns, had two observation posts and a single coastal artillery searchlight. The accomodation included a hospital, which was used for recuperating soldiers later in the war.

                           Golden Hill fort on the Isle of Wight was built in the 1860's to protect the Solent. Between 1888 and 1903 it was home to the School of Gunnery. During the Great War it was used as an infantry training depot. Today the fort is in use as luxury housing.

                           Grain Battery is located on Grain Spit in the middle of the Medway estuary, it was built in 1855 to protect the Medway. In 1912 two 4.7 Quick Firing guns were installed.

                           Grenville Battery was built in the 1780's as part of Plymouth's defences, originally named Maker No. 4 Redoubt. In 1908 it was downgraded to a practise battery. During the Great War it was re-armed with three 4.7-inch guns.

                           Grey Point Fort is situated in Helen's Bay, Northern Ireland, it was built in 1907 to protect the entrance to Belfast Lough and armed with two 6 inch guns. Today the site hosues a military musuem.

                           Haile Sand Fort is located off the Lincolnshire Coast in the Humber Estuary. Construction began in 1915, it opened in 1917 but was not fully completed until 1919. It was armed with two 4 inch quick-firing Mk.V weapons mounted on teh top floor of the structure.

                           Hawkins Battery was built in 1890 as part of Plymouth's coastal defences. It was armed with four 9-inch breech-loading guns on high-angle mountings in late 1914 these were replaced by 9.2-inch guns.

                           Heugh Battery was built on the Headland in 1860 to protect the port of Hartlepool. In 1900 Heugh Battery was rebuilt with two 6-inch Mk VII guns using the standard configuration of two emplacements with an underground magazine in between. Today the site is home to a museum.

                           Hilpsford Fort situated in the south of Walney Island, was built in 1914.

                           Horse Sand Fort is a sea fort in the Solent in the eastern appraoches Portsmouth, it was built in the late 1860's allowing for an armament of 59 guns. During the Great War the fort was armed with three 6-inch Breech Loading guns, nine 12-inch Breech Loading guns and two 12.5-inch guns.

                           Hoxa Battery was situated on on South Ronaldsay, Orkney and was armed with 6-inch and 4-inch guns.

                           Hurst Castle Battery was situated to the East of Hurst Castle, near Milford on Sea. It was built in the 1860's to protect the mouth of the Needles Passage into the Solent. In 1905 it was reduced to a practice battery.

                           Inchgarvie Battery is situated on the island of Inchgarvie in the Firth of Forth. At the outbreak of war in 1914, the battery was armed with two quick firing 12 pounder 12cwt guns and two .303 Maxim machine guns on parapet mountings. In 1915 the 12 pounder guns were replaced by 4-inch calibre guns. Later in the war the 4-inch guns were replaced by four 12 pounder (Naval) 18cwt guns, with the the 4-inch guns being transferred to Inchmickery Battery.

                           Inchkeith Battery is situated on Inchkeith Island in the Firth of Forth. It was built in the 1880's to protect the port of Leith.

                           Inchmickery Battery is situated on on Inchmickery Island in the Firth of Forth. It was built in late 1914 to support of the outer line of the submarine net defence. The Battery opened in 1915, armed with 12 pounder (Naval) Quick Firing guns were mounted on Inchmickery, these were later replaced with four QF 4-inch MkIII guns in 1916, transferred from Inch Garvie.

                           Kinghorn Battery was situated on the East side of Kinghorn Ness in the Firth of Forth. It was constructed in 1903 and armed with 6-inch, 4.7-inch and 9.2-inch guns.

                           Landguard Fort at the mouth of the River Orwell, near Felixstowe, Suffolk was built in 1717. It was extensivly rebuilt in the 1870's. During the Great War the fort was armed with two 6 inch Breech Loading guns mounted on the Right Battery. A Portwar Signal Station was set up on the roof to control the shipping approaching Harwich Harbour, this was under the control of the Royal Navy.

                           Langdon Battery was situated on the cliffs of Dover to protect the harbour. It was built in the early 1900's and armed with with three 9.2" guns and two 6-inch Breech Loader guns with Magazines below. An Observation point on the cliffs was linked by a tunnel.

                        Today the site is occupied by the Coast Guard Station.

                           Lavernock Battery was situated Lavernock Point, Penarth, Wales, built in the 1860's as the most northerly of a chain of defences across the Bristol Channel to protect the approaches to Cardiff and Bristol shipyards. In 1903 the four 7" muzzle loading cannons were replaced with two rapid fire six inch breech-loading former naval guns.

                           Lighthouse Battery, Hartlepool was situated on the Headland beside the lighthouse, built in the 1860's it was armed with two 68pr smoothbore guns. In the 1880's the batter was rebuilt to accomodate a 6-inch Mk VI gun, which was replaced with a 6inch Mk VII in 1907. In 1915 the lighthouse itself was demolished as it had impeded the traverse of the gun during the bombardment in December 1914

                           Lord Howards Battery was built in the early 1900's and was armed with two 6-inch Breech Loader Mk VII guns to cover the merchant ship anchorage in Jennycliff Bay and the approach channel through the Sound to the Plymouth Dockyard.

                           Martello Battery, situated within Sheerness Docks was part of the Sheerness-On-Sea defensive lines and has been armed with guns since the 17th Century. Four Breech-Loading Guns were installed to replace older weapons at the end of the 19th Century.

                           Cemetery Battery was situated at Spion Kop, Hartlepool and was built in 1894. It was disarmed in 1907 but after the bombardment of December 1914, two mobile 4.7" Quick Fire guns were stationed close to the site.

                           The coastal battery at Mumbles Island was built in the 1860's close to the Lighthouse for the protection of Swansea and the Bristol Channel.

                           Nell's Point Battery at Barry, was constructed in the early 1900's to protect the Bristol Channel. It was initally armed with two 4.7" Quick Fire guns and two machine guns. By 1915 the guns had been upgraded to two 6inch MkVII Breech Loaders and two machine guns.

                           Ness Battery at Stromness was one of three batteries protecting the Hoy Sound and the western entrance to Scapa Flow, which was the main fleet base of the Royal Navy. The guns, which were of American manufacture, were manned by Royal Marines and the Orkney Royal Garrison Artillery.

                           Newhaven Fort in Sussex was built in the 1860's. During the Great War it was armed with two 6-inch Mark VII breechloading naval guns, and two modern light QF 12-pounder guns for defence against torpedo boats. Newhaven harbour was the main military supply port for the British Expeditionary Force in France, as well as being a base for naval vessels on escort and defensive duties in the English Channel. A naval examination vessel operated from the the harbour, which challenged and inspected all shipping on approach, the vessel worked closely with the fort and if a ship failed to respond to orders from the examination vessel, the fort would fire a shot across its bows.

                           Newhaven Harbour was the main military supply port for the British Expeditionary Force in France, as well as being a base for naval vessels on escort and defensive duties in the English Channel.

                           New Needles Battery was built in 1895 after surveys suggested that the cliffs at the Old Needles Battery would not take the concussion of the new modern guns. It was armed with three 9.2" breech loading guns with underground magazines between the emplacements. In 1902 a battery Command Post was added on the down above the battery. Today the site is owned by the National Trust.

                           The Needles Battery was built in the 1860's and renamed Old Needles Battery when the New Needles Battery was built in 1895 to accomodate upgraded guns. The fort was disarmed in 1903 but was rearmed in 1913 with Britain's first Anti-aircraft gun, a 1 pounder Pom Pom which was installed in the parade ground.

                           No Man's Land Fort stands in the Solent 2.2 kilometres off the coast of the Isle of Wight, it was built in the 1870's and 1880 designed to protect Portsmouth with 49 guns in two tiers. Lack of recoil space on the gun decks prevented full use of the 12.5-inch guns and in the late 1880's the fort was refitted with hydraulic machinary for lifting shells to the gun decks and for traversing and elevating the guns, the first fort to be equipped in this manner. In 1902 a 4.7-inch QF gun was installed on top of the Fort as an examination gun.

                           Nothe Fort is situated at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour and was built in the 1860's to protect Portland Harbour.

                           North Sutors Battery is situated on the cliffs at North Sutor and formed part of the Cromerty Defences during the Great War. The Battery was armed with four 4-inch Quick Firing guns with sunken magazines cut into the rock, they were manned by the Royal Navy.

                           Padstow Battery was situated at Gun Point on the estuary and was rebuilt in 1868 for the for the Padstow Artillery Volunteers. During the 1890's the site was armed with 1890 two 64pr. guns and during the Great War a 60 pdr. Field gun was manned on site.

                           Pasley Battery was situated near South Gare, north east of the Redcar Steel Works. It was armed with one 9.2 inch gun.

                           Paull Point Battery was built in the 1860's on the site of defences dating back to the reign of Henry VIII to protect the Humber. It was reconstructed at the turn of the century with three 6" Mark VII breech loading guns and two 4.7" Quick firers, added in 1905. The 4.7 inch guns were removed in 1910. Paull Point was in use during the first year of the Great War and with the 6 inch guns being removed in 1915 when the defensive role was taken over by Sunk Island and Stallingborough Batteries closer to the coast. Paull Point Battery then became the headquarters for the Humber Fire Command.

                           Point Battery, Portsmouth, also called Sally Port Battery was built in the 1670's on the site of older armed defences. It was modified in the 1860's to take five 12-pounder quick-firing guns. During the Great War it was armed with three 12pdrs.

                           Portkill Battery was sitated at at Kilcreggan as part of the Clyde Defences and was built in the early 1900's.

                           Carlingnose Battery was situated at North Queensferry, part of the Forth Defences protecting the Rosyth Shipyards and the rail bridge. It was built in the early 1900's, with two 6-inch gun emplacements with magazines below and an observation post. The guns were removed to Pettycur Battery in 1916.

                           Nodes Point Battery is situated at St Helen's Point on the Isle of Wight. It was built in the early 1900's and armed with two 9.2 inch and two six inch guns. The six inch guns were removed in 1909. Today the site is the Nodes Point Holiday Park, the gun emplacements positions are easily recognisable. The guardhouse and drill hall survive as part of the holiday park.

                           Roker Battery, Sunderland dates back to the 18th century. It was disarmed in 1902 and was rebuilt in 1916 with two 4.7" inch naval guns positioned in earth emplacements with two searchlights. Today the site of one of the guns is visible as a circular seating area on the seafront.

                           Sandown Barrack Battery was built in the 1860's about 1,500 yards to the west of Sandown Fort on the Isle of Wight. In 1902 the battery was remodelled to take two 12pdr Quick Firing guns and two 6-inch BL Mk VII guns. These were removed in 1916 and today the battery is a flower garden.

                           Seaforth Battery was built inthe 19th Century as part of the Mersey Defences. During the Great War it was armed with with two 4.7-inch quick-firing guns.

                           Spanish Battery is situated on a low promontory to the south of Tynemouth Castle on the north bank of the entrance to the River Tyne. It is said to be named after Spanish mercenaries who manned the guns during Henry VIII’s Scottish Campaign of the 1540's. In 1902 the Battery was remodelled to accomodate two 6 inch Mk VII and two 12 pdr Quick Firing guns. Today only the aprons of the gun emplacements are visible with most of the site being covered by a car park.

                           Spitsand Fort also known as Spit Fort is one of four seaforts located in the Solent for the defence of Portsmouth Harbour. During the Great War the fort was armed with three 12-inch breechloading guns and two 4.7" guns and searchlights on the roof.

                           Spurn Point Battery was built in 1915 to defend the ports along the Humber, it was armed with four 4.7-inch guns, a standard gauge railway was lain to provide easier access to the site.

                           Green Battery, named after General Sir William Green, is located on Spurn Point and was built in 1916 as part of the Humber Defences. It was armed with two 9.2" BL Mk10 guns on Mk5 mountings in circular concrete pits, with two battery observation posts flanking the emplacements.

                           South Gare Battery is located on the South Gare breakwater at the entrance to the River Tees. The battery was built in 1891 as part of the Palmerston defence programme, itw as armed with two 4.7″ Hotchkiss Quick Firing guns during the Great War.

                           Stallingborough Battery was built in 1915 as part of the Humber Defence system. It was armed with two 6-inch breech-loading Mk. VII guns.

                           The HQ of the 7th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was in Stirling. A Company was based in Stirling, Bannockburn and Bridge of Allan. B Coy in Stenhousemuir and Denny, C Coy at Falkirk and Bonnybridge. D Coy at Lennoxtown and Kilsyth, E Coy at Alloa, F Coy at Alva, Dollar, Tillcoultry and Menstrie. G Cot at Kinross and Kelty. H Coy at Alloa, Sauchie and Clackmannan.

                           The HQ of the 8th (Argyleshire) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was at Dunoon. A Company drew its troops from Inveraray, Lochgoilhead, Auchnagoul, Dalmally, Furnace, Cairndow, Strachur and Kilchrenan. B Coy at Campbeltown, C Coy from Southend, Campbeltown, Glenbarr, Tayinloan, Stewarton and Kilcrenan. D Coy at Dunoon and Sandback. E Coy from Lochgilphead, Kilmartin, Tighnabruaich, Glenaruel, Ardrishaig and Tayvallich. F Coy from Ballaculish, Kinlochleven, Ardgour and Duror. G Coy from Bowmore, Jura, port Ellen, Bridgend and Ballygrant. H Coy from Easdale, Clachan, Oban, Cullipool, Tobernochy, Benderloch and Ardchattan.

                        The 8th Argylls also had a cadet corps at Dunoon Grammar School.

                           The 9th (Dumbartonshore) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had their HQ at Hartfield, Dumbarton. A Company was drawn from Helensburgh and Cardross, B Coy from Kirkintilloch, Cumbernauld and Lenzie. C Coy from Dumbarton, D Coy from Milngavie, E Coy from Jamestown and Bonhill, F Coy from Alexandria and Renton, G and H Coys from Clydebank.

                           The Argyllshire Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery were a Territorial unit, part of the 4th Highland Mounted Brigade with their HQ in Rusell Street, Rothesay. The troops were recruited from the areas of Campbeltown, Oban and Tobermory.

                           The Ayrshire Royal Horse Artillery had their HQ at Ayr and consisted of the Ayr Battery and the Lowland Mounted Brigade (Ayr) Ammunition Column. They were part of the Lowland Mounted Brigade which had its HQ at 10 Dublin Street, Edinburgh.

                           The Ayrshire Yeomanry (Earl of Carrick's Own) had their HQ in Ayr and were part of the Lowland Mounted Brigade at the outbreak of war in 1914. A Squadron was based in Ayr, B Squadron in Cumnock, C Squadron in Kilmarnock and D Squadron in Beith.

                           The 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment had their HQ in Gwyn Street, Bedford. A Company was based at the HQ in Bedford, B and C Coys in Old Bedford Rd, Luton (now a leisure centre), D Coy was based at the Drill Hall, Biggleswade with drill stations at Arlesey, Sandy and St. Neots. E Coy from Ampthill with a drill station at Olney. F Coy was based in Luton, with drill stations in Church St, Dunstable and at the Town Hall, Leighton Buzzard. G Coy had Drill Halls at Fletton and Yaxley, H Coy at Huntingdon, St Ives and Ramsey. The Cadet Corps was based at Dunstable Grammar School. At the outbreak of War in 1914 they were part of the East Midland Infantry Brigade, East Anglian Division.

                           The HQ of the Bedfordshire Yeomanry was in Ashburnham Road, Bedford, they were part of the Eastern Mounted Brigade when war broke out in 1914. A Squadron were from Bedford, B Squadron from Biggleswade and Shefford. C Squadron from Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Woburn and Ampthill. D Squadron was drawn from Godmanchester, St Neots, Kimbolton, Ramsey, Somersham, Sutton and Charteriss.

                           The HQ of the Berkshire Royal Horse Artillery was at Yeomanry House, Castle Hill, Reading. At the outbreak of war in 1914 they were part of the 2nd Midland Mounted Brigade. The unit consisted of the Battery, from Reading and Ascot and the Ammunition Column from Ascot.

                           The Berkshire Yeomanry had their HQ at Yeomanry House, Castle Hill, Reading when war broke out in 1914, they were part of the 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade. A Squadron were recruited from Windsor, Maidenhead and Wokingham, B Squadron from Reading and Wallingford, C Squadron from Newbury, Hungerford and Lambourn. D Squadron had their Drill Station in Wantage and were recruited from Wantage, Abingdon, Faringdon and Didcot.

                           The 5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion, Black Watch had their HQ in Arbroath. A Company was from Kirriemuir, Glamis and Newtyle. B Coy was based in Forfar, C coy in Montrose and Crigo, D Coy from Brechin and Edzell, E Coy from Arbroath and Friockheim, F Coy from Arbroath, Carnoustie and Monifleth, G and H Coys were based in Dundee. At the outbreak of War in 1914 they were part of the Black Watch Brigade and their allocated war station was the Scottish Coastal Defences.

                        They proceeded to France on the 2nd of November 1914, landing at Le Havre and joining 24th Brigade, 8th Division on the 13th. They remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 converted to a Pioneer Battalion with 8th Division but on the 6th of January 1916 they converted back to infantry and transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. On the 29th of February they transferred to 118th Brigade, 39th Division and on the 15th March they amalgamated with the 1/4th Black Watch to form the 4/5th Battalion.

                           The 6th (Perthshire) Battalion Black Watch had their HQ in Tay Street, Perth. At the outbreak of war in 1914 they were part of the Black Watch Infantry Brigade, thier allocated war station being the Scottish Coastal Defences. A and B Companies were based in Perth, C Coy was drawn from Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Doune and callander. D Coy from Crieff and Cromerty. E Coy was from Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Alyth. F Coy was from Auchterarder, Blackford and Dunning, G Coy from Birnam, Pictlochery, Bankfoot, Ballinluig, Stanley, Luncarty, Strathbraun and Blair Atholl. H Coy was from Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Fortingall, Grantully and Killin.

                           The Bolton Artillery, made up of the 18th, 19th and 20th Lancashire Batteries and Ammunition Column, were also known as the 3rd Brigade East Lancashire Royal Field Artillery. They had their HQ in Bolton.

                           The HQ of the 4th Battalion Border Regiment was at Strand Road, Carlisle. When war broke out in 1914 they were part of the East Lancashire Division. A and B Companies were based in Carlise, C Coy from Keswick and Brampton, D Coy in Penrith, E coy was from Kirkby Lonsdale, Sedbergh, Endmoor and Milnthorpe, Kirkby Stephen and Appleby. F Coy was based in Kendle, G Coy from Kendal, Burneside and Staveley. H coy from Windermere, Ambleside adn Elterwater. There was also a cadet company at Kirkby Lonsdale.

                           The 5th (Cumberland) Battalion, Border Regiment had their HQ at Workington. A company was based in Whitehaven, B and C Coys at Workington, D Coy at Cockermouth, E Coy was from Egremeont, St Bees and Cleator, F Coy at Wigton, G Coy at Frizington and H Coy was from Aspatria, Dearham and Bulgill.

                           The HQ of the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry (Royal Bucks Hussars) was in Buckingham, (the building is now the Old Gaol Museum). A Squadron was drawn from Buckingham, Stony Stratford, Blethchley, Newport Pagnall and Akley. B Squadron from Aylesbury,Kimble, Quainton and Wind. C Squadron from High Wycombe, Stokenchurch, Taplow and Beaconsfield. D Squadron from Chesham, Cholesbury, Chalford St peter and Great Missenden. When war broke out in 1914 they were part of teh Territorial Force, 2nd South Midland Mounted Brigade.

                           The HQ of the 4th Battalion East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) was in Canterbury. A Company was recruited from Ramsgate, Birchington and Broadstairs. B Coy from Canterbury, Chatham and Ash. C Coy from Canterbury, Littlebourne, Wingham and Nonington. D Coy from Folkestone and Hythe, E Coy from Sittingbourne and Sheerness, F Coy from Herne Bay and Whitstable, G Coy from Margate, St Nicholas at Wade and Westgate-on-Sea. H Coy was in Dover. There were also cadet corps at Chatham House in Ramsgate, Herne Bay College, New College in Herne Bay and Royal Marine Cadets at the RM Deot in Deal.

                           The HQ of the 5th (Weald of Kent) Battalion, East Kent Regiment (the Buffs) was in Ashford. A Company was drawn from Cranbrook and Benenden, B Coy from Hawkhurst and Sandhurst. C Coy from Headcorn, Staplehurst, Marden and Sutten Valence. D Coy from Horsmonden, Goudhurst, Lamberhurts, Brenchley, Yalding and Paddock Wood. E Coy from Ashford, Pluckley, Smarden, Bethersden. Aldington, Broughton Aluph and Ham Street. F and H Coy were in Ashford, G Coy from Tenderdenm Lydd, Woodchurch, New Romney, Appledorem Wittersham and Rolvden.

                           The 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment was raised in August 1914 in Cambridge, a Territorial Battalion with the East Midland Brigade in East Anglian Division. They had their HQ at 14 Corn Exchange Street, Cambridge. A and D Coys were recruited from Cambridge, Great Shelford and Burwell. B Coy from Cambridge and Sawston, C coy from Cambridge and Madingley. E Coy from Wishbech, F Coy from Whittlesea, Coates and Thorney. G Coy from March, Chatteris, Benwick and Doddington, H Coy from Ely and Sutton.The battalion moved to Romford on mobilization and then to Long Melford, to Stowlangtoft in September and then to Bury St Edmunds in November. They proceeded to France on the 15th of February 1915, landing at Le Havre where they joined 82nd Brigade, 27th Division. They saw action at St Eloi and The Second Battle of Ypres. The battalion left 27th Division when the Division was ordered to Salonika, remaining in France and joining 118th Brigade in 39th Division on the 29th of February 1916. They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, on the Somme and the Battles of the Lys in 1918. 39th Division suffered heavily on the Lys and was reduced to a cadre and subsequently became a training Division supervising courses of instruction for American troops who had just arrived in Flanders. The 1st Cambridgeshires transferred to 35th Brigade, 12th Division on the 9th of May 1918 and absorbed more than 400 men from 7th Suffolk Regiment to bring them back to full strength. They saw action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Artois. After the Armistice 12th Division moved to an area east of Douai and were engaged with battlefield salvage until all the men had been demobilized.

                           The 4th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders had their HQ in Inverness. A Coy was based in Inverness, B Coy recruited from Nairn, Cawdor, Ardersier, Auldern, Croy and Petty. C Coy from Inverness and Moy. D Coy from Broadford, Torrin, Elgoll and Raasay. E Coy from Fort William, Corpach, Fort Augustus and invergarry. F Coy from Kingussie, Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore, Kincraig, Insh, Aviemore and Ardverikie. G Coy from Beauly, Struy, Kilarlity, Inchmore and Drumnadrochit. H Coy from portree, Glenmore, Bernusdale, Edinbane, Sconser, Tarbert, Kilmuir, Dunvegan and Lochmaddy.

                        The 4th Battalion where at Inverness with the Seaforth & Cameron Brigade in the Highland Division. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France, leaving their Division, on the 20th of February 1915 landing at Le Havre, and joined 24th Brigade, 8th Division on the Western Front on the 23rd. They saw action at Neuve Chapelle and on the 8th of April 1915 they transferred to 21st Brigade, 7th Division. They took part in The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy and the The Battle of Loos in 1915. On the 20th of December 1915 the Battalion transferred to 91st Brigade 7th Division, then on the 7th of January 1916 transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division until the 28th of February when they left the Division, moved to base and the 4th Battalion was disbanded. Some 300 men were sent to join the 1st Entrenching Battalion (a forerunner to the Labour Corps) and in late 1916 the remainder joined the 1st Battalion in the field.

                           The 5th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) had their HQ at 261 West Princes Street in Glasgow, all the companies, A to H were based in the city. They were part of the Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division when war broke out in August 1914. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914, attached to 19th Brigade in 6th Division which reinforced the hard-pressed BEF on the Aisne before moving North to Flanders. The 1/5th Cameronians were one of the units to take part in the Christmas truce of 1914.

                        On the 31st of May 1915 19th Brigade transferred to 27th Division and saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres, moving to 2nd Divsion on the 19th of August 1915 and then on the 25th of November 1915 to 33rd Division to strengthen the inexperienced division. On the 29th May 1916 the 5th Cameronians merged with 1/6th Battalion to become 5/6th Battalion. They saw action at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, on the Flanders Coast and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, the Battles of the Lys, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy in 1918.

                           The 6th Battalion Camerionians (Scottish Rifles) had their HQ in Muir Hall Hamilton. A and B Comapnies were from Hamilton, C Coy from Uddingston, D Coy from Larkhall and Stathaven. E Coy from Bothwell and Palace Colliery. F Coy from Blantyre, G and H Coys were from Motherwell. They were part of the Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division when war was declared in August 1914. After training they proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 21st of March 1915, where they joined 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. They saw action at The Battle of Aubers then on the 2nd of June 1915 transferred to 154th Brigade in 51st (Highland) Division and moved to The Somme going into the front line near Hamel. On the 12th of January 1916 the 6th Cameronians became Divisional Troops and commenced training as Pioneers. On the 25th of February 1916 they transferred to 100th Brigade, 33rd Division in May 1916 and then became part of 19th Brigade 33rd Division and merged with 5th Cameronians to become 5/6th Battalion.

                        They saw action in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the Arras Offensive, on the Hindenburg Line, the Flanders Coast and in the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917, the Third Battles of Ypres, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy in 1918.

                           The 7th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) had their HQ in Victoria Road, Glasgow. All the Companies A to H were from the city and there was a cadet corps at Hutcheson's Grammar School in Crown Street.They were part of the Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division when war was declared in August 1914. They moved to Grangemouth for training and on the 11th of May 1915 the Scottish Rifle Brigade became 156th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 24th of May 1915 for Gallipoli, via Egypt arriving on the 14th of June 1915. They were in action at Gully Ravine in late June and suffered heavy casualties, on the 1st of July 1915 the 7th Battalion temporarily merged with 1/8th Battalion (They resumed thier own identity on the 21st of February 1916.) In mid July 1915 they were in action at Achi Baba Nullah, and in late December at Krithia Nullahs. In January 1916 they moved to Egypt via Mudros and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd March 1916. They were in action in late April at Dueidar and in The Battle of Romani in early August, and during 1917 they were in action in the Palestine campaign. In March 1918 they left Arsuf for France and landed at Marseilles on the 17th of April 1918. The Division concentrated near Abbeville and went into the front line near Vimy on the 6th of May. They saw action in Second Battles of the Somme, the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Artois during 1918. At the Armistice they were in the front line north of the Mons canal.

                           The 8th Battalion Cameronians Scottish Rifles were a unit of the Territorial Force and had their HQ at 149 Catherdral Street, Glasgow. All the Companies, A to H were from the city. They were part of the the Scottish Rifle Brigade, Lowland Division when war was declared in August 1914. They moved to Grangemouth for training and on the 11th of May 1915 the Scottish Rifle Brigade became 156th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division. They sailed from Liverpool on the 24th of May 1915 for Gallipoli, via Egypt arriving on the 14th of June 1915. They were in action at Gully Ravine in late June and suffered heavy casualties, on the 1st of July 1915 the 8th Battalion temporarily merged with 7th Battalion (They resumed thier own identity on the 21st of February 1916) In mid July 1915 they were in action at Achi Baba Nullah, and in late December at Krithia Nullahs. In January 1916 they moved to Egypt via Mudros and took over No 3 Section of the Suez Canal defences on the 2nd March 1916. They were in action in late April at Dueidar and in The Battle of Romani in early August, and during 1917 they were in action in the Palestine campaign. In March 1918 they left Arsuf for France and landed at Marseilles on the 17th of April 1918. The Division concentrated near Abbeville and went into the front line near Vimy on the 6th of May. On the 28th of June 1918 the Battalion transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. They saw action in the Battles of the Marne and the Final Advance in Flanders, at the Armistice they were in the area east of Courtrai and the 34th Division was selected join the Army of Occupation and travelled trhough Belgium to Germany, occuping the Cologne bridgehead in late January. in December a large number of men with mining and industrial skills had been demobilized to resume thier civilian occupations. In March 1919 the 34th Division was reconstituted and renamed the Eastern Division.

                           The Bute Mountain Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force, part of the 4th Highland Mountain Brigade whigh had its HQ in Russell Street, Rothesay. The battery recruited from Rothesay, Largs and Kilchatten.

                           The Cardiganshire Battery Royal Field Artillery, based in Aberystwyth, was a Territorial unit of the 2nd Welsh Brigade and had been formed in 1908.

                           The Cheshire Batteries, Royal Field Artillery consisted of the 1st Chester Battery, the 2nd Cheshire Battery, both based in Chester, the 3rd Chester Battery (previously named the Flintshire Battery) with is HQ in Crewe and the Chester and Crewe Ammunition Column. Together they formed the 3rd (Cheshire Brigade) Royal Field Artllery.

                           The Cheshire Brigade Conmpany, Army Service Corps was a Territorial unit, part of the Welsh Divisional Transport and Supply Column. Their HQ as at 79a Harrowby Road, Birkenhead.

                           The Cheshire Field Company, Royal Engineers were a Territorial unit with thier HQ at 79a Harrowby Road, Birkenhead. They were part of the Welsh Divisional Engineers.

                           On the 16th August 1909 the War Office issued a scheme for the Organisation of Voluntary Aid in England and Wales, which set up both male and female Voluntary Aid Detachments to compliment the Territorial medical services. In December 1909 a similar scheme was launched in Scotland. The VAD's were for home service, intended to staff auxiliary hospitals and rest stations should the need arise. Across the country detachments were formed and began training in first aid, basic nursing duties, cookery and hygiene. The male and some of the female detachments also trained in stretcher bearing, transportation and improvisation of caring for the wounded outdoors. There was no pay for any of the duties and the majority of the volunteers were those of the more affluent levels of society.

                        When war broke out in 1914 the VAD's were came under the administration of the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John, which was based at Devonshire House, Piccadilly, London. Their role had already been clearly defined and the units at once leapt into action, gathering donated linen, kitchen equipment and medical supplies, borrowing cars and setting up hospitals and rest centres in village halls and country houses.

                         How did World War One break out?   Professor David Stevenson closely examines the three stages that led to war being declared between Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Germany, Russia, France, and Britain.

                        In July-August 1914 an international crisis culminated in the outbreak of the First World War. The crisis had three phases. In the first, one of the six European Great Powers, Austria-Hungary, launched a war against Serbia. In the second, this war escalated into a Continent-wide conflict involving Germany, Russia, and France. In the third, the conflict spread into Western Europe as Germany invaded Luxemburg and Belgium, and Britain intervened. The sixth Great Power, Italy, remained neutral.

                        Phase one: Austria-Hungary declares war against Serbia.

                        In its later stages the crisis ran at breakneck speed, but at first it moved slowly. It began with the assassinations on 28 June of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, at Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. Franz Ferdinand was heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. He fell victim to what would now be called state-sponsored terrorism. Princip was an ethnic Serb from Bosnia, which Austria-Hungary had annexed in 1908. He belonged to a revolutionary nationalist group that wanted to liberate the South Slav peoples (Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes) from foreign rule and unite them in a new state of Yugoslavia. The conspirators had received their weapons from Serbian military intelligence and been trained in Belgrade, although the Serbian civilian government had not been involved. It was therefore unsurprising that Austria-Hungary made drastic demands on Serbia in an ultimatum delivered on 23 July. But the Austro-Hungarian leaders wanted to use the assassinations to provoke a war, and to a British radical such as David Lloyd George their conduct amounted to bullying. When Serbia failed to accept all of the demands, Austria-Hungary declared war on 28 July.

                        The diary of George Riddell, dated 26 July 1914, records a telephone conversation with David Lloyd George: ‘He said that Austria had made demands which no self respecting nation could comply with and that such demands when addressed by a great nation to a small one were in the nature of bullying [ ] threats.’ The diary of George Riddell, dated 26 July 1914, records a telephone conversation with David Lloyd George: ‘He said that Austria had made demands which no self respecting nation could comply with and that such demands when addressed by a great nation to a small one were in the nature of bullying [ ] threats.’

                        Phase two: the conflict widens to Germany, Russia, and France. Austria-Hungary’s leaders ruled a multi-national empire. They felt that Serbian-backed separatism threatened its survival. Already by 1913 they had decided that only force could solve the problem. But they knew a war against Serbia was almost certain to escalate, and before sending the ultimatum they consulted their ally, Germany, whose leaders urged Austria-Hungary to use force and promised backing if Russia intervened (the secret ‘Potsdam blank cheque’, 5-6 July). The Germans’ motives have been intensively debated. From their perspective, Austria-Hungary was their one reliable Great-Power ally, and enemies ringed them. France and Russia had allied in 1891-94, and since 1904 Britain had co-operated with them. Germany had conducted a battleship-building race against Britain and an army race against France and Russia, and since 1905 the two blocs had clashed repeatedly over Morocco and the Balkans. The German leaders were readier to risk war because they believed the current military balance favoured them but would soon deteriorate. But if Germany threw down a challenge, Russia was quick to respond. Once Austria-Hungary sent the ultimatum Russia began military preparations, and after war was declared on Serbia, Russia ordered ‘general mobilisation’ (31 July), placing its forces on a war footing. Russia’s leaders were willing to accept a European conflict rather than abandon Serbia, partly because of Slav solidarity but more to protect their own interests in the Balkans and because they saw Germany as a danger. They had recently strengthened their army, and they correctly expected France to support them.

                        Phase three: Germany invades Luxemburg and Belgium, Britain intervenes. Germany and France had been at odds since the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, after which Germany had annexed the French provinces of Alsace-Lorraine. The French remembered the loss, although they would not have started a war over it. Germany’s strategy for a war against France and Russia envisaged first defeating France quickly, outflanking France’s border fortresses by invading via Luxemburg and Belgium. Once Russia mobilized (which the Germans feared would undermine their war plan) the Germans declared war on both Russia and France (1 and 3 August) and demanded that Belgium allow them to cross its territory. Britain, Germany, and France had all committed themselves to respect Belgian independence by the 1839 Treaty of London, and the issue swung the doubters in the British Cabinet. As Germany failed to comply with a demand to respect Belgium, on 4 August Britain declared war.

                        In 1914 a Balkan crisis coincided with high tension between Europe’s opposing power blocs. For decades the continent had enjoyed relative peace, and many had believed that war was becoming obsolete: some called for a common language such as Esperanto. Now, however, anti-war opposition collapsed, because events moved too quickly and the full facts of the crisis remained hidden, and because each government could present the conflict as a defensive struggle forced on it by the enemy. Partly for this reason, at least until 1917 pro-war consensus generally remained solid.

                           

                        LZ16

                        Zeppelin LZ16 (Z14) was a Class type H which had its first flight on the 14th March 1913. It Accidentally crossed the French border on the 3rd April 1913 due to a navigational error caused by poor visibility and landed on the cavalry parade ground at Lunéville, allowing the French to perform a detailed examination. It was used for reconnaissance over East Prussia in August 1914 and bombed Warsaw on 24th of September 1914. Later used for training it was decommissioned in the autumn of 1916.

                           Zeppelin LZ17 Sachsen was a Class type H in Civilian and later Military use. Its first flight was on 3rd May 1913. It transported 9837 passengers in 419 flights, traveling 39,919 km. Taken over by German military upon outbreak of World War I in 1914. This was Captain Lehmann's first command. It had bomb racks and a bomb drop station fitted, together with an improved radio room, machine guns in the cars below and a gunners nest on top of the tail. In its first attack on Antwerp it carried 1,800 pounds (820 kg) of bombs and spent 12 hours in the air. It was Decommissioned in autumn of 1916.

                           Zeppelin LZ20 (ZV) was a Class type: H whose first flight was on 8th July 1913. It was used in World War I for reconnaissance missions in Western Poland. It had to make a forced landing due to damage from ground fire after an attack on Mlawa during the Battle of Tannenberg with the entire crew being captured.

                        1st January 1914 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                        SL1 Framework under construction.

                        Schütte-Lanz SL1

                        • First Flight: 1st October 1911
                        • Length: 131 metres (430 ft)
                        • Diameter: 18.4 metres (60 ft)
                        • Gas Capacity: 19,000 cubic meters
                        • Performance: 38.3 km/h
                        • Payload: 4.5 tonnes
                        • Engines: 4 Daimler 500 hp/370 kW total kapal laut

                        The Schütte-Lanz airship SL1 was the first of 20 airships built by the company. Construction was carried out in a large hangar at Rheinau near Mannheim. The ship was powered by four 125 horsepower (93 kW) Daimler-Benz engines installed in two ventral gondolas. A distinctive feature of the Schütte-Lanz ships was that the frame was constructed from special plywood which was (supposedly) waterproofed and protected from frost. The SL1 was constructed with a diamond lattice frame and had a highly streamlined shape, allowing it to achieve a record speed of 38.3 km/h. The structure of the SL1 resembles the later "geodesic" structures of Barnes Wallis at Vickers or Buckminster Fuller's domes. It was only matched at the time by the structure of the MacMeecham airship, designed and partially built in England in the first years of World War I.

                        Fifty-three experimental flights were made between October 1911 and December 1912, the longest of over 16 hours. The ship was handed over to the German Army on the 12th December 1912, but destroyed soon afterwards when it broke loose from its temporary mooring during a storm.

                           

                           1st Battalion Royal Scots (The Lothian Regiment)

                      • August 1914 : in Allahabad.
                      • Returned to England 16 November 1914.
                      • 16 November 1914 : transferred to 81st Brigade, 27th Division.
                      • Landed at Le Havre 20 December 1914.
                      • Moved to Salonika December 1915.

                      The history of 27th Division

                      As regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England, having been recalled soon after the declaration of war but many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them, they were formed up into three Divisions, numbered 27th to 29th. The 27th was formed at Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 and was soon rushed as a much-needed reinforcement to France. Shortage of some types of units were filled by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. It embarked at Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 20-23 December 1914 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Aire and Arques. The Division subsequently took part in these actions:

                      1915 The action of St Eloi and the Second Battle of Ypres.

                      The Division was ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on 17 November, but it was not until 13 February 1916 that the last of the Division finally arrived.

                         1st Battalion the Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment).

                    • August 1914 : in Allahabad.
                    • Returned to England 16 November 1914.
                    • 16 November 1914 : transferred to 81st Brigade, 27th Division.
                    • Landed at Le Havre 20 December 1914.
                    • Moved to Salonika December 1915.

                      The history of 27th Division - 1915 As regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England, having been recalled soon after the declaration of war but many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them, they were formed up into three Divisions, numbered 27th to 29th. The 27th was formed at Magdalen hill Camp near Winchester in November-December 1914 and was soon rushed as a much-needed reinforcement to France. Shortage of some types of units were filled by Territorial units taken from other Divisions. It embarked at Southampton and landed at Le Havre on 20-23 December 1914 and then moved to concentrate in the area between Aire and Arques. The Division subsequently took part in these actions:
                    • The action of St Eloi
                    • The Second Battle of Ypres
                    The Division was ordered to Salonika in November 1915 and embarkation began on 17 November, but it was not until 13 February 1916 that the last of the Division finally arrived.

                       

                    15th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

                  • Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 64th Brigade in 21st Division.
                  • Moved to Halton Park, going on to billets in Maidenhead in December 1914 and then back to Halton Park in April 1915.
                  • Finally moved to Witley in July.
                  • 11 September 1915 : landed at Boulogne.

                       1/4th Battalion, the Essex Regiment.

                    • August 1914 : in Brentwood. Part of Essex Brigade in East Anglian Division.
                    • Moved to Norwich in late 1914 and on to Colchester in April 1915.
                    • May 1915 : formation became 161st Brigade in 54th (East Anglian) Division. Moved late in the month to St Albans.
                    • 21 July 1915 : sailed from Devonport for Gallipoli, going via Lemnos.
                    • Landed at Suvla bay 12 August 1915.
                    • 4 December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Mudros, going on to Alexandria 17 December 1915.
                    • Remained in Egypt/Palestine theatre thereafter.

                         The Cardiganshire Battery RFA (TF) based at Aberystwyth formed part of the 2nd Welsh Brigade with the 3rd and 4th Glamorgans.

                       The debate on the origins of World War One  

                      Satirical map of Europe drawn by German graphic artist Walter Trier in 1914, showing Germany and Austria-Hungary as aggressors.

                      Beginning with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Dr Annika Mombauer explores the opposing debates about the origins of World War One. Is it possible for historians to arrive at a consensus?

                      The hundred-year debate.

                      How could the death of one man, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, who was assassinated on 28 June 1914, lead to the deaths of millions in a war of unprecedented scale and ferocity? This is the question at the heart of the debate on the origins of the First World War. How did Europe get from the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife to the situation at the beginning of August when Germany and Austria-Hungary were at war with Serbia, Russia, France, Belgium, and Britain? Finding the answer to this question has exercised historians for 100 years, and arriving at a convincing consensus has proved impossible.

                      The need to fight a defensive war Establishing the responsibility for the escalation of the July Crisis into a European war, and ultimately a world war, was paramount even before fighting had begun. The governments of Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary tried desperately to ensure that they did not appear to be the aggressor in July and August 1914. This was crucial because the vast armies of soldiers that would be needed to fight this war could not be summoned for a war of aggression. Socialists, of whom there were many millions by 1914, would not have supported a belligerent foreign policy, and could only be relied upon to fight in a defensive war. Populations would only rally and make sacrifices willingly if the cause was just and that meant fighting a defensive war.

                      The French and Belgians, Russians, Serbs and British were convinced they were indeed involved in a defensive struggle for just aims. Austrians and Hungarians were fighting to revenge the death of Franz Ferdinand. Germans were assured by their Kaiser, Wilhelm II, and their Chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, that Germany’s neighbours had ‘forced the sword’ into its hands. In 1914, Germans were certain that they had not started the war. But if not they (who had after all invaded Belgium and France in the first few weeks of fighting), then who had caused this war?

                      From the victors’ war guilt ruling to a comfortable interwar consensus For the victors, this was an easy question to answer, and they agreed at the peace conference at Paris in 1919 that Germany and its allies had been responsible for causing the Great War. Based on this decision, which was embodied in Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles, vast reparations would be payable. This so-called ‘war guilt ruling’ set the tone for the long debate that followed on the causes of the war. From 1919 onwards, governments and historians engaged with this question as revisionists (who wanted to revise the verdict of Versailles) clashed with anti-revisionists who agreed with the victors’ assessment. Sponsored by post-war governments and with access to vast amounts of documents, revisionist historians set about proving that the victors at Versailles had been wrong. Countless publications and documents were made available to prove Germany’s innocence and the responsibility of others. Arguments were advanced which highlighted Russia’s and France’s responsibility for the outbreak of the war, for example, or which stressed that Britain could have played a more active role in preventing the escalation of the July Crisis.

                      In the interwar years, such views influenced a newly developing consensus that no longer foregrounded Germany’s war guilt, but instead identified a failure in the alliance system before 1914. The war had not been deliberately unleashed, but Europe had somehow ‘slithered over the brink into the boiling cauldron of war’, as David Lloyd George famously put it. With such a conciliatory accident theory, Germany was off the hook, and instead of remaining a former troublesome enemy could become a potential future ally against the increasingly threatening-looking Soviet Union. And so a comfortable consensus emerged and lasted all through the Second World War and beyond, by which time the Great War (now known as the First World War) had been overshadowed by an even deadlier conflict.

                      The Fischer school challenge to the revisionist consensus. There was little reason to question this comfortable orthodoxy after 1945. The first major challenge to this interpretation was advanced in Germany in the 1960s, where the historian Fritz Fischer published a startling new thesis on the origins of the war which threatened to overthrow the existing consensus. Germany, he argued, bore the main share of responsibility for the outbreak of the war. Moreover, its leaders had deliberately unleashed the war in pursuit of aggressive foreign policy aims which were startlingly similar to those pursued by Hitler in 1939. Backed up by previously unknown primary evidence, this new interpretation exploded the comfortable post-war view of shared responsibility. It made Germany responsible for unleashing not only the Second World War (of this there was no doubt), but also the First, turning Germany’s recent history into one of aggression and conquest. The German establishment, which included leading historians and politicians, reacted with outrage to Fischer’s claims. They attempted to discredit him and his followers. The so-called Fischer school was accused of ‘soiling its own nest’, and in the context of the Cold War of the early 1960s, it is not difficult to see that the question of the origins of the First World War was of serious contemporary political significance. Those willing to question Germany’s recent past and those wanting to hide any potential wrong-doings by Germany’s former leaders clashed in a public dispute of unprecedented ferocity.

                      In time, however, many of Fischer’s ideas became accepted as a new consensus was achieved. Most historians remained unconvinced that war had been decided upon in Germany as early as 1912 (this was one of Fischer’s controversial claims) and then deliberately provoked in 1914. Many did concede, however, that Germany seemed to have made use of the July Crisis to unleash a war. But its government was not the only one to do so. In the wake of the Fischer controversy, historians also focused more closely on the role of Austria-Hungary in the events that led to war, and concluded that in Vienna, at least as much as in Berlin, the crisis precipitated by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was seen as a golden opportunity to try and defeat a ring of enemies that seemed to threaten the Central Powers.

                      New questions but no new consensus In recent years this post-Fischer consensus has in turn been revised. Historians have returned to the arguments of the interwar years, focusing for example on Russia’s and France’s role in the outbreak of war or asking if Britain’s government really did all it could to try and avert war in 1914. Germany’s and Austria-Hungary’s roles are deemphasised, and it is stressed that there were decision-makers in all the major capital cities who considered a general European war in August 1914 to be a risk worth taking. After 100 years of debate, every conceivable interpretation seems to have been advanced. In some of the most recent publications, even seeking to attribute responsibility, as had so confidently been done at Versailles, is now eschewed. Is it really the historian’s role to blame the actors of the past, or merely to understand how the war could have occurred?

                      Such doubts did not trouble those who sought to attribute war guilt in 1919 and during much of this long debate, but this question will need to be asked as the controversy continues past the centenary. The current consensus on why it broke out is ‘that there is no consensus’. After 100 years of arguing about the war’s causes, this long debate is set to continue.  More info.

                      4th Nov 1914  Beds

                      5th Nov 1914  First Patients

                      8th Jan 1914  Admissions

                         Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalion was a unit of the Territorial Force formed in February 1914, it had its HQ in St Mary's Street Huntingdon.

                      28th February 1914 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                      SL2 Bombing Warsaw.

                      Schütte-Lanz SL2

                      • First Flight: 28th February 1914
                      • Length: 144 metres (472 ft) (156 metres (512 ft) after rebuild)
                      • Diameter: 18.2 metres (60 ft) (18.2 metres (60 ft) after rebuild)
                      • Gas Capacity: 25,000 cubic meters (27,500 cubic meters after rebuild)
                      • Performance: 88.2 km/h (89.3 km/h after rebuild)
                      • Payload: 8 tonnes (10.4 tonnes after rebuild)
                      • Engines: 4 Maybach 720 hp/537 kW total (840 hp/626 kW total after rebuild)

                      The Schütte-Lanz airship SL2 surpassed the contemporary Zeppelin airships in performance. It adopted the Zeppelin ring-girder construction method, but retained the streamlined shape and plywood construction of the SL1. The SL2 was also the most significant airship to date in that it laid down two vital design innovations that were copied in almost all subsequent rigid airships. The first was the cruciform tail plane, with a single pair of rudders and elevators. The second was the location of the engines in separate streamlined gondolas or cars. A third innovation, for war service, was the mounting of heavy machine guns for defense against attacking aircraft in each of the engine cars.

                      SL2 was built between January and May 1914 and transferred to Austrian military control. It carried out six missions in the first year of the war over Poland and France. After being enlarged in summer 1915, several more missions were carried out before SL2 was stranded at Luckenwalde on the 10th January 1916 after running out of fuel and was decommissioned.

                      The SL2 was a perfect example why the advanced technology of Schütte-Lanz, and the advantages of wood in compression as opposed to tension allowed the Schütte-Lanz type of airship to be technically superior until a certain size had been reached.

                         A train carrying some/all of the 1st Battalian from Italy to the western front was rammed in the rear by another train at the Frejus tunnel. A French Railway signalman's error. My Gt Uncle was killed as he was travelling in the rear carriage, I have eye-witness accounts which were sent to my Gt Grandmother via the red cross. He was buried nearby but later re-interred near Lyon as the cemetery began to subside.

                      20th Oct 1914  Imperial Service

                      30th Mar 1916  38th Heavy Battery proceed to France  38th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                      13th Apr 1918  Withdrawal

                      14th Apr 1918  On the March

                      15th Apr 1915 13th KRRC move to Salisbury Plain  13th Battalion KRRC continued training from their billets until the 9th April 1915 when the battalion entrained to Windmill Camp, near Ludgershall Salisbury Plain in two parties. They were there equipped with the new SMLE and joined the 111th Infantry Brigade, 37th Division.

                      15th Apr 1918  At Rest

                      16th Apr 1918  Inspection

                      17th April 1915  35th Field Ambulance in camp

                      17th April 1915  35th Field Ambulance in camp

                      17th Jan 1915  Move

                      18th Sep 1914 Bully Beef for Big Guns  Lt.General Sir Douglas Haig secured the loan of two heavy guns from the French reserves on the right of his First Army Corps, in exchange for 10,000 tins of bully beef.

                      22 Apr 1915 French retreat near Ypres  In the early evening the Germans employed gas against French troops to the North of Ypres, causing a retreat. Two battalions from the 2nd Buffs and 3rd Middlesex were ordered into a stop formation at the cross roads in the centre of Sint Jan was hordes of French Turcos and Zouaves fled towards Ypres, leaving a gap in the Allied lines.

                      23rd Apr 1915 Allies close gap near Ypres  The 2nd Buffs and 3rd Middlesex holding the line at the cross roads in the centre of Sint Jan, were joined by the 5th Kings Own and the 1st York and Lancs, to form the Geddes Detachment under the command of Col Geddes of the Buffs. They joined with the Canadian Division to fill the gap left by the French Colonials who had fled under a gas attack the previous evening. Later in the day the Geddes Detachment was reinforced and the seven battalions counter-attacked as part of a wider effort to stabilise the line.

                      25th Dec 1914  Curiosity

                      29th Apr 1914  Patrol

                      26th May 1916 

                      28th June 1914 Assassination  The heir to the Austria-Hungary throne Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated by a Serbian Nationalist in Sarejevo.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Lord Nelson  

                      HMS Lord Nelson - Dardanelles 1915

                      Name: HMS Lord Nelson, Builder: Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow
                      Cost: £1,651,339, Laid down: 18 May 1905, Launched: 4 September 1906, Completed: October 1908
                      Commissioned: 1 December 1908, Decommissioned: May 1919, Fate: Sold for scrapping, 4 June 1920

                      HMS Lord Nelson was a Lord Nelson-class pre-dreadnought battleship launched in 1906 and completed in 1908. She was the Royal Navy's last pre-dreadnought. The ship was flagship of the Channel Fleet when World War I began in 1914. Lord Nelson was transferred to the Mediterranean Sea in early 1915 to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign. She remained there, becoming flagship of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, which was later redesignated the Aegean Squadron. After the Ottoman surrender in 1918 the ship moved to the Black Sea where she remained as flagship before returning to the United Kingdom in May 1919. Lord Nelson was placed into reserve upon her arrival and sold for scrap in June 1920.

                      Construction and description

                      HMS Lord Nelson was laid down by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company at Jarrow on 18 May 1905 and launched on 4 September 1906. Her completion was greatly delayed by the diversion of her 12-inch (305 mm) guns and turrets to expedite completion of Dreadnought, and she was not fully completed until October 1908. Although she was not the last pre-dreadnought laid down for the Royal Navy, she was the last one commissioned.

                      Lord Nelson displaced 17,820 long tons (18,106 t) at deep load as built, with a length of 443 feet 6 inches (135.2 m), a beam of 79 feet 6 inches (24.2 m), and a draft of 26 feet (7.9 m). She was powered by two four-cylinder inverted vertical triple-expansion steam engines, which developed a total of 16,750 indicated horsepower (12,490 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).[1]

                      She was armed with four 12-inch guns arranged in two twin gun turrets, one turret each fore and aft. Her secondary armament consisted of ten 9.2-inch (234 mm) guns, eight in twin gun turrets on each corner of the superstructure, and a single gun turret between them. For defence against torpedo boats, Lord Nelson carried twenty-four QF 12-pounder 18 cwt guns and two 3-pounder guns. She also mounted five submerged 18-inch (457 mm) torpedo tubes for which 23 torpedoes were stowed aboard.

                      Service Pre-World War I

                      HMS Lord Nelson was first commissioned in reserve on 1 December 1908 at Chatham Dockyard, being attached to the Nore Division of the Home Fleet with a nucleus crew. She first went into full commission on 5 January 1909 to relieve the battleship HMS Magnificent as flagship of the Nore Division, Home Fleet, and in April 1909 became part of the First Division, Home Fleet. She was transferred in January 1911 to the Second Division of the Home Fleet, and in May 1912 to the 2nd Battle Squadron. She was temporarily attached in September 1913 to the 4th Battle Squadron. In April 1914, she relieved the battleship HMS Queen as Flagship, Vice Admiral, Channel Fleet.

                      World War I

                      At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, Lord Nelson became flagship of the Channel Fleet and was based at Portland. With other ships, she covered the safe transport of the British Expeditionary Force, under the command of Sir John French, to France. On 14 November 1914, she transferred to Sheerness to guard the English coast against the possibility of a German invasion. The ship returned to Portland Harbour on 30 December 1914 and patrolled the English Channel until February 1915.

                      Dardanelles campaign, 1915-1916

                      In February 1915, Lord Nelson was ordered to the Dardanelles to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign. She departed Portland on 18 February 1915 and joined the British Dardanelles Squadron at Mudros on 26 February 1915. She took part in the bombardment of the inner forts and supported the initial landings in early March 1915. The Ottoman Turkish forts engaged her heavily on 7 March 1915 and hit her several times, including by a stone cannon ball which landed on the deck and was kept as a souvenir by the Flag Officer, Arthur Baker, at Longcross Church; she suffered damage to her superstructure and rigging and was holed by one hit below the waterline which flooded two coal bunkers. After repairs at Malta, the ship returned to take part in the main attack on the Narrows forts on 18 March 1915. Later she bombarded Ottoman field batteries on 6 May 1915 prior to the Second Battle of Krithia.

                      Lord Nelson relieved the battleship Queen Elizabeth as flagship of the British Dardanelles Squadron on 12 May 1915, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Rosslyn Erskine-Wemyss. On 20 June 1915, she bombarded docks and shipping at Gallipoli, aided by the spotting of a kite balloon, and inflicted significant damage. Lord Kitchener made his headquarters aboard her in November 1915 and, on 22 December 1915, Lord Nelson hoisted the flag of Vice Admiral John de Roebeck when he succeeded Wemyss.

                      Mediterranean operations, 1916-1918

                      With the end of the Dardanelles Campaign in January 1916, during which Lord Nelson had suffered no casualties, British naval forces in the area were reorganized and Lord Nelson became flagship of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, which was redesignated the Aegean Squadron in August 1917; under either name, the squadron was dispersed throughout the area to protect Allied-held islands, support the British Army at Salonika, and guard against any attempted breakout from the Dardanelles by the German battlecruiser Goeben and light cruiser Breslau. Lord Nelson spent the remainder of the war based at Salonika and Mudros, alternating between the two bases with her sister ship Agamemnon; the ship was based mostly at Salonika, with Agamemnon at Mudros.

                      According to naval historian Ian Buxton, the most important role of the Royal Navy was to blockade the Dardanelles and thus guard the Eastern Mediterranean against a breakout by Goeben. On 12 January 1918, Rear-Admiral Arthur Hayes-Sadler hoisted his flag aboard Lord Nelson at Mudros as the new commander of the Aegean Squadron. Needing transportation to Salonika for a conference with the British Army commander there, and finding his personal yacht unavailable, Hayes-Sadler opted to have Lord Nelson take him there and thus she was not present when Goeben and Breslau finally made their breakout attempt on 20 January 1918. The ship could not get back to the Dardanelles in time to participate in the resulting Battle of Imbros or intercept Goeben before she gained shelter in the Dardanelles. Lord Nelson was given a short refit at Malta in October 1918.

                      Post-World War I

                      Lord Nelson was part of the British squadron that went to Constantinople in November 1918 following the armistice with the Ottoman Empire, after which she served as flagship in the Black Sea. In April 1919, she conveyed Grand Duke Nicholas and Grand Duke Peter of Russia from the Black Sea to Genoa.

                      Lord Nelson returned to the United Kingdom in May 1919 and was placed in reserve until August, when she was placed on the sale list. On 4 June 1920, she was sold to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company of Dover. She was resold to Slough Trading Company on 8 November 1920, then again to German scrappers. She was towed to Germany for scrapping in January 1922.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Agamemnon  

                      HMS Agamemnon

                      HMS Agamemnon, last of the pre-dreadnought Battleships and sister ship to HMS Lord Nelson was built by Beardmore, laid down May 1905, completed June 1908, cost £1,652,347.
                      Size: Length 435 feet waterline 443 feet 6 inches overall, beam 79 feet 6 inches, draught 30 feet, displacement 15,358 load 17,820 tons deep.
                      Propulsion: 2 shaft Triple Expansion, 16,750 ihp, 18kts.

                      Designed to provide a considerable step forward in British battleship capabilities. The 9.2 inch guns were increased in numbers to replace the 6 inch guns giving the class a very heavy secondary armament although spotting for gunnery control of such a heavy secondary gun was not easy - one of the reasons for the 'all big gun' armament of future battleships. Both the 12 inch and 9.2 inch guns were of new improved types and a much heavier anti-torpedo boat armament was also carried.

                      Protection was also substantially increased and subdivision and pumping arrangements were improved. Crew complement was 752 officers and ratings

                      First World War

                      • Joined 5th Battle Squadron Channel Fleet.
                      • February 1915 transferred to Dardanelles.
                      • 19 February 1915 onwards involved in various attacks on forts and support of landings. Hit by artillery on several occasions but no serious damage.
                      • May-June 1915 refit at Malta.
                      • 2 December 1915 took part in destruction of Kavak Bridge.
                      • January 1916 Eastern Mediterranean Squadron.
                      • 5 May 1917 shot down Zeppelin L85.
                      • 30 October 1918 Ottoman Empire signed Armistice on board.
                      • November 1918 led Allied squadron through the Dardanelles to Constantinople.

                      Sold for scrap in 1927.

                      1st June 1914 HMS Swiftsure  

                      HMS Swiftsure

                      HMS Swiftsure, Pre-Dreadnought Battleship. Built Armstong, Elswick, laid down February 1902, completed June 1904, cost £957,520.

                      Swiftsure Class. (Two ship class - sister ship HMS Triumph). Designed originally for overseas navy these ships were quite distinctive from the normal British designs with wide spaced funnels and prominent cranes between them, including smaller main gun turrets. The ships were only considered Second Class Battleships in British service.

                      HMS Swiftsure.

                      The two ships had slightly different main guns as they were armed by their respective builders. They were the only British battleships to mount a 7.5 inch gun although that calibre was used in some cruisers. Likewise the 14 pounder anti torpedo boat guns were unique to this class.

                      Size: Length 462 feet 6 inch waterline 475 feet 3 inch overall, beam 71 feet 2 inches, draught 24 feet 8 inches, displacement 11,740 load 13,432 tons deep.
                      Propulsion: 2 shaft Triple Expansion, 12,500 ihp, Speed 19 knots.
                      Armour: 7-3inch belt, 10inch barbettes, 10inch gun houses, 3-1inch decks.
                      Armament: 4 x 10inch 45 cal BL (2 x 2), 14 x 7.5inch BL (14 x 1), 14 x 14 pounder QF (14 x 1), 2 x 12 pounder QF (2 x 1), 4 x 6 pounder (4 x 1), 2 x 18inch TT
                      Crew complement 729 Officers and ratings.

                      Originally designed by Sir Edward Reed for Chile to counter Argentinean armoured cruisers but owing to financial problems the ships were put up for sale before completion. The ships were purchased by the British government in December 1903 mainly to prevent their possible sale to Russia. The design emphasised speed and a heavy secondary armament at the expense of protection and main armament. Crew 729.

                      World War 1 Service:

                      • Flagship East Indies Squadron.
                      • November 1914 escorted Indian Convoy.
                      • December 1914 Detached to Suez.
                      • February 1915 joined Dardanelles Squadron.
                      • 2 March 1915 attack on forts.
                      • 5-9 March 1915 attacks on forts at Smyrna.
                      • 18 March 1915 onwards supported landings at Helles.
                      • 18 September 1915 unsuccessfully attacked by German submarine (U21?).
                      • 18 January 1916 bombardment of Dedeagatch.
                      • February 1916 attached to 9th Cruiser Squadron in the Atlantic.
                      • 11 April 1917 paid off at Chatham to release crews.
                      • Mid 1917-February 1918 accommodation ship.
                      • Autumn 1918 prepared for use as block ship but not used before the Armistice.
                      • 1920 sold for scrap.


                      1st July 1914 HMS Caesar  

                      HMS Caesar

                      HMS Caesar. (1898 - 1921)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      HMS Caesar served in the Channel Fleet in 1898, the Mediterranean Fleet 1898,1903, the Channel and Atlantic Fleets 1904,1907, and the Home Fleet 1907,1914. Her early World War I service was in the Channel Fleet August,December 1914, after which she served as guard ship at Gibraltar December 1914, July 1915, as guard ship at Bermuda 1915,1918, and as a depot ship in the Mediterranean 1918,1919 and in the Black Sea in 1919,1920, where she supported Royal Navy forces operating against Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War. She was the last British pre-dreadnought to serve as a flagship, and the last one to serve overseas. She was sold for scrapping in 1921.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Hannibal  

                      HMS Hannibal

                      HMS Hannibal. (1898 - 1920)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      The Royal Navy began a precautionary mobilisation in July 1914 when war appeared increasingly likely. As part of this, Hannibal and her sister ships HMS Mars, HMS Magnificent, and HMS Victorious formed the 9th Battle Squadron on 27 July 1914, stationed at the Humber to defend the British coast. Hannibal was serving as a guard ship on the Humber when World War I began in August 1914.

                      As battleship.

                      The 9th Battle Squadron was dissolved on 7 August 1914, and Hannibal was transferred to Scapa Flow, where she served as a guard ship until relieved by first-class protected cruiser HMS Royal Arthur on 20 February 1915. Hannibal then paid off at Dalmuir.

                      The Majestic-class ships were by then the oldest and least effective battleships in service in the Royal Navy. While inactive at Dalmuir, Hannibal was disarmed between March and April 1915 except for four 6-inch (152-mm) guns and some lighter guns. Her 12-inch (305-mm) guns were taken for use aboard the new Lord Clive-class monitors HMS Prince Eugene and HMS Sir John Moore. After she was disarmed, she was laid up at Scapa Flow and Loch Goil until September 1915.

                      As troopship and depot ship.

                      Hannibal recommissioned at Greenock on 9 September 1915 to serve as a troopship in the Dardanelles campaign. She arrived at Mudros in this capacity on 7 October 1915.

                      In November 1915, Hannibal became a depot ship for auxiliary patrol craft at Alexandria, Egypt, supporting both forces operating from Egypt and those in the Red Sea until June 1919.

                      Decommissioning and disposal.

                      Hannibal was placed on the disposal list at Alexandria in January 1920, and was sold for scrapping on 28 January 1920. She was scrapped in Italy.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Magnificent  

                      HMS Magnificent

                      HMS Magnificent. (1895 - 1922)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      During a precautionary mobilization of the fleet immediately prior to the outbreak of World War I, Magnificent and her sister ships Hannibal, Mars, and Victorious on 27 July 1914 formed the 9th Battle Squadron, subordinate to the Admiral of Patrols and stationed at the Humber. Magnificent served as guard ship at the Humber. World War I began while she was stationed there. On 7 August 1914, the 9th Battle Squadron was dissolved, and Magnificent and Hannibal transferred to Scapa Flow to reinforce the defences of the anchorage of the Grand Fleet there, becoming a guard ship at Scapa Flow. The Majestic-class ships were by then the oldest and least effective battleships in service in the Royal Navy. The first-class protected cruiser Crescent relieved Magnificent of guard ship duty on 16 February 1915, at which point Magnificent was paid off.

                      Later in February 1915, Magnificent arrived at Belfast to be disarmed. In March and April 1915, all of her 12-inch guns and all except for four of her 6-inch guns were removed. Her 12-inch guns were taken to arm the new Lord Clive-class monitors General Craufurd and Prince Eugene. After she was disarmed, Magnificent was laid up at Loch Goil in April 1915. On 9 September 1915, Magnificent was recommissioned to serve along with her similarly disarmed sister ships Hannibal and Mars as a troopship for the Dardanelles campaign. The three former battleships departed the United Kingdom on this duty on 22 September 1915, arriving at Mudros on 7 October 1915. On 18 December 1915 and 19 December 1915, Magnificent took part in the evacuation of Allied troops from Suvla Bay. She departed the Dardanelles in February 1916 after the conclusion of the campaign and returned to England, where she was paid off at Devonport on 3 March 1916.

                      Magnificent remained at Devonport until August 1917, serving as an overflow ship. In August 1917, she began a refit at Harland & Wolff in Belfast for conversion to an ammunition ship. When her refit was completed in October 1918, she was transferred to Rosyth for service as an ammunition store ship. Magnificent was placed on the disposal list on 4 February 1920, but continued to serve as an ammunition store ship at Rosyth until April 1921. She was sold for scrapping on 9 May 1921. Scrapping began at Inverkeithing the following year.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Mars  

                      HMS Mars

                      HMS Mars. (1897 - 1921)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      As battleship

                      With war appearing to be imminent, the Royal Navy undertook a precautionary mobilization on 27 July 1914. As part of this, Mars and her sister ships HMS Hannibal, HMS Magnificent, and HMS Victorious formed the 9th Battle Squadron, which was based in the Humber under the Admiral of Patrols. Mars was serving as a guard ship at the Humber when World War I began in August 1914, and continued in that duty after the 9th Battle Squadron was dissolved on 7 August 1914.

                      Mars was transferred to the Dover Patrol on 9 December 1914, and was based at Dover briefly before moving to Portland on 11 December 1914. She was based at Portland until February 1915.

                      The Majestic-class ships were by then the oldest and least effective battleships in service in the Royal Navy. In February 1915, Mars transferred to Belfast, where she paid off on 15 February 1915. In March and April 1915 she was disarmed there by Harland and Wolff, retaining only four of her 6-inch (152-mm) guns and some lighter guns; her 12-inch (305-mm) guns were taken to arm the new Lord Clive-class monitors HMS Earl of Peterborough and HMS Sir Thomas Picton.[10] After that, she was laid up in Loch Goil in April 1915.

                      As troopship

                      In September 1915, Mars recommissioned to serve as a troopship in the Dardanelles campaign. Mars and her similarly disarmed sister ships Hannibal and Magnificent, also acting as troopships, arrived at Mudros on 5 October 1915. At the Dardanelles, Mars took part in the evacuation of Allied troops from Anzac Cove on 8 December 1915 and 9 December 1915 and from West Beach at Cape Helles on 8 January 1916 and 9 January 1916. During the West Beach evacuation, Mars was covered by what had once been her 12-inch (305-mm) guns, now mounted on monitor Sir Thomas Picton.

                      Decommissioning and subsidiary duties

                      Mars returned to Devonport in February 1916, then paid off at Chatham, where she underwent a refit for conversion to a harbor depot ship. She recommissioned as a harbor depot ship on 1 September 1916, and served in this capacity at Invergordon until July 1920.

                      Disposal

                      Mars was placed on the sale list at Invergordon on 7 July 1920. She was sold for scrapping on 9 May 1921 and left Invergordon for scrapping at Briton Ferry in November 1921.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Prince George  

                      HMS Prince George

                      HMS Prince George. (1897 - 1921) (Briefly renamed Victorious 2 during ww1 whilst acting as destroyer depot ship alongside her sister ship HMS Victorious)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts, as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      Upon the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Prince George returned to full commission on 8 August and briefly was the squadron's first flagship, until relieved in this role by the battleship Vengeance on 15 August. On 25 August, Prince George covered the passage of the Plymouth Marine Division to Ostend, Belgium, and in September she covered the movement of the British Expeditionary Force from England to France. Prince George's Channel Fleet service ended in February 1915 when she transferred to the Dardanelles for service in the Dardanelles campaign[4] as a "mine-bumper". She arrived at Tenedos on 1 March 1915, which would be her base until February 1916. She took part in attacks on Ottoman Turkish forts covering the Turkish Straits on 5 and 18 March. On 3 May, while firing on Turkish batteries, she took a 6-inch (152-mm) hit below the waterline, and returned to Malta for repairs.

                      Prince George was back in action on 12 and 13 July, supporting French troops with gunfire support from off of Krithia and Achi Baba. On 18 and 19 December she covered the evacuation of Allied troops from Suvla Bay, and the evacuation from West Beach on 8 and 9 January 1916; she was hit by a torpedo off Cape Helles on 9 January, but it failed to explode and she suffered no damage. She was at Salonika in January and February.[4] Prince George left the Mediterranean at the end of February and paid off at Chatham Dockyard in March to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She remained at Chatham in a care and maintenance status through February 1918, serving as an auxiliary sickbay and in other subsidiary duties, then served as an accommodation ship there from March 1916 to May 1918.

                      In May 1918, Prince George began a refit a Chatham for conversion to a destroyer depot ship. She was renamed Victorious II in September 1918 and emerged from refit in October 1918. She was then attached to repair ship (her sister ship and former battleship) Victorious at Scapa Flow, where she served as a depot ship to destroyers of the Grand Fleet. She reverted to the name Prince George in February 1919, and in March transferred to Sheerness to serve as depot ship to destroyers based on the Medway. Prince George was placed on the disposal list at Sheerness on 21 February 1920, and was sold for scrapping to a British firm on 22 September 1921. She was resold to a German firm in December 1921, and departed for Germany for scrapping. During the voyage, Prince George was wrecked on 30 December 1921 off Camperduin, the Netherlands. She subsequently was stripped of valuable materials and left as a breakwater, remaining there to this day.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Victorious  

                      HMS Victorious

                      HMS Victorious. (1896 - 1923)

                      Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                      • Ships in Majestic Class
                      • Caesar
                      • Hannibal
                      • Illustrious
                      • Jupiter
                      • Magnificent
                      • Majestic
                      • Mars
                      • Prince George
                      • Victorious

                      When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                      Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                      Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                      The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                      The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                      More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                      World War 1 Service

                      In July 1914 the Royal Navy began a precautionary mobilization as war began to seem imminent. As part of this, Victorious and her sister ships Hannibal, Mars, and Magnificent, formed the 9th Battle Squadron on 27 July 1914, stationed at the Humber to defend the British coast; Victorious remained there as guard ship after the 9th Battle Squadron was dissolved on 7 August 1914. In December 1914 she transferred to the Tyne to serve as guard ship there. On 4 January 1915 Victorious paid off at Elswick. The Majestic-class ships were by then the oldest and least effective battleships in service in the Royal Navy; Victorious was laid up on the Tyne February until September 1915 and her 12-inch (305-mm) guns were removed for use aboard the new Lord Clive-class monitors Prince Rupert and General Wolfe. Between September 1915 and February 1916, Palmers converted her into a repair ship at Jarrow.

                      The converted Victorious was commissioned as a repair ship on 22 February 1916 and arrived at Scapa Flow to replace the converted merchant ship Caribbean, which had been lost in September 1915, as repair ship for the Grand Fleet. Victorious performed this role there until March 1920 when she was renamed Indus II and transferred to Devonport for a refit to prepare her for service with the Indus Establishment. She arrived at Devonport on 28 March 1920 and paid off into a care and maintenance status while she awaited the beginning of her refit. Plans for the refit, however, were cancelled; work began to convert her into a harbor depot ship but, in April 1922, that conversion was cancelled before it could be completed and she was placed on the disposal list that month. Indus II was sold for scrapping on 19 December 1922, but the sale was cancelled on 1 March 1923. She was again sold on 9 April 1923 and was towed from Devonport to Dover to be scrapped.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Canopus  

                      HMS Canopus

                      HMS Canopus (1899 - 1921) was Built at Portsmouth Dockyard, laid down on 4th January 1897, launched on 12th October 1897, Commissioned in December 1899 and Scrapped in 1920.
                      A ship in the class of the same name of pre dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902.

                      The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in the Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained. Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns[nb 2] in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed. At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      After World War I broke out in August 1914, Canopus was commissioned on 7 August 1914 for service in the 8th Battle Squadron in the Channel Fleet. She was detached from that duty on 21 August 1914 to operate from the Cape Verde-Canary Islands Station to support the cruiser squadron there. On 1 September 1914, her sister ship HMS Albion relieved her, and Canopus transferred to the South America Station, and arrived at the Abrolhos Rocks on 22 September 1914 to become guard ship there and provide support to the cruiser squadron of Rear Admiral Christopher Cradock.

                      The search for Admiral von Spee's squadron

                      Canopus departed the Abrolhos Rocks on 8 October 1914 to assist Cradock's ships in searching for the German squadron of Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee, which was en route the South Atlantic from the Far East. Canopus arrived at Stanley in the Falkland Islands on 18 October 1914, where she took up guard ship and escort duties.

                      Informed by her Captain Heathcoat Grant that Canopus could make no more than 12 knots, Cradock left Canopus behind when he took his cruiser squadron into the South Pacific to find the German squadron. She was 300 nautical miles (556 km) south of Cradock when the German squadron destroyed his force and killed Cradock in the Battle of Coronel on 1 November 1914. Canopus returned to Stanley, arriving there on 12 November 1914.

                      At Stanley, Canopus's crew set up defences against an attack by Graf Spee. Canopus herself was beached in the mudflats in a position that allowed her to cover the entrance to the harbour and have a field of fire landward to the southeast; to reduce her visibility, her topmasts were struck and she was camouflaged. An observation post was established ashore on high ground and connected to the ship by telephone, allowing Canopus to use indirect fire against approaching ships. Some of her 12-pounder guns and a detachment of 70 Royal Marines were put ashore to defend Stanley and its environs.

                      All was quiet until welcome reinforcements arrived at Stanley on 7 December 1914 in the form of the battlecruiser squadron of Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Doveton Sturdee. Early the next morning, 8 December 1914 Canopus's observation post ashore spotted smoke on the horizon and soon identified the approaching ships as von Spee's. Canopus opened indirect fire, firing the first shots of the Battle of the Falklands at the extreme range of 12,000 yards (11 km); although von Spee was beyond the range of her guns she did succeed in hitting the after funnel of the armoured cruiser SMS Gneisenau with a 12-inch (305-mm) shell that ricocheted off the water. Under fire from Canopus and spotting the tophampers of Sturdee's battlecruisers, von Spee called off his force's planned attack on the Falklands' radio and coaling stations and ran, allowing Sturdee's force to raise steam and pursue the German force. Sturdee gave chase and destroyed von Spee's squadron by the end of the day, but Canopus remained behind at Stanley because of her low speed and missed the rest of the battle.

                      Canopus left the Falklands on 18 December 1914 to return to her South American Station duties at the Abrolhos Rocks.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      In February 1915, Canopus transferred to the Mediterranean to take part in the Dardanelles campaign. On 2 March 1915, she took part in the second attack on the Ottoman Turkish entrance forts at the Dardanelles, taking hits that tore off her main topmast and damaged her after funnel and wardroom. During the third landings on 4 March 1915, she demonstrated off the Aegean coast. She covered the bombardment of the forts by the dreadnought HMS Queen Elizabeth on 8 March 1915, and covered minesweepers attempting to sweep in minefields off Kephes between 10 March 1915 and 12 March 1915. She also took part in the major attack on the Narrows forts on 18 March 1915.

                      After that attack, Canopus and light cruiser HMS Talbot escorted the damaged battlecruiser HMS Inflexible from Mudros to Malta, towing Inflexible by the stern when Inflexible became unable to steam ahead during the latter part of the voyage. Canopus then escorted troop convoys from Egypt.

                      Returning to the Dardanelles, Canopus took part in the blockade of Smyrna and covered a diversionary attack on Bulair during the main landings on 25 April 1915. When her sister ship Albion became stranded on a sandbank off Gaba Tepe under heavy fire on 22,23 May 1915, Canopus towed her free. Canopus then underwent a refit at Malta from May to June 1915.

                      Later operations

                      After the Dardanelles campaign ended with the evacuation of Allied forces from Gallipoli in January 1916, Canopus was assigned to the British Eastern Mediterranean Squadron, where she served until she returned to the United Kingdom in April 1916.

                      Decommissioning and subsidiary duties

                      Canopus arrived at Plymouth on 22 April 1916, then paid off at Chatham to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She remained at Chatham until April 1919, undergoing a refit there later in 1916, having her eight main-deck 6-inch (152-mm) guns replaced by four on the battery deck and her 12-pounder and 3-pounder guns replaced by light anti-aircraft weapons in 1917 and becoming an accommodation ship in February 1918.

                      Disposal

                      Canopus was placed on the disposal list at Chatham in April 1919. She was sold for scrapping on 18 February 1920, and arrived at Dover on 26 February 1920 to be scrapped. Notes[edit]

                      1st July 1914 HMS Albion  

                      HMS Albion

                      HMS Albion (1901 - 1920) was built at Thames Iron Works, laid down on 3rd December 1896, launched on 21st June 1898 Commissioned in June 1901 and Scrapped in 1920.
                      A member of the Canopus class of pre dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      HMS Albion was the lead ship and was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained.[nb 1] Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves).[5] The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns[nb 2] in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed.[7] At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      When World War I broke out in August 1914, Albion was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet. On 15 August 1914, she became second flagship of the new 7th Battle Squadron. On 21 August 1914, she was sent to the Saint Vincent-Finisterre Station to provide battleship support to cruiser squadrons operating in the Atlantic in case German Navy heavy ships broke out into the open Atlantic. On 3 September 1914, she transferred her flag, becoming a private ship, and moved to the Cape Verde-Canary Islands station on to relieve her sister ship Canopus there.

                      Albion was transferred to the Cape of Good Hope Station in South Africa in October 1914, where she took up duty as a guard ship at Walvis Bay through November 1914. In December 1914 and January 1915, she participated in Allied operations against German Southwest Africa.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      Albion transferred to the Mediterranean in January 1915 to participate in the Dardanelles campaign. She took part in the bombardment of the Ottoman Turkish forts guarding the outer entrance to the Dardanelles on 18 February 1915 and 19 February 1915. Albion, Majestic, and Triumph became the first Allied battleships to enter the Turkish Straits during the Dardanelles campaign on 26 February 1915 when they made the initial attack on the inner forts. Albion then supported the first Allied landings in late February 1915 and early March 1915.

                      In action against Ottoman forts on 1 March 1915, Albion took repeated hits but sustained no serious damage. She participated in the main attack on the forts on 18 March 1915, and supported the main landings at V Beach at Cape Helles on 25 April 1915. On 28 April 1915 she suffered significant damage from Ottoman shore batteries during an attack on Krithia, forcing her to retire to Mudros for repairs. Back in action on 2 May 1915, she again suffered damage necessitating repairs at Mudros.

                      On the night of 22,23 May 1915, Albion beached on a sandbank off Gaba Tepe and came under heavy fire from Ottoman shore batteries. About 200 fragmentation shells hit her, but they could not penetrate her armor and did no serious damage and Albion suffered fewer than a dozen casualties. After efforts were made to free her by reducing her weight and by using the recoil of firing her main guns simultaneously, her sister ship Canopus towed her to safety on 24 May 1915, Albion still firing at the Ottoman forts while being towed clear. Albion left the area for repairs on 26 May 1915 and underwent a refit at Malta in May,June 1915.

                      Later operations

                      On 4 October 1915, Albion arrived at Salonika to become a unit of the 3rd Detached Squadron, tasked with assisting the French Navy in a blockade of the coasts of Greece and Bulgaria and with reinforcing the Suez Canal Patrol. She embarked the first British Army contingent of 1,500 troops for Salonika and escorted French troopships carrying the French second contingent.

                      Albion served on the Salonika Station until April 1916, then became a guard ship at Queenstown, Ireland, later that month. In May 1916 she moved to Devonport for a refit; that completed, she moved on to the Humber in August 1916 for service as a guard ship there.

                      Subsidiary duties

                      In October 1918, Albion's service as a guard ship came to an end, and she was reduced to service as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      In August 1919, Albion was placed on the disposal list at Devonport. She was sold for scrapping on 11 December 1919. She left Devonport under her own steam on 3 January 1920, arriving at Morecambe for scrapping on 6 January 1920.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Glory  

                      HMS Glory

                      HMS Glory (1899 - 1921) was built by laird Brothers, Birkenhead, laid down on 1st December 1897, launched on 11th May 1899 Commissioned in October 1900 and Scrapped in 1922.
                      a member of the Canopus class of pre-dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained.[nb 1] Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns[nb 2] in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed.[7] At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      When World War I broke out in August 1914, Glory was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet, based at Devonport, but she was detached on 5 August 1914 to serve at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, as guard ship and to support the North America and West Indies Station cruiser squadron, serving as flagship of the station. She escorted a Canadian troop convoy in October 1914.

                      Glory transferred to the Mediterranean in May 1915 to participate in Dardanelles campaign, arriving at the Dardanelles in June 1915. At the end of 1915 she left this duty and joined the Suez Canal Patrol in the Mediterranean on 4 January 1916. In April 1916, she returned to the United Kingdom and began a refit at Portsmouth that lasted until July 1916.

                      Glory was recommissioned on 1 August 1916 to serve as Flagship for Rear Admiral Kemp, British North Russia Squadron. In this duty, she was based at Archangel to protect supplies that arrived there for the Russian Army.

                      Decommissioning and disposal

                      In September 1919, Glory returned to the United Kingdom. She was paid off into care and maintenance on 1 November 1919 at Sheerness.[5] She was renamed HMS Crescent in April 1920 and transferred to Rosyth on 1 May 1920 to serve as a harbor depot ship.

                      Crescent was paid off and was placed on the disposal list on 17 September 1921. She was sold for scrapping on 19 December 1922.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Goliath  

                      HMS Goliath

                      HMS Goliath (1900 - 1915) was built at Portsmouth Dockyard, laid down on 4th January 1897, launched on 3rd March 1898, Commissioned in March 1900 and Sunk by torpedo in May 1915.
                      A member of the Canopus class of pre dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained. Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed.[7] At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      When the First World War broke out in August 1914, Goliath returned to full commission and was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet, operating out of Devonport. She was sent to Loch Ewe as guard ship to defend the Grand Fleet anchorage and then covered the landing of the Plymouth Marine Battalion at Ostend, Belgium on 25 August 1914.

                      Goliath transferred to the East Indies Station on 20 September to support cruisers on convoy duty in the Middle East, escorting an Indian convoy to the Persian Gulf and German East Africa until October. She then took part in the blockade of the German light cruiser SMS Königsberg in the Rufiji River until November, during which crew member Commander Henry Peel Ritchie won the Victoria Cross. She bombarded Dar es Salaam on 28 November and 30 November.

                      Goliath underwent a refit at Simonstown, South Africa, from December 1914, February 1915. When it was completed, she went back into service as flagship for Vice Admiral King Hall and resumed operations against Königsberg at the Rufiji River until March 1915.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      On 25 March 1915, Goliath was ordered to the Çanakkale Strait(Dardanelles) to participate in the campaign there. She transferred her flag to second-class cruiser Hyacinth and departed for the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles) on 1 April.

                      Commanded by Captain Thomas Lawrie Shelford, Goliath was part of the Allied fleet supporting the landing at X and Y Beaches. During the landing at Cape Mehmetçik (Cape Helles) on 25 April, she sustained some damage from the gunfire of Ottoman Turkish forts and shore batteries, and supported Allied troops ashore during the First Battle of Alçıtepe that day. She covered the evacuation on 26 April. She was damaged by Turkish guns again on 2 May.

                      Loss.

                      Since the Turkish Army had no long range cannons, battleships with large calibre armament like Goliath were able to remain out of range and had caused excessive casualties on the Turkish side. Though it seemed impossible, the Turkish General Staff decided to sink Goliath. On the night of 12,13 May, Goliath was anchored in Morto Bay off Cape Mehmetçik (Cape Helles), along with Cornwallis and a screen of five destroyers, in foggy conditions. Around 0100 on 13 May, the Turkish torpedo boat destroyer Muâvenet-i Millîye eluded the destroyers Beagle and Bulldog and three others and closed on the battleships. Muâvenet-i Millîye fired two torpedoes which struck Goliath almost simultaneously abreast her fore turret and abeam the fore funnel, causing a massive explosion. Goliath began to capsize almost immediately, and was lying on her beam ends when a third torpedo struck near her after turret. She then rolled over completely and began to sink by the bows, taking 570 of the 700-strong crew to the bottom, including her commanding officer, Captain Thomas Lawrie Shelford.

                      Although sighted and fired on after the first torpedo hit, Muâvenet-i Millîye escaped unscathed. Goliath was the fourth Allied pre-dreadnought battleship to be sunk in the Dardanelles; after her loss the flagship Queen Elizabeth was sent back to England. For sinking Goliath, Turkish Captain of Muâvenet-i Millîye Ahmet Saffet Bey was promoted to rank of Commander (Major) and awarded the Gold Medal and the German consultant, Kapitänleutnant Rudolph Firle was also awarded the Gold Medal by Ottoman Sultan (Rudolph Firle was also awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class by the German General Staff because he was a German national).

                      1st July 1914 HMS Ocean  

                      HMS Ocean

                      HMS Ocean (1900 - 1915) was built at Devonport Dockyard, laid down on 15th February 1897, launched on 5th July 1898, Commissioned in February 1900 and Mined in March 1915.
                      One of the Canopus class of pre-dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained. Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed. At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      When the First World War broke out, Ocean was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet, which she joined on 14 August 1914. She was detached to Queenstown, Ireland on 21 August to serve as guard ship there and to support a cruiser squadron operating in that area. In September 1914, she was ordered to relieve her sister ship Albion on the Cape Verde-Canary Islands Station, but while en route was diverted to the East Indies Station to support cruisers on convoy duty in the Middle East. She escorted an Indian troop convoy to Bahrain in October 1914. From October,December 1914, she served as flagship of the squadron in the Persian Gulf supporting operations against Basra.

                      In December 1914, Ocean was stationed at Suez, Egypt, to assist in the defence of the Suez Canal. She anchored in the mouth of the southern end of the canal on 29 December and remained in that area until mid-January 1915, when she proceeded northward up the canal. On 3,4 February, she supported ground troops against an Ottoman Turkish attack on the canal.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      Ocean transferred to the Dardanelles in late February 1915 to participate in the Dardanelles campaign. On 1 March, she was one of the ships that bombarded the entrance forts and took hits from Turkish mobile artillery batteries, but suffered no serious damage. She supported the landings at Sedd el Bahr on 4 March.

                      On 18 March, Ocean took part in the attack on the Narrows forts. When battleship Irresistible was disabled by a mine in Erenkui Bay and all of her surviving crew was taken off by destroyers except for her commanding officer and some volunteers trying to save her, Ocean was sent in to tow her out. Ocean ran aground during the attempt, and, after freeing herself, found it impossible to take Irresistible under tow because of the shallow water, Irresistible's list, and heavy enemy fire. Ocean then took off the remaining members of Irresistible's crew and left the abandoned battleship to her fate; Irresistible sank unobserved by Allied forces, at around 1930.

                      Loss

                      While retiring with Irresistible's survivors aboard, Ocean herself struck a drifting mine at around 1900. Her starboard coal bunkers and passageways flooded, her steering jammed hard to port, and she listed 15° to starboard. She came under fire from shore and began taking hits, which flooded her starboard engine room and prevented steering repairs. The crippled Ocean was abandoned at around 1930 with little loss of life, destroyers taking off most of her crew. She then drifted into Morto Bay, still under fire, and sank there unobserved by Allied forces at about 22:30. When destroyer Jed entered the bay later that evening to sink Ocean and Irresistible with torpedoes so that they could not be captured by the Turks, the two battleships were nowhere to be found.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Vengeance  

                      HMS Vengeance

                      HMS Vengeance (1899 - 1921) was built at Vickers, Barrow, laid down on 23rd August 1898, launched on 25th July 1899, Commissioned in April 1902 and Scrapped in 1921.
                      One of the Canopus class of pre dreadnought battleships designed by Sir William White for use in the Far East and entered service between 1899 and 1902.
                      The lead ship was HMS Albion, which was followed by Canopus, Glory, Goliath, Ocean and Vengeance.
                      The class had primary armament consisting of four 12 inch (305 mm) 35 calibre long guns and six 6-inch (152 mm) 40 calibre long guns.

                      The introduction of HMS Dreadnought in 1906 rendered the class, and all other pre-dreadnought battleships, obsolete only a few years after the last-of-class entered service in 1902. The class saw service across the globe: in home waters, on the China Station, in the Mediterranean Fleet, in the Atlantic, in Africa, at Archangel, and in the Mediterranean where HMS Goliath and HMS Ocean were sunk during the Dardanelles campaign. The four surviving ships were reduced to subsidiary duties late in World War I and were scrapped in the early 1920s.

                      List of Ships in Canopus Class

                      • HMS Albion
                      • HMS Canopus
                      • HMS Glory
                      • HMS Goliath
                      • HMS Ocean
                      • HMS Vengeance

                      General characteristics

                      The Canopus-class battleships were designed for use in the Far East to counter the expanding Japanese navy and were required to be able to pass through the Suez Canal. They were designed to be smaller, lighter and faster than their predecessors, the Majestic-class battleships, although at 421.5 ft (128.5 m) they were slightly longer.

                      Armour

                      The armoured belt, situated at the waterline of the vessel, was 6 inches (152 mm) thick.
                      To save weight the Canopus class carried less armour than the Majestics, but a change from Harvey armour in the Majestics to Krupp armour in the Canopus class meant that the protective capability of the armour was maintained. Part of their armour scheme included the use of a special 1 in (25 mm) armoured deck over the armour belt to defend against plunging fire by the howitzers that France had reportedly planned to install on its ships, although this report proved to be false.

                      Armament

                      Like the Majestics, the Canopus class ships had four 12-inch (305 mm) guns mounted in twin turrets fore and aft. The final ship, Vengeance, had an improved mounting that allowed loading at any elevation; her turret gunhouses differed from those of her sisters in being Krupp-armoured and flat-sided (Krupp armour plates were difficult to form into curves). The ships mounted twelve 6-inch (152 mm) guns in armoured casemates as well having some smaller guns and four submerged 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes.

                      Propulsion

                      The Canopuses were the first British battleships with water-tube boilers, which generated more power for their weight when compared with the cylindrical boilers used in previous ships. The new boilers led to the adoption of fore-and-aft funnels, rather than the side-by-side funnel arrangement used in many previous British battleships. The Canopus-class ships proved to be good steamers, consuming 10 short tons (9.1 t) of coal per hour at full speed. At 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) they were fast for battleships of their time, a full 2 kn (2.3 mph) faster than the Majestics. The Canopuses were able to reach 4,500 mi (7,200 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) with a full load of coal.

                      First World War Service

                      On the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, Vengeance was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron, Channel Fleet, for patrol duties in the English Channel and Atlantic transferring to the 7th Battle Squadron on 15 August 1914 to relieve battleship Prince George as flagship. She covered the landing of the Plymouth Marine Battalion at Ostend, Belgium, on 25 August 1914.

                      In November 1914 she transferred to West Africa for operations, against German Kamerun, then to Egypt to relieve armored cruisers Black Prince and Warrior as guard ship at Alexandria, then moved on to the Cape Verde-Canary Islands Station to relieve Albion as guard ship at Saint Vincent.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      On 22 January 1915, Vengeance was selected to take part in the Dardanelles campaign. She stopped at Gibraltar that month to embark Admiral John de Robeck and become second flagship of the Dardanelles squadron, and arrived at the Dardanelles in February 1915.

                      Vengeance participated in the opening bombardment of the Ottoman Turkish entrance forts on 18 February and 19 February 1915, suffering some damage to her masts and rigging thanks to gunfire from the forts. She also took part in the main attack on the Narrows forts on 18 March 1915, supporting the main landings at Cape Helles in the Morto Bay area on 25 April 1915, and supported the ground troops during the Turkish attack on Allied positions at Anzac Cove on 19 May 1915. A submarine attacked her on 25 May 1915 without success.

                      By July 1915, Vengeance had boiler defects that prevented her from continuing combat operations, and she returned to the United Kingdom and paid off that month. She was under refit at Devonport until December 1915.

                      Later service

                      Vengeance recommissioned in December 1915 and left Devonport on 30 December 1915 for a deployment to The Cape and East Africa. While there, she supported operations leading to the capture of Dar es Salaam in 1916.

                      In February 1917, Vengeance returned to the United Kingdom and paid off. She was laid up until February 1918, when she recommissioned for use in experiments with anti-flash equipment for the fleet's guns. She completed these in April 1918, and then was partially disarmed, with four 6-inch (152-mm) main-deck casemate guns removed and four 6-inch (152-mm) guns being installed in open shields on the battery deck. She became an ammunition store ship in May 1918.

                      Disposal

                      Vengeance was placed on the sale list at Devonport on 9 July 1920, and was sold for scrapping on 1 December 1921. She had an eventful trip to the scrapyard. After she departed Devonport under tow on 27 December 1921 en route Dover, her tow rope parted in the English Channel on 29 December 1921. French tugs located her and towed her Cherbourg, France. From there she was towed to Dover, where she finally arrived for scrapping on 9 January 1922.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Queen  

                      HMS Queen

                      HMS Queen, member of Formidable Class - Queen subclass of pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Royal Navy's Formidable-class battleships were an eight-ship class of pre-dreadnoughts designed by Sir William White and built in the late 1890s. The class is often further divided into a separate London class, and the London class sometimes is divided further into a separate Queen class.

                      Queen subclass

                      The last two London class ships to be built, Prince of Wales and Queen, were identical to the other Londons except that they had open 12-pounder gun batteries mounted in the open on the upper deck amidships and had a lower displacement. Queen and Prince of Wales were laid down after the Duncan-class battleships that succeeded the Formidables and Londons, and were completed after the Duncans as well. They are generally considered part of the Formidable or London class, but the difference in the mounting of their 12-pounder guns, their lower displacement, and their later construction than the Duncans lead some authors to view them as constituting a Queen class separate from the Formidable and London classes.

                      The last of the ships to commission, Prince of Wales, was the last battleship for which Director of Naval Construction Sir William Henry White had sole design responsibility. She also was the last of the 29 battleships of the Majestic, Canopus, Formidable, London, Duncan, and Queen classes, commissioned between 1895 and 1904, which had all been based on the single, standard Majestic design and reached their final development in Queen and Prince of Wales.

                      Like all pre-dreadnoughts, the Formidables, Londons, and Queens were outclassed by the dreadnought battleships that began to appear in 1906. However, they continued in front-line duties through the early part of World War I.

                      HMS Queen was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 12 March 1901. Lady Charles Scott (wife of Admiral Lord Charles Scott), Lady Ernestine Edgcumbe, Mrs. Jackson (wife of Rear-Admiral T. S. Jackson), and Mrs. Champness (wife of Chief Constructor of Devonport Dockyard H. B. Champness) took part in the ceremony. She was launched by Queen Alexandra on 8 March 1902. She was completed in March 1904.

                      Pre-World War I

                      HMS Queen was commissioned on 7 April 1904 at Devonport Dockyard for service with the Mediterranean Fleet. She returned to the United Kingdom and paid off in April 1906, then recommissioned on 8 May 1906 to return to the Mediterranean. She refitted at Malta in 1906,1907 for duty as a flagship, and on 20 March 1907 became Fleet Flagship, Vice Admiral. Her second commission for Mediterranean Fleet service ended when she paid off at Devonport on 14 December 1908. On 15 December 1908, Queen recommissioned for service with the Atlantic Fleet. She collided with the Greek merchant steamer SS Dafni at Dover on 1 February 1909, suffering no serious damage, and underwent a refit at Devonport in 1910,1911. On 15 May 1912, Queen transferred to the 3rd Battle Squadron, First Fleet. In April 1914 she became 2nd Flagship, Rear Admiral, in the 5th Battle Squadron, Second Fleet, and was assigned duties as a gunnery training ship at Portsmouth.

                      World War I

                      When World War I broke out in August 1914, the 5th Battle Squadron was based at Portland and assigned to the Channel Fleet. Queen returned to full commission and continued as second flagship of the squadron, which was engaged in patrolling the English Channel. She was attached temporarily to the Dover Patrol on 17 October 1914 for bombardment duties along the coast of Belgium in support of Allied troops fighting at the front, and on 3 November 1914 was detached to support the East Coast Patrol during the Gorleston Raid, then returned to the 5th Battle Squadron. The squadron transferred from Portland to Sheerness on 14 November 1914 to guard against a possible German invasion of the United Kingdom, but transferred back to Portland on 30 December 1914.

                      In March 1915, Queen transferred to the Dardanelles to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign, departing England on 13 March 1915 and arriving at Lemnos to join the British Dardanelles Squadron on 23 March 1915. She served as Flagship, Rear Admiral, 2nd Squadron, and supported the ANZAC landings at Gaba Tepe on 25 April 1915. Along with the battleships Implacable, London, and Prince of Wales, Queen transferred to the Adriatic Sea on 22 May 1915 to reinforce the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy when Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. She arrived at her new base, Taranto, Italy, on 27 May 1915. From December 1916 to February 1917, Queen was refitted for service as a depot ship for the personnel of the Adriatic anti-submarine net barrage patrol in the Strait of Otranto. Most of her crew returned to the United Kingdom, leaving only a care-and-maintenance crew behind, and she was gradually disarmed as her guns were allocated to other duties. Most of her 6-inch (150 mm)) guns had been removed by April 1917, and all of her 12-inch (300 mm) guns had been put ashore by October 1917, where they were turned over to the Italian Army for use in repelling attacks by the Austro-Hungarian Army, although the turrets were left aboard. Queen became flagship of British Naval Forces, Taranto, serving as such until February 1918.

                      Post-World War I

                      Queen left Taranto and returned to the United Kingdom in April 1919 and was placed on the disposal list at Chatham Dockyard in May 1919. She won a temporary reprieve from the scrapper's torch in June 1919 when she was removed from the list and attached to the Pembroke Establishment to serve as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      Queen was placed on the sale list in March 1920 and sold for scrapping on 4 September 1920. She arrived at Birkenhead on 25 November 1920 to be lightened so that she could reach her scrapping berth at Preston, then arrived at Preston for scrapping on 5 August 1921.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Prince of Wales  

                      HMS Prince of Wales - Malta 1915

                      HMS Prince of Wales, member of Formidable Class - Queen subclass of pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                      The Royal Navy's Formidable-class battleships were an eight-ship class of pre-dreadnoughts designed by Sir William White and built in the late 1890s. The class is often further divided into a separate London class, and the London class sometimes is divided further into a separate Queen class.

                      Queen subclass

                      The last two London class ships to be built, Prince of Wales and Queen, were identical to the other Londons except that they had open 12-pounder gun batteries mounted in the open on the upper deck amidships and had a lower displacement. Queen and Prince of Wales were laid down after the Duncan-class battleships that succeeded the Formidables and Londons, and were completed after the Duncans as well. They are generally considered part of the Formidable or London class, but the difference in the mounting of their 12-pounder guns, their lower displacement, and their later construction than the Duncans lead some authors to view them as constituting a Queen class separate from the Formidable and London classes.

                      The last of the ships to commission, Prince of Wales, was the last battleship for which Director of Naval Construction Sir William Henry White had sole design responsibility. She also was the last of the 29 battleships of the Majestic, Canopus, Formidable, London, Duncan, and Queen classes, commissioned between 1895 and 1904, which had all been based on the single, standard Majestic design and reached their final development in Queen and Prince of Wales.

                      Like all pre-dreadnoughts, the Formidables, Londons, and Queens were outclassed by the dreadnought battleships that began to appear in 1906. However, they continued in front-line duties through the early part of World War I.

                      HMS Prince of Wales was laid down at Chatham Dockyard on 20 March 1901, the first keel plate laid down by Lady Wharton, wife of Rear-Admiral Sir William Wharton, Hydrographer to the Admiralty. She was launched by Mary, Princess of Wales, on 25 March 1902 and completed in March 1904.

                      Upon completion in March 1904, HMS Prince of Wales immediately went into the Fleet Reserve at Chatham Dockyard. She commissioned there on 18 May 1904 for service with the Mediterranean Fleet. While in the Mediterranean, she collided with the merchant steamer SS Enidiven on 29 July 1905, suffering no serious damage. In April 1906 she had a fatal accident when she suffered a machinery explosion during high-speed trials; three men were killed and four injured. On 28 May 1906, she ended the first Mediterranean tour by paying off at Portsmouth Dockyard and went into the commissioned reserve for a refit.

                      On 8 September 1906, Prince of Wales again commissioned for Mediterranean Fleet service. She became Second Flagship, Vice Admiral, in August 1907, and underwent a refit at Malta in 1908.

                      Prince of Wales transferred to the Atlantic Fleet as Flagship, Vice Admiral, in February 1909,[9] and underwent a refit at Gibraltar in 1911.

                      Prince of Wales transferred to the Home Fleet on 13 May 1912, becoming Flagship, Vice Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron, First Fleet, then later in 1912 Flagship, Rear Admiral, Second Fleet, at Portsmouth, and part of the 5th Battle Squadron. On 2 June 1913, she was rammed by submarine HMS C32 while participating in exercises, but suffered no damage.

                      World War I

                      When World War I broke out in August 1914, Prince of Wales was Flagship, 5th Battle Squadron. The squadron was assigned to the Channel Fleet and based at Portland, from which it patrolled the English Channel. Prince of Wales and other ships of the squadron covered the movement of the Portsmouth Marine Battalion to Ostend, Belgium, on 25 August 1914. On 14 November 1914 the squadron transferred to Sheerness to guard against a possible German invasion of the United Kingdom, but it transferred back to Portland on 30 December 1914.

                      Dardanelles campaign

                      On 19 March 1915, Prince of Wales was ordered to the Dardanelles to participate in the Dardanelles Campaign. She departed Portland on 20 March 1915 and joined the British Dardanelles Squadron on 29 March 1915. She supported the landings of the 3rd Brigade, Australian Army, at Gapa Tepe and Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915. During this time her second-in-command was Commander Kenneth Dewar, later a controversial figure in the Royal Navy.

                      Adriatic operations

                      On 22 May 1915, Prince of Wales, along with battleships HMS Implacable, HMS London, and HMS Queen, was transferred to the Adriatic Sea to form the 2nd Detached Squadron, organized to reinforce the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy after Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. Prince of Wales arrived at her new base, Taranto, Italy, on 27 May 1915.

                      Prince of Wales became flagship of the squadron in March 1916. She ended her flagship duties in June 1916, when she went to Gibraltar for a refit. She later returned to the Adriatic.

                      Decommissioning and subsidiary duties

                      In February 1917, Prince of Wales was ordered to return to the United Kingdom. On her voyage home, she called at Gibraltar from 28 February 1917 to 10 March 1917 and arrived at Devonport Dockyard later in March. She was placed in reserve on arrival, and was used as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      Prince of Wales was placed on the disposal list on 10 November 1919, and was sold for scrapping to T. W. Ward and Company on 12 April 1920. She arrived at Milford Haven for scrapping in June 1920.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Duncan  

                      HMS Duncan

                      HMS Duncan was laid down by Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, Leamouth, on 10 July 1899, and launched on 21 March 1901 by Mrs. Hills, wife of Mr. Arnold Hills, chairman of the company. She was completed in October 1903. She was scrapped in 1920.

                      Duncan and her five sister battleships of the Duncan class were ordered in response to large French and Russian building programmes, including an emphasis on fast battleships in the Russian programme. They were designed as smaller, more lightly armoured, and faster versions of the preceding Formidable class. As it turned out, the Russian ships were not as heavily armed as initially feared, and the Duncans proved to be quite superior in their balance of speed, firepower, and protection. Armour layout was similar to that of London, with reduced thickness in the barbettes and belt.

                      Pre-World War I

                      HMS Duncan commissioned at Chatham Dockyard on 8 October 1903 for Mediterranean Fleet service. She transferred to the Channel Fleet in February 1905. On 26 September 1905, she collided with battleship HMS Albion at Lerwick, suffering hull damage including a hole in her side below the waterline, rudder damage, and the loss of her sternwalk. She suffered another mishap on 23 July 1906, when she grounded off Lundy Island during unsuccessful operations to salvage battleship HMS Montagu.

                      Duncan transferred to the Atlantic Fleet in February 1907, and underwent a refit at Gibraltar from November 1907 to February 1908. On 1 December 1908, Duncan transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet to serve as Second Flagship. She underwent a refit at Malta in 1909. Under a fleet reirganization on 1 May 1912, the Mediterranean Fleet became the 4th Battle Squadron, Home Fleet, and changed its base from Malta to Gibraltar; Duncan thus became a unit of the squadron at Gibraltar.

                      On 27 May 1913, Duncan recommissioned at Chatham with a nucleus crew and was assigned to the 6th Battle Squadron in the Second Fleet at Portsmouth, where she served as a gunnery training ship in the commissioned reserve. She began a refit at Chatham in May 1914.

                      World War I

                      Duncan was sill undergoing her refit when World War I began in August 1914. Plans originally called for Duncan and battleships Agamemnon, Albemarle, Cornwallis, Exmouth, Russell, and Vengeance to form the 6th Battle Squadron in wartime and serve in the Channel Fleet, where the squadron was to patrol the English Channel and cover the movement of the British Expeditionary Force to France. However, plans also existed for the 6th Battle Squadron to be assigned to the Grand Fleet, and, when the war began, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, requested that Duncan and her four surviving sister ships of the Duncan class (Albemarle, Cornwallis, Exmouth, and Russell) be assigned to the 3rd Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet for patrol duties to make up for the Grand Fleet's shortage of cruisers. Accordingly, the 6th Battle Squadron was abolished temporarily, and, upon completion of her refit in September 1914, Duncan joined the 3rd Battle Squadron at Scapa Flow, where she joined the Grand Fleet's cruisers on duty in the Northern Patrol.

                      Duncan and her four Duncan-class sisters, as well as the battleships of the King Edward VII class, temporarily were transferred to the Channel Fleet on 2 November 1914 to reinforce that fleet in the face of Imperial German Navy activity in the Channel Fleet's area. On 13 November 1914, the King Edward VII-class ships returned to the Grand Fleet, but Duncan and her sister ships stayed in the Channel Fleet, where they reconstituted the 6th Battle Squadron on 14 November 1914. This squadron was given a mission of bombarding German submarine bases on the coast of Belgium, and was based at Portland, although it transferred to Dover immediately on 14 November 1914. However, due a lack of antisubmarine defenses at Dover, the squadron returned to Portland on 19 November 1914.

                      The 6th Battle Squadron returned to Dover in December 1914, then transferred to Sheerness on 30 December 1914 to relieve the 5th Battle Squadron there in guarding against a German invasion of the United Kingdom.

                      Between January and May 1915, the 6th Battle Squadron was dispersed. Duncan left the squadron in February 1915 to be reduced to reserve for a refit at Chatham that lasted until July 1915. She recommissioned at Chatham on 19 July 1915 and was attached to the 9th Cruiser Squadron on the Finisterre-Azores-Madeira Station.

                      In August 1915, Duncan transferred to the 2nd Detached Squadron in the Adriatic Sea. The squadron had been organized in May 1915 to reinforce the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy after Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary. Duncan was based at Taranto, Italy, during this service.

                      In June 1916, Duncan transferred to the 3rd Detached Squadron in the Aegean Sea, based at Salonika. From October to December 1916, she participated in operations against Greek royalists, and landed Royal Marines at Athens on 1 December 1916. She returned to the Adriatic Squadron in January 1917.

                      Decommissioning and reserve

                      In February 1917, Duncan returned to the United Kingdom and paid off at Sheerness to provide crews for antisubmarine vessels. She was in reserve at Sheerness until April 1917, when she moved to Chatham for a refit. Upon completion of her refit in January 1918, she remained in reserve at Chatham, serving as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      Duncan was placed on the disposal list in March 1919, and was sold for scrapping to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company Limited, Dover, on 18 February 1920. She was towed to Dover for scrapping in June 1920.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Montagu  

                      HMS Montagu - aground Lundy Island 1906

                      HMS Montagu was a Duncan-class pre-dreadnought battleship of the British Royal Navy. In May 1906 in thick fog, she was wrecked on Lundy Island, fortunately without loss of life. Although she would soon have been obsolescent if she had not been wrecked, this loss of one of its newest battleships was a blow to the Royal Navy, then in the early stages of the naval arms race with Germany.

                      HMS Montagu was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 23 November 1899, and launched on 5 March 1901, when she was christened by Lady Charles Scott, wife of Lord Charles Scott, Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth. She began trials in February 1903.

                      HMS Montagu commissioned on 28 July 1903 at Devonport Dockyard for service in the Mediterranean Fleet. In February 1905, she transferred to the Channel Fleet.

                      Grounding

                      At 0200 hours on 30 May 1906 during radio communication trials carried out in thick fog, Montagu was steaming at high speed in the Bristol Channel when she ran into Shutter Rock on the southwest corner of Lundy Island. The force of impact was so great that her foremast was raked forward. The ship settled hard aground, with many holes in her hull, the worst of which was a 91-foot (28 m) long gash in her starboard side.[11]

                      A pilot cutter cruising in the vicinity of Lundy Island had encountered Montagu a short time earlier. The battleship had stopped engines, come abreast, and hailed from the bridge requesting a distance and bearing for Hartland Point on the mainland of England. Though the cutter supplied these accurately, the voice from the battleship's bridge replied that they must be wrong and that the pilot cutter must have lost her bearings. As Montagu restarted her engines and began to move ahead, the cutter shouted back that on her present course Montagu would be on Shutter Rock within ten minutes, and a short time later the sound of the battleship running aground carried through the fog.

                      The battleship's captain, believing Montagu was aground at Hartland Point, sent a party on a rowing boat to the north, instructing them to contact the Hartland Point Lighthouse. They instead got to the North light on Lundy Island, where officers asked the lighthouse keeper to inform the British Admiralty that they were aground south of Hartland Point. An argument ensued with the keeper over where they were until he pointed out he knew what lighthouse he kept.

                      The court martial convened for the affair blamed the thick fog and faulty navigation for the wreck,[14] and her commanding officer, Thomas B. S. Adair, and navigating officer, Lieutenant J. H. Dathan, were severely reprimanded and "dismissed the ship", Dathan losing two years' seniority.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Africa  

                      HMS Africa

                      HMS Africa was a pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy. She was the penultimate ship of the King Edward VII class. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII), she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely Africa.

                      HMS Africa was laid down at Chatham Dockyard on 27 January 1904, launched on 20 May 1905, and completed in November 1906. She was the last battleship constructed at Chatham, later classes of battleships being too large for the yard.

                      Although Africa and her seven sister ships of the King Edward VII class were a direct descendant of the Majestic class, they were also the first class to make a significant departure from the Majestic design, displacing about 1,000 tons more and mounting for the first time an intermediate battery of four 9.2-inch (234 mm) guns in addition to the standard outfit of 6-inch (152 mm) guns. The 9.2-inch was a quick-firing gun like the 6-inch, and its heavier shell made it a formidable weapon by the standards of the day when Africa and her sisters were designed.

                      In January 1912, Africa took part in aircraft experiments at Sheerness. She was fitted for flying off aircraft with a 100-foot (30-metre) downward-sloping runway which was installed on her foredeck, running over her forward 12-inch (305-mm) turret from her forebridge to her bows and equipped with rails to guide the aircraft. Africa's crew tested the strength and stability of the rails by jumping up and down on them, then held the Gnome-engined Short Improved S.27 pusher seaplane in place as Lieutenant Charles Samson entered its cockpit to attempt the first British shipboard aircraft take-off on 10 January 1912 while the ship was at anchor in the River Medway. The aircraft moved quickly down the runway, dipped slightly after leaving it, but then pulled up and climbed easily. Samson circled Africa several times to the cheers of the crew, although on one pass he came uncomfortably close to the ship. After a few minutes, Samson climbed to 800 feet (240 metres) and concluded his historic flight by landing safely at an airfield ashore. Africa transferred her flight equipment to her sister ship Hibernia in May 1912. Based on the 1912 flight experiments on Africa, Hibernia, and battleship London, the Royal Navy concluded that shipboard aircraft were desirable for spotting and other fleet duties, but also that a fixed runway on a battleship interfered too much with the firing of the guns and that recovering seaplanes that had landed in a seaway was too difficult to be practical as a routine operation. But shipborne aviation had begun in the Royal Navy aboard Africa, and by 1917 would become an important part of British fleet operations.

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was re-based at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Africa served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916, undergoing a refit at Belfast from December 1915 to January 1916. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness (where Africa arrived on 2 May 1916), and on 3 May 1916 the squadron was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Africa remained there with the squadron until August 1916.

                      Africa began a refit at Portsmouth Dockyard in August 1916. Upon its completion in September 1916, she left the 3rd Battle Squadron and transferred to the Adriatic Sea, where a British squadron had reinforced the Italian Navy against the Austro-Hungarian Navy since Italy's entry into the war in 1915. She left the Adriatic in January 1917 for a refit at Gibraltar, during which the 6-inch (152-mm) guns on her main deck were replaced with four 6-inch (152-mm) guns a deck higher because the original guns were awash in even slightly rough weather.

                      When her refit was completed in March 1917, Africa was attached to the 9th Cruiser Squadron for service in the Atlantic Patrol and for convoy escort duties. She was based mainly at Sierra Leone and escorted convoys between Sierra Leone and Cape Town, South Africa. She underwent a refit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from December 1917 to January 1918.

                      In October 1918, Africa returned to the United Kingdom; she went into reserve at Portsmouth in November 1918.

                      Influenza Outbreak, 1918

                      In September 1918, while based at Sierra Leone, some of the crew became ill. Their numbers virtually doubled each day from less than a handful at the start of the month, until September 9, when 476 crew were reported ill. On September 9, 1918 a crewman was reported dead of pneumonia, following having influenza. Five more crew died September 12. The next day, another eight perished. On September 14, 10 more ship's crew died. Burial parties were sent ashore daily, and the ship was put into quarantine. By the time the quarantine flag was hauled down on September 30, 52 crew had died of illness, out of a total compliment of less than 800. Source: HMS Africa, ship's log.

                      Post-World War I

                      Following World War I, Africa was briefly the depot ship of the 9th Cruiser Squadron and was employed as an accommodation ship. In December 1919 she was selected to replace protected cruiser Diadem as stokers' training ship at Portsmouth, but this was cancelled.

                      Disposal

                      Africa was placed on the sale list in March 1920, and was sold for scrapping to Ellis & Company of Newcastle upon Tyne, England on 30 June 1920. She was scrapped at Newcastle.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Commonwealth  

                      HMS Commonwealth

                      HMS Commonwealth was built at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Govan. She was laid down on 17 June 1902, launched on 13 May 1903, and completed in March 1905.

                      HMS Commonwealth, was a King Edward VII-class battleship of the British Royal Navy. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII) she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely the Commonwealth of Australia. After commissioning in 1905, she served with the Atlantic Fleet until she was involved in a collision with HMS Albemarle in early 1907. While being repaired, she was transferred into what would become known as the Home Fleet. Following a reorganisation of the fleet in 1912, she, along with her King Edward VII-class sister ships formed the 3rd Battle Squadron, which served in the Mediterranean.

                      When World War I broke out, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet, with Commonwealth conducting operations around Scotland and the North Sea as part of the Northern Patrol. In 1916, the squadron was detached to the Nore Command. In 1917, the Commonwealth was updated, the only ship of her class to receive technology equivalent to that of the dreadnoughts. She ended the war as a gunnery training ship, continuing in this role until February 1921, at which time she was decommissioned and disposed of.

                      Upon completion, HMS Commonwealth was delivered to Portsmouth Dockyard on 14 March 1905, where she was placed in reserve. She went into full commission on 9 May 1905 at Devonport Dockyard for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She collided with battleship HMS Albemarle near Lagos on 11 February 1907, sustaining hull and bulkhead damage. She began repairs at Devonport Dockyard later that month.

                      While under repair, Commonwealth transferred to the Channel Fleet in March 1907, recommissioning for actual service with that fleet on 28 May 1907 after completion of her repairs. She suffered another mishap in August 1907 when she ran aground. Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet, and Commonwealth became a Home Fleet unit in that division. She underwent a refit at Devonport from October 1910 to June 1911.

                      Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, Commonwealth and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Britannia, Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan, King Edward VII, and Zealandia) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the Home Fleet. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and an occupation of Scutari. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Commonwealth served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916. She underwent a refit from December 1914 to February 1915. As of 1 July 1915, she was 2nd flagship of the 3rd Battle Squadron for the rest of the year. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Commonwealth remained there with the squadron until August 1917.

                      Gunnery training ship

                      Commonwealth left the 3rd Battle Squadron in August 1917 and paid off to undergo an extensive refit at Portsmouth Dockyard, during which she became the only King Edward VII-class ship fitted with updated features common among dreadnoughts, including torpedo bulges, a tripod foremast, and a director and fire control system; she also had her 6-inch (152-mm) gun batteries removed and four 6-inch (152-mm) guns installed one deck higher. When her refit was completed in April 1918, she was in effect the most advanced predreadnought battleship in the world. She recommissioned on 16 April 1918 for service on the Northern Patrol, then transferred to the Grand Fleet on 21 August 1918, where she made full use of her updated equipment in service as a seagoing gunnery training ship based at Invergordon. The last seagoing British predreadnought still armed with her guns, she continued in this service after World War I ended, training crews in the use of all weapons used on the modern dreadnought battleships.

                      Disposal

                      After three years of this service as a training ship, Commonwealth paid off in February 1921. She was placed on the disposal list at Portsmouth Dockyard in April 1921 and was sold to Slough Trading Company for scrapping on 18 November 1921. She then was resold to German scrappers and towed to Germany to be broken up.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Dominion  

                      HMS Dominion

                      HMS Dominion was ordered under the 1902 Naval Estimates. She was laid down at Vickers' yards at Barrow-in-Furness on 23 May 1902 and launched on 25 August 1903. She began trials in May 1905 and was completed in July 1905.

                      Early career

                      HMS Dominion commissioned on 15 August 1905 at Portsmouth Dockyard for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She ran aground in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on 16 August 1906, suffering severe damage to her hull plating and some flooding. She arrived at Bermuda in September 1906; when these were completed in January 1907, she moved to Chatham Dockyard for completion of her repairs beginning in February 1907. While out of service at Chatham, she transferred to the Channel Fleet in March 1907.

                      Her repairs were completed in May,June 1907, and she recommissioned for her Channel Fleet service. Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet, and Dominion became a Home Fleet unit in that division.

                      Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, Dominion and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Britannia, Commonwealth, Hibernia, Hindustan, King Edward VII, and Zealandia) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet, although Dominion was initially attached to the 2nd Battle Squadron and did not join the 3rd Battle Squadron until June 1912. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Dominion served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916, serving temporarily as flagship, Vice Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron, in August,September 1915. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Dominion remained there with the squadron until March 1918, being attacked unsuccessfully by a German submarine in May 1916 and undergoing a refit at Portsmouth Dockyard in June 1917.

                      The units of the 3rd Battle Squadron had begun to disperse gradually in 1916, and by 1 March 1918, Dominion and battleship Dreadnought were the only ships left in the squadron. The squadron was finally dissolved in March 1918, and Dominion paid off to serve as a parent ship for the Zeebrugge Raid and the first Ostend Raid. She served in this capacity, stationed in the Swin, until May 1918.

                      On 2 May 1918, Dominion paid off into the Nore Reserve. She was employed as an accommodation ship.

                      Disposal

                      On 29 May 1919, Dominion was placed on the disposal list at Chatham Dockyard. She was sold for scrapping on 9 May 1921 to T. W. Ward & Company Limited. On 30 September 1923 she was towed to Belfast to be stripped, and she arrived at Preston for scrapping on 28 October 1924

                      1st July 1914 HMS Hibernia  

                      HMS Hibernia

                      HMS Hibernia was laid down at Devonport Dockyard on 6 January 1904, launched on 17 June 1905, and completed in December 1906. She was the last of the eight King Edward VII-class battleships to be completed.

                      HMS Hibernia was a King Edward VII-class pre-dreadnought battleship of Britain's Royal Navy. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII) she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely Ireland. Commissioned in early 1907, she served as the flagship of the Rear Admirals of firstly the Atlantic Fleet and then the Channel Fleet. When the latter fleet was reorganised to the Home Fleet, she was based at the Nore.

                      In 1912, Hibernia hosted trials in naval aviation with the temporary addition of a runway to her foredeck, and the first launch of an aircraft from a vessel underway was achieved from her in early May. Later in 1912, after her experiment with aviation was completed, she and her sister ships formed the 3rd Battle Squadron. The squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet at the beginning of World War I, and served on the Northern Patrol. In 1915 she supported the Dardanelles Campaign and provided cover for the evacuation from the Gallipoli Peninsula. On returning to the United Kingdom she was again attached to the Grand Fleet before being transferred to Nore Command in May 1916, finishing the war as an accommodation ship. She was decommissioned in 1919 and scrapped in 1922.

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol, and Hibernia continued her service as Second Flagship of the squadron. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Hibernia served in the Grand Fleet until November 1915.[7] During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      In November 1915, a division of the 3rd Battle Squadron consisting of Hibernia (which served as flagship of the division commander, Rear-Admiral Sydney Fremantle) and battleships Zealandia, Russell, and Albemarle was detached for service in the Dardanelles Campaign. The ships departed Scapa Flow on 6 November 1915; Albemarle suffered heavy damage in a storm on the first night of the voyage and had to return for repairs, assisted by Hibernia and accompanied by Zealandia. Hibernia, Zealandia, and Russell then pressed on and arrived at the Dardanelles on 14 December 1915. Hibernia served as stand-by battleship at Kephalo and covered the evacuation of V and W Beaches at Cape Helles on 8 January 1916 and 9 January 1916. Among those serving aboard her during this time was Augustus Agar, later V.C. and famous for exploits against the Bolsheviks and as captain of heavy cruiser Dorsetshire in World War II. Later in January, Hibernia was stationed at Milo in case she was needed to cover an evacuation of the French force at Salonika. Before the end of January, Russell relieved her as divisional flagship, and Hibernia returned to the United Kingdom, being reassigned to the Grand Fleet upon arrival at Devonport Dockyard on 5 February 1916. She underwent a refit there in February and March 1916 before rejoining the Grand Fleet.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Hibernia remained there with the squadron until October 1917.

                      In 1917 Hibernia's ten 6-inch (152-mm) guns were removed from their casemates because they were flooded in heavy seas and replaced with four 6-inch (152-mm) guns on the higher shelter deck.

                      Subsidiary duties

                      In October 1917, Hibernia left the 3rd Battle Squadron and paid off into the Nore Reserve at Chatham Dockyard, where she served as an overflow accommodation ship.

                      In September 1918, the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, Admiral David Beatty, called for a large target to be provided which would allow the battleships of the Grand Fleet, which had seen little action since the Battle of Jutland in 1916, realistic gunnery practice. To meet this requirement, it was suggested that Hibernia be converted to radio control and undergo other modifications so that she could assume duty as a target ship, but ultimately the predreadnought battleship HMS Agamemnon became available and was selected instead.

                      Disposal

                      In July 1919, Hibernia was placed on the disposal list at Chatham, and on 8 November 1921 she was sold for scrapping to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company of Dover. She was resold to Slough Trading Company in 1922, resold yet again to German scrappers, and towed to Germany for scrapping in November 1922.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Hindustan  

                      HMS Hindustan

                      HMS Hindustan was built by John Brown & Company at Clydebank. She was laid down on 25 October 1902 and launched on 19 December 1903. She began trials in January 1905 and was completed in March 1905

                      HMS Hindustan was a King Edward VII-class pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII) she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely the Indian Empire. Commissioned in mid 1905, she served with firstly the Atlantic Fleet and then the Channel Fleet. When the latter fleet was reorganised to the Home Fleet, she was attached to that fleet.

                      In 1912, Hindustan and her King Edward VII-class sister ships formed the 3rd Battle Squadron. The squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet at the beginning of World War I, and served on the Northern Patrol. In 1916, she, with the rest of the squadron was transferred to Nore Command until she was detached in February 1918 to serve as a parent ship for the raids on Zeebrugge and Ostend. Decommissioned in May 1918, she finished the war as an accommodation ship, and was disposed of in 1919

                      Upon completion in March 1905, HMS Hindustan was placed in reserve. She went into full commission on 22 August 1905 at Portsmouth Dockyard for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She transferred to the Channel Fleet in March 1907. Under a fleet reorganization on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet, and Hindustan became a Home Fleet unit in that division. She underwent a refit at Portsmouth in 1909,1910.

                      Under a fleet reorganization in May 1912, Hindustan and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Britannia, Commonwealth, Dominion, Hibernia, King Edward VII and Zealandia) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. Hindustan and Africa returned to the United Kingdom in February 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet; they were attached to the 4th Battle Squadron, then transferred back to the 3rd Battle Squadron upon that squadron's return to the United Kingdom and the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913.

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914.

                      Hindustan served in the Grand Fleet until April 1916. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Hindustan remained there with the squadron until February 1918.

                      Hindustan left the 3rd Battle Squadron in February 1918 when she selected to serve as a parent ship for preparations for the Zeebrugge Raid and first Ostend Raid and served as depot ship for the raids. She was stationed in the Swin in this capacity until May 1918, and collided with and badly damaged the destroyer HMS Wrestler in May 1918.

                      Postwar

                      On 15 May 1918, Hindustan paid off into reserve at the Nore, and was employed as an accommodation ship for the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham Dockyard. She was placed on the disposal list at Chatham in June 1919 and on the sale list in August 1919. She was sold for scrapping to T. W. Ward & Company, Limited on 9 May 1921. She was towed to Belfast for stripping in 1923 and arrived at Preston for scrapping on 14 October 1923.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Zealandia  

                      HMS Zealandia formerly New Zealand

                      HMS New Zealand was ordered under the 1902/03 Naval Estimates and built at Portsmouth Dockyard. She was laid down on 9 February 1903, launched on 4 February 1904, and completed in June 1905

                      HMS New Zealand was a King Edward VII-class battleship of the Royal Navy. Like all ships of the class (apart from HMS King Edward VII) she was named after an important part of the British Empire, namely New Zealand. She was renamed HMS Zealandia in 1911, the only Royal Navy ship to have carried this name. This was to allow the later Battle Cruiser HMS New Zealand to carry her own name.

                      Early career

                      HMS New Zealand commissioned on 11 July 1905 at Devonport Dockyard for service in the Atlantic Fleet. She underwent a refit at Gibraltar from October to December 1906, and transferred to the Channel Fleet on 4 March 1907. Under a fleet reorganisation on 24 March 1909, the Channel Fleet became the 2nd Division, Home Fleet, and New Zealand became a Home Fleet unit in that division.

                      To release her name for use by the new battlecruiser HMS New Zealand, which had been presented to the Royal Navy by the government of New Zealand, it became necessary to rename New Zealand in 1911. At first the name Caledonia, the Roman name for northern Great Britain, was favoured, but this met opposition in New Zealand. Eventually, the name Zealandia, a personification of New Zealand, was agreed upon, and New Zealand was renamed Zealandia on 1 December 1911.

                      Under a fleet reorganisation in May 1912, Zealandia and all seven of her sisters of the King Edward VII class (Africa, Britannia, Commonwealth, Dominion, Hibernia, Hindustan, and King Edward VII) were assigned to form the 3rd Battle Squadron, assigned to the First Fleet, Home Fleet. The squadron was detached to the Mediterranean in November 1912 because of the First Balkan War (October 1912, May 1913); it arrived at Malta on 27 November 1912 and subsequently participated in a blockade by an international force of Montenegro and in an occupation of Scutari. The squadron returned to the United Kingdom in 1913 and rejoined the Home Fleet on 27 June 1913

                      World War I

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, the 3rd Battle Squadron was assigned to the Grand Fleet and based at Rosyth. It was used to supplement the Grand Fleet's cruisers on the Northern Patrol; during this duty, Zealandia rammed a German submarine on 10 September 1914. On 2 November 1914, the squadron was detached to reinforce the Channel Fleet and was rebased at Portland. It returned to the Grand Fleet on 13 November 1914. During sweeps by the fleet, she and her sister ships often steamed at the heads of divisions of the far more valuable dreadnoughts, where they could protect the dreadnoughts by watching for mines or by being the first to strike them.

                      On 6 November 1915, a division of the 3rd Battle Squadron consisting of battleships Hibernia (the flagship), Russell, Albemarle, and Zealandia was detached from the Grand Fleet to serve in the Dardanelles Campaign. Albemarle had to return for repairs, assisted by Hibernia and accompanied by Zealandia, after suffering severe damage on the first night of the outbound voyage, but the other three ships pressed on and arrived at the Dardanelles on 14 December 1915. In late January 1916, Zealandia and Hibernia left the eastern Mediterranean to return to the United Kingdom, arriving at Portsmouth Dockyard on 6 February 1916. Zealandia underwent a refit there that lasted until March 1916, then rejoined the 3rd Battle Squadron and the Grand Fleet on 26 March 1916.

                      On 29 April 1916, the 3rd Battle Squadron was rebased at Sheerness, and on 3 May 1916 it was separated from the Grand Fleet, being transferred to the Nore Command. Zealandia remained there with the squadron until September 1917, undergoing a refit at Chatham Dockyard from December 1916 to June 1917.

                      On 20 September 1917, Zealandia left the 3rd Battle Squadron and paid off into reserve at Portsmouth Dockyard. While in reserve, she was refitted between January and September 1918 for use as a gunnery training ship, receiving much of the upgraded fire control equipment that her sister ship Commonwealth did, although not torpedo bulges. Although she never recommissioned or entered service as a gunnery training ship, she was included in many experiments, including the use of various types of fire control equipment. She was used as an accommodation ship at Portsmouth beginning in 1919.

                      Disposal

                      Zealandia was placed on the disposal list on 2 June 1919, and on 8 November 1921 she was sold for scrapping to Stanlee Shipbreaking Company. She was resold to Slough Trading Company, then resold again to German scrappers, and left Portsmouth on 23 November 1923 for scrapping in Germany

                      1st July 1914 HMS Marlborough  

                      HMS Marlborough

                      HMS Marlborough was an Iron Duke-class battleship of the Royal Navy, named in honour of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and launched in 1912. In World War I she served in the 1st Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet based at Scapa Flow. She fought at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, where she was hit by a torpedo, killing two and injuring two.

                      Iron Duke Class overview
                      Preceded by: King George V class
                      Succeeded by: Queen Elizabeth class
                      Planned: 4 Completed: 4 : Iron Duke, Benbow, Marlborough and Emperor of India

                      General characteristics

                      • Type: Battleship
                      • Displacement: 25,000 tons / 29,500 full load
                      • Length: 622 ft 9 in (189.8 m), Beam: 90 ft (27.4 m), Draught: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)
                      • Propulsion: 4 shaft Parsons steam turbines, direct drive, 18 Babcock & Wilcox or Yarrow boilers delivering 29,000 hp
                      • Speed: 21.25 knots (39.4 km/h)
                      • Range: 14,000 nm at 10 knots (18.5 km/h)
                      • Armament:
                      • 10 × BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns (5 × twin turrets)
                      • 12 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk VII guns (single mounts)
                      • 2 × QF 3 inch 20 cwt AA guns
                      • 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
                      • Armour
                      • Belt: 12 in
                      • Bulkheads: 8 in
                      • Barbettes: 10 in
                      • Turrets: 11 in
                      • Decks: 2.5 in

                      Marlborough was ordered under the 1911 Naval Estimates and the contract to build her was awarded to Devonport Dockyard, of Plymouth. She was laid down on 25 January 1912 and launched on 24 October 1912. She was commissioned in June 1914, the second of the Iron Dukes to do so, behind her sister HMS Iron Duke. She cost in region of £2,043,437. The month after commissioning she joined the 1st Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet, then based at Scapa Flow.

                      Service history

                      Along with the remainder of the 1st battle squadron, of which she was its flagship until February 1917, Marlborough saw action at the battle of Jutland. After firing 162 13.5 inch shells, she was hit by a torpedo that killed two and wounded two others. Marlborough had to be towed back to port with a slight list. After repairs were finished on 29 July 1916, she returned to the Grand Fleet.

                      In 1919, in the Russian Civil War, Marlborough was on duty in the Black Sea and, on orders of King George V, rescued his aunt, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, and other members of the Russian Imperial Family, including Grand Duke Nicholas and Prince Felix Yusupov.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Emperor of India  

                      HMS Emperor of India

                      HMS Emperor of India was an Iron Duke-class battleship of the British Royal Navy. She was originally to have been named Delhi but was renamed just a month before launching after King George V, who was also Emperor of India.

                      Emperor of India was laid down on 31 May 1912 at Barrow-in-Furness by Vickers. She was launched on 27 November 1913 and commissioned on 10 November 1914.

                      Iron Duke Class overview
                      Preceded by: King George V class
                      Succeeded by: Queen Elizabeth class
                      Planned: 4 Completed: 4 : Iron Duke, Benbow, Marlborough and Emperor of India

                      General characteristics

                      • Type: Battleship
                      • Displacement: 25,000 tons / 29,500 full load
                      • Length: 622 ft 9 in (189.8 m), Beam: 90 ft (27.4 m), Draught: 32 ft 9 in (9.98 m)
                      • Propulsion: 4 shaft Parsons steam turbines, direct drive, 18 Babcock & Wilcox or Yarrow boilers delivering 29,000 hp
                      • Speed: 21.25 knots (39.4 km/h)
                      • Range: 14,000 nm at 10 knots (18.5 km/h)
                      • Armament:
                      • 10 × BL 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) Mk V guns (5 × twin turrets)
                      • 12 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk VII guns (single mounts)
                      • 2 × QF 3 inch 20 cwt AA guns
                      • 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
                      • Armour
                      • Belt: 12 in
                      • Bulkheads: 8 in
                      • Barbettes: 10 in
                      • Turrets: 11 in
                      • Decks: 2.5 in

                      Upon commissioning, Emperor of India joined the First Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet, based at Scapa Flow. Emperor of India later joined the Fourth Battle Squadron and was flagship of Rear-Admiral A. L. Duff. King George V visited Emperor of India while inspecting the Fleet at Scapa in July 1915.

                      She was in refit at Invergordon at the time of the Battle of Jutland in 1916. During Jutland, Emperor of India was replaced as flagship of Admiral Duff by Superb. In 1917, Emperor of India replaced her sister ship Marlborough as second flagship of the 1st Battle Squadron.

                      Emperor of India was present at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in November 1918. She survived the cuts to the Royal Navy in the post-World War I climate and joined the Mediterranean Fleet in 1919.

                      She was decommissioned in 1929 and was sunk as a target ship on 1 September 1931. She was raised the following year and sold for scrap on 6 February 1932.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Resolution  

                      HMS Resolution

                      HMS Resolution, Revenge Class Battleship, was built by Palmers Shipbuilding and Engineering, Tyneside, laid down 29 November 1913, launched 14 January 1915 and commissioned on 30 December 1916. She was broken up in Faslane 1949.

                      The Revenge-class battleships (listed as Royal Sovereign class in several editions of Jane's Fighting Ships, as with the 1919 and 1931 editions, and sometimes also known as the "R" class) were five battleships of the Royal Navy, ordered as World War I loomed on the horizon, and launched in 1914,1916.

                      There were originally to have been eight of the class, but two were later redesigned, becoming the Renown-class battle cruisers, while the other, which was to have been named HMS Resistance, was cancelled.

                      • Class overview : Revenge class battleships
                      • Operators: Royal Navy and (one ship as "war loan", 1944,45 for Soviet Navy)
                      • Preceded by: Queen Elizabeth class, Succeeded by: N3 class (planned) Nelson class (actual), In commission: 1916,1949.
                      • Planned:8 - HMS Revenge(ex-Renown), Resolution, Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign, Ramilles, Resistance, Renown and Repulse
                      • Completed:5 - Revenge, Resolution, Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign and Ramilles.
                      • Cancelled:3 - (Resistance and 2 re-ordered to different design Renown and Repulse (as Renown type Battle Cruisers))
                      • Displacement: 29,150 tons standard, 33,500 tons full load
                      • Length: 624 ft (190 m), Beam: 88.5 ft (27.0 m), Draught: 28.6 ft (8.7 m)
                      • Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 shafts, 24 boilers, 26,500 shp (20 MW)
                      • Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h), Range: 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
                      • Ships Complement: 997,1,150 officers and ratings
                      • Armament:
                      • 8 × 15 in /42 guns (381 mm)
                      • 14 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XII guns
                      • 2 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns
                      • 4 × 47 mm guns
                      • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged)
                      • Armour:
                      • Belt: 13 in (330 mm) amidships; 4,6 in (102,152 mm) ends
                      • Deck: up to 5 in (127 mm)
                      • Turrets: 13 in (330 mm) faces; 5 in (127 mm) sides; 5 in (127 mm) roof
                      • Barbettes: up to 10 in (254 mm)
                      • Citadel: 11 in (279 mm)

                      Resolution was laid down at Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Jarrow on 29 November 1913, launched on 14 January 1915, and commissioned on 30 December 1916. From 1916 to 1919, she served in the 1st Battle Squadron (United Kingdom) of the Grand Fleet. Between the wars, she served in the Atlantic Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet, with the exception of a short refit in 1930,31.

                      On 10 January 1924 Resolution ran into and sank the British submarine HMS L24 as she was surfacing.

                      World War II service

                      On the outbreak of World War II, Resolution was part of the Home Fleet, and carried out convoy escort duties in the Atlantic. Whilst supporting the Narvik campaign in May 1940, she was struck by a bomb at Tjeldsundet. In June, 1940 she joined 'Force H' at Gibraltar, and took part in the destruction of the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kebir on 3 July 1940.

                      In September 1940, Resolution joined 'Force M' at Freetown, shelling French warships at the Battle of Dakar on 24 September 1940. The next day, she was torpedoed by the French submarine Bévéziers and badly damaged.

                      Following repairs in the United States, Resolution departed in February 1942 for Colombo, and served in the Indian Ocean during 1942 and 1943.

                      Fate

                      She returned to Great Britain in September 1943 and became a stokers' training ship in 1944 as part of the establishment HMS Imperieuse. HMS Resolution was sold for scrap on 5 May 1948 and broken up at Faslane.

                      One of Resolution's 15-inch guns, which was later fitted to the monitor HMS Roberts, is on display at the Imperial War Museum in London.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Ramillies  

                      HMS Ramillies

                      HMS Ramillies, Revenge Class Battleship, built at William Beardmore, laid down on 12th November 1913, launched 12th June 1916 and commissioned on 1st September 1917. She was broken up at Troon in 1949.

                      The Revenge-class battleships (listed as Royal Sovereign class in several editions of Jane's Fighting Ships, as with the 1919 and 1931 editions, and sometimes also known as the "R" class) were five battleships of the Royal Navy, ordered as World War I loomed on the horizon, and launched in 1914,1916.

                      There were originally to have been eight of the class, but two were later redesigned, becoming the Renown-class battle cruisers, while the other, which was to have been named HMS Resistance, was cancelled.

                      • Class overview : Revenge class battleships
                      • Operators: Royal Navy and (one ship as "war loan", 1944,45 for Soviet Navy)
                      • Preceded by: Queen Elizabeth class, Succeeded by: N3 class (planned) Nelson class (actual).
                      • Planned:8 - HMS Revenge(ex-Renown), Resolution, Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign, Ramilles, Resistance, Renown and Repulse
                      • Completed:5 - Revenge, Resolution, Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign and Ramilles.
                      • Cancelled:3 - (Resistance and 2 re-ordered to different design Renown and Repulse (as Renown type Battle Cruisers))
                      • Displacement: 29,150 tons standard, 33,500 tons full load
                      • Length: 624 ft (190 m), Beam: 88.5 ft (27.0 m), Draught: 28.6 ft (8.7 m)
                      • Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 shafts, 24 boilers, 26,500 shp (20 MW)
                      • Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h), Range: 5,000 nmi (9,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
                      • Ships Complement: 997,1,150 officers and ratings
                      • Armament:
                      • 8 × 15 in /42 guns (381 mm)
                      • 14 × BL 6-inch (152.4 mm) Mk XII guns
                      • 2 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns
                      • 4 × 47 mm guns
                      • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (submerged)
                      • Armour:
                      • Belt: 13 in (330 mm) amidships; 4,6 in (102,152 mm) ends
                      • Deck: up to 5 in (127 mm)
                      • Turrets: 13 in (330 mm) faces; 5 in (127 mm) sides; 5 in (127 mm) roof
                      • Barbettes: up to 10 in (254 mm)
                      • Citadel: 11 in (279 mm)

                      HMS Ramillies (pennant number: 07) was one of five Revenge-class battleships built for the Royal Navy during World War I. She was completed after the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and saw no combat during the war. She served with the Grand Fleet for the duration of the war. The ship was active throughout World War II, with service ranging from convoy escort to shore bombardment to engaging enemy battleships.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Illustrious  

                      HMS Illustrious

                      The third HMS Illustrious of the British Royal Navy was a Majestic-class pre-dreadnought battleship. Commissioned in 1898, she was assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet until 1904. Transferred to the Channel Fleet (which was subsequently reorganised to the Atlantic Fleet) she underwent a refit which was duly completed in early 1906. Rendered obsolete by the emergence of the new dreadnoughts, she served with the Home Fleet from 1908.

                      One of the oldest battleships in the Royal Navy when World War I broke out, she served as a guard ship at various regions around Northern England until late 1915. Her main armament removed, she served as a store ship for the remainder of the war.

                      She was decommissioned in 1919 and scrapped the following year.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Irresistible  

                      HMS Irresistible

                      HMS Irresistible—the fourth British Royal Navy ship of the name—was a Formidable-class pre-dreadnought battleship. Commissioned in 1902, she initially served with the Mediterranean Fleet until April 1908, when she was transferred to the Channel Fleet. Now outclassed with the emergence of the dreadnought class of ships, she entered service with the Home Fleet in 1911 following a refit. In 1912, she was assigned to the 5th Battle Squadron.

                      Following the outbreak of World War I, Irresistible, along with the squadron, was assigned to the Channel Fleet. After operations with the Dover Patrol, she served in the Dardanelles Campaign, taking part in the bombardment of the Turkish forts guarding the Dardanelles.

                      On 18 March 1915, she struck a mine, which caused severe damage and killed around 150 of her crew. Without power, she began to drift into the range of Turkish guns. With attempts to tow her having failed, she was abandoned with most of her crew having been successfully evacuated, and eventually sank.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Implacable  

                      HMS Implacable

                      HMS Implacable was a Formidable-class battleship of the British Royal Navy, the second ship of the name. Commissioned in September 1901, she was assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet and served with the fleet until 1908. After a refit, she transferred to the Channel Fleet, then onto the Atlantic Fleet in May 1909. By now rendered obsolete by the emergence of the dreadnought class ships, she was assigned to the 5th Battle Squadron and attached to the Home Fleet in 1912.

                      Upon the outbreak of World War I, Implacable, along with the squadron was assigned to the Channel Fleet. After operations with the Dover Patrol, she served in the Dardanelles Campaign, in support of the Allied landings at Gallipoli. Apart from a brief spell in England in March/April 1916 for a refit, she remained in the Mediterranean until June 1917, supporting firstly the Italian Navy and then the French Navy.

                      Returning to England, she was laid up until March 1918, and then served as a depot ship for the Northern Patrol. After the war, she was decommissioned and eventually sold for scrap in 1921.

                      1st July 1914 HMS Indomitable  

                      HMS Indomitable

                      HMS Indomitable was one of three Invincible-class battlecruisers. She was built by Fairfield, Govan. Laid down on 1 March 1906, Launched on 16 March 1907 and commissioned on 25th June 1908 at a cost of £1,768,995. she had a displacement: 17,250 long tons (17,530 t), 20,420 long tons (20,750 t) at (deep load) Length: 567 ft (173 m) overall, Beam: 78.5 ft (23.9 m), Draught: 30 ft (9.1 m) deep load. Powered by 31 Yarrow boilers, giving 41,000 shp (31,000 kW) she was propelled by four-shaft Parsons direct-drive steam turbines which gave her a top speed 25.5 knots (47.2 km/h; 29.3 mph) and a range of 2,270 nmi (4,200 km; 2,610 mi) at 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph), 3,090 nmi (5,720 km; 3,560 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) Her ships complement was 784 (up to 1000 in wartime) officers and ratings. She was Armed with 4 × 2 - BL 12-inch (304.8 mm) Mk X guns, 16 × 1 - QF 4-in (102mm) Mk III guns, 7 × 1 - Maxim guns and 5 × 1 - submerged 18-inch (450-mm) torpedo tubes

                      Indomitable took the Prince of Wales (later King George V) to the tercentennial celebrations in Canada, before also joining the Home Fleet. Invincible's electrically driven turrets proved to be a failure despite two lengthy refits in 1909 and 1911 and were converted to hydraulic power during her refit in early 1914 at the enormous cost of £151,200. The situation was so bad during her gunnery trials in October 1908 that the captain of HMS Excellent, the Royal Navy's gunnery school described their operation thusly: "When the order was given to train the turret, elevate or run a gun in or out, it was only necessary to push a button, or move a switch, but the result was often a flash of blue flame which seemed to fill the turret." In 1912 Indomitable and Inflexible together with the newer Indefatigable formed the nucleus of the Mediterranean Fleet, with Inflexible serving as flagship.

                      When when war broke out she tried to hunt down the German ships Goeben and Breslau in the Mediterranean and bombarded Turkish fortifications protecting the Dardanelles even before the British declared war on Turkey. She helped to sink the German armoured cruiser Blücher during the Battle of Dogger Bank in 1915 and towed the damaged British battlecruiser HMS Lion to safety after the battle. She damaged the German battlecruisers Seydlitz and Derfflinger during the Battle of Jutland in mid-1916 and watched her sister ship HMS Invincible explode. Deemed obsolete after the war, she was sold for scrap in 1921.

                      1st July 1914 HMS New Zealand (1905)  HMS New Zealand, King Edward VII Class pre-dreadnought battleship.

                      for details see HMS Zealandia - She was renamed to allow gift of new Battle Cruiser paid by New Zealand government to be named as HMS New Zealand.

                      31st Jul 1914  4th Royal Scots to Camp

                      7th Jul 1914 An ultimatum to be sent to Serbia  The Austro-Hungarian Council of Ministers discuss action to be taken against Serbia. The consensus is to send an ultimatum to Serbia, strongly worded it will be rejected and provide grounds for military action.

                      9th Jul 1914 Britain doesn't want war  British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey meets with German Ambassador Prince Lichnowsky in London. Grey assures the ambassador that Britain isn't preparing to attack Germany and doesn’t want a European war.

                      10th Jul 1914 Hungarian PM pleads to act like Gentlemen  Kaiser Wilhelm II receives a telegram from the German Ambassador in Vienna telegrams saying the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, Berchtold, is frustrated that the Hungarian PM wants to act 'like gentleman' towards Serbia. The Kaiser annotated the telegram: ‘With assassins! After all that has happened! Stupidity!’

                      14th Jul 1914 War Expected by Austro-Hungarian ministers  It is agreed by Austro-Hungarian ministers that the note to be sent to Serbia will be an ultimatum, to expire after 48 hours. They fully expect it to lead to war.

                      14th July 1914 

                      16th Jul 1914 Russia to stand by Serbia  Russia will stand by Serbia with ‘unquestionable resolution’ in the event of Austro-Hungarian military action.

                      29th July 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers ordered back to barracks  1st Royal Fusiliers were engaged in training at Moore Park when an order suddenly arrived at 10.30pm to strike camp and return to the barracks at Kinsale.

                      29th July 1914  Mobilisation Order

                      29th Jul 1914  Troops deployed

                      29th July 1914  Mobilisation

                      29th July 1914  Orders

                      30th July 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers return to Kinsale  1st Royal Fusiliers left Moore Park to return to the barracks at Kinsale entraining at Fermoy Station. The Band pet "Doody" was tragically killed in a motor accident on the way to the station. an hour after arriving at Kinsale, parties were sent out with three days rations to the coast to stop gunrunning, the largest of which was sent to the Old Head of Kinsale.

                      30th July 1914  Mobilization Order

                      31st Jul 1914 German Forces marching on Luxemburg  There was much panic in the money markets across Europe and the London Stock Exchange closed in an effort to protect British assets from a rush on the banks. Many stockbrokers found themselves in ruins and across London offices were closed. The New York Stock Exchange had also been closed indefinitley the previous day.

                      31st Jul 1914 Great Western Railway shunters strike  The shunters of the Great Western Railway went on strike, causing much travel disruption, Paddington Station was packed with people hoping to depart for the Bank Holiday Weekend.

                         The 1st Scottish General Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 they were based in Aberdeen.

                         The 2nd Scottish General Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 they were based at 4 Lindsay Place, Edinburgh.

                         The 3rd Scottish General Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 they were based at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow.

                         The 4th Scottish General Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, at the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914 they were based at Yorkhill Parade, Yorkhill, Glasgow.

                         The 4th (Ross Highland) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Seaforth and Cameron Brigade, Highland Division and had their HQ at Dingwall. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France on the 7th of November, landing at Le Havre, and joined the Dehra Dun Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division. On the 6th of November 1915 they transferred to 137th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division but on the 13th transferred again to 46th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. On the 7th of January 1916 they transferred to 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division, they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice. The 4th Seaforth Highlanders, along with the 6th Black Watch and 4th Gordon Highlanders were selected to join the Army of Occupation on the Rhine and left for Germany in February 1919.

                         The 4th (Sutherland and Caithness Highland) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Seaforth and Cameron Brigade, Highland Division and had their HQ at Glospie.

                         The 6th (Morayshire) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders was a unit of the Territorial Force, with their HQ at Garmouth, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Seaforth and Cameron Brigade, Highland Division and had their HQ at Elgin. G Coy's Drill Hall was in Lhanbryde (now The St Andrews Hotel) When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for annual camp and were at once recalled to home base, they mobilised for full time war service on the 5th of August 1914 and the Division concentrated at Bedford. They proceeded to France on the 2nd of May 1915. The Division concentrated in the area of Lillers, Busnes and Robecq and were rushed to the defence of Ypres, being in action until the 19th of May when they moved to Estaires on the River Lys. The brigade was renamed 152nd Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. They were in action in the The Battle of Festubert and The Second Action of Givenchy before moving south to The Somme taking over the line near Hamel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battles of the Somme, including the attacks on High Wood and The Battle of the Ancre, capturing Beaumont Hamel, taking more than 2000 prisoners. In 1917 They took part in the Arras Offensive, The Battle of Pilkem Ridge, The Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Cambrai Operations. They remained in the Cambrai area until the 21st of March 1918, when the enemy launched an overwhelming attack and the Division were engaged in a fighting withdrawal back to Bapaume. In April they moved north and fought in The Battles of the Lys before a quiet spell at Oppy near Arras, from May to July. They were then in action at The Battle of the Tardenois, The Battle of the Scarpe, The pursuit to the Selle and the Final Advance in Picardy. They were resting the Cambrai-Iwuy area at the Armistice and demobilisation began December.

                         The 5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Notts and Derby Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division. Made up of A, B, C D and HQ Coys they had their HQ at The Royal Drill Hall, Becket Street, Derby. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area, with the 5th Sherwoods at Harpenden by mid August. In November they moved to Braintree to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 25th pf February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                         The 6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Notts and Derby Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division and had their HQ at 10 Corporation Street, Chesterfield. They were mobilised for war service on the 5th of August 1914. The Division concentrated in the Luton area by mid August. In November they moved to Braintree to prepare for service overseas. They proceeded to France, landing at Boulogne on the 25th pf February being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai, The Battle of the Selle and The Battle of Sambre. At the Armistice, the advance units of the Division were at Sains-du-Nord. The Division moved back to Landrecies on the 15th of November then to the Le Cateau area in early January 1919 where demobilisation began.

                         The 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the Notts and Derby Infantry Brigade, North Midland Division and had their HQ at 168 Derby Road, Nottingham. When war broke out in August 1914, they were mobilised and moved at once to Harpenden, moving to to Braintree in November 1914. They proceeded to France on the 25th of February 1915, landing at Boulogne, being first complete Territorial Division to arrive in a theatre of war when they joined the BEF in the Ypres salient. On the 12th of May the Division was retitled 46th (North Midland) Division. They were in action during The German liquid fire attack at Hooge and The attack at the Hohenzollern Redoubt in October. On the 23rd of December the were ordered to proceed to Egypt via Marseilles leaving the DAC, Divisional Train and the Mobile Veterinary Section behind. All units had arrived by the 13th of January 1916 but they spent just a few days in Egypt, being ordered to return to France where the units left behind rejoined. On the 1st of July 1916 they took part in The diversionary attack at Gommecourt. In 1917 they were in action during the Operations on the Ancre, Occupation of the Gommecourt defences, The attack on Rettemoy Graben, The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The attack on Lievin and The Battle of Hill 70. On the 31st of January the 1/7th Sherwoods transferred to 178th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division and absorbed the 2/7th Sherwoods. They saw action in The Battle of the St Quentin canal, including the passage of the canal at Bellenglise on the 7th of May the battalion was reduced to cadre strength and on the 29th transferred to 30th Division. On the 19th of June 1918 they transferred to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division and on the 15th of August transferred to 116th Brigade, 39th Division and were based near Etaples until the Armistice.

                         Shropshire Royal Horse Artillery was made up of a single Battery and its Ammunition Column. When war broke out in 1914, they were part of the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade and had their HQ in Shrewsbury.

                         Shropshire Yeomanry was a mounted unit of the Territorial Force. When war broke out in 1914, they were part of the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade and had their HQ in Shrewsbury.

                         The 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the South Western Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division and had their HQ in Lower Bristol Road, Bath. They were sent to India to replace regular army units who were returning home to join the BEF in France and on the 9th of October 1914 they sailed from Southampton, landing at Bombay on the 9th of November 1914. On the 23rd of February 1916 they landed at Basra and joined 37th Indian Brigade, 3rd Indian Division and remained in Mesopotamia throughout the war. They transferred to 41st Indian Brigade in May and then to 56th Indian Brigade in March 1918, which became attached to 14th Indian Division in September 1918.

                         5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the South Western Infantry Brigade, Wessex Division and had their HQ at The County Territorial Hall, Taunton. They were sent to India to replace regular army units who were returning home to join the BEF in France. They sailed from Southampton on the 9th of October 1914, landing at Bombay on the 9th of November 1914. In May 1917 it was sent to Palestine to join the newly formed 75th Division with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and went into action for the first time on the 27th of October 1917 for the Third Battle of Gaza, in Palestine. They saw action at The Capture of Junction Station and in The Battle of Nabi Samweil. In 1918 they took part in The Battle of Tell'Asur, The Battle of Berukin and The Battle of Sharon. The Division was then withdrawn for rest in Late September and went into reserve at Tyre. On the 22nd of October the Division moved to Haifa and was there on the 31st when Turkey signed an Armistice. The troops gradually moved back to Egypt and by March 1919 the Divisional HQ was at Alexandria with the brigades being at Heliopolis and Ismailia, where they were demobbed.

                         Somerset Royal Horse Artillery was a unit of the Territorial Force, consisting of one Battery and Ammunition Column. At the outbreak of war they were part of the 2nd South Western Mounted Brigade and had their HQ at The County Territorial Hall, Taunton

                         4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment was a unit of the Territorial Force, at the outbreak of war they were part of the South Lancashire Infantry Brigade, West Lancashire Division and had their HQ in Warrington.

                         South Midland Clearing Hospital was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. At the outbreak of war in 1914 they were based in Birmingham.

                         1st South Midland Field Ambulance was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. When war broke out in 1914 they were based at The Barracks, Great Brook Street, Birmingham. They served with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 1st of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 21st of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                         2nd South Midland Field Ambulance was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. When war broke out in 1914 they were based at The Barracks, Great Brook Street, Birmingham with a drill station at Sutton Coldfield. They served with 48th (South Midland) Division. The South Midland Division was a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908 The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 2nd of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 22nd of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                         3rd South Midland Field Ambulance was a territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps. When war broke out in 1914 they were based at Coulson Fort, Montague Place, Kingsdown, Bristol. They served with 48th (South Midland) Division, a formation of the Territorial Force formed in 1908. The units had just departed for their annual summer camp when war broke out in August 1914 and they were at once recalled. They mobilised for war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to concentrate in the Chelmsford area by the second week of August 1914 and commenced training. They proceeded to France in March 1915 with the Divisional HQ, the Gloucester & Worcester and South Midlland Brigades embarking from Folkestone and sailing to Boulogne whilst the remainder sailed from Southampton to Le Havre. The Division had concentrated near Cassel. In 1916 they were in action in the Battle of the Somme, suffering heavy casualties on the 3rd of July in assaulting the Quadrilateral (Heidenkopf). They were also in action at The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, capturing Ovillers, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge, The Battle of the Ancre Heights and The Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 the Division occupied Peronne during the The German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line and were in action in the Third Battles of Ypres. On the 23rd of November 1917 they entrained for Italy. In 1918 they were involved in the fighting on the Asiago Plateau and The Battle of the Vittoria Veneto in the Val d'Assa area. At the Armistice the Division had withdrawn and was at Granezza. Demobilisation began in early 1919.

                         3rd (Reserve) Battalion, East Kent Regiment, The buffs, was a regular unit of the British Army. When war broke out in August 1914 there were based in Canterbury.

                         3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry was a regular unit of the British Army, when war broke out in August 1914 they were based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

                         4th (Reserve) Battalion Durham Light Infantry were a regular unit of the British Army. When war broke out in August 1914 they were based at Barnard Castle, Co Durham.

                      1st August 1914 

                       7th Black Watch  The HQ of the 7th (Fife) Battalion, Black Watch was in St Andrews. At the outbreak of war in 1914 they were part of the Black Watch Infantry Brigade and their allocated war station was the Scottish Coastal Defences. A Coy based in Dunfirmline, B Coy in Lochgelly, C Coy in Kirkaldy, D Coy in Cowedendeath, E Coy was from Cupar, Newburgh, Auchtermuchty and Abernethy, F Coy from Leven, Colinsburgh and Largoward, G Coy from St Andrews, Guardbridge, Anstruther and Crail, H Coy was from Leslie, Marckinch and Thornton.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Kashgar

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Kashgar weighed 8,840 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to carry Australian troops.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Karmala

                      The RMS Karmala weighed 8,9479 with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to carry Australian troops.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Malwa

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Malwa weighed 10,883 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to carry Australian troops.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Megantic

                      The RMS Megantic weighed 5,531 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by F.Leyland & Co., Liverpool. It was torpedoed and sunk on 10 June 1917. Contracted at times to transport Australian Troops.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Moldovia

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Moldavia weighed 9,500 tons with an average cruise speed of 18.5 knots or 34.26 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to transport Australian Troops.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Morea

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Morea weighed 10,890 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to transport Australian Troops. Also served as a hospital ship in WW1.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:14
                      • Nurses:21
                      • Other:63
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:59
                      • Cots:100
                      • Berths:591
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:8th October 1915
                      • Date To:28th March 1916
                      • Ships Crew details:



                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Orontes

                      Picture from: AWM 303744.

                      The RMS Orontes weighed 9,028 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to transport Australian troops.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Osterley

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Osterley weighed 12,129 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Contracted at times to transport Australian troops.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      RMS Persia

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The RMS Persia weighed 7,974 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London. Torpedoed and sunk on the 30th December 1915. Contracted at times to transport Australian troops.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Balmoral Castle

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Balmoral Castle weighed 13,361 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Canberra

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Canberra weighed 7,707 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by the Australian Steamships Ltd (Howard Smith), Melbourne.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Carpentaria

                      Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr004969.

                      The SS Carpentaria weighed 5,766 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by British India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Calcutta.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS City of Karachi

                      The SS City of Karachi weighed 5,766 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by Ellerman & Bucknall Steamship Co., London.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Dorset

                      The SS Dorset weighed 7,630 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was a purpose built refrigeration ship owned by Potter, Trinder & Gwyn, London.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Dunluce Castle

                      SS Dunluce Castle was owned by Royal Mail Line which purchased the former Union Castle line in 1911.used to help transport troops and supplies from Australia during ww1 and also served as a hospital ship at Gallipoli.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Ellenga

                      Pictured at El Mina Wharf, Tripoli, Lebanon, 1919 from: AWM P01122.003.

                      The SS Ellenga weighed 5,196 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the British India Steam Navigation Company Glasgow & London.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Essex

                      SS Essex from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr003102, was used to transport troops and supplies from Australia during WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Field Marshal

                      The RPD (Reichspostdampfer - Imperial Mail Steamer) Feldmarschall was originally commissioned in 1903 with the Deutsche Ost-Afrika-Linie (German East Africa Line), Woermann Konsortium, Hamburg, Germany. In 1916 it was captured by the British at Dar es Salaam. It was then operated by Union-Castle Mail SS Co., who renamed it Field Marshal. It was sold in 1922 to a Chinese consortium and renamed Ling Nam. It assisted in passage of troops and supplies from Australia during latter years of WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Gaika

                      SS Gaika from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr003122, used to transport Troops and Equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Gracchus

                      Picture of SS Gracchus Which was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1. (Also spelt as Graechus ).

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Hawkes Bay

                      The Hawkes Bay was built at Sunderland in 1891. It weighed 4,583 tons. It was owned by the Tyser Line (G.D.Tyser & Co.). It was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Indarra

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Indarra weighed 9,735 tons with an average cruise speed of 16.5 knots or 30.55 kmph. It was owned by the Australasian United Steam Nav Co., Fremantle and was used to transport troops and equipment during WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Kaiser-i-Hind

                      Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr001405.

                      The SS Kaiser-i-Hind weighed 11,430 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Katoomba

                      Picture of SS Katoomba from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr007142.

                      It was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Mahanada

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Mahanada weighed 7,196 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by Thos & Jno Brocklebank Ltd., Liverpool.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Malta

                      The SS Malta weighed 6,064 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Makarini

                      Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture number a638277.

                      The SS Makarini weighed 10,624 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by G.D.Tyser & Co, London and had accommodation for 750-steerage class passengers. Built by Workman, Clark & Co, Belfast, she was launched on 3rd February 1912. In 1914 Tyser's was taken over by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line (Port Line) and she was renamed SS Port Nicholson. She was mined and sunk 15 miles West of Dunkirk on the 15th January 1917. Great Passenger Ships of the World by Arnold Kludas, vol.1, ISBN 0-85059-174-0, which contains a photo of the ship. Merchant Fleets by Duncan Haws, vol.21, Port Line.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Ormonde

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Ormonde weighed 14,982 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Orient St Nav Co Ltd, Glasgow.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Oxfordshire

                      SS Oxfordshire was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1. She also served as a Hospital Ship.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:6
                      • Nurses:13
                      • Other:41
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:22
                      • Cots:216
                      • Berths:324
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:15th September 1914
                      • Date To:24th March 1918
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      SS Oxfordshire was built in 1912 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with a tonnage of 8648grt, a length of 474ft 7in, a beam of 55ft 4in and a service speed of 15.5 knots. Launched on 15th June 1912 and completed on 17th September she was the company's last ship built with a counter stern.

                      On 2nd August 1914 she was the first ship to be requisitioned for war service two days prior to the outbreak. En-route from Liverpool to London she was off the Isle of Wight and was ordered into Tilbury where she was converted into Naval Hospital Ship No.1 with 562 beds.

                      Commissioned on 11th August she was sent to Scapa Flow as a base ship on 25th September but proved to be too large for the needs at the time and subsequently moved to the English Channel to undertake army hospital work.

                      In April 1915 she was deployed as the base hospital ship at Mudros and was present during the ANZAC withdrawal at the Dardenelles, bringing off the wounded in her own boats. The victorious Turks respected the red cross and did not fire on them. She served in the Persian Gulf and German East Africa during December 1916 and in 1918 as a shuttle hospital ship in the English Channel.

                      Decommissioned on 24th March 1919 she had made 235 voyages, steamed 172,000 miles without a single breakdown and carried 50,000 wounded, the highest of any hospital ship in the war.

                      She was refurbished and converted to oil burning by her builder in 1920 and resumed commercial services.

                      On 3rd September 1939 she was requisitioned, once again, for war time service and converted into Hospital Ship No. 6 with 500 beds at the Royal Albert Dock in London. Commissioned on 24th September she left London on 11th November bound for Freetown with 98 medical staff and 177 crew where she served as the base hospital ship. In September 1942 she was redeployed in the Mediterranean. After a refit on the Clyde in 1944 she was sent to the Adriatic where the Army's Anglia had been damaged by mines and on 29th October was herself damaged by a bomb near miss during a voyage between Ancona and Bari.

                      In November of that year she was sent to the Far East where she served the Admiralty Islands/Philippines and Australia. At one point she was loaned to the U.S. 7th Fleet for use during the taking of Okinawa. After the defeat of Japan in 1945 she was used to repatriate the wounded from Hong Kong and in May 1946 became an Army hospital ship to bring the sick home from the near and Far East. She also repatriated Indian troops from Basra to Bombay as well as making four North Atlantic crossings with refugees. In 1948 she arrived home with troops from Palestine and, on 19th July, was decommissioned at Southampton after carrying 22,321 casualties during the war, again the highest of any hospital ship. On 8th September of that year she made one one more voyage on charter to Jeddah with pilgrims before she was reconditioned by Harland & Wolff at Liverpool.

                      In April 1949 she made the first sailing for the International Refugee Organisation to Australia with emigrants and in 1950 reverted to trooping duties between Trieste and Port Said. She finished trooping in February 1951 and on 13th April sailed from Liverpool as the Safina-el-Arab having been sold to the Pan-Islamic Steamship Co. of Karachi, their first passenger ship. Deployed on the Karachi - Jeddah Pilgrim service between June and October she spent the remainder of the year operating between Karachi and Chittagong. After 46 years of impeccable service she was broken up at Karachi in 1958.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Pakeha

                      Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number bs004061.

                      The SS Pakeha weighed 4,331 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, London.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Ruahine II

                      Picture from: NZSCo Assn.

                      The SS Ruahine II [sometimes referred to as SS Rushine in Australian sources] weighed 10,832 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the NZ Shipping Coy, Auckland.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Wyreema

                      Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                      The SS Wyreema weighed 6,926 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Australasian United Steam Navigation Co, Melbourne.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Zealandic

                      Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number bs004070.

                      The SS Zealandic weighed 8,090 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the White Star Line, London.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Port Darwin

                      Picture of SS Port Darwin from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr006378. She was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Port Denison

                      SS Port Denison used to transport Australian troops and equipment during WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Port Lyttelton

                      The SS Port Lyttelton [sometimes referred to as SS Port Lydelton in Australian sources] was formerly the SS Niwaru but requisitioned in 1916 as a troop ship and renamed to SS Port Lyttelton. The ship weighed 6,444 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line, London.

                      1st August 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                      SS Port Napier

                      Picture of SS Port Napier from: State Library of NSW, picture number a639252. She was used to transport troops and equipment from Australia during WW1.

                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Carisbrooke Castle

                      The Union Castle Line help mark the transitional benchmarks set by the 1894 Royal Mail Ship Carisbrooke Castle in the steam/sail conversion era. The final single-screw vessel of the line, she was built of steel and carried three masts to supplement her Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company’s own quadruple-expansion four-cylinder steam engine that put out an amazing nominal 1,490 H.P. and 8,500 indicated horse power. The company had decided to divest the last of their sailing ships, including the original Carisbrooke Castle, a three-masted square-rigger, in 1889.

                      There were 12 ship’s boats hanging in davits, with the deck rails wrapping the decks. The superstructure has its open bridge where the appropriate instruments were on display. Rising behind and parallel to the fully rigged masts, the red with black accent funnel is stalwart and centrally located. The hull is painted in the company red and gray.

                      The liner was built in Glasgow by Fairfield’s, and she registered at 7,626 gross tons for her 485 foot length with a 56 foot beam. She had accommodations for 250 First Class Passengers placed amidship rather than at the stern, the first Union Castle Ship so arraigned, and 140 Second Class aft. Her maiden voyage and the subsequent year’s were from London to Cape Town, South Africa. She hit a normal cruising speed of 16 knots, and could reach 17½ knots when pushed. In 1900, with the rest of the line, they became the Union-Castle Line and Carisbrooke Castle moved her home port to Southampton. In 1910 she ran her last Cape Town service, and was relegated to a role as a reserve steamer behind Balmoral Castle.

                      Four years into reserve service, fate brought the World to war, and the Carisbrooke Castle began again in military duty. Commandeered two days before the formal declaration of war in 1914, she started as a hospital ship with 439 beds, and crossed the English Channel to bring wounded troops home from the Western Front. She shifted roles to that of an Army Troop Ship in the Mediterranean for most of the war. She returned to Union-Castle service in 1919, sailing in Cape mail service until the launch of Union-Castle’s Windsor Castle, and was laid up at Netlev and retired from all duties in 1922.

                      Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.

                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:
                      • Nurses:12
                      • Other:38
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:16
                      • Cots:196
                      • Berths:227
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:3rd September 1914
                      • Date To:26th August 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      HMHS Carisbrooke Castle - War Diary Entries for June-December 1917, roughly covering the period that soldiers injured during the Third Battle of Ypres were being shipped home.

                      The diary does little more than list sailing dates and times, plus the number of patients carried. Sometimes it breaks the figures down into officers and other ranks, but not always. It also shows that on each voyage there were a handful of POWs being taken to England. Based on the figures in the diary, between June-December 1917, HMHS Carisbrook Castle made 38 crossings between Le Havre and Southampton and transported nearly 20,000 wounded officers and men home. Broken down by month, the figures show that October and November were the busiest time - the most crossings and the greatest number of injured.

                      • Jun: 1 crossing, 358 carried (this may not be wholly accurate as there is only one entry in the diary for June)
                      • Jul; 4 crossing, 1374 carried
                      • Aug: 5 crossings, 2808 carried
                      • Sep: 6 crossings, 2986 carried
                      • Oct: 8 crossings, 4590 carried
                      • Nov: 9 crossings, 4919 carried
                      • Dec: 5 crossings, 2555 carried


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Ceramic

                      SS Ceramic was an 18,400-ton ocean liner of the White Star Line launched in 1912, and later sold to the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line. In 1942 German submarine U-515 sank the Ceramic, leaving only one survivor from the 656 on board.

                      Ship history ww1.

                      Ceramic was built at the Harland and Wolff yard in Belfast. She had seven decks and eight holds and in her original configuration 38% of her cargo capacity was refrigerated. Her total cost was £436,000 and she entered service on 24 July 1913.

                      She sailed the Liverpool to Australia route after her maiden voyage, then served as a British Hospital and Troopship during World War I, surviving two encounters with enemy submarines. After the war, she returned to her regular run. In 1934, White Star merged with Cunard, and Ceramic was then sold to Shaw, Savill and Albion, but kept the same itinerary. In 1936, Ceramic was given a major reconstruction in Govan, which improved her speed by one knot.

                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Dongola

                      ss Dongola was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 455, Engines by Shipbuilders. Port of Registry: Glasgow. Propulsion: Two quadruple expansion four cylinder steam engines, 8000ihp, twin screws, 15.5 knots. Launched: Thursday, 14/09/1905, Built: 1905. Ship Type: Passenger Liner. Ship's Role: UK/India and Far East mail services, and trooping. Tonnage: 8038 gross; 4723 net; 8165 dwt, Length: 470ft 0in, Breadth: 56ft 3in, Draught: 27ft 8in.

                      Owner History: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company Status: Sold for Scrapping - 23/06/1926

                      Early History.

                      • 14/09/1905: Launched for The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, London.
                      • 10/11/1905: Registered.
                      • 15/11/1905: Delivered. She cost £160,167. As built she could carry 150 First Class and 100 Second Class passengers.
                      • 1905: On her maiden voyage she carried Prince Arthur of Connaught and his suite to Colombo en route to conferring the Order of the Garter on the Emperor of Japan.
                      • 1906: Taken up for seasonal trooping charter, which was repeated every year until 1914, apart from 1911.
                      • 1907: Made a record Southampton/Bombay journey in 18 days, 7 hours.
                      • 1911: Present at King George V’s Coronation Navy Review carrying guests of the Admiralty.
                      • 1911: Indian famine relief duties.

                      World War One.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:7
                      • Nurses:12
                      • Other:58
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:31
                      • Cots:271
                      • Berths:204
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:
                      • Date To:
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      1914: On trooping charter when war declared. 1915: Requisitioned. She operated as a makeshift hospital ship at the Dardanelles and later as transport, largely off the coast of East Africa.

                      05/03/1915: Collided at 0017 in the Bristol Channel with the anchored Belgian steamer Espagne, having sailed from Avonmouth at 2247 the previous evening. Holed below the waterline forward on the starboard side and beached west of Barry for the leak to be temporarily stopped. Refloated on a rising tide at 0448 am and winched into Barry Dock 3 hours later. 17/03/1915: Left Barry after repairs.

                      1919: After the Armistice she repatriated deported Russians to Reval, and brought back refugees, before being refitted.

                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      SS Dunvegan Castle (1896)

                      SS Dunvegan Castle 105854, Year built 1896. Date completed 14/04/1896 Passenger Liner Steel, Screw Steamer built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan Fairfield Yard . Tonnage 5958 grt 3428 nrt. Length 450.0 ft. Breadth 50.9 ft. Depth 31.7 ft. Draft 23.7 ft. Engine builder: Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd Engine detail: T3cyl (38, 62.5, 102 x 66in), 1152nhp, 1-screw

                      First owner: Castle Mail Packets Co. Ltd. - D. Currie & Co., London London Subsequent owner and registration history 1900 Union-Castle Mail S.S. Co. Ltd. - same managers 1924 Broken Up at Kiel ... arrived prior to 18/01/1924.

                      During WW1 she served as a troopship and a makeshift hospital ship in the Dardanelles.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:9
                      • Nurses:13
                      • Other:46
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:
                      • Cots:66
                      • Berths:334
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:6th October 1915
                      • Date To:20th April 1916
                      • Ships Crew details:


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Grantully Castle

                      HMHS Grantully Castle was built by Barclay Curle & Company, Glasgow, Scotland. She was Launched: October 11, 1909 and completed: January 1910 Fate: Scrapped at Bowness, Scotland in 1939. Owner: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, London, England.

                      Dimensions, Length: 450' 7" (PP) Beam: 54' 4" Draft: Gross tons: 7,606 Engines: 2 Quadruple expansion Speed: 13 knots Funnels: 1 Masts: 2

                      World War One>

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:10
                      • Nurses:15
                      • Other:59
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:18
                      • Cots:184
                      • Berths:358
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:22nd June 1915
                      • Date To:11th March 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      Jan 1915: Used as a troopship. May 1915: Converted into a hospital ship with 552 beds. 11th March 1919: Returned to Union-Castle Line.  More info.

                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Jan Breydel

                      SS Jan Breydel was a Belgian Steam Ship which helped evacuate Belgian government and members of it's Royal Family to Britain during WW1. It was then used as a hospital ship to evacuate wounded from france and Belgium.

                      Medical Capacity.

                      • Jan Breydel Medical Staff 2 officers, 1 Warrant Officer 4 Nurses/Sisters and 28 RAMC-Other volunteers
                      • Accommodation 6 Officers 36 cots and 116 berths.
                      • Served as hospital ship from 27th Aug 1915 to 1 Aug 1919.


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Neuralia

                      SS Neuralia was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 497

                      • Last Name: Neuralia
                      • Port of Registry: London
                      • Propulsion: Steam 2 x quadruple expansion
                      • Launched: Thursday, 12/09/1912
                      • Built: 1912
                      • Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel
                      • Tonnage: 9082 grt
                      • Length: 499 feet
                      • Breadth: 58 feet
                      • Owner History:
                      • British India Steam Navigation Company, GB
                      • Status: Sunk - 01/05/1945

                      Capacity: Passengers: 128 First Class, 98 Second Class. Launched 12th September 1912, completed 18th November 1912. The largest ship in the British India Fleet at this time.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:11
                      • Nurses:15
                      • Other:60
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:27
                      • Cots:245
                      • Berths:358
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:12th June 1915
                      • Date To:31st July 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      Sister ship to Nevasa, the pair were most imposing looking ships and were built for the London - Calcutta Service. A difference of opinion follows. Duncan Haws states that she sailed in convoy from Bombay carrying Indian Troops to Marseilles, Laxton and Perry state that she carried British Troops bound for the United Kingdom. She saw action in the Mediterranean in 1915, most notably at Suvla Bay and Salonika as a hospital ship, she then saw service in the Indian Ocean. She returned to the UK in March of 1916 and remained on station with the Home Fleet until September 1918 when she was converted to an ambulance transport and remained as such until July 1919

                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS Panama

                      SS Panama/HMHS Maine(Panama)

                      Originally owned by Pacific Steam Navigation Company as 'Panama', she was built by Fairfield Co. Govan, in 1902 and eventually she was purchased by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1920, and converted in 1921, to become HM Hospital Ship Maine (Panama).

                      She did not become an official HMHS until after purchase in 1920, but the SS Panama was certainly a Hospital Ship before this as a couple of nurses books printed after WW1 relate to the Panama being present off Gallipoli. She worked in the Mediterranean in 1915.

                      She had a displacement of 10,100 tons, length 401ft 3in (p.p)., beam 58ft 4in., draught 23ft 6in/34ft deep load with 2 shaft reciprocating triple expansion, 2 x double ended boilers, 2 x single ended boilers, I.H.P. 4,000 (13 knots), with a single funnel.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:8
                      • Nurses:10
                      • Other:58
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:19
                      • Cots:217
                      • Berths:248
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:25th July 1915
                      • Date To:23rd November 1919
                      • Ships Crew details


                      1st August 1914 Ambulance transport  

                      SS Peter de Coninck

                      SS Pieter de Coninck was built at Cockerill Yard, Hoboken, Belgium in 1910. She weighed 1767grt and was owned by the Belgian Government, operating as a cross channel ferry.

                      She was converted to serve as an Ambulance Transport during WW1.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses:
                      • Other:26
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:19
                      • Cots:38
                      • Berths:320
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:16th March 1917
                      • Date To:28th March 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:



                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      SS Somali

                      SS Somali was built in 1901 by Caird & Company Greenock, Yard No 298.

                      • Port of Registry: London
                      • Propulsion: Steam triple exp.
                      • Launched: Friday, 17/05/1901
                      • Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel
                      • Tonnage: 6708 grt, Length: 450 feet, Breadth: 52 feet
                      • Owner History: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company
                      • Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 10/12/1923

                      Served at troop carrier and hospital ship for Australians during ww1.

                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS St. Andrew

                      SS St Andrew was fourth vessel to operate on the Rosslare - Fishguard service for Great Western Railways. This one was supplied in 1908 by John Brown and Company in Scotland, 2495 grt. and was similar to the ships they had built for the same service in 1906.

                      She was used as a hospital ship during World War I and took part in the Dunkirk evacuation.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses :4
                      • Other :26
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:16
                      • Cots :23
                      • Berths :155
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:19th August 1914
                      • Date To :29th May 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      In 1932 she was renamed Fishguard and sold for scrap the following year.

                      In 1914 she was taken over by the Ministry of Defence and commissioned as a Military Hospital (one of five in the first month of the war). The St Patrick and St David were also converted for use as hospital ships (the St George having been sold the previous year to the Canadian Pacific Railway Co.

                      Decommissioned in 1919, she was later renamed the MV Fishguard and withdrawn from service in 1933.

                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      Hospital Ship St. David

                      The Great Western Railway’s ships operated in connection with the company's trains to provide services to Ireland, the Channel Islands and France.[1] Powers were granted by Act of Parliament for the Great Western Railway (GWR) to operate ships in 1871. The following year the company took over the ships operated by Ford and Jackson on the route between Wales and Ireland. Services were operated between Weymouth, the Channel Islands and France on the former Weymouth and Channel Islands Steam Packet Company routes. Smaller GWR vessels were also used as tenders at Plymouth and on ferry routes on the River Severn and River Dart. The railway also operated tugs and other craft at their docks in Wales and South West England

                      On 30 August 1906 the GWR’s Welsh terminal was moved to a new harbour at Fishguard. It was hoped that transatlantic liners would also call en route to Liverpool but few did, Liverpool being forsaken for Southampton within a few years but this increased the number of liner calls at Plymouth. A similar change saw Rosslare become the principal railway harbour on the other side of Irish Sea although some services were still provided to Waterford. This work was undertaken in a joint venture with the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland known as the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours.

                      One of three ships (St. David, St. Patrick and St. George) that started the new Fishguard to Rosslare service in 1906, St. David was built by John Brown. She was used as a hospital ship during World War I. In 1932 she was renamed Rosslare and was sold for scrap the following year.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses:4
                      • Other:26
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:14
                      • Cots:23
                      • Berths:157
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:19th August 1914
                      • Date To:16th January 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:



                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HMHS St Patrick

                      The Great Western Railway’s ships operated in connection with the company's trains to provide services to Ireland, the Channel Islands and France.[1] Powers were granted by Act of Parliament for the Great Western Railway (GWR) to operate ships in 1871. The following year the company took over the ships operated by Ford and Jackson on the route between Wales and Ireland. Services were operated between Weymouth, the Channel Islands and France on the former Weymouth and Channel Islands Steam Packet Company routes. Smaller GWR vessels were also used as tenders at Plymouth and on ferry routes on the River Severn and River Dart. The railway also operated tugs and other craft at their docks in Wales and South West England

                      On 30 August 1906 the GWR’s Welsh terminal was moved to a new harbour at Fishguard. It was hoped that transatlantic liners would also call en route to Liverpool but few did, Liverpool being forsaken for Southampton within a few years but this increased the number of liner calls at Plymouth. A similar change saw Rosslare become the principal railway harbour on the other side of Irish Sea although some services were still provided to Waterford. This work was undertaken in a joint venture with the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland known as the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours.

                      One of three ships (St. David, St. George and St. Patrick) that started the new Fishguard to Rosslare service in 1906, St Patrick, 2531 gnt. was built by John Brown. She was used as a hospital ship during World War I.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses:4
                      • Other:28
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:17
                      • Cots:28
                      • Berths:146
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:19th August 1914
                      • Date To:26th January 1919
                      • Ships Crew details:

                      She caught fire while moored at Fishguard on 7 April 1929 and was then sold for scrap the following year after her engines had been transferred to St Andrew (1908).

                      1st August 1914 Hospital Ship  

                      HMHS St George

                      The Great Western Railway’s ships operated in connection with the company's trains to provide services to Ireland, the Channel Islands and France. Powers were granted by Act of Parliament for the Great Western Railway (GWR) to operate ships in 1871. The following year the company took over the ships operated by Ford and Jackson on the route between Wales and Ireland. Services were operated between Weymouth, the Channel Islands and France on the former Weymouth and Channel Islands Steam Packet Company routes. Smaller GWR vessels were also used as tenders at Plymouth and on ferry routes on the River Severn and River Dart. The railway also operated tugs and other craft at their docks in Wales and South West England.

                      On 30 August 1906 the GWR’s Welsh terminal was moved to a new harbour at Fishguard. It was hoped that transatlantic liners would also call en route to Liverpool but few did, Liverpool being forsaken for Southampton within a few years but this increased the number of liner calls at Plymouth. A similar change saw Rosslare become the principal railway harbour on the other side of Irish Sea although some services were still provided to Waterford. This work was undertaken in a joint venture with the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland known as the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours.

                      One of three ships (St. David, St. Patrick and St. George) that started the new Fishguard to Rosslare service in 1906, St George was built by Cammell Laird and Company at Birkenhead.

                      She was sold in May 1913 to the Canadian Pacific Railway but six years later was sold again to the Great Eastern Railway for use on their services from Harwich.

                      According to some records she was not used as a hospital ship in ww1 as she was sold to Canadian Pacific Line in 1913, however there are references to her and it seems she was in service as a hospital ship from 1915 to 1917.

                      • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                      • Medical Staff strength.
                      • Officers:4
                      • Nurses:4
                      • Other:30
                      • Accommodation capacity.
                      • Officers:17
                      • Cots:115
                      • Berths:146
                      • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                      • Date From:7th May 1915
                      • Date To:4th December 1917
                      • Ships Crew details:


                      1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                      HS Ebani

                      HMHS Ebani during World War 1. The HMHS Ebani was used as a hospital ship for troops of World War I from the 13th August 1915 to the 12th October 1919. The ship was manned by the Natal Medical Corps (NMC) of South Africa but also carried a British crew (see below).

                      It was equipped for 300 or 400 patients but could carry 500 patients in an emergency. A table of hospital ships during World War 1 gives the following statistics: 6 British Officers, 13 Nurses and Sisters, 36 RAMC & St Johns Ambulance etc., 508 cots. A plaque at the Merseyside Maritime Museum records that over 5 years it steamed over 200,000 miles and carried 50,000 sick and wounded.

                      At the outbreak of World War I voluntary workers provided a lot of assistance to the medical authorities. A committee was formed, in Cape Town (South Africa), under Sir Thomas Smartt, to raise funds for the provision of certain auxiliary convalescent hospitals in the South African peninsular for both men and officers. A search was undertaken for a vessel that could be used for hospital purposes only (as opposed to a transport of ambulances). The S.S. Ebani, a cargo vessel, was selected by the Senior Naval Transport Officer, Captain R.C.K. Lambert R.N. and by Colonel Stock to fulfill this purpose.

                      The Smartt committee chartered the Ebani and converted it into a hospital ship for service in German South-West Africa. It provided the funds and undertook the alterations and fitting out of the Ebani as a hospital ship in accordance with the general specifications prepared by the director of medical services. The ship was equipped as an hospital ship in Cape Town. A staff was selected for the ship, the belligerent Governments were notified, and Lieutenant-Colonel D. Macaulay took over the duties of officer commanding. As the " Ebani " had been a cargo vessel for the West African trade, the decks were not unduly divided, and large airy wards with single-tier swing cots were prepared.

                      In addition to the fitted accommodation, a reserve of naval swing cots was carried.

                      The Natal Medical Corps.

                      The Natal Medical Corps was mobilized in 1914 and served in the South West African Campaign. During the campaign they formed the 6th Stationary Hospital at Swakupmond and manned the Ebani.

                      The Natal Volunteer Medical Corps (NVMC) was formed on the merger of the Durban Light Infantry, the Natal Mounted Rifles and the Natal Carbineers in 1895. It is now known as the 1 Medical Battalion Group (1 Med).

                      British crew.

                      The HMHS Ebani was intended to be a South African hospital ship to serve during the campaign in Africa. However, there is evidence to suggest that there were insufficient South African volunteers to man the ship and British (and possibly other nationals) were required to man the ship.

                      A protest was lodged in the South African Medical Record on 28 July 1917. It was lodged by Medical Officers serving in German East Africa including Lt Col. D. Macaulay of the HMHS Ebani. The protest was against the number of able bodied and military aged South African men who were stay-at-homers. This meant that the South African units had to be supplemented by men from the R.A.M.C (Royal Army Medical Corp) to make up the numbers.

                      Where was the HMHS Ebani during World War I?

                      Drawing together various sources, including diary entries by those aboard the HMHS Ebani, it is believed that the ship was at the following locations on the following dates:

                      Date Location

                      • 1914 Cape Town - South Africa
                      • 1 December 1914 Inaugurations of S.S. Ebani by Vicountess, Buxton Cape Town
                      • 24 December 1914 Walfish Bay (also written Walvish), Namibia.
                      • 30 October 1915 Alexandria (Egypt) to UK via Gibraltar.
                      • 31 October 1915 As above.
                      • 28 August 1917 Kisiwani Harbour, Tanzania. 29 August 1917 Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. 16 May 1918 Lindi to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

                      People known to have been aboard the HMHS Ebani[edit]

                      Sources have shown that the following people were aboard the HMHS Ebani during its sail as an hospital ship as either crew or patients:

                      • Private John Thomas of the South Wales Borderers - wounded at Gallipoli in September 1915.
                      • Dr Donald Macaulay M.B C.M. (In medical charge of the Ebani until 1917). (Ross-shire).
                      • Nurse A. Hills Hospital in Alexandria and Ebani between November 1915 and February 1916 mentioned in dispatches December 1915 and March 1916 and recipient of the Royal Red Cross for which her attendance was requested at Buckingham Palace.
                      • Nurse Dorah Bernstein from Johannesburg, nursed GSWA, Salonika, Gallipoli, Egypt, France and UK and served on hospital ship Ebani.
                      • Nurse Margaret Blackmore (see anecdotes below) of Tilt Cove, enlisted not long after the outbreak of war and served on the Ebani in the East African Campaign and in the Mediterranean with the ship making one trip to England to refit and repair.
                      • Mr. Alex Stephens treated aboard the HMHS Ebani for wounds suffered whilst serving in the South Africa Army against the Germans in East Africa (see anecdotes below).
                      • Private Hurbett Everett Treated aboard the HMHS Ebani in 1915 (see anecdotes below).
                      • Mr. William Hickman Smith of Dunston, Gateshead, England, served aboard the HMHS Ebani as a nurse (see anecdotes below).
                      • Owen Jones Soldier of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Owen landed at Gallipoli on 9 August 1915 but succumbed to dysentery. He was admitted into the 2 Welsh Field Ambulance on 29 September 1915. On 4 October 1915 he was transferred to the 21st General Hospital at Alexandria until 30 October when he was invalided back to the UK on HMHS Ebani.
                      • Dan Fewster A First World War British Army Battery Sergeant whose journals about his experiences in German East Africa give us some dates and locations for the HMHS Ebani.
                      • Arthur Beagle - of Hull, Yorkshire Mechanical Transport and South African Horse 1st Mounted Brigade. From the diary of Mr. Beagle we know about the whereabouts of the HMHS Ebani in May 1918 and about a small pox outbreak upon the ship.
                      • E. L. De Reeder - was residing in South Africa in 1916. Volunteered for active service in German East Africa as a motor dispatch rider; was rejected, being only sixteen years old. In Sept., 1917, enlisted in the South African Medical Corps, and was transferred for duty to No. 1 General Hospital, Wynberg, Cape Town, where, after one year's service as secretary to the officer commanding, was promoted to corporal. After nearly two and a half year's service ¦was discharged on request and sailed for England as wardmaster on the H. M. Hospital Ship Ebani and transferred for U. S. A.

                        The following crew members of the HMHS Ebani are mentioned in the London Gazette of Tuesday 3 June 1915 (presumably in despatches):

                        • Downs, Chief Offr. A., H.M.H:S. " Ebani."
                        • Faill, Master Mariner A., Master of H.M.H.S, "Ebani."
                        • Lumsden, 'Chief Engr. W., H.M.H.S," Ebani.".

                        Anecdotes mentioning the HMHS Ebani[edit]

                        The following sources have been discovered mentioning the HMHS Ebani:

                        Love on the HMHS Ebani.

                        On 11 May 1918 Nurse Margaret Blackmore married Mr. Alex Stephens (a mining engineer) whom she had met whilst serving on the Ebani where he was treated for wounds he had suffered whilst serving in the South African Army against the Germans in East Africa. They were married in South Africa on 11 May 1918.

                        Encounter with a submarine off Gibraltar.

                        On 31 October 1915 Private Hurbett Everett described in his diary how they saw a submarine (demon of the deep) sink a cargo boat just a few miles from them. The submarine allowed them to take on the sunken ships crew. It also spared them. Private Everett believes that it was the red cross on the Ebani that saved them.

                        Dr. Donald Macaulay erroneously awarded the O.B.E.

                        A record was discovered for a Dr Donald Macaulay (captain) stating that his medals were withheld because he would not return the insignia of the O.B.E (Order of the British Empire) that was erroneously awarded to him it may have been meant for Lt Col. D. Macaulay.

                        A Stamp of defiance?

                        Mr. William Hickman Smith served aboard the HMHS Ebani as a nurse during World War I. After the war he kept a coin with the insignia of the R.A.M.C. (Royal Army Medical Corp) and the HMHS Ebani on one side. On the other side is the picture of Kaiser Wilhem II (Guilelmus II Imperator). It is believed that the original coin was most likely to be a German East Africa (DOA -Deutsch Ostafrika) 1 Rupee featuring German (DR) emperor Wilhelm II (1888-1918) which should weigh 11.6638 grams and would contain .3437 of an ounce of silver. There were 300,000 of these coins minted in Hamburg in 1913. What was German East Africa during World War I was a German colonial territory covering the modern-day countries of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

                        We know from the records that the Ebani spent time in Tanzania (see above). This is probably where and when the coin originated. How it came to be stamped with the Ebani stamp we can only guess but apparently it is not uncommon for coins of the opposition to be defaced during war.

                        Journal Extracts of Dan Fewster.

                        The Journal extracts of Dan Fewster, a World War I British Army Battery Sergeant give us the following extracts mentioning the HMHS Ebani.

                        August 28. 1917 - The MO will not keep me here, so I am transferred to the HS Ebani for Dar-es-Salaam. During the five weeks that I was in dock at Kilwa, my appetite was very poor and during the four days that I have been on this ship, I have hardly tasted food, although it looked very nice.

                        August 29. 1917 - We arrived at Dar-es-Salaam this morning, and I am removed to No.2 South African General Hospital, formerly the Kaiseroff Hotel. I am now a stretcher case, so I dont improve much. After being examined by the MO, I am marked for the south.

                        Extracts from the Diary of Arthur Beagle Small Pox on the HMHS Ebani.

                        Extracts from the Diary of Arthur Beagle from Hull, Yorkshire, of the South African Horse 1st Mounted Brigade we know a little about the whereabouts of the HMHS Ebani in May 1918 and about an outbreak of small pox on the ship. His diary states:

                        3 May [1918] - I am still in hospital although removed to Lindi by river boat. I am feeling pleased today as the M. O. is evacuating me. It is now a matter of waiting for the hospital ship.

                        May 16 [1918] - Arrived at Dares salaam on the hospital ship Ebani and admitted to hospital. Small pox broke out on the ship and all of us were vaccinated. (450 miles).

                        After World War I.

                        The HMHS Ebani served as an hospital ship until October 1919.

                        Following the end of the German South-West African campaign the H.M.H.S. Ebani was transferred to Imperial authorities. It continued to be used in various locations. Any staff of the South African Medical Corps who remained on board following the transfer were themselves transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps (R.A.M.C.). It was sold in 1938 to Italy and renamed the Maristella. A third boat by the name of Ebani was built in 1952.

                        1st August 1914 Royal Yacht  

                        HMY Alexandra

                        HM Yacht Alexandra was built by A & J Inglis Pointhouse Glasgow, Yard No 280. Engines by Parsons Marine Steam Turbine. Last Name: PRINS OLAV (1925) Propulsion: Two steam turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers 4500 ihp Speed:18.86 knots Launched: Thursday, 30/05/1907. Built: 1907, Ship Type: Royal Yacht Ship's Role: Royal yacht then cruise ship. Tonnage: 2113 grt. Length: 295.3ft. Breadth: 40.1ft. Draught: 13 ft. Owner History: Admiralty ( H.M. King Edward VII ). 1925: Det Nordenfjeldske DS. 1940: Norwegian authorities. Status: Bombed & Sunk - 09/06/1940

                        Remarks: Sold to Norwegian Shipping Company 1925 for use as cruise ship Prince Olav. Subsequently rebuilt as a Hurtigruten service vessel Sunk by German air attack on the 9th June 1940 in 67.07N 01.00E on passage Kagsund for Thorshavn, Faroes.

                        In her service as a royal yacht, Alexandra was manned by the Royal Navy. The ship often carried Edward VII on holidays to Biarritz and the Mediterranean, or to Germany. During the First World War Alexandra was used as a hospital ship. Following the First World War, Alexandra was rarely used, and was decommissioned in June 1922.

                        1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                        HS Empress of India

                        RMS Empress of India was an ocean liner built in 1890-1891 by Naval Construction & Armament Co., Barrow, England for Canadian Pacific Steamships. This ship would be the first of two CP vessels to be named Empress of India, and on 28 April 1891, she was the very first of many ships named Empress arriving at Vancouver harbor.

                        The Empress of India regularly traversed the trans-Pacific route between the west coast of Canada and the Far East until she was sold to the Maharajah of Gwalior in 1914 and renamed Loyalty in 1915.

                        In 1891, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and the British government reached agreement on a contract for subsidized mail service between Britain and Hong Kong via Canada; and the route began to be serviced by three specially designed ocean liners. Each of these three vessels was given an Imperial name.

                        The RMS Empress of India and her two running mates - the RMS Empress of China and the RMS Empress of Japan - created a flexible foundation for the CPR trans-Pacific fleet which would ply this route for the next half century.

                        The Empress of India was built by Naval Construction & Armament Co. (now absorbed into Vickers Armstrongs) at Barrow, England. The keel was laid in 1890. She was launched on 30 August 1890 by Lady Louise Egerton, sister of Lord Harrington. The 5,905-ton vessel had a length of 455.6 feet, and her beam was 51.2 feet. The graceful white-painted, clipper-bowed ship had two buff-colored funnels with a band of black paint at the top, three lightweight schooner-type masts, and an average speed of 16-knots. This Empress and her running mate Empresses were the first vessels in the Pacific to have twin propellers with reciprocating engines. The ship was designed to provide accommodation for 770 passengers (120 first class, 50 second class and 600 steerage).

                        The SS Empress of India left Liverpool on 8 February 1891 on her maiden voyage via Suez to Hong Kong and Vancouver. Thereafter, she regularly sailed back and forth along the Hong Kong - Shanghai - Nagasaki - Kobe - Yokohama - Vancouver route. In the early days of wireless telegraphy, the call sign established for the "Empress of India was "MPI"

                        Much of what would have been construed as ordinary, even unremarkable during this period was an inextricable part of the ship's history. In the conventional course of trans-Pacific traffic, the ship was sometimes held in quarantine, as when it was discovered that a passenger from Hong Kong to Kobe showed signs of smallpox, and the vessel was held in Yokohama port until the incubation period for the disease had passed. The cargo holds of the Empress would have been routinely examined in the normal course of harbor-master's business in Hong Kong, Yokohama or Vancouver.

                        On 17 August 1903, the Empress of India collided with and sank the Chinese cruiser Huang Tai.

                        The vessel was reported sold on 19 December 1914, to the Geakwar of Baroda (also known as the Maharajah of Gwalior). The former Empress was re-fitted as a hospital ship for Indian troops. On 19 January 1915, the ship was renamed Loyalty. In March 1919, she was sold to The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd. Company in Bombay (now Mumbai). In February 1923, the ship was sold for scrapping at Bombay.

                        1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                        St. Denis (Munich)

                        SS Munich was built by John Brown Clydebank, Yard No 384. Last Name: BARBARA (1940). Previous Names: ST DENIS (1915). Launched: Tuesday, 25/08/1908, Built: 1908, Ship Type: Passenger Ferry Ship's Role: Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry.

                        Tonnage: 2570 grt. Length: 331 ft. Breadth: 43.2 ft.

                        • Owner History:
                        • Great Eastern Railway Company, Harwich
                        • 1923 London & North Eastern Railway Co.
                        • 1940 German Navy
                        • 1945 Allied control at Kiel

                        Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 02/03/1950

                        • Converted to hospital ship 1914 for WW1.
                        • Troop transport 1939, scuttled at Rotterdam 12/5/1940, refloated by Germans 1/11/1940
                        • Intended conversion to minelayer but not done due to state of machinery
                        • Used by Allies as accommodation ship at Kiel to 1949
                        • Broken up at Sunderland. Names: Munich (Great Eastern Raiilways): 1908-1914. St Denis (Great Eastern Railways): 1918-1922. St Denis (LNER: 1923-1940).

                          Munich was built in 1908 for the Harwich-Hook of Holland service. In WW1 she was used as the hospital ship St Denis, retaining the name afterwards. In 1940 she was caught in Amsterdam, and was scuttled. She was raised and used by the Germans, and was scrapped in 1950.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:6
                          • Other:28
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:14
                          • Cots:108
                          • Berths:109
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:12th October 1914
                          • Date To:18th October 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Brighton

                          Brighton was a 1,384 GRT steamship which was built in 1903 for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway and London and South Western Railway. She passed to the Southern Railway on 1 January 1923. In 1930, she was sold to W E Guinness and converted to a private yacht, Roussalka (named after Slavonic mythologic creature). She was wrecked at Killary Bay on 25 August 1933.

                          The ship was built by W Denny & Bros, Dumbarton. She was yard number 683 and was launched on 13 June 1903 with completion in August 1903. The ship was 273 feet 6 inches (83.36 m) long, with a beam of 34 feet 2 inches (10.41 m) and a depth of 14 feet 1 inch (4.29 m). She was powered by three steam turbines, which were made by Parsons Steam Turbine Co Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. The turbines were rated at 580 horsepower (430 kW) and drove three screws. These could propel her at a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h).

                          In 1931, Roussalka was fitted with two 8-cylinder Atlas diesel engines of 1,750 horsepower (1,300 kW) driving a single screw, giving her a speed of 15.5 knots (28.7 km/h).

                          History.

                          Brighton was built for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. She was used on their Newhaven - Dieppe route. She was to have been the first turbine powered steamship built for the LB & SCR but a fire at the shipbuilders delayed her completion, pushing her into second place. Her port of registry was Newhaven. On 5 November 1910 Brighton was involved in a collision with the windjammer Preußen 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of Newhaven. Brighton returned to Newhaven to summon aid, and the tug Alert was sent to assist Preußen, which was towed towards Dover. It was intended to anchor her off Dover but both anchor chains broke and Preußen was driven onto rocks where she sank as a result of the damage inflicted on her. The Master of the Brighton was found to be responsible for the accident and lost his licence as a result. He later committed suicide by shooting himself in a London pub.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:26
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:6
                          • Cots:20
                          • Berths:114
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:18th March 1915
                          • Date To:15th May 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          In 1914, Brighton was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for use as a troopship. She was later used as a hospital ship. On 19 December 1914, she rescued the survivors of the naval trawler HMT Orianda, which had been sunk by a mine in the North Sea off Scarborough, Yorkshire. Brighton brought the American President Woodrow Wilson back to Dover after the signing on the Treaty of Versailles.

                          Brighton was returned to her owners in 1920. Brighton passed to the Southern Railway at Grouping. In 1930, Brighton was sold to W E Guinness, who converted her to a private yacht named Roussalka. Her steam turbines were replaced by a diesel engine and one of her two funnels was removed. She was renamed Roussalka. On 25 August 1933, in thick fog, Roussalka was wrecked on Blood Slate Rock, Freaklin Island, Killary Bay. All passengers and crew were rescued.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Syria

                          SS Syria was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow,Yard No 391, Engines by Shipbuilder. Last Name: GIOVANNA (1924)- only for last journey for scrapping. Port of Registry: London

                          Propulsion: Steam triple exp. 2 x 3cyl twin screws 4500ihp. Speed 14 knots. Launched: Tuesday, 07/05/1901, Built: 1901, Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel.

                          Tonnage: 6660 grt. Length: 450 feet. Breadth: 52 feet. Owner History: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company London Status: Sold for Scrapping - 24/06/1924

                          Remarks: Served as a Hospital Ship from 2/10/1914 to 10/2/1920 and was used in Mesopotamia. Scrapped at La Spezia, renamed Giovanna for delivery voyage only.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:16
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:62
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:12
                          • Cots:109
                          • Berths:214
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd October 1914
                          • Date To:10th February 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:



                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Varsova

                          SS Varsova, Passenger Cargo Ship, Launched:09/06/1914, Completed: 08/1914. Builder: Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd. Yard: Neptune Yard, Low Walker, Yard Number: 932 Dimensions: 4691grt, 1957nrt, 390.2 x 53.3 x 24.0ft Engines: 2 x T3cyl (20.5, 35 & 60 x 45ins), 987nhp Engines by: Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd Propulsion: 2 x Screws. Construction: Steel. Reg Number: 139312.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:475
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:8th October 1914
                          • Date To:8th May 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          History.

                          • 08/1914 British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Glasgow.
                          • 09/06/1914: Launched.
                          • 11/08/1914: Delivered as Varsova for British India Steam Navigation Company at a cost of £119,000. She was the second of the V-class to be delivered along with her sisters Varela, Vita and Vasna.
                          • 10/1914: Requisitioned immediately upon her arrival in India and took part in the convoy from Bombay to Mauritius.
                          • 1915: Served as an overflow base hospital at Basra and then as a transport to Gallipoli.
                          • 04/1916: Was made an Indian Expeditionary Force hospital ship with 475 beds for the Mesopotamian campaign.
                          • 09/1917 to 11/1920: Worked as an ambulance transport.
                          • 07/1929: A valve was opened in her No.2 hold outward bound from Basra. It caused considerable damage to her cargo of wool and valuable Persian carpets. Her Commander and Chief Officer were dismissed from the service in light of their negligence.
                          • 1939: Fitted with insulated cargo space 53.8 cubic metres (3,100 cubic feet).
                          • 1939/1945: She served during the war period as a Personnel and Military Store Ship.
                          • 09/1940: Attacked unsuccessfully by an Italian aircraft while she was in the Red Sea.
                          • 1946: Made two Bombay/East Africa voyages.
                          • 1948: Made a pilgrim journey from Mombasa to Jeddah.
                          • 19/04/1949: Sold for £17,500 to the British Iron & Steel Company.
                          • 12/07/1949: Broken up by Metal Industries (Salvage) Ltd.
                          • 1950: Her bell was presented to surviving members of the 85th Field Ambulance, who had served in her in the First World War.


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Dieppe

                          Dieppe was a steam passenger ferry that was built in 1905 for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. She was requisitioned during the First World War for use as a troopship and later as a hospital ship HMHS Dieppe, returning to her owners postwar. She passed to the Southern Railway on 1 January 1923. In 1933 she was sold to W E Guinness and converted to a private diesel yacht, Rosaura. She was requisitioned in the Second World War for use as an armed boarding vessel, HMS Rosaura. She struck a mine and sank off Tobruk, Libya on 18 March 1941.

                          SS Dieppe was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan. She was yard number 439 and was launched on 6 April 1905 with completion in May 1905. The ship was 273 feet 5 inches (83.34 m) long, with a beam of 34 feet 8 inches (10.57 m) and a depth of 13 feet 8 inches (4.17 m). She was powered by three steam turbines, which were made by Fairfield. The turbines could propel her at a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h). When converted to a private yacht, the turbines were replaced by two 8-cylinder Atlas diesel engines. One of her propellers was removed as was one of her funnels. Her speed was reduced to 15 knots (28 km/h). As built, her GRT was 1,210. This had increased to 1,426 by 1930 and further increased to 1,536 in 1933.

                          History.

                          Dieppe was built for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. She was used on their Newhaven — Dieppe route. She was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in the First World War for use as a troopship and a hospital ship. On 27 February 1916 she took aboard over 100 survivors from the 12,431 GRT P&O passenger liner Maloja, which was sunk by a mine off Dover.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:3
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:27
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:33
                          • Berths:134
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:6th May 1915
                          • Date To:7th April 1917
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Dieppe was returned to her owners after the war and passed to the Southern Railway at 1923 grouping. On 27 November 1924 Dieppe had a mishap in which she ended up hitting the breakwater at Newhaven Harbour stern first. The tugs Alert and Richmere were sent to her aid. Richmere became disabled when a cable became entangled around her propellor. The Newhaven Lifeboat Sir Fitzroy Clayton was sent to her aid. Richmere ended up being dashed against the harbour wall and sank. Her crew were rescued by the lifeboat and the tug was later raised and repaired. Dieppe managed to dock some five hours after the drama began.

                          In September 1933, Dieppe was sold to W E Guinness for conversion to a private yacht. She was renamed Rosaura, replacing MY Roussalka which had been lost earlier that year. In August 1934, the Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson took a cruise on Rosaura. According to Wallis, it was on this cruise that she fell in love with the Prince. Also in 1934, Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine cruised on Rosaura in the eastern Mediterranean. On 26 September 1936, Rosaura was in collision with the Dutch coaster Henca at Amsterdam, Netherlands and was severely damaged. She was subsequently repaired.

                          Rosaura was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in the Second World War for use as an armed boarding vessel in the Contraband Control Service. In February 1940, Rosaura was involved in Operation Abstention. On 18 March 1941 Rosaura struck a mine off Tobruk and sank with the loss of 78 lives.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Egypt

                          SS Egypt was a passenger liner that sunk after a collision with the Seine, on 20 May 1922 in the English Channel. 252 people were rescued from the 338 passengers and crew on board at the time. A subsequent salvage operation recovered most of the cargo of gold and silver.

                          Name: SS Egypt, Owner and Operator: P&O Port of registry: London, UK. Route: London-Bombay.

                          Builder: Caird & Co. Launched: 1897. Out of service: 20 May 1922. Fate: Sank after collision.

                          Tonnage: 7,941 grt. Length: 500 ft (150 m). Propulsion: Steam engine Speed: Cruising: 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph). Max: 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) Capacity: 301 first class, 208 second class, Crew: 294

                          The Egypt was built at Greenock on the River Clyde and launched in 1897. She generally worked on the United Kingdom to India route but served as a hospital ship during the First World War.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:12
                          • Nurses:10
                          • Other:58
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:20
                          • Cots:175
                          • Berths:266
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd August 1915
                          • Date To:1st June 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          The Final Voyage.

                          Egypt departed from Tilbury, Essex on 19 May 1922 carrying just 44 passengers as well as a cargo of gold and silver bullion and gold sovereigns worth over £1 million (around £200 million at the 2012 gold price).

                          The voyage proceeded normally until the early morning of the 20 May when fog was encountered. As a safety measure Captain Collyer greatly reduced the speed of the ship. The Egypt remained in fog until the afternoon when the navigator was able to sight landmarks on the French coast and fix the ship's position.

                          After continuing the voyage for several hours a dense fog bank was suddenly encountered at around 7 o'clock. The engines were stopped but almost immediately afterwards a fog whistle was heard. A ship emerged through the fog and within seconds the other ship (the Seine) crashed into the port side of the Egypt. The Seine had a strengthened bow for ice-breaking and this penetrated deeply into the Egypt before the ships drifted apart.

                          An SOS was transmitted and replies were received from the RMS Andes and SS Cahiracon but the Egypt sank in less than 20 minutes before either ship arrived.Most of the passengers and crew were able to abandon ship in the lifeboats which were picked up by the Seine.

                          The Salvage.

                          With such a valuable cargo salvage attempts soon began but the wreck of the Egypt was not located until 1930. She was found to be lying upright in a depth of 170 metres (560 ft) making the recovery extremely difficult with the technology of the time. Giovanni Quaglia (From the Genoese company "Società Ricuperi Marittimi" (So.Ri.Ma.)) was in charge of the operation and decided to use a diver in an armoured suit to direct the placing of explosives to blast through the ship to expose the strong room. The diver was then used to direct a grab which picked up the gold and silver. The salvage continued until 1935 by which 98% of the contents of the strong room had been recovered



                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Erinpura

                          SS Erinpura was a passenger liner built for the British-India Steam Navigation Company in 1911. She was the first British India ship built for Eastern service to be fitted with radio. She was sunk in the Mediterranean during World War II.

                          Class & type: Passenger cargo vessel, Tonnage: 5,128 grt. Length: 411 ft (125.27 m), Beam: 52 ft 6 in (16.00 m), Draught: 23 ft 5 in (7.14 m). Installed power: Two sets of triple expansion engines, 6,657 IHP Propulsion: Twin screws. Speed: 16.7 knots (30.9 km/h).

                          Capacity: Passengers: 51 first class, 39 second class, 2,359 deck. Crew: 26 Officers, 84 Ratings.

                          Construction and First World War.

                          Erinpura was built by William Denny and Brothers, of Dumbarton and launched in 1911. She was one of seven sisters built at four different shipyards for the Bay of Bengal/Singapore Straits Service, the group which was one of the most successful, profitable and long lasting groups in the history of British India. She was used as a troopship early in the First World War, carrying troops from Karachi to Marseilles, and then to Sanniya in Iraq. She ran aground while sailing up the river to Abadan on 24 December 1914 and sustained some damage, but was able to return to Bombay. She made several more trooping voyages until becoming a hospital ship in August 1915, supporting the Indian Expeditionary Force with 475 beds and 104 medical staff. She served on the Basra-Bombay Service, and from November 1917 was used as an ambulance transport.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:
                          • Berths:475
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:1st May 1916
                          • Date To:13th June 1919
                          • Ships Crew details: Officers:26 Ratings:84

                          Interwar.

                          She ran aground again on 15 June 1919, this time on the Mushejera Reef in the Red Sea. Her passengers and troops were taken off by HMS Topaze and taken to Aden, but attempts to pull Erinpura off failed. It was eventually decided to cut the bow of the ship off, towing the stern to Aden, and leaving the bow stuck on the reef. A new bow was ordered from the original builders Dennys. The stern was towed to Bombay where the new bow section was fitted, and she returned to service in 1923.

                          Second World War.

                          She was called up during the Munich Crisis in 1938, and was requisitioned for the Liner Division in March 1940. Erinpura was used as a troop transport in the Mediterranean, and in 1943 was the commodore's ship, under the command of Captain P.V. Cotter, in a Malta-bound convoy with three other British India ships, Karoa, Egra and Rohna, and twenty other merchantmen escorted by eleven warships. The convoy was attacked thirty miles north of Benghazi on 1 May 1943 by German bombers, with Erinpura being hit by a bomb in one of her holds. She sank within four minutes of being hit. Two junior engineers, 54 Indian seamen, three gunners, 140 Palestinian Jewish soldiers serving in 462 Transport Company of the British Army, and 600 Basuto pioneer troops were lost with her.

                          Memorial.

                          There is a memorial on Mount Herzl to the 140 Jewish soldiers who drowned aboard the SS Erinpura. The monument is shaped like a ship containing a central pool, on the bottom of which are the names of the fallen. Above the pool is a turret adorned with the Hebrew text of Psalms 68:22: "The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea." A memorial ceremony is held every year on Yom HaShoah

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS France

                          SS France was a French ocean liner which sailed for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, colloquially known as CGT or the "French Line". She was later christened Versailles of the Atlantic, a reference to her décor which reflected the famous palace outside Paris. Ordered in 1908, she was introduced into the Transatlantic route in April 1912, just a week after the sinking of RMS Titanic, and was the only French liner among the famous "four stackers". France quickly became one of the most popular ships in the Atlantic. Serving as a hospital ship during World War I, France would have a career spanning two decades. Her overall success encouraged CGT to create even larger liners in the future.

                          Name: SS France, Owner: Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT). Port of registry: France, Le Havre, Route: Transatlantic. Ordered: 1908 Builder: Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Laid down: February 1909, Launched: 20 September 1910. Commissioned: 1912, Decommissioned: 1936. Maiden voyage: 20 April 1912. Out of service: 1935. Nickname: Versailles of the Atlantic Fate: Broken up in 1936.

                          General characteristics

                          Tonnage: 24,666 grt. Length: 217 m (712 ft), Beam: 23.88 m (78.3 ft). Propulsion: Four direct-action steam turbines; Quadruple propeller; 45,000 ihp (34,000 kW). Speed: 23.50 knots (43.52 km/h; 27.04 mph). Capacity: 2,020 passengers.

                          France was called the most lavish of the Transatlantic liners and its interiors were one of the most consistent of all liners. The revival of the Baroque architecture and interior design occurred in the late 19th century and prevailed into the early decades of the twentieth.

                          Her first class accommodations were graced with various portraits of Louis XIV as well as his relations. France was also credited for bringing the grand staircase to the ocean liner, a fashion which prevails in modern cruise ships. Her First Class entrance hall and dining room demonstrated this. The staircase in the dining room was in fact copied from the Parisian Hôtel de Toulouse. Further unique points included her Cafe Terrasse and the Salon Mauresque, the latter a reference to the French colonial empire in Africa. The ship also had a gymnasium, an elevator as well as a hair salon, all great novelties at the time. Style Louis seize (Louis XVI) was also used within the private apartments of the grand luxe suites on board. According to a 1912 booklet publicising the liner, her second class accommodation was credited as "match[ing] the richness and comfort of first class on the old liners." Passengers in this class could also utilise a hair dressing salon. Third and steerage classes were also praised as being well-appointed.

                          The 1910s.

                          Built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique,[4] she was launched 20 September 1910 into the River Loire. The spectacle was watched by scores of cheering Frenchmen who had gathered for the occasion. In the following months, her machinery was installed and her luxurious interiors were fitted. Finally completed in 1912, her maiden voyage departed from her homeport of Le Havre on 20 April 1912, just five days after the sinking of Titanic. As a result of the disaster, France lost much publicity but quickly established herself on her route. She did much to improve the image of the CGT which, to date, had not had much influence in the North Atlantic. Cuisine onboard was said to have been amongst the finest at sea. Sailing at a service speed of 23.5 knots (43.5 km/h), she was faster than any ship afloat save for Mauretania and Lusitania. Despite this, she attained a speed of 25.09 knots (46.47 km/h) on her trials. At 23,769 tons, France was half the size of the newest British liners, such as the Olympic but what she lacked in size, she made up for in opulence. Her first class interiors were amongst the most lavish seen at sea and were decorated in style Louis quatorze earning the nickname Château or Versailles of the Atlantic.

                          Proud of their great achievement, the new France was not without problems; she suffered from disturbing vibrations, and had a marked tendency to roll, even when the seas were flat calm. She was withdrawn from service after just a handful of crossings to have these two serious issues addressed. She was sent to the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Northern Ireland, where longer and wider bilge keels were fitted to her hull to reduce rolling and new propellers were fitted to reduce vibrations, making her not only more comfortable to travel aboard, but faster as well.

                          When World War I erupted in 1914, France was immediately requisitioned by the French Navy for use as an armed merchant cruiser and renamed France IV. Her time as a cruiser was short-lived as she was too large, burned too much coal to be of good use, and was consequently reconfigured to carry troops. Later still, in 1916 she was painted white and used as a hospital ship in the Dardanelles, operating in tandem with White Star’s new flagship, Britannic and Cunard's new Aquitania. During her time as a hospital ship she was converted to have 2,500 beds for injured troops. When Britannic was sunk in late 1916, the need for high-capacity hospital ships was even more dire, and she continued in this role until the United States entered the war in 1917, when she was deployed back to the Atlantic to ferry American troops to the continent with space for some 5,000. In 1918, her military service was cut short by an engine room explosion that killed nine crew members and thus required extensive repairs.

                          The 1920s.

                          Returned to the CGT in March 1919, her name was promptly changed back to France, although she was kept busy repatriating American troops until that autumn. She was sent for refurbishment that winter, returning to commercial duty in early 1920. In 1921, she passed flagship status on to the newer and larger Paris, but continued to be a popular means of travel, with a near club-like following among the wealthy. Her affluent passenger loads swayed the CGT in 1924 to convert her to an all first-class ship, save for just 150 third class berths. During the conversion, her boilers were modified to burn fuel oil rather than coal, allowing her engine room staff to be greatly reduced. She sailed without incident, crossing the Atlantic during the peak months and cruising in the winter until 1927. With the advent of the new Ile de France, France was diverted almost totally to cruising.

                          The Great Depression essentially sounded the death knell for the liner. Many of the millionaires she had carried over the years had been financially destroyed and the general downturn in business cut deeply into transatlantic travel. France spent more and more time idle, until she finally was withdrawn from service in 1932. Laid up at Le Havre, she sat unattended until January 1933, when a fire was discovered by a night watchman. Although it was rapidly extinguished, the fire had caused some minor damage, but by now she was outclassed by her newer running-mates. CGT had by then commissioned a new flagship, the great Normandie which was nearing completion. As a result, the company decided it was time to scrap the 21-year-old liner. On 15 April 1935, the old France departed Le Havre under her own steam to the scrappers at Dunkirk, France

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Liberty

                          Names: Liberty (1908-1912), Glencairn (1912-1914), Liberty (1914-1938).

                          Owners and details.

                          • Joseph Pulitzer (1908-1911)
                          • James Ross (1912-1914)
                          • Lord Tredegar (1914-1920)
                          • Sir Robert Houston (1920-1926)
                          • Lady Lucy Houston (1926-1936)
                          • Port of registry: USA (1908-1912) USA
                          • Portsmouth (1912-1924) United Kingdom
                          • Jersey (1924-1938) United Kingdom
                          • Builder: Ramage & Ferguson Ltd, Leith[1]
                          • Cost: US$1.5 million
                          • Launched: 5 December 1907[1]
                          • In service: 1908[1]
                          • Out of service: 1938
                          • Fate: scrapped

                          General characteristics

                          • Type: Steam Yacht
                          • Tonnage: 1,607grt, 887nrt
                          • Length: 268.6 ft (81.9 m),Beam: 35.6 ft (10.9 m), Depth of hold: 17.9 ft (5.5 m).
                          • Propulsion: twin screw

                          SY Liberty was a steam yacht built for Joseph Pulitzer and one of the largest private yachts of its day. She served as a Royal Navy hospital ship during World War I. Strangely, two of her five owners died on board.

                          The steam yacht Liberty was designed by G L Watson & Co and launched by Ramage & Ferguson Ltd at Leith on 5 December 1907. With a tonnage of 1,607grt, length of 268.6 feet (81.9 m) and beam of 35.6 feet (10.9 m), she was a large yacht by the standards of the day. She had twin screws, powered by two triple expansion steam engines made by the shipbuilder.

                          In addition to the expected high level of luxury, Liberty was especially fitted with ramps and soundproofing due to Pulitzer's blindness and extreme sensitivity to noise, and was nicknamed "The Tower of Silence".

                          History

                          Liberty was built in 1908 at a cost of US$1.5 million for newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, who died on board at Charleston, South Carolina on 29 October 1911. She was sold to Scottish-Canadian businessman James Ross, renamed Glencairn and registered in Portsmouth, England. Ross sailed around the world in her in 1912, hoping to improve his health, but died the following year. In 1914 she was purchased by Viscount Tredegar, who reverted her name to the original Liberty.

                          In September 1915 she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for the duration of World War I, initially as an auxiliary patrol yacht Liberty IV, though soon transformed to a hospital ship, No. 10, first operating within the North Sea and for much of the time under the command of her owner. She was returned to Lord Tredegar in January 1919.

                          After refitting Liberty as a yacht, Viscount Tredegar embarked on a world cruise, eventually going around the world twice, during which time he visited every colony in the British Empire, but then sold her to the shipping magnate Sir Robert Houston in 1920. Following his marriage in 1924, Houston moved his residence to Jersey for tax reasons and also re-registered his yacht there. Like Pulitzer, he died on board the yacht, on 14 April 1926.

                          Left in his will to his wife Lucy, Lady Houston, she lived aboard Liberty much of the time. In the 1930s, to express her hatred for former prime minister Ramsay MacDonald, she hung a huge electric sign "Down with MacDonald the Traitor" in the rigging and sailed round the British Isles in her.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital and Troopship WW1  

                          HMHS Mauretania

                          RMS Mauretania was an ocean liner designed by Leonard Peskett and built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson for the British Cunard Line, and launched on 20 September 1907. She was the world's largest ship until the launch of the RMS Olympic in 1911 as well as the fastest until the launch of the Bremen in 1929. Mauretania became a favourite among her passengers. After capturing the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing during her 1909 inaugural season, Mauretania held the speed record for twenty years.

                          The ship's name was taken from Mauretania, an ancient Roman province on the northwest African coast, not the modern Mauritania which is now to the south. Similar nomenclature was also employed by Mauretania's running mate, Lusitania, which was named after the Roman province directly north of Mauretania, across the Strait of Gibraltar, the region that now is Portugal.

                          Ship Statistics.

                          • Tonnage: 31,938 gross register tons (GRT)
                          • Length: 790 ft (240.8 m)
                          • Beam: 88 ft (26.8 m)
                          • Draft: 33 ft (10.1 m)
                          • Installed power: Direct-action Parsons steam turbines (two high pressure, two low pressure)
                          • 68,000 SHP (shaft horsepower) nominal at launch, 76,000 SHP on record run, later increased to 90,000 SHP after conversion to oil burning
                          • Propulsion: Quadruple propeller installation triple bladed design at launch changed soon after to four bladed versions. Astern turbines available on inboard shafts only.
                          • Speed: 24 knots (46 km/h) designed service speed
                          • Capacity: 2165 passengers total: 563 first class, 464 second class, 1138 third class. Crew: 802

                          Mauretania and Lusitania were both designed by Cunard naval architect Leonard Peskett with Swan Hunter and John Brown working from the plans for an ocean greyhound with a stipulated service speed of twenty-four knots in moderate weather for her mail subsidy contract. Peskett's original configuration for the ships in 1903 was a three-funnel design, when reciprocating engines were destined to be the powerplant. A giant model of the ships in this configuration appeared in Shipbuilder's magazine. Cunard in 1904 decided to change power plants to Parson's new turbine technology and Peskett then added a fourth funnel to the ship's profile as the ships design was again modified before construction of the vessel finally began.

                          In 1906, Mauretania was launched by the Duchess of Roxburghe. At the time of her launch, she was the largest moving structure ever built and slightly larger in gross tonnage than Lusitania. The main visual differences between Mauretania and Lusitania was that Mauretania was five feet longer and had different vents (Mauretania had cowl vents and Lusitania had oil drum-shaped vents). Mauretania also had two extra stages of turbine blades in her forward turbines making her slightly faster than the Lusitania. Mauretania and Lusitania were the only ships with direct-drive steam turbines to hold the Blue Riband; in later ships, reduction-geared turbines were mainly used. Mauretania's usage of the steam turbine was the largest yet application of the then-new technology, developed by Charles Algernon Parsons. During speed trials, these engines caused significant vibration at high speeds; in response, Mauretania received strengthening members and redesigned propellers before entering service, which reduced vibration.

                          Mauretania was designed to suit Edwardian tastes. Its interior was designed by Harold Peto, architect, and was fitted out by several London companies, with twenty eight different types of wood used in her public rooms, along with marble, tapestries, and other furnishings. Wood panelling for her first class public rooms was meticulously carved by three hundred craftsmen from Palestine. The multi-level first-class dining saloon was decorated in Francis I style and topped by a large dome skylight. A series of elevators, then a rare new feature for liners, was installed next to Mauretania's grand staircase. A new feature was the Verandah Café on the boat deck, where passengers were served beverages in a weather-protected environment.

                          Early career.

                          Mauretania departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 16 November 1907 under the command of her first captain, John Pritchard and later that month captured the record for the fastest eastbound crossing of the Atlantic with an average speed of 23.69 knots (43.87 km/h). In September 1909, Mauretania captured the Blue Riband for the fastest westbound crossing — a record that was to stand for more than two decades. In December 1910 Mauretania broke loose from her moorings while in the River Mersey and sustained damage that caused the cancellation of her special speedy Christmas voyage to New York. In a quick change of events Cunard rescheduled Mauretania's voyage for Lusitania under the command of captain James Charles which had just returned from New York. Lusitania herself completed Christmas crossings for Mauretania, carrying revellers back to New York. In 1912 both King George and Queen Mary were given a special tour of Mauretania, then Britain's fastest merchant vessel, adding further distinction to the ship's reputation. On 26 January 1914, while Mauretania was in the middle of annual refit in Liverpool, four men were killed and six injured when a gas cylinder exploded while they were working on one of her steam turbines. The damage was minimal and she returned to service two months later.

                          World War I.

                          Shortly after Great Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, Mauretania and Aquitania were requested by the British government to become armed merchant cruisers, but their huge size and massive fuel consumption made them unsuitable for the duty and they resumed their civilian service on 11 August. Later, due to lack of passengers crossing the Atlantic, Mauretania was laid up in Liverpool until May 1915 at the time that the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat.

                          Mauretania was about to fill the void left by Lusitania, but she was ordered by the British government to serve as a troopship to carry British troops during the Gallipoli Campaign. She avoided becoming prey for German U-boats because of her high speed and the seamanship of her crew. As a troopship, Mauretania received dazzle camouflage, a form of abstract colour scheming, in an effort to confuse enemy ships.

                          HMHS Mauretania.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:22
                          • Nurses:21
                          • Other:177
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:115
                          • Cots:592
                          • Berths:1238
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:22nd October 1915
                          • Date To:1st March 1916
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          When combined forces from the British empire and France began to suffer heavy casualties, Mauretania was ordered to serve as a hospital ship, along with her fellow Cunarder Aquitania and White Star's Britannic, to treat the wounded until 25 January 1916. In medical service the vessel was painted white with large medical cross emblems surrounding the vessel. Seven months later, Mauretania once again became a troop ship when requisitioned by the Canadian government to carry Canadian troops from Halifax to Liverpool. Her war duty was not yet over when the United States declared war on Germany in 1917, and she carried thousands of American troops, the ship was known by the Admiralty as HMS Tuberose until the end of the war, but the vessel's name was never changed by Cunard.

                          Post-war career.

                          Mauretania returned to civilian service on 21 September 1919. Her busy sailing schedule prevented her from having an extensive overhaul scheduled in 1920. However, in 1921 Cunard Line removed her from service when fire broke out on E deck and decided to give her a much needed overhaul. She returned to the Tyne shipyard of her birth, where her boilers were converted to oil firing and returned to service in March 1922. Cunard noticed that Mauretania struggled to maintain her regular Atlantic service speed. Although the ship's service speed had improved and it now burned only 750 short tons (680 t) of oil per 24 hours, compared to 1,000 short tons (910 t) of coal previously, it was not operating at her pre-war service speeds. On one crossing in 1922 the ship managed an average speed of only nineteen knots. Cunard decided that the ship's once revolutionary turbines were in desperate need of an overhaul. In 1923, a major re-fitting was begun in Southampton. Mauretania's turbines were dismantled. Halfway through the overhaul, the shipyard workers went on strike and the work was halted, so Cunard had the ship towed to Cherbourg, France where the work was completed at another shipyard. In May 1924, the ship returned to Atlantic service.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Cambria

                          TSS Cambria was a twin screw steamer passenger vessel operated by the London and North Western Railway from 1897 to 1923.

                          Ship Statistics.

                          • Name: 1897-1919: TSS Cambria, 1919-1925: TSS Arvonia.
                          • Owner: 1897-1923: London and North Western Railway.
                          • 1923-1925: London, Midland and Scottish Railway.
                          • Operator: 1897-1925: London and North Western Railway.
                          • 1923-1925: London, Midland and Scottish Railway.
                          • Port of registry: United Kingdom
                          • Route: 1902-1923: Holyhead, Dublin
                          • 1923-1925: Holyhead to Greenore and Heysham to Douglas
                          • Builder: William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton
                          • Yard number: 574
                          • Launched: 4 August 1897
                          • Out of service: 11 June 1925
                          • Fate: Scrapped
                          • General characteristics
                          • Tonnage: 1,842 gross register tons (GRT)
                          • Length: 329 ft (100 m)
                          • Beam: 39.1 ft (11.9 m)
                          • Speed: 21 knots
                          History.

                          She was built by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton for the London and North Western Railway in 1897 in response to the competition launched by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company who had launched a steamer in 1896 capable of 24 knots and a Holyhead to Dublin crossing time of 2¾ hours.

                          She was requisitioned by the Admiralty as an Armed boarding steamer in 1914 and became a hospital ship after August 1915.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:3
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:29
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:31
                          • Berths:158
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:8th August 1915
                          • Date To:20th January 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          She was renamed TSS Arvonia in 1919. In August 1922 she was again requisitioned as a troopship, this time by the Irish Free State along with the SS Lady Wicklow.

                          In 1925 she was scrapped.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital and Troopship WW1  

                          HMHS Western Australia

                          SS Western Australia served as a Troopship and Hospital Ship during WW1

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Dunluce Castle

                          See also HMAT Dunluce Castle.

                          A passenger - cargo ship of 8114grt, built in 1904 for the Union Castle line. Served as a troopship and Hospital Ship in WW1.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:10
                          • Nurses:16
                          • Other:74
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:52
                          • Cots:223
                          • Berths:480
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:6th July 1915
                          • Date To:2nd april 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:



                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Aberdonian

                          SS Aberdonian was built by DW Henderson Ltd Glasgow,Yard No 466, Engines by shipbuilder. Propulsion: triple expansion 3cy 394nhp Launched: Tuesday, 23/03/1909, Built: 1909, Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel

                          Tonnage: 1648t, Length: 264.3ft, Breadth: 36.2ft, Draught: 18.3ft. Owner History: Aberdeen Steam Navigation Co, Aberdeen. 1946 Shahin Steam Ship Co Ltd - Mohamed Nemazee (mng Wallem & Co, Hong Kong), Panama. Last Name: Parviz (1948), Previous Names: Taishan Peak (1946). Status: Sold for Scrapping - 01/12/1949

                          History

                          Served as a hospital/ambulance ship 1915/1918

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:6
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:27
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:6
                          • Cots:25
                          • Berths:214
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:16th October 1915
                          • Date To:16th June 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Served as a depot ship at Fort William and Dartmouth 1940/1945

                          Damaged by typhoon at Hong Kong 7/1948 Broken up at Bombay 2/1950

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Araguaya

                          SS Araguaya (b 1906) was later renamed ss Kraljica Marija (1930) when sold to Jugoslavenski Lloyd a.d., Zagreb, Yugoslavia.

                          The British liner Araguaya was built in 1906 for Royal Mail’s service to South America. Her Yugoslav buyers of 1930, Jugoslavenski Lloyd, were engaged in the same South American trade with cargo ships. Renamed Kraljica Marija, this was Jugoslavenski’s first passenger ship. In 1935 also the Ebro, renamed Princeza Olga, was bought from England. With these ships Jugoslavenski entered the Mediterranean cruise market. When war spread over Europe, the party was over and they were sold. However, there are strong indications that by selling them their owners mainly wanted to prevent them from coming to enemy hands if Germany and Italy would invade Yugoslavia. The Kraljica Marija was sold to France, the Princeza Olga to Portugal, which was neutral. Passenger capacity was 300 1st, 100 2nd and 800 3rd class, but after refit in 1926 365 1st class, then in Yugoslav service 400 1st class.

                          Araguaya (1906-1930)

                          GBR Building of a series of large passenger ships at Harland & Wolff, Belfast marked the rebirth of Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., which was on the brink of collapse in 1903. The palatial outfitting of the 9588 grt Aragon of 1905 prompted her owners to order four more liners. They were built in rapid succession, each ship being an individual reworking of the Aragon design: the 10,036 grt Amazon (1906), the 10,537 grt Araguaya (1906), the 11,073 grt Avon (1907), and the 12,002 grt Asturias (1908). Of this series the Araguaya in fact was built at another Belfast yard, Workman, Clark & Co.

                          5 June 1906 launch of the Araguaya by the Countess of Aberdeen. September 1906 delivered to Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. 12 October 1906 maiden voyage Southampton - Brazil - Montevideo - Buenos Aires.

                          1917 requisitioned and adapted as a military hospital ship to serve with the Canadian forces. Until 1920 15,000 wounded were carried.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:100
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:63
                          • Cots:287
                          • Berths:490
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd May 1917
                          • Date To:8th November 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          October 1920 after a refit resumed Southampton - South America service. Also placed from time to time on the Hamburg - New York service, which Royal Mail Steam Packet started in 1920, when Germany no longer had transatlantic passenger ships of its own. The service did not meet expectations and was discontinued in 1926.

                          1926 refitted as a cruise ship with accommodation for 365 first-class passengers. Advertised together with the 1899-built Arcadian, ex-Ortona for cruises to the Norwegian fjords.

                          The story of the Araguaya ends like it began, with the Royal Mail group on the verge of bankruptcy in 1929. Grown at a reckless speed by costly takeovers to become the largest shipping and shipbuilding group in the world, with a fleet totalling 2,761,969 grt, it was unknown to even its bankers that it was unable to repay an accumulated debt of £30 million and this was before the Wall Street crash and the Great Depression.

                          Kraljica Marija (1930-1940)

                          SHS1930 was bought by Jugoslavenski Lloyd a.d., Zagreb, Kingdom Yugoslavia, ‘taking advantage of the favourable conjuncture’. Renamed Kraljica Marija, port of registry was Dubrovnik.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Assaye

                          SS Assaye was built by Caird & Company Greenock, Yard No 292, Engines by Shipbuilders. Propulsion: Two triple expansion steam engines, twin screws, power 6500ihp, speed 16 knots.

                          Built: 1899. Port of Registry: Greenock. Launched: Saturday, 07/10/1899 Ship Type: Passenger Liner/Troopship.

                          Ship's Role: Designed for the 'intermediate' passenger service, but employed almost exclusively as a troopship. Tonnage: 7396 gross; 4484 net; 6250 dwt. Length: 450ft 0in, Breadth: 54ft 3in, Draught: 26ft 2in.

                          Owner: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company Status: Scrapped - 1928, Stavanger

                          History

                          • 07/10/1899: Launched.
                          • 28/11/1899: Registered.
                          • 17/12/1899: Completed. Advertised for a commercial voyage to Calcutta in January 1900, she was however taken up on completion as a Boer War transport, a notable passenger was General Cronje whom she took to St Helena as a prisoner of war, and for the Boxer Rising in China.
                          • 1903/1905: Taken up for peacetime Indian trooping in the 1903/04 and 1904/05 seasons.
                          • 20/03/1904: In collision in thick fog with the American steamer New York off Hurst Castle in the Solent. Her starboard bow was severely damaged and the bowsprit of New York was carried away. Repaired and returned to service.
                          • 1905/06: Laid up at Southampton. Trooped again 1906/07 and 1907/08 (being laid up in between).
                          • 1908: First commercial sailings between Bombay and the Far East. Draught now 26ft 9½in; deadweight 6,810 tons.
                          • 19/08/1914: Hired by the Admiralty for service as a troopship and later a hospital ship.
                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:8
                            • Nurses:10
                            • Other:45
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:8
                            • Cots:100
                            • Berths:333
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From:16th May 1915
                            • Date To:2nd March 1920
                            • Ships Crew details:
                          • 1921: Took troops to the Turkish troubles, and while in Constantinople collided (without much damage) with the Italian steamer UMBRIA.
                          • 1923/27: Indian trooping.
                          • 1927: Carried the Devonshire Regiment to the Shanghai disturbances as part of the Shanghai Defence Force.
                          • Converted into a hospital ship in Hong Kong.
                          • 1928: Reverted to a troopship to bring the Coldstream Guards home from Shanghai.
                          • 09/05/1928: Sold to Stavanger Skibs Ophugnings Co. A/S, Norway for £17,500.
                          • 17/05/1928: Sailed from Southend for Stavanger for demolition.


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Braemar Castle

                          SS Braemar Castle was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 409. Port of Registry: London, Propulsion: Steam quadruple expansion. Launched: Wednesday, 23/02/1898. Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel Tonnage: 6266 grt, Length: 470 ft, Breadth: 52 ft.

                          Owner History:
                          1898-1900 Castle Mail Packets Company Ltd (D Currie & Co), London
                          1900-1924 Union Castle Mail S S Co Ltd (D Currie & Co), London
                          Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 12/10/1924

                          Remarks: Converted to troopship 1909 and then to a hospital ship in 1915 reverting to trooping after the end of WW I.Scrapped in Genoa, Italy.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:10
                          • Nurses:12
                          • Other:50
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:20
                          • Cots:195
                          • Berths:206
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:7th October 1915
                          • Date To:1st August 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Delta

                          SS Delta (1V) 8,024 tons, launched 1905 and built for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co by Workman Clark at Belfast.

                          1914 Naval Hospital ship on the Tsingtau operations. Later an Expedition Force Transport.

                          1915 Used as a Military Hospital ship in the Dardanells. 1918 Supply liner under the requisition Scheme.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:6
                          • Nurses:12
                          • Other:45
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:33
                          • Cots:287
                          • Berths:210
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:14th January 1915
                          • Date To:19th March 1918
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          The Hospital Ship Delta arrived off Cape Helles a couple of days after the first landing and Sister A M Cameron described the horrors of her first encounter with the seriously wounded: "…In the afternoon we began to get more and by 10 p.m. we had taken in 400 horribly wounded men straight from the field. Some were shot further in the boats which took them to us. The gangway ran with blood. Some of the poor fellows hadn’t got one dressing on. One needed all one’s common sense and courage. We 3 sisters had 200 of the wounded and only 6 orderlies at that time, so many were needed for stretcher bearers. We had to recognise the seriousness of a case at once and decide at lightning speed which to leave and which to do first. They came pouring in, and oh the wild rushes stopping haemorrhage, treating shock and collapse. The orderlies were good but untrained, and no good for emergencies. The doctors were operating as hard as they could tear, only 4 of them you see, and many lives were saved. By 3 a.m. all went to bed quite dead beat except one sister and myself. By that time every patient had been fed. The doctor of our block told me to give morphia at my own discretion and to do as I liked. Oh dear that few hours. I had such scares. Some of the men as soon as they dropped asleep woke screaming through shock, none were undressed, at least very few by that time. They were so dead beat we wrapped them in blankets in their filthy clothes poor fellows and let them rest. Faces shot away, arms, legs, lungs, shots everywhere…."

                          In 1919 SS Delta repatriated Australian troops before refitting and returning to Far East service.

                          1929 Sold for demolition.

                          1st August 1914   

                          HMHS Devanha

                          SS Devanha was a passenger liner and cargo vessel operated by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.
                          Owner: P&O 1905-1928, Port of registry: Greenock, Scotland United Kingdom Route: UK, India, China
                          Builder: Caird & Co, Greenock, Scotland, Yard number: 308
                          Launched: Saturday, 16 December 1905
                          Maiden voyage: 1 March 1906, from Royal Albert Dock, London
                          Out of service: 21 March 1928, sold for scrap
                          Fate: Demolished by Sakaguchi Sadakichi Shoten K K, at Osaka, Japan

                          General characteristics

                          Tonnage: 8,092 (grt), Length: 470ft 0in, Beam: 56ft 3in, Draught: 27ft 8in
                          Installed power: Two four cylinder quadruple expansion steam engines
                          Propulsion: Twin screws, Speed: 15.5 knots.

                          History

                          SS Devanha was launched in 1905 and entered service for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in 1906. The ship was built at a cost of £159,249. She made her maiden voyage from the Royal Albert Dock in London on 1 March 1905. In 1914 she was assigned to the Mediterranean where she began service as a troop ship during World War I.

                          In 1915, she took part in the Dardanelles campaign, landing the 12th Battalion of Australian troops at what was later Anzac Beach, then steaming up the coast as a feint to draw enemy fire. She was later converted into a hospital ship.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:12
                          • Other:58
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:33
                          • Cots:287
                          • Berths:240
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:22nd August 1914
                          • Date To:28th February 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:
                          In 1916 she rescued survivors from the SS Chantala, which had been torpedoed in the Mediterranean. She continued to serve as a hospital ship in the Persian Gulf, East Africa, Bombay and Suez, before being converted back into a troopship in 1919.

                          In 1919, Devanha repatriated Australian troops, and in 1920, one of her lifeboats which has been used during the Gallipoli Campaign, was presented to the Australian National War Memorial in Canberra. The following years saw Devanha re-enter service with P&O. She made her final voyage on 22 May 1925, and was ultimately sold for scrap, valued at £20,500.[1]

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Essequibo

                          RMS Essequibo - full details still to source.

                          Served as hospital ship during ww1 (for Canadian government?)

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:16
                          • Other:76
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:42
                          • Cots:249
                          • Berths:298
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd September 1915
                          • Date To:12th September 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Apparently Essequibo was stopped by U-64 in 1917, searched, confirmed a hospital ship, and sent on her way. She was commissioned in 1915 as a Mail Ship, pressed into service as a hospital ship for the duration, then returned to her original role. Eventually sold to the Russians in 1935!

                          Essequibo was a 8489 grt steamer built in 1914/15 for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. she was transferred in 1922 to Pacific Steam Nav. Co. (which the Royal Mail SP Co. owned) and sold to the USSR in 1935 and renamed Neva.

                          The "Essequibo" was stopped and searched by U 54 (Kptlt. Freiherr von Bothmer) off Ireland on 15.03.1917, not by U 64.

                          The Essequibo was a British hospital ship loaned to the Canadian Government in 1917 as one of the five Canadian hospital ships for ww1 for the transatlantic run. She was indeed stopped, inspected and allowed to proceed by a German uboat as previously reported. An English sailor's or merchant marine company history does talk briefly about this.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Formosa

                          The French liner "Formosa" was commissioned as a Hospital Ship on 23rd June, 1915 with accommodation for 417 patients. She served until 7th July 1919, after which she was returned to Société Général de Transports Maritimes and resumed her commercial career.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:10
                          • Nurses:13
                          • Other:40
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:15
                          • Cots:112
                          • Berths:290
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:23rd June 1915
                          • Date To:7th July 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Gascon

                          SS Gascon was built in 1897 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with a tonnage of 6287grt, a length of 430ft, a beam of 52ft 2in and a service speed of 12.5 knots. The first of three ships she was an improved Gaul Class ship with three masts and delivered for the Intermediate service which was, by then, strongly supported with further ships on order.

                          She transferred to the Union-Castle fleet in March 1900 and in June 1905 was the first Union-Castle ship to call at the new port of Lobito in Angola which had a rail link to Elizabethville.

                          In 1910 she was moved to the East Africa service and in August 1914 went on the mail run when the larger ships were requisitioned for war service.

                          On 25th November of that year she was commissioned as a hospital ship with a capacity for 434 patients, her first task being to take the surviving wounded from HMS Pegasus, which had been sunk by the Koenigsburg on 20th September, back to Simonstown in South Africa.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:8
                          • Nurses:10
                          • Other:85
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:15
                          • Cots:120
                          • Berths:266
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:25th November 1914
                          • Date To:15th February 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          During 1915 she served in the German East African campaign and spent the remainder of the war in that area.

                          She returned to Union-Castle on 15th February 1920 and was immediately refurbished and put back into service. In 1928 she was laid up in the East India Dock in London before being sold to Thos. W. Ward for scrapping.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Goorkha

                          SS Goorkha was built in 1897 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with a tonnage of 6287grt, a length of 430ft, a beam of 52ft 2in and a service speed of 12.5 knots. Sister of the Gascon she was built for the Intermediate service and transferred to Union-Castle on 8th March 1900 when the companies merged.

                          In 1910 she was moved to the East Africa service where she remained until 20th October 1914 when she was commissioned as a hospital ship with 408 beds.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:8
                          • Nurses:7
                          • Other:37
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:10
                          • Cots:94
                          • Berths:304
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:20th October 1914
                          • Date To:18th October 1917
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          On 10th October 1917 she was mined off Malta and all 362 patients and medical staff including 17 nurses were evacuated without any casualties in 35 minutes.

                          She was then towed into Malta where on 18th October she was decommissioned and returned to the company for repairs and resumption of commercial services. She was laid up at Netley, Southampton Water in 1926 and eventually broken up by Thos. W. Ward in 1928.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Kildonan Castle

                          SS Kildonan Castle was built in 1899 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. at Glasgow with a tonnage of 9652grt, a length of 533ft, a beam of 59ft 2in and a service speed of 17 knots. Sister of the Kinfauns Castle she was the last mail ship to be completed for Castle Line before the merger but commenced her career as H. M. Transport 44 for use during the Boer War.

                          On her maiden voyage she carried 3000 troops to Cape Town and in December 1900 was used as a prisoner of war ship at Simonstown. During 1901 she returned to Fairfield's for completion before undertaking her first commercial mail sailing on 7th December.

                          On 31st October 1914 she undertook an emergency sailing to Lisbon where she loaded 10,000 rifles and 1,000,000 rounds of .303 ammunition which she then took to the Cape to replenish South African troops who were quelling secessionist strikes in the Rand and Johannesburg.

                          On 6th October 1915 she was commissioned as a hospital ship with 603 beds.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:18
                          • Other:60
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:18
                          • Cots:55
                          • Berths:530
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:6th October 1915
                          • Date To:10th March 1916
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          In the following March she was de-commissioned and converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser and on 21st August 1916 joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron which was based at Glasgow.

                          In 1917, on 17th January, she embarked the British Military Mission headed by Viscount Milner at Oban and took them to Murmansk where the Mission failed to prevent the Russians from negotiating with the Germans for peace. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, when Russia signed a separate Peace Treaty with the Central Powers, was signed on 2nd March 1917 the day the Mission reached Scapa Flow.

                          On her return she undertook convoy duties in the North Atlantic. In December 1918 she was stood down as an AMC and transferred to the work of repatriating troops and in 1919 carried troops to Archangel to quell internal fighting and was the last ship to leave when the Allies withdrew.

                          She then made a single trooping voyage to Shanghai before sailing to Vladivostock where, in March 1920, she embarked 1800 Yugoslavian refugees and took them to Gravosa in the Adriatic.

                          At the end of that year she was refurbished and returned to the mail run where she remained until replaced by the Carnarvon Castle in 1936 and put in reserve.

                          When the building of the Dunbar Castle was delayed in January 1930 she was deployed on the Intermediate run until the May when she was laid up at Netley pending disposal.

                          She was sold in May 1931 for £11,250 and broken up at Stavanger in Norway.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Kalyan

                          SS Kalyan

                          Kalyan was operated by the P&O Shipping line from 1915.

                          Kalyan was used as a troop ship, transporting troops between England, Egypt and Salonika. She was later refitted as a hospital ship and dispatched to Archangel in Russia in October 1918, treating the sick and wounded throughout that winter. p>

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:88
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:57
                          • Cots:252
                          • Berths:512
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:4th May 1917
                          • Date To:29th November 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  The HMAT A61 Kanowna weighed 6,942 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the AUSN Co Ltd, London, and manned by Australia officers and crew. The Kanowna was leased by the Commonwealth until 18 March 1919.

                          Kanowna served as a troop ship and hospital ship during ww1. p>

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:14
                          • Nurses:21
                          • Other:70
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:32
                          • Cots:204
                          • Berths:188
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:26th August 1915
                          • Date To:8th July 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Karapara

                          The Karapara was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Newcastle in 1914 for the British India Steam Navigation Co. She was a 7,117 gross ton ship, length 425ft x beam 55.6ft, one funnel, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 15.5 knots. Originally ordered as the Karunga, she was registered on 21st August 1915 and entered service as Naval Hospital Ship No. 17, with 341 beds and 200 medical staff. p>

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:9
                          • Nurses:11
                          • Other:40
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:23
                          • Cots:318
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:27th August 1915
                          • Date To:20th February 1916
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          On 26 August 1915 she sailed for Gallipoli and operated in the Eastern Mediterranean, based at Alexandria. On 26th May 1917 she rescued 270 survivors from the hospital ship Dover Castle and took them to Gibraltar. In 1919 she provided medical facilities at Istanbul during an exceptionally hot summer.

                          Delivered to British India Steam Navigation Co in 1920, she commenced sailings to East African ports as the Karapara. In the 1930's she transferred to the Straits (Malaya) route and also did some sailings to Port Sudan.

                          Requisitioned for World War 2 duty and reconverted to hospital ship (No. 36) in October 1940 with 338 beds and 123 medical staff in 1940, she served between the Red Sea and India. In April 1941, off Perim Island, Red Sea, en route to India, she was diverted to Aden to offload her patients, and then ordered to Tobruk to replace the hospital ship Vita which had been damaged by dive bombers. On her first voyage out of Tobruk, she was attacked by aircraft but escaped damage. However, on her second journey, 5th May 1941, she was deliberately bombed and damaged by at least nine enemy aircraft at Mersa, Tobruk; she was towed back into port, repaired and successfully sailed to Alexandria.

                          She returned to commercial service in January 1947 on Calcutta/Singapore routes and was eventually sold to the Steel Corporation of Bombay for scrapping on 18th March 1950. [Merchant Fleets, Vol.11, British India Steam Navigation Co by Duncan Haws]

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  The Empress of India was built by Naval Construction & Armament Co. (now absorbed into Vickers Armstrongs) at Barrow, England. The keel was laid in 1890. She was launched on 30 August 1890 by Lady Louise Egerton, sister of Lord Harrington. The 5,905-ton vessel had a length of 455.6 feet, and her beam was 51.2 feet. The graceful white-painted, clipper-bowed ship had two buff-colored funnels with a band of black paint at the top, three lightweight schooner-type masts, and an average speed of 16-knots. This Empress and her running mate Empresses were the first vessels in the Pacific to have twin propellers with reciprocating engines. The ship was designed to provide accommodation for 770 passengers (120 first class, 50 second class and 600 steerage).

                          The SS Empress of India left Liverpool on 8 February 1891 on her maiden voyage via Suez to Hong Kong and Vancouver. Thereafter, she regularly sailed back and forth along the Hong Kong - Shanghai - Nagasaki - Kobe - Yokohama - Vancouver route. In the early days of wireless telegraphy, the call sign established for the "Empress of India was "MPI."

                          Much of what would have been construed as ordinary, even unremarkable during this period was an inextricable part of the ship's history. In the conventional course of trans-Pacific traffic, the ship was sometimes held in quarantine, as when it was discovered that a passenger from Hong Kong to Kobe showed signs of smallpox, and the vessel was held in Yokohama port until the incubation period for the disease had passed. The cargo holds of the Empress would have been routinely examined in the normal course of harbor-master's business in Hong Kong, Yokohama or Vancouver.

                          On 17 August 1903, the Empress of India collided with and sank the Chinese cruiser Huang Tai.

                          The vessel was reported sold on 19 December 1914, to the Geakwar of Baroda (also known as the Maharajah of Gwalior).

                          The former Empress was re-fitted as a hospital ship for Indian troops. On 19 January 1915, the ship was renamed Loyalty.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:9
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:58
                          • Cots:124
                          • Berths:143
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd October 1914
                          • Date To:30th November 1918
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          In March 1919, she was sold to The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd. Company in Bombay (now Mumbai).

                          In February 1923, the ship was sold for scrapping at Bombay.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Princesse Elisabeth

                          This is probably the 'Princesse Elisabeth', owned by the Belgian government,1767 tons, built 1905. She was loaned for use as a 300 berth hospital ship on the cross-Channel service between 8 November 1916 and April 1917 and again between 11 January 1919 and September 1919. Hired by the British government, like most hospital ships, she was not part of the Royal Navy or army.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:3
                          • Other:27
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:30
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:8th November 1916
                          • Date To:3rd September 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:


                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Vita

                          Vita, was owned by British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, and was completed in October 1914 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend. She was 4691 gross tons, 1955 net tons, and 5160 deadweight tons. Dimensions were 390.1 feet length, 53.3 feet breadth, 24 ft depth. She had twin props and two triple expansion engines giving 4700 ihp and 12.5 knots. Her passenger capacity when new was 32 first class, 24 second class, and 2694 deck.

                          Immediately upon completion she was put into military service as a troopship, and her first voyage was from Bombay to the Persian Gulf with troops, and her next voyage was to France. She carried on trooping duties until 1916 when converted into a hospital ship with 475 patient berths.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:405
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:27th October 1915
                          • Date To:24th February 1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          She was returned to British India in 1918, and in 1922 was put into regular commercial service on the Bombay-Karachi-Bushire-Basra run.

                          She continued in this service to 1939. Prior to this she had made some voyages to and from the UK. In May 1940 she was converted at Bombay into naval 'Hospital Ship No 8', and by September of that year her base port was Aden. In March 1941 she transferred to the eastern Mediterranean, and on 14 April, during the withdrawal of the British 8th Army, was attacked by German dive-bombers when she was leaving Tobruk for Haifa with over 400 wounded troops. A near miss lifted her stern out of the water and this put her engines and dynamos out of action.

                          The destroyer HMS Moorhen towed the disabled ship back to Tobruk. After the wounded patients had been disembarked, Vita left Tobruk on 21 April for Alexandria in tow, and in the course of this voyage escaped damage in two more bombing attacks. From Alexandria, on one engine and without electricity, she limped back to Bombay for repairs. When repairs were completed she went again to Aden.

                          In 1942 Vita was based at Trincomalee, and on 9 April went out from that port to pick up survivors from the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes and her escort destroyer HMS Vampire, both of which had been sunk by Japanese aircraft. When Vita appeared on the scene, the Japanese ceased attacking and she was able to pick up 595 survivors.

                          In December 1942 Vita acted as a hospital ship for the landings at Diego Suarez, Madagascar. In the following year, and for 1944 she served, apparently without incident in the Mediterranean and in the Indian Ocean. In April 1945 she was at the Burma landings at Kyaukpyu, and the following month at Rangoon. She was now based at Cochin, and operated hospital voyages between Madras and Chittagong. In September 1945 she was again based at Trincomalee.

                          In May 1946, following a refit, she resumed commercial service, and this lasted another seven years. She was sold on 20 May 1953 to Tulsiram Bhagwandas for scrapping at Calcutta.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Madras

                          SS Tanda was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow, Yard No 458, engines by Shipbuilder.

                          Last Name: Tanda(1920). Previous Names: Madras(1914)
                          Port of Registry: London
                          Propulsion: Twin screw 2 x T.3cyl, power 5200ihp, speed 14 knots.
                          Launched: Thursday, 26/03/1914. Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel.
                          Tonnage: 6956 grt, Length: 430 feet, Breadth: 58 feet

                          Owner History: 1914 British India Steam Navigation Company Glasgow & London
                          1924 Eastern & Australian SS Co.
                          Status: Torpedoed & Sunk - 15/07/1944

                          Remarks: Served as hospital ship and ambulance transport 1914 1919

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:450
                          • Berths:
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd October 1914
                          • Date To:4th November 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Interwar and WW2. Owned and operated by Eastern & Australian SS Co. from 1924. Torpedoed on the 15th July 1944, off Mangalore by U.181, 13.22N 74.09E, on voyage Melbourne via Colombo to Bombay.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Maheno

                          SS Maheno was an ocean liner belonging to the Union Company of New Zealand that operated in the Tasman Sea, crossing between New Zealand and Australia, from 1905 until 1935. She was also used as a hospital ship by the New Zealand Naval Forces during World War I.

                          The 5,000-ton steel-hulled ship was built by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland, and launched on 19 June 1905. At 400 feet in length and 50 feet in the beam, she was powered by three Parsons turbines, giving her a speed of 17.5 knots. She could carry up to 420 passengers: 240 in 1st class, 120 in 2nd and 60 in 3rd, and also had a refrigerated cargo hold. Accommodation for first class passengers included a dining room, smoking room, and music room with a Bechstein grand piano. The ship was lit by electricity, and was fitted with all the latest safely equipment, which included Clayton sulphur dioxide fire extinguishers.

                          Service history.

                          The ship entered service on 18 November 1905, and was employed on routes between Sydney and Melbourne via ports in New Zealand and Hobart, Tasmania. She also made regular voyages between Sydney and Vancouver.

                          World War I.

                          During World War I Maheno was converted into a hospital ship using money raised by an appeal by the Earl of Liverpool, the Governor-General. She was fitted with eight wards and two operating theatres, and had a medical team consisting of five doctors and 61 orderlies from the Army Medical Corps, a matron, thirteen nursing sisters, and chaplains. In accordance with Article 5 of the 1899 Hague Convention she was repainted white overall, with a broad green stripe along her sides, and large red crosses on the sides and funnels.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:11
                          • Nurses:6
                          • Other:60
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:15
                          • Cots:93
                          • Berths:407
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:25th May 1915
                          • Date To:2nd June 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Maheno arrived at Moudros, the naval base of the Gallipoli Campaign, on 25 August 1915, and the next day was off Anzac Cove, loading casualties from the Battle of Hill 60. Over the next three months she carried casualties from Gallipoli to either Moudros, Malta or Alexandria. Maheno arrived back at New Zealand on 1 January 1916 to refit, then returned to Egypt in February to collect patients for transport back to New Zealand.

                          She then sailed to the UK, arriving at Southampton on 3 July 1916, just after the start the Battle of the Somme. Until October 1916 she operated in the English Channel, taking large numbers of wounded troops from France to England. The ship returned to New Zealand in December 1916, and then made six more voyages between New Zealand and the UK, bringing back patients, before she was returned to her owners at the end of the war to resume her usual commercial service.

                          Wreck.

                          On 3 July 1935 the Maheno left Sydney under tow by the 1,758 ton ship Oonah, a former Tasmanian Steamers Pty. Ltd. Bass Strait ferry, built in 1888, which along with the Maheno had been sold to an Osaka shipbreaker. The ships were linked by a 900-foot (270 m) 6.75-inch (17.1 cm) wire rope.

                          On the afternoon of 7 July, while about 50 miles from the coast, the towline parted during a severe cyclone. Attempts to reattach the towline failed in the heavy seas, and the Maheno, with eight men aboard, drifted off and disappeared. The Oonah, with her steering gear temporarily disabled, broadcast a radio message requesting assistance for the Maheno, whose propellers had been removed.

                          The ship was finally found on 10 July by an aircraft piloted by Keith Virtue, beached off the coast of Fraser Island. The crew of the Maheno set up camp onshore, waiting for the Oonah to arrive, which it eventually did on 12 July. The ship was subsequently stripped of her fittings, but attempts to refloat her failed, and eventually the wreck was offered for sale, but found no buyers.

                          Since then, much of the ship has either been destroyed or disintegrated, and the visible remainder has become severely rusted. Because of the dangerous condition of the wreck, access is prohibited. The Australian Department of Defence lists the wreck as a site of unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination, even though there are no records of it being used as a live firing target during World War II, nor of any UXO recovered from the site.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HMHS Marama

                          The Union Steam Ship Company (USSCo) which started off as Canadian, Australian Line SS Marama was built in 1907 by Caird and Co Greenock, Scotland the same company that built many of the fine P&O ships over the years. The ship that cost some £166,000 (pounds) was initially built for the Trans Tasman service, but she was transferred to the Vancouver and San Francisco mail routes, but due to the "Great War" she was converted to become a hospital ship in 1915 and returned to passenger services again after she completed her duties successfully! It has been said that the SS Marama did not excel the Maheno for speed however, the Maheno was a triple screw ship though not the most reliable and had to be given new engines at a later date.

                          SS Marama was able to accommodate a total of 488 passengers being made up of; 270 Saloon Class, 120 Second Class and 98 fore cabin passengers, and a total of 140 crew members. Her passenger accommodations were arranged over three decks, being Main Deck, Hurricane Deck and Promenade Deck.

                          Hospital Ship SS Marama, 1915 - 1920:

                          Not long thereafter further funds were forthcoming when the larger SS Marama was called to duty, in fact the official announcement was made on September 20 in New Zealand’s Capital Wellington and it appeared in the Newspaper the next day.

                          She headed for the refitting berth and was fitted out as a hospital ship. With the Marama being the larger ship of the two New Zealand ships selected, she was fitted with 600 hospital beds and she was the superior of the two in many ways having other excellent facilities. But what was remarkable the transformation was completed in a record twenty-three days, as hundreds of workmen had been employed to 24/7. The total amount of money donated amounted was £66,000 and remember that was a huge amount for those days!

                          The SS Marama was superbly equipped and that was very much due to the many donations that had been made, such as a vast amount of equipment and other materials and requirements that had been delivered to the ship. In addition, much needed Red Cross medical stores was freely given and the holds were stocked up to the brim! Then came the next surprise when two excellent motor launches were donated, one from Wellington and the second from Auckland and obviously these launches became part of the ships essential fast service, which was vitally needed, especially when she was at places such as Gallipoli, when under fire.

                          The completed SS Marama sailed from New Zealand on 5th December, 1915, under the command of Captain B. M. Aldwell, whilst the Medical and Military Officer in charge was Lieut Colonel P. R Cook, NZMC. She headed for Alexandria, Egypt.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:12
                          • Nurses:24
                          • Other:62
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:21
                          • Cots:72
                          • Berths:507
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:5th December 1915
                          • Date To:1920
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Having completed all her commissions with honour HMNZ-HS Marama was officially decommissioned late in 1919 and the was SS Marama sent to Vancouver, for it would be there where she would be restored to her former USSCo glory.

                          Thus the SS Marama was completely refurbished at Vancouver and there would be a slight change in her tonnage increase to 6,496.67 GRT. In addition work was undertaken to change her for being coal burning steam ship and she was converted to burn oil.

                          She continued in service until the 1930's and was eventually broken up in Japan during 1937.

                          Article on New Zealands Hospital Ships Maheno and Marama.

                          The New Zealand Hospital Ships, By Lieut.-Colonel J. S. Elliott, N.Z.M.C.

                          In a great war waged overseas it is obvious that an important part of the medical service is the sea transport of sick and wounded soldiers. The high importance of hospital ships was not sufficiently recognised in the earlier stages of the Gallipoli campaign, but when the need became generally known there was a magnificent response in New Zealand to the appeal of His Excellency the Earl of Liverpool, Governor-General of the Dominion, for funds to equip the New Zealand hospital ship Maheno; and more was forthcoming when, later. a larger vessel—the Marama—was fitted out as a hospital ship. The money donated amounted altogether to £66,000; and also a vast amount of equipment and material in the nature of Red Cross stores was freely given. In addition, two motor launches were donated, one at Wellington and one at Auckland, and proved of great service, especially at Gallipoli.

                          The Maheno had eight wards and two operating theatres, an anaesthetising, a sterilising, and an X-ray room, a laboratory, a laundry and drying-room, steam disinfector, dispensary, telephone exchange, and two electric lifts each of which took two stretchers at a time. In short, she was complete in every detail. The result was that the New Zealand hospital ships were so well supplied and equipped that they had no superiors in any seas; and patients could be as well cared for aboard as in hospitals ashore. Some of the special dangers and difficulties incidental to hospital ships may be here mentioned. Besides the ordinary perils of the seas, they were endangered during the whole war by floating mines. In March, 1916, the Russian hospital ship Portugal was deliberately torpedoed and sunk; so also was the Britannic, under the pretence that she carried reinforcements, and without the right of search having been exercised; and the Braemar Castle was sunk by mine or torpedo. When the German government announced the unrestricted submarine campaign early in 1917, their submarines made open war on hospital ships and soon added further unspeakable crimes against law and humanity to the long list which disgraces their record. Within a few months, with considerable loss of life in patients and personnel, there were sunk by submarines the hospital ships Asturias, Gloucester Castle, Donegal, and Lanfranc; and the Salta struck a mine in the English Channel and sank. The special difficulties belonging to hospital ship work were cramped space, rough weather, and a staff necessarily restricted in numbers and not easily reinforced.

                          On July 11th 1915, H.M.N.Z. hospital ship Maheno sailed from Wellington. Colonel the Hon. W. E. Collins was in military command, and the personnel included a matron and thirteen nursing sisters, five medical officers, a detachment of sixty-one orderlies of the New Zealand Medical Corps, and chaplains. Captain W. Maclean was captain of the ship. During the voyage preparation of material and the training of the orderlies were continued. Sixty-four nurses travelled from New Zealand on the ship as far as Egypt. At Alexandria, orders were received to proceed to Mudros. The Maheno arrived there on August 25th, and left on the 26th, arriving the same day at Anzac to find a cruiser and a destroyer in action near by; and a few bullets fell on the deck of the Maheno which served to indicate that she was now actually in the war zone.

                          The sight of the ship was an encouragement to our New Zealand soldiers who had wrested from the Turk a precarious footing on the hillsides opposite. During the next afternoon, the battle of Hill 60 was fought, and in the evening the wounded began to arrive at the ship. The severely wounded were sent to the wards at once, and the lightly injured were fed and surgically dressed on deck and sent in lighters to Mudros. The two operating theatres were in constant use from the evening of the 27th to the morning of the 29th.

                          The Maheno left on the 28th with 445 patients for Mudros, where they were discharged into a hospital carrier,—formerly the German ship Derfflinger—and the ship's crew assisted in the arduous work. The wounds were severe, and deaths occurred during the short voyage. The ship was cleaned and refurnished—a heavy task—and she left Mudros for Anzac on the 30th, and there embarked 422 cases on 2nd September, including a large number of cases of dysentery; and all the patients were transferred to the Nile at Mudros. The Maheno departed again on September 7th for Anzac, where about 1,000 patients were attended to including 400 embarked on the ship. The others had wounds dressed and received medical treatment aboard, and returned again to the beach. Several of the personnel of the ship contracted dysentery, and all were more or less exhausted. The ship returned on the 11th to Mudros and was ordered to Malta, arriving at Valetta, where the patients were disembarked. At Anzac again, several days later, the Maheno took on board a large draft of sick and wounded who were disembarked at Malta. She returned twice again to Anzac, disembarking the patients each time at Alexandria.

                          On October 8th, the Maheno sailed for England, and on arrival at Southampton was taken over by the Admiralty and docked. The vessel left again at the end of the month. On November 11th, she was at Anzac for the last time carrying thence wounded and sick to Alexandria. At the time of this visit suitable hospitals had been erected ashore, and a hospital barge was in use which could accommodate from 200 to 300 patients. The Maheno proceeded to Malta, where orders were received to return to New Zealand. Patients were carried from Malta to Port Said and to Suez. New Zealand patients were embarked at Suez, and the ship arrived at Auckland on January 1st, 1916, with 319 patients aboard, most of whom were convalescent.

                          The Maheno was refitted at Port Chalmers, and re-commissioned under Lieut.-Colonel J. S. Elliott, with Captain Maclean again as Commander. She left Wellington on January 26th 1916, and carried, in addition to her usual complement, 53 military nurses for the hospitals in Egypt. After the evacuation of Gallipoli it soon became necessary to clear the Egyptian military hospitals of patients likely to undergo a tedious convalescence, and so the Maheno was sent back from Suez with 321 patients on board for New Zealand. In the Red Sea, the Maheno answered calls for help from the Orissa, a ship carrying military invalids, disabled by the loss of her propeller, and drifting ashore in a heavy sea. She reached her and towed her towards and near Aden. More patients were embarked at Colombo, and the Maheno arrived at New Zealand in the middle of April. She sailed again on April 28th. Naval patients from the Persian Gulf were embarked at Colombo, and on June 9th, the ship reached Suez, there to await orders for eleven days with the thermometer registering 110 degrees day and night. To the great joy of everyone on board, orders to proceed to Southampton via Alexandria were received. About 300 patients were embarked at Alexandria. As showing the Imperial nature of the work of the Maheno, it might be stated that a large proportion of the patients were Australians, and the rest British soldiers from the United Kingdom who had come from fighting in Gallipoli, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. After a very quick passage, the Maheno was at the quayside at Southampton on July the 3rd.

                          The great offensive on the Somme had just begun, and she sailed for Havre where hospital trains were bringing in wounded in immense numbers. The ship was filled 'from stem to stern'; and the decks were converted into wards by hanging up canvas screens all round the ship. Literally no space was left vacant that could be made at all available for a wounded man.

                          Feeding the multitude, dressing the hundreds of wounds, and preparing the necessary statistics was a work of great magnitude. There and then began labours that never ended night or day, with irregular meals and short hours of sleep for the staff. The Maheno sailed with no less than 1141 patients aboard, with nearly every famous regiment of the British line represented, and soldier patients from the four corners of the Empire.

                          After disembarking at Southampton, the Maheno was sent to Boulogne and she loaded, in difficult conditions, 570 severely wounded. In the early days of the cross-channel voyaging, structural alterations had been made in the ship at Southampton, and the cots had been increased to 440. Waterproof mattresses were procured for use on deck. Space will not permit of a detailed description of each journey. Suffice to say that the Maheno was engaged in carrying wounded in the two great phases of the Somme offensive; and from the beginning of July, 1916, to the end of October, 1916, the following patients were on board, excluding 53 New Zealand Sisters, about 500 Australians and 1,000 New Zealanders who were on the Maheno at other periods of the second commission.

                          Frequently, the patients were on board for three days at a time, and the navigation was often difficult and dangerous, except when a destroyer was ahead as a pilot ship.

                          It was curious to observe that many of the German wounded honestly believed that their fleet had command of the Channel and they wondered how the hospital ship could get across. On one occasion, the Maheno lay in an area attacked by a zeppelin.

                          On October 28th, 328 New Zealand sick and wounded were embarked at Southampton, and voyaged home uneventfully except for delay at Albany, due to a coal strike in New Zealand. The ship returned at Christmastide.

                          During the second commission, the Maheno steamed 52,229 sea miles, passed four times through the tropics, and carried almost 16,000 patients. Many operations were performed and surgical dressings innumerable.

                          In September 1915, during the first commission of the Maheno, the War Office accepted an offer from the New Zealand Government to provide a second hospital ship and the Marama, a much larger vessel than the Maheno, was selected, was fitted with 600 beds, and equipped in no way inferior to the Maheno in the wonderfully short period of twenty-three days. Hundreds of workmen were employed night and day during that period. She sailed from New Zealand on 5th December, 1915, under the medical and military charge of Lieut.-Colonel P. R Cook, N.Z.M.C. Captain B. M. Aldwell was the ship's commander.

                          At Alexandria, about 500 patients from Gallipoli and Salonika were embarked for Southampton. She returned to Alexandria, and after some days was sent to Marseilles, coaling at Cette, and then proceeding to Salonika and to Stavros upon which the Eastern flank of the British forces in the Balkans at that time rested. Here the ship was used as a base hospital until she left with patients for Malta. A full complement of sick was taken again to Southampton, and the Marama returned to Alexandria where she was delayed for three weeks until orders were received to embark the New Zealand General Hospital for Southampton, where she arrived in time for the Somme offensive. She then crossed to Boulogne.

                          From this time the Marama and Maheno were part of the White Fleet which carried the wounded from that great battle without delay to the hospitals in England.

                          The Marama on one occasion bore no less than 1,636 patients from Havre. Many of the wounds were of a terrible nature; it was marvellous that men so hurt could survive. Shell-shock was a very frequent trouble, and many patients on board had lost their reason. Patients came on the ship within twelve hours of their being wounded in the trenches. The speed with which the wounded were brought in from the trenches by the bearers, attended to in clearing-stations, sent to hospital trains which ran behind the lines, and brought on board the hospital ship was a remarkable tribute to the organisation of the R.A.M.C., which was one of the wonders of the war. It was found that by the time the patients reached the ship, even after twelve or eighteen hours, their wounds were in most cases septic and often offensive. Sisters and orderlies were engaged all day and all night dressing wounds. Walking patients, of whom there were frequently four or five hundred, went to the dressing room, and there was always a long queue waiting outside this room.

                          It should be explained that walking cases do not necessarily mean the slightly wounded as, owing to the difficulty of transport, cot cases in war are reduced to the absolute minimum. If a man is able to walk at all, no matter how badly he is wounded in the arms, body or head, he is classified as a walking case. Many of the "walkers" were very severely wounded. Some patients fell down asleep from utter exhaustion as soon as they reached the deck—the fact that here was a warm and dry spot was all that mattered. It was a luxury for the wounded even to get away from the terrific din of the battlefields, and merciful Providence had endowed them with the faculty of not looking too far ahead or behind. They were children of the hour, for the immensity of the conflict had dulled the mind, which shut out all considerations except the most pressing and immediate.

                          On August 25th the Marama was recalled to New Zealand, and she sailed with about 500 New Zealand patients. During this commission, the Marama steamed 52,251 sea miles and carried 12,639 patients and 580 hospital passengers.

                          For the soldiers on the Marama and Maheno the glamour of the fighting was over; the wreckage of war was drifting homewards. These men were great in battle; they were equally great in suffering. Not once in all the channel voyagings was heard one word of complaint.

                          The Marama and the Maheno proudly shared with the other hospital ships the thanks conveyed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and by the Commander-in-Chief.

                          The Marama under Colonel Collins sailed on her second commission on November 12th, 1916, via Bombay, and from that port she carried patients to Suez and proceeded to Southampton, where 540 cases were embarked for New Zealand. A few days out from Southampton, the Marama rescued survivors from a torpedoed ship, and had an unpleasantly close view of a German submarine. After arrival at New Zealand, the Marama sailed again for England on March 22nd, 1917. From Bombay she carried patients invalided from Mesopotamia to Suez, where orders were received that the Mediterranean was unsafe. The nurses were ordered to disembark, and a course was set for Durban. In the absence of the nurses, the orderlies were put to a considerable test in nursing severe cot cases, but they rose to the occasion and succeeded reasonably well. After leaving Durban a fierce storm arose; one large wave swept the decks and a patient and an orderly were washed overboard and drowned, and several others were injured.

                          After calling at Capetown and at Sierra Leone the Marama continued her voyage to Avonmouth and returned with a full complement of patients to New Zealand via the Panama Canal.

                          From the time of this commission dental officers were carried on the hospital ships and did excellent service. In every charter the massage work was exceedingly well done. The masseuses worked very long hours and were rewarded with the results they obtained.

                          The Maheno was re-commissioned for the third charter under Lieut.Colonel R. Anderson, and the Marama for the third charter under Lieut.-Colonel Cook. The Marama was under Colonel Collins for her fourth commission, and the Maheno was re-commissioned a fourth and a fifth time under Colonel Tracy Inglis and Lieut.Colonel Gunn. During each commission, two voyages were made to England for the purpose of clearing the New Zealand Hospitals in the United Kingdom, and patients were carried to various ports en route as necessary. The voyages differed little in detail.

                          The balance of the money remaining at the end of the war to the credit of the Hospital Ship Fund, with the approval of the Government, was expended for the provision of a Medical Students' Hall for the Medical Students' Training-Corps at Dunedin. This hall, equipped with the latest medical appliances, will benefit both the civil and the military training of medical students, and will be of great value to the community at large. It will also be a memorial to the work of the New Zealand hospital ships.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          SS Massilia

                          SS Massilia was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow, Yard No 398. Port of Registry: Glasgow, Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel. Built: 1902, Launched: Thursday, 21/08/1902. Propulsion: Steam. Tonnage: 5353 grt. Length: 400.6 feet (BP), Breadth: 49.2 feet.

                          Owner History: Anchor Line (Henderson Bros.), Glasgow Built in 1902 with a gross tonnage of 5156, she was a near sister ship to the Olympia. Launched on the 21st of August for the India service, she made her maiden voyage to Bombay. During WWI she was used several times as a hospital ship, sailing between Suez and India.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:5
                          • Nurses:11
                          • Other:44
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:
                          • Cots:53
                          • Berths:322
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:12th May 1915
                          • Date To:2nd March 1916
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          In June 1919 she made her first trans.,Atlantic crossing from Glasgow to Boston. She made occasional Atlantic crossings between 1921 and 1929, but was otherwise an India ship. Sold on the 13th of March 1930 and broken up. Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 13/03/1930 Remarks: Scrapped at Bo'ness

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Ville de Liege

                          The Ville de Liege build by Cockerill yards with yard number 531. She had a total lenght of 95,40 meter and 11,74 width. Originally she had a 13000 HP engine and reached a speed of 21 knots with her 1365 tonnage.

                          During the first world war this smaller vessel participated in an important role of carrying wounded between Calais and Cherbourg.

                          At the outbreak of the war on the 1st of August 1914 the ship was given the order to lay standby in the local Ostend-Bruges canal and wait for eventual further instructions.

                          On the 20th August the government confiscated the five turbine ships. Amongst them the Ville de Liege. On the 22nd she left for Antwerp where the Belgian government was staying and was given the mission to bring the money reserves from the national bank to Ostend.

                          It was one of the vessels which, due to their speed, had performed an important role in the evacuation of the government, diplomats, civil servants and population.

                          When the Germans arrived in Ostende on the 17th October, the city was empty. On that date the Ville de Liege was handed over to the English Ministry of War.

                          During the battle of the Ijzer the vessel was performing a mission in front of the Belgian and French coast transporting wounded and material to the West corner of Flanders. There was an ammunition factory at Havre where the vessel could load. This until the 31st of March after which the wounded were transported by train.

                          On the 2nd September the vessel left for Dover to be converted to an hospital ship by the Ministry of War.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:
                          • Other:30
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:7
                          • Cots:27
                          • Berths:139
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:13th June 1917
                          • Date To:30th December 1918
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Between the period when the vessel become under the command of the Ministry of War on the 21 Juni 1917 and the 31st December 1918, the vessel had performed 252 trips and transported 77194 wounded and 36356 soldiers.

                          After the war it was renamed London Istanbul and after running aground at Dover in 1929 was given a new lease of life continuing as a cross channel car ferry until eventually being scrapped in 1950.

                          Due to the important share and service given by this vessel and its crew to the population and its country in a period of agression and war, it deserves a special respect and high honour.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Stad Antwerpen

                          SS Stad Antwerpen (sister ship to Ville de Leige) was built in 1913 by NV Cockerill Ougher at Hoboken, Belgium. Yard number 530. Length 91.44m, width 10.97m, power 13000hp, speed 23.62 knots. passenger capacity 900.

                          1913: Antwerp to Plymouth maiden voyage. 1913: Ostend to Dover/Folkestone Ferry Service. 1914 to 1918 Hospital and troop ship service.

                          • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                          • Medical Staff strength.
                          • Officers:4
                          • Nurses:4
                          • Other:26
                          • Accommodation capacity.
                          • Officers:16
                          • Cots:18
                          • Berths:131
                          • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                          • Date From:2nd October 1915
                          • Date To:12th December 1919
                          • Ships Crew details:

                          Returned to Belgium, refitted and back on Ostend to Dover/Folkestone ferry service.

                          1934 sold for break up. 1935 scrapped.

                          1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                          HS Sicilia

                          SS Sicilia was built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 425. Engines by Shipbuilders. Port of Registry: Glasgow
                          Propulsion: Two triple expansion three cylinder steam engines, 4500ihp, twin screws, 14 knots.
                          Launched: Saturday, 22/12/1900, Built 1901.
                          Ship Type: Passenger/Cargo Liner. Ship's Role: 'Intermediate' passenger services, and trooping.
                          Tonnage: 6696 gross; 4174 net; 8462 dwt.
                          Length: 450ft 4in, Breadth: 52ft 4in, Draught: 26ft 8in.

                          Owner History: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company

                          Remarks.

                          • 22/12/1900: Launched for The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, London.
                          • 05/02/1901: Registered.
                          • 09/02/1901: Delivered. The first of 5 sisters delivered in 1901~02, followed by Soudan (Caird), Syria (Stephen), Somali (Caird) and Sardinia (Barclay, Curle). As built, Sicilia could carry 90 First Class and 70 Second Class passengers.
                          • 1901: Maiden voyage trooping to Calcutta.
                          • 1901~03: Boer War trooping.
                          • 1903~04: Indian trooping.
                          • 1904~05: Indian trooping.
                          • 1905: Laid up.
                          • 1906: General trooping.
                          • 1907~08: Indian trooping.
                          • 1907: Rumour aboard that a Sergeant had been murdered by lascars, whereas in reality he had deserted to the Chinese Army.
                          • 1908: UK/India and Chinese services.
                          • 10/09/1914: Hired by the Admiralty for service as a hospital ship (No. E.0261), and served for some time in the Dardanelles.

                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:20
                            • Nurses:
                            • Other:1
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:12
                            • Cots:100
                            • Berths:214
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From:10th September 1914
                            • Date To:11th September 1918
                            • Ships Crew details:

                            01/1926: Sold to Kishimoto Kisen K K., Japan for demolition at Osaka.

                            1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                            HMHS Takada

                            SS Takada was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow, Yard No 457. Engines by Alexander Stephen & Sons Glasgow. Propulsion: Steam, triple expansion, Power 5200 ihp, Speed 13.5 knots, twin screw.
                            Launched: Saturday, 27/12/1913. Built: 1914
                            Ship Type: Passenger cargo Port of Registry: London
                            Tonnage: 6949 grt, Length: 430 feet, Breadth: 58 feet.
                            Owner History: British India Steam Navigation Company, Glasgow & London Status: Sold for Scrapping - 25/08/1938

                            Remarks: Order Number 136274. 1914: Completed in March. Hospital ship during World War I.

                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:
                            • Nurses:
                            • Other:
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:
                            • Cots:450
                            • Berths:
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From:10th August 1915
                            • Date To:29th April 1919
                            • Ships Crew details:

                            Takada plied the trade routes to the far east from the UK in the late 1920's and early 30's.
                            January 1932 in Birkenhead and sailed to Calcutta, Rangoon, Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong, Amoy, Shanghai, Muji, Osaka, Kobe then back to Calcutta.

                            1938: Broken up in Belgium.

                            1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                            HMHS Vasna

                            HMHS Vasna was built by Alex, Stephen & Sons, Glasgow for the British India Steam Navigation Co. Her gross tonnage was 5,767 with engines that were twin screw, two triple expansion, 4, 700 IHP producing 16.03 Knots in trials, her service speed was 12.5 knots. She was designed to carry 29 First Class Passengers, 27 Second Class Passengers, 1, 605 Deck Passengers and 129 Crew.

                            She was taken over in 1917 while being built and completed as a hospital ship with 613 beds and 125 medical staff.

                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:20
                            • Nurses:7
                            • Other:55
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:41
                            • Cots:57
                            • Berths:460
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From:29th May 1917
                            • Date To:1919
                            • Ships Crew details:

                            In 1919 she was released back to British India Steam Navigation Co and used on their Bombay to Basra route until September 1939 when she was again taken over.

                            Converted at Mazagon Dockyard, Bombay to "Naval Hospital Ship No. 4" with 278 beds and 73 medical staff, she was attached to the East Indies Squadron.

                            She was transferred to European waters in 1940 where she was based at Scapa Flow and took part in the evacuation from Norway, and in December 1940 was damaged by air attack while at Liverpool. In Spring 1941 she was based at Freetown with the South Atlantic Squadron for three months and then returned to Scapa and the Home Fleet. She transferred to the Eastern Fleet, based in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in Feb.1942 and was involved with the Madagascar landings. In June 1943 she went to the Mediterranean, then UK and back to the Mediterranean where she was seconded to Army service for the Sicily landings, based at Tripoli. Returned to the Eastern Fleet in 1944 and was at the Burma invasion and in 1945 was attached to the British Pacific Fleet.

                            She also carried Australian ex-prisoners of war from Okinawa to Sydney and in March 1946 was refitted for the BISN Co Persian Gulf service.
                            In February 1951 she was sold for breaking up and was scrapped at Blyth.

                            1st August 1914 Hospital ship  

                            HMHS Varela

                            SS Varela (1914), Base data at 26 June 1914. Type Passenger/cargo liner P&O Group service 1914-1951. P&O Group status Owned by subsidiary company British India Steam Navigation Company Ltd.

                            Builders Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd Newcastle-upon-Tyne Yard number 930. Registry: Official number 136296, Signal letters Call sign JFPT. Classification society Lloyd’s Register.

                            Gross tonnage 4,645 grt, Net tonnage 1,932 nrt, Deadweight 5,160 tons.
                            Length 118.90m (390.1ft), Breadth 16.24m (53.3ft), Depth 8.07m (26.5ft) Draught 6.979m (22.9ft).
                            Engines 2 triple expansion steam engines. Engine builders Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Newcastle-upon-Tyne
                            Power 4,700 ihp, Propulsion Twin screw, Speed 15.75 knots (trials).
                            Passenger capacity 32 first class, 24 second class, 1,292 deck passengers. Cargo capacity 4,875 cubic metres (172,158 cubic metres)

                            Employment* Bombay/Persian Gulf ‘fast’ service

                            History.

                            • 27.03.1914: Launched.
                            • 28.05.1914: Delivered as Varela for British India Steam Navigation Company at a cost of £119,200. She was the first of the V-class to be delivered followed by her sisters Varsova, Vita and Vasna.
                            • 24.06.1914: Takeover of British India Steam Navigation Company by The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company agreed.
                            • 02.08.1914: She was the first British India Steam Navigation Company ship requisitioned by the Government for the war effort (two days before the official declaration of war). She was initially used as a supply and despatch vessel.
                            • Late 1914: Served as an Indian Expeditionary Force transport. She was the headquarters ship for the landings at Fao and Sanniya in the Gulf.
                            • Early 1915: Used intermittently as a base hospital at Basra.

                            10.1915: Converted into an Indian Expeditionary Force hospital ship with 450 beds at the Royal Indian Marine Dockyard at Bombay. She was employed mainly to and from the Gulf for the Mesopotamia campaign.

                            • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                            • Medical Staff strength.
                            • Officers:
                            • Nurses:
                            • Other:
                            • Accommodation capacity.
                            • Officers:450
                            • Cots:
                            • Berths:
                            • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                            • Date From: 2nd October 1915
                            • Date To: 1st October 1920
                            • Ships Crew details:

                            • 11.1917: Transferred to ambulance transport service.
                            • 10.1920: Released back to commercial service.
                            • 14.12.1922: Collided with a tug and the Strick Line tender Raithwaite Hall in the river below Mohammerah. She caused extensive damage to the tender. The Varela required dry-docking at Bombay to be repaired.
                            • 07.1927: One of her firemen fell overboard 32km (20 miles) off land. A search was mounted without success. The fireman was entered as ‘lost at sea’ and his effects returned to his family members. A week later the ‘dead’ man was back on board, having swum for a day and a half before being picked up by fishermen close inshore and making his way back to Varela on the Barpeta.

                            WW2 Service.

                            09.1938: Requisitioned during the Munich crisis.
                            1939: 87.7 cubic metres (3,100 cubic feet) of insulated cargo space installed.
                            1941/1945: Her wartime service was spent serving as a Personnel Ship.

                            1946: Returned to her Persian Gulf service.
                            1947: Transferred to the Calcutta/Madras/Rangoon service.
                            22.03.1951: Sold for £45,000 to the British Iron & Steel Corporation for breaking up.
                            26.04.1951: Demolition carried out by Thomas W Ward Ltd at Briton Ferry.

                            1st Aug 1914 U-Boat U1 joins training flotilla  SM U-1 joined the training Flotilla on the 1st of August 1914 She had been built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 119) and launched 4 Aug 1906 being commissioned: 14 Dec 1906 On the 19 Feb 1919 she was stricken. The wreck was sold to Germaniawerft foundation at the Deutsches Museum in Munich where she was restored and is now on display.

                            1st Aug 1914 U-Boat U4 joins training flotilla  SM U-4 was a Type U 3 U-boat built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 3) Ordered 13 Aug 1907, launched 18 May 1909 and commissioned 1 Jul 1909. On the 1 Aug 1914 she joined the training Flotilla On gthe 27 Jan 1919 she was stricken,and broken up at the Imperial Navy Dockyard, Kiel. The hull was sold to Stinnes on 3 Feb 1920.

                            1st Aug 1914   SM U-15 was a Type U 13 uboat, built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 10). She had been ordered 23 Feb 1909 and was launched 18 Sep 1911, commissioned 7 Jul 1912. On the 1 Aug 1914 she was commanded by Richard Pohle.

                            1st August 1914 Early actions 1914  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army then with 9th and 10th Armies

                            1914-1915

                            Along with the 2nd Division, the 1st Division formed the 1st Army Corps (Koenigsberg).

                            Russia

                            The 1st Army Corps was engaged on the Russian Front at the very beginning of the war.

                            Up until November, the 1st Division participated in the operations of East Prussia and notably in the battle of Tannenberg (Aug. 27-29).

                            In December the two division of the 1st Corps separated. The 2nd Division remained in the north and the 1st Division went to the 9th Army, from December, 1914, to January, 1915 (Bzura-Rawka), then to the Army of the South, operating in the Carpathians and on the Dniester, from February, 1915, to February, 1916.

                            1st August 1914  Early actions 1914 and 1915

                            1st August 1914 Early actions 1914  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army.

                            1914.

                            Lorraine.

                            At the beginning of the war the 1st Bavarian Division, forming, with the 2nd Bavarian Division, the 1st Bavarian Corps, was part of the 6th Army (Bavarian Crown Prince). It detrained at Sarrebruecken (Aug. 8-9), crossed the frontier, sacked Badonviller on the 12th and withdrew to the north of Sarrebruecken on the 17th. It fought at Sarrebruecken on the 20th. In liaison on the left with the Badeners of the 14th Corps, it crossed the frontier and advanced to Nossoncourt and Xaffevillers (Sept. 6th) via Baccarat. On September 12th, the division, having been withdrawn, was reassembled at Peltre (near Metz). It then entrained at Metz on the 14th and 15th, and detrained near Namur, reaching Peronne on the 24th.

                            1st August 1914 Early actions 1914  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

                            1914 Lorraine.

                            The Bavarian Reserve Division(1st Bavarian Reserve Corps, with the 5th Bavarian Reserve Division) was at the beginning of the war part of the 6th Army (Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria), and detrained in Lorraine August 13-14. After having helped to check the French offensive in Lorraine, participated in the battle of August 20, entered Luneville, and after having fought at Einville, early in September, it went to rest in the vicinity of the Paris-Avricourt railroad, and later marched to Metz by stages.

                            Arras.

                            On September 27-28 the division entrained at Metz and was carried to Cambrai. Entering the line between Douai and Arras, it fought at Izel, Gavrelle, Rouvroy (Oct.2-3). On the 5th its right wing was at Souchez, the whole 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps being then in line north of Arras. October 23 the two divisions of the corps attacked violently along the Carency-Roclincourt front; they remained in the line until June, 1915, the lst Bavarian Division being between Roclincourt and Ecurie.

                            1st August 1914 Actions during 1914  1st Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 6th German Army

                            Lorraine 1914.

                            The origin of the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division dates from the stabilization of the Lorraine front after the check of the Germans before Grand-Couronne in September, 1914. At the beginning of the war the different elements which were to enter into the composition of the division were employed in Lorraine in rear of the combatant troops. The 71st Landwehr Regiment came from the war garrison of Strasburg. These elements grouped in three brigades forming the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division, were brought up to the front early in September and put into line in the Chateau-Salins sector (from Jallaucourt to the Rhine-Marne Canal).

                            1st August 1914 Actions 1914 to 1917  1st German Naval Division part of German Naval Corps and 4th German Army

                            1914-1917.

                            Belgium. At the beginning of the war the Field Army contained only one naval division. This division entered Belgium on September 4, 1914, detrained at Brussels and on the 6th September took up its position to the left of the corps which was besieging Antwerp. After the taking of the city on October 10 the division marched along the coast, arrived at a point between Ostend and Bruges on October 23rd and on November 2nd relieved the 4th Ersatz Division on the front of Nieuport St. Georges.

                            On the 24th November 1914, the Naval Corps was formed by adding a 2nd Naval Division to the 1st. After this time the Naval Corps occupied the sea front and the sector of the coast in occupied Flanders. The staffs of the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions were permanently in command of this sector - the sea front (from Raversyde to the frontier of Zeeland as far as Maldegem was assigned to the 1st Naval Division; the front on land from the North Sea to Schoorbakke, 4 kilometers southeast Nieuport, to the 2nd Naval Division). The six regiments of Marine Fusiliers alternated between the two sectors, and consequently changed from one division to the other. In April 1917, the three naval infantry regiments were withdrawn from the 1st and 2nd Naval Divisions to organize a new Division, the 3rd Naval Division. These regiments had already formed a provisional division, from the end of September 1916 to January 1917, when they were engaged on the Somme. After fighting east of Ypres (August to November, 1917), the 3rd Naval Division came into line at Nieuport (Lombartzyde) to the right of the 2nd Naval Division in December.

                            Allied Intelligence - 1917 Value Estimate.

                            The Marine or Sailor Fusiliers, recruited at the beginning of the war from among the seamen or the population of the ports, had only a mediocre combat value at the time. Since 1917, in consequence of reinforcements taken from the land army and also in consequence of reducing the age of the effectives, the regiments of Naval Fusiliers seem to be of better quality. From a recruiting standpoint, they may be compared with the active divisions of the German Army.

                            1st August 1914 Actions during 1914  2nd German Guard Division part of Guard Corps and 2nd German Army

                            1914.

                            France. Entrained August 9 to 11 (notebooks). Detrained at Beutgenbach (12 kilos east of Malmedy). Entered Belgium August 14. Crossed the Meuse at Huy August 18. Crossed the Sambre at Auvelais (Aug. 22) on the right of the 1st Guard Division. Fought at Falisolle and Aisemont the 23rd; at Mettet the 24th. Fought on the 29th at Haution and Vallee-aux-Bleds; on the 30th at St. Pierre (west of Vervins), on the left of the 1st Guard Division. From there via Lugny, Boncourt, La Malmaison, Ville-aux-Bois, Sarcy, Epernay, Avize, Vertus; fought after September 6 at Ecury-le-Repos and Normee.

                            Retreated on the 9th at Vertus; 10th at Tauxieres; 11th at Thuizy. Was before Reims until September 30. In Artois in October (Bucquoy, Ivlonchy-aux-Bois, Adinfer), near the 1st Guard Division. Split up in November like the latter; sent one of its brigades, the 4th, in the region of Ypres (Gheluvelt) and remained there until the end of December.

                            1st August 1914  Actions 1914 to 1917

                            1st August 1914 Actions during 1914  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                            Divisional activity during 1914

                            The first and second divisions formed the 1st Army Corps.

                            Russia. At the beginning of the war the 2nd Division was sent to the Russian front. Up to the month of November it participated in the operations in Oriental Prussia (Tannenberg, Aug. 27-29). In November 1914, the 2nd Division, minus one brigade, which continued to hold its old sector, was withdrawn and included in the group which attacked in the direction of Lodz and operated between the Vistula and the Warta continuing its activities, it attempted to cross the Bzura-Rawka opposite Warsaw in the district of Lowicz.

                            1st August 1914 Actions 1914 to 1917  2nd Landwehr Division part of 5th German Army

                            (Thirteenth District-Wurttemberg.) 1914 Argonne. The 2nd Landwehr Division (Franke Division) forms a part of the Argonne group and has continuously occupied sectors of this district since September 1914. At the beginning of the campaign it comprised a Wurttemberg and a Bavarian brigade. Engaged at Etain August 24, 1914, it crossed the Meuse at Stenay on the 31st.

                            Beginning with September it occupied the line in the woods of Cheppy and Malancourt.

                            1915 Argonne.

                            Vauquois-bois de Malancourt sector. At the end of September 1915, portions of the division (one battalion of the 6th and one of the 7th Bavarian Landwehr) were assigned to service in the district of Massiges. They rejoined the Vauquois sector at the end of October.

                            1916 Argonne.

                            Vauquois-bois d'Avocourt and Malancourt sector. At the beginning of 1916 the 2nd Landwehr Division was reconstituted with exclusively Wurttemberg elements, including the 120th Landwehr, withdrawn from the Bavarian Ersatz Division, and the 122nd Landwehr, proceeding from the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division. The 9th Bavarian brigade went over to the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division.

                            1917 Argonne.

                            In the Cheppy-bois d'Avocourt wood sector. At the end of August 1917, the 2nd Landwehr Division changed places with the 2nd Bavarian Division and took the Nord Four sector of Paris-Bolante-Courte-Chausse.

                            Allied Intelligance 1917 Value Estimate.

                            Sector division. Did not leave Argonne from the beginning of the war. On several occasions it furnished young men to active and reserve Wurttemberg regiments, replacing them by older Landsturm men.

                            1st August 1914 Actions during 1914  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                            Divisional Actions during 1914

                            (First Bavarian District-Southwest of Bavaria, Bavarian Swabia.) 1914 Lorraine.

                            At the beginning of August the 2nd Bavarian Division which, with the 1st Bavarian Division, formed the 1st Bavarian Corps, was a part of the army of the Crown Prince of Bavaria (6th Army). The 3rd Brigade, covering troops, detrained at Reding near Saarburg, on the 3rd of August. On the 9th the division was at its full strength. It proceeded to the frontier, reached Badonviller and retired as far as Gosselming (west of Saarburg) by the 17th of August, gave battle there on the 20th, and recrossed the frontier. It advanced as far as Xaffevillers (Sep 7th), whence it retired to Itlorhange (Sep 10th). On September 15 the division entrained at Metz. It detrained near Namur, gained Peronne by stages, and was engaged at Foucaucourt by the 24th.

                            Somme.

                            Together with the 1st Bavarian Corps it was attached to the 2nd Army (Von Billow), operating on the Somme in the district of Peronne. It took part in the fiercely contested battles which took place there but a short time after the stabilization of the front and suffered serious losses. At the beginning of the campaign, October 30, the 12th Infantry had 50 officers and 1,910 men who were unable to take part in action.

                            The division was maintained in this district up to the month of October, 1914, first to the south of the Somme, later, at the beginning of November, 1914, between Dompierre and Maricourt.

                            1st August 1914  Actions during 1914

                            2nd Aug 1914 Anti-war Demonstration in Trafalgar Square  Ten Thousand people attended an anti-war demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London. Speakers at this peace rally included James Keir Hardie, the pacifist ex-leader of the Labour Party.

                              Commanding Officer

                            2nd Aug 1914  Church Parade

                            2nd Aug 1914  Medicals

                            2nd Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            3rd Aug 1914 Germany declares War  Germany declares war on France. Belgium refuses Germany permission to cross its territory to reach France, Germany invades Belgium.

                            3rd Aug 1914 5th Durhams recalled from Camp  

                            The 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were at Deganwy in North Wales for their annual 15 day training camp with the York and Durham Brigade in early August 1914

                            They broke camp on the 3rd of August and returned to County Durham to prepare for the expected declaration of war.

                            They were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at the Drill Hall, Stockton-on-Tees where A, B and C Coys were also based. D, E and H Coys were based at the Drill Hall, Darlington while F and G Coy were based at the Drill Hall, Castle Eden.

                            3rd Aug 1914  The 6th DLI Return From Camp

                            3rd Aug 1914 3rd Green Howards strike camp  The 3rd Btn. (Green Howards) Yorkshire Regiment were engaged in a day of sports, watched by their families at Deerbolt Camp when a telegram was received at 2.15pm to strike camp and return to their home base. By twenty to six the tents and other equipment had been packed and the men were ready to march out of the camp.

                            3rd Aug 1914 Northumberland Hussars band at Bowes Museum  On Bank Holiday Monday, the band of the Northumberland Hussars played two well attended concerts in the grounds of Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle.

                            3rd Aug 1914 4th Yorks break camp.  4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) were at Deganwy Camp in Wales for the annual Divisional Training at the beginning of August 1914, with rumours of impending War, the Camp broke up on the 3rd of August and Company returned to its own Headquarters. H Coy had their The Drill Hall at the old Baptist Chapel, 4 Bridge Street, Bedale.

                            3rd Aug 1914  Trying to Leave Germany

                            3rd Aug 1914  Keep Brave Hearts and Cool Heads

                            3rd Aug 1914  Medicals

                            4th August 1914 Shot fired on the Mersey  The first shot by the British in the Great War was fired one of the guns of Fort Perch Rock on the Mersey, as a warning across the bow of a Norwegian vessel which ignored a signal to halt, just 30 minutes after war had been declared.

                            4th Aug 1914 Earthquake in Jamaica  A severe earthquake was felt across the colony of Jamaica, particularly on the north side and the eastern end of the island. Considerable damage reported in Port Antonio, but no lives have been lost.

                               The 4th (City of Dundee) Battalion Black Watch had their HQ at The Drill Hall in Bell Street, Dundee and A to H Companies were all drawn from the city. At the outbreak of war they were part of the Black Watch Infantry Brigade, their allocated war station was the Scottish Coastal Defences.

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilization

                            4th Aug 1914 British Army Mobilises  Across Britain the trains, towns and cities were filled with soldiers and officers in khaki as they were recalled to their units after the Bank Holiday Weekend. The Territorial Forces, who had set out for their annual summer camps, were ordered home to take up their war stations.

                             Cadet Force no longer under Territorials  The Cadet Force had been established as a youth organisation of the Territorial Force when it was formed in 1908, with the aim of instilling military discipline and as a means of providing further education for boys as most left school at the age of 14 at that time. Many battalions of the TF had their associated Cadet Corps run under the County Administration, often based at local schools or TF Drill Halls.

                            When war broke out in August 1914 the administration of the Cadets was taken over by the War Office and were renamed the Army Cadet Force. The organisation continued to provide training for boys with the aim of preparing them for service in the military.

                            4th Aug 1914 1st Royal Scots in Gosport  1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers were based in Gosport as part of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in 1914.

                            4th Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA mobilise  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery were at Bulford Camp and at once began to mobilise for war.

                            4th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers mobilized  1st Royal Fusiliers at the barracks at Kinsale, Ireland received the order to mobilize at 6pm.

                            4th Aug 1914 Berkshire Regiment at Aldershot  1st Battalion Berkshire Regiment were at Aldershot when war broke out in 1914. At 5.30pm Orders were received to mobilize

                            4th Aug 1914 2nd Royal Irish Regiment at Devonport  2nd Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment were in Devonport, as part of 8th Brigade, 3rd Division when war broke out in August 1914.

                            4th Aug 1914 Durham Territorials break camp  At Conway Camp in North Wales, reveille was sounded at 4am. The Territorials of the 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions Durham Light Infantry quickly broke camp and marched to the station to board special trains back to their County Durham bases to mobilize for war.

                            4th Aug 1914 5th Durhams deployed to Hartlepool and South Gare  The territorials of the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry are deployed to Hartlepool and South Gare to dig coastal trenches to defend the mouth of the River Tees.

                            4th Aug 1914 2nd West Riding Brigade leave Marske  The 2nd West Riding Brigade are at their annual camp near Marske on the North Yorkshire Coast, they broke camp this morning. 3000 territorials of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment marched to Saltburn station and entrained on specially commissioned rolling stock, for their home bases.

                            4th Aug 1914 West Yorkshire Territorials march into Scarborough  The Territorials of the West Riding Brigade, 5th, 7th and 8th Battalions West Yorkshire Regiment broke camp near Scarborough and marched to Scarborough railway station to entrain for the journey home.

                            4th Aug 1914 Anti War Meeting in Darlington  A crowd of over 1000 protestors gathered in the Market Place at Darlington to attend a meeting called by Darlington Trades Council to urge the British Government to remain neutral, W.G. Loraine of the National Union of Railwaymen lead the speeches.

                            4th Aug 1914 Poplar and Stepney Rifles return from Salisbury Plain  17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment. It was a Territorial unit and had its headquarters at 66 Tredegar Road, Bow, when war broke out in August 1914. It was part of 5th London Brigade, 2nd London Division (later the 47th Division). The Division had just arrived for their annual summer camp on Salisbury Plain when war was declared in August 1914 and they were at once recalled to their home base and mobilised for war service.

                            Aug 1914 Green Howards break camp  The territorials of the Green Howards break camp and return to their drill halls. The Drill Hall of the Yorkshire Regiment at Redcar was located on the High Street in a building which had been the Globe Hotel before it was closed in 1910 due to a withdrawal of the liquor licence by the local authority in an attempt to reduce the number of licenced premises in the town. The bar was to the right of the entrance, with toilets, a store with an armoury of more than 100 weapons, utility room and an office for the Officer commanding. On the left was a snooker and games room and a door leading into the rear yard and drill hall. Upstairs the rooms were occupied by the sergeant major appointed to train the men. Today Halford's bike shop stands on the site.

                            4th Aug 1914 5th Welsh return from Portmadoc  The 5th Batalion, Welsh Regiment were at Portmadoc for their annual camp when war was declared, they at once returned to man their war station at Fort Scoveston.

                            4th Aug 1914  Battleships in Pursuit

                            4th Aug 1914   2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment were in Malta when war was declared in August 1914.

                            4th Aug 1914 59th Field Coy RE to mobilize  4th Aug. 1914, 5.30pm Ireland. Telegram 'Mobilize' received by 59th Field Company Royal Engineers

                            4th August 1914 On the Move  At the outbreak of war 4 Squadron moved to Eastchurch and undertook naval and anti-Zeppelin patrols. No 4 Squadron had been created from No 2 Flight, No 2 Squadron at Farnborough on 16th Sep 1912 and moved to Netheravon in 1913. A great part of the initial work was experimental, and the specific challenge to No. 4 Squadron was to develop the art of night flying. During this time tentative trials were also carried out with wireless sets for artillery co-operation. The success of these trials led to the creation of a separate Wireless Flight to develop the system further.

                            4th August 1914  Mobilisation Order

                            4th Aug 1914  All ready.

                            4th Aug 1914 Mobilise  At 4.00 p.m. on 4th of August 1914, the War Office began the process of mobilising the Regular Army and to recall regular reservists to the colours. A telegram, containing one word "Mobilise" was despatched to all commands and garrisons. At Aldershot, the signal came from the Headquarters of Aldershot Command at Stanhope Lines at 6.30 p.m. A soldier came out from the side entrance of the Headquarters Office and hoisted three large black balls on the flagstaff on the lawn outside the building. Around the country, telegrams and policemen notified regular reservists that they were to report to their old regiments.

                            4th Aug 1914  Guiseley Territorials Mobilise

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Battery Ready for Service

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders to Mobilise

                            4th Aug 1914  In France

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders

                            4th Aug 1914  Order Received

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Telegram

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders Received

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders Received

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders Received

                            4th August 1914  Location

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilization

                            August 1914  Training

                            4th August 1914  Mobilisation Orders

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th August 1914  Order to Mobilise.

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders Received

                            4th Aug 1914  Defence

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Orders

                            4th Aug 1914  War Station

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            4th Aug 1914 Gloucestershire Hussars mobilise  The Order to mobilise the Gloucestershire Hussars was given at 7pm on August 4th 1914. They joined the 1st South Midland Brigade with the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry, based Newbury Racecourse. The Brigade then moved to the east coast of England in case of a German invasion. In September a second Regiment of the R.G.H. was raised, and later a third.

                            5th Aug 1914   The Battle of Liege

                            The German Second Army crossed into neutral Belgium aiming to attack France from the north, and soon reached the key city of Liege, where their advance was checked by a relatively small number of Belgian soldiers under the command of Lieutenant General Leman. The city of Liege was defended by a ring of twelve underground forts built on high ground six miles outside the city in the 1880's, with retractable cupolas housing a total of 400 guns ranging in size up to six inch.

                            When the German Army reached the River Meuse a few miles from the city, they found the bridges had already been destroyed. They began to construct pontoons but soon came under fire from the 210mm howitzers, 150 and 120mm canons and 57mm rapid fire guns. The Belgian's had had little time to prepare and the hastily constructed earth works between the forts barely held back the German Forces and on the evening of the 5th the Germans carried out one of the first air raids with a Zeppelin dropping bombs on the city of Liege.

                            5th Aug 1914 First German Naval loss  Königin Luise had been was requisitioned by the Kaiserliche Marine on the 3rd of August 1914 to serve as an auxiliary minelayer, and was pressed in to service when Britain entered the war. On the night of the 4th/5th of August she laid a minefield off the coast but was spotted by a number of fishing vessels. The light cruiser HMS Amphion and a number of destroyers of the 3rd Flotilla sailed early in the morning of 5th of August and sailed towards Heligoland Bight. En-route they encountered a fishing vessel, whose crew informed the British ships that they had seen a ship "throwing things over the side" about 20 miles north of the Outer Gabbard. The taskforce spotted Königin Luise at 10:25, but she fled at top speed, moving into a rain squall, where she proceeded to lay more mines. HMS Lance and HMS Landrail gave chase, and Lance opened fire, the first British Naval shot of the war. HMS Amphion soon closed in and also commenced firing on the Königin Luise which attempted to escape to neutral waters to the south-east, leading the pursuing British vessels through her minefield. Being damaged by heavy fire, Commander Biermann ordered the scuttling of the Königin Luise. The surviving crew abandoned ship, and the vessel rolled over to port and sank at 12:22. 46 of the 100 crew were rescued by the British ships.

                            5th Aug 1914 German vessels held  Numerous German vessels are captured in British ports as they arrive unaware that Britain is now at War with their native land.

                            5th Aug 1914 Export Suspended on Tyne  The export trade on the Tyne is totally suspended with thousands of men being made idle.

                            5th Aug 1914 Rousing send off.  The whole battalion of the 3rd Monmouths gathered outside the Market Hall in Abergavenny at dawn on the 5th August. Later that day they were marched to Bailey Park where they were given tea. The battalion colours were handed over to the custody of the Mayor and the corporation of Abergavenny. They left the market square of the ancient Borough of Abergavenny to a rousing send off by flag waving citizens. Down the road, out of the Town, over the bridge of the Given River and up the rise to The Great Western railway station, still there today. Two troop trams were ready and waiting, the soldiers boarded bound for Pembroke Dock and what was to be for these Welshmen, a lifetime's adventure. But for many Monmouthshire men the surrounding mountains, the Blaring, the Skirred and the Dei, were the to be their last sight of home.

                            5th Aug 1914 7th Black Watch man Kingshorn Battery.  At the outbreak of war in August 1914, Kinghorn Battery was manned by the 7th Fife Territorial Battalion, Royal Highlanders who had been been mobilized 5 days earlier. They spent the first few weeks digging new defences to protect the Rosyth Naval Base against the threat of a German landing in the East of Fife.

                            5th Aug 1914 Railways taken over for troops  The railways were taken over by the Government for the transport of troops. All day the stations were busy with reservists who had been called up.

                            5th Aug 1914 Military Manoeuvers at Hyde Park  The traffic at Hyde Park was held up as soldiers loaded cases of ammunition from the Powder Magazine into a fleet of commandeered motor buses.

                            5th Aug 1914 Panic Buying of Groceries  The grocery and provision stores were overwhelmed by a mass of cutomers seeking to stockpile as much food as possible, causing an emourmous rise in prices.

                            5th Aug 1914 4th Scots Fusiliers at Stirling  The 4th Scots Fusiliers, recalled from their summer camp, mobilised for war. They moved from their base at Kilmarnock to take up their allocated position on the Scottish coastal defences at Stirling.

                            5th August 1914 Military Camp to be built  It was revealed that plans had been made to construct a large military camp in the grounds of Lord Brownlow’s country house, Belton Park near Grantham.

                            5th August 1914 44th Brigade RFA mobilize  44th Howitzer Brigade Royal Field Artillery, which consisted of the 47th, 56th amd 60th Batteries, began to mobilise at Bordon. Bordon Camp was first built in 1899 and is situated near Petersfield in Hampshire, the site has been continual in use by the Army since 1903 when the hutted camp was expanded. The Louisburg barracks were built in 1906, adding brick buildings to house two regiments of Artillery, a riding school and a veterinary hospital. The Royal Engineer Lines were added by 1911.

                            5th Aug 1914 Territorials mobilise  At Colchester Camp, which has historically been an important military garrison, territorial units are mobilising for war. The men of 8th (Cyclist) Battalion Essex Regiment, The Essex Yeomanry and Essex Royal Horse Artillery are all ordered to prepare to take up their war stations.

                            5th Aug 1914 F Coy 6th DLI leave Barnard Castle  The men of F Coy, 6th Durham Light Infantry were ordered to report to the Drill Hall in Barnard Castle at 8am, to prepare to leave at 4.30pm to rejoin the rest of the Battalion at Bishop Auckland. They had arrived home just after mid-day yesterday.

                            5th Aug 1914 4th Yorks mobilise  4th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment receive the order to mobilise and the Companies to assemble at Northallerton.

                            5th Aug 1914 2nd Life Guards & 4th Cavalry Brigade mobilise  2nd Life Guards are at Canterbury between the 5th and 8th of August. 4th Cavalry Brigade Mobilisation normal

                            5th Aug 1914 4th Northumberlands proceed to France  On the 5th of August, 17 officers and 660 men, territorials of the 4th Battalion, Northumbland Fusiliers reported for duty and began intensive training in Newcastle.

                            5th Aug 1914 Reservists receive telegrams  Telegrams were sent to the 300 reservists of the Leicestershire Regiment ordering them to report for duty at Glen Parva Barracks, Saffron Lane, South Wigston. The 500 regulars of the 1st Battalion were at Fermoy, Ireland and returned swiftly to England for duty on the East coast in case of invasion.

                            5th August 1914 Early actions 1914  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                            The Bavarian Ersatz Division consisted, at the outbreak of the war, of the three mixed Bavarian Ersatz brigades, Nos. 1, 5 and 9 (12 battalions), which detrained on the 17th-18th August 1914 in the region of Schelestadt. But afterwards this designation indicated a composite division (Benzin Division) formed from the 3rd Bavarian Reserve Brigade and the 59th Landwehr Brigade (28th Ersatz, Baden) and the 120th Landwehr Regiment (Wurttemberg).

                            Vosges.

                            The Benzin Division was first engaged in the Vosges (St. Marie Ridge, St. Die, Laveline) until September 1914. After a rest in the Valley of the Bruche, it entrained at the end of September for Mars-la-Tour and reinforced the 3rd Bavarian Corps in the St. Mihiel area.

                            5th August 1914 Early actions 1914  1st Guards Reserve Division part of 2nd German Army

                            Belgium 1914.

                            At the beginning of the war the 1st Guard Reserve Division together with the 3rd Guard Division forming the Guard Reserve Corps, swept into Belgium as part of the 2nd Army under von Buelow.

                            On the 16th of August it crossed the Meuse at Ardenne and pushed on as far as Namur by the 20th August. On the 29th the two divisions (Guard Reserve Corps) were brought back to Aix-la-Chapelle and left for East Prussia.

                            1st September 1914 Poland.

                            At the beginning of October the Guard Reserve Corps, attached to the Southern Army Group, took part in the invasion of the southern part of Poland. It fought at Opatow (4th Oct) and suffered severe losses at Lodz while retreating from the Russian armies.

                            During the winter of 1914-15 it fought on the Bzura.

                            5th August 1914 Mobilization  Mobilization of the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment took place at Colchester between the 5th and 8th of August 1914.

                            5th Aug 1914 

                            5th Aug 1914 4th Munsters mobilise  The 4th Royal Munster Fusiliers were assembled at Kinsale before proceeding to Queenstown.

                            5th Aug 1914 Warwickshire Territorials Mobilise  At 6am on Wednesday, the Territorial Battalions of the Warwickshire Brigade paraded before leaving their home towns. The 5th and 6th Btn shared Thorp St Barracks, which was not big enough for both battalions to parade together. So Col Parkes and Col Martineau tossed a coin. The Mayor won and whilst the 6th Battalion paraded at the barracks, the 5th Btn held their parade in the railway sheds of the Midland Railway. The 8th paraded as a Battlion in Aston and the 7th at their various drill halls across the county.

                            In the evening the four battalions boarded trains and departed for Weymouth.

                            5th Aug 1914  Battery Ready for Service

                            5th Aug 1914  Yeomanry Assemble

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th Aug 1914  Agression Suspended

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th Aug 1914  Return from Camp

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobisation

                            5th Aug 1914  In France

                            5th Aug 1914  In France

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilization

                            5th August 1914  Mobilization

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th Aug 1914  Equipment

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th Aug 1914  Billets

                            5th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th Aug 1914  Equipment

                            5th Aug 1914  War Stations

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            5th August 1914  Preperation of Battalion

                            5th August 1914  Completion of Mobilisation.

                            5th August 1914  Reliefs.

                            5th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            6th Aug 1914  The Battle of Liege

                            6th of August 1914 2nd West Surrey's on manoeuvres  In South Africa the Pretoria District Infantry Brigade, including 2nd Battalion The Queen's, are on a trek from Potchefstroom, where it had just carried out manoeuvres. The total distance was about 110 miles. The final march into Roberts' Heights on this date was 27 miles. At 7.30 P.M. The battalion received urgent order to proceed to Cape Town on Aug. 8th.

                            6th August 1914 Zeppelin raids.  On 6 August 1914 the German Zeppelin Z6 (LZ21) bombed the Belgian city of Liège, killing nine civilians. It was dropping artillery shells instead of bombs, but the ship's inadequate lift kept it at low altitude so that the bullets and shrapnel from defending fire penetrated the hull. The ship limped back towards Cologne, but had to be set down near Bonn in a forest, completely wrecking it.

                            6th Aug 1914 HMS Ampion lost  HMS Amphion hit a mine and sank in North Sea with the loss of 151 lives.

                            6th Aug 1914  Colours Laid up

                            6th Aug 1914  Hunt for the Storeship

                            6th Aug 1914  Hot and Close

                            6th Aug 1914  Reservists Arrive

                            6th Aug 1914  Training

                            6th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            6th Aug 1914  Training

                            6th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            6th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            6th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            6th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            6th Aug 1914  Equipment

                            6th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            6th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            6th August 1914  Parties joining Battalion in preperation for embarkation

                            6th August 1914  Reservists arrived.

                            6th Aug 1914  Concentration

                            7th Aug 1914  The Battle of Liege

                            7th Aug 1914  Liege fort forced to capitulate

                            7th Aug 1914 Lord Kitchener begins recruiting campaign  Lord Kitchener, the war minister, began his recruiting campaign by calling for men aged between 19 and 30 to form new Battalions to boost the British Army which numbered 247,432 regular troops.

                            7th Aug 1914 1st West Yorks move to Scotland  1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment leave their base at Lichfield and move to Dunfermline to assist in the defence of the River Clyde.

                            7th Aug 1914 3rd West Yorks man the Tyne Garrison  3rd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment moved from their base in York to Whitley Bay as part of the Tyne Garrison.

                            7th of August 1914 2nd West Surrey's move cancelled  10.30 A.M. Order re move to Cape Town cancelled. Orders received for battalion to hold itself in readiness to proceed to England at an early date.

                            7th Aug 1914 Lord Kitchener appeals for 100,000 volunteers  Lord Kitchener publishes his first appeal for 100,00 volunteers to form his First New Army.

                            7th August 1914  Reservists to unit

                            7th Aug 1914  Volunteers Wanted

                            7th Aug 1914  Reorganisation

                            7th Aug 1914  Mobilization

                            7th Aug1914  Arrivals

                            7th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            7th Aug 1914  In Barracks

                            7th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            7th Aug 1914  Equipment

                            7th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            7th Aug 1914  Horses

                            7th August 1914  More arrivals

                            7th August 1914  More reservists

                            7th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            7th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            7th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            7th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            8th August 1914 New Laws in Britain  The Defence of the Realm Act came into force, with restrictions designed to keep morale in Britain high and to help prevent invasion and read: "His Majesty in Council has power during the continuance of the present war to issue regulations as to the powers and duties of the Admiralty and Army Council, and of the members of His Majesty's forces, and other persons acting in His behalf, for securing the public safety and the defence of the realm; and may, by such regulations, authorise the trial by courts martial and punishment of persons contravening any of the provisions of such regulations designed

                            (a) To prevent persons communicating with the enemy or obtaining information for that purpose or any purpose calculated to jeopardise the success of the operations of any of His Majesty's forces or to assist the enemy; or

                            (b) To secure the safety of any means of communication, or of railways, docks or harbours; in like manner as if such persons were subject to military law and had on active service committed an offence under section 5 of the Army Act.

                            Restrictions included, the discussion of Military matters in public, a ban on melting down silver or gold, lighting of fireworks, bonfires and the flying of kites. It also gave the government powers to take over land, factories or workshops for the war effort and to censor newspapers and letters from abroad, as well as powers to try civilians caught breaking these laws.

                            8th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers at Kinsale  Sixty men and three Officers of the 1st Royal Fusiliers were detailed to go out Horse-Hunting from the barracks at Kinsale. They returned with about 50 horses and unit was ready to depart.

                            8th Aug 1914 Shooting match at Tandragee  On Saturday 8th August 1914 the Ulster Volunteer Force held a shooting competition at the rifle range in Tandragee demesne with teams from the Clare, Laurelvale, Tandragee and Scarva Companies participating.

                            8th Aug 1914 HMS Bristol in action  200 miles south of Bermuda HMS Bristol engaged the German Cruiser Karlesruhe, damaging the vessel and forcing her to seek rrefuge in a neutral port in the West Indies. The British cruiser was undamaged.

                            8th Aug 1914 4th West Yorks leave York  4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment left York in early August 1914 to take up a defensive role at Falmouth.

                            8th August 1914 Reservists to unit  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Saturday, August 8th, 1914 - Devonport

                            Second lot of reservists arrived and we are now practically ready and complete to proceed on active service.

                            8th Aug 1914  More Volunteers

                            8th Aug 1914  Company Training

                            8th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            8th Aug 1914  The Colours

                            8th Aug 1914  Cavalry Arrives

                            8th Aug 1914  Training

                            8th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            8th Aug 1914  Training

                            8th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            8th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            8th Aug 1914  Ready to Move

                            8th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            8th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            8th August 1914  Movements in / Out

                            8th August 1914  General Orders

                            8th August 1914  Regular cadre from depot

                            8th August 1914  Reference No 10 dated 8-8-14.

                            8th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            9th Aug 1914 First Light Cruiser Squadron attacked by Submarines  On the Sunday morning, the First Light Cruiser Squadron, cruising about 40 miles off Aberdeen, was attacked by a squadron of German submarines. The submarine U-15, rose only a short distance ahead of HMS Birmingham and was quickly disabled by three rounds and was then rammed by the cruiser, the vessel sank, becoming the first German Submarine lost in the Great War.

                            9th Aug 1914 3rd Welsh Fusilers to Wrexham  The 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers moved from Pembroke Dock to their HQ in Wrexham.

                            9th Aug 1914 6th DLI to East Boldon  The Territorials of the 6th Durham Light Infantry left Bishop Auckland for East Boldon.

                            9th August 1914 First U-Boat sunk  

                            The first lost. SM U 15 (Kptlt. Pohle) was rammed and sunk by British light cruiser HMS Birmingham.

                            SM U-15 of II Flotilla was rammed by HMS Birmingham off Fair Isle on the 9th of August 1914. All 25 crew were lost. The engines had apparently failed as she was lying stopped on the surface in heavy fog when HMS Birmingham spotted her and could clearly hear hammering from inside the boat (presumably from attempted repairs). The cruiser fired on her but missed and, as the boat began to dive, she rammed her cutting her in two. This was the first U-boat loss to an enemy warship.

                            9th Aug 1914 Reorganisation  The 3rd Monthouths joined the Welsh Border Brigade at Oswestry. It rained continuously for days as the Battalion settled under canvas, advanced parties had been sent to Oswestry where the Division was to assemble. The Brigade, including the 3rd Mons, were moved en masse to Oswestry, a prosperous, country town which welcomed the huge body of troops arriving at such short notice. The Battalion had simple fare, rested in local establishments and was in fine spirits. The Battalion's animals and vehicles were moved by road and arrived a few days later, the organisation being made by Lieutenant Martin the Purchasing Officer who had bought the horses in Monmouthshire County.

                            9th August 1914 Reservists to unit  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Sunday, August 9th, 1914 - Devonport

                            The final draft of reservists arrived.

                            Appendix I

                            Mobilization went off without a hitch, except in the following particulars:

                            • 1) No travelling kitchens were available. Their loss was severely felt. They were not issued to the Battalion until 19/11/1914.
                            • 2) Difficulty was experienced in obtaining ordinance stores, more especially boots of usual size required
                            • 3) The reservists were badly fitted with boots at the Depot. In many cases, also, their serge clothing and caps had to be changed.
                            • 4) A mass of correspondence was thrown on Company Officers. Had the Battalion moved on the 8th day, it would have been quite impossible to have completed the documents of the reservists.
                              • A: The details in 75% of army books 64 had not been entered correctly. The men had not signed.
                              • B: Yellow forms for separation allowance had to be filled in with names of wife and children then signed together - men and Company Officer.
                              • C: Almost exactly the same detail had to be taken down in connection with the allotment of pay.
                              • D: Wills had not been made.

                            SE St. Leger, Major - 2/Royal Irish Regiment.

                            9th August 1914 1st East Lancs in Training  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment are engaged in Field training and route marching at Colchester from the 9th to 17th of August.

                            9th Aug 1914  A Hot Day

                            9th Aug 1914  Boots

                            9th Aug 1914  Church Parade

                            9th Aug 1914  Training

                            9th Aug 1914  Reliefs

                            9th Aug 1914  Training

                            9th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            9th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            9th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            9th Aug 1914  Horses

                            9th Aug 1914  Mobilisation Complete

                            9th of August 1914  At Southampton

                            9th Aug 1914  Reservists

                            9th August 1914  C.O.'s Inspection

                            9th August 1914  Battalion to prepare

                            9th August 1914  Nominal Roll

                            9th August 1914  Period of Waiting.

                            9th August 1914  Order received

                            9th Aug 1914  Church Parade

                            9th Aug 1914  Village Raided

                            9th Aug 1914  New Unit

                            10th August 1914 Why Britain Went to War by H. G. Wells  The cause of a war and the object of a war are not necessarily the same. The cause of this war is the invasion of Luxemburg and Belgium. We declared war because we were bound by treaty to declare war. We have been pledged to protect the integrity of Belgium since the kingdom of Belgium has existed. If the Germans had not broken the guarantees they shared with us to respect the neutrality of these little States we should certainly not be at war at the present time. The fortified eastern frontier of France could have been held against any attack without any help from us. We had no obligations and no interests there. We were pledged to France simply to protect her from a naval attack by sea, but the Germans had already given us an undertaking not to make such an attack.

                            It was our Belgian treaty and the sudden outrage on Luxemburg that precipitated us into this conflict. No power in the world would have respected our Flag or accepted our national word again if we had not fought.

                            So much for the immediate cause of the war.

                            We had to fight because our honour and our pledge obliged us.

                            But now we come to the object of this war. We began to fight because our honour and our pledge obliged us ; but so soon as we are embarked upon the fighting we have to ask ourselves what is the end at which our fighting aims. We cannot simply put the Germans back over the Belgian border and tell them not to do it again. We find ourselves at war with that huge military empire with which we have been doing our best to keep the peace since first it rose upon the ruins of French Imperialism in 1871. And war is mortal conflict. We have now either to destroy or be destroyed. We have not sought this reckoning, we have done our utmost to avoid it; but now that it has been forced upon us it is imperative that it should be a thorough reckoning. This is a war that touches every man and every home in each of the combatant countries. It is a war, as Mr. Sidney Low has said, not of soldiers but of whole peoples. And it is a war that must be fought to such a finish that every man in each of the nations engaged understands what has happened. There can be no diplomatic settlement that will leave German Imperialism free to explain away its failure to its people and start new preparations. We have to go on until we are absolutely done for, or until the Germans as a people know that they are beaten, and are convinced that they have had enough of war.

                            We are fighting Germany. But we are fighting without any hatred of the German people. We do not intend to destroy either their freedom or their unity. But we have to destroy an evil system of government and the mental and material corruption that has got hold of the German imagination and taken possession of German life. We have to smash the Prussian Imperialism as thoroughly as Germany in 1871 smashed the rotten Imperialism of Napoleon III. And also we have to learn from the failure of that victory to avoid a vindictive triumph.

                            Prussian Imperialism is an intolerable nuisance in the earth.

                            This Prussian Imperialism has been for forty years an intolerable nuisance in the earth. Ever since the crushing of the French in 1871 the evil thing has grown and cast its spreading shadow over Europe. Germany has preached a propaganda of ruthless force and political materialism to the whole uneasy world. "Blood and iron," she boasted, was the cement of her unity, and almost as openly the little, mean, aggressive statesmen and professors who have guided her destinies to this present conflict have professed cynicism and an utter disregard of any ends but nationally selfish ends, as though it were religion. Evil just as much as good may be made into a Cant. Physical and moral brutality has indeed become a cant in the German mind, and spread from Germany throughout the world. I could wish it were possible to say that English and American thought had altogether escaped its corruption. But now at last we shake ourselves free and turn upon this boasting wickedness- to rid the world of it. The whole world is tired of it. And " Gott !" - Gott so perpetually invoked Gott indeed must be very tired of it.

                            A war to exorcise a world-madness and end an age.

                            This is already the vastest war in history. It is war not of nations, but of mankind. It is a war to exorcise a world-madness and end an age. And note how this Cant of public rottenness has had its secret side. The man who preaches cynicism in his own business transactions had better keep a detective and a cash register for his clerks; and it is the most natural thing in the world to find that this system, which is outwardly vile, is also inwardly rotten. Beside the Kaiser stands the firm of Krupp, a second head to the State; on the very steps of the throne is the armament trust, that organised scoundrelism which has, in its relentless propaganda for profit, mined all the security of civilisation, brought up and dominated a Press, ruled a national literature, and corrupted universities.

                            Consider what the Germans have been, and what the Germans can be. Here is a race which has for its chief fault docility and a belief in teachers and rulers. For the rest, as all who know it intimately will testify, it is the most amiable of peoples. It is naturally kindly, comfort-loving, child-loving, musical, artistic, intelligent. In countless respects German homes and towns and countrysides are the most civilised in the world. But these people did a little lose their heads after the victories of the sixties and seventies, and there began a propaganda of national vanity and national ambition. It was organised by a stupidly forceful statesman, it was fostered by folly upon the throne. It was guarded from wholesome criticism by an intolerant censorship. It never gave sanity a chance. A certain patriotic sentimentality lent itself only too readily to the suggestion of the flatterer, and so there grew up this monstrous trade in weapons. German patriotism became an "interest," the greatest of the "interests." It developed a vast advertisement propaganda. It subsidised Navy

                            Leagues and Aerial Leagues, threatening the world. Mankind, we saw too late, had been guilty of an incalculable folly in permitting private men to make a profit out of the dreadful preparations for war. But the evil was started; the German imagination was captured and enslaved. On every other European country that valued its integrity there was thrust the overwhelming necessity to arm and drill and still to arm and drill. Money was withdrawn from education, from social progress, from business enterprise and art and scientific research, and from every kind of happiness; life was drilled and darkened. So that the harvest of this darkness comes now almost as a relief, and it is a grim satisfaction in our discomforts that we can at last look across the roar and torment of battlefields to the possibility of an organised peace. For this is now a war for peace. It aims straight at disarmament. It aims at a settlement that shall stop this sort of thing for ever. Every soldier who fights against Germany now is a crusader against war. This, the greatest of all wars, is not just another war it is the last war! England, France, Italy; Belgium, Spain, and all the little countries of Europe, are heartily sick of .war; the Tsar has expressed a passionate hatred of war; the most of Asia is unwarlike; the United States has no illusions about war. And never was war begun so joylessly, and never was war begun with so grim a resolution. In England, France, Belgium, Russia, there is no thought of glory.

                            We know we face unprecedented slaughter and agonies; we know that for neither side will there be easy triumphs or prancing victories. Already, after a brief fortnight in that warring sea of men, there is famine as well as hideous butchery, and soon there must come disease.

                            Can it be otherwise ? We face perhaps the most awful winter that mankind has ever faced. But we English and our allies, who did not seek this catastrophe, face it with anger and determination rather than despair.

                            Through this war we have to march, through pain, through agonies of the spirit worse than pain, through seas of blood and filth. We English have not had things kept from us. We know what war is; we have no delusions. We have read books that tell us of the stench of battlefields, and the nature of wounds, books that Germany suppressed and hid from her people. And we face these horrors to make an end of them. There shall be no more Kaisers, there shall be no more Krupps, we are resolved. That foolery shall end! And not simply the present belligerents must come into the settlement. All America, Italy, China, the Scandinavian powers, must have a voice in the final readjustment, and set their hands to the ultimate guarantees. I do not mean that they need fire a single shot or load a single gun. But they must come in. And in particular to the United States do we look to play a part in that pacification of the world for which our whole nation is working, and for which, by the thousand, men in Belgium are now laying down their lives.

                            10th Aug 1914  On the move

                            10th Aug 1914 Suffragettes released from prison  The government announced it was releasing all suffragettes from prison, following negotiations with the leadership of the Women's Social & Political Union. In return for their release, the WSPU agreed to end their militant activities and to help the war effort.

                            10th Aug 1914 West Yorks Territorials concentrate at Selby  The territorials of the West Yorkshire Regiment arrive at Selby on the 10th of August, the 5th Battalion arriving from York, the 6th Battalion from Bradford, the 7th and 8th Battalions from their base at Carlton Barracks.

                            10th Aug 1914 4th Yorks move to Newcastle  After 5 days at Northallerton the territorials of the 4th Yorks move Newcastle upon Tyne.

                            10th Aug 1914 5th DLI Recruit in Darlington  

                            The front page of the Northern Echo carried a recruitment notice: "An Officer of the 5th Durham Light Infantry will attend at the Drill Hall, Darlington, tonight between seven and nine o'clock to enlist men willing to serve in the above regiment.

                            Only men with four years' service between the ages of 18 and 35 and who are in possession of their discharge certificates can be taken" As part of the recruitment campaign the Darlington Company paraded in the streets of the town this evening.

                            10th Aug 1914 3rd Bedfords to Landguard Fort  The 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment moved from Bedford to Landguard Fort Fort near Felixstowe for duty with the Harwich Garrison.

                            10th Aug 1914   The Territorials of the 5th Battalion Welsh Regiment arrived at Hearson Camp, Hearson Mountain, Houghton, Pembroke in South Wales, in mid August from Fort Scoveston. The book ‘Burton Parish’ by H.J Dickman records : "One of the immediate results of the arrival in the parish of soldiers with their demands for Sunday newspapers and shopping facilities, was to signal the end of Traditional Sunday Observance." One of camp huts still survives as Burton village hall.

                            10th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Monday, August 10th, 1914 - 1145 Devonport

                            The GOC Brigade - General Beauchamp Doran inspected the battalion.

                            Appendix II

                            The following officers proceeded with the Battalion

                            • Wounded 23/8 Lt. Col. St.J. A. Cox in command
                            • Wounded 23/8 Major S. E. St. Leger 2nd in command
                            • Missing 23/8 Lt. R. E. G. Phillips Adjutant
                            • Captain J. Richings Quartermaster
                            • Lt. P.J. Whitty Machine Gun Officer
                            • Lt. F.H.L. Rushton Transport Officer
                            • Lt. A.M.S. Tandy Signalling Officer
                            • Missing 23/8 Lt. A. D. Fraser Scout Officer
                            • A Company
                            • Killed 8/23 Captain W. Mellor
                            • Missing 23/ Captain I.B. George
                            • Missing 23/8 2nd Lt. J. D. Shine
                            • Missing 23/8 2nd Lt. C. F. T. O’B. Ffrench
                            • Wounded 23/8 2nd Lt. E. C. Guinness
                            • B Company
                            • Major E. H. E. Daniell, D.S.O.
                            • Lt. F.G. Ferguson
                            • Lt. D. P. Laing
                            • 2nd Lt. A. R. Newton-King
                            • C Company
                            • Killed 23/8 Capt. & Battalion Major E. M. Painter-Downes
                            • Missing 23/8 Captain J.S. Fitzgerald
                            • Missing 26/8 Lt. A.E.B. Anderson
                            • Killed 23/8 Lt. C. B. Gibbons
                            • D Company
                            • Missing 26/8 Captain G. A. Elliott
                            • Missing 23/8 Captain the Honorable F. G. A. Forbes
                            • Wounded 26/8 Lt. E. M. Phillips 3/Battalion
                            • Missing 26/8 2nd Lt. C. G. Magrath
                            • Officers of the Battalion who proceeded with special appointments
                            • Battalion Major J. Burke
                            • Captain H. C. MacDonnell with Royal Flying Corps
                            • Lt. H. D. Harvey-Kelly
                            • Captain A.R.G. Gordon Staff Captain 8th Infantry Brigade



                            10th Aug 1914  Yeomanry Ready

                            10th Aug 1914  Training

                            10th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            10th Aug 1914  New Battalion

                            10th Aug 1914  Mobilisation Complete

                            10th Aug 1914  Training

                            10th Aug 1914  Training

                            10th Aug 1914  Move

                            10th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            10th Aug 1914  Horses

                            10th August 1914  Training

                            10th August 1914  Peace details

                            10th August 1914  Roll of Officers.

                            10th Aug 1914  Reorganisation

                            10th Aug 1914  Imperial Service

                            10th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            Aug 1914  Letter home

                            11th Aug 1914 1st Middlesex arrive in France  1st Middlesex landed at Le Havre to join the Lines of Communication troops

                            11th August 1914 Opening movements WW1  1st German Guards Division

                            Detrained on 11th and 12th August in Prussian Wallonia at Weimar and neighbouring stations. Entered Belgium on the 13th August via Stavelot and crossed the Meuse on the 18th August 1914.

                            11th Aug 1914  Route March

                            11th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            11th Aug 1914  War Duty

                            11th Aug 1914  Inspection

                            11th August 1914  Advance Party arrives

                            11th Aug 1914  Training

                            11th Aug 1914  Training

                            11th Aug 1914  Ready to Move

                            11th Aug 1914  Mobilisation Complete

                            11th Aug 1914  Horses

                            11th August 1914  Training

                            11th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            11th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            12th Aug 1914  German Siege Howitzer arrives at Liege

                            12th Aug 1914 1st Kings Liverpool and 2nd South Staffords embark for France  The 1st Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, embarked onboard the SS. Cawdor Castle at Southampton and set sail for Le Harve at 8:00 pm.

                            12th Aug 1914  New Camp to be built at Catterick

                            12th Aug 1914 1st KRRC proceed to France  1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps cross to France.

                            12th August 1914 U-Boat U-13 sunk  SM U-13 is lost off Heligoland Bight, victim of a mine or accident. 25 dead (all hands lost). A type U 13 she had been built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 8) Ordered 23 Feb 1909 and launched 16 Dec 1910 she was commissioned 25 Apr 1912. She was commanded by Hans Artur Graf von Schweinitz und Krain and sailed with II Flotilla.

                            12th August 1914  Departure from Devonport

                            12th Aug 1914  Messaged from the King

                            12th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            12th Aug 1914  Training

                            12th Aug 1914  Review

                            12th Aug 1914  Inspection

                            12th Aug 1914  Move

                            12th Aug 1914  Route March

                            12th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            12th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            12th Aug 1914  Aircraft Lost

                            12th Aug 1914  Mobilisation Complete

                            12th August 1914  Field Firing

                            12th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            12th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            Aug 1914  Formation and Training

                            13th Aug 1914 Parade  Lieutenant-Colonel D G M Campbell held a dismounted parade and recalled all the great deeds of the Regiment's history, including the Indian Mutiny where the 9th had won more VCs than any other. Also of the Boer War when Lt MacDonald and his men had defended their position to the death. "You are going forth to war," Campbell told them, "with the greatest traditions to uphold."

                            13th Aug 1914 1st Kings Liverpool and 2nd South Staffords arrive in France  The 1st Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, disembark from the SS. Cawdor Castle at Le Harve to a joyous welcome. They march from Le Harve Docks to their entraining point, boarding the train which arrived at 2:00 pm.

                            13th Aug 1914 Ready to entrain  The 1st Royal Fusiliers were recalled to the barracks at Kinsale in the middle of a route march, but no trains were available to transport them to Cork.

                            13th Aug 1914 1st South Wales Borderers sail for France  1st Battalion South Wales Borderers, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, departed from Bordon Camp and sailed to Le Harve with the BEF.

                            13th Aug 1914 New recruits at Barnard Castle Barracks  An NCO and 100 new recruits arrive at Barnard Castle Barracks, a number of the men will be billeted in the town during their training.

                            13th Aug 1914 2nd KRRC land in France  2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps proceeded to France on the 13th of August 1914, landing at Le Havre.

                            13th Aug 1914 7th Devons leave Exeter  7th (Cyclist) Battalion Devonshire Regiment arrived at Norton-on-Tees, Durham in the evening.

                            13th August 1914  Embarkation

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th Aug 1914  On the March

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th August 1914  Advance Party arrives

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th Aug 1914  Ready

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th Aug 1914  Mobilisation

                            13th Aug 1914  Mobilization

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th Aug 1914  Route March

                            13th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            13th of August 1914  Landing in France

                            13th of August 1914   Landing in France

                            13th August 1914  Divine Service

                            13th August 1914  Departure

                            13th August 1914  On the Move

                            14th Aug 1914 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers arrive in France  The 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers embarked for France as part of the original British Expeditionary Force, landing at Le Havre.

                            14th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays depart for France  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) depart from Aldershot, marching to Farnborough station to entrain for Southampton.

                            14th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers leave Kinsale  Reveille was called at 3am but it wasn't until 1pm that 1st Royal Fusiliers departed from the barracks at Kinsale, arriving in Cork at 3pm. They marched from the station to the Cattle Market where they rested for the night.

                            14th Aug 1914 1st Black Watch land in France  1st Battalion Black Watch land at Le Havre with the BEF as part of 1st Division.

                            14th Aug 1914 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment proceed to France  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment land at Boulogne as part of 3rd Division

                            14th August 1914 Crossing to France  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Friday, August 14th, 1914 - 0515 Southampton.

                            Left Southampton. As we commenced to cross the Channel at 1500, an escort of cruisers joined us, 3 on the North of our track and 10 on the South. We arrived at Boulogne about 1800 and marched to a rest camp about 3 miles distance.

                            14th Aug 1914 2nd Ox & Bucks proceed to France  2nd Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry departed Aldershot to sail to Bolougne.

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th August 1914  Deployment to France

                            14th Aug 1914  Ready to Move at any Minute

                            14th Oct 1914  Windy at Sea

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th August 1914  Quartering Arrangements Completed

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th Aug 1914  Inspection

                            14th Aug 1914  Cold Night

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th Aug 1914  Artillery HQ Moves

                            14th Sep 1914  On the March

                            14th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            14th Aug 1914  Move Begins

                            14th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            14th of August 1914  Advance Party Leave

                            14th August 1914  Embarkation

                            14th Aug 1914  Arrival of Hospital Ship

                            14th August 1914  Arrival at Bologne.

                            14th August 1914  Arrived Bologne

                            15th Aug 1914 The Battle of Liege  The Belgian commander of the Liege Forts, Lt. General Leman was buried under the rubble at Fort Loncin as it was destroyed by the German siege artillery. He was pulled unconscious from the debris by the Germans and was taken prisoner.

                            15th Aug 1914  ready to sail  9th Lancers departed Tidworth Camp, marched to Amesbury station and arrived at Southampton by train, but there was some delay before the transport ships were ready to be loaded for the crossing to Boulogne. 30 officers, 588 other ranks and 613 horses of the 9th Lancers embarked for France aboard the SS Armenian and the SS Welshman.

                            15th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays sail for France  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) arrived at Southampton Docks and embarked for Le Harve on the SS Minneapolis.

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914 1st Royal Fusiliers embark at Cork  The 1st Royal Fusiliers paraded in the Cattle Market, Cork, receiving reserve rations. Embarcation orders arrived at 5pm and the Battalion paraded at 9.30pm then marched to the docks to board the Empress of Ireland, with crowds watching their departure. They sailed at 2am the following morning.

                            15th Aug 1914 Tandragee Company hold Shooting Match   On the 15th August 1914 the Tandragee Company held a shooting match at the rifle range in the demesne. Nine teams took part including 1 from Clare, 2 from Laurelvale, 4 from Tandragee and 2 from Scarva, with each team consisting of 8 men. Medals were awarded for the best team score, the runners up and the highest individual score. A team from Tandragee won the event, with the individual scores as follows, Wilson McAdam 60; D McCullough 49; George Jackson 46; W J Meredith 46; A Vennard 41; G Stronge 40; W Gamble 39; and W J Teggart 21. Wilson McAdam (Tandragee) won the highest overall individual score with 60 out of 70; W J Newman (Tandragee) was second on 57; and W Lunn (Scarva) third on 56. Mr T H White, Orangehill, presented the prizes.

                            15th Aug 1914 2nd Scottish Borderers proceed to France  2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers landed at Le Havre on the 15th of August 1914.

                            15th August 1914 Further moves  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Saturday, August 15th, 1914 - Boulogne

                            The Battalion was inspected by the French GOC Line of Command

                            . Left camp at 1845 and entrained at 2200 for unknown destination.

                            15th Oct 1914  Into Harbour

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914  Move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Sep 1914  On the March

                            15th Aug 1914  On the March

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th of August 1914   Arriving Busigny

                            15th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            15th August 1914  At Sea

                            15th August 1914  At Bologne.

                            15th August 1914  Departure from Bologne.

                            15th August 1914  Inspection by French General

                            16th Aug 1914 On the Move  At about 3pm the 9th Lancers began to disembark at Boulogne from the SS Welshman and the SS. Armenian, the narrow gangway of the Armenian was hardly suited to horses and the process was slow and tedious. After a period of waiting on the quay, they set off on the three mile march to the camp at Pont de Bricques cheered along by excited locals who festooned them with flowers. Arriving at the camp to find there were no shackles in the horse lines dampened the mood and it was late night before they could finally retire for the night.

                            16th Aug 1914 12th Lancers entrain for France  The 12th Lancers completed their mobilization at Norwich and entrained for Southampton en-route to France.

                            16th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays arrive France  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) disembarked at Le Harve from the SS Minneapolis, having spent the night anchored in the bay. The horses were stabled in a large store at the docks until noon, then the regiment moved to a large cotton store near the railway. The men spent most of the morning conversing with French soldiers who were guarding the docks.

                            Lieutenant A. J. R. Lamb recorded in his diary:- "Sailed into Le Harve docks and began disembarking about 5:30 a.m., All the horses of the regiment were put into a large store shed, and stood there from about 6:30 a.m. till noon. A party of French soldiers are guarding the docks, and it does not take our men long to become on speaking terms with them. They seem to quite interest each other in spite of not being at all acquainted with each other’s languages. Left these docks about noon and then moved on to a huge store shed near the railway (the biggest thing of its kind I have ever seen), where the horses were fastened up in lines."

                            16th Aug 1914 59 Field Company RE proceed to France  59 Field Company RE left their base at Curragh and arrived at Dublin docks, 4pm were aboard H.T. Bellerophon, which left Dublin 8.15pm for Le Havre.

                            16th Aug 1914 On the Move  The 1st Royal Fusiliers sailed at 2am from Cork aboard the Empress of Ireland. They sailed round the Irish Coast by Waterford then crossed to Holyhead arriving at 5pm where they entrained for an unknown destination.

                            16th Aug 1914  26th Heavy Battery proceed to France  26th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                            16th August 1914  On the Move

                            16th August 1914 Battle of Antivari 1914  The Battle of Antivari was a naval engagement between the French, British and Austro-Hungarian navies at the start of World War I. The Austrian light cruiser SMS Zenta and the destroyer SMS Ulan were bombarding the town of Antivari, today known as Bar, when on 16 August 1914 they were cut off by a large Franco-British force that had sortied into the Adriatic. It was an attempt to bring the Austro-Hungarians into a fleet action. The two Austrian vessels at Antivari were cut off and forced to fight an engagement in order to attempt to free themselves. Although Zenta was destroyed, Ulan escaped and the Austrian fleet did not come out of port to meet the Allied fleet. After blockading the Adriatic for a while the French were forced to withdraw due to lack of supplies.

                            Background

                            When war broke out between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Montenegro, the Austro-Hungarians began a blockade of the Montenegrin coast as well as several bombardments of the various towns and cities there. The French Navy had decided to try to force the Austro-Hungarian Navy into a decisive fleet action by making a sortie into the Adriatic and bait the Austrians into engaging them. The Allied force consisted of three dreadnought battleships, 10 pre-dreadnought battleships, four armoured cruisers, one protected cruiser and more than 20 destroyers.

                            Battle

                            The Allied Fleet managed to cut off Zenta and Ulan from escaping back to the main Austro-Hungarian fleet. Hopelessly outnumbered, the commander of Zenta decided to attempt to fight his way out and cover Ulan's escape. Zenta also had serious disadvantage as the range of her 120 mm cannons was too short, so they were not able to reach the enemy ships. The French battleships significantly outranged Zenta and so were able to score large numbers of hits without taking any damage themselves. Eventually, Zenta was sunk with 173 men killed and over 50 wounded, but allowing enough time for Ulan to make good her escape.

                            Aftermath

                            Despite Zenta being cut off, the main body of the Austro-Hungarian fleet did not sortie out to do battle as the French had hoped. The French fleet did not have the logistical support to remain in the Adriatic for very long and so were forced to return to Malta periodically to resupply.

                            Order of Battle

                              French Navy
                            • Courbet, dreadnought battleship, flagship
                            • Jean Bart, dreadnought battleship
                            • 1st Battle squadron Voltaire, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Vergniaud, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Diderot, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Danton, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Condorcet, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Vérité, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Justice, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Démocratie, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Patrie, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • République, pre-dreadnought battleship
                            • Victor Hugo, armoured cruiser
                            • Jules Ferry, armoured cruiser
                            • Jurien de la Gravière, protected cruiser
                            • 5 destroyer squadrons Royal Navy
                            • HMS Warrior, armoured cruiser
                            • HMS Defence, armoured cruiser
                            • 3 destroyer divisions Austro-Hungarian Navy
                            • SMS Zenta, light cruiser, flagship
                            • SMS Ulan, destroyer


                            16th August 1914  Move to billets

                            16th Aug 1914 26th Heavy Brigade proceed to France  26th Heavy Brigade RGA arrived in France on the 16th of August 1914

                            16th Aug 1914 Warwickshire Territorials on the March  The Warwickshire Brigade broke camp in Leighton Buzzard and set out on a staged route march to Essex

                            16th Oct 1914  In Harbour

                            16th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            16th Aug 1914  On the March

                            16th August 1914  Movement Orders

                            16th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            16th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            16th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            16th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            16th Aug 1914  Move

                            16th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            16th Sep 1914  On the March

                            16th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            16th Aug 1914  On the March

                            16th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            16th Aug 1914  Aircraft Lost

                            16th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            16th Aug 1914  At Dock

                            16th of August 1914  Billets Organised

                            16th August 1914  Disembarkation in Le Havre

                            16th August 1914  Boulogne to Taisnieres.

                            16th August 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914 12th Lancers land in France  25 Officers, 543 other ranks and 608 horses of the 12th Lancers land at Le Havre having crossed from Southampton.

                            17th Aug 1914 Antwerp to be Belgian Capital  The Belgian capital is moved from Brussels to Antwerp.

                            17th Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA sail for France  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, comprising 6th, 23rd and 49th Batteries, marched from Bulford Camp to Amesbury Station and entrained for Southampton. for the crossing to Le Havre, France. They were attached to 3rd Infantry Division with the BEF

                            17th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays at Le Havre  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) having spent the night in a large cotton store near the railway, underwent exercise and grazed the horses by the coast. That evening Headquarters mess dined aboard the Dieppe of the Newhaven-Dieppe line, which was engaged in bringing ammunition across from Newhaven. A Squadron left at 9pm to entrain for the concentration area.

                            17th Aug 1914 On the Move  The 1st Royal Fusiliers arrived at Cambridge by train from Holyhead and marched across town to the camp. Crowds of locals came out to watch.

                            17th Aug 1914 4th Yorks join Brigade  4th Yorks leave Newcastle upon Tyne to join their Brigade at camp in Hummersknott Park, Darlington.

                            17th Aug 1914 108th Heavy Battery proceed to France  108th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                            17th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Monday, August 17th, 1914 - Taisnieres Route march under Company arrangements. General Doran inspected out billets.

                            17th Oct 1914  Unloading Horses

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  Inoculations

                            17th Aug 1914  On the March

                            17th Aug 1914  Route March

                            17th Aug 1914  Cleaning up

                            17th August 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            17th Aug 1914  On the March

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Sep 1914  Wet Weather

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  Entraining

                            17th Aug 1914  On the March

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th Aug 1914  Camp Work

                            17th of August 1914   Brigades Pass Through

                            17th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            17th August 1914  On the move

                            17th Aug 1914   On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914 30th Brigade RFA proceed to France  30th Brigade RFA embarked at Southampton on the SS Coleen Bawn destined for the reception camp at Rouen.

                            18th Aug 1914 30th (Howitzer) Brigade RFA proceed to France.  30th (Howitzer) Brigade RFA consisting of Battery’s 128th, 129th and 130th Batteries left Bulford Camp and embarked from Southampton as part of 11 Corps, 3rd Division, BEF.

                            18th Aug 1914 Queen's Bays depart Le Havre  The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) left cotton store near the railway, with Headquarters minus the Machine Gun section departing just after midnight with ‘C’ Squadron and MG section following at 3:30am. They gathered at point ‘S’ entraining place, where there was an hour's wait to entrain then a further three hours before departing. They enjoyed a breakfast of hard boiled eggs, jam and tea and had a good wash in buckets beside the train before leaving at 8:15am for the concentration area. They traveled via Rouen where they stopped to water and feed the horses, and the men had hot coffee made by the French soldiers. The train moved slowly with frequent stops where the locals handed over flowers and cigarettes. They traveled via Amiens and Busigny to Mauberge on the Belgian frontier.

                            18th Aug 1914 A long day for 59 Field Company RE  59th Field Company Royal Engineers arrived at Havre France 7am, the whole company had disembarked by 4.30pm.

                            18th Aug 1914 Training  The 1st Royal Fusiliers began Divisional Training at Cambridge with a route march and manoevres, which were hampered by the intense heat.

                            18th Aug 1914 48th Heavy Battery proceed to France  48th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                            18th August 1914 Inspections  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Tuesday, August 18th, 1914 - Taisnieres

                            Battalion route march of about 7 miles in the morning. Bathing parade and inspection of feet by Companies arrangements in the afternoon. Many men have sore and defective feet. We heard today with great regret of the death of General Grierson, our Army Corps Commander.

                            18th August 1914  Move

                            18th Aug 1914  First taste of French Siege Bread

                            18th Oct 1914  Confusion Abounds

                            18th Aug 1914 Exciting Scenes  Tuesday 18th August: "Entrained Albershot at 5.30am, arrived Southampton and embarked on the "Welshman" . Southampton is packed with troops embarking on different ships. Some exciting scenes getting the horses aboard. There are about 500 horses on our boat." 1914 diary of James McFarlane, No.3 Field Ambulance 1st Division

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914  Massed Drums

                            18th Aug 1914  Training

                            18th August 1914  In Camp

                            18th August 1914  On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914  Imperial Service

                            18th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914  Route March

                            18th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            18th Aug 1914  Route March

                            18th Aug 1914  Concentration

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th Sep 1914  In Reserve

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914  Aircraft Lost

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914  Orders Received

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th Aug 1914  Work in Camp

                            18th of August 1914  15th Bde Arrives

                            18th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            18th August 1914  Movement

                            18th Aug 1914  Move

                            18th Aug 1914  New Unit

                            19th Aug 1914 30th Brigade RFA entrain  On the 19th August 30th Brigade RFA entrained to Marley.

                            19th Aug 1914 USA to remain neutral  President Woodrow Wilson announces that the United Stated of America will remain neutral.

                            19th Aug 1914 Canada to provide Expeditionary Force  The raising of an expeditionary force to send overseas is authorised by the Canadian Parliament.

                            19th Aug 1914 RFC make first reconnaissance flight  The first RFC reconnaissance flight over German positions is made by Lt G Mapplebeck of No 4 Squadron in a BE2a, and Captain P Joubert de la Ferté of No 3 Squadron in a Bleriot XI-2.

                            19th Aug 1914 Serbian Forces victorious  At the Battle of Cer also known as Battle of Jadar, the Serbian Forces, led by General Stepa Stepanovic, unexpectedly defeated the Austro-Hungarian 5th army forcing a retreat from Serbian territory. 18,500 Austro-Hungarians were killed or wounded and 6,500 were captured. The Serbians only lost around 5,000 men. This was the first victory of the Allied forces in the Great War and did much to boost morale.

                            19th Aug 1914 Austrailian troops sail from Sydney  1500 men of the Australian Expeditionary Force boarded the Berrima in Sydney to sail to Palm Island for training

                            19th Aug 1914 Kaiser Wilhelm II Gives his famous Order of the Day  The famous "Order of the Day" was given by the Kaiser, Wilhelm II, on the 19th August, 1914:- "It is my Royal and Imperial Command that you concentrate your energies, for the immediate present upon one single purpose, and that is that you address all your skill and all the valour of my soldiers, to exterminate first, the treacherous English, walk over General French’s contemptible little Army."

                            The men of the British Expeditionary Force took it with good humour and embraced being called contemptible, and from that day on they would be forever known as "The Old Contemptibles".

                            19th Aug 1914 35th Heavy Battery land in France.  35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery landed at Boulogne.

                            19th Aug 1914  Are we Down Hearted?

                            19th of August 1914 2nd West Surreys leave camp  Battalion left Roberts' Heights with all it's heavy baggage. Married Families were left behind.

                            19th August 1914 Practice manouvres  2nd Battalion - Royal Irish Regiment

                            Wednesday, August 19th, 1914 - Taisnieres

                            Companies at disposal of Company Commanders practice of attack. First payments in the field made to Companies. It takes 2 ½ hours to pay out 5 Francs a man and obtain their signature. The system is an impossible one. The Captain’s signature to the whole payment should suffice.

                            We heard through the ASC that we move to St. Remy and from there do a 24 hour march further forward. Evidently the A.S.C. are as rare a means of giving away information as ever.

                            19th August 1914 Platoon Training for 1st East Lancs  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment spent the 19th and 20th of August 1914 engaged in Platoon training around Harrow camp.

                            19th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            19th Aug 1914  Cheering

                            19th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            19th Aug 1914  Concert

                            19th Aug 1914  Route March

                            19th Aug 1914  Reorganisation

                            19th Aug 1914  Battalion Raised

                            19th Aug 1914  Training

                            19th August 1914  Changes in quartering arrangements

                            19th Aug 1914  Route March

                            19th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            19th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            19th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            19th Aug 1914  Route March

                            19th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            19th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            19th Sep 1914  On the March

                            19th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            19th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            19th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            19th Aug 1914  Water Storage

                            19th of August 1914  5th Div Arrives

                            19th Aug 1914  Concentration

                            19th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            19th August 1914  Remained in Ors

                            19th Aug 1914   On the Move

                            20th Aug 1914 German Forces occupy Brussels  German troops occupy the Belgian capital, Brussels.

                            20th Aug 1914 4th Middlesex en-route to Mons  On the morning of the 20th of August, a scorching hot day, the troops of the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment marched out of the village of Taisenieres, where they had spent the night. For the first kilometer of the cobbled high way, they were accompanied by a farewell party of villagers, who had festooned the men with strings of flowers and bright bouquets. When the civilians finally waved the column out of sight, the troops broke into song "Who were you with last night, out in the pale moonlight?"

                            The jovial departure soon faded as the summer heat increased and the rounded cobbled of the French roads made the route march a painful experience.

                            20th Aug 1914 59th Coy RE depart from Le Havre  59th Field Coy Royal Engineers left Havre by train at 12.20pm. enduring a slow uncomfortable journey via Amiens and Le Cateau to Landrecies.

                            20th August 1914  New billets

                            20th Aug 1914  Upset at Enlistment

                            20th Aug 1914  Agression Suspended

                            20th Aug 1914  Huts Erected

                            20th Aug 1914  Cleaning

                            20th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            20th Aug 1914  On the March

                            20th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            20th August 1914  Changes in quartering arrangements

                            20th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            20th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            20th Aug 1914  On the March

                            20th Aug 1914  Route March

                            20th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            20th Dec 1914  Imperial Service

                            20th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            20th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            20th Aug 1914  In Rest Camp

                            20th Aug 1914  In Billets

                            20th Aug 1914  Camp Improvements

                            20th of August 1914  Preparing to March

                            20th Aug 1914  In Camp

                            20th August 1914  No move today

                            20th August 1914  March to Doulers.

                            20th August 1914  At Taisnieres

                            20th August 1914  Fresh billets

                            20th Aug 1914   Into Camp

                            20th Aug 1914  Reinforcements

                            20th Aug 1914  In Action

                            21st Aug 1914 First British Troops enter Mons  In the afternoon heat of the 21st of August 1914, the first British Troops arrived in Mons. Exhausted, sunburnt and footsore from the long route march, they rested breifly in the suburb of Nimy then crossed the railway line and began to dig in, refusing assistance offered by the locals, but gratefully accepting offers of food and drink.

                            21st Aug 1914 4th Middlesex arrive at Mons  In the afternoon heat of the 21st of August 1914, the 4th Middlesex reached their destination, entering their allocated sector in the time honoured fashion with a single man designated as 'Point' marching alone down the centre of the road to draw any enemy fire, his comrades following in single file in small groups spaced fifty yards apart. They reached the line without incident and quickly established lookouts. A bicycle reconnaissance team from the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment encountered a German unit near Obourg, just north of the Mons-Conde Canal. One of the cyclists, Private John Parr, was shot by German Sniper and killed, becoming the first British fatality of the war.

                            21st Aug 1914 8th Battalion, Black Watch raised.  8th Battalion, The Black Watch was raised at Perth, Scotland on the 21st of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they joined 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. Following inital training in the Perth area they moved to Aldershot.

                            21st Aug 1914 Appeal for Volunteers to join Friends Ambulance Unit  Philip Noel-Baker issued an appeal for Volunteers to join the Friends Ambulance Unit in a letter to the Quaker newspaper the Friend.

                            21st Aug 1914  A Soft Spot in Iron

                            21st Aug 1914 9th Battalion formed for Rifle Brigade  9th (Service) Battalion, the Rifle Brigade is formed at Winchester on 21 August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and came under command of the 42nd Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division. Initially they moved to Aldershot, then on to Petworth in November and returned to Aldershot in February 1915.

                            21st August 1914 KUK U-12 commissioned  KUK U-12 Austrian Submarine is commissioned on the 21st August 1914 under the command of Egon Lerch. She had been launched on the 14th March 1911.

                            21st Aug 1914 59th Coy RE on the march  59th Field Coy Royal Engineers marched off from Landrecies to join the rest of the 5th Division at Mons. On arriving the Company was ordered to construct a defense at the bridgeheads over the Mons Canal.

                            21st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            21st August 1914  New billets

                            21st Aug 1914  Wounded Admitted

                            21st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st August 1914  Taking up stations in assigned areas.

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            21st Aug 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            21st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            21st Aug 1914  In Defence

                            21st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            21st of August 1914  March Instructions

                            21st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            21st August 1914  On the Move

                            21st August 1914  Advance to Gognies.

                            21st August 1914  On the March

                            21st Aug 1914   On the Move

                            21st Aug 1914  In Action

                            21st August 1914 1st East Lancs move  At 2100, 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, less two companies, leaves Harrow and proceeds to Southampton. Remaining two companies follow one hour later.

                            22nd Aug 1914  The Battle of Mons

                            22nd Aug 1914 4th Middlesex engaged at Mons  As the church bells of Nimy called the locals to Mass, a patrol mounted Uhlan's emerged from the wood in full view of L/Cpl Alfred Vivian and his six men of the 4th Middlesex, who were in a forward outpost in an abandoned cottage. The rapid fire of the British rifles cut down eight of the enemy and their horses at a range of eighty yards.

                            In the church, the priest continued to say Mass with barely a pause, but skipped his sermon and sent the congregation home.

                            22nd Aug 1914 30th Brigade RFA march to Front  30th Brigade RFA arrive at Marley in the early hours of the 22nd where it detrained and marched towards the Belgium Frontier via Bavay.

                            22nd Aug 1914 35th Heavy Battery with the BEF  35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery moved to Wassingny via Oisy, Laundreieces and Leval.

                            22nd of August 1914 2nd West Surreys board ship for England  Battalion arrived at Cape Town, and embarked with 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regt: on board H.M.T "Kenilworth Castle".

                            22nd Aug 1914  31st Heavy Battery proceed to France  31st Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                            22nd August 1914  intelligence reports

                            22nd August 1914 1st East Lancs Cross to France  At 1205 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, under the command of Lt Col Le Marchant DSO, sailed on the Braemar Castle and arrived at Le Havre, France about 1600, but did not disembark until 2300 and went into camp just outside Le Havre.

                            22nd Aug 1914  Royla Horse Artillery in Action

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the Move

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  At Strength

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the March

                            22nd August 1914  Taking up stations in assigned areas.

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  In Action

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  In Billets

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  Reservists

                            22nd Aug 1914  In Support

                            22nd Aug 1914  Move Complete

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  Gun Fire

                            22nd Aug 1914  On the Move

                            22nd of August 1914   On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  Move

                            22nd Aug 1914  Bivouac

                            22nd Aug 1914  Offer

                            22nd August 1914  Move

                            22nd August 1914  Advance through Belgium.

                            22nd August 1914  On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914   On the March

                            22nd Aug 1914  Offence

                            22nd Aug 1914  Advance

                            23rd Aug 1914 German attack at Mons  The Battle of Mons began early in the morning with a German artillery bombardment of the British lines, concentrated near a bend in the canal close to the town of Mons. At 9:00 am the German infantry assault began as they attempted to force their way across the four bridges that crossed the Mons-Conde canal. The demolition charges had been placed beneath the bridges by the Royal Engineers, whilst under fire from enemy snipers.

                            Four German battalions attacked the Nimy bridges, defended by a single company of the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and a machine gun section led by Lieutenant Maurice Dease at the south side of the railway bridge. The 4th Royal Fusiliers were positioned along the canal between the two bridges, the swing bridge having been turned to prevent crossing. The German infantry suffered heavy losses as they advanced in "parade ground" formation, the well-trained British riflemen were making hits at over 1,000 yards So heavy was the British rifle fire throughout the battle that the Germans thought they were facing machine guns.

                            To the right of the Royal Fusiliers, the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders were suffering heavy casualties in facing the German assault. With reinforcements from the Royal Irish Regiment (acting as the divisional reserve) and fire support from the divisional artillery, they managed to hold the bridges. The Germans then widened their attack, to the British defences along the straight section of the Mons-Conde canal to the west of Mons. Aided by the cover of a plantation of fir trees they inflicted heavy casualties with machine gun and rifle fire on the 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who despite their losses, managed to repulse the Germans throughout the morning.

                            The order to withdraw was given at 3pm, after a German soldier swam out to the swing bridge and activated the mechanism, allowing his comrades to cross easily. To the east the Germans had crossed the canal and were advancing on the British flank. The 3rd Division was ordered to retire to positions a short distance to the south of Mons which necessitated a similar retreat in early evening by the 5th Division, and by nightfall a new defensive line had been established at the villages of MontrÅ"ul, Boussu, Wasmes, Paturages, and Frameries. The Germans had spent the late afternoon building pontoon bridges over the canal, and were approaching in great numbers. News arrived that the French Fifth Army was also retreating, dangerously exposing the British right flank as night fell.

                            23rd Aug 1914 57th Field Coy Royal Engineers at Mons  57th Field Coy Royal Engineers were tasked with destroying the bridges over the Mons-Conde canal during the Battle of Mons on Monday 23rd of August 1914. A company of the Royal Scots Fusiliers was holding a barricade at the north end of the bridge at Jemappes, but the situation was deteriorating and the order was given to withdraw. Demolition charges had already been put in place by the Royal Engineers, a hazardous task, under enemy sniper fire, Corporal Alfred Jarvis RE was allocated the task of detonating the charges. Captain Theodore Wright, who had been wounded in the head, brought up the detonator and leads, but came under sniper fire every time he attempted to reach the leads beneath the bridge to connect them and after many attempts was unsuccessful. Cpl Jarvis eventually managed to connect the leads, he received the Victoria Cross for his actions in blowing up the bridge and checking the enemy advance. Capt Wright was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action and for undertaking repairs to a pontoon bridge under fire at Vailly on 14th September 1914.

                            23rd Aug 1914 40th Brigade RFA go into action  40th Brigade Royal Field Artillery went into action on the Binch to Mons Road. One of the GS wagons received a direct hit near Le Cateau and the original War Diary was lost, it was later reconstructed from officers notes.

                            23rd Aug 1914 1st Rifle Brigade leave Colchester  1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade depart from Colchester bound for Le Harve with the BEF.

                            23rd Aug 1914 Aminal Defence Society to rescue horses  Members of the Animal Defence Society are to rescue wounded horses from the battlefield and will shoot those beyond help. The men will wear uniform displaying a purple cross.

                            23rd Aug 1914 2nd West Surrey's prepare to sail for England  7. A.M. "Kenilworth Castle" put out into Table Bay, where it anchored until Aug. 27th.

                            23rd Aug 1914 30th Brigade RFA in action  On Sunday the 23rd August the unit came into contact with advancing German Forces approximately one and a half miles from the Belgian town of Mons, where at 3.45pm in the afternoon the 130th battery opened fire leading the 30th Howitzer Brigade into action.

                            23rd August 1914  Action with enemy

                            23rd August 1914  Initial Action

                            23rd August 1914 1st East Lancs move to billets  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment entrained for Le Cateau at 2200 arriving about 1800 on 24th and marched to Briastre where they billeted about 2200.

                            23rd Aug 1914  1st Northumberlands defend the Canal

                            23rd Aug 1914 Battle of the Canal  The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment and 2nd KOSB at are at Tertre.



                            23rd Aug 1914  1st Scots Fusiliers in Action.

                            23rd Aug 1914  Under Fire

                            23rd Aug 1914  Duty

                            23rd Aug 1914  Trapped in Shellholes

                            23rd Aug 1914  On the Move

                            23rd Aug 1914  On the March

                            23rd Aug 1914  On the Move

                            23rd Aug 1914  Reorganisation

                            23rd Aug 1914  On the March

                            23rd August 1914  German attack crosses Canal

                            23rd Aug 1914  Hard Action

                            23rd Aug 1914  Digging in

                            23rd Aug 1914  In Action

                            23rd Aug 1914  In Action

                            23rd Aug 1914  Defensive Positions

                            23rd Aug 1914  In Camp

                            23rd Aug 1914  Locks

                            23rd Aug 1914  Into Positions

                            23rd Aug 1914  Orders Recieved

                            23rd Aug 1914  Retreat

                            23rd Aug 1914  Bivouack

                            23rd Aug 1914  Engineering Work

                            23rd Aug 1914  Patrols

                            23rd of August 1914  Holding the Line

                            23rd Aug 1914  On the Move

                            23rd Aug 1914  On the March

                            23rd Aug 1914  Maps

                            23rd August 1914  Move Orders

                            23rd August 1914  Battle of Mons.

                            23rd August 1914  Orders.

                            23rd Aug 1914   Gun Positions

                            24th Aug 1914 The Battle of Mons  At 2 a.m. on 24 August, II Corps was ordered to retreat into France to defensible a position along the Valenciennes to Maubeuge road, requiring a number of sharp rearguard actions against the pursuing Germans. 5th Brigade were ordered to to act as rearguard and fought a holding action at Paturages and Frameries, with Brigade artillery in particular, inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans.

                            At Wasmes, units of the 5th Division faced a heavy assault from German artillery which began bombarding the village at daybreak, followed at 10 a.m. by an infantry assault by German III Corps who advanced in columns and were "mown down like grass" by British Rifle and Machine Gun fire. Soldiers of the 1st West Kents, 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd Duke of Wellington's Regiment, and 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment held off repeated German assaults on the village, despite taking heavy casualties, and then retreated in good order to St. Vaast at mid day.

                            24th Aug 1914 1st Cheshires at Audregnies  The 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment suffered 771 casualties at Audregnies on the Franco-Belgian border, whilst acting as flank guard to the 5th Division. The Battalion alongside three Companies of the 1st Norfolks, engaged four German regiments who were advancing in close formation across open fields between the villages of Audregnies and Elouges. Their actions bought valuable time for the rest of the BEF during the retreat from Mons.

                            The 1st Cheshire's War Diary states: "At roll call in Bivouac at Les Bavay there were 6 Officers, a Warrant Officer and 199 men - The strength marching out at 7.30 a.m. on the morning of 24th inst was 27 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer and 933 men - A loss of 78%, most of which was caused in the withdrawal."

                            24th Aug 1914 The Charge at Audregnies  The 9th Lancers and 4th Dragoon Guards were brought up to assist the 5th Division who were facing an advance of massed German troops and suffering heavily from enemy artillery. The Lancers at first fought dismounted alongside the British Infantry, but as the situation grew more hopeless, the Lancers were ordered to charge. Under heavy fire, the 9th Lancers charged a battery of eleven German guns posted in a Compiegne Wood. The guns had been causing terrible losses to the British infantry

                            Accounts in the British Press at the time put a rosey spin on the action. stating "the 9th made a furious charge, reached the battery, cut down all the gunners and put the guns out of action". It would be over a year before an honest account was printed in The War Illustrated on the 9th of October 1915: "On the 24th our 5th Division was in a very tight place, and the cavalry was sent to its assistance, the 2nd Brigade reaching the scene of the action first. The Germans were advancing in great masses, so near the village of Audregnies, General De Lisle ordered his men to dismount and to open fire on them. They did so, but the enemy still came on in good order. The general then decided on a charge, and for this chose the 9th Lancers who, at the word of command, mounted their horses and rode steadily at the enemy.

                            It was Balaclava over again. The squadrons rode to death, and the colonel, so we were told, said that he never expected a single lancer to return. In face of a torrent of shot and shell from guns and rifles, they dashed on until they found themselves against two lines of barbed wire, where men and horses fell over in all directions. This ended the charge. The survivors were ordered to return into shelter, and out of more than four hundred who had ridden out, only seventy two at first answered their names, Later some two hundred others turned up, but the regiment had lost heavily. Major V. R. Brooke D.S.O. was among the killed. However, the charge was not altogether fruitless. The Lancers had drawn the enemy’s fire and so had done something to help the harassed 5th Division."

                            Forty One members of the 9th Lancers could not be accounted for after their attack, including L/4653 Private Henry Warr, his survival was reported in The Western Gazette on 6th of November 1914: "H. Warr, of the 9th Lancers, who was in the famous charge and had been missing since the end of August, was taken prisoner by the enemy. He has written, saying that he is a prisoner at Munster, Germany, and is being well-treated by the Germans. The letter was written in September, so that it has been a very long time in transit. Warr had many friends here, and there is great satisfaction at the news of his safety." Private Warr remained in captivity for the rest of the war.

                            24th Oct 1914 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment transfer to Lines of Communication  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment are transferred to the lines of communication after suffering heavy losses near Le Pilly during the Battle of La Bassée.

                            24th Aug 1914 Middlesbrough seeks recruits  A full page advertisement seeking recruits for Lord Kitchener's volunteers in the Middlesbrough Recruiting Area is published on page three of this morning's Northern Echo.

                            24th Aug 1914  Cavalry Charge

                            24th Aug 1914 4th Dragoons at Audregnies  Two days after the encounter at Casteau, on the 24th of August, the 4th Dragoon Guards were heavily involved in the rearguard action at Audregnies after the battle of Mons. Part of B Sqn took part in a charge with the 9th Lancers and other dismounted parts of the regiment defended the village of Audregnies with the infantry. Pte AH Page was killed that day and lies in the graveyard in the nearby village of Elouges. This was the beginning of the Retreat from Mons, and it was not until the 28th of August that the regiment reassembled at Le Plessis Patte d'Oie.

                            24th Aug 1914 1st Cheshires suffer heavily  1st Cheshires took part in the rearguard action fought at Audregnies, Belgium where the battalion suffered 78% losses in one day due to men killed, wounded, missing and those taken as Prisoners of War.

                            24th August 1914  Ongoing Action

                            24th Aug 1914  Soldier Escapes

                            24th Aug 1914  Charge at Audregnies

                            24th Aug 1914  Artillery Duel

                            25th Aug 1914  Street Fighting

                            24th Aug 1914  On the March

                            24th Aug 1914  In Camp

                            24th Aug 1914  Artillery Duel

                            24th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            24th Aug 1914  Into Billets

                            24th Aug 1914  Withdrawal

                            24th August 1914  Withdrawals

                            24th Aug 1914  Cheerful

                            24th Aug 1914  In Action

                            24th Aug 1914  In Action

                            24th Aug 1914  Attack Made

                            24th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            24th Aug 1914  Holding the Line

                            24th Aug 1914  In Action

                            24th Aug 1914  In Action

                            24th August 1914  Orders

                            24th Aug 1914  Training

                            24th Aug 1914  Fighting Withdrawal

                            24th Aug 1914  A Difficult Day

                            24th Aug 1914  Engineering Work

                            24th Aug 1914  Entrenching

                            24th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            24th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            24th Aug 1914  On the March

                            24th Aug 1914  Shrapnel bursting around Hospital.

                            24th August 1914  On the Move

                            24th August 1914  Retirement from Mons.

                            24th August 1914  Positions

                            25th Aug 1914 BEF HQ moves to St Quentin  GHQ for the British Expeditionary Force moved from Le Cateau to St Quentin as the troops retreated from Mons.

                            25th Aug 1914 Fruit and Cigarettes for POW's  Fruit and Cigarettes have been donated by members of the public and given to the 250 German and Austrian Prisoners of War being held at the Seaman's Institute, Cardiff. They have also been entertained by a lantern lecture.

                            25th Aug 1914 5th Battalion, Bershire Regiment raised  5th Battalion, Berkshire Regiment is raised at Reading, a part of Kitchener's first army, they join 35th Brigade in 12th (Eastern) Division.

                            25th Aug 1914 9th Battalion West Yorks raised  9th (Service) Battalion is raised at York on the 25th of August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army, they join 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division.

                            25th Aug 1914 2nd Life Guards form part of VII (Household Cavalry) Brigade  At Windsor. Order to form, remainder of 2nd Life Guards refilled mainly with Lancer Reservists into a War strength Regiment and to form part of the VII (Household Cavalry) Brigade. Also to form 1st Reserve Household Cavalry Regiment of which my Regiment supplies 1/3rd. No more black horses to leave England, so the new Regiment must be horsed with a completely new lot of horses. The Reservists came in batches from August 10th and onwards, and their training and monitoring continued at Windsor until September 1st when the Brigade assembled at Windmill Court, Ludgershall.

                            25th August 1914  Air Raid

                            25th August 1914 Zeppelin raids  Zeppelin raid took place over Antwerp on the 25th August 1914

                            25th Aug 1914  Escort Duty

                            25th August 1914  Casualties

                            25th August 1914  Further moves for 1st East Lancs

                            25th Aug 1914 

                            25th Aug 1914  On the March

                            25th Aug 1914  Artillery in Action

                            25th Aug 1914  Under Attack

                            25th Aug 1914  Fierce Fighting

                            25th Aug 1914  46th Midland Division on the Move

                            25th Aug 1914  Guns Saved

                            25th Aug 1914  Flintshire RFA at Camp

                            25th Aug 1914  Screening

                            25th Aug 1914  On the March

                            25th Aug 1914  On the March

                            25th Aug 1914  On the March

                            25th August 1914  Battle of Le Cateau - Phase 2

                            25th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            25th August 1914  Ongoing Retirement

                            25th Aug 1914  On the March

                            25th Aug 1914  Under Shellfire

                            25th Aug 1914  On the March

                            25th Aug 1914  Retirement

                            25th Aug 1914  Duties

                            25th Aug 1914  Enemy Position

                            25th Sep 1914  On the March

                            25th Aug 1914   Rear Guard

                            25th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            25th August 1914  Shelling

                            25th Aug 1914  Fighting Withdrawal

                            25th Aug 1914  Digging in

                            25th Aug 1914  Engineering Work

                            25th Aug 1914  In Defence

                            25th Aug 1914  Heavy Attack

                            25th August 1914  Retirement of Brigade

                            25th August 1914  On the March

                            25th August 1914  Long march

                            26th Aug 1914 Russian army defeated  The Russian army is defeated at the Battle of Tannenburg and the Battle of the Massurian Lakes

                            26th Aug 1914 9th Divisional Heavy Battery formed.  The 9th Divisional Heavy Battery is formed at Fort Brockhurst as a 4-gun 4.7in. Battery under the command of Captain Osborne, who is later succeeded by Major Twiss.

                            26th Aug 1914 32nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery go into action  32nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery have their first taste of action at the Battle of le Cateau.

                            26th August 1914 Battle of Rio de Oro  The Battle of Río de Oro was a single-ship action fought in August 1914 during the First World War. The British protected cruiser HMS Highflyer attacked the German auxiliary cruiser SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse off the small Spanish Saharan territory of Río de Oro.

                            Under the command of Max Reymann, the German ship SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse was originally a passenger liner. Built in 1897 she was part of the German merchant fleet until requisitioned for service at the outbreak of World War I. She was fitted with six 4-inch guns and two 37-millimeter guns. The German vessel set steam for a commerce raiding mission in the Atlantic Ocean. Commanded by Henry T. Buller, the British ship HMS Highflyer was a protected cruiser built in 1898 with eleven 6-inch guns, nine 12-pounder guns, six 3-pounder guns and two torpedo tubes. She had been detached to support the 5th Cruiser Squadron in hunting the German raider.

                            Battle

                            The battle off Rio de Oro on 26 August 1914 began when the German raider Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse was caught by surprise in a harbour, taking on coal from three German and Austrian colliers. Highflyer, badly outgunning the German auxiliary cruiser, first demanded surrender, but the German commander argued that the British had violated Spain's neutrality. The British disregarded this because the Germans had already violated Spain's neutrality by taking over a week to resupply in a neutral port. So a battle began and from 1510 to 1645 the two ships bombarded each other, sometimes dodging the shots. Eventually, Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse exhausted her ammunition and began to flee the battle. Now out of ammunition, running from several larger guns, the crew scuttled their ship and abandoned her to the Atlantic. The German sailors made it to shore and escaped into the Saharan Desert.

                            Aftermath

                            British sources at the time insisted the German auxiliary cruiser was sunk by Highflyer's crew but eventually stories from the surviving German seamen began to circulate, thus ending Britain's claim. Despite whether or not the Germans scuttled their ship or whether the British sank the raider, the British were still responsible for the raider's end. Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse became the first passenger liner to sink during World War I. For years, the wreck of the German commerce raider was identifiable because its starboard side remained above the waterline until the ship was scrapped in 1952. One Briton was killed and six others wounded. German casualties are unknown.

                            26th Aug 1914 German Cavalry stampede column  At 7.15am the column is stampeded by German cavalry from Le Cateau. 59th Coy RE received the order to withdraw at 2pm.

                            26th August 1914  Ongoing Action

                            26th Aug 1914  First Australian Casualty WW1

                            26th August 1914  In Action

                            26th Aug 1914 32nd Brigade RFA in action  32nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery are in action at the Battle of Le Cateau.

                            26th Aug 1914  On the March

                            26th Aug 1914 

                            26th Aug 1914  Worse than the Mouth of Hell

                            26th Aug 1914  Enemy Engaged

                            26th Aug 1914  Prisoners Taken

                            26th Aug 1914  Prisoners Taken

                            26th Aug 1914  Battle Begun

                            26th Aug 1914  Taken Prisoner

                            26th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            26th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            26th Aug 1914  On the March

                            26th Aug 1914  Regimental Dinner

                            26th August 1914  In Action

                            26th August 1914  Retirement

                            26th Aug 1914  In Action

                            26th August 1914  Ongoing Retirement

                            26th Aug 1914  In Action

                            26th Aug 1914  Under Fire

                            26th Aug 1914  In Action

                            26th Aug 1914  In Action

                            26th Aug1914  Aircraft Downed

                            26th Aug 1914  Duties

                            26th Aug 1914  Shellfire

                            26th Sep 1914  On the March

                            26th Aug 1914  Heavy Firing

                            26th Aug 1914  In Action

                            26th August 1914  In Action

                            26th Aug 1914  Fighting Withdrawal

                            26th Aug 1914  Confusion

                            26th Aug 1914  Engineering Work

                            26th Aug 1914  Orders

                            26th Aug 1914  Under Fire

                            26th of August 1914   Holding Position

                            26th Aug 1914  In Action

                            26th August 1914  Orders to stand to arms

                            26th August 1914  In Action

                            26th August 1914  Entrenching

                            26th Aug 1914  Prisoners

                            27th Aug 1914  Left in the Lurch

                            27th Aug 1914 2nd West Surreys set sail for England  HMT Kenilworth Castle left Table Bay at 7 A.M. with the 2nd West Surreys bound for England. The Fleet was formed of HMS Astraea, HMS Hyacinth, HMT Kenilworth Castle, HMT Balmoral Castle, HMT Guildford Castle, HMT Dunluce Castle, HMT Goerka and HMT Briton.

                            27th August 1914 Early Skirmishes  E Battery 3rd Brigade Brigade Royal Horse Artillery are in continuing action from 27th August 1914 with 3rd Cavalry Brigade. The unit came into action and fired some rounds during general retirement.

                            27th August 1914  Further retreat

                            27th August 1914  Retreat from Action

                            27th Aug 1914  Flank Guard

                            27th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            27th Aug 1914  In Camp

                            27th Aug 1914  Prisoners Taken

                            27th Aug 1914  On the March

                            27th Aug 1914  Imperial Service

                            27th Aug 1914  On the March

                            27th August 1914  Continued withdrawals

                            27th Aug 1914  On the March

                            27th Aug 1914  On the March

                            27th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            27th Aug 1914  Withdrawal

                            27th Sep 1914  In Action

                            27th Aug 1914  On the March

                            27th Aug 1917  Lack of a Map

                            27th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            27th Aug 1914  Wooded Country

                            27th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            27th Aug 1914  Defensive line

                            27th of August 1914  Retirement in the Dark

                            27th Aug 1914  Enemy Advance

                            27th August 1914  On the Move

                            27th August 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914 BEF HQ moves again  GHQ for the British Expeditionary Force moved from Noyon to Compiegne.

                            28th Aug 1914 Lord Kitchener appeals for more volunteers  Lord Kitchener publishes his second appeal for volunteers to join up.

                            28th August 1914 Battle of Heligoland Bight 1914  The First Battle of Heligoland Bight took place on the 28th August 1914 off the northwest German coast. The German High Seas Fleet as a general rule, stayed in safe harbours while the British Grand Fleet remained in the northern North Sea. Both sides undertook long-distance sorties with cruisers and battlecruisers while German destroyers maintained close reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight. The British planned to ambush some of these destroyers on their regular daily patrols. A fleet of 31 destroyers and two cruisers under Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt and submarines commanded by Commodore Roger Keyes were dispatched. Backup support at longer range was provided by six light cruisers commanded by William Goodenough and five battlecruisers commanded by Vice Admiral David Beatty.Three German light cruisers and one destroyer were sunk. Three more light cruisers were damaged, 712 sailors killed, 530 injured and 336 taken prisoner. The British suffered one light cruiser and three destroyers damaged, 35 killed and 40 wounded. The battle was regarded as a great victory in Britain with the returning ships met by cheering crowds. The effect upon the German government and in particular the Kaiser was to restrict the freedom of action of the German fleet, instructing it to remain in port and avoid any contact with superior forces.

                            The battle took place within a month after Britain's declaration of war against Germany on 5 August 1914. Initially, the war on land went badly for the French and her allies, with an urgent need to get all possible troops to France to resist the German advances. The government had nothing but bad news, and looked to the navy, traditionally the mainstay of British military power, to gain some success. British naval tactics typically involved a close blockade of enemy ports and taking the fight to the enemy as was expected by the nation. However, the advent of submarines armed with torpedoes and mines hidden in open seas placed capital ships near enemy ports in great danger. Powered ships needed to keep moving to avoid becoming sitting targets, continuously using fuel and needed to return to home ports every few days to refuel. The German fleet had prepared to counter British blockades by investing heavily in submarines and coastal defences. The German High Seas Fleet was smaller than the British Grand Fleet and could not expect victory in a head to head fight. Instead a strategy of waiting in defended home ports for opportunities to attack the larger British force was adopted. The British chose to adopt a strategy of patrolling the North Sea rather than waters close to Germany. German ships leaving their home ports had to pass via two routes.

                            Straits of Dover, 20 miles wide defended by British submarines and mines, or the North Sea between Britain and Norway - 200 miles at its narrowest with the British fleet operating from Scapa Flow.

                            This led to a practical standoff, with both fleets holding the other endlessly waiting. The German ships were unable to attack merchant shipping arriving on the west of Britain, which was vital for British survival. Regular patrols with smaller ships and occasional forays by larger units of the Grand Fleet helped encourage the German fleet to stay at home. The bulk of the British Expeditionary Force was transported to France between 12 and 21 August. This operation was protected from German attack by British destroyers and submarines patrolling Heligoland Bight, which German ships would have to cross. The Grand Fleet was positioned in the centre of the North Sea ready to move south should any German attack commence, but none came. Although the German Army had anticipated a rapid transfer of the British army to aid France, German naval planning thought it would take longer for the British to organise. So they were caught by surprise when it commenced and submarines which might have been used to attack the British transports were away on patrols seeking the main British fleet.

                            Two British officers put forward a plan to carry the war to the German fleet. A squadron of submarines under the command of Commodore Roger Keyes regularly patrolled the Heligoland Bight and Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt commanded a destroyer patrol. Both units were operating from Harwich. They observed that German destroyers carried out regular pattern of patrols escorted out to their positions by cruisers each evening and met to escort back to port each morning. Their idea was to send in a superior force during darkness to catch the German destroyers as they returned. Three British submarines would surface in a position to draw the destroyers back out to sea while a larger British force of 31 destroyers accompanied by nine submarines would cut them off from Germany. Other submarines would wait for any larger German ships leaving the Jade estuary to help. Keyes impressed First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill by the daring of his plan, which was adopted with some changes. An attack at 0800 on the German daytime patrol was preferred. Keyes and Tyrwhitt requested support for their operation, both from the Grand Fleet and the squadron of six light cruisers commanded by Commodore William Goodenough. This was turned down by the Chief of Staff — Vice Admiral Doveton Sturdee — who agreed to provide only lighter forces consisting of "Cruiser Force K" under Rear Admiral Gordon Moore (two battlecruisers HMS New Zealand and Invincible) 40 miles to the northwest and "Cruiser Force C" a squadron of five Cressy-class armoured cruisers ( HMS Cressy, Aboukir, Bacchante, Hogue and Euryalus ) 100 miles west. It was decided that the attack would take place on 28 August. The submarines were to leave to take up their positions on 26 August, while Keyes would travel on the destroyer Lurcher. The surface ships would depart at dawn on 27 August. Tyrwhitt — aboard the brand new light cruiser HMS Arethusa — would command the 3rd Flotilla of 16 modern L-class destroyers and his subordinate, Captain Wilfred Blunt — on board the light cruiser HMS Fearless — would command the 1st Flotilla of 16 older destroyers. Arethusa did not arrive until 26 August. Her crew were inexperienced, and it was discovered that her new 4 in (100 mm) Mk V guns jammed when fired. Although the plan had been agreed by the Admiralty, Admiral John Jellicoe commanding the Grand Fleet was not informed until 26 August. Jellicoe immediately requested permission to send reinforcements and to move the fleet closer to the action, but only received permission for the battle cruisers. He sent Vice Admiral David Beatty with the battlecruisers HMS Lion, Queen Mary and Princess Royal, also Goodenough with the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron (HMS Southampton, Birmingham, Falmouth, Liverpool, Lowestoft and Nottingham). He then sailed south from Scapa Flow with the remainder of the fleet. Jellicoe despatched a message advising Tyrwhitt that he should expect reinforcements, but this was delayed at Harwich and never received. Tyrwhitt was unaware of the additional forces until Goodenough's ships appeared out of the mist, almost leading to an attack friend on friend as he was expecting to meet only enemy vessels. Three Groups of British submarines were deployed. E-class submarines HMS E4, E5 and E9 were positioned to attack reinforcing or retreating German vessels. HMS E6, E7 and E8 were positioned on the surface 4 miles further out attempting to entice the German destroyers out to sea. HMS D2 and D8 were stationed off mouth of the river Ems to attack reinforcements from that direction.

                            At around 0700, Arethusa, steaming south towards the anticipated position of the German ships, sighted a German destroyer, G-194. Accompanying Aethusa were 16 destroyers of the 3rd Flotilla with Fearless leading the 1st Flotilla of 16 destroyers 2 miles behind and Goodenough with his six cruisers a further 8 miles back. Visibility was no more than 3 miles. G-194 immediately turned towards Heligoland, radioing Rear Admiral Leberecht Maass, commander of the German destroyer squadron who in turn informed Rear Admiral Franz Hipper commanding the German battlecruiser squadron. Hipper was unaware of the scale of the attack, but ordered the light cruisers SMS Stettin and Frauenlob to defend the destroyers. Six other light cruisers were ordered to raise steam and join the action as soon as they could. SMS Mainz moored on the river Ems; SMS Strassburg, Cöln, Ariadne, Stralsund and Kolberg from the river Jade, Danzig and München from Brunsbüttelkoog on the river Elbe.

                            Tyrwhitt ordered four destroyers to attack G-149. The sound of firing alerted the remaining German destroyers, who turned south towards home. However they were sighted by British destroyers who commenced firing. The trailing destroyer V-1 was hit, followed by the destroyer-minesweepers D-8 and T-33. G-9 called for fire against the attacking ships from coastal artillery, but the mist meant the artillery were unable to distinguish friend from foe. At 0726, Tyrwhitt turned east, attempting to follow the sound of gunfire involving his four destroyers. He sighted 10 German destroyers which he chased through increasing mist for 30 minutes until the ships reached Heligoland and he was forced to turn away. At 0758, Stettin and Frauenlob arrived, reversing the situation so that the British destroyers were obliged to retreat toward their own cruisers Arethusa and Fearless. Stettin withdrew, since the German destroyers had now escaped, but Frauenlob was engaged by Arethusa. While Arethusa was theoretically the better armed ship, two of her four 4 in (100 mm) guns were jammed, while another was damaged by fire. Frauenlob — armed with ten 4 in (100 mm) guns — was able to cause considerable damage before a shell from one of Arethusa's two 6 in (150 mm) guns destroyed her bridge, killing 37 men including the captain, and forcing her to withdraw. Although badly damaged, she returned to Wilhelmshaven. At 0812, Tyrwhitt reverted to his original plan, which was an east to west sweep across the area. Six returning German destroyers were sighted but turned to flee. One of them — V187 — turned back as she had seen two cruisers, Nottingham and Lowestoft ahead of her. She hoped to pass through the British destroyers by surprise, but was surrounded by eight destroyers and sunk. As British ships attempted to rescue survivors from the water, the German light cruiser Stettin approached and opened fire, forcing the British to abandon the rescue, leaving behind some British sailors. The British submarine E4 had observed the action and launched a torpedo at Stettin, but missed. Stettin attempted to ram the submarine, which dived to escape. When she resurfaced all the larger ships had gone and the submarine rescued the British crewmen who were still afloat in small boats together with rescued German sailors. The Germans were left behind with a compass and given directions towards the mainland as the submarine was too small to take them.

                            At 0815, Keyes, with Lurcher and another destroyer, sighted two four-funneled cruisers. He was still unaware of the British reinforcements and assumed they were enemy cruisers. He signalled Invincible that he was chasing two German cruisers. Goodenough received the signal and abandoning his own search for enemy vessels to attack, steamed to assist Keyes against his own ships, Lowestoft and Nottingham. Keyes, seeing he was now being chased by four more enemy cruisers attempted to lead them towards Invincible and New Zealand, reporting them as enemy ships. Eventually, Keyes recognised Southampton, and the ships were able to join Tyrwhitt. However, the danger to Goodenough's ships was not over as the British submarines were still unaware the additional ships were present. At 0930, one of the British submarines attacked Southampton with two torpedoes. Fortunately they missed and in turn escaped when Southampton tried to ram the British submarine. Lowestoft and Nottingham remained out of communication range and, separated from the rest of their squadron, took no further part in the action. Tyrwhitt turned back to assist Keyes on receipt of the signal that he was being chased. He sighted Stettin, but lost her in the mist before coming upon Fearless and her destroyer squadron. Arethusa was badly damaged, so at 1017 Fearless came alongside and both cruisers were stopped for 20 minutes while repairs were made to the boilers.

                            The cruisers Cöln, Strassburg and Ariadne had sailed from Wilhelmshaven and Mainz was approaching from a different direction. Admiral Maass was still unsure of the nature of the attack, so he dispersed his ships in search of the enemy. Strassburg was first to find Arethusa and attacked her, but was driven off by torpedo attacks from the destroyers. As Tyrwhitt turned to the west, Cöln — with Admiral Maass — approached from the southeast and was also chased away by torpedoes. Tyrwhitt signalled Beatty requesting reinforcements and Goodenough with his remaining four cruisers came to assist. The force turned west. Beatty had been following the events by radio 40 miles to the north west. By 1135, the British ships had still not completed their mission and withdrawn. The rising tide would enable larger German ships to leave harbour and join the battle. He decided to intervene and took his five battlecruisers southeast at maximum speed to within an hour of the action. he advantage of closer proximity of his more powerful ships to rescue the others had to be weighed against the possibility of mischance by torpedo or of meeting German dreadnoughts. At 1130, Tyrwhitt's squadron came upon another German cruiser, Mainz. The ships engaged for 20 minutes, before the arrival of Goodenough caused Mainz to attempt escape. Goodenough gave chase, but in attempting to lose him Mainz came back across the path of Arethusa and her destroyers. Her steering was damaged, causing her to turn back into the path of Goodenough's ships and she was hit by shells and torpedo. At 1220, her captain ordered the crew to abandon ship and scuttled Mainz. Keyes brought Lurcher alongside Mainz to take off the crew. Three British destroyers had been seriously damaged in the engagement. Strassburg and Cöln now attacked together, but the battle was interrupted again by the arrival of Beatty and the battlecruisers.

                            Strassburg managed to disengage and escape when the battlecruisers approached, but Cöln was not so fortunate. Cut off from escape she was quickly disabled by the much larger guns of the battlecruisers. She was saved from immediate sinking by the sighting of another German light cruiser, SMS Ariadne, to which Beatty gave chase and again quickly overcame. Ariadne was left to sink, which she eventually did at 1500, attended by the German ships Danzig and Stralsund who took off survivors. At 1310, Beatty turned northwest and ordered all the British ships to withdraw since the tide had now risen sufficiently for larger German ships to pass out through the Jade estuary. Passing Cöln again, he opened fire, sinking her. Attempts to rescue the crew were interrupted by the arrival of a submarine. One survivor was rescued by a German ship two days later out of some 250 who had survived the sinking. Rear Admiral Maass perished with his ship. Four German cruisers survived the engagement, which they would not have done except for the mist. Strassburg nearly approached the battlecruisers, but saw them in time and turned away. She had four funnels, like the Town-class British cruisers, which caused sufficient confusion to allow her time to disappear into the mist. The German battlecruisers Moltke and Von der Tann left the Jade at 1410 and began a cautious search for other ships. Rear Admiral Hipper arrived with Seydlitz at 1510, but by then the battle was over.

                            The battle was a clear British victory. Germany had lost the three light cruisers SMS Mainz, Cöln and Ariadne and the destroyer V-187 sunk; light cruiser Frauenlob had been severely damaged. The light cruisers SMS Strassburg and Stettin had also been damaged. German casualties were 1,242 with 712 men killed, including Rear Admiral Maass, and 336 prisoners of war. The Royal Navy had lost no ships and only 35 men killed, with 40 wounded. The most significant result of the battle was the effect on the attitude of the Kaiser. To preserve his ships the Kaiser determined that the fleet should, "hold itself back and avoid actions which can lead to greater losses".

                            Churchill after the war observed: "All they saw was that the British did not hesitate to hazard their greatest vessels as well as their light craft in the most daring offensive action and had escaped apparently unscathed. They felt as we should have felt had German destroyers broken into the Solent and their battle cruisers penetrated as far as the Nab. The results of this action were far-reaching. Henceforward, the weight of British Naval prestige lay heavy across all German sea enterprise ... The German Navy was indeed "muzzled". Except for furtive movements by individual submarines and minelayers, not a dog stirred from August till November." But he also observed: "The Germans knew nothing of our defective staff work or the risks we had run."

                            One of the officers present on Southampton, Lieutenant Stephen King-Halllater wrote about the battle: "As may be deduced from these extracts the staff work was almost criminally negligent and it was a near miracle that we did not sink one or more of our submarines or that one of them did not sink us. Furthermore if anyone had suggested, say in 1917, that our battle-cruisers should rush about without anti-submarine protection and hundreds of miles away from the battle fleet in a mine infested area a few miles from the German battle fleet, he would have been certified on the spot. It was precisely because on paper the presence of the battle-cruisers (unsupported) was absurd that the logical Germans were sitting in Wilhelmshafen unable to move because the tide was too low on the bar of the Jade river! I should like to be able to write that this important hydrographical circumstance was part of the plan, but it was only discovered long afterwards. Nevertheless the strategical and indeed political consequences of this affair were of great importance. The German Navy was manned by a personnel no less courageous and at least as well trained as our own; their ships were superior type for type; their gunnery was more accurate. Yet in the mind of every German seaman was the reflection that they were challenging the might of a navy which, by and large, had dominated the seas for four centuries. The German seaman had a respect and almost traditional veneration for the British Royal Navy and entered the war with an inferiority complex in striking contrast to the superiority complex which the German Army felt towards all other armies. It was therefore a rude shock to the German Navy ... to learn of this audacious manoeuvre and successful engagement literally within sight of the main German base."

                            Both sides had lessons to learn from the battle. The Germans had assumed that their cruisers, leaving port one by one, would not meet larger ships or major forces. They failed to keep their ships together so they might have better odds in any engagement. Beatty — when faced with the choice of leaving one of his ships to finish off disabled enemies — had elected to keep his squadron together and only later return in force to finish off those ships. Goodenough, on the other hand, had managed to lose track of two cruisers, which therefore played no further part in the battle. German light cruisers armed with larger numbers of faster firing 4 in (100 mm) guns proved inferior to similar British cruisers with fewer but more powerful 6 in (150 mm) guns. However, their ships proved difficult to sink despite severe damage and impressed the British with the quality of their firing. Both British and German sources reported the determination and bravery of the defeated German ships when overwhelmed. No one reported the presence of British cruisers to Admiral Hipper until 1435. Had he known, he could have brought his own battlecruisers to sea faster and consolidated his fleet, possibly preventing the German losses and instead inflicting some on the departing British ships. The British operation had dragged out longer than anticipated so that the large German ships would have had sufficient high water to join the battle. The British side also suffered from poor communications, with ships failing to report engagement with the enemy to each other. The initial failure to include Jellicoe in planning the raid could have led to disaster had he not sent reinforcements, although the subsequent communications failures which meant British ships were unaware of the new arrivals could then have led to British ships attacking each other. There was no way to warn off British submarines which might have targeted their own ships. It had been the decision of Admiral Sturdee — Admiralty chief of staff — not to inform Jellicoe and also not to send additional larger ships which had originally been requested by Keyes. Jellicoe in effect countermanded this decision once he knew of the raid by sending ships which were part of his command. Keyes was disappointed that the opportunity for a greater success had been lost by not including the additional cruisers properly into the plan as he had originally intended. Jellicoe was disturbed by the Admiralty failure to discuss the raid with their commander in chief of the fleet at sea. The Germans appreciated that constant patrols by destroyers was both wasteful of time and resources of those ships, and left them open to attack. Instead, they designed defensive minefields to prevent enemy ships approaching and freed up the destroyers for duties escorting larger ships. In the future, ships were never to be sent out one by one. The British realised it was foolish to have sent Arethusa into battle with inadequate training and jammed guns. British ships were criticised for having fired considerable ammunition and torpedoes with little effect. This criticism later proved counter-productive when at the Battle of Dogger Bank, ships became overly cautious of wasting ammunition and thus missed opportunities to damage enemy vessels.

                            28th August 1914 Retreat to Frieres  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA moved at 0800 and fell back by Essigny le Grand to Frieres. During retirement engaged Uhlans who were trying to get round our flanks with dispersed section driving them back. Battery retired into bivouac at 2030.

                            28th August 1914  Ongoing Action

                            28th August 1914  Continued withdrawals

                            28th Aug 1914  HMS New Zealand in action

                            28th Aug 1914  Holding Bridge

                            28th Aug 1914 Volunteers Required  The Warwickshire Brigade received the official request for the Territorials to volunteer for service overseas. For many it would be a difficult decision, many of the men were skilled working-class with young families, a direct result of the drive to get companies to support the TF, often their work pay exceeded the army rate of pay. Those men who felt unable to consent, were subsequently posted to the reserve second line unit of their battalions which were being formed at home, the 2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th and 2/8th Warwicks.

                            28th Aug 1914  A Taste of the Guns

                            28th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914  Volunteers Required

                            28th August 1914  Initial Intelligence Report

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914  Duties

                            28th Aug 1914  Holding the Line

                            28th Sep 1914  Into Position

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1917  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914  Inspection

                            28th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            28th Aug 1914  Very Hot Day

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            28th of August 1914  An Exhausting March

                            28th Aug 1914  Enemy Advance

                            28th Aug 1914  On the March

                            Aug 1914  On the Move

                            28th August 1914  Move

                            28th August 1914  On the March

                            28th Aug 1914  Visit

                            29th Aug 1914 Earl of Durham addresses meeting in Darlington  At 6.30pm a mass recruitment meeting was held in the Market Square, Darlington by the Mayor Councillor J.G. Harbottle. The meeting was opened by Rev James Alexander Gordon Birch, chaplain of the 5th DLI and the Cockerton Silver Band accompanied the hymn 'O Lord our help in ages past' The Mayor and the Earl of Durham made speeches calling upon every young man who can to join up now for the period of the war, also warning that the atrocities being experienced by the people of Belgium may one day be committed in the town of Darlington. Local dignitaries including Mr A.F. Pease, Col Sir Mark Sykes and George Beedle addressed the crowd, all speeches were met by loud cheers. It was announced that the council chamber and the recruiting office in Prebend Row would be open to take volunteers. After the meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem, a hundred men volunteered to enlist.

                            29th Aug 1914 3rd Borders at Pembroke Dock  3rd Battalion Border Regiment are based at Pembroke Dock on defensive duties.

                            29th August 1914 Further retreat  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA fell back again from 0800 to Chaundy while still with 3rd Cavalry Brigade and went back four miles in case wanted, but noting came of it and retired again through Chaundy to Pierremande where unit bivouacked at 1900.

                            29th August 1914  Further retreat

                            29th August 1914  Further retreat

                            29th Aug 1914  Suspected Spies

                            29th Aug 1914  Roll Call

                            29th Aug 1914  Day of Rest

                            29th Aug 1914  Straight for the Front

                            29th Aug 1914  On the March

                            29th Aug 1914  Bridge Work

                            29th Aug 1914  Signalman Attacked

                            29th Aug 1914  At Rest

                            29th Aug 1914  Imperial Service

                            29th August 1914  Ongoing Retirement

                            29th Aug 1914  Defensive Positions

                            29th Aug 1914  On the March

                            29th Aug 1914  Recconaissance

                            29th Aug 1914  On the March

                            29th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            29th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            29th Sep 1914  Into Position

                            29th Aug 1914  On the March

                            29th Aug 1917  Waiting

                            29th Aug 1914  Training

                            29th Aug 1914  Enemy Active

                            29th Aug 1914  Covering the Troops

                            29th Aug 1914  Water Supply

                            29th Aug 1914  Bivouack

                            29th of August 1914  Sleeping in the Streets

                            29th Aug 1914  In Action

                            29th Aug 1914  On the March

                            29th August 1914  March to Carlepont

                            29th August 1914  Observation

                            30th Aug 1914 6th West Yorks leave Selby  6th Battalion West Yorks left Selby at the end of August, moving to Strenshall.

                            30th Aug 1914 3rd Monmouths move to Northampton  The 3rd Monmouths left Oswestry on 30th August when the battalion moved into billets at Northampton. Headquarters were set up at St James's Church Institute with the fields at the rear being used as their training ground. The Battalion stayed in Northampton until the end of October.

                            30th August 1914  Continued withdrawals

                            30th August 1914 Continued withdrawals  At 6am on the 30th August, Major Green's party rejoined 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (they had gone via Peronne) and the battalion marched via Carlepont and Bailly before which a halt of 2 hours was made for food. The march resumed via Tracy-Le-Mont and Bernevil to a railway crossing where another long halt was made. Then marched on via Trolsy, Brevil and Fontenoy, entering the edge of the forest of Compiegne just as it grew dark, a very tiring march. (One or two parties of Uhlans (German Cavalry)were supposed to be in the woods). We reached Pierrefonds at 2300 and, as it was rumoured that there was smallpox in the village, billeted in the streets.

                            30th Aug 1914  March through Thick Woods

                            30th Aug 1914  Worst is Over

                            30th Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            30th Aug 1914  Under Fire

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th Aug 1914  Church Parade

                            30th August 1914  Demolitions on withdrawals

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th Aug 1914  Memories

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th Aug 1914  On the Move

                            30th Aug 1914  Church Parade

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th Aug 1914  Covering the Troops

                            30th Aug 1914  Awaiting Orders

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th of August 1914  A Hot March

                            30th Aug 1914  On the March

                            30th August 1914  Move to Croutoy

                            30th August 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914 Russia defeated at Tannenberg  The Battle of Tannenberg results in a German victory with the loss of 125,000 men from the Russian Army.

                            31st August 1914  On the Move

                            31st August 1914  Outpost positions

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  Breathless Heat & Cold

                            31st Aug 1914  Rear Guard

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  Second Line Battalions

                            31st Aug 1914  Training

                            31st August 1914  Continued withdrawals

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  Reorganisation

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  Enemy Close

                            31st Dec 1914  Imperial Service

                            31st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            31st Aug 1914  Attacks

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  In Action

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  Covering the Troops

                            31st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st of August 1914   Pursued by Germans

                            31st Aug 1914  On the March

                            31st August 1914  Crepy

                            31st August 1914  On the March

                            31st Aug 1914  On the Move

                            31st Aug 1914  Reorganisation

                             7th Bat, Berkshire Regiment raised  7th Battalion Berkshire Regiment was raised in Reading in September 1914 as part of Kitchen's Third New Army. They joined 78th Brigade, 26th Division and trained at Codford St Mary.

                               2/5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion, Black Watch was formed at Forfar in early September 1914 as a second line unit, from men of the Black Watch territorials who had not volunteered for Imperial Service. The new battalion then moved to Hawick.

                             2/6th btn Balck Watch formed  2/6th (Perthshire) Battalion is formed at Perth in September 1914 as a second line unit for men of the Black Watch territorials who had not volunteered for Imperial Service.

                               2/7th (Fife) Battalion, Black Watch is formed at St Andrews in early September 1914 as a second line unit, consisting of Black Watch Territorials who had not volunteered for Imperial Service.

                            Sep 1914  9th Battalion Sussex Regiment raised.

                            Sep 1914 8th Battalion Yorks and Lancs raised  York and Lancaster Regiment 8th Battalion was raised at Pontefract in September 1914 as part of Kitcheners Third Army and joined 70th Brigade, 23rd Division. They moved to Frensham for training.

                            Sep 1914 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers raised  12th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3, they joined 62nd Brigade, 21st Division.

                            Sep 1914 Manchester City Battalion Recruiting  Signing up for the 1st City Battalion, Manchester Regiment took place at the Artillery HQ on Hyde Road and later at Manchester Town Hall

                            1st Sep 1914 Lever Brother's employees join up  500 men volunteered to join up with what would become the 13th Cheshires at the first meeting at Gladstone Hall, PortSunlight. All being employees at Lever Brothers soap factory. By 7 th September 1914 700 employees had joined ( All original members had W prefixes to their service number)

                             New army camp in Wiltshire  Chiseldon Camp was constructed in September 1914, with 72 barrack huts being built by Chivers of Devizes. Initially named Draycot Camp as it was close to Draycot Foliat in Wiltshire. The name change originated from the Chiseldon postmark on letters send home from the camp.

                            1st September 1914 Recruitment of 16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles  16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). [Second County Down Volunteers]

                            Introduction: This summary of the history of the 16th Battalion from September 1914 to May 1919, is recorded mainly on a monthly basis with events listed on the 1st day of each month except in circumstances requiring further breakdown when details of other dates entered will be listed on the 1st of each month as a guide to the reader. The actual War Diaries did not commence until the move to France in October 1915. Since I do not have direct access to the diaries, I have, by kind permission of the Somme Heritage Centre, used extracts from the book "The Terrors" by Lt.Col SN White (deceased)as the source.

                            Formation: At the outbreak of war in 1914 the Home Rule Issue in Ireland had a considerable effect on volunteer recruitment. The Ulster Volunteer Force had over 80,000 armed volunteers in its ranks, but there was a reluctance to enlist due to the Home Rule concerns which existed at the time. It was thought that resistance to Home Rule would be weakened by reducing the force available should armed opposition prove necessary. The issue was eventually set aside for the duration of the war and it was then agreed between Lord Kitchener and Sir Edward Carson that 10,000 volunteers would be raised in the war effort with uniforms and equipment ordered for that number. Home Rule meant a parliament in Dublin at which Ulster Protestants felt they would be outnumbered and they might eventually finish up as a minority in a Catholic State separate from the United Kingdom.

                               

                            6th Battalion Berkshire Regiment is formed at Reading in September 1914 as part of Kitcheners's 2nd New Army, they join 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division

                            Sep 1914  8th Battlion raised for Berkshire Regiment

                            1st Sept 1914 2nd Life Guards appointment of Brigadier General Kavanagh  2nd Life Guards war diary records; The Brigade assembled at Windmill Court, Ludgershall. Squadron and Regimental Training then continued.

                            Sep 1914 Guns to defend the Ardeer Factory  In September 1914 the Ardeer Battery was built on the shoreline to defend the Noble's Explosives Ardeer Factory, against attack from the sea. The a 12-pdr Breech Loading gun, being the property of the Nobel Company, was manned by a detachment of Royal Garrison Artillery. The entire six mile perimeter of the works was protected by barbed wire entanglements and fences.The factory was situated between the sea and the River Garnock near Stevenson, Ayrshire. It had been opened in 1873 by The British Dynamite Company, for the manufacture of dynamite.

                            Sep 1914   21st Division was established in September 1914, as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, K3. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Tring area

                            In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, the artillery went to Aston Clinton (One brigade staying at Berkhamsted) and the RE to Wendover. Rifles were received in late June 1915 and after firing their first course the infantry moved from 9 August to Witley Camp. Lord Kitchener inspected the Division on the march on 12 August.

                            Advanced parties embarked for France began on 2 September and the main body began to cross the Channel five days later. Units moved to assemble near Tilques, completing concentration on 13 September. The Division's first experience was truly appalling. Having been in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos. GHQ planning left it too far behind to be a useful reinforcement on the first day, but it was sent into action on 26 September, whereupon it suffered over 3,800 casualties for very little gain.

                            1st Sep 1914 2nd Queens in St. Helena  The 2nd Battalion Queens vessel 'HMT Kenilworth Castle' is now anchored in St Helena. Garrison recently supplemented with 300 Royal Garrison Artillery. Volunteer Corps of 150 formed.

                             12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment in Middlesbrough  The 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment established their Drill Hall in Lytton Street, Middlesbrough.

                            1st September 1914 U-Boat SM2 Joins Training Flotilla  SM U-2 joined the Training Flotilla on the 1st of August 1914. A Type U 2 she was built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 1) Ordered 4 Mar 1906, she was launched 18 Jun 1908 and commissioned a month later. On the 19 Feb 1919 she was stricken and broken up at Stinnes.

                            1st Sep 1914   SM U-16 was a Type U 16 built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 157). Ordered 26 Aug 1909, Laid down 10 May 1910, Launched 29 Aug 1911 and Commissioned 28 Dec 1911.
                            Commanders.
                            1 Aug 1914 - 15 Mar 1915 Claus Hansen.
                            16 Mar 1915 - 21 Oct 1915 Oblt. Leo Hillebrand

                            Career 4 patrols: 1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown II Flotilla

                            Successes 11 ships sunk with a total of 11,730 tons.
                            2 ships damaged with a total of 11,228 tons.
                            1 ship taken as prize with a total of 838 tons.

                            • 15 Feb 1915 U 16 Claus Hansen Dulwich 3,289 British
                            • 15 Feb 1915 U 16 Claus Hansen Ville De Lille 997 French
                            • 18 Feb 1915 U 16 Claus Hansen Dinorah (damaged) 4,208 French
                            • 19 Feb 1915 U 16 Claus Hansen Belridge (damaged) 7,020 Norway
                            • 26 May 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand M. Roosval 309 Sweden
                            • 26 May 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Betty 2,109 Denmark
                            • 28 May 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Mars 251 Russian
                            • 30 May 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Søborg 2,108 Denmark
                            • 20 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Thorvaldsen 1,220 Denmark
                            • 26 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Ellen Benzon 143 Denmark
                            • 29 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Flora 184 Norway
                            • 29 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Actie 562 Norway
                            • 30 Sep 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Florida 558 Norway
                            • 1 Oct 1915 U 16 Leo Hillebrand Pallas (prize) 838 Sweden

                            Fate 8 Feb 1919 - Sunk in an accident in position 58.59N, 08.29E while on passage to surrender.

                            1st September 1914   SM U-19

                            Type U 19 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 13) Ordered 25 Nov 1910 Laid down 20 Oct 1911 Launched 10 Oct 1912 Commissioned 6 Jul 1913.
                            Commanders.

                            • 1 Aug 1914 - 15 Mar 1916 Constantin Kolbe
                            • 16 Mar 1916 - 10 Aug 1916 Raimund Weisbach
                            • 11 Aug 1916 - 4 Jul 1917 Oblt. Johannes Spieß
                            • 5 Jul 1917 - 15 Oct 1917 Heinrich(i.V.) Koch
                            • 25 Oct 1917 - 16 Nov 1917 Oblt. Hans Albrecht Liebeskind
                            • 17 Nov 1917 - 31 May 1918 Johannes Spieß
                            • 1 Jun 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Oblt. Hans Albrecht Liebeskind
                            Career 12 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 19 Sep 1916 III Flotilla.
                            19 Sep 1916 - 1 May 1917 Baltic Flotilla.
                            1 May 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla

                            Successes 57 ships sunk with a total of 97,893 tons.
                            3 ships damaged with a total of 4,224 tons.
                            1 ship taken as prize with a total of 733 tons.
                            1 ship sunk with a total of 1,261 tons.

                            • 21 Jan 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Durward 1,301 br
                            • 2 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Salvador 165 da
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Chrysoprasus 119 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Dogberry 214 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Ena May 90 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Iona 3,344 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Kathleen 92 br
                            • 3 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Strathbran 163 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Cortes 174 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Dunnet Head 343 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Ebenezer 113 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Evening Star 120 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Explorer 156 br
                            • 4 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Petrel 182 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Adolf 169 ru
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Bardolph 215 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Curlew 134 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Gazehound 138 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Japonica 145 br
                            • 5 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Persimon 255 br
                            • 6 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Arctic 169 br
                            • 6 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Dromio 208 br
                            • 9 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Svein Jarl 1,135 nw
                            • 11 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Otago 1,410 sw
                            • 11 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Plymouth 165 br
                            • 11 Jun 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Waago 154 br
                            • 16 Jul 1915 U 19 Constantin Kolbe Cameo (d.) 172 br
                            • 21 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Feliciana 4,283 br
                            • 22 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Jozsef Agost Foherzeg 2,680 it
                            • 22 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Ross 2,666 br
                            • 23 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Parisiana 4,763 br
                            • 23 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Ribston 3,048 br
                            • 25 Apr 1916 U 19 Raimund Weisbach Carmanian 1,840 nw
                            • 12 Sep 1916 U 19 Johannes Spieß Elizabeth 4,444 ru
                            • 12 Sep 1916 U 19 Johannes Spieß Ije (n-18) 1,261 ru
                            • 22 Sep 1916 U 19 Johannes Spieß Kennett 1,679 br
                            • 12 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Wirral 4,207 br
                            • 17 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Vesterland 3,832 sw
                            • 20 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Arnfinn Jarl 1,097 nw
                            • 26 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Norway 1,447 nw
                            • 27 May 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Debora 159 da
                            • 20 Jun 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Fido 1,459 nw
                            • 21 Jun 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Black Head 1,898 br
                            • 21 Jun 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Laatefos 1,458 nw
                            • 22 Jun 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Bolette 1,431 nw
                            • 31 Aug 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Miniota 6,422 br
                            • 1 Sep 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Akaroa 1,348 nw
                            • 12 Sep 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Agricola 65 br
                            • 28 Dec 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Maxton 5,094 br
                            • 28 Dec 1917 U 19 Johannes Spieß Santa Amalia 4,309 br
                            • 2 Jan 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Nadejda 3,849 ru
                            • 25 Feb 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Santa Maria 5,383 am
                            • 25 Feb 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Appalachee (d.) 3,767 br
                            • 26 Feb 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Tiberia 4,880 br
                            • 1 Mar 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Calgarian 12,515 br
                            • 1 Mar 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Thomas Collard 215 br
                            • 1 Mar 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Lord Lister (d.) 285 br
                            • 6 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Sterne 108 nl
                            • 21 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Delta A 241 be
                            • 23 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Peregrine 79 br
                            • 23 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Tyne Wave 121 br
                            • 25 Apr 1918 U 19 Johannes Spieß Hollandia I (p.) 733 nl

                              Fate 24 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

                              1st September 1914   SM U-21 was a Type U 19 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 15) Ordered 25 Nov 1910 Laid down 27 Oct 1911 Launched 8 Feb 1913 Commissioned 22 Oct 1913.
                              Commanders.
                              22 Oct 1913 - 31 Aug 1918 Otto Hersing 1 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Friedrich Klein

                              Career 11 patrols.
                              start date unknown - 4 Mar 1917 Pola Flotilla.
                              1 Aug 1914 - 5 Jun 1915 III Flotilla.
                              5 Jun 1915 - end date unknown Constantinople Flotilla.
                              4 Mar 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla.

                              Successes 36 ships sunk with a total of 79,005 tons.
                              2 ships damaged with a total of 8,918 tons.
                              4 warships sunk with a total of 34,575 tons.

                              • 5 Sep 1914 U 21 Otto Hersing Pathfinder (hms) 2,940 br
                              • 23 Nov 1914 U 21 Otto Hersing Malachite 718 br
                              • 26 Nov 1914 U 21 Otto Hersing Primo 1,366 br
                              • 30 Jan 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Ben Cruachan 3,092 br
                              • 30 Jan 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Kilcoan 456 br
                              • 30 Jan 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Linda Blanche 369 br
                              • 25 May 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Triumph (hms) 11,985 br
                              • 27 May 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Majestic (hms) 14,900 br
                              • 4 Jul 1915 U 21 Otto Hersing Carthage 5,601 fr
                              • 1 Feb 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Belle Of France 3,876 br
                              • 8 Feb 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Admiral Charner 4,750 fr
                              • 30 Apr 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing City Of Lucknow 3,669 br
                              • 26 Oct 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Marina G. 154 it
                              • 28 Oct 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Gilda R. 37 it
                              • 28 Oct 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Tre Fratelli D. 190 it
                              • 31 Oct 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Glenlogan 5,838 br
                              • 1 Nov 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Bernardo Canale 1,346 it
                              • 1 Nov 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Torero 767 it
                              • 2 Nov 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing San Antonio O. 113 it
                              • 3 Nov 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing San Giorgio 258 it
                              • 23 Dec 1916 U 21 Otto Hersing Benalder (d.) 3,044 br
                              • 16 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Mayola 146 br
                              • 16 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Rose Dorothea 147 br
                              • 17 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Emilia I° 25 pt
                              • 17 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Lima 108 pt
                              • 20 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Cacique 2,917 fr
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Bandoeng 5,851 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Eemland 3,770 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Gaasterland 3,917 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Jacatra 5,373 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Noorderdijk 7,166 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Normanna 2,900 nw
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Zaandijk 4,189 nl
                              • 22 Feb 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Menado (d.) 5,874 nl
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Giskö 1,643 nw
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Theodore William 3,057 nw
                              • 29 Apr 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Askepot 1,793 nw
                              • 30 Apr 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Borrowdale 1,268 ru
                              • 3 May 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Lindisfarne 1,703 ru
                              • 6 May 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Adansi 2,644 br
                              • 8 May 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Killarney 1,413 br
                              • 27 Jun 1917 U 21 Otto Hersing Baltic 1,125 sw

                              Fate 22 Feb 1919 - Sunk in an accident in position 54.19N, 03.42W while on passage to surrender.

                              On 5 September, 1914 the small British cruiser HMS Pathfinder was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by U 21. This was the first warship to be sunk by a German U-boat during the First World War.

                              1st September 1914   SM U-25

                              Type U 23 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 179) Ordered 18 Mar 1911 Laid down 7 May 1912 Launched 12 Jul 1913 Commissioned 9 May 1914.
                              Commanders.
                              9 May 1914 - 15 Sep 1915 Otto Wünsche

                              Career 3 patrols.
                              start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 training Flotilla
                              1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown IV Flotilla

                              Successes 21 ships sunk with a total of 14,145 tons.
                              1 ship damaged with a total of 163 tons.

                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Glittertind 717 nw
                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Nottingham 165 br
                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Pentland 204 br
                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Saturn 183 br
                              • 7 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Velocity 186 br
                              • 9 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Cardiff 163 br
                              • 9 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Castor 182 br
                              • 9 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche J. Leyman 197 br
                              • 9 Jun 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Tunisian 211 br
                              • 4 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Sunbeam 132 br
                              • 8 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Anna 2,000 ru
                              • 8 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Guido 2,093 br
                              • 9 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Nordaas 1,111 nw
                              • 11 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Hainton 156 br
                              • 11 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Syrian 176 br
                              • 11 Jul 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Fleetwood (damaged) 163 br
                              • 6 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Maj 920 sw
                              • 7 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Norman 1,060 nw
                              • 10 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Aura 396 nw
                              • 14 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Albis 1,381 nw
                              • 17 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Mineral 649 nw
                              • 19 Aug 1915 U 25 Otto Wünsche Bras 1,863 nw

                              Fate 23 Feb 1919 - Surrendered to France. Broken up at Cherburg in 1921-2.

                              There was another U 25 in World War Two.
                              That boat was launched from its shipyard on 14 Feb 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 6 Apr 1936.

                              1st September 1914   SM U-30

                              Type U 27 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 20) Ordered 19 Feb 1912 Launched 15 Nov 1913 Commissioned 26 Aug 1914.
                              Commanders.
                              25 Sep 1914 - 22 Jun 1915 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski.
                              1 May 1916 - 20 Nov 1917 Franz Grünert

                              Career 6 patrols.
                              start date unknown - 22 Jun 1915 IV Flotilla.
                              15 Oct 1916 - 19 Nov 1917 IV Flotilla.
                              19 Nov 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 training Flotilla.

                              Successes 27 ships sunk with a total of 48,060 tons.
                              1 ship damaged with a total of 5,189 tons.

                              • 20 Feb 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Cambank 3,112 br
                              • 20 Feb 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Downshire 337 br
                              • 28 Apr 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Mobile 1,905 br
                              • 29 Apr 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Cherbury 3,220 br
                              • 30 Apr 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Fulgent 2,008 br
                              • 30 Apr 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Svorono 3,102 ru
                              • 1 May 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Edale 3,110 br
                              • 1 May 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Europe 1,887 fr
                              • 1 May 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Gulflight (damaged) 5,189 am
                              • 3 May 1915 U 30 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski Minterne 3,018 br
                              • 26 Oct 1916 U 30 Franz Grünert Lysland 1,745 nw
                              • 1 Nov 1916 U 30 Franz Grünert Brierley Hill 1,168 br
                              • 11 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Saxo 711 da
                              • 11 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Nancy 1,325 da
                              • 11 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Star 818 nw
                              • 11 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Sylfiden 796 nw
                              • 12 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Kolaastind 2,368 nw
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Bokn 336 nw
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Frixos 2,471 fi
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Gama 107 nw
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Glenlora 805 nw
                              • 13 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Zara 1,331 br
                              • 14 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Fjeldli 954 nw
                              • 15 Apr 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Paris 1,634 nw
                              • 16 May 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Middlesex 7,265 br
                              • 23 May 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Freden 166 da
                              • 16 Jul 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Cyrus 293 ru
                              • 28 Jul 1917 U 30 Franz Grünert Atlas 2,068 fr

                              Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

                              There was another U 30 in World War Two.
                              That boat was launched from its shipyard on 4 Aug 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 8 Oct 1936.

                              1st Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion to be raised  At the end of a lecture on the war at the Victoria Hall in Sheffield, the University Vice Chancellor Mr H.A.L. Fisher announced that formal War Office approval was expected to be given for the formation of the Sheffield City Battalion and that enrolment of volunteers would begin on the afternoon of the 2nd at the Town Hall.

                              The idea of the battalion had been proposed by two students of Sheffield University and had approached Mr Fisher who had taken up the cause.

                              1st September 1914   KUK U1 Austrian Submarine WW1.

                              Type U-1 Shipyard Ordered Launched 2nd October 1909 Commissioned 15th April 1911

                              Commanders.
                              15 Apr 1911 - 20 Sep 1911 Egon Marchetti.
                              20 Sep 1911 - 8 Jul 1913 Otto Zeidler.
                              18 Jul 1913 - 2 May 1914 Narciss Blessich.
                              26 Jun 1914 - 17 Dec 1915 Franz Nejebsy.
                              17 Dec 1915 - 27 May 1916 Klemens Ritter von Bezard.
                              27 May 1916 - 18 Jan 1917 Franz Nejebsy.
                              18 Jan 1917 - 13 Sep 1917 Eugen Hornyák.
                              28 Mar 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Othmar Printz

                              Career.
                              No flotilla information available

                              Successes No successes.

                              Fate: Scrapped in 1920

                              1st September 1914   KUK U-2 Austrian Submarine

                              Type U-1 Shipyard Ordered Launched 3rd April 1909 Commissioned 22nd May 1911

                              Commanders
                              22 Jun 1911 - 10 May 1912 Klemens Ritter von Bezard
                              10 May 1912 - 23 Oct 1914 Karl Edler von Unczowski
                              23 Oct 1914 - 15 Feb 1915 Otto Zeidler
                              15 Feb 1915 - 22 Jun 1915 Karl Edler von Unczowski
                              22 Jun 1915 - 13 Sep 1917 Otto Kasseroller
                              13 Sep 1917 - 15 Mar 1918 Johann Ulmansky von Vracsevgaj
                              28 Mar 1918 - 1 Sep 1918 Othmar Printz
                              1 Sep 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Johann Ulmansky von Vracsevgaj

                              Career
                              No flotilla information available

                              Successes No successes.

                              Fate Scrapped in 1920

                              1st September 1914   KUK U-3 Austrian Submarine

                              Type U-3 Shipyard Ordered Launched 8th August 1908 Commissioned 12th September 1909

                              Commanders
                              12 Sep 1909 - 18 Sep 1910 Emmerich Graf von Thun und Hohenstein
                              18 Sep 1910 - 29 Apr 1911 Lothar Leschanowsky
                              29 Apr 1911 - 30 Apr 1912 Richard Gstettner
                              30 Apr 1912 - 19 Jun 1915 Eduard Ritter von Hübner
                              19 Jun 1915 - 13 Aug 1915 Karl Strnad

                              Fate Sunk on 13th August 1915

                              1st Sep 1914 415 Active Service Lodge formed  415 Active Service Lodge, a masonic lodge is formed of about two dozen officers and men 7th Royal Irish Fusiliers. Few records of it survive.

                              1st September 1914   KUK U-6 Austrian Submarine

                              Type U-5 Shipyard Ordered Launched 12th June 1909 Commissioned 1st July 1910

                              Commanders
                              1 Jul 1910 - 24 Jun 1913 Georg Ritter von Trapp
                              24 Jun 1913 - 22 Jul 1915 Nikolaus Halavanja
                              22 Jul 1915 - 5 Aug 1915 Albrecht Graf von Attems
                              5 Aug 1915 - 31 Aug 1915 Urban Passerar
                              31 Aug 1915 - 10 Oct 1915 Lüdwig Eberhardt
                              10 Oct 1915 - 21 Nov 1915 Nikolaus Halavanja
                              12 Nov 1915 - 13 May 1916 Hugo von Falkhausen

                              Career.
                              No flotilla information available

                              Successes 1 warship sunk with a total of 756 tons.

                              • 18 Mar 1916 k.u.k. U6 Hugo von Falkhausen Renaudin 756 fr

                              Fate Scuttled 13th May 1916.

                              1st September 1914   KUK U-5 Austrian Submarine

                              Type U-5 Shipyard Ordered Launched 10th February 1909 Commissioned 1st April 1910

                              Commanders
                              1 Apr 1910 - 5 Sep 1912 Urban Passerar
                              5 Sep 1912 - 8 Jun 1914 Lüdwig Eberhardt
                              8 Jun 1914 - 22 Apr 1915 Friedrich Schlosser
                              22 Apr 1915 - 10 Oct 1915 Georg Ritter von Trapp
                              10 Oct 1915 - 23 Nov 1915 Lüdwig Eberhardt
                              23 Nov 1915 - 15 Jul 1917 Friedrich Schlosser
                              27 Aug 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Alfons Graf Montecuccoli

                              Career
                              No flotilla information available

                              Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 7,929 tons.
                              1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,034 tons.
                              2 warships sunk with a total of 12,641 tons.

                              • 27 Apr 1915 k.u.k. U5 Georg Ritter von Trapp Leon Gambetta 12,416 fr
                              • 5 Aug 1915 k.u.k. U5 Georg Ritter von Trapp Nereide 225 it
                              • 29 Aug 1915 k.u.k. U5 Georg Ritter von Trapp Cefalonia (prize) 1,034 gr
                              • 8 Jun 1916 k.u.k. U5 Friedrich Schlosser Principe Umberto 7,929 it

                              Fate Scrapped in 1920

                              1st September 1914 British Battleships  

                              HMS Dreadnought

                              Name: HMS Dreadnought, Dreadnought Class Battleship.
                              Ordered: 1905, Builder: HM Dockyard, Portsmouth
                              Laid down:2 October 1905, Launched:10 February 1906.
                              Commissioned: 2 December 1906, Decommissioned: February 1919.
                              Fate: Scrapped, 1923.

                              Displacement: 18,120 long tons (18,410 t)
                              Length: 527 ft (160.6 m), Beam: 82 ft 1 in (25.0 m), Draught: 29 ft 7.5 in (9.0 m)
                              Installed power: 23,000 shp (17,000 kW), 18 Babcock & Wilcox water-tube boilers. Propulsion: 4 shafts, Parsons direct-drive steam turbines.
                              Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
                              Range: 6,620 nautical miles (12,260 km; 7,620 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)

                              Crew complement: 700,810 officers and ratings.

                              Arament and Armour.

                              • Armament:
                              • 5 × twin BL 12-inch Mark X guns
                              • 27 × single 12-pdr 18 cwt Mark I guns
                              • 5 × 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes
                              • Armour:
                              • Belt: 4,11 in (102,279 mm)
                              • Deck: 0.75,3 in (19,76 mm)
                              • Barbettes: 4,11 in (102,279 mm)
                              • Turrets: 3,12 in (76,305 mm)
                              • Conning tower: 11 in (279 mm)
                              • Bulkheads: 8 in (203 mm)

                              HMS Dreadnought was a battleship of the Royal Navy that revolutionised naval power. Her entry into service in 1906 represented such a marked advance in naval technology that her name came to be associated with an entire generation of battleships, the "dreadnoughts", as well as the class of ships named after her. The generation of ships she made obsolete became known as "pre-dreadnoughts". She was the sixth ship of that name in the Royal Navy.

                              Admiral Sir John "Jacky" Fisher, First Sea Lord of the Board of Admiralty, is credited as the father of the Dreadnought. Shortly after he assumed office he ordered design studies for a battleship armed solely with 12-inch (305 mm) guns and a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph). He convened a "Committee on Designs" to evaluate the alternative designs and to assist in the detailed design work. One ancillary benefit of the Committee was that it would shield him and the Admiralty from political charges that they had not consulted leading experts before designing such a radically different battleship.

                              Dreadnought was the first battleship of her era to have a uniform main battery, rather than having a few large guns complemented by a heavy secondary battery of smaller guns. She was also the first capital ship to be powered by steam turbines, making her the fastest battleship in the world at the time of her completion. Her launch helped spark a naval arms race as navies around the world, particularly the German Imperial Navy rushed to match her in the build-up to World War I.

                              Dreadnought did not participate in any of World War I's naval battles as she was being refitted during the Battle of Jutland in 1916. This was the only time that British dreadnought battleships fired on their German counterparts during the war. She became the only battleship to sink a submarine when she rammed the SM U-29 when it unexpectedly broke the surface after firing a torpedo at another dreadnought in 1915. She was relegated to coastal defence duties in the English Channel after Jutland, only rejoining the Grand Fleet in 1918. She was reduced to reserve in 1919 and sold for scrap two years later.

                              Dreadnought became flagship of the 4th Battle Squadron in December 1912 after her transfer from the 1st Battle Squadron, as the 1st Division had been renamed earlier in the year. Between September and December 1913 she was training in the Mediterranean Sea. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, she was flagship of the 4th Battle Squadron in the North Sea, based at Scapa Flow. She was relieved as flagship on 10 December by HMS Benbow.

                              Ironically for a vessel designed to engage enemy battleships, her only significant action was the ramming and sinking of German submarine SM U-29, skippered by K/Lt Otto Weddigen (of SM U-9 fame), on 18 March 1915. U-29 had broken the surface immediately ahead of Dreadnought after firing a torpedo at HMS Neptune and Dreadnought cut the submarine in two after a short chase. She almost collided with HMS Temeraire who was also attempting to ram. Dreadnought thus became the only battleship ever to sink a submarine.

                              1st September 1914 Northern Patrol  The Northern Patrol was a Royal Navy unit operating throughout the First World War around Scotland and the North Sea. The Patrol formed part of the British "distant" blockade of Germany. Its aim was to prevent German warships passing from the North Sea into the Atlantic Ocean to attack Allied shipping. It also carried out checks on merchant ships to ensure they were not carrying goods bound for Germany. The initial unit of the Northern Patrol was the 10th Cruiser Squadron, but it was replaced later by armed merchant cruisers which had better sea-keeping capabilities.

                              1st September 1914 Retire to Antilly  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                              Started out at farm, fell back to Antilly and bivouacked. In action several times but did not get a chance to shoot. In bivouac by 2000.

                                 The Queen's Westiminster Rifles trace their origin back to the Royal Westminster Volunteers raised in 1787, but it was not until the outbreak of this War that it consisted of more than one battalion. The second battalion was formed on September 1st, 1914, and consisted of men from all parts of the Metropolis. From September, 1914, to June, 1916, the battalion underwent training in England at Maidstone, Watford, Saffron Walden, Bishop’s Stortford and War- minster, sending out drafts, during the earlier part of the time, to the first battalion already on active service in France.

                              It proceeded to France on June 22nd, 1916, and took over a portion of the line at Neuville St. Vaast, relieving, in conjunction with the rest of the 60th Divi- sion, the famous 51st (Highland) Division. With the exception of a successful raid into the enemy’s trenches in September, it was called upon for no offensive operations during this spell in France.

                              On 24th October, 1916, on relief by a Canadian Division, the 60th marched into the Somme area, from which, however, it was diverted to Salonica, the 2/16th London embarking at Marseilles on 17th November and disembarking on the 30th. The 179th Brigade, of which it formed part, was despatched almost immediately on a special mission to Thessaly to guard the approaches from the South through the Petra and Kokinopolo passes. A landing was made at Skala Vromeris some miles down the Aegean sea and headquarters established at Katerini. . As events turned out, there was no fighting in this part, and all threat to the Salonican forces from this quarter having been removed by the end of February, the Brigade marched 97 miles in seven days and " took over " on the Vardar front on March 18th. Patrol work and various minor operations were carried out by the Brigade on this front, this battalion capturing Goldies Hill on 8th May, 1917, and holding it in spite of many counter attacks. In June, 1917, the 60th Division was transferred to the Egyptian Expedi- tionary Force, this battalion embarking on June 21st, and reaching Alexandria on the 25th. After refitting at Ismailia, it marched to Kantara, and proceeded thence by train to Deir El Belah. From there it marched to Shellal and took over a part of the line in the Wadi Ghuzze. For three months there were no active operations, and advantage was taken of this to give the division a strenuous training in the style of warfare likely to be encountered. Throughout the campaign, which opened at the end of October, 1917, the 60th Division held the right flank of the British line. After being in reserve at the taking of Beersheba, the battalion carried the Turkish position at Kauwaukah on November 6th. It is difficult to detach the doings of a single battalion from those of the Division to which it belonged, and, if for a bit we now talk of the 60th Division’s doings, it must not be assumed that the 2/16th London was invariably in front of the battle . . or invariably out of it. After the successful attack of the 179th Brigade at Kauwaukah, the 181st went through it, and, after a heavy fight, captured Sheria Station, and enabled the advance to be carried across the Wadi Sheria. On the same evening, the 179th drove back enemy rearguards from the ridge at Juathiny, and, continuing their progress on the following day, carried strong positions as far as Tor Dimreh near Huj. In all, between October 30th and November 8th, the infantry covered 60 miles, fighting a considerable part of the way. More marching, but not much fighting carried them on to December 7th, when the whole Brigade advanced in single file during the night over precipitous paths to attack at dawn near Am Karim. All objectives were taken, and, with other divisions equally successful, the enemy was forced to evacuate Jerusalem, which was entered two days later.

                              The Division then held the line to the North of the city, and on December 27th the 2/16th London, with the 2/13th, bore the brunt of the determined Turk- ish counter attack and resisted every effort to break their lines. A gallant counter attack by the 2/ 15th London greatly helped them at a critical moment. The enemy was subsequently forced to retreat seven miles further northward to Bireh, where his position was carried by the 180th Brigade. The new line was held until the middle of February, when the division carried out successful operations against the Turkish positions at El Kuntar, Jebel Ekteif and Talat Ed Dumm, which resulted in our occupying Jericho and the enemy retiring to the Eastern side of the Jordan. Towards the end of Márch the whole division was called upon to make a colossal raid, in order to strike a blow at the Hedjaz railway communication.

                              The Jordan was accordingly forced by the 180th Brigade on March 22nd, and two days later the 179th and 181st attacked the enemy on the foothills of the Eastern side of the plain After successful attacks, the division moved forward, and on the night of March 25th reached Es Salt. While the 181st held up the enemy near Amman, mounted troops carried out the desired destructive work, and on the night of April 1st the entire force was again withdrawn across the Jordan. At the end of the month a second and similar operation was commenced, but by this time the enemy had strongly fortified the hills at the edge of the plain, and the attempt had to be abandoned after repeated attacks spread over the period of four days.

                              The Division was now dissolved from its original composition. The bulk of it, including the 2/16th London, came back to France and became part of the 30th Division. This battalion had its first experience of the front line at Locre on July 31st. Ordinary trench relief took place up to 20th August, when the line was advanced by about a thousand yards, and it was again advanced on the 30th by this battalion, which was afterwards withdrawn to divisional reserve. It took over the line again on September 25th and on the 28th it attacked, cap- tured Messines and advanced the line until it conformed with the Ypres-Commines Canal. The 90th Brigade, of which the battalion was now part, attacked again on October 14th, capturing Wervicq, and on the 17th the battalion forced,the River Lys in the face of hostile machine-gun fire, and on the 18th again met with considerable resistance in the neighbourhood of Aelb eke. The advance was continued, with the 90th Brigade acting as advance guard to the 30th Division, but on the 21st the Brigade was withdrawn into divisional reserve. A short period of trench relief followed, and it had returned to divisional reserve when hostilities ceased.

                              1st September 1914  Continued withdrawals

                              1st September 1914  Further Action

                              1st Sep 1914  Caught with their Coats Off

                              1st Sep 1914  A Sharp Fight

                              1st Sep 1914  After our Blood

                              Sep 1914  1st Scots Guards appoint photographer

                              1st Sep 1914  In Enemy Hands

                              1st Sep 1914  8th DLI on the Move

                              1st Sep 1914  Rear Guard

                              Sep 1914 Formation of the County of Durham Battalion  

                              In the bitter days of early September 1914, under the chairmanship of the Earl of Durham, a committee of gentlemen from the County of Durham, including Colonel R. Burdon, V.D., M.P., Sir William Gray, Bart., and H. Pike Pease, M.P., agreed to raise and equip at their own expense a Battalion from County of Durham, making special appeals to Durham, Darlington, the Hartlepools, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Sunderland and Bishop Auckland.

                              The raising of such a Battalion was actually first mooted by Major F. T. Tristram in a letter to Colonel R. Burdon, and it was brought into being as a direct outcome of their strenuous efforts seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel H. Bowes and cordially supported by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County.

                              The idea, conceived and carried into effect, was to raise and equip a Battalion in the County at the sole expense of subscribers, and it should be observed that this Battalion was the only unit in the country that was so raised, the initial expenses connected with the formation of other Battalions being refunded by the Government.

                              Appeals were at once made for funds for the provision of equipment, etc., and the response amounted to upwards of £10,000. Lord Durham in addition generously offered to place Cocken Hall at the disposal of the Committee: this certainly saved the county a further expenditure of between £6000 and £??? and without its use it would have been impossible to house the recruits who poured in rapidly directly the proposal to form a County Battalion was made public.

                              List of Subscribers:

                              • The Earl of Durham, K.G., etc., Lambton Castle, Fence Houses.
                              • Colonel R. Burdon, V.D., M.P., J.P., Castle Eden.
                              • Mrs. Matthew Gray.
                              • Sir Lindsay Wood, Bart, The Hermitage, Chester-le-Street.
                              • The Executors of the late Sir Stephen Furness, Baltic Chambers, West Hartlepool.
                              • Colonel H. Doughty, J.P., Seaton Carew.
                              • C. E. Hunter, Esq., Wemmergill, Middleton-in-Teesdale.
                              • Colonel Sir Robert Ropner, Bart., Preston Hall, near Stockton-on-Tees.
                              • A. F. Pease, Esq., J.P., Middleton Lodge, Middleton Tyas.
                              • The Right Hon. H. Pike Pease, M.P., House of Commons.
                              • Colonel J. H. Ropner, V.D., J.P., Ragworth, Norton-on-Tees.
                              • Colonel C. W. Darwin, C.B., J.P., Dryburn, Durham.
                              • R. Hutton Wilson, Esq., Egglescliffe S.O.
                              • F. Fenwick, Esq., J. p.. Forester's Lodge, Wolsingham.
                              • W. O. Wood, Esq., J.P., South Hetton.
                              • Colonel Roberts, Hollingside, Durham.
                              • W. Sewell, Esq., Manor House, North Bridge Street, Sunderland.
                              • John Feetham, Esq., Whinfield, Darlington.

                              It is not to be supposed, however, that the formation of the battalion was carried out at the cost of little or no trouble. As a matter of fact, the work was attended with considerable difficulty.

                              At the outset the War Office was totally opposed to Battalions being raised in such a way, and obstacles were thrown in the way of the promoters, but Colonel R. Burdon, by dint of perseverance, eventually succeeded in obtaining official sanction to go ahead with the scheme.

                              Curiously enough, after first strongly opposing the project, the War Office subsequently commended highly the success achieved in Durham, and Lord Kitchener summoned Colonel Burdon to London and expressed the thanks of the country to the county for having presented the nation with so fine a Battalion. Composed, as it was, of picked officers and men, the Battalion was unquestionably a unit of which any county and any country might well have been proud.

                              1st Sep 1914  Back in Blighty

                              1st Sep 1914  A Rude Awakening

                              1st Sep 1914  Outpost Duty

                              1st Sep 1914  Reorganisation

                              1st Sep 1914  Allowances

                              Sep 1914  Training

                              1st Sep 1914  In Action

                              1st Sep 1914  Highest Praise

                              1st September 1914  Continued withdrawals

                              1st Sep 1914  In Action

                              1st Sep 1914  Withdrawal

                              1st Sep 1914  In Action

                              1st Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              1st Sep 1914  In Action

                              1st Sep 1914  In Action

                              1st Sep 1914  Captured

                              1st Sep 1914  Fog

                              1st Sep 1914  Under Attack

                              1st Sep 1914  Counter Attack

                              1st Sep 1914  A Hot Day

                              1st Sep 1914  On the Move

                              1st of September 1914  A Delayed March

                              1st Sep 1914  On the March

                              1st Sep 1914  On the March

                              1st Sep 1914  Attack

                               

                              Sept 1914  On the Move

                              1st September 1914  Move

                              1st September 1914  Outpost positions

                              Sep 1914  Record

                              1st Sep 1914  On the Move

                              Sep 1914  Reorganisation

                              2nd September 1914 The Queens left St. Helena for Southampton  'HMT Kenilworth Castle' left St Helena. 'HMS Astraea' was replaced by 'HMS Leviathan'.

                              2nd September 1914 Zeppelin raids  A further Zeppelin raid took place on Antwerp, Belgium.

                              2nd Sep 1914 Crowds gather in Sheffield  A large crowd gathered outside the Town Hall in Sheffield as volunteers entered the Lord Mayor's Chambers to complete their form declaring their willingness to enlist in the new Sheffield City Battalion. A contingent from the University Officer Training Corps marched from the University to the Town Hall in a column of fours to enrol. Once they had done so they marched out of the building and formally disbanded the OTC for the duration of the war. Once dismissed the men took it upon themselves to persuade passers by to enrol.

                              2nd September 1914 Back to Villenoy  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started out at 0400 and fell back to Villeroy. engaged from near Raperie a regiment of Cavalry moving south near Fosse Martin at long range driving them to west. In bivouac at 2030.

                              2nd September 1914  Further moves

                              2nd September 1914  Further retreat

                              2nd Sep 1914  Rear Guard

                              2nd Sep 1914  On the March

                              2nd Sep 1914  Rear Guard

                              2nd Sep 1914  Inspection

                              2nd September 1914  Continued withdrawals

                              2nd Sep 1914  On the March

                              2nd Sep 1914  Withdrawal

                              2nd Sep 1914  On the March

                              2nd Sep 1914  Into Billets

                              2nd Sep 1914  Training

                              2nd Sep 1914  On the March

                              2nd Sep 1914  Camps and Depots

                              2nd of September 1914  An Early March

                              2nd Sep 1914  On the March

                              2nd September 1914  Retired to Montge

                              2nd September 1914  Withdrew at dawn.

                              2nd Sep 1914  On the Move

                              3rd Sep 1914 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment raised  10th (Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment is raised at York on the 3rd of September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army, they join 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division.

                              3rd September 1914   SM U-32 was a Type U 31 uboat built as the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 192). She was ordered 29 Mar 1912, laid down 8 Nov 1912. launched 28 Jan 1914 and was commissioned on 3rd of Sep 1914. Her Commanders were: 3 Sep 1914 to 17 Mar 1916 Freiherr Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim, 18 Mar 1916 to 15 Feb 1918 Kurt Hartwig and 16 Feb 1918 to 8 May 1918, Kurt Albrecht. She undertook 11 patrols sailing with IV Flotilla until 8th of Nov 1916, the with Pola Flotilla until 8th of May 1918

                              Her successes include 37 ships sunk with a total of 106,034 tons, 3 ships damaged with a total of 18,554 tons, 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,115 tons and 1 warship sunk with a total of 14,000 tons.

                              • 8 Apr 1915 Chateaubriand 2,247 fr
                              • 11 Apr 1915 Wayfarer (damaged) 9,599 br
                              • 22 Jun 1915 Kiew (prize) 1,115 da
                              • 4 Mar 1916 Teutonian 4,824 br
                              • 5 Mar 1916 Rothesay 2,007 br
                              • 6 Mar 1916 Trois Freres 106 fr
                              • 7 Mar 1916 Ville Du Havre 3,109 fr
                              • 18 Oct 1916 Athene 1,847 nw
                              • 30 Oct 1916 Marquis Bacquehem 4,396 br
                              • 30 Oct 1916 Vertunno 3,239 it
                              • 27 Nov 1916 City Of Birmingham 7,498 br
                              • 27 Nov 1916 Karnak 6,816 fr
                              • 30 Nov 1916 S. Antonio 611 it
                              • 1 Dec 1916 Cuore Di Gesu 199 it
                              • 1 Dec 1916 Lampo 59 it
                              • 2 Dec 1916 Angela Madre G. 155 it
                              • 3 Dec 1916 Lucellum (damaged) 5,184 br
                              • 6 Dec 1916 Campania 4,297 it
                              • 8 Dec 1916 Carmelina Dominici 94 it
                              • 12 Dec 1916 Saint Ursula 5,011 br
                              • 7 Jan 1917 Rosalia L. 7,186 it
                              • 9 Jan 1917 Cornwallis 14,000 br
                              • 10 Apr 1917 Porto Di Rodi 2,480 it
                              • 12 Apr 1917 Kildale 3,830 br
                              • 17 Apr 1917 Costante 3,479 it
                              • 18 Apr 1917 Rinaldo 4,321 br
                              • 21 Apr 1917 Giosue 140 it
                              • 12 May 1917 Locksley Hall 3,635 br
                              • 24 May 1917 Biarritz 2,758 fr
                              • 16 Jul 1917 Khephren 2,774 br
                              • 16 Jul 1917 Porto Di Adalia 4,073 it
                              • 17 Jul 1917 Virent (damaged) 3,771 br
                              • 19 Jul 1917 Varvara 1,316 gr
                              • 20 Sep 1917 Kurdistan 3,720 br
                              • 22 Sep 1917 Caroline 107 fr
                              • 24 Sep 1917 Iriston 3,221 br
                              • 29 Sep 1917 Sanwen 3,689 br
                              • 4 Oct 1917 Constantinos Embiricos 2,611 gr
                              • 4 Oct 1917 Nicolaos Roussos 2,421 gr
                              • 10 Oct 1917 Transporteur 1,812 fr
                              • 21 Apr 1918 Bellview 3,567 br
                              • 1 May 1918 Era 2,379 au
                              On the 8th of May 1918 U32 was Shelled then depth charged by HMS Wallflower NW Malta at 3607N 1328E with 41 dead (all hands lost).

                              There was another U 32 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 25 Feb 1937 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Apr 1937.

                              3rd September 1914 Further withdrawals  Still with 3rd Brigade, E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA started at 0400 and returned through Meaux to Barcy, then fell back to Montebise Chateau where unit went into bivouac at 1900. Always in action but nothing to shoot at.

                              3rd September 1914  Continued withdrawals

                              3rd September 1914  Continued withdrawals

                              3rd Sep 1914  German Army Moves SouthEast

                              3rd Sep 1914  Accidental Injury

                              3rd Sep 1914  On the Move

                              3rd Sep 1914  Rear Guard

                              3rd Sep 1914  On the March

                              3rd Sep 1914  Advance Guard

                              3rd September 1914  Continued withdrawals

                              3rd Sep 1914  On the March

                              3rd Sep 1914  On the March

                              3rd Sep 1914  Inspection

                              3rd Sep 1914  Defeats

                              3rd Sep 1914  On the March

                              3rd Sep 1914  On the Move

                              3rd Sep 1914  Retirement

                              3rd of September 1914  Across the Marne

                              3rd Sep 1914  On the March

                              3rd September 1914  Retire to Mont Pichet

                              3rd September 1914  On the March

                              4th Sep 1914  In Position

                              4th September 1914 Continued retreat for E Bty 3rd RHA  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0600 and moved to Le Grand Glairet and then fell back to Bois de Done where after halting for some hours went into action near La Fayet about 1600 and engaged two enemy's concealed batteries behind Dove Hill at range of 4,600 yards. the battery was only partly concealed. Fired over 150 rounds and was under very heavy shell fire. When ordered to retire did so under still heavier shell fire. Strange to say not a single casualty though enemy had our range very accurately. Ranged on enemy, searched, our cavalry reported one gun knocked out and heavy casualties to teams. Went into bivouac in Chailly at 2030.

                              4th September 1914  Further retreat

                              4th September 1914  Relocation

                              4th Sep 1914  Under Canvas

                              4th Sep 1914  On the March

                              4th Sep 1914  Rear Guard

                              4th Sep 1914  On the March

                              4th Sep 1914  In Action

                              4th Oct 1914  On the March

                              4th September 1914  Enemy across the Marne

                              4th Sep 1914  On the March

                              4th Sep 1914  On the March

                              4th Sep 1914  In Reserve

                              4th Sep 1914  On the March

                              4th Sep 1914  On the March

                              4th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              4th Sep 1914  At Rest

                              4th September 1914  Remained in Mont Pichet until night move

                              4th September 1914  Night march

                              4th Sep 1914  On the March

                              5th Sep 1914 First trainees for FAU at Jordans  In early September about 60 young men took part in the first training camp for the Friends Ambulance Unit at the Quaker Centre at Jordans, in Buckinghamshire.

                              5th September 1914 Rear guard action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0400. Doing left rear guard action with 4th Hussars to 1st Division. Went into bivouac at 1700 in Vilbert.

                              5th Sep 1914 4th Royal Fusiliers depart for Malta  Part of 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers set sail from Southampton on board HMT Galician bound for Malta. Previously they had been in camp at Wareham in training since 2nd August

                              5th September 1914  Renforcements & Medial Attention

                              5th September 1914  Marne action

                              5th September 1914  Rear guard retires

                              5th Sep 1914  Darlington Pals Recruitment Parade

                              5th Sep 1914  Rear Guard

                              5th Sep 1914  On the March

                              5th Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              5th Sep 1914  Field Excerise

                              5th September 1914  Enemy advance continues

                              5th Sep 1914  On the March

                              5th Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              5th Sep 1914  Disorderly

                              5th Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              5th Sep 1914  An Excellent Position

                              5th of September 1914  March Finished

                              Sep 1914  On the Move

                              5th September 1914  Continuing to retire

                              5th September 1914  On the March

                              5th Sep 1914  Comforts

                              5th Sep 1914  Duplicate Units

                              5th Sep 1914  CO Returns

                              6th September 1914  Battle of the Marne

                              6th Sep 1914 9th Heavy Battery to Woolwich  9th Heavy Battery proceeded to Woolwich on the 6th September, and came under the command of Major Castens at the end of October.

                              6th September 1914 Small Advance  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0830 and to our great relief at last joined in general advance of our 3 armies. Fired only 30 rounds at long range and went into bivouac in Pezarches at 2030.

                              6th September 1914  General Army Advance

                              6th September 1914  End of Retreat

                              6th Sep 1914  Advance Guard

                              6th Sep 1914  On the March

                              6th Sep 1914  In Reserve

                              6th Oct 1914  On the Move

                              6th September 1914  Attack Made

                              6th Sep 1914  Brigade in Reserve

                              6th Sep 1914  On the March

                              6th Sep 1914  Difficult Conditions

                              6th Sep 1914  Advance

                              6th Sep 1914  Orders

                              6th Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              6th of September 1914  Army Advances

                              6th September 1914  Taking up position at Le Charnois - Guerard

                              6th September 1914  Enemy Retiring

                              7th September 1914 Sections in Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Captain U Clairlu(?) joined the battery today from 3rd Brigade RHA Ammunition Column. The Left Section started out with 16th Lancers at 0430. Remainder of Battery left at 0600. The Left Section fired about 150 rounds with effect from Epieos at stragglers near Mouroux after which they joined battery which engaged retreating guns and cavalry from Chailly firing about another 100 rounds. Went into bivouac in Les Potees at around 2030.

                              7th September 1914  Continued Advance

                              7th September 1914  Further moves

                              7th Sep 1914  Hartlepool Company of Earl Durham's Comrade Battalion recruiting

                              7th Sep 1914  Enemy Engaged

                              7th Sep 1914  Training begins.

                              7th Sep 1914  Bedfords in Action

                              7th Sep 1914  Advance Guard

                              7th Sep 1914  On the March

                              7th Sep 1914  On the March

                              7th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              7th Sep 1914  Training

                              7th September 1914  Attack progressing

                              7th Sep 1914  On the March

                              7th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              7th September 1914  Airship Scare

                              7th Sep 1914  Advance

                              7th Sep 1914  Orders

                              7th Sep 1914  New CO

                              7th Sep 1914  Inoculations

                              7th Sep 1914  Construction

                              7th of September 1914   Another March

                              7th September 1914  At the front

                              7th September 1914  Drunk German soldiers

                              8th Sept 1914 2nd Life guards training continues  War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards records the appointment of Brigadier General Kavanagh as Brigadier on 8th of September. Training continued.

                              8th September 1914 Heavy casualties  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0500 and marched to Mauroy near which we came into action, the centre section under Lt. Palmer was detached. It had a bad time losing four men and eight horses, having a direct hit on the gun section in the open during a heavy crossfire from concealed artillery. The remainder of the battery lost 2 men but though heavily fired upon were not so knocked about except when leaving position when did so under very heavy fire but again had not a single casualty. German artillery completely concealed behind much higher ground. We never found them. We were fighting with 3rd Cavalry Brigade as advance guard and German rear guard was holding position from Le Grand Glairel to St Ouen. Six men and six horses joined the battery from the Ammunition Column. We were withdrawn when our main armies came up and the German rear guard retired. Went into bivouac near Le Grand Glairel at 1730.

                              8th September 1914  Advanced Guard

                              8th Sep 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                              8th Sep 1914  Advance Guard

                              8th Sep 1914  On the March

                              8th Sep 1914  Enemy in Flight

                              8th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              8th Sep 1914  Inspection

                              8th Sep 1914  Recruitment

                              8th September 1914  Ongoing Battles

                              8th Sep 1914  River Crossed

                              8th September 1914  To France

                              8th Sep 1914  In Reserve

                              8th Sep 1914  Prisoners

                              8th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              8th Sep 1914  Move

                              8th of September 1914  An Early March

                              8th September 1914  March to new billets in Charnesseuil

                              8th September 1914  A column of Germans ahead.

                              9th September 1914 Period in waiting mode  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA started at 0500 and moved to Chateau Perreuse where we waited until 1600 while our armies were attacking the Marne. Moved to Rougeville where we bivouacked at 1800.

                              9th September 1914  Move to billets

                              9th September 1914  Battle of Marne

                              9th Sep 1914  On the March

                              9th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              9th Sep 1914  Bridging

                              9th Sep 1914  On the March

                              9th Sep 1914  Recruitment

                              9th Sep 1914  Sentry Duty

                              9th Sep 1914  Prisoners Taken

                              9th September 1914  Ongoing Action

                              9th Sep 1914  Advance

                              9th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              9th Sep 1914  Reorganisation

                              9th Sep 1914  In Action

                              9th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              9th Sep 1914   Orders Received

                              9th of September 1914  On the Move

                              9th September 1914  Advance continues

                              9th September 1914  On the March

                              9th Sep 1914 24th Heavy Battery RGA embark  24th Heavy Battery RGA sailed from Southampton, HQ and Right section on board SS Caledonian, Left section and Ammunition Column on SS Rowanmore. Both ships sailed at about 8 pm.

                              10th Sep 1914  Durham Pals Battalion Formed

                              10th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion formed  Official enlistment of men for the Sheffield City Battalion and the recruiting office opened at The Corn Exchange in Sheaf Street. Those who had already volunteered were sent a postcard asking them to report. Forty volunteer clerks filled in the paperwork and each man underwent a medical to check he met the minimum size requirements for the army and was generally in good health.

                              10th September 1914 Continuing Action in wet conditions  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA started at 0430 and marched to near Germigny, crossing Marne at Nanteuil, where right section under Lt Maxwell did very well engaging convoy rear guards and assisting in capture of both. Rest of battery did little and went into bivouacs in Passy at 1800. Very wet and heavy going very hard on the horses.

                              10th September 1914  support positions

                              10th September 1914  Battle of Marne

                              10th Sep 1914  Losses in the Morning

                              10th Sep 1914  Bridging

                              10th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              10th Sep 1914  Night Exercise

                              10th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              10th September 1914  Davance

                              10th Sep 1914  In Action

                              10th September 1914  In France

                              10th Sep 1914  Prisoners Taken

                              10th Sep 1914  Advance

                              10th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              10th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              10th Sep 1914  Construction

                              10th of September 1914  Marching

                              10th September 1914 

                              10th September 1914  Continued advance

                              Sep 1914  Move

                              Sep 1914  On the Move

                                 On 11 September 1914 the War Office issued Army Order No. 382 authorising six new divisions numbered from 15th to 20th. This was the 2nd New Army which included the 16th (Irish) Division. The 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was in the 49 Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division. Lieutenant-General Sir Lawrence W. Parsons was appointed to command the 16th (Irish) Division on 23 September 1914. Gen. Parsons opened his headquarters in Dublin, but due to the 10th (Irish)Division having priority and first claim on accommodation and training areas, 16th Division was sent south to Munster. Divisional Headquarters moved on 8 October 1914 and established itself at Mallow, Co. Cork. The headquarters of its three infantry brigades were: 47 Brigade at Fermoy 48 Brigade at Buttevant 49 Brigade at Tipperary The 49 Brigade which included the 7 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was formed on the 1st October 1914. Brig. R. D. Longe was appointed its commander. The local Tipperary Union Workhouse was used as overflow accommodation for the Tipperary Barracks until the new hutment camps were built at Scalaheen a mile west of the town. By the end of October approximately 1,800 men were using the camp which was designed for one infantry battalion of approx 700 personnel. Two hutment camps as an annex to the main barracks at Tipperary were built. The land on which these camps were to be built leased from the Smith-Barry Estate and was situated about a half a mile west of the barracks in Scalaheen. The camps were built next to each other and were called East and West Hutments.

                              11th September 1914 E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Continuing pursuit of enemy   Started at 0500. Moved to Viilemontoire where two sections fired a few rounds in very heavy rain at retreating infantry about 1600. Lt Maxwell's section out in action with 16th Lancers a good deal against stragglers Went into billets at Tigny about 1800. Very wet all day. At Tigny tonight we got no supplies making our 5th day in all without them since we left Hautmont on the 28th August. in addition we rarely averaged more than 6 lbs per issue which is most annoying as most other units got a full 12 lbs.

                              11th September 1914  Continued Action

                              11th Sep 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                              11th Sep 1914  Durham City Volunteers Recruiment Parade

                              11th Sep 1914  On the March

                              11th Sep 1914  Advance Guard

                              11th September 1914  Continued progress

                              11th Sep 1914  On the March

                              11th Sep 1914  Wet Weather

                              11th Sep 1914  Very Wet Day

                              11th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              11th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              11th of September 1914  Marching

                              11th September 1914  Advance continues

                              11th September 1914  Heavy Rain

                              12th September 1914 Ongoing Action for E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA  started at 0500 and marched to high ground south of the River Aisne, where Lt. Walwyn's Section, who had been detached with left flank guard with 4th Hussars reformed. This section had engaged dismounted cavalry a good deal.Battery then went on with 3rd Cavalry Brigade to high ground North East of Chassemy. Lt Walwyn's section went on again with 4th Hussars in attempt to seize Vailly which failed - section not in action. The remainder of the Battery in action against a surprise infantry attack. Finished firing at 1000 eventually when infantry were wiped out. Over 100 surrendering with remainder killed, wounded and dispersing in woods. Went into billets at Chassemy at 1830 - very wet all day.

                              12th September 1914  New billets

                              12th September 1914  On the March

                              12th Sep 1914 Tyneside Irish Battalion to be raised  An indication that a new regiment of the north east Irish community was first mentioned in the Newcastle evening chronicle on Saturday the 12th September 1914.

                              12th Sep 1914  On the March

                              12th Sep 1914  On the March

                              12th Sep 1914  On the March

                              12th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              12th Oct 1914  On the Move

                              12th Sep 1914  Route March

                              12th Sep 1914  Transported

                              12th September 1914  Bad Weather

                              12th Sep 1914  On the March

                              12th September 1914 

                              12th Sep 1914  On the March

                              12th Sep 1914  Wet Weather

                              Sep 1914 Training  

                              THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE HOME FRONT, 1914-1918

                              Men of 16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment man a field kitchen during training in Saffron Walden, a group of children look on. IWM (Q 53755)

                              12th Sep 1914  Very Wet Day

                              12th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              12th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              12th Sep 1914  Inoculations

                              12th of September 1914  A Wet March

                              12th September 1914  Advance continues

                              12th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              12th September 1914  On the March

                              13th Sep 1914 Attack Made  The 1st Hampshires led the attack against the Germans at the 1st Battle of the Aisne.

                              13th Sep 1914 35th Heavy Battery relieved  35th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery are relieved by the 26th Battery, they moved by train from outside Paris through Amiens to Boulogne then Calais to St. Omer and marched to Barracks at Ebblinghem

                              13th Sept 1914 2nd Life Guards Lord Kitchener inspects Brigade  2nd Life Guards War Diary records that Lord Kitchener inspected the 4th Calvary Brigade.

                              13th Sep 1914 Lord Kitchener makes third appeal for volunteers  Lord Kitchener's third appeal for volunteers is published.

                              13th Sep 1914  In Position

                              13th September 1914 E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Standby positions  Started at 0600 and waited under cover of high ground all day while infantry attack was developing on the River Aisne. Returned to billets in Chassemy at 1900.

                              13th September 1914  Ongoing Action

                              13th September 1914  Continued Advance

                              13th Sep 1914  Battle Commencing

                              13th Sep 1914  Escort Duty Resumes

                              13th Sep 1914  Bridging

                              13th Sep 1914  In Action

                              13th Oct 1914  In Action

                              13th September 1914  Strong Opposition

                              13th Sep 1914  On the March

                              13th September 1914  On the March

                              13th Sep 1914  On the March

                              13th Sep 1914  On the March

                              13th Sep 1914  Artillery Active

                              13th Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              13th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              13th Sep 1914  Arrivals

                              13th of September 1914  A Showery March

                              13th September 1914  Crossing River Aisne

                              13th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              13th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              13th September 1914  Gradual Advance

                              14th Sep 1914 Casualties for Scots Guards  The war diary of the 1st Scots Guards for this date states 'The Battalion moved at 5.30am via Moulins and Vendresse to a hill between that place and Troyon - 2 companies in Brigade reserve and 2 companies sent as artillery escort to Tour de Passy'. The casualties for this day is recorded as 3 officers and 16 men killed, 3 officers and 86 men wounded and 12 missing.

                              14th Sep 1914 4th Yorks join Division  4th Yorks leave Hummersknott Park, Darlington and move to Newcastle to join with the other battalions of the Northumbrian Division for further training.

                              mid Sep 1914 21st Division at Halton Park  At the outbreak of war, Halton Park in Buckinghamshire was offered to the War Office by Alfred de Rothschild for use as a training camp. The first division to arrive was the 21st Yorkshire Division comprising; 8th East Yorkshire, 10th Green Howards, 14th Northumberland Fusiliers, 8th Lincolns, 12th West Yorkshire, 10th York & Lancaster and 9th and 10th KOYLI. They had their Divisional HQ at Aston Clinton House. Halton House was lent to the RFC who also trained in the grounds.

                              14th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion hold first parade  The first parade of the newly formed Sheffield City Battalion is held at Norfolk Barracks, Edmond Road, the Drill Hall of the West Riding Territorial Force. The men were organised into Companies, platoons and sections. They were inspected by their CO Col Hughes and the Lord Mayor then listened to speeches from the gallery by the Lord Mayor, Mr Fisher of the University and Col Hughes who declared them a wonderful looking crowd. The men were dismissed to return to their own homes or lodgings for the night as there was no accommodation available for the new battalion en-mass.

                              14th September 1914 Battle of Trindade 1914  The Battle of Trindade was a single-ship action fought during the First World War on 14 September 1914 off the coast of the Brazilian island of Trindade.

                              Battle

                              The German auxiliary cruiser Cap Trafalgar was steaming in South American waters on her commerce raiding mission when she came across several German colliers, trapped in the region by the Allied navies in the Western approaches. Cap Trafalgar, in need of supplies, was led to the Trindade and Martim Vaz islands where the Germans had established a small, hidden supply base. Cap Trafalgar arrived at the base on September 14, giving away her position early that morning by smoke from her steam engines. The British auxiliary cruiser Carmania, a former ocean liner which was designed to fight merchant vessels and small enemy warships, noticed the smoke and moved to engage. Coincidentally, the Cap Trafalgar, also intended for use against enemy merchant fleets, had been altered to resemble the Carmania. Some accounts wrongly claimed that both ships were disguised as each other. Carmania moved into Trindade's only sheltered anchorage, surprising Cap Trafalgar and two enemy colliers. Both the British and German commanders believed that in order to obtain a decisive victory, they would need more space to manoeuver their ships. They steamed several miles into open sea before turning into each other and commencing hostilities. Carmania fired the first shots, which fell short, thus allowing Cap Trafalgar to give out the first hit. For some ninety minutes the two ships fought a gunnery duel. They also used machine guns to target each other's crew. At first the German fire was more effective. Eventually, as the two ships closed to within a few hundred yards of each other, British shots became more accurate and fires began to spread aboard the German raider. Carmania received most of the hits during the fight, 73 hits in total. Her bridge was completely destroyed and she had taken hits below the waterline. However, just when things began to look dire for the British, the Cap Trafalgar turned away and began lowering life rafts, having been holed below the waterline and taking on water. She soon sank. The German colliers were able to rescue 279 German sailors from the sea and rafts. Between 16 and 51 of the crew are cited by different sources as killed in action or drowned. Carmania's crew suffered 9 dead, several wounded and the ship was severely damaged.

                              Aftermath

                              After receiving Cap Trafalgar's distress call, the SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm arrived near the battle scene. Fearing a British attack, assuming the Cap Trafalgar had already been sunk and not knowing the poor condition of Carmania, she turned around and steamed away. The day after the battle, Carmania was rescued and escorted to the port of Pernambuco. The surviving Germans were dropped off by the colliers in Montevideo

                              14th September 1914 Setback in action   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0500 and after a long wait at the Chateau ready to cross the river at Vailly, had to fall back under very heavy shell fire from big howitzers, could only move up the big spur crest of Chassemy. By great good fortune only one horse was killed while all around us on top of spur III Divisional Artillery were having a bad time this fire coming from behind Condefort. Went into bivouac at Lime at 1900.

                              14th September 1914  Ongoing Action

                              14th September 1914  Ongoing actions

                              14th Sep 1914  Bravery on the River

                              14th Sep 1914  Under Shellfire

                              14th Sep 1914  In Action

                              14th Sep 1914  On the March

                              14th Sep 1914  Course

                              14th September 1914  Further Advance

                              14th Sep 1914  Advance

                              14th Sep 1914  In Action

                              14th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              14th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              14th Sep 1914  Orders

                              14th Sep 1914  Training

                              14th Sep 1914  Recruitment

                              14th Sep 1914  Construction

                              14th of September 1914  Broken Bridges

                              14th Sep 1914  A Wounded Soldiers Experiences

                              14th September 1914  Advance continues

                              14th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              14th September 1914  Under Fire

                              14th Sep 1914  Recruiting

                              14th Sep 1914  Reorganisation

                              9th Sep 1914 24th Heavy Battery proceed to France  24th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                              15th Sep 1914 Sheffield City Battalion begin training  Training begins for the Sheffield City Battalion, the larger part of the formation marched from Norfolk Barracks to Bramhall Lane Football Ground, with smaller contingents going to areas of waste ground on Edmund Road nad Queens Road to learn the basics of drill from the few men who had previous experience as soldiers. Drill instruction was undertaken for six hours under hot sun, much to the detriment of the turf on the football pitch.

                              Norfolk Park is also used as a training area for field craft and tactical training with trenches being dug. Potential Officers and NCO's were identified and the those with previous military service were appointed to the key positions of Company Serjeant Majors.

                              15th September 1914 Heavy Action for E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA moved out around 0500 and were in action about 1 mile south of Chassemy all day. Fired over 200 rounds chiefly searching behind Condefort. Returned to bivouac at lime about 1800.

                              15th September 1914  Ongoing Action

                              15th Sep 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                              15th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              15th Sep 1914  In Action

                              15th Sep 1914  Training

                              15th September 1914  Shelling

                              15th Sep 1914  Line Extended

                              15th Sep 1914  Holding the Line

                              15th Sep 1914  In Action

                              15th Sep 1914  Under Fire

                              15th Sep 1914  On the March

                              15th Sep 1914  Orders

                              15th Sep 1914  Training

                              15th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              15th of September 1914  An Attack Falters

                              15th September 1914  Attack on Chivres Spur

                              15th Sep 1914  On the March

                              15th September 1914  Position Shelled

                              16th September 1914  Another Day on Standby

                              16th September 1914  Ongoing Action

                              16th Sep 1914  Entrenching

                              16th Sep 1914  First Territorials in France

                              16th Sep 1914  Entrenching

                              16th Sep 1914  Artillery In Action

                              16th Sep 1914  On the Range

                              16th September 1914  Difficulties

                              16th Sep 1914  Enemy Active

                              16th September 1914  Villemontoire

                              16th September 1914  Villemontoire

                              16th Sep 1914  Reorganisation

                              16th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              16th Sep 1914  Innoculations

                              16th Sep 1914  On the March

                              16th Sep 1914  On the March

                              16th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              16th of September 1914  Bad Roads

                              16th September 1914  Billetted in Jury

                              16th Sep 1914  On the March

                              16th September 1914  Heavy shelling

                              17th September 1914 E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Relocate   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA joined 5th Cavalry Brigade and leaving bivouac at 0600 were in action 3/4 mile from Chassemy all day. Fired a few rounds at long range. Very wet all day. Went into billets at Cerseuil at 1900.

                              17th September 1914  Ongoing Action

                              17th September 1914 

                              17th Sep 1914  Vicious Fighting & Dirty Tricks

                              17th Sep 1914  Entrenching

                              17th Sep 1914  In Action

                              17th Sep 1914  Training

                              17th September 1914  Heavy Bombardment

                              17th Sep 1914  Attack

                              17th September 1914 

                              17th September 1914  Villeblain

                              17th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              17th Sep 1914  Digging in

                              17th Sep 1914  Defence

                              17th Sep 1914  On the March

                              17th Sep 1914  Wounded

                              17th Sep 1914  Wounded

                              17th Sep 1914  Construction

                              17th of September 1914  Artillery Reinforced

                              17th September 1914  Trench work

                              17th Sep 1914  On the March

                              17th September 1914  Shelling not so heavy

                              17th October 1914  Halted

                              18th September 1914 Rest and Recovery Period  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA In billets all day which Battle on the Aisne going on. Our first rest since leaving Le Havre and horses very badly in need of it as getting very done. The incessant marching, mostly across country and latterly in most holding ground having told on them. our total casualties in horses up to date being twenty seven. Nine died from wounds or destroyed on account of them and remainder mostly lame horses, destroyed or returned to Sick Depots.

                              18th September 1914  Standby

                              18th Sep 1914  1st East Lancs entrench

                              18th Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              18th Sep 1914  Artillery In Action

                              18th September 1914  Night Attacks

                              18th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              18th September 1914 

                              18th Sep 1914  Reorganisation

                              18th Sep 1914  Into Billets

                              18th Sep 1914  In Billets

                              18th Sep 1914  Training

                              18th Sep 1914  Assistance

                              18th of September 1914  Some Enemy Firing

                              18th Sep 1914  In Bivouac

                              18th September 1914  Bursts of shelling

                              19 Sept 1914 2nd Life Guards inspection by Brigadier  2nd Life Guards - War Diary Inspection of Brigade by Brigadier.

                              19th Sep 1914 2nd Btn The Queens arrive in England  'HMT Kenilworth Castle' arrived in Southampton. The 2nd Battalion Queens West Surrey Regiment disembarked & proceeded by route march to Lyndhurst, Hampshire, arriving there about 2030 hours and went under canvas.

                              19th September 1914 Rest and Recovery Period  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA 19th and 20th September - Rest and recovery in Billets at Cerseuil.

                              19th September 1914  Standby

                              19th Sep 1914  1st South Wales Borderers in the Line

                              19th Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              19th Sep 1914  Reliefs Complete

                              19th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              19th September 1914  Attack Repulsed

                              19th Sep 1914  Under Shellfire

                              19th September 1914  March

                              19th Sep 1914  Into the Trenches

                              19th Sep 1914  On the March

                              19th Sep 1914  Arrivals

                              19th Sep 1914  Route March

                              19th Sep 1914  Recruitment

                              19th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              19th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              19th of September 1914  Trenches Fired Constantly

                              19th Sep 1914  Orders Received

                              19th September 1914  Enemy seen

                              19th Sep 1914  Recruiting

                              19th Sep 1914  Divisional HQ Opens

                              20th Sep 1914 2nd Btn Rifle Brigade depart India  2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade were stationed at Kuldana in India when war broke out in August 1914. They sailed from Bombay on 20th of September for Liverpool.

                              20th Sep 1914  22nd Infantry Brigade organising

                              20th September 1914 Battle of Zanzibar 1914  

                              HMS Pegasus

                              The Battle of Zanzibar was fought between the Kaiserliche Marine and the Royal Navy during the First World War. The German cruiser SMS Königsberg had been taking on coal in the delta of the Rufiji River when her crew were told that a British cruiser—HMS Pegasus, which had been part of the Royal Navy's Cape Squadron sent to counter Köningsberg—had put in at Zanzibar for repairs. Königsberg's captain—Commander Max Looff—decided to attack Pegasus while she was in port. On 20 September 1914, Königsberg sailed past the picket ship HMS Helmuth at the entrance to Zanzibar harbour. Helmuth was unable to warn Pegasus of Königsberg's approach, with the result that when Koningsberg opened fire she took Pegasus entirely by surprise. As a result, Pegasus suffered heavy damage before she was even able to return fire. Königsberg's guns out-ranged those on Pegasus, which was consequently unable to damage her opponent. The one-sided battle ended in a German victory, Pegasus sank later that day, having lost 38 crew dead.

                              Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, on 19 September 1914, Commander Max Looff of the light cruiser SMS Königsberg was coaling in the Rufuji Delta, when he learned from coast watchers that a British warship had entered Zanzibar harbour. Looff assumed the cruiser at Zanzibar was either HMS Astraea or HMS Pegasus and ordered an immediate attack. As Königsberg had been recently resupplied, she was prepared for battle. Königsberg left on the afternoon tide for her run to Zanzibar. The protected cruiser Pegasus, under the command of Captain John Ingles, had just left the company of HMS Astraea and Hyacinth for repairs at Zanzibar to her boilers and engines. Also at Zanzibar, the British had armed the captured German tug HMS Helmuth with a 3-pounder gun and posted her as a picket ship at the entrance of the harbour. Königsberg had been built in 1905 and was armed with ten 10.5 cm guns, ten 37 mm autocannon pieces and two 18 inch torpedo tubes. Pegasus—a Pelorus-class protected cruiser built in 1897—was armed with eight QF 4 inch guns, eight 3-pounders and two 18-inch torpedo tubes. Her complement consisted of 234 officers and men.

                              Battle

                              At dawn on 20 September, Königsberg entered the southern end of the Zanzibar approaches and sailed past the picket ship Helmuth, firing a few warning shots as she passed. Helmuth could neither stop the Königsberg from entering the harbour nor even warn Pegasus of the German cruiser's approach. Once Koningsberg came within 9,000 yd (8,200 m) of Pegasus, she began firing salvos. Pegasus sat at anchor in Zanzibar Harbour, preparing steam and at that moment, was helpless. For about 20 minutes while Königsberg fired, Pegasus remained stationary. Pegasus did raise the White Ensign and began firing, but her shells splashed into the water well short of Koningsberg. The light cruiser slowly continued forward and fired until the range had closed to within 7,000 yd (6,400 m). One of the first British sailors wounded was gunnery officer Lieutenant Richard Turner, who suffered both of his legs being mangled by shrapnel. Despite his injuries, Turner rallied his men, telling them; "Keep it up, lads, we’re outclassed and done for; but damn them, and keep it up!" The British continued their futile fight for around 20 minutes more, taking additional hits from Königsberg, the majority landing on Pegasus' deck. Her ensign was shot away during the fight. Also, because the Germans were always at least 2,000 yd (1,800 m) beyond the range of Pegasus' guns, no British rounds struck Königsberg. Pegasus became holed near her waterline and began taking on water. All hope of defeating the Germans having gone, Ingles struck his colors and gave the order to abandon ship. Pegasus later sank. After Königsberg had finished with Pegasus, she fired a few parting shots at Helmuth, whose crew managed to abandon ship before one of the German cruiser's salvos struck the tug. With a clear German victory, Königsberg turned around and headed back for the Rufiji Delta.

                              Aftermath

                              The Royal Navy's losses were Pegasus sunk and Helmuth damaged. Thirty-eight British sailors on Pegasus had died; another 55 sailors were wounded, most of whom had been top-side when hit. Staff Surgeon Alfred J. Hewitt was on the deck of Pegasus from the beginning to the end of the battle, aiding wounded sailors and marines. Captain Ingles later recognized Hewitt's courageous behavior in a report on the action. Although Helmuth had taken a hit from Königsberg, the damage to the tug was relatively minor and her crew managed to reboard her after Königsberg had sailed off. Only one man on board Helmuth died, a non-enlisted native working in the engine room. The hospital ship HMS Gascon and the Scottish ship SS Clan Macrae rescued the survivors of Pegasus. Twenty-four of the British sailors that died in the battle were buried in a mass grave in the naval cemetery on Grave island, Zanzibar, while 14 others were laid to rest at the town's cemetery before being moved in 1971 to the Dar es Salaam war cemetery. The British salvaged six of Pegasus' guns from the wreck and later used them in the East African land campaign. Although Königsberg had suffered no hits or casualties, Looff's plans to continue the offensive were soon cut short. One of her main engines failed. The British were watching the port of Dar es Salaam so she had to return to the Rufiji River delta to await the overland transport of spare parts. The British soon discovered Koningsberg's location and blockaded her. They damaged her beyond repair in the Battle of Rufiji Delta when they were able to bring up the monitors HMS Mersey and Severn.

                              20th September 1914  Ongoing Action

                              20th Sep 1914  Enemy attacks

                              20th Sep 1914  Men taken Prisoner

                              20th Sep 1914  2nd South Lancs in the Line

                              20th Sep 1914  1/1st Oxford Hussars proceed to France

                              20th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              20th Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              20th Sep 1914  In Action

                              20th September 1914  Reliefs

                              20th Sep 1914  Under Shellfire

                              20th Sep 1914  Hard Times

                              20th Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              20th Sep 1914  Reliefs Complete

                              September 1914  Recruitment

                              20th Sep 1914  Orders

                              20th Sep 1914  Mobilisation

                              20th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              20th of September 1914  Sappers Make a Bridge

                              20th September 1914  Work on Le Pavillon farm position

                              20th September 1914  Artillery dual before dusk.

                              21st Sep 1914 2nd Black Watch leave India  2nd Battalion Black Watch leave their base in Bareilly, India and set sail for France to join the BEF.

                              21st Sep 1914  Mobilised

                              21st Sep 1914  Fitting Out

                              21st September 1914 Rest and Regrouping Period  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA 21st to 29th September 1914 - Continued rest and refitting in billets at Cerseuil.

                              21st September 1914  Ongoing Action

                              21st Sep 1914  1st East Lancs in reserve

                              21st Sep 1914  Coldstream Guards Charge

                              21st Sep 1914  Defences

                              21st Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              21st Sep 1914  In Action

                              21st Sep 1914  Into the Line

                              21st September 1914  Attacks

                              21st Sep 1914  Aircraft Active

                              21st Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              21st Sep 1914  Personnel

                              21st Sep 1914  Reliefs

                              21st Sep 1914  Narrow Escape

                              21st Sep 1914  Training

                              21st Sep 1914  On the Move

                              21st Sept 1914  How the Goeben Escaped

                              21st of September 1914   Missy on Fire

                              21st September 1914  Remained in billets in Jury

                              21st September 1914  Artillery quieter during day

                              22nd Sep 1914 HMS Aboukir HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue sunk  HMS Aboukir was a, armoured cruiser of the Cressy-class. She has been launched in 1900 and was sunk by a torpedo along with HMS Cressy and HMS Hogue on the 22nd of September 1914 by U.9 in the North Sea. The U-9 was responsible for the killing of 1459 British seamen in one single day, sending Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue, a total of 36.000 tons to the bottom in less than an hour. This attack showed for the first time the capabilities of submarines in war.

                              She was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan, Scotland and launched 16 May 1900. In March 1901 she arrived at Portsmouth Dockyard to be completed,which she was in early in 1902. The Cressy-class vessels had rapidly become obsolete due to the great advances in naval architecture in the years leading up to the First World War. At the outbreak of the war, these ships were mostly staffed by reserve sailors. Aboukir was one of four ships that made up Rear Admiral Henry H Campbell's 7th Cruiser Squadron. Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Aboukir and her sister ships — Bacchante, Euryalus, Hogue and Cressy — were assigned to patrol the Broad Fourteens of the North Sea in support of a force of destroyers and submarines based at Harwich which blocked the Eastern end of the English Channel from German warships attempting to attack the supply route between England and France.

                              At around 0600 on 22 September, the three cruisers (the flagship Bacchante with Rear-Admiral Arthur Christian had had to return to harbour to refuel) were steaming at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h) in line ahead and they were spotted by the German submarine U-9, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen. Although they were not zigzagging, all of the ships had lookouts posted to search for periscopes and one gun on each side of each ship was manned. Weddigen ordered his submarine to submerge and closed the range to the unsuspecting British ships. At close range, he fired a single torpedo at Aboukir. The torpedo broke her back, and she sank within 20 minutes with the loss of 527 men.

                              The captains of Cressy and Hogue thought Aboukir had struck a floating mine and came forward to assist her. They stood by and began to pick up survivors. At this point, Weddigen fired two torpedoes into Hogue, mortally wounding that ship. As Hogue sank, the captain of Cressy realised that the squadron was being attacked by a submarine, and tried to flee. However, Weddigen fired two more torpedoes into Cressy, and sank her as well.

                              The entire battle had lasted less than two hours, and cost the British three warships, 62 officers and 1,397 ratings. This incident established the U-boat as a major weapon in the conduct of naval warfare.

                              22nd September 1914 Bombardment of Papeete 1914  The Bombardment of Papeete occurred in French Polynesia when German warships attacked on 22 September 1914, during World War I. The German armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau entered the port of Papeete on the island of Tahiti and sank the French gunboat Zélée and freighter Walkure before bombarding the town's fortifications. French shore batteries and a gunboat resisted the German intrusion, but were greatly outgunned. The main German objective was to seize the coal piles stored on the island, but these were destroyed by the French at the start of the action. The German vessels were largely undamaged but the French lost their gunboat. Several of Papeete's buildings were destroyed and the town's economy was severely disrupted. The main strategic consequence of the engagement was the disclosure of the cruisers' positions to the British Admiralty, which led to the Battle of Coronel where the entire German East Asia Squadron defeated a Royal Navy squadron. The depletion of Scharnhorst's and Gneisenau's ammunition at Papeete also contributed to their subsequent destruction at the Battle of the Falklands.

                              Background

                              Word of war reached Admiral Maximilian von Spee—of the German East Asia Squadron—while at Ponape (17 July, 6 August). He concentrated the majority of his squadron at Pagan Island in the nearby Mariana Islands, and then steamed off into the Pacific with the Scharnhorst-class armored cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, the Königsberg-class light cruiser SMS Nürnberg, the auxiliary cruiser SMS Titania, and several colliers at his disposal. Nürnberg and Titania were sent to gather intelligence at Hawaii and raid the cable station at Fanning Island. Von Spee then learned that Australian and New Zealand forces had captured German Samoa and he sailed off in his flagship Scharnhorst—along with her sister ship Gneisenau—to engage what Allied forces they could find there. Failing to catch the Samoa Expeditionary Force at Apia and having seen no action at all since leaving Pagan Island, the men of Admiral von Spee's armored cruisers were eager to meet the enemy in battle. Von Spee decided to raid Papeete in Tahiti on his way to rendezvous with the rest of his squadron at Easter Island. The French held over 5,000 tonnes of high-quality Cardiff coal at the port and von Spee hoped to seize the coal piles to replenish his squadron's supply. Additionally, von Spee aimed at destroying what allied shipping he could find in the harbour and thought the raid might help raise his men's morale. Von Spee intended to coal at Suwarrow Atoll before sailing to Papeete, but was prevented by foul weather. Instead, von Spee decided to take Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and attempt to resupply at Bora Bora while Nürnberg and Titania were dispatched to Nukuhiva to guard the fleet's colliers. The German admiral intended to keep his vessels' identities secret by disguising them as French ships, flying French flags, and only allowing French- and English-speaking members of his crew contact with the Frenchmen present there. Von Spee managed to replenish his food stores using gold seized by Titania and Nürnberg during their raid of Fanning and was able to discover the strength of the French military in the region as well as the exact size and positions of the coal piles at Papeete. The French had no heavy defenses at Papeete but had been warned that von Spee's squadron might raid Tahiti and that a German squadron had been sighted off Samoa. Although Papeete was the capital of the French Settlements in Oceania, by 1914 it had become a colonial backwater, lacking a wireless station and having a garrison of only 25 colonial infantry and 20 gendarmes. In order to bolster the town's defenses, Lieutenant Maxime Destremau—commander of the old wooden gunboat Zélée and the ranking officer at Papeete—had his ship's 100 mm stern gun and all of her 65 mm and 37 mm guns removed from his vessel and placed ashore to be used in place of Papeete's antiquated land batteries. Several Ford trucks were turned into impromptu armored cars by mounting them with Zélée's 37-mm guns and 160 sailors and marines drilled in preparation to repel any German attempt at landing. Zélée retained only her 100-mm bow gun and 10 men under the ship's second in command. In addition to the gunboat and harbor fortifications, the French also had at Papeete the unarmed German freighter Walkure, which had been captured by Zélée at the start of the war. Despite the French preparations, the two German cruisers were more than a match for the forces Destremau commanded at Papeete. Both Scharnhorst and Gneisenau heavily outgunned Zélée, each being armed with eight 210 mm guns, six 150 mm guns, eighteen 88 mm guns and four torpedo tubes. Von Spee's forces also outnumbered the French with over 1,500 sailors aboard their vessels, more than enough to form a landing party and overwhelm the forces Destremau had to oppose them.

                              Battle

                              At 0700 on 22 September 1914, the French sighted two unidentified cruisers approaching the harbour of Papeete. The alarm was raised, the harbor's signal beacons destroyed and three warning shots were fired by the French batteries to signal the approaching cruisers that they must identify themselves. The cruisers replied with a shot of their own and raised the German colors, signaling the town to surrender. The French refused the German demands and von Spee's vessels began to shell the shore batteries and town from a distance of 6,000 m (6,600 yd). The land batteries and the gunboat in the harbor returned fire, but scored no hits on the armored cruisers. Having difficulty in discovering the exact position of the French batteries, the German cruisers soon turned their attention to the French shipping in the harbor. The French commander—Destremau—had ordered the coal piles burned at the start of the action and now smoke began billowing over the town. Zélée and Walkure were sighted and fired upon by the Germans. The French had begun to scuttle their vessels when the action had begun, but both were still afloat when Scharnhorst and Gneisenau began firing upon them and finished the two ships off. By now, most of the Papeete's inhabitants had fled and the town had caught fire from the German shelling, with two blocks of Papeete set alight. With the coal piles destroyed and the threat of mines in the harbor, von Spee saw no meaningful purpose in making a landing. Accordingly, the German admiral withdrew his ships from Papeete's harbor by 1100. After leaving Papeete, the ships steamed out towards Nuku Hiva to meet Nürnberg, Titania and colliers waiting there.

                              Aftermath

                              By the time von Spee withdrew his ships, large portions of the town had been destroyed. Two entire blocks of Papeete had burnt to the ground before the fires were finally put out. A copra store, a market and several other buildings and residences were among those destroyed by the shellfire and resulting inferno. While the majority of Papeete's civilians fled to the interior of the island as soon as the fighting began, a Japanese civilian and a Polynesian boy were both killed by German shellfire. Although the two French vessels in the harbor had been sunk, there were no military casualties on either side and the German vessels took no damage. Overall, the bombardment was estimated in 1915 to have caused over 2 million francs' worth of property damage, some of which was recouped through the seizure of a German store on the island. In addition to the seizure of their property, several local Germans were interned and forced to repair the damage von Spee's squadron had caused. Perhaps the most lasting effect of the bombardment on the French was the dramatic fall of copra prices in the region, as local suppliers had previously sold a majority of their produce to German merchants in the area who were now interned. Further havoc and distress spread throughout the island 18 days after von Spee's squadron had left, when rumors started to spread that a second German bombardment was about to begin. After withdrawing, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau rendezvoused with Nürnberg and Titania at Nuku Hiva, where they resupplied and their crews took shore leave before moving on to meet the rest of the squadron at Easter Island. Although the Germans had destroyed the shipping at Papeete and wreaked havoc in the town, they had been denied their primary objective of seizing the French coal piles and replenishing their own stocks. Von Spee's raid allowed the British Admiralty to receive word on his position and heading, allowing them to inform Rear Admiral Christopher Cradock of the German intentions thus leading to the Battle of Coronel. Another effect was the reduction of ammunition available to the two German cruisers. The hundreds of shells fired by von Spee's ships at Papeete were irreplaceable. The depletion of ammunition as a result of the action at Papeete contributed to the German East Asia Squadron's failure to adequately defend itself at the Battle of the Falkland Islands against British battlecruisers. Lieutenant Destremau was chastised by his misinformed superior officer for his actions during the defense of Papeete and for the loss of the gunboat Zélée. He was summoned back to Toulon under arrest to be court-martialled, but died of illness in 1915 before the trial. In 1918, Destremau was finally recognized for his actions at Papeete and was posthumously awarded the Légion d'honneur.

                              22nd September 1914  Standby

                              22nd September 1914  All Quiet

                              22nd Sep 1914  1st Kings Own in Trenches

                              22nd Sep 1914  Madras bombarded

                              22nd Sep 1914  British Attack Germany

                              22nd Sep 1914  Heavy Shelling

                              22nd Sep 1914  Reliefs

                              22nd September 1914  Reliefs

                              22nd Sep 1914  Relief

                              22nd Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              22nd Sep 1914  In Action

                              22nd Sep 1914  Moves

                              22nd Sep 1914  Road

                              22nd of September 1914  Enemy Retiring?

                              22nd September 1914  Orders

                              22nd September 1914  Aeroplanes especially active

                              23 Sept 1914 2nd Life Guards inspection by His Majesty  2nd Life Guards undergo inspection by His Majesty.

                              23rd Sep 1914  Mobilisation Continues

                              23rd Sept 1914  Praise for Cavalry

                              23rd Sep 1914  At Rest

                              23rd Sep 1914  Heavy Shelling

                              23rd Sep 1914  Into Reserve

                              23rd September 1914  Patrols

                              23rd Sep 1914  In Billets

                              23rd Sep 1914  No Danger

                              23rd Sep 1914  Plucky

                              23rd Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              23rd Sep 1914  Entrenching

                              23rd Sep 1914  Personnel

                              23rd Sep 1914  Patrols

                              23rd Sep 1914  Road

                              23rd of September 1914  Heavy Shelling

                              23rd September 1914  Move to Missy

                              23rd September 1914  Heavy Artillery fire

                              2nd Queens War Diary  Mobilisation Continues

                              24th September 1914 Race to the sea  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                              Somme 1914.

                              In the last days of September, 1914, at the time of the "race to the sea," the two divisions of the 1st Bavarian Corps were in the 2nd Army (Von Buelow), which operated on the Somme in the Peronne region. They became heavily engaged notably at Combles (Oct. 24th) and at Maricourt (Dec. 17th). By the 4th November, the 1st Bavarian Regiment had had casualties of 63 officers and 2,090 men since the beginning of the war.

                              24th Sept 1914  General's Visit

                              24th Sep 1914  Hell cannot be Worse

                              24th Sep 1914   The County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                              Committee: Lord Durham, W. Cresswell Gray; Col. Bowes, Col. Darwin, Lord Southampton, F.T. Tristram, A.F. Pease; Rowland Burdon

                              Minutes of 1st meeting 21st Sept 1914

                              • (1) Col. Burdon reported that some 570 men had joined up to date.
                              • (2) That the names of 16 gentlemen had been sent in as being employed temporarily as officers.
                              • (3) That the clothing of the men in draft had been approved and it had been ordered, delivery of some being hoped for in a fortnight.
                              • (4) That he with Capt. Roberts, Messrs Tristram, Longdon, Lilley, and Col. Bowes had inspected Newton Hall and Cocken Hall yesterday and had found the latter suitable in every way for housing a large proportion Page 2 of, if not the whole Battalion and that he had written to the Earl of Durham asking him on what terms the Comm[ittee] could have the house.
                              • (5) That it was proposed to feed the men and officers by contract and enquiries were being made to that effect, and
                              • (6) That some of the officers and men were to be brought in before the end of this week.
                              On the question of housing Mr Tristram stated that it was proposed that each man should bring his own 2 blankets and certain of the smaller items of the necessary details. It was decided that 2 blankets ought to be in the possession of each man. On the question of palliasses, Mr Pease urged that these should be provided. It was suggested they should be purchased second hand if possible. On Col. Burdon’s asking whether in case of shortage of numbers a company of miners should be substituted it was decided unanimously that the classes intended in the original prospectus should be adhered to.

                              Rowland Burdon

                              24th Sep 1914  Shelters Constructed

                              24th Sep 1914  At Rest

                              24th Sep 1914  Recruitment

                              24th September 1914  Artillery Exchange

                              24th Sep 1914  Promotions

                              24th Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              24th Sep 1914  In the Trenches

                              24th Sep 1914  Holding the Line

                              24th Sep 1914  Reinforcements

                              24th Sep 1914  Trench Raid

                              24th Sep 1914  Bridge Work

                              24th of September 1914  Artillery Drives out Germans

                              24th September 1914  Trench repairs

                              24th September 1914  Orders received

                              25th Sep 1914 Leeds Pals arrive at Breary Banks  The 15th West Yorks, Leeds Pals travelled by train from Leeds to Masham on Friday 25 September 1914. They marched from Masham station to Breary Banks, in Colsterdale, where they occupied part of the hutted village which had been built for the Leeds Corporation reservoir construction workers, the remainer of the troops were accommodated under canvas.

                              25th Sep 1914 18th DLI advance party to Cocken Hall  The advance party of 20 men from the 18th DLI arrived at Cocken Hall, on the banks of the River Wear near Durham City. The hall, dating from the 17th century was lent by Earl Durham for use as a training camp of the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The hall and outbuildings were used as billets for C and D Companies with A Company billeted at Newton Hall, B Company billeted in the Drill Hall at West Rainton, until huts could be erected in the grounds.

                              25th Sep 1914 2nd West Yorks return from Malta  2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment land at Southampton on 25th of September 1914, having sailed from the garrison on Malta. They join 23rd Brigade, 8th Division, which is forming up at Hursley Park near Winchester.

                              25th Sep 1914 8th Manchesters arrive Egypt  The 8th Battalion Manchester Regiment land at Alexandria in Egypt.

                              25th September 1914 Casualty Notice  The War Diary of E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA records: heard today that Captain HB Bartram who had left the Battery sick on the 30th August had died at Netley Hospital on the 16th September.

                              25th September 1914  Shrapnel

                              Sep 1914  Reorganisation

                              25th Sep 1914  Into the Trenches

                              25th Sep 1914  Onboard Ship

                              25th Sep 1914   The advance party of 20 men from the 18th DLI arrived at Cocken Hall, on the banks of the River Wear near Durham City. The hall, dating from the 17th century was lent by Earl Durham for use as a training camp of the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The hall and outbuildings were used as billets for C and D Companies with A Company billeted at Newton Hall, B Company billeted in the Drill Hall at West Rainton, until huts could be erected in the grounds.

                              25th Sep 1914  Wounded Admitted

                              25th Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              25th Sep 1914  At Rest

                              25th Sep 1914  Route March

                              25th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              25th September 1914  Pontoon Bridge damaged

                              25th Sep 1914  Shelling

                              25th Sep 1914  Reliefs

                              25th Sep 1914  Line Reinforced

                              25th Sep 1914  Duties

                              25th Sep 1914  Bridging

                              25th of September 1914   Very Quiet

                              25th September 1914  Defences

                              26th September 1914  Trench work

                              25th September 1914  Some Shelling

                              25th Sep 1914  Fundraising

                              25th Sep 1914  Concentration

                              26th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              26th Sept 1914 Indian Division lands in France  The Indian Division lands at Marseilles, France.

                              26th Sep 1914  COs visit trenches

                              26th Sep 1914  Nothing but Vegetables

                              26th Sep 1914  Indian Contingent in France

                              26th Sep 1914  Onboard Ship

                              26th Sep 1914  Training for War

                              26th Sep 1914  Forrestry

                              26th Sep 1914  In the Trenches

                              26th Sep 1914  Practice Trenches

                              26th September 1914  Aircraft Assists

                              26th Sep 1914  Holding the Line

                              26th Sep 1914  Conflicting Information

                              26th Sep 1914  Entrenching

                              26th Sep 1914  Quiet

                              26th Sep 1914  Recruitment

                              26th Sep 1914  Moves

                              26th Sep 1914  Bridging

                              26th of September 1914  Moves Successful

                              26th September 1914  Rest.

                              26th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              27th Sep 1914  Move

                              27th Sep 1914  Mobilisation Continues

                              27th September 1914 Submarine U33 is commissioned  SM U-33 was a Type U 31 Uboat built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 193) Ordered 29 Mar 1912, laid down 7 Nov 1912 she was launched 19 May 1914 and commissioned 27 Sep 1914 under the command of Konrad Gansser. Later she was commanded by Gustav Sieß from the 1 Apr 1917.

                              U33 undertook 16 patrols. Serving with IV Flotilla until 1 Aug 1915 then 16 Sep 1915 - 11 Mar 1916 Pola Flotilla, 11 Mar 1916 - 27 Nov 1916 Constantinople Flotilla, and 27 Nov 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

                              She totalled 84 ships sunk with a total of 194,131 tons. 8 ships damaged with a total of 36,452 tons. and 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 453 tons.

                              • 2 Apr 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Paquerette 399 fr
                              • 4 Apr 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Hermes 1,019 ru
                              • 4 Apr 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Olivine 634 br
                              • 5 Apr 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Northlands 2,776 br
                              • 10 Jun 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Dania 2,648 ru
                              • 14 Jun 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Davanger 2,256 nw
                              • 21 Jun 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Sigurd Hund (p.) 453 nw
                              • 1 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Whitefield 2,422 br
                              • 4 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Cymbeline 4,505 br
                              • 4 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Glimt 955 nw
                              • 4 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Mimosa 3,466 br
                              • 4 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Storesand 1,639 nw
                              • 6 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser John Hardie 4,372 br
                              • 30 Sep 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Tobia 185 it
                              • 1 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Provincia 3,523 fr
                              • 2 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Arabian 2,744 br
                              • 2 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Sainte Marguerite 3,908 fr
                              • 3 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Antonie 2,698 fr
                              • 4 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Craigston 2,617 br
                              • 4 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Yunnan (damaged) 6,474 fr
                              • 5 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Burrsfield 4,037 br
                              • 5 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser X130 160 br
                              • 6 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Dimitrios 2,508 gr
                              • 6 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Scawby 3,658 br
                              • 6 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Silverash 3,753 br
                              • 7 Oct 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Admiral Hamelin 5,051 fr
                              • 18 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Enosis 3,409 br
                              • 19 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Senju Maru 4,340 jp
                              • 20 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Merganser 1,905 br
                              • 23 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Tafna (damaged) 1,444 fr
                              • 24 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Liguria 3,199 it
                              • 25 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Algerien 1,767 fr
                              • 26 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Tringa 2,154 br
                              • 27 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Kingsway 3,647 br
                              • 27 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Omara 435 fr
                              • 27 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Tanis 3,655 br
                              • 29 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Malinche 1,868 br
                              • 29 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Zarifis 2,904 gr
                              • 30 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Colenso 3,861 br
                              • 30 Nov 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Langton Hall 4,437 br
                              • 1 Dec 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Clan Macleod 4,796 br
                              • 1 Dec 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Umeta 5,312 br
                              • 2 Dec 1915 U 33 Konrad Gansser Commodore 5,858 br
                              • 30 Mar 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Portugal 5,358 fr
                              • 31 Mar 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Roi Albert (damaged) 2,853 be
                              • 31 Mar 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Unident. Sailing Vessel 7 ru
                              • 3 Apr 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Enrichetta 442 ru
                              • 28 Apr 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Lyusya 50 ru
                              • 28 Apr 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Anzhelika 170 ru
                              • 28 Apr 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Unident. sailing vessel 300 ru
                              • 18 Sep 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Unident. Small Fishing Vessel (1 Of 2) unknown ru
                              • 18 Sep 1916 U 33 Konrad Gansser Unident. Small Fishing Vessel (2 Of 2) unknown ru
                              • 15 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Cameronia 10,963 br
                              • 16 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Sontay 7,247 fr
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Blaatind 1,641 nw
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Maria S. 133 it
                              • 22 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Unione 207 it
                              • 26 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Monitor 138 br
                              • 27 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Mafalda 162 it
                              • 27 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Margaret B. Rouss 701 am
                              • 28 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Lisetta 40 it
                              • 30 Apr 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Chrisomalli Th. Sifneo 2,415 gr
                              • 27 May 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Beatrice 106 it
                              • 27 May 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Michele Costantino 51 it
                              • 3 Jun 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Greenbank 3,881 br
                              • 3 Jun 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Islandmore 3,046 br
                              • 7 Jun 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Il Dionisio 97 it
                              • 7 Jun 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß San Antonio 13 it
                              • 26 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Blanchette 280 it
                              • 26 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Gesu E Maria 196 it
                              • 27 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Frigido 59 it
                              • 27 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Genova 3,486 it
                              • 28 Jul 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Splendor (d.) 6,507 it
                              • 1 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Llandudno 4,187 br
                              • 4 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Angelina T. 146 it
                              • 8 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Llanishen 3,837 br
                              • 9 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Flora 125 it
                              • 9 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Industria 51 sp
                              • 15 Aug 1917 U 33 Gustav Sieß Bandai Maru 3,227 jp
                              • 23 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Capri (damaged) 3,899 it
                              • 24 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Antonios J. Dracoulis 3,301 gr
                              • 25 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Apostoles Andreas 50 br
                              • 29 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Taxiarchis 160 br
                              • 31 Jan 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Eggesford (damaged) 4,414 br
                              • 1 Feb 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Glenamoy (damaged) 7,269 br
                              • 4 Feb 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Ravenshoe (damaged) 3,592 br
                              • 4 Feb 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Standish Hall 3,996 br
                              • 20 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Saint Dimitrios 3,359 br
                              • 20 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Samoset 5,251 br
                              • 20 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Yochow 2,127 br
                              • 20 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Antonios M. Theophilatos 2,282 gr
                              • 31 Mar 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß La Loire 5,343 fr
                              • 5 May 1918 U 33 Gustav Sieß Aghios Johannis 20 gr

                              On the 16 Jan 1919 U33 was surrendered and was broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

                              27th September 1914 Replacement Horses for E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA  41 Remounts joined E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA taking us up to strength and enabling us to transfer to Sick depot 23 worn out horses. Remounts in fair condition.

                              27th September 1914  Continuing action around bridges

                              27th Sep 1914  Divine Service in Camp

                              27th Sep 1914  Hopes to be Home in Five Weeks

                              27th Sep 1914  Under Steam

                              27th Sep 1914  Boots

                              27th Sep 1914  ombardment

                              27th Sep 1914  Uniforms to be Returned

                              27th Sep 1914  Holding the Line

                              27th Sep 1914  In Defence

                              27th Sep 1914  Patrols Ordered

                              27th Sep 1914  Road and Bridge

                              27th of September 1914  A False Alarm

                              27th September 1914  Enemy activity

                              27th September 1914  Church Service

                              27th September 1914  Recruiting

                              28th September 1914  Bridges

                              28th Sep 1914  Divisional Guard

                              28th Sep 1914  England need not Blush

                              28th Sep 1914  Under Fire Night and Day

                              28th Sep 1914  Brave rescue

                              28th Sep 1914  New Orders

                              28th Sep 1914   Minutes of the Second Meeting 28th Sept 1914

                              Present: Lord Southampton; Col. Darwin; Mr. W. Cresswell Gray; Capt. Tristram; Capt. Roberts; Col. Bowes; Col. R. Burdon

                              The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The list of gentlemen appointed temporarily was corrected. It was decided that an early opportunity should be taken to allot positions to these gentlemen; and to secure that a commission be granted to them. It was decided to accept no more officers for commissions at present (unless some exceptionally valuable officer present himself) in order that vacancies might be retained for the promotion of candidates from the ranks.

                              Colonel Bowes mentioned that a considerable quantity of clothing was expected at a very short delivery.

                              Captain Tristram reported that only 568 officers and men could be accommodated in the house and out buildings at present; and it was decided to at once ascertain how many huts would be required for additional accommodation for the whole Battalion; what the best position for these huts would be; and Colonel Burdon was instructed that tenders should be invited for them; and to obtain the necessary permission to proceed immediately from the G.O.C in C. On the question of the telephone Colonel Burdon was instructed to request the Postal Authorities to at once put a telephone in; and he was further instructed to obtain the leave of the G.O.C in C. that this should be done at public expense.

                              Colonel Burdon was also instructed to press the question of the medical examination of officers being conducted by a local man.

                              On the question of the wet and dry Canteen, it was decided to accept Messrs Speedings’ tender, by telegram, on the 24th inst, subject to such reduction as could be obtained, if any.

                              Colonel Burdon announced that additional subscriptions up to date, including £5 from Col. Darwin, and £50 from Sir Thomas Wrightson, amounted altogether to £5550.

                              28th Sep 1914  Hard at Work

                              28th Sep 1914  Relief

                              28th Sep 1914  Travel

                              28th Sep 1914  Enemy Active

                              28th Sep 1914  Entrenching

                              28th Sep 1914  Snipers Active

                              28th Sep 1914  Training

                              28th Sep 1914  Pile Driving

                              28th of September 1914  Shelling

                              28th September 1914  Heavily shelled

                              28th September 1914  Preparations

                              28th September 1914  Recruiting

                              29th Sep 1914 Lord Kitchener inspects 2nd London Division  Lord Kitchener Secretary of State for War inspects the 2nd London Division at Gorhambury, Hertfordshire.

                              29th September 1914  Ongoing fighting on all fronts

                              29th Sep 1914  Night alarm

                              29th Sep 1914  Plenty of Fighting to Do

                              29th Sep 1914  Billets Shelled

                              29th Sep 1914  Onboard Ship

                              29th Sep 1914  Attack Imminent

                              29th Sep 1914  Under Shellfire

                              29th Sep 1914  Enemy Attack

                              29th Sep 1914  Defence Work

                              29th Sep 1914  Recconaissance

                              29th Sep 1914  Pile Driving

                              29th of September 1914  Quiet

                              29th September 1914  Village Shelled

                              29th September 1914  Inspection

                              29th September 1914  Recruiting

                              30th September 1914 Unit relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA On change of billets left at 0645 and marched 8 miles South West and went into billets at Neuville St Jean at 1000 - a large farm about 1 mile east of Hartennes.

                              30th September 1914  September Intelligence Summary

                              30th Sep 1914  All quiet

                              30th Sep 1914  Under Way

                              30th Sep 1914  Constructing Dugout

                              30th Sep 1914  Under Shellfire

                              30th Sep 1914  Recruitment

                              30th Sep 1914  On the Move

                              30th Sep 1914  Sniper

                              30th Sep 1914  Trench Work

                              30th Sep 1914  Parades

                              30th September 1914  Tobacco

                              30th Sep 1914  Reliefs

                              30th Sep 1914  Quiet Day

                              30th Sep 1914  Equipment

                              30th of September 1914  Astride the Aisne

                              30th September 1914  Slight shelling

                              30th September 1914  Company arrangements

                              30th September 1914  Recruiting

                              Sep 1914  Move

                               9th Battalion formed for Berkshire Regiment  9th Battalion Berkshire Regiment is formed at Portsmouth in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Fourth New Army, they joined 96th Brigade, 32nd Division.

                               11th Btn raised in Black Watch  11th (Reserve) Battalion Black Watch was raised in Perth in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Fourth New Army and joined 101st Brigade, 34th Division.

                              late Oct 1914 Anti Aircraft defence added at Adeer  In late October 1914 two Quick Firing 6-pdr Hotchkiss guns for anti-aircraft defence were emplaced on the perimeter of the Ardeer Explosives Factory.

                              Octber 1914  Scare

                              1st Oct 1914 Inspection  The trenches held by 1st East Kent Regiment, were inspected by Major General H. Hamilton Commanding 3rd Division at 6.30am

                              Commanding Officer, Adjutant and Captain Raines met General I. Williams at 10am and inspected buildings and walls north of Saint Precord and Vailly with a view of placing them in a state of defence. This work was carried out by D Company.

                              D Company 1st East Kent relieved a Company of 5th Northumberland Fusiliers on the battalion's left at 6.30pm. One man accidentally shot himself in the foot.

                              1st October 1914 Recruitment of First County Down Volunteer  16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles. The First County Down Volunteer call was to mobilise existing Militia and Ulster Volunteer Force members into what was to become the 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles which assembled at the Clandeboye Estate in Bangor, County Down for military training alongside other units of the Ulster Division. 1300 men from County Down were recruited in this initial call. However many of the UVF did not respond because of the perceived need to defend Ulster against Home Rule. On the 20th October plans were agreed to raise a unit separate to the Ulster Division, but it was to be a Service Battalion directly at the disposal of the GOC, Ulster Division and not a reserve battalion used merely to supply trained men as reinforcements for regular battalions. The Ulster Division, later called the 36th (Ulster) Division, consisted of three Brigades and other supporting elements including Artillery units, Medical units and 2 Companies of Royal Engineers under the command of a Chief Engineer (CRE), the standard model for divisions in the British Army at the time.

                              Division Formation.

                              107th Brigade.

                              • 15th (Service) Battalion (North Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 8th (Service) Battalion (East Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 9th (Service) Battalion (West Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 10th (Service) Battalion (South Belfast), the Royal Irish Rifles (until February 1918).
                              • 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (from August 1917 until February 1918).
                              • 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from February 1918).
                              • 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from February 1918).
                              • 107th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 18 December 1915, moved into 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918).
                              • 107th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916).
                              • In August 1917 the 8th and 9th battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles amalgamated to form the 8/9th Battalion, which disbanded in February 1918. Between November 1915 and February 1916 the brigade swapped with the 12th Brigade from the 4th Division.

                              108th Brigade.

                              • 9th (Service) Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
                              • 12th (Service) Battalion (Central Antrim), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Rifles (from November 1917 then moved to 107th Brigade. in February 1918).
                              • 11th (Service) Battalion (South Antrim), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 13th (Service) Battalion (County Down), the Royal Irish Rifles.
                              • 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers (from 107th Bde. February
                              • 1918).
                              • 108th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 26 January 1916, moved into
                              • 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918).
                              • 108th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916).
                              • In August 1917 the 11th and 13th battalions of the Royal Irish Rifles amalgamated to form the 11/13th Battalion, which disbanded in February 1918.

                              109th Brigade.

                              • 9th (Service) Battalion (County Tyrone), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
                              • 10th (Service) Battalion (Derry), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (disbanded January 1918).
                              • 11th (Service) Battalion (Donegal and Fermanagh), the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (disbanded February 1918).
                              • 14th (Service) Battalion (Young Citizens), the Royal Irish Rifles (disbanded February 1918).
                              • 1st Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from February 1918).
                              • 2nd Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from February 1918).
                              • 109th Brigade Machine Gun Company (from 23 January 1916, moved into
                              • 36th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion on 1 March 1918).
                              • 109th Trench Mortar Battery (from 1 April 1916).

                                1st Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards Brigade Reconnaissance Scheme  2nd Life Guards - War Diary states: Brigade Reconnaissance Scheme and billeted.

                                Oct 1914 13th Battalion formed in The Rifle Brigade  13th (Service) Battalion The Rifle Brigade was formed at Winchester in October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third Army and attached as Army Troops to 21st Division.

                                Oct 1914 5th Welsh return from Portmadoc  The 5th Battalion, Welsh Regiment left Hearson Camp in Oct 1914 for Haven Fort

                                1st October 1914 Battle of Rufiji Delta  The Battle of the Rufiji Delta took place in German East Africa (modern Tanzania) from October 1914 to July 1915 during the First World War. It was fought between the German light cruiser SMS Königsberg and a powerful group of British warships. The battle was a series of attempts to sink the blockaded German cruiser that eventually resulted in the destruction of Königsberg.

                                In 1914, the most powerful German ship in the Indian Ocean was the light cruiser Königsberg. After an engine failure, Königsberg, along with her supply ship Somali, sought refuge in the delta of the Rufiji River. She planned to hide there while her damaged machinery was transported overland to Dar es Salaam for repair. The British cruiser HMS Chatham discovered Königsberg in the delta towards the end of October. On 5 November, two additional British cruisers, HMS Dartmouth and Weymouth, arrived at the scene and blockaded the German ship in the delta. In early November, Chatham opened fire at long range and set fire to Somali, but she failed to hit Königsberg, which promptly moved further upstream. The British ships were more powerful than Königsberg, but were unable to navigate the delta. The crew of Königsberg disguised their ship so it looked like the forest around the delta.

                                Blockade

                                The British made several attempts to sink Königsberg including one to slip a shallow-draught torpedo boat (with escorts) within range, an operation easily repulsed by the force in the delta. A blockship, the Newbridge, was successfully sunk by the British across one of the delta mouths to prevent her escape. However it was soon realized that Königsberg could still escape through one of the delta's other channels. Dummy mines were laid in some of these alternates, but they were considered a doubtful deterrent. A civilian pilot named Cutler was hired to bring his Curtiss seaplane for reconnaissance. His plane was shot down, although they verified the presence of the elusive cruiser. A pair of Royal Naval Air Service Sopwith seaplanes were brought up with the intention of scouting and even bombing the ship, but they soon fell apart in the tropical conditions. A trio of Short seaplanes fared a little better, managing to take photographs of the ship before they were grounded by the glue-melting tropical heat and German fire. Attempts to use the 12 inch guns of the old battleship HMS Goliath to sink the cruiser were unsuccessful, once again because the shallow waters prevented the battleship getting within range. However, by March 1915 food supplies were low and many of the crew members aboard the Königsberg died from malaria and other tropical diseases. Generally cut off from the outside world, the morale of the sailors fell. However, the situation was marginally improved with a scheme to resupply the ship and give her a fighting chance to return home. A captured British merchant ship, Rubens, was renamed Kronborg and given a Danish flag, papers, and a crew of German sailors specially selected for their ability to speak Danish. She was then loaded with coal, field guns, ammunition, fresh water, and supplies. After successfully infiltrating the waters of East Africa, she was intercepted by the alerted HMS Hyacinth, which chased her to Manza Bay. The trapped ship was set on fire by the crew and left. The Germans later salvaged much of her cargo which went on to be used in the land campaign and some transported to the Königsberg.

                                Sinking

                                Two shallow-draught monitors, HMS Mersey and Severn, were towed to the Rufiji from Malta by the Red Sea making it to the delta in June 1915. With nonessential items removed, added armour bolted on, and covered by a full bombardment from the rest of the fleet, they ran the gauntlet. Aided by a squadron of four land planes—two Caudrons and two Henry Farmans, based at Mafia Island to spot the fall of shells, they engaged in a long-range duel with Königsberg, which was assisted by shore-based spotters. Although Mersey was hit and the monitors were unable to score on the first day, they returned again on 11 July. Finally, their 6 in guns knocked out Königsberg's armament and then reduced her to a wreck. At around 1400, Looff ordered her scuttled with a torpedo. After the battle, the British were unquestionably the strongest naval power in the Indian Ocean.

                                Aftermath

                                The next day, 33 German dead were buried by the 188 remaining crewmen. A plaque reading "Beim Untergang S.M.S. Königsberg am 11.7.15 gefallen..." was placed near the graves, followed by a list of the dead. The Germans recovered Königsberg's ten 105-millimetre quick-firing guns, mounted them on improvised field carriages, and used them with great success as powerful field guns in their guerrilla campaign against the Allies around East Africa. The guns were used as harbor fortifications in Dar es Salaam, with one being remounted onto the passenger ship Graf von Götzen. The last gun was not knocked out until October 1917. The remaining crew from Königsberg went on to serve as ground troops under General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Three of Königsberg's 105-mm guns survived; one is on display outside Fort Jesus, Mombasa, Kenya, another outside the Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa and a third at Jinja Barracks in Uganda. There are stories of another in the Congo, but no details have been forthcoming.

                                1st October 1914 More movements  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Marched at 1500 and moved into new billets at St Remy at 1630.

                                Oct 1914 2/6th Suffolks in Brighton  The 2/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment was based at Brighton in October 1914.

                                1st October 1914  On the March

                                1st October 1914  Quiet spell

                                1st Oct 1914 

                                1st Oct 1914  Farewell Speech

                                Oct 1914  On the March

                                1st Oct 1914  Exhaustion Point

                                1st Oct 1914  Hurdles

                                1st Oct 1914  On the March

                                1st Oct 1914  Enemy Trenches

                                1st Oct 1914  Relief

                                1st October 1914  Commencement of Move

                                1st Oct 1914  Shelling

                                1st Oct 1914  In Billets

                                1st Oct 1914  In Billets

                                1st Oct 1914  Training

                                1st Oct 1914  Duties

                                1st Oct 1914  Bridging

                                1st of October 1914  A Withdrawal

                                1st Oct 1914  Training

                                Oct 1914  Hospital Opens

                                1st October 1914  Orders received

                                1st October 1914  Orders Received

                                1st Oct 1914  Recruiting

                                1st Oct 1914  Recruiting

                                1st Oct 1914  Scouts Assist

                                1st Oct 1914  In Action

                                1st October 1914  Arrived Droizy about 2350 hours.

                                Oct 1914  On the Move

                                Oct 1914  Record

                                Oct 1914  Record

                                Oct 1914  On the Move

                                2nd October 1914 More movements  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 1600 and marched to Pressy a' Mont, (2 miles north of Ferte-Milon) in billets at 2030.

                                2nd Oct 1914  Snipers Busy

                                Oct 1914 4th Sherwoods in Northumberland  4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters are based at Backworth Camp, engaged in training and manning the coastal defences in the Whitley Bay area.

                                2nd Oct 1914  Line Extended

                                2nd Oct 1914  On the March

                                2nd Oct 1914  Duds

                                2nd Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                2nd Oct 1914  On the March

                                2nd October 1914  Continued reorganisation of front

                                2nd Oct 1914  Shelling

                                2nd Oct 1914  On the March

                                2nd Oct 1914  On the March

                                2nd Oct 1914  Training

                                2nd Oct 1914  Bridging

                                2nd of October 1914  Moonlit Relief

                                2nd October 1914  On the March

                                2nd October 1914  On the March

                                2nd Oct 1914  Foggy

                                2nd October 1914  Weather cold.

                                2nd Oct 1914  Concentration

                                3rd Oct 1914 More Heavy Batteries proceed to France  113th, 114th, 115th and 116th Heavy Battery RGA proceed to France

                                3rd October 1914 More movements  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 1600 and marched 25 miles mostly west to billet in Villeneuve at 2230.

                                3rd Oct 1914  1st North Staffs in Support

                                3rd Oct 1914  Wounded in Battle

                                3rd Oct 1914  HQ Moves

                                3rd Oct 1914  On the March

                                3rd Oct 1914  Snipers

                                3rd Oct 1914  On the March

                                3rd October 1914  Continued reorganisation of front

                                3rd Oct 1914  Foggy

                                3rd Oct 1914  Order

                                3rd Oct 1914  On the March

                                3rd Oct 1914  On the March

                                3rd Oct 1914  Bridging

                                3rd of October 1914  On the March

                                3rd October 1914  On the March

                                3rd October 1914  On the March

                                3rd Oct 1914  Recruiting

                                3rd Oct 1914  Enemy Aircraft

                                3rd October 1914  Marched 1800 hours to Longpont.

                                4th October 1914  On the Move

                                4th October 1914 More movements  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA Started at 0900 and marched 27 miles north into billets at St Martin en Bois at 1830. Very blocked on road - crossed the Oise on very good pontoon bridge en route.

                                4th Oct 1914 In action  1st Battalion, Coldstream guards were involved in a bayonet charge at Aisne near Vendresse on October 4th 1914.

                                4th Oct 1914  Shells in Billet

                                4th Oct 1914  The Story of a Waterbottle

                                4th Oct 1914  Snipers Active

                                4th Oct 1914  On the March

                                4th Oct 1914  Under Shellfire

                                4th Oct 1914  On the March

                                4th October 1914  Move westwards

                                4th Oct 1914  Trench Work

                                4th Oct 1914  On the March

                                4th Oct 1914  On the March

                                4th Oct 1914  On the March

                                4th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                4th Oct 1914  Church Parade

                                4th Oct 1914  Orders Received

                                4th Oct 1914  Recruitment

                                4th Oct 1914  Bridging

                                4th of October 1914  On the March

                                4th October 1914  On the March

                                4th October 1914  In Billets

                                4th Oct 1914  On the March

                                4th October 1914  Night march. Cold and dry.

                                5th Oct 1914 Royal Naval Division defend Dunkirk  Two Brigades of the Royal Naval Division moved to Dunkirk to defend the town against enemy attack.

                                5th Oct 1914 Brigadier Inspects Squadrons of 2nd Life Guards.  Brigadier inspected Squadrons of 2nd Life Guards in Marching Order.

                                5th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards Brigade entrain to Southampton  2nd Life Guards entrain with Brigade for Southampton.

                                5th Oct 1914 111th Heavy Battery proceed to France  111th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                                5th Oct 1914 112th Heavy Battery proceed to France  112th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                                5th Oct 1914  Embarkation

                                5th Oct 1914 2nd Borders embark  2nd Battalion Border regiment embarked on Troopships Turkoman and Minneapolis at Southampton.

                                5th October 1914 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Genouville Farm. Marched about 15 mile to billets at Genouville Farm about 1700. Location about 1 1/2 miles north of La Nouville. Marched through two French Reserve Divisions. Still with 5th Cavalry Division.

                                5th October 1914  Further moves

                                5th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                                5th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs on the March

                                5th Oct 1914  Howe Battalion Arrive in France

                                5th Oct 1914  Aircraft shot down

                                5th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall 5th October 1914

                                Present: Lord Southampton; W. Cresswell Gray, Esq; A.F. Pease, Esq; Colonel Bowes; Capt. Tristram; Captain Roberts; Col. R. Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported there were 711 of all ranks now quartered at Cocken and at West Rainton; and it was stated that about 100 more men were enlisted, and ready to come up. The Adjutant reported that Mr. Hughes Games and Mr Ince had joined; and a telegram offering a commission to Mr Lowe was written to be despatched.

                                Colonel Burdon notified that a subscription had been sent from Mr Henry Salvin for £25.

                                Colonel Burdon was authorised to offer a commission to Dr. Alfred Squire Taylor, M.B. B’ch. [MBChB] Edin.

                                Colonel Burdon was authorised to proceed at once with the erection of huts, to hold 700 men; and also a Recreation Shed, as soon as permission could be obtained for the latter. Colonel Burdon was instructed to write to Colonel Darwin and ask if he would be good enough to undertake the management of the finance of the Battalion, as being so much nearer the spot.

                                The new pattern equipment was fitted for inspection, and it was suggested that the old Webb pattern should be obtained, if possible. Sites for the huts - as suggested by the Darlington Construction Co, and laid out by Mr Ventris this morning - were approved. Construction is to be commenced at once.

                                5th Oct 1914  On the March

                                5th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                5th Oct 1914  Artillery In Action

                                5th Oct 1914  On the March

                                5th October 1914  Divisional entrainment westwards

                                5th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                5th Oct 1914  Trench Work

                                5th Oct 1914  In Billets

                                5th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                5th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                5th Oct 1914  Training

                                5th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                5th Oct 1914  Companies Return

                                5th Oct 1914  Bridging

                                5th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                5th of October 1914  A New HQ

                                5th October 1914  Into Billets

                                5th October 1914  On the Move

                                5th Oct 1914  Rumours

                                5th Oct 1914  On the March

                                5th October 1914  Arrived Pontdrun 5 a.m.

                                6th Oct 1914 Japanese troops occupy German Pacific islands  The German Pacific islands of Palau, the Marianas, the Marshalls and the Carolines were occupied by Japanese troops.

                                6th Oct 1914 First units of the 7th Division land in Flanders  1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment land at Zebrugge with the 7th Division BEF.

                                6th Oct 1914 NZ infantry field day at Miramar  The Wellington Infantry Battalion took part in a field day at Miramar against the Otago Battalion.

                                6th Oct 1914 German Destroyer suffers Explosion  The German Destroyer S13 was lost in the North Sea following an internal explosion.

                                6th Oct 1914 British Sub sinks German Torpedo Boat  British Submarine E9 fired on T116 a German S90 class Torpedo Boat in the North Sea, 11 of the German crew lost their lives.

                                6th Oct 1914 flying Corps HQ at St Omer  On Monday 6th October, Flying Corps HQ is set up in a chateau on a hill between the aerodrome and the town of St Omer.

                                6th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards Brigade embark  2nd Life Guards - War Diary records: Brigade embarked, and great confusion was caused by the separation of [illegible] from Brigades, at Regimental Head Quarters from Regiments and Squadrons from Squadrons.

                                6th October 1914  On the Move

                                6th Oct 1914 Men measured for uniforms  The men of the newly formed Sheffield City Battalion are measured for uniforms which will be supplied to them. Officers have to pay for their own uniforms and local tailors are engaged in making them. Lee-Metford Rifles begin to arrive to supplement the 23 rifles and single machine gun on loan from Vickers.

                                6th October 1914 Enforced Rest Day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Genouville Farm. Enforced stay in billets as roads blocked by French Reserve Troops.

                                6th Oct 1914  Rumours

                                6th Oct 1914  7th Division Embark for Belgium

                                6th Oct 1914  In Billets

                                6th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                6th Oct 1914  Artillery In Action

                                6th Oct 1914  Into Billets

                                6th October 1914  Divisional entrainment westwards continued

                                6th Oct 1914  Digging Trenches

                                6th Oct 1914  Under Fire

                                6th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                6th Oct 1914  On the March

                                6th Oct 1914 Loading  

                                THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914       THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914

                                       © IWM (Q 57124)                                                                                       © IWM (Q 57126)

                                Troops of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards and the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders on board SS Lake Michigan troopship, 6th of October 1914.

                                THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914 THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914

                                © IWM (Q 57125)                                                        © IWM (Q 57123)



                                6th Oct 1914  On the March

                                6th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                6th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                6th Oct 1914  Training

                                6th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                6th Oct 1914  Bridging

                                6th of October 1914  Orders to Move

                                6th Oct 1914  Training

                                6th October 1914  On the March

                                6th October 1914  Forbidden to leave the station.

                                6th Oct 1914  Medical Examinations

                                6th Oct 1914  Medical Examinations

                                6th Oct 1914  On the March

                                6th October 1914  Marched 1400 hours to Bethizy.

                                6th October 1914  Further moves

                                7th Oct 1914 Fierce Bombardment at Antwerp  Advancing German Forces bombard the City of Antwerp, the Belgian troops and a small number of their British allies, including the Royal Naval Division Collingwood Battalion, struggled to hold the city against the fierce shelling. The Belgian government which had relocated to the city when Brussels fell, was forced to retreat again, this time to Ostend.

                                7th Oct 1914 British attack enemy possitions at Jabassi  In West Africa, British Forces commanded by Col E.H. Georges mount an attack on the enemy entrenchments at Jabassi, they sailed up the Wuri River with four field guns, landing three miles from the German positions, they advanced through the jungle and attacked the enemy. The British were driven back by machine gun fire but regrouped and attempted to flank the German forces but were forced to retreat back along the river to Duala.

                                7th Oct 1914 7th Division land at Zeebrugge  The 1st and 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders and the 2nd Scots Guards land at Zeebrugge as part of the 7th Division BEF.

                                7th Oct 1914 German troops arrive in Ypres  German troops entered the city of Ypres via the Menin Gate and the Lille Gate, scouting parties were seen advancing to the north and west of the city. It is estimated that by that evening ten thousand troops had arrived in the city, the street and market square were packed with soldiers, horses, artillery pieces and field kitchens. The enemy took up billets in the Cloth Hall, the railway station, the schools, the barracks and homes in the city. The Mayor of Ypres advised his people to remain calm and stay indoors. The shops did a roaring trade, but were forced to accept payment in either German currency or coupons. Local bakers were ordered to prepare eight thousand bred rolls for the troops to be ready for following morning. Forage, horses, wagons were requisitioned, some paid for in coupons which would never be redeemed. There were reports of theft from homes and damage to the railway station.

                                7th Oct 1914 1st Grenadier Guards proceed overseas  1st Battalion Grenadier Guards land at Zebrugge, crossing from Southampton.

                                7th Oct 1914 No 6 Squadron RFC arrive Bruges Areodrome  No 6 Squadron Royal Flying Corps arrive at Bruges Areodrome having flown from Dover.

                                7th Oct 1914 12th Field Coy RE at Vouty  12th Field Coy Royal Engineers, 6th Division, move their HQ from Nampteuil to Vouty.

                                7th Oct 1914 2nd Wiltshires proceed overseas  2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment land at Zebrugge with 21st Brigade, 7th Division, BEF with orders to advance to assist in the defence of Antwerp.

                                7th Oct 1914 Blockships sunk in Burra Sound  The Admiralty sank the Steamship Dyle as a blockship in the Burra Sound. The SS Dyle had been built in 1879 by A. Leslie & Co in Newcastle as the SS Widdrington, being renamed in 1902 when she was sold to Hemelryck & Geurts of Antwerp. In 1914 she was in a British shipbreaking yard before being used as a blockship, the wreak remains in place today in about 14 metres of water.

                                7th Oct 1914 Rumours of atrocities circulate  At a meeting of the Manchester Geographical Society, a Manchester Clergiman informed them "You will hear only one-hundredth part of the actual atrocities this war has produced. The civilized world could not stand the truth. There are, up and down England to-day, scores, I am under-stating the number, of Belgian girls who have had their hands cut off. That is nothing to what we could tell you." More info.

                                7th Oct 1914 13th KRRC move to Halton Park  13th Battalion KRRC moved to Halton Park Camp, Wendover Bucks on the 7th & 8th Oct in two halves and lived under canvas. The battalion was clothed in emergency blue uniform and was equipped with 400 DP rifles and 600 wooden ones, this was later upgraded to one khaki service dress per man and 1000 DP rifles.

                                7th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards on board Indira  In the War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards for 6th October 1914 the CO records: "On my ship the Indira were my HQ and 1 Squadron, 1 Squadron 1st Life Guards, and the HQ and 2 Squadrons of the Royal Dragoons who belonged to a different Brigade (VIth)."

                                7th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1914 13th KRRC arrive Halton Park Camp  13th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps arrived at Halton Park Camp, on the 7th & 8th Oct in two halves.

                                7th October 1914 Further moves for 3rd Brigade RHA  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA started out at 0800 and halted until 1400 near Mezieres as a reserve to French Troops but were not wanted and marched through Amiens to billets at Longpre about 1900.

                                7th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                                7th Oct 1914  Night March

                                7th Oct 1914  Chased from Village to Village

                                7th Oct 1914  In Billets

                                7th Oct 1914  On the March

                                7th Oct 1914  Enemy Fire

                                7th Oct 1914  On the March

                                7th October 1914  Divisional detrainment near Abbeywell

                                7th Oct 1914  Frequent Shelling

                                7th Oct 1914  On the March

                                7th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1914  In Billets

                                7th Oct 1914  Training

                                7th Oct 1914  Bridge Building

                                7th of October 1914  A Train Ride

                                7th Oct 1914  Transport

                                7th October 1914  Arrived at Amiens

                                7th October 1914  On the March

                                7th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                7th October 1914  Crossed River Oise

                                8th Oct 1914 Antwerp Evacuated  The City of Antwerp is evacuated as British and Belgian Forces struggle to hold back the besieging German forces as they closed in on the port:

                                "Private (sic) William Foster, of Old Fallow, Cannock, who has a remarkable record of assisting at the siege of Antwerp six weeks after enlistment, has a good story to tell of the gallant attempt of the Naval Brigade to check the advance of the Germans, after Antwerp had fallen. Foster, who belongs to the 2nd Naval Brigade, was a member of the Howe division (sic), and his trench was situated in the middle of a churchyard. They were in the trenches for two days and two nights, from Tuesday to Thursday. In the course of the fighting Foster says the bombardment was so terrific that some of the Britishers were driven out of their minds by it. The German artillery was very accurate, and deadly for the most part. When the Naval Brigade first took to the trenches, the German shells did not touch them, but soon one of the enemy aeroplanes appeared overhead, and within ten minutes the trenches were raked with a terrible fire. A great deal of difficulty was experiences because the Germans drove the Belgian refugees before them, and the Naval Brigade had to avoid shooting them, although the Germans continued to fire at the men in the trenches. Foster says that lack of artillery was responsible for the retirement of the British force. It was simply a case of rifles against hundreds of German guns. If they had killed two Germans to every one Englishman, there would have been plenty of the enemy left to march to Antwerp, so at last they had to retire. The retreat from Antwerp was full of peril and incident. The Naval Brigade had to pass between blazing tanks of petrol, over a river on a pontoon bridge. Foster says it was certainly not an orderly retreat, because they had to get out as fast as they could."

                                K.X/152 Ordinary Seaman William Foster - 6th (Howe) Battalion, Royal Naval Division published in The Lichfield Mercury on 23rd of October 1914

                                "On the 7th the Marine Brigade was withdrawn to the line of inner forts. The Marines defended this position until the conditions on which we could remain were no longer being fulfilled. A final decision was made on the 8th of October by Mr Winston Churchill (the First Lord) to retreat to the coast." Charles James Black, RMLI.

                                8th Oct 1914 German troops leave Ypres  The day after arriving in Ypres, the ten thousand troops, along with their horses, transports and guns, left the city, the infantry marching towards Dickebusch, the cavalry headed for Vlamertinghe, taking with them sixty two thousand Francs from the city's coffers, a vast amount of forage, horses, wagons, food and clothing belonging to the citizens of Ypres. The majority of the coupon payments were never honoured as the German Army was never to return to the city.

                                8th Oct 1914 6th Cavalry Brigade land Ostend  The 6th Cavalry Brigade, consisting of the 1st (Royal) Dragoon Guards, 10th (Prince Of Wales’s Own Royal) Hussars and C Battery, RHA land at Ostend as part of the 3rd Cavalry Division.

                                8th Oct 1914 BEF HQ moves again  GHQ for the British Expeditionary Force moved from Tardenois to Abbeville.

                                8th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards land at Zeebruggen  The Adjutant of the 2nd Life Guards records in the War Diary: "Landed at Zeebruggen and found myself senior officer in the place and in command of 7 Squadrons of H C and 2 of Royal Dragoons. Ordered to billet in the area Uitkerke-Lisseweghe-Zuyenkerke. This was countermanded by an order to march to Clemskerke, and again later by an order to assist outside Zeebruggen, which we did till 5 p.m. when orders came to bivouac which I did in the dark on the sea shore 1 mile west of Blankenberghe. The HQ and 2 Squadrons Royal Dragoons left us to march to Ostend.

                                8th October 1914  On the march

                                8th October 1914 further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0830 and marched to billets at Maison Roland about 1600.

                                8th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                                8th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs on the March

                                8th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                8th Oct 1914  On the March

                                8th Oct 1914  Reinforcements

                                8th Oct 1914  Outpost Duty

                                8th October 1914  Divisional relocation continuing

                                8th Oct 1914  Trench Work

                                8th Oct 1914  On the March

                                8th Oct 1914  On the March

                                8th Oct 1914 On the March  

                                THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914

                                2nd Battalion, Scots Guards marching out of Bruges along the Bruges - Torhout road. The Battalion was ordered to join the 7th Division on the 8th of October 1914 to cover the landing of the 3rd Cavalry Division at Ostend. © IWM (Q 57141)

                                8th Oct 1914  On the March

                                8th Oct 1914  On the March

                                8th Oct 1914  On the March

                                8th Oct 1914  Training

                                8th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                8th Oct 1914  Orders

                                8th Oct 1914  Bridge Building

                                8th of October 1914  Entraining Finished

                                8th Oct 1914  Training

                                8th October 1914  On the March

                                8th October 1914  On the March

                                8th Oct 1914  At Rest

                                8th October 1914  Disentrained near Abbeville at 0400 hours

                                9th Oct 1914 4th Devons sail from Southampton  4th Battalion Devonshire Regiment sailed on the SS Nevassa from Southampton

                                9th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards march to Bruges  2nd Life Guards marched to Bruges with orders to assist the Brigade and take up a line south of that city. This order was countermanded and after a long delay the Regiment went into billets in Oostkamp, which were very good, and the Burgermaster Baron de Pens was a great help.

                                9th Oct 1914  Orders

                                9th October 1914 further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Noyelle

                                Started at 0900 and marched to billets at Noyelle about 1600 a distance of 24 miles.

                                9th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                                9th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs on the March

                                10th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs Entrain

                                9th Oct 1914  Problems with the Post

                                9th Oct 1914  Shells for Breakfast

                                9th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                9th Oct 1914  On the March

                                9th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                9th Oct 1914  Under Shellfire

                                9th Oct 1914  On the March

                                9th October 1914  Move

                                9th Oct 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                9th Oct 1914  On the March

                                9th Oct 1914  On the March

                                9th Oct 1914 Defence Work  

                                THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE TO FRANCE, AUGUST-OCTOBER 1914

                                Troops of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards constructing a machine gun emplacement near Ghent. © IWM (Q 57166)

                                9th Oct 1914  On the March

                                9th Oct 1914  On the March

                                9th Oct 1914  Orders

                                9th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                9th Oct 1914  Training

                                9th Oct 1914  Anxiety

                                9th Oct 1914  Bridge Building

                                9th of October 1914  A Bus Ride

                                9th Oct 1914  Training

                                9th October 1914  Billeted

                                9th October 1914  On the Move

                                9th Oct 1914  Preparations

                                9th Oct 1914  On the March

                                9th October 1914  Marched 1400 hours to meet motors which did not arrive.

                                10th Oct 1914 Antwerp Falls  The City of Antwerp is formally surrendered to the German Forced by the military governor Gen. Deguise.

                                "Antwerp did not fall, thanks to British interventions, till October 10th. By that time, Sir Henry Rawlinson was in Ghent with a substantial force, the Belgian Field Army had retreated and rested and the left wing of the British forces was at Bailleul. The result was that the three forces could stand on the line of the Yser, and bar the road to Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk. For this decisive success had been sacrificed the lives of 7 officers and 58 men and 3 officers and 185 men wounded. It is impossible to speak lightly of such losses, but the sacrifice … was certainly not in vain". Charles James Black, (R.M.L.I., PO 17226) aged 16 years and 11 months.

                                10th Oct 1914 11th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment raised  11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment is raised at York on the 10th of October 1914 as part of Kitchener's Third New Army, they join 69th Brigade, 23rd Division.

                                10th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards take six German prisoners  The 2nd Life Guards War Diary records: 6 German prisoners taken through en route for Bruges. Ordered to march at 12 midday to Beernem, which we did, meeting a long cohort of Belgian Infantry and Artillery, apparently in some disorder and said to be coming from Antwerp. New orders arrived with the Brigadier at Beernem and we marched to billet at Roodevoorde but on arrival found it filled with Belgian troops, so marched on to a chateau one mile north of Evezeple Ingilmunster. Find the hospitable natives are a great hindrance to discipline. The Country seems very ill suited for Country tactics, and recalls the more unhospitable parts of the English Fens. I think that with few exceptions, Reservists of more than 12 years service are useless and have frequently offered a bad example to younger men. Neither men nor young officers seem at first to understand the serious side of War and even with experience of the South African War seems rather harmful than otherwise. My Regiment consists of men of 13 different Cavalry Regiments; 180 of my own and 374 of 12 other Regiments. The rations seem excellent and up till now the transport arrangements are equally so. I would urge the wisdom of the issue of the new small ration biscuit instead of the old large one. It is more palatable, more easily carried and can be eaten by men whose teeth are faulty. I think that the transport is not sufficient for the men's clothes. They can carry practically nothing on their horses and consequently suffer from cold and want of cleanliness. Considerable trouble from severe cold and stranglers has [illegible] away the horses. This began at Ludgershall and continues here. Glorious autumn weather but very cold nights and early mornings.

                                10th Oct 1914 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment suffer greatly at La Basse  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment is virtually destroyed as a battalion near Le Pilly during the Battle of La Bassée with many men taken as POWs between the 10th and 24th of October when the battalion transferred to the lines of communication.

                                Oct 1914  Bombardment

                                10th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                10th Oct 1914  New CO

                                10th October 1914 further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Roquetoire. Started at 0610 and marched into billets at Roquetoire around 1800 as a reserve to French second line troops holding the line of the canal through Aire.

                                10th Oct 1914 1st East Lancs on the march   At 1400 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment marched to Magny (Compiegne) via La Croix St Ouen arriving at 1900. During this march we passed through St Sauveur and were recognised by the inhabitants. At 2215 Entrained but did not leave until 0145.

                                10th Oct 1914  A German Souvenir

                                10th Oct 1914  More Good than Harm

                                10th Oct 1914  Tales from France

                                10th Oct 1914  Guard Duty

                                10th Oct 1914  Lacking Artillery

                                10th Oct 1914  On the March

                                10th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                10th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                10th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                10th Oct 1914  Inro Billets

                                10th October 1914  Further Moves by motor Buses via Hesdin

                                10th Oct 1914  Enemy Attack

                                10th Oct 1914  On the March

                                10th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                10th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                10th Oct 1914  Outposts

                                10th Oct 1914  Roads Covered

                                10th Oct 1914  Outposts

                                10th Oct 1914  Training

                                10th Oct 1914  Withdrawal

                                10th Oct 1914  Recruitment

                                10th Oct 1914  Bridge Building

                                10th of October 1914  On the Road

                                10th Oct 1914  Training

                                Oct 1914  Reorganisation

                                10th October 1914  Move

                                10th October 1914  On the Move

                                10th Oct 1914  Affiliation

                                10th Oct 1914  On the March

                                10th October 1914  By motors to Thieuloye.

                                11th Oct 1914 BEF HQ at Mont Cassel  General Sir John French moved his HQ of the British Expeditionary Force to Mont Cassel, the highest of the Flemish Hills.

                                11th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards are 1 mile N of Sweevezeele  O’Neill's B Squadron, 2nd Life Guards are out watching a line from Lichtervede through Sweevezeele to Wynghene and is in touch with VI Cav. Brigade Royal Dragoons at former place. Reports of heavy firing in the direction of Houthulst and that Lichtervede, Thielt and Eeghem are held by Belgians. Transport came at 10 pm which kept most of the Regiment up till midnight and this seemed unnecessary.

                                11th October 1914  Heavy Firing

                                11th October 1914   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Wallon Cappel.

                                Started at 0520 and moved into observation position on Mont Dupil. Returned to Quernes and then marched back again through Aire to billets in a chateau one mile south of Wallon Cappel. In billets around 2000.

                                11th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the move

                                11th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs on the Move

                                11th Oct 1914  2nd Scots Guards on the March

                                11th Oct 1914  A Rough Time

                                11th Oct 1914  Messages

                                11th Oct 1914  On the March

                                11th October 1914  Cavalry cover for further Moves

                                11th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                11th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                11th Oct 1914  On the March

                                11th Oct 1914  On the March

                                11th Oct 1914  Troops and Refugees

                                11th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                11th Oct 1914  Church Parade

                                11th Oct 1914  Hostile Forces

                                11th Oct 1914  Company Move

                                11th Oct 1914  Bridge Completed

                                11th of October 1914  New Billets

                                11th Oct 1914  Church Parade

                                11th October 1914  Billeted in Street.

                                11th October 1914  French Cavalry holding ground.

                                11th Oct 1914  On the March

                                11th October 1914  Long march

                                11th Oct 1914  Orders

                                12th Oct 1914 3rd Cavalry Brigade attack  On the 12th of October 3rd Cavalry Brigade were ordered to dislodge the enemy from Mont de Cats which they had recently occupied. The 4th Hussars and 5th Lancers undertook a dismounted attack, assisted by the 16th Lancers and reclaimed the hill. Amongst the German casualties was Prince Maximillian von Hesse, nephew of the Kaiser.

                                12th Oct 1914 2nd Black Watch arrive in France  2nd Battalion Black Watch land at Marseilles having sailed from India, and entrain to join the BEF.

                                12th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards on the march  2 Life Guards marched at 8am through Iseghem to take up a line of observation south of that place. We billetted at Ouchene to defend, so they say, the 3rd Cav. Div Staff at Rumbeke. We were last in the column and so had a weary day, and were ordered to take up the line Moorslede exclusive, where the Royal Dragoons VI Brigade are, Vossemblen, Lenderlede with 3 Squadrons. More orders at 2 am to march at 5 am with 2 squadrons as advance guard and one as left flank guard.

                                12th Oct 1914  Route March

                                12th Oct 1914  Equipment

                                12th October 1914 Action at Mont des Cats  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0700 and marched to near Eecke where after halting for some time, advanced to high ground west of Godewaersvelde and fired about 100 rounds to support dismounted cavalry attack on Mont Des Cats which was taken just before dark. Went into billets at a farm about 1 mile east of Eecke at 2000. Prince Max of Hesse and 12 others found dead in a wood shelled (must have been killed by either us or "D").

                                12th October 1914  Forward moves

                                12th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                                12th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs clear Town

                                12th Oct 1914  2nd Scots Guards on the March

                                 Recruitment and Training  

                                12th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall October 12th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Durham; Lord Southampton; Col. Darwin; W. Cresswell Gray, Esq; Colonel Bowes; Captain F.T. Tristram; Captain Roberts; Col. R. Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that Mr Lowe had now joined, and that Dr Taylor proposed joining immediately. The list of officers for commissions was produced and inspected. Subscription list now amounted to £5715, including a donation from Mr J.E. Rogerson for £50.

                                Parade state was now 930, rank and file; and 22 officers. Accommodation as follows: - Newton Hall, 230. West Rainton, 212. Cocken Hall, 510. Col. Burdon also reported that recruiting had been stopped in consequence of some very undesirable men having been recruited from Stockton and Durham.

                                Authority was given to proceed with the Bath House as soon as possible. Colonel Bowes stated that clothing for about 900 was now forthcoming; and asked for a cheque for £2000 on account for clothing. Lord Southampton had made enquires with regard to obtaining a suitable Orderly Room Clerk, and the matter was left in his hands. It was noted that no progress, except putting up the side posts, had been made with the shed over the kitchens; and Captain Tilly was requested to accelerate the erection of this.

                                It was decided to indent for sufficient rifles for the purpose of drill for the whole battalion, together with buff waist belts and frogs, until the equipment could be procured. Colonel Burdon was instructed to write a letter to the newspapers, drawing attention to the fact that it was open to anyone to subscribe to the County Battalion, if they so wished, as a record of the Battalion and of the names of the subscribers would be preserved.

                                12th Oct 1914  Interned in Holland

                                12th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                12th Oct 1914  In Action

                                12th Oct 1914  Under Attack

                                12th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                12th October 1914  Cavalry cover for further Moves

                                12th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                12th Oct 1914  Transfer

                                12th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                12th Oct 1914  Into the Line

                                12th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                12th Oct 1914  Guard Duty

                                12th Oct 1914  On the March

                                12th Oct 1914  Training

                                12th Oct 1914  On the March

                                Oct 1914  On the Move

                                12th Oct 1914  At Rest

                                12th of October 1914  Orders to Advance

                                12th Oct 1914  Training

                                12th October 1914  Contact

                                12th October 1914  Sounds of gun & rifle fire on either side.

                                12th Oct 1914  On the March

                                12th October 1914  Germans attacked and took Vermelles from the French

                                13th Oct 1914 Cavalry take Mount Noir  Mount Noir in the Flanders Hills was taken by the British Cavalry Corps.

                                13th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards march to Ypres  2 Life Guards marched via Moorslede straight to Ypres, the VI Cav Brigade more or less parallel to the north, our left flank guard via Klofkapperie, St Pieter, Waterdamhoek, Zillebeke, Voormezeele under Captain O’Neill. He saw a few Germans and a patrol was too excited to hit them at a few yards. Suddenly ordered to Menin to clean up the situation where we arrived at 4 pm. to find Town empty and I think full of spies and German sympathisers. Suddenly 60 Germans were reported to be entering the town from the East and to have turned South. I hurried with 1 Squadron to the south side to intercept them, but could find no trace. However a patrol returning from Halluin reported later that they had had to gallop through Menin to get back and that the 60 Germans were concealed up a side street. To our [illegible] we were then ordered back to our line of last night and finally got into billets at Winkel St Eloi Rolleghem Cappelle And Boschmolens at about 9 pm. and very wet. Orders at 2 am to march at 5 am.

                                13th October 1914  On the March

                                13th October 1914  In Action

                                13th October 1914  Further moves

                                13th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                                13th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs under Fire

                                13th Oct 1914  1st Warwicks in Action

                                13th Oct 1914  3rd Worcs in Action

                                13th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                13th Oct 1914  On the March

                                13th Oct 1914  In Action

                                13th Oct 1914  Into Reserve

                                13th Oct 1914  On the March

                                13th October 1914  Slow progress in Attack renewal

                                13th Oct 1914  Relief Complete

                                13th Oct 1914  On the March

                                13th Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                13th Oct 1914  Personnel

                                13th Oct 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                13th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                13th Oct 1914  Docks

                                13th Oct 1914  On the March

                                13th Oct 1914  Training

                                13th Oct 1914  Enemy Closes

                                13th Oct 1914  On the March

                                13th of October 1914  Advance Resumed

                                13th Oct 1914  Route March

                                13th October 1914  Heavy casualties

                                13th October 1914  Mist

                                13th Oct 1914  On the March

                                13th October 1914  Dorsets and Bedfords severely attacked at Givenchy.

                                14th Oct 1914 Misty day in Flanders  A wet misty day when flying was not possible until after 5.30pm Troops of the 19th Brigade and 4th Division BEF occupied Bailleul as the German forces withdrew behind the Lys. They left 85 severely wounded men in the town, but according to those left behind, had evacuated at least 500 with less servere injuries. The British troops moved forward to complete a defensive line with the French and Belgian armies, stretching from Belfort, near the Swiss border to the Flanders Coast. A line which would bulge and flex but remain in place during the following four years.

                                14th Oct 1914  Second assualt on Jabassi  In West Africa, British Forces commanded by Col E.H. Georges mount a second attack on the enemy entrenchments at Jabassi, as the Wuri River was once again high enough to sail the barges loaded with field guns. The British made landings on both sides of the river and were successful in capturing the position, forcing the Germans to retreat into the mountains of Kamerun. Ten European enemy were taken prisoner. In holding Jabassi the British are able to better protect their forces at Duala and Victoria from possible counter attack.

                                14th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards meet VI Cav Bde  2 Life Guards are up at 4 and off at 5 am and marched straight off to Ypres meeting up with VI Cav Brigade at or near Moorslede and forming one long column. VII Brigade found up in Market Place with K Batley RHA and we also met the 3rd Cav Div Staff. A pleasant halt with much excitement at the appearance of a German aeroplane, which was brought down at the expense of about 100 rounds. Both airmen were wounded and subsequently captured, their Iron crosses being seized by the populace. My doctor was shot at, and so was our transport column, but Roxburgh of the Blues shot a German and we were unhurt except that the adjutant’s horse was shot in the leg during the firing at the aeroplane in Ypres square. At 12 we marched off towards Kemmel and listened to a tremendous bombardment all the afternoon in absolute ignorance of the situation. We were all pleased to find ourselves in touch with Chetwode’s and De Lisle’s brigades. We got into rough billets at Kruisstraathoek at 6 pm after 2 very long and severe days for our horses. The [illegible] ones begin to collapse and I sent 3 away today to a depot at Ypres. Trouble is rising from the breast harness which is utterly unsuitable for heavy cart horses. I hope to be allowed to requisition collars locally.

                                14th October 1914  Footsore

                                14th October 1914  Moves

                                14th October 1914  Advance

                                14th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                                14th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the march

                                14th Oct 1914  German units in Belgium

                                14th Oct 1914  Enemy Well Informed

                                7th Oct 1914  Royal Horse Guards in Belgium

                                14th Oct 1914  Guard Duty

                                14th Oct 1914  Disapointed

                                14th Oct 1914  Submarines

                                14th Oct 1914  Hospital Opens

                                14th Oct 1914  On the March

                                14th Oct 1914  In Action

                                14th Oct 1914  Orders

                                14th Oct 1914  Alarm

                                14th October 1914  Continued slow progress in Attack

                                14th Oct 1914  In Billets

                                14th Oct 1914  On the March

                                14th Oct 1914  Night Attack

                                14th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                14th Oct 1914  On the March

                                14th Oct 1914  On the March

                                14th Oct 1914  On the March

                                14th Oct 1914  Training

                                14th Oct 1914  On the March

                                14th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                14th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                14th Oct 1914  Inspection

                                14th of October 1914  Supporting the French

                                14th Oct 1914  Training

                                14th October 1914  Heavily shelled all day

                                14th October 1914  Ground Gained

                                14th Oct 1914  CO

                                14th Oct 1914  In Position

                                14th October 1914  At Festubert.

                                15th Oct 1914 The London Hospital takes Wounded.  After the Fall of Antwerp, a large number of wounded Belgian soldiers were evacuated from hospitals as the German Army advanced. On the night of the 15th of October they boarded Hospital Ships at the channel ports and were conveyed to the safety of England. Across the Home Counties, hospitals mobilised to accept them, the Military Hospitals taking the most severe cases, the big civilian hospitals being next in line. With over 15,000 cases, the Auxiliary Hospitals were also mobilised that night.

                                At The London Hospital in Whitechapel, civilian patients were woken moved to other wards, the entire hospital being rearranged, to transform as many wards as possible to accomodate the soldiers. By midnight the new military wards were ready, each with fourty beds made up, the bedclothes turned back, pyjamas, towels and wash things waiting. At the garden entrance, electricians strung up temporary electric lighting and porters brought out every stretcher and wheelchair in readiness for the new arrivals.

                                15th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards stand to all day  2nd Life Guards were Ready to march at 6 am and stood to all day. Gun fire continues. The Warwickshires came to outpost about 300 yards in front of us, but having dug trenches they withdrew, and some Gordon Highlanders came to outpost also. The system of local requisition was started owing to the impossibility of delivery [illegible] and [illegible] at [illegible]

                                15th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards in billets at Kruisstraathoek  2 Life Guards remained in billets at Kruisstraathoek with 2 squadrons in farms, one in an old moated Chateau and Headquarters in Cafe La Brasserie.

                                15th October 1914  On the March

                                15th Oct 1914 HMS Hawke lost  Submarine U9 sinks HMS Hawke

                                15th Oct 1914 Sheffield City Battalion on route march  The men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertake their first route march, on this wet and misty day. The route was from their training grounds in the city to Redmires, where their hutted camp is under construction. They drilled on the flat ground which will be their parade ground in the camp, were served sandwiches and tea for lunch then marched back to Sheffield.

                                15th October 2014  In Action

                                15th October 1914  Ongoing Action

                                15th October 1914  Further moves

                                15th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs Advance

                                15th Oct 1914  Attack on Fortified Cottages

                                15th Oct 1914  On the March

                                15th Oct 1914  Greatly Anticipated Meal

                                15th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                15th Oct 1914  Patients Arrive

                                15th Oct 1914  Defensive Positions

                                15th Oct 1914  Advance Continues

                                15th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                15th Oct 1914  On the March

                                15th Oct 1914  Wounded Rejoin

                                15th October 1914  Change in GOC due to casualty

                                15th Oct 1914  On the March

                                15th Oct 1914  Admissions

                                15th Oct 1914  In Action

                                15th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                15th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                15th Oct 1914  Digging in

                                15th Oct 1914  Defensive Positions

                                15th Oct 1914  Patrols

                                15th Oct 1914  Training

                                15th Oct 1914  Hostile Column

                                15th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                15th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                15th of October 1914  Advance Ordered to Continue

                                15th Oct 1914  Preparations

                                15th October 1914  H.E. shells dropped

                                15th October 1914  Operation order received

                                15th Oct 1914  In Action

                                16th Oct 1914 Wounded Belgians arrive in London  A hush had fallen over the London Hospital once the preparations had been completed. All the night staff gathered on the steps in the garden waiting to recieve the wounded. News of their arrival at Charring Cross was conveyed by telephone and shortly afterwards they began to arrive by car, walking wounded first, stretcher cases followed. The men had been evacuated from the Anwerp Hospital under German Bombardment and endured a difficult journey to the coast with little food or water and no one to change their dressings.

                                300 wounded were washed, changed fed and settled into the beds of The London Hospital under the care of the medical staff. Across London, St Thomas's and Guys were in the same situation. With over 15,000 cases abord the Hospital ships, the Auxiliary Hospitals and the VAD's were mobilised to accept their first soldiers.

                                16th Oct 1914 On the Move  On the 16th of October No.6 Squadron moved to Poperinghe Aerodrome. Six Squadron’s work was primarily the observation for the artillery engaged on counter battery work, recording enemy troops movements and the mapping enemy trench positions. It played a large part in the Battle of Ypres despite constant attacks from the German air force and anti-aircraft fire, equipped with a variety of aircraft types, but principally the BE2.

                                16th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards march through Ypres  2 Life Guards marched at 7.30 am in a white fog as Advanced Guard to the Brigade through the very slippery streets of Ypres, now full of French troops and scouted round Westroosebeke, ultimately halting there, while ay 3 pm O’Neill and his squadron scouted towards Oostnieuwkerke. Lt. Sir P Brocklehurst and a patrol of 1st Life Guards reported a German Maxim about 2 miles out on the Westroosebeke, Hooglede road. About 4 pm O’Neill reported that a farm about 1/2 miles S W of Oostniewkerke was strongly held by Germans and that in approaching it Lt Sir Robin Duff had been killed. At 4 pm, I sent Belper’s squadron to support O’Neill on the left and myself took Ashton’s squadron to strengthen O’Neill. I found the country quite flat but thickly dotted with cottages, farms and small woods, one being of considerable size. At 5.30 pm I worked up towards the farm whence Duff had been killed, but found it in a clearing with no cover for 500 yards all round. We came under fire from 3 directions, front left flank and rear, and as it was nearly dark I collected my squadrons and retired to Westroosebeke. There was considerable sniping from the cottages, and one cyclist was shot through the hand when catching up his squadron. Belper claims to have killed 12 Germans, and the man who shot Duff was also killed. The Regiment was left to billet in Westroosebeke, while the remainder of the Brigade went to Paschendaele, which is not a pleasant billet, and did not feel at all secure in such a big straggling village with so small a force.

                                16th Oct 1914  In Position

                                16th Oct 1914  Into Position

                                16th October 1914 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA marched at 0730. Lt Maxwell went on with Greys. Again had a little close shooting near Comines. Remaining four guns after a long halt about Garde Dieu came into action. Fired at trenches South West of Bas Warneton and at latter. Were then taken on by General Gough to river bank just west of Warneton when engaged trenches south of river. Snipers in houses at a range of 700 yards so moved back a little as almost impossible to fire at this short range among houses. Fired again at trenches east of town. Sent three guns back to billets after dark. Took one gun with Lt Walwynn into town, running along street in dark by hand fired point blank at a barricade, about 10 rounds enabling 16th Lancers to take it. Then ran gun up to barricade in middle of town where wanted but couldn't get in due to heavy maxim rifle fire from right angle street. Withdrew gun and returned to billets in Wytschete at 2100. No casualties though the 16th Lancers were falling all around us. Soon after we left they were driven out of Warneton by greatly superior forces.

                                16th October 1914  Ongoing Action

                                16th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the move

                                16th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs Entrench

                                16th Oct 1914  German Hordes

                                16th Oct 1914  Not Very Safe

                                16th Oct 1914  Heroism

                                16th Oct 1914  On the March

                                16th Oct 1914  On the March

                                16th Oct 1914  On the March

                                16th Oct 1914  Defensive Positions

                                16th Oct 1914  Advance Continues

                                16th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                16th Oct 1914  On the March

                                16th Oct 1914  Difficult Relief

                                16th October 1914  Advance in foggy conditions

                                16th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                16th Oct 1914  Refreshments

                                16th Oct 1914  Wards

                                16th Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                16th Oct 1914  Exchange of Fire

                                16th Oct 1914  Snipers

                                16th Oct 1914  Enemy Patrol

                                16th Oct 1914  On the March

                                16th Oct 1914  Into the Line

                                16th Oct 1914  Inspection

                                16th Oct 1914  Line Advanced

                                16th Oct 1914  On the March

                                16th of October 1914  Empty German Trenches

                                16th Oct 1914  On the March

                                16th October 1914  In Reserve

                                16th October 1914  Reliefs

                                16th Oct 1914  Advance

                                16th October 1914  Move Forward

                                16th Oct 1914  Equipment

                                17th Oct 1914 1st KRRC in Ypres Salient  1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps arrive in the Ypres Salint.

                                17th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards mount posts.  2nd Life Guards were ready to march at 5 am but remained in billets with many posts out all day and much firing very near. Constant Belgian and French patrols coming through. We were visited by Commander Sampson RN and his train of guns including a 3 gun used that day for the first time, mounted on a railway truck with a motor engine. He with 2 of my officers went and put a shell or two into the farm held yesterday by the Germans and later reported all clear in and as far as Oostnieuwkerke. They found that the Germans had lightly buried Duff and the man who killed him at the farm, but that the Burgomaster's Secretary had moved Duff into the Cemetery at Oostnieukerke. German Patrols rode [illegible] into our wire barriers at night.

                                17th Oct 1914  In the Trenches

                                17th October 1914 Battle of Texel  The Battle off Texel on the 17 October 1914 was a naval battle off the coast of the Dutch island of Texel during the First World War. A British squadron consisting of one light cruiser and four destroyers encountered the remnants of the German 7th Half Flotilla of torpedo boats. They were en route to the British coast on a mission to lay minefields. The British forces attacked and sank the entire German flotilla of four torpedo boats. Heavily outgunned, the German force attempted to flee and then fought a desperate action against the British force. The battle resulted in the loss of an entire German torpedo boat squadron and prevented the mining of heavily trafficked shipping lanes at the mouth of the Thames River. The British in exchange took only light casualties and little damage to their vessels. The outcome of the battle greatly influenced the tactics of the remaining German torpedo boat flotillas in the North Sea area. The loss greatly shook the faith of the commanders in the effectiveness of the force.

                                After the opening naval Battle of Heligoland Bight the German High Seas Fleet was ordered to avoid confrontations with larger opposing forces in an effort to avoid costly and demoralizing reverses. Thus outside of occasional German raids, the North Sea became dominated by the Royal Navy which regularly patrolled the area. Despite the lack of action by German capital ships, light forces still operated regularly in North Sea. At 1350 on 17 October 1914 the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla Harwich Force consisting of the light cruiser HMS Undaunted under Captain Cecil Fox and four Laforey-class destroyers, HMS Lennox, Lance, Loyal, and Legion, was cruising off the coast of the island of Texel. They encountered a German squadron of torpedo boats of the 7th Half Flotilla under Georg Thiele (SMS S115, S117, S118, and S119). S119 was the lead ship of the torpedo boat flotilla and was commanded by Korvettenkapitän Thiele himself. The German ships made no attempt to challenge or threaten the approaching British ships nor did they at first attempt to flee the scene. It was assumed by the British that they were waiting for more German vessels to arrive and had mistaken the British ships for friendly vessels. In reality, the German flotilla had been sent out of Ems on a mission to mine the southern coast of Britain including the mouth of the Thames. It had been intercepted before reaching its targeted area of operations. The British squadron heavily outgunned the German 7th Half Flotilla. The British Commander, Captain Cecil Fox's vessel Undaunted, an Arethusa-class light cruiser, was armed with two 6 inch naval guns and seven QF 4 inch naval guns, all in single mounts and nearly all without gun shields. Undaunted at the time of the engagement was also experimentally armed with an additional pair of 2-pounder anti-aircraft guns, something most of her class lacked. In addition to her guns, the cruiser was also armed with eight torpedo tubes and at best speed could make 28.5 knots. The four British Laforey-class destroyers were much less powerful vessels in comparison to the cruiser being only armed with two torpedo tubes, three 4-inch guns and a singe 2-pounder gun. The destroyers were slightly faster than the cruiser and could make about 29 knots at full power. The German vessels were entirely inferior to the British. The four boats were of the aging Großes Torpedoboot 1898 class and had been completed in 1904. In terms of speed, the German boats were nearly equal to the British at 28 knots. Each of the German vessels was armed with three 50 mm guns, significantly fewer than the British destroyers. These weapons were also of shorter range and throwing weight than the British guns. The biggest danger to the British squadron was the torpedo tubes carried by the German boats, as each boat carried three 450 mm torpedo tubes with five torpedoes per boat.

                                Battle

                                Upon closer approach, the German vessels realized the approaching vessels were British and began to scatter and flee. Undaunted, closer to the Germans than the destroyers, opened fire on the nearest torpedo boat. This German vessel managed to dodge the incoming fire from Undaunted by changing course but by doing so lost speed and the British force caught up with them. In an attempt to protect Undaunted from torpedo attack and to destroy the Germans as quickly as possible, the squadron commander Captain Fox. gave orders for the squadron to split into two divisions. Lance and Lennox proceeded to chase S115 and S119 while Legion and Loyal went after S117 and S118. Combined fire from Legion, Loyal, and Undaunted damaged S118 with her entire bridge being blown off sinking her at 1517. Meanwhile HMS Lance and Lennox engaged S115 disabling her steering gear and causing the German vessel to circle. Lennox's fire was so effective at this point that, as had occurred with S118, the bridge of S115 was completely destroyed. Despite the damage the German torpedo-boat still did not strike her colours and vainly continued the action. The two centre-most boats in the German flotilla — S117 and the flotilla leader S119 — then made an attempt at engaging Undaunted with torpedoes. Despite the torpedo attack, Undaunted was able to outmaneuver the German boats and remained unscathed. Legion and Loyal who had been finishing off S118 came to Undaunted's aid and engaged Undaunted's two attackers. Legion assaulted S117, but the torpedo boat fired her last three torpedoes at the destroyer and afterword continued to resist with her guns. This vain attempt failed, and Legion pulverized S117 damaging her steering mechanism which forced her to circle before she was finally sunk at 1530. At the same time Legion was battling S117, Lance and Lennox had damaged S115 to the point where only one of the destroyers was still needed to counter the vessel. Lance soon left the battle with S115 to join Loyal in pummeling S119 with lyddite shells. S119 managed to get off a successful torpedo run against Lance, hitting the destroyer amidships, but the torpedo failed to detonate. S119 was then sunk at 1535 by combined gunfire from Lance and Loyal, taking the German flotilla commander down with it. The last remaining torpedo boat S115 continued to stay afloat despite constant attacks from Lennox. The British destroyer eventually boarded the vessel finding her a complete wreck with only one German onboard who happily surrendered. Thirty other Germans were eventually plucked from the sea and captured by the British vessels. The action finally ended at 1630 with gunfire from Undaunted finishing off the abandoned hulk of S115 with heavy gunfire.

                                Aftermath

                                The German Seventh Half Flotilla was completely annihilated by Harwich force, with all four of its remaining vessels sunk and over two hundred sailors killed including the commanding officer. Despite the odds no German vessel struck her colours and the entire Flotilla went down fighting to the end. The British casualties were extremely light in comparison with only four men wounded and superficial damage to three of the destroyers. Legion took one 4 lb shell hit and had one man wounded by machine gun fire. Loyal took two shell hits and had three or four men wounded as a result. Lance took some superficial machine gun damage and the other two vessels were unscathed. Thirty-one surviving German sailors were taken out of the water and off the sinking hulks and made prisoners, but one captured officer soon after died of the wounds he had received during the action. Two other German sailors were later plucked from the water by a neutral vessel. The battle was seen as a great boost of morale for the British at the time, as two days previous to the action off Texel they had suffered the loss of the cruiser HMS Hawke due to a U-boat attack. The effect on British morale the battle had is reflected in its fictionalized and nationalistic inclusion in the 1915 dime novel The Boy Allies Under Two Flags, by Robert L. Drake. Some controversy arose in Germany from the battle because the German hospital ship Ophelia, which had been sent out to rescue survivors from the sunken boats, was seized by the British for violating the Hague Convention's rules on the use of hospital ships. Although the boats of the sunken flotilla were older and some casualties were expected, the loss of an entire squadron of torpedo boats changed the tactics of the German forces displaced in the English Channel and along the coast of Flanders drastically. As a direct result, there were very few further sorties into the Channel and the torpedo boat force was delegated to coastal patrol and rescuing downed pilots for fear of similar losses. An unexpected boon for the British came as a result of the action, when on 30 November a British fishing trawler working the area pulled up a sealed chest that had been thrown off S119 by Captain Thiele during the action so as to avoid its capture. The chest contained a German codebook used by the German light forces stationed on the coast, allowing the British to decipher intercepted German communications long after the action had ended.

                                17th October 1914 Routine day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0930 and halted all day about Houthem. Returned to billets at Wytschaete at 1730.

                                17th Oct 1914 2nd Dublin Fusiliers in action  2nd Btn Dublin Fusiliers are in action at Houplines, France on the 17 October 1914. William McCann is documented as being the hero of Houplines engaging in a fierce fight in the café St Josephs.

                                17th October 1914  Relief action

                                17th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs rest

                                17th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs Dig in

                                17th Oct 1914  On the March

                                17th Oct 1914  Bridge and Defence Work

                                17th Oct 1914  Advance Continues

                                17th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                17th Oct 1914  On the March

                                17th Oct 1914  Advance

                                17th October 1914  Advance continued

                                17th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                17th Oct 1914  Guns in Action

                                17th Oct 1914  In Reserve

                                17th Oct 1914  In Action

                                17th Oct 1914  Training

                                17th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                17th Oct 1914  Enemy Patrol

                                17th Oct 1914  Patrols

                                17th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                17th Oct 1914  Training

                                17th Oct 1914  Enemy Active

                                17th Oct 1914  Recruitment

                                17th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                17th of October 1914  An Advance

                                17th Oct 1914  On the March

                                17th October 1914  Red Cross Work

                                17th October 1914  Assembly

                                17th September 1914  Some Shelling

                                17th Oct 1914  Inspection

                                17th Oct 1914  Training Grounds

                                17th Oct 1914  Move

                                17th Oct 1914  Preparations

                                18th Oct 1914 Lord Kitchener inspects Northern Division  Lord Kitchener inspects the 11th (Northern) Division at Belton Park, near Grantham.

                                18th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards march towards Oostnieuwkerke   2nd Life Guards march at 5 am towards Oostnieuwkerke with the Blues as Advanced Guard. They had some fighting with a small party of German cyclists and a few casualties, while they put 4 cyclists to the sword and 2 more were shot by 2 wounded Corporals of Horse with their revolvers. Took regiment up to support them but needlessly. The town was reported clear and we ultimately billeted in 4 scattered farms S E of the town.

                                18th October 1914  Hard Fighting

                                18th October 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0830. Halted near Houthem till 1400 which was shelled by about 90 pieces. Brought Lt Maxwell's section into action to support 12th Lancers stuck on farm near Comines. Attack successful and section also silenced a section of field guns and a section of Howitzers doing very well. Went inti billets at Hollebeke at 1900.

                                18th October 1914  Further Action

                                18th October 1914  Relief action

                                18th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs Shelled

                                18th Oct 1914  Royal Horse Guards in Action

                                18th Oct 1914  3rd Dragoons Home

                                18th Oct 1914  B Squadron under Fire

                                18th Oct 1914  1st Royal Scots in Action

                                18th Oct 1914  On the March

                                18th Oct 1914  Entrenching

                                18th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                18th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                18th Oct 1914  In Action

                                18th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                18th October 1914  Attack meet strong resistance

                                18th Oct 1914  Ready to Move

                                18th Oct 1914  On the March

                                18th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                18th Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                18th Oct 1914  Under Fire

                                18th Oct 1914  In Reserve

                                18th Oct 1914  Church Parade

                                18th Oct 1914  Planning

                                18th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                18th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                18th of October 1914  Advance Resumed

                                18th Oct 1914  Church Parade

                                18th October 1914  H.E. shell fire

                                18th October 1914  Shelling

                                18th Oct 1914  Recce

                                18th October 1914  H.Q. Moves

                                18th Oct 1914  Equipment

                                19th Oct 1914 Hampshire Yeormary move from Forest Row  1/1st Hampshire Yeomanry moved from Forest Row Camp, situated adjacent to the A22 London to Eastbourne road, between Forest Row and Wych Cross to Maresfield Camp just outside Uckfield.

                                19th Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards on parol  The War Diary Records: One squadron of 2 Life Guards went out early at 5 am to cover concentration of the Brigade. We did the Advance Guard and I used Ashton’s squadron. We marched towards Hooglede. Advance Guard Squadron took a wrong turn, so I sent out Belper’s and re-called Ashton’s. On arrival at the Hooglede, Staden, Roulers X-roads I was ordered to continue the advance. Lt Farquhar soon met a French Patrol with an officer who told him all was clear in front, but within 250 yards a hot fire was opened from the railway and railway level crossing. The Advanced Troop reinforced by the rest of the squadron returned the fire from a cottage enclosure to the left of the road, but it soon became evident that the enemy were a strong force of infantry and the squadron had to retire. In this retirement Captain F. Pemberton was killed. Lieutenant Anstruther tried to get him along but finally had to leave him in a ditch. In the meantime I held the village facing E with my other 2 squadrons and at 9am endeavoured to cover this retirement by rifle and maxim fire. The latter was most effective and the hostile infantry could be seen scattering. Very the soon the enemy brought up some guns and placed at first shot 2 shells on the precise spot which my 2 maxims had just left. Their fire set some houses burning and under cover of the smoke my Regiment withdrew to a line W of the village and south of the road we had come by, the 1st Life Guards continuing our line on the N side of the road. The Germans took time to find out our departure, but finally came into the village, at 12 pm where they were shelled by our K Battery. I was ordered to tell Ashton and his squadron to advance from farm dismounted cutting all wire, while I with my other two squadrons was to make a mounted attack on the village covered by our gun fire as long as possible. I was just starting to do this when a tremendous fire was opened from the village, and my advanced squadron which had got near enough to hear the former words of command, had to retire. My advance became impossible, and instead I took Belper’s squadron up to cover Ashton’s retirement. Belper was seriously injured by his horse falling and rolling on him. The squadron was lucky to get behind a small wood on the right of our line without casualty, but Ashton’s squadron suffered considerably. He and Lt Palmer were missing and we heard a week later were prisoners. Capt Lyon was wounded and several men, notably Corporal Black, who, though shot through the stomach, rode to the Ambulance as though unhurt. We remained under heavy shell fire near this wood until 3.30 pm, when by bringing up 2 or 3 horses at a time we were able to gallop out of fire towards Moorslede. We had held up a strong force, probably the flank guard of an Army Corps from 9 am till 3.30 pm, and I was glad to give the men General Byng’s message that they had done exceedingly well. The Brigade withdrew through Moorslede unmolested and billeted for the night in Zonnebeke. My Adjutant today was twice knocked over by shells, but mercifully unhurt.

                                19th Oct 1914 1st Dragoons suffer casualties in first advance  'A' Squadron 1st Royal Dragoons reported in their first advance the following casualties: Cpl. Harrison killed. Sgt. Lock wounded, Sgt. Measures, L.Cpl. Murkan, Ptes. Protts, Luck, Petherick, Wide and McCullum missing. Have received orders to move on Rolleghem-Cappelle.

                                19th October 1914  Defences Improved

                                19th October 1914 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0545 and halted near Houthem until 0800. Advanced to near America and fired 300 rounds at concealed guns and trenhes north of Wervicq. Went into billets at Chateau about 1 mile east of Hollebecke at 1900.

                                19th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs on the move

                                19th Oct 1914  Courts Martial

                                19th Oct 1914  First Fatality

                                19th Oct 1914  Village Held

                                19th Oct 1914  Patrols under Fire

                                19th Oct 1914  To Camp

                                19th Oct 1914  Police Duties

                                19th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall Oct 19th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Southampton; W. Cresswell Gray; Colonel Darwin; Colonel Bowes; Captain Roberts; Colonel R. Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The adjutant reported that the parade state was now 991, of all ranks, being 9 [ ] men, and [ ] officers.

                                Colonel Burdon reported that the list of officers had to be revised, so far as the dates of joining were concerned, in order to effect the necessary seniority in rank. The question of the return of 23 men to Stockton was considered; and it was decided that Captain Tristram should proceed to effect, if possible, the transfer of these men to other units, as they were not of the classes originally selected for representation in the County Battalion.

                                Colonel Burdon was instructed to proceed to York if this could not be effected, to obtain the sanction of the G.O.C in C to any suitable arrangement.

                                Lord Southampton said that as the man whom he had in view as a suitable Orderly Room Clerk would have had to be trained for 10 days at Borden it was simpler to have a man trained for the purpose at Cocken Hall, and the matter was left there.

                                The question of the separation of the Finance which had to be dealt with by the Committee, and the Finance which had to be dealt with by the C.O. was gone into; and Mr Gray suggested that Mr Fortune, of West Hartlepool, would probably be good enough to undertake the work, and would be most suitable for it. Colonel Burdon was instructed to meet him, and go into the matter with him.

                                It was noted that the shed over the kitchens had made some progress, but it was not yet finished. It was decided to indent for miniature rifles; and a full supply of service rifles for the use of the battalion. A further supply of rifles for instruction purposes had been received.

                                Colonel Burdon mentioned that it might be necessary to pump water from the river for the purpose of water supply. Fourteen huts, in various stages of completion, were now standing. The Quarter Master was instructed to lay a cement floor (for which he was to borrow men from the Darlington Construction Company) for the purpose of a bin for refuse.

                                The men's rooms were inspected; and were not found to be altogether in a good condition; this being partly due to the fact that the company from West Rainton had been moved, and had not had time to clean their rooms.

                                19th Oct 1914  Wounded Admitted

                                19th Oct 1914  Entrenching

                                19th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                19th Oct 1914  Billets

                                19th Oct 1914  In Action

                                19th Oct 1914  In Action

                                19th October 1914  Attack meets further setbacks.

                                19th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                19th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                19th Oct 1914  In Action

                                19th Oct 1914  Quiet

                                19th Oct 1914  Advance

                                19th Oct 1914  In Action

                                19th Oct 1914  Training

                                19th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                19th of October 1914   Slow Progress

                                19th Oct 1914  Section Training

                                19th Oct 1914  Wounded Soldiers

                                19th Oct 1914  Scottish Motor Drivers Leave for Rouen.

                                19th October 1914  Billeted

                                19th October 1914  Orders

                                19th Oct 1914  Recruiting

                                19th Oct 1914  New Barracks Opened

                                19th Oct 1914  In Action

                                19th October 1914  Halted

                                19th Oct 1914  Hard Fighting

                                19th Oct 1914  Postings

                                20th Oct 1914 2nd Seaforths in action  The 2nd Seaforth Highlanders are in action on on the banks of the river Lys. At 4 am, B & D Companies moved up to occupy houses on on the outskirts of the village of Frelinghien, to the north east of Armentieres. The men worked on improving their defensive position in the properties until an advance could be organised. A and C Coys were in reserve.

                                Beside them, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, supported by an artillery barrage, made an advance across the open but found it heavily entangled with barbed wire and came under fire from the enemy until their guns were silenced by the artillery. Under partial cover of a low bank and a line of trees the Irish Fusiliers advanced towards the German trenches as the Seaforths prepared to advance towards the enemy trenches on their left. When the men were about 200 yards from the trench line, the Germans opened fire and it was decided that the Seaforths would take the position by assault.

                                At about 11 am C company, 2nd Seaforths, lead by captain D. C. Methuen and 2/Lt J. F. Glass attempted to storm the enemy trench, under heavy fire. The German trench was situated on a high, steep slippery bank which added to crossfire from snipers in the Brewery on the edge of the town, made the task more difficult. But the Seaforths succeeded in capturing and holding the section of trench, taking 20 prisoners and killing about 30 of the enemy.

                                At about 1pm, 15 Germans soldiers surrendered and left their trenches unarmed. Shortly afterwards, others surrendered from houses in the town and after negotiations, three snipers left the Brewery and surrendered. The buildings and cellars were searched and found to be unoccupied. After dark, the Brewery was occupied by two and a half platoons from A coy, with the rest of A coy occupiing houses to the east of road along with 1 platoon from D coy. C & D coys along with with Headquarters occupied the houses taken the previous night, with B coy holding the newly captured trenches with Irish Fusiliers on their right, 2 Coy Rifle Brigade came up during the night as support. Work commended to strengthen defence and re-entrench the captured positions.

                                20th Oct 1914  2nd Sherwoods War Diary

                                20th Oct 1914 2 Life Guards near Westroosebeke.  2nd Life Guards marched at 5 am to entrench near Westroosebeke. On arrival at our line found French Infantry partially entrenched already, but they promptly withdrew, so we defended the Westroosebeke to Paschendaele road by trenching to west of it in the order from the right 1st Life Guards, R H Guards, ourselves, Royal Dragoons, 10th Hussars, French troops on the left. My horses were concealed behind a wood but soon they had to be moved further back to avoid shells. This led later to some confusion as the squadrons did not know where their horses had gone. This was the first attempt of the Household Cavalry to dig trenches, and they were very welcome as the shell fire for about 2 hours was severe. German attempts to cross the main road with infantry were easily checked by our rifle fire, but the French on the extreme left retired without any warning to us of their intention. The VI Cavalry Brigade consequently had to go, and we on our turn had to go too in successive Regiments from the left, with my squadrons holding farms to cover the retirement. We were lucky to disengage without losses, as we had to go a long way on foot, and the led horses were in some confusion as stated above. I had orders to hold successive farms on the left of the road by which we retired, and I found myself near Poelcapelle, whence I went via St Julien to rejoin the Brigade and ordered at 2 pm to take up a line facing north to connect with the VIth Cavalry Brigade at St Julien. Here we remained unmolested in heavy rain until 6 pm when we retired to find for ourselves some filthy billets about 3 miles South East of Poelcapelle. Tired of hearing tremendous shelling and musketry all day and apparently in all directions. Arrival of General Haig at Poelcapelle is reported, and we saw outposts of Coldstream Guards going out for the night.

                                20th October 1914  Entrenched

                                20th October 1914  Continued Action

                                20th October 1914  Disaster for Battalion

                                20th October 1914  Ongoing Action

                                20th Oct 1914  Enemy Attack

                                20th Oct 1914  Davidson of the Gunners

                                20th Oct 1914  Entrenching

                                20th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                20th Oct 1914  On the March

                                20th Oct 1914  In Action

                                20th Oct 1914  Snipers

                                20th Oct 1914  Taken Prisoner

                                20th October 1914  Major German attack

                                20th Oct 1914  On the March

                                20th Oct 1914  Digging in

                                20th Oct 1914  Enemy Attack

                                20th Oct 1914  Quiet

                                20th Oct 1914  Enemy Attack

                                20th Oct 1914  In Action

                                20th Oct 1914  Training

                                20th Oct 1914  In Action

                                20th Oct 1914  Draft

                                20th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                20th Oct 1914  Preparations

                                20th of October 1914  A Fluid Front

                                20th Oct 1914  Training

                                20th October 1914  Return to old positions

                                20th October 1914  New Trenches Dug

                                20th Oct 1914  In Action

                                20th October 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                20th Oct 1914  Defensive Line

                                20th Oct 1914  Postings

                                21st Oct 1914 British withdraw from Zonnebeke  After heavy shelling by the enemy, the British were forced to withdraw from Zonnebeke on the night of the 21st of October 1914.

                                21st Oct 1914 2 Life Guards march to Ehrsternst  2nd Life Guards march at 5.30 am to Ehrsternst then remaining idle till midday as rear regiment. We were ordered to support the Infantry at Zonnebeke, the Blues and 1st Life Guards being already there. There was considerable sniping from houses in the village and from outside. Brigadier Lawford pointed out our place and we were very thankful to find a roadside ditch and bank ready-made, as the shell fire was severe for 2 hours. The Staffords were in front of us, so we could not fire in spite of being constantly sniped from intervening ground. Our horses were left in the street and a shell fell among them killing four, a horrible sight, I was told. Captain V Montgomerie got a shrapnel bullet in the back and one man was killed. I sat in a puddle in the ditch and felt grateful. The arrival of some of our Infantry, Cavan’s Brigade I believe, enabled us to be withdrawn about 4 pm. The following order was issued the next day "The Brigadier has much pleasure in telling the Regiments of the Brigade that before he left Zonnebeke today General Lawford command of the 22nd Infantry Brigade asked him to express to the Regiments of the Brigade his thanks for the assistance they gave him and his admiration for the way they behaved in saving what might have been a critical situation." At 4 pm we marched the weary miles to Voormezeele and after a long wait got into billets in the town, they say in orders to link up Haig's force with Gough's Cavalry Division.

                                21st October 1914  In Position

                                21st October 1914  Under fire

                                21st Oct 1914 1st Leicesters releive 1st West Yorks  The 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment relieved the 1st Battalion, West Yorks close to Rue du Bois, near Bois Grenier to the south west of Armentieres. HQ was established at La Houssoie railway station.

                                21st October 1914 All day action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0500 and in action all day near Oosttaverne, four guns on west of village and Lt Walwynn section on east of village. Fired over 500 rounds in checking strong infantry attacks supported by strong artillery fire on line held by 2nd Cavalry Division which with 1st Cavalry Division was holding a gap between our Corps. Back to billets at Wytschaete at 1830.

                                21st October 1914  Post mortem investigation

                                21st October 1914  Ongoing Action

                                21st Oct 1914  Farms Shelled

                                21st Oct 1914  Terrible Shelling

                                21st Oct 1914  Village Taken

                                21st Oct 1914  Defensive Positions

                                21st Oct 1914  Entrenching

                                21st Oct 1914  On the March

                                21st Oct 1914  Digging In

                                21st Oct 1914  Break Through

                                21st October 1914  Continued German attack

                                21st Oct 1914  On the March

                                21st Oct 1914  A Change

                                21st Oct 1914  On the March

                                21st Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                21st Oct 1914  Quiet

                                21st Oct 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                21st Oct 1914  In Action

                                21st Oct 1914  Training

                                21st Oct 1914  In Action

                                21st Oct 1914  Trenches

                                21st of October 1914  Some Retirements

                                21st Oct 1914  Training

                                21st October 1914  Positioned in rear

                                21st October 1914  Determined attack

                                21st Oct 1914  Enemy Attacks

                                21st October 1914  Heavy fighting

                                21st Oct 1914  Wounded Arrive

                                21st Oct 1914  Hard Fighting

                                21st Oct 1914  At Anchor

                                22nd Oct 1914 2nd Berkshires arrive home  2nd Battalion Berkshire Regiment arrived in England from Jhansi, India. They moved to Hursley Park to join 25th Brigade in 8th Division.

                                22nd Oct 1914 2 Life Guards March to Hooge  The 2nd Life Guards marched at 5.30 am to Hooge on the Ypres to Menin road, to be in support. Sat in the woods of a charming chateau, safe although heard shell fire till 2 pm. We were Advance Guard Regiment. Ordered off to Kleinzillebeke to clear up the situation at Hollebeke and Zandvoorde. Remained there till 4 pm when the rest of the Brigade came, and I was ordered to break up my weak squadron making two strong ones and send every available man into the trenches for the night to reinforce the VI Cavalry Brigade. I sent O’Neill and half of D Squadron on the right and took Vandeleur (Belper sick) and half of D Squadron to General Makins for orders on the left. I and my Regt HQ were told there was no room in the trenches for us, so I bivouacked with it outside Zillebeke. Tremendous musketry fire all night.

                                22nd Oct 1914 2nd Rifles arrive at Liverpool  2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade land at Liverpool on the 22nd of October 1914 having sailed from Bombay on the 20th of September. They moved to Hursley Park to join 25th Brigade in the 8th Division.

                                22nd October 1914  Entrenched

                                22nd Oct 1914 1st Leicesters suffer heavy shelling  At La Houssoie railway station 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment endure heavy enemy shelling with little cover in the muddy fields. Three officers and 20 other ranks were killed and another twenty injured.

                                22nd October 1914 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0500 but sent back as heavy infantry attack going in. Too dark to start back in action as before as soon as attack found not to be coming through. Fired again about 450 rounds. Back in billets at 1830 - one man severely wounded.

                                22nd October 1914  Relocation

                                21nd Oct 1914  Trenches Blown in

                                22nd Oct 1914  In Action

                                22nd Oct 1914  A Hot Encounter

                                22nd Oct 1914  Wire Entanglements

                                22nd Oct 1914  Entrenching

                                22nd Oct 1914  In Reserve

                                22nd Oct 1914  In Support

                                22nd Oct 1914  Another Attack

                                22nd Oct 1914  A Quick Dash

                                22nd October 1914  Divisional move

                                22nd Oct 1914  In Defence

                                22nd Oct 1914  Rations

                                22nd Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                22nd Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                22nd Oct 1914  Shelling

                                22nd Oct 1914  Enemy Attack

                                22nd Oct 1914  New Line Occupied

                                22nd Oct 1914  Review

                                22nd Oct 1914  Shelling

                                22nd Oct 1914  Trenches

                                22nd of October 1914  Our Line Attacked

                                22nd Oct 1914  Field Day

                                22nd October 1914  Exposed and vulnerable at the front

                                22nd October 1914  Firing line withdrawn

                                22nd Oct 1914  Rounds Fired

                                22nd October 1914  Heavy Fighting

                                22nd Oct 1914  Bombardment

                                22nd Oct 1914  At Anchor

                                22nd Oct 1914  Enemy attack

                                23rd Oct 1914 2nd Coldstreams near Ypres  2nd Coldstream Guards were at Zonnebeke.

                                23rd Oct 1914 2nd Life Guards relieved by 1st Life Guards  The War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards recored: "Off at 5 am to Brigade HQ at Kleinzillebeke, and was ordered to collect my Regiment out of the trenches and be relieved by the 1st Life Guards. Set off to do this with Colonel Barnes X Hussars, Brassey (command 1st Life Guards) and his squadron leaders when a shell hit me in four places taking a piece out of my leg. I had to retire to Hospital. My lead horses were under shell fire at Zandvoorde and Surgeon Major Power and Vet Lt Walker had just been sent flying by a shell. I afterwards heard that my 2nd in Command had been attached to the Belgian Army Headquarters and that Major Hugh Dawnay came from the Staff to take command till my return."

                                23rd October 1914  Defence

                                23rd October 1914  Dead Buried

                                23rd October 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0500 and in action all day as before. One man wounded and two horses killed. Back in billets at 1800 but left one gun out. Changed our billets to west of town as east under big gun fire during day.

                                23rd Oct 1914  11th Hussars bivouack

                                23rd Oct 1914  1st East Lancs in trenches

                                23rd Oct 1914  Wire Entanglements

                                23rd Oct 1914  Attack Repulsed

                                23rd Oct 1914  In Billets

                                23rd Oct 1914  In Support

                                23rd Oct 1914  On the March

                                23rd October 1914  Divisional move

                                23rd Oct 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                23rd Oct 1914  Sight Seeing

                                23rd Oct 1914  In Reserve

                                23rd Oct 1914  Enemy Active

                                23rd Oct 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                23rd Oct 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                23rd Oct 1914  Training

                                23rd Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                23rd Oct 1914  Prisoners

                                23rd Oct 1914  Trenches

                                23rd Oct 1914  Wounded

                                23rd of October 1914  Withdrawing to a New Line

                                23rd Oct 1914  Company Training

                                23rd October 1914  In Billets

                                23rd October 1914  Withdrawal

                                23rd Oct 1914  Inspection

                                23rd Oct 1914  Observation

                                23rd October 1914  Dug hard at new line.

                                23rd Oct 1914  Under Fire

                                23rd Oct 1914  Wounded

                                24th Oct 1914 BEF HQ moves again  The HQ of the BEF moved from Mont Cassel to St Omer.

                                24th Oct 1914 Territorials in action  During the German push along the Menin Road on the 24th of October 1914, a battalion of the 244th Reserve Infantry Regiment overwhelmed the 2nd Wiltshires in the eastern edge of Polygon Wood, causing heavy casualties. The 2nd Warwickshires and Northumberland Hussars were brought up to reinforce them and the Warwicks were successful clearing the enemy from the wood, an action regarded as the first serious engagement of a Territorial unit in the Great War.

                                24th October 1914  At the Front

                                24th Oct 1914 Enemy launches attack  About 4pm as darkness fell, heavy shelling began and the enemy were observed massing in a distillery yard opposite La Houssoie railway station, which was held by the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Col. Croker pulled his men back 200 yards from their shallow positions in the fields to form a new defensive line at the low railway embankment. The German artillery halted and the infantry attacked, singing "Wacht am Rhine", blowing whistles and making as much racket as they could. The Leicesters responded with Maxim gun and rifle fire, casualties on both sides were heavy, but the line was not broken.

                                24th October 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0445 and in action as before. Fired about 150 rounds and back in billets at 1830 leaving a section out.

                                24th October 1914  Reserve position

                                24th Oct 1914 Irishmen to Arms  On Saturday, 24th October 1914 the first recruiting poster for the Tyneside Irish Battalion appeared in the newspaper. Head line: Irishmen, to Arms. The poster also had an application form where by any would be recruit could cut out, fill in, then forward to recruiting office.

                                24th Oct 1914  Enemy attack

                                24th Oct 1914  Bayonet Charge

                                24th Oct 1914  Inspection

                                24th Oct 1914  Squadron Reassembles

                                24th Oct 1914  Civilian Labour

                                24th Oct 1914  Under Shellfire

                                24th Oct 1914  Withdrawl

                                24th Oct 1914  Counter Attack

                                24th Oct 1914  Enemy Attack

                                24th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                24th October 1914  Further German attacks repulsed

                                24th Oct 1914  In Action

                                24th Oct 1914  In Reserve

                                24th Oct 1914  Enemy Attacks

                                24th Oct 1914  Hard Fighting

                                24th Oct 1914  Training

                                24th Oct 1914  Recruitment

                                24th Oct 1914  Prisoners

                                24th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                24th of October 1914  Germans Attack

                                24th Oct 1914  Orders

                                24th October 1914  Road repaired

                                24th October 1914  On the Move

                                24th October 1914  Night Attack

                                24th Oct 1914  Observation

                                24th October 1914  In the Line

                                24th Oct 1914  Enemy Break Through

                                24th Oct 1914  Working Party

                                24th Oct 1914  Orders

                                25th Oct 1914  Wounded

                                25th October 1914  Ready to Move

                                25th Oct 1914 Enemy renews attack  As dawn broke the enemy launched another attack on line held by the 1st Leicesters on the railway embankment around La Houssoie station. Around the level crossing to the south, D Coy were overwhelmed and about 100 men were taken prisoner. By 9am the British had regained their lost trenches and a bitter hand to hand fight ensued at the level crossing with the Germans engaging heavy weapons. The line was held throughout a day of fighting.

                                Amongst the casulaties was 6602 Private Albert Swann, his deathw as reported in the Grantham Journal on the 28th of November 1914: "Yesterday week, Mrs Swann, of Seaton, received an official communication that Pte. Albert Swann, 6602, Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action, and the sympathy and regret of the Army Council was expressed with the widow in her loss. Further information also came on Friday to Mrs Swann, who was visited by Mrs J. Faulks, of Langham, a sister of the deceased, and who had been communicating with relatives at Leicester in order to ascertain the facts. A brother of Mr Percy Garner, 115, Freeman-road, North Leicester, had written:- "I saw a shell hit your poor cousin Albert Swann. It either knocked him right into the earth or blew him into fragments, as nothing was ever seen of him again. I was talking to him less than five minutes before he was hit. He had been talking about his baby." The cousin who sent this sad news from the front stated that he was saved himself only by a miracle. They were close friends, and the one spared was very much affected by his cousin’s sad end. Another eye-witness, a wounded Leicester from the same Company, who has returned from France to England, asked if he knew a man named Albert Swann, replied:- "I should think I did. Poor fellow! I saw him killed, a sight I never shall forget the longest day I live. A shell hit him and blew him into thousands of bits." It appears that Pte. A. Swann was killed on Oct. 26th at the battle of Armentieres. Deceased served in India three years, and his nine years in the Reserve virtually expired in October, the month he was slain. He was an agricultural labourer, aged 36, and his aged parents reside at Bisbrooke. The widow, for whom great sympathy is felt, is left with two children, the youngest, a daughter, referred to above, having been born since her father had rejoined his regiment." Albert Swann is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. His surname on the memorial is recorded as "Swan" and his date of death in the register is stated as 25 October 1914. The same spelling of his surname as Swan also appears on his Medal Index Card, but the war memorial inside All Hallows’ Church at Seaton in Rutland states his name as Albert Swann.

                                25th October 1914 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Wytschaete.

                                Same as before - one section left out

                                25th October 1914  Reinforcements and Appointments

                                25th Oct 1914  Enemy attacks on wet night

                                25th Oct 1914  Very Wet Day

                                25th Oct 1914  Murder

                                25th Oct 1914  An Unnerving Effect

                                25th Oct 1914  A Little War News

                                25th Oct 1914  In Some Tight Corners

                                25th Oct 1914  Rain Again

                                25th Oct 1914  On the March

                                25th Oct 1914  Very Wet Day

                                25th Oct 1914  In Action

                                25th Oct 1914  On the March

                                25th Oct 1914  Enemy Attacks

                                25th Oct 1914  Under Shellfire

                                25th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                25th October 1914  Further German attacks repulsed

                                25th Oct 1914  Enemy Artillery

                                25th Oct 1914  Refreshments

                                25th Oct 1914  Guns in Action

                                25th Oct 1914  In Reserve

                                25th Oct 1914  Ambulance Train

                                25th Oct 1914  Stragglers

                                25th Oct 1914  In Reserve

                                25th Oct 1914  Church Parade

                                25th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                25th of October 1914  More Attacks

                                25th Oct 1914  Equipment

                                25th October 1914  Orders to stand to arms.

                                25th October 1914  Considerable Firing

                                25th Oct 1914  Enemy Positions

                                25th October 1914  Strong German attack

                                25th Oct 1914  Enemy Break Through

                                26th Oct 1914 Major Dawnay takes command of 2nd Life Guards  2nd Life Guards are at Zillebeke. Major Dawnay took command of the regiment, Major Prince Alexander of Teck having been ordered to report to General Headquarters for special duty. A quiet morning in bivouac and billets, received orders at 1 pm then the Brigade was ready to move from Klein Zillebeke at 2 pm when are orders issued for a dismounted attack on Kortewilde, with 2nd Life Guards in reserve. The order was cancelled at 2.30 pm owing to 7th Division, just to the north of 7th Cav Brigade being rather pressed, the regiment was then ordered to [illegible] to occupy a back position in case the 6th Cav Brigade was forced to retire by the falling back of 7th Div. At 5.30 pm after beginning to dig in the back position, the regiment was ordered to return to last night’s billets and to send one squadron to relieve a squadron of the Royal Horse Guards near Zandvoorde.

                                26th October 1914  The Queens take prisoners

                                26th Oct 1914  HMS Plassy sails

                                26th October 1914 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Wytschette with 5th Cavalry Brigade. Same as before except supported counter attack on enemy's position. Lent two guns to D Battery which had only one left. One man killed. Back in billets at 1900 leaving section out. Fired about 200 rounds.

                                26th October 1914  Regrouping and Training

                                26th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs in trenches

                                26th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs ready to Move

                                26th Oct 1914  Under Fire

                                26th Oct 1914  Under Heavy Bombardment

                                26th Oct 1914  Grooming

                                26th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall October 26th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Durham, Lord Southampton, A.F. Pease, Major Tristram, Capt. Lowe, Colonel Bowes, Colonel Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the transfer of the 23 men returned to Stockton had been satisfactorily effected; and they had now been removed from the strength of the County Battalion.

                                It was noted that six huts had been completed and were occupied; three completed, but unoccupied; and the remainder - with one exception, under construction. The foundations for the Recreation Room had been laid.

                                The Parade state today was 1004.

                                • A Company 243
                                • B Company 239
                                • C Company 270
                                • D Company 252
                                Total 1004

                                Major Tristram reported that the War Office Establishment of Officers had been as follows: -

                                • 1 Lieut. Colonel
                                • 3 Majors
                                • 6 Captains
                                • *6 Lieutenants
                                • 12 Second Lieutenants
                                • 1 Adjutant
                                • 1 Quartermaster
                                • *1 Lieutenant for details at base
                                The question of the bath house, combining bath and drying house, was considered; and it was decided that an amended plan was decided upon should be made.

                                It was decided to carry out the additional lighting of the huts with our own staff, as we had in the ranks men perfectly capable of doing it.

                                The name of Mr Griffith Jones was added to the list of Officers with rank as Captain, second in Command of the Company. The names of other members of the Durham U.T.C. were considered; and it was decided to offer commissions to at least two of them, if they were found suitable.

                                Rowland Burdon



                                26th Oct 1914  Under Fire

                                26th Oct 1914  In Action

                                26th Oct 1914  On the March

                                26th Oct 1914  Under Fire

                                26th Oct 1914  Relief

                                26th Oct 1914  In Action

                                26th October 1914  German front quiet

                                26th Oct 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                26th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                26th Oct 1914  Working Parties

                                26th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                26th Oct 1914  Reorganisation

                                26th Oct 1914  Pressure

                                26th Oct 1914  Route March

                                26th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                26th of October 1914  Germans Repulsed

                                26th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                26th October 1914  Working parties

                                26th October 1914  Orders received

                                26th Oct 1914  In Action

                                26th October 1914  Quiet

                                26th Oct 1914  Forced Back

                                26th Oct 1914  Wounded Arrive

                                27th Oct 1914 C Squadron, 2nd Life Guards in trenches  2nd Life Guards are half a mile North West of Zandvoorde. C Squadron took over trenches to the immediate South East of Zandvoorde, this being the extreme left of the line held by the 3rd Cavalry Division. B Squadron, which had been sent forward on the previous evening to relieve a squadron of the Royal Horse Guards last night, remained up in position whilst D squadron was held in Reserve to the immediate North West of Zandvoorde.

                                27th October 1914  Fighting

                                27th October 1914 Zeppelin raids on Britain  In the first month of the war Germany formed the "Ostend Carrier Pigeon Detachment", a cover name for an aeroplane unit to be used for the bombing of the English Channel ports. During the opening months of the war a German pilot flying a Taube regularly dropped bombs on Paris. The first raid consisted of five small bombs and a note demanding the immediate surrender of Paris and the French nation. Before the stabilisation of the Western Front, German aircraft made a number of raids on Paris, slightly damaging Notre Dame Cathedral.

                                The first German bombing raids on England were nuisance raids carried out against Channel ports. German press reports mention a raid carried out on 27 October, but there is no British record of any incident on this date.

                                27th Oct 1914  Bombardment

                                27th October 1914 HMS Audacious lost  

                                HMS Audacious

                                HMS Audacious was a King George V-class battleship of the Royal Navy, she was lost to an enemy mine on the 27th of October 1914 off the northern coast of Donegal, Ireland.

                                She was built by Cammell Laird being laid down in March 1911, launched on 14 September 1912 and Commissioned in August 1913. She had a displacement of 23,400 tonnes, length: 598 ft (182.3 m) with a beam of 89 ft (27.1 m) and a draught of 28 ft (8.5 m) Her propulsion was 18 boilers, 4 Parsons turbines with direct drive, 4 shafts; 27,000 shp (20,100 kW) giving a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) Her Armament consisted of 10 × BL 13.5-inch (343 mm) Mk V guns, 16 × BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns , 4 × 3-pounder (47-mm) guns , 3 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes She had an armour belt of 8 to 12 in (203 to 305 mm) with decks: 1 to 4 in (25 to 102 mm) and barbettes: 3 to 10 in (76 to 254 mm) her turrets being 11 in (279 mm)

                                Audacious had been ordered under the 1910 naval estimates, Audacious was built by Cammell Laird Limited of Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. She was laid down on 23 March 1911 and launched on 14 September 1912. She commissioned into the 1st Division of the 2nd Battle Squadron on 21 October 1913.

                                At the beginning of the First World War, Audacious was part of the 2nd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. On 27 October 1914, the 2nd Battle Squadron, consisting of the 'super-dreadnoughts' King George V, Ajax, Centurion, Audacious, Monarch, Thunderer and Orion, left Lough Swilly to conduct gunnery exercises at Loch na Keal in Ireland. In the middle of a turn, at 08:45, Audacious ran upon a mine laid by the German auxiliary minelayer Berlin off Tory Island. The explosion occurred 16 feet (4.9 m) under the bottom of the ship, approximately 10 feet (3.0 m) forward of the transverse bulkhead at the rear of the port engine room. The port engine room, machine room, X turret shell room and compartments below them flooded immediately, with water spreading more slowly to the central engine room and adjoining spaces.

                                Captain Cecil F. Dampier, thinking that the ship had been attacked by a submarine, hoisted the submarine warning, and the rest of the squadron steamed away from possible danger. The ship rapidly took on a list of 10-15 degrees to port, which was reduced by counter flooding compartments on the starboard side, so that by 09:45, the list ranged from 1-10 degrees as she rolled in rough seas. At this point, the starboard engine was still operational. The ship could make 9 kn (10 mph; 17 km/h) and Dampier believed that he had a chance of making the 25 mi (40 km) to land and beaching the ship. However, water was still entering the central engine room, probably because of damage to the bottom of the longitudinal bulkhead. At 10:00, the decision was taken to abandon the central engine room, but water was also rising in the starboard engine room, so that engine too was stopped. By 11:00, the central turbine was submerged and the port side deck was dipping under water as the ship rolled to that side.

                                The light cruiser Liverpool stood by, while Audacious broadcast distress signals by wireless. The Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, Sir John Jellicoe, ordered every available destroyer and tug out to assist, but did not dare send out battleships to tow Audacious because of the apparent submarine threat. Meanwhile, the White Star liner Olympic, elder sister of the infamous Titanic, arrived on the scene. Dampier brought the bow of the ship round to sea and ordered all non-essential crew off, boats from Liverpool and Olympic assisting, so that only 250 men remained by 14:00. At 13:30, the captain of Olympic, Captain Haddock, suggested that his ship attempt to take Audacious in tow. Dampier agreed, and with the assistance of the destroyer Fury, a tow line was passed within 30 minutes. The ships began moving toward Lough Swilly, but Audacious was so unmanageable that the tow line parted. Liverpool and the collier Thornhill attempted to take the battleship in tow, but to no avail. By 16:00, the forward deck was 4 feet (1.2 m) above water, while the stern had no more than 1 foot (0.30 m) clearance.

                                In the meantime, at 13:08, a message had arrived from the coastguard station at Mulroy that the steamer Manchester Commerce had been mined in the same area the day before. At 16:60, Malin Head reported that the sailing vessel Cardiff had also been mined the previous night. Upon learning this, at 17:00, Jellicoe ordered the pre-dreadnought battleship Exmouth out to attempt to tow Audacious in. In case the ship was saved, he also requested an officer from the Construction Department at the Admiralty, in anticipation of major repairs.

                                Vice-Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, commander of the 1st Battle Squadron, arrived on the scene in the boarding vessel Cambria and took over the rescue operation. With dark approaching, Bayly, Dampier and the remaining men on Audacious were taken off at 19:15. As the quarterdeck flooded, the ship's whaler broke loose and, slithering across the deck, caused further damage to hatches and ventilators, leading to rapid flooding of the stern. At 20:45, with the decks underwater, the ship heeled sharply, paused, and then capsized. The ship floated upside down with the bow raised until 21:00, when an explosion occurred throwing wreckage 300 feet (91 m) into the air, followed by two more. The explosion appeared to come from the area of B magazine and was possibly caused by high-explosive shells falling from their racks and exploding, then igniting the cordite magazine. A piece of armour plate fell on and killed a petty officer on Liverpool, which was 800 yd (730 m) away. This was the only casualty in connection with the sinking.

                                Aftermath

                                Jellicoe immediately proposed that the sinking be kept a secret, to which the Board of Admiralty and the British Cabinet agreed, an act open to ridicule later on. For the rest of the war, Audacious' name remained on all public lists of ship movements and activities. Many Americans on board Olympic were beyond British jurisdiction and discussed the sinking. Many photos, and even one moving film, had been taken. By 19 November, the loss of the ship was accepted in Germany. Jellicoe's opposite number in Germany, Reinhard Scheer, wrote after the war, "In the case of the Audacious we can but approve the English attitude of not revealing a weakness to the enemy, because accurate information about the other side's strength has a decisive effect on the decisions taken."

                                On 14 November 1918, shortly after the war ended, a notice officially announcing the loss appeared in The Times: H.M.S. Audacious. A Delayed Announcement. "The Secretary of the Admiralty makes the following announcement:— H.M.S. Audacious sank after striking a mine off the North Irish coast on October 27, 1914. This was kept secret at the urgent request of the Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, and the Press loyally refrained from giving it any publicity. "

                                A Royal Navy review board judged that a contributory factor in the loss was that Audacious was not at battle stations, with water-tight doors locked and damage control teams ready. Attempts were made to use the engine circulating pumps as additional bilge pumps, but the rapid rise of water prevented this. Although hatches were open at the time of the explosion, it was claimed that all were closed before rising water reached them. Apart from the damage to the bottom of the ship, water was found to have spread through bulkheads because of faulty seals around pipes and valves, broken pipes and hatches which did not close properly. Marlborough, of the subsequent (but fairly similar) Iron Duke class, was torpedoed at Jutland and for a time continued to steam at 17 knots (20 mph; 31 km/h).

                                The wreck of Audacious was found 24 miles (39 km) north of the Irish coast, and filmed for the television show Deep Wreck Mysteries on the History Channel. The programme featured an investigation of the wreck and the circumstances of its loss by nautical archaeologist Innes McCartney and battleship expert Bill Jurens. The wreck lies upside down on the sea bed, with the starboard propeller shafts bent and rudder detached, but in clear water 17 miles (27 km) north east of Tory island

                                27th October 1914 Quite Period  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Same as before except fired very little. No causlties. 28th October and 29th October - same as before.

                                27th Oct 1914  Defensive improvements

                                27th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs in Support

                                27th Oct 1914  Hard Fighting

                                27th Oct 1914  Letters Welcome

                                27th Oct 1914  1st KRRC Advance

                                27th Oct 1914  New Men

                                27th Oct 1914  Wire Entanglements

                                27th Oct 1914  In Action

                                27th Oct 1914  Under Shellfire

                                27th Oct 1914  Entrenching

                                27th Oct 1914  Enemy Attack

                                27th Oct 1914  In Action

                                27th Oct 1914  First Aid

                                27th October 1914  Battle for Neuve Chapelle

                                27th Oct 1914  In Action

                                27th Oct 1914  Trench Work

                                27th Oct 1914  On the March

                                27th Oct 1914  In Billets

                                27th Oct 1914  Reorganisation

                                27th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                27th Oct 1914  Route March

                                27th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                27th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                27th of October 1914  A Counter Attack

                                27th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                27th October 1914  Reinforcements joined.

                                27th October 1914  Reliefs

                                27th Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                27th Oct 1914  Orders Received

                                27th Oct 1914  Wounded Arrive

                                27th Oct 1914  Exercise

                                28th Oct 1914 C squadron 2nd Life Guards heavily shelled  2nd Life Guards are half a mile North West of Zandvoorde. The left trenches of C squadron were heavily shelled, causing three troops of C squadron to be relieved by D squadron at 6 pm, the remaining troop of C squadron also B squadron remained in their trenches.

                                28th October 1914  The Queens fighting on

                                28th October 1914 Battle of Penang 1914  The Battle of Penang occurred on 28 October 1914, during World War I. It was a naval action in the Strait of Malacca, in which the German cruiser SMS Emden sank two Allied warships.

                                Background

                                At the time, Penang was part of the Straits Settlement, a British Crown colony. Penang is an island off the west coast of Malaya, now the present day Malaysia. It is only a short distance from the mainland. The main town of Penang, George Town, is on a harbour. In the early months of the war, it was heavily used by Allied naval and merchant vessels. Shortly after the outbreak of the war, the German East Asia Squadron left its base in Tsingtao, China. The squadron headed east for Germany, but one ship, the light cruiser SMS Emden—under Lt. Commander Karl von Müller—was sent on a solitary raiding mission.

                                Battle

                                At about 0430 on 28 October, Emden appeared off the George Town roads and attacked the harbour and vessels lying therein. Captain von Müller had disguised his ship by rigging a false smoke stack, which made Emden resemble the British cruiser HMS Yarmouth. Once he had entered the harbor, however, he ran up the German naval ensign and revealed what ship the newcomer actually was. Before any of the Allied naval vessels could respond, a torpedo was fired at the Russian protected cruiser Zhemchug, followed up with a salvo of shells which riddled the ship. A second torpedo, fired as Emden turned to leave, penetrated the forward magazine, causing an explosion that sank the Russian ship. Returning to the harbour from a patrol was the French destroyer Mousquet, under the command of a Lt. Théroinne, which then set off in pursuit of Emden, but was quickly sunk by the German ship. Casualties amongst Zhemchug's crew of 250 amounted to 89 dead and 143 wounded.

                                Aftermath

                                The Zhemchug was tied up in a state of non-readiness while her captain, Cmdr. Baron Cherkassov, went ashore that night to visit his wife (some sources say mistress). The keys for the ship's magazine had been taken ashore and no lookouts had been posted. Cherkassov could only watch in helpless horror from the Eastern & Oriental Hotel as his ship sank to the bottom of the Straits. He was court martialled for negligence and sentenced to 3½ years in prison, reduction in rank and expelled from the navy. His deputy, Lt. Kulibin, was sentenced to 1½ years in prison. However, the Tsar changed both sentences to sending to the front as ordinary seamen. Both later distinguished themselves in combat and were decorated with the Cross of St. George. Lt. Théroinne was amongst the Frenchmen lost aboard the Mousquet. Thirty-six French survivors out of a crew of 80 from the destroyer were picked up by the Emden, three of whom later died from their injuries. They were buried at sea at the insistence of von Müller. Two days later, the Germans stopped the British steamer Newburn and transferred the remaining Frenchmen so that they could be conveyed to Sabang, Sumatra, then part of the neutral Dutch East Indies. Emden continued its raiding mission for another 10 days, before being severely damaged and run aground at the Battle of Cocos.

                                late Oct 1914 1/6th West Yorks leave Strenshall  6th Battalion West Yorks left Strenshall in late October, moving to York.

                                28th Oct 1914   On the 28th October 1914, Major-General the Hon Sir Reginald Talbot, K.C.B. the honorary Colonel came down to bid the Regiment Godspeed, and on Friday 30th October it entrained by squadrons for Southampton, where it embarked on the s.s. Victorian. Sailing at 1:00am on the 31st October, 1914, the regiment arrived off Havre at 8:30pm, disembarked at 6:30 next morning, and marched up to the Rest Camp.

                                28th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs shelled

                                28th Oct 1914 Fields offered for training  It was stated in the Newcastle Chronicle that Colonel Ritson had offered the use of two fields behind Jesmond Gardens for the use of training. Each morning the Tyneside Irish battalion paraded on Eldon Square at 9am. Major Joseph Prior was always in command. By 28th October 1914 the Tyneside Irish had a strength of 303 men. On this day it was announced Colonel V.M. Stockley, late Indian army had accepted command of The Tyneside Irish Battalion.

                                28th Oct 1914  Artists Rifles Land

                                28th Oct 1914  Wounded Land

                                28th Oct 1914  Wounded Land

                                28th Oct 1914  A Game of Hide and Seek

                                28th Oct 1914  Parade

                                28th Oct 1914  Dark Cloud

                                28th Oct 1914  Defences

                                28th Oct 1914  Entrenching

                                28th Oct 1914  Patrol

                                28th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                28th October 1914  Ongoing Battle for Neuve Chapelle

                                28th Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                28th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                28th Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                28th October 1914  Warship shells spread Havoc in Enemy's Trenches

                                28th Oct 1914  Recruiting in Lincoln

                                28th Oct 1914  In Support

                                28th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                28th Oct 1914  Practice

                                28th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                28th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                28th of October 1914  Counter Attack Falters

                                28th October 1914  Night attack was abandoned

                                28th October 1914  Orders Received

                                28th Oct 1914  New Position

                                28th October 1914  Much quieter.

                                28th Oct 1914  Artillery Active

                                28th Oct 1914  Wounded Arrive

                                29th Oct 1914 Turkey enters the war  

                                29th Oct 1914 2nd Grenadier Guards in action  2nd Grenadier Guards are in action in and around Gheluvelt.

                                29th Oct 1914 D Squadron 2nd Life Guards report shelling and sniping  2 Life Guards are half a mile North West of Zandvoorde. A certain amount of shelling and sniping was reported by D squadron on this date. The only change in the situation was the relief of D by C squadron (less 1 Troop) at 11 pm.

                                29th October 1914  The Queens move on at the front

                                29th Oct 1914  Separated

                                29th Oct 1914  1st East Lancs under fire

                                29th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs in the Line

                                29th Oct 1914  Advance Made

                                29th Oct 1914  To Town

                                29th Oct 1914  Wounded Arrive

                                29th Oct 1914  Wounded Arrive

                                29th Oct 1914  Writting from Hospital

                                29th Oct 1914  Defence Work

                                29th Oct 1914  Attack Launched

                                29th Oct 1914  Artillery Active

                                29th Oct 1914  In Billets

                                29th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                29th October 1914  Relief by other Brigade

                                29th Oct 1914  Burials

                                29th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                29th Oct 1914  Holding the Line

                                29th Oct 1914  Artillery Active

                                29th Oct 1914  In Action

                                29th Oct 1914  Reliefs

                                29th Oct 1914  Route March

                                29th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                29th of October 1914   Determined German Attack

                                29th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                29th October 1914  Reinforcements distributed to companies.

                                29th October 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                29th Oct 1914  Telephone Lines

                                29th October 1914  Attack

                                29th Oct 1914  Hard Fighting

                                29th Oct 1914  Patients

                                29th Oct 1914  Route March

                                30th Oct 1914 Dramatic Rescue at Whitby  

                                SS Rohilla at Port Said - pre WW1

                                In heavy seas the Hospital Ship Rohilla, sailing from Queensferry, bound for Dunkirk, ran aground on rocks at Saltwick Bay, Whitby. The Whitby lifeboat succeeded in rescuing 35 people, including five female nurses, but the lifeboat was badly damaged in the attempt and was rendered useless. Lifeboats from along the coast were brought to assist, including the Upgang boat which was brought overland, lowered down the cliff and a launch attempted from the beach at Saltwick and the Scarborough boat which was towed from its home town by a trawler and spent the might at sea but was unable to reach the Rohilla. The Hartlepool lifeboat was towed to Whitby, the Teesmouth lifeboat set out to assist but was damaged by heavy seas. The Tynemouth boat, the only motorised lifeboat in the area, was summoned and sailed 40 miles to reach the Rohilla and finally succeeding in rescuing the remaining crew from the wreck two days after the ship had run aground. Of the 229 persons onboard the hospital ship, 145 were brought ashore safely.

                                30th Oct 1914 British Cavalry cede at Messines  The British 1st Cavalry are pushed back at Messines, opening a gap in the Allied lines. The newly arrived French XVI Corps were moved up to defend the line.

                                30th Oct 1914 B Squadron, 2nd Life Guards forced to retire  The War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards records them as being 1/2 mile North West of Zandvoorde. The line on the right of B squadron being driven back forced B squadron to retire with losses. C squadron (less 1 Troop) would appear to have been surrounded and from the account of a single survivor of the squadron it is doubtful if any have escaped. Meanwhile the Reserve Trenches had been manned by D squadron on our left of the Royal Horse Guards. Heavy shelling of these trenches ensued and we gradually fell back on to the Zillebeke Ridge where the 5th and 6th Cavalry Brigades had taken up a defensive line. Behind this the Regiment was reformed and held in readiness for action about Zwarteten. This area was heavily shelled but partly owing to the loose formation adopted, with an open column of squadrons at 100 to 15O distance between squadrons and files extended, no casualties occurred here. At about 5 pm the Regiment was ordered to reinforce the Scots Greys and again about 6 pm to move to the assistance of the Royal Horse Guards but in each case the order was rescinded, the situation having improved. The Regiment eventually moved into billets at Verbranden-Molen. Three troops of C squadron were posted on 30th Oct at Zanbe.

                                "Mrs Brandram, of Clifton Road, Henlow, has received a letter from the War Office, informing her that her son, Private William Frank Brandram, 9546, 17th Lancers, 4th Company (sic) Regiment, now attached to the 2nd Life Guards of the British Expeditionary Force, had been killed in action on October 30th. The news was received with profound regret, both at Henlow and at Three Counties Asylum, at which institution Pte. Brandram had for several years been a member of the staff. His punctual and conscientious discharge of his duties there had gained him the esteem of all who knew him. Pte. Brandram was 28 years of age and had served seven years in India with the 17th Lancers prior to settling at Henlow three years ago. He was a fine all round athlete, having excelled in running, swimming, and other sports, for which he held several trophies. He was also the popular captain of the Henlow Football Club last season, for which he did splendid work. Much sympathy is felt for his widowed mother, whose main support and devoted companion he had been since his return from India." Biggleswade Chronicle, 11th December 1914. 9546 Private William Flack Brandram was a reservist, and was posted to the 2nd Life Guards at Ludgershall shortly before the regiment departed for the front. Brandram was killed near Zandvoorde. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and on the war memorial at Henlow.

                                Another of the missing was 3DG/5500 Private Bertie John Jones, a reservist from the 3rd (Prince of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards who was attached to the 2nd Life Guards. Bertie had been reported as missing following the action during which the trenches held by 7th Cavalry Brigade near Zandvoorde were overwhelmed by a German attack on 30 October 1914. His fate was uncertain for over a year, but notification that his death had been presumed was issued by the War Office on 4 March 1916, and a report regarding this news was printed in The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder on 18 March 1916: "The War Office has now intimated to the family of Trooper Bert J. Jones, of the 3rd Dragoon Guards (attached on outbreak of war to the 2nd Life Guards), of Dynevor-road, Skewen, that he is presumed to have been killed in action on 30th October, 1914. At that time he was reported as missing, but throughout the months no trace of him could be found. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Dan Jones, the father being well-known as the veteran Skewen postman, while the soldier himself was one of the Neath borough postmen. He resided at Skewen with his wife and three children." Bertie had attested for the Corps of Dragoons of the Line at Cardiff on 5 November 1902. Born at Llanwit, near Neath, Bertie was aged 18 years and two months and employed as a shop assistant at the time of his enlistment. Jones was initially posted to the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), but was drafted to the 3rd Dragoon Guards on 1 September 1904. He transferred to the Class B Army Reserve on 2 November 1905 while stationed at Ballincollig and extended his engagement on 7 July 1914. He reported to No. 6 (Scottish) Cavalry Depot on 5 August 1914 on his mobilisation and was posted to the 3rd Reserve Regiment of Cavalry on 16 August, before being sent to join the 2nd Life Guards at Ludgershall on 30 August. Bertie Jones has no known grave, his name recorded with soldiers of the 3rd Dragoon Guards on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres. His medals, memorial plaque and scroll, and the clasp for the 1914 Star were forwarded to his widow, Florence, who lived with her children at Pleasant View Villa, on Penywern Road in Neath. She had been awarded a pension of 20/6d a week with effect from 4th of October 1915, while her husband was still listed as missing.

                                2782 Trooper Frederick Charles Keene, who served with the 2nd Life Guards, was also reported as missing following the fighting at Zandvoorde on 30th October 1914. His death was not finally presumed for over a year, as reported in The Essex County Chronicle on 11th of February 1916: "Mr and Mrs Keene, of 94 Faircross Avenue, Barking, have been officially informed that their son, Trooper Frederick C. Keene, of the 2nd Life Guards, whom they last heard from on October 28, 1914, must be regarded as having been killed in action on October 30, 1914. The deceased, who was only 21, was one of four brothers on active service, one being now in England with seven wounds, while the other two are in France and the Persian Gulf respectively." Frederick Keene, who had been born at Surat in India, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

                                30th October 1914  Fighting hard

                                30th Oct 1914 4th Divison under pressure  On the 30th of October 1914 the German forces launched an attack on the line from from le Gheer to the river Douve in the souther Ypres Sector. The British 4th Division extended its line from St. Yves to Messines, now covering a front of 12 miles. At St. Yves, German Infantry broke through, but the advance was halted by a counter attack by the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry under the command of Major C B Prowse. (Prowse Point Cemetery which was later built on the site, was named after him.)

                                30th October 1914 Retreat and regrouping  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                1 mile north west of Wytschaete with 5th Cavalry Brigade. Started at 0500 in action as before and engaged by very strong attack. Two guns gave out (springs and pistons) leaving only two, eventually fell back to new line from Wytschete to near St Eloi giving up Oosttaverne. Took up position till dark with remaining two guns midway between old and new positions when fell back to near chateau below wind mill ridge at Wytschaete where guns in action all night. Fired a great deal. (One gun repaired so three in action after dark.) Over 700 rounds fired during day.

                                30th October 1914  Retraining and Equipment

                                30th Oct 1914  Enemy attacks repulsed

                                30th Oct 1914  1st North Staffs in Advanced Trenches

                                30th Oct 1914  In Action

                                30th Oct 1914  In Action

                                30th Oct 1914  In Action

                                30th Oct 1914  Overrun by the Enemy

                                30th Oct 1914  129th Baluchis in Action

                                30th Oct 1914  On the March

                                30th Oct 1914  Damp Weather

                                30th Oct 1914  Under Shellfire

                                30th Oct 1914  On the March

                                30th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                30th Oct 1914  Quiet Day

                                30th Oct 1914  On the March

                                30th Oct 1914  Outnumbered

                                30th Oct 1914  Shelling

                                30th October 1914  Relief by other Division

                                30th Oct 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                30th Oct 1914  Out of the Trenches

                                30th Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                30th Oct 1914  Reliefs Complete

                                30th Oct 1914  Reinforcements

                                30th Oct 1914  In Action

                                30th Oct 1914  Attack

                                30th Oct 1914  On the Move

                                30th Oct 1914  Route March

                                30th Oct 1914  Trenches

                                30th of October 1914  German Attack Fades

                                30th Oct 1914  Training

                                30th Oct 1914  Recruitment

                                Oct 1914  Specialist Care

                                30th October 1914  Battalion marched to Calonne

                                30th October 1914  Casualty List for month October 1914

                                30th October 1914  Reliefs

                                30th Oct 1914  Rounds Fired

                                30th October 1914  Quiet

                                30th Oct 1914  Hard Fighting

                                30th Oct 1914  Wounded Arrive

                                30th Oct 1914  Concentration Complete

                                31st Oct 1914 On the move  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment moved from Northampton to work on the East Coast Defensive System where trenches were dug and when finished they were equipped with shelters, barbed wire and machine-guns. At this time the threat of an invasion was considered to be real enough and the tedium of routine work was relieved by rumours of bombardments and attempted landings. At this time the British Army in France was fighting against heavy odds, the advance of the German Army appeared to be only temporarily checked. This situation gave rise to great anxiety for all. So when orders were received that the Battalion were to return to Northampton to refit for service in India, the prospect of serving in India was not very well received.

                                31st Oct 1914 Germans attack Geluveld  On the 31st October the Germans made an attack from the east along the Menin Road and captured the area around Geluveld Chateau. Just after mid day the Chateau was struck by a shell causing serious causalties. With the British line close to breaking the remaining 500 men of 2nd Worcesters in reserve at the Western edge of Polygon Wood, were ordered to counter attack. With one company guarding the Menin Road to the north of Geluveld village, against German advance towards Ypres, the remainder prepared to attack. At 1400 with bayonets foxed they filed to Black Watch Corner at the south west edge of Polygon Wood. They made a bayonet charge into the Chateau grounds to reinforce the remnants of the 1st South Wales Borderers had earlier recaptured the Chateau.

                                31st Oct 1914 Hooge Chateau shelled  Hooge Chateau was shelled killing several staff officers of Major General Monro's Divisional Head Quarters and wounding others, including Gen. Monro

                                31st October 1914  Ground Attack

                                31st October 1914  The Queens in the trenches

                                31st Oct 1914 Hospital ship grounded  

                                HMHS Rohilla

                                Sailing south through the North Sea, at around 0400 on 30 October 1914 the Rohilla struck Whitby Rock, a reef at Saltwick east of Whitby. At the time there was a fierce gale and due to wartime blackout conditions no landmarks were visible. Although the ship was only 600 metres from shore, the treacherous conditions of the high seas and storm force winds made rescue difficult.

                                Rockets with ropes attached were fired from the cliffs, but all missed. The Rohilla had no rockets of her own. Due to the weather conditions Whitby's lifeboat could not be launched from the harbour, so it was carried by hand over an eight-foot seawall and across rocks so that it could be launched from the foreshore nearest the ship. The five women aboard the ship were the first to be rescued. Seventeen survivors were taken during the lifeboat's first run, and another eighteen were rescued on its second; however, the lifeboat itself was too badly damaged to continue the rescue.

                                Six Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats (Bradford, John Fielden, Queensbury, Robert and Mary Ellis, William Riley of Birmingham and Leamington and the Henry Vernon) carried out a rescue operation lasting fifty hours, saving many of the 229 people on board, but 85 lives were lost in the disaster. Amongst those rescued from Rohilla was Mary Kezia Roberts, who had survived the sinking of RMS Titanic just two years earlier in 1912.

                                The Empire Gallantry Medal (later changed to the George Cross) was awarded to Major Burton of the Tynemouth lifeboat Henry Vernon for his role in the rescue.

                                The Gold Medal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the highest honour the institute could award, was presented to Coxswain Thomas Langlands and Coxswain Robert Smith. The Silver Medal, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s second highest award, was bestowed on Second Coxswain Richard Eglon, Second Coxswain James’ Brownlee, Lieutenant Bazil Hall RN, and George Peart, who also received £10.

                                Lloyds Agent, Captain John Milburn, received a letter of thanks and a pair of binoculars. Whitby Police received £10 from the R.N.L.I. and £25 from the owners of the Rohilla. The crews of the lifeboat John Fielden and Henry Vernon got additional cash payments. Captain Neilson was awarded the Bronze Medal of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for his efforts in the rescue of the ship's cat.

                                Rescue Attempts - another account.

                                Whitby’s tale of courage and endurance took place on 30 October 1914 as the HMHS Rohilla (a naval hospital ship), travelling to Dunkirk to pick up the wounded, struck Whitby Rock. Although only meters from shore, the high seas and storm force winds made any rescue difficult. Whitby's RNLI lifeboat was carried by hand over a seawall to be launched from the beach. Eventually six lifeboats battled the sea to reach the ship, fill up with desperate passengers and return them to the shore.

                                The unrelenting courage of the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews and the community of Whitby, who worked for over 50 hours, saved 144 lives.

                                Three Gold* and four Silver RNLI Medals for Gallantry, the Empire Gallantry Medal and the Bronze Medal of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were awarded to Whitby and Tynemouth RNLI volunteers, and to others, involved in the rescue. (*The Gold RNLI medal is often referred to as the lifeboat crew VC).

                                31st Oct 1914  Orders

                                31st October 1914 Continued withdrawals  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Near Wytschaete with 5th Cavalry Brigade. Very heavy attack all day especially on Brigade Cavalry. Fired about 300 rounds from 3 guns till dark when left guns in action team carriages being about 1 mile in North West. Heavy attacks continued after dark and our lines eventually broken in front of guns which were withdrawn under heavy rifle fire about midnight to Groote Vierstraat where went into action in observation. Guns fired till withdrawn on known points and roads. Enemy's infantry were within 500 yards of guns before they were ordered to retire.

                                31st Oct 1914  Divisional HQ Hit

                                31st Oct 1914  More enemy bombardment

                                31st Oct 1914  Losses for 1st North Staffs

                                31st Oct 1914  Village was Recaptured

                                31st Oct 1914  London Scottish in Action

                                31st Oct 1914  To Defend Messines

                                31st Oct 1914  Death Trap

                                31st Oct 1914  Heavy Bombardment

                                31st Oct 1914  Wiring

                                31st Oct 1914  On the March

                                31st Oct 1914  In Action

                                31st Oct 1914  Quiet Day

                                31st Oct 1914  On the March

                                31st Oct 1914  In Action

                                31st October 1914  Relief by Indian Corps completed

                                31st Oct 1914  In Action

                                31st Oct 1914  Enemy Advance

                                31st Oct 1914  Attack Made

                                31st Oct 1914  On the March

                                31st Oct 1914  On the Move

                                31st Oct 1914  Hard Fighting

                                31st Oct 1914  Route March

                                31st Oct 1914  Training

                                31st Oct 1914  Difficulties

                                31st Oct 1914  Counter Attack

                                31st Oct 1914  Trenches

                                31st of October 1914  A Counter Attack

                                31st Oct 1914  Company Training

                                31st October 1914  Bn. marches to Strazeele and billets

                                31st Oct 1914  New Position

                                31st Oct 1914  Rescue

                                31st Oct 1914  Hard Fighting

                                31st Oct 1914  On the Move

                                31st Oct 1914  Mud

                                31st Oct 1914 2 Life Guards moved into woods near Verbranden-Molen  At 6.30 am the 2nd Life Guards moved into the woods just south of Verbranden-Molen whence it moved later with the remainder of the Brigade into another position of readiness (in its role as a mobile Reserve) in the woods 1/2 mile North East of the E of Hooge. Thence the Regiment and Brigade moved to St Eloi in readiness to support the situation in this vicinity but not being required the Brigade returned to the woods about Verbranden-Molen and billeted finally in the village.

                                20th Oct 1914 17th Brigade in action  The 17th Brigade began to march eastward and fought the Germans back almost as far as the city of Lille, the 1st North Staffs leading and going by Strazeele, Merris, and the small village of Nord Helf and fighting the encounter battle at Outtersteene. Still as the advance guard, the North Staffs moved forward on Steenwerke and Nooteboom. From Chapel d' Armentieres the 1st North Staffs moved forward up to Wez-Marquart. Early on October 20th. 1914 the nearby 2nd. Leinsters were heavily attacked and the Germans broke through. Then the North Staffs counter-attacked to hold and repulse the enemy, to the west of Premesques and the road junction at La Bleu. As a result of this battle the North Staffs thereafter would use a marching song: - " we beat you on the Marne, we beat you on the Aisne, we drove you back at Armentears and here we are again " On October 28th.1914 they were ordered to take over the trenches at Rue du Bois.

                                Nov 1914 8th Yorks & Lancs to Aldershot  The 8th Yorks and Lancs leave Frensham and move to Aldershot in November 1914.

                                1st Nov 1914 10th Leicesters formed  The 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment was formed at Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth.

                                1st November 1914  Regroup all fighting troops

                                1st Nov 1914  Orders

                                1st November 1914 Pioneering Work  

                                Typical Trench System Layout (Not to scale)

                                16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers)'

                                Reader guidance note:There are entries on 2,3,4,5 and 6th November 1914.

                                Trench Warfare in WW1. After the initial assault by Germany was finally halted, the remainder of the war was fought from entrenched positions on both sides. Basically the two Front Line trenches faced each other from varying distances. They were not in straight lines as firing along the trench by the enemy would have had catastrophic consequences, rather in zigzag formations making a continuous line to adjoining defences - either a physical barrier or a neighbouring military unit. So for years the trench positions continuously changed hands as battles were won or lost. In particularly bad weather this led to virtual seas of mud in what was termed "No Man’s Land" from the combination of weather and artillery shells.

                                Behind the Front Line trench were supporting trenches similarly fashioned and linked by communication trenches. Dugouts to provide safe shelter were provided in strategic areas together with strong points such as machine gun and mortar emplacements.

                                Trenches were further protected by Wiring in front. This was basically lines of barbed wire to hold back attacking forces.

                                Trenches were initially dug to existing old military manuals, but from early experience were found to be too shallow and too narrow for the rapid movement of supplies and equipment, so a lot of work would be needed in widening and deepening the earlier trenches.

                                Other trench works included: Revetment, which is lining the sides of a trench with padding materials ( to help protect from back-blast from exploding shells) which could be sandbags, timber or earthworks and in some cases concrete. This also included firing steps and duckboards to facilitate drainage.

                                Dugouts as the name suggest are deep enclosures providing some degree of safety during bombardments.

                                Saps, these were smaller trenches dug from the Front Line towards the enemy’s front lines. They were used as listening posts or for locating a machine gun or mortar and could also provide a jumping off point for an attack.

                                Other Structures: Craters and Camouflet - Another tactic employed was the use of explosives underground to either blow up the enemy trench positions themselves (mines) or disturb ground in no-man’s land exposing craters which could be connected up to their own front line, bringing them closer to the enemy’s front line. Sometimes the explosion would result in an underground cavern (called a Camouflet) which could be worked on under cover from enemy observation and often an initial start to Sapping itself as the surface could be quickly collapsed leaving the Sap ready for use.

                                Screening - This was simply erecting simple screens alongside roads and other locations which needed to be kept out of sight from the enemy, usually when the enemy occupied higher ground overlooking support and communication rear areas. This was to minimise observation opportunities for snipers or artillery observers.

                                Pioneer support work in attack or defence: During an offensive operation the Pioneers would have to turn around the firing positions in captured trenches provided the gains were held. They would also have to join up their former front line with the captured trenches by new communication trenches often using their own saps as starting points closer to the former enemy trenches.

                                The reverse was also true and if their lines were overrun they would have prepared previous positions for troops to fall back on and if given sufficient time try to render the lost trenches virtually useless to the enemy.

                                Road works. Naturally a huge logistic problem was supply of Ammunition, rations and equipment which had to be got to the Front Line troop positions. Roads had to be drained in bad weather, repaired when damaged by explosives, flooding and heavy traffic.

                                Railways. Main line railways were vital to forward movement of bulk material, equipment, men and animals over longer distances. However there were also some light, narrow gauge - systems and trench railways. Equipment would be transported by main line railway to large depots from which it would be forwarded by road or smaller gauge light railways closer to the front. It would then be brought through the communication trenches manually or using the trench tramways to the front itself. The trench railways or tramways involved hauling trolleys through communication trenches to keep the front lines supplied and remove salvage and waste materials on return journeys. They were operated by a party of 6 to 8 men per trolley. It was also used to return casualties to rear areas for treatment. This was the main reason for the extensive programme of trench widening and deepening so that men and trolleys could move freely on tracks out of sight from the enemy though still in danger from enemy artillery if targeted.

                                1st Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards South of Hooge  The 2nd Life Guards first moved into the wood 1/2 mile South of Hooge being slightly shelled but no casualties. About 3 pm the Regiment was dispatched to Zwarteten where it was dismounted. D squadron and machine guns were sent forward on left of 2 sqdns of Royal Dragoons in support of the Irish Guards where line had been very severely shelled. Trenches were occupied on the south edge of the wood until about 9.30 pm when these were again taken over by the Irish Guards who had been reformed. Finally the Regiment returned to bivouac in a field to the immediate south of Hooge by 1.30 am. Casualties; 3 men killed, 2 wounded, 2 horses killed, 1 wounded

                                1st Nov 1914  On the Move

                                1st November 1914  22nd Infantry Brigade Reforms

                                Nov 1914 4th Northumberlands in Blyth  By November 1914, the territorials of the 4th Battalion, Northumbland Fusiliers had been divided into two, the 1/4th and the 2/4th (Reserve) Battalions, both were billeted in Blyth. The 1/4th training for deployment overseas, the 2/4th engaged in home defence and the training of new recruits who would transfer to the 1/4th for deployment.

                                1st Nov 1914 HMS Monmouth lost with all hands  HMS Monmouth was sunk by gunfire on 1st November 1914 by the German armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and SMS Gneisenau off the Chilean Coast during the Battle of Coronel, the entire crew was lost. In October 1914 Admiral Cradock had learnt that Admiral von Spee, at the head of a squadron of five modern cruisers, was planning to leave the Pacific for the South Atlantic. Cradock decided to move into the Pacific in an attempt to prevent this. At Coronel (1 November 1914) Cradock was effectively ambushed by von Spee’s squadron. The Monmouth’s 6in guns were outranged by the 8.2in guns carried on von Spee’s best ships, the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau. The Monmouth was lost with all hands without being able to inflict any damage on the German ships.

                                1st November 1914 Battle of Coronel  The naval Battle of Coronel took place on 1 November 1914 off the coast of central Chile near the city of Coronel. German Kaiserliche Marine forces led by Vice-Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee met and defeated a Royal Navy squadron commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock. The engagement probably took place as a result of a series of misunderstandings. Neither admiral expected to meet the other in full force. Once the two met, Cradock understood his orders were to fight to the end, despite the odds being heavily against him. Although Spee had an easy victory, destroying two enemy armoured cruisers for just three men injured, the engagement also cost him half his supply of ammunition, which was impossible to replace. Shock at the British losses led to an immediate reaction and the sending of more ships which in turn destroyed Spee and the majority of his squadron at the Battle of the Falkland Islands.

                                The Royal Navy, along with Allied navies in the far east, had captured the German colonies of Kaiser-Wilhelmsland, Yap, Nauru and Samoa early in the war. Vice-Admiral Maximilian von Spee's German East Asia Squadron had abandoned its base at Tsingtao in China once Japan entered the war on Britain's side. Eventually, the British Admiralty concentrated the search in the western Pacific after Spee's squadron bombarded Papeete. On the 5th October an intercepted radio communication revealed Spee's plan to attack shipping along the west coast of South America. Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock's South Atlantic Squadron (HMS Good Hope (Cradock's flagship), HMS Monmouth, HMS Glasgow, three other light cruisers, a converted liner,HMS Otranto and two other armed merchantmen) were patrolling the area. Cradock's force was also to have been reinforced by the more powerful armoured cruiser HMS Defence, but the old pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Canopus was ordered to join him instead. The last-minute change left the British squadron with either obsolete or under-armed vessels, all crewed by inexperienced naval reservists. Monmouth and the Good Hope had a large number of 6-inch guns but only the Good Hope was equipped with two heavier 9.2-inch guns mounted in single turrets. In contrast, von Spee had five modern vessels (the armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the light cruisers SMS Dresden, Leipzig and Nürnberg), all led by officers handpicked by Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz himself. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were armed with eight 8.2 in guns each, which gave them an overwhelming advantage in range and firepower. This advantage was further compounded as the crews of both ships had earned accolades for their gunnery skill prior to the war. Cradock's orders were to "be prepared to meet them " with no effort made to clarify what action Cradock was expected to take, should he find von Spee. On receiving his orders, Cradock asked the Admiralty for permission to split his fleet into two forces to operate on the east and west coasts of South America. This was to stop von Spee slipping past Cradock and moving into the Atlantic. The Admiralty agreed and the east coast squadron, consisting of three cruisers and two armed merchantmen, was formed under Rear-Admiral A. P. Stoddart. The remaining vessels formed Cradock’s west coast squadron which was reinforced by HMS Canopus which finally arrived on 18 October. She was only able to manage a top speed of 14 mph which was just over half that of the remainder of the squadron. The Admiralty recognised that her slow speed meant the fleet would not be fast enough to force an engagement and also that without the Canopus the fleet stood no chance against von Spee. Cradock was told to use Canopus as security for the cruisers and maintain contact with von Spee while avoiding any risky engagements.The Chief of the Admiralty War Staff, Vice-Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee,requested additional ships be sent to reinforce Cradock, but this was vetoed (by First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill and First Sea Lord of the Admiralty, Prince Louis of Battenberg) on the grounds that Canopus was "sufficient reinforcement".

                                Opening gambit

                                On 22 October, Cradock cabled the Admiralty of his intentions to round Cape Horn leaving Canopus behind to escort his colliers. Admiral John Fisher replaced Battenberg as First Sea Lord on 27 October and Fisher immediately ordered Cradock not to engage von Spee without Canopus. He then ordered HMS Defence to reinforce Cradock. The previous week Cradock had sent Glasgow to Montevideo to pick up any messages from the Admiralty. Von Spee, having learned of the presence of Glasgow sailed south from Valparaíso with all five warships with the intention of destroying her. Glasgow, however, intercepted radio traffic from one of the German cruisers and informed Cradock who turned his fleet north to intercept the cruiser. On 31 October, his squadron adopted an attacking formation. Both sides expected a single ship until they sighted each other at 1640 on 1 November.

                                Battle

                                On 31 October, Glasgow entered Coronel harbour to collect messages and news from the British consul. One of Spee's supply ships, Göttingen, was also in the harbour and immediately radioed with the news of the British ship entering harbour. Glasgow was also listening to radio traffic, which suggested that German warships were close. Further confusion was caused as the German ships were all using the same call sign, that of Leipzig. Spee decided to move his ships to Coronel, to trap Glasgow, while Admiral Cradock turned north to catch Leipzig. Neither side realised the other's main force was nearby. At 0915 on 1 November, Glasgow left port to meet Cradock at noon, 40 miles west of Coronel. The seas were stormy so that it was impossible to send a boat between the ships to deliver the messages, which had to be transferred on a line floated in the sea. At 1350, the ships formed into a line of battle 15 miles apart and started to steam north at 10 knots searching for Leipzig. At 1617, Leipzig, accompanied by the other German ships, spotted smoke from the British ships. Von Spee ordered full speed so that Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Leipzig were approaching the British at 20 knots, with the slower light cruisers Dresden and Nürnberg some way behind. At 1620, Glasgow and Otranto saw smoke to the north, and then three ships at a range of 12 miles. The British changed direction, so that both fleets were heading south. A chase began which lasted 90 minutes. Cradock was faced with a choice, either to take his three cruisers capable of 20 knots, abandon Otranto and run from the Germans, or stay and fight with Otranto which could only manage 16 knots. The German ships slowed at a range of 15,000 yd (13,720 m) to position themselves where the setting sun would outline the British Ships. At 1710, Cradock decided he must fight, and drew his ships closer together. He changed course to the south-east and attempted to close upon the German ships while the sun remained high. Von Spee declined to engage and turned his faster ships away, maintaining the distance between the forces which sailed roughly parallel at a distance of 14,000 yd (12,800 m). At 1818, Cradock again attempted to close, steering directly towards the enemy, which once again turned away to a greater range of 18,000 yd (16,460 m). At 1850, the sun set, so Spee closed to 12,000 yd (10,970 m) and commenced firing.

                                The German ships had sixteen 8.2 in (208 mm) guns of comparable range to the two 9.2 in (234 mm) guns on Good Hope and one of these was hit within five minutes of the engagement starting. Of the remaining 6 in (152 mm) guns on the British ships, most were in casemates along the sides of the ships, which continually flooded if the gun doors were opened to fire in heavy seas. The merchant cruiser Otranto, having only 4 in (100 mm) guns and being a much larger target than the other ships, retired west at full speed. With the British 6-inch guns having insufficient range to match the German 8-inch guns, Cradock attempted to close on the German ships. By 1930, he had reached 6,000 yd (5,490 m), but as he closed the German fire became correspondingly more accurate. Both Good Hope and Monmouth were on fire, presenting easy targets to the German gunners now that darkness had fallen, whereas the German ships had disappeared into the dark. Monmouth was first to be silenced. Good Hope continued firing, still trying to close on the German ships and receiving more and more fire. By 1950, she had also ceased firing; subsequently her forward section exploded, then she broke apart and sank with no one actually witnessing the sinking. Scharnhorst switched her fire towards Monmouth, while Gneisenau joined Leipzig and Dresden which had been engaging Glasgow. The German light cruisers had only 4.1 in (104 mm) guns, which had left Glasgow relatively unscathed, but these were now joined by the 8.2-inch guns of Gneisenau. John Luce, captain of Glasgow, concluded that nothing was to be gained by staying and attempting to fight. It was noticed that each time he fired, the flash of his guns was used by the Germans to aim a new salvo, so he also ceased firing. One compartment of the ship was flooded, but she could still manage 24 knots. He returned first to Monmouth, which was now dark but still afloat. Nothing could be done for the ship, which was sinking slowly but would attempt to beach on the Chilean coast. Glasgow turned south and departed. There was some confusion amongst the German ships as to the fate of the two armoured cruisers, which had disappeared into the dark once they ceased firing and a hunt began. Leipzig saw something burning, but on approaching found only wreckage. Nürnberg, slower than the other German ships, arrived late at the battle and sighted Monmouth, listing and badly damaged but still moving. After pointedly directing his searchlights at the ship's ensign, an invitation to surrender, which was declined, he opened fire, finally sinking the ship. Without firm information, von Spee decided that Good Hope had escaped and called off the search at 2215. Mindful of the reports that a British battleship was around somewhere, he turned north. With no survivors from either Good Hope or Monmouth, 1,600 British officers and men were dead with Cradock among them. Glasgow and Otranto both escaped, (the former suffering five hits and five wounded men). Just two shells had struck Scharnhorst, neither of which exploded: one 6-inch shell hit above the armour belt and penetrated to a storeroom where, in von Spee's words, "the creature just lay there as a kind of greeting." Another struck a funnel. In return, Scharnhorst had managed at least 35 hits on Good Hope, but at the expense of 422 8.2-inch shells, leaving her with 350. Four shells had struck Gneisenau, one of which nearly flooded the officers' wardroom. A shell from Glasgow struck her after turret and temporarily knocked it out. Three of Gneisenau's men were wounded; she expended 244 of her shells and had 528 left.

                                Aftermath

                                Von Spee commented afterward on the British tactics. He had been misinformed that the battleship Canopus sighted in the area was a relatively modern Queen-class ship, whereas it was a similar looking, old and barely seaworthy Canopus-class battleship, but nonetheless had four 12-inch guns and ten 6-inch guns. Von Spee believed he would have lost the engagement had all the British ships been together. Despite his victory he was pessimistic of the real harm done to the British navy and also of his own chances of survival. Cradock had been less convinced of the value of Canopus, being too slow at 12 knots to allow his other ships freedom of movement and manned only by inexperienced reservists. The official explanation of the defeat as presented to the House of Commons by Winston Churchill stated: "feeling he could not bring the enemy immediately to action as long as he kept with Canopus, he decided to attack them with his fast ships alone, in the belief that even if he himself were destroyed... he would inflict damage on them which ...would lead to their certain subsequent destruction." On 3 November, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Nürnberg entered Valparaiso harbour and were welcomed as heroes by the German population. Von Spee refused to join in the celebrations: presented with a bunch of flowers he commented, "these will do nicely for my grave". He was to die with most of the men on his ships approximately one month later at the Battle of the Falkland Islands, on 8 December 1914.

                                1st November 1914 Relief by French forces  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade about 1 mile southwest of Dickebusch. At 0530 Lt Maxwell's section (1 gun) went back to assist in retaking the Wind Mill Ridge at Wytschaete which was brilliantly done by the 12th Lancers. Section in action in firing line. French reinforcements coming up, the 5th Cavalry Brigade was withdrawn to Kemmel. Bivouaced at 1830 one mile SW of Dickebusch - the French taking over our part of the line.

                                Nov 1914 3rd Monmouths to defend East Coast  The 3rd Monmouths left Northampton in November moved to work on the East Coast Defensive System where trenches were dug and when finished they were equipped with shelters, barbed wire and machine -guns. At this time the threat of an invasion was considered to be real enough and the tedium of routine work was relieved by rumours of bombardments and attempted landings. At this time the British Army in France was fighting against heavy odds, the advance of the German Army appeared to be only temporarily checked. This situation gave rise to great anxiety for all. So when orders were received that the Battalion were to return to Northampton to refit for service in India, the prospect of serving in India was not very well received. The Indian equipment soon arrived for the Battalion but to everyone's relief the orders for India were countermanded. As the arrangements were not completed for sending the Battalion anywhere overseas they were to return to the East Coast and continue working on the defence line in Suffolk . The Battalion stayed here until January 1915.

                                A vast amount of work was achieved while on the East Coast, miles of trenches dug, wire entanglements and shelters put in place and all in unfavourable weather conditions. The G.O.C.-in C. Central Force giving much praise to the Battalion for the accomplishment it had achieved issued a special order.

                                November 1914 New Unit  The origin of No. 26 Squadron was a group of South African officers who had learnt to fly before World War I and, following South Africa's decision to join the war against Germany, came in November 1914 to Farnborough to establish the South African Aviation Corps. They served in the brief German South-West African campaign, which was concluded in July 1915 when German South-West Africa surrendered to the South African forces. The South African Aviation Corps went to Capetown where it was disbanded.

                                1st November 1914  Training

                                1st November 1914  Flanders

                                1st Nov 1914  Continued enemy attacks

                                1st Nov 1914  1st North Staffs take over Trenches

                                1st Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                1st Nov 1914  In the Line

                                1st Nov 1914  Yeomen In Action

                                1st Nov 1914  Enemy All Around

                                1st Nov 1914  London Scottish in Action

                                1st Nov 1914  Under Heavy Bombardment

                                1st Nov 1914  Entrenching

                                1st Nov 1914  In Action

                                1st Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                1st Nov 1914  Shelling

                                1st Nov 1914  Ruins

                                1st Nov 1914  Bombardment

                                1st Nov 1914  In Reserve

                                1st Nov 1914  On the March

                                1st Nov 1914  Orders

                                1st Nov 1914  On the March

                                1st Nov 1914  Into Billets

                                1st Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                Nov 1914  On the Move

                                1st Nov 1914  Training

                                1st Nov 1914  Trenches

                                1st of November 1914  German Attack

                                1st of November 1914  Dispositions

                                1st Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                Nov 1914  Reorganisation

                                1st November 1914  On the Move

                                1st November 1914  Reliefs

                                1st November 1914  No Change

                                Nov 1914  Reorganisation

                                Nov 1914  On the Move

                                Nov 1914  Reorganisation

                                2nd November 1914 Recruitment of 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles   

                                Brownlow House

                                A second call to arms was published in all County Down Newspapers on Saturday the 7th November 1914, exhorting all able bodied men wishing to enlist to go to their local railway stations on Monday 9th November, where they would be issued by local UVF Company Commanders with free rail tickets to Lurgan. On arrival in Lurgan, they should then report to Brownlow House for enlistment in the new volunteer Service Battalion. Initially called the Second County Down Battalion, it later took on its official title of the 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers). The Battalion adopted the renowned "South Down Militia" as their marching song changing the words as follows:

                                • "You may talk about th’Irish Guards and Fusiliers of course
                                • You may talk of Inniskillings and the gallant Irish Horse
                                • Or of any other regiment under the King’s command
                                • But the 16th Irish Rifles are the Terrors of the Land."
                                From which derived their nickname as "The Terrors".

                                The Battalion strength was to be 1139 all ranks and it was to be a separate unit to support the three brigades in the 36th Ulster Division. This was indeed an early clue as to its specialist role as Pioneers. They were commanded by Major Leader who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel prior to the move to France. He proved to be a very able leader of his battalion. It was to be organised on the lines of 4 companies of 230 all ranks each, a Headquarters unit of 79 all ranks and a Machine gun section of 35 all ranks. Headquarters could be split into three sections namely Operational Headquarters, Quartermasters and the Transport Section. An additional 50 was later added to Battalion establishment to bring overall strength target to about 1200.

                                Other key appointments were Sir William Allen, well known in Lurgan as a local Justice of the Peace and a highly placed member of the Orange Order, who was initially appointed as Adjutant and Second- in-Command of the Battalion. The Quartermaster was Honorary Lieutenant A. Forsyth, who had been a sergeant-major with the Antrim Artillery in Carrickfergus and was promoted for this position. Other Officers and senior NCOs were appointed as they became available including the author’s father - 2/Lt. WR White. With accommodation and equipment being prepared and assembled at Brownlow House, these and other early appointees were ready to equip and train the awaited recruits.

                                Recruitment., November 1914 to June 1915. Recruitment was slow and 250 men were transferred in December from Clandeboye Camp. A series of public meetings were held at which pressure was applied by speakers to encourage or indeed shame men into enlisting to help their compatriots at the Front. Uptake was still quite slow and by the end of January 1915, numbers were about 350 below strength. A series of marches throughout the county by a contingent of 150 officers and men during February helped boost the intake. Other measures were regular inspections by well-known public figures, to which the public were invited as spectators. Despite all these measures the battalion was still short of their 1200 all ranks target in mid-June, so 200 members of the Belfast Young Citizen Volunteers were transferred leaving a full strength of about 1200 prior to the move to England.

                                Training objectives/ The rigorous task of physical training began in Lurgan and the surrounding areas. A lot of this was in the form of route marches and competitive sports. It then progressed to tactical manoeuvres and mock assaults and defences. This brought the unit to battle readiness as fighting troops with the exception of musketry and machine gun training which because of the lack of live ammunition was to be carried out in England.

                                2nd Nov 1914 2 Life Guards move into wood just south of Hooge  At 5 am on the 2nd of Novemeber the 2nd Life Guards moved into south edge of wood just south of Hooge and remained there till about 3 pm when it was hurriedly sent for to be ready in support against a strong attack on Westhoek c/on 15 Menin-Ypres road about 2 miles from Ypres. From there Regt moved to a farm halfway between Zillebeke and Hooge.

                                2nd November 1914  Reorganisation

                                2nd Nov 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A7 Medic White Star Liner HMAT A7 Medic leaving Fremantle on the 2nd November 1914. From: The Western Mail, 20th November 1914, p. 25.

                                The HMAT A7 Medic weighed 12,032 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 26th October 1917. The Medic was well known by the Australian forces as it was a key troopship for Australia during the Boer War, some 14 years before this re-engagement.

                                2nd November 1914  Fighting continues

                                2nd Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons leave camp  On the 2nd of November squadrons left the Rest Camp at intervals of an hour and entrained at the dock station, Headquarters and ‘C’ Squadron being the first away at 8:00pm. The regiment reached Cassell about midnight on the 3rd.

                                2nd November 1914  Reinforcements and Appointments

                                2nd Nov 1914  1st East Lancs under fire

                                2nd Nov 1914  Losses

                                2nd Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                2nd Nov 1914  A Brutal Lot

                                2nd Nov 1914  Fix Bayonets

                                2nd Nov 1914  In Action

                                2nd Nov 1914   Minutes of the Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 2nd 1914

                                Present: Lord Durham, Lord Southampton, Major Tristram, Captain Lowe, Colonel R. Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, as amended. Parade state was given as 1065, and 24 officers.

                                It was decided to obtain some oil stoves for the purpose of turning two huts into temporary drying sheds for the men's clothes.

                                The tender of the Darlington Construction Company for the Range, according to Government plans, was accepted, at the price of £195.

                                Major Tristram was instructed to communicate to Mr Gradon our opinion that undoubtedly the drains of the ablution sheds should, as he suggests - be made of proper sanitary pipes, and not let into field drains.

                                Colonel Burdon was instructed to accelerate the carrying out of the drying room as far as possible.

                                It was decided not to line the roofs of the huts; and that an attempt should be made to find other premises for the Orderly Room, in order that the present Orderly Room might be turned into the Guard House.

                                Major Tristram was instructed to obtain 6 Sentry Boxes from the Contractor or elsewhere.



                                2nd Nov 1914  Demolition

                                2nd Nov 1914  In Action

                                2nd Nov 1914  Luck

                                2nd November 1914  Notification of German Troop locations

                                3rd November 1914  Notification of German Troop locations

                                2nd Nov 1914  Attack Made

                                2nd Nov 1914  Guns in Action

                                2nd Nov 1914  Reliefs Complete

                                2nd Nov 1914  In Reserve

                                2nd Nov 1914  Defences

                                2nd Nov 1914  Orders

                                2nd Nov 1914  In Support

                                2nd Nov 1914  Shelling

                                2nd Nov 1914  Exercise

                                2nd Nov 1914  Preparations

                                2nd Nov 1914  Wire

                                2nd Nov 1914  Orders Received

                                2nd of November 1914  Casualties 1st London Scottish

                                2nd of November 1914  Three Groups Organised

                                2nd Nov 1914  Working Parties

                                2nd November 1914  Entrenching

                                2nd November 1914  Slight shelling

                                2nd November 1914  Reliefs

                                3rd November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches  

                                Cross-section of trenches

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Trenches were typically constructed to provide shelter for forward troops and fell into two general categories. Fire Trenches as the name suggests were trenches from which the enemy could be engaged in offensive or defensive actions (see cross section in diagram). Communication Trenches were the means by which men and equipment could move in relative safety to and from the Forward (Fire) Trenches.(see cross section in diagram).

                                3rd Nov 1914  Planning

                                3rd Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards endure shelling  At a farm halfway between Zillebeke and Hooge the 2nd Life Guards were heavily shelled about 1 am. Two horses were killed and two wounded. Men led the horses away to a flank on to a soft plough. At 6 am the Regt was moved again into the wood south of Hooge in a position of readiness. Nothing of incident occurred on this day. At dusk the Regiment moved into billet in a farm half a mile north west of Verbranden-Molen.

                                3rd November 1914  Battalions on the move

                                3rd Nov 1914  Raid

                                3rd Nov 1914  Battleships Attack

                                3rd November 1914 Yarmouth Raid - 3rd Nov 1914   The Raid on Yarmouth, which took place on 3 November 1914, was an attack by the German Navy on the British North Sea port and town of Great Yarmouth. Little damage was done to the town since shells only landed on the beach after German ships laying mines offshore were interrupted by British destroyers. One British submarine was sunk by a mine as it attempted to leave harbour and attack the German ships. One German armoured cruiser was sunk after striking two German mines outside its own home port.

                                Prelude

                                In October 1914, the German Navy was seeking ways to attack the British fleet. The Royal Navy had more ships than Germany, so it was felt inadvisable to enter into any direct fleet to fleet engagement. Instead, the Germans sought ways to attack British ships individually or in small groups. The Kaiser had given orders that no major fleet action was to take place, but small groups of ships might still take part in raids. The raids had several objectives. One was to lay mines which later might sink passing British ships. Another was to pick off any small ships encountered, or to entice larger groups into giving chase and lead them back to where the German High Seas Fleet would be waiting in relatively safe waters near to Germany. A further consideration was that raiding British coastal towns might force the British to alter the disposition of its ships to protect those towns. The British had resolved to keep the greater part of the Grand Fleet together, so it would always have superiority in numbers whenever it engaged the enemy. Germany hoped to make Britain split more ships from the main fleet for coastal defence thus giving Germany more opportunities to catch isolated ships. The Yarmouth raid was carried out by a German battlecruiser squadron commanded by Admiral Franz von Hipper with three battlecruisers (SMS Seydlitz, Von der Tann and Moltke), the slightly smaller armoured cruiser SMS Blücher and the light cruisers SMS Strassburg, Graudenz, Kolberg and Stralsund. On this occasion, mines were to be laid off the coast of Yarmouth and Lowestoft, but the ships were also to shell Yarmouth.

                                Raid

                                At 1630 on 2 November 1914, the battlecruiser squadron left its home base on the Jade River. Two squadrons of German battleships followed them from harbour slightly later, to lie in wait for any ships which the battlecruisers might be able to entice to chase them back. By midnight, the squadron was sufficiently north to be passing fishing trawlers from various countries. By 0630 on 3 November, the patrol sighted a marker buoy at "Smith's Knoll Watch", allowing them to determine their exact position and close in to Yarmouth. Yarmouth coast was patrolled by the minesweeper HMS Halcyon and the old destroyers HMS Lively and Leopard. Halcyon spotted two cruisers, which she challenged. The response came in the form of shellfire, first small, then from larger calibre guns. Lively, some 2 miles behind, started to make smoke to hide the ships. German shooting was less accurate than it might have been because all the battlecruisers fired upon her at once, making it harder for each ship to tell where their own shells were landing and correct their aim. At 0740, Hipper ceased firing at Lively and instead directed some shells toward Yarmouth, which hit the beach. Once Stralsund had finished laying mines, the ships departed. Halcyon, out of immediate danger, radioed a warning of the presence of German ships. The destroyer HMS Success moved to join Halcyon while three more destroyers in harbour started to raise steam. The submarines HMS E10, D5 and D3, inside the harbour, moved out to join the chase, but D5 struck a newly laid mine and sank. At 0830, Halcyon returned to harbour and provided a report of what had happened. At 0955, Admiral Beatty was ordered south with a British battlecruiser squadron, with squadrons of the Grand Fleet following from Ireland. By then, Hipper was 50 miles away, heading home. German ships returning home waited overnight in Schillig Roads for fog to clear before returning to harbour. In the fog, the armoured cruiser SMS Yorck, which was traveling from the Jade Bay to Wilhelmshaven, went off course and hit two mines. A number of the crew survived by sitting on the wreck of the ship, which had sunk in shallow water, but at least 235 men were killed.

                                Aftermath

                                Admiral Hipper was awarded an Iron Cross for the success of the raid, but refused to wear it, feeling little had been accomplished. Although the results were not spectacular, German commanders were heartened by the ease with which Hipper had arrived and departed, with little resistance and were encouraged to try again. In part, the lack of reaction from the British had been due to news received that morning of a much more serious loss at the Battle of Coronel and the fact that Admiral Jellicoe, commander of the Grand Fleet, was on a train returning to his ships at the time of the raid Also, according to First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, the British could not believe there was nothing more to the raid than briefly shelling Yarmouth and were waiting for something else to happen.

                                Order of Battle

                                • Royal Navy
                                • HMS Halcyon, minesweeper, flagship
                                • HMS Lively, destroyer
                                • HMS Leopard, destroyer
                                • HMS Success, destroyer
                                • HMS E10, submarine
                                • HMS D5, submarine
                                • HMS D3, submarine
                                • German Navy
                                • SMS Seydlitz, battlecruiser, flagship
                                • SMS Von der Tann, battlecruiser
                                • SMS Moltke, battlecruiser
                                • SMS Blücher, armoured cruiser
                                • SMS Strassburg, light cruiser
                                • SMS Graudenz, light cruiser
                                • SMS Kolberg, light cruiser
                                • SMS Stralsund, light cruiser


                                3rd November 1914 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 1000 and halted in reserve most of the day near Dranoutre when we were lent to 3rd Cavalry Brigade and went into action at 1930 near Lindenhoek but did not fire.

                                3rd November 1914  Training

                                3rd Nov 1914  1st East Lancs shelled

                                3rd Nov 1914  Ready

                                3rd Nov 1914  13th Londons proceed to France

                                3rd Nov 1914  Nominal Roll of 13th London Regiment

                                3rd Nov 1914  Yarmouth Bombarded

                                3rd Nov 1914  Demolitions

                                3rd Nov 1914  The Kaiser's Visit

                                3rd Nov 1914  Appeal for Donations

                                3rd Nov 1914  Reorganisation

                                3rd Nov 1914  Hard Fighting

                                3rd Nov 1914  Quiet

                                3rd Nov 1914  In Reserve

                                3rd Nov 1914  Information

                                3rd Nov 1914  Orders

                                3rd Nov 1914  Orders

                                3rd Nov 1914  Musketry

                                3rd Nov 1914  Preparations

                                3rd Nov 1914  Entrenching

                                3rd Nov 1914  Equipment

                                3rd of November 1914  On The Move

                                3rd of November 1914   Situation Report

                                3rd Nov 1914  Working Parties

                                3rd November 1914  In Trenches

                                3rd November 1914  Entrenched

                                3rd November 1914  Back to trenches

                                3rd Nov 1914  On the Move

                                4th November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches  

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneering Work in the Trenches. Trench Revetment or Revetting is basically the fitting out of the basic trench. The construction depends largely on the geology of the region and the type of ground encountered. Much depends on the surrounding water table levels. Where water is encountered close to the surface trenches can only be dug to a shallow depth and protection is enabled by building up earthworks, sandbags or even concrete parapets above ground level. This was the problem in Flanders (The Low Country Regions). In other areas trenches were mainly below ground level up to about 8 feet deep to allow men to walk about out of view from enemy snipers and artillery observers.

                                Communication trenches mainly required lining with sandbags, timber or concrete to protect against the back-blast from exploding shells.

                                Fire trenches were more complicated with fire steps needed to get men into firing positions in the event of an enemy attack or help get them out of the trench if they are attacking. The back of the trench was lined to minimise damage from explosives. In areas where water ingress was a problem upright timber inverted A-frames were used at intervals to lay duck-boarding leaving a void below the walkway to maintain relatively dry underfoot conditions for movement through the trenches. (see diagram for cross-sections of revetment work.)

                                4th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards encounter sprint bullets  The 2nd Life Guards War Diary for the 4th & 5th of November 1914 records: The same procedure occurred on the 4th and 5th, the only point to be noticed were the casualties from ‘sprint’ bullets in the wood by day from the direction of Klein-Zillebeke and in the farm above by night from the direction of a point S W of Verbranden-Molen. 1 man wounded 3 horses killed 2 wounded

                                4th November 1914  Reinforcements

                                4th November 1914 Further standby  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 3rd Cavalry Brigade at Lindenhoek. In action all day near Lindenhoek but didn't fire. Guns of 5th Divisional Artillery in action and firing all day near battery so were not required. Guns in action again at night.

                                4th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons march to Wittepoort Farm  After bivouacking near the station at Cassell, the 3rd Dragoons marched at 10am on the 4th by way of Poperinghe and Ypres to Wittepoort Farm, which was reached about 8:00pm.

                                4th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs relieved

                                4th Nov 1914 Tyneside Irish at full strength  Recruiting Offices for the Tyneside Irish were being opened all across districts of the North East. When volunteers arrived at the office they were given a blue card signed by the recruiting officer to prove they had joined. Headquarters of the Tyneside Irish Battalion was at 10 Osborne Villas, Jesmond. Accomodation for the men of the 24th was Dunn's Buildings in Lower Friar Street, Newcastle and in The Town Hall, Newcastle. Later those in the Town Hall were moved to Raby Street School. By 2nd of November over 900 men had been recruited and by the 4th the Battalion was at full strength. The average age of these men were in their thirties. The first Regimental Sergeant Major was RSM P O'Toole. Drill practice was carried out on the Town Moore. They practiced for hours. At this time the men were still in civvies, looking like a ragamuffin bunch as most of recruits were from mining communities and the mines were virtualy at a standstill, miner's were only working a two to three day fortnight their boots and clothing were well worn and patched.

                                4th Nov 1914  Ready

                                4th Nov 1914  To Rest Camp

                                4th Nov 1914 

                                4th Nov 1914  Desperate Fighting

                                4th Nov 1914  Wire Entanglements

                                4th Nov 1914  Wire Entanglements

                                4th Nov 1914  Rifle Fire

                                4th November 1914  Little change in situation

                                4th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                4th Nov 1914  Canon Fire

                                4th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                4th Nov 1914  In Reserve

                                4th Nov 1914  Orders

                                4th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                4th Nov 1914  In Support

                                4th Nov 1914  Training

                                4th Nov 1914  Entrenching

                                4th Nov 1914  Equipment

                                4th of November 1914  Inspection

                                4th of November 1914   French Attack

                                4th Nov 1914  Training

                                4th November 1914  Counter attack probable.

                                4th November 1914  Intermittent shelling

                                4th November 1914  Trouble from German bombs and mines.

                                4th November 1914  On the Move

                                4th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                5th Nov 1914 VAD Hospital opens in Charlton Kings  The Abbotts VAD hospital, Cheltenham, opened in Moorend Park, Charlton Kings on the 5th of November 1914.

                                5th Nov 1914  1st Herts proceed to France

                                5th November 1914 Pioneering work - trenches  

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) - Trench Wiring Work. A vital tactic to deter enemy attacks was the positioning of rows of Barbed Wire around the top of the trenches. It was merely a small deterrent as it was vulnerable to artillery fire with batteries engaging in "Wire Cutting" either to disrupt enemy work or to clear a way through for assault purposes.

                                The amount of equipment needed presented many a challenge to the Pioneers particularly during attacks and modifications needed if the infantry managed to hold new forward positions, involving a thousand or more yards of wiring overnight in areas targeted by enemy artillery.

                                A typical 1000 yards of fencing needed:

                                • 400 long pickets
                                • 800 short pickets
                                • 180 coils of barbed wire (65 yards each)
                                • 40 coils of barbed wire (130 yards each)

                                This could be erected by a company of men in about an hour, but the time and effort to get it to the new position and laid out for installation is enormous. Pickets were screwed into the ground as the work had to be carried out in near silence at night so as not to alert the enemy.

                                5th November 1914  Billets

                                5th Nov 1914 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers raised  22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers is formed at Newcastle on the 5th of November 1914, by the Lord Mayor and City.

                                5th Nov 1914 2nd West Yorks proceed to France  2nd West Yorks landed at Le Havre on the 5th of November 1914 as part of 23rd Brigade, 8th Division, forming up at Hursley Park near Winchester.

                                5th November 1914 Return to 5th Cavalry Brigade  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Same as before but fired a little and at 1730 were relieved and withdrawn to billets at St Jans Cappel which we reached at 2000.

                                5th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons go into trenches  The weather was very cold and wet and the camp was shelled during the afternoon of the 5th, when three men were wounded. The 6th Cavalary Brigade which the 3rd Dragoon Guards had now joined, had been almost continuously in action since they landed in Belgium. They had suffered severely, the reinforcement therefore being very welcome. The regiment had not long to wait for their first action, as every man was needed in the line. At 5:30pm on the 5th they paraded dismounted, and marching through Hooge, took over the trenches on the eastern front of Herenthage Woods, south of Ypres-Menin road, at 10:00pm. ‘A’ Squadron was in the centre with a machine gun, ‘B’ squadron on the right and ‘C’ on the left with another machine gun. The trenches were very inadequate. Men had to climb over the top from one trench to another. Several were killed whilst so doing by snipers and shell fire.

                                5th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs in reserve

                                5th Nov 1914  More losses

                                5th Nov 1914  Great Havoc Wrought

                                5th Nov 1914  Under Shellfire

                                5th Nov 1914  Prisoner Taken

                                5th Nov 1914  13th Londons on the Move

                                5th Nov 1914  Perfectly Hopeless

                                5th Nov 1914  Defence Work

                                5th Nov 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                5th Nov 1914  Bonfire Night

                                5th November 1914  Move to new line

                                5th Nov 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                5th Nov 1914  Trench Work

                                5th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                5th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                5th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                5th Nov 1914  In Reserve

                                5th Nov 1914  Training

                                5th Nov 1914  Defences

                                5th Nov 1914  Orders

                                5th of November 1914   French Attack Falters

                                5th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                5th November 1914  In touch with French troops

                                5th November 1914  Night Attack

                                5th November 1914  Quieter.

                                5th November 1914  On the Move

                                5th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                5th Nov 1914  Reorganisation

                                6th November 1914 Pioneering work - screening  

                                Pioneering - Screening Work

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) - Screening Work. As the title suggests the object of this work was to disrupt the enemy's line of vision if they occupied higher ground. This was very much the case in Flanders near Mount Kemmel and in preparation for the Battle of Messines Ridge.

                                From the Ridge the Germans had a commanding view of both Front and Rear Allied positions and it was essential to hide the meticulous build up for the Allied attack. So all roads and important locations had to have screens installed on the enemy side to conceal troop and equipment movements. Screens were made from light equipment, wooden poles and mainly hessian materials to a height sufficient to obscure the enemy's view of traffic on roads, movement in and out of buildings and movement of men and equipment in the assembly, communication and assault trenches.

                                6th Nov 1914 2/4th Berkshire Regiment raised.  The 2/4th Berkshire Regiment is formed at Reading.

                                6th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards placed in Reserve.  The 2nd Life Guards are placed in Reserve in the woods near the 4th Guards Brigade HQ. At about 3.30 pm the Brigade was urgently sent for and hurried towards Zillebeke to support the French on the right of the Guards Brigade who had been driven out of their trenches by a most determined attack. The Regiment was dismounted under fire close to the above mentioned village and was ordered to establish itself on the Klein Zillebeke ridge keeping touch with the 1st Life Guards on the right who were to hold the line on the right of the Guards Brigade. Maj. the Hon. H. Dawnay ordered the ‘B’ squadron to advance across the open and take the high ground in front. [Illegible] the ‘D’ squadron was sent across the Zillebeke to Zwarteten road to [illegible] the right flank by moving parallel to the railway. C troop and machine guns were kept in reserve ready to support B squadron. This latter squadron succeeded in reaching the edge of the wood on the ridge after [illegible] fighting owing to the [illegible] bring in [illegible] of [illegible] horses. Almost at once the right flank of the Squadron B became exposed to an enfilade fire which caused Maj. Dawnay to order the squadron to fall back slowly by troops. This order was shortly afterwards countermanded owing to French reinforcements appearing. The squadron was then ordered to fix bayonets and charge the wood which the C troop was taken by the CO to fill the gap which had occurred in between the two squadrons. This troop attacked the village of Zwarteten using the bayonet with great effect and taking a certain number of prisoners. B Squadron meanwhile drove back the enemy several hundred yards and occupied a ditch 200 yards from their position. Owing to the trench infantry again falling back B Sqdn and the Blues were ordered by the Brigadier to move across the Zwarteten to Verbranden-Molen road and support the C troop which was occupying a single ridge South East of the hamlet. The fighting in this vicinity became very involved owing to the somewhat precipitate retreat of the French and in consequence severe casualties were incurred. Part of the ground gained including a portion of Zwarteten was lost. The situation which was becoming somewhat critical was restored by the action of 22nd Infantry Brigade which took over the trenches held by the Bde. During these operations D Squadron did not fall back but retained their ground till relieved by the 60th Rifles. The confusion that occurred at one period apart from the aforementioned reason may be attributed to the very severe casualties amongst the officers, 17 in the Bde, Lord Cavan commanding 4th Guards Brigade reported that the Brigade had behaved in a most gallant manner, and that its prompt and vigorous action had saved what threatened to be a most critical situation.

                                6th Nov 1914 2nd Rifles proceed to France  2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade land at Le Havre as part of 25th Brigade, 8th Division.

                                6th November 1914  On the Move

                                16th Nov 1914 First uniforms arrived for men of Sheffield City Battalion  The first uniforms arrive for the men of the Sheffield City Battalion, not the expected field service khaki but a shade of blue-grey accompanied by a glengarry hat with red piping. A shortage of khaki dye, which pre-war had been supplied from Germany, is the reason for the issue of temporary blue uniforms for new recruits.

                                6th November 1914 Rest day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                St. Jans Cappel. In billets all day - a much needed rest. Captain the Honourable HR Scarleti joined instead of Captain Craven wounded and sent home.

                                6th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons under fire  At dawn on the 6th November there were several outbursts of rifle fire and the position was shelled at 9:10am. There was no protecting wire, the country was open with some woods and a few farms dotted about here and there. The Germans were entrenched about 150 yards from their front. Between 9 and 10:00am and again from noon to 2:00pm, there were heavy bombardments with renewed rifle fire. Enemy attacks were expected, so the right of the line was strengthened by two troops of the 1st Royal Dragoons with two machine guns at about 4:00pm. When one gun crew was wiped out by a shell Private Sharkey carried on till another shell hit him, refusing to have his wounds attended as every man was wanted at his post.

                                6th Nov 1914  Relieved for a Short Spell

                                6th Nov 1914  13th Londons on the Move

                                6th Nov 1914  Entanglements

                                6th Nov 1914  Action

                                6th November 1914  Attacks on new line positions east of Ypres

                                6th Nov 1914  Reliefs Completed

                                6th Nov 1914  Concert

                                6th Nov 1914  Good Progress

                                6th Nov 1914  Snipers

                                6th Nov 1914  Artillery Active

                                6th Nov 1914  Patrol

                                6th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                6th Nov 1914  On the March

                                6th Nov 1914  Training

                                6th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                6th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                6th Nov 1914  Wire

                                6th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                6th of November 1914   Around Ypres

                                6th Nov 1914  Training

                                16th Nov 1914  Preparations

                                6th November 1914  Quiet day

                                6th November 1914  Attack at dawn.

                                6th November 1914  Officer wounded.

                                6th November 1914  On the Move

                                6th Nov 1914  Delays

                                7th November 1914  Attack Made

                                7th November 1914 Poor conditions  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at Dranoutre. Started out at 1500 and went into reserve at 1630. Very crowded and dirty billets.

                                7th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons relieved by 5th Fusiliers  At 2:00am on the 7th November the Regiment was relieved by the 5th Fusiliers, reaching it’s bivouac at 6:00am. The losses had been heavy in the first fight. This was largely due to the inadequate protection against shell fire. Captain Hodginson had been mortally wounded, dying the next day, and 20 NCOs and men were killed. Captain Kevill-Davies, Lieut. Talbot and 34 NCOs and men were wounded. The same evening the Brigade moved up to support Lord Cavan’s Brigade, bivouacking near Zillebeke. Lieut-Colonel Smith-Bingham took over temporary command of the brigade, as General Mackins had proceeded to Boulougne owing to illness.

                                7th Nov 1914  Continued Action

                                7th Nov 1914  Trenches Recaptured

                                7th Nov 1914  Tragic Letters Forwarded

                                7th Nov 1914  Nursed by a Duchess

                                7th Nov 1914  Garrison Surrenders

                                7th Nov 1914  Training Parade

                                7th Nov 1914  A Young Solider at the Front

                                7th Nov 1914  Night Work

                                7th Nov 1914  In Action

                                7th Nov 1914  Under Shellfire

                                7th November 1914  Mixed results in ongoing attacks

                                7th Nov 1914  In Support

                                7th Nov 1914  Prisoners Taken

                                7th Nov 1914  Attack Made

                                7th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                7th Nov 1914  In Action

                                7th Nov 1914  Refitting in Billets

                                7th Nov 1914  Orders

                                7th Nov 1914  Training

                                7th Nov 1914  In Camp

                                7th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                7th Nov 1914  Trenches

                                7th Nov 1914  Equipment

                                7th of November 1914  Movements of 1st London Scottish

                                7th of November 1914   Messines Attack Slow

                                7th Nov 1914  Training

                                7th November 1914  Attack probable

                                7th November 1914  Into Support

                                7th November 1914  Quiet.

                                7th Nov 1914  At Rest

                                7th Nov 1914  Guard of Honour

                                7th Nov 1914  Delays

                                7th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards near Zillebeke.   2nd Life Guards are 1 mile west by south of Zillebeke. At 6 am The Brigade moved to a Position of Readiness under cover of a wood 1/2 mile north of Zwarteten to support the attack of the 3rd and 22nd Infantry Brigades if required. At 9 am the Brigade returned to billets 1 mile west by south of Zillebeke. At 3 pm the Brigade being transferred to other billets in an area 3 miles east by north of ypres astride the Ypres to Roulers Railway. 1 horse killed, 3 horses wounded

                                8th Nov 1914 2nd Gloucesters arrive in England  2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment landed at Southampton at 9am on the 8th of November 1914 aboard HMT Arcadia having sailed from their pre war station of Ching-Wang-Tao in Northern China. Orignially bound for Sialkot in India, they had been diverted home to join the 81st Brigade, 27th Division. They entrained for Winchester then marched to Hursley Park.

                                8th Nov 1914 Quiet day for 2nd Life Guards   2nd Life Guards remained in billets, 8 miles east by north of Ypres. A very quiet day. A Divine Service was held in the afternoon. 4 R & F returned to hospital sick

                                8th Nov 1914  In Position

                                8th November 1914  Hard Fighting

                                8th Nov 1914 First Church parade for Sheffield City Battalion  Sheffield City Battalion hold their first Church Parade in the city. Six hundred and fifty men marched from Edmound Road to St Mary's church accompanied by the Dannemora Steel Works Band who played a selection of military tunes including 'Boys of the Old Brigade'. The battalion marched back to the Drill hall in Edmund road via St Mary's Road, Hereford Street, The Moor, High Street and Commercial Street. At the drill hall, a union flag which had been draped over the altar in the church was presented to the Battalion by the MP Mr Samuel Roberts.

                                8th November 1914 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at La Creche. Started at 1630 and marched to billets at La Creche to clear our area for French Troops. In billets at 1900

                                9th and 10th November in billets at La Creche all day.

                                8th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons in support  At 5:00pm on the 8th November 250 men under Major Mason took over the support and reserve trenches about a mile south east of Zillebeke, but as their services were not necessary, they returned to camp at dawn next day.

                                8th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs under fire

                                8th Nov 1914  What a Sunday

                                8th Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                8th Nov 1914  Training

                                8th Nov 1914  Hard Fighting

                                8th Nov 1914  Comfortable Quarters

                                8th Nov 1914  Under Shellfire

                                8th Nov 1914  Artillery In Action

                                8th Nov 1914  Casualties

                                8th November 1914  Line readjusted to defend against ongoing attacks

                                8th Nov 1914  Reliefs Complete

                                8th Nov 1914  Snipers

                                8th Nov 1914  Misty

                                8th Nov 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                8th Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                8th Nov 1914  Into Support

                                8th Nov 1914  Orders

                                8th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                8th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                8th Nov 1914  Trenches

                                8th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                8th of November 1914  London Scottish in Trenches

                                8th of November 1914  Half-hearted Attacks

                                8th Nov 1914  Training

                                8th November 1914  Quiet

                                8th November 1914  Orders

                                8th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                9th Nov 1914  Into Billets

                                9th Nov 1914 Trench Raid by 39th Garhwal Rifles  A silent trench raid was undertaken in the front line in the sector of Givinchy to Fromelles, by the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 39th Garhwal Rifles, this was possibly the first trench raid of the war. Fifty men from each battalion were led by Major G H Taylor 2nd Btn. The objective was to destroy a German trench which was very close to the British line and considered a threat. The 2nd Btn took six prisoners and captured the trench, which was strongly built and deeper than expected. The 1st Btn came under heavy fire and suffered casualties with six were killed and seven wounded. The 2nd Btn suffered four casualties and suceeded in bringing their prisoners back, but were unable to put the enemy trench out of action.

                                9th November 1914  Move

                                9th Nov 1914 Gen Plumer inspects Sheffield City Battalion  General H. Plumer, GOC Northern Command inspected the Sheffield City Battalion and remarked on the rapid progress being made in training.

                                9th November 1914 Battle of Cocos 1914  The Battle of Cocos was a single-ship action that occurred on 9 November 1914. The Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney responded to an attack on a communications station at Direction Island by the German light cruiser SMS Emden. After the retreat of the German East Asia Squadron from south-east Asia, Emden remained behind to function as a commerce raider. During a two-month period, the German cruiser captured or sank 25 civilian vessels, shelled Madras, and destroyed two Allied warships at Penang. In early November, Emden's commanding officer, Karl von Müller, decided to attack the communications station at Direction Island, in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, to hamper Allied communications and frustrate the search for his ship. Around the same time, the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand soldiers bound for Europe sailed from Albany, Western Australia, with Sydney, under the command of John Glossop, and three other warships escorting. During the night of 8,9 November, Emden reached the islands, and sent a shore party to disable the wireless and cable transmission station on Direction Island. The station was able to transmit a distress call before it was shut down; this was received by the nearby convoy, and Sydney was ordered to investigate. Sydney spotted the island and Emden at 0915, with both ships preparing for combat. The longer range of Emden's guns meant she was able to fire first, but the German ship was unable to inflict disabling damage to the Australian cruiser before Sydney closed into range and opened up with her more powerful main guns. At 1120, the heavily damaged Emden beached herself on North Keeling Island. The Australian warship broke to pursue Emden's supporting collier, which scuttled herself, then returned to North Keeling Island at 1600. At this point, Emden's battle ensign was still flying, usually a sign that a ship intends to continue fighting. After no response to instructions to lower the ensign, Glossop ordered two salvoes shot into the beached cruiser, after which the Germans lowered the flag and raised a white sheet. Sydney had orders to ascertain the status of the transmission station, but returned the next day to provide medical assistance to the Germans. Of the Emden's crew, 134 were killed and 69 wounded, compared to only 4 killed and 16 wounded aboard Sydney. The German survivors were taken aboard the Australian cruiser, which caught up to the troop convoy in Colombo on 15 November, then transported the prisoners to Malta and handed them over to the British Army. An additional 50 German personnel from the shore party, unable to be recovered before Sydney arrived, commandeered a schooner and escaped from Direction Island, eventually arriving in Constantinople.

                                Sydney was a Town class light cruiser, of the Chatham subclass. She had a standard displacement of 5,400 long tons. The cruiser was 456 feet 9.75 inches long overall and 430 feet long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 49 feet 10 inches and a draught of 19 feet 8 inches. A combined coal- and oil-fuelled boiler system allowed the ship to reach speeds over 25 knots. The cruiser's main armament consisted of eight BL 6-inch Mark XI guns in single mountings, firing 100-pound (45 kg) shells. Secondary and anti-aircraft armament consisted of a single 3-inch quick-firing high-angle anti-aircraft gun and ten 0.303-inch machine guns (eight Lewis guns and two Maxim guns). Two 21-inch torpedo tubes were fitted, with a payload of seven torpedoes carried.Two hydraulic-release depth charge chutes were carried for anti-submarine warfare. A single 12-pounder 8-cwt field gun and four 3-pounder Hotchkiss saluting guns rounded out the armament. Sydney was laid down by the London and Glasgow Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Company at Glasgow, Scotland, on 11 February 1911. The ship was launched on 29 August 1912 by the wife of Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson. Sydney was completed on 26 June 1913, and commissioned into the RAN that day. At the time of the battle, Captain John Glossop was in charge of the ship.

                                SMS Emden (1906)

                                Emden was a Dresden-class cruiser. The ship had a displacement of 3,364 tons at normal load, was 118 metres long, had a beam of 13.4 metres and a draught of 5.3 metres. The light cruiser had a maximum speed of 24.5 knots. The ship was armed with ten 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/40 guns in single mountings and carried two torpedo tubes. Emden was built in Danzig by Kaiserliche Werft Danzig. The ship was laid down on 6 April 1906, launched on 26 May 1908 and commissioned on 10 July 1909. At the time of the battle, the cruiser was under the command of Karl von Müller.

                                Background and leadup

                                Prior to World War I, Emden was operating as part of the German East Asia Squadron. Shortly after the war began, the threat of the Australian battlecruiser HMAS Australia, plus the likelihood that Japan would join the Allies, prompted the German squadron to head into the Pacific Ocean as the first stage of a retreat to Germany. Unlike the rest of the force, Emden was ordered to head into the Indian Ocean and commence a raiding campaign, as she was the most modern vessel in the East Asia Squadron. Over the next two months, the German ship captured or sank 25 civilian vessels, shelled Madras, and destroyed the Russian protected cruiser Zhemchug and French destroyer Mousquet at Penang. During these two months, none of Emden's personnel were killed. At some point during the deployment, a fake fourth funnel was erected to disguise Emden as a British cruiser, specifically HMS Yarmouth. Military historian George Odgers described Emden's activities as "one of the most daring careers of maritime destruction in naval history". Aware of the increasing efforts to find his ship, von Müller selected the wireless station at Direction Island as his next target, with the hope that, in addition to hampering communications between Australia and the United Kingdom, disabling it would frustrate efforts to coordinate the search for Emden (which by this point included sixteen warships from five Allied nations), and direct them away from the Aden-India shipping route, which was where he intended Emden to operate next. In October 1914, Sydney and sister ship HMAS Melbourne were assigned to escort the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand soldiers heading for Egypt. Originally, the Japanese armoured cruiser Nisshin was to be part of the convoy force, but she ran aground on 12 October, and Sydney was assigned instead. The two cruisers sailed to Albany, Western Australia, where they met the 36-ship convoy and the other two escorts, British armoured cruiser HMS Minotaur and Japanese battlecruiser Ibuki. Sydney, Melbourne, Minotaur, and the 36 merchant ships departed from Albany on 1 November, heading for Colombo. Ibuki had diverted to Fremantle to collect another two transports, and caught up two days later. On 8 November, Minotaur left the convoy with orders to support operations against German South-West Africa, as the destruction of the South Atlantic Squadron at the Battle of Coronel left both the expedition and the Union of South Africa exposed to naval attack. After the cruiser's departure, Melbourne was assigned as lead ship of the convoy.

                                Wireless station capture

                                During the night of 8 November, Emden sailed to Direction Island. At 0530 on 9 November, lookouts at the Direction Island cable and wireless station spotted Emden sitting offshore. The station's director observed that the extra funnel was false, and when a steam pinnace was deployed to tow two boats (carrying a 50-strong landing party led by Emden's first officer, Hellmuth von Mücke) towards shore, he ordered the station to begin transmitting distress calls. Both wireless and cable transmissions were made. Emden was able to jam the wireless signal shortly after it began, while the cable distress call continued until an armed party burst into the transmission room. After taking control of the station and its 34 staff, German personnel smashed the transmitting equipment and severed two of the station's three undersea cables, plus a dummy cable. They also felled the main wireless mast; although taking care at the request of the staff to avoid damaging the station's tennis court, the mast landed on a cache of Scotch whisky. The station was placed under German martial law. The distress signal had been received by Melbourne around 0630, and although the cruiser initially turned to investigate, her commanding officer remembered his responsibility to the convoy, and instead ordered Sydney to detach. Emden heard Melbourne's wireless signal, and began to prepare for combat. A smoke signal was sent up by the ship to recall the landing party.

                                Combat

                                At 0915, Sydney spotted Direction Island and the attacking ship, although at the initial glance, those aboard the Australian cruiser could not determine if she was Emden or Königsberg, which was also believed to be at large. Confident of being faster than either ship, Sydney slowed and began preparing for combat. Emden sighted Sydney around the same time, but von Müller assumed that the Australian convoy was further south, and that the approaching warship was HMS Newcastle or another vessel of similar vintage. The appearance of an Allied cruiser forced Emden to make for open waters, abandoning the attack party despite their best efforts to catch up. Emden was the first to fire at 0940; the 30-degree elevation of her main guns allowed her to out-range Sydney. The Germans' third salvo struck Sydney from a range of 10,000 yards with one shell exploding in the Australian ship's gunnery control room. Von Müller recognised that his success in the battle required Emden to do as much damage as possible before the other ship retaliated, but despite the heavy rate of fire from the Germans over the next ten minutes (at points reaching a salvo every six seconds), the high angle of the guns and the narrow profile presented as Sydney closed meant that only fifteen shells hit the Australian warship; only five of these exploded. Damage was sustained to the Australian cruiser's forward range-finder and a mess deck inside the forecastle, while other shells ignited cordite charges stored ready next to one of the guns. Four sailors were killed, and another sixteen wounded; the only casualties aboard Sydney during the entire engagement. As Sydney closed to 9,500 yards, she commenced firing. This was hampered with the loss of the gunnery control room, with each mounting being targeted and fired locally. The first two salvoes missed, but two shells from the third struck. Having found the range, the RAN cruiser began firing for effect. While firing, Sydney closed to 5,500 yards and launched torpedoes, which missed. Heavy and accurate fire damaged or destroyed Emden's wireless equipment, steering gear, both rangefinders, and voicepipes to the turrets. The forward funnel collapsed overboard, then the foremast fell and crushed the fore-bridge. A shell from Sydney landed in the aft ammunition room of Emden, and the Germans had to flood it or risk a massive explosion. By this point, smoke from battle damage had begun to obstruct the ships' views of each other. The damage to Emden had severely compromised her ability to fire effectively and Glossop brought Sydney to about 5,500 yards. At this range a torpedo was fired at the German cruiser, then the Australian ship sped up and turned to starboard so one of the guns that had yet to fire could engage. Emden matched Sydney's turn, but by this point, the second funnel had been blasted off, and there was a fire in the engine room. In addition, about half of the cruiser's personnel had been killed or wounded and the abandoning of the attack party on Direction Island meant there were no reserves to replace them. By 1100, only one of Emden's guns was still firing. As the third funnel went overboard, Emden found herself closer to North Keeling Island, and von Müller ordered the ship to beach herself on North Keeling Island to hopefully prevent further loss of life. Emden ran aground at around 1120, at which point, Sydney ceased fire.

                                After Emden's beaching

                                Sydney then turned to pursue and capture Emden's supporting collier, Buresk. The cruiser caught up shortly after 1200 and fired a warning shot, but on closing with Buresk, Sydney found the collier had already commenced scuttling. Sydney recovered the boarding party and the crew from Buresk, fired four shells to hasten the collier's sinking, then once she had submerged, turned back towards North Keeling Island. The Australian cruiser reached Emden around 1600. The Germans' battle ensign was still flying, generally a sign that a ship intends to continue fighting. Sydney signalled "Do you surrender?" in international code by both lights and flag-hoist. The signal was not understood and Emden responded with "What signal? No signal books". The instruction to surrender was repeated by Sydney in plain morse code, then after there was no reply, the message "Have you received my signal?" was sent. With no response forthcoming and operating under the assumption that Emden could still potentially fire, launch torpedoes, or use small arms against any boarding parties, Glossop ordered Sydney to fire two salvoes into the wrecked ship. This attack killed 20 German personnel. The ensign was pulled down and a white sheet was raised over the quarter-deck as a flag of surrender. Glossop had orders to ascertain the status of the transmission station and left with Sydney to do so, after sending a boat with Buresk's crew to Emden with a message that they would return the next day. In addition to checking on Direction Island, there was also the potential that Emden and Königsberg had been operating together and that the second ship would approach to recover the attack party from the island, or go after the troop convoy. Consequently, Sydney could not render assistance to Emden's survivors until such threats had passed. It was too late to make a landing on Direction Island, so the cruiser spent the night patrolling the islands, and approached the wireless station the next morning. On arrival, the Australians learned that the Germans had escaped the previous evening in a commandeered schooner. Sydney embarked the island's doctor and two assistants, then headed for North Keeling Island.

                                Aftermath

                                After Sydney contacted the convoy to report her success against Emden, the soldiers aboard the troopships were granted a half-day holiday from duties and training to celebrate. Von Muller surrendered to Glossop on the quarterdeck. Although accepting the surrender, Glossop allowed von Muller to keep his sword. During the battle, 130 personnel aboard Emden were killed, and 69 were wounded. Four of the latter died from wounds. Transferring the German survivors aboard Sydney took about five hours, with the difficulty of transferring so many wounded, rough seas, and overcrowding aboard the Australian cruiser. The two Australian medical officers aboard Sydney and the medical staff from Direction Island worked from 1800 on 10 November to 0430 the next morning to clear the most pressing needs for medical attention, with Emden survivors prioritised. Most of 11 November was spent treating less pressing cases; the Direction Island staff left the ship around midday, and Emden's ship's surgeon, who had previously been unable to assist because of the shock and stress of caring for so many wounded from the battle's end until Sydney returned, had recovered enough by this point to assist as an anaesthetist. On 12 November, the auxiliary cruiser Empress of Russia arrived, and all except the most seriously wounded prisoners were transferred over. Sydney caught up to the convoy at Colombo on 15 November. There were no celebrations of Sydney's success as the cruiser entered harbour. Glossop had requested that the sailors and soldiers aboard the warships and transports refrain from cheering, out of respect for the German wounded being carried aboard. The survivors from Emden were later transported to Malta and placed in the custody of the British Army.

                                Strategic situation

                                After Emden's defeat, the only German warship in the Indian Ocean basin was SMS Königsberg; the cruiser had been blockaded in the Rufiji River in October, and remained there until her destruction in July 1915. Australia was no longer under direct threat from the Central Powers, and many of the RAN ships which had been designated for the nation's defence could be safely deployed to other theatres. Over the next two years, troop convoys from Australia and New Zealand to the Middle East could sail without naval escort, further freeing Allied resources. The state of affairs persisted until the raider SMS Wolf began operations in the region in 1917.

                                Sydney

                                After completing escort duties, the Australian ship was deployed to the North America and West Indies Station for eighteen months, then spent the rest of the war attached to the British Grand Fleet. Sydney remained in service until 1928, and was broken up for scrap in 1929. For the battle, Sydney was awarded the battle honour "Emden 1914". This was the first honour for a single ship action awarded to a RAN vessel, and one of only three awarded to any British Commonwealth ship during the 20th century. Glossop was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

                                Emden

                                Von Muller was awarded the Iron Cross, First Class. The Kaiser announced the construction of a new Emden which would bear an Iron Cross on her bow. A Königsberg class cruiser laid down in 1914 was named SMS Emden on completion in 1916 and built with an Iron Cross mounted on her stem-head. Shortly after the battle, the auxiliary cruiser Empress of Japan visited the wreck to recover the signal logs. In 1915, a Japanese company proposed that the ship be repaired and refloated, but an inspection by HMAS Protector concluded that surf damage to Emden made such an operation unfeasible. By 1919, there were reports that the wreck had disappeared. Emden had broken up from the battle damage, and was pulled out by water currents before sinking in shallow waters.

                                Landing party

                                After being abandoned, the German shore party commandeered the 97-ton schooner Ayesha and roughly half Direction Island's food supply. They left Direction Island on the evening of 9 November. The schooner initially sailed to Padang, where they were escorted into port on 27 December by the Dutch destroyer Lynx and only allowed to remain under strict terms, so the Netherlands could maintain their stance of neutrality. With the threat that Ayesha would be seized by Dutch authorities, von Mücke took the schooner out during the night of 28 December, and headed for a rendezvous point he had announced to the German merchant vessels sheltering at Padang. On 14 December, the freighter Choising arrived at the rendezvous, and the Germans were welcomed aboard. Choising delivered them to Hodeida on 8 January 1915. Unable to travel overland, the Germans acquired several dhows and sailed up the Red Sea to Jiddah, then crossed overland to Mecca. From here, von Mücke and his sailors used the Hejaz Railway to travel to Constantinople, reported to the German admiral stationed there, then continued on to Germany itself. In 2010, German director Berengar Pfahl began work on Die Manner der Emden (The Emden Men), a film based on the story of the 50 German sailors left behind on Direction Island and their voyage home. Much of the filming occurred in Sri Lanka, with the luxury yacht Raja Laut used to represent the schooner Ayesha. Die Manner der Emden was originally to be released in February 2012,but was delayed until June 2012.

                                9th Nov 1914  Defensive casualties

                                9th Nov 1914  Home for Christmas?

                                9th Nov 1914  Training

                                9th Nov 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 9th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Southampton, W. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Bowes, Major Tristram, Colonel Rowland Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the subscription list now amounted to £6615.

                                The parade state was given as 1073 and 24 officers. This being 2 over strength of the men, and 5 under strength of officers.

                                  Colonel Burdon reported
                                • (1) that oil stoves had been obtained for the purpose of drying the clothes in one of the huts; but up to the present there had been no necessity to use them.
                                • (2) That he thought that it was almost necessary that a car should be obtained for the use of the battalion and he was authorised to take any steps he thought necessary in the matter.
                                • (3) That he had ordered 20,000 rounds of short, and 5000 rounds of long .22 miniature Rifle Cartridges; (and a further quantity - 100,000 rounds, was reserved) from the Army & Navy stores.
                                Major Tristram reported that it had been decided to leave the Orderly Room where it was, but to put the Guard Room and sick room opposite the front door of the Hall.

                                The huts were inspected. It was decided to let the latrines and ablution sheds remain as at present designed for cleaning purposes; and instead of a new building for a Canteen it was decided to add a wing to the Recreation Hut to answer that purpose.



                                9th Nov 1914  Attack Made

                                9th Nov 1914  Relief

                                9th Nov 1914  Brave Actions

                                9th November 1914  Ongoing shelling and sniping

                                9th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                9th Nov 1914  Snipers

                                9th Nov 1914  Rifle Fire

                                9th Nov 1914  Orders

                                9th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                9th November 1914   A Lincolner on the Hermes

                                9th Nov 1914  Trench Raid

                                9th Nov 1914  In Support

                                9th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                9th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                9th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                9th Nov 1914  Defence Work

                                9th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                9th of November 1914  Five days In Trenches

                                9th of November 1914  Quiet Day

                                9th Nov 1914  Training

                                9th November 1914  Rest

                                9th November 1914  At Rest

                                10th Nov 1914 2 Life Guards in Mobile Reserve near Ypres  From the 10th of 16th of November, the 2 Life Guards were constantly employed as a Mobile Reserve in readiness to relieve situations occurring between the area of the Ypres, Hooge and Ypres, Kleinzillebeke roads and in trenches in the same area. Nothing of great incident occurred except that the Regiment was reinforced by the squadron of the Regiment from the Household Cavalry Composite Regiment. Strength of squadron stands at 5 officers, 186 R & F, 220 horses.

                                10th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoons stand to.  On the 10th the regiment "stood to" at 5:30am, moved up dismounted at 1:00pm, to trenches at Zillebeke, and in the evening to a wood in rear of Lord Cavan’s headquarters, returning to camp at 10:00pm. 2nd-Lieut Horn was wounded by shrapnel in the afternoon.

                                10th Nov 1914  Artillery All the Time

                                10th Nov 1914  Under Shellfire

                                10th Nov 1914  Training

                                10th Nov 1914  Sniper Fails to Return

                                10th Nov 1914  In the Wood

                                10th Nov 1914  At Rest

                                10th November 1914  Ongoing shelling and sniping

                                10th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                10th Nov 1914  Treated Well

                                10th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                10th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                10th Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                10th Nov 1914  Details

                                10th Nov 1914  Reinforcements

                                10th Nov 1914  Inspection

                                10th Nov 1914  Defence Work

                                10th Nov 1914  Delays

                                10th of November 1914  Heavy shelling

                                10th of November 1914  Mountain Guns Requested

                                10th Nov 1914  Training

                                10th November 1914  Connection maintained with French.

                                10th November 1914  In Support

                                11th Nov 1914 Sappers help check enemy advance  Sappers of the 5th Field Company, Royal Engineers were working on defences in Polygon Wood when a German advance threatened to break through, along with men of the Oxford Light Infantry, Highland Light Infantry and Blackwatch held back the advance during the Battle of Nonne Boschen. 7 DCMs were awarded to men of the 5th Field Coy, RE.

                                11th Nov 1914 9th, 16th & 17th Batteries RFA in action  17th Battery, XL1 Brigade, RFA, 1st Corps, 2nd Div. are in action in the Battle of Nonnes Boschen (Nun's Wood) near Westhoek. When the final charge of the Prussian Guards regiments broke through the British trenches, only the guns of the 9th, 16th and 17th Batteries stood between the German advance and the City of Ypres. The line held, with the gunners aided by cooks, batmen, HQ office staff with rifles, succeeding in stopping the enemy's advance to the sea and the Channel Ports.

                                11th November 1914  Inspection

                                11th November 1914 Relief action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 1st Cavalry Division at La Hutte Marched at 1430 to relieve 1st Cavalry Division and went into action about 1900 near P 63 - La Hutte - very wet night but no attack.

                                11th Nov 1914 Prussian Guards attempt a break through.  Wednesday 11th November will be remembered as the day when, after terrific artillery fire, the 1st and 4th brigades of the Prussian Guard made an attempt to break through to Ypres. Fifteen battalions, specially brought from Arras, managed to penetrate our line at three points, getting into some woods behind it. In spite of their numbers and fine tradition, the attack failed, however, with great slaughter to the enemy. On that date the 3rd Dragoon Guards "stood to" at 5:30am and moved up to support Lord Cavan at Zillebeke, returning at 9 o’clock in the evening.

                                The following Army Order issued the next day to the 1st Division, 2nd Division, 3rd Division and 1st and 3rd cavalary Divisions is worthy of reproduction:

                                "G 983 12th November 1914. The Commander-in Chief has asked me to convey to the troops under my command his congratulations and thanks for the splendid resistance to the German attack yesterday. This attack was delivered by some fifteen fresh battalions of the German Guard Corps which had been specially brought up in which to carry out the task of which so many other corps had failed-viz, to crush the British and force a way through to Ypres. Since it’s arrival in this neighbourhood the 1st Corps, assisted by the 3rd Cavalry Division, 7th Division, and troops from the 2nd Corps, had met and defeated the 23rd, 26th and 27th German Reserve Corps, the 13th Active Corps, and finally, a strong force of the Guard Corps. It is doubtful whether the annals of the British Army contain any finer record than this.

                                Douglas Haig (Lieut-General commanding the 1st Army Corps)

                                11th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs under fire

                                11th Nov 1914  No1 Battery on the march

                                11th Nov 1914  In the Field

                                11th Nov 1914  A Desperate Stand

                                11th Nov 1914  Training

                                11th Nov 1914  Guns All Around

                                11th Nov 1914  Black Watch Corner

                                11th Nov 1914  In the Wood

                                11th Nov 1914  In Action

                                11th Nov 1914  In Action

                                11th Nov 1914  In Action

                                11th Nov 1914  Heavy Fighting

                                11th Nov 1914  Enemy Attack

                                11th Nov 1914  In Acton

                                11th November 1914  Attack

                                11th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                11th Nov 1914  Enemy Active

                                11th Nov 1914  Orders Recieved

                                11th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                11th Nov 1914  Joining Up

                                11th Nov 1914  Attack

                                11th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                11th Nov 1914  On the March

                                11th Nov 1914  Move

                                11th Nov 1914  Under Fire

                                11th Nov 1914  Poor Weather

                                11th of November 1914  In the Line

                                11th Nov 1914  Company Training

                                11th November 1914  Considerable shelling

                                11th November 1914  Searchlights, star shells and fireballs

                                11th November 1914  Blew up old trenches with success.

                                12th Nov 1914 Lord Roberts inspects Indian Division  Field Marshall Lord Roberts inspects the Indian Division Staff at Hinges then drove to visit the HQ's of the Meerut Division, the Indian Cavalry and the Lahore Division.

                                12th November 1914  Reorganisation

                                12th November 1914 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 1st Cavalry Division - La Hutte. In action all day and night but our area very quiet. A good deal of fighting on both flanks.

                                12th Nov 1914 3rd Dragoon Guars at Zillebeke  On the 12th November the 3rd Dragoons moved up again from the bivouac near Halte in support of Lord Cavan’s trenches about a mile due east of Zillebeke, and at 5:00pm went into other trenches about a mile south-east of the village. That night passed quietly. Although an attack was expected at 4:30am, nothing happened till 8:20, when the regiment was subjected to some very heavy shrapnel and rifle fire. When relieved by the Blues at 6:30pm the Regiment had sustained the following casualties: Lieut Talbot, 5 NCOs and men killed and 15 NCOs and men wounded. Lieut Talbot had been previously wounded, when, sitting with his back to the parapet with four men, all five were killed by concussion from a shell which landed nearby.

                                12th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs under fire

                                12th Nov 1914  A Rough Time

                                12th Nov 1914  13th Londons on the March

                                12th Nov 1914  Entrenching

                                12th Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                12th Nov 1914  In Action

                                12th Nov 1914  Machine Guns Active

                                12th Nov 1914  Tales from the Front

                                12th November 1914  Ongoing shelling and sniping

                                12th Nov 1914  Enemy Advance

                                12th November 1914  2nd/5th Battalion East Kent (The Buffs)

                                12th Nov 1914  Artillery Active

                                12th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                12th Nov 1914  Promotions

                                12th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                12th Nov 1914  Entrenching

                                12th Nov 1914  Wire

                                12th Nov 1914  Orders Received

                                12th of November 1914  Message From Lord Cavan

                                12th of November 1914   Quiet Day

                                12th Nov 1914  Working Parties

                                12th November 1914  Troubled by German Light Gun

                                12th November 1914  Reliefs

                                12th November 1914  Reliefs

                                12th November 1914  On the March

                                12th Nov 1914  Billets

                                13th November 1914  Reorganisation

                                13th November 1914 Routine day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at La Creche. Relieved at 1600 and returned to billets at La Creche. Very wet wild day into billets at 1730. Our area very quiet though searched a good deal by big howitzers who never got our line.

                                13th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs under fire

                                13th Nov 1914  Lieutenant's Funeral

                                13th Nov 1914  13th Londons on the March

                                13th Nov 1914  Alnwick Men in Belgium

                                13th Nov 1914  Change of Billets

                                13th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                13th November 1914  German Attack repelled by Artillery and machine guns

                                13th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                13th Nov 1914  Attack Made

                                13th Nov 1914  Ambulance Train

                                13th Nov 1914  Attack Made

                                13th Nov 1914  Orders

                                13th Nov 1914  Promotions

                                13th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                13th Nov 1914  In Bivoauc

                                13th Nov 1914  Defences

                                13th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                13th of November 1914  Reliefs

                                13th of November 1914   Reliefs Completed

                                13th Nov 1914  Working Parties

                                13th November 1914  Intermittent shelling.

                                13th November 1914  Sniping and shelling

                                13th November 1914  Resting in Gorre.

                                13th November 1914  On the March

                                14th Nov 1914 On the move  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment returned to Northampton to refit for service in India.

                                14th Nov 1914 Sanctuary Wood shelled  Sanctuary Wood south of Hooge was shelled, destroying the trees which had provided sanctuary for British troops.

                                14th November 1914  On the Move

                                14th Nov 1914 13th KRRC leave Halton Park Camp  13th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps leave the tented camp at Halton Park on the 14th November moving into billets at Amersham (A & B Coys) and Great Missenden (C & D Coys) for the winter

                                14 Nov 1914  Invasion Fears

                                14th Nov 1914  Ready for any Invasion

                                14th November 1914 Rest Day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at La Creche. In billets at La Creche all day.

                                14th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs under fire

                                14th Nov 1914  Baptism of Fire

                                14th Nov 1914  13th Londons on the March

                                14th Nov 1914  Huts Erected

                                14th Nov 1914  Visit

                                14th Nov 1914  Reserve Positions

                                14th Nov 1914  Pig Sty Wood

                                14th November 1914  Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns

                                14th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                14th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                14th Nov 1914  Orders

                                14th Nov 1914  Attack Made

                                14th Nov 1914  Fierce Fighting

                                14th Nov 1914  Courts Martial

                                14th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                14th Nov 1914  Training

                                14th Nov 1914  Relief

                                14th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                14th Nov 1914  Defences

                                14th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                14th of November 1914  Corps Reserve

                                14th of November 1914  Reliefs

                                14th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                14th November 1914  Battalion H.Q. Moves

                                14th November 1914  Constant shelling

                                14th November 1914  Marched to Dranoutre

                                14th November 1914  On the March

                                14th Nov 1914  Bad Weather

                                15th November 1914  Defences

                                15th November 1914 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched at 1300 and went into billets at Dranoutre at 1530 in support - very wet.

                                15th November 1914  Ceremonial Funeral

                                15th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs under fire

                                15th Nov 1914  Counter Attack Suceeds

                                15th Nov 1914  Inspection for 13th Londons

                                15th Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                15th Nov 1914  Bad Weather

                                15th Nov 1914  Orders

                                15th Nov 1914  Brothers Wounded

                                15th November 1914  Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns

                                15th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                6th Nov 1914  In Good Care

                                15th Nov 1914  New Positions

                                16th Nov 1914  Orders

                                15th Nov 1914  Under Attack

                                15th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                15th Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                15th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                15th Nov 1914  Defences

                                15th Nov 1914  Training

                                15th of November 1914   2nd Corps Reorganise

                                15th Nov 1914  Route March

                                15th November 1914  Change of command

                                15th November 1914  Reliefs

                                15th November 1914  Rested and cleaned up.

                                15th November 1914  At Rest

                                15th Nov 1914 21st Division move to billets for winter  In November 1914, 21st Division left Halton Park and moved into billets for the winter. The 10th Green Howards departed for Aylesbury on the 15th of November.

                                16th Nov 1914 Two Companies of 18th DLI detatched to Hartlepool.  

                                In mid November 1916 units across the north of England were put on alert to defend the coast.

                                Two companies were formed in the 18th Durham Light Infantry consisting of NCO's and men who had undergone range training, under the command of Major Tristam and Captain Neville to be deployed to Hartlepool.

                                They travelled by rail and were billeted in Hart Road being engaged in improving and manning trenches along the coast as well as training and sentry duties. One company soon moved to Old Hartlepool to provide sentries at the Docks.

                                16th Nov 1914 Quiet day for 2nd Life Guards  Another quiet day. At 5.30 pm the 2nd Life Guards supplied 150 Rifles to man Reserve Trenches on the slope of the Zillebeke Ridge. Nothing of incident occurred. 1 R & F accidentally wounded, 2 R & F returned to hospital sick.

                                16th November 1914  Improvements

                                16th November 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Divisional Artillery at Dranoutre. In support all day. Lent to 5th Divisional Artillery at 1800. Attached to 28th Brigade RFA. Back to billets at Dranoutre

                                16th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs relieved by Hants Regt

                                16th Nov 1914  A few Prisoners

                                16th Nov 1914  Training

                                16th Nov 1914  Entrenching

                                16th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                16th November 1914  Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns

                                16th Nov 1914  Billets

                                16th Nov 1914  Artillery Active

                                16th Nov 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                16th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                16th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                16th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                16th Nov 1914  Trenches

                                16th Nov 1914  Training

                                16th of November 1914  On The Move

                                16th of November 1914  Reorganisation

                                16th Nov 1914  Route March

                                16th November 1914  Return

                                16th November 1914  High explosive shells.

                                16th November 1914  Orders

                                16th November 1914  Wet Day

                                16th November 1914  Dog Fight

                                17th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards Regt move to Brielen  The 2nd Life Guards moved at midday on the 17th to Brielen, 2 miles North West of Ypres, where horses of the Regiment were left and a further move was made with the Brigade to man the trenches on Zillebeke Ridge. It was our turn to hold the forward and supporting trenches which we did for 48 hours.

                                17th November 1914  In the trenches

                                17th November 1914 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                At Lindenhoek with 5th Divisional Artillery. Started at 1800 and went into action near Lindenhoek. Fired about 100 rounds with battery in action all night when fired during two attacks

                                17th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs relieved by Hants Regt

                                17th Nov 1914  Shell Fire and Infantry Attack.

                                1th Nov 1914  3rd Dragoons in Action

                                17th Nov 1914  Under Bombardment

                                17th Nov 1914  Waiting for the British to Advance

                                17th Nov 1914  Training

                                17th Nov 1914  Under Attack

                                17th Nov 1914  Trench Difficulties

                                17th Nov 1914  On the March

                                17th November 1914  Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns

                                17th Nov 1914  Orders

                                17th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                17th Nov 1914  Attack Made

                                17th Nov 1914  In Action

                                17th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                17th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                17th Nov 1914  Relief Completed

                                17th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                17th Nov 1914  In Action

                                17th Nov 1914  Orders

                                17th Nov 1914  Training

                                17th of November 1914  On the March

                                17th of November 1914  Relief

                                17th Nov 1914  Route March

                                17th November 1914  Working parties for digging

                                17th November 1914  Water filled trenches

                                17th November 1914  On the March

                                17th November 1914  Rain

                                18th Nov 1914 Equipment  The Indian equipment arrived in Northampton for the The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment but a few days later, to everyone's relief the orders for India were then countermanded and they were ordered back to the Suffolk Coast.

                                18th Nov 1914 Composite Cavalry Squadron shelled  The War diary of the 2nd Life Guards records: The trenches occupied by the Composite Squadron were somewhat heavily shelled and damaged on the 18th, the casualties at this point amounting to 20 Rank & File (3 killed, 17 wounded). Horses (9 killed, 4 wounded).

                                18th November 1914  Divisional Reserve

                                18th November 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Divisional Artillery at Dranoutre. In action all day and fired about 190 rounds. Withdrawn from Lindenhoek at 1700 and went into billets at Dranoutre at 1800.

                                18th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs rest

                                18th Nov 1914  13th London Relieve 2nd Berkshires

                                18th Nov 1914  Bridges and Trenches

                                18th Nov 1914  Comforts

                                18th Nov 1914  Casualties

                                18th November 1914  Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns

                                18th Nov 1914  On the March

                                18th Nov 1914  Heavy Rain

                                18th Nov 1914  Attack Made

                                18th Nov 1914  Trench Work

                                18th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                18th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                18th Nov 1914  In the Trenches

                                18th Nov 1914  At Rest

                                18th Nov 1914  Repairs

                                18th Nov 1914  Training

                                18th of November 1914  Shell Fire

                                18th Nov 1914  Route March

                                18th November 1914  Orders for relief

                                18th November 1914  Rations

                                18th November 1914  Halted

                                18th November 1914  Ice

                                18th Nov 1914  False Statement

                                19th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards have a quiet day.  2nd Life Guards are on Zillebeke Ridge in Dug outs half a mile from Ypres on Ypres to Roulers Railway Line. This was a comparatively quiet day, practically no shelling or any kind of attack by the enemy after 11 am. At 7 pm the Regiment on relief by the 1st Life Guards and moved into the dug outs in Reserve.

                                19th November 1914  At Rest

                                19th November 1914 Bad weather - snow and ice.  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Divisional Artillery at Lindenhoek. Started at 0600. In action all day and night. Fired about 50 rounds. Hard frost and started snowing at noon. Had to get battery along frozen roads.

                                19th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs in trenches

                                19th Nov 1914  First Casualties for 13th Londons

                                19th Nov 1914  Queen Mary's visit

                                19th Nov 1914  Snow

                                19th Nov 1914  Leave Begins

                                19th Nov 1914  Paying Dearly

                                19th November 1914  Ongoing German Attacks repelled by Artillery and machine guns

                                19th Nov 1914  Football

                                19th Nov 1914  Snowfall

                                19th Nov 1914  Snow

                                19th Nov 1914  Service

                                19th Nov 1914  Attack

                                19th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                19th Nov 1914  Musketry

                                19th Nov 1914  Snow

                                19th Nov 1914  At Rest

                                19th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                19th Nov 1914  Repairs

                                19th Nov 1914  Snow Storm

                                19th of November 1914  H.R.H visits London Scottish Billets

                                19th of November 1914  Movements

                                19th Nov 1914  Training

                                19th November 1914  Billets

                                19th November 1914  Relief Complete

                                19th November 1914  Relieved the French

                                19th November 1914  In the Trenches

                                20th Nov 1914 Construction work begins at Clipstone Camp  W. Hodson & Sons of Nottingham begin construction work for the army camp at Clipstone near Mansfield, on land belonging to the Duke of Portland, with over 400 men being engaged.

                                20th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards at Brielen  2 Life Guards spent a quiet day in Dug outs at Brielen. At 5 pm the Regiment moved to billets at Brielen.

                                20th Nov 1914 2nd Sportsmans Battalion raised  24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's), better known as the Sportsmen's Battalions, were among the Pals battalions formed in the Great War. Rather than be taken from a small geographical area, these particular battalions were largely made up of men who had made their name in sports such as cricket, boxing and football or the media.

                                24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's) Formed in London on 20 November 1914 by Mrs E.Cunliffe-Owen. March 1915: moved to Hornchurch. June 1915 : came under command of 99th Brigade, 33rd Division. Landed at Boulogne in November 1915. 13 December 1915 : transferred to 5th Brigade in 2nd Division.

                                20th Nov 1914 3rd West Lancs Engineers leave St Helens  The St Helens Reporter published: "On Friday morning the local detachment of the 3rd West Lancashire Divisional Engineers and Field Ambulance left headquarters at Cropper's Hill for their winter training quarters at Blackpool. The weather was very inclement at the time of departure and beyond a few people who assembled at headquarters, the few who lined the streets gave the men a hearty send-off. The members of the 3rd W.L.F.A. left at 9.45, being under the command of Captain Dick. They are 220 strong. The officers will be billeted at the Imperial Hydro and the men in boarding houses in Clifford-road. The Engineers left at 10.30. There are about 350 rank and file under the command of Major Taberner. The officers will be billeted at the Imperial Hydro and the men in Adelaide-street."

                                20th November 1914  Reorganisation

                                20th November 1914 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                In action all day at Lindenhoek - very hard frost - fired about 120 rounds. back to billets in Dranoutre at 1800. Changed two disabled guns for new ones. Sent a section back for overhaul and only four guns in action.

                                20th Nov 1914  1st East Lancs in trenches

                                  Quiet Tonight

                                20th Nov 1914  Snipers Pose Threat

                                20th Nov 1914  Spies in Town

                                20th Nov 1914   

                                Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 20th 1914

                                Present: - Lord Southampton, Colonel Hugh Bowes, Col Rowland Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The parade state was presented as under. Colonel Burdon reported that - as was seen by parade state, none of the men had yet been sent back from West Hartlepool.

                                The frame of the drying shed was erected and the Recreation Room and Rifle Range were both approaching completion.

                                Arrangements had been made whereby Mr C. Fortune (Messrs Accountant, 36 Church St, West Hartlepool) has taken Mr Roberts place for financial purposes; and the signature of cheques, both with regard to the regimental account and the Committee's account. It is hoped that the payment of bills will now proceed somewhat more regularly. Payment on a/c to the Darlington Construction Company to the amount of £4000 had already been made by the Paymaster, York.

                                The question of appeals for clothing for the regiment was mentioned; and it was felt rather strongly that there was no occasion for this at the time; as much of the underclothing provided by the Committee had not been applied for by men for whom it was intended. It was decided that the Colonel should write a letter conveying this to the writers of any appeals to the newspapers.

                                Colonel Bowes mentioned that instruments for a band had been presented to the regiment by Col. McKenzie of Seaham Harbour; and he hoped to be able to get together from the battalion itself a band of 16 performers.

                                Samples for the furnishing of huts were inspected; but were not found to be satisfactory; and the Clerk of the Works was instructed to proceed to Newcastle, and obtain further samples from Messrs Emley & Messrs Walker.



                                20th Nov 1914  Freezing Hard

                                20th Nov 1914  Downhearted

                                20th November 1914  4th Hussar stables destroyed by enemy artillery

                                20th Nov 1914  Training

                                20th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                20th Nov 1914  Intermittent Shelling

                                20th Nov 1914  Intermittent Shelling

                                20th Nov 1914  Relief

                                20th Nov 1914  Inspection

                                20th Nov 1914  On the March

                                20th Nov 1914  At Rest

                                20th Nov 1914  Repairs

                                20th of November 1914  Battalion Inspection

                                20th of November 1914  Artillery in Action

                                20th Nov 1914  Route March

                                20th November 1914  in Billets

                                20th November 1914  Brigade Reserve

                                20th November 1914  Guard Duty

                                20th Nov 1914  Shelling

                                20th November 1914  Reorganisation

                                21st Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards move to Eecke  2nd Life Guards War Diary: "Frost had set in, and on our move to Eecke it was found necessary to lead horses nearly all the way. Billets were found at Eecke to house the men but not all the horses."

                                21st Nov 1914 Manchester Bantam Battalion raised  The 23rd (8th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in Manchester on the 21st of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City as a Bantam Battalion made up of men under the regulation height.

                                21st November 1914  In the trenches

                                21st November 1914 Rest days  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Near Steenwerck Started at 0600 in very hard frost. Frozen snow very hard to get along. Fired 115 rounds. Relieved at 1800 by I Battery RHA. moved into billets near Steenwerck at 2000. Still freezing hard - a difficult march without frost nails. 22nd to 24th November in billets all day near Steenwerck

                                21st Nov 1914  A few quiet days for 1st East Lancs

                                21st Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                21st Nov 1914  In the Wood

                                21st November 1914  Divisions relieved by French

                                21st Nov 1914  Concert

                                21st Nov 1914  Rifle Bullet

                                21st Nov 1914  Frost

                                21st Nov 1914  Eggs

                                21st Nov 1914  On the March

                                21st Nov 1914  On the March

                                21st Nov 1914  Musketry

                                21st Nov 1914  On the March

                                21st Nov 1914  On the March

                                21st Nov 1914  Training

                                21st of November 1914  Inspection

                                21st of November 1914  Regiments Under-strength

                                21st Nov 1914  Route March

                                21st November 1914  In billets

                                21st November 1914  Reliefs

                                21st November 1914  First Aid Post

                                22nd Nov 1914 Flanders winter weather suspends fighting  The onset of harsh winter weather suspended the fighting in Flanders, ending the First Battle of Ypres which had begun with the German attack on the 19th of October.

                                22nd Nov 1914 3rd Division at rest  3rd Division arrive in Westouter for four days rest.

                                22nd Nov 1914 Squadrons of 2nd Life Guards move into separate billets   The Squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards moved into separate billets in the vicinity of Eecke, by this means all men and horses were comfortably housed.

                                22nd November 1914  Snipers

                                22nd Nov 1914  Snipers Active

                                22nd Nov 1914  Freezing Cold

                                22nd November 1914  Division to rest in billets in Westoutre

                                22nd Nov 1914  Reinforcements

                                22nd Nov 1914  Reinforcements

                                22nd Nov 1914  Poor Weather

                                22nd Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                22nd Nov 1914  Hard Frost

                                22nd Nov 1914  Musketry

                                22nd Nov 1914  At Rest

                                22nd Nov 1914  Repairs

                                22nd Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                22nd of November 1914  Divine Service

                                22nd of November 1914  In the Line

                                22nd Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                22nd November 1914  Inspection

                                22nd November 1914  Icicles.

                                22nd November 1914  Chickens

                                22nd Nov 1914  In Action

                                23rd Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards horse and arms inspections  War Diary: For the 2nd Life Guards these days between the 23rd and 25th of November have been employed in horse and arms inspections, also short route marches. Nothing of incident to mention with the exception that from 7 pm on the 25th the Regiment is to be held in readiness to saddle up for a period of 48 hours, as being portion of the Duty Division of the Cavalry Corps, which latter is in General Reserve. 14 officers proceeded to England on 72 hours leave.

                                23rd November 1914  Reliefs

                                23rd November 1914 U18 sunk  SM U-18 was a type U 17 uboat built at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 12). Ordered 6 May 1910, she was laid down 27 Oct 1910, launched 25 Apr 1912 and commissioned 17 Nov 1912.
                                Commanded by Heinrich von Henning she sailed with II Flotilla until the 23 Nov 1914 when she was rammed by HMS Garry and trawler Dorothy Grey in Pentland Firth, Scapa Flow (58.41N, 02.55W). Of her crew there was 1 dead and 22 survivors.

                                23rd Nov 1914  Weather Bad

                                23rd Nov 1914  The Bravest Men in the World

                                23rd Nov 1914  Reinforcements form Sniping Section

                                23rd Nov 1914   

                                Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 23rd 1914

                                Present: - Lord Durham, Messrs A.F. Pease, W. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Bowes, Colonel R Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the electric light for 2 rows of the huts had been completed. The Range and the drying house were in the process of erection; and the Regimental Institute was in a very advanced state, and waiting for the addition of the Canteen.

                                Colonel Burdon also reported that he had found it necessary to appoint a Clerk of the Works, who would act for him, and overlook in his absence. Also that Mr Gray had most kindly lent a car for the use of the battalion.

                                Five hundred men and officers (as by Parade State given below) had been ordered to Hartlepool on the Tuesday previous to assist in the defence of the Port if necessary. These had been armed with the rifles provided for the use of the detachment, and had had 100 rounds of ammunition issued. Owing to having no equipment they had had to have mess tins issued separate. Colonel Burdon mentioned also that he had, himself, seen the Military Secretary, Northern Command, and asked him to represent to the G.O.C-in-Chief that this detachment work at present was most detrimental to the training of the men; and to earnestly request that they may be restored to Cocken at the earliest possible opportunity, which he had promised should be done.

                                Col. Burdon asked leave, which was granted- to request from York that he should be allowed to recruit up to 400 over strength for the present battalion, to fill vacancies, and to form nucleus for the reserve battalion, should that be eventually authorised by the war office.

                                Col. Burdon was instructed to write a very grateful letter of thanks to Lord Southampton for his patriotic and unselfish action in taking command of the battalion, and for all the most efficient help he had given.



                                23rd Nov 1914  Bridge Damaged

                                23rd Nov 1914  Refitting

                                23rd November 1914  Division to rest in billets in Westoutre

                                23rd Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                23rd Nov 1914  Quiet

                                23rd Nov 1914  In Billets

                                23rd Nov 1914  Training

                                23rd of November 1914  Reorganisation

                                23rd Nov 1914  In Billets

                                23rd Nov 1914  Relief Completed

                                23rd Nov 1914  Training

                                23rd Nov 1914  Procession

                                23rd of November 1914  Command Change

                                23rd of November 1914  Refitting

                                23rd of November 1914   Germans Digging In

                                23rd Nov 1914  Route March

                                23rd November 1914  Billets

                                23rd November 1914  Fumes

                                23rd November 1914  New CO

                                23rd November 1914  Rations

                                24th November 1914  At Rest

                                24th Nov 1914  Under Shellfire

                                24th Nov 1914  Snipers Caught

                                24th Nov 1914  Refitting

                                24th Nov 1914  In the Trenches

                                24th November 1914  Division to rest in billets in Westoutre

                                24th Nov 1914  Inspection

                                24th Nov 1914  On the March

                                24th Nov 1914  At Rest

                                24th Nov 1914  On the March

                                24th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                24th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                24th Nov 1914  Repairs

                                24th Nov 1914  Poor Conditions

                                24th of November 1914   Our Artillery Effective

                                24th Nov 1914  Route March

                                24th November 1914  Reliefs

                                24th November 1914  Shelling

                                24th November 1914  First Aid Post

                                25th November 1914  Inspection

                                25th November 1914 Rest days  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched at 1430. Changed our billets into a very good farm about 1 1/4 miles South West of Bailleul. 26th to 30th November - in billets as above

                                25th Nov 1914  Repairs

                                25th Nov 1914  Up to our Knees in Mud

                                25th Nov 1914  HAC In Action

                                25th Nov 1914  Bridge Work

                                25th Nov 1914  Training

                                25th Nov 1914  Funeral

                                25th Nov 1914  Snow

                                25th November 1914  Division to rest in billets in Westoutre

                                25th Nov 1914  In Billets

                                25th Nov 1914  Refitting

                                25th Nov 1914  At Rest

                                25th Nov 1914  In Billets

                                25th Nov 1914  Reinforcements

                                25th Nov 1914  Training

                                25th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                25th Nov 1914  Repairs

                                25th of November 1914  Leave Granted

                                25th of November 1914   Royal Scots Shelled

                                25th Nov 1914  Route March

                                25th November 1914  Trenches shelled by own guns

                                25th November 1914  Intermittent shelling

                                25th November 1914  Relief Complete

                                26th Nov 1914 2nd Life Guards in Billets at Eecke   From the 26th to 30th of November 1914, the usual routine in Billets at Eecke continued for the 2nd Life Guards, during this period small drafts of 21 and 17 men joined the Regt. Leave for 72 hours continued to be granted to officers and 2 COs. The Regiment was busy refitting and reorganizing.

                                26th November 1914  Reinforcements

                                26th Nov 1914 Mr Samuel Roberts Mp hosts Battalion supper  At the Drill Hall in Edmund Road, Mr Samuel Roberts MP hosted a supper for the Sheffield City Battalion who are due to leave the city for their new training camp.

                                26th Nov 1914 HMS Bulwark lost  

                                HMS Bulwark

                                A powerful internal explosion ripped HMS Bulwark apart at 0750 on 26 November 1914 while she was moored at Number 17 buoy in Kethole Reach, 4 nmi (4.6 mi; 7.4 km) west of Sheerness in the estuary of the River Medway. Out of her complement of 750, no officers and only 14 sailors survived, two of whom subsequently died of their injuries in hospital. Most of the survivors were seriously injured.

                                The only men to survive the explosion comparatively unscathed were those who had been in Number 1 mess-deck amidships, who were blown out of an open hatch. One of these men, Able Seaman Stephen Marshall, described feeling the sensation of "a colossal draught", being drawn "irresistibly upwards", and, as he rose in the air, clearly seeing the ship's masts shaking violently.

                                Witnesses on the battleship Implacable, the next ship in line at the mooring, reported that "a huge pillar of black cloud belched upwards. From the depths of this writhing column flames appeared running down to sea level. The appearance of this dreadful phenomenon was followed by a thunderous roar. Then came a series of lesser detonations, and finally one vast explosion that shook the Implacable from mastheads to keel."

                                The destruction of Bulwark was also witnessed on board battleship Formidable, where "when the dust and wreckage had finally settled a limp object was seen hanging from the wireless aerials upon which it had fallen. With difficulty the object was retrieved and found to be an officer's uniform jacket with three gold bands on the sleeves and between them the purple cloth of an engineer officer. The garment's former owner had been blasted into fragments."

                                Perhaps the most detailed descriptions of the disaster came from witnesses on board battleships Prince of Wales and Agamemnon, both of whom stated that smoke issued from the stern of the ship prior to the explosion and that the first explosion appeared to take place in an after magazine.

                                On 29 November 1914 divers sent to find the wreck reported that the ship's port bow as far aft as the sick bay had been blown off by the explosion and lay 50 ft (15 m) east of the mooring. The starboard bow lay 30 ft (9.1 m) further away. The remainder of the ship had been torn apart so violently that no other large portions of the wreck could be found.

                                In terms of loss of life, the incident remains the second most catastrophic accidental explosion in the history of the United Kingdom, exceeded only by the explosion of the dreadnought battleship Vanguard, caused by a stokehold fire detonating a magazine, at Scapa Flow in 1917.

                                Inquiry into loss

                                A naval court of enquiry into the causes of the explosion held on 28 November 1914 established that it had been the practice to store ammunition for Bulwark's 6 in (150 mm) guns in cross-passageways connecting her total of 11 magazines. It suggested that, contrary to regulations, 275 six-inch shells had been placed close together, most touching each other, and some touching the walls of the magazine, on the morning of the explosion.

                                The most likely cause of the disaster appears to have been overheating of cordite charges stored alongside a boiler room bulkhead, and this was the explanation accepted by the court of enquiry. It has also been suggested that damage caused to one of the shells stored in the battleship's cross-passageways may have weakened the fusing mechanism and caused the shell to become 'live'. A blow to the shell, caused by it being dropped point down, could then have set off a chain reaction of explosions among the shells stored in Bulwark's cross-passageways sufficient to detonate the ship's magazines.

                                Memorials

                                A memorial to those lost on Bulwark and Princess Irene was erected at the Dockyard Church, Sheerness in 1921. It was dedicated by Archdeacon Ingles, the Chaplain of the Fleet. It was unveiled by Hugh Evan-Thomas, Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Victims of both ships are also commemorated on the Naval War Memorial at Southsea. Another memorial was placed in Woodlands Road Cemetery, Gillingham, as part of the Naval Burial Ground.

                                26th Nov 1914  Bully Beef and Biscuits

                                26th Nov 1914  Quiet Day

                                26th Nov 1914  Doing Well

                                26th Nov 1914  Eye Witness Stories

                                26th Nov 1914  Under Shellfire

                                26th November 1914  Division orders back to trenches

                                26th Nov 1914  Guard Duty

                                26th Nov 1914  Address

                                26th Nov 1914  Reinforcements

                                26th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                26th Nov 1914  Training

                                26th Nov 1914  Arrival

                                26th of November 1914  Quiet and Misty

                                26th Nov 1914  Working Parties

                                26th November 1914  Counter sniping

                                26th November 1914  Suspected Spy

                                26th November 1914  Improved trenches

                                26th November 1914  At Rest

                                27th November 1914  Wet Weather

                                27th Nov 1914  News from the Front

                                27th Nov 1914  Stuck in Drain

                                27th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                27th Nov 1914  Bridge, Shelters and Trenches

                                27th November 1914  3rd Division ordered back to trenches

                                27th Nov 1914  In Billets

                                27th Nov 1914  Inspection

                                27th Nov 1914  On the March

                                27th Nov 1914  In Billets

                                27th Nov 1914  Vist

                                27th Nov 1914  Training

                                27th Nov 1914  Stations Allocated

                                27th Nov 1914  A Long Journey

                                27th of November 1914  Relief Commences

                                27th Nov 1914  Working Parties

                                27th November 1914  Improvement of trenches

                                27th November 1914  Support trenches heavily shelled

                                27th November 1914  Reliefs

                                27th November 1914  Reliefs

                                27th Nov 1914  In Action

                                28th Nov 1914 Rainham Chemical Works taken over by War Dept.  HMEF Rainham, Essex was situated at the Rainham Chemical Works, on the bank of the Thames opposite Woolwich. The factory was taken over from the Synthetic Products Company on the 28th of November 1914 by the War Department under the Defence of the Realm Act, the day after the Act became law. To purify under control of Chance & Hunt. The factory's first output was in January 1915.

                                28th November 1914  Improvements

                                28th Nov 1914  Prisoner in Germany

                                28th Nov 1914  All Quiet

                                28th Nov 1914  Mud Larks

                                28th Nov 1914  Entrenching

                                28th Nov 1914  Inspection and Training

                                28th Nov 1914  Enemy Guns

                                28th Nov 1914  Attack on Hollandschaeschur Farm

                                28th November 1914  Division had quiet day in trenches

                                28th Nov 1914  In Billets

                                28th Nov 1914  Recovering

                                28th Nov 1914  Boots

                                28th Nov 1914  Inspection

                                28th Nov 1914  In Billets

                                28th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                28th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                28th Nov 1914  Training

                                28th Nov 1914  Training

                                28th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                28th of November 1914  Field Marshall Visit

                                28th of November 1914   On the Move

                                28th Nov 1914  Training

                                28th November 1914  Quiet

                                28th November 1914  First Chance for a Wash

                                28th November 1914  In billets

                                28th November 1914  In the Trenches

                                29th November 1914  Into billets

                                29th Nov 1914  Under Shellfire

                                29th Nov 1914  Royal Flying Corps Reorganised

                                29th Nov 1914  Wounded Admitted

                                29th Nov 1914  Sunday Dinner

                                29th Nov 1914  Reinforcements

                                29th November 1914  Division on night reconnaissance activity

                                29th Nov 1914  In Billets

                                29th Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                29th Nov 1914  Recce

                                29th Nov 1914  Trench Work

                                29th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                29th Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                29th Nov 1914  Repairs

                                29th Nov 1914  Orders

                                29th of November 1914   Infantry Distribution

                                29th Nov 1914  Church Parade

                                29th November 1914  Orders Received

                                29th November 1914  Hand grenades

                                29th November 1914  Shelling

                                29th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                30th November 1914  In Reserve

                                30th Nov 1914  Heavy Rain

                                30th Nov 1914  A Narrow Escape

                                30th Nov 1914  Patrol Work

                                30th Nov 1914  Very Muddy

                                30th Nov 1914  Admitted to Hospital

                                30th Nov 1914  Training

                                30th November 1914  3 Div Brigades relief rota carried out

                                30th Nov 1914  Reinforcements

                                30th Nov 1914  Defence Work

                                30th Nov 1914  Training

                                30th Nov 1914  On the Move

                                30th Nov 1914  Reliefs

                                30th Nov 1914  In the Line

                                30th Nov 1914  Holding the Line

                                30th Nov 1914  Training

                                30th Nov 1914  Difficult March

                                30th of November 1914  Leave granted

                                30th of November 1914  Germans Improve Defences

                                30th Nov 1914  Working Parties

                                30th November 1914  Trenches strongly held

                                30th of November 1914 

                                30th November 1914  St. Andrews day

                                30th November 1914  Support

                                30th November 1914  In the Trenches

                                30th Nov 1914  Report

                                Dec 1914  On the Move

                                Dec 1914 23rd Manchesters move to Morcombe  23rd Manchesters leave the city to continue their training in Morcambe.

                                Dec 1914  9th Sussex move to Portslade

                                1st December 1914 Recruitment and Training  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles. Recruitment efforts continued and helped raise Battalion strength from 230 at the end of November to 500 by the 19th December 1914. Training began to bring recruits up to the physical requirements for battle fitness with physical exercise and route marches of increasing intensity. A large batch of service rifles arrived on the 19th December which meant that military weaponry drill could be incorporated within the training timetable. Route marches got longer and, on the 7th December, the men marched to Banbridge and back (16 miles) in 3 ½ Hours. Initially training would have concentrated on infantry skills including drill, musketry, bayonet fighting and training in the Lewis and machine guns. Route marches and PT (Physical Training) would also have featured. Selected Officers and NCOs on appointment were sent to infantry training schools to become instructors in these fields. A rifle range was constructed at the rear of Brownlow House. The pioneers were basically riflemen and in the Royal Irish Rifles had to learn to drill at "rifles pace" which was 160 paces to the minute as opposed to the normal infantry rate of 120 paces to the minute. Field-craft with elementary infantry tactics at section, platoon and company level were gradually introduced as potential section leaders were identified, trained and gained in confidence and experience.

                                1st Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards refit at Eecke.   The 2nd Life Guards War Diary records: The Regiment continued to refit at Eecke.

                                1st Dec 1914   Stratford Camp for German nationals was opened in December 1914 and was located at the old William Ritchie & Sons Jute Spinners Factory on Carpenters Road, Stratford which had been empty for ten years.

                                1st December 1914  Shelling

                                Dec 1914  Landings

                                1st December 1914 Rest day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Near Bailleul with 5th Cavalry in reserve. In billets 1 1/4 miles South West of Bailleul.

                                1st Dec 1914 Royal Visit  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment enjoy a quiet time from the 1st to 18th of December, with occasional shelling.

                                On the 2nd December, B coy under Lieutenants Wade and Parker was inspected by H.M the King at Pont De Nieppe. Lt Col Lawrence as acting Brigadier was in command of the 11th Infantry Brigade parade.

                                Capt C. Fletcher was wounded on the 3rd and Lt Col Lawrence rejoined the battalion on the 10th. On the 11th December the war diary records: D. Bent was awarded the Victoria Cross. (Drummer Spencer John Bent - see below). Capt G.M. Smith was wounded on the 15th.

                                Spencer John Bent VC, MM (18 March 1891, 3 May 1977) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was 23 years old and a drummer in the 1st Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

                                On the night of 1/2 November 1914 near Le Gheer, Belgium, when his officer, the platoon sergeant and a number of men had been struck down, Drummer Bent took command of the platoon and with great presence of mind and coolness succeeded in holding the position. He had previously distinguished himself on two occasions, on 22 and 24 October by bringing up ammunition under heavy shell and rifle fire. Again, on 3 November, he brought into cover some wounded men who were lying, exposed to enemy fire, in the open.

                                He later achieved the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major. He survived the war and died on 3 May 1977. Bent was cremated at West Norwood Cemetery, London. Bent's VC, along with his Military Medal and Russian Cross of St. George was sold at auction in June 2000 for £80,000. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

                                1st Dec 1914  King George Inspects the Army

                                1st Dec 1914  The King's Visit

                                1st Dec 1914  No Respect

                                1st Dec 1914  Belgians Recovering

                                1st Dec 1914  Ploughing up the Fields

                                1st Dec 1914  The King in France

                                1st Dec 1914  Baths

                                1st Dec 1914  Refitting and Training

                                1st December 1914  Limited action poor weather

                                1st Dec 1914  Refitting

                                1st Dec 1914  Training

                                1st Dec 1914  Defences

                                1st Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                1st Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                1st Dec 1914  On the Move

                                1st Dec 1914  Training

                                1st Dec 1914  Training

                                1st Dec 1914  Repairs

                                1st Dec 1914  On the March

                                1st of December 1914   Quiet Time

                                1st Dec 1914  Working Parties

                                1st Dec 1914  Quiet

                                Dec 1914  On the Move

                                1st December 1914  Reliefs

                                1st December 1914  Told the campaign would end next June.

                                1st December 1914  Inspection

                                1st December 1914  Guard Duty

                                1st Dec 1914  On the Move

                                2nd Dec 1914 Wounded Soldiers.  Heroes of Ypres Accommodated at Castleton House. - Rochdale Times, 2nd December 1914.

                                Castleton House, which has recently been equipped to accommodate soldiers returning wounded or sick from the war, is now the temporary home of ten British soldiers who arrived there on Sunday.

                                All the men were wounded, and went through the recent fierce fighting at Ypres, which Field Marshall Sir John French described in his despatch published on Monday. When a representative of the "Rochdale Times" visited the hospital yesterday the men were comfortably settled in a spacious front room, and as one of them remarked, "It’s a lot nicer than where we have come from."

                                The wounds of the men, though painful, are not dangerous, and several of them yesterday enjoyed an outing in a motorcar. The soldiers are drawn from different regiments, and in spite of their bandages look a body of stalwart men.

                                Another soldier was removed to the Crippled Children’s Home at Norden during the week-end and there are now at this institution about a dozen Army invalids.

                                The Belgian soldiers who are at the Ambulance Drill Hall continue to improve. On Saturday afternoon many of them attended the matinee at the Theatre Royal and, and on Sunday some of the members of the nursing staff gave a sacred concert which was much appreciated. Colonel Trimble, C.M.G., inspected the premises on Sunday.

                                2nd Dec 1914 Review of troops by HM the King  A review of troops was held by H M the King in which the 2nd Life Guards took part at Eecke. His Majesty presented the DSO to Lieut. and Adjt Stewart Menzies and the DCM to Corporal Watt of the 2nd Life Guards.

                                2nd December 1914  Reliefs

                                2nd December 1914 Royal Inspection Parade  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Near Bailleul with 5th Cavalry Brigade. The 5th Cavalry Brigade was visited by HM the King. The brigade was drawn up near the road. Battery guns detachments only. Half a mile south of our billets at 12 noon. At 1030 Major Forman was presented his DSO by HM the King at Chateau La Motte (Cavalry Corps HQ.)

                                2nd Dec 1914  Running Messages

                                2nd Dec 1914  Very Wet Day

                                2nd Dec 1914  They are Beaten

                                2nd Dec 1914  Royal Inspection

                                2nd December 1914  Operations restricted by bad weather

                                2nd Dec 1914  Awards

                                2nd Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                2nd Dec 1914  Awards

                                2nd Dec 1914  Quiet

                                2nd Dec 1914  Reinforcements

                                2nd Dec 1914  Horses

                                2nd Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                2nd Dec 1914  Training

                                2nd Dec 1914  Repairs

                                2nd Dec 1914  Enemy Airship

                                2nd of December 1914   A Moonlit Night

                                2nd Dec 1914  Working Parties

                                2nd December 1914  Heavy shelling of trenches

                                2nd December 1914  Recce

                                2nd December 1914  Reinforcements

                                2nd December 1914  At Rest

                                2nd Dec 1914  Remounts Arrive

                                2nd Dec 1914  New Hospital

                                3rd Dec 1914 9th Heavy Battery leave Woolwich  9th Heavy Battery left Woolwich and moved to Charlton Park on December 3rd, 1914.

                                3rd Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards carry out Squadron Drills  Troop and Squadron Drills were carried out by the Squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards at Eecke.

                                3rd December 1914  Patrols

                                3rd Dec 1914  Like a Field of Duckponds

                                3rd Dec 1914  Very Wet Day

                                3rd Dec 1914  Gifts

                                3rd Dec 1914  Bridge and Defence Work

                                3rd Dec 1914  Royal Visit

                                3rd December 1914  Operations restricted by bad weather

                                3rd Dec 1914  Inspection

                                3rd Dec 1914  Parade

                                3rd Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                3rd Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                3rd Dec 1914  On the Move

                                3rd Dec 1914  Training

                                3rd of December 1914  London Scottish H.R.H the King Inspection

                                3rd of December 1914  Instructions

                                3rd Dec 1914  Working Parties

                                3rd Dec 1914  Relief

                                3rd Dec 1914  New Hospital

                                3rd December 1914  Reliefs

                                3rd December 1914  Visit by H.M. The King.

                                3rd December 1914  Reliefs

                                3rd December 1914  Baths

                                3rd Dec 1914  On the Move

                                4th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards Inspected by the Brigadier  An inspection of men and horses of the 2nd Life Guards was held by the Brigadier at Eecke. In the afternoon an R A Officer attended to advise on the siting of trenches and to discuss the question of Artillery Positions.

                                4th December 1914  Reliefs

                                4th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry preparations  Troop/squadron drill. Transport teams re-organised, light horses being put in echelon 'A' wagons. Instruction in use of bayonet.

                                4th Dec 1914  Lucky to be Alive

                                4th Dec 1914  At Rest

                                4th Dec 1914  Snipers Active

                                4th Dec 1914  Snipers Active

                                4th Dec 1914  Missing his Wife

                                4th Dec 1914  It's Not Half Lively

                                4th Dec 1914  Bridge and Defence Work

                                4th December 1914  Operations restricted by bad weather

                                4th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                4th Dec 1914  Training

                                4th Dec 1914  Reorganisation

                                4th Dec 1914  Suprise

                                4th Dec 1914  On the Move

                                4th Dec 1914  Training

                                4th Dec 1914  Artillery Active

                                4th of December 1914  Returned from leave

                                4th of December 1914  Reliefs

                                4th of December 1914  Relief

                                4th Dec 1914  Trenches

                                4th Dec 1914  Good Shooting

                                4th December 1914  In billets

                                4th December 1914  Rained heavily all day.

                                4th December 1914  Improving trenches

                                4th December 1914  First Aid Post

                                4th Dec 1914  Poor Conditions

                                4th Dec 1914  Patients

                                5th Dec 1914 2 Life Guards on route march.   The 2nd Life Guards' War Diary, states they are at Eecke. A route march took place. Tactical schemes are being arranged in preparation for further active operations.

                                5th December 1914  The Queens resting

                                5th Dec 1914 Sheffield City Battalion march to Redmires camp  In heavy rain and strong winds, Sheffield City Battalion march from the city to take up residence in the barely completed Redmires Camp. They left the Drill Hall in Edmund Road, with CO on horse back and the battalion band at the head of the column. They marched via Glossop Road to Broomhall and to the camp via Crosshall. The rain turned to sleet and snow as they climbed the hills. The camp was already a familiar place as the battalion had provided nightly work parties for the last weeks of November to assist with completing the huts and bad weather had delayed their arrival from the intended move date of the 1st of December. Some of the huts were still lacking windows when the men moved in and the first night was stormy, icy cold and few men got much sleep.

                                5th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry inspection  Squadrons paraded for inspection by General Officer Commanding 7th Cavalry Brigade, parade cancelled owing to wet weather.

                                5th Dec 1914  Very Wet Day

                                5th Dec 1914  Making the Most of It

                                5th Dec 1914  A Tale of Four Battles

                                5th Dec 1914  Bridge Dismantled

                                5th Dec 1914  Hardly a Row of Houses Left

                                5th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                5th Dec 1914  Very Wet Day

                                5th Dec 1914  Training

                                5th Dec 1914  Reorganisation

                                5th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                5th Dec 1914  Very Wet

                                5th Dec 1914  Baths

                                5th Dec 1914  Training

                                5th of December 1914  Commissions

                                5th of December 1914   Relief Complete

                                5th Dec 1914  Trenches

                                5th Dec 1914  Items Recovered

                                5th December 1914  Trenches very Wet

                                5th December 1914  Muddy

                                5th Dec 1914  Chats

                                5th December 1914  Quiet

                                5th Dec 1914  Very Wet Day

                                6th Dec 1914 Divine service parade at Ecke   Divine service parade and communion were held by the Brigade Chaplain at Eecke, in which the 2nd Life Guards participated.

                                6th December 1914  The Queens resting

                                6th Dec 1914 Sheffield City Battalion at Redmires Camp  The men of the Sheffield City Battalion are engaged in making their new camp habitable, completing the work to be done on the huts and quarrying stone to create paths and roadways.

                                6th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry washing arrangements  Arrangements made for bathing of men and washing of clothes

                                6th Dec 1914  Very Wet Day

                                6th Dec 1914  The Greatest Battle

                                6th Dec 1914  Trenches Flooded

                                6th Dec 1914  Bombardment

                                6th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                6th Dec 1914  Parade

                                6th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                6th Dec 1914  On the March

                                6th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                6th Dec 1914  Postings

                                6th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                6th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                6th of December 1914  London Scottish Church Parade

                                6th of December 1914  Frosty Night

                                6th Dec 1914  Trenches

                                6th Dec 1914  Into Billets

                                6th December 1914  Flooding

                                6th December 1914  First Aid Post

                                6th Dec 1914  Football Players in the Forces

                                6th Dec 1914  Training

                                7th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards move into billets at Staple  The 2nd Life Guards moved in the afternoon into billets in and about Staple, 3 miles west of Hondeghem.

                                7th December 1914  Divisional Reserve

                                7th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry moved billets to Oxelaere  Regiment ordered to parade for inspection by General Officer Commanding 7th Cavalry Brigade but Parade cancelled owing to wet weather.

                                Regiment moved billets to Oxelaere. Regiment came on duty at 6pm as part of the general reserve with orders to 'stand to' until December 9th.

                                7th Dec 1914  Snipers Active

                                7th Dec 1914  Winter Quarters

                                7th Dec 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall December 7th 1914

                                Present: - Colonel Bowes, and Col Burdon.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as read. Colonel Bowes asked how the question of the equipment for the officers should be dealt with; and it was decided that as a sum of £10 had been very generously offered to pay for the equipment of each officer of the battalion who required it, the matter should be left there.

                                Colonel Bowes asked whether it would be acceptable to the Committee that a commission should be offered to Sergt. Robinson, for which permission was given.

                                A good many motor bicycles, etc. having been used for regimental purposes belonging to private individuals of the Battalion it was agreed that the cost of the petrol should be reimbursed to those to whom bicycles belonged.

                                Colonel Bowes was instructed to purchase a Sam Browne belt for the Sergt. Major; it being very desirable that he should be dressed in conformity to the dress of the Commissioned Officers.

                                Colonel Bowes was instructed to tell the Clerk of the Works to go into the question of the officers latrines, in order to do away as far as possible with the hiring at present going on.

                                It was notified that the County Battalion would be entered in the Army List as the 18th Service Battalion.

                                The band instruments had been ordered, second quality; which would leave a small sum for music etc. It was decided that practice for the band was to be in the spare time of the musicians; and there was no pay to be attached to the appointment.

                                Satisfactory samples of upholstering, etc, for the huts have been received and selected, and the furnishing was being proceeded with.

                                It was notified that the first 200 sets of equipment had been received. With regard to the huts, some slight alteration will have to be made at the miniature Rifle Range; and the lighting at the Target end will be provided for by 2 Acetylene Generators kindly lent by Messrs R.E. Hall & Co.

                                The lighting of the bath house will have to be attended to; and it will be necessary to put glass in the upper part of the outside wall, as the opening at present is too much. The bath house was very nearly ready for occupation.

                                Colonel Bowes was instructed to place the stoves in the Regimental Institute in the most convenient place. Instructions with regard to the painting of the wood work of the Regimental Institute had been given, and were satisfactory.

                                The new latrines and ablution sheds had been taken into use, and appeared to be working satisfactorily; but the pipes will require protection from the frost.

                                The Clerk of the Works had made arrangements for laying down cinder paths under contract with Mr Gradon.

                                Colonel Burdon notified the result of his interviews at the war office on Friday last (the 4th inst) which included the appointment of the Medical Officer; and the permission to ask for another Company as soon as ever the first Depot Company had been formed; the War Office, of course, paying for everything outside the 1100 men of the present Battalion.



                                7th Dec 1914  Trenches Flooded

                                7th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                7th Dec 1914  Well Cared For

                                7th Dec 1914  Training

                                7th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                7th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                7th Dec 1914  Very Wet Day

                                7th Dec 1914  Drill

                                7th Dec 1914  Repairs

                                7th of December 1914  Command Change

                                7th of December 1914  Patrols Fired On

                                7th Dec 1914  Trenches

                                7th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                7th December 1914  Relief

                                7th December 1914  In Billets

                                7th December 1914  At Rest

                                7th Dec 1914  Working Parties

                                8th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards settle in to new billets  The 2nd Life Guards' War Diary records for the 8th of December; This day was occupied in settling the horses and men into their new billets at Staple. A draft arrived Lieut. Beamount. 20 R & File.

                                8th Dec 1914  Men Rescued

                                8th December 1914  Reliefs

                                8th December 1914 Battle of the Falklands  

                                German East Asia Squadron leaving Valparaiso, Chile. (4 Nov 1914)

                                The Battle of the Falkland Islands took place on the 8th December 1914 during the First World War in the South Atlantic. The British, suffering a defeat at the Battle of Coronel on 1 November, had sent a large force to track down and destroy the victorious German cruiser squadron. Admiral Graf Maximilian von Spee commanded the German squadron which consisted of two armoured cruisers SMS Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, three light cruisers SMS Nürnberg, Dresden and Leipzig together with three auxiliarie. They attempted to raid the British supply base at Stanley in the Falkland Islands.

                                A larger British squadron, consisting of two battlecruisers HMS Invincible and Inflexible, three armoured cruisers HMS Carnarvon, Cornwall and Kent and two light cruisers HMS Bristol and Glasgow had arrived in the port only the day before. Visibility was at its maximum, the sea was calm with a light northwesterly breeze and a bright sunny day. The German squadron had been detected early on and by nine o'clock that morning the British were in hot pursuit of the five German vessels who had taken flight to the southeast.

                                The only ships to escape were the light cruiser Dresden and the auxiliary Seydlitz- all the others were sunk. The British battlecruisers each mounted eight 12 inch guns, whereas Spee's heaviest ships (Scharnhorst and Gneisenau), were only equipped with eight 8.3 inch guns. Additionally, the British battlecruisers could make 29.3 mph against Spee's 25.9 mph. So the British battlecruisers could not only outrun their opponents but significantly outgun them too. The old pre-dreadnought battleship, HMS Canopus, had been grounded at Stanley to act as a makeshift defence battery for the area.

                                At the outbreak of hostilities in World War One, the German East Asian squadron, which Admiral Spee commanded, was heavily outnumbered by the Royal Navy and the Japanese Navy. The German High Command realised that the Asian possessions could not be defended and that the squadron might not survive. Spee therefore tried to get his ships home via the Pacific and Cape Horn, but was pessimistic of their chances. Following von Spee's success at Coronel off the coast of Valparaíso, Chile, where his squadron sank the cruisers HMS Good Hope and Monmouth, von Spee's force put into Valparaíso. As required under international law for belligerent ships in neutral countries, the ships left within 24 hours, moving to Mas Afuera, 400 miles off the Chilean coast. There they received news of the loss of the cruiser SMS Emden, which had previously detached from the squadron and had been raiding in the Indian Ocean. They also learned of the fall of the German colony at Tsingtao in China, which had been their home port. On 15 November, the squadron moved to Bahia San Quintin on the Chilean coast, where 300 Iron Crosses second class were awarded to the crew, and an Iron Cross first class to Admiral Spee. Spee was advised by his officers to return to Germany if he could. His ships had used half their ammunition at Coronel, and had difficulties obtaining coal. Intelligence reported the British ships HMS Defence, Cornwall and Carnarvon were stationed in the River Plate and that there were no British warships at Stanley. Spee had been concerned about reports of a British battleship, Canopus, but its location was unknown.

                                On 26 November, the squadron set sail and reached Cape Horn on the 1st December, anchoring at Picton Island for 3 days coaling from acaptured British collier, the Drummuir. On 6 December, the British vessel was scuttled and the crew transferred to the auxiliary Seydlitz. Spee proposed to raid the Falkland Islands before turning north to sail up the Atlantic back to Germany even though it was unnecessary and opposed by three of his captains.

                                On the 30th October, retired Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher was reappointed First Sea Lord to replace Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg. On the 3rd November, Fisher was advised that Spee had been sighted off Valparaíso and acted to reinforce Cradock by ordering Defence,to join his squadron. On the 4th November, news of the defeat at Coronel arrived. As a result, the battlecruisers Invincible and Inflexible were detached from the Grand Fleet and sailed for Plymouth to prepare for overseas service. Chief of Staff at the Admiralty was Vice-Admiral Doveton Sturdee with whom Fisher had a long-standing disagreement, so he took the opportunity to appoint Sturdee as Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic and Pacific, to command the new squadron from Invincible. On 11 November, Invincible and Inflexible left Devonport. Repairs to Invincible were incomplete and she sailed with workmen still on board. The ships travelled at a reduced 12 mph as running at high speed used significantly more coal, so to complete the long journey it was necessary to travel at the most economic speed. The two ships were also heavily loaded with supplies. Sturdee arrived at the Abrolhos Rocks on the 26th November, where Rear Admiral Stoddart awaited him with the remainder of the squadron. Sturdee announced his intention to depart for the Falkland Islands on 29 November. From there, the fast light cruisers Glasgow and Bristol would patrol seeking Spee, summoning reinforcements if they found him. Captain Luce of Glasgow, who had been at the battle of Coronel persuaded Sturdee to depart a day early. The squadron was delayed during the journey for 12 hours when a cable towing targets became wrapped around one of Invincible's propellers, but the ships arrived on the morning of 7 December. The two light cruisers moored in to the inner part of Stanley Harbour, while the larger ships remained in the deeper outer harbour of Port William. Divers set about removing the offending cable from Invincible, Cornwall's boiler fires were extinguished to make repairs, and Bristol had one of her engines dismantled. The famous ship SS Great Britain, reduced to a coal bunker, supplied coal to Invincible and Inflexible. The armed merchant cruiser Macedonia was ordered to patrol the harbour, while Kent maintained steam ready to replace Macedonia the next day, 8th December. Spee's fleet arrived in the morning of the same day.

                                Two of Spee's cruisers—Gneisenau and Nürnberg—approached Stanley first and, at that time, the entire British fleet was still coaling. Some believe that, had Spee pressed the attack, Sturdee's ships would have been easy targets. Any British ship trying to leave would have faced the full firepower of the German ships and having a vessel sunk might also have blocked the rest of the British squadron inside the harbour. Fortunately for the British, the Germans were surprised by gunfire from an unexpected source as Canopus, which had been grounded as a guardship and was hidden behind a hill, opened fire. This was enough to check the Germans' advance. The sight of the distinctive tripod masts of the British battlecruisers confirmed that they were facing a better-equipped enemy. Kent was already making her way out of the harbour and had been ordered to pursue Spee's ships. Made aware of the German ships, Sturdee had ordered the crews to breakfast, knowing that Canopus had bought them time while steam was raised. To Spee, with his crew battle-weary and his ships outgunned, the outcome seemed inevitable. Realising his danger too late, and having lost any chance to attack the British ships while they were at anchor, Spee and his squadron dashed for the open sea. The British left port around 1000. Spee was ahead by 15 miles but there was a lot of daylight left for the faster battlecruisers to catch them.

                                It was 1300 when the British battlecruisers opened fire, but it took them half an hour to get the range of Leipzig. Realising that he could not outrun the British ships, Spee decided to engage them with his armoured cruisers to give the light cruisers a chance to escape. They turned to fight just after 1320. The German armoured cruisers had the advantage of a freshening north-west breeze which caused the funnel smoke of the British ships to obscure their targets practically throughout the action. Despite initial success by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in striking Invincible, the British capital ships suffered little damage. Spee then turned to escape, but the battlecruisers came within extreme firing range 40 minutes later. Invincible and Inflexible engaged Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, while Sturdee detached his cruisers to chase Leipzig and Nürnberg. Inflexible and Invincible turned to fire broadsides at the armoured cruisers and Spee responded by trying to close the range. His flagship Scharnhorst suffered extensive damage with funnels flattened, fires and developed a list. The list became worse at 1604, and she sank by 1617. Gneisenau continued to fire and evade until 1715, by which time her ammunition had been exhausted, and her crew allowed her to sink at 1802. During her death throes, Admiral Sturdee continued to engage Gneisenau with his two battlecruisers and the cruiser Carnarvon seemingly ignoring the escaping Dresden. 190 of Gneisenau's crew were rescued from the water. The battlecruisers had received about 40 hits, with one man killed and four injured. Meanwhile, Nürnberg and Leipzig had run from the British cruisers. Nürnberg was running at full speed while the crew of the pursuing Kent were pushing her boilers and engines to the limit. Nürnberg finally turned for battle at 1730. Kent had the advantage in shell weight and armour. Nürnberg suffered two boiler explosions around 1830, giving further advantage in speed and manoeuvrability to Kent. The German ship then rolled over at 1927 after a long chase. The cruisers Glasgow and Cornwall had chased down Leipzig. Glasgow closed to finish Leipzig which had run out of ammunition but was still flying her battle ensign. Leipzig fired two flares, so Glasgow ceased fire. At 2123, more than 80 miles southeast of the Falklands, she also rolled over, leaving only 18 survivors.

                                The British suffered only very light casualties and damage whereas Admiral Spee and his two sons were among the German dead. There were 215 rescued German survivors who became prisoners on the British ships. Most were from the Gneisenau, nine were from Nürnberg and 18 were from Leipzig. There were no survivors from Scharnhorst. Of the known German force of eight ships, two escaped, the auxiliary Seydlitz and the light cruiser Dresden, which roamed at large for a further three months before she was cornered by a British squadron off the Juan Fernández Islands on 14 March 1915. After fighting a short battle, Dresden's captain evacuated his ship and scuttled her by detonating the main ammunition magazine. As a consequence of the battle, German commerce raiding on the high seas by regular warships of the Kaiserliche Marine was brought to an end. However, Germany put several armed merchant vessels into service as commerce raiders until the end of the war.

                                8th Dec 1914 

                                8th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry 'standing to'  Regiment 'standing to' in billets

                                8th Dec 1914  Completely Wrecked

                                8th Dec 1914  Snipers Active

                                8th Dec 1914  Giving Chase

                                8th Dec 1914  Drainage & Paths

                                8th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                8th Dec 1914  On the March

                                8th Dec 1914  Into Reserve

                                8th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                8th Dec 1914  Musketry

                                8th Dec 1914  Drill

                                8th Dec 1914  Repairs

                                8th of December 1914  Transport

                                8th of December 1914  Poor Conditions

                                8th Dec 1914  Trenches

                                8th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                8th December 1914  Reliefs

                                8th December 1914  Officers visit Aerodrome

                                8th December 1914  Reliefs

                                8th December 1914  Wounded

                                8th Dec 1914  Musketry

                                9th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards Training at Staple  From the 9th to the 12th of December 1914, the 2nd Life Guards are at Staple. The Regiment continued its training for further operations, including a Route March in Brigade on the 10th instant.

                                9th December 1914  Communication Trenches

                                9th December 1914 U11 sunk  SM U-11 a Type U 9 uboat built at shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 6) was mined off the Belgian coast on 9th December 1914 at position 51.20N, 02.52E. (all 26 hands lost). The vessel had been ordered 15 Jul 1908 was launched 2 Apr 1910 and commissioned 21 Sep 1910. She was commanded by Ferdinand von Suchodoletz and sailed with I Flotilla

                                9th December 1914 U37 sunk  SM U-37 a Type U 31 uboat built by Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 197) was mined while homeward bound near the Sandettie Bank in the Straits of Dover area. All 32 hands were lost. The vessel had been ordered 12 Jun 1912, laid down 2 Jan 1913, launched 25 Aug 1914 and commissioned 9 Dec 1914. She was commanded by Erich Wilcke and sailed with II Flotilla. U37 recorded two ships sunk, the Emma on the 31st of March 1915 and the Seven Seas the following day. On the 25 Mar 1915 U 37 also damaged the Delmira.

                                9th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry in full marching order  Regiment paraded in full marching order. All men, horses and vehicles without exception, all wagons packed, for inspection by General Officer Commanding, 7th Cavalry Brigade.

                                9th Dec 1914  Rain incessant

                                9th Dec 1914 Social Dangers  "The social problems which have suddenly arisen in the diocese of Southwell, as in other parts of the country, owing to the establishment of military camps, was the subject of a crowded meeting of citizens held at the Albert Hall. Nottingham this afternoon (9th December 1914). The Bishop of Southwell presided, and addresses were given by Capt. Fitzgerald, who was Provost Marshal of the camp at Belton Park, Grantham, the Rev. H. J. Hoare, senior chaplain of the 11th Division at Belton Park: Mr. R. Yapp, the general secretary of the Y M.C.A.; Canon Field, and Captain Raynor.

                                The Chairman said that much had to be done if the new army was to be made strong in character as well as in arms. The citizens must share in that burden. The places in this diocese where camps were bring formed or men billeted included Nottingham, Derby, Buxton (3,000), Swanwick (1,000), Chesterfield. Newark, Chatsworth, Bawtry, and Mansfield, where there was to be a divisional of 16,000 men. We could not have these large bodies of men situated in perfectly new centres without considerable difficulty, and the citizens must assist as far as possible to create a clean army.

                                Captain Fitzgerald, who was responsible for the conduct of the troops at Belton, said that when they first went to Grantham there was an appalling amount of drunkenness, and much difficulty was experienced in dealing with it, as the military police were new, but the drunkenness had now considerably decreased. This was largely due to the fact that the troops had become more disciplined. A large number of very "bad hats" were enlisted in the hurry and scurry, but these had been dismissed, and a lot of amusements had been got up for the men in camp, to draw them away from the temptations of the towns. The publicans at Grantham, too, began to realise that it was not worth their while to serve men with too much drink and were now running their houses much better. At Grantham there was some difficulty at first about the arrangements for closing public-houses, but now they were forbidden to serve intoxicating liquors after eight o'clock in the evening. Further, no soldier was to be served before 1 p.m., or between two and four o'clock. At lot of drunkenness was still going on, but Grantham compared favourably with divisions in other parts of England. Mr. Yapp gave a description of the immense work which the Y.M.C.A. is doing in the new camps. He especially appealed to citizens to sign the pledge for the duration of the war as an inducement to the soldiers to do the same." Nottingham Evening Post of the 9th December 1914.

                                9th Dec 1914  Good Progress

                                9th Dec 1914  Snipers Active

                                9th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                9th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                9th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                9th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                9th Dec 1914  Sniping

                                9th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                9th Dec 1914  Drill

                                9th Dec 1914  Repairs

                                9th of December 1914  Commissions

                                9th of December 1914  Active Patrols

                                9th Dec 1914  Relief Completed

                                9th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                9th December 1914  Quiet

                                9th December 1914  Quiet day in billets.

                                9th December 1914  Rest

                                9th December 1914  Mud

                                9th December 1914  Uniforms

                                9th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                10th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards train with Brigade  As part of the training programme the 2nd Life Guards took part in a Route March with the Brigade.

                                10th December 1914  Snipers Active

                                10th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry in brigade route march  The Regiment took part in a brigade route march.

                                10th December 1914 

                                10th Dec 1914  Occassional Sniping

                                10th Dec 1914  Trench and Road Work

                                10th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                10th Dec 1914  On the March

                                10th Dec 1914  Shelling

                                10th Dec 1914  Patrols

                                10th Dec 1914  Orders

                                10th Dec 1914  Drill

                                10th Dec 1914  Repairs

                                10th of December 1914  Naval Victory Cheered

                                10th Dec 1914  On the March

                                10th Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                10th December 1914  Relief

                                10th December 1914  Appointed Adjutant.

                                10th December 1914  Brigade in to Reserve.

                                10th December 1914  First Aid Post

                                10th Dec 1914  Field Exercise

                                11th Dec 1914 Steamer Chased by Enemy Submarine  The Steamer Colchester, sailing to Harwich was chased by an enemy submarine, the crew consider themselves lucky to have escaped.

                                11th December 1914  Enemy Sighted

                                11th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry drills  Troop/squadron drill. Surplus horses and saddlery evacuated (horses to mobile veterinary section, and 1st and 2nd Life Guards)

                                11th Dec 1914  Wet and Cold

                                11th Dec 1914  Cold Steel

                                11th Dec 1914  Aerodrome

                                11th Dec 1914  Casualties

                                11th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                11th Dec 1914  Route March

                                11th Dec 1914  Gun Fire

                                11th Dec 1914  In Reserve

                                11th Dec 1914  On the March

                                11th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                11th Dec 1914  Drill

                                11th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                11th of December 1914   Battalions Strengthened

                                11th Dec 1914  Working Parties and Training

                                11th Dec 1914  In the Line

                                11th December 1914  Battalion billeted.

                                11th December 1914  Equipment

                                11th December 1914  Smartened men up generally.

                                11th December 1914  Rain

                                11th Dec 1914  On the March

                                11th Dec 1914  CO Arrives

                                12th December 1914  Snipers

                                12th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry practises entrenching  Troop/squadron drill. Entrenching practices in accordance with the practical notes on the subject.

                                12th Dec 1914  Thin Red Line

                                12th Dec 1914  Felling Trees

                                12th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                12th Dec 1914  Route March

                                12th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                12th December 1914  Wounded

                                12th Dec 1914  Reorganisation

                                12th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                12th Dec 1914  Orders

                                12th Dec 1914  Cross Country

                                12th Dec 1914  Training

                                12th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                12th of December 1914  No Incidents

                                12th Dec 1914  Working Parties and Training

                                12th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                12th December 1914  Battalion remained billeted

                                12th December 1914  Recce

                                12th December 1914  Rain

                                12th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                12th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                13th December 1914  The Queens under fire

                                13th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry storage arrangements  Arrangements made for storing surplus kit.

                                13th Dec 1914  Occassional Sniping

                                13th Dec 1914  Warks Battery in Action

                                13th Dec 1914  Flares

                                13th December 1914  Limited action due to bad weather

                                13th Dec 1914  Ship Sunk

                                13th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                13th Dec 1914  Defences

                                13th Dec 1914  At Rest

                                13th Dec 1914  Orders

                                13th Dec 1914  Orders

                                13th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                13th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                13th Dec 1914  Draft

                                13th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                13th of December 1914  Wire Cut

                                13th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                13th Dec 1914  Quiet

                                13th December 1914  Change of command

                                13th December 1914  Operation Orders Received

                                13th December 1914  At Rest

                                13th Dec 1914  Orders Received

                                14th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards near Scherpenberg  The 2nd Life Guards moved up in Brigade in Cavalry Support into a position of readiness just west of the south of Scherpenberg. Nothing of incident occurred and the Regiment moved back into billets 3/4 of a mile East of Berthen. Divine Services were held at Staple.

                                14th December 1914   Zeppelin LZ26 (Z12) an N Class craft had its first flight on the 14th December 1914. It went on to carry out 11 attacks in Northern France and at the Eastern Front, dropping a total of 20,000 kilograms (44,000 lb) of bombs. By the summer of 1915 the Z12 had dropped around 9 tons of bombs on the trunk railway line between Warsaw and Saint Petersburg (then Petrograd) including the stations at Malkina and Bialystok. On one flight it carried a load of 3 tons. It was decommissioned on 8 August 1917.

                                14th December 1914  2nd Queens ready to attack

                                14th Dec 1914  Messages

                                14th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry at Berthen  Regiment as part of Brigade marched to Berthen and took up position as part of reserve in rear of high ground 4 miles NE of Berthen. Billeted at Berthen for the night.

                                14th Dec 1914  Changes in Trenches

                                14th Dec 1914  1st Gordon Highlanders attack

                                14th Dec 1914  Plank Roadways

                                14th December 1914  Multiple attacks by 3 Div and French

                                14th Dec 1914  On the March

                                14th Dec 1914  Alert

                                14th Dec 1914  Attack Made

                                14th Dec 1914  On the March

                                14th Dec 1914  On the March

                                14th Dec 1914  Machine Guns

                                14th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                14th of December 1914   French on the Offensive

                                14th Dec 1914  Training

                                14th Dec 1914  Relief Complete

                                14th December 1914  On the Move

                                14th December 1914  Heavy Artillery Bombardment

                                14th December 1914  In Reserve.

                                14th Dec 1914  On the March

                                14th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                15th Dec 1914 Garrisons stationed in North East England put on alert.  The Admiralty issued an alert to all garrisons defending the North East coast of England to expect raids by enemy ships. The two companies of the 18th DLI based in Hartlepool manned the trenches along the coast.

                                15th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards in billets  The 2nd Life Guards remained in billets at Berthen and was occupied in making shelter for horses.

                                15th December 1914  The Queens captured a prisoner

                                15th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry prepares to move  Regiment stood to ready to move. Built shelter for horses.

                                15 December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF State as at noon 15th December 1916  No 11A
                                Third Australian Division
                                State as at noon 15th December 1916
                                33rd Batallion, AIF

                                (First figure = no. of Officers; figure in brackets = no. of other ranks

                                Present 33 (836)
                                Absent with leave
                                Absent without leave
                                On command 2 (86)
                                Temporary sick (25)
                                Total strength 35 (947)
                                Establishment 34 (969)
                                Wanting to complete (22)
                                Attached 1 (2)

                                Animals
                                Riding horses 9
                                L.D. Horses 6
                                L.D. mules 8
                                Pack horses H.D. 6
                                Pack mules 2
                                Attached

                                Remarks

                                "Attached" is comprised of
                                1 chaplain, 1 batman,
                                1 interpreter

                                R.C. Jones S/Lieut


                                15th Dec 1914  By the Light of a Brazier

                                15th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                15th Dec 1914  A Gift for an Indian Soldier

                                15th Dec 1914  Great Buildings Blown to Bits

                                15th Dec 1914  Pathway

                                15th December 1914  Further attacks suspended by 3 Div due to French failure

                                15th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                15th Dec 1914  In Reserve

                                15th Dec 1914  Stand To

                                15th Dec 1914  Route March

                                15th Dec 1914  Training

                                15th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                15th of December 1914   Operations Resumed

                                15th Dec 1914  Training

                                15th Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                15th December 1914  Ready

                                15th December 1914  In Reserve

                                15th December 1914  Apples

                                15th Dec 1914  Stand to

                                15th Dec 1914  Posting

                                15th Dec 1914  In Action

                                16th Dec 1914 Hartlepools Bombarded by Enemy ships  

                                The Bombardment of the Hartlepools by the German Navy was intended to damage ship building and engineering works in Hartlepool.

                                German ships, the Seydlitz, Moltke and Blucher were 3 miles off shore flying British Flags, they then changed to German flags and fired on the town just after 8 o'clock in the morning.

                                Private Theophilus Jones was the first soldier to be killed on British soil during World War One.

                                The Lighthouse Battery gun hit the Blucher killing nine sailors and damaging the ship and two of its guns. The Captains at the Heugh were awarded the very first pair of Military Medals.

                                In Victoria dock, a submarine and two light cruisers, tried to attack the German ships but the submarine was hit as soon as it came out of the harbour, blocking the other ships. The cruiser HMS Patrol, based at Hartlepool, put to sea but was holed and just managed to reach safety in the Tees. 4 of the crew died and 7 were injured.

                                That night 3 trawlers sank with heavy loss of life after striking mines laid by the attacking cruisers.

                                The first civilian to be killed on British soil in the First World War was Hilda Horsley, she was seventeen and worked as a tailoress. She was on her way to work when she was killed by a shell. Thirty four children under the age of sixteen were killed in the attack. The Dixon family lost three children.

                                As more shells were fired on Hartlepool, the people gathered in Ward Jackson Park and the villages of Hart, Elwick & Dalton Piercy. The attack took only forty minutes, but four hundred people were wounded and one hundred and twenty seven people were killed including nine soldiers of 18th DLI who were manning the trenches on the sea front and guarding the docks, engineers works and railway lines.

                                After the bombardment the men of the 18th DLI were sent to the Borough Hall and detailed into rescue parties, stretcher bearers and guards.

                                16th Dec 1914 HMS Test attacks German Raiders  HMS Test was one of the destroyers which attacked German raiding cruisers off Hartlepool after the Bombardment on the morning of the 16th of December 1914

                                16th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards return to Staple  The 2nd Life Guards returned to original billets at Staple.

                                16th December 1914  Reserve

                                16th December 1914 Bombartment of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool  On the 16th December 1914 an attack by the German Navy on the British seaport towns of Scarborough, Hartlepool, West Hartlepool, and Whitby took place. The attack resulted in 137 fatalities and 592 casualties, many of whom were civilians. The attack resulted in public outrage towards the German navy for an attack against civilians and against the Royal Navy for its failure to prevent the raid.

                                German Objectives

                                The German Navy had been seeking opportunities to draw out small sections of the British fleet which it could trap and destroy. Shortly before, a raid on Yarmouth had produced few results but demonstrated the potential for fast raiding into British waters. On 16 November, Rear Admiral Franz Hipper, commander of the German battlecruiser squadron, persuaded his superior, Admiral Friedrich von Ingenohl, to ask the Kaiser's permission for a raid. U-17 was sent to investigate the area near Scarborough and Hartlepool for coastal defences. The submarine reported little onshore defence, no mines within 12 miles of the shore and a steady stream of shipping. It was also believed that two British battlecruisers, which would be the fast ships sent out first to investigate any attack, had been despatched to South America, where they had taken part in the Battle of the Falkland Islands. Hipper's force included four battlecruisers (SMS Seydlitz, Von der Tann, Moltke and Derfflinger), the armoured cruiser SMS Blücher, four light cruisers (SMS Strassburg, Graudenz, Kolberg and Stralsund) and 18 destroyers. Ingenohl positioned 85 ships of the German High Seas Fleet east of the Dogger Bank, where they could assist if Hipper's ships came under attack from larger forces, but were still safely close to Germany as standing orders from the Kaiser instructed.

                                British intelligence

                                The German fleet avoided any open engagement with the British fleet because it was smaller, but the difference between the two was less at this period in the war than at any other time. Later, Britain improved its position by building more ships, particularly dreadnought battleships which were considered most effective. The British fleet had the disadvantage of maintaining continuous patrols, whereas the German one remained mainly in their home port. This meant the German navy could choose a time to attack when all its ships were ready for sea, whereas some parts of the British fleet would always be in port receiving repairs or supplies, or on detached duty elsewhere. After several months of war, British ships were reaching the point where urgent repairs were needed and several had to be withdrawn from the Grand Fleet. Three battlecruisers had been sent to South America, and the brand new dreadnought HMS Audacious had been lost to a mine. HMS Thunderer, another super-dreadnought battleship, was also undergoing repairs. The British had one important advantage: German ships used three main codes for which codebooks were issued to their ships. Copies of these books had been obtained from sunk or captured vessels without the Germans' knowledge. British codebreakers had now reached the point where they could read German messages within a few hours of receiving them. Sufficient information had been gathered on the evening of 14 December to tell that the German battlecruiser squadron would shortly be leaving port. However, the information did not suggest that the whole German fleet might be involved. Admiral John Jellicoe, commanding the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow, was ordered to despatch Vice Admiral David Beatty with his battlecruiser squadron (HMS Lion, Queen Mary, Tiger and New Zealand). They were to join together with the Second Battle Squadron, commanded by Vice Admiral Sir George Warrender containing six modern dreadnoughts (HMS King George V, Ajax, Centurion, Orion, Monarch and Conqueror). Commodore William Goodenough was in command of the First Light Cruiser Squadron (HMS Southampton, Birmingham, Falmouth and Nottingham). Commodore Tyrwhitt at Harwich was ordered to take to sea with his two light cruisers (HMS Aurora and Undaunted) and 42 destroyers. Commodore Keyes was ordered to send eight submarines and his two command destroyers (HMS Lurcher and Firedrake) to take up station off the island of Terschelling to catch the German ships should they turn west into the English Channel. Jellicoe protested that although such a force should be sufficient to deal with Hipper, it would not be able to face the main German fleet. The four armoured cruisers of the Third Cruiser Squadron from Rosyth were added to the force (HMS Devonshire, Antrim, Argyll and Roxburgh) commanded by Rear Admiral William Pakenham. Jellicoe chose the point for this fleet to assemble, 25 miles south east of the Dogger Bank. The intention was to allow the raid to take place, then catch the German ships returning.

                                Raid

                                In Hartlepool near Heugh Battery, a plaque in Redheugh Gardens War Memorial "marks the place where the first German shell struck and the first soldier was killed on British soil by enemy action in the Great War 1914,1918." British recruiting poster picturing damage from German naval artillery to a civilian house: "No 2 Wykeham Street, Scarborough. Four people were killed in this house including the wife and two children, the youngest aged 5."

                                Admiral Hipper left the Jade River at 0300 on 15 December. During the following night, one of the accompanying destroyers, SMS S33, became separated from the rest and radioed for direction. This risked giving away the presence of the ships and the destroyer was ordered to be silent. Still lost, it headed for home but, on the way, sighted four British destroyers which it reported by radio. Hipper also noted radio traffic from British ships which caused concern that the British might be aware something was happening. He attributed this to possible spying by trawlers which were encountered during the day. The deteriorating weather was also causing problems. At 0635 on 16 December, the destroyers and three light cruisers were ordered to return to Germany. Kolberg remained, as she had 100 mines on board to lay. The remaining ships now also divided. Seydlitz, Blücher and Moltke proceeded toward Hartlepool, while Derfflinger, Von der Tann and Kolberg approached Scarborough. At 0815, Kolberg started laying mines off Flamborough Head in a line extending 10 miles out to sea. At 0800, Derfflinger and Von der Tann began shelling the town. Scarborough Castle, the prominent Grand Hotel, three churches and various other properties were hit. People crowded to the railway station and the roads leading out of the town. At 0930, the bombardment stopped and the two battlecruisers moved on to nearby Whitby, where a coastguard station was shelled, incidentally hitting Whitby Abbey and other buildings in the town. Hartlepool was a more significant target than the resort town of Scarborough. It had extensive civilian docks and factories and was defended by three BL 6 inch Mk VII naval guns on the seafront: two at Heugh Battery and one at Lighthouse Battery. The garrison of 166 Durham Light Infantrymen was warned at 0430 of the possibility of an attack and issued live ammunition. At 0746, they received word that large ships had been sighted and, at 0810, a bombardment of the town began. No warning had been given to naval patrols in the area, which were meant to be always on duty. However, the poor weather just before the raid meant that only four destroyers were on patrol, while two light cruisers and a submarine which might otherwise have been out, remained in Hartlepool harbour. The destroyers HMS Doon, Test, Waveney and HMS Moy were on patrol when, at 0745, Doon saw three large vessels approaching, shortly before they opened fire. The only weapons the destroyers had capable of damaging a large vessel were torpedoes. They were out of torpedo range, so they turned away. Doon closed to 5,000 yards and fired one torpedo, which missed, and retreated. On shore, the batteries remained confused by the approaching ships until shells began to fall. Shells from the ships were fired at such short range that their fuses did not have time to set, so many failed to explode on impact, or skittered away into the town because they were running horizontally rather than falling downwards. Two shore guns fired at the leading ship, while the third fired at the last, smaller vessel. The gunners were hampered by a rising cloud of smoke and dust around them, affecting visibility. They found their shells had no effect on the armoured sides of the ships, so instead aimed at masts and rigging. The accuracy of the third gun was sufficient to oblige Blücher to move behind the lighthouse to prevent further hits. Two of her 6-inch guns were disabled, while the ship's bridge and another 8 inch gun had been damaged. In the harbour, Captain Bruce of the light cruiser HMS Patrol attempted to get his ship to sea. The ship was struck by two 8-inch shells, forcing the captain to run her aground. The second cruiser HMS Forward had no steam in her boilers, so could not move. The submarine HMS C9 followed Patrol to sea and was forced to dive when shells started falling on them. By the time she got clear of the harbour, the enemy had gone. Commodore Roger Keyes commented afterward that a target of three stationary cruisers was exactly what the submarine had been intended to attack. The Hartlepool attack killed 86 civilians and injured 424. Seven soldiers were killed and 14 injured. 1,150 shells were fired at the town, striking targets including the steelworks, gasworks, railways, seven churches and 300 houses. Once again people fled the town by road and attempted to do so by train. Eight German sailors were killed and 12 wounded. At 0850, the German ships departed.

                                Encounter with the High Seas Fleet.

                                The battleships and cruisers commanded by Warrender set out from Scapa Flow at 0530 on 15 December. The bad weather meant that he could not take destroyers with him, but Beatty brought seven when he departed from Cromarty at 0600, together with the battlecruiser squadron. The two forces combined at 1100 near Moray Firth. As the senior admiral, Warrender had overall command of the force, which sailed toward its assigned interception point at Dogger Bank. At 0515 on 16 December, the destroyer HMS Lynx sighted an enemy ship (SMS V155). The destroyer squadron went to investigate, and a battle ensued with a force of German destroyers and cruisers. Lynx was hit, damaging a propeller. HMS Ambuscade was taking on water and had to drop out of the engagement. HMS Hardy came under heavy fire from cruiser SMS Hamburg, taking heavy damage and catching fire, but managed to fire a torpedo. News of a torpedo attack was passed to Admiral Ingenohl commanding the High Seas Fleet, whose outlying destroyers were the ones involved in the fighting. The engagement broke off after a couple of hours in the dark, but at 0603 the following morning one of the four destroyers still able to fight, HMS Shark, again came in contact with five enemy destroyers and the four attacked. The German ships withdrew, reporting another contact with an enemy force to the admiral. Ingenohl had already exceeded the strict limit of his standing orders from the Kaiser by involving the main German fleet in the operation without informing the Kaiser that he intended to do so. At 0530, mindful of the orders not to place the fleet in jeopardy and fearing he had encountered the advance guard of the British Grand Fleet, he reversed course back towards Germany. Had he continued, he would shortly have engaged the four British battlecruisers and six battleships with his much larger force including 22 battleships. This was precisely the sort of opportunity which German strategy had been seeking to even the odds in the war. The ten British capital ships would have been heavily outnumbered and outgunned with likely significant losses. Their loss would have equalised the power of the two navies. Churchill later defended the situation, arguing the British ships were faster and could simply have turned about and run. Others, such as Jellicoe, felt there was a real risk an admiral such as Beatty would have insisted upon engaging the enemy once contact was established. Admiral Tirpitz commented Ingenohl had the fate of Germany in his hand. At 0650, Shark and the destroyers again sighted an enemy ship, the cruiser SMS Roon, defended by destroyers. Captain Jones reported his sightings at 0725, the signal being received by Warrender and also New Zealand in Beatty's squadron, but the information was not passed to Beatty. At 0740, Jones attempting to close on Roon to fire torpedoes, discovered she was accompanied by two other cruisers, and was obliged to withdraw at full speed. The German ships gave chase but could not keep up and shortly returned to their fleet. Warrender changed course towards the position given by Shark, expecting Beatty to do the same. At 0736, he attempted to confirm that Beatty had changed course but did not get a reply. At 0755, he managed to make contact, and Beatty belatedly sent his nearest ship—New Zealand—to intercept, followed by the three light cruisers spaced 2 miles apart to maximise their chance of spotting the enemy, followed by the remaining battlecruisers. At 0842, both Warrender and Beatty intercepted a message from Patrol at Scarborough advising that she was under attack by two battlecruisers. The chase of Roon, which might have led to an encounter with the main German fleet, was abandoned, and the British squadron turned north to attempt to intercept Hipper.

                                Hipper's return

                                At 0930 on 16 December, Hipper's ships regrouped and headed for home at maximum speed. His destroyers were now some 50 miles ahead, still moving slowly through bad weather. On inquiring where the High Seas Fleet was now stationed, he discovered that it had returned home, and that his destroyers had sighted enemy ships. Jellicoe was now requested to move south with the Grand Fleet, which was waiting at Scapa Flow. Tyrwhitt was ordered to join Warrender with his destroyer flotilla, but bad weather prevented this. Instead he joined the chase with just his four light cruisers. Keyes's submarines were to move into Heligoland Bight to intercept ships returning to Germany. Warrender and Beatty remained separated, first to avoid shallow water over the Dogger Bank, but then to cut off different routes which Hipper might take escaping minefields laid off the Yorkshire coast. Beatty's light cruisers entered the minefield channels to search. At 1125, the light cruiser Southampton sighted enemy ships ahead. The weather, which had started clear with good visibility, had now deteriorated. Southampton reported that she was engaging a German cruiser accompanied by destroyers, and Birmingham went to assist. Goodenough now sighted two more cruisers, Strassburg and Graudenz, but failed to report the additional ships. The two remaining British light cruisers moved off to assist, but Beatty, not having been informed of the larger force, called one of them back. Due to confusion in the signalling, the first cruiser misunderstood the message flashed by searchlight and passed it on to the others. The result was that all four disengaged the enemy and turned back to Beatty. Had Beatty appreciated the number of German ships it is likely he would have moved forward with all his ships instead of recalling the one cruiser to screen his battlecruisers. The larger force suggested that major German ships would be following behind. The ships had now disappeared, but were heading toward the opposite end of the minefield, where Warrender was waiting. At 1215, the German cruisers and destroyers exited the southern edge of the minefield and saw battleships ahead. Stralsund flashed the recognition signal which had been sent to her shortly before when she encountered Southampton, gaining a little time. Visibility was now poor through rain and not all the battleships had seen the enemy. Orion's captain, Frederic Charles Dreyer, trained his guns on Stralsund and requested permission of his superior, Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, to open fire. Arbuthnot refused until Warrender granted permission. Warrender also saw the ships and ordered Packenham to give chase with the four armoured cruisers. These were too slow, and the Germans disappeared again into the mist. Beatty received the news that Warrender had sighted the ships, and assumed that the battlecruisers would be following on behind the lighter vessels. He consequently abandoned the northern exit of the minefield and moved east and then south, attempting to position his ships to catch the German battlecruisers should they slip past the slower British battleships. Hipper initially attempted to catch up with his cruisers and come to their aid, but once they reported the presence of British battleships to the south and that they had slipped past, he turned north to avoid them. Warrender, realising no battlecruisers had appeared in his direction, moved north, but saw nothing. Kolberg, damaged in the raid and thus lagging behind the others, saw the smoke from his ships, but was not herself seen so Hipper escaped. Belatedly, the Admiralty intercepted signals from the High Seas Fleet at Heligoland as it returned to port, and now warned the British ships that the German fleet was coming out. Jellicoe with the Grand Fleet continued to search on 17 December, attempting to engage the High Seas Fleet, but failed to find it since it was now safely in harbour. Keyes's submarines had been despatched to attempt to find returning German ships. They also failed, although one torpedo was fired at SMS Posen by HMS E11, which missed. As a last-ditch attempt to catch Hipper, the admiralty ordered Keyes to take his two destroyers and attempt to torpedo Hipper as he returned home around 0200. Keyes himself had considered this and wanted to try. Unfortunately, the message was delayed and failed to reach him until too late.

                                Aftermath

                                The raid had an enormous effect upon British public opinion, both as a rallying cry against Germany for an attack upon civilians, and in generating criticism of the Royal Navy for being unable to prevent it. The attack became part of a British propaganda campaign, 'Remember Scarborough', used on army recruitment posters. Editorials in neutral America condemned it. Blame for Beatty's light cruisers' having disengaged from the enemy initially fell upon their commander, Goodenough, but the action was contrary to his past good record. Blame eventually settled on the confused signals, which had been drafted by Lieutenant Commander Ralph Seymour. Seymour remained flag officer to Beatty and continued in the same vein, making costly mistakes at both the Battle of Dogger Bank and at Jutland. A new order was drafted to captains to double check any orders to disengage if involved in a winnable battle. There were lucky escapes all round. The German High Seas Fleet failed to take its opportunity to engage the inferior British squadrons at Dogger Bank. The British nearly led a chase into this fleet even after it had turned away from an encounter, but by chance drew back. Hipper escaped both forces set to trap him although, when his battlecruisers later met Beatty's at Jutland, it was Beatty who suffered the greater harm. Jellicoe resolved that in future the entire Grand Fleet would be involved from the start in similar operations, but the battlecruisers were moved to Rosyth to be nearer in the event of future raids. The Kaiser reprimanded his admirals for the fleet's failure to capitalise upon an opportunity, but made no changes to the orders restricting the fleet's use, which were largely responsible for Ingenohl's decisions. Recently (2010) archaeologist Bob Clarke, a local to Scarborough, offered an alternative reason for the town being shelled. He notes that at the time Scarborough was noted in maritime literature as a 'defended town' due primarily to the castle site. Furthermore, the town had three radio stations, at the time cutting edge technology in the organisation of the Royal Naval Fleet. The shell patterns suggest that these were the key targets for the raid on 16th December 1914, not the towns folk as was widely reported at the time and perpetuated since.

                                16th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry back at Oxelaere  Regiment moved back to old billets at Oxelaere.

                                16th Dec 1914 Raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby  The German Navy had decided on a strategy of bombarding British towns on the North Sea coast in an attempt to draw out the Royal Navy and destroy elements of it in detail. An earlier raid on Yarmouth on 3 November 1914 had been partially successful, but a larger-scale operation was later devised by Admiral Franz von Hipper. The fast battlecruisers would conduct the bombardment, while the rest of the High Seas Fleet stationed itself east of Dogger Bank, so they could cover the battlecruisers' return and destroy any pursuing British vessels. Having broken the German naval codes, the British were planning to catch the raiding force on its return journey, although they were not aware of the High Seas Fleet's presence. Admiral Beatty's 1st BCS (now reduced to four ships, including New Zealand) and the 2nd Battle Squadron (consisting of six dreadnoughts) were detached from the Grand Fleet in an attempt to intercept the Germans near Dogger Bank. Admiral Hipper's raiders set sail on 15 December 1914, and successfully bombarded several English towns. British destroyers escorting the 1st BCS had already encountered German destroyers of the High Seas Fleet at 0515 and fought an inconclusive action with them. Vice Admiral Sir George Warrender, commanding the 2nd Battle Squadron, had received a signal at 0540 that the destroyer HMS Lynx was engaging enemy destroyers, although Beatty had not. The destroyer HMS Shark spotted the German armoured cruiser SMS Roon and her escorts at about 0700, but could not transmit the message until 0725. Admiral Warrender received the signal, as did New Zealand, but Beatty, aboard Lion, did not, even though New Zealand had been specifically tasked to relay messages between the destroyers and the flagship. Warrender attempted to pass on Shark's message to Beatty at 0736, but did not manage to make contact until 0755. On receiving the message, Beatty reversed course, and dispatched New Zealand to search for Roon. She was being overhauled by New Zealand when Beatty received messages that Scarborough was being shelled at 0900. Beatty ordered New Zealand to rejoin the squadron and turned west for Scarborough. The British forces, heading west to cover the main route through the minefields protecting the coast of England, split up while passing the shallow Southwest Patch of Dogger Bank. Beatty's ships headed to the north, while Warrender passed to the south. This left a 15-nautical-mile gap between them, through which the German light forces began to move. At 1225, the light cruisers of the II Scouting Group began to pass the British forces searching for Hipper. The light cruiser HMS Southampton spotted the light cruiser SMS Stralsund and signalled a report to Beatty. At 1230, Beatty turned his battlecruisers towards the German ships, which he presumed were the advance screen for Hipper's ships. However, those were some 31 miles behind. The 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron, which had been screening for Beatty's ships, detached to pursue the German cruisers, but a misinterpreted signal from the British battlecruisers sent them back to their screening positions. This confusion allowed the German light cruisers to escape, and alerted Hipper to the location of the British battlecruisers. The German battlecruisers wheeled to the north-east of the British forces and also made good their escape.

                                16th Dec 1914  Artillery Shelling

                                16th Dec 1914   At Heugh Battery during the bombardment, five members of 18th Battalion were killed:

                                • Private Theophilus Jones, thought to be the first.
                                • Private C.S. Clarke
                                • Private Alex Liddle
                                • Private Walter Rogers
                                • Private C.D. Turner.
                                Private Thomas Minks - died of his wounds the following day.

                                16th Dec 1914  Wounded by a Shell

                                16th Dec 1914  Lecture

                                16th Dec 1914  Shattered Glass

                                16th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                16th Dec 1914  Shelling

                                16th Dec 1914  In Reserve

                                16th Dec 1914  On the March

                                16th Dec 1914  Change of Billets

                                16th Dec 1914  Training

                                16th of December 1914   Instruction

                                16th Dec 1914  Training

                                16th Dec 1914  Shelling

                                16th Dec 1914  Houses Damaged

                                16th Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                16th December 1914  In billets.

                                16th December 1914  Congratulations

                                16th December 1914  Rest

                                16th December 1914   First Aid Post

                                16th Dec 1914  On the March

                                16th Dec 1914  Mobilisation

                                16th Dec 1914  Bombardment

                                17th Dec 1914 2nd Life Guards Training  The War Diary of the 2 Life Guards records: Continuation of training for active operations.

                                17th December 1914  In Reserve

                                17th Dec 1914  Under Shellfire

                                17th Dec 1914  Under Shellfire

                                17th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                17th Dec 1914  On the March

                                17th Dec 1914  Artillery Active

                                17th December 1914  Raid

                                17th Dec 1914  Wet

                                17th Dec 1914  Training

                                17th Dec 1914  Refugees

                                17th Dec 1914  Deaths

                                17th of December 1914  Wet Weather

                                17th Dec 1914  Training

                                17th Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                17th December 1914  Reliefs

                                17th December 1914  Reserve

                                17th December 1914  Reliefs

                                17th December 1914  In the Trenches

                                17th Dec 1914  Training

                                18th Dec 1914 2nd Gloucesters proceed to France  2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment marched from Hursley Park and entrained for Southampton where they boarded the City of Chester bound for Le Harve.

                                18th Dec 1914 2 Life Guards at Staple  At Staple the 2nd Life Guards war diary records: Orders received to be ready to concentrate

                                18th December 1914  In Action

                                18th December 1914 U-% sunk off Belgian coast  SM U-5 a Type U 5 Uboat was sunk on 18 Dec 1914 by a mine or accident off Belgian coast about 18-12. All 29 hands were lost. The ubaot had been built at Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 147) Ordered 8 Apr 1908, laid down 24 Aug 1908, launched 8 Jan 1910 and commissioned 2 Jul 1910. She was commanded by Johannes Lemmer and sailed with I Flotilla.

                                18th Dec 1914  Adventures in Flanders

                                18th Dec 1914  23rd Brigade make Attack

                                18th Dec 1914  Playing a Loosing Game

                                18th Dec 1914  Day Off

                                18th Dec 1914  Wounded Officers

                                18th Dec 1914  Death of an Officer

                                18th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                18th Dec 1914  Bad Weather

                                18th Dec 1914  Convoy Arrives

                                18th Dec 1914  Wet Weather

                                18th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                18th Dec 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                18th Dec 1914  Artillery Active

                                18th Dec 1914  Exercise

                                18th Dec 1914  Attack

                                18th Dec 1914  Night Training

                                18th Dec 1914  Attack Made

                                18th of December 1914  No Progress

                                18th Dec 1914  Company Training

                                18th Dec 1914  Attack Made

                                18th December 1914  Orders

                                18th December 1914  Reliefs

                                18th December 1914  Holding the Line

                                18th December 1914   First Aid Post

                                18th Dec 1914  Training

                                19th December 1914 1st Battalion Royal Scots proceed to France  1st Battalion Royal Scots boarded a Troopship at Southampton and embarked for France.

                                19th Dec 1914  Losses

                                19th Dec 1914  British attack

                                19th Dec 1914  Funeral

                                19th Dec 1914  13th London Relieve Lincolns

                                19th Dec 1914  Attack Made

                                19th Dec 1914  On Duty

                                19th Dec 1914  Casualties

                                19th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                19th Dec 1914  Rain

                                19th Dec 1914  Football

                                19th Dec 1914  Attack Made

                                19th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                19th Dec 1914  Reorganisation

                                19th Dec 1914  Recconaissance

                                19th Dec 1914  Lecture

                                19th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                19th Dec 1914  Route March

                                19th Dec 1914  Training

                                19th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                19th of December 1914  Demonstration

                                19th Dec 1914  Training

                                19th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                19th December 1914  German trenches strongly held.

                                19th December 1914  Gallant Rescue

                                19th December 1914  First Aid Post

                                19th Dec 1914  Lectures

                                19th Dec 1914  Prisoners

                                20th December 1914 1st Battalion Royal Scots arrive France  1st Battalion Royal Scots disembarked at Le Havre in France.

                                20th December 1914  Reliefs

                                20th Dec 1914  Enemy explodes mines

                                20th Dec 1914  Heavy Firing

                                20th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                20th Dec 1914  Wood

                                20th Dec 1914  Hostile Aircraft

                                20th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                20th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                20th Dec 1914  Gifts Appreciated

                                20th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                20th Dec 1914  At Rest

                                20th Dec 1914  Heavy Shelling

                                20th Dec 1914  Enquiry

                                20th Dec 1914  On the Move

                                20th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                20th of December 1914  On the move

                                20th of December 1914  Direct Hits Made

                                20th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                20th Dec 1914  Relief

                                20th December 1914  Orders

                                20th December 1914  Considerable Shelling

                                20th December 1914  On the March

                                20th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                21st Dec 1914 Jean Bart damaged by submarine  French vessel Jean Bart is damaged by Submarine k.u.k. U12.

                                21st December 1914  In Reserve

                                21st December 1914 First bombing raid on Britain  21st December 1914 The first confirmed raid occurred on 21 December, when a Friedrichshafen FF29 dropped two bombs into the sea near the Admiralty Pier in Dover. These raids, usually carried out by one or two aircraft during daytime, continued throughout the war, with little effect.

                                21st Dec 1914  Trenches Bad

                                21st Dec 1914  In Houses

                                21st Dec 1914  On the Move

                                21st December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                21st Dec 1914  Lecture

                                21st Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                21st Dec 1914  At Rest

                                21st Dec 1914  Shelling

                                21st Dec 1914  Squadron Work

                                21st Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                21st Dec 1914  On the Move

                                21st Dec 1914  Training

                                21st of December 1914  In Action

                                21st of December 1914  Howitzers Silenced

                                21st Dec 1914  Training

                                21st Dec 1914  In Trenches

                                21st December 1914  Trenches heavily shelled

                                21st December 1914  Reliefs

                                21st December 1914  In Billets

                                21st Dec 1914  Training

                                21st Dec 1914  Orders

                                22nd December 1914  Divisional Reserve

                                22nd Dec 1914 2nd Northumberlands return from India  When war broke out, the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers were in Sabathu in India. They returned to England on the 22nd of December 1914 to join 84th Brigade, 28th Division.

                                22nd Dec 1914  Motor 'Buses at War

                                22nd Dec 1914  Recovering at Home

                                22nd Dec 1914  Things are Better Now

                                22nd Dec 1914  On the March

                                22nd Dec 1914  No Relief

                                22nd Dec 1914  A Jolly Good Tea

                                22nd Dec 1914  Making Funk Holes Comfortable

                                22nd Dec 1914 First Under Fire  "It has fallen to the lot of the County Battalion to be the first unit of Lord Kitchener's Army to be under fire. It is an old saying that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." The dead heroes of last Wednesday's defence force will be mourned as is their just due, but Britons would not be Britons if the German raid does not give a fillip to recruiting more than all the speeches ever made.

                                At the invitation of one of the officers I paid a visit the other day to the training headquarters at Cocken Hall of the 18th (Service) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (County). The words quoted, and the parentheses, constitute the full and proper title, but as they are too long to repeat, may I fall back upon a legal phrase and say, hereinafter termed the "County Battalion," and also known as "Lord Durham's Battalion," the "Pals' Battalion," etc.

                                What Lord Durham has done for the battalion it would be difficult to estimate, for besides lending his personal and financial support it is he who has placed Cocken Hall and its grounds, and the fields around, at the disposal of the commanding officer, the estate being the property of the noble earl. The battalion consists of nearly 1,100 men, and is up to strength, but the day I was there 500 of them were at West Hartlepool, where they had been sent a few weeks ago to man the trenches, when a raid such as took place on Wednesday last was first feared. Therefore there were only about 600 of the establishment was increased [sic], and permission given to recruit more men, and reserve companies are now being raised, newcomers being enrolled every day.

                                When I arrived on the scene most of the men were out of doors. Here let me say that only the officers and the Durham Company, which company was the first to enlist, occupy the house, and that the rest of the men are quartered in wooden huts, each of which holds 40. There are some 28 of these huts, set out in rows. They are uncommonly like streets, and in this work-a-day Durham district almost suggest a new colliery village. The first thing that struck me was that every man, down to the latest recruit, is fully clothed in brand new khaki. Recruits are uniformed and equipped the day they join. There is no going about for weeks in nondescript clothing, as falls to the lot of some units of the new army. While I was at Cocken a likely-looking young man was enrolled. When I left Leamside at night I saw that same young man clad from head to foot in the cloth which distinguishes the British soldier the world over. And he had a great coat too, and a kit bag.

                                It was interesting to see how the new recruits were at once taken in charge by older members, and made to feel at home in their new surroundings, but next to the main idea of training, the chief point which struck me was the way the men's comfort and convenience was studied. I need not describe Cocken Hall. It agrees in the main with the descriptions of country houses in novels. The officers and men have made the most of it. It is comfortable, but there are no luxurious adjuncts. But it is outside where the most interest lies. The huts are well built, roomy and high. They are constructed of cladding outside, asbestos inside, and are roofed with felt, while the heating is by coke stoves. At dinner time the forty men accommodated by each can dine with freedom of movement for all. At bedtime down come the palliasses, out come the blankets, and to peaceful sleep goes "Tommy," his clothing hanging in apple-pie order on the pegs over his head. "Do the men undress?" I innocently asked, having visions of night attacks. "Undress, yes," replied a cheery sergeant. "Most of them sleep in pyjamas. Many of the men came to enlist in cuffs and collars."

                                Which brings me to the class of Britishers who have enrolled in the "Counties." The battalion, as has often been given out, is recruited from the commercial classes, including artisans. But I was told that every conceivable occupation was represented in the attestation papers, professional, business and commercial. There are in the ranks parsons, hairdressers, medicos, engineers, dentists, solicitors, students, tradesmen, and electricians. The huts are lighted by electricity, the current being generated on the ground, and the whole of the installation was fitted up by recruits. Out of curiosity I asked several men I met what they were in civil life, and these were only a few I dropped upon casually. They were a seagoing engineer, a tobacconist who had a business of his own, a Cartwright, and a clerk, and a well set-up young miner.

                                The most conspicuous building on the ground is the recreation room, capable of holding the whole battalion. When I was there it was just completed, and it is to be so arranged that whereas it can be divided by curtains into three, with a canteen at one end, it can be quickly thrown into one large hall for concerts and other gatherings. Billiards and all kinds of games will be provided. The recreation room is similar in style to the huts, but is covered externally with corrugated iron.

                                The Cocken camp also boasts a complete bathing and washing establishment. In the lavatory are long rows of wash basins, with water laid on, and in the bath house there are 40 cubicles, each with a bath and hot and cold water. There are also several clothing drying houses, where the men's garments are dried on rows of steam pipes. The value of the latter adjunct can easily be imagined when one remembers the miserable weather we have been having of late.

                                The food is excellent and plentiful. The men are not fed on "stew" every day. At seven o'clock early coffee is served. At eight o'clock breakfast consists of meat or fish and tea or coffee, and butter and jam. For dinner soup, meat, two vegetables, puddings and sweets form the constituents. Five o'clock tea is composed of tea and bread and butter and jam. The officers get the same fare as the men. I had a private interview with the caterer, Mr. G.E. Barton, army contractor, of York, who told me that the 600 odd men eat in a week, of potatoes three tons; peas, 2cwt.; beans, 2cwt.; carrots, 2cwt.; turnips, 3cwt.; beef, 37â…Ÿ2 cwt.; rabbits, 16 dozen; sheep, 4; pork, 400 lbs; rice, 2cwt.; tapioca, 1cwt.; bread, 4,000 lbs.; plum cake, 4cwt.; jam, 10 cwt.; butter, 3cwt.; tea, 230 lbs; coffee, 1cwt.; and milk, 280 gallons. In addition there are varying but plentiful quantities consumed of bacon, potted meat, fish, pork pies, polonies, sausage, brawn, apples, prunes, figs, plum pudding, etc. This is enough to show that the commissariat is in capable hands, and that it is substantial. No tinned goods whatever are used.

                                As is well known, the battalion has been raised and clothed by a committee composed of many of the most influential gentlemen in the County of Durham, including the Lord Lieutenant (Lord Durham) and Col. R. Burdon, who have taken the greatest possible interest in it from the beginning. This committee by their patriotic action has saved the county about £11,000. The battalion, of which Lord Southampton, of the 10th Hussars, kindly assumed the temporary command, was afterwards taken over by Col. Hugh Bowes, late secretary to the Durham County Territorial Force Association, as commanding officer. His unique experience in organisation and administration is of the greatest value to the new unit.

                                I had also intended to give a resume of a day's work in the life of the soldier, but again space forbids. Suffice it to say that reveille is at 6.45 and after a very busy day, divided by enjoyable meals, eaten with splendid appetites, the ordinary work finishes at 5 p.m. and lights out is at 10. After 5 o'clock the officers and non-commissioned officers have lectures. Occasionally, after 5, the men are given two hours exercise at "companies in the attack," or "outposts," in the dark. I might remark here that the athletic side of the training is not lost sight of. Sports are held every Wednesday, and in the ordinary way every day there is running and high jumping, and physical drill.

                                Every phase of military operation is practised, including that most necessary art of trenching, so that the "Counties" will be able, when at the front, to "dig themselves in" as comfortably as any of General French's army. The battalion was fortunate in obtaining as instructors a number of very good non-commissioned officers. It goes without saying that a very important part of the training of the battalion is in rifle shooting. An elaborate covered-in range is provided, where the use of the rifle is taught so thoroughly that it will not be the fault of the instructors if the men are not worthy followers of the original British Expeditionary Force, whose shooting so surprised the Germans. Great emphasis is placed on visual training, and in the huts the men are given pictorial targets to study from, and to practise at picking out objects such as a man in khaki, represented in Lilliputian form, at a supposed distance of 300 yards and over. In the rifle range itself, with the miniature rifle, shooting is reduced to an exact science, and the men are practised in long-distance firing. The range is fitted up with the Solano moving and disappearing targets, and with the Hill-Siffken landscape targets.

                                The men who show themselves most intelligent and smart are quickly promoted and the great bulk of the non-commissioned officers have been advanced in this way. A certain number of commissions have been reserved for promotions from the ranks. A Church of England curate from the immediate district, who joined as a private, is now a sergeant. Talking about parsons, I ought to add that the officers and the men have church parades at different places of worship in the locality on Sundays. A full brass band is being raised, the battalion being rich in instrumentalists. The instruments are being provided by Col. T.C. McKenzie, of Sunderland, and other friends. The camp has been wonderfully free from sickness. Every provision is made for attending to sick cases, but so far there has been nothing worse experienced than ordinary colds. Of the armoury, the clothing store, the cook-house, and the numerous other adjuncts, I must content myself by saying that they were all on the same well found scale as the features already mentioned.

                                The men are drawn from the whole of the county of Durham, and there are large contingents from Darlington, Durham City, Sunderland, West Hartlepool, and the other large towns. The general conduct both at Cocken and at West Hartlepool has been excellent. The men at West Hartlepool were complimented, before last Wednesday's bombardment, on the efficient way in which they performed their duties, and since the bombardment all will have read the splendid tribute which was paid to their bearing under fire.

                                It was at first intended to send the new recruits to Newton Hall, kindly placed at the disposal of the battalion by Lord Boyne, but it is now probable that more huts will be built at Cocken, which will be much jollier for the men. Recruiting is proceeding rapidly, and no time should be lost in joining on the part of those who are thinking about doing so. Owing to the rapidity with which recruits drawn form business and scholastic circles train, the County Battalion is expected to be ready for the front before most of the new Army. That this hope is justifiable is proved by the remarkable steadiness of the men of the Battalion during the attack upon the trenches at West Hartlepool last Wednesday. Although the height standard is 5ft. 6in., any recruit who is otherwise specially suitable will be taken at 5ft. 4in. and upwards." Northern Daily Mail, 22st of December 1914.

                                22nd Dec 1914  Defence Work

                                22nd Dec 1914  An Easy Time

                                22nd Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                22nd December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                22nd Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                22nd Dec 1914  On the March

                                22nd Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                22nd Dec 1914  At Rest

                                22nd Dec 1914  Frost

                                22nd Dec 1914  Exercise

                                22nd Dec 1914  Shelling

                                22nd Dec 1914  On the Move

                                22nd Dec 1914  Training

                                22nd of December 1914  London Scottish in action

                                22nd of December 1914   Four Germans Shot

                                22nd Dec 1914  Training

                                22nd Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                22nd December 1914  Slight shelling

                                22nd December 1914  Exhibition of bomb and Grenade throwing.

                                22nd December 1914  In the Trenches

                                22nd Dec 1914  Training

                                22nd Dec 1914  On the Move

                                23rd Dec 1914 2nd Buffs return to England  2nd Battalion, East Kent Regiment, The Buffs were a regular army unit and were based in Madras, India when war broke out in August 1914. As soon as a territorial unit arrived to take over the garrision, the 2nd Buffs returned to England, arriving on the 23rd of December. They joined 85th Brigade, 28th Division who were assembling near Winchester.

                                23rd Dec 1914 Training continued for 2nd Life Guards   Training for active operations were continued from the 19th of December and included a Route March in Brigade for the 2nd Life Guards on the 23rd instant. Leave is now being granted to the United Kingdom for 25% of officers, 4 NCOs and 12 men per Unit at a time.

                                23rd December 1914  Reliefs

                                23rd Dec 1914 Padre for Tyneside Irish.  Reverend Father Hartley of Blaydon volunteered to serve as padre to the battalion due to the large number of roman catholic volunteers. Although these volunteers were recruited from the Irish communities most were born in England. It was their parents and grandparents who were Irish. Some were English and just wanted to enlist with their friends. Contracts for uniforms and equipment were placed with local companies. The colour Khaki was said to be the true colour for the Irish uniforms. Although many of Kitchener, Armies wore blue,known as Kitchener blue. It was decided by the Tyneside Irish committee that Khaki uniforms would be issued at much delight to the men. On 23rd December 1914 a Christmas dinner, with beer, for those in Dunn's buildings was given, a grand concert took place in the Town Hall on the 28th. Recruiting continued.

                                23rd Dec 1914  All Quiet

                                23rd Dec 1914  Marvelous Works

                                23rd Dec 1914  Glad to leave the Farm

                                23rd Dec 1914  Defensive Positions

                                23rd Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                23rd December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                23rd Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                23rd December 1914  Christmas Parcels

                                23rd Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                23rd Dec 1914  At Rest

                                23rd Dec 1914  On the Move

                                23rd Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                23rd Dec 1914  Training

                                23rd Dec 1914  On the Move

                                23rd Dec 1914  Reorganisation

                                23rd Dec 1914  In Support

                                23rd Dec 1914  On the Move

                                23rd of December 1914  Action

                                23rd of December 1914  Frosty Night

                                23rd Dec 1914  Training

                                23rd Dec 1914  In the Line

                                23rd December 1914  Own shells short

                                23rd December 1914  Baths

                                23rd December 1914  In the Trenches

                                23rd Dec 1914  Recce

                                23rd Dec 1914  On the Move

                                24th December 1914  Quiet

                                24th Dec 1914  Carol Singing

                                24th Dec 1914  Out of the Trenches

                                24th Dec 1914  Screen

                                24th Dec 1914  Christmas Cheer

                                24th Dec 1914  Into Billets

                                24th Dec 1914  Christmas Eve

                                24th Dec 1914  Fearful Night

                                24th Dec 1914  At the Front

                                24th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                24th Dec 1914  Frost

                                24th Dec 1914  Reinforcements

                                24th Dec 1914  Gratitude

                                24th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                24th Dec 1914  Horses

                                24th Dec 1914  Shelling

                                24th Dec 1914  Scheme

                                24th Dec 1914  Shelling

                                24th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                24th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                24th of December 1914  Change of command

                                24th of December 1914  Heavies Silence Enemy

                                24th Dec 1914  Training

                                24th Dec 1914  Relief Complete

                                24th December 1914  Enemy transport heard.

                                24th December 1914  Billets Inspected

                                24th December 1914  At Rest

                                25th December 1914  Festivities

                                24th Dec 1914  Entertainment

                                24th Dec 1914  Reconnaissance Training

                                24th Dec 1914  Gifts and Clothing Drawn

                                25th December 1914 The Cuxhaven Raid  Aircraft of the Royal Naval Air Service were carried to within striking distance by seaplane tenders of the Royal Navy, HMS Engadine, HMA Riviera and HMS Empress, supported by the Harwich Force, a group of cruisers, destroyers and submarines commanded by Commodore Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, to launch three seaplanes each from their station near Helgoland in the German Bight. The objective was to reconnoitre military installations in the area and, if possible, bomb the Zeppelin sheds at Cuxhaven. This was the first combined sea and air strike was executed by the Royal Navy. The air temperature was just above freezing when nine seaplanes were lowered to the water, only seven of the Short Folders, were able to start their engines and take off, each carrying three 20-pound bomb. Those unable to take part were winched back on board. Fog, low cloud and anti-aircraft fire prevented the raid from being a complete success, although several sites were attacked.

                                The crews of all seven aircraft were airbourne for over three hours and all survived the raid. Three aircraft landed on the sea and were winched abord their tenders, a 100 hp Short 'Improved Type 74' RNAS serial no. 811 flown by Flt. Lt. C. H. K. Edmonds, a 160 hp Short Admiralty Type 81 RNAS serial no. 119 flown by Flt. Cdr. R. P. Ross and a Short Admiralty Type 135 RNAS serial no. 136 flown by Flt. Cdr. C. F. Kilner with Lt. Erskine Childers as his observer. Three others, 'Admiralty Type 81' RNAS serial no. 120 flown by Flt. Lt. A. J. Miley, and two 100 hp Short 'Improved Type 74' folders, RNAS serial nos. 814 flown by Flt. Sub-Lt. V. Gaskell-Blackburn and 815 flown by Flt. Cdr. D. A. Oliver, landed off the East Friesian island of Norderney and their crews were taken on board the submarine E11, the aircraft being scuttled to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. The last aircraft, a Short Admiralty Type 135 RNAS serial no. 135 flown by Flt. Lt. Francis and E.T. Hewlett, suffered engine faileur and was seen to ditch into the sea 8 miles off Helgoland. Hewlett was posted as missing, but he was found by the Dutch trawler Marta van Hattem, which took him on board and returned him to the port of Ymuiden in Holland, where he disembarked on the 2nd of January 1915 and made his way back to England.

                                It was the first-ever bombing raid by ship-borne aircraft, three channel steamers that had been hastily converted to carry seaplanes, which had to be launched and recovered from the sea by winch alongside their vessels. The Engadine, Riviera and Empress had been requisitioned from the South East & Chatham Railway Company on 11th of August 1914. In the first days of WWI HMS Empress carried the equipment of Cdr Charles Samson’s Eastchurch Squadron when they deployed across the Channel to Ostend, then she joined the other two vessels which were being converted in Chatham Dockyard. The work involved fitting derricks and handling gear so they could carry three seaplanes, which were stored under canvas hangars. The conversion work was completed on 30th of September and all three were assigned to The Harwich Force comprising the three seaplane tenders and a number of cruisers, destroyers and submarines, had been assmebled under the command of Commodore Reginald Yorke Tyrwitt for a raid on German homeland. The plan, code name ‘Plan Y’, had been dreamt up by Robert Erskine Childers RNVR, a yachtsman who had sailed much in the Baltic and German Bight before the war, was the ships would steam to a flying-off position within range of Cuxhaven, where the nine aircraft would be launched. The objective being to reconnoitre military installations in the area, and carry out a pre-emptive strike on the zeppelin sheds, located near the Nordholz airfield.

                                On Christmas Eve thirty-four ships moved out from Harwich, and from Scottish waters then sailed south overnight to rendezvous in the North Sea 12 miles north of Heligoland just before dawn on Christmas morning. CPO James William Bell, age 21, was a mechanic onboard HMS Empress. Before sailing he had helped embark sixteen 20lbs bombs onboard, and had been instructed to ‘drill holes them so that they could be slung under the seaplanes’. The rest of the crew were told to move aft in case Bell ‘blew them all to pieces’. His task complete, Bell prepared to join Flt Sub Lt Vivian Gaskell-Blackburn, and act as his Observer.

                                Tyrwitt’s log records, "weather conditions perfect for flying, light airs from the eastward, sea calm, but bitterly cold" In fact the launch site was shrouded with low cloud and fog, and the temperature barely above freezing when the aircraft were lowered into the water at 0630. The aircraft engines coughed a spluttered as crew struggled to get them to start. Two maintainers, realising one crew were in difficulty, jumped into the sea and swam over to the aircraft and helped persuade the Gnome engine into life. Despite this attention, two of the aircraft simply would not start, but the other seven took off and headed towards their objective. They were each armed with three 20lb bombs. The only other weapons carried were the pilot’s revolvers, with six packets of ammunition, and the three aircraft that had an Observer carried a rifle.

                                From HMS Engadine: No.119 a Short Type 81 ‘Folder’ Flt Cdr Robert P Ross, No.120 Short Type 81 Flt Lt Arnold J Miley and No.122 Short Type 81 Flt Cdr A.B Gaskell

                                From HMS Riviera: No.135 Short Admiralty Type 135 Flt Lt Francis E.T Hewlett, No.136 Short Admiralty Type 135 Capt Cecil F Kilner RMLI with Erskine Childers and No.811 Short ‘Improved’ Type 74 Lt Charles H.K Esmonds RN.

                                From HMS Empress: No.812 Short ‘Improved’ Type 74 Flt Lt R.J Bone with Air Mechanic Waters, No.814 Short ‘Improved’ Type 74 Flt Sub Lt V Gaskell-Blackburn with CPO James Ball and No.815 Short ‘Improved’ Type 74 Flt Cdr Douglas A Oliver with CPO Gilbert H W Budd.

                                Two unserviceable aircraft, No.122 and No.812, were recovered onto HMS Empress and Engadine by the deck crew. One hour later the airborne aircraft encountered some enemy fire from ships as they approached the German coast one hour. Inland the fog was thicker, so the pilots descended to low level, hoping to spot landmarks that would guide them towards their destination. The first indication to Gaskell-Blackburn and Bell that they had coasted in was when Blackburn spotted a railway line beneath him. Initially they turned south, then turned around and headed north and arrived at Wilhelmshaven, where they once again came under fire and one of the floats on their Type 74 was damaged by a small calibre shell. Bell retaliated by dropping two bombs on the gun position before they turned away to return to the ships.

                                Admiralty Memorandum on the Combined Operations by HM Ships and Naval Seaplanes on 25 December 1914 states:- "On 25th December 1914, an air reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight, including Cuxhaven, Heligoland and Wilhelmshaven, was made by naval seaplanes, and the opportunity was taken at the same time of attacking with bombs, points of military importance. The reconnaissance involved combined operations by light cruisers, destroyers and seaplane carriers under Commodore Reginald Y Tyrwhitt CB and submarines acting under the orders of Commodore Roger Keyes CB MVO. The vessels detailed for the operations arrived at their rendezvous before daylight and as soon as the light was sufficient the seaplanes were hoisted out and dispatched. At the beginning of the flight the weather was clear but on nearing the land the seaplanes met with thick weather, and were compelled to fly low, thus becoming exposed to a heavy fire at short range from ships and shore batteries. Several machines were hit, but all remained in the air for over three hours, and succeeded in obtaining valuable information regarding the disposition of the enemy's ships and defences. ‘Bombs were dropped on military points. In the meanwhile German submarines, seaplanes and Zeppelins delivered a combined attack upon the light cruisers, destroyers and seaplane carriers but were driven off.’ Flt Cdrs Kilner and Ross and Flt Lt Edmonds regained their ships. Flt Cdr Oliver, Flt Lt Miley and Flt Sub-Lt Gaskell-Blackburn became short of fuel and were compelled to descend near submarine E11.

                                Submarine E11 was commanded by Lt Cdr Martin E Nasmith RN who, along with others, had been detached by Keyes closer inshore to assist any seaplane that might be in difficulties. Gaskell-Blackburn and Bell running low on fuel when they spotted E11, which already had Miley’s Type 81 in tow. Despite the presence of Zeppelin LZ5 in the vicinity they decided to land nearby, but the damaged float on their seaplane collapsed as soon as they touched the water and the aircraft tipped nose up. Shortly afterwards Oliver and Budds in their Type 74 landed alongside them. Naismith manoeuvred the submarine alongside, so close that Oliver and Budd could step aboard; whilst Blackburn and Bell jumped into the sea and swam towards E11. As soon as they airmen were a safe distance the crew on E11 opened fore with machine guns and shot away the floats and No.814 sank. Blackburn climbed onboard with ease, however Bell was struggling in the swirling seas. With the Zeppelin now closing in, a Leading Seaman jumped down from the conning tower, waded along the gun-platform, threw Bell a line and hauled him onboard, and he was bundled down the hatchway just as E11 submerged. Bell later recalls feeling, "a slight bump as the sub reached the seabed, before an appalling crash reverberated through the hull when the first of two bombs from the airship burst in the water above them". E11 escaped undamaged and the airmen joined the crew for Christmas dinner on the seabed, 20 fathoms below the surface, before heading back to Harwich.

                                The seventh aircraft, flown by Hewlett, had engine problems whilst returning to the ships, and was seen to ditch into the sea and Hewlett was thought lost. However, he was later picked up by the Dutch trawler Marta van Hattem and taken to Ijmuiden, where he disembarked on 2nd of January 1915 whence he made his way back to England.

                                At 10.00, three and half hours after launch the Captain of HMS Empress, Lt F W Bowhill RN, was waiting at the agreed rendezvous for his aircraft to return. His subsequent report states: "Whilst making for rendezvouz No.4, I dropped astern not being able to steam so fast as the other two ships and I was then subjected to a systematic attack by two German seaplanes and one Zeppelin. The first seaplane attacked from the starboard bow, at a height of about 2,000ft and dropped a star bomb. This signal, I presume, meaning "am about to attack". The crew dropped three pairs of bombs (six in all), but made very bad shooting, the bombs dropped from 200 to 300 yards away on our starboard bow; smoke black and yellowish; size of bombs about 10lbs each. Then the second seaplane attacked from the port bow at a height of about 1,000ft, dropping two fairly large bombs. This attack was nearly successful, one bomb dropping 20ft away on the port beam and shaking the ship severely, and the other 40ft off the starboard beam. The smoke was black and yellowish. The method of defence of defence adopted was to arm the gun's crews with rifles, and volleys were fired at the seaplanes, a few picked shots keeping up independent firing. As far as could be judged, the seaplanes were undamaged. I continuously kept on altering my course throughout the attacks. The Zeppelin attacked by rising to about 5,000ft on the starboard beam and coming over towards me. When nearly overhead she dived to about 2,000ft, and then manoeuvred to get directly above me, slowing down, and heading in the same direction as myself. She dropped two tracer bombs in order to obtain range, and these were followed by three bombs of apparently 100lbs each. The first one struck the water about 50yds off the port quarter, and gave out a greenish smoke; the second fell 50yds and the third 100yds astern. Fortunately both failed to detonate. She then opened fire with a ‘mitrailleuse’, and apparently fired three belts. The shooting, however, was indifferent. My method of defence was to watch her position carefully as she manoeuvred into position directly overhead. I then went hard over. I could see her rudders put over to follow me, and directly her head started to turn I put my helm over the other way. I continually repeated this manoeuvre, which seemed to worry her, for she was never on a steady course, and I think it put her off her aim; otherwise I feel to see how she could have missed us. A continual rifle fire was kept up at her, and though, of course, no damage could be seen, I think that she must have been hit in several places, for she sheered off and went on the port quarter. As soon as my after 12 pounders would bear, I fired eight shots at her, and one, I think, went very close, as she sheered right off and did not worry me again."

                                Bowhill was unaware, and probably quite lucky that the Zeppelin had suffered a generator failure, and was unable to transmit the ship’s position to other aircraft and ships that undoubtedly were in the area. The Cuxhaven Raid was unsuccessful in that the aircraft failed to locate and attack their primary targets, and two aircraft were lost. However the Admiralty memorandum stated, "An expression of their Lordships appreciation has been conveyed to Cdre Keyes, Cdre Tyrwhitt and to Capt Sueter (Director of the Air Department) for their share in the combined operations which resulted in this successful reconnaissance". It was also a milestone in the development of aircraft ship-borne operations and tested the German reaction to an attack on home soil. For their part in the Cuxhaven Raid, CPO Mechanic Bell No. M489 and CPO Mechanic Budds No. 271764 were awarded the DSM. Capt Kilner RMLI and Lt Edmonds RN were awarded the DSO More info.

                                25th Dec 1914 On the Move  Having sailed from Southampton on Christmas Eve at 6.30 PM 483rd Field Company, Royal Engineers arrived in Harve at 8 am Christmas Day and disembarked in very frosty weather. Being sent to No 2 camp they stayed there until the 29th December. The weather was very wet from the 26th.

                                25th Dec 1914 Gifts from Royal family distributed  On Xmas day, Xmas cards from H M the King and Queen and also H R H Princess Mary’s Gift were received and have been distributed to all Ranks.

                                25th December 1914  Armistice

                                25th Dec 1914  Informal Truce Observed

                                25th Dec 1914 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards War Diary  Very cold and freezing hard, snipers cause a few casualties, otherwise quiet. Defence arranged, 2 companies in trenches, 1 coy in support, 1 coy in billet, relief taking place nightly.

                                25th Dec 1914  Christmas Truce

                                25th Dec 1914  Merry Christmas

                                25th Dec 1914  A Curious Christmas

                                25th Dec 1914  Expensive Treats

                                25th Dec 1914  Truce

                                25th Dec 1914  Compliments of the Season

                                25th Dec 1914  Nice Gifts

                                25th Dec 1914  Football and Concert

                                25th Dec 1914  In Peace

                                25th Dec 1914  Fires Blazing

                                25th Dec 1914  Merry Christmas

                                25th Dec 1914  Christmas Boxes

                                25th Dec 1914  Into the Line

                                25th Dec 1914  Truce

                                25th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                25th Dec 1914  Christmas Cards

                                25th Dec 1914  Festivities

                                24th Dec 1914  Sniper

                                25th Dec 1914  Quiet

                                25th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                25th Dec 1914  Stand To

                                25th Dec 1914  Fog

                                25th Dec 1914  On the Move

                                25th Dec 1914  Conversations

                                25th Dec 1914  Cards and Presents

                                25th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                25th Dec 1914  A Merry Christmas

                                25th Dec 1914  Cards

                                25th Dec 1914  Training

                                25th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                25th of December 1914  Battalion Command Change

                                25th of December 1914  Fraternization

                                25th Dec 1914  Festivities

                                25th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                25th December 1914  Quiet day.

                                25th December 1914  Christmas cards received from their Majesties The King and Queen. Also Princess Mary's gift

                                25th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                25th Dec 1914  Christmas Gifts

                                26th December 1914  Xmas Armistice

                                26th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry preparations  Horses exercised and men route marched. Dismounted inspection of SAA (Small Arms Ammunition) wagons by CO.

                                26th Dec 1914  All quiet

                                26th Dec 1914  Much Work Done

                                26th Dec 1914  Chocolate and Plum Pudding

                                26th Dec 1914   December 26th 1914 to The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                The only important matter to report since the date of the last meeting of the Committee is the Bombardment of Hartlepool, and the loss sustained by the County Battalion. Almost the whole of the Guard at the Battery were either killed or wounded by the first Broadside from the German vessels. Neither the battery, nor any of the other troops realised that they were German ships. I very much regret that we have already lost six men killed - five on the spot, and one dying afterwards from wounds, and ten wounded, but none dangerously; and it is hoped that most of them will be fit for duty again within a comparatively short time. How any of them escaped is rather wonderful.

                                No damage was done in the trenches at all, with the exception of a few sandbags, etc, knocked on to Major Roberts, and one or two of the men, without serious damage. One of the Officers had to leave the trenches while still under fire to re-call two Sentries posted on the cliff, who were discovered marching up and down with fixed bayonets on their beat as usual. Generally speaking, the men behaved excellently; and I think the Officers must have kept their heads under very trying circumstances. The Raid has, unfortunately, made it impossible for the G.O.C. in C. to allow the half Battalion to return to Cocken; and it is still under consideration whether we shall not take temporarily, at all events, the half battalion from Cocken to West Hartlepool; the G.O.C. in C. not having signified his approbation of that course if Colonel Bowes chooses to adopt it. There are reasons which appear to be good for this course; which will not, however, be adopted for at least ten days.

                                The whole of the lighting has been finished, and the engine seems to take the load quite satisfactorily.

                                The Miniature Rifle Range is in use, though the targets were not in a finished condition three days ago.

                                The drying-house, and bath-house, are finished, and in use.

                                The new Canteen works exceedingly well, far better and more comfortable than the old tent.

                                The roads still present considerable difficulty; but cinders are being brought in and a more permanent covering will be given to the main road, under the direction of the Highway Surveyor to the Chester-le-Street RDC. I felt rather strongly that after our use of the building we could not leave the carriage drive in the abominable state it has been reduced to. The cost of this will probably be about £60 or 370, which will be chargeable against Government.

                                The four Miniature Rifles presented by Mr Henry Clark, of Whitburn, have arrived, and are of the greatest use.

                                The men's huts are leaking in one or two unimportant places, but are generally most comfortable; and the men have no fault to find, even in this cold weather. The tables and furniture, etc, authorised by the war Office are being provided, sufficiently to meet requirements.

                                A proportion of men and officers have been granted leave for Christmas and the New Year. Leave has, of course, to be made subject to the requirements of safety.

                                The management of the finances has been handed over to Mr. J.C. Fortune of West Hartlepool, in conjunction with myself.

                                I ought to add that I had, myself, an interview with the G.O.C in-Chief on the 21st inst. with regard to the stations of the battalion.



                                26th Dec 1914  Back to Work

                                26th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                26th Dec 1914  Boxing Day

                                26th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                26th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                26th Dec 1914  Sniper

                                26th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                26th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                26th Dec 1914  Shelling

                                26th Dec 1914  Working Parties

                                26th Dec 1914  Quiet

                                26th Dec 1914  Training

                                26th Dec 1914  Officers Meet

                                26th Dec 1914  How It Was Arranged

                                26th Dec 1914  Gifts

                                26th Dec 1914  Training

                                26th of December 1914  No. 1 Company

                                26th of December 1914  Messines Square Targetted

                                26th Dec 1914  Training

                                26th December 1914  Sounds of singing

                                26th December 1914  Route march in the morning

                                26th December 1914  Reliefs

                                26th Dec 1914  Training

                                26th Dec 1914  Orders

                                26th Dec 1941  Wedding

                                27th December 1914  Wet Weather

                                27th Dec 1914  Christmas at the Front

                                27th December 1914 Hot bath for Leicestershire Yeomanry  Exercise and regimental hot bath at Brewery Hazelbrouck

                                27th Dec 1914  Truce Continues

                                27th Dec 1914  City in Ruins

                                27th Dec 1914  Letters Home

                                27th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                27th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                27th Dec 1914  Gifts

                                27th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                27th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1914  Working Parties

                                27th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                27th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                27th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                27th Dec 1914  Inspection

                                27th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                27th of December 1914  False Alarm

                                27th of December 1914  Some Shelling

                                27th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                27th Dec 1914  Relief

                                27th December 1914  Fairly heavy shellfire.

                                27th December 1914  Reliefs

                                27th December 1914  In the Trenches

                                27th Dec 1914  Church Parade

                                27th Dec 1914  On the Move

                                28th December 1914  Reliefs

                                28th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry exchange saddles  Regimental route march of Transport Squadron Training. 160 colonial patterned saddles are exchanged for cavalry patterns.

                                28th Dec 1914  All quiet

                                28th Dec 1914  Making the Best of It

                                28th Dec 1914  Snipers Active

                                28th Dec 1914  Wet Day

                                28th Dec 1914  Trench Mortar

                                28th Dec 1914  Reorganisation

                                28th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                28th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                28th Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                28th Dec 1914  At Rest

                                28th Dec 1914  Working Parties

                                28th Dec 1914  Rifle Fire

                                28th Dec 1914  Patrols

                                28th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                28th Dec 1914  Training

                                28th of December 1914  Message from Brig.Gen. Lowther

                                28th of December 1914  Report

                                28th Dec 1914  Training

                                28th Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                28th December 1914  Patrols

                                28th December 1914  Very Wet

                                28th December 1914  First Aid Post

                                28th Dec 1914  Patrols

                                28th Dec 1914  Arrivals

                                29th December 1914 At Rest  2nd Queens are at Rue de Delpierre as No.2 Reserve. Resting and cleaning.

                                29th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry exchange cavalry cloaks  A and C and part of 'B' Squadron. RHA (Royal Horse artillery?) requiring their billet changed billets from E to W side of Labrearde to Hazelbroucke Road. Cavalry cloaks exchanged for British warm ?

                                29th Dec 1914  Very Wet Day

                                29th Dec 1914  For a Cigarette

                                29th Dec 1914  Terrible Mud

                                29th Dec 1914  Very Wet

                                29th Dec 1914  Escape Reported

                                29th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                29th Dec 1914  Fire

                                29th Dec 1914  On the March

                                29th Dec 1914  At Rest

                                29th December 1914   Military funeral

                                29th Dec 1914  On the Move

                                29th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                29th Dec 1914  Billets

                                29th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                29th Dec 1914  Training

                                29th of December 1914  Reserve

                                29th of December 1914  Report

                                29th Dec 1914  Training

                                29th Dec 1914  Holding the Line

                                29th December 1914  Reliefs

                                29th December 1914  Rifle pits dug ahead of Firing line.

                                29th December 1914  Reliefs

                                29th December 1914  First Aid Post

                                29th Dec 1914  Patrols

                                29th Dec 1914  Arrangements Made

                                30th December 1914  At Rest

                                30th Dec 1914  On the Move

                                30th December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry Squadron training  Squadron training

                                30th Dec 1914  Fire Trench Abandoned

                                30th Dec 1914  Houses Shelled

                                30th Dec 1914  Constructing Path

                                30th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                30th December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                30th Dec 1914  Training

                                30th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                30th Dec 1914  At Rest

                                30th Dec 1914  On the Move

                                30th Dec 1914  In Billets

                                30th Dec 1914  Training

                                30th Dec 1914  Poor Conditions

                                30th Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                30th Dec 1914  Route March

                                30th of December 1914  Orders

                                30th December 1914  Message

                                30th Dec 1914  Training

                                30th Dec 1914  Reliefs

                                30th Dec 1914  Message

                                30th December 1914  In Billets

                                30th December 1914  Orders

                                30th December 1914  In Reserve.

                                30th December 1914  At Rest

                                30th Dec 1914  Recce Patrols

                                30th Dec 1914  Arrangements Made

                                31st December 1914  New Year's Eve

                                31st December 1914 Leicestershire Yeomanry in full marching order  Regimental route March in full marching order with wagons packed, special attention being paid to march discipline and packing of wagons.

                                31st December 1914 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve near Bailleul.

                                In billets 1 1/4 miles South West of Bailleul from 3rd to 31st December 1914.

                                31st Dec 1914  All quiet

                                31st Dec 1914  Slow Progress

                                31st Dec 1914  High Tea

                                31st Dec 1914  In Action

                                31st Dec 1914  Constructing Path

                                31st Dec 1914  Bombed Out

                                31st December 1914  Bad weather limiting action again

                                31st Dec 1914  Training

                                Liverpool Daily Post 31st Dec 1914  Wounded Hero

                                31st Dec 1914  Quiet

                                31st Dec 1914  Route March

                                31st Dec 1914  On the March

                                31st December 1914  Christmas in the hospital

                                31st Dec 1914  Route March

                                31st Dec 1914  In Billets

                                31st Dec 1914  Drills

                                31st Dec 1914  In the Trenches

                                31st Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                31st Dec 1914  Training

                                31st Dec 1914  Training

                                31st Dec 1914  Trench Work

                                31st of December 1914  Reliefs

                                31st of December 1914  Message

                                31st Dec 1914  Training

                                31st Dec 1914  Quiet

                                31st Dec 1914  Orders

                                31st December 1914  In Billets

                                31st December 1914  Reliefs

                                31st December 1914  At Rest

                                31st Dec 1914  Improving of Billets

                                31st Dec 1914  Additional Ward

                                1915 Armoured train stationed at Adeer  No. 1 Armoured Train, from Craigentinny Sidings in Edinburgh, armed with two 12-pdr guns was stationed at the Ardeer to defend the works until additional guns could be installed in the Battery.

                                1915   12th KOYLI left Farley Camp and moved to Burton Leonard where they were engaged in the construction of a new army camp.

                                1st Jan 1915 HMEF Oldbury begins work.  HMEF Oldbury in Worcestershire started in January 1915, for the production of TNT. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions. The first output was in May 1915,

                                1st Nov 1915 HMEF Langwith opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Langwith, nr Mansfield, Nottinghamshire started production of Ammonium perchlorate in November 1915. First output was June 1917. Under Direct Control of Ministry of Munitions.

                                 Construction begins on Humber Forts.  Construction of Bull Sand Fort began in 1915 to defend the River Humber from German naval attack and possible invasion. However construction difficulties resulted in it and the Haile Sand Fort not being completed until 1919.

                                1st Jan 1915 Aircraft built in Glasgow  Coplawhill Tramcar Works and Depot was situated at 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow and was used as an aircraft factory.

                                1st Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards on duty  The War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards records: At Staple. The Regiment as part of the 3rd Cav Division came on duty from 1st to 3rd Jan, but nothing occurred.

                                1915 Explosives Factory on Cligga Head reopens  Nobel's Explosives Factory covered 110 acres on the cliff top at St George's Common, Cligga Head near Perranporth, Cornwall. The factory had been bought by the Nobels in 1892 from the British & Colonial Explosives Company which manufactured dynamite for the mining industry. The factory buildings were surrounded by earth banks designed to contain a blast in the event of an explosion. The factory closed in 1909 but opened again at the outbreak of the Great War and was engaged in the filling of Mills Bombs, employing around 1000.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A1 Hymettus at the Gulf of Suez - Picture from: AWM C02548.

                                The HMAT A1 Hymettus weighed 4,606 tons with an average cruise speed of 11.5 knots or 21.3 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 May 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A10 Karoo Pictured at Port Melbourne, Victoria, 18 September 1916. [From: AWM PB0504]

                                The HMAT A10 Karroo weighed 6,127 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 3 January 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A11 Ascanius Pictured at Port Melbourne, Victoria, 27 May 1916. [From: AWM PB0127]

                                HMAT A11 Ascanius weighed 10,048 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Ocean SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 30 July 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A13 Katuna Pictured at Gallipoli unloading troops, 1915. From: AWM P00437.001]

                                The HMAT A13 Katuna weighed 4,641 tons with an average cruise speed of 11 knots or 20.37 kmph. It was owned by the Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 February 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A14 Euripides in 1919. From: AWM P03987.001

                                The HMAT A14 Euripides weighed 15,050 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 2 June 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A15 Star of England Pictured at Pinkenbar, Queensland, September 1914 From: AWM C02483

                                The HMAT A15 Star of England, later renamed Port Sydney, weighed 9,136 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 22 September 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A16 Star of Victoria

                                The HMAT A16 Star of Victoria, later renamed Port Melbourne, weighed 9,152 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd London and leased by the Commonwealth until 2 October 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A17 Port Lincoln

                                The HMAT A17 Port Lincoln weighed 7,243 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 26 September 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A18 Wiltshire From: AWM A04186

                                The HMAT A18 Wiltshire weighed 10,390 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 2 October 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A19 Afric

                                The HMAT A19 Afric weighed 11,999 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Federal SN Co Ltd, London. The Afric was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel on the 12th February 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A20 Hororata Pictured at Port Melbourne, 23rd November 1916.

                                The HMAT A20 Hororata weighed 9,400 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 11 September 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A22 Rangatira about to leave Pinkenba Wharf Brisbane, Queensland, 24th September 1914

                                The HMAT A22 Rangatira weighed 8948 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 February 1915. The Rangatira was stranded off Cape of Good Hope, 31 March 1916.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A23 Suffolk Pictured sailing through the Suez Canal in 1916.

                                The HMAT A23 Suffolk weighed 7573 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Potter, Trinder and Gwyn, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 14 June 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A24 Benalla Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 19th October 1914.

                                The HMAT A24 Benalla weighed 11,118 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 6 August 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian Pictured at Port Melbourne in 1916 from: AWM PB0112.

                                The HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian weighed 7,379 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Nitrate Producers SS Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 16 April 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A27 Southern Pictured as part of the 1st Convoy in 1914, from: AWM H15740.

                                HMAT A27 Southern weighed 4,769 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. It was owned by the Central Shipping Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 3 February 1915.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A28 Miltiades Pictured in King George's Sound, Albany during October 1914.

                                The HMAT A28 Miltiades weighed 7,814 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 September 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A29 Suevic Pictured in 1919, from: AWM P04754.001

                                The HMAT A29 Suevic weighed 12,531 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 9 September 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A3 Orvieto Pictured embarking from Melbourne on the 21st July 1914. From: The Australasian, 21 November 1914, Picture Supplement, p. I.

                                HMAT A3 Orvieto weighed 12,130 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Orient SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 29 December 1914. It formed part of the first convoy of the AIF to Egypt. The Orvieto became well known for its work during this convoy as it transported the prisoners captured from the beached German raider Emden. The German prisoners were taken to Egypt by the Orvieto for imprisonment.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A30 Borda Picture from: State Library of Victoria a17530.

                                The HMAT A30 Borda weighed 11,136 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 September 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A31 Ajana

                                The HMAT A31 Ajana weighed 7,759 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Australind SS Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 12 May 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A32 Themistocles

                                The HMAT A32 Themistocles weighed 11,231 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 20 October 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A33 Ayrshire Pictured departing from Port Melbourne on the 3rd July 1916. From: AWM PB0179.

                                HMAT A33 Ayrshire weighed 7,763 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the The Scottish Shire Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 9 January 1918.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A34 Persic departing from Port Melbourne on the 3rd June 1916. From: AWM P00997.013

                                HMAT A34 Persic weighed 12,042 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 8 November 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A35 Berrima From: Clydesite 11748

                                HMAT A35 Berrima weighed 11,137 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 October 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A36 Boonah Picture from: State Library of NSW, PXE 722/526-527.

                                HMAT A36 Boonah weighed 5,926 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Boonah was previously a captured German vessel called Melbourne. It was manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 28 March 1918.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A37 Barambah Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 5th June 1916.

                                HMAT A37 Barambah weighed 5,923 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Barambah was previously a captured German vessel called Hobart. It was manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 23 May 1918.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A38 Ulysses Pictured at Port Said in December 1914.

                                HMAT A38 Ulysses weighed 14,499 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the China Mutual SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 15 August 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A39 Port MacQuarie

                                HMAT A39 Port MacQuarie weighed 7,236 tons with an average cruise speed of 12.5 knots or 23.15 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 13 January 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A40 Ceramic Pictured at Port Melbourne in 1915.

                                HMAT A40 Ceramic weighed 18,481 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 9 July 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A41 Bakara Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr001322.

                                HMAT A41 Bakara weighed 5,930 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Bakara was previously a captured German vessel called Constaff. It was manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 1 May 1918.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A42 Boorara Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 10th May 1917.

                                HMAT A42 Boorara weighed 5,923 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Boorara was previously a captured German vessel called Pfalz. It was manned by Australia officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 24 June 1919.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A44 Vestalia Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 6th December 1916. From: AWM PB0776.

                                The HMAT A44 Vestalia weighed 5,528 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Gow, Harrison & Co, Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until 10 March 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A45 Bulla Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr006216.

                                The HMAT A45 Bulla weighed 5,099 tons with an average cruise speed of 10.5 knots or 19.44 kmph. The Bulla was previously a captured German vessel called Hessen. It was manned by Australian officers and crew and transferred to Commonwealth Government Line, 15 April 1918.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr006195.

                                The HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray weighed 5,023 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Cayser, Irvin and Co, Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until 16 August 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A48 Seang Bee Pictured departing from Brisbane on the 21st October 1915. From: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, Picture Number 82596.

                                The HMAT A48 Seang Bee weighed 5,849 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Lim Chin Tsong, Rangoon, and leased by the Commonwealth until 12 May 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A51 Chilka

                                The HMAT A51 Chilka weighed 3,952 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 4 August 1915.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A53 Itria

                                The HMAT A53 Itria weighed 5,318 tons with an average cruise speed of 10 knots or 18.52 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 17th June 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A54 Runic Picture from: State Library of NSW, PXE 722/3502-3506.

                                The HMAT A54 Runic weighed 12,490 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 27 November 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A56 Palermo Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture number a639050.

                                The HMAT A56 Palermo weighed 7,597 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 10th January 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A57 Malakuta Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                                The HMAT A57 Malakuta weighed 7,430 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the T & J Brocklebank Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 24 January 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A58 Kabinga Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number pc000664.

                                The HMAT A58 Kabinga weighed 4,657 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the Ellerman & Bucknall SS Co Ltd, London. The Kabinga was captured by Emden in the Bay of Bengal on 12 September 1914 and released with the Emden’s beaching at the Cocos Islands. The Kabinga was leased by the Commonwealth until the 19th June 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A59 Botanist

                                The HMAT A59 Botanist weighed 7,688 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Charente SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 6th December 1916.

                                22md Aug 1914 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A61 Kanowna Pictured embarking from Townsville Harbour in August 1914 From: The Queenslander, 22 August 1914, p. 30

                                The HMAT A61 Kanowna weighed 6,942 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the AUSN Co Ltd, London, and manned by Australia officers and crew. The Kanowna was leased by the Commonwealth until 18 March 1919.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A62 Wandilla

                                The HMAT A62 Wandilla weighed 7,785 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the Adelaide SS Co Ltd, Adelaide, and manned by Australian officers and during her service by mainly Australian crews. The Wandilla was leased by the Commonwealth until the 24th January 1917. She also served as a Hospital Ship during WW1

                                • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                • Medical Staff strength.
                                • Officers:10
                                • Nurses:17
                                • Other:63
                                • Accommodation capacity.
                                • Officers:2
                                • Cots:349
                                • Berths:188
                                • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                • Date From:5th August 1916
                                • Date To:15th March 1918


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A63 Karoola Picture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number gr005940.

                                The HMAT A63 Karoola weighed 7,391 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the McIlwraith, McEacharn's Line Pty Ltd, Melbourne, and manned by Australian officers and crews. The Karoola was leased by the Commonwealth until June 1919.

                                She also served as a Hospital Ship during WW1.

                                • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                • Medical Staff strength.
                                • Officers:16
                                • Nurses:21
                                • Other:92
                                • Accommodation capacity.
                                • Officers:50
                                • Cots:288
                                • Berths:185
                                • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                • Date From:11th August 1915
                                • Date To:6th November 1918


                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A64 Demosthenes

                                The HMAT A64 Demosthenes weighed 11,223 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 16th March 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A65 Clan MacEwen Picture from: Old Ship Picture Gallery.

                                The HMAT A65 Clan McEwen weighed 5,140 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the Cayser, Irvin and Co, Glasgow, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 14th April 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A67 Orsova Pictured embarking from Port Melbourne on the 17th July 1915.

                                The HMAT A67 Orsova weighed 12,036 tons with an average cruise speed of 18 knots or 33.33 kmph. It was owned by the Orient SN Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 28th February 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A71 Nestor

                                The HMAT A71 Nestor weighed 14,501 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the Ocean SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 26th June 1917.

                                1st January 1915 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A72 Beltana

                                The HMAT A72 Beltana weighed 11,120 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 14th September 1917.

                                 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A73 Commonwealth Picture from: Clydebuilt Ships Database.

                                The HMAT A73 Commonwealth weighed 6,616 tons with an average cruise speed of 14 knots or 25.92 kmph. It was owned by the P & O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 23rd June 1917.

                                Jan 1915 27th Battlaion Northumberland Fusiliers raised  27th (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Irish), Northumberland Fusiliers was raised in Newcastle, January 1915, by the Lord Mayor and City.

                                Jan 1915 4th Northumberlands reorganised  In Jan 1915, the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was reorganised into four companies. A Company joining with E Coy, B with G, C with F and D with H.

                                1st Jan 1915 Sheffield City Battalion abandon route march  The first route march of the new year for the Sheffield City Battalion is cut short by a violent storm. The men returned swiftly to Redmires Camp and later an illustrated a lecture was given by Capt. Hoette on his experiences during the South African War.

                                 

                                1st January 1915 HMS Formidable lost  

                                HMS Formidable

                                Under the command of Vice-Admiral Commanding, Channel Fleet, Sir Lewis Bayly, the 5th Battle Squadron spent 31 December participating in gunnery exercises off the Isle of Portland, supported by the light cruisers Topaze and Diamond. After the exercises, that night the fleet remained at sea on patrol even though submarine activity had been reported in the area. With rough sea conditions and the wind increasing, submarine attacks would have been difficult to carry out and so were not thought to be a significant threat. Formidable was steaming at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h) at the rear of the squadron off Portland Bill just 20 nmi (23 mi; 37 km) from Start Point, when at 0220 on 1 January 1915 a torpedo from U-24 struck the number one boiler port side. It was thought that she might be saved by reaching the coast but by about 0240 she had taken a list of 20° to starboard and the Captain Noel Loxley gave the order to abandon ship. Darkness and worsening weather made it difficult to get the men and boats over the side; some small boats being thrown into the water upside down.

                                At about 0305, Formidable was struck by a second torpedo on the starboard side. Amidst a 30 ft (9.1 m) swell the pinnaces and launch along with other boats (one of which capsized soon after) were launched and the two light cruisers came alongside and managed to pick up 80 men in the deteriorating weather. By 0445, she seemed in imminent danger of capsizing and a few minutes later she rolled over onto many of the men in the water and sank quickly. Captain Loxley remained on the bridge along with his Fox terrier Bruce, calmly overseeing the evacuation of the ship.

                                In rough seas near Berry Head, a Brixham trawler Provident, under the command of Captain W. Piller picked up the men from one pinnace before it sank, saving 71 members of the crew. The second pinnace took off another 70 men, of which 48 were brought ashore alive after it was eventually spotted from the shore the following night, 22 hours after the sinking. The loss of life of Formidable was 35 officers (including Captain Loxley) and 512 men from a complement of 780. The body of Captain Loxley's dog Bruce, a war dog washed ashore and was buried in a marked grave in Abbotsbury Gardens in Dorset.

                                Formidable was the third British battleship to be sunk and the second to be sunk by enemy action, during the First World War.

                                The Royal Navy's Formidable-class battleships were an eight-ship class of pre-dreadnoughts designed by Sir William White and built in the late 1890s. The class is often further divided into a separate London class, and the London class sometimes is divided further into a separate Queen class.

                                HMS Formidable, the third of four ships of that name to serve in the Royal Navy, was the lead ship of her class of pre-dreadnought battleships. Commissioned in 1904, she served initially with the Mediterranean Fleet, transferring to the Channel Fleet in 1908. In 1912, she was assigned to the 5th Battle Squadron, which was stationed at Nore.

                                Following the outbreak of World War I, the squadron conducted operations in the English Channel, and was based at Sheerness to guard against a possible German invasion. Despite reports of submarine activity, early in the morning of 1 January 1915, whilst on exercise in the English Channel, Formidable sank after being hit by two torpedoes. She was the second British battleship to be sunk by enemy action during the First World War.

                                World War I

                                At the beginning of the First World War, Formidable and the 5th Battle Squadron were based at Portland and assigned to the Channel Fleet to defend the English Channel. After covering the safe transportation of the British Expeditionary Force to France in August 1914, Formidable took part in the transportation of the Portsmouth Marine Battalion to Ostend on 25 August.

                                On 14 November, Formidable and the other ships of the 5th Battle Squadron were rebased at Sheerness because of concern that a German invasion of Great Britain was in the offing. The squadron was relieved by Duncan-class battleships of the 6th Battle Squadron and transferred to Portland on 30 December.

                                Lassie

                                According to writer Nigel Clarke in the Shipwreck Guide to Dorset and South Devon, the original "Lassie" who inspired so many films and television episodes was a rough-haired crossbreed who saved the life of a sailor during World War I.

                                Half collie, Lassie was owned by the landlord of the Pilot Boat, a pub in the port of Lyme Regis. On New Year’s Day in 1915 the Royal Navy battleship Formidable was torpedoed by a German submarine off Start Point in South Devon, with the loss of more than 500 men. In a storm that followed the accident, a life raft containing bodies was blown along the coast to Lyme Regis. In helping to deal with the crisis, the local pub in Lyme Regis, called the Pilot Boat, offered its cellar as a mortuary.

                                When the bodies had been laid out on the stone floor, Lassie, a crossbred collie owned by the pub owner, found her way down amongst the bodies, and she began to lick the face of one of the victims, Able Seaman John Cowan. She stayed beside him for more than half an hour, nuzzling him and keeping him warm with her fur. To everyone’s astonishment, Cowan eventually stirred. He was taken to hospital and went on to make a full recovery. He visited Lassie again when he returned to thank all who saved his life.

                                The sinking of the ship was a severe blow to Britain during these early years of the war. When the officers heard the story of Lassie and what she did to rescue Cowan, they told it again and again to any reporter who would listen as it was inspirational and heart-warming. Hollywood got hold of the story, and so a star was born.

                                1st January 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                At Baillieul with 5th Cavalry Brigade.

                                1st to 14th January in billets 1 1/4 miles SW of Bailleul - farm at Steenje. On the 4th January Captain EB Maxwell left on posting to 1st Division. On the 5th January Major Scarlett left on posting to Home establishment. On the 3rd January Lieutenant OM Lund joined from 2nd Division and Lieutenant AG Neville joined from 8th Division.

                                Jan 1915 Reorganisation  Leaving the East Coast by train for Cambridge the soldiers had very happy memories for the grateful, local residents bestowed much kindness on the Officers and men helping to ease the discomfort of their duties and during the atrocious weather.

                                While the Battalion was in Cambridge it was reorganised into four double Companies, consisting of tried and tested soldiers and all who had volunteered for service. Drafts from the reserve Battalion were arriving to make up the force of the original Battalion, these were fit men who were able to replace those found unsuitable for overseas service, during the final selection.

                                They were issued with new service equipment, rifles and bayonets and their old equipment was passed on. For the rest of their stay in Cambridge they were subjected to rigorous courses of exercises in movements in this formation, and instructions and practice in bayonet fighting, all carried out on the famous area, Parker's Piece. Early in January the Battalion now assembled was in its final form. Along with others, the Battalion was selected for overseas service and the final orders arrived for proceeding overseas to France, this news raised Welsh spirits.

                                1st Jan 1915 Squadron Formed  No. 10 Sqn was formed from elements of No. 1 Reserve Squadron at Farnborough on 1st of January 1915. The Squadron immediately moved to a new base at Brooklands Aerodrome, and then spent 4 months at the training base at Netheravon from April until being posted as operational to St Omer in France on the 27th July 1915, equipped with the RAE BE2 observation machine. No. 10 squadron was used repeatedly for trials of new aircraft designs, or the use of aircraft in new roles, throughout the war.

                                1st Jan 1915 No 8 Squadron formed  At the outbreak of war only 4 of the RFC’s 7 squadrons were fully equipped and staffed, and it was not until October 1914 that all of them reached full operational capability. No. 8 Squadron was the first new squadron to be created after the outbreak of war when it was formed at Brooklands on 1 January 1915.

                                They proceeded to St Omer France in April 1915 as an Army Co-operation unit flying B.E.2Cs. Operating from the RFC HQ airfield at St Omer, the squadron primary role was long-range reconnaissance, carrying out flights of up to 100 miles behind the front lines. The squadron also operated a fighter flight equipped with a variety of aircraft types to provide defensive support to reconnaissance planes.

                                1st January 1915  brigade move

                                1st January 1915 Events in 1915  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                                Woevre 1915.

                                The Benzino Division occupied the area east of St. Mihiel (Spada to Apremont) during the entire year 1915. In November it took the name of Bavarian Ersatz Division.

                                The division rested in Lorraine from December, 1915, to the end of February, 1916.

                                1st Jan 1915  Quiet opening to 1915

                                1st Jan 1915  Change of Billets for 2nd Queens

                                1st January 1915 1915 actions  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                                1915.

                                Artois. The 1st Bavarian Division was kept in line on the Somme (Dompierre-Maricourt) until October, 1915. Its composition was changed - the Body Infantry Regiment went to the Alpine Corps and the 10th Infantry to the 10th Bavarian Division. In return, the 24th Infantry (a new formation) was received.

                                The division was taken to the region north of Arras (Neuville-Souchez sector), where it remained for almost seven months (October 1915 - May 1916).

                                1st January 1915  Actions during 1915

                                1st January 1915  Actions during 1915

                                1st January 1915  Actions during 1915

                                1st Jan 1915  New Year Greetings at Sea

                                1st Jan 1915  A Mixed Holiday

                                1st Jan 1915  Trenches Like a River

                                1st Jan 1915  In Action

                                1st Jan 1915  In Action

                                1st Jan 1915  Canvas Huts

                                1st Jan 1915  Bombardment

                                1st Jan 1915  New Year

                                1st Jan 1915  Orders

                                1st Jan 1915  On the Move

                                1st Jan 1915  On the Move

                                1st Jan 1915  In Billets

                                1st Jan 1915  Training

                                1st Jan 1915  In Billets

                                1st Jan 1915  Training

                                1st Jan 1915  Inspection

                                1st Jan 1915  Into Billets

                                1st of January 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                1st Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                1st of January 1915  POW Taken

                                 

                                1st Jan 1915  Courses

                                1st Jan 1915  Machine Gun Post

                                1st January 1915  In Billets

                                1st Jan 1915  Working Parties

                                1st January 1915  In billets

                                1st January 1915  In Divisional Reserve

                                1st January 1915  First Aid Post

                                Jan 1915  Reorganisation

                                1915  On the Move

                                Jan 1915  Specialist Training

                                2nd Jan 1915  2nd Queens in Reserve

                                2nd Jan 1915  1st East Lancs suffer sniping

                                2nd Jan 1915  To Stop Reinforcements

                                2nd Jan 1915  Trench Work, Huts and Paths

                                2nd Jan 1915  Relief

                                2nd Jan 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Jan 1915  In the Trenches

                                2nd Jan 1915  On the March

                                2nd Jan 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Jan 1915  Poor Weather

                                2nd Jan 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Jan 1915  Heavy Rain

                                2nd Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd Jan 1915  Inspection

                                2nd Jan 1915  Relief Complete

                                2nd of January 1915  Posting

                                2nd Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                2nd of January 1915  Artillery Active

                                2nd Jan 1915  Training

                                2nd Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd January 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Jan 1915  Inspection

                                2nd January 1915  Exhibition of Bomb throwing

                                2nd January 1915  First Aid Post

                                2nd of January 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Jan 1915  2nd Queens in reserve

                                3rd Jan 1915  Cruiser Docks

                                3rd Jan 1915  Typhus Outbrealk

                                3rd Jan 1915  Trench Raid

                                3rd Jan 1915  Box Drains

                                3rd Jan 1915  Pontoon Drill

                                3rd Jan 1915  Relief

                                3rd Jan 1915  Terrible Weather

                                3rd Jan 1915  At Rest

                                3rd Jan 1915  Wet

                                3rd Jan 1915  At Rest

                                3rd Jan 1915  Route March

                                3rd Jan 1915  In Billets

                                3rd Jan 1915  In Billets

                                3rd Jan 1915  Leave

                                3rd Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                3rd Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                3rd of January 1915  Patrols Active

                                3rd Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                3rd Jan 1915  Baths

                                3rd January 1915  Instructions in Bomb throwing given

                                3rd January 1915  In the Trenches

                                4th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards watch Demonstration of trench mortars  2 Life Guards War Diary records: A demonstration of bomb throwing and trench mortars was given to the Officers of the whole Division by 3rd Field Squadron R E.

                                4th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in reserve

                                4th Jan 1915  Squadron Lost

                                4th Nov 1915  Improvised Weapons

                                4th Jan 1915  Born under Fire

                                4th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 4th 1915

                                Present:- Lord Southampton, Col. Bowes, Colonel R. Burdon, Capt. Lowe

                                The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read. Colonel Bowes mentioned the question of the payment of the funeral expenses of members of the battalion killed in action at Hartlepool on the 16th December, and asked if any expenses extra to the sum provided by the War Office would be met by the committee. This was granted.

                                He also asked whether he might consider that the balance of expenses of the Christmas Dinner- if it could not be covered from the Canteen funds- might be met by the Committee. This was agreed to.

                                It was decided to obtain, through the Clerk of the Works, tenders for the erection of shelves in the barrack huts; and also for wooden grids for the bath-room.

                                Colonel Burdon was instructed to obtain tenders from the Army & Navy Stores for 1350 rifle slings; Col. Bowes stating that he had already placed the order for equipment for the Depot Company.

                                It was agreed to ask the Paymaster at York to send down a Clerk for one day to give instruction and advice in the Orderly Room with regard to certain forms which presented some difficulty.

                                Colonel Bowes reported that the bath-room had been taken into use and was satisfactory: that a drying room had been allowed to each Company to be used as required during certain hours; and that the miniature Rifle Range was working satisfactorily. The Canteen was found to be very successful; and the room a very good one for sound for Entertainment. Colonel Burdon was requested to communicate with Mr. Gray with regard to the provision, if possible, of a special train for the conveyance of the Battalion to Sunderland for recruiting purposes.

                                The question of recruiting was also considered, together with a letter from Capt. Longden, and it was decided to let the matter stand over for a week to see how the new arrangement of the extra fee of 1/- [one shilling] per man to the Recruiting Sergeant would work in practice. Col. Bowes was requested to draft a letter, in conjunction with Capt. Longden, to be sent to magistrates and notables, asking their assistance in recruiting.



                                4th Jan 1915  Trench and Breastwork

                                4th Jan 1915  Bombardment

                                4th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Jan 1915  Training

                                4th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Jan 1915  Training

                                4th Jan 1915  Quiet

                                4th Jan 1915  Boots

                                4th Jan 1915  Practice

                                4th of January 1915  System of reliefs

                                4th Jan 1915  Relief Completed

                                4th of January 1915  Trench Work

                                4th Jan 1915  Training

                                4th January 1915  Relief

                                4th Jan 1915  Very Wet

                                4th January 1915  Line of trenches.

                                4th January 1915  Into billets

                                4th January 1915  First Aid Post

                                4th Jan 1915  Gifts

                                5th Jan 1915 Lt.Col. Ferguson resumes command of 2nd Life Guards  Lt.Col. Ferguson returned from England to resume command of the 2nd Life Guards having recovered from his wounds.

                                5th January 1915  Back into trenches

                                5th Jan 1915  1st East Lancs under fire

                                5th Jan 1915  Enemy Ship Sunk

                                5th Jan 1915  In the Trenches

                                5th Jan 1915  3rd York & Lanc on the Move

                                5th Jan 1915  Defence Work

                                5th Jan 1915  24 Hour Reliefs

                                5th Jan 1915  Shelling

                                5th Jan 1915  Quiet

                                5th Jan 1915  Exercise

                                5th Jan 1915  Working Parties

                                5th Jan 1915  Training

                                5th Jan 1915  On the March

                                5th Jan 1915  Route March

                                5th of January 1915 

                                5th Jan 1915  Blind Shells

                                5th of January 1915  Hostile Patrol Engaged

                                5th Jan 1915  Training

                                5th January 1915  Sniping

                                5th Jan 1915  Very Wet

                                5th January 1915  Billets

                                Jan 1915  Reorganisation

                                5th January 1915  In billets.

                                5th January 1915  At Rest

                                5th of January 1915  Route march

                                5th Jan 1915  Nurses Needed

                                5th January 1915  On the Move

                                5th January 1915  On the Move

                                6th Jan 1915 Training continues for 2nd Life Guards  Between the 6th and 24th of January 1915, Troop Squadron and Regimental training was continued for the 2nd Life Guards with an occasional scheme set by the Brigadier.

                                6th Jan 1915  2nd Queens Hq moves

                                6th Jan 1915  2nd Queens Hq moves

                                6th Jan 1915  Parcels from Home

                                6th Jan 1915  Cargo Ship Dispute

                                6th Jan 1915  Defence Work

                                6th Jan 1915  Redoubt Occupied

                                6th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Jan 1915  Artillery Active

                                6th Jan 1915  Training

                                6th Jan 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Jan 1915  Training

                                6th Jan 1915  Terrible Conditions

                                6th Jan 1915  On the March

                                6th Jan 1915  Training

                                6th of January 1915  London Scottish under fire.

                                6th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                6th of January 1915  German Guns Silenced

                                6th Jan 1915  Training

                                6th January 1915  Enemy shelling

                                6th Jan 1915  Very Wet

                                6th January 1915  Instructions in revetting etc

                                6th January 1915  At Rest

                                6th Jan 1915  Arrivals

                                6th Jan 1915  Beds Increased

                                7th January 1915 German Bombing Policy  1915 Proposals to bomb England were first made by Paul Behncke, deputy chief of the German Naval Staff, in August 1914. These were backed by Alfred von Tirpitz, who wrote that "The measure of the success will lie not only in the injury which will be caused to the enemy, but also in the significant effect it will have in diminishing the enemy's determination to prosecute the war". The campaign was approved by the Kaiser on 7 January 1915, who at first forbade attacks on London, fearing that his relatives in the British Royal Family might be injured.

                                7th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                7th Jan 1915  1st East Lancs suffer sniping

                                7th Jan 1915  Under Attack

                                7th Jan 1915  In the Trenches

                                7th Jan 1915  In the Flanders Trenches

                                7th Jan 1915  Loop Holes

                                7th Jan 1915  Reconnaissance

                                7th Jan 1915  Baths

                                7th Jan 1915  Artillery Active

                                7th Jan 1915  Horses

                                7th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jan 1915  Wet Day

                                7th Jan 1915  On the March

                                7th Jan 1915  Training

                                7th Jan 1915  Relief

                                7th of January 1915  Very Wet Weather

                                7th Jan 1915  Training

                                7th January 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jan 1915  Flooding

                                7th January 1915  1st Battalion of the regiment passed by

                                7th January 1915  Very Wet

                                7th January 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jan 1915  Increase in Work

                                7th Jan 1915  Training

                                8th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                8th Jan 1915  1st East Lancs under fire

                                8th Jan 1915  Very Cold

                                8th Jan 1915  Relief

                                8th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Jan 1915  Exercise

                                8th Jan 1915  Sniping

                                Jan 1915  Coastal Defence

                                8th Jan 1915  Training

                                8th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Jan 1915  Practice

                                8th Jan 1915  On the March

                                8th Jan 1915  Equipment

                                8th of January 1915  Into Reserve

                                8th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                8th of January 1915  Trenches Damaged

                                8th Jan 1915  Training

                                8th January 1915  In Billets

                                8th Jan 1915  Shelling

                                8th January 1915  Quiet day in billets.

                                8th January 1915  Trenches shelled.

                                8th January 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th Jan 1915  Report Requested

                                9th Jan 1915  All quiet

                                9th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                9th Jan 1915  In Forward Trenches

                                9th Jan 1915  Sandbagging

                                9th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                9th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                9th Jan 1915  Enemy Artillery

                                9th Jan 1915  Training

                                9th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Jan 1915  Shelling

                                9th Jan 1915  Route March

                                9th of January 1915  Artillery Duel

                                9th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                9th of January 1915  Trenches Baled Out

                                9th Jan 1915  Training

                                9th Jan 1915  Terrible Conditions

                                9th January 1915  Battalion marched to Kemmel

                                9th January 1915  Heavy Rain

                                9th January 1915  In the Trenches

                                9th Jan 1915  Accomodation

                                10th Jan 1915 3rd Monmouths on the move  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment had achieved a vast amount of work while on the East Coast, miles of trenches dug, wire entanglements and shelters put in place and all in unfavourable weather conditions. The G.O.C.-in C. Central Force gave much praise to the Battalion for the accomplishment it had achieved issued a special order. Leaving the East Coast by train for Cambridge the soldiers had very happy memories for the grateful, local residents bestowed much kindness on the Officers and men helping to ease the discomfort of their duties and during the atrocious weather.

                                10th Jan 1915 1st Borders return from Burma  1st Battalion Border Regiment land at Avonmouth, returning from Maymyo, Burma to join 87th Brigade in 29th Division at Rugby.

                                10th January 1915  2nd Queens at rest

                                10th Jan 1915  Outposts attacked

                                10th Jan 1915  Sandbagging

                                10th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                10th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Jan 1915  On the Move

                                10th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                10th Jan 1915  Difficult Conditions

                                10th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                10th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                10th Jan 1915  Shelling

                                10th Jan 1915  Inspection

                                10th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                10th of January 1915  1st London Scottish movements

                                10th Jan 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                10th of January 1915  Flooding and Baling

                                10th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                10th January 1915  Reliefs

                                10th January 1915  Day occupied in bailing trenches

                                10th January 1915  Reliefs

                                10th January 1915  In the Trenches

                                Jan 1915  On the Move

                                10th Jan 1915  Accomodation

                                10th Jan 1915  Trenches Flooded

                                11th Jan 1915 3rd Monmouths reorganised  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, in Cambridge, was reorganised into four double Companies, consisting of tried and tested soldiers and all who had volunteered for service. Drafts from the reserve Battalion began to arrive to make up the force of the original Battalion, these were fit men who were able to replace those found unsuitable for overseas service, during the final selection. They were issued with new service equipment, rifles and bayonets and their old equipment was passed on. For the rest of their stay in Cambridge they were subjected to rigorous courses of exercises in movements in this formation, and instructions and practice in bayonet fighting, all carried out on the famous area, Parker's Piece.

                                11th Jan 1915  2nd Queens inspected

                                11th Jan 1915  On the Offensive

                                11th Jan 1915  In the Trenches

                                11th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 11th 1915

                                Present:- Colonel R. Burdon, Colonel Bowes and Captain Lowe

                                The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Bowes stated that tenders for the shelves in the barrack huts had been obtained, but were so much more expensive than was expected that the matter had been again referred to the Clerk of the Works.

                                The Paymaster at York had written stating that they could not at present spare a Clerk to give instructions with regard to certain difficult War Office forms, but that the Battalion might send a Non-Commissioned Officer to York for instructions.

                                The bath-room, drying house, and Rifle Range, and the canteen, were all now working most satisfactorily. It was agreed that Colonel Burdon should write to Messrs. Gradon and call their attention to the fact that the latrines were not yet finished, in spite of continued notifications.

                                Colonel Bowes reported that recruits were coming in quite fairly. The letter to the Magistrates, etc, has been drafted, and is being sent out.

                                It was further agreed that Col. Burdon should write and urge Messrs. Gradon to proceed with the repairs to the roads. Mr. Kirkup, manager for the Lambton Collieries, has also very kindly arranged for ashes to be delivered at 4/- per load. The number of loads to be checked by the Pioneer Sergeant.

                                It was decided to purchase four more Miniature Rifles; and that a good recruiting notice should be inserted in the "Evening Chronicle", and the "North Star".

                                Authority for the erection of four more barrack huts had been applied for to York to accommodate the Depot Company: Colonel Bowes having stated that it was possible to carry on with that amount of accommodation: but on talking the matter over, and in view of the fact that two Depot Companies will eventually have to be provided, and that it would be a great convenience to the Bantam Battalion if the County Battalion resigns the use of Newton Hall in their favour, it was decided that as Colonel Bowes said that he would be able to provide for both Depot Companies, if six new huts were built, and he could rely upon the use of West Rainton Drill Shed, Col. Burdon should write to York, and ask for permission to build six huts; and as the tendency of contracts to rise Col. Burdon accepted a tender from the Darlington Construction Company for six huts at £153 each, lined, and with stove fitted (but not including cost of stove); the first two to be ready in a fortnight; and the remainder within a month; or, if possible five weeks.



                                11th Jan 1915  Revetting

                                11th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Jan 1915  News from the Front

                                11th Jan 1915  Baths

                                11th Jan 1915  At Rest

                                11th Jan 1915  In Support

                                11th Jan 1915  Training

                                11th Jan 1915  On the March

                                11th Jan 1915  Training

                                11th Jan 1915  In Support

                                11th of January 1915  Relief

                                11th Jan 1915  Poor Conditions

                                11th of January 1915  Six Direct Hits

                                11th Jan 1915  Training

                                11th January 1915  Shelled by light gun.

                                11th January 1915  A considerable amount of shelling

                                11th January 1915  In billets.

                                11th January 1915  In Billets

                                11th Jan 1915  Accomodation

                                11th Jan 1915  Water Rising

                                12th January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royals Scots first fatality in WW1.

                                12th Jan 1915  On the Move

                                12th Jan 1915  2nd Queens inspected

                                12th Jan 1915  Troops Land

                                12th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                12th Jan 1915  Heavy Fighting

                                12th Jan 1915  A Feast from Home

                                12th Jan 1915  Snipers Active

                                12th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                12th Jan 1915  Under Shellfire

                                12th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Jan 1915  Reorganisation

                                12th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Jan 1915  In Support

                                12th Jan 1915  Training

                                12th Jan 1915  Very Wet

                                12th Jan 1915  Frostbite

                                12th Jan 1915  Training

                                12th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                12th of January 1915  battalion in Bethune

                                12th Jan 1915  Poor Conditions

                                12th of January 1915  Enemy Very Alert

                                12th Jan 1915  Draft arrives

                                12th Jan 1915  Holding the Line

                                12th January 1915  Quiet day

                                12th January 1915  One man wounded and several cases of frost bite.

                                12th January 1915  Baths

                                12th Jan 1915  Correspondence

                                12th Jan 1915  Enemy Sighted

                                12th January 1915  In Action

                                13th Jan 1915 Two Companies of 18th DLI depart Hartlepool.  

                                The two companies of the 18th DLI detatched to Hartlepool for the coastal alert, rejoined the rest of the Battalion at Cocken Hall.

                                They were given a cheery fair well by the people of the town at Hartlepool railway station and were met by the battalion band at Leamside station who played them back to the camp.

                                13th January 1915  Bad Weather

                                13th Jan 1915  Ship Sunk

                                13th January 1915   SM U-31

                                Type U 31 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 191) Ordered 29 Mar 1912 Laid down 12 Oct 1912 Launched 7 Jan 1914 Commissioned 18 Sep 1914.
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 13 Jan 1915 Oblt. Siegfried Wachendorff

                                Career 1 patrols.
                                start date unknown - 13 Jan 1915 IV Flotilla

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate 13 Jan 1915 - Final fate unknown. Possibly mined off the East coast of the UK. 31 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was a wartime rumour that the British had found this boat on the surface with the all the crew dead (from gas poisoning) and then towed the boat to a British base. This rumour is not true.

                                There was another U 31 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 25 Sep 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 28 Dec 1936.

                                13th Jan 1915 Brig Gen Bowles visist Redmires Camp  Brigadier General Bowles visits Redmires Camp and observed the men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertaking musketry practice and simulated attacks.

                                13th Jan 1915  2nd Queens on the move

                                13th Jan 1915  Tricky Work

                                13th Jan 1915  British Bull dogs

                                13th Jan 1915  Mud and Water

                                13th Jan 1915  Life Under Fire

                                13th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                13th Jan 1915  Reinforcements

                                13th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Jan 1915  Holding the Line

                                13th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Jan 1915  Lecture

                                13th Jan 1915  Flooding

                                13th Jan 1915  On the March

                                13th Jan 1915  Training

                                13th Jan 1915  Reorganisation

                                13th of January 1915  Cleaning

                                13th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                13th of January 1915   Snipers Active

                                13th Jan 1915  Training

                                13th January 1915  Reliefs

                                13th January 1915  Intermittent sniping but very little shelling.

                                13th January 1915  Wet

                                13th January 1914  Reliefs

                                13th Jan 1915  Very Wet

                                14th January 1915  Appointments and replacements

                                14th Jan 1915  Ships Sunk

                                14th Jan 1915  Few Enemy

                                14th Jan 1915  A Tough Life

                                14th Jan 1915  Reorganisation

                                14th Jan 1915  Artillery Active

                                14th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Jan 1915  Enemy Active

                                14th Jan 1915  Quiet

                                14th Jan 1915  Quiet

                                14th Jan 1915  Training

                                14th Jan 1915  Flooding

                                14th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Jan 1915  Practice

                                14th Jan 1915  In the Line

                                14th of January 1915  All Brigade at rest.

                                14th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                14th of January 1915  Trenches Drying Out

                                14th Jan 1915  Orders Received

                                14th January 1915  In Billets

                                14th January 1915  Quiet day in billets.

                                14th January 1915  Rain

                                14th Jan 1915  Visit

                                14th Jan 1915  Quiet

                                15th Jan 1915  Cargo Ship Rescued

                                15th January 1915 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched at 0730 by Merville to billet in farms about 1 1/2 miles west of St. Venant - about 15 miles

                                15th Jan 1915  Working Parties

                                15th Jan 1915  In Front line.

                                15th Jan 1915  Murder on an Appalling Night

                                15th Jan 1915  A Terrible Time

                                15th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                15th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                15th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                15th Jan 1915  Rifle Fire

                                15th Jan 1915  Under Shellfire

                                15th Jan 1915  Scheme

                                15th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Jan 1915  Shelling

                                15th Jan 1915  Excerise

                                15th Jan 1915  Company Commanders

                                15th Jan 1915  Ammunition Columns

                                Jan 1915  On the Move

                                15th of January 1915  Official bath

                                15th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                15th of January 1915  Germans Fire Slowly

                                15th Jan 1915  Training

                                15th January 1915  Bathing, Change in washing and improvements generally to billets.

                                15th January 1915  First Aid Post

                                15th Jan 1915  Facilities

                                16th January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                16th Jan 1915 

                                16th January 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched at 1000 by Estree Blanche and Coyecque to billet at Maisnil. In billets at 0400 - about 18 miles.

                                16th Jan 1915  Billets shelled

                                16th Jan 1915  Tug Lost

                                16th Jan 1915   January 16th 1915 to The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                Owing to a press of other important business, and to there not being very much at the moment to consider, I have postponed the meeting of the Committee for - at any rate - a week.

                                The Battalion has at last been united; and I hope great improvement will be noticeable before long. All the best N.C.O's had been sent, of course, to Hartlepool. They will now - as also the men - be restored to their original Companies; and in the end I hope the time at Hartlepool may not be altogether wasted.

                                I have authorized the erection of six new huts. I have received the sanction for this from York.

                                I hear the band is a great success; and will be very welcome on route marches. On Thursday the battalion marched about 22 miles, without any greater inconvenience than a few sore feet. They always manage about 20 miles once a week.

                                Miniature Rifles are still a difficulty, as we want to get them as near as possible the weight and pull of the Government arm. This is being attended to. The range is working excellently.

                                Brigadier General F.G. Hunter inspected the half battalion at Cocken on Thursday the 7th inst: and I think was fairly pleased with what he saw. It was due to his action that the battalion was re-united. He appears to know what he wants, and is likely to get it; and I think we may congratulate ourselves on his appointment.

                                The roads are still a great difficulty; everybody seeming in this wet weather to want ashes at the same time; but Mr. Kirkup, the Manager of the Lambton Collieries, has been good enough to help us; and a few dry days would make a great deal of difference now.

                                There were 100 cases on the sick list yesterday (the 15th) but nothing serious. Colonel Bowes is in communication with the Canteen Contractor with regard to the prices now paid for feeding the men. He is asking and will probably obtain a rebate from the Contractor of five-eighths of a penny per head per day. The Contractor to include biscuit and coffee in the early morning. In view of the large number of men being at present supplied this appears to be quite reasonable; and the sum obtained will be of great assistance, as representing the privy purse of the battalion.

                                The last of the latrines were not left in a very satisfactory state; but owing to the men coming back we have made the best of it, and I think it will answer the purpose for a sufficient length of time. The frosty weather might have had something to do with this. I am glad to say the drainage appears to be working fairly satisfactory.



                                16th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Jan 1915  48 Hour Reliefs

                                16th Jan 1915  Training

                                16th Jan 1915  Praise for Nurses

                                16th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Jan 1915  Machine Guns

                                16th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                16th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Jan 1915  Practice

                                16th Jan 1915  Duty

                                16th Jan 1915  In the Line

                                16th of January 1915  Billet Inspection

                                16th of January 1915  Battalion gives a concert

                                16th Jan 1915  On the March

                                16th of January 1915  Squally Weather

                                16th Jan 1915  Reorganisation

                                16th January 1915  On the Move

                                16th January 1915  Battalion had use of Brigade Bath's

                                16th January 1915  Reliefs

                                16th January 1915  In Billets

                                16th Jan 1915  Rest Facilities

                                Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                17th January 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve at Mesnil.

                                17th to 30th January in billets at Mesnil. Captain HR Palmer left on posting to 2nd Division on the 30th January.

                                17th Jan 1915  2nd Queens to trenches

                                17th Jan 1915  Divine Service Held

                                17th Jan 1915  Pain Killers in Demand

                                17th Jan 1915  Cold Baths

                                17th Jan 1915  Bathing

                                17th Jan 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Jan 1915  Orders

                                17th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                17th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                17th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                17th Jan 1915  Football League

                                17th Jan 1915  Into Billets

                                17th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                17th Jan 1915  Ammunition Column

                                17th of January 1915  Leave granted

                                17th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                17th of January 1915  Quiet Day

                                17th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                17th January 1915  The Battalion marched to Kemmel

                                17th January 1915  In Reserve.

                                17th January 1915  In Billets

                                17th Jan 1915  Accomodation

                                18th January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                18th Jan 1915 2nd Northumberlands proceed to France  2nd Northumberland Fusiliers land at Le Havre with 28th Division on the 18th of January 1915.

                                18th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                18th Jan 1915  Movements Impossible

                                18th Jan 1915  Fighting at Jassin

                                18th Jan 1915  Submarine Lost

                                18th Jan 1915  The Dangers of Shrapnel

                                18th Jan 1915  Misery of War

                                18th Jan 1915  Day Off

                                18th Jan 1915  Thaw

                                18th Jan 1915  Plight of Prisoners

                                18th Jan 1915  Bravery Recognised

                                18th Jan 1915  Training

                                18th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                18th Jan 1915  At Rest

                                18th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                18th Jan 1915  Orders

                                18th Jan 1915  Snow

                                18th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Jan 1915  At Rest

                                18th Jan 1915  Specialist Training

                                18th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                18th of January 1915  Sergeant Major changes

                                18th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                18th of January 1915  Artillery Active

                                18th Jan 1915  Training

                                18th January 1915  Intermittent sniping.

                                18th January 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Jan 1915  Influenza

                                19th January 1915 First Zeppelin Raid on Britain  Following an attempt on 13th of January 1915 which was abandoned because of the weather, the first successful raid took place on the night of 19th,20th January 1915. Two Zeppelins LZ24(L3) and LZ27(L4) targeted Humberside, but were diverted by strong winds, and dropped 24 50kg H.E.bombs and 3 kg incendiaries on Great Yarmouth, Sheringham, King's Lynn and the surrounding villages. Four people were killed and 16 injured. Monetary damage was estimated at £7,740. There was a third Zeppelin on the raid but it turned back due to engine trouble LZ31(L6).

                                The two craft had left Hamburg only that morning and had run into bad weather- so bad, in fact, that a third zeppelin, L6, was forced to abort its westward mission. L3 and L4, however, continued to force themselves on through driving wind and snow until they finally reached the line of land below. At this point, on the very edge of England, the two Zeppelins split up. L3 made its way south-east along the coast, around and down to the town of Yarmouth. There it dropped its bombs on and around the harbour. L4 drove north-west to the village of Sheringham, swiftly getting lost. In a meandering way it travelled west, dropping incendiaries on the villages it passed below, until it finally found Kings Lynn. The bombs that L4 dropped there, at 10.50pm, like the bombs dropped on Yarmouth by L3 two and a half hours before, caused death and destruction. As the Zeppelins left England behind they also left four people killed and nineteen injured.

                                • 8pm 1915 the zeppelins cross Britain's shore
                                • 8:25 the L3 bombs Great Yarmouth
                                • 8:45 L4 bombs Sheringham
                                • 9:50 L4 bombs Hunstanton
                                • 10:30 L4 Snettisham
                                • 10:50 L4 bombs Kings Lynn, killing the first British civilians of the Great War.
                                • 12:30am L4 bombs Great Yarmouth.

                                The raid prompted alarmist stories about German agents using car headlights to guide Zeppelins to their targets and there was even a rumour that a Zeppelin was operating from a concealed base in the Lake District.

                                Given the large and gruesome expanse of the First World War, the four lives lost in Norfolk that evening might seem insignificant. Yet with the visit of those Zeppelins to England on a dark night in January there also arrived a new age of strategic bombing and modern, total warfare which obscured by the quiet anonymity of the first victims. In Yarmouth a shoemaker named Sam Smith and an elderly lady called Martha Taylor were killed instantly by a bomb that fell in St. Peter’s Plain, a working class district of the town. In Bentinck Street, Kings Lynn, bombs blew open several terraced houses, resulting in the death of a 26 year old woman, Alice Glazely, and a 14 year old boy, Percy Goate. These were no military men. They were an old man, an elderly and young woman, and, most horrifying of all, a child. And they all were dead, killed at home, in Great Britain. From these small, murderous beginnings, greater horrors were to grow in the twentieth century.

                                19th Jan 1915  Zeppelin Raid

                                19th January 1915  Bombing

                                19th January 1915 Recruitment and Training 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles  

                                Parade at Brownlow House, Lurgan.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Recruitment continued making slow progress with numbers reaching 800 all ranks by the 19th January 1915. Training continued in various stages as more recruits joined and had to work hard to catch up with the standard of earlier enlisted ranks. There was little sympathy for newer recruits who had to catch up with the others. The young animal must keep up with the herd in migration or else - so time was not on their side.

                                Early in January it was announced that the 2nd County Down Volunteers were to become the Pioneer Battalion for the Ulster Division. Training in pioneering skills was to commence while maintaining physical fitness and military discipline. There was now more concentration on manoeuvres at both day and night trying to gain experience in mock attacks and defence methods before the real battles ahead. That would have left the battalion ready for normal action but this was not a normal battalion. Alongside this training they now had to learn the skills of the pioneer which involved all aspects of transportation in offensive and defensive positions including river crossings. Afternoon classes taught joinery and other skills for battle planning. Sections were sent by rotation to work on local roads, railways and buildings all of which they would have to service under enemy fire in the front line areas in France and Belgium.

                                In recognition of their additional duties they were to be paid an extra 2 pence a day on top of the infantry rate of one shilling per day. It was later raised in parliament that this compared unfavourably with the Royal Engineers who received 1/10d per day and the Labour Corps which received 3 shillings per day. Even though it was like work the government refused to interfere with what it termed as set army rates of pay.

                                An article entitled trench warfare has been included in November 1914 pages which, with relevant sketches, details the type of construction carried out with some description of offensive and defensive related works. (These appear in the date range 1st to 6th November 1914.)

                                So the 16th were a very special unit indeed as we shall see from their performance up to and after the cessation of hostilities in 1918.

                                On the 12th January 21 horses arrived and the Transport Officer got to work on his teams for transporting equipment necessary to support the men in their work locations. Certain officers were also required to have mounts to fulfil their command roles.

                                Railway Training. On the 21st January 4 Officers (including 2/Lt. White WR, the author's father) and 50 men were sent to Belfast, Carrickfergus and Antrim to receive instruction on Railroad Construction. A similar party of 4 officers and 39 men were sent to Newtownards for pioneer railway work. It seems likely that Antrim had a Royal Engineer Field Unit which would have helped considerably in the training.

                                19th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                19th January 1915 

                                19th Jan 1915  Town Surrenders

                                19th Jan 1915  18th Battalion raised for Middlesex

                                19th Jan 1915  Zeppelin Raid

                                19th Jan 1915  Revetting

                                19th Jan 1915  In the Trenches

                                19th Jan 1915  Reinforcements

                                19th Jan 1915  At Rest

                                19th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                19th Jan 1915  Preparations

                                19th Jan 1915  Routine

                                19th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                19th Jan 1915  Training

                                19th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                19th of January 1915   Thaw Sets In

                                19th Jan 1915  Training

                                19th January 1915  Day spent in improving trenches

                                19th January 1915  In the Trenches

                                19th Jan 1915  Appointments

                                19th Jan 1915  Conference Held

                                20th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards receive draft of men and horses  A draft of 28 horses and 10 men was received by the 2nd Life Guards. A complaint arose about the quality and the quantity of the hay issued. Any deficiency was supposed to be made up by requisitioning, but the farms are unwilling to part with their stocks of hay.

                                20th January 1915  New Billets

                                20th Jan 1915  Call to Avenge Dastardly Attempt on Royals

                                20th Jan 1915  Very Wet Day

                                20th Jan 1915  Admissions

                                20th Jan 1915  Relief

                                20th Jan 1915  Relief Complete

                                20th Jan 1915  Inspection

                                20th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                20th Jan 1915  Leave

                                20th Jan 1915  Training

                                20th Jan 1915  Training

                                20th Jan 1915  Inspection

                                20th Jan 1915  Into Reserve

                                20th of January 1915  Inspection

                                20th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                20th of January 1915  HQ Shelled

                                20th Jan 1915  Training

                                20th Jan 1915  At Rest

                                20th January 1915  A good deal of sniping

                                20th January 1915  First Aid Post

                                20th Jan 1915  Reinforcements

                                20th Jan 1915  Water Rising

                                21st Jan 1915 Good Billets  According to my grandfather, Idris Howells, the 17th Battalion, Welsh Reg were already in Rhos-on-Sea by 21 January 1915. In his letter home from the Cardrona boarding house, Rhos, he says that he has "...sent 8 leters since I have been here..." The men were put up in boarding houses: Cardrona in Everard Road, Rhos and Moorehouse, Colwyn Crescent, Rhos. He says it is "a lovely billet up here. Plenty of food and good food too. We have porridge and fried bacon for breakfast and two or three courses for dinner and sometimes cold meat for either tea or supper and boiled Cocoa. Second helpings of everything if you can eat it."

                                21st January 1915   SM U-7

                                Type U 5 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 149) Ordered 8 Apr 1908 Laid down 6 May 1909 Launched 28 Jul 1910 Commissioned 18 Jul 1911
                                Commanders 1 Aug 1914 - 21 Jan 1915 Georg König

                                Career 3 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 21 Jan 1915 I Flotilla Successes No successes.

                                Fate 21 Jan 1915 - Misidentified and torpedoed off Dutch coast by U22 (53.43N, 06.02E). One survivor. 24 dead and 1 survivor

                                There was another U 7 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 29 Jun 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Jul 1935.

                                21st Jan 1915  2nd Queens under fire

                                21st Jan 1915  Prisoners in Harsh Conditions

                                21st Jan 1915  Contracts for Army Clothing

                                21st Jan 1915  A Hearty Send Off

                                21st Jan 1915  Passes to be Checked

                                21st Jan 1915  Flowing with Water

                                21st Jan 1915  Relief

                                21st Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                21st Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                21st Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                21st Jan 1915  Colours

                                21st Jan 1915  Instruction

                                21st Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Jan 1915  Training

                                21st of January 1915  Battalion march to Cuinchy

                                21st Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                21st of January 1915  Wulverghem Shelled

                                21st Jan 1915  Training

                                21st Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                21st January 1915  Reliefs

                                21st January 1915  Troops joined

                                21st January 1915  In Billets

                                21st Jan 1915  New CO

                                21st Jan 1915  Cold Weather

                                22nd January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                22nd Jan 1915  2nd Queens take baths

                                22nd Jan 1915  Dunkirk Bombed

                                22nd Jan 1915  Trenches Flooded

                                22nd Jan 1915  Cleaning

                                22nd Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd Jan 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                22nd Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                22nd Jan 1915  Training

                                22nd Jan 1915  Brigade Exercise

                                22nd Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                22nd Jan 1915  Training

                                22nd Jan 1915  Appointment

                                22nd of January 1915  Some Shelling

                                22nd Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                22nd of January 1915  Aeroplane-Aided Shelling

                                22nd Jan 1915  Training

                                22nd Jan 1915  In the Line

                                22nd January 1915  Company drill

                                22nd January 1915  In Reserve.

                                22nd January 1915  In Billets

                                22nd Jan 1915  Pay

                                23rd Jan 1915  On the Move

                                23rd Jan 1915  2nd Queens inspected

                                23rd Jan 1915 Battle of Dogger Bank (1915)  Dogger Bank is an area off the North Sea lying around 62 miles off Britain's East cost. The area used to be inhabited by early man and woolly mammoths, 1000s years later when the sea rose it became an important fishing ground and remains important to this day. Fishing continued during the Great War and the German navy believed that the British fishing fleet was being used to spy on German naval movements. Admiral Franz Hipper decided to put an end to this, unfortunately for him telecommunications relating to his proposed attack has been intercepted and decoded by room 40 of British naval intelligence. Vice Admiral Beatty's battle cruiser squadrons would be lying in wait.

                                On 23rd January 1915, a force of German battlecruisers under the command of Admiral Hipper sortied to clear Dogger Bank of any British fishing boats or small craft that might be there to collect intelligence on German movements. Alerted by decoded German transmissions, a larger force of British battlecruisers, including HMS New Zealand, sailed under the command of Admiral Beatty to intercept. Contact was initiated at 0720 on the 24th, when Arethusa spotted the German light cruiser SMS Kolberg. By 0735, the Germans had spotted Beatty's force and Hipper ordered a turn south at 20 knots, believing that this speed would outdistance any British battleships to the north-west. He planned to increase speed to the armoured cruiser SMS Blücher's maximum of 23 knots if necessary to outrun any battlecruisers.

                                Beatty ordered his battlecruisers to make all practical speed to catch the Germans before they could escape. HMS New Zealand and HMS Indomitable were the slowest of Beatty's ships and gradually fell behind the newer battlecruisers. Despite this, New Zealand was able to open fire on Blücher by 0935 and continued to engage the armoured cruiser after the other British battlecruisers had switched targets to the German battlecruisers. After about an hour, New Zealand had knocked out Blücher's forward turret, and Indomitable began to fire on her as well at 1031. Two 12-inch shells pierced the German ship's armoured deck and exploded in an ammunition room four minutes later. This started a fire amidships that destroyed her two port 8.3 inch turrets, while the concussion damaged her engines so that her speed dropped to 17 knots and jammed her steering gear. At 1048, Beatty ordered Indomitable to attack her, but the combination of a signalling error by Beatty's flag lieutenant and heavy damage to Beatty's flagship Lion, which had knocked out her radio and caused enough smoke to obscure her signal halyards, caused the rest of the British battlecruisers, temporarily under the command of Rear Admiral Sir Gordon Moore in New Zealand, to think that that signal applied to them. In response, they turned away from Hipper's main body and engaged Blücher. New Zealand fired 147 shells at Blücher before the German ship capsized and sank at 1207 after being torpedoed by Arethusa. Captain Halsey had again worn the piupiu over his uniform during the battle, and the lack of damage to New Zealand was once more attributed to its good luck properties.

                                23rd Jan 1915  Submarine Bombed

                                23rd Jan 1915  Truce Controversy

                                23rd Jan 1915  Trenches Flooded

                                23rd Jan 1915  Bathing

                                23rd Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Jan 1915  Surgerical Centre

                                23rd Jan 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                23rd Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                23rd Jan 1915  Interior Economy

                                23rd Jan 1915  Routine

                                23rd Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                23rd Jan 1915  On the March

                                23rd Jan 1915  Training

                                23rd of January 1915  Relief Complete

                                23rd Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                23rd of January 1915  Quiet Day

                                23rd Jan 1915  Training

                                23rd Jan 1915  Relief

                                23rd January 1915  General French visited Scherenberg windmill

                                23rd January 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Jan 1915  Scotsman Wounded

                                23rd Jan 1915  Illness

                                24th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards undergo an Inoculation of all ranks  Squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards take it in turn to bathe in a brewery near the billets every Sunday. Inoculation of all ranks not already treated is carried on with very few men objecting.

                                24th January 1915 RAMC 19th Field Ambulance   Reporting for duty at Armentières Temp Lieut A D Haydon reported himself for duty and was posted to "B" Section.

                                24th Jan 1915  Under Shellfire

                                24th Jan 1915  Battleship Relieved

                                24th January 1915 Battle of Dogger Bank 1915  The First Battle of Dogger Bank was fought in the North Sea on 24 January 1915, between squadrons of the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet. The British, through decoded radio messages had received advance information that a German raiding squadron was heading for Dogger Bank and sent naval forces to intercept it.

                                They encountered the Germans at the expected location, surprising the smaller and slower German squadron, who fled homewards. Chasing them for several hours, the British slowly closed with the Germans and engaged them with long-range gunfire. The rearmost German ship, the Blücher was badly damaged, but the Germans also put the British flagship HMS Lion out of action with heavy damage. Due to a signalling error, the remaining British ships broke off pursuit of the fleeing enemy force to sink Blücher, as a result of which the German squadron escaped. All the remaining German vessels returned safely to harbour, though some had heavy damage requiring extended repairs.

                                Lion made it back to port but was out of action for several months. It was hailed as a British victory as no ships were lost and casualties were light, while the Germans lost a ship and most of its crew. Both navies drew lessons from the encounter and both Commanders were replaced on grounds of poor judgement.

                                Order of battle at Dogger Bank (1915)

                                • British Forces:
                                • 1st Battlecruiser Squadron: HMS Lion, Tiger and Princess Royal.
                                • 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron: HMS New Zealand and Indomitable.
                                • 1st Light Cruiser Squadron: HMS Southampton, Birmingham, Lowestoft, and Nottingham.
                                • Harwich Force: three light cruisers (HMS Aurora, Arethusa, Undaunted) and 35 destroyers.
                                • German Forces:
                                • 1st Scouting Group: SMS Seydlitz, Moltke, Derfflinger and Blücher.
                                • 2nd Scouting Group: SMS Kolberg, Stralsund, Rostock, and Graudenz.
                                • Two flotillas of torpedo boats - 18 in total.

                                Background to the action

                                The success at Heligoland Bight had the main German battle fleet effectively bottled up, so the German high command decided a raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby would be made with Admiral Franz Hipper's battlecruiser squadron. This comprised three battlecruisers and one large armoured cruiser—supported by light cruisers and destroyers. Hipper opened fire at 0800 on 16 December 1914, eventually killing 108 civilians and wounding 525. Public and political opinion was outraged that German warships could sail so close to the British coast, shelling coastal towns with apparent impunity. British naval forces had failed to prevent the attacks, and also failed to intercept Hipper's raiding squadron afterwards. Though the British fleet was at sea hunting Hipper after the raid, the Germans escaped in stormy weather, aided by low visibility and British communication problems.

                                Buoyed by the success of the raid, Admiral Hipper resolved to repeat the exercise by attacking the British fishing fleet on the Dogger Bank — midway between Germany and Britain — the following month. Hipper suspected that the British fishing fleet was providing intelligence on German fleet movements.

                                Through intercepted German radio traffic decoded by Room 40 of British Naval Intelligence, the British learned of Hipper's planned sortie on 23 January 1915. Acting Vice Admiral Beatty set sail from Rosyth with five battlecruisers — supported by four light cruisers — to attempt to trap Hipper's force. They were joined by additional cruisers and destroyers from Harwich as Beatty headed south, encountering Hipper's screening vessels at the Dogger Bank at 0705 on 24 January. The day was clear and visibility was unusually good.

                                Sighting the smoke from a large approaching force, Hipper headed southeast by 0735 to escape, but Beatty's ships were faster than the German squadron, which was held back by the slower armoured cruiser SMS Blücher and by Hipper's coal-fired torpedo boats. By 0800, Hipper's battlecruisers were sighted from Beatty's flagship, HMS Lion. The older battlecruisers of the British 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron lagged somewhat behind the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. Chasing the Germans from a position astern and to starboard of Hipper's force, the British ships gradually caught up — some reaching speeds of 27 kn (31 mph; 50 km/h) — and closed to gun range. Beatty chose to approach from this direction because the prevailing wind then blew the British ships' smoke clear, allowing them a good view of the enemy, while Hipper's gunners were partially blinded by funnel and gun smoke blowing in the direction of their targets. Lion opened fire at 0852 at a range of 20,000 yd (18,000 m). Other British ships opened as they came within range, while the Germans were unable to reply until 0911 because of the shorter range of their guns. No warships had ever before engaged at such long ranges or at such high speeds and gunnery challenges for both sides were therefore unprecedented. Nevertheless, after a few salvos the British shells had straddled Blücher.

                                The British fire was concentrated on two of the German ships, Hipper's flagship battlecruiser SMS Seydlitz at the head of the line and Blücher at the rear. With five British ships to the German four, Beatty intended that his two rear ships, HMS New Zealand and Indomitable, should engage Blücher, while his leading three engaged their opposite numbers. But Captain H.B. Pelly of the newly commissioned battlecruiser HMS Tiger assumed that two ships should concentrate on the leading German ship and engaged Seydlitz, leaving SMS Moltke unmolested to fire at Lion. Worse, Tiger's fire was ineffective, as she mistook Lion's shell splashes for her own (when her shots were actually falling 3,000 yd (2,700 m) beyond Seydlitz).

                                At 0943, Seydlitz was hit by a 13.5 in (340 mm) shell from Lion, which penetrated her after turret barbette and caused an ammunition fire in the working chamber. This fire spread rapidly through one compartment after another, igniting ready propellant charges all the way to the magazines, and knocked out both rear turrets with the loss of 165 men. Only the prompt action of the executive officer in flooding the magazines, saved Seydlitz from a massive magazine explosion that would have destroyed the ship.

                                The British ships were relatively unscathed until 1018, when SMS Derfflinger hit Lion with several 12 inches (305 mm) shells, damaging her engines and causing flooding so that Lion began to lag behind. At 1041, Lion narrowly escaped a disaster similar to what had happened on Seydlitz, when a German shell hit the forward turret and ignited a small ammunition fire which, fortunately for the British, was extinguished before it caused catastrophe. A few minutes later, taking on water and listing to port, Lion had to stop her port engine and reduce speed to 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h), and was soon out of action, having been hit 14 times.

                                Meanwhile, at 1030, Blücher was hit by a shell from HMS Princess Royal, which caused an ammunition fire and boiler room damage. As a result, Blücher had to reduce speed to 17 kn (20 mph; 31 km/h), and fell further and further behind the rest of the German force. Beatty ordered Indomitable — his slowest ship — to intercept Blücher.

                                Now Hipper, running low on ammunition, made the difficult decision to leave the disabled Blücher to her fate and steam for home, in order to save his remaining damaged ships. Nevertheless, the annihilation of the German squadron still appeared likely to the pursuing British until 1054, when Beatty — believing he saw a submarine's periscope on Lion's starboard bow — ordered a sharp, 90° turn to port to avoid a submarine trap. (It is possible that the "periscope" was actually a surfacing, run-out torpedo which had been launched 15 minutes earlier by the German destroyer V5). At 1102, realising that so sharp a turn would open the range too much, Beatty ordered "Course NE" to limit the turn to 45°, and then added "Engage the enemy's rear", in an attempt to clarify his intention that his other ships, which had now left Lion far behind, should pursue Hipper's main force. With Lion's electric generators now out of commission, Beatty could only signal using flag hoists, and both these signals were flown at the same time. But the combination of the signal of "Course NE" — which happened to be the direction of Blücher — and the signal to engage the rear was misunderstood by Beatty’s second-in-command — Rear-Admiral Gordon Moore on New Zealand — as an order for all the battlecruisers to finish off the cripple. Therefore, the remaining British battlecruisers broke off the pursuit of the fleeing German squadron and rounded on Blücher. Most of the British light cruisers and destroyers also attacked Blücher. Beatty tried to correct this obvious misunderstanding by using Horatio Nelson's famous order from Trafalgar "Engage the enemy more closely", but this order was not in the signal book, so he chose "Keep nearer to the enemy" as the closest equivalent. But by the time this signal was hoisted, Moore's ships were too far away to read Beatty's flags, and the correction was not received.

                                Despite the overwhelming odds, Blücher fought stubbornly to the end. Blücher managed to put the British destroyer HMS Meteor out of action and scored two hits on the British battlecruisers with her 8.2 in (210 mm) guns, but was pounded into a burning wreck by approximately 50 British shells. Finally, struck by two torpedoes from the light cruiser HMS Arethusa, Blücher capsized and sank at 1313 with the loss of 792 men. British efforts to rescue survivors in the water were interrupted by the arrival of the German Zeppelin L-5 (aka LZ-28), and by a German seaplane which attacked with small bombs. No damage was done, but the British ships — which were sitting targets while stopped in the water for rescue — put on speed and withdrew to avoid further aerial attack.

                                By this time, Hipper had escaped; his ships were now too far away for the British to catch them again. Beatty had lost control of the battle, and he perceived that the opportunity of an overwhelming victory had been lost. The Admiralty — incorrectly believing that Derfflinger had been badly damaged — would soon reach the same conclusion. However, in light of what happened later at Jutland, where the British battlecruisers were shown to be highly vulnerable to ammunition fires and magazine explosions following hits on gun turrets, it is possible that if Moore's three fast battlecruisers had pursued Hipper's remaining three (leaving the slower Indomitable behind as Beatty intended), the British might actually have been at a disadvantage and might have got the worst of it. Blücher demonstrated the ability of the German ships to absorb great punishment. All of Hipper's remaining ships were larger, faster, more modern, more heavily armed, and far better armoured than Blücher and only Seydlitz had suffered any serious damage. Apart from the sinking of Blücher, the Germans out-hit the British by over three to one, with 22 heavy-calibre hits — 16 on Lion and six on Tiger — against the British total of just seven hits.

                                Aftermath of the Battle

                                Lion had to be towed back to port by Indomitable at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h), a long and dangerous voyage in which both battlecruisers were exposed to potential submarine attacks. Therefore, an enormous screen of over fifty ships was assigned to guard Lion and Indomitable as they crept home. Both reached port safely. The disabled Meteor was also towed home. Lion was out of action for four months, Lord Fisher having decreed that her damage be repaired on the Tyne without going into dry dock, making for an extremely difficult and time-consuming job.

                                All the surviving German ships reached port, though Seydlitz was heavily damaged and had to go into drydock for repairs. Although the Germans initially believed that Tiger had been sunk because of a large fire that had been seen on her decks, it was soon clear that the battle was a serious reverse. A furious Kaiser Wilhelm II issued an order that all further risks to surface vessels were to be avoided. Admiral Friedrich von Ingenohl—commander of the High Seas Fleet—was replaced by Admiral Hugo von Pohl. The Germans took the lessons of the battle to heart, particularly the damage to Seydlitz, which revealed flaws in the protection of her magazines and dangerous ammunition-handling procedures.Some of these issues were corrected in Germany's battleships and battlecruisers in time for the Battle of Jutland the following summer. Although the Germans realized that the appearance of the British squadron at dawn was too remarkable to be mere coincidence, they concluded that an enemy agent near their base in the Jade Bay was responsible, and did not suspect that their wireless codes had been compromised.

                                Although the battle was not greatly consequential in itself, it boosted British morale. But while the Germans learned their lessons, the British did not. The unfortunate Rear-Admiral Moore was quietly replaced, but Beatty's flag lieutenant Ralph Seymour — responsible for hoisting Beatty's two commands on one flag hoist, thereby allowing them to be read as one — remained. Signalling on board Lion would again be poor in the first hours of Jutland, with serious consequences for the British. Nor did the battlecruisers learn their lesson about fire distribution, as similar targeting errors were made at Jutland.

                                24th Jan 1915  2nd Queens church parade

                                24th Jan 1915  Day Off

                                24th Jan 1915  At Rest

                                24th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                24th Jan 1915  Inspection

                                24th Jan 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                24th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                24th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                24th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                24th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                24th of January 1915  Back to billets

                                24th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                24th of January 1915  Machine Gun Silenced

                                24th Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                24th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                24th January 1915  Reliefs

                                24th January 1915  Bathing carried out at Brigade and Regimental Bath's.

                                24th January 1915  In Billets

                                24th Jan 1915  Correspondence

                                25th Jan 1915  German Attack

                                25th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                25th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 25th 1915

                                Present:- Lord Durham, W. Cresswell Gray, A.F. Pease, Rowland Burdon, Col. Hugh Bowes, and Captain & Adjutant Lowe.

                                The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed, as altered. Colonel Burdon reported that in order to provide accommodation for the men up to the strength of the two Depot Companies, in addition to the original Battalion, he had accepted a contract for six new hut shelters at a cost of £150 each, lined; stoves fitted, but to be extra.

                                The case of the Quartermaster was considered; he having had money advanced to him at the same rate as he was previously earning, viz, £2-10-0 per week, until such time as his pay could reach him. It is now a question of whether he was to be asked to refund to the battalion the whole, or a portion of this money advanced; and it was decided that the Committee would be content if he would repay them one half of this sum.

                                It was reported that one or two undesirable men had been received from Durham; but that as a rule recruits were coming in fairly satisfactorily.

                                It was suggested that a statement of accounts should be prepared to show the financial position of the Committee up to date. Colonel Burdon reported that he had had a subscription of £25 from His Honour Judge Greenwell; and Mr Gray also reported that he had been promised £50 for the battalion by Mr. A.B. Horsley.

                                The question of leave was considered informally by the Committee; and Colonel Bowes was requested to lay before the Brigadier their opinion that - especially in the case of the men who had been quartered at Hartlepool, and considering the class of men who formed the Battalion - it was desirable that as much leave should be granted as was in accordance with the discipline.

                                Colonel Burdon also reported that in consequence of a conversation between himself, the Brigadier, and Col. Bowes, which took place at Cocken on the occasion of his meeting the Brigadier there, he had written to York, and had received definite instructions from the G.O.C. in C, Northern Command, that from this time onward neither he nor the Committee were any longer responsible for the discipline and training of the battalion, which now vested in the Colonel Commanding and the Brigadier.



                                25th Jan 1915  In Action

                                25th Jan 1915  Artillery In Action

                                25th Jan 1915  Artillery In Action

                                25th Jan 1915  Good Shooting

                                25th Jan 1915  Swift Reinforcements

                                25th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Jan 1915  Attack

                                25th Jan 1915  Alert

                                25th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                25th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                25th Jan 1915  Preparations

                                25th Jan 1915  Staff Ride

                                25th Jan 1915  Head Quarters

                                25th Jan 1915  In the Trenches

                                25th Jan 1915  Training

                                25th Jan 1915  Orders

                                25th of January  Heavy Shell Fire.

                                25th Jan 1915  Holding the Line

                                25th of January 1915  Quiet Day

                                25th Jan 1915  Training

                                25th Jan 1915  In Action

                                25th January 1915  Quiet night.

                                25th January 1915  Battalion proceeded to Kemmel at 1715 hours

                                25th January 1915  In the Trenches

                                25th Jan 1915  Departure

                                25th Jan 1915  Reorganisation

                                26th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards are to return to the trenches.  The CO of the 2nd Life Guards made a thorough inspection of D squadron horses. The Brigadier called to tell us we are to return to the trenches.

                                26th Jan 1915 Gen. Gainsford visits Redmires Camp  General Gainsford and Brigadier General Bowles visit Redmires Camp. They observed the men of the Sheffield City Battalion undertaking drill on the parade ground and physical training. They also visited Quarry Hill a short distance from the camp where two platoons from B Company were engaged in digging trenches.

                                26th January 1915 Opening of convalescent ward - Armentières  Lieut. H V Soltau RAMC (SR) reported his arrival and posted to ? medical charge of Sherwood Foresters in relief of Lieut. Perry proceeding on 8 days leave.

                                Capt. Nicholls and Lieut. Haydon placed on sick list today.

                                Convalescent ward opened in the École Professionale today and staff of 1 MO, 1 NCO and 3 men appointed for duty there. Slight cases both medical and surgical will be kept there in future and returned to their units without having to be sent down to the ?

                                26th January 1915  Promotion

                                26th Jan 1915  2nd Queens parade

                                26th Jan 1915  Heavy Fighting

                                26th Jan 1915  Patrol Enagages Enemy

                                26th Jan 1915  Spy

                                26th Jan 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th Jan 1915  Rifle Range

                                26th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                26th Jan 1915  Orders

                                26th Jan 1915  Preparations

                                26th Jan 1915  Routine

                                26th Jan 1915  Holding the Line

                                26th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Jan 1915  Training

                                26th of January 1915  In readiness.

                                26th Jan 1915  Holding the Line

                                26th of January 1915  Cheshire's Sniping Effective

                                26th Jan 1915  Training

                                26th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                26th January 1915  Snipers dugout destroyed.

                                26th January 1915  Intermittent sniping and shelling

                                26th January 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th Jan 1915  Pay and Allowances

                                27th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards Ready to march  The War Diary Records: 2nd Life Guards all ready to march at 7 am, but later orders say 250 strong and without horses. Finally orders to unsaddle and we paraded on foot at 11.30 am for inspection by the FMC in C, who addressed the Regiment speaking highly of its past services, and making special mention of the great loss the army, he himself, and the Regiment had sustained by the loss of Major the Hon. Hugh Dawnay.

                                27th January 1915  Route March

                                27th Jan 1915  Ongoing defensive adjustments

                                27th Jan 1915  Planned Birthday Present

                                27th Jan 1915  Reflection

                                27th Jan 1915  Day Off

                                27th Jan 1915  Artillery In Action

                                27th Jan 1915  Quiet

                                27th Jan 1915  Reinforcements

                                27th Jan 1915  Support

                                27th Jan 1915  Preparations

                                27th Jan 1915  Inspection

                                27th Jan 1915  Leave

                                27th Jan 1915  In Billets

                                27th Jan 1915  Training

                                27th of January 1915  Ready

                                27th Jan 1915  Holding the Line

                                27th of January 1915   A Farm on Fire

                                27th Jan 1915  Training

                                27th Jan 1915  Stand To

                                27th January 1915  Quiet

                                27th January 1915  The Kaisers birthday

                                27th January 1915  On the Move

                                27th January 1915  In the Trenches

                                27th Jan 1915  Nurses Required

                                28th Jan 1915  Naval Attack Approved

                                28th January 1915 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders appointment, Armentières  Lieut. Chandler appointed to the medical charge of 21 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in relief of Lieut. Balfour who is temporarily attached to this Field Ambulance.

                                28th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                28th Jan 1915  Reports of Explosion

                                28th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Jan 1915  Artillery In Action

                                28th Jan 1915  On the Move

                                28th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jan 1915  On the Move

                                28th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jan 1915  Preparations

                                28th Jan 1915  Change of Billets

                                28th Jan 1915  Football

                                28th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jan 1915  Route March

                                28th Jan 1915  Relief Completed

                                28th of January 1915  Active Snipers

                                28th of January 1915 

                                28th Jan 1915  Training

                                28th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                28th January 1915  Reliefs commenced.

                                28th January 1915  Clear frosty day with full moon at night.

                                28th January 1915  Considerable sniping.

                                28th January 1915  In Billets

                                28th Jan 1915  Shelling

                                28th Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards Inspected by Brigadier  Between 10 am and 12.30 The Brigadier made a close inspection of every horse in the 2nd Life Guards, and at the end expressed himself as 'pleasantly surprised'. A large barn at a billet occupied by C squadron was unfortunately burnt down in the night of 27-28 Jan. I visited the place with a French officer Lt Labouchon, and had a board on the affair, but could obtain no evidence as to the cause of the fire.

                                29th Jan 1915 Submarine U21 Fires on Cumbrian coast  Just after 14:15 hours on the 29th January 1915 German submarine U21 surfaced off the Cumbrian coast and opened fire on the airship sheds at Airship Shed Road, (West Shore Road) Walney Island, Barrow in Furness. No damage was caused and Walney Battery returned fire, some eye-witnesses reported that U21 had been sunk, but these reports were untrue.

                                29th Jan 1915 2 Life Guards - Capt. Ferrey promoted  2 Life Guards - War Diary, Captain Ferrey of 27th Light Cavalry was gazetted to my Regiment as a Major. I supervised a scheme for all officers set by Major Ferrey.

                                29th January 1915  On the March

                                29th Jan 1915  2nd Queens leave billets

                                29th Jan 1915  Entertainment for Wounded

                                29th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Jan 1915  Artillery In Action

                                29th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Jan 1915  Aircraft Active

                                29th Jan 1915  Patrol

                                29th Jan 1915  Preparations

                                29th Jan 1915  Reinforcements

                                29th Jan 1915  Wounded

                                29th Jan 1915  Training

                                29th Jan 1915  In Reserve

                                29th of January 1915   Artillery Intervenes

                                29th of January 1915  Message

                                29th Jan 1915  Training

                                29th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                29th January 1915  Remained in billets

                                29th January 1915  Usual sniping and Artillery fire.

                                29th January 1915  Trenches much improved.

                                29th January 1915  In Billets

                                29th Jan 1915  Baptism

                                29th Jan 1915  Artillery Active

                                29th Jan 9115  On the Move

                                30th January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.  1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.

                                30th Jan 1915 2 Life Guards - Frost and Snow  Frost and snow. Squadrons of the 2nd Life Guards continued their weekly programme of work. The machine gun detachment moved into a drier billet.

                                30th January 1915  On the March

                                30th Jan 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                30th Jan 1915  Night Work

                                30th Jan 1915  Admissions

                                30th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Jan 1915  Trench Work

                                30th Jan 1915  Reinforcements

                                30th Jan 1915  Shelling

                                30th Jan 1915  Shelling

                                30th Jan 1915  Dismounted Training

                                30th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Jan 1915  Training

                                30th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                30th of January 1915  Chateau on Fire

                                30th Jan 1915  Draft

                                30th Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                30th January 1915  Reliefs

                                30th January 1915  3rd German Army Corps seen

                                30th January 1915  Hard frost.

                                30th January 1915  In Billets

                                30th Jan 1915  Increase in Staff

                                31st January 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 10 men to date (that are known)

                                31st Jan 1915 2nd Life Guards report Re-equipment of Regiment almost completed  The 2nd Life Guards War Diary records: Service as usual by the Chaplain, and 1 Squadron bathed. The re-equipment of the Regiment was almost completed.

                                31st January 1915  Reinforcements

                                31st January 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade near Merville.

                                Marched at 0900 by Aire to billets in several small farms about 1 mile NE of Merville. About 23 miles. Heavy snow during the march - into billets about 1630.

                                31st Jan 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                31st Jan 1915  Snipers at the Keep

                                31st Jan 1915  Defence Work

                                31st Jan 1915  At Rest

                                31st Jan 1915  Quiet

                                31st Jan 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Jan 1915  Snipers

                                31st Jan 1915  Quiet

                                31st Jan 1915  Heavy Snow

                                31st Jan 1915  Church Parade

                                31st Jan 1915  Orders

                                31st Jan 1915  Support

                                31st of January 1915  Trench Improvements Reported

                                31st of January 1915 

                                31st Jan 1915  Class

                                31st Jan 1915  Officers

                                31st January 1915  In Billets

                                31st of January 1915 

                                31st January 1915  Presentation of Distinguished Conduct Medal to A/Sgt. Hough

                                31st January 1915  Snow.

                                31st Jan 1915  Influenza

                                Feb 1915  On the March

                                Feb 1915 8th Yorks & Lancs to Hythe  The 8th Yorks and Lancs leave Aldershot for Hythe in February 1915

                                Feb 1915 Field exercises  

                                In early February 1915 the Durham Division undertook a field exercise in County Durham, with Khaki Force, which included 122nd Brigade, taking a home base at Bishop Auckland pitted against White Force based in Sunderland.

                                Both forces advanced on Durham City, with White Force's advance being blocked at the railway bridge over the road at Belmont Hall. All the bridges over the Wear at Durham were deemed to have been blown, except the bridge at Finchale Abbey, to which the 18th DLI were deployed.

                                By the time the 18th Durhams reached the bridge, two companies of White Force supported by a section of Field Artillery had already crossed the River Wear and were busy entrenching at East Moor Leazes to provide cover for White Force to make a crossing. A mock battle ensued and the advance party of White Force were drive back by the 18th DLI.

                                1st February 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                16 RIR parade in Lurgan, County Armagh.

                                16th Btn Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers

                                Recruitment tour of County Down. In order to try and boost intake a recruitment tour of County Down was organised, starting on the 15th February and ending on the 27th February, with 150 Officers and men under the command of Major Gardiner and including the newly formed pipe band. It was followed by 2 horse drawn wagons and a horse drawn field ambulance unit. The schedule was as follows:

                                • February 15 Dromore
                                • 16 Ballynahinch
                                • 17 Dromara
                                • 18 Saintfield and Crossgar
                                • 19 Downpatrick
                                • 20 Clough, Seaforde and back to Downpatrick
                                • 21 Downpatrick
                                • 22 Comber via Killyleagh and Killinchy
                                • 23 Donaghadee via Newtownards
                                • 25 Comber via Bangor
                                • 26 Hillsborough
                                • 27 Lurgan via the Maze, Moira and Maralin.

                                In each location a marching display would be followed by meetings and speeches after which the troops would be fed, entertained and accommodation provided by locals. The success of this recruiting march is difficult to assess as the strength figures were reported less frequently. Training.

                                Interspersed with infantry training, the emphasis now switched to pioneering skills in trench, road and railroad construction Trench works. Trenches were constructed in readily available countryside locations and used to replicate known offensive and defensive methods. It was hard manual work as there were no mechanical machines. So, as practice, 5 foot deep by 1 ½ foot wide trenches were literally dug out by pickaxe, shovel and hands, hard labour by any standards in a peaceful country environment. How much more difficult it must have been in hard ground or muddy conditions, good and bad weather, with hostile fire from sniper, machine gun or artillery and with much deeper and wider dimensions.

                                Wiring techniques were also taught in conjunction with the trench layouts. It is doubtful that full fitting out of trenches took place as materials were in short supply. (Revetment or revetting).

                                Road works. On the 8th February 2 officers and 50 other ranks left for Keady where they assisted County Council men in constructing a new roadway at Drumderg nearby. They returned on the 17th and Armagh County Council donated £10 towards comforts for the men in appreciation of their work. Work was also carried out at the rear entrance to Brownlow House, widening the Avenue Road and constructing a new walkway in the park.

                                Railway Training Again 4 officers and 50 other ranks left on the 3rd February for Skerries, Co Dublin for instruction in pioneer railway work.

                                1st Feb 1915 9th Heavy Battery leave Charlton Park  9th Heavy Battery left Charlton Park and moved to Odihamon February 1st, 1915

                                1st February 1915 Continued trench clearing at Houplines  This Field Ambulance continues to work from Houplines section of trenches clearing the sick and wounded of the 18th Infantry Brigade. Lt Haydon taken off sick list and returned to duty.

                                1st February 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Feb 1915  Counter Attack

                                1st February 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in reserve near Merville

                                1st to 4th February 1915 in bllets near Merville. On the 2nd February Lieutenant Lund sent to 27th Division to help train young subalterns. On the 4th February Second Lieutenant DCM Carberry joined for training from battery to which Lt Lund had been sent.

                                Early Feb 1915 18th Manchesters move to Heaton Park  18th (3rd City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment moved from White City, Old Trafford where they had been engaged in initial training to Heaton Park Camp to join the 1st, 2nd and 4th City Battalions.

                                1st February 1915  brigade move

                                1st February 1915  Further moves

                                1st Feb 1915  All Quiet

                                1st Feb 1915  Good works at Support Farm

                                1st February 1915 Actions during 1915  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                                Divisional Activity in 1915

                                At the beginning of February 1915, it reappeared in Oriental Prussia and participated in the offensive which ejected the Russians from this Province. It was engaged in its entirety in the district of Lyck and marched upon Augustowo and Grodno.

                                The Russian counter attack launched in the vicinity of Prasnysz toward the end of March drew the 2nd Division to this sector.

                                In July during the development of the Hindenburg offensive, it emerged from the Ostrolenka-Pultusk line and proceeded in a northerly direction.

                                Upon the stabilization of the front the 2nd Division held a sector between Illukst and Lake Drisviaty (Dwinsk District).

                                1st Feb 1915  Found Brother Killed

                                1st Feb 1915  Sandbagging

                                1st Feb 1915  In Billets

                                1st Feb 1915  Inspection

                                1st Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                1st February 1915  Musketry

                                1st Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Feb 1915  Shelling

                                1st Feb 1915  Preparations

                                1st Feb 1915  Orders

                                1st Feb 1915  Inspection

                                1st Feb 1917  Frontier

                                1st Feb 1915  Training

                                1st Feb 1915  On the Move

                                1st of February 1915  In Reserve

                                1st of February 1915   No 7 Trench Hit

                                1st of February 1915  Message

                                Feb 1915  On the Move

                                1st February 1915  New Billets

                                1st February 1915  The day spent bathing and general cleaning up

                                1st February 1915  In trenches

                                1st February 1915  Relieved

                                1st February 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Feb 1915  Exercise

                                1st Feb 1915  Reorganisation

                                1st Feb 1915  Attack Made

                                2nd Feb 1915 Archbishop of York gives speech in Halifax  Victoria Hall, Halifax was the seeting for a well attended meeting to hear a speech by the Archbishop of York on the nation's part in the war.

                                2nd February 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                2nd February 1915  Move

                                2nd Feb 1915  2nd Queens relieved

                                2nd Feb 1915  A Letter of Thanks

                                2nd Feb 1915  Prisoner Taken

                                2nd Feb 1915  Bullet Controversy

                                2nd Feb 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd Feb 1915  Experiments

                                2nd Feb 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Feb 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Feb 1915  Route March

                                2nd Feb 1915  Billeting Party

                                2nd Feb 1915  Exercise

                                2nd Feb 1915  Training

                                2nd Feb 1915  Registration

                                2nd of February 1915  Move

                                2nd of February 1915   Artillery in Action

                                2nd of February 1915  

                                2nd February 1915  In Billets

                                2nd February 1915  Proceeded in afternoon to relieve 4th Middlesex Regt.

                                2nd February 1915  Reinforcements

                                2nd February 1915  In the Trenches

                                2nd Feb 1915  Advance Party

                                2nd Feb 1915  Spy Caught

                                3rd February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                3rd February 1915 2nd Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers posting (Armentières  Lt Haydon posted to temporary medical charge of the 2/RW Fusiliers in relief of Lt Harbison proceeding to England on 8 days leave.

                                3rd February 1915  Attachment

                                3rd Feb 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                3rd Feb 1915  Shortage of Sandbags

                                3rd Feb 1915  Into the Trenches

                                3rd Feb 1915  It Warms up Fine

                                3rd Feb 1915  Soaked

                                3rd Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd February 1915 New Squadron formed  No. 14 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps was formed at Shoreham on 3rd of February 1915.

                                3rd Feb 1915  At Rest

                                3rd Feb 1915  In Billets

                                3rd Feb 1915  Horses

                                3rd Feb 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Feb 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Feb 1915  Divisional Exercise

                                3rd Feb 1915  Exercise

                                3rd Feb 1915  Shelling

                                3rd of February 1915  1st London Scottish Appointments

                                3rd of February 1915   Snipers Silenced

                                3rd of February 1915 

                                3rd February 1915  Considerable shelling near Redoubt.

                                3rd February 1915  In Billets

                                3rd February 1915  In the Trenches

                                3rd Feb 1915  In Trenches

                                3rd Feb 1915  Prisoner Taken

                                4th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards in trenches  2nd Life Guards are in trenches. 1 Officer Royal Artillery and some men and 6 trench mortars arrived. All hands were busy all day and night bringing up stores at night and baling trenches and at sanitation all day. The French apparently used only loop holes for fire, so we had to make a step for use to fire over parapet in case of attack.

                                4th February 1915 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL5

                                • First Flight: 4th February 1915
                                • Length: 153.1 metres (502 ft)
                                • Diameter: 19.75 metres (65 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 32,470 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 83.2 km/h
                                • Payload: 14.3 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Daimler 840 hp/626 kW total

                                SL5 was an army airship, based at Darmstadt. The structure was damaged during the first flight, but repaired after several months work. During its second flight the ship was forced down by bad weather at Gießen and stricken from service on the 5th July 1915.

                                4th February 1915 Visit of Surgeon General O'Donnell to RAMC Armentières  Lt Soltau returned from Sherwood Foresters on being relieved by Lt Perry from leave of absence. Surg. General O'Donnell visited the Field Ambulance this afternoon.

                                4th Feb 1915  Submarine Blockade

                                4th February 1915  In Support

                                4th Feb 1915  2nd Queens on the move

                                4th Feb 1915  Sunny day

                                4th Feb 1915  On the March

                                4th Feb 1915  Training

                                4th Feb 1915  At Rest

                                4th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                4th Feb 1915  Route March

                                4th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                4th Feb 1915  Exercise

                                4th Feb 1915  Attack Made

                                4th of February 1915  Chicken Sentries

                                4th of February 1915   Message

                                4th February 1915  Trench K1 was greatly improved

                                4th February 1915  Reorganisation

                                4th February 1915  In Billets

                                4th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                4th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                5th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards stand to  2nd Life Guards stood to at 6 am and off to end of trenches at 10 am getting back at 12 midday. Up to trenches at 3pm to see suggested alternative positions for machine guns, and these were made. Much more sniping and shelling and many aeroplanes, but no damage. 10 officers of the Brigade which will relieve 8th arrived, which is rather a tax, as we have no room and no food to spare. Message at 1am saying all communication with the Blues on our left is cut off. Can I [illegible] but Adjutant to find out and he got back at 4.30 am to say nothing had occurred. Alarm apparently caused by neglect on the part of signaller.

                                5th February 1915 1st Middlesex Regt medical posting at Armentières  Lt Soltau posted to medical charge of 1/Middx Regt in relief of Lt Cohen who joined the Field Ambulance for duty.

                                5th February 1915  In Support

                                5th February 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                5th to 26th February - with 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve positions near Merville.

                                On the 5th February Lt. WHB Mirrleas joined from 5th Division. On the 18th February Captain Walwyn left for duty with 5th Cavalry Brigade which had gone to the trenches at Ypres with the remainder of 2nd Cavalry Division supported by French Guns. On the 25th February Captain Walwyn returned to battery, 2nd Division having finished their time in the trenches.

                                5th Feb 1915  Permission

                                5th February 1915 General Cappers football cup.  2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) played a Football match versus Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Rue du Bataille. Result Welsh Fusiliers won 6-0. 2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment) are in in billets at La Toulette, transport inspected and a concert was held for the men at Fleurbaix. Officers 28 and men 874, 3 from hospital. 2nd Lieutenants AN Heller and WJ Dew both from the Queens joined the Battalion.

                                5th Feb 1915   February 5th 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                There seems to be comparatively little new at Cocken at the moment; and therefore I do not propose to have a Committee meeting on Monday, as I cannot be there myself without inconvenience.

                                Colonel Bowes proposes to promote three men from the ranks to be officers in the Battalion; and to bring in one from the Durham O.T.C. I see no reason to interfere in the granting of these commissions, as at this stage the appointment of Officers concerns primarily the Officer Commanding, and the second in Command. In any case, these appear to be suitable appointments.

                                The new huts have again been delayed; but must be ready for occupation in a day or two. The question of stoves for the cook house to be run by the battalion is having attention. These can be obtained at short notice, as I ascertained when at the War Office on Wednesday the 3rd inst. The supply of ashes is now coming in well, and considerable progress is being made with the roads.

                                Colonel Bowes reports to me that the Brigadier has visited the battalion since the last meeting, and has expressed his approval of the progress made; and he is prepared to relax, to some extent, his restrictions with regard to leave.

                                I presented a request at the War Office on Wednesday to be allowed to continue the formation of the second Depot Company uninterruptedly. General Sir Herbert Belfield told me that he could not give permission on account of the precedent which would be followed by other battalions. He suggested that there were some things that are better done first and asked for afterwards, and therefore, the formation of the second Depot Company is being proceeded with; and I have applied in writing.

                                There is a certain amount of sickness, but none of a really serious nature.



                                  A Dead Man's Pay

                                5th Feb 1915  Working Party

                                5th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Feb 1915  Reorganisation

                                5th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                5th Feb 1915  Company Training

                                5th Feb 1915  Communication Issues

                                5th of February 1915  Court of Inquiry

                                5th of February 1915  Firing for Effect

                                5th of February 1915  

                                5th February 1915  Baths

                                5th Feb 1915  Instruction

                                5th Feb 1915  Reorganisation

                                6th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                6th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards in trenches.  2nd Life Guards War Diary records: Off to trenches at 10 am till 12 and again at 10 pm and found a lot of sniping going on, infantry blazing at nothing as usual. Col Smith Bingham 3rd Dragoon Guards and Geoffrey Glyn Somerset Yeomanry arrived.

                                The snipers took the life of 2877 Trooper Langford Wild, 2nd Life Guards, who died at a Dressing Station in Ypres at around 7.30 in the evening of the 6th of February, after having been shot in the head while in trenches at Zillebeke. His death was reported in The Surrey Mirror on 19th of February: "A Hull accountant, Trooper Langford Wild, 2nd Life Guards, has been killed at the front. In communicating the sad news the Rev. A. H. Boyd, Chaplain to the 3rd Cavalry Division, says that Wild was buried with other British soldiers in the small burial ground made on the ramparts of Ypres."

                                6th February 1915 Scarlet Fever case at Armentières  The Scarlet Fever Case admitted on 31st ? Now convalescing and transferred to Infectious Diseases Hospital, Bailleul. No further extensions.

                                6th February 1915  In Action

                                6th Feb 1915  2nd Queens to trenches

                                6th Feb 1915  Quiet day

                                6th Feb 1915 Training  No. 12 Squadron was formed at Netheravon from a flight of No.1 Squadron on 4th February 1915. Training for France commenced at Netheravon.

                                6th Feb 1915  Attack Made

                                6th Feb 1915  In the Line

                                6th Feb 1915  In Action

                                6th Feb 1915  Working Party

                                6th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                6th Feb 1915  Drill

                                6th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                6th Feb 1915  Progress

                                6th Feb 1915  Training

                                6th Feb 1915  Targets Selected

                                6th of February 1915  Promotion

                                6th of February 1915   Three Germans Shot

                                6th February 1915  Quiet day

                                6th February 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Feb 1915  Instruction

                                6th Feb 1915  Illness

                                6th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                7th Feb 1915 XXXXXDUPLICATE  2nd Life Guards stood to at 6 am and relieved C Squadron with B. French Battery shelled German trenches, having first asked us to keep our heads down. Went to trenches as usual. 94 rifles in trenches.

                                7th Feb 1915 2 Life Guards in trenches  2nd Life Guards stood to at 6 am and relieved C Squadron with B. French Battery shelled German trenches, having first asked us to keep our heads down. Went to trenches as usual. 94 rifles in trenches and remainder fatiguing all day. 4 or 5 men have swollen feet. Big guns all day. Party of relieving officers, 40 in all, arrived, more or less as our guests. Kavanagh came at 10 and stayed till midnight.

                                7th February 1915 Visit to 19th Field Ambulance HQ  Visited 19th Btn HQ to interview the Brigadier General re matters concerning medical change of units of the Brigade.

                                7th February 1915  In Support

                                7th Feb 1915  Ongoing Actions in Trenches

                                7th Feb 1915  Quiet day

                                7th Feb 1915  Football

                                7th Feb 1915  Reinforcements

                                7th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                7th Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                7th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                7th Feb 1915  Battalion Training

                                7th Feb 1915  Conference

                                7th of February 1915  Message

                                7th of February 1915  Sectors Rearranged

                                7th February 1915  Quiet day in billets.

                                7th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                8th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                8th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards in Trenches  2nd Life Guards in trenches. Normal day till 9 pm when our relief kept dropping in. Handed over to B General Campbell. We at last got away at 1.30 am.

                                8th February 1915  Attack Made

                                8th Feb 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                8th Feb 1915  Stormy

                                8th Feb 1915  Second Lines

                                8th Feb 1915  Instruction

                                8th Feb 1915  Trench Work

                                8th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                8th Feb 1915  Reinforcements

                                8th Feb 1915  Preparations

                                8th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                8th Feb 1915  Training

                                8th Feb 1915  Communications

                                8th of February 1915  Inspection by Belgian King

                                8th February 1915  Battalion formed a Guard of Honour

                                8th February 1915  Inspection by the King of the Belgians

                                8th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                9th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards billeted in Ypres  2nd Life Guards got to billets at Ypres at 4.30 am. Town is in chaos and shells passing over all day to the railway station.

                                9th Feb 1915  HMS Lion Undergoes Repairs

                                9th Feb 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                8th Feb 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                9th Feb 1915  Lost Teeth

                                9th Feb 1915  Trench Work

                                9th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Feb 1915  Preparations

                                9th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                9th Feb 1915  Course

                                9th Feb 1915  Company Training

                                9th Feb 1915  Reorganisation

                                9th of February 1915  Officers on Leave

                                9th of February 1915  German Post Located

                                9th of February 1915  

                                9th February 1915  Reliefs

                                9th February 1915  Company Officers visited new line of trenches

                                9th February 1915  Poor Weather

                                9th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards bathe in Ypres  2nd Life Guards War Diary records: The Regiment bathed at the Ecole de Bienfaisance. A few bombs by day and shells over more or less all night. Troops taken out separately under Leaders to exercise men, and to avoid congregating in the streets.

                                10th February 1915 19th Field Ambulance inspection  Inspected all horses, harness and wagons of the Field Ambulance at 2 p.m. parade

                                10th February 1915  Message

                                10th Feb 1915  2nd Queens to billets

                                10th Feb 1915 

                                10th Feb 1915  Second Lines

                                10th Feb 1915  Frost Bite

                                10th Feb 1915  Trench Work

                                10th Feb 1915  Orders Arrive

                                10th Feb 1915  Reinforcements

                                10th Feb 1915  Route March

                                10th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                10th Feb 1915  Musketry

                                10th Feb 1915  Training

                                10th Feb 1915  Rounds Fired

                                10th of February 1915  Artillery Redistribution

                                10th of February 1915  Message

                                10th February 1915  Musketry fight.

                                10th February 1915  Reliefs

                                Feb 1915  Inspection

                                10th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                11th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths inspected  His Majesty, King George V, inspected his First Welsh Division on Parker's Piece, Cambridge, before it left for the Flanders' battlefields, it was noted to be 'a fitting and historic conclusion to the period of preparation of gallant volunteers' Khaki-clad soldiers were assembled and as the Division presented arms, after a royal salute, it was a memorable sight of 'of shimmering steel'. 'Three cheers for the King' was called for and caps were raised aloft on bayonet tips, the roar was continually repeated as the Welsh warriors paid tribute to His Majesty. On a specially built low platform, covered in red cloth, the King and high-ranking Officers stood and received the salutes of the Division. Infantry wearing greatcoats, in double columns of four and accompanied by horses and guns marched passed the saluting base to military music. A very impressive spectacle. A general order was issued expressing His Majesty's pleasure when observing the presence and the discipline of the Welsh Division, he sent his compliments on the polished manner in which the march past and movements had been accomplished. A fitting finale prior to leaving the shores for the fateful battlefields of France and Flanders, as there was many men that would not return.

                                11th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                11th February 1915 Temporary posting to 5th Scottish Rifles  Capt T B Nicholls posted to temporary charge of 5/Scottish Rifles in relief of Lt Greaves proceeding to England on 8 days leave. Lt Cohen proceeded on 8 days leave to England.

                                11th Feb 1915  New Co for 2nd Queens

                                11th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                11th Feb 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                11th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                11th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                11th Feb 1915  Route March

                                11th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                11th Feb 1915  Training

                                11th Feb 1915  Officers

                                11th Feb 1915 

                                11th of February 1915  Inspection of Billets

                                11th of February 1915  Hostile MG Shelled

                                11th February 1915  Enemy shelling

                                11th February 1915  Support trenches were heavily shelled.

                                11th Feb 1915  Recruitment

                                11th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards Shelled by Howitzer fire  At 9 pm the billeting area of the 2nd Life Guards in Ypres was severely shelled by Howitzer fire said to have been brought up by rail. The regiment escaped but other troops and civilians were killed close by. My adjutant assisted to carry the remains of 3 women and 5 children, which the terrified Belgian men refused to touch, although urged by their priest. Very lucky to escape with the loss of 1 man after over 10 days.

                                12th February 1915 German Bombing Policy  An Imperial Order dated 12 February 1915 authorised the bombing of London's docks, which was interpreted by the German General Staff as permitting bombing targets east of Charing Cross. This interpretation was formally accepted by the Kaiser on 5 May 1915.

                                The first Navy attempts to bomb London, made by LZ33(L8), failed owing to poor weather.

                                12th Feb 1915 Sheffield City Battalion line route to funeral  A Coy, Sheffield City Battalion provided 100 men to line the route to the Cathedral for the funeral of Pte. C.H. Hanforth who had died of pneumonia on the 8th of February. He was laid to rest at Fulwood Church with full military honours.

                                12th February 1915 Officer changes at 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers  Lt Haydon rejoined today on return of Lt Harbison, MO 2/RW Fusiliers from leave.

                                12th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                12th February 1915  In the Trenches

                                12th Feb 1915  2nd Queens parade

                                12th Feb 1915  Heavy Fighting

                                12th Feb 1915  Hard on the Feet

                                12th Feb 1915  Transfer

                                12th Feb 1915  The Fate of the Hospital

                                12th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Feb 1915  Lecture

                                12th Feb 1915  At Rest

                                12th Feb 1915  Route March

                                12th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Feb 1915  Exercise

                                12th Feb 1915  Divisional Exercise

                                12th Feb 1915  Officers

                                12th Feb 1915  Conference

                                12th of February 1915  Instruction Courses

                                12th of February 1915  Quiet Day

                                12th of February 1915 

                                12th February 1915  Fairly quiet night.

                                12th February 1915  Improving Reserve Line of trenches.

                                12th Feb 1915  Gift of a Motor Ambulance

                                12th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards move to Staple  2nd Life Guards paraded at 6 pm for buses, in which 6th Brigade will arrive. They did not come till 7.30 pm and at last we got away at 9.20 pm arriving at Staple at 3 am. Much equipment ammunition etc. was handed over to the Brigade which relieved us in the trenches, a very great saving of labour and of risk.

                                13th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths embark for France  In the cold, grey dawn of 13 February the 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment paraded for the last time in Britain and before the residents of Cambridge had awakened the troop trains had pulled out and left for Southampton, detailed to reinforce Regular Brigades in the field. Having arrived at the port the soldiers, horses, transport and baggage boarded the SS Chyabassa and were ready to leave port for Le Havre. It was evening before SS Chyabassa sailed, throughout the voyage no lights were permitted while crossing the Channel, because of the fear of submarine activity. The waterway was full of ships similarly wending their way across to France, under the cover of darkness and the protection of the Royal Navy. It was a slow stealthy crossing, uneventful except for sudden changes of course, which distressed the horses.

                                13th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards at Staple  War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards records them at Staple: Much to do, and especially with the horses, which have been looked after by the men left behind for 10 days and have suffered from want of grooming etc.

                                13th February 1915 Enteric Fever Case notified  

                                Lt Haydon admitted to hospital suffering from Acute Bronchitis. Telegraphic orders received for Capt. T B Nicholls to take over No 1 Advanced Depot Medical Stores, Merville.

                                Lt. Hampton took over temporary medical charge of 5/Scottish Rifles from Capt. t B Nicholls. Visited HQ of 2/Durham Light Infantry to enquire into contacts of a Pte Hall notified from the Base as suffering from Enteric Fever. All contacts to be sent to 19 Field Ambulance for examination as to being 'carriers'.

                                13th Feb 1915  2nd Queens in reserve

                                13th Feb 1915  Trench Work

                                13th Feb 1915  Concert

                                13th Feb 1915  Move

                                13th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Feb 1915  New Rifles

                                13th Feb 1915  Training

                                13th Feb 1915  Artillery Support

                                13th of February 1915  Trenches Maintained

                                13th of February 1915 

                                13th February 1915  On the Move

                                13th February 1915  Considerable rifle fire

                                13th February 1915  There is quite a good Artillery observation post in ruined house beside our H.Q.

                                13th February 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Feb 1915  On the March

                                14th Feb1915  71st Heavy Battery proceed to France  71st Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                14th February 1915 Durham Light Infantry enteric fever testing  

                                Three men of DLI who have been intimately associated with Pte Hall admitted for observation - bottle and tubes sent from Mobile Laboratory for collection of faeces and urine for bacteriological examination and dispatched the next morning.

                                14th Feb 1915  Battleship Relieved

                                14th February 1915  French Attempt Advance

                                14th Feb 1915 Squadron formed  No 11 Squadron formed at Netheravon on 14th of February 1915 from a nucleus of No. 7 Squadron and was equipped as a scout (fighter) unit. The squadron moved to St Omer France on 25th July 1915 flying the Vickers Gunbus. 11 squadron was the first squadron to be a specialist fighter squadron, and was largely deployed to protect the reconnaissance patrols of other Squadrons from attack by enemy aircraft.

                                14th Feb 1915  2nd Queens ready

                                14th Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                14th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                15th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                14th Feb 1915  Water

                                14th Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                14th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Feb 1915  Attack Expected

                                14th of February 1915  Germans Plan an Attack?

                                14th of February 1915 

                                14th February 1915  On the Move

                                14th February 1915  In Billets

                                14th February 1915  Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on our left.

                                14th February 1915  Officer Killed.

                                14th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths arrive in France  When the troopship docked in Le Havre at 8 a.m. on the morning of the 15 th February, thronging crowds lined the quayside waving flags, cheering, singing, welcoming the Welshmen, for these were early days of War, spirits and enthusiasm was high. The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment made camp on the cliffs above Le Havre.

                                15th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards at musketry range practice  2nd Life Guards War Diary, 15 to 18 February 1915: In billets at Staple. Nothing of note took place, and squadrons were busy at musketing and with range practice at short range for bad shots.

                                15th February 1915 Enteric fever developments  Three more men of DLI admitted for observation as carriers.

                                15th Feb 1915  Mutiny

                                15th Feb 1915  2nd Queens relieve 1st South Staffs

                                15th Feb 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                15th Feb 1915  Difficult Roads

                                15th Feb 1915  4th East Yorks relieve 10th Sherwoods

                                15th Feb 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall 15th February 1915

                                Present:- Colonel Burdon and Major Tristram.

                                Nothing of any importance was reported.

                                The parade state was certified as being 1355 of all ranks. Recruits were only coming in slowly: and constant drains were being made upon the regiment for the provision of Commissioned Officers for other battalions. The total loss from this source up to date would probably reach nearly 50 men. The question of a notice and advertisement issued by Mr. Evan Hayward. M.P, and Mr. Godfrey Palmer, M.P. for the purpose of obtaining 100 or 200 men for the 13th (Pioneers) Gloucester Regiment was considered; and it was agreed that support ought only to be given to this when our own County Battalions had been filled.

                                With the exception of a few of the huts not being water tight (though not to any serious amount, except in one case) the rest of the camp was in good order, and might be considered finished; except the roads, which are still awaiting the action by the Surveyor to the RDC, which has been delayed in consequence of stone and trucks not having been forth-coming.

                                The Rifles which had been lent to the Battalion by various members of the public were directed to be returned to their owners. Colonel Burdon notified that he had applied for cooking stoves and boilers, and also arm racks.



                                15th Feb 1915  Reinforcements

                                15th Feb 1915  Officers Arrive

                                15th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                15th Feb 1915  Water

                                15th Feb 1915  On the Ranges

                                15th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                15th Feb 1915  Instruction

                                15th Feb 1915  Company Training

                                15th Feb 1915  Orders Received

                                15th Feb 1915 

                                15th of February 1915  Command Change

                                15th of February 1915  Heavy Rain

                                15th February 1915  On the Move

                                15th February 1915  German attack was pending

                                15th February 1915  Heavy rifle fire

                                15th Feb 1915  Concert

                                Feb 1915  Record

                                15th Feb 1915  Exercise

                                16th Feb 1915  Aircraft Brought Down

                                16th February 1915 Lieutenant Haydon sick  Lt. Haydon transferred sick to Base with acute post influenzal bronchitis.

                                16th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths in France  After a cold night under canvas on the cliffs above Havre, the 3rd Monmouth Battalion marched to the railway station where after a leisurely journey they arrived at Bavinchove at 5p.m on February 17 th. They were then marched on to Cassel (then the G H Q of the French Northern Army) and there the soldiers were accommodated in public buildings.

                                16th Feb 1915  General visits trenches

                                16th Feb 1915  Barracks Retaken

                                16th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                16th Feb 1915  Reinforcements

                                16th Feb 1915 In Billets  
                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915
                                1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) HQ billet with its draughts and broken windows, 16th February 1915. Bois Grenier Front. Left to right; Major J. G. Chaplin, Major R. Oakley, Lieutenant Davidson (Medical Officer) and Hill. IWM (Q 51585)

                                16th Feb 1915  Indications

                                16th Feb 1915  Holding the Line

                                16th February 1915  Inspection

                                16th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                16th Feb 1915  Training

                                16th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                16th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                16th Feb 1915  Training

                                16th Feb 1915  Horses

                                16th Feb 1915  Barrage

                                16th of February 1915  Baling All Night

                                16th February 1915  Battalion again held in readiness to turn out at a moments notice.

                                16th Feb 1915  Exercise

                                17th Feb 1915  Zeppelin raid on England

                                17th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths on the march  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment arrived by train at Bavinchove. They then marched on to Cassel, the GHQ of the French Northern Army and there the soldiers were accommodated in public buildings.

                                17th Feb 1915 Mine blown at Hill 60  The first mine of the Great War was blown at Hill 60 near Ypres on the 17th of February 1915 by the Royal Engineers in tunnels which had been started by the French.

                                17th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                17th February 1915  Canadians officers start to train

                                17th Feb 1915  Quiet day for 2nd Queens

                                17th Feb 1915 

                                17th Feb 1915  Recce

                                17th Feb 1915  Training

                                17th Feb 1915  Relief Delayed

                                17th Feb 1915  Orders

                                17th Feb 1915  Training

                                17th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                17th Feb 1915  Musketry

                                17th Feb 1915  Attack Made

                                17th Feb 1915  Relief

                                17th of February 1915  Patrols Out

                                17th February 1915  Post

                                17th February 1915  Orders

                                17th February 1915  Special attention being paid to cleanliness of ammunition and rifles.

                                17th March 1915  General Plumer visited.

                                17th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                18th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                18th Feb 1915  Attack Made

                                18th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths move to Steenvorde  On the morning of the 18th the battalion moved to billets at Steenvorde, about 14 miles west of Ypres . They had their first experience of marching on the Pave, a road surface of uneven stone, which in wet weather became treacherous to the heavily loaded infantryman. Orders were issued during this period assigning the 3 rd Monmouth's to the 83rd Infantry Brigade, which came under the 28th Division, which was commanded at this time by Major General Bulfin.

                                18th Feb 1915  2nd Queens under fire

                                18th Feb 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                18th Feb 1915  Forts Bombarded

                                18th Feb 1915  Sniping and Shelling

                                18th Feb 1915  Training

                                18th Feb 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Feb 1915  Snipers

                                18th Feb 1915  Well Cared For

                                18th Feb 1915  Bombs

                                18th Feb 1915  Training

                                18th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                18th February 1915  Travel to Ship for Embarkation

                                18th Feb 1915  Orders

                                18th Feb 1915  Training

                                18th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                18th Feb 1915  Lecture

                                18th Feb 1915  Training

                                18th Feb 1915  Reorganisation

                                18th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Feb 1915  Officers

                                18th of February 1915  Sanitary Duty

                                18th of February 1915  Grenades Cause Confusion

                                18th of February 1915 

                                18th February 1915  Loan

                                18th February 1915  Instruction

                                18th February 1915  Orders Received

                                18th February 1915  Battalion proceeded to Vierstaat to take over "M" sector of trenches From 4th Middlesex Regiment.

                                18th February 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Feb 1915  Exercise

                                19th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths on the march  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment moved from Cassel to billets at Steenvorde, about 14 miles west of Ypres. They had their first experience of marching on the Pave, a road surface of uneven stone, which in wet weather became treacherous to the heavily loaded infantryman. Orders were issued during this period assigning the 3rd Monmouth's to the 83rd Infantry Brigade, which came under the 28th Division, which was commanded at this time by Major General Bulfin.

                                19th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards engaged in Squadron work  2nd Life Guards - War Diary records: Squadron went out to work 3 separate schemes

                                19th Feb 1915  A Full Day of Action

                                19th February 1915 Leave cancelled  All leave cancelled and postponed for present. The relief of Lt. Armstrong MO DLI by Lt. Cohen tomorrow has therefore been cancelled.

                                19th Feb 1915  Attack

                                19th Feb 1915  South Staffs relieve 2nd Queens

                                19th Feb 1915  4th Camerons to France

                                19th Feb 1915  No Warning

                                19th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                19th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                19th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                19th February 1915  Inspection by HM The King

                                19th Feb 1915  Reorganisation

                                19th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                19th February 1915  Arrival Le Havre

                                19th Feb 1915  Mortar Fire

                                19th Feb 1915  Route March

                                19th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                19th Feb 1915  Musketry

                                19th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                19th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                19th of February 1915  Three Airships?

                                19th of February 1915  

                                19th February 1915  Communication Problems

                                19th February 1915  Took over "L" sector on the South side of the Vierstaat - Wyshaete road

                                19th February 1915  Reinforcements

                                19th Feb 1915  Training

                                20th Feb 1915 Attack Made  1st East Anglian Engineers report "At 4.40 am an attack made on German trenches in front of Duck's Bill Givenchy to ascertain whether the enemy were mining towards our trenches. After a preliminary bombardment two small columns consisting of parties of Royal Berks, 2nd South Staffs and Glasgow Highlanders and two officers & 32 NCOs & Sappers of our company succeeded in capturing the trench and after investigation it was found that the Enemy were not mining. The trench was evacuated and party returned. Two Sappers Killed, Two Missing, Eight wounded 2nd Lieut C H Humphreys wounded."

                                20th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                20th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards CO unhappy with schemes  In the War Diary of the 2nd Life Guards, their CO Records: Criticised Squadron Schemes and discussed them. Accused by Div HQ of having 5 officers over strength when as a fact I am 4 under. Replied forcibly at some length.

                                20th February 1915 Leave re-opened  Leave re-opened.

                                20th February 1915  Stand To

                                20th Feb 1915  Ploegsteert shelled

                                20th Feb 1915  2nd Queens inspected

                                20th Feb 1915 Transfers  On 20th of February 1915, 22 Battery moved from 34 Brigade to 3 Brigade.

                                20th Feb 1915  Mutiny Contained

                                20th Feb 1915  Artillery Duel

                                20th Feb 1915  Brutal Fighting Recalled

                                20th Feb 1915  Trench Raid

                                20th Feb 1915  Visit

                                20th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                20th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                20th February 1915  Entrained

                                20th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Feb 1915  Passes

                                20th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                20th Feb 1915  Musketry

                                20th Feb 1915  Enemy Attack

                                20th Feb 1915  Ammunition

                                20th of February 1915  Brigade Commander

                                20th of February 1915  A Violent Explosion

                                20th of February 1915 

                                20th February 1915  Instruction

                                20th February 1915  Considerable Shelling

                                20th February 1915  Awards published in the daily paper

                                20th Feb 1915  Exercise

                                21st February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                21st February 1915 Change in medical charge DLI   Orders received from ADMS Assistant Director of Medical Services 6th Division detailing Lt Cohen of the 19th Field Ambulance RAMC to take over medical charge of DLI during the absence on leave of Lt. Armstrong.

                                21st February 1915  Mention in Dispatches

                                21st Feb 1915  Enemy fires on aircraft

                                21st Feb 1915  2nd Battalion Queens in billets

                                21st Feb 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                21st Feb 1915  4th Camerons on the Move

                                21st Feb 1915  Training

                                21st Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                21st Feb 1915  Shelling

                                21st Feb 1915  In Camp

                                21st February 1915  Arrival at Allouagne

                                21st Feb 1915  In Reserve

                                21st Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                21st Feb 1915  In Billets

                                21st Feb 1915  Instruction

                                21st Feb 1915  Misty Day

                                21st Feb 1915  Officers

                                21st Feb 1915  Orders Received

                                21st of February 1915  Inspections

                                21st of February 1915  8th Howitzers Leave

                                21st of February 1915  

                                21st February 1915  Casualties

                                21st February 1915  Airship seen

                                21st February 1915  Germans brought two Menenwerfe into action on our trenches

                                21st Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                22nd February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                22nd Feb 1915 Inspection of 2nd Life Guards machine gun teams  The 2nd Life Guards War Diary states: Major General Kavanagh came to inspect machine gun teams. Squadrons out again at schemes set by me.

                                22nd Feb 1915  2nd Queens relieve 1st South Staffs

                                22nd Feb 1915  Courts Martial

                                22nd Feb 1915  Sniping and Artillery Duel

                                22nd Feb 1915  Trench Raid

                                22nd Feb 1915  A Creepy Job

                                22nd Feb 1915   

                                Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall February 22nd 1915

                                Present:- The Earl of Durham, W.C. Gray, Colonel R. Burdon, Colonel H. Bowes, Major F. J. Tristram, and Captain Lowe.

                                The minutes of the previous meeting at which no one was present but Colonel Burdon, Major Tristram and Capt. Lowe, were taken as read.

                                The parade state was presented as under and Colonel Burdon mentioned that one of the reasons why such slow progress was being made with the 6th Company was that some forty of the members of the Battalion had been transferred to commissions elsewhere.

                                The samples of necessaries for the men were inspected, and it was decided that those offered by Messrs. Mappin & Webb should be accepted, subject to reasonably quick delivery: or failing those that provided by [blank] Colonel Burdon reported that he had authority from the war office for the 6th Company to be proceeded with at once.



                                22nd Feb 1915  A Trying Journey

                                22nd Feb 1915  Training

                                22nd February 1915  Written orders received

                                22nd Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Feb 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Feb 1915  Training

                                22nd Feb 1915  Fog

                                22nd Feb 1915  Exercise

                                22nd Feb 1915  Exercise

                                22nd Feb 1915  Thick Mist

                                22nd Feb 1915  Reporting

                                22nd of February 1915  Postings

                                22nd of February 1915  Cheering and Rockets

                                22nd February 1915  Casualties

                                22nd February 1915  Visit

                                22nd February 1915  Relief in evening

                                22nd Feb 1915  Parade

                                23rd Feb 1915 Detachment of the 2nd Life Guards to Meteren  3 officers and 100 men of the 2nd Life Guards went away to Meteren, 9th Lancers to assist in grooming their horses while they are in the trenches.

                                23rd February 1915 Changes in personnel and promotion  Major Templeton and Capt. Vesey departed last night. Capt. W A Burgess 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance joined today for one week's instruction. Temporary Lt. Robertson reported himself from No 6 General Hospital, Rouen for duty. No 11000 Sgt-Major W H Storey promoted Lieut. and Quartermaster and proceeded to the Depot RAMC Aldershot for duty.

                                23rd Feb 1915  2nd Queens releive South Staffs

                                23rd Feb 1915  On the Move

                                23rd Feb 1915  Cavalry Dismount

                                23rd Feb 1915  First Aid under Heavy Fire

                                23rd Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Feb 1915  Inspection

                                23rd Feb 1915  Rest

                                23rd Feb 1915  On the Move

                                23rd Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Feb 1915  Training

                                23rd Feb 1915  Machine Guns

                                23rd Feb 1915  Route March

                                23rd Feb 1915  Trouble

                                23rd Feb 1915  Infantry Make Attack

                                23rd Feb 1915  Inspection

                                23rd Feb 1915  Instructions

                                23rd of February 1915  Leave

                                23rd of February 1915   B Sector Shelled

                                23rd of February 1915 

                                23rd February 1915  Trenches and farms shelled

                                23rd February 1915  Quiet day in billets

                                23rd February 1915  Relief Complete

                                23rd February 1915   In the Trenches

                                23rd Feb 1915  Snow

                                23rd Feb 1915  Reorganisation

                                24th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                24th Feb 1915 Horse inspection for 2nd Life Guards   2nd Life Guards War Diary: Every horse inspected by A D V S 3rd Cav Division and by Col Yardley (Remount Officer). They decided to change 10 horses as unsuitable or worn out.

                                24th Feb 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                24th Feb 1915  Thrilling Stories

                                24th Feb 1915  Training

                                24th Feb 1915  Trench Work

                                24th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                24th Feb 1915  Rest

                                24th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                24th Feb 1915  Mortar Fire

                                24th Feb 1915  Orders

                                24th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                24th Feb 1915  Musketry

                                24th Feb 1915  Route March

                                24th Feb 1915  Artillery Support

                                24th Feb 1915  Instructions

                                24th Feb 1915  Embarkation

                                24th of February 1915  Baths

                                24th of February 1915  Promotion

                                24th of February 1915  Snipers Checked

                                24th February 1915  Casualties

                                24th February 1915  Battalion remained in farms above mentioned.

                                24th February 1915  Lt. J. Nisbet with draft of 20 men joined the Battalion.

                                24th February 1915  In the Trenches

                                24th Feb 1915  Training

                                24th Feb 1915  Exercise

                                25th Feb 1915 8th Btn Notts & Derby Regt land in France  The 8th Battalion Notts & Derby (Sherwood Forresters) landed in France.

                                25th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards Dig Trenches.  2nd Life Guards War Diary: (Snow) Sent a party of 100 men to dig trenches near La Belle Hotesse. A regrettable fire took place at 3am at the B squadron billet resulting in the loss of a certain amount of equipment and of 19 of the tenant farmers’ cows. Instigated a Court of Enquiry at once, but could find no reasonable explanation or cause of blame. Lt R Fenwick Palmer rejoined after wound with a draft of 12 men from Windsor.

                                25th Feb 1915 First Territorial units land in France  The 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters was part of 139th (Forester) Brigade in the 46th (North Midland) Division. In February 1915, the 139th (Forester) Brigade had the distinction of being part of the first Territorial division to land in France. By the end of the year they had been engaged in heavy fighting and Captain C. G. Vickers of the 1/7th (Robin Hoods) had been awarded the VC. This Forester Brigade served in France for the remainder of the war and suffered severe casualties. In particular, it gained special recognition for its valour on the opening day of the Somme Battle on 1 July 1916, where it suffered 80 per cent casualties, and its magnificent part in the breaking of the Hindenburg Line and the final defeat of the German Army in the autumn of 1918. Lieutenant Colonel B.W. Vann MC the Commanding Officer of the 1/6th Battalion and Sergeant W.H. Johnson of the 1/5th Battalion being awarded the VC for conspicious bravery in the latter action.

                                25th Feb 1915  Bombardment

                                25th Feb 1915  Very Quiet

                                25th Feb 1915  Armenians to be Segregated

                                25th Feb 1915  Boundary Change

                                25th Feb 1915  Rest

                                25th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                25th Feb 1915  Shells

                                25th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                25th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                25th Feb 1915  Course

                                25th Feb 1915  Route March

                                25th Feb 1915  New Positions

                                25th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                25th Feb 1915  Awaiting Orders

                                25th of February 1915   Trench Mortar Explodes

                                25th of February 1915 

                                25th February 1915  Instruction

                                25th February 1915  Remained in farms

                                25th February 1915  Company training continued

                                25th February 1917  Half battalion bathed

                                25th Feb 1915  Parade

                                26th Feb 1915 Route March  17th Batt, The Welch Reg were on a 12 mile route march in preparation to be sent to the Front. The following is an extract from a letter written by my grandfather, Idris Howells, to his wife & daughter in Rhondda. 'Home' is a boarding house in Rhos-on-Sea. "We started at 9.45 and reached back home about 1pm. We went to Llandudno and around the Great Orne's Head and the wind was blowing something terribly all the way. We are going there again on Monday to see Lloyd George."

                                26th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards - More trench digging  2nd Life Guards War Diary: Party of 100 digging trenches.

                                26th February 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  26th February 1915. The first attempt was made on 26 February but turned back due to headwinds and a second attempt ended when the airship flew below the cloud base to check its position and found itself over Belgian army positions near Ostend, riddled by rifle fire, it came down near Tirlemont and was destroyed by the wind. [LZ33(L8)]

                                26th February 1915 Inspection by Brig-General Gordon  Lt. Balfour transferred to medical charge of 6th Divisional RE this day. Inspection of Field Ambulance this afternoon by Brig-General Gordon commanding 19th Infantry Brigade.

                                26th Feb 1915  Straits Entered

                                26th Feb 1915 Reconnaissance  No. 16 Squadron flew its first reconnaissance mission on the 26th February. As other Squadron standardised on the BE2, No. 16 Squadron inherited all their non-standard types including the frail pre-war Maurice Farman, Voisins, Bs, and Shorthorns. On the 6th March the Squadron moved to an airfield at La Gorgue.

                                26th Feb 1915  A rough crossing to France

                                26th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Feb 1915  Bravey under Fire

                                26th Feb 1915  Well Cared For

                                26th Feb 1915  Parade

                                26th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                26th February 1915  Time of train issued

                                26th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                26th February 1915  Orders to move

                                26th Feb 1915  Quiet

                                26th Feb 1915  Training

                                26th Feb 1915  Staff Ride

                                26th Feb 1915  Training

                                26th Feb 1915  Exercise

                                26th Feb 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                26th Feb 1915  Awaiting Orders

                                26th of February 1915  Patrol Encountered

                                26th of February 1915 

                                26th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                26th February 1915  Relief

                                26th February 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Feb 1915  Staff Ride

                                27th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards Dig trenches  2nd Life Guards War Diary: Party of 70 digging trenches.

                                27th February 1915 Return to Maesnil  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Marched back through Aire to our old billets at Maesnil and remainder of 5th Cavalry Brigade also returned to that district. 28th February in billets at Maeslin in reserve with 5th Ccavalry Brigade.

                                27th Feb 1915  Enemy fires on aircraft

                                27th Feb 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                27th Feb 1915  Inspection

                                27th Feb 1915  Instruction

                                27th Feb 1915  Training

                                27th February 1915  Bishops Stortford to Southampton

                                27th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                27th Feb 1915  On the March

                                27th February 1915  Inspection

                                27th Feb 1915  Signal Message

                                27th Feb 1915  Passes

                                27th Feb 1915  Parades

                                27th Feb 1915  Draft

                                27th Feb 1915  Training

                                27th Feb 1915  Conference

                                27th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                27th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                27th of February 1915  Move

                                27th of February 1915  Brigade Relief

                                27th of February 1915  Message

                                27th February 1915  Instruction

                                27th February 1915  Reliefs

                                27th February 1915  Noises heard as though Germans were mining

                                27th Feb 1915  Training

                                28th Feb 1915 3rd Monmouths on the march  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment left Steenvorde, and after marching a few miles to Caestre they were conveyed to Bailleul on a fleet of old London omnibuses; here they met up with the rest of the division. The battle zone was very close now, the flicker of flares was to be seen and the thunder of heavy guns was incessant. The smell of cordite and freshly turned, wet earth hung heavily in the cold air, so different from the peaceful Monmouthshire countryside they left some weeks ago. The residents of the town provided billets for the troops and this was a time of acclimatising them to their new environment. There were instruction courses for making and using bombs and grenades, and detailed advice for trench digging. All ranks were kept fit by field exercises and arduous route marches and always under the critical eye of the Higher Command of the Expeditionary Forces.

                                28th February 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 47 men (that are known)

                                28th Feb 1915 Unarmed collier sinks enemy submarine  On 28th February 1915 the unarmed collier SS Thordis is attacked by a German Submarine. Captain John Bell managed to ram the periscope, sinking the U-boat, the captain and his crew were given a reward of £860 for their actions.

                                28th Feb 1915 2nd Life Guards dig trenches  2nd Life Guards War Diary: Party of 125 digging trenches. No leave to be granted after this date.

                                28th Feb 1915  Move

                                28th February 1915 New arrival from 1st Scottish Rifles  Lt. Davidson RAMC from medical charge of 1/Cameronians reported his arrival for duty, having been relieved by Lt. Robertson of this Field Ambulance.

                                28th February 1915  Into Corps Reserve

                                28th Feb 1915  1st East Lancs shelled

                                28th Feb 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                28th Feb 1915  Aircraft Captured

                                28th Feb 1915  On the March

                                Feb 1915  Training

                                28th Feb 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                28th Feb 1915  On the March

                                28th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                28th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                28th of February 1915  Move

                                28th Feb 1915  In Billets

                                28th Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                28th Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                28th Feb 1915  Shelling

                                28th Feb 1915  On the Move

                                28th of February 1915  On the Move

                                28th of February 1915   Artillery Reorganised

                                28th of February 1915 

                                28th February 1915  Instruction

                                28th February 1915  In Billets

                                28th February 1915  Enemy shelled Battalion H.Q. area

                                28th Feb 1915  Church Parade

                                31st February 1915  In the Trenches

                                Mar 1915  Route March

                                March 1915 1/6th West Yorks leave Strenshall  6th Battalion West Yorks left York for Gainsborough in March 1915.

                                1st March 1915  Hemel Hempstead - War preparations

                                1st March 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                Bridging Training near Lurgan, County Armagh.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers Recruitment figures were not published for March 1915. Recruitment efforts were mainly concentrated on Brownlow House as a showpiece for many inspections by high ranking officers and politicians, the public also in attendance.

                                Training. Much more intensive military manoeuvres took place by night and day increasing the demands on all officers and men to harden them for future demands on active service.

                                Trench works. During the week ending 20th March the Battalion carried out several very interesting operations including day and night outpost schemes with trench digging and sapping by night. Sapping is cutting out trenches from the front line forward towards the enemy trenches, used for listening posts, mortars, machine guns or jump off points for attacks.

                                Road works. Work continued on projects with local councils alongside council workers in County Armagh and County Down.

                                Railway works. A great deal of railway training was undertaken in March. On the 21st March 3 Officers and 7 NCOs were sent to Crumlin, where a railway bridge was being erected. Other works were carried out on the rail lines near Antrim, on the Lurgan to Moira railway line and a course was attended at Stewartstown.

                                Bridging. While it is not recorded what types of bridging works were done, we can assume they had to construct bridges capable of taking Divisional Horse drawn transport including artillery pieces. There were various exercises carried out on lakes in local parks and bridge building on the Lagan near Donacloney and Dynes Bridge. Barrel rafts capable of supporting wagons and artillery pieces were constructed.

                                Demolition. Training in explosive and demolitions was limited from a practical point of safety and shortage of materials. Demonstration of grenades, land mines and the use of gun cotton on rocks and metal were done with reduced charges leaving the observers to imagine the effects of a full charge. They were also introduced to jam pot type grenades and the use of warning flares including methods of firing; trip wire, cut wire and pull by defender. Other examples included explosive traps already experienced in early fighting at the Front.

                                General Field Training. There is no evidence to suggest that any form of formalised field training was available prior to leaving Lurgan and that progress in this area would be based on ad hoc solutions devised in training exercises or live situations. There is evidence of training courses being held at Reading in Berkshire.

                                1st March 1915 Changes in personnel  The Field Ambulance continues to work the area occupied by the 18th Infantry Brigade as during last month. Capt. Burgess 2 Canadian Field Ambulance left to rejoin his own unit. Lt. A P Ford reported his arrival from St Omer for duty.

                                1st March 1915  In Corps Reserve

                                1st March 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve 1st to 8th March - in billets at Maisnil

                                1st Mar 1915 3rd Monmouths go into the front line  After spending the night at St Jans Capelle on the outskirts of Bailleul, the Welsh troops were taken by a fleet of old London buses to Bailleul, where they joined the 28th Division, commanded by Major General Bulfin and spent the night on the out-skirts the town, St Jans Capelle. On the 1 st March, St David's day, the first men were sent up to the front for instruction with the 1 st Welsh Regiment. In a letter to his parents Private G Norton of A Company wrote: "The firing line is not as bad as you would think, at least it is not so bad as we expected it to be. The trenches we have been in are dry ones, and the only thing is the cold nights. We were shelled rather heavily last Tuesday; but our guns gave them something after. The men we were in with didn't seem to mind much. They say, "Keep your napper down and you're alright!" " (Dixon, With Rifle and Pick, 1990).

                                1st March 1915  Training

                                1st March 1915  Division relocation

                                1st March 1915  Still fairly quiet at front

                                1st March 1915  Relocation and back into Action

                                1st March 1915 A Royal Visitor  H.R.H. The Prince of Wales walked round the trenches occupied by the 1st Battalion KRRC, with General Horne.

                                1st March 1915  Squadron Formed

                                1st Mar 1915  On the Move

                                1st Mar 1915  Greek Offer

                                1st Mar 1915  Fur Coats Issued

                                1st Mar 1915 Brigade at Country House  The headquarters of the Warwickshire Brigade was stationed at Felix Hall, Kelvedon, Essex. The 6th Btn Royal Warwicks were also stationed at Kelvedon, with the 5th being at Braintree, the 7th at Witham and the 8th Battalion also at Braintree.

                                1st Mar 1915  Instruction

                                1st Mar 1915  Move

                                1st Mar 1915  Shelling

                                1st Mar 1915  In Billets

                                1st Mar 1915  In Billets

                                1st Mar 1915  Billets

                                1st Mar 1915  Training

                                1st Mar 1915  Route March

                                1st of March 1915  Brigade in Reserve

                                1st of March 1915   Quiet

                                1st of March 1915  Registration

                                1st March 1915  In Billets

                                1st March 1915  At 1000 hours a shell struck Battalion headquarters at "Dugout Farm"

                                1st March 1915  In Divisional Reserve

                                1st March 1915  In Billets

                                1st March 1915  Monthly statement.

                                1st March 1915  Night Outposts started

                                Mar 1915  Report

                                1st Mar 1915  Inspection

                                2nd March 1915 Hemel Hempstead - War preparations  6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery reports that the Laying and Fuse setting Examination arranged for today was cancelled.

                                2nd March 1915 19th Field Ambulance Inspection  The General Officer Commanding Jt Division accompanied by the Brig-General 19th Infantry Brigade inspected all the transport of 19th Field Ambulance at Armentières this afternoon.

                                2nd Mar 1915  Attack Made

                                2nd March 1915  Change of Billets

                                2nd Mar 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                2nd Mar 1915  Bombardment Resumes

                                2nd Mar 1915  Lectures & Route March

                                2nd Mar 1915  5th Leics in Billets

                                2nd Mar 1915  Shelling

                                2nd Mar 1915  Instruction

                                2nd of March 1915  Change of Billets

                                10th of March 1915  Stand To

                                2nd Mar 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Mar 1915  Training

                                2nd Mar 1915  Instructions

                                2nd of March 1915  Diary Entry

                                2nd of March 1915  Ammunition

                                2nd of March 1915   Patrols

                                2nd of March 1915   Machine Guns

                                2nd Mar 1915  Instruction

                                2nd March 1915  Casualties during period in trenches :- 2nd/Lt C.S. Hidderwick and 7 O.R. Killed, 20 Wounded.

                                2nd March 1915  At Rest

                                2nd March 1915  Training.

                                2nd Mar 1915  Training

                                3rd March 1915  Inspections and Promotions

                                3rd Mar 1915  1st East Lancs shelled

                                3rd March 1915  Capture of enemy patrol members

                                3rd Mar 1915  South Staffords on the Move

                                3rd Mar 1915  4th Camerons in the Trenches

                                3rd Mar 1915  Action in West Africa

                                3rd Mar 1915  Lectures & route March

                                3rd Mar 1915  Physical Drill

                                3rd Mar 1915  A Few Woodbines

                                3rd Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Mar 1915  Instruction

                                3rd Mar 1915  Quiet

                                3rd Mar 1915  Instruction

                                3rd Mar 1915  On the March

                                3rd Mar 1915  Training

                                3rd Mar 1915  On the Move

                                3rd of March 1915  Officers returned from leave.

                                3rd of March 1915  Enemy Fire Silenced

                                3rd Mar 1915  Instruction

                                3rd March 1915  On the March

                                3rd March 1915  Draft of 40 O.R. arrived

                                3rd March 1915  On the March

                                3rd March 1915  At Rest

                                3rd March 1915  Medical inspection.

                                3rd Mar 1915  Working Party

                                4th March 1915 M Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ37

                                • Production Ref: LZ37
                                • Class type : M
                                • Tactical ref: none
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 4th March 1915

                                History.

                                Brought down by Flt Sub-Lt R Warneford, 1 Sqdn RNAS, flying a Morane-Saulnier Type L, during its first raid on Calais on 7 June 1915. Crashed in Sint-Amandsberg, near Ghent. The LZ 37 was based in Gontrode (airport location. Warneford was awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions. (Flight lists LZ 37 as "Destroyed in shed by British aviators" on 7 June 1915 at Evere.)

                                4th March 1915   SM U-8

                                Type U 5 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 150) Ordered 8 Apr 1908 Laid down 19 May 1909 Launched 14 Mar 1911 Commissioned 18 Jun 1911
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 31 Aug 1914 Konrad Gansser.
                                1 Sep 1914 - 4 Mar 1915 Alfred Stoß.

                                Career 1 patrol 1 Aug 1914 - 4 Mar 1915 I Flotilla

                                Successes 5 ships sunk with a total of 15,049 tons.

                                • 23 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Branksome Chine 2,026 British
                                • 23 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Oakby 1,976 British
                                • 24 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Harpalion 5,867 British
                                • 24 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Rio Parana 4,015 British
                                • 24 Feb 1915 U 8 Alfred Stoß Western Coast 1,165 British

                                Fate 4 Mar 1915 - Trapped in nets, forced to surface and scuttled under gunfire from HMS Ghurka and Maori at position 50.56N, 01.15E.

                                There was another U 8 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 16 Jul 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 5 Aug 1935.

                                4th Mar 1915  Light shelling

                                4th Mar 1915  Quiet day for 2nd Queens

                                4th Mar 1915  Submarine Sunk

                                4th Mar 1915  First Challenges in France for 5th Lincs

                                4th Mar 1915  Shelling

                                4th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                4th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Mar 1915  On the March

                                4th Mar 1915  Interior Economy

                                4th Mar 1915  Preparations

                                4th of March 1915  Machine Gun Team

                                4th of March 1915  Enemy Nervous

                                4th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                4th March 1915  Reliefs

                                4th March 1915  Draft of 24 arrived.

                                4th March 1915  On the March

                                4th March 1915  Working Parties

                                4th March 1915  Company training in Bomb Throwing

                                4th Mar 1915  Working Party

                                5th March 1915  Replacements and Training

                                5th March 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  LZ33 L8 set out to make a second raid on London, as it descended below cloud level to check its position, it found itself above French positions at Tirlemont. It was brought down by AA fire and the crew of 21 were all killed.

                                5th March 1915 Lt. Cohen sick  Lt. Cohen sent down to Base sick today and struck off the strength.

                                5th Mar 1915  Operations

                                5th March 1915 Change of Billets  Remaining two companies of 1st Herts joined up with the battalion at Vendin.

                                5th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                5th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Mar 1915  SS Minnewaska sails

                                5th Mar 1915  HMS Cornwall in dry dock

                                5th Mar 1915  Forts Bombarded

                                5th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                Mar 1915  Training

                                5th Mar 1915  Shelling

                                Mar 1915 On the March  

                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                C Company, 1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, marching along the Ballieul -Armentieres Road, in March 1915 © The rights holder (IWM Q 60545)

                                5th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                5th Mar 1915  In Billets

                                5th Mar 1915  Promotions

                                5th Mar 1915  Orders

                                5th Mar 1915  Training

                                5th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                5th Mar 1915  Leave

                                5th March 1915  On the Move

                                5th of March 1915  Anticipated Attack

                                5th of March 1915   "Active and Nervous" Enemy

                                5th Mar 1915  Relief Complete

                                5th March 1915  Quiet Night.

                                5th March 1915  In billets

                                5th March 1915  Brigade Reserve

                                5th March 1915  Working Parties

                                5th March 1915  Inspection of horses.

                                5th Mar 1915  Training

                                6th March 1915  Requisitioning

                                6th March 1915  In Billets

                                6th Mar 1915  First loss for 7th Sherwoods

                                6th March 1915 In Reserve  1st Herts are in Corps Reserve at Vendin.

                                6th Mar 1915 3rd Monmouths training in the front line  Private James B. Bowes, 3rd Monmouths of Wargrave, writing home, gives some picturesque details of life at the front. The following are extract from his letter, which appeared in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian on 19 th March 1915 :- "We do four days in the trenches, then come back for four days' rest. The firing line is about eight miles away. The other day we had our pay, and we are now spending it. I and two others go down to a small farm. French woman; eight children; husband a captain in the French army. There we have what we can get - café-au-lait, bread and butter, and eggs. As the eggs are 3d. each, there is, of course, more bread than eggs. Everything is very dear; penny chocolate is 2d. bread 8d. a loaf, butter 2s. per lb. At night we are able to get chips. Most of the houses and "pubs" or "estaminets" are wrecked, and so are the churches and farms, but the people are coming back to the places they left. Nearly every farmer here has two or three Belgian refugees employed. Dirty farms, very, compared with English. Sanitation is not considered here, anywhere. Good job it is winter and not summer. I have moved my little bed from the loft with the battered roof down to the cow-shed, and I am sleeping with a long row of cows about three yards from me. It is better, as there was no roof over my head before. The socks will be very welcome, as my feet are always wet. Although my boots are good, they get sodden. For the trenches we have rubber jack boots, so they are alright. The other night some of our chaps in getting to the trenches had to climb over an obstacle. One of them was holding up his hand in the dark to be pulled up by his mate, when he grasped what he found by the touch was the hand of a chap who had been covered up; - one who had "gone on". They are very plentiful, and you see different parts sticking out of the soil. The Germans, if you shoot one of them, will signal a "bull" with a spade and shortly afterwards will throw the body over. It acts as a sandbag, and helps stop bullets. I am longing for the time when we will be coming back. Tell O. to fill the pantry, but she needn't get any jam in, or biscuits, at any rate not "Army No.4" 4 in. by 4 in. by ¾ in. "bullet proof". I am "in the pink", and could eat ten Germans - not to mention killing. Glad to hear Ernie is all right at Pembroke Dock. I expect he will be out here soon." Private No. 2155 James B. Bowes, 3rd. Monmouthshire Regt.

                                The Territorials found themselves side by side with professional soldiers of the most highly trained army in the world. They were given help, encouragement and support and it was never forgotten that they were raw troops.

                                6th March 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                6th Mar 1915  6th South Staffs entrain

                                6th Mar 1915  5th Leicesters under instruction

                                6th Mar 1915  Resignation

                                6th Mar 1915  5th Lincs on the March

                                6th Mar 1915  We are not Downhearted

                                6th Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Mar 1915  Casualties

                                6th Mar 1915  Casualties

                                16th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                6th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                6th Mar 1915  Demonstration

                                6th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                6th Mar 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                6th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                6th Mar 1915  Orders

                                6th Mar 1915  Training

                                6th Mar 1915  Orders

                                6th Mar 1915  Orders

                                6th March 1915  On the Move

                                6th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                6th of March 1915  Reliefs

                                6th of March 1915   No Hostile Patrols

                                6th March 1915  Enemy firing continuously

                                6th March 1915  The battalion with one company 4th Gordon Highlanders attached proceeded to Vierstaat at 1800 hours

                                6th March 1915  Reliefs

                                6th March 1915  Working Parties

                                6th March 1915  Battalion training and Bayonet fighting.

                                6th Mar 1915  Working Party

                                6th Mar 1915  Contested Wood

                                7th March 1915  Horses

                                7th Mar 1915 9th North Staffords at Hastings  B Company, 9th Battalion North Staffs Regiment are at Hastings.

                                7th March 1915 Arrival of Lt. Clark  Lt. R Clark reported his arrival at Armentières from St Omer for duty with 19th Field Ambulance RAMC.

                                7th Mar 1915  In Reserve

                                7th March 1915 On the Move  From the outbreak of war No 1 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps had provided aircrew training at Brooklands, but on 7th of March 1915 it crossed over to RFC HQ at St Omer in France. It was equipped with a mixture of Avro 504s and Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.8s, and operated mainly in the reconnaissance role.

                                7th Mar 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                7th Mar 1915  Bombardment Continues

                                7th Mar 1915  Rendezvous at Sea

                                7th Mar 1915  Platoon Training

                                7th Mar 1915  13th Londons on the March

                                7th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Mar 1915  At Rest

                                7th Mar 1915  Snipers

                                7th Mar 1915  Church Parade

                                7th Mar 1915  Programme Delayed

                                7th Mar 1915  Equipment

                                7th Mar 1915  Into Port

                                7th of March 1915  Headquarters Shelled

                                7th of March 1915  A Searchlight Hit

                                7th March 1915  Remained at Chateau.

                                7th March 1915  Intermittent shelling between Vierstraat and Battalion H.Q.

                                7th March 1915  In trenches.

                                7th Mar 1915  On the March

                                7th March 1915  Orders received to prepare to move tomorrow.

                                7th Mar 1915  Working Party

                                8th March 2015  Further Supplies

                                8th March 1915 Opening of Officers Convalescent Depot in Armentières  Officers Convalescent Depot, 96 Rue Sadi Carnot opened today for reception of officers. QMS Aldhous joined from the 16th Field Ambulance for duty.

                                8th March 1915  In Reserve

                                8th Mar 1915  2nd Queens to trenches

                                8th Mar 1915  Sore Feet

                                8th Mar 1915  Attack Launched

                                8th Mar 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall March 8th 1915

                                Present:- Wm. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Hugh Bowes, Captain W.D. Lowe, and Colonel R. Burdon.

                                Colonel Bowes action with regard to the appointment of the two officers to the Depot Company was confirmed. The strength of the Battalion remained approximately as at the last meeting, in consequence of transfers to other Battalions, and the men being rejected after medical examination.

                                Colonel Bowes notified that some of the senior officers had been sent to Alnmouth for a course.



                                8th Mar 1915 

                                8th March 1915  An Exciting Time

                                8th Mar 1915  Baths

                                8th Mar 1915  At Rest

                                8th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                8th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Mar 1915  Training

                                8th Mar 1915  Registration

                                8th Mar 1915  Orders

                                8th Mar 1915  Equipment

                                8th Mar 1915  Orders Received

                                8th March 1915  On the Move

                                8th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                8th of March 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                8th of March 1915   Relief

                                8th Mar 1915  Trench Work

                                8th March 1915  Reliefs

                                8th March 1915  The G.O.C. 8th Brigade informed us that great activity was to be shown on our front

                                8th March 1915  Into Brigade Reserve.

                                8th March 1915  Working Parties

                                8th March 1915  Horses arrived to complete establishment.

                                8th Mar 1915  Training

                                9th March 1915  Finalise Equipment Lists

                                9th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                9th March 1915 Preparations for Houplines  Lt. R Clark posted to medical charge of 5/Scottish Rifles in relief of Lt. Hampton who rejoins the Field Ambulance for duty. 'B' Bearer Subdivision ordered to be held in readiness with wagons by AAMO 6th Division, in the event of being required if a demonstration is made in front of the Houplines section of trenches.

                                *AAMO Assistant Administrative Medical Officer

                                9th March 1915  In Reserve

                                9th March 1915 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade near Merville Started at 0700 and marched 23 miles to billet 2 miles north of Merville at Cavdescure

                                9th Mar 1915  2nd Queens prepare for attack

                                09th Mar 1915  On the March

                                9th Mar 1915  13th Londons on the March

                                9th Mar 1915  Nominal Roll of 13th London Regiment

                                9th Mar 1915  Training

                                9th Mar 1915  Training

                                9th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                9th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                9th Mar 1915  In Support

                                9th Mar 1915  Training

                                9th Mar 1915  Registration

                                9th Mar 1915  Equipment

                                9th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                9th Mar 1915  Musketry

                                9th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                9th March 1915  March

                                9th of March 1915  Message from Sir Douglas Haig

                                9th of March 1915  Enemy Guns Quiet

                                9th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                9th March 1915  German advance quashed

                                9th March 1915  Shot a German Sniper as he was coming to his advanced post.

                                9th March 1915  In Brigade Reserve

                                9th March 1915  Working Parties

                                9th March 1915  Company parades and organisation.

                                9th Mar 1915  Outpost Scheme

                                10th March 1915  Billets and Equipment

                                10th March 1915  Bombing

                                10th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                10th Mar 1915 Poplar and Stepney Rifles proceed to France  17th (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) Battalion, The London Regiment proceeded to France on the 10th of March 1915, landing at le Havre. The 5th London Brigade was ordered to Cassel, and the remainder of the Division concentrated near Bethune and were joined by 5th London Brigade near the end of the month.

                                10th March 1915  In Billets

                                10th March 1915   SM U-12

                                Type U 9 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 7) Ordered 15 Jul 1908 Launched 6 May 1910 Commissioned 13 Aug 1911.
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 9 Feb 1915 Walter Forstmann 10 Feb 1915 - 10 Mar 1915 Hans Kratzsch

                                Career 4 patrols start date unknown - 10 Mar 1915 I Flotilla 1 Aug 1914 - 10 Mar 1915 II Flotilla Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 1,005 tons. 1 warship sunk with a total of 810 tons.

                                • 11 Nov 1914 U 12 Walter Forstmann Niger (hms) 810 British
                                • 9 Mar 1915 U 12 Hans Kratzsch Aberdon 1,005 British

                                Fate 10 Mar 1915 - Rammed and shelled by destroyer off Fife Ness then scuttled. 20 dead and 10 survivors.

                                The wreck of U 12 was found by a local dive team lead by Martin Sinclair and Jim MacLeod based upon research by Kevni Heath in January 2008. The wreck is some 18 miles from where U 12 was previously listed as being sunk.

                                On 11 November, 1914 the gunboat HMS Niger was sunk near the Deal Light Vessel by U 12 while operating from the harbour of Zeebrugge. This was the first U-boat victim of German operations originating from a Belgian port.

                                There was another U 12 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 11 Sep 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 Sep 1935.

                                10th March 1915 More preparations for Houplines  'C' Bearer subdivision held in readiness for duty.

                                10th March 1915  Into Support

                                Mar 1915 2/6th Suffolks in Brighton  2/6th Suffolks moved from Brighton to Southwold in Suffolk in March 1915. At Southwold it carried out general company training, musketry and entrenching skills, as they were tasked for coastal defence. They appeared to have spent a lot of time digging trenches! In April 1915, the Battalion was warned that it was to move to Norfolk for coastal defence operations, especially as Zeppelins were often attacking and bombing the East Coast. In the meantime they carried on with entrenching and coastal defence exercises.

                                10th March 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                with 5th Cavalry Brigade at Pont du Hem. Started at 1100 and moved to Pont du Hem - 2 miles south of Estaires in close support of 1st Army which took Neuve Chapelle. Into billets and bivouacs near there at 1900

                                10th March 1915  Training

                                10th Mar 1915  Diversionary attack

                                10th March 1915  Defences

                                10th March 1915  In Action

                                10th Mar 1915  7th Mountain Battery RGA in Action

                                10th March 1915 2nd Middlesex in action  At Neuve Chapelle on the 10th March 1915, D company 15 Platoon 2nd Middlesex, under the command of Sergeant Edward George Ryde was the first over the top. It was the only platoon commanded by a sergeant.

                                10th Mar 1915 1st KRRC on the Attack  1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps are involved in failed assault by the Brigade on German trenches near Givency-lés-la-Bassée after artillery bombardment. "..if gallantry and determination could have commanded success it would have been theirs.." Casualties suffered were: NCOs and other ranks Missing believed killed (119); Killed (32); Wounded (94). In addition Captain E.P. Shakerley (killed); Captain C.A. Grazebrook (wounded and missing); 2nd Lieutenant F.P. Crawhall (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant H. Else (wounded); Lieutenant P.J. Bevan (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant A.R. Heron (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant R. Fellowes (believed killed); 2nd Lieutenant K. Ward (wounded and missing. Subsequently unofficially reported prisoner of war)

                                10th Mar 1915  King George Inspects the Army

                                10th March 1915  Attacks

                                10th March 1915  Attacks

                                10th Mar 1915  4th Camerons in Action

                                10th Mar 1915  Platoon Training

                                10th Mar 1915  13th Londons in Action

                                10th Mar 1915  3rd Londons in Action

                                10th Mar 1915  At the Ready

                                10th March 1915  Recapture of Neuve Chapelle

                                10th March 1915  German surrender

                                10th March 1915  Trench captured

                                10th March 1915  The Orchard

                                10th Mar 1915  Attack Made

                                10th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                10th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                10th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Mar 1915  Training

                                10th Mar 1915  In Action

                                10th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                10th Mar 1915  In Camp

                                10th March 1915  In Action

                                10th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                10th of March 1915  Bombardment

                                10th Mar 1915  Award

                                10th of March 1915  POW Taken

                                10th Mar 1915  In the Line

                                10th March 1915  Enemy Active

                                10th March 1915  German shelling in the morning

                                10th March 1915  Reliefs.

                                10th March 1915  In Support

                                10th March 1915  Inspection by the Brigadier general

                                10th Mar 1915  On the March

                                10th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                11th March 1915  Officer Appointments

                                11th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                11th March 1915  Standing to.

                                11th March 1915 action at L'Epinette  'A' Bearer subdivision under Lt. Davidson "standing to" tonight. Went out to Houplines to rendezvous at corner of Rue de l'Egalité. The action of L'Epinette took place in early hours of 12th March, and with the aid of a motor ambulance wagon temporarily attached from 6th Division, HQ some 40 wounded of the North Staffordshire Regiment were collected - the enterprise was successful, and the village occupied.

                                11th Mar 1915  In Action

                                11th March 1915  Reliefs

                                11th March 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                with 5th Cavalry Brigade near La Gorgue. Saddled up early - at 1600 moved into billet and bivouacs near La Gorgue. Second Lieutenant DHM Carberry rejoined 27th Division and Lieutenant Lund rejoined from 27th Division.

                                11th Mar 1915 HMS Bayano lost  On March 11th 1915 HMS Byaano, under command of Cdr. H.C. Carr was on her way to Liverpool to coal when she was intercepted ten miles NW by W of Corsewall Point by submarine U-27, commanded by Lt. Cdr. Wegener. The attack took place at 5.15am. The Bayano sank very rapidly and only four officers and 22 ratings were saved. Fourteen officers including Cdr. Carr and 181 ratings were killed The SS Castlereagh (Capt. McGarrick) arrived on the scene shortly after but although she saw much wreckage and many dead bodies she was chased away by the submarine and prevented from making a search.

                                11th Mar 1915  Defence adjusted

                                11th March 1915  In Action

                                11th Mar 1915  4th Camerons in Action

                                11th Mar 1915  5th Lincs on the March

                                11th Mar 1915  13th Londons in Action

                                11th Mar 1915  Taking a Message

                                11th Mar 1915  Intense Cold

                                11th Mar 1915  In Reserve

                                11th Mar 1915  Wire

                                11th Mar 1915  At Rest

                                11th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                11th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                11th Mar 1915  Unpleasant

                                11th Mar 1915  Training

                                11th Mar 1915  Artillery Active

                                11th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                11th Mar 1915  Entraining

                                11th March 1915  In Action

                                11th Mar 1915  At Anchor

                                11th of March 1915  Possible Enemy Attack

                                11th March 1915   Deserter

                                11th of March 1915  Mortar Shells

                                11th March 1915  In Billets

                                11th March 1915  1000 prisoners captured.

                                11th March 1915  In trenches.

                                11th March 1915  Bombardment

                                11th March 1915  Transport inspected for Brigade.

                                11th Mar 1915  Equipment

                                12th March 1915  Movement Orders

                                12th March 1915  Still Standing to

                                12th March 1915 Many wounded at L'Epinette  Action of L'Epinette took place in the early hours of the morning. Shelling of the new trenches at L'Epinette apparently been proceeding all day. First information received by 19th Field Ambulance RAMC from the 17th Battalion HQ that there were many wounded (5pm) and bearers required - Lt. Hampton and 'B' Bearer Subdivision with motor ambulance wagon and three Horsted wagons went out, supplemented later by the remaining Bearers Subdivisions, and by 7 horsed ambulance wagons. It appears from the telegrams received that wounded were not being satisfactorily evacuated, as I proceeded out to this area myself, but found evacuation proceeding as rapidly as wounded could be brought in. The MO of N. Staffordshire and his stretcher bearers however appeared overcome with the work and the Field Ambulance bearers were therefore used to work up to the trenches which was done most satisfactorily. Some 89 wounded were brought in to 19th Field Ambulance, of which some 35 were sent to the 17th Field Ambulance. Lt. EFW Grellter reported his arrival for duty with 19th Field Ambulance RAMC.

                                12th March 1915 Further Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade near La Gorgue. Moved at 1530 to Pont du Hem but Cavalry Brigade coudnn't get through German lines. Back to bivouac and billet near La Gorgue at 2030.

                                12th Mar 1915 3rd Monmouths in the trenches  The training rotation period came to an end on the 12th March when they were assigned to trenches on the west slope of the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge, just outside the village of Wulverghem 5 miles south of Ypres . They were responsible for about a 1000yds of the trenches known as 10a and 10b. The trenches were on the West slope of Messines-Wytschsete Ridge. The line ran southeast to Pleogsteert and northwest to Kemmel and Wulverghem village lay in a depression behind. The village buildings gave some protection from rifle fire as the Welsh troops marched forward but the air was filled with stray bullets, whistling perilously close, as they approached the trenches. The Battalion's Headquarters were in the village of St Quentin Cabaret, and Companies were posted either side of the Wulverghem - Messines Road . This was the first experience of trench warfare for the 3rd Mons, Officers and men, the sector they were in reputedly was a quiet one but the enemy was continuously active. The lighter calibre guns directed fire against them throughout the day and the occasional trench mortar that was thrown caused effective damage.

                                To undertake repair work was a dangerous task, for enemy marksmen closely watched the breach and repeated rifle fire was non-stop. This persistent firing, disturbed the stability of the trenches, the unrelenting weather conditions and the continual flooding of the trenches made it necessary for constant maintenance in the most dangerous positions. The enemy had better equipment and continually fired from fixed rifles and machine guns at miscellaneous tactical positions and their trenches too were better defended too, with wire entanglement. So the Battalion's guns fell silent because of shortage of ammunition, particularly high explosive shells. The conditions for the Battalion were miserable, great caution was taken when lighting fires for curling smoke received enemy attention very quickly. Although food was satisfying and in good supply it was monotonous, rum and lime juice was dispensed in medicinal doses and cigarettes became the comfort but all this was supplemented by parcels from kind friends and families back home in Wales.

                                Unfortunately in the early days of being in the trenches the Battalion suffered many casualties, including an Officer and it was only by bitter experience that they learned; it was care and alertness in trench warfare that kept them safe. Soon enemy action became much more intense and the number of heavy German guns increased and by the end of March the village and the church of Wulverghem was completely destroyed.

                                The conditions of the line were extremely miserable, the least rainfall flooded the shelters in the trenches, and the close proximity of the enemy severely restricted movement. Fires could only be lit and tended with great care, as any sign of smoke would soon receive some enemy attention.

                                12th Mar 1915  Defence adjusted

                                12th March 1915  Misty Morning

                                12th March 1915  RFC Supports Attacks

                                12th Mar 1915  Ready to Move

                                12th Mar 1915  Missing the Big Fight

                                12th Mar 1915  Advance Made

                                12th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                12th Mar 1915  Helping the Wounded

                                12th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                12th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                12th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Mar 1915  Attack Made

                                12th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                12th of March 1915  Les Facons

                                12th Mar 1915  On the March

                                12th Mar 1915  Shelling

                                12th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                12th Mar 1915  Heavy Firing

                                12th Mar 1915  Equipment

                                12th March 1915  Inspection

                                12th Mar 1915  Arrival

                                12th Mar 1915  Orders

                                12th March 1915  Counter Attack

                                12th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                12th March 1915  Epinette Shelling

                                12th of March 1915  Operation Postponed

                                12th Mar 1915  Holding the Line

                                12th March 1915  Reliefs

                                12th March 1915  Battalion warning

                                12th March 1915  Moved back

                                12th March 1915  Shelling

                                12th March 1915  Brigade Drill

                                12th Mar 1915  Ready to Move

                                12th Mar 1915  Prisoners

                                13th March 1915  Inspection Cancelled

                                13th March 1915  2 Hours Notice

                                13th March 1915 Continued shelling  Some shelling of the new trenches appears to have been going on during the day at L'Epinette reported by 19th Field Abulance. Lt. Ford and 'C' Bearer Subdivision went out tonight, for the collection of the wounded

                                13th March 1915  Valiant Rescue

                                13th March 1915 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA with 5th Cavalry Brigade are in Reserve near Melville. They moved at 1530 to billet 2 miles north of Merville at Gavdescure. In billets at 1800 and spent 14th to 16th March in billets at Gavdescure.

                                13th Mar 1915  Fortifications Completed

                                13th Mar 1915  2nd Queens in trenches

                                13th Mar 1915  Tough Work

                                13th Mar 1915  Ready to Move

                                13th Mar 1915  Intense Bombardment

                                13th Mar 1915  Near the Guns

                                13th Mar 1915  Lucky Escape

                                13th Mar 1915  Orders

                                13th Mar 1915  Change of Command

                                13th Mar 1915  Preparations

                                13th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                13th Mar 1915  Orders

                                13th March 1915  Equipment

                                13th Mar 1915  At Rest

                                13th Mar 1915  Recce

                                13th of March 1915  Hingette

                                13th Mar 1915  At Rest

                                13th Mar 1915  Shelling

                                13th Mar 1915  Orders

                                13th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                13th March 1915  Orders Issued

                                13th of March 1915  Booby Trap

                                13th Mar 1915  Relief

                                13th March 1915  Pump

                                13th March 1915  Battalion still "standing by".

                                13th March 1915  In Brigade Reserve.

                                13th March 1915  Shelling

                                13th March 1915  Brigade Drill

                                13th Mar 1915  On the March

                                14th Mar 1915 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment transfer to 4th Division  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer to 12th Brigade, 4th Division.

                                14th March 1915  Church parade

                                14th March 1915 Shell burst in W Yorks billet  Received information that a shell had burst in one of the billets of the West Yorks at Houplines. Sent out shortly after 1 pm 2 squads of bearers, the Motor Ambulance wagon and brought in 34 wounded (7men were killed). Wired for motor convoy, and at 6 pm all were evacuated to Bailleul. In evening Lt. Davidson, when supervising the collection of wounded of the Leinster Reg (20 cases) was wounded near the cemetery, in left hand and left hip. Lt. Preston was sent out to Advanced Post to take over the duty.

                                14th March 1915  Brigadier Congratulates 1st Herts

                                14th March 1915 Battle of Más a Tierra 1915  The Battle of Más a Tierra was a First World War sea battle fought on 14 March 1915, near the Chilean island of Más a Tierra, between a British squadron and a German light cruiser. The battle saw the last remnant of the German East Asia Squadron destroyed, when SMS Dresden was cornered and sunk in Cumberland Bay.

                                Background

                                After escaping from the Battle of the Falkland Islands, SMS Dresden and several auxiliaries retreated into the Pacific Ocean in an attempt to commence raiding operations against Allied shipping. These operations did little to stop shipping in the area, but still proved troublesome to the British, who had to expend resources to counter the cruiser. On 8 March, his ship low on supplies and in need of repairs, the captain of the Dresden decided to hide his vessel and attempt to coal in Cumberland Bay near the neutral island of Más a Tierra. By coaling in a neutral port rather than at sea, Dresden's Captain Lüdecke gained the advantage of being able to intern the ship if it was discovered by enemy vessels. British naval forces had been actively searching for the German cruiser and had intercepted coded wireless messages between German ships. Although they possessed copies of captured German code books, these also required a "key" which was changed from time to time. However, Charles Stuart, the signals officer, managed to decode a message from Dresden for a collier to meet her at Juan Fernandez on 9 March. A squadron made up of the cruisers HMS Kent and Glasgow along with the auxiliary cruiser Orama cornered the Dresden in the bay on 14 March, challenging it to battle.

                                Battle

                                Glasgow opened fire on Dresden, damaging the vessel and setting it afire. After returning fire for a short period of time, the captain of Dresden decided the situation was hopeless as his vessel was vastly outgunned and outnumbered, while stranded in the bay with empty coal bunkers and worn out engines. Captain Lüdecke gave the order to abandon and scuttle his vessel. The German crew fled the cruiser in open boats to reach the safety of the island, which was neutral territory. The British cruisers kept up their fire on Dresden and the fleeing boats until the light cruiser eventually exploded, but it is unclear whether the explosion was caused by the firing from the British ships or from scuttling charges set off by the Germans. After the ship exploded, the British commander ordered his ships to capture any survivors from Dresden. Three Germans were killed in action and 15 wounded. The British suffered no casualties.

                                Aftermath

                                With the sinking of Dresden, the last remnant of the German East Asian Squadron was destroyed, as all the other ships of the squadron had been sunk or interned. The only German presence left in the Pacific Ocean was a few isolated commerce raiders, such as SMS Seeadler and Wolf. Because the island of Más a Tierra was a possession of Chile, a neutral country, the German Consulate in Chile protested that the British had broken international law by attacking an enemy combatant in neutral waters. The wounded German sailors were taken to Valparaíso, Chile for treatment, where one later died of wounds received during the action. The 315 of Dresden's crew who remained were interned by Chile until the end of the war, when those who did not wish to remain in Chile were repatriated to Germany. One of the crew—Lieutenant Wilhelm Canaris, the future admiral and head of Abwehr — escaped internment in August 1915 and made it back to Germany, where he returned to active duty in the Imperial Navy.

                                14th Mar 1915  Enemy attacks

                                14th March 1915  Defensive adjustments

                                14th Mar 1915  2nd Queens holding line

                                14th Mar 1915  SS Minnewaska arrives Alexandria

                                14th Mar 1915  Heavy Gun Firing

                                14th Mar 1915  An Odd Hour

                                14th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                14th Mar 1915  Change of Command

                                14th Mar 1915  Football

                                14th Mar 1915  Heavy Fire

                                14th Mar 1915  Orders

                                14th of March 1915  On the March

                                14th Mar 1915  Company Training

                                14th Mar 1915  Bombardment

                                14th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                14th Mar 1915  Orders

                                14th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                14th March 1915  Orders Received

                                14th of March 1915  Inspection

                                14th of March 1915  Artillery Quiet

                                14th March 1915  Bombardment

                                14th March 1915  All reliefs of the 2nd Corps cancelled

                                14th March 1915  Heavy shelling

                                14th March 1915  Shelling

                                14th March 1915  Church Parade

                                14th Mar 1915  Ready to Move

                                15th March 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Depart for France  6th County of London Brigade RFA left Hemel Hempstead by sections, starting with the 16th Battery at 2045, (15th March 1915). They departed at intervals of about 2 hours and entrained on arrival at Berkhamstead. Each section, on reaching Southampton, embarked forthwith.

                                15th March 1915  Alert

                                15th March 1915 19th Field Ambulance Move  Received secret orders re move of 19th Field Ambulance to Erquinghem-Lys to take over the billets of 18th Field Ambulance and work line of 19th Infantry Brigade.

                                Lt. Gurney-Dixon reported his arrival for duty. Lt. Davidson, GS wounds, left hand and hip, transferred to Base this morning.

                                Mar 1915  Reorganisation

                                12th March 1915 Tyneside Irish in training  By March 1915 24th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers had 1737 men, they were now training in Alnwick, Northumberland. They marched proudly from Alnwick railway station through the town to the camp. Recruiting continued across the North East. By the end of spring there were enough volunteers to make four Battalions and a reserve Battalion. Nearly 70% of those were from mining communities in County Durham. Not all men were of Irish ancestry, Some men volunteered for the Tyneside Irish Battalions because their mates did or because it was the nearest recruitment office.

                                15th Mar 1915  Quiet day for 2nd Queens

                                15th Mar 1915  All quiet

                                15th Mar 1915  15th Geneal Hospital to camp

                                15th March 1915 

                                15th Mar 1915  Platoon Training

                                15th Mar 1915  Defence Work

                                15th Mar 1915  Credit Due

                                15th of March 1917  Training

                                15th Mar 1915  War Diary

                                15th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                15th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                15th Mar 1915  Training

                                15th Mar 1915  Standing by

                                15th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                15th of March 1915  Move

                                15th Mar 1915  Hardships

                                15th Mar 1915  Musketry

                                15th Mar 1915  Reinforcements

                                15th Mar 1915  Move

                                15th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                15th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                15th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                15th March 1915  Preparations

                                15th of March 1915  Heavy Shellfire

                                15th of March 1915   Active Artillery

                                15th March 1915  Shelling

                                15th March 1915  Previous orders re: taking over "G" sector cancelled.

                                15th March 1915  In trenches.

                                15th March 1915  Poor Conditions

                                15th March 1915  Brigade Route March.

                                15th Mar 1915  On the March

                                16th March 1915 6th London Brigade RFA proceed to France  6th County of London Brigade RFA embarked on two large troop ships and a small steamer boat. The ships left in total darkness at 2000 (16th March 1915).

                                16th March 1915  Stand To

                                16th March 1915  Working Parties

                                16th Mar 1915  Orders change

                                16th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                16th Mar 1915  Adventures in Flanders

                                16th Mar 1915  Territorial Officers

                                16th Mar 1915  Defence Work

                                16th Mar 1915  Recruitment Fanatics

                                16th Mar 1915 

                                16th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                16th Mar 1915  Concert

                                16th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Mar 1915  Training

                                16th Mar 1915  Under Fire

                                16th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                16th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                16th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                16th March 1915  On the Move

                                16th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                16th of March 1915  Several men wounded

                                16th March 1915   Information

                                16th of March 1915  No Hostile Patrols

                                16th March 1915  Orders

                                16th March 1915  "L" sector was taken over by the 2nd Suffolk's.

                                16th March 1915  Reliefs

                                16th March 1915  Reliefs

                                16th March 1915  Companies paraded

                                16th Mar 1915  Ready to Move

                                17th March 1915  Arrival in France

                                17th March 1915  Readied for battle

                                17th March 1915 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  17th March 1915 A four-airship raid by the Army on 17 March 1915 ran into fog and was abandoned, one airship bombing Calais and being damaged on landing.

                                17th March 1915  Working Parties

                                17th March 1915 Relocation  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Changed our billets and went into new billets 1/2 mile west of Vieux-Berquin at La Rue du Bois. 18th to 31st March with 5th Cavalry Brigade in reserve near Vieux-Berquin

                                17th Mar 1915  Londoners take over trenches

                                17th of March 1915 Tyneside Irish on Parade  A Saint Patrick's day parade took place followed by mass at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Bailiffgate for the Tyneside Irish Battalion. At 11 am a parade took place Miss Johnstone Wallace, the daughter of the Honorary Colonel, presented each man on parade with a sprig of shamrock. A few days later sporting events took place with over 2oo men taking part in the quarter mile race. The whole Battalion turned out to speculate. The Battalion pipes and drums played throughout. Shortly after arrival, the camps were given identifying letter,s A camp was occupied by the Irish. At about this time some skilled men were temporarily discharged due to a shortage of skilled men in the munitions and shipbuilding industry.

                                17th Mar 1915  Platoon Training

                                17th Mar 1915  No Exciting Work

                                17th Mar 1915  Conference of Commanders

                                17th Mar 1915  Defence Work

                                17th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                17th Mar 1915  Parade

                                17th Mar 1915  Parade

                                17th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                17th Mar 1915  Boxing

                                17th Mar 1915  Relief Complete

                                17th Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                17th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                17th of March 1915  Friendly fire incident

                                17th Mar 1915  Orders

                                17th Mar 1915  On the March

                                17th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                17th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                17th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                17th Mar 1915  New CO

                                17th March 1915  On the Move

                                17th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                17th of March 1915  Headquarters under shellfire

                                17th of March 1915  Retaliation

                                17th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                17th March 1915  Into Billets

                                17th March 1915  Intermittent shelling throughout the day

                                17th March 1915  Dug outs

                                17th March 1915  Battalion entrained

                                17th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                18th March 1915  Journey by Train

                                18th Mar 1915 1st Gordons relieved near Vierstraat  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots and Suffolk’s relieve the 1st Gordon Highlanders in trenches near Vierstraat.

                                18th March 1915   SM U-29

                                Type U 27 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 19) Ordered 19 Feb 1912 Launched 11 Oct 1913 Commissioned 1 Aug 1914.
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 15 Feb 1915 Wilhelm Plange.
                                16 Feb 1915 - 18 Mar 1915 Otto Weddigen.

                                Career 1 patrols.
                                start date unknown - 18 Mar 1915 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 4 ships sunk with a total of 12,934 tons. 2 ships damaged with a total of 4,317 tons.

                                • 11 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Adenwen (damaged) 3,798 br
                                • 11 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Auguste Conseil 2,952 fr
                                • 12 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Andalusian 2,349 br
                                • 12 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Headlands 2,988 br
                                • 12 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Indian City 4,645 br
                                • 14 Mar 1915 U 29 Otto Weddigen Atalanta (damaged) 519 br

                                Fate 18 Mar 1915 - Rammed by HMS Dreadnought in Pentland Firth. Sank 5820N 0057E. 32 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 29 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 29 Aug 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 16 Nov 1936.

                                18th Mar 1915  All in Good Health

                                18th March 1915 Preparations for 19th Field Ambulance move  Received orders from AAMO 6 Division for the move noted above to take place on 20th inst. This Field Ambulance will then work the line of the 19th Infantry Brigade, and have an Advanced Dressing Post at Gris Pot. One section will be detailed under Major Ahern to take over the 6th Divisional Bath House.

                                Visited the Advanced Post at Gris Pot and Regimental Posts of line to be worked.

                                18th Mar 1915  Forts Attacked

                                18th March 1915  Heavy Artillery Fire

                                18th Mar 1915  1st East Lancs in trenches

                                18th March 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Mar 1915  Gunners rescue sailors

                                18th Mar 1915  4th Camerons Relieved

                                18th Mar 1915  5th Lincs on the March

                                18th Mar 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                18th Mar 1915  In Action

                                18th Mar 1915  On the March

                                18th Mar 1915  Football

                                18th Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                18th Mar 1915  Recce

                                18th of March 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Mar 1915  On the March

                                18th Mar 1915  In Billets

                                18th Mar 1915  Training

                                18th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                18th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                18th March 1915  Training

                                18th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                18th of March 1915  Further Casualties

                                18th of March 1915  Trench Mortars

                                18th of March 1915  Quiet Day

                                18th Mar 1915  Holding the Line

                                18th March 1915  Remained in huts

                                18th March 1915  Started digging Communications trenches from Vierstaat to Firing Line

                                18th March 1915  General Sir Horace Smith Dorrien visited.

                                18th March 1915  Dug outs

                                18th March 1915  Arrived in Havre

                                18th Mar 1915  Orders Received

                                19th Mar 1915 Life in the trenches  Private James B. Bowes, of Wargrave, writing home, gives some picturesque details of life at the front. The following are extract from his letter, which appeared in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian on 19th March 1915 :-

                                "We do four days in the trenches, then come back for four days' rest. The firing line is about eight miles away. The other day we had our pay, and we are now spending it. I and two others go down to a small farm. French woman; eight children; husband a captain in the French army. There we have what we can get - cafe-au-lait, bread and butter, and eggs. As the eggs are 3d. each, there is, of course, more bread than eggs. Everything is very dear; penny chocolate is 2d. bread 8d. a loaf, butter 2s. per lb. At night we are able to get chips. Most of the houses and "pubs" or "estaminets" are wrecked, and so are the churches and farms, but the people are coming back to the places they left. Nearly every farmer here has two or three Belgian refugees employed. Dirty farms, very, compared with English. Sanitation is not considered here, anywhere. Good job it is winter and not summer. I have moved my little bed from the loft with the battered roof down to the cow-shed, and I am sleeping with a long row of cows about three yards from me. It is better, as there was no roof over my head before. The socks will be very welcome, as my feet are always wet. Although my boots are good, they get sodden. For the trenches we have rubber jack boots, so they are alright. The other night some of our chaps in getting to the trenches had to climb over an obstacle. One of them was holding up his hand in the dark to be pulled up by his mate, when he grasped what he found by the touch was the hand of a chap who had been covered up; - one who had "gone on". They are very plentiful, and you see different parts sticking out of the soil. The Germans, if you shoot one of them, will signal a "bull" with a spade and shortly afterwards will throw the body over. It acts as a sandbag, and helps stop bullets. I am longing for the time when we will be coming back. Tell O. to fill the pantry, but she needn't get any jam in, or biscuits, at any rate not "Army No.4" 4 in. by 4 in. by 3/4in. bullet proof. I am "in the pink", and could eat ten Germans - not to mention killing. Glad to hear Ernie is all right at Pembroke Dock. I expect he will be out here soon." Private No. 2155 James B. Bowes, 3rd. Monmouthshire Regt.

                                19th March 1915  Re-routing of Units

                                19th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                19th March 1915  Channge of Role

                                19th March 1915  Quiet

                                19th March 1915  On the March

                                19th Mar 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                19th Mar 1915  No Prospect of Leave

                                19th Mar 1915  Platoon Training

                                19th Mar 1915 Notice to Deploy  The Warwickshire Brigade received the order from London on the 19th of March, giving them 3 days' notice of their transfer to the front. The men were issued with webbing and had to quickly learn how to use it. There was, still no sign of Lee Enfield rifles or Vickers machine guns to replace their out of date weaponry, Lee Metford rifles and the Maxims.

                                19th Mar 1915  Training and Sports

                                19th Mar 1915  Casualties

                                19th Mar 1915  Change of Routine

                                19th Mar 1915  Boxing

                                19th Mar 1915  Quiet

                                19th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of March 1915  Casualty

                                19th Mar 1915  On the March

                                19th Mar 1915  At Rest

                                19th Mar 1915  On the March

                                19th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                19th March 1915  Training

                                19th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                19th Apr 1915  New Positions

                                19th of March 1915   Patrols

                                19th Mar 1915  Holding the Line

                                19th March 1915  German shelled newly turned earth from Communications trench

                                19th March 1915  In Divisional Reserve.

                                19th March 1915  Very Cold

                                19th March 1915  On the Move

                                19th Mar 1915 

                                19th Mar 1915  Snow

                                20th March 1915  Brigade Attachment

                                20th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                20th March 1915 Zeppelin raids Western Front  20th March 1915 On 20 March the three remaining Army airships set off to bomb Paris. One was lost on the return journey.

                                29th March 1915 19th Field Ambulance leaves Armentières  Handed over the billets and hospitals established in the Institution St Jude to a representative of the 18th Field Ambulance; also the Advanced Post at Houplines, and the clearing of the section of trenches held by the 18th Infantry Brigade, and one Regiment of the 17th Infantry Brigade

                                20th March 1915  On the Move

                                20th Mar 1915  2nd DCLI in billets

                                20th Mar 1915  Training

                                20th Mar 1915  2nd Queens receive draft

                                20th Mar 1915  Platoon Training

                                20th Mar 1915  Almost One Sided

                                20th Mar 1915  An Exchange of Verse

                                20th Mar 1915  Bathing

                                20th Mar 1915  Football

                                20th Mar 1915  Reinforcements

                                20th Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                20th of March 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                20th Mar 1915  In Billets

                                20th Mar 1915  On the March

                                20th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                20th March 1915  Training

                                20th Mar 1915  On the March

                                20th of March 1915  On the March

                                20th of March 1915  

                                20th Mar 1915  Holding the Line

                                20th March 1915  Draft of 65 O.R. joined the Battalion.

                                20th March 1915  Snow

                                20th March 1915  Battalion arrived at Bergette

                                20th Mar 1915  Training

                                20th Mar 1915  Visit

                                21st March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                21st March 1915  Aeroplanes very active

                                21st Mar 1915  Defence Adjusted

                                21st Mar 1915  2nd Queens train

                                21st Mar 1915  At Rest

                                21st Mar 1915  Services Held

                                21st Mar 1915  A Comfortable Billet

                                21st Mar 1915  Near the Fighting Line

                                21st Mar 1915  Close Billets

                                21st Mar 1915  Football

                                21st Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Mar 1915  On the March

                                21st Mar 1915  Quiet

                                21st Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                21st Mar 1915  Hostile Aircraft

                                21st Mar 1915  In Support

                                21st Mar 1915  Church Parade

                                21st Mar 1915  On the Move

                                21st Mar 1915  Recruitment

                                21st March 1915  Church Parade

                                21st Mar 1915  Church Parade

                                21st of March 1915  Good Work

                                21st of March 1915  Intelligence

                                21st Mar 1915  On the Move

                                21st of March 1915  

                                21st Mar 1915  Front Line

                                21st March 1915  Reliefs

                                21st March 1915  Brigade Reserve.

                                21st March 1915  Reliefs

                                21st March 1915  Inspection

                                21st Mar 1915  Church Parade

                                22nd March 1915  Brigade Inspection

                                22nd March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                22nd Mar 1915 Fiore Di Dulcigno captured by submarine  The Fiore Di Dulcigno was captured by submarine k.u.k. U12.

                                22nd Mar 1915 Hilussie captured by submarine  The Hilussie is captured by submarine k.u.k. U12.

                                31st Mar 1915 Four vessels captured by submarine  The Buona Forte, Fiore I, Hailie and Indaverdi are captured by submarine k.u.k. U12.

                                22nd Mar 1915  Training

                                22nd Mar 1915  2nd Queens train

                                22nd Mar 1915  Platoon Training

                                22nd Mar 1915  Practice attack

                                22nd Mar 1915 Warwickshire Territorials on the Move  The Warwickshire Brigade make their move from Essex, travelling in 9 trains to Southampton docks to board ships. 123 officers and 4065 other ranks made the journey. The 5th Bn, consisted of 30 Officers and 1002 Other Ranks; 6th Bn, 29 and 997; 7th Bn, 30 and 1003 and 8th Bn, 30 and 1005. It was not just the men with their rifles and personal kit which boarded the trains, also travelling were 336 horses, 8 machine guns, 26 general service wagons, 55 general service limbered wagons, 14 other vehicles, 44 bicycles, 612 picks and 1032 shovels.

                                Half of the 6th Btn Royal Warwicks departed from Kelvedon station at 01.50, to arrive at Southampton at 08.00. The other half were to follow at 03.50 arriving at 10.00. Half of the 5th Btn Royal Warwick left Braintree at 04.35, arriving at 11.00. The remainder of the 5th were to leave Braintree at 06.35, arriving at 13.00. The Brigade HQ and the signallers were to leave Kelvedon at 05.50, arriving in Southampton at noon. At Witham station half of the 7th were to depart at 07.35, arriving at 13.30. The remainder of the 7th were to leave Witham at 09.35, arriving at 15.50. At Braintree the first half of the 8th were to depart at 08.35, arriving at 15.00 and the remainder of the 8th were to leave Braintree at 10.35, arriving at 17.00.

                                At Southampton Docks, the men, horses and equipment transferred from the trains to transport ships for the channel crossing. Brigade HQ sailed on the Empress Queen along with the 6th Bn at 18.00. 5th Bn sailed on the Marguerite, 7th Btn were split between the Copenhagen and the City of Lucknow, sailing at 17.30. 8th Bn were split between the Brighton, City of Lucknow, the Marguerite and the City of Dunkirk which sailed at 19.30.

                                22nd Mar 1915  Football

                                22nd Mar 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd Mar 1915  Shelling

                                22nd Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                22nd of March 1915  Relief Completed

                                22nd Mar 1915  Inspection

                                22nd Mar 1915  In Support

                                22nd Mar 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Mar 1915  Inspection

                                22nd March 1915  Training

                                22nd of March 1915  Severe Shelling

                                22nd Mar 1915  On the Move

                                22nd of March 1915  Quiet Night

                                22nd Mar 1915  In the Line

                                22nd March 1915  Enemy Active

                                22nd March 1915  Snipers again very active at dusk.

                                22nd March 1915  In Brigade Reserve.

                                22nd March 1915  At Rest

                                22nd March 1915  On the Move

                                22nd March 1915  Brigade inspected

                                22nd Mar 1915  Training

                                23rd March 1915  Brigade Officers Lecture

                                23rd March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                23rd Mar 1915  Route March

                                23rd Mar 1915  2nd Queens train

                                23rd Mar 1915  Into the Trenches

                                23rd Mar 1915  Brigade Defence Scheme

                                23rd Mar 1915  Trenches Very Wet

                                23rd Mar 1915 Warwickshire Territorials arrive in France  The ships carrying The Warwickshire Brigade arrive off Le Havre Between 02.00 and 03.00 in the morning. They wait for daylight before docking and the troops disembark beginning at 7am. Interpreters join the battalions and they march through the town to No.6 Rest Camp at Graville. The transport sections being the last to arrive at 21.00.

                                23rd Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Mar 1915  Instruction and Training

                                23rd Mar 1915  Heavy Rain

                                23rd Mar 1915 In the Trenches  

                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                Second Lieutenant Percival Slater of the 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. Epinette, 20th - 24th March 1915 © The rights holder (IWM Q 60521)

                                23rd Mar 1915  Relief

                                23rd Mar 1915  In Action

                                23rd Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                23rd March 1915  On the March

                                23rd Mar 1915  Musketry

                                23rd Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Mar 1915  On the Move

                                23rd Mar 1915  Orders

                                23rd March 1915  Into Port

                                23rd Mar 1915  Praise

                                23rd Mar 1915  Route March

                                23rd Mar 1915  Wet Day

                                23rd Mar 1915  Orders Received

                                23rd of March 1915   Quiet Day

                                23rd March 1915  Patrol

                                23rd March 1915  Very heavy rifle fire

                                23rd March 1915  Reliefs.

                                23rd March 1915  At Rest

                                23rd March 1915  Battery Covers German Trenches

                                23rd March 1915  Blisters

                                23rd Mar 1915  Practice Attack

                                24th March 1915 Early Casualty  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that Lt R A Corsan has contracted measles and was taken to a Clearing Hospital.

                                24th Mar 1915  Back in Billets

                                24th March 1915 Visit by DGMS   Sir Arthur Sloggett (DGMS)* accompanied by Surg-Gen Porter (DAMO II Army) visited the Field Ambulance today. *Director-General of the Medical Services,

                                24th Mar 1915  Into the Trenches

                                24th Mar 1915  2nd Queens train

                                24th Mar 1915  5th Lincs on Route March

                                24th Mar 1915  In the Practice Trenches

                                24th Mar 1915  Warwickshire Territorials on the Move

                                24th Mar 1915  Trench Work

                                24th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                24th Mar 1915  Five Hospitals

                                24th Mar 1915  The Need for Guns

                                24th Mar 1915  A Splendid Effort

                                24th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                24th Mar 1915  On the March

                                24th Mar 1915  Patrol

                                24th Mar 1915  In Billets

                                24th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                24th March 1915  Detachment

                                24th Mar 1915  Field Training

                                24th Mar 1915  Trench Work

                                24th Mar 1915  Transport

                                24th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                24th March 1915  In Port

                                24th Mar 1915  On the March

                                24th of March 1915  To Billets

                                24th Mar 1915  On the March

                                24th of March 1915  German Wire Increased

                                24th Mar 1915  Into Trenches

                                24th March 1915  At Rest

                                24th March 1915  Aeroplane activity

                                24th March 1915  In trenches.

                                24th March 1915  On the March

                                24th March 1915  Telegram

                                25th March 1915 Front Line Experience  6th County of London Brigade RFA report:- Lt Colonel R J Machugh, Major A C Gordon, Major P J Cliton, Capt W Cooper, Lt W J Barnard, 2/Lt J H Van Den Bergh, 2/Lt V C Lucas with NCOs and telephonists proceeded for attachment to Regular Battalions in the firing line for three clear days.

                                25th Mar 1915 3/4th Battalion Berkshire Regiment raised.  The 3/4th Battalion, Berkshire Regiment was raised at Chelmsford on 25 March 1915

                                25th March 1915  On the move

                                25th Mar 1915  Route March for 5th Lincs

                                25th Mar 1915  13th Londons on the Move

                                25th Mar 1915  Warwickshire Territorials on the Move

                                25th Mar 1915  All Quiet

                                25th Mar 1915  Artillery Active

                                25th Mar 1915  In the Line

                                25th Mar 1915  Snipers

                                25th Mar 1915  Coolness under Fire

                                25th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                Mar 1915 Holding the Line  

                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915 THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                A front line trench held by the 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment near Armentieres in March 1915. Note the old Long Lee Enfield No1 Mk.I Rifles with which the battalion was still equipped. © The rights holder (IWM Q 60523)



                                25th Mar 1915  In Billets

                                25th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Mar 1915  Field Training

                                25th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                25th March 1915  On the Move

                                25th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                25th of March 1915  Drafts Inspected

                                25th Mar 1915  Orders

                                25th of March 1915  German Guns Active

                                25th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                25th March 1915  Reliefs

                                25th March 1915  "N"1 trench shelled.

                                25th March 1915  Into Reserve.

                                25th March 1915.   In Billets

                                25th March 1915  Progress report

                                25th Mar 1915  Courts Martial

                                25th Mar 1915  Sports

                                26th March 1915 Promotion  Teh war diary of 6th County of London Brigade RFA records that 2/Lt G Lyon Smith promoted Lieutenant.

                                26th Mar 1915  2nd Queens train

                                26th Mar 1915  4th Camerons Relieved

                                26th Mar 1915  On the March

                                26th Feb 1915  Final Parade in England

                                26th Feb 1915  Final Parade in England

                                26th Mar 1915  Chaplain to Hold Service

                                26th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                26th Mar 1915  Quiet Day

                                26th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                26th Mar 1915  Building Up

                                26th Mar 1915  First Impressions

                                26th Mar 1915  Shrapnel

                                26th Mar 1915  Orders

                                26th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                26th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                26th Mar 1915  On the March

                                26th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                26th March 1915  Orders

                                26th Mar 1915  Training & Baths

                                26th Mar 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                26th March 1915  On the Move

                                26th of March 1915  Drafts Inspected

                                26th Mar 1915  Preparations

                                26th of March 1915  Enemy Guns Active

                                26th Mar 1915  Holding the Line

                                26th March 1915  Parapet badly damaged.

                                26th March 1915  "N"1 again shelled.

                                26th March 1915  In Brigade Reserve

                                26th March 1915  On the March

                                26th March 1915  Instruction

                                26th Mar 1915  Parade

                                27th March 1915 Brigade Move  6th County of London Brigade RFA moved from Fontes to Lapugnoy.

                                27th March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                27th March 1915  In Billets

                                27th March 1915  DCM for CSM Raven 1st Bn Herts  Notification received to the effect that CSM Raven had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal

                                27th Mar 1915  2nd Queens train

                                27th Mar 1915  Instruction in Trench Duties

                                27th Mar 1915  Cleaning Up

                                27th Mar 1915  Farm Billets

                                27th Mar 1915  Route March

                                27th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Mar 1915  Baths

                                27th Mar 1915  Relief Complete

                                27th Mar 1915  Orders

                                27th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Mar 1915  In Billets

                                27th March 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Mar 1915  Training

                                27th Mar 1915  In Support

                                27th Mar 1915  Frost

                                27th Mar 1915  Trade Testing

                                27th Mar 1915  Death of a Dandy Ninth Private

                                27th March 1915  On the Move

                                27th Mar 1915  Trench Work

                                27th of March 1915  Lieutenant to hospital

                                27th Mar 1915  In the Line

                                27th of March 1915  German Air Activity

                                27th Mar 1915  Shelling

                                27th March 1915  Bursts of fire during night.

                                27th March 1915  Worked filling the gaps between "M"1 trench and right of "M"2

                                27th March 1915  On the March

                                27th March 1915  Instruction

                                27th Mar 1915  Very Cold

                                28th March 1915  Church parade

                                28th Mar 1915  2nd Queens receive draft

                                28th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                28th Mar 1915  Instruction in Trench Duties

                                28th Feb 1915  5th Lincs Proceed to France

                                28th Mar 1915  A Rough Ride

                                28th Mar 1915  Warwickshire Territorials on the March

                                28th Mar 1915  Working Party

                                28th Mar 1915  Casualties

                                28th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                28th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                28th Mar 1915  Church Parade

                                28th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                28th Mar 1915  Quiet

                                28th Mar 1915  In Billets

                                28th March 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                28th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Mar 1915  No Wood

                                28th March 1915  On the Move

                                28th Mar 1915  Air Raid

                                28th of March 1915  Reserve

                                28th Mar 1915  Shelling

                                28th of March 1915  German Guns Active

                                28th March 1915  Relief complete.

                                28th March 1915  Fatigue parties shelled

                                28th March 1915  Reliefs

                                28th March 1915  Working Parties

                                28th March 1915  Instruction

                                28th Mar 1915  Church Parade

                                29th March 1915 Front Line Training Rotation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that the Return took place to War Station of officers who proceeded to Front on Thursday last. Major R R Wansbrough, Lt G Lyon Smith, Lt A F Yencken, Lt R Bruce, 2/Lt A F Blackwell, 2/Lt J A O Petro, proceeded with six NCOs and six telephonists for attachment to Regular Batteries in 1st and 2nd Divisions.

                                29th March 1915  Training

                                29th Mar 1915  2nd Queens in billets

                                29th Mar 1915  Night Work in Trenches

                                29th Mar 1915  Warm and Comfortable

                                29th Mar 1915  Under Instruction

                                29th Mar 1915  Quiet Spell

                                29th Mar 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall March 29th 1915

                                Present:- Lord Durham, Colonel Bowes, Major Tristram, Capt. Lowe, and Colonel Burdon.

                                The strength of the battalion was stated to be 1362 of all ranks. That some were still being transferred to other battalions, and others who had been dismissed on the ground of health.

                                Colonel Bowes stated that the camp had been inspected by Colonel Blackburn, Chief Engineer, Northern Command, York, on the 24th inst: and that he had expressed himself as satisfied with its condition and arrangements. No objection had been made by him to the rather congested state of the camp. He had given certain directions with regard to the disposal of the drainage, which will be carried out.

                                It was stated that very few recruits were now coming in, in spite of advertisements in the newspapers; the accounts for which were stated to be very large, but were not given.

                                Colonel Bowes undertook to send Colonel Burdon an account of the number of field glasses required for the battalion, in excess of those probably issued by the War Office.

                                Colonel Burdon mentioned the question of leave for men and officers, and expressed a hope on behalf of himself and the Committee that leave to the very fullest possible extent would be granted until the time that the regiment moved into camp elsewhere, as very considerable dissatisfaction existed, owing to other battalions being able to obtain leave very much in excess of that granted in the 18th. Colonel Bowes stated that the difficulty lay with the orders given by the Brigadier.



                                29th Mar 1915  Spy Captured

                                29th Mar 1915  Accomodation

                                29th Mar 1915  Docks

                                29th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Mar 1915  Move

                                29th Mar 1915  Quiet

                                29th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                29th March 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Mar 1915  Training

                                29th Mar 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Mar 1915  Orders

                                29th March 1915  On the Move

                                29th Mar 1915  Training

                                29th Mar 1915  Visit

                                29th of March 1915  Quiet Time

                                29th Mar 1915   Transport

                                29th March 1915  At Rest

                                29th March 1915  "N"1 and "M"3 taken over by 4th Gordons

                                29th March 1915  In trenches.

                                29th March 1915  Working Parties

                                29th March 1915  Instruction

                                29th Mar 1915  Inspection

                                30th March 1915 Front Line Training Rotation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report all officers of the Brigade in the Firing Line recalled by wire. On arrival, one (junior) subaltern per unit was left at War Station, and all the remaining officers including the OC. Brigade and the Adjutant, proceeded to Firing Line. Major R R Wansbrough took over command of the Brigade.

                                30th March 1915 Brigade Route March  9th Lancers Regiment at Billets in Meteren. They take part in a Brigade Route March via Le Rouklooshille - Godewaersvelde - Steenvoorde - Eecke - Caestre - Thiushouk. 1 man to Hospital No. 98 Sergeant H. Ralph received the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal)

                                30th Mar 1915  2nd Queens train

                                30th Mar 1915  17th General Hospital arrive Alexandria

                                30th Mar 1915  Companies under instruction

                                30th Mar 1915  Platoon Training

                                30th Mar 1915  Digging Trenches

                                30th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Mar 1915  Into Billets

                                30th Mar 1915  In Dock

                                30th March 1915  Dardanelles

                                30th Mar 1915  Shelling

                                30th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                30th Mar 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                30th March 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                30th Mar 1915  Rifle Grenades

                                30th Mar 1915  In Camp

                                30th Mar 1915  Orders Received

                                30th Mar 1915  Commanders

                                30th Mar 1915  On the Move

                                30th March 1915  In Camp

                                30th Mar 1915  Trench Work

                                30th of March 1915  Battalion Moves

                                30th Mar 1915  Instruction

                                30th of March 1915   Hostile MG Damaged?

                                30th Mar 1915   On the Move

                                30th March 1915  Quiet day in trenches.

                                30th March 1915  In trenches.

                                30th March 1915  At Rest

                                30th March 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Mar 1915  Training

                                30th Mar 1915  Poem

                                31st March 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 61 men (that are known)

                                31st Mar 1915  Move

                                31st March 1915  Training

                                31st March 1915 A quiet time  Very little work doing in this line. Nothing to record since last entry.

                                31st March 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Mar 1915  Return to Billets

                                31st Mar 1915  Training & Route March

                                31st Mar 1915 

                                31st Mar 1915  Digging Trenches

                                31st Mar 1915  Working Party

                                31st Mar 1915  In Billets

                                31st Mar 1915  Training

                                31st Mar 1915  Quiet

                                31st Mar 1915  Shelling

                                31st Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Mar 1915  In the Trenches

                                31st March 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Mar 1915  Instruction

                                31st Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Mar 1915  Route March

                                31st Mar 1915  Instruction

                                31st Mar 1915  On the Move

                                31st March 1915  Sanitary Work

                                31st Mar 1915  Trench Work

                                31st of March 1915  Quiet Day

                                31st of March 1915  

                                31st Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                31st March 1915   Working Parties

                                31st of March 1915  Orders Issued

                                31st Mar 1915  Reliefs

                                31st March 1915  On the March

                                31st of March 1915 

                                31st of March 1915 

                                31st of March 1915  Staff

                                31st March 1915  Considerable amount of shelling near Battalion HQ

                                31st March 1915  Reliefs

                                31st March 1915  At Rest

                                31st March 1915  The Line is Quiet

                                31st March 1915  In trenches.

                                31st Mar 1915  Training

                                Mar 1916  Loss

                                April 1915 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade leave Witley  10th Battalion Rifle Brigade moved from Witley to Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge in April 1915

                                Apr 1915  9th Sussex to Shoreham Camp

                                 New rail line for Camps  In the spring of 1915 a new railway line was constructed across the Chase to serve Rugeley Camp. It joined the LNWR Cannock to Rugeley line near West Cannock No.5 Colliery and was linked to the second new line serving Brocton Camp, which ran from the LNWR Trent Valley line at Milford. A Locomotive shed was built at Brocton Camp. The new rail links were vital to supply Central Stores Depot at Brocton Camp as well as the two training camps and the POW camp on the Chase. The lines became known as the Tackeroo Railway.

                                1st April 1915 Int. Report for March 1915 Intelligence Report  6th County of London Brigade RFA Intelligence Summary by Lt Colonel R J Machugh for March 1915:

                                From March 1st to March 16th, the Brigade was chiefly occupied in completing preparations for moving from War Station at Hemel Hempstead to join the Expeditionary Force in France. The Brigade moved on 15th to 17th March to Le Havre via Southampton. No casualties occurred to personnel on the journey. Four horses were injured on the train journey and one left behind at the point of embarkation. Two of these, the Adjutant's chargers, are to be sent on to rejoin the Brigade and a Driver was left in charge of the animals for this purpose, with instructions to bring them on to France when recovered.

                                The move to France was carried out without incident and at the end of the month the Brigade was in billets at Lapugnoy. Between March 25th and April 1st all officers, with two exceptions, had experience in the Firing Line, having been attached to RFA Brigades in the 1st and 2nd Division. Much useful information was gained by these officers.

                                The Medical, Veterinary, Supply and Transport Services were satisfactory during the month both during the period in England and in France. Signed R J Machugh Lt Col, 6th London Bde. RFA Thursday April 1st 1915. Lapugnoy, France.

                                1st April 1915 GOCRA Conference  6th County of London Brigade RFA report all officers who were attached to the Regular Batteries at the Firing Line were recalled with the exception of the OC. Batteries and their senior subalterns. The OC. Brigade and Adjutant attended a conference at the GOCRA’s Headquarters, Chateau de Monte Evente. Capt C H Welch RAMC, Medical Officer to this Brigade, contracted measles and was removed to a local Field Ambulance Unit.

                                1st April 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                Bridge training work near Lurgan County Armagh

                                16th Btn Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers

                                Major Leader was promoted to Lt.Colonel.

                                Recruitment resulted in Battalion strength of 971 on the 17th April 1915. Other houses in Wellington Street were acquired for accommodation purposes as Brownlow House capacity was reached.

                                Training continued in areas demanding greater stamina in general field-craft exercises involving units in offensive and defensive roles. This included some larger scale exercises with the Ulster Division as a whole. The whole Battalion took part in route march to Portadown on the 3rd April.

                                Road Works. Continuing work in County and District areas including drainage and sewer systems together with building and construction works.

                                Railway Work 2 officers and 20 other ranks helped the Great Northern Railway when a stretch of about a mile of track was re-laid between Dromore and Hillsborough. 3rd April - 2 officers and 5 men went to Stewartstown for a Railway Engineers Course. 10th April - attended railway bridges installations at Adelaide and Windsor. 17th April, 2 officers and 18 men sent to Crumlin for railway bridge building.

                                1st Apr 1915  Visit

                                1st Apr 1915  Move

                                1st April 1915  Tactical Tours

                                1st April 1915 Continued collection of wounded  The 19th Field Ambulance continues to collect sick and wounded from the line of the 19th Infantry Brigade, in the section of trenches between Rue du Bois and Touquet.

                                1st April 1915  Into billets

                                1st April 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve near Vieux-Berquin. 1st April to 22nd April in billets half a mile west of Vieux-Berquin in the Rue du Bois.

                                1st April 1915  Training and relief spells

                                1st April 1915 Actions 1915 to 1916  2nd Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and German 6th Army

                                1915 Artois.

                                In April 1915, the division was reduced to three regiments through the cession of the 3rd Infantry to the 11th Bavarian Division. Between the l0th and 15th of October 1915, the 2nd Bavarian Division was placed on the Artois front in the Neuville-Souchez sector.

                                About the 20th of December it was in the line at Bailleul-Sire-Berthoult between the western part of the Lille road and the Arras road. It remained there until the beginning of May 1916.

                                1916 Verdun.

                                At this date it was relieved and transported to Verdun. It participated in the violent battles which took place there in May and June in the vicinity of Douaumont and suffered serious losses (50 per cent of its personnel). It was reconstituted in June in the district of Merke-Romagne-sur-les-Cotes (reinforcement of from 50 to 100 men per company), and went back to the line near Thiaumont. It suffered serious losses in the attack of June 23 (the companies of the 12th Bavarian Regiment were reduced to about 40 men).

                                Lorraine.

                                The 2nd Bavarian Division was withdrawn from this zone of combat about the 15th of July and was sent to the Apremont-St. Mihiel sector, where it was reconstituted. It received numerous reinforcements(convalescents and class of 16 men). During this period, which extends up to October 15th, it did not take part in any serious operation.

                                Somme.

                                At the end of October it was transported to the Somme (Sailly-Saillisel sector), where it was again put to a severe test. After staying a month in the Somme district it reoccupied the lines in the St. Mihiel sector at the beginning of December.

                                1st Apr 1915  17th General Hospital recv orders

                                1st Apr 1915  17th General Hospital recv orders

                                1st Apr 1915 Move  8th Lincolnshire Regiment returned to Halton Park.

                                1st April 1915  9 Sqd Reforms

                                1st Apr 1915  Baths

                                1st Apr 1915  Into the Trenches

                                1st Apr 1915  Curious Things

                                1st Apr 1915  On the March

                                1st Apr 1915  Lit Candles in the Square

                                1st Apr 1915  Patients Arrive

                                1st Apr 1915  Orders Issued

                                1st of April 1915  Training

                                1st Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Apr 1915  Ready

                                1st Apr 1915  Training

                                1st Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                1st Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Apr 1915  Instruction

                                1st Apr 1915  Counter Battery Work

                                1st Apr 1915  On the Move

                                1st Apr 1915  Training

                                1st Apr 1915  Orders

                                1st of April 1915  Lieutenant wounded

                                1st of April 1915  Situation Normal

                                1st Apr 1915  Shelling

                                1st Apr 1915  Reinforcements

                                1st of April 1915   Aircraft Downed

                                1st of April 1915  Orders

                                1st Apr 1915   On the Move

                                1st April 1915  In huts

                                1st April 1915  Lt. E.E. Molson killed

                                1st April 1915  Funeral

                                1st April 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Apr 1915  Inspection

                                1st April 1915  Alternative position selected

                                1st April 1915  Report

                                Apr 1915  Record

                                Apr 1915  On the Move

                                1st April 1915  On the Move

                                1st April 1915  Illness

                                2nd Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths relieved by 5th Staffords  Enemy action became much more intense over the last weeks of March and the number of heavy German guns increased and by the end of March the village and the church of Wulverghem was completely destroyed. The conditions of the line were extremely miserable, the least rainfall flooded the shelters in the trenches, and the close proximity of the enemy severely restricted movement. Fires could only be lit and tended with great care, as any sign of smoke would soon receive some enemy attention. After nearly a month of continuous fighting in the trenches the 3rd Mons Battalion's tour of duty was over in this area and on 2nd April, Good Friday, tired and weary Welshmen were relieved by the 5th South Staffords. Later that night they were withdrawn from the Wulvergham sector and moved out to Bailleul. The soldiers now had considerable knowledge of the conditions of war but they left behind many of their buddies, in the little Wulvergham cemeteries. A lot of credit had been gained for the manner in which they had conducted themselves in the trenches and with spirits still undaunted they were ready for rest in new billets.

                                2nd April 1915  Training

                                2nd April 1915 Changes in command  Orders having been received, Major D Ahern left today for duty. Lt. Hampton posted to command of 'B' Section and Lt. Gurney-Dixon placed in charge of Divisional Bath House.

                                2nd April 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Apr 1915  At Rest

                                2nd Apr 1915  Instruction for 5th Lincs

                                2nd Apr 1915  Under Instruction

                                2nd Apr 1915  Orders Issued

                                2nd Apr 1915  Easter Holiday

                                2nd Apr 1915  Shelling

                                2nd Apr 1915  Inspection

                                2nd Apr 1915  Quiet

                                2nd Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                2nd Apr 1915  Lectures

                                2nd Apr 1915  Counter Battery Work

                                2nd Apr 1915  Inspection

                                2nd Apr 1915  Training

                                2nd Apr 1915  Trench Raid

                                2nd of April 1915  Companies A.B,C,D

                                2nd of April 1915  Quiet Day

                                2nd Apr 1915  Shelling

                                2nd Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                2nd of April 1915   Enemy Aircraft

                                2nd April 1915  Our billets were changed from the farms to the Scherpenberg huts.

                                2nd April 1915  Divisional Reserve

                                2nd April 1915  Dug outs

                                2nd Apr 1915  Training

                                2nd April 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Apr 1915  Equipment

                                3rd April 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Inspected  An inspection was carried out in the rain, of 17th London Battery by the OC. Brigade. The remainder of the 6th London Brigade Officers returned from the Firing Line.

                                3rd April 1915  In billets

                                3rd April 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ38

                                • Production Ref: LZ38
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: none
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 3rd April 1915

                                History.

                                Achieved first bombing raid on London on 31 May 1915 killing 7 and injuring 35 people (with material damage assessed at £18,596). Carried out five successful raids on Ipswich, Ramsgate, Southend (twice) and London, dropping a total of 8,360 kg (18,430 lb) of bombs. Destroyed by British bombing in its hangar at Evere on 7 June 1915.

                                3rd Apr 1915  5th Lincs Training

                                3rd Apr 1915  Very Wet Day

                                3rd Apr 1915  Artful Dodgers

                                3rd Apr 1915  Territorials Under Instruction

                                3rd Apr 1915  Preparations

                                3rd Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Apr 1915  Orders

                                3rd Apr 1915  Trench Motars

                                3rd Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                3rd Apr 1915  Instruction

                                3rd Apr 1915  Enemy Active

                                3rd Apr 1915  Wounded

                                3rd Apr 1915  Inspection

                                3rd Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                3rd of April 1915  Change of position

                                3rd of April 1915  Quiet Day

                                3rd Apr 1915  Wet Day

                                3rd April 1915  Football match took place between 1st & 2nd Battalions

                                3rd April 1915  Shell Fire

                                3rd May 1915  Into Billets

                                3rd Apr 1915  Training

                                3rd April 1915  Funeral

                                4th April 1915  More Inspections

                                4th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots moved to Poperinghe.

                                4th April 1915  Church parade

                                4th Apr 1915  East Angian Engineers at work

                                4th Apr 1915  Into the Trenches

                                4th Apr 1915  1st Londons relieve 13th Londons

                                4th Apr 1915  Territorials Under Instruction

                                4th Apr 1915  Preparations

                                4th Apr 1915  Church Parade

                                4th Apr 1915  On the March

                                4th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Apr 1915  Church Parade

                                4th Apr 1915  In Reserve

                                4th Apr 1915  Balloon

                                4th Apr 1915  On the March

                                4th Apr 1915  Training

                                4th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                4th of April 1915  "Pipsqueak"

                                4th of April 1915  A White Flag

                                4th Apr 1915  Heavy Rain

                                4th April 1915 

                                4th April 1915  On the March

                                4th April 1915  Working party.

                                4th Apr 1915  Wet Day

                                5th April 1915  Route march

                                5th April 1915 Arrival of temporary lieutenant  Temp. Lt. Gibbons reported his arrival from the Base.

                                5th Apr 1915  5th Lincs on the March

                                5th Apr 1915  Warwcks return to Billets

                                5th Apr 1915  Night Work

                                5th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Apr 1915  Rain

                                5th Apr 1915  On the March

                                5th Apr 1915  Wet Weather

                                5th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                5th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                5th Apr 1915  Orders

                                5th Apr 1915  In Support

                                5th Apr 1915  Instructions

                                5th Apr 1915  Training

                                5th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                5th of April 1915 

                                5th of April 1915  Quiet Day

                                5th Apr 1915  Some Shelling

                                5th Apr 1915   On the Move

                                5th April 1915  Reliefs

                                5th April 1915  Reserve trenches were shelled in the afternoon

                                5th April 1915  Heavy Rain

                                5th April 1915  Shelling

                                5th April 1915  Good Work

                                5th Apr 1915  Prize

                                6th Apr 1915  At Rest

                                6th April 1915  Training

                                6th April 1915 Visit by new ADMS  Col. B H Scott the new Assistant Director Medical Services of 6th Division visited the Field Ambulance this morning.

                                6th April 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Apr 1915  5th Lincs on the March

                                6th Apr 1915  Training

                                6th Apr 1915  Warwcks on the March

                                6th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                6th Apr 1915  Inspection

                                6th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                6th Apr 1915  Training

                                6th Apr 1915  Recce

                                6th Apr 1915  Training

                                6th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                6th Apr 1915  Under Fire

                                6th Apr 1915  Snipers

                                6th Apr 1915  Training

                                6th Apr 1915  Shells

                                6th Apr 1915  Houses

                                6th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                6th Apr 1915  Inspection

                                6th of April 1915  Trench Works

                                6th of April 1915  A Hand Over

                                6th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Apr 1915  Air Raid

                                6th April 1915  Very wet night.

                                6th April 1915  "J"3 trench was handed over in a very bad condition

                                6th April 1915  Brigade Reserve.

                                6th April 1915  Shelling

                                6th April 1915  Equipment left behind in the trenches

                                6th Apr 1915  On the March

                                7th Apr 1915 Welsh Border Brigade Inspected  At Bailleul the whole brigade assembled for inspection by General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, their Army Commander.

                                7th April 1915 Fuses received by 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 648 fuses (Type 65) which had been exposed to the weather were received.

                                7th April 1915  Training

                                7th April 1915 Change of signal interpreters  Staff interpreter M H Murhange left for St Omer and succeeded by Interpreter Schopin from the 6th Divisional Signal Coy.

                                7th Apr 1915  Training

                                7th Apr 1915  13th Londons relieve 1st Londons

                                7th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                7th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                7th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                7th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Apr 1915  On the March

                                7th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                7th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                7th Apr 1915  On the March

                                7th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                7th Apr 1915  On the March

                                7th Apr 1915  On the March

                                7th of April 1915  Repair Works

                                7th of April 1915  Mostly Quiet

                                7th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                7th April 1915  Relief in trenches

                                7th April 1915  In the Fire trenches.

                                7th April 1915  Into huts

                                7th April 1915  Reliefs

                                7th April 1915  Into Billets

                                17th Apr 1915  Football

                                7th Apr 1915  Reorganisation

                                7th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                8th April 1915 Appointments 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA record that bad weather has been experienced daily. Lieut W R Sadler RAMC, attached to this Brigade as Medical Officer, instead of Capt C H Welch. The Adjutant and Brigade Commander's Orderly Officer attended a conference on ‘Telephones’ at Marles. 2/Lt H B Wells (Officer in charge Base Details) reported for duty with the Brigade.

                                8th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots took over trenches around Inverness Copse.

                                8th April 1915  Tactical Tours

                                8th April 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths at Polygon Wood  An early Easter came and went and after a few days rest and recreation, equipment was reissued and the Battalion were on the move again, marching to Boeschepe, two and half miles north-west of Westoutre. Once settled the Adjutant, Company Commanders reconnoitred the trenches east of Ypres, held by the French troops. Vigorous enemy action was anticipated and the Division had the responsibility of an important area, the immortal Ypres Salient. This area had a reputation for it was most vulnerable to attack being a salient. It could be likened roughly to a saucer with the German Army in the secure position on the rim. The territory lying behind the line could be clearly observed from Passchendaele and Messines Ridge, both of which lay at the rear of the enemy lines

                                The battalion arrived on the morning of the 8 th April in the Grande Place at Ypres . The famous Cloth Hall and St Martins Cathedral were wrapped in a mysterious gloom. When the warring armies dug in during the winter of 1914-1915, the allied lines developed a large bulge around the ancient Belgian town of Ypres ; this was the infamous Ypres Salient. The lay of the land meant that the German Armies surrounded the British forces on three sides The orders were given to draw rations and go to the trenches. The battalion moved off through the Menin Gate, up the Zonnebeke Road to Frezenberg, on to Polygon Wood in the Southeast of the Ypres Salient. Before the War high pine trees grew in Polygon Wood, in a light soil with sandy patches, but when the Battalion arrived every big tree was down and underfoot was thick undergrowth and shrub.

                                The Battalion's Headquarters were dug-outs in a mound - the Butte de Polygon, the Australian War Memorial now stands on this site, the rest of the battalion took over the trenches from the their previous occupants, 2 nd Battalion of the 146th Regiment of the French Army. The French appear to adopted the "Live and let live" attitude of trench warfare. The men of the Monmouth's were treated to the site of the Germans opposite cooking their breakfasts in braziers on top of the parapet. Action was instigated to stop this but it provoked a reply of rifle grenades and whizz bangs that knocked the trenches about. The dug-outs taken over from the French were not very deep, giving very little protection from rifle fire or the inclement weather, so what protection there was from the smaller pine trees was welcomed. At least they gave cover to the dugouts from the air when enemy aircraft were active. Polygon Wood was exposed to fire from the south and the east, and at the quarter to of every hour, throughout twenty-four hours, a German field-gun fired a shell in the general direction of the Headquarters, fortuitously they all crashed amongst the trees. The trenches were of irregular line and lay east and southeast of the Wood. The parapets were of poor construction and certainly not bullet-proof, the dugouts and traverses were few and in front were a few coils of light wire.

                                The enemy was 200 yards away to the right and within bombing distance to the left. The right trench was called Pall Mall and the left Whitehall, the 3rd Mons Battalion took over these trenches and began to settle in. Private Reg Pritchard wrote home to his sister: "It is much worse fighting where we are now to what it was in the last place. One of the chaps out of the same section as I am got wounded in the leg yesterday morning as we were leaving the trenches. One man got killed in our company by a trench mortar shell, he was in the same platoon as Dad" 'Dad' was Sergeant William Pritchard both he and his son Private Reg Pritchard were killed on 2nd May 1915 .

                                8th Apr 1915  Relieved

                                08th Apr 1915  On the March

                                8th Apr 1915  Specialist Courses

                                8th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                8th Apr 1915  Lack of Water

                                8th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                8th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                8th Apr 1915  On the March

                                8th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                8th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                8th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                8th Apr 1915  In Reserve

                                8th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                8th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                8th Apr 1915  Training

                                8th of April 1915  8th to 10th of April

                                8th of April 1915  Another Quiet Day

                                8th Apr 1915  Route March

                                8th April 1915  Into huts

                                8th April 1915  Headquarters were shelled.

                                8th April 1915  In Reserve.

                                8th April 1915  First Aid Post

                                8th April 1915  Company training.

                                8th Apr 1915  Training

                                9th April 1915 Abortive Move for 6th London Brigade RFA   Forty two Gunners per Battery of the 6th County of London Brigade RFA under the command of OC. Batteries and Senior Subalterns left Lapugnoy in motor omnibus for Vimy Line, with the object of organisng preparatory gun positions. On arrival at Rue de Leanette, they found the positions which had been assigned to them already occupied by other Batteries.

                                9th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                9th April 1915  Training

                                9th April 1915  Field Return

                                9th April 1915  Field Return

                                9th Apr 1915  Easter front line to the south-east of Lindenhoek

                                09th Apr 1915  Into the Trenches

                                9th Apr 1915  Route March & Bomb Throwing

                                9th Apr 1915  Deadly Plan Revealed

                                9th Apr 1915  Drainage

                                9th Apr 1915  Embarkation

                                9th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                9th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                9th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                9th Apr 1915  Rifle Fire

                                9th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                9th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Apr 1915  In Reserve

                                9th Apr 1915  Promotion

                                9th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                9th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                9th Apr 1915  Training

                                9th of April 1915   Quiet Day

                                9th Apr 1915  Training

                                9th Apr 1915  Heavy Fire

                                9th Apr 1915  Cooking

                                9th April 1915  In huts.

                                9th April 1915  Intermittent shelling throughout the day.

                                9th April 1915  First Aid Post

                                9th Apr 1915  Training

                                10th April 1915  Into the Front Line

                                10th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                10th April 1915  Inspection

                                10th April 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Apr 1915  Registering apparently not quite correct

                                10th Apr 1915  Thunderstorms

                                10th Apr 1915  Preparations for Move

                                10th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                10th Apr 1915  Embarkation

                                10th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                10th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                10th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                10th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                10th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Apr 1915  In Reserve

                                10th Apr 1915  New CO

                                10th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                10th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                10th Apr 1915  Training

                                10th of April 1915  Men wounded

                                10th of April 1915  Shells and Work

                                10th Apr 1915  Orders

                                10th Apr 1915  In Trenches

                                10th of April 1915  Information

                                10th Apr 1915   Instruction

                                10th April 1915  Reliefs

                                10th April 1915  Casualties during the day :- 3 Wounded by snipers.

                                10th April 1915  Reliefs

                                10th April 1915  In the Trenches

                                10th April 1915  Route march

                                10th Apr 1915  Training

                                Apr 1915  Refit

                                11th April 1915 Brigade Positions 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report the guns and wagons and all the remainder of the Brigade took up their positions at dusk. Wagon lines for both Batteries are at Gerre Chateau.

                                11th Apr 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars embark for Gallipoli  April 1915 the Gloucestershire Hussars were ordered to overseas service, but instead of France they were going to Gallipoli. On April 11th they embarked on the 'Saturnia' and 'Minneapolis' under command of Lieut-Colonel W.H.Playne. The unit strength was:

                                H.Q.: 10 Officers, 107 Other Ranks, 88 horses, 28 mules, and 8 vehicles.

                                'A' squadron: Major A.J.Palmer, 7 Officers, 134 O.R., 133 horses, 14 mules, 3 vehicles.

                                'B' Squadron: Major H.F.Clifford, 6 Officers, 134 O.R., 131 horses, 14 mules, 3 vehicles.

                                'D' Squadron: Major R.M.Yorke, 4 Officers, 135 O.R., 133 horses, 14 mules, 3 vehicles.

                                21st Apr 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars arrive in Egypt  The Gloucestershire Hussars reached Alexandria, Egypt, on April 21st. Guard duties followed, until August 11th.

                                11th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.

                                11th April 1915  Church Parade

                                11th April 1915 Motor ambulance arrives  A motor ambulance wagon sent by ADMS 6th Division arrived for temporary duty with 19th Field Ambulance.

                                11th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                11th Apr 1915  Church Parade

                                11th Apr 1915  Route March & Bomb Throwing

                                11th Apr 1915  Learning the Trades

                                11th Apr 1915  Aircraft Active

                                11th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                11th Apr 1915  Aircraft Active

                                11th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                11th Apr 1915  Orders

                                11th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                11th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                11th Apr 1915  Church Parade

                                11th of April 1915  German planes active.

                                11th of April 1915  Train Fired On

                                11th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Apr 1915  In Trenches

                                11th of April 1915  Message

                                11th April 1915  Relief completed.

                                11th April 1915  Lt. Nisbet returned from Rouen with reinforcements of 80 O.R.

                                11th April 1915  Reserve Company

                                11th April 1915  Shelling

                                11th April 1915  Church Parade.

                                11th April 1915  On the Move

                                11th Apr 1915  Sports

                                11th Apr 1915  Inspection

                                12th Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths relieved by 5th KOYLI  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment was relieved by the 5th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and went into billets in Ypres. This gave the men a chance to explore this famous old city, although seriously damaged by shelling there was still a thriving café trade and many shops that stock not only wine and cigars but also useful items such as batteries for electric torches and solidified fuel.

                                12th April 1915 First Bombardments 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report that 15th Battery fired twenty four rounds at a cottage in Cantileux to register, range, fuse and line. Range 4150 yards. 16th Battery registered enemy and trenches from A.3, C.1.6 to A.9.a.6.8 Range 3775/4000 yards.

                                Lt R Bruce and 2/Lt A F Blackwell (Both of 6th London Ammunition Column) were attached to 16th and 15th London Batteries respectively.

                                12th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots around Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots around Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots relieved and withdrew into close support at Sanctuary Wood.

                                1st Battalion Royal Scots in or around Sanctuary Wood from 12th April 1915 to 23rd May 1915.

                                12th April 1915  First Aid Classes

                                12th Apr 1915  89th Field Ambulance embark

                                12th Apr 1915  Zeppelin over the Trenches

                                12th Apr 1915  Into the Trenches

                                12th Apr 1915  Midnight Sentry

                                12th Apr 1915  An Exciting Rush

                                12th Apr 1915  Admissions

                                12th Apr 1915  Arrival

                                12th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                12th Apr 1915  On the March

                                12th Apr 1915  Training

                                12th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Apr 1915  On the March

                                12th Apr 1915  Zeppelin

                                12th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                12th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Apr 1915  Preparations

                                12th Apr 1915  On the March

                                12th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                12th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                12th of April 1915  Sniper House Shelled.

                                12th of April 1915  German Planes Active

                                12th Apr 1915  In Trenches

                                12th April 1915  Patrol

                                12th April 1915  Very quiet day no casualties.

                                12th April 1915  In trenches.

                                12th April 1915  New Billets

                                12th April 1915  Company Training.

                                12th Apr 1915  HQ Moves

                                13th April 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Target Registering  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th London Battery registered on communication trench running from Catileux westward. Range 3725 yards. 16th London Battery registered German trench A.9.a.5.8 to A.9.a.8.5 Range 4025 yards.

                                13th April 1915  Brigade Tactical scheme

                                13th April 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Apr 1915  The Value of Cigarettes

                                13th Apr 1915  Training

                                13th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                13th Apr 1915  Preparations

                                13th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                13th April 1915  2nd/5th Battalion East Kent (The Buffs)

                                13th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                13th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                13th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                13th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                13th Apr 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                13th of April 1915  No casualties.

                                13th of April 1915  Enemy Active

                                13th of April 1915  Report

                                13th April 1915  Increased rifle fire

                                13th April 1915  Inter Company relief - "D" [ Coy. proceeding ] to Fire trenches

                                13th April 1915  In trenches.

                                13th April 1915  At Rest

                                13th April 1915  General Sir Douglas Haig inspected the Division.

                                13th Apr 1915  Training

                                14th April 1915 Zeppelin raids on Britain  Zeppelin L9, crossed the coast just north of Blyth and at Cambois she was attacked with rifle fire from the 1st Battalion Northern Cyclists. Bombs were dropped at West Sleekburn and it then followed a winding course to the south passing over Choppington, Bedlington, Cramlington, Seaton Burn and Forest Hall. 14 bombs were dropped en route, all falling on fields. The L9 then headed for Wallsend, harmlessly dropping 9 bombs on the way. Another 6 Incendiary Bombs were dropped at Wallsend, one hitting a cottage and slightly injuring a woman and a girl. 2 more bombs were dropped before the L9 turned east and crossed the coast at Marsden.

                                14/15th April 1915 Two Navy raids failed due to bad weather on 14 and 15 April, and it was decided to delay further attempts until the more capable P-class Zeppelins were in service.

                                14th April 1915 Batteries Rest Day 6th London Brigade RFA   Neither Battery fired.

                                14th April 1915  Cavalry men in dismounted work

                                14th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                14th Apr 1915  Training

                                14th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Apr 1915  Sore Feet

                                14th Apr 1915  Training

                                14th Apr 1915  Preparations

                                14th Apr 1915  Medical Facilities

                                14th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                Apr 1915 On the March  

                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                Lieutenant Arthur Cyril Finnis and soldiers of the 1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment © The rights holder (IWM Q 60515)

                                14th Apr 1915  Orders

                                14th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                14th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                14th Apr 1915  Artillery Active

                                14th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                14th Apr 1915  Measles

                                14th of April 1915  Welsh Officers

                                14th of April 1915  Quiet Night

                                14th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                14th April 1915  Situation unchanged

                                14th April 1915  Bright day with considerable aeroplane activity

                                14th May 1915  Return to camp

                                14th April 1915  In Billets

                                14th April 1915  Orders received

                                14th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                14th April 1915  Operational Order No. 2.

                                14th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                15th Apr 1915 Hand over  In mid April 1915 Kinghorn Battery was handed over to the 2nd/7th Battalion Black Watch, with the 1st/7th Black Watch departing for Bedford to join their Divsion enroute to France.

                                15th April 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Registrations and Inspection  6th County of London Brigade RFA record 15th Battery fired on red cottage in Cantileux. Range 3950 yards. 16th Battery registered three points, including the end of a German breastwork (A.3.c.1.4). Range 3775 yards. 17th Battery were inspected by GOC First Army, General Sir Douglas Haig, at two hours notice. The GOC expressed his satisfaction at the appearance of the men, harnesses and guns.

                                15th Apr 1915  HMS Abercrombie launched in Belfast  HMS Abercrombie was a Monitor, she was built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast and was launched on the 15th April 1915. She served in the Eastern Mediterranean until 1918.

                                15th Apr 1915 HMS Acacia launched  HMS Acacia was a fleet sweeping sloop of the Flower-class. She was built by Swan Hunter and launched on the 15th of April 1915.

                                15th April 1915  Tactical Tours

                                15th Apr 1915  Bombardment

                                15th April 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Apr 1915 1/6th West Yorks proceed to France  6th Battalion West Yorks proceed to France on the 15th April 1915, sailing from Folkestone and landing at Boulogne with 146th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division.

                                15th April 1915  Relief and relocation

                                15th Apr 1915  8th Worcesters in the trenches

                                15th Apr 1915  At Rest

                                15th Apr 1915  Training & Working Parties

                                15th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                15th Apr 1915  Training

                                15th Apr 1915  Orders

                                15th of April 1915  Trench Visit

                                15th Apr 1915  Advance Party

                                15th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Apr 1915  On the March

                                15th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                15th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                15th Apr 1915  Cleaning up

                                15th Apr 1915  Air Raid

                                15th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                15th Apr 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                15th of April 1915 

                                15th of April 1915  Enemy Very Quiet

                                15th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                15th of April 1915   Orders

                                15th April 1915  Rifle and Machine Gun Fire

                                15th April 1915  Lt. J. Nisbett was killed about 0800 hours whilst observing the effect of a Rifle Grenade.

                                15th April 1915  In Billets

                                15th April 1915  Coy. training.

                                15th Apr 1915  Training

                                15th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                16th April 1915 Further enemy targetting  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th Battery did not fire. 16th Battery changed Observation Station and checked zero lines on German trench with eleven rounds at point A.3.c.1.3. Range 3850 yards. 16th Battery also registered right extremity of ‘R’ breastwork. Range 3625 yards.

                                16th April 1915  Drill

                                16th Apr 1915  Boy Scouts Parade

                                16th Apr 1915  Sentries Tested

                                16th Apr 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                16th Apr 1915  Route March & Tactics

                                16th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                16th Apr 1915  Advance Party

                                16th Apr 1915  Bombardment

                                16th Apr 1915  Preparations

                                16th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Apr 1915  Training

                                16th Apr 1915  Preparations

                                16th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                16th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                16th Apr 1915  Route March

                                16th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                16th of April 1915  Quiet Night

                                16th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                16th of April 1915  Message

                                16th April 1915  Quiet

                                16th April 1915  During the tour "J"1 trench had been greatly improved

                                16th April 1915  In Billets

                                16th April 1915  New Zone

                                16th Apr 1915  Gift

                                16th April 1915  I.L.D. Remount drawn

                                16th April 1915  Arrival

                                16th Apr 1915  Training

                                16th Apr 1915  In Camp

                                16th Apr 1915  Inspections

                                17th Apr 1915 Hill 60 Blown up  On the 17th April the news came to the resting soldiers of the 3rd Monmouths, that Hill 60 had been blown up and captured by the 13th Brigade. Parties from the 1st and 3rd Monmouthshire Battalions had helped in this by virtue of their expertise in mining operations. A detachment of 40 men under Lieutenant Lancaster had been sent to join the new unit, the 171 st Tunnelling Company in February. As expert mineworkers, from the Valleys above Abergavenny, they had distinguished themselves and the Battalion was justly proud. But amongst the rejoicing they had to leave Ypres and return to the trenches. British guns were in action on both sides of the Zonnebeke Road and it was a relief for them all to turn off the cobbled road, go across country and reach Frezenberg before the Germans retaliated. The battalion relieved the 5th King's Own and finding things much as before they carried on with their every day routine. They would remain in the trenches for the next 17 days.

                                17th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th Battery, 6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery registered on forward German trench near Railway. Range 3350 yards. 16th Battery opened fire - twelve rounds - on road junction about Chapelle St Roche (A.4.c.1.4). 16th Battery, at request of OC. 3rd Coldstream Guards fired twelve rounds on German second trench (A.9.c.7.7.). Range 4175 yards.

                                17th Apr 1915 4th Yorks depart for France  4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment depart from Newcastle at 9am bound for Folkestone and then France.

                                17th April 1917 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                17th April 1915  Regimental Cross country

                                17th Apr 1915  A Little Hot

                                17th April 1915 Changes in personnel  Lt. H F Mullan reported his arrival from 13 general Hospital, and posted to 'A' section.

                                Lt. Hampton taken over the duties of Transport Officer in addition to his other duties.

                                17th April 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                17th Apr 1915  13th Londons Inspected

                                17th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                17th April 1915  On the Move

                                17th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                17th Apr 1915  Under Attack

                                17th Apr 1915  Trench Mortars

                                17th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                17th Apr 1915  Advance Party

                                17th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Apr 1915  Demonstration

                                17th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                17th Apr 1915  Training

                                17th Apr 1915  Attack Made

                                17th Apr 1915  Orders

                                17th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                17th Apr 1915  On the March

                                17th of April 1915  Extract from London Gazette

                                17th of April 1915   Mines Exploded

                                17th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                17th of April 1915  Traffic Control

                                17th Apr 1915   In Reserve

                                17th April 1915  Preparations for explosion of mines.

                                17th April 1915  Tremendous Gun and Rifle fire continued all night

                                17th April 1915  Shelling and Mines

                                17th April 1915  Fire

                                17th April 1915  5th Division Attack

                                17th April 1915  Divisional lecture

                                17th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                17th Apr 1915  Lecture

                                17th Apr 1915  Route March

                                18th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   17th Battery, 6th County of London Brigade RFA, which until this date had been in Reserve, took over the position of 15th Battery, which proceeded to Liere. 16th Battery fired twelve rounds at ‘S’ Bend. 17th Battery fired at a communication trench at Cantileux for registration. Range 3525/3725 yards. 2/Lt H B Wells (6th London Ammunition Column) was attached to 17th Battery.

                                18th Apr 1915 4th Yorks land in Boulogne  4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment land in Boulogne at about 2 am, and make camp on nearby hills. They broke camp at 10pm and marched to Desveen where they entrained for Cassel, the Officers riding in first class carriages, the NCOs and men in cattle wagons.

                                18th April 1915 Church Parade  9th Lancers in billets at Meteren. Church of England Parade service at 0915 hours. 2 Officers from England. Captain F.O. Grenfell VC & Captain J.G. Porter rejoin the regiment.

                                18th Apr 1915  Submarine Sunk

                                18th April 1915 Transfer to Boulogne  Lt. Preston having been relieved by Lt. Mullen proceeded this day to Boulogne for duty.

                                18th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                18th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Apr 1915  Quiet Day

                                18th Apr 1915  Reconnaissance

                                18th Apr 1915  Stores

                                18th May 1915  Medical Facilities

                                18th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                18th Apr 1915  Move

                                18th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Apr 1915  Orders

                                18th Apr 1915  Reorganisation

                                18th Apr 1915  Shells

                                18th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                18th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                18th Apr 1915  Counter Attack

                                18th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                18th Apr 1915  Church Parade

                                18th of April 1915 

                                18th of April 1915  Action Continues

                                18th Apr 1915  Route March

                                18th of April 1915  Information

                                18th April 1915  Bright day with a great amount of shelling.

                                18th April 1915  Counter attack

                                18th April 1915  Reliefs

                                18th April 1915  A Quiet Day

                                18th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                18th Apr 1915  Sports

                                18th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                19th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   Today's entry by 6th County of London Brigade RFA in the War Diary is very faint copy - almost unreadable:- 16th Bty ---- to --- (Range 3575 yards), and fired 2 rounds on the enemy at ---- ---- and to the left in the trenches of the enemy at the end of the communication trench in Cantileux. Range 4175 yards.

                                19th Apr 1915  Training

                                19th April 1915  Trenches handed over

                                19th Apr 1915 Transport and battleships at anchor  The SS Marquette arrived at Mudros bay at 5.30pm. She joined SS Melville and SS Caledonia and other Transports and Battleships at anchor in Mudros Bay, Lemnos. The SS Manitou was attacked on approach to the harbour by the Turkish torpedo boat Demir Hissar. The attacker was driven off by British Destroyers and ran aground. 61 lives were lost on the Manitou when a rope broke as a boat was being lowered.

                                19th Apr 1915  Enemy Active

                                19th Apr 1915  Alarm Signal

                                19th Apr 1915  Encounter with the Enemy

                                19th Apr 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall April 19th 1915

                                Present- Lord Durham, W.C. Gray, Colonel H. Bowes, Colonel R. Burdon, Major Tristram, and Capt. Lowe.

                                The parade state was handed in, showing 1393 of all ranks. Of these it was expected that 8 artificers would have to be returned to their employment. It was agreed that a payment of £14 should be made to the electricians. Their services as members of the Battalion having been the means of effecting a large saving in the cost of installing electric light. Recruiting expenses incurred by Captain Longden were ordered to be paid, amounting to £74-1-2.

                                The question of the cookhouse was considered. The medical officer having reported that in hot weather, at all events; it was unfit for its purpose, from a sanitary point of view; and it was determined to erect a cook house according to Government plans; and that application should be made to the War Office for permission to carry out this work.

                                Colonel Bowes reported that 8 new officers had been appointed to the Battalion by the war office, but had not yet arrived; also that the Battalion was now probably going to Blagdon, under canvas, early in May. There was considerable discussion as to the probable ultimate destination of the Battalion; and as to the Brigade to which it might eventually be attached; but it was felt that no action could be taken at the moment until it was ascertained what the ideas of the General Officer Commanding, York, might be on the subject.



                                19th April 1915  On the Move

                                19th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                19th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                19th Apr 1915  Orders

                                19th of April 1915  On the March

                                19th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                19th of April 1915  Establishing HQs

                                19th Apr 1915  On the March

                                19th Apr 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                19th Apr 1915  Orders

                                19th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                19th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                19th Apr 1915  Move

                                19th Apr 1915  Consolidation

                                19th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                19th Apr 1915  Arrival

                                19th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Apr 1915  Into Billets

                                19th Apr 1915  Relief

                                19th of April 1915  19th to 20th of April

                                19th of April 1915   Holding Hill 60

                                19th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                19th of April 1915 

                                19th April 1915  Shelling near Ypres continued and was chiefly German

                                19th Apr 1915  Reorganisation

                                19th April 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                19th April 1915  Departure

                                18th April 1915  Hay nets

                                19th April 1915  Advance party

                                19th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                19th Apr 1915  Training

                                19th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                20th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA's War Diary entry is a very faint copy - almost unreadable: 16th Bty fired 12 rounds during the night at "K" works (A.3.C.2.9) Range 3575. 17th Bty fired at area behind Cantileux. Range approximately 4475 yards.

                                20th April 1915 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                20th April 1915  Brigade Excerise

                                20th Apr 1915 4th Northumberlands proceed to France  4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers sail for France with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division.

                                20th Apr 1915 4th Northumberlands arrive in France  4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers disembark in Boulogne and march to St Martins Rest Camp, to the west of the town, three miles from the dock.

                                20th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                20th Apr 1915 7th Northumberlands depart for France.  7th Northumberlands depart for France. Embarked on S.S. Invicta, Departing from Folkstone.

                                20th Apr 1915  Artillery Bombardment

                                20th Apr 1915  13th Londons Giving Instruction

                                20th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                20th April 1915  On the Move

                                20th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                20th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                20th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                20th Apr 1915  Orders

                                20th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                20th Apr 1915  Inspection

                                20th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                20th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Apr 1915  Bombardment

                                20th Apr 1915  Appointment

                                20th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                20th Apr 1915  Inspection

                                20th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                20th of April 1915  Quiet

                                20th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                20th Apr 1915  Reorganisation

                                20th of April 1915 

                                20th April 1915  Quiet day in trenches. One man killed.

                                20th April 1915  Attack

                                20th April 1915  Posting

                                20th April 1915  Trenches Visited

                                20th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                20th Apr 1915  Inspection

                                20th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                21st April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   16th London Bty fired 12 rounds at "S" bend (A9.06.8) at request of infantry. 17th London Bty engaged Cantileux communication trench. Range 3525/3625.

                                21st April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  The "Second Battle of Ypres"

                                1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots were subjected to almost constant shell-fire.

                                Sanctuary Wood Cemetery (near Hill 62) Zillebeke, Belgium has 1,989 burials of which there are only 636 of them identifiable (1,353 are unidentifiable)
                                Many graves, in all five plots, are identified in groups but not individually.



                                21st April 1915  on dismounted work

                                21st Apr 1915 4th Northumberlands entrain for Front  4th Northumberland Fusiliers began their first day in France with inspection and parade. At 11 am they left St Martin's Camp and marched with the Northumbrian Division to the station at Pont de Briques, departing at 2pm for Bavinchove, arriving at 6pm. They marched to billets at nearby farms, the officers being accommodated in farm houses, the NCO's and men in barns and outbuildings. Some men of A Coy spent the night in bivouacs as the allocated barns were not large enough to accommodate them all.

                                21st Apr 1915 Manchester City Battalions Brigade Sports day  A crowd of 20,000 people gathered at Heaton Park to watch Manchester City Battalion's Brigade sport's day. 4th City Battalion won the Brigade steeplechase earning them the nickname Scarlet Runners.

                                21st Apr 1915 The 7th Battalion arive at rest camp.  Disembarked and proceeded to Rest Camp where the Battalion remained for the day.

                                21st Apr 1915  Boulogne Rest Camp

                                21st April 1915 Family day and a scare  On the 21st of April a family day was held at Cocken Hall, the band entertained the visitors on the lawn and the men demonstrated their new skills. A dance was planned for the evening but there was a coastaldefence scare and orders were received by dispatch rider to send 'A' 'B' 'C' Companies and HQ Coy, 18th Durham Light Infantry to Middlesbrough to strengthen the defence of the town. They entrained at Leemside and travelled to Middlesbrough to establish an outpost line around the east and south of the town, bivouacking in open fields. 'A' Company were based at Cargo Fleet Iron Works, 'B' Company at and around Marton Hall and 'C' Company at Marton Bungalow.

                                21st Apr 1915  Dull and cols

                                21st Apr 1915  1st Londons relieve 13th Londons

                                21st Apr 1915  Farms Searched

                                21st Apr 1915  Gas Attack

                                21st April 1915  Inspections

                                21st Apr 1915  On the March

                                21st Apr 1915  On the Move

                                21st Apr 1915  On the Move

                                21st Apr 1915  Conference

                                21st Apr 1915  Inspections

                                21st of April 1915  HQ Established

                                21st April 1915  On the Move

                                21st Apr 1915  Training

                                21st Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                21st April 1915 On the Move  At 11.40 a.m. H.Q. 149th Brigade left Bologne by train and arrived at Winnezeele at 4.15 p.m and went into billets.

                                21st Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Apr 1915  Bombardment

                                21st Apr 1915  Arrival

                                21st Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                21st Apr 1915  Inspection

                                21st Apr 1915  Mines Exploded

                                21st of April 1915  Intense Bombardment

                                21st Apr 1915  Instruction

                                21st Apr 1915  Accident

                                21st Apr 1915   Reliefs

                                21st April 1915  Letter

                                21st April 1915  Visual signalling arranged from "J"10 to H.Q. by electric lamp

                                21st April 1915  Situation practically normal

                                21st April 1915  In Billets

                                21st April 1915  "D" Coys. guard which was mounted in the evening

                                21st Apr 1915  In Billets

                                21st Apr 1915  Training

                                21st Apr 1915  Instruction

                                22nd Apr 1915 German Embassy issues warning against Atlantic travel  

                                Warning in the press, adjacent to an advertisement for Lusitania's return voyage.

                                Notice!

                                "Travellers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travellers sailing in the war zone on the ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk."

                                Imperial German Embassy, Washington, D.C. 22 April 1915

                                22nd April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   16th London Battery moved into a new position and did not fire.

                                22nd Apr 1915 2nd Camerons at Hill 60  2nd Queens Own Cameron Highlanders are in the trenches at Hill 60

                                22nd April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                22nd April 1915  Training

                                22nd Apr 1915 Sheffield City Battalion vs 15th Sherwoods  Sheffield City Battalion's soccer eleven played a match against the 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and won the game by six goals to nil.

                                22nd April 1915 Motor ambulances replace horsed wagons  Seven motor ambulance wagons from St Omer arrived for duty with 14 MT* drivers in place of seven horsed wagons to be withdrawn.

                                * Mechanical transport

                                22nd April 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths in the line  The 3rd Monmouth Battalion relieved the 5th King's Own and finding things much as before they carried on with their every day routine. But there they stayed without relief, for 17 days, the 5th Kings Own never came again and the Welshmen waited patiently for relief, amid rumour after rumour as to the war activities. They knew that heavy bombardment had started a few miles north of the 3rd Mons position and during the following days rumour after rumour began to circulated about what had happened on the fateful day of 22nd of April. They heard that 18,000 Canadians withstood the first Western Front poison gas attack and could scarcely believe the news. On the 22 April an event occurred that was a major event in the war, the first use of gas as a weapon of war. This attack caused widespread panic among French troops and German forces swept through the gaps, which opened up in the front line. Canadian and British troops struggled to hold back the attack but, after suffering constant shelling and very high casualties, they were forced to retreat to a new defensive line.

                                22nd April 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Apr 1915  Attack Expected

                                22nd Apr 1915  Reconnaissance

                                22nd Apr 1915  Noxious Gases

                                22nd April 1915  In the Trenches

                                22nd Apr 1915  Counter Attack

                                22nd April 1915  Arms Tested

                                22nd Apr 1915  On Stand by

                                22nd Apr 1915  Inspection and Orders

                                22nd Apr 1915  Into Billets

                                22nd Apr 1915  Preparations

                                22nd Apr 1915  Arms Tested

                                22nd of April 1915  Germans Attack

                                22nd of April 1915  At Readiness Level

                                22nd of April 1915  Standing by

                                22nd Apr 1915  Training

                                22nd April 1915  Into Billets

                                22nd Apr 1915  Orders

                                22nd Apr 1915  Training

                                22nd Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Apr 1915  Orders

                                22nd April 1915  Into Billets

                                22nd Apr 1915  Training

                                22nd Apr 1915  Alert

                                22nd April 1915  Gas

                                22nd Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                22nd Apr 1915  Orders Received

                                22nd Apr 1915  Heavy Firing

                                22nd of April 1915  Fairly Quiet Day

                                22nd Apr 1915  On the March

                                22nd of April 1915 

                                22nd Jan 1915  Letter

                                22nd April 1915  Lieutenant Colonel Duncan returns from short leave.

                                22nd April 1915  In Billets

                                22nd April 1915  Heavy Firing North of Ypres

                                22nd April 1915  The C.O., Adjt. and M.O. visited 6th Battalion in Quinchy trenches

                                22nd Apr 1915  Gas

                                22nd Apr 1915  Gas

                                22nd Apr 1915  Training

                                22nd April 1915  Operational Order No.3

                                22nd Apr 1915  Change of Billets

                                23rd April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 16th london Bty began to register a new zone, but the Observing Officer was shelled out of his observation station. Later 16th Bty registered trenches from S.27A.0.3 to A.3.A.0.5, 23 rounds fired. Ranges 3375-3575 yards. 17th London Bty did not fire. 15th London Bty came into position again from reserve, at daybreak 23rd April 1915.

                                The 15th & 16th Batteries are now under the tactical command of Colonel Hall RA (36th Brigade RFA), the 17th Bty remains under the tactical command of Colonel Parry (34th Brigade RFA). Brigade Headquarters moved from the banks of the La Bassee to Loisne.

                                23rd April 1915 In Action  1st Battalion, Royal Scots are fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium in the Second Battle of Ypres.

                                23rd April 1915  On the march

                                22nd Apr 1915 4th Northumberlandson the march  The Companies of the 4th Northumberlands assembled at Bavinchove station and marched through Cassel to Oudezeele arriving at 3pm, they are divided into platoons and march to their billets at small farms.

                                At 10.40pm news arrived of the German gas attack near Langemarck, some 20 miles to the east just over 5 hours earlier, which had resulted in an advance by the enemy of around a mile. At 10.50pm orders arrived for six Companies of the York and Durham Brigade to be ready to move by motor bus in full battle order. Forty minutes later the order was countermanded to stand by, ready to leave fully equipped.

                                23rd April 1915 Transfer of horsed wagons  Orders received by 19th Field Ambulance at Erquinghem-Lys for the seven horsed ambulance wagons to be sent to No. 1 Co. 6th Divisional Train this morning, with drivers and horses. The motor ambulance wagon sent by the ADMS 6th Division has been sent to the 16th Field Ambulance.

                                23rd April 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd April 1915   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade in reserve. Started at 1130 and marched to Boeschepe where went into bivouac at 2000 - very cold.

                                23rd of April 1915  Under attack

                                23rd of April 1915  Troop concentrations

                                23rd of April 1915  Northunberlands Transferred

                                23rd of April 1915  Concentration

                                23rd of April 1915  Moving forward

                                23rd of April 1915  Occupying the Line

                                23rd of April 1915  Directives received

                                23rd of April 1915  Divisional Movements

                                23rd of April 1915  Cancelled movement

                                23rd of April 1915  Delays

                                23rd of April 1915  Urgent Moves

                                23rd of April 1915  Brigade to 5th Corps

                                23rd of April 1915  Artillery Placement

                                23rd Apr 1915  Instruction

                                23rd Apr 1915  Brigade Moves

                                23rd Apr 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                23rd Apr 1915  Training

                                23rd Apr 1915  Noxious Gases

                                23rd Apr 1915  Galantry in Bayonet charge

                                23rd Apr 1915   April 23rd 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                There will be no meeting of the Committee at Cocken Hall on Monday the 26th inst. There is little that requires immediate attention; and probably only half the Battalion will be there.

                                Orders were received by telephone on the morning of the 21st that the Battalion was to proceed to camp near Blagdon immediately - I believe the same evening. Colonel Bowes very wisely decided that the Garden Party which had been decided to be held that afternoon - together with a show parade - should not be interfered with; and it was the means of collecting together something like 2000 people, friends and relatives of the members of the Battalion. After consultation with him I decided to try and postpone the departure of the Battalion for a few days, if possible; and therefore, at about 5 p.m. I telephoned to York, only to find that all the arrangements had been counterordered an hour previously; and that 400 men and officers were to entrain, at two hours notice, for Middlesbrough, for what York described as "an emergency." The entraining was carried out without a hitch; and 710 men and 23 officers, horses, etc., are at present in Middlesbrough. Colonel Bowes has, however, applied that the Battalion shall be allowed to reassemble at Cocken before they finally go into camp elsewhere. Major Tristram - who unfortunately has had rather a serious fall - is meanwhile in Command at Cocken. If the Battalion is to move at this short notice there is sure to be trouble in future with the Contractor; which, however, will, of course, lie upon the shoulders of York.

                                The second Depot Company grows very slowly. At present there are about 1400 of all ranks, of whom we shall lose 8 special artificers, who go back to their firms for the manufacturing of armaments.

                                A new cook house must be provided. I propose to go on with this quite independent of the 18th (Service) Battalion leaving Cocken, as it must be provided for the incoming Battalion; about which I am writing to York.

                                About half of the men have been vaccinated; which, of course, would not have been done had we known of the move.



                                23rd Apr 1915  On the March

                                23rd Apr 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Apr 1915  On the Move

                                23rd Apr 1915  Delay

                                23rd Apr 1915  Transports Sail

                                23rd Apr 1915  Route March

                                23rd Apr 1915  Orders

                                23rd April 1915  Orders

                                23 April 1915  2nd/5th Battalion East Kent (The Buffs)

                                23rd Apr 1915  On the March

                                23rd Apr 1915  Orders

                                23rd Apr 1915  Training

                                23rd Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Apr 1915  Gun Fire

                                23rd Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                23 April 1915 Ordered to Move  Operation Order No24 by Brigadier General J.F. Riddell Commanding Northumberland Brigade Winnezeele 23rd of April 1915

                                1. The Brigade will move off at once by march route to Brandhoek via Watou and Poperinghe.

                                2. Troops will move as per margin, the head of the 5th Bn will pass the cross roads at Droglandt at 1.15 pm

                                • H.Q. Northumberland Brigade
                                • 5th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
                                • 6th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
                                • 7th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
                                • 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
                                • 1st Northumberland Field Coy R.E
                                • 1st Northumberland Field Ambulance
                                • No 2 Coy A.S.C. Train

                                3. First line transport will be brigaded under the Senior transport Officer and will follow the Field Coy RE in the order of march of their respective units.

                                4. Baggage and Supply wagons will join the train.

                                5. Reports to head of 5th Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                Issued at 12.45 pm to representatives of units

                                23rd Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Apr 1915  Ready

                                23rd Apr 1915  Arrivals

                                23rd Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Apr 1915  Report

                                23rd Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd of April 1915  Battalion moved.

                                23rd Apr 1915  On the Move

                                23rd of April 1915  Quiet Night

                                23rd Apr 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                23rd April 1915  At 0130 hours Brigade bombers made a demonstration

                                23rd April 1915  Holding the Line

                                23rd April 1915  In Billets

                                23rd April 1915  Germans take French Line

                                23rd April 1915  R.E. Officer visited H.Q. and gave work to be done.

                                23rd Apr 1915  Recruitment

                                23rd Apr 1915  Artillery in Action

                                23rd Apr 1915  On the March

                                23rd Apr 1915  Orders

                                23rd Apr 1915  On the March

                                23rd April 1915  Operational Order No.3

                                23rd Apr 1915  First Loss

                                23rd Apr 1915  Training

                                24th Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths in the line  On the 24 April authentic news was brought to the 3rd Monmouth Battalion's trenches about what had being happening elsewhere in the battle zone; the first gas attack had indeed taken place. The French had retreated on the north point of the Salient; the enemy had broken the Allied Line along Pilckem Ridge; the 1st Division Canadians had won honour and fame by filling the vital gap in the Line and helped to save the town of Ypres . The British had repeated counter attacks and stemmed the advance of the enemy towards Ypres . History would record that day as the start of the bloody Battle of St Julien, when the Germans took the village of St Juliaan and it would continue until 24th May.

                                24th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA's 15th Battery registered K works (3600 yards), R2 works (3500 yds) and R1 (3600 yds), firing thirty six rounds. Their Wagon Line was shelled with one man being wounded, two horses killed and four horses injured. 16th Battery completed the registration which was interrupted yesterday. Zone registered - A.3.a.0.2 to S.26.b.9.6. Range 3359/3550 yards. 17th Battery fired at the end of the communication trench in Cantileux. Range 4125 yards.

                                24th Apr 1915 Forced to retreat  Under heavy Germam shelling at Poperinghe, No 6 Squadron RFC were forced to move further back to join No.4 Squadron at Abeele Aerodrome. At around this time a scout flight comprising Martinsyde S1 and Bristol scout aircraft was added to the squadron to protect their reconnaissance planes.

                                24th Apr 1915 Germans use gas in Flanders  At 4 in the morning the Germans released a cloud of gas as a prelude to an attack on the Allied lines near Ypres. Despite international laws against the uses of gas in warfare, some German officials noted that only gas projectiles appeared to be specifically banned, and that no prohibition could be found against simply releasing deadly chemical weapons and allowing the wind to carry it to the enemy.

                                24th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                24th April 1915  In support

                                24th April 1915 O Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ39

                                • Production Ref: LZ39
                                • Class type : O
                                • Tactical ref: none
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 24th April 1915

                                History.

                                Three raids on the Western, later two on the Eastern Front, dropping a total of 4,184 kg (9,224 lb) of bombs. On the 17th December 1915, captained by Dr. Lempertz, LZ 39 was hit several times by shrapnel during an attack on Rovno. All rear gas cells were punctured and the front engine car was hit and later fell off. The crew abandoned the now over stressed control cabin, dropped ballast and shifted loads to rebalance the ship and used an emergency control station in the rear to limp back to Germany. Upon forced landing the ship collapsed because material for repair and the supply of gas needed to refill the cells were not available.

                                24th April 1915 Further moves  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Started at 0430 and moved to 17 miles north of Vlamertinghe where went into bivouac at 2130. Wet night and cold.

                                24th of April 1915  Reserve Brigades

                                24th of April 1915  Artillery Orders

                                24th of April 1915  Transfer of Infantry

                                24th of April 1915  Northumberlands into Reserve

                                24th of April 1915  Leadership changes

                                24th of April 1915  Units in position

                                24th Apr 1915 Manchester City Battalions move camp  The four Manchester City Battalions left Heaton Park Camp for Belton Park near Grantham, Lincolnshire. 18th Battalion left Heaton park in the early morning, marching through Manchester to London Road station to entrain for Grantham. On arrival they marched 3 miles to Belton park.

                                24th Apr 1915  Ships embark Mudros

                                24th Apr 1915 Brigade Ordered to Move   Operation Order No.2 issued by Brig Gen. Sewerel J. Riddell 149th Bde at Brandhoek. 24/4/15 4:35

                                1. The Brigade is to move off at once via Vlamertinghe and Ypres to a point about 2 miles east of Ypres.

                                2. Troops will move as per margin the head of the 4th Btn passing the cross roads just north of the ---- E in Poperinghe at 6 p.m.

                                • H.Q.
                                • 4th Btn N.F.
                                • 6th Btn N.F.
                                • 7th Btn N.F.
                                • 5th Btn N.F.

                                3. Machine guns only will accompany units. All other first line transport and blanket wagons will be brigaded under the brigade transport officer and will follow in near the Brigade.

                                4. Balance of rations in hand should be taken on the man or in Cook's wagon.

                                5. Reports to head of 4th Btn N.F.

                                24th Apr 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                24th Apr 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                24th Apr 1915  The Problem with Mules

                                24th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Apr 1915  Deportation of Armenians

                                24th April 1915  In Action

                                24th April 1915  On the March

                                24th Apr 1915  Into the Trenches

                                24th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                24th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                24th May 1915  Reorganisation

                                24th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                24th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                24th Apr 1915  At Sea

                                24th of April 1915  Relief Completed

                                24th Apr 1915  Stand To

                                24th of April 1915  Positions of Northumberland Division

                                24th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                24th Apr 1915  On the March

                                24th April 1915  On the Move

                                24th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                24th Apr 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                24th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                24th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Apr 1915  Orders

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

                                24th April 1915  Gas

                                24th Apr 1915  Attack Expected

                                24th Apr 1915  In Support

                                24th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                24th Apr 1915  Relief

                                24th Apr 1915  On the March

                                24th of April 1915 

                                24th of May 1915 

                                24th Apr 1915  Allocation

                                24th of April 1915   A Quiet Night

                                24th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                24th Apr 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                24th of April 1915  

                                24th April 1915  Trenches again shell at 1700 hours continuing until dusk.

                                24th April 1915  Command

                                24th April 1915  Reliefs

                                24th April 1915  Readied for Attack

                                24th April 1915  Battalion marched to billets at Lapugnoy.

                                24th Apr 1915  Artillery in Action

                                24th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                24th Apr 1915  On the March

                                24th Apr 1915  On the March

                                25th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th Battery did not fire. 16th Battery fired thirty six rounds in registering German trenches from A.3.d.2.2 to A.3.a.0.2. Range 3425-3600 yards. 17th Battery registered four points - a snipers post (3050 yds), Canal trench (3100 yds), German forward trench (3425 yds), and German Communication trench (3700 yds). The 16th and 17th Batteries, as the result of Chateau Gorre being shelled yesterday moved the Wagon Lines to La Motte Farm and the banks of the La Bassee canal respectively.

                                Today the Brigade came under the tactical command of General Wray (Through Colonel Hall) instead of General Onslow, 2nd Division.

                                25th April 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium in the Second Battle of Ypres.

                                25th April 1915  2nd Cavalry Brigade on the move

                                25th Apr 1915  Landing

                                25th April 1915 Arrangements for collection of sick and wounded  19th Field Ambulance, RAMC at Erquinghem-Lys. The night party for advanced post now leaves at 8 pm, and the motor ambulance wagon at 8.30 pm, for the collection of the sick and wounded from Regimental Aid Posts of the trenches.

                                25th April 1915  Reinforcements

                                25th Apr 1915 CO of 4th East Yorks killed  Commanding officer of the 4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, Lieutenant Col George Herbert Shaw was killed.

                                25th April 1915 Action with French Troops  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Lent to support French Forces 3 miles NW of Ypres. Went into action one mile north of Brielen at 1530 on being attached to French Troops and registered on ridge to east of canal about Pilkem and to south of Lattu (???)

                                25th of April 1915  Counter Attack

                                25th of April 1915  Ammo column delayed

                                25th of April 1915  Considerable losses

                                25th Apr 1915  SS Aragon in the Dardanelles

                                25th Apr 1915  7th Northumberlands in the Line

                                25th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Apr 1915  Enemy Shelling

                                25th Apr 1915  Working Parties and Shelling

                                25th Apr 1915  Underground Rescue

                                25th Apr 1915  In Support

                                25th Apr 1915  Machine Gunners in Action

                                25th Apr 1915  Attack and Counter Attack

                                25th April 1915  On the March

                                25th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                25th Apr 1915  On the March

                                25th Apr 1915  Entrenching

                                25th Apr 1915  Shellfire

                                25th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                25th Apr 1915  In Action

                                25th Apr 1915  Landing

                                25th Apr 1915  In Action

                                25th Apr 1915  In Action

                                25th Apr 1915  Confusion

                                25th Apr 1915  Wire

                                25th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                25th Apr 1915  Bombs

                                25th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                25th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                25th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                25th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                25th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                25th of April 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                25th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                25th of April 1915  

                                25th April 1915  "A" & "B" Coys. in billets at La Clytte were ordered to proceed to trench area as Reserve.

                                25th Apr 1915  Preparations

                                25th April 1915  Still in trenches.

                                25th April 1915  First Aid Post

                                25th April 1915  Church Parade at Lapugnoy.

                                25th May 1915  Divisional Reserve.

                                25th Apr 1915  Landings

                                25th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                25th Apr 1915  On the March

                                25th Apr 1915  Training

                                25th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                26th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   During the night of April 25th/26th, the 15th London Battery fired six rounds at the K works. After the second round shouting was heard from the enemy. Later the sound of hammering of posts was heard, and the sound ceased after the last two rounds were fired. 16th London Battery registered zone from A.3.d.2.2. to A.3.a.0.2. 36 rounds fired. 17th London Battery registered a communication trench leading along the north bank of the La Bassee canal. Range 3925-4200 yards.

                                H A Barker and Pte P L G Winter (15th Battalion, London Regiment) gazetted as 2nd Lieutenants.

                                26th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                26th April 1915  Ready

                                26th April 2015 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Attached to French Troops 3 miles NW of Ypres. (26th to 30th April) Supported French attacks on Pilkem Ridge at 0330 and at 1400 on 26th April, ranges about 3700 yards buildings and trenches - fired about 200 rounds

                                26th Apr 1915  18th DLI leave Middlebrough

                                26th Apr 1915  Operation Order No. 3

                                26th April 1915  Enemy endeavouring to Break Through

                                26th Apr 1915  7th Northumberlands in Support

                                26th April 1915  Award

                                26th Apr 1915  Suspicious Noises

                                26th Apr 1915  Enemy Shelling

                                26th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                26th Apr 1915  Eye Witness Account

                                26th Apr 1915  Heavy Casualties

                                26th Apr 1915  On the March

                                26th Apr 1915  Entrenching

                                26th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                26th of April 1915  Confusion

                                26th of April 1915  Heavy Losses

                                26th of April 1915  Report on St. Julien

                                26th Apr 1915  Attacks Made

                                26th of Apr 1915  Experience

                                26th Apr 1915  In Action

                                26th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th Apr 1915  Confusion

                                26th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                26th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                26th Apr 1915  Gun Fire

                                26th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

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

                                Reference Belgium sheet 28 1/40,000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                26th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                26th Apr 1915  Artillery Active

                                26th Apr 1915  Arrivals

                                26th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                26th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                26th Apr 1915  Baths

                                26th of April 1915  Training

                                26th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                26th of April 1915   Quiet Night

                                26th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                26th Apr 1915   Reliefs

                                26th April 1915  Communications trench opened up between H.Q. and Support barn.

                                26th Apr 1915  Wounded

                                26th April 1915  In trenches.

                                26th April 1915  First Aid Post

                                26th April 1915  Monday. "A" & "B" Coys. marched to Auchel to have bath's.

                                26th May 1915  In Divisional Reserve

                                26th Apr 1915  Recruitment

                                26th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                26th Apr 1915  On the March

                                26th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Apr 1915  Operational Order No. 12

                                27th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th and 16th London Batteries reported a series of explosions in the direction of Givenchy and the fact that searchlights were played on enemy Trenches from the direction of La Bassee. The 15th Battery did not fire. The 16th Battery fired five rounds at the gap in the south end of the J Breastwork. 17th London Battery registered a communication trench. Later 16th Battery shelled to the left of 17th Battery firing thirty six rounds. There was an inspection of 6th London Ammunition Column by the OC. Brigade.

                                27th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                27th April 1915  in the line

                                27th April 1915  Reliefs

                                27th April 1915 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Attached to French Troops 3 miles NW of Ypres. (26th to 30th April) 27th April - Supported French Attacks from 1315 to 1900 - fired about 200 rounds

                                27th Apr 1915  SS Aragon evacuates wounded

                                27th Apr 1915  7th Northumberlands Withdraw

                                27th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                27th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Apr 1915  Situation Normal

                                27th Apr 1915  Artillery In Action

                                27th Apr 1915  Sparse Roll Call

                                27th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                27th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                27th Apr 1915  In the Line

                                27th Apr 1915  Reinforcements

                                27th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                27th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                27th of April 1915  Appreciation

                                27th of April 1915  Artillery movement

                                27th Apr 1915  Reorganisation

                                27th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                27th Apr 1915  Reinforcements

                                27th Apr 1915  Mine

                                27th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                27th Apr 1915  Holding the Line

                                27th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                27th Apr 1915  Equipment

                                27th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                27th of April 1915  Training

                                27th of April 1915   Reliefs

                                27th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                27th Apr 1915  Orders Received

                                27th April 1915  Quiet day in trenches.

                                27th April 1915  At Rest

                                27th April 1915  Mine Blown up Under German Trenches

                                27th April 1915  "C" & "D" Coys. marched to Auchel to Bathe.

                                27th Apr 1915  Motor Ambulance Convoy

                                27th Apr 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                27th April 1915  Battalion losses

                                27th Apr 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                27th April 1915  New CO Arrives

                                28th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th London Battery fired six rounds at a working party reported near J2. Four rounds struck the parapet. 16th London Battery verified registration of ‘K’ works. 17th London Battery fired on Canal Trench and the Communication trench leading to it, verifying the range and line already registered.

                                28th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium

                                28th April 1915  On the move

                                28th April 1915 Preparations for enemy gas attack  Lt. Grellier proceeded by Motor Ambulance wagon to St Omer today with two other officers to be interviewed by the DGMS* in the Field. Owing to the attack in the North, the enemy employing poisonous gas, masks made of gauze, and saturated withSoda Bicarbonate solution (2oz to a wine bottle) are being prepared for the men of the Field Ambulance. * Director General Medical Services

                                28th April 1915 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With Drench Troops about 3 miles NW of Ypres. 28th April - Supported French Attacks from 1330 to 1800 - fired about 200 rounds.

                                29th April - Registering.

                                28th April 1915  Operational Order

                                28th Apr 1915  Enemy Mine Located

                                28th Apr 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                28th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                28th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th Apr 1915  Casualties in April

                                28th Apr 1915  Working Party

                                28th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th Apr 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                28th Apr 1915  Ground Gained

                                28th of April 1915  Reliefs

                                28th of April 1915  GOC Visit

                                28th of April 1915  Ammo column on the move

                                28th of April 1915  General Plumer's Force

                                28th of April 1915  Messages

                                28th Apr 1915  Attack Made

                                28th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th April 1915  Recce

                                28th Apr 1915  Relief

                                28th Apr 1915  Counter Attack

                                28th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                28th April 1915 Recce  149 Brigade Hq reports from Wieltje:

                                "11.30am. Orders received from 1st Canadian Division for the Brigade to take over the GHQ line in C29 and C23.

                                11.45am. Cap't North 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers ordered to reconnoitre the extent of the line allotted to the Brigade and to report as to the numbers required to hold it.

                                1.30pm. Cap't North reported that the line was about 700 yards long and would require 3 companies to hold it. It extended from about the second 'E' in Wieltje C29(a) to the 'E' in Route C23c. The 4th Cavalry Bde. occupied the line south of the 'E' in WieltjE, but there appeared to be no troops occupying the trenches to the north of the 'E' in Route C23c.

                                2.15pm Colonel Feildy went to the HQ 10th Infantry Bde. and was informed that troops would occupy the trenches during the night of 28th/29th.

                                ? pm. Orders issued to 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to occupy the section of the GHQ line allotted to the Brigade & for the other Bde's to remain in their present positions.

                                7.5pm. Aeroplane Taube passed over the lines occupied by the Brigade & was brought down by rifle fire just outside the GHQ line. Pilot and observer both wounded and captured by the 2nd Cav. Brigade.

                                7.30pm. Orders Received form Canadian Div. that the portion of the Brigade not required in the GHQ line may be placed in the dug-outs previously occupied by the Brigade. Day and night both fine."

                                28th Apr 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th Apr 1915  Equipment

                                28th Apr 1915  Arrivals

                                28th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                28th of April 1915  Training

                                28th of April 1915   Quiet Day and Night

                                28th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                28th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                28th of April 1915  Report

                                28th April 1915  Aeroplanes very active. Intermittent shelling.

                                28th April 1915  On the March

                                28th April 1915  New Position Observed

                                28th April 1915  M.G. detachment to be attached temporarily to 6th London Infantry Brigade.

                                28th April 1915  On the Move

                                28th Apr 1915  Medical Officer

                                28th Apr 1915  On the Move

                                28th Apr 1915  On the March

                                28th April 1915  Brigade Reserve

                                28th Apr 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                29th April 1915  Zeppelin Raid

                                29th Apr 1915 3rd Monmouths in the line  The 3rd Monmouth Battalion's war diary records that they had only to stand by in the Polygon Line and '29 April, was, a very quiet day'. But even 'very quiet days' brought casualties, 2nd Lieutenant Onions, the son of the Welsh Miner's Leader, was killed as he marched his men back to the dug-outs behind the Wood. He was the first fatal casualty of the 3rd Mons Officers. The general situation was worse than anyone knew. The gas attack had broken the line in the north of the Salient and the German guns were brought up to Pilckem Ridge. Polygon Wood was the most easterly position of the area and now it was developing into a bottle shaped zone, untenable for the 3rd Mons.

                                29th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   Between 0035 and 0045 15th London Battery fired six rounds at J2. 16th London Battery registered J6, J7 and ‘S’ Bend - twenty six rounds - and verified registration of J1. 17th London Battery fired at rear extension of communication trench, and verified registration of other points.

                                29th April 1915  ready

                                29th Apr 1915 Sports Day at Redmires  A sports day held at Redmires Camp was a huge success with over ten thousand spectators watching as over 1000 men took part in a range of sporting events. Men from the Sheffield City Battalion, the Barnsley Battalion and 15th Sherwood Foresters took part in heats throughout the mornings, with the finals being held in the afternoon. A Five mile steeple chase was run on a route around the Redmires reservoirs finishing on the parade ground. Most of the events were won by men from the Sheffield Battalion, their superior fitness being attributed to the harsh hilly environment in which they are training. A Company won the tug of war, the football competition and 16 Platoon were victorious in the Inter-Platoon Mile, winning in a time of Seven minutes 45 seconds, each man in full fighting order carrying 50lbs including their rifles.

                                29th Apr 1915  SS Aragon sails for Alexandria

                                29th April 1915  Poor Communication

                                29th Apr 1915  7th Northumberlands in the Trenches

                                29th Apr 1915  At Rest

                                29th Apr 1915  Warwicks provide Instruction

                                29th Apr 1915  Letters Censored

                                29th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th Apr 1915  In Billets

                                29th Apr 1915  Crowned in Glory

                                29th of April 1915  GOC visits

                                29th of April 1915  New commander of Northumbrians

                                29th of April 1915  Re-grouping

                                29th Apr 1915  The Wounded

                                29th Apr 1915  Quieter

                                29th April 1915  Working Parties

                                29th Apr 1915  At Rest

                                29th Apr 1915  Line Extended

                                29th Apr 1915  Training

                                29th April 1915  Shells

                                29th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                29th Apr 1915  At Rest

                                29th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th April 1915 Working Parties  Operation Order No 5 by D.S.Brigadier General G.P. Falding D.S.O Commding Northumberland Inf Brigade

                                1. The Brigade will proceed tonight to dig a line of trench South of the Ypres-Zonnebeck road in I56, I6 a and c and I12.

                                2. The Brigade will be divided into two reliefs of 900 men each the 4th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (500 men) and the 6th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (400) forming the first relief. The 5th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (600) and the 7th Bn Northumberland Fusliers (300) will form the second relief. The first relief will parade at 8p.m and will be guided to their position by a guide of the 2nd RE Field Squadron Colonel Foster 4th Northumberland Fusliers will be in charge of this relief. The 2nd relief will be ready to move at 11.31 pm under Col Coles 5th Bn Northumberland Fusliers.

                                3. The 5th Btn Northumberland Fusliers will be relieved in the GHQ line at 8.30 pm by the 2nd Cav: division and will return to bivouac

                                4. Units will parade for digging in marching order.

                                5. Surplus men not required for digging will remain in bivouac in charge of an officer to guard kits left behind.

                                6. Tools will be obtained outside Brigade Headquarters.

                                7. Battalions after digging will return to bivouac at Wieltje.

                                8. Brigade H.Q will remain at Wieltje.

                                29th Apr 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th Apr 1915  Horses

                                29th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                29th of April 1915  Very Quiet

                                29th Apr 1915  Instruction

                                29th Apr 1915  Into Billets

                                29th April 1915  Men in billets trained in Bomb throwing

                                29th April 1915  Concert

                                29th April 1915  C.O's and Adjt. of 7th London Regt. meeting at H.Q.

                                29th Apr 1915  Divine Service

                                29th Apr 1915  Stand to

                                29th April 1915  Working party at night

                                29th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                30th April 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA's 15th Battery registered on K4 and K1 - 20 rounds - and at 2320 fired four rounds at J1. Later 15th Battery fired five rounds at K1.

                                30th Apr 1915 18th Kings Liverpool move to Belton Park  The 18th (2nd Pals) Kings Liverpool did their basic training at Hooton Park Racecourse and on the 30th April 1915 moved to Belton Park. They went on to other parts of the UK for more advanced training.

                                30th April 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium April 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 95 men (that are known)

                                30th April 1915  ready

                                30th April 1915   SM U-43

                                Type U 43 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 21) Ordered 10 Jul 1913 Launched 26 Sep 1914 Commissioned 30 Apr 1915.
                                Commanders.
                                30 Apr 1915 - 16 May 1917 Hellmuth Jürst.
                                17 May 1917 - 17 Apr 1918 Waldemar Bender.
                                18 Apr 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Johannes Kirchner

                                Career 11 patrols.
                                start date unknown - 11 Nov 1918 III Flotilla

                                Successes 45 ships sunk with a total of 114,323 tons.
                                2 ships taken as prize with a total of 356 tons.

                                • 21 Mar 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Aranmore 1,050 br
                                • 24 Mar 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Englishman 5,257 br
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Dania 862 nw
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Knut Hilde 1,632 nw
                                • 28 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Rolf Jarl 1,265 nw
                                • 29 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Knut Jarl 1,070 nw
                                • 29 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Nesjar 1,609 nw
                                • 30 Sep 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Fancy 1,612 nw
                                • 3 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst J. Y. Short 2,193 br
                                • 3 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Tourgai 4,281 ru
                                • 10 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Gardepee 1,633 br
                                • 11 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Bistritza 3,688 ro
                                • 17 Oct 1916 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Edam 2,381 nw
                                • 22 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Duc D’aumale 2,189 fr
                                • 23 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Jevington 2,747 br
                                • 23 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Donstad 699 nw
                                • 28 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Foz Do Douro 1,677 pt
                                • 28 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Fulton 1,034 nw
                                • 31 Jan 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Rigel 2,671 nw
                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Hollinside 2,862 br
                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Songelv 2,064 nw
                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Wasdale 1,856 nw
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Turino 4,241 br
                                • 9 Feb 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Famiglia 2,942 it
                                • 16 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Anne 240 da
                                • 16 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Endymion 1,345 ru
                                • 16 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Towergate 3,697 br
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst August 1,596 ru
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst San Hilario 10,157 br
                                • 22 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Woodward Abrahams 744 am
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Cordelia 613 sw
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Abosso 7,782 br
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Ehrglis 238 ru
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Hektoria 5,002 nw
                                • 3 May 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Emma (prize) 183 nl
                                • 3 May 1917 U 43 Hellmuth Jürst Concordia (prize) 173 nl
                                • 4 Jun 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Juno 1,169 nw
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Haulwen 4,032 br
                                • 11 Jun 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Teviotdale 3,847 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Tunisie 3,246 fr
                                • 18 Sep 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Glenfoyle 1,680 br
                                • 28 Dec 1917 U 43 Waldemar Bender Magellan 6,265 fr
                                • 27 Jul 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Subadar 4,911 br
                                • 3 Aug 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Maceio 3,739 bz
                                • 3 Aug 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Vouga 96 pt
                                • 15 Oct 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Bretagne 316 fr
                                • 19 Oct 1918 U 43 Johannes Kirchner Aida 93 pt

                                Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Swansea in 1922.

                                There was another U 43 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 23 May 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 26 Aug 1939.

                                30th April 1915 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Supported French attacks, fired about 150 rounds on 30th as well as 28th and 29th. Battery and observation point both under a good deal of shell fire from heavy guns with some very lucky escapes as no casualties during these attacks. French took some trenches and about 50 prisoners but German position very strong and difficult to attack.

                                30th April 2015  Digging Parties

                                30th Apr 1915  Trench digging by night

                                30th Apr 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Apr 1915  Communications Trenches Completed

                                30th Apr 1915  Enemy Trench Located

                                30th Apr 1915  Heavy Bombardment

                                30th Apr 1915  Gas

                                30th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                30th Apr 1915  Digging

                                30th Apr 1915  Change of Command

                                30th of April 1915  Patrols

                                30th of April 1915  GOC visits

                                30th Apr 1915  Enemy Advance

                                30th April 1915  Logistical Issues

                                30th Apr 1915  Shelling

                                30th Apr 1915  Under Shellfire

                                30th Apr 1915  Field Day

                                30th Apr 1915  Quiet

                                30th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                30th April 1915 Logistical Issues  At 5pm Orders were received by 149th Brigade from Canadian Division for working party of 1500 men to report at Verlorenhoek at 19:30. 5.30 pm Orders issued in accordance with above.

                                At 8pm Message received from Canadian Division ordering another 300 men to be sent to Bellewaare Farm and 200 to Bellewaarde Chateau (not on the map) This order it was obviously impossible to carry out owing to the time the message was received. The 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were still at Wieltje and a message was sent to them through the Canadian Brigade to send out these parties at once. Neither of these parties arrived before 23:00 as the road by which they had to proceed was entirely strange to them, and no guides had been provided.

                                30th Apr 1915  Digging In

                                30th Apr 1915  Recce

                                30th Apr 1915  Roads Shelled

                                30th Apr 1915  Horses

                                30th Apr 1915  Wounded

                                30th Apr 1915  In the Trenches

                                30th Apr 1915  Some Shelling

                                30th of April 1915  Training

                                30th of April 1915  Fairly Quiet Day

                                30th Apr 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                30th Apr 1915  On the March

                                30th of April 1915  

                                30th of April 1915  Report

                                30th Apr 1915   Relief

                                30th April 1915  Quiet day.

                                30th April 1915  Reliefs

                                30th April 1915  Capt. Head evacuated to base.

                                30th April 1915  7th London Regt. Schedule

                                30th Apr 1915  Recruitment

                                30th Apr 1915  Vehicle

                                30th Apr 1915  Stand to

                                30th April 1915  In Brigade Reserve

                                30th Apr 1915  Fear of Attack

                                May 1915  9th Rifle Brigae proceed to France

                                 7th Berkshires at Fovant  7th Btn, Berkshire Regiment moved to Fovant Camp from billets in Reading in early May 1915 near Salisbury to join 78th Brigade, where they at last swapped their blue post office uniforms for army khaki uniforms.

                                 6th Royal Irish Rifles cross to England  In May 1915 the 6th Royal Irish Rifles left Curragh and crossed to England, being to continue training at Hackwood Park, Basingstoke.

                                May 1915 Move  8th Yorks and Lancs depart from Hythe in May for Bordon Camp. Bordon had expensive ranges and was used for final weaponry preparation for active service using live ammunition using rifles, machine and Lewis Guns, Mortars, bombs and explosives.

                                1st May 1915 HMEF Queens Ferry opens.  HMEF Queen's Ferry, near Chester, began in May 1915. The first output of guncotton, TNT and tetryl was in December 1915. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions

                                1st May 1915 HMEF Bideford opens  HMEF Bideford in Devonshire opened in May 1915 to produce acetate of lime by wood distillation. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st May 1915 HMEF opens in Graham Street, Dundee  HMEF Graham Street, Dundee, Angus, started in May 1915 to produce acetate of lime by wood distillation, which was then used in the manufacture of cordite. It was under direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st May 1915 National Shell Factory opens in Armley Road, Leeds  Leeds Forge Company, in Armly Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire opened a National Shell Factory, in May 1915. It was under control of the Board of Management of the Leeds Munitions Committee.

                                1st May 1915 Keighley No 1 National Shell Factory opens.  Keighley No 1 National Shell Factory was situated in Dalton Lane, Keighley, West Yorkshire and opened in May of 1915 with first output in the autumn of 1915. It produced 18-pdr, 3.7-in. and 6-pdr. shells. It was under control of the Board of Management of the Leeds Munitions Committee.

                                1st May 1915 NPF Armley Road, Leeds opens  National Projectile Factory Armly Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire started production in May 1915 of 4.5-in. and 6-in. shells. In 1917-18 it repaired and inspected guns. It was under control of the Board of Management. There was also a a National Shell Factory, a National Ordnance Factory and a National Filing Factory in Armley Road.

                                1st May 1915 NOF Armley Road, Leeds opens  National Ordnance Factory Armly Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire started production in May 1915 of 4.5-in. and 6-in. shells. In 1917-18 it repaired and inspected guns. It was under control of the Board of Management. There was also a a National Shell Factory, a National Projectile Factory and a National Filing Factory in Armley Road.

                                1st May 1915 NOF Armley Road, Leeds opens  National Ordnance Factory Armly Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire started production in May 1915 of 4.5-in. and 6-in. shells. In 1917-18 it repaired and inspected guns. It was under control of the Board of Management. There was also a a National Shell Factory, a National Projectile Factory and a National Filing Factory in Armley Road.

                                1st May 1915 Abbotts VAD Hospital moves  The Abbotts VAD hospital, Cheltenham, moved from Moorend Park, Charlton Kings to The Abbotts, 49 All Saints Road with 50 beds available.

                                1st May 1915 3rd Monmouths withdraw  To avoid the danger of being cut off at the neck of the zone and shorten the Line, the order was given to withdraw and the The 3rd Monmouth Battalion began to move back. The Line now ran just east of Hooge Chateau and Frezenberg, south of St Julien and converged onto the Yser Canal near Boesinghe and the trenches of the GHQ line crossed the main road just east of the Potizje Chateau. The front Line was now shortened by 5,000 yards and the Wood evacuated. The movement was started on the night of 1 May evacuating dumps and bringing back the guns. All ammunition and trench stores were removed as well. The whole operation was under the control of Welsh Officers, posted at the north west corner of the Wood and in telephone communication with the Brigade Headquarters.

                                1st May 1915 3rd Welsh Fusilers move to Litherland  In May 1915 the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers moved from Wrexham to Litherland Camp to join the the Mersey Defence Force supplying troops to guard the docks.

                                1st May 1915 7th Dublin Fusiliers departure reported in Irish Times  The Irish Times reported on the 7th Dublin Fusiliers departure from Ireland, the Battalion marched from the Royal Barracks, Dublin across Essex Bridge, through the commercial centre of Dame Street, then College Green and crossed O'Connell Bridge to the Liffy Quays. They crossed to England to join 10th Division at Hackwood Park.

                                1st May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   At 0630 a heavy bombardment was heard in a northerly direction. No batteries of the 6th London Brigade fired, except in a test as follows - A test was held to see how soon after the receipt of a message from the infantry, the batteries could open fire. The 15th battery took two minutes, 16th Battery one minute. They appear to be quicker than the time taken by the Regular Batteries.

                                1st May 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                Belfast Parade 36th Ulster Division - 8th May 1915

                                16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers)

                                Recruitment figures not published and Training continued to improve both infantry and trade efficiency.

                                150 men took part in preparation of the ground for the Grand Parade by the Ulster Division in Belfast on the 8th May 1915.

                                The 36th (Ulster) Division was drawn up at noon on the 8th May in review order at Belfast, between the Lagan and Malone, for inspection by Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont and then marched into Belfast where the salute was taken again by Sir Hugh, The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Sir Edward and Lady Carson, Sir George and Lady Richardson and the City High Sheriff with his wife at the City Hall. The 16th (Service) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Pioneers) brought up at the rear of the column. They travelled to and from Belfast by special train from Lurgan.

                                May 1915  18th DLI join 31st Division

                                1st May 1915  ready

                                1st May 1915 Gas mask instructions  The 19th Field Ambulance continues to work the line of the 19th Infantry Brigade in the trenches between Rue du Bois and Touquet. Certain orders received as to the making of masks to combat poisonous gases received from ADMS 6th Division, to consist of 10 to 12 layers of gauze.

                                1st May 1915 Battle off Noorhinder Bank  The Battle off Noordhinder Bank on 1 May 1915 was a naval action between a squadron of four British naval trawlers supported by a flotilla of four British destroyers and two German torpedo boats from the Flanders Flotilla. The battle began when the two torpedo boats were sent on a search and rescue mission and ran into a British patrol. The Germans fought with the patrolling trawlers until a heavier force of British destroyers from Harwich Force arrived and sank the German vessels. The battle greatly demoralized the German flotilla at Flanders as the boats that were sunk had just been launched shortly before the battle. The action off Noordhinder Bank highlighted that the Flanders Flotilla was too inadequately armed to protect the coast it was assigned to defend let alone harass British shipping in the channel. Eventually, after other similar defeats, the small torpedo boats such as those used off Noordhinder Bank were relegated to coastal patrol. Heavier units were finally transferred to even the balance of power in the English Channel.

                                After the 7th Torpedo Boat Half Flotilla was lost during the Battle off Texel, German naval authorities were reluctant to commit any further forces for offensive operations off the coast of Flanders. Despite this, the commander of Marine Corps Flanders, Admiral Ludwig von Schroeder, continued to press for a transfer of a force of submarines and torpedo boats to his command. After several months of resisting Schroeder's demands, the Kaiserliche Marine finally relented and sent him a force of light torpedo boats and submarines. Although these forces were greatly inferior in armament and displacement to those he had requested, Admiral Schroeder put his newly acquired forces to use immediately. He formed the Flanders Torpedo Boat Flotilla made up of 15 "A"-class torpedo boats under the command of Korvettenkapitän Hermann Schoemann. Three days later, on 1 May 1915, two German seaplanes reported a squadron of four trawlers off Noordhinder Bank. One of these seaplanes was forced to make an emergency landing and Schoeman was dispatched with boats SMS A2 and A6 to rescue the seaplane's crew and destroy the trawlers. Meanwhile, while patrolling off the Galloper lightship near Goodwin Sands, HMS Recruit was sunk by the German submarine UB-6. Recruit's consort, Brazen, as well as the four trawlers the German seaplanes had spotted began searching for Recruit's attacker. A2 and A6 caught the trawlers off the Noordhinder Bank at 1500. The trawlers Columbia, Barbados, Chirsit, and Miura were under the command of Lieutenant Sir James Domville onboard Barbados. Armed with a single 3-pounder gun each, the trawlers were outgunned by the German torpedo boats, which were both armed with two torpedo tubes as well as a four-pound gun.

                                Battle

                                As soon as the trawlers were spotted by Schoeman's boats they were engaged. Rather than attempt to flee, the commander of the squadron of trawlers, Lieutenant Domville, decided to try to fight his way out. A2 and A6 both made torpedo runs against the trawlers, but of the four torpedoes launched, only one hit its target, sinking Columbia and killing the British commander. Outgunned, the trawler Barbados resorted to ramming A6, damaging it enough that the Germans decided to withdraw from the action. Before withdrawing, the Germans managed to rescue a lieutenant and two deckhands from Columbia making them prisoners of war. Upon being attacked, the trawlers had alerted Harwich Force of the situation and as a result a squadron of four "L"-class destroyers were dispatched to rescue the trawlers. The dispatched squadron, consisting of HMS Laforey, Lawford, Leonidas, and Lark from Harwich Force, managed to gain sight of the German boats soon after arriving on the scene. Heavily outgunned, the German boats attempted to make for the safety of the Flanders coast, but were pursued by the British destroyers. Once the British managed to catch up with the torpedo boats, they were engaged in a running fight that lasted nearly an hour. By the end of the action, both torpedo boats were destroyed with many of the Germans, including the new commander of the Flanders Flotilla, going down with their ships. The British destroyers suffered no casualties.

                                Aftermath

                                When the battle ended, British losses included Columbia sunk and Barbados damaged. Columbia suffered 16 dead with only one surviving deckhand being recovered after the action. The Germans suffered much worse losing both A2 and A6 along with 13 killed and 46 captured. Among the German dead was the commander of the German forces, Hermann Schoemann. Controversy erupted after it was discovered from the captured Germans that the three men taken from the sinking Columbia had been locked away below decks on one of the torpedoboats. They were left to die when the German vessel started to sink. The Germans reported that they did not have enough time to get to the British prisoners and were barely able to escape the sinking hulk themselves. The battle showed Admiral Schroeder the severe limitations of the "A"-class torpedo boats. Too poorly armed for raiding, the boats were delegated to coastal patro duties. Defeat at Noordhinder allowed Schroeder's pleas for reinforcements to be finally heard by the German Admiralty. He was sent heavier vessels to complement the forces he already possessed. The next engagement involving an "A"-class torpedo boat would also reinforce the perception that the class was too weak for service. Several of the newly constructed boats were put in reserve as soon as larger and more capable boats were transferred to the Flanders Flotilla.

                                1st May 1915  Reliefs

                                1st May 1915 Otranto Barrage  The Otranto Barrage was an Allied naval blockade of the Otranto Straits between Brindisi in Italy and Corfu on the Greek side of the Adriatic Sea in the First World War. The blockade was intended to prevent the Austro-Hungarian Navy from escaping into the Mediterranean and threatening Allied operations there. The blockade, or rather the fleet capital ships in support of it, was effective in preventing surface ships from escaping the Adriatic, but it had little or no effect on the submarines based at Cattaro.

                                Blockade attempt

                                The Adriatic is 72 km wide at the Otranto Straits. The blockade consisted mainly of a fleet of drifters, most of them British and usually armed with a 6-pounder gun and depth charges. In 1915 when the blockade was begun, two divisions of 20 would be on patrol at a time, equipped with steel indicator nets intended to trap submarines or at least alert the surface vessels to their presence. A third division would be at Brindisi. The drifters were supported by destroyers and aircraft. However, the demands of the Gallipoli Campaign and other naval operations left the Otranto Barrage with insufficient resources to deter the U-boats, and only the Austro-Hungarian U-6was caught by the indicator nets during the course of the war. It was later considered that the straits had simply been too wide to be netted, mined or patrolled effectively. The ease with which German and Austrian submarines continued out of the Austro-Hungarian ports in spite of the barrage (and the success they had in disrupting shipping in the whole of the Mediterranean) strongly embarrassed the Allies, the system being called "a large sieve through which U-boats could pass with impunity". In 1917,1918, reinforcements from the Australian and American navies brought the blockading force up to 35 destroyers, 52 drifters and more than 100 other vessels. But submarines continued to slip through until the end of the war, while only the introduction of the convoy system and better coordination amongst the Allies helped to cut the losses they were causing.

                                Raids and battles

                                The Austrians mounted a number of nighttime raids against the barrage, five in 1915, nine in 1916 and ten in 1917. After a raid by four Huszar-class destroyers in December 1916, a conference in London concluded that the drifters were insufficiently defended. The barrage was placed under the command of a single British officer, Commodore Algernon Heneage, who was able to call upon all Allied ships not in use elsewhere. The largest raid was on the night of 14/15 May 1917 when the cruisers SMS Novara, Helgoland, and Saida supported by the destroyers SMS Csepel and Balaton and Austro-Hungarian U-boats U-4 and U-27, along with German U-boat UC-25 (operating as Austro-Hungarian U-boat U-89). The fleet, commanded by Commodore Miklós Horthy, sank 14 drifters out of 47 on duty, and damaged a further three seriously. Skipper Joseph Watt was later awarded the Victoria Cross for defending his drifter Gowanlea under heavy attack from Novara. The British light cruisers HMS Dartmouth and Bristol—together with Italian and French destroyers, under command of Italian Rear Admiral Alfredo Acton—steamed from Brindisi to engage the Austrians, resulting in the Battle of the Otranto Straits. The British damaged Saida and disabled Novara, severely injuring Horthy. However, the British cruisers broke off the engagement when the Italian flag officer had notice of heavy Austrian forces coming out of Cattaro and Saida towed Novara back to port. Dartmouth was damaged by UC-25 as it returned to Brindisi. The night before, the same U-boat had laid a minefield at the mouth of Brindisi harbour; the French destroyer Boutefeu struck one of these mines exiting the harbour the very same day and exploded, sinking with all hands. In June 1918, Horthy—by now commander-in-chief of the Austro-Hungarian Navy—determined to launch an attack on the barrage employing the four Tegetthoff-class battleships based at Pola, the most modern in the fleet. While en route down the Adriatic, the battleship SMS Szent István was torpedoed and sunk by an Italian torpedo boat at dawn on 10 June, resulting in the attack being cancelled.

                                1st May 1915 Gulflight Incident 1915  The American 5,189 ton tanker Gulflight, was built by the New York Shipbuilding Co. of Camden, New Jersey for the Gulf Refining Company (a predecessor of Gulf Oil). It was launched on 8 August 1914. The ship became famous when it was torpedoed early in World War I and became the center of a diplomatic incident which moved the United States closer to war with Germany. The ship survived the attack but was eventually sunk in 1942 by torpedo attack in World War II.

                                World War I controversy

                                The ship was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-30 commanded by Captain von Rosenberg-Gruszczynski on 1 May 1915 despite America being a neutral party in the war at that time. The ship left Port Arthur on 10 April carrying a cargo of gasoline in the ship's tanks and barrels of lubricating oil to Rouen, France. During the latter half of the voyage the ships radio operator had heard messages from a British cruiser which judging from the transmission strength had been keeping station with Gulflight. At a point 22 miles west of the Bishop Rock lighthouse, Scilly Isles, at 1100 am on 1 May, Gulflight was challenged by two British patrol vessels, Iago and Filey which queried her destination. The patrol ships had been searching for a submarine which had been sinking ships in the area over the last couple of days. The patrol vessels were not satisfied with Gulflight's papers and suspected her of refuelling the U-boat, so ordered the tanker to accompany them into port. The patrol ships took up station one either side of Gulflight, Iago close on the starboard side and Filey further ahead on the port. While under escort, Gulflight's second officer Paul Bowers reported sighting a submarine ahead some 28 minutes before the ship was hit. He reported this to the captain who decided that the submarine must be British as the escorts had not reacted to its presence. The submarine was visible for 5 minutes and then disappeared. Shortly before 1300 a submarine surfaced ahead of the ships and ordered them to stop. Filey attempted to ram the submarine which submerged but fired a torpedo at the tanker. Von Rosenberg reported that he had seen a tanker under escort by ships flying the white ensign and had seen no flag on the escorted ship. After firing the torpedo he spotted a US flag on the tanker, so broke off the attack. At 1250 an explosion took place sending a column of water into the air alongside Gulflight's starboard bow. The ship immediately started to sink and shortly the forward deck was awash. The crew abandoned ship and were taken onboard by the patrol ship Iago which turned towards St Mary island. At about 0230 Captain Gunter from the Gulflight was taken ill and died around 0340 from a heart attack. The remainder of the crew arrived at St. Mary by 1000 on Sunday 2 May. The Gulflight did not sink but instead was towed to Crow Bay by the patrol vessels. Ralph Smith previously first officer was now invited to inspect the ship which was examined by divers and had a large hole in the starboard bow. Smith and the first engineer remained with Gulflight while the remainder of the crew were evacuated to Penzance. Of the 38 crew there were three fatalities. The captain had suffered a heart attack and two crew members were reported lost when they jumped overboard after the torpedo hit. She was the first American ship to be torpedoed during World War I although another ship, the Cushing, had been bombed shortly before again by mistake because no American markings could be seen from what was then a somewhat novel air attack. The German government apologized for attacking Gulflight but refused to change its strategy of unrestricted submarine warfare. A report by the British admiralty into the attack concluded that the German commander had behaved properly according to "Cruiser rules" defined in international law. A merchant ship under escort by military vessels forfeited any right to be warned before being attacked so the patrol ships had made Gulflight a legitimate target by taking her under escort. As an American ship, the submarine would not have attacked had he seen her nationality, but apart from an ordinary flag Gulflight was not carrying any additional markings painted on the hull to make clear her nationality, which other ships were then doing. The report also suggested that the tanker being stopped and then slowed down by the accompanying patrol had made her an accessible target. The admiralty report was not published at the time and official comment did not explain the circumstances. The three deaths were the only Americans killed as a result of attacks on American ships by German submarine until 16 March 1917, when diplomatic relations had irreparably broken down just before the declaration of war. American official reaction to the incident was determined by President Woodrow Wilson under the advice of United States Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan and Counselor to the State Department Robert Lansing. Bryan favoured reconciliation with Germany and avoidance of war, but this policy was becoming increasingly unpopular and was opposed by his subordinate Lansing. Lansing submitted a memorandum proposing immediate and vigorous protest and coupled with the Cushing incident and the sinking of RMS Lusitania on 7 May, a British ship but carrying American passengers who drowned, president Wilson made a forceful response to Germany. In June Bryan resigned and was replaced by Lansing. Despite his belligerent formal advice, Lansing's private papers suggest that he considered the rights and wrongs of the situation much more finely balanced and the logical outcome ought to have been impartial military trade sanctions against both belligerents. However, the US economy was already heavily committed to producing military supplies for the British, while American support for one side or the other was likely to prove decisive in choosing the eventual victor. The incident, along with the sinking of RMS Lusitania, caused the American government to increase spending on the US Navy.

                                Later career and sinking in World War II

                                In 1937 the vessel was sold to the Nantucket Chief SS Co Inc of Port Arthur, Texas and renamed the SS Nantucket Chief. In 1938 it was sold again, this time to Harris & Dixon Ltd, London and was renamed the SS Refast. On 26 January 1942 the Refast was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-582 south of St Johns, Newfoundland.

                                1st May 1915 Withdrawn from French Support  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at St. Jans-Ter-Biesen As French Artillery up, battery withdrawn at 12 noon, two men wounded during morning as battery again under a good deal of shell fire. Moved to bivouac near St Jans Ter Biesen, 2 1/2 miles west of Poperinghe. In bivouac at 1800.

                                1st May 1915 British in retreat  The general situation was worse than anyone knew. The gas attack had broken the line in the north of the Salient and the German guns were brought up to Pilckem Ridge. Polygon Wood was the most easterly position of the area and now it was developing into a bottle shaped zone, untenable for the 3rd Mons. To avoid the danger of being cut off at the neck of the zone and shorten the Line, the order was given to withdraw. The Line now ran just east of Hooge Chateau and Frezenberg, south of St Julien and converged onto the Yser Canal near Boesinghe and the trenches of the GHQ line crossed the main road just east of the Potizje Chateau. The front Line was now shortened by 5,000 yards and the Wood evacuated. The movement was started on the night of 1 May evacuating dumps and bringing back the guns. All ammunition and trench stores were removed as well. The whole operation was under the control of Welsh Officers, posted at the north west corner of the Wood and in telephone communication with the Brigade Headquarters.

                                May 1915 3rd Tyneside Scottish at Alnwick  The 3rd Tyneside Scottish Battalion moved to Alnwick Camp in May 1915.

                                1st May 1915 Formation and history  Alpine Corps (Alpenkorps)

                                The Alpine Corps was formed in May, 1915.

                                Italy 1915.

                                At the end of May 1915, it was sent by way of Innsbruck to the Trentino area, where it remained until the 16th October in the vicinity of Campitello. It took part in several smaller actions particularly on the 24th September.

                                1st May 1915  Trench actions

                                May 1915   By May, it was decided the time had come to bring all four battalions of the Tyneside Irish together It was now the Brigade was renumbered 103 brigade of the 34th Division. Command was given to Major-General E.C. Ingouville-Williams. A new location was found for the brigade at Woolsington Hall, three mile outside of Newcastle. The men were housed in tents.

                                1st May 1915  SS Aragon arrives Alexandria

                                May 1915 19th DLI arrive at Cocken Hall  19th (Bantam) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry arrive at Cocken Hall for training

                                1st May 1915  Working Parties

                                1st May 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                1st May 1915  Infantry Attack

                                1st May 1915  Sniping

                                1st May 1915  In the Line

                                1st May 1915  In Trenches

                                1st May 1915  Bombardment

                                1st May 1915  Enemy Advance

                                1st May 1915  Orders

                                1st of May 1915  Stand To

                                1st of May 1915  GOC Visit

                                1st May 1915  Enemy Attacks

                                1st May 1915  On the March

                                1st May 1915  Casualties

                                1st May 1915  Orders

                                1st May 1915  On the March

                                1st May 1915  Shelling

                                1st May 1915  Reliefs

                                1915 Improvised Bath  

                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                Troops of the 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, having a bath in an old cart, the water having had to be heated in biscuit tins. © The rights holder (IWM Q 60509)

                                1st May 1915  Fire

                                1st May 1915  Reliefs

                                May 1915  Parade

                                1st May 1915  Reliefs

                                1st May 1915  Gas

                                1st May 1915  Equipment

                                1st May 1915  Preparations

                                1st May 1915  Arrivals

                                1st May 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st May 1915  Fine

                                1st May 1915  Heavy Firing

                                1st May 1915  Training

                                1st of May 1915  Preparations

                                1st May 1915  Stand To

                                1st of May 1915  Gas Casualties

                                1st May 1915  At Rest

                                May 1915  Duties

                                1st May 1915  Enemy using Asphyxiating Gas.

                                1st May 1915  Clothing

                                1st May 1915  Holding the Line

                                1st May 1915  Music

                                May 1915  Reorganisation

                                1st May 1915  Holy Communion

                                1st May 1915  On the Move

                                May 1915  Orders

                                May 1915  Orders

                                May 1915  On the Move

                                1st May 1915  Civilians Treated

                                1st May 1915  Stand to

                                1st May 1915  Operation Order

                                2nd May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   Firing heard in the direction of Neuve Chapelle. 15th London Battery fired two rounds at J3 (A.2.d.8.3). 16th London Battery opened fire at 1530 to verify registration of that part of zone invisible from last observing station i.e. the Orchard. Fourteen rounds fired. At 2237 it fired two rounds into the Orchard at request of 18th London Battalion. One direct hit. 17th London Battery did not fire.

                                2nd May 1915  Church parade

                                2nd May 1915 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL4

                                • First Flight: 2nd May 1915
                                • Length: 153.1 metres (502 ft)
                                • Diameter: 19.75 metres (65 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 32,470 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 85 km/h
                                • Payload: 13.4 tonnes

                                Naval airship based at Seddin. SL4 flew 21 reconnaissance missions and two bombing raids again enemy harbours on the Eastern front. It was destroyed on the 14th December 1915 after its hangar collapsed due to snow accumulation on the roof.

                                2nd May 1915 Reports on continued use of gas   Alteration of time of duty of Orderly Officer to the hours 7 pm-7 pm following on with duty at Advanced Post at Gris Pot from 8 pm to 8 am. Heavy cannonading taking place in the North today, and reports that gas is being used again by the enemy.

                                2nd May 1915 Rest day  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                With 5th Cavalry Brigade at St.Jans-Ter-Biesen. In bivouac at St.Jans-Ter-Biesen all day.

                                2nd May 1915 3rd Monmouths under Bombardment  On the 2nd May the 83 rd Brigade (29th Division) area was very heavily shelled by the Germans that many of the troops believed it impossible to get any worse. There were of course inevitable casualties after trenches and dugouts were hit. Sergeant A. Davies (3rd Monmouths) writing home to friends gave the following details of the days bombardment: "Our worst time started on May 2nd, when they gave it to us a bit hot. It was on that day that L/Cpls Reg Rumsey and Taylor got buried by a shell bursting on top of their dugout. We managed to get them out after a bit of a struggle, and I think Rumsey acted splendidly. If it had not been for him Taylor would have been dead. After getting his head and arms clear he would not think of anything else but getting Taylor out; in fact he set to at releasing him, and it was rather a good job, for when we got Taylor out he was at his last gasp"

                                2nd May 1915  Wounded to hospial

                                2nd May 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                2nd May 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                2nd May 1915  On the March

                                2nd May 1915  On the March

                                2nd May 1915  Under Shellfire

                                2nd May 1915  On the March

                                2nd May 1915  Orders

                                2nd May 1915  Hospital set Alight

                                2nd of May 1915  Re-organizing

                                2nd of May 1915  Yorks & Durhams on the move

                                2nd of May 1915  Order of march

                                2nd of May 1915  DLI to Poperinghe

                                2nd of May 1915  Stand fast

                                2nd of May 1915  Gas Attack

                                2nd of May 1915  Carrying out orders

                                2nd May 1915  Counter Attack

                                2nd May 1915  On the March

                                2nd May 1915  On Stand by

                                2nd May 1915  Message

                                2nd May 1915  On the March

                                2nd May 1915  Shelling

                                2nd May 1915  Patrols

                                2nd May 1915  Orders

                                2nd May 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd May 1915  Holding the Line

                                2nd May 1915 On Stand by  149th Brigade HQ reports from Menin Rd.

                                11.30am. Message from Canadian Division saying that working party ordered to Bellewaard Chateau last night had not arrived & asking for explanation.

                                1.5pm. Explanation sent to Canadian Div.

                                2.30pm. Orders received for the Brigade to move to Poperinghe via railway line to I14c thence along road to level crossing I20a - Kruisstraat thence by H16a & H14b & main road to Poperinghe.

                                3.30pm. Orders issued. 7.30pm. Orders received from Gen. Kavanagh commanding 3rd Cav. Division that the Brigade was to stand by until further order. The Germans have made use of asphyxiating gas & driven out some of our troops from the front line of trenches at St Julien. Information also received that the O.C. 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers had been ordered at Weiltje to send forward his Batt. in support of the 3rd Cav. Brigade who had been sent to the front line to replace the troops driven out by poisonous gas.

                                7.45pm. Units ordered to stand by.

                                10.50pm. The Germans not apparently advancing, the Brigade was ordered to carry out the movement ordered at 2.30pm.

                                11pm. Orders issued for the movement. 11.45pm. March to Poperinghe commenced and staff Captain was sent to Weiltje to conduct 4th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers to Poperinghe via St Jean and Ypres.

                                2nd May 1915  Holding the Line

                                2nd May 1915  Gas

                                2nd May 1915  Equipment

                                2nd May 1915  Orders

                                2nd May 1915  In the Trenches

                                2nd May 1915  Quiet

                                2nd May 1915  Church Parade

                                2nd May 1915  Wounded

                                2nd of May 1915  Reserve Billets

                                2nd May 1915  On the March

                                2nd of May 1915   A Suspected Spy

                                2nd May 1915  Gas

                                2nd May 1915  Trenches connected up

                                2nd May 1915  On the March

                                2nd May 1915  In the Trenches

                                2nd May 1915  Move tomorrow.

                                2nd May 1915  On the March

                                2nd May 1915  Stand to

                                2nd May 1915  Message

                                3rd May 1915 Gas Warnings  6th County of London Brigade RFA report information received from 1st Army of use by enemy of asphyxiating gas east and north of Ypres. Brigade conflagration just behind La Bassee Church. One of the guns of the 15th London battery was placed in a forward position at 2100 but was withdrawn by order at 2130. 16th London Battery fired two rounds at Cross Roads by P.4, at request of OC. B Company, 18th London Regiment. Two Germans seen doubling from M.22 wearing light blue uniforms and flat round caps. All the men received masks and bicarbonate of soda for use against gases. At the suggestion of the OC. Brigade a certain portion of the enemy's breastworks were bombarded by heavy guns. 17th London Battery fired four rounds to verify points on registered lines.

                                3rd May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                3rd May 1915  Move

                                3rd May 1915 U-9 sinks seven British Vessels  SM U-9 a Type U 9 U-boat of I Flotilla, commanded by Johannes Spieß sank the British Merchant vessels Bob White, Coquet, Hector, Hero, Iolanthe, Northward Ho and Progress. The submarine had been built in 1908 at the Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 4) and was launched 22 Feb 1910 and commissioned 18 Apr 1910. On 16 July, 1914 U9 performed for the first time in history the difficult job of reloading torpedoes while submerged.

                                3rd May 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd May 1915  Relocation

                                3rd May 1915 3rd Monmouths at Potizje  The 3rd Mons evacuated Polygon Wood on the night of May 2nd/3rd and reformed on the new GHQ line at Potizje. A Company under Captain Baker, C Company under Captain Steel, B Company under Captain Gattie was stationed in the front line while D Company under Major Lewis stayed in reserve at Potizje. The evacuation of Polygon Wood and the occupation of the new front line was completed during the night of 3rd of May and the success of the movement was proved when at 5 am the following morning the enemy still fired onto the empty trenches. Then the Officers controlling the operation left and declared that in spite of a very laborious task the evacuation had been a complete success. Once here the troops had very little to do, the weather was foul, there was very little to eat and heavy shells were flying overhead into the city of Ypres.

                                3rd May 1915  Ongoing action and withdrawal

                                3rd May 1915  18th DLI ready for Zeppelin Raid

                                3rd May 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                3rd May 1915  On the Move

                                3rd May 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd May 1915  Very Hot

                                3rd May 1915  On the March

                                3rd May 1915  On the March

                                3rd May 1915  On the March

                                3rd May 1915  Buried Alive

                                3rd of May 1915  East Yorks holding on

                                3rd of May 1915  Orders

                                3rd of May 1915  GOC visit

                                3rd of May 1915  Divisional Area Allotted

                                3rd of May 1915  Orders

                                3rd of May 1915  Engineers rejoin Division

                                3rd of May 1915  ield Marshall to visit

                                3rd May 1914  Shelling

                                3rd May 1915  Counter Attack

                                3rd May 1915  On the March

                                3rd May 1915  Wagon Lost

                                3rd May 1915  On the March

                                3rd May 1915  Orders

                                3rd May 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd May 1915  Withdrawal

                                3rd May 1915  Information

                                3rd May 1915  Gun Fire

                                3rd May 1915  Training

                                3rd May 1915 Wagon Lost  149 Brigade HQ reports:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                3rd May 1915  Holding the Line

                                3rd May 1915  Protection

                                3rd May 1915  Equipment

                                3rd May 1915  Orders

                                3rd May 1915  New CO

                                3rd May 1915  Relief Completed

                                3rd May 1915  Heavy Fighting

                                3rd of May 1915  Support Works

                                3rd May 1915  On the Move

                                3rd May 1915  In Billets

                                3rd of May 1915   New German Bombs

                                3rd May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                3rd May 1915  Practice of attack

                                3rd May 1915  In Billets

                                3rd May 1915  On the March

                                3rd May 1915  Hospital

                                3rd May 1915  On the March

                                3rd May 1915  Inspection

                                4th May 1915 20th Manchesters arrive at Belton Park  20th Battalion Manchester Regiment arrived at Belton Park Camp Grantham in Lincolnshire.

                                4th May 1915 5th Connaughts depart for England  5th Battalion Connaught Rangers left the Curragh in two trains and sailed from the North Wall, Dublin on a Harwich and Hook of Holland liner for Liverpool.

                                4th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th London Battery fired eight rounds at 1115 on enemy's communication trench S.27.d.11 and subsequently fired eight rounds on enemy's breastwork at 2350. Thirty nine rounds were fired at A.2.d.77 and A.2.b.95. 16th London Battery fired eight rounds in direction of trenches north of the ‘S’ Bend. Both Batteries also fired twelve special 65a fuses. Report received that the 1st Herts. in front line trenches, had been overcome by gas. This was untrue.

                                4th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium
                                At 8 pm the trenches were relieved by the 2nd Camerons and the Battalion withdrew from the small salient near Sanctuary Wood (by devious and unhealthy routes) to bivouac in the neighbourhood of Vlammertinghe, avoiding Ypres by a narrow margin.

                                4th May 1915  in billets

                                4th May 1915 Ruby sunk by U9  British Merchant vessel Ruby is sunk by submarine U-9.

                                4th May 1915 Visit to Bailleul hospital  Proceeded to Casualty Clearing Hospital in Bailleul with Capt. Browne and Lt. Chandler, MO/A&SH* to see gas poisoning cases - and to find out the best means of treating such cases in the initial stage.

                                * Medical Officer Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

                                4th May 1915 Tough fight on Frezenberg Ridge  The evening of May 4 th saw the beginning of the battalion's hardest trial and greatest achievement. The strain and stress was all over within a week, but during that period the 3rd Monmouth's were involved in some of the hardest fighting of the war. Suffering heavy casualties and though outnumbered by the enemy and without adequate artillery support held up the German attack at a crucial point of the line.

                                On this evening A company (Captain Baker) and C Company (Captain Steel) moved up into support trenches and dug-outs north of the road at the western foot of the Frezenberg Ridge. B Company (Captain Gattie) went up to reinforce the 1st York and Lancs in the front line on the right of the Brigade; and D Company (Major Lewis) remained in reserve at Potizje. The new front line, which had been hastily and poorly constructed, suffered severely from the bombardment. So bad did conditions become that both the 2nd East Yorks and the 5th KOYLI were compelled that night to dig a new line just behind the original one. Casualties had been heavy and the wounded were removed with great difficulty during the night, whilst the dead had to be buried where they fell.

                                4th May 1915  General's Visit

                                4th May 1915  Into the Trenches

                                4th May 1915  Trench Work

                                4th May 1915  Brigade Praised

                                4th May 1915  Into Billets

                                4th May 1915  On the Move

                                4th May 1915  Recovering at Home

                                4th May 1915  Inspection

                                4th May 1915  Sniper

                                4th May 1915  Appeal

                                4th of May 1915  Baths

                                4th of May 1915  CinC to address troops

                                4th of May 1915  Troops in the dark

                                4th of May 1915  Orders

                                4th of May 1915  CinC visits Brigades

                                4th of May 1915  Yorks & East Yorks re-join

                                4th of May 1915  Borders join Brigade

                                4th May 1915  Under Fire

                                4th May 1915  Parade

                                4th May 1915  In Billets

                                4th May 1915  Withdrawal

                                4th May 1915  Thunder Storm

                                4th May 1915  Into Support

                                4th May 1915  Enemy Active

                                4th May 1915  Artillery Active

                                4th May 1915  Holding the Line

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

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

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

                                4th May 1915  Holding the Line

                                4th May 1915  Enemy Artillery

                                4th May 1915  On the Move

                                4th May 1915  On the Move

                                4th May 1915  Arrival

                                4th May 1915  Reliefs

                                4th May 1915  In Billets

                                4th of May 1915  Quiet Night

                                4th May 1915  Mine Suspected

                                4th May 1915  In Billets

                                4th May 1915  Reliefs

                                4th May 1915  Reliefs

                                4th May 1915  On the March

                                4th May 1915  On the March

                                5th May 1915 Hard Fighting  May 5th opened with a still more severe bombardment and the front line troops were reported as being in a very exhausted condition. Early in the morning C Company was called upon to reinforce the 2nd East Yorks on the south of the road. Captain Steel led half of C Company up to reinforce the front line. As they topped the ridge they were caught by German machine gun fire and suffered terrible casualties. Captain Steel was a doctor in civilian life and he set about attending the wounded as well as leading the advance. For this action he was awarded the Military Cross. One of the men in his company, Private AM Mitchell, wrote home: "Words utterly fail me to say what a hero Captain O.W.D. Steel was during that fearful struggle. From every person I meet they tell me the same tale. Under heavy shell and maxim fire he went out and fetched in wounded, bandaging them and if he doesn't deserve the VC no man on earth ought to get it." An hour later A company (under Captain R.A. Lewis) also tried to reinforce the front line and again suffered terrible casualties. Private I. Skidmore was awarded the DCM for attending to the casualties until he was so badly wounded himself that he could not carry on.

                                5th May 1915 5th Connaughts march into Hackworth Park  At noon the 5th Battalion Connaught Rangers marched into Hackworth Park to continue their training.

                                5th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA state that during the misty weather firing in the early morning was impossible. 15th London Battery did not fire therefore, but 16th London Battery fired twelve rounds at 0900 to register wire in front of J1. Range 3375 yards. Observation very difficult. 17th London Battery did not fire.

                                5th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion at Vlammertinghe, Belgium
                                Battalion enjoyed a much needed rest.
                                Draft of 90 men arrived and 15 men rejoined from hospital.

                                5th May 1915  in billets

                                5th May 1915 Straton sunk by U9  British Merchant vessel Straton is sunk by submarine U-9.

                                5th May 1915  Further Action

                                5th May 1915  Gas on Hill 60

                                5th Sep 1915  On the March

                                5th May 1915  Trench Work

                                5th May 1915  13th Londons on the Move

                                5th May 1915  Digging Trenches

                                5th May 1915  Snipers Active

                                5th May 1915  Congratulations

                                5th May 1915  On the Move

                                5th May 1915  Wounded Arrive

                                5th May 1915  Wounded in Hospital

                                5th of May 1915  HQ Report

                                5th of May 1915  Northumbrians re-join Division

                                5th of May 1915  5th Corps Artillery

                                5th of May 1915  Artillery Support

                                5th May 1915  In Billets

                                5th May 1915  Reorganisation

                                5th May 1915  Orders

                                5th May 1915  Training

                                May 1915 Training  

                                THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE HOME FRONT, 1914-1918

                                16th (2nd Birkenhead) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment digging trenches during training at Neols in Cheshire, May 1915. © IWM (Q 53723)

                                5th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                5th May 1915  Reliefs

                                5th May 1915  Rifle Fire

                                5th May 1915  Reliefs

                                5th May 1915 Reorganisation  149 Brigade HQ report from near Watou: "2.30pm. 5th Bn Border Regt reported their arrival and were taken on the strength of the Brigade."

                                5th May 1915  Reliefs

                                5th May 1915  Shelling

                                5th May 1915  On the Move

                                5th May 1915  On the Move

                                5th May 1915  Inspection

                                5th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                5th May 1915  On the Move

                                5th May 1915  Reliefs

                                5th May 1915  Relief Completed

                                5th of May 1915  A Counter Attack

                                5th May 1915   In Reserve

                                5th May 1915  Further reports received.

                                5th May 1915  Reliefs

                                5th May 1915  Gas

                                5th May 1915  On the March

                                5th May 1915  Shelling

                                5th May 1915  Sick

                                5th May 1915  Digging in

                                5th May 1915  Into the Line

                                6th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   15th London Battery fired in the early morning (0415 - 0645). At 0640 16th London Battery fired thirteen rounds between J7 and ‘S’ Bend. Attack by Germans expected. Fifty rounds per gun sent to Batteries to be dumped.

                                6th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion at Vlammertinghe, Belgium
                                Bathing arranged for in pond adjoining a farm.
                                As the men had been without a bath for at least 28 days, and lacking a change of underclothes for six weeks, this was greatly appreciated.
                                By night 100 men employed as carrying party.

                                6th May 1915 Merrie Islington sunk by U9  British Merchant vessel Merrie Islington is sunk by submarine U-9.

                                6th May 1915  working party

                                6th May 1915  Registration

                                6th May 1915 8th Manchesters land on Gallipoli  The 8th Battalion Manchester Regiment land on Gallipoli.

                                6th May 1915 Inspections  Some shelling of L'Armée and Armentières early this morning, two wounded admitted to 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys GOC 6th Division inspected the buildings used as hospitals and billets by 19th Field Ambulance and also the transport lines and expressed himself as most pleased with the conditions. 1st weekly inspection of Motor Vehicles by Lt. Tyler 19th Brigade Supply Column. All repairs to motor vehicles of 19th FA will be undertaken by that Supply Column.

                                6th May 1915  Draft

                                6th May 1915 Shelling on Frezenberg Ridge  On May 6th, there was shelling, but less severe than on the 5th, and no attempt at an attack by the enemy.

                                6th May 1915  Wounded arrive Malta

                                6th May 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                6th May 1915  Hot Day

                                6th May 1915  Route March

                                6th May 1915  On the March

                                6th May 1915  In Action

                                6th of May 1915  Artillery move completed

                                6th of May 1915  General's visit

                                6th of May 1915  Northumbrians in reserve

                                6th May 1915  On the March

                                6th May 1915  Exercise

                                6th May 1915  Gas Precautions

                                6th May 1915  Holding the Line

                                6th May 1915  Holding the Line

                                6th May 1915  Exhaustion

                                6th May 1915  On the Move

                                6th May 1915  On the March

                                6th May 1915  On the Move

                                6th May 1915  Rations

                                6th May 1915  Reinforcements

                                6th May 1915  Arrival

                                6th May 1915  Orders

                                6th May 1915  Preparations

                                6th of May 1915  Killed

                                6th May 1915  On the Move

                                6th May 1915  Holding the Line

                                6th of May 1915  Another Attack Fails

                                6th May 1915  Artillery Bombardment

                                6th May 1915  Quiet

                                6th May 1915  Reliefs

                                6th May 1915  At Rest

                                6th May 1915  Injuries reported.

                                6th May 1915  On the Move

                                6th May 1915  At Rest

                                7th May 1915 RMS Lusitania sunk  The Cunard liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by the German U-boat, U-20, 11 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, and sank in 18 minutes with the loss of 1,198 lives. 761 people were rescued. The sinking of the liner turned public opinion in many countries against Germany and contributed to the American entry into the Great War, despite the argument that the ship was a legitimate military target as she was carrying a large quantity of rifle ammunition and other supplies necessary for a war economy, as well as over 1,200 civilian passengers.

                                Her Captain, Walter Schwitzer, made the following entry in his log: "The ship stops immediately and heals over to starboard quickly, immersing simultaneously at the bow. It appears as if the ship were going to capsize very shortly. Great confusion is rife on board; the boats are made ready and some of them lowered into the water. In connection therewith great panic must have reigned; some boats, full to capacity are rushed from above, touch the water with either stem or stern first and founder immediately."

                                7th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA fues shells  6th County of London Brigade RFA: With a view to an attack by the British, the fifty shells were fused. Action expected at dawn tomorrow, but was delayed twenty four hours. Weather very misty. 15th London Battery fired 12 rounds at wire between J1 and J3. 16th London Battery verified registration on M2 and M3. Observation very difficult.

                                7th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots found party 300 strong (two relief's of 150 each) to dig and improve a line of defence through Ypres.
                                The party returned without casualties.

                                7th May 1915  working party

                                7th May 1915  In Action

                                7th May 1915   SM U-44 was a Type U 43 u-boat, built at Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 22), ordered 10 Jul 1913, launched 15 Oct 1914 and commissioned on 7 May 1915.
                                Commanded by Paul Wagenführ she undertook 6 patrols with III Flotilla claiming 22 ships sunk with a total of 72,542 tons, 1 ship damaged with a total of 4,154 tons, 3 ships taken as prize with a total of 430 tons, 1 ship damaged with a total of 1,250 tons.

                                • 25 Mar 1916 Ottomar 327 ru
                                • 27 Mar 1916 Manchester Engineer 4,302 br
                                • 29 Mar 1916 Begonia (damaged) 1,250 br
                                • 30 Mar 1916 Bell 3,765 nw
                                • 31 Mar 1916 Achilles 7,043 br
                                • 31 Mar 1916 Goldmouth 7,446 br
                                • 31 Mar 1916 Hans Gude 1,110 nw
                                • 1 Apr 1916 Ashburton 4,445 br
                                • 27 Sep 1916 Thurso 1,244 br
                                • 16 Jan 1917 Baron Sempill 1,607 br
                                • 23 Jan 1917 Agnes (prize) 125 br
                                • 23 Jan 1917 George E. Benson (prize) 155 br
                                • 23 Jan 1917 Vera (prize) 150 br
                                • 6 Mar 1917 Caldergrove 4,327 br
                                • 6 Mar 1917 Fenay Lodge 3,223 br
                                • 7 Mar 1917 Ohio 8,719 fr
                                • 8 Mar 1917 Dunbarmoor 3,651 br
                                • 8 Mar 1917 Silas 750 nw
                                • 10 Mar 1917 Aracataca (damaged) 4,154 br
                                • 14 Mar 1917 Bray Head 3,077 br
                                • 16 Mar 1917 Narragansett 9,196 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 Vacuum 2,551 am
                                • 2 May 1917 Natuna 1,121 nw
                                • 21 Jul 1917 Robert Smith 211 br
                                • 24 Jul 1917 Thorsdal 2,200 nw
                                • 27 Jul 1917 John Hays Hammond 132 am
                                • 5 Aug 1917 Bracondale 2,095 br

                                On the 12th of Aug 1917 U44 was rammed by HMS Oracle off southern Norway at 58.51N 04.20E. and sank with the loss of all hands, 44 dead.

                                There was another U 44 in World War Two. That boat was launched from its shipyard on 5 Aug 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Nov 1939.

                                7th May 1915 Investigation of nephritis cases  19th Field Ambulance report "Several cases have recently occurred showing albuminuria and other symptoms of a nephritis - there is a question of them being of an infective nature, but steps are being taken to elicit some more definite information. Lt. Chandler, Medical Officer Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, has sent in a report on 8 cases which he considers to be of the nature of post-influenzal. This report was sent to Assistant Director of Medical Services 6th Division. A similar case was admitted yesterday and another one today - from records so far obtained there seems to be an interval of 8 days between admissions from respective billets."

                                7th May 1915 Heavier Bombardment on Frezenberg Ridge  May 7th opened with a heavier bombardment, which caused many casualties. There was nothing but the 27th and 28th Divisions between the enemy and Ypres but the British soldier proverbially does not know when he is beaten.

                                7th May 1915 Relief Planned  With a view to the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment relieving the Monmouth Regt in the front line the HQ officers, company commanders and machine gun officers visited this regiments lines in the trenches at about 2300.

                                7th May 1915  In Billets

                                7th May 1915  Ready for Action

                                7th May 1915  Having a Hard Time

                                7th May 1915   May 7th 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry

                                There seems to be at present no necessity for meetings of the Committee. The discipline having been taken out of our hands two months ago, and the administrative duties having been withdrawn a week ago, there seems now very little for the Committee to do. We are nominally responsible for the two Depot Companies; but even there, requisitions for clothing, etc., will be more or less automatic from the Depot, which we are still retaining at Cocken, where there will always be stationed, probably, an Officer, two N.C.O.s, and two or three Privates; where we have reserved two huts, and quarters in the Hall. This plan does not entirely recommend itself to me; but I see no alternative to it at present.

                                The Battalion are drawing their own pay on an imprest account; all rations, etc.; are now coming from the A.O. department; and clothing has long been out of our hands. Rifle slings are on the way: if not already received: and I think that - except for occasional small items - our account can be concluded by the end of this month; anyhow, I shall try and send out a draft account by that time.

                                The Battalion, itself, marched out on Monday, to proceed by two trains to Cramlington, to the 122nd Brigade Camp; and the remaining 280 men yesterday; they having been detained in consequence of arms inflamed by the really hard time they had at Middlesbrough; where all the night duty had to be done in marching order; and many of the officers got practically no sleep for three days. There are, however, wonderfully few cases of sickness. I think 10 was the number that went yesterday by train; and I hope it speaks well for the sanitary conditions at Cocken; which will be further improved by the building of the new Cookhouse, which I have obtained authority to proceed with (on a contract with the Darlington Construction Co.) for £330, including drainage, laying on water, etc.

                                It is now definitely settled that the Bantams succeed us. An advance party with about 30 men came in last Monday; and the remainder, I believe, are to follow shortly. I should like to record to the Committee that the whole place has been left in first rate order. I have not been over the house; but I can answer that the whole of the grounds are perfectly clean. They were, in fact, left in a state which was entirely a credit to the men, as well as the Commanding Officer.

                                It is recognised by York that Lord Durham’s sanction is required for any change, or any new departure, at Cocken; but it would appear that I must still be in some sense responsible while our Depot is there.



                                7th May 1915  At Rest

                                7th May 1915  Water

                                7th May 1915  Ready to Move

                                7th May 1915  Orders

                                7th May 1915  In Action

                                7th May 1915  Wounded Arrive

                                7th May 1915  At Sea

                                7th of May 1915  Holding the Line

                                7th of May 1915  At Readiness Level

                                7th of May 1915  Reconnaissance

                                7th of May 1915  Conference call

                                7th of June 1915  Relief completed

                                7th May 1915  On the March

                                7th May 1915  Ready to Move

                                7th May 1915  Baths

                                7th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                7th May 1915  Shelling

                                7th May 1915  Enemy Active

                                7th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

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

                                7th May 1915  Reliefs

                                7th May 1915  On the Move

                                7th May 1915  At Rest

                                7th May 1915  On the Move

                                7th May 1915  Orders

                                7th May 1915  New CO

                                7th May 1915  Orders

                                7th May 1915  Conference

                                7th May 1915  In the Line

                                7th of May 1915  Attack Ordered

                                7th May 1915  Not much damage

                                7th May 1915  Quiet

                                7th May 1915  Resting

                                7th May 1915  At Rest

                                7th May 1915  Enemy Saphead Engaged

                                7th May 1915  Orders Received

                                7th May 1915  Orders

                                7th May 1915  Orders Received

                                7th May 1915  On the March

                                7th May 1915   Accident

                                8th May 1915 Lecture on Trench Warfare  All the officers of the 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers attended a lecture on Trench Warfare given by the Brigadier at Brigade HQ.

                                8th May 1915 Heavy Fighting in Ypres Salient  On the morning of 8th May, the 3rd Monmouths had three companies in the front line and one in support. Half a mile to the north the 1st Monmouth's were fighting with the 83rd Brigade. The German bombardment began at 5.30 am followed by the first infantry attack at 8.30. In the words of Pte W.H. Badham: "They started bombarding at the same time in the morning and….afterwards we could hear a long blast of a whistle, and the attack started. We were only a handful of men, and they came on in thousands, but we kept them at bay"

                                Private A.L. Devereux carried this story forward in a letter he wrote to his family a day or two after the battle: "Hundreds of them were put of action with shells and it left very few men to man the trenches. After, the Huns shelled all the country for a couple of miles…stoping any reinforcements from being brought up and thousands of the rabble charged our trenches in their favourite massed formation. The few boys that were left in our trenches showed then the kind of stuff Britain can turn out and thousands of the Germans were put out of action"

                                Almost immediately, the shelling started again and at 09.00am the Germans attacked again and were again driven back. The Germans realised that their attack was making no progress, and they fell back so that the artillery could return to its task on the front line trenches. By 9.10 am the bombardment was as intense as at any time that morning and there was little that the soldiers could do except find what little cover they could.

                                Orders reached the 3rd Monmouth's and 2nd King's Own from Brigade HQ about 10am to evacuate the front line trenches. Captain Baker began withdrawing his Company, but immediately the enemy opened up an intense machine gun fire, followed by shrapnel, which practically swept away the few survivors of A and D Companies. Captain Baker was killed a few yards behind the front line. The order apparently never reached Lt Reed and he and few men of A Company, with some machine gunners held on gallantly and resisted to the last. Lt Reed was finally killed and no officer of A Company was left, and only 13 survivors amongst the men could be mustered. D Company stuck it gallantly. They lost their only officer Captain J Lancaster. Every Sergeant in the company was killed and only 16 men answered the roll call next morning. Of the 500 men in A and D Companies only 29 were left. B Company (under Captain Gattie) throughout the battle was separated from the rest of the Battalion. They were in the front line in a wood near Red Lodge. Rations and letters came up regularly and one fortunate officer even received a tin of cooked sausages! What the war diary does not record is that the new trenches had been hastily prepared and it was not as deep or as wide as had been hoped for by those men retiring to it. One member of the 3rd Monmouths noted: "….when we occupied this new line of trenches we found them very badly made and up to our knees in water, and the poor men had no chance of getting any sleep unless they wished to i.e. down in the water".

                                So dawned the most critical day of the great battle, the 8th May, The 3rd Monmouth's lay astride the Zonnebeke road, the apex of the Salient, two companies in the front line with one in support and the fourth company not far away to the south. Half a mile to the north was their sister battalion the 1st Monmouthshire's in the 84th Brigade. Holding the position with them were their comrades of the 83rd Brigade, the nd Kings Own to the north and to the south the 1st KOYLI who relieved the 1st York and Lancs and B Coy. 3rd Monmouth's on the night of the 7th May. The Brigade had been in the line without relief since April 17th . Its numbers were greatly reduced, and the artillery behind were few in numbers and woefully short of ammunition. As indicating the desperate position of the British troops in respect to artillery support, it is now authoritatively stated that the heavy British guns during this period of the 2nd Battle of Ypres were limited to:- One 9.2 inch howitzer, Eight 60 pdrs, Four old six inch howitzers, Twelve obsolete 4.7 inch guns.

                                Against them the Germans brought up at least 260 heavy guns and howitzers. There was nothing except the Division between the enemy and Ypres on that day and they got as far as Verlorenhoek, but the British soldier proverbially does not know when he is beaten and the Germans were kept back somehow till fresh troops were brought up in the evening to fill the many gaps. The enemy on their side were all out to push through. They had guns on the high ground enfilading the British position and smothering our artillery, they had field guns well forward, and they had innumerable machine guns, and six divisions of their best and freshest troops, against the depleted ranks of the war-worn and weary 27 th and 28 th Divisions. Their bombardment opened up at 5.30.a.m. and the trenches lying on the forward slope were badly damaged and almost untenable.

                                The wood came under heavy shelling and Lt Groves and Lt Palmer were killed by a direct hit on their dug out. After two German attacks on the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the front trenches, B Company charged across open ground to reinforce them. A dip in the ground favoured the advance and casualties were few, but Capt. Gardner was shot through the heart as he entered the trench, a great loss. He was one of the finest looking and best soldiers in the Battalion. 2/Lt. Paul was wounded at about the same time.

                                The first enemy infantry attack took place at 8.30.a.m. and was driven off. The bombardment re-opened and at 9.a.m. the enemy again attacked and were driven back. After a further hours intense shelling the front line was practically obliterated and the enemy found few survivors to hold up the attack. In A Coy 3rd Monmouths, Capt Baker and C.S.M. were killed and Lt Reed with a few survivors of his company held gallantly on and resisted to the last. This party and the machine gun section took heavy toll of the advancing enemy, but were finally overwhelmed by numbers. Lt. Reed was killed and no officer of A Coy was left and only 13 survivors amongst the men could be mustered. D Coy stuck it gallantly. They lost their only officer, Captain James Lancaster, beloved of all who knew him, and that fine type of Territorial soldier C.S.M. Lippiatt, who did such wonderful work training recruits almost single-handed at Abergavenny in August and September 1914. Every Sergeant in the company was killed and only 16 men answered the roll next morning. The machine-gun section were involved in this slaughter, and had one gun destroyed but one of the few survivors brought back the lock of the other.

                                Early in the day C Coy came into action in support, but little by little was forced back to Battalion HQ owing to the exposure of their flank from the north. Stragglers were coming down the road, so Col. Gough ordered Sergeant Jenkins to collect them in a trench in the rear, and for his fine services on this occasion coupled with the good work on the telephone; this old soldier received the DCM. This party and other remnants of the Battalion was led by Col. Gough in counter attack, but could only advance as far as the eastern edge of Frezenberg. In this advance R.S.M. Hatton was seriously wounded. He had accompanied the adjutant Capt. Ramsden, in many visits to the front line during the last terrible days and with him had often helped to stiffen the defence by cheery encouragement. He now refused to be carried back and was taken prisoner. His wounds were of such a nature that he was one of the first prisoners of war to be exchanged, but unhappily he died much regretted before the end of the war. He was a fine type of regular soldier from whom all ranks learnt much. After hanging onto this position for some time and holding up the advance, orders came at about 11.a.m. from the Brigade to retire on the GHQ line near Potijze.

                                Lt. McLean, M.O., 3rd Monmouth's and Lt.Marriott, M.O., 1st Monmouth's had established a dressing station just east of Verlorenhoek; at 11.a.m. they received orders to retire their detachments, but after sending back the stretcher bearers they found a number of wounded still coming back and so decided to carry on, till the enemy were practically in the village and Lt. McLean was wounded.

                                Just before mid-day the 2nd East Yorks were ordered to counter attack and after reaching Verlorenhoek with heavy casualties had to fall back on the G.H.Q. line. At 2.30.p.m. 1st York and Lancaster and 3rd Middlesex counter-attacked north and south of the railway, remnants of the 2nd East Yorks, 1st KOYLI, 2nd Kings Own, 3rd Monmouth's, 5th Kings Own going up into support. At 3.30.p.m. 2nd East Surreys, 3rd Royal Fusiliers arrived and were sent up in support. The counter attack, practically unsupported by artillery, made slow progress and by 5.30.p.m. was held up at a line running from Verlorenhoek south over the railway. This line was consolidated with fresh troops during the night and eventually became the approximate position of the front line until the British advance in 1917.

                                In the meantime the 3rd Monmouth Battalion with the exception of B Coy was withdrawn and marched back to huts at Vlamertinghe. B Coy throughout the battle was separated from the rest of the battalion. It reinforced 1st York and Lancs, coming under orders of the CO of that Battalion, and took over a trench on the extreme right of the Brigade and Division from a company of K.R.R.C. 27 th Division. The next unit on the right was the "Princess Pats". The position was in front of the wood near Red Lodge, about 300 yards south of the Roulers railway. The trench was newly dug like the rest of the line and not deep. It was also on a forward slope and the only communication trench was full of mud and impassable. Further, it lay along a lane with a hedge on one side and a line of poplars on the other, so that it was an admirable mark for the enemy's artillery observing on Westhoek Ridge. On May 5 th and in a smaller degree on May 6 th and 7 th the enemy bombarded the trench, but it was so narrow and well traversed that the damage was comparatively slight and casualties not as heavy as might be expected from such a bombardment. Sgt. Nash, a Territorial with much service, was killed on the 6th .

                                The attack in front was beaten off and the afternoon in the immediate neighbourhood proved quiet, but there was a great danger of the company being surrounded.. The P.P.C.L.I on the right were forced back to their support trench and on the left to the north of the wood there was a large gap and both flanks were more or less in the air. Accordingly Capt. Gattie went to the HQ of the Rifle Brigade, near Bellewaarde Lake, for reinforcements to protect the exposed flanks, especially to the north, and was able to guide them as far as the P.P.C.L.I. support trench, but machine gun fire prevented them from advancing further until dark. Meanwhile a party of the Monmouth's and KOYLI were in fact in advance of all other British troops with both flanks exposed. Towards the evening the bullets of our troops counter-attacking up the railway were beginning to take them in the rear, so that it was clearly impossible to hold on.

                                The party was now completely cut off from its own HQ, so Capt. Gattie proceeded to Brigade HQ for orders, leaving the remains of B Company under 2/Lt. Somerset. Under cover of darkness the men of both units filed out of the right end of the trench and were sorted out, and the men in the wood were ordered to re-join. This party had received no orders to advance in the morning and had been left behind. The senior soldier, Cpl. Sketchley, had kept them together during the day and now led 30 men out to join the Company. The enemy attack up the railway on his left had come so near that his party had taken a prisoner and they now brought him with them. Cpl. Sketchley received the D.C.M. for his great initiative and pluck at this period. Capt. Mallinson was awarded the D.S.O., for his fine leadership in maintaining this position and finally in extracting his party from a very difficult position. The enemy did not attempt to harass the withdrawal and the whole mixed party got safely back to Rifle Brigade HQ. After a halt there they proceeded across the railway to the Potijze road intending to rejoin the Brigade at Vlamertinghe.

                                8th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA register ranges  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th London Battery fired nine rounds on enemy's breastwork J1 and two rounds on J3. Range 3450 and 3500. 16th London Battery fired eleven rounds to register wire at K3 (3425), later fired ten rounds at wire at K3 (3425’) and four rounds at a point on the Rue D’ Ouvert.

                                8th May 1915  Battle of Aubers Ridge

                                8th May 1915   A Coy, 2nd Bn Kings Own are involved in Battle of Frezenberg.

                                8th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  

                                The 1st Battalion Royal Scots position on 8th May 1915 shown on map (1/R. Scots)

                                1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots ordered to form part of Composite Brigade with 2 Companies each. 2nd Brigade Royal Irish Fusiliers and 2nd Brigade Leinster Regiment.
                                Lt. Col. Callender to command composite Brigade with Captain H. E. Stanley-Murray as Staff Officer - Command of the battalion devolved upon Major H.F. Wingate with Cap. J. Burke as Acting Adjutant.
                                Composite dissolved at 6pm and the battalion proceeded with all speed to the Zouave Wood (Hooge) under command of Lt. Col. Callender.
                                The Germans attacked the area of woods south of the Menin Road after a horrendous artillery bombardment all day.
                                Heavy fighting near Hooge and North of Menin Road.
                                The 1st Battalion Royal Scots were sent up the line in support of 81st Brigade. The 81st were in a small salient and the northern side was ' sagging '. When the 1st Royal Scots arrived they found the unit to their left had been forced from their trenches and the Germans were in the process of occupying them. The 1st RS fixed bayonets and charged, evicting them in disarray.
                                The 1st Royal Scots and their territorial companions in the 9th Royal Scots held these trenches, without losing a sap, until relieved on the night of 22nd/23rd May.
                                About 6pm orders were received to proceed to Sanctuary Wood.
                                The battalion arrived soon after dusk and were halted at Zouave Wood.
                                Officers went ahead and inspected trenches held by 2nd Gloucester's, and the battalion took over these trenches before dawn the following day.
                                Disposition of battalion - A & D Coys fire trenches, B & C Coys support trenches.

                                8th May 1915 Two merchant ships sunk by U9  British Merchant vessels Don and Queen Wilhelmina are sunk by submarine U-9.

                                8th May 1915  resting

                                8th May 1915  On the March

                                8th May 1915 Bearers reinforcement preparations  19th Field Ambulance received orders from Assistant Director of Medical Services 6th Division, to reinforce Advanced Post at Gris Pot by 1/2 A Bearer subdivision tonight and the Bearer subdivisions of other two sections to be held in readiness at a moment's notice.

                                Lt. Mullan i/c Advanced Post tonight, but sent down Capt. Browne with Sgt. Carter and 12 men as additional stretcher bearers - in addition they took surgical haversacks, shell dressings and water bottles and respirators and bottles of saturated soda bicarbonate solution - B and C Bearers standing to. Sgt. Matthews, Army Service Corps arrived last night for duty as motor cyclist with 19th Field Ambulance.

                                8th May 1915  In Action

                                8th May 1915  Football in Belgium

                                8th May 1915  Gas alert

                                8th May 1915  The Last General Absolution

                                8th May 1915  Poisonous Fumes

                                8th May 1915  Smokes in the trenches

                                8th May 1915  Enemy attempts to blow up trenches

                                8th May 1915  In Billets

                                8th May 1915  Situation Normal

                                8th May 1915  At Rest

                                8th May 1915  On the March

                                8th May 1915  Ready to Move

                                8th May 1915  Preparations

                                8th May 1915  Advance

                                8th May 1915  The Wounded

                                8th of May 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th of May 1915  Conference

                                8th May 1915  On the March

                                8th May 1915  In Bivouac

                                8th May 1915  Orders

                                8th May 1915  Football

                                8th May 1915  Attack Made

                                8th May 1915  Orders

                                8th May 1915  Quiet

                                8th May 1915  Quiet

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

                                8th May 1915   Shelling

                                8th May 1915  Orders

                                8th May 1915  On the Move

                                8th May 1915  Attack Made

                                8th May 1915  Orders

                                8th May 1915  Preparations

                                8th of May 1915  Attack on German Positions

                                8th May 1915  Reliefs

                                8th of May 1915   Heavy Shelling

                                8th May 1915  Gun fire

                                8th May 1915  Orders

                                8th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th May 1915  Strengthening posts.

                                8th May 1915  Visit

                                8th May 1915  Standing by

                                9th May 1915 Zeppelin Raid  Zeppelin LZ38 commanded by Erich Linnarz attacked Southend and Ipswich on the 9th/10th May 1915.

                                9th May 1915 Heavy Fighting in Ypres Salient  At the GHQ line a Staff Officer ordered the party from the 3rd Monmouths to the trenches again, so just as dawn was breaking on the 9th they turned off the road, near the trench occupied on May 4th and advanced across open fields to the front line. There was only room on their immediate front for the KOYLI so the Monmouthshire party occupied some little dugouts a hundred yards in rear. Here the remains of B Coy spent the day, among them two N.C.O.s who later in the war made the supreme sacrifice, Sgt. Lewis and Sgt. T.Howells, that fine old soldier who won the D.C.M. in the South African War and a bar to it in the Great War. Sgt. Owen of C Coy joined the party during the day, also two men, who were shelled out of buildings on the left. The enemy paid no attention to B Coy., probably did not know of their existence, but fired heavy stuff overhead into YPRES all day. It was a day of inaction that tried the nerves far more than a day of hard fighting. Luckily it was not a day of starvation too, for early in the morning some foragers found a broken down water-cart and bread and tinned honey dumped in the road.

                                The casualties had been enormous and the Brigade diary records these as being 128 Officers and 4379 men killed, wounded and missing.

                                9th May 1915 Battle of Aubers Ridge  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force.

                                The 6th London Brigade RFA took part in the first organised attack since its arrival in the frontline. The 15th London Battery opened fire at 0445 and fired sixty rounds lasting until 0530 at the enemy’s lines. Several direct hits were obtained, but the actual result was difficult to estimate owing to bad light and mist. Between 0535 and 0615, seven rounds were fired with excellent effect at Dogwheel House and the attack having been held up on our immediate front, fire eased for the morning at 0655, after five rounds had been fired at the enemy's earthworks. The attack was renewed, without much success, in the afternoon (1530) when the 15th London Battery fired six rounds at the communication trench near K5, and fired again at the same objective at 1650 with eight rounds. At 1720 and 2345 four rounds and five rounds respectively were fired at the communication trench.

                                The programme carried out by the 16th London Battery was the same as the one outlined above, exactly the same targets being engaged at approximately the same time, but whereas the 15th London Battery had only fired eighty two rounds up to 0655, by 0645 the 16th London Battery had accounted for one hundred and thirty three rounds. The 16th Battery also fired between 0700 and 1000, a further six rounds at Germans advancing, sixteen rounds at 0830, and thirty five rounds at M3. M2. P4. N6 earthworks from 0835 to 0900. At 1605 the 16th London Battery fired six rounds at the Rue D’Ouvert, and four rounds at 2330.

                                The sphere of operations did not extend as far as the zone of the 17th London Battery, who took no part in the operations. Casualties as the result of today’s operations were NIL. A letter was received this morning from GOC 47th Division expressing the hope that the Division, now fighting as a complete unit for the first time, would maintain the traditions of the Territorial Force.

                                9th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                Very heavy artillery bombardment.
                                By 2am the battalion was moved up to Sanctuary Wood.
                                They had heavy fighting in Sanctuary Wood and got badly cut up.
                                At dawn the order came to fall back and occupy the GHQ line some 2 miles West. This was done. The enemy's guns had the range of this line to a nicety, and put in a number of shells. Line maintained.
                                Two hundred men out digging at night.
                                Casualties this day: Killed 4 men. Wounded Lt. G. M. V. Bidie 25 other ranks.

                                Remembering William Monaghan. Private 9918. 1st Battalion Royal Scots Regiment. Age 27 who was one of the four that died this day at Sanctuary Wood and has no grave (his name is on the Menin Gate)

                                9th May 1915  9th Heavy Battery mobilize

                                9th May 1915  in the trenches

                                9th May 1915 Orders are changed  Very heavy gunfire by the guns this morning between 4.39 and 5.30 behind the 19th Infantry Brigade. The 8th Division in action today. Received orders 12 noon to bring in reinforcements from Advanced Post, and cancel the Bearer subdivisions being held in readiness.

                                9th May 1915  Attack Supported

                                9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: The Northern pincer  2.30am: all units in the North report that they are in position, having assembled at night. 4.06am: sunrise and all very quiet on this front.

                                5.00am: British bombardment opens with field guns firing shrapnel at the German wire and howitzers firing High Explosive shells onto front line. Many reports are received that British 4.7-inch shells are falling short, and even on and behind the British front line (Later it is agreed that this is due to faulty ammunition, as well as excessive wear to gun barrels). 5.30am: British bombardment intensifies, field guns switch to HE and also fire at breastworks. Two guns of 104th Battery, XXII Brigade RFA had been brought up into the 24th Brigade front and they now opened fire at point blank range against the enemy breastworks; they blow several gaps, although one of the guns is inaccurate due to the unstable ground on which it is located. The lead battalions of the two assaulting Brigades of 8th Division (24th Brigade has 2/Northants and 2/East Lancashire in front; 25th Brigade has 2/Rifle Brigade, 1/Royal Irish Rifles and 1/13 London Regiment (Kensingtons)) move out into the narrow No Man's Land (in this area it is only 100-200 yards across). German bayonets can be seen behind their parapet.

                                5.40am: On the further advance the 2nd East Lancs are hit by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire by the time they had progressed thirty yards from their own trench; the 2nd Northants, coming up ten minutes later, were similarly hit, but a party got through one of the gaps blown by the field guns, and into the German front trench. The attack of 25th Brigade is much more successful: the wire on the left had been well-cut and the infantry poured through, crossing the almost-undamaged breastworks and into the German fire trenches. They moved onto the first objective (a bend in the Fromelles road), and the Rifle Brigade bombers extended the trench system they occupied to 250 yards broad. On the blowing of the two mines at 5.40am, the lead companies of the Kensingtons rushed to occupy the craters, moved forward to capture Delangre Farm, and then formed a defensive flank as ordered.

                                6.10am: Brig.Gen. Oxley (24th Brigade) orders the support battalion, 1st Notts & Derbys, to support the attack of the Lancashires, but they are also held up with high losses, at almost unbroken wire. The front and communication trenches are by now very crowded and chaotic; German shelling adds to confusion. By now, the fire across No Man's Land was so intense that forward movement was all but impossible. The support battalion of the 25th Brigade, the 2nd Lincolns, was ordered forward, to cross by the craters; they did so, despite losing many men on the way. Men of the Brigade were at this time seen to be retiring to their front line, having apparently received a shouted order. German prisoners, making their way to the British lines, were mistaken for a counterattack and there was a great deal of confusion. Brig.Gen Lowry Cole, CO 25th Brigade, was mortally wounded when standing on the British parapet in an attempt to restore order.

                                8.30am: the attack had established three small lodgements in the enemy positions, but they were not in contact with each other and were under tremendous pressure. Otherwise the attack had come to a standstill and all movement into or out of the trench system had become impossible. The men in the German positions were cut off.

                                8.45am and again at 11.45am: Haig orders Rawlinson (CO, IV Corps) to vigorously press home the attack.

                                1.30pm: A renewed attack with 2nd Queens of 22nd Brigade in support, did not take place as the troops were heavily shelled in the assembly areas and many casualties were suffered even before the original support lines had been reached. Major-General Gough (CO, 7th Division, whose 21st Brigade had now also been ordered forward by Haig) reported that after a personal reconnaissance he was certain that forward movement was at the present time impossible.

                                5.00pm: General Haig, hearing of the continued failure of the Southern attack and the hold-up after initial success of the Northern attack, orders a bayonet attack at dusk, 8.00pm.



                                9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: Evening and Night  2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

                                6.00pm: such chaos in the trench system and on the roads and tracks leading to it that it becomes clear that fresh units will not be ready for the 8pm attack. Haig cancels the attack and rides to Indian Corps HQ at Lestrem, to meet with all Corps commanders to consider the next moves. 7.30pm: the meeting breaks up having decided to renew the attack next day, taking advantage of night to reorganise. Efforts were made throughout the evening to reinforce the small garrisons of the lodgements in the enemy trenches. 26 men of the 2/Northants, of which 10 were wounded, returned to the British front. 2.30am 10 May: the 200 or so surviving Rifle Brigade and Royal Irish Rifles were withdrawn from their position, all efforts to reinforce them having been repulsed. 3.00am 10 May: the last few Kensingtons also returned from their position; all British troops were now out of the German lines. Around this time, First Army HQ, having by now got a good picture of the losses, failures and general conditions, called a Commanders conference for 9.00am, to take place at I Corps HQ on the Locon road, some 1.5 miles from Bethune. 9.00am 10 May: the Army and Corps commanders and staffs in attendance learned that there was insufficient artillery ammunition to continue two attacks. (The Secretary of State for War, Kitchener, had also just ordered a considerable portion of existing stocks to be sent to the Dardanelles); for example there were only some 3,000 18-lbr rounds left, and some of that was way behind the firing positions. They also heard that the 4.7-inch ammunition that had caused problems on IV Corps front was too defective for further use and that the fuzes on 15-inch heavy rounds were also defective and the shells simply did not burst on hitting the wet ground. All further orders for renewing the attack were cancelled at 1.20pm; the views of the conference were transmitted to GHQ. 7th Division was ordered to move from it's position north of Neuve Chapelle to the south of it, with a view to strengthening a future offensive there. British casualties from the 9 May attacks continued to move through the Field Ambulances for at least three days after the attack.

                                More than 11,000 British casualties were sustained on 9 May 1915, the vast majority within yards of their own front-line trench. Mile for mile, Division for Division, this was one of the highest rates of loss during the entire war. There is no memorial to the attack at Aubers Ridge.

                                9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: The French Attack  The French Attacking at 10.00am, by which time the British effort was a palpable failure, the centre Corps (XXXIII under General Petain) completely overran the German trench system on a 4-mile wide front and pushed more than two miles onto the heights of Vimy Ridge. Joffre's reserves were too far away to exploit this success, and the infantry began to out-reach the range of its supporting artillery, giving time for a German recovery. The battle soon returned once more to close combat and entrenched positions. Intense fighting continued for a week, with particularly bitter actions on the Notre Dame de Lorette heights that resulted in the French capture of Carency and Ablain St Nazaire. The French advance did not quite achieve the capture of the crest of Vimy Ridge.

                                9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: The Souther pincer  Richebourg L’Avoue. At 4.06am: sunrise and all very quiet on this front.

                                5.00am: British bombardment opens with field guns firing shrapnel at the German wire and howitzers firing High Explosive shells onto front line. German troops are seen peering above their parapet even while this shelling was going on.

                                5.30am: British bombardment intensifies, field guns switch to HE and also fire at breastworks. The lead battalions of the two assaulting Brigades of 1st Division go over the top to take up a position only 80 yards from German front. (2nd Brigade has 1/Northants and 2/Royal Sussex in front and 2/KRRC and 1/5th Royal Sussex in immediate support; 3rd Brigade has 2/Royal Munster Fusiliers and 2/Welsh in front, with 1/4th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in support). Heavy machine-gun fire cuts the attackers down even on their own ladders and parapet steps, but men continue to press forward as ordered. In the area of the Indian Corps, the lead battalions of the Dehra Dun Brigade of the Meerut Division (2/2nd Ghurkas, 1/4th and 1st Seaforth Highlanders) were so badly hit by enemy fire that no men got beyond their own parapet and the front-line and communications trenches were soon filled with dead and wounded men.

                                5.40am: British bombardment lifts off front lines and advances 600 yards; infantry assault begins. Despite the early losses and enemy fire the three Brigades attempted to advance across No Man's Land. They were met by intense crossfire from the German machine-guns, which could not be seen in their ground-level and strongly protected emplacements. Whole lines of men were seen to be hit. Few lanes had been cut in the wire and even where men reached it they were forced to bunch, forming good targets for the enemy gunners. The leading battalions suffered very significant losses, particularly among officers and junior leaders. Around 100 men on the Northants and Munsters got into the German front, but all were killed or captured. The advance of the supporting battalions suffered similarly, and by 6.00am the advance had halted, with hundreds of men pinned down in No Man's Land, unable to advance or fall back.

                                6.15am: A repeat of the initial bombardment is ordered, with the added difficulty of uncertain locations of the most advanced troops. 7.20am: Major-General Haking (CO, 1st Division) reports failure and asks if he should bring in his last Brigade (1st (Guards)). He offered his opinion that it would not be successful. 7.45am: A further one hour bombardment starts, ordered by Lieut-General Anderson (CO, Meerut Division). Its only impact is to encourage German artillery to reply, bringing heavy shelling down onto British front and support trenches. German fire continued until about 10.30am.

                                8.00am: First reports reach Haig, but they underestimate losses and problems. Haig also hears of early French successes in Vimy attack; he resolves to renew the effort in the Southern attack, with noon being the new zero hour. This was subsequently moved when it was learned from I Corps how long it would take to bring supporting units up to replace those that had suffered in the initial attacks. The new attack at 2.40pm would again be preceded by a 40 minute bombardment. The various movements of relief forces were achieved only with much confusion and further losses under renewed enemy shellfire. The time was again moved, to 4.00pm. In the meantime, the German infantry in the Bois de Biez area was reinforced.

                                3.20pm: Bombardment repeated and seen to be a little more successful, blowing gaps in the wire and in the enemy front-line. 3.45pm: Bareilly Brigade, moving up to relieve the Dehra Dun, loses more than 200 men due to enemy shelling. 3.57pm: The leading companies of the 1/Black Watch of 1st (Guards) Brigade, brought in to replace the shattered 2nd Brigade, went over the top despite the 1/Cameron Highlanders being late to arrive and moved at the double across No Man's Land. Some reached the German breastwork just as the bombardment lifted; most were however killed or captured in the German firing trench although a small party reached the second position. The two lead companies of the Camerons, coming up on the left of the Black Watch a few minutes later, suffered heavy machine-gun casualties in crossing between the front lines. At approximately the same time, the two fresh battalions of the 3rd Brigade, the 1/Gloucestershire and 1/South Wales Borderers began to advance but were cut down without reaching the enemy. Meerut Division orders Bareilly Brigade to advance, even though it is clear that conditions are unchanged: few men even reached a small ditch 20 yards in front of their own front line, and the Brigade suffered more than 1000 casualties within minutes.

                                4.35pm: 1st Division orders another 10 minutes shelling but it is seen to have no effect. 4.40pm: Large explosion at German ammunition dump in Herlies, hit by a long-range British heavy shell. Smoke clouds drifting towards British lines caused a gas alarm. Br-Gen. Southey (CO, Bareilly Brigade) reports that further attempts to advance would be useless. 5.00pm: General Haig, hearing of the continued failure of the Southern attack, orders 2nd Division to relieve 1st Division with a view to a bayonet attack at dusk, 8.00pm.

                                9th May 1915 Hard fighting on Frezenberg Ridge  Under cover of darkness, the remnants of B Coy 3rd Monmouths began to withdraw to rejoin the rest of the battalion. Just as they got back to the GHQ line at dawn on May 9th a staff officer ordered them back into the front line.

                                9th May 1915  SS Aragon sails

                                9th May 1915  2nd Devons at the Battle of Aubers

                                9th May 1915  On the march

                                9th May 1915  Territorials under fire

                                9th May 1915  1st Glosters in action

                                9th May 1915  1st Northants in action

                                9th May 1915  Battle of Aubers Ridge

                                9th May 1915  In Billets

                                9th May 1915  13th Londons in Action

                                9th May 1915  Into Battle

                                9th May 1915  Duel over the Trenches

                                9th May 1915  Into the Trenches

                                9th May 1915  Into Reserve

                                9th May 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                9th May 1915  On the Move

                                9th May 1915  Attack Made

                                9th May 1915  Relief

                                9th May 1915  Pipers Play

                                9th of May 1915  Under Fire

                                9th of May 1915  Northumbrians under 2nd Army

                                9th of May 1915  Enemy attack

                                9th of May 1915  Forward movement

                                9th of May 1915  Messages

                                9th of May 1915  Deployment of forces

                                9th May 1915  Attack Made

                                9th May 1915  Orders

                                9th May 1915  Orders

                                9th May 1915  On the Move

                                9th May 1915  Holding the Line

                                9th May 1915  Orders

                                9th May 1915  Withdrawal

                                9th May 1915  Demonstration

                                9th May 1915  Enemy Active

                                9th May 1915  Orders

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

                                9th May 1915  Orders

                                9th May 1915  Bombardment

                                9th May 1915  In Billets

                                9th May 1915  Shelling

                                9th May 1915  Artillery in Acton

                                9th May 1915  In Reserve

                                9th May 1915  On the March

                                9th May 1915  In Action

                                9th of May 1915  Bombardment and Assault

                                9th May 1915  Attack Made

                                9th of May 1915   Staying Put

                                9th May 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                9th May 1915  Bombardment

                                9th May 1915  Attack Mase

                                9th May 1915  Report.

                                9th May 1915  Orders

                                10th May 1915 New Scheme  From today a scheme is to be adopted for 'annoying' the enemy, by shelling different spots at irregular intervals. Shelling Battalion Headquarter's roads down which enemy are likely to pass. The French are making continued good progress further south. Today the 15th London Battery are to bombard J1 to J3 and the 16th London Battery to bombard the communication trench in the Rue D’Ouvert. 15th London Battery fired nine rounds between 0345 and 0615, ten rounds at 0710, twenty four rounds at 0930 and fourteen rounds at 1520. Six direct hits. 16th London Battery fired one hundred and thirty two rounds at irregular intervals between 0035 to 1515. 17th London Battery did not fire. Lieut N V Brasnett, detailed for reinforcements 2nd London Division RFA

                                10th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                A message came to the effect that all was not well on the left. B Coy was ordered to move out to the left in support and to clear up the situation. On arrival it was found the unit on our left had been driven from its trenches by the combined effect of shells and gas. Seeing the enemy about to occupy the trench in some strength, Captain Farquharson advanced his company at the double and the enemy fled in disorder. B Coy had 1 man wounded. The company occupied the trench and proceeded to make the flank more secure.
                                Casualties this day: Killed 2 men. Wounded 13 men. (1 since died of wounds)

                                10th May 1915  back in the trenches

                                10th May 1915  In Action

                                10th May 1915 Arrangements for Respirators  OC 19th Field Ambulance proceeded to Nieppe with Assistant Director of Medical Services South Midland Division to see the arrangements made for the use of Mouth Pads and Respirators. Further new orders received from 3rd Corps with regard to Respirators, cancelling all previous orders.

                                10th May 1915 3rd Monmouths withdrawn from line  B Coy 3rd Monmouths were finally withdrawn on the morning of May 10th and marched back to Vlamertinghe where they rejoined what was left of the rest of the battalion.

                                10th May 1915 Ongoing defensive adjustments  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

                                10th May 1915

                                Situation as before but not such heavy shelling as on 9th. 3 platoons of B coy, which had occupied a trench in front of our wire, filled in this trench and 2 platoons joined D coy in reserve while the third dug in as immediate support to A coy on the left.

                                11th May

                                D coy and B coy less 1 platoon in the breastworks dug in on a new support line 200 yards in rear of the front line.

                                12th May

                                Steady bombardment of the trenches with Jack Johnsons continued throughout most of the day. A coy suffered severely.

                                Note: Jack Johnsons was a nickname for the impact of German 150mm shells. Jack Johnson (1878-1946) was the name of the popular U.S. (born in Texas) world heavyweight boxing champion who held the title from 1908-15.

                                10th May 1915  2nd Ox & Bucks in the line.

                                10th May 1915  On the Move

                                10th May 1915  On the March

                                10th May 1915  Encounter with the Enemy

                                10th May 1915  UnLucky Bulllet

                                10th May 1915  At Rest

                                10th May 1915  On the March

                                10th of May 1915  Northumbrians bivouack

                                10th of May 1915  GOC Visit to HQ

                                10th of May 1915  Artillery on the march

                                10th of May 1915  What next for Northumbrians?

                                10th of May 1915  Staff appointment

                                10th May 1915  On the March

                                10th May 1915  On the Move

                                10th May 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                10th May 1915  Orders

                                10th May 1915  Reorganisation

                                10th May 1915  Quiet

                                10th May 1915  Enemy Active

                                10th May 1915  Training

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

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

                                10th May 1915  Into Billets

                                10th May 1915  On the Move

                                10th May 1915  Bivouac

                                10th May 1915  Orders Received

                                10th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                10th May 1915  In Reserve

                                10th May 1915  On the Move

                                10th May 1915  Orders

                                10th of May 1915 

                                10th May 1915  Advance Party

                                10th May 1915  Gas Alert

                                10th of May 1915  Normal Situation

                                10th May 1915  In Reserve

                                10th May 1915  Bombardment

                                10th May 1915  In Hospital

                                10th May 1915  Mine Exploded Under German Trenches

                                10th May 1915  Reliefs

                                10th May 1915  Rounds Fired

                                10th May 1915  Working Parties

                                11th May 1915 1st Devons relieve 5th Cheshires  In the evening 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment left their bivouac and proceeded to relieve the 5th Bn Cheshire Regiment in the trenches near Oosthoek on the Yser canal.

                                11th May 1915 3rd Monmouths in the front line  On May 11th, the 3rd Mons briefly moved back to the front line where the commanding officer Lt Col Gough was wounded. Major Bridge took command and the battalion moved out of the line to bivouacs at Poperinghe. Here they found piles of parcels from home, which it had not been possible to deliver during the battle, most of them were addressed, to men who could no longer receive them.

                                11th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Orders  Order received for the 15th London Battery to bombard the points J1, J3, and the 16th London Battery the entrance to the southern communication trench in the Rue D’Ouvert, at a very slow rate of fire. 15th London Battery also fired nine rounds on K.5 between 0545 and 0615, ten rounds on ‘K’ work between 0710 and 0730 and twenty four rounds between 0930 and 1015 on K.3. At 1520 out of fourteen rounds fired at Dogwheel House, six direct hits were obtained. From this date the Division (2nd London) is known as the 47th Division.

                                11th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                Trenches heavily shelled but with little result.
                                Trenches held A Coy on the right, D Coy in the centre, B Coy on the left, and C Coy in support.
                                The left company worked hard to consolidate there position which was overlooked by the enemy from the left.

                                11th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery proceed to France  9th Heavy Battery RGA proceeded to France

                                11th May 1915  Bivouac

                                11th May 1915 Advance party leave Redmires  An advance party of 100 men of the Sheffield City Battalion under Capt. Hoette left Redmires Camp and marched to Sheffield Middle station to entrain for Penkridge Bank Camp on Cannock Chase. They were joined at the station by parties from the 13th and 14th (Barnsley) Battalions and seen off by Brigadier Gen. Bowles.

                                11th May 1915 Hypo supplies arrive  Medical Board assembled to examine as to physical fitness of No 17844 Staff Sgt W A Clenshaw for promotion to a commission in the ASC.

                                Received from 19th Infantry Brigade 110 Nip Bottles for solution. Hypo for damping Respirators of Bearers of 19th Field Ambulance.

                                11th May 1915 3rd Monmouths at Frezenberg  On May 11th, the 3rd Mons briefly moved back to the front line where the commanding officer Lt Col Gough was wounded. Major Bridge took command and the battalion moved out of the line to bivouacs at Poperinghe. Here they found piles of parcels from home, which it had not been possible to deliver during the battle, most of them were addressed, to men who could no longer receive them. Edmonds in the Official History of the Great War describes the action of B Company 3rd Monmouth'ss and D Company 1st KOYLI in holding the frontline at Frezenberg as one of the greatest feat of arms of the whole war. Casualties between April 22 nd - May 8 th had been horrendous. Of the 1020 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion the Monmouthshire Regiment who had arrived in France in February 1915 only 134 were left alive on the morning of May 10th. Stragglers reported over the next few days and the strength rose to about 250 in total. On May 14th, what was left of the battalion was moved to the village of Winnezeele in France for a period of rest and reorganisation.

                                11th May 1915 18 Squadron formed  No. 18 Squadron. RFC, was formed at Northolt, Middlesex, on 11th May 1915, from No. 4 Reserve Squadron. From experience at the front it had been recognised that reconnaissance aircraft had to be able to defend themselves from attack by enemy aircraft and 18 Squadron was therefore equipped with the Vickers FB5 Gunbus for fighter-reconnaissance duties. On 19th November 1915 the squadron went to France to the aerodrome at Treizennes.

                                11th May 1915  Ypres ravaged by war

                                11th May 1915  Bringing in Wounded

                                11th May 1915  11th Royal Scots in France

                                11th May 1915  Trench Work

                                11th May 1915  Trench Work

                                11th May 1915  13th Londons in Billets

                                11th May 1915  Into the Trenches

                                11th May 1915  Into the Trenches

                                11th May 1915  On the March

                                11th May 1915  Reinforcements

                                11th of May 1915  GOC to Corps HQ

                                11th of May 1915  RE urgent move

                                11th of May 1915  Northumbrians to 5th Corps

                                11th of May 1915  Brigade deployment

                                11th of May 1915  Working Parties

                                11th of May 1915  Movement orders

                                11th of May 1915  Orders issued to move

                                11th May 1915  Address

                                11th May 1915  In Bivouac

                                11th May 1915  Digging in

                                11th May 1915  Shelling

                                11th May 1915  Recce

                                11th May 1915  In the Line

                                11th May 1915  Hot Weather

                                11th May 1915  Reliefs

                                11th May 1915  Training

                                11th May 1915  Training

                                11th May 1915  On the Move

                                11th May 1915  Working Parties

                                11th May 1915  In Reserve

                                11th May 1915  On the Move

                                11th May 1915  Orders Received

                                11th of May 1915 

                                11th of June 1915  Commission Applications

                                11th May 1915  Preparations

                                11th May 1915  On the March

                                11th May 1915  No Man's Land

                                11th of May 1915   No Retirement Planned

                                11th May 1915  Motor Vehicles

                                11th May 1915   Relief Complete

                                11th May 1915  Orders received

                                11th May 1915  Rumour

                                11th May 1915  On the Move

                                11th May 1915  Relieved at 2000 hours.

                                11th May 1915  Rounds Fired

                                11th May 1915  Draft

                                12th May 1915 1st Devons suffer casualties from own artillery.  The 1st Devon's record a fairly quiet day, except for the shelling of trench 27. by the enemy, at the cost of several casualties. During the evening our own Artillery, unfortunately placed several shells, in our own trench 28. seriously wounding one man, and killed other ranks 3. wounded other ranks 11. to hospital other ranks 5.

                                12th May 1915 Accrington Pals leave Caernarvon  The 11th Btn, East Lancashire Regiment, the Accrington Pals marched out of Caernarvon.

                                12th May 1915 2nd Inniskillings on the March  The 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers marched through Richebourg on their way up to the the line to preparr for their part in the Battle of Festubert.

                                12th May 1915 Leicestershire Yeomanry ordered to front line  At 17.00hrs an order arrived for the men of the Leicestershire Yeomanry to march to the front line. They marched through the ruins of Ypres taking the zonnibeke Road to Potijze and relieved the 5th Royal Fusiliers in the front line between Bellawarde Lake and Wieltje.

                                12th May 1915 15th London Battery in action  6th County of London Brigade RFA's 15th London Battery fired nine rounds on working party at ‘K’ works, between 1815 and 1845. 16th London Battery did not fire.

                                12th May 1915  Orders

                                12th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.
                                1st Battalion had heavy losses this day.

                                12th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery arrive in France  9th Heavy Battery disembark at Le Havre on May 12th, 1915, entraining the same night for Arques.

                                12th May 1915  Reliefs

                                12th May 1915  Orders

                                12th May 1915 Another Medical Board  19thField Ambulance report from Erquinghem-Lys "Medical Board on Capt. Cuthbert 3rd Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers for commission in Regular Army by order of Brig-Gen commanding 19th Brigade. Procedures forwarded to Assistant Director of Medical Services 6th Division for approval."

                                12th May 1915  Reliefs

                                12th May 1915  Leeds guardsman duel with German officer

                                12th May 1915  Risks of Rations

                                12th May 1915  Bluff Captured

                                12th May 1915  In Reserve

                                12th May 1915  Signal Lamps

                                12th May 1915  Renaming

                                12th May 1915  Working Party

                                12th May 1915  Orders

                                12th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                12th May 1915  On the March

                                12th May 1915  Inspection

                                12th of May 1915  Reliefs

                                12th of May 1915  Brigade moves completed

                                12th of May 1915  GOC visit

                                12th of May 1915  Working Parties

                                12th of May 1915  HQ at Poperinghe

                                12th of May 1915  Night moves

                                12th of May 1915  Changes to Division

                                12th May 1915  On the March

                                12th May 1915  Operation Order No. 12

                                12th May 1915  Instruction

                                12th May 1915  Enemy Active

                                12th May 1915  Training

                                12th May 1915  On the March

                                12th May 1915  Tower

                                12th May 1915  In Billets

                                12th May 1915  On the March

                                12th May 1915  Orders

                                12th May 1915  In Dugouts

                                12th May 1915  On the Move

                                12th May 1915  On the March

                                12th May 1915  In Reserve

                                12th May 1915  On the Move

                                12th May 1915  Relief

                                12th of May 1915  French Farm Trench

                                12th May 1915  On the Move

                                12th May 1915  Rations

                                12th of May 1915  German Mine Hit

                                12th May 1915  On the Move

                                12th May 1915  Some Shelling

                                12th May 1915  Working Parties

                                12th May 1915  Books

                                12th May 1915  In Brigade Reserve

                                12th May 1915  Rounds Fired

                                12th May 1915  Working Parties

                                13th May 1915  Daily Battery Activity

                                13th May 1915 Enemy attacks on British Ammunition Dump  The British ammunition dump at Wieltje is attacked by the enemy. L/Sgt Douglas Belcher of the 1/5th City of London Battalion, London Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in breaking up enemy attacks under continuous fire to protect the supplies: "Early in morning, when in charge of a portion of an advanced breastwork south of the Wieltje-St Julien Road during a very fierce and continuous bombardment by the enemy, which frequently blew in the breastwork, Lance Sergeant Belcher with a mere handful of men elects to remain and endeavor to hold his position after the troops near him have been withdrawn. By his skill and great gallantry he maintains his position during the day, opening rapid fire on the enemy, who are only 150 to 200 yards distant, whenever he sees them collecting for an attack. There is little doubt that the bold front shown by this NCO prevents the enemy breaking through on the Wieltje Road and averts an attack on the flank of one of our divisions".

                                13th May 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  

                                The 1st Battalion Royal Scots position on 13th May 1915 shown on map (1/R. Scots)

                                1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                13th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery on the march  9th Heavy Battery where it detrain at Arque on the night of the 13th then march to Helfaut, resting there until midday the 16th,

                                13th May 1915  Entrenched

                                13th May 1915 Sheffield City Battalion leave Redmires  The Sheffield City Battalion marched out of Redmires Camp at 6.15am, some hours earlier than originally planned, due to railway timetabling, much to the disappointment of the city officials how had planned a huge fairwell for them. Never the less huge numbers turned out to see them off.

                                As they marched into Manchester Road they were joined by the bands of the Sheffield Engineers and the Hallamshires. They were joined by their mothers, wives and girlfriends as they marched through the streets in a relaxed formation. The Battalion formed up outside the Town Hall surrounded by a crowd of over 5000 to hear farewell speeches from the Lord Mayor and his deputy. The CO called for three cheers and the battalion marched along Fargate and High Street to the Midland Station where they departed for Rugeley on board two trains at 8.25 and 9.50 am.

                                On arrival in mid afternoon, they marched from Rugeley up the hill to Penkridge Bank Camp on Cannock Chase, to find their new home 'half finished and very cold'.

                                13th May 1915 Lieutenant found unsuited to Field Ambulance work   After a spell of real summer weather- a wet day.

                                Heavy gunfire in the south all day.

                                Sent in report on Temp Lt. Gibbons as being unsuited for a Field Ambulance.

                                13th May 1915  Bivouac

                                13th May 1915  Ongoing Action

                                13th May 1915  Counter attack

                                13th May 1915  Cavalry in action

                                13th May 1915  Heavy Fighting

                                13th May 1915  11th Hussars endure Bombardment

                                13th May 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                13th May 1915 

                                13th May 1915  In Reserve

                                13th May 1915  Trench Work

                                13th May 1915  13th Londons in Billets

                                13th May 1915  Heavy Casualties

                                13th May 1915  Under Shellfire

                                13th May 1915  On the Move

                                13th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                13th May 1915  Reliefs

                                13th of May 1915  Bombardment of front line

                                13th of May 1915  149th to Ypres

                                13th of May 1915  DLI to Cavalry Division

                                13th of May 1915  DLI to re-join HQ

                                13th of May 1915  Northumbrians going forward

                                13th of May 1915  149th into huts at Ypres

                                13th of May 1915  Orders

                                13th May 1915  Orders

                                13th May 1915  Working Parties

                                13th May 1915  Bombardment

                                13th May 1915  On the March

                                13th May 1915  Under Fire

                                13th May 1915  Trench Work

                                13th May 1915  Orders

                                13th May 1915  On the Move

                                13th May 1915  Reliefs

                                13th May 1915  Instruction

                                13th May 1915  New CO

                                13th May 1915  Trenches Taken

                                13th May 1915  In Reserve

                                13th May 1915  Orders Received

                                13th May 1915  New Positions

                                13th of May 1915 

                                13th May 1915  Attachment

                                13th May 1915  In Billets

                                13th May 1915  Quiet

                                13th of May 1915  All Quiet

                                13th May 1915  Trenches Cleared

                                13th May 1915  Mining Suspected

                                13th May 1915  In dugouts.

                                13th May 1915  On the Move

                                13th May 1915  Working party.

                                13th May 1915  Rounds Fired

                                13th May 1915  In Action

                                14th May 1915 3rd Monmouths on the move  What was left of the 3rd battalion Monmouthshire Regiment was moved to the village of Winnezeele in France for a period of rest and reorganisation.

                                14th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in Action  15th London Battery fired six rounds at ‘K’ works and seven rounds on communication house in Rue D’Ouvert, and at 0615 fired twenty three rounds at electric wire in ‘K’ works, after which at 0730, twenty two rounds were fired at the Rue Du Marais. Later in the evening, from 1730 to 1910, forty five rounds were fired at the Rue Du Marais and Rue D’Ouvert. Finally at 2150, 2230, 2310 and 2355 burst of four rounds were fired at the enemy's second line trenches. The 16th London Battery, fired one hundred and eighteen rounds during the day, of which one hundred and twelve rounds were fired at the north end of the Rue D’Ouvert.

                                14th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                14th May 1915  Relieved

                                14th May 1915  Report of Action

                                14th May 1915 Commission interview  Staff Sgt. Clenshaw 19th Field Ambulance was interviewed by the GOC 6th Division with regard to his application for a commission in the ASC.

                                14th May 1915  Into Billets

                                14th May 1915  Intense fighting

                                14th May 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                14th May 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                14th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                14th May 1915  In Reserve

                                14th May 1915  Heavy Rain

                                14th May 1915  On the March

                                14th May 1915  Training

                                14th May 1915  Hard Fighting

                                14th of May 1915  On the March

                                14th of May 1915  Thanks from Cavalry

                                14th of May 1915  149th to 4th Division

                                14th of May 1915  Working Parties

                                14th May 1915  Orders

                                14th May 1915  Instruction

                                14th May 1915  Working Parties

                                14th May 1915  Quieter

                                14th May 1915  Preparations

                                14th May 1915  On the Move

                                14th May 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                14th May 1915  Working Parties

                                14th May 1915 Divisional Reserve  At 11:30am Orders received from 50th Division placing 149th Brigade under the orders of the 4th Division. Brigade Major to report at 4th Division H.Q. for orders.

                                At 1.30pm In accordance with verbal instruction from 4th Division Battalions of the Brigade were attached as under G.Brigades of the 4th Division. 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers to the 11th Brigade. 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers to the 12th Brigade. 5th Border Reg. to the 10th Brigade. The 6th and 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers had proceeded during the preceding night to join their respective Brigades and orders for the move of the 5th Border Reg. would be issued later in the day also instructions as to the disposal of the remaining two Battalions (4th and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers ) of the Brigade.

                                At 5.40pm Orders received for movement of 5th Border Regt. One company to report at 1900 with machine gun section to R. Warwick Regt. in chateau grounds H2b. One Company to Argyll and Sutherland in Vlamertinghe. One company to Seaforth in B27A. Orders for more of remaining Companies would be sent next day.

                                At 5.50pm Orders issued personally to O.C. 5th Border Reg. as to above moves. Orders issued to 4th and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers to supply the following working parties to report at 8pm at level crossing in H11 centre where they would be met by guides. 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Party B 200 men with 180 shovels and 20 picks. 5th Battalion N.F. (Party A 150 men with 140 shovels and 10 picks. (Party C 50 men with 45 shovels.) Also at 5.50pm Orders received from 4th Division confirming verbal orders given to Brigade Major at 1.30pm and placing the 4th and 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in Divisional reserve under Brigadier General Feilding D.S.O.

                                At 7pm Orders were issued in accordance with above.

                                14th May 1915  Orders

                                14th May 1915  Reliefs

                                14th May 1915  A Difficult March

                                14th May 1915  In the Line

                                14th May 1915  Orders

                                14th May 1915  On the March

                                14th May 1915  Heavy Rain

                                14th of May 1915 

                                14th May 1915  Route March

                                14th May 1915  Demonstration

                                14th of May 1915  Quiet and Normal

                                14th May 1915  New Redoubt

                                14th May 1915  Artillery in Action

                                14th May 1915  On the Move

                                14th May 1915  Artillery bombardments

                                14th May 1915  Rounds Fired

                                14th May 1915  Awards

                                14th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                Daily Mail 14th May 1915  Need for shells

                                15th May 1915 Anti-German mob in Nottingham  "The anti-German feeling that has been in existence in Nottingham since the sinking of the Lusitania broke out in earnest on Saturday night 15th of May, when for nearly four hours pandemonium reigned supreme in one part of Sneinton, and a similar disturbance of shorter duration was witnessed in Alfreton Road.

                                The trouble at Sneinton commenced shortly after nine o'clock outside Mr. H. Wagner's pork butcher's shop in Hockley. An epithet was shouted in a woman's voice at the proprietor. Then a male voice was heard, and the customers, evidently alarmed, made a hasty retreat from the shop. Within a few minutes a crowd of about 20 or 30 people gathered and, following a series of threats and accusations, a woman's shoe was thrown against the window.

                                Mr. Wagner promptly closed the shop and closed the blind. The crowd, however, increased in number, and three police officers who had come upon the scene obviously saw they could not deal with the now ever increasing concourse of people. Presently Inspector Cooper and about a dozen more officers arrived. The crowd was separated in front of the shop, one half being dispersed towards Sneinton and the other half towards the city.

                                They returned, however, a few moments later, one section lustily singing, "It's a long way to Tipperary," and the other, "They can't beat the boys of the bulldog breed." Cries from a group of women, "He's a German spy," "Down with the Germans," and "Who threw the gas bombs?" Some horse-play by a number of youths were elements that gradually produced a storm-scene, culminating with a brick being tossed over the heads of people on the footpath on the opposite side of the road. The next missile crashed through the window. From then there was a perfect fusillade of stones, bricks, and bottles which rattled against the window-frame and pavement. Again, there were cheers and singing. The glass panels in the doors received attention in turn, and shivering glass falling on the anti-blind told that the windows on the second floor had met with a similar fate.

                                The police, now slightly reinforced, dealt with an unwieldy crowd of many hundreds of people most tactfully. Good humour took the place of force and eventually the people were moved back a considerable distance. It was nearly midnight, however, before the mass of people began to disperse. In the meantime, Mr. Frederick Hoffman's shop had been damaged. At midnight there were boisterous scenes in Carlton Road, and between twelve and one o'clock another bang was evidence of the fact that Mr. Arthur Wagner's shop window had been broken.

                                Early yesterday morning [Sunday, 16th May] the damaged window of the Wagner's, who are brothers, were boarded up. A canary in a cage, hanging just inside the shattered frame in the apartment above the Hockley shop, survived the bombardment, and it was yesterday the object of pity of many hundreds of people who visited the scene. [How British to sympathise with an animal rather more than a human being!]

                                During Saturday night a woman and a boy were arrested by the police in connection with the affair, but both were subsequently liberated.

                                Mr. George Wagner told a representative of the "News" that the damage at his shop amounted to about £10. "I have lived in Nottingham," he said, "42 years and I never thought that the people would have done this sort of thing. A lot of lies have been told about me, but those who know me know what I think of the Kaiser and Germany. I have been a naturalised Englishman over 14 years.

                                "The demonstrations in Alfreton Road outside Mr. Frederick Farber's shop was speedily ended by the shop being closed.

                                Shortly after one o'clock yesterday morning [16th May] a brick was thrown through the window of Berthold Dorer's furniture shop in Manvers Street. An irresponsible section of the community continued the devastation last night. Another attack was made on Mr. Hoffman's shop in Sneinton Street, just after 10 o'clock. Two bricks were thrown, one of which sufficed to shatter a large window. The mob then marched up Sneinton Road, and reaching Mr. Hoffman's private residence, pelted with stones four windows overlooking the Parish Church. Practically, only the frames remained intact. Returning down Sneinton Road, the crowd, apparently suspicious as to the nationality of a newsagent, and a youth hurled a missile at his window, doing considerable damage. The victim in this instance is declared to be an Englishman.

                                Mr. Frederick Hoffman, it may be mentioned, was born in England, and married an English lady, a native of Nottingham in fact. His father, whom he succeeded in business, came to England when a young child, while his grandfather fought under the British flag at Waterloo. In respect to Mr. G. Wagner it may also be said that his son's wife, an English girl, has two brothers fighting with the British Army in France.

                                An attempt at a late hour last night at demonstration in the vicinity of Mr. F. Denner's shop in Union Road was frustrated by the police" Only a few of those involved were brought before the courts. The story was reported in the local press but the punishment hardly fitted the crime, in monetary terms at least: The so-called "anti-German" agitation of last weekend was recalled at the Nottingham Guildhall today when three persons were fined for their participation in the scenes of Saturday and Sunday evening. In the first before Mr W. B. Baggaley and Mr. A. Eberlin, Muriel Parkinson, aged 30, an embroiderer of St. Ann's Well Road, was charged with throwing stones.

                                The incident occurred near the shop of Mr. G. Wagner in Hockley, where, according to a police officer, a crowd of 1,200 people had assembled. The officer said he saw defendant throw half a brick at Wagner's window, and further damage the glass which had already been broken - a fine of 5s. was imposed.

                                The second case concerned the shop of Mr. F. Hoffman in Sneinton Street, and defendants were Gilbert Norman (16), a rag-gatherer, of Gough Street, and Albert English (18), a porter of Knotted Alley. Defendants were seen throwing stones at Hoffman's window. They were arrested and Norman said, "The window was broken before we threw." On the way to the police station he dropped half a brick out of his pocket. The damage amounted to between £10 and £12.

                                Hoffman said that he was an Englishman and was born in Sneinton. His father was an Englishman and his mother was a Nottingham woman. He had no connection whatever with Germany. Defendants were ordered to pay 10s. each.

                                15th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 16th London Battery fired two rounds at southern end of Rue D’Ouvert, thirty nine rounds from J.6 to ‘S’ Bend, twenty nine rounds at north end of Rue D’Ouvert and Rue Du Marais. Further fifty five rounds were fired over the same parts. Major R R Wansbrough (6th London Ammunition Col) appointed to command 47th Division Ammunition Column. Capt P A Love (15th London Battery appointed to command 6th London Column).

                                15th May 1915   The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.

                                15th May 1915  Congratulated

                                15th May 1915 New pattern respirators arrive  Received from HQ 19th Infantry Brigade 125 new pattern (cotton waste in gauze) Respirators for 19th Field Ambulance.

                                DDMS* 3rd Corps visited the Field Ambulance this morning re Lt. Gibbons

                                *Deputy Director Medical Services

                                15th May 1915  Fighting continues

                                15th May 1915  Two Interesting letters

                                15th May 1915  First Night attack

                                15th May 1915  The Battle of Festubert

                                15th May 1915  Night attack

                                15th May 1915  In Billets

                                15th May 1915  Relieved

                                15th May 1915  In Reserve

                                15th May 1915  Digging

                                15th May 1915  Change of Billets

                                15th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                15th of May 1915  Working Parties

                                15th of May 1915  Cyclists into Huts

                                15th of May 1915  Manning working parties

                                15th of May 1915  Concentration west of Ypres

                                15th of May 1915  Report

                                15th of May 1915  Trenches Poor

                                15th May 1915  Cricket Match

                                15th May 1915  On the March

                                15th May 1915  Orders

                                15th May 1915  On the March

                                15th May 1915  Shelling

                                15th May 1915  Quiet

                                15th May 1915  Assault Made

                                15th May 1915  At Rest

                                15th May 1915  Quiet

                                15th May 1915  Shelling

                                15th May 1915  Working Parties

                                15th May 1915 Orders  At 12.35 pm Orders received by 149th Inf Brigade from 10th Inf Brigade for the remaining company of the 5th Border Regiment to proceed to Royal Irish Fusiliers Transport at B26c and report at 6pm.

                                At 12.45pm Orders issued in accordance with above. The company left their huts at 4.30pm.

                                At 3pm Orders received for the 4th and 5th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers to move from huts they are at present occupying to bivouac in H2g - HQ to Hopital Farm. At 3.45pm Orders issued in accordance with above and 4th Batt. moved off at 4.55 followed by 5th Btn and arrived in bivouac at 6pm.

                                At 3.50pm Orders received for two working parties of 200 men each to be furnished by the brigade to parade at 8pm at the entrance to Vlamertinghe Chateau. At 4pm 4th and 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were ordered to find these parties.

                                15th May 1915  In Billets

                                15th May 1915  Orders

                                15th May 1915  Instruction

                                15th May 1915  In Reserve

                                15th May 1915  Attack Made

                                15th May 1915  Breastworks

                                15th of May 1915  East of Vermelles

                                15th May 1915  Training

                                15th May 1915  Relief

                                15th of May 1915  German Mining?

                                15th May 1915  Concentration

                                15th May 1915  Orders

                                15th May 1915  Report

                                15th May 1915  Orders

                                15th May 1915  Saxons occupied the trench opposite

                                15th May 1915  Reliefs

                                15th May 1915  Reinforcements

                                15th May 1915  Good Food

                                15th May 1915  Artillery bombardments

                                15th May 1915  On the Move

                                15th May 1915  Reliefs

                                15th May 1915  In Reserve

                                May 1915  Damage

                                16th May 1915  Zeppelin Raid

                                16th May 1915 2/6th Manchesters at Crowborough  Then men of the 2/6th Manchesters moved overnight from Southport to Crowborough Camp in Sussex for final training.

                                16th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   6th County of London Brigade RFA report: Today an attempt was made, on similar lines to those adopted last Sunday, to break through the enemy's line. Considerable ground was gained and the success achieved today gave the foundation to several more successful attacks carried out during the week. The Brigade formed part of Barter Force.

                                16th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery on the march  9th Heavy Battery march out of Helfaut at midday on the 16th of May, and thence march to Pont de Nieppe

                                16th May 1915  Resting

                                16th May 1915 Hypos arrive  Received from 6th Divisional Train 16 lbs Hypos for mask solution. Lt.Gibbons detailed to proceed to Bailleul to be interviewed by DDMS* 3 corps

                                *Deputy Director Medical Services

                                16th May 1915 Heavy losses for 4th Black Watch  1/4th Black Watch were moving from Neuve Chapelle towards Festubert, when they suffered many casualties at Rue du Bois, most were buried in mass grave and commemorated at Le Touret.

                                16th May 1915  1st South Staffs in action

                                16th May 1915  Chip potatoes for dinner

                                16th May 1915  A lovely charge

                                16th May 1915  1st Welsh Fusiliers in Action

                                16th May 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                16th May 1915  Church Parade

                                16th May 1915  Gun Retreived

                                16th May 1915  Attack made

                                16th May 1915  Working Party

                                16th May 1915  Digging

                                16th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                16th of May 1915  Attack Made

                                16th of May 1915  Orders received

                                16th of May 1915  GOC makes visits

                                16th of May 1915  Digging parties

                                16th of May 1915  Troops assigned to Cavalry Corps

                                16th of May 1915  Divisiional assignments

                                16th of May 1915  Cav. Corps strengthened

                                16th of May 1915  Report

                                16th May 1915  Working Parties

                                16th May 1915  Shelling

                                16th May 1915  Reliefs

                                16th May 1915  Reliefs

                                16th May 1915  Snipers Active

                                16th May 1915  Working Parties

                                16th May 1915 Working Parties  149th Brigade HQ at Hospital Farm report:

                                At 3pm Orders received for working parties to be found as under: 200 men to work under Lt. Martel on French Switch line. 200 men to work on Divisional Second Line under Lt Bretherton R.E. At 4.25pm Orders issued to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find 1st party and 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find second party. Tools were supplied from Brigade HQ wagons.

                                Day passed uneventfully fine and warm, night rather chilly.

                                16th May 1915  On the March

                                16th May 1915  Attack Made

                                16th May 1915  Routine

                                16th May 1915  In Reserve

                                16th May 1915  On the March

                                16th May 1915  Supporting Fire

                                16th May 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                16th of May 1915 

                                16th May 1915  On the March

                                16th May 1915  In Billets

                                16th May 1915  Snipers Active

                                16th May 1915  Reorganisation

                                16th May 1915  Orders Issued

                                16th May 1915  Orders

                                16th May 1915   In Reserve

                                16th of May 1915 

                                16th May 1915  Enemy active with trench Mortars

                                16th May 1915  In Billets

                                16th May 1915  In huts

                                16th May 1915  Bad Food

                                16th May 1915  Fire Directed on Peckham Farm

                                16th May 1915  Intermediate Line

                                16th May 1915  On the March

                                16th May 1915  Messages

                                17th May 1915  Battle of Festubert

                                17th May 1915  in the Trenches

                                17th May 1915  On the Move

                                17th May 1915 Regimental water duties instruction  Course of instruction for water duties with a Regiment commenced today - three men per section detailed.

                                17th May 1915 In Support  1st Hertfords moved up in support of the 1st Irish Guards in trenches three quarters of a mile East of Rue L'Epinette.

                                17th May 1915  122 Brigade Inspected

                                17th May 1915  In Action

                                17th May 1915  Into Huts

                                17th May 1915  On the March

                                17th May 1915  On the Move

                                17th of May 1915  Under Cavalry Corps Command

                                17th of May 1915  Move of York Hussars

                                17th May 1915  Working Parties

                                17th May 1915  Wounded

                                17th May 1915  In Support

                                17th May 1915  In Support

                                17th May 1915  Wet Day

                                17th May 1915  Reliefs

                                17th May 1915  Working Parties

                                17th May 1915 Working Parties  1.15pm Orders received by 149th Brigade HQ at Hospital Farm from 4th Division for working parties to be found from the Brigade same as ordered for yesterday. At 1.45pm Orders issued to 4th and 5th Btn's Northumberland Fusiliers to find these parties.

                                6pm Instruction received from 4th Division that the 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers at present attached to 12th Brigade were to reform 149th Brigade on 19th inst and placing the area immediately surrounding Brigade HQ as bivouac for them. Arrangements for the move to be made between brigades concerned.

                                Day passed quietly with rain at intervals. Night heavy rain.

                                17th May 1915  On the March

                                17th May 1915  Assault

                                17th May 1915  Routine

                                17th May 1915  In Reserve

                                17th May 1915  On the March

                                17th May 1915  Orders Issued

                                17th of May 1915  Compny Reliefs

                                17th May 1915  On the March

                                17th May 1915  In Billets

                                17th of May 1915  Brisk Sniping

                                17th May 1915  On the March

                                17th May 1915  Flooding of trenches

                                17th May 1915  Orders

                                17th May 1915  X Rays

                                17th May 1915  Damaged Zeppelin Spotted

                                17th May 1915  The battle continued.

                                17th May 1915  In Reserve

                                18th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   The attack continued. 15th London Battery fired one hundred and forty rounds at ‘K’ works, J4, J2, J3 and Rue D’Ouvert between 1535 and midnight. 16th London Battery fired one hundred and thirty nine rounds at ‘S’ bend.

                                18th May 1915  Orders

                                18th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                18th May 1915  in the line

                                18th May 1915 New Hypo solution  All respirators are now being soaked in a new solution of Hypo (10lbs to the gallon) with soda carb and glycerine - Nip bottles filled with a similar solution.

                                Orders are received by 19th Field Ambulance from ADMS 6th Division, that all cases of Gun Shot wounds are to have a 'T' marked with indelible pencil on either wrist if anti-tetanus has been injected.

                                18th May 1915  Attack Made

                                18th May 1915  Under Attack

                                18th May 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                18th May 1915  In Camp

                                18th May 1915  On the March

                                18th May 1915  On the March

                                18th May 1915  Reinforcements

                                18th May 1915  On the Move

                                18th of May 1915  Artillery assigned

                                18th of May 1915  Battalion placements

                                18th of May 1915  Mounted troops added to Division

                                18th of May 1915  Appreciation

                                18th of May 1915  Letter

                                18th May 1915  Working Parties

                                18th May 1915  Instruction

                                18th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                18th May 1915  Reliefs

                                18th May 1915  Quiet

                                18th May 1915  Working Parties

                                18th May 1915 Orders  At 10am 12th Brigade asked by 149th Brigade to issue instructions to 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to move into bivouac at Hopital Ferme not later than 10am on 19th May. Fourth division informed.

                                2pm Orders received for working parties to be found by the Brigade as under: 200 men to parade at 7pn in their bivouacs to work under Lt Bretherton RE on Divisional Second line. 200 to parade in their bivouacs to work under Lt Martel RE on French switch line.

                                2.5pm Orders issued to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to find both these parties.

                                8pm Orders received from 4th Division that 4th or 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were to be attached to 12th Brigade for a period of trench work. Details of attachment to be made by Brigadiers concerned.

                                18th May 1915  In Billets

                                18th May 1915  Attacks Made

                                18th May 1915  Orders

                                18th May 1915  New Bivouac

                                18th May 1915  Orders Received

                                18th of May 1915  Use of Pack Animals

                                18th May 1915  Orders Received

                                18th May 1915  In Billets

                                18th of May 1915  Revenge Shelling

                                18th May 1915  Orders

                                18th May 1915  German Mortars again active

                                18th May 1915  Orders Received

                                18th May 1915  Tea

                                18th May 1915  In captured German trenches.

                                18th May 1915  In Reserve

                                19th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   Positions gained by Barter Force were consolidated. 15th London Battery fired sixteen rounds at J12, J27, D33 and twenty six rounds on the Rue D’Ouvert, followed later by four rounds on the same objective. 16th London Battery fired one round ranges per hour at ‘S’ Bend. At 1615 thirty four rounds were fired at ‘S’ Bend, and twenty two rounds were fired at a German working party.

                                19th May 1915  Battle of Festubert

                                19th May 1915 9th Heavy Battery in action  9th Heavy Battery go into action at Pont de Nieppe, the first round being fired by A Sub-section on the evening of the 19th May.

                                19th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                19th May 1915  entrenched

                                19th May 1915 Arrival of Lt. Macleod    Lt. Macleod, MO 9th Scottish Rifles arrived from 9th Division for instruction till 22nd inst. He proceeded with Capt. Browne today to see Advanced Post and Regimental Aid Posts, and in evening proceeded with Lt. Hampson to see the procedure of collecting sick and wounded at night.

                                19th May 1915  Heavy Casualties

                                19th May 1915  Quiet

                                19th May 1915  Mining the Trenches.

                                19th May 1915  On the Move

                                19th May 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                19th May 1915  13th Londons leave Division

                                19th May 1915  New CO

                                19th May 1915  Working Parties

                                19th May 1915  In Huts

                                19th May 1915  Concert

                                19th May 1915  Route March

                                19th May 1915  On the Move

                                19th of May 1915  Close Fighting

                                19th of May 1915  Artillery movements

                                19th May 1915  Working Parties and Attachments

                                19th May 1915  Instruction

                                19th May 1915  Reliefs

                                19th May 1915  Orders

                                19th May 1915  Quiet

                                19th May 1915  Snipers

                                19th May 1915  Working Parties

                                19th May 1915 Working Parties and Attachments  At 9.10am 12th Brigade requested 149th Brigade to say when and where the 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers should report.

                                10am 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers arrived Hopital Ferme and bivouacked.

                                Fourth Division informed that 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers had been detailed for a period of attachment to 12th Brigade.

                                Brigadier General Feilding DSO granted four days leave of absence to proceed to England. At 12.30pm Brigadier General Feilding left HQ for England. Command of the Brigade devolved to Col. A.H. Coles CMG DSO 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                2pm Orders for following working parties received: 200 men to parade at their bivouacs at 7pm to work under Lt Bretherton RE on Divisional second line. 200 men to parade at their bivouacs at 8.30pm to work under Lt Green RE on French Switch line. At 2.15pm Orders issued to 7th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish first party and to 4th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish second party.

                                At 3pm Instructions received from 12th Brigade that 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers were to be attached as under. Companies to report at 11.30am. 20th inst:

                                1 Coy signals MO 2nd Essex Regiment HQ road in A21 a995.

                                1 Coy 1st Kings Own HQ South of road A23 G22

                                1 Coy 1 machine gun 1st/2nd Monmouths HQ Vlamertinghe Church

                                1 company 1 machine gun 2nd Royal Irish HQ A16 Central

                                HQ to 1/2nd Monmouths

                                3.15pm Orders issued to 5th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers in accordance with above instructions and 4th Division informed.

                                At 5.30pm Instruction received by Fourth Division that a relief of 11th Brigade by 12th Brigade the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers attached to the former should return to the brigade and go to the dugout in B27 or to Hopital Ferme as GOC 149th may direct.

                                19th May 1915  Reinforcements

                                19th May 1915  In Billets

                                19th May 1915  Reliefs

                                19th May 1915  On the Move

                                19th May 1915  Change of Duty

                                19th May 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of May 1915  C.T.53

                                19th May 1915  Transport

                                19th May 1915  Instruction

                                19th May 1915  In Billets

                                19th of May 1915  Quiet Night

                                19th May 1915   Reliefs

                                19th May 1915  Decision

                                19th May 1915  Report

                                19th May 1915  Sea Front

                                19th May 1915  Brigade Order

                                19th May 1915  In Reserve

                                20th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   6th County of London Brigade RFA report: 15th London Battery fired thirty six rounds at registering gaps on K.5. 16th London Battery did not fire. The attack was continued.

                                20th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   Secret 47th Div Artillery Instructions 20th May 1915

                                (1) The following received from 47th Div. The offensive of the First Army is to be continued towards La Bassee. Alderson's force is to secure localities L.11 - L.12 - L.9 and group of houses P.13 - P.14 - P.15 - P.16. Indian Corps is to secure localities Q.15 - Q.16 - R.8. Troops of the 47th Div. holding the line will use every means by day and night to harass the enemy continually. All avenues of approach to the enemy's forward positions are to be kept under shrapnel fire by day and night especially between dusk and 2200.

                                (2) 47th Div. Arty. will deal with communication trench K.13 - J.21 Charelle St Roche and cross roads Charelle St Roche in particular.

                                (3) In continuation of above, the 3rd Canadian Inf. Bde. will tonight secure localities L.12 and L.11 with two companies. The assault will take place at 1945 proceeded by a heavy bombardment of 9.2" guns from 1800 to 1900 and from guns of the Canadian Div. Arty. from 1600 to 1945. At the same hour a small party of the Canadian Inf. Bde. will attack points --.9 and --.12, These points will have been similarly submitted to an Artillery. bombardment

                                (4) All ground gained will be consolidated and joined up.

                                (5) The 2nd Canadian Inf. Bde. with two companies will secure K.5 at 1945. A heavy bombardment of K.5 and surrounding trenches will be carried out by 9.2" guns from 1800 to 1900 and by heavy and field guns of the Canadian Div. Arty. from 1600 to 1945. After 1945 the 9.2" guns will fire at L.8.

                                (6) As soon as K5 is secured the trenches towards J.1 and L.8 will be secured as far as possible by bombing outwards. All ground gained will be consolidated and joined up.

                                (7) 2nd Div. will keep up a slow continuous bombardment throughout the night on P.15 to P.16 and Rue Du Marais.

                                (8) The heavy gun group will bombard through the night K.13 and Charelle St Roche.

                                (9) All avenues of approach to enemy's forward positions are to be kept under shrapnel fire by day and night and particularly between dusk and 2200.

                                (10) 47th Div. Arty. will deal with communication trench K.13 - J.21 Charelle St Roche and cross roads Charelle St Roche in particular

                                (11) No infantry fire will be directed north of the line J.3 - L.13

                                (12) All troops will be in a state of constant readiness except the Div. Reserve, 7th Div., Mounted Troops and 7th London Regiment.

                                (13) Horses will not be saddled.

                                Signed D.S. Sherlock Bde. Major 47th Div. Arty.

                                20th May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                20th May 1915  14th Heavy Battery proceed to France  14th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                                20th May 1915  entrenched

                                20th May 1915 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders arrive  Lt. Macleod proceeds to Gris Pot to be instructed in medical work in the trenches by Lt. Chandler.

                                10 Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders arrived in billets at Blue Blind Factory attached to 19th 1B till 22nd inst.

                                Hyposulphite of soda unobtainable at present. Some 50 Respirators already soaked - awaiting hypo to continue.

                                20th May 1915  Into Billets

                                20th May 1915   On this day the Tyneside Irish Brigade, along with many other troops paraded on the Town Moore in Newcastle to be inspected by His Majesty the King, who was accompanied by Lord Kitchener,

                                20th May 1915  122nd Brigade inspected

                                20th May 1915  An Adventure

                                20th May 1915  11th Royal Scots under Instruction

                                20th May 1915  Working Parties

                                20th May 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                20th May 1915  13th Londons on the March

                                20th May 1915  New Fellows in the Company

                                20th May 1915  Working Parties

                                20th May 1915  Working Parties

                                20th May 1915  Into the Trenches

                                20th May 1915  Into the Trenches

                                20th May 1915  On the Move

                                20th of May 1915  Movement orders

                                20th of May 1915  Troop Distribution

                                20th May 1915  Working Parties and Reorganisation

                                20th May 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                20th May 1915  Reliefs

                                20th May 1915  On the March

                                20th May 1915  At Rest

                                20th May 1915  Quiet

                                20th May 1915  Shelling

                                20th May 1915  On the March

                                20th May 1915  In Support

                                20th May 1915  In Billets

                                20th May 1915  Recce

                                20th May 1915  On the Move

                                20th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                20th May 1915  Relief Complete

                                20th May 1915  Advance Party

                                20th of May 1915  Water Crates

                                20th May 1915  On the Move

                                20th May 1915  Instruction

                                20th May 1915  Working Party

                                20th of May 1915  Gun Destroys Sap

                                20th May 1915  Respirators

                                20th May 1915  Instruction

                                20th May 1915  On the Move

                                20th May 1915  Reliefs

                                20th May 1915  Reliefs

                                20th May 1915  In Town

                                20th May 1915  Practice with Incendiary Shells

                                20th May 1915  Resting and checking rolls.

                                20th May 1915  In Action

                                20th May 1915  Reorganisation

                                20th May 1915  Working Parties

                                21st May 1915 4th Scots Fusiliers embark  The 4th Scots Fusiliers sailed from Liverpool for Gallipoli, via Mudros with 155th Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) Division.

                                21st May 1915 Battle of Festubert   6th County of London Brigade RFA report: 15th London Battery fired nineteen rounds on gaps in K.5, six rounds on J.3 and two rounds on Dogwheel House. 16th London Battery did not fire. Lieut G Lyon-Smith was wounded in the arm whilst observing from the British Front Line trenches and proceeded to England.

                                21st May 1915  back in billets

                                21st May 1915 53rd RFA arrives  Lt. Macleod taken around trenches of 1/Cameronians by Lt. Robertson for instruction, also to 5/Scottish Rifles by Lt. Clark.

                                53 Btn Royal Field Artillery (9 Div) arrived in 19 1B area.

                                21st May 1915 3rd Monmouths rest at Winnezeele  On the 21st May during the 3rd Monmouth battalions rest period at Winnezeele the GOC in C Sir John French, inspected the brigade and made the following speech, with which this chapter on the 3rd Monmouth's time in Ypres may fittingly close.

                                "I came over to say a few words to you and to tell you how much I, as Commander-in-Chief of this Army, appreciate the splendid work that you have all done during the recent fighting. You have fought the Second Battle of Ypres, which will rank amongst the most desperate and hardest fights of the war. You may have thought because you were not attacking the enemy, that you were not helping to shorten the War. On the contrary, by your splendid endurance and bravery you have done a great deal to shorten it. In this the Second Battle of Ypres, the Germans tried by every means in their power to get possession of that unfortunate town. They concentrated large forces of troops and artillery, and further than this, they had recourse to the mean and dastardly practice, and hitherto unheard of in civilised warfare, namely the use of asphyxiating gases. You have performed the most difficult, arduous, and terrific task of withstanding a stupendous bombardment by heavy artillery, probably the fiercest artillery fire ever directed against troops, and warded off the enemy's attacks with magnificent bravery. By your steadiness and devotion both the German plans were frustrated. He was unable to get possession of Ypres-if he had done this, he would probably have succeeded in preventing neutral powers from intervening-and he was also unable to distract us from delivering our attack in conjunction with the French in the Arras-Armentieres district. Had you failed to repulse his attacks and made it necessary for more troops to be sent to your assistance, our operations in the south might not have been able to take place and would certainly not have been as successful as they have been. Your colours have many famous names emblazoned on them, but none will be more famous or more well deserved than that of the Second Battle of Ypres . I want you one and all to understand how thoroughly I realise and appreciate what you have done. I with to thank you, each officer, non-commissioned officer, and man for the services you have rendered by doing your duty so magnificently, and I am sure that your Country will thank you too".

                                To act as a counterweight to the grandeur of French's speech the content of the following letter should be Ypres on the troops concerned. Captain O.W.D. Steel, then commanding C Company, 3rd Monmouths, who had suffered so badly during the fighting on Frezenberg Ridge, wrote the letter, published on 21st May 1915. It runs: "I would be obliged if you would insert this short note in the next edition of your newspaper. It is almost impossible to write to the relative of every man of my company who have suffered, partly because the losses have been so severe, and partly because it is difficult to trace all cases, but if anyone would care to write to me, I will endeavour to supply all available information. May I express my deepest sympathy with all those who have suffered" .

                                This was the human effect of the war and of the Second Battle of Ypres and it was something that was to be felt well into the summer of 1915 as casualty lists continued to be published. Second Ypres had been a costly and grim battle for all those involved.

                                21st May 1915  9th DLI go upto the Front

                                21st May 1915  On the Move

                                21st May 1915  Difficult Work

                                21st May 1915  Night Patrols

                                21st May 1915  Into the Trenches

                                21st May 1915  Moving Up

                                21st May 1915  On the Move

                                21st May 1915  Trench Work

                                21st of May 1915  Relief Complete

                                21st of May 1915  Cavalry Corp take command

                                21st of May 1915  Awards

                                21st May 1915  In the Trenches

                                21st May 1915  Working Parties

                                21st May 1915  In the Trenches

                                21st May 1915  Baths

                                21st May 1915  Inspection

                                21st May 1915  Quiet Day

                                21st May 1915  Reliefs

                                21st May 1915  In Camp

                                21st May 1915 Working Parties  At 1.25pm. Instructions received by 149 Brigade Hq at Hospital Ferme for working parties to be found as under:

                                • Party A: 200 men to parade at 8pm in their bivouacs for work on French switch line under Lt Green RE.
                                • Party B: 100 men to parade at 8pm in their bivouacs for work on Divisional second line under Lt Martel RE
                                • Party C: 200 men to parade at 7pm in their bivouacs for work on Divisional second line under Lt Brotherton RE.

                                2.30pm. Orders issued to 4th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers to furnish Parties A & B and to 7th Bn to furnish Party C.

                                Instruction received from 50th Division for the formation of a Brigade Grenadier School. 4th Division asked whether it would be possible to send 1 officer and 2 NCO's to Division support line.

                                21st May 1915  Working Parties

                                21st May 1915  Route March

                                21st May 1915  Working Parties

                                21st May 1915  In Billets

                                21st May 1915  Move

                                21st May 1915  Trench Work

                                21st May 1915  Instruction

                                21st May 1915  The Excitement of the Fight

                                21st May 1915  Football

                                21st May 1915  On the Move

                                21st May 1915  Instruction

                                21st May 1915  Isolation

                                21st of May 1915   Mining

                                21st May 1915  Instruction

                                21st May 1915  In billets.

                                21st May 1915  In Town

                                21st May 1915  Back to Bethune.

                                21st May 1915  On the Move

                                21st May 1915  On the Move

                                21st May 1915  Baths

                                22nd May 1915 Battle of Festubert   15th London Battery fired eighteen rounds on J.1, J.2, J.3 and eighteen rounds on Dogwheel House. 16th London Battery fired two rounds every hour at J.6, J.7 and ‘S’ Bend. Subsequently one hundred and forty rounds were fired at the ‘S’ Bend. 17th London Battery fired twelve rounds in reply to a small bombardment in the direction of Givenchy.

                                A gunner of the 15th London Battery was killed this day the first man killed in the Brigade.(The Gunner killed was J.A. Whiting number 568 who is buried at Brown Military Cemetery, Festubert. Later mentioned in the New Year's Honours list on 1st January 1916)

                                22nd May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium.

                                22nd May 1915 Rail disaster at Quintinshill  The worst rail disaster in British history occurred on the 22nd of May 1915 when three trains were involved in a collision outside the Quintinshill signal box near Gretna Green, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Over 200 people died, most being soldiers from the 1/7th Battalion, Royal Scots who were travelling from Larbert to Liverpool to embark for Gallipoli.

                                The first train hit a stationary train waiting on a passing loop, due to several signalmen forgetting the train was there waiting. A minute after the first train hit a second train, a northbound express sleeper train, struck the wreckage on the tracks, igniting gas lighting system in the troop train. The fire engulfed five trains, killing 215 soldiers, nine passengers and three railway employees. There were four other victims, that many thought were children, but they could not be identified due to the burns. The last survivor of the wreck, Michael Simkins, told The Guardian in 2001 that an officer went about the scene shooting men trapped in the burning wreckage. 'That was true. I saw that. He was a Scottish gentleman, eventually a millionaire. But he had to ... And there were one or two other survivors who made themselves scarce'.

                                Many of those injured were taken to Carlisle, and were treated at the Carlisle Infirmary, Murrell Hill House, Fusehill, and Chadwick Hospitals.

                                Of the 500 soldiers of the 7th Battalion, Royal Scots, only 58 men were present for roll call that afternoon, along with seven officers. In total, 226 people died and 246 were injured. The soldiers were buried in a mass grave in Edinburgh's Rosebank cemetery. The surviving men of the Royal Scots went by train to Liverpool, but on arrival there they were medically examined: all the enlisted men and one officer were declared unfit for service overseas and were returned to Edinburgh. It was reported in the Edinburgh Weekly that on their march from the port to the railway station the survivors were mistaken for prisoners of war and children threw rocks at them.

                                "Few Leith Residents are likely soon to forget the anxious whisperings of that Spring afternoon, and the wave of dismay that later swept over the Burgh when it became known that the local Battalion on its way to the Front, had been involved in an appalling railway collision at Quentin's Hill Junction near Gretna. The next morning and afternoon brought further particulars of the disaster to the first train in which 3 Officers, 29 N.C.O's and 182 men lost their lives, and as many more had sustained injuries." Lt.Col. W. Carmichael Peebles, D.S.O in the Battalion History, 1/7th Battalion, the Royal Scots.

                                22nd May 1915  resting

                                22nd May 1915 21st Division return to Halton Park  21st Division returned to the huts at Halton Park in April and May 1915 having spent the winter in billets. 10th Battalion Green Howards returned to the camp on the 22nd of May.

                                22nd May 1915 9th Scottish Rifles march in  Lt. Macleod rejoins his Regiment 9/Scottish Rifles, which marched in today to work in 19th Infantry Brigade area. Billeted in Blue Blind Factory.

                                22nd May 1915  In Billets

                                22nd May 1915 The Amalgamated Monmouthshire Battalions   After the heavy casualties of the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the three Monmouthshire Battalions barely mustered the strength of one Battalion; on May 22nd orders were received for the remains of the three battalions to amalgamate under the command of Major WS Bridge.

                                22nd May 1915  Bravery in the Trenches

                                2nd May 1915  Letter home

                                22nd May 1915  18 DLI join 93rd Brigade

                                22nd May 1915  Account of Turkish Attack

                                22nd May 1915  Composite to be formed

                                22nd May 1915  Suspicious Noises

                                22nd May 1915  Hoping for Volunteers

                                22nd May 1915  Digging Saps

                                22nd May 1915  An Exchange of Grenades

                                22nd May 1915  In the Line

                                22nd May 1915  On the March

                                22nd May 1915  Reinforcements

                                22nd May 1915  In Action

                                22nd May 1915 

                                22nd May 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd of May 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd May 1915  Excellent Work

                                22nd May 1915  Sports

                                22nd May 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                22nd May 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd May 1915  Address

                                22nd May 1915  Reorganisation

                                22nd May 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd May 1915  In Billets

                                22nd May 1915  At Rest

                                22nd May 1915  In Support

                                22nd May 1915  Instruction

                                22nd May 1915  Orders

                                22nd May 1915  In the Trenches

                                22nd May 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd May 1915  On the Move

                                22nd of June 1915  Commissions

                                22nd May 1915  Boots

                                22nd of May 1915  All Quiet

                                22nd May 1915  Company training

                                22nd May 1915  Draft

                                22nd May 1915  In Town

                                22nd May 1915  Fear of Bombardment.

                                22nd May 1915  Rest Camp

                                22nd May 1915  In Billets

                                23rd May 1915 Italy declares war  Italy declares war on Germany and Austria

                                23rd May 1915 3rd Monmouths on the move  The 3rd Mons left Winnezeele and joined the 1st Mons that night in bivouacs in the Vlamertinghe Woods.

                                23rd May 1915 Battle of Festubert    15th London Battery fired twenty four rounds on J.13 and four rounds on J.12. 16th London Battery fired twenty nine rounds on ‘S’ Bend, J.6 and J.7.

                                23rd May 1915 The "Second Battle of Ypres". 1st Battalion fighting at Sanctuary Wood, Zillebeke, Belgium May 1915.  1st Royal Scots relieved and pulled out of Sanctuary Wood.

                                Between 12th April 1915 to 23rd of May 1915 the 1st Battalion Royal Scots lost 52 men in or around Sanctuary Wood, who have no known grave and are commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

                                23rd May 1915  in trenches

                                23rd May 1915 Lt. Millar arrives for instruction  Lt. G Millar Medical Officer of 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry joined 19th Field Ambulance, at Erquinghem-Lys, today for instruction. He proceeded with me to Advanced Post at Gris Pot to see position and proceeds tonight with Lt. Grellier to see procedure of collecting sick and wounded from Regimental Aid Posts. Visited 19 1B head quarters for conference on operation to take place tonight, which was postponed later for 24 hours.

                                23rd May 1915  6th Blackwatch in the trenches

                                23rd May 1915  2nd Seaforths in dugouts

                                23rd May 1915  Prisoners Taken

                                23rd May 1915  Queens Bays suffer losses

                                23rd May 1915  Church Parade

                                23rd May 1915  Into Bivouacs

                                23rd May 1915  Huge Holes

                                23rd May 1915  Withdrawn

                                23rd May 1915  Front Line Trenches

                                23rd May 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd May 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd May 1915  Training

                                23rd of May 1915  War Diary

                                23rd of May 1915  Zeppelin sighted

                                23rd of May 1915  Zeppelin being observed

                                23rd of May 1915  GOC visits

                                23rd May 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd May 1915  At Rest

                                23rd May 1915  Into Billets

                                23rd May 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd May 1915  Church Parade

                                23rd May 1915  Shelling

                                23rd May 1915  At Rest

                                23rd May 1915  At Rest

                                23rd May 1915  Instruction

                                23rd May 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd May 1915  Rescue

                                23rd May 1915  Some Shelling

                                23rd May 1915  Instruction

                                23rd May 1915  Delays

                                23rd of May 1915  New Trench

                                23rd May 1915  Church Parade

                                23rd of May 1915  Quiet Day

                                23rd May 1915  Instruction

                                23rd May 1915   In Reserve

                                23rd May 1915  Training

                                23rd May 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd May 1915  In Town

                                23rd May 1915  Swimming baths

                                23rd May 1915  An Arduous March

                                23rd May 1915  Church Parade

                                24th May 1915 Battle of Festubert   15th London Battery fired eighteen rounds on Rue D’Ouvert and ninety nine rounds on Dogwheel House. 16th London Battery fired eighty three rounds on J.3, and twenty eight rounds later at the same objective. 17th London Battery fired on objectives within their zone at irregular intervals.

                                24th May 1915 The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge  At 0245 on 24 May (Whit Monday), a ferocious German artillery bombardment slammed down on British V Corps front. The clamour of shells, machine-guns and rifle fire was accompanied by a simultaneous discharge of chlorine gas on almost the entire length of the Cameronians in reserve dugouts, the Bluff, Ypres, March 1915 British line. German infantry assaulted in its wake. Although the favourable wind had alerted the British trench garrison to the likelihood of a gas attack the proximity of the opposing trenches and speed of the enemy assault meant many defenders failed to don their respirators quickly enough and large numbers were overcome. But the British defence rallied and the attackers were repelled by small arms fire, except in the north, where Mouse Trap Farm was immediately overrun, and in the south where (by 1000) German infantry broke into the British line north and south of Bellewaarde Lake. The centre of the line between these gaps held fast all day.

                                Heroic efforts were made to retrieve the situation at Mouse Trap Farm before it was decided, that evening, to withdraw to a more defensible line. The German break-in around Bellewaarde Lake prompted the commitment of Corps reserve troops, but their arrival took time and the depleted front line battalions had to wait until the early evening before the weakened 84th Brigade was able to attack and turn the enemy out of Witte Poort Farm. Following the belated arrival of 80th Brigade a joint night counter-attack was made after 2300; this assault, in bright moonlight, was a disaster and both 84th and 80th Brigades suffered heavy casualties. In the early hours of the morning the battle quietened. The following day saw a reduction in shelling and no attempts by the Germans to renew the offensive.

                                24th May 1915  Into Port

                                24th May 1915  entrenched

                                1915-05-24  Trench Map

                                24th May 1915  Operational Report

                                24th May 1915  Operational Report

                                24th May 1915 Attack on Bridoux Road  Lt. Millar proceeded this morning to the Cameronians Aid Post - Bois Grenier to meet Lt. Robertson to be instructed in medical work in the trenches of that Regiment.

                                Lt. Ford proceeded also this morning to take over temporary medical charge of the Cameronians in relief of Lt. Robertson proceeding to England on leave on urgent affairs.

                                Attack made on the Bridoux Road by 148 Infantry Brigade at 8 p.m. Precautionary measures taken by this Field Ambulance "A" Bearers subdivision under Capt. Browne, Lt. Hampson and Sgt. Carter proceeded to Advanced Post at 7.15 pm. Sgt. Matthews, motor cyclist, proceeds also in order to keep up communication with this headquarters. The whole remained at Advanced Post all night and wounded would have been collected from dug-outs in communication trench.

                                24th May 1915  GOC praises conduct of 1st Bn Herts

                                24th May 1915 Bombardment of Ancona 1915   The Bombardment of Ancona was a naval engagement of the Adriatic Campaign of World War I between the navies of Italy and Austria-Hungary. Forces of the Imperial and Royal Navy attacked and bombarded military and civilian targets all across Ancona in central Italy and several other nearby islands and communities in response to Italy's declaration of war on Austria-Hungary. When Italy declared war against Austria-Hungary on 23 May 1915, the Austrian fleet was quick to react, the navy launched several attacks on the Marche region of Italy. That day, the destroyer SMS Dinara and torpedo boat TB 53T bombarded the port of Ancona. The destroyer SMS Lika, on a reconnaissance mission between Palagruža and Cape Gargano, shelled the semaphore and radio station at Vieste. Defending those waters at the time was the Italian destroyer Turbine. A small duel commenced with Lika coming out as the victor damaging the enemy destroyer. The next day on May 24, the majority of the Austrian fleet at Pula steamed for the Adriatic coast of Italy. This included the dreadnoughts SMS Viribus Unitis, Tegetthoff, SMS Prinz Eugen and eight pre-dreadnoughts. Other Austro-Hungarian ships were already in enemy waters or proceeding to the Ancona coast themselves. The fleet bombarded several of the Italian coastal cities and other targets in and around the Province of Ancona, especially damaging the city of Ancona. SMS Tegetthoff and the destroyer SMS Velebit shelled the Italian airship Città di Ferrara off Ancona. The pre-dreadnought SMS Radetzky and two torpedo boats bombarded Potenza Picena, then returned to Pula naval base. The pre-dreadnought SMS Zrínyi—along with two more torpedo boats—bombarded Senigallia, destroying a train and damaging a railway station and a bridge, before returning to Pula. The torpedo boat SMS TB 3 was unsuccessfully bombed by an Italian flying boat. Austrian light cruiser SMS Admiral Spaun bombarded the Italian signal station at Cretaccio Island, while SMS Sankt Georg—with two torpedo boats—shelled Rimini, damaging a freight train. The destroyer SMS Streiter attacked the signal station near Torre di Mileto. The light cruiser SMS Novara, a destroyer and two torpedo boats entered Corsini Channel and shelled an Italian torpedo boat station, another semaphore station and few batteries of coastal artillery. The light cruiser SMS Helgoland—supported by four destroyers—ran into the Italian destroyer Turbine, in a pitched battle south of Pelagosa. The destroyer SMS Tatra shelled the railway embankment near Manfredonia while the destroyer SMS Csepel shelled the Manfredonia railway station. Finally Austro-Hungarian flying boats dropped ordnance on Venice and seaplane hangars at Chiaravalle. Heavy damage was inflicted by the Austrian navy and 63 people, both Italian military and civilian personnel, died in Ancona alone. Austrian casualties were minimal if any. The war in the Adriatic Sea continued, culminating in a large British blockade to try stop the attacking Austro-Hungarian fleet. The "Otranto Barrage" would be raided by the Austro-Hungarians, several times throughout the war.

                                24th May 1915 Germans attack Ypres  On 24th May the Germans launched a fresh bombardment and infantry attack on Ypres and the Monmouths again found themselves in the front line, this time at the infamous "Hellfire Corner". This marked the last serious attempt of the enemy to push through in the 2nd Battle of Ypres. At about 8 p.m. a Highland Battalion relieved the Monmouthshire's.

                                24th May 1915  4th Northumberlands endure gas attack

                                24th May 1915  Gas

                                24th May 1915  9th Durhams suffer gas

                                24th May 1915  Gas attack

                                24th May 1915  7th Northumberlands in Action

                                24th May 1915  Inspection

                                24th May 1915  Gunfire at Ypres

                                24th May 1915  In Support

                                24th May 1915  Gas

                                24th May 1915  Reliefs

                                24th May 1915  Reliefs

                                24th of May 1915  German attack

                                24th of May 1915  Gas casualties

                                24th of May 1915  Heavy firing

                                24th of May 1915  Gas attack

                                24th of May 1915  Holding the line

                                24th of May 1915  Zeppelin in the air

                                24th of May 1915  Enemy occupy farm

                                24th of May 1915  Counter attack

                                24th of May 1915  15 pounder support

                                24th of May 1915  Attempts to force enemy out

                                24th of May 1915  Air reconnaissance

                                24th of May 1915  Into attack

                                24th of May 1915  GOC visit

                                24th of May 1915  Foreward movement

                                24th of May 1915  Brigade in position

                                24th of May 1915  Enemy breakthrough

                                24th of May 1915  On the Move

                                24th of May 1915  Brigade moves forward

                                24th of May 1915  Holding the line

                                24th of May 1915  Germans on the move

                                24th of May 1915  Zeppelin under observation

                                24th of May 1915  Zeppelin being followed

                                24th May 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                24th May 1915  On the Move

                                24th May 1915  Gas

                                24th May 1915  Orders

                                24th May 1915  Training

                                24th May 1915  Very Hot Day

                                24th May 1915  At Rest

                                24th May 1915  On the March

                                24th May 1915 On the Move  At 3:50am Orders received from 4th Division for the Brigade to be prepared to move at once if ordered. Enemy using gas.

                                03:55 4th 6th and 7th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, the other two Battalions of the Brigade being detached, were ordered to get ready to march at once.

                                04:10 Orders received from 4th Division to direct the three Battalions of the Brigade to march at once via Reigersburg Sq. H6B to Canal bank at No 2 Bridge. Commanding officers to ride on and report to G.O.C. 10th Brigade for orders.

                                04:15 Orders issued in accordance with above.

                                05:00 7th Battalion moved off via dug outs in B27d to Reigersburg and joined 4th Battalion there. 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers followed 7th Battalion and arrived 06:35.

                                06:35 4th Battalion received orders to move to canal bank.

                                06:45 message sent to 10th Brigade to say that both 6th and 7th Battalions had arrived at Reigersburg. Both Battalions remained in dug outs along the railway line H6B.

                                10:30 O.C. 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers received orders from 10th Brigade to proceed to Canal Bank.

                                13:30 O.C. 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers received orders from 10th Brigade to proceed to Canal Bank.

                                H.Q. remained at Reigersburg Chateau until 21:30 when they returned to Hopital Farm.

                                24th May 1915  Attack

                                24th May 1915  On the March

                                24th May 1915  In Billets

                                24th May 1915  Advance

                                24th May 1915  Inspection

                                24th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                24th May 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                24th May 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                24th May 1915  Instruction

                                24th May 1915  On the Move

                                24th May 1915  Blankets

                                24th of May 1915  Much Shelling at Night

                                24th May 1915  Instruction

                                24th May 1915  Gas

                                24th May 1915  Officers join

                                24th May 1915  Bank Holiday

                                24th May 1915  Quiet

                                24th May 1915  On the Move

                                24th May 1915  Usual Routine

                                25th May 1915 Leeds Pals leave Breary Banks  The 15th West Yorks, Leeds Pals left the training camp at Breary Banks, Colsterdale, bound for Egypt.

                                25th May 1915 End of Battle of Festuberg  6th County of London Brigade RFA report: So as to prevent the enemy from making a counter attack, the artillery of the Division were ordered to form a barrage of fire. The 15th London Battery fired continuously on J.10 and at 0315 caught enemy infantry coming out of their trench at J.3. At 0600 observation stations at Rue D’Ouvert were bombarded. Enemy working parties were engaged at K.6 and K.7. More enemy in Rue D’Ouvert and enemy at J.8 - J.10 registered. The 16th London Battery were responsible for J.7 - J.10, at which they fired one hundred and sixteen rounds. Eighty one rounds were fired at enemy observation stations at Charelle St Roche, followed by twenty eight rounds. 17th London Battery cut wire in several places and fired on an enemy working party.

                                25th May 1915  In camp

                                25th May 1915 Instruction at 1st Middlesex Regiment  Operation last night resulted in no casualties occurring in 19 IB. Reinforcements at Advanced Post returned at 8 am. Lt. Millar proceeded to trenches of 1/Middlesex Regiment for instruction by Lt. Soltau MO* of that Regiment.

                                * Medical Officer

                                25th May 1915  Hold at any Cost

                                25th May 1915  Burned or Poisoned

                                25th May 1915  Making trenches Safer.

                                25th May 1915  Under Attack

                                25th May 1915  Inspection & Presparations

                                25th May 1915  Glorious Day

                                25th May 1915  The Effects of Gas

                                25th May 1915  Working Party

                                25th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                25th May 1915  Quiet

                                25th May 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                25th May 1915  Ship Sunk

                                25th of May 1915  Into the Front Line

                                25th of May 1915  Ready to Attack

                                25th of May 1915  Into the Attack

                                25th of May 1915  Hold Up in the Advance

                                25th of May 1915  Heavy Counterattacks

                                25th of May 1915  Consolidating Captured Trench

                                25th of May 1915  Zeppelin in the area

                                25th of May 1915  Enemy digging in

                                25th of May 1915  HQ moved

                                25th of May 1915  149th report

                                25th of May 1915  Divisional Report Centre re-locates

                                25th of May 1915  Move to billets

                                25th of May 1915  Zeppelin Sighted

                                25th of May 1915  Air attack

                                25th of May 1915  Zeppelin signals

                                25th May 1915  In Support

                                25th May 1915  Shelling

                                25th May 1915  Under Fire

                                25th May 1915  Ready

                                25th May 1915  Training

                                25th May 1915  Quiet

                                25th May 1915  Reliefs

                                25th May 1915  Orders

                                25th May 1915  In Support

                                25th May 1915  In Billets

                                25th May 1915  Reliefs

                                25th May 1915  Attack Made

                                25th May 1915  Occasional Shelling

                                25th May 1915  Instruction

                                25th May 1915  On the March

                                25th May 1915  Training

                                25th of May 1915  A Fine Day

                                25th May 1915  Ship Lost

                                25th May 1915  Bombs

                                25th May 1915  Orders

                                25th May 1915  Late

                                25th May 1915  Few Rounds Fired

                                25th May 1915  Rifle Inspection

                                26th May 1915 Zeppelin Raid  Zeppelin LZ38 commanded by Erich Linnarz bombed Southend and Ipswich.

                                The first four raids by LZ38 killed six people and injured six, causing property damage estimated at £16,898. Twice Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) aircraft tried to intercept LZ 38 but on both occasions it was either able to outclimb the aircraft or was already at too great an altitude for the aircraft to intercept. The British fighter BE2 took about 50 minutes to climb to 10,000 ft (3,000 m).

                                26th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA with the same objective as yesterday, 15th London Battery fired four hundred and seventy eight rounds on J10, J12, J15, J19. The 16th London Battery fired four hundred and thirty six rounds on J5, J10 and ninety four rounds at J7, J10. The 17th London Battery fired seven rounds on enemy trenches near G8 at the request of infantry.

                                26th May 1915  Rest after Battle

                                26th May 1915 Case of Enteric Fever   Armourer Sgt. Marshall of Agyll & Sutherland Highlanders reported from Bailleul to be suffering from Enteric Fever. Investigations as to contacts and billets - no satisfactory information could be elicited; no trace of probable carriers.

                                Information that the 6th Division leaves this area this week received, being relieved by the 27th Division 19 IB remains in present situation.

                                Lt. Millar rejoined his Regiment this afternoon.

                                26th May 1915 19th Seige Bty RGA proceed to France  19th Siege Battery RGA leave Bristol for France.

                                26th May 1915  Gas attack

                                26th May 1915  In the Firing Line

                                24th May 1915  7th Northumberlands in Trenches

                                26th May 1915 

                                26th May 1915  Training & Presparations

                                26th May 1915  Into the Trenches

                                26th May 1915  Londons in Fierce Fighting

                                26th May 1915  Working Party Shelled

                                26th May 1915  In Bivouacs

                                26th May 1915  Enemy Shelling

                                26th May 1915  Under Fire

                                26th May 1915  On the March

                                26th of May 1915  Strengthening the Line

                                26th of May 1915  Under Attack

                                26th of May 1915  Situation Report 1

                                26th of May 1915  Hard Fighting

                                26th of May 1915  Digging in

                                26th of May 1915  Situation Report

                                26th of May 1915  Assistance Requested

                                26th of May 1915  Situation Report 3

                                26th May 1915  Under Heavy Fire

                                26th of May 1915  Holding Captured Trench

                                26th of May 1915  Reliefs

                                26th of May 1915  Situation Report 4

                                26th of May 1915  Shelling Contiues

                                26th of May 1915  Relief on the Way

                                26th of May 1915  24th London Regiment Relieved

                                26th of May 1915  Zeppelins heading for Dunkirk

                                26th of May 1915  No enemy sightings

                                26th of May 1915  Orders received

                                26th of May 1915  GOC visits Brigades

                                26th of May 1915  Enemy columns

                                26th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th May 1915  Awful Stuff

                                26th May 1915  Digging in

                                26th May 1915  Training

                                26th May 1915  Reliefs

                                26th May 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                26th May 1915  Reliefs

                                26th May 1915  Route March

                                26th May 1915  Orders

                                26th May 1915  Orders Recieved

                                26th May 1915  Hard Fighting

                                26th May 1915  Transfer

                                26th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th May 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                26th May 1915  On the March

                                26th May 1915  Great Coats

                                26th of May 1915  C.T. 53

                                26th of June 1915  Appointments

                                26th May 1915  Route March

                                26th of May 1915  Quiet Day, Quieter Night

                                26th May 1915  Orders

                                26th May 1915  Consolidation

                                26th May 1915  Confined

                                26th May 1915  German Snipers Active in Peckham Farm

                                26th May 1915  Inspection

                                26th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                27th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in action  15th and 16th London Batteries again formed a barrage, the former firing one hundred and seven rounds on J10 - J14. During the day, the observation stations of their Batteries at Le Platin were shelled in retaliation. New observation stations had to be found. A New shell type has been issued except to 17th London Battery and is considered a great improvement.

                                27th May 1915  Concern over gas

                                27th May 1915 HMS Majestic  

                                HMS Majestic

                                HMS Majestic. (1895 - 1921)

                                Majestic Class - pre-dreadnought Battleships.

                                The Majestic class was a class of pre-dreadnought battleships, built under the Spencer Programme (named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, John Poyntz Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer) of 8 December 1893, that sought to counter the growing naval strength of France and the Russian Empire. With nine units commissioned, they were the largest class of battleships in history in terms of the number of member ships. This class was designed by Sir William White.

                                • Ships in Majestic Class
                                • Caesar
                                • Hannibal
                                • Illustrious
                                • Jupiter
                                • Magnificent
                                • Majestic
                                • Mars
                                • Prince George
                                • Victorious

                                When the lead ship, Majestic, was launched in 1895, at 421 ft (128 m) long and with a full-load displacement of 16,000 tons, she was the largest battleship ever built at the time. The Majestics were considered good seaboats with an easy roll and good steamers, although they suffered from high fuel consumption. They began life as coal-burners, but HMS Mars in 1905,1906 became the first battleship converted to oil-burning, and the rest were similarly converted by 1907,1908. The class was the last to have side-by-side funnels, with successor battleship classes having funnels in a line.

                                Except for Caesar, Hannibal, and Illustrious, they had a new design in which the bridge was mounted around the base of the foremast behind the conning tower to prevent a battle-damaged bridge from collapsing around the tower. Although the earlier ships had pear-shaped barbettes and fixed loading positions for the main guns, Caesar and Illustrious had circular barbettes and all-around loading for their main guns, which established the pattern for future classes.

                                Although Harvey armour had been used on battleship HMS Renown of the Centurion class, in the Majestics it was used in an entire class of British battleships for the first time. It allowed equal protection with less cost in weight compared to previous types of armour, allowing the Majestic class to have a deeper and lighter belt than previous battleships without any loss in protection.

                                The Majestics were given a new gun, the 46-ton BL 12 inch (305 mm) Mk VIII /35 gun. They were the first new British battleships to mount a 12 inch main battery since the 1880s. The new gun was a significant improvement on the 13.5 inch (343 mm) gun which had been fitted on the Admiral and Royal Sovereign classes that preceded the Majestics and was lighter. This saving in weight allowed the Majestic class to carry a secondary battery of twelve 6 inch (152 mm) 40-calibre guns, a larger secondary armament than in previous classes.

                                The Majestics were to be a benchmark for successor pre-dreadnoughts. While the preceding Royal Sovereign-class battleships had revolutionized and stabilised British battleship design by introducing the high-freeboard battleship with four main-battery guns in twin mountings in barbettes fore and aft, it was the Majestics that settled on the 12 inch (305 mm) main battery and began the practice of mounting armoured gunhouses over the barbettes; these gunhouses, although very different from the old-style, heavy, circular gun turrets that preceded them, would themselves become known as "turrets" and became the standard on warships worldwide.

                                More directly, the Majestic design itself also was adapted by the Imperial Japanese Navy for its own Shikishima-class pre-dreadnoughts,[6] as well as Mikasa, which was largely based on the Shikishimas.

                                World War 1 Service

                                HMS Majestic served in the Channel Fleet and Atlantic Fleet 1895,1907, then in the Home Fleet 1907,1914. Her early World War I service was in the Channel Fleet August,November 1914, as a guard ship on the British coast November,December 1914, and in the Dover Patrol December 1914, February 1915; during the latter service she bombarded German positions in Belgium. She served in the Dardanelles Campaign February,May 1915, seeing much service in action against Ottoman Turkish forts and shore batteries before being sunk on 27 May 1915 by the German submarine U-21 while stationed off Cape Helles with the loss of 40 of her crew.

                                27th May 1915 2nd Monmouths amalganate  The 2nd Monmouth's joined the amalgamated Battalion on May 27th and the official amalgamation of the battalions took place on May 28th. Also the amalgamated battalions moved to Herzeele where the Brigadier (General Bols) who stated that the three battalions would be eventually reformed addressed them. It is interesting to note the strength of the three units on July 24th, when they were still far below strength:- 1st Battalion: 7 Officers 193 Other ranks, 2nd Battalion: 12 Officers 476 Other ranks, 3rd Battalion: 8 Officers 273 Other ranks.



                                27th May 1915 19th Seige Bty RGA arrive France  19th Siege Battery RGA arrive at Bologne early on the 27tth of May and went to the rest camp to await the arrival of the traction engines for pulling the guns.

                                27th May 1915  The fate that has befallen Belgium

                                27th May 1915  Tour of new Trenches

                                27th May 1915  Inspection

                                27th May 1915  Trench Work

                                27th May 1915  Under Continuous Fire

                                27th May 1915  On the March

                                27th May 1915  Working Parties

                                27th May 1915  Whizz Bangs

                                27th May 1915  On the Move

                                27th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                27th May 1915  On the March

                                27th of May 1915  GOC visits 5th Corps

                                27th of May 1915  Corps composition

                                27th of May 1915  Artillery relief

                                27th of May 1915  Troops re-assigned

                                27th of May 1915  New Commander

                                27th May 1915  Orders

                                27th May 1915  Duty

                                27th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                27th May 1915  Reliefs

                                27th May 1915  Orders

                                27th May 1915  Hot Day

                                27th May 1915  Quiet

                                27th May 1915  Shelling

                                27th May 1915  Hot

                                27th May 1915  On the March

                                27th May 1915  Attachments

                                27th May 1915  Message of Congratulation

                                27th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                27th May 1915  On the March

                                27th May 1915  Delays

                                27th May 1915  Route March

                                27th of May 1915  Earth Tremors Felt

                                27th May 1915  Working Parties

                                27th May 1915   Relief

                                27th May 1915  Considerable Shelling

                                27th May 1915  Confined

                                27th May 1915  Route March

                                27th May 1915  Orders

                                28th May 1915 Monmouths Amalgamate  The 2nd Monmouth's joined the 1st and 3rd Battalions on May 27th and the official amalgamation of the battalions took place on May 28th. The amalgamated battalions moved to Herzeele where the Brigadier, General Bols, addressed them and stated that the three battalions would be eventually reformed.

                                28th May 1915 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th & 16th London Batteries did not fire. 17th London Battery shell a machine gun position at H8, 2 rounds, at request of infantry.

                                28th May 1915  embus

                                28th May 1915  Cerebrospinal  Meningitis

                                28th May 1915  A sad find

                                28th May 1915  First taste of trenches

                                28th May 1915  Trench Work

                                28th May 1915  Enemy Attack

                                28th May 1915  A Short Rest

                                28th May 1915  On the March

                                28th May 1915  Into Camp

                                28th May 1915  Reliefs

                                28th May 1915  Reliefs

                                28th May 1915  Trench Work

                                28th May 1915  Deserter

                                28th May 1915  On the March

                                28th May 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                28th May 1915  Instruction

                                28th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th May 1915  Training

                                28th May 1915  Reorganisation

                                28th May 1915  Hot Day

                                28th May 1915  Quiet

                                28th May 1915  Holding the Line

                                28th May 1915  Route March

                                28th May 1915  Routine

                                28th May 1915  Bombing Attack

                                28th May 1915  Quiet Day

                                28th May 1915  Working Parties

                                28th May 1915  On the March

                                28th May 1915  On the March

                                28th of May 1915  C.T. 53

                                28th of June 1915  Training

                                28th Jun 1915  Attachment Ends

                                28th May 1915  Route March

                                28th of May 1915  Quiet

                                28th of June 1915  Quiet Time

                                28th May 1915  Explosion

                                28th May 1915  Recce

                                28th May 1915  Confined

                                28th May 1915  In Brigade Reserve

                                28th May 1915  On the March

                                28th May 1915  Recce

                                29th May 1915 Monmouthshires re-equip  The period from May 29th to June 10th was busily spent in organising and re-equipping. It was in this period that the first real protection against gas was issued and considerable time was given to training in the use of the new gas helmet. A party from the Monmouth's had taken part in the initial tests which, owing to the shortage of gas, were carried out inside a motor omnibus. Since the surprise use of gas various temporary solutions had been adopted to help protect the troops against the effects. These new gas helmets, quickly produced, were remarkably simple and effective under the circumstances. They remained in service for about 9 months when new forms of protection were required due to the introduction of other forms of gas as a weapon of war.

                                It is interesting to note the strength of the three units forming the amalgamated Battalion was still far below strength: 1st Battalion 7 Officers 193 Other ranks; 2nd Battalion 12 Officers 476 Other ranks; 3rd Battalion 8 Officers 273 Other ranks

                                29th May 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Reports  15th London Battery moved its position to that occupied in the first place by the 16th London Battery, and proceeded to register on J13 and I12, with 6 rounds. This zone was invisible from the last observation station. 16th London Battery did not fire. The 20th London Battery today came under the command of the OC. 6th London Brigade RFA.

                                29th May 1915  in billets

                                29th May 1915 Gibbons replaced by Hill   Lt. R C Hill arrived this morning in relief of Temp. Lt.. Gibbons who proceeded to Boulogne this afternoon to report to DDMS* there.

                                * Deputy Director Medical Services

                                29th May 1915  Gas shells near Zonnebeke

                                29th May 1915  Heavy Fighting

                                29th May 1915  Poisoned Water

                                29th May 1915  Brave brothers in action

                                29th May 1915  Men shelled while tending regimental graves

                                29th May 1915  Casualties for 8th Worcesters

                                29th May 1915  News from Prisoners

                                29th May 1915  Trench Work

                                29th May 1915  Burying the Dead

                                29th May 1915  On the March

                                29th May 1915  Reliefs

                                29th May 1915  Instruction

                                29th of May 1915  Officer joins HQ

                                29th of May 1915  Operational discussions

                                29th of May 1915  GOC visits Brigades

                                29th May 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                29th May 1915  Instruction

                                29th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th May 1915  Orders

                                29th May 1915  Parade

                                29th May 1915  Accident

                                29th May 1915  Enemy Active

                                29th May 1915  Reliefs

                                29th May 1915  Inspection

                                29th May 1915  Routine

                                29th May 1915  On the Move

                                29th May 1915  Bombing Attack

                                29th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th May 1915  Line Advanced

                                29th May 1915  Instructions

                                29th May 1915  Inspection

                                29th May 1915  On the March

                                29th May 1915  Inspection

                                29th of May 1915   A Rumbling Explosion

                                29th May 1915  Inspection

                                29th May 1915  Trench Work

                                29th May 1915  Draft.

                                29th May 1915  Confined

                                29th May 1915  Respirators Received

                                29th May 1915  Inspection

                                29th May 1915  Reliefs

                                29th May 1915  Quiet

                                30th May 1915 47th Division RFA prepare to Move  Arrangements were made for the 47th Divisional Artillery to move further south, and to be replaced by the Canadian Divisional Artillery. Accordingly one section of each battery were withdrawn to the Battery Wagon Line.

                                30th May 1915  Church Parade

                                30th May 1915  Quiet

                                30th May 1915  A lucky escape

                                30th May 1915  Relief Completes

                                30th May 1915  Detachments Entrain

                                30th May 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                30th May 1915  Church Parade

                                30th May 1915  On the Move

                                30th May 1915  Casualties

                                30th of May 1915  Wind reports

                                30th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                30th May 1915  Instruction

                                30th May 1915  In the Trenches

                                30th May 1915  Shelling

                                30th May 1915  On the March

                                30th May 1915  Reliefs

                                30th May 1915  Reliefs

                                30th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                30th May 1915  Clothing

                                30th May 1915  Instruction

                                30th May 1915  Enemy Active

                                30th May 1915  Order Received

                                30th May 1915  Working Parties

                                30th May 1915  On the March

                                30th May 1915  On the March

                                30th May 1915  Church Parade

                                30th of May 1915  Work Party Casualties

                                30th May 1915  Reorganisation

                                30th May 1915  On the move

                                30th May 1915  New Position Dug

                                30th May 1915  Confined

                                30th May 1915  On the Move

                                1915-05-30  Church Parade

                                30th May 1915  On the March

                                30th May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                30th May 1915  Quiet

                                31st May 1915  Zeppelin raid on London

                                31st May 1915 47th Divisional RFA Move  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the remaining section in each Battery were replaced and the 17th London Battery was moved south and took up position in the neighbourhood of Vermelles. Signed: J H Van Dan Bergh TA. 6th London Brigade RFA.

                                31st May 1915   1st Battalion Royal Scots in Ypres, Belgium.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 141 men (that are known)

                                31st May 1915 12th Heavy Battery proceed to France  12th Heavy Battery RGA proceeded to France

                                31st May 1915  Lectures

                                31st May 1915 Field Artillery takes over  3rd Corps orders state: 19th Infantry Battalion will be attached to 27 Division from this date, 6th Division has officially left this area. 81st Field Artillery takes over Factory and billets of 16th Field Artillery and works Divisional Rest Station at Bac St Maurice. 82nd Field Artillery takes over the Institution St Jude, Armentières and 83rd Field Artillery the École Professionale, Armentières

                                31st May 1915  On the March

                                31st May 1915 Relief by O battery  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Attached to 8th Division. Withdrawn from action at 2100 on being relieved by O Battery RHA and marched by La Gorgue, Melville and Hazebrouck to bivouac and billet in a farm one mile east of Chateau le Nieppe on the Cassel - St Omer road. In at 0300 - about 24 miles - on morning of 1st June when rejoined 5th Cavalry Brigade.

                                31st May 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA on the move

                                31st May 1915  Waiting for the wind

                                31st May 1915 

                                31st May 1915  Under Fire

                                31st May 1915  Turks in Retreat

                                31st May 1915  Kensingtons Depart

                                31st May 1915  To Bivouacs

                                31st May 1915  Inspection

                                31st May 1915  Inspection

                                31st May 1915  Holding the Line

                                31st May 1915  On the Move

                                31st May 1915  Trench Work

                                31st of May 1915  GOC visits Brigades

                                31st of May 1915  General Plumer visits

                                31st of May 1915  Div. HQ moved

                                31st of May 1915  Machine Gun course

                                31st of May 1915  Relief commands

                                31st of May 1915  Excessive use of ammunition

                                31st of May 1915  Stink bombs deferred

                                31st of May 1915  Operational Order

                                31st of May 1915  Report

                                31st of May 1915 

                                31st of May 1915 

                                31st May 1915  Zeppelin

                                31st May 1915  In the Trenches

                                31st May 1915  Quiet

                                31st May 1915  Inspections

                                31st May 1915  Instruction

                                31st May 1915  At Rest

                                31st May 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                31st May 1915  Working Parties

                                31st May 1915  Route March

                                31st May 1915  Recce

                                31st May 1915  Reliefs

                                31st May 1915  Orders

                                31st May 1915  Defences

                                31st of May 1915  Relief Orders

                                31st May 1915  Route March

                                31st of May 1915  "Careful Watch" Kept

                                31st May 1915  Instruction

                                31st May 1915   Good Weather

                                31st May 1915  On the Move

                                31st May 1915  Shelling intermittent

                                31st May 1915  Casualties

                                31st May 1915  Confined

                                31st May 1915  Brigade Reserve

                                31st May 1915  Trench Digging Duties

                                31st May 1915  New CO

                                31st May 1915  Awards

                                31st of May 1915  Orders

                                31st May 1915  Hopital Farm

                                Jun 1915 23rd Manchesters move to Masham  23rd Manchesters leave Morcambe to join 104th Brigade in 35th Division at Masham, North Yorkshire for further training.

                                Jun 1915  9th Sussex to Woking

                                Jun 1915 Two 12pdrs added at Adeer  In June 1915 two Quick Fire 12-pdr guns with searchlights were added for coastal defence of the Ardeer Explosives Factory.

                                Jan 1916 Six inch quick fire gun added at Adeer  A Quick Fire 6-inch gun was added at Ardeer early in 1916 and around the same time the two Anti-Aircraft guns were removed. It was apparently intended that a 9.2-inch gun would be installed, which would have been capable of engaging the largest German surface ships.

                                Jun 1915 27th Northumberlands join 34th Division  27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Northumberlands join 103rd Brigade, 34th Division.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Midland Works opens  National Shell Factory Midland Works, Birmingham, started in June 1915, with the first output being in February 1916, making and completing 18-pdr and 4.5-in shells. It was under control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Valley Road, Bradford opens.  National Shell Factory Valley Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire opened in started in June 1915. The first output was in November 1915. Production included 4.5-in. shell fuses and gaines, making and completing 4.5-in. shells. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Victoria Road, Bristol  National Shell Factory Victoria Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire started in June 1915. The first output was early in 1916. Output included completing and rectifying 18-pdr shells. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Peel Foundry, Derby  National Shell Factory Peel Foundry, Derby, Derbyshire started in June 1915. First output was in December 1915. Production included 4.5 and 4.7-in. shells, 60-pdr, 6-in. shell heads; aero-engine cylinders. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield opens.  National Shell Factory Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire started in June 1915. First output was in November 1915. Production included 18-pdr shell and shell heads. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Cunard Co.Liverpool opens  National Shell Factory Cunard Co. Rimrose Road, Liverpool, Lancashire opened in June 1915. Production included 8-in. 6-in. and 4.5-in. shells. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF North Haymarket, Liverpool opens.  National Shell Factory North Haymarket, Liverpool, Lancashire, started in June 1915. Production included 18-pdr, 4.5-in. and 6-in. shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Tramway Depot, Liverpool opens  National Shell Factory Tramway Depot, Lambeth Road, Liverpool, Lancashire opened in June 1915. First output was in July 1915. Production included 18-pdr shell, completing and rectifying 18-pdr, 15-pdr, 2.75-in. 4.5-in. and 60-pdr. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Spring Close Works, Nottingham  National Shell Factory Spring Close Works, Old Lenton, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire opened in June 1915. First output was in late 1915. Production included 13-pdr, 2.75-in. shell and the production and completion of 18-pdr. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Brinsworth Iron Works, Rotherham  National Shell Factory Brinsworth Iron Works and Rotherham Iron Works, Rotherham, West Yorkshire started in June 1915. First output was in November 1915 producing 4.5-in. shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Mains Road, Dundee  National Shell Factory Mains Road, Dundee, Angus was situated at 51-63 Mains Road and opened in June 1915. First output was in September 1915. Production included 18-pdr and 2.75-in. shell, forgings and burster containers. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Ebbw Vale opens  National Shell Factory Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire opened in June 1915. First output was in August 1915. Production included 18-pdr and 60-pdr shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 Ferry Road, Cardiff  National Shell Factory Ferry Road, Grangetown, Cardiff, Glamorgan opened in June 1915. First output was in late 1915. Production included 18-pdr shell, 60-pdr shell heads and 6-in. proof shot. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Messrs Baldwin?s Works opened.  National Shell Factory Messrs Baldwin’s Works, Landore, Swansea, Glamorgan started in June 1915. First output was in late 1915. Production included 18-pdr and 4.5-in. shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1915 Lord Kitchener inspects 10th Division  Lord Kitchener inspects 10th Division at Hackwood Park.

                                1st June 1915 Daily Battery Activity  Report from 6th County of London Brigade RFA Reference to the map refer throughout to the continued sheet Bethune 1/4000 unless otherwise stated

                                Last night the 15th & 16th London Battery’s occupied their new positions at Vermelles, as did one section only of the 17th London Battery. Registration was commenced at once. The 15th London Battery fired 13 rounds on A.29.c.10.7, 9 rounds on A.29.c.9.4, 7 rounds on A.28.d.2.8 and 9 rounds on G.11.b.6.8. The 16th London Battery registered cardinal points in its zone. The 17th Lon Battery, being incomplete did not register. Their position however was shelled and one wagon belonging to 17th Bty, RFA was lost, but no one hurt.

                                1st June 1915 Recruitment and Training  

                                16 RIR Departing from Lurgan enroute to England.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Recruitment was brought up to the required total by the transfer of 200 members of the Belfast Young Citizen Volunteers.

                                Training was nearly complete and preparations were in hand for the move to England.

                                Officers and men were sent to Belfast and Dublin for courses on Railway Transport and Embarkation obviously with a view to organising the Battalion’s planned movements which would include both rail and ship embarkation and disembarkation.

                                All the men were given 4 days embarkation leave and returned fit and ready for the move to England.

                                A Military Gymkhana was held in Lurgan with over 25 events many of which were novelties giving great amusement to all onlookers.

                                1st June 1915 1st Battalion Ypres, Belgium 1915.   In June 1915 the 1st Battalion Royal Scots were pulled out of Ypres and moved into France.

                                1st June 1915  Training

                                Jun 1915 22nd Northumberlands join 34th Division  In June 1915 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers join 102nd Brigade, 34th Division, which concentrated at Ripon for training.

                                1st June 1915 Arrangements with 81st Field Ambulance  The 19th Infantry Brigade occupy the same line of trenches between the Bridoux Road and Railway at Rue du Bois with in addition a section formerly occupied by the 17th Infantry Brigade, owing to one of the Brigades of the 27th Division being considerably under strength.

                                Arrangements have been made for the 81st Field Ambulance at Erquinghem to collect the sick and wounded from the Regiment of 19 1B occupying the section north of the Railway as stated above, from Arrêt in I8a (sheet 36 1/40000) bringing them to this Field Ambulance on passing through to the 81st Field Ambulance headquarters.

                                1st Jun 1915  Devotion to Duty

                                1st Jun 1915  51st Brigade Artillery in action

                                June 1915 

                                June 1915  Hospital Opens

                                1st Jun 1915  In Bivouacs

                                1st Jun 1915  On the March

                                1st Jun 1915  On the March

                                1st Jun 1915  Lectures

                                1st Jun 1915  Casualties

                                1st Jun 1915  Bombing

                                1st Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Jun 1915  On the Move

                                1st June 1915  Instruction

                                1st of June 1915  Change in the Front Line

                                1st of June 1915  Letter of Appreciation

                                1st of June 1915  Preparation for relief

                                1st Jun 1915  Relief

                                1st Jun 1915  Shelling

                                1st Jun 1915  Training

                                June 1915  Air Raid

                                1st Jun 1915  At Rest

                                1st Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                June 1915  New HQ

                                1st of June 1915  Cuinchy

                                1st Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                1st June 1915  In Billets

                                1st Jun 1915  Coys Rejoin

                                1st Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Jun 1915  New HQ

                                1st Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                1st Jun 1915  Entrenching

                                1st of June 1915  No More Rum

                                1st Jun 1915  Wind Reports

                                1st of June 1915  Normal Situation

                                Jun 1915  On the Move

                                1st Jun 1915   In Reserve

                                1st June 1915  Cavalry Officers in Trenches

                                1st June 1915  Orders

                                1st June 1915  Home

                                1st June 1915  Waiting to be Relieved

                                1st June 1915  Reliefs

                                June 1915  In Action

                                1st June 1915  Digging Support Trenches

                                1st June 1915  Defences

                                1st June 1915  Operational Order No.2.

                                1st Jun 1915  Working Party

                                2nd June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Register Targets  Target Registration continued for 6th County of London Brigade RFA. 15th London Battery fired 4 rounds on A.29.c.10.7, 10 rounds on G.4.b.4.4 and 18 rounds on G.8.a.9.0. 16th London Battery fired 20 rounds on registering the right section of various points in its zone. The 17th London Battery did not fire.

                                2nd June 1915 13th Heavy Battery proceed to France  13th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                2nd June 1915  Demonstrations for troops

                                2nd June 1915 Visit by DADMS 27th Div  The DADMS* 27th Division visited this Field Ambulance and discussed working of line of the 19th Infantry Brigade by this Field Ambulance.

                                * Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services

                                2nd Jun 1915  Into Position

                                  Songs to Enliven the Tramp

                                2nd Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                2nd Jun 1915  Water Gala

                                2nd Jun 1915  Tending Graves

                                2nd Jun 1915  In Bivouacs

                                2nd Jun 1915  Training

                                2nd Jun 1915  On the March

                                2nd Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                2nd Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd Jun 1915  On the Move

                                2nd June 1915  Instruction

                                2nd of June 1915  Slackness in the Battalions

                                2nd of June 1915  Capt. Trevor

                                2nd of June 1915 

                                2nd of June 1915 

                                2nd Jun 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Jun 1915  On the March

                                2nd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Jun 1915  At Rest

                                2nd Jun 1915  Enemy Active

                                2nd Jun 1915  Shelling

                                2nd June 1915  Route March

                                2nd Jun 1915  Recce

                                2nd Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                2nd Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd Jun 1915  Quiet

                                2nd of June 1915  Billets

                                2nd Jun 1915  Route March

                                2nd of June 1915  German Aeroplane Down

                                2nd Jun 1915  On the Move

                                2nd June 1915  Dugouts

                                2nd June 1915  Medical Evacuation Arrangements

                                2nd June 1915  Guns withdrawn to Wagon Lines

                                2nd June 1915  In trenches

                                2nd June 1915  Trench Digging Continues

                                2nd Jun 1915  Rescue

                                2nd June 1915  In the trenches

                                2nd Jun 1915  Working Party

                                3rd June 1915 Registration Continues  6th County of London Brigade RFA report registration continues. 12 rounds were fired at A.30.b.4.8 and later 2 rounds at the same registration. The 16th London Battery fired 24 rounds in completing its registration. During the afternoon the enemy shelled the British front line trenches, when according to orders, this Brigade replied with 2 shells for every one German shell. In this way the 16th London Battery fired 34 rounds at the Bus Carre, a small clump of saps about 100 yards in front of the German front line trenches, probably used as an observation station. The 17th London Battery registered further points in its zone, G.11.d.5.7, G.17.g.2.4 and G.17.e.0.1. Tonight the British attacked Givenchy, when in spite of successful artillery fire they were repulsed from the positions gained by Minenwerfer. Owing to the exposed nature of the country, exercise for horses may only take place in batches of 16 or 17.

                                3rd June 1915  Training

                                3rd June 1915 Return of Lt. Ford  Lt. Ford rejoined from the 1/ Cameronians on Lt. Robertson returning from leave.

                                3rd Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA under fire

                                3rd Jun 1915  Behind the lines

                                3rd Jun 1915  Enemy too strong

                                3rd Jun 1915  2/8th Worcesters beat 2/4th Gloucesters at cricket

                                3rd Jun 1915  New Aircraft in Action

                                3rd Jun 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                3rd Jun 1915  Shell Failed to Explode

                                3rd Jun 1915  Inspection

                                3rd Jun 1915  Shelling

                                3rd Jun 1915  Enemy Mines

                                3rd Jun 1915  In Billets

                                3rd June 1915  Instruction

                                1915-06-03 

                                3rd Jun 1915  Training

                                3rd Jun 1915  At Rest

                                3rd Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd Jun 1915  On the March

                                3rd Jun 1915  Quiet

                                3rd Jun 1915  Quiet

                                3rd June 1915  In Billets

                                3rd Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                3rd Jun 1915  In Billets

                                3rd Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd Jun 1915  Into Billets

                                3rd Jun 1915  Entrenching

                                3rd of June 1915  Baths

                                3rd Jun 1915  Relief Completed

                                3rd of June 1916   Quiet Day

                                3rd June 1915  Transport shelled

                                3rd June 1915  Orders

                                3rd June 1915  Relocating to Boeseghem

                                3rd June 1915  The Germans shelled a little

                                3rd June 1915  Enemy Sniper

                                3rd June 1915  Officer rejoined

                                3rd Jun 1915  Gas Alert

                                4th June 1915  Air Raid

                                4th June 1915 Batteries Register  In 6th County of London Brigade RFA 15th London Battery fired 11 rounds on A.30.g.4.8 and later fired 2 rounds on the same target. 16th London Battery fired 10 rounds in registering southern limit 4 extension of zone. 17th London Battery registered extension of the same zone as 16th London Battery.

                                4th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.

                                4th June 1915  Reinforced

                                4th June 1915 Enteric fever and meningitis cases   Reported case of Enteric Fever in Estaminet au Pogrès - a civilian occupant. Armourers of Division removed and put in other billets and place placed "out of bounds".

                                Pte. Dainton 5/Scottish Rifles admitted to Field Ambulance with cerebrospinal meningitis and special wagon sent for, and case sent to Isolation Hospital, Bailleul. The case was apparently a sporadic case, and occurred in billets. All steps were taken with Lt. Clark, MO of Regiment for isolation of contacts and daily inspection. Officer commanding Sanitary Section informed and billet disinfected.

                                4th Jun 1915  Quiet morning for 19th Seige Bty RGA

                                4th Jun 1915  8th Worcesters in the trenches

                                4th Jun 1915  2/8th Worcs Defend the East Coast

                                4th Jun 1915  Grass Fires

                                14th Jun 1915  Officer Killed

                                 

                                4th Jun 1915  Hard Fighting

                                4th Jun 1915  On the March

                                4th Jun 1915  On the March

                                4th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                4th Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                4th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Jun 1915  In Action

                                4th Jun 1915  In Billets

                                4th of June 1915  Troop Movements

                                4ht of June 1915  Army Commander visit

                                4th of June 1915  Relief Orders

                                4th of June 1915  Trench visit

                                4th of June 1915  Relief

                                4th of June 1915  Visit to Front Line

                                4ht of June 1915 

                                4th Jun 1915  On the March

                                4th Jun 1915  Orders

                                4th Jun 1915  Into Camp

                                4th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                4th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Jun 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                4th of June 1915  La Beuvriere

                                4th June 1915  In Billets

                                4th Jun 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                4th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                4th Jun 1915  Arrival

                                4th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                4th Jun 1915  Reorganisation

                                4th Jun 1915  Entrenching

                                4th of June 1915  Baths

                                4th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                4th of June 1915  German Work Stopped

                                4th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                4th June 1915  Shelling

                                4th June 1915  Hard Fighting

                                4th June 1915  Shrapnel Shells

                                4th June 1915  German Shell Fire

                                4th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                4th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                4th Jun 1915  Instructions

                                5th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in Action  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 15th London Battery fired 25 rounds on A.30.b.4.8 and later fired 21 rounds on the same target. 16th London Battery, at request of GOC 140 Inf. Bde. fired 3 rounds on working party in G.11.d. 17th London Battery as a consequence of a reconnaissance report by infantry, that extensive entanglements existed between G.23.b.5.7 and G.23.b.6.7, fired on both these points.

                                5th June 1915  Training

                                5th June 1915   

                                SM U-14

                                SM U-14

                                Type U 13 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 9) Ordered 23 Feb 1909 Launched 11 Jul 1911 Commissioned 24 Apr 1912.
                                Commanders.

                                • 1 Aug 1914 - 15 Dec 1914 Walther Schwieger
                                • 17 Dec 1914 - 15 Apr 1915 Otto Dröscher
                                • 16 Apr 1915 - 5 Jun 1915 Oblt. Max Hammerle

                                Career 1 patrols start date unknown - 5 Jun 1915 I Flotilla 1 Aug 1914 - end date unknown II Flotilla

                                Successes 2 ships sunk with a total of 3,907 tons.
                                2 Jun 1915 U 14 Max Hammerle Cyrus 1,669 Danish.
                                3 Jun 1915 U 14 Max Hammerle Lappland 2,238 Swedish.

                                Fate 5 Jun 1915 - Disabled by gunfire from armed trawler Oceanic II and sunk off Peterhead. 1 dead and 27 survivors.

                                There was another U 14 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 28 Dec 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Jan 1936.

                                5th June 1915 Reports of more meningitis cases   Pte. Dainton's case reported positive; several suspected cases were sent up to Field Ambulance and isolated in tents for observation. Visited MO 5/Scottish Rifles in their billets, and owing to a number of other suspicious cases arranged to lend him some bell tents for segregation purposes.

                                5th Jun 1915  Quiet day for 19th Seige Bty RGA

                                5th Jun 1915  5th Gloucesters As Happy as Schoolboys.

                                5th Jun 1915  11th Green Howards sports match

                                5th Jun 1915  German Prisoners

                                5th Jun 1915  Poisonous Gases

                                5th Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                5th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                5th Jun 1915  Snipers Busy

                                5th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                5th Jun 1915  On the March

                                5th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                5th Jun 1915  On the March

                                5th June 1915  Into Camp

                                5th of June 1915  Reconnoitring

                                5th of June 1915  Review Meeting

                                5th of June 1915  Relief dates

                                5th of June 1915  Artillery Joined Division

                                5th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                5th of June 1915 

                                5th June 1915  Recruitment

                                5th Jun 1915  Enemy Active

                                5th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                5th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                5th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                5th June 1915  On the March

                                5th Jun 1915  Fightin Ongoing

                                5th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                5th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                5th Jun 1915  On the March

                                5th Jun 1915  Entrenching

                                5th Jun 1915  On the March

                                5th of June 1915  Quiet Time

                                5th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                5th June 1915  Position Consolidated

                                5th June 1915  Clearing Casualties

                                5th June 1915  Rejoining 3rd Calvary Brigade

                                5th June 1915  The Germans shelled the Support Trench

                                5th June 1915  Troops on Skyline Attract Shell Fire

                                5th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Jun 1915  Heavy Work

                                6th June 1915  Zeppelin Raid

                                6th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in Action  15th London Battery fired 4 rounds at 1630, 4 rounds at 1735, and 4 rounds at 1810 on A.30.b.4.8. 16th London Battery did not fire. 17 London Battery in reply to 2 rounds from the enemy fired 4 rounds on the Bois Carre. At 1730 17th London Battery fired 12 rounds on Bois Carre and German front line trenches, at G.23.a. At 2000 fired 2 rounds on Aulluch Road. A few officers attended a demonstration of the working and affect of gas.

                                6th June 1915  Memorial service

                                6th June 1915 Suspicious meningitis cases are negative  Officer in charge of Mobile Laboratory visited the Field Ambulance today and saw all the suspicious cases, and also those segregated in tents of 5/Scottish Rifles, and pronounced the opinion that he considered them negative. General Snow 27th Division visited the Field Ambulance today.

                                6th June 1915 Into Billets  1st Hertfords moved at 9.15pm. Nos. 1 & 2 Coys went into billets at Cambrin.

                                6th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                6th Jun 1915  Sentry Snoring

                                6th Jun 1915  Bringing in the Wounded

                                6th Jun 1915  Into Support

                                6th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                6th Jun 1915  Reinforcements

                                6th Jun 1915  On the March

                                6th June 1915  Move

                                6th of June 1915  The Front

                                6th of June 1915  Machine Guns Needed

                                6th of June 1915  Tunnellers Join Division

                                6th of June 1915  Trench Positions

                                6th of June 1915  Artillery assigned

                                6th Jun 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                6th of June 1915 

                                6th of June 1915 

                                6th Jun 1915  Ready to Move

                                6th Jun 1915  Training

                                6th Jun 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                6th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                6th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                6th of June 1915  Inspection by GOC and training

                                6th Jun 1915  Under Shellfire

                                6th June 1915  On the March

                                6th Jun 1915  Recce

                                6th Jun 1915  Relief Complete

                                6th Jun 1915  Training

                                6th Jun 1915  Hot Day

                                6th Jun 1915  On the March

                                6th of June 1915   An Explosion

                                6th June 1915  Relief Completed

                                6th June 1915  In trenches

                                6th June 1915  A Quiet Day

                                6th June 1915  Operational Order No.10.

                                6th Jun 1915  Leave

                                6th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                7th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA work with 36th Div  6th County of London Brigade RFA hosted OC Batteries and Officer Commanding of the 36th Bde. RFA, who examined positions and observation stations of the batteries with a view to taking over. 15th & 17th London Batteries did not fire. 16th London Battery fired 5 rounds at a working party.

                                7th June 1915  engaged in training

                                7th Jun 1915  In the Air

                                7th June 1915 Still no more meningitis cases  No further signs of cerebrospinal meningitis in cases at present under consideration in Field Ambulance.

                                General Gordon visited the Field Ambulance.

                                7th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA work on guns

                                7th Jun 1915  On the March

                                7th Jun 1915  Route Recce

                                7th Jun 1915  Kit Inspection

                                7th Jun 1915  In Good Spirits

                                7th Jun 1915  In Billets

                                7th of June 1915  50th Div Assumes Command

                                7th of June 1915  DLI in position

                                7th of June 1915  Artillery take position

                                7th of June 1915  Artillery into position

                                7th of June 1915 

                                7th of June 1915 

                                7th Jun 1915  Casualties

                                7th Jun 1915  Recce

                                7th Jun 1915  On the March

                                7th Jun 1915  Wire

                                7th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jun 1915  Artillery

                                7th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                7th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jun 1915  Orders Received

                                7th June 1915  Relief

                                7th Jun 1915  Hot Day

                                7th of June 1915  Battalion Inspection

                                7th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                7th of June 1915   Quiet Time

                                7th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                7th June 1915  Shelled throughout the day.

                                7th June 1915  Reliefs

                                7th June 1915  Casualties

                                7th June 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jun 1915  Reorganisation

                                7th Jun 1915  Recce

                                8th June 1915  Preparations for Move

                                8th June 1915  train

                                8th of June 1915  Keeping a record

                                8th of June 1915  Reconnaisance

                                8th of June 1915  Mine

                                8th June 1915 More meningitis cases  Visited with Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services 27th Division, the Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS) XII Division re arrangements for attachment of officers of 12th Division Field Ambulance to this Field Ambulance.

                                Four cases reported suspected cerebrospinal meningitis in 5/Scottish Rifles ordered to be sent to Isolation Hospital, Bailleul by ADMS 27th Division. Transferred 8 am 9th June.

                                8th Jun 1915  Thunderstorms

                                8th Jun 1915  In Bivouacs

                                8th Jun 1915  Brigade Conference

                                8th Jun 1915  Reorganisation

                                8th Jun 1915  Kit Inspection

                                8th Jun 1915  In Billets

                                8th of June 1915  Targets identified

                                8th of June 1915  All quiet

                                8th of June 1915 

                                8th of June 1915  GOC visits

                                8th of June 1915  GOC Conference

                                8th Jun 1915  New CO

                                8th June 1915  Visitor

                                8th Jun 1915  Orders

                                8th Jun 1915  Training

                                8th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                8th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                8th Jun 1915  Trenches Inspected

                                8th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                8th Jun 1915  Orders

                                8th Jun 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jun 1915  Heavy Fighting

                                8th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                8th Jun 1915  Thunderstorm

                                8th of June 1915  Hot Weather

                                8th of June 1915 

                                8th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Jun 1915  Transfer

                                8th June 1915  Instruction.

                                8th June 1915  In Divisional Reserve

                                8th June 1915  Trench Digging

                                8th June 1915  In Billets

                                8th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                8th Jun 1915  Hot

                                9th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA relieved by 36th Bde.  The remaining sections of each battery of the 6th London Brigade RFA were relieved by sections of batteries of the 36th Brigade RFA and, together with the Brigade Headquarter Staff, proceeded to Lapugnoy, which was reached in the early hours of Thursday morning. The whole Small Arms Ammunition section of the Brigade Ammunition Column, and one section of gun ammunition, was detached from the Brigade, and was stationed at Drovin under 2/Lt H.B. Wells, to supply the 140 Infantry Brigade and the 19th London Battery (who remained in action) with ammunition.

                                9th June 1915  train

                                9th of June 1915  RFA in action

                                9th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                9th of June 1915  150th reconnaisance

                                9th June 1915 Issue of Respirators  Very hot day. Heavy thunderstorm in late afternoon.

                                Visited 36th Field Ambulance to see Colonel Dunn with reference to attachment of two of his officers.

                                Issued Respirators to the Field Ambulance personnel. Lt. Ford appointed Brigade Respirator Adviser.

                                9th of June 1915  RFA take position

                                9th of June 1915  Recce

                                9th of June 1915  Relief discussed

                                9th of June 1915  Orders

                                9th Jun 1915  Battle Cruiser Torpedoed

                                9th Jun 1915  Brigade Reserve

                                9th Jun 1915  In Bivouacs

                                9th Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                9th Jun 1915  Recce

                                9th of June 1915 

                                9th Jun 1915  Move

                                9th Jun 1915  Experiments

                                9th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                9th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                9th Jun 1915  Refitting

                                9th Jun 1915  On the March

                                9th Jun 1915  Holding the Line

                                9th Jun 1915  Storm

                                9th Jun 1915  Into the Line

                                9th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                9th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                9th Jun 1915  Preparations

                                9th Jun 1915  Heavy Fighting

                                9th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                9th June 1915  Reorganisation

                                9th Jun 1915  Specialists

                                9th of June 1915  Quiet Night

                                9th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                9th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                9th June 1915  Smoke helmets tested

                                9th June 1915  Quiet Day on the Front

                                9th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Jun 1915  Horses

                                9th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                9th Jun 1915  Gas Experiments

                                10th June 1915 16th Heavy Battery proceed to France  16th Heavy Battery RGA land in France

                                10th June 1915  training

                                10th June 1915 Training for lieutenants from 36th Fied Ambulance  Lts. Mawe and Bell 36th Field Ambulance arrived for 6 days instruction on practical duties of a Field Ambulance. Taken by Capt. Williamson to Advanced Post in Gris Pot, and to Regimental Aid Posts to see them in daylight. Respirator parade of Field Ambulance this afternoon.

                                10th of June 1915  149th into front line

                                10th of June 1915  Artillery remain in support

                                10th of June 1915  50th Div take over

                                10th of June 1915  Amended order

                                10th of June 1915  Indian Squadron

                                10th of June 1915  7th R.E. transferred

                                10th Jun 1915  An Awful Night

                                10th Jun 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                10th Jun 1915  Trench Recce

                                10th Jun 1915  Trench Visit

                                10th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                10th Jun 1915  On the March

                                10th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                10th June 1915  Into the Trenches

                                10th of June 1915  German mine

                                10th of June 1915 

                                10th of June 1915 

                                10th of June 1915 

                                10th of June 1915 

                                10th of June 1915 

                                10th of June 1915 

                                10th of June 1915 

                                10th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                10th Jun 1915  Training

                                10th Jun 1915  On the March

                                10th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Jun 1915  Digging Trenches

                                10th Jun 1915  Wet

                                10th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                10th Jun 1915  Arrival

                                10th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                10th Jun 1915  Preparations

                                10th Jun 1915  Orders Received

                                10th of June 1915  DCM Awards

                                10th Jun 1915  Rain

                                10th of June 1915  Enemy Explode Mine

                                10th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                10th June 1915  Trenches Flooded

                                10th June 1915  Machine Gun Sent to Trenches

                                June 1915  On the Move

                                10th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                11th June 1915 Reinforcements 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA report 36 men under Lt N.V. Brasnett arrived at Lapugnoy from Base Details to fill up deficiencies caused by death, sickness and the increased establishment of the Brigade Ammunition Column. Lt Brasnett returned to Base Details.

                                11th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.

                                11th June 1915  training

                                11th June 1915 Training by 2nd Royal Welch MO  Lts. Mawe and Bell proceeded to trenches of 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers and instruction given by Lt. Harbison Medical Officer of that Regiment.

                                11th Jun 1915  On the march

                                11th Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                11th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                11th Jun 1915  On the March

                                11th Jun 1915  Recce of Trenches

                                11th Jun 1915  In Support

                                11th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                11th June 1915  Wounds

                                11th of June 1915  All is quiet

                                11th of June 1915  Grenades required

                                11th of June 1915  Machine Gun section attached

                                11th of June 1915  German mine exploded

                                11th of June 1915  Battalion relief

                                11th of June 1915  Light shelling

                                11th of June 1915  Howitzers attached

                                11th of June 1915  Artillery command

                                11th of June 1915 

                                11th of June 1915 

                                11th of June 1915 

                                11th of June 1915 

                                11th Jun 1915  Sickness

                                11th Jun 1915  Move

                                11th Jun 1915  Reinforcements

                                11th June 1915  Promotion

                                11th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                11th Jun 1915  On the March

                                11th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                11th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                11th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                11th Jun 1915  Under Shellfire

                                11th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Jun 1915  Preparations

                                11th Jun 1915  On the March

                                11th Jun 1915  Training

                                11th of June 1915  Heavy Rain

                                11th Jun 1915  Relief Complete

                                11th June 1915  Shelling

                                11th June 1915  Orders Received

                                11th Jun 1915  Working Party

                                11th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                12th June 1915 GOC Visit  The GOC 47th (London) Division, Major General C.St.V.L Barter came to Lapugnoy and addressed each Battery of the 6th London Brigade in turn. He expressed his gratitude to the Brigade for the splendid work it had done whilst in action, and his pleasure at the excellent work carried out by each officer and man, especially the Telephonists. He impressed on all ranks the need for keeping themselves in a clean and sanitary condition.

                                12th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                12th June 1915  reinforced

                                12th June 1915 Athletics - sports day  Athletic sports in Erquinghem of the 19th Field Ambulance. General Snow and Brig-General Gordon attended. Lt. Col Brackenridge presented the prizes .

                                Lts. Mawe and Bell proceeded to 1st Middlesex trenches and instruction given by Lt. Soltau, MO of that regiment.

                                12th June 1915  Visit

                                12th Jun 1915  Monmouths return to front line

                                12th Jun 1915 

                                12th Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands in Support

                                12th Jun 1915  Somewhere on the Map

                                12th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                12th Jun 1915  Plans Changed

                                12th Jun 1915  Tragic Death

                                12th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                12th Jun 1915  Company Reliefs

                                12th Jun 1915  Casualties

                                12th Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                12th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                12th Jun 1915  Medical Facilities

                                12th of June 1915  General Staff inspection

                                12th of June 1915  Relief completed

                                12th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                12th of June 1915  Heavy shelling

                                12th of June 1915  Germans digging

                                12th of June 1915  Howitzers handed to 50th Div.

                                12th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                12th of June 1915  Enemy activety

                                12th of June 1915 

                                12th of June 1915 

                                12th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Jun 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                12th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Jun 1915  Accident

                                12th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                12th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                12th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Jun 1915  On the March

                                12th Jun 1915  Posting

                                12th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                12th Jun 1915  Orders

                                12th Jun 1915  Awards

                                12th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                12th of June 1915  Bomb Officers and Bombing Parties

                                12th Jun 1915  Training

                                12th of June 1915   Quiet Day

                                12th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                12th June 1915  Orders Received

                                12th June 1915  Dental Treatment

                                12th June 1915  Trench Duty

                                12th June 1915  Reliefs

                                12th June 1915  Operational Order No.10.

                                12th Jun 1915  Reinforcements

                                12th Jun 1915  Transport

                                12th of June 1915  Order of Battalions

                                13th June 1915 Officers rejoining 6th London Brigade RFA   6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery records, Lt R.A. Corsan and Lt C.E.H. Lloyd, both of whom had suffered from measles, arrived at Lapugnoy from England.

                                13th Jun 1915 Shetland Companies leave the Isles.  Shetland Companies left Shetland on SS Cambria. They were an individual unit until the Battle of Beaumont Hamel. Thereafter, they were integrated into the Gordon Battalions.

                                13th June 1915  Church Parade

                                13 June 1915 New ADMS 27th Div inspects  Assistant Director of Medical Services (Col. Browne) on taking over the 27th Division inspected the buildings and organisation of the Field Ambulance.

                                13th June 1915  Awards

                                13th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA at Gorre

                                13th Jun 1915  Attack Planned

                                13th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                13th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                13th Jun 1915  Training

                                13th Jun 1915  Dugouts

                                13th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                13th June 1915  Relief Complete

                                13th of June 1915  Enemy activety

                                13th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                13th of June 1915  Enemy shelling

                                13th of June 1915  Future operations discussed

                                13th of June 1915  Departure of cavalry

                                13th of June 1915  Shelling German working party

                                13th of June 1915  Troop movements

                                13th of June 1915 

                                13th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                13th Jun 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                13th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                13th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                13th Jun 1915  Clothing

                                13th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                13th Jun 1915  Artillery Active

                                13th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                13th of June 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Jun 1915  On the Range

                                13th of June 1915  Patrols Out

                                13th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                13th June 1915  Assembly trenches

                                13th June 1915  In trenches

                                13th June 1915  All Quiet in the Trenches

                                13th June 1915  At Rest

                                13th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                13th Jun 1915  Transport

                                14th June 1915  train

                                14th June 1915 19th Infantry Brigade change in command  Brig-Gen Gordon commanding the 19th Infantry Brigade inspected the Field Ambulance on parade this morning to say Goodbye, on his proceeding to England to take over the command of a Division of the new army. Lt. Col. P R Robertson to command the Brigade. Lts. Mawe and Bell 36th Field Ambulance left to rejoin their own Field Ambulance owing to orders for that Field Ambulance having to move early tomorrow.

                                14th Jun 1915  Pouring Rain

                                14th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                14th Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands in action

                                14th Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands in the Trenches

                                14th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                14th Jun 1915  Trench Work & Relief

                                14th Jun 1915  Suspected Spies

                                14th Jun 1915  Working Party

                                14th Jun 1915  Officer Recce

                                14th Jun 1915  Working Party

                                14th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                14th June 1915  On the March

                                14th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                14th of June 1915  GOC visit

                                14th of June 1915  Operational discussions

                                14th of June 1915  Imminent attack

                                14th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                14th of June 1915  To relieve Belgians

                                14th of June 1915  Orders

                                14th of June 1915 

                                14th of June 1915 

                                14th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                14th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                14th Jun 1915  Wire Cut

                                14th Jun 1915  Training

                                14th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                14th Jun 1915  Artillery in Action

                                14th Jun 1915  Orders

                                14th Jun 1915  Communication

                                14th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                14th Jun 1915  Training

                                14th of June 1915   Lots of Rockets

                                14th Jun 1915  Trench Mortars

                                14th June 1915  RHA Ammunition Column joins

                                14th June 1915  Trench Duty Over

                                14th June 1915  Casualties '

                                14th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                14th Jun 1915  Equipment

                                15th June 1915 Veterinary Inspection  The horses of the 15th & 16th London Batteries and 6th County of London Brigade Headquarters Staff were inspected by the OC. Brigade.

                                15th June 1915 Veterinary Inspection  The horses of the 17th London Battery were inspected by the OC. Brigade.

                                15th Jun 1915 Zeppelin bombs Tyneside.  On Tuesday 15th June 1915 Zeppelin LZ40(L10) commanded by Kapitan Leutnant Hirsch crossed the coast north of Blyth and headed directly for Wallsend where bombs were dropped on the Marine Engineering Works causing severe damage. 7 Heavy Explosive and 5 Incendiary Bombs then fell on Palmer's Works at Jarrow where 17 men died and 72 were injured.

                                North of the river again, bombs fell at Willington where they damaged Cookson's Antimony Works and Pochin's Chemical Works and several houses; a policeman died at Willington Quay.

                                The L10 then headed for the sea dropping bombs on Haxton Colliery and South Shields on the way.

                                It flew over Palmer’s Shipyard about 2340, dropped its bombs killing 17 persons and injuring 72.

                                There was a Memorial with 12 names on, at one time in the Stirling Foundry in Jarrow, once part of the Palmer Shipyard.

                                The bombing must have been highly censured at the time having just a few lines in the Shields Gazette on Thursday 17th June 1915. It just stated 16 killed which included a policeman and 40 injured when a Zeppelin bombed Jarrow. On Friday 18th in the Shields Gazette there was another small column regarding the inquest which noted the following 14 had been killed in the yard:

                                • Albert Bramley 54
                                • Matthew Carter 55
                                • Karl Johan W. Kalnin 22
                                • Joseph Lane 67 (Marine Engineer)
                                • Robert Thomas Nixon 32
                                • Frederick Pinnock 31
                                • Lawrence Frazer Sanderson 16
                                • Thomas Henry Smith 23
                                • Ralph Snaith 48
                                • William Stamford 40
                                • Joseph Beckwith Thornicroft 31
                                • William Grieves Turner 20
                                • John George Windle 27
                                • William Ernest Cook Young 16

                                It also added Ann Isabella Laughlin 62 living near to the yard, died from shock. It also stated there was an inquest for a policeman (no name given) who was killed over in Willington Quay.

                                These two died later from their wounds: John Cuthbert Davison 31 (Fitter and Turner) and George Ward 18 (Apprentice Fitter and Turner)

                                The Zeppelin LZ40 (L10) was destroyed by lightning near Cuxhaven off the Neuwerk Island in Germany on 3rd September 1915.

                                There follows some further summary and eye witness accounts.

                                • Zeppelin Specification
                                • Production Number: LZ-40
                                • Tactical Number or Name:L10
                                • Type/Class:P
                                • Usage:military
                                • First Flight:13 May 1915
                                • Summary
                                • LZ-40 flew eight reconnaissance missions around the North Sea.
                                • She participated in five attacks on England, dropping 9,900 kg of bombs.
                                • She flew in the great raid on London of 17-18 August 1915 during which Leyton was bombed causing ten deaths and injuring 48 people.
                                • She was destroyed in a thunderstorm on 3 September 1915 near Cuxhaven.

                                Report on Tyneside Raid: Tuesday 15th June 1915. Censorship forbade newspapers like the Shields Gazette reporting it at the time. Even now, the story of the death and devastation that a Zeppelin visited on Jarrow during the First World War is still coming together like a jigsaw and integral to that, Philip Strong believes, could be eyewitness accounts handed down through the generations.

                                Philip, who lives in New South Wales, Australia, lost his great uncle, Joseph Lane, in the raid on the night of June 15, 1915. Sixteen of the dead were from Palmer’s shipyard, among them Joseph, a 67-year-old engineer, born in Ireland, and whose home was in Bede Burn Road.

                                Philip, who has researched the episode in impressive detail, says: "Some stories must have been passed down through Jarrow families about the bombing. What did the survivors say?"

                                One eyewitness account he has turned up is that of Captain Hugh Tweedie RN. He was supervising the fitting out of two Monitor-class warships at Palmer’s, the Marshal Soult at Hebburn and the Marshal Ney at Jarrow. On the evening of June 15, a Tuesday, Tweedie had returned to his lodgings at the North Eastern Hotel, near Jarrow railway station.

                                Early next morning, Arthur Gowan, managing director of Palmer’s, woke him and told him there had been a Zeppelin raid and he went at once to the shipyard. He found that in the street leading to the yard, every window from every house had been blown out. In the yard itself, "some 50 men" had been killed and injured by a bomb, which had fallen into the main fitting shop where work had been going on in night shifts.

                                The erecting shop was also hit, where considerable damage had been done to a series of destroyers’ engines which were being built. Out in the shipyard, a bomb had fallen near the Marshal Ney and splinters had pierced the side and deck plating.

                                Says Philip: "Captain Tweedie said that the Zeppelin had come quite low down in the absence of any anti-aircraft guns. There was no organisation for putting-out the lights and that, under the circumstances, it was lucky that far more damage had not been done. "Perhaps he was referring to the ships in the yard. Was this due to the glass-sectioned roofs of the engine works shops? The glare from the roofs would make the ships a target, but placed the shipyard in shadow." Life, though, did go on and, the next day, Hugh Tweedie’s wife, Constance, launched the Marshal Ney.

                                Strict censorship was imposed on the Press, which simply reported that there had been a Zeppelin raid in the area at about 2340. No locations were given.

                                However, an inquest report described what probably happened to the night-shift workers in the main fitting shop: "A night manager said at about 2315 he heard a loud report and saw a flash. This was followed by others in rapid succession. A bomb dropped on the roof. Witness was about 25 or 30 feet from it, and he was struck by splinters on the back and head, the latter being cut. As near as he could estimate three or four bombs fell on the roof, two more being more powerful than the others."

                                The newspapers named the victims, and Philip has gleaned information on some of their occupations from the 1911 Census. They were:

                                • Lawrence Fraser Sanderson;
                                • Matthew Carter, ship fitter;
                                • Joseph Beckwith Thorneycroft, sea-going engineer;
                                • John George Windle, screwing machine fitter;
                                • Karl Johan W. Kalnin;
                                • William Erskine Cook Young;
                                • William Grieves Turner, apprentice engineer’s fitter;
                                • Joseph Lane, mechanical engineer;
                                • Robert Thomas Nixon, mechanic turner and fitter;
                                • Frederick Pinnock;
                                • Albert Bramley, colliery above ground labourer;
                                • Thomas Henry Smith, apprentice engineer;
                                • Ralph Snaith, turner in turbine works;
                                • William Stamford, colliery fitter;
                                • George Ward, apprentice fitter and turner;
                                • John Cuthbert Davison, fitter and turner.

                                Raid Sequence of events.

                                The L10 Zeppelin with Commander Hirsch made landfall just north of Blyth near the Wansbeck River, and then turned south towards the Tyne. Hirsch firstly bombed the North Eastern Marine Engineering works at Willington Quay, Wallsend. His observers reported that on the left there were blast furnaces, a winding river and many industrial plants. He relied on his observers since the newly trialled radio navigation was not effective.

                                The Commander perceived he was under fire from shore batteries, and probably immediately crossed the river, bombed the Hebburn Colliery, lined up the lights of the Palmers' blast furnaces and their Engineering Works for a straight bombing run. Perhaps the two reports which an inquest witness later reported, were actually bombs on the blast furnaces? This witness then said that half a minute later there were 14 reports…. perhaps the 7 explosive bombs and 5 incendiaries which were said to have been dropped on Palmers engineering construction department, killing 16 workmen.

                                Hirsch then continued on an arc across the river to bomb the chemical plants at Howdon near Willington Quay (Cookson's Antimony Works and Pochin's Chemical Works).

                                The L10 went out to sea via South Shields, leaving a scenic railway ablaze near the Haxton Colliery Staithes (coal loading piers).

                                5/16th June 1915 After the attack by L 10 on Tyneside on 15,16 June the short summer nights discouraged further raids for some months, and the remaining Army Zeppelins were re-assigned to the Eastern and Balkan fronts. The Navy resumed raids on Britain in August.

                                15th June 1915  2nd Cavaltry Brigade inspected

                                15th June 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ42 (LZ72)

                                • Production Ref: LZ42
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ72
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 15th June 1915

                                History.

                                Only used as a training school ship, because the air-frame metal was of poor quality. It was decommissioned in February 1917.

                                15th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                15th Jun 1915  Enemy shelling

                                15th Jun 1915  4th Gordons in trenches

                                15th Jun 1915  Mine Discovered

                                15th Jun 1915  Fearful Bombardment

                                15th Jun 1915  Training

                                15th Jun 1915  Diversionary Attack

                                15th Jun 1915  Weather Improving

                                15th Jun 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                15th Jun 1915  Question of Supervision

                                15th Jun 1915  No Fires

                                15th Jun 1915  On the March

                                15th Jun 1915  Working Party

                                15th Jun 1915  New Ward Opens

                                15th Jun 1915  Casualties

                                15th Jun 1915  Training and Sports

                                15th Jun 1915  On the March

                                15th June 1915  On the March

                                15th of June 1915  Artillery in position

                                15th of June 1915  Co-operation

                                15th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                15th of June 1915  German mine

                                15th of June 1915  Response to mine explosion

                                15th of June 1915  Advanced HQ

                                15th of June 1915 

                                15th Jun 1915  Gallant Actions Reported

                                15th Jun 1915  Enemy Attacks

                                15th Jun 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                15th Jun 1915  On the March

                                15th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                15th Jun 1915  Visit

                                15th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Jun 1915  In Action

                                15th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                15th Jun 1915  Report

                                15th Jun 1915  Into Position

                                15th Jun 1915  On the March

                                15th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                15th of June 1915  German Progress

                                15th Jun 1915  Orders

                                15th of June 1915   Quiet Time

                                15th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Jun 1915  Working Party

                                15th June 1915  Appointment

                                15th June 1915  Preparations

                                15th of June 1915  Return to the Trenches

                                15th June 1915  New M.O.

                                15th June 1915  Operational Order No.11.

                                15th June 1915  Reference Operational Order No.11.

                                15th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                15th Jun 1915  Water Supplies

                                16th June 1915 Inspections and Regimental Sports  A detailed inspection of the 6th County of London Brigade RFA Headquarters Staff and 15th London Battery was held by the OC. Brigade, after which the horses of the Ammunition Column were inspected. This afternoon Regimental Sports took place in excellent weather. At 2345 a message was received warning the Brigade to get ready to move off at half an hours notice.

                                16th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                16th June 1915  train

                                16th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                16th Jun 1915  Enemy shelling

                                16th Jun 1915  Under Fire

                                16th Jun 1915 

                                16th Jun 1915  The Great Charge of the Lincolns

                                16th Jun 1915  Heavy Bombardment

                                16th Jun 1915  In Bivouacs

                                16th Jun 1915  In Action

                                16th Jun 1915  All Quiet

                                16th Jun 1915  Liverpool Scottish in Action

                                12th Jun 1915  Atrocities Recalled

                                16th Jun 1915  Infantry Assault

                                16th Jun 1915  Rapid Fire

                                16th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                16th Jun 1915  Working Party

                                16th Jun 1915  In Action

                                16th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Jun 1915  In Billets

                                16th Jun 1915  Courts Martial

                                16th June 1915  Attack Made

                                16th of May 1915  Brig-General and GOC meet

                                16th of June 1915  Attack underway

                                16th of June 1915  Attack continues

                                16th of June 1915 

                                16th of June 1915 

                                16th of June 1915 

                                16th of June 1915 

                                16th of June 1915 

                                16th of June 1915  Attack Made

                                16th Jun 1915  In Action

                                16th Jun 1915  Relief Completed

                                16th Jun 1915  Digging in

                                16th Jun 1915  Cleaning up

                                16th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                16th of June 1915  Moved to Le Quesnoy

                                16th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                16th Jun 1915  On the March

                                16th Jun 1915  Holding the Line

                                16th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                16th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                16th Jun 1915  Communication

                                16th Jun 1915  Report

                                16th Jun 1915  Orders

                                16th Jun 1915  In Action

                                16th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                16th June 1915  Attack

                                16th Jun 1915  In Action

                                16th June 1915  Attack Made

                                16th Jun 1915  Demonstration

                                16th Jun 1915  Wounded Man Found

                                16th of June 1915  First Aid to Wounded

                                16th Jun 1915  Stand to

                                16th of June 1915  A Diversion

                                16th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                16th Jun 1915  Casualties

                                16th June 1915  Attack Made

                                16th June 1915  Accident

                                16th of June 1915  All Quiet

                                16th June 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                16th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                16th Jun 1915  Thanks Extended

                                17th June 1915 GOC 1 Corps Visit  6th County of London Brigade RFA report at 0300 a message was received that no move would take place for the present. A visit was received from the GOC 1st Corps Lt General Sir Charles Munro, who described the work of the Brigade as 'magnificent'. A detailed inspection was held of the 16th London Battery. The Brigade was warned to be ready to move at one hours notice.

                                17th June 1915  inspected

                                17th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                17th Jun 1915  4th Camerons in Action

                                17th Jun 1915  In Bivouacs

                                17th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Jun 1915  Division Praised

                                17th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Jun 1915  A True Englishman

                                17th Jun 1915  Casualties

                                17th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                17th June 1915  In Reserve

                                17th of June 1915  Expected attack

                                17th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                17th of June 1915  149th relieved

                                17th of June 1915  orps Commander visits

                                17th of June 1915  Secret message

                                17th of June 1915  HQ closed

                                17th of June 1915  Delay relief

                                17th of June 1915  Air attack

                                17th of June 1915  Normal

                                17th of June 1915  Order received

                                17th of June 1915  149th relieved

                                17th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                17th of June 1915 

                                17th of June 1915 

                                17th of June 1915  In Position

                                17th of June 1915 

                                17th of June 1915 

                                17th of June 1915 

                                17th Jun 1915  Relief Completed

                                17th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                17th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                17th Jun 1915  Orders

                                17th Jun 1915  Under Shellfire

                                17th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                17th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Jun 1915  On the March

                                17th Jun 1915  Holding the Line

                                17th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                17th of June 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Jun 1915  Stand to

                                17th of June 1915   No Incidents

                                17th Jun 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                17th June 1915  Wounded

                                17th June 1915  German counter attack

                                17th June 1915  In trenches

                                17th Jun 1915  Trenches Taken Over

                                17th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                17th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Jun 1915 Fierce fighting at Bellewaerde  British troops of the 9th and 7th Infantry Brigades assault enemy trenches on Bellewaerde Ridge between the Menin Road and the Ypres-Roulers railway. Their objective, to remove the enemy from the high ground which gae an observation point over most of the Allied ground to the East of Ypres. The bombardment commenced at 02:30 followed by the assault on the German front line at 04:15, which was captured with little resistance and the troops pushed on to occupy the second German line. The enemy launched a counter attack and the British were pushed back to the First German line, which they managed to hold, but the enemy still commanded the ridge.

                                18th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA More Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA records a detailed inspection of the 17th London Battery took place.

                                18th June 1915  Musketry practice

                                18th June 1915 Attachments with 82nd Field Ambulance  Capt CG Browne and Staff Sgt Clenshaw proceeded to 82nd Field Ambulance. Major GT Willan from 82nd Field Ambulance for temporary duty and attached to the A section.

                                18th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA quiet

                                18th Jun 1915  Widening communication trenches

                                18th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                18th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Jun 1915  Sniping and Rifle Grenades

                                18th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Jun 1915  In Support

                                18th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                18th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                18th Jun 1915  In Action

                                18th Jun 1915  Rumours

                                18th June 1915  On the March

                                18th of June 1915  Situation normal

                                18th of June 1915  Attack at Hooge

                                18th of June 1915  Relief orders

                                18th of June 1915  Attack on German trench

                                18th of June 1915  Quiet at the front

                                18th of June 1915  Corps order received

                                18th of June 1915  Relief plan issued

                                18th of June 1915  Appreciation of R.E.

                                18th of June 1915 

                                18th of June 1915 

                                18th of June 1915 

                                18th of June 1915 

                                18th of June 1915 

                                18th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                18th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                18th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                18th Jun 1915  Route March

                                18th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Jun 1915  The Dead

                                18th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                18th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                18th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Jun 1915  Holding the Line

                                18th Jun 1915  Orders Received

                                18th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                18th of June 1915  Battalion Congraulated for work.

                                18th Jun 1915  Orders

                                18th of June 1915  A Failed Test

                                18th June 1915  Clearing up

                                18th June 1915  Inspection

                                18th June 1915  In trenches

                                18th of June 1915  Hospital

                                18th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                18th Jun 1915  Lack of Medical Support

                                19th June 1915 6th London Brigade RFA More Inspections  The 6th London Ammunition Column was inspected in detail by the OC. Brigade. Lt H.B. Wells went to hospital suffering from severe neuralgia.

                                Mid Jun 1915 9th Heavy Battery move position  9th Heavy Battery move from Pont de Nieppe, in the middle of June, they move into a position north of the Lys at Armentieres.

                                19th June 1915  Concert held

                                19th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA under fire

                                19th Jun 1915  Injured to Hospital

                                19th Jun 1915  Into the Trenches

                                19th Jun 1915  10th DLI attached to 5th Lincs for Instruction.

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                19th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                19th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1915  In Action

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1915  Route march

                                19th June 1915  In Camp

                                19th of June 1915  Artillery relief

                                19th of June 1915  Front quiet

                                19th of June 1915  Relief completed

                                19th of June 1915  Aeroplane attack

                                19th of June 1915  50th Div Relief

                                19th of June 1915  German shelling

                                19th of June 1915  Division movement order

                                19th of June 1915  Howitzers in support

                                19th of June 1915 

                                19th of June 1915 

                                19th of June 1915 

                                19th Jun 1915  Enemy Attacks

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of June 1915  On the Move

                                19th Jun 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                19th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                19th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1915  Artillery in Action

                                19th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                19th of June 1915  Move

                                19th Jun 1915  Training

                                19th of June 1915   Tunnel Breached

                                19th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                19th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                19th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                19th June 1915  Shelling

                                19th June 1915  Trench Mortar Accident

                                19th June 1915  In trenches

                                19th Jun 1915  Advance Party

                                19th of June 1915  Treacherous Departure from the Trenches

                                19th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                20th June 1915 Back to Action  6th County of London Brigade RFA: This evening the 15th & 16th London Brigades proceeded into action, the former being attached to the 36th Brigade RFA, and occupying its former position at Vermelles, and the latter to the 41st Brigade RFA near Cambrin F.30.c.5.5. The 6th London Ammunition Column was divided, part going with each battery. Brigade Headquarters and the 17th London Brigade remains at rest at Lapugnoy.

                                20th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                20th June 1915  Wormhoudt

                                20th June 1915   KUK U-11 Austrian submarine. (Former German SM UB-15

                                Type U-10 Shipyard Ordered Launched 14th March 1911 Commissioned 20th June 1915

                                Commanders.
                                8 Jun 1915 - 31 Aug 1915 Lüdwig Eberhardt
                                16 Sep 1915 - 28 Oct 1915 Karl Edler von Unczowski
                                28 Oct 1915 - 30 Aug 1916 Robert Teufl von Fernland
                                30 Aug 1916 - 25 May 1917 Johann Krsnjavi
                                25 May 1917 - 16 Jul 1917 Ludwig Müller
                                16 Jul 1917 - 17 Sep 1917 Wladimir Pfeifer
                                17 Sep 1917 - 12 Jan 1918 Eugen Hornyák
                                12 Jan 1918 - 19 Jun 1918 Hugo Pistel
                                19 Jun 1918 - 27 Aug 1918 Alfons Graf Montecuccoli
                                27 Aug 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Alois Sernetz

                                Career.
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 1 ship taken as prize with a total of 10,484 tons.

                                  20 Jan 1916 k.u.k. U11 König Albert (prize) 10,484 it

                                Fate Scrapped 1920

                                20th June 1915  Exchange

                                20th Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                20th Jun 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                20th Jun 1915  On the March

                                20th Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                20th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                20th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Jun 1915  Bathing

                                20th June 1915  Into Huts

                                20th of June 1915  149th relief completed

                                20th of June 1915  150th report

                                20th of June 1915  Move

                                20th of June 1915  Reconnaissance

                                20th of June 1915  GOC inspection

                                20th of June 1915 

                                20th of June 1915 

                                20th Jun 1915  Guns

                                20th Jun 1915  Snipers

                                20th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                20th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                20th Jun 1915  Mines

                                20th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                20th Jun 1915  Posting

                                20th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                20th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                20th Jun 1915  Instruction

                                20th Jun 1915  Church Parade

                                20th of June 1915   Two Miners Killed

                                20th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                20th June 1915  Reliefs

                                20th June 1915  High Explosive Shells Received

                                20th June 1915  Shelling

                                20th Jun 1915  Orders Received

                                20th of June 1915  New Orders Received

                                20th June 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                20th Jun 1915  Church Parade

                                21st June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                21st June 1915  Reinforcements inspected

                                21st June 1915  Training for lieutenants from 36 FA  Lts. Forgan and Nash 36th Field Ambulance attached for course of instruction.

                                21st June 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA working parties

                                21st Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands to Camp

                                21st Jun 1915  Relief

                                21st Jun 1915  Recruiting Slows

                                21st Jun 1915  On the Move

                                21st Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                21st Jun 1915  On the March

                                21st Jun 1915  Into the Trenches

                                21st Jun 1915  Orders to Attack

                                21st Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                21st Jun 1915  Route March

                                21st June 1915  Shelling

                                21st June 1915  A quiet night

                                21st June 1915  Patrols out

                                21st June 1915  Artillery relief

                                21st June 1915  149th into billets

                                21st June 1915  Battalion movements

                                21st June 1915  Additional MG's

                                21st June 1915  Artillery arrives

                                21st June 1915 

                                21st Jun 1915  Gas

                                21st Jun 1915  Orders

                                21st Jun 1915  At Rest

                                21st Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Jun 1915  Shelling

                                21st Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                21st Jun 1915  Quiet

                                21st Jun 1915  On the March

                                21st of June 1915  Attack Practice.

                                21st Jun 1915  Training

                                21st of June 1915  Situation Normal

                                21st Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                21st June 1915  Quiet day

                                21st June 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Jun 1915  Postings

                                21st of June 1915  On Short notice to Move

                                21st June 1915  Operational Order No.14.

                                21st Jun 1915  Training

                                22nd June 1915 Equipment withdrawn  6th County of London Brigade RFA report all blankets were withdrawn and returned to Railhead.

                                22nd of June 1915  Orders

                                22nd June 1915  Route March

                                22nd Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                22nd Jun 1915  On the March

                                22nd Jun 1915  Snipers Active

                                22nd Jun 1915  On the March

                                22nd Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                22nd Jun 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Jun 1915  In Action

                                22nd Jun 1915  Ammunition Allocation

                                22nd Jun 1915  Into the Line

                                22nd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Jun 1915  Route March

                                22nd June 1915  Shelling

                                22nd of June 1915  5ht Corps order

                                22nd of June 1915  Artillery relief

                                22nd of June 1915  Infantry relieved

                                22nd of June 1915  Attacks ordered

                                22nd of June 1915  150th relief postponed

                                22nd of June 1915  3rd Div order to attack

                                22nd of June 1915  Move and relief postponed

                                22nd of June 1915  Corps Commander visits

                                22nd of June 1915  28th Div take over positions

                                22nd of June 1915  Orders amended

                                22nd Jun 1915  Mine

                                22nd Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                22nd Jun 1915  At Rest

                                22nd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Jun 1915  Shelling

                                22nd Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                22nd Jun 1915  Relief Completed

                                22nd Jun 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Jun 1915  On the March

                                22nd Jun 1915  Training

                                22nd of June 1915  A Minor Operation

                                22nd Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd June 1915  Quiet day

                                22nd Jun 1915  Wounded Arrive

                                22nd June 1915  Several shells

                                22nd Jun 1915  Equipment

                                22nd of June 1915  Orders Received

                                22nd June 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Jun 1915  Training

                                22nd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd of June 1915  Front quiet

                                23rd June 1915 Leave of Absence  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt M.J.K. O’Malley proceeded to England on 7 days leave.

                                23rd June 1915  training

                                23rd June 1915 Inspection of trench line held by the 19th Infantry Brigade  During yesterday and today Lts. Forgan and Nash were under instruction in the trenches with Medical Officers of Regiments.

                                Visited with Col. Dunn and the Medical Officers of Regiments all trench line held by the 19th Infantry Brigade.

                                23rd June 1915  Mentioned in Dispatches

                                23rd Jun 1915  In the First line Trenches

                                23rd Jun 1915  In Bivouacs

                                23rd Jun 1915  Good Luck

                                23rd Jun 1915  In Huts

                                23rd Jun 1915  Officer Killed

                                23rd Jun 1915  Route March

                                23rd June 1915  Shelling

                                23rd of June 1915  Front is quiet

                                23rd of June 1915  Artillery billets

                                23rd of June 1915  Artillery moved billets

                                23rd of June 1915  Batteries engaged

                                23rd of June 1915  On the Move

                                23rd of June 1915  Quiet at the front

                                23rd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Jun 1915  Shelling

                                23rd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Jun 1915  At Rest

                                23rd Jun 1915  Pigeons

                                23rd Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                23rd Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd of June 1915  Training

                                23rd Jun 1915  Training

                                23rd of June 1915  Mining Suspected

                                23rd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd June 1915  Honours & Awards

                                23rd July 1915  On the Move

                                23rd June 1915  In Reserve

                                23rd Jun 1915  Equipment

                                23rd June 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Jun 1915  Training

                                24th June 1915  train

                                24th June 1915 Honours for 19th Field Ambulance  Awards to 19th Field Ambulance. Extracts from London Gazette dated 23rd June 1915:

                                To be DS0, Capt CG Browne

                                Military Cross, Lt. RA Preston (now with 13 General Hospital)

                                DCM, Sgt Bean ASC

                                DCM - Sgt Carter RAMC

                                Mentioned in Despatches - Private J Davis.

                                24th Jun 1915  Stranded after Attack

                                24th Jun 1915  Rifles Jamming

                                24th Jun 1915  Burial Party

                                24th Jun 1915  New CO

                                24th Jun 1915  Training

                                24th Jun 1915  Route March

                                24th June 1915  Shelling

                                24th of June 1915  150th Bde relieved

                                24th of June 1915  A quiet night

                                24th of June 1915  83rd Bde taking control

                                24th of June 1915  Area control changes

                                24th of June 1915 

                                24th of June 1915  Quiet evening

                                24th of June 1915 

                                24th Jun 1915  On the March

                                24th Jun 1915  Mine

                                24th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                24th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                24th of June 1915  On the Move

                                24th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Jun 1915  Orders

                                24th Jun 1915  On the March

                                24th Jun 1915  On the March

                                24th of June 1915  Mentioned in Despatches

                                24yh of August 1915  Wire

                                24th Jun 1915  Training

                                24th June 1915  Normal Situation

                                24th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                24th June 1915  Brigade sports

                                24th Jun 1915  Route March

                                24th Jun 1915  Training

                                25th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                25th June 1915  train

                                25th June 1915 Lieutenants rejoin 36th Field Ambulance  War diary records: Lts. Forgan and Nash 36th Field Ambulance ordered to rejoin their Field Ambulance on completion of course of instruction with 19th Field Ambulance at Erquinghem-Lys. Lt. Hampson proceeded on six days leave to England, his transport duties in 19th Field Ambulance, Erquinghem-Lys being undertaken by myself.

                                25th June 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Jun 1915  Account of the German Mine attack

                                25th Jun 1915  On the March

                                25th Jun 1915  Route March

                                25th Jun 1915  Machine Guns sent up

                                25th Jun 1915  In Trenches

                                25th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Jun 1915  On the March

                                25th June 1915  In Camp

                                25th of June 1915  Trenches change command

                                25th of June 1915  On the Move

                                25th of June 1915  Arrival in Dranoutre

                                25th of June 1915  German mine exploded

                                25th of June 1915  GOC visits

                                25th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Jun 1915  On the March

                                25th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                25th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                25th Jun 1915  Routine

                                25th Jun 1915  Reinforcements

                                25th Jun 1915  Orders Received

                                25th Jun 1915  Holding the Line

                                25th Jun 1915  On the March

                                25th of June 1915  Mortaring and Sniping Heavy

                                25th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Jun 1915  Orders

                                25th June 1915  Brigade Tug of War.

                                25th Jun 1915  Inspection

                                25th of June 1915  Trench Duty

                                25th Jul 1915  Sports

                                25th June 1915  Operational Order No.14.

                                25th Jun 1915  Training

                                26th June 1915 Medal Award 6th London Brigade RFA   Under authority of his Majesty the King, the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) to the following member of the 6th London Brigade RFA: Number 1699 Gunner A.W. North 16th County of London Battery RFA for coolness and gallantry whilst acting as telephonist in the observation station at Festubert during the heavy bombardment to which it was subjected.

                                26th June 1915  reinforced

                                26th June 1915 Temporary MO appointment - 5th Scottish Rifles  Lt. Grellier took on temporary medical charge of the 5th Scottish Rifles in relief of Lt. Clark proceeded on leave.

                                26th Jun 1915  Brave Observers

                                26th Jun 1915  Under Shellfire

                                26th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                26th Jun 1915  Reorganisation

                                26th Jun 1915  Recce

                                26th of June 1915  Morning report

                                26th of June 1915  Operations conference

                                26th of June 1915  Evening report

                                26th Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                26th Jun 1915  Casualties

                                26th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                26th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Jun 1915  Accident

                                26th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                26th of June 1915  Allouvagne

                                26th Jun 1915  In Support

                                26th Jun 1915  On the March

                                26th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Jun 1915  Reorganisation

                                26th Jun 1915  Orders Cancelled

                                26th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                26th of June 1915  Appointments

                                26th Jun 1915  Training

                                26th of June 1915  "Mother" Hits Chateau

                                26th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Jun 1915  Relief

                                26th June 1915  Training

                                26th June 1915  Took over Front Line

                                26th Jun 1915  Route March

                                26th of June 1915  A Busy Day

                                26th June 1915  Operational Order No.14.

                                26th Jun 1915  Training

                                27th June 1915 Leave of Absence  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt W.A Saxer (RAMC) proceeded to England on 5 days leave.

                                27th June 1915  Church Parade

                                27th June 1915 Two RAMC Sergeants killed by enemy shell  This afternoon several of the enemy's shells burst in the field behind the Mairie, and resulted in the following casualties:

                                Staff Sgt Allport RAMC killed; Sgt Hale dangerously wounded in head; Sgt Pollock dangerously wounded in arm and leg.

                                Sgt Hale died 11:30 PM without regaining consciousness.

                                27th June 1915  Reliefs

                                27th June 1915  68th Field Coy embark

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                27th Jun 1915  Gurkha Bluff

                                27th Jun 1915  On the March

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                27th of June 1915  Brigades report

                                27th of June 1915  Changes in command

                                27th of June 1915  Quiet at the front

                                27th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                27th Jun 1915  On the March

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Jun 1915  Recce

                                27th of June 1915  Verquigneul

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Jun 1915  Ammunition Supplied

                                27th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                27th Jun 1915  On the March

                                27th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                27th Jun 1915  Into Billets

                                27th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                27th of June 1915  Musketry

                                27th Jun 1915  Orders

                                27th of June 1915   Quiet Time

                                27th Jun 1915  On the March

                                27th Jun 1915  On the March

                                27th June 1915  Semi Final of the Brigade Tug of War

                                27th June 1915  In trenches

                                27th Jun 1915  Orders

                                27th of June 1915  Enemy Spy Activity

                                27th June 1915  Awards of the DCM.

                                27th June 1915  Operational Order Cancelled

                                27th June 1915  Operational Order No.17.

                                27th Jun 1915  Church Parade

                                27th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Jun 1915  Rockets

                                28th Jun 1915 SS Armenian lost  The transport ship SS Armenian was challenged by the German submarine U-24 off Trevose Head, Cornwall, whilst sailing from Bristol with a cargo of 1,400 mules intended for the British Army in France. The crew were given time to abandon ship before U-24 fired two torpedoes into her stern, sinking the ship. Twenty nine crew members were lost.

                                28th June 1915 Leave of Absence  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt P.A. Love proceeded to England on 7 days leave.

                                28th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                28th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                28th June 1915  Musketry Training

                                28th June 1915  Death of third sergeant  Sgt Pollock died at 2 am from shock and loss of blood. It was hoped that his leg might been amputated, and although transfused with saline, no reaction (?) him before death.

                                Lt. Chapell Quartermaster (?) proceeded on six days leave to England, his duties being undertaken by myself.

                                28th June 1915  Message

                                28th Jun 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA report blind shells

                                28th Jun 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                28th Jun 1915  British attack

                                28th Jun 1915  8th Worcs on the March

                                28th Jun 1915  Parades and Route March

                                28th Jun 1915  In Camp

                                28th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Jun 1915  Guard Duty

                                28th Jun 1915  New Billets

                                28th Jun 1915  Attack Made

                                28th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Jun 1915  Snipers

                                28th of June 1915  Report from the front

                                28th of June 1915  Quiet evening

                                28th of June 1915  Ammunition usage

                                28th of June 1915 

                                28th Jun 1915  In Action

                                28th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                28th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                28th Jun 1915  In the Front Line

                                28th Jun 1915  Ammunition Supplied

                                28th Jun 1915  In Action

                                28th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jun 1915  In Billets

                                28th Jun 1915  HQ Moves

                                28th Jun 1915  On the March

                                28th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                28th Jun 1915  Billets

                                28th Jun 1915  On the March

                                28th Jun 1915  Equipment

                                28th June 1915  Sniper class commenced

                                28th June 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jun 1915  Chaplain

                                28th of June 1915  Heavy Enemy Shelling

                                28th June 1915  Operational Order No.24.

                                28th June 1915  Attachment

                                28th Jun 1915  Training

                                29th June 1915 Formation Changes  Up to this date the 47th (London) Division, in which the 6th London Brigade is included formed part of the 1st Army Corps, commanded by Lt General Sir Charles Munro. From this date the 47th (London) Division, the 1st Division and 48th (South Midland) Division, form the 4th Army Corps, commanded by Lt General Rawlinson. The 4th Corps is still part of the First Army, commanded by General Sir Douglas Haig. 6th London Brigade RFA Report Major P.J. Clifton proceeded to England on 5 days leave. The 15th & 16th Batteries are attached to the 1st Division.

                                29th june 1915  in billets

                                29th Jun 1915  Escape from an English Camp

                                29th Jun 1915  Bill Introduced

                                29th Jun 1915  Working Parties

                                29th Jun 1915  Counter Attack

                                29th Jun 1915  Enemy Working Party

                                29th June 1915  Reliefs

                                29th of June 1915  Brigade relief

                                29th of June 1915  Quiet morning

                                29th of June 1915  Change in command for 149th

                                29th of June 1915  The Earl of Cavan

                                29th of June 1915  BG Clifford takes Command

                                29th of June 1915  Remaining quiet

                                29th Jun 1915  In Action

                                29th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                29th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                29th Jun 1915  Holding the Line

                                29th Jun 1915  Ammunition

                                29th Jun 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                29th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Jun 1915  Officers

                                29th Jun 1915  In Billets

                                29th Jun 1915  Orders Issued

                                29th Jun 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                29th Jun 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                29th of June 1915  Move

                                29th Jun 1915  On the March

                                29th of June 1915   Some Shelling

                                29th Jun 1915  On the March

                                29th Jun 1915  On the March

                                29th June 1915  Training and Classes continued

                                29th June 1915  Selling Drink

                                29th June 1915  Divisional Reserve

                                29th Jun 1915  Preparations

                                29th of June 1915  Reliefs

                                29th June 1915  Battalion remained in Reserve

                                29th Jun 1915  Training

                                30th June 1915 Battery Training 6th London Brigade RFA   The Hesdigneul Race Course has been allocated to the 6th County of London Brigade RFA on 3 days per week for Battery Training. A telegram was received stating that the 16th London Battery, being no longer required by the 1st Division would proceed tonight to Lapugnoy. At 2345 a further message was received saying that as the services of this Battery were still required, they would remain in action and would occupy the position F.30.c.4.0.

                                Since going into action on the 21st of June, the 15th London Battery had been occupied principally in registering and retaliating. No work of great importance was carried out. During this period, Machine Gun posts were bombarded by the 15th London Battery and 8 direct hits were obtained. This was done at the request of infantry. Other targets engaged were Fort Hohenzollern (A29), The Haishes Cross Roads and Fosse 8 - at the latter target 37 rounds were fired on June 23rd and 8 rounds on June 25th: on this occasion 2 German observers disappeared. On June 27th, 95 rounds were expended (43 Rounds on B.25.b.6.7 and 54 rounds on A.30.b.3.8.) From Monday June 21st to Saturday June 26th, the 16th London Battery occupied the time in registering the zone A.28.c.2.2-A.21.d.4.1. For every one round fired by the Germans, 6 rounds were fired by the 16th London Battery. From June 26th to the morning of June 29th not a round was fired. During this period (on the night of June 28th) the left section was withdrawn and proceeded to the rest Line. The remaining section fired 40 rounds in 10 minutes on the evening of June 29th, in support of a demonstration and the exploding of 3 mines. On June 30th, the Battery was ordered back to Lapugnoy. This order was cancelled at the eleventh hour and the right section came into its new position (F.30.c.4.0) at 2200. J.H. Van Den Bergh 2/Lt

                                Total Casualties to June 30 1915.

                                • Officer Wounded Lieut G. Lyon Smith 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Other Ranks Killed Gunner Whiting 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Died of wounds Bombardier Farrow 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Died of wounds Gunner Deverell 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Wounded Gunner Miles 17th Lon Battery.
                                • Wounded Gunner Darbyshire 15th Lon Battery.
                                • Died of sickness Dr Rossall 16th Lon Battery.
                                • Injured as a result of Shell fire.
                                • Bdr Maclaren 16th Lon Battery.
                                • Bdr Irons 17th Lon Battery.

                                J.H. Van Den Bergh 2/Lt

                                30th June 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 152 men (that are known)

                                30th June 1915  provide digging party  9th Lancers are in Billets North of Wormhoudt engaged in Squadron Training. A Digging Party of 112 Men & 3 Officers sent to 5th Kilo Stone on Elverdinghe to Poperinghe Road. 1 Other Rank to Hospital. Strength - 25 Officers; 532 Other Ranks; 600 Horses.

                                30th Jun 1915  Dog Adopted

                                30th June 1915  In Billets

                                30th June 1915 In Reserve   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Le Nieppe. 1st to 30th June, in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade one mile east of Chateau le Nieppe on the Cassel to St. Omer road.

                                30th Jun 1915  Fear of Gas

                                30th Jun 1915  Women Forestry Workers to be Trained

                                30th Jun 1915  Daring advance on Turks Stronghold

                                30 Jun 1915  Shooting prize

                                30th Jun 1915  Into the Trenches

                                30th Jun 1915  5th Lincs into the Trenches

                                30th Jun 1915  In the Trenches

                                30th Jun 1915  In Camp

                                30th Jun 1915  Reinforcements

                                30th Jun 1915  Reinforcements

                                30th Jun 1915  Death in Camp

                                30th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                30th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                30th Jun 1915  Snipers

                                30th June 1915  In the Line

                                30th of June 1915  Quiet morning

                                30th of June 1915  Brigades report situation quiet

                                30th Jun 1915  In Reserve

                                30th of June 1915 

                                30th Jun 1915  Equipment

                                30th Jun 1915  Trench Work

                                30th Jun 1915  Attacks

                                30th Jun 1915  At Rest

                                30th Jun 1915  Quiet

                                30th Jun 1915  Ammunition

                                30th Jun 1915  Shelling

                                30th Jun 1915  In Billets

                                30th Jun 1915  Mine Explodes

                                30th Jun 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Jun 1915  Relief

                                30th of June 1915  Musketry

                                30th Jun 1915  Recce

                                30th of June 1915   A Reconnoitre

                                30th Jun 1915  Wet Weather

                                30th Jun 1915  On the March

                                30th June 1915  Training and instruction continued.

                                30th June 1915  Holding the Line

                                30th Jun 1915  On the Move

                                30th of June 1915  In Billets

                                30th Jun 1915  Sports

                                30th June 1915  Casualty Report

                                30th Jun 1915  Training

                                Jul 1915 15th BTn Yorks & Lancs Formed  15th (Reserve) Battalion is formed at Silkstone Camp in July 1915 from depot companies of 12th, 13th and 14th Battalions.

                                1st Jul 1915 NSF Corporation Electric Works, Wrexham  National Shell Factory Corporation Electric Works, Wrexham Denbighshire opened in July 1915. First output was in spring 1916. 18-pdr and 13-pdr shells were made and completed. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jul 1915 NSF Uskside National Works opens  National Shell Factory Uskside National Works, Uskside, Newport, Monmouthshire opened in July 1915. Production included 18-pdr, 4.5-in. and 60-pdr shell, proof shot and gun carriage forgings. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jul 1915 HMEF Gadbrook  HMEF Gadbrook, nr Northwich, Cheshire opened in July 1915 to purify crude TNT. First output was in February 1916. It was under the control of Brunner Mond.

                                1st Jul 1915 HMEF Gretna  HMEF Gretna, Dumfriesshire opened in July 1915, the factory covered an area of nine miles by two miles, from Eastriggs in Scotland to Longtown in England and included accommodation for 20,000 workers, its own electricity station, water works telephone exchange, kitchens and laundry. In addition to producing Cordite components, all the ingredients were manufactured onsite including glycerine, nitric acid, alcohol and ether with the areas of the factory being linked by a network of pipes. The first output of Cordite RDB was in June 1916. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions and the build cost was £9.3 million. The site had excellent links to the main rail lines and additional lines and stations were built. Inside the factory fireless and battery powered locomotives were employed on 130 miles of railtrack.

                                1st Jul 1915 HMEF Wallis Road, Hackney Wick opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Wallis Road, Hackney Wick, London started production of TNT in July 1915. First output was in July 1915. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Jul 1915 HMEF Penrhyn Deudraeth opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Penrhyn Deudraeth, Merionethshire (Gwynedd) opened for the production of TNT in July 1915. First output was in January 1916. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Jul 1915 NSF Aintree opens  National Filling Factory Aintree, Liverpool, Lancashire opened in July 1915 Filling shell up to 8-in and assembling componants. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jul 1915 NFF Foleshill opens.  National Filling Factory Foleshill, Coventry, Warwickshire started up in July 1915, filling fuses, gaines and other components. It was under the control of White & Poppe

                                1st July 1915  Rounds Fired

                                1st July 1915 Relocations  

                                Twelfth July celebrations at Seaford County Sussex.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The Move to England.

                                This was well reported in the Lurgan Mail issue on the 10th July 1915 which read: "The secret about the move on Sunday night 27th June leaked out that the first contingent was to move off on the following morning and early on Monday everyone was alert. There was much stir and bustle at the barracks, but it was not until half past two o’clock p.m. that a move was made. At that hour preceded by both bands of the battalion, 170 of the riflemen swung round Windsor Avenue corner into Market Street and proceeded to the Railway Station in command of Captain Jewell and several Lieutenants. Soon the streets were crowded, the route to the station being lined by friends and admirers, and many were the leave takings as the men passed by, many were the greetings and good wishes shouted to them. The public were wisely excluded from the station premises, but the footbridge and every vantage point was crowded. The leave taking on the platform over, the men quickly entrained and the train departed southward amid salvos of cheers from the onlookers. The destination was understood to be Dublin but it has since transpired that the party proceeded the same evening to Liverpool en route for the Seaford Camp.

                                The next move was made on Tuesday, when the Transport section with their horses, mules and equipment, and in command of Lieutenants White (TJ) and Johnston proceeded by road to Belfast en route, via Liverpool, for the new camp.

                                Wednesday evening following saw a grand parade of the remaining men of the Battalion with their several officers, through the principal streets of the town, as the farewell march of the regiment in the district, and on Thursday afternoon the entire remaining force moved out in two sections, the first being in command of Colonel Leader and the second of Major Gardiner, two trains being required for their accommodation. The farewell demonstration of Monday was repeated, but on a scale of greater magnitude. All work was temporarily suspended in the town and district, and the line of march from Windsor Avenue to the railway station was crowded with a dense throng. The same arrangements were in force at the station and the entraining was carried out with expedition. Then came the last goodbye of those privileged few who had gained access to the platform and each train was followed by the cheers and kindly wishes of the onlookers"

                                Seaford, County Sussex. Finally they were on their way to the south of England and the small town of Seaford in Sussex (not to be confused with Seaforde, County Down, spelt with an ‘e’ at the end!). Seaford had a population of about 4,000 at that time.

                                For the first time apart from the review and march past in Belfast, the 36th Division was concentrated in one place. It was within walking distance of Brighton with its shops and attractions. Only 20 miles away across the English Channel was the coast of France and, when the wind was blowing in the right direction, the sound of heavy artillery fire could be heard. The Division was accommodated in the North and South Camps with the Pioneers in the latter. To the north of the camps was the Downs whose rolling valleys and hills provided an excellent area for military training. The first priority was musketry training which was carried out at a range close to the camp at Cuckmere Haven.

                                The River Cuckmere provided a good site for bridging practice within a quarter of a mile from its entry to the sea. The Pioneers had to contend with a lack of proper equipment and the ebb and flow of the tide.

                                Despite the urgency for battle readiness they were able to celebrate the 12th July with a parade, entertainment and guests from home. Several inspections took place early in July and on the 20th Lord Kitchener paid a surprise visit. The unit impressed Lord Kitchener who thought them very smart and ready for action, but it was pointed out they had not yet had musketry and machine gun training. He ordered this to be prioritised and it was partially completed at nearby ranges beside Cuckmere Haven.

                                1st July 1915  train

                                1st July 1915   KUK U-14 Austrian Submarine (formerly French Curie Q87)

                                Type U-14 Shipyard Ordered Launched 18th July 1912 Commissioned 1st July 1915

                                Commanders .
                                1 Jun 1915 - 14 Oct 1915 Otto Zeidler.
                                14 Oct 1915 - 13 Jan 1918 Georg Ritter von Trapp.
                                13 Jan 1918 - 8 Jun 1918 Friedrich Schlosser.
                                19 Jun 1918 - 1 Nov 1918 Hugo Pistel

                                Career.
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 11 ships sunk with a total of 47,653 tons.

                                Fate Returned to France 1919 and scrapped in 1929. (It was formerly the French Submarine Curie (Q 87) captured by Austro-Hungarian Forces.)

                                1st July 1915 Inspection by DG French Medical Service   The 19th Infantry Brigade continued to hold the line as noted last month, with the exception that the section just north of the railway at Rue du Bois has been taken over by the 81st Infantry Brigade. The Director General of the French Medical Service and his secretary inspected the Field Ambulance with Major B Black RAMC, and afterwards proceeded to see the trenches of the brigade. Lt Col Brackenridge accompanied them also, and Lt. Ford was detailed as guide.

                                1st July 1915  Award

                                1st Jul 1915 2/6th Suffolks to move to Norfolk  On 30th June 1915 the 2/6th Suffolks prepared to move to Norwich, moving on 1st July. Most of that month was spent settling in, getting to know the area and the routes to the coast, and on general training. The Battalion was deployed with the Headquarters and two companies at Potter Heigham, one company at Winterton, one company at Palling and four companies (C, D, E. and F) at Stalham. The companies at Winterton and Sea Palling were accommodated in hired buildings, while those at Potter Heigham and Stalham were under canvas. Winterton and Sea Palling were occupied as coastal defence positions, with a company in each, and each of the other companies were rotated through them. When not doing so, the companies were employed on general training, musketry and entrenching other potential coastal defence sites. This routine continued until 30th September. The War Diary has "Nil" entries for October and November 1915.

                                1st Jul 1915  How the Turks were Foiled

                                1st Jul 1915  Gas Shells

                                1st Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                1st Jul 1915  Under Attack

                                1st Jul 1915  Enemy Working Party

                                1st July 1915  Gas Shells

                                1st July 1915  Under Fire

                                Jul 1915  Move

                                July 1915  Appointments

                                1st of July 1915 

                                1st Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                1st of July 1915 

                                1st Jul 1915  In Billets

                                1st Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Jul 1915  Bombardment

                                1st Jul 1915  At Rest

                                1st Jul 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                1st July 1915  Verquignieul

                                1st Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                1st Jul 1915  Training

                                1st Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                Jul 1915  Move

                                1st of July 1915 

                                1st of July 1915   Considerable Shelling

                                1st July 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                1st July 1915  Company Route March.

                                Sep 1917  Record

                                1st July 1915  In Divisional Reserve

                                1st Jul 1915  On the Move

                                1st July 1915  On the Move

                                July 1915  Trench Work

                                1st July 1915  Operational Order No.18.

                                1st Jul 1915  Inspection

                                2nd July 1915  Appointments

                                2nd July 1915  train

                                2nd July 1915 Two lieutenants resume duties  Lt. Hampson returned from leave this morning, and Lt. Grellier from temporary duty with the 5/Scottish rifles.

                                2nd July 1915 Battle of Áland Islands 1915   The Battle of Aland Islands, or the Battle of Gotland, which occurred on the 2nd July 1915, was a naval battle between the German and Russian forces, assisted by a submarine from the British Baltic Flotilla. It took place in the Baltic Sea off the shores of Gotland, Sweden which was neutral in World War I. The German mine-laying cruiser SMS Albatross, screened by the armoured cruiser SMS Roon, the light cruisers SMS Augsburg and Lübeck with seven torpedo boats, under Kommodore Johannes von Karpf, was laying mines off the Åland Islands. On the morning of 2 July, they were intercepted by a Russian squadron consisting of the armored cruisers Admiral Makarov and Bayan with the light cruisers Oleg and Bogatyr, under Rear Admiral Mikhail Bakhirev. In the artillery duel that followed, Albatross was badly damaged and beached on the Swedish coast. In the second phase of the battle, German armoured cruiser Roon and Russian Bayan fought each other at distance without serious damage. Reinforcements on both sides sailed to join the engagement. The Russian armoured cruiser Rurik joined the fight as the German force retreated and met the old light cruiser Lübeck, which took her for the destroyer Novik. Lübeck managed to escape in the short but fierce fighting when Roon intercepted Rurik. Both sides duelled each other at far distance, but again no damage was inflicted by either side. As the German armored cruisers SMS Prinz Adalbert and Prinz Heinrich sailed to reinforce the German squadron, Prinz Adalbert was torpedoed by the British.

                                2nd Jul 1915  Return to Trenches

                                2nd Jul 1915  Relief

                                2nd Jul 1915  A Nervous Night

                                2nd Jul 1915  Route March

                                2nd Ju1 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd Jul 1915  Orders

                                2nd Jul 1915  Working Party

                                2nd July 1915  In Trenches

                                2nd July 1915  In the Line

                                2nd July 1915 

                                2nd Jul 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                2nd July 1915 

                                2nd July 1915 

                                2nd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Jul 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Jul 1915  At Rest

                                2nd Jul 1915  In Bivouac

                                2nd Jul 1915  Shelling

                                2nd July 1915  Stores

                                2nd Jul 1915  Into Trenches

                                2nd Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd Jul 1915  Training

                                2nd Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                2nd of July 1915 

                                2nd of July 1915  A "Good Shoot"

                                2nd July 1915  Carrying Party

                                2nd July 1915  Inspection of Gas Helmets etc.

                                2nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Jul 1915  Courts Martial

                                3rd July 1915  working party

                                3rd Jul 1915 9th West Yorks sail for Gallipoli  9th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) sail from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros.

                                3rd Jul 1915  Snipers in Action

                                3rd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                3rd Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd Jul 1915  Spies

                                3rd July 1915  Rations

                                3rd July 1915  In the Trenches

                                3rd July 1915 

                                3rd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd July 1915 

                                3rd Jul 1915  Sports

                                3rd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Jul 1915  Training

                                3rd Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                3rd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Jul 1915  Shelling

                                3rd Jul 1915  Training

                                3rd Jul 1915  Instructions

                                3rd Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                3rd of July 1915 

                                3rd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                3rd of July 1915   Explosion Heard

                                3rd July 1915  Working Parties

                                3rd July 1915  Divine Service in camp.

                                3rd July 1915  Transfer

                                3rd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Jul 1915  Baths

                                July 1915  Expansion

                                4th July 1915  Working party relieved

                                4th Jul 1915  Under Shellfire

                                4th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                4th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                4th Jul 1915  Almost Full Strength

                                4th Jul 1915  On Stand by

                                4th Jul 1915  Signalling

                                4th July 1915  Shelling

                                4th July 1915  Under Fire

                                4th July 1915 

                                4th Jul 1915  Bombing

                                4th July 1915 

                                4th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                4th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                4th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                4th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                4th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                4th Jul 1915   Orders Recieved

                                4th Jul 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                4th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                4th of July 1915 

                                4th of July 1915  Enemy Guns Active

                                4th July 1915  Shelling.

                                4th Jul 1915  Preparations

                                4th July 1915  Classes of instruction continued.

                                4th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                4th Jul 1915  Orders Received

                                4th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                4th Jul 1915  Lectures

                                5th May 1915  C Squadron train

                                5th July 1915 Demo re damping of smoke helmets.  Lt. Chapell returned from leave this morning.

                                Lt. Grellier proceeded on eight days leave to England this evening.

                                Visited 82nd and 83rd Field Ambulances with Assistant Director of Medical Services to see the transport of these units.

                                Lt. Ford the attended 27th Divisional headquarters to see demonstration re damping of smoke helmets.

                                5th July 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Jul 1915 Monmouth Battalions to reform  On July 5th the first steps were taken to reform the three battalions. This lead to the 2nd Monmouth's being detached away on July 24 th and subsequently the final partition between 1st and 3rd Monmouth's on August 11th. The 3rd Monmouth's were reattached to the 83rd Brigade and reorganised into four Companies under Lt JM Jones, Captain HG Tyler, Lt LD Whitehead and Lt HA Hodges.

                                5th Jul 1915  Relief Completed

                                5th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                5th Jul 1915  Rations

                                5th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                5th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                5th July 1915  Wounded

                                5th July 1915  In Trenches

                                5th of July 1915 

                                5th Jul 1915  Enemy Attacks

                                5th Jul 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                5th Jul 1915  Reorganisation

                                5th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                5th Jul 1915  In Support

                                5th Jul 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                5th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                5th July 1915  35th Field Ambulance Embarks on SS Ionic

                                5th of July 1915  Vermelles

                                5th of July 1915   Three-Hour Bombardment

                                5th July 1915  Reliefs

                                5th July 1915  Training and courses.

                                5th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                5th July 1915  Operational Order No.19.

                                5th Jul 1915  Route March

                                5th Jul 1915  Training

                                6th July 1915  Leave of Absence

                                6th July 1915  in billets

                                6th July 1915 Attachment order  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                On the 6th July Lieutenant AG Neville went to 36th Trench Howitzer Battery, 8th Division on loan for one month.

                                6th Jul 1915  Shelled by Germans for a Whole Day.

                                6th Jul 1915  Football Match

                                6th Jul 1915  135 Bty in the Front Line

                                6th Jul 1915  5th Northumberlands Relieve 7th.

                                6th Jul 1915  In Huts

                                6th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Jul 1915  Trench Inspection

                                6th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                6th Jul 1915  Relief

                                6th July 1915  Shelling

                                6th of July 1915 

                                6th Jul 1915  Bombardment

                                6th of July 1915 

                                6th of July 1915 

                                6th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Jul 1915  Concert

                                6th Jul 1915  Wiring

                                6th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                6th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Jul 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                6th Jul 1915  Equipment

                                6th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                6th July 1915  SS Ionic Sets Sail

                                6th of July 1915 

                                6th of July 1915  Brigadiers Conference

                                6th July 1915  Some Shelling

                                6th July 1915  Quiet day.

                                6th July 1915  Shelling

                                6th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                6th July 1915  Operational Order No.25.

                                6th July 1915  Operational Order No.20.

                                6th July 1915  Band Plays

                                6th Jul 1915  Training

                                6th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                7th July 1915  6th London Brigade RFA in Front Line

                                7th July 1915  in billets

                                7th Jul 1915 U-9 joins Baltic Flotilla  SM U-9 commanded by Johannes Spieß transfers from I Flotilla to the Baltic Flotilla.

                                7th July 1915 82nd Field Ambulance - changes of duty   Capt CG Browne DSO rejoined from temporary duty with 82nd Field Ambulance. Maj. GT Willan left to rejoin 82nd Field Ambulance.

                                7th July 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in Reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Le Nieppe from 1st to 7th July 1915. One mile east of Chateau Le Neippe on the Cassel - St. Omer Road.

                                7th Jul 1915  On the March

                                7th Jul 1915  Advance Party Departs

                                7th Jul 1915  Route March

                                7th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                7th Jul 1915  Ammunition

                                7th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Jul 1915  Relief

                                7th Jul 1915  Less Activity

                                7th July 1915  Shelling

                                7th of July 1915 

                                7th Jul 1915  Quiet

                                7th of July 1915 

                                7th of July 1915 

                                7th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                7th Jul 1915  Quiet

                                7th Jul 1915  Visit

                                7th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                7th July 1915  CAMBRIN

                                7th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Jul 1915   Orders

                                7th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                7th Jul 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                7th July 1915  SS Ionic Journey

                                7th of July 1915  Normal Night

                                7th July 1915  Accident

                                7th July 1915  Poor Weather

                                7th July 1915  In trenches at W1.

                                7th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                7th July 1915  Officer fitness

                                7th Jul 1915  Training

                                7th Jul 1915  Course

                                8th July 1915  Movement

                                8th July 1915  train

                                8th July 1915 Damping of smoke helmets   Parade of half the Field Ambulance for damping of smoke helmets. Lt. Ford as the Brigade respirator advisor is completing the damping off all smoke helmets of the Brigade.

                                8th July 1915  Posting

                                8th July 1915  Reserve

                                8th Jul 1915  Kitchener's Visit

                                08th Jul 1915  Route March and Working Parties

                                8th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Jul 1915  Enemy Movements

                                8th Jul 1915  Improvements

                                8th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                8th July 1915  Reliefs

                                8th of July 1915 

                                8th Jul 1915  Quiet

                                8th Jul 1915  Inspection

                                8th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                8th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                8th Jul 1915  Inspection

                                8th Jul 1915  Inspection

                                8th July 1915  Arrival

                                8th of July 1915  Normal Situation

                                8th July 1915  Very quiet day

                                8th July 1915  In Billets

                                8th Jul 1915  Very Hot

                                8th Jul 1915  Advance Party

                                8th Jul 1915  Inspection

                                8th July 1915  Heading to France

                                9th July 1915  6th London Brigade RFA Register Targets

                                9th July 1915  train

                                9th July 1915 Completion of damping of smoke helmets  The remainder of this Field Ambulance paraded for damping of their smoke helmets.

                                09th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                9th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                9th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                9th Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                9th Jul 1915  Terracing

                                9th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                9th July 1915  In Billets

                                9th of July 1915 

                                9th Jul 1915  Visit

                                9th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                9th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                9th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                9th Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                9th Jul 1915  Sports

                                9th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                9th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                9th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Jul 1915  Into the Line

                                9th Jul 1915   Advance Party

                                9th Jul 1915  Refitting

                                9th Jul 1915   On the Move

                                9th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                9th of July 1915  Monoplane Brought Down

                                9th July 1915  Bombardment

                                9th July 1915  Cricket

                                9th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                9th Jul 1915  Advance Party

                                9th Jul 1915  Recce

                                9th July 1915  Entrained at Chiseldon

                                9th Jul 1915  Inspection

                                10th July 1915  6th London Brigade RFA in Action

                                10th Jul 1915 Wearside Pals Battalion formed  20th (Service) Battalion (Wearside) Durham Light Infantry, known as the Wearside Pals was formed in Sunderland on 10 July 1915 by the Mayor and a committee.

                                10th July 1915  receive orders

                                10th July 1915 Selecting Field Ambulance sites  Accompanied by Capt. Browne DSO and Lt. Hampson, Transport Officer met the Assistant Director of Medical Services 27th Division north of Erquinghem Bridge to select possible sites for the unopened sections of Field Ambulance in Armentières and Erquinghem. Two farms with adjacent fields likely to be suitable were noted one at B20d4.2 and the other at B26d5.5.

                                Sent in written report as to disposition of the section the Field Ambulance, showing strength at each place in men, horses and vehicles.

                                10th Jul 1915  5th Yorks & Lancs under heavy Fire.

                                10th Jul 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieve 5th.

                                10th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                10th Jul 1915  Cricket Match

                                10th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                10th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Jul 1915  In Support

                                10th Jul 1915  Preparations

                                10th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Jul 1915  Terracing

                                10th Jul 1915  Stand To

                                10th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                10th July 1915  Working Parties

                                10th of July 1915 

                                10th of July 1915 

                                10th of July 1915 

                                10th of July 1915 

                                10th Jul 1915  Rifle Fire

                                10th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Jul 1915  Sports

                                10th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Jul 1915  Training

                                10th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                10th Jul 1915  Holding the Line

                                10th Jul 1915   Move

                                10th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Jul 1915   On the Move

                                10th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                10th of July 1915  A Mine Exploded

                                10th July 1915  Quiet

                                10th July 1915  Bombardment of North of Ypres.

                                10th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                10th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                10th Jul 1915  Sports

                                10th July 1915  In Ostrohove Camp.

                                10th July 1915  Exercise

                                11th Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers sail from Dover  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers sailed from Dover for Devonport enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                11th Jul 1915 4th Duke of Wellingtons deposit Colours in Parish Church  The 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment deposit their colours at the parish church of of Saint John the Baptist in Halifax for safe keeping.

                                11th July 1915  Wagons Move Back

                                11th July 1915  Church Parade

                                11th July 1915 Still planning Move   Accompanied Assstant Director of Medical Services 27th Division again this afternoon. Farm at B20d4.2 now occupied by Artillery, therefore saw Farm at B26b6.8 with good fields for encampment and horse lines, and also farm at B20c2.6 with large field suitable for two sections of two Field Ambulances men, horses and vehicles. Nothing definite settled, but if Divisional Rest Station moves further back to an encampment, this Field Ambulance would possibly move into the factory at Bac St Maur at present in use as Divisional Rest Station.

                                11th July 1915  Holding the Line

                                11th Jul 1915  Training and Working Parties

                                11th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Jul 1915  Preparations

                                11th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                11th Jul 1915  Recce

                                11th Aug 1915  Training

                                11th July 1915  Working Parties

                                11th of July 1915 

                                11th of July 1915 

                                11th of July 1915 

                                11th of July 1915 

                                11th Jul 1915  Under Fire

                                11th of July 1915 

                                11th Jul 1915  Award

                                11th Jul 1915  Sports

                                11th Jul 1915  On the March

                                11th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                11th Jul 1915  Mine

                                11th Jul 1915   At Rest

                                11th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Jul 1915   Orders Received

                                11th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                11th of July 1915  Home Leave

                                11th of July 1915   Enemy Creates Crater

                                11th July 1915  Quiet day

                                11th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                11th July 1915  Orders postponed

                                11th July 1915  In Brigade Reserve in S. Maroc.

                                11th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                11th Jul 1915  Sports

                                11th July 1915  Marched 4 miles to Bayenghem

                                11th Jul 1915  Orders

                                11th July 1915  Baths

                                12th July 1915  Orders Cancelled

                                12th August 1915 Vacancies to be filled  6th County of London Brigade RFA report their vacancies in non-commissioned ranks, caused by death or sickness are being filled by promotion to temporary-acting-rank.

                                12th July 1915  Change of Billets

                                12th July 1915   KUK U-10 Austrian Submarine. (The former German SM UB-1)

                                Type U-10 Shipyard Ordered Launched 29th January 1915 Commissioned 12th July 1915

                                Commanders.
                                4 J ul 1915 - 10 Sep 1915 Karl Edler von Unczowski.
                                16 Sep 1915 - 22 Aug 1916 Leo Prásil.
                                22 Aug 1916 - 10 Dec 1916 Otto Molitor.
                                10 Dec 1916 - 11 Jun 1917 Hermann Rigele.
                                15 Jun 1917 - 26 Jul 1917 Albrecht Graf von Attems.
                                26 Jul 1917 - 24 Nov 1917 Robert Dürrigl.
                                25 Nov 1917 - 17 Mar 1918 Andreas Korparic.
                                23 May 1918 - 26 May 1918 Friedrich Sterz.
                                26 May 1918 - 31 Aug 1918 Johann Ulmansky von Vracsevgaj

                                Career.
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate Mined 9th July 1918 and scrapped in 1918.

                                12th July 1915 Arrival of Sunbeam and Talbot cars  Assistant Director of Medical Services visited Field Ambulance this morning to interview Lt. Robertson Medical Officer 1/Cameronians, who is applying for a regular commission in the RAMC. Afterwards accompanied by the ADMS to select a suitable site for a divisional rest station camp and in view of this Field Ambulance moving into the factory at Bac St Maur.

                                Lt.-Col. Rattray proceeding nine days leave this evening and hands over the command to Capt. C G Browne DSO.

                                (NB this entry signed M M Rattray)

                                Capt. CG Brown RAMC took over temporary command of the Field Ambulance from Lieutenant-Colonel MM Rattray, who proceeded on leave to England. Seven Sunbeam cars arrived this evening with14 drivers and one NCO and motor bicycle. Five Talbot cars with 10 drivers and one motor bicycle transferred to No.1 MA ( Motor Ambulance) Convoy. The Sunbeam cars are all new 12-16 HP cars and the cycle is a Douglas.

                                (NB this entry signed CG Brown)

                                12th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                12th July 1915 Departure from Devonport  42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                42 Siege Battery embarked on board the SS Karoa sailing from Devonport to Alexandria, Egypt, departing on the 12th July 1915. It was to form part of 24th Heavy Artillery Brigade as GHQ Troops for Australia/New Zealand Division in Egypt.

                                12th Jul 1915  No new draft for 8th Worcesters

                                12th Jul 1915  North Midland Engineers under fire

                                12th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Jul 1915  Trench Visit

                                12th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                12th Jul 1915  Ready

                                12th Jul 1915  Attack Made

                                12th July 1915  Training

                                12th of July 1915 

                                12th of July 1915 

                                12th of July 1915 

                                12th Jul 1915  Attack Made

                                12th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                12th Jul 1915  Sports

                                12th Jul 1915  Improvement Work

                                12th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Jul 1915  Mine Exploded

                                12th Jul 1915  Recconaissance

                                12th Jul 1915   At Rest

                                12th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Jul 1915   On the Move

                                12th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                12th of JUly 1915  Gift of tin baths.

                                12th of July 1915   Enemy Explode Mine

                                12th July 1915  Shelling

                                12th July 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Jul 1915  Reorganisation

                                12th Jul 1915  On the March

                                12th July 1915 

                                12th Jul 1915  In Action

                                12th Jul 1915  Losses

                                12th Jul 1915  Orders

                                12th July 1915  Working Party

                                13th Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers sail from Devonport  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers sailed from Devonport for Malta enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                13th July 1915  Reconnaissance

                                13th July 1915  engaged in training

                                13th July 1915 Cars sent in error   Instruction received from OC (Officer Commanding) MA (Motor Ambulance) convoys that the Sunbeam cars had been sent to these this unit in error. The five Talbots returned and Sunbeams with personnel etc were returned to OC MA Convoy. Lt. Ford RAMC completed the damping of smoke helmets for the 19th Infantry Brigade.

                                13th July 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                13th Jul 1915  Gloucesters & Worcesters on the march

                                13th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                13th Jul 1915  Working Party Shelled

                                13th Jul 1915  Enemy Active

                                13th Jul 1915  Working Parties & Baths

                                13th Jul 1915  Into Billets

                                13th Jul 1915  Stand To

                                13th July 1915  Routine

                                13th of July 1915 

                                13th of July 1915 

                                13th of July 1915 

                                13th of July 1915 

                                13th Jul 1915  Heavy Fire

                                13th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Jul 1915  Training

                                13th Jul 1915  Training

                                13th Jul 1915  On the March

                                13th July 1915  Verquin

                                13th Jul 1915  In the Line

                                13th Jul 1915   On the Move

                                13th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                13th Jul 1915   On the Move

                                13th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                13th of July 1915  Wire Entanglement Officer

                                13th of July 1915   Enemy Active on Canal

                                13th July 1915  Orders Received

                                13th July 1915  Trench mortars

                                13th July 1915  In trenches

                                13th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                13th Jul 1915  In Bivouac

                                13th Jul 1915  Few Wounded

                                13th Jul 1915  Counter Attack

                                13th July 1915  Posting

                                14th July 1915  Batteries of 6th London Brigade RFA Fire

                                14th Jul 1915 10th West Yorks proceed to France  10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment proceed to France, they land at Boulogne on the 14th of July 1915.

                                14th July 1915  B Sqd train

                                14th July 1915  Draft from England

                                14th Jul 1915  Interesting march for 4th Middlesex

                                14th Jul 1915  Trench digging

                                14th Jul 1915  Cavalry Charge

                                14th Jul 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved by Canadians

                                14th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Jul 1915  7th Lincolns in France

                                14th Jul 1915  Brave Rescue

                                14th Jul 1915  Gifts from Barnard Castle Residents

                                14th Jul 1915  Burial Party

                                14th Jul 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                14th Jul 1915  Enemy Blow

                                14th Jul 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                14th July 1915  Routine

                                14th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                14th of July 1915 

                                14th of July 1915 

                                14th Jul 1915  Quiet

                                14th of July 1915 

                                14th of July 1915 

                                14th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                14th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Jul 1915  Heavy Rain

                                14th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                14th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Jul 1915   Orders Recieved

                                14th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                14th Jul 1915  Ceremonial Parade

                                14th Jul 1915  Embarkation

                                14th Jul 1915   On the March

                                14th Jul 1915  Heavy Rain

                                14th July 1915  Into Port

                                14th of July 1915  Aeroplane Active

                                14th July 1915  Reliefs

                                14th July 1915  Shelling

                                14th July 1915  In Camp

                                14th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                14th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                14th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                14th July 1915  Working Party

                                14th July 1915  On the Move

                                15th July 1915  6th London Brigade RFA Fire

                                15th Jul 1915  19th Heavy Battery proceed to France  19th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                15th July 1915  training continues

                                15th July 1915  On the Move

                                15th July 1915 Immediate move to Fort Rompu  Capt. JB Williamson RAMC assumed temporary command of 19th Field Ambulance vice Capt. CG Browne RAMC appointed Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services VII Corps. Capt. CG Browne left the unit for GHQ this day. (Signed CG Browne)

                                Orders received at 2 pm from Assistant Director of Medical Services 27th Division, for 19th Field Ambulance to move at once to brewery at Fort Rompu, square H7d6.4. 19th Field Ambulance Paraded at 3:45 and marched complete at 4 pm. then took over brewery vacated by 26th Field Ambulance. Arranged accommodation for about 40 patients. At 11 pm visited by ADMS who considered accommodation insufficient. Prepared further accommodation allowing for total of about 120 lying down cases. All action posts in area cleared maintained as before. (signed JB Williamson)

                                15th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                15th Jul 1915  Trench digging by night

                                15th Jul 1915  7th Northumberlands Rest

                                15th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                15th Jul 1915  Leave Begins

                                15th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                15th Jul 1915  Change of Billets

                                15th July 1915  Training

                                15th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th Jul 1915  Preparations

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th of July 1915 

                                15th Jul 1915  Mines Exploded

                                15th Jul 1915  On the March

                                15th Jul 1915  Training

                                15th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                15th Jul 1915   On the March

                                15th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Jul 1915  Embarkation

                                15th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                15th Jul 1915   On the March

                                15th Jul 1915  Mines Exploded

                                15th of July 1915   Reliefs

                                15th July 1915  New Billets

                                15th Jul 1915  Report

                                15th July 1915  Letter

                                15th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                15th July 1915  Men carrying water fired on.

                                15th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                15th of July 1915  Orders Received

                                15th Jul 1915  Arrival

                                15th Jul 1915  Working Party

                                15th July 1915  Arrived at Wallon Cappell

                                15th Jul 1915  In Camp

                                15th July 1915  Working Party

                                16th July 1915 Batteryies in action 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA reports 15th London Battery fired 10 rounds in retaliation on forward German trenches. 16th London Battery also fired in retaliation and registered in addition G.34.b.7.7, G.35.a.1.6, G.29.c.9.1, G.35.b.7.3. 17th London Battery again fired on several occasions on enemy transport at H.25.d. Senior Officer J. Legrix (Interpreter) proceeded to Elbeuf on 8 days leave of absence.

                                16th July 1915  train

                                16th July 1915 Inspection at Fort Rompu    Visited by Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General and Assistant Director of Medical Services 27th Division, who inspected the whole of the building occupied by the unit. The ADMS considered the arrangements for reception of sick and wounded satisfactory.

                                In the afternoon visited by General Officer Commanding 27th Division.

                                16th Jul 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                16th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Jul 1915  On the March

                                16th Jul 1915  Reorganising

                                16th Jul 1915  Trench Recce

                                16th Jul 1915  Lack of Water

                                16th July 1915  Training

                                16th of July 1915 

                                16th of July 1915 

                                16th of July 1915 

                                16th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                16th of July 1915 

                                16th of July 1915 

                                16th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                16th Jul 1915  On the March

                                16th Jul 1915  Training

                                16th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                16th Jul 1915  Change of Command

                                16th Jul 1915   On the March

                                16th Jul 1915  Quiet

                                16th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                16th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                16th Jul 1915   On the March

                                16th Jul 1915  Heavy Firing

                                16th of July 1915  Adjutant Appointed

                                16th of July 1915  More Reliefs

                                16th July 1915  New guns.

                                16th July 1915  Trenchwork

                                16th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                16th Jul 1915  Dugouts

                                16th July 1915  Marched to Ham En Artois

                                16th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                16th July 1915  Working Party

                                17th Jul 1915 Women March for right to work on Munitions  In London 50,000 women marched, led by Mrs Pankhurst, to petition for women to be permitted to work in Munitions Factories.

                                17th July 1915  Reconnaissance & Retailiation

                                17th July 1915  train

                                17th Jul 1915  Orders to move received by 8th Worcesters

                                17th Jul 1915  3/7th & 3/8th Worcesters on the move

                                17th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Jul 1915  Into Reserve Trenches

                                17th Jul 1915  On the March

                                17th Jul 1915  Fatigues

                                17th July 1915  Training

                                17th of July 

                                17th of July 1915 

                                17th of July 1915 

                                17th of July 1915 

                                17th of July 1915 

                                17th of July 1915 

                                17th of July 1915 

                                17th of July 1915 

                                17th of July 1915 

                                17th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                17th of July 

                                17th of July 

                                17th of July 

                                17th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                17th Jul 1915  On the March

                                17th Jul 1915  Inspections

                                17th Jul 1915  Training

                                17th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                17th Jul 1915   On the March

                                17th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Jul 1915  Promotions

                                17th Jul 1915  Embarkation

                                17th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                17th Jul 1915   On the March

                                17th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                17th of July 1915  Mine Explodes

                                17th July 1915 

                                17th July 1915  Recce

                                17th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                17th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                17th July 1915  Marched to Hesdigneul

                                17th July 1915  Bivouac

                                17th July 1915  Orders

                                18th July 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Capt. P.A. Love, OC. 6th London Ammunition Column went sick and was removed to field ambulance, his place as OC. the Column being taken by Capt. C.P. Bertie of 16th London Battery. The 15th London Battery fired a total of 28 rounds in retaliation on forward German trenches and 16th London Battery fired 10 rounds. 17th London Battery fired 23 rounds in reply to hostile fire, which ceased. A working party of 30 men was dispersed. At 2345 the 17th London Battery fired 4 rounds on enemy’s trenches at the request of infantry. A Corporal, Bombardier and Gunner of the 15th London Battery were accidentally wounded whilst examining an unexploded German shell.

                                18th July 1915  working party

                                18th July 1915 DMS visits  Visited by Director of Medical Services First Army.

                                18th Jul 1915  On the March

                                18th Jul 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                18th Jul 1915  Into the Trenches

                                18th Jul 1915   9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment departed from Southampton aboard the H.M.Transport Monas Queen.

                                18th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                18th Jul 1915  Transport Moves

                                18th July 1915  Training

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th Jul 1915  Refitting

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                18th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                18th Jul 1915  Relief Complete

                                18th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Jul 1915   Training and Baths

                                18th Jul 1915  Quiet

                                18th Jul 1915  On the March

                                18th Jul 1915   Quiet

                                18th Jul 1915  Enemy Mine

                                18th of July 1915   Companies leave Tidworth

                                18th of July 1915 

                                18th of July 1915   Reconnaissance Made

                                18th July 1915 

                                18th July 1915  Reliefs

                                18th July 1915  Relieved 8th Battalion

                                18th Jul 1915  Recce

                                18th of July 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                18th Jul 1915  Recruitment

                                19th July 1915  New Gun Positions

                                19th Jul 1915 Mine blown at Hooge  3rd Division blew a mine at Hooge which had been prepared by 175th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. They had constructed a gallery 190 ft long and laid a charge of 3500lbs of ammonal, creating a crater 120ft in diameter and 20ft deep.

                                19th July 1915  working party

                                19th July 1915 Move to Steenwerck   Unclear orders from 19th infantry brigade. Headquarters marched at 10:30 am to billets near Steenwerck, square A15C.sheet 36; relieved by one section 82nd Field Ambulance which took over advanced dressing station at Gris Pot. Divisional baton handed over to charge of 83rd Field Ambulance.

                                This day the 19th Infantry Brigade was relieved from the trenches, and moved into billets in the area west and south of Steenwerck.

                                Lt. Hill temporarily attached to Royal Welch Fusiliers, in relief of Lt. Harbison proceeded on nine days leave.

                                19th Jul 1915  On the March

                                19th Jul 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                19th Jul 1915  8th Worcesters entrain

                                19th Jul 1915  9th Welsh Fuiliers arrive in France

                                19th Jul 1915  Mine Exploded

                                19th Jul 1915  Situation Normal

                                19th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                19th Jul 1915  Into the Line

                                19th Jul 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                19th July 1915  Working Parties

                                19th of July 1915 

                                19th of July 1915 

                                19th Jul 1915  Refitting

                                19th of July 1915 

                                19th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                19th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                19th Jul 1915  On the March

                                19th Jul 1915  Training

                                19th Jul 1915  Mine Exploded

                                19th July 1915  Vermelles

                                19th Jul 1915  Quiet

                                19th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                19th Jul 1915  On the March

                                19th Jul 1915   Quiet

                                19th Jul 1915  Heavy Firing

                                19th of July 1915  On the Move

                                19th july 1915  On the move

                                19th of July 1915  Move to Orphange

                                19th of July 1915   Quiet Night

                                19th July 1915 

                                19th July 1915  Battalion in bivouac.

                                19th July 1915  In trenches at W1.

                                19th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of July 1915  Courage Under Fire

                                19th Jul 1915  On the March

                                19th July 1915  Instruction

                                20th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Retaliate  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lieut. W.J. Barnard proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence, thereby leaving the 16th Lon Battery with only two Officers. 2/Lt. J.A.W. Petro attached to the 16th London Battery from the 6th London Ammunition Column. 15th London Battery fired 15 rounds in retaliation on forward German trenches and 16th London Battery fired a total of 8 rounds also in retaliation, on the same target. 17th London Battery likewise retaliated.

                                20th July 1915  working party

                                20th July 1915 19th Infantry Brigade transfers to 8th Division  Visited by Deputy Director Medical Services 3rd Corps.

                                This day the 19th Infantry Brigade and attached troops were transferred from 27th Division to 8th Division.

                                20th Jul 1915  Inspection

                                20th Jul 1915  10th Sherwoods at rest

                                20th Jul 1915  Yeomanry Drill

                                20th Jul 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                20th Jul 1915  In Dugouts

                                20th Jul 1915  Men Wounded

                                20th Jul 1915  Musketry

                                20th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                20th Jul 1915  Recce

                                20th July 1915  At Rest

                                20th of July 1915 

                                20th Jul 1915  Orders

                                20th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                20th Jul 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                20th Jul 1915  Recce

                                20th Jul 1915  In Action

                                20th Jul 1915  At Rest

                                20th Jul 1915   Instruction

                                20th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                20th Jul 1915   Reliefs

                                20th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                20th of July 1915   In Billets

                                20th of July 1915 

                                20th Jul 1915  Reorganisation

                                20th of July 1915  Mine Discovered

                                20th july 1915  Orders

                                20th Jul 1915  Preparations

                                20th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                20th July 1915  Inspection

                                20th July 1915  Clothing

                                20th Jul 1915  Snipers

                                20th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                20th of July 1915  Work Hindered by Enemy Shell Fire

                                20th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                20th Jul 1915  On the March

                                20th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                20th July 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers arrived in Malta  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers arrived Malta enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                21st Jul 1915 10th Btn. Rifle Brigade proceed to France  10th Battalion, Rifle Brigade having completed their training at Hamilton Camp near Stonehenge, proceeded to France, landing at Bologne.

                                21st July 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   The Adjutant of 6th County of London Brigade RFA, Captain M.J.K. O’Malley, became sick and was evacuated to 6 Field Ambulance. 15th London Battery fired a total of 36 rounds on billets at Loos and 7 rounds on German forward trenches, all in retaliation. 16th London Battery fired 23 rounds in retaliation, of these, 8 rounds were fired at Loos and remainder distributed along the German Front Line trenches. Later 32 rounds were fired at the latter target. At 3 periods during the day 17th London Battery retaliated on G.34.c.6.8. Three NCO’s and one man of the 15th London Battery were wounded as a result of examining a German 'blind' shell. One man of the 17th London Battery was wounded during bombardments of the 17th London Battery Wagon Line at Novelles

                                21st July 1915  train

                                21st July 1915 Unsuccessful search for new sites for Field Ambulance  Visited by Assistant Director of Medical Services and Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services 8th Division. On their instructions, and accompanied by Lt. Hampson, went to inspect possible sites, in neighbourhood of Nouveau Monde, for Field Ambulance to occupy but found none suitable.

                                21st July 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Jul 1915  10th Sherwoods inspected

                                21st Jul 1915  A Change of Scene.

                                21st Jul 1915  An Excellent Lecture

                                21st Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Jul 1915  Snipers Active

                                21st Jul 1915  Inspection

                                21st Jul 1915  Instruction

                                21st Jul 1915  On the Move

                                21st Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                21st July 1915  Working Party

                                21st of July 1915 

                                21st of July 1915 

                                21st Jul 1915  Orders

                                21st of July 1915 

                                21st Jul 1915  Route March

                                21st Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                21st Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                21st Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                21st Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Jul 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                21st Jul 1915  On the Move

                                21st July 1915  Vermelles Curly Crescent

                                21st Jul 1915   Route March

                                21st Jul 1915  Quiet

                                21st July 1915  On the Move

                                21st Jul 1915  On the March

                                21st Jul 1915   Quiet

                                21st Jul 1915  Shelling

                                21st of July 1915  Route Marches and Drills

                                21st July 1915  Arrival

                                21st of July 1915 

                                21st of July 1915  Relief

                                1915-07-21  On the move

                                21st July 1915  Classes of instruction

                                21st July 1915  Maps

                                21st July 1915  In billets

                                21st Jul 1915  On the Move

                                21st Jul 1915  On the Move

                                21st of July 1915  Heavy Bombardment

                                21st of July 1915  Reliefs

                                21st July 1915  On the Move

                                21st Jul 1915  In Billets

                                21st July 1915  Left bivouac

                                21st Jul 1915  Instruction

                                21st July 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers sail from Malta  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers sailed from Malta enroute to the Dardanelles via Alexandria.

                                22nd July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Fire  Retaliating, 15th London Battery fired 12 rounds on Loos billets and a total of 17 rounds on German Front Line trenches. 16th London Battery fired 91 rounds on Loos billets and German Front Line trenches. 17th London Battery fired at Loos billets. The hostile bombardment was particularly severe - using high explosive, on Philosophe, Les Brebris and neighbourhood this afternoon. One man in the 17th London Battery Wagon Line at Noyelles was wounded. 10 rifles per Battery along with the rifles of Brigade Headquarters staff and Ammunition Column were withdrawn. These Units are to be rearmed with carbines.

                                22nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                22th July 1915  working party & training

                                22nd Jul 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                22nd Jul 1915  Ships Sunk

                                22nd Jul 1915  Brigade Drill

                                22nd Jul 1915  Fatigue Parties

                                22nd Jul 1915  Shell Failed to Explode

                                22nd Jul 1915  Good Progress

                                22nd Jul 1915  Companies in Reserve

                                22nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd July 1915  Training

                                22nd of July 1915 

                                22nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1915  Orders

                                22nd Jul 1915  Quiet

                                22nd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Jul 1915  In Billets

                                22nd July 1915  Vermelles Curly Crescent

                                22nd Jul 1915  Instruction

                                22nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1915   Quiet

                                22nd Jul 1915  Shelling

                                22nd of July 1915  Orders Received to Move

                                22nd of July 1915 

                                22nd of July 1915  Superior Sniping

                                22nd Jul 1915  Orders

                                22nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                22nd July 1915  A Coy. rejoined Battalion

                                22nd July 1915  Orders Received

                                22nd July 1915  Relieved in trenches by 21st London Regt.

                                22nd Jul 1915  Training

                                22nd of July 1915  Battalion Relieved from Trench Duty

                                22nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd July 1915  Casualties

                                22nd Jul 1915  In Billets

                                22nd July 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd July 1915  Advance Party

                                22nd July 1915 19th Field Ambulance ordered to move to Estaires   On orders from 19th Infantry Brigade HQ visited Agricultural College, Estaires, with a view to taking over buildings at present occupied by 1st Highland Field Ambulance 51st Division.

                                Orders received from the 19th Infantry Brigade headquarters cancelling arrangements re Agricultural College, and ordering Field Ambulance to move on July 23 to Pensionnat des Jeunes Filles, Estaires.

                                23rd July 1915 Retaliation by 6th London Brigade RFA   15th London Battery fired a total of 80 rounds on German Front Line trenches in retaliation for fire on ours. This Battery also fired 11 rounds registering a new point, G.28.b.3.7. The 16th London Battery fired 13 rounds in retaliation for the same reason as the 15th London Battery. The 17th London Battery fired 3 rounds on G.34.c.6.9.

                                23rd July 1915  celebrate Anniversary

                                23rd July 1915   SM U-66

                                Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 203) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 1 Nov 1913 Launched 22 Apr 1915 Commissioned 23 Jul 1915

                                Commanders.
                                23 Jul 1915 - 16 Jun 1917 Thorwald von Bothmer.
                                17 Jun 1917 - 3 Sep 1917 Gerhard Muhle

                                Career 7 patrols.
                                17 Oct 1915 - 15 Jan 1916 Baltic Flotilla.
                                15 Jan 1916 - 3 Sep 1917 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 24 ships sunk with a total of 69,016 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 6,714 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,005 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 5,250 tons.

                                • 5 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Zent 3,890 br
                                • 6 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Binicaise 151 fr
                                • 7 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Sainte Marie 397 fr
                                • 7 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Rijndijk (damaged) 3,557 nl
                                • 8 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Santanderino 3,346 sp
                                • 9 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Eastern City 4,341 br
                                • 9 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Glenalmond 2,888 br
                                • 9 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Sjolyst 997 nw
                                • 10 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Margam Abbey 4,471 br
                                • 10 Apr 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Unione 2,367 it
                                • 11 Aug 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Inverdruie 613 nw
                                • 19 Aug 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Falmouth (damaged) 5,250 br
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Bjor 1,090 nw
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Palander 311 sw
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Gurre 1,733 nw
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Livingstone (prize) 1,005 nw
                                • 22 Mar 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Stuart Prince 3,597 br
                                • 27 Mar 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Neath 5,548 br
                                • 6 Apr 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Powhatan 6,117 br
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Amor 3,472 it
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Manchester Miller 4,234 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Cranmore (damaged) 3,157 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Ikalis 4,329 br
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Bay State 6,583 br
                                • 14 Jun 1917 U 66 Thorwald von Bothmer Perfect 1,088 nw
                                • 9 Jul 1917 U 66 Gerhard Muhle Iparraguirre 1,161 sp
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 66 Gerhard Muhle African Prince 4,916 br
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 66 Gerhard Muhle Harold 1,376 br

                                Fate 3 Sep 1917 - Lost on or after September 3, 1917, possibly in the Dogger Bank area to a mine. 40 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 66 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 2 Jan 1941.

                                23rd July 1915 19th Field Ambulance moves to Estaires  Rejoined early this morning and assumed command. Lt. Soltau also returned to 1/Middlesex regiment as Medical Officer and Lt. Mullan who has been acting for him rejoined this unit today.

                                The Field Ambulance moved at 3 pm by march route to Estaires and took over the Pensionnat de Demoiselles from 3rd Highland Field Ambulance. This latter Field Ambulance connects from the trench line and Aid Posts tonight. The 19th Infantry Brigade moves into the section of the trenches (2 battalions) Fauquissart-Picantin, one battalion on Divisional Reserve in billets in Rue de la Lys, two battalions in Brigade Reserve in Laventie and Rue du Bac-Querot.

                                23rd Jul 1915  On the March

                                23rd Jul 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                23rd Jul 1915  Artillery blazing

                                23rd Jul 1915  Ships Shelled

                                23rd Jul 1915  Fatigue Parties

                                23rd July 1915  Training

                                23rd Jul 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                23rd Jul 1915  Fire

                                23rd Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd July 1915  Reinforcements

                                23rd of July 1915 

                                23rd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                23rd of July 1915 

                                23rd of July 1915 

                                23rd of July 1915 

                                23rd Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Jul 1915  Mine

                                23rd Jul 1915  Orders

                                23rd Jul 1915  Inspection

                                23rd Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                23rd Jul 1915  Under Shellfire

                                23rd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                23rd Jul 1915  Instruction

                                23rd Jul 1915   Quiet

                                23rd Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd of July 1915  On the March

                                23rd of July 1915  Smoke Helmets

                                23rd of July 1915  3rd Div Take Over

                                23rd Jul 1915  Address

                                23rd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                23rd July 1915  Orders

                                23rd July 1915  Ammunition

                                23rd July 1915  On the Move

                                23rd July 1915  In Brigade Reserve in S. Maroc.

                                23rd Jul 1915  On the March

                                23rd of July 1915  Dugout Improvements

                                23rd Jul 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Jul 1915  On the Move

                                23rd Jul 1915  In Billets

                                23rd July 1915  Casualties

                                23rd Jul 1915  In Billets

                                23rd July 1915  Working Parties

                                24th Jul 1915 2nd Monmouths detached  The 2nd Monmouths were detached from the amalgamated battalions of the Monmouhs, the first to reform as an independent unit.

                                24th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA in Action  15th London Battery fired a total of 48 rounds on the German Front Line trenches in retaliation. 16th London Battery retaliated similarly with 24 rounds. 17th London Battery fired at G.34.c.6.8 and dispersed a working party. Tonight one gun from the 15th, 16th and 17th London Batteries and one gun of the 13th London Battery (commanded by Major A.C. Scammel) took up forward positions prepared by working parties from the 5th and 7th Brigades, Royal Field Artillery for wire cutting.

                                24th July 1915  training and sports

                                24th Jul 1915  Q Ship

                                24th Jul 1915  Ship Sunk

                                24th July 1915 19th Field Ambulance opens in the Pensionnat de demoiselles  Took over Advanced Post in Laventie (Hospice Toulouse) and established and opened the Field Ambulance in the Pensionnat de demoiselles in Estaires for reception of sick and wounded. All transport had been parked in a field west of the town, and motor ambulance wagons in the courtyard of the school. Collected sick and wounded of Brigade today. General fatigues, cleaning up the buildings, were carried out in the day.

                                24th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Jul 1915  8th Worcesters Inspected

                                24th Jul 1915  Battle of Nasiriyeh, Mesopotamia

                                24th Jul 1915  Fishing Smacks Sunk

                                24th Jul 1915  Orders to Move

                                24th Jul 1915  4th East Yorks relieve 7th Northumberlands

                                24th July 1915  On the Move

                                24th Jul 1915 Advance Party Departs  The Transport and Machine Guns of the 10th Battalion Essex Regt, Lieutenants E.B.P. Davis and W.C. Neild under command of Major C.M. Wheatley entrained at Codford St Marys's, Wiltshire and proceeded to Havre via Southampton for active service.

                                24th Jul 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                24th July 1915 

                                24th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                24th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                24th July 1915  On the Move

                                24th of July 1915 

                                24th Jul 1915  Intelligence

                                24th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                24th July 1915  In Billets

                                24th Jul 1915  In Reserve

                                24th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                24th Jul 1915  Reorganisation

                                24th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Jul 1915  Relief

                                24th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                24th Jul 1915   Instruction

                                24th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                24th Jul 1915   Reliefs

                                24th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                24th of July 1915   On the March

                                24th of July 1915  House Show held.

                                24th of July 1915  On the Move

                                24th July 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                24th July 1915  On the Move

                                24th July 1915  On the Move

                                24th July 1915  On the Move

                                24th Jul 1915  On the March

                                24th of July 1915  Dugout Improvement Continues

                                24th Jul 1915  Route March

                                24th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                24th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                24th July 1915  Casualties

                                24th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                24th July 1915  Working Parties

                                25th Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers land in Alexandria  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers land in Alexandia enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                25th July 1915 Wire Cutting  15th London Battery with 3 guns only, fired 13 rounds on G.28.c.8.1, 6 rounds on a German working party, 8 rounds on the Loos crossroads and billets in retaliation for German bombardments on Philosophe. 16th London Battery fired two rounds on Loos and the 17th London Battery replied to hostile bombardments of Maroc. Wire cutting took place tonight. Observation was for range rather than effect. The 15th London Battery fired 6 rounds, the 16th London Battery 5 rounds, 17th London Battery 7 rounds and the 13th London Battery 12 rounds. The results were satisfactory. The best results were obtained by the 17th London Battery, range 1750 yards. In all the cases the gun positions were over 3000 yards away. The working parties from the 5th and the 7th London Brigades returned to their units.

                                25th July 1915  working party

                                25th July 1915 Arrangements for collection of cases from the 19th Infantry Brigade  General fatigues continued, many of the rooms had to be whitewashed. Repairing incinerators for refuse and ? The following arrangements made for collection of cases from the 19th Infantry Brigade, at 6 am daily two motor ambulance wagons proceed to the advanced dressings post, and then go round the Aid Posts at M6a4.5 and M12c4.6 collecting all sick and wounded, and then evacuate to main Field Ambulance in Estaires, the officer and reinforcement party returning by the same wagon. At 6 pm two ambulance wagons proceeds to the Advanced Dressing Post with the reinforcement party of one officer, one NCO and four men. At this post the reinforcement party remains the night, the officer in the meantime proceeding to all Aid Posts to collect sick and wounded in two wagons. At Advanced Dressing Post those cases the needing attention are seen to, and the wagons then directed to headquarters in Estaires. One motor ambulance wagon is permanently stationed at the Advanced Dressing Post for emergency cases.

                                25th July 1915  In Billets

                                25th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                25th Jul 1915 19th Seige Bty RGA in action  Morning was quiet for 9th Siege Battery and in the afternoon our guns opened fire, presumably at La Bassee again, firing about twenty rounds. Airman’s report, Capt Barrett, says several direct hits on gun battery target. Also a large explosion of ammunition was observed. German guns were firing in the morning and were put out of action in the afternoon.

                                25th Jul 1915  To Net a Submarine

                                25th Jul 1915  Trawlers sunk

                                25th Jul 1915  Cargo Ship Lost

                                25th Jul 1915  Sailing Ships lost

                                25th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                25th July 1915  Combat

                                25th Jul 1915 10th Essex Proceed to France  10th Battalion Essex Regiment entrained at Codford St Mary's for active Service in France, less Transport & Machine Guns, Major Wheatley, Lieuts Davis and Neild. They embarked at Folkstone at about midnight 25th/26th July and arrived at Boulogne camp at 3am 26th July.

                                Before the division set sail for France the King sent a message of farewell. It read: Officers, Non Commissioned Officers and Men, You are about to join your comrades at the front in bringing to a successful end this relentless war of nearly twelve months' duration. Your prompt patriotic answer to the Nation's Call to Arms will never be forgotten. The keen exertion of all ranks during the period of training have brought you to a state of efficiency not unworthy of my Regular Army. I am confident that in the field you will nobly uphold the traditions of the fine regiments whose names you bear. Ever since your enrolment I have closely watched the growth and steady progress of all units. I shall continue to follow with interest the fortunes of your division. In bidding you farewell, I pray that God may bless you in all your undertakings.

                                General Maxse replied: I beg you will convey to his Majesty our unalterable devotion to his Person and to His Throne and our fixed determination to uphold the best traditions of the British Army in war.

                                25th Jul 1915  Aeroplane duel

                                25th Jul 1915  German Aircraft Downed

                                25th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                25th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                25th Jul 1915  Snipers

                                25th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                25th of July 1915 

                                25th of July 1915 

                                25th Jul 1915  New CO

                                25th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                25th Jul 1915  In the Line

                                25th July 1915  Labourse

                                25th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                25th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                25th Jul 1915   Recce

                                25th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                25th of July 1915  Resting

                                25th of July 1915  Battalion at Cambrin

                                25th of July 1915  New Area

                                25th Jul 1915  Orders Received

                                25th July 1915  German aeroplane

                                25th July 1915  On the Move

                                25th July 1915  On the Move

                                25th July 1915  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                25th of July 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                25th Jul 1915  Church Parade

                                25th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1915  Retaliation

                                25th July 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Jul 1915  On the March

                                25th July 1915  Working Parties

                                26th July 1915   On the 26th of July 1915, the minimum required strength for the second line infantry battalions was reduced to 600, with troops in excess of that number being declared available for overseas service.

                                26th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Fire  15th London Battery retaliated with 22 rounds on German forward trenches. By order of the 47th Division HQ, 16th London Battery fired on chimney seen in German trenches and after firing 16 rounds satisfied themselves that the chimney was not in the first or second line German trenches. 17th London Battery fired 2 rounds on transport on crossroads at H.25.d thereby stopping traffic. Last night the guns were bought back from wire cutting positions.

                                26th Jul 1915 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment  move brigade  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer to 11th Brigade, still with 4th Division.

                                26th July 1915  working party

                                26th July 1915  Posting

                                26th July 1915  In Billets

                                26th Jul 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                26th Jul 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                26th Jul 1915  Decoy Ship Engages Sub

                                26th Jul 1915  10th Essex entrain

                                26th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                26th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                26th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Jul 1915  Working Party

                                26th Jul 1915  Bombardment

                                26th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                26th of July 1915 

                                26th of July 1915 

                                26th Jul 1915  Fatigues

                                26th of July 1915 

                                26th of July 1915 

                                26th of July 1915 

                                26th of July 1915 

                                26th Jul 1915  Working Parties & Training

                                26th Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                26th Jul 1915  Training

                                26th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                26th Jul 1915   Instruction

                                26th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                26th Jul 1915  Refuelling

                                26th Jul 1915   Orders

                                26th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                26th of July 1915  Visits and Drills

                                26th Jul 1915  Transport Departs

                                26th of July 1915  Concentration Completed

                                26th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                26th July 1915  Shelling

                                26th July 1915  On the Move

                                26th July 1915  On the Move

                                26th Jul 1915  Training

                                26th of July 1915  Battalion Moves to Billets

                                26th Jul 1915  Route March

                                26th Jul 1915  Training

                                26th Jul 1915  Orders Issued

                                26th Jul 1915  Vist

                                26th Jul 1915  Holding the Line

                                26th July 1915  Digging Reserve Trenches

                                26th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                26th July 1915  Working Parties

                                27h Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusilierssail from Alexandria  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers sailed from Alexandia for Lemnos enroute to the Dardanelles.

                                27th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA Retaliate  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt J.C. Woollett proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. 15th London Battery fired 28 rounds in retaliation on German first and second line trenches. On this objective 16th London Battery retaliated with 10 rounds and also fired 3 rounds at Loos pylons. 17th London Battery did not fire.

                                27th July 1915  working party

                                27th July 1915 Preparations in Pensionnat de demoiselles   Reorganisation of wards in Pensionnat de demoiselles, and equipping for 100-300 cases.

                                27th Jul 1915  The Sniper at Work

                                27th Jul 1915  On the March

                                27 Jul 1915  Front Line Inspected

                                27 Jul 1915  Front Line Inspected

                                27th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                27th Jul 1915  Sausages

                                27th Jul 1915  Concentration

                                27th of July 1915 

                                27th Jul 1915  Orders

                                27th of July 1915 

                                27th of July 1915 

                                27th July 1915  In Billets

                                27th Jul 1915  Working Parties & Training

                                27th Jul 1915  Recce

                                27th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                27th July 1915  Labourse

                                27th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                27th Jul 1915   Reliefs

                                27th Jul 1915  Houses Shelled

                                27th of July 1915   Drills and Classes

                                27th Jul 1915  At Anchor

                                27th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                27th of July 1915   An Inspection

                                27th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                27th July 1915  Relief

                                27th July 1915  On the March

                                27th July 1915  On the March

                                27th July 1915  In Reserve

                                27th Jul 1915  Training

                                27th of July 1915  Rest Day

                                27th Jul 1915  Route March

                                27th Jul 1915  Orders

                                27th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                27th July 1915  Baths

                                28th July 1915 6th London Brigade RFA movements  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major H.D. Sprague (2/6th London Battery RFA) and Captain E.J. Matcham (2/3rd East Anglian Brigade RFA) attached to the 16th and 17th London Batteries respectively. One section of the 15th London Battery was last night relieved by a section of A Battery ( 71st Brigade RFA, Kitchener’s Army) This section of the 15th London Battery proceeded forthwith to Gosnay. 16th London Battery fired 4 rounds on German Front Line trenches and 20 rounds on Loos, all in retaliation. A draft of 4 men received from Base Details.

                                28th July 1915  parade

                                28th July 1915 On the March  E Battery, RHA Started at 0830 and marched 11 miles to bivouac one mile SE of Morbecque. In reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Morbecque.

                                28th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th Jul 1915  Company Reliefs

                                28th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                28th Jul 1915  Under Shellfire

                                28th Jul 1915  Visitor

                                28th of July 1915 

                                28th Jul 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                28th July 1915  In Billets

                                28th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th Jul 1915  Working Parties & Training

                                28th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Jul 1915  On the March

                                28th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                28th Jul 1915   Instruction

                                28th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                28th Jul 1915  Advance Party

                                28th Jul 1915   Reliefs Complete

                                28th Jul 1915  Working Party

                                28th of July 1915   More Drills and Classes

                                28th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                28th July 1915  Diembarkation

                                28th July 1915  On the Move

                                28th Jul 1915  On the March

                                28th of July 1915  Artillery Inspected

                                28th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                28th July 1915  Enemies snipers were very active

                                28th July 1915  Conference

                                28th July 1915  In Billets

                                28th Jul 1915  Training

                                28th of July 1915  Battalion Inspected

                                28th Jul 1915  On the March

                                28th Jul 1915  Shelling

                                28th July 1915  Instruction in trenches

                                28th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                28th July 1915  On the Move

                                28th July 1915  Training

                                28th July 1915  On the Move

                                29th July 1915 Daily Battery Activity 6th London Brigade RFA   6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record in their war diary: The remaining section of the 15th London Battery and one section of the 16th London Battery were relieved by sections of Batteries of the 71st Brigade, RFA last night. D Battery of the 70th Brigade, RFA was in position at Vermelles, should have relieved the 17th London Battery, but having lost its way, failed to put in an appearance until 0400. As it was then daylight the relief had to be postponed.

                                29th Jul 1915 13th KRRC advance party leaves camp  29th July 1915, an advance party of 108 men of the 13th KRRC left Windmill Camp with all animals and transport, bound for Le Havre.

                                29th July 1915  promotions  

                                London Gazette Extract

                                9th Lancers in billets North of Zeggers Cappel. 'C' Squadron training. 1 Other Rank to Hospital. 2 Lead Draught Horses received.

                                The following are extracts from the London Gazette dated 29th July 1915 9th (Q.R) Lancers. Major (Bt. Lt. Col.) D.J.E. Beale-Browne to be Temporary Lt. Colonel from 8th October 1914 & 10th October 1914, and from 9th December 1914. Lieutenant I.A. Straker to be Temporary Captain 28th June 1915.

                                29th July 1915 Advanced Dressing Post in Laventie  Visited by Deputy Director Medical Services 3rd Corps and afterwards took him to the Advanced Dressing Post in Laventie, which consists of a long room which can accommodate 30-40 patients with two smaller rooms, and cellar accommodation.

                                Lt. Hill returned from medical charge of Royal Welsh Fusiliers on relief by Capt. Harbison returned from leave.

                                29th July 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Jul 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                29th Jul 1915  8th Worcesters relieve 4th Ox & Bucks

                                29th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th July 1915  Mules in the Hold

                                29th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                29th Jul 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Jul 1915  Under Shellfire

                                29th July 1915  Reliefs

                                29th July 1915  Visit

                                29th Jul 1915  Concentration

                                29th Jul 1915  Quiet

                                29th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                29th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                29th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Jul 1915  Retaliation

                                29th Jul 1915  Mine

                                29th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                29th Jul 1915  On the March

                                29th Jul 1915   Routine

                                29th Jul 1915   Change of Command

                                29th Jul 1915  Shells

                                29th Jul 1915  Inspection

                                29th Jul 1915  Equipment Arrives

                                29th Jul 1915  Arrival

                                29th Jul 1915  Bombardment

                                29th Jul 1915   Reliefs

                                29th Jul 1915  In Support

                                29th of July 1915  Short Route March

                                29th Jul 1915  Epidemic

                                29th July 1915  Bivouac

                                29th July 1915  On the Move

                                29th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                29th of July 1915   Entrainment Begins

                                29th July 1915  Shells

                                29th July 1915  Route March

                                29th July 1915  Entraining

                                29th July 1915  Training

                                29th Jul 1915  Visit

                                29th of July 1915  A Quiet Day

                                29th July 1915  Operation Order No.21.

                                29th Jul 1915  On the March

                                29th Jul 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                29th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                29th July 1915  On the Move

                                29th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                29th July 1915  On the Move

                                30th Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers pass through Lemnos  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers arribed at Lemnos Harbour and transferred to HM Gunboat Newmarket, setting sail for Cape Helles, arriving at midnight.

                                30th Jul 1915 Germans use flamethrower  In an attack at 03:15 in the front line at the Hooge Crater, the Germans employed a flame thrower against troops of the 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade and 7th Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

                                30th July 1915  On the Move

                                30th Jul 1915  Under Fire

                                30th Jul 1915 13th KRRC proceed to France  The remaining 998 men and 31 officers of the 13th Battalion KRRC marched out of Windmill Camp in two halves. They sailed from Folkestone on the SS Servial to Boulogne escorted by two destroyers.

                                30th July 1915  working party

                                30th Jul 1915 Sheffield City Battalion leave Cannock Chase  The Sheffield City Battalion undertook a 16 mile route march cross country under the blazing sun with full packs, taking six hours to complete the course. 80men suffered exhaustion and failed to complete the route. On return to Penkridge Bank Camp, they had two hours to pack up and have their meal. They then marched four miles to Rugeley station and boarded trains for the 4th Army Training Centre at South Camp, Ripon.

                                30th July 1915 Inspection of cases unfit for trenches.   Visited by Deputy Director Medical Service 8th Division who inspected cases unfit for trenches.

                                30th July 1915  Reliefs

                                29th July 1915 Training  On 29th and 30th July E Battery, RHA practiced Crossing Canal in sections complete at a time by order of Brigadier General Royal Artillery Cavalry Corps. A piece practice which did not improve either equipment or ammunition.

                                30th Jul 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA expect action

                                30th Jul 1915  Liquid Fire

                                30th Jul 1915  Dastardly appliances of murder

                                30th Jul 1915  Swift return to the Fray

                                30th Jul 1915  Burning Oil

                                30th Jul 1915  Counter Attack

                                30th Jul 1915  Seamonster Killed

                                30th Jul 1915  Fishing Smacks Sunk

                                30th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Jul 1915  Appointment

                                30th Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                30th Jul 1915  Stand To

                                30th Jul 1915  Fatigues

                                30th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Jul 1915  Competition

                                30th July 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                30th July 1915  On the Move

                                30th of July 1915 

                                30th Jul 1915  News

                                31st Jul 1915  Quiet

                                30th Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                30 July 1915  2nd/5th Battalion East Kent (The Buffs)

                                30th Jul 1915  Training

                                30th Jul 1915  Mine

                                30th Jul 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Jul 1915  Fire

                                30th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                30th Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                30th Jul 1915  Arrival

                                30th Jul 1915  On the March

                                30th Jul 1915   Reliefs

                                30th of July 1915   On the Move

                                30th July 1915  On the Move

                                30th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                30th of July 1915   Detrainment

                                30th July 1915  Quiet.

                                30th July 1915  Orders

                                30th July 1915  Training

                                30th Jul 1915  Training

                                30th of July 1915  Stand to Arms

                                30th July 1915  On the Move

                                30th July 1915  Handing over statement

                                30th Jul 1915  On the March

                                30th Jul 1915  In Billets

                                30th July 1915  Digging new trenches

                                30th Jul 1915  Instruction

                                30th Jul 1915  On the Move

                                31st Jul 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers land on Cape Helles  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers landed at Cape Helles from HM Gunboat Newmarket and went straight into the lines.

                                31st July 1915  On the Move

                                31st Jul 1915  2nd KOSB on the Somme

                                31st July 1915 13th Rifles proceed to France  13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade land at Boulogne with 111th Brigade, 37th Division.

                                31st July 1915  working party

                                31st Jul 1915 12th York & Lancs arrive at Ripon  The Sheffield City Battalion arrived at Ripon in the early hours and the men marched to South Camp on the Harrogate Road and spent the day unloading stores and settling into the camp. The training at Ripon was mainly in musketry, but before it could begin, the men had to construct a rifle range

                                31st July 1915   Relieved the 2nd Bn Coldstream guards in B1 sector.

                                31st July 1915 Return to billets  E Battery, 3rd Brigade RHA started at 0830. Marched back to billet and bivouac 3/4 of a mile SE of Noordpeene.

                                31st Jul 1915  Minefield

                                31st Jul 1915  Ships Sunk

                                31st Jul 1915  In Billets

                                31st Jul 1915  Artillery Bombardment

                                31st Jul 1915  Availability of Supplies

                                31st Jul 1915  Trench Visit

                                31st Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Jul 1915  Reinforcements

                                31st Jul 1915  Shelling

                                31st Jul 1915  Brave Actions

                                31st July 1915  On the March

                                30th July 1915  In Action

                                31st of July 1915 

                                31st Jul 1915  Command

                                31st Jul 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Jul 1915  In the Trenches

                                31st Jul 1915  At Rest

                                31st Jul 1915  In Billets

                                31st July 1915  Garden City

                                31st Jul 1915  Training

                                31st Jul 1915  On the Move

                                31st Jul 1915  On the Move

                                31st Jul 1915  Repairs

                                31st Jul 1915  Enemy Working Party

                                31st Jul 1915   Registration

                                31st of July 1915   On the March

                                31st of July 1915  Completion of Keeps

                                31st July 1915  On the Move

                                31st Jul 1915  Training

                                31st of July 1915  Reconnoitring New Area

                                31st July 1915  Enemy trench mortars very active

                                31st July 1915  Orders

                                31st July 1915  Conference

                                31st July 1915  In Reserve at Philosphe.

                                31st Jul 1915  On the March

                                31st of July 1915  Heavy Casualties

                                31st July 1915  Preliminary notice of relief.

                                31st Jul 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                31st Jul 1915  In Billets

                                31st Jul 1915  Instruction

                                31st Jul 1915  On the Move

                                31st July 1915  Instructors

                                Aug 1915 23rd Manchesters move to Salisbury Plain  23rd Manchesters move to Salisbury Plain in August 1915 from Masham to prepare for active service.

                                1st Aug 1915 HMEF Watford opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Watford, Hertfordshire started in August 1915 for the production of Ammonal, amatol, smoke powder & experimental work. First output was December 1915. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Aug 1915 NSF Barnsley (no. 1) Dominion Works opens.  National Shell Factory Barnsley (no. 1), Dominion Works, Yorkshire started on August 1915, for teh production of 4.5 inch shell. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Aug 1915 NSF Victoria Street, Grimsby opens.  National Shell Factory Victoria Street, Grimbsy, Lincolnshire opened in August 1915, for the production of 4.5-in and 6-in shell. First output was December 1915. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Aug 1915 NSF Tramway Depot, Chester opens  National Shell Factory Tramway Depot, Chester opened in August 1915 for the production of 18-pdr. and 2.75-in. shell. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Birtley opens.  National Projectile Factory Birtley, Durham was started in August 1915. First output was July 1916, producing 4-in. 4.5-in, 60-pdr, 6-in, 8-in shell. It was under the control of the Belgian Government and workers were also Belgian.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Waddam's pool opens.  National Projectile Factory Waddam's Pool, Dudley, Worcestershire started up in August 1915, for the production of 18-pdr., 60-pdr., 6-in., 8-in. shell, and proof shot. First output was early 1916. It was under the control of Bean & Son

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Mossend, Glasgow starts.  National Projectile Factory Mossend, Glasgow, Lanarkshire started up on August 1915 for the forging of Shell. First output was early 1916. It was under the control of Beardmore Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Grant's Mill, Glasgow starts.  National Projectile Factory Grant's Mill, Mile End, Glasgow, Lanarkshire started up in August 1915. First output was March 1916 of 18-pdr., 60-pdr., and 6-in. shell. It was under the control of Beardmore Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Cardonald, Paisley starts.  National Projectile Factory Cardonald, Paisley, Glasgow, Lanarkshire started up on August 1915. First output was March 1916 producing 18-pdr., 6-in., and 8-in. shell. The factory undertook gun repair in 1917. It was under the control of Beardmore Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Lancaster starts.  National Projectile Factory Lancaster started up in August 1915. First output was March 1916, producing 60-pdr., 6-in., 8-in., and 9.3-in. shell, adding gun repair and trench warfare work in 1917. It was under the control of Vickers Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NFF Long Eaton opens.  National Filling Factory Long Eaton, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, started up in August 1915. First output was January 1916, filling 4.5 in. to 15-in. shell. It was under the control of Direct Control.

                                1st Aug 1915 NFF Willesden Lane, Perivale opens.  National Filling Factory Willesden Lane, Perivale, London started up in August 1915. Engaged in filling shell components and experimental work. First output was December 1915. It was under the control of the Metropolitan Munitions Committee Direct Control.

                                1st Aug 1915 NFF White Lund, Morecambe opens.  National Filling Factory White Lund, Morecambe, Lancashire started up in August 1915, filling 60-pdr., 6-in., 8-in., 9.2-in. and 12-in. shell. First output was Summer 1916. It was under the control of Vickers Ltd.

                                1st Aug 1915 NFF Sumner Street, Southwark opens.  National Filling Factory Sumner Street, Southwark, London started up in August 1915, filling shell components, First output was September 1915. In 1918 he factory was employed inspecting protective clothing. It was under the control of Direct Control.

                                1st Aug 1915 NSF Newlay opens  National Shell Factory Newlay, Leeds, West Yorkshire started up in August 1915. First output of 9.2-in and 15-in shell was April 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management. There was also a National Projectile Factory and a National Ordinance Factory on the site.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Newlay opens.  National Projectile Factory Newlay, Leeds, West Yorkshire started up in August 1915. First output of 9.2-in and 15-in shell was April 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management. There was also a National Shell Factory and a National Ordinance Factory on the site.

                                1st Aug 1915 NOF Newlay opens.  National Ordinance Factory Newlay, Leeds, West Yorkshire started up in August 1915. First output of 9.2-in and 15-in shell was April 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management. There was also a National Shell Factory and a National Projectile Factory on the site.

                                1st Aug 1915 NPF Kings Meadow Road, Nottingham opens.  National Projectile Factory King's Meadow Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire started up on August 1915. First output was March 1916 of 6-in., and 9.2-in. shell. In 1917 and 18 it was also used for the production of and repairing 18-pdr. guns. It was under the control of Cammell Laud. There was also a National Ordnance Factory on site.

                                1st Aug 1915 NOF King's Meadow Road, Nottingham opens.  National Ordnance Factory King's Meadow Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire started up on August 1915. First output was March 1916 of 6-in., and 9.2-in. shell. In 1917 and 18 it was also used for the production of and repairing 18-pdr. guns. It was under the control of Cammell Laud. There was also a National Projectile Factory on site.

                                1st Aug 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers attack H12  The 2nd Battalion Royal Fusilers attack the Turks at H12 from the 1st to the 5th of August,

                                1st Aug 1915  Rather a nice Souvenir

                                1st August 1915 Unit Move and Inspection  The 6th London Brigade RFA is now complete at Gosnay (Chateau des Dames). A series of inspections is about to be embarked on - horses, kit, harness wagon are all being inspected by OC. Field Units. The guns of the Brigade were inspected by the Inspector of Munitions. W Corps who made a satisfactory report.

                                1st August 1915 Training and recreation  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The Downs were fully utilised for Divisional training exercises with the Pioneers acting as the enemy in day and night exercises of increasing intensity. Sport and training courses were also intensified in final preparation for the move to the Front.

                                There was a meeting of the Pioneer’s Masonic Lodge No. 420 which had been granted a travelling warrant at its inaugural constitution in Lurgan Masonic Hall.

                                There was also a visit by Sir Edward and Lady Carson on the 3rd August at which everything was declared to be in good order.

                                The Battalion’s stay on the Downs came to an end as an advance party moved to Borden on the 31st August and an advance Divisional Command Group including General Nugent and Colonel Leader paid a short familiarisation visit to France.

                                Aug 1915 Wearside Pals train in Wensleydale  20th Battalion DLI are training at a tented camp in Wensleydale from August until October when they moved to Barnard Castle.

                                1st August 1915  Church Parade

                                1st August 1915 HMS Redoubtable formerly Revenge (1894)  HMS Redoubtable (1915 to 1919) formerly HMS Revenge (1894) Royal Sovereign class pre-dreadnought battleship. Only survivor of its class during WW1.

                                It was renamed as a new Revenge (ship and class of dreadnoughts) was about to be commissioned (see Revenge (1915)).

                                Full details are listed under HMS Revenge.(keycode reveng1). The new Revenge is listed as HMS Revenge(1915) (keycode reveng2)

                                Aug 1915   In early August 1915 the Battalion were issued with steel helmets. this was a new invention at the time and would help prevent many head injuries

                                1st August 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Noordpeene.

                                1st Aug 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA witness destruction

                                1st Aug 1915 5th Royal Irish Regiment land Gallipolli  5th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipolli.

                                Aug 1915  Officers at Whitley Camp

                                1st Aug 1915  Cargo Ships Lost

                                1st Aug 1915  Ships Sunk

                                1st Aug 1915  Fokker Scourge begins

                                1st Aug 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                1st Aug 1915  Snipers Pose Threat

                                1st Aug 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                1st Aug 1915  Battalion to be Re-established

                                1st Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                1st Aug 1915  Relief

                                1st Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                1st August 1915  In Bivouac

                                1st August 1915  Conference

                                1st of August 1915 

                                1st Aug 1915  Shelling

                                1st Aug 1915  Concert

                                1st Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Aug 1915  Church Parade

                                Aug 1915 In the Trenches  

                                THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1915

                                The Commanding Officer of the 12th Battalion, Manchester Regiment visiting 37 trench, Hill 60, near Ypres in August 1915 © The rights holder (IWM Q 60486)

                                1st Aug 1915  Mining

                                1st Aug 1915  Mine Exploded

                                1st Aug 1915  In Bivouacs

                                1st Aug 1915  Recce

                                1st August 1915  Garden City

                                1st Aug 1915   Into the Line

                                1st Aug 1915  On the March

                                1st Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Aug 1915  Relief Complete

                                1st of August 1915   At Rest

                                1st August 1915  Bivouac

                                1st Aug 1915  Shelling

                                1st Aug 1915  Lectures

                                1st of August 1915  Keeps

                                1st Aug 1915  Training

                                1st of August 1915   Enemy on the Move

                                1st August 1915  Enemy rifle fire

                                1st August 1915  On the March

                                1st Aug 1915  Conference

                                1st Aug 1915  On the Move

                                Aug 1915  Record

                                Aug 1915  Mines

                                1st Aug 1915  Church Parade

                                1st Aug 1915  On the Move

                                Aug 1915  Risk

                                31st Aug 1915  Artillery

                                1st of August 1915  Battalion Stands To

                                1st August 1915  140th Infantry Brigade - Working parties

                                1st August 1915  Schedule of Reliefs

                                1st August 1915  Orders Received

                                1st Aug 1915  Church Parade

                                1st August 1915  Draft of 1

                                1st Aug 1915  In Billets

                                Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                1st Aug 1915  On the Move

                                2nd August 1915 Staff changes  The Adjutant, Capt. M.J.K. O’Malley rejoined 6th County of London Brigade from the Base. A supply of Cooks' Carts were received.

                                2nd August 1915  A Wet Day

                                2nd August 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ49 (LZ79)

                                • Production Ref: LZ49
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ79
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 2nd August 1915

                                History.

                                Dropped a total of 4,440 kg (9,790 lb) of bombs in two attacks on Brest-Litovsk and Kovel, also one attack on Paris on the 30th January 1916. It was hit by French fire and damaged beyond repair in a forced landing near Ath.

                                2nd Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                2nd Aug 1915  A terrible time.

                                2nd Aug 1915  It is here our duty lies

                                2nd Aug 1915  Ship Sunk

                                2nd Aug 1915  On the March

                                2nd Aug 1915  In Dugouts

                                2nd Aug 1915  Relieved from the Line

                                2nd Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                2nd Aug 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                2nd Aug 1915  Inspection

                                2nd August 1915  At Rest

                                2nd Aug 1915  Inspection

                                2nd Aug 1915  Trenches Stengthened

                                2nd Aug 1915  Training

                                2nd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Aug 1915  Route March

                                2nd Aug 1915  Quiet

                                2nd Aug 1915  Relief Completed

                                2nd Aug 1915  Communication

                                2nd of August 1915  An Inspection

                                2nd Aug 1915  Quiet

                                2nd of August 1915  Close Support

                                2nd Aug 1915  Training

                                2nd of August 1915  Trench Inspection

                                2nd Aug 1915  Transfer

                                2nd of August 1915  Reorganisation of Battalions

                                2nd August 1915  Shelling

                                2nd August 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd August 1915  Quiet

                                2nd Aug 1915  On the March

                                2nd August 1915  Went back at night to Corps. Reserve

                                2nd Aug 1915  Training

                                2nd Aug 1915  At Rest

                                2nd of August 1915  Continuous Bombardment

                                2nd August 1915  Reference Operational Order No.22.

                                2nd Aug 1915  Thunder Storms

                                2nd August 1915  Machine Gun positions

                                2nd September 1915  Enemy fired Rifle Grenades on line

                                2nd Aug 1915  Sports

                                2nd Aug 1915 1st Cameronians instruct 10th Rifles near Laventie  War Diary of the 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 2nd Division, records: Location, in trenches near Laventie. 4 platoons 10/RB attached from 8.30 pm for 24 hrs for instruction.

                                3rd August 1915 Staff movements  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major H. Bayley proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence.

                                3rd Aug 1915  A Botanist?s Paradise

                                3rd August 1915  working party

                                3rd Aug 1915 1st Cameronians instruct 10th Rifles near Laventie  War Diary of the 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 2nd Division, records: Location, in trenches near Laventie. 6 platoons 10/RB attached for instruction.

                                3rd Aug 1915  Cargo Ship Lost

                                3rd Aug 1915  10th Essex in Billets

                                3rd Aug 1915  Bravery in the Trenches

                                3rd Aug 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Aug 1915  All in the Pink

                                3rd Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                3rd Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                3rd Aug 1915  Enemy Fire Accurate

                                3th Aug 1915  Storm

                                3rd Aug 1915  Dust Storm

                                3rd August 1915  At Rest

                                3rd Aug 1915  Instruction

                                3rd Aug 1915  Drafts

                                3rd Aug 1915 

                                3rd Aug 1915  In Billets

                                3rd Aug 1915  Horse Show

                                3rd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Aug 1915  Move

                                3rd Aug 1915  Quiet

                                3rd Aug 1915  Communication Tests

                                3rd of August 1915  Another March

                                3rd Aug 1915  HQ Moves

                                3rd Aug 1915  Training

                                3rd of August 1915  Batteries Move

                                3rd Aug 1915  On the Move

                                3rd August 1915  Quiet day in trenches.

                                3rd Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                3rd August 1915  Corps. Reserve at Lapugnoy.

                                3rd Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                3rd Aug 1915  Training

                                3rd Aug 1915  Inspection

                                3rd of August 1915  Bombardment of Enemy Lines

                                3rd Aug 1915  Route March

                                3rd August 1915  Relief

                                3rd Aug 1915  Exercise

                                3rd Aug 1915  In Billets

                                4th August 1915 Staff Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA report an examination took place of a class of 20 recruit signalers, undergoing a three month course of instruction. This is the end of the first month's examination.

                                4th August 1915  training

                                4th August 1915    Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 204) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 1 Nov 1913 Launched 15 May 1915 Commissioned 4 Aug 1915

                                Commanders.
                                4 Aug 1915 - 15 Mar 1916 Erich von Rosenberg-Grusczyski.
                                16 Mar 1916 - 14 Dec 1917 Hans Nieland.
                                15 Dec 1917 - 15 Sep 1918 Helmuth von Rabenau

                                Career 13 patrols.
                                28 Oct 1915 - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 17 ships sunk with a total of 39,694 tons.

                                3 ships damaged with a total of 14,766 tons.

                                • 16 Apr 1916 U 67 Hans Nieland Cardonia 2,169 br
                                • 20 Apr 1916 U 67 Hans Nieland Whitgift 4,397 br
                                • 22 Apr 1916 U 67 Hans Nieland Chanaral 2,423 fr
                                • 28 Jan 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Daisy 1,227 da
                                • 29 Jan 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Punta Teno 1,042 sp
                                • 1 Feb 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Butron 2,434 sp
                                • 2 Feb 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Elikon 1,166 gr
                                • 5 Feb 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Lorton 1,419 pe
                                • 19 Feb 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Headley 4,953 br
                                • 17 Apr 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Kish 4,928 br
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Rhydwen 4,799 br
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Portloe 3,187 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Port Jackson 2,309 br
                                • 19 Jul 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Harrildsborg 1,547 da
                                • 24 Jul 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Viking 873 sw
                                • 28 Jul 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Rigmor 798 da
                                • 15 Sep 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Idomeneus (damaged) 6,692 br
                                • 21 Nov 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Breynton (damaged) 4,240 br
                                • 22 Nov 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Redbridge (damaged) 3,834 br
                                • 27 Nov 1917 U 67 Hans Nieland Premier 23 br

                                Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Fareham in 1921.

                                There was another U 67 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 30 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 22 Jan 1941.

                                4th August 1915   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                In reserve near Noordpeene. Lieutenant OS Lund left on promotion to 3rd Infantry Division.

                                4th Aug 1915  Innoculations

                                  Coal Boxes

                                4th Aug 1915  Ship Sunk

                                4th Aug 1915  Fishing Smacks Sunk

                                4th Aug 1915  Submarine Lost

                                4th Aug 1915  Companies under instruction

                                4th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                4th Aug 1915  Inspections

                                4th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                4th Aug 1915  Grenadiers

                                4th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Aug 1915  Mine Exploded

                                4th Aug 1915  Trenches Flooded

                                4th Aug 1915  Man Wounded

                                4th August 1915  At Rest

                                4th August 1915  Liaison

                                4th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                4th Aug 1915 

                                4th Aug 1915 

                                4th Aug 1915 

                                4th Aug 1915 

                                4th Aug 1915  Parade

                                4th Aug 1915  Training

                                4th Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                4th Aug 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                4th Aug 1915  Holding the Line

                                4th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                4th Aug 1915  On the March

                                4th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                4th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Aug 1915  Artillery Registration

                                4th of August 1915  New Billets

                                4th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                4th Aug 1915  On the March

                                4th Aug 1915  Training

                                4th of August 1915  Inspections

                                4th August 1915  German aeroplane

                                4th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                4th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                4th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                4th Aug 1915  On the March

                                4th of August 1915  Sniper Activity

                                4th Aug 1915  Route March

                                4th August 1915  Working parties

                                4th Aug 1915  On the March

                                4th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                4th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                5th Aug 1915 Germany captures Warsaw  Germany captured Warsaw from the Russian army.

                                5th Aug 1915  2nd Royal Fusiliers relieved by 1st Essex

                                5th August 1915 Training  The 6th London Ammunition Column are carrying out Battery Gun Drill with the guns of the batteries. Brigade Headquarters are moved to the Mill House, Gosnay.

                                5th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                5th August 1915  train

                                5th August 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Noordpeene.

                                5th Aug 1915  Two Cargo ships Sunk

                                5th Aug 1915  Counter Attack

                                5th Aug 1915  Submarine Sunk

                                5th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                8th Aug 1915  3rd York & Lanc on the Move

                                5th Aug 1915  Close to the Enemy

                                5th Aug 1915  Snipers Active

                                5th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                5th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                5th Aug 1915  Horse Show

                                5th Aug 1915  Trench Visit

                                5th August 1915  At Rest

                                5th Aug 1915  Orders

                                5th Aug 1915  Preparations

                                5th Aug 1915  Orders

                                5th of Aug 1915 

                                5th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Aug 1915  Training

                                5th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                5th Aug 1915  Holding the Line

                                5th Aug 1915   Machine Guns

                                5th Aug 1915  Musketry

                                5th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                5th Aug 1915  Communication Equipment

                                5th of August 1915   Drills and Working Parties

                                5th Aug 1915  In Action

                                5th Aug 1915  On the March

                                5th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                5th of August 1915   Quiet Day

                                5th of August 1915  Absorbing new draft of men

                                5th August 1915  German Shelling

                                5th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                5th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                5th Aug 1915  On the March

                                5th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                5th of August 1915  Reliefs on the Way

                                5th August 1915  On the Move

                                5th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                5th August 1915  Germans shelled mine

                                5th Aug 1915  Landing

                                5th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                6th Aug 1915 1st Essex and 88th Brigade go over top at Cape Helles  The 1st Essex and 88th Brigade went over the top at Calle Helles, supported by the 86th Brigade including the 2nd Royal Fusilers. They were heavily repulsed and forced to retire.

                                6th August 1915 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major P.J. Clifton, sick, proceeded to hospital. The race course, on Hesdigneul Common, is at the disposal of Batteries of this Brigade for two days per week.

                                6th Aug 1915  In Action

                                6th Aug 1915  Serbino sunk by U9  British Merchant vessel Serbino is sunk by submarine U-9.

                                6th August 1915  train

                                6th Aug 1915 4 Platoons of 10th Rifles attached 1st Cameronians  War Diary of the 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 2nd Division, records: Location, in trenches near Laventie. 4 platoons 10/RB attached, 1 RB wounded.

                                6th Aug 1915 9th West Yorks at Sulva Bay  9th West Yorks land at Suvla Bay

                                6th Aug 1915 British attack The Vineyard  The Battle of Krithia Vineyard was fought during the Gallipoli Campaign from the 6th to 13th of August 1915. It was originally intended as a minor British action at Helles on the Gallipoli peninsula to divert attention from the imminent launch of the August Offensive, but instead, the British commander, Brigadier General H.E. Street, mounted a futile and bloody series of attacks that in the end gained a small patch of ground known as "The Vineyard".

                                6th August 1915 On the March  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA sStarted at 0730 on change of billets and went into bivouac and billets in a farm 1/2 a mile NW of Blaringhem, in at 1000hrs about 10 miles.

                                6th Aug 1915  Force Advances

                                6th Aug 1915  Trawlers sunk

                                6th Aug 1915  Four Smacks Sunk

                                6th Aug 1915  Ship Torpedoed

                                6th Aug 1915  Battle of Lone Pine

                                6th Aug 1915  Troops Land

                                6th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Aug 1915  Drill and Working Parties

                                6th Aug 1915  Digging In

                                6th Aug 1915  Preparations for Attack

                                6th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                6th Aug 1915  Singing in the Trenches

                                6th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th August 1915  At Rest

                                6th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                6th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                6th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                6th of Aug 1915 

                                6th of Aug 1915 

                                6th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                6th August 1915  Attack Made

                                6th August 1915  2nd/5th Battalion East Kent (The Buffs)

                                6th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                6th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                6th Aug 1915  Holding the Line

                                6th Aug 1915  Experiences

                                6th August 1915  Move

                                6th Aug 1915   Poor Conditions

                                6th Aug 1915  Artillery Active

                                6th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                6th of August 1915   In the Trenches

                                6th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                6th August 1915  On the Move

                                6th Aug 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                6th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                6th of August 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                6th Aug 1915  On the March

                                6th of August 1915  Quiet Night

                                6th August 1915  Belgian guns opened fire on German dugout

                                6th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                6th August 1915  A Move to Flechin

                                6th Aug 1915  Training

                                6th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                6th of August 1915  On the Move

                                6th Aug 1915  Wet Weather

                                6th August 1915  Germans shelled mine again

                                6th Aug 1915  Exercise

                                7th August 1915 Training and recreation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the Assistant Director of Veterinary Services 47 Div. lectured to the class of proposed Shoeing Smiths, undergoing a six weeks course of instruction. The Brigade held an illuminated concert in the woods at which the Regimental Band of the 6th London Field Ambulance played a selection of music. Amongst those present were - the GOCRA and staff of 47th Divisional Artillery, Major Doyle and staff of 1V Corps, the Staff of 142 Infantry Brigade and the Staff of 47th Division.

                                7th Aug 1915  20th Heavy Battery proceed to France  20th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                7th August 1915  train

                                7th Aug 1915  Ship Shelled

                                7th Aug 1915  Choose to Take on Again

                                7th Aug 1915   The attack at the Nek was to coincide with an attack by New Zealand soldiers from Chunuk Bair, and was also supposed to be captured in the early morning of August 7th. The Australian 3rd Light Horse Brigade were to take the Nek while New Zealanders took Battleship Hill from the rear. The 3rd Light Horse Brigade were raised in Australia as a combined infantry, artillery and cavalry unit. They were shipped to Egypt, where they had to leave their horses and serve as infantry in Gallipoli.

                                The attack was supposed to begin at 0430 after a naval bombardment. The 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments were to advance on a front 80 yards wide, in four waves of 150 men each. Each wave was to go over the top ever two minutes. The Ottoman lines were only 29 yards away. Unfortunately the New Zealand advance failed to reach Chunuk Bair. Without capturing that high ground the Ottoman machine guns, with their enfiladed fire, would slaughter anyone crossing the ground around Quinn’s Post and the Nek. Major General Sir Alexander Godley, commander of the ANZAC Division, declared that the attack would proceed anyway.

                                The artillery bombardment also went wrong, with the barrage ending at 0423. The officers in the trenches did not know if the artillery was to continue or not. The artillery officer and the assault officer had not synchronized their watches prior to the attack. The attack did not go at 0430 and this gave the Ottoman defenders plenty of time to return to their trenches and prepare for the assault they now knew was coming.

                                The first wave of 150 men, from the 8th Light Horse Regiment, went over the top, and within 30 seconds they were all gunned down. Incredibly a few men made it to the enemy trenches and marker flags were seen flying, but those men were quickly shot or bayoneted by the Ottoman defenders. The second wave followed the first, without hesistation, two minutes later. They were met by the same wall of murderous machine gun and rifle fire, and were cut down before they got halfway to the trench… only about 15 yards. A supporting attack by the Royal Welch Fusiliers against the "Chessboard" trenches also suffered 65 casualties before it too was called off. A simultaneous attack by the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, from the 1st Light Horse Brigade at Quinn’s Post was abandoned when 49 out of the 50 men in the first wave were killed or wounded. Their regiment commander did not go over in the first wave and was able to stop the slaughter.

                                Unfortunately for the men attacking the Nek, the 8th Light Horse Regiment’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel A.H. White, was in the first wave and lay dead in the the space between the two trenches. No one called off the attack. The commander of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Noel Brazier, tried to call off the third wave, claiming that "the whole thing was nothing but bloody murder", but he could not persuade the Brigade Major, Colonel John Anthill, to end the attack. Neither could find the Brigade commander Colonel Hughes. Anthill implied that there was success since marker flags were seen in the trenches. Anthill ordered the third wave to go over the top.

                                The third wave "hopped the bags" and was slaughtered. Many of the men just ran out of the trench and immediately dived for cover, using the bodies of those who went before them as a buffer from the bullets. Since their duty was just to get over the trench and they considered it fulfilled. Due to this the 10th Light Horse Regiment had a lower casualty rate than the 8th Regiment. The attack was finally called off, but amazingly, in all the chaos of the morning, about half of the fourth wave went over, and they were cut down too. By 0445 it was over and the ridge was covered with dead and wounded Australians. They would remain there for the duration.

                                Out of the 600 Australians that took part in the attack, 372 fell. The 8th Light Horse Regiment lost 234 men out of the 300 who "hopped the bags" and 154 of them were killed. The 10th Light Horse Regiment lost 138 out of their 300 of which 80 were killed. The Ottoman losses were almost non-exitent, with only eight dead. It is said the Australians were ordered to charge with unloaded rifles, using only the bayonet.

                                7th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                7th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Aug 1915  Developing Action

                                7th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                7th Aug 1915  Artillery Active

                                7th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Aug 1915  Accident

                                7th August 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Aug 1915  Withdrawal

                                7th Aug 1915  In Action

                                7th Aug 1915  In Action

                                7th of Aug 1915 

                                7th of Aug 1915 

                                7th of Aug 1915 

                                7th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                7th August 1915  Outposts

                                7th August 1915  Lord Kitchener inspection

                                7th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Aug 1915  On the March

                                7th Aug 1915  On the March

                                7th Aug 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                7th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                7th Aug 1915  Attachment

                                7th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                7th Aug 1915  Machine Guns

                                7th Aug 1915   Cleaning up

                                7th Aug 1915  Defence Work

                                7th Aug 1915  Artillery Active

                                7th of August 1915  Working Parties

                                7th Aug 1915  Under Fire

                                7th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                7th August 1915  Landing

                                7th Aug 1915  Guns Moved

                                7th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                7th Aug 1915  On the March

                                7th of August 1915  Hop-Pole Mystery

                                7th August 1915  In the Line

                                7th August 1915  In Action

                                7th of August 1915  Officers assigned to Companies

                                7th August 1915  Battalion reliefs

                                7th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                7th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                7th August 1915  Moved to Labeuvriere.

                                7th Aug 1915  Training

                                7th Aug 1915  On the March

                                7th of August 1915  Rest Period

                                7th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                7th August 1915  Enemy again shelled

                                7th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                7th Aug 1915  Promotions

                                8th August 1915  Brigade Boxing Tournament

                                8th Aug 1915  Push Ordered

                                8th Aug 1915  Battleship Sunk

                                8th Aug 1915  Ship Sunk

                                8th Aug 1915  Ship Lost

                                8th Aug 1915  Ships Lost

                                8th Aug 1915  Fishing Smack Sunk

                                8th August 1915  Church parade & baths

                                8th Aug 1915  Ship sunk

                                8th August 1915 Battle of the Gulf of Riga 1915  The Battle of the Gulf of Riga was a World War I naval operation of the German High Seas Fleet against the Russian Baltic Fleet in the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea in August 1915.The operation's objective was to destroy the Russian naval forces in the Gulf and facilitate the fall of Riga to the German army on the Eastern Front in 1915. The German fleet, however, failed to achieve its objective and was forced to return to its bases. Riga remained in Russian hands until it fell to the German Army on 1st of September 1917.

                                In early August 1915, several powerful units of the German High Seas Fleet were transferred to the Baltic to participate in the foray into the Riga Gulf. The intention was to destroy the Russian naval forces in the area, including the pre-dreadnought battleship Slava, and to use the minelayer Deutschland to block the entrance to the Moon Sound with mines. The German naval forces, under the command of Vice Admiral Hipper, included the four Nassau-class and four Helgoland-class battleships, the battlecruisers SMS Moltke, Von der Tann, and Seydlitz, and a number of smaller craft.

                                Battle

                                On 8th of August, the first attempt to clear the gulf was made. The old battleships SMS Braunschweig and Elsass kept Slava at bay while minesweepers cleared a path through the inner belt of mines. During this period, the rest of the German fleet remained in the Baltic and provided protection against other units of the Russian fleet. However, the approach of nightfall meant that Deutschland would be unable to mine the entrance to the Suur Strait in time and so the operation was broken off. In the meantime, the German armored cruisers SMS Roon and Prinz Heinrich were detached to shell the Russian positions at the Sõrve Peninsula in the Saaremaa island. Several Russian destroyers were anchored at Sõrve and one was slightly damaged during the bombardment. The battlecruiser Von der Tann and the light cruiser SMS Kolberg were sent to shell the island of Utö. On 16th of August, a second attempt was made to enter the gulf. The dreadnoughts SMS Nassau and Posen, four light cruisers and 31 torpedo boats breached the defenses to the gulf. On the first day of the assault, the German minesweeper T46 was sunk, as was the destroyer V99. On 17th of August, Nassau and Posen engaged in an artillery duel with Slava, resulting in three hits on the Russian ship that prompted her withdrawal. After three days, the Russian minefields had been cleared and the flotilla entered the gulf on 19 August, but reports of Allied submarines in the area prompted a German withdrawal from the gulf the following day. Throughout the operation, the German battlecruisers remained in the Baltic and provided cover for the assault into the Gulf of Riga. On the morning of the 19th, Moltke was torpedoed by the British E-class submarine HMS E1. The torpedo was not spotted until it was approximately 200 yd away. Without time to manoeuver, the ship was struck in the bow torpedo room. The explosion damaged several torpedoes in the ship, but they did not detonate themselves. Eight men were killed and 480 short tons of water entered the ship. The ship was repaired at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg between 23 August and 20 September.

                                Order of battle

                                  Russia
                                • Battleship: Slava
                                • Gunboats: Grozyashchiy, Khrabry, Sivuch, Korietz
                                • Minelayer: Amur
                                • Flotilla of 16 destroyers

                                  Germany

                                • Battleships: SMS Nassau, SMS Posen, SMS Braunschweig, SMS Elsass
                                • Battlecruiser: SMS Moltke, SMS Seydlitz, SMS Von der Tann
                                • Cruisers: SMS Augsburg, SMS Bremen, SMS Graudenz, SMS Pillau, SMS Roon, SMS Prinz Heinrich
                                • Flotilla of 56 destroyers


                                8th Aug 1915 7th Gloucester lead the Attack  7th (service) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment lead the others over the top of Chunuk Bair early on the Sunday morning.

                                8th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Aug 1915  On Leave

                                8th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                8th Aug 1915  Change of Billets

                                8th Aug 1915  On the March

                                8th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                8th Aug 1915  Artillery In Action

                                8th Aug 1915  Artillery In Action

                                8th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th Aug 1915  Counter Attack

                                8th Aug 1915  Holding the Line

                                8th of Aug 1915 

                                8th August 1915  Bivouacs

                                8th August 1915  Forwards

                                8th Aug 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                8th Aug 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                8th Aug 1915  In the trenches

                                8th August 1915  Cambrin

                                8th Aug 1915  Into Positions

                                8th Aug 1915  Orders

                                8th Aug 1915   Working Parties

                                8th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Aug 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                8th Aug 1915  Advance Party

                                8th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                8th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                8th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                8th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                8th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                8th of August 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th Aug 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                8th Aug 1915  Wounded and Sick

                                8th August 1915  Dressing Station Moves

                                8th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                8th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                8th Aug 1915  On the March

                                8th of August 1915   Two Batteries Join Division

                                8th Aug 1915  Orders

                                8th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                8th August 1915  Men resting.

                                8th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                8th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                8th August 1915  In Corps. reserve.

                                8th Aug 1915  Posting

                                8th Aug 1915  Wet Day

                                8th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                8th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                8th August 1915  Casualties

                                8th Aug 1915  Training

                                9th August 1915 Training and recreation  All 6th County of London Brigade RFA signallers are being re-drilled. The 16th London Battery moved it's Wagon Line and Gun Park to a position higher in the woods of the Bois Des Dames. A working party of 100 men of this Brigade proceeded to Les Brebis to construct gun pits on the second line of defence, under the supervision of 2/Lt C.E.H. Lloyd. All billets are being systematically searched, so that all surplus ordnance and supply stores can be handed to the Salvage Company. Capt M.J.K. O’Malley won 2nd prize in the Open Jumping Competition at 7th London Brigade RFA sports.

                                9th July 1915  working party

                                9th August 1915 First flight of Zeppelin LZ46  Zeppelin LZ46 (L14) a P Class craft had its first flight on the 9th August 1915. L14 was the most successful of the German Navy airships. It carried out 42 reconnaissance missions and 17 attacks on Britain dropping a total of 22,045 kg (48,601 lb) of bombs. It was taken out of service during 1917 and 1918 and destroyed by its crew on 23 June 1919.

                                9th Aug 1915 2nd Sherwoods in action at Ypres  "B" Coy. 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters are in action in the second battle of Ypres

                                9th August 1915 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  On night of the 9,10 August, four Zeppelins were directed against London, none reached it's target and one, LZ43(L12), was damaged by ground fire near Dover and came down in the sea off Zeebrugge. Despite eight attacks by RNAS aircraft the airship was towed into Ostend where it was later dismantled.

                                9th Aug 1915 10th Green Howards leave Halton Park  10th Green Howards leave Halton Park Camp for Witley Camp

                                9th Aug 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA witness fighting

                                9th Aug 1915  Wilful Murder

                                9th Aug 1915  Successful Attack

                                9th Aug 1915  SM U-38 sinks the British trawler Thrush

                                9th Aug 1915  HMS Lynx Lost

                                9th Aug 1915  Battle of Chateau de Hooge

                                  SMS Meteor Scuttled

                                9th Aug 1915  Mine Crater Taken

                                9th Aug 1915  Companies under instruction

                                9th Aug 1915  Trenches Recaptured

                                9th Aug 1915  Under Shellfire

                                9th Aug 1915  Recce

                                9th Aug 1915  In Action

                                9th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                9th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Aug 1915  Artillery Bombardment

                                9th August 1915  Working Party

                                9th Aug 1915  Heavy Fire

                                9th of Aug 1915 

                                9th of Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                9th of Aug 1915 

                                9th of Aug 1915 

                                9th August 1915  Under Fire

                                9th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                9th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                9th Aug 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                9th Aug 1915  Diversion

                                9th Aug 1915  Messages of Congratulation

                                9th Aug 1915  Casualties

                                9th Aug 1915   Quiet

                                9th Aug 1915  Air Raid

                                9th Aug 1915  In Action

                                9th Aug 1915  Working Parties and Musketry

                                9th Aug 1915  Landings

                                9th Aug 1915  Landings

                                9th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                9th Aug 1915  Landings

                                9th Aug 1915  Landings

                                9th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                9th Aug 1915  Landing

                                9th Aug 1915  Landing

                                9th Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                9th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                9th Aug 1915  Disembarking

                                9th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                9th Aug 1915  Bombardment

                                9th of August 1915  Working Party

                                9th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                9th Aug 1915  Landings

                                9th Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                9th August 1915  Evacuation to hospital ships

                                9th August 1915  Evacuation to hospital ships

                                9th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                9th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                9th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                9th of August 1915   Bridges Guarded

                                9th August 1915  Shelling

                                9th Oct 1915  Guard of Honour

                                9th of August 1915  Training, parades and inspection whilst awaiting transport

                                9th August 1915  Inspected by C.O.

                                9th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                9th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                9th Aug 1915  Training

                                9th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Aug 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                9th Aug 1915  Thunder Storm

                                9th August 1915  Casualties

                                9th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Aug 1915  Attack

                                9th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Aug 1915  Exercise

                                10th August 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt Col A.C. Lowe DSO and Major A.C. Gordon proceeded to England on 4 & 7 days leave respectively. A draft of 5 men arrived from Base. 2/Lt J.A.W. Petro attached from 6th London Ammunition Column to 17th London Battery during absence of Lt C.E.H. Lloyd.

                                10th Aug 1915  Hell at Hooge

                                10th Aug 1915  Sheer Exhaustion

                                10th August 1915  train

                                10th Aug 1915  A Terrible Affair

                                10th Aug 1915  Submarine attacks

                                10th Aug 1915  Submarine attacks

                                10th Aug 1915  Ships Sunk

                                10th Aug 1915  Submarine attacks

                                10th Aug 1915  Russian positions Shelled

                                10th Aug 1915  The symbol of Russian rule in Poland

                                10th Aug 1915  Zeppelin raid on England

                                10th Aug 1915  Companies under instruction

                                10th Aug 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                10th Aug 1915  Gallipoli Landing

                                10th Aug 1915  Range Practice

                                10th Aug 1915  Attack

                                10th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                10th Aug 1915  Deserter Remanded

                                10th August 1915  On the March

                                10th Aug 1915  Occasional Fire

                                10th of Aug 1915 

                                10th of Aug 1915 

                                10th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                10th August 1915  In the Trenches

                                10th August 1915  Deaths on march

                                10th Aug 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                10th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                10th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                10th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                10th Aug 1915   Reliefs

                                10th Aug 1915  In Action

                                10th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                10th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Aug 1915  New Positions

                                10th of August 1915  In the Trenches

                                10th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                10th Aug 1915  Shelter

                                10th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                10th Aug 1915  On the March

                                10th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                10th of August 1915   Relief of French

                                10th August 1915  Support

                                10th Aug 1915  In Action

                                10th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                10th August 1915  R.E. fatigue.

                                10th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                10th Aug 1915  In Harbour

                                10th Aug 1915  Training

                                10th Aug 1915  Holding the Line

                                10th of August 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Aug 1915  Dugouts

                                10th August 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                10th Aug 1915  In Action

                                10th Aug 1915  Attack

                                10th Aug 1915  Hard Fighting

                                10th Aug 1915  Overwhelmed

                                10th Aug 1915  Training

                                10th Aug 1915  Advance Party

                                10th Aug 1915  Training

                                11th Aug 1915 1st and 3rd Monmouths reform  The 1st and 2nd Monmouths separated from the amalgamated battalion to be independent units once more. The 3rd Monmouth's were reattached to the 83rd Brigade and reorganised into four Companies under Lt J.M. Jones, Captain H.G. Tyler, Lt L.D. Whitehead and Lt H.A. Hodges.

                                11th August1915 Sport and Inspections  The 6th London Brigade RFA Boxing Competition was concluded. It was proposed to billet the Brigade at Marles, but as no suitable accommodation could be found, it was decided to let the Brigade remain where it was in bivouacs. 2/Lt W.G. Russell proceeded to Base. The ADVS (47 Div) inspected 9 horses for the purposes of casting.

                                11th August 1915  shelled

                                11th Aug 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                11th Aug 1915  Foul Methods of War

                                11th Aug 1915  Armed Fishing Smack attacks Submarine

                                11th Aug 1915  Bari, Italy bombarded by Austrian destroyers

                                11th Aug 1915  Companies under instruction

                                11th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                11th Aug 1915  New CO

                                11th Aug 1915  Relief

                                11th Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                11th Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                11th August 1915  Reinforcements

                                11th Aug 1915  Demonstration

                                11th of Aug 1915 

                                11th of Aug 1915 

                                11th August 1915  In the Trenches

                                11th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                11th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                11th Aug 1915   Quiet

                                11th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                11th Aug 1915  Snipers

                                11th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                11th Aug 1915  Enemy Active

                                11th of August 1915  Resting

                                11th Aug 1915  Consolidation

                                11th Aug 1915  Equipment

                                11th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                11th Aug 1915  Recce

                                11th of August 1915  Musketry

                                11th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                11th of August 1915  Patrol

                                11th August 1915  On the Move

                                11th Aug 1915  Digging In

                                11th Aug 1915  Change of Command

                                11th August 1915  Inspection of reinforcements by C.O.

                                11th September 1915  In billets

                                11th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                11th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                11th August 1915  Inspected by Brigadier General Cuthbert

                                11th Aug 1915  Training

                                11th Aug 1915  Holding the Line

                                11th of August 1915  Back in the Trenches

                                11th Aug 1915  Artillery in Action

                                11th August 1915  Distribution in Trench Line

                                11th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                12th August 1915  train

                                12th Aug 1915 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  The four Zeppelin raid was repeated on the night of the 12th/13th August. Two of the Zeppelins again had to turn back, but LZ 40 (L 10) and another Zeppelin continued. LZ 40 was able to bomb Harwich, destroying two houses. One bomb fell in the middle of a street in a crowd staring at the Zeppelin. When it exploded it killed men, eleven women and nine children. Though the anti-aircraft guns fired at them, they were able to get away. The other Zeppelin, found no target and was barely able to make it home due to a violent storm over the North Sea.

                                12th Aug 1915  Bring a Corksrew

                                12th Aug 1915  No Swank Permitted

                                12th Aug 1915  Five Yards from the Enemy

                                12th Aug 1915  King and country come first

                                12th Aug 1915  Submarines Menace

                                12th Aug 1915  Austrian submarine U-3 Sunk

                                12th Aug 1915  Aerial Torpedo sinks Ship

                                12th Aug 1915  10th Essex in Billets

                                12th Aug 1915  Short of Very Lights

                                12th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                12th Aug 1915  Parades

                                12th August 1915  At Rest

                                12th Aug 1915  Patrols

                                12th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                12th of Aug 1915 

                                12th of Aug 1915 

                                12th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Aug 1915  Lucky Escape

                                12th August 1915  Advance

                                12th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                12th Aug 1915  Enemy Active

                                12th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                12th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                12th August 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                12th Aug 1915   Reliefs

                                12th Aug 1915  Air Raid

                                12th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                12th Aug 1915  Working Party

                                12th Aug 1915  Some Shelling

                                12th Aug 1915  Enemy Active

                                12th of August 1915   Billets and Bivouacks

                                12th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                12th Aug 1915  Equipment Shortages

                                12th Aug 1915  Sick and Wounded

                                12th Aug 1915  Some Shelling

                                12th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                12th of August 1915  Into the Trenches

                                12th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                12th of August 1915  Quiet Time

                                12th August 1915  Sniper

                                12th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                12th of August 1915  Experience of trenches

                                12th August 1915  Inspection

                                12th Aug 1915  Baptism

                                12th Aug 1915  On the March

                                12th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                12th August 1915  On the Move

                                12th Aug 1915  Training

                                12th of August 1915  Repairing Trenches

                                12th Aug 1915  Accident

                                12th Aug 1915  Comforts and War Correspondants

                                12th August 1915  Some Sniping at night.

                                13th August 1915  Field Marshall visits

                                13th Aug 1915 10th Green Howards leave Halton Park  10th Green Howards leave Halton Park Camp for Witley Camp

                                13th Aug 1915  Cargo Ship Lost

                                13th Aug 1915  HMT Royal Edward sunk by UB-14

                                13th Aug 1915  7th Northumberlands to Billets

                                13th Aug 1915  On the March

                                13th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                13th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                13th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                13th Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                13th August 1915  Reliefs

                                13th August 1915  Instruction

                                13th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                13th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                13th of Aug 1915 

                                13th Aug 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                13th Aug 1915  Enemy Active

                                13th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                13th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                13th Aug 1915  Bombing Party

                                13th Aug 1915   Trench Work

                                13th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                13th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                13th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                13th of August 1915  Baths

                                13th Aug 1915  Touch Attempted

                                13th Aug 1915  Sick and Wounded

                                13th Aug 1915  Some Shelling

                                13th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                13th of August 1915  Patrols

                                13th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                13th of August 1915  Instruction

                                13th Aug 1915  In Support

                                13th August 1915  Inspection

                                13th Aug 1915  On the March

                                13th Aug 1915  Under Fire

                                13th August 1915  In Corps Reserve at Lapugnoy.

                                13th Aug 1915  Exercise

                                13th of August 1915  Enemy Artillery Active

                                13th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                13th August 1915  Order received from 41st Brigade

                                13th Aug 1915  Working Party

                                14th August 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major P.J. Clifton, 17th London Battery, rejoined the Brigade from the Base. Lt H.B. Wells was struck off the strength of the Brigade from today’s date.

                                14th Aug 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars leave Egypt  The Gloucestershire Hussars received orders on August 11th for the Yeomanry to proceed to Gallipoli without their horses. Leaving 4 officers, 100 O.R. and all the horses, the Regiment sailed from Alexandria on August 14th 1915 on the 'Haverford' and 'Ascania'.

                                14th August 1915  bus to working party

                                14th Aug 1915  Attacks Made

                                14th Aug 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA in action

                                14th Aug 1915  A Warm Shop

                                  A Palatial Residence

                                14th Aug 1915  Lucky Escape

                                14th Aug 1915  Exchange of Fire

                                14th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                14th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Aug 1915  Home on Leave

                                14th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                14th Aug 1915  Enemy Mine

                                14th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                14th August 1915  Quiet

                                14th Aug 1915  Thunder

                                14th Aug 1915  Under Shellfire

                                14th of Aug 1915 

                                14th of Aug 1915 

                                14th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                14th Aug 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                14th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                14th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                14th Aug 1915   Trench Work

                                14th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                14th Aug 1915  Some Shelling

                                14th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                14th of August 1915   Baths and Billets

                                14th Aug 1915  Confusion

                                14th Aug 1915  Confusion

                                14th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                14th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                14th of August 1915  No Sausages

                                14th Aug 1915  In Support

                                14th August 1915  Sports

                                14th Aug 1915  Cleaning up

                                14th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                14th August 1915  Packed up and moved to Les Brebis.

                                14th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                14th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                14th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                14th Aug 1915  Training

                                14th of August 1915  Friendly Fire Incident

                                14th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                14th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                14th August 1915  Enemy Snipers active

                                14th Aug 1915  Officer Returns

                                15th August 1915 Medical  6th County of London Brigade RFA men who have been inoculated with one dose only are to be re-inoculated. 100% of the Brigade have now been inoculated.

                                15th August 1915  in billets

                                15th Aug 1915  Fishing Smack sinks Submarine

                                15th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                15th Aug 1915  Change of Command

                                15th Aug 1915  Orders

                                15th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                15th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                15th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Aug 1915  Lack of Equipment

                                15th August 1915  Holding the Line

                                15th Aug 1915  Quieter

                                15th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                15th of Aug 1915 

                                15th Aug 1915  In the Line

                                15th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                15th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                15th Aug 1915   Enemy Tricks

                                15th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                15th Aug 1915  Heavy Fire

                                15th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                15th of August 1915  Rest Day

                                15th Aug 1915  Poor Communications

                                15th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                15th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                15th Aug 1915  Trench Instruction

                                15th of August 1915   3 Salvos Fired

                                15th Aug 1915  In Support

                                15th of August 1915  More trench rotations

                                15th August 1915  Divine Service.

                                15th Aug 1915  Church Parade

                                15th August 1915  Second Trench Lines Dug

                                15th Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                15th August 1915  Working parties on Grenoy Line.

                                15th Aug 1915  Sunday

                                15th of August 1915  Heavy Action

                                15th Aug 1915  Transfer

                                15th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                15th August 1915  Enemy fired 4 Trench Mortar Bombs

                                15th Aug 1915  Patients

                                15th Aug 1915  Working Party

                                16th August 1915  Moves and Sport

                                16th August 1915  bathe

                                16th Aug 1915  Cutting the Corn

                                16th Aug 1915  Bothered by Snipers

                                16th Aug 1915  Mines

                                16th Aug 1915  Submarine attacks

                                16th Aug 1915 

                                16th Aug 1915 

                                16th Aug 1915  Deception Saves Works

                                16th Aug 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                16th Aug 1915  Out of the Trenches

                                16th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                16th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Aug 1915  Thunderstorms

                                16th Aug 1915  Sentry Wounded

                                16th August 1915  Quiet

                                16th August 1915  Artillery

                                16th Aug 1915  Into Reserve

                                16th Aug 1915  Counter Attack

                                16th of Aug 1915 

                                16th Aug 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                16th Aug 1915  Thunder Storm

                                16th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                16th Aug 1915   Thunder Storm

                                16th Aug 1915  Counter Attack

                                16th Aug 1915  Relief Complete

                                16th Aug 1915  On the March

                                16th Aug 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Aug 1915  Rifle Grenades

                                16th of August 1915  Drills and Marching

                                16th Aug 1915  Information

                                16th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                16th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                16th of August 1915  Instruction

                                16th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                16th of August 1915   Enemy Active

                                16th Aug 1915  In Support

                                16th of August 1915  Lieutenant Tresawna joins Battlion

                                16th August 1915  Musketry and drill

                                16th Aug 1915  Training

                                16th August 1915  Soldiers Receive Commissions

                                16th Aug 1915  Support

                                16th Aug 1915  Exercise

                                16th of August 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Aug 1915   Inspection

                                16th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                16th August 1915  Quiet day

                                17th August 1915 Appointments  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt. C.P Bertie proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. A Board was appointed to examine the Class of Shoeing Smiths who had undergone a six week course of instruction.

                                17th Aug 1915  Saved by the Dust

                                17th August 1915  in billets

                                17th August 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  A third four Zeppelin raid tried to reach London on the night of the 17th,18th of August; two turned back with mechanical problems, LZ41(L11) bombed Ashford and Faversham in Kent in the belief it was Woolwich, but LZ40(L10) became the first Navy airship to reach London. L 10 was also misnavigated, mistaking the reservoirs of the Lea Valley for the Thames, and consequently dropped its bombs on Walthamstow and Leytonstone. 10 people were killed, 48 injured and property damage to the railway station and housing was estimated at £30,750.

                                Guns were fired at L 10 and a few aircraft took off in pursuit, but the Zeppelin suffered no damage in the raid. L 10 was destroyed a little over two weeks later when it was struck by lightning and caught fire off Cuxhaven, and the entire crew was killed.

                                17th August 1915   SM U-68

                                Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 205) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 31 Dec 1913 Launched 1 Jun 1915 Commissioned 17 Aug 1915

                                Commanders.
                                17 Aug 1915 - 22 Mar 1916 Ludwig Güntzel

                                Career 1 patrols.
                                28 Nov 1915 - 22 Mar 1916 IV Flotilla

                                Successes No successes.


                                17th Aug 1915  Battleships Duel

                                17th Aug 1915  Deadly Patrol

                                17th Aug 1915  Evacuation of Pelagosa

                                17th Aug 1915  Aerial Torpedo Kills

                                17th Aug 1915  Peshawar uprising

                                17th Aug 1915  Hearty Reception for Worcester DCM winner

                                17th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                17th Aug 1915  Thunderstorms

                                17th Aug 1915  Reception

                                17th August 1915  Holding the Line

                                17th Aug 1915  Organisation

                                17th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                17th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                17th of Aug 1915 

                                17th Aug 1915  Wiring

                                17th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                17th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                17th August 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Aug 1915   Raiding Party

                                17th Aug 1915  Advance

                                17th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                17th Aug 1915  Bombardment

                                17th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                17th of August 1915   Advance Party leave Tidworth

                                17th of August 1915   Drills and Marching

                                17th Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                17th Aug 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                17th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                17th Aug 1915  Thunderstorms

                                17th of August 1915  Instruction

                                17th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                17th of August 1915   Our Patrols Out

                                17th Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                17th August 1915  Route march.

                                17th Aug 1915  Training

                                17th Aug 1915  In Support Trenches

                                17th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                17th of August 1915  Shot for Desertion

                                17th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                17th August 1915  Orders for relief

                                18th Aug 1915 Munitions Tribunal meet in Halifax  The Munitions Tribunal for Halifax and Hudderfield held their first meeting in Halifax.

                                18th August Appointments  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt J.A.W. Petro proceeded to Les Brebis to assist 2/Lt C.E.H. Lloyd in digging gun pits on the defence lines. Two 18 pounder guns fetched from 15th Divisional Artillery to provide practice for the Batteries of this Brigade.

                                18th Aug 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars land at Sulva Bay  The Gloucestershire Hussars landed at Suvla Bay, having sailed from Alexandria on the 'Haverford' and 'Ascania'. The Regiment was concentrated near Chocolate Hill. With no cover available the enemy shelled the Regiment, 2nd Lieut. Gething was killed, Lt-Col. Playne, Captain Longworth, Lieut. Howard, and 2nd Lieut. Colledge were severely wounded. With the Yeoman acting as infantry, an advance was made on Hill 112 and the Turkish front-line trench captured. Besides the listed officers, 11 men were killed, 44 wounded and 1 missing.

                                General Sir Ian Hamilton reported: "The advance of these English Yeoman was a sight calculated to send a thrill of pride through anyone with a drop of English blood running through their veins...... there was nothing to conceal a mouse...... despite the critical events in other parts of the field I could hardly take my glasses from the Yeoman; they moved like men marching on parade. Here and there a shell would take a toll of a cluster; there they lay. There was no straggling; the others moved steadily on; not a man was there who hung back or hurried."

                                Days of trench duty followed and more casualties (both war and sickness) were sustained.

                                18th Aug 1915  Magnificent Trenches

                                18th Aug 1915  The Business of Photographs

                                18th August 1915  in billets

                                18th Aug 1915  Submarine Lost

                                18th Aug 1915  Submarines in the Irish Sea

                                18th Aug 1915  Brigade Parade

                                18th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                18th Aug 1915  Night Patrol

                                18th Aug 1915  Digging In

                                18th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                18th August 1915  Holding the Line

                                18th Aug 1915  Move

                                18th Aug 1915  Brigade Reserve

                                18th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                18th of Aug 1915 

                                18th Aug 1915  On the March

                                18th August 1915  Into Reserve

                                18th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                18th Aug 1915  Patrol

                                18th August 1915  Fouqereuil

                                18th Aug 1915   Reliefs

                                18th Aug 1915  Award

                                18th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Aug 1915  Baths

                                18th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                18th of August 1915   Drills and Marching

                                18th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                18th Aug 1915  Observation Post

                                18th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                18th of August 1915   German Captured

                                18th Aug 1915  Digging In

                                18th August 1915  Soccer

                                18th Aug 1915  Training

                                18th Aug 1915  In Support

                                18th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                18th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                18th Aug 1915  Heavy Rain

                                18th August 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Aug 1915  Gas and Mines

                                19th August 1915 Training  Hesdigneul Common is no longer at the disposal of Artillery Brigades of 47th Division for any purpose.

                                19th aug 1915  Heavy Rain

                                19th August 1915   SM U-27

                                Type U 27 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 17) Ordered 19 Feb 1912 Launched 14 Jul 1913 Commissioned 8 May 1914.
                                Commanders.
                                8 May 1914 - 19 Aug 1915 Bernd Wegener

                                Career 3 patrols.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 19 Aug 1915 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 10 ships sunk with a total of 31,120 tons.
                                2 warships sunk with a total of 6,325 tons.

                                • 18 Oct 1914 U 27 Bernd Wegener E 3 (hms) 725 br
                                • 31 Oct 1914 U 27 Bernd Wegener Hermes (hms) 5,600 br
                                • 11 Mar 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Bayano 5,948 br
                                • 13 Mar 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Hartdale 3,839 br
                                • 18 May 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Drumcree 4,052 br
                                • 19 May 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Dumfries 4,121 br
                                • 21 May 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Glenholm 1,968 br
                                • 18 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Ben Vrackie 3,908 br
                                • 18 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Gladiator 3,359 br
                                • 18 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Magda 1,063 nw
                                • 18 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Sverresborg 1,144 nw
                                • 19 Aug 1915 U 27 Bernd Wegener Pena Castillo 1,718 sp

                                Fate 19 Aug 1915 - Sunk by gunfire from Q-Ship Baralong in Western Approaches 5043N 0722W. 37 dead (all hands lost).

                                On 18 October, 1914 the British U-boat E3 was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by the German U-boat U 27. This was the first decisive fight between U-boats in the First World War.

                                This boat was sunk by the Q-Ship HMS Baralong (Lieutenant Godfrey Herbert RN). Herbert ordered that all German survivors, among them the commander of SM U 27, should be executed on the spot. Although the British Admiralty tried to keep this event a secret, news spread to Germany and the infamous "Baralong incident" - a war crime which was never prosecuted - had its share in promoting cruelty at sea.

                                There was another U 27 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 24 Jun 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Aug 1936.

                                19th Aug 1915  Working Party

                                19th Aug 1915  Submarine sinks three Ships

                                19th Aug 1915  Cargo Ship Lost

                                19th Aug 1915  First Prisoner

                                19th Aug 1915  Incident Supressed

                                19th Aug 1915  Ships Sunk

                                19th Aug 1915  Battle Cruiser Torpedoed

                                19th Aug 1915  Submarine Lost

                                19th Aug 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                19th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                19th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                19th Aug 1915  Water Scarce

                                19th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                19th Aug 1915  Training

                                19th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                19th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                19th August 1915  Holding the Line

                                19th August 1915  Move

                                19th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                19th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                19th of Aug 1915 

                                19th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                19th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                19th August 1915  Fouqereuil

                                19th Aug 1915  Bivouac

                                19th Aug 1915   In Reserve

                                19th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                19th Aug 1915  In Camp

                                19th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                19th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                19th of August 1915   More Drills and Marching

                                19th Aug 1915  Poor Co-ordination

                                19th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                19th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                19th Aug 1915  On the March

                                19th of August 1915  Hostile Patrol

                                19th Aug 1915  New Line Advanced

                                19th of August 1915  Working parties digging trenches

                                19th August 1915  Route March.

                                19th Aug 1915  In Support

                                19th Aug 1915  Working Parties & Instruction

                                19th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                19th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                19th August 1915  Billets very bad

                                20th Aug 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers leave Cape Helles for Cape Sulva  The 2nd Royal Fusilers proceeded from Cape Helles to Cape Sulva.

                                20th August 1915  Waggon Lines

                                20th Aug 1915  Egg and Poultry Demonstration

                                20th August 1915  working party

                                20th Aug 1915  Trenches Recaptured

                                20th August 1915  Special Ops Mission

                                20th Aug 1915  Battle of the Gulf of Riga

                                20th Aug 1915  Factory Shelled

                                20th Aug 1915  Cargo Ships Sunk

                                20th Aug 1915  Italians bomb Austro-Hungary

                                20th Aug 1915  53rd Brigade Inspected

                                20th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                20th Aug 1915  Re-Enlistment

                                20th Aug 1915  Relief

                                20th Aug 1915  Relief

                                20th Aug 1915  Orders

                                20th August 1915  Holding the Line

                                20th Aug 1915  Orders

                                20th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                20th Aug 1915  Sickness

                                20th of Aug 1915 

                                20th of Aug 1915 

                                20th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                20th August 1915  On the Move

                                20th Aug 1915  Mines Exploded

                                20th Aug 1915  Cleaning up

                                20th August 1915  Doullens

                                20th Aug 1915   Reliefs

                                20th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                20th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                20th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                20th of August 1915  More Drills and Marching

                                20th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                20th Aug 1915  Shelters

                                20th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                20th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                20th of August 1915  Machine Gunners

                                20th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                20th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                20th of August 1915  Quiet Night

                                20th of August 1915  Constructing trenches and tramways

                                20th August 1915  Training

                                20th Aug 1915  In Support

                                20th Aug 1915  Posts

                                20th of August 1915  Orders Received

                                20th Aug 1915  Difficult Conditions

                                20th Aug 1915  Training

                                20th August 1915  Casualties

                                21st Aug 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers under heavy fire  The 2nd Royal Fusilers were under heavy fire from the Turks at Cape Sulva, a bombardment which lasted three dats.

                                21st August 1915 Postings and Promotions  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lieut G. Lyon-Smith having rejoined the Brigade from the 3/6th London Brigade RFA was posted to the 15th London Battery. Major R.R. Wansbrough promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.

                                21st Aug 1915  First Work in the Trenches

                                21st August 1915  working party

                                21st of Aug 1915  No Good Worryining

                                21st Aug 1915 Battle of Scimitar Hill  The attack on Scimitar Hill was a last chance effort to break north out of Anzac Cove and northeast out of Suvla Bay, and have the two Allied forces link up. Henry de Beauvoir de Lisle was in charge of the attack and the British 29th Division was given the honors since they were a veteran unit and not one of the new reinforcements. The W Hills and the Scimitar Hill was the primary objective to be captured. At the same time another attack, on Hill 60, would tie down some of the Turkish forces.

                                Like most of the Gallipoli campaign, the artillery barrage looked impressive, but did very little. The 11th Division that attacked the W Hills, lost their bearings… got lost and could not find the hill in the dense fog that crept in. However the 29th Division found the Scimitar Hill and drove the Turks off of it. However Turkish artillery drove the British off the hill, seeking cover from the intense bombardment. The British counter battery fire set the hill on fire, incinerating the wounded. Reinforcements from Suvla Bay were cut down as they tried to charge up the hill. Over 5,000 British were killed and wounded, many from the fires caused by red hot shrapnel. The Turks only lost 2,600 men in the fight. One Victoria Crosses was awarded for Scimitar Hill, to Private Frederick Potts, for crawling through the burning brush with his wounded comrade strapped the shovel on his back. He was wounded in the thigh before he started the 600 yard crawl, and was under fire the entire way.

                                A request was sent to Lord Kitchener to send another 95,000 men, but Kitchner could only offer 40,000. The British government started considering evacuating the Allied forces.

                                21st Aug 1915  Submarine Fires on Surrendering Sailors

                                21st Aug 1915  Ports Closed

                                21st Aug 1915  10th Essex ordered to move

                                21st Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                21st Aug 1915  Inspection

                                21st Aug 1915  In Action

                                21st Aug 1915  Attack Made

                                21st Aug 1915  Bombing Practice

                                21st Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                21st Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                21st August 1915  Holding the Line

                                21st Aug 1915  Assault Made

                                21st Aug 1915  Advance

                                21st of Aug 1915 

                                21st of Aug 1915 

                                21st August 1915  Attack Made

                                21st Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                21st Aug 1915  Minenwerfer

                                21st Aug 1915  Preparations

                                21st Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Aug 1915  Holding the Line

                                21st August 1915  Sarton

                                21st August 1915  Louvencourt

                                21st Aug 1915   Confusion

                                21st Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                21st Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                21st Aug 1915  Under Fire

                                21st of August 1915   Drills and Marching

                                21st Aug 1915  Vigilance

                                21st Aug 1915  Light Shelling

                                21st Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                21st of August 1915  Letter from Brigadier General Lowther

                                21st Aug 1915  Orders

                                21st Aug 1915  In Billets

                                21st Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                21st of August 1915  Snipers Active

                                21st of August 1915  Gas attack preparation

                                21st August 1915  Posting

                                21st Aug 1915  In Support

                                21st Aug 1915  Posts

                                21st of August 1915  A Rest Period

                                21st Aug 1915  Orders

                                21st August 1915  Casualties

                                21st Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Aug 1915 3rd Monmouths return to front line  The 3rd Monmouths returned to the front line at Kemmel for six days.

                                22nd August 1915 Appointments and Inspections  th County of London Brigade RFA reports Liuet C.E.H. Lloyd appointed temporary Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier-General J.C Wray MVO, CRA 47 Division. Each unit inspected by OC. Brigade after Church Parade. Passenger boats and mail steamer service between England and France stopped.

                                22nd August 1915  Baths for working party

                                22nd Aug 1915  Two Cargo ships Sunk

                                22nd Aug 1915  On the March

                                22nd Aug 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                22nd Aug 1915  Church Parade

                                22nd Aug 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Aug 1915  Inspection

                                22nd Aug 1915  In Billets

                                22nd Aug 1915  Burying the Dead

                                22nd Aug 1915  Orders

                                22nd Aug 1915  Sunday

                                22nd Aug 1915  Training

                                22nd August 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                22nd of Aug 1915 

                                22nd of Aug 1915 

                                22nd August 1915  Holding the Line

                                22nd August 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Aug 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                22nd Aug 1915  Mines

                                22nd Aug 1915  Preparations

                                22nd Aug 1915  Refitting

                                22nd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd August 1915  Louvencourt

                                22nd Aug 1915   Artillery Duel

                                22nd Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Aug 1915  Orders

                                22nd of August 1915   Rest Day

                                22nd Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd Aug 1915  Wounded Evacuated

                                22nd Aug 1915  Low Cloud

                                22nd Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                22nd August 1915  Divisional instructions

                                22nd Aug 1915  On the March

                                22nd of August 1915  Hostile Balloons

                                22nd of August 1915  New machine guns and a fresh draft arrive

                                22nd August 1915  Fatigues

                                22nd August 1915  Order of battle.

                                22nd August 1915  Relief Complete

                                22nd Aug 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                22nd August 1915  In rest at Labeuvriere.

                                22nd Aug 1915  Instruction

                                22nd Aug 1915  Advance

                                22nd August 1915  Casualties

                                22nd Aug 1915  Patrol

                                23rd August 1915 Postings and Sport  The 6th London Brigade RFA Tug O War team, captained by RSM J.T.Hood, and coached by BSM A.V.Davis, having beaten the 8th London (Howitzer) Brigade RFA in the preliminary heats and the 7th London Brigade RFA in the final heat, qualified to represent the 47 Divisional Artillery in the Divisional Sports on Wednesday next. Lt R. Bruce 6th London Ammunition Column transferred to 16th London Battery Lt W.J. Barnard 16th London Battery transferred to 6th London Amm. Col. 2/Lt J.T. Woollett 15th London Battery transferred to 6th London Amm. Col. 2/Lt J.A.W. Petro 6th London Amm. Col. attached to 17th London Battery. All with effect from tomorrow’s date. Service between England and France resumed. Officers and men of this Brigade will in future proceed on leave each Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

                                23rd August 1915  in billets

                                23rd Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                23rd Aug 1915  Dig until Daybreak

                                23rd Aug 1915  Attack on Zeebrugge

                                23rd Aug 1915  Three Smacks Lost

                                23rd Aug 1915  Armed Trawler Torpedoed

                                23rd Aug 1915  Ships Sunk

                                23rd Aug 1915  7th Northumberlands into Reseve

                                23rd Aug 1915  Divisional Reserve

                                23rd Aug 1915  Trench Work & Artillery Exchange

                                23rd Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                23rd Aug 1915  Digging

                                23rd Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                23rd Aug 1915  Recce

                                23rd Aug 1915  Training

                                23rd Aug 1915  Training

                                23rd Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                23rd Aug 1915  Inspection

                                23rd Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd of Aug 1915 

                                23rd of Aug 1915 

                                23rd August 1915  Holding the Line

                                23rd Aug 1915  Inspection

                                23nd August 1915  Reorganisation

                                23rd Aug 1915  Snipers

                                23rd Aug 1915  Training

                                23rd Aug 1915  At Rest

                                23rd Aug 1915  Into Billets

                                23rd Aug 1915   Intermittent Shelling

                                23rd Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                23rd of August 1915  Rest Day

                                23rd Aug 1915  Relief

                                23rd Aug 1915  Shelling

                                23rd Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                23rd of August 1915  Orders

                                23rd August 1915  Trenches continued

                                23rd Aug 1915  Orders

                                23rd of August 1915   Normal Situation

                                23rd of August 1915  Trench working parties continue

                                23rd August 1915  Fatigues

                                23rd August 1915  New Billets

                                23rd Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd August 1915  Training in Musketry

                                23rd Aug 1915  Instruction

                                23rd Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd August 1915  Casualties

                                23rd Aug 1915  Praise

                                23rd Aug 1915  Patrol

                                24th August 1915 Inspections  Inspection of 6th County of London Brigade RFA Transport (Cooker Wagon, Cooks Carts, Medical Cart and Water Carts) by Colonel Blythe.

                                24th August 1915  in billets

                                24th Aug 1915  It Pays to be Alert

                                24th Aug 1915  Two Meals a Day

                                24th Aug 1915  Saboteurs Captured

                                24th Aug 1915  30 Squadron bolstered

                                24th Aug 1915  RE Explode Enemy Mine

                                24th Aug 1915  First Taste of Trench Life

                                24th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                24th Aug 1915  QMS Charged

                                24th Aug 1915  Digging

                                24th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                24th Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                23rd Aug 1915  Training

                                24th Aug 1915  Training

                                24th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                24th August 1915  Reorganisation

                                24th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                24th August 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                24th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                24th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                24th of Aug 1915 

                                24th of Aug 1915 

                                24th of Aug 1915 

                                24th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                24th August 1915  Reorganisation

                                24th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Aug 1915  Preparations

                                24th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Aug 1915   Heavy Shells

                                24th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                24th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                24th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                24th of August 1915  Baths

                                24th Aug 1915  New CO

                                24th Aug 1915  Equipment

                                24th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                24th Aug 1915  On the March

                                24th August 1915  Attack from the trenches

                                24th Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                24th of August 1915  Relief Completed

                                24th of August 1915  Horses arrive

                                24th August 1915  Fatigue work.

                                24th Aug 1915  Emplacement

                                24th August 1915  Drill & Coy. training.

                                24th Aug 1915  Instruction

                                24th August 1915  Preliminary Operations Order.

                                24th August 1915  Orders

                                24th Aug 1915  Party Rejoins

                                24th August 1915  Draft

                                24th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                24th Aug 1915 95th Field Coy RE proceed to France  6:45am 95th Field Coy RE departed Amesbury, Wiltshire in 2 trains for port of embarkation Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France.

                                25th August 1915 Divisional Sports day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt V.C. Lucas proceeded to England on 7 days leave.

                                A one days holiday was granted by GOCRA so that all ranks could attend the Divisional Sports at Lozinghem. Chief Judge was Lt Col A.C. Lowe DSO (6th London Brigade RFA) and Chief Marshall was Capt M.J.K. O’Malley (6th London Brigade RFA).

                                The following events were won by teams or individuals of the 6th London Brigade RFA

                                • 1. Team Driving.
                                • 2. Relay Race.
                                • 3. Quarter Mile Open.
                                • 4. Light Draught Horse - 3rd prize.
                                • 5. Officers Jumping (open) 3rd prize.


                                25th August 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                25th August 1915  honours

                                25th Aug 1915  Raid on Steel Works

                                25th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                25th Aug 1915  Digging

                                25th Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                25th Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                25th Aug 1915  Orders

                                25th Aug 1915  Losses

                                25th August 1915  Quiet

                                25th Aug 1915  Artillery Active

                                25th of Aug 1915 

                                25th of Aug 1915 

                                25th of Aug 1915 

                                25th of Aug 1915 

                                25th August 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                25th Aug 1915  In the Line

                                25th Aug 1915  Move

                                25th Aug 1915  Refitting

                                25th Aug 1915  Preparations

                                25th August 1915  Louvencourt

                                25th Aug 1915   Heavy Shelling

                                25th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Aug 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Aug 1915  On the March

                                25th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                25th of August 1915  Trench Recce

                                25th Aug 1915  Line Reorganised

                                25th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                25th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                25th of August 1915  Training

                                25th August 1915  Instruction

                                25th Aug 1915  Reserve and Support

                                25th of August 1915  Hostile Marsh Patrol

                                25th of August 1915  Man wounded on a working party

                                25th August 1915  Practice in firing exercises

                                26th August 1915  Battalion practiced in Bayonet charge

                                25th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                25th August 1915  Corps. Commander pleased

                                25th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                25th August 1915  Reference Operational Order No.23

                                25th Aug 1915   On the Move

                                25th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                25th August 1915  Casualties

                                25th Aug 1915  Patrol

                                26th August 1915 Conference and Inspections  The OC. Brigade and Adjutant 6th County of London Brigade RFA attended the Divisional Artillery conference at Lozinghem. The Veterinary Officer Lt W.P.S. Edwards was attached to 1st Division; his duties will be performed by the ADVS, 47th Division, Capt. J. Abson. An inspection of the Technical Stores Wagon of the Ammunition Column was carried out.

                                26th Aug 1915  A Warm Night

                                26th Aug 1915 11th West Yorks proceed to France  11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment proceed to France on the 26th of August 1915, landing at Le Havre.

                                26th August 1915  Demonstration of Poison Gas

                                26th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                26th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Aug 1915  Entrenching

                                26th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                26th August 1915  Quiet

                                26th Aug 1915  Mines

                                26th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                26th of Aug 1915 

                                26th of Aug 1915 

                                26th Aug 1915  Mine

                                26th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                26th Aug 1915  Leave

                                26th Aug 1915  Bombardment

                                26th Aug 1915   Dugout Destroyed

                                26th Aug 1915  Award

                                26th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                26th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                26th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                26th of August 1915  Trench Recce

                                26th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                26th Aug 1915  Ranging

                                26th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                26th August 1915  Filling in the trenches

                                26th Aug 1915  Reserve and Support

                                26th of August 1915   Reliefs

                                26th of August 1915  Lieutenant Major Ingpen takes command of Battalion

                                26th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th August 1915  In Brigade Reserve

                                26th Aug 1915  On the March

                                26th Aug 1915   On the Move

                                26th August 1915  Casualties

                                26th Aug 1915  Reorganisation

                                27th August 1915  Waggon Lines

                                27th Aug 1915  8th Yorks & Lancs proceed to France

                                27th August 1915  New Co for B Sqd.

                                27th Aug 1915 Visit  Mr Samuel Roberts MP visits Sheffield City Battalion at Ripon camp.

                                27th August 1915   The Tyneside Irish Brigade was taken over by the War Office and ceased to be the responsibility of the Tyneside Irish Committee. The Tyneside Irish were now in the last stages of training and would shortly be ready to take the field.

                                27th Aug 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA move

                                27th Aug 1915  The dugout

                                27th Aug 1915  Cold Hearted

                                27th Aug 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                27th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                27th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Aug 1915  Deep in the Ground

                                27th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                27th Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                27th Aug 1915  Enemy Inquisitive

                                27th Aug 1915  Leave Ends

                                27th August 1915  Reinforcements

                                27th Aug 1915  Saps

                                27th Aug 1915  Orders

                                27th of Aug 1915 

                                27th of Aug 1915 

                                27th Aug 1915  Saps

                                27th Aug 1915  In the Trenches

                                27th Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                27th Aug 1915  Orders

                                27th Aug 1915  Leave

                                27th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Aug 1915   In Billets

                                27th Aug 1915  Relief

                                27th Aug 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                27th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                27th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                27th of August 1915   On the March

                                27th Aug 1915  Relief

                                27th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                27th August 1915  Stores returned

                                27th Aug 1915  Reserve and Support

                                27th Aug 1915  Award

                                27th of August 1915   Trenches Mortared

                                27th of August 1915  Inspection and working parties

                                27th August 1915  Practice in attack & Musketry

                                27th Aug 1915  Into Reserve

                                27th Aug 1915  Working Party

                                27th Aug 1915  Training

                                27th of August 1915  Orders to Move

                                27th Aug 1915   On the Move

                                27th August 1915  Casualties

                                27th Aug 1915  A Patriotic Family

                                28th August 1915 Appointments  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt G. Lyon-Smith appointed Orderly Officer 236 Brigade and transferred from 15th London Battery to Brigade Headquarters Staff. Lt J.C. Woollett transferred from 16th London Ammunition Column to 15th London Battery. 2/Lt J. H Van den Bergh transferred from Brigade Headquarters Staff to 6th London Ammunition Column.

                                28th August 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                28th Aug 1915  working party

                                Late Aug 1915 34th Division move to Salisbury Plain  In late August 1915 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers along with the other units of 34th Division leave Ripon and move for final training and firing practice at Salisbury Plain.

                                Late Aug 1915 34th Division move to Salisbury Plain  In late August 1915 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers along with the other units of 34th Division leave Ripon and move for final training and firing practice at Salisbury Plain.

                                28th Aug 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA move

                                28th Aug 1915  Harvest near the Trenches

                                28th Aug 1915  First Casualty for 10th Essex

                                28th Aug 1915  Range Finder course at Bisley

                                28th Aug 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                28th Aug 1915  Trench Visit

                                28th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                28th Aug 1915  Sniping

                                28th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                28th Aug 1915  Parade

                                28th August 1915  Quiet

                                28th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                28th Aug 1915  Diversion

                                0900 

                                28th of Aug 1915 

                                28th of Aug 1915 

                                28th of Aug 1915 

                                28th of Aug 1915 

                                28th of Aug 1915 

                                28th of Aug 1915 

                                28th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                28th Aug 1915  On the March

                                28th Aug 1915  Leave

                                28th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                28th Aug 1915   In Billets

                                28th Aug 1915  In Rest Camp

                                28th Aug 1915  Artillery Active

                                28th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                28th of August 1915   Relief Completed

                                28th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                28th Aug 1915  Relief

                                28th August 1915  Leaving for Southampton

                                28th Aug 1915  Reinforcements

                                28th of August 1915  Special Service Pathans

                                28th August 1915  2nd in Command

                                28th August 1915  Brigade sports.

                                28th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                28th Aug 1915  Training

                                28th Aug 1915   On the Move

                                28th August 1915  Casualties

                                29th August 1915 Diary reports summary  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports war diary summary signed off by 2/Lt J.H. Van den Bergh on relinquishing his post as Orderly Officer at Brigade Headquarters.

                                29th August 1915  working part not relieved

                                29th Aug 1915  65th Bde Advance Party leave for France

                                29th Aug 1915  Ships Sunk

                                29th Aug 1915  Submarine Lost

                                29th Aug 1915  Passenger Ship Lost

                                29th Aug 1915  Ship Captured

                                29th Aug 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                29th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                29th Aug 1915  At Rest

                                29th Aug 1915  In Billets

                                29th Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                29th Aug 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                29th Aug 1915  Heavy Rain

                                29th Aug 1915  Orders

                                29th August 1915  Holding the Line

                                29th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                29th of Aug 1915 

                                29th of Aug 1915 

                                29th of Aug 1915 

                                29th of Aug 1915 

                                29th of Aug 1915 

                                29th of Aug 1915 

                                29th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                29th Aug 1915  Church Parade

                                29th Aug 1915  Preparations

                                29th Aug 1915  Baths

                                29th August 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                29th Aug 1915   In Billets

                                29th Aug 1915  In Camp

                                29th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                29th of August 1915  Bombs

                                29th Aug 1915  Enemy Artillery

                                29th Aug 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                29th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                29th August 1915  No church parade

                                29th Aug 1915  Orders Received

                                29th Aug 1915  Mobilisation

                                29th of August 1915  Enemy Patrol Pursued

                                29th of August 1915  Attached to 25th Infantry Brigade

                                29th August 1915  Divine Service.

                                29th August 1915  New Commander Arrives

                                29th Aug 1915  Night March

                                29th August 1915  Relieved 8th Battalion

                                29th Aug 1915  On the March

                                29th of August 1915  On the Move

                                29th Aug 1915   On the Move

                                29th Aug 1915  Attack Expected

                                29th August 1915  Orders Received

                                30th August 1915 Appointments  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt O’Malley left Gosnay for Les Brebis with telephonists. A party of 40 men under Lt Bruce left Gosnay to proceed to Novelles Lt Bruce returned to Gosnay after conducting the party to it's destination.

                                30th Aug 1915  in billets

                                30th Aug 1915  Echo!

                                30th Aug 1915  Gallant Work

                                30th Aug 1915  Cargo Ships Lost

                                30th Aug 1915  The Best Shots

                                30th Aug 1915  Huns tried to Burn us Out

                                30th Aug 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                30th Aug 1915  Under Shellfire

                                30th Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                30th Aug 1915  Inspection

                                30th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                30th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                30th August 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                30th of Aug 1915 

                                30th of Aug 1915 

                                30th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                30th Aug 1915  Football

                                30th Aug 1915  Preparations

                                30th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Aug 1915   Route March

                                30th Aug 1915  In Camp

                                30th Aug 1915  Arrivals

                                30th Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                30th Aug 1915  HQ Moves

                                30th Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                30th of August 1915  Shelling and Spies

                                30th Aug 1915  Specialists

                                30th Aug 1915  Shelling

                                30th Aug 1915  Quiet

                                30th August 1915  On the Move

                                30th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Aug 1915  On the Move

                                30th of August 1915  Patrols

                                30th August 1915  Route March & Musketry

                                30th of August 1915  Men used for working parties

                                30th August 1915  Move Delayed

                                30th Aug 1915  Relief Completed

                                30th August 1915  In trenches in W1.

                                30th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                30th of August 1915  Woods Evacuated

                                30th Aug 1915   Route March

                                30th Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                30th August 1915  Reliefs

                                30th August 1915  Battalion Evacuates the Wood

                                   The 45th Siege Battery embarked at Southampton on August 31st and disembarked at Boulogne on the 1st September 1915.

                                31st August 1915 Lecture and moves  6th County of London Brigade RFA records an additional party of 20 men under Lt Blackwell, left Gosnay and proceeded to Noyelles. Lecture by Capt McCombis, Chemical Advisor, 1st Army about use of smoke helmets at Houchin. Lt Bruce and 2 NCOs attended.

                                Signed G Lyon Smith Lt in his new post of Orderly Officer at Brigade Headquarters.

                                31st August 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 155 men (that are known)

                                31st Aug 1915  22nd Heavy Battery proceed to France  22nd Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                31st August 1915  Pioneering Class at Esquelbecq

                                31st August 1915 Reserve position  15th to 31st August E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade in billets 1/2 mile NW of Blaringhem. High Explosive shell was issued to Battery during the last 6 weeks as obtainable, 76 rounds HE per gun being issued as settled proportion.

                                31st Aug 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA at work

                                31st Aug 1915  Concert by Telephone

                                31st Aug 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                31st Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                31st Aug 1915  Blow Expected

                                31st Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Aug 1915  In Support

                                31st Aug 1915  Fatigues

                                31st Aug 1915  Quiet

                                31st Aug 1915  Sorrow

                                31st Aug 1915  On the Move

                                31st Aug 1915  On the Move

                                31st Aug 1915  Advance Party Departs

                                31st August 1915  At Rest

                                31st Aug 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                31st of Aug 1915 

                                31st of Aug 1915 

                                31st of Aug 1915 

                                31st of Aug 1915 

                                31st of Aug 1915 

                                31st of Aug 1915 

                                31st Aug 1915  Working Parties

                                31st Aug 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                31st Aug 1915  Training

                                31st Aug 1915  On the March

                                31st Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                31st Aug 1915  On the March

                                31st Aug 1915   Baths

                                31st Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Aug 1915  Shelling

                                31st Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                31st Aug 1915  In Reserve

                                31st Aug 1915  Move

                                31st of August 1915   A Quiet Day

                                31st Aug 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Aug 1915  Quiet

                                31st of August 1915  Inventions and Rewards

                                31st Aug 1915  Route March

                                31st Aug 1915  Snipers

                                31st Aug 1915  On the Move

                                31st of August 1915  Germans in Khaki

                                31st August 1915  Musketry on range.

                                31st of August 1915  Baths

                                31st August 1915  In trenches

                                31st Aug 1915  Posting

                                31st Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                31st of August 1915  Nothing New to Report

                                31st Aug 1915   Inspections

                                31st Aug 1915  Trench Work

                                31st August 1915  Quiet day

                                31st August 1915  Working Parties

                                31st Aug 1915  Patients

                                31st August 1915  A Quiet Day

                                31st Aug 1915  Report

                                Sep 1915 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers proceed to France  12th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers proceed to France in September 1915.

                                Sept.1915 

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF Holm Foundry, Cathcart opens.  National Projectile Factory Holm Foundry, Cathcart, Lancashire started up in September 1915 producing 8-in. shell, with first output being in April 1916. In 1917 and 1918 aeronautical work was undertaken. It was under the control of G&I Weir.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF Tinsley opens.  National Projectile Factory Tinsley, near Sheffield, West Yorkshire started up in September 1915 producing Shell forgings for 4.5-in. and 60-pdr. shell. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of T. Firth & Sons.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF Templeborough opens  National Projectile Factory Templeborough, near Rotherham, West Yorkshire started up in September 1915 producing Shell forgings for 4.5-in. and 60-pdr. shell. . First output was January 1916. It was under the control of T. Firth & Sons.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF East Hecla Works opens  National Projectile Factory East Hecla Works, Sheffield, West Yorkshire started up in September 1915 producting 9.2-in. shell. First output was March 1916. In 1917 and 1918 produced 60-pdr. guns and undertook gun repairs. It was under the control of Hadfield Ltd.

                                1st Sep 1915 NSF Corporation Tramway Department, Bury opens  National Shell Factory Corporation Tramway Department, Bury, Lancashire started in September 1915 producing. 18-pdr. and 4.5-in.shell and rectifying shell. First output was Summer 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management

                                1st Sep 1915 NSF Drill Hall, Strand Road, Carlisle opens  National Shell Factory Drill Hall, Strand Road, Carlisle, Cumbria started in September 1915 producing 18-pdr. shell and rectifying proof shot. First output was early 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NSF Edge Lane, Liverpool opens.  National Shell Factory Edge Lane, Liverpool, Lancashire started in September 1915 producing 4.5-in. and 6-in. shell forgings and 4.5-in. cartridge cases. First output was February 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 Burry Extension Works, Llanelli opens.  National Shell Factory Burry Extension Works, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire started in September 1915 producing 6-in. shell. First output was February 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Abbey Wood, London opens.  National Filling Factory Abbey Wood, London started in September 1915, filling and assembling shell components. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Quedgeley opens.  National Filling Factory Quedgeley, Gloucester started in September 1915, Filling 18-pdr., 4.5-in. and 60-pdr shell, cartridges and components. First output was March 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Paisley, Georgetown opens.  National Filling Factory Paisley, Georgetown, Renfrewshire was a which started in September 1915, Filling shell (13-pdr. to 12-in.) cartridges, components, trench mortar bombs. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Hayes opens.  National Filling Factory Hayes, Middlesex was started up in September 1915, filling shell (18-pdr. to 12-in.), cartridges, components. First output was October 1915. It was under the control of the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Barnbow opens.  National Filling Factory Barnbow, Leeds, West Yorkshire started in September 1915, filling shell (18-pdr. to 6-in.), cartridges, components. First output was December 1915. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Sep 1915 NFF Govan opens.  National Filling Factory Govan, Cardonald, Glasgow started in September 1915, filling minor shell components. First output was January 1916. It was under the control of Nobel's Explosives Co.

                                1st Sep 1915 TWFF Balmoral Road, Watford opens.  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Balmoral Road, Watford, Hertfordshire started in September 1915, filling and assembling trench warfare bombs, filling chemical shell exploders. First output was October 1915. It was under the control of the Watford Manufacturing Company.

                                1st Sep 1915 NGF Great Tindal Street, Birmingham opens.  National Gauge Factory Great Tindal Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire started in September 1915 manufacturing Gauges, small tools etc. It was under the control of Chatwin Ltd.

                                1st Sep 1915 NPF Ypres Factory, Renfrew opens.  Ypres Factory, Renfrew, Renfrewshire was a National Projectile Factory which started in September 1915, producing 9.2-in. and 12-in. forgings and shells. First output was Summer 1916. It was under the control of Babcock & Wilcox.

                                1st Sep 1915 NSF Llanelli opens.  National Shell Factory Llanelli, Carmarthenshire started in September 1915 and was engaged in rectifying 18-pdr and 6-in shell. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st September 1915 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA moved from Gosnay, with 15th, 16th and 17th London Batteries going to Place a Bruay. 6th London Ammunition Column moved to Haillicourt.

                                1st September 1915 Training and move preparations  16th Btn.Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The comfort and scenic stay near the Downs and Sussex villages came to a close at the end of August when the whole 36th Division moved to Bordon and Bramshott . This was mainly to allow the Division the use of numerous ranges in the area to complete their weapon training with live ammunition including bombing, mortars, Lewis and machine guns.

                                During the month most men got 4 days home leave and all returned to the battalion fit and ready for action. Colonel Leader, back from his visit to France, was pleased to note that the Battalion’s training had covered most of the requirements for active service. Finally most of the "comforts" gathered from friends at home, were distributed to the men for the winter season ahead.

                                So the Battalion consisting of Headquarters and four companies was now ready for the move to France, there to be tested in extreme conditions, in which their training and sense of comradeship would enable them to maintain their discipline and military bearing over a lengthy and arduous campaign.

                                1st September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                1st Sep 1915  9th Sussex proceed to France

                                1st Sptember 1915  working party

                                1st September 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHAare in reserve near Blaringhem with 5th Cavalry Brigade.

                                01 Sep 1915 3rd Monmouth on the Yser Canal  During 1915, it had become very clear that the digging of fire trenches and communication trenches and the construction of light railways and bridges required specialist skills and knowledge and that there was a need for specialised units to do this work who were also fully trained infantrymen. It was soon recognised that units raised in mining areas had all the necessary experience and skill to fulfil this role and so the idea of the Pioneer Battalions took shape. All three battalions of the Monmouthshire Regiment become the pioneer battalions for their respective divisions.

                                At the beginning of September 1915 the 3rd Mons were sent to the Yser canal front just north of Ypres. Here they set up their battalion headquarters in Elverdinghe Chateau, which stood among a largely undamaged forest of "splendid oaks". The canal and the front line were below sea level in this are and flooding and mud was a constant problem. The battalion set about the construction of a series of drainage ditches to ease the problem.

                                1st of September 1915  Enemy Periscopes Hit

                                1st September 1915  Relocation

                                1st Sep 1915  19th Seige Bty RGA suffer losses

                                1st Sep 1915  In Hells Mouth

                                1st Sep 1915  Determined Fighters

                                1st Sep 1915  Orders to Get up Close

                                1st Sep 1915  Tube Helmets issued

                                1st September 1915  Squadron Formed

                                1st Sept 1915  New Squadron

                                1st Sep 1915  Routine

                                1st Sep 1915  Relief

                                1st Sep 1915  Poor Conditions

                                1st Sep 1915  Orders

                                1st Sep 1915  Preparations

                                1st Sep 1915  On the Move

                                Sep 1915  Training

                                1st Sep 1915  Preparations

                                1st Sep 1915  On the Move

                                1st Sep 1915  Shelling

                                1st of September 1915 

                                1st September 1915  At Rest

                                1st Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                1st Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Sep 1915  Training

                                1st Sep 1915  Move

                                1st Sep 1915  Shelling

                                1st Sep 1915  On the March

                                1st September 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                1st Sep 1915  On the March

                                1st Sep 1915  Musketry

                                1st Sep 1915  On the Move

                                1st Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                1st Sep 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Sep 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Sep 1915  Enemy Active

                                1st Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                1st of September 1915  New Companies Formed

                                1st of September 1915  Training

                                1st Sep 1915  Mine Exploded

                                1st Sep 1915  On the Move

                                Sept 1915  Changes

                                1st Sep 1915  Targets Hit

                                1st Sep 1916  Transfer

                                1st September 1915  Inspection

                                1st of September 1915  In reserve

                                1st September 1915  Reliefs

                                1st September 1915  In trenches

                                1st Sep 1915  Digging

                                1st Sep 1915  Reorganisation

                                1st September 1915  In trenches in W1.

                                1st Sep 1915  In Support

                                1st Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                1st Sep 1915  Instructions

                                1st Sep 1915  Orders

                                1st Sep 1915  Orders

                                1st September 1915  No Change

                                1st Sep 1915  In Billets

                                1st Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                1st September 1915  Trench Duty

                                1st September 1915  Quiet day

                                Sep 1917  On the Move

                                2nd Sep 1915 3rd Monmouths join 49th Division  Orders were received on September 22nd for the 3rd Monmouth's to join the 49th Division as one of the Pioneer Battalions. General Bulfin on his farewell address spoke as follows: "I wish to say I am exceedingly sorry to lose you from the Division and would wish to thank you individually, one and all, for the help you have always given me whilst in the Division. At the beginning you had a very rough and unhappy time of it, but you came through it splendidly and have done excellent work. Your Colonel and all of you will look back one day with pride on the fine reputation, which the Regiment has made for itself during the time it has served with the 28 th Division. I wish you all the best of luck and a safe return to England at the end of the war, and I feel sure you will continue to make the history which you have begun for your Regiment"

                                During 1915, it had become very clear that the digging of fire trenches and communication trenches and the construction of light railways and bridges required specialist skills and knowledge and that there was a need for specialised units to do this work who were also fully trained infantrymen. It was soon recognised that units raised in mining areas had all the necessary experience and skill to fulfil this role and so the idea of the Pioneer Battalions took shape. All three battalions of the Monmouthshire Regiment become the pioneer battalions for their respective divisions.

                                2nd Sep 1914 Glasgow Tramways Battalion raised in 16hrs.  The 15th Glasgow Tramways Battalion, Highland Light Infantry was raised in Glasgow on the 2nd of September 1914 by Glasgow Corporation employee Jimmy Dalrymple, the manager of the Tramways Department. Prior to finishing his afternoon shift, he phoned around all the Tramcar Depots and asked his colleagues to find out if any of the men would be interested in joining a battalion made up entirely of men from the ‘Caurs’. Sixteen hours later he had a list with the names of 1100 volunteers wanting to enlist.

                                2nd September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt W.P.S Edwards Army Veterinary Service returned from 1st Division.

                                2nd Sep 1915  Baths and Inspection

                                2nd Sep 1915  Medical Officer

                                2nd Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                2nd Sep 1915  Policeman's Lucky Escape

                                2nd Sep 1915  On the March

                                2nd Sep 1915  Ship Torpedoed

                                2nd Sep 1915  2/8th Worceters to Epping Forest

                                2nd Sep 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                2nd Sep 1915  4th Lincs Relieve 5th Leics

                                2nd Sep 1915  Blow Still Expected

                                2nd Sep 1915  Lecture

                                2nd Sep 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                2nd Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                2nd Sep 1915  Wet Day

                                2nd Sep 1915  Leave

                                2nd Sep 1915  On the March

                                2nd Sep 1915  Under Canvas

                                2nd Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd of September 1915 

                                2nd September 1915  Roads Blocked

                                2nd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Sep 1915  Boxing

                                2nd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Sep 1915  Exchange of Fire

                                2nd Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd Sep 1915 

                                2nd Sep 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                2nd Sep 1915  Entraining

                                2nd Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                2nd Sep 1915  Artillery Active

                                2nd of September 1915  Combined Fire Attack

                                2nd September 1915  Estree & Estreelles

                                2nd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                2nd of September 1915   Our Transport Shelled

                                2nd Sep 1915  Mist

                                2nd Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd September 1915  New billeting area

                                2nd of September 1915  Machine Guns

                                2nd Sep 1915  Digging

                                2nd Sep 1915  Inspection

                                2nd September 1915  In trenches

                                2nd Sep 1915  Enemy Machine Gun

                                2nd Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Sep 1915  Orders

                                2nd September 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Sep 1915  Signallers

                                2nd September 1915  Heavy Artillery Bombardment

                                3rd Sep 1915 3rd Monmouths on the move  The 3rd Monmouths were sent to the Yser canal front just north of Ypres. Here they set up their battalion headquarters in Elverdinghe Chateau, which stood among a largely undamaged forest of splendid oaks. The canal and the front line were below sea level in this are and flooding and mud was a constant problem. The battalion set about the construction of a series of drainage ditches to ease the problem.

                                3rd September 1915  Guns

                                3rd Sep 1915  Thunderstorms

                                3rd September 1915  Heavy Rain

                                3rd Sep 1915  65th Bde Proceed to France

                                3rd Sep 1915  On the March

                                3rd Sep 1915  Some Fine Work

                                3rd Sep 1915  Heavy Transport Heard

                                3rd Sep 1915  Narrow Escape

                                3rd Sep 1915  Plenty of Fruit

                                3rd Sep 1915  Wet and Dirty

                                3rd Sep 1915  Fatigues

                                3rd Sep 1915  Heavy Rain

                                3rd Sep 1915  Route March

                                3rd Sep 1915  On the March

                                3rd Sep 1915  Very Wet Day

                                3rd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                3rd of September 1915  Off to France

                                3rd Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd of September 1915 

                                3rd of September 1915 

                                3rd September 1915  Heavy Rain

                                3rd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Sep 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                3rd Sep 1915  Very Wet Day

                                3rd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Sep 1915  Training

                                3rd Sep 1915  Advance Party Leave

                                3rd Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                3rd Sep 1915  Very Wet

                                3rd Sep 1915  Shrapnel

                                3rd of September 1915  In Billets

                                3rd September 1915  Heavy Rain

                                3rd Sep 1915  In Billets

                                3rd of September 1915   Mining Actions

                                3rd Sep 1915  Wet Day

                                3rd Sep 1915  Shelling

                                3rd September 1915  Company Training

                                3rd of September 1915  Officers inspect trench positions

                                3rd September 1915  A Move to Hinges

                                3rd Sep 1915  Instructions

                                3rd Sep 1915  Inspection

                                3rd September 1915  Relieved in trenches by 21st London Regt.

                                3rd Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                3rd Sep 1915  Quiet

                                3rd Sep 1915  Working Parties Hindered

                                3rd September 1915  Reorganisation

                                3rd September 1915  Battalion rested

                                3rd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Sep 1915  Fatigue Parties

                                3rd September 1915  In the Trenches

                                3rd September 1915  Enemy fired Rifle Grenades

                                4th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt Col A E Lowe left Bruay to understudy GOCRA. 47th Divisional Artillery at Lesbrebos. 2/Lt V.C. Lucas left Bruay for work under Capt O’Malley at Les Brebis.

                                4th Sep 1915  24th Division Concentrate

                                4th September 1915  working party to return

                                4th September 1915   SM U-69

                                Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 206) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 7 Feb 1914 Launched 24 Jun 1915 Commissioned 4 Sep 1915

                                Commanders.
                                4 Sep 1915 - 23 Jul 1917 Ernst Wilhelms

                                Career 6 patrols.
                                4 Mar 1916 - 23 Jul 1917 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 31 ships sunk with a total of 102,875 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 1,648 tons.

                                • 15 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Fairport 3,838 br
                                • 15 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Schwanden 844 ru
                                • 16 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Glendoon 1,918 nw
                                • 16 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Harrovian 4,309 br
                                • 16 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Papelera 1,591 nw
                                • 17 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Ernest Reyer 2,708 fr
                                • 18 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Ravenhill 1,826 br
                                • 20 Apr 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Cairngowan 4,017 br
                                • 11 Jul 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Era 168 br
                                • 20 Oct 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Cabotia 4,309 br
                                • 24 Oct 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Sola 3,057 nw
                                • 26 Oct 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms North Wales 4,072 br
                                • 26 Oct 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Rappahannock 3,871 br
                                • 2 Nov 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Spero 1,132 br
                                • 3 Nov 1916 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Bertha 591 sw
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Annapolis 4,567 br
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Hesperides 3,393 br
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Rio Lages 3,591 br
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Vauxhall 3,629 br
                                • 1 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Rockingham 4,555 am
                                • 2 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Troilus 7,625 br
                                • 29 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Argo 123 sw
                                • 29 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Ines 261 sw
                                • 29 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Consul N. Nielsen 1,395 da
                                • 31 May 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Esneh 3,247 br
                                • 3 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Luisa (damaged) 1,648 it
                                • 6 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Parthenia 5,160 br
                                • 8 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Enidwen 3,594 br
                                • 8 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Saragossa 3,541 br
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Kelvinbank 4,072 br
                                • 14 Jun 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Avenger 13,441 br
                                • 24 Jul 1917 U 69 Ernst Wilhelms Mikelis 2,430 gr

                                Fate 11 Jul 1917 - Last contact on July 11, 1917 while en route to patrol station off Ireland. 40 dead (all hands lost).

                                Loss possibly linked to D/C attack on July 12 off Norway. The German official history notes a U-boat was operating through at least July 26 in the Irish Sea at this time that could only have been U 69, though this does not offer a cause for her loss.

                                There was another U 69 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 19 Sep 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 2 Nov 1940.

                                4th September 1915 On the March  E Battery, RHA marched at 1000 and moved into bivouac near Le Quesnoy, 2 miles east of Bethune on attachment with other two batteries of 2nd Cavalry Division to 2nd Infantry Division. In bivouac at 2030hrs as not allowed through Bethune until after dark, about 23 miles

                                4th Sep 1915  To Take Possitions

                                4th Sep 1915  Not a Pleasant Job

                                4th Sep 1915 

                                4th Sep 1915  Preparations for Winter

                                4th Sep 1915  Mining Sounds Heard

                                4th Sep 1915  Something to Help

                                4th Sep 1915  Communication Exercise

                                4th Sep 1915  Training

                                4th Sep 1915  Fatigues

                                4th Sep 1915  Working Party

                                4th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                4th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                4th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                4th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                4th of September 1915 

                                4th of September 1915 

                                4th September 1915  Inspection

                                4th Sep 1915  On the March

                                4th Sep 1915  Heavy Rain

                                4th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                4th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                4th Sep 1915  Fatigues

                                4th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                4th Sep 1915  Recce

                                4th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                4th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                4th Sep 1915  Artillery Active

                                4th Sep 1915  Reorganisation

                                4th of September 1915  Resting

                                4th of September 1915  Luminous Sights

                                4th September 1915  More rain.

                                4th Sep 1915  Attachment

                                4th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                4th of September 1915  Mine Exploded

                                4th Sep 1915  Retaliation

                                4th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Sep 1915  Recruiting

                                4th September 1915  Training

                                4th September 1915  Digging Gun Pits at Vermelles

                                4th Sep 1915  Heavy Fire

                                4th Sep 1915  Training

                                4th September 1915  Billeted in Les Brebis.

                                4th Sep 1915  Sniper

                                4th Sep 1915  Rifle Grenades

                                4th Sep 1915  Billets

                                4th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                4th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                4th September 1915  A Quiet Day on the Front

                                4th September 1915  Rifle Grenades Fired

                                5th September 1915 Church Parade  6th County of London Brigade RFA attend Church Parade at 4th Corps H.Q. Labuissiere. 2/Lt J.A.W. Petro assisted by 2/Lt A.F. Yencken took a section from 17th London Battery to be attached to 15th Divisional Artillery.

                                5th September 1915  Working Party returns

                                5th Sep 1915  Russian Army in Retreat

                                5th Sep 1915  HMHS Valdivia sails

                                5th Sep 1915  Refugees

                                5th Sep 1915  Ships Sunk

                                5th Sep 1915  Ship Sunk

                                5th Sep 1915  Indian Army attack

                                5th Sep 1915  Restrictions on Information

                                5th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                5th Sep 1915  Mining Coy Takes Over

                                5th Sep 1915  Working Party

                                5th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                5th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                5th Sep 1915  Working Party

                                5th Sep 1915  Organisation

                                5th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                5th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                5th of September 1915  In France

                                5th of September 1915  Concentration of Units

                                5th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                5th of September 1915 

                                5th September 1915  Defences

                                5th September 1915  Reinforcements

                                5th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Sep 1915  Aircraft Active

                                5th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                5th Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                5th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                5th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                5th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                5th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                5th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                5th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Sep 1915  In Support

                                5th of September 1915   Working Parties

                                5th September 1915  Parade

                                5th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                5th of September 1915   Damaged Aeroplane

                                5th Sep 1915  Gun Moved

                                5th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                5th September 1915  Divine Service.

                                5th of September 1915  Wet trench positions

                                5th September 1915  New Gun Position

                                5th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                5th Sep 1915  Lights Dropped

                                5th Sep 1915  New Trench

                                5th September 1915  Move

                                5th Sep 1915  Posting

                                5th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                5th September 1915  Activity Increases on the Front

                                5th September 1915  Reliefs

                                Sep 1915  Orders

                                6th September 1915  Personnel changes

                                6th September 1915  Baths and kit inspection

                                6th Sep 1915  On the March

                                6th Sep 1915  Ships Sunk

                                6th Sep 1915  Ship Sunk

                                6th Sep 1915  New Trench Begun

                                6th Sep 1915  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                6th Sep 1915  Much Work Needed

                                6th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                6th Sep 1915  Preparing for VAD Interview.

                                6th Sep 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                6th Sep 1915  Working Party

                                6th Sep 1915  Signalling

                                6th Sep 1915  Lectures and Organisation

                                6th Sep 1915  Training

                                6th Sep 1915  Patrols

                                6th Sep 1915  Change of Command

                                6th of September 1915  More Arrivals

                                6th of September 1915  Into Billets

                                6th Sep 1915  Wounded and Sick

                                6th September 1915  Ammunition

                                6th of September 1915 

                                6th September 1915  Ammunition

                                6th September 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                6th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Sep 1915  Route March

                                6th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Sep 1915  HQ Relocates

                                6th Sep 1915  Training

                                6th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                6th Sep 1915  Construction

                                6th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                6th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                6th Sep 1915  In Camp

                                6th Sep 1915  In Support

                                6th of September 1915  Preparing to Move

                                6th September 1915  Meeting General Haking

                                6th Sep 1915  Training

                                6th of September 1915  Retaliatory Firing

                                6th Sep 1915  Tests

                                6th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                6th September 1915  Training

                                6th of September 1915  Brigadier visits Battalion

                                6th September 1915  Zone of Fire Allotted

                                6th Sep 1915  Enemy Active

                                6th Sep 1915  Musketry

                                6th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                6th Sep 1915  Rifle Grenades

                                6th September 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Sep 1915  Course

                                6th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                6th September 1915  Trench Repairs

                                6th September 1915  Orders Received

                                7th September 1915  Personnel changes

                                7th Sep 1915  Ports Bombarded

                                7th September 1915  Drill

                                7th September 1915 Zeppelin raids on London  Two Army Zeppelins successfully bombed London on the night of the 7th of September. SL 2 dropped bombs on the Isle of Dogs, Deptford, Greenwich and Woolwich, and LZ 74 was forced to drop weight on its approach and scattered 39 bombs over Cheshunt, before heading on to London and dropped devices on Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and New Cross,one lone incendiary bomb dropped onto a shop on Fenchurch Street in London. Eighteen people were killed and 28 injured, property damage totalled £9,616. Fog and mist prevented any aircraft taking off, but anti-aircraft guns fired at LZ 74 with no effect. Although these raids had no significant military impact, the psychological effect was considerable.

                                The Zeppelins attacked between ten and eleven o’clock, when the streets were full of people. An American writer wrote "Traffic is at a standstill. A million quiet cries make a subdued roar. Seven million people of the biggest city in the world stand gazing into the sky from the darkened streets. Among the autumn stars floats a long, gaunt Zeppelin. It is dull yellow—the colour of the harvest moon. The long fingers of searchlights, reaching up from the roofs of the city, are touching all sides of the death messenger with their white tips. Great booming sounds shake the city. They are Zeppelin bombs—falling, killing, burning. Lesser noises—of shooting—are nearer at hand, the noise of aerial guns sending shrapnel into the sky. If the men up there think they are terrifying London, they are wrong. They are only making England white-hot mad."

                                The writer D.H. Lawrence described the raid in a letter to Lady Ottoline Morrell, "Then we saw the Zeppelin above us, just ahead, amid a gleaming of clouds: high up, like a bright golden finger, quite small (...) Then there was flashes near the ground — and the shaking noise. It was like Milton — then there was war in heaven. (...) I cannot get over it, that the moon is not Queen of the sky by night, and the stars the lesser lights. It seems the Zeppelin is in the zenith of the night, golden like a moon, having taken control of the sky; and the bursting shells are the lesser lights." Eighteen people were killed in the raid, and 28 were wounded. Property damage totalled £9,616. The SL-2 suffered engine failure on the return trip home and had to crash land in Germany. Shortly after this raid Admiral Sir Percy Scott was placed in charge of the air defenses around London.

                                7th Sep 1915  Houses shelled

                                7th Sept 1915  65th Bde in Billets

                                7th Sep 1915  Improvised Rations

                                7th Sep 1915  Newspaper Exchange

                                7th Sep 1915  Aeroplane duels

                                7th Sep 1915  Under Fire

                                7th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                7th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                7th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                7th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                7th Sep 1915  Communication

                                7th Sep 1915  Field Day

                                7th Sep 1915  Wet Weather

                                7th Sep 1915  Division Assembles

                                7th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                7th of September 1915  More Units Join

                                7th of September 1915  A Taxing March

                                7th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                7th September 1915  Allotment

                                7th September 1915  Inspection

                                7th September 1915  Shelling

                                7th Sep 1915  Move

                                7th Sep 1915  Working Parties & Training

                                7th Sep 1915  Training

                                7th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                7th Sep 1915  On the March

                                7th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                7th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                7th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                7th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                7th Sep 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                7th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                7th of September 1915  On the March

                                7th of September 1915  Gas Specialists

                                7th September 1915  Divisional Field Day

                                7th Sep 1915  Exercise

                                7th of September 1915  No Incidents

                                7th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                7th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                7th September 1915  Training & Working Parties

                                7th of September 1915  One man killed

                                7th September 1915  Digging at Vermelles

                                7th Sep 1915  Training

                                7th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                7th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                7th Sep 1915  Roads

                                7th Sep 1915  Observation Precautions

                                7th September 1915  On the March

                                7th Sep 1915  Training

                                7th Sep 1915  On the March

                                7th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                7th September 1915  Relieved from Trench Duty

                                7th Sep 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                7th September 1915  Relief Completed

                                7th Sep 1915  In Action

                                8th September 1915 Court Martial  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Issue of blankets carried out - one per man. Court Martial at Haillicourt. President Major P.J. Clifton.

                                8th September 1915  Pioneers instructed

                                8th September 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  8/9th September The Navy attempted to follow up the Army's success the following night. Three Zeppelins were directed against London and one against the benzol plant at Skinningrove.

                                • L 11 turned back early with engine trouble;
                                • L 14 suffered the same problem while over Norfolk: its bombs were dropped on East Dereham and the Zeppelin returned home.
                                • L 13 reached London, approaching over Golders Green, Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Mathy began bombing around 2240.

                                The bomb-load included a 300-kilogram (660 lb) device, the largest yet carried. This exploded on Bartholomew Close near Smithfield Market, destroying several houses and killing two men. Further bombs fell on the textile warehouses north of St Paul's Cathedral, causing a fire which despite the attendance of 22 fire engines caused over half a million pounds damage:

                                Mathey then turned east, dropping his remaining bombs on Liverpool Street station. The Zeppelin was repeatedly caught by searchlights and all 26 anti-aircraft guns in London were active, but every shell exploded too low and the falling shrapnel caused both damage and alarm on the ground. Three aircraft were in the air. None even saw the Zeppelin; one crashed on landing, killing the pilot. The raid killed 22 people and injured 87. The monetary damage was over one sixth of the total damage inflicted by bombing raids during the war.

                                8th Sep 1915  HMHS Valdivia sails

                                8th Sept 1915  65th Bde Inspected

                                8th Sep 1915  Enemy Engaged

                                8th Sep 1915  Draft arrives

                                8th Sep 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                8th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                8th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                8th Sep 1915  On the March

                                8th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Sep 1915  Machine Guns in Action

                                8th Sep 1915  Communication Issues

                                8th Sep 1915  On Ranges

                                8th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                8th Sep 1915  Training

                                8th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                8th of September 1915  More Troops Join

                                8th of September 1915  GOC's Inspection

                                8th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                8th of September 1915 

                                8th September 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                8th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                8th Sep 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                8th Sep 1915  Training

                                8th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Sep 1915  New Billets

                                8th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                8th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                8th Sep 1915  Zeppelin

                                8th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                8th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                8th of September 1915  Holding the Line

                                8th September 1915  Captains visit.

                                8th Sep 1915  Training

                                8th of September 1915   Observation Station Hit

                                  In camp (UK)

                                8th Sep 1915  Misty

                                8th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                8th September 1915  Training

                                8th of September 1915  Reliefs

                                8th September 1915  Ordered to Move North

                                8th Sep 1915  Competition

                                8th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                8th September 1915  In Billets

                                8th Sep 1915  New Billets

                                8th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Sep 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                8th September 1915  March to Le Bouviere

                                9th Sep 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers proceed to Imbros   The 2nd Royal Fusilers left Chocolate Hill and proceeded to Imbross aboard HMS Usmanier for a period of rest

                                9th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion at Armentieres, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots marched to the billets in Ru Delletree between the villages of Gris Pot and Fleurbaix.
                                They helped by supplying working parties over the next few days.

                                9th September 1915  engaged in squadron schemes

                                9th Sep 1915  65th Bde attach for training

                                9th Sep 1915  Plenty of Excitement

                                9th Sep 1915  When are you Coming Over?

                                9th Sep 1915  Smoking in the Trenches

                                9th Sep 1915  Keep to the Last Drop of Blood

                                9th Sep 1915  B Coy relieve A Coy

                                9th Sep 1915  Ship Sunk

                                9th Sep 1915  Enemy Holding Mine Crater

                                9th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                9th Sep 1915  Route March

                                9th Sep 1915  Training

                                9th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                9th Sep 1915  Civilians

                                9th Sep 1915  Spies

                                9th Sep 1915  On Ranges

                                9th Sep 1915  Training

                                9th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                9th of September 1915  Trench Training

                                9th of September 1915  Moves Made

                                9th of September 1915  A 17-Mile March

                                9th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                9th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                9th September 1915  Working Parties

                                9th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                9th Sep 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                9th Sep 1915  Training

                                9th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                9th Sep 1915  Baths

                                9th Sep 1915  Training

                                9th Sep 1915  On the March

                                9th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                9th Sep 1915  In Camp

                                9th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                9th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                9th of September 1915  Under Fire

                                9th of September 1915  New gas helmet

                                9th September 1915  Advance Guard

                                9th Sep 1915  Training

                                9th of September 1915   Quiet Time

                                9th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                9th Sep 1915  On the March

                                9th September 1915  Route march.

                                9th of September 1915  Officers return

                                9th September 1915  Digging Resumes

                                9th Sep 1915  Training

                                9th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                9th Sep 1915  CO Returns

                                9th Sep 1915  Attachment

                                9th September 1915  Billets at Le Bouviere.

                                9th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                10th September 1915 Court Martial  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Court Martial was held again. President Major P.J. Clifton.

                                10th September 1915  Brigade Parade

                                10th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion hold anniversary concert  On the anniversary of the formation on the Sheffield City Battalion, a concert was held. It was arranged by the Padre, Capt. J.F.Colquhoun with many of the officers and men performing.It ended with a short speech from the CO.

                                10th Sep 1915  9th Kings Own at work

                                10th Sep 1915  9th East Lancs at work

                                10th Sep 1915  14th Liverpools at work

                                10th Sep 1915  12th Lancs Fusiliers under instruction

                                10th Sep 1915  Taking Care of Sick Horses

                                10th Sep 1915  Excitement Guaranteed

                                10th Sep 1915  Under Fire

                                10th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Sep 1915  8th Lincs Proceed to France

                                10th Sep 1915  Enemy Blow Camouflet

                                10th Sep 1915  Under Shellfire

                                10th Sep 1915  Transport Shelled

                                10th Sep 1915  Orders

                                10th Sep 1915  On Ranges

                                10th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                10th Sep 1915  Training

                                10th Sep 1915  Working Parties and Instruction

                                10th of September 1915  On the Move

                                10th of September 1915  More Moves

                                10th of September 1915  Sore Feet

                                10th Sep 1915  In Camp

                                10th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                10th September 1915  Ammunition Destroyed

                                10th of September 1915 

                                10th September 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Sep 1915  Ammunition

                                10th Sep 1915  Training

                                10th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                10th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Sep 1915  Fatigues

                                10th Sep 1915  Award

                                10th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                10th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                10th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                10th Sep 1915  Training

                                10th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                10th of September 1915   Trench Improvements

                                10th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                10th of September 1915  Company Training

                                10th September 1915  Outposts

                                10th Sep 1915  Route March

                                10th of September 1915   Enemy Hit Dummy Battery

                                10th Sep 1915  Hostile Battery

                                10th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                10th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                10th September 1915  Inspection

                                10th September 1915  Reliefs

                                10th September 1915  Digging Resumes at Vermelles

                                10th Sep 1915  Royal Visit

                                10th Sep 1915  Training Ground

                                10th Sep 1915  Draft

                                10th Sep 1915  Instructions

                                10th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                10th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                10th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                10th September 1915  Billets very crowded.

                                Sep 1915  On the Move

                                10th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                11th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                11th Sep 1915 14th DLI proceed to France  Leaving Folkestone, the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry landed in Boulogne on the 11th September, 1915.

                                11th September 1915  dismounted attack

                                11th Sep 1915  9th East Lancs under instruction

                                11th Sep 1915  14th Liverpools under instruction

                                11th Sep 1915  12th Lancs Fusiliers under instruction

                                11th Sep 1915  Nasty Attentions

                                11th Sep 1915  Exchange of Fire

                                11th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Sep 1915  Inspections

                                11th Sep 1915  Artillery Active

                                11th Sep 1915  Training

                                11th Sep 1915  Field Day

                                11th Sep 1915  Zeppelin

                                11th Sep 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                11th of September 1915  Moves

                                11th of September 1915  Fatigues and Instruction

                                11th Sep 1915  In Camp

                                11th of September 1915 

                                11th September 1915  Trench Work

                                11th September 1915  Shelling

                                11th Sep 1915  Move

                                11th Sep 1915  Minenwerfer

                                11th Sep 1915  Training

                                11th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                11th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                11th Sep 1915  Routine

                                11th Sep 1915  Congratulations

                                11th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                11th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                11th Sep 1915  In Camp

                                11th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                11th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                11th of September 1915  A Giant Periscope

                                11th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                11th September 1915  Attack on high ground

                                11th Sep 1915  Exercise

                                11th of September 1915  Changes of Command

                                  In camp (UK)

                                  In camp (UK)

                                11th Sep 1915  Hostile Battery

                                11th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                11th Sep 1915  Air Raid

                                11th September 1915  Orders

                                11th of September 1915  New draft inspected

                                11th September 1915  Orders to Proceed to Meerut Division

                                11th September 1915  Transferred in evening by bus to Les Brebis.

                                11th Sep 1915  Sandbags

                                11th Sep 1915  Course

                                11th Sep 1915  Baths

                                11th September 1915  Casualties

                                11th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                12th September 1915 Church Parade  6th County of London Brigade RFA attend Church Parade held at 4th Corps HQ. in Labuissiere.

                                12th Sep 1915 14th DLI to St Omer  The men of the 14th DLI entrained at Bologne on the 12th September for the St Omer district, near Neilles-lez-Ardres, where most of the new divisions were prepared for services in the line.

                                12th September 1915  Church parade

                                11th Sep 1915  9th Kings Own at work

                                12th Sep 1915  A Hot Day

                                12th Sep 1915  Margate Bombed

                                12th Sep 1915  Mine Detonated

                                12th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                12th Sep 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                12th Sep 1915  Working Party

                                12th Sep 1915  Mining

                                12th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                12th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                12th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                12th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                12th of September 1915  First Casualty

                                12th of September 1915  First Casualty

                                12th of September 1915  Church and Baths

                                12th Sep 1915  In Camp

                                12th September 1915  Flames

                                12th September 1915  Reliefs

                                12th September 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                12th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                12th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                12th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                12th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Sep 1915  Routine

                                12th Sep 1915  Training Camp

                                12th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                12th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                12th Sep 1915  Orders Received

                                12th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                12th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                12th of September 1915  Preparing to Move

                                12th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                12th September 1915  Church parade

                                12th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                12th of September 1915  67th Brigade Under Instruction

                                  In camp (UK)

                                12th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                12th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                12th September 1915  Relief

                                12th of September 1915  Reliefs

                                12th September 1915  To La Gorgue and Back Again

                                12th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                12th September 1915  Working parties.

                                12th Sep 1915  Communication Trenches

                                12th Sep 1915  Death

                                12th Sep 1915  Baths

                                12th Sep 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                12th September 1915  Orders

                                12th Sep 1915  Training

                                13th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Brasneth was struck off the strength of the Brigade and posted to Training School at St Venant for trench mortar battery instruction. 31st August 1915. 15th London Battery sent one section to the Firing Line under Capt Corsan and 2/Lt Woollett. Party returned here.

                                13th September 1915  Divisional Route March

                                13th September 1915 Preparing new positions  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are in bivouac at Le Quesnoy. 5th to 13th September a working party of men went up each day, improving gun pits in area into which were to go.

                                13th Sep 1915  Glad to see England has woke up

                                13th Sep 1915  Ypres not Safe

                                13th Sep 1915  Rain of Shells

                                13th Sep 1915  Short Bombardment

                                13th Sep 1915  Enemy Snipers Approach

                                13th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Sep 1915  Sentry Wounded

                                13th Sep 1915  Fire

                                13th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                13th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                13th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                13th of September 1915  Artillery Moves

                                13th of September 1915  RFA Moves

                                13th of September 1915  Working and Learning

                                13th Sep 1915  Training

                                13th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                13th September  Shelling

                                13th September  Course

                                13th September  Instruction

                                13th September  Report

                                13th September 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                13th Sep 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                13th Sep 1915  Training

                                13th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                13th Sep 1915  Routine

                                13th Sep 1915  Mines Explode

                                13th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                13th Sep 1915  Orders Received

                                13th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                13th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                13th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                13th of September 1915  Relief Completed

                                13th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                13th of September 1915  Battalion Training

                                13th Sep 1915  Training

                                13th of September 1915   German Mine Exploded

                                  In camp (UK) court martial

                                13th Sep 1915  Observation

                                13th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                13th September 1915  Artillery bombarded enemy line

                                13th September 1915  Digging Gun Pits

                                13th September 1915  Returned from Les Brebis

                                13th Sep 1915  Enemy Active

                                13th September 1915  Change of Billets

                                13th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Sep 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                13th September 1915  Casualties

                                14th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFAreport 2/Lt Van den Bergh proceeded to join Massy Group at Les Brebis. Bruay now out of bounds for British troops.

                                14th September 1915  short excerise

                                14th September 1915 Back into Action  E Battery RHA are at Le Quesnoy. Four guns went into action after dark on east edge of wood just north of La Bassee canal about 1 mile east of Gorre and took the place of 4 guns of the 71st Battery RFA which took up new positions for wire cutting. Got into position about 1930hrs. Battery 3200 yards from German trenches observed from a ruin near Givenchy Village a very good observing post.

                                14th Sep 1915  No Life at All

                                14th Sep 1915  Guns Captured

                                14th Sep 1915  Artillery Support

                                14th Sep 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                14th Sep 1915  Request

                                14th Sep 1915  Under Shellfire

                                14th Sep 1915  Artillery Active

                                14th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                14th Sep 1915  Field Day

                                14th Sep 1915  Field Day

                                14th Sep 1915  Training

                                14th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                14th of September 1915  To the Somme

                                14th of September 1915  More RFA Movement

                                14th of September 1915  Trench Duty

                                14th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                14th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                14th September 1915  Ammunition

                                14th September 1915  Holding the Line

                                14th Sep 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                14th Sep 1915  Training

                                14th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                14th Sep 1915  Routine

                                14th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                14th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                14th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                14th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                14th Sep 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                14th of September 1915  At Rest

                                14th Sep 1915  Training

                                14th September 1915  Divisional Field Day

                                14th Sep 1915  Exercise

                                14th of September 1915   Both Sides Retaliate

                                14th Sep 1915  Not war. It is murder.

                                14th Sep 1915  Anti Aircraft Gun

                                14th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                14th September 1915  Reconnaissance

                                14th of September 1915  Officer shot through the head

                                14th September 1915  Digging Continues at Vermelles

                                14th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                14th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Sep 1915  Instructions

                                14th September 1915  Working Parties

                                14th Sep 1915  Artillery in Action

                                14th September 1915  Fatigues and Defence Work

                                14th September 1915  Brigade Order

                                15th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA's war diary records Capt. Cooper reported at 47th Divisional Artillery at 0700 for the purpose of bringing up 2 guns from 16th London Battery. The order was cancelled and Capt. Cooper returned to Place a Bruay. 2/Lt J.C. Woollett returned from the Firing Line and became OC. 15th London Battery. Capt. Cooper returned to 17th London Battery.

                                15th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion at Armentieres, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots marched to Fort Rompu and occupied hut shelters as on last occasion.

                                15th Sep 1915 23rd Heavy Battery proceed to France  23rd Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                15th September 1915  training

                                15th September 1915   SM U-6

                                Type U 5 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 148) Ordered 8 Apr 1908 Laid down 24 Aug 1908 Launched 18 May 1910 Commissioned 12 Aug 1910 Commanders.
                                5 Aug 1914 - 28 Sep 1914 Oblt. Wilhelm-Friedrich Starke.
                                29 Sep 1914 - 4 Nov 1914 Oblt. Otto Steinbrinck.
                                5 Nov 1914 - 5 Jan 1915 Oblt. Reinhold Lepsius.
                                6 Jan 1915 - 21 Jan 1915 Oblt. Otto Steinbrinck.
                                22 Jan 1915 - 15 Sep 1915 Oblt. Reinhold Lepsius.

                                Career 4 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 15 Sep 1915 I Flotilla

                                Successes 16 ships sunk with a total of 9,614 tons.
                                3 ships taken as prize with a total of 2,337 tons.

                                • 14 Apr 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Folke 1,352 Swedish
                                • 14 Apr 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Glencarse (Prize) 188 British
                                • 14 Apr 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Vestland 3,392 Danish
                                • 19 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Capella 422 Swedish
                                • 21 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Anvers (Prize) 862 Norway
                                • 21 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Madonna 455 Swedish
                                • 22 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Fortuna 203 Norway
                                • 25 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius G.P. Harbitz 673 Norway
                                • 25 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Harboe 388 Norway
                                • 25 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Sognedalen 644 Norway
                                • 26 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Elna 78 Danish
                                • 26 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Emma 687 Swedish
                                • 26 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Marie 173 Danish
                                • 26 Jul 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Neptunus 143 Danish
                                • 10 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Presto 206 Norway
                                • 11 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Wansbeck 462 Norway
                                • 11 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Randulf Hansen (Prize) 1,287 Norway
                                • 12 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Bien 120 Norway
                                • 13 Sep 1915 U 6 Reinhold Lepsius Norte 216 Norway
                                • 19 ships sunk (11,951 tons).

                                Fate 15 Sep 1915 - Torpedoed by HM Sub E16 off Stavanger 5910N 0509E. 24 dead and 5 survivors.

                                There was another U 6 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 21 Aug 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 7 Sep 1935.

                                15th September 1915 Registering and in Action  E Battery RHA have 4 guns in action near Le Quesnoy. Registered to front from Canteleux to the canal. Fired 60 rounds in all. remaining section came into action at 1930. Remaining two guns of 71st Battery RFA withdrawn at 2030hrs. Battery was withdrawn and went into bivouac at Le Quesnoy at the Wagon Line.

                                15th Sep 1915  Snipers & Artillery less Active

                                15th Sep 1915  Dugouts Destroyed

                                15th Sep 1915  Recomendations

                                15th Sep 1915  Officers Attached

                                15th Sep 1915  Training

                                15th Sep 1915  Infection Measures

                                15th Sep 1915  Training

                                15th Sep 1915  Orders

                                15th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                15th of September 1915  Reconnoitres and Plans

                                15th of September 1915  Accidents

                                15th Sep 1915  Lectures

                                15th of September 1915 

                                15th September 1915  Quiet

                                15th Sep 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                15th Sep 1915  Training

                                15th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                15th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                15th Sep 1915  Routine

                                15th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                15th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                15th Sep 1915  New Positions

                                15th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                15th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Sep 1915  In Support

                                15th of September 1915  Drill and Working Parties

                                15th of September 1915  Training

                                15th September 1915  Washing and Bathing

                                15th Sep 1915  Exercise

                                15th of September 1915  36th Division Instructed

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                15th Sep 1915  New Propellant

                                15th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                15th September 1915  Major General Barnardiston. M.V.O. inspected the Battalion

                                15th September 1915  G.O.C. 3rd Division Visits

                                15th of September 1915  Reliefs

                                15th September 1915  Rejoining 6th Cavalry Brigade

                                15th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                15th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                15th Sep 1915  Defence Scheme

                                15th September 1915  Puits 14

                                15th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                15th September 1915  New Orders Received

                                15th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                15th September 1915  Casualties

                                16th September 1915 Personnel changes  Interpreter Chapaux joined 6th County of London Brigade to replace Interpreter Legrix posted to ADMS, ADVS and DADOS.

                                16th September 1915  train

                                16th Sep 1915  Snipers in Trees

                                16th Sep 1915  Mines Laid

                                16th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Sep 1915  Whizbangs

                                16th Sep 1915  Route March

                                16th Sep 1915  Cameras and Drink

                                16th Sep 1915  Training

                                16th Sep 1915  Training

                                16th Sep 1915  Orders

                                16th of September 1915  Mining Operations

                                16th of September 1915  In Marching Order

                                16th Sep 1915  Lectures

                                16th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                16th of September 1915 

                                16th Sep 1915  Self Inflicted

                                16th September 1915  Holding the Line

                                16th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Sep 1915  Training

                                16th Sep 1915  Sports

                                16th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                16th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Sep 1915  Routine

                                16th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Sep 1915  Registration Commenced

                                16th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Sep 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1915  Aircraft Downed

                                16th Sep 1915  In Support

                                16th of September 1915  Baths and Working Parties

                                16th of September 1915  Anniversary

                                16th September 1915  Judging distance

                                16th Sep 1915  Musketry

                                16th of September 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Sep 1915  Registration

                                16th Sep 1915  On the March

                                16th September 1915  Trench Work

                                16th September 1915  Mud

                                16th September 1915  A Return to Flechin

                                16th Sep 1915  Move

                                6th September 1915  In billets

                                16th Sep 1915  Into Reserve

                                16th September 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Sep 1915  Patrols

                                16th September 1915  A busy day for the Battalion

                                17th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt. Blackwell returned and took command of 15th London Battery. 2/Lt. Woollett left Bruay and proceeded to Maroc. Capt. Cooper left Bruay and reported to 47th Divisional Artillery.

                                17th September 1915 1st Royal Scots on the march  1st Battalion Royal Scots marched to billets near Vieux-Berquin. 23 men arrived from hospital.

                                17th September 1915  train

                                17th September 1915 On the March  E Battery, RHA return to 5th Cavalry Brigade from attachment. Marched to Bleringhem on rejoining 5th Cavalry Brigade, 23 miles. Started at 0530hrs into bivouacs at noon.

                                17th Sep 1915 18th Manchesters move to Larkhill  18th Battalion Manchester Regiment arrive at Larkhill Camp from Belton Park.

                                17th Sep 1915  Caught them on the Hop

                                17th Sep 1915  Keeping in Touch

                                17th Sep 1915  On the March

                                17th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Sep 1915  Recomendations

                                17th Sep 1915  Draft Arrives

                                17th Sep 1915  Men Wounded

                                17th Sep 1915  Training

                                17th Sep 1915  Infection

                                17th Sep 1915  Training

                                17th Sep 1915  Funeral

                                17th Sep 1915  Preparation of Site

                                17th Sep 1915  Moves

                                17th of September 1915  Advance Units Arrive

                                17th of September 1915  Moves

                                17th of September 1915  Moves

                                17th of September 1915  Trench Instruction

                                17th Sep 1915  Sports

                                17th Sep 1915  Under Shellfire

                                17th September 1915  Quiet

                                17th September 1915  Holding the Line

                                17th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                17th Sep 1915  Hot Day

                                17th Sep 1915  Training

                                17th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                17th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                17th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                17th Sep 1915  Holding the Line

                                17th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                17th of September 1915  Baths

                                17th of September 1915  Training

                                17th September 1915  Orders

                                17th Sep 1915  Route March

                                17th of September 1915  German Post Hit

                                17th Sep 1915  Rounds Fired

                                17th September 1915  German Trenches  Fully Occupied.

                                17th of September 1915  Working parties digging trenches

                                17th September 1915  Quiet Day

                                17th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                17th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                17th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                17th September 1915  In Billets

                                17th Sep 1915  Patrols

                                17th September 1915  A Quiet Day

                                17th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                17th September 1915  Casualties

                                18th September 1915  Holding the Line

                                18th Sep 1915 Flag Day held in Halifax  A Flag Day in Halifax raised over £800, the funds were to be split between Russia, Italy, Serbia, France and Belgium.

                                18th September 1915 Postings and Promotions  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Working party returned to 16th London Battery. Lt. W.R. Badlen RAMC promoted to Captain.

                                18th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France.
                                G.O.C. 3rd Corps visited the 81st Brigade and bade them farewell.

                                18th September 1915  9th Cavalry Brigade Horse Show

                                18th Sep 1915  Flanders Harvest

                                18th Sep 1915  10th Sherwoods at rest

                                18th Sep 1915  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                18th Sep 1915  10th Essex on the March

                                18th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Sep 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                18th Sep 1915  Training

                                18th Sep 1915  Grenade School

                                18th Sep 1915  Runners

                                18th Sep 1915  Training

                                18th Sep 1915  Visit

                                18th Sep 1915  On the March

                                18th of September 1915  Relieving the French

                                18th of September 1915  On the March

                                18th of September 1915  Defences Inspected

                                18th Sep 1915  Concert

                                18th September 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                18th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Sep 1915  Into the Trenches

                                18th Sep 1915  Gas

                                18th Sep 1915  Training

                                18th Sep 1915  On the March

                                18th Sep 1915  Strain

                                18th Sep 1915  Routine

                                18th Sep 1915  Move

                                18th Sep 1915  On the March

                                18th Sep 1915  Attachment

                                18th Sep 1915  Orders

                                18th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                18th Sep 1915  Under Fire

                                18th of September 1915  Trench Recce and Working Parties

                                18th September 1915  Attack in St Omer

                                18th Sep 1915  Exercise

                                18th of September 1915  Heavy Gunfire Heard

                                  In camp (UK)

                                18th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                18th Sep 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                18th September 1915  Bombarment

                                18th September 1915  Another Quiet Day

                                18th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                18th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                18th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                18th Sep 1915  Very Quiet

                                18th September 1915  Heavy Artillery Bombardment - Little Damage

                                18th September 1915  Orders Received

                                19th September 1915  Holding the Line

                                19th September 1915 Church Parade  6th County of London Brigade RFA hold Church Parade at 4th Corps HQ. Labuissiere.

                                19th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion at Armentieres, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots marched to Hazebrouck and entrained for Gillaucourt.
                                The 81st Brigade now (with other units of 27th Div) transferred to 12th Corps, 3rd Army.
                                Casualties in period 10th -19th Sept. Killed - 2nd Lt R.T. MacIver.

                                19th Sep 1915  18th DLI move to Fovant

                                19th September 1915  Church Parade

                                19th September 1915 In Reserve  E Battery, RHA are in reserve with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Blaringhem. Major A B Forman left E Battery RHA on promotion to a Field Battery in 20th Division and Captain C T Walwyn given temporary Command of the Battery.

                                19th Sep 1915  Soldier electrocuted

                                19th Sep 1915 2/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance in Sussex  The 2nd/3rd East Lancashire Field Ambulance were at Peas Pottage in Sussex during Sept 1915.

                                19th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                19th Sep 1915  Artillery In Action

                                19th Sep 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Sep 1915  Officer Rejoins

                                19th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Sep 1915  Entrenching

                                19th Sep 1915  Exercise

                                19th Sep 1915  On the March

                                19th of September 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of September 1915  Moving

                                19th of September 1915  Grenade Instruction

                                19th Sep 1915  Church Parade

                                19th Sep 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                19th Sep 1915  Buses

                                19th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                19th Sep 1915  On the March

                                19th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of September 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                19th Sep 1915  Routine

                                19th Sep 1915  Sickness

                                19th Sep 1915  On the March

                                19th Sep 1915  Orders Received

                                19th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                19th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                19th Sep 1915  Trench Mortars

                                19th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                19th of September 1915  Light Marching Order Arranged

                                19th September 1915  Church parade

                                19th Sep 1915  Suspected Spy

                                19th of September 1915   A Quiet Night

                                19th Sep 1915  Enemy Position

                                19th of Sep 1915  Under Fire

                                19th September 1915  Voluntary church service.

                                19th September 1915  Orders to Move

                                19th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                19th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                19th September 1915  Move

                                19th Sep 1915  Effigy

                                19th September 1915  Artillery Active on Both Sides

                                19th September 1915  Casualties

                                19th Sep 1915  Training

                                20th September 1915  Holding the Line

                                20th September 1915 Personnel changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major Gordon left Bruay and proceeded to 141st Infantry Brigade as liaison officer. One Section from 16th London Battery (under Lt. Bruce) proceeded to the Front Line. Lt Bruce returned.

                                20th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                After an uncomfortable journey of 10 and a half hours, the battalion reached its destination at 4:30am and marched a distance of some 6 miles to billets in Warfusee-Abancourt.

                                20th September 1915  train

                                20th Sep 1915  Mine Field Undetected

                                20th Sep 1915  Sport in the Afternoons

                                20th Sep 1915  7th Northumberlands Inspected

                                20th Sep 1915  10th Essex in Billets

                                20th Sep 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                20th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                20th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Sep 1915  On the March

                                20th Sep 1915  Delay

                                20th Sep 1915  Conference

                                20th Sep 1915  Training

                                20th Sep 1915  Preparations

                                20th Sep 1915  On the March

                                20th Sep 1915  Under Fire

                                20th of September 1915  Infantry and Guns Relieved

                                20th of September 1915  A New Front

                                20th of September 1915  Relieving the French

                                20th of October 1915  On the March

                                20th Sep 1915  Bad Weather

                                20th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                20th September 1915  Bombardment

                                20th September 1915  Inspection

                                20th September 1915  Bombardment

                                20th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                20th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Sep 1915  Training

                                20th Sep 1915  Artillery Active

                                20th Sep 1915  Relief Completed

                                20th Sep 1915  On the March

                                20th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                20th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                20th Sep 1915  Trench Mortars

                                20th of September 1915  In Billets

                                20th September 1915  Machine guns fired

                                20th Sep 1915  Training

                                20th of September 1915  Catapults Effective

                                20th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                20th September 1915  Training and bathing.

                                20th September 1915  A Move to Bois des Dames

                                20th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                20th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                20th September 1915  Digging in

                                20th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                20th September 1915  Unexpected Trench Relief

                                20th September 1915  Casualties

                                20th Sep 1915  On the March

                                21st Sep 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers departed from Imbros   The 2nd Royal Fusilers departed from Imbross and returned to the firing line the following day.

                                21st Sep 1915 3rd Monmouths suffer harsh conditions  B and D companies of the 3rd Monmouths moved out from the chateau ground to Dunbarton Dug-outs on the west bank of the canal and started work. A and C companies remained at Elverdinghe and the two groups relieved each other every six days. Work was carried out at night and the conditions were terrible. The Germans occupied Pilckem Ridge to the each and the whole area was constantly shelled and swept by machine gun fire. To cross the canal soldiers had to use small temporary footbridges described by the battalion's historians as "very unhealthy as they were open to enfilading machine gun and shell fire from the German positions". A considerable amount of useful work was carried out on the main communication trenches; one of these was called Barnsley Road. There was a constant stream of casualties. Added to this, the ground was boggy; men often sank up to their waists in mud and had to spend weeks in wet clothing in the bitter cold without hot food.

                                21st September 1915 Unit Move and Inspection  6th London Brigade RFA left Place au Bruay and bivouacked at Haillicourt near the 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column. The six remaining guns of this Brigade and four guns of the 7th London Field Artillery Battery form the 47th Reserve Divisional Artillery (Chambers Group) under the command of Col Chambers. OC. 7th London FAB. Lt Bruce proceeded to 141st Infantry Brigade as Liaison Officer. 1st day of bombardment prior to Battle of Loos.

                                21st Sep 1915  training

                                21st September 1915  On the March

                                21st Sept 1915 Squadron Formed  No 24 Squadron formed at Hounslow on the 21st of September 1915 with some personnel taken from 17 Squadron.

                                21st Sep 1915  Lucky Charm

                                21st Sep 1915  Inspection

                                21st Sep 1915  Bathing

                                21st Sep 1915  Preparations

                                21st Sep 1915  Quiet

                                21st Sep 1915  On the March

                                21st Sep 1915  On the March

                                21st Sep 1915  On the March

                                21st Sep 1915  On the March

                                21st Sep 1915  Shelling

                                21st of September 1915  In the Front Line

                                21st of September 1915  Water Problems

                                21st Sep 1915  On the Move

                                21st Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                21st September 1915  Ammunition

                                21st September 1915  Orders

                                21st September 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                21st Sep 1915  On the March

                                21st Sep 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                21st Sep 1915  Poor conditions

                                21st of September 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                21st Sep 1915  Artillery in Action

                                21st Sep 1915  Report

                                21st Sep 1915  On the Move

                                21st Sep 1915  New Gun Positions

                                21st Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                21st Sep 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Sep 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Sep 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                21st Sep 1915  Patrols

                                21st Sep 1915  In Action

                                21st of September 1915  A Heavy Bombardment

                                21st of September 1915  Orders Received

                                21st September 1915  Leaving Estrelles

                                21st Sep 1915  On the March

                                21st of September 1915  Catapults Active

                                21st Sep 1915  Observation Post

                                21st September 1915  Company drill

                                21 September 1915  Settling into Bois des Dames

                                21st Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Sep 1915  Orders

                                21st Sep 1915  On the Move

                                21st Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                21st September 1915  Fatigue Party Sent to Trenches

                                21st September 1915  Orders Recieved

                                21st Sep 1915  On the March

                                22nd September 1915  At Rest

                                22nd Sep 1915 Pre Loos Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report day was spent cleaning up camp and putting up bivouacs. This is the 2nd day of bombardment prior to the Battle of Loos.

                                22nd September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                Owing to scarcity of water, it was found necessary to move some of the troops from Abancourt.
                                At 5pm the battalion marched to Morcourt on the River Somme.

                                22nd September 1915  inspected

                                22nd September 1915   SM U-70

                                Type U 66 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 207) Ordered 2 Feb 1913 Laid down 11 Feb 1914 Launched 20 Jul 1915 Commissioned 22 Sep 1915

                                Commanders.
                                22 Sep 1915 - 15 Sep 1918 Otto Wünsche
                                16 Sep 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Joachim Born

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                9 Feb 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 53 ships sunk with a total of 137,774 tons.
                                4 ships damaged with a total of 20,369 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 1,290 tons.

                                • 16 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Berwindvale (damaged) 5,242 br
                                • 16 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Willie 185 br
                                • 17 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Lindfield 2,230 nw
                                • 22 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Bougainville 2,248 fr
                                • 24 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Fenay Bridge 3,838 br
                                • 28 Mar 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Eagle Point 5,222 br
                                • 2 Apr 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Arena 1,019 nw
                                • 17 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Pascal 5,587 br
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Eugene Gaston 184 fr
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Flimston 5,751 br
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Hirondelle 148 fr
                                • 22 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Avanti 1,673 it
                                • 22 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Thyra (damaged) 749 nw
                                • 24 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Harry W. Adams 127 br
                                • 26 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Spin-away 95 br
                                • 30 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Borre 741 nw
                                • 30 Dec 1916 U 70 Otto Wünsche Edda 1,138 nw
                                • 1 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Tsiropinas 3,015 gr
                                • 2 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Aconcagua 1,313 fr
                                • 2 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Odda 1,101 nw
                                • 2 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche San Leandro 1,616 sp
                                • 4 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Ruby 949 ru
                                • 9 Jan 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Excellent 1,944 br
                                • 27 Feb 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche San Patricio (damaged) 9,712 br
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Kincardine 4,108 br
                                • 9 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Inverlogie 2,347 br
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Mediterranean 105 br
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche T. Crowley 97 br
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Winnebago (damaged) 4,666 br
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Alma 335 ru
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Elizabeth Eleanor 169 br
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Pera 1,737 ru
                                • 15 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Balaguier 2,293 fr
                                • 15 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Circe 4,133 fr
                                • 16 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Norma Pratt 4,416 br
                                • 16 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Vigilancia 4,115 am
                                • 18 Mar 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Joshua Nicholson 1,853 br
                                • 21 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Sebek 4,601 br
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Clan Galbraith 2,168 nw
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Eos 179 da
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Valkyrian 233 sw
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Vestdal 1,690 nw
                                • 26 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Harflete 4,814 br
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Manchester Citizen 4,251 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Anne Marie 441 nw
                                • 29 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Daleby 3,628 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Delamere 1,525 br
                                • 4 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Southland 11,899 br
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Appledore 3,843 br
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Egyptiana 3,818 br
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Harbury 4,572 br
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Galicia 1,400 br
                                • 11 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche City Of Perth 3,427 br
                                • 18 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Queen Adelaide 4,965 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Buffalo 4,106 br
                                • 25 Aug 1917 U 70 Otto Wünsche Malda 7,896 br
                                • 5 May 1918 U 70 Otto Wünsche Rhododendron 1,290 br
                                • 7 Jul 1918 U 70 Otto Wünsche Carl 2,486 da

                                Fate 20 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Bo'ness in 1919-20.

                                There was another U 70 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 23 Nov 1940.

                                22nd September 1915 Standing by  E Battery, RHA are in bivouac at Ham near Blessy. Ready to move at short notice.

                                22nd Sep 1915 3rd Monmouth join 49th Division  Orders were received on September 22nd for the 3rd Monmouth's to join the 49 th Division as one of the Pioneer Battalions. General Bulfin on his farewell address spoke as follows: "I wish to say I am exceedingly sorry to lose you from the Division and would wish to thank you individually, one and all, for the help you have always given me whilst in the Division. At the beginning you had a very rough and unhappy time of it, but you came through it splendidly and have done excellent work. Your Colonel and all of you will look back one day with pride on the fine reputation, which the Regiment has made for itself during the time it has served with the 28th Division. I wish you all the best of luck and a safe return to England at the end of the war, and I feel sure you will continue to make the history which you have begun for your Regiment"

                                22nd Sep 1915  Bathing

                                22nd Sep 1915  Fine Day

                                22nd Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Sep 1915  Medical Officer

                                22nd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                22nd Sep 1915  Conference

                                22nd Sep 1915  On the March

                                22nd Sep 1915  On the March

                                22nd Sep 1915  On the March

                                22nd Sep 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                22nd of September 1915  Gas Precautions

                                22nd Sep 1917  Admissions

                                22nd of September 1915  Field Ambulances Sited

                                22nd of September 1915  A Few Rounds Fired

                                22nd Sep 1915  Preparations

                                22nd Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                22nd September 1915  Orders

                                22nd September 1915  Smoke

                                22nd Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                22nd Sep 1915  On the March

                                22nd Sep 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                22nd Sep 1915  Gas Helmets

                                22nd Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                22nd Sep 1915  In Billets

                                22nd Sep 1915  Digging in

                                22nd Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                22nd Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                22nd Sep 1915  Artillery in Action

                                22nd Sep 1915  In Action

                                22nd of September 1915  A Short Route March

                                22nd September 1915  Petit Senlis

                                22nd Sep 1915  On the March

                                22nd of September 1915  Bridges Guarded

                                  In camp (UK) admin

                                22nd Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd September 1915  Inspected by Lord Kitchener.

                                22nd September 1915  Roads Reconnoitred

                                22nd Sep 1915  Posting

                                22nd Sep 1915  Artillery Bombardment

                                22nd September 1915  Move

                                22nd Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                22nd September 1915  Operational Orders Received

                                22nd September 1915  Casualties

                                22nd Sep 1915  On the March

                                23rd September 1915  At Rest

                                23rd September 1915 Pre Loos Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report one gun declared defective from 5th London Field Artillery Battery - one from 17th London Battery was taken up to replace it. 3rd day of bombardment prior to Battle of Loos. Spare stores were stored at 47th Royal Artillery storage at Haillicourt.

                                23rd September 1915  Regimental Parade

                                23rd Sep 1915  Mine Exploded

                                23rd Sep 1915  Under Fire

                                23rd Sep 1915  Artillery Duel

                                23rd Sep 1915  Shipping Diverted

                                23rd Sep 1915  Drifter Bombed

                                23rd Sep 1915  Three Ships Sunk

                                23rd Sep 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                23rd Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Sep 1915  On the March

                                23rd Sep 1915  Rations

                                23rd Sep 1915  Artillery in Action

                                23rd Sep 1915  On the March

                                23rd Sep 1915  Resting

                                23rd Sep 1915  At Rest

                                23rd Sep 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Sep 1915  Artillery Active

                                23rd of September 1915  Divisional Front Reduced

                                23rd of September 1915  Blanket Wagons

                                23rd of September 1915  Enemy's TMs Located

                                23rd Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                23rd September 1915  Sound of the Guns

                                23rd September 1915  Orders

                                23rd September 1915  Ammunition Allocation

                                23rd September 1915  Orders

                                23rd September 1915  Order

                                23rd September 1915  Rounds

                                23rd September 1915  Orders

                                23rd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                23rd Sep 1915  Patrols

                                23rd Sep 1915  Guards

                                23rd Sep 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                23rd Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                23rd Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                23rd Sep 1915  Observation Posts

                                23rd Sep 1915  Training

                                23rd Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                23rd Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                23rd Sep 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                23rd Sep 1915  In Action

                                23rd of September 1915  Rain

                                23rd of September 1915  On the March

                                23rd September 1915  Bivouacked in an orchard

                                23rd Sep 1915  In Billets

                                23rd of September 1915  Hostile Patrol Seen

                                23rd Sep 1915  Targets Shelled

                                23rd September 1915  Preparations

                                23rd September 1915  Reconnoitre of Roads Continues

                                23rd September 1915  Moved in the evening by bus to Les Brebis

                                23rd Sep 1915  Enemy Active

                                23rd Sep 1915  Standing by

                                23rd Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Sep 1915  Letter

                                23rd September 1915  Move

                                23rd Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                23rd September 1915  Commanding Officer Issues New Orders

                                23rd September 1915  Orders

                                23rd September 1915  On the March

                                23rd Sep 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Sep 1915  On the Move

                                24th September 1915  Orders

                                24th September 1915 Pre Loos Bombardment  4th day of bombardment prior to Battle of Loos.

                                24th September 1915  Move

                                24th September 1915   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                1630 orders received to move with remainder of 5th Brigade. Marched to new area through Westrehen and Fiefe to Peessy les Pernes. Got in at 2230 - village full of French Cavalry

                                24th Sep 1915  17th Durhams Entrain

                                24th Sep 1915  All Prepared

                                24th Sep 1915  The Biggest Cannonade

                                24th Sep 1915  Retaken Thirteen Times

                                24th Sep 1915  Dover Patrol Departs

                                24th Sep 1915  Submarine Bombed

                                24th Sep 1915  Quintshill Rail Disaster Trial

                                24th Sep 1915  Q Ship sinks Submarine

                                24th Sep 1915  Preparing for the Attack

                                24th Sep 1915  Artillery Barrage

                                24th Sep 1915  Ready to Move

                                24th Sep 1915  Into the Trenches

                                24th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                24th Sep 1915  Exchange of Bombs

                                24th Sep 1915  On the March

                                24th Sep 1915  On the March

                                24th Sep 1915  Night March

                                24th Sep 1915  Into Position

                                24th Sep 1915  On the March

                                24th Sep 1915  Wet Night

                                24th of September 1915  Forward Trenches Shelled

                                24th of September 1915  HQ Moves

                                24th of September 1915  Into Reserve

                                24th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                25th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                24th September 1915  Shelling

                                24th September 1915  Letter

                                24th of September 1915  Orders

                                24th September 1915  Orders

                                24th September 1915  Programme

                                24th Sep 1915  Into the Trenches

                                24th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Sep 1915  On the March

                                24th Sep 1915  Orders

                                24th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                24th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Sep 1915  Messages

                                24th of September 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                24th Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                24th Sep 1915  Orders

                                24th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Sep 1915  Heavy Rain

                                24th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                24th Sep 1915  On the March

                                24th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                24th Sep 1915  Artillery Active

                                24th Sep 1915  In Action

                                24th of September 1915  Orders to Move

                                24th Sep 1915  Advance Party

                                24th of September 1915  On the Move

                                24th September 1915  Marched to Bethune

                                24th Sep 1915  On the March

                                24th of September 1915  Wet Weather

                                24th Sep 1915  Registration

                                24th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                24th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                24th September 1915  Preparations

                                24th of September 1915  Officers briefed on forthcoming action

                                24th Sep 1915  Detachment

                                24th September 1915  Orders to Move

                                24th September 1915  moved to trenches W2.

                                24th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                24th Sep 1915  Very Wet

                                24th September 1915  Assault Planned

                                24th Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                24th September 1915  On the Move

                                24th September 1915  Marched to Mazingarbe

                                24th Sep 1915  On the March

                                25th September 1915  Attack Made

                                25th Sep 1915 10th Scottish Rifles suffer at Loos  On this day, 10th Bn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), part of 15 (Scottish) Div, attacked the German lines at Loos in their first major engagement of the Great War. The battalion lost 255 dead this day.

                                25th Sep 1915  Attack Made

                                   2nd Battalion fought at Loos on this day, attacking Hulluch Quarries.Their advance commenced at 6.30am. Taking the German front line trench & support trench and then onto the Quarries as far as St Elie,capturing 60 prisoners.Other Ranks Killed - 64. Wounded - 171. Missing - 273.

                                25th September 1915 Battle of Loos  6th London Field Artillery Brigade march from Haillicourt to Les Brebis and bivouacked at Les Brebnis. They were part of artillery support for 140,141 and 142 Infantry Brigades in 47th Division which was attached to 4th Corps. Capt. Corsan was wounded in the neck by a bullet whilst fixing in Maroc for detached section of 15th London Battery. Lt Bruce was wounded during the initial attack by the 19th Battalion London Regiment just as he reached the German front line trenches. Detached section (under 2/Lt Petro) fixed on Double Crassier during the infantry attack. The 15th London Battery detached section under Capt. Corsan fired during the attack.

                                25th Sep 1915 8th SLI in action at Chalk Pit Wood  The 8th Somerset Light Infantry are in action at Chalk Pit Wood, Loos during the Battle of Loos.

                                25th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France

                                25th Sep 1915 14th DLI enter the trenches  The 14th battalion DLI's first experience of total war took place on the 25th September 1915 when the 14th were moved up into reserve trenches on the Loos battlefield, near Noeux-les-Mines.

                                25th September 1915  On the march

                                25th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion depart Ripon  The 12th York and Lancs Battalion leave Ripon Camp late at night, they march through pouring rain to the station and entrain for an eleven hour journey to Salisbury.

                                25th Sep 1915  Into Action at the Gallop

                                25th Sep 1915  Beyond all Imagination

                                25th Sep 1915   The 7th and 8th Battalions Kings Own Scottish Borderers where at the Battle of Loos on September 25th 1915. The 7th KOSB lost approx 2/3 of their numbers and the 8th KOSB lost approx 1/3 of their numbers that day and over the next 2 days.

                                25th September 1915 On the Move  1400hrs Orders received to concentrate for move. E Battery RHA marched with Brigade to Cauchy, left 1600hrs got in around 2300hrs. Roads very crowded and blocked, raining hard. 3 remounts joined us on the march. Good strong American horses.

                                25th September 1915  Back into action

                                25th Sep 1915 8th East Yorks in action  According to the Battalion War Diary 8th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment took part in the main attack at Loos on the 25th September 2015 and were not in reserve. They were fighting in the SE corner of Loos village and also had two companies on the slack heaps throughout the 25th and 26th September 1915

                                25th Sep 1915  Piped over the Parapet

                                25th Sep 1915  1st Bty RFA in action

                                25th Sep 1915 Assualt Launched  At 6.30 on the morning of 25th of September 1915, the four-day artillery bombardment paused, gas and smoke was released and the infantry assault was launched. The gas released on I Corps front hung between the lines or blew back into British positions, notably on the northern flank around the Brickstacks. To the northern edge of the battlefield, advancing infantry emerging from the cloud suffered high losses as they were met with devastating machine gun fire. The second wave advanced once the gas at cleared, only this time to be cut down by a hail of machine gun fire and a shower of bombs. Gas was far more effective on IV Corps front south of the Grenay Ridge, in front of 15 & 47 Division sector the gas drifted towards the German trenches and the advance more successful. On some divisional fronts the gas was supplemented with smoke candles, as gas was not available in sufficient quantity. Even though it would not cause casualties, the smoke looked the same as gas and so forced the defenders to continue taking all the inconvenient anti-gas precautions. It had been estimated that to clear the German positions would require two hours of gas: but there was only enough for forty minutes, which even then, had to be supplemented with smoke.

                                Many of the British units achieved their first objectives, but the reserve troops urgently needed to exploit these initial successes were a long way back and after a long exhausting march did not go into action until the following day. By which time the German reinforcements were counter-attacking and the British were driven back.

                                By the end of the day the Allies had lost 13 Battalion commanders, over 400 officers and 8,500 men of other ranks.

                                25th Sep 1915  8th Devons Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  1st South Staffs in Action

                                25th Sep 1915  10th Gordons Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  10th Scottish Rifles Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  9th Black Watch Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  Diversionary Attack

                                25th Sep 1915   2nd Warwicks Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  5th Ox & Bucks in Action

                                25th Sep 1915  9th RWF in Action

                                25th Sep 1915  12th Rifle Brigade in Support

                                25th Sep 1915  11th Royal Scots in Action

                                25th Sep 1915  Prisoners Escape

                                25th Sep 1915  Diversionary Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  No Mercy

                                25th Sep 1915  2nd HLI in Action

                                25th Sep 1915  19th Brigade in Action

                                25th Sep 1915  Ports Bombarded

                                25th Sep 1915  German Positions Bombarded

                                25th Sep 1915  The Artois Campaign

                                25th Sep 1915  Three Lines Captured

                                25th Sep 1915  10th Sherwoods and 7th Borders Cover

                                25th Sep 1915  Diversionary Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  Out of the Line

                                25th Sep 1915  5th Camerons in Action

                                25th Sep 1915  2nd Ox & Bucks in Action

                                25th Sept 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  engineers Bridge Enemy Trenches

                                25th Sept 1915  Battle of Loos

                                25th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                25th Sep 1915  1st Glosters in Action

                                25th Sep 1915  2nd Coldstreams Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  Bursting Shells

                                25th Sep 1915  9th Liverpools in Acton

                                25th Sep 1915  First to Reach Loos

                                25th Sep 1915  6th KRRC in Action

                                  Rats doing the Tango

                                25th Sep 1915  In Acion

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sept 1915 

                                25th Sep 1915  Attack Continues

                                25th Sep 1915  The Great Charge

                                25th Sept 1915 

                                25th Sep 1915  Paying Back Old Debts

                                25th Sep 1915  Signaller's Bravery

                                25th Sep 1915   Beyond Powers of Description

                                25th Sep 1915  Sap Held

                                25th Sep 1915  Oblivious to the Fire

                                25th Sep 1915  On the Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  Diversionary Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  Out of the Line

                                25th Sep 1915  Artillery In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  In Camp

                                25th Sep 1915  Smoke

                                25th Sep 1915  On the March

                                25th Sep 1915  Into the Trenches

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  Under Fire

                                25th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                25th of September 1915  Limited Ammunition

                                25th of September 1915  Overcrowded Billets

                                25th of September 1915  Reconnoitring Fire Trenches

                                25th Sep 1915  Bombardment

                                25th September 1915  Smoke

                                25th September 1915  Wind

                                25th September 1915  Wind

                                25th September 1915 

                                25th September 1915  Orders

                                25th September 1915  Patrols

                                25th September 1915  Artillery

                                25th of September 1915  Operations

                                25th September 1915  Orders

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  Attack Made

                                25th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Sep 1915  Galant Work

                                25th Sep 1915  Wet

                                25th Sep 1915  Attacks Made

                                25th Sep 1915  Attack Made

                                25th Sep 1915  Report

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  Attack Made

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  Objectives Gained

                                25th Sep 1915  Artillery Active

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                25th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                25th Sep 1915  Over the Top

                                25th Sep 1915  Relief

                                25th Sep 1915  Dummy Attack

                                25th Sep 1915  In Action

                                25th of September 1915   On the Move

                                25th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                25th of September 1915  London Scottish Attack

                                25th September 1915  Outline of Operations

                                25th Sep 1915  On the March

                                25th of September 1915   1st Army Success Cheered

                                25th Sep 1914  Mine

                                25th Sep 1915  Diversion

                                25th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                25th September 1915  Attack

                                25th of September 1915  In trenches supporting an attack

                                25 September 1915  A Move to Corons du Rutoires

                                25th Sep 1915  Bivouac

                                25th Sep 1915  Exchange of Fire

                                25th September 1915  Gas attack

                                25th Sep 1915  Attack Made

                                25th Sep 1915  Assault Made

                                25th September 1915  Successful assault

                                25th September 1915  In Action

                                25th September 1915  In Action

                                25th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                25th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                26th September 1915  In Support

                                26th September 1915 Battle of Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA report remaining section of the 16th London Battery went up to Maroc to join the section already in the firing line. The 16th London Battery is under the command at present of Capt Cooper. Major Gordon is still with HQ at Thwaite's 141st Infantry Brigade. Detached section of 17th London Battery returned to Les Brebis to the wagon line. 2/Lt Lloyd returned to duty with the 17th London Battery from 47th Divisional Artillery.

                                26th Sep 1915 13th Northumberlands in action at Chalk Pit Wood  The 13th Northumberland Fusiliers are in action at Chalk Pit Wood, Loos.

                                26th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France

                                26th Sep 1915 14th Durhams in action  On 26th September 1915 at 4:30 am the 14th Durhams arrived at Loos (Hill 70) the 14th went into action. Here is the entry from the War Dairy: "64 brigade had instructions to go into action, objective Aivnay via Hill 70 in support of 62nd and 63rd Brigades. About 9am the battalion deployed and attacked Hill 70 but the whole brigade was driven back on reaching the crest of the hill. They reformed and again attacked the hill but were again driven back and occupied the original first line English trenches and went into bivouac.Casualties:- 2 Officers killed. 14 Wounded. 8 Men killed 263 wounded."

                                26th Sep 1915  24th Division go into action

                                26th September 1915  Ready to Move

                                26th Sep 1915 Sheffield City Battalion arrive at Hurcott Camp  The 12th York and Lancs Battalion arrive at Hurcott Camp for their final training before deployment to the front. Col Mainwaring stood down as CO being replaced by Lt.Col. J.A. Crosthwaite.

                                26th September 1915 Standing by  E Battery RHA are in billets at Cauchy with 5th Cavalry Brigade. Stood ready to move all day.

                                26th Sep 1915  Pioneers Attack

                                26th Sept 1915   Move Up

                                26th Sep 1915  Advances Repulsed

                                26th Sep 1915  French Troops Dig In

                                26th Sep 1915  2nd Worcesters in Action

                                26th Sep 1915  Dismounted Cavalry in Action

                                26th Sep 1915  Brave Deeds

                                26th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Sep 1915  Chaplain under Fire

                                26th Sep 1915  Hold at All Cost

                                26th Sep 1915  Weather Wet

                                26th Sep 1915  5th Lincs Relieve 4th Leics

                                26th Sep 1915  Shoring up Defences

                                26th Sep 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                26th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Sep 1915  In Action

                                26th Sep 1915  In Action

                                26th Sep 1915  Brave Actions

                                26th Sep 1915  In Action

                                26th Sep 1915  Artillery Fire

                                26th of September 1915  Trench Work

                                26th of September 1915  Bathing Arrangements

                                26th of September 1915  Near Misses

                                26th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                26th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                26th September 1915  Reliefs

                                26th September 1915  Patrols

                                26th September 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                26th September 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                26th September 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                26th of September 1915  Orders

                                26th of September 1915  Orders

                                26th September 1915  Work

                                26th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Sep 1915  Reorganisation

                                26th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Sep 1915  Move

                                26th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Sep 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                26th Sep 1915  Defensive Positions

                                26th Sep 1915  In Action

                                26th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                26th Sep 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1915  Counter Attack

                                26th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                26th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                26th of September 1915   In Billets

                                26th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                26th September 1915  Quiet Day

                                26th of September 1915  London Scottish in action.

                                26th Sep 1915  Attack Made

                                26th of September 1915   A Marsh Patrol

                                26th Sep 1915  Hostile Battery

                                26th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                26th September 1915  Bombardment

                                26th of September 1915  Into billets and casualties listed

                                26th Sep 1916  Baptism

                                26th September 1915  Ordered into Action

                                26th Sep 1915  Attack Made

                                26th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                26th September 1915  Consolidated captured German lines.

                                26th Sep 1915  Wounded

                                26th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                26th September 1915  Heavy fighting on the Left flank

                                26th Sep 1915  Attack Made

                                26th September 1915  Forced to retire

                                27th September 1915  Shelling

                                27th September 1915 Battle of Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA report One gun from 17th London Battery was sent to 13th London Battery to replace a gun badly damaged by an explosion in the trench. 16th London Battery fired three rounds registering.

                                27th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                Arrivals: 2/Lt D. D. A. Berry arrived and posted to B Coy.

                                27th September 1915  Move

                                27th September 1915 Orders  E Battery, RHA report orders received at 0315 for Brigade to concentrate for move. Marched to rendezvous only to find that a mistake had been made that we were not wanted. Returned to billet at Cauchy.

                                27th Sept 1915   The Army in Mesopotamia advanced upon the town of Kut, a strategic port on the Tigris on the route to Baghdad. Due to the depredations of the climate, sand storms and accidents A Flight of 30 Squadron was soon reduced to only two serviceable aircraft. Nevertheless these two machines provided crucial strategic observations of enemy positions assisting in the capture of the town. Four more modern B.E.2cs arrived at Basra together with four pilots and these were shipped up to Kut by river barge. More info.

                                27th Sep 1915  Buried Alive

                                27th Sep 1915  In Action for 36 Hours

                                27th Sep 1915  1st North Stafford in the Line

                                27th Sep 1915  Bombing Victims Inquest

                                27th Sep 1915  1st Scots Guards Charge

                                27th Sep 1915  Through the Ruins

                                27th Sep 1915  Transports Stopped

                                27th Sep 1915  In Trenches

                                27th Sep 1915  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                27th Sep 1915  In Trenches

                                27th Sep 1915  Brave Actions

                                27th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Sep 1915  New Line

                                27th Sep 1915  In Camp

                                27th Sep 1915  Billets Shelled

                                27th Sep 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                27th Sep 1915  Very Cold

                                27th Sep 1915  Enemy Attacks

                                27th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                27th of September 1915  TM Battery Arrives

                                27th of September 1915  A Draft Arrives

                                27th of September 1915  Wounds and Billeting

                                27th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Sep 1915  Exchange of Fire

                                27th September 1915  Shelling

                                27th September 1915  Patrols

                                27th September 1915  Orders

                                27th September 1915  Orders

                                27th September 1915  Orders

                                27th September 1915  Orders

                                27th September 1915  Orders

                                27th Sep 1915  In the Line

                                27th September 1915 

                                27th Sep 1915  Move

                                27th Sep 1915  Attack

                                27th Sep 1915  Heavy Rain

                                27th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                27th Sep 1915  News

                                27th Sep 1915  Gas

                                27th Sep 1915  Into Billets

                                27th Sep 1915  Orders

                                27th Sep 1915  Training

                                27th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                27th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                27th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                27th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                27th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                27th of September 1915   Moving Again

                                27th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                27th of September 1915  Green's Force disbanded

                                27th Sep 1915  Night Relief

                                27th of September 1915  Deserter Comes In

                                27th Sep 1915  Bridge Destroyed

                                27th September 1915  Returned to the trenches

                                27th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                27th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                27th September 1915  Orders.

                                27th of September 1915  Battalion commended on recent action

                                27th September 1915  Covering Guards Attack on Hill 70

                                27th Sep 1915  Relief Completed

                                27th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                27th September 1915  In German trenches.

                                27th Sep 1915  Wounded

                                27th September 1915  Consolidation

                                27th September 1915  Enemy Firing Stopped to Allow Wounded to be Brought In

                                27th September 1915  On the March

                                28th September 1915  Reliefs

                                28th September 1915 Battle of Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA 's war diary records Lt. R Bruce officially reported killed and buried by Capt. Wood, Chaplain of the 141st Infantry Brigade. 2/Lt Lloyd took five captured German field guns and one captured machine gun to Vaudricourt, where they were inspected by Field Marshall Sir John French.

                                28th September 1915  Ready to Move

                                28th September 1915 Standing by  E Battery, RHA are in In billets at Cauchy. Harnessed up ready to move from dawn but did not move. Very cold and wet night.

                                28th Sep 1915  Running Dispatches

                                28th Sep 1915  On Patrol

                                28th Sep 1915  Into the Trenches

                                28th Sep 1915  Lull in Fighting

                                28th Sep 1915  In Action

                                28th Sep 1915  The Terriers Bite

                                28th Sep 1915  Leaving Home

                                28th Sep 1915  Patrols

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th Sep 1915  Training

                                28th Sep 1915  On the March

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th Sep 1915  On the March

                                28th Sep 1915  Advance Party

                                28th of September 1915  Know Your Enemy

                                28th of September 1915  Wagons Leave

                                28th of September 1915  A Move

                                28th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                28th September 1915  Reliefs complete

                                28th September 1915  Instruction

                                28th of September 1915 

                                28th of September 1915  Orders

                                28th September 1915  Ammunition

                                28th September 1915  Orders

                                28th September 1915  Orders

                                28th September 1915  Orders

                                28th Sep 1915  Wet

                                28th September 1915 

                                28th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Sep 1915  In Action

                                28th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                28th Sep 1915  Rain

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th Sep 1915  Motor Cars

                                28th Sep 1915  Reorganisation

                                28th Sep 1915  Retaliation

                                28th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                28th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                28th Sep 1915  Very Wet Day

                                28th of September 1915  A Near Miss

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th of September 1915  London Scottish under fire.

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th of September 1915  Very Wet Weather

                                28th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                28th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th September 1915  Inspection

                                28th of September 1915  Arrived by train

                                28th of September 1915  Midnight billets

                                28th September 1915  Orders Received to Barrage

                                28th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                28th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                28th September 1915  In British trenches in W1.

                                28th Sep 1915  Salvage

                                28th September 1915  In the German trenches

                                28th September 1915  Relieved from Trench Duty

                                28th September 1915  On the March

                                28th of September 1915  Camp moved

                                28th of September 1915  Orders to entrain

                                29th September 1915  In Support

                                29th September 1915 Wagon Lines Shelled  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that at 0830 Germans shelled the Wagon Line at Les Brebis. The horses were immediately withdrawn for two hours. 2/Lt J A W Petro took a party of thirty men to get captured field guns in Loos. 16th London Battery fired on enemy's trenches North of Loos.

                                29th Sep 1915 14th Durhams entrain  14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry entrain for Berguette.

                                29th September 1915  Move

                                29th September 1915 Standing by  E Battery, RHA report, Brigade moved at 1000hrs back to billets at Nedon all hope of going through the gap seems to have gone. Reached Nedon at 1100hrs joining rest.

                                29th Sep 1915 10th West Yorks on the Attack  The 10th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment carried out an unsuccessful attack at Loos on the 29th of September 1915.

                                29th Sep 1915  Boulogne Harbour Closed

                                29th Sep 1915  Trenches Under Shellfire

                                29th Sep 1915  Clearing up after Rain

                                29th Sep 1915  First Duties

                                29th Sep 1915  Trench Visit

                                29th Sep 1915  Snipers Active

                                29th Sep 1915  On the March

                                29th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                29th Sep 1915  Refitting

                                29th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                29th Sep 1915  Into Billets

                                29th Sep 1915  Relief Complete

                                29th of September 1915  Snipers and Reliefs

                                29th of September 1915  Engineers Arrive

                                29th of September 1915  Billets Inspection

                                29th Sep 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Sep 1915  Orders

                                29th September 1915 

                                29th September 1915  Ammunition

                                29th September 1915  Orders

                                29th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                29th September 1915 

                                29th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Sep 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                29th Sep 1915  On the March

                                29th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                29th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                29th Sep 1915  Refitting

                                29th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                29th Sep 1915  Shortages

                                29th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                29th Sep 1915  On the March

                                29th Sep 1915  Orders Received

                                29th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                29th Sep 1915  Very Wet

                                29th Sep 1915  Shelling

                                29th of September 1915  Move into Dugouts

                                29th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                29th of September 1915  Continued Shelling

                                29th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                29th of September 1915   Enemy Alert

                                29th Sep 1915  Quiet

                                29th Sep 1915  Enemy Active

                                29th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                29th September 1915  Battalion Inspected by Brigadier General W. Bromilow Commanding 118th Infantry Brigade

                                29th September 1915  Mine Exploded

                                29th of September 1915  Inspected and congratulated again

                                29th of September 1915  Organise the Battalion

                                29th September 1915  Orders to Withdraw and Return to 6th Calvary Brigade

                                29th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                29th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                29th September 1915  In British trenches.

                                29th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Sep 1915  On the March

                                29th September 1915  Battalion still in position.

                                29th September 1915  Battalion at Rest

                                29th September 1915  Inspection

                                30th September 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                30 Sep 1915 Yeoman Rifles begin training at Helmsley  In late September the newly formed 21st (Yeoman Rifles) Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps arrived at Duncombe Park near Helmsley to begin training.

                                30th September 1915  On the Move

                                30th September 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots still at Morcourt.
                                Since arrival training has been carried out by a series of route marches and tactical exercises.
                                Accidentally wounded : 1 man.

                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 159 men (that are known)

                                30th September 1915  in billets

                                30th Sep 1915  Mine Detonated

                                30th Sep 1914  Position Held

                                30th Sep 1915  In Trenches

                                30th Sep 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                30th Sep 1915  Convoy Arrives

                                30th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Sep 1915  Patrols

                                30th Sep 1915  Reconnaissance

                                30th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Sep 1915  Refitting

                                30th Sep 1915  Into Billets

                                30th Sep 1915  In the Trenches

                                30th of September 1915  A Quiet Time

                                30th of September 1915  A Quiet Time

                                30th of September 1915  Summing Up the Month

                                30th of September 1915  Marching

                                30th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                30th September 1915  Artillery Orders

                                30th September 1915  Trench Work

                                30th of September 1915  Reorganisation

                                30th September 1915  Artillery Orders

                                30th September 1915  Report

                                30th September 1915  Orders

                                30th Sep 1915  Reinforcements

                                30th Sep 1915  Recce

                                30th Sep 1915  Reorganisation

                                30th Sep 1915  Orders

                                30th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                30th Sep 1915  Wounded

                                30th Sep 1915  Patrols

                                30th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                30th of September 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                30th Sep 1915  Refitting

                                30th Sep 1915  Change of Command

                                30th Sep 1915  Shells

                                30th Sep 1915  In Reserve

                                30th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                30th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Sep 1915  Working Parties

                                30th of September 1915  In Dugouts

                                30th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                30th of September 1915  London Scottish move to Noeux Les Mines

                                30th of September 1915  London Scottish Recommendations for Rewards

                                30th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                30th of September 1915  Watching the Enemy

                                30th Sep 1915  Hostile Battery

                                30th Sep 1915  Enemy Transport

                                30th Sep 1915  Training

                                30th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                30th September 1915  Entraining

                                30th September 1915  Counter attack

                                30th of September 1915  Organise the battalion

                                30th September 1915  Holding the Line

                                30th September 1915  Quiet Day in Bois des Dames

                                30th Sep 1915  In Billets

                                30th Sep 1915  At Rest

                                30th September 1915  Relieved by French

                                30th Sep 1915  Ready to Move

                                30th Sep 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Sep 1915  Instruction

                                30th Sep 1915  Hospital Opens

                                30th September 1915  Reliefs after dark

                                30th September 1915  Extracts from Telephone Book

                                30th Sep 1915  Inspection

                                30th September 1915  On the Move

                                30th September 1915  On the March

                                 New Battalion formed  In October 1915 the 1st Garrison Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers was formed at Gailes Camp near Troon.

                                October 1915  Battle of Loos

                                1st October 1915  In Support

                                1st Oct 1915 HMEF Trafford Park opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Trafford Park, Manchester started refining Toluol in October 1915. First output was July 1916. It was under the control of Hardman & Holden.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF College Park, Willesden opens.  College Park, Willesden, London was both a National Shell Forge and a National Projectile Factory which started in October 1915 producing Shell components under the direct control of the Metropolitan Munitions Committee.

                                1st Oct 1915 HMEF West Gorten opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory West Gorten, Manchester started in October 1915 producing Synthetic phenol and T.N.T. It was under Direct Control.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF Vulcan Factory, Carnarvon opens.  Vulcan Factory, Carnarvon, Caernarfonshire was a National Shell Forge started in October 1915 producing 13-pdr. and 18-pdr. shell. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF Mellor Street, Rochdale opens.  National Shell Forge Mellor Street, Rochdale, Lancashire started in October 1915 producing 6-in. shells. First output was July 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Oct 1915 NPF Hackney Marshes, London opens.  National Projectile Factory Hackney Marshes, London started in October 1915, producing 6-in. shell and proof shot. First output was February 1916. It was under the direct control of Dick Kerr.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF Maesglas and Tyne Engine works, Newport opens.  Maesglas and Tyne Engine works, Newport, Monmouthshire was a National Shell Forge which started in October 1916, producing 60-pdr. shell, 4.5-in. and 9.2-in. nose bushes. First output was June 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Oct 1915 NSF Boston Lodge, Porthmadog opens.  National Shell Forge Boston Lodge, Porthmadog, Gwynedd started in October 1915 producing 13-pdr. and 18-pdr. shell. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st October 1915  On the Move

                                1st October 1915 Relocations  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The Move to France.

                                On the 1st October at 1900 the Battalion left camp at Bordon for embarkation at Southampton but on arrival no one knew anything about it and there was no transport awaiting them. This proved quite a common problem over the next month or so. They had to eat their rations while further food was sought for them and spend an uncomfortable night sleeping at the docks.

                                Next day the Empress Queen arrived to take them across the channel. The ship was licensed to carry 600 passengers between Greenwich and London Bridge whereas the battalion was over 1000 strong and the vessel was crossing the English Channel not plying between points in the River Thames. Despite a gale blowing they crossed safely and arrived in Le Havre.

                                Once again no one knew anything about the unit but it was eventually sent to tented accommodation and a hot meal organised and the men had to dig trenches around their tents as it was raining. Despite an order to move to entrain for the front Colonel Leader insisted the men had their hot meal first.

                                On arrival at the station it was no surprise that no one was expecting them, but eventually Colonel Leader was informed of an incoming train which would be put at their disposal. Again the CO got his men to a Red Cross canteen and fed before boarding the train. Apparently there was a bit of a commotion at the Red Cross Unit as it was run by Miss Lloyd George, daughter of the Prime Minister (the Home Rule instigator) and the men preferred to go hungry rather than give her any business. So they were directed to the girl serving on the other side of the station "same firm but you needn’t tell them that", was the advice given and the men got their meal.

                                At 1000 on the 4th October the train left on a 130km journey to Longueau on the outskirts of Amiens, arriving at 1900. As usual they were unexpected and there was no information regarding their destination. Fortunately the CO met an officer from the Division who gave him general directions to Villers Bocage on the Amiens-Doullens Road. They marched on, passing through Amiens, and arrived at their destination around midnight. The war diaries do not reveal any more details of the journey but they must have met a divisional advance party and perhaps one of their own battalion representative possibly one for each of the 4 companies, Headquarters and Transport.

                                They spent the next 7 days (4th to 11th October) in this village giving them a chance to settle after their journey. They were assigned light carpentry work and built a road for the Casualty Clearing Station.

                                A Church Service on Sunday 10th October was conducted by Captain A Gibson, appointed by his church in Lurgan as officiating chaplain to the Battalion and who was now billeted with them, but also attended to some other units. The remainder of the time must have been spent sorting out their tools and equipment together with loads for their pack mules and other transport arrangements for their future operations. The sound of gunfire was never far away and indeed the village had already been overrun and occupied by the Germans in the initial onslaught before the establishment of trench warfare brought it back under Allied control.

                                The campaign was soon to start and on 12th October the Battalion marched about 8 miles to be based at Raincheval and camped there to work on an army defence line in that area. This was about 7 miles from the firing line and was in a shocking sanitary state having been taken over from the French.

                                The village was in a low lying hollow and the men were billeted in barns and other surrounding buildings with an ample supply of straw underfoot. Such was the progress of the pioneer’s work that on 1st November the Battalion regimental canteen, library and reading room were opened. The Officers Mess and Battalion Headquarters were seemingly located in Raincheval Chateau.

                                The 20th October marked the first anniversary of the founding of the Battalion and was celebrated by a smoking concert at headquarters and smaller events in other detachments. RSM J Gordon sent a very detailed report on the central event to the Lurgan Mail.

                                On the 21st October the unit was inspected by the Second Army Sanitary Officer and although the war diary does not record his report, again RSM Gordon writing to the Lurgan Mail recorded that "he made a most complimentary report on the sanitation and added that our work should serve as a pattern to the rest of the army". Thus we begin to see evidence of the professionalism and pride in their work by this exceptionally fine Battalion.

                                Third Army Defence Line 14th October 1915 to 28th December 1915

                                The Battalion was now tasked with work on the Third Army Defence Line which initially covered a length of about 3,600 yards extending from a position south east of Toutencourt to Creftel Wood. Half the Battalion under the command of Major Bowen was moved to Toutencourt to cover work in the area of the Raincheval to Vauchelles Road. It was very hard work and an 8 hour day would have exhausted the strongest of men. It must be noted that they had no excavating or levelling machines so everything was done by hand with manual tools.

                                The ground consisted of heavy clay for a few yards then sand, limestone and chalk. Work continued every day in the week except for the odd half day for the very important tasks of washing clothes and bathing.

                                At the same time No 2 Company under the command of Captain SJ Platt was sent to Vignacourt about 5 miles west of Villers Bocage to cut down forest and prepare various timber components for use in the construction of earthwork defences by the rest of the Battalion.

                                Further sites were allocated on the 20th October.

                                Small parties were attached in rota to the 8th Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers who were also a pioneer battalion to give the officers and men experience of operations at the front under enemy fire. This gave them experience in erecting barbed wire defences, Wiring as it was termed.

                                Oct 1915  In Action

                                1st October 1915 Standing by  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA are with 5th Cavalry Brigade near Nedon on standby. Standing to in billets ready to move.

                                Oct 1915 MGC Training depot at Belton Park  Machine Gun Training Depot was established at Belton Park Camp for soldiers of the newly formed Machine Gun Corps to be trained in the use of the Vickers machine gun.

                                1st Oct 1915  Plenty of Excitement

                                1st Oct 1915  10th Essex in Trenches

                                1st Oct 1915  German Repair Parties Harried

                                1st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                October 1915 Detachment  Although still in training, 23 Squadron sent a detachment of 2 aircraft to Sutton's Farm aerodrome in October 1915 to intercept Zeppelin air raids on London.

                                1st Oct 1915  Dressing Wounds

                                1st Oct 1915  In Billets

                                1st Oct 1915  Consolidation

                                1st Oct 1915  On the Move

                                1st Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                1st October 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                1st Oct 1915  On the March

                                1st of October 1915  A Basket of Snipers

                                1st of October 1915  New Troops

                                1st of October 1915  Engineering Fatigues

                                1st Oct 1915  Relief Completed

                                1st of October 1915  Unchanged

                                1st Oct 1915  Holding the Line

                                1st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Oct 1915  On the Move

                                1st Oct 1915  In the Line

                                1st Oct 1915  Reorganisation

                                1st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Oct 1915  Instruction

                                1st Oct 1915  Shelling

                                1st Oct 1915  In Support

                                1st of October 1915  Forts

                                1st Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                1st Oct 1915  Inspection

                                1st Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                1st Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                1st Oct 1915  In Billets

                                1st of October 1915  In Dugouts

                                1st of October 1915  Inspection

                                1st of October 1915  Snipers Active

                                Oct 1915  Nicknames

                                1st Oct 1915  Quiet

                                1st Oct 1915  Training

                                1st October 1915  Relieved at dusk

                                1st of October 1915  Concert was enjoyed

                                1st of October 1915  Organise the batallion

                                1st October 1915  Quiet

                                1st Oct 1915  At Rest

                                1st October 1915  In billets at Verquin.

                                1st Oct 1915  In Camp

                                1st of October 1915  Trench Instruction

                                1st Oct 1915  Instruction

                                1st Oct 1915  Bad Weather

                                1st October 1915  Move

                                1st October 1915  Inspection

                                Oct 1915  Reorganisation

                                1st Oct 1915  On the Move

                                October 1915  On the Move

                                1st Oct 1915  Preparations

                                Oct 1915  Refit

                                2nd October 1915  In Support

                                2nd October 1915 Personnel Changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Col A.C. Lowe DSO rejoined the Brigade from 47th Divisional Artillery.

                                2nd Oct 1915 14th Durhams at Fletre  14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry arrive at billets in Fletre.

                                2nd Oct 1915  Salvage

                                2nd Oct 1915  Dentitisry at the Front

                                2nd Oct 1915  Pit Props from Newfoundland.

                                2nd Oct 1915  Demise of the Sniper

                                2nd Oct 1915  5th Camerons at Rest

                                2nd Oct 1915  The Sacrifice

                                2nd Oct 1915  On the March

                                2nd Oct 1915  Bombing Instruction

                                2nd Oct 1915  Patrols

                                2nd Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Oct 1915  On the Move

                                2nd October 1915  Resting

                                2nd Oct 1915  Training

                                2nd Oct 1915  Souvenirs

                                2nd of October 1915  Leaving for Southampton

                                2nd of October 1915  Leaving for Southampton

                                2nd of October 1915  Training

                                2nd of October 1915  Wood Problems

                                2nd of October 1915  Trench Assault Practice

                                2nd Oct 1915  Hard Work

                                2nd of October 1915  Orders

                                2nd of October 1915  Work

                                2nd of October 1915  Orders

                                2nd of October 1915  Orders

                                2nd October 1915  Orders

                                2nd October 1915  Report

                                2nd Oct 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Oct 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Oct 1915  Instruction

                                2nd Oct 1915  Scheme

                                2nd Oct 1915  Patrol

                                2nd Oct 1915  Award

                                2nd Oct 1915  Inspection

                                2nd Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                2nd Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                2nd Oct 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Oct 1915  Enemy Attacks

                                2nd of October 1915  Cold Dugouts

                                2nd of October 1915  `Shows' and Football

                                2nd Oct 1915  Stand to

                                2nd October 1915  A very quiet day.

                                2nd of October 1915  Muddy trenches

                                2nd of October 1915  Headed for Berguette

                                2nd of October 1915   A Relief

                                2nd Oct 1915  Instruction

                                2nd Oct 1915  Mine

                                2nd October 1915  Battalion at rest.

                                2nd October 1915  Inspected by Divisional General

                                2nd Oct 1915  Preparations

                                3rd October 1915  In Support

                                3rd October 1915  Agents

                                3rd October 1915 Church Parade  Church Parade for 5th, 6th & 7th London Field Artillery Brigades. 6th Brigade completed establishment with new (fuze 80) ammunition. 6th Brigade moved from Hesdigneul race course into billets at Labeuvriere.

                                3rd Oct 1915  Boy Hero

                                3rd Oct 1915  At Rest

                                3rd Oct 1915  Patrols

                                3rd Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                3rd Oct 1915  On the Move

                                3rd October 1915  Artillery Active

                                3rd of October 1915  Departing

                                3rd of October 1915  Front Line Changes

                                3rd Oct 1915  Recruitment

                                3rd of October 1915  Casualties

                                3rd of October 1915  Wash Day

                                3rd Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd of October 1915  Quiet

                                3rd of October 1915  Orders

                                3rd of October 1915  Orders

                                3rd Oct 1915  Into Billets

                                3rd Oct 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Oct 1915  In Billets

                                3rd Oct 1915  Shelling

                                3rd of October 1915  Move

                                3rd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Oct 1915  Quiet

                                3rd Oct 1915  Attack

                                3rd Oct 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                3rd Oct 1915  On the March

                                3rd Oct 1915  Attacks

                                3rd of October 1915   On the March

                                3rd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd October 1915  Refitting

                                3rd of October 1915  Battalion Dispositions

                                3rd Oct 1915  Some Shelling

                                3rd October 1915  Quiet

                                3rd of October 1915  Church Parade

                                3rd October 1915  A Move to Cauchy-a-la-Tour

                                2nd Oct 1915  At Rest

                                3rd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Oct 1915  In Billets

                                3rd of October 1915  Trenches Taken Over

                                3rd Oct 1915  Instruction

                                3rd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd October 1915  Marched to Allouagne

                                3rd October 1915  Orders

                                3rd Oct 1915  Preparations

                                4th October 1915  In Support

                                4th October 1915  New CO

                                4th Oct 1915  Working Party

                                4th Oct 1915  Training Continues

                                4th Oct 1915  Trouble

                                4th Oct 1915  Enemy Quiet

                                4th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                4th Oct 1915  Fatigues

                                4th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                4th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                4th October 1915  Reliefs

                                4th October 1915  Arrival in France

                                4th of October 1915  Reaching Boulogne

                                4th of October 1915  A Sniper Downed

                                4th of October 1915  A Sniper Downed

                                4th of October 1915  Tents Arrive

                                4th of October 1915  Trench Inspection

                                4th Oct 1915  Snipers

                                4th of October 1915  Quiet

                                4th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                4th Oct 1915  Recce

                                4th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                4th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                4th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                4th of October 1915  On the Move

                                4th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                4th Oct 1915  Quiet

                                4th Oct 1915  Notification

                                4th Oct 1915  Reorganisation

                                4th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                4th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                4th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                4th of October 1915  In Billets

                                4th Oct 1915  Quiet

                                4th of October 1915   New Biplane Spotted

                                  In camp at Bromeswell, court martial

                                4th Oct 1915  Some Shelling

                                4th October 1915  Shells and Trench Mortars

                                4th of October 1915  Company arrangements

                                4th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                4th of October 1915   In the Trenches

                                4th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                4th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                4th October 1915  Company parades

                                4th October 1915  Orders Received

                                4th October 1915  New Orders Received

                                4th October 1915  On the Move to St Eloi Trenches

                                4th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                5th October 1915  In Support

                                5th October 1915  On the Move

                                5th October 1915  practice bombing

                                5th October 1915  move to Sulva

                                5th Oct 1915  17th Division relieved by 24th

                                5th Oct 1915  Trench Visit & Training

                                5th Oct 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                5th Oct 1915  Working Hard

                                5th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                5th October 1915  Onward Travel

                                5th of October 1915  Seeing the Doc

                                5th of October 1915  Retaliation

                                5th of October 1915  Sock Menders

                                5th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                5th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                5th of October 1915  Orders

                                5th of October 1915  Orders

                                5th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                5th Oct 1915  Into Position

                                5th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                5th Oct 1915  Inspections

                                5th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                5th of October 1915 

                                5th Oct 1915  Snipers

                                5th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                5th Oct 1915  Routine

                                5th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                5th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                5th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                5th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                5th of October 1915  Rain and Billets

                                5th October 1915  Reliefs

                                5th of October 1915   A Mine Exploded

                                  In camp (UK)

                                5th Oct 1915  Some Shelling

                                5th October 1915  Instruction

                                5th Oct 1915  Romance

                                5th of October 1915  Persistent Sniping

                                5th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                5th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                5th November 1915  Locations

                                5th October 1915  Draft arrived

                                5th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                6th October 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Oct 1915  Appointments

                                6th October 1915 Personnel Changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt M.J.K. O’Malley returned to the brigade from 47th Divisional Artillery and took up again the duties of Adjutant. Major H. Bayley returned to the Brigade from 47th Divisional Artillery.

                                6th October 1915  practice bombing

                                6th October 1915   KUK U-16 Austrian Submarine

                                Type U-10 Shipyard Ordered Launched 26th April 1915 Commissioned 6th October 1915

                                Commanders
                                6 Oct 1915 - 12 Nov 1915 Eugen Hornyák
                                18 Nov 1915 - 16 Oct 1916 Orest Ritter von Zopa

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 25 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 62 tons.
                                1 ship sunk with a total of 330 tons.

                                • 23 Nov 1915 k.u.k. U16 Orest Ritter von Zopa Unione 25 it
                                • 7 Dec 1915 k.u.k. U16 Orest Ritter von Zopa Fiore Albania (prize) 62 al
                                • 16 Oct 1916 k.u.k. U16 Orest Ritter von Zopa Nembo 330 it

                                Fate Sunk - date not recorded.

                                6th October 1915   KUK U-17 Austrian Submarine

                                Type U-10 Shipyard Ordered Launched Commissioned Commanders
                                6 Oct 1915 - 9 Dec 1915 Franz Skopinic
                                9 Dec 1915 - 17 Sep 1916 Zdenko Hudecek
                                17 Sep 1916 - 9 Oct 1916 Franz Rzemenowsky von Trautenegg
                                9 Oct 1916 - 19 Dec 1916 Zdenko Hudecek
                                19 Dec 1916 - 6 Jan 1917 Karl Edler von Unczowski
                                6 Jan 1917 - 26 Feb 1917 Zdenko Hudecek
                                26 Feb 1917 - 12 Jun 1917 Albrecht Graf von Attems
                                12 Jun 1917 - 22 Nov 1917 Hermann Rigele
                                22 Nov 1917 - 26 Aug 1918 Wladimir Pfeifer

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 680 tons.

                                  10 Jul 1916 k.u.k. U17 Zdenko Hudecek Impetuoso 680 it

                                Fate Scrapped 1920.

                                6th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Oct 1915  1st KRRC at Rest

                                6th Oct 1915  Teh Challenge of Holy Communion

                                6th Oct 1915  Relief Plan

                                6th Oct 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                6th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                6th October 1915  Cycle to Flesselles

                                6th October 1915  Cycle to Flesselles

                                6th of October 1915  Into billets

                                6th of October 1915  Relief Completed

                                6th of October 1915  Four Casualties

                                6th of October 1915  A Difficult Relief

                                6th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                6th of October 1915  Orders

                                6th Oct 1915  Billets

                                6th Oct 1915  Registration

                                6th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                6th Oct 1915  On the March

                                6th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                6th of October 1915 

                                6th Oct 1915  Machine Guns

                                6th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                6th Oct 1915  Route March

                                6th Oct 1915  In Action

                                6th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                6th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                6th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                6th Oct 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                6th of October 1915   An Inspection

                                6th October 1915  Orders Received

                                6th of October 1915  Another Mine Goes Up

                                6th Oct 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                6th October 1915  The Wounded

                                6th October 1915  Battalion dump shelled.

                                6th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                6th October 1915  Reliefs

                                6th October 1915  Moved into billets

                                6th Oct 1915  Funeral

                                6th of October 1915   Enemy's Parapet Hit

                                6th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                6th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                6th October 1915  On the Move

                                6th October 1915  Reinforcements

                                6th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                7th October 1915  Holding the Line

                                7th October 1915 Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA started thorough inspections of horses and equipment.

                                7th Oct 1915  17th Heavy Battery proceed to France  17th Heavy Battery RGA arrive in France

                                7th October 1915  training

                                7th October 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ51 (LZ81)

                                • Production Ref: LZ51
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ81
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 7th October 1915

                                History.

                                It was used at the South-Eastern and the Western Front and transported a diplomatic commission over enemy Serbia on 9 November 1915. Carried out one attack on Étaples (France) and two attacks on Bucharest, dropping a total of 4,513 kg (9,949 lb) of bombs. It was brought down by ground fire near Turnovo (Bulgaria) on 27 September 1916.

                                7th Oct 1915  Italian Red Cross Day

                                7th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Oct 1915  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                7th Oct 1915  Trench Visit & Training

                                7th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                7th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Oct 1915  Flag Day

                                7th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                7th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                7th of October 1915  Musketry

                                7th of October 1915  Musketry training

                                7th of October 1915  Active Enemy Snipers

                                7th of October 1915  More Casualties

                                7th of October 1915  Tit for Tat Fire

                                7th Oct 1915  Bombardment

                                7th of October  Shelling

                                7th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                7th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                7th Oct 1915  Conference

                                7th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                7th Oct 1915  Training

                                7th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                7th of October 1915 

                                7th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                7th Oct 1915  Collecting Post

                                7th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                7th Oct 1915  Postings

                                7th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                7th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                7th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                7th Oct 1915  On the March

                                7th of October 1915   Leaving for Trenches

                                7th of October 1915  German Field Guns Active

                                  In camp (UK) court martial

                                7th Oct 1915  Quiet

                                7th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                7th October 1915  Front Line Fizz Banged

                                7th October 1915  In billets

                                7th October 1915  Travelling

                                7th October 1915  Officers joined

                                7th of October 1915  Trenches Unchanged

                                7th Oct 1915  Planning

                                7th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                7th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                7th October 1915  New draft inspected

                                7th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                8th October 1915  Holding the Line

                                8th October 1915 Ready to Move  6th County of London Brigade RFA was held in readiness to move at a half hours notice.

                                8th October 1915  train

                                8th Oct 1915  10th Essex in Reserve

                                8th Oct 1915  9th Liverpools Hold their Ground

                                8th Oct 1915  Sucessful Counter Attack

                                8th Oct 1915  New Squadron

                                8th Oct 1915  Bombing All Night

                                8th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Oct 1915  Stand to

                                8th Oct 1915  Under Shellfire

                                8th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                8th October 1915  Enemy Attack

                                8th of October 1915  German Dud Shell

                                8th of October 1915  New Men Arrive

                                8th of October 1915  Aeroplane Attacked

                                8th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th of October 1915  Quiet

                                8th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                8th of October 1915  Orders

                                8th Oct 1915  Under Fire

                                8th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th Oct 1915  Communications

                                8th Oct 1915  Attack Repulsed

                                8th Oct 1915  Training

                                8th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                8th of October 1915  Inspection

                                8th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                8th Oct 1915  Reserve

                                8th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                8th of October 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                8th Oct 1915  Rain

                                8th Oct 1915  Routine

                                8th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                8th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                8th Oct 1915  Lecture

                                8th Oct 1915  Training

                                8th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                8th of October 1915  Machine Guns Active

                                8th October 1915  Assistance

                                8th of October 1915  Patrols Active

                                8th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                8th October 1915  Intermittent shelling

                                8th of October 1915  Lieutenant goes on leave

                                8th October 1915  Moved in to Reserve

                                8th of October 1915   A How Shells Enemy

                                8th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                8th Oct 1915  On the March

                                8th October 1915  Operational Order 31.

                                8th October 1915  Inspection

                                8th October 1915  Water Supplies

                                8th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                8th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                9th October 1915  Holding the Line

                                9th October 1915 Conference  General Rawlinson spoke to the Division's representatives (Colonel, Adjutant, Major, Subalterns and thirty Gunners from each battery of the London Brigades Artillery and the 141st Infantry Brigade) at Drouviax.

                                9th October 1915  dig trench

                                9th October 1915 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL6

                                • First Flight: 9th October 1915
                                • Length: 162.1 metres (532 ft)
                                • Diameter: 19.75 metres (65 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 35,130 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 92.9 km/h
                                • Payload: 15.8 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 840 hp/626 kW total

                                Naval airship based at Seddin. Flew six reconnaissance missions, but exploded due to unknown causes with the loss of all hands while taking off on the 10th November 1915.

                                9th Oct 1915  Found on the Battlefield

                                9th Oct 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                9th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                9th Oct 1915  Conferences

                                9th Oct 1915  Getting on Well

                                9th Oct 1915  Patrol Lost

                                9th Oct 1915  Stand to

                                9th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                9th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                9th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                9th of October 1915  Artillery Regrouped

                                9th of October 1915  Casualties - Nil

                                9th of October 1915  Sniper Problem

                                9th of October 1915  Sniper Problem

                                9th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                9th of October 1915  On the Move

                                9th of October 1915  Orders

                                9th October 1915  Work

                                9th October 1915  Orders

                                9th October 1915  Orders

                                9th Oct 1915  Holding the Line

                                9th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                9th Oct 1915  In Action

                                9th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                9th Oct 1915  Training

                                9th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                9th of October 1915 

                                9th Oct 1915  Billets

                                9th Oct 1915  Sanitary Arrangements

                                9th Oct 1915  Report

                                9th Oct 1915  Bivouac

                                9th Oct 1915  Routine

                                9th Oct 1915  Exchange of Fire

                                9th Oct 1915  Corps Reserve

                                9th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Oct 1915  Training

                                9th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                9th Oct 1915  Move

                                9th of October 1915  In the Trenches

                                9th October 1915  Reorganisation

                                9th of October 1915  Quiet Time

                                9th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                9th October 1915  Considerable aeroplane activity.

                                9th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                9th of October 1915  Working Parties Out

                                9th Oct 1915  On the March

                                9th Oct 1915  Baths

                                9th October 1915  In Billets

                                9th October 1915  Leave Stopped.

                                9th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                10th October 1915  Holding the Line

                                10th October 1915 Church Parade  Church Parade at 1045 for the whole 6th London Brigade. Order to move at a half hour notice cancelled.

                                10th Oct 1915 14th DLI arrive at Armentieres  14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry arrive at Armentieres.

                                10th October 1915  Church service

                                10th October 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ56 (LZ86)

                                • Production Ref: LZ56
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ86
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 10th October 1915

                                History.

                                Carried out 7 attacks dropping a total of 14,800 kg (32,600 lb) of bombs along the Eastern and South-Eastern front. It crashed on the 5th September 1916 at Temesvar,(now Timisoara, Romania) killing nine of the crew.

                                Oct 1915  Refit

                                10th Oct 1915  Recovering from Wounds

                                10th Oct 1915  10th Essex in Reserve

                                10th Oct 1915  Last Letter Home

                                10th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                10th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                10th Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                10th of October 1915  New and Old Armies

                                10th of October 1915  No Blankets

                                10th of October 1915  Sniper Casualties

                                10th Oct 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                10th October 1915  Quiet

                                10th October 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                10th October 1915  Orders

                                10th Oct 1915  Holding the Line

                                10th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                10th Oct 1915  Ammunition

                                10th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                10th Oct 1915  Training

                                10th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                10th of October 1915 

                                10th Oct 1915  Billets

                                10th Oct 1915  Rest Station

                                10th Oct 1915  Bivouac

                                10th Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                10th Oct 1915  Front Line

                                10th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                10th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                10th Oct 1915  Training

                                10th Oct 1915  At Rest

                                10th of October 1915  A Quiet Day

                                10th of October 1915  Trench Work

                                10th of October 1915  30 Whizzbangs

                                10th Oct 1915  At Rest

                                10th October 1915  Instruction

                                10th of October 1915  Bombardment

                                10th of October 1915  A Quiet Night

                                10th Oct 1915  Training

                                10th Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                10th October 1915  1 hours standby

                                10th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Oct 1915  Training

                                11th October 1915  train

                                11th Oct 1915   No 31 Squadron was formed at Farnborough on 11 October 1915 as a single flight and was sent to Risalpur on the North west frontier of India via Bombay, arriving on 26th of December.

                                11th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                11th Oct 1915  Training

                                11th Oct 1915  Attack Planned

                                11th Oct 1915  Route March

                                11th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Oct 1915  On the March

                                11th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                11th October 1915  Inspection by GOC

                                11th of October 1915  Subalterns Adventures

                                11th of October 1915  Divisional Grenade School

                                11th of October 1915  A Trench Plan

                                11th Oct 1915  Trench Motars

                                11th of October 1915  Orders

                                11th of October 1915  Demonstration

                                11th October 1915  Demonstration

                                11th of October 1915  Orders

                                11th October 1915  Holding the Line

                                11th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                11th Oct 1915  On the March

                                11th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                11th of October 1915  Trench Instruction

                                11th Oct 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                11th Oct 1915  Defence

                                11th Oct 1915  In Support

                                11th Oct 1915  Wells

                                11th Oct 1915  Routine

                                11th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Oct 1915  Change of Billets

                                11th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                11th Oct 1915  Machine Guns

                                11th Oct 1915  Training

                                11th Oct 1915  At Rest

                                11th of October 1915  A Patrol

                                11th of October 1915  Promiscuous Whizzbangs

                                11th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                11th October 1915  Instruction

                                11th November 1915  Relieved 6th Battalion in A2 Sub-Sector.

                                11th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                11th of October 1915  Whizbangs Do No Harm

                                11th October 1915  Operational Order 31.

                                12th October 1915 Battle of Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt L W R Moore and 2/Lt O’Malley joined the Brigade from 2/6th London Field Artillery Brigade in Hertfordshire.

                                12th Oct 1915 HMS Abdiel launched  HMS Abdiel a four funnel Marksman-class destroyer, built by Cammell Laird, she was to be named Ithuriel when she was ordered in November 1914. HMS Abdiel was launched on the 12th of October 1915 and served with the Grand Fleet.

                                12th October 1915  train

                                12th Oct 1915  Staffords on the March

                                12th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                12th Oct 1915  Preparing for the Attack

                                12th Oct 1915  No Dugouts

                                12th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                12th Oct 1915  5th Lincolns into Trenches

                                12th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                12th Oct 1915  Bomb School

                                12th Oct 1915  Result of Lark

                                12th Oct 1915  On the March

                                12th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                12th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                12th of October 1915  Catapulting Mills' Bombs

                                12th of October 1915  Heavy Guns Arrive

                                12th of October 1915  Enemy TM Reported

                                12th Oct 1915  Visit

                                12th of October 1915  Orders

                                12th of October 1915  Demonstration

                                12th of October 1915  Instructions

                                12th of October 1915  Demonstration

                                12th of October 1915  Orders

                                12th October 1915  Orders

                                12th October 1915  Orders

                                12th of October 1915  Orders

                                12th October 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                12th Oct 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                12th Oct 1915  Orders

                                12th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                12th Oct 1915  Reorganisation

                                12th Oct 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                12th of October 1915  Instruction

                                12th Oct 1915  Working Parties and Training

                                12th Oct 1915  Orders

                                12th Oct 1915  In Support

                                12th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                12th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                12th Oct 1915  Rounds Fired

                                12th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                12th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                12th Oct 1915  Arrival

                                12th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                12th of October 1915  Guns Tested

                                12th of October 1915  77th Brigade Arrives

                                12th October 1915  Bombardment

                                12th of October 1915   Very Quiet

                                12th October 1915  Left billets

                                12th October 1915  Pistols illuminating 1 1/2"

                                12th October 1915  On the March

                                12th October 1915  Guides Allocated to Meet Incoming Battalions

                                12th October 1915  Brigade Relief Inbound

                                12th October 1915  Battalion Relief Orders

                                13th October 1915  Preparations

                                13th October 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                13th Oct 1915  parade

                                13th October 1915 Zeppelin raid on London  13th October 1915.

                                After three more raids were scattered by the weather a five-Zeppelin raid which became known as the "Theatreland Raid" was launched by the Navy on 13 October. Arriving over the Norfolk coast around 1830 the Zeppelins encountered new ground defences installed since the September raid under the guidance of Sir Percy Scott. These new gun sites proved ineffective, although the airship commanders commented on the improved defences of the city. A 13-pounder near Broxbourne was put out of action by three bombs dropped from L 15, which continued to London and began bombing over Charing Cross, the first bombs striking the Lyceum Theatre and the corner of Exeter and Wellington Streets, killing 17 and injuring 20.

                                Further bombs were dropped on Holborn: as the airship neared Moorgate it was engaged by a new 75 mm gun sited at the Honourable Artillery Company grounds in Finsbury. L 15 quickly recognised this new threat and jettisoned ballast, dropped only three more bombs (one landing on Aldgate High Street causing much damage) before departing, having suffered some engine damage from the shells. L 13 dropped some bombs around Guildford and later others near Woolwich. L 14 dropped bombs on Otterpool Army Camp near Folkestone, killing 14 soldiers and injuring 12, and later bombed Tonbridge and East Croydon. Both the other Zeppelins, L 16 and L 11 were even further off course, L 16 dropped up to 50 bombs on Hertford and L 11 scattered a few bombs over Norfolk before heading home. In total, 71 people were killed and 128 injured.

                                Zeppelin L14, commanded by Alois Bocker, had made its way to the south-west until the airship reached the English Channel. Turning back inland near Hythe, the airship crew spotted Otterpool and Westenhanger Camps, which at that time were occupied mainly by three Brigades of the Canadian 2nd Division. Five bombs were dropped in quick succession, the first exploding harmlessly in a hedge, but three of the others did what was intended, one struck the guard tent and killed the occupants instantly, another fell among the tents of the men's lines, and another struck the stables. Five more bombs were dropped as the Zeppelin moved off towards Westenhanger Camp, but fortunately for the Canadians at this site the bombs all fell within the nearby race-track enclosure. Thirteen Canadian soldiers were killed in the attack or died immediately after, with two of the most seriously wounded dying in the following days, raising the total number of dead to fifteen. Departing from the devastated military camp, Bocker headed further inland and disposed of L14's remaining ordnance over Tunbridge and Croydon, causing further casualties when houses near to a railway junction at Croydon were damaged. The Zeppelin then made its way back to the Continent, having inflicted a severe blow against what was, after all, only a military 'target of opportunity'.

                                This was the last raid of 1915, as bad weather coincided with the new moon in both November and December 1915 and continued into January 1916.

                                There were a total 20 raids in 1915, in which 37 tons of bombs were dropped, killing 181 people and injuring 455.

                                13 Oct 1915 

                                13th Oct 1915  6th South Staffs in action

                                13th Oct 1915  In the Attack

                                13th Oct 1915  5th North Staffs in Action

                                13th Oct 1915  6th South Staffs in Action

                                13th Oct 1915  Accounts of the Fight

                                13th Oct 1915  Support Battalions Advance

                                13th Oct 1915  4th Lincolns & Leicesters in Action

                                13th Oct 1915  In the Attack

                                13th Oct 1915  7th Sherwoods in Action

                                13th Oct 1915  5th Leics in Action

                                13th Oct 1915  1st Queens in Action

                                13th Oct 1915  Terriers Charge

                                13th Oct 1915  1st North Midland Engineers in Action

                                13th Oct 1915  7th Northumberlands in the Trenches

                                13th Oct 1915  Working Parties & bathing

                                13th Oct 1915  On the Attack

                                13th Oct 1915  Trench Routine

                                13th Oct 1915  5th Lincolns in Action

                                13th Oct 1915  In Action

                                13th Oct 1915  Men to be Proud Of

                                13th Oct 1915  Bravery as Searchlight Draws Fire

                                13th Oct 1915  Losses Suffered

                                13th Oct 1915  In Action

                                13th Oct 1915  Diversion

                                13th Oct 1915  Artillery In Action

                                13th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Oct 1915  Advance Party

                                13th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                13th of October 1915  Grenade School

                                13th of October 1915  Grenade School

                                13th of October 1915  Bread Shortage

                                13th Oct 1915  New Sap

                                13th of October 1915  Demonstration

                                13th of October 1915  Ammunition

                                13th of October 1915  Smoke Bombs

                                13th of October 1915  Smoke Bombs

                                13th of October 1915  Fire

                                13th of October 1915  Shelling

                                13th of October 1915  Reports

                                13th of October 1915  Reports

                                13th of October 1915  Shelling

                                13th of October 1915  Smoke

                                13th of October 1915  Shelling

                                13th of October 1915  Under Fire

                                13th of October 1915  Orders

                                13th of October 1915  Orders

                                13th of October 1915  Orders

                                13th of October 1915  Orders

                                13th of October 1915  Orders

                                13th of October 1915  Orders

                                13th of October 1915  Orders

                                13th of October 1915  Orders

                                13th October 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Oct 1915  Holding the Line

                                13th Oct 1915  SOS

                                13th Oct 1915  Training

                                13th Oct 1915  Training

                                13th Oct 1915  Artillery in Action

                                13th of October 1915  First Casualties

                                13th Oct 1915  Bombardment

                                13th Oct 1915  Alarms

                                13th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                13th Oct 1915  Orders

                                13th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Oct 1915  In Action

                                13th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                13th Oct 1915  Demonstration

                                13th Oct 1915  At Rest

                                13th Oct 1915  Musketry

                                13th of October 1915  Attacks and Bombardments

                                13th of October 1915  Assault

                                13th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                  In camp (UK) and airships (Zeppelins) spotted

                                13th October 1915  Instruction

                                13th of October 1915  Concentrated Artillery Fire

                                13th October 1915  Old British Front Line

                                13th October 1915  Grenadier equipment will be issued

                                13th October 1915  1st Army No. 401(G).

                                13th October 1915  Orders Received

                                13th October 1915  Battalion moved

                                13th October 1915  Standing By.

                                13th Oct 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                14th October 1915  Move

                                14th October 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.

                                14th October 1915  training and baths

                                14th Oct 1915  A Terrible Time

                                14th Oct 1915  Londoner's Pluck

                                14th Oct 1915  Bayonet Charge

                                14th Oct 1915  1st Glosters in Action

                                14th Oct 1915  Redoubt Held

                                14th Oct 1915  Not Fair

                                14th Oct 1915  Into the Second Line

                                14th Oct 1915  Plenty of Time to Think

                                14th Oct 1915  Patrols

                                14th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Oct 1915  Very Cold

                                14th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                14th of October 1915  Snipers' Course

                                14th of October 1915  Up to Strength

                                14th of October 1915  A Private Killed

                                14th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                14th of October 1915  Training

                                14th of October 1915  Wire Cutting

                                14th of October 1915  Orders

                                14th October 1915  Orders

                                14th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                14th October 1915  Bombing of Otterpool Camp

                                14th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Oct 1915  Misty

                                14th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                14th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                14th of October 1915 

                                14th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                14th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                14th Oct 1915  Wells

                                14th Oct 1915  Reorganisation

                                14th Oct 1915  Routine

                                14th Oct 1915  Rounds Fired

                                14th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                14th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                14th Oct 1915  Casualties

                                14th Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                14th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                14th of October 1915  Arranging for Relief

                                14th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                14th of October 1915  Germans Explode Mine

                                14th October 1915  Parapet fizz banged

                                14th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                14th October 1915  Moved into Support trenches

                                14th of October 1915  Trench Improvements

                                14th October 1915  Old German Front Line

                                14th October 1915  Reliefs

                                14th October 1915  Divisional Grenadier School

                                14th October 1915  2 hours notice

                                15th October 1915  hold competitions  9th Lancers at Ligny Les Aire. Competitions for Bombers.

                                Autumn 1915  In Dim Twight

                                15th Oct 1915  Making Rings

                                15th Oct 1915  Commanding Officer Killed

                                15th Oct 1915  1st Grenadiers into the Line

                                15th Oct 1915  Luck of the Devil

                                15th Oct 1915  Relieved

                                15th Oct 1915  Enemy Quiet

                                15th Oct 1915  Artillery In Action

                                15th Oct 1915  Very Cold

                                15th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                15th of October 1915  Patrols and Snipers

                                15th of October 1915  Billets and Casualties

                                15th of October 1915  Relieved

                                15th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                15th of October 1915  Orders

                                15th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                15th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                15th Oct 1915  Route March

                                15th Oct 1915  Trenches Require Work

                                15th Oct 1915  On the March

                                15th of October 1915 

                                15th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Oct 1915  Plans

                                15th Oct 1915  Scabies

                                15th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                15th Oct 1915  Routine

                                15th Oct 1915  Rounds Fired

                                15th Oct 1915  Retaliation

                                15th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                15th Oct 1915  On the March

                                15th Oct 1915  Musketry

                                15th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                15th of October 1915  Message

                                15th of October 1915  No Ammunition

                                15th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                15th Oct 1915  On the March

                                15th October 1915  Reliefs

                                15th of October 1915  Leave

                                15th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                15th October 1915  In Support trenches

                                15th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                15th of October 1915  Bath Time

                                15th October 1915  In trenches

                                15th October 1915  In trenches

                                15th October 1915  Leave opens again.

                                15th October 1915  Messages

                                16th Oct 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers  make an attack  The 2nd Royal Fusilers made an unsucessful attack on a sap.

                                16th October 1915 London Batteries Register  13th London Battery registered H31.G.1.4, H31.G.1.6.5, H25.0. 0, H25.G.1.2.5 and Points 14. 15th and 16th London Batteries, all registered approximately, but owing to the very bad mist left accurate registrations to a later date. 6th London BAC (Brigade Ammunition Column) proceeded to Noeux les Mines (L.M.C) from Marles.

                                16th October 1915  Leave begins

                                16th Oct 1915  Harvest Gifts

                                16th Oct 1915  Pride

                                Oct 1915  Caught in Anti-Submarine Net

                                16th Oct 1915  At Rest

                                16th Oct 1915  The Derby Scheme

                                16th Oct 1915  Saturday Soldiers

                                16th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                16th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Oct 1915  Drainage

                                16th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                16th of October 1915  In a Shell Hole

                                16th of October 1915  Casualties

                                16th of October 1915  Checking Equipment

                                16th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                16th of October 1915  Orders

                                16th October 1915  Orders

                                16th of October 1915  Report

                                16th of October 1915  Orders

                                16th October 1915  Report

                                16th of October 1915  Moves

                                16th October 1915  Orders

                                16th Oct 1915  Mist

                                16th Oct 1915  Training

                                16th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Oct 1915  Baths

                                16th of October 1915  Divisional Exercise

                                16th Oct 1915  Shells

                                16th Oct 1915  Sniping

                                16th Oct 1915  Party Returns

                                16th Oct 1915  Routine

                                16th Oct 1915  Enemy Active

                                16th Oct 1915  Orders Received

                                16th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                16th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                16th Oct 1915  Change of Billets

                                16th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                16th of October 1915  In Billets and Outposts

                                16th of October 1915  Inspection

                                16th of October 1915  Bombs and Reliefs

                                16th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Oct 1915  Transfer

                                16th October 1915  Reorganisation

                                16th October 1915  Quiet day in billets.

                                16th of October 1915  Return from leave

                                16th Oct 1915  Mine Exploded

                                16th of October 1915  Work and Baths

                                16th October 1915  Battalion remained in trenches.

                                16th October 1915  Battalion remained in trenches.

                                16th October 1915  Casualties

                                16th Oct 1915  Entertainment

                                17th Oct 1915 2nd Royal Fusiliers take a sap  Ten men and Sergeant of the 2nd Royal Fusilers made another attack on the sap, this time capturing it succesfully.

                                17th October 1915 London guns Register  6th County of London Brigade RFA report though still misty, the batteries of Lowe Group were able to partially complete their registrations. 2/Lt J A W Petro, 6th London Ammunition Column was transferred to 17th London Battery.

                                17th October 1915  Church services

                                17th October 1915  Further moves

                                17th Oct 1915  In the Sound of Roaring Guns

                                17th Oct 1915  Hell on Earth

                                17th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                17th Oct 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                17th Oct 1915  Patrols

                                17th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Oct 1915  CO's Conference

                                17th Oct 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                17th of October 1915  New Drafts

                                17th of October 1915  Church Parade

                                17th Oct 1915  Address

                                17th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                17th October 1915  Quiet

                                17th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                17th Oct 1915  Communication

                                17th Oct 1915  On the March

                                17th Oct 1915  Early Mist

                                17th Oct 1915  Address

                                17th of October 1915 

                                17th Oct 1915  Machine Gun

                                17th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Oct 1915  On the March

                                17th of October 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                17th Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                17th Oct 1915  Enemy Active

                                17th Oct 1915  Artillery Active

                                17th Oct 1915  Posting

                                17th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                17th Oct 1915  Defence Work

                                17th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                17th of October 1915  In Billets and Posts

                                17th of October 1915  Training

                                17th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Oct 1915  Quiet

                                17th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                17th October 1915  Divine Service

                                17th of October 1915  Posting

                                17th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                17th of October 1915  Divine Service

                                17th Oct 1915  Training

                                17th October 1915  Reliefs

                                17th October 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Oct 1915  Defences

                                17th October 1915  Recce

                                18th October 1915 6th London Brigade in the Battle of Loos  6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery war diary states: Concentration of fire at 1300hrs on Woods No 5 and 4 (H25.d.1.8 to H25.d.5.8 and H25.d.5.3 to H25.c.3.9). Six rounds per gun fired at 1300, followed by four rounds per gun at 1310, fired quickly. Bombardier A J Farquharson (17th London Battery) was wounded. 2/Lt J H Van den Bergh, 16th London Battery was appointed Orderly Officer to OC. Brigade and transferred to Brigade Headquarter Staff.

                                Gallantry Award, Under authority granted by His Majesty the King, the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief appointed the undermentioned officer to be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order: Major Hadrian Bayley, 15th County of London Battery, RFA, 6th London Brigade RFA, in recognition of services rendered at Le Plantin from the 12th to the 26th May 1915.

                                18th Oct 1915 8th Yorks & Lancs join 8th Division  8th Yorks and Lancs transfer with 70th Brigade to 8th Division.

                                18th October 1915  training

                                18th Oct 1915 28th Division to proceed to Egypt  28th Division are ordered to leave France for Salonkia, they are to sail from Marseilles to Alexandria, Egypt.

                                18th Oct 1915 70th Field Coy RE hold trench neat The Quarries  Near "the Quarries" Sappers Burrows and Whitlaw 70th Field Company RE regained and held a trench by throwing "bomb" all through the night. Both were awarded the DCM.

                                18th Oct 1915  7th Northumberlands in the Trenches

                                18th Oct 1915  Training

                                18th Oct 1915  A Trip Along the Coast

                                18th Oct 1915  Patrols

                                18th Oct 1915  Under Shellfire

                                18th Oct 1915  Festival

                                18th of October 1915  Met by the Band

                                18th of October 1915  More Reliefs

                                18th of October 1915  Rain Needed

                                18th of October 1915  Route March

                                18th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                18th October 1915  Quiet

                                18th Oct 1915  Pay Day

                                18th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                18th Oct 1915  Gun Positions

                                18th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                18th Oct 1915  Recce

                                18th Oct 1915  Route March

                                18th of October 1915  Instruction

                                18th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                18th Oct 1915  Rest Station

                                18th Oct 1915  Poor Weather

                                18th Oct 1915  Routine

                                18th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                18th Oct 1915  Firing

                                18th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                18th Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                18th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                18th of October 1915  In Billets and Posts

                                18th of October 1915  Noisy Germans

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                18th Oct 1915  Some Shelling

                                18th October 1915  Orders received

                                18th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                18th October 1915  Relieved 8th Battalion

                                18th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                18th of October 1915  Baths and Work

                                18th Oct 1915  On the March

                                18th Oct 1915  On the March

                                18th October 1915  In Support Line.

                                18th October 1915  I Support Line.

                                18th Oct 1915  Defences

                                18th October 1915  Recce

                                19th Oct 1915 Allies Bazaar raises £700  £700 was raised at the Allies Bazaar held at at Queen's Road Primitive Methodist Church in Calderdale.

                                19th October 1915 Personnel Changes  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt Col R R Wandsbrough (6th London Ammunition Column) proceeded to England. Lt W J Barnard appointed to command 6th London Ammunition Column, vice Lt Col R R Wandsbrough. Capt M J K O’Malley (Adjutant, 6th London Brigade RFA) transferred to 17th Division. Lt G Lyon Smith appointed Adjutant of the Brigade, vice Capt M J K O’Malley 13th London Battery moved its position to G33.a.5.9. Batteries retaliated only, for every one German shell, one 18 pounder and one 15 pounder shell is fired in retaliation.

                                19th Oct 1915 14th Durhams in Ploegsteert Line  14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry are on the Ploegsteert Line.

                                19th October 1915  Preparing to move

                                19th Oct 1915 Resigration for Tyneside Scottish progressing  The Evening Chronicle, Newcastle upon Tyne reports on Monday, 19th October 1914: "The registration of men for the Tyneside Scottish Battalion is proceeding with a rapidity entirely gratifying to those responsible for raising the unit. The pipe and drum parade on Saturday followed by the recruiting meeting at the town hall, was very successful and resulted in some 170 names being secured."

                                19th Oct 1915 On the Move  13 Squadron was sent to France, reporting first to RFC HQ at St. Omer on 19th of October, and then deployed to Vert Galand 2 days later. Equipped with BE2c aircraft, the main role of the Squadron was artillery observation and photographic reconnaissance, which remained the unit's main tasks throughout the war.

                                19th Oct 1915  Trench Mortars

                                19th Oct 1915  Training

                                19th Oct 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Oct 1915  Patrols

                                19th Oct 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                19th Oct 1915  Drainage

                                19th Oct 1915  On the March

                                19th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of October 1915  Trench Instructions

                                19th of October 1915  Shelling and Sniping

                                19th of October 1915  Bridging Train Arrives

                                19th Oct 1915  More Beds

                                19th Oct 1915  Consolidation

                                19th October 1915  Ammunition

                                19th Oct 1915  Recce

                                19th Oct 1915  Training

                                19th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Oct 1915  Training

                                19th of October 1915 

                                19th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                19th Oct 1915  Underground

                                19th Oct 1915  CO Killed

                                19th Oct 1915  Routine

                                19th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                19th Oct 1915  Firing

                                19th Oct 1915  Promotion

                                19th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                19th Oct 1915  Rifles

                                19th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                19th Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                19th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                19th Oct 1915  On the March

                                19th of October 1915  Relief Arranged

                                19th of October 1915  Transport Heard

                                19th Oct 1915  Some Shelling

                                19th October 1915  Reliefs

                                18th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                19th October 1915  A Move to Febvin-Palfart

                                19th Oct 1915  Mine Exploded

                                19th October 1915  In Front Line trenches

                                19th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                19th Oct 1915  Standing by

                                19th of October 1915  Large Working Party

                                19th Oct 1915  Training

                                19th October 1915  Sharp Shooters.

                                19th Oct 1915  Orders Received

                                19th October 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Oct 1915  Training

                                20th October 1915 6th London Bde Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report At noon all batteries fired 10 rounds of shrapnel on trench H.19.d.4.0 - H.25.b.10.3. as fast as possible. At 1600 Concentration of fire on Puis 14 --- and on Wood 3,4 5, 6. Retaliation as before. Leave for the Division was reopened. Capt R.A Corsan, who had been wounded, rejoined the 15th London Battery from the Base.

                                20th October 1915  Brigade move

                                20th Oct 1915 Newcastle United hand St Jame's Park over to Army  Newcastle United football club moved out of st James' Park to a temporary home at Brough Park, Byker as the club ground was handed over to the army for use as a military billet.

                                20th October 1915 On the March  E Battery, RHA marched back with 5th Cavalry Brigade for new orders. Battery to Mileules about 23 miles.

                                20th October 1915  Relief and relocation

                                20th Oct 1915  Converting old Enemy Trenches

                                20th Oct 1915  2nd Sherwoods Surrounded

                                20th Oct 1915  Caught in Anti-Submarine Net

                                20th Oct 1915  Submarine Sails

                                20th Oct 1915  Bathing & Training

                                20th Oct 1915  A Difficult Letter

                                20th Oct 1915  In the Fight

                                20th Oct 1915  Boys Proved Themselves

                                20th Oct 1915  Mine Exploded

                                20th Oct 1915  Enemy Attack

                                20th Oct 1915  Sent Home

                                20th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                20th of October 1915  Reliefs and Moves

                                20th of October 1915  An Appointment

                                20th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                20th October 1915  Orders

                                20th of October 1915  Orders

                                20th of October 1915  Orders

                                20th of October 1915  Orders

                                20th October 1915  Orders

                                20th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Oct 1915  Recce

                                20th Oct 1915  Training

                                20th Oct 1915  Reorganisation

                                20th Oct 1915  Training

                                20th of October 1915  Moves

                                20th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                20th Oct 1915  Rehearsal

                                20th Oct 1915  Routine

                                20th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Oct 1915  Promotion

                                20th Oct 1915  Exercise

                                20th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                20th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                20th of October 1915  Billets and Posts Handed Over

                                20th of October 1915  Gun Distribution

                                  In camp (UK) - aircraft warning

                                20th Oct 1915  Patrol

                                20th October 1915  Line Strengthened.

                                20th Oct 1915  Mine Exploded

                                20th October 1915  3 men killed by shell fire.

                                20th of October 1915  Loyal N Lancs Relieved

                                20th Oct 1915  On the March

                                20th October 1915  Signalling System

                                20th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                20th October 1915  Slight shelling.

                                20th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                20th October 1915  Enquiry

                                20th Oct 1915  On the March

                                21st October 1915 6th London Bde RFA Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report: At 1400 Concentration of fire (5 rounds per gun) on one trench H.19.a.2.0.-H.19.a.7.8. At 1420 the above action was repeated. Retaliation as usual. Horses of the Brigade were inspected by Deputy Director of Remounts: 60 horse were cast as being unsuitable, through age, size or other qualifications.

                                21st October 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion in Somme region Picardie, France
                                1st Battalion Royal Scots last fatality killed in France 1915.
                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 162 men (that are known)

                                21st October 1915 Lack of billets  9th Lancers at Elnes, getting into billets, not sufficient cover for all men & horses. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital.

                                21st October 1915 In Billets  E Battery, RHA are with 5th Cavalry Brigade in billets at Mierules

                                21st Oct 1915  8th Warwicks in the Trenches

                                21st Oct 1915  Route March

                                21st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1915  Under Shellfire

                                21st Oct 1915  On the March

                                21st Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                21st October 1915  Move to new quarters

                                21st of October 1915  Into Trenches

                                21st of October 1915  Relieved by the French

                                21st of October 1915  French Take Over

                                21st of October 1915  Good Billets

                                21st Oct 1915  Vicious Sniping

                                21st of October 1915  Quiet

                                21st October 1915  Orders

                                21st Oct 1915  Artillery Active

                                21st Oct 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                21st Oct 1915  Instruction

                                21st Oct 1915  Inspection

                                21st of October 1915  More Moves

                                21st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1915  Orders

                                21st Oct 1915  Shelling

                                21st Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Oct 1915  On the March

                                21st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1915  Snipers Post

                                21st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1915  Exercise

                                21st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                21st Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                21st of October 1915  Worst Trenches

                                21st of October 1915  Training

                                21st of October 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1915  Shelling

                                21st October 1915  Reliefs

                                21st October 1915  Winter Quarters

                                21st Oct 1915  Exchange of Fire

                                21st October 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1915  Funerals

                                21st of October 1915   Heavy Rain

                                21st Oct 1915  In Billets

                                21st October 1915  140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.34.

                                21st October 1915  Reliefs

                                21st October 1915  Operational Order No.34.

                                21st October 1915  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                21st October 1915  Recce

                                21st Oct 1915  Instruction

                                22nd October 1915 Much Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA fire in retaliation only. There was much shelling by the Germans: Loos, the Chalk Pit (here smoke shells were accidentally ignited), and the Double Crassier were all shelled, we retaliated. Bombardier Rutson and Gunner Wootten (16th London Battery) were wounded. (Note - It appears they both survived as there is no trace of them in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records).

                                22nd October 1915  reinforced

                                22nd October 1915 Water in Short Supply  E Battery, RHA moved to new village for want of water. Left at 1530hrs and marched to Huquillier 4 miles from Brigade Headquarters at Perenty. Captain C.T. Walwyn ordered to report himself at war office as soon as possible.

                                22nd Oct 1915  Happier than at Home

                                22nd Oct 1915  Engine Malfunction

                                22nd Oct 1915  Cut up Badly

                                22nd Oct 1915  To Be Played to the End

                                22nd Oct 1915  Route March

                                22nd Oct 1915  Trench Visit

                                22nd Oct 1915  Training

                                22nd Oct 1915  On the March

                                22th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd of October 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd of October 1915  An Appointment

                                22nd of October 1915  Refitting

                                22nd Oct 1915  Brushwood

                                22nd October 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd October 1915  Orders

                                22nd of October 1915  Orders

                                22nd of October 1915  Orders

                                22nd October 1915  Orders

                                22nd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Oct 1915  Misty

                                22nd Oct 1915  Training

                                22nd Oct 1915  Training

                                22nd Oct 1915  Training

                                22nd Oct 1915  Cleaning up

                                22nd Oct 1915  Patrol

                                22nd Oct 1915  Bad Weather

                                22nd Oct 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                22nd Oct 1915  In the Line

                                22nd Oct 1915  Concentration

                                22nd Oct 1915  Inspection

                                22nd Oct 1915  Exercise

                                22nd Oct 1915  Casualty

                                22nd Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                22nd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd of October 1915  In Trenches

                                22nd of October 1915   Enemy Movement Noticed

                                22nd Oct 1915  Some Shelling

                                22nd October 1915  Orders Received

                                22nd of October 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Oct 1915  Shelling

                                22nd October 1915  Relief Completed

                                22nd of October 1915  Trench Improvements

                                22nd Oct 1915  Baths

                                22nd October 1915  In Front Line trenches.

                                22nd October 1915  Battalion remained in Front Line

                                22nd Oct 1915  Trenches Inspected

                                22nd October 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Oct 1915  Instruction

                                23rd October 1915 Intermittent Shelling  This afternoon there was intermittent shelling by the Germans and 6th London Brigade RFA retaliated. A Concentration of fire set to take place at 1630 was postponed.

                                23rd October 1915  Conference of Commanding Officers

                                23rd Oct 1915 SS Ilaro lost  SS Ilaro was a British Merchant steamer built in 1895. On the 23rd October 1915 when on route from Forcados, West Africa for Hull with a cargo of maize and palm kernels she hit a mine, laid by German submarine UC-5, 4 miles East from Dungeness. One life was lost and 29 saved, the crew abandoned ship in two boats.

                                23rd October 1915 Standing by  E Battery, RHA continued on standby with 5th Cavalry Brigade at Huquilliers. Lt Col Olivant visited the Battery.

                                23rd Oct 1915  A Remarkable Incident

                                23rd Oct 1915  3rd Coldstreams in the Trenches

                                23rd Oct 1915  Reinforcements Needed

                                23rd Oct 1915  Medical Inspections

                                23rd Oct 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                23rd Oct 1915  Inspection

                                23rd Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd of October 1915  Under Fire

                                23rd of October 1915  French Take Over Front

                                23rd of October 1915  Div HQ Relocates

                                23rd of October 1915  Marching Order

                                23rd of October 1915  Marching Order

                                23rd Oct 1915  Concert

                                23rd Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd October 1915  Quiet

                                23rd October 1915  Trench Mortars

                                23rd of October 1915  Orders

                                23rd of October 1915  Work

                                23rd October 1915  Work Done

                                23rd Oct 1915  Baths

                                23rd Oct 1915  Instruction

                                23rd Oct 1915  Training

                                23rd of October 1915 

                                23rd Oct 1915  Working Party & Baths

                                23rd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Oct 1915  Enemy Active

                                23rd Oct 1915  Shelling

                                23rd Oct 1915  Relief

                                23rd Oct 1915  Orders

                                23rd Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                23rd Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                23rd of October 1915   Very Quiet Day

                                23rd of October 1915  Training

                                23rd Oct 1915  On the Move

                                23rd of October 1915  Reliefs

                                  In camp (UK)

                                23rd Oct 1915  Quiet

                                23rd October 1915  Orders Received

                                23rd Oct 1915  On the Move

                                23rd October 1915  Quiet day

                                23rd of October 1915  Reorganisation

                                23rd Oct 1915  Detachment Ends

                                23rd October 1915  Posting

                                23rd Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd October 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd of October 1915  Several Patrols Out

                                23rd Oct 1915  Training

                                23rd October 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd October 1915  Pioneers

                                23rd October 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Oct 1915  Gun Positions

                                23rd October 1915  Aerial Torpedoes

                                23rd Oct 1915  Instruction

                                24th October 1915 Persistent Shelling  This morning and this afternoon there was again persistent shelling by the Germans on the front line trenches, Chalk Pit Wood and Loos being their principle targets. 6th County of London Brigade RFA retaliated, with one round (18 pounder) and one round (15 pounder) for every one of their rounds. At 1600 a Concentration of fire was made by 13th and 15th London Batteries on trench H.19.d.4.0 - H.25.b.2.7 while the 16th and 17th London Batteries similarly concentrated on trench H.19.d.4.0 - H.25.b.4.7. A derelict British 18 pounder Wagon Body and timber were salved. Batteries reported on a large number of misfire, due to the fact that the "T" tubes are not now being received in sealed tins.

                                24th October 1915  Church services

                                24th Oct 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                24th Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                24th Oct 1915  Training

                                24th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                24th Oct 1915  At Rest

                                24th of October 1915  Enemy Attack Repelled

                                24th of October 1915  Entraining Orders

                                24th of October 1915  A New Posting

                                24th of October 1915  Church and Baths

                                24th Oct 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                24th of October 1915  Quiet

                                24th of October 1915  Moves

                                24th of October 1915  Orders

                                24th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                24th October 1915  Orders

                                24th Oct 1915  Misty

                                24th Oct 1915  Orders

                                24th Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                24th Oct 1915  On the March

                                24th of October 1915 

                                24th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                24th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                24th Oct 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                24th Oct 1915  Quiet

                                24th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                24th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                24th Oct 1915  Entrenching

                                24th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                24th of October 1915  In Trenches

                                24th of October 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Oct 1915  Mystery

                                24th October 1915  Divine Service

                                24th October 1915  Working Parties

                                24th October 1915  Posting

                                24th Oct 1915  Practice

                                24th October 1915  Warned to be in readiness to move

                                24th of October 1915  More Patrols

                                24th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                24th October 1915  Inter Company Relief

                                24th October 1915  In Billets

                                24th Oct 1915  Gun Positions

                                24th October 1915  Quiet, showery day.

                                24th October 1915  Missing Post

                                24th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                25th October 1915 Underground dugouts to be constructed  Concentration of fire by 6th London Brigade on target-trench H.15.a.9.4 - H.13.g.1.2. At 11:00 2 rounds per gun were fired; 11:10 2 rounds per gun; 11:25 4 rounds per gun. The last to be fired in salvoes. Owing to the extremely bad weather, Battery Commanders were unable to give certain information about the enemy's position required by 47th Division, nor was the OC. Brigade able to inspect harnesses of the 15th, 16th and 17th Batteries as arranged. An order was received to construct large dug outs 15 feet below ground level; each dugout is to be in communication with the next to it by means of an underground passage. Lt R. Bruce RFA of 6th London Brigade officially announced as having Died of wounds.

                                25th October 1915  Rain all day

                                25th Oct 1915  Standing by

                                25th Oct 1915  Medical Inspections

                                25th Oct 1915  Route March

                                25th Oct 1915  On the March

                                25th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Oct 1915  On the March

                                25th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                25th of October 1915  Out of Trenches

                                25th of October 1915  Entraining Begins

                                25th of October 1915  On the Train

                                25th Oct 1915  Bombing

                                25th of October 1915  Quiet

                                25th October 1915  On the Move

                                25th of October 1915  Relief Complete

                                25th October 1915  Reliefs

                                25th October 1915  Orders

                                25th Oct 1915  Orders

                                25th Oct 1915  Recce

                                25th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                25th Oct 1915  Training

                                25th of October 1915  Royal Inspection

                                25th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Oct 1915  On the March

                                25th Oct 1915  Quiet

                                25th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                25th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                25th Oct 1915  Defence Works

                                25th Oct 1915  Wet Day

                                25th of October 1915  Flooded Trenches

                                25th of October 1915  German Mine Exploded

                                25th Oct 1915  Very Cold

                                25th Oct 1915  On the March

                                25th October 1915  Wet day.

                                25th of October 1915  Wet

                                25th October 1915  Inspection

                                25th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                25th of October 1915  Heavy Rain

                                25th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                25th Oct 1915  Gun Positions

                                25th October 1915  Quiet day.

                                25th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                26th October 1915 Inspection and Registration  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports 2/Lt A. F Yencken proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. The OC. Brigade inspected the harness of the 6th London Ammunition Column. Retaliation - In future British guns are to fire 5 time as many rounds as the Germans have fired. There was no concentration of fire today. 13th London Battery registered H.19.b.8.1, H.25.b.2.5 and H.25.b.6.2. In return for the intermittent shelling of our first line trenches all day by the Germans, our batteries retaliated on the German front line. 15th and 16th London Batteries spotted the flash of the German battery at H.10.b.8.7.

                                26th October 1915  Parade

                                26th Oct 1915  In Action

                                26th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                26th Oct 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                26th Oct 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                26th Oct 1915  Activities

                                26th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                26th Oct 1915  On the March

                                26th Oct 1915  Mine Exploded

                                26th of October 1915  On the March

                                26th of October 1915  Infantry on the Move

                                26th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                26th of October 1915  Quiet

                                26th of October 1915  Moves

                                26th October 1915  Ammunition

                                26th of October 1915  Working Parties

                                26th of October 1915  Moves

                                26th October 1915  Orders

                                26th Oct 1915  Artillery Active

                                26th Oct 1915  Recce

                                26th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                26th Oct 1915  Training

                                26th of October 1915  More Instruction

                                26th Oct 1915  Aeroplanes

                                26th Oct 1915  Orders

                                26th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                26th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                26th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Oct 1915  On the March

                                26th Oct 1915  Change of Billets

                                26th Oct 1915  Defence Works

                                26th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                26th of October 1915  A Quiet Day

                                26th of October 1915  Germans Search Road

                                26th Oct 1915  Artillery Active

                                26th Oct 1915  Company Training

                                26th October 1915  Football

                                26th Oct 1915  Baths

                                26th of October 1915  Aeroplanes Active

                                26th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                26th October 1915  140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.36.

                                26th October 1915  Operational Order No.36.

                                26th Oct 1918  Bridge Erected

                                26th Oct 1915  Gun Positions

                                26th October 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                27th October 1915 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report at 0300 a Concentration of fire on Wood 6 and trenches in squares H.25,26 and 31. 6 rounds per gun were fired as quickly as possible. At 0500 the above action was repeated. There was no reply by the enemy. At 1205 the Germans obtained direct hit on a gun emplacement of 13th London Battery. One man was seriously wounded and three others slightly wounded. The Enemy shelled trenches in front of Puits 14 bis, Chalk Pit, Chalk Pit Wood and Loos. We retaliated.

                                27th October 1915  building stables

                                27th Oct 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                27th Oct 1915  King Reviews Troops

                                27th Oct 1915  Buried in a Dugout

                                27th Oct 1915  Severe Frost

                                27th Oct 1915  Parade Rehearsal

                                27th Oct 1915  Royal Review

                                27th Oct 1915  Royal Inspection

                                27th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                27th Oct 1915  Relief

                                27th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                27th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                27th Oct 1915  Digging

                                27th of October 1915  Into Dirty Billets

                                27th of October 1915  More Moves

                                27th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                27th of October 1915  Quiet

                                27th Oct 1915  Royal Visit

                                27th Oct 1915  Royal Inspection

                                27th Oct 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                27th Oct 1915  Royal Visit

                                27th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                27th of October 1915 

                                27th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Oct 1915  On the March

                                27th Oct 1915  Relief

                                27th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                27th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                27th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                27th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                27th Oct 1915  Defence Works

                                27th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                27th of October 1915  Visits

                                27th of October 1915  German Work Destroyed

                                  In camp (UK) - aircraft warning again

                                27th of October 1915  Orders

                                27th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                27th October 1915  Inspection by His Majesty the King

                                27th of October 1915  In the Ttrenches

                                27th October 1915  On the March

                                27th Oct 1915  Visit

                                27th of October 1915  Visit by the King

                                27th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                27th October 1915  British Uniform worn by French Civilians

                                27th Oct 1915  Gun Positions

                                27th October 1915  Inspection by the King.

                                27th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                28th October 1915 King inspects IV Corps  At 1100 Representatives of all Units of IV Corps were inspected by his Majesty King George V between Labuissiere and Hesdigneul. 30 picked men, in charge of Lt W.J. Barnard represented the 6th County of London Brigade. His majesty was thrown from his horse, but was uninjured. The weather was very unfavourable. Intermittent shelling of trenches, Chalk Pit and Loos as yesterday. We retaliated. The Ammunition Column received 77 light draught horse, in accordance with the new establishment. Heavy draught horses are being returned.

                                28th October 1915  dig trenches

                                28th Oct 1915  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                28th Oct 1915  King Inspects Troops

                                28th Oct 1915  Improvisation

                                28th Oct 1915  A Grand View

                                28th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                28th Oct 1915  Patrols

                                28th Oct 1915  At Sea

                                28th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Oct 1915  Fatigues

                                28th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Oct 1915  On the March

                                28th October 1915  Divisional tactical exercises

                                28th of Otober 1915  Inspections and Indents

                                28th of October 1915  At Marseille

                                28th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                28th October 1915  Training

                                28th October 1915  Defence Lines

                                28th of October 1915  Orders

                                28th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Oct 1915  Very Wet Day

                                28th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                28th of October 1915 

                                28th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                28th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                28th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                28th Oct 1915  Defence Works

                                28th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                28th of October 1915  Into Billets

                                28th of October 1915  Situation Normal

                                  On the move

                                28th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                28th October 1915  Parades impossible.

                                28th October 1915  Quiet

                                28th October 1915  2nd Lieutenant Bennett Posted in

                                28th Oct 1915  Baths

                                28th of October 1915  Gas Lecture

                                28th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                28th October 1915  Inspection by the King

                                28th October 1915  Inspection by the King

                                28th October 1915  Handcarts

                                28th Oct 1915  Lines of Fire Changed

                                28th October 1915  Working Party

                                28th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                29th October 1915 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt W.R. Sadler RAMC (Medical Officer in charge 6th London Brigade RFA) proceeded to England on 10 days leave of absence. Shelling and retaliation continued as before. The 13th London Battery had two men wounded at Gun Position and one man wounded in Wagon Line which was also shelled. 13th London Battery moved gun position to G.33.a.0.9. All units of Lowe Group are supplying men for working parties in the trenches and men are also being supplied for the building of huts in the Wagon Lines.

                                29th October 1915  engaged in dismounted work

                                29th Oct 1915  Posting

                                29th Oct 1915 13th East Yorks leave Ripon  13th East Yorks leave Ripon on 29th of October 1915 for Hurdcott Camp.

                                29th Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                29th Oct 1915  Communication

                                29th Oct 1915  The Estaminet

                                29th Oct 1915  Must not Grumble

                                29th Oct 1915  Palatial Trenches

                                29th Oct 1915  Familiar Billets

                                29th Oct 1915  GOC Meets Officers

                                29th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                29th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                29th Oct 1915  Fatigues

                                29th Oct 1915  Inspection

                                29th Oct 1915  Training

                                29th of October 1915  Embarkation

                                29th Oct 1915  Trench Work

                                29th of October 1915  Orders

                                29th October 1915  Orders

                                29th Oct 1915  Shelling

                                29th Oct 1915  Working Parties & Baths

                                29th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                29th of October 1915 

                                29th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                29th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Oct 1915  Wet Weather

                                29th Oct 1915  Relief Complete

                                29th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                29th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                29th Oct 1915  Defence Works

                                29th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                29th of October 1915  Police Guard Duty

                                29th of October 1915  Listening Post Blocked

                                29th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                29th Oct 1915  Transfer

                                29th October 1915  Football

                                29th October 1915  Major AE Erskine Takes Command

                                29th Oct 1915  Visit

                                29th of October 1915  Baths and Work

                                29th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                29th October 1915  140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.36.

                                29th October 1915  In Billets

                                29th October 1915  140th Infantry Brigade. Operational Order No.36.

                                29th October 1915  Orders

                                29th Oct 1915  Planning

                                29th October 1915  Concert in Hall.

                                29th Oct 1915  Colours

                                29th Oct 1915  Instruction

                                30th October 1915 Heavy Enemy Fire Quietened  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Col R.W.A. Christie having proceeded on leave, Lt Col A.C.Lowe DSO assumed command of the Christie Group in addition to the Lowe Group. At 1500 there was a Concentration of fire on enemy trenches in H.19.6. This quietened enemy’s fire which had been heavy all day, their targets as before. 8 Bell tents were issued to each battery, for the temporary use (until their huts are ready) of men in the Wagon Lines. 15th London Battery moved their Wagon Lines due to the bad state of the ground caused by continued wet weather.

                                30th October 1915  newcomers inspected

                                30th Oct 1915  Shell Damage

                                30th Oct 1915  Training & Route March

                                30th Oct 1915  Attacks Repelled

                                30th Oct 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                30th Oct 1915  Fatigues

                                30th Oct 1915  Training

                                30th of October 1915  Ready to Go

                                30th Oct 1915  New HQ

                                30th of October 1915  Work

                                30th October 1915  Work Done

                                30th Oct 1915  Courses

                                30th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Oct 1915  Recce

                                30th Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                30th of October 1915 

                                30th Oct 1915  At Rest

                                30th Oct 1915  Under Shellfire

                                30th Oct 1915  Wet Weather

                                30th Oct 1915  Bombing

                                30th Oct 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                30th Oct 1915  In Billets

                                30th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Oct 1915  Defence Works

                                30th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Oct 1915  On the Move

                                30th of October 1915  Working Party

                                30th of October 1915  Suzanne Shelled

                                30th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                30th October 1915  Battalion route march.

                                30th Oct 1915  Training

                                30th October 1915  Moved up to A2 sub section

                                30th of October 1915  Bath Time

                                30th Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                30th October 1915  Reliefs

                                30th October 1915  Relievfs

                                30th Oct 1915  New Positions

                                30th October 1915  Casualties

                                30th Oct 1915  On the March

                                31st October 1915 Hostile Shell Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA are situated at Loos, Chalk Pit and our first Front Line trenches were again shelled and we retaliated. At 1435 there was hostile shell fire near the gun positions of the 15th and 17th London Batteries. The officer’s dugout of the 15th London Battery were knocked in. Capt R.A. Corsan had to be dug out, but he was uninjured. Leave of absence was increased to 6 men per Brigade weekly. The 17th London Battery moved their Wagon Line. There will be a concentration of fire at 0230 and 0515 tomorrow morning.

                                31st October 1915  Church Service

                                31st Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                31st Oct 1914  Desparate Attacks

                                31st Oct 1915  Instruction

                                31st Oct 1915  Reinforcements

                                31st Oct 1915  Training

                                31st Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                31st Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                31st Oct 1915  Training

                                31st of October 1915  Off to Salonika

                                31st Oct 1915  Enemy Active

                                31st of October 1915  Orders

                                31st October 1915  Casualties

                                14th to 31st October 1915  Working Parties

                                31st Oct 1915  In the Trenches

                                31st Oct 1915  Experiment

                                31st Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                31st Oct 1915  Dugouts

                                31st Oct 1915  Church Parade

                                31st of October 1915 

                                31st Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                31st Oct 1915  Wet Weather

                                31st of October 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                31st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Oct 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                31st Oct 1915  Inspection

                                31st Oct 1915  In Billets

                                31st Oct 1915  In Reserve

                                31st Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                31st Oct 1915  Defence Works

                                31st Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                31st of October 1915  A Fine Day

                                31st of October 1915   Unusual Activity

                                31st Oct 1915  Working Parties

                                31st October 1915  Divine Service

                                31st of October 1915  A Long Spell

                                31st Oct 1915  Poor Conditions

                                31st October 1915  In Front Line trenches

                                31st Oct 1915  Quiet

                                31st of October 1915  Divine Service and Work

                                31st Oct 1915  Reliefs

                                31st October 1915  Distribution End of October 1915

                                31st October 1915  In trenches.

                                31st October 1915  In trenches.

                                31st October 1915  Two escaped Russian soldiers reported

                                31st Oct 1915  New Positions

                                31st October 1915  Church Parades.

                                31st Oct 1915  On the March

                                8th Oct 1915  Telegram

                                Nov 1915  On the Move

                                1st Nov 1915 NGF Gloucester Road, Croyden opens.  National Gauge Factory Gloucester Road, Croyden, Surrey started in November 1915 for production of gauges. It was under the direct control of Vidal Engineering Co.

                                1st Nov 1915 NSF Stanley Street, Workington opens.  National Shell Factory Stanley Street, Workington, started up in November 1915, produing 18-pdr. Shell, base plates. First output was in August 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Nov 1915 NPF Aisne Factory, Renfrew opens.  Aisne Factory, Renfrew, Renfrewshire was a National Projectile Factory which started up in November 1915 for the production of 60-pdr. Shell. First output was May 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Nov 1915 NSF Clyde Street, Bootle opens.  Clyde Street, Bottle, Liverpool, Lanchashire was a National Shell Factory which started up in November 1915. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st November 1915 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that from 0230 to 0515 all Batteries fired 8 rounds per gun, beginning with a salvo on hostile trenches. At 1800 and 1855 all Batteries concentrated fire on trenches Hotel.25.d.1.0, Hotel.31.b.2.4 There was very heavy shelling of our Front Line and communication trenches throughout the day, especially the Chalk Pit. On two occasions, when British and French artillery retaliated, German fire stopped, but on another occasion they continued.

                                Gallantry Award: "Under authority granted by His Majesty the King, the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief, appointed the under mentioned Officer to be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Major Adrian Charles Gordon, 16th County of London Battery, RFA, 6th London Brigade RFA, in recognition of services rendered at Loos on the 25th and 26th September 1915."

                                1st November 1915 Pioneering work  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

                                A Royal Engineers Field Company was placed under the command of No 2 Company, possibly to operate a saw-mill and speed up the supply of timber components for the defence lines. Other work taken on by the Battalion made it necessary to attach a Royal Engineer Signalling Company to No 1 Company under Captain Shepperd to assist with overall communications.

                                An inspection of work on the 22nd November resulted in further work responsibilities over another 8 miles of trenches in the direction of Toutencourt to Authie and reconstruction of rain damaged trenches near Arqueues.

                                It was a bitterly cold winter but the work had to continue and the men were issued with sheepskin and goatskin coats (jerkins) which helped in the biting winds. They also built new stables for the transport animals which had to stand out at night.

                                Snow fell on the 15th November followed by a thaw with melting snow and heavy rain making working conditions much more difficult. Unlike their comrades in the forward trenches the men could return to warm and dry billets at night. There was an inspection by the ADMS on the 18th November as concern mounted regarding the health of the men working in such difficult conditions. (Assistant Director of Medical Services).

                                On Sunday 28th November the Battalion had a whole day off. It was a fine day and the roads were frost bound and easy for walking so visits to local villages took place in pleasant surroundings.

                                1st November 1915  provide Working Party

                                1st November 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                1st to 15th November - with 5th Cavalry Brigade in reserve at Huquelliers. The time was spent in training young NCOs in map reading and signalling. Giving instruction to a squad of young gunners in gun drill laying. The horses besides their ordinary exercises did draught parade and a good many fatigues in drawing material for horse standings.

                                12th Nov. - Lt MN Dewing RFA joined the Battery (attached) from the Royal Military Academy Woolwich.

                                November 1915 On the Move  No 17 Squadron proceeded to Egypt in November.

                                1st Nov 1915  Ships Collide

                                1st Nov 1915  Recomendation

                                1st Nov 1915  Please send Cake

                                1st Nov 1915  Lectures & Bathing

                                1st Nov 1915  Miners at Work

                                1st Nov 1915  The Name of the Guards

                                1st Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Nov 1915  All Saints Day

                                1st Nov 1915  Changes in Command

                                1st Nov 1915  Relief

                                1st Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                1st November 1915  Routine work

                                1st November 1915  The Bluff

                                1st Nov 1915  Shelling

                                1st November 1915  Ammunition

                                1st November 1915  Warnings

                                1st November 1915  Working Parties

                                1st Nov 1915  Courses

                                1st Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Nov 1915  Shelling

                                1st Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                1st of November 1915  Marching Orders

                                1st Nov 1915  Poor Weather

                                1st Nov 1915  Poor Weather

                                1st Nov 1915  In Billets

                                1st Nov 1915  Relief Completed

                                1st Nov 1915  Defences

                                1st Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                1st Nov 1915  At Rest

                                Nov 1915  Reorganisation

                                Nov 1915  Move

                                Nov 1915  Move

                                1st of November 1915   Very Wet Dugouts

                                1st Nov 1915  Training

                                1st of November 1915  In Reserve

                                1st November 1915  Company Training

                                1st of November 1915  East Surreys Shoot German

                                1st Nov 1915  In Billets

                                1st Nov 1915  Field Artillery in Action

                                1st November 1915  Football Match

                                1st of November 1915  Terrible weather

                                1st November 1915  Quiet

                                Nov 1915  Move

                                1st November 1915  In Front Line trenches A2 Sub-Section.

                                1st Nov 1915  At Rest

                                1st Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                1st of November 1915  Digging

                                1st Nov 1915  Bad Weather

                                1st November 1915  Orders

                                1st November 1915  Wounded German prisoner.

                                1st November 1915 

                                1st November 1915  Heavily shelled.

                                1st November 1915  Reliefs Complete.

                                Nov 1915  On the Move

                                1st November 1915  Heavy Rain and Mud

                                2nd November 1915  Artillery Activity

                                2nd November 1915  Heavy Rain

                                2nd Nov 1915  Canadian Troops arrive

                                2nd Nov 1915  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                2nd Nov 1915  Lectures & Bathing

                                2nd Nov 1915 

                                2nd Nov 1915  Convoy Arrives

                                2nd Nov 1915  Wet

                                2nd Nov 1915  Heavy Rain

                                2nd Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                2nd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Nov 1915  Awards

                                2nd November 1915  Shelling

                                2nd Nov 1915  Sanitation

                                2nd November 1915  Ammunition

                                2nd of November 1915 

                                2nd November 1915  Ammunition Allotment

                                2nd Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Nov 1915  Poor Weather

                                2nd Nov 1915  Inspection

                                2nd Nov 1915  Wet Weather

                                2nd of November 1915 

                                2nd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Nov 1915  Poor Weather

                                2nd Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Nov 1915  Wet Day

                                2nd Nov 1915  Very Wet

                                2nd of November 1915  Dugouts Fall In

                                2nd Nov 1915  Inspection

                                2nd of December 1915  Into Billets

                                2nd of November 1915  Heavy Transport

                                2nd Nov 1915  In Billets

                                2nd Nov 1915  Wet Day

                                2nd November 1915  Heavy Rain

                                2nd of November 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Nov 1915  Very Wet

                                2nd Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                2nd of November 1915  Relief

                                2nd Nov 1915  Bad Weather

                                2nd November 1915  Query

                                2nd November 1915  Orders

                                2nd November 1915  Equivalent to our 'Very' pistol

                                2nd November 1915  Casualties

                                2nd November 1915  Trenches are very muddy.

                                2nd November 1915  New Paths Continue to Sink into the Mud

                                3rd November 1915 Hostile Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report: Throughout the day there was considerable shelling of our Front Line, particularly in section A2, by light field guns and howitzers. As yesterday, hostile field gun fire was effectively stopped by our field gun fire, but hostile fire from howitzers continued. 2/Lt W.J. O’Malley, 6th London Ammunition Column attached to the 15th London Battery during absence on leave of 2/Lt A.F. Blackwell.

                                3rd November 1915  new CO

                                3rd November 1915  Elnes

                                3rd November 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ52 (L18)

                                • Production Ref: LZ52
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: L18
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 3rd November 1915

                                History.

                                Destroyed in a shed fire at Tondern during refuelling on the 17th November 1915.

                                3rd Nov 1915  At Rest Camp

                                3rd Nov 1915  At Rest Camp

                                3rd Nov 1915  Cargo Ship Lost

                                3rd Nov 1915  Collecting Rations

                                3rd Nov 1915  Training & Route March

                                3rd Nov 1915  Wet and Miserable

                                3rd Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                3rd Nov 1915  Artillery Active

                                3rd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                3rd Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd November 1915  Reinforcements

                                3rd Nov 1915  Quieter

                                3rd of November 1915 

                                3rd November 1915  Working Party

                                3rd Nov 1915  Reinforcements

                                3rd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                3rd Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Nov 1915  Wet Weather

                                3rd of November 1915  Moving to Billets

                                3rd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                3rd Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                3rd Nov 1915  Fatigue Party

                                3rd Nov 1915  Very Wet Weather

                                3rd Nov 1915  On the March

                                3rd Nov 1915  Training

                                3rd of November 1915  Repairing Dugouts

                                3rd Nov 1915  Training

                                3rd of November 1915  Leave

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                3rd of November 1915  Wire Cutting

                                3rd Nov 1915  In Billets

                                3rd Nov 1915  Shelling

                                3rd November 1915  Practice attacks

                                3rd of November 1915  Rain

                                3rd November 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd November 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd of November 1915  Trenches Collapsing

                                3rd Nov 1915  Bad Weather

                                3rd November 1915  Trench Boards

                                3rd November 1915  Moved to Old German Front Line.

                                3rd November 1915  Shelled fairly heavily

                                3rd November 1915  Heavy Rain and Muddy Conditions Hamper Training Efforts

                                4th November 1915 Bad Light  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the light was bad for observation until 1100. In future our Artillery will only retaliate at the request of our Infantry. A.1 was again shelled during the day, but no request was received by the 15th London Battery to fire, nor by the 17th London Battery. The 16th London Battery retaliated at the request of Infantry. There was less shelling than on previous days.

                                4th November 1915  Horses Inspected

                                4th Nov 1915  In Action

                                4th Nov 1915  Transport Shelled

                                4th Nov 1915  Blizzard

                                4th Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                4th Nov 1915  Drill & Route March

                                4th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                4th Nov 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                4th Nov 1915  Under Shellfire

                                4th Nov 1915  Working Parties & Football

                                4th Nov 1915  On the March

                                4th November 1915  Sniper activity

                                4th Nov 1915  Consolidation

                                4th Nov 1915  Supplies

                                4th November 1915  Reliefs

                                4th November 1915  Orders

                                4th November 1915  Training Programme

                                4th November 1915  Reserve Trench

                                4th Nov 1915  Courses

                                4th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                4th Nov 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                4th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                4th of November 1915  More Moves

                                4th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                4th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                4th Nov 1915  Very Wet

                                4th Nov 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                4th of November 1915   Relief and Repairs

                                4th Nov 1915  Training

                                4th of November 1915  Bugle Calls

                                4th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                4th Nov 1915  Foggy

                                4th November 1915  Parades

                                4th of November 1915  New draft arrive

                                4th November 1915  In Support trenches

                                4th of November 1915   Trench Repairs

                                4th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                4th November 1915  A supply of forms

                                3rd November 1915  4th Corps. No.5120A.

                                4th November 1915  Remained in Old German Front Line.

                                4th November 1915  Reliefs

                                4th November 1915  Advanced Warning Received to Move to Trenches

                                4th Nov 1915  Orders

                                4th Nov 1915  Orders

                                5th November 1915  Cartridges Accidentally Ignited

                                5th November 1915  CO visits Working Parties

                                5th Nov 1915   No 27 Squadron formed at Hounslow on the 5th of November 1915 from a nucleus of staff from No. 24 Squadron.

                                5th Nov 1915  Courage to the End

                                5th Nov 1915  Steamer Sunk

                                5th Nov 1915  Inspections & Working Parties

                                5th Nov 1915  4th Yorks Relieve 5th Yorks

                                5th Nov 1915  Rumours of Move

                                5th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                5th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                5th Nov 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                5th of November 1915  Training

                                5th November 1915  Trench repairs

                                5th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                5th Nov 1915  In Harbour

                                5th November 1915  Working Parties

                                5th Nov 1915  Training

                                5th Nov 1915  Accident

                                5th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                5th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                5th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                5th Nov 1915  Snipers

                                5th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                5th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                5th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                5th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                5th of November 1915  Relief Completed

                                5th of November 1915  MG Fire Causes Confusion

                                5th Nov 1915  Relief Complete

                                5th Nov 1915  Orders Received

                                5th November 1915  Accident

                                5th of November 1915  Stopped raining

                                Nov 1915  On the Move

                                5th November 1915  Relieved 6th Battalion in A1 Sub-Section.

                                5th of November 1915   Artillery Busy

                                5th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                5th November 1915  Reliefs

                                5th November 1915  Quiet day.

                                5th Nov 1915  Message

                                5th Nov 1915  Exercise

                                6th November 1915  Dense Mist

                                6th November 1915  C Sqd Horses Inspected

                                6th Nov 1915  Fire on Board

                                6th Nov 1915  Enemy Tricks

                                6th Nov 1915  Legend Lost

                                6th Nov 1915  Shocking Shells

                                6th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                6th Nov 1915  Preparation for Move

                                6th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                6th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Nov 1915  Accident

                                6th November 1915  Frosty

                                6th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                6th November 1915  Report

                                6th November 1915  Work Done

                                6th November 1915  Allotment

                                6th November 1915  Move

                                6th Nov 1915  Training

                                6th Nov 1915  Policing

                                6th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                6th Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                6th of November 1915  Brigade Movements

                                6th Nov 1915  Fog

                                6th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                6th of November 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                6th Nov 1915  Lecture

                                6th Nov 1915  Defences

                                6th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                6th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                6th Nov 1915  Training

                                6th of November 1915  Trenches Bad

                                6th of November 1915   Heavies in Action

                                6th Nov 1915  Poor Conditions

                                6th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                6th November 1915  Football Final

                                6th of November 1915  Trench repairs

                                6th November 1915  Shelled intermittently all day.

                                6th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                6th of November 1915  Patrols Out

                                6th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                6th November 1915  Remained in trenches.

                                6th November 1915  Quiet day

                                6th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                6th Nov 1915  Advance Party

                                7th November 1915 Gum Boots Issued  6th County of London Brigade RFA report at the following times shelling took place with two salvoes per Battery 2030, 2200, 2300, 0100, 0300 and 0400. 15th Battery fired at H.25.d.2.1, H.25.d.0.3, H.25.d.0.7, H.25.d.5.9 16th Battery fired at H.26.c.0.7, H.26.c.3.9 17th Battery fired at H.25.b.6.4, H.25.b.9.6, H.25.b.5.10, H.19.d.1.7

                                The following message was received from the 47th Divisional Artillery. "The intermittent bombardment which has taken place during the last few days is to cease and short bombardments will take place instead".

                                The weather was again foggy and observation difficult. At 1600 Bombardment of trench H.13.d.2.5, H.13.d.5.5 by all batteries of the 6th London Brigade RFA. Lt. Col. R.W. Christie RFA having returned from leave, resumed command of Christie Group. Gum boots were issued to batteries for use of telephonists and linesmen.

                                7th November 1915  Church Parade & working Parties

                                7th Nov 1915 Squadron Formed  No 28 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 7th of November 1915 from a nucleus from 22 Squadron. It moved shortly afterwards to Fort Rowner aerodrome.

                                7th Nov 1915  Liner Sunk

                                7th Nov 1915  Cruiser sunk

                                7 November 1915  Enemy Machine Destroyed

                                7th Nov 1915  Gaza Captured

                                7th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                7th Nov 1915  A Large Bag of Higgledy-piggledy

                                7th Nov 1915  Not Downhearted

                                7th Nov 1915  5th Yorks Relieve 5th DLI

                                7th Nov 1915  Squadron Formed

                                7th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                7th Nov 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Nov 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                7th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                7th November 1915 

                                7th Nov 1915  Accident

                                7th November 1915  Orders

                                7th November 1915  Orders Issued

                                7th November 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Nov 1915  Training

                                7th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                7th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                7th of November 1915  Present Stations

                                7th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                7th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                7th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                7th of November 1915  Very Quiet

                                7th Nov 1915  Attachment Ends

                                7th of November 1915  Gun is Bulged

                                7th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                7th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                7th November 1915  Divine Service.

                                7th of November 1915  Trench Work

                                7th November 1915  New Horses Arrive

                                7th November 1915  Heavily shelled all day.

                                7th of November 1915  More Repairs

                                7th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                7th November 1915  Operation Order No.40.

                                7th November 1915  Casualties :- 1 O.R. Wounded.

                                7th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                7th Nov 1915  Advance Party

                                8th November 1915 Heavy Enemy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA reports Lt Col A.C. Lowe DSO proceeded to England on 10 days leave of absence. At 0630, 0640, 0715 short bombardments took place of crossroads in H.26.c and about 100 yards along each road. At 1430, 2110 and 2200, there were short bombardments of trench H.13.d.2.5, H.13.d.8.5 There was heavy enemy shelling of the battery positions and the observation stations and the ground between them. 16th London Battery sustained 1 casualty and the 17th London Battery sustained 2, all slightly wounded. 16th London Battery spotted the flashes of 2 hostile batteries. The atmosphere was very clear and observation was very good. 2/Lt W.J. O’Malley, attached to the 15th London Battery, returned to the 6th London Ammunition Column.

                                8th November 1915  engaged in Mounted and Dismounted Work

                                8th Nov 1915 

                                8th Nov 1915 18th Manchesters proceed to France  An unseasonably warm day, 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment departed from Larkill Camp, they marched to Amesbury station to entrain for Folkestone and depart for France.

                                8th Nov 1915  Heavy Rain

                                8th Nov 1915  Parade and Route March

                                8th Nov 1915  A Pleasant Time

                                8th Nov 1915  Nothing Doing

                                8th Nov 1915  Cleaning

                                8th Nov 1915  Snipers Active

                                8th Nov 1915  Camp Visit

                                8th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                8th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Nov 1915   On the March

                                8th November 1915  Telescopic Rifle sucess

                                8th Nov 1915  Smoke

                                8th November 1915  Orders

                                8th November 1915  Orders

                                8th Nov 1915  Baths

                                8th Nov 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th Nov 1915  Working Parties & Baths

                                8th of November 1915  RE Reliefs

                                8th Nov 1915  Artillery Active

                                8th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                8th of November 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                8th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                8th Nov 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                8th Nov 1915  Baths

                                8th Nov 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                8th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                8th of November 1915   Visits and Shrapnel

                                8th of November 1915   A Newspaper Delivery

                                8th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                8th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                8th November 1915  Route March.

                                8th of November 1915  Church parade

                                8th November 1915  Battalion relieved by 15th Battalion

                                88th of November 1915   Patrols and Shelling

                                8th November 1915  Road Gangs. 'A' Section.

                                8th November 1915  Road gangs

                                8th November 1915  Battalion H.Q. is in Loos

                                8th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                8th November 1915  Inspection of billets.

                                8th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                8th November 1915  Battalion's Efforts Hampered by a Sea of Mud

                                8th Nov 1915  Inspection

                                8th Nov 1915  Orders

                                9th November 1915  Hostile Batteries Observed

                                9th November 1915  in Billets

                                9th Nov 1915  Bombing

                                9th Nov 1915  Training

                                9th Nov 1915  Tea at the Nurses' Club

                                9th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                9th Nov 1915  Artillery Active

                                9th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                9th November 1915  Trench repairs

                                9th November 1915  Trench cleaning

                                9th Nov 1915  Work Continues

                                9th Nov 1915  Reinforcements

                                9th Nov 1915  Attack Made

                                9th November 1915  Ammunition

                                9th November 1915  Move

                                9th Nov 1915  Training

                                9th Nov 1915  Poor Dugouts

                                9th of November 1915 

                                9th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Nov 1915  Sickness

                                9th Nov 1915  Artillery in Acton

                                9th Nov 1915  Promotion

                                9th Nov 1915  Orders Received

                                9th Nov 1915  Working Party

                                9th Nov 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                9th Nov 1915  On the March

                                9th of November 1915   A Difficult Relief

                                9th of November 1915   Orders

                                9th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                9th Nov 1915  High Winds

                                9th November 1915  Battalion practice

                                9th of November 1915  Working parties

                                9th November 1915  Snow

                                9th November 1915  In Reserve trenches.

                                9th of November 1915  Baths

                                9th November 1915  Men suffering from frost bite

                                9th November 1915  Box to carry dinners

                                9th November 1915  In Support Line.

                                9th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                9th November 1915  Very wet, no parades.

                                9th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                10th November 1915 Short Bombardments  6th County of London Brigade RFA in action. 1400 Short bombardment of trenches around Wood VI (H.25.d). 2100 Short bombardment of tracks running from H.20.a.5.1 and H.20.c.4.8 to H.20 central. In retaliation for the latter bombardment, Germans shelled Chalk Pit. The shooting was bad. 16th and 17th London Batteries each observed flashes of hostile batteries.

                                10th November 1915  Elnes

                                10th Nov 1915  Casualties in 2nd Worcesters

                                10th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                10th Nov 1915  Shells in France

                                10th Nov 1915  Training

                                10th Nov 1915  Order to Entrain

                                10th Nov 1915  Nurses to Remain

                                10th Nov 1915  On the March

                                10th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                10th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                10th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                10th November 1915 

                                10th Nov 1915  Construction Work

                                10th November 1915  Shelling

                                10th November 1915  Reserve

                                10th November 1915  Orders

                                10th November 1915  Orders

                                10th November 1915  On the March

                                10th November 1915  Billet shelled

                                10th Nov 1915  Training

                                10th Nov 1915  Registration

                                10th of November 1915  Quiet

                                10th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Nov 1915  Heavy Rain

                                10th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Nov 1915  Orders Received

                                10th Nov 1915  Ready

                                10th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Nov 1915  In Position

                                10th of November 1915  In Billets

                                10th of November 1915  Enemy Explode Mine

                                10th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                10th Nov 1915  In Action

                                10th November 1915  Training

                                10th of November 1915  Working parties

                                10th of November 1915   Working Parties

                                10th November 1915  Bombardments

                                10th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                7th November 1915  Reliefs

                                10th November 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                10th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                11th November 1915 Fortified mound observed  6th County of London Brigade RFA fired at 0555, a Short bombardment of all field guns on their night lines. At 1630 a Short bombardment of H.20.c.6.5, H.26.a.9.9 (suspected light high velocity guns). Railway Alley was again shelled at intervals during the day. 17th London Battery observed flashes of hostile guns, and observed a mound strongly fortified, evidently made of reinforced concrete. The report made about this mound by the OC. 17th Lon Battery was republished in its entirety in IV Corps intelligence summary.

                                11th November 1915  Work Party Reliefs

                                11th Nov 1915  Route March

                                11th Nov 1915  Route March

                                11th Nov 1915  Final Preparations

                                11th Nov 1915  Inky Blackness

                                11th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                11th Nov 1915  Billets

                                11th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                11th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                11th November 1915  Reinforcements

                                11th November 1915  Rest at Camp A

                                11th Nov 1915  Sniping

                                11th November 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Nov 1915  Route March

                                11th Nov 1915  In Camp

                                11th of November 1915 

                                11th Nov 1915  Baths

                                11th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                11th Nov 1915  Ready to Move

                                11th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Nov 1915  Training

                                11th of November 1915   Inspections

                                11th of November 1915  Training

                                11th of November 1915  Persistent Shelling

                                11th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                11th November 1915  Route March

                                11th of November 1915  Trench foot

                                11th of November 1915  Working Parties

                                11th November 1915  Orders

                                11th November 1915  Battalion H.Q. heavily shelled.

                                11th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                11th November 1915  Shelled slightly by Enemy

                                11th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                11th November 1915  Somersets Relieve 7th Rifle Brigade

                                12th November 1915  Quiet Day

                                12th November 1915  Heavy Rain

                                12th Nov 1915 SS Moorside lost  The SS Moorside was lost whilst sailing from Leith for France loaded with coal. She sank with Breakwater Buoy bearing S by W, 8 lives were lost including the Master. She was owned by T H Catcheside & Co was registered in Newcastle

                                12th Nov 1915  In Divisional Reserve

                                12th Nov 1915  Inspection & Bathing

                                12th Nov 1915  18th Middlesex proceed to France

                                12th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                12th Nov 1915  In Comfortable Quarters

                                12th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Nov 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                12th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Nov 1915  Bad Weather

                                12th November 1915  Routine parades

                                12th November 1915  Stormy

                                12th Nov 1915  Drainage

                                12th November 1915  On the Move

                                12th Nov 1915  On the March

                                12th Nov 1915  Very Wet Day

                                12th Nov 1915  Very Wet Day

                                12th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Nov 1915  Advance Party

                                12th of November 1915 

                                12th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                12th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                12th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Nov 1915  Engineering

                                12th of November 1915   Inspections and Training

                                12th of November 1915   A Quiet Day

                                12th Nov 1915  Heavy Rain

                                12th November 1915  Wet day.

                                12th of November 1915  Baths

                                12th November 1915  Posen Alley in very bad state.

                                12th of November 1915   Trench Repairs

                                12th November 1915  Instructions for Entrainment

                                12th November 1915  Bombardments

                                12th November 1915  Handcarts

                                12th November 1915  Remained in trenches.

                                12th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                12th November 1915  Quiet day.

                                12th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                12th November 1915  Gale Force Winds

                                13th November 1915 Slow Bombarment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from 0900 a slow bombardment took place lasting 1 hour, in conjunction with No 1 Group Heavy Artillery Reserve, of frontline trenches H.25.b.9.5, H.25.d.0.9 and communication trench in H.2A.a. At 1450 and 1500 Woods 3 and 4 were bombarded.

                                13th November 1915  A Sqd Horses Inspected

                                13th Nov 1915  Experiences Related

                                13th Nov 1915  Engineer Honoured

                                13th Nov 1915  Communications Cut

                                13th Nov 1915  Kitchener Visits Trenches

                                13th Nov 1915  On the March

                                13th Nov 1915  Recent Fighting the Worst

                                13th Nov 1915  18th Middlesex at Docks

                                13th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                13th Nov 1915  Wet Day

                                13th Nov 1915  On the March

                                13th Nov 1915  Story of the Attack

                                13th Nov 1915  Frosty

                                13th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                13th Nov 1915  On the March

                                13th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                13th November 1915  Relief to Camp A

                                13th Nov 1915  Broomstick Bombs

                                13th Nov 1915  Reinforcements

                                13th November 1915  Training Programme

                                13th Nov 1915  Move

                                13th Nov 1915  Very Wet Day

                                13th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                13th of November 1915 

                                13th Nov 1915  Wet Day

                                13th Nov 1915  Bombing

                                13th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                13th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                  Rifleman AWOL

                                13th of November 1915  Sausages Fired

                                13th Nov 1915  In the Line

                                13th November 1915  Training

                                13th of November 1915  Working parties

                                13th November 1915  Rained steadily all day.

                                13th of November 1915   Draining Land

                                13th November 1915  Defence scheme.

                                13th November 1915  Operational Order No.42.

                                13th November 1915  Operational Order 43.

                                13th November 1915  Schedule of Movement.

                                13th November 1915  Casualties :- 2 O.R. Wounded.

                                13th November 1915  Route cancelled

                                13th Nov 1915  Wet Day

                                13th November 1915  Billets in Noeuy Les Mines.

                                13th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                13th November 1915  Worsening Weather Impacts Working Parties

                                14th November 1915 6th London Bde RFA prepare for Relief  6th County of London Brigade RFA report: At 0545 and 0605 bombardment of trenches H.19.b.5.4, Puits 13 bis and H.19.b.8.4, H.20.c.4.8 took place. At 1545 bombardment of trench southwest of Hulluch, H.13.d.2.10, H.13.d.2.5 also occurred. The remainder of the 18 pounder equipment, 6 guns and 12 wagons for batteries together with 6 wagons for Brigade Ammunition Column, which was due to arrive by 1400 at Noeux les Mines station arrived at 2100 and having been detrained, were parked in an adjacent field for the night. The first allotment of 18 pounders and equipment which had arrived 10 days ago, were taken today by road to Auchel, there to await the arrival of the Brigade on coming out of action. Then 2nd instalment of 18 pounder guns, which arrived today, were collected by Batteries. 2/Lt M.V. Eddis 2/6 London Brigade RFA, reported for duty from England and was attached to the 15th London Battery.

                                14th November 1915  Church Parade

                                14th November 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ58 (LZ88, L25)

                                • Production Ref: LZ58
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ88, L25
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 14th November 1915

                                History.

                                Carried out 14 reconnaissance missions and 3 attacks dropping a total 4,249 kg (9,367 lb) of bombs along the Western Front. In January 1917 it was handed to the German Navy who used it for experimental purposes and it was decommissioned in September 1917.

                                14th Nov 1915  Officers inspect Trenches

                                14th Nov 1915  18th Middlesex proceed to France

                                14th Nov 1915  AVC Man Accidentally Killed

                                14th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                14th Nov 1915  Training and Football

                                14th Nov 1915  Sniping

                                14th Nov 1915   Quiet

                                14th November 1915  On the Move

                                14th November 1915  Bomb Slinger arrives

                                14th November 1915  Bomb Slinger

                                14th Nov 1915  HQ Completed

                                14th Nov 1915  Entertainment

                                14th Nov 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                14th Nov 1915  Change of Camp

                                14th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                14th of November 1915  Trench Instruction

                                14th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                14th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                14th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                14th Nov 1915  Hard Frost

                                14th of November 1915   A Fine Day

                                14th of November 1915  On the Move

                                14th of November 1915  A Flag Removed

                                14th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                14th November 1915  Divine Service.

                                14th of November 1915  Working parties

                                14th November 1915  Reliefs

                                14th of November 1915  Church Parade

                                14th November 1915  Training while Brigade is in Rest Billets

                                14th November 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                14th November 1915  Billets crowded.

                                14th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                14th November 1915  Weather Clearing

                                15th November 1915  Batteries Relieved

                                15th November 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force.

                                All Batteries tested timing switches by actually firing and carried on registering of Division Zone. Day was generally quiet. Bombardment of Snout provoked a little retaliation. At 1430 hostile aeroplanes were unusually daring and nonplussed observers which let one machine fly almost unmolested 1500 feet over I.26, 27 and Valley Cottages. New enemy work at I.19.c.1.4 and I.30.b.8.0 has progressed. Activity round a camouflet near hilly place suggests offensive Sapping operations, ultimate intention probably being to jump our front line and command reverse slope of ridge. (Note: sapping is constructing trenches forward from the front line towards enemy positions,usually as listening posts or, as suggested here, jumping off points for attacking troops, getting them nearer to enemy lines under cover). (Further note: a camouflet is a chamber created by explosives underground without breaking the surface (which would be a crater)).

                                15th November 1915  Preparing to Move

                                15th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                15th Nov 1915  To Reach a Field Ambulance

                                15th Nov 1915  On the March

                                15th Nov 1915  To Rest Camp

                                15th Nov 1915  A Narrow Sqeak

                                15th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                15th Nov 1915  Frosty

                                15th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                15th Nov 1915  Cold Weather

                                15th Nov 1915  Attack

                                15th Nov 1915  Artillery Active

                                15th November 1915  In the trenches

                                15th November 1915  Quiet

                                15th Nov 1915  Snipers

                                15th Nov 1915  Training

                                15th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                15th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                15th Nov 1915  Snipers

                                15th of November 1915  Further Trench Instruction

                                15th Nov 1915  Snipers

                                15th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                15th of November 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                15th Nov 1915  Storm

                                15th Nov 1915  Heavy Shelling

                                15th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                15th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                15th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                15th of November 1915  Fatigue Parties

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial and men transfer to RFC

                                15th of November 1915  Heavy Snow

                                15th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                15th November 1915  Training

                                15th of November 1915  Working parties

                                15th November 1915  Reliefs

                                15th November 1915  Marched to Noeux Les Mines

                                15th of November 1915  Trench Repairs

                                15th November 1915  Battalion left Mazingarbe

                                15th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                15th November 1915  C.O. on leave.

                                15th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                15th November 1915  Bad Weather Continues

                                16th November 1915 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA sections which arrived at Noeux les Mines last night, parked their 15pdrs near the station, dumped their 15pounderdr ammunition in a selected spot and, having taken over their 18pounders which arrived on Sunday last, proceeded to Auchel to rest. The remaining sections of the 15th, 16th & 17th London Batteries were relieved at 1630 and proceeded to Noeux les Mines, where they remained for the night.

                                16th November 1915  Change of Billets

                                16th Nov 1915 Sheffield City Battalion move to Larkhill  The 12th York and Lancs Battalion move from Hurcott Camp to Larkhill for parts 3 and 4 of the Musketry course. Each man was issued with his own SMLE Rifle and the course included firing from trenches as well as on the traditional ranges. A few days after arriving at Larkhill an order was received to prepare to proceed to France.

                                16th November 1915  On the March

                                16th Nov 1915  New Pioneers

                                16th Nov 1915  Amusing Experiences

                                16th Nov 1915  Manning Posts

                                16th Nov 1915  18th Middlesex On the Move

                                16th Nov 1915  Trench Raid

                                16th Nov 1915  Attack Supported

                                16th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                16th Nov 1915  Concert

                                16th Nov 1915  Drill

                                16th Nov 1915  New Billets

                                16th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Nov 1915   Into Billets

                                16th November 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Nov 1915  Thunder Storm

                                16th November 1915  Pioneers

                                16th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                16th Nov 1915  Raid

                                16th of November 1915 

                                16th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                16th Nov 1915  Counter Attack

                                16th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                16th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                16th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                16th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                16th of November 1915   New Billets

                                16th of November 1915  Reliefs

                                16th of November 1915  A Spy Killed

                                16th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                16th November 1915  Route March.

                                16th of November 1915  Gas training

                                16th November 1915  In billets in Rue De Bethune.

                                16th November 1915  Move

                                16th of November 1915   An Enemy Mine

                                16th November 1915  In billets at Lillers.

                                16th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                16th November 1915  Major J.C. Russel 9th H.H. joins

                                16th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                16th November 1915  Orders Received to Move

                                16th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                17th November 1915 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA having parked their 15 pounder guns and ammunition at Noeux les Mines station, the sections relieved last night proceeded to Auchel to rest. Brigade Headquarters moved to Auchel. A small loading party was left at Noeux les Mines. Major H. Bayley DSO proceeded to England on 12 days leave of absence.

                                17th November 1915  Move

                                17th November 1915 Reserve position  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                17th to 28th November - with 5th Cavalry Brigade in Reserve at Ergny. During most of this time with snow, frost and cold winds and there was difficulty in getting the horses exercised.

                                17th Nov 1915  Infantry Assault

                                17th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Nov 1915  Into Billets

                                17th Nov 1915  Oxford Hussars on the Move

                                17th Nov 1915  Platoon Training

                                17th Nov 1915  Drill

                                17th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                17th November 1915  Second Party to Trenches

                                17th November 1915  Snipers active

                                17th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Nov 1915  Inspection

                                17th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Nov 1915  Orders

                                17th Nov 1915  Premature

                                17th of November 1915  36th Division joins 13th Army Corps

                                17th Nov 1915  Artillery Active

                                17th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Nov 1915  Storm

                                17th Nov 1915  In Camp

                                17th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                17th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                17th Nov 1915  Artillery in Acton

                                17th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                17th of November 1915  Into Billets

                                17th November 1915  Miserable Weather

                                17th of November 1915  Conference Held

                                17th November 1915  Brigade Route March

                                17th of November 1915  Working parties

                                17th November 1915  On the Move Again

                                17th November 1915  In billets.

                                17th of November 1915   Artillery Active

                                17th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                17th November 1915  Company parades

                                17th Nov 1915  On the March

                                17th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                18th November 1915 New equipment, Rest and Training  The complete 6th County of London Brigade has now relocated to Auchel and steps were immediately take to check the new 18 pounder equipment. The 18 pounder guns which had been parked at Auchel, under guard, since Sunday last, were fetched from the gun park. Thus the whole Brigade is now complete with 18 pounder guns and equipment. The addition of an attached officer per Battery has been sanctioned. 2/Lt M.G. Whitten & 2/Lt H.P. Barrow, 2/6th London Brigade RFA, having arrived from England were taken on the strength of the Brigade. 2/Lt M.G. Whitten was posted to the 16th London Battery and 2/Lt H.P. Barrow was attached to the 16th London Battery. 2/Lt M.V. Eddis was attached to the 15th London Battery and Lt H.L. Burgis attached to the 6th London Ammunition Column. Capt W. Cooper attached to 16th London Battery, rejoined 17th London Battery Capt R.A. Corsan returned from the Base to duty with 15th London Battery.

                                18th November 1915  Fire in Billet

                                18th Nov 1915  Short of Materials

                                18th Nov 1915  18th Middlesex on the March

                                18th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                18th Nov 1915  Band

                                18th Nov 1915  Graves Cared For

                                18th Nov 1915  On the March

                                18th Nov 1915  Training

                                18th Nov 1915  Downpour

                                18th Nov 1915   Into the Trenches

                                18th November 1915  Mortar attack

                                18th Nov 1915  Heavy Rain

                                18th Nov 1915  Course

                                18th Nov 1915  Baths

                                18th Nov 1915  Training

                                18th Nov 1915  Under Fire

                                18th of November 1915  Orders

                                18th Nov 1915  Flooding

                                18th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                18th Nov 1915  Enemy Aircraft

                                18th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                18th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                18th Nov 1915  Orders Received

                                18th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                18th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                18th of November 1915  A Working Party

                                18th of November 1915  Relief Complete

                                18th of November 1915  Transport Heard

                                18th November 1915  Football

                                18th of November 1915   Reliefs

                                18th November 1915  Settled in Sains-les-Fressins

                                18th of November 1915   Crater Blown

                                18th November 1915  Issue of Rice in lieu of biscuits

                                18th November 1915  Reporting flashes of Enemy gun fire

                                18th Nov 1915  Baths

                                18th November 1915  Preparing for move.

                                18th Nov 1915  On the March

                                18th November 1915  Orders Received to Relieve 71st Infantry Brigade

                                18th Nov 1915  Route March

                                19th November 1915 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt J.C. Woollett, 15th London Battery and 4 telephonists per unit proceeded to Marles les Mines on a course of instruction in telephony. Inspections of the 18 pounder equipment and clothing etc, was held by OC. Units. One man per unit sent to Headquarters IV Corps for course of advanced telephony.

                                19th November 1915  Training Conference

                                19th Nov 1914 

                                19th Nov 1915  Lucky Escape

                                19th Nov 1915  Minesweeper Lost

                                19th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                19th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                19th Nov 1915  Rescue of a Friend

                                19th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                19th Nov 1915 Nurse Appointed Matron  Miss Gertrude Inglis the the Kirkburton Parish Nurse was appointed as the matron of the Kirkburton Hospital, whilst continuing in her paid role. She was assisted by her sister, Miss Alice Inglis, also a fully qualified nurse, who had previously worked at St Agnes’ Hospital London. Both sisters would work at the hospital until its closure in December 1919. A third sister, Georgina, who lived in Inverness, deputised for both her sisters for holidays and sickness and worked approximately 2½ months each year.

                                19th Nov 1915  Drainage

                                19th Nov 1915  Trench Foot

                                19th November 1915  Trench repairs

                                19th Nov 1915  Dugouts Improved

                                19th November 1915  Leave

                                11th to 19th November 1915  Training

                                19th November 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                19th Nov 1915  Infection

                                19th Nov 1915  Route March

                                19th Nov 1915  Working Parties & Training

                                19th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of November 1915 

                                19th Nov 1915  Hard Frost

                                19th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                19th Nov 1915  Enemy Active

                                19th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                19th Nov 1915  Into Billets

                                19th Nov 1915  Inspection

                                19th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                19th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                19th of November 1915  Two Working Parties

                                19th of November 1915  Orders Issued

                                19th of November 1915  Another Flag Removed

                                19th November 1915  Practice in care of feet

                                19th of November 1915   Quiet in the trenches

                                19th of November 1915  Patrols

                                19th November 1915  Draft of 61 O.R. joined

                                19th Nov 1915  Baths

                                19th November 1915  Relieved 7th K.O.S.B. in Philosophe.

                                19th November 1915  Trenches in Poor Repair

                                19th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                20th November 1915 Instruction in gunnery  A course of Instruction in gunnery was held at the Headquarters of the 47th Divisional Ammunition Column under the superintendence of Capt F.J. Clarke RFA. The following officers of 6th London Brigade RFA attended Lt M.V. Eddie, 15th London Battery, 2/Lt H. Davis 16th London Battery and 2/Lt H.L. Burgis 6th London Ammunition Column. 4 NCOs per unit also attended the course. A section of guns were loaned for the course by each of the 15th & 16th London Batteries.

                                20th November 1915  Dismounted Squadron to be Organised

                                20th Nov 1915  Responsibility

                                20th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Nov 1915  On the March

                                20th Nov 1915  Children in Clogs

                                20th Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                20th Nov 1915  Football

                                20th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                20th Nov 1915  Funeral

                                20th Nov 1915  On the March

                                20th Nov 1915   Resting

                                20th November 1915  Trench Inspection

                                20th Nov 1915  Dugouts Improved

                                20th Nov 1915  Reorganisation

                                20th Nov 1915  Communications

                                20th Nov 1915  In Charge

                                20th Nov 1915  Change of Billets

                                20th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Nov 1915  Inspections

                                20th of November 1915 

                                20th Nov 1915  Patrol

                                20th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Nov 1915  Visits

                                20th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                20th Nov 1915  Orders

                                20th Nov 1915  Cleaning up

                                20th Nov 1915  Training

                                20th of November 1915   Trenches Visited

                                20th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                20th of November 1915  Enemy Guns Active

                                20th November 1915  Football Competition

                                20th of November 1915  Artillery Duel

                                20th of November 1915   Bathing

                                20th Nov 1915  Baths

                                20th November 1915  Slight shelling by the Enemy.

                                23rd Nov 1915  Equipment

                                20th Nov 1915  Awards

                                20th November 1915  Busy Day in the Trenches

                                20th Nov 1915  Difficult March

                                21st November 1915 Inspections and Regimental Sports  An Inspection of clothing was held by the OC. Brigade before the 6th London Brigade RFA took part in the instituted Divisional Service League Football Competition.

                                21st November 1915  Church Parade

                                21st Nov 1915  On the March

                                21st Nov 1915 

                                21st Nov 1915  Off Duty

                                21st Nov 1915  Training

                                21st Nov 1915  Very Cold

                                21st November 1915  Final Party on Fatigues

                                21st November 1915  Battalion relief

                                21st Nov 1915  Dugouts Improved

                                21st November 1915  Posting

                                21st Nov 1915  Reinforcements

                                21st Nov 1915  Route March

                                21st Nov 1915  On the March

                                21st Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                21st of November 1915  Move

                                21st Nov 1915  Quiet

                                21st Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                21st of November 1915  Leaving for the Western Front

                                20th Nov 1915  Recce

                                21st Nov 1915  In Billets

                                21st Nov 1915  Defences

                                21st Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Nov 1915  Training

                                21st of November 1915   In the Trenches

                                21st Nov 1915  On the Move

                                21st of November 1915  Patrol

                                21st November 1915  Semi-finals of the Football competition

                                21st of November 1915  Frost

                                21st November 1915  Reliefs.

                                21st of November 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                21st November 1915  Relieved 11th A. & S.H.

                                21st November 1915  A Quiet Day in the Cold

                                21st Nov 1915  Route March

                                22nd Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers arrived in France  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers disembark at Boulogne from Folkestone.

                                22nd Nov 1915 Fighting at Ctesiphon   The Battle of Ctesiphon began at dawn, with British Forces attacking the Ottoman defences on banks of the Tigris River in Mesopotamia.

                                In just 3 days 4,500 Indian soldiers would be killed or wounded fighting for Britain against the Turks in modern day Iraq. The ancient ruins of the Arabic palace were used as hospital to treat the wounded.

                                22nd Nov 1915 Gloucestershire Hussars return to Egypt  On November 22nd 1915 the Gloucestershire Hussars left Gallipoli sailed back to Alexandria.

                                22nd November 1915 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a course of Instruction in Military Correspondence, Indents etc. was instituted with lectures being given by S.M.J.T. Heed. All Subaltern officers are attending. The men are also having instruction in the following: shoeing, chiropody and cooking.

                                22nd November 1915  in Billets

                                22nd Nov 1915  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                22nd Nov 1915 Compensation Offered  The German Government offers compensation to the American families of those who lost a family member when the RMS Lusitania was sunk in May. America refuses this offer.

                                22nd Nov 1915  Company & Platoon Drill

                                22nd Nov 1915  Lethal Weapon

                                22nd Nov 1915  Pioneer Training

                                22nd Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                22nd Nov 1915  On the March

                                22nd Nov 1915   On the Move

                                22nd November 1915  Preparation

                                22nd Nov 1915  Entertainment

                                22nd Nov 1915  Dugouts Improved

                                22nd Nov 1915  Withdrawal

                                22nd November 1915  Instruction

                                22nd November 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Nov 1915  Reinforcements

                                22nd Nov 1915  Fog

                                22nd Nov 1915  On the March

                                22nd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd of November 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                22nd of November 1915  Leaving for the Western Front

                                22nd Nov 1915  New Billets

                                22nd Nov 1915  In Billets

                                22nd Nov 1915  Defences

                                22nd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Nov 1915  Training

                                22nd of November 1915  Snipers Active

                                22nd Nov 1915  On the Move

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                22nd of November 1915  Three Enemy Killed

                                22nd Nov 1915  Quiet

                                22nd November 1915  Orders Received

                                22nd of November 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd November 1915  In rest at Lillers.

                                22nd of November 1915  Draining Trenches

                                22nd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd November 1915  Slight shelling of Support Line

                                22nd November 1915  Cold Weather Continues

                                22nd Nov 1915  Equipment

                                23rd November 1915 Inspections and Promotions  6th County of London Brigade RFA, 15th & 16th London Batteries went on a route march, at the end of which their harness was inspected by the OC. Brigade. In the evening these units were invited to a Cinematograph Performance by the OC. Brigade.

                                The following promotions were gazetted

                                • Second Lieutenant to be temporary Lieutenant, dated July 28th
                                • C.E.H. Lloyd
                                • J.A.W. Petro
                                • A.F. Yencken
                                • J.H. Van den Bergh
                                • Dated August 20th
                                • V.C. Lucas
                                • J.C. Woollett
                                • A.F. Blackwell


                                23rd November 1915  Dismounted Squadrons Parade

                                23rd Nov 1915  Equipment

                                23rd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd Nov 1915  New Rifles Issued

                                23rd Nov 1915  Training

                                23rd Nov 1915  Gas Training

                                23rd Nov 1915  Training

                                23rd Nov 1915  Inspection

                                23rd Nov 1915  On the March

                                23rd Nov 1915  Support Line

                                23rd Nov 1915  Withdrawal

                                23rd November 1915  Guns

                                23rd to 26th November 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd Nov 1915  Instruction

                                23rd Nov 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                23rd Nov 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Nov 1915  Working Parties & Baths

                                23rd Nov 1915  On the Move

                                23rd of November 1915 

                                23rd Nov 1915  Baths

                                23rd Nov 1915  Enemy Active

                                23rd Nov 1915  On the March

                                23rd Nov 1915  In Billets

                                23rd Nov 1915  In Defence

                                23rd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd Nov 1915  On the March

                                23rd of November 1915  No Dugouts

                                23rd of November 1915  In Reserve

                                23rd Nov 1915  On the March

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                23rd of November 1915  Heavy Traffic Heard

                                23nd Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Nov 1915  On the Move

                                23rd November 1915  Grenade School Fatigues

                                23rd of November 1915  Into reserve

                                23rd Nov 1915  On the Move

                                23rd of November 1915   Trench Work

                                23rd Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd November 1915  Officers of 1st Northants reconnoiter our positions.

                                23rd November 1915  Releifs

                                23rd Nov 1915  On the Move

                                24th Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers leave Bologne  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers entrain at Boulogne for Domqueur (C Coy being at Le Plouy, with 96 Brigade HQ)

                                24th November 1915 Training and recreation  6th County of London Brigade RFA are at Auchel. The Brigade Headquarter Staff, 17th London Battery and 6th London Ammunition Column went on a route march, at the end of which the OC. Brigade inspected their harness. In the evening, by invitation of the OC. Brigade, these units attended a Cinematograph performance in the Auchel Cinematograph Theatre. Major P.J. Clifton, 17th London Battery, proceeded to England on 12 days leave of absence. Capt W. Cooper, 17th London Battery, proceeded to England on 7 days leave. Capt W. Cooper is in command of the 47th Divisional Artillery Leave Party.

                                24th November 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots in France 1915.  1st Battalion Royals Scots last fatality of Belgium and France 1915, who died of wounds in the UK.

                                To date 1st Battalion Royal Scots had lost 163 men (that are known)

                                24th November 1915  Dismounted Training

                                24th November 1915   SM U-74

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 30) Ordered 6 Jan 1915 Launched 10 Aug 1915 Commissioned 24 Nov 1915

                                Commanders.
                                24 Nov 1915 - 17 May 1916 Erwin Weisbach

                                Career 2 patrols.
                                18 Mar 1916 - 17 May 1916 I Flotilla

                                Successes 1 ship sunk with a total of 2,802 tons.

                                20 Apr 1916 U 74 Erwin Weisbach Sabbia 2,802 br

                                Fate 17 May 1916 - Sank in a mine handling accident 3.5 miles off Dunbar, Scotland. The wreck of an UEI class submarine located by divers is undoubtedly that of U 74. 34 dead (all hands lost).

                                Previously recorded fate
                                Sunk by gunfire from the Royal Navy trawlers Sea Ranger, Kimberly, Oku, and Rodino off Peterhead at 57.10N, 01.20E on May 27, 1916. U 74 was lost well before this date.

                                There was another U 74 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 31 Aug 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 31 Oct 1940.

                                24th November 1915   From 24th November 1915 a single independent Home Defence flight of two BE2 aircraft was based at the aerodrome at Cramlington tasked with patrolling the North Sea area seeking any enemy shipping off Tyneside.

                                24th Nov 1915  Into the Trenches

                                24th Nov 1915  Training and Football

                                24th Nov 1915  Route March

                                24th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Nov 1915  Reinforcements

                                24th of November 1915  Training

                                24th November 1915  Route March

                                24th Nov 1915  Construction Work

                                24th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                24th Nov 1915  Inspection

                                24th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Nov 1915  On the March

                                24th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                24th of November 1915  Arrival of Artillery Planned

                                24th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                24th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                24th of November 1915  Arrival on the Western Front

                                24th Nov 1915  Conference

                                24th Nov 1915  In Support

                                24th Nov 1915  In Defence

                                24th Nov 1915  Bombardment

                                24th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                24th of November 1915  Marched to Locon

                                24th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                24th of November 1915  Artillery Active

                                24th Nov 1915  Snow

                                24th of November 1915  Into Camp

                                24th of November 1915  Building Camp

                                24th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                24th of November 1915  Drainage Work

                                24th Nov 1915  Training

                                24th November 1915  Companies relieved

                                24th November 1915  Reliefs on the Way

                                24th Nov 1915  Recce

                                25th November 1915 6th London Bde RFA Loos  6th County of London Brigade RFA report one officer from Brigade Headquarters and 6th London Ammunition Column and 2 officers per Battery left Auchel, with a view to taking over from the 5th London Brigade RFA in action near Loos. Officers of the 5th London Brigade RFA arrived at Auchel to take over the guns and billets of the 6th London Brigade RFA. Arrangements have been made for this Brigade to use the guns of the 5th London Brigade RFA, whilst the latter are resting at Auchel.

                                25th November 1915  Digging Trenches

                                25th Nov 1915  Army Biscuits

                                25th Nov 1915  Raid Carried Out

                                25th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Nov 1915  London Defences

                                25th Nov 1915  Transferred

                                25th Nov 1915  Training

                                25th Nov 1915  Lacking Grenades

                                25th Nov 1915  Parcels

                                25th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                25th Nov 1915  On the March

                                25th Nov 1915   On the Move

                                Nov 1915 Training  

                                THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE HOME FRONT, 1914-1918

                                © IWM (Q 53714)

                                Signal Section of the 2/8th (Post Office Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment practice transmitting and receiving messages during training at Cuckfield, Sussex. The transmitting instrument was invented by Scout J. R. Riordan, sitting in the back row, right.

                                25th Nov 1915  Move

                                25th November 1915  Guns

                                25th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Nov 1915  On the March

                                25th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                25th Nov 1915  On the March

                                25th of November 1915  Orders

                                25th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                25th Nov 1915  Reinforcements

                                25th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                25th Nov 1915  Reorganisation

                                25th Nov 1915  In Support

                                25th Nov 1915  In Defence

                                25th Nov 1915  Hard Frost

                                25th Nov 1915  Into Billets

                                25th of November 1915   Marched to Robecq

                                25th Nov 1915  In Camp

                                25th of November 1915   Enemy Building Redoubts

                                25th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                25th Nov 1915  Postings

                                25th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                25th of November 1915  A Relief

                                25th November 1915  Ref. O.O.6.

                                25th Nov 1915  Training

                                25th November 1915  Quiet day.

                                25th November 1915  Uncomfortable Billets

                                25th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                26th November 1915 Relocation  The 6th County of London Brigade moved from Auchel at 0630 for Noyelles. Gunners of the 6th London Brigade RFA took over the guns and positions of the 5th London Brigade RFA at 1300 hrs. The Brigade forms part of the Poole Group, and is engaged in counter battery work, ie. it is employed solely in engaging hostile batteries. Arrangements have been made for aeroplane observation & wireless apparatus has been erected at Brigade Headquarters, which is at Noyelles les Verelles. The 15th & 17th London Batteries occupy the positions they formerly occupied, before being relieved by the 14th & 12th London Batteries respectively viz G.27.b.0.6. and G.27.a.0.9. The 16th Lon Battery is in position due north of Vermelles, G.2.c.6.8. Wagon Line and Ammunition Column are at Noeux les Mines.

                                26th November 1915  Digging

                                26th Nov 1915  Meteorology

                                26th Nov 1915  We are Winning

                                26th Nov 1915  Home on Leave

                                26th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Nov 1915  Intense Rain

                                26th Nov 1915  Under Shellfire

                                26th Nov 1915  A Terrible Storm

                                26th Nov 1915  A Tremedous Flood

                                26th Nov 1915  First Day On Duty

                                26th Nov 1915  Training and Route March

                                26th Nov 1915  Mining Expert

                                26th Nov 1915  Storm

                                26th November 1915  Advance Party

                                26th Nov 1915  Training

                                26th November 1915  Brigade movement

                                26th Nov 1915  Thunder Storm

                                26th November 1915  Trench Mortars

                                26th November 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Nov 1915  Snow

                                26th Nov 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                26th Nov 1915  Billets

                                26th Nov 1915  Patrols

                                26th of November 1915  Billets

                                26th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                26th of November 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                26th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                26th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Nov 1915  Hard Frost

                                26th Nov 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Nov 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Nov 1915  Training

                                26th of November 1915  Work and Cleaning Up

                                26th of November 1915  Trench Work

                                26th Nov 1915  In Camp

                                26th of November 1915   Air Raid

                                26th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                26th of November 1915  Training commences

                                26th of November 1915  Special Order - To be read to all men

                                26th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                26th of November 1915   Quiet Night

                                26th November 1915  Relieved 11th A. & S. H.

                                26th November 1915  Snow and Freezing Conditions

                                26th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers on the march  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers march to Bourdon, via Flixecourt.

                                27th November 1915 Hostile Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a few rounds were spent in registration, and during the day five hostile batteries were engaged. In all cases except one, the enemy ceased fire. Cites St Pierre and St Leonard were also fired on by order of Poole Group.

                                27th November 1915  Dig Trenches

                                27th Nov 1915  Parapets to be raised

                                27th Nov 1915  A Cold Dreary Place

                                27th Nov 1915 

                                27th Nov 1915  Parade

                                27th Nov 1915  Trenches Flooded

                                27th Nov 1915  Terrible Weather

                                27th Nov 1915  Nasty Conditions

                                27th Nov 1915  Trenches Flooded

                                27th Nov 1915  Violent Storm

                                27th Nov 1915  Reinforcements

                                27th Nov 1915  Training

                                27th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Nov 1915  On the March

                                27th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                27th Nov 1915  On the March

                                27th Nov 1915   Into the Trenches

                                27th of November 1915  On the Train

                                27th November 1915  Court Martial Redress

                                27th of November 1915  New Billets

                                27th November 1915  Inspection

                                27th Nov 1915  Stormy

                                27th November 1915  Holding the Line

                                27th Nov 1915  Baths

                                27th Nov 1915  Football

                                27th Nov 1915  Whiz Bangs

                                27th Nov 1915  On the March

                                27th of November 1915  Move

                                27th Nov 1915  Shelling

                                27th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                27th of November 1915  Towards Albert

                                27th Nov 1915  Visits

                                27th Nov 1915  Cold Weather

                                27th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                27th Nov 1915  Hard Frost

                                27th Nov 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Nov 1915  Training

                                27th of November 1915   Billet Improvements Begun

                                27th Nov 1915  Snow

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                27th of November 1915   Heavies Retaliate

                                27th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                27th November 1915  Training and Fatigues

                                27th of November 1915  football matches

                                27th November 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Nov 1915  On the March

                                27th of November 1915   A Reconnoitre

                                27th Nov 1915  Recruitment

                                27th November 1915  Shelled fairly heavily

                                27th November 1915  Preparing for Inspection

                                27th Nov 1915  Training

                                27th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers on the march  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers march from Bourdon to Cardonnette.

                                28th November 1915 Enemy Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force report Fifteen hostile batteries were engaged. In twelve cases fire ceased and in the other three cases the enemy opened fire with 5.9 shells. It was too misty to form definite observations. The Wagon Lines at Noeux les Mines were shelled but there were no casualties.

                                28th November 1915  tend Church Parade

                                28th Nov 1915  Hard Ground

                                28th Nov 1915  RNAS Victory

                                28th Nov 1915  RNAS in Action

                                28th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                28th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                28th Nov 1915  Snow

                                28th Nov 1915  Disasterous Sequence of Events

                                28th Nov 1915  Caught in the Storm

                                28th Nov 1915  With Old Pals

                                28th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                28th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                28th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                28th of November 1915  On the Move

                                28th November 1915  Move

                                28th November 1915  Companies Parades

                                28th Nov 1915  Snow

                                28th November 1915  Holding the Line

                                28th Nov 1915  Cold Weather

                                28th Nov 1915  Church Service

                                28th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                28th Nov 1915  Patrols

                                28th Nov 1915  On the March

                                28th of November 1915  Moving to New Area

                                28th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Nov 1915  Hard Frost

                                28th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                28th of November 1915  Towards Albert

                                28th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                28th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                28th Nov 1915  Hard Frost

                                28th Nov 1915  Training

                                28th of November 1915   Aeroplane Downed

                                28th of November 1915  In the Line

                                28th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                28th Nov 1915  Route March

                                28th of November 1915  Working Party Dispersed

                                28th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                28th November 1915  Relief Begins

                                28th of November 1915  Church parade

                                28th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                28th Nov 1915  On the March

                                28th of November 1915   Trench Work

                                28th November 1915  Relieved by the 7th Royal Scottish Fusiliers.

                                28th November 1915  Freezing Weather

                                28th Nov 1915  Training

                                28th Nov 1915  Defences

                                29th November 1915 Hostile Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Noyelles report thirty two hostile batteries were engaged. Direct hits were obtained in one case. Enemy ceased fire in seventeen case. Batteries are firing an average of 200 rounds each daily. In the absence of Major H. Bayley DSO (on leave), Capt R.A. Corsan is commanding the 15th London Battery and Lt C.E.H. Lloyd is in command of the 17th London Battery during the absence on leave of Major P.J. Clifton and Capt W. Cooper. The 15th and 17th Lon Battery positions were heavily shelled today. No casualties occurred in the 17th London Battery. In the 15th London Battery, one gunner was wounded, and one gun temporarily put out of action, a piece of shell hitting and damaging the cradle. Within 2 hours the gun concerned was in action again.

                                29th November 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  1st Battalion Royals Scots sailed from Marseilles.

                                70% of soldiers from 1st Battalion Royal Scots who died in Belgium and France in 1914 - 1915 have no known grave and are on the Memorial to the missing at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

                                29th November 1915  Gas Demonstration for

                                29th November 1915  orders

                                29th Nov 1915  Trench Work

                                29th Nov 1915  First Loss for 250th Tunnelling Coy

                                29th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                29th Nov 1915  Bitter Wind

                                29th Nov 1915  First Day On Duty

                                29th Nov 1915  Boxing Match

                                29th Nov 1915  Route March

                                29th Nov 1915  Very Cold

                                29th Nov 1915  Training

                                29th of November 1915  On the march

                                29th November 1915  CO Inspection

                                29th Nov 1915  Cleaning up

                                29th November 1915  Shelling

                                29th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Nov 1915  Bombardment

                                29th Nov 1915  Recreation

                                29th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                29th of November 1915  Moves Completed

                                29th Nov 1915  Planning

                                29th Nov 1915  Thaw

                                29th Nov 1915  Hard Frost

                                29th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                29th Nov 1915  Fatigues

                                29th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                29th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Nov 1915  Training

                                29th of November 1915  More Improving Work

                                29th Nov 1915  Route March

                                29th of November 1915  Enemy Transport Shelled

                                29th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                29th November 1915  Reliefs

                                29th of November 1915  Training and football

                                29th Nov 1915  In Billets

                                29th Nov 1915  Orders

                                29th of November 1915  Wiring Party Out

                                29th November 1915  Inspections

                                29th November 1915  Quiet Day

                                29th Nov 1915  Church Parade

                                30th Nov 1915 14th DLI defend Potijze  By the end of the November 1915 the 14th DLI were firmly embedded in the 6th Division, and found themselves defending Potijze. During this time the battalion endured a gas attack near Wieltje. Casualties amongst the ranks amounted to 149 with a number of officers also being gassed and wounded.

                                30th Nov 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers on the march  16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers continue march along Amiens -Bapaume road, via Albert. B & C Coys to Dernancourt, A & D coys to Meaulte, three miles from the front line.

                                30th November 1915 Hostile Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA report twenty seven hostile batteries were engaged, of which thirteen ceased firing. An average of 140 rounds per battery were fired today. Capt P.A. Love, having reported from Base Details, was posted to the 6th London Ammunition Column to assume command.

                                30th Nov 1915 14th DLI join 6th Division  Towards the end of November 1915 the 14th Btn. Durham Light Infantry transferred to 18th brigade of the 6th Division. The brigade consisted of, 1st Btn, the West Yorkshires. 1st Btn, the East Yorkshires. 11th (Service) Btn, the Essex. 2nd Btn, the Sherwood Foresters. 2nd Btn, the Durham Light Infantry. 14th (Service) Btn, the Durham Light Infantry 1/16th (County of London) Btn, the London Regiment. 18th Brigade Machine Gun Company. 18th Trench Mortar Battery.

                                By the end of the November 1915 the 14th. were firmly embedded in the 6th Division, and found themselves defending Potijze.

                                30th November 1915  Dig Trenches

                                30th Nov 1915 Half of Sheffield City Battalion complete musketry course  With the musketry course at Larkhill completed, the Sheffield City Battalion marched to Hurcott Camp.

                                30th November 1915  Very bad arrangements

                                30th Nov 1915  A Barn with some Company

                                30th Nov 1915  Congratulations

                                30th Nov 1915  5th Lincs Relieved by 4th Leics

                                30th Nov 1915  Enemy Mortars Active

                                30th Nov 1915 If Starvation Comes  The special correspondent of the Standard in Switzerland says: "The tenth issue of the German War Essays (Deutsche Kriegs-Schriften), published by Messrs. A. Marcus and E. Weber, of Bonn, is a brochure Dr. Heinz Pothoff, entitled "Volk oder Staat," and it contains a noteworthy chapter, headed "The war of nations requires a more severe method of warfare," from which the following is extracted: "Can anyone doubt that the German General Staff will hesitate to employ extreme measures if Germany is ever on the verge of real starvation? Can it be doubted that our General Staff will do anything rather than allow the victorious German armies called home from France and Russia and Belgium owing to the lack of food? Will it not adopt the most severe measures rather than submit to peace dictated by starvation? Such reprisals are within our reach. If necessary, we must expel all the inhabitants from the territories which our armies have occupied and drive them into the enemies' lines. If necessary, we must kill the hundreds of thousands of prisoners who are now consuming our supplies. That would frightful. But it would be inevitable if there were no other way of holding out." Dr. Heinz Pothoff, the author of this supremely infamous proposal, is the recognised leader of the Progressive People's party in the Rhineland, and he was a prominent Radical member of the Reichstag from 1905 to 1912."

                                30th Nov 1915  Change of Commander

                                30th Nov 1915  Blizzard

                                30th Nov 1915  Survivors Inspected

                                30th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Nov 1915  Football

                                30th Nov 1915  Practice Attack

                                30th Nov 1915  Refitting

                                30th Nov 1915   Brigade Support

                                30th November 1915  Training scheme

                                30th Nov 1915  Cleaning up

                                30th November 1915  Artillery Equipped

                                30th November 1915  Casualties

                                30th November 1915  Reliefs

                                November 1915 

                                30th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Nov 1915  Training

                                30th Nov 1915  Quiet

                                30th Nov 1915  Training

                                30th of November 1915  Ulster Division Artillery Detrains

                                30th Nov 1915  Patrol

                                30th Nov 1915  Wet Weather

                                30th Nov 1915  Working Parties

                                30th of November 1915  Arrival at Albert

                                30th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                30th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Nov 1915  In Reserve

                                30th Nov 1915  Baths

                                30th Nov 1915  On the March

                                30th of November 1915  Training

                                30th of November 1915  Reliefs

                                30th Nov 1915  Route March

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                30th of November 1915   Grenade Attack Successful

                                30th Nov 1915  Reliefs

                                30th November 1915  On the Move

                                30th November 1915  Snipers

                                30th of November 1915  Training and football

                                30th Nov 1915  Orders Received

                                30th of November 1915  Floods

                                30th November 1915  Preparing to move to Vaudricourt.

                                30th November 1915  Repairs under gunfire

                                30th Nov 1915  Training

                                Dec 1915  On the Move

                                Dec 1915  Move

                                December 1915   For identification purposes Divisional Headquarters issued an order for the wearing of battle patches. The 24th Tyneside Irish were to have a red shamrock which was sewn onto their tunic by the men themselves. Brigade Head Quarters personnel wore a green shamrock.

                                1st Dec 1915 NSF Central Marine Engine Works, Hartlepool opens.  Central Marine Engine Works, Hartlepool, Durham was an National Shell Factory which started up in December 1915 producing 8-in. shell employing a mainly female workforce. The Raglan Hotel nearby was taken over as a Munition Worker's Hostel. First output was Autumn 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. The Central Marine Engine Works was owned by William Gray and Company Ltd. and had opened in 1883, allowing the ship building company to manufacture their own marine engines.

                                1st Dec 1915 NSF Irwell Mill, Rawtenstall opened.  National Shell Factory Irwell Mill, Rawtenstall & Bacup, Lancashire started up in December 1915 for the production of 4-5-in. shell. First output was Summer 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers go into front line  An advance party of the 16 Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers went into the front line trenches for instruction by 54 Brigade, 18th Division. Two companies formed a working party under Capt G Nesbit behind the line. The battalion suffered its first casualty, Pte A Wilson of B Coy, was wounded.

                                1st December 1915 Hostile Batteries Engaged  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Noyelles report thirty hostile batteries were engaged, and in thirteen cases the enemy ceased fire. A very successful shoot with an aeroplane observer was undertaken today. Corrections were sent by the observer by wireless to Brigade Headquarters and were telephoned thence to the Battery which was firing. Three targets were engaged by the 16th London Battery, a hostile battery and 2 crossroads. In each case the target was hit, after only very few corrections. The 15th London Battery also engaged a target, but owing to the failing light, the service had to be discontinued, nor were the 17th London Battery able to fire by aeroplane, for the same reason. Leave postponed until Saturday. Wagon Lines at Noeux les Mines. Lieut L.W.B. Moore left this station for England.

                                1st December 1915 Pioneering work - trenches  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Work continued on various defence areas with 3 Platoon, No 1 Company being sent to Flessells about 3 miles away, to build a large ammunition shed with a concrete base. They also laid 3 metalled roads to and from the site.

                                Whilst the descriptions make it seem like all work and no play, there were a number of sporting activities that took place including rugby, hockey and soccer matches with neighbouring units. Once again reports on these activity were sent to the Lurgan Mail to help foster morale and boost ongoing recruitment at home in Ulster.

                                Christmas Day 1915 started off dull and wet, but soon dried up and the sun put in a short appearance. A party was held for the local village children, which helped Entente Cordiale. In the evening both the Pipe Band and the Fife and Drum band performed to finish off the day with stirring tunes. The local priest was invited and must have been the first priest to meet a mainly Protestant Battalion. A few officers tried to converse with him in their limited French. During after-dinner revelry, he enjoyed listening to "The Protestant Boys" asking to hear it several times as it was a very lively tune. He made the fourth request in perfect English by mistake, everyone having wrongly assumed that he would not have understood the words of the song. Big changes were to follow soon unknown to the festive revellers.

                                Dec 1915 4th West Yorks move to Redcar  4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment leave Falmouth in December 1915 moving to Redcar, on the Yorkshire coast.

                                1st December 1915  dig Trenches

                                1st December 1915 Battle of Lake Tanganyika  The Battle for Lake Tanganyika was a series of naval engagements that took placebetween December 1915 and February 1916, during the First World War It involved units of the Royal Navy, Belgian Force Publique and the Kaiserliche Marine. The intention was to secure control of the strategically important Lake Tanganyika, which had been dominated by German naval units since the beginning of the war. The British forces—consisting of two motor boats named HMS Mimi and Toutou—were under the command of the eccentric Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson. The boats were transported to South Africa and from there by railway, by river, and by being dragged through the African jungle, to the lake. In two short engagements, the small motor boats attacked and defeated two of their German opponents. In the first action, on 26 December 1915 the Kingani was damaged and captured, becoming HMS Fifi. In the second, the small flotilla overwhelmed and sank the Hedwig von Wissman. The Germans maintained a third large and heavily armed craft on the lake, the Graf von Götzen. This craft was attacked indecisively by Belgian aircraft and was subsequently scuttled. Developments in the land-based conflict caused the Germans to withdraw from the lake, and control of the surface of Lake Tanganyika passed to the British and Belgians.

                                German control of the lake was significant for the whole campaign in the Central African theatre. While the British could muster troops to the south of the lake and the Belgians had troops to the north, neither could push into German East Africa. The Germans could use their boats to transport troops across the lake and use them to cut their supply and communications lines.

                                Lee's plan

                                On 21 April 1915, John R. Lee, a big game hunter and veteran of the Second Boer War, arrived at the Admiralty to meet Admiral Sir Henry Jackson. Lee had been in Eastern Africa and had personally observed the German ships on Lake Tanganyika. He also brought the news that the Germans were preparing to launch a new ship from their fortified port of Kigoma. Named the Graf von Götzen she had been constructed at the Meyer shipyard at Papenburg, disassembled and packed into 5,000 crates and transported to Dar-es-Salaam. From there, she had been brought by rail to Kigoma and assembled in secret. 220 ft long and displacing 1,575 long tons, she would cement German control of the lake and allow 800-900 troops to be rapidly transported to any point on the lakeshore to raid into allied territory. To counter this threat, Lee proposed that motor gunboats be sent to Africa and transported through the interior to the lake. They would be small and highly manoeuvrable and, if armed with a gun having a range of 7,000 yds, could both outrun and outgun the larger German ships. Using small vessels that could be transported intact meant that they could be launched immediately onto the lake, without the risk of their being discovered by the Germans while they were being assembled, and being destroyed before they could be completed. Sir Henry considered the plan and approved it with the words "It is both the duty and the tradition of the Royal Navy to engage the enemy wherever there is water to float a ship." Jackson passed the task of finalising the details of the operation to his junior, Admiral David Gamble. Gamble appointed Lee second in command of the expedition and placed Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson in charge. Spicer-Simson was a man described by Giles Foden as "a man court-martialled for wrecking his own ships, an inveterate liar and a wearer of skirts." He had reached the rank of lieutenant-commander but had not progressed further owing to a number of mistakes and disasters, which left him in a small office in the Admiralty assigned to helping with the process of transferring merchant seamen into the navy. In 1905, he had come up with the idea of stringing a cable between two destroyers to sweep for periscopes and nearly sank a submarine. He ran another ship aground while testing the defences of Portsmouth Harbour and later collided with and sank a small boat, killing a man. By the outbreak of war, he was in command of HMS Niger and a small flotilla at Ramsgate. He went ashore to entertain guests at a nearby hotel, from whose windows he watched Niger being torpedoed and sunk. He had nevertheless commanded a survey vessel on the Gambia River and, due to a shortage of officers, was selected to take command. Lee went out to prepare the way through Africa, while Spicer-Simson assembled 27 men and two motor boats that had been built by John I. Thornycroft & Company to fulfil an order made by the Greek government before the war.

                                The journey of Mimi and Toutou

                                The British naval force consisted of two 40 ft (12 m)-long motor boats. Spicer-Simson suggested they be named Cat and Dog, but the names were rejected by the Admiralty. Spicer-Simson then suggested Mimi and Toutou as alternatives, which were accepted. As he later explained, these meant "Miaow" and "Bow-wow" in French. Their crews were assembled from acquaintances of Spicer-Simson or from the ranks of the Royal Naval Reserve. Spicer-Simson proposed a number of improvements to the original design. They were cut down to improve their speed, Maxim guns and a 3-pounder Hotchkiss gun were fitted, though the Hotchkiss had to be fired from a kneeling position. Extra steel linings were added to the petrol tanks. The boats were tested on the Thames on 8 June, where arrangements had been made for Mimi to fire a practice shell from her 3-pounder. The shell hit the target, but both gun and gunner flew into the river, as the gun had not been properly bolted to the deck. The boats were loaded aboard the SS Llanstephen Castle on 15 June, along with special trailers and cradles to allow them to be transported by rail or overland. The expedition's equipment and supplies, once they arrived in South Africa, would have to be carried over 3,000 miles inland. This included the traversing of a 5,900 ft high mountain range. Meanwhile, on 8 June the Graf von Götzen was launched on Lake Tanganikya.

                                The first leg of Mimi and Toutou's 10,000 mile journey was completed after 17 days at sea and their arrival at the Cape. From Cape Town, they and the men of the expedition travelled north by railway through Bulawayo to Elisabethville, where they arrived on 26 July. After travelling to the railhead at Fungurume, they were detrained and dragged 146 miles through the bush by teams of oxen and steam tractors to the beginnings of the railway from Sankisia to Bukama. At Bukama, the boats and stores were unloaded and prepared for a voyage down the Lualaba River, where despite running aground several times and being forced to take passage on a Belgian river steamer they completed their journey. After sailing through Lake Kisale they arrived at Kabalo on 22 October. From there, a small railway took them to just short of the Belgian port of Lukuga, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. Here Spicer-Simson met the Belgian army commander, Commandant Stinghlamber, and the naval commander, Commandant Goor. Preparations were made to launch Mimi and Toutou and to seek out the Germans.

                                Belgian and German preparations

                                The Germans had made use of the loss of the survey ship Möwe by taking some of her crew, and men from the merchant ships of the Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linie, and using them to man their ships. The German position on the lake had been further strengthened with the loss of the SMS Königsberg in the Rufiji River in July. Guns from Königsberg arrived at the German base at Kigoma and the German naval commander on the lake, Captain Gustav Zimmer, had one of Königsberg's 105 mm (4.1 in) autocannon mounted on Götzen. Members of Königsberg's crew also made their way to join his forces and Zimmer placed former crew member Lieutenant Job Rosenthal in command of Kingani. Job Odebrecht commanded Hedwig, while Zimmer himself commanded Götzen. Against this formidable force, the Belgians could only muster a petrol-driven barge armed with two cannon named Dix-Tonne, a motor boat named Netta, and a whaler fitted with an outboard motor. Goor hoped to bring into commission the as-yet unassembled Baron Dhanis and the hulk of Alexandre del Commune, which had been sunk early in the war by Hedwig. Zimmer may have been aware that the British were planning to launch ships on the lake, but he was also concerned that the Baron Dhanis might be assembled and launched. The 1,500 long tons Baron Dhanis was not necessarily a threat to Götzen in port, but he was determined to maintain his freedom of movement on the lake. Lacking concrete information he sent Rosenthal aboard Kingani to reconnoitre Lukuga. The Belgians mounted floatplanes on the lake giving them the ability to observe the German positions and to bomb them.

                                Battle

                                Lieutenant Job Rosenthal, commanding the Kingani, made several passes and observed work underway on a new harbour at Kalemie, south of Lukuga, where Spicer-Simson intended to make his base. Still lacking detailed information on the enemy's movements, Kingani returned early on the morning of 1 December and attempted to approach the harbour. Rosenthal's vessel was spotted by the shore batteries and driven away, but returned the following night and Rosenthal himself swam to Lukuga to examine the slipways under construction. He also discovered the camps, where the British flag revealed the presence of Spicer-Simson and his expedition. Rosenthal travelled down the railway line and discovered both Mimi and Toutou and the disassembled parts of Baron Dhanis. Realising that the threat actually lay in the British vessels, he attempted to return to Kingani, but was unable to locate her in the dark. He attempted to conceal himself and hoped that Kingani would return at nightfall, but was discovered by a Belgian patrol and taken prisoner. While a captive he succeeded in sending a message, with a secret addendum written in urine to Zimmer warning him of what he had seen, but the message did not reach Kigoma for several months.

                                Mimi and Toutou are launched

                                The slipways at Kalemie were ready by mid-December and on 22 December Toutou was launched onto Lake Tanganyika, with Mimi following the next day. Final preparations were made on 24 December, including the fuelling and the fitting of guns, after which brief trials were made. On 26 December, Kingani approached Kalemie. Rosenthal's successor, Sub-Lieutenant Junge, had orders to gather information on naval preparations and at 0600 in the morning, as Spicer-Simson was conducting morning prayers, she was sighted offshore. Mimi and Toutou set out of the harbour after Kingani had passed by. Unexpectedly finding himself pursued by two motor boats flying the white ensign, Junge ordered that the speed be increased. Kingani's six-pounder gun could only fire forward. The faster more nimble motor boats were able to close the range and open fire with their three-pounder guns, while avoiding the German's fire. After a short action lasting 11 minutes, Kingani was hit on her gun, the shell passing through the gunshield and killing Junge and two petty officers. After several more hits, her chief engineer hauled down the colours and the British took possession of her. Junge and four dead crewmembers were buried and after a hole in Kingani's hull had been patched, she was taken into service as HMS Fifi. Spicer-Simson explained that Fifi meant "tweet-tweet" in French and was suggested by the wife of a Belgian officer who had a small caged bird. Her six-pounder gun was moved to her stern, while one of the 12-pounder guns that had been mounted ashore was fixed to the bows. The Admiralty were impressed by the expedition's achievements, Spicer-Simson was specially promoted to commander from the date of the action and a message was sent which read "His Majesty The King desires to express his appreciation of the wonderful work carried out by his most remote expedition". The Colonial Office also expressed its approbation. Zimmer did not immediately send Hedwig to investigate the disappearance of Kingani, possibly being too busy transporting troops and supplies. The storm season in January also made navigation of the lake dangerous for vessels smaller than Götzen and it was not until mid-January that Hedwig came to Lukuga to investigate. By now, Spicer-Simson had been given the repaired Dutch vessel Del Commune—now renamed Vengeur—to add to his flotilla. Odebrecht scouted close to the shore, keeping clear of the shore batteries that were assumed to have sunk Kingani, but could not see anything worth reporting. He was ordered back to Lukuga on 8 February and told to rendezvous with Zimmer on Götzen the following day. Hedwig was spotted early in the morning and the expedition's forces sallied forth to intercept her. The combined Anglo-Belgian flotilla consisted of Mimi, Fifi, Dix-Tonne, and the whaleboat with Toutou having been damaged and still under repair. Odebrecht spotted the approaching vessels, but continued to advance. He initially mistook them for Belgian craft, but the white ensigns revealed that they were British. He continued toward the shore until making a sharp turn to port at 0930, either attempting to lure them toward Götzen, or having been fooled by an optical illusion into thinking the approaching vessels were larger than he had first thought. The pursuing vessels chased Hedwig and Fifi opening fire with her bow-mounted 12-pounder. The recoil stopped her dead in her tracks and Odebrecht used this situation to pull away. Hedwig could do 9 knots to Fifi's 8 knots, but as Fifi fell behind, Mimi sped past, firing on the retreating German vessel with her three-pounder gun. The shots missed, but Hedwig's stern guns did not have the range of Mimi's weapon and Odebrecht was forced to come about and try to hit her with his bow-mounted six-pounder. The two circled for a time, unable to score hits, until Fifi closed. Spicer-Simson, commanding aboard Fifi, was down to three shells on his 12-pounder and risked being outclassed if Hedwig could bring her own six-pounder to bear. At this moment, a shell jammed in Fifi's gun and in the 20 minutes that it took to clear it, Hedwig again pulled away, searching for Götzen. With her second to last shot, Fifi fired again. The shell hit Hedwig's hull, causing flooding, while moments later her last shell hit the engine room, bursting the boiler and killing five African sailors and two Germans. As fires began to spread through the stricken craft Odebrecht gave the order to abandon ship and set explosive charges to destroy the sinking vessel. The British picked up the survivors and captured a large German naval ensign, the first to be taken in the war.

                                Götzen is scuttled

                                The flotilla returned to shore with their prisoners and the following day Götzen appeared offshore, steaming slowly past in search of the missing Hedwig. Alerted, the crews rushed to man their boats, but Spicer-Simson forbade an attack. Shortly afterward, Spicer-Simson left the lake for Stanleyville, in search of a boat to rival Götzen. He found one such vessel—the St George, a steel boat belonging to the British consul at Banana—and had her dismantled, dragged to Lake Tanganyika and reassembled. By the time he returned in May, the German position on the lake had deteriorated further. The Belgians were about to capture Kigoma and a British force was pushing north toward Bismarckburg. The expedition was to support land operations from the lake and the flotilla, consisting of Mimi, Toutou, Fifi and Vengeur arrived off Bismarckburg on 5 June. Finding the harbour defended by a fort, Spicer-Simson decided not to attack, and withdrew to Kituta. This allowed the German forces to escape in a fleet of dhows, an act which provoked the anger of the army commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Murray. The naval expeditionary force remained at Bismarckburg, where Spicer-Simson was chastened to learn that the fort's guns were in fact wooden dummies. Meanwhile, the British had provided the Belgians with four Short Type 827 floatplanes to attack Götzen at Kigoma. Several bombing runs were made, but unbeknown to either the British or the Belgians, Zimmer had been ordered by his commanding officer—Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck—to remove most of Götzen's armament, including the 105 mm autocannon taken from Königsberg, and send them to be used by the army in the field. Wooden dummies were mounted to maintain the illusion of a heavily armed ship. Kigoma fell to General Charles Tombeur's forces on 28 July, but Götzen was already gone. The Germans had sailed the ship to the south of Kigoma Bay and after having her engines thoroughly greased in case there should be need to make use of her again, filled her with concrete and carefully scuttled her on 26 July in a depth of 20 m near the banks of the Katabe Bay (Belgian designation: Baie de l’éléphant; British designation: Bangwe Bay) at the Position 04° 54' 05" S; 029° 36' 12" E.

                                Aftermath

                                Anglo-Belgian control of Lake Tanganyika was secured by mid-1916, though the war in Africa dragged on for another two years. Most of the men of the naval expedition returned to Britain, where Spicer-Simson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, but was reprimanded for some of his antagonistic behaviour toward his Belgian allies and was not given another command. The Belgians for their part appointed him a Commander of the Order of the Crown and awarded him the Croix de guerre. The exploits on Lake Tanganyika caught the public imagination and were adapted by C. S. Forester for his book The African Queen, later made into the film The African Queen, directed by John Huston. A British naval force features in the book, consisting of two motor boats named HMS Amelia and HMS Matilda. The legacy of the Battle for Lake Tanganyika also continues in the survival of Spicer-Simson's nemesis, the Graf von Götzen. She was raised by the Belgians and towed to Kigoma, but sank at her moorings in a storm. She was raised again by the British in 1921 under their mandate for Tanganyika, where it was found that she was so well preserved by the greasing, that little work needed to be done to repair her. She returned to service on 16 May 1927 under the name Liemba, and still sails Lake Tanganyika.

                                1st December 1915 Into Action again  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                The guns went into action in the evening, one gun being detached (Mirrlees Section). The other two guns replieving two guns of the 105th Battery RFA, 7th Division. (Rue de Chavaltes)

                                1st Dec 1915  Derby Scheme Armlets

                                1st Dec 1915  Relieved

                                Dec 1915  Guarding the Coast

                                1st Dec 1915  Excellent Medical Record

                                1st Dec 1915  East Surreys Arrive

                                1st Dec 1915  Battalion Strength

                                1st Dec 1915  Ship Wreck Victims Treated

                                1st Dec 1915  Football

                                1st Dec 1915  Working Party

                                1st Dec 1915  Training

                                1st Dec 1915  Route March

                                1st Dec 1915   At Rest

                                30th of November 1915  Billeting

                                1st December 1915  Ongoing Logistics

                                1st December 1915  Bathing opportunity

                                1st Dec 1915  Outposts

                                1st to 4th December 1915  In Camp

                                1st Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                1st Dec 1915  Shelling

                                1st Dec 1915  Training & Football

                                1st Dec 1915  Artillery in Action

                                1st of December 1915 

                                1st Dec 1915  Artillery Active

                                1st Dec 1915  Explosion

                                1st Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                1st December 1915  In the trenches

                                1st Dec 1915  Quiet

                                1st Dec 1915  Training

                                1st Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                1st Dec 1915  Quiet

                                1st Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Dec 1915  Instruction

                                1st Dec 1915  Training

                                1st of December 1915  Company Training

                                1st December 1915  In Trenches

                                1st of December 1915  Bedfords Buried

                                1st Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                1st Dec 1915  Training

                                1st December 1915  Enemy more active

                                1st of December 1915  Training and camp construction

                                1st December 1915  Mine Explodes

                                1st December 1915  Took part in Divisional Exercise

                                Dec 1915  On the Move

                                11th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                1st Dec 1915  Units Move

                                1st of December 1915   Baths

                                1st December 1915  Remained in billets in Lillers.

                                1st December 1915  Location Vaudricourt.

                                Dec 1915  On the Move

                                1st Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                1st Dec 1915  Training

                                1st Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Dec 1915 Kent Cyclists move to Chisledon  On the 2nd of December 1915 the 1st/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion left the Kent and Sussex coastal defences at Swale, Rye and on the Medway, to move to Chisledon Camp near Swindon and was reorganised as an infantry battalion to prepare for service in East Africa.

                                2nd December 1915 Daily Battery Activity  The 6th County of London Brigade RFA was relieved by the 7th Brigade RFA. The 15th London Battery took over the position and the guns of the 16th London Battery. The 16th London Battery (with the guns of the 14th London Battery, which had been used by the 15th London Battery) and 17th London Battery (with the guns of 12th London Battery), together with Brigade Headquarters, proceeded to Noeux les Mines, where they stayed for the night.

                                2nd Dec1915 Queens Parade at Aldershot  7th Inniskilling Fusiliers are amongst troops taking part in the Queens Parade at Aldershot, the inspection was by The Queen.

                                2nd December 1915  tend Gas Demonstration

                                2nd Dec 1915 Half of Sheffield City Battalion on leave  The War Diary of the Sheffield City Battalion records that the order to prepare to proceed to France has been withdrawn and half the battalion was given leave, until late evening on the 3rd. The other half was on leave from the morning of the 4th until late evening on the 5th.

                                2nd December 1915 Continued Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Brigade Commander to Observation Point with Captain Selby and examined the zone. The three remaining guns came into action in the evening. In the morning registered the left section.

                                2nd Dec 1915  Public School's Trench Instruction

                                2nd Dec 1915  Medical Inspections

                                2nd Dec 1915  Cheery Letters

                                2nd Dec 1915  Baths

                                2nd Dec 1915  Specialist Training

                                2nd Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Dec 1915  Reinforcements

                                2nd Dec 1915   In the Trenches

                                2nd of December 1915  Building Horse Lines

                                2nd December 1915  Gases Lectures

                                2nd Dec 1915  Frosty

                                2nd December 1915  Orders

                                2nd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Dec 1915  Poor Weather

                                2nd Dec 1915  Route March

                                2nd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                2nd Dec 1915  On the March

                                2nd of December 1915 

                                2nd Dec 1915  Mine Exploded

                                2nd Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd Dec 1915  Reorganisation

                                2nd December 1915  Training

                                2nd Dec 1915  Quiet

                                2nd Dec 1915  Transport

                                2nd Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                2nd Dec 1915  Shelling

                                2nd Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                2nd Dec 1915  Instruction

                                2nd Dec 1915  Training

                                2nd of December 1915  Inspection and an Accident

                                2nd Dec 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Dec 1915  On the Move

                                2nd Dec 1915  Exercise

                                2nd of December 1915   Units Arrive

                                2nd Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                2nd December 1915  Fizz Banged

                                2nd of December 1915  Training

                                2nd Dec 1915  On the March

                                2nd of December 1915  Working Parties

                                2nd of December 1915   Working Parties

                                2nd December 1915  Mostly spent cleaning up.

                                2nd Dec 1915  Training and Working Parties

                                2nd Dec 1915  Poor Conditions

                                3rd Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers go into front line  Two platoons per company went into the line, later relieved by other two platoons under instruction.

                                3rd December 1915 Batteries move  The 6th County of London Brigade RFA, less 15th London Battery and one section of the Brigade Ammunition Column (commanded by Lieut W.J. Barnard), proceeded from Moeux les Mines to Cauchy a la Tour, a village occupied by the 7th London Brigade RFA. The horselines were unsatisfactory and the billets, consisting of barns, were bad.

                                3rd December 1915  provide Work Parties

                                3rd Dec 1915  Peace in Sight

                                3rd December 1915 Inactive  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Did not register as there was no light.

                                3rd Dec 1915  5th Lincs on the March

                                3rd Dec 1915  2nd East Surreys on the Move

                                3rd Dec 1915  Hockey Matches

                                3rd Dec 1915  Hard on the Feet

                                3rd Dec 1915  Parade & Training

                                3rd Dec 1915  On the March

                                3rd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Dec 1915  Lecture

                                3rd of December 1915  A Hospital Visit

                                3rd December 1915  Obstacle course training

                                3rd Dec 1915  Outposts

                                3rd Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                3rd Dec 1915  Training

                                3rd Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                3rd of December 1915  154th RFA Detrains

                                3rd Dec 1915  Wet Day

                                3rd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                3rd Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                3rd December 1915  Training

                                3rd Dec 1915  Quiet

                                3rd Dec 1915  Training

                                3rd Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                3rd Dec 1915  Orders Received

                                3rd Dec 1915  Instruction

                                3rd Dec 1915  Training

                                3rd of December 1915  Preparing to Move

                                3rd Dec 1915  On the Move

                                3rd Dec 1915  Docks

                                3rd Dec 1915  Baths

                                3rd of December 1915  Orders Received

                                3rd of December 1915   Observation Difficult

                                3rd Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                3rd December 1915  On the Move

                                3rd December 1915  Artillery very active

                                3rd of December 1915  Training continues

                                3rd December 1915  Returned to billets in Lillers.

                                3rd Dec 1915  Instruction

                                3rd of December 1915  Enemy Mine Exploded

                                3rd December 1915  Inspections by Companies of Arms, Ammunition etc.

                                3rd Dec 1915  On the March

                                3rd Dec 1915  On the March

                                4th December 1915 An Unsatisfactory Location  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Cauchy a la Tour report Major A.C. Gordon and Lieut G. Lyon Smith proceeded to England, each on 10 days leave of absence. Permission was obtained from 47 Div Artillery to move the Brigade to Auchel, owing to the unsatisfactory billets and horselines at this station. Brigade billeting party proceeded to Auchel this afternoon.

                                4th December 1915  Work Parties from Dig Trenches

                                4th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Fired about 20 rounds in retaliation.

                                4th Dec 1915  In the Mud

                                4th Dec 1915  Clothing for the Trenches

                                4th Dec 1915  Company & Platoon Drill

                                4th Dec 1915  Training Steps Up

                                4th Dec 1915  Weather Bad

                                4th Dec 1915  Trench Visit

                                4th Dec 1915   In Billets

                                4th December 1915  Clothing Issue

                                4th Dec 1915  Reinforcements

                                4th December 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Dec 1915  Training

                                4th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                4th Dec 1915  Wet Weather

                                4th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                4th of December 1915  154th RFA Detrains

                                4th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                4th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                4th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                4th December 1915  Training

                                4th Dec 1915  A Note from the Enemy

                                4th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                4th Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                4th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                4th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                4th of December 1915  On the Move

                                4th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                4th Dec 1915  Training

                                4th of December 1915  Patrol

                                4th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                4th of December 1915  Letter

                                4th December 1915  Socks

                                4th of December 1915  Training and kit inspection

                                4th December 1915  Rest billets at Lillers.

                                4th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                4th of December 1915   Armentieres Shelled

                                4th December 1915  Drill & Musketry by Companies.

                                4th Dec 1915  On the March

                                4th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                5th Dec 1915 British troops under Seige  Turkish and German troops lay siege to the town of Kut al-Amara in the Mesopotamian province of Basra, surrounding Sir Charles Townshend's forces who had been forced to retreat from their advance towards Bagdad.

                                5th December 1915 Relocation  The 6th County of London Brigade RFA less 15th London Battery and one section of Brigade Ammunition Column, moved from this station to Auchel. Units were inspected on the march by the OC. Brigade.

                                5th December 1915  Church Parade

                                5th Dec 1915 12th York & Lancs ordered to Egypt  Orders arrive for the Sheffield City Battalion to prepare to move to Egypt and tropical kit was issued.

                                5th December 1915 Relief action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Did a lot of registration on the Moulin D'Eau and Point 3.8. Took over from the battery we had relieved. Their zero line was one that could only be seen in certain lights so decided to make a new base line which entailed a good deal of extra trouble and time wasted.

                                5th Dec 1915  Drill & Inspection

                                5th Dec 1915  Unwell

                                5th Dec 1915  Fine Day

                                5th Dec 1915  Frost Bite.

                                5th Dec 1915  Football

                                5th Dec 1915   Into the Trenches

                                5th December 1915  Church Service

                                5th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                5th Dec 1915  In No Man's Land

                                5th December 1915  Orders

                                5th December 1915  Under Shellfire

                                5th Dec 1915  In Billets

                                5th Dec 1915  Cleaning up

                                5th Dec 1915  Football

                                5th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                5th Dec 1915  Training

                                5th of December 1915  Leaving and Joining

                                5th Dec 1915  Shells

                                5th Dec 1915  Wet Weather

                                5th of December 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                5th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                5th December 1915  Trench training

                                5th Dec 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                5th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                5th Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                5th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                5th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                5th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Dec 1915  Baths

                                5th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                5th of December 1915  Rest Day

                                5th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                5th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                5th of December 1915  Grenade School

                                5th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                5th December 1915  Shelling

                                5th of December 1915  Church parade

                                5th December 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                5th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                5th of December 1915  Divine Service

                                5th December 1915  Company Officers go over trenches in "D" Sector.

                                5th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                5th Dec 1915  Recruitment

                                5th Dec 1915  Orders

                                6th December 1915 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt W.J. O’Malley, 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, transferred to 47th Divisional Artillery Column. 15th London Battery were today relieved by the 20th London Battery, for whom they left their guns. 15th London Battery proceeded to Noeux les Mines where they remained for the night.

                                7th December 1915  Moves and Conference

                                6th Dec 1915  18th DLI sail from Liverpool

                                6th December 1915 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ57 (LZ87)

                                • Production Ref: LZ57
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ87
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 6th December 1915

                                History.

                                Carried out 2 attacks on Ramsgate and Margate dropping a total 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) of bombs. In July 1916 it was handed over to the German Navy and carried out 16 reconnaissance missions around the Baltic Sea. It was later used as a training school ship and then decommissioned in July 1917.

                                6th December 1915  Billets Inspected

                                6th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Too windy to register, retaliated. The Argylle and Sutherland Highlanders relieved the 1st Middlesex. We have Infantry of 33rd Division in front of us and are attached to the 12th Divisional Artillery.

                                6th Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                6th Dec 1915  Inspection Delayed

                                6th Dec 1915  Attack on Lumebe Point

                                6th Dec 1915  Flooded Trenches

                                6th Dec 1915  On Duty

                                6th Dec 1915  Football & Boxing

                                6th Dec 1915  Anniversary

                                6th Dec 1915   Trench Work

                                6th December 1915  Divisional Lecture

                                6th Dec 1915  Patrols

                                6th December 1915  On the Move

                                6th December 1915  Shelling

                                6th Dec 1915  Training

                                6th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                6th Dec 1915  Football

                                6th Dec 1915  Trench Raid

                                6th of December 1915 

                                6th Dec 1915  Experiment

                                6th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                6th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                6th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                6th December 1915  Trench training

                                6th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                6th Dec 1915  Defence Training

                                6th Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                6th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                6th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                6th of December 1915  Inspections and Training

                                6th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                6th Dec 1915  Route March

                                6th of December 1915   Quiet Day

                                6th Dec 1915  Training

                                6th December 1915  Reliefs

                                6th of December 1915  Company training

                                6th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                6th of December 1915   Dressing Station Hit

                                6th December 1915  March to billets in Sailly La Bourse.

                                6th Dec 1915  Refitting

                                6th Dec 1915  Bombardment

                                7th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers under instruction in front line  The whole of the 16th Battalion, went into the front line, under instruction from troops of 18th Division. They received the message "hallo Northumberlands" from the German lines.

                                7th December 1915  Inspection

                                7th Dec 1915  In the Thick of Things

                                7th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                7th Dec - Registered right and left points of our zone which consists of two German salients. Colonel Short came to Observation Point to inspect it and considered it unsuitable and not safe. The OP is a very good one consisting of a tree but hardly suitable for sitting in all day in the winter.

                                8th to 9th Dec - nothing to report, everything very quiet.

                                10th to 12th Dec - registered new points.

                                7th Dec 1915  Sergeant Major's Secret

                                7th Dec 1915  Mean Tricks

                                7th Dec 1915  Company & Platoon Drill

                                7th Dec 1915  Lord Derby Recruits Attest

                                7th Dec 1915  Wet Day

                                7th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                7th Dec 1915   Reliefs

                                7th December 1915  Route March

                                7th Dec 1915  Preparations

                                7th December 1915  On the Move

                                7th December 1915  Quiet

                                7th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Dec 1915  Route March

                                7th Dec 1915  Water

                                7th of December 1915 

                                7th Dec 1915  Experiment Repeated

                                7th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                7th of December 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                7th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                7th December 1915  Training

                                7th December 1915  Training

                                7th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Dec 1915  Brigade Training

                                7th Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                7th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                7th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                7th of December 1915  A Reconnoitre

                                7th Dec 1915  Route March

                                7th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                7th of December 1915  Patrols Out

                                7th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                7th December 1915  On the Move

                                7th December 1915  Improving Camp

                                7th of December 1915  Company Training

                                7th Dec 1915  Orders Received

                                7th of December 1915  Repairs to Trenches

                                7th December 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                7th Dec 1915  Artillery Active

                                8th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers take over front line  18th division withdraw, leaving 16th Northumberlands in position in front line. During this period CSM Saville and L/Cpl R.W. Ellis of C Coy joined rescue sappers working in the tunnels.

                                8th December 1915 Lectures and Training  Representatives from 6th County of London Brigade RFA attend a lecture given at 47th Divisional Ammunition Column Officer's Mess by Captain Carthew, Royal Flying Corps, on 'Cooperation between Artillery and Aircraft'. A Course for Artificers was instituted at Rammert. The lectures by RSM Hood on 'Military Correspondence, Indents etc.' were continued.

                                8th December 1915 1st Battalion Royal Scots Belgium & France 1914 - 1915.  Disembarked at Salonika.

                                (data taken from Soldiers who died in the Great War, CWGC, 1st Battalion Royal Scots war diaries and other Battalions diaries)

                                8th December 1915  under Instruction

                                8th Dec 1915 Military football match at St James' Park  At St James' Park, Newcastle a football match is played between 133rd Heavy RGA XI and Northumberland Clearance Station RAMC XI.

                                8th December 1915  Reorganisation

                                8th December 1915 Return to Egypt  42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                The Battery returned to Alexandria on board the SS Varsova.

                                8th Dec 1915 Christmas Post  "The Postmaster-General has issued a notice regarding the posting of Christmas mails for the British Expeditionary Forces in France and Flanders. To secure delivery on or before Christmas Day, it is stated letters must be posted not later than 17th December, and parcels not later than 13th December. Military exignencies render it necessary to limit the amount of parcel traffic for troops during the Christmas season, and the public are enjoined to limit the use of the parcel post to articles of real utility. Fruit, perishable articles of all descriptions, bottles, pudding basins, and the like are prohibited, and will not be accepted for transmission. The maximum weight for a single parcel will be reduced to 7 lb. as from 1st December. All parcels must be completely and fully addressed with the name and address of the sender on the outside and securely and strongly packed in covers of canvas, linen, or other strong material. Parcels not meeting these requirements are unlikely to reach their destination safely, and if observed in the course of the post will be returned to the sender."

                                8th Dec 1915 Rush under Lord Derby Scheme  The Nottingham Evening Post reported on the 8th of December 1915: "It was well the local recruiting authorities made ample preparation for the rush of men who delayed coming forward for attestation under Lord Derby’s scheme until practically the last moment, and augmented their accommodation and staffs. Yesterday they came up in hundreds, and from early morn until late at night Captain McGuire and the members of his staff were working at high pressure to get the candidates through as expeditiously as possible. The Stanford-street office was the scene of the greatest activity, but fair numbers also assembled at the various schools which have been opened for attestation only. It would greatly facilitate matters if the latter proceed as soon as possible to Stanford-street for their first day’s pay and armlet. Those who are coming forward represent all classes of the community, and there is a big percentage of married men. In accordance with a suggestion from the Education Committee, a strong contingent of those engaged in the scholastic profession are enlisting under the group system, and the Corporation employees of military age are responding splendidly. It is hardly necessary to remind "eligibles" who have not yet paid a visit to the recruiting office that only four days remain in which they can avail themselves of the opportunity to volunteer their services under Lord Derby’s scheme. After Saturday (11th December 1915) it will be too late. "Large numbers of armlets are waiting for those men resident in the city who were attested before the distribution commenced, and these can be had at the Mechanics’ Institution on production of the white card issued on attestation."

                                8th Dec 1915  Inspection and Leave

                                8th Dec 1915  16th Manchesters under Training

                                8th Dec 1915  Temporary appointment

                                8th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                8th Dec 1915  Frosty Nights

                                8th Dec 1915  Route March & Football

                                8th December 1915  Training

                                8th Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                8th December 1915 

                                8th Dec 1915  On the March

                                8th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Dec 1915  Football

                                8th Dec 1915  Snipers

                                8th of December 1915  Quiet

                                8th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                8th Dec 1915  Attack

                                8th of December 1915  Sailly-au-Bois

                                8th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                8th December 1915  Training

                                8th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                8th Dec 1915  Training

                                8th Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                8th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Dec 1915  Practice Attack

                                8th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                8th of December 1915  Drill

                                8th Dec 1915  Training

                                8th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                8th of December 1915  Germans Take POW

                                8th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                8th December 1915  On the March

                                8th of December 1915  Lecture on aerial photography

                                8th December 1915  Horses Cast

                                8th Dec 1915  Reorganisation

                                8th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                8th of December 1915  Enemy Snipers Active

                                8th December 1915  Slight shelling by the Enemy

                                8th Dec 1915  Artillery in Action

                                9th December 1915  Moves and Inspections

                                9th December 1915  Inspection Parade

                                9th Dec 1915  Songs on the Dug-Out "Piano"

                                9th Dec 1915  Wet Day

                                9th Dec 1915  Under Shellfire

                                9th Dec 1915  Gallant Rescue Attempt

                                9th Dec 1915  Training

                                9th Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                9th Dec 1915  Recce

                                9th of December 1915  Ammunition

                                9th December 1915  Musketry

                                9th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                9th December 1915 

                                9th to 12th December 1915 

                                9th Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                9th Dec 1915  Bad Weather

                                9th Dec 1915  Training

                                9th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                9th of December 1915 

                                9th Dec 1915  Artillery Active

                                9th Dec 1915  Wet Night

                                9th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                9th December 1915  Training

                                9th Dec 1915  Baths

                                9th Dec 1915  Practice Attack

                                9th Dec 1915  Defence Work

                                9th Dec 1915  On the March

                                9th of December 1915  Wet Day

                                9th Dec 1915  Training

                                9th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                9th of December 1915  New Battery Joins

                                9th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                9th December 1915  On the Move

                                9th December 1915  Training

                                9th of December 1915  Route march and drill

                                9th December 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                9th of December 1915  A Minor Operation

                                9th December 1915  Reliefs

                                9th Dec 1915  Poor Conditions

                                8th Dec 1915  Mine Exploded

                                9th Dec 1915  Wet Day

                                9th Dec 1915  Entertainment

                                10th December 1915 lecture and moves  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lieut V.C. Lucas, 16th London Battery, proceeded to Liettres, to attend at the Gunnery School, First Army. The detached section of the Brigade Ammunition Column, having been relieved by a section of the 7th London Brigade Ammunition Column, proceeded to Auchel, from Noeux les Mines. A Lecture given to Subaltern Officers by RSM Hood on 'The Duties of NCOs in Wagon Lines'

                                10th December 1915  Bombers Train  9th Lancers in billets at Enquin. Captain Tylden-Wright to a trench course. Lieutenant Colvin relieves 2nd Lieutenant Harris at the digging. Regimental bombers training. 2nd Lieutenant Durant is now Brigade Bombing Officer. 1 Officer, 2nd Lieutenant J.L. Macalpine to Temporary Hospital. 2 Other Ranks to Base Hospital. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital.

                                Dec 1915  On the Move

                                10th Dec 1914  Experiences in the Trenches

                                10th Dec 1915  Bombing Party

                                10th Dec 1915  Fatigues and Meetings

                                10th Dec 1915  Blankets

                                10th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                10th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Dec 1915  Lecture

                                10th of December 1915  Battery moves

                                10th of December 1915  New Billets

                                10th December 1915  Route March

                                10th Dec 1915  Work Continues

                                10th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                10th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                10th Dec 1915  Wet Weather

                                10th Dec 1915  Baths

                                10th of December 1915 

                                10th Dec 1915  Move

                                10th Dec 1915  Flooding

                                10th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                10th December 1915  Training

                                10th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                10th Dec 1915  Training

                                10th Dec 1915  Defence Work

                                10th Dec 1915  Relief Complete

                                10th Dec 1915  In Billets

                                10th of December 1915   Billeting Party

                                10th Dec 1915  Training

                                10th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                10th of December 1915  Bombing Attack

                                10th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                10th December 1915  Fatigue parties

                                10th of December 1915  More route marching and drills

                                10th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                10th of December 1915  Artillery Active

                                10th December 1915  A quiet, wet day.

                                10th Dec 1915  Poor Conditions

                                10th Dec 1915  Moves

                                11th December 1915 Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt R.A. Corsan and Lieut W.J. Barnard proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. The OC. Brigade proceeded by motor car to the firing line to see proposed gun positions for the Brigade. All the horses of the Brigade inspected by the ADVS 47th Division.

                                11th December 1915  in Billets

                                11th Dec 1915  A Change of Plan

                                11th Sep 1915  Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment

                                11th Dec 1915  Scabies

                                11th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                11th Dec 1915  Route March

                                11th December 1915  Live grenade training

                                11th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                11th December 1915  Orders

                                11th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Dec 1915  Wet Weather

                                11th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                11th Dec 1915  Training

                                11th of December 1915  Artillery Entrains

                                11th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                11th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                11th Dec 1915  Holding the Line

                                11th December 1915  Training

                                11th Dec 1915  Routine

                                11th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                11th Dec 1915  Defence Work

                                11th Dec 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                11th Dec 1915  Training

                                11th of December 1915   On the Move

                                11th Dec 1915  Wet Day

                                11th Dec 1915  Fatigues

                                11th of December 1915   Enemy Active

                                11th Dec 1915  Holding the Line

                                11th Dec 1915  Orders

                                11th December 1915  Inspections

                                11th of December 1915  Camp drainage issues due to heavy rain

                                11th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                11th of December 1915  Baths

                                11th December 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                11th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                12th December 1915 Church Parade  The 6th County of London Brigade RFA attended Church Parade, after which clothing and equipment was inspected by the OC. Brigade.

                                The Young Officers Gunnery Course..... (incomplete- possibly a referral to the course taking place at this date in some divisional location.)

                                12th December 1915  tend Church Parade

                                12th Dec 1915  6th Green Howards in Action

                                12th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                12th Dec 1915  Helping the Wounded

                                12th Dec 1915  Wet Day

                                12th Dec 1915  In the Line

                                12th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                12th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                12th December 1915  Church Service

                                12th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                12th December 1915  Orders

                                12th December 1915 

                                12th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                12th Dec 1915  On the March

                                12th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                12th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                12th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                12th of December 1915  Entraining

                                12th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                12th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                12th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                12th Dec 1915  Devine Service

                                12th Dec 1915  Orders Received

                                12th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                12th Dec 1915  Move

                                12th Dec 1915  Registration

                                12th Dec 1915  Training

                                12th of December 1915  Instruction

                                12th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                12th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                12th of December 1915  German Deserter

                                12th Dec 1915  Artillery Active

                                12th Dec 1915  Advance Party

                                12th December 1915  Proceeding to trenches tomorrow.

                                12th of December 1915  Church parade

                                12th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                12th of December 1915  Working Parties

                                12th December 1915  Heavily shelled in retaliation to our guns.

                                12th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                12th Dec 1915  Flooding

                                12th Dec 1915  Training

                                13th December 1915 Inspections and Equipment  6th County of London Brigade RFA Battery Commanders proceeded by motor to the firing line, to see their new gun positions and Wagon Lines. The 18 pounder guns originally allotted to this Brigade, which had been handed over to the 5th London Brigade RFA at Auchel on the relief when this Brigade took over the guns of the 5th London Brigade RFA in action at Noyelles, were received back by this Brigade in exchange for the guns originally allotted to the 5th London Brigade RFA.

                                13th December 1915  Horses Inspected

                                13th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                13th Dec - More points registered and a new base line put out.

                                14th to 17th Dec - everything very quiet.

                                13th Dec 1915  Company Training

                                13th Dec 1915  The Lucky Seven

                                13th Dec 1915  Preparing for Move

                                13th Dec 1915  Officer Killed

                                13th Dec 1915  Mobilization

                                13th Dec 1915  Parapets

                                13th of December 1915  Invalided Home

                                13th December 1915  Restricted opening times

                                13th Dec 1915  Orders

                                13th Dec 1915  Medal Winner Returns

                                13th December 1915  On the Move

                                13th December 1915  Orders

                                13th December 1915  Reliefs

                                13th December 1915  Orders

                                13th December 1915  Order

                                13st December 1915  Orders

                                13th December 1915  Reliefs

                                13th December 1915  Orders

                                13th December 1915 

                                13th Dec 1915  Bad Weather

                                13th Dec 1915  Training

                                13th Dec 1915  Lectures

                                13th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                13th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                13th of December 1915 

                                13th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                13th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Dec 1915  Very Wet

                                13th Dec 1915  Patrols

                                13th Dec 1915  On the March

                                13th Dec 1915  Training

                                13th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                13th Dec 1915  On the March

                                13rd Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Dec 1915  Misty

                                13th Dec 1915  Orders

                                13th of December 1915  Relief Arranged

                                13th Dec 1915  Musketry

                                13th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                13th of December 1915  German Planes Active

                                13th December 1915  Reliefs

                                13th of December 1915  Training continues

                                13th December 1915  Reliefs

                                13th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                13th of December 1915  Le Bizet Shelled

                                13th December 1915  Operational Order No.44.

                                13th December 1915  Schedule of Billeting

                                13th December 1915  Moved to billets in Sailly La Bourse

                                13th Dec 1915  Information

                                13th Dec 1915  Baths

                                14th December 1915 Recreation  6th County of London Brigade RFA acknowledge the allotment for leave of absence has been decreased. 10 men per Brigade, instead of 16, now proceed on leave each week. A Brigade Concert was held in the Cinema Theatre, Auchel.

                                14th December 1915  Route March and Mounted Parades

                                14th Dec 1915 13th East Yorks leave Hurdcott Camp  13th East Yorks leave Hurdcott Camp at 8am on December 14th for Salisbury then left Salisbury at 1.15pm arriving at Devonport at 9.15pm.

                                14th Dec 1915  Route March

                                14th Dec 1915  Training

                                14th Dec 1915  Parapets

                                14th Dec 1915  Route March

                                14th Dec 1915   Reliefs

                                15th of December 1915  Winter Horse Standings Built

                                14th December 1915  Ongoing Logistics

                                14th December 1915  Smoke helmet demonstration

                                14th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                14th December 1915  Course

                                14th December 1915 

                                14th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Dec 1915  Training

                                14th Dec 1915  Gas Demonstration

                                14th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                14th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                14th of December 1915  Trench Mortar Batteries

                                14th Dec 1915  Into Billets

                                14th Dec 1915  Working Party & Baths

                                14th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                14th Dec 1915  Route March

                                14th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                14th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                14th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                14th Dec 1915  Training Facilities

                                14th of December 1915  A Near Miss

                                14th Dec 1915  Training

                                14th Dec 1915  On the March

                                14th of December 1915  Bombs and Shells

                                14th Dec 1915  Wet

                                14th Dec 1915  Heavy Rain

                                14th December 1915  Protected Dugouts

                                14th of December 1915  Practice assualt

                                14th December 1914  In Billets

                                14th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                14th of December 1915  Working Parties

                                14th December 1915  cleaning up and preparing for move.

                                14th Dec 1915  Training

                                14th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                15th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieved by Royal Fusiliers  16th Northumberlands were relieved from their first stint in the front line, by a Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. The 16th Btn march to Albert, where they were billetted in the hospital. Over the next few days they were to provide working parties for the Royal Engineers.

                                15th December 1915  Action Stations

                                15th December 1915  Enquiry Held

                                15th December 1915 

                                15th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                15th Dec 1915  Allies Withdraw

                                15th Dec 1915  Company Training

                                15th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                15th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                15th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                15th December 1915  Preliminary practice

                                15th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                15th December 1915  Advance Parties

                                15th December 1915  Trench Mortars

                                15th December 1915 

                                15th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                15th Dec 1915  Training

                                15th Dec 1915  Lectures

                                15th Dec 1915  Newspapers

                                15th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                15th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                15th of December 1915 

                                15th Dec 1915  Recce

                                15th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                15th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                15th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                15th to 17th December 1915  In the trenches

                                15th Dec 1915  Close Order Drill

                                15th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                15th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                15th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                15th Dec 1915  Misty

                                15th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                15th of December 1915  Moving Up

                                15th Dec 1915  Training

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                15th of December 1915   Bombing Patrol

                                15th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                15th Dec 1915  Attachment

                                15th December 1915  Shelling

                                15th of December 1915  Route march with transport

                                15th December 1915  Moved to Verquin

                                15th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                15th of December 1915   RFA Battery Hit

                                15th December 1915  47th Division relieving 15th Division

                                15th December 1915  Marched to Noeux Les Mines

                                15th Dec 1915  New CO

                                15th Dec 1915  Training

                                16th December 1915  Registration

                                16th December 1915  Orders

                                16th Dec 1915  Arrangements to Move

                                16th Dec 1915  Hearts of Stone

                                16th Dec 1915  Suspected Scabies

                                16th Dec 1915  Machine Guns Move

                                16th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                16th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Dec 1915  Reinforcements

                                16th Dec 1915   Reliefs Complete

                                16th December 1915  Assault practice

                                16th Dec 1915  Improvements

                                16th December 1915  On the Move

                                16th December 1915 

                                16th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Dec 1915  Reorganisation

                                16th Dec 1915  Sports

                                16th Dec 1915  Recce

                                16th Dec 1915  In Camp

                                16th of December 1915 

                                16th Dec 1915  Orders

                                16th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                16th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                16th December 1915  La Somme - trench life

                                16th Dec 1915  Training

                                16th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                16th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                16th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                16th Dec 1915  very Misty

                                16th of December 1915   In the Trenches

                                16th Dec 1915  Training

                                  In camp (UK) - court martial

                                16th of December 1915  More Bombing Raids

                                16th Dec 1915  Training

                                16th December 1915  Wiring Parties

                                16th of December 1915  Practice trench attack

                                16th Dec 1915  Reorganisation

                                16th December 1915  In billets in Verquin.

                                16th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                16th of December 1915   Very Quiet Night

                                16th December 1915  140th Infantry Brigade will relieve the 141st Infantry Brigade

                                16th December 1915  Remained in billets in Vaudricourt.

                                16th December 1915  Platoon training and Rifle range

                                16th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                16th Dec 1915  Into Billets

                                17th December 1915  Registering

                                17th Dec 1915 6th East Yorks leave Suvla Bay  The 6th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (Pioneers) embarked from West Beach, Suvla Bay on SS Bawry and disembarked Mudros.

                                17th December 1915  tour Postponed

                                17th Dec 1915  Preparation to Move

                                17th December 1915  Recconaissance

                                17th Dec 1915  Night Sports

                                17th Dec 1915  Cruiser sunk

                                17th Dec 1915  Trench Repairs

                                17th Dec 1915  2nd East Surreys on the Move

                                17th Dec 1915  New Quarters

                                17th Dec 1915  On the March

                                17th Dec 1915  Fatigue Party

                                17th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                17th December 1915  On the Move

                                17th December 1915 

                                17th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                17th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                17th Dec 1915  Route March

                                17th Dec 1915  Trench Motars

                                17th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                17th of December 1915 

                                17th Dec 1915  Billets

                                17th Dec 1915  Working Party

                                17th Dec 1915  Rain

                                17th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                17th December 1915  La Somme - trench life

                                17th Dec 1915  Stores

                                17th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                17th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                17th Dec 1915  Very Misty

                                17th of December 1915  Windy Corner Shelled

                                17th Dec 1915  Training

                                17th of December 1915   Quiet Day

                                17th Dec 1915  Training

                                17th December 1915  Very quiet during the day.

                                17th of December 1915   Route march

                                17th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                17th of December 1915   Patrols Out

                                17th December 1915  Reference this Office B.M./471B

                                17th December 1915  Operational Order No.45.

                                17th December 1915  Lewis Gun from Divisional School

                                17th December 1915  Platoon Drill and lectures.

                                17th Dec 1915  Training

                                17th Dec 1915  Instructions Issued

                                18th December 1915 Observation Poor  6th County of London Brigade RFA report observation conditions are very bad. German front line trenches shelled by Lowe Group Batteries in retaliation for hostile fire and bombing on our trenches. 17th London Battery fired several times by request of Infantry, who reported that our shelling last night stopped the German bombing. All horses of the Brigade were inspected in Wagon Lines by the DDR. Lieut J.C. Woollett and 2nd Lieut H. Davis proceeded to England on 7 days leave of absence. (Note DDR = Deputy Director of Remounts)

                                18th December 1915 Field Marshall French Relinquishes Command  Special Order of the Day By Field Marshal Sir J.D.P. French, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O., Commander in chief, British Army in the Field.

                                In relinquishing the command of the British Army in France, I wish to express to the officers, non-commissioned officers and men, with whom I have been so closely associated with during the last sixteen months, my heartfelt sorrow in parting with them before the campaign, in which we have been so long engaged together, has been brought to a victorious conclusion. I have however, the firmest conviction that such a glorious ending to their splendid and heroic efforts is not far distant, and I shall watch their progress towards this final goal with intense interest, but in the most confident hope. The success so far attained has been due to the indomitable spirit, dogged tenacity which knows no defeat, and the heroic courage so abundantly displayed by the rank and file of the splendid Army which it will ever remain the pride and glory of my life to have commanded during over sixteen months of incessant fighting. Regulars And Territorials, Old Army and New Army have ever shown these magnificent qualities in equal degree. From my heart I thank them all. At this sad moment of parting my heart goes out to those who have received life-long injury from wounds, and I think with sorrow of that great and glorious host of my beloved comrades who have made the greatest sacrifice of all by laying down their lives for their country. In saying good-bye to the British Army in France I ask them once again to accept this expression of my deepest gratitude and heartfelt devotion towards them, and my earnest good wishes for the glorious future which I to be assured.

                                (Signed) J.D.P. French. Field Marshal, Commanding in Chief, The British Army in France.

                                18th December 1915

                                18th December 1915  Training

                                18th Dec 1915  Military Funeral for Territorial

                                18th Dec 1915  War Tragedy

                                18th Dec 1915  Armed Trawler sunk

                                18th December 1915 Enemy Aircraft dangers  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Intended to do a lot of shooting but was unable to do so owing to the number of German aeroplanes that were over during the morning and could only fire 4 rounds.

                                18th Dec 1915 Units leave Gallipoli  The evacuation from Gallipoli to Imbros took place over the nights of 18th & 19th December 1915.

                                18th Dec 1915  Ships Sunk

                                18th Dec 1915  Preparation for Move

                                18th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Dec 1915  Positions Improved

                                18th December 1915  New Chaplain

                                18th Dec 1915  Move

                                18th December 1915  On the Move

                                18th December 1915  Medical Arrangements

                                18th December 1915 

                                18th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                18th Dec 1915  Training

                                18th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                18th of December 1915 

                                18th Dec 1915  Orders

                                18th Dec 1915  Relief Completed

                                18th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                18th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                18th December 1915  Mining danger

                                18th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                18th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                18th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                18th Dec 1915  Very Misty

                                18th of December 1915  Very Quiet

                                18th Dec 1915  Baths

                                18th of December 1915  New Batteries Arrive

                                18th Dec 1915  Training

                                18th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                18th December 1915  Our Artillery Active

                                18th of December 1915  Practice trench attack

                                18th December 1915  Reliefs

                                18th December 1915  New Horses Arrive from Boulougne

                                18th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                18th of December 1915  Repairs Continue

                                18th December 1915  Battalion transport will move to Noyelles Les Vermelles

                                18th December 1915  Platoon Drill, Bomb, Machine Gun and Trench Mortar classes

                                18th Dec 1915  Training

                                18th Dec 1915  Training

                                18th Dec 1915   On the Move

                                19th December 1915  Intermittent Shelling

                                19th Dec 1915 14th DLI endure gas attack  14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry endure a gas attack near Wieltje. Casualties amongst the ranks amounted to 149 with 22 killed and a number of officers also being gassed and wounded.

                                19th December 1915  Church Parade for

                                19th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                A fine day and did a good deal of shooting. The Centre Section (Innerlees ??)was shelled in the morning by 5.9 inch Howitzers. One gun pit was hit and fell in onto the wheel of the gun but the gun was not damaged. One telephone pit had a direct hit, 2 men were inside but were not touched though a good deal of kit was damaged. There were no injuries to personnel. The shelling began around 1200 and continued at intervals with single rounds until about 1500.

                                19th Dec 1915 German Attack on the Yser Canal  On Dec 19th the chateau and canal came under heavy shellfire followed closely by a gas attack. All four companies of teh 3rd Monmouths moved into the trenches to reinforce the front line against the expected German attack. The attack never came but the battalion was shelled all day and all the following night and had 40 men killed or wounded.

                                The battalion War Diary records the following entry for that day: - About 5.30 am, message received that enemy was making gas attack. The Elverdinghe detachment had orders to move to Canal Bank. At 8.30 am the Battalion was in position; the Canal Bank detachment manning the reserve fire trenches, the Elverdinghe detachment at Canal bank dugouts. One machine gun and team in emplacement on Elverdinghe-Boesinghe road, and another at Mill Mound in Elverdinghe. Enemy bombarded heavily all day and night. During the morning 8- 17"shells fell in the grounds of Elverdinghe Chateau, where the QM branch had been left.

                                The following message was received from 49th Division. "The divisional Commander is very pleased with the behaviour of all ranks, and the promptitude with which all necessary steps was taken this morning"

                                There follows a list of casualties suffered by the battalion that day. One name stands out, 1881 Pte Gibson, who was one of a number of men who were gassed. Ironically being gassed could have saved his life as on Dec 27th the battalion was taken out of the front line and received orders to leave the Yser canal.

                                19th Dec 1915  Battalion Moves

                                19th Dec 1915  Gas Attack

                                19th Dec 1915  Brigade on the move

                                19th Dec 1915  Deadly Germs

                                19th Dec 1915  Gas Attack

                                19th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                19th Dec 1915   On the move

                                19th December 1915  Concert

                                19th Dec 1915  Recce

                                19th of December 1915  On the Move

                                19th of December 1915  Trench Mortars

                                19th of December 1915  Positions

                                19th of December 1915  Orders

                                19th of December 1915  Grenades

                                19th of December 1915 

                                19th of December 1915 

                                19th of December 1915  Orders

                                19th of December 1915 

                                19th December 1915 

                                19th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                19th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                19th Dec 1915  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                19th Dec 1915  Gas

                                19th Dec 1915  Trench Raid

                                19th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                19th of December 1915  Movement Instructions

                                19th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                19th Dec 1915  In Billets

                                19th Dec 1915  Mines Exploded

                                19th December 1915  Mining and snipers

                                19th December 1915  Trench dangers

                                19th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                19th Dec 1915  In Camp

                                19th Dec 1915  In Camp

                                19th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Dec 1915  Faileur

                                19th of December 1915  Relief Completed

                                19th Dec 1915  Billeting Party

                                19th of December 1915   Patrol Out

                                19th Dec 1915  On the March

                                19th Dec 1915  Training

                                19th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                19th December 1915  Violent Bombardment

                                19th of December 1915  Two Officers on leave

                                19th December 1915  Moved from Verquin in to Support C1 Sector

                                19th December 1915  Move

                                19th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                19th of December 1915  Trenches Wired

                                19th December 1915  In to Brigade Reserve

                                19th December 1915  Church Parade

                                19th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                19th Dec 1915  Instructions

                                20th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers second stint in front line  16th Northumberlands return to the trenches in sector e2 to left of their first position.

                                20th December 1915 Enemy Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report at 1315, 1352 and 1440 15th London Battery fired on trench A,28,c,2.3. This silenced a trench mortar shelling our front line at A.28.c.2.3. 17th London Battery reported that from 0700 to 0730 digging went on in several places in the Little Willie and Germans were seen passing various points where the parapet had been breached on the previous day. A steel loophole was visible at G.4.b.2.10 through which men could be seen passing. The 17th London Battery fired thirty rounds at a machine gun reported at G.5.6.7. 19th London Battery fired twelve rounds on G.4.b.97 in reply to enemy shelling G.4.a. and the enemy ceased firing.

                                20th December 1915  in Billets

                                20th Dec 1915 A & B Coys 12th York & Lancs leave Hurcott Camp  A & B Coys, Sheffield City Battalion marched out of Hurcott Camp and entrained for Devonport at Salisbury Station, the train left at 5am. C & D Coys marched out of the camp at 2.30am with their train leaving at 6.25am. The Battalion transport left the camp at 5pm.

                                The trains were shunted onto the dockside at Keyham Docks and the majority of the Battalion boarded the SS Nestor. A small party from the Battalion transport boarded HMT Malakoota to travel with the Divisional Artillery.

                                20th December 1915   SM U-71

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 55) Ordered 6 Jan 1915 Launched 31 Oct 1915 Commissioned 20 Dec 1915

                                Commanders.
                                20 Dec 1915 - 19 Apr 1917 Hugo Schmidt.
                                20 Apr 1917 - 27 Nov 1917 Walter Gude.
                                28 Nov 1917 - 27 Jan 1918 Otto Dröscher.
                                28 Jan 1918 - 29 Jul 1918 Oblt. Richard Scheurlen.
                                30 Jul 1918 - 14 Oct 1918 Oblt. Kurt Slevogt

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                7 Apr 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 I Flotilla

                                Successes 18 ships sunk with a total of 15,273 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 3,230 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 82 tons.
                                3 warships sunk with a total of 3,481 tons.
                                1 warship damaged with a total of 820 tons.

                                • 18 Oct 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Greta 1,370 sw
                                • 19 Oct 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Mercur 711 sw
                                • 19 Oct 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Normandie 1,342 sw
                                • 21 Oct 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Rönnaug 1,331 nw
                                • 13 Dec 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Solon 137 da
                                • 17 Dec 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Sjofna 528 nw
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Herø 1,106 nw
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Sieka 119 nl
                                • 19 Feb 1917 U 71 Hugo Schmidt Halcyon 190 br
                                • 4 Jun 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Orion 1,870 da
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 71 Walter Gude C. Thorén 269 sw
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Götha 232 sw
                                • 20 Jul 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Sirra 223 nl
                                • 26 Jul 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Flore 3,553 fr
                                • 26 Jul 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Ethelwynne (damaged) 3,230 br
                                • 14 Aug 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Majorka 1,684 nw
                                • 31 Aug 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Taurus 128 br
                                • 20 Oct 1917 U 71 Walter Gude Thomas Stratten 309 br
                                • 12 Dec 1917 U 71 Otto Dröscher Amadavat 171 br
                                • 31 Dec 1917 U 71 Otto Dröscher De Hoop (prize) 82 nl
                                • 1 May 1918 U 71 Richard Scheurlen Blackmorevale 750 br
                                • 15 Aug 1918 U 71 Richard Scheurlen Scott 1,801 br
                                • 15 Aug 1918 U 71 Richard Scheurlen Ulleswater 930 br
                                • 20 Aug 1918 U 71 Richard Scheurlen Shirley (damaged) 820 br

                                Fate 23 Feb 1919 - Surrendered to France. Broken up at Cherburg in 1921.

                                There was another U 71 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 31 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 14 Dec 1940.

                                20th December 1915 Ammunition problems  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                20th Dec - Tested the shooting of the guns up to date the fuses seem to have been very bad.

                                21st Dec - No shooting today.

                                20th Dec 1915  7th Northumberlands into Reseve

                                20th Dec 1915  Under Bombardment

                                20th Dec 1915  Jam and Football

                                20th Dec 1915  Company Training

                                20th Dec 1915  Interesting Ground

                                20th Dec 1915  2nd East Surreys on the Move

                                20th Dec 1915  Convoy of Gas Cases

                                20th Dec 1915  Under Shellfire

                                20th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                20th Dec 1915  In Camp

                                20th Dec 1915  On the move

                                1915-12-20  Live grenade training

                                20th December 1915  Live grenade training

                                20th Dec 1915  Cleaning up

                                20th of December 1915 

                                20th of December 1915 

                                20th of December 1915 

                                20th of December 1915 

                                20th of December 1915  Positions

                                20th of December 1915 

                                20th December 1915 

                                20th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                20th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                20th Dec 1915  Baths

                                20th Dec 1915  Training

                                20th Dec 1915  Award

                                20th Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                20th of December 1915 

                                20th Dec 1915  Artillery Bombardment

                                20th Dec 1915  In Billets

                                20th December 1915  La Boiselle Action

                                20th Dec 1915  Orders

                                20th Dec 1915  Reserves

                                20th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                20th Dec 1915  In Camp

                                20th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Dec 1915  Misty

                                20th of December 1915  Instruction

                                20th Dec 1915  On the March

                                  In camp (UK), court of enquiry

                                20th of December 1915  Deserter Taken

                                20th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                20th Dec 1915  On the March

                                20th December 1915  Bombing attack planned

                                20th of December 1915  Divisional manoeuvres

                                20th December 1915  Cleaning of trenches - Chapel Alley & O.B.5.

                                20th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                20th of December 1915  Work Abandoned

                                20th December 1915  Battalion remained in Noyelles Les Vermelles.

                                20th December 1915  "A" & "B" Coys. on range.

                                20th Dec 1915  Training

                                20th Dec 1915  Reorganisation

                                21st December 1915 Steady Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA report shelling took place on both sides steadily all day. From 0200 to 0800 15th London Battery fired one hundred and fifty shrapnel and one hundred and thirty six H.E. on the Cross Trench. At 20.55 the 17th London Battery fired sixty two H.E. on G.4.c.3.9 at request front infantry who were being shelled heavily in Sticky and Northampton trenches. The 19th London Battery fired at intervals during the afternoon on G.4.b.9.7 to G.5.a.1.3 in reply to enemy shelling at G.4.a. (Note H.E.= High Explosives Shells).

                                21st Dec 1915 18th DLI arrive in Egypt  18th Durham Light Infantry arrive at Port Said, Egypt on 21st December 1915.

                                21st December 1915  Horses Malined

                                21st Dec 1915  Baptism of Fire

                                21st Dec 1915  Liner Sunk

                                21st Dec 1915  Merry and Bright

                                21st Dec 1915  Lectures Under Cover

                                21st Dec 1915  Busy Day

                                21st Dec 1915  Artillery Active

                                21st Dec 1915  Change of Command

                                21st Dec 1915  On the move

                                21st December 1915  Parade cancelled

                                21st Dec 1915  Relief Complete

                                21st of December 1915 

                                21st Dec 1915  Reinforcements

                                21st Dec 1915  Route March

                                21st Dec 1915  Very Wet Day

                                21st Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                21st Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                21st of December 1915  RE Training and Army Work

                                21st Dec 1915  Recce

                                21st Dec 1915  In Billets

                                21st Dec 1915  Heavy Rain

                                21st December 1915  La Boiselle Action

                                21st Dec 1915  Training

                                21st Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                21st Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                21st Dec 1915  Misty

                                21st of December 1915  Rain All Day

                                21st Dec 1915  Instruction

                                  Rifleman AWOL

                                21st Dec 1915  On the Move

                                21st Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                21st December 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                21st of December 1915  Manoeuvres

                                21st Dec 1915  On the Move

                                21st December 1915  Situation quiet on Support Line.

                                21st December 1915  On the Move

                                21st Dec 1915  Instruction

                                21st of December 1915  Baths

                                21st December 1915  Unauthorised truce

                                21st December 1915  Platoon training & lectures.

                                21st Dec 1915  Instruction

                                21st Dec 1915  Storm

                                22nd December 1915  6th London Bde Batteries in Action

                                22nd December 1915  Digging Party Withdrawn

                                22nd December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                22nd Dec - Experimented with some old fuses, result not very satisfactory. At 1700 gas attack by 12th Division not a success.

                                23rd - Retaliated and several more points registered

                                22nd Dec 1915  Saved his Comrades

                                22nd Dec 1915  Minesweeper Lost

                                22nd Dec 1915  Collier Lost

                                22nd Dec 1915  Very Wet

                                22nd Dec 1915  Assimilating Courage

                                22nd Dec 1915  Boats Blown up

                                22nd Dec 1915  White Handkerchief

                                22nd Dec 1915  Into Reserve

                                22nd Dec 1915  Trench Recce

                                22nd Dec 1915  On the move

                                22nd Dec 1915  Storm

                                22nd of December 1915 

                                22nd of December 1915 

                                22nd Dec 1915  Training

                                22nd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                22nd Dec 1915  Training

                                22nd Dec 1915  Working Parties & Baths

                                22nd Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                22nd of December 1915 

                                22nd Dec 1915  Attachments

                                22nd Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd Dec 1915  In Billets

                                22 December 1915  La Boiselle Action

                                22nd Dec 1915  Training

                                22nd Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                22nd Dec 1915  Misty

                                22nd of December 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Dec 1915  Instruction

                                22nd of December 1915   Quiet Time

                                22nd Dec 1915  On the March

                                22nd Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd December 1915  Training and Baths

                                22nd of December 1915  Divisional manoeuvres

                                22nd December 1915  Gas discharged at 2000 hours under very favourable conditions

                                22nd Dec 1915  Orders Issued

                                22nd Dec 1915  On the Move

                                22nd of December 1915  Working Parties

                                22nd Dec 1915  Comforts

                                22nd December 1915  Musketry, Bayonet fighting and lectures.

                                22nd Dec 1915  Instruction

                                22nd Dec 1915  Conference

                                23rd December 1915  London Batteries in Action

                                23rd December 1915  Route March & Horses Inspected   9th Lancers in billets at HQ Enquin. Brigadier General Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade inspected the horses of the Regiment for casting for non-veterinary reasons. Veterinary Officer inspected all the horses of the Regiment. The 9th Lancers dismounted company and Machine Gun Section went for a short Route march. Major Grenfell & Lieutenant Gisborne returned from trench course. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital.

                                23rd December 1915  Horses Inspected  9th Lancers in billets at HQ Enquin. Brigadier General Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade inspected the horses of the Regiment for casting for non-veterinary reasons. Veterinary Officer inspected all the horses of the Regiment. The 9th Lancers dismounted company and Machine Gun Section went for a short Route march. Major Grenfell & Lieutenant Gisborne returned from trench course. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital.

                                23rd Dec 1915  5th Northumberlands Relieved by 7th

                                23rd Dec 1915  Maiden Voyage

                                23rd Dec 1915  Whizz Bangs for Dinner

                                23rd Dec 1915  Poem of the Trenches

                                23rd Dec 1915  The Question of Single Men

                                23rd Dec 1915  Terrible Mud

                                23rd Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd Dec 1915  Christmas Parcels

                                23rd Dec 1915  Heavy Rain

                                23rd Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                23rd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Dec 1915  Into the Line

                                23rd Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd Dec 1915  Training

                                23rd Dec 1915  Relief

                                23rd of December 1915 

                                23rd Dec 1915  Training

                                23rd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd Dec 1915  Training

                                23rd Dec 1915  Wet Day

                                23rd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd of December 1915 

                                23rd Dec 1915  Attachments

                                23rd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Dec 1915  Guard Duty

                                23rd Dec 1915  Quiet

                                23 December 1915  La Boiselle Action

                                23rd Dec 1915  Route March

                                23rd Dec 1915  Reinforcements

                                23rd Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                23rd Dec 1915  Misty

                                23rd December 1915  Preparing to Move

                                23rd Dec 1915  Instruction

                                23rd of December 1915  Maricourt Shelled

                                23rd Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                23rd December 1915  Training

                                23rd December 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd of December 1915  Divisional manoeuvres

                                23rd December 1915  Battalion moved to Front Line in C1 Sector

                                23rd Dec 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                23rd of December 1915   Working Parties

                                23rd December 1915  Mine will explode at 0700 hours tomorrow

                                23rd December 1915  Brigade Operational Order No.46.

                                23rd December 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd December 1915  Company training.

                                23rd Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                23rd Dec 1915  Orders Issued

                                24th Dec 1915 Christmas in the trenches for 13th Welsh  "Garw Officer, 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment - Christmas Eve, and we are in the trenches. We came in last night, and we will be here for some time. It is ferafully wet here. Last night I got simply soaked from head to foot. And the rats were mighty I am about 100 yards behind the front trenches, and the noise is fearful. Our battallion may be out on Monday, then four days in rest billets,about ----- miles behind, and then in again for 8 days,I think. I nearly got hit as we went out of the trenches on Wednesday night. I was with the Commanding Officer and another Colonel. Going out we had a dip and jump into a dugout,as there was a sniper on. We lost a Captain on our first day, killed by shrapnel. I hope you will have a happy Christmas. I wish I was with you, but this is my place, and I hope we shall be alright,"

                                24th December 1915  Christmas Eve Explosion

                                24th December 1915  Kit Inspection  9th Lancers in billets, HQ Enquin. Inspections of kit, arms, saddlery & horses by all Squadrons & Machine Gun Section. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital.

                                24th Dec 1915  Into the Trenches

                                24th Dec 1915 St James' Park returned to football club  St James' Park is handed back to Newcastle United, the army footing a bill of £590 2s and 9d for rental and damages.

                                24th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                24th Dec - Fired between 1700 and 1800, 1900 and 2000 also 2200 to 2300 on enemy's transport lines and trolley lines.

                                25th Dec - Fired a few rounds in the morning and repeated the firing of Dec 24th evening.

                                24th Dec 1914  No Fraternisation Permitted

                                24th Dec 1915  Drill

                                24th Dec 1915  Concert at Hotel

                                24th Dec 1915  Enemy Mine

                                24th Dec 1915  Puddings

                                24th Dec 1915  Trench Recce

                                24th Dec 1915   In the Trenches

                                24th Dec 1915  Training

                                24th December 1915  Lewis gun training

                                24th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                24th of December 1915 

                                24th of December 1915 

                                24th December 1915 

                                24th Dec 1915  Training

                                24th Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                24th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                24th Dec 1915  Wet Weather

                                24th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                24th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                24th of December 1915 

                                24th Dec 1915  Orders

                                24th Dec 1915  Working Party & Baths

                                24th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                24th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                24th December 1915  La Boiselle Mining

                                24th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                24th Dec 1915  In Camp

                                24th Dec 1915  Shells fired

                                24th December 1915  In Front Line

                                24th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                24th of December 1915   Enemy Guns Active

                                24th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                24th December 1915  Company drill

                                24th of December 1915  Resting

                                24th December 1915  Support Battalion moved in to O.B.1.

                                24th Dec 1915  In the Line

                                24th of December 1915   Working Parties

                                24th December 1915  Battalion remained in Front Line

                                24th Dec 1915  Artillery in Action

                                24th Dec 1915  Flooding

                                25th Dec 1915  Pantomime performed

                                25th December 1915  Steady Bombardment

                                25th Dec 1915  A Cheery Christmas

                                25th December 1915  celebrate Christmas at the front.  9th Lancers in billets, HQ Enquin. Church of England parade service at 0900 hours at Preures. Commanding Officer visited men of all Squadrons & Machine gun Section at their Christmas dinners.

                                25th Dec 1915  To Bury the Dead

                                25th Dec 1915 SS Van Stirum torpedoed  At 1.35 p.m. on Christmas Day, 1915, the SS Van Stirum was fired on by two submarines and overhauled about an hour afterwards. At 2.32 p.m. the vessel was stopped, most of the crew embarking in two life-boats. The master, chief officer, chief engineer, and Marconi operator then got into a boat on the port side, leaving the boatswain and a seaman to lower away and follow them into the boat.

                                One of the submarines was on the port quarter 200 yards away, and as these two men were coming down the falls, a torpedo was fired, which passed under the boat and struck the ship's side. The explosion killed both men in the falls. The position was 20 miles from land, and the survivors were picked up an hour later by a trawler.

                                Many attempts were made to tow the ship to land, but due to bad weather each time the rope broke. After a nearly endless struggle with the seas, she capsized and foundered on December 26th. The 4 men on board helping with the ropes, were narrowly saved from drowning with the ship.

                                25th Dec 1915  Christmas

                                25th Dec 1915  Handshakes, Gifts and Songs

                                25th Dec 1915  Relief Completed

                                25th Dec 1915  Vacant Place at many Tables

                                25th Dec 1915  Football Competition

                                25th Dec 1915  Busy Christmas Day

                                25th Dec 1915  Christmas in Norfolk

                                25th Dec 1915  In Hutments

                                25th Dec 1915  Right Royal Style

                                25th Dec 1915  Artillery Active

                                25th Dec 1915  Greetings Exchanged

                                25th Dec 1915  Celebrations

                                25th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                25th Dec 1915   Beer and Pudding

                                25th Dec 1915  Church Parades and Training

                                25th December 1915  Christmas Festivities

                                25th December 1915  Xmas day parade

                                25th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                25th of December 1915 

                                25th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                25th Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                25th Dec 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                25th Dec 1915  Festive Celebrations

                                25th Dec 1915  White Flag

                                25th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                25th of December 1915 

                                25th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                25th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                25th Dec 1915  Merry Christmas

                                25th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                25th December 1915  La Boiselle Mining

                                25th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                25th Dec 1915  In Camp

                                25th Dec 1915  Christmas Dinner

                                25th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                25th December 1915   Guns Active

                                25th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                25th of December 1915  Patrols

                                25th Dec 1915  In Billets

                                25th December 1915  Festivities

                                25th December 1915  Festivities

                                25th December 1915  Xmas Day 1915

                                25th of December 1915  Christmas concert

                                25th December 1915  Officer shot man of German patrol in early morning.

                                25th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                25th of December 1915  LNL Relieved

                                25th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                25th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                26th December 1915  Observation Posts Sighted

                                26th Dec 1915 13th Yorks & Lancs sail for Egypt  13th Btn Yorks and Lancs sail for Egypt aboard the SS Andania.

                                26th December 1915  Digging Party Resume Work  9th Lancers in billets, HQ Enquin. Church of England parade service at 1215 hours at Preures. Digging Party returned to its duties under Captain Taylor-Whitehead. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital.

                                26th December 1915 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                26th Dec - Nothing to report

                                27th Dec - At about 1350 the Battery was shelled by 5.9 Howitzers Shelling continued till about 1530 but no gun-pit, dugout or man was hit. One shell burst about 10 yards short of number 3 gun and another 10 yards over, the remainder were scattered everywhere. Some in the orchard where the fuses were, some outside, some on the far side of the road behind the guns.

                                28th Dec - Did no shooting and filled up the holes made yesterday.

                                29th Dec - No shooting.

                                30th Dec - Did a good deal of shooting.

                                26th Dec 1915  Lucky for Once

                                26th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                26th Dec 1915  Conduct Questioned

                                26th Dec 1915  Search Lights Somewhere in France

                                26th Dec 1915  Bad Cases

                                26th Dec 1915  In Reserve

                                26th Dec 1915  Regimental Sports

                                26th Dec 1915   Reliefs

                                26th Dec 1915  Route March

                                26th Dec 1915  Training

                                26th December 1915  Boxing Day service

                                26th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Dec 1915  In the Trenches

                                26th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Dec 1915  Training & Football

                                26th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                26th of December 1915  RE on the Move

                                26th Dec 1915  Attachments

                                26th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                26th Dec 1915  Reserves

                                26th Dec 1915  Church Parade

                                26th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                26th December 1915   Guns Active

                                26th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                26th of December 1915  Tit-for-Tat Shelling

                                26th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                26th December 1915  Church Parade

                                26th December 1915  On the March

                                26th of December 1915  Divine service

                                26th December 1915  German T.M. located at G.12.a.45.

                                26th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                26th of December 1915  Our Artillery Active

                                26th December 1915  Operational Order No. 47.

                                26th December 1915  Church Parades.

                                26th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                26th Dec 1915  Flooding

                                27th Dec 1915 3rd Monmouths out of line  On Dec 27th the 3rd battalion Monmouthshire Regiment was taken out of the front line and received orders to leave the Yser canal.

                                27th December 1915  6th London Bde Batteries Fire

                                27th December 1915  Instructional Ride

                                27th Dec 1915  Machinery Improved

                                27th Dec 1915  7th Northumberlands Relieved by 5th

                                27th Dec 1915  A Good Country

                                27th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                27th Dec 1915  Under Instruction

                                27th Dec 1915  Sad Duty

                                27th Dec 1915  Notes Issued

                                27th Dec 1915  Concert in Ward

                                27th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1915  Route March

                                27th of December 1915  A Commander Returns

                                27th Dec 1915  Training

                                27th Dec 1915  Visit by Sir Douglas Haig

                                27th of December 1915 

                                27th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                27th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                27th Dec 1915  Training

                                27th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                27th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                27th of December 1915  Movements

                                27th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1915  In Billets

                                27th Dec 1915  Orders

                                27th December 1915  La Boiselle Mining

                                27th Dec 1915  Holiday

                                27th Dec 1915  Routine

                                27th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                27th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1915  Relief

                                27th December 1915  Reliefs Complete

                                27th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                27th of December 1915  Heavies Effective

                                27th Dec 1915  Poor Conditions

                                27th Dec 1915  Holding the Line

                                27th December 1915  Musketry and drill.

                                27th of December 1915  Route march

                                27th December 1915  Moved to Verquin in Reserve billets

                                27th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                27th of December 1915  Both Artilleries Active

                                27th December 1915  Divisional Reserve

                                27th December 1915  Company training,

                                27th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1915  On the March

                                28th December 1915  Batteries in Action

                                28th December 1915  Digging Party Wthdrawn

                                28th Dec 1915 8th Manchesters evacuated from Gallipoli  8th Manchesters are evacuated from Gallipoli to Mudros, they then proceed to Egypt.

                                28th December 1915 Battle of Durazzo 1915  The First Battle of Durazzo was a naval battle of World War I. It was fought off Durazzo, Albania at the end of December 1915 and involved the navies of Austria, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France.

                                Battle

                                In December 1915, the Austro-Hungarian Navy sent another cruiser Squadron into the Adriatic, this time to interfere with the Serbian Campaign. The new light cruiser SMS Helgoland, accompanied by five Tatra-class destroyers left Cattaro and headed for Durazzo late on 28 December 1915, with the submarine U-15 and two destroyers already off Durazzo on patrol. While on passage, the Austro-Hungarians sighted the French submarine Monge on patrol to the south of Cattaro. The destroyer SMS Balaton opened fire before ramming and sinking Monge. Early the next day, the Austrian squadron arrived off Durazzo and opened fire on the town, with Helgoland sinking a Greek steamer and two schooners. The destroyer Lika ran into a minefield and was sunk. Triglav was badly damaged by another mine. SMS Csepel attempted to take Triglav in tow, but fouled a propeller and the job was taken over by Tatra. The crippled Austrian force now returned slowly north. Allied forces in Brindisi were alerted to the Austrian force and the British sent out the Town-class light cruiser HMS Dartmouth. These were quickly followed by the Italian light cruisers Quatro and Nino Bixio, British destroyer HMS Weymouth and five French destroyers. The Austrians also responded and despatched from Cattaro, the armoured cruiser Kaiser Karl VI, and the light cruiser Novara, to support the returning survivors of the raid, but they did not see action. Early in the afternoon of 29 December the forward Allied ships came into action with the Austrian squadron which was still only halfway home. The French destroyers headed for the Austrian destroyer Triglav, still under tow, which was abandoned and scuttled off Cape Rondini, after being fired upon by the French destroyer Casque. Meanwhile, the Allied cruisers attempted to cut off and deal with Helgoland and the three remaining destroyers. In a long-range gunnery duel fought throughout the afternoon, Helgoland skillfully avoided the Allied cruisers and reached Cattaro safely but with the loss of the valuable Lika and Triglav. Tatra suffered a damaged engine from several shell hits

                                28th Dec 1915  Parade and March

                                28th Dec 1915  Christmas Dinner

                                28th Dec 1915  Artillery Active

                                28th Dec 1915  Under Fire

                                28th Dec 1915  Orders

                                28th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Dec 1915  On the move

                                28th Dec 1915  Mule Tracks

                                28th December 1915  Open warfare practice

                                28th of December 1915 

                                28th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                28th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                28th Dec 1915  Route March

                                28th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                28th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                28th of December 1915  Railway Construction

                                28th Dec 1915  Casualty

                                28th Dec 1915  Trench Raid

                                28th Dec 1915  Orders

                                28th December 1915  Billets- after action.

                                28th Dec 1915  Route March

                                28th Dec 1915  Orders

                                28th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Dec 1915  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Dec 1915  Relief Complete

                                28th of December 1915  Cleaning Up

                                28th of December 1915  Retaliatory Firing

                                28th Dec 1915  On the March

                                28th Dec 1915  Straffing

                                28th December 1915  Reliefs

                                28th December 1915  Orders to Move

                                28th of December 1915  Regimental concert

                                28th December 1915  In Reserve billets at Verquin.

                                28th December 1915  Lt. Chattertons of report.

                                28th December 1915  Lt. Chatterton Letter

                                28th Dec 1915  Holding the Line

                                28th of December 1915  A Minor Operation

                                28th December 1915  Battalion remained in Labourse.

                                28th Dec 1915  Working Party

                                28th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Dec 1915 16th Northumberland Fusilers relived by 10th Essex  16th Northumberlands were relived in sector e2 by the 10th Essex and marched to Albert then on to Millencourt where they spent the night.

                                29th December 1915  A Busy Day

                                29th December 1915  Change of Billets

                                29th Dec 1915 3rd Monmouths suffer tragic losses  At 2.30 p.m. on Dec 29th, the 3rd Monmouthshire battalion paraded in the grounds of Elverdinghe Chateau prior to moving out. As the men fell in, "an ominous sound was heard, like an oncoming railway train" and 17-inch shells began to burst among the ranks. In a few seconds 39 men were killed and 30 wounded. Among the dead were many of the men who had survived the slaughter of Ypres The dead were all buried in the adjoining cemetery of Ferme Olivier . It was a ghastly send off from the Salient, which they were not to see again as a Battalion.

                                29th Dec 1915  An Impromptu Christmas Morning

                                29th Dec 1915  No Shots Fired

                                29th Dec 1915  Eating Meals in Decency

                                29th Dec 1915  Cargo Ship Sunk

                                29th Dec 1915  Parade and Brigade March

                                29th Dec 1915  Poker

                                29th Dec 1915  Panto at Convalescent Camp

                                29th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                29th Dec 1915  A Little Homesick

                                29th Dec 1915  Hun Quiet

                                29th Dec 1915  Enemy Mine Fired

                                29th Dec 1915  In the Line

                                29th Dec 1915  Mule Tracks

                                29th December 1915  General Company Training

                                29th of December 1915 

                                29th December 1915 

                                29th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Dec 1915  Billets

                                29th Dec 1915  Inspections

                                29th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                29th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                29th of December 1915  Orders

                                29th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                29th Dec 1915  On the March

                                29th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                29th December 1915  Peace and quiet.

                                29th Dec 1915  Recce

                                29th Dec 1915  Baggage

                                29th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                29th Dec 1915  In Position

                                29th of December 1915  Drill

                                29th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                29th of December 1915  Heavies Busy

                                29th Dec 1915  Shelling

                                29th December 1915  Fleet of Aeroplanes

                                29th December 1915  Reliefs

                                29th of December 1915  Practice attack

                                29th December 1915  In Reserve billets in Verquin.

                                29th Dec 1915  Holding the Line

                                29th of December 1915   Enemy's Trenches Damaged

                                29th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                29th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                29th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                30th December 1915  Enemy Mine Explosion

                                30th December 1915  On the Move

                                31st December 1915  Billets Reorganised

                                30th Dec 1915   HMS Natal was an armoured cruiser of the ‘Warrior’ Class. She had an official complement of 704 officers and men. She escorted the royal yacht in 1911,1912 for the newly crowned King George V's trip to India to attend the Delhi Durbar.

                                On Thursday December 30th 1915 she was lying in Cromarty harbour near Invergordon, to the North of Inverness. At 3.20 p.m. fire broke out on board. Within about five minutes the ship was torn apart by the explosion of her after magazines and sank almost immediately.

                                Natal’s crew were all pre-war regulars, reservists or wartime volunteers, conscription wasn’t introduced until two days after she exploded. About half the crew were under 25. Amongst the dead were 33 Royal Naval Reserve Stokers, nearly all from the North East, 14 members of the Royal Naval Volunteer 12 Reserve, 63 Royal Marines, including 15 bandsmen, three nursing sisters of Queen Alexander’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, three canteen staff who worked for the Army & Navy Stores and two Admiralty employed civilian craftsmen.

                                On 30 December 1915, Natal was lying in the Cromarty Firth with her squadron, under the command of Captain Eric Back. The captain was hosting a film party aboard and had invited the wives and children of his officers, one civilian friend and his family, and nurses from the nearby hospital ship Drina to attend. A total of seven women, one civilian male, and three children were in attendance that afternoon.

                                Shortly after 1525, and without warning, a series of violent explosions tore through the rear part of the ship. She capsized five minutes later. Some thought that she'd been torpedoed by a German U-boat or detonated a submarine-laid mine, but examination of the wreckage revealed that the explosions were internal. The divers sent to investigate the ship reported that the explosions began in either the rear 9.2-inch shellroom or the 3-pounder and small arms magazine. The Admiralty court-martial in the causes of her loss concluded that it was caused by an internal ammunition explosion, possibly due to faulty cordite. The Admiralty issued a revised list of the dead and missing that totaled 390 in January 1916, but did not list the women and children on board that day.

                                With her hull still visible at low water, it was Royal Navy practice on entering and leaving Cromarty right up to the Second World War for every warship to sound "Still", and for officers and men to come to attention as they passed the wreck. After numerous attempts, much of the ship was salvaged. The remainder was blown up in the 1970s to level the wreck so that it would not be a hazard to navigation.

                                30th Dec 1915 RMT Persia lost off Crete  The Persia was sunk off Crete, while the passengers were having lunch, on 30 December 1915, by German World War I U-Boat ace Max Valentiner (commanding SM U-38). The Persia sank in five to ten minutes, killing 343 of the 519 aboard. The sinking was highly controversial, since it broke naval international law, or the "Cruiser Rules", which stated that merchant ships could be stopped and searched for contraband, but could only be sunk if the passengers and crew were put in a place of safety (for which, lifeboats on the open sea were not sufficient). Instead, the U-Boat fired a torpedo with no warning, and made no provision for any survivors. This action took place under Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, but broke the Imperial German Navy’s own restriction on attacking passenger liners, the Arabic pledge.

                                30th Dec 1915  Late Christmas Dinner

                                30th Dec 1915  Liner Sunk

                                30th Dec 1914 Mail for the Front  In giving some details of the enormous pressure of work during Christmastide at the General Post Office, a high official of the department says: "One of the most serious items of our Christmas traffic was the transport of mails for the Expeditionary Force. An extraordinarily large number of letters and parcels have been sent abroad to the troops from the earliest days of the war. Our soldiers’ mail grew in bulk with each succeeding week, and increased enormously as Christmas drew near. During the first week in December the number of letters sent home was 1,700,000, in the following week the figures were over 2,000,000, and last week, when we carried the Christmas traffic for our soldiers, we dealt with two and a half million letters. The parcels despatched for the Expeditionary Force grew in the same proportion. In the first week of December they numbered 116,000, in the second week 220,000, and in the third week nearly a quarter of a million."

                                30th Dec 1915  Row Continues

                                30th Dec 1915  Visiting Sailors in Action

                                30th Dec 1915  Sentry Killed

                                30th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                30th Dec 1915  Working Parties

                                30th Dec 1915  Baggage

                                30th Dec 1915  Hard Work

                                30th December 1915  G.O.C Division inspection

                                30th of December 1915 

                                30th of December 1915  Orders

                                30th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                30th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                30th Dec 1915  Inspection

                                30th Dec 1915  Working Parties & Baths

                                30th Dec 1915  Trench Work

                                30th of December 1915 

                                30th Dec 1915  Attachments

                                30th Dec 1915  Snipers

                                30th Dec 1915  In Billets

                                30th Dec 1915  In Camp

                                30th December 1915  Trench Foot

                                30th Dec 1915  Attack Practiced

                                30th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                30th Dec 1915  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Dec 1915  At Rest

                                30th of December 1915  Preparations

                                30th Dec 1915  Cleaning up

                                30th Dec 1915  Air Raid

                                30th of December 1915  Enemy Snipers Quietened

                                30th Dec 1915  Orders Received

                                30th Dec 1915  Quiet

                                30th December 1915  Naval High Velocity gun

                                30th Dec 1915  Tests

                                30th of December 1915  Training

                                30th Dec 1915  Holding the Line

                                30th Dec 1915  On the Move

                                30th of December 1915   A Relief

                                late Dec 1915  On the Move

                                30th December 1915  140th Brigade Operational Order No. 47.

                                30th December 1915  Lectures

                                30th Dec 1915  Instruction

                                30th Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                31st December 1915  Observation Post

                                31st December 1915 Commence relief handover  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Captain Walsh, Commanding Officer, 63rd Brigade RFA came up to take over position and it was arranged that 2 guns should go out of action this night and on the next morning he registered his 2 guns. The times worked out well but his ranges differed 75 yards from our registrations. His 18 pounders being new and our 13 pounders very old. Whilst we have been in this position a lot of work has been done to the gunpits and the system of telephone communication with the Battalion Headquarters and the Group HQ Royal Artillery much improved

                                31st Dec 1915  5th Northumberlands Relieved by 7th

                                31st Dec 1915  On the Move

                                31st Dec 1915  Gifts from the Trenches

                                31st Dec 1915  Courts Martial

                                31st Dec 1915  Hospital Ship Arrives

                                31st Dec 1915  The Worst in Germany

                                31st Dec 1915  Seeing the Old YEar Out

                                31st Dec 1915  Orders for Another Move

                                31st Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Dec 1915  Inspection

                                31st Dec 1915   Training

                                31st Dec 1915  Preparations

                                31st December 1915  New Years Eve attack

                                31st of December 1915 

                                31st of December 1915  Casualties

                                31st of December 1915 

                                31st December 1915 

                                December 1915 

                                31st Dec 1915  Shelling

                                31st Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Dec 1915  Bad Weather

                                31st Dec 1915  Training

                                31st Dec 1915  Working Parties & Baths

                                31st Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                31st of December 1915  Working Parties

                                31st Dec 1915  Recce

                                31st Dec 1915  Quiet

                                31st Dec 1915  On the March

                                31st Dec 1915  In Camp

                                31st Dec 1915  Training

                                31st Dec 1915  In Camp

                                31st Dec 1915  In Camp

                                31st Dec 1915  At Rest

                                31st of December 1915  A Band Plays

                                31st Dec 1915  Baths

                                31st of December 1915  Quiet Time

                                31st Dec 1915  Inspection

                                31st Dec 1915  Celebrations

                                31st December 1915  Very quiet day & night.

                                31st of December 1915  Practice attack

                                Dec 1915  Training

                                31st December 1915  Moved in to Brigade Reserve

                                31st Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                31st of December 1915   Baths

                                31st December 1915  Reliefs

                                31st December 1915  Guard Duties

                                31st Dec 1915  Reliefs

                                31st Dec 1915  Shelling

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

                                28th May 1915  Quiet

                                2nd Jun 1915  Battalions

                                3rd Jun 1915  On the March

                                5th Jun 1915  Orders

                                3rd Apr 1915  Baptism of Fire

                                24th July 1915  On the Move

                                18th October 1916  Reconnoiter of new sector.

                                19th October 1916  Operational Order No.113

                                Jan 1916 On the Move  27th Northumberland Fusiliers proceed to France with 103rd Brigade, 34th Division in January 1916.

                                1st Jan 1916 HMEF St. Helens opens  H.M. Explosive Factory St. Helen’s, Sutton Oak started up in January 1916 for the production of Synthetic Phenol. It was under Direct Control of the Ministry of Munitions

                                1st Jan 1916 TWFF Denaby opens  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Denaby, nr Rotherham, Yorkshire started up in January 1916. Filling 3-in. Stokes bombs and in 1917 was engaged in disassembling 3.7-in. bombs. The factory was under the direct control of the British Westfailite Co.

                                1st Jan 1916 TWFF Slade Green opens  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Slade Green, Erith, Crayfordness, Kent in January 1916, filling 2-in. and 6-in. trench mortar bombs. It was under Direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                 Blyth Battery Constructed  Blyth Battery was built in 1916 to defend the port of Blyth and the submarine base.

                                   National Fuse Factory at Armley Road, Wellington Street and Sweet Street, Leeds, Yorkshire opened in early 1916 for the production of Shell components. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management

                                1st Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers play football against 2nd Inniskillins   16th Northumberlands played the 2nd Battalio Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers in the intercopmany football matches. New Year's Day was a holiday and a special dinner took place.

                                1st January 1916  Firing in the New Year

                                1st January 1916 Railway Activity  

                                Only Photograph of train crash Candas-Acheux Railway.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Candas to Acheux Railway 28th December 1915 to 31st May 1916.

                                On the 28th December the 16th Rifles were placed under the direct command of the Chief Engineer, Third Army and tasked with building a broad gauge railway joining the main railway line at Candas to Acheux via Beauval, Punchevillers and Raincheval giving rise to a popular couplet by some Battalion wag:

                                "The 16th Rifles had nothing much to do So they had them build a railway from Candas to Acheux."

                                This was to accommodate a new railhead at Acheux to facilitate the supply of equipment to the Front. Although the decisions on the Somme offensive were not made until March, this early work had in mind an awaited British offensive being demanded by the French to relieve pressure on their positions. Because of the contours of the terrain and to minimise gradients for heavily loaded trains, what could have been 13 miles of track in a direct line became almost 17 miles. The railway line supplying this railhead was to be connected to the main Amiens, Doullens line at Candas. Because of the heavy loads to be carried the line was to follow the natural contours in the area rather than crossing them to limit steep gradients. The ground over which it was to be built was mainly rain sodden chalk which greatly added to the difficulty of construction.

                                The Battalion was deployed as follows: HQ and No.2 Company to Beauval; No.3 Company to Fienvillers (just west of Candas); Half of No.4 Company to Candas; No.1 Company left to finish off work in Flechelles; Two platoons of No.4 Company to continue quarrying (ballast for railway).

                                The manpower requirements were enormous and working parties of unskilled labour were supplied by many units. Everyone working on the railways had to be ready at a moment’s notice to offload trains bringing up materials for the work.

                                On the 1st January it was stated in the war diary that track was being laid at the rate of 1100 yards per day. The Chief Engineer reported that on the 11th January the track had advanced 3 miles beyond Candas. This was at odds with the reported daily rate of progress but presumably he was referring to completed and fully ballasted sections. Things were progressing well with a reported 5000 feet laid in a single day, but on the 21st January there was a train crash. The work train was returning when one of the trucks behind the engine jumped the rail at a bad part of the track and two other wagons were smashed. This was a result of having to run heavy trains over un-ballasted sections of track. 2 men were killed and 17 wounded, mostly from other units with only 7 wounded from the 16th Battalion.

                                A cache of Roman Coins were unearthed between 16th and 22nd January. On the 22nd January work had progressed so well, despite the crash, that Battalion HQ and Nos.2 and 4 Companies were able to move back to Raincheval. They were to continue laying track whilst No.3 Company carried on with packing and ballast and finishing the Terminal at Candas, add any necessary sidings and build a large cement tank able to hold 100,000 gallons of water for engines.

                                No.1 Company moved from Flesselles to Acheux where it was to build the Terminus there, a number of sidings and a second 100,000 gallon water tank. There was concern regarding the water supply as the railway needed about 80,000 gallons per day, but only 12,000 was available, but this was solved when a well was found in which the level didn’t fall even when 3,000 gallons per hour were pumped for 32 hours.

                                In the latter part of January heavy snow fell and no work was possible on the 26th January.

                                1st Jan 1916 Lifeboat drill on SS Andania  13th Btn Yorks and Lancs take part in a full scale Lifeboat drill aboard the SS Andania, enroute Egypt.

                                1st Jan 1916  Shelling

                                1st January 1916 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ60 (LZ90)

                                • Production Ref: LZ60
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ90
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 1st January 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 4 attacks on Bar-le-Duc, Norwich, London and Etaples, dropping a total of 8,860 kilograms (19,530 lb) of bombs. On the 7th November 1916 it broke loose in a storm, was blown out to sea and never seen again.

                                1916 Gas and Grenade School at Farnley  Farnley Camp was situated at Farnely Hall near Otley, West Yorkshire. It was the home of the Northern Command Gas and Grenade school from 1916 to 1918

                                1st January 1916  in Billets

                                1st January 1916 Zeppelin Developments  Zeppelin news for 1916

                                In December 1915 additional P-class Zeppelins and the first of the new Q-class airships were delivered. The Q-class was an enlargement of the P-class, lengthened to 178 m (585 ft), adding two gasbags, and improving both ceiling and bomb-load. Improved defensive measures made raids more hazardous, and several airships were destroyed. By mid-1916, there were 271 anti-aircraft guns and 258 searchlights across England, and the introduction of an effective combination of explosive and incendiary bullets gave the defending aircraft their first successes.

                                New types of Zeppelin with improved ceilings restored the advantage, but led to further flying and navigation problems. Oxygen was needed to fly at high altitude, the extreme cold led to crew fatigue and technical problems, and the meteorologists of the time did not appreciate the differing wind conditions likely to be met at altitude. Nevertheless, in 1916 23 raids dropped 125 tons of bombs, killing 293 and injuring 691 people.

                                Aerial defences against Zeppelins were haphazard, and divided between the RNAS and the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), with the Navy engaging enemy airships approaching the coast while the RFC took responsibility once the enemy had crossed the coastline. Initially the War Office believed that the Zeppelins used a layer of inert gas to protect themselves from incendiary bullets, and discouraged the use of such ammunition in favour of bombs. The initial trials of incendiary bullets in mid-1915 were unimpressive. Incendiary ammunition also underwent several separate development tracks. The first bullet was designed by John Pomery, but by mid-1916, the RFC also had Brock, Buckingham and "Sparklet" incendiary ammunition.

                                Ten home defence squadrons were organised from February 1916, with London's defences assigned to No. 19 RAS at Sutton's Farm and Hainault Farm (renamed No. 39 (Home Defence) Squadron in April 1916, who were also allocated North Weald Bassett airfield in August 1916). The number of aircraft varied. In February there were only eight squadrons and less than half the number of aircraft expected, and by June the number of squadrons had been cut to six and only No. 39 Squadron was at full strength and equipped with newer aircraft, BE12s with interrupter gear and Lewis guns firing a mix of explosive, incendiary and tracer rounds.

                                1st January 1916 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A2 Geelong

                                Pictured at Hobart, 20 October 1914 From: West Coast Recorder, 19 November 1914, p. 23.

                                HMAT A2 Geelong weighed 7,851 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the P&O SN Co, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until it collided with SS Bonvilston in the Mediterranean and sunk on the 1st January 1916.

                                1st January 1916 Sectional Relief  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                Rue des Chavaties. The right section came out of action in the evening being relieved by a section of C Battery 63rd Brigade 12th Division (Captain Walsh).

                                1st January 1916  reorganisation and relocation

                                1st January 1916 1916 Actions  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                                1916.

                                Verdun.

                                About May 1916, the division was relieved to the west of Vimy and sent to the Verdun front, where it took part in the battles near Douaumont (May 23) and in those of June 1st and 8th. Re-formed in the Romagne sous les Cotes area, it re-entered line about June 22nd for new attacks. During this offensive the division suffered severely. It was relieved at the beginning of July. After a short rest behind the Verdun front the division reoccupied the Apremout - St. Mihiel sector, remaining there until October 11th, when it was reconstituted, receiving large reinforcements (recuperates and men of the 1916 class).

                                Somme.

                                Taken to the Caudry sector (near Cambrai), it was engaged on the Somme (Sailly-Saillisel, Morval) from October 13th to the end of November, where its losses were once again exceedingly heavy. The division reappeared in the region of St. Mihiel (Bois d'Ailly - Foret d'Apremont sector) at the beginning of December, and remained there until the early days of May, 1917.

                                1st January 1916 Actions in 1916  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

                                1916.

                                The division remained in line east of Arras, straddling the Scarpe until August 1916. From May to August, it comprised the 12th Bavarian Reserve Regiment, instead of the 3rd Bavarian Reserve Regiment, loaned temporarily by the 5th Bavarian Reserve Division.

                                Somme.

                                Withdrawn on August 8th, it went to the Somme. It was engaged on the 12th in the Clery sector, and was relieved as early as the 15th by the 1st Guard Division after having suffered heavily. The second fortnight in August the division was at rest near Cambrai. The end of that month and early in September, some elements of the division were engaged near Clery and Martinpuich in order to facilitate reliefs.

                                Aisne.

                                About the middle of September the 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps was withdrawn from the region of the Somme and sent to the Aisne, where the 1st Bavarian Reserve Division occupied a sector to the west of Craonne until the beginning of December. Brought back north of the Somme, it sent some elements into line in the Beaumont-Hamel sector (north of the Ancre, December 1916 - January 1917).

                                1st January 1916  Actions during 1916

                                1st Jan 1916  Seeing in the New Year

                                1st Jan 1916  Stormy Day

                                1st Jan 1916  Second Spell in the Trenches

                                1st Jan 1916  6th Bty MMGC in Action

                                1st Jan 1916  Squadron Formed

                                1st Jan 1916  Bad Cases

                                1st Jan 1916  At Rest

                                1st Jan 1916  In Reserve

                                1st Jan 1916  At Rest

                                1st Jan 1916  Reinforcements

                                1st Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                1st of January 1916  Working and Training

                                1st January 1916  Routine training

                                1st Jan 1916  On the Move

                                1st January 1916  New Years day 2016

                                1st of January 1916   Artillery active

                                1st January 1916   Intelligence

                                1st January 1916 

                                1st Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Jan 1916  Training

                                1st Jan 1916  Training

                                1st Jan 1916  Festive Celebrations

                                1st Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                1st of January 1916  Move

                                1st Jan 1916  Sniping

                                1st Jan 1916  In Billets

                                1st January 1916  Billets at New Year

                                1st Jan 1916  Training

                                1st Jan 1916  Quiet

                                1st Jan 1916  Courses

                                1st Jan 1916  In Camp

                                1st Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jan 1916  Cleaning up

                                1st Jan 1916  On the March

                                1st Jan 1916  Passes Cancelled

                                Jan 1916  Reorganisation

                                1st of January 1916  Christmas Dinner

                                1st Jan 1916  Postings

                                1st of January 1916  Night-time Shelling

                                1st January 1916  Germans appeared to be the worse for liquor

                                1st Jan 1916  Patients

                                1st January 1916  In trenches in "C1" sub sector South of Mametz.

                                1st January 1916  A March to Estree Blanche

                                1st of January 1916  Sniping demo

                                1st January 1916  In Brigade Reserve

                                Jan 1915  Guard Duty

                                1st of January 1916   Working Parties

                                1st Jan 1916  Festivities

                                1st January 1916  New Years dinners

                                Jan 1916  HQ Vacant

                                1st Jan 1916  On the Move

                                1st Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                2nd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                2nd January 1916  Report

                                2nd January 1916  in Billets

                                2nd January 1916 Sectional Relief  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                In the morning Captain Walsh came up to the Observation Point (a tree) to view the country which is the country opposite Canadian Orchard. He was very pleased with all the arrangements at the guns and at the OP. Consequently handing over to him as very simple. On his registration with his guns I found that they shot exactly the same for line as ours but that the 18 pounders required 50 yards less range than the 13 pounders. In the evenng theleft section came out of action being relieved by another section of C Battery 63rd Brigade RFA. Owing to the muddy state of the ground the 18 pounders found great difficulty in getting their guns into the pits and there was a vast difference between the time taken in getting the 13 pounders out and the 18 pounders in - the extra weight of the 18 pounders making an enormous difference.

                                The detached gun of Centre Section also came out of action and the battery marched to Oblinghem, arriving there about 1900, a good deal of mud but not as bad as the wagon line we had just left.

                                2nd Jan 1916  The Smells of War

                                2nd Jan 1916  Gas Plant Laid

                                2nd Jan 1916  Miracle Patient

                                2nd Jan 1916  Reinforcements

                                2nd Jan 1916  Parades & Lectures

                                2nd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                2nd January 1916  Orders received

                                2nd January 1916  Quiet

                                2nd January 1916  Intelligence

                                2nd Jan 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Jan 1916  Training

                                2nd Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd of January 1916  Further Moves

                                2nd Jan 1916  Relief Complete

                                2nd Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd January 1916  Billets at New Year

                                2nd Jan 1916  Quiet

                                2nd Jan 1916  Courses

                                2nd Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jan 1916  Sports

                                2nd Jan 1916  Inspections

                                2nd Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd Jan 1916  Shelling

                                2nd of January 1916  Rest Day

                                2nd Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd of January 1916  Direct Hits

                                2nd January 1916  Relievf

                                2nd Jan 1916  Detachment

                                2nd of January 1916  Relieves

                                2nd January 1916  Relieved 6th Battalion Londons in D1 Sub-Section

                                2nd of January 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                3rd January 1916  Enemy Shelling

                                3rd January 1916  in Billets

                                3rd Jan 1916 34th Division receive embarkation orders  On 3 January 1916 embarkation orders arrived for the 34th Division to prepare to proceed to France.

                                3rd January 1916  Inspections

                                3rd Jan 1916  Waiting for an SOS

                                3rd Jan 1916  Living in a Lake

                                3rd Jan 1916  Gas Removed

                                3rd Jan 1916  Hospital Ship Departs

                                3rd Jan 1916  Good Billets and a Quiet Time

                                3rd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Jan 1916  Miracle Patient

                                3rd Jan 1916  Artillery Active

                                3rd Jan 1916  Reinforcements

                                3rd Jan 1916  Relief

                                3rd Jan 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                3rd Jan 1916  At Rest

                                3rd January 1916  Grenade training injury

                                3rd January 1916  Quiet

                                3rd January 1916  Trench Work

                                3rd January 1916 

                                3rd Jan 1916  Artillery Active

                                3rd Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                3rd Jan 1916  Reinforcements

                                3rd Jan 1916  Route March

                                3rd Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd of January 1916  Moves

                                3rd Jan 1916  In Billets

                                3rd January 1916  Bullet Removed

                                3rd Jan 1916  Wire

                                3rd Jan 1916  Rounds Fired

                                3rd Jan 1916  Courses

                                3rd Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jan 1916  Inspections

                                3rd Jan 1916  Training

                                3rd Jan 1916  Shelling

                                3rd of January 1916  Preparing to Move

                                3rd Jan 1916  Quiet

                                3rd of January 1916   German Post Bombed

                                3rd January 1916  "Q"1 & 2 trenches received some fizz bangs.

                                3rd Jan 1916  Arrivals

                                3rd of January 1916  Football competition

                                3rd January 1916  Billets in Verquin

                                3rd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                3rd of January 1916  Casualties

                                3rd January 1916  Company parades

                                3rd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                4th January 1916  Quiet Day

                                Jan 1916  Withdrawal

                                4th Jan 1916 Enemy bombardment near Ploegsteert  In trenches near Ploegsteert, south of Ypres, the enemy opened up an artillery bombardment injuring several soldiers of the 8th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment some of whom later died of their wounds

                                4th January 1916  in Training  9th Lancers in HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise, etc. A Divisional Wood Cutting party formed for for working in Le Dois Ratel under the Command of Lieutenant C.H. Goldsmid 9th lancers, consisting of 3 Other Ranks per regiment of the 1st Cavalry Brigade. 1 Other Rank to Hospital.

                                4th Jan 1916 Disembarkation  28th Division completes disembarkation in Salonkia

                                4th of January 1916 

                                4th Jan 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                4th Jun 1916  Letters from the Pals

                                4th Jan 1916  Visits to Countrymen

                                4th Jan 1916  Dismounted Cavalry in the Trenches

                                4th Jan 1916  Confined to Billet

                                4th Jan 1916  Hardly a Rest

                                4th Jan 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                4th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jan 1916  Ship Sunk

                                4th Jan 1916  Salvage

                                4th Jan 1916  Shelters

                                4th January 1916  Move to Domart

                                4th Jan 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                4th January 1916  Attack pracice

                                4th January 1916  Camoflet

                                4th January 1916  Artillery Active

                                4th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jan 1916  Bad Weather

                                4th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                4th Jan 1916  Artillery Active

                                4th of January 1916  More Moves

                                4th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                4th Jan 1916  Wire

                                4th January 1916  Warming up

                                4th Jan 1916  Rounds Fired

                                4th Jan 1916  Route March

                                4th Jan 1916  Company Training

                                4th Jan 1916  Orders Issued

                                4th of January 1916  On Relief

                                4th Jan 1916  Route March

                                4th of January 1916   Retaliatory Fire

                                4th January 1916  Fizz Bangs

                                4th January 1916  Letter

                                4th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                4th January 1916  New Gun Positions Reviewed

                                4th of January 1916  Practice attack plus football

                                4th January 1916  Left Verquin for Brebis

                                4th of January 1916  Quiet Night

                                4th January 1916  Orders

                                4th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                5th January 1916 Little Firing  6th County of London Brigade RFA report another quiet day with very little firing by either side owing to the presence of a number of aeroplanes (both British & hostile). It has been observed that the Germans are beginning to adopt our system of concentrating their fire on small localities. Today, for instance, they fired in concentration 3 times, each concentration lasting six minutes. A.28.c. was the target.

                                5th January 1916  in Training

                                5th Jan 1916  A Modest Lancer

                                5th Jan 1916  Mild Weather

                                5th Jan 1916  Evidence Heard

                                5th Jan 1916  Aircraft Brought Down

                                5th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                5th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                5th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                5th Jan 1916  On the March

                                5th Jan 1916  Funeral

                                5th Jan 1916  Relief

                                5th Jan 1916  Advance Party

                                5th January 1916  Mining Party training

                                5th January 1916  Shelling

                                5th January 1916  Artillery Active

                                5th January 1916 

                                5th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Jan 1916  Training

                                5th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                5th Jan 1916  Trench Motars

                                5th of January 1916  Under 48th Division

                                5th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                5th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                5th January 1916  Enemy rifle grenades

                                5th Jan 1916  Hostile Batteries

                                5th Jan 1916  Drill

                                5th Jan 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                5th Jan 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                5th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Jan 1916  Hostile Aircraft

                                5th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                5th Jan 1916  Orders

                                5th of January 1916  Visits and New Drafts

                                5th Jan 1916  Training

                                5th January 1916  Quiet day in billets.

                                5th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                5th January 1916  Relieved 32nd Regt, 18th Division ( French Infantry )

                                5th of January 1916   Enemy Active

                                5th January 1916  March to Petigny

                                5th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                5th Jan 1916  Special Constable numbers

                                6th Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers back in the line  16th Northumberlands go back into the trenches in sector g2 (left of e2) where the battalion spent several months in and out of the line: "the front line system ran along the top of the east bank of the river ancre, which was thickly wooded. the river turned in a big bend, and crossed the line to the left of (the battalion), the trenches running right down to the water, the river being more of a swamp than a well-defined river at this point. opposite and slightly to the left (...) were the ruins of thiepval just behind the german front line. a part of the château still stood and could be seen from (the battalion’s) line." B Coy suffer casualties from trench mortars; Sgt B.K. Barnes is awarded DCM for action when he and Cpl J Ballantyne rescue four men who are buried in the collapse of a trench.

                                6th January 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Jan 1916 SS Andania in Valetta Harbour  The SS Andania anchored in Valetta Harbour, Malta to replenish supplies and fuel. Officers and WO's of the 13th Btn Yorks and Lancs were allowed ashore, the rest of the men were not.

                                6th January 1916  in Training

                                6th January 1916  On the Move

                                6th Jan 1916  Home on Leave

                                6th Jan 1916  Yesterday's Excitement

                                6th Jan 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                6th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                6th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                6th Jan 1916  On the March

                                6th January 1916  Preparations

                                6th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                6th January 1916  Stormy

                                6th January 1916  Whizz bangs

                                6th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                6th Jan 1916  Training

                                6th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Jan 1916  Artillery Active

                                6th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                6th of January 1916  Moving Around

                                6th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                6th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                6th January 1916  Enemy rifle grenades

                                6th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                6th Jan 1916  Classification

                                6th Jan 1916  Supplies

                                6th Jan 1916  Advance Party

                                6th of January 1916   Inspections

                                6th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                6th January 1916  Quiet day in billets.

                                6th Jan 1916  Firing

                                6th January 1916  In same trenches in "C1".

                                6th January 1916  Reliefs Arrive

                                6th of January 1916  Practice attack

                                6th January 1916  In Central section.

                                6th of January 1916   Quiet Night

                                6th January 1916  Advance Guard

                                6th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                7th January 1916  Reorganisation

                                7th Jan 1916 SS Andania departs Malta  The SS Andania sails from Valetta Harbour, Malta heading for Egypt, the 13th Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regt are amongst her passengers.

                                7th Jan 1916  Heavy Attack

                                7th Jan 1916 Wearside Pals to Aldershot  20th Battalion DLI, move to Aldershot to join 123rd Brigade, 41st Division. They were the only North-country battalion in the 41st Division and with a high proportion of miners, it became well known for its digging abilities.

                                7th January 1916  in Training

                                7th January 1916   No. 34 Squadron was formed at Castle Bromwich on the 7th of January 1916 from personnel from No. 19 Squadron. They moved to Beverley in March to complete their training and for conversion to the BE2 aircraft.

                                They proceeded to France in July 1916 and operated in an artillery support role.

                                7th Jan 1916  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                7th Jan 1916  Losses during Withdrawal

                                7th Jan 1916  Pride in Their Work

                                7th Jan 1916  Interview with a Captain

                                7th Jan 1916  Enemy Active

                                7th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                7th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                7th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                7th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                7th January 1916  Hop factory billets

                                7th January 1916  Patrols

                                7th January 1916  Patrols

                                7th January 1916 

                                7th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                7th Jan 1916  Training

                                7th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                7th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                7th of January 1916  More Moves

                                7th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                7th Jan 1916  Awards

                                7th Jan 1916  Observation Post

                                7th Jan 1916  Drill

                                7th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                7th Jan 1916  Orders Received

                                7th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                7th of January 1916   Working Parties

                                7th of January 1915  Improvements to trench

                                7th Jan 1916  On the March

                                7th of January 1916   A Combined Shoot

                                7th January 1916  Two Companies bathed at Divisional bath's.

                                7th January 1916  A March to La Bourse

                                7th of January 1916  Musketry practice

                                7th Jan 1916  Accident

                                7th January 1916  March back to Lillers

                                7th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                8th January 1916 Relocations  Lowe Group (6th & 1st London Brigades RFA) is now in position at Les Brebis. The 15th and 16th London Batteries are on the Northern side of Fosse 7 and Batteries of the 1st London Brigade are on the south side of Fosse 7. The 17th London Battery is in Maroc. The 16th & 17th London Batteries each have one gun detached (but near the battery position) in such a position so as to be able to enfilade hostile trenches. Lowe Group covers the front of the 141st Inf Brigade. The day was chiefly spent in registering. The 17th London Battery position was shelled, but no damage was done.

                                8th January 1916  in Training

                                8th Jan 1916  Drill

                                8th Jan 1916  Last Troops Evacuated

                                8th Jan 1916  Attack Made by Yeomanry

                                8th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                8th Jan 1916  Hot Machine Guns

                                8th Jan 1916  A Aense of Relief

                                8th Jan 1916  Officials Drowned

                                8th Jan 1916  Artillery Bombardment

                                8th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                8th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                8th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                8th Jan 1916  Gas

                                8th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                8th January 1916  German aircraft bombing raid

                                8th January 1916  Patrols

                                8th January 1916  Shelling

                                8th January 1916  Defences

                                8th January 1916 

                                8th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                8th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Jan 1916  Training

                                8th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                8th Jan 1916  Working Party and Training

                                8th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                8th of January 1916  Moves

                                8th Jan 1916  Snipers

                                8th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                8th Jan 1916  Retaliation

                                8th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                8th Jan 1916  Route March

                                8th Jan 1916  Aircraft Crashed

                                8th Jan 1916  Brigade Office

                                8th Jan 1916  Cleaning up

                                8th of January 1916  Visits and A Relief

                                8th Jan 1916  Fatigues

                                8th of January 1916  Enemy Driven Off

                                8th January 1916  Major H.L. Budge joined the Battalion

                                8th January 1916  Settling in to a New Zone

                                8th of January 1916  Preparation to move

                                8th January 1916  Relieved by 22nd Battalion London Regt.

                                8th of January 1916  Snipers Active

                                8th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                8th January 1916  Cleaning up

                                8th Jan 1916  Reinforcements

                                9th January 1916 6th London Battery Activity  A little registration & principally retaliation at request of Infantry took place. A bombardment by the 5 inch howitzers of 6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery took place. The 3rd London Battery also took part and fired very satisfactorily.

                                9th January 1916  in Training

                                9th Jan 1916  Hospital Ship Docks

                                9th Jan 1916  NER Men at the Front

                                9th Jan 1916  Ammunition Dumps Exploded

                                9th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                9th Jan 1916  Parcels

                                9th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                9th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                9th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                9th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                9th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                9th January 1916  Working in Shifts

                                9th January 1916  Artillery in Action

                                9th January 1916  Enemy Trenches

                                9th January 1916 

                                9th Jan 1916  Battalion Band

                                9th Jan 1916  Enemy Active

                                9th Jan 1916  Training

                                9th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                9th of January 1916 

                                9th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                9th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                9th Jan 1916  Hostile Batteries

                                9th Jan 1916  Relief

                                9th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                9th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                9th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                9th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                9th Jan 1916  Training

                                9th of January 1916   More Visits

                                9th Jan 1916  Under Fire

                                9th of January 1916  Enemy Patrols Active

                                9th January 1916  Quiet day in billets.

                                9th January 1916  Under Fire

                                9th January 1916  In billets in Les Brebis.

                                9th of January 1916   Artillery Active

                                9th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                9th January 1916  Church Parade

                                9th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                10th Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieved by 15th HLI  16th Northumberlands were relieved in the trenches in sector g2 by the 15th Btn Highland Light Infantry. The 16th Northumberlands return to Millencourt where they were inspected by the Duke of Northumberland. Lt Col Ritson was taken ill and was replaced by Maj A.W. Little. Maj Archer, from D coy, becomes second in command and D coy is commanded by Lt wake. A coy is commanded by Capt Harvey. C coy commanded by Capt Dunglinson.

                                10th January 1916 Enemy Shelling  6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Les Brebis. and report:- During the day the enemy shelled our front line, 2nd line & communication trenches continuously & we retaliated at the request of Infantry. Lieut W.J. Barnard 6th London Ammunition Column was attached to the 15th London Battery. Lieut J.H. Van den Bergh, Orderly Officer to OC. Brigade, transferred to 6th London Ammunition Column. 2/Lt M.V. Eddis, 15th London Battery, transferred to HQ Staff and was appointed Orderly Officer to OC. Brigade. 2/Lt H.L. Burgis, 6th London Ammunition Column was attached to the 16th London Battery.

                                10th January 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ61 (L21)

                                • Production Ref: LZ61
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: L21
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 10th January 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 17 reconnaissance missions and 10 attacks on England dropping a total 14,442 kilograms (31,839 lb) of bombs.

                                • It was intercepted and destroyed by
                                • Flight,Lieutenant Egbert Cadbury, flying BE 2C, No. 8265,
                                • Flight Sub,Lieutenant Gerard William Reginald Fane, flying RAF BE 2C No. 8421
                                • Flight Sub,Lieutenant Edward Laston Pulling, flying BE 2C, No. 8626,
                                • The aircraft were firing phosphor rounds.

                                L 21 fell into the sea about eight miles east of Lowestoft on the 28th November 1916. There were no survivors.

                                10th January 1916  in Training

                                10th Jan 1916  Group System Reopens

                                10th Jan 1916  Fussy Eater

                                10th Jan 1916  In Huts

                                10th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                10th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                10th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                10th January 1916  Camp Paths

                                10th January 1916  Machine Guns Effective

                                10th January 1916  Reorganisation

                                10th January 1916  Trench Mortars

                                10th January 1916  Artillery Action

                                10th January 1916 

                                10th Jan 1916  Wiring Party

                                10th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                10th Jan 1916  Training

                                10th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                10th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                10th of January 1916 

                                10th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                10th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                10th January 1916  Reserve at Bouzincourt

                                10th Jan 1916  Rounds Fired

                                10th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                10th Jan 1916  Training

                                10th Jan 1916  Route March

                                10th Jan 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                10th Jan 1916  Aircraft Missing

                                10th Jan 1916  Training

                                10th Jan 1916  Competition

                                10th Jan 1916  New Position

                                10th of January 1916  Minenwerfer Located

                                10th Jan 1916  Snipers

                                Jan 1916  On the Move

                                10th of January 1916   Battalion Relief

                                10th January 1916  Divine Service was held at YMCA hut

                                10th January 1916  Relief Complete

                                10th January 1916  Too Close for Comfort

                                10th of January 1916  Division back to trenches - support

                                10th January 1916  Relieved the two Companies in Maroc.

                                10th of January 1916  Working Parties

                                10th January 1916  "A" & "B" Coys. have practice in Smoke Helmets.

                                11th January 1916 Retaliation  Enemy shelled our trenches all day 6th London Brigade RFA retaliated and in the majority of cases enemy ceased firing. Enemy shelled Loos from 1400 to 1630 at frequent intervals. OC. 2nd London Battery reports that generally speaking his retaliation did not stop their shelling Loos.

                                11th Jan 1916 SS Andania arrives Egypt  The SS Andania berthed at Port Said, Egypt, the 13th Battalion Yorks and Lancs Regt are amongst her passengers.

                                11th January 1916  in Training  9th Lancers in HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise, etc. 7 Drivers Army Service Corps, 14 Horses & 7 Wagons attached to Regiment for duty in connection with the Schme for distribution of Rations instituted by the Division. Lorries now dump at a refilling point, on the main Montraeil to Samer Road, at La Poste Ferme. Information received that 7 Other Ranks had been wounded with the Dismounted Battalion between the 5th & 7th instant. Captain I.A. Straker, having been admitted to a hospital in England, struck off strength. 1 Other Rank to Hospital.

                                11th January 1916  Further Action

                                11th Jan 1916  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                11th Jan 1916  Leave Over

                                11th Jan 1916  Knee Deep in Mud

                                11th Jan 1916  Mud Larks

                                11th Jan 1916  Huge Explosion

                                11th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                11th Jan 1916  Attachment

                                11th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                11th Jan 1916  Fatigues

                                11th Jan 1916  Funeral

                                11th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                11th January 1916  Grenade training

                                11th January 1916  Patrols

                                11th January 1916  Shelling

                                11th January 1916 

                                11th Jan 1916  Training

                                11th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                11th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                11th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                11th Jan 1916  Shells

                                11th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                11th Jan 1916  Shells

                                11th Jan 1916  Hostile Batteries

                                11th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                11th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                11th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                11th Jan 1916  Training

                                11th Jan 1916  Company Training

                                11th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                11th Jan 1916  Appointment

                                11th of January 1916  A Feint Attack

                                11th Jan 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                11th of January 1916  Change of Brigades

                                11th January 1916  Machine Gunners proceeded to trenches

                                11th January 1916  Trench Mortar Activity

                                11th of January 1916  In billets, in reserve

                                11th January 1916  In billets in Les Brebis.

                                11th of January 1916  Baths and Work

                                11th January 1916  "A" & "B" Coys. have Smoke Helmet drills.

                                12th January 1916 Daily Battery Activity  There was practically no firing from either side during the morning owing to the amount of balloons up. In the afternoon the light was bad. Firing by Batteries of the 6th London Brigade on trenches M.5.d, M6.d seemed to stop the enemy shelling Loos Sector. The western end of the Double Crassier was shelled from 1300 to 1400.

                                12th January 1916  in Training

                                12th January 1916 New Squadron formed  No.32 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on the 12th of January 1916 from a nucleus from 21 Squadron. They proceeded to France on the 28th May as a specialist fighter escort squadron equipped with new Airco DH2s.

                                12th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                12th Jan 1916  No Cares in the World

                                12th Jan 1916  With a Mug of Tea in his Hand

                                12th Jan 1916  Home Leave

                                12th Jan 1916  Not such a Merry Christmas

                                12th Jan 1916  Interesting Case

                                12th Jan 1916  Concert for Hospital

                                12th Jan 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                12th Jan 1916  Operations

                                12th Jan 1916  Into Camp

                                12th January 1916  Camp Improvements

                                12th January 1916  Mine

                                12th January 1916 

                                12th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                12th Jan 1916  Route March

                                12th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                12th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                12th of January 1916  Corps Takeover

                                12th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                12th January 1916  Death on the way to the Front

                                12th Jan 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                12th January 1916  Major Wallace at HQ

                                12th Jan 1916  Orders

                                12th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                12th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                12th Jan 1916  Locations

                                12th Jan 1916  Training

                                12th Jan 1916  Reinforcements

                                12th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                12th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                12nd Jan 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                12nd Jan 1916  Aircraft Missing

                                12nd Jan 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                12nd Jan 1916  Recce

                                12th Jan 1916  Lecture

                                12th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                12th Jan 1916  Orders Received

                                12th of January 1916  20,000 Sandbags Laid

                                12th Jan 1916  Heavy Firing

                                12th of January 1916   Attack Repulsed

                                12th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                12th January 1916  To the trenches relieving the 4th Royal Fusiliers

                                12th January 1916  One Company Moves

                                12th January 1916  A successful day for C Battery RHA

                                12th of January 1916  Training

                                12th January 1916  Brigade moved in to Loos Sector.

                                12th January 1917  M.G's. active at "Stand To"

                                12th of January 1916  Working Parties

                                12th January 1916  Battalion bathed.

                                13th January 1916 Firing on Front Line Trenches  During the day there was a certain amount of firing on the front line trenches of the right subsection of Loos Sector. In every case firing ceased on batteries retaliating. 6th London Brigade Batteries continued to register various points. At 1530 all batteries concentrated their fire on Railway as ordered. At intervals during the night Batteries fired on the right lines. The 15th London Battery fired 20 rounds of shrapnel on the Lens Road.

                                13th January 1916  in Training

                                13th Jan 1916  1st Scots Guards on the Move

                                13th Jan 1916  Brigade Exercises

                                13th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Jan 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                13th Jan 1916  Specialists Relieved

                                13th January 1916  Ypres shelled

                                13th January 1916  Shelling

                                13th January 1916  Patrol

                                13th January 1916 

                                13th January 1916  2nd/5th Battalion East Kent (The Buffs)

                                13th Jan 1916  Training

                                13th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                13th of January 1916 

                                13th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                13th Jan 1916  Cold

                                13th Jan 1916  Trench Targeted

                                13th Jan 1916  On the March

                                13th Jan 1916  Training

                                13th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                13rd Jan 1916  Aircraft Wrecked

                                13rd Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Jan 1916  Reinforcements

                                13th Jan 1916  Visit

                                13th Jan 1916  Organisation

                                13th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                13th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Jan 1916  Air Raid

                                13th of January 1916   Visits and Working Parties

                                13th Jan 1916  Artillery Active

                                13th of January 1916  5th Division in Reserve

                                13th January 1916  Germans shelled trenches "R"2 & 2 S

                                13th January 1916  C Battery - Military Cross and DCM Awarded

                                13th of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                13th January 1916  Support in Loos Sector.

                                13th of January 1916   Working Party

                                13th January 1916  "C" & "D" Coys. at Ramp.

                                13th Jan 1916  Training

                                14th January 1916 Shelling at Intervals  From 0800 to 1030 6th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery shelled right Loos subsection at intervals, the 15th London Battery firing on front line and the 17th London Battery enfilading support and communication trenches appeared very successful in causing enemy to cease fire. The 3rd London Battery claim to have hit a suspected machine Gun emplacement at G.36.d.9.2. Apparently there was a German relief taking place from 2245 to 0030 and, at request of Infantry, batteries fired on their right lines.

                                14th January 1916  in Training

                                14th Jan 1916  Officers join 7th Northumberlands

                                14th Jan 1916  Despatch on Sulva Bay

                                14th Jan 1916  Snipers Active

                                14th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jan 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                14th Jan 1916  On the March

                                14th January1916  Shelling

                                14th January 1916  Artillery Active

                                14th January 1916  Machine Guns

                                14th Jan 1916  Baths

                                14th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                14th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                14th of January 1916  Major General Gazetted

                                14th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jan 1916  Wire

                                14th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                14th Jan 1916  Railway Line

                                14th Jan 1916  Training

                                14th Jan 1916  Route March

                                14th Jan 1916  Artillery Active

                                14th Jan 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                14th Jan 1916  Training

                                14th Jan 1916  Orders

                                14th Jan 1916  Concert

                                14th Jan 1916  Awards

                                14th of January 1916  Bathing and Working

                                14th Jan 1916  Into Billets

                                14th January 1916  More enemy sniping at night than usual

                                14th January 1916  Shelled fairly heavily, chiefly by 4.2 Howitzer H.E. and 5.9 H.E. schrapnel.

                                14th January 1916  Battery Retaliates to Trench Mortars

                                14th of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                14th Jan 1916  On the March

                                14th of January 1916  Working Parties

                                14th January 1916  Move to Noeux Les Mines

                                14th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                15th January 1916 Heavy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA report there was quite a lot of retaliation during the day for enemy shelling our front and 2nd line trenches. The Germans shelled the Lens-Bethune road intermittently. Fire on the main road at N.7.a.3.0 caused the enemy to cease firing. Concentration of fire from 1400 to 1500 appeared successful and the fire of the field guns was accurate. Loos was heavily shelled from 1000 to 1100. The 140th Infantry Brigade took over from 141st Infantry Brigade on a slightly different front entailing the right outer H2 becoming the centre, the centre becoming the left and a new right. This caused some trouble with the guns but communications were satisfactorily maintained.

                                15th January 1916  HQ at Training

                                15th Jan 1916 On the Move  By the 15th of January 1916 all units of 34th Division had arrive in France and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer.

                                15th Jan 1916  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                15th Jan 1916  Route March & Football

                                15th Jan 1916  Awards for Territorials

                                15th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                15th Jan 1916  Lack of Baths

                                15th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                15th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                15th January 1916  Quiet

                                15th January 1916  Shelling

                                15th January 1916  Artillery Active

                                15th Jan 1916  Orders

                                15th Jan 1916  Inspections

                                15th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                15th of January 1916  Divisional Transfers

                                15th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                15th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                15th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                15th Jan 1916  On the March

                                15th Jan 1916  Training

                                15th Jan 1916  Staff Ride

                                15th Jan 1916  Enemy Quieter

                                15th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jan 1916  Concert

                                15th Jan 1916  Training

                                15th Jan 1916  Relief Completed

                                15th Jan 1916  In Action

                                15th of January 1916  Working Parties and Bathing

                                15th Jan 1916  On the March

                                15th January 1916  Enemy shelled "Q"2 with 10cm shells at 1130 hours but did no damage.

                                15th January 1916  Diary returned with the request that the 0.C. Unit may be directed to render it on A.F.C. 2118, in accordance with Sect. 140, Field Service Regulations, Pt.II.

                                15th January 1916  Trenches shelled.

                                15th January 1916  Big Willie in C Battery's sights

                                15th of January 1916  Working parties and training

                                15th January 1916  Relieved 1 Coy. 8th Battalion

                                15th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                15th Jan 1916  On the March

                                15th of January 1916  Reliefs

                                15th January 1916  On the March

                                15th Jan 1916  Outposts

                                16th January 1916  Reliefs

                                16th January 1916 Batteries Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the 2nd & 3rd London Batteries registered their new zones. The 2nd London Battery now fired on Observation Point at G.33.b.10.9. At frequent intervals throughout the day, the enemy shelled our front line trenches from M.5.b.8.2. to M.5.a.4.4. The 15th London Battery retaliated on front line trenches causing the enemy to cease firing. From 0800 to 1030 the enemy shelled front line trenches just north of Chalk Pit to half way down the copse. The 16th London Battery fired on front line communication trenches opposite. There were 4 balloons up opposite the Loos sector during the day. They appeared to have been towed along the sector.

                                16th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercises etc. Captain H.C. Taylor-Whitehead and 2 Other Ranks proceeded to join the Dismounted Battalion. 1 Other Rank to Hospital. 7 Other Ranks joined as Reinforcements.

                                16th January 1916 Naval Action  The Action of 16 January 1916 was a single ship action of World War I. It was fought between a German auxiliary cruiser and a British merchant ship off the Portuguese islands of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean.

                                Background

                                The most successful of German commerce raiders during the war, SMS Möwe was commanded by Korventtenkapitän Nikolaus zu Dohna-Schlodien and was assigned to duty in the Atlantic. Möwe was originally a freighter launched in 1914 until converted in 1915. She displaced 9,800 tons and was armed with four 150-milimeter guns, one 105-millimeter gun and two torpedo tubes. Her opponent was the one gun merchant ship, SS Clan Mactavish of Great Britain laden with fur, meat and cotton.

                                Action

                                Möwe was steaming approximately 120 miles south of Madeira on 16 January 1916, with the merchant steamer SS Appam, a vessel previously captured by the Germans. They had installed a prize crew and transferred several dozen prisoners of war. At sunset, lookouts aboard Möwe sighted smoke on the horizon, a sure indication of a ship. Immediately, Kapitän Dohna-Schlodien ordered Appam to remain behind while he went to investigate. Several minutes later, at about 2100, Möwe came within a distance to where her lookouts could make out that the smoke had originated from a large merchant ship, later identified as the 5,816 gross ton Clan Mactavish of the Clan Line company. By the time Möwe came within close range, it was dark, so the Germans approached cautiously. Using a signal lamp, Dohna-Schlodien requested the steamer's name but the British responded by asking that the Germans first identify themselves. Dohna-Schlodien signaled that his ship was the SS Author, sailing from Liverpool to Natal. Möwe reportedly looked very similar to Author, which was sunk by the Germans a few weeks earlier. Clan Mactavish then signaled her name and that they were returning to Britain from Australia. This was the end for the merchantman, now identified as enemy, Kapitän Dohna-Schlodien crossed the steamer's bow and ordered her to halt, a signal which certainly shocked the unsuspecting Britons. Instead of stopping, the British altered course and increased speed, hoping to outrun the raider. Warning shots were fired, but they were ignored so a chase began. The one gun of the British ship, mounted on her stern, was manned and opened fire on the chasing Germans, but the shots were not well directed. Some splashed into the water near the auxiliary cruiser, but ultimately none struck the German vessel and they therefore suffered no damage or casualties in the engagement. The German sailors responded to the British with counter battery fire from their 150-millimeter guns, and for several moments the two vessels fought. Clan Mactavish fired at the pursuing Mowe, and during this she sent distress calls out which were received by the armoured cruiser HMS Essex. However, the telegraphist aboard the cruiser failed to inform his superiors of the action so no help was sent. Eventually, after taking several hits topside, the one gun Clan Mactavish began to burn and her captain signaled Möwe that they were surrendering. Möwe then maneuvered in for boarding. All of the German rounds were hits with the exception of the warning shots. The steamer was quickly seized, prisoners removed and charges set for scuttling. Within moments of boarding, the explosives laid in Clan Mactavish were detonated and she sank to the bottom of the ocean. Eighteen British sailors were killed in battle or just after and five others were wounded. The commander of Clan Mactavish was a Royal Navy captain and her gun was manned by two navy sailors, all three were captured among dozens of civilians. At this point, the Germans now held a total of over 500 Allied prisoners of war on Möwe and SS Appam.

                                Aftermath

                                After destroying the steamer the Germans reunited with Appam and set a westward course, thus avoiding any possibility of encountering the British cruisers in the area. Two of the cruisers were just over 100 miles from the battle area that night and could have been moved to a position of intercepting the Germans had the telegraphist aboard Essex responded. Möwe went on to sink several more Allied ships before returning home. Upon arrival, Kapitän Dohna-Schlodien received an Iron Cross second class. During her second cruise, Möwe defeated another one gun steamer in an action in the mid-Atlantic in March 1917.

                                16th January 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Jan 1916  Accidental Shooting

                                16th Jan 1916  Honours

                                16th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                16th Jan 1916  Organisation

                                16th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                16th January 1916  New Adjutant appointed

                                16th January 1916  Visit

                                16th January 1916  Reorganisation

                                16th January 1916  Enemy Active

                                16th January 1916  Patrols

                                16th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Jan 1916  On the March

                                16th Jan 1916  Working Parties & Training

                                16th of January 1916  Building Huts and Railways

                                16th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                16th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                16th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                16th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                16th Jan 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                16th Jan 1916  Baths

                                16th Jan 1916  Training

                                16th Jan 1916  Working Party

                                16th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                16th of January 1916  A Military Cross Awarded

                                16th Jan 1916  Patrols

                                16th January 1916  Nothing of importance occurred on our front

                                7th Jan 1916  On the March

                                16th January 1916  Hostile Fire

                                16th of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                16th January 1916  Right Sub-Section Loos Sector.

                                12th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                16th of January 1916   Patrols

                                Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                16th January 1916  Church Parades.

                                16th Jan 1916  Reorganisation

                                17th January 1916  Holding the Line

                                17th Jan 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers depart Mundros  The 2nd Royal Fusilers sailed from Mundros aboard the Empress of Britain bound for Alexandria.

                                17th January 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report this was the quietest day yet in Loos sector. The enemy hardly shelled at all, except a little on our front line trenches. Many aeroplanes were up which may have accounted for this.

                                17th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercises etc.

                                17th Jan 1916  Courts Martial

                                17th Jan 1916  In the Chateau

                                17th Jan 1916  Luton News: Thursday, 20th January 1916

                                17th Jan 1916  Artillery Bombardment

                                17th Jan 1916  Training

                                17th Jan 1916  Lights

                                17th Jan 1916  The Wounded

                                17th January 1916  Aeroplane activity reported

                                17th January 1916  Gas

                                17th Jan 1916  On the March

                                17th Jan 1916  Training

                                17th of January 1916 

                                17th Jan 1916  Shells

                                17th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                17th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                17th Jan 1916  Training

                                17th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                17th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                17th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jan 1916  Pilot Wounded

                                17th Jan 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Jan 1916  Aircraft Missing

                                17th Jan 1916  Musketry

                                17th Jan 1916  Training

                                17th Jan 1916  Aircraft Active

                                17th Jan 1916  Counter Battery Work

                                17th of January 1916  In the Front Line

                                17th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                17th January 1916  Reliefs

                                17th January 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                17th of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                17th Jan 1916  Picquet

                                17th of January 1916  Trench Repairs

                                17th January 1916  Concert being held nightly.

                                17th Jan 1916  Outposts

                                18th January 1916  Holding the Line

                                18th January 1916 Enemy Artillery Very Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report German artillery was very active probably owing to the absence of our aeroplanes. The 3rd & 15th London Batteries fired on the front line from M.5.d.7.9. to M.5.d.0.6. which was effective in causing the enemy to cease firing. During the day up to about 1445 each Battery retaliated on the enemy’s support & communication trenches

                                18th January 1916  HQ at Training

                                18th January 1916 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A21 Marere

                                Picture from: State Library of NSW, picture nujmber a638400.

                                The HMAT A21 Marere weighed 6443 tons with an average cruise speed of 12.5 knots or 23.15 kmph. It was owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London. The Marere was sunk by a submarine's gunfire in the Mediterranean, 18 January 1916.

                                18th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                18th Jan 1916  Killed by a Souvenir

                                18th Jan 1916  In Reserve

                                18th Jan 1916  Drill

                                18th Jan 1916  Wet Day

                                18th Jan 1916  Commander Wounded

                                18th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Jan 1916  Training

                                18th January 1916  Move

                                18th January 1916  Field Punishment No 1

                                18th January 1916  Enemy active

                                18th January 1916  Artillery Active

                                18th January 1916  Enemy Active

                                18th January 1916  Information

                                18th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Jan 1916  Route March

                                18th of January 1916  Units and Personnel Move

                                18th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                18th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                18th January 1916  In Reserve

                                18th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                18th Jan 1916  Training

                                18th Jan 1916  Orders

                                18th Jan 1916  Awards

                                18th Jan 1916  Route March

                                18th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                18th Jan 1916  Recce

                                18th Jan 1916  Change of Position

                                18th Jan 1916  Retaliation

                                18th Jan 1916  Parade

                                18th January 1916  Battalion proceeded to billets in Dicksbusch

                                18th January 1916  Relieved by 1st Bedford Regt.

                                18th January 1916  Sniper Exposed

                                18th of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                18th of January 1916  Reliefs

                                18th January 1916  16th Inf. Bde.

                                18th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                19th January 1916  Holding the Line

                                19th Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieve 15th HLI  16th Northumberlands return to the trenches in sector g2 to relieve the 15th Btn Highland Light Infantry. Patrols in no man’s land are conducted, led by Lts Proctor, Mclean and Falconer.

                                19th January 1916 Enemy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the Enemy shelled our trenches in Loos Sector at frequent intervals during the day. Our retaliation was successful in causing hostile fire to cease each time. There was a test concentration on the copse at 12 noon as practice against the mine going up. This was successful and the batteries got off their rounds very quickly.

                                19th January 1916  HQ at Training

                                19th Jan 1916  7th Northumberlands into Support

                                19th Jan 1916  Football

                                19th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                19th Jan 1916  Farrier Injured

                                19th Jan 1916  Under Shellfire

                                19th Jan 1916  Wounded

                                19th Jan 1916  Drill

                                19th Jan 1916  Instruction

                                19th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                19th January 1916  Aeroplane bombing

                                19th January 1916  Bombs

                                19th January 1916  Bombardment

                                19th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                19th Jan 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                19th of January 1916 

                                19th Jan 1916  Attack Made

                                19th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                19th Jan 1916  Training

                                19th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                19th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jan 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Jan 1916  Training

                                19th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                19th Jan 1916  Enemy Battery

                                19th Jan 1916  Parade

                                19th January 1916  Working parties

                                19th January 1916  Inquiry

                                19th Jan 1916  Reorganisation

                                19th January 1916  Firing all Night

                                19th of January 1916  50 men go into the trenches

                                19th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                19th of January 1916   Attack Made

                                19th January 1916  Reconnoiter trenches in Hulloch Sector

                                19th Jan 1916  Relief Complete

                                19th Jan 1916  Orders

                                20th January 1916  Reinforcements

                                20th Jan 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers arrive Mustapha Pasha  The 2nd Royal Fusilers arrived at Mustapha Pasha from Alexandria.

                                20th January 1916 Enemy Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the Enemy firing on our trenches in the Loos sector with Field Guns and 4.2 mortars was fairly active throughout the day. In every case retaliation followed and was successful. The 15th London Battery reported a number of blank H.E. shells. Batteries registered points outside their allotted zones with a view to possible concentration of fire.

                                20th January 1916  HQ at Training

                                20th January 1916  Reliefs

                                20th January 1916   General Joffe Commander in Chief of the French Army expressed his admiration of the appearance of the 34th Division, he was particularly by the steady behavior of all ranks underarms. Training continued over the next few days with a party of officers and men testing gas helmets, using actual chlorine gas. The Brigade had now moved nearer to the front line receiving instruction in trench warfare.

                                20th Jan 1916  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                20th Jan 1916  Quiet Day

                                20th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                20th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                20th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                20th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                20th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                20th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                20th January 1916  Renewal of clothing

                                20th January 1916  Trench Mortars

                                20th January 1916  Aircraft Active

                                20th January 1916  Post Constructed

                                20th Jan 1916  Change of Billets

                                20th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                20th Jan 1916  Enemy Active

                                20th Jan 1916  Training

                                20th Jan 1916  At Rest

                                20th of January 1916  Quiet

                                20th Jan 1916  Patrol

                                20th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                20th Jan 1916  Advance Party

                                20th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                20th Jan 1916  Baths

                                20th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jan 1916  Poor Conditions

                                20th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                20th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                20th January 1916  Usual fatigues in the evening.

                                20th January 1916  Shelling Continues

                                20th of January 1916  Incoming shell fire

                                20th January 1916  Relieved by 23rd London Regt.

                                20th of January 1916  Aeroplanes Active

                                20th January 1916  Hulloch Sector Front Line.

                                20th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                20th Jan 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                21st January 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Jan 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers at  Authuille  16th Northumberlands are at Authuille, about one mile behind line as brigade reserve, working for the Royal Engineers, engaged in repairing trenches at night. Two platoons from B coy under Lt Proctor acted as garrison for Gordon Castle which was a strong point in the support line.

                                21st January 1916 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA report there was a certain amount of shelling during the day in the Loos Sector, more especially in the centre subsection. Batteries retaliated and were successful in causing enemy to cease fire each time. Quality Street, Fosse 7, and the Lens-Bethune Road were heavily shelled yesterday morning. The 17th London Battery reported that at 12 noon yesterday, a Staff Officer and two other officers put their head and shoulders above the trench in front of Artillery Mansions. The Germans immediately opened fire on Observation Posts near them. Lieut A.F. Yenchen 17th Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

                                21st January 1916  HQ at Training

                                21st Jan 1916  Accidental Wounding

                                21st Jan 1916  Parade

                                21st Jan 1916  Long Awaited News

                                21st Jan 1916  Suez Attack Unlikely

                                21st Jan 1916  Meerut Division Attack

                                21st Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Jan 1916  Training

                                21st Jan 1916  Instruction

                                21st Jan 1916  Orders

                                21st Jan 1916  Instruction

                                21st Jan 1916  Attack Made

                                21st Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                21st January 1916  Horses Tested

                                21st January 1916  Shelling

                                21st January 1916  Lightly Held

                                21st Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                21st Jan 1916  Training

                                21st Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of January 1916 

                                21st Jan 1916  Snipers

                                21st Jan 1916  Rust Hall Hospital Extension

                                21st Jan 1916  Quiet

                                21st January 1916  Back to G.I sector

                                21st Jan 1916  Fatigues

                                21st Jan 1916  In Camp

                                21st Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                21st Jan 1916  Training

                                21st Jan 1916  Shelling

                                21st Jan 1916  All Quiet

                                21st Jan 1916  Route March

                                21st Jan 1916  On the Move

                                21st January 1916  Usual fatigue parties

                                21st January 1916  Hostile Fire on the Increase

                                21st of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                21st January 1916  In billets at Bracquemont.

                                21st of January 1916   Enemy Alert

                                21st January 1916  Rifle Grenade firing.

                                21st Jan 1916  Shelling

                                21st Jan 1916  Attack Made

                                21st Jan 1916  Songs for the Front

                                22nd January 1916 Heavy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that during the day there was only slight intermittent firing on front and support trenches in the Loos Sector more especially in M.5.a and b. The Battery positions near Fosse 7 were heavily shelled all day. Enemy gun types shelling our battery positions were: 4.2s from Lite St Pierre; 5.9s from Douvrin and a 4.2(very high velocity) gun from Hulluch direction. This gun must be very near the German front line trench as the arrival of the shell synchronises with the sound of the discharge. The 16th London Battery reported a single gun 4.2(High Velocity) behind Fosse 8 registering on trenches in enfilade G.34.d. The 17th London Battery reported that the Signal Boxes are no longer possible as an Observation Point. In M.5.b.9.1. we put up a mine to prevent the Germans putting up a mine in the same spot. We consolidated the position on our side of the crater, the artillery support being very effective. The 15th & 16th London Batteries fired on the front line trench crossing the Lens-Bethune Road. The enemy retaliated on Loos with 5.9s from Wingles direction. The Lowe Group suffered 7 casualties today - 1 killed and 6 wounded. (3 men wounded in the 15th London Battery, 1 killed & 2 wounded in the 3rd London Battery and 1 wounded in the 1st London Battery).

                                22nd January 1916  HQ at Training

                                22nd Jan 1916  Parade

                                22nd Jan 1916  Football Match

                                22nd Jan 1916  Under Shellfire

                                22nd Jan 1916  Shocking Story

                                22nd Jan 1916  Football

                                22nd Jan 1916  Lectures

                                22nd Jan 1916  Orders Issued

                                22nd Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd January 1916  2nd Lieut joins Battalion

                                22nd January 1916  Quiet

                                22nd January 1916  Snipers

                                22nd Jan 1916  Training

                                22nd Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                22nd Jan 1916  Artillery Active

                                22nd of January 1916 

                                22nd Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                22nd Jan 1916  Quiet

                                22nd January 1916  More self inflicted wounds

                                22nd Jan 1916  At Rest

                                22nd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Jan 1916  In Camp

                                22nd Jan 1916  Inspections

                                22nd Jan 1916  On the March

                                22nd Jan 1916  Snipers

                                22nd Jan 1916  Quiet

                                22nd Jan 1916  Training

                                22nd January 1916  All Companies and Sub-Units had the use of the bath's at Dicksbusch

                                22nd January 1916  In same trenches in "C1".

                                22nd January 1916  Enemy Engaged

                                22nd of January 1916  Shelled and casualties

                                22nd of January 1916  Enemy Active

                                22nd January 1916  Slight shelling

                                22nd Jan 1916  Patrol

                                22nd Jan 1916  Wounded Collected

                                23rd January 1916  In Billets

                                23rd January 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA record a very quiet day. A little hostile shelling on M.5.a and b, otherwise no shelling in Loos Sector or on battery positions near Fosse 7 and Maroc. German aircraft were active in the morning. Flashes were observed on bearing 120.5 from G.34.a.4.6 - a field gun shelling Loos Road.

                                23rd January 1916  HQ at Training

                                23rd Jan 1916  7 Northumberlands back in Trenches

                                23rd Jan 1916  Bombing Practice

                                23rd Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                23rd Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                23rd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                23rd Jan 1916  Heading South

                                23rd Jan 1916  Shelling

                                23rd January 1916  Church Service

                                23rd January 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                23rd January 1916  Shelling

                                23rd Jan 1916  Change of Command

                                23rd Jan 1916  On the Move

                                23rd Jan 1916  Working Parties & Baths

                                23rd Jan 1916  Baths

                                23rd Jan 1916  Quiet

                                23rd of January 1916  Training for Ammunition Columns

                                23rd Jan 1916  Sniping

                                23rd Jan 1916  In Billets

                                23rd January 1916  Major Mumford i/c

                                23rd January 1916  Major Mumford i/c

                                23rd Jan 1916  Move

                                23rd Jan 1916  In Reserve

                                23rd Jan 1916  In Camp

                                23rd Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                23rd Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jan 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                23rd Jan 1916  Transport

                                23rd Jan 1916  Training

                                23rd January 1916  Companies instructed in grenade throwing

                                23rd Jan 1916  Recce

                                23rd January 1916  Mine Blown in German Trenches

                                23rd of January 1916  Working parties

                                23rd Jan 1916  Transport

                                23rd of January 1916  Rifle Fire

                                23rd January 1916  Relieved by 13th Royal Scots.

                                23rd Jan 1916  Aircraft Active

                                23rd Jan 1916  Trench Raid

                                23rd Jan 1916  Snipers

                                24th January 1916 Enemy Artillery very Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report enemy artillery were very active during the day with intermittent firing on our front line and communication trenches. The 16th London Battery reports that from the smell of bromide from shell holes about G.27.a.1.8., it would appear that the Germans have been using Lachrymatory shells. The Colonel, Orderly officer and Battery Commanders of the 3rd London Brigade RFA came up preparatory to taking over from the 1st London Brigade RFA. The Battery commanders went back that night. (Note Lachrymatory refers to Tear Gas probably bromide based)

                                24th January 1916  HQ at Training

                                24th Jan 1916  Parade

                                24th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                24th Jan 1915  A Last Letter

                                24th Jan 1916  Bravery in Rescue

                                24th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                24th Jan 1916  Training

                                24th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                24th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                24th of January 1916  Marching in France

                                24th January 1916  Quiet

                                24th January 1916  Rifle Fire

                                24th January 1916  Shelling

                                24th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                24th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                24th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                24th of January 1916  Machine Gun Companies Assemble

                                24th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                24th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                24th January 1916  2 killed and 3 wounded.

                                24th Jan 1916  Orders

                                24th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                24th Jan 1916  Storm

                                24th Jan 1916  On the March

                                24th Jan 1916  Working Party

                                24th Jan 1916  In Action

                                24th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                24th January 1916  Grenade throwing as yesterday.

                                24th Jan 1916  Positions

                                24th January 1916  A Day of Heavy Shelling

                                24th of January 1916  Incoming shell fire

                                24th January 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of January 1916  Enemy Alert

                                24th January 1916  Cleaning up in Philosophe.

                                24th Jan 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                24th Jan 1916  Snipers

                                25th January 1916 Intense Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from 1130 to about 1600 the enemy shelled the Loos Sector and at times the bombardment was intense, especially on Loos Pylons and houses south of Crassier. Enemy aircraft very active all day. Much work has been done on the saps in front of the German lines. The main Loos to Maroc communication trench was shelled with many howitzers at 1500 (between 40 and 50 shells). The 16th London Battery caused a thick column of black smoke to rise from the German front line by a High Explosive shell. The 17th London Battery reported a gun firing from Cite St Laurent Church on north Maroc and Fosse 5. The 17th London Battery report picking up a fuse of this gun marked as follows: H.Z.14 Vorst and ------ -----; safety pins fuse, superior, ----- SWN15 Manufactures by SWN (under the 329 list of unknown makers) in 1915. 329 is the Factory series number. One section of each battery of the 3rd London Brigade RFA (the 7th, 8th & 9th) took over respectively from 1st,2nd & 3rd London Batteries (1st London Brigade RFA).

                                25th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise etc. Captain W.R. Tylden-Wright and 1 Other Rank proceeded to join Dismounted Battalion. Captain G. Phipps-Hornby assumes Command of the Mounted Regiment.

                                25th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Jan 1916  Route March

                                25th Jan 1916  Instruction

                                25th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                25th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                25th of January 1916  By the Sea

                                25th January 1916  Quiet

                                25th January 1916  Enemy Active

                                25th January 1916  Orders

                                25th January 1916  Photographs

                                25th January 1916 

                                25th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                25th Jan 1916  Visit

                                25th Jan 1916  Training

                                25th Jan 1916  Bombardment

                                25th of January 1916 

                                25th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                25th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                25h January 1916  Artillery fire on Thiepval

                                25th January 1916  Artillery fire on Thiepval

                                25th Jan 1916  Instruction

                                25th Jan 1916  Route March

                                25th Jan 1916  Poor Weather

                                25th Jan 1916  Inspections

                                25th Jan 1916  Training

                                25th Jan 1916  Working Party

                                25th Jan 1916  In Action

                                25th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                25th January 1916  Relief of the 4th Royal Fusiliers

                                25th January 1916  German Aircraft Very Active

                                25th of January 1916  Officer struck by shrapnel

                                25th January 1916  In the Trenches

                                25th of January 1916  Enemy Nervous

                                25th January 1916  30 minutes notice in Philosophe.

                                25th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Jan 1916  Recce

                                26th January 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                26th January 1916 Enemy Artillery Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report hostile artillery was again active during the day. From 1345 to 1430 enemy bombarded very heavily, the Copse, the Chalk Pit and Fosse 7 communication trenches with light high velocity guns, 4.2s, & 5.9s from Lens. The Germans have done a lot of work in their new trenches. Observation Balloon went down as soon as the shelling ceased. During the night new trench and saps were kept under fire. The remaining sections of the 3rd London Brigade RFA took over from the remaining sections of the 1st London Brigade RFA

                                26th January 1916  HQ at Training

                                26th January 1916   SM U-72

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 56) Ordered 6 Jan 1915 Launched 31 Oct 1915 Commissioned 26 Jan 1916

                                Commanders.
                                28 Jan 1916 - 17 Jul 1917 Ernst Krafft.
                                18 Jul 1917 - 5 Nov 1917 Johannes Feldkirchner.
                                6 Nov 1917 - 31 Dec 1917 Erich Schulze.
                                1 Jan 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 Hermann Bohm

                                Career 4 patrols.
                                11 Apr 1916 - 17 Sep 1916 I Flotilla.
                                17 Sep 1916 - 1 Nov 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer II Flotilla

                                Successes 21 ships sunk with a total of 38,596 tons.
                                5 ships damaged with a total of 21,513 tons.

                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Achaia 2,733 br
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Hiso 1,562 nw
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Doreen 9 br
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Allegro 7 br
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Griffin 10 br
                                • 7 Sep 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Puffin (damaged) unknown br
                                • 19 Nov 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Maria Di Pompei 286 it
                                • 23 Nov 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Margherita F. 44 it
                                • 26 Nov 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Christoforos 3,674 gr
                                • 27 Nov 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Salvatore Ciampa 1,728 it
                                • 2 Dec 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Palermo 9,203 it
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Jeanne 534 it
                                • 14 Dec 1916 U 72 Ernst Krafft Caledonia (damaged) 7,572 br
                                • 3 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Manin B. 249 it
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Errington Court (damaged) 4,461 br
                                • 8 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Cheltonian 4,426 br
                                • 8 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Felicina 165 it
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Bravore 1,650 nw
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft General Laurie 238 br
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Montebello 2,603 it
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Santo 622 it
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Biagio 276 it
                                • 25 Jun 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Southern (damaged) 5,694 br
                                • 7 Jul 1917 U 72 Ernst Krafft Shigizan Maru 2,828 jp
                                • 1 Aug 1917 U 72 Johannes Feldkirchner Rokeby (damaged) 3,786 br
                                • 4 Aug 1917 U 72 Johannes Feldkirchner British Monarch 5,749 br

                                Fate 1 Nov 1918 - Scuttled during the evacuation of Cattaro in position 42.30N, 18.41E.

                                There was another U 72 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 22 Nov 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Jan 1941.

                                26th January 1916  Second Shaft

                                26th Jan 1916  Second to None

                                26th Jan 1916  Cleaning

                                26th Jan 1916  Inspection and Baths

                                26th Jan 1916  Training

                                26th Jan 1916  On Alert

                                26th Jan 1916  Trench Work

                                26th January 1916  Secret communication

                                26th January 1916  Whizz Bangs

                                26th January 1916  Strafe

                                26th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                26th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                26th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                26th of January 1916  Divisional School Assembly

                                26th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                26th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                26th January 1916  Enemy very active

                                26th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                26th Jan 1916  Inspection

                                26th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                26th Jan 1916  Training and Football

                                26th Jan 1916  Training

                                26th Jan 1916  Aircraft Active

                                26th Jan 1916  In Action

                                26th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                26th January 1916  Germans much more active than last tour

                                26th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                26th January 1916  Went back to billets in Bray.

                                26th January 1916  Heavy Hostile Fire

                                26th of January 1916  Relieved and return to billets

                                26th of January 1916  Battalion Relief

                                26th January 1916  Relieved 11th A. & S.H.

                                26th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                27th Jan 1916 Conscription introduced  Conscription is introduced in Britain by the Military Service Act, nicknamed the "Batchelor's Bill" as unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 41 were conscripted. It was an unpopular move even amongst the higher ranks of the army. Lord Roberts, The British Army commander in South Africa stated: "Compulsory service is, I believe, as distasteful to the nation as it is incompatible with the conditions of an Army like ours, which has such a large proportion of its units on foreign service. I hold moreover, that the man who voluntarily serves his country is more to be relied upon as a good fighting soldier than is he who is compelled to bear arms."

                                It was however the only option to maintain the British Army, which had by the end of 1915, lost 528,227 men, killed, wounded or missing presumed dead and volunteers to 'Kitchener's Army' had dried up.

                                The Military Service Act did include a 'conscience clause' which allowed the right for those who had a 'conscientious objection to bearing arms' to argue their case as to why they should not be called up to join the army in a tribunal. The reasons for registering as a 'conscientious objector' included those who were pacifists who disagreed with the war, political objectors who did not consider Germany to be their enemy and religious objectors including the Quakers and Jehovah Witnesses.

                                Many conscientious objectors refused to bare arms, but were willing to take on a non-combat role such as working in a munitions factory or working as a stretcher barer or in the medical services. Others refused to engage in any activities connected with the war and were known as 'absolutists'.

                                27th January 1916 Heavy Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA report an extraordinarily heavy bombardment took place on our trenches during the morning and Lowe Group Batteries spent much ammunition in retaliation. At 1300 the hostile bombardment suddenly ceased and the afternoon was fairly quiet. Maroc Church Tower was knocked down by 5.9 shells. Lowe Group Batteries fired on their right lines during the night. The Germans made a small attack on a battalion frontage near Puits 14 but they achieved nothing. The day passed off without any further trouble.

                                27th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise etc. Major R.E. Cecil (21st Lancers) joined from England and assumed Command of the Mounted Regiment. 3 Other Ranks to Hospital.

                                27th Jan 1916  7 Northumberlands to Camp

                                27th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                27th Jan 1916  Training

                                27th Jan 1916  Emergeny Scheme

                                27th Jan 1916  Hard Work

                                27th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                27th January 1916  Gas Alarm

                                27th January 1916  Patrols

                                27th January 1916  Holding the Line

                                27th January 1916  Snipers, Sausages and Whizz-bangs

                                27th January 1916  Artillery

                                27th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                27th Jan 1916  Cleaning up

                                27th Jan 1916  Preparations

                                27th Jan 1916  Bombardment

                                27th of January 1916 

                                27th Jan 1916  On the Move

                                27th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                27th January 1916  Shot our own men!

                                27th Jan 1916  Training

                                27th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                27th Jan 1916  Training and Football

                                27th Jan 1916  Non Commissioned Officers

                                27th Jan 1916  Training

                                27th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                27th Jan 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                27th January 1916  At night there was considerable rifle and machine gun fire.

                                27th Jan 1916  Enemy Active

                                27th January 1916  Another Day of Heavy Shelling

                                27th of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                27th of January 1916  Quiet Night

                                27th January 1916  Left heavily shelled by the Enemy.

                                27th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                28th January 1916 Enemy Bombard Trenches  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the enemy violently bombarded our trenches between Loos Crassier and Lens-Bethune Road but not to the extent they did yesterday. Fosse 7 and Maroc was heavily bombarded with all calibres of shell particularly 5.9 gas shells. The 17th London Battery reported that very little work was done on the new German front lines probably owing to our guns firing during the night before. Our guns fired on their right lines during the night at intervals.

                                28th Jan 1916 Manchester Bantams proceed to France  23rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, land at Boulogne

                                28th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise etc.

                                28th January 1916  Ongoing Action

                                28th Jan 1916 

                                28th Jan 1916  A Sad Day at Rest Camp

                                28th Jan 1916  Training

                                28th Jan 1916  Emergeny Scheme

                                28th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                28th Jan 1916  Splendid Service

                                28th January 1916  Return of detached troops

                                28th January 1916  Quiet

                                28th January 1916  Holding the Line

                                28th January 1916  Quiet

                                28th Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                28th Jan 1916  Baths

                                28th Jan 1916  Accident

                                28th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                28th of January 1916 

                                28th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                28th Jan 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                28th January 1916  Back in charge

                                28th Jan 1916  Orders

                                28th Jan 1916  Training

                                28th Jan 1916  Route March

                                28th Jan 1916  Training and Football

                                28th Jan 1916  Training

                                28th Jan 1916  Bombs Thrown

                                28th Jan 1916  Rounds Fired

                                28th Jan 1916  Some Shelling

                                  Aircraft about

                                28th January 1916  The Germans showed a small searchlight;

                                28th Jan 1916  In Action

                                28th January 1916  Trenches Heavily Bombarded

                                28th of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                28th of January 1916  Cleaning Up

                                28th January 1916  Company on Left very heavily shelled.

                                28th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                28th Jan 1916  Snipers Active

                                29th January 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a quiet day. Very little hostile shelling except between 1330 and 1430 where enemy shelled trenches with Light High Velocity guns at various points. Bad light all day. During the night we fired on our right lines at irregular intervals. Lt A.F. Blackwell and Lt D A W Petro proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

                                29th January 1916  HQ at Training

                                29th Jan 1916  Raid

                                29th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Jan 1916  Training

                                29th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                29th January 1916  Routine training

                                29th January 1916  Brigadier departs

                                29th January 1916  Shoot

                                29th January 1916  Reinforcements

                                29th January 1916  Enemy Active

                                29th of January 1916  Machine Gun Emplacements

                                29th January 1916  Machine Guns

                                29th Jan 1916  Ready to Move

                                29th Jan 1916  Recce

                                29th Jan 1916  Shelling

                                29th of January 1916 

                                29th Jan 1916  Change of Billets

                                29th Jan 1916  Gas Shells

                                29th Jan 1916  Outposts

                                29th Jan 1916  Training

                                29th Jan 1916  Advance Party

                                29th Jan 1916  Route March

                                29th Jan 1916  Training

                                29th Jan 1916  Bombardment

                                29th Jan 1916  Quiet

                                29th of January 1916 

                                29th January 1916  Extra vigilance in the case of Gas attack had to be taken.

                                29th Jan 1916  Rounds Fired

                                29th January 1916  At 1340 hours sent 1 Platoon under Lt. Borton ( with 1 Lewis Gun ) to Cappy & 2 Platoons under Lt's. Montgomerie & Martin to Froissy.

                                29th January 1916  Fog Impedes Artillery Activity

                                29th of January 1916  Officers inspect positions

                                29th January 1916  Reliefs

                                29th of January 1916  Cleaning

                                29th January 1916  Relieved by 11th A. & S.H.

                                29th Jan 1916  In Billets

                                30th January 1916 Fog  6th County of London Brigade RFA record a very quiet day owing to fog. Enemy shelled Loos Maroc communication trench, Lens-Bethune Road & Maroc Church with bursts of fire during the day. The 9th & 17th London Batteries kept the new enemy saps under fire during the day. During the night the 8th and 17th London Batteries fired on new trench saps and other Batteries on trench junctions. (Note: Saps are small trenches stretching out from the front line trenches towards the enemy's front line usually to get closer for listening posts or to move forward under some cover during an attack.)

                                30th January 1916  HQ at Training  9th Lancers, HQ Billets at Enquin. Exercise etc.

                                30th January 1916  Ongoing Action

                                30th Jan 1916  Precautions

                                30th Jan 1916  On the March

                                30th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                30th January 1916  Church Service

                                30th January 1916  Gas

                                30th January 1916  Quiet

                                30th January 1916  Snipers

                                30th January 1916  Patrol

                                30th Jan 1916  In Camp

                                30th Jan 1916  On the March

                                30th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                30th of January 1916  Ordered to Move to Trenches

                                30th Jan 1916  Others Arrive

                                30th Jan 1916  Snipers

                                30th Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                30th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                30th Jan 1916  Church Parade

                                30th Jan 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Jan 1916  Training

                                30th Jan 1916  Gas Alert

                                30th Jan 1916  Funeral

                                30th Jan 1916  Machine Gun Fire

                                30th January 1916  Very quiet day

                                30th Jan 1916  Foggy

                                30th January 1916  "C" Coy. returned to Bray at 1500 hours & "A" Coy. at 1730 hours.

                                30th January 1916  Fog Quietens Artillery Fire

                                30th of January 1916  Football competition

                                30th January 1916  In Support

                                30th of January 1916  A Parade

                                30th January 1916  Theft

                                30th January 1916  Quiet, Misty day.

                                30th Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                31st January 1916 Enemy Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a quiet morning. Enemy concentrated fire on the trenches behind the Copse, Lens Road and Hairpin at 1500 probably in retaliation for our shelling the barricades. Enemy shelled our communication trench to Loos with 5.9s and 4.2s at intervals from St Pierre. Liaison officer (Centre Battalion) reported that no direct hits were obtained on Snipers House during fire by Poole Group. Lt J.H. Van Den Bergh & Lt S.C. Woollett proceeded to 47th Divisional Gunnery school at Gosnay. At 1930 Lowe Group in conjunction with other artillery violently bombarded the German front line, then their communication trenches and then right back along their line. This strafing lasted for about half an hour.

                                31st Jan 1916 Zeppelin raids in West Midlands  Tipton, Bradley, Wednesbury and Walsall were bombed in one of the heaviest air raids of the war, with the loss of 35 lives. Nine Zeppelins set out from the north west coast of Germany with Liverpool being their primary target. The L21 dropped bombs on the Black country between 2000 and 2030 when Kapitan Leutnant Max Dietrich, lost in the clouds, mistook the Black Country for Liverpool.

                                Three high explosive bombs fell on Waterloo Street and Union Street, Tipton, demolishing two houses and setting the gas main on fire. Three incendiary bombs then fell on Bloomfield Road and Barnfield Road. Fourteen residents of Tipton were killed.

                                Five high explosives fell on Lower Bradley, resulting in the deaths of Maud and William Fellows, on the bank of the Wolverhampton Union Canal, a commemorative plaque still hangs on the wall of the Bradley pumping station nearby. At 2015 the Zeppelin was over Wednesbury, dropping bombs near the Crown Tube works, in the area of King Street and at the back of the Crown and Cushion Inn in High Bullen and Brunswick Park Road. Fourteen lives were lost.

                                The Zeppelin then headed north and bombed Walsall, destroying Wednesbury Road Congregational Church, on the corner of Wednesbury Road and Glebe Street. It went on to bomb the grounds of the General Hospital, Mountrath Street and the town centre, where three lives were lost outside the Science and Art Institute in Bradford Place, including Mary Julia Slater, the Lady Mayoress of Walsall, who was a passenger on the number 16 tram.

                                A second wave of bombs was dropped by L19 at about midnight, causing considerable damage to buildings in Wednesbury, Dudley, Tipton and Walsall.

                                31st Jan - 1st Feb 1916. The first raid of 1916 was carried out by the German Navy. Nine Zeppelins were sent to Liverpool on the night of 31 January, 1 February. A combination of poor weather, difficult navigation and mechanical problems scattered the aircraft across the English Midlands and several towns were bombed. A total of 61 people were reported killed and 101 injured by the raid. Fifteen of these fatalities occurred in the town of Tipton. Despite ground fog, 22 aircraft took off to find the Zeppelins but none succeeded. Six aircraft were damaged beyond repair and two pilots were killed when attempting to land. One airship, L 19, crashed in the North Sea because of engine failure and damage from Dutch ground,fire with all 16 crew being lost.  More info.

                                31st January 1916  HQ at Training

                                31st Jan 1916  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                31st Jan 1915  In Billets

                                31st Jan 1916  In the Trenches

                                31st Jan 1916  Stand To

                                31st Jan 1916  Into Billets

                                31st Jan 1916  On the March

                                31st Jan 1916  Relief

                                31st January 1916  New division assembles

                                31st January 1916  Quieter

                                31st January 1916  Casualties

                                31st January 1916  Holding the Line

                                February 1916 

                                31st January 1916  Enemy Lines

                                31st January 1916  Shelling

                                31st Jan 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                31st Jan 1916  Shells

                                31st Jan 1916  Working Parties

                                31st of January 1916  A Temporary Corps Attachment

                                31st Jan 1916  Route March

                                31st January 1916  Funeral

                                31st Jan 1916  On the March

                                31st January 1916  Billets

                                31st Jan 1916  Inspection

                                31st Jan 1916  Orders Received

                                31st Jan 1916  Football

                                31st Jan 1916  Training

                                31st Jan 1916  Reliefs

                                31st Jan 1916  In Action

                                31st of January 1916  

                                31st January 1916  Very quiet day and night.

                                31st Jan 1916  Indirect Fire

                                31st January 1916  In trenches.

                                31st January 1916  A Quiet Day

                                31st of January 1916  Working parties, supporting Royal Engineers

                                31st Jan 1916  On the Move

                                31st of January 1916  Drills

                                31st January 1916  Theft

                                31st January 1916  Shelling on both sides.

                                Jan 1916  Instruction

                                31st Jan 1916  Alert

                                31st Jan 1916  Positions Improved

                                29th Jun 1916   On 29th & 30th June 1916 the 8th East Yorks were training at Saint Martin Au Laert with the 8th Bde. Machine Gun Company.

                                Feb 1916  36th Battalion AIF raised in Newcastle, NSW.

                                February 1916   Battalions were now ready for the trenches. They were to be attached to other experienced units for instruction. The 24th was attached to 24th Brigade. This was a regular formation that had been transferred to the 23rd Division from the 8th Division. the companies were allotted as follows. A Company of 24th attached to 1/Sherwood Foresters. B Company of 24th attached to 2/East Lancashire Regiment. C Company of 24th attached to 2/Northamptonshire Regiment. D Company of 24th attached to 1/Worcestershire Regiment. C and D Companies were marched off to Rue Marle where they went into billets. A and B Companies went straight into the trenches. After a few days C and D Companies relieved A an B. C Company had it,s first casualty when Lieutenant Short was wounded during a trench mortar barrage.

                                February 1916   Now in the trenches at Bois-Grenier. The men regularly repaired the parapets which had been blown down. Which had to be undertaken in darkness. At Dawn the men stood to. Rum was issued to everyone. At stand down they were given breakfast. Then began the foot inspection. The men removed their boots and socks, rubbing their feet with grease. The riffles are then cleaned and inspected. About this time the Battalion were visited by The Tyneside Raising Committee. They stayed a couple of days and were shown around the trenches and around the rear areas. The pattern was set. Battalions spent time in the trenches, holding the line for a few days then were relieved to rest. Although those resting did anything but. They took part in extra training, route marching, bomb throwing, fatigues they also took stores and rations to the men at the front. Extra training courses was given in signaling, transport, bombing and machine guns at Divisional and Army schools

                                1st Feb 1916 TWFF Stevenage Road, Fulham opens.  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Stevenage Road, Fulham, London started up in February 1916. It was engaged in filling grenades, Stokes bombs and components, pyrotechnic work, etc. Under the Direct Control of the Ministry of Munitions

                                1st Feb 1916 TWFF Bushey Mill Lane, Watford (No. 2) opens.  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Bushey Mill Lane, Watford (No. 2), Hertfordshire started up in February 1916. The first output was May 1916. It was engaged in filling bombs, grenades etc., filling and assembling aerial bombs, trench mortar fuses and assembling chemical shell. It was under Direct Control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Feb 1916 HMEF Winsford opens  H.M. Explosive Factory Winsford, Victoria, Norwich, Cheshire started up in February 1916 with first output of Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate being in August 1916. It was under the Direct Control the Salt Union.

                                  On the Move

                                Feb 1916 21st West Yorks in Training  The 21st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment trained at Skipton's Raikeswood Camp from February 1916 having undertaken initial training in Halifax. The camp had previously been set up for the training of the Bradford Pals in 1915. A photo can be found of a group from the 21 WYR in the Rowley Photograph Collection. More info.

                                1st February 1916 No further work on Saps  6th County of London Brigade RFA move HQ to Les Brebis. Batteries at Fosse 7 and Maroc. Very bad light all day. Hostile artillery quiet. Enemy aeroplane up most of the day. The 16th London Battery report no further work done on saps. All new sap heads were registered by the Batteries. The 8th and 9th London Batteries fired intermittent rounds of H.E. on the new trenches during the night.

                                1st February 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Railway Candas to Acheux.

                                Work continued on into February on the same task allotments and on the 18th February the last spike was driven to complete the line to Belle Eglise Farm. On the 22nd February a Third Army meeting in relation to opening the line gave priority to Belle Eglise. No.4 Company then started work on the station and sidings there while No.2 Company continued to ballast and rectify the track.

                                No.1 Company, working at the most forward part of the track in Acheux was shelled several times but suffered no casualties. Subsequently they found a network of underground passages which provided cover if enemy shelling was heavy.

                                The weather continued to deteriorate towards the end of the month and much of the line had to be checked over particularly near Punchevilles where the line had sunk considerably and new sidings were to be built.

                                Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                1st February 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ65 (LZ95)

                                • Production Ref: LZ65
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ95
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 1st February 1916

                                History.

                                Destroyed by French anti-aircraft fire on the 21st February 1916 during an attempted attack on Vitry-le-François.

                                1st February 1916  In Billets

                                1st February 1916  Supply Issues

                                1st February 1916  Replacements

                                1st Feb 1916 

                                1st February 1916 Events in 1916  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                                At the beginning of February, 1916, the 120th Landwehr Regiment was replaced by a Prussian Regiment, the 81st Landwehr.

                                Woevre 1916. 1. On February 28, 1916, the Bavarian Ersatz Division took over the sector of Fresnes-en-Woevre-Ronvaux. It remained there until the end of October, 1916.

                                On the 17th October 1916, the 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment left the division temporarily to go to Galicia, to the 199th Division, and came back in November 1916.

                                Somme 1916.

                                From October 25th to November 15th, the Bavarian Ersatz Division took part in the battle of the Somme east of Gueudecourt, with the exception of the 81st Landwehr, which was definitely detached from the division.

                                Transferred to the Aisne, the Division went into line in the vicinity of Craonne at the end of November.

                                1st Feb 1916  Orders

                                February 1916  On the Move

                                1st February 1916  Poor Condition

                                1st Feb 1916  Rest after a Nervous Time

                                1st Feb 1916  On the Move

                                21st Feb 1916  About to Move

                                1st Feb 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Feb 1916  Orders Cancelled

                                1st Feb 1916  On the March

                                1st Feb 1916  Baths

                                1st of February 1916  Firing Practice

                                1st of February 1916 

                                1st February 1916   Resting

                                1st February 1916  Reliefs

                                1st February 1916  Misty

                                1st February 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                1st Feb 1916  Reorganisation

                                1st Feb 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                1st Feb 1916  Enemy Active

                                1st Feb 1916  Operations

                                1st Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                1st of February 1916  Another Corps Move

                                1st Feb 1916  Training

                                1st Feb 1916  Orders

                                1st Feb 1916  On the Move

                                1st Feb 1916  Training

                                1st Feb 1916  Route March

                                1st Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                1st Feb 1916  Relief Completed

                                1st Feb 1916  Cleaning up

                                1st of February 1916 

                                1st February 1916  Trenches Heavily shelled

                                1st Feb 1916  Effects of Gas

                                1st Feb 1916  Misty

                                1st February 1916  Battalion reliefs

                                1st Feb 1916  Shelling

                                1st February 1916  Enemy Fire Quietened

                                1st Feb 1916  On the Move

                                1st February 1916  Ordersy

                                1st February 1916  Reliefs.

                                1st February 1916  Operation Order 51.

                                Feb 1915  Trench Work

                                1st of February 1916   Training and Inspections

                                1st Feb 1916  Orders re Letters

                                1st Feb 1916  On the March

                                1st Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                1st February 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd February 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA record a quiet day. Nothing of importance to note. The 8th London Battery fired on new trench in M.5.c during the night at the request of the infantry.

                                2nd February 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets at HQ Enquin. The Commanding Officer inspected the horses of 'B' Squadron. 2 Other Ranks to Temporary Hospital. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital

                                2nd February 1916  Piling

                                2nd February 1916 Ongoing Action  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                We exploded a mine near the Hairpin Crater. Artillery support not asked for.

                                2nd Feb 1916  Enemy Trench Raid

                                2nd Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Feb 1916  Route March

                                2nd Feb 1916  Instruction

                                2nd Feb 1916  Training

                                2nd February 1916  Exercises with Divisional Cavalry

                                2nd February 1916  Gas guard removal

                                2nd February 1916  In Camp

                                2nd Feb 1916  Inspection

                                2nd February 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                2nd February 1916  Aeroplane Photographs

                                2nd Feb 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                2nd Feb 1916  Patrol

                                2nd Feb 1916  Operations

                                2nd Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd of February 1916  Moving to the Trenches

                                2nd Feb 1916  Route March

                                2nd Feb 1916  Refitting

                                2nd February 1916  Wiring party

                                2nd Feb 1916  Fatigues

                                2nd Feb 1916  Training Programme

                                2nd Feb 1916  Parades

                                2nd Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                  The enemy within

                                2nd of February 1916  A Brigade Relief

                                2nd February 1916  Musketry

                                2nd February 1916  Cleaning up

                                2nd Feb 1916 Shelling  Germans fired few rounds on 7th Buffs 2nd line trenches, our aeroplanes active.

                                2nd Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                2nd February 1916  15th Infantry Brigade left the line.

                                2nd February 1916  Cover Provided for Mine Detonation

                                2nd Feb 1916  On the Move

                                2nd February 1916  Working parties

                                2nd of February 1916  Football

                                2nd of March 1916  Baths and Training

                                2nd Feb 1916  Problems

                                2nd Feb 1916  On the March

                                2nd Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                2nd Feb 1916  Artillery Active

                                2nd February 1916  Cleaning up.

                                3rd February 1916 Quiet Day  Another quiet day for 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force due to Bad light. Batteries fired on working parties, trench junctions and suspected Observation Points. The 17th London Battery fired on a minenwerfer (short range German mortar). Movement was seen in Fosse 12. At about 2000 the enemy were reported to have exploded a mine north of Loos Crassier. Heavy shelling by enemy on pylons and south of Loos Crassier. During the night the 9th London Battery fired on a working party in M.5.c. and d with excellent results. A Hun was heard to groan. OC. Brigade (Col Lowe) proceeded on leave of absence. Major Bayley DSO assumed Command of the Lowe Group.

                                3rd February 1916  In Billets

                                3rd February 1916  Visit

                                3rd Feb 1916 3rd Monmouths entrain for The Somme  For most of January 1916 the 49th Division was at rest before proceeding to the Somme, and the battalion after leaving Elverdinghe, marched by stages to Rietveld, a little hamlet on the Cassel-Wormhoudt Road where the companies were billeted in farms within easy walking distance of each other. The battalion historians record this time as "four pleasant weeks, the training was not strenuous, only sufficient being done to keep all ranks fit, and the afternoons were spent in games".

                                On February 3rd the Battalion entrained at Esquelbecq for the south, and the next day detrained at Longueau near Amiens . A march to Ailly-su-Somme from which point they bussed to Saisseval, a small village about 14 kilometres to the west of Amiens.

                                3rd February 1916  Inspections

                                3rd Feb 1916  In Support

                                3rd Feb 1916  Enemy Shelling

                                3rd Feb 1916  Reorganisation

                                3rd Feb 1916  Train

                                3rd of February 1916  On the Move

                                3rd February 1916  Awaiting movement orders

                                3rd February 1916  In Camp

                                3rd February 1916  Snipers

                                3rd Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                3rd Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd of February 1916  Moves Continue

                                3rd Feb 1916  Lecture

                                3rd Feb 1916  Refitting

                                3rd Feb 1916  Training

                                3rd Feb 1916  Training

                                3rd Feb 1916  Route March

                                3rd Feb 1916  Postings

                                3rd Feb 1916  Routine

                                3rd February 1916  Baths

                                3rd Feb 1916 Some Shelling  Midday enemy fired H.E. shrapnel over Chateau, no damage in 7th Buffs area. very active at night with Machine Guns

                                3rd Feb 1916  Orders Received

                                3rd Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                3rd February 1916  Enemy Dispersed

                                3rd Feb 1916  On the March

                                3rd February 1916  Armoury Staff Sgt. inspected rifles

                                3rd of February 1916  A Route March

                                3rd Feb 1916  Leave

                                3rd Feb 1916  On the March

                                3rd Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                3rd Feb 1916  Reorganisation

                                3rd February 1916  Inspections of billets

                                4th Feb 1916 3rd Monmouths on the march  The 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment detrained at Longueau near Amiens and marched to Ailly-su-Somme from which point they bussed to Saisseval, a small village about 14 kilometres to the west of Amiens.

                                4th February 1916 Exceptionally Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report enemy artillery exceptionally quiet. Fosse 12 certainly used as an Observation Point. Fresh work again done on new saps & trenches during the night. The 8th & 15th London Batteries fired during the night on the new saps and down the Lens road.

                                4th February 1916  In Billets

                                4th February 1916  Steel

                                4th Feb 1916  Home from the Front

                                4th Feb 1916  Bravery in the Dark

                                4th Feb 1916  Destroyed by Shells

                                4th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                4th Feb 1916  Orders

                                4th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                4th February 1916  Inspection by Major General Capper

                                4th February 1916  In Camp

                                4th February 1916  Nervous

                                4th February 1916  Reliefs

                                4th February 1916  Artillery Active

                                4th February 1916  Enemy Guns

                                4th February 1916  Enemy Artillery

                                4th Feb 1916  Patrols

                                4th Feb 1916  Shelling

                                4th Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                4th of February 1916  Orders Amended

                                4th Feb 1916  Training

                                4th February 1916  Military Cross

                                4th February 1916  Roll of Honour

                                4th February 1916  Bravery

                                4th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                4th Feb 1916  Training

                                4th Feb 1916  Training

                                4th Feb 1916  Training

                                4th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Feb 1916  Retaliation

                                4th Feb 1916  Inspection

                                  Fresh recruits received

                                4th of February 1916  

                                4th February 1916  The rifles of "C" & "D" companies inspected by Armourer Staff Sgt.

                                4th Feb 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs are relieved by 7th Queens from D 3. they were on our right. 7th Div taking over D s/sectors. Returned to billets in Buire. Billets fairly comfortable but need lot of improvements.

                                4th Feb 1916  Quiet

                                4th February 1916  German Trench Improvements Observed

                                4th Feb 1916  Equipment

                                4th February 1916  In billets

                                4th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                4th of February 1916  Football Match

                                4th Feb 1916  Report

                                4th Feb 1916  On the March

                                4th Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                4th Feb 1916  Reorganisation

                                4th February 1916  Stand To

                                5th February 1916 Night Firing  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Les Brebis, Fosse 7 and Maroc. A very quiet day with excellent light. Night firing on new saps and trenches undoubtedly hindered the work at these places. Very little additional work has been done. A doubtful aeroplane was reported with only a ring under one wing. Fosse 7 was heavily shelled from Vendin. The 7th & 17th London Batteries fired on the new trenches during the night. At 0500 there was a concentration of fire from all IV Corps guns, with each gun firing 1 round on its right line.

                                5th February 1916  In Billets

                                5th February 1916  Reinforcements

                                5th Feb 1916  3rd York & Lancs on the Move

                                5th Feb 1915  Town under Shellfire

                                5th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                5th Feb 1916  Change of Billets

                                5th Feb 1916  Soldier's Feed

                                5th February 1916  Aeroplane activity reported

                                5th February 1916  In Camp

                                5th Feb 1916  On the March

                                5th February 1916  Shelling

                                5th February 1916  Shelling

                                5th February 1916  Snipers

                                5th February 1916  Uniforms

                                5th Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                5th Feb 1916  Shelling

                                5th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                5th of February 1916  Moves Continue

                                5th Feb 1916  Training & Sports

                                5th Feb 1916  Training

                                5th Feb 1916  Training

                                5th Feb 1916  Training

                                5th Feb 1916  Training

                                5th Feb 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                5th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Feb 1916  Retaliation

                                5th Feb 1916  Concert

                                5th February 1916  On the March

                                5th Feb 1916 Training  Major Birch left on leave. Capt. R.T. Monier-Williams in command of 7th Buffs. Training carried on.

                                5th Feb 1916 Training   7th Buffs are In billets. Nothing to report. Training continued., commenced to dig copy of German trenches in front of E 1, Pt. 7025 etc.

                                5th Feb 1916  Aircraft Active

                                5th February 1916  Enemy Cyclist Blown Off Bicycle

                                5th Feb 1916  Route March

                                5th February 1916  Relieved 17th ( Poplar and Stepney Rifles ) Battalion

                                5th February 1916  Operation Order 52.

                                5th of February 1916   Enemy Aviators Repelled

                                5th Feb 1916  Field Allowance

                                5th Feb 1916  On the March

                                5th Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                5th Feb 1916  Training

                                5th February 1916  Boxing contest

                                6th Feb 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers march to Martinsart  16th Northumberlands march to Martinsart to be divisional reserve, leaving garrisons at Authuille Keep (under Lt Parker), Mcmahon’s Post and Mill Keep.

                                6th February 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report a very quiet day. The 8th London Battery fired at Observation Point Fosse 11. The 9th London Battery fired at an Observation Point and caused observers to withdraw. The 15th London Battery fired at the suspected position of a minenwerfer (mortar) near Snipers House. The 16th London Battery registered new assembly trenches opposite the Copse. The 9th & 16th London Batteries fired during the night on new saps and trenches, also on the road joining into the Lens-Bethune road. No further work on new trenches south of the copse.

                                6th February 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets at HQ Enquin. Church of England parade service at Preures at 1100. A draft of 9 men & 15 horses joined the Regiment

                                6th February 1916 Reliefs carried out  3rd Canadian Tunnelling Coy report Reliefs No4 section carried out as per schedule. Lieut. Spears relieved Lieut. Urie. Boring tackle sent to Petite Douve. Attached Infantry 1st & 2nd Brigades sent to Sappers Farm.

                                6th Feb 1916  Out of the Line

                                6th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Feb 1916  Reorganisation

                                6th Feb 1916  Hospital Ship Sails

                                6th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                6th of February 1916  Into Trenches

                                6th February 1916  Clothes fumigated

                                6th February 1916  In Camp

                                6th February 1916  Orders

                                6th February 1916  Artillery Active

                                6th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Feb 1916  Patrol

                                6th Feb 1916  Socks

                                6th Feb 1916  Quiet

                                6th of February 1916  Units Move to Front Line

                                6th Feb 1916  Training

                                6th Feb 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                6th Feb 1916  On the March

                                6th February 1916  Close to Thiepval

                                6th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                6th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                6th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                6th Feb 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                6th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                6th February 1916  New Billets

                                6th February 1916  Tube helmets withdrawn

                                6th Feb 1916  Some Shelling

                                6th February 1916  Battalion marched to Poulainville.

                                6th February 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                6th Feb 1916  Lectures

                                6th February 1916  Cleaning trenches and billets under R.E.

                                6th February 1916  Defence Scheme. Centre section Loos Sector.

                                6th February 1916  Recomendations for Honours and Awards.

                                6th Feb 1916  Orders Received

                                6th of February 1916   Div League Game

                                6th Feb 1916  Visit

                                6th Feb 1916  On the March

                                6th Feb 1916   Baths

                                6th Feb 1916  Training

                                6th February 1916  Officers reconoiter trenches.

                                7th February 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA record another very quiet day with good light in the afternoon. Some Batteries registered various points other than those in their zones. The 9th London Battery reported a fortified house just on the crest of the hill. The 16th London Battery reported no further work on saps opposite Chalk Pit, but fresh work about 75 to 125 yards in a north easterly direction possibly the start of new saps. The 17th London Battery report no further work done on saps and trenches south of Copse. During the night the 15th London Battery fired on saps opposite Chalk Pit and down Lens road, while the 8th London Battery fired on new trenches south of the Copse.

                                7th February 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets at HQ Enquin. Exercise & Stables under Squadron arrangements. 1 Other Rank to Base Hospital. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital. 1 Riding Horse from No.1 Mobile Veterinary Station.

                                7th February 1916  Gallery

                                7th February 1916  Enemy bombardment

                                7th Feb 1916  Machine Gunners Transfer

                                7th Feb 1916  Escort

                                7th Feb 1916  Recovering from Wounds

                                7th Feb 1916  Under Shellfire

                                7th Feb 1916  Bathing

                                7th Feb 1916  Shock

                                7th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                7th February 1916  Road Control

                                7th February 1916  Reliefs

                                7th February 1916  Posting

                                7th Feb 1916  On the March

                                7th February 1916  Shelling

                                7th February 1916  Artillery Active

                                7th Feb 1916  Relief

                                7th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Feb 1916  Quiet

                                7th of February 1916  New Sector

                                7th Feb 1916  Training

                                7th Feb 1916  On the March

                                7th February 1916  Sentry shot

                                7th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                7th Feb 1916  Route March

                                7th Feb 1916  Training

                                7th Feb 1916  Training and Football

                                7th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Feb 1916  Training

                                7th Feb 1916  Quiet

                                7th Feb 1916  Fatigue Parties

                                7th February 1916  "A" Coy. was inspected by the Commanding Officer.

                                7th Feb 1916  Air Raid

                                7th February 1916  Started Platoon training & training of specialists - Grenadiers, Signalers, Snipers & Lewis Gun detachments.

                                7th February 1916  Working Parties Engaged

                                7th Feb 1916  Lectures

                                7th February 1916 

                                7th Feb 1916  Orders

                                7th of February 1916  Parades

                                7th Feb 1916  More Nurses Required

                                7th Feb 1916  Air Raid

                                7th Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                7th Feb 1916  Air Raid

                                7th February 1916  Reliefs

                                8th February 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA situated at Les Brebis, Maroc and Fosse 7 reports a very quiet day. Enemy shelled Fosse 7 with gas shells from 1230 to 1500 but no damage done. During the night 7th London Battery fired on new saps opposite Chalk Pit and down Lens road. The 17th London Battery fired on the new trenches & saps south of the Copse. At 1600 we exploded a mine just south of the southern Chalk Pit. The 15 & 16th London Batteries fired on the communication trenches behind, at the request of the infantry. The 8th Battery also opened fire. There was no hostile shelling until 0420 which was then not vigorous. No more work was visible on new trenches south of the Copse.

                                8th February 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets at HQ Enquin. Exercise & Stables under Squadron arrangements. 2 Other Ranks to Base Hospital.

                                8th February 1916  New Shaft

                                8th February 1916  Replacements

                                8th Feb 1916  Accidental Shooting

                                8th Feb 1916  On the March

                                8th Feb 1916  Under Shellfire

                                8th Feb 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                8th Feb 1916  On the March

                                8th Feb 1916  Shelling

                                8th of February 1916  Building Huts

                                8th February 1916  Preparation for movement

                                8th of February 1916  Enemy Active

                                8th February 1916  Hostile Artillery

                                8th Feb 1916  Cleaning up

                                8th Feb 1916  Artillery Active

                                8th Feb 1916  In the Trenches

                                8th of February 1916  Shelling

                                8th Feb 1916  Change of Command

                                8th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                8th February 1916  Officer Wounded

                                8th Feb 1916  Reinforcements

                                8th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                8th Feb 1916  Training

                                8th Feb 1916  Cross Country

                                8th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Feb 1916  On the March

                                8th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                8th Feb 1916  In Action

                                8th Feb 1916  On the March

                                8th February 1916  Usual parades and inspections.

                                8th Feb 1916  Artillery in Action

                                8th February 1916  Enemy Digs In

                                8th Feb 1916  Route March

                                8th February 1916  Work on SAP on right of crater.

                                8th of February 1916   Brigade Final

                                8th Feb 1916  Identity Discs

                                8th Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                8th February 1916  Battalion H.Q. in Loos.

                                9th February 1916 Hostile Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that with the exception of very heavy shelling of the new Crater, and slight retaliation for afternoon bombardment, the hostile artillery was fairly quiet. At 1530 a bombardment by guns enfilading trenches (one of the 9th London Battery guns was taken into Loos during the night) was very successful and round LOOS an enemy gun was observed to fall into the trench. Captive hostile balloons were up most of the day. Wiring of the new trenches by the Germans with Coil Wire and Trip wire at Chevar de Drise. No more work took place on trenches. No more work was done on saps opposite Chalk Pit. Our Batteries did not fire during the night.

                                9th February 1916  In Billets

                                9th February 1916  Vehicles

                                9th February 1916   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                9th Feb - The 15 inch Gun fired on the buildings by Fosse 8 - E Battery co-operated.

                                10th Feb - A quiet day.

                                9th Feb 1916  Aircraft Active

                                9th Feb 1916  Training

                                9th Feb 1916  Into Billets

                                9th Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                9th February 1916  Divisional Troops Attachments

                                9th February 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                9th February 1916  Marched to Poperinghe

                                9th February 1916  Officer Killed

                                9th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                9th February 1916  Artillery Active

                                9th February 1916  Orders

                                9th of February 1916  Orders

                                9th February 1916  Artillery Active

                                9th Feb 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                9th Feb 1916  Inspection

                                9th Feb 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                9th of February 1916  Villages Shelled

                                9th Feb 1916  Route March

                                9th February 1916  Alarm

                                9th February 1916  Bombs

                                9th February 1916  Call Ups

                                9th Feb 1916  Believed Safe

                                9th Feb 1916  Lights

                                9th Feb 1916  The New Luxor.

                                9th February 1916  Patrols

                                9th Feb 1916  Training

                                9th February 1916  Gas alarm

                                9th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                9th Feb 1916  Training

                                9th Feb 1916  Inspection

                                9th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Feb 1916  On the March

                                9th Feb 1916  Artillery Active

                                9th Feb 1916  Routine

                                9th Feb 1916  Transfer

                                9th February 1916  Route March

                                9th Feb 1916  Artillery in Action

                                9th Feb 1916  On the March

                                9th February 1916  The 173rd Tunnelling Coy. R.E. exploded a mine

                                9th of February 1916   2nd Army Inspection

                                9th Feb 1916  Field Allowance

                                9th Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                9th February 1916  Slight shelling of Supports

                                10th February 1916 Areoplanes Quieten Enemy  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Les Brebis, Maroc and Fosse 7 report enemy artillery was very quiet all day owing to the number of our aeroplanes up. A minenwerfer (mortar) opposite the Copse was active at 1230. At 1300 the 15th London Battery fired on it and successfully caused it to stop. No more work done on trenches south of Copse. The 9th London Battery fired on new trenches south of the Copse during the night and the 16th London Battery fired on saps opposite the Copse and down the Lens road.

                                10th February 1916  In Billets

                                10th February 1916 Battle of Dogger Bank 1916  The Second Battle of Dogger Bank took place on the 10th February 1916 off Dogger Bank in the North Sea. This engagement resulted in a German victory. Ships engaged were 4 sloops and 25 torpedo boats. Casualties and losses were 1 sloop sunk (HMS Arabis) with 56 crew dead and 24 captured

                                Background to the Battle.

                                Admiral Reinhard Scheer took command of the German High Seas Fleet in 1916 due to the illness of Admiral Hugo von Pohl and immediately began to take a more offensive strategy in the North Sea. This resulted in more frequent raids and incursions into British dominated areas. One of these occurred on the 10th February 1916 when the Germans sent the 2nd, 6th, and 9th Torpedo-Boat Flotillas to Dogger Bank in an attempt to intercept Allied shipping. At least 25 torpedo boats were deployed. The only British vessels operating in the area were the British 10th Minesweeping Flotilla, consisting of HMS Arabis, Poppy, Buttercup, and Alyssum.

                                Each of these Arabis-class sloops was armed only with two 4.7 in (120 mm) guns as well as two 3-pounder anti-aircraft guns and were little match to the large numbers of German torpedo boats(also described as destroyers).

                                Battle description.

                                Arabis — along with the other three sloops of her division — had been engaged in sweeping a clear channel east of Dogger Bank when they were sighted by a large number of German torpedo boats. The Germans at first hesitated in attacking them as they were not familiar with the new Arabis-class vessels and thought they were much more powerful cruisers. However with their numerical advantage the Germans decided to launch their attack anyway. The British attempted to flee back to the safety of the coast with Poppy, Buttercup and Alyssum succeeding. Arabis was not so fortunate. She was caught and engaged by three of the German torpdeo boats. After fighting off this attack, Arabis was attacked by six of the German boats and finally went down after being struck by a torpedo. Thirty of Arabis' crew were pulled from the sea by the Germans, but four of them died shortly afterwards due to exposure to the elements.

                                Aftermath of the Action

                                The British caused some minor damage to a few of the German destroyers and the only losses from the action was HMS Arabis along with 56 of her crew killed and another 24 captured by the Germans. For his actions during the battle, Arabis' commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Robert Raymond Hallowell-Carew, received the Distinguished Service Order. He and two other officers were amonst the captives Having only sunk a single minesweeping sloop, the Germans claimed that they had engaged a squadron of four new cruisers and sunk two of them with torpedoes. The British Admiralty quickly responded confirming that no other Allied forces had been engaged besides the 10th Minesweeping Division and that no cruisers had been sunk in the action. Following the action off Dogger Bank, the Battlecruiser Fleet from Rosyth, the 5th Cruiser Division from Harwich, as well as other elements of the Grand Fleet were deployed. These British forces assembled in the North Sea and swept southward. This action was called off on the 11th when it was established that the German forces were solely torpedo boats which had already returned to their bases.

                                Upon returning from the failed intercept operation, the light cruiser HMS Arethusa struck a German mine and sank, losing 12 of her crew.

                                10th February 1916  Boring

                                February 1916  On the Move

                                10th Feb 1916  Snipers Active

                                10th Feb 1916  Mechantmen Warning

                                10th Feb 1916  Artillery In Action

                                10th Feb 1916  Recce

                                10th Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                10th February 1916  Arrival

                                10th February 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                10th February 1916  Artillery in Action

                                10th Feb 1916  Route March

                                10th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Feb 1916  Quieter

                                10th of February 1916  Shelling and Bombs

                                10th Feb 1916  Route March

                                10th Feb 1916  Albert Medal

                                10th Feb 1916  Training

                                10th February 1916  Spy in the trench

                                10th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                10th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                10th Feb 1916  Route March

                                10th Feb 1916  Training

                                10th Feb 1916  Poor Weather

                                10th Feb 1916  Pilot wounded

                                10th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                10th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                10th Feb 1916  Shelling

                                10th Feb 1916  On the March

                                  Soldiers transferred out

                                10th of February 1916  MG Coys Join

                                10th February 1916  "D" inspected by Commanding Officer.

                                10th Feb 1916  Artillery in Action

                                10th Feb 1916  Route March

                                10th February 1916  Bombing posts established on near mound of new crater

                                10th of February 1916   Inspection

                                10th Feb 1916  Field Allowance

                                10th Feb 1916  Storm

                                10th Feb 1916   Construction Work

                                10th February 1916  Reliefs

                                11th February 1916 Bad Light  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Bad light. The 7th London Battery fired at 2 Machine Gun emplacements. Enemy reported digging a new trench front line. At 1930 Batteries fired a few rounds on roads. During the night the 7th London Battery fired on saps at M.6.d and the 17th London Battery fired on M.5.c & d.

                                11th February 1916  In Billets

                                11th February 1916  New shafts

                                11th February 1916  Relief action

                                11th Feb 1916  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                11th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                11th Feb 1916  On the March

                                11th Feb 1916  Inspection

                                11th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                11th February 1916  On the Move

                                11th February 1916  Company withdrawn

                                11th February 1916  On the March

                                11th February 1916  Warning

                                11th February 1916  Enemy Active

                                11th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Feb 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                11th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                11th of February 1916  Shelling

                                11th Feb 1916  Training

                                11th Feb 1916  On the March

                                11th February 1916  Another sentry killed

                                11th Feb 1916  Field Day

                                11th Feb 1916  Court of Enquiry

                                11th Feb 1916  Football

                                11th Feb 1916  Rounds Fired

                                11th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                11th of February 1916  A New Area

                                11th February 1916  Sub-Units inspected by Commanding Officer.

                                11th Feb 1916  Artillery Active

                                11th February 1916  Battalion marched to Molliens Vidame.

                                11th Feb 1916  Inspection

                                11th February 1916  Continued work on SAP on right of Harts Crater.

                                11th of February 1916  Football Scores

                                11th Feb 1916  Correspondence

                                11th Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                11th Feb 1916   Shelling

                                11th February 1916  In billets in Philosophe

                                12th Feb 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers A & D Coys relieved by 5th Yorks  A & D Coys, 16th Northumberlands are relieved by the 5th Yorks and return to Millencourt. B & D Coys remain in the front line.

                                12th February 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report, very quiet day. Batteries fired very little during day. During the night the 15th London Battery fired on a new trench and down Lens Road. The 8th London Battery fired on trenches & down road at M.18.a.

                                12th Feb 1916 5th Loyals suffer casualties  While waiting in the village of Bellacourt to relieve the French in their trenches a german shell fell among the british troops of the 5th Loyal North Lancashires, killing five men and wounding eleven others.

                                12th February 1916  In Billets

                                12th February 1916  Sounds of Mining heard

                                12th February 1916  Enemy bombardment

                                12th Feb 1916  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                12th Feb 1916  Longing for Home

                                12th Feb 1916  Battle of Salaita Hill

                                12th Feb 1916  Artillery Bombardment

                                12th Feb 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                12th Feb 1916  On the March

                                12th Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                12th February 1916  Conference of C.O`s

                                12th Feb 1916  On the March

                                12th February 1916  Gas Alert

                                12th February 1916  Quieter

                                12th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Feb 1916  Shelling

                                12th Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                12th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                12th of February 1916  A Line Rearrangement

                                12th Feb 1916  Training & Football

                                12th Feb 1916  Cleaning up

                                12th February 1916  Another sentry killed

                                12th Feb 1916  Course

                                12th Feb 1916  Training

                                12th Feb 1916  Awards

                                12nd Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Feb 1916  In Action

                                12th Feb 1916  Relief

                                12th February 1916  Musketry course completed

                                12th February 1916  Inspections and lectures.

                                12th Feb 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                12th February 1916  Very wet and cold.

                                12th February 1916  Reliefs on the Way

                                12th Feb 1916  Route March

                                12th February 1916  Harrisons Crater loop re-opened and fire stepped.

                                12th of February 1916  Medals Awarded

                                12th Feb 1916  Correspondence

                                12th Feb 1916   Heavy Shelling

                                Feb 1916  Comforts Fund

                                12th February 1916  Slight shelling of Fosses

                                13th Feb 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers A & D Coys relieved by 4th Yorks & Lancs  B & C Coys, 16th Northumberlands are relieved by the 5th Yorks and return to Millencourt. Teh Battalion spends the next month rotating between the front line (six or eight days at a time), support (four days) at Authuille or Black Horse Bridge, and in reserve at Millencourt or Bouzincourt (four days).

                                13th February 1916 German Mine Exploded  6th County of London Brigade RFA report that aAt 0730 the Germans exploded a mine on the South West corner of Harrisons Crater. The 15th & 16th London Batteries fired on communication trenches. No more work was done on the new German trenches. During the night the 16th London Battery fired down roads. A working party on Hants Crater prevented the 15th London Battery from firing on the new trench until midnight.

                                13th February 1916  In Billets

                                13th February 1916  In Billets

                                13th February 1916  Church Parade

                                13th Feb 1916 3rd Monmouths go into the line at Albert  After a few days spent in training the battalion moved on Feb 13th to the line just north of Albert, with the Battalion Headquarters at Bouzincourt. The various companies set about their new tasks. A company repairing roads near Bouzincourt, B Company building a light railway through Aveluy Wood across the Ancre marshes and on to Theipval Wood and C and D Companies working on " Northumberland Avenue " a new road running from Bouzincourt to Martinsart. Although the 49 th Division was relieved on March 5 th, the 3rd Mons were left to carry on their pioneer work in the "forward area". They were split up to work on various engineering schemes throughout April and May. D Company began construction of new road from Forceville to Englebeimer, which become known as " Monmouth Road ". It was completed on June 20 th . By this time, tension was running high, as the opening for the Battle of the Somme had been set for the July 1st 1916.

                                13th Feb 1916  Mine Detonated

                                13th Feb 1916  Enemy Active

                                13th Feb 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                13th Feb 1916  On the March

                                13th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                13th February 1916  Church Parade

                                13th February 1916  In Billets

                                13th Feb 1916  On the March

                                13th February 1916  Bombs Dropped

                                13th February 1916  Shelling

                                13th Feb 1916  In Support

                                13th Feb 1916  Bombers

                                13th Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                13th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                13th of February 1916  German Trenches Shelled

                                13th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                13th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                13th February 1916  Camp

                                13th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                13th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                13th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                13rd Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Feb 1916  Rounds Fired

                                13th Feb 1916  Artillery Active

                                13th February 1916  Battalion paraded for Divine Service on the rifle range

                                13th Feb 1916  Shelling

                                13th February 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                13th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                13th February 1916  Machine Gun attacks were carried out.

                                13th of February 1916  Church Parade

                                13th Feb 1916  Postings

                                13th Feb 1916  Advance Party

                                13th February 1916  Relieved 11th A. & S.H.

                                14th February 1916 Mine Explosion  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Les Brebis, Maroc and Fosse 7 reports the Germans exploded a mine in front of Copse and shelled our communication trenches behind the Copse. Our firing lasted until about 0900, otherwise the day was fairly quiet. When the mine went up the 15th, 16th & 17th London Batteries immediately fired on their right lines. Most of day the 15th and 16th London Batteries fired on Snipers House at the request of Infantry to keep down sniping. The Loos Gun (8th London Battery) bombarded trench M.9.d.8.4. to M.5.c.1.8. with excellent results. During the night the 17th London Battery fired on saps at M.5.c and d.

                                14th February 1916  In Billets

                                14th February 1916  In Billets

                                14th Feb 1916  HMS Roxburgh sails

                                14th February 1916  Reliefs

                                14th February 1916  Replacements

                                14th Feb 1916  Mine Exploded

                                14th Feb 1916  Attack Launched

                                14th Feb 1916  Enemy Attack

                                14th Feb 1916  On Stand by

                                14th Feb 1916  Reinforcements

                                14th Feb 1916  Enemy Attack

                                14th Feb 1916  Mines Blown

                                14th February 1916  Training scheme

                                14th February 1916  In Billets

                                14th Feb 1916  On the March

                                14th February 1916  Bomardment

                                14th February 1916  Shells

                                14th Feb 1916  In Support

                                14th Feb 1916  Bombers

                                14th Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                14th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of February 1916  Mine Blown

                                14th Feb 1916  Training

                                14th Feb 1916  Training

                                14th Feb 1916  Poor Conditions

                                14th Feb 1916  Route March

                                14th Feb 1916  Training

                                14th Feb 1916  Training

                                14th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                14th Feb 1916  In Action

                                14th Feb 1916  Snipers

                                14th of February 1916  

                                14th February 1916  Returned to Whitley Camp

                                14th February 1916  The second round of the inter platoon competition

                                14th Feb 1916 Leave  Major Birch returned to 7th Buffs from leave.

                                14th Feb 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                14th February 1916  Waiting to be Relieved

                                14th Feb 1916  Route March

                                14th February 1916  Enemy exploded a mine at M.6.c.26.

                                14th February 1916  Operational Order 53.

                                14th February 1916  Operational Order 54.

                                14th of February 1916  Transport Inspected

                                14th Feb 1916  Postings

                                14th Feb 1916  Construction Work

                                14th February 1916  Very quiet day.

                                15th February 1916 Very Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA record a very quiet day. Little firing on either side. The Germans have not dug a trench to the new crater as they would be seen working there. The 17th London Battery fired on this point intermittently. The 9th London Battery again drew fire on another enemy Observation Point. During the night the 15th London Battery fired on saps from M.6.d.3.9. to M.6.b.4.3 and the 8th London Battery fired on saps in M.5.c and d.

                                15th February 1916  In Billets

                                15th February 1916  Enemy Mining heard

                                15th Feb 1916  Under Heavy Bombardment

                                15th Feb 1916  Enemy Active

                                15th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                15th February 1916  Observation Posts

                                15th February 1916  Inspection

                                15th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                15th of February 1916  In the Line

                                15th February 1916  Orders

                                15th February 1916  Artillery Active

                                15th Feb 1916  Carrying Parties

                                15th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                15th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                15th of February 1916  Digging and Mending

                                15th Feb 1916  Cross Country Race

                                15th Feb 1916  Training

                                15th Feb 1916  Course

                                15th Feb 1916  Training

                                15th Feb 1916  Route March

                                15th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Feb 1916  Training

                                15th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                15th Feb 1916  Bombardment

                                15th Feb 1916  Quiet

                                15th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                15th February 1916  Battalion received orders to be in readiness to move at short notice

                                15th Feb 1916 Training  Training continued by 7th Buffs

                                15th Feb 1916  Hostile Batteries

                                15th Feb 1916  Lecture

                                15th February 1916  Battalion moved to Lillers in Army Reserve

                                15th of February 1916  More Orders

                                15th Feb 1916  Admissions

                                15th Feb 1916  Works

                                15th Feb 1916  Reorganisation

                                15th February 1916  Slightly shelled

                                16th February 1916 Another Quiet Day  A quiet day and the 8th London Battery destroyed the tower of 11a German Observation Point. No more Germans were seen walking towards the new crater. During the night the 16th London Battery fired 25 rounds of shrapnel at saps in M.6.b and d with the 9th London Battery firing at saps in M.15.c and d. One section of each Battery came to its own Wagon Line as its positions are being taken over by the 1st Division.

                                16th February 1916  In Billets

                                16th Feb 1916 Military football match at St James' Park  At St James' Park, Newcastle a football match is played between 133rd Heavy RGA XI and 2nd Battery RFA XI.

                                133rd RGA team were: Archer, Clews, Wright, Horton, Greenhaugh, Hardman, Bradford, Sharp, Medden, Peake & Price.

                                2nd Battery were represented by Surtees, Horne, Hall, Proudfoot, Quinn, Hussey, Porter, Hickinbottom, Rhodes, Gardiner, Jones, McEwan, Barkley, Hopkinson & Johnson.

                                16th February 1916  Water Pumped out

                                16th Feb 1916  7th Northumberlands into Reseve

                                16th Feb 1916  RNAS Raid

                                16th Feb 1916 Fifth Battle of the Isonzo  The Fifth Battle of the Isonzo begins between Italy and Austro-Hungaria

                                16th Feb 1916  On the March

                                16th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                16th February 1916  Move

                                16th February 1916  Lectures

                                16th February 1916  In Billets

                                16th Feb 1916  In Support

                                16th February 1916  Mine Crater

                                16th February 1916  Shelling

                                16th Feb 1916  In Support

                                16th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                16th of February 1916  Collapsing Trenches

                                16th Feb 1916  Training

                                16th Feb 1916  Bad Weather

                                16th Feb 1916  Poor Conditions

                                16th Feb 1916  Course

                                16th Feb 1916  Poor Weather

                                16th Feb 1916  Orders Received

                                16th Feb 1916  Training

                                16th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                16th February 1916  Football competition

                                16th Feb 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs relieved 8th E Surrey Regiment in E 1. quiet day. M.Gs very active during night. Signed F Phillips Capt. Adj. 7th Buffs

                                16th Feb 1916  High Winds

                                16th February 1916  In billets. Cleaning clothes and equipment.

                                16th of February 1916   A Gale

                                16th Feb 1916  Correspondence

                                16th Feb 1916  Construction Work

                                16th February 1916  Interior relief of Companies

                                16th Feb 1916 7th Inniskillings entrain for Southampton  On the 16th February 1916, shortly after 1pm the 7th Inniskillings got the train from Bordon station reaching Southampton Docks at 4.30pm and boarded the paddle steamer Mona Queen at 5.30pm.

                                17th February 1916 Relocations  The 6th London Brigade RFA moved into rest area with the remainder of the 47th London Division at Auchel. The 3rd London Brigade departed from the Lowe Group and went back to where it belonged. The Batteries arrived late about midnight or 0100.

                                17th Feb 1916 7th Inniskillings proceed to France  The 7th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers set sail to Le Havre, France on the paddle steamer Mona Queen, which they had boarded the previous evening, accompanied by 2 destroyers. The wind was fierce and it rained heavily all night, 70% of of the ship's passengers were sick. The Pipers played "Sprig of Shillelagh" to cheer everyone up.

                                17th February 1916  In Billets

                                17th February 1916  Fire

                                17h Feb 1916  With the Western Frontier Force

                                17th Feb 1916  On the March

                                17th Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                17th Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                17th February 1916  Leave recommenced

                                17th February 1916  Inspection

                                17th February 1916  Trench Mortars

                                17th of February 1916  Invitation

                                17th February 1916  Son injured

                                17th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                17th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Feb 1916  Training

                                17th February 1916  Air raid precautions

                                17th Feb 1916  Prisoners

                                17th Feb 1916  Training

                                17th February 1916  More Lewis guns

                                17th February 1916  More Lewis guns

                                17th February 1916  More Lewis guns

                                17th Feb 1916  Musketry

                                17th Feb 1916  Training

                                17th Feb 1916  Celebrations

                                17th Feb 1916  Training

                                17th Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                17th February 1916  The Battalion team played the 4th Gordon Highlanders in the semi-final of Brigade football tournament

                                17th Feb 1916 Shelling  Intermittent shelling of 7th Buffs front line trenches; Machine Guns active at night. Extremely bright moonlight preventing patrolling.

                                17th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                17th Feb 1916  High Winds

                                17th February 1916  German Positions Bombarded

                                17th Feb 1916  Preparations

                                17th February 1916  Company inspections

                                17th of February 1916  Inoculations

                                17th Feb 1916  Correspondence

                                17th Feb 1916  New Huts

                                17th Feb 1916  Inspection

                                17th February 1916  wet day.

                                18th Feb 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers leave Mustapha Pasha  The 2nd Royal Fusilers entrain at Mustapha Pasha for Port Jewfick, Suez.

                                18th February 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA are at Auchel Units were at the disposal of unit commanders. A Billeting party went on to Bowry. Units remaining at Auchy were under their own arrangements.

                                18th Feb 1916 7th Inniskillings arrive in Le Havre  The paddle steamer Mona Queen, arrived at Le Havre at 2am, The 7th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers disembarked at 6am.

                                18th February 1916  In Billets

                                18th February 1916  New Listening Apparatus

                                18th Feb 1916  Moved and re-equipped

                                18th Feb 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                18th Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                18th Feb 1916  Shelling

                                18th February 1916  Training

                                18th February 1916  Postings

                                18th Feb 1916  In Support

                                18th of February 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                18th of February 1916  Less Shelling

                                18th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                18th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                18th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                18th of February 1916  Lots of MG Fire

                                18th Feb 1916  Training

                                18 February 1916  Fall

                                18th February 1916  Tragedy

                                18th February 1916  Soldier's Death

                                18th February 1916  Moonlight

                                18th Feb 1916  Wet Weather

                                18th February 1916  Lewis gun casualty

                                18th Feb 1916  Musketry

                                18th Feb 1916  Training

                                18th Feb 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                18th Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                18th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                18th February 1916  Usual training

                                18th Feb 1916 Quiet  Very quiet except for a few rifle grenades. 2 O.R. of 7th Buffs wounded. Much rain at night.

                                18th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                18th Feb 1916  Observation Difficult

                                18th February 1916  A Quiet Day

                                18th Feb 1916  Very Wet

                                18th February 1916  Reports on practice Gas Attacks.

                                18th February 1916  Company inspections and rifle exercises

                                18th of February 1916   Route March

                                18th Feb 1916  Contracts Renewed

                                18th Feb 1916  New Huts

                                18th Feb 1916  Inspection

                                18th February 1916  Artillery active

                                19th February 1916 Relocations  Auchel units of 6th London Brigade RFA went to Bowry for training. The Brigade arrived at 1400. Auchy. Units remaining at Auchy are under their own arrangements. A Billeting party went on to Bowry.

                                19th February 1916  In Billets

                                19th February 1916  Relief action

                                19th Feb 1916  Air Raid

                                19th Feb 1916  Home from Gallipoli

                                19th Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                19th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                19th February 1916  Classes

                                19th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                19th of February 1916  Reorganisation

                                19th of February 1916  Shelling

                                19th February 1916  Son injured

                                19th Feb 1916  On the March

                                19th Feb 1916  Training

                                19th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                19th of February 1916  Under Heavy Fire

                                19th Feb 1916  Sports

                                19th Feb 1916  Training

                                19th February 1916  Shrapnel wounds

                                19th Feb 1916  Wet Day

                                19th Feb 1916  Move

                                19th Feb 1916  Musketry

                                19th Feb 1916  Route March & Football

                                19th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Feb 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                19th February 1916  final of the inter platoon competitionDivine Service

                                19th Feb 1916 Very Wet  7th Buffs report, Very wet. enemy registered on Becourt Chateau buildings. Slight damage.

                                19th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                19th Feb 1916  Rounds Fired

                                19th Feb 1916  On the March

                                19th February 1916  Company , platoon & section drill

                                19th of February 1916  Baths

                                19th Feb 1916  Nurses Required

                                19th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                19th February 1916  Relieved by 7th Camerons

                                20th February 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Bowry. Units at disposal of unit commanders. Ordered to move from Bowry by Major General Commanding Division to make room for infantry. Remainder of Brigade moved to Bowry to undergo training and arrived at about 1400.

                                20th February 1916  In Billets

                                20th February 1916  In Billets

                                20th February 1916  Report

                                20th Feb 1916  7th Northumberlands into Trenches

                                20th February 1916  On the Move

                                20th Feb 1916  Enemy Active

                                20th Feb 1916  Trench Work

                                20th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                20th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                20th February 1916  Open air service

                                20th February 1916  On the March

                                20th February 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                20th of February 1916  Railways

                                20th Feb 1916  Aircraft

                                20th Feb 1916  Church Parade

                                20th Feb 1916  Training

                                20th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                20th of February 1916  System for Reliefs

                                20th Feb 1916  Sports

                                20th Feb 1916  Sunday

                                20th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                20th Feb 1916  Sports

                                20th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Feb 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                20th February 1916  Battalion paraded in cinema barn

                                20th Feb 1916 Quiet  Very quiet for 7th Buffs, nothing to report.

                                20th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                20th Feb 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                20th February 1916  Gun Withdrawn to Wagon Line

                                20th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                20th February 1916  Brigade inspected by General Sir Charles Moors KCB

                                20th of February 1916   Parade

                                20th Feb 1916  Transfers

                                20th Feb 1916  Construction Work

                                20th February 1916  Cleaning up.

                                21st Feb 1916 The Battle of Verdun  The Battle of Verdun began

                                21st February 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA, some units left Bowry and proceeded to Croceque about 4 miles away and it was a very satisfactory place. Remaining Units in Bowry at disposal of unit commanders. Received news that we must leave Bowry to allow one of infantry Brigades to move in and proceed to Coyecques.

                                21st February 1916  In Billets

                                21st February 1916 Hospital ship  

                                HS Marechiaro

                                SS Marechiaro was an Italian Hospital ship during WW1. It struck a mine laid by UC-12 on the 21st February 1916 off Cape Laghi, Durazzo, Albania with the loss of 33 lives.

                                21st February 1916  Enemy Mining

                                21st February 1916  Relief action

                                21st Feb 1916  A Quiet Day

                                21st Feb 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                21st Feb 1916  Relief

                                21st February 1916  Grenadier school

                                21st February 1916  On the Move

                                21st February 1916  Snow

                                21st of February 1916  Observation

                                21st Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                21st Feb 1916  Baths

                                21st Feb 1916  Stand to

                                21st Feb 1916  In Billets

                                21st of February 1916  Active German Patrols

                                21st Feb 1916  Training

                                21st Feb 1916  Training

                                21st Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                21st Feb 1916  In Camp

                                21st Feb 1916  Route March & Football

                                21st Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Feb 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Feb 1916  Snow

                                21st February 1916  Battalion paraded for drill on Windmill Ground.

                                21th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs. Sector on right heavily bombarded during morning presumably on the Tambour.

                                21st Feb 1916  On the Move

                                21st Feb 1916  Hostile Battery

                                21st February 1916  Snow.

                                21st February 1916  Relief Arrives

                                21st Feb 1916  Instruction

                                21st February 1916  In billets

                                21st February 1916  Route march 1000 to 1330 hours.

                                21st of February 1916  Training

                                21st Feb 1916  Requests

                                21st Feb 1916  Construction Work

                                21st Feb 1916  On the Move

                                21st February 1916  Company Inspections.

                                22nd February 1916 Relocations  Remainder of 6th London Brigade RFA moved to Coyecques in a snowstorm and arrived at about 1100. It was better than Bowry.

                                22nd February 1916  In Billets

                                22nd Feb 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                22nd Feb 1916  Bathing

                                22nd February 1916  Intepreter arrives

                                22nd Feb 1916  In the Trenches

                                22nd February 1916  Gas

                                22nd February 1916  Orders

                                22nd of February 1916  Machine Guns

                                22nd of February 1916  Air Photos

                                22nd Feb 1916  Snow

                                22nd Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                22nd Feb 1916  In Billets

                                22nd of February 1016  Quiet

                                22nd Feb 1916  Training

                                22nd Feb 1916  Training

                                22th February 1916  Grenade accident

                                22nd Feb 1916  Defence Work

                                22nd Feb 1916  Musketry

                                22nd Feb 1916  Snow Storm

                                22nd Feb 1916  Observer injured

                                22nd Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Feb 1916  Snow

                                22nd February 1916  The Battalion marched to maneuver area via Windmill & Calais road

                                22th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs, no activity on enemy’s part on this sector. D3 was heavily shelled from 5.30 pm, 8 pm, enemy left their trenches during bombardment and attempted to enter D 3 but were driven off, Our Machine Guns co-operated with enfilade fire.

                                22nd Feb 1916  On the March

                                22nd Feb 1916  Trenches Bombarded

                                22nd February 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Feb 1916  Instruction

                                22nd February 1916  Used range at Quarry U.29.c. Ref Map 36A.

                                22nd of February 1916   Training in Snow

                                22nd Feb 1916  Reinforcements

                                22nd Feb 1916  Under Fire

                                22nd Feb 1916  Advance Party

                                22nd February 1916  Snow

                                23rd February 1916 Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Coyecques. All Batteries paraded in drill order under their own arrangements. 2nd Lieut -------- proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

                                23rd February 1916 P Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ63 (LZ93)

                                • Production Ref: LZ63
                                • Class type : P
                                • Tactical ref: LZ93
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 23rd February 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out three attacks on Dunkirk, Mardick and Harwich, dropping 3,240 kilograms (7,140 lb) bombs. It was decommissioned in 1917.

                                23rd February 1916  In Billets

                                23rd February 1916  Absence

                                23rd February 1916  Relief action

                                23rd Feb 1916  Ministry of Blockade Formed

                                23rd Feb 1916  Under Heavy Bombardment

                                23rd Feb 1916  Death of Superintendent

                                23rd Feb 1916  Unsatisfactory State

                                23rd Feb 1916  Training

                                23rd February 1916  Advanced Training

                                23rd Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd February 1916  Warning

                                23rd of February 1916  Shrapnel

                                22nd Feb 1916  Aircraft

                                23rd Feb 1916  Snow

                                23rd Feb 1916  Training

                                23rd Feb 1916  Ready to Move

                                23rd of February 1916  Weather Turns

                                23rd Feb 1916  Training

                                23rd Feb 1916  Cold

                                23rd Feb 1916  Outpost

                                23rd Feb 1916  Stand To

                                23rd Feb 1916  Hand Over

                                23rd Feb 1916  In Camp

                                23rd Feb 1916  Route March

                                23rd Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Feb 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                23rd Feb 1916  Snow

                                  Officer transfers back to his unit

                                23rd of February 1916  Snowed Hard

                                23rd February 1916  Regimental Tug of War team beat K.S.L.I. in the final of the Brigade tournament

                                23th Feb 1916 Snow  Quiet day for 7th Buffs, snowing hard, a lot of extra wire put out in front of our trenches. 1 O.R. wounded.

                                23rd February 1916  C Battery - A Cold Night's March

                                23rd February 1916  Reinforcements of 36 O.R. arrived

                                23rd of February 1916  On the March

                                23rd Feb 1916  Renewals

                                23rd Feb 1916  Huts Completed

                                23rd Feb 1916  On the March

                                23rd February 1916  Honours

                                24th February 1916 Training  The entire 6th County of London Brigade RFA moved to Bowry to undergo training and arrived at about 1400.

                                24th February 1916  In Billets

                                24th February 1916   SM U-51

                                Type U 51 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 233) Ordered 23 Aug 1914 Laid down 19 Dec 1914 Launched 25 Nov 1915 Commissioned 24 Feb 1916

                                Commanders.
                                19 Feb 1916 - 14 Jul 1916 Walter Rumpel

                                Career 1 patrol.
                                start date unknown - 25 May 1916 I Flotilla.
                                25 May 1916 - 14 Jul 1916 II Flotilla

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate 14 Jul 1916 - Torpedoed by HM Sub H5 while leaving Ems estuary. 34 dead and 4 survivors. The wreck of U 51 was raised and broken up in 1968.

                                There was another U 51 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 11 Jun 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 6 Aug 1938.

                                24th February 1916  Air Raid

                                24th Feb 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                24th Feb 1916  On the March

                                24th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                24th Feb 1916  Heavy Snow

                                24th Feb 1916  Relief

                                24th Feb 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                24th of February 1916  Marching to the Line

                                24th February 1916  Grenade trenches

                                24th February 1916 

                                24th February 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of February 1916  Enemy Active

                                24th February 1916  Son injured

                                24th Feb 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                24th Feb 1916  Ready to Move

                                24th Feb 1916  Training

                                24th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of February 1916  Snowy Weather

                                24th Feb 1916  Training

                                24th Feb 1916  On the March

                                24th February 1916  Trench rotation

                                24th Feb 1916  Awards

                                24th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                24th Feb 1916  Training

                                24th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Feb 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                24th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of February 1916   Snow

                                24th February 1916  Battalion in attack.

                                24th Feb 1916 Inspection  Divisional General inspected the 7th Buffs Battalion, manning Becourt Redoubt after relief by 7th Queens. A Coy left as Redoubt Coy.

                                24th Feb 1916 In Billets  7th Buffs returned to billets in Dernancourt after relief.

                                24th February 1916  Battalion marched to billets at Belloy Sur Somme.

                                24th Feb 1916  On the March

                                24th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                24th February 1916  Battalion route march under Company arrangements.

                                24th of February 1916  Enemy Aircraft Shelled

                                24th Feb 1916  Visit

                                24th Feb 1916  Hot Day

                                24th Feb 1916  Orders Received

                                24th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                24th Feb 1916  On the March

                                24th February 1916  Casualties

                                24th February 1916  March Table

                                25th February 1916 Inspection, Training and Lectures  6th County of London Brigade RFA spend Friday 25th February to Tuesday 29th February 1916 in training, battery & brigade manoeuvres, officers rides, gun drill and fuze times. Staff training and lectures were given by Officers and NCOs. A.C. Lowe Lt Col Commanding Sixth London Brigade.

                                25th February 1916  In Billets

                                25th February 1916  Orders

                                25th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                25th Feb 1916  Reinforcements

                                25th Feb 1916  Training

                                25th Feb 1916  Training

                                25th February 1916  Leave stopped

                                25th February 1916 

                                25th February 1916  Dangerous Wind

                                25th of February 1916  Maps

                                25th Feb 1916  Training

                                25th Feb 1916  Snow

                                25th Feb 1916  Duty

                                25th of February 1916  Heavy Snow and a German Patrol

                                25th Feb 1916  Demonstration

                                25th Feb 1916  On the March

                                25th February 1916  Snow in trenches

                                25th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                25th Feb 1916  Demonstration

                                25th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                25th Feb 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                25th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                25th of February 1916  Intense Cold

                                25th February 1916  Companies at disposal of Commanders during the forenoon.

                                25th Feb 1916 Working Parties  Whole of 7th Battalion Buffs on fatigue, with exception of specialists, weather very bad. Snowing all day.

                                25th February 1916  Battalion marched to Candas.

                                25th February 1916  Company training

                                25th of February 1916  Training and Snow

                                25th Feb 1916  Heavy Snow

                                25th Feb 1916  Rest Clubs

                                25th Feb 1916  Move

                                25th Feb 1916  Poor Conditions

                                25th Feb 1916  Snow

                                25th February 1916  Mine exploded

                                26th February 1916  In Billets

                                26th Feb 1916  Seeing the Sights

                                26th February 1916  Visit

                                26th February 1916   No 40 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 26th of February 1916, the first Squadron to be equipped with F.E.8. The F.E.8 was one of the first single-seat or "scout" aircraft specifically designed as a fighter. In order to overcome the problems of forward facing machine guns not (at that time) being able to fire through the arc of the propeller, it was designed as a "pusher" (i.e., with its propeller behind the cockpit) giving the pilot a clear field of fire ahead.

                                26th Feb 1916  Reinforcements

                                26th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                26th Feb 1916  Under Shellfire

                                26th Feb 1916  Training

                                26th Feb 1916  Concert

                                26th of February 1916  MG Section Leaves

                                26th Feb 1916  Orders

                                26th February 1916  Orders Received

                                26th February 1916 

                                26th Feb 1916  In Support

                                26th February 1916  Hostile Artillery

                                26th of February 1916  Mining

                                26th Feb 1916  Move

                                26th Feb 1916  Ready to Move

                                26th Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                26th of February 1916  A Store Burns

                                26th Feb 1916  Snow

                                26th Feb 1916  Working Parties

                                26th February 1916  Second night of frost

                                26th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                26th Feb 1916  Route March

                                26th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Feb 1916  Working Party

                                26th of February 1916  A Conference

                                26th Feb 1916  Transfer

                                26th February 1916  Sport

                                26th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                26th February 1916  At Candas. Snow.

                                26th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                26th February 1916  Billets Inspected

                                26th of February 1916  Snow

                                26th Feb 1916  Correspondence

                                26th February 1916  Quiet day.

                                27th February 1916  In Billets

                                27th Feb 1916  Injured by a Horse

                                27th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                27th Feb 1916  Situation Normal

                                27th Feb 1916  Orders

                                27th Feb 1916  Working Party

                                27th February 1916  Movement order cancelled

                                27th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                27th February 1916  Bombardment

                                27th of February 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                27th Feb 1916  In the Trenches

                                27th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                27th Feb 1916  Training

                                27th Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                27th of February 1916  36th Divisional Artillery Arrive

                                27th Feb 1916  Training

                                27th Feb 1916  Snow

                                27th February 1916  Thaw in trenches

                                27th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                27th Feb 1916  Orders Received

                                27th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Feb 1916  Wet Day

                                27th of February 1916  Reconnaissances

                                27th February 1916  Orders were received that the Battalion would move

                                27th Feb 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                27th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                27th February 1916  Church Parade

                                27th of February 1916  Divine Service

                                27th February 1916  Very Cold

                                28th Feb 1916 5th Yorks in trenches  The Battalion Diary records that the 5th Yorks are in the trenches in Sanctuary Wood, East of Ypres. 3 ORs wounded.

                                28th February 1916  In Billets

                                28th February 1916   SM U-47

                                Type U 43 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 25) Ordered 4 Aug 1914 Launched 16 Aug 1915 Commissioned 28 Feb 1916

                                Commanders>
                                28 Feb 1916 - 27 Aug 1917 Heinrich Metzger
                                28 Aug 1917 - 29 Oct 1917 Johannes Feldkirchner
                                30 Oct 1917 - 10 Mar 1918 Oblt. Otto Gerke
                                14 Jan 1918 - 14 Jun 1918 Wilhelm Canaris
                                11 Mar 1918 - 31 Mar 1918 Adolf Franz
                                15 Jun 1918 - 11 Sep 1918 Erich Gerth
                                12 Sep 1918 - 28 Oct 1918 Carl Bünte

                                Career 2 patrols.
                                8 May 1916 - 27 Dec 1916 III Flotilla.
                                27 Dec 1916 - 28 Oct 1918 Pola Flotilla

                                Successes 14 ships sunk with a total of 23,931 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 9,500 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 1,046 tons.

                                • 15 Aug 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Presto (prize) 1,046 sw
                                • 30 Aug 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Wellamo 1,050 fi
                                • 16 Nov 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Dolfijn 140 nl
                                • 16 Nov 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Parnass 646 nw
                                • 1 Dec 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Kediri 3,781 nl
                                • 7 Dec 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Spyros 3,357 gr
                                • 13 Dec 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Salamis 3,638 gr
                                • 19 Dec 1916 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Sno 1,823 nw
                                • 8 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Madeleine III (damaged) 149 fr
                                • 11 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Hindoo (damaged) 4,915 br
                                • 13 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger L’indipendente F. 181 it
                                • 15 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Pancras (damaged) 4,436 br
                                • 17 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Eirini 2,662 gr
                                • 18 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Frances M. 1,228 am
                                • 22 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Lapa 1,366 bz
                                • 24 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Barbara 838 am
                                • 25 May 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Magnus Manson 1,751 am
                                • 3 Jun 1917 U 47 Heinrich Metzger Vulcanus 1,470 fr

                                Fate 28 Oct 1918 - Scuttled at Pola in position 44.52N, 13.50E during the evacuation from there. No patrols after June 1917 due to serious engine troubles that could not be solved before the war ended

                                There was another U 47 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 29 Oct 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 17 Dec 1938.

                                28th February 1916  Evidence

                                28th Feb 1916  Accident during Demonstration

                                28th Feb 1916  Ships Lost

                                28th Feb 1916  Tales from Gallipoli

                                28th Feb 1916  Situation Normal

                                28th Feb 1916  On the March

                                28th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                28th February 1916  Major General Hull visited

                                28th February 1916 

                                28th February 1916  Dummys

                                28th February 1916  Telegram

                                28th of February 1916  Thaw

                                28th February 1916  Orders

                                28th of February 1916  Gas Shells

                                28th Feb 1916  On the March

                                28th Feb 1916  Training

                                28th Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                28th of February 1916  Changes to the Front

                                28th Feb 1916  Training

                                28th Feb 1916  In Billets

                                28th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                28th Feb 1916  Preparations

                                28th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                28th of February 1916  New Battery Positions

                                28th February 1916  At 0945 hours the Battalion moved to Manouvre area for practice in the Attack

                                28th Feb 1916 Message  7th Buffs received phone message from Brigade Major at 5.30 pm that the Battalion would leave Dernancourt at very short notice, destination not given. Major A. L. Ransome arrived to take over command of the Battalion.

                                28th Feb 1916  Relief

                                28th Feb 1916  Instruction

                                28th February 1916  Smoke Helmets

                                28th February 1916  Operational Order 55.

                                28th of February 1916   Route March

                                28th Feb 1916  Correspondence

                                28th Feb 1916  Advance

                                28th Feb 1916  Bad Weather

                                28th February 1916  Relieved by 13th Royal Scots

                                29th February 1916  In Billets

                                29th February 1916 Naval Action - 29th February 1916  The Action of 29 February 1916 was a battle between a German commerce raider which broke out into the North Sea and a fleet of Royal Navy warships sent to intercept it by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe. Four British vessels made contact with the German raider and in the ensuing engagement two ships were sunk.

                                Background

                                Just launched, the 5,000 ton auxiliary cruiser SMS Greif was armed with four hidden 15-centimeter guns, one hidden 10.5-centimeter gun and two torpedo tubes. She had a ships complement of approximately 360 officers and crewmen. Greif left Hamburg and headed into the North Sea on February 27, intending to enter the Atlantic by an Icelandic route but a British submarine spotted her and reported her position to the Admiralty the next day. Admiral Jellicoe sortied five cruisers and seven destroyers to sweep the North Sea with the auxiliary cruisers HMS Alcantara and HMS Andes which were already on patrol. The British auxiliary cruisers both weighed about 15,000 tons and carried eight 6-inch and two 3-pounders each. Four Royal Navy warships encountered the Greif, including the two auxiliary cruisers, the light cruiser HMS Comus and the destroyer HMS Munster which arrived at the very end of the action.

                                Action

                                At about 0845 on the 29th February 1916, lookouts aboard the Alcantara spotted smoke off the port beam. Her commander Captain Thomas Erskine Wardle maneuvered closer to identify the source of the smoke. This later proved to be from SMS Greif. A few minutes later HMS Andes reported that her lookouts had sighted a ship with two masts and a black funnel headed northeast. Two Norwegian steamers were also observed flying their large flags. The two British vessels closed on the Greif until within signalling range. First Captain Wardle ordered the German vessel to stop and two blank rounds were fired. The Germans hove to and signaled that they were from Trondheim and were headed for Rio de Janeiro. At about 0940 the British were close enough to lower a few boats with a boarding party to take command of the seemingly harmless steamer. At this moment the raider unmasked her guns and opened fire on the Alcantara at a range of 800 yards. The first discharge struck the Alcantara's bridge causing heavy damage and destroying the communications equipment. Further shots hit and sank some of the boarding party's boats and also knocked out the ship's steering gear. Alcantara increased her speed and began returning fire as the Germans attempted to flee towards the Norwegian coastline. Her first shot struck the Greif's poop gun, killing the crew. For several minutes the two vessels dueled at close range. The Andes which was about five miles from the battle area heard the gunfire. She closed to within three miles of SMS Greif and opened fire. Her first shots struck the bridge of the German raider and destroyed its steering gear. The Greif launched two torpedoes at the Alcantara, the first of which hit her amidships and the second passed under her stern. The British knocked out another German gun and set her fuel tanks on fire. One shot entered the hull of the Greif, exploded and slowed the vessel to a halt. Reports say that both the Greif and Alcantara were struck several times at or below the waterline which left the British vessel in a sinking state as well. German fire ceased at 1018 and a few minutes later the Royal Navy sailors spotted life boats being lowered from the burning Greif, but continued to fire at her. As the German commander climbed down the rope to his life boat, he was struck in the neck and beheaded. Several moments later Captain Wardle ordered his men to abandon ship and at 1102 the Alcantara was underneath the water. Around this time the Comus and Munster arrived and finished off the sinking German raider. Wardle and his surviving crew were in the water for about twenty minutes before being picked up. About 187 Germans perished along with seventy-two Britons. Five officers and 120 Germans were rescued and taken prisoner by the Andes and Munster.

                                Though the British managed to sink the raider, Captain Wardle lost his ship in the process. He was later criticized for maneuvering too close to the German raider without knowing its true identity. Assuming the Greif was a harmless merchant ship cost Wardle his vessel and several men. Despite this he was recognized for bravery and awarded the Distinguished Service Order and eventually became a rear admiral. Officer’s Steward Richard Henry Buckett, who was among the survivors was awarded the D.S.M. for gallantly assisting the wounded.

                                29th Feb 1916  In Support

                                29th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                29th Feb 1916  Artillery In Action

                                29th Feb 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                29th Feb 1916  Relief

                                29th Feb 1916  Hospital

                                29th of February 1916  Into Gun Positions

                                29th Feb 1916  Spy

                                29th February 1916  Illness

                                29th February 1916  

                                February 1916 

                                29th Feb 1916  Change of Command

                                29th February 1916  Hostile Artillery

                                29th February 1916  Report

                                29th February 1916  Orders

                                29th February 1916  Orders

                                29th of February 1916  Artillery Active

                                29th Feb 1916  In the Trenches

                                29th Feb 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Feb 1916  Baths

                                29th Feb 1916  In Reserve

                                29th of February 1916  Active Aeroplanes

                                29th Feb 1916  Training

                                29th Feb 1916  Walker Hospital wounded admitted

                                29th Feb 1916  On the March

                                29th February 1916  Trench Hands

                                29th Feb 1916  Snow

                                29th Feb 1916  In Camp

                                29th Feb 1916  Route March

                                29th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Feb 1916  Pilot wounded

                                29th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Feb 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Feb 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                29th Feb 1916  Quiet

                                29th of February 1916  A New Area

                                29th February 1916  At 0945 hours the Battalion started a route march, finishing at 1400 hours.

                                29th Feb 1916 Orders Received  News received by 7th Buffs at 11. am probable place to which we have to move St Gratien. Received orders 1 pm, moved 2 pm. and arrived St Gratien about 7 pm., very bad weather, raining and cold, billets not good. Signed Frank Phillips Capt. Adj 7. Buffs

                                29th February 1916  Marched to Doullens.

                                29th February 1916  Harsh Winter Conditions

                                29th Feb 1916  Baths

                                29th February 1916  On the Move

                                29th of February 1916   Another March

                                29th Feb 1916  Correspondence

                                29th Feb 1916  On the March

                                29th February 1916  Quiet day.

                                28th Feb 1916  On the Move

                                Mar 1916 16th Battalion Yorks & Lancs formed  In March 1916 the 16th (Transport Workers) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment formed at Colsterdale.

                                1st Mar 1916 HMEF Ellesmere Port opens  H.M. Explosive Factory Ellesmere Port, Cheshire started up in March 1916. The first output of Synthetic phenol was in May 1917. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Mar 1916 HMEF Litherland opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Litherland, Liverpool, Lancashire started up in March 1916 to manufacture T.N.T. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Mar 1916 HMEF King?s Lynn opens  H.M. Explosive Factory King’s Lynn, Norfolk started up in March 1916 for the production of Acetone. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Mar 1916 HMEF Parkgate Street, Dublin opens.  National Shell Factory Parkgate Street, Dublin, Ireland started up in March 1916 for the production of 9.2-in. shells. First output was April 1917. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Mar 1916 NSF Hyde Road, Manchester opened  National Shell Factory Hyde Road, Manchester started up in March 1916 for the production of 4.5-in.shell, first output was Summer 1916. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                   National Shell Factory North Main Street, Cork started in early 1916 for the production of 4.5-in shell. First output was Feb 1917. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                   National Cartridge and Box Repair Factory Dagenham Dock, Essex started in early 1916 to repair cartridge cases and ammunition boxes. It was under the direct control of the Board of Munitions.

                                1st March 1916 Training and recreation  6th County of London Brigade RFA spend Wednesday 1st March 1916 to Friday 3rd March 1916. These days were employed in training, officer’s rides, taking up positions etc.

                                1st March 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Railway Candas to Acheux.

                                March arrived with the country still in the grip of polar weather during which one of the detachments being sent up the line for experience had to travel in a blinding snow storm. Having arrived, it described conditions as being extremely vile. Many parts of the track, where the ground was soft, needed repairs and additional ballast.

                                Work at Belle Eglise was completed on the 20th March and an RTO (Railway Transport Officer) arrived for whom an office had to be built. The line was then opened and trains with munitions, supplies or troops began to arrive at short intervals.

                                The Battalion was starting to establish a good reputation for itself. The Chief Engineer, Third Army received a letter from the Ulster Division which had been transferred from Third to Fourth Army expressing its regret at the loss of the service of its Pioneer Battalion. There was also on the 11th March, a letter from GHQ to the CRE, appreciating the work of the Battalion and that its services would be represented to higher authorities.

                                Much work was needed to complete the railway line but the Battalion records seem to indicate a period of organised work and recreation for some months ahead.

                                1st March 1916  In Billets

                                1st March 1916 Instruction  

                                No.1 Section of 1st Canadian Tunnelling Co. attached to 3rd Canadian Tunnelling Coy for instruction reported to our H.Q. about 8 am from Ste. Marie Cappel.

                                1st Mar 1916 13th East Yorks set Sail  The troopship Simla set sail at 5.30 am March 1st from Port Said to sail to Marseilles.

                                1st March 1916  Moves and Inspections

                                1st March 1916 Further moves  1st German Division part of 1st Army Corps 10th and 8th Army

                                1916

                                France.

                                The division went to France in March 1916. The 41st Infantry Regiment detrained on the 13th March near Metz and the 48th Infantry Regiment at Hagondange on the 5th March 1916.

                                Verdun.

                                The division was put into the line near Vaux on the 20th April 1916, fought in the Bois de la Caillette in May, in the Bois de Vaux Chapitre and the Bois Fumin in June and July. It suffered enormous losses there. In the 1st Company of the 41st Infantry Regiment, the numbers on the pay books passed from 1,359 (10th Apr) to 1,674 (19th July), indicating the arrival of at least 316 reinforcements. From the beginning of the war until July, 1916, the regiment had received an average of 1,360 men per company.

                                Russia.

                                At the end of July, 1916, the 1st Division, leaving behind the 41st Infantry Regiment, which fought before Verdun in August, was once more taken to the eastern front, where it formed part of the Carpathian Corps.



                                Mar 1916 138th MGC in action.  In March 1916, 138 Machine Gun Coy are in action on Vimy Ridge at Doullet, Jericourt and Camblain L'Abbe, Villers au Bois: "Much shelling and mining. In action with machine gun covering craters blown up by our troops. Trenches in rear of us blown up by enemy. This happened in almost tropical rain: we were soaked through, but had a hot ration of tea and rum when we got back to our dug-out. Wall of another dug-out collapsed by rush of water. We had to fish out gun and ammunition; as much as possible before being engulfed."

                                1st Mar 1916  B Coy Return to Camp

                                1st Mar 1916  Minesweeper Lost

                                1st Mar 1916  On the Move

                                1st March 1916 

                                1st March 1916 

                                Mar 1916 

                                1st Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Mar 1916  Prisoners

                                1st Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                1st of March 1916  Gun positions

                                1st March 1916  Routine work

                                1st of March 1916  Shelling on Mesnil

                                1st Mar 1916  In the Line

                                1st March 1916  Illness

                                1st March 1916 

                                1st March 1916  Orders

                                1st of March 1916  Bombardment

                                1st of March 1916  Air Photos

                                1st of March 1916  Orders

                                1st Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Mar 1916  Aircraft

                                1st Mar 1916  Artillery Active

                                1st Mar 1916  Training

                                1st Mar 1916  In Billets

                                1st of March 1916  Reorganisation

                                1st Mar 1916  Route March

                                1st Mar 1916  On the March

                                1st Mar 1916  Instruction

                                1st March 1916  Digging new trenches

                                1st March 1916  Digging new trenches

                                1st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Mar 1916  Repairs

                                1st Mar 1916  In Camp

                                1st Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Mar 1916  Training

                                1st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                Mar 1916  Move

                                1st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                1st March 1916  Reliefs

                                1st of March 1916  Division Halts

                                1st Mar 1916  Orders Received

                                1st March 1916  Battalion was conducted to billets in the Rue Carnot

                                1st Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                1st March 1916  Battalion marched to Coullemont.

                                Mar 1916  Record

                                1st March 1916  In billets.

                                1st Mar 1916   Preparations

                                Mar 1915  Training

                                1st of March 1916  A March

                                1st Mar 1916  On the Move

                                1st Mar 1916  Shelling

                                1st Mar 1916  Recce

                                1st March 1916  Quiet day.

                                1st Mar 1916  Reorganisation

                                2nd Mar 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers leave Suez  The 2nd Royal Fusilers embarked from Port Jewfick aboard the Alaunia, sailing through the Canel to Port Said.

                                2nd Mar 1916 7th Inniskillings under instruction in the line  7th Inniskillings are at Philosophe West, on the line under instruction from more experienced Scottish soldiers.

                                2nd Mar 1916 12th Btn KOYLI sail from Port Said  12th Btn Kings Oown Yorkshire Light Infantry leave Port Said on the 2nd of March 1916 onboard the LLandovery Castle.

                                2nd March 1916  In Billets

                                2nd Mar 1916  Objective Captured

                                2nd Mar 1916  Into Trenches

                                2nd March 1916  Posted to France

                                2nd Mar 1916  Treated as an Honoured Guest

                                2nd Mar 1916  Attack made

                                2nd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Mar 1916 On the Move  At 8.20am 18th Battalion DLI departed from Kantara for Port Said.

                                2nd Mar 1916  Artillery In Action

                                2nd Mar 1916  Attack Made

                                2nd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Mar 1916  In Billets

                                2nd Mar 1916  Success

                                2nd March 1916  Parades for physical drill,

                                2nd March 1916 

                                2nd March 1916  Orders

                                2nd of March 1916  Attack Made

                                2nd Mar 1916  Demonstration

                                2nd of March 1916  Bombardment

                                2nd Mar 1916  Trench Work

                                2nd Mar 1916  Training

                                2nd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd of March 1916  Very Strong Enemy Wire

                                2nd Mar 1916  Training

                                2nd Mar 1916  Recce

                                2nd Mar 1916  Instruction

                                2nd March 1916  Trench Hands

                                2nd Mar 1916  Defence Work

                                2nd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Mar 1916  In Billets

                                2nd of March 1916  New Position

                                2nd Mar 1916  Orders

                                2nd March 1916  In Billets all day.

                                2nd Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                2nd March 1916  Officers reconnoitred French 2nd Line West of Arras.

                                2nd March 1916  Brigade Exercise

                                2nd March 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd March 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Mar 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers C Coy in front line  C Coy, 16th Northumberlands take over trenches 144-146 from 4th Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons.

                                3rd March 1916 Q Class Zeppelin L22 takes to the air.  Zeppelin LZ64 (L22), Production Ref: LZ64 Q Class, has its first flight on the 3rd of March 1916

                                L22 carried out 30 reconnaissance missions and 8 attacks on Britain, dropping a total of 9,215 kilograms (20,316 lb) of bombs. It was destroyed by RNAS Curtis H12 flying boat flown by Flight Commander Robert Leckie (later Air Vice Marshal) near Terschelling on the 14th May 1917 during a reconnaissance mission. (Leckie was also credited with the downing of LZ112 (L70)).

                                3rd March 1916 225 Field Coy Royal Engineers proceed to France  225 Field Company RE sailed from Southampton on the City of Benares on the 3rd of March 1916, arriving at Le Havre the next day.

                                3rd Mar 1916 8th Manchesters arrive in France  8th Manchesters land at Marseilles having sailed form Egypt and entrain for the Western Front.

                                3rd March 1916  In Billets

                                3rd Mar 1916 14th Hants in action  14th. Hants as part of the 116th Brigade, attacked the German defences at Beaumomt Hamel.

                                3rd Mar 1916  Orders

                                3rd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Mar 1916  Zig Zag Course

                                3rd Mar 1916 On the Move  In the evening five grooms of 18th DLI proceeded with the horses from Kantara for Alexandria to proceed to France.

                                3rd Mar 1916  In Action

                                3rd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Mar 1916  In Billets

                                3rd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd March 1916  Routine work

                                3rd of March 1916  In Trenches

                                3rd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd March 1916  Stokes trench mortar Battery

                                3rd March 1916 

                                3rd of March 1916  Nervous

                                3rd Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                3rd of March 1916  Craters

                                3rd Mar 1916  Trench Work

                                3rd Mar 1916  Training

                                3rd Mar 1916  Bad Weather

                                3rd of March 1916  Divisional Artillery Relieved

                                3rd Mar 1916  Training

                                3rd Mar 1916  Hospital Mystery

                                3rd Mar 1916  On the March

                                3rd Mar 1916  Instruction

                                3rd Mar 1916  Awards

                                3rd Mar 1916  Bad Weather

                                3rd Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Mar 1916  In Billets

                                3rd Mar 1916  Change of Command

                                3rd Mar 1916  Transfer

                                3rd of March 1916   Relief

                                3rd March 1916  On the Move

                                3rd March 1916  Orders received to reconnoiter the "Bluff"

                                3rd Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                3rd March 1916  Snow

                                3rd March 1916  Brigade Exercise

                                3rd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                3rd of March 1916   Practising an Attack

                                3rd Mar 1916  Reinforcements

                                3rd Mar 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Mar 1916  Bombardment

                                3rd March 1916  Heavy shelling

                                4th March 1916 Re-routing of Units  6th County of London Brigade RFA record an order received late last night to leave billets and proceed to different area as villages were found to be infected with measles. The Brigade started out and had to return to Coyecques where the 15th Battalion London Regiment had billeted itself. After a certain amount of difficulty the Brigade got back into its old billets with certain exceptions. The Brigade Ammunition Column went to Westrehem.

                                4th March 1916  In Billets

                                4th Mar 1916 13th East Yorks enroute to France  The 13th East Yorks sailing to France, passed the Med Fleet at 2am Mar 4th. Passed Malta at 11.30pm.

                                4th Mar 1916  At Buckingham Palace

                                4th Mar 1916  Short Shooting

                                4th Mar 1916  Transports Sunk

                                4th Mar 1916  Baths

                                4th Mar 1916  Heavy Fighting

                                4th Mar 1916  Snipers Active

                                4th March 1916  Move

                                4th of March 1916  Sniper Danger

                                4th Mar 1916  Move

                                4th March 1916  New Grenadier party formation

                                4th March 1916 

                                4th of March 1916  Shelling

                                4th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                4th of March 1916  Quiet

                                4th Mar 1916  Aircraft

                                4th Mar 1916  Snow

                                4th Mar 1916  Training

                                4th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                4th of March 1916  Heavy Snow

                                4th Mar 1916  Recce

                                4th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                4th Mar 1916  Bad Weather

                                4th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Mar 1916  On the March

                                4th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                4th of March 1916  Snow All Day

                                4th Mar 1916  Transfer

                                4th March 1916  Trenches in places waist deep in mud

                                4th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                4th March 1916  On the March

                                4th March 1916  On the Move

                                4th March 1916  Operational Order 56

                                4th of March 1916  Lectures

                                4th of April 1916  Dugout Smashed

                                4th March 1916  On the Move

                                4th Mar 1916  Into Billets

                                4th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                4th March 1916  Slight shelling

                                5th Mar 1916 3rd Monmouths in forward area  On the 5th of March the 49th Division was relieved but the 3rd Monmouths remained to carry on their pioneer work in the forward area. They were split up to work on various engineering schemes throughout April and May. D Company began construction of new road from Forceville to Englebeimer, which become known as Monmouth Road which was completed on the 20th of June. By this time, tension was running high, as the opening for the Battle of the Somme had been set for the 1st of July.

                                5th March 1916 Church Parade and Sport  A church parade was held by Batteries of 6th London Brigade RFA in the Girls School during the morning. A football match took place in afternoon between 16th London Battery RFA and Headquarters Staff 6th London Field Ammunition Battery. The 16th London Battery won 10-2.

                                5th Mar 1916  Zeppelin Raid

                                5th March 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  5/6th March 1916.

                                Further raids were delayed by an extended period of poor weather and also by the withdrawal of the majority of Naval Zeppelins in an attempt to identify and resolve the recurrent mechanical failures. Three Zeppelins set off to bomb Rosyth, the Tyne and Tees shipyards on 5,6 March but were forced by high winds to divert to Hull, killing 18, injuring 52 and causing £25,005 damage.

                                L14 makes landfall north of Flamborough Head at 22:30 and after dropping six bombs near Beverley bombs Hull shortly after midnight. L11 crosses the coast near Withernsea at 21:45 and gets lost in heavy snowstorms until it finds clear weather over Hull which is bombed at 01:00. L13 crosses the Humber at 21:15 and finds flying blind through the snowstorms and strong causing navigational issues. It drops bombs southeasterly until 01:10. Most of the night’s casualties are in Hull where the continued absence of anti-aircraft guns causes bitter indignation. Those who died in Hull were.

                                • Edward Cook, general labourer (shock)
                                • John Longstaff, 71, of Williams Place, Upper Union Street, retired locomotive driver (shock).
                                • Lottie Ingamells, 28, Martha Rebecca Ingamells, 35, and Ethel Mary Ingamells, 33, of The Avenue, Linnaeus Street.
                                • Edward Slip, 45, refreshment house keeper at Queen Street.
                                • Edward Ledner, 89, retired merchant seaman of Almshouse, Carr Lane.
                                • Frank Cattle, eight, and Robert Cattle, fish fryer of Little Humber Street.
                                • James William Collinson, 63, dock labourer, lace checker at John's, Regent Street.
                                • George Henry Youell, 40, Post Office Entry, High Street, dry dock labourer.
                                • Charlotte Naylor, 36, Ruby Naylor, eight, Annie Naylor, six, Edward Naylor, four, and Jeffrey Naylor, two, Collier Street.
                                • John Smith, 30, dock labourer, of Queen's Alley, Blackfriargate.
                                • James Pattison, 68, chimney sweep of Regent Street.
                                • Edward Cook, general labourer (shock)


                                5th March 1916  In Billets

                                5th Mar 1916 13th East Yorks enroute to France  The 13th East Yorks sailing to France, passed Island of Pantellaria, an Italian convict settlement, at 2pm on March 5th.

                                5th Mar 1916  In Dock

                                5th Mar 1916 At the Docks  At 11am, 18th Battalion DLI embarked on the H.T. Ivernia at Port Said.

                                5th Mar 1916  Into Support

                                5th Mar 1916  Zeppelins

                                5th Mar 1916  Relief

                                5th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Mar 1916  Training

                                5th of March 1916  173rd Bde take over

                                5th March 1916  Further Parties Return

                                5th of March 1916  An Accident

                                5th March 1916  Open air church service

                                5th March 1916 

                                5th of March 1916  RFC Dominant

                                5th of March 1916  Shellfire

                                5th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Mar 1916  Training

                                5th Mar 1916  Very Wet

                                5th of March 1916  Relief Completed

                                5th Mar 1916  Recce

                                5th Mar 1916  Rations

                                5th Mar 1916  Training

                                5th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Mar 1916  Work in Camp

                                5th Mar 1916  Postings

                                5th March 1916  Musketry

                                5th of March 1916  Moving Around

                                5th March 1916  "B" Coy. trenches were shelled in the morning.

                                5th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                5th March 1916  Recce

                                5th March 1916  British Cavalry Corps Ceased to Exist

                                5th March 1916  Church Parade

                                5th of March 1916   Divine Service

                                5th Mar 1916  In the Line

                                5th Mar 1916  Sleet

                                5th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                5th March 1916  Bad weather with snow.

                                6th March 1916 Training  On Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th March 1916 all Units of 6th London Brigades RFA trained under the unit Commanders. Coyecques. The 15th London Battery gave a concert to celebrate one year's service in France.

                                6th March 1916  In Billets

                                6th Mar 1916  Mascot Killed

                                6th Mar 1916  In Dock

                                6th Mar 1916 Under Way  18th DLI report "At 5am H.T. Ivernia sailed for Marseilles from Port Said."

                                6th Mar 1916  Heavy Snow

                                6th Mar 1916  On the March

                                6th Mar 1916  Snow

                                6th of March 1916  Enemy Contact

                                6th of March 1916  Enemy Wire Examination

                                6th March 1916  Infantry Advance Formation Training

                                6th March 1916 

                                6th of March 1916  Orders

                                6th of March 1916  Orders

                                6th of March 1916  Observation

                                6th Mar 1916  Aircraft

                                6th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                6th Mar 1916  Training

                                6th Mar 1916  Poor Weather

                                6th of March 1916  Hot Fire

                                6th Mar 1916  Recce

                                6th Mar 1916  Orders

                                6th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                6th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Mar 1916  Reorganisation

                                6th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                6th of March 1916   Enemy Dispersed

                                6th Mar 1916   Move

                                6th March 1916  Casualties being evacuated for exhaustion and frost bite.

                                6th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                6th March 1916  Route March

                                6th of March 1916  Marching

                                6th Mar 1916  In the Line

                                6th Mar 1916  Observation Balloons

                                6th Mar 1916  Reinforcements

                                6th March 1916  Quiet day.

                                7th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Training under Squadron arrangements. Equitation and Troop Training in the morning. Musketry and Bombing Training in the afternoon. Temporary 2nd Lieutenant P.H. Corbett (Sick) Struck off strength. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital 13 Riding Horses to Mobile Veterinary Section

                                7th March 1916  Courts Martial

                                7th Mar 1916  Camp Struck

                                7th Mar 1916  Submarine Depthcharged

                                7th Mar 1916  On the March

                                7th Mar 1916  Sight Seeing

                                7th Mar 1916  On the March

                                7th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                7th of March 1916  Wet and Snowy

                                7th March 1916  Musketry attack practice

                                7th March 1916 

                                7th of March 1916  Remarkably Quiet

                                7th of March 1916  Orders

                                7th of March 1916  Orders

                                7th of March 1916  Quiet

                                7th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Mar 1916  Preparations

                                7th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                7th of March 1916  Trench Mortars Bombard Village

                                7th Mar 1916  Recce

                                7th March 1916  Trench Hands

                                7th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                7th Mar 1916  Preparations

                                7th March 1916  Training

                                7th of March 1916  Torpedoes Fired

                                7th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                7th March 1916  Arrived at "H" camp Reninghelst very exhausted.

                                7th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                7th March 1916  Brigade Exercise

                                7th of March 1916  Snowy March

                                7th Mar 1916  In Action

                                7th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Mar 1916  Snow

                                7th March 1916  Relief on the 8th.

                                8th March 1916 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA units at disposal of unit commanders.

                                8th Mar 1916 12th KOYLI arrive at Marseille  12th KOYLI arrive at Marseille at 10 am on the 8th of March onboard the LLandovery Castle from Port Said.

                                8th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Squadrons paraded 8 horses each, suitable for Machine Gun use at Preures at 12 noon, for inspection by the Commanding Officer and Captain Haslam, Commanding 2nd Machine Gun Squadron. 8 horse were selected from these 24 for transfer to 2nd machine Gun Squadron. 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital 2 Light Draught Horses transferred to 19th Hussars

                                8th March 1916  Steel Casement Sunk

                                8th Mar 1916 13th East Yorks arrive France  The 13th East Yorks arrived Marseilles 7pm on 8th March. The place is full of ships.

                                8th Mar 1916  7th Northumberlands into Reseve

                                8th Mar 1916  12th York & Lancs on the March

                                9th Mar 1916  Light Infringments

                                8th Mar 1916  Fundraiser for Ambulance Cars

                                8th Mar 1916  Transport Sails

                                8th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                8th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                8th of March 1916  400 Shells Fired

                                8th March 1916  Grenade throwing

                                8th of March 1916  Mining

                                8th of March 1916  Blow

                                8th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                8th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                8th Mar 1916  Route March

                                8th Mar 1916  Recce

                                8th Mar 1916  Instruction Ends

                                8 & 9 March 1916  Artillery

                                8th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                8th Mar 1916  Artillery Registration

                                8th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                8th March 1916  On the Move

                                8th of March 1916   Dummy Battery Hit

                                8th Mar 1916  Transfer

                                8th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                8th March 1916  Cleaning up of clothing & equipment, feet inspection.

                                8th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                8th March 1916  In billets.

                                8th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                8th of March 1916  Short March

                                8th Mar 1916  Hard Fighting

                                8th Mar 1916  Award

                                8th March 1916  Flammenwerfer demonstration

                                8th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                8th Mar 1916  Aeroplanes Active

                                8th March 1916  Relieved by 10th Gordons

                                9th March 1916 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA units at disposal of unit commanders. Lt Col AC. Lowe gave a lecture to Officers and NCOs on the struggle at Verdun.

                                9th March 1916  Mines

                                9th Mar 1916 12th KOYLI leave Marseille  12th KOYLI leave Marseille by train and travel north through France.

                                9th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin The Staff ride for Subaltern Officers had to be postponed owing to the Commanding Officer having to attend a conference at Brigade HQ. Training was greatly impeded by the snow. 2 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital

                                9th Mar 1916 13th East Yorks disembark  13th East Yorks disembarked from SS Simla in Marsailles at 2pm 9th of March.

                                9th Mar 1916  Orders to Embark

                                9th March 1916  Patrols

                                9th Mar 1916  Injured in Accident

                                9th Mar 1916  Hospital Rent

                                9th Mar 1916  To Rest Camp

                                9th Mar 1916  Working Parties & Baths

                                9th of March 1916  A Working "Rest"

                                9th March 1916  General training

                                9th of March 1916  Aircraft Downed

                                9th of March 1916  Orders

                                9th Mar 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                9th Mar 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                9th Mar 1916  Patrol

                                9th Mar 1916  Trench Work

                                9th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                9th Mar 1916  Cleaning up

                                9th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                9th Mar 1916  Recce

                                9th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                9th Mar 1916  Football

                                9th Mar 1916  Football

                                9th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                9th March 1916  On the Move

                                9th of March 1916   Noises Silenced

                                9th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                9th Mar 1916   On the Move

                                9th March 1916  The mens boots were dried and oiled in a drying room.

                                9th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                9th March 1916  Reliefs

                                9th March 1916  On the March

                                9th of March 1916  Cleaning Up

                                9th March 1916  Billets fairly good.

                                10th March 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA hold Brigade Field Day. Two positions taken up. General Spoulding, GOCRA. 47th Division was present.

                                10th March 1916   SM U-77

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 59) Ordered 9 Mar 1915 Launched 9 Jan 1916 Commissioned 10 Mar 1916

                                Commanders.
                                10 Mar 1916 - 7 Jul 1916 Erich Günzel

                                Career 2 patrols.
                                29 Jun 1916 - 7 Jul 1916 I Flotilla

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate 7 Jul 1916 - Lost after this date while on a mission to lay mines off Kinnaird Head, Scotland. 33 dead (all hands lost). U 77 got at least some of her mines out before her loss.

                                Previously recorded fate.
                                Lost in a minehandling accident off Dunbar, Scotland. The wreck at that location is undoubtedly that of U 74.

                                There was another U 77 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 23 Nov 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Jan 1941.

                                10th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin The Commanding Officer delivered a lecture to subaltern officers at 'A' Squadron HQ. At 1400 hours the Commanding Officer inspected a new form of pack at 'B' Squadron HQ at Preures 1 Other Rank to Base (Time expired)

                                10th Mar 1916  Officers join

                                10th Mar 1916  Embarkation

                                10th Mar 1916  Lucky Escape

                                10th Mar 1916  Mascots

                                10th Mar 1916  Working Party

                                10th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Mar 1916  Preparations

                                10th March 1916  Demonstration of 18 pounders guns

                                10th March 1916 

                                10th of March 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                10th of March 1916  Orders

                                10th of March 1916  Orders

                                10th Mar 1916  Trench Work

                                10th of March 1916  Enemy Defences

                                10th of March 1916  Artillery Active

                                10th Mar 1916  Artillery Active

                                10th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                10th of March 1916  Wood Shelled All Day

                                10th Mar 1916  On the March

                                10th Mar 1916  Snow

                                10th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                10 March 1916  Germans seize 8 British soldiers

                                10th Mar 1916  Rations

                                10th Mar 1916  Training

                                10th Mar 1916  In Camp

                                10th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Mar 1916  Promotions

                                10th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                10th of March 1916  Unit Positions

                                10th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                10th March 1916  Posting

                                10th March 1916  All Companies and Sub-Units were bathed.

                                10th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                10th March 1916  Snow.

                                10th March 1916  On the March

                                10th of March 1916   On the March

                                10th March 1916  Billet inspections

                                11th March 1916 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA units at disposal of unit commanders. Billeting party proceeded to Dieval.

                                11th Mar 1916 18th DLI move to France  18th Durham Light Infantry arrive in France from Egypt.

                                11th Mar 1916 12th KOYLI at Hallancourt  12th KOYLI are billeted in Hallancourt

                                11th March 1916   SM U-63

                                Type U 63 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 247) Ordered 17 May 1915 Laid down 30 Apr 1915 Launched 8 Feb 1916 Commissioned 11 Mar 1916.

                                Commanders.
                                11 Mar 1916 - 27 Aug 1917 Otto Schultze.
                                28 Aug 1917 - 14 Oct 1917 Heinrich Metzger.
                                15 Oct 1917 - 24 Dec 1917 Otto Schultze.
                                25 Dec 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 Kurt Hartwig

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                2 May 1916 - 6 Nov 1916 IV Flotilla.
                                6 Nov 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

                                Successes 72 ships sunk with a total of 198,168 tons.
                                11 ships damaged with a total of 47,700 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 5,250 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 2,540 tons.

                                • 4 Jul 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Rosemary (damaged) 1,250 br
                                • 20 Aug 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Falmouth 5,250 br
                                • 23 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Bayreaulx 3,009 br
                                • 28 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Lanao 692 am
                                • 28 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Rio Pirahy 3,561 br
                                • 28 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Selene 3,955 it
                                • 28 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Torsdal 3,621 nw
                                • 29 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Massalia 2,186 gr
                                • 29 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Meroë 3,552 br
                                • 29 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Torino 1,850 br
                                • 31 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Delto 3,193 nw
                                • 31 Oct 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Fedelta 1,906 it
                                • 27 Nov 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Maude Larssen 1,222 br
                                • 28 Nov 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Sigurd 2,119 da
                                • 30 Nov 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Roma 125 br
                                • 2 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Luigi C. 71 it
                                • 2 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Roma 643 it
                                • 3 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Perugia 4,348 br
                                • 5 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Grigorios Anghelatos 3,635 gr
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Magellan 6,027 fr
                                • 11 Dec 1916 U 63 Otto Schultze Sinai 4,624 fr
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Vellore 4,926 br
                                • 26 Mar 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze L. Rahmanich 79 ag
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Zambesi 3,759 br
                                • 4 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Margit 2,490 br
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Solstad 4,147 nw
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Kangaroo (damaged) 4,348 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Carmelo Padre 74 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Giuseppe Padre I 102 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Giuseppina G. 100 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze I Due Fratelli P. 100 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Karonga 4,665 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Natale B. 55 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze San Francesco Di Paola 41 it
                                • 3 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Washington 5,080 br
                                • 4 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Transylvania 14,348 br
                                • 5 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Talawa (damaged) 3,834 br
                                • 7 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Crown Of Leon (damaged) 3,391 br
                                • 14 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Francesco Raiola 181 it
                                • 14 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Volga (damaged) 4,404 br
                                • 15 May 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Ferrara (damaged) 5,660 it
                                • 22 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Himalaya 5,620 fr
                                • 23 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Craonne 777 fr
                                • 23 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Kalypso Vergotti 2,819 gr
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Birdoswald 4,013 br
                                • 27 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Tong Hong 2,184 br
                                • 30 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Alkelda 98 it
                                • 30 Jun 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Enrichetta 3,638 it
                                • 1 Jul 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Marie 118 fr
                                • 2 Jul 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Argentario 739 it
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Immacolatina 54 it
                                • 5 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Proletaire 101 fr
                                • 11 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Embleton 5,377 br
                                • 12 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Reim 1,126 nw
                                • 15 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Platuria 3,445 am
                                • 18 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Arendal 1,387 br
                                • 26 Sep 1917 U 63 Heinrich Metzger Heraklios 2,878 gr
                                • 5 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Hilda R. 136 br
                                • 5 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Kai 1,391 da
                                • 6 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Peveril 1,459 br
                                • 8 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Candytuft (damaged) 1,290 br
                                • 8 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Benledi (damaged) 3,931 br
                                • 9 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Ardglamis 4,540 br
                                • 14 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Trowbridge 3,712 br
                                • 16 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Gasconia 3,801 br
                                • 16 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Kyno 3,034 br 8 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Huntsgulf (damaged) 3,185 br
                                • 20 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Commendatore Carlo Bruno 813 it
                                • 21 Nov 1917 U 63 Otto Schultze Mossoul 3,135 fr
                                • 5 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Rio Claro 3,687 br
                                • 8 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig San Guglielmo 8,145 it
                                • 15 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Bonanova 933 sp
                                • 18 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Maria P. 263 br
                                • 18 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Ville De Bordeaux 4,857 fr
                                • 22 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Anglo-canadian 4,239 br
                                • 22 Jan 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Manchester Spinner 4,247 br
                                • 19 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Saxilby (damaged) 3,630 br
                                • 19 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Snowdon 3,189 br
                                • 24 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Elysia (damaged) 6,397 br
                                • 30 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Antinous (damaged) 3,682 br
                                • 30 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Asiatic Prince 2,887 br
                                • 30 May 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Aymeric 4,363 br
                                • 11 Aug 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig City Of Adelaide 8,389 br
                                • 12 Aug 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig G6 213 it
                                • 24 Aug 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig Delphinula (damaged) 5,238 br
                                • 16 Oct 1918 U 63 Kurt Hartwig War Council 5,875 br

                                Fate 16 Jan 1919 - Surrendered. Broken up at Blyth in 1919-20.

                                There was another U 63 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 6 Dec 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 18 Jan 1940.

                                11th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Divisional Route March. Regimental Parade Enquin at 0830 hours. Brigade rendezvous was the crossroads ¼ mile North of Point 102 Camp Raquet. Route followed, Enquinehault, Rolet, Crossroads ½ mile East of T in Hubersent, Point 134 (whwere the Division filed past the divisional Commander Major General Mullens), Sequires, Rolet, from where units marched home independently. The Order of March was 9th Brigade, 2nd Brigade, 1st Brigade. 2 Other Rank to Base Hospital

                                11th March 1916  Steel

                                11th Mar 1916  Reckless Motoring

                                11th Mar 1916 A Shocking Accident  The Wrexham Advertiser of the 11th of March 1916, reported: "A shocking accident occurred at Moss on Thursday resulting in a child being killed outright and in six other persons being terribly injured, three of whom subsequently died. It appears that Pte Bagnall, 4th RWF, 2 Red Lion Cottages, Moss, who returned home from the front on Monday after 18 months' service, was cleaning an unexploded German fuse shell, which he had brought with him as a souvenir. In the small cottage at the time of the explosion were Pte Bagnall's wife, Mary; daughter Sarah, age two; a niece, Violet, age seven; and sister-in-law Sarah Roberts along with her two children, Mary and Ethel, aged five and 15 months. Ethel, the youngest child, was killed instantly. The other three girls died later in hospital. Others sustained terrible injuries, including Pte Bagnall himself, who lost a leg, while Ms Roberts lost both legs. Pte Bagnall had thought the shell was safe as it had been "chucked around in the barracks and trenches" for six months without any ill-effects before he returned to North Wales."

                                A community fundraising event was held to pay for the funeral of the children which saw one of the largest ever funeral processions in the area. But the four little girls have no headstone, members of Broughton and District History Group are hoping to erect a memorial to them on the centenary of their death and are trying to trace family members.

                                11th Mar 1916  The Question of Single Men

                                11th Mar 1916  Seeing the Sights

                                11th Mar 1916  In Port

                                11th Mar 1916  Parade

                                11th Mar 1916  Working Party

                                11th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                11th March 1916  Court martial

                                11th of March 1916  Situation

                                11th Mar 1916  Exposed

                                11th of March 1916  Quiet

                                11th Mar 1916  Artillery Active

                                11th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                11th of March 1916  Dressing Station Hit

                                11th Mar 1916  On the March

                                11th Mar 1916  Patrol

                                11 March 1916  Shock after capture

                                11th Mar 1916  Training

                                11th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                11th of March 1916  Enemy Damage Line

                                11th Mar 1916   On the Move

                                11th March 1916  Relief

                                11th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                11th March 1916  Postings

                                11 March 1916  Battery Inspection

                                11th March 1916  Company inspections

                                11th of March 1916  Resting

                                11th Mar 1916  Award

                                11th Mar 1916  Award

                                11th March 1916  Concert

                                12th March 1916 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA proceeded to its new reserve area and arrived at Dieval at 1800.

                                21st  Mar 1916 7th Inniskillings at Cauchy a la Tour  7th Inniskillings move to Rest area at Cauchy-a-La-Tour

                                12th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Church of England Parade Service at Le Fayel for 'A' Squadron at 1230 hours. 2nd Lieutenants Busk & Durnford proceeded to 1st Field Squadron, Royal Engineers for a demolition course. 1 Riding horse from HQ 4 Riding horses for Officers received from Base

                                12th Mar 1916  Dangerous Work

                                12th Mar 1916  Into the Trenches

                                12th Mar 1916  Seeing the Sights

                                12th Mar 1916  Church Parade

                                12th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                12th Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                12th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                12th March 1916  On the March

                                12th March 1916 

                                12th of March 1916  Mine Shafts

                                12th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                12th of March 1916  Artillery Active

                                12th Mar 1916  Enemy Active

                                12th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                12th of March 1916  Aircraft Active

                                12th Mar 1916  Hospital

                                12th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                12th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                12 March 1916  return to billets

                                12th Mar 1916  Enemy Party

                                12th Mar 1916  Church Parade

                                12th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                12th of March 1916  100lb Minenwerfer

                                12th March 1916  Our snipers claim 1 German.

                                12th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                12th March 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                12th March 1916  Divine Service

                                12th Mar 1916  New CO

                                12th of March 1916   On the March

                                12th March 1916  Weather bad.

                                13th March 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Dieval. Units at disposal of unit commanders. Most of the day was spent in cleaning up.

                                13th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Regimental Route March. Regimental Parade at 0930 hours at preures. Route followed was Sehen, Bourthes, Campagne, Lez Boulonnais, Ergny, Wicquinghem. 1 Riding Horse to Veterinary Section 5 Other Ranks joined from Base 1 Riding Horse died

                                13th Mar 1916  Sollum Captured

                                13th Mar 1916  As Hot as Summer

                                13th Mar 1916  Gordons Relieve Kings Own

                                13th Mar 1916  Seeing the Sights

                                13th Mar 1916  Concert

                                13th Mar 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                13th Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                13th of March 1916  A Relief and a Wound

                                13th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                13th March 1916  Court martial sentence

                                13th March 1916 

                                13th of March 1916  Aircraft Active

                                13th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                13th of March 1916  Trench Work

                                13th Mar 1916  Grenades

                                13th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                13th of March 1916  Artillery Wire Cutting

                                13th Mar 1916  Training

                                13th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                13th March 1916  return to billets

                                13th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Mar 1916  On the March

                                13th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                13th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                13th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Mar 1916  Training

                                13th Mar 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                13th of March 1916  False Gas Alarm

                                13th Mar 1916  On the March

                                13th Mar 1916   On the Move

                                13th March 1916  Voormezeele again shelled.

                                13th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                13th March 1916  Posting

                                13th March 1916  A Visitor Arrives

                                13th March 1916  Practice Musketry

                                13th of March 1916  Arms Inspection

                                13th of March 1916   Inspection

                                13th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Mar 1916  Rifles

                                13th March 1916  Company Officers reconoitered trenches.

                                14th March 1916 Inspections and moves  6th County of London Brigade RFA report the day was spent in preparing for tomorrow's marching order inspection by GOCRA. 47th Division. 2/Lt M.V. Eddis transferred form Headquarters Staff to 15th London Battery 2/Lt H.L. Burgis transferred from 15th London Battery to Headquarters Staff to take up the duties of Orderly Officer to OC. Brigade. Major Bayley DSO left for England. Captain Cooper assumed command of 15th London Battery.

                                14th Mar 1916 HMAT A68 Anchises at Port Melbourne  

                                HMAT A68 Anchises Pictured at Port Melbourne on the 14th March 1916.

                                The HMAT A68 Anchises weighed 10,046 tons with an average cruise speed of 10 knots or 18.52 kmph. It was owned by the Ocean SS Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until the 12th October 1917.

                                14th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin RMounted Training under Squadron arrangements 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital

                                14th March 1916  Visit

                                14th Mar 1916  To Camp

                                16th Mar 1916  Port Captured

                                14th Mar 1916  Hope to Keep Lucky

                                14th Mar 1916  Rumour spreads Anxiety

                                14th Mar 1916  Seeing the Sights

                                14th Mar 1916 Into Billets  18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry detrained at 9am and proceeded to Citerne where they were allocated billets.

                                14th Mar 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                14th Mar 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                14th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                14th Mar 1916  Bomb Mystery

                                14th Mar 1916  Under Shellfire

                                14th March 1916  Routine Work

                                14th of March 1916 

                                14th March 1916  Trench parades

                                14th March 1916 

                                14th of March 1916  Observation

                                14th Mar 1916  On the March

                                14th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of March 1916  Shelling

                                14th Mar 1916  Enemy Active

                                14th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of March 1916  Annoying the Enemy

                                14th Mar 1916  Training

                                14th Mar 1916  Snipers

                                14th March 1916  return to billets

                                17th Mar 1916  Relief

                                14th Mar 1916  On the March

                                14th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                14th of March 1916  MG Coy Arrive

                                14th Mar 1916  On the March

                                14th Mar 1916   On the Move

                                14th March 1916  Command of the Battalion.

                                14th March 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                14th March 1916  Fine day

                                14th March 1916  Inspection

                                14th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                14th of March 1916  Sunny Day

                                14th March 1916  On the Move

                                14th March 1916  Relieved 12th H.L.I.

                                15th March 1916 Inspections  6th County of London Brigade RFA was inspected by GOC 47th Division. Afterwards the GOCRA. 47th Division inspected the Officers' Ride. For the rest of the day units were at the disposal of unit commanders.

                                15th Mar 1916 7th Inniskillings relieved  7th Inniskillings are relieved by troops of the 46th. Company Cemetery behind the bakery at Philosophe East is to be resting place for 1st casualties.

                                15th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Regimental Officers Staff Ride. 'B' Squadron was employed for demonstration purposes. The Brigadier and Brigade Major attended. Advance guards and flank guards were subjects dealt with. 1 Other Rank to Base

                                15th March 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Mar 1916  Battery proceed to France

                                15th Mar 1916  Arrival in France

                                15th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                15th Mar 1916  Sights at the Docks

                                15th Mar 1916  Trench Work

                                15th Mar 1916  Fatigues

                                15th Mar 1916  Lights Showing

                                15th Mar 1916  Conscription

                                15th Mar 1916  Prisoners

                                15th Mar 1916  Snipers

                                15th March 1916  Return of working parties to the Company

                                15th of March 1916  Wounded under Fire

                                15th March 1916  On the March

                                15th of March 1916  Reorganisation

                                15th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                15th of March 1916  Quiet

                                15th Mar 1916  Enemy Active

                                15th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                15th of March 1916  Busy Patrols

                                15th Mar 1916  Training

                                15th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                15th March 1916  return to billets

                                15th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                15th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Mar 1916  Artillery Active

                                15th March 1916  On the Move

                                15th of March 1916   Local Relief

                                15th Mar 1916  Orders

                                15th March 1916  Usual cleaning up

                                15th Mar 1916 Working Parties  7th Buffs are engaged on making DaoursContay Railway. 600 men per day, leaving billets at 7.30 am and returning to St Gratienabout 5.30.pm

                                15th March 1916  Reliefs

                                15th March 1916  Baths

                                15th March 1916  Operational Order 59

                                15th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                15th of March 1916  Practise Attack

                                15th Mar 1916  Award

                                15th March 1916  Quiet day.

                                16th Mar 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers depart Port Suez  The 2nd Royal Fusilers embarked from Port Suez for Marseilles via Malta.

                                16th March 1916 Training and move preparations  6th County of London Brigade RFA units were at the disposal of unit commanders. OC. Brigade with Battery Commanders went to inspect new positions.

                                16th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Conference of Commanding Officers of the Regiments comprising the 2nd Cavalry Brigade at 12 noon at Beussent, in order to discuss new forms of squadron packs which had been experimented with. Special Order of the Day published by General Sir D. Haig, GCB. KCIE. General in Command of British Army in the Field. see Appendix 1 (note: Not attached)

                                16th March 1916 RFC designation   No 67 Squadron was the formal RFC title given to No.1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps between 16th March 1916 and February 1918. The Squadron never carried that designation and was known by its officers and men only by its Australian title.  More info.

                                16th March 1916   Meanwhile back home in England the raising committee was busy collecting, and supplying comforts for the troops. It was proposed to hold a flag day. The events took place in Newcastle, South Shields and Durham City. In Durham speakers expressed the fact that many men were serving in the Tyneside Irish. Durham event was held on the 18th of March as it was felt this would be a better day to collect money rather than on the Friday. The other events were held on the 17th. The principal speaker at Newcastle and South Shields was Second - Lieutenant Michael O,Leary V C who had won the Victoria Cross while serving as a Corporal in the Irish Guards. The local police had to form body guard around him as so many people wanted to meet him and shake his hand. The band of the Royal Artillery played Irish melodies, at which point the Lord Mayor, Alderman Fitzgerald, addressed an emotionally stirred crowd and explained the purpose of the event. A considerable sum was collected in all three towns.

                                16th Mar 1916  New Camp

                                16th Mar 1916  Battalions Entrain

                                16th March 1916  On the Move

                                16th Mar 1916  Dover Bombed

                                16th Mar 1916  Route March

                                16th Mar 1916  Enemy Shelling

                                16th Mar 1916  Fatigues

                                16th Mar 1916  Concerts

                                16th Mar 1916  Bombardment

                                16th March 1916  Further quiet spell

                                16th of March 1916  Another Bombardment

                                16th March 1916  On the March

                                18th March 1916  Demonstration of German flame thrower

                                16th March 1916 

                                16th of March 1916  Bombardment

                                16th of March 1916  Orders

                                16th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                16th of March 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                16th Mar 1916  Under Shellfire

                                16th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                16th of March 1916  Redan Mine Exploded

                                16th Mar 1916  Accident

                                16th Mar 1916  On the March

                                16th Mar 1916  In Support

                                16th March 1916  Return to F2 subsector

                                16th Mar 1916  Inspections

                                16th Mar 1916  In Camp

                                16th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Mar 1916  Route March

                                16th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                16th March 1916  On the Move

                                16th of March 1916  British Plane Shot Down

                                16th Mar 1916  Reorganisation

                                16th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                16th March 1916  Usual inspections and parades during the day.

                                16th Mar 1916 On the Move  7th Battalion Buffs left St Gratien for Corbie at 11 am arrived Corbie 2 pm all men in billets 2.30 pm

                                16th March 1916  Considerable shelling and aerial activity.

                                16th March 1916  On the Move

                                16th of March 1916  Tactical Exercise

                                16th March 1916  Arrangements made for relief.

                                17th March 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA units were at the disposal of unit commanders. A section of each of the 15th, 16th and 17th London Batteries went up to their new positions at Carency, taking over from 103rd Brigade.

                                17th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Regimental route March combined with tactical operations. Regimental Parade at 0930 hours in Enquin. Practice in the handling of advance guards and flank guards in difficult country. The Regiment returned to billets at 1415 hours. Conference of Commanding Officer and Officers commanding Squadrons and their second in commands at 1600 hours at 'B' Squadron in Preures. 1 Other Rank from Base Hospital

                                17th March 1916  Visit

                                17th Mar 1916  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                17th Mar 1916  Sailors Rescued

                                17th Mar 1916  Nothing like Variety

                                17th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                17th Mar 1916  Aircraft Active

                                17th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Mar 1916  In Camp

                                17th of March 1916  More Shelling

                                17th March 1916  Billet cleaning

                                17th March 1916 

                                17th of March 1916  Blow

                                17th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                17th of March 1916  Strafe

                                17th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                17th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                17th of March 1916  A Combined Bombardment

                                17th Mar 1916  Reinforcements

                                17th Mar 1916  Inspections

                                17th Mar 1916  In Support

                                17 March 1916  Quiet after the storm.

                                17th Mar 1916  Defences

                                17th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                17th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                17th of March 1916  German Gas Attack?

                                17th March 1916  G.O.C. inspected the transport in field close to Heksken Corner

                                17th Mar 1916  On the March

                                17th March 1916  Support Line shelled.

                                17th March 1916  Instruction and Musketry.

                                17th April 1916  On the Move

                                17th of March 1916  On the March

                                17th March 1916  Relieved by 13th Royal Scots.

                                18th March 1916 Training  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Dieval. Units at the disposal of unit commanders.

                                18th Mar 1916 Aerodrome opens at Bramham Moor  The aerodrome at Bramham Moor, Headley Bar, Yorkshire opened on the 18th March 1916. Initially home to "B" and "C" flights, 33 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, with "A" flight being detached to York Racecourse.

                                18th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Inspections of Kit, Arms, Saddlery and Horses by Squadrons. The Commanding Officer inspected the horses of 'B' Squadron. 22 Other Ranks joined from Base

                                18th Mar 1916 1st KOSB Dock  1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borders docked at Marseille and boarded a train at 10pm which departed at 10.45 pm

                                18th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                18th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                18th Mar 1916  Escape from Germany

                                18th Mar 1916  Suez

                                18th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Mar 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                18th Mar 1916  On the March

                                18th of March 1916  Relief

                                18th March 1916  Reinforcements

                                18th of March 1916  Command of the Air

                                18th of March 1916  Orders

                                18th Mar 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                18th Mar 1916  Aircraft Active

                                18th of March 1916  Shelling

                                18th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                18th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                18th Mar 1916  Route March

                                18th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Mar 1916  Reinforcements

                                18th Mar 1916  Enemy Mine

                                18th Mar 1916  Training

                                18th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                18th Mar 1916  Aircraft Attacked

                                18th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                18th March 1916  On the Move

                                18th of March 1916  Arras Hit

                                18th March 1916  Grenadiers and a proportion of Signalers proceeded to the trenches to relieve the specialists of 1st. N.F.

                                18th Mar 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs Commenced relief of 18th Manchester Regiment in Y 3 s/sector at 7 pm relief complete at 9.45 pm. Enemy shelled our transport. Lt F.M. Stoop and 3 O.R. wounded whilst off loading, the force of the explosion knocked Lt Whitefield off the bank, he is suffering from shock. 2 O.R. wounded by shell fire in 13 trench. Frank Phillips Capt Adj 7th Buffs

                                18th March 1916  Posting

                                18th March 1916  Inspection

                                18th March 1916  Operational Order No.69.

                                18th of March 1916   Drills

                                18th March 1916  Working Party supplied to R.E.

                                19th March 1916 Relocations  6th County of London Brigade RFA move to Carency. HQ. Staff left Dieval for Bois de la Haie and other sections of the Batteries went up to their new positions.

                                19th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Church of England Parade Service at 1230 hours at Preures. Lieutenants Potts and Kelly proceeded to Samer on a Hotchkiss Machine Gun Course.

                                19th March 1916  Visit

                                19thMarch 1916   In France, Sniping and patrolling were activities that had to be undertaken and the snipers of the 24th Battalion claimed two Germans. Awards for gallant conduct in the trenches started to be made.

                                19th Mar 1916  Swimming

                                19th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                19th Mar 1916  Mine Exploded

                                19th Mar 1916  Training & Baths

                                19th of March 1916  Work and Rest

                                19th March 1916  Steel helmets issue

                                19th March 1916  Reliefs

                                19th of March 1916  Mining

                                19th March 1916  Life at home

                                19th Mar 1916  Aircraft Active

                                19th of March 1916  Heavy shelling

                                19th Mar 1916  In Camp

                                19th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                19th of March 1916  A Hostile Sniper

                                19th Mar 1916  Church Parade

                                19th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                19th March 1916  Shrapnel Shells

                                19th Mar 1916  Defences

                                19th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                19th Mar 1916  Chase

                                19th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Mar 1916  Training

                                19th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                19th March 1916  Arrival

                                19th of March 1916   8 Hits Claimed

                                19th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                19th March 1916  At 1700 hours the Battalion marched to trenches at St. Eloi via Reninghelst - La Clytte crossroads - Cafe Belge - Voormezeele

                                19th Mar 1916 Poor Conditions  Trenches very bad condition, work of cleaning taken in hand by 7th Buffs. Enemy shelled transport on arrival at Battalion HQ.

                                19th March 1916  Very fine weather

                                19th March 1916  Leave Passes to England

                                19th March 1916  G.O.C. IV Corps. visited

                                19th of March 1916  Divine Service

                                19th March 1916  Reliefs

                                20th March 1916 Relocations  6th London Brigade RFA took over from 103rd Brigade RFA (23rd Division) at 1000. Brigade Headquarters is at Bois de la Hair (A.8.d.3.2.). Attached to the 6th Lon Field Artillery Batteries is the 176th Battery RFA, which forms the Centre Group (Lt Col Lowe). The Northern Group is on the left (Lt Col Peel)and the Southern Group on right (Lt Col Massey). During the day, chiefly between 0900 and 0930, also about 1730, the enemy shelled Ablain St Nagiare with 5.9’s(150mm guns). Carency was also shelled about mid-day. The enemy were also active with aerial torpedoes and heavy trench mortars, but were silenced by our Howitzers. Otherwise all was quiet on this front. The OC. Brigade reconnoitred the front by aeroplane.

                                20th March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin Training under Squadron arrangements. 'A' and 'B' Squadrons, advance guard scheme. 'C' Squadron musketry & bombing

                                20th Mar 1916  Difficult Conditions

                                20th Mar 1916  Enemy Attack

                                20th Mar 1916  Lecture for Officers

                                20th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                20th Mar 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                20th March 1916  Work interrupted

                                20th March 1916  Rifle examined

                                20th to 24th March 1916  Divisional Reserve

                                20th of March 1916  Enemy Active

                                20th of March 1916  Orders

                                20th Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                20th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                20th of March 1916  Enemy Active

                                20th Mar 1916  In Camp

                                20th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                20th of March 1916  Patrols and Bombs

                                20th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                20th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                20th March 1916  Signaller's dug out hit

                                20th Mar 1916  Bad Weather

                                20th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                20th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Mar 1916  Exercise

                                20th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                20th March 1915  Route March

                                20th March 1916  Route March

                                20th of March 1916  Small Gas Attack

                                20th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                20th March 1916  Quiet day in trenches.

                                20th Mar 1916 Quiet  7th Buffs have Nothing to report. 1 O.R. wounded.

                                20th March 1916  Departure

                                20th March 1916  Ready to move

                                20th of March 1916  Attack Practised

                                20th March 1916  Reliefs

                                21st March 1916 Bad Light   6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: There was very little artillery fire owing to bad light. Batteries fired a few rounds for registration. Otherwise all quiet. Hostile artillery also quiet.

                                21st March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin The Commanding Offficer inspected the Regimental and Squadron transport at Enquin at 0930 hours. 1 Oter Rank to Temporary Hospital

                                21st March 1916  Relocation

                                21st Mar 1916  7th Northumberlands in Camp

                                21st Mar 1916  Letters from Home

                                21st Mar 1916 Trench Instruction  10 officers and 39 NCOs of 18th DLI proceed to front line trenches at 10am for instruction. It would be the first time they had been in the front line.

                                21st Mar 1916  Fatigues

                                21st Mar 1916  No Smokes

                                21st Mar 1916  Reorganisation

                                21st March 1916  Routine work for Company

                                21st March 1916  Quiet

                                21st of March 1916  Shoot

                                21st Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                21st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of March 1916  Artillery in Action

                                21st Mar 1916  In Camp

                                21st Mar 1916  Quiet

                                21st of March 1916  Disturbed Night

                                21st Mar 1916  Training

                                21st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Mar 1916  In Billets

                                21st Mar 1916  Instruction

                                21st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of March 1916  Very Quiet

                                21st Mar 1916  Instruction

                                21st March 1916  Quiet day.

                                21st Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report, heavy rifle and artillery fire heard on right, of 7th Buffs, presumably Y. 1. (This has since been confirmed as the enemy attack on the Duck Post. New trench connecting 14 and 15 saps commenced Lt Whitfield sent away suffering from shell shock.

                                21st March 1916  Battalion Orders

                                21st March 1916  Reliefs

                                21st March 1916  Reliefs 21st - 26th March 1916

                                21st March 1916  Relief Complete

                                21st of March 1916  Corps Commander Attends

                                21st Mar 1916  Indirect Fire

                                21st March 1916  Quiet day.

                                22nd Mar 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers arrive in France  The 2nd Royal Fusilers arrived at Marseilles from Port Suez and entrained for Port Remy.

                                22nd March 1916 Observation Impossible  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report very misty weather. Observation impossible. Very little enemy shelling all day. Capt Causland of the 2nd Household Division is attached to the 17th London Battery for instruction.

                                22nd March 1916 In Billets  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin The Adjutant proceeded to Merlimont to recconnoitre the area where the Regiment intended to bivouac. Owing to the weather the condition of the ground was found to be unsuitable.

                                22nd Mar 1916  The Wipers Times

                                22nd Mar 1916  Off Colour

                                22nd Mar 1916  Fatigues

                                22nd Mar 1916  Hospital

                                22nd Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                22nd of March 1916  Two Lieutenants Go Home

                                22nd March 1916  Rifle range created

                                22nd of March 1916  Mine

                                22nd of March 1916  Orders

                                22nd Mar 1916  Working Parties & Baths

                                22nd of March 1916  Rifle Fire

                                22nd Mar 1916  In Camp

                                22nd Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                22nd of March 1916  Snipers Active on Both Sides

                                22nd Mar 1916  Route March

                                22nd Mar 1916  In Billets

                                22nd Mar 1916  Training

                                22nd Mar 1916  Instruction

                                22nd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Mar 1916  In the Trenches

                                22nd of March 1916   Local Relief

                                22nd Mar 1916  Instruction

                                22nd March 1916  Shelled by the German "Heavies".

                                22nd Mar 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs Inter-Coy relief took place, Nothing to report

                                22nd March 1916  Gas Alert.

                                22nd of March 1916  Training

                                22nd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd March 1916  Arrange for relief.

                                23rd March 1916 Enemy Guns More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report 2/Lt Bennett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column is attached to the 16th London Battery. The day on the whole was quiet. Enemy field guns were more active today than yesterday firing about 75 rounds into Carency. The shells seemed to come from the direction of Bois de Givenchy. The 15th London Battery made a satisfactory shoot on the Pimple which has been reported as an observation station. Other batteries of the Centre Group did not fire. Lt Barnard (16th London Battery) proceeded to Licths on a course of instruction.

                                23rd March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Regimental tour of Merlimont postponed owing to the weather. Training under Squadron arrangements. 1 Other Rank to Base.

                                23rd March 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Mar 1916  Training

                                23rd Mar 1916  Awkward Camels

                                23rd Mar 1916 On the Move  18th DLI left Citerne and moved into billets at Longpre.

                                23rd Mar 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                23rd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Mar 1916  Into the Line

                                23rd March 1916  Cross countryrun

                                23rd of March 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Mar 1916  Snow

                                23rd of March 1916  Quieter

                                23rd Mar 1916  On the March

                                23rd Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd of March 1916  German Wire Tapping Discovered

                                23rd Mar 1916  Reorganisation

                                23rd Mar 1916  Recce

                                23rd Mar 1916  In Billets

                                23rd Mar 1916  Defence Work

                                23rd Mar 1916  Poor Weather

                                23rd Mar 1916  Snipers

                                23rd of March 1916  Germans Fire "Jam Tins"

                                23rd Mar 1916  Quiet

                                23rd March 1916  Voormezeele was again shelled.

                                23th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                23rd March 1916  Communications Trenches

                                23rd of March 1916   Reconnoitring New Area

                                23rd Mar 1916  On the March

                                23rd March 1916  Relieved by 13th Royal Scots.

                                24th Mar 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers arrive Port Remy  The 2nd Royal Fusilers arrived Port Remy by train from Marseilles and marched 15 miles to Coulon Villiers.

                                24th March 1916 Bad Weather  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. Leave of absence again opened for the 47th Divisional Artillery. During the day there was very little shelling from the enemy as the light and weather were very bad. Our batteries were quiet all day. During the evening the enemy fired on the road to the east of Carency which is used by our infantry for transport. B176 Battery replied firing on the cross roads in Carency. The reply was effective.

                                24th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. The Commanding Officer conducted a Staff ride for Subaltern Officers who had joined within the last 6 months. 1 Other Rank to Base, (Time Expired).

                                24th Mar 1916  Under Shellfire

                                24th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                24th Mar 1916  Trench Work

                                24th Mar 1916  Enemy Mine Fired

                                24th of March 1916  Relieved in Trenches

                                24th March 1916  Move

                                24th of March 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                24th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Mar 1916  Working Party

                                24th of March 1916  Observation

                                24th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                24th of March 1916  Weather Very Bad

                                24th Mar 1916  Bad Weather

                                24th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                24th March 1916  Enemy very quiet

                                24th Mar 1916  Defence Work

                                24th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                24th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                24th Mar 1916  Line Extended

                                24th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                24th March 1916  Training

                                24th of March 1916   Camouflet Exploded

                                24th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                24th March 1916  Very heavy shelling

                                24th Mar 1916 Shelling  7th Buffs report Enemy shelled our front line very lightly, we retaliated

                                24th March 1916  Trench Work

                                24th of March 1916   Snow

                                24th March 1916  Cleaning up and inspections.

                                25th March 1916 Enemy More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. 2nd Lt Gordon Tombe arrived from England (3/6 London Brigade RFA) attached to the 6th London Ammunition Column. Capt. Cooper 15th London Battery and Lt Lyon Smith (Adjutant) proceeded to England on ten days leave of absence. Lt Burke 47th Divisional Ammunition Column was attached to the 16th London Battery for instruction. Light for observation very good and enemy artillery was more active, again shelling the cross roads in Souchez. We retaliated again with 4.5s (4 1/2 inch shells), otherwise all quiet.

                                25th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Inspection of kit, arms, saddlery etc. under Squadron arrangements. Lecture on map reading for Subaltern Officers who joined within the last 6 months by Major R.E. Cecil 1 Other Rank from 2nd Cavalry Brigade HQ

                                25th March 1916  Leave

                                25th Mar 1916  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                25th March 1916 

                                25th Mar 1916  Bombed by Aeroplane

                                25th Mar 1916  Back in the Trenches

                                25th Mar 1916  Hard Life in the Trenches

                                25th Mar 1916  Into Town

                                25th Mar 1916  Trench Work

                                25th Mar 1916  Enemy Mine Fired

                                25th Mar 1916  Snow

                                25th March 1916  Battalion attack scheme

                                25th March 1916  Reliefs

                                25th of March 1916  Trench Work

                                25th Mar 1916  Working Party

                                25th Mar 1916  Snow

                                25th of March 1916  Hostile Aeroplanes

                                25th Mar 1916  Recce

                                25th Mar 1916  Recce

                                25th Mar 1916  Baths

                                25th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Mar 1916  Cleaning up

                                25th of March 1916   German Mortars Silenced

                                25th March 1916  Visit Arragned

                                25th Mar 1916  Instruction

                                25th March 1916  "A", "C" & "D" Coys. withdrawn

                                25th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report, by 7th Buffs except 1 sniper slightly wounded.

                                25th March 1916  Bad weather

                                25th of March 1916  Training

                                25th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                25th March 1916  Reliefs

                                26th March 1916 Registration  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Enemy showed little activity all day. Batteries fired a few rounds for registration, otherwise all quiet.

                                26th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Lieutenants Potts & Kelly rejoined on completion of their Hotchkiss Gun Course. Church of England Parade Service at Preures at 1215 hours. Lieutenants E.C.E. Smith & M. Hunter proceeded to Samer on Hotchkiss Gun course. 4 Other Ranks to Temporary Hospital 5 Other Ranks joined from Base

                                26th Mar 1916  12th Y&Ls on the March

                                26th Mar 1916  Pets in the Tents

                                26th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Mar 1916  Quiet Day

                                26th Mar 1916  Dinning Arrangements

                                26th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                26th of March 1916  Instructing the East Yorks

                                26th March 1916  Church Service

                                26th March 1916  Holding the Line

                                26th of March 1916  Shell Damage

                                26th Mar 1916  Church Parade

                                26th of March 1916  Shelling

                                26th Mar 1916  Wet

                                26th of March 1916  A Suspected Tunnel

                                26th Mar 1916  Reorganisation

                                26th Mar 1916  Church Parade

                                26th Mar 1916  Recce

                                26th March 1916  Ready for counter attack

                                26th Mar 1916  Church Parade

                                26th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                26th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                26th of March 1916  Rain and Sleet

                                26th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                26th March 1916  On the Move

                                26th Mar 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs are Relieved by 7th Queens relief started at 2 pm., all men in billets 8.30pm

                                26th March 1916  Firesteps built

                                26th March 1916  Operational Order No.70.

                                26th March 1916  Operational Order No.71.

                                26th of March 1916  Raining

                                26th March 1916  Marched to Noeux

                                27th March 1916 Minewerfer Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. Enemy more active today. A minenwerfer (mortar) fired on our support and communication trenches to which our Batteries replied and in each case kept on until the minenwerfer fire discontinued. A house in Lieviu was observed by the 17th London Battery to be in constant use and is possibly a Headquarters of some kind. All firing done by the Battery today was at the request of infantry.

                                27th Mar 1916 7th Inniskillings go into the line  7th Inniskillings return to the Front line at Noeux-les-Mines.

                                27th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. General Officer Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade conducted a Staff Ride for Subaltern Officers having joined within the last 6 months at 0930 hours. Officer Commanding attended a Conference of Officers Commanding Regiments of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade at the Brigade Headquarters to discuss Training programme for April 1916. Training under Squadron arrangements. 2 Other Ranks to Base Hospital 1 Other Rank to Temporary Hospital

                                27th Mar 1916  Under Shellfire

                                27th Mar 1916  Trench Instruction

                                27th Mar 1916  Attack Made by 1st Northumberlands

                                27th Mar 1916  Aeroplane Co-operation

                                27th Mar 1916 On the March  18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry proceed to Bequesne and were billeted.

                                27th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                27th Mar 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                27th Mar 1916  Desertion

                                27th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                27th March 1916  Measures against gas

                                27th March 1916  Holding the Line

                                27th of March 1916  Assault Made

                                27th Mar 1916  Poor Weather

                                27th of March 1916  Mines

                                27th Mar 1916  Appreciation

                                27th of March 1916  Eight Patrols Out

                                27th Mar 1916  On the March

                                27th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Mar 1916  Shelling

                                27th Mar 1916  Attachment

                                27th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Mar 1916  Training

                                27th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                27th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                27th of March 1916   Quiet Night

                                27th March 1916  Six mines were successfully exploded.

                                27th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                27th March 1916  Reliefs

                                27th March 1916  Into billets

                                27th of March 1916   Reliefs

                                27th March 1916  Programme of training received.

                                28th March 1916 Enemy Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency. 2nd Lt Corsan attached to the 15th London Battery from the Brigade Ammunition Column. GOC. Winison visited the 17th London Battery position. Enemy artillery throughout the day was quiet. Enemy movements again noticed in the house at Lieviu. Nothing else on this front to report.

                                28th Mar 1916  Men Drowned

                                28th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Regimental parade at Enquin at 0930 hours for route march combined with tactical exercise in handling of advance and rear guards. Returned to billets at 1315 hours Conference at Regimental HQ on the days operations and to discuss possibility of reducing the weight at present carried on horses. Regimental Course of 2 classes (6 each) in Hotchkiss Gun under direction of Lieutenant pott. 1 Other Rank to Base Hospital 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital

                                28th Mar 1916  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                28th Mar 1916  On the March

                                28th Mar 1916  New Pets

                                28th Mar 1916 On the March  At 1520 18th Battalion DLI arrived at billets in Beussart.

                                28th Mar 1916  Into the Trenches

                                28th Mar 1916  Under Shellfire

                                28th of March 1916  Relief

                                28th March 1916  Lewis gun instructions

                                28th March 1916  Holding the Line

                                28th of March 1916  Reliefs

                                28th of March 1916  On the March

                                28th Mar 1916  On the March

                                28th of March 1916  Orders

                                28th Mar 1916  On the Move

                                28th of March 1916  Artillery Active

                                28th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                28th Mar 1916  At Rest

                                28th of March 1916  Booby Traps Found

                                28th Mar 1916  Moves

                                28th Mar 1916  Training

                                28th Mar 1916  Trench Work

                                28th March 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Mar 1916  On the March

                                28th Mar 1916  Training

                                28th Mar 1916  New CO

                                28th Mar 1916  Working Parties

                                28th of March 1916  A Combined Shoot

                                28th Mar 1916  Trenches

                                28th March 1916  Intermittent shelling throughout the day

                                28th Mar 1916 Quiet  Nothing to report by 7th Buffs

                                28th March 1916  Poor Conditions

                                28th March 1916  Working Party

                                28th of March 1916  Tunnelling Parties

                                28th Mar 1916  Inspection

                                28th March 1916  Cleaning up and inspections

                                29th March 1916 Horses Inspected  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. The ADVS inspected the horses of the Brigade at 1015. Intermittent shelling of Souchez Valley and Carency with Light High Velocity 77mm field guns. In the afternoon at 1700 Notre Dame de Lorette was shelled with 5.9 and 4.2 guns, otherwise the day was quiet. 2/Lt Davis, 16th London Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. (ADVS = Assistant Director of Veterinary Services)

                                29th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Training under Squadron arrangements. Regimental courses in Hotchkiss Gun under Lieutenant Pott. Regimental Pioneer course under direction of 2nd Lieutenants Busk and Durnford commenced at Preures. 1 Riding Horse destroyed

                                29th Mar 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved

                                29th Mar 1916  On the March

                                29th Mar 1916 

                                29th Mar 1916  Artillery Lecture

                                29th Mar 1916 Into the Line  At 6.15pm 18th DLI proceeded to front line trenches to relieve 9th Royal Irish Rifles.

                                29th Mar 1916  Fatigues

                                29th of March 1916  At Rest and On Relief

                                29th March 1916  Smoke helmet training

                                29th March 1916  Holding the Line

                                29th of March 1916  Reliefs

                                29th of March 1916  Orders

                                29th Mar 1916  Training

                                29th of March 1916  Shelling

                                29th Mar 1916  On the March

                                29th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                29th of March 1916  Heavy Snow

                                29th Mar 1916  Shellfire

                                29th Mar 1916  Training

                                29th Mar 1916  Patrol

                                29th March 1916  Home on leave.

                                29th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                29th Mar 1916  Stores

                                29th Mar 1916  Orders

                                29th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                29th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Mar 1916  In Action

                                29th Mar 1916  Preparations

                                29th March 1916  Training

                                29th of March 1916  Retaliatory Fire

                                29th Mar 1916  Relief Completed

                                29th March 1916  Usual cleaning

                                29th Mar 1916 Working Parties  1 Coy from 7th Buffs are employed making tramway from Bray

                                29th March 1916  Snow

                                1916-03-29 29th March 1916  Battalion paraded and the C.O. inspected.

                                29th of March 1916  Aeroplanes Active

                                29th March 1916  Platoon training commenced.

                                30th March 1916 Some Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Ablain and the slopes of Lorette shelled with 5.9s and Howitzers between 1245 and 1500. About 68 shells were fired intermittently. This shelling was most active about 1500 and then died down. Three miniature balloons floated over 16th London Battery in a north easterly direction at about 1800, no doubt testing wind levels and direction. Except for some slight shelling the rest of the day was quiet. Aeroplanes were very active all day. A Flamenwerfer (flame thrower) demonstration was held at Gowry School which 28 officers & other ranks attended.

                                30th March 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                                Schütte-Lanz Airship type silhouettes

                                Schütte-Lanz SL8

                                • First Flight: 30th March 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 96.8 km/h
                                • Payload: 18.7 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Naval airship based at Seddin. Carried out 34 reconnaissance missions and three bombing raids, carrying 4,000 kg of bombs each mission. Held the record for the greatest number of combat missions of any Schütte-Lanz airship. Decommissioned due to age on the 20th November 1917.

                                30th March 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL9

                                • First Flight: 30th March 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 92.9 km/h
                                • Payload: 19.8 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Naval airship based at Seddin. Carried out 13 reconnaissance missions and four bombing raids carrying 4,230 kg of bombs each mission. Crashed in the Baltic, possibly after lightning strike on the 30th March 1917.

                                30th March 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL10

                                • First Flight: 30th March 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,800 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 90 km/h
                                • Payload: 21.5 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Army airship based at Yambol, Bulgaria.Carried out a 16 hour reconnaissance mission. Disappeared during a subsequent attack on Sevastopol, possibly due to bad weather on the 28th July 1916.

                                30th March 1916 Russian Hospital Ship  

                                HS Portugal - Russian Hospital Ship in the Black Sea

                                Russian hospital ship Portugal (Russian: госпитальное судно "Португаль") was a steam ship originally built by a French shipping company, but requisitioned for use as a Russian hospital ship during the First World War. On the 30th March 1916 she was sunk by a torpedo from the German U-boat U-33.

                                History[edit]

                                She was originally built in 1886 for the Brazil and River Plate Line of the Messageries Maritimes Company. She was chartered or purchased by the Russians for use as a hospital ship in the Black Sea.

                                Sinking.

                                Georgian princess Aneta Andronnikova was one of the Red Cross nurses who died in the Portugal incident. On the 30th March 1916, the Portugal was towing a string of small flat-bottomed boats to ferry wounded from the shore to the ship. Off Rizeh, on the Turkish coast of the Black Sea, she had stopped as one of the small boats was sinking and repairs were being made. The ship was not carrying wounded at the time, but had a staff of Red Cross physicians and nurses on board, as well as her usual crew.

                                The ship's crew saw a periscope approaching the vessel but as the ship was a hospital ship and protected by the Hague conventions no evasive actions were taken. Without warning the submarine fired a torpedo which missed. The U-boat, U-33, came around again fired a torpedo from a distance of 30 feet, which hit near the engine room, breaking the ship into two pieces.

                                The Vperiod.

                                On the 8th July 1916, another Russian hospital ship, named Vperiod (Вперёд; also transcribed, French-style, as Vperiode) was sunk between Rizeh and Batum, allegedly by German U-boat U-38. The boat was not carrying wounded, as it was on its trip to the frontline. Seven people died, the rest were saved.

                                The Russian government claimed that Turkish forces sank the Portugal and the Vperiod. The Turkish government replied that both ships were sunk by mines.

                                Account of Sinking of SS Portugal.

                                The submarine approached the "Portugal" quietly and discharged a torpedo, which missed its aim. Then it circled round and discharged a second at the other side of the vessel, from some 30 or 40 feet away. This second torpedo struck the Portugal amidships, in the engine-room. There was a violent explosion; the hull broke in two, and most of those on board were precipitated into the whirlpool between the two halves. With a still more violent explosion the boilers blew up, and the bow and stern fragments of the "Portugal" went down simultaneously. Forty-five of the Red Cross staff were lost, twenty-one of whom were nurses. Twenty-one men were lost out of the Russian crew, and nineteen out of the French. Thus eighty-five of those on board perished altogether.

                                Here is an account of the outrage by one of the survivors—Nikolai Nikolaevitch Sabaev, secretary to the Russian Red Cross Society's Third Ambulance Detachment with the Army of the Caucasus:—

                                " At about 8 o'clock in the morning, somebody on board shouted out, 'submarine boat.' At first, this news did not produce any panic; on the contrary, everybody rushed on deck to be the first to see the submarine. It never entered anybody's head to suppose that a submarine would attack a hospital ship, sailing under the flag of the Red Cross. I went on to the upper deck, and noticed the periscope of a submarine, moving parallel with the steamer at a distance of about 170 or 200 feet. Having reached a point opposite to the middle of the 'Portugal,' the periscope disappeared for a short time, then reappeared, and the submarine discharged a torpedo. I descended from the upper deck, and ran to the stern, with the intention of jumping into the sea. When, however, I noticed that most of the people on deck had life-belts, I ran into saloon No. 5, seized a life-belt, and put it on, but then I fell down, as the 'Portugal' was sinking at the place where she was broken in two, while her stem and stern were going up higher all the time. All round me unfortunate sisters of mercy were screaming for help. They fell down, like myself, and some of them fainted. The deck became more down-sloping every minute, and I rolled off into the water between the two halves of the sinking steamer. I was drawn down deep into the whirlpool, and began to be whirled round and thrown about in every direction. While under the water, I heard a dull, rumbling noise, which was evidently the bursting of the boilers, for it threw me out of the vortex about a sazhen, or 7 feet, away from the engulfment of the wreck. The stem and stern of the steamer had gone up until they were almost at right angles with the water, and the divided steamer was settling down. At this moment I was again sucked under, but I exerted myself afresh, and once more rose to the surface. I then saw both portions of the 'Portugal' go down rapidly, and disappear beneath the flood. A terrible commotion of the water ensued, and I was dragged under, together with the 'Portugal.' I felt that I was going down deep, and for the first time I realized that I was drowning.

                                . . . My strength failed me, but I kept my mouth firmly shut, and tried not to take in the water. I knew that the moment of death from heart failure was near. It so happened, however, that the disturbance of the water somewhat abated, and I succeeded in swimming up again. I glanced round. The ' Portugal ' was no more. Nothing but broken pieces of wreck, boxes which had contained our medicaments, materials for dressing wounds, and provisions were floating about. Everywhere I could see the heads and arms of people battling with the waves, and their shrieks for help were frightful. . . . 8 or 9 sazhens (56 or 63 feet) away from where I was, I saw a life-saving raft, and I swam towards it. Although my soddened clothes greatly impeded my movements, I nevertheless reached the raft, and was taken on to it. About 20 persons were on it already, exclusively men. Amongst them was* the French mate, who assisted the captain of the ' Portugal, ' and he and I at once set about making a rudder out of two of the oars which were on the raft, and we placed an oarsman on each side of it. We had been going about 8 minutes when we saw the body of a woman floating motionless, and dressed in the garb of a sister of mercy. . . . We then raised her on to the raft. She was unconscious, quite blue, and with only feeble signs of life. . . . She at last opened her eyes and enquired where she was. I told her that she was saved. Soon, however, she turned pale, said she was dying, and gave me the address of her relatives, to inform them of her death. She began to spit blood, and was delirious, but gradually a better feeling returned, and she was soon out of danger. We went on rowing towards the shore for a considerable time. . . . At last a launch, towing a boat full of the rescued, took us also in tow, and we reached the shore in safety. The hospital ship 'Portugal' was painted white, with a red border, all around. The funnels were white with red crosses, and a Red Cross flag was on the mast. These distinguishing signs were plainly visible and there can be no doubt whatever that they could be perfectly well seen, by the men in the submarine. The conduct of the submarine itself proves that the men in it knew that they had to do with a hospital ship. The fact of the submarine having moved so slowly shows that the enemy was conscious of being quite out of danger."

                                30th March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Training under Squadron arrangements. Commanding Officer witnessed grouping practice by 'B' Squadron at 'C' Squadrons range. Regimental courses in Hotchkiss Gun & Pioneering continued under respective Officers as previous. Commanding Officer attending Conferences of Officers Commanding units in 2nd Cavalry Brigade at Brigade HQ on training. 1 Other Rank from Temporary Hospital 1 Other Rank from Base 1 Riding Horse to Veterinary Section

                                30th Mar 1916 Leeds Pals suffer first casualty in action  (Acting Sgt)Corporal Frank Bygott was the first Leeds Pal to be killed in Action. The battalion had arrived near Serre on 29th March. That evening he took part in a raid on German lines 250 yards to their front. During the return he received a fatal wound - from 'friendly MG fire.

                                30th Mar 1916  Heavy Thaw

                                30th Mar 1916  Under Heavy Bombardment

                                30th Mar 1916  Thunderstorm

                                30th Mar 1916  Change of Billets

                                30th Mar 1916  In Reserve

                                30th of March 1916  Rest and Work

                                30th March 1916  Open warfare exercise

                                30th March 1916  Snipers

                                30th of March 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                30th of March 1916  orders

                                30th Mar 1916  Aircraft

                                30th Mar 1916  Training

                                30th of March 1916  Large Shells Wanted

                                30th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Mar 1916  Quiet

                                30th of March 1916  A German MG Legs It

                                30th Mar 1916  Postings

                                30th Mar 1916  Route March

                                30th Mar 1916  Enemy Active

                                30th Mar 1916  Transfers

                                30th Mar 1916  In Billets

                                30th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Mar 1916  Engine Faileur

                                30th Mar 1916  Training

                                30th Mar 1916  Routine

                                30th March 1916  On the March

                                30th of March 1916  Mortars Active

                                30th Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                30th March 1916  The bath's at Reninghelst were placed at disposal of Battalion for the day.

                                30th Mar 1916 Working Parties  1 Coy from 7th Buffs are employed making tramway from Bray

                                30th March 1916  Flammenwerfer demonstrations

                                30th of March 1916   Some Fatigues

                                30th March 1916  Platoon training.

                                31st March 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency, Enemy artillery was very active today. Souchez, Carency and the slopes of Notre Dame de Lorette being shelled on and off throughout the day by 77mm, 4.2 & 5.9 guns. The 15th London Battery successfully experimented with visual signalling between the gun position and Battery Headquarters. The Group Observation Point on Notre Dame de Lorette is now ready for use. The ADVS inspected the horses of the 17th London Battery and the Brigade Ammunition Column.

                                31st March 1916  Training  9th Lancers in Billets, HQ Enquin. Squadron Ride with simple tactical scheme for all Squadrons on high ground immediately North of Enquin. Lecture on shoeing of horses by Captain Townsend Army Veterinary Corps to Officers, NCO's at Preures. Major R.E. Cecil left for Hesdigneul to take up duties of instructor at a course for Divisional Cavalry, 1st Army, under direction of General Officer Commanding 1st Cavalry Division.

                                31st Mar 1916  RMO Departs

                                31st Mar 1916  Town Bombed

                                  Siege of Kut al Amara

                                31st Mar 1916  Divisional Band Concert

                                31st Mar 1916  Negligence Punished

                                31st Mar 1916  Bravery Under Fire

                                31st Mar 1916  Route March

                                31st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                31st March 1916  Reports

                                31st March 1916  Lecture on March Discipline

                                March 1916  Report

                                31st of March 1916  Moves

                                31st of March 1916  Orders

                                31st of March 1916  Orders

                                31st Mar 1916  Aircraft

                                31st Mar 1916  Training

                                31st of March 1916  Artillery Active

                                31st of March 1916  Strengths

                                31st Mar 1916  Quiet

                                31st of March 1916  Orders

                                31st Mar 1916  Quiet

                                31st of March 1916  Busy Aircraft

                                31st Mar 1916  Report

                                31st Mar 1916  Report

                                31st Mar 1916  On the March

                                31st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                31st Mar 1916  Quiet

                                31st Mar 1916  In Billets

                                31st Mar 1916  Good Weather

                                31st Mar 1916  In Camp

                                31st Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                31st Mar 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                31st Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Mar 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Mar 1916  Reliefs

                                31st Mar 1916  Routine

                                31st March 1916  Supply Difficulies

                                31st Mar 1916   On the Move

                                31st of March 1916  5 Guns Hit

                                31st Mar 1916  Relief Completed

                                31st March 1916  Draft

                                31st March 1916  The rifles of "A", "B" & "C" Coys. were inspected by the Armourer Staff Sgt.

                                31st Mar 1916 Working Parties  1 Coy from 7th Buffs are employed making tramway from Bray. Signed. Frank Phillips Capt. Adj 7 Buffs

                                31st March 1916  Reliefs

                                31st March 1916  Working party

                                31st March 1916  Operational Order 72.

                                31st March 1916  In Camp

                                31st of March 1916  Fatigues

                                31st Mar 1916  On the Move

                                31st Mar 1916  In the Line

                                31st March 1916  Platoon training.

                                28th of March 1916  Orders

                                April 1916  New aerodrome

                                1st Apr 1916 Zeppelin Raid  Zeppelin L11 crossed the coast at Seaham, Co. Durham at 11.00 pm, dropping bombs on Eppleton Colliery, Hetton Downs, Philadelphia and Sunderland. Twenty one bombs were dropped at Sunderland causing severe damage to shops and houses and a tram at the Wheatsheaf Depot. 22 people were killed, with a further 25 seriously injured and over 100 suffered slight injuries. The Zeppelin L11 then headed south flying just off the coast and dropped further bombs on Port Clarence and Middlesborough, where 2 men were injured, and then on Brotton before heading out to sea after midnight.

                                1st Apr 1916 GRM Woolston opened  Government Rolling Mill Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire started in April 1916 for the Production of brass and cupro-nickel strips and cups. First output was Feb 1917. It was under the direct control of Mr. G.H. Robinson.

                                1st Apr 1916 GCF Blackheath opens.  Government Cartridge Factory Blackheath in Staffordshire was started in April 1916 for the production of small arms ammunition. First output was December 1916. It was under the direct control of the Birmingham Metal & Munitions Co.

                                1st Apr 1916 GCF Blackpole opens.  Government Cartridge Factory Blackpole, Worcester started in April 1916 for the production of small arms ammunition. First output was early 1917. It was under the direct control of the King's Norton Metal Co.

                                1st Apr 1916 HMEF Craigleith opens  H.M. Explosive Factory Craigleith, Edinburgh, started in April 1916 for the production of T.N.T. First output was Feb 1917. It was under the direct control of the Lothian Chemical Co.

                                1st April 1916 Transport Fired Upon  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. The 16th London Battery registered points behind the German front line from Lorette Observation Point. The Germans are still working hard on the Pimple. A British aeroplane was brought down by enemy anti aircraft guns at 1545 today. From 1900 onwards the enemy fired on our transport in Carency and east of Carency main roads.

                                1st April 1916 Railway Activity  

                                Water Tank Building on Candas-Acheux Railway.

                                16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Railway Candas to Acheux.

                                In addition to the ongoing work, evening entertainment was organised from 1900 to 2030. Cinematograph put in an appearance with a new programme of films each day. The Division was able to see itself on parade when it was reviewed by King George V on Hankley Common prior to its departure from England. Charlie Chaplin went down as a great favourite with the French children as well as the troops. Captain Paton, now the Battalion’s Chaplain, had been sent a Pathescope from friends in Londonderry, so cinema shows became more accessible than ever. The Battalion had with it for 3 days the Ulster Divisional Troupe, The Follies (later called The Merry Mauves) and thoroughly enjoyed its performance. There was also a Battalion smoking concert and a regimental minstrel group was formed.

                                Railway work continued with some changes in the location of companies and responsibilities of officers.

                                Captain Jewell (4 Company) was responsible for the terminus at Candas, for a new diamond crossing, for maintenance of the track and for all infantry working parties in the section.

                                Captain Shepperd (1 Company) which now moved out of Acheux, was responsible for the section from Rosel to Punchvillers and for infantry work parties.

                                Captain Platt (2 Company) which moved to Acheux was responsible for all buildings, signal boxes and platforms on the line.

                                No.3 Company (Captain Chase) which had been on detachment moved back to Battalion Headquarters.

                                Lt Dolling was in charge of all petrol pumps along the line and 2/Lt Slater after completion of a survey, was responsible for all steel tanks along the line.

                                With the Somme decision now official, as work continued on the railway, up to two companies at a time were sent off for battle indoctrination in the trenches to prepare them for their support role in the coming offensive.

                                1st April 1916  Inspection

                                April 1916 4th West Yorks man Tees Garrison  4th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment leave Redcar, moving a few miles north to West Hartlepool as part of the Tees Garrison in April 1916.

                                1st April 1916  Sunderland Attack

                                1st April 1916  Reserve positions

                                1st April 1916   No 42 Squadron formed at Filton on the 1st of April 1916. They proceeded to France in August 1916 for duties as a Corps reconnaissance unit equipped with BE2 aircraft.

                                1st April 1916 Inspection and recreation  9th Lancers

                                1st April 1916 - Billets Enquin - The CO inspected the Regimental Scouts at 0930 in work in the field. The 1st Cavalry Division Divisional Marathon Race was run. 2 Other ranks to temp hospital, 1 other rank from base hospital. Strength: Officers 29 ORs 603 Horses 510.

                                1st April 1916  Actions during 1916

                                1st Apr 1916  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                1st April 1916  On the Move

                                1st Apr 1916  Billets Shelled

                                1st Apr 1916  Rescue Attempt

                                1st April 1916 

                                1st Apr 1916  Football Match

                                1st Apr 1916  Hostile Shelling

                                1st Apr 1916  Instruction

                                1st April 1916  All Fools

                                1st Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st of April 1916  Relief begins

                                1st April 1916  Observation Points

                                1st of April 1916  Working Parties

                                1st April 1916  Training

                                1st April 1916  In Billets

                                1st Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                1st of April 1916  Moves

                                1st Apr 1916  On the March

                                1st of April 1916  Locations

                                1st of April 1916  Orders

                                1st Apr 1916  Training

                                1st of April 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Apr 1916  Reinforcements

                                1st April 1916  To France

                                1st Apr 1916  Quiet

                                1st of April 1916  A Letter Arrives

                                1st Apr 1916  Inspection

                                1st Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                1st April 1916  On the March

                                1st Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Apr 1916  Baths

                                1st Apr 1916  Maintenance

                                1st Apr 1916  In Camp

                                1st Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Apr 1916  On the March

                                1st Apr 1916  Orders Received

                                1st of April 1916   Change of Commander

                                1st April 1916  The Battalion marched to camp near Dicksbusch.

                                1st Apr 1916 In Reserve  7th Buffs are in Brigade Reserve at Suzanne

                                1st Apr 1916  Recce

                                1st April 1916  In Support

                                  Record

                                1st Apr 1916  Shelling

                                1st April 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Apr 1916  On the Move

                                1st of April 1916  Mining Shifts

                                1st Apr 1916   Defences

                                1st April 1916  Platoon training.

                                2nd April 1916 Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: Major Gordon DSO proceeded on a course of instruction at the First Army School at Aire. Lt Lucas takes over command of the 16th London Battery. Very little artillery activity from either side through out the day. At 1730 and 1900 one or two batteries to the south of Carency were very active. The DWR and DDVS 1st Army are to inspect the horses of this Brigade on the 3rd April.

                                2nd April 1916  Back Areas

                                2nd April 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd Apr 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieve 24th Btn CEF

                                2nd Apr 1916  On the March

                                2nd Apr 1916  Mine Explodes

                                2nd Apr 1916  Fine Billets

                                2nd Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd Apr 1916  Hostile Shelling

                                2nd April 1916 

                                2nd Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd of April 1916  Releif Complete

                                2nd April 1916  Church Service

                                2nd Apr 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd of April 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Apr 1916  Quiet

                                2nd Apr 1916  Quiet

                                2nd of April 1916  Front Expanded

                                2nd Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                2nd April 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Apr 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Apr 1916  Baths

                                2nd Apr 1916  Advance Party

                                2nd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Apr 1916  Engine Faileur

                                2nd Apr 1916  Working Party

                                2nd Apr 1916  On the March

                                2nd of April 1916   Combined Shoot

                                2nd Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd April 1916  Working & carrying parties

                                2nd Apr 1916 In Reserve  7th Buffs are in Brigade Reserve at Suzanne

                                2nd Apr 1916  Enemy Active

                                2nd Apr 1917  Heavy Snow

                                2nd Apr 1916  Attacks Made

                                2nd April 1916 

                                2nd April 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd April 1916  Operational Order No.73.

                                2nd of April 1916  Aeroplanes Active

                                2nd April 1916  Church Parade

                                3rd Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieved   16th Battalion Northumberland Fusilers relieved in front line. They spend the night at Bouzincourt then march to Pierregot for a perios of rest.

                                3rd April 1916 German Aeroplane Shot Down  6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force at Carency. Capt. Causland 2nd Household Division attached to the 17th London Battery returned to England. Lt. Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column was attached to the 15th London Battery. A quiet day with a hostile minenwerfer (mortar) active at about 0900. We retaliated apparently with effect. A German aeroplane was shot down in our lines about 1000. The 15th London Battery registered by aeroplane in the afternoon.

                                3rd April 1916  Inspection

                                3rd April 1916  inspections and training

                                3rd Apr 1916  Into the Trenches

                                4th Apr 1916  Relief Completed

                                3rd Apr 1916  Attempted Rescue

                                3rd Apr 1916  Canteen Fire

                                3rd Apr 1916   TRENCHES EAST OF AUCHONVILLIERS.

                                2000. 18th DLI vacated trenches, relieved by 12th Yorks & Lancs and moved into billets at BEAUSSART.

                                3rd Apr 1916 Reliefs  At 8pm 18th DLI vacated trenches east of Auchonvilliers being relieved by 12th Yorks & Lancs and returned to billets at Beaussart.

                                3rd Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Apr 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                3rd April 1916  Mortar demonstration

                                3rd Apr 1916  Snipers

                                3rd of April 1916  Orders

                                3rd Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd Apr 1916  Aircraft

                                3rd Apr 1916  Inspection

                                3rd of April 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Apr 1916  Shelling

                                3rd Apr 1916  Quiet

                                3rd of April 1916  Some Casualties at Mesnil

                                3rd Apr 1916  Training

                                3rd April 1916  Patrols

                                3rd Apr 1916  Inspection

                                3rd Apr 1916  Maintenance

                                3rd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Apr 1916  Aircraft Delivered

                                3rd Apr 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Apr 1916  Working Party

                                3rd Apr 1916  Relief Completed

                                3rd of April 1916  Hot Weather

                                3rd Apr 1916  Mist

                                3rd April 1916  Join the 121st Brigade

                                3rd April 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Apr 1916 Reliefs  3pm. 7th Buffs commenced to relieve 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector (S.E. of Maricourt) Relief delayed by presence of hostile observation balloon which overlooked Suzanne, Maricourt Valley. Relief completed by dark. Distribution of Battalion A and B. trenches. C, ‘R’ and ‘S’ works. D. Battalion Reserve

                                3rd Apr 1916  Shelling

                                3rd Apr 1916  Enemy Active

                                3rd April 1916  Artillery and Trench Mortar bombardment.

                                3rd of April 1916  Enemy Plane Down

                                3rd Apr 1916  Preparations

                                3rd April 1916  Company training,

                                4th Apr 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers march to Beauval  The 2nd Royal Fusilers left Coulon Villiers and marched to Beauval, then to Englebelmer.

                                4th April 1916 A Lot of Ammunition  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the 15th London Battery used a lot of ammunition today as arranged with infantry. It is reported that whenever we shell the Pimple, the Germans retaliate on Souchez. The light was again bad for observation. At about 1900 and 2000, the 16th Battery shelled the cross road next to Givenchy. Souchez was heavily shelled in the afternoon with 4.2 and 5.9 inch guns. At headquarters, the CORPS Commander (General Wilson) gave a lecture to officers.

                                4th April 1916  Quiet

                                4th Apr 1916 70th Infrantry Brigade prepare for battle  On the 4th April 1916, in preparation for the coming battle, the 8th Division moved up to the Le Boisselle-Thiepval sector, the 8th Battalion York & Lancaster occupying trenches to the left of the sector in front of Authuile Wood, periodically withdrawing to reserve at Albert. The ground occupied by the 8th Division was the most difficult of the whole front, no-man’s land being exceptionally wide and the attack of the 70th Brigade would have to be made beneath the southern spur of the Thiepval salient which was commanded in enfilade by the Germans.

                                4th April 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ67 (LZ97)

                                • Production Ref: LZ67
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ97
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 4th April 1916

                                History.

                                Completed 4 attacks on London (twice), Boulogne and, later, Bucharest, dropping a total of 5,760 kilograms (12,700 lb) of bombs, plus several unsuccessful flights due to bad weather. Decommissioned on the 5th July 1917.

                                4th April 1916  inspections and training

                                4th Apr 1916  Some Exitement

                                4th Apr 1916  A Spartan Camp

                                4th Apr 1916   18th DLI marched from Beaussart to Bus Les Artois.

                                4th Apr 1916  Brigadier's Address

                                4th Apr 1916  Mines Blown

                                4th of April 1916  Companies Relieved

                                4th April 1916  Steel helmets

                                4th April 1916  In Billets

                                4th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                4th of April 1916  Orders

                                4th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                4th of April 1916  Moves

                                4th Apr 1916  Musketry

                                4th of April 1916  In the Line

                                4th Apr 1916  Reinforcements

                                4th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Apr 1916  Route March

                                4th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                4th April 1916  Patrol

                                4th Apr 1916  Inspection

                                4th Apr 1916  Maintenance

                                4th Apr 1916  Advance Party

                                4th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                4th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                4 April 1916  On the March

                                4th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                4th Apr 1916  Under Fire

                                4th Apr 1916  Reorganisation

                                4th of April 1916   Quiet Day

                                4th Apr 1916  Trench Mortars

                                4th April 1916  Orders were received for move

                                4th Apr 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs

                                4th Apr 1916  Misty

                                4th April 1916  Reliefs

                                4th April 1916  Trench Work

                                4th April 1916  Company training.

                                5th April 1916 More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFAat Carency report 2/Lt Mason, 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, proceeded on a course at the mortar school at St Vincent. The day was more active and the enemy fired 5.9 inch guns this morning, evidently searching for R. Battery. The enemy stopped shelling immediately a British aeroplane approached their lines. Minenwerfer (small range mortars) and trench mortars were unusually active.

                                5th April 1916  Shelling

                                5th April 1916  Training courses

                                5th Apr 1916  Confined to Barracks

                                5th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                5th Apr 1916  Mines Blown

                                5th Apr 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                5th April 1916  Open warfare scheme

                                5th April 1916  In Billets

                                5th of April 1916  Orders

                                5th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                5th of April 1916  Orders

                                5th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                5th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Apr 1916  In Billets

                                5th of April 1916  St Pierre Divion Shelled

                                5th Apr 1916  Training

                                5th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                5th April 1916  Shelling

                                5th Apr 1916  Baths

                                5th Apr 1916  Maintenance

                                5th Apr 1916  On the March

                                5th Apr 1916  Training

                                5th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                5th Apr 1916  Loading

                                5th Apr 1916  Relief Complete

                                5th of April 1916   TMs Active

                                5th Apr 1916  Trench Mortars

                                5th April 1916  New billets

                                5th Apr 1916 Quiet  Very quiet day for 7th Buffs

                                5th Apr 1916  Shelling

                                5th of April 1916   Quiet Day

                                5th of May 1916   Work Parties Out

                                5th April 1916  Battalion & Company training.

                                6th April 1916 Hostile Artillery Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Hostile artillery much more active today, at 1145 the enemy shelled our front line with light & heavy trench mortars and 4.2 inch guns. This lasted for about a quarter of an hour. At 1415 the enemy put about 30 4.2 inch shells on the Carency - Souchez road at a very quick rate. Our artillery again carried out an organised strafe in conjunction with the grenade & trench mortars fire of our own infantry. Nothing else reported today.

                                6th April 1916  Visit

                                6th Apr 1916 7th Inniskillings to rest area  7th Inniskillings move to Rest area at Philosophe East.

                                6th April 1916 Squadron training  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                6th April 1916 - Billets Enquin - Lt LCP Smith admitted to hospital. Training under squadron arrangements - completion of NCOs Hotchkiss rifle course and examination. 1 OR to temp hospital and 1 OR from temp hospital.

                                6th Apr 1916  All in Ruins

                                6th Apr 1916  Running the Baths

                                6th Apr 1916  Preparations for Shoot

                                6th Apr 1916  Mines Blown

                                6th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                6th of April 1916  Night "Stand To"

                                6th April 1916  Physical training course

                                6th April 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Apr 1916  Patrol

                                6th of April 1916  Orders

                                6th Apr 1916  Route March

                                6th Apr 1916  Working Parties & Baths

                                6th Apr 1916  Training

                                6th of April 1916  14th RIR Hold Their Front

                                6th Apr 1916  Training

                                6th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                6th Apr 1916  Change of Billets

                                6th Apr 1916  On the March

                                6th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                6th Apr 1916  Reorganisation

                                6th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                6th Apr 1916  Enemy Active

                                6th of April 1916  Hazy Day

                                6th April 1916  Marching order inspection

                                6th Apr 1916 Quiet  Very quiet day for 7th Buffs. Enemy shelled ‘S’ works slightly but did no damage

                                6th Apr 1916  Reorganisation

                                6th April 1916  Deepening Fire and Communications Trenches.

                                6th of April 1916  Fatigues

                                6th Apr 1916  Officers Wounded

                                6th April 1916  Received Order for Divisional Training.

                                7th April 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Lyon Smith returned today after 10 days leave, 2/Lt Davies 16th London Battery returned to duty after seven days leave. The whole day was very quiet, there being thankfully no hostile shelling. In the morning between 0800 and 0900 hostile trench mortars bombarded our support line. Between 1715 and 1800 Light High Velocity guns bombarded Souchez. Later bombardment with 5.9s on A.18.d and S.13.b at all support roads or communication trenches. All together about 220 rounds were fired. The battery 8th Jan tested their guns today. [comment: last sentence unclear as the only additional battery apart from 15,16 and 17 in brigade is 176 battery attached as part of Lowe Group. Subsequent entry on 21st April 1916 possibly identifies this as R8 London Battery)

                                7th April 1916  Move

                                7th April 1916  GOC Inspection

                                7th April 1916   Three Germans approached the front line of the 24th Battalion. Two escaped,But the other, a 21 year old Prussian,of the 230th Regiment, was captured by 24/1151 Private John Connolly from Millburngate Durham, assisted by other Durham men of D Company. He was the first prisoner taken by the Battalion and the Brigade. Word of this spread quickly through the ranks.

                                7th Apr 1916  Shoot

                                7th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                7th April 1916 

                                7th Apr 1916  Mine Blown

                                7th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                7th April 1916  Conference

                                7th April 1916  Rear guard scheme of attack

                                7th April 1916  Holding the Line

                                7th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Apr 1916  Relief

                                7th Apr 1916  Accident

                                7th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Apr 1916  Training

                                7th of April 1916  Minenwerfer Silenced

                                7th Apr 1916  Training

                                7th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                7th April 1916  Appointment

                                7th Apr 1916  Instruction

                                7th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Apr 1916  On the March

                                7th Apr 1916  Fire

                                7th of April 1916  Cold Day

                                7th April 1916  Commanding Officer inspected "A" Coy in marching order

                                7th Apr 1916 Reliefs  Very quiet day, C Coy relieved A Coy, 7th Buffs and D Coy relieved B Coy, A Coy to R and S Works, B Coy, Battalion Reserve

                                7th Apr 1916  Training

                                7th April 1916  Artillery Fire

                                7th of April 1916  Slight Shelling

                                7th April 1916  March from Lillers

                                8th April 1916 Hostile Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Barnard returned from a course at Litres. Hostile artillery quiet owing to the activity of our aeroplanes. The Group Observation Point had some 5.9s fall near it in the afternoon. 17th London Battery registered in the afternoon and while this registration lasted, the enemy retaliated on Notre Dame with 5.9s.

                                8th April 1916  Exercise and inspections

                                8th Apr 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved by 6th Btn.

                                8th Apr 1916  Dandy 9th only 15 yards from Enemy

                                8th Apr 1916   126th Siege Battery, R.G.A. were formed at Sheerness on the 8th April 1916.

                                8th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                8th Apr 1916  A Lively Day on the Canal

                                8th Apr 1916  Into the Trenches

                                8th Apr 1916  Accident

                                8th Apr 1916  Enemy Mine Fired

                                8th April 1916  Weather Fine

                                8th April 1916  Route March

                                8th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Apr 1916  Shelling

                                8th Apr 1916  Aircraft

                                8th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                8th of April 1916  Artillery Active

                                8th Apr 1916  Training

                                8th of April 1916  A Balmy Day

                                8th Apr 1916  Relief

                                8th April 1916  Clerical Duties

                                8th April 1916  Concert

                                8th Apr 1916  Soldier's Tragic Death at Weston.

                                8th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Apr 1916  Appeal Against Non Combatant Service

                                8th Apr 1916  Reinforcements

                                8th Apr 1916  Relief Complete

                                8th Apr 1916  Advance Party

                                8th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Apr 1916  In Defence

                                8th Apr 1916  Advance Party

                                8th Apr 1916  Snipers

                                8th of April 1916  German Mine Explodes

                                8th April 1916  Training in rest billets.

                                8th Apr 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs Slight shelling of ‘S’ works, Our guns active against enemy trenches about ‘Y’ wood and Peronne Road

                                8th Apr 1916  Training

                                8th April 1916  Schedule 28th April 1916

                                8th April 1916  Quiet

                                8th April 1916  Operational Order No. 74.

                                8th of April 1916   Aitcraft on Fire

                                8th April 1916  Battalion practiced in attack

                                9th April 1916  On the Move

                                9th April 1916 Artillery More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Lucas 16th London Battery wounded by a premature shell from R.8 -----. Major Gordon proceeded on 10 days leave of absence to England. Major Clifton 17th London Battery proceeded to Aire for a course at the First Army School. Our own and hostile artillery were more active today. Our front line trenches were shelled with 4.2s and a heavy minenwerfer (mortar). Our batteries fired many rounds in retaliation at the request of the infantry. They seem satisfied with the result.

                                9th April 1916  Training

                                9th April 1916  On the Move

                                9th April 1916  Church Parade

                                9th Apr 1916  Reinforcements

                                9th Apr 1916  Voluntary Service

                                9th Apr 1916  Attack Made

                                9th Apr 1916  Inspection

                                9th Apr 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                9th April 1916  Shelling

                                9th April 1916  German Flamethrower demonstration

                                9th April 1916  Quiet

                                9th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                9th Apr 1916  On the March

                                9th of April 1916  Registration

                                9th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                9th of April 1916  Enemy Active

                                9th of April 1916  Aggressive Patrols

                                9th Apr 1916  Sunday

                                9th Apr 1916  Reserve

                                9th Apr 1916  Training

                                9th Apr 1916  Maintenance

                                9th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                9th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                9th Apr 1916  Defence Work

                                9th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Apr 1916  Training

                                9th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                9th of April 1916  Several TM Duals

                                9th April 1916  During the day men in camp resting.

                                9th Apr 1916 Some Shelling  7th Buffs report, 9.30 pm To 10.30 pm Slight hostile shelling of left of Subsector Enemy shelled Suzanne, Maricourt Road

                                9th Apr 1916  Training

                                9th April 1916  In Support

                                9th April 1916  Gas Alert cancelled.

                                9th April 1916  Operational Order No.75.

                                9th of April 1916   Fatigue Work

                                9th April 1916  Battalion part of advance guard

                                10th April 1916 Bombardment and Retailiation  6th County of London Brigade RFA by Carency report The Pimple was bombarded with heavy & light guns. At first the affect did not seem good, but later on many good hits were obtained. This was in conjunction with a bombardment by the 23rd Division which seemed very effective. The enemy retaliated for the bombardment of the Pimple by shelling the Souchez valley with 4.2s. (4.2 inch guns).

                                10th April 1916 Ongoing training and inspections  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                10th April 1916 - Billets Enquin - Training under squadron arrangements in the morning. Musketry, Hotchkiss rifle and bombing courses in the afternoon. 2/Lt HA Porter returned from hospital. 2 ORs to temp hospital.

                                10th April 1916   The Tyneside Irish Brigade was to be withdrawn from the line to begin preparing for the coming Summer offensive. They began handing over the line to battalions from 2nd Australian Division arriving in France from Gallipoli via Egypt. Home leave to England had now started and some lucky Officers and men managed to get home for a few days leave.

                                10th Apr 1916  Dangerous Terrain

                                10th Apr 1916  Aeroplane Co-operation

                                10th Apr 1916  Attack Made

                                10th Apr 1916  Baths

                                10th Apr 1916  A Long Journey

                                10th Apr 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                10th of April 1916  Working with RE

                                10th April 1916  Front Line Trenches

                                10th April 1916  Divisional band formation

                                10th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                10th Apr 1916  Aircraft

                                10th Apr 1916  Training

                                10th of April 1916  Ammunition

                                10th Apr 1916  Football

                                10th of April 1916  Busy

                                10th of April 1916  German Guns Busy

                                10th Apr 1916  Training

                                10th Apr 1916  Reserve

                                10th Apr 1916  Attachment

                                10th Apr 1916  Re;iefs

                                10th Apr 1916  Advance Party

                                10th Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                10th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                10th Apr 1916  Awards

                                10th of April 1916   Hostile TMs Active

                                10th April 1916  In Rest billets

                                10th Apr 1916 Quiet  Weather misty, quiet day for 7th Buffs.

                                10th Apr 1916  Inspection

                                10th April 1916  Jackets withdrawn

                                10th of April 1916  Artillery Quiet

                                10th of May 1916  Cleaning Up

                                10th April 1916  Battalion training

                                11th April 1916 Trench Mortars Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: Capt Corsan 15th London Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. Lt Corsan 6th Lon Brigade Ammunition Column is attached to 17th London Battery. Hostile artillery very quiet except for trench mortars which were very active between 1815 and 1850. We replied with some rounds of shrapnel and High Explosive.

                                11th April 1916  Camoflet

                                11th April 1916  Training

                                11th April 1916  Training and courses

                                11th Apr 1916  Trying for a Mascot

                                11th Apr 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                11th Apr 1916  Parades & Baths

                                11th Apr 1916  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                11th April 1916  Quiet

                                11th April 1916  Fine weather

                                11th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                11th Apr 1916  Training

                                11th of April 1916  Shelling

                                11th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Apr 1916  Training

                                11th of April 1916  Germans Seen Ploughing

                                11th Apr 1916  Wet Day

                                11th Apr 1916  Reserve

                                11th Apr 1916  Recce

                                11th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                11th Apr 1916  Exchange

                                11th Apr 1916  Orders

                                11th Apr 1916  On the March

                                11th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                11th of April 1916   Camouflet Blown

                                11th April 1916  Usual parades & training in rest billets.

                                11th Apr 1916 Reliefs  7th Buffs relieved by 7th Queens Commencing 7 am. Weather turned very cold and wet

                                11th Apr 1916  Training

                                11th April 1916  Working parties

                                11th of April 1916   New Billets

                                12th April 1916 Trenches Heavily Shelled in Evening  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report hostile artillery very quiet until about 1730 in the evening when our trenches were rather heavily shelled with 4.2s and trench mortars. Our batteries fired in retaliation. Nothing else to report.

                                12th April 1916  Reliefs

                                12th April 1916  Training courses

                                12th Apr 1916  Gun Drill

                                12th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                12th Apr 1916  Fever Stricken

                                12th Apr 1916  Staff Officers Visit

                                12th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                12th of April 1916  Transfer of Command

                                12th April 1916  Quiet

                                12th April 1916  Parade cancelled

                                12th April 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                12th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                12th Apr 1916  Bad Weather

                                12th of April 1916  Orders

                                12th Apr 1916  Shelling

                                12th Apr 1916  On the March

                                12th of April 1916  A Quiet Day

                                12th Apr 1916  Demonstration

                                12th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Apr 1916  Emplacements

                                12th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                12th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                12th Apr 1916  In Camp

                                12th Apr 1916  On the March

                                12th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                12th of April 1916  House Demolished

                                12th April 1916  Usual day in billets

                                12th Apr 1916 In Reserve  7th Buffs remained in billets as Brigade Reserve at Suzanne and was employed finding working parties, practically 3 Companies being detailed daily, At 2 am on 13th enemy shelled Suzanne with lachrymatory shells for one hour doing no damage

                                12th Apr 1916  Training

                                12th April 1916  Cleaning billets.

                                12th of April 1916  On the March

                                12th April 1916  Battalion training in Attack

                                13th April 1916 Observation Light Good  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Light for observation very good all day. Very little shelling all day except from 1800 to 1845, when the division on our right were heavily bombarded by the enemy. All leave for 1st Army stopped, all officers and men on leave to return to this country by 17th of this month. 2/Lt Masson returned from the Trench Mortar Course.

                                13th April 1916  Training courses

                                13th Apr 1916  Into the Front Line

                                13th Apr 1916  Sandstorm

                                13th Apr 1916  Aircraft Active

                                13th Apr 1916  Training

                                13th Apr 1916  Craters

                                13th April 1916  Bombardment

                                13th April 1916  Tours

                                13th April 1916  Company training

                                13th to 18th April 1916  Training

                                13th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                13th of April 1916  Under Shellfire

                                13th Apr 1916  Enemy Active

                                13th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                13th of April 1916  Still Quiet

                                13th Apr 1916  Musketry

                                13th Apr 1916  Wet Weather

                                13th Apr 1916  Training

                                13th Apr 1916  Gun into Position

                                13th Apr 1916  Bombardment

                                13th Apr 1916  In Camp

                                13th Apr 1916  On the March

                                13th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Apr 1916   Equipment

                                13th of April 1916  Brigade Relief

                                13th April 1916  Usual day in billets

                                13th Apr 1916  Training

                                13th April 1916  Battalion in billets

                                13th April 1916  Reliefs

                                13th of April 1916  Cleaning Day

                                13th April 1916  Musketry & Bayonet Fighting.

                                14th April 1916 Loos Pylon Collapses  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Very little hostile shelling all day. Between 1130 and 1200, the northern of the Loos Pylons together with the bridge connecting it to the Southern Pylon collapsed. Nothing else to report.

                                14th April 1916  Reorganisation

                                14th April 1916 Entrainment to Heilly  42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                The battery moved by train to Heilly in the Somme area.

                                14th April 1916  Training courses

                                14th Apr 1916  Accidental Wounding

                                14th Apr 1916  Officers join 7th Northumberlands

                                14th Apr 1916  Fishing

                                14th Apr 1916  Field Gun Targetted

                                14th Apr 1916  Craters

                                14th April 1916  Command

                                14th April 1916  Leave stopped

                                14th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                14th Apr 1916  Aircraft

                                14th Apr 1916  Musketry

                                14th of April 1916  Shelling

                                14th Apr 1916  Enemy Active

                                14th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of April 1916  MG Fire at Night

                                14th Apr 1916  Inspection

                                14th Apr 1916  Wet Weather

                                14th Apr 1916  Training

                                14th Apr 1916  Ammunition

                                14th Apr 1916  Change of Billets

                                14th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Apr 1916  Advance Party

                                14th Apr 1916  On the March

                                14th Apr 1916  Shelling

                                14th Apr 1916  Reorganisation

                                14th Apr 1916   Reorganisation

                                14th of April 1916  MGs Relieved

                                14th April 1916  Commanding Officer inspected all Companies

                                14th Apr 1916  Training

                                14th April 1916  Working Parties.

                                14th of April 1916  Drills and Parades

                                14th April 1916  Battalion training continued.

                                15th April 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Major Clifton returned from First Army Artillery course at Aire. All day was very quiet nothing to report.

                                15th April 1916  Training Squadron formed

                                15th April 1916   SM U-64

                                Type U 63 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 248) Ordered 17 May 1915 Laid down 19 May 1915 Launched 29 Feb 1916 Commissioned 15 Apr 1916

                                Commanders.
                                15 Apr 1916 - 17 Jun 1918 Robert Moraht.

                                Career 10 patrols 31 May 1916 - 19 Nov 1916 IV Flotilla 19 Nov 1916 - 17 Jun 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

                                Successes 45 ships sunk with a total of 129,569 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 9,420 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 186 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 18,300 tons.

                                • 25 Sep 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht Bella 11 br
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht Loch Ryan (prize) 186 br
                                • 10 Nov 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht Freja 2,168 da
                                • 10 Nov 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht Tripel 4,633 nw
                                • 15 Nov 1916 U 64 Robert Moraht F. Matarazzo 2,823 br
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Hawk 243 br
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Okement 4,349 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Asturian (damaged) 3,193 br
                                • 19 Feb 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Corso 3,242 br
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Nina M. 117 it
                                • 16 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Catania 3,188 it
                                • 17 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Tripoli 658 it
                                • 19 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Danton 18,300 fr
                                • 23 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Eptalofos 4,413 br
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Berbera 4,352 br
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Immacolata 137 it
                                • 5 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Kallundborg 1,590 br
                                • 6 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Oriana 1,015 ar
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Mama Filomena 148 it
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Fert 5,567 it
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Gratangen 2,484 nw
                                • 12 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Moreni 4,045 am
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht La Giuseppina 28 it
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Nuovo Mondo Carmelo 25 it
                                • 12 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Gisla 2,118 nw
                                • 12 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Urd 3,049 br
                                • 12 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Wilmore 5,395 am
                                • 14 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Amiral De Kersaint 5,570 fr
                                • 14 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Ausonia 1,438 it
                                • 14 Sep 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Chulmleigh 4,911 br
                                • 19 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht War Clover 5,174 br
                                • 25 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Erviken 2,134 nw
                                • 25 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Ness 3,050 br
                                • 25 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Sheaf Blade 2,378 br
                                • 26 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Le Tarn 1,658 fr
                                • 28 Oct 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Ferrona 4,591 br
                                • 9 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Adour 1,940 nw
                                • 10 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Crathorne 2,619 nw
                                • 10 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Owasco 4,630 am
                                • 11 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht D. A. Gordon 2,301 br
                                • 11 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Minorca 1,145 br
                                • 14 Dec 1917 U 64 Robert Moraht Coila 4,135 br
                                • 30 Jan 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Minnetonka 13,528 br
                                • 4 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Participation 2,438 it
                                • 5 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Caprera 1,875 it
                                • 6 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Duca Di Genova 7,893 it
                                • 7 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Montenegro (damaged) 1,306 fr
                                • 8 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Agnese Madre 235 it
                                • 8 Feb 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Emma Felice 128 it
                                • 17 Jun 1918 U 64 Robert Moraht Kandy (damaged) 4,921 br

                                Fate 17 Jun 1918 - Damaged by Depth Charges from HMS Lychnis, she surfaced and received a hail of fire until sinking at 38.07N 10.27E. 38 dead and 5 survivors.

                                There was another U 64 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 20 Sep 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 16 Dec 1939.

                                15th April 1916   No 37 Squadron formed as an experimental unit at the Experimental Station Orfordness on the 15th of April 1916 but it was absorbed by the station in May and lost its squadron status.

                                15th April 1916   No.43 Squadron was formed at Stirling on 15 April 1916 and began training in a variety of obsolete aircraft. In August the Squadron was considered ready for operations and moved to Netheravon to await delivery of their operational aircraft - the Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter reconnaissance aircraft. Squadron Commander Sholto Douglas was sent to France for flying experience in the Sopwith with 63 Squadron. However on his return he found his pilots had all been drafted into other Squadrons and his new aircraft had not yet arrived. Consequently he had to begin recruitment and training again.

                                15th April 1916  Training courses

                                Mid April 1916  Squadron Formed

                                15th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                15th Apr 1916  Native Animals

                                15th April 1916 

                                15th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Apr 1916  Mines Blown

                                15th April 1916  Aircraft Down

                                15th April 1916  Drill competion

                                15th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                15th April 1916  Home Defence Squadron formed

                                15th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                15th of April 1916  Enemy Artillery

                                15th of April 1916  Orders

                                15th Apr 1916  Under Shellfire

                                15th of April 1916  Orders

                                15th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                15th of April 1916  Patrols Draw a Blank

                                15th Apr 1916  Training

                                15th Apr 1916  Wet Weather

                                15th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                15th Apr 1916  Baths

                                15th Apr 1916  On the March

                                15th Apr 1916  In Billets

                                15th Apr1916  Defence Work

                                15th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                15th of April 1915   Camouflet Exploded

                                15th April 1916  Companies and Sub-Units at the disposal of their commanders

                                15th Apr 1916  Change of Command

                                15th April 1916  Platoon and Company drill.

                                15th of April 1916  Training

                                15th April 1916  Inspection Inf. Bde.

                                16th April 1916 Shelling and Retaliation  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Brigade headquarters moved from Moulin Topaz to Bois de la Haie. Hostile artillery very active between 1630 and 1700 when the trenches between Souchez village and the front line were heavily shelled with Light High Velocity and 4.2 inch guns. We retaliated.

                                16th April 1916  Church Service and Sports

                                16th Apr 1916  Officers join 7th Northumberlands

                                16th Apr 1916  The Fly Catcher

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft Active

                                16th Apr 1916  Enemy Active

                                16th April 1916  Visit

                                16th April 1916  Col Attenborough returns

                                16th Apr 1916  Shelling

                                16th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                16th Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                16th of April 1916  Artillery Shoot

                                16th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                16th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                16th of April 1916  Enemy Quietened by Our Artillery

                                16th Apr 1916  Inspections

                                16th Apr 1916  Wet Weather

                                16th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                16th Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Apr 1916  Instruction

                                16th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                16th of April 1916  DCLI CO Killed

                                16th April 1916  Divine Service

                                16th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                16th April 1916  Draft arrived

                                16th of April 1916  Church Parades

                                16th April 1916  15th Division on G.H.Q. Reserve

                                17th April 1916 Motor and Rifle Grenade Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA. at Carency. Major Gordon DSO OC. 15th London Battery returned from leave to England. The front line trenches were subjected to one and a half hours of trench mortar & rifle grenade shelling. It was noticeable today that whenever we fired on the Pimple, the enemy retaliated with mortars & rifle grenades. A fire was seen to break out in a house in Lens at about 1830.

                                17th April 1916  Reinforcements

                                17th April 1916  In action

                                17th April 1916  GOC Inspection

                                17th Apr 1916  Gun Drill

                                17th Apr 1916  At Rest

                                17th Apr 1916  All Quiet

                                17th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                17th April 1916  Artillery Active

                                17th April 1916  Class for junior NCO`s started

                                17th Apr 1916  Wet

                                17th April 1916  Home on Leave

                                17th April 1916  Grateful

                                17th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                17th of April 1916  Orders

                                17th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Apr 1916  Into Camp

                                17th of April 1916  Enemy Sap-Head Bombed

                                17th Apr 1916  Visit

                                17th April 1916  Leave

                                17th Apr 1916  Wet Weather

                                17th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                17th Apr 1916  Training

                                17th Apr 1916  Ammunition

                                17th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                17th Apr 1916  Easter Leave

                                17th of April 1916  Weekly Conference

                                17th April 1916  Usual parades & training in rest billets.

                                17th Apr 1916  Training

                                17th April 1916  Working party

                                17th of April 1916   Bath Time

                                17th Apr 1916  Reorganisation

                                17th April 1916  Battalion training

                                18th April 1916 Enemy Artillery Quiet  6th County of London Brigade RFA report enemy artillery was very quiet all day as observation conditions were not good.

                                18th April 1916 Ongoing training  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                18th April 1916 - Billets Enquin - Exercise, musketry and bombing under squadron arrangements. The second Hotchkiss gun class commenced under the Adjutant. 1 OR to Base hospital and 4 horses to MVS.

                                18th Apr 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved by 6th Btn.

                                18th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                18th Apr 1916  Gun Drill

                                18th Apr 1916  All Quiet

                                18th Apr 1916  Bathing

                                18th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                18th April 1916  Company training

                                18th Apr 1916  Reinforcements

                                18th Apr 1916  Aircraft

                                18th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                18th of April 1916  Shelling

                                18th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                18th Apr 1916  Training

                                18th of April 1916  Artillery Active

                                18th Apr 1916  Demonstration

                                18th Apr 1916  Wet Weather

                                18th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                18th Apr 1916  Defence Work

                                18th Apr 1916  On the March

                                18th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                18th of April 1916   Redoubt Damaged

                                18th April 1916  Lecture on bayonet fighting by Capt. Gordon

                                18th Apr 1916  Training

                                18th April 1916  Ceremonial Parade under C.O.

                                18th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                18th of April 1916  Very Wet Weather

                                18th April 1916  Lectures in the evening,

                                19th April 1916 Trench Mortars Fire  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Enemy Trench Mortar active at about 1520. We retaliated with 18 pounders and 4.5 inch Howitzers, the enemy stopped at once. At 1825 our trench mortars bombarded the enemy front line and the effect appeared to be very satisfactory.

                                19th April 1916  Commanders

                                19th April 1916 Return to billets  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                19th Apr - The Battery returned to Ergny.

                                28th Apr - Second Lieutenant W Wright RFA joined the battery on this day vice Second Lieutenant Dewing posted to the Ammunition Column 2nd Cavalry Division

                                19th April 1916  Training and inspections

                                19th Apr 1916  Reinforcements

                                19th Apr 1916  Gun Drill

                                19th April 1916  Squadron Formed

                                19th Apr 1916  Under Shellfire

                                19th Apr 1916  Bathing

                                19th April 1916  Into Action

                                19th April 1916  Extended order drill

                                19th April 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                19th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                19th of April 1916 

                                19th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                19th Apr 1916  Training

                                19th of April 1916  Enemy Out in Force

                                19th Apr 1916  Training

                                19th Apr 1916  Wet Weather

                                19th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                19th Apr 1916  Defence Work

                                19th Apr 1916  In Billets

                                19th of April 1916  Arras Shelled

                                19th April 1916  The G.O.C. 3rd Division ( Major General Holdane ) inspected the Battalion

                                19th Apr 1916 Reliefs  Commencing 6 am 7th Buffs relieved 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector Relief complete, Distribution A and B trenches, C Coy Bn Reserve, D Coy ‘S’ works, Weather very wet and trenches very muddy. Note- ‘R’ works Has now been taken over by Battalion holding Y 2 subsector

                                19th Apr 1916  Training

                                19th April 1916  Inspection

                                19th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                19th of April 1916  Smoke Bomb Class

                                19th April 1916  Preparing for G.O.C's inspection.

                                20th April 1916 Intermittent Enemy Shelling  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2nd Lt Tomb, 6th London Ammunition Column is attached to the 17th London Battery and 2nd Lt Corsan 6th London Ammunition Column who was attached to the 15th London Battery returned to his unit. The enemy shelled the Zouave Valley and Notre Dame de Lorette slopes intermittently all day. At 1825 the enemy exploded a mine on the left front of the Division on our right.

                                20th Apr 1916 U-9 joins Training Flotilla  SM U-9 commanded by Johannes Spieß transfers from the Baltic Flotilla to the Training Flotilla.

                                20th April 1916   SM U-78

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 60) Ordered 9 Mar 1915 Launched 27 Feb 1916 Commissioned 20 Apr 1916

                                Commanders.
                                20 Apr 1916 - 15 Jan 1918 Otto Dröscher.
                                16 Jan 1918 - 31 Jan 1918 Karl Thouret.
                                1 Feb 1918 - 27 Feb 1918 Oblt. Johann Vollbrecht.
                                1 Mar 1918 - 26 Apr 1918 Karl Vesper.
                                27 Apr 1918 - 24 May 1918 Wilhelm Meyer.
                                25 May 1918 - 27 Oct 1918 Oblt. Johann Vollbrecht

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                9 Jul 1916 - 27 Oct 1918 I Flotilla

                                Successes 17 ships sunk with a total of 27,488 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 11,332 tons.
                                2 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,427 tons.

                                • 16 Jul 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Vidar (prize) 2,178 sw
                                • 5 Aug 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Aranda 1,838 nw
                                • 2 Sep 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Kelvinia 5,039 br
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Loch Shiel 216 br
                                • 21 Oct 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Atle Jarl (prize) 1,249 nw
                                • 16 Nov 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Vega 1,204 nw
                                • 13 Dec 1916 U 78 Otto Dröscher Kursk (damaged) 7,869 ru
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Väring 2,107 sw
                                • 13 Feb 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Barnsley 144 br
                                • 15 Feb 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Stralsund 510 nw
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Meldon 2,514 br
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Sagitta 1,981 nw
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Tithonus (damaged) 3,463 br
                                • 4 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Vladimir Reitz 2,128 da
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Bris 101 da
                                • 7 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Jason 810 br
                                • 13 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Strathcona 1,881 ca
                                • 14 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Andromache 313 br
                                • 19 Apr 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Lobelia 184 br
                                • 17 Jun 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Fornebo 4,259 br
                                • 13 Dec 1917 U 78 Otto Dröscher Arnewood 2,259 br

                                Fate 27 Oct 1918 - Torpedoed by HM Sub G2 N of North Sea at 5602N 0508E. 40 dead (all hands lost). The commonly listed sinking date of October 28, 1918 is in error.

                                There was another U 78 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 7 Dec 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Feb 1941.

                                20th April 1916  Training and relief party

                                20th Apr 1916  In Cairo

                                20th Apr 1916   At 5.45pm 18th DLI proceeded from Bus Les Artois to front line trenches where they took over from 11th East Yorks.

                                20th Apr 1916  Under Shellfire

                                20th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                20th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                20th of April 1916  New Position

                                20th April 1916  NCOs Lectured

                                20th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                20th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                20th of April 1916  Explosion

                                20th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                20th of April 1916  Orders

                                20th Apr 1916  Training

                                20th of April 1916  Unit Moves

                                20th Apr 1916  Billets

                                20th Apr 1916  Very Wet

                                20th Apr 1916  Training

                                20th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                20th Apr 1916  Defence Work

                                20th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Apr 1916  Battery HQ Moves

                                20th Apr 1916  In Billets

                                20th Apr 1916  Posting

                                20th of April 1916  Arras Again Shelled

                                20th April 1916  Battalion received Orders to move to La Clytte

                                20th Apr 1916 Rain  Wet weather continued. 7th Buffs report trenches in bad state Enemy bombarded centre of subsector intensely for 2 minutes with 77 mm and 10.5 cm, not much damage done and no casualties

                                20th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Apr 1916  Training

                                20th April 1916  On the Move

                                20th of April 1916  Route March

                                20th Apr 1916  Advance Party

                                20th April 1916  Wiring, Bombing & Drill.

                                21st Apr 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers at Auchonvillers  The 2nd Royal Fusilers arrived at Auchonvillers and were engaged in trench work at Beaumont Hamel.

                                21st April 1916 Enemy Artillery Very Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. The enemy artillery were very active today. 16th London Battery and R 8th London Battery were heavily shelled with 5.9 inch guns. One man in R Battery was killed otherwise no damage was done, though the shells dropped all around the batteries. At about 1450 5.9 and 4.2 inch guns were fired on these two positions.

                                21st April 1916  Good Friday

                                21st Apr 1916  Seeing the Sights

                                21st Apr 1916  Under Shellfire

                                21st Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                21st Apr 1916  Outpost

                                21st of April 1916  Adjutant Returns

                                21st April 1916  Good Friday

                                21st April 1916  Quiet

                                21st Apr 1916  Enemy Active

                                21st Apr 1916  Aircraft

                                21st Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of April 1916  Support Line

                                21st Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                21st of April 1916  Enemy TMs Successful

                                21st Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Apr 1916  Very Wet

                                21st Apr 1916  Reinforcements

                                21st Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                21st Apr 1916  Church Parade

                                21st Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Apr 1916  Position

                                21st Apr 1916  In Billets

                                21st Apr 1916  Reorganisation

                                21st of April 1916   TMs Silence Enemy

                                21st April 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Apr 1916 Bombardment  12 noon Another intense bombardment lasting about 3 minutes with 77 mm and 10.5 cm Enemy again bombarded subsector as yesterday, Damage done to New Street and King Street. 4.30 pm Two killed and two wounded in B Coy, 7th Buffs by second bombardment, Enemy appeared nervous at night, firing more than usual and sending up flares, This may be accounted for by our registration of ‘Y’ wood and vicinity, weather still very wet

                                21st Apr 1916  Recce

                                21st April 1916  Reliefs

                                21st April 1916  Lewis Gun detachment moved

                                21st Apr 1921  On the Move

                                21st of April 1916  Into the Trenches

                                21st April 1916  Inspection

                                22nd April 1916 Mist and Rain  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency. Observation was very bad owing to mist and rain. After the 15th London Battery had fired from 2100 to 2200, the infantry reported much noise in the enemy trenches which had been blown in. Evidently some casualties had been caused.

                                22nd April 1916 New Squadron formed  No 70 Squadron formed at Farnborough on the 22nd of April 1916 as a fighter squadron. However an urgent search at all Home Establishment aerodromes produced only twelve aircraft suitable for service at the front. The situation was so bad for the RFC that the Commander of the RFC, Hugh Trenchard, then sent an urgent appeal to the Admiralty for aircraft. The Admiralty responded by releasing a number of the new Sopwith 1 ½ Strutters to the RFC and these were used to provide 70 Squadron with a first flight of aircraft.

                                Most of the airmen selected had previous operational experience and, such was the urgency to get more aircraft onto the front line, each flight proceeded to Fienvillers in France as soon as there were sufficient machines and men available. ‘A’ Flight flew to France on 24 May 1916, with ‘B’ Flight following them on the 23rd June and ‘C’ Flight in July.

                                When introduced into service with the Navy in February 1916, the Strutter had been the most capable aircraft in service, the first British aircraft with a machine gun synchronised to fire through the propellor. This forward firing gun combined with a rear mounted Lewis gun provided it with reasonable protection for its long range work particularly when operating in formation. However by the time 70 Squadron arrived on the Western Front the German Albatros had appeared with markedly superior performance. The Strutter was simply too slow and the stable design was not agile enough for dogfighting. Consequently, although intended as a fighter squadron, No.70 was more commonly used for reconnaissance.

                                 More info.

                                22nd April 1916  Regimental training scheme

                                22nd Apr 1916  Into the Front Line

                                22nd Apr 1916  Seeing the Sights

                                22nd Apr 1916  Artillery Exchange

                                22nd Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                22nd Apr 1916  Relief

                                22nd April 1916  Staff tour

                                22nd Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Apr 1916  Shelling

                                22nd of April 1916  Gas

                                22nd Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                22nd of April 1916  Shrapnel Casualties

                                22nd Apr 1916  Rain

                                22nd Apr 1916  Feeling ill

                                22nd Apr 1916  Quiet

                                22ndApr 1916  In Reserve

                                22nd Apr 1916  Defences

                                22nd Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Apr 1916  Positions

                                22nd Apr 1916  In Billets

                                22nd of April 1916   Gas Alert Cancelled

                                22nd April 1916  Relieving 8th D.L.I.

                                22nd Apr 1916 Artillery in Action  7th Buffs report, Our supporting batteries fired on “Y” wood for 2 minutes at 4.30pm there was no retaliation otherwise quiet day, except for one short hostile bombardment

                                22nd Apr 1916  Training

                                22nd April 1916  Working parties

                                22nd of April 1916   German TMs Active

                                22nd April 1916  Inspection

                                23rd Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers leave Pierregot  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusilers leave Pierregot for Senlis, via Rubempre, Herissart, Contay and Warloy.

                                23rd April 1916 Enemy Guns More Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report a wagon parade was held at 1010 in the 16th Battery Wagon Line which the BGRA attended. The enemy guns were more active today bombarding our front line with Trench Mortars at 1000 and 1120. All our batteries retaliated. There were at least seven German observation balloons up today. The BGRA visited the 15th London Battery RFA while the battery was firing on Puist. The Carency-Souchez road was shelled from 1215 to 1300, with a burst of 12 shells. (Note: BGRA = Brigadier General Royal Artillery).

                                23rd Apr 1916 German deserter questioned  A German deserter was questioned by the 29th Division about numbers of men, machine guns & gas bombs. He said that there were gas bombs and canisters with the 4th Bavarians in the Hulluch and that he heard officers talking about an attack in this sector.

                                23rd April 1916  Easter Sunday Church Services

                                23rd Apr 1916  Outposts Cut Off

                                23rd Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                23rd Apr 1916  Courses

                                23rd Apr 1916  Gas Alarm

                                23rd April 1916  Easter sunday

                                23rd Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                23rd Apr 1916  Shelling

                                23rd of April 1916  Gas Cylinders

                                23rd Apr 1916  Easter

                                23rd of April 1916  Enemy Active

                                23rd of April 1916  Orders

                                23rd of April 1916  Patrols Clash

                                23rd Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                23rd Apr 1916  Quiet

                                23rd April 1916  On the March

                                23nd Apr 1916  On the March

                                23rd Apr 1916  Easter

                                23rd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Apr 1916  Positions

                                23rd Apr 1916  In Billets

                                23rd of April 1916  Quiet Day

                                23rd April 1916  Some shelling.

                                23rd Apr 1916 Quiet  Easter Sunday. Quiet day for 7th Buffs no artillery activity on either side, We shelled enemy wiring party in front of Y Wood about 9 pm.

                                23rd Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd April 1916  Church Parade

                                23rd Apr 1916  On the Move

                                23rd of April 1916   Hows Hit Trenches

                                23rd April 1916  Church Parades.

                                24th Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieve 2nd KOYLI at Black Horse Bridge  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusilers march from Senlis to Black Horse Bridge wehere they relieve the 2nd Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in support, with C Coy taking over garrsion at The Keeps.

                                24th April 1916 Enemy Busy  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Capt Cooper OC. 15th London Battery was promoted to Major dating from the 15th March 1916. Enemy again busy this morning with 5.9 inch guns - observation being very clear. 15th London Battery was heavily shelled with 5.9s, in salvoes of three, with nearly all the shells falling just in front of its position. Enemy were again active with heavy trench mortars and our 18 pounders and Howitzers retaliated.

                                24th Apr 1916 7th Inniskillings go into the line  7th Inniskillings move into the Front line at Hulluch.

                                24th Apr 1916  Plans Change

                                24th April 1916 Lowestoft and Yarmouth Raid  The Bombardment of Yarmouth and Lowestoft, often referred to as the Lowestoft Raid, was a naval battle fought on the 24th April 1916. The German fleet sent a battlecruiser squadron with accompanying cruisers and destroyers, commanded by Rear Admiral Friedrich Bödicker, to bombard the coastal ports of Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Although the ports had some military importance, the main aim of the raid was to entice out defending ships to be attacked by the battlecruiser squadron or by the full High Seas Fleet. The result was inconclusive. Nearby British forces were too small to intervene and kept clear of the German battlecruisers. The German ships withdrew before the British fast response battlecruiser squadron or the Grand Fleet arrived. The raid was timed to coincide with the expected Easter Rising by Irish Nationalists who had requested German aid. The German Navy believed that the British had a strong force off Norway, another at Hoofden and further a force off the southeast coast of England. The Germans would sneak out between the two forces to bombard the English coast and then attack whichever British force showed first. With luck, the German battlecruisers could engage the southeast force and after defeating it meet the northern group in the area around Terschelling Bank. Here the battlecruisers would attack the second British group from the south and the main body of the High Seas Fleet would attack from the north. This could help to destroy significant elements of the British fleet before the main body of the British Grand Fleet could assist, thereby reducing or eliminating the Royal Navy's numerical superiority. If the British did not take the bait, then merchant ships could be captured and British units off the coast of Belgium destroyed. The forces sighted by Germany in the North Sea had been part of a raid launched on 22 April in an attempt to draw out the German fleet. The battlecruisers HMAS Australia and HMS New Zealand had collided off Denmark in fog, causing serious damage to both ships. Later, the battleship HMS Neptune collided with a merchant steamer and three destroyers were also damaged in collisions. The mission had been abandoned and the ships returned to port, so that on 24 April the main body of the Grand Fleet was, as usual, near its home bases. Rosyth for the battlecruiser squadron and Scapa Flow for the Grand Fleet.

                                Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth were selected as the targets of the German bombardment. Lowestoft was a base of operations for minelaying and sweeping, while Yarmouth was a base for the submarines that disrupted German movements in the Heligoland Bight. The destruction of the harbours and other military establishments of both these coastal towns would assist the German war effort. Eight Zeppelin airships would, after dropping their bombs, provide reconnaissance for the battlecruisers, which would in turn provide rescue operations should an airship be lost over the water. Two U-boats were sent out ahead of time to Lowestoft, while others were stationed off, or laid mines in, the Firth of Forth, Scotland. The 1st Scouting Group, consisting of five battlecruisers (SMS Seydlitz, Lützow, Derfflinger, Moltke and Von der Tann), commanded by Rear-Admiral Bödicker, would be supported by the four light cruisers of the 2nd Scouting Group and two fast torpedo boat flotillas (VI and IX), together with their two command light cruisers. The Main Fleet, consisting of Squadrons I, II and III, Scouting Division IV and the remainder of the torpedo flotillas, was to accompany the battlecruisers to the Hoofden until the bombardment was over, in order to protect them against superior enemy forces.

                                Raid

                                At noon on the 24th April 1916 German forces were in place and the operation began. The route led around British minefields to the English coast, and was intended to put the bombardment group off Lowestoft and Yarmouth at daybreak, where they would bombard the towns for 30 minutes. But at 1600, the battlecruiser Seydlitz struck a mine just north-west of Nordeney, in an area swept the night before. She was forced to turn back with a flooded torpedo compartment from a 50 ft hole on the starboard side, being only able to make 15 knots and 11 men were killed. While the rest of the squadron was stopped for Bödicker to transfer to Lützow and for Seydlitz to extract herself from the minefield, the German ships sighted, and avoided, torpedoes from one or more British submarines. Seydlitz returned to the river Jade, accompanied by two destroyers and Zeppelin L-7. To avoid other possible mines and submarines, the battlecruiser force altered course to a route along the coast of East Friesland. This had previously been avoided because the clear weather risked the ships being sighted from the islands of Rottum and Schiermonnikoog and their movements being reported to the British. It was assumed that the British would now be alerted to the movements of the German ships. The British had already been aware that the German fleet had sailed at midday. More information arrived at 2015, when an intercepted wireless message gave the information that they were headed for Yarmouth. At 1550, the British fleet had been placed on two hours notice of action and at 1905 were ordered to sail south from Scapa Flow. Around midnight, the Harwich squadron of three light cruisers and 18 destroyers was ordered to move north. Around 2000, German ships received a message confirming that a large British fleet was operating off the Belgian coast and that another large force had been sighted off Norway on the 23rd. This suggested that the British Fleet was still divided into two sections, giving rise to optimism that the operation would go off as planned, despite the mining of Seydlitz. At 2130, another message indicated that British patrol boats off the Belgian coast were heading back to harbour, which was interpreted as confirmation that British submarines had reported the German movements. In fact, by 24 April the northern British ships had returned to harbour for coaling. The ships at Flanders included 12 additional destroyers from the Harwich Force, which had been sent to assist with a barrage of the coast. The German airships, having dropped their bombs, reported back to the bombardment force. Visibility over land was poor, the winds were unfavourable and the towns were better defended than had been thought. The Zeppelins that had bombed Norwich, Lincoln, Harwich and Ipswich had been under fire by British ships, but none had been damaged. At about 0350, the light cruiser SMS Rostock, one of Bödicker's screen ships, sighted British ships in a west-southwest direction. Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt, commanding the Harwich ships, reported the sighting of four battlecruisers and six cruisers to the Grand Fleet. He turned away south, attempting to draw the German ships after him away from Lowestoft, but they did not follow. The four battlecruisers opened fire upon Lowestoft at 0410 for 10 minutes, destroying 200 houses and two defensive gun batteries, injuring 12 people and killing three. The ships then moved off to Yarmouth, but fog made it difficult to see the target. Only a few shells were fired before reports arrived that a British force had engaged the remainder of the German ships, and the battlecruisers broke off to rejoin them. When he found he could not draw the German ships away, Tyrwhitt had returned to them. Initially, he engaged the six light cruisers and escorts, but broke off the action when seriously outgunned after the battlecruisers returned. The light cruisers Rostock and Elbing had tried to lead the British ships into the waiting guns of the battlecruisers, but upon sighting the German capital ships, the British cruisers turned south. The German battlecruisers opened fire, causing severe damage to the cruiser HMS Conquest and the destroyer HMS Laertes and slightly damaging one other light cruiser. Conquest was hit by a shell, which reduced her speed and produced 40 casualties. Bödicker failed to follow the retreating ships, assuming they were faster and probably concerned whether other, larger vessels might be about. The Germans then ceased fire and turned northwest towards the rendezvous point off Terschelling Bank, hoping the British cruisers would follow, but they did not. During the bombardment of the two coastal towns, the light cruiser SMS Frankfurt sank an armed patrol steamer, while the leader of Torpedo-boat Flotilla VI, SMS G41 sank a second. The crews were rescued and taken prisoner. Around 0730, the German Naval Staff passed on reports from Flanders of intercepted wireless transmissions instructing British ships to coal and then proceed to Dunkirk. Tyrwhitt attempted to follow the German squadron at a distance. At 0830, he had located smoke from the ships, but was ordered to abandon the chase and return home. The Grand fleet had been fighting heavy seas and making slow progress coming south, also being forced to leave its destroyers behind because of the weather. At 1100, the Admiralty ordered the chase to be abandoned, at which point the main part of the fleet was 150 miles behind the British battlecruiser squadron, which started out from further south. The two battlecruiser squadrons came within 50 miles of each other, but did not meet.

                                Aftermath

                                As the German ships headed for home, they avoided submarine attacks, encountering only two neutral steamers and some fishing vessels. The operation had been almost a complete failure merely sinking two patrol craft and damaging one cruiser and one destroyer, in exchange for serious damage to a battlecruiser. The damage done to the naval establishments at Yarmouth and Lowestoft was also light. The German battlecruiser squadron had failed to take advantage of its superior numbers to engage the British light cruisers and destroyers present at Lowestoft. The German U-boats sent out to intercept British ships leaving harbour had not found any targets. Nor had six British submarines stationed off Yarmouth and six more off Harwich. One German submarine was destroyed and another captured when it became beached at Harwich. One British submarine was sunk, torpedoed by a German submarine. The raid infuriated the British. It cost the Germans heavily in the court of world opinion, as the operation brought back memories of the 'baby killer' raids earlier in the war. British casualties were 21 British servicemen killed at sea. One serviceman and three civilians were killed and 19 were wounded at Lowestoft. The British felt obliged to take steps to react more quickly to future raids. The 3rd Battle Squadron, consisting of seven King Edward VII-class battleships, was moved from Rosyth to the Thames, together with HMS Dreadnought. The presence of these ships on the Thames was given later as one reason the Harwich destroyers were not permitted to join the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland. They were held back to escort the battleships should they be called upon to take part.

                                24th April 1916  Easter Monday Sports

                                24th April 1916  Anti-Zeppelin Trials

                                24th Apr 1916  Enemy Engaged

                                24th Apr 1916  Turks Attack

                                24th Apr 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are relieved by 18th West Yorks at 8.20pm. Durhams marched to billets at Colincamps.

                                24th Apr 1916  At Rest

                                24th Apr 1916  Defences

                                24th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                24th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                24th April 1916  Brigade Staff tour

                                24th April 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                24th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                24th Apr 1916  Newspapers

                                24th of April 1916  Enemy Gas

                                24th Apr 1916  Machine Guns

                                24th of April 1916  Quieter

                                24th Apr 1916  Training

                                24th of April 1916  Thiepval Chateau Shelled

                                24th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                24th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                24th April 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Apr 1916  Working Party

                                24th Apr 1916  Sports

                                24th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Apr 1916  Positions

                                24th Apr 1916  On the March

                                24th Apr 1916  Inspection

                                24th of April 1916  Trenches Damaged

                                24th Apr 1916  Transfer

                                24th April 1916  Enemy trench mortars active.

                                24th Apr 1916 Artillery Active  Enemy’s artillery very active against 7th Buffs Subsector.Two intense bombardments lasting 3 to 5 minutes, 77 mm and 10.5 and 15 cm Howitzer being used, 15 cm howitzer battery also fired24 rounds in registration of our communication trench, also damaging our wire opposite junction of A 23/2 and A 23/3 trenches, Much damage was done to our trenches, H.Q. of left Coy (D Coy) hit directly by 15 mm shell, and damaged, Captain Neame slightly wounded

                                24th Apr 1916  Orders Received

                                24th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Apr 1916  Some Shelling

                                24th April 1916  Battalion H.Q. shelled

                                24th April 1916  Inspection

                                24th Apr 1916  Into Docks

                                24th of April 1916  Working Parties Out

                                24th Apr 1916  Bravery

                                24th Apr 1916  Uprising

                                24th Apr 1916  Proclamation

                                24th April 1916  Company training.

                                25th Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers provide working parties for RE  From the 25th to 27th of April the 16th Northumberlands provided working parties for Royal Engineers in the line.

                                25th April 1916 Hostile Trenches Bombarded  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report leave again opened. Very little shelling. We bombarded the hostile trenches with usual 18 pounders, Howitzers and 15 pounders doing considerable damage. The enemy retaliated with a few 4.2 inch and Light High Velocity guns.

                                25th Apr 1916  Zeppelin Raid

                                25th April 1916  Divisional Field Day

                                25th Apr 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved by 4th Royal Fusiliers

                                25th Apr 1916  New Positions

                                25th Apr 1916  Martial Law Declared

                                25th April 1916  Submarine Lost

                                25th Apr 1916  Retreat

                                25th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                25th Apr 1916  Enemy Fire

                                25th April 1916  Discipline training

                                25th April 1916  Shelling

                                25th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                25th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                25th of April 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Apr 1916  Machine Guns

                                25th of April 1916  Shelling

                                25th of April 1916  Hamel and Thiepval Wood Hit

                                25th Apr 1916  Enemy Active

                                25th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                25th Apr 1916  Training

                                25th Apr 1916  Working Party

                                25th Apr 1916  Defence Work

                                25th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Apr 1916  Positions

                                25th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                25th of April 1916   TMs Active

                                25th April 1916  Heavy fire of Stokes Gun bombs

                                25th Apr 1916 Artillery in Action  12 noon 7th Buffs report, Our artillery bombarded ‘Y’ wood for 2 minutes, 12.8 pm Enemy retaliated by intensely bombarding left of Subsector. 5 pm Enemy again bombarded intensely this time more to right of Subsector. There was also hostile registration of Dalton St. during morning, Much damage again done

                                25th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                25th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                25th April 1916  Schedule 25th July 1916

                                25th April 1916  Working party

                                25th April 1916  Operational Order No.76.

                                25th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                25th of April 1916  TM Bombardment

                                25th Apr 1916  Rations

                                25th Apr 1916  Orders

                                25th April 1916  Brigade sports.

                                26th Apr 1916   "A year ago the National Committee for Relief in Begium was formed and issued its first appeal to the British Empire. The total of donations received from April 27th 1915 to April 26th 1916, amounted to £1,637,714 2s 3d. The only expenses deducted from this amount are £27 3s 1d. These are Bank charges on out-of-town cheques. £1,600,00 has already been paid to the neutral Commission and has been or is being expended in food for the destitute Belgians in that part of Belgium occupied by Germany.

                                The Exceutive Council have adpoted the method of transferring to the Commission by means of cheques for £100,00. These cheques having been handed in about every three weeks, the Committee's income having averaged over £31,000 per week throughout the year.

                                Of the total received to April 26th, only £415,511 was received from the United Kingdom, the balence being subscribed by the British Dominions and Colonies overseas. The Government and people of New South Wales, Australia, have alone contributed £419,469 and are continuing to contribute over £30,000 every month. The largest amounts recived from the Counties during the year are £92,317 from the County of London, including the City of London; £59,731 from the West Riding of Yorkshire....

                                The Executive Committee are glad to be able to report that during the year not one case of illegal or irregular collecting has been reported to the fund. Thus unusual immunity from an abuse suffered by almost all charitable organisations is attributed to a rigourous adherence to the system of authorising no public collections unless they are conducted or approved by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, or by the Lord Mayor, Mayor or Chairman of Urban or Rural District Councils. The self-imposed restrictions involved by this method of collection has probably prevented the Fund from reaching larger proportions, buy the Executive venture to thing that their policy is justified by the elimination of irregularities and by the creation of a sense of local responsibility.

                                For the purpose of assisting the efforts throughout the Empire, the Exectutive have distributed over four and half million pamphlets and leaflets; nearly a million Belgian Flags, 185,000 posters; 200,00 medialions of King Albert, besides thousands of collecting books and cards.... Special collectiosn were organised throughout the Emopire for King Albert's Fete Day on November, 15th with an impressive service at St Paul's Cathedral. Small subscription envelopes were placed on 1,700,000 British dinner tables last Christmas Day and were not returned empty. Public meetings have been held throughout the country .... The hands at hundreds of factories have been addressed and practically every minister of religion has been asked to make a collection on behalf of the Fund, while a large number of Flag Days have been arranged in towns and villages....

                                In closing this report it must be pointed out that although the need in Belgium is greater than ever the income of our Committee is decreasing. At the risk of seeing ungrateful your Exceutive must urge those who have already worked so well, to work even harder. There is overwhelming evidence to prove that of the benevolence of the British Empire slackens, the suffering of the three million who are destitute and oppressed in Belgium will be tragically intensified. Your Exectutive Council earnestly trust that strenuous efforts will be made to avert this misery."

                                26th April 1916 Enemy Mine Explodes  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Barnard proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. During the afternoon the enemy trench mortars were very active. They appeared to be using a new very heavy bomb. At 1906 the enemy sprang a mine. The explosion was a large one and big columns of flame leapt into the air. Immediately after the explosion the enemy opened a heavy bombardment of our trenches and our artillery formed an effective barrage. The bombardment lasted about half an hour, died down, then opened again for a short time and then died down again.

                                26th Apr 1916 Inniskillings warned of gas attack  On 26 April 1916 the 7th Inniskillings were holding the line near Hulluch when word was given of a possible gas attack by the Germans. According to reports, a German deserter had come across to the British lines and informed them of the impending attack. Everything was done to strengthen the lines of defence. Dug-outs were provided with blanket curtains as protection against the gas.

                                26th April 1916  Mines Exploded

                                26th April 1916  Regimental Field Work

                                26th Apr 1916  Supply drop Attempted

                                26th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                26th Apr 1916  Enemy Mine Explodes

                                26th Apr 1916  Supplies Sent Up

                                26th Apr 1916  Training

                                26th Apr 1916  Baths

                                26th Apr 1916  New CO

                                26th Apr 1916  Hot Day

                                26th Apr 1916  In Action

                                26th of April 1916  A New C.O.

                                26th April 1916  Company training

                                26th Apr 1916  Shelling

                                26th Apr 1916  In the Trenches

                                26th Apr 1916  Aircraft

                                26th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                26th of April 1916  Aircraft Downed

                                26th Apr 1916  Machine Guns

                                26th of April 1916  Thiepval Wood Bombarded

                                26th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                26th April 1916  Wiring party hit hard

                                26th Apr 1916  Working Party

                                26th Apr 1916  Defence Work

                                26th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                26th Apr 1916  Guns Move

                                26th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                26th of April 1916  A Combined Shoot

                                26th April 1916  Enemy trench Mortars active.

                                26th Apr 1916 Bombing  7th Buffs report less artillery activity, weather much improved and trenches quite dry, ‘S.O.S’ signals received from A Sector, but signals soon withdrawn. 1.30 pm Two bombing parties from 7th Buffs sent out to bomb Enemy saps at S. end of Y wood as soon as our bombardment in connection with raid at Carnoy A Sector commenced Left hand party all wounded, right hand party under 2/Lt McColl returned safely after throwing bombs. L/Cpl Stewart A Coy and Pte Manning C Coy distinguished themselves in bringing in wounded men.

                                26th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                26th Apr 1916  In Billets

                                26th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                26th April 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                26th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                26th of April 1916  Front Trenches Damaged

                                26th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                26th April 1916  Prepare to move

                                27th April 1916 Evening Bombardment  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the day was very quiet. At about 1830 to 1930 the enemy bombarded our lines with very heavy trench mortars. The concussion of the bombs shook the observation stations. Our Howitzers and field guns replied to this bombardment.

                                27th Apr 1916 7th Inniskillings under attack  In the early hours of the morning of 27th April 1916 enemy action began with bursts of rifle and machine gun fire, followed by a heavy artillery bombardment. About 04.45 hours gas was released, the wind carrying it in the direction of the 7th and 8th Inniskilling's front lines. The Germans left their trenches, suffering some casualties as they crossed the open ground, but they succeeded in penetrating the trench lines of B and C companies. Hand to hand fighting ensued, and the Germans retreated with a few prisoners. At 08.00 hours the Germans released more gas and advanced again, but their attack broke down under very heavy fire when Lieutenant H.B.O. Mitchell with his Lewis-gun team stopped their advance. By 11.00 hours the crisis had passed and the Inniskillings set about re-building their defences and counting their casualties. Of the 24 officers and 603 other ranks who came into the line, 10 officers and 253 other ranks were listed as casualties. 8 men were missing, 52 wounded, 137 gassed, and 66 dead, including Private John O’Neill. Private William Wilson of Cookstown died of his wounds on 28 April. Subsequent actions over the next few days brought the total to 71 dead of the 7th Inniskillings and 57 dead of the 8th Inniskillings.

                                27th Apr 1916  Ships Sunk

                                27th April 1916  Camoflet

                                27th April 1916   No 55 squadron formed at Castle Bromwich on the of 27th April 1916 as a training squadron and moved to RFC Lilbourne on 10 June 1916.

                                27th April 1916  Training and inspections

                                27th Apr 1916 Irish men under attack  8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers along with the 9th Royal Dublin Fusiliers came under heavy artillery and chlorine gas attack at Hulluch (Loos)on the 27th to 29th of April 1916, suffering heavy casualties.

                                27th Apr 1916  Reinforcements

                                27th Apr 1916  Officer's Funeral

                                27th Apr 1916  Submarine Captured

                                27th Apr 1916  Vicious Fighting

                                27th Apr 1916  Quieter Day

                                27th Apr 1916  Inspection

                                27th Apr 1916 Battery Embarks  79th Siege Battery RGA embarked from Avonmouth on 27th April 1916 and arrived in Boulogne the next day.

                                27th Apr 1916  Artillery Active

                                27th Apr 1916  Wounds

                                27th Apr 1916  Under Shellfire

                                27th April 1916  Sports

                                27th Apr 1916  Machine Guns

                                27th Apr 1916  Standing by

                                27th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                27th of April 1916  Moves

                                27th Apr 1916  Shelling

                                27th of April 1916  Hamel Trenches Shelled

                                27th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                27th Apr 1916  Selection

                                27th April 1916  Casualty

                                27th Apr 1916  Inspection

                                27th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Apr 1916  Defence Work

                                27th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Apr 1916  Into Position

                                27th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                27th Apr 1916  Transfer

                                27th of April 1916   Heavy Retaliation

                                27th Apr 1916  Transfer

                                27th April 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Apr 1916 Bombardment  2am Enemy opened two short bombardments, first with 77mm and 10.5 howitzers and later with 15 cm howitzers, It had been intended to commence relief of Battalion by 7th Queens, but as hostile observation balloon was up, relief had to be postponed. 10.20am Conference of Battalion Commanders at Bde H Q, Very hot day, Enemy artillery inactive.

                                Relief of 7th Buffs by 7th Queens commenced and was completed by 10.55 pm, Battalion to billets at Suzanne.

                                27th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                27th Apr 1916  Gas

                                27th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Apr 1916  Transfer

                                27th April 1916  Shelling

                                27th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                27th of April 1916  Enemy Snipers Active

                                27th Apr 1916  Weapons Stockpile

                                27th Apr 1916  Under Fire

                                27th April 1916  Received Orders to "Stand To"

                                27th Apr 1916   Early in the morning of the 27th April 1916 enemy action started with intensive fire from rifles and machine guns: this was followed about 4.45am with a heavy artillery bombardment and the release of great clouds of gas. The wind was particularly favourable to the enemy and at this stage of the War the means of defence against gas were hardly perfect. Opposite the Inniskilling front the Germans left their trenches to attack. The Germans suffered some casualties crossing no mans land but penetrated into the 7th’s trench between B and C companies under cover of thick clouds of gas and smoke. Hand to hand fighting ensued and Germans were able to get away with a few prisoners including Capt. R.N. Murray who died the next day in a German field hospital from gas poisoning. D company also suffered severely. Very quickly Major Ross White came up from Battalion HQ and took the situation in hand. Within a few minutes the enemy were driven out of the trench a lot of them being shot as they retreated.

                                Later about 8am more gas was released by the Germans and a second advance attempted but it broke down under fire. Lt. H.B.O. Mitchell with the Lewis gun teams being specially notable for rapid and well-directed fire. By 11am the crises had passed, the 7th Battalion held its wrecked and gas poisoned trenches. The night passed quietly and the Battalion sent out parties into no mans land which brought in several men who had been wounded or gassed.

                                28th Apr 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers take over front line trenches  The 16th Northumberland Fusiliers takes over front line trenches from the Inniskillings

                                28th April 1916 Allies explode small Mine  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2nd Lt Corsan and 2nd Lt Tombs posted to the 6th London Ammunition Column. Intermittent shelling of Ablain and Souchez Valley today by 5.9s & 4.2s. At 0420 we exploded a small mine just in front of our front line opposite Gobinaux trench. This is called the Broadridge crater.

                                28th Apr 1916 125 Heavy Bty proceed to France  125th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery leave England for France.

                                28th Apr 1916 Praise for 7th Inniskillings.  "Special orders" By Lieutenant Colonel H N Young, Commanding 7th Service Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

                                The following telegram was sent to all companies on the 28th April 1916: "The Army Commander, General Sir Charles Monro has telephoned to congratulate the 49th Infantry Brigade on their gallant conduct on the morning of the 27th April 1916" The Divisional Commander, Major General Hickie also telephoned to say how proud he is of their behaviour.

                                The above messages apply chiefly to the two battalions of the brigade in the firing line. The brunt of this attack appears to have fallen on the 7th Inniskillings.

                                The CO received the following personal letter from Major General W B Hickie CB Commanding the 16th Irish Division on the 28th April 1916: "I am directed by Sir Charles Monro, Commanding the 1st Army, to convey to you and to the officers, NCO’s and men of the battalion under your command his appreciation of the conduct of the battalion on the occasion of the German attack on the 27th April 1916. To these congratulations I would also like to add my own thanks"

                                "The CO desires on his own behalf to express to all ranks his high appreciation of their conduct and bearing on the 27th & 28th April 1916when they displayed a high standard of courage and endurance and showed themselves worthy upholders of the traditions of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers"

                                (Signed) A C Taggart, Captain and Adjutant, 7th Service Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

                                28th April 1916  Further training and inspections

                                28th Apr 1916  Enemy drops Message

                                28th Apr 1916  2/5th Leics Disembark

                                28th Apr 1916  Attack on Lowestoft

                                28th Apr 1916  Ship Sunk

                                28th Apr 1916  Irish Sea Sailings Suspended

                                28th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                28th Apr 1916  Theft

                                28th Apr 1916 Into Camp  18th DLI marched out of Colincamps at 8.50am and entered hutments at Bertrancourt.

                                28th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                28th Apr 1916  In Billets

                                28th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                28th Apr 1916  Gas Alarm

                                28th of April 1916  A New Draft

                                28th April 1916  Measles outbreak

                                28th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                28th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                28th of April 1916  Inspection

                                28th Apr 1916  Intermittent Shelling

                                28th of April 1916  Thipeval Hit Again

                                28th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                28th Apr 1916  Enemy Mines

                                28th April 1916  Casualty

                                28th Apr 1916  Gas

                                28th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Apr 1916  Positions

                                28th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Apr 1916  Death

                                28th of April 1916   Guns Open on SOS

                                28th April 1916  The Battalion is now in Divisional reserve.

                                28th Apr 1916 In Billets  7th Buffs remained in billets at Suzanne. Note. During tours of duty the Battalion occupied the following trenches, A 29/6, A 23/1, A 23/2, A 23/3 and A23/4, reference Trench Maps Maricourt 1/10,000, During these tours of duty, Battalion on right was 7th R West Kent Regiment 55th Brigade Battalion on left was either 8th Norfolk Regiment or 8th Suffolk Regiment) of 53rd Brigade.

                                28th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                28th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                28th April 1916  Relief

                                28th April 1916  Fairly heavy Shelling

                                28th of April 1916   Enemy Mine Blown

                                28th April 1916  Shelled by Enemy

                                29th Apr 1916 British Forces surrender at Kut  After withstanding nearly five months under siege by Turkish and German forces at the town of Kut-al-Amara, on the Tigris River in the Basra province of Mesopotamia (Iraq), British forces under the command of Sir Charles Townshend surrender to Turkish forces. 13,000 men were taken prisoner by the Turks.

                                The British had occupied the Mesopotamian province of Basra, including the town of Kut al-Amara, by late September 1915 and the had attempted to advance up the Rivers Tigris Euphrates to Baghdad, but had been rebuffed by Turkish troops at Ctesiphon (Selman Pak) in late November. Townshend's troop were forced to retreat to Kut, and on the 5th of December they were put under siege by Turkish and German forces. During the winter the British made four attempts to overcome Turkish forces, suffering 23,000 casualties. They were also plagued by illness, dwindling supplies and heavy winter rain.

                                29th April 1916 Evening Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report a few trench mortars were fired on the support lines and communication trenches at about 1400. Otherwise all was quiet. At 1910 there was great activity on the left of the Division on our right, with heavy firing taking place.

                                29th Apr 1916  German's launch gas attack

                                29th Apr 1916  Countryside Shelled amid Fighting

                                29th April 1916  inspections and training

                                29th April 1916 

                                29th Apr 1916  Accidental Death

                                29th Apr 1916  2/5th Leics on the March

                                29th Apr 1916  Surrender

                                29th Apr 1916  Gas Attack

                                29th Apr 1916  Quiet Day

                                29th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Apr 1916  In Billets

                                29th of April 1916  Supporting a Raid

                                29th of April 1916  A Lieutenant Returns

                                29th April 1916  Battalion sports meeting

                                29th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                29th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                29th of April 1916  Relief Complete

                                29th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                29th of April 1916  TM Bombs Hit Thiepval

                                29th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                29th Apr 1916  Hot

                                29th Apr 1916  Test

                                29th Apr 1916  Defences

                                29th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Apr 1916 

                                29th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                29th Apr 1916 

                                29th Apr 1916  Positions

                                29th Apr 1916  Retaliation

                                29th of April 1916   German Plane Downed

                                29th April 1916  Battalion furnished fatigue parties.

                                29th Apr 1916 In Billets  7th Buffs remained in billets at Suzanne.

                                29th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                29th Apr 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Apr 1916  In Reserve

                                29th April 1916  Battalion H.Q. shelled

                                29th April 1916  Arrow Heads commenced

                                29th of April 1916   New Trenches Dug

                                29th Apr 1916  Under Fire

                                29th Apr 1916  Under Fire

                                29th Apr 1916  Search

                                29th April 1916  Heavy bombardment at Quarries.

                                30th Apr 1916  On the Move

                                30th April 1916 Large Mine Exploded  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report 2/Lt Eddis 15th London Battery, 2/Lt Gordon Tombe and Lt Corsan 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, proceeded to the 47th Division Artillery Course at Malincourt. During the day our trench mortars were active and did some good shooting. There was intermittent shelling of Zouave Valley near Centre Battery. At 1900 the enemy exploded a large mine in front of the Centre Company of the Centre Battalion. Heavy firing took place but the enemy did not attack. All was quiet again by 2100. 2nd Lt Green 3/6 London Brigade RFA reported from England and was attached to the 17th London Battery.

                                30th April 1916 New Squadron formed  No 60 Squadron formed at Gosport on the 30th of April 1916 (curiously out of sequence as 50-59 Squadrons had not yet been formed at that time). They were staffed by experienced airmen, many of whom had already seen action, and proceeded to France after only one month of preparation equipped with Morane Bullet fighter aircraft.

                                30th April 1916  Church Service and inspections

                                30th Apr 1916  Enemy Attack

                                30th Apr 1916  Gas

                                30th Apr 1916  Heavy Fire

                                30th Apr 1916  Line Held

                                30th Apr 1916  Hijinks on the Canal

                                30th Apr 1916  Marching out

                                30th Apr 1916  In Billets

                                30th Apr 1916  Gas

                                30th April 1916  Bicycles

                                30th April 1916  Divisional standing orders Issued

                                30th April 1916  Reliefs

                                April 1916  Report

                                30th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                30th Apr 1916  Gas

                                30th Apr 1916  Mine

                                30th of April 1916  Stand To

                                30th Apr 1916  Gas

                                30th of April 1916  At Rest

                                30th Apr 1916  Training

                                30th of April 1916  A Quiet Day

                                30th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Apr 1916  Quiet

                                30th Apr 1916  Trench Work

                                30th Apr 1916  Orders

                                30th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Apr 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Apr 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Apr 1916  Training

                                30th Apr 1916  Course

                                30th Apr 1916  Shelling

                                30th of April 1916  Germans Busy

                                30th Apr 1916  Awards

                                30th April 1916  At 2100 hours orders received to "Stand To". Gas attack alarm

                                30th Apr 1916 In Billets   7th Buffs remained in billets at Suzanne. Signed. A N Ransome Lt Colonel Comdg 7th Buffs

                                30th Apr 1916  Recce

                                30th Apr 1916  Working Parties

                                30th April 1916  Shelling

                                30th April 1916  Trench Mortar and Rifle Grenades

                                30th Apr 1916  In Camp

                                30th of April 1916   Mine Explodes

                                30th Apr 1916  Holding the Line

                                30th Apr 1916  Prisoners

                                30th April 1916  Cleaning 10th Avenue.

                                4th May 1916 Inspections  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                4th May - 11 Remounts joined.

                                19th May - Parade for GOC 2nd Cavalry Division in the training area.

                                20th May - 2nd Lt R Gough (attached) left the battery on appointment as temp. ADC to General Gough (Reserve Corps).

                                May 1916 

                                May 1916   Arriving at the Somme was a huge tonic for the men. It was not nearly so wet and a very pleasing area with quite a few civilians around. The 24th Battalion were billeted at Dernancourt. On the 20th of May, Brigadier Cameron attended a conference at Divisional Headquarters and was warned to prepare for 103 Brigade to carry out a series of trench raids on the enemy in opposite trenches. This taking place near the village of La Boisselle. This village is near the soon to be famous Tara and Usna Redoubs astride the Albert-Bapaume road. The battalions were warned to put together and start training raiding parties. The parties from 24th and 26th Battalions were selected to carry out the operation.

                                1st May 1916 10th Loyals return to the front.  The 10th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashires, left the billets at Warluzel marching three hours to Pommier.

                                1st May 1916  A Flight, 36(HD) Squadron move

                                1st May 1916  On the Move

                                1st May 1916 NTF Coulthards Lane, Gateshead opens.  National Tool Factory Coulthard's Lane, Gateshead started in May 1916 for the Production of spade-cutters. First output was August 1916. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st May 1916 NFRF Phoenix Factory opens.  National Fuse Rectification Factory at Phoenix Factory, Gray's Inn Road, London stared in May 1916 tasked with rectifying and repairing fuses. It was under the direct control of William Cubitt Ltd.

                                1st May 1916 NFF Parkgate Street, Dublin opens.  National Fuse Factory Parkgate Street, Dublin started in May 1916 for the production of fuses. First output was Mar 1917. In 1918 they also produced aeroplane bolts. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management.

                                1st May 1916 124th Heavy Battery join XIII Corps  124th Heavy Battery, RGA was originally trained on 4.7inch QF guns but prior to being sent to the France they were equipped with the 60 pounder heavy field gun. Armed with four of these guns they went out to the Western Front in April 1916 where they joined XIII Corps Heavy Artillery on 1 May 1916.

                                1st May 1916 Enemy Active  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report The enemy was very active between 1730 and 1830 with a very large minenwerfer (mortar) firing about 20 rounds into the Centre Battalian Zone. At 1400 the enemy fired 10 rounds of 5.9s on the light railway between 15th London Battery and the Carency station getting 5 direct hits. Everything else was all quiet.

                                1st May 1916 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Railway Candas to Acheux.

                                The arrival of May still saw elements of the Battalion involved in railway work. New sidings and crossings were being constructed and the track was being raised and packed in marshy areas near Rosel. Steel tanks and platforms along the route were still under construction. No.1 company from Candas to Punchevillers and No.3 Company from Punchevillers to Acheux. Other Companies were presumably in the trenches The work was completed on the 31st May 1916 and the Battalion was then ordered to Aveluy Wood.

                                Summary: Candas to Acheux Line.

                                • The work completed in the 5 month period is listed as follows.
                                • Survey and construction of 19 miles of broad gauge railway over terrain
                                • which included large sections of swampy ground.
                                • Construction of 13 ½ miles of sidings.
                                • Construction of two terminals at Candas (including junction with
                                • existing main line) and Acheux.
                                • Built all necessary platforms, offices, station buildings and signal
                                • boxes at the two main terminals and four intermediate stations.
                                • Built engine inspection and repair facilities.
                                • Built a number of steel tanks for petrol along the route.
                                • Constructed two cement 100,000 gallon water tanks.
                                • Installed numerous points and crossings throughout the system.

                                Starting on the 29th December 1915, the last spike was driven on the 18th February 1916. (Candas to Belle Eglise) Opened the line to traffic on the 20th March 1916 (Candas to Belle Eglise) and completed the entire system on 31st May 1916.

                                This was a remarkable achievement since some of the work at Acheux was just within enemy heavy artillery range. It was reckoned at the time to be the best section of railway in the whole of France and continued in use long after the war and the decommissioning of the Battalion.

                                It provided an excellent tribute to the Battalion’s expertise and determination in fulfilling their task on time.

                                1st May 1916  Wearside Pals prepare to embark

                                1st May 1916  Counter Tunnelling

                                May 1916 

                                1st May 1915 Actions during 1915  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

                                1915.

                                Neuville - St. Vaast.

                                In May, 1915, the 1st Bavarian Reserve Division was engaged at Neuville-St. Vaast, when it was reinforced by two battalions of the 99th Reserve Infantry Regiment. The 2nd Bavarian Reserve Regiment suffered casualties of 14 officers and 1,413 men.

                                Le Labyrinthe.

                                In June the division fought at the Labyrinth. It continued to hold the sector north of the Scarpe, but moved toward the south in December, the front of the 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps extending as far as Blaireville.

                                1st May 1916  Move

                                1st May 1916  Enemy Raiding Party

                                1st May 1916  Under Shellfire

                                1st May 1916  Houses Searched

                                1st May 1916  Fishing

                                1st May 1916  On the March

                                1st May 1916  Bathing

                                1st May 1916  Reliefs

                                1st of May 1916  Battery Locations

                                1st May 1916  Reorganisation

                                1st of May 1916  Reliefs

                                1st May 1916  Rifle range available

                                1st May 1916  Quiet

                                1st May 1916  Reliefs

                                1st May 1916  Trench Work

                                1st May 1916  Gas

                                1st of May 1916  Orders

                                1st May 1916  Training

                                1st of May 1916  An Evening Bombing

                                1st May 1916  Working Parties

                                1st May 1916  Gas Alarm

                                May 1916  Volunteers

                                1st May 1916  Training

                                1st May 1916  Reliefs

                                1st May 1916  Reliefs

                                1st May 1916  Orders

                                1st May 1916  Squadron in India expanded

                                1st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st May 1916  Training

                                1st May 1916  Rapid Fire

                                1st May 1916  Reorganisation

                                1st of May 1916   Camouflet Exploded

                                1st May 1916  In Action

                                1st May 1916  Usual parades, inspections & classes.

                                1st May 1916  On the Move

                                1st May 1916  Instruction

                                1st May 1916  In trenches

                                1st May 1916  March Table

                                1st May 1916  Visit

                                May 1916  Holding the Line

                                1st May 1916  In Camp

                                1st May 1916  In Reserve

                                1st of May 1916   Quiet Night

                                1st May 1916  Measles

                                1st May 1916  Holding the Line

                                1st May 1916  Trench Work

                                May 1916  Refit

                                2nd May 1916 10th Loyals return to action  The 10th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashires, took up position in reserve at Bienvillers, with two companies of men moving forward in support of the the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment who were man strong-points on the Hannescamps-Mochy road and in the support line behind the Monchy salient.

                                2nd May 1916 Report of a Mine  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt Col Lowe DSO Commanding the 6th London Field Artillery Brigade, Capt Edwards Veterinary Officer and Lt Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England, the former on ten days leave. At 1945 all artillery opened fire after the Centre Battalion reported a mine going up. This report proved to be false and the Batteries stopped firing. Major Gordon DSO 16th London Battery assumed command of the Right Group.

                                2nd May 1916 Airfield at York Racecourse bombed  On 2 May 1916 Zeppelin airships raided York, bombing the airfield at York racecourse. As a result the Aerodrome was closed and A Flight, 33 Squadron moved thier BE 2c and BE 2d aircraft to RFC Bramham Moor to join B & C Flights, flying from there in the air defence of Leeds, Sheffield and York.

                                2nd May 1916  Canaries

                                2nd May 1916  Relocation

                                2nd May 1916  Recreation and drill

                                2nd May 1916  Arests Made

                                2nd May 1916  On Stand by

                                2nd May 1916  Training and Route March

                                2nd May 1916  In Billets

                                2nd May 1916  Training

                                2nd May 1916  Order received

                                2nd May 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd May 1916  Shelling

                                2nd May 1916  Sport

                                2nd of May 1916  Thunder

                                2nd of May 1916  36th Div Artillery Retaliate

                                2nd May 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd May 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd May 1916  Back to Thiepval

                                2nd May 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd May 1916  Camp Struck

                                2nd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd May 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd of May 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd May 1916  Reorganisation

                                2nd May 1916  Retaliation

                                2nd May 1916  Evening working party

                                2nd May 1916  HQ Moves

                                2nd May 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd May 1916  Aircraft reconnoitered the line

                                2nd May 1916  In Reserve

                                2nd of May 1916   Mine Exploded

                                2nd May 1916  False Gas Alarm

                                3rd May 1916 189th RFA proceed to France  The 189th Royal Field Artillery embarked at Southampton for Le Havre

                                3rd May 1916 Three Mines Exploded  6th County of London Brigade RFA report from Carency: Everything quiet all day until 1645, at which time we exploded 3 mines in front of the right & centre gun section. Three deep craters were formed now known as the Northern, Middle & Southern Craters. Our heavy and light artillery bombarded the enemy front and support lines after the explosion for three hours to enable the infantry to occupy and consolidate the craters. The enemy retaliation was steady and their fire was by no means excessive. After 2200 the night was very quiet. Our 15" gun took part in this event, firing 12 rounds. (Note: if description correct a very large modified naval 15 inch gun)

                                3rd May 1916 Praise for 7th Inniskillings  On the 3rd May 1916 Brigadier-General R Leveson-Gower commanding the 49th Infantry Brigade, came over to the billets and inspected the 7th battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers on parade. The General having been received with the general salute addressed a few words to the 7th battalion: "Officers WO’s NCO’s and men of the 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, I admire your bravery and the courage you have shown since you have taken your place in the line, and especially on the 27th and 29th of April 1916. When defending a position under a storm of shrapnel, high explosives, etc and at the same time being subjected to 3 gas attacks, as you were on the 27th April 1916, it is easy to get excited and cause a panic. You however stood firm, counter attacked and absolutely defeated the enemy’s attack. You have seen the worst of it and have shown your steadiness, coolness and courage that you were good soldiers. Our time will come when we shall advance and you will then have a chance, no doubt of inflicting punishment on the enemy. By the fighting you have gone through, you have found out one thing, namely the officers you have are good men whom you can trust and with them you will get along all right and at the same time, officers, have found your men true and resolute. The other battalions of the brigade feel confident when they have you beside them. You have proved yourselves good men of your country. Ireland can be proud of you and in the future, when asked what battalion did you belong to, you can answer with pride that you were in the 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, a real fighting battalion and you need say nothing further. I thank you very much, knowing I can rely on you wherever you go." Three of the heartiest cheers were then given for the General and the parade dismissed.

                                3rd May 1916 HMS Queen Mary lost  HMS Queen Mary was a Queen Mary class Battle Cruiser built at the Palmer Shipyard in Jarrow and was lost at the battle of Jutland. At 16.25 Queen Mary exploded and went down in only 90 seconds after receiving hits from the German battle cruisers Derfflinger and Seydlitz. The HMS Queen Mary lost 1,266 crew, and only 20 survived.

                                3rd May 1916  Recreation and return to billets

                                3rd May 1916  26th Royal Fusiliers about to embark

                                3rd May 1916  Female Labour

                                3rd May 1916  Searches Continue

                                3rd May 1916  Turks Prepare

                                3rd May 1916  Parades

                                3rd May 1916  Route March

                                3rd May 1916  Surrender

                                3rd May 1916  Attack practiced

                                3rd May 1916 

                                3rd May 1916  Innoculations

                                3rd May 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd May 1916  Football

                                3rd of May 1916  New School

                                3rd of May 1916  Support Trench Blown In

                                3rd May 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd May 1916  Enemy Mines

                                3rd May 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd May 1916  Sniper succeeds

                                3rd May 1916  Gas Alarm

                                3rd May 1916  On the March

                                3rd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd May 1916  Training

                                3rd May 1916  Orders

                                3rd May 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd of May 1916   Five Casualties

                                May 1916  Fatigues

                                3rd May 1916  Specialists of Battalion proceeded to trenches

                                3rd May 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd May 1916  Battalion under command of Lt. Col. H.B. Burnaly DSO. left Aldershot for Southampton, the port of embarkation.

                                3rd May 1916  Sport

                                3rd May 1916  Schedule 3rd May 1916 to Operational Order 77

                                3rd May 1916  Schedule 3rd May 1916 to Operational Order 77

                                3rd May 1916  In Reserve billets

                                3rd May 1916  Operational Order No.77.

                                3rd May 1916  On the Move

                                3rd May 1916  In Reserve

                                3rd of May 1916   Relief

                                3rd May 1916  Arrival

                                3rd May 1916  Reliefs

                                4th May 1916 Enemy artillery concentrated on the Monchy salient  On the morning, May 4th 1916, the enemy started a heavy artillery bombardment concentrated on the Monchy salient and then lifted as the infantry attacked.

                                4th May 1916 124th Heavy Battery to 29th HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA transfer to 29th Heavy Artillery Group on 4 May 1916

                                4th May 1916 Quiet Day  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report the day passed off fairly quietly with very little shelling taking place. In the evening the infantry had a little difficulty with the enemy in the middle crater. 2nd Lt Van Auger 2/6th Lon Field Artillery Brigade reported and was attached to 16th London Battery.

                                4th May 1916 Wearside Pals embark for France  The 20th DLI entrain at Farnborough and embark on SS Arundal at Southampton

                                4th May 1916  In Action

                                4th May 1916  Training courses

                                May 

                                4th May 1916  Searches Continue

                                4th May 1916  Practice Shoots

                                4th May 1916  Draft Arrives

                                4th May 1916  Drill

                                4th May 1916  Training

                                4th May 1916  Military Service Bill

                                4th May 1916  Official British Account

                                4th May 1916  Training

                                4th May 1916 

                                4th May 1916  Training

                                4th May 1916  Working Parties & Baths

                                4th May 1916  Inspection

                                4th of May 1916  Relief

                                4th of May 1916  Our MGs Active All Day

                                4th May 1916  Trench Work

                                4th May 1916  In Support

                                4th May 1916  Working Party

                                4th May 1916  On the March

                                4th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th May 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                4th May 1916  On the Move

                                4th May 1916  In Reserve

                                4th of May 1916  Shelling

                                4th May 1916  1645 hours started for trenches

                                4th May 1916  Arras shelled.

                                4th May 1916  Company training

                                4th May 1916  On the Move

                                4th May 1916  In Reserve

                                4th May 1916  Reliefs

                                4th of May 1916  Quiet Day

                                4th May 1916  Reliefs

                                4th May 1916  Work Parties supplied

                                4th May 1916  A Late Night

                                4th May 1916 7th Inniskillings into the line  The 7th Btn Inniskilling Fusiliers relieved 8th KOSB in 10th Avenue over the night of the 4-5th May 1916. Moved to Noeux-les-Mines for 8 days rest

                                5th May 1916 Evening Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report Lt. Barnard returned from leave and took command of 16th London Battery. Lt Bennett returned from trench mortar course. All day it was very quiet. At 1945 we bombarded the enemy front line & communication trenches behind the craters to enable infantry to work on farther lip of the craters. At 1940 a message came through to defend the 17th Corps on our right. Three batteries switched target and started a barrage. It appears that the attack was only a small bombing one and all was quiet again by 2115.

                                5th May 1916 Wearside Pals proceed to France  20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry land at Le Havre aboard the SS Arundal, as part of 123rd Brigade, 41st Division.

                                5th May 1916  Wearside Pals travel to front

                                5th May 1916   In Action

                                5th May 1916  Tactics and inspection

                                5th May 1916  Searches Continue

                                5th May 1916  On the March

                                5th May 1916  Preparing for Attack

                                5th May 1916  Inspections

                                5th May 1916  Inoculations

                                5th May 1916  Training

                                5th May 1916  Zeppelin

                                5th May 1916  Gas Demonstration

                                5th May 1916  Training

                                5th May 1916  Working Parties

                                5th May 1916  Reliefs

                                5th of May 1916  Demonstration

                                5th May 1916  Training

                                5th of May 1916  Bombs and Reliefs

                                5th May 1916  Mines

                                5th May 1916  Enemy Mines

                                5th May 1916  On the Move

                                5th and 6th May 1916  Minnies wound four

                                5th May 1916  Reliefs

                                5th May 1916  Working Parties

                                5th May 1916  Attack

                                5th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th May 1916  On the March

                                5th May 1916  Orders

                                5th May 1916  Baths

                                5th of May 1916  A Gas Alert

                                5th May 1916  A few Trench Mortars.

                                5th May 1916  Transfer

                                5th May 1916  Reliefs

                                5th May 1916  Embarked on SS Caesarea

                                5th May 1916  Baths

                                5th May 1916  On the March

                                5th May 1916  Work Parties continued.

                                5th May 1916  On the Move

                                6th May 1916  On the Move

                                6th May 1916  HQ moves

                                6th May 1916 7th Royal Irish Rifles go into the line  7th Inniskillings are relieved by 7th Royal Irish Rifles on the night of the 6-7th May 1916

                                6th May 1916  Inspections

                                6th May 1916  Searches Continue

                                6th May 1916  Alarm

                                6th May 1916 Change of Camp  18th DLI vacated hutments at Bertrancourt and entered hutments at Bus Les Artois at 5pm.

                                6th May 1916  Demonstrations

                                6th May 1916  Inoculations

                                6th May 1916  Reliefs

                                6th May 1916  Cleaning up ready for move

                                6th May 1916 

                                6th May 1916  Aircraft

                                6th May 1916  Working Parties

                                6th May 1916  Shelling

                                6th of May 1916  Conference

                                6th May 1916  Training

                                6th of May 1916  Many Casualties Sustained

                                6th May 1916  Bombs

                                6th May 1916  Quiet

                                6th May 1916  Reliefs

                                6th May 1916  Trench Work

                                6th May 1916  Training

                                6th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th May 1916  On the March

                                6th May 1916  Preparations

                                6th of May 1916   Camouflets Blown

                                6th May 1916  Quiet day, just a few Trench Mortars.

                                6th May 1916  Working party

                                6th of May 1916   Work Day and Night

                                6th May 1916  Work Parties continued.

                                7th May 1915  New CO

                                7th May 1916 7th Inniskillings west of Loos  On the front West of Loos village, the 7th Inniskillings took up thier positions with A company from Gordon Alley to Scotts Alley, B company in Reserve in cellars north of Scotts Alley, C company from Scotts Alley to English Alley and D company holding North St to Gordon Alley.

                                7th May 1916  Enemy Mining

                                7th May 1916  No church parades

                                7th May 1916  Devine Services

                                7th May 1916  Church Parade

                                7th May 1916  Church Parade

                                7th May 1916  Church Parade

                                7th May 1916  Church Parade

                                7th May 1916  Strange Sights

                                7th of May 1916  Bombardment

                                7th May 1916  Appointment

                                7th May 1916  Accommodation not weatherproof

                                7th May 1916  Reliefs

                                7th May 1916  Quiet

                                7th of May 1916  Another Heavy Bombardment

                                7th May 1916  Trench Work

                                7th May 1916  Bombardment

                                7th May 1916  Trench Work

                                7th May 1916  Orders

                                7th May 1916  In Billets

                                7th May 1916  Enemy Attack

                                7th May 1916  Reliefs

                                7th of May 1916  Enemy Fires 1,500 Shells

                                7th May 1916  7th - 12th May in trenches

                                7th May 1916  Reliefs

                                7th May 1916  German Artillery bombardment

                                7th May 1916  Training of the Battalion

                                7th May 1916  Church Parade

                                7th May 1916  Operational Order No.78.

                                7th May 1916  Demonstration

                                7th of May 1916  Trench Work

                                7th May 1916  Reliefs

                                8th May 1916  527 Field Company RE, Arras sector works

                                8th May 1916  Tactical experiments

                                8th May 1916  Houses Searched

                                8th May 1916  Explosion

                                8th May 1916  Recce

                                8th May 1916  A Plucky Fight

                                8th May 1916  On the March

                                8th May 1916  Training

                                8th May 1916  Training

                                8th May 1916  In the Trenches

                                8th May 1916  Training

                                8th May 1916  Parades

                                8th May 1916  Reliefs

                                8th May 1916  Aircraft

                                8th May 1916  Trench Work

                                8th May 1916  Intermittent Shelling

                                8th of May 1916  Cold, Squally and Quiet

                                8th May 1916  Mortar Fire

                                8th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                8th May 1916  Concentration

                                8th May 1916  Explosion

                                8th May 1916  Trench Work

                                8th May 1916  Desert Column

                                8th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th May 1916  Reliefs

                                8th May 1916  Prisoners

                                8th May 1916  Relief Completed

                                8th of May 1916   Quiet Day

                                8th May 1916  Reliefs

                                8th May 1916  Reliefs

                                8th May 1916  Reliefs

                                8th May 1916  Inspection

                                8th of May 1916   Quiet

                                8th May 1916  Wiring at night.

                                9th May 1916  On the Move

                                9th May 1916 Scheme of Attack is practised  The scheme of attack is practised between Baizieux and Bavelincourt for several days.

                                9th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt Love OC. 6th London Brigade Artillery Column and Lt Yenchen 17th London Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England.

                                9th May 1916  Sniper

                                9th May 1916  Further experiments - bad weather

                                9th May 1916  Light Work

                                9th May 1916  Gun Experiments

                                9th May 1916  Working Parties

                                9th May 1916  Model Trenches

                                9th May 1916  Training

                                9th May 1916  Privations

                                9th May 1916  Training

                                9th May 1916  Planning

                                9th to 16th May 1916 

                                9th May 1916  Shelling

                                9th May 1916  Shelling

                                9th May 1916  Enemy Active

                                9th of May 1916  Reorganisation

                                9th of May 1916  A "Travelling Circus"?

                                9th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                9th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                9th May 1916  Orders

                                9th May 1916  Training

                                9th May 1916  Reliefs

                                9th May 1916  Musketry

                                9th May 1916  In Reserve

                                9th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                9th of May 1916  Mine Heads Shelled

                                9th May 1916  3 working parties supplied today

                                9th May 1916  Village shelled.

                                9th May 1916  On the March

                                9th of May 1916  Relief Complete

                                9th May 1916  Posting

                                9th May 1916  Enemy loopholesblown

                                10th May 1916 Lecture by ADVS  Members of 6th County of London Brigade RFA attend lecture by ADVS at 2/6 Battery Wagon Line.(Assistant Director of Veterinary Services)

                                10th May 1916  Wearside Pals under instruction

                                10th May 1916  Funeral

                                10th May 1916  Squadron training

                                10th May 1916  Reorganisation

                                10th May 1916  At Rest

                                10th May 1916  New Orders

                                10th May 1916  Additions to the Defence of the Realm Act

                                10th May 1916  Reorganisation

                                10th May 1916  Preparations

                                15th May 1916  New Rifles

                                10th May 1916  Working Parties

                                10th May 1916  Training

                                10th May 1916  Training

                                10th May 1916  Departure

                                10th May 1916  Training parades

                                10th May 1916  Shelling

                                10th May 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                10th May 1916  Accident

                                10th of May 1916  Subdued Germans

                                10th May 1916  In Camp

                                10th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                10th May 1916  Orders

                                10th May 1916  Training and Baths

                                10th May 1916  Musketry

                                10th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th May 1916 

                                10th May 1916  Reliefs

                                10th May 1916  Wet Weather

                                10th of May 1916  Shoot Postponed

                                10th May 1916  Inspection by G.O.C.

                                10th May 1916  German Light Artillery active

                                10th May 1916  5 Officers and 20 NCO's of "A" Coy. proceeded to the trenches

                                10th May 1916  Instruction

                                10th May 1916  On the March

                                May 1916  On the Move

                                10th May 1916  Reliefs

                                11th May 1916   SM U-76

                                Type UE 1 Shipyard Vulcan, Hamburg (Werk 58) Ordered 9 Mar 1915 Launched 12 Mar 1916 Commissioned 11 May 1916

                                Commanders.
                                11 May 1916 - 22 Jan 1917 Waldemar Bender

                                Career 3 patrols.
                                29 Jun 1916 - 22 Jan 1917 I Flotilla

                                Successes 2 ships sunk with a total of 1,149 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 6,254 tons.

                                • 17 Oct 1916 U 76 Waldemar Bender Botnia 1,149 nw
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 76 Waldemar Bender Anna I unknown ru
                                • 15 Nov 1916 U 76 Waldemar Bender Koursk (damaged) 6,254 ru

                                Fate 22 Jan 1917 - Foundered in bad weather off North Cape (71N, 23E) after damage by collision with a Russian trawler. 1 dead, unknown number of survivors. The wreck of U 76 was raised and broken up in the early 1970s.

                                There was another U 76 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 3 Oct 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 3 Dec 1940.

                                11th May 1916   SM U-65

                                Type U 63 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 249) Ordered 17 May 1915 Laid down 4 Jun 1915 Launched 21 Mar 1916 Commissioned 11 May 1916

                                Commanders.
                                11 May 1916 - 18 Jul 1918 Hermann von Fischel.
                                19 Aug 1918 - 29 Sep 1918 Gustav Sieß.
                                30 Sep 1918 - 28 Oct 1918 Clemens Wickel

                                Career 11 patrols.
                                2 Jul 1916 - 18 Nov 1916 IV Flotilla.
                                18 Nov 1916 - 28 Oct 1918 Pola/Mittelmeer I Flotilla

                                Successes 48 ships sunk with a total of 76,774 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 8,402 tons.

                                • 4 Dec 1916 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Caledonia 9,223 br
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Athos 12,644 fr
                                • 24 Feb 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Venere 290 it
                                • 28 Feb 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Emanciato 30 it
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Nicolaos 1,215 gr
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Teresina 212 it
                                • 2 Mar 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel San Vincenza F. 52 it
                                • 6 Mar 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Porto Di Smirne 2,576 it
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria T. 45 it
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria Santissima D. Grazie 35 it
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Britannia 3,129 br
                                • 3 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria Ferrara 106 it
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Calliope 3,829 br
                                • 7 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Trefusis 2,642 br
                                • 8 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Lucia 138 it
                                • 8 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Papa Gian Battista 138 it
                                • 11 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Tremorvah 3,654 br
                                • 12 Apr 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Angela M. 187 it
                                • 21 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Ampleforth 3,873 br
                                • 21 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Don Diego 3,632 br
                                • 23 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel England 3,798 br
                                • 23 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria Febronia Antonina 55 it
                                • 24 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Sant Antonio Di Padova 184 it
                                • 25 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Diego Russo 113 it
                                • 25 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Natale Monaco 57 it
                                • 25 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Rosina R. 54 it
                                • 25 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Vincenzino C. 54 it
                                • 26 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Angelo Padre 50 it
                                • 26 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Umaria 5,317 br
                                • 27 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Luigi 137 it
                                • 27 May 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Maria Giuseppe 26 it
                                • 4 Jun 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Manchester Trader 3,938 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Rosa M 64 it
                                • 5 Jul 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Ciboure 2,388 fr
                                • 6 Jul 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Roma 52 it
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel L'immortale Leone 133 it
                                • 24 Nov 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Enna 1,814 it
                                • 1 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Citta Di Sassari 2,167 it
                                • 2 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Carlino 94 it
                                • 2 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel La Margherita 41 it
                                • 2 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel San Antonio Il Vittorioso 45 it
                                • 3 Dec 1917 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Angelo (damaged) 542 it
                                • 25 Jan 1918 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Giuseppe O. 74 it
                                • 27 Jun 1918 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Sotolongo 3,009 sp
                                • 1 Jul 1918 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Monte Cristo 622 fr
                                • 4 Jul 1918 U 65 Hermann von Fischel Merida (damaged) 5,951 br
                                • 2 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß San Andres 3,314 br
                                • 12 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß Chao Chow Fu (damaged) 1,909 br
                                • 12 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß Sarnia 1,498 br
                                • 14 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß Ioanna No. 45 9 br
                                • 15 Sep 1918 U 65 Gustav Sieß Ioanna No. 37 17 br

                                Fate 28 Oct 1918 - Scuttled at Pola in position 44.52N, 13.50E during the evacuation from there.

                                There was another U 65 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 6 Nov 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 15 Feb 1940.

                                11th May 1916  Progress

                                11th May 1916  Field work

                                11th May 1916  Reorganisation

                                11th May 1916  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                11th May 1916  On the Move

                                11th May 1916  Special Constables

                                11th May 1916  Boiling Blood

                                11th May 1916  On the Move

                                11th May 1916  Working Parties

                                11th May 1916  CO's Conference

                                11th May 1916  Cinema

                                11th May 1916  Training & Sports

                                11th May 1916  Quiet

                                11th May 1916  Shelling

                                11th May 1916  At Rest

                                11th May 1916  Aircraft

                                11th May 1916  On the March

                                11th May 1916  Reliefs

                                11th of May 1916  Reorganisation

                                11th of May 1916  Germans Wake Up (Slightly)

                                11th May 1916  In Billets

                                11th May 1916  Reliefs

                                11th May 1916  Preparations

                                11th May 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                11th May 1916  Training and Baths

                                11th May 1916  Defences

                                11st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11th May 1916  Holding the Line

                                11th May 1916  In Billets

                                11th of May 1916  Shoot Again Postponed

                                11th May 1916 On the March   7th Buffs Marched from Corbie to Etinehem Camp less ‘B’ Co y who were doing piquet duty in Amiens

                                11th May 1916  Reliefs

                                11th May 1916  Training and Working Parties

                                11th May 1916  Instruction

                                11th of May 1916  Baths and Parades

                                11th May 1916  Intense bombardment

                                12th May 1916 Return from Leave  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Capt. Edwards, Veterinary Officer, 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column, returned from England after 7 days leave of absence.

                                12th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                12th May 1916  Shelling

                                12th May 1916  Training and inspections

                                12th May 1916 Transfers  On 12th of May 1916, 87 (Howitzer) Battery (less one section) transferred from 12 (Howitzer) Brigade to 2 Brigade, RFA.

                                12th May 1916  Tents Pitched

                                12th May 1916  At Anchor

                                12th May 1916  A Long Hot Day

                                12th May 1916  Route March

                                12th May 1916  Practice Attack

                                12th May 1916  Cinema

                                12th May 1916  Reliefs

                                12th May 1916  Visit

                                12th May 1916  Baths

                                12th May 1916  Quiet

                                12th May 1916  Working Parties

                                12th May 1916  On the March

                                12th May 1916  Working Parties

                                12th of May 1916  Conference

                                12th of May 1916  A Quiet Day

                                12th May 1916  In Billets

                                12th May 1916  Artillery in Action

                                12th May 1916  School of Instruction

                                12th May 1916  Training

                                12th May 1916  Appointment

                                12th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th May 1916  Working Party

                                12th of May 1916  Retaliatory Shoot

                                12th May 1916 Working Parties   7th Buffs are Digging cable trench for heavy artillery Bronfay Farm Billon Wood.

                                12th May 1916 In Camp  “B’ Coy rejoined 7th Buffs at Etineham Camp

                                12th May 1916  A party of 5 Officers and 20 NCO's of "B" Coy. proceeded to the trenches

                                12th May 1916  Company training.

                                12th May 1916  Instruction

                                12th of May 1916   Practice Attack

                                12th May 1916  Shelling on both sides

                                13th May 1916  36th Battalion AIF sail for England

                                13th May1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                13th May 1916  Lecture

                                13th May 1916  Inspections

                                13th May 1916  Fire on Board

                                13th May 1916  Assisting Police

                                13th May 1916  Seeing the Sights

                                13th May 1916  Burial Party

                                13th May 1916  Lecture

                                13th May 1916  Training

                                13th May 1916  Lectures

                                13th May 1916  In Reserve

                                13th May 1916  Training

                                13th May 1916  Quarry work

                                13th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                13th May 1916  Very Wet Day

                                13th May 1916  Working Parties

                                13th of May 1916  Orders

                                13th May 1916  Training

                                13th of May 1916  Our Patrol Inflicts Casualties

                                13th May 1916  In Billets

                                13th May 1916  Quiet

                                13th May 1916  Postponement

                                13th May 1916  In Reserve

                                13th May 1916  Reliefs

                                13th May 1916  Training

                                13th May 1916  Orders

                                13th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th May 1916  In Billets

                                13th of May 1916  Very Wet

                                13th May 1916  "B" Coy. proceeded to La Clytte Bath's at 0930 hours

                                13th May 1916  Reliefs

                                13th May 1916  Battalion drill.

                                13th May 1916  Instruction

                                13th of May 1916   Cable Buried

                                13th May 1916  Relief on the Right.

                                14th May 1916 Officers Return  6th County of London Brigade RFA report Lt Blackwell 15th London Battery & Capt ------ 176 London Battery proceeded on seven days leave of absence to England. 2/Lt Tomb is attached to 15th London Battery. Col Lowe returned from leave.

                                14th May 1916 527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.  Arras 14th May 1916.

                                527th (2nd Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. 5th Division.

                                Activity: One driver transferred from the 1st/6th Battalion, the Black Watch reported for duty. Kit and marching order inspection of the Company carried out.

                                14th May 1916  Reports

                                14th May 1916  Church and Trade tests

                                14th May 1916  Quiet Sunday

                                14th May 1916  New Recruit

                                14th May 1916  Too Hot

                                14th May 1916 Into the Line  At 3pm 18th DLI proceeded from Bus Les Artois to front line trenches and took over from 11th East Yorks Regt. Battalion on left flank was 16th West Yorks Regt and on right 1st Lancashire Fusiliers up to 18th May 1916 and then afterwards the 16th Middlesex Regt.

                                14th May 1916  Church Parade

                                14th May 1916  Church Parade

                                14th May 1916  Heavy Rain

                                14th May 1916  Training Discussed

                                14th May 1916  Church Service

                                14th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                14th May 1916  Working Parties

                                14th May 1916  Working Parties

                                14th May 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of May 1916  Training & Sport

                                14th May 1916  Training

                                14th of May 1916  Hamel and Thipeval Targetted

                                14th May 1916  In Billets

                                14th May 1916  Quiet

                                14th May 1916  Trench Raid

                                14th May 1916  Training

                                14th May 1916  Church Parade

                                14th May 1916  On the Move

                                14th May 1916  In Billets

                                14th of May 1916  Arras Cathedral Shelled

                                14th May 1916  "D" Coy. proceeded to La Clytte Bath's.

                                14th May 1916  A party of 5 Officers and 20 NCO's of "C" Coy. proceeded to the trenches

                                14th May 1916  Church Parade in hut.

                                14th May 1916  Instruction

                                14th of May 1916   Minor Operations Planned

                                14th May 1916  Recce

                                14th May 1916  Counter Attack

                                15th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                15th May 1916  Instruction

                                15th May 1916   No 51 Squadron was formed on the 15th of May 1916 at Mousehold Heath aerodrome, Norwich from a nucleus drawn from 9 Reserve Squadron. The Squadron moved to Thetford aerodrome on the 1st June for home defence duties in East Anglia flying BE2s. More info.

                                15th May 1916 New Home Defence Squadron formed  No 52 Squadron formed at Hounslow from a nucleus of 39 Squadron on the 15th of May 1916 as a Corps reconnaissance squadron flying BE2Cs.

                                No.39 Squadron then relocated to Suttons Farm, already in use as a outstation of the Squadron.

                                 More info.

                                15th May 1916   No. 53 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Catterick on 15 May 1916 equipped with the Avro 504 trainer and FK8 reconnaissance aircraft. Originally it served as a training squadron, preparing pilots for other operational Squadrons.

                                15th May 1916   Formed at Castle Bromwich on 15th May 1916, No 54 Squadron, like many others formed at the same time, was tasked with Home Defence duties flying BE2Cs. As well as Home Defence, the Squadron provided advanced flying training for other squadrons.  More info.

                                15th May 1916  Training and conference

                                15th May 1916  On the March

                                15th May 1916  First Day On Duty

                                15th May 1916  Dogs of War

                                15th May 1916  On the March

                                15th May 1916  Under Attack

                                15th May 1916  Brigade Cross Country Run

                                15th May 1916  Reorganisation

                                15th May 1916  Training

                                15th May 1916  Still Raining

                                15th May 1916  Training

                                15th May 1916  Trench mortar battery reinforcements

                                15th May 1916  Reliefs

                                15th May 1916  On the March

                                15th May 1916  Working Parties & Football

                                15th May 1916  Training

                                15th of May 1916  77mm Shells Hit Hamel

                                15th May 1916  In Billets

                                15th May 1916  Quiet

                                15th May 1916  Instruction

                                15th May 1916  Hard Clay

                                15th May 1916  Training

                                15th May 1916  On the Move

                                15th May 1916  Reliefs

                                15th May 1916  On the Move

                                15th May 1916  Inspection

                                15th of May 1916   Active Sniping

                                15th May 1916  "A" Coy. proceeded to La Clytte Bath's.

                                15th May 1916  Lectures to Companies

                                15th of May 1916   Ready for Op

                                15th May 1916  Working Parties

                                15th May 1916  Quiet.

                                16th May 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL14

                                • First Flight: 16th May 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,800 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 93.6 km/h
                                • Payload: 20.5 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Navy airship based at Seerapen and Wainoden. It carried out two reconnaissance missions and two bombing raids. A later attack on Riga was abandoned because of engine failure. Rebuilt in February 1917 but later damaged before finally being struck off on the 18th May 1917.

                                16th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                16th May 1916  Enemy mining

                                16th May 1916  Training and inspections

                                16th May 1916  Reorganisation

                                16th May 1916  Battalion Sports

                                16th May 1916  On the March

                                16th May 1916  Patrol Returns

                                16th May 1916  Midnight News

                                16th May 1916  A Scorcher

                                16th May 1916  Reliefs

                                16th May 1916  Parade

                                16th May 1916  Practice Attack

                                16th May 1916  Training

                                16th of May 1916  Enemy attack

                                16th May 1916  Training

                                16th of May 1916  Machine Gun Sweep

                                16th May 1916 Aircraft Active  "I expect you will be wondering what has happened to me. I am quite fit and well. We have now another spell of delightful weather and I am walking around with just a shirt and trousers on and that seems too much. Your letters and parcels have come safely to hand. They come sometimes two together but are none the less appreciated for that. It was a glorious morning early today and aircraft of both sides were very active, a grand sight it was to see a Taube [aircraft] being chased by one of our ships with the shrapnel bursting all round them. The Taube passed over here and one of ours came up and waited for it to come back and when he did come back and saw ours he hurried towards home. The artillery has been most active for the last day or two, especially at night time. I think I told you in my last letter not to send me any cigarettes at present. Yes some cakes occasionally would be acceptable. Your parcel containing biscuits, socks etc just to hand. Thanks awfully. The biscuits are a treat. The tins after use are in great demand among my pals. The food out here taken all round is better than in England, plenty of tinned stuff of course and not much bread. I should think some of the tin packing firms must be making their fortune." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter home to his wife Olive.

                                16th May 1916  Training

                                16th May 1916  Reliefs

                                16th May 1916  Working Parties

                                16th May 1916  Training

                                16th May 1916  Football

                                16th May 1916  Training

                                16th of May 1916  A Fine Day, but Quiet

                                16th May 1916  Reliefs

                                16th May 1916  Quiet

                                16th May 1916  Training

                                16th May 1916  Guard Duty

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th May 1916  Shelling

                                16th of May 1916   German Relief Noted

                                16th May 1916  Sub-Units proceeded to La Clytte Bath's.

                                16th May 1916  Reliefs

                                16th May 1916  Posting

                                16th May 1916  A party of 7 Officers, including the C.O. and Adjutant, and 20 NCO's proceeded to the trenches

                                16th May 1916  Working party

                                16th of May 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                16th May 1916  Took over additional part of the Line

                                17th May 1916 Reorganisation  At Frevilliers 6th County of London Brigade RFA are renamed 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery.

                                Battery title changes

                                • 15th Battery = A236
                                • 16th Battery = B236
                                • 17th Battery = C236
                                • 22nd Battery = D236
                                6th London Field Artillery Brigade is now called 15th-A236, 16th-B236, 17th-C236. the 22nd London Battery now in this Brigade is called D236 Battery.

                                Lt Woollett 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column is transferred to 17th London Battery. Brigade Ammunition Column is split up between the Batteries and the Divisional Ammunition Column.

                                17th May 1916  Field work

                                17th May 1916  Sun Stroke

                                17th May 1916  Rifle Grenades

                                17th May 1916  Officers Transferred

                                17th May 1916  Football

                                17th May 1916  Practice Attack

                                17th May 1916  Training

                                17th of May 1916  Reorganisation

                                17th May 1916  Training

                                17th of May 1916  Enduring Enemy Shelling

                                17th May 1916  Movement order

                                17th May 1916 

                                17th May 1916  Under Fire

                                17th May 1916  Working Parties

                                17th May 1916  Reliefs

                                17th May 1916  Move

                                17th of May 1916  Active Aeroplanes

                                17th May 1916  Quiet

                                17th May 1916  Reliefs

                                17th May 1916  Gas Alert

                                17th May 1916  On the March

                                17th May 1916  On the Move

                                17th May 1916  Defence Work

                                17th May 1916  Pilot wounded

                                17th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th of May 1916  Camouflets Blown

                                17th May 1916  "C" Coy. proceeded to La Clytte Bath's.

                                17th May 1916  Reliefs

                                17th May 1916  Relieved 1st Cheshires in "J2" subsector N.E. Arras.

                                17th May 1916  Operational Order No.79. Schedule

                                17th May 1916  Recce

                                17th May 1916  Operational Order No.79.

                                17th May 1916  Route March

                                17th June 1916  Battalion relieved 15th London Regt.

                                17th of May 1916  More Bombardments

                                17th May 1916  Heavy Artillery bombarded the Enemy

                                18th May 1916 2nd Royal Fusiliers into Trenches  The 2nd Royal Fusilers went into the trenches near Mally-Maillet.

                                18th May 1916  Squadron training

                                18th May 1916  Practice Scheme

                                18th May 1916  Under Fire

                                18th May 1916  A Chance of Action

                                18th May 1916  Training

                                18th May 1916  Training

                                18th May 1916  Reliefs

                                18th of May 1916  Move

                                18th May 1916  Training

                                18th of May 1916  5.9s Received

                                18th May 1916  Working parties

                                18th May 1916 

                                18th May 1916  Shelling

                                18th May 1916  Aircraft

                                18th May 1916  Training

                                18th May 1916  Hot Day

                                18th of May 1916  Orders

                                18th May 1916  Reliefs

                                18th of May 1916  Enterprising Aircraft

                                18th May 1916  Under Shellfire

                                18th May 1916  Sniper

                                18th May 1916  Orders

                                18th May 1916  In Reserve

                                18th May 1916  Inspection

                                18th May 1916  Working Parties

                                18th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th May 1916  On the Move

                                18th May 1916  In Reserve

                                18th May 1916  Holding the Line

                                18th of May 1916  A Newspaper Delivery

                                18th May 1916  Battalion reliefs.

                                18th May 1916  German Trench Mortaring & Heavy Artillery + 77's all along the subsector.

                                18th May 1916  Reliefs

                                18th May 1916  Test Alarm

                                18th of May 1916  Trench Repairs Undone

                                18th May 1916  Quiet day.

                                19th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force report from Frevillers. Capt. Love OC. 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column is transferred to C236 Battery 2Lt J.C Carter, 6th London B.A.C. is transferred to A236 Battery. 2Lt Green is transferred from C236 Battery to 6th London B.A.C.

                                19th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                19th May 1916  Equipment Installed

                                19th May 1916  Divisional Day operations

                                19th May 1916  7th Northumberlands on the March

                                19th May 1916  On the Move

                                19th May 1916  Compulsory Transfer

                                19th May 1916 Relief  18th DLI vacated trenches on being relieved by 18th Btn. West Yorks Regiment at 2pm and moved into billets at Colincamps.

                                19th May 1916  Into Dugouts

                                19th May 1916  Route March

                                19th May 1916  Appointments

                                19th May 1916  Training and Fatigues

                                19th May 1916  Football

                                19th May 1916  Derby Scheme to End

                                19th May 1916  Training

                                19th of May 1916  Under Fire

                                19th May 1916  Instructions Recieved

                                19th May 1916 

                                19th May 1916  Shelling

                                19th May 1916  Working Parties

                                19th May 1916  Training

                                19th May 1916  Enemy Active

                                19th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                19th of May 1916  A New German Sap

                                19th May 1916  Reorganisation

                                19th May 1916  Enemy Active

                                19th May 1916  Quiet

                                19th May 1916  Training

                                19th May 1916  Working Party

                                19th May 1916  Defence Work

                                19th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th May 1916  On the March

                                19th May 1916  On the Move

                                19th May 1916  Shelling

                                19th of May 1916  Germans Blow Mine

                                19th May 1916  19th - 26th May 1916. During tour in trenches enemy artillery was more active than previous tour

                                19th May 1916  Germans blew a large mine opposite 102 F.T. at 0500 hours

                                19th May 1916  Reliefs

                                19th May 1916  Gas Alert

                                19th of May 1916   A Relief

                                19th May 1916  Posting

                                19th May 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd May 1916 Training   7th Buffs are Training at Corbie

                                20th May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Frevillers: 2/Lt Mason is transferred from 6th London Brigade Ammunition Column to B236 Battery but is attached to C236 Battery for one week.

                                20th May 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ69 (L24)

                                • Production Ref: LZ69
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: L24
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 20th May 1916

                                History.

                                Flew 19 reconnaissance missions around the North Sea and 4 raids on England dropping a total of 8,510 kilograms (18,760 lb) of bombs. It crashed into a wall while being taken into its hangar on 28 December 1916 and burned out together with LZ53 (L17).

                                20th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                20th May 1916  Clay Kicking

                                20th May 1916  Brigade Horse Show

                                20th May 1916  Transfer

                                20th May 1916  Prang

                                20th May 1916  Under Fire

                                20th May 1916  Boxing Match

                                20th May 1916  Training

                                20th May 1916  Brigade Sports

                                20th May 1916  Reinforcements

                                20th of May 1916  Enemy shelling

                                20th May 1916  Training

                                20th May 1916  Gun Emplacements

                                20th May 1916  Quiet

                                20th May 1916  Working Parties

                                20th May 1916  Training

                                20th May 1916  Quiet

                                20th of May 1916  Orders

                                20th of May 1916  Orders

                                20th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                20th of May 1916  A Focker Brought Down

                                20th May 1916  Reliefs

                                20th May 1916  Quiet

                                20th May 1916  Working Party

                                20th May 1916  Training

                                20th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th May 1916  Unloading

                                20th May 1916  On the Move

                                20th May 1916  Shelling

                                20th of May 1916  Sniping Considerable

                                20th May 1916  Draft

                                20th May 1916  Stearinerie in St. Nicolas where our cooks, pioneers, diggers etc are sheltered was shelled in the morning.

                                20th of May 1916  Cleaning Up

                                20th May 1916  Posting

                                20th May 1916  Orders received

                                21st May 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency. Col. Lowe took over command of Right Group at 1300. Right Group now consists of A/236 B/236 C/236 D/236 and D/113 Batteries.

                                German Attack on Vimy Ridge. From 0530 to 1230 hostile artillery were very active on our front and support lines. A balloon was reporting on the Cabaret communication trench and main roads in Carency and Ablain. At 1730 the enemy started a heavy barrage of the Zouave Valley, shelling communication trenches, front and support lines of the Right Battalion of Left Brigade and also the Right Brigade. At about 2000 the enemy used Lachrymatory shells(see note below) on our Batteries as well as 5.9 inch shells. The 16th London Battery had a direct hit on it's No.1 gun wounding five men. At about 2130 the enemy attacked taking the front line and support lines of the Right Brigade (140th ) and the front line of the Right Company of the Right Battalion of the Left Brigade. A bombing attack was organised. Looz, Momber Crater and part of the front lines of the Right Battalion were retaken. Fire slackened off at about 0330. Lt Barnard B236 Battery was promoted Captain. (Note-Lachrymatory shells were filled with tear gas)

                                (Lt James Henry Van den Bergh from Commonwealth War Graves Commission died aged 23 on 21/05/1916 and is buried at Arras Memorial. He was the son of Henry and Henriette Van Den Bergh of 8 Kensington Palace Gardens.) He was reported as missing on 22nd May 1916.

                                21st May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                21st May 1916 Enemy push expected  At Vimy Ridge, 160th Coy Royal Engineers are digging new parts to trenches, expecting Germans over. When the big push came they were thwarted by the Royal Irish Rifles and the Royal Engineers.

                                21st May 1916  Reinforcements

                                21st May 1916  Church parade and bivouac recce.

                                21st May 1916  Enemy Approach

                                21st May 1916 

                                21st May 1916  In Camp

                                21st May 1916  Enemy Active

                                21st May 1916  New CO

                                21st May 1916  Training

                                21st May 1916  Daylight Saving

                                21st May 1916  Church Parade

                                21st May 1916  A Quiet Time

                                21st May 1916  Orders

                                21st May 1916  Working parties

                                21st May 1916 

                                21st May 1916  Reliefs

                                21st May 1916  On the March

                                21st May 1916  Shelling

                                21st May 1916  Quiet

                                21st of May 1916  A Very Hot Day

                                21st May 1916  Shelling

                                21st May 1916  Gas

                                21st May 1916  Reliefs

                                21st May 1916  Church Parade

                                21st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st May 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st May 1916  On the Move

                                21st May 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of May 1916  A Heavy Bombardment

                                21st May 1916  Reliefs

                                21st May 1916  German Artillery active about 0800 hours.

                                21st May 1916  Enemy fire extremely heavy

                                21st May 1916  Instruction

                                21st of May 1916  Refitting

                                21st May 1916  Replica of enemy trenches dug.

                                22nd May 1916 Enemy Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency report Lt Van den Bergh C236 Battery liaison officer to the Left Battalion of the Right Brigade was reported as missing. Activity not great on front support line trenches till 2350 when the enemy sent up green flares and their artillery laid a heavy barrage on Zouave Valley. Ablain, Carency and Lorette heights were heavily shelled with 4.9 and 8 inch guns during the whole of the day. Our artillery kept up a steady fire on enemy front and support line trenches. The 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 2nd Division is attached to Right Group.

                                22nd May 1916 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment  join 7th Division  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer from 11th Brigade, 4th Division to 22nd Brigade, 7th Division.

                                22nd May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                22nd May 1916  Reorganisation

                                22nd May 1916  Commission

                                22nd May 1916  Relocation and recreation

                                22nd May 1916   The Brigade moved back to Bresle and became the Divisional reserve, supplying working parties for the front line. Meanwhile two groups of men chosen for the raiding parties started practicing. Left raiding party dug a practice trench, while Right raiding party found an old trench to use. The objectives of the raiders were, Right raiding party, The German Salient in x.20.a. Left raiding party, The Triangle in the German trenches points x.14.c01,x.13.b.9.0., x20.a.1/2.2. The Right raiding party was found by the 24th Battalion and the Left raiding party by the 26th Battalion. Meanwhile the Officers and NCOs of both 24th and 26th visited the front line several times to reconnoiter the objective where exact points of departure from the British Line, and point of entry in the German Line were fixed. Right party would enter at x.20.a.4.5.Left party at x.19.b.9.9.

                                22nd May 1916  Under Fire

                                22nd May 1916  Reinforcements for 7th Northumberlands

                                22nd May 1916  On the March

                                22nd May 1916  Practice Shoots

                                22nd May 1916  Training

                                22nd May 1916  On the March

                                22nd May 1916  On the March

                                22nd May 1916  Visits

                                22nd of May 1916  Relieved

                                22nd May 1916  Railway construction

                                22nd May 1916 

                                22nd May 1916  In the Trenches

                                22nd May 1916  Orders

                                22nd May 1916  Shelling

                                22nd of May 1916  Orders

                                22nd May 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd of May 1916  Bombs in the Ravine

                                22nd May 1916  Shelling

                                22nd May 1916  Quiet

                                22nd May 1916  Training

                                22nd May 1916  Bombardment

                                22nd May 1916  Defence Work

                                22nd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd May 1916  On the Move

                                22nd May 1916  Training

                                22nd May 1916  Baths

                                22nd of May 1916  Quiet Time

                                22nd of May 1916  Quiet Time

                                22nd May 1916  Draft

                                22nd May 1916  Our Artillery bombarded German trenches along our front from 2200 to 2230 hours to cover a raid by 15th Warwicks

                                22nd May 1916  Positions handed over

                                22nd May 1916  Instruction

                                22nd May 1916  Names for Honours and Awards submitted.

                                22nd of May 1916  Reorganising

                                22nd May 1916  On the March

                                22nd May 1916  Officers chosen

                                23rd May 1916 Intermittent shelling   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Intermittent shelling during the day of the Batteries in Carency, Ablain and Lorette. At 1900 our artillery opened a slow bombardment of the enemy new front line which gradually increased until about 2025, when they lifted onto the old German front line. The enemy replied by barraging Zouave Valley. Artillery was very active all night and only stopped at about 0330 24th May 1916.

                                23rd May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                23rd May 1916  Enemy Mining

                                23rd May 1916  Training and recreation

                                23rd May 1916  On the March

                                23rd May 1916  On the Move

                                23rd May 1916  On the Move

                                23rd May 1916  In the Trenches

                                23rd May 1916  Inspection

                                23rd May 1916  On the March

                                23rd May 1916  Training

                                23rd of May 1916  Assistance Refused

                                23rd May 1916  Training Ground

                                23rd May 1916  Working parties

                                23rd May 1916 

                                23rd May 1916  Artillery Active

                                23rd May 1916  Orders

                                23rd May 1916  Shelling

                                23rd of May 1916  Awards

                                23rd May 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd of May 1916  A Sniper Gets His Man

                                23rd May 1916  Shells

                                23rd May 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd May 1916  Appaulling Slaughter

                                23rd May 1916  Trench Work

                                23rd May 1916  Orders

                                23rd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd May 1916  On the Move

                                23rd May 1916  Training

                                23rd May 1916  Shelling

                                23rd May 1916  Baths

                                23rd of May 1916   Miners Killed

                                23rd May 1916  On the Move

                                23rd May 1916  Draft

                                23rd May 1916  Relieved 1st Cheshire Regt. in "J2" subsector and went in to Redoubt Line and Brigade Reserve.

                                23rd May 1916  Events of Operations 21st - 22nd May 1916

                                23rd May 1916  Battalion moved

                                23rd May 1916  Recomendations for Honours and Awards.

                                23rd May 1916  Operations

                                23rd May 1916  Instruction

                                23rd of May 1916  Drill

                                23rd May 1916  At Rest

                                23rd May 1916  Officers and NCO's reconoiter

                                24th May 1916 Artillery Very Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Our artillery was very active throughout the day carrying out a slow bombardment of the enemy front and support lines. Enemy artillery replied with 5.9 inch rounds about battery positions. There was no infantry attack at all. The C236 Battery received a direct hit on the Sergeants Dug out, killing three Sergeants and wounding 2/Lt Green and one other Sergeant. Details of the three sergeants killed are unrecorded.

                                24th May 1916 527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.  Arras 24th May 1916.

                                527th (2nd Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. 5th Division.

                                Activity: One NCO admitted to hospital.

                                • Field work in progress.
                                • No.1 Section.
                                • Trench 102 Erecting trench shelter.
                                • No.2 Section.
                                • Bogey Avenue A28d.7.5 Enlarging existing mined shelter.
                                • No.3 Section.
                                • Thursday Avenue G10a.4.6 Mining bomb proof grenade store.
                                • No.4 Section
                                • New Street G6c 4.9 Extending existing mined shelter
                                • St. Catherine G14b.4.4 Erecting tubular steel shelter.
                                • Observatory Redoubt G56.1.1 Repairing damaged shelter.
                                • Work party: Royal Army Medical Corps.
                                • Sunday Avenue G56.3.8 Mining regimental aid post
                                • Friday Avenue A28d.5.7 Mining regimental aid post
                                • Work party: Cyclist Detachment.
                                • Thursday Avenue G4b Cleaning communication trench and improving support line trenches


                                24th May 1916  Explosives

                                24th May 1916  Empire Day

                                24th May 1916  Divisional Reserve

                                24th May 1916  On the March

                                24th May 1916  Draft for France

                                24th May 1916  On the Move

                                24th May 1916  On the Move

                                24th May 1916  On the Move

                                24th May 1916 On the March  At 1pm 18th DLI marched out of Colincamps and entered hutments in Warnimont Wood, Bus Les Artois.

                                24th May 1916  Medical Inspections

                                24th May 1916  Resting

                                24th May 1916  Training

                                24th of May 1916  A Quiet Time

                                24th May 1916  Review

                                24th of May 1916  Wounded While Working

                                24th May 1916  Trench visit

                                24th May 1916 

                                24th May 1916  Wet

                                24th May 1916  Orders

                                24th May 1916  Quiet

                                24th of May 1916  Orders

                                24th of May 1916  Orders

                                24th May 1916  Working Parties

                                24th of May 1916  Steady Rain

                                24th May 1916  Reliefs

                                24th May 1916  At Rest

                                24th May 1916  Attacks

                                24th May 1916  Trench Work

                                24th May 1916  Reliefs

                                24th May 1916  Training

                                24th May 1916  Working Parties

                                24th of May 1916  Retaliation

                                24th May 1916  On the Move

                                24th May 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of May 1916  Drills and Training

                                24th May 1916  Parties for raid detailed

                                24th July 1916  Company Parades

                                25th May 1916 Shelling Reduced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Carency report shelling on both sides was much reduced. During the afternoon Divisional Headquarters in Chateau de la Haie was shelled by 4.2 inch guns. During the night of 25th-26th May, the 47th Div Infantry was relieved by 2nd Div Infantry.

                                25th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                25th May 1916   SM U-54

                                Type U 51 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 236) Ordered 23 Aug 1914 Laid down 18 Mar 1915 Launched 22 Feb 1916 Commissioned 25 May 1916

                                Commanders.
                                16 May 1916 - 19 May 1917 Freiherr Volkhard von Bothmer.
                                20 May 1917 - 22 Mar 1918 Kurt Heeseler.
                                23 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Oblt. Hellmuth von Ruckteschell

                                Career 12 patrols.
                                2 Jul 1916 - 11 Nov 1918 II Flotilla

                                Successes 26 ships sunk with a total of 66,713 tons.
                                4 ships damaged with a total of 17,847 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 1,290 tons.

                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Tamara 453 nw
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Floridian 4,777 br
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Palmleaf 5,489 br
                                • 5 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Ainsdale (damaged) 1,825 br
                                • 5 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Azul 3,074 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Wallace (damaged) 3,930 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Saxonian 4,855 br
                                • 15 Mar 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Eugene Pergeline 2,203 fr
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Consul Persson 1,835 nw
                                • 1 Apr 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Fjelland 387 nw
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 54 Volkhard von Bothmer Havlyst 532 nw
                                • 3 Jun 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler San Lorenzo (damaged) 9,607 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Jonathan Holt 1,523 br
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Darius 3,426 br
                                • 23 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Ashleigh 6,985 br
                                • 23 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Huelva 4,867 br
                                • 25 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Rustington 3,071 br
                                • 26 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Somerset 7,163 br
                                • 31 Jul 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Alcides 2,704 nw
                                • 16 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Arabis 3,928 br
                                • 17 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Niemen 1,888 fr
                                • 19 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Marthe Marguerite 588 fr
                                • 24 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Louis Bossert 605 nw
                                • 25 Sep 1917 U 54 Kurt Heeseler Marceau 292 fr
                                • 30 Apr 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Starmount (damaged) 2,485 br
                                • 8 May 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Dux 1,349 br
                                • 8 May 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Princess Dagmar 913 br
                                • 10 May 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Wileysike 2,501 br
                                • 16 Jul 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Anchusa 1,290 br
                                • 27 Sep 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell En Avant 86 fr
                                • 29 Sep 1918 U 54 Hellmuth von Ruckteschell Libourne 1,219 br

                                Fate 24 Nov 1918 - Surrendered to Italy. Broken up at Taranto in May 1919.

                                There was another U 54 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 15 Aug 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 23 Sep 1939.

                                25th May 1916  Enemy Mining

                                25th May 1916  Regimental and Brigade Drills

                                25th May 1916  Taking a Risk

                                25th May 1916 Second Military Service Act  The Second Military Service Act takes effect in Britain, Married men are deemed to have enlisted under the same circumstances as applied to unmarried men on 27th January of this year, requiring all eligible British men between the ages of 19 and 40 to report, excluding men working in agriculture, mining or the railroads.

                                25th May 1916  Orders

                                25th May 1916  Guns in Place

                                25th May 1916  On the Move

                                25th May 1916  The Loss of a Friend

                                25th May 1916  Football

                                25th May 1916  Reliefs

                                25th May 1916  Training

                                25th May 1916  On the Move

                                25th of May 1916  Reorganisation

                                25th May 1916  Reliefs commence

                                25th May 1916 Requests  "Don’t worry if you don’t get letters from me. I always will write as often as possible but it’s not always possible to get letters off regularly. The weather has been colder the last few days but fortunately the rain keeps away. I am so glad to hear that you are all keeping well. Things go on much the same out here, very little variety and to tell the truth it’s getting rather boring day after day. Of course we have plenty to keep us busy fortunately or I am afraid we should get tired of each others’ company. The war news doesn’t seem to tell us much does it ? Peace seems to occupy quite an important part of the news each day and shows which way the wind is blowing. In the next parcel you send will you please put one towel and some cocoa, coffee or tea cubes. Some cake would be acceptable too." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                25th May 1916  Anti Gas school

                                25th May 1916 

                                25th May 1916  Shelling

                                25th May 1916  Trench Work

                                25th May 1916  Reliefs

                                25th of May 1916  Orders

                                25th of May 1916  Moves

                                25th of May 1916  Moves

                                25th May 1916  Working Parties

                                25th of May 1916  First DSO for 36th Div

                                25th May 1916  Under Shellfire

                                25th May 1916  At Rest

                                25th May 1916  Innoculation

                                25th May 1916  Reliefs

                                25th May 1916  Orders

                                25th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th May 1916  Training

                                25th May 1916  Preparations

                                25th May 1916  Open Day

                                25th of May 1916   German Patrol Fired At

                                25th May 1916  On the Move

                                25th May 1916 Working Parties   7th Buffs finish Digging cable trench for heavy artillery Bronfay Farm Billon Wood.

                                25th May 1916  Corps. Commanders inspected the Brigade

                                25th May 1916  Postings

                                25th of May 1916  Inspection

                                25th May 1916  Parties practiced for raid.

                                26th May 1916 

                                26th May 1916 236 Brigade HQ Moves  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Carency: Lt Col Lowe DSO commanding Right Group handed over command to Lt Col Parry OC. 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 2nd Division. 236th Brigade HQ moved to new billets at Valhuon.

                                26th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                26th May 1916  New Shaft

                                26th May 1916  Return to billets Training

                                26th May 1916  New Transport Officer

                                26th May 1916  In Barracks

                                26th May 1916  Parade

                                26th May 1916  Improving Emplacements

                                26th May 1916  On the Move

                                26th May 1916  Communication Exercise

                                26th May 1916  Change of Command

                                26th May 1916  In the Trenches

                                26th May 1916  Working Party

                                26th May 1916  Relief

                                26th May 1916  On the Move

                                26th May 1916  Training

                                26th May 1916  Sniper class

                                26th May 1916 

                                26th May 1916  Shelling

                                26th May 1916  Reliefs

                                26th May 1916  Working Parties

                                26th of May 1916  Reliefs

                                26th May 1916  Reliefs

                                26th of May 1916  A Quiet Day

                                26th May 1916  Shelling

                                26th May 1916  Football & Horse Show

                                26th May 1916  Working Parties

                                26th May 1916  Reliefs

                                26th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th May 1916 

                                26th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th May 1916  On the Move

                                26th May 1916  Training

                                26th May 1916  Relief Complete

                                26th of May 1916  Arras Shelled

                                26th May 1916  On the Move

                                26th May 1916 On the March   7th Buffs Left Etineham Camp 4 a.m. marched to Mericourt and entrained for Picquigny

                                26th May 1916  Company relief

                                26th May 1916  Company training

                                26th of May 1916   Training and Drill

                                26th May 1916  Inspection

                                26th May 1916  Final raid practice.

                                27th May 1916 Relocations  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery move to Valhuon. B236 and C236 Batteries were relieved by batteries of 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery and went into new billets at Hucler and Antin. A236 remained at the Wagon line Maisnil, Bourohe to dig new gun pits at Ablain. D236 Battery remained in action.

                                27th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                27th May 1916  Flight

                                27th May 1916  Inspections and Brigade experiments

                                27th May 1916  On the Move

                                27th May 1916  New Emplacements

                                27th May 1916  Brigade Guard

                                27th May 1916  Into Position

                                27th May 1916  On the March

                                27th May 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                27th May 1916  Move

                                27th May 1916  Training Area

                                27th May 1916  Working parties

                                27th May 1916  Shelling

                                27th May 1916  Inspection

                                27th May 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                27th May 1916  At Rest

                                27th May 1916  Working Parties

                                27th of May 1916  Reliefs

                                27th of May 1916  Defences

                                27th May 1916  Quiet

                                27th of May 1916  Lots of Trains

                                27th May 1916  Quiet

                                27th May 1916  Disabled Soldiers

                                27th May 1916  Sport

                                27th May 1916  Working Parties

                                27th May 1916  Guard Duty

                                27th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th May 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                27th May 1916  Recce

                                27th May 1916  Training

                                27th May 1916  Holding the Line

                                27th of May 1916  TMs Active

                                27th May 1916  40th Division was mobilised

                                27th May 1916  On the Move

                                27th May 1916  40th Division Mobilised

                                27th May 1916  Battalion received orders it would proceed to rest billets

                                27th May 1916 At Rest   7th Buffs are at Picquigny at rest,  cleaning up

                                27th May 1916  Gas Alert

                                27th May 1916  Draft of 30 arrived.

                                27th of May 1916   Training

                                27th May 1916  On the March

                                27th May 1916  Moved in to Reserve

                                28th May 1916  Waggon Lines

                                28th May 1916  Sports

                                28th May 1916  Wearside Pals Move

                                28th May 1916  Horse Show

                                28th May 1916  Rest and Recreation

                                28th May 1916  Church Parades and Messages

                                28th May 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieve 6th

                                28th May 1916  Operations Cease

                                28th May 1916  RE Draft 95 Head to Front

                                28th May 1916  New Emplacements

                                28th May 1916  Comfortable Quarters

                                28th May 1916  On the March

                                28th May 1916  Arrival

                                28th May 1916  In the Trenches

                                28th May 1916  Trench Recce

                                28 May 1916  Quiet

                                28th May 1916  Working Parties

                                28th May 1916  On the Move

                                28th May 1916  Lewis Guns

                                28th May 1916  Reliefs

                                28th May 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                28th May 1916  Enquiry

                                28th May 1916  Training

                                28th May 1916  Cricket

                                28th of May 1916  Relief

                                28th of May 1916  Trench Work

                                28th of May 1916  Shelling

                                28th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                28th of May 1916  Our Batteries Shelled

                                28th May 1916  Shelling

                                28th May 1916  Sunday

                                28th May 1916  Working Parties

                                28th May 1916  Defence Work

                                28th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th May 1916  Training

                                28th May 1916  Trench Work

                                28th May 1916  On the Move

                                28th of May 1916  Retaliatory Fire

                                28th May 1916  On the March

                                28th May 1916  Reliefs

                                28th May 1916 Brigade Sports  Brigade sports held.

                                 



                                BRIGADE SPORTS



                                HELD IN THE FIELD

                                MAY 28. 1916.


                                Event

                                1st Place

                                2nd

                                3rd

                                Time

                                1.

                                1 Mile race

                                Pte. Parkins

                                M.G.C.

                                Pte. Wood.

                                R.W.K.

                                L/c. Edwards

                                E.S.

                                5.46 3/5

                                2.

                                ½ Mile

                                L/c. Wickington.

                                BUFFS

                                L/c. Edwards.

                                E. SURREY.

                                Pte. Wood.

                                BUFFS.

                                2.36 4/5

                                3.

                                ¼ Mile

                                L/c. Edwards

                                E Surrey.

                                L/c. Wickington.

                                Buffs

                                Sgt Whipps.

                                Buffs.

                                1.8 3/5

                                4.

                                220 Yards

                                Pte. Thacker.

                                Buffs

                                L/c Edwards

                                E. S.

                                Pte Jackson.

                                Buffs.

                                31 1/5

                                5.

                                100 Yards.

                                Sgt. Guest

                                M.G.C.

                                Pte. Thacker

                                BUFFS

                                Pte. Smith

                                BUFFS

                                .13

                                6.

                                50 Yards Sack.

                                Tothergill.

                                M.G.C.

                                Pte. Russell

                                R.A.M.C.

                                L/C. Gunner

                                QUEENS.


                                7.

                                Three legged

                                L/C. Browne. F/

                                L/C. Browne. G

                                BUFFS

                                Pts. Southwell/

                                “ Harris.

                                BUFFS

                                Sgt Killick/

                                “ Halliday.

                                BUFFS.


                                8.

                                Obstacle.

                                Cpl. Stubbins.

                                T.M.B.

                                Pte. Moore.

                                Buffs

                                Pte. Barton.

                                Buffs.


                                10.

                                High Jump.

                                L/c. Stewart.

                                Buffs

                                Cpl. Turner.

                                R.W.K.

                                Pte. Jarman.

                                Queens.

                                4’11”

                                11.

                                Band Race

                                Pte Wood.

                                Queens.

                                Pte. Mills.

                                Queens

                                Cpl. Bonner

                                Queens.


                                12.

                                Wheel barrow

                                Pte. Gilbert/

                                “ Seymour

                                Queens

                                Pte. Lewis/

                                “ Curtis

                                R.W.K.



                                13.

                                Jockey Race.

                                Pte Ashford/

                                “ Dalton.

                                E. Surrey

                                Cpl. Thomson/

                                Pte. Preed.

                                M.G.C.



                                14.

                                Sack fight

                                BUFFS

                                SURREYS



                                15.

                                Hurdles

                                L/c. Stewart.

                                Buffs

                                Pte. Smith

                                E.S.

                                Cpl. Turner

                                R.W.K.


                                16.

                                Pillow Fight

                                Pte. Hanton

                                A.S.C.

                                Pte. Dennington

                                E.S.

                                Pte. Marney

                                BUFFS.


                                17.

                                Drilling 25 men

                                All blindfolded


                                BUFFS


                                QUEENS


                                W. KENTS.


                                18.

                                Tug of War.

                                E. SURREYS.

                                QUEENS.

                                W. KENTS.


                                19.

                                Officers 220 yd

                                Handicap

                                Lieut. Tindal.

                                R.W.K.

                                Lieut. Hett.

                                Buffs.

                                Capt. Black.

                                Buffs.

                                .32

                                20.

                                “ 100yds.

                                Lieut. Tindal.

                                R.W.K.

                                Capt. Bowen.

                                E.S.

                                Lieut. Hett

                                Buffs.

                                .13



                                -----------------------

                                ----------------------

                                ------------------------




                                1st Places

                                2nd

                                3rd

                                Total


                                BUFFS.

                                7

                                5

                                8

                                20


                                QUEENS.

                                2

                                3

                                3

                                8


                                SURREYS.

                                3

                                6

                                1

                                10


                                W. KENTS.

                                2

                                3

                                4

                                9


                                T.M.B.

                                1



                                1


                                A.S.C.

                                1



                                1


                                M.G.C.

                                3

                                1


                                4


                                R.A.M.C.


                                1


                                1



                                28th May 1916  On the March

                                28th May 1916  Church Parade held

                                28th of May 1916   Divine Service

                                28th May 1916  Aeroplane reconnaisance at 2000 hours

                                28th May 1916  Reliefs

                                29th May 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers at Aveluy Wood  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers are in tents in Aveluy Wood

                                29th May 1916  HQ Moves

                                29th May 1916  Demonstration

                                29th May 1916  Wearside Pals go into line

                                29th May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                29th May 1916  Clear Sounds

                                29th May 1916  Brigade casting of horses

                                29th May 1916  Preparing to Proceed to France

                                29th May 1916  Football Match

                                29th May 1916  Hard Digging

                                29th May 1916  Inspection

                                29th May 1916  Working Parties

                                29th May 1916  Artillery Active

                                29th May 1916  Change of Billets

                                29th May 1916  In Billets

                                29th May 1916  Tactical Reserve

                                29th May to 2nd June 1916 

                                29th May 1916  Working Parties

                                29th May 1916  Reliefs

                                29th May 1916  Awards

                                29th of May 1916  Reliefs

                                29th of May 1916 

                                29th May 1916  Holding the Line

                                29th of May 1916  Artillery Active

                                29th May 1916  Trench Work

                                29th May 1916  Reliefs

                                29th May 1916  On the March

                                29th May 1916  Reliefs

                                29th May 1916  Defence Work

                                29th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th May 1916  Training

                                29th May 1916  Shelling

                                29th May 1916  Reliefs

                                29th of May 1916  Arras Shelled

                                29th May 1916  Company Training

                                29th May 1916  Battalion resting

                                29th May 1916 Training   7th Buffs are Training over special trenches.

                                29th May 1916  Reliefs

                                29th May 1916  Battalion left Strazeele for Noote Boom

                                29th May 1916  Reliefs

                                29th May 1916  NCO class.

                                30th May 1916  Company training in morning

                                29th of May 1916  GOC Inspects Transport

                                29th May 1916  Enemy registering with Heavy Artillery.

                                29th May 1916  Reserve

                                30th May 1916  Leave

                                30th May 1916  Visit

                                30th May 1916 527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.  30th May 1916.

                                527th (2nd Durham) Field Company, Royal Engineers. 5th Division.

                                Activity: Two men discharged from hospital.

                                • Field work in progress.
                                • No.1 Section.
                                • Forward Trench 105 Erecting trench shelters
                                • No.3 Section.
                                • Forward Trench 124 Erecting trench shelters
                                • Thursday Avenue G10a.4.5 Mining bomb proof grenade store.
                                • No.4 Section
                                • New Street G6c 4.9 Extending existing dugout
                                • St. Catherine G14b.4.4 Erecting tubular steel shelter.
                                • Observatory Redoubt G56.1.1 Repairing damaged dugout.
                                • Work party: Royal Army Medical Corps.
                                • Sunday Avenue G56.3.8 Mining regimental aid post
                                • Friday Avenue A28d.5.7 Mining regimental aid post
                                • Work party: Cyclist Detachment.
                                • K2 Sub Section Improving support line.


                                30th May 1916  Mining Sounds

                                30th May1916 reinforcements   42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                Captain(?) Burtenshaw arrived from England with two more 9.2 Howitzers and personnel from right half of the battery.

                                30th May 1916  inspections and training

                                30th May 1916  Drill

                                30th May 1916  Recce

                                30th May 1916  In Reserve

                                30th May 1916  Reliefs

                                30th May 1916  Fund Raising

                                30th May 1916  Trench Recce

                                30th May 1916  Training

                                30th May 1916  Working parties

                                30th May 1916  Training

                                30th May 1916  Trench Work

                                30th May 1916  Working Parties & Sport

                                30th of May 1916  Relief Complete

                                30th of May 1916  Enemy Active

                                30th May 1916  Reliefs

                                30th May 1916  Reliefs

                                30th of May 1916  Retailatory Fire

                                30th May 1916  Enemy Mine Blown

                                30th May 1916  Quiet

                                30th May 1916  On the March

                                30th May 1916  Holding the Line

                                30th May 1916  Defence Work

                                30th May 1916  Training

                                30th May 1916  Cleaning up

                                30th of May 1916  Explosion Heard

                                May 1916  Orders

                                30th May 1916  Orders

                                30th May 1916  Inspections by O.C's.

                                30th May 1916 Training   7th Buffs are Training over special trenches.

                                30th May 1916  Quiet

                                30th of May 1916   Exercise Cancelled

                                30th May 1916  Quiet day.

                                30th May 1916  Enemy Transport

                                31st May 1916 Naval battle at Jutland  Fifty-two ships British ships faced a fleet of forty German ships at The Battle of Jutland.

                                31st May 1916 HMS Indefatigable lost  The British battle cruiser HMS Indefatigable was sunk at the Battle of Jutland with the loss of 1000 lives when a magazine exploded.

                                31st May 1916 Queen Mary sunk  HMS Queen Mary was lost at the Battle of Jutland, she sank within 90 seconds.

                                31st May 1916 HMS Invincible lost  HMS Invincible was lost during the Battle of Jutland.

                                   The Bolton Artillery, 3rd Brigade East Lancashire Royal Field Artillery, was renumbered as CCXII Brigade. 18th Lancashire Battery became A Bty, 19th Lancashire Bty became B Bty and 20th Lancashire Bty became C Bty.

                                31st May 1916   CCXII Brigade, (Bolton Artillery, 3rd Brigade East Lancashire.) was renumbered CCXI Brigade.

                                31st May 1916 HMS Petard sinks enemy ship  German destroyer V29 was sunk by torpedo from HMS Petard during the Battle of Jutland.

                                31st May 1916 Ready to Move  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin report B236, C236 & D236 Batteries are in 1st Army reserve ready to move at one hours notice.

                                31st May 1916  Training

                                31st May 1916 HMS Acasta in action at Jutland  HMS Acasta was a K-Class destroyer launched in 1912. From 1914 she served with the Grand Fleet and took part in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916.

                                31st May 1916 HMS Broke in action  HMS Broke was a destroyer purchased by the Royal Navy in August 1914 from the Chilean Navy, who had named her Almirante Goni. She saw action during the Battle of Jutland.

                                31st May 1916  527 Field Company RE - Arras sector Field Works.

                                31st May 1916   SM U-49

                                Type U 43 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 27) Ordered 4 Aug 1914 Launched 26 Nov 1915 Commissioned 31 May 1916

                                Commanders
                                31 May 1916 - 11 Sep 1917 Richard Hartmann

                                Career 6 patrols
                                7 Aug 1916 - 11 Sep 1917 III Flotilla

                                Successes 38 ships sunk with a total of 86,320 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 2,609 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 566 tons.

                                  29 Sep 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Haarfagre (prize) 566 nw
                                • 29 Sep 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Nornen 215 nw
                                • 1 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Seatonia 3,533 br
                                • 2 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Caswell 245 br
                                • 2 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Harfat Castle 274 br
                                • 2 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Kyoto 282 br
                                • 8 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Columbian 8,580 am
                                • 9 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Balto 3,538 nw
                                • 9 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Fordalen 2,835 nw
                                • 10 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Camma 794 nw
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Barbara 2,831 gr
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Ragnar 2,123 da
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Lady Carrington 3,269 br
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Leda (damaged) 1,140 nl
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Therese 1,333 da
                                • 15 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann La Briantais 255 fr
                                • 15 Nov 1916 U 49 Richard Hartmann Lorca 4,129 br
                                • 19 Feb 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Sigrid 2,194 ru
                                • 27 Feb 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Galgorm Castle 1,596 br
                                • 27 Feb 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Luigino B. 1,971 it
                                • 27 Feb 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Tritonia 4,445 br
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Newstead 2,836 br
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Sagamore 5,197 br
                                • 5 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Snig 2,115 nw
                                • 8 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Petunia 1,749 br
                                • 11 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Barrister 3,679 br
                                • 14 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Carnmoney 1,299 br
                                • 17 May 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann George Pyman 3,859 br
                                • 1 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Stalheim (damaged) 1,469 nw
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Cimbria 234 da
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Mary Boyes 101 da
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Proefneming I 112 nl
                                • 3 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Thor 105 nl
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Obuasi 4,416 br
                                • 10 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann King David 3,680 br
                                • 12 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Muirfield 3,086 br
                                • 15 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Dudhope 2,086 br
                                • 16 Jul 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Lamia L. 2,220 it
                                • 11 Sep 1917 U 49 Richard Hartmann Vienna 4,170 br

                                Fate 11 Sep 1917 - Rammed in Biscay and sunk by gunfire from SS British Transport at 4617N 1442W. 43 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 49 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 24 Jun 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Aug 1939.

                                31st May 1916  HMS Agincourt in Action

                                31st May 1916  HMS Benbow in Action

                                31st May 1916  HMS Warspite in Action

                                31st May 1916  HMS Revege in Action

                                31st May 1916  HMS Iron Duke in Action

                                31st May 1916  HMS Iron Duke in Action

                                31st May 1916 Battle of Jutland  The Battle of Jutland (German: Skagerrakschlacht (Battle of Skaggerak)) was a naval battle fought between units of the German and British Navies also including Canadian and Australian Navy ships. The battle was fought on 31 May and 1 June 1916 in the North Sea near Jutland, Denmark. It turned out to be the largest naval battle and the only full scale clash between the main Fleets during the First World War. The British Grand Fleet was commanded by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe and the German High Seas Fleet by Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer. The German plan was to use Vice-Admiral Franz Hipper's fast scouting group of five modern battlecruisers to lure Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty's battlecruiser squadrons into the path of the main German fleet. Submarines were stationed in advance across the likely routes of the British ships. However, the British learned from signal intercepts that a major fleet operation was likely, so on 30 May Jellicoe set out to meet up with Beatty, passing the intended German submarine ambush before it was in place. The German plan had been seriously delayed and their submarines had reached the limit of their endurance at sea. On the afternoon of 31 May, Beatty encountered Hipper's battlecruiser force much earlier than the Germans had expected. In a running battle, Hipper successfully drew Beatty's force into the path of the High Seas Fleet. By the time Beatty sighted the larger force and turned back,he had lost two of his six battlecruisers against the five ships commanded by Hipper. His other 4 battleships were further behind and ineffective initially. However the battleships, commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas, formed a rearguard as Beatty withdrew, helping to draw the German fleet towards the main British positions. Between 1830 and nightfall at about 2030, the two fleets, totaling 250 ships between them, directly engaged twice during which fourteen British and eleven German ships were sunk causing great loss of life. Throughout the night, Jellicoe tried to cut the Germans off from their base, hoping to continue the battle the next morning, but under the cover of darkness Scheer broke through the rearguard of the Grand Fleet and returned to port. Both sides claimed a victory. The British lost more ships with double the number of sailors killed and were severely criticised by the British press for failing to force a decisive outcome. Scheer's plan of destroying a substantial portion of the British fleet also fell short of expectations. The British still needed to keep their battleships concentrated in the North Sea, but the battle reinforced the German policy of avoiding all fleet-to-fleet contact. At the end of the year, after further unsuccessful attempts to reduce the Royal Navy's numerical advantage, the German Navy turned to unrestricted submarine warfare and the destruction of Allied and neutral shipping which led to America's declaration of war on Germany in 1917. Subsequent reviews commissioned by the Royal Navy generated strong disagreement between supporters of Jellicoe and Beatty concerning the two admirals' performance in the battle. The performance of both fleets and their respective commanders along with the significance of the battle are still open to question in the 21st Century.

                                German planning

                                The German High Seas Fleet had 16 dreadnought-class battleships, compared with the Royal Navy's 28 had little chance of winning a head-on encounter, so they adopted a divide-and-conquer strategy. North Sea raids and bombardments of the English coast were undertaken to try to draw out small British squadrons and pickets which could then be destroyed by superior forces or submarines. In January 1916, Admiral von Pohl, commander of the German fleet, fell ill and his place was taken by Scheer, who believed that the fleet had better ships and men than the British and wanted a more agressive approach.On 25 April 1916 a decision was made by the German admiralty to halt indiscriminate attacks by submarine on merchant shipping. This had led to protests from neutral countries, notably the United States, that their nationals had been the victims of attacks. Germany agreed that future attacks would follow international rules requiring warnings and evacuation of crew and passengers before sinking merchant ships and neutral ships would not be attacked at all. Scheer considered these conditions were a danger to the submarines and concentrated instead on enemy warships. He concluded that German submarine attacks would tie down fast British escorts, such as destroyers, on anti-submarine operations. There were thought to be good prospects of at least partially redressing the balance of forces between the fleets. The hope was that Scheer could ambush a section of the British fleet and destroy it.

                                Submarine deployments

                                A plan was devised to station submarines offshore from British naval bases and then stage some action that would draw out the British ships to the waiting submarines. The battlecruiser SMS Seydlitz had been damaged in a previous engagement, but was due to be repaired by mid May, so an operation was scheduled for 17 May 1916. At the start of May the ships of the third battleship squadron encountered further shipboard problems, so the operation was put back to 23 May. Ten submarines, U-24, U-32, U-43, U-44, UC-47, U-51, U-52, U-63, U-66, and U-70, were instructed to patrol in the central North Sea from the 17th to 22nd May after which they were to take up waiting positions. U-43 and U-44 were stationed in the Pentland Firth, a likely crossing point for ships leaving Scapa Flow, while the rest headed for the Firth of Forth, to cover battlecruisers leaving Rosyth. Once at their final positions, the boats were under strict orders to avoid detection that might give away the operation. It was arranged that a coded signal would be transmitted to alert the submarines exactly when the operation commenced: 'Take into account the enemy's forces may be putting to sea'. Additionally, UB-27 was sent out on 20 May with instructions to work its way into the Firth of Forth past May Island. U-47 was ordered to patrol the coast of Sunderland, which had been chosen for a diversionary attack. On 13 May, U-72 was sent to lay mines in the Firth of Forth; on the 23rd, U-74 departed to lay mines in the Moray Firth; and on the 24th, U-75 was dispatched similarly west of the Orkney Islands. UB-21 and UB-22 were sent to patrol the Humber, where (incorrect) reports had suggested the presence of British warships. U-22, U-46 and U-67 were positioned north of Terschelling to protect against intervention by British light forces stationed at Harwich. On 22 May 1916 it was discovered that Seydlitz was still not watertight after repairs and would not now be ready until the 29th. The ambush submarines were now on station and experiencing difficulties of their own. The British had become aware of unusual submarine activity and had commenced patrols that forced the submarines out of position. UB-27 passed Bell Rock on the night of 23 May on its way into the Firth of Forth reaching Largo Bay on 25 May. There the boat became entangled in nets that fouled one of the propellers, forcing it to abandon the operation and return home. U-74 was detected by four armed trawlers on 27 May and sunk 25 miles southeast of Peterhead. U-75 laid its mines off the Orkney Islands, which, although they played no part in the battle, were responsible later for sinking the cruiser Hampshire carrying Lord Kitchener on a mission to Russia on 5 June. U-72 was forced to abandon its mission without laying any mines when an oil leak meant it was laying a visible surface trail astern.

                                Zeppelins

                                The Germans planned a raid on Sunderland by Zeppelins with instructions to watch out for the British fleet approaching from the north, which might otherwise surprise the raiders. By 28 May, strong northeasterly winds meant that it would not be possible to send out the Zeppelins, so the raid again had to be postponed. The submarines could only stay on station until 1 June before their supplies would be exhausted and they would have to return to base, so a decision had to be made quickly about the raid. It was decided to abandon the attack on Sunderland, but instead send a patrol of battlecruisers to the Skagerrak, where they could encounter merchant ships carrying British cargo and British cruiser patrols. It was felt this could be done without air support, because the action would now be much closer to Germany, relying instead on cruiser and torpedo boat patrols for reconnaissance. Orders for the alternative plan were issued on 28 May, though still hoping that last-minute improvements in the weather would allow the original plan to go ahead. The German fleet assembled in the Jade River and at Wilhelmshaven and was instructed to raise steam and be ready for action from midnight on 28 May. By 1400 on 30 May, the wind was still too strong and the final decision was made to use the alternative plan. The coded signal '31 May G.G.2490' was transmitted to the ships of the fleet to inform them the Skagerrak attack would start on 31 May. The pre-arranged signal to the waiting submarines was transmitted throughout the day from the E-Dienst radio station at Brugge, and the U-boat tender Arcona anchored at Emden. However only two of the waiting submarines, U-66 and U-32, received the order.

                                British response

                                Unfortunately for the Germans, the British had obtained a copy of the main German code book from the light cruiser SMS Magdeburg, boarded by the Russian Navy after she ran aground in Russian territorial waters in 1914. German naval radio communications were seriously compromised and the British were usually aware of German activities. The British Admiralty's Room 40 maintained direction finding and interception of German naval signals. It had intercepted and decrypted a German signal on 28 May ordering all ships to be ready for the 30th May. Further signals were intercepted and it was clear that a major operation was likely. At 1100 on the 30th May, Jellicoe was warned that the German fleet seemed prepared to sail the following morning. By 1700, the Admiralty had intercepted the signal from Scheer, '31 May G.G.2490', making it clear something significant was afoot. Not knowing the Germans' exact objective, Jellicoe decided to position the fleet off Norway where they could possibly cut off any German raid into the Atlantic or the Baltic. Areas further west could be patrolled by air using blimps and scouting aircraft. Jellicoe led the 16 dreadnought battleships of the 1st and 4th Battle Squadrons of the Grand Fleet and three battlecruisers of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron out of Scapa Flow at 2230 on the 30th May. They were to meet the 2nd Battle Squadron of eight more dreadnought battleships commanded by Vice-Admiral Martyn Jerram coming from Cromarty. Hipper's raiding force did not leave the Outer Jade Roads until 0100 on the 31st May, heading west of Heligoland Island following a cleared channel through the minefields, heading north at 18 mph. The main German fleet of 16 dreadnought battleships of 1st and 3rd Battle Squadrons left the Jade at 0230, being joined off Heligoland at 0400 by the six pre-dreadnoughts of the 2nd Battle Squadron coming from the River Elbe. Beatty's faster force of six ships of the 1st and 2nd Battlecruiser Squadrons plus the 5th Battle Squadron of four fast battleships left the Firth of Forth on the next day. Jellicoe's intention was to rendezvous with him 90 miles west of the Skagerrak off the coast of Jutland and wait for the Germans or for their intentions to become clear. The planned position gave him the optimum range for reaction to likely German intentions.

                                Order of battle at Jutland

                                Ship Type British German Dreadnought Battleships 28 16 Pre-Dreadnoughts 0 6 Battlecruisers 9 5 Armoured Cruisers 8 0 Light Cruisers 26 11 Destroyers 79 61 Seaplane Carrier 1 0

                                Jellicoe's Grand Fleet was split into two sections. The dreadnought Battle Fleet with which he sailed formed the main force and was composed of 24 battleships and three battlecruisers. The battleships were formed into three squadrons of eight ships, further subdivided into divisions of four, each led by a flag officer. Accompanying them were eight armoured cruisers (classified by the Royal Navy since 1913 as "cruisers"), eight light cruisers, four scout cruisers, 51 destroyers, and one destroyer-minelayer. British reconnaissance was provided by the Battlecruiser Fleet under David Beatty: six battlecruisers, four fast Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, 14 light cruisers and 27 destroyers. Air scouting was provided for by the attachment of the seaplane tender HMS Engadine, one of the first aircraft carriers in history to participate in a naval engagement.

                                The German High Seas Fleet under Scheer was also split into a main force and a separate reconnaissance force. Scheer's main battle fleet was composed of 16 battleships and six pre-dreadnought battleships arranged in an identical manner to the British. With them were six light cruisers and 31 torpedo-boats, (the latter being roughly equivalent to a British destroyer). The German scouting force, commanded by Franz Hipper, consisted of five battlecruisers, five light cruisers and 30 torpedo-boats. The Germans had no equivalent to Engadine, and no heavier-than-air aircraft to operate with the fleet, but had German Naval zeppelins available to patrol the North Sea.

                                The British capital ships carried a larger number of guns and a correspondingly larger weight of broadside than their German counterparts: 332,360 lb (150,760 kg) as compared to 134,216 lb (60,879 kg). All of the battleships and battlecruisers on both sides also carried torpedoes of various sizes, as did the lighter craft. The British battleships carried three or four underwater torpedo tubes. The battlecruisers carried from two to five. All were either 18-inch or 21-inch diameter. The German battleships carried five or six underwater torpedo tubes in three sizes from 18 to 21 inch and the battlecruisers carried four or five tubes. The German battle fleet was hampered by the slow speed and relatively poor armament of the six pre-dreadnoughts of II Squadron, which limited maximum fleet speed to 18 kn (21 mph; 33 km/h), compared to maximum British fleet speed of 21 kn (24 mph; 39 km/h). On the British side, the eight armoured cruisers were deficient in both speed and armour protection. Both of these obsolete squadrons were notably vulnerable to attacks by more modern enemy ships.

                                Battlecruiser action

                                The route of the British battlecruiser fleet took it through the patrol sector allocated to U-32. After receiving the order to commence the operation, the U-boat moved to a position 80 miles east of May Island at dawn on 31 May. At 0340, it sighted the cruisers HMS Galatea and Phaeton leaving the Forth at 21 mph. It launched one torpedo at the leading cruiser at a range of 1,000 yd (910 m), but its periscope jammed 'up', giving away the position of the submarine as it manoeuvred to fire a second. The lead cruiser turned away to dodge the torpedo, while the second turned towards the submarine, attempting to ram. U-32 crash dived, and on raising its periscope at 0410 saw two battlecruisers (the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron) heading southeast. They were too far away to attack, but Kapitänleutnant von Spiegel reported the sighting of two battleships and two cruisers to Germany. U-66 was also supposed to be patrolling off the Firth of Forth, but had been forced north to a position 60 miles off Peterhead by patrolling British vessels. This now brought it into contact with the 2nd Battle Squadron, coming from the Moray Firth. At 0500, it had to crash dive when the cruiser Duke of Edinburgh appeared from the mist heading toward it. It was followed by another cruiser, Boadicea, and eight battleships. U-66 got within 350 yd (320 m) of the battleships preparing to fire, but was forced to dive by an approaching destroyer and missed the opportunity. At 0635, it reported eight battleships and cruisers heading north. The courses reported by both submarines were incorrect, because they reflected one leg of a zig-zag being used by British ships to avoid submarines. Taken with a wireless intercept of more ships leaving Scapa Flow earlier in the night, they created the impression in the German High Command that the British fleet, whatever it was doing, was split into separate sections moving apart, which was precisely as the Germans wished to meet it. Jellicoe's ships proceeded to their rendezvous undamaged and undiscovered. However, he was now misled by an Admiralty intelligence report advising that the German main battle fleet was still in port. The Director of Operations Division, Rear Admiral Thomas Jackson, had asked the intelligence division, Room 40, for the current location of German call sign DK, used by Admiral Scheer. They had replied that it was currently transmitting from Wilhelmshaven. It was known to the intelligence staff that Scheer deliberately used a different call sign when at sea, but no one asked for this information or explained the reason behind the query, to locate the German fleet. The German battlecruisers cleared the minefields surrounding the Amrum swept channel by 0900. They then proceeded northwest, passing 35 miles west of the Horn's Reef lightship heading for the Little Fisher Bank at the mouth of the Skagerrak. The High Seas Fleet followed some 50 miles behind. The battlecruisers were in line ahead, with the four cruisers of the II scouting group plus supporting torpedo boats ranged in an arc 8 miles ahead and to either side. The IX torpedo boat flotilla formed close support immediately surrounding the battlecruisers. The High Seas Fleet similarly adopted a line-ahead formation, with close screening by torpedo boats to either side and a further screen of five cruisers surrounding the column 5,8 miles away. The wind had finally moderated so that Zeppelins could be used, and by 1130 five had been sent out: L14 to the Skagerrak, L23 240 miles east of Noss Head in the Pentland Firth, L21 120 miles off Peterhead, L9 100 miles off Sunderland, and L16 80 miles east of Flamborough Head. Visibility, however, was still bad, with clouds down to 1,000 ft (300 m).

                                Contact Summary.

                                By around 1400, Beatty's ships were proceeding eastward at roughly the same latitude as Hipper's squadron, which was heading north. Had the courses remained unchanged, Beatty would have passed between the two German fleets, 40 miles south of the battlecruisers and 20 miles north of the High Seas Fleet at around 1630, possibly trapping his ships just as the German plan envisioned. However, his orders were to stop his scouting patrol when he reached a point 260 miles east of Britain and then turn north to meet Jellicoe, which he did at this time. Beatty's ships were divided into three columns, with the two battlecruiser squadrons leading in parallel lines 3 miles apart. The 5th Battle Squadron was stationed 5 miles to the northwest, on the side furthest away from any expected enemy contact, while a screen of cruisers and destroyers was spread southeast of the battlecruisers. After the turn, the 5th Battle Squadron was now leading the British ships in the westmost column, and Beatty's squadron was centre and rearmost, with the 2nd BCS to the west. At 1420 on 31 May, despite heavy haze and scuds of fog giving poor visibility, scouts from Beatty's force reported enemy ships to the southeast; the British light units, investigating a neutral Danish steamer (N J Fjord), which was stopped between the two fleets, had found two German destroyers engaged on the same mission (B109 and B110). The first shots of the battle were fired at 1428 when HMS Galatea and Phaeton of the British 1st Light Cruiser Squadron opened on the German torpedo boats, which withdrew toward their own approaching light cruisers. At 1436, the Germans scored the first hit of the battle when SMS Elbing, of Rear-Admiral Friedrich Bödicker's Scouting Group II, hit her British counterpart Galatea at extreme range. Meanwhile Beatty began to move his battlecruisers and supporting forces southeastwards and then east to cut the German ships off from their base, and ordered Engadine to launch a seaplane to try to get more information about the size and location of the German forces. This was the first time in history that a carrier-based aeroplane was used for reconnaissance in naval combat. Engadine's plane did locate and report some German light cruisers just before 1530, and came under anti-aircraft gunfire, but attempts to relay the plane's reports failed. Unfortunately for Beatty, his initial course changes at 1432 were not received by Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas's 5th Battle Squadron (the distance being too great to read his flags), because the battlecruiser HMS Tiger, the last ship in his column, was no longer in a position where she could relay signals by searchlight to Evan-Thomas, as she had previously been ordered to do. Whereas before the north turn, Tiger had been the closest ship to Evan-Thomas, she was now further away than Beatty in Lion. Matters were aggravated because Evan-Thomas had not been briefed regarding standing orders within Beatty's squadron, as his squadron normally operated with the Grand Fleet. Fleet ships were expected to obey movement orders precisely and not deviate from them. Beatty's standing instructions expected his officers to use their initiative and keep station with the flagship. As a result, the four Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, which were the fastest and most heavily armed in the world at that time, remained on the previous course for several minutes, ending up 10 miles behind rather than five. Beatty also had the opportunity during the previous hours to concentrate his forces, and no reason not to do so, whereas he steamed ahead at full speed, faster than the battleships could manage. Dividing the force had serious consequences for the British, costing them what would have been an overwhelming advantage in ships and firepower during the first half-hour of the coming battle. With visibility favouring the Germans, Hipper's battlecruisers at 1522, steaming approximately northwest, sighted Beatty's squadron at a range of about 15 miles, while Beatty's forces did not identify Hipper's battlecruisers until 1530. At 1545, Hipper turned southeast to lead Beatty toward Scheer, who was 46 miles southeast with the main force of the High Seas Fleet.

                                The Run to the South

                                Beatty's conduct during the next 15 minutes has received a great deal of criticism, as his ships out-ranged and outnumbered the German squadron, yet he held his fire for over 10 minutes with the German ships in range. He also failed to use the time available to rearrange his battlecruisers into a fighting formation, with the result that they were still manoeuvreing when the battle started. At 1548, with the opposing forces roughly parallel at 15,000 yd (14,000 m), with the British to the southwest of the Germans (i.e., on the right side), Hipper opened fire, followed by the British ships as their guns came to bear upon targets. Thus began the opening phase of the battlecruiser action, known as the "Run to the South", in which the British chased the Germans, and Hipper intentionally led Beatty toward Scheer. During the first minutes of the ensuing battle, all the British ships except Princess Royal fired far over their German opponents, due to adverse visibility conditions, before finally getting the range. Only Lion and Princess Royal had settled into formation, so the other four ships were hampered in aiming by their own turning. Beatty was to windward of Hipper, and therefore funnel and gun smoke from his own ships tended to obscure his targets, while Hipper's smoke blew clear. Also, the eastern sky was overcast and the grey German ships were indistinct and difficult to range. Beatty had ordered his ships to engage in a line, one British ship engaging with one German and his flagship HMS Lion doubling on the German flagship SMS Lützow. However, due to another mistake with signalling by flag, and possibly because the Queen Mary and Tiger were unable to see the German lead ship because of smoke, the second German ship, Derfflinger, was left unengaged and free to fire without disruption. SMS Moltke drew fire from two of Beatty's battlecruisers, but still fired with deadly accuracy during this time, putting nine shells into Tiger in the first 12 minutes. The Germans drew first blood. Aided by superior visibility, Hipper's five battlecruisers quickly registered hits on three of the six British battlecruisers. Seven minutes passed before the British managed to score their first hit. The first near-kill of the Run to the South occurred at 1600, when a 12 in (300 mm) salvo from Lützow wrecked the "Q" turret amidships on Beatty's flagship Lion. Dozens of crewmen were instantly killed, but far larger destruction was averted when the mortally wounded turret commander, Major Francis Harvey of the Royal Marines, promptly ordered the magazine doors shut and the magazine flooded. This prevented a magazine explosion at 1628, when a flash fire ignited ready cordite charges beneath the turret and killed everyone in the chambers outside "Q" magazine. Lion was saved. HMS Indefatigable was not so lucky; at 1602, just 14 minutes into the slugging match, she was smashed aft by three 11 in (280 mm) shells from SMS Von der Tann, causing damage sufficient to knock her out of line and detonating "X" magazine aft. Soon after, despite the near-maximum range, Von der Tann put another 11 in (280 mm) salvo on Indefatigable's "A" turret forward. The plunging shells probably pierced the thin upper armour, and seconds later Indefatigable was ripped apart by another magazine explosion, sinking immediately with her crew of 1,019 officers and men, leaving only two survivors. Hipper's position deteriorated somewhat by 1615 as the 5th Battle Squadron finally came into range, so that he had to contend with gunfire from the four battleships astern as well as Beatty's five remaining battlecruisers to starboard. But he knew his baiting mission was close to completion, as his force was rapidly closing with Scheer's main body. At 1608, the lead battleship of the 5th Battle Squadron, HMS Barham, caught up with Hipper and opened fire at extreme range, scoring a 15 inch (380 mm) hit on Von der Tann within 60 seconds. Still, it was 1615 before all the battleships of the 5th were able to fully engage at long range. At 1625, the battlecruiser action intensified again when HMS Queen Mary was hit by what may have been a combined salvo from Derfflinger and Seydlitz; she disintegrated when both forward magazines exploded, sinking with all but nine of her 1,275 man crew lost. Commander von Hase, the first gunnery officer aboard Derfflingler, noted: The enemy was shooting superbly. Twice the Derfflinger came under their infernal hail and each time she was hit. But the Queen Mary was having a bad time; engaged by the Seydlitz as well as the Derfflinger, she met her doom at 1626. A vivid red flame shot up from her forepart; then came an explosion forward, followed by a much heavier explosion amidships. Immediately afterwards, she blew up with a terrific explosion, the masts collapsing inwards and the smoke hiding everything. —Commander von Hase. During the Run to the South, from 1548 to 1654, the German battlecruisers made an estimated total of forty-two 11 and 12 in (280 and 300 mm) hits on the British battlecruisers (nine on Lion, six on Princess Royal, seven on Queen Mary, 14 on Tiger, one on New Zealand, five on Indefatigable), and two more on the battleship Barham, compared with only eleven 13.5 in (340 mm) hits by the British battlecruisers (four on Lützow, four on Seydlitz, two on Moltke, one on von der Tann), and six 15 in (380 mm) hits by the battleships (one on Seydlitz, four on Moltke, one on von der Tann).

                                "Something wrong with our bloody ships"

                                Shortly after 1626, a salvo struck on or around HMS Princess Royal, which was obscured by spray and smoke from shell bursts. A signalman promptly leapt on to the bridge of Lion and announced "Princess Royal's blown up, Sir." Beatty famously turned to his flag captain, saying "Chatfield, there seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today." (In popular legend, Beatty also immediately ordered his ships to "turn two points to port", i.e., two points nearer the enemy, but there is no official record of any such command or course change.) Princess Royal, as it turned out, was still afloat after the spray cleared. At 1630, Scheer's leading battleships sighted the distant battlecruiser action. Soon after, HMS Southampton of Beatty's 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron led by Commodore William Goodenough sighted the main body of Scheer's High Seas Fleet. Dodging numerous heavy-calibre salvos to report in detail the German strength: 16 dreadnoughts with six older battleships. This was the first news that Beatty and Jellicoe had that Scheer and his battle fleet were even at sea. Simultaneously, an all-out destroyer action raged in the space between the opposing battlecruiser forces, as British and German destroyers fought with each other and attempted to torpedo the larger enemy ships. Each side fired many torpedoes, but both battlecruiser forces turned away from the attacks and all escaped harm except Seydlitz, which was hit forward at 1657 by a torpedo fired by the British destroyer HMS Petard. Though taking on water, Seydlitz maintained speed. The destroyer HMS Nestor, under the command of Captain Barry Bingham, led the British attacks. The British disabled the German torpedo boat V27, which the Germans soon abandoned and sank, and Petard then torpedoed and sank V29, her second score of the day. S35 and V26 rescued the crews of their sunken sister ships. But Nestor and another British destroyer, HMS Nomad, were immobilised by shell hits, and were later sunk by Scheer's passing dreadnoughts. Bingham was rescued, and won the Victoria Cross for his leadership in the destroyer action.

                                The Run to the North

                                As soon as he himself sighted the vanguard of Scheer's distant battleship line 12 miles away, at 1640, Beatty turned his battlecruiser force 180°, heading north to draw the Germans toward Jellicoe. Beatty's withdrawal toward Jellicoe is called the "Run to the North", in which the tables turned and the Germans chased the British. Because Beatty once again failed to signal his intentions adequately, the battleships of the 5th Battle Squadron, which were too far behind to read his flags, found themselves passing the battlecruisers on an opposing course and heading directly toward the approaching main body of the High Seas Fleet. At 1648, at extreme range, Scheer's leading battleships opened fire. Meanwhile, at 1647, having received Goodenough's signal and knowing that Beatty was now leading the German battlefleet north to him, Jellicoe signalled to his own forces that the fleet action they had waited so long for was finally imminent. At 1651, by radio, he informed the Admiralty so in London. The difficulties of the 5th Battle Squadron were compounded when Beatty gave the order to Evan-Thomas to "turn in succession" (rather than "turn together") at 1648 as the battleships passed him. Evan-Thomas acknowledged the signal, but Lieutenant-Commander Ralph Seymour, Beatty's flag lieutenant, aggravated the situation when he did not haul down the flags (to execute the signal) for some minutes. At 1655, when the 5BS had moved within range of the enemy battleships, Evan-Thomas issued his own flag command warning his squadron to expect sudden manoeuvres and to follow his lead, before starting to turn on his own initiative. The order to turn in succession would have resulted in all four ships turning in the same patch of sea as they reached it one by one, giving the High Seas Fleet repeated opportunity with ample time to find the proper range. However, the captain of the trailing ship (HMS Malaya) turned early, mitigating the adverse results. For the next hour, the 5th Battle Squadron acted as Beatty's rearguard, drawing fire from all the German ships within range, while by 1710 Beatty had deliberately eased his own squadron out of range of Hipper's now-superior battlecruiser force to give his damaged ships a respite from the accurate and deadly fire of his foes. Since visibility and firepower now favoured the Germans, there was no incentive for Beatty to risk further battlecruiser losses when his own gunnery could not be effective. Illustrating the imbalance, Beatty's battlecruisers did not score any hits on the Germans in this phase until 1745, but they had rapidly received five more before he opened the range (four on Lion, of which three were by Lützow, and one on Tiger by Seydlitz). Now the only targets the Germans could reach, the ships of the 5th Battle Squadron, received simultaneous fire from Hipper's battlecruisers to the east (which HMS Barham and Valiant engaged) and Scheer's leading battleships to the southeast (which HMS Warspite and Malaya engaged). Three took hits: Barham (four by Derfflinger), Warspite (two by Seydlitz), and Malaya (seven by the German battleships). Only Valiant was unscathed. The four battleships were far better suited to take this sort of pounding than the battlecruisers, and none were lost, though Malaya suffered heavy damage, an ammunition fire, and heavy crew casualties. At the same time, the 15 inch (380 mm) fire of the four British ships was accurate and effective. As the two British squadrons headed north at top speed, eagerly chased by the entire German fleet, the 5th Battle Squadron scored 13 hits on the enemy battlecruisers (four on Lützow, three on Derfflinger, six on Seydlitz) and five on battleships (although only one, on SMS Markgraf, did any serious damage).

                                The fleets converge

                                Jellicoe was now aware that full fleet engagement was nearing, but had insufficient information on the position and course of the Germans. To assist Beatty, early in the battle at about 1605, Jellicoe had ordered Rear-Admiral Horace Hood's 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron to speed ahead to find and support Beatty's force, and Hood was now racing SSE well in advance of Jellicoe's northern force. Rear-Admiral Arbuthnot's 1st Cruiser Squadron patrolled the van of Jellicoe's main battleship force as it advanced steadily to the southeast. At 1733, the armoured cruiser HMS Black Prince of Arbuthnot's squadron, on the far southwest flank of Jellicoe's force, came within view of HMS Falmouth, which was about 5 miles ahead of Beatty with the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron, establishing the first visual link between the converging bodies of the Grand Fleet. At 1738, the scout cruiser HMS Chester, screening Hood's oncoming battlecruisers, was intercepted by the van of the German scouting forces under Rear-Admiral Bödicker. Heavily outnumbered by Bödicker's four light cruisers, Chester was pounded before being relieved by Hood's heavy units, which swung westward for that purpose. Hood's flagship HMS Invincible disabled the light cruiser SMS Wiesbaden shortly after 1756. Wiesbaden became a sitting target for most of the British fleet during the next hour, but remained afloat and fired some torpedoes at the passing enemy battleships from long range. Meanwhile, Bödicker's other ships fled toward Hipper and Scheer in the mistaken belief that Hood was leading a larger force of British capital ships from the north and east. A chaotic destroyer action in mist and smoke ensued as German torpedo boats attempted to blunt the arrival of this new formation, but Hood's battlecruisers dodged all the torpedoes fired at them. In this action, after leading a torpedo counterattack, the British destroyer HMS Shark was disabled, but continued to return fire at numerous passing enemy ships for the next hour.

                                The fleet action - Deployment

                                In the meantime, Beatty and Evan-Thomas had resumed their engagement with Hipper's battlecruisers, this time with the visual conditions to their advantage. With several of his ships damaged, Hipper turned back toward Scheer at around 1800, just as Beatty's flagship Lion was finally sighted from Jellicoe's flagship Iron Duke. Jellicoe twice demanded the latest position of the German battlefleet from Beatty, who could not see the German battleships and failed to respond to the question until 1814. Meanwhile, Jellicoe received confused sighting reports of varying accuracy and limited usefulness from light cruisers and battleships on the starboard (southern) flank of his force. Jellicoe was in a worrying position. He needed to know the location of the German fleet to judge when and how to deploy his battleships from their cruising formation (six columns of four ships each) into a single battle line. The deployment could be on either the westernmost or the easternmost column, and had to be carried out before the Germans arrived; but early deployment could mean losing any chance of a decisive encounter. Deploying to the west would bring his fleet closer to Scheer, gaining valuable time as dusk approached, but the Germans might arrive before the manoeuvre was complete. Deploying to the east would take the force away from Scheer, but Jellicoe's ships might be able to cross the "T", and visibility would strongly favour British gunnery, Scheer's forces would be silhouetted against the setting sun to the west, while the Grand Fleet would be indistinct against the dark skies to the north and east, and would be hidden by reflection of the low sunlight off intervening haze and smoke. Deployment would take twenty irreplaceable minutes, and the fleets were closing at full speed. In one of the most critical and difficult tactical command decisions of the entire war, Jellicoe ordered deployment to the east at 1815.

                                Windy Corner

                                Meanwhile, Hipper had rejoined Scheer, and the combined High Seas Fleet was heading north, directly toward Jellicoe. Scheer had no indication that Jellicoe was at sea, let alone that he was bearing down from the northwest, and was distracted by the intervention of Hood's ships to his north and east. Beatty's four surviving battlecruisers were now crossing the van of the British dreadnoughts to join Hood's three battlecruisers; at this time, Arbuthnot's flagship, the armoured cruiser HMS Defence, and her squadron-mate HMS Warrior both charged across Beatty's bows, and Lion narrowly avoided a collision with Warrior. Nearby, numerous British light cruisers and destroyers on the southwestern flank of the deploying battleships were also crossing each other's courses in attempts to reach their proper stations, often barely escaping collisions, and under fire from some of the approaching German ships. This period of peril and heavy traffic attending the merger and deployment of the British forces later became known as "Windy Corner". Arbuthnot was attracted by the drifting hull of the crippled Wiesbaden. With Warrior, Defence closed in for the kill, only to blunder right into the gun sights of Hipper's and Scheer's oncoming capital ships. Defence was deluged by heavy-calibre gunfire from many German battleships, which detonated her magazines in a spectacular explosion viewed by most of the deploying Grand Fleet; she sank with all hands (903 officers and men). Warrior was also hit badly, but she was spared destruction by a mishap to the nearby battleship Warspite. Warspite had her steering gear overheat and jam under heavy load at high speed as the 5th Battle Squadron made a turn to the north at 1819. Steaming at top speed in wide circles, Warspite appeared as a juicy target to the German dreadnoughts and took 13 hits, inadvertently drawing fire from the hapless Warrior. Warspite was brought back under control and survived the onslaught, but was badly damaged, had to reduce speed, and withdrew northward; later (at 2107), she was ordered back to port by Evan-Thomas. Warspite went on to a long and illustrious career, serving also in World War II. Warrior, on the other hand, was abandoned and sank the next day after her crew was taken off at 0825 on 1 June by Engadine, which towed the sinking armoured cruiser 100 miles during the night. As Defence sank and Warspite circled, at about 1819, Hipper moved within range of Hood's 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron, but was still also within range of Beatty's ships. At first, visibility favoured the British: HMS Indomitable hit Derfflinger three times and Seydlitz once, while Lützow quickly took 10 hits from Lion, Inflexible and Invincible, including two below-waterline hits forward by Invincible that would ultimately doom Hipper's flagship. But at 1830, Invincible abruptly appeared as a clear target before Lützow and Derfflinger. The two German ships then fired three salvoes each at Invincible, and sank her in 90 seconds. A 12 inch (300 mm) shell from the third salvo struck Invincible's Q-turret amidships, detonating the magazines below and causing her to blow up and sink. All but six of her crew of 1,032 officers and men, including Rear-Admiral Hood, were killed. Of the remaining British battlecruisers, only Princess Royal received heavy-calibre hits at this time (two 12 inch (300 mm) by the battleship Markgraf). Lützow, flooding forward and unable to communicate by radio, was now out of action and began to attempt to withdraw; therefore Hipper left his flagship and transferred to the torpedo boat SMS G39, hoping to board one of the other battlecruisers later.

                                Crossing the T

                                By 1830, the main battlefleet action was joined for the first time, with Jellicoe effectively "crossing Scheer's T". The officers on the lead German battleships, and Scheer himself, were taken completely by surprise when they emerged from drifting clouds of smoky mist to suddenly find themselves facing the massed firepower of the entire Grand Fleet main battle line, which they did not know was even at sea. Jellicoe's flagship Iron Duke quickly scored seven hits on the lead German dreadnought, SMS König, but in this brief exchange, which lasted only minutes, as few as 10 of the Grand Fleet's 24 dreadnoughts actually opened fire. The Germans were hampered by poor visibility, in addition to being in an unfavourable tactical position, just as Jellicoe had intended. Realizing he was heading into a death trap, Scheer ordered his fleet to turn and flee at 1833. Under a pall of smoke and mist, Scheer's forces succeeded in disengaging by an expertly executed 180° turn in unison ("battle about turn to starboard"), which was a well-practiced emergency manoeuvre of the High Seas Fleet. It was now obvious that we were confronted by a large portion of the English fleet. The entire arc stretching from north to east was a sea of fire. The flash from the muzzles of the guns was seen distinctly through the mist and smoke on the horizon, although the ships themselves were not distinguishable. —Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer. Conscious of the risks to his capital ships posed by torpedoes, Jellicoe did not chase directly but headed south, determined to keep the High Seas Fleet west of him. Starting at 1840, battleships at the rear of Jellicoe's line were in fact sighting and avoiding torpedoes, and at 1854 HMS Marlborough was hit by a torpedo (probably from the disabled Wiesbaden), which reduced her speed to 18 mph. Meanwhile, Scheer, knowing that it was not yet dark enough to escape and that his fleet would suffer terribly in a stern chase, doubled back to the east at 1855. In his memoirs he wrote, "the manoeuvre would be bound to surprise the enemy, to upset his plans for the rest of the day, and if the blow fell heavily it would facilitate the breaking loose at night." But the turn to the east took his ships, again, directly towards Jellicoe's fully deployed battle line. Simultaneously, the disabled British destroyer HMS Shark fought desperately against a group of four German torpedo boats and disabled V48 with gunfire, but was eventually torpedoed and sunk at 1902 by the German destroyer S54. Shark's Captain Loftus Jones won the Victoria Cross for his heroism in continuing to fight against all odds.

                                Gefechtskehrtwendung ("About Turn!")

                                Commodore Goodenough's 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron dodged the fire of German battleships for a second time to re-establish contact with the High Seas Fleet shortly after 1900. By 1915, Jellicoe had crossed Scheer's "T" again. This time his arc of fire was tighter and deadlier, causing severe damage to the German battleships, particularly Rear-Admiral Behncke's leading 3rd Squadron (SMS Konig, Grosser Kurfürst, Markgraf, and Kaiser all being hit, along with SMS Helgoland of the 1st Squadron), while on the British side, only the battleship HMS Colossus was hit (twice, by SMS Seydlitz, but with little damage done). At 1917, for the second time in less than an hour, Scheer turned his outnumbered and outgunned fleet to the west using the "battle about turn" (German: Gefechtskehrtwendung), but this time it was executed only with difficulty, as the High Seas Fleet's lead squadrons began to lose formation under concentrated gunfire. To deter a British chase, Scheer ordered a major torpedo attack by his destroyers and a potentially sacrificial charge by Scouting Group I's four remaining battlecruisers. Hipper was still aboard the torpedo boat G39 and was unable to command his squadron for this attack. Therefore, SMS Derfflinger, under Captain Hartog, led the already badly damaged German battlecruisers directly into "the greatest concentration of naval gunfire any fleet commander had ever faced", at ranges down to 4 miles, in what became known as the "death ride", all the battlecruisers except SMS Moltke were hit and further damaged, as 18 of the British battleships fired at them simultaneously. Derfflinger had two main gun turrets destroyed. The crews of Scouting Group I suffered heavy casualties, but survived the pounding and veered away with the other battlecruisers once Scheer was out of trouble and the German destroyers were moving in to attack. In this brief but intense portion of the engagement, from about 1905 to about 1930, the Germans sustained a total of 37 heavy hits while inflicting only two; Derfflinger alone received 14. While his battlecruisers drew the fire of the British fleet, Scheer slipped away, laying smoke screens. Meanwhile, from about 1916 to about 1940, the British battleships were also engaging Scheer's torpedo boats, which executed several waves of torpedo attacks to cover his withdrawal. Jellicoe's ships turned away from the attacks and successfully evaded all 31 of the torpedoes launched at them, though, in several cases, only just barely, and sank the German destroyer S35. British light forces also sank V48, which had previously been disabled by HMS Shark. This action, and the turn away, cost the British critical time and range in the last hour of daylight, as Scheer intended, allowing him to get his heavy ships out of immediate danger. The last major exchanges between capital ships in this battle took place just after sunset, from about 2019 to about 2035, as the surviving British battlecruisers caught up with their German counterparts, which were briefly relieved by Rear-Admiral Mauve's obsolete pre-dreadnoughts (the German 2nd Squadron). The British received one heavy hit on Princess Royal but scored five more on Seydlitz and three on other German ships. As twilight faded to night and HMS King George V exchanged a few final shots with SMS Westfalen, neither side could have imagined that the only encounter between British and German dreadnoughts in the entire war was already concluded.

                                Night action and German withdrawal

                                At 2100, Jellicoe, conscious of the Grand Fleet's deficiencies in night fighting, decided to try to avoid a major engagement until early dawn. He placed a screen of cruisers and destroyers 5 miles behind his battle fleet to patrol the rear as he headed south to guard Scheer's expected escape route. In reality, Scheer opted to cross Jellicoe's wake and escape via Horns Reef. Luckily for Scheer, most of the light forces in Jellicoe's rearguard failed to report the seven separate encounters with the German fleet during the night. The very few radio reports that were sent to the British flagship were never received, possibly because the Germans were jamming British frequencies. Many of the destroyers failed to make the most of their opportunities to attack discovered ships, despite Jellicoe's expectations that the destroyer forces would, if necessary, be able to block the path of the German fleet. Jellicoe and his commanders did not understand that the furious gunfire and explosions to the north (seen and heard for hours by all the British battleships) indicated that the German heavy ships were breaking through the screen astern of the British fleet. Instead, it was believed that the fighting was the result of night attacks by German destroyers. The most powerful British ships of all (the 15-inch-gunned 5th Battle Squadron) directly observed German battleships crossing astern of them in action with British light forces, at ranges of 3 miles or less, and gunners on HMS Malaya made ready to fire, but her captain declined, deferring to the authority of Rear-Admiral Evan-Thomas, and neither commander reported the sightings to Jellicoe, assuming that he could see for himself and that revealing the fleet's position by radio signals or gunfire was unwise. While the nature of Scheer's escape, and Jellicoe's inaction, indicate the overall German superiority in night fighting, the results of the night action were no more clear-cut than were those of the battle as a whole. In the first of many surprise encounters by darkened ships at point-blank range, Southampton, Commodore Goodenough's flagship, which had scouted so proficiently, was heavily damaged in action with a German Scouting Group composed of light cruisers, but managed to torpedo SMS Frauenlob, which went down at 2223 with all hands (320 officers and men). From 2320 to approximately 0215, several British destroyer flotillas launched torpedo attacks on the German battle fleet in a series of violent and chaotic engagements at extremely short range (often under 0.5 miles). At the cost of five destroyers sunk and some others damaged, they managed to torpedo the light cruiser SMS Rostock, which sank several hours later, and the pre-dreadnought SMS Pommern, which blew up and sank with all hands (839 officers and men) at 0310 during the last wave of attacks before dawn. Three of the British destroyers collided in the chaos, and the German battleship SMS Nassau rammed the British destroyer HMS Spitfire, blowing away most of the British ship's superstructure merely with the muzzle blast of its big guns, which could not be aimed low enough to hit the ship. Nassau was left with a 11 ft hole in her side, reducing her maximum speed to 17 mph, while the removed plating was left lying on Spitfire's deck. Spitfire survived and made it back to port. Another German cruiser, SMS Elbing, was accidentally rammed by the dreadnought Posen and abandoned, sinking early the next day. Of the British destroyers, HMS Tipperary, Ardent, Fortune, Sparrowhawk and Turbulent were lost during the night fighting. Just after midnight on 1 June, SMS Thüringen and other German battleships sank HMS Black Prince of the ill-fated 1st Cruiser Squadron, which had blundered into the German battle line. Deployed as part of a screening force several miles ahead of the main force of the Grand Fleet, the Black Prince had lost contact in the darkness and took a position near what she thought was the British line. The Germans soon identified the new addition to its line and opened fire. Overwhelmed by point-blank gunfire, the Black Prince blew up, (857 officers and men - all hands - were lost), as her squadron leader Defence had done hours earlier. Lost in the darkness, the battlecruisers SMS Moltke and Seydlitz had similar point-blank encounters with the British battle line and were recognized, but were spared the fate of Black Prince when the captains of the British ships, again, declined to open fire, reluctant to reveal their fleet's position. At 0145, the sinking battlecruiser Lützow, fatally damaged by Invincible during the main action, was torpedoed by the destroyer G38 on orders of Lützow's Captain Viktor von Harder after the surviving crew of 1,150 transferred to destroyers that came alongside. At 0215, the German torpedo boat V4 suddenly had its bow blown off; V2 and V6 came alongside and took off the remaining crew, and the V2 then sank the hulk. Since there was no enemy nearby, it was assumed that she had hit a mine or had been torpedoed by a submarine. At 0215, five British ships of the 13th Destroyer Flotilla under Captain James Uchtred Farie regrouped and headed south. At 0225, they sighted the rear of the German line. HMS Marksman inquired of the leader Champion as to whether he thought they were British or German ships. Answering that he thought they were German, Farie then veered off to the east and away from the German line. All but Moresby in the rear followed, as through the gloom she sighted what she thought were four pre-dreadnought battleships 2 miles away. She hoisted a flag signal indicating that the enemy was to the west and then closed to firing range, letting off a torpedo set for high running at 0237, then veering off to rejoin her flotilla. The four pre-dreadnought battleships were in fact two pre-dreadnoughts, Schleswig-Holstein and Schlesien, and the battlecruisers Von der Tann and Derfflinger. Von der Tann sighted the torpedo and was forced to steer sharply to starboard to avoid it as it passed close to her bows. Moresby rejoined Champion convinced she had scored a hit. Finally, at 0520, as Scheer's fleet was safely on its way home, the battleship SMS Ostfriesland struck a British mine on her starboard side, killing one man and wounding ten, but was able to make port. Seydlitz, critically damaged and very nearly sinking, barely survived the return voyage: after grounding and taking on even more water on the evening of 1 June, she had to be assisted stern first into port, where she dropped anchor at 0730 on the morning of 2 June. The Germans were helped in their escape by the failure of the British Admiralty in London to pass on seven critical radio intercepts obtained by naval intelligence indicating the true position, course and intentions of the High Seas Fleet during the night. One message was transmitted to Jellicoe at 2315 that accurately reported the German fleet's course and speed as of 2114. However, the erroneous signal from earlier in the day that reported the German fleet still in port, and an intelligence signal received at 2245 giving another unlikely position for the German fleet, had reduced his confidence in intelligence reports. Had the other messages been forwarded, which confirmed the information received at 2315, or had British ships reported accurately sightings and engagements with German destroyers, cruisers and battleships, then Jellicoe could have altered course to intercept Scheer at the Horns Reef. The unsent intercepted messages had been duly filed by the junior officer left on duty that night, who failed to appreciate their significance. By the time Jellicoe finally learned of Scheer's whereabouts at 0415, the German was too far away to catch and it was clear that the battle could no longer be resumed.

                                Reporting the Outcome

                                At midday on 2 June German authorities released a press statement claiming a victory, including the destruction of a battleship, two battlecruisers, two armoured cruisers, a light cruiser, a submarine and several destroyers, for the loss of Pommern and Wiesbaden. News that Lutzow, Elbing and Rostock had been scuttled was withheld, on the grounds this information would not be known to the enemy. The victory of the Skagerrak was celebrated in the press, children were given a holiday and the nation celebrated. The Kaiser announced a new chapter in world history. Post-war, the official German history hailed the battle as a victory and it continued to be celebrated until after World War II.

                                In Britain the first official news came from German wireless broadcasts. Ships began to arrive in port, their crews sending messages to friends and relatives both of their survival and the loss of some 6,000 others. Authorities considered suppressing the news, but it had already spread widely.

                                British self-critique

                                The official British Admiralty examination of the Grand Fleet's performance recognised two main problems: British armour-piercing shells exploded outside the German armour rather than penetrating and exploding within. As a result, some German ships with only 8 in (20 cm)-thick armour survived hits from 15-inch (380 mm) projectiles. Had these shells penetrated the armour and then exploded, German losses would probably have been far greater. Communication between ships and the British commander-in-chief were comparatively poor. For most of the battle, Jellicoe had no idea where the German ships were, even though British ships were in contact. They failed to report enemy positions, contrary to the Grand Fleet's Battle Plan. Some of the most important signalling was carried out solely by flag instead of wireless or using redundant methods to ensure communications—a questionable procedure, given the mixture of haze and smoke that obscured the battlefield, and a foreshadowing of similar failures by habit-bound and conservatively minded professional officers of rank to take advantage of new technology in World War II.

                                Shell performance

                                German armour-piercing shells were far more effective than the British ones, which often failed to penetrate heavy armour. The issue particularly concerned shells striking at oblique angles, which became increasingly the case at long range. The issue of poorly performing shells had been known to Jellicoe, who as third sea lord from 1908 to 1910 had ordered new shells to be designed. However, the matter had not been followed through after his posting to sea and new shells had never been thoroughly tested. Hipper later commented, "It was nothing but the poor quality of their bursting charges which saved us from disaster". Efforts to replace the shells were initially resisted by the Admiralty, and action was not taken until Jellicoe became First Sea Lord in December 1916. As an initial response, the worst of the existing shells were withdrawn from ships in early 1917 and replaced from reserve supplies. New shells were designed, but did not arrive until April 1918, and were never used in action.

                                Battlecruiser losses

                                The British battlecruisers were designed to chase and destroy enemy cruisers from a range at which these ships could not reply. They were not designed to be ships of the line and exchange broadsides with the enemy. Although one German and three British battlecruisers were sunk, none of them were destroyed by enemy shells penetrating the belt armour and detonating the magazines. Each of the British battlecruisers was penetrated through a turret roof and her magazines ignited by flash fires passing through the turret and shell-handling rooms. Lützow sustained 24 hits and her flooding could not be contained. She was eventually sunk by her escorts' torpedoes after her crew had been safely removed. Derfflinger and Seydlitz sustained 22 hits each but reached port (although in Seydlitz's case only just). Whether or not thin deck armour was a potential weakness of British ships, the battle provided no evidence that it was the case. At least amongst the surviving ships, no enemy shell was found to have penetrated deck armour anywhere. The design of a new battlecruiser HMS Hood (which had started building at the time of the battle) was altered to give her 5,000 long tons of additional armour.

                                Ammunition handling

                                British and German propellant charges differed in packaging, handling, and chemistry. The British propellant was of two types, MK1 and MD. The Mark 1 cordite had a formula of 37% nitrocellulose, 58% nitroglycerine, and 5% petroleum jelly. It was a good propellant but burned hot and caused an erosion problem in gun barrels. The petroleum jelly served as both a lubricant and a stabilizer. Cordite MD was developed to reduce barrel wear, its formula being 65% nitrocellulose, 30% nitroglycerine, and 5% petroleum jelly. While cordite MD solved the gun-barrel erosion issue, it did nothing to improve its storage properties, which were poor. Cordite was very sensitive to variations of temperature, and acid propagation/cordite deterioration would take place at a very rapid rate. Cordite MD also shed micro-dust particles of nitrocellulose and iron pyrite. While cordite propellant was manageable, it required a vigilant gunnery officer, strict cordite lot control, and frequent testing of the cordite lots in the ships' magazines. British cordite propellant (when uncased and exposed in the silk bag) tended to burn violently, causing uncontrollable "flash fires" when ignited by nearby shell hits.

                                German propellant (RP C/12, handled in brass cartridge cases) was less vulnerable and less volatile in composition. German propellants show that they were not that different in composition from cordite—with one major exception: centralite. This was symmetrical Diethyl Diphenyl Urea, which served as a stabilizer that was superior to the petroleum jelly used in British practice. It stored better and burned but did not explode. Stored and used in brass cases, it proved much less sensitive to flash. RP C/12, 64.13% nitrocellulose, 29.77% nitroglycerine, 5.75% centralite, 0.25% magnesium oxide and 0.10% graphite. The Royal Navy Battle Cruiser Fleet had also emphasized speed in ammunition handling over established safety protocol. In practice drills, cordite could not be supplied to the guns rapidly enough through the hoists and hatches. To bring up the propellant in good time to load for the next broadside, many safety doors were kept open that should have been shut to safeguard against flash fires. Bags of cordite were also stocked and kept locally, creating a total breakdown of safety design features. By staging charges in the chambers between the gun turret and magazine, the Royal Navy enhanced their rate of fire but left their ships vulnerable to chain reaction ammunition fires and magazine explosions. This 'bad safety habit' carried over into real battle practices. Furthermore, the doctrine of a high rate of fire also led to the decision in 1913 to increase the supply of shells and cordite held on the British ships by 50%, for fear of running out of ammunition. When this exceeded the capacity of the ships' magazines, cordite was stored in insecure places. The British cordite charges were stored two silk bags to a metal cylindrical container, with a 16-oz gunpowder igniter charge, which was covered with a thick paper wad, four charges being used on each projectile. The gun crews were removing the charges from their containers and removing the paper covering over the gunpowder igniter charges. The effect of having eight loads at the ready was to have 4 short tons (3,600 kg) of exposed explosive, with each charge leaking small amounts of gunpowder from the igniter bags. In effect, the gun crews had laid an explosive train from the turret to the magazines, and one shell hit to a battlecruiser turret was enough to end a ship. A diving expedition during the summer of 2003 provided corroboration of this practice. It examined the wrecks of Invincible, Queen Mary, Defence, and Lützow to investigate the cause of the British ships' tendency to suffer from internal explosions. From this evidence, a major part of the blame may be laid on lax handling of the cordite propellant for the shells of the main guns. The wreck of the Queen Mary revealed cordite containers stacked in the working chamber of the X turret instead of the magazine.

                                After the battle, the B.C.F. Gunnery Committee issued a report (at the command of Admiral David Beatty) advocating immediate changes in flash protection and charge handling. It reported, among other things, that: Some vent plates in magazines allowed flash into the magazines and should be retro-fitted to a new standard. Bulkheads in HMS Lion's magazine showed buckling from fire under pressure (overpressure), despite being flooded and therefore supported by water pressure, and must be made stronger. Doors opening inward to magazines were an extreme danger. Current designs of turrets could not eliminate flash from shell bursts in the turret from reaching the handling rooms. Ignition pads must not be attached to charges but instead be placed just before ramming. Better methods must be found for safe storage of ready charges than the current method. Some method for rapidly drowning charges already in the handling path must be devised. Handling scuttles (special flash-proof fittings for moving propellant charges through ship's bulkheads), designed to handle overpressure, must be fitted.

                                The United States Navy in 1939 had quantities of Cordite N, a Canadian propellant that was much improved, yet its Bureau of Ordnance objected strongly to its use onboard U.S. warships, considering it unsuitable as a naval propellant due to its inclusion of nitroglycerin.

                                Signalling

                                Throughout the battle, British ships experienced difficulties with communications, whereas the Germans did not suffer such problems. The British preferred signalling using ship-to-ship flag and lamp signals, avoiding wireless, whereas the Germans used wireless successfully. One conclusion drawn was that flag signals were not a satisfactory way to control the fleet. Experience using lamps, particularly at night when issuing challenges to other ships, demonstrated this was an excellent way to advertise your precise location to an enemy, inviting a reply by gunfire. Recognition signals by lamp, once seen, could also easily be copied in future engagements.

                                Controversy

                                At the time, Jellicoe was criticised for his caution and for allowing Scheer to escape. Beatty, in particular, was convinced that Jellicoe had missed a tremendous opportunity to annihilate the High Seas Fleet and win what would amount to another Trafalgar. Jellicoe was promoted away from active command to become First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy, while Beatty replaced him as commander of the Grand Fleet. The controversy raged within the navy and in public for about a decade after the war. He was probably also aware of the ammunition vulnerability and other qualitative differences. The criticism of Jellicoe also fails to sufficiently credit Scheer, who was determined to preserve his fleet by avoiding the full British battle line and who showed great skill in effecting his escape.

                                Beatty's actions

                                Although Beatty was undeniably brave, his mismanagement of the initial encounter with Hipper's squadron and the High Seas Fleet lost the advantage in the first hours of the battle. His most glaring failure was in not providing Jellicoe with periodic information on the position, course, and speed of the High Seas Fleet. Beatty, would have had greater options to attack Hippers Battlecruisers had he combined with the four fast battleships of the 5th Battle Squadron given him 10 ships against Hipper's five. Beatty's larger 13.5 inch guns outranged Hipper's 11 and 12 inch guns by thousands of yards, yet he held his fire for 10 minutes and closed with the enemy squadron until within range of the Germans' superior gunnery, under weather conditions that favoured the Germans. Most of the British losses in tonnage occurred in Beatty's force.

                                Status of the survivors and wrecks

                                In the years following the battle the wrecks were slowly discovered. Invincible was found by the Royal Navy minesweeper HMS Oakley in 1919. After the Second World War some of the wrecks seem to have been commercially salvaged. For instance, the Hydrographic Office record for SMS Lützow (No.32344) shows that salvage operations were taking place on the wreck in 1960. In 2000,2001 a series of diving expeditions involving veteran shipwreck historian and archaeologist Innes McCartney located the wrecks of Defence, Indefatigable and Nomad. It was discovered that Indefatigable, too had been ripped apart by salvors at some currently unknown time. On the 90th anniversary of the battle, in 2006, the UK Ministry of Defence belatedly announced that the 14 British vessels lost in the battle were being designated as protected places under the Protection of Military Remains Act. The last surviving veteran of the battle, Henry Allingham, a British RAF (originally RNAS) airman, died on 18 July 2009, aged 113, by which time he was the oldest documented man in the world and one of the last surviving veterans of the whole war. Also among the combatants was the then 20-year-old Prince Albert, second in the line to the British throne, who would serve as King George VI of the United Kingdom from 1936 until his death in 1952. He served as a junior officer in the Royal Navy. In 2014, one ship from the battle survives and is still afloat, the light cruiser HMS Caroline. Decommissioned in 2011, she is docked at the Royal Naval Reserve depot in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

                                Remembrance

                                The Battle of Jutland was celebrated as a great victory in Weimar Germany. This "victory" was used to repress the memory of the German Navy's Revolution in 1918,1919 and the defeat in World War I. (The celebrations of the Battle of Tannenberg played a similar role in the Weimar Republic) This is especially true for Wilhelmshaven, where wreath-laying ceremonies and torch-lit parades were held until the end of the 1960s

                                31st May 1916  Squadron training

                                31st May 1916 Battle of Jutland  On 31 May 1916, the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron consisted of HMS New Zealand (flagship of Rear Admiral William Christopher Pakenham) and HMS Indefatigable. (Australia was still under repair following her collision with New Zealand.) The squadron was assigned to Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet, which had put to sea to intercept a sortie by the High Seas Fleet into the North Sea. The British were able to decode the German radio messages and left their bases before the Germans put to sea. Hipper's battlecruisers spotted the Battlecruiser Fleet to their west at 1520, but Beatty's ships didn't spot the Germans to their east until 1530. Two minutes later, he ordered a course change to east-south-east to position himself astride the German's line of retreat and called his ships' crews to action stations. He also ordered the 2nd BCS, which had been leading, to fall in astern of the 1st BCS. Hipper ordered his ships to turn to starboard, away from the British, to assume a south-easterly course, and reduced speed to 18 knots to allow three light cruisers of the 2nd Scouting Group to catch up. With this turn, Hipper was falling back on the High Seas Fleet, then about 60 miles behind him. Around this time, Beatty altered course to the east as it was quickly apparent that he was still too far north to cut off Hipper. Thus began the so-called "Run to the South" as Beatty changed course to steer east-south-east at 1545, paralleling Hipper's course, now that the range closed to under 18,000 yards. The Germans opened fire first at 3:48, followed by the British. The British ships were still in the process of making their turn, and only the two leading ships, HMS Lion and HMS Princess Royal, had steadied on their course when the Germans opened fire. The British formation was echeloned to the right with Indefatigable in the rear and the furthest to the west, and New Zealand ahead of her and slightly further east. The German fire was accurate from the beginning, but the British overestimated the range as the German ships blended into the haze. Indefatigable aimed at SMS Von der Tann, while New Zealand, unengaged herself, targeted SMS Moltke. By 3:54, the range was down to 12,900 yards (11,800 m) and Beatty ordered a course change two points to starboard to open up the range at 3:57. Indefatigable was destroyed at about 4:03, when her magazines exploded. After Indefatigable's loss, New Zealand shifted her fire to Von der Tann in accordance with Beatty's standing instructions. The range had grown too far for accurate shooting, so Beatty altered course four points to port to close the range again between 1612 and 1615. By this time, the 5th Battle Squadron, consisting of four Queen Elizabeth-class battleships, had closed up and was engaging Von der Tann and Moltke. At 1623, a 13.5-inch shell from HMS Tiger struck near Von der Tann's rear turret, starting a fire among the practice targets stowed there that completely obscured the ship and caused New Zealand to shift fire to Moltke. At 1626, the ship was hit by an 11 inch shell, fired by Von der Tann, on 'X' barbette that detonated on contact and knocked loose a piece of armour that briefly jammed 'X' turret and blew a hole in the upper deck. Four minutes later, Southampton, scouting in front of Beatty's ships, spotted the lead elements of the High Seas Fleet charging north at top speed. Three minutes later, she sighted the topmasts of Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer's battleships, but did not transmit a message to Beatty for another five minutes. Beatty continued south for another two minutes to confirm the sighting himself before ordering a sixteen point turn to starboard in succession. New Zealand, the last ship in the line, turned prematurely to stay outside the range of the oncoming battleships. A chunk of armour knocked from New Zealand's 'X' turret during the Battle of Jutland on display at the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum in Auckland New Zealand was straddled several times by the battleship SMS Prinzregent Luitpold but was not hit. Beatty's ships maintained full speed in an attempt to increase the distance between them and the High Seas Fleet and gradually moved out of range. They turned north and then north-east to try to rendezvous with the main body of the Grand Fleet. At 1740, they opened fire again on the German battlecruisers. The setting sun blinded the German gunners and, as they could not make out the British ships, they turned away to the north-east at 1747. Beatty gradually turned more towards the east to allow him to cover the deployment of the Grand Fleet in battle formation and to move ahead of it, but he mistimed his manoeuvre and forced the leading division to fall off towards the east, further away from the Germans. By 1835, Beatty was following Indomitable and HMS Inflexible of the 3rd BCS as they were steering east-south-east, leading the Grand Fleet, and continuing to engage Hipper's battlecruisers to their south-west. A few minutes earlier, Scheer had ordered a simultaneous 180° starboard turn and Beatty lost sight of the High Seas Fleet in the haze. Twenty minutes later, Scheer ordered another 180° turn which put them on a converging course again with the Grand Fleet, which had altered course to the south. This allowed the Grand Fleet to cross Scheer's T, forming a battle line that cut across his battle line and badly damaging his leading ships. Scheer ordered yet another 180° turn at 1913 in an attempt to extricate the High Seas Fleet from the trap into which he had sent them. This was successful and the British lost sight of the Germans until 2005, when HMS Castor spotted smoke bearing west-north-west. Ten minutes later, she had closed the range enough to identify German torpedo boats, and engaged them. Beatty turned west upon hearing gunfire and spotted the German battlecruisers only 8,500 yards away. Inflexible opened fire at 2020, followed by the rest of Beatty's battlecruisers.

                                New Zealand and Indomitable concentrated their fire on SMS Seydlitz, and hit her five times before she turned west to disengage. Shortly after 2030, the pre-dreadnought battleships of Rear Admiral Mauve's II Battle Squadron were spotted and fire switched to them. The Germans had poor visibility and were able to fire only a few rounds at them before turning away to the west. The British battlecruisers hit the German ships several times before they blended into the haze around 2040. After this, Beatty changed course to south-south-east and maintained that course, ahead of both the Grand Fleet and the High Seas Fleet, until 0255 the next morning, when the order was given to reverse course and head home.

                                New Zealand fired 420 twelve-inch shells during the battle, more than any other ship on either side. Despite this, only four successful hits were credited to the battlecruiser. Three on Seydlitz and one on the pre-dreadnought SMS Schleswig-Holstein. She was hit only once during the battle, confirming for the crew the piupiu and tiki worn by her new captain, J.F.E. (Jimmy) Green, brought good luck.

                                31st May 1916  7th Northumberlands in the Trenches

                                31st May 1916  Drill & Parade

                                31st May 1916  In Action

                                31st May 1916  Suddenly and Painlessly

                                31st May 1916  work on Emplacements

                                31st May 1916  Working Parties

                                31st May 1916  In the Trenches

                                31st May 1916  Training

                                31st May 1916  In Reserve

                                31st May 1916  Training

                                31st May 1916  Headquarters shelled

                                31st May 1916  Reinforcements

                                31st May 1916  Working Parties

                                31st May 1916  Working Parties & Sport

                                31st of May 1916  Normal

                                31st of May 1916  Observation

                                31st May 1916  Working Parties

                                31st of May 1916  Lively Artillery and TM Duels

                                31st May 1916  Relief Completed

                                31st May 1916  Quiet

                                31st May 1916  Training

                                31st May 1916  Holding the Line

                                31st May 1916  Defence Work

                                31st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st May 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                31st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st May 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st May 1916  Orders Received

                                31st May 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                31st of May 1916  Artillery Retaliates

                                31st May 1916  On the March

                                31st May 1916  In Action

                                31st May 1916  Inspections by O.C's.

                                31st May 1916 Training   7th Buffs are Training over special trenches. Signed A N Ransome Lt Col.

                                31st May 1916  Left for Le Bizet

                                31st May 1916  Quiet

                                31st May 1916  Officers class in the afternoon.

                                31st May 1916   Arrival

                                31st May 1916  In Camp

                                31st of May 1916  Baths

                                31st May 1916  Enemy Artillery registered

                                31st May 1916 

                                31st May 1916 Battlecruiser Sunk  On 31 May 1916, the 2nd BCS consisted of HMS New Zealand (flagship of Rear-Admiral William Pakenham) and HMS Indefatigable. The squadron was assigned to Admiral Beatty's Battlecruiser Fleet which had put to sea to intercept a sortie by the High Seas Fleet into the North Sea. A detailed report of the encounter is on the Battle Report Page. Suffice to say that Indefatigable was a casualty of the much criticised actions of the Battle Cruiser Squadron in isolating itself from slower suppoerting Battleships. During the latter stages of that action Indefatigable aimed at Von der Tann and New Zealand targeted Moltke while remaining unengaged herself. By 1554, the range was down to 12,900 yards and Beatty ordered a course change two points to starboard to open up the range at 1557. Around 1600, Indefatigable was hit around the rear turret by two or three shells from Von der Tann. She fell out of formation to starboard and started sinking towards the stern and listing to port. Her magazines exploded at 1603 after more hits, one on the forecastle and another on the forward turret. Smoke and flames gushed from the forward part of the ship and large pieces were thrown 200 feet into the air. The most likely cause of her loss was a deflagration or low-order explosion in 'X' magazine that blew out her bottom and severed the steering control shafts, followed by the explosion of her forward magazines from the second volley. Von der Tann fired only fifty-two 28 cm shells at Indefatigable before she exploded. Of her crew of 1,019, only two survived. While still in the water, two survivors found Indefatigable's captain, C. F. Sowerby, who was badly wounded and died before they could be rescued. The two survivors, Able Seaman Elliott and Leading Signalman Falmer, were rescued by the German torpedo boat S16.

                                Indefatigable, along with the other Jutland wrecks, was belatedly declared a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, to discourage further damage to the resting place of 1,017 men. Mount Indefatigable in the Canadian Rockies was named after the battlecruiser in 1917. The wreck was identified by nautical archaeologist Innes McCartney in 2001, when it was found to have been heavily salvaged sometime in the past.

                                7th May 1916  Training   7th Buffs Church parade in Market square, Corbie. Lt Gen W. Congreve V.C. was present with his staff.

                                1st Jun 1915 NSF Parkgate Street, Dublin  National Shell Factory Parkgate Street, Dublin opened in June 1915. First output of 18pdr shells was in March 1915. It was under the control of the Board of Management.

                                1st Jun 1916 TWFF Barlby Road, Selby opens  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Barlby Road, Selby, Yorkshire started in June 1916 for the production was hydrogen and hydrogenerated oils and charging chemical shell. It was under the direct control of Ardol Ltd.

                                1st Jun 1916 HMEF Colnbrook opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Colnbrook, Middlesex started in June 1916 for the production of guncotton. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Jun 1916 TWFF Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow opens.  Trench Warfare Filling Factory Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow, started 1n June 1916. Production was charging lachrymatory grenades, shells etc. and head filling lethal shell. It was under the direct control of Baird & Tetlock.

                                1st Jun 1916 NFF Hereford opens  National Filling Factory Hereford, Herefordshire started in June 1916 with the first output being in November 1916. Production was filling shell (18-pds to 9.2-ins) and later charging gas shell (1918). It was under the direct control of the Board of Munitions.

                                1st Jun 1916  On the Move

                                1st June 1916  Movements

                                1st June 1916  Training

                                1st June 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ70 Not Built.

                                • Production Ref: LZ70
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: Not Built.
                                • Usage:
                                • First Flight: Not Built.

                                History.

                                This craft was not built. (reason not given).

                                1st June 1916  Work

                                1st June 1916  Field work and moves

                                1st June 1916  Preparations

                                1916 

                                June 1916  New Aircraft

                                June 1916  Cooperation

                                1st Jun 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved by 6th Btn.

                                1st Jun 1916  Company & Section Drill

                                1st Jun 1916  Company & Section Drill

                                1st Jun 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                1st Jun 1916  On the March

                                1st Jun 1916  Under Instruction

                                1st Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Jun 1916  Recce

                                1st Jun 1916  Working Party

                                Jun 1916  On the Move

                                1st Jun 1916  Training

                                1st of June 1916  A Quiet Life

                                1st of June 1915  Appreciation

                                1st June 1916  Shelling of trenches

                                May 1916 

                                1st June 1916 

                                1st Jun 1916  Training

                                1st Jun 1916  Shelling

                                June 1916  Treatments

                                1st Jun 1916  Cricket

                                June 1916  On the move

                                1st of June 1916  Shelling

                                1st of June 1916  Conference

                                1st Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                1st of June 1916  Lively Shelling

                                1st Jun 1916  On the March

                                1st Jun 1916  Enemy Attacks

                                1st Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                1st June 1916  Usual day in rest billets.

                                1st Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                June 1916  In Defence

                                1st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jun 1916  Artillery Active

                                1st Jun1916  On the March

                                1st Jun 1916  On the Move

                                1st Jun 1916  Defences

                                1st Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                1st Jun 1916  On the Move

                                1st Jun 1916  Reorganisation

                                1st of June 1916  Tunnellers Move

                                1st Jun 1916  Training

                                1st Jun 1916  Transfer

                                1st Jun 1916  Reorganisation

                                1st Jun 1916  Emplacements

                                1st June 1916  Enemy Trench Mortars Active

                                1st June 1916  Defence Scheme.

                                1st June 1916  Every available man employed in working parties

                                1st May 1916  Posting

                                1st Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                1st Jun 1916  Observation Balloon

                                1st June 1916  Brigade Ceremonial drill

                                1st June 1916  Reliefs

                                June 1916  In Reserve

                                1st of June 1916  Attack Practised

                                June 1916  On the Move

                                1st June 1916  Heavy shelling at Vimy

                                1st June 1916  Order No.17 received

                                2nd June 1916  Training

                                2nd June 1916  Brigade scheme

                                2nd Jun 1916  Parade

                                2nd Jun 1916  Improving Emplacements

                                2nd Jun 1916  On the March

                                2nd Jun 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                2nd Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                2nd Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd Jun 1916  Baths

                                2nd Jun 1916  Training

                                2nd of June 1916  Hutted Billets

                                2nd Jun 1916  On the Move

                                2nd June 1916  Relief orders

                                2nd June 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Jun 1916  Inspection

                                2nd Jun 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                2nd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd of June 1916  Enemy Attack

                                2nd of June 1916  Observation

                                2nd Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd of June 1916  Hamel Shelled

                                2nd Jun 1916  Baths

                                2nd Jun 1916  Quiet

                                2nd Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                2nd Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                2nd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jun1916  In Billets

                                2nd Jun 1916  Enemy Active

                                2nd Jun 1916  Orders

                                2nd Jun 1916   Reorganisation

                                2nd of June 1916  Slight Shelling

                                2nd Jun 1916  Training

                                2nd June 1916  Usual day in rest billets.

                                2nd Jun 1916  Emplacements

                                2nd June 1916  Heavy Trench Mortars.

                                2nd May 1916  Inspection

                                2nd Jun 1916  Quiet

                                2nd of June 1916  Training

                                2nd June 1916  Trench Mortar fire.

                                2nd June 1916  G.O.C. 52nd Division inspects

                                3rd June 1916  Inspections

                                3rd Jun 1916  20th Northumberlands under fire

                                3rd Jun 1916  Inspection

                                3rd Jun 1916  Under Orders

                                3rd Jun 1916  Ammunition Unloaded

                                3rd Jun 1916  Under Instruction

                                3rd Jun 1916  Reinforcements

                                3rd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Jun 1916  Working Party

                                3rd Jun 1916  Training & Inspection

                                3rd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Jun 1916  Training

                                3rd June 1916  Training

                                3rd of June 1915  Orders

                                3rd June 1916  German mine thrower activity

                                3rd June 1916 

                                3rd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Jun 1916  On the March

                                3rd Jun 1916  Bombardment

                                3rd of June 1916  Heavy Fighting

                                3rd of June 1916  Observation

                                3rd Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd of June 1916  A Heavy Bombardment

                                3rd Jun 1916  Training

                                3rd Jun 1916  Quiet

                                3rd Jun 1916  Training

                                3rd June 1916  Work party wounded

                                3rd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                3rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jun 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jun 1916  Retaliation

                                3rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jun 1916  Relief

                                3rd Jun 1916  Training

                                3rd of June 1916   Huge Minenwerfer

                                3rd Jun 1916  Training

                                3rd Jun 1916  On the Move

                                3rd June 1916  Holiday.

                                3rd Jun 1916  Night Firing

                                3rd June 1916  On the Move

                                3rd June 1916  Under Shell Fire

                                3rd May 1916  Orders Received

                                3rd Jun 1916  Quiet

                                3rd of June 1916  Attack Planned

                                June 1916  On the Move

                                3rd June 1916  Operational Order

                                3rd June 1916  Slight Artillery and Trench Mortar shelling

                                4th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Brigadier General,Royal Artillery, IV Corps, inspected the horses of the B236 and C236 Batteries.

                                4th June 1916  Trenches Inspected

                                4th June 1916  Church Parades

                                4th Jun 1916  Hard fFght Fort Vaux

                                4th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                4th Jun 1916  Quiet Day

                                4th Jun 1916  On the March

                                4th Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                4th Jun 1916 On the March  At 9.30am. 18th DLI vacated hutments in Warnimont Wood, Bus Les Artois and entered billets at Courcelles at 12.30 pm.

                                4th Jun 1916  Strafe

                                4th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                4th Jun 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                4th Jun 1916  Church Parade

                                4th Jun 1916  Church Parade

                                4th of June 1916  The Adjutant Returns

                                4th Jun 1916  Rescue

                                4th June 1916  Seven men buried by explosions

                                4th June 1916 

                                4th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                4th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                4th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jun 1916  Church Parade

                                4th Jun 1916  Retaliation

                                4th of June 1916  Quiet

                                4th of June 1916  Observation

                                4th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                4th of June 1916  A Successful Reconnaissance

                                4th Jun 1916  Church Parade

                                4th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                4th Jun 1916  Training

                                4th Jun 1916  In Reserve

                                4th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                4th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Jun 1916  Duty

                                4th Jun 1916  Reorganisation

                                4th of June 1916   Germans Raid Trenches

                                4th Jun 1916  Training Trenches

                                4th June 1916  Battalion paraded for Divine Service

                                4th Jun 1916  Night Firing

                                4th June 1916  On the Move

                                4th June 1916  Shelling

                                4th June 1916  Very wet.

                                4th May 1916  Reinforcements

                                4th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                4th of June 1916   Specialist Training

                                4th June 1916  Exploded 2 mines

                                4th June 1916  B.M.740 issued

                                5th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin. B236 and C236 Batteries were inspected by the Brigadier General RA, 5 Corps. One Section of A236 Battery went into action at Ablain.

                                5th June 1916  Officers Ride

                                5th Jun 1916  Difficult task for Carrying Parties

                                5th June 1916 Trench Raid  The raiding parties from 24th Northumberland Fusiliers left Franvillers in a motor bus at 18.30hrs on the evening of the 5th June, they were driven to Albert, reaching the town at approximately 20.00hrs.They were assembled in the large dug out at the enemy end of Mercer Street. By the same hour the Brigade and Battalion Commanders were in their respective positions, and communications had been tested. There was at the time complete silence over the line.

                                At 23.00hrs (zero hour)the bombardment started according to the programme and during the bombardment the raiders left the dugout and made their way along the trench Sap no. 6. At that the time the barrage was supposed to lift, but it did not. With shells landing all around the head of the Sap, Major Gallwey waited for an opportunity to leave the Sap and cross No-Mans Land, but time had ran out. The party had by now several casualties. Private Joseph Hughes of Spennymoor was killed and Lance Corporals Stockhill and Blades also Privates Brierley, Cain and Brown, along with Major Gallwey were wounded by British shellfire. Sergeant Patrick Butler and four other soldiers were awarded Divisional Cards of Honour for the part they played in the raid. For Private Brown who had severe wounds,it was the end of the war and by the time the lads were going over the top on 1st of July, he was well on the way back to Blighty and home to Usworth.

                                5th June 1916 Raiding Party  Nominal Roll of 24th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers Raiding Party 5th/6th June 1916.

                                In Command, Major J.P.Gallwey.

                                No.1 Squad

                                • In command: Lieutenant W.A.Brown and 348Sgt.P.Butler.
                                • Bayonetmen 373 Pte.J Reardon. 656 Pte.H. Gilroy 541 Pte.J.W.Crieghton 836 Pte.J. Brierley 1189 Pte.D. Cain 1170 Pte.H. Hughes 544 Pte.H.Bowles
                                • Throwers 1120 Pte. R. Taylor 1133 Pte.J. Connoly 1469 Pte.O. Kehoe 1518 Pte.J.Fennelly
                                • Carriers 220 Cpl.A.Brodie 1577 L/Cpl.Nightingale
                                • Scouts 701 Lcpl.Gray 66 Pte.J. Donnelly
                                • Signallers 1375 Pte.A.T.Smith 101 Cpl. T.Lawler
                                • Stretch Bearers 48 Pte. T.Brown 1027 Pte.W.McGarr
                                • Machine Gun Team 204 L/Cpl.Nolan 420 Pte.Flannigan 1150 Pte. Egan

                                No. 2 Squad

                                • In command 2nd Lieut. J.A.Donnally and 630 Sgt. J.Leighton
                                • Bayonetmen 1448 Pte. Skelton 1635 Pte.Harold 727 Pte. Hubbard Pte.Jones 417 Pte.Traynor 70 Pte. Wilson 764 Pte. Smith
                                • Bombers 1015 Pte. Cairns 983 Pte.Nimmons 1602 Pte.Blades 884 Pte. Charters
                                • Carriers L/Cpl. Stockhill Pte.J.Kelly
                                • Scouts 611 Pte. C.Hughes 448 Cpl.Graham
                                • Signallers 1402 RSM Grailey 1426 Pte. Marron
                                • Stretcher Bearers 234 Pte. Welsh 833 Pte. Rowell


                                5th Jun 1916  6th Northumberlands Relieved by 7th Btn.

                                5th Jun 1916  Ship Sunk

                                5th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                5th Jun 1916  Arab Revolt

                                5th Jun 1916  Recce

                                5th Jun 1916  Training

                                5th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Jun 1916  Raid Attempted

                                5th Jun 1916  Route March and Rranges

                                5th Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                5th Jun 1916  Training

                                5th June 1916  Visits

                                5th of June 1916  Another Billet

                                5th June 1916  Four men buried today

                                5th June 1916 

                                5th Jun 1916  Trench Work

                                5th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                5th Jun 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                5th of June 1916  Quiet

                                5th of June 1916  Barrage

                                5th Jun 1916  Trench Raid

                                5th of June 1916  Two Raids

                                5th Jun 1916  Training

                                5th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                5th June 1916  Eleven Germans captured

                                5th Jun 1916  Baths

                                5th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                5th Jun 1916  Artillery Duel

                                5th Jun 1916  Reorganisation

                                5th Jun 1916  Training

                                5th of June 1916   German POWs Taken

                                5th Jun 1916  Training

                                5th June 1916  Embarkation for Europe

                                5th Jun 1916  Posting

                                5th June 1916  Embarkation

                                5th June 1916  Usual day in billets

                                5th Jun 1916  Working Party

                                5th June 1916  On the Move

                                5th June 1916  The relief of the 10th Battalion Royal West Kent Regt. in the Front Line trenches began.

                                5th May 1916  On the March

                                5th of June 1916  Training

                                5th June 1916  Slight Trench Mortar activity.

                                5th June 1916  Orders issued to Glasgow Yeomanry

                                6th Jun 1916 Concert  

                                The recreation room of Southmead Hospital was packed on Wednesday, when a splendid concert, arranged by the Inquiry Bureau was given by the following: - Miss Elsie White (soprano), Miss Alice Muir (contralto), Mrs Ooslers (costume songs), Mr Fred Biven (humorous songs) and Mr Lionel Saunders (banjo solos). So well did these ladies and gentlemen acquit themselves that shouts of "encore" followed each item, and everyone had to pay the penalty and "carry on". This, of course, meant hard work for the accompanist, Miss Dorothy Peake, to whom the great success of the evening was largely due. Mr Lionel Saunders was chairman. The party were conveyed in cars kindly lent by Mr Williamson and Mr Essery.

                                6th June 1915  50th AIF leave Egypt

                                6th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Barlin. GOC. 47th Division inspected the Wagon Lines of B236 and C236 Batteries. 2nd Lt Burgis HQ Staff proceeded to England on seven days leave of absence.

                                Extract from London Gazette dated June 5th, Birthday Honours.

                                • Lt Lucas 6th London Brigade RFA - Military Cross.
                                • RSM. Hood - Distingushed Conduct Medal.
                                • Cpl. Noel - Military Medal.
                                • Cpl. Williams A236 London Battery - Military Cross.


                                6th June 1916  Enemy Shaft

                                6th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands in defence  On 6th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers were involved in the defence of Becourtwood HQ, St Becourt Chateau.

                                6th June 1916  Divisional scheme cancelled

                                6th June 1916 Working Parties  Meanwhile those men of the 24th Northumberlands not involved in the raids were employed on Working Parties with as many as 600 men a day from each battalion employed in Albert, Dernacourt and Franvillers areas. Every sort of stores required for the coming offensive had to be manhandled to dumps in the forward areas rations, ammunition, barbed wire, grenades, sandbags etc., etc. One Private recalled that, the best job of all was being attached to the tunnellers working on Y Sap and Lochnagar mines. For the Durham miners it was regarded as a home from home since they had already spent most of their working lives down the mines and compared to working in the coalmines the work here was not too heavy.

                                6th Jun 1916  En Route to the Front

                                6th Jun 1916  Enemy Mines Explode

                                6th Jun 1916  Courts Martial

                                9th Jun 1916  Island Captured

                                6th Jun 1916  Sandstorm

                                6th Jun 1916  Training

                                6th Jun 1916  Trench Raid

                                6th Jun 1916  Working Party

                                6th Jun 1916  Route March

                                6th of June 1916  A Successful Raid

                                6th June 1916  Training

                                6th of June 1916  Practising an Attack

                                6th June 1916  Enemy quiet

                                6th June 1916 

                                6th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                6th Jun 1916  Aircraft

                                6th Jun 1916  Football

                                6th Jun 1916  Trench Motars

                                6th of June 1916  Visit

                                6th of June 1916  Enemy Active

                                6th Jun 1916  On the March

                                6th of June 1916  A Very Quiet Day

                                6th Jun 1916  Training

                                6th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Jun 1916  On the March

                                6th Jun 1916  Transfer

                                6th Jun 1916  Baths

                                6th of June 1916  Camouflet Blown

                                6th Jun 1916  Training

                                6th June 1916  Disembarked

                                6th Jun 1916  Gun Stuck

                                6th June 1916  Orders were received that the Battalion was to be ready to move at 3 hours notice.

                                6th Jun 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                6th June 1916  Account of the hostile demonstration on the night of the 4/5th June

                                6th June 1916  In Billets

                                6th March 1916  Snow and very hard frosts.

                                6th June 1916  Little sniping at night.

                                6th May 1916  On the March

                                6th of June 1916   Trench Attack Practised

                                6th June 1916  Inter-Company relief

                                6th June 1916  Reconnaisance by B.G.C. & B.M.

                                7th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report OC. Batteries went to inspect gun positions.

                                7th June 1916  Divisional scheme concluded

                                7th Jun 1916  Signal Depot

                                7th Jun 1916  Recce

                                7th Jun 1916  Strafe

                                7th Jun 1916  Whizz Bangs

                                7th Jun 1916  Training

                                7th Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                7th Jun 1916  On the Range

                                7th June 1916  Training

                                7th June 1916  Rain continuously all day

                                7th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                7th of June 1916  Defences

                                7th of June 1916  Trains

                                7th of June 1916  Artillery Active

                                7th Jun 1916  Training

                                7th Jun 1916  In Reserve

                                7th Jan 1916  Casualties

                                7th Jun 1916  Training

                                7th June 1916  Crucifix Corner

                                7th Jun 1916  Cleaning up

                                7th Jun1916  Working Parties

                                7th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                7th Jun 1916  Training

                                7th Jun 1916  Training

                                7th of June 1916   Annoying Tactics

                                7th Jun 1916  Training

                                7th June 1916  Entrainment

                                7th June 1916  Orders received the Battalion be prepared to move at one hour notice.

                                7th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                7th June 1916  Orders

                                7th June 1916  About 20 shells were fired in to Despierre Farm.

                                7th May 1916  On the March

                                7th of June 1916   Battalion Parade

                                7th June 1916  Enemy blew a mine

                                7th June 1916  Patrol captured 24 Goats and 7 Sheep

                                8th June 1916  Gun Positions

                                8th June 1916  Reorganisation

                                8th June 1916 

                                8th June 1916  Divisional Exercise Cavalry and Aircraft

                                8th Jun 1916  Travelling across France

                                8th Jun 1916  Move

                                8th Jun 1916  Troop Ship Sunk

                                8th Jun 1916  Rumours Abound

                                8th Jun 1916  Training

                                8th Jun 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                8th Jun 1916  Relief

                                8th June 1916  New Squadron formed

                                8th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                8th Jun 1916  Instruction

                                8th June 1916  Orders issued

                                8th June 1916  Trench Work

                                8th June 1916 

                                8th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                8th Jun 1916  Light Training

                                8th Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                8th of June 1916  Bombardment

                                8th of June 1916  Artillery Active

                                8th Jun 1916  Exercise

                                8th of June 1916  Railway Sap Shelled

                                8th Jun 1916  Training

                                8th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                8th Jun 1916  Training

                                8th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                8th Jun1916  On the March

                                8th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jun 1916  Training

                                8th Jun 1916  Training

                                8th of June 1916  Arras Shelled

                                8th Jun 1916  At Rest

                                8th June 1916  On the Move

                                8th Jun 1916  Move

                                8th June 1916  Usual day in billets.

                                8th Jun 1916  Wet Weather

                                8th June 1916 

                                8th June 1916  Preparations

                                8th June 1916  Usual sniping carried out throughout the day & night.

                                8th May 1916  Training

                                8th of June 1916  Training and Drill

                                8th June 1916  Another quiet day

                                8th June 1916  BM.854 issued

                                9th June 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Barlin. OC. Brigade inspected D236 Battery.

                                9th June 1916  Divisional Horse Show

                                9th Jun 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved by 6th Btn.

                                9th Jun 1916  Route March

                                9th Jun 1916  Recce

                                9th Jun 1916  Absentee Detained

                                9th Jun 1916  Entertainment

                                9th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                9th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                9th Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                9th Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                9th June 1916  Orders

                                9th Jun 1916  Orders

                                9th Jun 1916  On the March

                                9th June 1916  New communication trench

                                9th June 1916 

                                9th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                9th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                9th Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                9th of June 1916  Defences

                                Jun 1916 Exercise  
                                THE MACEDONIAN CAMPAIGN, 1915-1918

                                12th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on a march to Amberkoi during a five day tactical exercise involving 77th Brigade, A Company are leading the march. The mounted officers are (l to r) Captain J B Ross, Lieutenant Colonel Falconer Stewart and the Battalion Adjutant. © IWM (Q 32013)

                                9th of June 1916  Bombardment

                                9th Jun 1916  Training

                                9th of June 1916  A Persistent Enemy

                                9th Jun 1916  Training

                                9th Jun 1916  Barnsley Casualties

                                9th Jun 1916  Training

                                9th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                9th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Jun 1916  Training

                                9th Jun 1916  Orders

                                9th of June 1916   TM Duals

                                9th Jun 1916  At Rest

                                9th June 1916  Snipers

                                9th Jun 1916  Move

                                9th June 1916  Lt. C.A. Letherbridge joined.

                                9th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                9th June 1916  Orders Received

                                9th June 1916  On the March

                                9th May 1916  Training

                                9th of June 1916  Training

                                9th June 1916  Slight shelling by Trench Mortars

                                9th June 1916  B.M.874

                                10th June 1916  Division Horse Show

                                10th Jun 1916  In Camp

                                10th Jun 1916  Battery Gun Drill

                                10th Jun 1916  Disobedience

                                10th Jun 1916  Instruction Ends

                                10th Jun 1916  Working Parties for Special Duties

                                10th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                10th Jun 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                10th Jun 1916  Heavy Rain

                                10th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                10th Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                10th of June 1916  An SOS Call

                                10th June 1916  Moves

                                10th Jun 1916 Bad Weather  "I was delighted to get your letter at 4 am yesterday morning just as I was getting up. We moved yesterday and had a forced march here to another part of the country. It was a rotten day, heavy wind and rain the whole way and so cold. My poor feet were terribly sore long before the journey was ended and I was glad of the small medicine chest. We are now about seven miles behind the firing line and some of our signallers have gone to the trenches this morning. Our address is 26 Royal Fusiliers, B.E.F, France but we must not head our letters. I expect we shall shift on farther before long. We always get a few days’ rest between our long marches. I am feeling very fit except for the feet and last night slept on a farm cart on some straw. Today is warm and the sun is lovely and hot and this life is more like a picnic if it were not for the rumbling of the guns. It is really astonishing how well everyone takes to the life out here because after all every comfort and luxury is gone. I hope you will send the cash for that cheque as I am very short now and we have to make purchases while we have the chance. Bread is the greatest luxury and if we get near a bread shop the shock is soon exhausted at 1 franc per loaf. Cigarettes when you can get them are cheaper than at home. Players 3d for 10. Goodbye for the present." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                10th June 1916  Work on Front Line

                                10th June 1916 

                                10th Jun 1916  Parades

                                10th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                10th of June 1916  Mines

                                10th of June 1916  Artillery Active

                                10th Jun 1916  Training

                                10th of June 1916  William Redan Bombarded

                                10th Jun 1916  Brigade Field Day

                                10th Jun 1916  Grumbles

                                10th Jun 1916  Heavy Rain

                                10th Jun 1916  Training

                                10th Jun 1916  Orders

                                10th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Jun 1916  On the March

                                10th Jun 1916  Transfer

                                10th Jun 1916  On the March

                                10th Jun 1916  On the March

                                10th of June 1916   Working Parties Worried

                                10th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                10th Jun 1916  Reorganisation

                                10th Jun 1916   Transfer

                                10th June 1916  Route March

                                10th Jun 1916  Observation Post

                                10th June 1916  Orders to Move

                                10th June 1916  Instruction

                                10th June 1916  The enemy bombarded Glasgow Redoubt with aerial torpedoes

                                10th May 1916  Concert

                                10th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                10th of June 1916  Training

                                10th June 1916  Enemy blew mine

                                10th June 1916  B.M.838/1 issued re: Mobile Column.

                                11th June 1916 Church Parade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery hold Church Parade at Barlin.

                                11th Jun 1918 18th Battalion Yorks & Lancs raised  18th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment was formed at Margate on 11th of June 1918, absorbing the cadre of the 2/7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

                                11th June 1916  Church Parade

                                11th Jun 1916  Walks and Cafes

                                11th Jun 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                11th Jun 1916  A Quiet Day

                                11th Jun 1916  Into the Trenches

                                11th Jun 1916  Burial Party

                                11th Jun 1916  New Billets

                                11th Jun 1916  Parades & Training

                                11th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                11th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Jun 1916  Patrol

                                11th June 1916  Training

                                11th June 1916  Rain all day

                                11th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                11th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Jun 1916  Sunday

                                11th of June 1916  Quiet

                                11th of June 1916  Strafe

                                11th Jun 1916  Training

                                11th of June 1916  Damage to Trenches

                                11th Jun 1916  Sunday

                                11th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Jun 1916  On the March

                                11th Jun 1916  On the March

                                11st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11th Jun 1915  Recce Made

                                11th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                11th of June 1916  Successful Shoot

                                11th Jun 1916  On the March

                                11th June 1916  Inspections

                                11th June 1916  Reliefs

                                11th June 1916  Instruction

                                11th June 1916  Nothing to report.

                                11th May 1916  Training

                                11th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                11th June 1916  Operational Order No.81.

                                11th June 1916  Visited by the Lord Mayor of London.

                                11th of June 1916  Training

                                11th June 1916  Quiet day again

                                11th June 1916  B.M.888 to 52nd Division

                                12th June 1915  50th AIF arrive in France

                                12th June 1916 Re-routing of Units  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Barlin. Battery Commanders went to reconnoitre positions of batteries of the 23rd Division. Capt Lindell D236 Battery proceeded on 7 days leave of absence to England. Col Lowe DSO appointed OC. Right Group. Right Group consists of the following Batteries, A,B and C,237 Brigade and A,B,C and D,236th Brigade.

                                12th Jun 1916  Cold and Wet

                                12th June 1916  Regimental scheme and courses

                                12th Jun 1916  Out of Khaki

                                12th Jun 1916  Found Drowned

                                12th Jun 1916  Recce

                                12th Jun 1916  Passing the Time

                                12th Jun 1916  Very Wet Day

                                12th Jun 1916  On the March

                                12th Jun 1916  CO at Headquaters

                                12th Jun 1916  Training

                                12th Jun 1916  Kit Inspection

                                12th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                12th Jun 1916  In Reserve

                                12th Jun 1916  Patrol

                                12th June 1916  Wet and Cold

                                12th June 1916  Working Parties

                                12th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                12th Jun 1916  Reinforcements

                                12th of June 1916  Wet Day

                                12th of June 1916  Artillery Active

                                12th Jun 1916  Exercise

                                12th Jun 1916  Cold Weather

                                12th of June 1916  Sodden Ground

                                12th Jun 1916  Divisional Field Day

                                12th Jun 1916  Gas

                                12th Jun 1916  Trench Work

                                12th Jun 1916  Patrol

                                12th Jun 1915  Recce

                                12th Jun 1916  Route March

                                12th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                12th of June 1916   Working Parties Worried

                                12th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                12th June 1916  Inspection by General Sir Chas Munro Commanding 1st Army

                                12th June 1916  Bombardment

                                12th June 1916  Instruction

                                12th June 1916  Reliefs

                                12th June 1916  Relieved by the 10th Royal West Kent Regt.

                                12th May 1916  Visit

                                12th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                12th June 1916  Operational Order No.82.

                                12th June 1916  Battalion moved to Bouvigny

                                12th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                12th of June 1916  Tactical Scheme

                                12th June 1916  Enemy blew mine

                                12th June 1916  G.O.C. and G.S.O.1 visit B.G.C.

                                13th Jun 1917 Seventy Two bombs fall on London  In a daylight raid on London, German aeroplanes dropped seventy two bombs within a mile of Liverpool Street Station. 162 people were killed and 432 suffered injuries.

                                Enroute to London, one aircraft detached itself from the group of Gotha planes heading for London and bombed Margate. The Head Mistress at Dane Infants’ School, Margate, wrote in the School Log Book "Bombs are dropped on Margate at 10.45 am. The majority of the children are collected and taken home by parents or elder brothers or sisters. A few children remain in school until 12.15, when they were sent home with a warning to hurry."

                                13th Jun 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers relieved  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were relieved from the front line trenches and moves to billets in Warloy-Naillon and for the next week the practice of the attack scheme continues. The Battalion is informed Thiepval is their objective with A & B companies to form leading waves of attackers, a platoon from each forming one wave. C coy to be in support, following on in artillery formation. D to be reserve company and to go over in columns of platoons.

                                13th June 1916  Movements

                                13th Jun 1916  Route March

                                13th June 1916  Ongoing training

                                13th Jun 1916  6th Northumberlands Relieved by 7th Btn.

                                13th Jun 1916  Route March and Study

                                13th Jun 1916  Gun Drill

                                13th Jun 1916  Fruit and Cake Shared

                                13th Jun 1916  On the March

                                13th Jun 1916  Wet Day in the Trenches

                                13th Jun 1916  Training

                                13th Jun 1916  Digging Trenches

                                13th Jun 1916  On the March

                                13th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                13th June 1916  Training

                                13th Jun 1916  Orders

                                13th June 1916  On the March

                                13th to 20th June 1916 

                                13th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Jun 1916  Service

                                13th of June 1916  Mineshafts

                                13th of June 1916  Shelling

                                13th Jun 1916  Training

                                13th of June 1916  A Fine Piece of Work

                                13th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                13th June 1916  Relieved Lancashire Fusliers

                                13th Jun 1916  Trench Work

                                13th Jun 1916  Bivouac

                                13th Jun 1916  On the March

                                13th Jun 1916  Inspection in Marching Order

                                13th of June 1916  Pope's Nose Hit

                                13th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                13th June 1916  Gas demonstration

                                13th June 1916  Trenches Retaken

                                13th June 1916  Instruction

                                13th June 1916  Every available man on working parties.

                                13th May 1916  Training

                                13th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                13th June 1916  Battalion moved to Bois De Noulette

                                13th of June 1916   A Scheme

                                13th June 1916  Work parties for R.E.

                                13th June 1916  Mobilisation Practice.

                                14th June 1916  New Positions

                                14th June 1916  Squadron training

                                14th Jun 1916  Poor Weather and Mud

                                14th Jun 1916  Pouring Rain

                                14th Jun 1916  Orders Received

                                14th Jun 1916  Under Lock and Key

                                14th Jun 1916  Enemy Attack

                                14th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jun 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                14th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jun 1916  Trench Visit

                                14th Jun 1916  Parades & Training

                                14th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                14th June 1916  Training Programme

                                14th of June 1916  Billets in the Wood

                                14th June 1916  Cable laying

                                14th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jun 1916  Wet Weather

                                14th of June 1916  Tinme

                                14th of June 1916  Orders

                                14th of June 1916  Shelling

                                14th Jun 1916  Training

                                14th of June 1916  Germans Smell a Rat?

                                14th Jun 1916  On the March

                                14th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Jun 1916  Bad Weather

                                14th Jun 1916  Trench Work

                                14th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                14th Jun1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jun 1916  New Positions

                                14th Jun 1916  On the March

                                14th Jun 1916  Warning

                                14th of May 1915  Enemy Bomb Design

                                14th Jun 1916  Artillery Transfer

                                14th Jun 1916  Training

                                14th of June 1916   A German Flag

                                14th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                14th June 1916  Gas demonstration

                                14th June 1916  Considerable shelling

                                14th June 1916  Instruction

                                14th June 1916  British Summertime.

                                14th June 1916  Route March

                                14th May 1916  Training

                                14th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                14th June 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of June 1916  New Billets

                                14th June 1916  Men very wet cleaning up.

                                14th June 1916  Inspection

                                14th June 1916  G.248 received.

                                15th June 1916  All Quiet

                                15th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands on the march  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers marched to Albert 15/6/1916.

                                15th June 1916  Ongoing training

                                15th Jun 1916  French Customs

                                15th Jun 1916  The Problem of Water

                                15th Jun 1916  Splendid Weather

                                15th Jun 1916  Mine Exploded

                                15th Jun 1916  Into the Trenches

                                15th Jun 1916  On the Range

                                15th Jun 1916  Parades & Training

                                15th Jun 1916  Relief Complete

                                15th June 1916  Training

                                15th of June 1916  Digging Assembly Trenches

                                15th June 1916  Visit

                                15th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                15th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Jun 1916  Wet Weather

                                15th of June 1916  Orders

                                15th of June 1916  Retaliation

                                15th Jun 1916  Exercise

                                15th of June 1916  Germans Uneasy

                                15th Jun 1916  On the March

                                15th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                15th June 1916  Practice for Somme battle

                                15th Jun 1916  Trench Work

                                15th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                15th Jun1916  On the March

                                15th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jun 1915  Preparations

                                15th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                15th Jun 1916  Orders Received

                                15th Jun 1916  Training

                                15th of June 1916  Sector Shelled

                                15th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                15th June 1916  Training

                                15th June 1916  Arrivals

                                15th June 1916  Dull and windy. Little Artillery fire.

                                15th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                15th June 1916  In Billets

                                15th June 1916  Reliefs

                                15th May 1916  Training

                                15th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                15th of June 1916  On the Move

                                15th June 1916  Work Parties supplied

                                15th June 1916  On the Move

                                15th June 1916  B.M. 1001 issued

                                16th June 1916 Batteries Register  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. OC. 236th Brigade took over command of Right Group from OC. 102 Brigade. Batteries commence registering. Except for a few 5.9 & 4.2 rounds into Souchez, all was quiet on our front. At 2230 a laye mine was exploded in the south followed by heavy artillery and machine gun fire.

                                16th June 1916 Transfers to 82nd Field Ambulance  Assistant Director of Medical Services of 27th Division visited the Field Ambulance and made arrangements for temporary transfer of Capt. C G Browne and Staff Sgt. Clenshaw to the 82nd Field Ambulance to help with its reorganisation.

                                16th June 1916  Ongoing training

                                16th Jun 1916  Preparing for Duty

                                16th Jun 1916  Fortifications to be Strengthened

                                16th Jun 1916  Medical Examination

                                16th Jun 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                16th Jun 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                16th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                16th Jun 1916  On the March

                                16th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                16th June 1916  Training

                                16th Jun 1916  Training

                                16th June 1916  Cable Work

                                16th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                16th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Jun 1916  Aircraft

                                16th of June 1916  Shelling

                                16th of June 1916 

                                16th Jun 1916  Training

                                16th of June 1916  A Drying Day and a Plan

                                16th Jun 1916  Cleaning up

                                16th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                16th Jun 1916  Time

                                16th Jun 1916  Line Adjusted

                                16th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                16th Jun 1916  At Rest

                                16th Jun 1916  Poor Visibility

                                16th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Jun 1915  Preparations

                                16th Jun 1916  Training

                                16th Jun 1916  Preparations

                                16th Jun 1916  Command

                                16th Jun 1916  Move

                                16th of June 1916  Camouflet Fired

                                16th Jun 1916  Relief Complete

                                16th June 1916  Musketry

                                16th Jun 1916  Reorganisation

                                16th Jun 1916  Rounds

                                16th June 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                16th June 1916  Training

                                16th June 1916  Camoflet Blown

                                16th May 1916  Training

                                16th Jun 1916  Gas Alert

                                16th of June 1916  Training and Drill

                                16th June 1916  Bombing & Wiring parties

                                16th June 1916  On the Move

                                16th June 1916  Disposition return to 52nd Division.

                                17th June 1916 Road Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. Lt Petro C236 Battery to England. Some shelling of road between Aix Noulette and Bully Grenay. A great amount of aerial activity at 1200 as 9 enemy planes passed over Aix Noulette in the direction of Hirsin.

                                17th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Nothing to report all quiet.

                                17th June 1916  Inspections and Courses

                                17th Jun 1916  7th Northumberlands Relieved by 6th Btn.

                                17th Jun 1916  Troop Movement and Big Guns

                                17th Jun 1916  Laying Lines

                                17th Jun 1916  In Detention

                                17th Jun 1916  Gas Alarm

                                17th Jun 1916  Patrols

                                17th Jun 1916  Sucessful Appeal

                                17th Jun 1916  Recce

                                17th Jun 1916  Stand To

                                17th Jun 1916  Wounded in Hospital

                                17th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                17th June 1916  Training

                                17th Jun 1916  Orders

                                17th June 1916  Cable laying

                                17th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                17th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                17th Jun 1916  Artillery Active

                                17th Jun 1916  Awards

                                17th of June 1916 

                                17th of June 1916 

                                17th Jun 1916  Training

                                17th of June 1916  Aeroplanes Active

                                17th Jun 1916  On the March

                                17th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                17th Jun 1916  Training

                                17th Jun 1916  Letter Home

                                17th Jun 1916  Baths

                                17th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                17th Jun 1916  Enemy Battery Targetted

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jun 1916  Training

                                17th Jun 1916  Inspection

                                17th Jun 1916  Training and Fatigues

                                17th Jun 1916   Orders

                                17th of June 1916   Two Fokkers Seen

                                17th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                17th June 1916  Alarm was practiced at night.

                                17th June 1916  2nd/Lt. R. Scott was shot through temple

                                17th Jun 1916  Night Firing

                                17th June 1916  Training

                                17th June 1916  Relief of Front Line trenches completed.

                                17th May 1916  Training

                                17th Jun 1916  Gas Alert

                                17th June 1916  Operational Order No.82A.

                                17th of June 1916  MMs Awarded

                                17th June 1916  Work Parties supplied

                                17th June 1916  On the Move

                                17th June 1916  G.R.193/128 received

                                18th June 1916 Poor Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. The light was not good for observation. A236 Battery's roving gun fired 38 rounds.

                                18th June 1916  Lord Kitchener Memorial Service

                                18th Jun 1916  Reinforcements

                                18th Jun 1916  Priority Messages on the Amiens Wire

                                18th Jun 1916  Quiet Day

                                18th Jun 1916  Marched Out

                                18th Jun 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                18th Jun 1916  Loss

                                18th Jun 1916  Church Parade

                                18th Jun 1916  Letters Home

                                18th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                18th June 1916  Training

                                Jun 1916 Reading Matter  "Thursday. Another green envelope and therefore an opportunity for a little more confidential letter. You must have all been very upset at the first news of the naval fight [Battle of Jutland, 31st May 1916] and very much relieved when further details came to hand. The first news we had came from the Germans over the trenches and was of course exaggerated. Since then we have had our own official news and after all we were at least victors, but what awful sacrifice of valuable lives. We moved up last Sunday and up to the present have fared more successfully than ever I expected. We hope to got back for a rest about Monday. The rest billets however are to my mind more noisy than this spot. There is a persistent rumour going round that we are to be made into an O.T.C. How true it is I cannot say but jolly well know that I shall be darned glad to get out of this if only for a little peace and quietness which are two things unknown here. One’s whole mind is occupied minute after minute and every particle of reserve energy seems to be required. Do continue to send plenty of reading matter, it’s the only thing one has out here to do." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                18th June 1916  Outline of the operation orders

                                18th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                18th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                18th of June 1916 

                                18th of June 1916 

                                18th Jun 1916  Training

                                18th of June 1916  A Plane Downed

                                18th Jun 1916  On the March

                                18th Jun 1916  Missing 12 Months

                                18th Jun 1916  Sniper

                                18th Jun 1916  Training

                                18th Jun 1916  On the March

                                18th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Jun 1916  Church Parade

                                18th Jun 1916  Registration

                                18th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Jun 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                18th Jun 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                18th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Jun 1916  Training

                                18th Jun 1916  Church Parade

                                18th Jun 1916  Church Parade

                                18th of June 1916   Enemy Planes Active

                                18th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                18th June 1916  Church Parade

                                18th June 1916  Two accurately placed 7.7cm shells killed 5 men

                                18th Jun 1916  Night Firing

                                18th June 1916  Instruction

                                18th June 1916  Enemy Camoflet

                                18th June 1916  Wiring parties are now sent out nightly

                                18th May 1916  Training

                                18th Jun 1916  Gas Alert

                                18th June 1916  Location Souchy II Sector.

                                18th of June 1916  New Billets

                                18th June 1916  Reconoitering of trenches

                                18th June 1916  On the Move

                                18th June 1916  B.M.876 to units

                                19th June 1916 Batteries Retaliate  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Slight minewerfen (mortar) fire on our front. Our Batteries retaliated and stopped their fire. Enemy aeroplanes were more active. A236 Battery's roving gun fired 36 rounds and A237 Battery changed position.

                                19th June 1916  Wagon train inspection

                                19th Jun 1916  Signals Busy

                                19th Jun 1916  Digging Trenches

                                19th Jun 1916  Courts Martial

                                19th Jun 1916  Transferred

                                19th Jun 1916  Working Party

                                19th Jun 1916  Under Shellfire

                                19th Jun 1916  Whizz Bangs

                                19th Jun 1916  Route March

                                19th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                19th of June 1916  Helping the French

                                19th June 1916  Visits

                                19th of June 1916  New Faces

                                19th Jun 1916  Dog Tired

                                19th Jun 1916  Instruction

                                19th June 1916  Working parties

                                19th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Jun 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Jun 1916  Shells

                                19th of June 1916  School of Instruction

                                19th of June 1916 

                                19th Jun 1916  Exercise

                                19th of June 1916  Retaliatory Fire

                                19th Jun 1916  Wire

                                19th June 1916  More practice for Somme battle

                                19th Jun 1916  Bivouac

                                19th Jun 1916  Baths

                                19th Jun 1916  Routine

                                19th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                19th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jun 1916  Training

                                19th Jun 1916  Training

                                19th of June 1916   Divisional Relief

                                19th of October 1916  Misty Morning

                                19th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                19th June 1916  Gas Danger Area

                                19th June 1916  Quiet day in trenches.

                                19th Jun 1916  Emplacements

                                19th June 1916  Instruction

                                19th June 1916  Germans blew a large Camoflet

                                19th June 1916  Sniping increased a great deal

                                19th May 1916  Training

                                19th June 1916  Schedule 7th July 1916

                                19th June 1916  Operational Order No.83.

                                19th of June 1916  On the Move

                                19th June 1916  Again reconoitering trenches.

                                19th June 1916  On the Move

                                19th June 1916  Brigadier General Koe leaves

                                20th June 1916 Trench Mortars Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report enemy trench mortars again very active in the morning and our Howitzer Battery shelled the suspected places with good result. Our own trench mortars registered the German wire. Major Cooper A236 and Major Clifton A237 Batteries are Mentioned in Despatches. 1417 Gunner Young A236 Battery is awarded the Military Medal by the Commander in Chief under authority from HM The King (IV GRO 943).

                                20th June 1916  Inspections

                                20th Jun 1916  Honours for Walsall Territorials

                                20th Jun 1916  Signals Offices a Hive of Activity

                                20th Jun 1916  Inspection

                                20th Jun 1916 On the March  At 7am D Company, 18th DLI comprising 3 officers, 197 other ranks proceeded to Gezaincourt.

                                20th Jun 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                20th Jun 1916  Patrols

                                20th Jun 1916  Training

                                20th Jun 1916  In the Trenches

                                20th Jun 1916  Shock

                                20th Jun 1916  Attack Expected

                                20th of June 1916  Simpson's Group

                                20th June 1916  Visit

                                20th of June 1916  New Officers

                                20th Jun 1916 Bad Weather  "At last another green envelope [for personal messages, exempt from censorship]. You have no idea how welcome they are as one can always say more and speak more freely when you know your letters are not going to be read by those who come in contact with one every day. The time does seem long out here away from you, and my very soul aches to be back home with you. I am so glad to read your cheery letters, be brave dear girl and keep a stout heart. Lately everything in the papers seems to point to an early peace and personally I think another two months will see us back in dear old England. We expect to go on into the trenches very shortly but have no fear, it’s much safer in the trenches than just outside them. From accounts given by others who have been in our quarters they are fairly secure . . . Oh how I long for the time when we shall settle down in our own little house, we two together. How peace will always reign throughout the home, and happiness only be known. The weather still keeps most gloriously fine. The sun shines all day long and it’s very, very hot. Will you please send me the following books: R H Benson: A Winnowing (Hutchinsons 7d novels). Mrs Baillie Reynolds: Her Point of View. Cosmo Hamilton: The Outpost of Eternity (Hurst & Blacketts 7d novels) We shall have more time for reading them when we get up to the front than we have now. Goodbye for the present. PS. Your letters are not even censored." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                20th Jun 1916  Orders

                                20th Jun 1916  Instruction

                                20th June 1916  Preparation for attack

                                20th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                20th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                20th June 1915  Recruitment

                                20th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                20th Jun 1916  Screens

                                20th of June 1916  Reliefs

                                20th of June 1916 

                                20th Jun 1916  Training

                                20th of June 1916  Boche Working Feverishly

                                20th Jun 1916  Company Training

                                20th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                20th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                20th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jun 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Jun 1916  Training

                                20th Jun 1916  Preparations

                                20th of June 1916  TMs Active

                                20th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                20th June 1916  Training

                                20th June 1916  Battalion reliefs.

                                20th Jun 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                20th June 1916  Instruction

                                20th June 1916  Reliefs

                                20th June 1916  Slightly increased activity in Sniping

                                20th May 1916  Training

                                20th June 1916  Relieved by 2nd R.M.

                                20th Jun 1916  Orders

                                20th of June 1916   MCs Awarded

                                20th June 1916  On the Move

                                20th June 1916  Relieved 7th/8th K.O.S.B.

                                20th June 1916  Visit

                                20th June 1916  New roster for Outposts.

                                21st June 1916 Trench Mortar Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report there was much trench mortar activity about 1200. The enemy trench mortars were also very active and scored two hits on our lines wounding 2/Lt Folingsby 237 Brigade, attached to Y236 Trench Mortar Battery, also wounding Lt Kimber 237 Brigade acting as Liason Officer to the Left Battalion. Our Battery did great damage the day before to wire at enemy's front line. Trench Mortars have had this strafe on retaliation. GOC’s Division HQ sent a message to Trench Mortar officers commending their work. There was again a lot of aerial activity. Lt Kimber and 2nd Lieut Folingsby both died of wounds the same night. (Thomas Grueber Folingsby, aged 20, is buried at Aix-Noulette Cemetery Extension and Henry Cyril Dixon Kimber, aged 22, is buried Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension. Both of 7th London Brigade RFA now 237th London Brigade.)

                                21st June 1916  Pushing Ahead

                                21st June 1916  On the Move

                                21st June 1916  Brigade Conference and inspections

                                21st Jun 1916  6th Northumberlands Relieved by 7th Btn.

                                21st Jun 1916  In the Midst of Chaos

                                21st Jun 1916  On Stand by

                                21st Jun 1916  On the March

                                21st Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                21st Jun 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                21st Jun 1916  Brigade Excerise

                                21st Jun 1916  Sacraments

                                21st Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                21st June 1916  Orders Issued

                                21 Jun 1916  Orders

                                21st Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                21st June 1916  Working parties

                                21st June 1916 

                                21st Jun 1916  Shelling

                                21st Jun 1916  Training

                                21st Jun 1916  Reinforcements

                                21st of June 1916 

                                21st of June 1916 

                                21st Jun 1916  Exercise

                                21st of June 1916  Artillery Fire Exchanged

                                21st Jun 1916  Training

                                21st Jun 1916  On the March

                                21st Jun 1916  On the Move

                                21st June 1916  More practice for Somme battle

                                21st Jun 1916  Baths

                                21st Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                21st Jun 1916  New Position

                                21st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jun 1916  Training

                                21st Jun 1916  Training

                                21st of June 1916  Relief Completed

                                21st Jun 1916  Artillery in Action

                                21st June 1916  Live Bombs

                                21st June 1916  Battalion marched to Hopoutre station

                                21st Jun 1916  Emplacements

                                21st June 1916  Instruction

                                21st June 1916  On the March

                                21st June 1916  Wiring and grass cutting continued under cover of darkness.

                                21st May 1916  Church Parade

                                21st June 1916  Schedule 21st June 1916

                                21st Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                21st June 1916  Arrived in billets in Hersin

                                21st June 1916  Operational Order No.84.

                                21st Jun 1916  Orders

                                21st of June 1916  Drill

                                21st June 1916  On the Move

                                21st June 1916  14th H.L.I. attached

                                21st June 1916  Orders

                                21st June 1916  G.O.C. & G.S.O.1 visit

                                22nd June 1916 Very Little Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Very little shelling today. Enemy put 6 rounds of 4.2 inch shells in A237 Battery's new position. The light for aerial observation was good and a party of enemy aeroplanes flew over Aix Noulette this afternoon. They came back about two hours later followed by our planes.

                                The following officers arrived from England. 2/Lt G.N. Gaburn - posted to C236 Battery. 2/Lt Wills - posted to C236 Batttery. 2/Lt E.H. de B West - posted to D236 Battery.

                                Other movements. 2/Lt Gordon Tombe attached to C236 Battery leaves to rejoin his unit 47th Divisional Ammunition Column. Lt Pilditch, Adjutant, 237th Brigade RFA, has left this Group HQ. Lt Tausley, Orderly Officer, 237th Brigade RFA, is attached to this HQ. One of the guns of Y236 Trench Mortar Battery had a premature(shell exploding early) resulting in one man killed and 2 men wounded.

                                22nd June 1916  Inspection and movements

                                22nd Jun 1915  5th Oc & Bucks on the attack

                                22nd Jun 1916  All Quiet

                                22nd Jun 1916  Tragic Events

                                22nd Jun 1916  Taking Supplies up

                                22nd Jun 1916  Gas Attack

                                22nd Jun 1916  Gas Alarm

                                22nd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Jun 1916  Baths and Lectures

                                22nd Jun 1916  Shelling

                                22nd Jun 1916  Shelling

                                22nd June 1916  Operations Discussed

                                22nd Jun 1916  On the March

                                22nd June 1916  Cable work

                                22nd June 1916 

                                22nd Jun 1916  Quiet

                                22nd Jun 1916  Cricket

                                22nd Jun 1916  Enemy Active

                                22nd of June 1916 

                                22nd of June 1916 

                                22nd Jun 1916  Into Billets

                                22nd of June 1916  Moves are Planned

                                22nd Jun 1916  Training

                                22nd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd June 1916  Quiet before the storm

                                22nd Jun 1916  Into the Line

                                22nd Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                22nd Jun 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Jun 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Jun 1916  Training

                                22nd Jun 1916  Stores

                                22nd of June 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Jun 1916  Artillery in Action

                                22nd June 1916  Air raid on the town

                                22nd June 1916  The Battalion and transport detrained at St. Omer

                                22nd Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                22nd June 1916  On the March

                                22nd June 1916  A few torpedoes went over without any damage.

                                22nd May 1916  Communications

                                22nd Jun 1916  Gas Alert

                                22nd June 1916  Relieved 8th London Regt.

                                22nd of June 1916   Bayonet Fighting Drill

                                22nd June 1916  On the Move

                                22nd June 1916  Weather bad and trenches very wet.

                                22nd June 1916  Recce

                                22nd June 1916  Horses at disposal of R.F.C.

                                23rd June 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet. Hostile aeroplanes were very active. B223 Battery commanded by Major T----- joined Right Group and was positioned south of A237 Battery (south of the edge of Noulette Wood)

                                23rd June 1916  Standby

                                23rd June 1916  Movement Orders

                                23rd Jun 1916  A Hot Day

                                23rd Jun 1916  At An Oasis

                                23rd Jun 1916  A Decision with Consequences

                                23rd Jun 1916  Equipped to Fight

                                23rd Jun 1916  Riding Accident

                                23rd Jun 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                23rd Jun 1916  Plans

                                23rd Jun 1916  Exercise

                                23rd Jun 1916  Shelling

                                23rd Jun 1916  Shelling

                                23rd of June 1916  HQ Moves

                                23rd June 1916  Preparations

                                23rd of June 1916  A Thiepval Relief

                                23rd of July 1916  Battalion Amalgamation

                                23rd Jun 1916  Baths

                                23rd June 1916  Issue of administration orders

                                23rd June 1916 

                                23rd Jun 1916  Quiet

                                23rd Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd of June 1916 

                                23rd of June 1916 

                                23rd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd of June 1916  Sniper Claims Seven Casualties

                                23rd Jun 1916  Training

                                23rd Jun 1916  Outposts

                                23rd June 1916  Enemy damage trenches

                                23rd Jun 1916  Quiet

                                23rd Jun 1916  Inspection

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jun 1916  Training

                                23rd Jun 1916  Inspection

                                23rd of June 1916   Quiet

                                23rd Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd June 1916  6 German aeroplanes came over the town

                                23rd June 1916  Companies training on range

                                23rd Jun 1916  Bombardment

                                23rd June 1916  4 Enemy snipers discovered

                                23rd May 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd June 1916  Relief of 8th London Regt. complete

                                23rd of June 1916   Drills

                                23rd June 1916  On the March

                                23rd June 1916  Plans for raid

                                23rd June 1916  Roads

                                23rd June 1916  Disposition issued

                                24th Jun 1916 3rd Monmouths rejoin 49th Division  The companies of the 3rd Monmouths were re-united as a battalion and ordered to rejoin the 49th Division. They marched back to Bouzincourt and reached their destination at 2 o'clock on the morning.

                                24th June 1916 Wire Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette (War Diary very faint) All batteries of this group shelled wire ---- to ---- zones. Y/47 Trench Mortar Battery (Lt Brown) fired 50 rounds wire registering and retaliation on enemy trench mortars. Much less aerial activity owing to bad weather. Lt Brown attached to Y047 Trench Mortar Battery. A gun of Y047 Trench Mortar Battery blew up killing the Bombardier in charge of the gun.

                                24th Jun 1916  On the march

                                24th June 1916  Squadron formed

                                24th June 1916 Somme bombardment  U day: 42nd Siege Battery RGA under Major WN Burden OC Battery, had 4 x 9.2 Howitzers in action from the start of the Somme bombardment.

                                24th June 1916  Brigade moves by stages to new Billets

                                24th Jun 1916  1st Bty RFA in action

                                25th Jun 1916  Enemy Active

                                24th Jun 1916  Midnight News

                                24th Jun 1916  Normal Duty

                                24th Jun 1916  Seething with Troops

                                24th Jun 1916  Working Party Shelled

                                24th Jun 1916 U Day  On the Somme the count down to the Big Push begins. Allied artillery bombard the enemy trenches and the infantry undertake final preparations.

                                24th Jun 1916  Thunderstorm

                                24th Jun 1916  Trench Mortars

                                24th Jun 1916  Artillery In Action

                                24th Jun 1916  Men Addressed

                                24th Jun 1916  Under Shellfire

                                24th Jun 1916  Training and Baths

                                24th Jun 1916  Exercise

                                24th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                24th of June 1916  British Attack Begins

                                24th June 1916  Wire Cutting

                                24th of June 1916  Heavy Casualties Sustained

                                24th June 1916  Conference

                                24th June 1916 

                                24th Jun 1916  Artillery Active

                                24th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                24th Jun 1916  On the March

                                24th of June 1916 

                                24th of June 1916 

                                24th Jun 1916  Artillery in Action

                                24th of June 1916  Our Artillery Cuts Wire

                                24th Jun 1916  Race

                                24th June 1916  Wire cutting

                                24th Jun 1916  Warning

                                24th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                24th Jun 1916  Reinforcements

                                24th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Jun 1916  Lectures

                                24th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                24th of June 1916   Quiet Time

                                24th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                24th June 1916  Battalion moved to Maroc

                                24th Jun 1916  Posting

                                24th June 1916  Training and inspections.

                                24th Jun 1916  Night Firing

                                24th June 1916  Enemy bombarded our trenches 97 & 98 with 30 - 40 aerial torpedoes and rifle grenades

                                24th June 1916  On the Move Again

                                24th May 1916  Working Parties

                                24th June 1916  Schedule 24th June 1916

                                24th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                24th June 1916  Artillery bombardment and wire cutting by T.M.B's.

                                24th June 1916  Operational Order No.85.

                                24th of June 1916   New Billets

                                24th June 1916  On the March

                                24th June 1916  Trench Mortar activity.

                                24th June 1916  Dugout

                                24th June 1916  G.O.C. arrives

                                25th Jun 1916 Transfers  118 Brigade RFA transferred from 1 (Canadian) Div to 11 (Northern) Div which had just arrived in France from Egypt. 118 Brigade was then broken up with the 3 x 4.5 how batteries being sent to the existing 3 x 18lb brigades in 11 Div. This now gave the 11 Div 3 field artillery brigades containing 3 batteries of 18 lb field guns and 1 battery of 4.5" howitzers. 461 Battery 118 Brigade therefore became D Battery 58 Brigade RFA. All guns and equipment were left with the Canadians and only the manpower transfered to 11 Div, collecting new guns and equipment on arrival.

                                25th June 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette: Divisional Artillery continued wire cutting in conjunction with the Trench Mortar Batteries. Enemy T.Ms also active at times during the day, but stopped firing when fired on by our Batteries. Aeroplane activity was much less owing to the weather. The sound of heavy bombardment came from just north of the Angres Sector at about 1230.

                                25th June 1916  Brigade moves by stages to new Billets

                                25th June Trench Raid  A second raid was set for the night of the 25th/26th June with a few changes from the first, Major J.M.Prior would command the raiding party of the 24th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. This time the Germans were well ready for them. On the right the party under Major Prior reached the enemy parapet but then met with intense rifle and machine gunfire. Forced to retire, they had two men wounded, one managed to walk in under his own power, the other had more serious wounds, he was carried in by Lieutenant Brady and Private E. Hedley.

                                25th Jun 1916  Aeroplanes Active

                                25th Jun 1916  On Stand by

                                25th Jun 1916 V Day  Allied Artillery are active, firing shells to cut the belts of wire protecting the enemy trenches and damage the defences. RFC pilots report large explosions at enemy dumps at Longueval, Montauban, Mametz Wood and Pozieres. As the German artillery responds to the bombardment, the positions of 102 hostile batteries are identified. Three enemy observation balloons on Fourth Army front are shot shown by aircraft of the RFC.

                                As darkness falls, the infantry holding the allied front line sent out raiding parties to judge the situation. Reports bring mixed news, in some areas, such as at Montauban, the enemy are lightly manning badly damaged trenches, but in other areas such as La Boisselle and Ovillers, the enemy remains at full strength.

                                25th Jun 1916  Bombardment Intensifies

                                25th Jun 1916 On the March  At 0845. D Company, 18th DLI left Gezaincourt and proceeded to Bus Les Artois.

                                25th Jun 1916  Wire Cutting

                                25th Jun 1916  Preparations

                                25th Jun 1916  Training

                                25th Jun 1916  Lectures

                                25th Jun 1916  Patrol

                                25th of June 1916  British Bombardment

                                25th June 1916  Bombardment

                                25th June 1916  Preliminary bombardment continued

                                25th June 1916 

                                25th Jun 1916  Artillery Active

                                25th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                25th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                25th Jun 1916  Hot Day

                                25th of June 1916 

                                25th of June 1916 

                                25th Jun 1916  Artillery in Action

                                25th of June 1916  German Artillery Replies

                                25th Jun 1916  Sports

                                25th June 1916  Wire cutting

                                25th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                25th Jun 1916  Outposts

                                25th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                25th Jun 1916  Demonstration

                                25th of June 1916   Quiet Time

                                25th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                25th June 1916  Trench Mortar Duel

                                25th Jun 1916  Counter Battery Work

                                25th June 1916  Battalion resting.

                                25th Jun 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                25th June 1916  Military Medals

                                25th June 1916  A March to St Leger

                                25th May 1916  Working Parties

                                25th Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                25th June 1916  Relieved by 21st Battalion.

                                25th of June 1916  Church Services

                                25th June 1916  At Work

                                25th June 1916  Raid with Gas and Smoke

                                25th June 1916  Shelling

                                25th June 1916  Concentration of Enemy forces at Bir El Mazar.

                                26th Jun 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers suffer casualties in recce  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers suffer several officer casualties during reconnaissance of attacking start positions near Thiepval.

                                26th June 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix Noulette. Wire cutting and fire on enemy mortars continued throughout the day. Enemy trench mortars were active on our front, but were silenced by our artillery. At 2330 2nd Division opened a heavy bombardment of enemy trenches on Vimy Ridge. The enemy barrage was fairly heavy for a time but by midnight had practically ceased while our fire carried on until about 0045. At 0445 an exactly similar state of affairs was observed opposite the Loos Salient, very little gun fire was heard and infantry confined themselves chiefly to bombs and machine gun fire.

                                26th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands at Albert  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers are in the Sunken Garden at Albert.

                                26th June 1916  Brigade moves by stages to new Billets

                                26th Jun 1916  Officer Rejoins

                                26th Jun 1916  Artillery Bombardment

                                26th Jun 1916  Gun Drill

                                26th Jun 1916  Trench Mortars

                                26th Jun 1916 Firing Rate Increased  W Day. At 9 am the Allied artillery begin a destructive shoot with 80 minutes of intense shellfire. Air photographs from the Royal Flying Corps appear to show good destruction of wire, but wire cutting shellfire was increased with batteries firing at rate of 4-500 shells per gun per day. Gas is released by the Royal Engineers at at Beaumont Hamel and smoke in other parts of the line. Ten trench raids are carried out by infantry units, news is mixed and few prisoners captured, but interrogations give cause for optimism as they are expecting only localised attacks.

                                26th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Jun 1916  Preparations for Attack

                                26th Jun 1916  Training

                                26th Jun 1916  Training

                                26th Jun 1916  Trench Raid

                                26th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                26th of June 1916  Wire Cutting Continues

                                26th June 1916  Trench Raid

                                26th June 1916  Orders Issued

                                26th June 1916 

                                26th Jun 1916  Artillery Active

                                26th Jun 1916  Trench Raid

                                26th Jun 1916  Message

                                26th of June 1916 

                                26th of June 1916 

                                26th Jun 1916  Artillery in Action

                                26th of June 1916  POWs Taken

                                26th Jun 1916  Baths

                                26th Jun 1916  Training

                                26th June 1916  Start of British continuous bombardment

                                26th Jun 1916  Artillery Active

                                26th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                26th Jun 1916  Exercise

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                26th Jun 1916  On the March

                                26th of June 1916  Taking Over the Line

                                26th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                26th June 1916  Firing continued on both sides

                                26th Jun 1916  New Positions

                                26th June 1916  Brigade route march.

                                26th Jun 1916  Raid

                                26th June 1916  Working parties continue

                                26th June 1916  A March to Bonnay

                                26th May 1916  Working Parties

                                26th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                26th June 1916  Billets at Fosse 10.

                                26th of June 1916   Physical Training

                                26th June 1916  Raid again postponed.

                                26th June 1916  Field firing

                                27th Jun 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers prepare for attack  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers moves up to Knight’s Redoubt, near Bouzincourt, to wait in bivouacs, in readiness for the great attack.

                                27th June 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report 18 pounder Batteries and Y047 Trench Mortar Battery were wire cutting all day. At 2345 Divisional Artillery opened a bombardment along the whole of the Divisional Front. Under cover of this, gas was let off at 0120. Artillery fire became intense and at 0125 our infantry raided German lines. At present time ----- --- ----. The enemy retaliated very little with 5.9s and heavy minenwerfer (mortars) on our front line. Also a few shells on roads going up to Aix Noulette. All was quiet by 0230. The gas was discharged from the Angres Sector. The artillery barrage was excellent and very heavy.

                                27th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands go forwards  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers marched from Albert, forward to the Usna Tara line.

                                27th June 1916  Brigade moves by stages to new Billets

                                27th Jun 1916  Enemy Tactics

                                27th Jun 1916  On the Move

                                27th Jun 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                27th Jun 1916 Bombardment Continues  X Day dawned with thick mist and heavy rain, making artillery observation impossible, the bombardment was continued. Infantry trench raids bring in mixed reports, with bombardment damage and wire destruction being very varied, and the enemy trenches manned in greater numbers.

                                27th Jun 1916 Raid  Report on German Raid 27.6.16

                                Reported by Capt. W.D. Lowe Adjt. 18 DLI. 1.8.16

                                Approximate disposition of Coys. A Co. S 5/2, S 5/4, B Co. S 5/5, S 5/6, C Co. M 35/1, M 35/2, D Co. On support lines. 18th West Yorks on right flank, 2/5th Gloucesters on left.

                                Bombardment began 9.30pm. Communication between HQ & forward line broke down at one. All reports came through D Co. The bombardment appeared chiefly to be on the front of B Co. & the support line in rear of B. Field Guns & Mortars chiefly used on front line & 5.9 on support line.

                                2225. Enemy was reported in front line at M.35/1, 2 which was being raided. They were ejected in 5 minutes.

                                At 2245. 18th West Yorks reported enemy in his line Hun St, Oxford St,that he was counter attacking at 11.15pm, I undertook to cooperate with my right Co.

                                2300. Battalion Bomb store was on fire at ---- Hall, this was put out, re-fired & again extinguished.

                                28th Jun 0130. Report from B Co. 18th DLI stating Germans had entered his left but were immediately ejected & that C Co. trenches had also been entered. He thought no prisoners had been taken. A dugout between B & C Coys was ---- & prevented B Co. after charging its trenches from coming to assistance of C Co. All communication trenches badly blown in & that right & left flanks of support line are badly damaged.

                                0400. C Co. reported bays blown in & number of men buried, that the enemy came over fifty strong but owing to action of Lewis Guns only about 6 entered & were quickly ejected, number of wounded cannot be estimated, they were considerable.

                                A Co. heavily shelled, parapet seriously damaged, on barrage lifting parapet was manned & Lewis Gun fire opened, enemy did not enter trenches.

                                Action taken. C Co. was reinforced by 1 platoon from Support Co. leaving 3 platoons in support lines.

                                A prisoner, apparently on telephone work was captured by D Co. in front of Church Redoubt.

                                Very few casualties in Support Line Redoubt, right & right centre of front line, heavy on left centre, & very heavy on left of front line.

                                27th Jun 1916  Artillery Bombardment

                                27th Jun 1916  Preparations for Attack

                                27th Jun 1916  Wet Day

                                27th Jun 1916  On the March

                                27th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Jun 1916  Patrols

                                27th of June 1916  A Few Tears Shed

                                27th June 1916  Bombardment

                                27th Jun 1916  Training

                                27th June 1916 

                                27th Jun 1916  Artillery Active

                                27th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Jun 1916  On the March

                                27th of June 1916 

                                27th of June 1916 

                                27th Jun 1916  Bombardment

                                27th of June 1916  Intense Bombardment

                                27th Jun 1916  On the March

                                27th Jun 1916  Concert

                                27th Jun 1916  On the March

                                27h June 1916  British bombardment sustained

                                27h June 1916  Burial party hit

                                27th Jun 1916  Training

                                27th Jun 1916  Artillery Active

                                27th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                27th Jun 1916  Bombardment

                                27th Jun 1916  On the March

                                27th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Jun 1916   Mobilisation

                                27th Jun 1916  On the March

                                27th Jun 1916  On the March

                                27th of June 1916  More Movements

                                27th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                27th June 1916  Mine exploded

                                27th Jun 1916  New Position

                                27th June 1916  Wet day.

                                27th Jun 1916  Repairs

                                27th June 1916  On the March

                                27th May 1916  Working Parties

                                27th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                27th June 1916  Battalion bathed in Hersin.

                                27th Jun 1916   Heavy Shelling

                                27th June 1916  Raiding party

                                27th June 1916  Divisional H.Q. established

                                28th June 1916 Bad Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette: Batteries engaged in wire cutting, but light very bad for observation during the morning. At about 2145 artillery was very active in Loos Sector. Capt Gayman C236 Battery reverts to the rank of Lieutenant.

                                28th Jun 1916 22nd Northumberlands in the trenches  22nd Northumberland Fusiliers go into the forward trenches from Usna Tara line.

                                28th June 1916  Brigade Moves

                                28th June Letters Home  The raider did not get much rest for on the 27th and 28th the Battalions of 34th Division began to move forward. This in preparation for the opening of the attack. For the previous four days the British Artillery had been bombarding the German trenches. Every man in the Brigade was aware that the opening of the offensive was very close. Before setting off for the front line men wrote what could be their last letters home. However the date and time of attack was to be delayed by forty eight hours. Heavy summer rain had fallen on the 26th and 27th there was a great possibility of flooding. On the 28th June the decision was taken to postpone the attack. The Divisional and Brigade staff Officers had the job of halting and turning around those battalions on their way to the front line.

                                28th Jun 1916  On the March

                                28th Jun 1916  Acting as Interpreter

                                28th Jun 1916 

                                28th Jun 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                28th Jun 1916 Bombardment Continues  Y Day. The thick mist and heavy rain continues as does the bombardment. The last of the allied gas shells are used. The infantry continue their preparations for the battle.

                                28th Jun 1916 Detachment  D Coy. 18 DLI attached to 16th West Yorks for operations left Bus for the front line.

                                28th Jun 1916  Bombardment

                                28th Jun 1916  Preparations for Attack

                                28th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                28th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                28th of June 1916  The Enemy Hits Back

                                28th June 1916  Start of Somme Offensive

                                28th June 1916  Bombardment

                                28th Jun 1916  Inspection

                                28th June 1916 

                                28th Jun 1916  Raids

                                28th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                28th Jun 1916  Recce

                                28th of June 1916 

                                28th of June 1916 

                                28th Jun 1916  Bombardment

                                28th of June 1916  German Retaliation Severe

                                28th Jun 1916  Training

                                28th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                28th Jun 1916  Heavy Rain

                                28th Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                28th Jun 1916  Defence Work

                                28th Jun 1916  On the March

                                28th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Jun 1916   Appointment

                                28th Jun 1916  Training

                                28th Jun 1916  Awaiting Orders

                                28th of June 1916  Quiet Time

                                28th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                28th June 1916  Shelling

                                28th Jun 1916  Counter Battery Work

                                28th June 1916  Practicing advance guard

                                28th Jun 1916  Gas

                                28th June 1916  Working party

                                28th June 1916  Commanding Officer and 4 Company Commanders proceeded to reconnoiter new trenches

                                28th May 1916  Working Parties

                                28th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                28th June 1916  Company training.

                                28th of June 1916  Cleaning Up

                                28th Jun 1916   Bombardment

                                29th Jun 1916 Great attack postponed  The date fixed for great attack is postponed for forty-eight hours. Battalions ordered to "stand fast".

                                29th June 1916 High Winds  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette. A very high wind made wire cutting very difficult especially by the Bois en Hach which, owing to the nature of the ground and undergrowth, is very difficult to see. C236 and B236 Batteries put forward a gun for wire cutting. Lt Yenken C236 Battery arrived from England, but went at once to the Field Ambulance Unit again.

                                At 2130 2nd Division opened a short but very intense bombardment of Vimy Ridge and the enemy replied with a short barrage.

                                29th June 1916  Waiting for Orders before Somme Offensive

                                29th Jun 1916  6th Northumberlands Relieved by 7th Btn.

                                29th Jun 1916  Bombardment and Trench Raids

                                29th Jun 1916  Cutting a Channel

                                29th Jun 1916  Ready to Attack

                                29th Jun 1916  Trench Mortars

                                29th Jun 1916  Bombardment

                                29th Jun 1916  Preparations for Attack

                                29th Jun 1916  Preparations

                                29th Jun 1916  Shelling

                                29th of June 1916  A Postponed Date

                                29th June 1916  Bombardment

                                29th June 1916 

                                29th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                29th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                29th Jun 1916  Recce

                                29th of June 1916 

                                29th Jun 1916  Bombardment

                                29th of June 1916  Assault Positions

                                29th Jun 1916  Training

                                29th Jun 1916  Miltary Sports

                                29th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                29 June 1916  Quieter enemy

                                29th Jun 1916  School

                                29th Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                29th Jun 1916  Guard Duty

                                29th Jun 1916  On the March

                                29th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jun 1916 

                                29th Jun 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                29th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jun 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jun 1916  Training

                                29th Jun 1916  Awaiting Orders

                                29th of June 1916   Quiet Time

                                29th Jun 1916  In Billets

                                29th June 1916  Gas demonstration at Drouvin

                                29th Jun 1916  New Position

                                29th June 1916  Battalion attended Gas demonstrations

                                29th Jun 1916  Night Firing

                                29th June 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                29th June 1916  Commanding Officer, 2nd in Command, two Company Commanders and 8 Platoon Commanders proceeded to new sector of trenches.

                                29th May 1916  Preparations

                                29th Jun 1916  Quiet

                                29th June 1916  Enemy shelled houses

                                29th Jun 1916  Return

                                29th of June 1916  Drills

                                29th June 1916  Lewis guns

                                29th Jun 1916   Bombardment

                                30th Jun 1916  Battle Position

                                30th June 1916 Wire Cutting Continues  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix Noulette report wire received from GHQ that 3rd & 4th Armies launched attacks at 0730 this morning in conjunction with the French and results so far are satisfactory. Batteries continue wire cutting and aeroplane activity is much greater than yesterday.

                                30th Jun 1916  Move up

                                30th June 1916   SM U-10

                                Type U 9 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 5) Ordered 15 Jul 1908 Launched 24 Jan 1911 Commissioned 31 Aug 1911
                                Commanders.
                                1 Aug 1914 - 30 Jun 1916 Fritz Stuhr

                                Career 6 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 7 Jul 1915 I Flotilla 7 Jul 1915 - 30 Jun 1916 Baltic Flotilla

                                Successes 7 ships sunk with a total of 1,651 tons.

                                • 31 Mar 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Nor 544 Norway
                                • 1 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Gloxinia 145 British
                                • 1 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Jason 176 British
                                • 1 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Nellie 109 British
                                • 5 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Acantha 322 British
                                • 28 Apr 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr LILYDALE 129 British
                                • 6 Nov 1915 U 10 Fritz Stuhr Birgit 226 Finland

                                Fate 30 Jun 1916 - Probably mined in Gulf of Finland. 29 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 10 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 13 Aug 1935 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 9 Sep 1935.

                                30th Jun 1916  Knockout Blow to be Delivered

                                30th June 1916  Standby awaiting orders

                                30th Jun 1916  Heat and Flies Hinder Operations

                                30th Jun 1916  Warnings of Raids to be Given

                                30th Jun 1916  Fined for Treating Wounded Soldier

                                30th Jun 1916  Under Shellfire

                                30th June 1916  Raid

                                30th Jun 1916  Troop Movements Continue

                                30th June 1916  Raids

                                30th Jun 1916  Massive Bombardment

                                30th Jun 1916  Water Ration Increased

                                30th Jun 1916  Last Preparations

                                30th Jun 1916 Into the Line  2215. 18th DLI (less D Coy) left Courcelles for operations for front line.

                                1830. Remainder of Battalion left Courcelles to join 1st line transport Bus Les Artois.

                                Appendix No 1 18th DLI Battle of Serre states:30th Jun 16. 2200 18th Battalion DLI in Brigade Reserve, less D. Co attached 16th West Yorks less reinforcements and details at Bus. 789 strong all ranks left Courcelles for assembly trenches. [Not all Officers and men of a battalion would go into action in an attack, a small number always remained behind the lines to take care of equipment, horses and administration.]

                                30th Jun 1916  Wind Safe

                                30th Jun 1916  On the March

                                30th Jun 1916  Into Assembly Trenches

                                30th Jun 1916  In Defence

                                30th Jun 1916  Final Preparations

                                30th Jun 1916  In Action

                                30th Jun 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Jun 1916  On the March

                                30th Jun 1916  Aircraft Active

                                30th of June 1916  A Further Postponement

                                30th June 1916  Trench Raid

                                30th Jun 1916  Training

                                30th June 1916 

                                June 1916 

                                30th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Jun 1916  Cricket

                                30th Jun 1916  Inspection

                                30th of June 1916 

                                30th of June 1916  Orders

                                30th Jun 1916 Preparations  

                                THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME, JULY-NOVEMBER 1916

                                Soldiers of the 16th (Public Schools) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment of the 29th Division parading at 'White City' opposite Hawthorn Ridge for the attack on Beaumont Hamel. Behind them is a group from the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders of the 4th Division. © IWM (Q 796) The officer in the middle left (with his back to camera, removing his cap) is Second Lieutenant Norman Frank Currall of the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

                                30th of June 1916 

                                30th Jun 1916  Into Position

                                30th of June 1916  Positions During Bombardment

                                30th Jun 1916  On the March

                                30th Jun 1916  Alien Enemy

                                30th Jun 1916  Bagpipes

                                30th Jun 1916  The Harvest

                                30th Jun 1916  Attack Made

                                30th Jun 1916  The 1916 Straw Crop

                                30th Jun 1916  Munition Girls

                                30th Jun 1916  A Curious Story

                                30th Jun 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Jun 1916  Pumping

                                30th Jun 1916  Holding the Line

                                30th Jun 1916  Guard Duty

                                30th Jun 1916  On the March

                                30th Jun 1916  Lecture on Gas

                                30th Jun 1916  On the March

                                30th of June 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Jun 1916  Move Up

                                30th June 1916  Gas demonstrations

                                30th June 1916  Report

                                30th June 1916  Report

                                30th June 1916  Report

                                30th June 1916  Report

                                30th June 1916  Report

                                30th June 1916  Officers

                                30th Jun 1916  New Position

                                30th June 1916  G.O.C. 3rd Div. Major General Holdane presented medal ribbons

                                30th Jun 1916  Attack

                                30th June 1916  Recce

                                30th June 1916  British Offensive Postponed

                                30th May 1916  Working Parties

                                30th June 1916  Schedule 20th July 1916

                                30th Jun 1916  Trench Raid

                                30th June 1916  Reliefs

                                30th June 1916  Operational Order No.86.

                                30th of June 1916  WO95/2246/2

                                30th Jun 1916   Heavy Bombardment

                                30th June 1916  Body Recovered

                                30th Jun 1916  Trying Circumstances

                                31st of October 1916 

                                31st May 1916  Working Parties

                                8th June 1916   No 57 Squadron formed on the 8th of June 1916 at Copmanthorpe York from a nucleus from No 33 Squadron, taking on 33 Squadron's part-time training role to allow 33 Squadron to concentrate on the Home Defence role. B & C Flights were soon established at Bramham Moor, and the Squadron HQ and A Flt joined them at Bramham Moor on the 20th August.

                                In October however No. 57 Squadron began to prepare for its planned role undertaking high altitude reconnaissance, receiving Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2d two-seat pusher biplanes for this task. More info.

                                Jul 1916 17th Battalion Yorks & lancs formed  17th (Labour) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment was formed at Brocklesby in July 1916 and went to France to serve in the Lines of Communication

                                July 1916  Battle of the Somme

                                July 1916  New Squadron formed

                                1st July 1916 NPF Darlington opened.  National Projectile Factory Darlington was situated in the North Eastern Railway Company Works and started in July 1916. Production was 18-pdr and 6-in. shell, navel practice shot and repairing primers. It was under the direct control of the N.E.R. Co.

                                1st July 1916 8th Yorks and Lancs at the Battle of The Somme  Plans had long been in place for the great offensive along the line of the River Somme to draw the Germans away from Verdun to the East and so relieve the beleaguered French forces there. Despite what many people have been told about the Somme battle, it was never intended to be a war-winning campaign. It had clearly defined strategic aims, and in many respects was successful, it’s failures are extremely complex and outside the scope of this article. That it has become a by-word for failure and incompetence is, in my opinion, unfair. The huge and terrible loss of life has blinded us to any other interpretation but it is pertinent to remember that a German Staff Officer described the Somme as ‘the muddy grave of the German Field Army’.

                                After the artillery barrage lifted, the battalions began their assault near the village of Ovillers at 7.30am, 1st July 1916. Immediately after leaving their trenches the battalion came under heavy machine gun fire and most of the men were killed or wounded. The remainder carried on and took the enemy front line trenches and about 70 men eventually reached as far as the third line of German trenches, but only one man returned from there! What was left of the battalion remained fighting in the first line of trenches until overwhelmed. Such was the ferocity of the fighting that the Germans were forced to move extra troops in to face the 70th Brigade and this enabled other British units to make significant advances.

                                The 8th York and Lancaster Regiment took 680 men and 23 Officers over the parapet, all the Officers were either killed or wounded and of the battalion only 68 returned. The battalion had effectively ceased to exist as a fighting unit and was withdrawn that evening. The 8th K.O.Y.L.I.’s losses were only marginally less.

                                1st July 1916 1st Somersets in action  Battle of the Somme, bloodiest day in the British army's history - 1st Btn Somerset Light Infantry assaulted Beaumont Hamel

                                1st July 1916 2nd West Yorks in action  The 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment were involved in the Great Push on the Somme on 1st July 1916 and advanced from just North of the Albert Road at La-Boisselle to attack the German positions to the West of Ovilliers La-Boisselle on this morning and suffered heavy casualties

                                1st July 1916 18th Northumberlands in action  The 18th Northumberland Fusiliers were fighting near to La Boiselle on the first day of the Battle of the Somme - near Y Sap

                                1st Jul 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers attack on The Somme.  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers prepare to attack. A coy, led by Capt A.C. Young to attack from Skinner St to Hamilton Avenue, and from Hamilton Avenue to Maison Grise, B Coy, commanded by Capt P.G. Graham. C coy led by Capt E Thompson will be in support in communications trenches, with two platoons in Hamilton Ave and two in Gourock St. D coy led by Lt Proctor to be in reserve in the second line Gemmel trench with Battalion HQ. The battalion stands to for five hours until zero hour at 7.30, then goes over the top. Six officers are killed, thirteen wounded and over 350 other ranks are killed.

                                1st Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths in support  The 3rd Monmouths took part in the British attack of the 1st of July, in support of the 36th (Ulster) Division who were attacking the Schwaben Redoubt, a formidable Germany strongpoint, through Thiepval Wood.

                                1st Jul 1916 124th Heavy Battery in action at The Somme  124th Heavy Battery RGA are in action at the Battle of the Somme.

                                1st July 1916 Very Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report a very quiet day. Germans displayed slightly more aeroplane activity. A236 Battery and C236 Battery carried out wire cutting with single gun.

                                1st July 1916 Somme Offensive  The major decisions regarding the Somme offensive were made in March 1916 and all units now had new planned objectives. For the Pioneers, 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles it was a return to defensive work reinforcing existing wiring and trenches together with the construction of several lines of additional assembly trenches.

                                Whilst putting the finishing touches to the broad gauge railway, from early April small sections under the command of one officer were attached weekly to the 14th Royal Irish Rifles, 10th Royal Irish Fusiliers and the 9th Enniskillen Fusiliers giving them experience of life and working conditions at the Front Line.

                                Prior to the attack on the 1st July, the 16th were responsible for constructing new assembly trenches, fixing damaged wiring, deepening certain trenches and building bomb-proof dugouts along the whole front line of the 36th Ulster Division.

                                They also repaired and maintained an existing trench tramway and built a new tramway. These tramways operated using trolleys which needed about 6 men to push when fully loaded with ammunition, food or defence building equipment. Return journeys carried waste materials and also any casualties for treatment in rear area medical centres.

                                The Battalion was billeted in defensive positions in Aveluy Wood, which was only about 1500 yards from the front line and well within enemy artillery range. Indeed the battalion settled down for the first night on arrival, only to suffer an enemy bombardment around 0230 so slit trenches had to be dug hurriedly for their own protection.

                                All work was to be completed by the 19th June but the commencement of the bombardment was delayed for various reasons with the attack eventually set for the 1st July 1916, a day to become a source of great sorrow and pride for the people of Ulster when the outcome was eventually disclosed.

                                1st Jul 1916  Dash from the Trenches

                                1st July 1916 Somme Offensive  During the actual attack on the 1st July, the 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles was in active support positions to move supplies forward, cut new connecting forward trenches to the German front line trenches and generally help the advancing troops. In some areas this was successful, but lack of committed fresh troops limited success whilst in other areas enemy troops were still in possession of targets and the men had to hold defensive positions against enemy counter attacks. The Ulster Division, having suffered about 5,500 casualties including killed and wounded, were withdrawn at 1800 that evening, but the 16th Pioneers had to work on supporting the replacement division until their eventual withdrawal on the 8th July 1916.

                                Prior to this month the war diaries had not reported monthly casualties but were now going to have to do so for many months to come. Casualties at the point of relief from the Somme sector were: 2 officers killed, 3 wounded and 5 broke down (later termed shell shocked). Among the men 22 were killed and 159 wounded of which over 100 were invalided.

                                At the close of the first 9 months since arrival in France, the Battalion had fully earned their distinctive emblem of the crossed rifle and pickaxe.

                                1st July 1916 1st Wiltshires in reserve near Albert  1st Wiltshire Regiment are held in reserve at Varennes, NW of Albert.

                                1st July 1916  Intensive Missions

                                1st Jul 1916 9th West Yorks arrive in France  9th West Yorks land at Marseilles from Alexandria and entrain for the Western Front.

                                1st July 1916 1st Hampshires in action  1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment were fighting in the Beaumont-Hamel area of the conflict on this day, and dead were buried at Redan Ridge No 2 cemetery.

                                1st Jul 1917 Salford pals in action  The 19th Lancashire Fusiliers, the Salford Pals, took part in attacking the village of Thipthate

                                1st Jul 1916 1st East Yorks in action  East Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion are in action at the battle of the Somme.

                                1st July 1916  Actions during 1916 -17

                                1st July 1916  On the Move

                                1st July 1916 Brigade on standby for Somme Offensive  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                1st July 1916 - Position of readiness at Bresle - Regimental parade in bivouacs at Querrieu at 0445. Brigade moved off at 0500. Order of march: Brigade HQ and Signal Troop, 4th Dragoon Guards, 9th Lancers, 18th Hussars, 2nd Machine Gun Squadron, H Battery RHA, Gap, and A Echelon Brigaded. Route followed: Querrieu, Franvillers and Bresle. Put down lines in muddy area outside Bresle at 0815. Remained at Bresle while the infantry assault took place. Watering arrangements broke down. Brigade left Bresle at 1700 and moved back to Querrieu arriving in previous bivouac about 2000.

                                1st July 1916 Actions during 1916  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                                Divisional Actions during 1916

                                At the end of July 1916, portions of the 2nd Division were assigned to duty in Galicia to oppose the Russian advance.

                                1st Jul 1916 12th MGC in action.  On the first of July 1916, 12th Machine Gun Company, 4th Division was in action between Beaumont Hamel and Serre.

                                1st Jul 1916  11th Sherwoods on The Somme

                                1st Jul 1916  7th Sherwoods in action

                                1st Jul 1916  Flag day for Refugees

                                1st Jul 1916 

                                1st Jul 1916  Before Zero Hour

                                1st Jul 1916  1st Bty RFA fire Continously

                                1st July 1916  Observation

                                July 1916  In Action

                                July 1916  Observation

                                1st Jul 1916  34th Division in Action

                                1st Jul 1916  Bearers in Action

                                July 1916  In Action

                                1st July 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916 An Unfortunate Mistake  The 7th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment are assembled in the trenches opposite Fricourt Village. The first zero hour was 7.30am on July 1st when the troops on the left and right attacked, and the 2nd zero hour was at 2.30pm when the 7th Battalion assaulted.

                                Owing to an unfortunate mistake on the part of the officer commanding A Coy, his company assaulted at 7.45am. As soon as they began to climb over the parapet terrific machine gun was opened by the enemy and the company was almost at once wiped out. The survivors lay in crump holes some 25 yards in front of our wire until after dark. As soon as it was discovered that A Company had assaulted by itself, D Coy (the reserve Coy) was brought up into the assembly trenches to take A Coys place.

                                At 2pm 1/7/16 our artillery began the 1/2 hours preliminary bombardment of Fricourt Village. This bombardment was feeble and did little damage to the enemy as the battalion soon learned to its cost. At 2.30pm the Battalion assaulted and were met by a murderous machine gun and rifle fire, officers and men were literally mown down and were finally brought to a standstill about half way across to the enemy’s trenches. 13 Officers and over 300 men became casualties in about three minutes. The survivors lay in crump holes until dark with a few exceptions who managed to crawl back. Many magnificent deeds of courage were performed especially in bringing in wounded and carrying messages under fire.

                                1st July 1916 In Action  Throughout the time No 25 Squadron had been in France, it had been undertaking experimental night flying sorties. At the opening of the Battle of the Somme on 1st of July 1916 No. 2, 10 and 25 Squadrons were formally tasked with night bombing strategic targets, including enemy aerodromes and railway junctions, depots, sidings and dumps radiating from Lillie. One of the largest sorties during the battle involved 12 FEs of No 25 Squadron, 7 BEs of No 16 Squadron and 7 BEs of No 10 Squadron all coordinating to attack Douai Railway station.

                                1st Jul 1916  Manchester Pals in action

                                1st Ju1 1916  Rumours of Great Things

                                1st July 1916 

                                July 1916  Fighter Cover

                                1st Jul 1916  East Surrey's Football Charge

                                1st Jul 1916  2nd Seaforths Attack

                                1st Jul 1916  Assault Made

                                1st Jul 1916  137 MGC in Action

                                1st Jul 1916  Thrilling Advance

                                1st Jul 1916  Dysentry

                                1st Jul 1916  Helping the Wounded

                                1st Jul 1916  Early Morning Bombardment

                                1st Jul 1916  Montauban Captured

                                1st Jul 1916 In Action  Front Line 0700. Beginning of Battle of Somme. The Objective of 18th DLI line running S.E. of Serre.

                                0450. 18th Battalion DLI reached assembly trench Maitland. HQ near Warley, Maitland junction. 11th East Lancs on left, West Riding on right.

                                At 0505. Special bombing parties of 18th DLI proceed to Sap A to report to 15th West Yorks.

                                0600. German guns appear to be inferior to our artillery. Our aircraft patrol lines effectively.

                                0720. Mine sprung at Beaumont Hamel by British.

                                0730. Men begin crossing to German lines carrying artillery discs but smoke prevented good observation.

                                0920 Brigade instruct 18th Battalion DLI to move to line Monk trench to support 18th West Yorks.

                                0947. A Coy. 18th DLI leave Maitland and advance to Monk.

                                1000. B Coy. 18 DLI leave Maitland and advance to Monk with C Coy. 18th DLI in Maitland ready to advance. HQ in Maitland between Bleneau and Grey. 18th West Yorks in Languard east of Maitland, Brigade HQ on Legend.

                                1100. A & B Coys 18th DLI are heavily shelled in the open between Monk and Maitland.

                                1130. German artillery very effective and appearing to predominate. Brigade instructs B Coy 18 DLI to reorganise in Dunmow.

                                1157. Message to Brigade reporting dispositions of 18th DLI. 2 Platoons A Coy. in Monk. 1 Platoon A Coy. in Flag, 1 Platoon A Coy. in Maitland, B Coy. west of Monk, C Coy. in Maitland, Btn HQ as at 10am. Heavy casualties in all Coys.

                                1232. Brigade instructs B Coy. 18th DLI to hold Sackville in conjunction with 4th Div.

                                Brigade instructs ------ to hold New Dunmow.

                                1353. C Coy. 18th DLI with 60 men of 18th West Yorks in New Dunmow, A & B Coys garrison Maitland with bombing parties on right and left of New Dunmow and Languard and Lewis guns north and south of New Dunmow.

                                1511. 1 Coy. 11th East Yorks move to Maitland and are under O.C. 18th Durham LI to cover 159 Bty RFA.

                                1540. O.C. 18 Durham LI moves 11th East Yorks from Maitland to take over defence of Languard.

                                1543. C Coy. 18th DLI reports

                                • (1) Front line trench blown out of existence as fighting trench,
                                • (2) Front line full of East and West Yorks
                                • (3) Recall of bombing parties working with 15th West Yorks.

                                1550. 18th West Yorks are collected by 18th Durham LI in New Dunmow. A & B Coys 18th DLI are being reorganised. Stragglers of 16th West Yorks are being collected.

                                Casualties in 18th DLI approximately (less D Coy.) 5 Officers wounded, 11 OR killed, 126 OR wounded. 4 Officers D Co. wounded, 17 OR D Co. reported Btn HQ.

                                18 Durham LI instructed by Brigade to hold front line for the night and expel counter attack. C Coy. manned front line, A & B in Maitland. 16th West Yorks in Dunmow. C Coy. 18DLI has bombing parties Sap A & Sap B

                                1745. 11th East Yorks reported in position in Languard.

                                1830. Major Tilly reported at 18th DLI HQ.

                                1st Jul 1916  Over the Top

                                1st Jul 1916  Over the Top

                                1st Jul 1916  Success and Failure

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  Trench Mortars

                                1st Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  Prisoners Taken

                                1st Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                1st Jul 1916  Defending the Trenches

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916 In Action  209th Field Company went into action at La Boiselle on 1st of July 1916.

                                1st July 1916  In Reserve

                                31st Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                1st Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                1st of July 1916  Somme Battle Begins

                                1st Jul 1916  Medical Arrangements

                                1st Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                1st Jul 1916  Shelling

                                1st July 1916  Attack

                                1st of July 1916  In Thiepval Wood

                                1st Jul 1916  Wounded Rescued

                                1st Jul 1916  Carrying Parties

                                1st July 1916 

                                1st Jul 1916  In Billets

                                1st Jul 1916  Shelling

                                1st Ju1 1916  Working Parties

                                1st Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                1st Jul 1916  Over the Top

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  News

                                1st Jul 1916  On the Move

                                1st July 1916  Attacks Made

                                1st of July 1916 

                                1st of July 1916 

                                1st of July 1916  Intelligence

                                1st Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                1st July 1916  Terrible Losses

                                1st Jul 1916  Orders

                                1st Jul 1916  Dash from the Trenches

                                1st Jul 1916  Shelling

                                1st Jul 1916  Appeal

                                1st Jul 1916  Curate Promoted

                                1st Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                31st Jul 1916  Orders

                                1st Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                1st Jul 1916  Defences Improved

                                1st Jul 1916  Advance

                                1st Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Jul 1916   Mobilisation

                                1st Jul 1916  Air Raid

                                1st Jul 1916  Bombardment

                                1st July 1916  Battle of Somme

                                1st Jul 1916  Instruction

                                1st July 1916  In camp

                                1st Jul 1916  On the Move

                                1st Jul 1916  On the March

                                1st Jul 1916  Shelling

                                1st of July 1916  No Reports

                                1st Jul 1916  Report

                                1st Jul 1916  Report

                                1st Jul 1916  Attack

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  Ordered to Move

                                1st July 1916  Preperations for Move

                                1st Jul 1916  Operations

                                1st Jul 1916  Ammunition

                                1st July 1916  Battalion received orders to march to Wizernes Station for entrainment.

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  Consolidation

                                1st July 1916  Recce

                                1st July 1916  Ready to Advance

                                1st Jul 1916  In Action

                                1st July 1916  Smoke

                                July 1916  Record

                                1st July 1916  Roads, Bridges and Railways

                                1st July 1916  Bombardment

                                1st July 1916  Relief of 23rd London Regt.

                                July 1916  In Reserve

                                1st July 1916  In Action

                                1st July 1916  In Action

                                1st Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                1st of July 1916  Awaiting Orders

                                1st July 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                1st July 1916  Reorganisation

                                1st Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                1st July 1916  In Action

                                1st July 1916  Trench Work

                                1st Jul 1916   Assault Made

                                1st July 1916  Fire on Airships Forbidden

                                1st Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                1st July 1916  Reliefs

                                1st July 1916  Sentries sleeping in their posts

                                2nd Jul 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers return to from attack  Only 8 officers and 279 other ranks of the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers return to the bluff, north of Black Horse Bridge at 1.30 that morning. At nightfall, they move to C assembly trenches in Aveluy Wood.

                                2nd July 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. 2/Lt Gunn C236 Battery moved from post and returned to his battery. A quiet day with enemy retaliation feeble in reply to bombarding their front line and Vimy Ridge.

                                2nd Jul 1916 1st Wiltshires move forward to trenches  1st Wiltshires move forwards in an easterly direction via Hedauville and Aveluy Wood into the trenches at Authuille.

                                2nd Jul 1916 Relief  At 3.30am the Cheshires arrive to assist 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers at Usna Tara Redoubts.

                                2nd July 1916  Departure from Alexandria

                                2nd July 1916  Church service and reinforcements

                                2nd Jul 1916  Favourable Reports

                                2nd Jul 1916  Dysentry

                                2nd Jul 1916  Heroism with the Wounded

                                2nd Jul 1916 In Action  At 0100. B Coy. 18th DLI moved up to the front line. (D Coy. attached to A)

                                0330. 66 reinforcements reported at HQ and joined their Coys.

                                0830. 2 Platoons C Coy. in Monk with 4 MG of MG Co. and 2 MG in Dunmow.

                                1330. Brigade instructions to occupy front line from K.35.a.3.7 to K.29.c.80.95 with 1 Co. 4 L.G. by day, with 2 Coys 8 L.G. by night, remainder & HQ to hold north & south Monk. This completed by 2.40 pm and Brigade informed.

                                1500 - 1530. Special bombardment by our artillery during which 2 off. 9 OR C Coy. were wounded 1 OR C Co. killed.

                                1830 - 1900. Special bombardment by our artillery.

                                2020. Brigade informed that enemy was at ----- ----- shells ---- in North Monk. 40 wounded chiefly of 16th West Yorks were collected by C Coy. in front line.

                                2300. Kings Own on right of 18th DLI and wiring in front.

                                2306. Germans reported to be seen carrying up Gas Cylinders to front line.

                                2330. GOC 93 I.B. instructs 18 Btn DLI to send remainder of D Coy. back to Bus.

                                Late. Brigade warn 18th Btn DLI of possible gas attack, front line to hold on. 18th West Yorks to send 2 Coy’s one to North Monk, one to South Monk and 2 remaining Coy’s to move up later. 16th West Yorks to remain in Dunmow, 15th West Yorks in Maitland. Information also received that 2 Brigades of 48th Division with 3 Battalions of 29 Division will attack hostile line from River Ancre to Pt 29 at 3.30am. Artillery to bombard enemy’s line.

                                2nd Jul 1916  Terrible Work

                                2nd Jul 1916  Attack and Counter Attack

                                2nd Jul 1916  On the March

                                2nd Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                2nd Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                2nd Jul 1916  Machine Guns Active

                                2nd Jul 1916  Bringing in the Wounded

                                2nd Jul 1916  Communication Lost

                                2nd Jul 1916  In Action

                                2nd July 1916  Intermediate Line

                                2nd Jul 1916  Death's valley

                                2nd Jul 1916  Orders

                                2nd Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd of July 1916  German Gas Attacks

                                2nd July 1916  Remnants of the Battalion

                                2nd Jul 1916  In Touch

                                2nd July 1916 

                                2nd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Jul 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Jul 1916  Working Party

                                2nd Jul 1916  Training

                                2nd of July 1916 

                                2nd of July 1916 

                                2nd Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                2nd of July 1916  A Gallant Plan

                                2nd Jul 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Jul 1916  Orders

                                2nd Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                2nd Jul 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd Jul 1916  Orders Received

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Jul 1916  Counter Battery Work

                                2nd July 1916  Tragedy

                                2nd Jul 1916  At Rest

                                2nd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Jul 1916  Training

                                2nd Jul 1916  Mine

                                2nd of July 1916  New Orders

                                2nd Jul 1916  Artillery

                                2nd Jul 1916  On the March

                                2nd July 1916  Smoke Discharge

                                2nd Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                2nd July 1916  Tea which had been prepared on the train was issued to the men

                                2nd Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Jul 1916  On the March

                                2nd July 1916  On the March

                                2nd Jul 1916  Orders Received

                                2nd July 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd July 1916  Trenches in Poor State

                                2nd July 1916  All quiet.

                                2nd July 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd of July 1916  Standing By

                                2nd July 1916  Patients

                                2nd Jul 1916  In Camp

                                2nd Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd July 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd July 1916  G.R.8 received

                                3rd Jul 1916 16th Northumberland Fusilers move to Warloy  16th Northumberland Fusiliers move to Warloy via Bouzincourt.

                                3rd Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths return to pioneer duties  The 3rd Monmouths returned to their pioneer duties and were engaged in digging the new British front line at the Schwaben Redoubt and Ancre. Here they came across the dead and wounded of the terrible fighting that had taken place over this ground. They also came under heavy shelling and German grenade attacks. The Ulster Memorial Tower now marks the site of these trenches.

                                3rd July 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report Batteries wire cutting. B237 battery was shelled with 4.2s at about 0900 and one gun was damaged. The enemy shelled battery positions on the Aix-Noulette - Bully Grenay road all morning with 5.9 and 4.2 inch guns. Minewerfen (mortars) were active about 1600. At 2230 the enemy blew up a mine on Vimy Ridge but very little artillery fire followed. Another mine was exploded at 0030. At 0145 our artillery open a strong barrage in support of a raid by the 15th London Regiment on salient in Bois en Hache. The raid lasted twenty minutes with result at present not known. Enemy retaliation was much heavier than in the former raid. All was quiet again by 0230.

                                3rd Jul 1916 1st Wiltshire and 3rd Worcesters fight side by side.  1st Wiltshires enter the Leipzig Salient and fought side by side with the 3rd Worcestershire until they were relieved on July 7th.

                                3rd Jul 1916 106th Coy RE search for lost men  At Thiepval 106th Coy Royal Engineers are engaged in clearing trenches in search hoping to find alive some of their best men who were lost trying to take the fort, Germans using Gas at night and shelling continuously. Also working in German Trenches that had been taken

                                3rd July 1916  Enroute to France

                                3rd July 1916  Routine

                                3rd Jul 1916  Heavy Guns Continue

                                3rd Jul 1916  Quiet Day

                                3rd Jul 1916 Shelling  0355. 18th DLI Inform Brigade of heavy shelling by enemy at 2.15am was of ---- shells.

                                2035. Brigade instructed 18th Btn DLI to get in touch with Duke of Wellingtons Regiment of 12th Brigade, on their right at Delaunay.

                                3rd Jul 1916  Stratigic Wood

                                3rd Jul 1916  Gallantry Recognised

                                3rd Jul 1916  In Action

                                3rd Jul 1916  Leading the Advance

                                3rd Jul 1916  No Working Parties

                                3rd Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                3rd Jul 1916  In Action

                                3rd July 1916  In the Trenches

                                3rd Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd of July 1916  Reorganisation

                                3rd Jul 1916  In Action

                                3rd July 1916 

                                3rd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Jul 1916  Shelling

                                3rd Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                3rd Jul 1916  Football

                                3rd Jul 1916  Training & Sport

                                3rd of July 1916 

                                3rd of July 1916 

                                3rd Jul 1916  In Dugout

                                3rd Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                3rd Jul 1916  Training

                                3rd Jul 1916  Tunneling

                                3rd Jul 1916  In Action

                                3rd Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                3rd Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                3rd Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                3rd July 1916  Survivors

                                3rd Jul 1916  Training

                                3rd of July 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Jul 1916  On the March

                                3rd Jul 1916  Shelling

                                3rd of July 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Jul 1916  Attack

                                3rd July 1916  Attachment to 1st Loyal North Lancs.

                                3rd Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd July 1916  March to Flesselles via Canaples - Havernas arriving at Flesselles at about 1300 hours.

                                3rd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                3rd July 1916  Battalion relieved 10th R.W. Kent Regt.

                                3rd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                3rd July 1916  Shelling

                                3rd July 1916  Repairs

                                3rd July 1916  Moves

                                3rd Jul 1916  Quiet

                                3rd of July 1916  New Billets

                                3rd July 1916  Very Busy

                                3rd Jul 1916  Inspection

                                3rd Jul 1916  Bombardment

                                3rd Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                3rd July 1916  Working and Mining parties

                                3rd Jul 1916  Congratulations

                                July 1916  More Beds

                                3rd July 1916  Brigade Sanitary Squad formed

                                4th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette the enemy was active in the Angres Setor this morning with trench mortars, otherwise all quiet.

                                4th July 1916   SM U-50

                                Type U 43 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 28) Ordered 4 Aug 1914 Launched 31 Dec 1915 Commissioned 4 Jul 1916

                                Commanders.
                                4 Jul 1916 - 31 Aug 1917 Gerhard Berger

                                Career 5 patrols.
                                30 Aug 1916 - 31 Aug 1917 III Flotilla

                                Successes 27 ships sunk with a total of 92,924 tons.

                                • 10 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Bogota 4,577 br
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Løkken 1,954 nw
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Morazan 3,486 br
                                • 11 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Sarah Radcliffe 3,333 br
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger San Giovanni 1,315 it
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Stylinai Bebis 3,603 gr
                                • 12 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Ioannis 3,828 gr
                                • 13 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Lela 2,987 it
                                • 14 Nov 1916 U 50 Gerhard Berger Hatsuse 282 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Jean Pierre 449 fr
                                • 22 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Blenheim 1,144 nw
                                • 24 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Falcon 2,244 br
                                • 25 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Aries 3,071 br
                                • 25 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Huntsman 7,460 br
                                • 25 Feb 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Laconia 18,099 br
                                • 11 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Sarvsfos 1,462 nw
                                • 19 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Avocet 1,219 br
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Emma 2,520 br
                                • 21 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Diadem 4,307 br
                                • 23 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Dykland 4,291 br
                                • 23 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Oswald 5,185 br
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Swanmore 6,373 br
                                • 7 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Yuba 1,458 nw
                                • 11 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Sigrun 2,538 nw
                                • 16 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Carrie Hervey 111 br
                                • 21 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Ortona 5,524 br
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 50 Gerhard Berger Vonin 104 da

                                Fate 31 Aug 1917 - Sunk probably from a mine off Terschelling on or after 31st August 1917. Casualties: 44 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 50 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 1 Nov 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Dec 1939.

                                4th July 1916  Reliefs

                                4th July 1916  Battlefield clearing party to Fricourt

                                4th July 1916  Escort change passing Malta

                                4th Jul 1916  Bearers Wounded

                                4th Jul 1916  Bombardment Continues

                                4th Jul 1916  Very Hot Day

                                4th Jul 1916 Under Fire  18th Durhams are in the Front Line .

                                Taken from Appendix 1 18th DLI Battle of Serre.

                                0200. Ration party from Bus and ---- ordered to remain in Monk as reinforcements in view of information above.

                                0400. Red rockets went up & LG & MG opened by a unit on our right.

                                0403.Hostile artillery open with Field Guns & MG chiefly barraging our front line & then lifting quickly to Monk, chiefly shrapnel some HE.

                                0410. 18th Btn DLI asked for retaliation on German trench between Warley and Delaunay. Brigade report Gas on 94th Brigade area on our left.

                                0423. Our guns open retaliation effectively.

                                0430. No signs of gas, hostile fire weakening.

                                0435. Front line reports all correct, two casualties, hostile guns practically ceased fire.

                                0508. All quiet.

                                0530. Stand down. N.B. Enemy before opening artillery fire put up red rockets, on sending up green rockets fire ceased.

                                0630. Lt Tait D Co found wounded in Old Monk & brought back.

                                1100. Brigade Instructions. 31 Div. to go into Corps reserve & move to Bernaville area joining II Corps & coming into GHQ reserve. 93rd Brigade to be relieved by 144th Brigade on night of 4-5th of July 1916 & move to Louvencourt and thence on 6th to Bernaville area.

                                2200. Relief of 18th Btn DLI by Worcesters. HQ moves 10.5pm to Louvencourt.

                                2200. 18th DLI relieved by Worcester Regt and moved to Louvencourt.

                                4th Jul 1916  Reorganisation

                                4th Jul 1916  In Action

                                4th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                4th Jul 1916  Raid Planned

                                4th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jul 1916  Resting

                                4th Jul 1916  In Action

                                4th July 1916  Rain

                                4th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jul 1916  Heavy Rain

                                4th of July 1916  An Inspection

                                4th July 1916 

                                4th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                4th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                4th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jul 1916  Working Parties & Training

                                4th Jul 1916  Training

                                4th Jul 1916  Surrender

                                4th Jul 1916  Suffering

                                4th Jul 1916  Enemy Reinforcements

                                4th of July 1916 

                                4th of July 1916 

                                4th Jul 1916  On the March

                                4th of July 1916  Orders to Move

                                4th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jul 1916  Surrender

                                4th Jul 1916  Suffering

                                4th Jul 1916  Enemy Rushes Up Reinforcements

                                4th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                4th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                4th Jul 1916  Orders

                                4th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                4th Jul 1916  Training

                                4th of July 1916  On the Move

                                4th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                4th Jul 1916  On the March

                                4th Jul 1916  Explosion

                                4th of July 1916   No Reports

                                4th Jul 1916  Transfer

                                4th July 1916  Bombardment

                                4th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                4th July 1916  Inspection of feet and tube helmets

                                4th Jul 1916  On the March

                                4th Jul 1916  On the March

                                4th July 1916  Usual sniping.

                                4th July 1916  Battery Arrives in Allery

                                4th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                4th July 1916  Reliefs

                                4th July 1916  Operational Order No.87

                                4th July 1916  Relieved 1st London Regt.

                                4th July 1916  In Reserve

                                4th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                4th of July 1916  Drills

                                4th July 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                4th Jul 1916  Training

                                4th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                4th July 1916  Inspection

                                4th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                4th July 1916  Artillery Cutting Wire

                                4th July 1916  Raid

                                4th July 1916  Conference of C.O's at Bde.H.Q.

                                5th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands move  The 16th Northumberlands move to Varennes

                                5th July 1916 Observation Impossible  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report Observation impossible so all quiet on this front.

                                5th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires march to La Boiselle  13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment march from Bouzincourt to La Boiselle on Wednesday 5th July.

                                5th July1916  Reliefs

                                5th July 1916  Brigade move and work party

                                5th July 1916  Tropical Uniform changed

                                5th Jul 1916  1st Bty RFA on the move

                                5th Jul 1916  Deep Safe Dugouts

                                5th Jul 1916  Cavalry Standby

                                 

                                5th Jul 1916  GoC Visits

                                5th Jul 1916 On the March  0445. 18th DLI reported present at Louvencourt.

                                5th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                5th Jul 1916  On the March

                                5th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                5th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                5th Jul 1916  Brave Actions

                                5th Jul 1916  Training

                                5th Jul 1916  Burying the Dead

                                5th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                5th July 1916  Working Parties

                                5th Jul 1916  Route March

                                5th of July 1916  Counting the Cost

                                5th July 1916 

                                5th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                5th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                5th Jul 1916  Cricket

                                5th Jul 1916  Pride

                                5th of July 1916 

                                5th of July 1916 

                                5th Jul 1916  Big Advance

                                5th Jul 1916  Reorganisation

                                5th of July 1916  Brigades Move

                                5th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                5th July 1916  Gifts to the Germans.

                                5th Jul 1916  Wounded

                                5th July 1916  Starving Prisoners

                                5th Jul 1916  Pride

                                5th Jul 1916  Route March

                                5th Jul 1916  New CO

                                5th Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                5th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                5th Jul 1916  On the March

                                5th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Jul 1916   Arrival

                                5th Jul 1916  Counter Battery

                                5th July 1916  Leave

                                5th Jul 1916  On the March

                                5th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                5th Jul 1916  On the March

                                5th July 1916  Reorganisation

                                5th Jul 1916   Orders

                                5th Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                5th of July 1916  Quiet Time

                                5th July 1916  Rifle Grenades

                                5th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                5th July 1916  Battalion marched to Vaux Sur Somme

                                5th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                5th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                5th July 1916  In accordance with B.O.O.11 the frontage occupied by the Battalion was increased.

                                5th Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                5th Jul 1916  Posting

                                5th July 1916  Orders

                                5th July 1916  Relief of 1st London Regt. complete at 0100 hours.

                                5th Jul 1916  Trench Mortars

                                5th of July 1916  Drills and Training

                                5th July 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                5th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                5th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                5th July 1916  Reinforcements

                                5th Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                5th July 1916  Mine exploded

                                5th Jul 1916  Award

                                5th of July 1916  Admin note

                                5th July 1916  C-in-C. inspected defences

                                6th Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths under attack  A Company, 3rd Monmouths came under attack while digging trenches near the German lines captured by the 49th Division. The pioneers had to become infantrymen again and were ordered to hold the line until the next morning. 14 men were killed or wounded.

                                6th July 1916 Trench Motors Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette. 2/Lt Wildes C236 Battery proceeded on Trench Mortar Course. During the early morning enemy trench mortars were active on Gouchez II to which our own retaliated. Observation was again difficult owing to bad weather.

                                6th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires in trenches at La Boiselle  Thursday 6th July the 13th Cheshires occupy trenches at La Boiselle which they consolidated and held. Several personnel injured, non killed.

                                6th July 1916  Standby and inspection by GOC Division

                                6th Jul 1916 38th Div Artillery in action  Although the infantry of the 38th Division did not return to action after the Battle of Mametz Wood, the Artillery were continually involved in action.

                                6th Jul 1916  Bearers Wounded

                                6th Jul 1916  Troops on the Move

                                6th Jul 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                6th Jul 1916  With Sorrow

                                6th Jul 1916 On the March  0900 18th DLI vacated billets at Louvencourt and moved to Beauval arriving 12.30pm.

                                6th Jul 1916  On the March

                                6th Jul 1916  Depth Charges

                                6th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                6th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                6th Jul 1916  Lines of Fire

                                6th July 1916  Orders Issued

                                6th Jul 1916  Recalling Action

                                6th Jul 1916  Under Shellfire

                                6th Jul 1916  On the March

                                6th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                6th July 1916 

                                6th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                6th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Jul 1916  Sport

                                6th of July 1916 

                                6th of July 1916  A "Times" Report

                                6th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                6th Jul 1916  Route March

                                6th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                6th Jul 1916  Orders Received

                                6th Jul 1916  On the March

                                6th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Jul 1916  Counter Battery

                                6th Jul 1916  Instruction

                                6th Jul 1916  Route March

                                6th Jul 1916  Preparations

                                6th Jul 1916  Mine Blown

                                6th of July 1916   Working Parties

                                6th July 1916  Artillery Active

                                6th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                6th July 1916  At 2045 hours battalion marched off through Sailly to the forest of Les Celestins

                                6th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                6th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                6th Jul 1916  On the March

                                6th July 1916  Moves

                                6th July 1916  All quiet.

                                6th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                6th of July 1916  On the Move

                                6th July 1916  Very Busy

                                6th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                6th Jul 1916  On the March

                                6th July 1916  Conference

                                6th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                6th July 1916  Reliefs

                                6th of July 1916  Nomenclature

                                6th July 1916  C-in-C inspected Blairs Post

                                7th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands move  16th Northumberlands move to Hedauville.

                                7th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. All quiet. 2nd Lt Woollett transferred from D236 Battery to Y047 TM Battery.

                                7th Jul 1916 1st Wiltshire and 3rd Worcesters relieved  1st Wiltshires and 3rd Worcesters are relieved in the Leipzig Salient.

                                7th Jul 1916 Huge losses for 12th Manchesters  Sixteen officers and 539 men of the 12th Manchesters were killed in action, listed as missing or wounded at Contalmaison on the Somme.

                                7th July 1916  Old Shaft

                                7th July 1916  1/2 hour notice standby

                                7th Jul 1916  Not as Reported

                                7th Jul 1916  Rumours

                                7th Jul 1916 On the March  0730 18th Battalion DLI vacated billets at Beauval and moved to Berneuil arriving 11.45am.

                                7th Jul 1916  Into Position

                                7th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                7th Jul 1916  Rapid Bombing

                                7th Jul 1916  Burried Alive

                                7th Jul 1916  No Success

                                7th Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Jul 1916  Relief

                                7th July 1916  Attack Made

                                7th Jul 1916  In the Trenches

                                7th Jul 1916  In Action

                                7th of July 1916  Classes Held

                                7th Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                7th Jul 1916  Alert

                                7th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                7th of July 1916 

                                7th of July 1916 

                                7th of July 1916  A Wet Day

                                7th Jul 1916  On the March

                                7th Jul 1916  In Action

                                7th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                7th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                7th Jul 1916  Training

                                7th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Jul 1916  In Action

                                7th Jul 1916  Instruction

                                7th Jul 1916  Route March

                                7th Jul 1916  Heavy Rain

                                7th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                7th of July 1916   On the Move Again

                                7th July 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                7th July 1916  left the forest at Les Celestins at 0700 hours and marched to Bronfray Farm.

                                7th Jul 1916  On the March

                                7th Jul 1916  On the March

                                7th July 1916  Enemies 16 pounders and Snipers were more active than usual

                                7th Jul 1916  In Action

                                7th Jul 1916  In Camp

                                7th July 1916  Moves

                                7th July 1916  Schedule 7th July 1916

                                7th July 1916  Relieved by 18th Battalion.

                                7th July 1916  Operational Order No.88

                                7th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                7th of July 1916  In the Trenches

                                7th July 1916  Very Busy

                                7th Jul 1916  Orders

                                7th Jul 1916  Cleaning Up

                                7th July 1916  Companies being trained in Bombing

                                7th July 1916  Defence Scheme.

                                7th July 1916  Special Instructions.

                                7th July 1916  Recipients of Honours and Awards.

                                7th of July 1916  Reorganisation

                                7th July 1916  7th H.L.I. arrived

                                7th Jul 1916 13th Cheshires attack at La Boiselle  At La Boiselle on 7th of July, 13th Cheshires went over the parapet at 8.05am. After suffering severe casualties they reached their objective and consolidated. A number of prisoners and war material fell into their hands. Casualties on the day are very heavy, 18 officers and 243 other ranks.

                                8th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands to Senlis  16th Northumberlands move to Senlis.

                                8th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: All quiet.

                                8th July 1916 Somme to Messines  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                The Move to Belgium, Somme to Messines

                                After being relieved at the Somme on the 8th July 1916, the Battalion remained on the move for some time and was not involved in any pioneering work.

                                • 10th Jul Marched from Harpenville to Beauval and billeted (9½ miles).
                                • 11th Jul Marched from Beauval to Bernaville and billeted (9 miles).
                                • 12th Jul Marched to Conteville (6 miles) then by train to Theinnes (55
                                • miles) and marched to Blaringham and billeted (3 miles).
                                • 13th Jul Marched from Blaringham to Moulles and billeted (14 miles).

                                From the 14th to 20th July, the Battalion stayed at Moulles for interior economy (a military term for general Cleaning of a personal nature, including equipment and accommodation ). The men were exhausted and this period was used to boost morale with exercise, games and parades to present medals awarded during recent campaign actions.

                                Further moves then took places as follows:

                                • 21st Jul Marched to Volkeringshove and billeted (6 miles).
                                • During this march they witnessed the explosion of an ammunition dump at
                                • Audvicq.
                                • 22nd Jul Marched to Winnezeele and billeted (16 miles).
                                • 23rd Jul Marched to Bauvoorde (10 miles) and camped on the Belgian
                                • border.
                                • 24th Jul Marched 3 miles to a hill position.

                                This was about 2 ½ miles from Bailleul where they obtained some dilapidated Armstrong huts and set up camp.

                                The marches were not long by modern standards but the constant moves involved a daily sequence of reveille, packing equipment and transport, having a hot meal, parading in full kit and laden transport before starting out on the march.

                                The full Battalion would occupy about 1000 yards of road and take about 10 minutes to pass any given point in the route. On arrival at the destination, the reverse order would be unloading, setting up camp, feeding men and animals and settling down for the night.

                                Exhausting as that may seem, it was not the full story as rations had to be organised. One day’s rations were carried by each man, though probably on Battalion transport, also fodder for the animals, so each day more rations had to be acquired from collection points.

                                For 1000 men this meant about 1 ½ tons of rations and for animals 1 ¼ tons of fodder to collect and distribute each day. The Quartermaster had quite literally very much on his plate and everyone depended on his skill and organisational ability.

                                Foot inspections were considered to be a very important requirement as was the watering, grooming and feeding of the horses and mules.

                                8th July 1916 British troops in action on The Somme  5-45am July 8th 1916, The 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment moved off up the valley by Talus Boisse to a position just west of Bernafay Wood with orders to attack and take the southern portion of Trones Wood. This accomplished the Wiltshires were to attack from Maltz Horn Alley their right joining up with the left of the French who were attacking at the same time. The 19th Manchesters were in trenches behind available for support and the 18th Kings Liverpools were detailed to provide carrying parties, battalion HQ was at the Briqueterie.

                                7-15am, "C" Company 2nd Btn Yorkshire Regiment under Capt Maude entered Bernafay Wood followed in succession by the bombing sections, "D" Company under Capt Belcher, "B" Company under 2nd Lt Hubbard and "A" Company under Capt Colley.

                                8-00am, Under severe shellfire which caused casualties before starting and added to some confusion caused by the passage through the wood. "C" Company 2nd Yorks emerged from the wood and commenced to cross the open space between it and Trones Wood. For about 80 yards rising ground gave some cover but immediately this was topped a very heavy machine gun and rifle fire was opened from the edge of Trones Wood and the front line was practically hit to a man. Some men got into Trones Alley a communication trench between the two woods and Lt Field with the battalion bombers made an attempt to bomb up it and get into the wood, snipers in trees defeated this and seeing that without further and more powerful artillery support a direct attack was hopeless and a withdrawal to Bernafay Wood was ordered at 8-30am The Germans now commenced a heavy and constant bombardment of Bernafay Wood with guns of every calibre. Cover was poor and for the rest of the day the battalion could do nothing but hold on under heavy punishment. Casualties were numerous and the removal of wounded was a matter of the greatest difficulty. Mens nerves were subjected to probably the greatest strain the battalion had yet to bear in this war and it was with great relief that at 7-00pm orders were received to withdraw. Casualties of the 2nd Yorks were: Officers; killed 3, wounded 4, Other ranks; killed 19, wounded 116, missing 17.

                                8th July 1916 Russian Hospital Ship  In the beginning of 1916 the "Vperiod," a vessel of 858 tons, was transformed into a hospital ship, with 120 beds for wounded, to take the place of the "Portugal." On July 8th, 1916, while on her way from Batoum to Rizeh, near Trebizond, to fetch wounded, she was torpedoed without warning and sank, with a loss of 7 lives. The "Vperiod" bore all the usual Red Cross marks ; and the enemy Governments had been duly informed of the vessel's new status when the change was made six months earlier.

                                8th July 1916  Repairs

                                8th July 1916  Routine and movement order

                                8th July 1916 Arrival Marseilles  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                8th July - We enter harbour at Marseilles and stay alongside quay overnight.

                                8th Jul 1916  Battle in Progress

                                8th Jul 1916  Some Progress Made

                                8th Jul 1916  Quiet Day

                                8th Jul 1916 On the Move  2100. 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry vacated billetsat Berneuil and moved to Conteville entraining there for Berguette in 1st Army area arriving there 11.30am and proceeded to La Pierreiere by route march arriving 1.30pm.

                                8th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                8th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                8th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                8th July 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                8th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Jul 1916  Patrols

                                8th of July 1916  Four Hour Bombardment

                                8th of July 1916  Infantry Supported

                                8th Jul 1916  In the Line

                                8th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Jul 1916  Raid

                                8th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                8th of July 1916 

                                8th of July 1916 

                                8th of July 1916 

                                8th of July 1916  Intelligence

                                8th Jul 1916  On the March

                                8th of July 1916  Orders to Move

                                8th Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                8th Jul 1916  Wounded

                                8th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                8th Jul 1916  Line Advanced

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                8th Jul 1916   Medical Officer

                                8th Jul 1916  Recce

                                8th July 1916  Reorganisation

                                8th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                8th Jul 1916  Advance Party

                                8th Jul 1916  Some Shelling

                                8th of July 1916   No Reports

                                8th July 1916  S.O.S. message received

                                8th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                8th Ju1y 1916  "A" Coy. continued digging all day,

                                8th Jul 1916  Cleaning up

                                8th Jul 1916  Move

                                8th July 1916  Weekly Strength return 11th Queens S.W. Surrey Regt. 2nd - 8th July

                                8th July 1916  Attempted a raid on the German trenches from "D" Gap

                                8th July 1916  Battery Arrives in Corbie

                                8th Jul 1916  In Camp

                                8th July 1916  Moves

                                8th July 1916  Relief complete at 0200 hours.

                                8th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                8th of July 1916  Consolidation

                                8th July 1916  Very Busy

                                8th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                8th July 1916  Sports

                                8th Jul 1916  On the March

                                8th July 1916  Brigade put on Notice

                                8th July 1916  Reliefs

                                8th of July 1916  Officer change

                                8th July 1916  157th Inf. Bde. take over area

                                9th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands to Bouzincourt  16th Northumberlands move to Bouzincourt.

                                9th Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths hold the line  A and D Companies of the 3rd Monmouths helped hold off another German attack and four men were awarded gallantry cards.

                                9th July 1916 Billets and Roads Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. at Aix-Noulette. Col. Peel took over command of Right Group. Col Lowe and Adjutant along with HQ Staff moved to new billets in Helsin. All quiet on this front. During the night the enemy's billets and ration roads were shelled in conjunction with IV Corps heavy artillery.

                                9th July1916  Repairs

                                9th July 1916  Move to billets

                                9th July 1916  Move postponed

                                9th Jul 1916  Roads Shelled

                                9th Jul 1916  Sunday in France

                                9th Jul 1916  On Stand by

                                9th Jul 1916  In Action

                                9th Jul 1916  No Support

                                9th Jul 1916  Raid Made

                                9th Jul 1916  In Camp

                                9th July 1916  On the March

                                9th Jul 1916  In Camp

                                9th Jul 1916  Patrol

                                9th July 1916  Shelling Pozieres

                                9th Jul 1916  On the March

                                9th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                9th July 1916 

                                9th Jul 1916  Church Parade

                                9th Jul 1916  Report

                                9th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                9th Jul 1916  Enemy Active

                                9th of July 1916 

                                9th of July 1916 

                                9th of July 1916 

                                9th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                9th of July 1916  Moves Postponed

                                9th Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                9th Jul 1916  Capture

                                9th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                9th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                9th Jul 1916  Church Parade

                                9th Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Jul 1916  Recce

                                9th July 1916  Bivouac

                                9th Jul 1916  Instruction

                                9th of July  Arrived in Marseille

                                9th Jul 1916  On the March

                                9th Jul 1916  Eggs

                                9th Jul 1916  Bombardment

                                9th of July 1916   Quiet Time

                                9th July 1916  Heavy bombardment on our right

                                9th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                9th July 1916  Continual shelling goes on

                                9th Jul 1916  New Billets

                                9th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                9th July 1916  Still on the Move

                                9th Jul 1916  In Action

                                9th Jul 1916  In Camp

                                9th July 1916  Orders

                                9th July 1916  Lectures to Officers and NCO's all day.

                                9th Jul 1916  Mine

                                9th of July 1916  Attacked on Both Flanks

                                9th July 1916  Very Busy

                                9th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                9th July 1916  Lecture

                                9th Jul 1916  On the March

                                9th July 1916  Guard of Honour Parades.

                                9th July 1916  Sentries sleeping

                                10th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet on this front.

                                10th Jul 1916  Tales from the Empire

                                10th July 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Jul 1916 13th Welsh on Somme  13th Btn Welsh Regiment are in Mametz Wood on The Somme

                                10th July 1916  Routine exercises

                                10th Jul 1916  Action

                                10th Jul 1916  Minister's Tour of Nottingham's Drinking Dens

                                10th Jul 1916 106 Bty RFA in Action  106th Battery, 22nd Brigade, RFA were positioned on the east flank of Mametz Wood above the valley in a strip of woodland called Caterpillar Wood on 10th July 1916 close to a part of Mametz Wood called the Hammerhead. They were shelling towards Flat Iron Copse which is in the north east and just beyond the eastern edge of Mametz Wood.

                                10th Jul 1916  Field Ambulance in Unsafe Dugout

                                10th Jul 1916  Quiet Day

                                10th Jul 1916  Would Like to Call

                                10th Jul 1916  Assisting Attack

                                10th Jul 1916  Vicious Fighting

                                10th Jul 1916  Attack Steadied

                                10th Jul 1916  Heavy Casualties

                                10th Jul 1916  In Defence

                                10th Jul 1916  Brave Actions

                                10th Jul 1916  Valuable Prisoner

                                10th Jul 1916  Training

                                10th Jul 1916  In Camp

                                10th Jul 1916  On the March

                                10th Jul 1916  Relief

                                10th of July 1916  On the Move

                                10th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                10th July 1916 

                                10th Jul 1916  Training

                                10th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                10th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                10th Jul 1916  Retaliation

                                10th of July 1916 

                                10th of July 1916 

                                10th of July 1916 

                                10th of July 1916 

                                10th of July 1916  Trench Raid

                                10th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                10th of July 1916  Entraining Plans

                                10th Jul 1916  In the Trenches

                                10th July 1916  Attack Made

                                10th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                10th Jul 1916  Orders

                                10th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                10th Jul 1916  Training

                                10th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                10th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Jul 1916  Counter Battery

                                10th Jul 1916  Instruction

                                10th July 1916  From boat to Train

                                10th Jul 1916  On the March

                                10th July 1916  Goodbye, from Major A.M Gollard

                                10th Jul 1916  Camouflet

                                10th of July 1916   Quiet

                                10th July 1916  No Casualties.

                                10th July 1916  The attack was to take place tonight, but has been postponed

                                10th Jul 1916  Inspection

                                10th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                10th July 1916  Trench Raid

                                10th Jul 1916  Orders

                                10th July 1916  On the March

                                10th July 1916  Battalion bathed in Brewery at Sains En Gohelle.

                                10th August 1916  Operational Order No.100

                                10th Jul 1916  Expectations

                                10th of July 1916   A Relief and Casualties

                                10th July 1916  Very Busy

                                10th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                July 1916  On the Move

                                10th July 1916  Courts Martial

                                10th Jul 1916  In Action

                                10th July 1916  Company Parades

                                10th of July 2016  Officer attached

                                10th July 1916  Brigade Transport deteriorated

                                11th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands relieve 2nd Manchesters  16th Northumberlands relieve the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment at Ovillers-la-Boisselle.

                                11th July 1916 Enemy Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette report enemy active about 1800 on Left Battalion HQ, our Howitzers retaliated on enemy support line. After a few rounds the enemy stopped firing.

                                11th Jul 1916  Captured Guns

                                11th July 1916  Sandbags

                                11th July 1916  Entrained for front

                                11th July 1916  Brigades move to Querrieu

                                11th Jul 1916  News of Move

                                11th Jul 1916  Real Courage

                                11th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Jul 1916  Shrapnel Shells

                                11th Jul 1916  Heavy Minenwefer Fire

                                11th Jul 1916  Training

                                11th Jul 1916  Training

                                11th Jul 1916  On the March

                                11th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                11th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                11th of July 1916  On the March

                                11th Jul 1916  Reorganisation

                                11th Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                11th Jul 1916  Training

                                11th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                11th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                11th of July 1916 

                                11th of July 1916 

                                11th of July 1916 

                                11th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                11th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                11th Jul 1916  Training

                                11th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                11th Jul 1916  Defences Improved

                                11th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                11st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                11st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11th Jul 1916  Recce

                                11th July 1916  Relief

                                11th Jul 1916  Instruction

                                11th Jul 1916  Return

                                11th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                11th of July 1916   No Reports

                                11th July 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                11th Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                11th July 1916  German artillery brought down one of our aircraft just in front of our lines

                                11th Jul 1916  Inspection

                                11th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                11th July 1916  Nothing worthy of note.

                                11th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                11th July 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                11th July 1916  Working parties to 142nd Inf. Bde.

                                11th of July 1916  Refitting

                                11th July 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                11th Jul 1916  Line Adjusted

                                11th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                11th July 1916  Cables

                                11th Jul 1916  In Action

                                11th July 1916  Company parades

                                11th July 1916  Attacks

                                11th July 1916  Orders

                                12th July 1916 Weather Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette. Officers and men of 63rd Division attached to C236 Battery for instruction. Batteries carried out small strafes on enemy billets, field gun positions and dumps. Weather rather bad for aeroplane observation.

                                12th Jul 1916 Boy Scouts Inspection Parade  The Boy Scouts hold an Inspection Parade at St James' Park, Newcastle.

                                12th Jul 1916 Military football match at St James' Park  A military football match is played at St James' Park, Newcastle between Munition Workers XI and Tyne Garrison XI. The match was a fund raising effort for a YMCA hut. It was refereed by Major General R.A.K. Montgomery and was won five goals to nil by the Garrison XI. Their team consisted of: L.Scott (Sunderland), Sgt I.Boocock (Bradford), W.Low (NUFC), Sgt A.Puchan (Bradford), Sgt J.Scott (Bradford), J.Brennan (Man City), S.Bainbridge (Leeds City), H.A.Walden (Bradford), L/Cpl.W.E.Chesser(Lincoln City), Sgt O.Fox (Bradford) & L/Cpl. C.Duffy (Bury). Goals were scored by Chesser, Bainbridge and Fox with a hat trick, Walden also hit the bar in the first half.

                                The Munitions XI were: J.Lawrence, W.McCracken, J.Spink, F.Hudspeth, J.Finlay (NUFC), R.Liddell (Millwall), T.Spink (Grimsby), W Rutherford, T.Browell (Man City), E.Cooper (NUFC) & T.Hill.

                                12th July 1916  Quicksand

                                12th Jul 1916  Four Lines

                                12th July 1916  Bivouac at Querrieu

                                12th Jul 1916  Dugouts shelled

                                12th Jul 1916  Troop Trains on the move

                                12th Jul 1916  On Stand by

                                12th Jul 1916  Great Sucess

                                12th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                12th Jul 1916  Matches

                                12th Jul 1916  Training

                                12th Jul 1916  Training

                                12th July 1916  Back to the Battlefield

                                12th Jul 1916  Battalion Congratulated

                                12th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                12th Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                12th July 1916  Back to the Wagons

                                12th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                12th Jul 1916  Training

                                12th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                12th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                12th Jul 1916  Baths

                                12th of July 1916  Quiet

                                12th of July 1916 

                                12th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                12th of July 1916  On the Move

                                12th Jul 1916  In the Trenches

                                12th Jul 1916  Demonstration

                                12th Jul 1916  Tasks Completed

                                12th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                12th Jul 1916  Advance Party

                                12th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Jul 1916  Raid

                                12th July 1916  Patrols

                                12th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Jul 1916  Course

                                12th July 1916  Inspection

                                12th July 1916  On the March

                                12th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                12th of July 1916   No Reports

                                12th Jul 1916  Transfer

                                12th July 1916  Squad Drill

                                12th Jul 1916  In Camp

                                12th July 1916  The attack has again been put off, but preparations continue.

                                12th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                12th July 1916  Our Artillery was unusually active.

                                12th Jul 1916  On the March

                                12th July 1916  Quiet

                                12th Jul 1916  Patrol

                                12th July 1916  Operational Order No.88

                                12th of July 1916   Training

                                12th July 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                12th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                12th Jul 1916  In Action

                                12th July 1916  Medals and Decorations

                                12th July 1916  Major General W.E. Smith C.H.G. takes over Command

                                13th July 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Aix-Noulette. Batteries carried out strafes on road, dump etc. B236 Battery fired 26 rounds on ---- de HIR---LLE obtaining several hits. Trench Mortars cut wire from 1430 to 1800 covered by fire from 18 pounders.

                                13th Jul 1917 8th East Yorks in action  The 8th East Yorks Regt. left Carnoy at 21.20hrs marching past Montauban at 22.10hrs reaching their place of deployment at 02.00hrs (exact location not recorded). Upon cessation of artillery bombardment of the enemy an assault was launched against the enemy. They encountered heavy rifle and machine gun fire from at least 7 machine guns. It was impossible to make ground because of the "very lights" sent up and those untouched by enemy fire took cover in shell holes. Colonel B.I.Way and 2nd Lt.R Longtaff retired for the place of assembly under a bank, the men dug themselves in. Colonel Way had been wounded in the arm and leg, he was subsequently relieved by Major Brewis. at 06.45hrs. By now our machine guns had been mounted and Stokes mortars were in use. At 07.00hrs men from the Royal Scots Fusiliers joined the unit. At 07.40 "Whizz banging" started and at 07.45hrs Lieutenant Hext, Royal Field Artillery, reported that Bezentin was in possession of the 9th Brigade and he was forming his men up in order to bomb inwards. At 07.50 Major Brewis ordered two guns of the machine gun company to take up position behind covering the right flank,and placed lieutenant Newbiggin of the Royal Scots of the extreme right. Intelligence was that Royal Scots Fusiliers were going to attack the right flank of their objective. A patrol was sent out by order of the 8th Bde, from the right flank up to the wire to see if any of our men were in the enemy's trenches, and holding their own.

                                At 08.40hrs. Colonel Forbes, commanding 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers arrived with reinforcements and took over command.09.00hrs. Instructions received from Brigade to send out patrol with the same orders as 08.00hrs. 09.30hrs. both patrols reported having been up to the wire and were certain that the enemy's front line was strongly held. They could hear none of our men in the trench. 09.45 hrs Stokes guns fired several rounds. At 10.15hrs Another patrol reported having been up to the wire and confirmed the previous report that the enemy front line was being strongly held (there is an alteration at this point where the phrase "But they heard no sounds of heavy fighting inside the trenches" to " (and they heard sounds of heavy fighting inside the trenches). This information was passed to Colonel Forbes who was in command.

                                At 10.20hrs Colonel Forbes sent for Major Brewis (E. Yorks. R) and it was decided to send all available bombers supported by two platoons of Royal Scots Fusiliers, guided by the patrol of E. Yorks. Regt., to try and join (the words "Heavy fighting" are crossed out here) on the right flank. 10.30hrs. Message from "Spring" stating "Bombing is to start from Bazentin"

                                13th July 1916  Sounds Heard

                                13th July 1916  Ongoing moves

                                13th July 1916  On the Move

                                13th Jul 1916  Reinforcements Urgently Required

                                13th Jul 1916  Troops on the move

                                13th Jul 1916  New Arrivals

                                13th Jul 1916  Gun Drill

                                13th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                13th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Jul 1916  Recce

                                13th Jul 1916  Inspection

                                13th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                13th of July 1916  Reorganisation

                                13th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                13th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Jul 1916  Training

                                13th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                13th of July 1916 

                                13th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                13th of July 1916  To Tilques

                                13th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                13th Jul 1916  Holidays to be Suspended

                                13th Jul 1916  On the March

                                13th Jul 1916  In Position

                                13th Jul 1916  Inspection

                                13th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Jul 1916  In Support

                                13th Jul 1916  Sickness

                                13th Jul 1916  Training

                                13th July 1916  Orders Received

                                13th Jul 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                13th of July  Arriving in Northern France

                                13th July 1916  Course

                                13th July 1916  Party

                                13th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                13th of July 1916  Readiness to Move

                                13th Jul 1916  Attack

                                13th July 1916  Brigade Bombing school opened.

                                13th Jul 1916  Address

                                13th July 1916  The attack is to take place tonight

                                13th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                13th July 1916  On the March

                                13th July 1916  Large numbers of shells were thrown in to Glasgow Redoubt & trench 99

                                13th Jul 1916  On the March

                                13th July 1916  Battalion moved to billets

                                13th of July 1916  Re-equipping

                                13th July 1916  Very Busy

                                13th July 1916  Lewis Guns

                                13th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                13th July 1916  Operational Order

                                13th July 1916  Reconoitered trenches in Hulloch Section

                                13th July 1916  Relief Table

                                13th July 1916  March Table

                                13th of July 1916  In the trenches

                                14th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands consolidate points.  16th Northumberlands mount an attack to consolidate points 45 and 63 at Ovillers-la-Boisselle. At night they are relieved by the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, the Northumberlands go into billets at Bouzincourt.

                                14th July 1916 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. Trench Mortars continue wire cutting covered by fire from 18 pounders. At 1600 enemy retaliated for our wire cutting on Straight - Huntrench and Boshwalk. Our artillery retaliated strongly and the enemy ceased firing.

                                14th Jul 1916 125th Heavy RGA at Mametz wood.  125th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery are at Mametz Bottom wood

                                14th Jul 1916  9th Sussex in action

                                14th Jul 1916 30 men of 2nd Northumberland report sick   At 6.30pm on 14th July 1916, 30 other ranks from 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were admitted to 85 Field Ambulance, Bozista, sick.

                                14th July 1916  Reliefs

                                14th July 1916  New Squadron formed

                                14th July 1916   A new 38 Squadron was reformed at Castle Bromwich on the 14th July 1916.

                                14th July 1916  Standby at half hours notice all day

                                14th July 1916  In Billets

                                14th Jul 1916  26th Brigade Attack

                                14th Jul 1916  Favourable News

                                14th Jul 1916  Sniping

                                14th Jul 1916  Gun Drill

                                14th Jul 1916  Bought With Blood

                                14th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                14th Jul 1916  Under Shellfire

                                14th Jul 1916  Into Support

                                14th July 1916  On the Move

                                14th Jul 1916  Composite Battalion

                                14th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                14th of July 1916  On the March

                                14th Jul 1916  Wood Captured

                                14th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                14th Jul 1916  Training

                                14th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                14th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                14th of July 1916 

                                14th of July 1916 

                                14th of July 1916  Trench Raid

                                14th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of July 1916  A Grand Review

                                14th Jul 1916  Trench Held

                                14th Jul 1916  On the March

                                14th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                14th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Jul 1916  Training

                                14th Jul 1916  In Support

                                14th Jul 1916  On the March

                                14th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Jul 1916  Studying Trenches

                                14th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th July 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Jul 1916  Snipers

                                14th July 1916  Courses

                                14th Jul 1916  Relief Completed

                                14th of July 1916  March is Continued

                                14th Jul 1916  Machine Gun Fire

                                14th July 1916  Baths

                                14th July 1916  The Battalion left their trenches in front of Carnoy at about 2200 hours

                                14th Jul 1916  On the March

                                14th July 1916  On the March

                                14th July 1916  Ready to Advance

                                14th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                14th Jul 1916  Patrol

                                14th July 1916  The commanding officer inspected "A" Company.

                                14th of July 1916   On the Move

                                14th July 1916  Sick and Wounded

                                14th July 1916  Lewis Guns

                                14th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                14th July 1916  Left Sub-Section Scheme.

                                14th July 1916  Bombs.

                                14th July 1916  Message

                                14th July 1916  Marched off from Sailly

                                14th of July 1916  Change of senior officer

                                14th Jul 1916  Called Up

                                14th July 1916  Reinforcements August 1916.

                                15th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands on the march  16th Northumberlands leave the billets at Bouzincourt and march to Warloy

                                15th July 1916 Wire cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette. Wire cutting by Trench Mortars and 18 pounders during the afternoon. The enemy retaliated as yesterday on the Straight & Boshwalk, otherwise all quiet.

                                15th July 1916  Observation

                                15th July 1916 March to Hooteville  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                15th July 1916 - 1240 - The Battalion marched to Hooteville by following route.

                                • Gouy-teynois, Nagnicourt sur Canche
                                • Says le Bois, Dernier, Blavincourt
                                • Approgrenee, Avesnes la Compte, Houteville

                                Many of the men fell out on the line of march owing to bad boots. Company Commanders and two Sergeants per Company go up to trenches for experience.



                                15th July 1916  Standby extended to 2 hours notice

                                July 1916  On the Move

                                15th Jul 1916  Battle Half Won

                                15th Jul 1916  Recce

                                15th Jul 1916 On the March  1500. 18th Battalion, DLI vacated billets at La Pierreiere and proceeded by route march to Fosse (Lestrem) arriving 8.30pm.

                                15th Jul 1916  Heavily Shelled

                                15th Jul 1916  Hell upon Earth

                                15th Jul 1916  Lucky to be Alive

                                15th Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                15th Jul 1916  Ready to Move

                                15th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Jul 1916  Training and Recce

                                15th July 1916  Carrying Duty

                                15th Jul 1916  Into the Trenches

                                15th Jul 1916  Advance Party

                                15th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                15th July 1916 

                                15th Jul 1916  Training

                                15th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Jul 1916  On the March

                                15th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                15th of July 1916 

                                15th of July 1916 

                                15th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                15th of July 1916  Corps Change

                                15th Jul 1916  Ready

                                15th Jul 1916  On the March

                                15th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                15th Jul 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                15th Jul 1916  On the March

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jul 1916  Funeral

                                Jul 1916  Move

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th July 1916  Carrying Parties

                                15th Jul 1916  Enemy Active

                                15th July 1916  On the March

                                15th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                15th of July 1916   Orders

                                15th July 1916  Training

                                15th July 1916  Remained in the same trenches:

                                15th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                15th July 1916  On the March

                                15th July 1916  Weekly Strength return 9th - 15th July

                                15th July 1916  On the Move

                                15th July 1916  On the Move

                                15th of July 1916   In Trenches

                                15th July 1916  Patients

                                15th July 1916  Courts Martial

                                15th July 1916  Artillery active

                                15th of July 2016  marched to billets

                                15th July 1916  B.M.1170

                                16th Jul 1916 1/8th West Yorks in support near Leipzig Redoubt  1/8th Battalion Leeds Rifles are at Theipval on the Somme, with their HQ at Johnsons Post on the 16th July 1916. They were held in reserve but were brought up to the line in support in the area of Leipzig Redoubt.

                                16th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands on the march  16th Northumberlands march north from Warloy to Beauval.

                                16th Jul 1916 3rd Monmouths under fire  B Company of the 3rd Monmouths came under heavy shellfire while repairing an ammunition dump and lost 19 killed and wounded.

                                16th July 1916 Cutting Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: Trench Mortars wire cutting in afternoon from 1500 to 1730. At 0100 on the night of 16-17th July, the 20th London Regiment carried out a raid on enemy lines at a small salient north of Bois en Hache. The raid was supported by intense artillery fire with 2" Mortars and Stokes Mortars. Enemy retaliation was slight consisting of a few Light High Velocity shells & trench mortars. Infantry report that German front line trench was entered, dugs outs were bombed and a machine gun was destroyed. Our casualties were light. All was quiet again by 0145.

                                16th July 1916  Camoflet

                                16th July 1916  Billets Hooteville

                                16th July 1916  Routine

                                16th Jul 1916  Gas Shells

                                16th July 1916 

                                16th Jul 1916  Mullers Excercises

                                16th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                16th Jul 1916  Ready to Move

                                16th Jul 1916  Preparations for Attack

                                16th Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                16th Jul 1916  Preparations

                                16th Jul 1916  Enemy Artillery

                                16th July 1916 

                                16th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                16th Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                16th Jul 1916  On the March

                                16th Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                16th of July 1916 

                                16th of July 1916  Bombardment

                                16th Jul 1916  On the March

                                16th Jul 1916  In the Trenches

                                16th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                16th Jul 1916  Defence Works

                                16th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Jul 1916  On the March

                                16th Jul 1916  Shell Shock

                                16th Jul 1916  Observer Wounded

                                16th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Jul 1916  Enemy Active

                                16th of July  On the March

                                16th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                16th of July 1916  More Marching

                                16th July 1916  Church Parade 1400 hours

                                16th Jul 1916  HQ Moves

                                16th July 1916  Work was carried out on two strong points all last night with the help of the Cheshire R.E.

                                16th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                16th Jul 1916  Patrol

                                16th July 1916  Church Parade held

                                16th August 1916  Brigade March Off

                                16th of July 1916   Operation Orders

                                16th July 1916  Busy

                                16th July 1916  Three Mines exploded

                                16th July 1916  B.M.1164

                                17th Jul 1916 Under Shellfire  The 5/6th Cameronians attacked High Wood on the 16th July 1916. They assembled behind village of Bazentin Le Petit on 17th July when they were hit by a very heavy shrapnel bombardment. 76 men and 3 officers wounded, mostly in the legs. They were sheltering in small caves dug out of a high bank. Packed in tightly, could not pull their legs in.

                                17th July 1916  Soft Ground

                                17th July 1916  Routine

                                17th Jul 1916  Huge Snake

                                17th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                17th Jul 1916  Training

                                17th Jul 1916  Resting

                                17th Jul 1916  Inspection and Baths

                                17th Jul 1916  Misty

                                17th Jul 1916  Under Fire

                                17th Jul 1916  Patrols

                                17th July 1916 

                                17th Jul 1916  Inspection

                                17th Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                17th Jul 1916  Training

                                17th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                17th of July 1916 

                                17th of July 1916 

                                17th Jul 1916  Address

                                17th Jul 1916  On the March

                                17th Jul 1916  On the March

                                17th Jul 1916  Defences improved

                                17th Jul 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                17th Jul 1916  Fatigues

                                17th Jul 1916  Training

                                17th Jul 1916  Forward Position

                                17th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th July 1916  Abercrombie returns

                                17th July 1916  On the March

                                17th of July 1916   On the Move

                                17th July 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                17th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                17th July 1916  Last night work was continued on the strong points which are now occupied with 20 men and 1 Lewis Gun in each.

                                17th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                17th July 1916  On the March

                                17th Jul 1916  Recce

                                17th Jul 1916  Patrol

                                17th July 1916  Company training.

                                17th of July 1916   New Billets

                                17th July 1916  Busy

                                17th July 1916  Move

                                17th July 1916  Machine Gun fire on gaps in wire.

                                17th July 1916  Report

                                17th July 1916  reinforcements

                                18th July 1916 Slight Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: Except for slight shelling of Boche Trench & the Straight everything was all quiet. 141st Infantry Brigade relieved by the 63rd Division.

                                18th July1916  Heavy Shelling

                                18th July 1916  Mounted training

                                18th July 1916  Move to trenches

                                18th Jul 1916  Gas

                                18th Jul 1916  Guns Active

                                18th Jul 1916  Orders to Move

                                18th Jul 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                18th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                18th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                18th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                18th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                18th Jul 1916  Relief

                                18th Jul 1916  Courses

                                18th Jul 1916  Patrols

                                18th July 1916 

                                18th Jul 1916  Move

                                18th Jul 1916  Training

                                18th Jul 1916  Congratulations

                                18th of July 1916 

                                18th of July 1916 

                                18th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                18th of July 1916  Artillery Rejoins

                                18th Jul 1916  On the March

                                18th Jul 1916  Recce

                                18th Jul 1916  Bombardment

                                18th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                18th Jul 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                18th Jul 1916  Training

                                18th Jul 1916  Forward Position

                                18th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th July  Marching

                                18th of July  On the March

                                18th July 1916  Courses

                                18th of July 1916   On Relief

                                18th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                18th July 1916  Fighting patrol

                                18th July 1916  Last night and this morning very wet being most unpleasant for "C" & "D" Coys. in the new trenches with no cover

                                18th Jul 1916  Award

                                18th July 1916  Operation Order No.9.

                                18th Jul 1916  Patrol

                                18th Jul 1916  Barricade put in Place

                                18th July 1916  Battalion and Company drill.

                                18th of July 1916   Cleaning Up

                                18th July 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                18th July 1916  Band Returns

                                18th July 1916  New Billets

                                18th July 1916  Special Preparations

                                18th of July 1916  Court held

                                18th July 1916  use of Barbed Wire.

                                19th July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet.

                                19th Jul 1916 8th Norfolks at Devils Wood  The 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment are in action at Delville Eood on the Somme, known as Devil's Wood to the troops.

                                19th July 1916  Saps

                                19th July 1916  Photographs

                                19th July 1916  Route march

                                19th July 1916  Ongoing mounted work

                                19th Jul 1916  Brave Deeds of the 2nd Bucks Battalion at Fromelles

                                19th Jul 1916  Heavy Casualties

                                19th Jul 1916  Going on Fine

                                19th Jul 1916  Exchanging of Fire

                                19th Jul 1916  Assault Made

                                19th Jul 1916  Preparations for Move

                                19th Jul 1916  Under Fire

                                19th Jul 1916  Gas

                                19th Jul 1916  Attack Fails

                                19th Jul 1916  Hard Fighting

                                19th Jul 1916  In Action

                                19th Jul 1916  Route March

                                19th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                19th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                19th of July 1916  On the Move

                                19th Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                19th July 1916 

                                19th Jul 1916  Training

                                19th July 1916  2nd/5th Battalion East Kent (The Buffs)

                                19th Jul 1916  Wounded

                                19th Jul 1916  Preparations

                                19th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                19th of July 1916 

                                19th of July 1916 

                                19th of July 1916 

                                19th Jul 1916  On the March

                                19th of July 1916  Reorganisation

                                19th Jul 1916  On the March

                                19th Jul 1916  Orders

                                19th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                19th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Jul 1916  On the March

                                19th Jul 1916  Counter Battery

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th July 1916  Marching

                                19th Jul 1916  Orders

                                19th of July 1916  Relief Carried Out

                                19th Jul 1916  In Action

                                19th July 1916  Recce

                                19th July 1916  The attack by the 76th Brigade failed to clear the wood, but is to be continued tonight

                                19th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                19th July 1916  On the March

                                19th July 1916  C Battery Arrives in Corbie

                                19th Jul 1916  Bivouac

                                19th July 1916  2nd/Lt. Howlett joined for duty.

                                19th of July 1916  Muster Parade

                                19th July 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                19th July 1916  Artillery has been active for 3 days

                                19th of July 1916  Into reserve trenches

                                19th July 1916  G.R.15/8 received

                                20th July 1916 Enemy Mine Blown  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Quiet all day. Enemy blew up mine by Double Crassier at 2230.

                                20th July 1916  Reliefs

                                20th July 1916  Trenches inspection

                                20th July 1916  Mounted work and courses

                                20th Jul 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                20th Jul 1916  Unloading Stores

                                20th Jul 1916  Attack Expected

                                20th Jul 1916  Kept Busy

                                20th Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                20th Jul 1916  Counter Attack

                                20th Jul 1916  In Action

                                20th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                20th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                20th of July 1916  On the Train

                                20th Jul 1916  Orders

                                20th July 1916 

                                20th Jul 1916  On the March

                                20th Jul 1916  Casualties

                                20th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                20th Jul 1916  Orders

                                20th of July 1916 

                                20th of July 1916 

                                20th Jul 1916  On the March

                                20th of July 1916  Orders

                                20th Jul 1916  Inspection

                                20th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                20th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                20th July 1916  Attack Made

                                20th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                20th Jul 1916  On the March

                                20th Jul 1916  Training

                                20th Jul 1916  Counter Battery

                                Jul 1916  Move

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20 July 1916  4 hour march

                                20th of July 1916  In Brigade Reserve Billets

                                20th July 1916  Shelling

                                20th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                20th July 1916  High Wood

                                20th of July 1916  Positions of Units

                                20th Jul 1916  Relief Completed

                                20th July 1916  Wire Cutting

                                20th July 1916  Orders

                                20th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                20th July 1916  Very heavy Artillery Fire

                                20th July 1916  joined from East Surrey Regt.

                                20th July 1916  Quiet Time in La Neuville

                                20th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                20th July 1916  Schedule 20th July 1916

                                20th July 1916  Baths for the battalion

                                20th July 1916  Operational Order No.91

                                20th of July 1916  Training

                                20th July 1916  Busy

                                20th July 1916  Message

                                20th July 1916  Wire received

                                20th July 1916  B.M.2008

                                21st July 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: All quiet. Nothing to report.

                                21st July 1916  First casualty

                                21st July 1916  More mounted work

                                21st Jul 1916  Hot Day

                                21st Jul 1916  On Stand by

                                21st Jul 1916  The Effects of Gas

                                21st Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                21st Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                21st Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Jul 1916  Recce

                                21st Jul 1916  Meeting

                                21st Jul 1916  In Billets

                                21st of July 1916  Marching into Billets

                                21st July 1916 

                                21st Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                21st Jul 1916  In the Trenches

                                21st Jul 1916  At Rest

                                21st Jul 1916  Award

                                21st of July 1916 

                                21st of July 1916  Orders

                                21st of July 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of July 1916 

                                21st of July 1916 

                                21st Jul 1916  On the March

                                21st Jul 1916  Baths

                                21st Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                21st Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                21st Jul 1916  Training

                                21st Jul 1916  Counter Battery

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st July 1916  Marching

                                21st Jul 1916  Orders Received

                                21st July 1916  Wounded

                                21st of July 1916  Enemy Takes High Wood

                                21st Jul 1916  In Billets

                                21st July 1916  Relief started

                                21st July 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Jul 1916  On the March

                                21st July 1916  Orders

                                21st July 1916  Killed while filling water cart

                                21st July 1916  7th London Regt. inspected by the new Brigadier, Viscount Hampden.

                                21st of July 1916  On the Move

                                21st July 1916  Patients

                                21st July 1916  Reliefs

                                21st July 1916  Operational Order

                                21st of July 1916  Change of senior officers

                                21st July 1916  B.G.C. returned from Alexandria

                                21st Jul 1916  Work Materials

                                22nd July 1916  Movement

                                22nd July 1916 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Aix-Noulette: The Batteries fired on enemy trenches from 1400 to 1800. Retaliation was slight.

                                2nd Jul 1916 30th Howitzer Battery near Caterpillar Wood  30th Howitzer Battery of 39th Brigade RFA ( Special Reserve) were operating close to Caterpillar Wood on 22nd July 1916

                                22nd July 1916  Reliefs in Roneville trenches

                                22nd July 1916  Further mounted work

                                22nd Jul 1916  Usual Shelling

                                22nd Jul 1916  Troops on the Move

                                22nd Jul 1916  Working Party

                                22nd Jul 1916  Working Party

                                22nd Jul 1916  Training

                                22nd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1916  Under Shellfire

                                22nd Jul 1916  Inspection and Baths

                                22nd July 1916  Into Belgium

                                22nd July 1916  Kortepyp Billets

                                22nd July 1916 

                                22nd Jul 1916  On the March

                                22nd Jul 1916  Patrol

                                22nd Jul 1916  At Rest

                                22nd Jul 1916  Training

                                22nd of July 1916 

                                22nd of July 1916 

                                22nd Jul 1916  In Billets

                                22nd of July 1916  Orders for Line Changes

                                22nd Jul 1916  On the March

                                22nd Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                22nd Jul 1916  Reorganisation

                                22nd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Jul 1916  Training

                                22nd Jul 1916  Observation Post

                                22nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd August 1916  A casualty

                                22nd Jul 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                22nd Jul 1916  Preparations

                                22nd of July 1916  Front Adjustment Completed

                                22nd July 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd July 1916  After a preliminary bombardment the attack was carried out at 0200 hours.

                                22nd Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd July 1916  Attacks Made

                                22nd July 1916  Weekly Strength return - 22nd July 1916

                                22nd July 1916  All quiet.

                                22nd of July 1916   On Fatigues

                                22nd July 1916  Under Pressure

                                22nd July 1916  Operation Orders

                                22nd July 1916  On the March

                                22nd July 1916  52nd Division Order No.4

                                23rd July 1916 Straffing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aix-Noulette: Our artillery carried out a strafe at 0100 of 20 rounds per battery. The enemy was quick to retaliate on our support line.

                                23rd Jul 1916 122 Siege Battery RGA at Grouville Riviere  122 Siege Battery RGA at Grouville Riviere with #1 Group, 6th Corps until Sept. 11th

                                23rd Jul 1916 1st Cornwall light Infantry attack  The 1st DCLI took part in an attack on strong points located in the orchards to the north of Delville Wood. The attack began at 3.40 a.m. and despite early success the battalion was driven back to Pont Road by enemy counter attacks.

                                23rd July 1916  Poor Ground

                                23rd July 1916 Promotions and Appointments  E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA

                                The only entries during July from images provided are for two senior appointments. 23rd July - Lt Col J Olivant DSO RHA left the 2nd Cavalry Division on promotion to Brigadier General Royal Artillery and moved to the 3rd Division.

                                26th July - Lt Col TM Archdale DSO RHA joined the 2nd Cavalry Division.

                                July 1916 diary is signed by Captain AG Neville for OC E RHA

                                23rd July 1916  Church services

                                23rd July 1916  Gas alarm

                                23rd Jul 1916  Letters Censored

                                23rd Jul 1916  On Stand by

                                23rd Jul 1916  Church Parade

                                23rd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                23rd Jul 1916  Resting

                                23rd Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                23rd Jul 1916  On the March

                                23rd of July 1916  Enemy Activity

                                23rd Jul 1916  Change of Command

                                23rd Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd July 1916 

                                23rd Jul 1916  Church Parade

                                23rd Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                23rd Jul 1916  On the March

                                23rd Jul 1916  Good Work

                                23rd of July 1916 

                                23rd of July 1916 

                                23rd Jul 1916  In Billets

                                23rd of July 1916  Relief Carried Out

                                23rd Jul 1916  On the March

                                23rd Jul 1916  Digging in

                                23rd Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                23rd Jul 1916  Church Parade

                                23rd Jul 1916  Funeral

                                23rd Jul 1916  On the Move

                                23rd Jul 1916  Training

                                23rd Jul 1916  Communication Equipment

                                23rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Jul 1916  In Action

                                23rd Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                23rd of July 1916  Longueval Attack Report

                                23rd July 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd July 1916  Orders having been received at 0200 hours to attack the same objective as before

                                23rd Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                23rd July 1916  In Firing Line

                                23rd July 1916  5 Officers joined the Battalion as re-enforcement.

                                23rd Jul 1916  Advance

                                23rd of July 1916  Training and Cleaning

                                23rd July 1916  Very Busy

                                23rd July 1916  On the March

                                24th July 1916 Personnel  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Hersin report: 2/Lt Wildes returned from Trench Mortar Course. During the course he was sent to the Neuve Chapple front to take command of a Trench Mortar Battery during the operations there.

                                24th July 1916  Sounds Detected

                                24th July 1916  Back to Querrieu and reinforcements

                                24th July 1916  Action and first fatality.

                                24th Jul 1916  13th FA Relieve 27th FA

                                24th Jul 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                24th Jul 1916  New Well Dug

                                24th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                24th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                24th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                24th Jul 1916  On the March

                                24th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                24th Jul 1916  On the March

                                24th of July 1916  MGs Active

                                24th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                24th July 1916 

                                24th Jul 1916  Training

                                24th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Jul 1916  Aircraft

                                24th Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                24th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                24th of July 1916 

                                24th of July 1916 

                                24th of July 1916 

                                24th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                24th of July 1916  Boche Holds the High Ground

                                24th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                24th Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                24th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                24th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                24th Jul 1916  On the March

                                24th Jul 1916  Rounds Fired

                                24th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Jul 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                24th of July 1916  Reliefs

                                24th July 1916  We received a large number of casualties from the shelling which was very heavy.

                                24th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                24th July 1916  Very heavy shelling started at 0600 hours in valley by Caterpillar Wood, and again at 0900 hours

                                24th July 1916  Enemy Artillery and Minenwerfers very active

                                24th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                24th of July 1916  On the March

                                24th July 1916  Very Busy

                                24th July 1916  Casualties

                                24th July 1916  Brigade Conference.

                                25th July 1916  Movements

                                25th July 1916  Mine Blown

                                25th July 1916  Routine

                                25th Jul 1916  Loud Explosion

                                25th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                25th Jul 1916  Officers Transferred

                                25th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                25th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                25th Jul 1916  CO Departs

                                25th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1916  Training

                                25th of July 1916  TMs and Minenwerfers

                                25th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                25th July 1916 

                                25th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft

                                25th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                25th Jul 1916  Hot Day

                                25th of July 1916 

                                25th of July 1916 

                                25th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                25th of July 1916  Front Extended

                                25th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                25th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                25th Jul 1916  Training

                                25th Jul 1916  Counter Battery

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th July 1916  Shelling

                                25th Jul 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                25th of July 1916   Enemy Advances

                                25th July 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                25th July 1916  Received orders from Brigade about our relief at 0430 hours.

                                25th July 1916  Enemy showed considerable activity in the neighbourhood of the Convent.

                                25th Jul 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                25th July 1916  Schedule 25th July 1916

                                25th July 1916  Operational Order No.94

                                25th of July 1916   Repairing Trenches

                                25th July 1916  Very Busy

                                25th July 1916  Machine Gunners

                                25th July 1916  Operation Orders

                                25th July 1916  Operation Orders

                                25th July 1916  March Table

                                25th July 1916  Brigade March Table

                                25th July 1916  Battalion March Table

                                25th July 1916  Conference of Officers

                                25th of July 1916  Back into trenches

                                26th Jul 1916 16th Northumberlands on the march  16th Northumberlands reach La Beuvriere and the battalion provides details for Corps HQ guard at La Buissiere.

                                26th July 1916  On the March

                                26th July 1916  5 Hour standby and mounted work

                                26th July 1916  Heavy mortar fire

                                26th Jul 1916  Brigade Dump Shelled

                                26th Jul 1916  Machine Gun Practice

                                26th Jul 1916  Men Wounded

                                26th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Jul 1916  Cleaning

                                26th Jul 1916  Band plays

                                26th Jul 1916  Training

                                26th of July 1916  Quiet Days

                                26th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                26th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                26th Jul 1916  Gas

                                26th Jul 1916  Training

                                26th of July 1916 

                                26th of July 1916  Orders

                                26th of July 1916 

                                26th Jul 1916  On the March

                                26th of July 1916  Artillery Registers

                                26th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                26th Jul 1916  Recce

                                26th Jul 1916  Wounded

                                26th Jul 1916  On the March

                                26th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                26th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                26th Jul 1916  Training

                                26th Jul 1916  Registration

                                26th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th July 1916  To Les Mines

                                26th Jul 1916  Relief

                                26th of July 1916  A Combined Offensive

                                26th July 1916  Received Orders

                                26th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                26th July 1916  Report on Operations 26th - 28th July 1916.

                                26th July 1916  Operation Order No.9.

                                26th July 1916  Between 1130 and 1900 hours O.C. Coys. & 2 Officers of "A" Coy. carried out reconnaisance of Longueval.

                                26th July 1916  We had to go through a heavy barrage of Gas shells with the whole Battalion having to wear Gas Helmets.

                                26th July 1916  Our Artillery was active during the day

                                26th Jul 1916  In the Line

                                26th July 1916  Relief complete by a 0130 hours.

                                26th July 1916  Operational Order No.95

                                26th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                26th of July 1916   Fairly Quiet

                                26th July 1916  Very Busy

                                26th July 1916  On the March

                                27th July 1916 236th London Brigade Relocate  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery move to Sains les Pernes. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                27th Jul 1916 1st KRRC and 23rd Royal Fusiliers advance  At 7.10am after a one hour barrage on Delville Wood the 1st KRRC and 23rd Royal Fusiliers of 99 Brigade and 2nd Division began their advance from the south. By 9am they had occupied a line 50 yards from the northern edge of the wood

                                27th July 1916  Camoflet

                                27th July 1916  Mounted work and Divisional Conference

                                27th July 1916  Further action

                                27th Jul 1916  A Visit to Amiens

                                27th Jul 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                27th Jul 1916 Reliefs  0800. 18th DLI vacated billets at Fosse and proceeded to front line relieving 14th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment.

                                27th Jul 1916 Raids  18th Durhams are in the Trenches. Bombardment by German artillery beginning 9.30 pm followed by raids made by Germans.

                                27th Jul 1916  Medals Awarded

                                27th Jul 1916  Relieved

                                27th Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                27th Jul 1916  Under Shellfire

                                27th Jul 1916  Drill

                                27th Jul 1916  On the March

                                27th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                27th of July 1916  Some Relief

                                27th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                27th Jul 1916  Training

                                27th Jul 1916  Aircraft

                                27th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                27th Jul 1916  Training

                                27th of July 1916  Gas Alert

                                27th of July 1916 

                                27th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                27th of July 1916  109th Brigade Enters the Line

                                27th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                27th July 1916  The Toll of War

                                27th Jul 1916  In Action

                                27th Jul 1916  Wounded

                                27th Jul 1916  On the March

                                27th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                27th Jul 1916  Training

                                27th Jul 1916  On the March

                                27th Jul 1916  Registration

                                27th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th July 1916  Course

                                27th July 1916  Change of Command

                                27th Jul 1916   Orders

                                27th Jul 1916  Attacks Made

                                27th of July 1916  Gas Shell Attack

                                27th July 1916  Battalion resting.

                                27th Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                27th July 1916  At 0650 hours a Company reported they could_hardly muster a platoon owing to most of the Company being buried by the heavy shelling.

                                27th July 1916  At 0200 hours we arrived at Longueval.

                                27th July 1916  Strong points were attacked and houses bombed on the right and two lines of German trenches were taken on the left.

                                27th July 1916  Our barrage which was due to lift at 0710 hours did not actually lift until 0720 hours when "A" & "B" Coys. advanced to the assault

                                27th July 1916  2nd/Lt. R. Seaholme joined

                                27th Jul 1916  Bivouac

                                27th July 1916  Battalion moved

                                27th Jul 1916  Heavy Shells

                                27th of July 1916  Quiet

                                27th July 1916  Very Busy

                                27th July 1916  Casualty

                                27th July 1916  Operation Orders

                                27th July 1916  March Table

                                27th July 1916  Battalion March Table

                                27th July 1916  On the March

                                28th Jul 1916 11th Middlesex in action at Poziers  On this day, during the battle for Poziers, the 11th Middlesex were part of Maj-Gen Scott's 12th Division which relieved the 48th division. The 48th had been in the line for twelve days and its casualties amounted to almost 2,800 all ranks. The 11th Middlesex moved over open ground to secure the extension of Western Trench in order to keep in touch with the 23rd Victoria Battalion. The attack was repelled by grenades and rifle fire.

                                28th July 1916  Quiet

                                28th Jul 1916 Medals for gunners of 125th Heavy Bty.  125th Heavy Bty RGA record in their War diary: Military Medal awarded for Unwin and Tyndall.

                                28th July 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  28/29th July 1916.

                                On 28,29 July the first raid including one of the new R-class Zeppelins, L 31, took place. These were 196.49 m (644 ft 8 in) long, with a capacity of 55,206 cu m (1,949,600 cu ft), powered by six engines and capable of operating at 13,000 ft (4,000 m), and could carry up to four tons of bombs.

                                The 10-Zeppelin raid achieved very little; four turned back early and the rest wandered over a fog-shrouded landscape before giving up.

                                28th July 1916  Loading

                                28th July 1916   No 62 Squadron formed on July 28th 1916 from a nucleus flight of No. 7. Training Squadron at Netheravon, Wilts. The squadron moved to Filton on 8th August, to undertake advanced fighter pilot training.

                                28th July 1916  Mounted work

                                28th Jul 1916  Gun Blazing

                                28th Jul 1916  Attack Expected

                                28th Jul 1916  Under Shellfire

                                28th Jul 1916  Men Withdrawn

                                28th Jul 1916  Lecture

                                28th Jul 1916  In the Trenches

                                28th Jun 1916  Reorganisation

                                28th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                28th of July 1916  Relieved

                                28th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                28th Jul 1916  On the March

                                28th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                28th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                28th Jul 1916  Lecture

                                28th of July 1916 

                                28th of July 1916 

                                28th Jul 1916  Inspection

                                28th of July 1916  A Completed Relief

                                28th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                28th Jul 1916  Cinema posters and morals

                                28th Jul 1916  Reorganisation

                                28th Jul 1916  Equipment

                                28th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                28th Jul 1916  Training

                                28th Jul 1916  On the March

                                28th Jul 1916  Artillery Active

                                28th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Jul 1916  Shelling

                                28th of July 1916  Not Much Change

                                28th July 1916  G.O.C. Brigadier General Williams congratulated the Battalion on the work it had done during the operations.

                                28th Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                28th July 1916  Brigadier General Commanding wishes to express to all ranks of the Brigade his great admiration

                                28th July 1916  Consolidateion

                                28th July 1916  Two Companies of East Surrey's and the D.C.L.I. arrived.

                                28th July 1916  Two shells burst in our transport lines.

                                28th Jul 1916  Orders

                                28th July 1916  Company training

                                28th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                28th of July 1916   Patrols Unsuccessful

                                28th July 1916  Very Busy

                                28th July 1916  CO Sick

                                28th July 1916  Marched to Heuzecourt.

                                28th July 1916  Orders

                                29th Jul 1916 On the Move  16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers move to Houchain.

                                29th July 1916  Reliefs

                                29th July 1916  Loading

                                29th July 1916  Mounted work and Hotchkiss Pack design

                                29th July 1916  Ongoing action

                                29th Jul 1916  Petrol Demands

                                29th Jul 1916  Worries at Home

                                29th July 1916  Raid

                                29th Jul 1916  Gun Fire

                                29th Jul 1916  Trench Raid

                                29th Jul 1916  On the Move

                                29th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                29th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                29th July 1916  HQ Moves

                                29th of July 1916  Some Sniping

                                29th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                29th July 1916 

                                29th Jul 1916  Training

                                29th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                29th Jul 1916  Cleaning up

                                29th Jul 1916  Training

                                29th of July 196 

                                29th of July 196 

                                29th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                29th of July 1916  Fairly Quiet

                                29th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                29th Jul 1916  Zeppelin Raid

                                29th Jul 1916  Captain Shot

                                29th Jul 1916  Reorganisation

                                29th Jul 1916  Defence Work

                                29th Jul 1916  At Rest

                                29th Jul 1916  Training

                                29th Jul 1916  On the March

                                29th Jul 1916  Trenches Targeted

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th July 1916  Lt Col Abercrombie

                                29th July 1916  In Trenches

                                29th July 1916  Relief

                                29th July 1916  Posting

                                29th Jul 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                29th of July 1916   Quiet Situation

                                29th Jul 1916  Reorganisation

                                29th July 1916  Reliefs

                                29th July 1916  General cleaning

                                29th Jul 1916  In Reserve

                                29th July 1916  Weekly Strength return 23rd - 29th July

                                29th July 1916  Company route march.

                                29th July 1916  Operational Order No.96

                                29th Jul 1916  Preparations

                                29th of July 1916   Very Quiet

                                29th July 1916  Very Busy

                                29th July 1916  Reliefs

                                29th July 1916  Orders

                                29th July 1916  Conference

                                30th July 1916  On the Move

                                30th July 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  30th/31st July and 2/3rd August 1916 Adverse weather dispersed two Zeppelin raids on 30,31 July and 2,3 August.

                                30th July 1916  Charge Ready

                                30th July 1916  Church services and Hotchkiss Drill

                                30th July 1916  Further casualties

                                30th Jul 1916  Another Hot Day

                                30th Jul 1916  In Action

                                30th Jul 1916  Air Combat

                                30th Jul 1916  Fresh Water Expected

                                30th Jul 1916  Huge Explosion

                                30th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                30th Jul 1916  In Billets

                                30th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                30th Jul 1916  Working Party

                                30th of July 1916  A Take Over

                                30th Jul 1916  Relief Completed

                                30th July 1916 

                                30th July 1916 

                                30th Jul 1916  On the March

                                30th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Jul 1916  Orders

                                30th Jul 1916  Orders

                                30th of July 1916 

                                30th of July 1916 

                                30th Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                30th of July 1916  German Working Parties

                                30th Jul 1916  In the Trenches

                                30th Jul 1916  Quiet

                                30th Jul 1916  Reinforcements

                                30th Jul 1916  Church Parade

                                30th Jul 1916  On the March

                                30th Jul 1916  Training

                                30th Jul 1916  On the March

                                30th Jul 1916  Trenches Targeted

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th August 1916  Deaths at wire

                                30th of July 1916  Holding the Line

                                30th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                30th of July 1916  Artillery Active

                                30th July 1916  Shelling

                                30th July 1916  Divine Service.

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                30th July 1916  Found carrying fatigues

                                30th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                30th Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                30th July 1916  Battalion marched to Blangemont

                                30th Jul 1916  Attack Made

                                30th Jul 1916  In Action

                                30th of July 1916   Relieved

                                30th July 1916  Very Busy

                                30th July 1916  Warning order

                                30th July 1916  Message

                                30th July 1916  Operation Orders

                                30th July 1916  Battalion March Table

                                31st July 1916 Inspections  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Aubrometz. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders. OC. Brigade and Adjutant with representatives of each battery, inspected the guns of the 21st Division which have just withdrawn from action at the S.

                                31st July 1916  Mounted work and Regimental Strength

                                31st July 1916  Further casualties

                                31st Jul 1916  Heavy Work

                                31st July 1916  Battery Split

                                31st Jul 1916  Bombs Dropped

                                31st Jul 1916  Difficult Conditions

                                31st Jul 1916  Effects of Gas

                                31st Jul 1916  Bathing

                                31st Jul 1916  Training

                                31st Jul 1916  On the Move

                                31st Jul 1916  Light Shelling

                                31st of July 1916  More Relief

                                31st of July 1916  Back to Kortepyp Billets

                                31st Jul 1916  Advance Party

                                31st Jul 1916  Grenades

                                31st July 1916 

                                31st Jul 1916  Training

                                31st Jul 1916  Holding the Line

                                31st Jul 1916  In Support

                                31st Jul 1916  On the Move

                                31st of July 1916  Orders

                                31st of July 1916 

                                31st Jul 1916  Working Parties

                                31st of July 1916  Artillery Fairly Active

                                31st Jul 1916  In the Trenches

                                31st Jul 1916  War News

                                31st Jul 1916  Fairy Tales

                                31st Jul 1916  Protest

                                31st Jul 1916  Regulations

                                31st Jul 1916  Training

                                31st Jul 1916  Orders Received

                                31st Jul 1916  Training

                                31st Jul 1916  On the March

                                31st Jul 1916  Fairy Tales

                                31st Jul 1916  Counter Battery Work

                                31st July 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                31st Jul 1916  Reorganisation

                                31st Jul 1916  Consolidation

                                31st Jul 1916  Report

                                31st of July 1916  KOSBs Hold Line

                                31st July 1916  Artillery Active

                                31st July 1916  Rifles inspected

                                31st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Jul 1916  In the Fron Line

                                31st July 1916  1430 hours. Left bivouac and marched to Longueval & Delville Wood.

                                31st July 1916  Left bivouac at Pommier and marched to Longueval & Delville Wood.

                                31st July 1916  Owing to the very heavy poisoned gas-shell 2245 hours barrage in Valley North of Montauban the whole Battalion had to put on gas helmets.

                                31st July 1916  Officers Casualties July 1916.

                                31st Jul 1916  Trench Work

                                31st July 1916  In billets at Blangermont.

                                31st July 1916  Operational Order No.97

                                31st Jul 1916  Report

                                31st Jul 1916  Reliefs

                                31st of July 1916   Drill and Baths

                                31st July 1916  Under Pressure

                                31st July 1916  On the March

                                31st of July 1916  In the trenches

                                31st July 1916  Reinforcements since 19th July 1916

                                1st Aug 1916 GCF Angel Road, Edmonton opens.  Government Cartridge Factory Angel Road, Edmonton, London started in August 1916 for the production of small arms ammunition. First output was May 1917. In 1918 they also undertook aero-engine repair. It was under the direct control of Eley Bros.

                                1st Aug 1916 CSAS Greenford opens  Chemical Shell Assembling Station Greenford, Middlesex started in August 1916 with first output in Jan 1917. Production was assembling lethal shell. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st Aug 1916 NGF Upper Market Street, Woolwich opens.  National Gauge Factory Upper Market Street, Woolwich, London started in August 1916 for the production of gauges. It was under the direct control of Pitter's Ventilating & Engineering Co.

                                   National Shell Factory, Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire started up in early 1916. first output of 9.2-in. and 15-in. shell was in August 1916. In 1917 and 1918 itw as engaged in making and repairing guns. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. The was also a National Projectile Factory and a National Ordnance Factory on site.

                                   National Projectile Factory, Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire started up in early 1916. first output of 9.2-in. and 15-in. shell was in August 1916. In 1917 and 1918 itw as engaged in making and repairing guns. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. The was also a National Shell Factory and a National Ordnance Factory on site

                                   National Ordnance Factory, Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire started up in early 1916. first output of 9.2-in. and 15-in. shell was in August 1916. In 1917 and 1918 itw as engaged in making and repairing guns. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. The was also a National Projectile Factory and a National Shell Factory on site

                                1st Aug 1915  On the March

                                1st Aug 1916 16th Northumberlands receive reinforcements  A draft of 160 other ranks arrive at Houchain to reinforce the much depleated 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                1st August 1916  On the March

                                1st August 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                At the end of July the 36th Ulster Division was sent back into the line and all the moves of the 16th Battalion were to bring it into support positions around Neuve Eglise opposite enemy positions on the Messines Ridge.

                                The Battalion had grown accustomed to the terrain in the Picardy region of France. Now they were to encounter the fairly flat low lying terrain of Flanders with its water table problems that made defensive position, road construction and maintenance methods a very different proposition.

                                Flanders, August 1916 to December 1916.

                                During August the entire 36th Division were committed to the Front and pioneering work gathered pace. Everywhere there was water just below the surface and even on the highest ground this was encountered within a few feet. Communication trenches could only be dug down a couple of feet, so construction had to be above ground by piling earthworks or sandbags to the required heights.

                                The war diaries describe August as being routine work but with increased enemy shelling and resultant higher casualties. Summary as follows:

                                • 4th August: Several shells fell near No. 3 Company’s farm and two hit it killing all the mules and wounding the company commander’s charger. Some rifles and equipment were damaged and a fire exploded some ammunition. The men sheltered in the basement of a house until shelling was over.
                                • 6th August: Two companies relocated from Bulford to Le Grande Munque Farm to get closer to work. It could hold about 400 men and was about 2000 yards behind the front line.
                                • 7th August: Battalion HQ moved to a point south of Petit Pont and camped there.
                                • No.4 Coy’s work assignment moved from Subsidiary Line to Gas Trench.
                                • 13th August: Artillery active from both sides.
                                • 14th August: GOC visited trenches and expressed approval of progress.
                                • 19th August: A note of irritation in the war diary entry. "Without previous warning our artillery started a bombardment. The Boche retaliated killing 2 men and wounding 3 of No. 2 Company also wounding 3 men of No.3 Company, one of whom died later from his wounds.
                                • 23rd August: 3 NCOs and 33 men were assigned to construct emplacement for a mortar battery.
                                • 24th August: A sentry from No.3 Company challenged another man of No.2 Company and getting no reply, bayoneted him. The injured man was sent to hospital.
                                • 26/27th August: All available men in Battalion, about 300, were used to carry gas cylinders up to the front line trenches each night.
                                • 30/31st August: Gas attack on enemy took place at 0130 accompanied by a bombardment and a raid.
                                • 31st August: There was general retaliation by the enemy all day and No.1 Company was shelled on its way to the trenches. Another small gas attack on the enemy was carried out that night

                                Also during the month 2 officers and 44 ORs were attached to the 1st Australian Tunneling Company for work on Hill 63. This involved digging two galleries into its steep southern slope capable of holding two battalions completely safe from any form of artillery fire.

                                An amusing incident was reported in Colonel Leader’s Memoirs. After he left one of the billets he had been occupying, his landlady complained to Divisional HQ that a grandfather cuckoo clock was missing. The following correspondence took place:

                                • HQ to Leader: Can you offer any explanation?
                                • Leader to HQ: No.
                                • HQ to Leader: The GOC desires that you answer this question more fully.
                                • Leader to HQ: No I can’t.
                                • HQ to Leader: The GOC considers your answer most impertinent. Kindly send more particulars about this cuckoo clock.
                                • Leader to HQ: Cuckoo; cuckoo; cuckoo.

                                It then transpired that the lady’s son-in-law not trusting the British had removed the clock before the colonel’s occupation. So he sent off a final message:

                                Leader to HQ: Soldiers I am innocent, the cuckoo clock has been found.

                                Later an officer from the Division on leave met a relative of the Colonel who asked him if he knew John Leader, to which he replied: "Oh yes, everyone knows the cuckoo colonel".

                                Colonel Leader was suffering from injuries received when his dugout was blown in and eventually on the 8th August he allowed the Medical Officer to evacuate him to No.12 Casualty Clearing Station and he was returned to the UK.

                                His place as Commanding Officer was taken by Major Meares, who was promoted to Temporary Lt Colonel in September.

                                Casualties for August reported as: Other Ranks 2 killed, 6 wounded and 1 died from wounds.

                                1st August 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  

                                Burial of Crew SL11 at Potter's Bar Cemetery

                                Schütte-Lanz SL11

                                • First Flight: 1st August 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 91.8 km/h
                                • Payload: 21 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Army airship based at Spich and Commanded by Hauptmann Wilhelm Schramm. The first German airship to be shot down over Britain. It was attacked over Hertfordshire by Lt. W.L. Robinson in a BE 2C with incendiary ammunition on the 3rd September 1916. It crashed at Cuffley, having bombed Saint Albans. The crew were buried at Potters Bar Cemetery and in 1962 they were re-interred at Cannock Chase German war cemetery. The press incorrectly reported it as the L21 Zeppelin which was only corrected much later. It was probably a touch of propaganda as the death of a baby-killer Zeppelin rather than the lesser known SL Airship would create greater public interest.

                                1st Aug 1916  Hot Weather

                                1st August 1916  Counter Mines

                                1st August 1916 New Squadron formed  No 65 Squadron formed on the 1st of August 1916 at Wyton with a nucleus from the Norwich training station.

                                1st August 1916  Move to Somme area

                                1st August 1916  Trench activities

                                1st August 1916  Actions during 1916

                                1st August 1916  Staff ride and Regimental strength

                                1st August 1916  New Aircraft

                                August 1916  Fighters

                                August 1916 

                                1st Aug 1916  Steel Arrows Collected

                                1st Aug 1916  Bathing

                                1st August 1916  New Squadron formed

                                1st Aug 1916  Training

                                1st Aug 1916  Under Shellfire

                                August 1916 

                                1st Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                1st of August 1916  New Emplacements

                                1st of August 1916  At Rest

                                1st Aug 1916  Grenades

                                1st August 1916 

                                1st Aug 1916  On the March

                                1st Aug 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Aug 1916  Working Party

                                1st Aug 1916  On the March

                                1st August 1916  New Squadron formed

                                1st of August 1916  Gas

                                1st of August 1916 

                                1st Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                1st of August 1916  A Quiet Day

                                1st Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                1st Aug 1916  In Action

                                1st Aug 1916  Defences

                                1st Aug 1916  Training

                                1st Aug 1916  In Billets

                                1st of August 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Aug 1916  In the Line

                                1st Aug 1916  Instructions

                                1st of August 1916   Dispositions after Relief

                                1st August 1916  Intermittent Shelling

                                1st August 1916  Usual parades, inspections

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Aug 1916 Training  7th Buffs are Training, parades under Coy arrangements, training of specialists continued, weather very fine Received 55th Brigade Operational Order No 32 re relief of 3rd New Sealand Rifle Brigade.

                                1st August 1916  2230 hours Germans started a very heavy Arty barrage on the village which continued till 0430 hours on the 2nd.

                                1st August 1916  Reliefs

                                1st August 1916  On the Move to Soues

                                1st Aug 1916  Some Shelling

                                Aug 1916  On the Move

                                1st August 1916  On the Move

                                1st of August 1916  Battalion Sports

                                1st Aug 1916  On the March

                                1st August 1916  Return to Duty

                                1st August 1916  Billeted

                                1st Aug 1916  Baths

                                1st of August 1916  Battalion relieved

                                1st Aug 1916  Shrapnel

                                2nd Aug 1916  Shelling

                                2nd August 1916 Daily Battery Report  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Beauvoir Riviere. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                2nd August 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  30th/31st July and 2/3rd August 1916 Adverse weather dispersed two Zeppelin raids on 30,31 July and 2,3 August.

                                2nd Aug 1916  Heavy Seas

                                2nd August 1916  Loading Complete

                                2nd August 1916  inspections and training

                                2nd August 1916 ongoing trench activity  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                2nd August - Ronville - Casualties 1 killed and 1 wounded.



                                2nd Aug 1916  Very Hot

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft Fired on

                                2nd Aug 1916  On the March

                                2nd Aug 1916  On the March

                                2nd Aug 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Aug 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Aug 1916  Inspection

                                2nd of August 1916 

                                2nd Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                2nd August 1916 

                                2nd Aug 1916  Training

                                2nd Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd Aug 1916  Training

                                2nd of August 1916  Alert

                                2nd of August 1916 

                                2nd Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd of August 1916  Retaliation

                                2nd Aug 1916  On the March

                                2nd Aug 1916  Defences

                                2nd Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Aug 1916  Enemy Active

                                2nd of August 1916  A Relief and a Move

                                2nd August 1916  M.G. fire throughout night.

                                2nd August 1916  Usual routine in rest billets.

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Aug 1916 Training  Training continued by 7th Buffs

                                2nd August 1916  About 0430 hours left the bivouac and marched to bivouac near Dernancourt.

                                2nd August 1916  On the Move Again

                                2nd Aug 1916  Alert

                                2nd August 1916  Company training

                                2nd of August 1916  Drill and Training

                                2nd Aug 1916  Training

                                2nd August 1916  Transfer

                                2nd August 1916  Officers visited the line

                                2nd August 1916  Operation Orders

                                2nd August 1916  March Table

                                2nd Aug 1916  On the March

                                3rd August 1916 Sport and Concert  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Beauvoir Riviere. Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders. In the afternoon a Brigade swimming sports was held with great success and in the evening a camp fire concert was held. Col Kennedy 21st London Battalion sent the Battalion Band which was a great success and the concert ended at 2200.

                                3rd Aug 1916  On the Move

                                3rd August 1916  Mine Blown

                                3rd August 1916  Training and relief party

                                3rd Aug 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                3rd Aug 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                3rd Aug 1916  A Terrific Shock

                                3rd Aug 1916  Training

                                3rd Aug 1916  Trench Captured

                                3rd Aug 1916  Bathing

                                3rd Aug 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                3rd August 1916 

                                3rd Aug 1916  Training

                                3rd Aug 1916  In the Trenches

                                3rd Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Aug 1916  Training

                                3rd of August 1916  Orders

                                3rd of August 1916 

                                3rd Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd of August 1916  North Midland Farm Hit

                                3rd Aug 1916  At Rest

                                3rd Aug 1916  Orders Received

                                3rd Aug 1916  Shelling

                                3rd of August 1916  Bivouacking

                                3rd August 1916  Quiet

                                3rd August 1916  Football

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Aug 1916 Training  7th Buffs Marched to Erquinghem, Starting point Fletre Church 6.15 am. A halt was made at 9 am at La Creche (S.E. of Bailleul) until 5 pm. Arrived Erquinghem 7 pm. Marching very hot and roads dusty, only 3 men fell out.

                                3rd Aug 1916  Relief Complete

                                3rd August 1916  QM Stores

                                3rd August 1916  Operational Order No.98

                                3rd of August 1916   Work and Training

                                3rd Aug 1916  Recce

                                3rd August 1916  Operation Orders

                                3rd August 1916  March Table

                                3rd August 1916  Marched to Mirveaux

                                3rd Aug 1916  Training

                                Aug 1916  New Wards

                                3rd of August 1916  Bombardment

                                4th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Batteries at the disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                4th August 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ74 (L32)

                                • Production Ref: LZ74
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L32
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 4th August 1916

                                History.

                                Made three attacks on England dropping a total of 6,860 kilograms (15,120 lb)of bombs. Commanded by Kapitan-Leutnant Werner Petersen, with L31, L33 and L34 part of a Zeppelin raid on the night of 23 September 1916. Intercepted and destroyed by 39 Home Defence Squadron British fighter pilot 2nd Lt Frederick Sowrey in a BE2c on 24 September 1916 near Great Burstead, Essex, all the crew dying. The crew's bodies were buried at Great Burstead, then in 1966 exhumed and reburied at Cannock Chase.

                                4th Aug 1916  Into Dock

                                4th August 1916  Defenses

                                4th August 1916  Brigade communication scheme

                                4th Aug 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                4th Aug 1916  Enemy Attack

                                4th Aug 1916   1330. 18th Battalion. relieved by 14 YORKS & LANCS. Moved into billets at LA FOSSE.

                                4th Aug 1916 Reliefs  At 1330. 18th Durhams are relieved by 14th York & Lancs and moved into billets at La Fosse.

                                4th Aug 1916  Secret Orders

                                4th Aug 1916  Divsional Reserve

                                4th Aug 1916  In Action

                                4th Aug 1916  Training

                                4th Aug 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                4th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                4th to 5th August 1916 

                                4th Aug 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                4th Aug 1916  Relief Completed

                                4th Aug 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                4th Aug 1916  Training

                                4th of August 1916 

                                4th of August 1916  Intelligence

                                4th of August 1916 

                                4th Aug 1916  Inspection

                                4th of August 1916  Ulsters Extend Front Line

                                4th Aug 1916  On the March

                                4th Aug 1916  On the March

                                4th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Aug 1916  Training

                                4th of August 1916  Wiring Party

                                4th Aug 1916  Some Shelling

                                4th of August 1916   Arrival in New Area

                                4th August 1916  Attempted Raid

                                4th August 1916  Address

                                4th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                4th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Aug 1916  Recce  Major Monier-Williams visited huts to be occupied by 7th Buffs at H17.d.2.2 and H23.a.8.6 and found 6 had been destroyed by shell fire on the 3rd. Others were being used as gun emplacements. Weather very fine.

                                4th August 1916  Marched to Mericourt and entrained for Hangest

                                4th August 1916  Battalion engaged in re-fitting and training.

                                4th August 1916  A March to Grand Preaux

                                4th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                4th August 1916  Move

                                4th August 1916  Operational Order No.99

                                4th of August 1916   Reserves Trained

                                4th Aug 1916  Training

                                4th August 1916  Relief

                                4th August 1916  Marched to Bresles Village

                                4th Aug 1916  Training

                                4th of August 1916  Church hit

                                4th August 1916  Trench Work

                                5th Aug 1916  16th Northumberlands on the march

                                5th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths to be broken up  On the 5th August after more than a month under battle conditions on the Somme, the 3rd Battalion Monmoutshire Regiment received the disheartening news that it was impossible to reinforce the three active service Battalions of the Regiment, in consequence the 3rd Battalion, being the junior Battalion, would be broken up to provide drafts for the other Battalions

                                5th August 1916  Moves

                                5th August 1916  Observations

                                5th August 1916  Mounted work

                                August 1916  Patrols

                                5th Aug 1916  Guns Captured

                                5th Aug 1916  Inspection and Training

                                5th Aug 1916  Prisoners Taken

                                5th Aug 1916  On the March

                                5th of August 1916  Another Relief

                                5th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                5th Aug 1916  Under Fire

                                5th Aug 1916  Under Shellfire

                                5th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                5th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Aug 1916  Training

                                5th of August 1916 

                                5th of August 1916 

                                5th of August 1916 

                                5th of August 1916 

                                5th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                5th of August 1916  Germans Working on Trenches

                                5th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                5th Aug 1916  On the March

                                5th Aug 1916  Training

                                5th August 1916  To Annezin

                                5th of August 1916  Situation Quiet

                                5th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                5th of August 1916  Divisional Dispositions

                                5th August 1916  H.Q. staff arrive

                                5th August 1916  Route March.

                                5th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Aug 1916  Observer Wounded

                                5th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                5th Aug 1916 On the March  7th Buffs Moved to forward area, leading Coy moving at 7.35 am Battalion disposed as follows: H.Q. La Rolanderie Ref. Map A Coy In farm at H.11.a.5.4 Bois Grenier B and D Coys In huts at H.23.a.8.6 36 N.W 4 C Coy In farm at H.5.c.2.3.

                                5th August 1916  Weekly Strength return 30th July - 5th August

                                5th August 1916  C Battery Arrives in Wambercourt

                                5th Aug 1916  Instruction

                                5th August 1916  On the Move

                                5th of August 1916  Relief

                                5th Aug 1916  Training

                                5th Aug 1916  Orders Received

                                5th August 1916  Relief. Sickness

                                5th August 1916  J.J. Pawson reports as 2nd in Command.

                                5th Aug 1916  Training

                                5th August 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Aug 1916 New commander for 16th Northumberlands  Lt Col Ritson relinquishes command of 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and returns home. Major Little replaces him. The Battalion take part in an open-air service commemorating second anniversary of outbreak of war.

                                6th August 1916 Recce  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Vitz-Villeroy. The Brigade carried out a minor recce in conjunction with 235th Brigade RFA.

                                6th August 1916  Reliefs

                                6th August 1916  Church services

                                6th Aug 1916  Airmen Hold the Skies

                                6th Aug 1916  On the March

                                6th Aug 1916  Ground Gained

                                6th Aug 1916  Church Parade

                                6th Aug 1916  Training

                                6th Aug 1916  Tear Gas

                                6th Aug 1916  Reinforcements

                                6th of August 1916  Rearrangements

                                6th of August 1916  A Failed Patrol

                                6th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                6th Aug 1916  Gas

                                6th August 1916 

                                6th Aug 1916  Under Shellfire

                                6th Aug 1916  At Rest

                                6th Aug 1916  Church Parade

                                6th of August 1916  Reliefs

                                6th of August 1916 

                                6th of August 1916  Orders

                                6th Aug 1916  In Support

                                6th of August 1916  Quiet Day

                                6th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                6th Aug 1916  Training

                                6th Aug 1916  Church Parade

                                6th Aug 1916  Visit

                                6th Aug 1916  Enemy

                                6th of August 1916   Training

                                6th Aug 1916  In Dock

                                6th August 1916  Cleaning up and inspections.

                                6th August 1916  Divine Service

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Observer Wounded

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                6th Aug 1916 Recce  Day spent in reconnoitring area and finding best approaches to trenches (etc) Visit to the trenches by C.O. and several other officers to look round sub-sector the 7th Buffs Battalion is going to take over. Very hot day. Specialists did training.

                                6th Aug 1916  Demonstraion

                                6th August 1916  Training

                                6th of August 1916   Divine Service

                                6th Aug 1916  Rest

                                6th August 1916  MO rejoins.

                                6th August 1916  Warning Notice.

                                6th Aug 1916  Lecture

                                6th August 1916  In Billets

                                7th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                7th Aug 1916 9th Sherwoods Machine gunners in action on The Somme  The Machine Gun Company of the 9th Sherwood Forresters was attached to the South Staffs Regt prior to the Somme Offensive and went into action in Delville Wood on the 7th August 1916.

                                7th August 1916  Observation

                                7th August 1916  Divisional Staff Ride and Casting of Horses

                                7th Aug 1916  Good News

                                7th Aug 1916  On the March

                                7th Aug 1916 Reinforcements  18th DLI are at La Fosse. A draft 50 OR reported to HQ. Col R.E. Cheyne 29th Lancers reported & assumed command.

                                7th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                7th Aug 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Aug 1916  Training

                                7th Aug 1916  On the March

                                7th August 1916  Divisional Front Extended

                                7th of August 1916  Unsuccessful Patrol

                                7th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                7th August 1916 

                                7th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Aug 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                7th Aug 1916  Training

                                7th Aug 1916  Working Party

                                7th of August 1916  Reliefs

                                7th of August 1916 

                                7th Aug 1916  Mine Exploded

                                7th of August 1916  A Red Balloon

                                7th Aug 1916  HQ Moves

                                7th Aug 1916  Training

                                7th Aug 1916  Prisoners

                                7th Aug 1916  Training

                                7th Aug 1916  Visit

                                7th Aug 1916   Arrival

                                7th Aug 1916  Quiet

                                7th of August 1916   Training

                                7th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                7th August 1916  Divisional Baths allotted

                                7th August 1916  Usual day in billets

                                7th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                7th August 1916  Lt. Howlett rejoined.

                                7th Aug 1916  On the March

                                7th of August 1916   Training and Work

                                7th August 1916  Rest & Court Martial

                                7th August 1916  Operational Orders

                                7th August 1916  Relief Table

                                7th August 1916  Visited the trenches.

                                7th Aug 1916  Training

                                7th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                8th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths withdrawn  The 3rd Monmouth Battalion moved back to Forceville, where Major-General Perceval, GOC 49th Division, gave them a farewell speech.

                                8th August 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Batteries at disposal of Battery Commanders.

                                8th August 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  8/9th August 1916 On 8,9 August, two Zeppelins were part of a nine airship raid on Hull.

                                8th August 1916 Brigade staff ride and appointments  9th Queens Royal Lancers

                                8th Aug 1916 - Bivouac near Querrieu - 2/Lt GH Harris and M Hunter returned to duty with the Regiment from 1st Cavalry Division working party. Lt LPG Kelly proceeded to 1st Cavalry Division working party for duty. GOC 2nd Cavalry Brigade held a staff ride for COs, Adjutants and Squadron Leaders. 4 ORs to Hospital, 6 Remount Horses to MVS and 4 ORs joined from Base.

                                8th Aug 1916  Pleasantly Sunny

                                8th Aug 1916  On the March

                                8th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                8th Aug 1916  Parades

                                8th Aug 1916  Training

                                8th Aug 1916  Training

                                8th August 1916  Bravey Recognised

                                8th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                8th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                8th August 1916 

                                8th Aug 1916  Wire

                                8th Aug 1916  Training

                                8th Aug 1916  Training

                                8th Aug 1916  Working Party

                                8th of August 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Aug 1916  Recce

                                8th of August 1916  Patrols Out

                                8th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                8th Aug 1916  Training

                                8th Aug 1916  Visit

                                8th August 1916  Good men

                                8th of August 1916  Training

                                8th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                8th August 1916  Close order drill

                                8th August 1916  The G.O.C. Brigadier General Williams inspected the reinforcements

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Fog

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Aug 1916  Conference  C.O. had a conference of Coy Commanders to explain defence scheme and tell them how the Battalion would be disposed when they took over the line. 11Pm Orders were received from 55th Inf. Brigade that the Battalion would take over the right sub-sector from the East Surrey Regiment. the next day. Arrangements for relief to be made by O.C. units concurred.

                                8th August 1916  Draft of 50 arrived.

                                8th August 1916  Training Commences

                                8th Aug 1916  Training

                                8th of August 1916  Work on Trenches

                                8th August 1916  Marched to position in Scots Redoubt.

                                8th Aug 1916  Move

                                8th August 1916  Shelling

                                9th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths entrain  The 3rd Monmouth Battalion entrain at Acheux for Hesdin and go into billets at Capelle.

                                9th August 1916 Divisional Field Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery billeted at Vitz-Villeroy took part in Divisional Field Day. The Brigade massed at Divisional Artillery HQ near Roofles and, after going over a pontoon bridge constructed by Divisional Royal Engineers, proceeded to take up positions in the neighbourhood of Caumont. After batteries had been in action until 1430, retirement to billets was ordered.

                                9th August 1916   SM U-58

                                Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 213) Ordered 6 Oct 1914 Laid down 8 Jun 1915 Launched 31 May 1916 Commissioned 9 Aug 1916

                                Commanders.
                                9 Aug 1916 - 3 Jun 1917 Kurt Wippern.
                                4 Jun 1917 - 26 Jun 1917 Peter Hermann.
                                27 Jun 1917 - 30 Oct 1917 Karl Scherb.
                                31 Oct 1917 - 17 Nov 1917 Gustav Amberger

                                Career 8 patrols.
                                16 Oct 1916 - 17 Nov 1917 II Flotilla

                                Successes 21 ships sunk with a total of 30,906 tons.

                                • 27 Oct 1916 U 58 Kurt Wippern Ellen 140 sw
                                • 4 Dec 1916 U 58 Kurt Wippern Senta 1,024 sw
                                • 5 Dec 1916 U 58 Kurt Wippern Stettin 412 nw
                                • 1 Mar 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Norma 850 nw
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Havila 1,421 da
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Hawthornbank 1,369 da
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Sokoto 2,259 da
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Dromore 4,398 br
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Langfond 1,097 nw
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Bullmouth 4,018 br
                                • 2 May 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Beeswing 1,462 br
                                • 2 May 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Dione 785 nw
                                • 2 May 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Vanduara 2,079 nw
                                • 5 May 1917 U 58 Kurt Wippern Asra 1,975 nw
                                • 18 Jun 1917 U 58 Peter Hermann Bega 318 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 58 Peter Hermann Ivigtut 456 da
                                • 6 Jul 1917 U 58 Karl Scherb Motor 63 da
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 58 Karl Scherb Fiorella 1,168 nw
                                • 13 Jul 1917 U 58 Karl Scherb Charilaos Tricoupis 2,475 gr
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 58 Karl Scherb Ramillies 2,935 br
                                • 14 Nov 1917 U 58 Gustav Amberger Dolly Warden 202 br

                                Fate 17 Nov 1917 - Depth charged by destroyer USS Fanning off the south coast of Ireland 51°37’N, 8°12’W . 2 dead, unknown number of survivors. Location incorrectly given as 51°32’N, 05°21’W in many sources.

                                There was another U 58 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Oct 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Feb 1939.

                                9th August 1916  New Dugout

                                9th August 1916  Brigade relocation to Pont Remy

                                9th August 1916 Trench raiding party  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                9/10th August - Ronville - A party under the supervision of 2/Lt Clay successfully inflicted 4 casualties on the enemy's wiring party who were inspecting their own wire and brought into our lines two of the bodies and the tunic and cap of a third, enabling the identity of the enemy to be discovered. We suffered no casualties.



                                9th August 1916  Battle of Romani

                                9th Aug 1916  Very Hot

                                9th Aug 1916  Attack Made by Liverpool Scottish

                                9th Aug 1916  On the March

                                9th Aug 1916 Change of Billets  1530. 18th Battalion. Durham Light Infantry vacated billets at La Fosse and moved into billets at Le Hamel (HQ & C Coy) and Essars (A. B. D Coy’s)

                                9th Aug 1916  Under Shellfire

                                9th Aug 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                9th Aug 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                9th Aug 1916  On the March

                                9th of August 1916  TM Attack

                                9th Aug 1916  Retaliation

                                9th August 1916 

                                9th Aug 1916  Wire

                                9th Aug 1916  Reinforcements

                                9th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                9th of August 1916 

                                9th Aug 1916  Recce

                                9th of August 1916  Heavy Bombardment by Germans

                                9th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                9th Aug 1916  Salvage

                                9th Aug 1916  Training

                                9th Aug 1916  Visit

                                9th August 1916  New draft

                                9th of August 1916   Training

                                9th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                9th August 1916  Rifle range allotted

                                9th August 1916  Usual day

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Aug 1916  Bad Landing

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Aug 1916 Reliefs  Major R.T. Monier-Williams and Coy commanders went up to the trenches in the morning and made arrangements as regards relief. 2.15pm Specialists including Lewis Gunners, Snipers, Signallers, Bombers proceeded to the trenches and took over from the 8th East Surrey Regiment. in daylight. 9.15pm The first Coy, D Coy moved off and the remainder followed in the order C, A, B, H.Q. Companies moving by platoons at 5 mins interval. Starting point H17d54 D Coy took over from C Coy 8th East Surrey on the left C Coy took over from A Coy 8th East Surrey on the right. A Coy took over from D Coy 8th East Surrey in support. B Coy took over from B Coy 8th East Surrey in reserve. Relief of all Coys was reported complete at 12.15 a.m. (the 10th inst.) Ref: 36N.W4 Bois Grenier

                                9th August 1916  0900 till 1440 hours the enemy shelled the battery located 150 yards West of Le Bizet with 5.9" shells.

                                9th Aug 1916  Training

                                9th of August 1916   Work Continued

                                9th Aug 1916  Orders

                                9th August 1916  Detachment

                                9th August 1916  Orders

                                9th August 1916  Operational Orders

                                9th August 1916  Defence Scheme.

                                9th August 1916  Move to Contalmaison

                                9th Aug 1916  Training

                                9th August 1916  Reliefs

                                10th August 1916  Movements

                                10th August 1916  Further relocation

                                10th Aug 1916  A Visit From the King

                                10th Aug 1916  On the March

                                10th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durhams HQ moved from Le Hamel to Essars

                                At 20.05. 18th Battalion DLI relieved 2nd Wilts, vacated billets & moved into trenches East of Festubert, B Co. & D Co. in Front Line right & left, C & A Co in Support Lines. Hants Battalion on right 16th West Yorks on left. 15th West Yorks & 1 Co. 11th East Yorks in Brigade Reserve. Wagon line moved into billets at Le Touret.

                                10th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                10th Aug 1916  Dugouts Constructed

                                10th Aug 1916  Working Party

                                10th Aug 1916  Royal Inspection

                                10th August 1916  Preparations

                                10th Aug 1916  Training

                                10th of August 1916  A Dead German

                                10th Aug 1916  Relef

                                10th August 1916 

                                10th Aug 1916  In the Trenches

                                10th Aug 1916  Training

                                10th Aug 1916  Address

                                10th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                10th of August 1916 

                                10th of August 1916 

                                10th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                10th of August 1916  Medium TMs Used

                                10th Aug 1916  In Huts

                                10th Aug 1916  Outposts

                                10th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Aug 1916  Training

                                10th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                10th of August 1916   Training

                                10th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                10th August 1916  Move

                                10th August 1916  Battalion marched to manouvre area

                                10th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Aug 1916  Damage to Aircraft

                                10th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Aug 1916 Holding the Line  On completion of relief 7th Buffs Battalion was disposed as follows: C Coy on front line from 36.I.31.c5.4 to I.31.b.4.1 D Coy in front line from I.31.b.4.1 to I.32.a.15.90 2 platoons of A Coy at the White City, 1 platoon of A Coy less 1 section at Stanway Post (I.31.b.3.8) 1 section of A Coy at Emma Post (I.31.a.7.7), and 1 platoon of A Coy at Jock’s Joy, I.25.d.7.2. B Coy at Moat Farm (I.25.a.1.9) in Battalion reserve. Bn. H.Q. at the White City I.31.a.4.7. Very quiet day except for a few enemy light trench mortars which fell in the right Coy’s front. Light West wind. Brigadier Gen. Jackson and Brig. Major came up in the morning. Very quiet night, slight rifle and machine gun fire.

                                10th August 1916  Draft of 150 arrived.

                                10th Aug 1916  Training

                                10th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                10th of August 1916  A Relief

                                10th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                10th August 1916  Appendicitis

                                10th August 1916  Operational Orders

                                10th August 1916  Brigade Support

                                10th Aug 1916  Training

                                10th of August 1916  In the trenches

                                10th August 1916  Training

                                11th August 1916  Movements

                                11th August 1916  Defences

                                11th August 1916  Brigade Conference at Incheville

                                11th Aug 1916  Trench Captured

                                11th Aug 1916  On the March

                                11th Aug 1916 Reliefs  2nd Wiltshires relieved Hamphshires on right of 18th Battalion, DLI in Trenches In Festubert Sector. Misty morning. Clear later & hot.

                                11th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                11th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                11th Aug 1916  On the March

                                11th Aug 1916  Fatigues

                                11th of August 1916  Routine Work

                                11th Aug 1916  Patrols

                                11th August 1916 

                                11th Aug 1916  In the Trenches

                                11th Aug 1916  Into Reserve

                                11th Aug 1916  On the March

                                11th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                11th of August 1916 

                                11th Aug 1916  Trench Motars

                                11th of August 1916  Very Warm Weather

                                11th Aug 1916  Training

                                11th Aug 1916  Training

                                11th Aug 1916  Training

                                11th Aug 1916  Training

                                11th of August 1916  In the Trenches

                                11th Aug 1916  Patrol

                                11th of August 1916  Training

                                11th Aug 1916  Omission

                                11th August 1916  Training

                                11th August 1916  Work on the defence lines at Montau Ban.

                                11st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11th Aug 1916 Warm Day  Day exceptionally quiet and very warm. Light South wind. Orders were issued for two sections of A Coy 7th Buffs from White City Post and one Lewis gun to go and live in support trench running from I.31.c.5.7 to I.31.c.75.90 to be in close support to C Coy.

                                11th Aug 1916  Training

                                11th of August 1916  Inspections

                                11th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                11th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                11th August 1916  Orders received for attack.

                                11th Aug 1916  Into Reserve

                                11th of August 1916  In the trenches

                                11th August 1916  Sports

                                12th August 1915 Reliefs  50th Battalion AIF moved into the front line at Wire Trench near La Boisselle on the Somme. They were quickly ordered forward to relieve the 16th Battalion. Upon reaching Tom's Cut, the movement was spotted by enemy observers and a heavy barrage rained down. They met the men of the 16th in Park Lane with both battalions, crowding into the trench as the exchange took place. The heavy barrage continued until 7.30pm when it eased somewhat. The 50th suffered heavy losses, especially amongst officers and NCOs.

                                12th August 1916  Movements

                                12th Aug 1916 Submarine KUK U12 lost  Submarine k.u.k. U12 is sunk on the 12th August 1916.

                                12th August 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                12th August 1916  rest and relocation

                                12th August 1916  Squadron training

                                12th Aug 1916  The Splendid Sherwoods

                                12th Aug 1916  Thick Fog

                                12th Aug 1916  On the March

                                12th Aug 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Misty morning. Clear later & hot. 2 Lt G.H. Lean reported for duty."

                                12th Aug 1916  Bathing

                                12th Aug 1916  Under Shellfire

                                12th Aug 1916  Air Raid

                                12th Aug 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                12th Aug 1916  On the March

                                12th Aug 1916  Training

                                12th Aug 1916  Conditions

                                12th Aug 1916  Quiet

                                12th Aug 1916 Too Hot  "From all accounts this is the last Sunday we shall spend here. The King is coming down on Wednesday I think to inspect the battalion before they depart. This turn in the trenches is very quiet indeed up to the present, I am pleased to say. The daytime I think has been too hot for either side to show much energy, although both sides let one another repeatedly know they are still there. The best and quietest time has been from about 6 to 10 at night. We generally get our pipes out and sit and chat to our hearts’ content. Gradually the heat of the day gives way to evening cool and calm. About nine the machine guns get busy and the Verey lights start going up. As we are sheltered behind about 40 layers of sandbags the guns do not worry us except for stopping the conversation. Later good nights are said and we retire to our respective dugouts to await another hopeless dawn. Will you tell Dad to buy a copy of Today August 12 as Cope Cornford’s new book Contentious Consolation is reviewed on page 460. You might get me a copy of the book and send it along (Williams and Norgate 2/6). Will you please send me £1 for enclosed; if you can get more than 27.80 please send in French currency." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter on headed notepaper, 26th (S) Battalion The Royal Fusiliers (Bankers) to his wife Olive.

                                12th Aug 1916  Cellars

                                12th August 1916 

                                12th Aug 1916  In Action

                                12th Aug 1916  Training

                                12th Aug 1916  Bathing

                                12th Aug 1916  Working Party

                                12th of August 1916 

                                12th Aug 1916  Artillery Active

                                12th of August 1916  Messines Shelled

                                12th Aug 1916  Training

                                12th Aug 1916  Training

                                12th Aug 1916  Training

                                12th Aug 1916  Training

                                12th Aug 1916  Training

                                12th Aug 1916  Enemy Active

                                12th of August 1916   Training

                                12th Aug 1916  At Anchor

                                12th August 1916  In Reserve

                                12th August 1916  Orders to Move

                                12th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                12th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Aug 1916 Very Hot  Quiet day and very hot. At 11.10a.m. enemy put 12 4.2 cm shells over 7th Buffs apparently ranging on trench 51, the first of these set some hay near Water Farm alight. Between 10 p.m. and 12 midnight enemy artillery and trench mortars were active on subsector on our right. Telephone message received from 55th Brigade. saying gas helmets were to be worn in the alert position as wind was favourable for German Gas. Wind Fresh S.E.

                                12th August 1916  Draft of 97 arrived.

                                12th August 1916  Battalion relieved 10th R.W. Kent Regt.

                                12th August 1916  Weekly Strength

                                12th Aug 1916  Training

                                12th August 1916  Brigade night operations.

                                12th of August 1916   Training and Boxing

                                12th August 1916  Relief

                                12th August 1916  Prisoner from 179 R.I.R.

                                12th August 1916  Division to attack

                                12th August 1916  After Orders

                                12th August 1916  Confusion

                                12th August 1916  Objective Not Identified

                                12th August 1916  Digging in

                                12th August 1916  No Strong Point on Left Flank

                                12th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                12th of August 1916  Battalion Relief

                                12th August 1916  Sports

                                13th August 1916 Action Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Behencourt. C236 Battery and sections of A236, B236 and D236 Batteries move up to action positions at Bottom Wood. The remainder stay at Behencourt.

                                13th August 1916  Church Parade and reinforcements

                                13th August 1916 Change of Commanding Officer  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                13th August - Ronville - Lt Colonel WEW Elkington relinquishes command of the Battalion on being ordered to join the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment.

                                13th Aug 1916  Marking Time

                                13th Aug 1916  Sucessful Attack Made

                                13th Aug 1916  On the March

                                13th Aug 1916  Another Accident

                                13th Aug 1916 Shelling  18th Durhams report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Cooperation of 16 Grenade Rifles with 93rd T.M.B on Popes Nose 7.30am. Stokes guns appeared to be indifferently aimed. Enemy retaliated 1pm with indifferent effect upon front line. Weather cooler. 3 OR wounded."

                                13th Aug 1916  On the March

                                13th Aug 1916  Church Parade

                                13th Aug 1916  Quiet

                                13th Aug 1916  At Rest

                                13th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                13th August 1916 

                                13th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                13th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                13th of August 1916 

                                13th Aug 1916  Mine Exploded

                                13th of August 1916  POWs Taken

                                13th Aug 1916  Training

                                13th Aug 1916  Leave

                                13th Aug 1916  Training

                                13th Aug 1916  On the March

                                13th Aug 1916  Church Parade

                                13th Aug 1916  Training

                                13th Aug 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                13th of August 1916   Training

                                13th Aug 1916  Problem

                                13th August 1916  Fatigues & improving billets.

                                13th August 1916  Work on the dumps.

                                13th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                13th Aug 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs except from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. trenches 49 and 50. Queer St and Safety St were shelled with light and heavy trench mortar bombs. At 7 p.m. Water Farm was shelled with 5.9 cms and 4.2 cms, no damage done. Our 18 pounders retaliated and shelling died down. Wind S.W. gentle.

                                13th August 1916  Lt. E.P.W. Brown joined.

                                13th Aug 1916  Training

                                13th August 1916  Battalion sports.

                                13th of August 1916  Baths

                                13th August 1916  Warning order received

                                13th August 1916  New Line

                                13th August 1916  Reorganisation

                                13th August 1916  Gains

                                13th August 1916  Operational Orders

                                13th August 1916  Reliefs

                                13th August 1916  Messages

                                13th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                13th August 1916  Church Parade

                                14th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths split  200 NCO's and men of the 3rd Monmouth Battalion left to join the 2nd Monmouthshire's

                                14th August 1916  Into Position

                                14th August 1916  Loading

                                14th August 1916 Appointments  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                14th August 1916 - Ronville - 2/Lt Constantine W and Smith WH posted for duty from officers base depot to B and C company respectively.

                                14th August 1916  Intense personal training for men and horses

                                14th Aug 1916  New Billets

                                14th Aug 1916  In Action

                                14th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durhams are in Trenches in Festubert Sector. Weather cooler with fresh West wind. Some artillery activity against hostile trenches North of us.

                                2130. C Co. relieved B, & A Co. relieved D. New disposition Right Front Line - C Co. Left Front Line - A Co. Right Support B Co. Left Support D Co. 1 OR wounded & died of wounds later.

                                14th Aug 1916  Conference

                                14th Aug 1916  Orders Issued

                                14th Aug 1916  Quiet

                                14th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Aug 1916  Reinforcements

                                14th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                14th August 1916 

                                14th Aug 1916  Reorganisation

                                14th Aug 1916  Training

                                14th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                14th of August 1916 

                                14th of August 1916  Orders

                                14th of August 1916  Orders

                                14th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                14th of August 1916  A Deceptive Patrol

                                14th Aug 1916  In Huts

                                14th Aug 1916  Training

                                14th Aug 1916  Training

                                14th Aug 1916  Defences

                                14th Aug 1916  Training

                                14th Aug 1916  Quiet

                                14th Aug 1916  Course

                                14th of August 1916  Training

                                14th Aug 1916  Problem

                                14th August 1916  At 1500 hours the battalion marched off to Great Bear

                                14th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Aug 1916 Quiet  Quiet day for 7th Buffs. Except at 6.30p.m. when enemy’s T.M. bombs fell near the heads of Queer St and Safety Alley and at the back of the salient. 5.9 shells fell near Safety Alley (behind Support Trench) and also between there and Stanway Alley. Earlier in the afternoon a few shells fell in the front line in Sector 49. A bombardment of the enemy’s lines from I.26.b.8.8 to I.16.d.3.5 took place. The enemy did not retaliate on our front at all. Showery in the middle of the day. Wind S.W. Quiet night.

                                14th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                14th August 1916  Brigade trench attack.

                                14th of August 1916  Training

                                14th August 1916  Casualties

                                14th August 1916  Notes on operations

                                14th August 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of August 1916  Reliefs

                                14th August 1916  On the March

                                15th August 1916 Work Done  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. 46th Infantry Brigade in trenches. Quiet day. Work done on positions. Quiet on the front

                                15th August 1916  Somme action

                                15th August 1916  New CO Appointed

                                15th August 1916  Ongoing training

                                15th Aug 1916  A Tedious Day

                                15th Aug 1916  Guns Attached

                                15th Aug 1916 Shelling  18th Durhams hold Trenches in Festubert Sector. Weather cool. Slight artillery activity 10.45 to 11.15am on both sides, some shells fell on our North Old British Line 1 to 2.15 Heavy showers.

                                1445. An arranged bombardment of Field Artillery 4.5 hours. Stokes Guns & machine Guns on Popes Nose opened. Hostile artillery replied quickly at first slightly on Front Line, then more heavily on Cover Trench & George Trench, next with effect on O.B.L. round Battalion HQ two bays & 2 dugouts being blown in. Casualties 3, this small number being due largely to removal of troops from trenches usually occupied to disused trenches in rear of successive lines. Damage was also done to Barnton No 11 Island parapet blown in in parts. Slight artillery both sides at night. 2nd East Yorks relieved 2nd Wilts on right on night of 15th-16th.

                                15th Aug 1916  On the March

                                15th August 1916  Night Flying

                                15th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                15th Aug 1916  On the March

                                15th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                15th of August 1916  Moving the Wagons

                                15th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                15th of August 1916  Back to the Trenches

                                15th to 16th August 1916 

                                15th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                15th August 1916  Promotion to Sergeant

                                15th Aug 1916  On the March

                                15th Aug 1916  Visit

                                15th Aug 1916  Artillery Active

                                15th of August 1916 

                                15th of August 1916 

                                15th of August 1916  Orders

                                15th Aug 1916  Baths

                                15th of August 1916  Wire-Cutting

                                15th Aug 1916  On the March

                                15th Aug 1916  Training

                                15th Aug 1916  Defence Work

                                15th Aug 1916  Training

                                15th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                15th of August 1916  Training

                                15th Aug 1916  Patients

                                15th August 1916  At dusk a German aeroplane flew flew very low over our camp

                                15th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Aug 1916 Quiet  Very quiet day indeed for 7th Buffs. Hardly any rifle or shell fire the whole day. 9.30pm A Coy 7th Buffs went up to the right subsector to relieve C Coy B Coy went up to the left subsection to relieve D Coy. 10.30pm C Coy came back to the Support line at White City, Emma Post, Stanway Post and Jock’s Joy. D Coy came back to reserve at Moat Farm. A draft of 191 West Kent Cyclists joined the Battalion in the line.

                                15th August 1916  Draft of 4 arrived.

                                15th Aug 1916  Exhange of Fire

                                15th August 1916  Battalion training.

                                15th of August 1916  On the March

                                15th August 1916  Return to Duty

                                15th August 1916  Resting and cleaning.

                                15th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                15th of August 1916  Battalion in huts

                                16th Aug 1916 Attack Made  13th Kings Liverpool made an attack on the village of Guillmont, attack failed with heavy casualties due to poor preparation. One of the casualties was CSM John Burns, killed whilst leading his men in to the attack.

                                16th August 1916 Light Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Quiet day except for German shelling at intervals of Welsh Alley and 70th Avenue where all our Observation Points are. There was a practice barrage at 1600. Our Batteries shelled Switch Line on right of tramway running to Martinpuich during the night.

                                15th August 1916  Mine

                                16th August 1916  Sand

                                16th August 1916  Ongoing training

                                16th August 1916  Bombardment of enemy trenches

                                16th Aug 1916  Hard Times

                                16th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                16th Aug 1916 Under Shellfire  18th DLI are in Trenches in the Festubert Sector. Bright & South West wind. 1.45pm enemy artillery actions, some 5.9s dropped between Cover Trench and O.B.L. but majority on Battalion to our left.

                                16th Aug 1916  On the March

                                16th Aug 1916  Attack Made

                                16th Aug 1916  On the March

                                16th Aug 1916  On the March

                                16th Aug 1916  In the Trenches

                                16th of August 1916  Shrapnel Showers

                                16th Aug 1916  In Action

                                16th of August 1916  Patrolling

                                16th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                16th Aug 1916  On the March

                                16th Aug 1916  On the March

                                16th Aug 1916  Attack Made

                                16th of August 1916 

                                16th of August 1916  Orders

                                16th Aug 1916  Baths

                                16th of August 1916  Hill 63 Shelled

                                16th Aug 1916  Training

                                16th Aug 1916  Training

                                16th Aug 1916  Defence Work

                                16th Aug 1916  Instruction

                                16th Aug 1916  On the March

                                16th Aug 1916  Change of Command

                                16th of August 1916  Training

                                16th Aug 1916  Patients

                                16th August 1916  Battalion received order to move to Talus Boise

                                16th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Aug 1916 Reliefs  10.15pm 7th Buffs commenced to relieve 7th Queens in Y 3 Subsector (S.E. of Maricourt) Relief delayed by presence of hostile observation balloon which overlooked Suzanne, Maricourt Valley. Relief completed by dark. Distribution of Battalion, A and B. trenches. C, ‘R’ and ‘S’ works. D. Battalion Reserve

                                16th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                16th of August 1916  Training

                                16th August 1916  Gas Helmet inspections.

                                16th Aug 1916  Orders

                                17th August 1916 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bottom Wood. Quiet day until 1500. The morning was spent in registration of targets. Lt Graburn C236 Battery was wounded in the trenches. Batteries formed an intense barrage 220 yards over the Switch Line and infantry made a bombing attack along the Switch Line towards Tramway. The Germans made feeble counter attack near the Tramway which was repulsed. There was no firing during the night by Batteries.

                                17th August 1916  Mine

                                17th August 1916  Routine and swimming sports

                                17th August 1916 Bad weather  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                17th August - Ronville - Heavy rain during day and thunderstorms.

                                17th Aug 1916  Parcels from Home

                                17th Aug 1916 Bombardment  Trenches in Festubert Sector are held by 18th Durham light Infantry

                                04.37. Fine & calm. Six willow trees, considered to be of value to enemy as range marks near our parapet opposite 12 Islands, blown up at 4.37am.

                                15.55. Combined bombardment by R.A. & L.T.M.B. of German trenches S27d. 4.15pm German guns answered chiefly on our left Islands & Barnton Trench with whizz bangs. Bombardment ended 4.55pm. The front line & O.B.L. was again thinned as on 15.8.16 and troops withdrawn to disused trenches. Casualties Nil. Damage done to our trenches insignificant.

                                17th Aug 1916  On the March

                                17th Aug 1916  On the March

                                17th Aug 1916  On the March

                                17th Aug 1916  Barrage

                                17th Aug 1916  Storm

                                17th of August 1916  New Wagon Lines

                                17th of August 1916  Two Reinforcements

                                17th Aug 1916  Mobilization

                                17th August 1916 

                                17th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                17th Aug 1916  On the March

                                17th Aug 1916  On the March

                                17th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                17th of August 1916 

                                17th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                17th of August 1916  Heath Trench Shelled

                                17th Aug 1916  On the March

                                17th August 1916  Ambulance Train

                                17th August 1916  Concert

                                17th Aug 1916  Defence Work

                                17th of August 1916  Training

                                17th August 1916  Battalion in bivouac.

                                17th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Aug 1916 Shelling  7th Buffs report 10am Enemy shelled White City end of Queer St. with about 5 rounds of 10.5 cm. Our T.M.B. fired a few rounds on trench opposite 50 trench. Enemy replied with 12 T.M. bombs in vicinity of trenches 49 and 50 and Queer Street.

                                7.15pm 12 15cm. shells fell around trenches 50 and 51 and two rifle grenades. 12 midnight about 9 light T.M. bombs and rifle grenades fell behind 50 trench. Otherwise quiet night and day. Fine day and misty night. Wind gentle S.W. 7th Buffs report 9am Our 60 lb. mortars registered with four rounds on enemy’s trenches opposite the salient. Enemy replied with several pineapple bombs and two heavy T.M. bombs. Our Stokes gun very quickly answered with about 50 bombs and Enemy then shelled in front of Tui Road and Support Line 50 with about 16 rounds. All quiet by 9.45 a.m. 5.25pm We exchanged about 9 light trench mortar bombs with the enemy on trenches 48 and 49. Germans sent about four 10.5 cm. shells into 50 trench. Showery all day and night. Wind gentle W.S.W. Very quiet night.

                                17th August 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Aug 1916  On the March

                                17th August 1916  Battalion training

                                17th of August 1916   Training

                                17th August 1916  Casualties

                                17th August 1916  Warning Order received

                                17th Aug 1916  Orders

                                17th August 1916  Training

                                18th Aug 1916 Air Raid  During the evening, two Zeppelins raided Steetley's Basic works at Coxhoe, where they were producing Doloma for steel furnace linings. Twelve high explosive bombs and fourteen incendiaries were dropped, leaving several craters, slight damage to houses, at Coxhoe, Joint Stocks and Quarrington Hill, with much broken glass. A few yards of the railway track at was destroyed Kelloe Colliery. Extra protection was recommended to be given to site following this raid, including the siting of an anti air craft gun. A concrete air raid shelter was constructed at West Hetton Lodge.

                                18th August 1916 Heavy Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: At 0855 a heavy barrage was put up by our batteries 200 yards over the Switch Line and formed with 47th Division Artillery a double barrage. At 1445 a further heavy barrage at Switch Line on the right of Tramway. Smoke was discharged on our front and the 1st Division attacked the intermediate line on our right. They got in but were driven out. From 2030 fire was kept up at odd intervals on tracks and trenches leading to Martinpuich.

                                18th August 1916  Inter troop competitions

                                18th Aug 1916  Lost Time

                                18th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are in Trenches in the Festubert sector and report: "04.00. Very misty. Enemy artillery sent over several heavy shells, perhaps 5.9s, but all fell North of right subsector & did not affect us. Our guns retaliated. All was quiet by 4.30am.

                                10.00. Fine. At 4.25pm Enemy artillery bombarded rear of Front Line without effect, our guns retaliated slightly. Wet in evening.

                                21.30. W.Y.R with 75 W.Y.S, 75 H.Y.T relieved 18th DLI less B Co. Relief completed 11.30pm. 18th DLI less B Co. marched to Le Touret and took over billets from 11th East Yorks. B Co. remained as Right Co. in Support in O.B.L. No activity of any kind from guns or rifles during relief."

                                18th Aug 1916  Lack of Waterproof Sheets

                                18th Aug 1916  In Action

                                18th Aug 1916  In Action

                                18th Aug 1916  On the March

                                18th Aug 1916  Rain

                                18th Aug 1916  In Action

                                18th Aug 1916  Bombardment

                                18th of August 1916  Usual Trench Warfare

                                18th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                18th August 1916 

                                18th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                18th Aug 1916  Training

                                18th Aug 1916  On the March

                                18th Aug 1916  Attack Made

                                18th of August 1916 

                                18th Aug 1916  Trench Motars

                                18th of August 1916  Accurate Wire-Cutting

                                18th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                18th Aug 1916  Route March

                                18th Aug 1916  Outposts

                                18th Aug 1916  Defence Work

                                18th Aug 1916  Visit

                                18th of August 1916   A Route March

                                18th August 1916  Battalion ordered to move to 9th Brigade H.Q. at Stanley Dump.

                                18th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Aug 1916 Artillery in Action  7th Buffs report About 3.15 p.m. our guns opened rapid firing on enemy’s front and support lines. Enemy replied with about 12 pineapples and 1 heavy mortar afterwards shelling road from White City to salient. About 3 shells fell on 50 Support Trench. About 5.40 p.m. 1 heavy mortar bomb and about 30 “pineapples” fell on Right Coy’s front. Not much damage done. 2/Lt C. Debon was slightly wounded in shoulder. Otherwise quiet day and very quiet night; wet off and on all day. Fresh West wind.

                                18th August 1916  Training

                                18th Aug 1916  On the March

                                18th of August 1916   Training

                                18th August 1916  45th Inf. Bde. will relieve the 46th Inf. Bde.

                                18th August 1916  March Table 19th August

                                18th August 1916  Practicing the attack.

                                18th Aug 1916  Attack Made

                                18th August 1916  On the March

                                19th August 1916 Fire Continued  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood From midnight 18/19th August fire was continued until 0730. Quiet morning and quiet afternoon. No firing during the night.

                                19th August 1916 Bombardment of Sunderland   The raid on Sunderland, 19th August 1916, was part of a German post-Jutland attempt to draw our units of the British Grand Fleet to ambush them hoping to inflict losses to try to address the numerical superiority of the British Fleet.

                                The Action of 19 August 1916 was one of two further attempts made by the German High Seas Fleet in 1916 to engage elements of the British Royal Navy following the mixed results of the Battle of Jutland in World War I. The lesson of Jutland for Germany had been the vital need for reconnaissance so as to avoid the unexpected arrival of the British Grand Fleet during any raid, so on this occasion four Zeppelins were deployed to scout the North Sea between Scotland and Norway for signs of British ships, while four more scouted immediately ahead of German ships. Twenty four submarines were also deployed off the English coast in the southern North Sea and off the Dogger Bank.

                                Background

                                Although Jutland had been officially hailed as a success, the German commander Admiral Reinhard Scheer felt it important that another raid should be mounted as quickly as possible to maintain morale in his severely battered fleet. It was decided that the raid should follow the pattern of previous ones, with the battlecruisers carrying out a dawn artillery bombardment of an English town, in this case Sunderland. Only two battlecruisers were still serviceable after Jutland, Moltke and Von der Tann, so the force was bolstered by the addition of three battleships, Bayern, Markgraf and Grosser Kurfürst. The remainder of the High Seas Fleet, comprising 16 dreadnought battleships, was to carry out close support 20 miles behind. The fleet set sail at 2100 on 18 August from the Jade river.

                                Intelligence

                                Information about the upcoming raid was obtained by British Intelligence in Room 40 through intercepted and decoded radio messages. Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, commander of the British fleet, was on leave so had to be recalled urgently and boarded the light cruiser Royalist at Dundee to meet his fleet in the early hours of 19 August off the river Tay. In his absence, Admiral Cecil Burney took the fleet to sea on the afternoon of 18 August. Vice-Admiral David Beatty left the Firth of Forth with his squadron of six battlecruisers to meet the main fleet in the Long Forties. The Harwich Force of 20 destroyers and 5 light cruisers commanded by Commodore Tyrwhitt was ordered out, as were 25 British submarines which were stationed in likely areas to intercept German ships. The battlecruisers together with the 5th Battle Squadron of five fast battleships were stationed 30 miles ahead of the main fleet to scout for the enemy. The assembled fleet now moved south seeking the German fleet, but suffered the loss of one of the light cruisers screening the battlecruiser group, HMS Nottingham, which was hit by three torpedoes from submarine U-52 at 0600.

                                Finding the opposition

                                At 0615 Jellicoe received information from the Admiralty that one hour earlier the enemy had been 200 miles to his south east. However, the loss of the cruiser caused him to first head north for fear of endangering his other ships. No torpedo tracks or submarines had been seen, so it was unclear whether the cause had been a submarine or entering an unknown minefield. He did not resume a south-easterly course until 0900 when William Goodenough, commanding the light cruisers, advised that the cause had been a submarine attack. Further information from the admiralty indicated that the battlecruisers would be within 40 miles of the main German fleet by 1400 and Jellicoe increased to maximum speed. Weather conditions were good, with plenty of time for a fleet engagement before dark. The German force had received reassurances about Jellicoe's position, when a zeppelin had spotted the Grand Fleet heading north away from Scheer, at the time it had been avoiding the possible minefield. Unfortunately for the British, the Zeppelin L 13 sighted the Harwich force approximately 75 miles ENE of Cromer, mistakenly identifying the cruisers as battleships. This was precisely the sort of target Scheer was seeking, so he changed course at 1215 also to the south-east and away from the approaching British fleet. No further reports were received from zeppelins about the British fleet, but it was spotted by a U-boat just 65 miles north of Scheer. Scheer turned for home at 1435 abandoning his potential target. By 1600 Jellicoe had been advised that Scheer had abandoned the operation and so turned north himself.

                                The actual attack

                                A second cruiser attached to the battlecruiser squadron, HMS Falmouth, was hit by two torpedoes from U-63 at 1652 and sank the following day while being towed to the Humber, when hit by two more torpedoes fired by U-66. By 1745 the Harwich force had sighted German ships, but was too far behind for any prospect of an attack before nightfall so abandoned the chase. A British submarine HMS E23 commanded by Lieutenant-Commander R.R Turner managed to hit the German battleship SMS Westfalen at 0505 on the 19th, but the ship was able to return home.

                                Outcomes

                                This was the last occasion on which the German fleet travelled so far west into the North Sea. On 6 October a decision was made in Germany to resume attacks against merchant vessels by submarine, which meant the submarine fleet was no longer available for combined attacks against surface vessels. On 13 September a conference took place on Jellicoe's flagship to discuss recent events and it was decided that it was unsafe to conduct fleet operations south of latitude 55.5° North (approximately level with Horns reef and where the battle of Jutland had taken place), except in extreme emergency such as a German invasion force. Scheer was unimpressed by the efficiency of the zeppelin reconnaissance. Only three zeppelins had spotted anything and from seven reports four had been wrong. On 18,19 October Scheer once again led a brief sortie into the North Sea and British intelligence gave warning. However, the Grand Fleet declined to prepare an ambush, staying in port with steam raised ready to sail. The German sortie was abandoned after a few hours when SMS München was hit by a torpedo fired by E38, Lieutenant-Commander J. de B. Jessop, and it was feared other submarines might be in the area. Scheer suffered further difficulties when in November he sailed with Moltke and a division of dreadnoughts to rescue U-20 and U-30 which had become stranded on the Danish coast. British submarine J1, Commander J. Laurence, managed to hit the battleships Grosser Kurfürst and Kronprinz. The failure of these operations reinforced the belief, created at Jutland, that the risks involved in such operations were not justified by the outcomes. Both sides feared the loss of their capital ships to submarines or mines.

                                19th August 1916  Somme losses

                                19th August 1916  Noises

                                19th August 1916  Inter troop mounted sports

                                19th Aug 1916  Old Friends

                                19th Aug 1916  Battery Reassembles

                                19th Aug 1916  Training

                                19th Aug 1916  Recovering the Wounded

                                19th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Aug 1916  Trench Recce

                                19th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                19th Aug 1916  Trench Raids

                                19th of August 1916  Back Areas Shelled

                                19th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                19th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                19th August 1916 

                                19th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                19th Aug 1916  Inspections

                                19th Aug 1916  Artillery Active

                                19th of August 1916 

                                19th Aug 1916  Wet Weather

                                19th of August 1916  Two Short Shoots

                                19th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                19th Aug 1916  Defence Work

                                19th Aug 1916  Training

                                19th of August 1916  Raid on Saphead

                                19th August 1916  Raiding Party Orders

                                19th of August 1916   Training

                                19th August 1916  Battalion is still in Support in Maltz Horn Trench.

                                19th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Aug 1916 Aeroplane  An aeroplane passed over our lines going from South to North. When over 51 trench it shut off its engine and when over German trench in front of 52 trench, it dropped five or six white lights.

                                19th August 1916  Return

                                19th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                19th of August 1916   Cleaning Up

                                19th August 1916  Relief

                                19th August 1916  Location "D" Battalion.

                                19th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                19th of August 1916  Return to trenchec

                                19th August 1916  Reliefs

                                20th August 1916 Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report From 1200 batteries fired on Martinpuich and surroundings. At 2200 and at intervals during the night Batteries switched back from Martinpuich to a line 400 yards over Switch Line and West of Tramway.

                                20th August 1916 HMS Falmouth  

                                HMS Falmouth

                                Name HMS Falmouth, Type Light cruiser, Country British.
                                GRT 5,250 tons, Built 1910, Builder W. Beardmore & Co., Ltd., Glasgow.
                                Operator Royal Navy

                                History

                                U-boat attacks on Light cruiser Falmouth 19th August 1916, damaged when torpedoed in the North Sea by U-66 (Thorwald von Bothmer).
                                20 Aug 1916 U 63 (Otto Schultze) Sunk when torpedoed whilst under tow off Flamborough Head. 11 casualties.

                                20th August 1916  Water Pumped

                                20th August 1916  Church Parade

                                20th Aug 1916   LE TOURET

                                Considerable enemy artillery activity gradually increasing throughout the day and not reduced by our artillery fire. B Co. in O.B.L reported extensive damage done by enemy fire to Islands 1, 9, 13, 14, also to BARNTON trench. B Co. sent up 2 platoons reinforcements. No casualties. Under Brigade instructions 18 DLI stood to 8.0pm, 11.30pm, when ordered to stand down. 18 WEST YORKS in village line also stood to and sent up 100 reinforcements to O.B.L

                                20th Aug 1916 Stand To  18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry report from Le Touret "Considerable enemy artillery activity gradually increasing throughout the day and not reduced by our artillery fire. B Co. 18th DLI in O.B.L reported extensive damage done by enemy fire to Islands 1 to 9, 13 to 14, also to Barnton trench. B Co. sent up 2 platoons reinforcements. No casualties. Under Brigade instructions 18th DLI stood to 8.0pm to 11.30pm, when ordered to stand down. 18th West Yorks in village line also stood to and sent up 100 reinforcements to O.B.L.

                                Artillery fire slackened about 8.0pm and all was quiet at 11.30pm & throughout the night 20th/21st of August 1916. 15th West Yorks drove out a raiding party with heavy losses, which attempted about 8.40pm to raid between No 12 Island and No 9 to No 10. Considerable damage was done to No 12 & 11 Islands."

                                20th Aug 1916  Training Continues

                                20th Aug 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                20th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                20th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Aug 1916  At Rest

                                20th Aug 1916  Bombardment

                                20th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                20th Aug 1916  In Billets

                                20th to 24th August 1916 

                                20th Aug 1916  On the March

                                20th Aug 1916  Artillery Active

                                20th of August 1916 

                                20th Aug 1916  Quiet

                                20th of August 1916  A New German Grenade

                                20th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                20th Aug 1916  Outposts

                                20th Aug 1916  Church Parade

                                20th Aug 1916  Instruction

                                20th Aug 1916   Arrival

                                20th of August 1916  Orders to Move

                                20th August 1916  Reliefs

                                20th August 1916  Orders received that the Battalion will move to Meaulte the following morning.

                                20th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Aug 1916  Shelling  8am About 20 light trench mortar bombs and about six heavy bombs fell along 7th Buffs right Companys front, one of the latter fell on the cook-house, no material damage done. 1 pm Enemy started shelling with 10.5 cm and 15 cm all round White City and Battalion H.Q., one 15cm. landing right in the trench wounding five men. At about 2 p.m. they shortened on to right Coy’s sector being fairly intense from 2.25 p.m. to 3 p.m. Our artillery replied at 3.10 p.m. A good deal of damage around Queer St and Support line 48 and 49 and salient. Shelling stopped about 4 p.m. At 4 p.m. Battalion H.Q. shifted from the White City to Moat Farm. After 4 p.m. quiet for the rest of the day and night. Wind West.

                                20th August 1916  Draft of 100 arrived.

                                20th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                20th August 1916  Move

                                20th August 1916  Operational Order No.101

                                20th of August 1916   A Relief

                                20th August 1916  Training, Leave and Wound.

                                20th August 1916  Hostile Aircraft were active

                                20th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                20th of August 1916  Under fire

                                20th August 1916  Shelling

                                21st Aug 1916  On the March

                                21st August 1916 Gas Shells  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report during the night 20/21st B236 Battery was shelled with gas shell losing two men killed, two wounded and four gassed. Five German aeroplanes came over at about 0920 and dropped six bombs on the Wagon Lines. During the afternoon Major Pollard went up in a balloon but found the light too bad for clear observation.

                                21st August 1916  Enemy Gallery

                                21st August 1916  Training and reliefs

                                21st August 1916  Battalion relieved in trenches

                                21st Aug 1916  Dark Times

                                21st Aug 1916  Sickening Sight

                                21st Aug 1916  Graves Registration Unit

                                21st Aug 1916  Enemy Active

                                21st Aug 1916  In Reserve

                                21st Aug 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                21st of August 1916  Relieved by 12/RIR

                                21st Aug 1916  Into Billets

                                21st Aug 1916  In Billets

                                21st Aug 1916  Training

                                21st Aug 1916  On the March

                                21st Aug 1916  Attack Made

                                21st Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of August 1916  Blue Sandbags

                                21st Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                21st Aug 1916  Training

                                21st Aug 1916  Training

                                21st August 1916  On the March

                                21st of August 1916  On the Move

                                21st of August 1916   Training

                                21st Aug 1916  Into Dock

                                21st August 1916  Rifle Grenades and Aerial Torpedoes

                                21st August 1916  Battalion marched to Meaulte

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Aug 1916  Reliefs  During the morning the C.O. and representatives from the 16th Royal Scots came up to look around the line prior to taking over from 7th Buffs. At 4 p.m. Specialists e.g. Snipers, Signallers, Lewis Gunners (etc.) came up to relieve our specialists. 8.30pm The 16th Royal Scots started to relieve us and the relief was carried out by platoons. Relief being complete by 12.25 a.m. on the 22nd inst. Very quiet day throughout.

                                21st Aug 1916  On the March

                                21st August 1916  Into billets

                                21st August 1916  Operational Order No.102

                                21st of August 1916  Digging and Repairing

                                21st August 1916  Promotions

                                21st August 1916  Relieve 13th Royal Scots

                                21st August 1916  Relieve 6th / 7th R.S. Fusiliers

                                21st August 1916  1st Division will attack the Intermediate Line

                                21st August 1916  Operational Orders received.

                                21st Aug 1916  Carrying Parties

                                21st of August 1916  1 wounded

                                21st Aug 1916  Shelling

                                22nd August 1916 Salvoes fired  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery: Very quiet day. At 1400, 1710 and 2025, four batteries bombarded new German trench in front of Martinpuich. At 1355, 1705 and 2020 D236 Battery fired salvoes into Martinpuich.

                                22nd August 1916   SM U-81

                                Type U 81 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 251) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 31 Aug 1915 Launched 24 Jun 1916 Commissioned 22 Aug 1916

                                Commanders.
                                22 Aug 1916 - 1 May 1917 Raimund Weisbach

                                Career 4 patrols.
                                18 Oct 1916 - 1 May 1917 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 30 ships sunk with a total of 88,483 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 3,481 tons.

                                • 1 Dec 1916 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Douglas 1,177 sw
                                • 19 Dec 1916 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Nystrand 1,397 nw
                                • 2 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Songdal 2,090 nw
                                • 3 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Port Adelaide 8,181 br
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Maria 992 it
                                • 5 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Wartenfels 4,511 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Gravina 1,242 br
                                • 8 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Mantola 8,253 br
                                • 10 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Netherlee 4,227 br
                                • 12 Feb 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Hugo Hamilton 2,577 sw
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Algol 988 nw
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Skreien 415 nw
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Coronda 2,733 br
                                • 14 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Paignton 2,017 br
                                • 18 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Pola 3,061 br
                                • 18 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Trevose 3,112 br
                                • 19 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Alnwick Castle 5,900 br
                                • 19 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Frinton 4,194 br
                                • 22 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Attika 2,306 nw
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach C. Sundt 1,105 nw
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Garant 735 nw
                                • 25 Mar 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Laly 1,880 nw
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Amulree 1,145 br
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Glenesk 1,369 nw
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Heathfield 1,643 br
                                • 25 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Invermay 1,471 br
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Uranus 3,978 it
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Jose De Larrinaga 5,017 br
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Terence 4,309 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Elisabeth (damaged) 217 da
                                • 1 May 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach Dorie (damaged) 3,264 br
                                • 1 May 1917 U 81 Raimund Weisbach San Urbano 6,458 br

                                Fate 1 May 1917 - Torpedoed West of Ireland at 51.33N, 13.38W by HM Sub E54. 24 dead, unknown number of survivors.

                                There was another U 81 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 22 Feb 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 26 Apr 1941.

                                22nd August 1916  Entry Point

                                22nd August 1916  Training and relief party

                                22nd August 1916  Rest area

                                22nd Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                22nd Aug 1916 Relief  At 21.30. B Coy. 18th DLI in O.B.L, Trenches Festubert Sector was relieved by C Coy. 18th DLI. No casualties.

                                22nd Aug 1916  Preparations

                                22nd August 1916  Operations

                                22nd Aug 1916  Under Shellfire

                                22nd Aug 1916  Relief

                                22nd Aug 1916  In Billets

                                22nd August 1916 

                                22nd Aug 1916  Training

                                22nd Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Aug 1916  In Billets

                                22nd of August 1916  Howitzers Retaliate

                                22nd Aug 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Aug 1916  Training

                                22nd Aug 1916  On the Move

                                22nd of August 1916   Attack Scheme

                                22nd Aug 1916  Orders

                                22nd August 1916  Fighting patrol

                                22nd August 1916  Usual inspections carried out and general cleaning up of equipment.

                                22nd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Aug 1916  On the March  12.25am Coys of 7th Buffs moved from trenches to Divisional Baths for the night H.5.a.4.7 Ref Map sheet 36 NW at Erquinhem. The morning was spent by the whole battalion having baths and generally cleaning up. 1.40pm The 7th Buffs moved from the Divisional Baths to Estaires passing the starting point bridge at H.4.c.1.5 (Ref. Sheet 36 N.W.) at 2.15 p.m. Route Croix du Bac, Estaires. The Battalion was all in billets at Estaires at 5.30 p.m. being billeted in farms round the Steenwerck road area of Estaires. H.Q. were situated at G.19.d.0.5.

                                22nd Aug 1916  On the March

                                22nd August 1916  In billets

                                22nd August 1916  Operational Order No.103

                                22nd of August 1916  Quiet Time

                                22nd August 1916  Transfers

                                22nd August 1916  Location "B" Battalion in Support O.G.1 & 2.

                                22nd Aug 1916  Move

                                22nd of August 1916  Still in trenches

                                22nd August 1916  Artillery Active

                                23rd August 1916 Casualties  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Quiet day. Very little firing by batteries. A236 Battery had nine casualties, one very bad and the remainder very slight. C236 Battery had one man wounded.

                                23rd Aug 1916  20th DLI head for the Somme

                                23rd August 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ73 (LZ103)

                                • Production Ref: LZ73
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ103
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 23rd August 1916

                                History.

                                Made one successful attack on Calais dropping 1,530 kilograms (3,370 lb) of bombs with several other attacks being cancelled or aborted due to poor weather. Decommissioned in August 1917

                                23rd August 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd August 1916  Training and competitions

                                23rd August 1916  Move to training area

                                23rd Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd Aug 1916 Barrage  C Coy 18th DLI are in Trenches in Festubert Sector

                                01.00. One casualty while out wiring from hostile M.G.

                                21.30. Our guns barraged on our left preparing for raid by 92nd Infantry Brigade. Usual hostile reply. One blind shell 50x from Le Plantin redoubt, the only shell on our Coy. sector. No casualties.

                                23rd Aug 1916  Preparations

                                23rd Aug 1916  Enemy Active

                                23rd Aug 1916  Baths

                                23rd Aug 1916  Aircraft Active

                                23rd of August 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd Aug 1916  Inspection

                                23rd August 1916 

                                23rd Aug 1916  Training

                                23rd Aug 1916  Training

                                23rd Aug 1916  At Rest

                                23rd Aug 1916  Change of Billets

                                23rd August 1916  Bomb Store Destroyed

                                23rd Aug 1916  Training

                                23rd Aug 1916  Making the Maimed Walk

                                23rd Aug 1916  Transport Moves

                                23rd Aug 1916  Training

                                23rd Aug 1916  Inspection

                                23rd Aug 1916  Training

                                23rd of August 1916  Training

                                23rd Aug 1916  Work

                                23rd August 1916  Shelling

                                23rd August 1916  Orders received that Battalion will entrain at Mericourt.

                                23rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Aug 1916 Company Inspections  Day spent by 7th Buffs in Company inspections of kit, smoke helmets, (etc.) and generally cleaning up. The Commanding Officer motored over to inspect new area with the Brigadier General. Major Monier-Williams took the billeting party over to allot billets in the new area.

                                23rd August 1916  Regimental transport left for Dernancourt.

                                23rd Aug 1916  Carrying Party

                                23rd August 1916  Moved to billets

                                23rd of August 1916  Quiet Day

                                23rd August 1916  RE Conference

                                23rd August 1916  Moved forward to Front Line

                                23rd Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd of August 1916  Wounded

                                23rd August 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                23rd Aug 1916  Kentish Gazette Sixpenny Fund

                                24th Aug1916 3rd Monmouths transferred  252 NCO's and men of the 3rd Monmouth Battalion left to join the 9th Entrenching Battalion. Of these 252 men 200 were transferred on the 20th of September from the 9th Entrenching Battalion into the 9th Welsh Regiment and the remainder into the 9th Welsh Fusiliers.

                                24th August 1916 Battery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report it was quiet in the morning. B236 Battery went out of action yesterday leaving only sixteen men and one officer with A236 Battery to work their guns. This is in accordance with new system of reliefs. In the late afternoon greater activity prevailed. The Division on our right (E) attacked the intermediate line at 1745. The Germans shelled Welch Alley and localities adjoining very furiously with heavy shells. Later in the evening A236 was targeted with gas shells. The attack was a failure.

                                24th August 1916 Zeppelin raid on London  24/25th August 1916.

                                The sixth successful London raid was on 24,25 August when 13 Navy Zeppelins were launched and Heinrich Mathy's L 31 reached London. Flying above low clouds, 36 bombs were dropped in 10 minutes on West Ferry Road, Deptford Dry Dock, the station at Norway Street and homes in Greenwich, Eltham and Plumstead. Nine people were killed, 40 injured and £130,203 of damage was caused.

                                L 31 suffered no damage in the attack but several weeks of repair-work were needed following a hard landing.

                                24th August 1916  Reliefs

                                24th August 1916  inspections and training

                                24th August 1916  Strenuous Training commences

                                24th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                24th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                24th Aug 1916  On the March

                                24th Aug 1916  Accident

                                24th Aug 1916  Wounded

                                24th Aug 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                24th August 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Aug 1916  Training

                                24th Aug 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                24th Aug 1916  At Rest

                                24th August 1916  Squadron disbanded

                                24th Aug 1916  Aircraft Active

                                24th of August 1916  A Telescope Destroyed

                                24th Aug 1916  Training

                                24th Aug 1916  On the March

                                24th Aug 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                24th Aug 1916  Training

                                24th Aug 1916  Instruction

                                24th Aug 1916  Training

                                24th Aug 1916   Orders Received

                                24th August 1916  Blew mine

                                24th of August 1916   On the Move

                                24th August 1916  Trench Raid

                                24th August 1916  Orders received that the Battalion would move the following day.

                                24th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                24th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                24th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Aug 1916 Inspection  The Commanding Officer of 7th Buffs inspected the new draft of 191 West Kent Cyclists in the morning. Rest of the morning allotted to Coy. parades. 5pm The Commanding Officer had a conference of the Coy. Commanders to discuss Scheme of training in the New Area.

                                24th August 1916  Marched to Longpre'

                                24th August 1916  On the Move

                                24th Aug 1916  Training

                                24th August 1916  Training and Musketry.

                                24th of August 1916   An Hour's Shelling

                                24th of September 1916  A Staff Ride

                                24th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                24th August 1916  "C" Battalion 11th A. & S.H. relieves 6th/7th Royal Scots. Fusiliers

                                24th August 1916  11th A. & S.H. will relieve Battalion

                                24th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                24th of August 1916  More wounded

                                24th Aug 1916  Artillery in Action

                                25th Aug 1916 16th Northumberlands relieved at Cambrin  The 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were relieved in the left sub-sector of the Cambrin sector, by the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The Northumberlands retired to the village line, B coy leaves the garrison in Arthur’s Keep.

                                25th August 1916 Barrage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery carried out barrage as ordered by Divisional Artillery. Fairly quiet day. Hostile aircraft rather more active. One of our aeroplanes was forced to descend in X29 through engine trouble, but was packed up in crates and carted away about evening. Hostile activity was somewhat below average.

                                25th August 1916  Shelling

                                25th August 1916  Ongoing training and inspections

                                25 Aug 1916  Across the Med

                                25th Aug 1916 Reinforcements  18th Durhams report "Two officer reinforcements reported."

                                25th Aug 1916  Signal Practice

                                25th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Aug 1916  All Quiet

                                25th Aug 1916  In Bivouac

                                25th Aug 1916 Salvage  "Thursday. The weather has shown a great improvement during the past week and has really been quite hot during the day. I think your last letter to me was forwarded to another part of my company by mistake as they thought I had gone away for a time on other work whereas I was only away for three days helping to get some of the used shells back to England. As a matter of fact I am writing this letter now at the dump as it is raining and I am lying down underneath some railway trucks for shelter. I return with our party each evening to our camp. It seems absolutely years since we parted. I think some leave ought to be coming along soon, before Christmas anyway. It would help one to face the winter, a most unpleasant thing to have to look forward to. There has been some talk of commissions in the battalion. I have put a letter of request to the Colonel along with a lot of the others but have heard nothing further. " Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                25th Aug 1916  Wire

                                25th August 1916 

                                25th August 1916 

                                25th Aug 1916  Training

                                25th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Aug 1916  On the March

                                25th of August 1916 

                                25th Aug 1916  Quiet

                                25th of August 1916  Listening Post Bombed

                                25th Aug 1916  On the March

                                25th Aug 1916  On the March

                                25th Aug 1916  Preparations

                                25th Aug 1916  Orders

                                25th Aug 1916  Order Cancelled

                                25th Aug 1916  Training

                                25th August 1916  Noisy night

                                25th Aug 1916  Records

                                25th of August 1916  Warning Order Issued

                                25th August 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                25th August 1916  Billeted in the village.

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Aug 1916  Pilot wounded

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Aug 1916  Entraining  6.30pm 7th Buffs Battalion transport and D Coy. marched from Estaires to Merville Station where they loaded transport on the train. 8.15pm The Battalion less D Coy and transport marched from Estaires to Merville starting point road junction just West of B in Meteren Becque, reaching Merville at 10.20 p.m. where Battalion entrained. Train left at 11.50 p.m. from Merville.

                                25th August 1916  0230 hours arrived in Merricourt,

                                25th August 1916  Rigorous training

                                25th Aug 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                25th of August 1916  Day Quiet

                                25th August 1916  Hospitalised

                                25th August 1916  Headquarters 451B.

                                25th August 1916  Report on Operations on the 24th August 1916.

                                25th August 1916  Location "B" Battalion Support.

                                25th Aug 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                25th of August 1916  Reliefs

                                25th August 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                26th August 1916 Hostile Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood Hostile artillery displayed greater activity today against our rearward positions, barraging valleys with heavy shells for short periods with no small intensity. The valley south of Mametz Wood, west of Bottom Wood and Shelter Wood were also heavily shelled. Otherwise the day was fairly uneventful, except that the Division on our right (1st Division) took another 200 yards of the Intermediate Line. Hostile aeroplanes to the number of five carried out a small reconnaissance over Death Valley and its environs at about 1700. The Batteries of 236th Brigade carried on a continuous bombardment on German front line.

                                26th August 1916  Enemy Active

                                26th August 1916  Inspections

                                26th Aug 1916 Reliefs  Trenches Festubert Sector

                                21.00. 18th Battalion. DLI Less C Co. which remained in O.B.L right relieved 15th West Yorkshire Regiment. B Co. front line Right, D Co. front line Left. A Co. O.B.L Left. 16th West Yorks Battalion on our Left. 2nd Yorks Battalion on our Right. No casualties. Later in night 2 casualties.

                                26th Aug 1916  Musketry

                                26th Aug 1916  Working Partt

                                26th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Aug 1916  Training

                                26th of August 1916  Battery movement

                                26th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                26th August 1916 

                                26th Aug 1916  Training

                                26th Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                26th Aug 1916  In Camp

                                26th of August 1916 

                                26th Aug 1916  Quiet

                                26th of August 1916  Clarence, I'm lost

                                26th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Aug 1916  On the March

                                26th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                26th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                26th August 1916  trench mortars

                                26th Aug 1916  Increased Traffic

                                26th of August 1916   Into Action

                                26th August 1916  Enemy Party

                                26th August 1916  Battalion marched to Linzeux

                                26th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                26th August 1916  At 0930 hours we marched to bivouac N.W. of Bronfay Farm, relieving 15th Sherwood Foresters ( 35th Div. )

                                26th August 1916  Return

                                26th Aug 1916  Front Line

                                26th Aug 1916  Reorganisation

                                26th of August 1916  New Billets

                                26th Aug 1916  Orders Received

                                26th August 1916  Reliefs

                                26th August 1916  44th Brigade take over line

                                26th Aug 1916  Reinforcements

                                26th of August 1916  In huts

                                26th August 1916  Reliefs

                                27th August 1916 More Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Moderately quiet day. B236 Battery took over from A236 Battery in accordance with the programme of reliefs instituted by the GOCRA 47th Division. At about 1150 a heavy hostile bombardment was put on Villa Wood and the North West corner of Mametz Wood. At about 1415 the gun positions of B236, A236 Batteries and the 235th Brigade positions were violently shelled with heavy Howitzers. Three men of B236 Battery were buried but were got out again and found to be suffering from slight shell shock. The Brigade fired continuously throughout the day in barrages. Major W Cooper A236 Battery RFA proceeded to the Field Ambulance sick.

                                27th August 1916  Enemy Active

                                27th August 1916  Church services

                                27th Aug 1916  Repairing Roads

                                27th Aug 1916 Artillery Active  18th Durhams hold Trenches in Festubert Sector

                                .05.05. German deserter gave himself up coming into B Coy. lines at No 1 Island. Day showery but clear.

                                16.30. German artillery fire H.E. shrapnel over Festubert Road South of Barnton from 4.30pm, 5.30pm. 2nd Bedfords relieved 2nd Yorks. during night.

                                27th Aug 1916  Practice Attack

                                27th Aug 1916  Church Parade

                                27th Aug 1916  In Bivouac

                                27th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                27th of August 1916  Wagon Lines Moved

                                27th Aug 1916  New Arrival

                                27th Aug 1916  Under Fire

                                27th Aug 1916  Training

                                27th Aug 1916  Enemy Patrol

                                27th Aug 1916  Reinforcements

                                27th Aug 1916  Conference

                                27th of August 1916  Damage to Trenches

                                27th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                27th Aug 1916  Recce

                                27th Aug 1916  Patrols

                                27th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                27th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                27th August 1916  Enemy blew mine

                                27th of August 1916  Divisional Dispositions

                                27th August 1916  Relief of two companies.

                                27th August 1916  Battalion marched to Valhoun

                                27th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Aug 1916  Training  7th Buffs report Parades under Coy arrangements in the morning near billets. Dinners were ordered early, and the Battalion marched out afterwards by Coys. to B2 area (Square U 10 a, b, c and d) where they did Coy training; such as wood fighting, musketry, coy drill, coy in attack (etc.) Coys. took teas up to the area and came back to billets at 7 p.m. Raining intermittently the whole day.

                                27th August 1916  Officers reconnoitred the line

                                27th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                27th August 1916  Church Parade

                                27th of August 1916   Cleaning

                                27th August 1916  Bombardment

                                27th August 1916  13th Royal Scots will move forward to "A" Battalion position.

                                27th August 1916  Location "D" Battalion Reserve.

                                27th Aug 1916  Heavy Rain

                                27th August 1916  At Rest

                                28th August 1916 Continuous Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired continuously throughout the twenty four hours. Hostile artillery was moderately inactive compared to the previous day. Capt Egerton Warburton came to be attached to B236 Battery; 2/Lt Pearson and 2/Lt Tabor from the 47th Divisional Ammunition Column were yesterday attached to the battery for instruction, while Lt C H De Wael was attached to C236 Battery from 47th Divisional Ammunition Column. Fairly quiet day.

                                28th August 1916  Counter Mine

                                28th August 1916  Routine drills

                                28th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durham Light Infantry report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Clear. 21.00. C Coy. relieved B Coy. Right Front Line. A Coy. relieved D Coy. Left Front Line. No casualties."

                                28th Aug 1916  Medal Ribbons

                                28th Aug 1916  Parades

                                28th Aug 1916  Training

                                28th Aug 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                28th of August 1916  Wet and Windy

                                28th of September 1916  Bombarding the Foe

                                28th Aug 1916  Instruction

                                28th Aug 1916  Relief

                                28th August 1916 

                                28th Aug 1916  Training

                                28th Aug 1916  Shelling

                                28th Aug 1916  Congratulations

                                28th of August 1916  Awards

                                28th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                28th of August 1916  Camouflet Blown

                                28th Aug 1916  Storms

                                28th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                28th Aug 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                28th Aug 1916  Orders

                                28th Aug 1916  On the March

                                28th August 1916  Digging saps and deaths

                                28th of August 1916  Hostile Fire

                                28th August 1916  Relief Completed

                                28th August 1916  Battalion marched to Valhoun

                                28th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Aug 1916  Training  Companies of 7th Buffs went out to the C2 area for Coy. training leaving billets at 7 a.m. Work done was practice bombing, company in the attack, fire orders, use of covering fire, bombing tactics (etc.) Coys took dinners with them and returned to billets after. Company Commanders and the C.O. reconnoitred Bois de la Carnoye in the afternoon. Lt Gold took a party in live bombing. C.S.M. Parmee gave a demonstration in physical drill (etc.) All Coys went out in the evening to C2 area where they practiced patrols at night and inter-communication.

                                28th August 1916  Officers reconnoitred the line.

                                28th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                28th August 1916  Company training.

                                28th of August 1916   Another Relief

                                28th August 1916  Appointments

                                28th August 1916  2nd Bavarian Corps relieved the Saxons in front.

                                28th Aug 1916  Training

                                28th Aug 1916  In Reserve

                                29th Aug 1916 16th Northumberlands relieve 2nd Inniskillings at Cambrin  The 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers relieve the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, in the left sub-sector of the Cambrin sector, resuming the routine of holding the line, rest and working parties for the next couple of weeks.

                                29th August 1916 Continuous Barrage   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a continuous barrage kept up all day on the trenches in front of Martinpuich. At midnight our infantry dug round the Intermediate Line.

                                29th August 1916  Move to new billets

                                29th August 1916  Mine Fired

                                29th August 1916  Ongoing training

                                29th Aug 1916 Bombarment  18th DLI are in Trenches in Festubert Sector

                                01.30. Bombardment by our guns on our right on the craters lasting till about 2.5am Weak German reply ending with a few rounds on our right sector badly aimed and falling between George Street and right O.B.L. Showery morning. 3pm Mutual bombardment on Givenchy sector. Heavy rains & thunderstorm in late afternoon & evening.

                                29th Aug 1916  Practice Attack Delayed

                                29th Aug 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                29th Aug 1916  Reinforcements

                                29th of August 1916  Gas Attack Plan

                                29th of August 1916  Quietish Period

                                29th Aug 1916  Instruction

                                29th Aug 1916  Storm

                                29th August 1916 

                                29th Aug 1916  Training

                                29th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Aug 1916  In Reserve

                                29th of August 1916 

                                29th Aug 1916  Bombardment

                                29th of August 1916  A Little Gas Show

                                29th Aug 1916  Heavy Rain

                                29th Aug 1916  Innoculations

                                29th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                29th Aug 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                29th Aug 1916  Thunder Storm

                                29th Aug 1916  At Rest

                                29th Aug 1916   On the Move

                                29th August 1916  Heavy rain

                                29th of August 1916  A newcomer

                                29th Aug 1916  Reorganisation

                                29th August 1016  Orders

                                29th August 1916  Orders

                                29th of August 1916   A Postponement

                                29th August 1916  Fatigues

                                29th August 1916  On the March

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft Shot Down

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft Missing

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft Wrecked

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Aug 1916  Training  Coys. Of 7th Buffs Paraded at 8 a.m. and went to the Bois de la Carnoye where they did coy training in the morning 10 a.m., 1 p.m. Attack and defence of wood. In the afternoon B Coy defended Eastern edge of wood while A, C, and D. Coys attacked, the Brigadier General was present and acted as umpire, but only half the scheme took place owing to a very heavy thunderstorm which took place. Coys returned to billets about 6.30 p.m. Very wet especially afternoon and evening. Ref: Sheet 36 B. SW.

                                29th August 1916  1815 - 0700 hours we found working party of 5 Officers and 160 O.R. for digging trenches

                                29th Aug 1916  Recce

                                29th of August 1916   Repairing Trenches

                                29th August 1916  Practice Gas Alarm

                                29th August 1916  New trench to join up Sanderson Trench with Clarkes Trench started.

                                29th Aug 1916  Training

                                29th August 1916  Salvage

                                30th August 1916 Heavy Rain  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report heavy rains interfered with work. Our batteries barraged as before. One hundred and thirty six prisoners were obtained from the Intermediate Line. Four officers, two NCOs and one hundred and thirty prisoners. They passed down Welch Alley between the hours of 1500 and 1800. The whole of Intermediate Trench is now occupied. Capt R A Corsan A236 Battery rejoined his unit after a stay in hospital.

                                30th August 1916  Reorganisation

                                30th August 1916 

                                30th August 1916  Sounds not Confirmed

                                30th August 1916  Flooding

                                30th Aug 1916  Wet and Miserable

                                30th Aug 1916  Bitter Bereavement

                                30th Aug 1916 Quiet  18th Durhams hold the Trenches in the Festubert Sector

                                Cold, windy, showery. No action of any description. 11th East Yorks relieved 16th West Yorks on left flank of 18th DLI.

                                30th Aug 1916  Practice Attack

                                30th Aug 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Aug 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                30th Aug 1916  Relief Complete

                                30th Aug 1916  Storm

                                30th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Aug 1916  Heavy Rain

                                30th August 1916 

                                30th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                30th Aug 1916  Training

                                30th Aug 1916  Bad Weather

                                30th Aug 1916  On the March

                                30th of August 1916 

                                30th Aug 1916  Recce

                                30th of August 1916  Our Batteries Shelled

                                30th Aug 1916  Heavy Rain

                                30th Aug 1916  On the Move

                                30th Aug 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                30th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Aug 1916   On the Move

                                30th August 1916  New Billets

                                30th Aug 1916  Orders Received

                                30th Aug 1916  Entertainment

                                30th. August 1916  Orders

                                30th August 1916  Instructions

                                30th August 1916  Instructions

                                30th August 1916  Billeting

                                30th of August 1916   Enemy Artillery Active

                                30th August 1916  Divisional Baths allotted

                                30th August 1916  Orders

                                3rd Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Aug 1916  Training  Coys of 7th Buffs spent morning in billets doing physical drill, kit inspections (etc.) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. It was pouring with rain all day and the targets blew off and only miniature ones could be used and so a practice of 15 rounds rapid in a minute was fired. Conditions very difficult. D Coy. did wiring in the afternoon under an R.E. specialist. C Coy. lecture in billets.

                                30th August 1916  1415 - 0600 hours "A" & "B" coys. found working party for digging trenches

                                Aug 1916  Cholera Outbreak

                                30th Aug 1916  SOS

                                30th August 1916  Battalion training

                                30th of August 1916  Day Quiet.

                                30th Aug 1916  Preparations

                                30th August 1916  Relieved 13th Royal Scots

                                30th August 1916  Covering party in S.2.a.

                                30th Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                30th August 1916  Working Parties

                                31st August 1916 Exchange of Shells  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery kept up a continuous barrage all day and Hostile artillery was active, particularly with gas shells. Brigade Headquarters were shelled with gas shell from about 2200 until about 2300. No damage was done. Relatively quiet day. A236 and B236 Batteries were heavily shelled with Lachrymatory (tear gas) and poison shell.

                                31st August 1916 New Squadron formed  No 63 Squadron formed on the 31st of August 1916 at Raploch aerodrome, Stirling, as a light bomber unit and began training for operations on the Western Front.

                                31st August 1916  Training and Regimental Strength

                                31st Aug 1916  Heavy Firing

                                31st Aug 1916 Quiet  18th Durhams hold Trenches of Festubert Sector. Fine & windless. Quiet day. 17.00. Fair. Quiet night. Slight bombardment of Givenchy hostile trenches.

                                31st Aug 1916  Musketry

                                31st Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                31st Aug 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                31st Aug 1916  Reorganisation

                                31st Aug 1916  Enemy Attack

                                31st Aug 1916  Under Shellfire

                                31st of August 1916  Gas Bombardment

                                31st Aug 1916  Casualties

                                31st Aug 1916  Trench Work

                                31st August 1916 

                                31st August 1916 

                                31st Aug 1916  On the March

                                31st Aug 1916  Working Party

                                31st Aug 1916  In Camp

                                31st of August 1916 

                                31st Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                31st Aug 1916  Reliefs

                                31st Aug 1916  Training

                                31st Aug 1916  On the Move

                                31st Aug 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                31st Aug 1916  Positions Improved

                                31st Aug 1916   On the Move

                                31st Aug 1916  Defences

                                31st August 1916  Enemy blow mine

                                31st Aug 1916  Operation

                                31st August 1916  Diary B.O.O.12.

                                31st August 1916  Diary B.O.O.13.

                                31st August 1916  Diary

                                31st August 1916  Orders

                                31st August 1916  Billets

                                31st of August 1916   Warning Order Issued

                                31st August 1916  Fatigues

                                31st August 1916  The situation is quiet and nothing of interest has occurred.

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft Missing

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft Missing

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Aug 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Aug 1916  Musketry  C and D Coys. 7th Buffs went down to the range and fired from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Practices were 5 rounds slow and 15 rounds rapid in 1 minute. A Coy. went to Magnicourt for baths from 8, 10.30 a.m. and then did practice in wiring. B Coy. did live bombing and went to the baths from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the afternoon Coys. practiced Coy. attacks on the A 1 area. Signed R.T. Monier-Williams Major Comm. 7th Buffs

                                31st August 1916  Battalion H.Q. at A.15.a.2.8.

                                31st Aug 1916  Report

                                31st of August 1916  Work

                                31st August 1916  Brigade front is divided in two

                                31st Aug 1916  Ground Lost and Regained

                                31st of August 1916  Reliefs

                                31st August 1916  Working Parties

                                31st August 1916  Reinforcements August 1916.

                                31st August 1916  Effective Strength - August 1916

                                1st Sep 1916 HMEF Avonmouth opens.  H.M. Explosive Factory Avonmouth, Gloucestershire started in September 1916 for the production of mustard gas. First output was in July 1918. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                   National Filling Factory Chaul End, Luton, Bedfordshire started in Autumn 1916 with first output in Summer 1917. Production was filling and converting fuses. It was under the direct control of George Kent Ltd.

                                1st September 1916 Continuous Barrage   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Continuous barrage kept up by Brigade all day except by B236 and A236 Batteries who dropped out about midday after being violently shelled by 8 inch guns. They had to abandon position. The barrage was taken on by C236 Battery until relieved by the 238th Brigade. One man was wounded and one or two others were rather badly shaken. Enemy artillery very active. It was decided to change position of one section of A236 Battery.

                                1st September 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Towards the end of August the 36th Division moved a little further north to take over from the 50th Division with its left boundary south of the Kemmel, Wytschaete Road and its right flank being the River Douve. As a result the 16th moved its HQ and numbers 2 and 4 Companies to Dranoutres.

                                The heat of August turned to the arrival of September and torrential rain. The new trench positions also needed extensive repairs, which were too much for a single Pioneer Battalion, so each Brigade was tasked to form labour squads and carry out repairs to their own sections. To assist in management of the work some experienced members from the 16th were attached to each work group. The Battalion’s own workload still included the full range of Wiring, Trenches, Saps, Dugouts and Screening.

                                When it rained (as it often did for days and weeks on end) water would still gather within the defensive lines so it was necessary to use inverted timber A-frames in upright positions at regular intervals and insert timber planks(duck-boarding)to provide reasonably dry underfoot movement throughout the trenches. Beneath the decking was a void one or two feet in depth through which the excess water could flow to outlet drains. A small stream running through the area caused deep flooding in rainy periods all of which added to the Pioneer’s tasks which were carried out, often in full view of the German Artillery observers.

                                The Divisions positions were also on low lying ground with little or no cover and the enemy had a commanding view from his positions on the Messines Ridge. Another necessary defensive measure was the need for extensive screening along roads and communication routes to protect personnel and traffic from being in full view of enemy artillery and snipers. This also helped to protect work parties after the screens were in place.

                                Improvements to Billets and Quarters together with the construction of Horse standings continued until the end of September.

                                Major Gardiner, Second in Command, was posted to 20th Bn Royal Irish Rifles in Newtownards and his place taken by Captain Allen, promoted to Major with Lt Maxwell appointed as Adjutant.

                                September Casualties - Other Ranks several wounded, numbers not given.

                                1st of September 1916  Leaky Gas Cylinders

                                1st Sep 1916  Brigade Day

                                1st September 1916  Listening Posts

                                1st Sep 1916 Hotchkiss training  9th Queens Royal Lancers are in Billets at Incheville - Regimental Parade at 1300. Hotchkiss field firing was carried out on the Belgian Field Firing Range at Hautebut from 1600 to 1730.

                                1st Sep 1916  Difficult to Convey

                                Sep 1916  In Action

                                1st Sep 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI hold trenches in the Festubert Sector "Fair. 92nd Brigade on our left bombarded hostile trenches. Very weak reply. Exceptionally quiet day.

                                20.30. 18th Battalion DLI, less D Coy. which remained in Left O.B.L relieved by 15th West Yorks without casualties & proceeded into billets at Le Touret."

                                Sep 1916  Transfer

                                1st Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                1st Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                1st Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                1st of September 1916  Gas Attack

                                1st Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Sep 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                1st to 7th September 1916 

                                1st September 1916 

                                1st Sep 1916  Training

                                1st Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                1st Sep 1916  Gas Shells

                                1st of September 1916  Locations

                                1st Sep 1916  At Rest

                                Sep 1916 Howitzers  

                                9.2 inch howitzers of the 148th Siege Battery, RGA at Maricourt, September 1916. © IWM (Q 7819)

                                1st of September 1916  A Gas Own Goal

                                1st of September 1916  A Gas Own Goal

                                1st Sep 1916  Gas Shells

                                1st Sep 1916  Artillery in Action

                                1st Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Sep 1916  Training

                                1st Sep 1916  Orders Received

                                1st Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                1st Sep 1916  On the Move

                                1st Sep 1916  Training

                                1st Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                1st Sep 1916   HQ Established

                                1st Sept 1916  Diary

                                1st September 1916  Diary Instructions for the Offensive. App. 1.

                                1st September 1916  Diary Table March and Billetting

                                1st September 1916  Orders Received

                                1st September 1916  Transport

                                1st September 1916  Messages & Signals.

                                1st of September 1916  Enemy SOS

                                1st Sep 1916  Transfer

                                1st September 1916  Reliefs

                                1st September 1916  The trenches require considerable repairs and there is a great deal of wiring required in front of our line.

                                1st Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Sept Training  8.50am 7th Buffs marched out to wood in U 10 a to witness a Flame projector demonstration by Capt. Hartley 3rd Army Expert. The whole brigade was present. After the demonstration the Battalion marched to the Bois de la Carnoye where they had dinners. After dinners there was a scheme for an attack on the wood. A and D Coys 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. defended the section edge and B and C Coys 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. and 7th Buffs attacked. The Commanding Officers of both regiments umpired and Maj. Monier-Williams was in command of the attack. After the attack the Battalion marched back reaching billets about 6.15 p.m. 8.45pm The Commanding Officer had a conference of all officers to discuss the afternoon’s attack and the scheme for the next day.

                                1st Sep 1916  In Reserve

                                1st September 1916  Remained in Silesia Trench.

                                1st September 1916  Training

                                1st Sep 1916  Orders

                                Sep 1916  Record

                                Sep 1916  In Billets

                                Sep 1916  In the Line

                                1st September 1916  Attack and night schemes.

                                1st Sep 1916  Garrison Duty

                                Sep 1916  Address

                                1st Sep 1916  On the Move

                                1st of September 1916  A Relief

                                1st Sep 1916  Flies

                                1st Sep 1916  On the Move

                                1st Sep 1916  Preparations

                                1st Sep 1916  Posting

                                1st Sep 1916  Ground Regained

                                1st September 1916  Orders received

                                1st of September 1916  In the trenches

                                1st Sep 1916  On the Move

                                1st Sep 1916  Attacks Made

                                2nd September 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record in their war diary: One Section of A236 Battery removed and placed alongside C236 Battery. Heavy artillery began their bombardment for the attack of the 3rd, 14th, and 15th Corps.

                                2nd September 1916 Zeppelin raid on London  The biggest raid to date was launched on 2,3 September, with 12 German Navy airships and four from the German Army taking part. A combination of rain and snowstorms scattered the airships while they were still over the North Sea. None of the naval airships reached London, and only the army's LZ 98 and the newly commissioned Schütte-Lanz SL 11 achieved their objective.

                                SL 11 came in over Foulness with the intention of attacking the capital from the northwest. It dropped a few bombs over London Colney and South Mimms before it was picked up by a searchlight over Hornsey at about 0150 and subjected to an intense but ineffective barrage. It was lost in cloud over Wood Green but rediscovered by the searchlights at Waltham Abbey as it bombed Ponders End. At around 0215 one of the three aircraft in the sky that night finally came into range, a BE2c piloted by Lt. William Leefe Robinson flying from Suttons Farm. Robinson fired three drums of ammunition from his Lewis gun, one on each of three passes. After he emptied the third drum, the airship began burning from the stern and was quickly enveloped in flames. It fell to the ground near Cuffley, witnessed by the crews of four of the naval Zeppelins. There were no survivors.

                                For bringing down the first rigid airship downed on British soil and the first 'night fighter' victory Leefe Robinson received the Victoria Cross. The pieces of SL 11 were gathered up and sold by the Red Cross to raise money for wounded soldiers.

                                For unknown reasons, when the SL 11 became the first German airship to be shot down over England, it was described officially and in the press as Zeppelin L 21 (LZ 61's tactical number). This mis-identification persisted for decades, even though it is clear that the authorities were always aware of SL 11's correct identity. It has been suggested that the reason for this confusion was a calculation by the authorities that the downing of a hated and feared Zeppelin "baby killer"' would play better with the public than the destruction of an almost unknown Schütte-Lanz type. The loss of SL 11 ended the German Army's interest in raids on Britain.

                                2nd of September 1916  Many Gas Casualties

                                2nd September 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd September 1916  Routine and inspections

                                2nd September 1916  Move

                                2nd Sep 1916  No Boots

                                2nd Sep 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                2nd September 1916  A Gas Alarm

                                2nd Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                2nd Sep 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd Sep 1916  In Action

                                2nd of September 1916  Training

                                2nd of September 1916 

                                2nd of September 1916  Nothing to Report

                                2nd Sep 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Sep 1916  Quiet

                                2nd Sep 1916  In Support

                                2nd Sep 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                2nd Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                2nd Sept 1916  Wounded officer

                                2nd of September  On the March

                                2nd September 1916  Diary

                                2nd September 1916  Diary B.O.O.12

                                2nd September 1916  Diary B.O.O.14

                                2nd September 1916  Messages and Signals

                                2nd of September 1916  Zero Hour Announced

                                2nd September 1916  Quiet

                                2nd September 1916  Today mines have been exploded on our left

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Sep 1916  Poor Landing

                                2nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Sep 1916  Orders

                                2nd September 1916  Found working parties of 600 O.R. and 10 Officers.

                                2nd September 1916  Orders

                                2nd September 1916  Return

                                2nd Sep 1916  On the March

                                2nd September 1916  Practice Brigade attack.

                                2nd of September 1916   Working Parties

                                2nd Sep 1916  Wet Day

                                2nd Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd September 1916  Orders received not to let off smoke.

                                2nd Sep 1916  On the March

                                2nd Sep 1916  Line Held

                                3rd September 1916  Assault Sucessful  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: In the morning the Australians captured Mouguet Farm also the 1st Division occupied their objectives in High Wood. At 1200 the 14th Corps captured Guillemont and 15th Corps captured Ginchy. The French took Clery and reached within 1000 yards of Combles. Batteries fired intense heavy bombardments prior to the attacks mentioned above.

                                3rd Sep 1916 Wounded Treated  On the 3rd of September 1916, the 62nd Field Ambulance RAMC was involved in the Battle of Guillemont retrieving and treating wounded soldiers from the battlefield very close to where the enemy were firing an incessant hail of bullets and shells. This was during the decisive Allied attack on the German-held strong hold of Guillemont. 62nd Field Ambulance were operating under the command of British 20th (Light) Division which operated in unison with the 47 Brigade of the 16th (Irish) Division and together other forces they succeeded in capturing Guillemont on that day. 62nd Field Ambulance had been involved in this battle for many months prior the victory on 3rd September, operating in the so-called 'Valley of Death' which the Germans sprayed with machine-gun fire, bombs and gas-shells from their vantage point with great loss of life to Allied forces.

                                3rd Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                3rd of September 1916  British Lines Shelled

                                3rd September 1916  New Shaft

                                3rd September 1916  Church Parade

                                3rd September 1916 Ongoing training  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are at Lealvillers from 3rd to 5th of September and training continued.

                                3rd Sep 1916  Air Ship Destroyed

                                3rd Sep 1916  Change of duty

                                3rd Sep 1916 Reliefs  At 15.00. 18th Battalion. DLI Less D Co. proceeded into billets at La Fosse after being relieved by 17th Manchesters at Le Touret.

                                3rd Sep 1916  In Action

                                3rd Sep 1916  Machine Gun Fire

                                3rd Sep 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                3rd Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                3rd of September 1916  A Few Quiet Days

                                3rd Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                3rd Sep 1916  Enemy Active

                                3rd September 1916  Leave

                                3rd Sep 1916  Training

                                3rd Sep 1916  Orders

                                3rd Sep 1916  In Action

                                3rd of September 1916 

                                3rd of September 1916  A Gas Alarm

                                3rd Sep 1916  In Action

                                3rd Sep 1916  Quiet

                                3rd Sep 1916  Equipment

                                3rd Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                3rd Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                3rd Sep 1916   Reliefs Complete

                                3 September 1916  Casualties

                                3rd September 1916  Movement Table Troops by road

                                3rd September 1916  Table Movement 1st line transport by road.

                                3rd September 1916  Table Allotment of additional transport

                                3rd September 1916  Table

                                3rd September 1916  Diary

                                3rd September 1916  Diary B.O.O.14

                                3rd of September 1916  Quiet Night

                                3rd Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                3rd September 1916  Quiet

                                3rd September 1916  Considerable enemy Trench Mortar activity

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Sep 1916  Pilot wounded

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Observer Wounded

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Sep 1916  On the March

                                3rd Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                3rd September 1916  At 1400 hours The Battalion moved to Casement Trench.

                                3rd September 1916  Postings in and Postings out

                                3rd Sep 1916  Billets

                                3rd September 1916  Church Parade

                                3rd of September 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd Sep 1916  Orders Received

                                3rd Sep 1916  In Action

                                3rd Sep 1916  Wire Cutting

                                3rd September 1916  Smoke liberated from shell holes

                                3rd Sep 1916  At Rest

                                3rd Sep 1916  Attacks Made

                                4th September 1916  Misfire causes Injury

                                4th of September 1916  New Officers Arrive

                                4th Sep 1916 59th MGC at Guillemont  59th Coy Machine Gun Corps are at Guillemont on the 4th of September 1916.

                                4th September 1916  Loading

                                4th September 1916  Squadron training

                                4th Sep 1916 111th Field Ambulance in action  111th Field Ambulance RAMC are in action at Guillemont

                                4th Sep 1915 Bravery saves Lives  Lt Albert Nevitt of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was giving bombing instruction at Bodelwyddan Park, near Rhyl on 4th of September 1916 when a bomb fell into the trench. At the second attempt he found it in the water and threw it over the parapet where it exploded. For his swift actions he was awarded the Albert Medal.

                                4th Sep 1916  Raining Hard

                                4th Sep 1916 In Billets  At 02.00. D Coy. 18th DLI arrived in billets at La Fosse after being relieved in trenches by 17th Manchesters.

                                4th Sep 1916  Gas

                                4th Sep 1916  Lewis Guns

                                4th Sep 1916  Inspection

                                4th Sep 1916  Instruction and Training

                                9th Sep 1916 On the March  "Wednesday. After an eight-hour rail journey and a long march we arrived at our present abode and are continuing our rest. I think from your letter that your opinion of a rest hardly coincides with that of the army. We work considerably harder than in the trenches, but the rest is rest from the continual nerve strain of the trenches. On Sunday after securing a new pair of trousers I went over to,, a large town about 5k away. It is the first time I have been into a decent town since landing in France. After having a good tea and inspected the various places of interest we returned in the evening. It made a nice change from the perpetual surroundings of small villages and farms. The harvest is in full swing here. I don’t think I saw more wheat in my life. It runs for miles here without a hedge. Unfortunately it has turned very wet the last three days and yesterday during a thunderstorm the rain was absolutely torrential. You might send along a few pairs of socks in the next parcel and also one or two handkerchiefs. The news in the papers continues good doesn’t it? We may all have our Christmas dinner at home yet. I spent the franc last night on four coffees and rum after returning from a long route march very wet." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                4th Sep 1916  Patrols

                                4th September 1916 

                                4th Sep 1916  On the March

                                4th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Sep 1916  Very Wet Day

                                4th of September 1916  Casualties During Move

                                4th September 1916  Hospital Heroism

                                4th Sep 1916  In Action

                                4th Sep 1916  Visit

                                4th Sep 1916  Equipment

                                4th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                4th Sep 1916  Holding the Line

                                4th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                4th September 1916  Diary

                                4th September 1916  Orders Received

                                4th of September 1916  Units Mixed Up

                                4th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                4th September 1916  A further quiet 24 hours

                                4th September 1916  Another quiet day without casualties.

                                4th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Sep 1916  Orders

                                4th September 1916  Attack Orders

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from Captain R.T. Neall

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. BMa58

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. CP6

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. NK316 to FALLOW from FAN

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. NS2 to FALLOW from FAN

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. NS5 to FALLOW from FAN

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. NS7 to FALLOW from FAN

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. NS4 to FALLOW from FAN

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. NS8 to FALLOW from FAN

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. NS13 to FALLOW from FAN

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. P2 to O.C's. "B" & "D" Coys.

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order at 1820 hours from sender No. P7 to O.C's. "A" & "C" Coys.

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order at 1840 hours from sender No. P9 to All Coys.

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order from sender No. P13 to O.C's. "B" & "D" Coys.

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order 1315 hours from sender No. BMA35 to Norfolks.

                                4th September 1916  Handwritten Order 1650 hours from sender No. CP1 to FAN

                                4th September 1916  Operation Order No.10

                                4th September 1916  At 1230 hours came under orders of 15th Inf. Bde.

                                4th Sep 1916  Inspections

                                4th September 1916  Physical drill in billets.

                                4th of September 1916  Working Parties

                                4th Sep 1916  Billets

                                4th Sep 1916  Machine Guns

                                4th September 1916  Relieved by 8th/10th Gordons

                                4th Sep 1916  On the March

                                4th Sep 1916  On the March

                                4th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                5th September 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery fired on Martinpuich and it's neighbourhood during the day in accordance with the programme. A fairly quiet day. The French break through between Combles and Clery.

                                5th September 1916  Workings Can Be Heard

                                5th September 1916  Squadron training and movement orders

                                5th Sep 1916  Paying Dearly

                                5th Sep 1916  Practice Attack

                                5th Sep 1916  Gas

                                5th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                5th Sep 1916  On the March

                                5th Sep 1916  Training

                                5th Sep 1916  Instruction and Training

                                5th Sep 1916  Patrol

                                5th September 1916 

                                5th Sep 1916  Training

                                5th Sep 1916  Patrol

                                5th Sep 1916  On the March

                                5th of September 1916  A Quiet Day

                                5th Sep 1916  In Action

                                5th Sep 1916  Stormy

                                5th Sep 1916  Equipment

                                5th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                5th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Sep 1916   Artillery in Action

                                5 September 1916  Relief

                                5th September 1916  Diary

                                5th September 1916  Diary

                                5th September 1916  Diary B.O.O.20

                                5th Sep 1916  Lost

                                5th of September 1916  Farm Captured

                                5th September 1916  Reliefs

                                5th September 1916  Our patrols report the enemy wire to be very strong.

                                5th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                5th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                5th September 1916  Handwritten Order 5th September from sender No. NS15 to FALLOW

                                5th September 1916  Handwritten Order 0300 hours 5th September from sender No. NS15 from FAN

                                5th September 1916  Handwritten Order 0715 hours 5th September from sender No. NS19 to FALLOW

                                5th September 1916  Handwritten Order 0830 hours 5th September from sender No. NS20 to FALLOW

                                5th September 1916  Handwritten 0919 hours 5th September from sender No. NK10 to 18 Pounder Battery R.F.A.

                                5th September 1916  Handwritten 0940 hours 5th September from sender No. NS22 to FALLOW.

                                5th September 1916  0300 hours Falfemont Farm completely occupied by "A" & "C" coys.

                                5th September 1916  Casualties

                                5th September 1916  Transport Moves

                                5th September 1916  New Officer for the Battery

                                5th Sep 1916  Inspections

                                5th September 1916  Brigade Training

                                5th of September 1916   Relieved

                                5th Sep 1916  Transport

                                5th September 1916  The Battalion will march to Lavieville

                                5th September 1916  March Table

                                5th September 1916  Enemy shelling Ham Trench

                                5th September 1916  Brigade marches to camp in Lavieville

                                5th Sep 1916  Relief Complete

                                6th September 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a quiet day and the Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots throughout the day. The French are reported to have captured 500 yards of enemy trench line near Combles. The Germans made strong counter attacks which were repulsed. Major Cooper returned to take command of A236 Battery.

                                6th September 1916   SM U-83

                                Type U 81 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 253) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 23 Oct 1915 Launched 13 Jul 1916 Commissioned 6 Sep 1916

                                Commanders.
                                6 Sep 1916 - 17 Feb 1917 Bruno Hoppe

                                Career 2 patrols.
                                31 Oct 1916 - 17 Feb 1917 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 6 ships sunk with a total of 6,450 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 3,207 tons.

                                • 17 Dec 1916 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Niord 123 sw
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Anna Maria 141 fr
                                • 4 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Coquette 167 fr
                                • 6 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Crown Point 5,218 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Diaz 637 ru
                                • 10 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Paquerette 164 fr
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 83 Bruno Hoppe Farnborough (damaged) 3,207 br

                                Fate 17 Feb 1917 - Sunk by gunfire of Q-Ship Farnborough (Q5) SW of Ireland at 5134N 1123W. 35 dead and 1 survivor (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 83 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 9 Dec 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 8 Feb 1941.

                                6th September 1916  Move to bivouac

                                6th September 1916  Move

                                6th Sep 1916  Training and Baths

                                6th Sep 1916  Patrols

                                6th Sep 1916  Changes in Command

                                6th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Sep 1916  Orders

                                6th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                6th of September 1916 

                                6th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                6th September 1916  Air combat success

                                6th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                6th September 1916  Rest

                                6th Sep 1916  Quiet

                                6th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                6th of September 1916  Germans Alert

                                6th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                6th Sep 1916  Instruction

                                6th Sep 1916  Gas Shells

                                6th Sep 1916  Arrivals

                                6th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                6th Sep 1916  In Support

                                6th Sep 1916   Artillery in Action

                                  in Support

                                6th September 1916  Diary

                                6th September 1916  Orders

                                6th Sep 1916  Patrols

                                6th of September 1916  Wood Cleared

                                6th September 1916  Cleaning and Fatigues.

                                6th September 1916  Trenches have been slightly damaged.

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                6th Sep 1916  Consolidation

                                6th September 1916  Battalion arrived near Billon Farm

                                6th September 1916  On the Move

                                6th September 1916  Bayonet and Musketry fighting

                                6th of September 1916  Reorganisation

                                6th Sep 1916  Visit

                                6th September 1916  Cleaning up.

                                6th Sep 1916  On the March

                                6th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                7th September 1916 Special Shoots  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a quiet day. The Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots. C236 Battery began to dig new position near Bazentin Le Petit Wood. The French attacked south of the Somme and took large part of Berny and the western half of Verman Dovillers.

                                7th Sep 1916  20th DLI at Becorel

                                7th September 1916   SM U-59

                                Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 214) Ordered 6 Oct 1914 Laid down 13 Jul 1915 Launched 20 Jun 1916 Commissioned 7 Sep 1916

                                Commanders.
                                7 Sep 1916 - 14 May 1917 Freiherr Wilhelm von Fircks

                                Career 4 patrols.
                                20 Nov 1916 - 14 May 1917 II Flotilla

                                Successes 14 ships sunk with a total of 28,050 tons.
                                1 ship damaged with a total of 6,526 tons.

                                • 7 Dec 1916 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks August 341 sw
                                • 8 Dec 1916 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Harry 81 sw
                                • 13 Jan 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Solvang 2,970 nw
                                • 16 Jan 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Brenn 2,189 fr
                                • 19 Jan 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Gaea 1,002 nw
                                • 23 Jan 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Sardinia 1,500 nw
                                • 19 Mar 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Charlois 2,786 nl
                                • 20 Mar 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Gurre 2,866 da
                                • 21 Mar 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Najade 1,752 nw
                                • 31 Mar 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Valacia (damaged) 6,526 br
                                • 2 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Snespurven 1,409 nw
                                • 5 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Canadian 9,309 br
                                • 6 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Amiral L’hermite 156 fr
                                • 6 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Roland 135 fr
                                • 9 Apr 1917 U 59 Wilhelm von Fircks Fremad I 1,554 nw

                                Fate 14 May 1917 - Struck a German mine off Horns Reef at 55.33N 07.15E. 33 dead and 4 survivors. The wreck of U 59 was located in 2002.

                                There was another U 59 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 Oct 1938 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 4 Mar 1939.

                                7th September 1916  Reliefs

                                7th September 1916  Move to bivouac

                                7th September 1916  Casualties

                                7th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Sep 1916  Baths

                                7th Sep 1916  Relief

                                7th Sep 1916  Route March

                                7th Sep 1916  In Billets

                                7th Sep 1916  On the March

                                7th of September 1916  A Rearrangement

                                7th Sep 1916  Instruction

                                7th September 1916  Sports

                                7th Sep 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                7th Sep 1916  Attack

                                7th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                7th of September 1916  Exercise

                                7th of September 1916 

                                7th of September 1916 

                                7th of September 1916  Busy Artillery

                                7th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                7th Sep 1916  Artillery Active

                                7th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Sep 1916  Firing Practice

                                7th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                7th Sep 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                7th Sep 1916  Orders Received

                                7 September 1916 

                                7th September 1916  Diary

                                7th September 1916  Diary

                                7th September 1916  Diary

                                7th September 1916  Diary B.O.O.16

                                7th Sept. 1916  Diary

                                7th September 1916  Diary B.O.O.16 App. 7.

                                7th of September 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                7th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                7th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                7th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                7th September 1916  Gas alert

                                7th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                7th Sep 1916  Line Consolidated

                                7th September 1916  Move of Camp

                                7th Sep 1916  Recconaissance

                                7th of September 1916  March to New Billets

                                7th Sep 1916  Conference

                                7th September 1916  Company parades and Inspections.

                                7th of September 1916  Move to Lorette Sector

                                7th Sep 1916  Orders

                                7th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                8th September 1916 Special Shoots  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. A quiet day and the Batteries carried out a programme of special shoots. At 1745 the 1st Division attacked enemy trenches in High Wood. 47th Divisional Artillery cooperated with an intense bombardment for 15 minutes and then fired on trenches to North West of High Wood. 1st Division at first took their objectives but later dropped back on account of their flanks being exposed. A few prisoners were taken.

                                8th September 1916  Noises Reported

                                8th September 1916  Routine

                                8th Sep 1916  Fragments must be Reported

                                8th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Sep 1916  Inspection

                                8th Sep 1916  Working Party

                                8th Sep 1916  Address

                                8th Sep 1916  On the Range

                                8th of September 1916  New Battery Positions

                                8th Sep 1916  Instruction

                                8th Sep 1916  Brigade Reserve

                                8th September 1916  Sports

                                8th Sep 1916  Shelling

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft

                                8th Sep 1916  Attack

                                8th Sep 1916  In Billets

                                8th of September 1916  Conference

                                8th of September 1916 

                                8th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                8th of September 1916  Artillery Tit-for-Tat

                                8th Sep 1916  Soldier's body found in the Severn

                                8th September 1916  Wounded

                                8th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                8th Sep 1916  Bombardment

                                8th Sep 1916  Training

                                8th Sep 1916  Firing Practice

                                8th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                8th Sep 1916  In the Line

                                8th Sep 1916  In Action

                                8th Sept 1916  Trench mortar casualty

                                8th of September  Into Billets

                                8th September 1916  Diary

                                8th of September 1916  Prepare to Move

                                8th September 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Sep 1916  Reserve

                                8th September 1916  Recce

                                8th September 1916  Brigade training

                                8th of September 1916  On the Move

                                8th Sep 1916  Water Treatment

                                8th Sep 1916  In Action

                                8th September 1916  Training.

                                8th Sep 1916  On the March

                                9th September 1916  Attack Made

                                9th September 1916  Progress

                                9th September 1916  Mounted Training

                                9th September 1916  Further casualties

                                9th Sep 1916  Practice Attack

                                9th Sep 1916  Working Party

                                9th Sep 1916  Training

                                9th Sep 1916  On the March

                                9th of September 1916  Reliefs

                                9th Sep 1916  Instruction

                                9th Sep 1916  In Reserve

                                9th September 1916 

                                9th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                9th Sep 1916  On the March

                                9th Sep 1916  Shelling

                                9th Sep 1916  In Billets

                                9th of September 1916  Move

                                9th Sep 1916  Recce

                                9th of September 1916  False Gas Alert

                                9th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                9th Sep 1916  Change of Billets

                                9th Sep 1916  Orders

                                9th Sep 1916  On the March

                                9th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                9th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                9th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                9th Sep 1916  Objectives Taken

                                9th of September  Training

                                9th September 1916  Diary

                                9th of September 1916  On the Move

                                9th September 1916  Battalion training

                                9th September 1916  The Battalion is now in Divisional Reserve.

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Sep 1916  In Action

                                9th Sep 1916  Bombardment

                                9th September 1916  Marched to billets in Morlancourt.

                                9th September 1916  Into Camp

                                9th September 1916  Return

                                9th September 1916  Let the Games Begin

                                9th Sep 1916  On the March

                                9th September 1916  Divisional exercise.

                                9th of September 1916   Drill

                                9th Sep 1916  Arrangements Made

                                9th Sep 1916  Dog Fight

                                9th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                9th September 1916  Foeden disinfector.

                                9th Sep 1916  In Billets

                                10th September 1916 New Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 235th and 236th Brigades came under the command of CRA 15th Division. B,C and D Batteries moved sections into new positions. B236 Battery in Lower Wood, C236 Battery south of Bazentine le Petit Wood and D236 Battery in Bazentine le Petit. The Group Observation Point in 10th Avenue was heavily shelled by 5.9 inch guns during the afternoon.

                                10th September 1916  Tunnel Started

                                10th September 1916  Church Service and Inspection

                                10th September 1916  Further casualties

                                10th Sep 1916  Troops on the Move

                                10th Sep 1916  On the March

                                10th Sep 1916  Inspection

                                10th Sep 1916  Canteen

                                10th Sep 1916  In Action

                                10th Sep 1916  Church Parade

                                10th Sep 1916  Wounded

                                10th of September 1916  Quiet Day

                                10th Sep 1916  Instruction

                                10th September 1916 

                                10th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Sep 1916  Church Parade

                                10th of September 1916  Reliefs

                                10th of September 1916 

                                10th Sep 1916  Conference

                                10th of September 1916  Snipers Post Hit

                                10th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                10th Sep 1916  Quiet

                                10th Sep 1916  On the March

                                10th Sep 1916  Arrival

                                10th Sep 1916  Church Parade

                                10th September 1916  Attack Made

                                10th Sep 1916  Artillery Active

                                10th Sep 1916  Enemy Counter Attack

                                10 Sept 1916 

                                10th of September  Appointments

                                10th September 1916  Diary

                                10th of September 1916   HQ Moves

                                10th September 1916  Church parades in morning.

                                10th September 1916  Military Medals awarded

                                10th Sep 1916  Aircraft Hit

                                10th Sep 1916 On the March   8am 7th Buffs started from Road Junction South of R in Maizieres at 8.0 a.m., the order of march being B, C, Drums, D, A, Companies. Battalion marched via Magnicourt Sur Canche, Moulin Mouvigneul to cross-roads at East end of Canettemont (the Brigade Starting Point). The Battalion was third in order of march, following the 7th Battalion Queens W. Surrey Regiment. The Brigade and attached Troops marched via Rebreuviette to Le Souich, marching past Gen Maxse at the entrance to Le Souich. The Battalion were reported to have occupied their Billets at 1.15 p.m. Lieut Col Ransome and Lieut Burnside returned from leave.

                                10th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                10th September 1916  Reliefs

                                10th September 1916  Battery Moves to Dominois

                                10th September 1916  Inspection of Battalion Rifles.

                                10th Sep 1916  Posting

                                10th of September 1916  Fresh Billets

                                10th Sep 1916  Moves

                                10th Sep 1916  Machine Guns

                                10th September 1916  Bathing at Henecourt.

                                10th Sep 1916  Short March

                                11th September 1916 Batteries Move  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Batteries moved the remaining two sections into new positions. All fairly quiet on this front.

                                11th of September 1916  Artillery Active

                                11th September 1916  Problems with Equipment

                                11th September 1916  GOC Division inspection

                                11th Sep 1916  In the Line

                                11th Sep 1916  Signals Busy

                                11th Sep 1916 Reliefs  At 09.15. 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, less details moved into front line in Neuve Chapelle Sector. A, B and D Coys in Front Line C in reserve. Battalion on right is 15th West Yorks. Battalion on left 2/1st Bucks Battalion, Ox & Bucks of 184th Brigade, 61st Division. Details moved to Transport Lines South West of Lestrem. 18th DLI relieved 13th York & Lancasters. Very quiet night.

                                11th Sep 1916  In Bivouacs

                                11th Sep 1916  CO Killed

                                11th Sep 1916  Men Wounded

                                11th Sep 1916  Men Wounded

                                11th Sep 1916  On the Range

                                11th Sep 1916  Training

                                11th Sep 1916  On the March

                                11th September 1916  Brigade Reorganised

                                11th Sep 1916  Instruction

                                11th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                11th September 1916 

                                11th Sep 1916  On the March

                                11th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Sep 1916  Training

                                11th Sep 1916  Training

                                11th of September 1916  Holding the Line

                                11th of September 1916 

                                11th of September 1916 

                                11th Sep 1916  Recreation

                                11th of September 1916  Active Stokes Mortars

                                11th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                11th Sep 1916  Preparations

                                11th Sep 1916  In the Line

                                11th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                11th Sep 1916  Arrival

                                11th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                11th Sep 1916  In Reserve

                                11th Sep 1916  Artillery Active

                                11th September 1916  Diary

                                11th of September 1916  Training

                                11th September 1916  Reliefs

                                11th September 1916  The Armourer Staff Sgt. inspected all rifles today.

                                11st Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                11st Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11th Sep 1916 On the March  6 am 7th Buffs started from Road Junction one quarter mile S.W. of L in Le Souich to march to Puchevillers. Route Halloy, Thievres, Marieux, Raincheval, Puchevillers. The march was carried out by the Brigade as a Brigade march. Very close day: 12 men fell out. We reached huts at Puchevillers at 1.35 p.m.

                                11th September 1916  Intermittent Shelling

                                11th September 1916  The Move Continues

                                11th September 1916  Bayonet fighting

                                11th Sep 1916  Patrol

                                11th of September 1916  On the Move

                                11th Sep 1916  Return to Duty

                                11th September 1916  Subaltern of the day

                                11th September 1916  March Table

                                11th September 1916  March Table

                                11th September 1916  Brigade paraded for Attack.

                                11th Sep 1916  On the March

                                12th September 1916 Registration   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Brigade came under the command of Divisional Commander R.A. 47th Division Front, High Wood supporting 47th Divisional Infantry. Batteries registered points in High Wood.

                                12th Sep 1916  20th DLI in line on The Somme

                                12th September 1916  Reliefs

                                12th September 1916  Visit

                                12th September 1916  Move to trenches

                                12th Sep 1916  Prisoner Taken

                                12th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI are in the Neuve Chapelle Sector, their war diary records "01.25. Salvo’s on German wire. Fine. Quiet all day. 9 for noon some rain. Heavy rain at night."

                                12th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                12th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                12th Sep 1915  Soup

                                12th Sep 1915  Exhaustion

                                12th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                12th Sep 1916  Working Party

                                12th Sep 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                12th of September 1916  Guns Registering

                                12th Sep 1916  Training

                                12th September 1916 

                                12th Sep 1916  In Camp

                                12th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Sep 1916  Exercise

                                12th Sep 1916  Training

                                12th of September 1916  Orders

                                12th of September 1916 

                                12th of September 1916 

                                12th of September 1916 

                                12th of September 1916 

                                12th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                12th September 1916  Reorganisation

                                12th of September 1916  Snipers Claim Hits

                                12th Sep 1916  In Billets

                                12th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Sep 1916  Outposts

                                12th Sep 1916  Orders

                                12th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                12th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Sep 1916  Rounds Fired

                                12th September 1916  Diary

                                12th of September 1916   Training

                                12th September 1916  A very quiet day.

                                12th September 1916  Working party of 12 Officers and 480 men at night for carrying "RATS" in the Hulluch sector.

                                12th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th September 1916  Creeping Barrage

                                12th September 1916  Situation

                                12th September 1916  Assembly trenches

                                12th September 1916  Battery Arrives in La Chaussee

                                12th Sep 1916  Course

                                12th September 1916  New billets

                                12th Sep 1916  Report

                                12th of September 1916   On the Move

                                12th Sep 1916  Duty

                                12th September 1916  Moved to bivouacs

                                12th September 1916  45th Brigade relieve the 44th

                                12th Sep 1916  Improvements

                                13th September 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bottom Wood. Batteries carried out barrages behind enemy lines in High Wood. Battle of Flers-Coucelette 15th September 1916 to 22nd September 1916 (sixth phase of the Battle of the Somme).

                                13th September, 1916  Equipment

                                13th September 1916  Remounts

                                13th September 1916  Trench casualties

                                13th Sep 1916  Translated Signal

                                13th Sep 1916  Rough Terrain

                                13th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI are in the Neuve Chapelle Sector "Fine. Very quiet. Heavy rain in evening."

                                13th Sep 1916  On the March

                                13th Sep 1916  Sentence carried out

                                13th Sep 1916  Relief

                                13th Sep 1916  Wet Day

                                13th of September 1916  Enemy Transport Heard

                                13th September 1916 

                                13th Sep 1916  Training

                                13th Sep 1916  Casualties

                                13th Sep 1916  Training

                                13th Sep 1916  Training & Football

                                13th of September 1916  Orders

                                13th of September 1916  Instructions

                                13th of September 1916 

                                13th of September 1916  Orders

                                13th of September 1916 

                                13th of September 1916 

                                13th of September 1916 

                                13th of September 1916 

                                13th of September 1916 

                                13th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                13th of September 1916  Wire Cutting

                                13th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Sep 1916  Wire Cutting

                                13th Sep 1916  Outposts

                                12th Sep 1916  Conference

                                13th Sep 1916  Bombardment

                                13th Sep 1916  Preparations

                                13th Sep 1916  On the March

                                13th Sep 1916  Artillery Active

                                13th Sep 1916  New Battery

                                13th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                13th September 1916  Diary

                                13th Sep 1916  Equipment

                                13th of September 1916   Training

                                13th September 1916  Training

                                13th September 1916  Saluting drill, rifle exercises etc.

                                13th Sep 1916 Training  Training was carried out by Companies on ground adjoining the camp. Times 7 a.m., 8 a.m. 9 a.m., 12.30 p.m. 2 p.m., 4 p.m. Programme of Work (a) Physical Drill (b) Bombing, tactical use of bombing parties, use of Lewis Guns with bombing parties followed by criticism. (c) Intensive Digging and insertion of frames for Dug outs. (d) Lewis Guns, tactical handling of. (e) Following up a barrage. (f) Exercises for Platoon Commanders in tactical schemes, consolidation of ground gained and map reading. 9.45am The Commanding Officer went up to the trenches to look round the line held by the Reserve Army, with the Brigade Commander. The adjutants of the Brigade. went round training area allocated to the Brigade.

                                13th Sep 1916 Training  7th Buffs Training as per programme of the 12th inst.T he Commanding Officer held a conference of Company Commanders at 9.45 a.m. and Platoon Commanders at 12.15 p.m.

                                13th September 1916  Reliefs

                                13th September 1916  Quiet Day in La Chaussee

                                13th Sep 1916  Orders

                                13th September 1916  Billets shelled

                                13th September 1916  Operational Order No.105

                                13th of September 1916  Training

                                13th Sep 1916  Duty

                                13th Sep 1916  Advance

                                13th Sep 1916  Orders

                                13th of September 1916  In Souchez sector

                                13th Sep 1916  Improvements

                                14th Sep 1916 Fire at HMEF Rainham.  A fire broke out at HMEF Rainham, on the banks of the Thames, on the 14th of September 1916, members of the Romford Fire Brigade were nominated for awards for their part in fighting the fire.

                                14th September 1916 Barrages Fired  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bottom Wood: Fairly quiet day. Batteries fired in barrages all night (13-14th). Registration was carried out during the day. Bombardment was carried for 23 minutes beginning from 1900. There was a certain amount of shelling by the enemy. The heavy artillery bombarded High Wood.

                                14th Sep 1916  20th DLI at Pommiers Redoubt

                                14th September 1916  Noises Noted

                                14th September 1916  Move to Carnoy Valley

                                14th Sep 1916  Fire

                                14th September 1916  Trench casualties

                                14th Sep 1916  Revoluntionary Talk

                                14th Sep 1916  Increased Ammunition Allowance

                                14th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI hold the Neuve Chapelle Sector "Fine. Very quiet all day & night."

                                14th Sep 1916  Ready to Attack

                                14th Sep 1916  Training

                                14th Sep 1915  Hospital Cleared

                                14th Sep 1915  Exhaustion

                                14th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                14th Sep 1916  Inspection

                                14th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                14th of September 1916  A New Battery

                                14th of September 1916  A Quiet Time

                                14th September 1916   Shot down

                                14th September 1916 

                                14th Sep 1916  Training

                                14th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                14th of September 1916 

                                14th of September 1916 

                                14th of September 1916 

                                14th of September 1916 

                                14th of September 1916 

                                14th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                14th of September 1916  An Unsuccessful Patrol

                                14th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Sep 1916  Raid

                                14th Sep 1916  Outposts

                                14th Sep 1916  Bombardment

                                14th Sep 1916  Preparations

                                14th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                14 September 1916  Poor quality

                                14th of September  In Billets

                                14th September 1916  Diary

                                14th of September 1916  Training

                                14th September 1916  Bomb throwing competition

                                14th September 1916  Officer and NCO have been awarded decoration

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Sep 1916 Posting  Lt. H. A. Dyson took over command of A Coy 7th Buffs from Capt. Wood.

                                14th September 1916  Orders Received

                                14th September 1916  123rd Infantry Brigade Order 31.

                                14th September 1916  Instructions

                                14th September 1916  A Move to Busy

                                14th September 1916  Extra Ammunition and Bombs issued

                                14th September 1916  Operational Order No.106

                                14th of September 1916   Training

                                14th Sep 1916  Stretcher Bearers

                                14th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                14th Sep 1916  Rest

                                14th September 1916  15th Division attack

                                14th September 1916  Signal Lines

                                14th September 1916  Dumps.

                                14th September 1916  Additional Orders

                                14th September 1916  After Orders

                                14th September 1916  Cooks move

                                14th September 1916  Report received from "A" Coy.

                                14th of September 1916  Under fire

                                14th Sep 1916  Change of Billets

                                15th Sep 1916 1st Surrey Rifles at High Wood  The battle for High Wood was over by the time First Surrey Rifles were engaged later that day. The 47th (London) Division book 1922 states that they captured Starfish Redoubt. The entry was made by the then GSO1 Lt Col B L Montgomery. The mystery is that Starfish Redoubt is not recorded in the Official War Diary or the Regiment's book 1927. Starfish Redoubt is clearly marked on Official Trench Maps.

                                15th Sep 1916 Heavy Losses  The 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment attacked at Flers, aided by the first appearance of 4 tanks. The objective was reached, but heavy losses caused the battalion to retire. Almost half the battalion was lost in the attack.

                                15th Sep 1916 2nd Sherwoods make attack  2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters attack the Quadrilateral, on the Somme.

                                15th September 1916  New Positions

                                15th Sep 1916  Tanks in Action

                                15th Sept 1916 

                                15th September 1916 Ongoing actions  42nd Siege Battery RGA

                                Ongoing activity in Somme Offensive with the great Allied Tank attack and encounters at Highwood, Longueval, Delville Wood, Switch Trench, Guillemont and Gavinchy.

                                Incessant bombardments by the Germans at Warlencourt/Bapaume and Thilloy.

                                15th September 1916  Ongoing positional defence

                                15th September 1916  Tunnel Completed

                                15th September 1916  Immediate standby all day

                                15th Sep 1916  Heavy Casualtiesin 8th Bedfords

                                15th Sep 1916 Sucess  15th (Portsmounth) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, as part of the 41st Division, attacked and gained Flers on the first day with the assistance for the first time of tanks. The 41st Division Memorial is in Flers.

                                15th Sep 1916  Anxious for News

                                15th Sep 1916  Tanks in Action

                                15th Sep 1916 Quiet  In the Neuve Chapelle Sector 18th Durhams report: "Bright & cold. Quiet throughout the day."

                                15th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                15th Sep 1916  Casualties Evacuated

                                15th Sep 1916  Rescued

                                15th Sept 1916  New Home Defence Squadron formed

                                15th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                15th Sep 1916  Quiet

                                15th Sep 1916  Assault Made

                                15th Sep 1916  Onwards

                                15th Sep 1916  Thoughts

                                15th Sep 1916  Exercise

                                15th Sep 1916  Route March

                                15th of September 1916  New Organisation

                                15th September 1916   Airmen killed

                                15th and 16th September 1916 

                                15th Sep 1916  In Action

                                15th Sep 1916  Training

                                15th Sep 1916  Training

                                15th of September 1916  Attack Made

                                15th of September 1916 

                                15th Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                15th of September 1916  No Man's Land Reconnoitred

                                15th Sep 1916  On the March

                                15th Sep 1916  Trench Raids

                                15th Sep 1916  Orders

                                15th Sep 1916  Shelling

                                15th Sep 1916  Advance

                                15th Sep 1916  Outposts

                                15th Sep 1916  Diversion

                                15th Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                15th Sep 1916  In Action

                                15th Sep 1916  Preparations

                                15th September 1916  Diversion

                                15th Sep 1916  On the March

                                15th September 1916  Diary

                                15th of September 1916   Training

                                15th September 1916  Into Support

                                15th September 1916  Draft inspected

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Sep 1916  Posting  2/Lt. Clapperton took over command of C Coy 7th Buffs from Lt. Hands. Capt. Wood was transferred to B Coy as Second in Command of Coy.

                                15th September 1916  Digging in

                                15th September 1916  Battery Stands To

                                15th Sep 1916  Artillery Moves

                                15th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                15th September 1916  Assembly Trenches

                                15th Sep 1916  Duties

                                15th of September 1916  Training

                                15th Sep 1916  In Action

                                15th Sep 1916  In Action

                                15th Sep 1916  On the March

                                15th September 1916  Attack

                                15th September 1916  Canadians attack

                                15th September 1916  Operational Orders

                                15th September 1916  Attack starts

                                15th of September 1916  Under fire

                                15th Sep 1916  Improvements

                                16th Sep 1916 Sucess  The 10th Bn Cameronians were on the Somme and had just taken the village of Martinpuich on the 15th Sept, a great success with 300 prisoners captured. Unfortunately due to the attack being held up on both flanks the 10th had to dig in, instead of advancing through unbroken country relatively unopposed. The Germans took a while to discover the new front line, but about mid-day on 16th got there artillery bringing down heavy fire on the 10th's positions, it is likely this was when James Woods was killed. The casualties in this battle were 3 Officers and 47 men killed, 10 Officers and 250 men wounded.

                                16th September 1916  Moves

                                16th Sep 1916 150th MCG in action.  150th Machine Gun Corps are in action at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette

                                16th Sep 1916  Trench activity

                                16th September 1916  Carrying Parties

                                16th Sep 1916  Stand by

                                16th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                16th Sep 1916  No News

                                16th Sep 1916  Failled Attack

                                16th Sep 1916  Military Cross for RSM

                                16th Sep 1916  Attack made

                                16th Sep 1916  Situation Uncertain

                                16th Sep 1916 Reliefs  Fair. Very quiet. 18th DLI are relieved in the Neuve Chapelle Sector by 2/6th Gloucesters on Left from Signpost Lane to Fifteenth St and on the Right by 7th Worcesters. No casualties. 18th Battalion, DLI moved into billets at Vielle Chapelle.

                                16th Sep 1916  Artillery Active

                                16th Sep 1916  Medals Presented

                                16th Sep 1915  Tanks in Action

                                16th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                16th Sep 1916  Quiet

                                16th Sep 1916  Crawling Back

                                16th Sep 1916  Training

                                16th of September 1916  A Bombardment

                                16th of September 1916  Unresponsive Enemy

                                16th Sep 1916  Training

                                16th Sep 1916  Shelling

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft

                                16th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Sep 1916  Orders

                                16th of September 1916  Ground Gained

                                16th of September 1916 

                                16th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                16th of September 1916  POWs Taken

                                16th Sep 1916  On the March

                                16th Sep 1916  Bombardment

                                16th Sep 1916  Stores

                                16th Sep 1916  Outposts

                                16th Sep 1916  Shelling

                                16th Sep 1916  Preparations

                                16th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                16th September 1916  Diary

                                16th of September 1916  Prepare to Move

                                16th September 1916  A quiet day.

                                16th September 1916  The working party tonight numbers 8 Officers and 320 men.

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Sep 1916 Posting  Capt. Foxell was transferred to A Coy 7th Buffs as Second in Command of Coy.

                                16th September 1916  Left Morlancourt at 0330 hours and marched to camp at Citadel.

                                16th September 1916  Shelling

                                16th September 1916  Return

                                16th September 1916  Shortage of Horse Fodder

                                16th Sep 1916  Orders Received

                                16th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                16th September 1916  Operations on the Brigade front

                                16th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                16th of September 1916  Training

                                16th Sep 1916  Large number of Casualties

                                16th Sep 1916  In Action

                                16th Sep 1916  On the March

                                16th September 1916  Operation Orders

                                16th September 1916  To. O.C. Companies.

                                16th September 1916  44th Inf. Bde. relieves the 45th

                                16th September 1916  50th Division attack on Pruetrebut

                                16th of September 1916  Bombardment

                                16th Sep 1916  Improvements

                                16th Sep 1916 6th Somersets in action  6th Somerset Light Infantry attacked Flers-Courcelette on the Somme at 09:25

                                17th September 1916 Heavy Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. There was a certain amount of heavy shelling along our front line but no Infantry actions. Lt Whitten B236 Battery was wounded while up at the observation chateau. 2/Lt Davies B236 Battery was slightly wounded but is still at duty.

                                17th Sep 1916 125th Heavy RGA move position  125th Heavy Battery RGA move into a new position behind Deville Wood

                                17th Sep 1916  20th DLI in the Montauban line

                                17th September 1916  Intense action in trenches

                                17th September 1916  Loading

                                17th September 1916  Church services and return to Laneuville

                                17th Sep 1916  Wounded Passing Through

                                17th Sep 1916  Under Shellfire

                                17th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Downed

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Downed

                                17th Sep 1916  On the March

                                17th Sep 1916  Wire Cut

                                17th Sep 1916  Football Match

                                17th Sep 1916  A Gas Alarm

                                17th of September 1916  Rest and Work

                                17th Sep 1916  Death

                                17th Sep 1916  Billets

                                17th September 1916 

                                17th Sep 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                17th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                17th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                17th of September 1916 

                                17th of September 1916 

                                17th of September 1916 

                                17th of September 1916 

                                17th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                17th of September 1916  A Gas Accident

                                17th Sep 1916  Wet Weather

                                17th Sep 1916  Orders

                                17th Sep 1916  Arrivals

                                17th Sep 1916  Outposts

                                17th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                17th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                17th of September  On the Move

                                17th September 1916  Diary

                                17th of September 1916  Warning Order Received

                                17th September 1916  Divine Service today is volountary.

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Sep 1916 Posting  2/Lt. Carman took over duties of Second Captain of D Coy.

                                17th September 1916  Arrived at Warterlot Farm at 1215 hours. Only shell holes available.

                                17th September 1916  Reliefs

                                17th September 1916  Battery Moves to Querrieu

                                17th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                17th September 1916  Battalion in position

                                17th of September 1916  A Demonstration

                                17th Sep 1916  Stretcher Bearers

                                17th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Sep 1916  Orders

                                17th September 1916  Brigade relieved by 44th Brigade

                                17th of September   Retaliation

                                17th Sep 1916  Improvements

                                18th Sep 1916 5/6th Royal Scots relieve 16th Northumberlands  The 5/6th Royal Scots of 32 Division, relieve the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in the left sub-sector of the Cambrin sector. The Northhumberlands move to quarters in Beuvry.

                                18th September 1916 Starfish Line Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood Our Artillery shelled certain parts of the enemy front, especially the strong point in 34.b.1.2 in the Starfish Line. Our Infantry made a small bombing attack about 2030 which partially succeeded. (Note-The Starfish Line was a German trench line to the left of High Wood)

                                18th September 1916  Equipment Issues

                                18th September 1916  Routine. Very heavy rain.

                                18th Sep 1916  Many Casualties

                                18th Sep 1916   18th DLI took over Orchard Keep in Givenchy Sector with a garrison found by B Coy. from 16th West Yorks. HQ at Windy Corner.

                                18th Sep 1916  Improving Dugouts

                                18th Sep 1916  Rugby Internationan Lost

                                18th Sep 1916  On the March

                                18th Sep 1916  Heavy Rain

                                18th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                18th of September 1916 

                                18th Sep 1916  Lessons

                                18th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                18th September 1916 

                                18th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Sep 1916  In Action

                                18th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                18th Sep 1916  Training

                                18th of September 1916 

                                18th of September 1916 

                                18th of September 1916 

                                18th of September 1916 

                                18th of September 1916 

                                18th of September 1916 

                                18th Sep 1916  Recce

                                18th of September 1916  Our Artillery Active

                                18th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Sep 1916  Trench Raids

                                18th Sep 1916  Equipment

                                18th Sep 1916  Fatigue Parties

                                18th Sep 1916  On the March

                                18th September 1916  Billets

                                18th September 1916  Diary

                                18th of September 1916   Brigade Dispositions

                                18th September 1916  Companies :- Musketry and drill.

                                18th Sep 1916 Wet Day   Poured with rain all day, morning spent in giving lectures to N.C.O.s and men of 7th Buffs in bombing, Lewis Gun, tactics, and battle of the Somme, (etc.) Afternoon lectures as in morning.

                                18th September 1916  Orders were received to relieve 6th Division.

                                18th September 1916  Re-enforcements

                                18th September 1916  Very Wet Weather

                                18th Sep 1916  Moves

                                18th September 1916  Battalion in new positions

                                18th of September 1916   Training

                                18th Sep 1916  Busy

                                18th Sep 1916  Withdrawal

                                18th Sep 1916  On the March

                                18th September 1916  Moved to billets in Millencourt.

                                18th of September 1916  Relieved

                                18th Sep 1916  Improvements

                                19th September 1916 Bombardments  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Our Artillery carried out bombardments according to the programme and at different points at the request of infantry. At about 2000 the enemy made a counter attack against our infantry in Drop Alley and our Artillery opened fire after SOS from our line. At 2100 all was again reported quiet.

                                19th September 1916  Reliefs

                                19th September 1916  Routine. Heavy rain.

                                19th September 1916  Relief from trenches

                                19th Sep 1916  Artillery In Action

                                19th Sep 1916  Salvage

                                19th Sep 1916  Into Billets

                                19th Sep 1916  A Huge Help

                                19th Sep 1916  Relief

                                19th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                19th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                19th of September 1916  A Few Bombs Fell

                                19th Sep 1916  Training

                                19th Sep 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                19th Sep 1916  Wet Day

                                19th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Sep 1916  Quiet

                                19th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                19th of September 1916 

                                19th of September 1916  Messages

                                19th of September 1916 

                                19th of September 1916 

                                19th of September 1916 

                                19th of September 1916 

                                19th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                19th of September 1916  An Unexpected Enemy Post

                                19th Sep 1916  Quiet

                                19th Sep 1916  Orders

                                19th September 1916  Address

                                19th Sep 1916  Fatigues

                                19th Sep 1916  In Billets

                                19th Sept 1916  Return

                                19th of September  In Reserve

                                19th September 1916  Diary

                                19th of September 1916  In the Front Line

                                19th September 1916  Reliefs

                                19th September 1916  The Battalion attended a Flammenwerfer demonstration

                                19th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                19th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th Sep 1916 Training  7th Buffs Training in the morning as per programme on the 12th inst., but owing to the rain Companies had to come in and lectures were given in the huts, lectures again in the afternoon and training. Commanding Officer, 2nd in Command and Adjutant went out to make up a tactical scheme for following day.

                                19th September 1916  0130 hours Relief complete.

                                19th September 1916  Intelligence Report

                                19th September 1916  Orders

                                19th September 1916  Bombardment

                                19th of September 1916  Training

                                19th Sep 1916  Evacuations

                                19th Sep 1916  Advance

                                19th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                19th September 1916  Location Baisieux.

                                19th of September 1916  In huts

                                19th Sep 1916  Improvements

                                2nd Sep 1916  Training  7.10am 7th Buffs marched out to Magnicourt where the rendezvous was at road junction at O35a.0.0. reaching there by 8.30 a.m. The Commanding Officer and Adjutant rode on and met the Brigadier at road junction ¼ mile N.E. of the N in Houvelin where the Brigade scheme was read and orders issued. Coy commanders were then assembled and told the scheme. The Brigade. was detailed to attack and capture the three woods on square U 10, the 7th Buffs on the right, the 8th East Surrey Regiment. on the left and the 7th Queens in support. B and C Coys 7th Buffs were the leading Coys. with D Coy in support and A Coy in reserve. 7th Royal West Kent Regiment. acted as Enemy. Maj. Gen. Maxse held a conference of all officers at the close of operations, the Battalion having had dinners and marched back under Coy. Sergt Majors. 6pm A Coy 7the buffs gave a bombing demonstration in Tactics of Bombing Parties at Rocourt. Lt. Col Ransome went on leave.

                                20th September 1916 Batteries Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Batteries fired on Flers during the day and on fleeing targets. 1st Division Infantry relieved 47th Division Infantry during the night. The weather gradually improving and 7.0.0 continues reconnoitering the front trenches. Howitzers battery fired all night into Eaucourt L’Abbaye. (See note and comment on 7.0.0. from 15th Sep.)

                                20th September 1916 Squadron number designated  No 68 Squadron was the formal RFC title given to No.2 Squadron Australian Flying Corps from the date it was formed on 20 September 1916 at the RFC training school in Kantara, Egypt. The Squadron never carried that designation and was known by its officers and men only by its Australian title of No.2 Squadron AFC. In February 1918 it was formally re-designated with its Australian title.  More info.

                                20th September 1916 Ongoing support action  

                                Trench Positions - 23rd Sep 1916

                                6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                20th to 26th September 1916 - Battalion in reserve at Donnets Post. Employed on fatigues in connection with coming operations.

                                25th September - 1 OR killed in Avelyn carrying ammunition.

                                26th September - 1235 - Attack in Thiepval by the 18th and 11th Divisions. Battalion in Brigade reserve moves up at 1235 to old support line Ration Trench. Point 80, Point 39. 1620 - Battalion moves to old firing lines Brimstone and Border Trenches to Constance Trench at 2200.

                                20th September 1916  Camouflet

                                20th September 1916  Routine, still raining.

                                20th Sep 1916  Promise not Kept

                                20th Sep 1916  Up from Support

                                20th Sept 1916 

                                20th Sep 1916  Training

                                20th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                20th Sep 1916  In Action

                                20th Sep 1916  Buried

                                20th Sep 1916  Preparing for Attack

                                20th Sep 1916  Training

                                20th Sep 1916  Fatigues

                                20th Sep 1916  Inspection

                                20th of September 1916  Trench Mortars Active

                                20th Sep 1916  On the March

                                20th Sep 1916  Patrols

                                20th Sep 1916  On the March

                                20th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                20th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Sep 1916  In Billets

                                20th of September 1916  Poor Conditions

                                20th of September 1916 

                                20th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                20th of September 1916  Minenwerfer Fired

                                20th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Sep 1916  Orders

                                20th Sep 1916  Shelling

                                20th September 1916  Report

                                20th Sep 1916  Fatigues

                                20th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                20th September 1916 

                                20th of September 1916   Artillery Active

                                20th September 1916  Rifle Grenades

                                20th September 1916  8th Infantry Brigade Operational Order received that we are to march to Auchel - Lozinghem - Allouagne area tomorrow.

                                20th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Sep 1916 Heavy Rain   As it poured with rain most of the morning, lectures, musketry (etc) were practiced in the huts. In the afternoon the Adjutant gave a lecture on map reading to all the officers of 7th Buffs in the mess. Section Commanders took all the men in their sections in the huts. Programme of work 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Physical training 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Bombing Tactics, Intensive Digging including siting of trenches and following up barrage. Special training of patrols. Tactical Training including tactical handling of Lewis Guns. 2 p.m. A Coy Tactical exercise for platoon and section commanders under the Commanding Officer. Remaining N.C.O.s and men live bombing under 2/Lt Gold.

                                20th September 1916  Shelling

                                20th September 1916  Training

                                20th September 1916  Clearer Weather on the Horizon

                                20th September 1916  Relief Complete

                                20th of September 1916  Training

                                20th Sep 1916  Evacuations

                                20th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                20th September 1916  Cleaning up and refitting

                                20th of September 1916  On the March

                                20th Sep 1916  Prisoner of War Cage

                                21st September 1916 Continuous Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. At 0325 SOS signal but it was a false alarm. At 0355 Batteries ceased firing. At 1030 D236 fired at the rate of 50 rounds an hour on the Flers Line just South East of Eaucourt L’Abbaye and ceased at 1930. At 1130 and 1330 the 18 pounder Batteries fired 15 four gun salvoes into Eaucourt L’Abbaye. During the night 18 pounder Batteries fired continually on Flers Line at 100 rounds per hour.

                                21st September 1916  Equipment Arrives

                                21st September 1916  Clean up as weather finer.

                                21st Sep 1916 Shelling  18th DLI took over left subsector from 18th West Yorks with 3 Coys. B, C and D, Right, Centre & Left in front line and A Coy. in support at Windy Corner. Very quiet afternoon. 15th West Yorks on right of 18th DLI, 11th East Lancs on left of Battalion. A fair amount of Minenwerfer activity on both sides.

                                21st Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                21st Sep 1916  Trump Card

                                21st Sep 1916  On the March

                                21st Sep 1916  Fatigues

                                21st Sep 1916  Trench Recce

                                21st Sep 1916  Bad Weather

                                21st Sep 1916  Patrols

                                21st Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                21st Sep 1916  Training

                                21st Sep 1916  Training

                                21st of September 1916 

                                21st of September 1916 

                                21st of September 1916 

                                21st of September 1916  

                                21st of September 1916 

                                21st Sep 1916  Bombardment

                                21st of September 1916  Heavies Active

                                21st Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                21st Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                21th September 1916  Transport Moves

                                21st Sep 1916  Quiet

                                21st Sep 1916  Mobile Column

                                21st Sep 1916  At Rest

                                21st September 1916  Diary

                                21st of September 1916  Situation Normal

                                21st September 1916  Rifle Grenades and Aerial Darts.

                                21st September 1916  Orders received that we will move tomorrow to Coyecque - Dennebroeucq - Reclinghem - Delette area.

                                21st Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Sep 1916  Route March  7th Buffs B. C. D. Coy Commanders, platoon Commanders and platoon Sergeants attended a demonstration under C.S.M. Parmee. Remaining N.C.O.s and men went out for a route march under their C.S.M.s 2/Lt Scott tore the muscles of his left leg doing physical drill and had to be sent to hospital. L/Cpl Charles James Crame 7th Buffs was awarded the Russian Medal of St. George 3rd Class for gallantry near Trones Wood on 13th July 1916.

                                21st September 1916  Patrols Fired On

                                21st September 1916  Cleaning up.

                                21st of September 1916   Training

                                21st Sep 1916  Poor Sanitation

                                21st September 1916  Company parades with Section and Platoon drill

                                21st of September 1916  Frevillers, field training

                                21st Sep 1916  Recce

                                22nd September 1916 No Resistance Met  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. At 1030 Howitzer battery commenced firing 50 rounds an hour on Flers Line M.29.b.12 to M.23.c.70. (ceased firing at 1945). At 1300 transport was seen on Bapaume le Sarg road MEc and MHb heavy Batteries informed. Our Infantry (1st Division) the Welsh Regiment occupied Prue and Starfish trenches. Patrols sent out in front as far as 700 yards without meeting any resistance.

                                22nd September 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ78 (L34)

                                • Production Ref: LZ78
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L34
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 22nd September 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out three reconnaissance missions and two attacks on England dropping a total of 3,890 kg (8,580 lb) of bombs. It took part in the Zeppelin raid which also involved the L31, L32 and L33 on the night of the 23rd September 1916 and was the only Zeppelin that survived the raid. On a later mission it was intercepted and destroyed by British fighter pilot 2nd Lt Ian Pyott in BE2c no. 2738 off Hartlepool on the 27th November 1916.

                                22nd September 1916  Scheme aircraft and cavalry signalling

                                22nd September 1916  Gas

                                22nd Sep 1916   18th DLI are at Windy Corner in Givenchy Sector. Bright & quiet in morning and throughout the day.

                                22nd Sep 1916  In Trenches

                                22nd Sep 1916  Direct to Hospital

                                22nd Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                22nd Sept 1916   Enemy Aircraft

                                22nd Sep 1916  On the March

                                22nd Sep 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Sep 1916  Quiet

                                22nd of September 1916  A Programme of Bombardment

                                22nd of September 1916  Another Relief

                                22nd Sep 1916  On the March

                                22nd Sep 1916  Under Fire

                                22nd Sep 1916  At Rest

                                22nd Sep 1916  In Support

                                22nd Sep 1916  Training

                                22nd Sep 1916  Orders

                                22nd of September 1916 

                                22nd of September 1916 

                                22nd Sep 1916  Quiet

                                22nd of September 1916  TMs Attack Enemy Lines

                                22nd Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Sep 1916  Prisoner

                                22nd Sep 1916  Mobilisation

                                22nd Sep 1916  In Reserve

                                22nd September 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Sep 1916  Arrivals

                                22nd Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                22nd Sep 1916  On the March

                                22nd Sep 1916  On the Move

                                22nd of September  On the Move

                                22nd September 1916  Exhibition Planned

                                22nd September 1916  Diary

                                22nd of September 1916  Dispositions

                                22nd September 1916  Heavy T.M's. very active.

                                22nd September 1916  The Battalion left billets at 0800 hours and moved to the starting point

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Sep 1916  Baths  C and D Coys and 2 platoons of B Coy went to baths at Toutencourt in the morning. A Coy and 2 platoons of B Coy did bombing (etc.) as per programme of 21st inst. In the afternoon C and D Coys and 2 platoons of B dug intensively for two hours practice against the other Battalions. Of the Brigade. A Coy, H.Q., Transport, and 2 platoons of B went for baths. B Coy’s Officers and Section Commanders went for a tactical scheme on the ground under Major Monier-Williams.

                                22nd September 1916  Orders Received

                                22nd September 1916  A Move to Soues

                                22nd September 1916  Draft inspected and drilled

                                22nd of September 1916  Training

                                22nd Sep 1916  Weather Improves

                                22nd September 1916  Musketry and Bath's

                                22nd Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                23rd September 1916 Little Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. Fairly quiet day and Batteries did very little firing. The enemy were singularly quiet throughout the afternoon, their artillery being almost entirely silent. At night Batteries fired a few rounds on a German working party digging a trench.

                                23rd September 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  23/24 September 1916

                                The German Navy remained aggressive and a 12-Zeppelin raid was launched on 23,24 September 1916. Eight older airships bombed targets in the Midlands and Northeast, while four M-class Zeppelins (L 30, L 31, L 32, and L 33) attacked London. L 30 did not even cross the coast, dropping its bombs at sea. L 31 approached London from the south, dropped a few bombs on Kenley and Mitcham and was picked up by searchlights. Forty-one bombs were then dropped in rapid succession over Streatham, killing seven and wounding 27. More bombs were dropped on Brixton before crossing the river and dropping 10 bombs on Leyton, killing another eight people and injuring 30. L 31 then headed home.

                                Also coming in from the south was L 32, delayed by engine problems, it dropped a few bombs on Sevenoaks and Swanley before crossing Purfleet at about 0100. The Zeppelin then came under anti-aircraft fire as it dropped bombs on Aveley and South Ockendon. Shortly thereafter, at 0110, a BE2c piloted by 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Sowrey engaged L 32. He fired three drums of incendiaries and succeeded in starting a fire which quickly spread to the entire airship. The Zeppelin came down at Snail's Hall Farm, Great Burstead. The entire crew was killed, with some, including the commander Oberleutnant-zur-See Werner Peterson, choosing to jump rather than burn to death.

                                L 33 dropped a few incendiaries over Upminster before losing its way and making several turns, heading over London and dropping bombs on Bromley at around midnight. As the bombs began to explode, the Zeppelin was hit by an anti-aircraft shell fired from the guns at either Beckton, Wanstead, or Victoria Park despite being at 13,000 feet (4,000 m). Dropping bombs now to shed weight, a large number fell on homes in Botolph Road and Bow Road. As the airship headed towards Chelmsford it continued to lose height, coming under fire at Kelvedon Hatch and briefly exchanging fire with a BE2c. Despite the efforts of the crew, L 33 was forced to the ground at around 0115 in a field close to New Hall Cottages, Little Wigborough. The airship was set alight and the crew headed south before being arrested at Peldon by the police. Inspection of the wreckage provided the British with much information about the construction of Zeppelins, which was used in the design of the British R33-class airships. One 250 hp (190 kW) engine recovered from the wreck was subsequently substituted for two (of four) 180 hp (130 kW) engines on a Vickers-built machine, the hitherto underpowered R.9.

                                23rd September 1916  Move to L'Etoile

                                23rd September 1916  Water

                                23rd Sep 1916 Exchange of Fire  18th DLI report from Windy Corner in the Givenchy Sector "Very misty in early morning. Some Minenwerfer activity in morning between 3 and 5 from B & C Coy. & Poppy Redoubt Garrison evacuated their posts during firing of Heavy Trench Mortar Battery. The enemy replied fairly vigorously with TMs & blew in front line held by Left of B Coy. Berkley St & Clarges. Very quiet at night."

                                23rd Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd Sep 1916  Recce

                                23rd Sept 1916  Move

                                23rd Sep 1916  On the March

                                23rd Sep 1916  Concert

                                23rd Sep 1916  Into the Trenches

                                23rd of September 1916  MGs Active

                                23rd Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Sep 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                23rd Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                23rd Sep 1916  Training

                                23rd Sep 1916  On the March

                                23rd of September 1916  Consolidation

                                23rd of September 1916 

                                23rd Sep 1916  Shelling

                                23rd of September 1916  Saphead Bombed

                                23rd Sep 1916  At Rest

                                23rd Sep 1916  Accomodation

                                23rd September 1916  Quiet

                                23rd Sep 1916  Orders

                                23rd Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                23rd Sep 1916  On the March

                                23rd Sep 1916  On the Move

                                23rd September 1916  Diary

                                23rd of September 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd September 1916  A quiet period.

                                23rd September 1916  Company and Sub-Units billets are too far apart here

                                23rd Sep 1916  Pilot wounded

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Sep 1916 Training  Training in morning as per programme of work of 21st inst. In the afternoon all officers and N.C.O.s who had not seen C.S.M. Parmee’s demonstration attended one, remaining N.C.O.s and Officers and Battalion went to a demonstration of Stokes Mortar Battery to watch the demolition of a strong point. Maj. Monier-Williams and Capt. Brice went on a reconnaissance round Reserve Army Area’s trenches. Capt. Allen met with an accident on horseback and sustained severe concussion.

                                23rd September 1916  Operational Order No. 50.

                                23rd September 1916  Return

                                23rd September 1916  Battery Moves to Bealcourt

                                23rd September 1916  NCO class under RSM.

                                23rd of September 1916   Route March

                                23rd Sep 1916  Quieter

                                23rd September 1916  Company Parades

                                23rd Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                24th September 1916 Night Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Fairly quiet day and Batteries did very little firing only registration. Hostile shelling very little. B236 Battery relieved A236 Battery who in turn relieved C236 Battery. At night 2020 the 1st Division launched a local attack on the Flers Line which proved abortive. Batteries fired for most of the night.

                                24th September 1916  Relocation

                                24th September 1916  Bivouac at Subrometz

                                24th September 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Sep 1916  Prisoners held in Church Hall

                                24th Sep 1916  Nottingham Bombed

                                24th Sep 1916  Unpleasent Working Conditions

                                24th Sep 1916  Nottingham Bombed

                                24th Sept 1916 

                                24th Sep1916   18th DLI report from Windy Corner in Givenchy Sector "Fine. Our Stokes guns showed considerable activity 8 to 9 am & enemy retaliated with T.M. one minenwerfer killing three men. Quiet afternoon. 22.20 heavy mutual bombardment apparently about two miles to South. On our left 13th Yorks and Lancs relieved 11th East Yorks."

                                24th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                24th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                24th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                24th Sep 1916  Training

                                24th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                24th Sep 1916  Gas

                                24th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                24th September 1916  Trenches Damaged

                                24th of September 1916  An Officer Lost

                                24th Sep 1916  Tower Demolished

                                24th Sep 1916  Preparations

                                24th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                24th Sep 1916  Church Parade

                                24th Sep 1916  On the March

                                24th of September 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of September 1916 

                                24th of September 1916 

                                24th of September 1916  Orders

                                24th of September 1916  Quiet

                                24th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of September 1916  Enemy Mortared

                                24th Sep 1916  On the March

                                24th Sep 1916  In Reserve

                                24th September 1916  Quiet

                                24th September 1916  Quiet

                                24th Sep 1916  Trench Mortars

                                24th Sep 1916  Church Parade

                                24th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Sep 1916  Equipment

                                24th Sept 1916  Keir

                                24th Sep 1916  Military Medal

                                24th September 1916  Diary

                                24th of September 1916  Foggy Night

                                24th September 1916  T.M's., Artillery and M.G's.

                                24th September 1916  resting in Billets.

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                24th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Sep 1916  Tidying up  Morning spent by Coys of 7th Buffs in filling in trenches dug and doing bombing, bayonet- fighting (etc.) and in the afternoon the whole Battalion filled in the Brigade trenches dug by the four battalions of the Brigade.

                                24th September 1916  Operational Order No.51.

                                24th September 1916  Reliefs

                                24th September 1916  A March to Douriez

                                24th September 1916  Church Parade

                                24th Sep 1916  Clothing

                                24th September 1916  Musketry for "A" & "B" Coys.

                                24th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                25th September 1916 Offensive Resumes  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. At 1430 the Fourth Army resumed the offensive. The 1st Division attacked along the Flers Line and secured their objectives with very little trouble. They joined line with the New Zealanders in Goose Alley. The New Zealand Division on our right secured all its objectives; our troops securing Grid Trench in front of Guedecourt, Les Boeufs to the north of Morval. The French secured Fregicourt and Rancourt. Batteries kept up continuous fire all day on the barrages ordered by 47th Divisional Artillery. At night D236 Battery was shelled with lachrymatory (tear gas) and other shells suffering two casualties.

                                25th September 1916  Into billets

                                25th September 1916  Equipment

                                25th Sep 1915  8th Bedfords in reserve

                                25th Sep 1916  Air Raid

                                25th Sep 1916  In Divisional Reserve

                                25th Sep 1916  Bombing

                                25th Sep 1916  Training & Lecture

                                25th Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                25th Sep 1916  Enemy Mine

                                25th of September 1916  Busy Snipers

                                25th Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                25th Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                25th Sep 1916  Patrols

                                25th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                25th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                25th Sep 1916  Training

                                25th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                25th of September 1916  Attacks

                                25th of September 1916 

                                25th Sep 1916  Demonstration

                                25th of September 1916  A Daylight Patrol

                                25th Sep 1916  Orders

                                25th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                25th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Sep 1916  Orders Received

                                25th September 1916  Quiet

                                25th Sep 1916  Shelling

                                25th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                25th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                25th Sep 1916  Orders Received

                                25th Sept 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Sep 1916  The Battle of Thiepval Ridge

                                25th September 1916  Diary

                                25th of September 1916   Instructions for Tanks

                                25th September 1916  Bombarded with Heavy T.M. & an M.G.

                                25th September 1916  The Battalion commences on an extensive program of work today.

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                25th Sep 1916 Billeting Party  Capt. Wood and billeting party moved off to Hédauville. The following went on a reconnaissance round the Reserve Army trench area. Capt. Brice, 1 Officer per Coy., Lewis Gun Officer, Bombing Officer, Signal Sergeant, and several N.C.O.s and men. The following went to report to the A.P.M. 18th Divn. at Acheux for looking after cages for German prisoners; 2/Lt Watson, 2/Lt Kerr, 8 N.C.O.s and 44 men. 2L/t H. Fine proceeded to the Divn. School at Varennes. Coys. Spent the morning in tidying up huts and ground about huts and filling in trenches and foot slits dug whilst training. The Battalion moved from Puchevillers to Hedauville. Route Arqueves, Varennes. Starting point cross roads in N. 22 c at North end of Puchevillers. Order of march D. A. Drums. B. C. Time of start 1.17 p.m. All packs were carried by lorries. The Battalion were all in billets at Hedauville at 4.50 p.m. 3 men only fell out on the march.

                                25th September 1916  Attack Made

                                25th September 1916  3 Days Spent at Douriez

                                25th September 1916  Range Firing

                                25th of September 1916   On the Move

                                25th Sep 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                25th September 1916  Inspected by the G.O.C.

                                25th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                26th Sep 1916 16th Northumberlands take over support line  The 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers leave Beuvry to occupy the support line in the Cuinchy sector, taking over from 2nd btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Where they manned keeps and provided working parties for the Royal Engineers.

                                26th September 1916 Uneventful Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. More or less uneventful day on our front. The Canadian Corps on our left captured Thiepval and 1500 prisoners. Batteries assisted by an intense bombardment at 1235 for a few minutes on the hostile trenches. At about 1900 D236 Battery was again shelled. 2/Lt Stephenson being wounded with one man killed and five others wounded. Major Pollard was slightly wounded in the hand but remained at duty. At 2330 1st Division assaulted hostile trench in M29 but failed chiefly owing to losing their way.

                                26th September 1916  Squadron Move

                                26th Sep 1916  Water Cleared

                                26th Sep 1916  Combles Captured

                                26th Sep 1916  Prisoners Taken

                                26th Sep 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are at Windy Corner in the Givenchy Sector and report in their war diary: "Quiet fine morning. Some artillery activity to the South in morning beginning about 8.0am. 18 West Yorks relieved 18 DLI in afternoon completing 16.55. No casualties. 18 DLI less A Coy. which remained in village line returned to Brigade Reserve Billets in Gorre."

                                26th Sep 1916  In Support

                                26th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                26th Sep 1916  Under Fire

                                26th Sep 1915  On the Move

                                26th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                26th Sep 1916  Gas Alert

                                26th Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                26th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                26th of September 1916  An Officer Added to Strength

                                26th Sep 1916  Training

                                26th Sep 1916  Artillery Active

                                26th Sep 1916  Under Shellfire

                                26th Sep 1916  In Action

                                26th Sep 1916  Training

                                26th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                26th of September 1916 

                                26th of September 1916 

                                26th of September 1916 

                                26th of September 1916 

                                26th of September 1916 

                                26th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                26th of September 1916  German Officer Hit?

                                26th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                26th Sep 1916  In Action

                                26th Sep 1916  Orders

                                26th Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                26th Sep 1916  Prisoners Taken

                                26th September 1916  On the Move

                                26th Sep 1916  Some Shelling

                                26th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                26th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                26th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                26th Sept 1916  In Reserve

                                26th Sep 1916  On the attack

                                26th September 1916  Diary

                                26th September 1916  Map Symbols

                                26th September 1916  Captured German Map

                                26th of September 1916  Reliefs

                                26th September 1916  Consolidating Crater

                                26th September 1916  Military Medal awards

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Sep 1916 Orders Received  Orders received from 55th. Brigade said 7th Battalion Buffs must be ready to move any time within an hour after 1 p.m. Orders received from Brigade at 12.50 p.m. said Battalion to be clear of Hedauville by 1.30 p.m. or as soon after as possible and move to open ground about W 8 central. Battalion moved at 1.35 p.m. and reached ground at 3.30 p.m. where they bivouacked for the night. Major Monier-Williams went to Brigade as Liaison Officer at 12.30 p.m. Verbal orders received from Brigade by Major Monier-Williams that the Battalion was to move to dug outs at Crucifix Corner W.11 d 85 and be there by 7 a.m. 1st line Transport and personnel to remain at W.8 central.

                                26th September 1916  At 1700 hours we left the trenches and marched back to Arrow Head Copse where we had tea and then on to camp at Oxford Copse.

                                26th Sep 1916  Record

                                26th September 1916  Open warfare tactics

                                26th of September 1916   On the Move

                                26th September 1916  Tactical Schemes

                                26th Sep 1916  Award

                                26th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                27th September 1916 Little Firing  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: 47th Division relieved 1st Division in High Wood sector. Moderately quiet day. Batteries fired very little except for registration purposes, considerable defensive barrages. There were no infantry operations but artillery was fairly active.

                                27th Sep 1916  20th DLI undertake reconnaissance

                                27th September 1916  Fatigues support front line

                                27th September 1916  B Squadron move due to congestion

                                27th Sep 1916  Countermine

                                27th Sep 1916  Prisoners Taken

                                27th Sep 1916 Bombardment  At 04.00. Artillery & Stokes gun bombardment by 97 Infantry Brigade. is reported by 18th DLI who are at Gore.

                                27th Sept 1916  Under Shellfire

                                27th Sep 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                27th Sep 1916  Papers in the Trenches

                                27th Sep 1916  Village Captured

                                27th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                27th Sep 1916  Camoflet

                                27th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                27th of September 1916  A Downed Balloon

                                27th of September 1916  Ontario Farm Hit

                                Sep 1916  Cartoons

                                27th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Sep 1916  On the March

                                27th Sep 1916  In Action

                                27th Sep 1916  Training

                                27th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                27th of September 1916 

                                27th of September 1916 

                                27th of September 1916 

                                27th of September 1916  Orders

                                27th of September 1916 

                                27th of September 1916  Attacks

                                27th of September 1916 

                                27th of September 1916  Instructions

                                27th Sep 1916  Cleaning up

                                27th of September 1916  A New TM Used

                                27th Sep 1916  On the March

                                27th Sep 1916  Orders

                                27th September 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Sep 1916  Trench Mortars

                                27th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                27th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                27th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                27th Sept 1916  Trones joins

                                27th September 1916  Diary

                                27th September 1916  British Map

                                27th September 1916  Map 27th September 1916

                                27th of September 1916  Division Moves

                                27th September 1916  Reliefs

                                27th September 1916  Confirmation of training programme.

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Sep 1916  Standing by  7th Buffs paraded at 5.30 a.m. and marched to W.10.c.24 from which point it went by platoons to Crucifix Corner W.11.d.85. Order of march B. C. D. A. The Battalion was all in dug outs at Crucifix Corner at 7.26 a.m. 7th Buffs remained throughout the day in their dug outs standing by.

                                27th September 1916  At 1730 hours we marched to camp at Citadel.

                                27th September 1916  Bivouac

                                27th September 1916  Working parties

                                27th of September 1916   On the Move

                                27th September 1916  "C" & "D" Coys. on the range.

                                27th of September 1916  Into the trenches

                                27th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                28th September 1916 Fairly Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Fairly quiet day. C236 Battery staff relieved A236 Battery staff. It was decided during the afternoon that D236 should change their position to that vacated by D275 Battery RFA. Batteries fired a defensive barrage.

                                28th Sept 1916  Fatigues near Front Line

                                28th Sep 1916  Awards and Inspection

                                28th Sep 1916  Beautiful Weather

                                28th Sept 1916  Under Shellfire

                                28th Sep 1916  Transfer

                                28th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                28th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                28th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                28th Sep 1916  Training

                                28th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                28th of September 1916  Out of the Trenches

                                28th Sep 1916  Training

                                28th Sep 1916  In Reserve

                                28th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                28th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Sep 1916  Training

                                28th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                28th of September 1916  Reliefs

                                28th of September 1916  Attacks Made

                                28th of September 1916 

                                28th Sep 1916  Exercise

                                28th of September 1916  Good Results

                                28th Sep 1916  Move

                                28th Sep 1916  On the March

                                28th Sep 1916  Training & Reliefs

                                28th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                28th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Sep 1916  Position

                                28th September 1916  Diary

                                28th of September 1916  Heavy Showers

                                28th September 1916  Cleaning up.

                                28th September 1916  Parade for snipers, signalers and all Companies

                                28th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Sep 1916  Airman Injured

                                28th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Sep 1916  Standing by  7th Buffs remained throughout the day in their dug outs at Crucifix Corner W.11.d.8.5 standing by. Major Monier-Williams rejoined Battalion from Brigade. All Officers at 1st Line Transport were sent up to join Battalion.

                                28th September 1916  Relief Complete

                                28th September 1916  Open Warfare training

                                28th September 1916  Operational Order No.107

                                28th of September 1916  Minor Ops

                                28th Sep 1916  Absentee

                                28th September 1916  "A" & "B" Coys. at bath's.

                                28th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                29th September 1916  Infantry Assault

                                29th September 1916  Reliefs

                                29th September 1916  Cavalry Corps Inspection of all horses

                                29th September 1916  Equipment

                                29th Sep 1916   22.00. 18th DLI moved from Gorre and relieved 18th West Yorks in front line with A, D, C, in Front Line Right to Left and B Co. in reserve at Windy Corner and Poppy Redoubt. Relief completed 14.06, no casualties. 15th West Yorks on Right, 13th Yorks & Lancs on Left. Some mutual trench mortar activity in evening 6-7 pm. Quiet night.

                                29th Sep 1916  Billets

                                29th Sep 1916  Fight to the Finish

                                29th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                29th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                29th Sep 1916  Attack Made

                                29th of September 1916  Practising for a Raid

                                29th Sep 1916  Field Day

                                29th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                29th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Aug 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                29th Sep 1916  Training

                                29th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                29th of September 1916 

                                29th of September 1916  Orders

                                29th of September 1916  Orders

                                29th of September 1916 

                                29th of September 1916 

                                29th of September 1916 

                                29th of September 1916  Orders

                                29th of September 1916  Orders

                                29th of September 1916  Trench Raid

                                29th Sep 1916  Training

                                29th of September 1916  Active TMs and Artillery

                                29 September 1916  For Sale

                                29th Sep 1916  Signal Officer's Bravery

                                29th September 1916  Prisoner

                                29 September 1916  Tragedy

                                29th Sep 1916  On the Move

                                29th Sep 1916  Awaiting Orders

                                29th September 1916 

                                29th Sep 1916  Wire Cutting

                                29th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                29th September 1916  Recce

                                29th Sep 1916  In Support

                                29th Sep 1916  Stores

                                29th September 1916  Diary

                                29th of September 1916  Entraining

                                29th September 1916  Fatigues & Baths.

                                29th September 1916  Companies practiced the attack and wood fighting in Berquigny Wood.

                                29th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th Sep 1916 

                                29th Sep 1916 Dugouts  7th Buffs remained for the morning in dug outs, at 3.50 p.m. message was received from Brigade that Battalion was to go up to Wood Post X1 Central and occupy dug outs vacated by 8th Suffolk Regiment. which would be vacated at 4.30 p.m. Battalion was all in dug outs by 5.30 p.m. A. and C. Coy in dug outs at Wood Post. B and D Coys in dug outs in old German front line in Lemburg Trench R.31.d. 1 platoon of A Coy was ordered to be held in readiness for carrying to Thiepval for 8th East Surrey Regiment, and proceeded on carrying party at 1.30 a.m. on 30th Sept.

                                29th September 1916  At 1200 hours we marched to Edge Hill siding near Dernancourt and entrained for Longpre

                                29th September 1916  Enemy shelling

                                29th September 1916  On the Move Again

                                29th September 1916  Move

                                29th Sep 1916  Detachment Ends

                                29th of September 1916  Consolidation

                                29th September 1916  Companies at disposal of Company Commanders

                                29th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                3rd Sep 1916  Inspection  9am Major Monier-Williams O.C. 7th Buffs inspected all Companies and H.Q. Details. 5 pm 2 L/t Gold instructed A and C Coys in practice with live grenades. 6 pmC.O. held a conference of O.C. Coys to discuss the scheme for the following day. Lieut Burnside, Adjutant, went on leave.

                                30th Sep 1916 16th Northumberlands into front line at Cuinchy.  The 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers took over the right sub sector of the front line in the Cuinchy sector, from 2nd btn Royal Irish Fusiliers. A, D, and B coys take up position from right to left with C coy in support. Back in the routine of trench duty, trench-mortar activity, reserve and working parties.

                                30th September 1916 Hostile Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Hostile artillery fairly active on our trenches in the morning & afternoon. Hostile anti-aircraft guns very active against our aeroplanes. Major General Sir Charles Barter relinquished command of 47th London Division. Batteries fired in barrages but there was no infantry action on our front.

                                30th September 1916  Brigade Staff Ride

                                30th September 1916  Repairs

                                30th September 1916 Relief and return to Hauteville  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are in Schwaben Trench. At 1530 the Battalion is relieved by 8th Loyal North Lancs and marches back to billets Hauteville.

                                Total casualties 25th to 30th September. 2nd Lt Ingersoll - killed Other Ranks - 14 killed, 71 wounded

                                GH Gater Lt Colonel commanding 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment.

                                30th Sep 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                30th Sep 1916  Jam Day

                                30th Sep 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams report "Fine throughout the day and after slight TM activity unusually quiet."

                                30th Sept 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                30th Sep 1916  Reinforcements

                                30th Sep 1916  Training

                                30th Sep 1916  Transport Arrives

                                30th Sep 1916  In the Trenches

                                30th Sep 1916  Training

                                30th of September 1916  Supporting a Raid

                                30th of September 1916  Raid Cancelled

                                30th Sep 1916  Route March

                                30th Sep 1916  Reorganisation

                                30th Sep 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Sep 1916  Working Parties

                                30th of September 1916  Patrols

                                30th of September 1916  Barrage

                                30th of September 1916  Orders Amended

                                30th of September 1916 

                                30th of September 1916  Moves

                                30th of September 1916  Patrols

                                30th Sep 1916  Baths

                                30th September 1915  Reviewed by the King

                                30th of September 1916  German Equipment Captured

                                30th Sep 1916  At Rest

                                30th Sep 1916  Personnel

                                30th Sep 1916  In Reserve

                                30th September 1916 

                                30th September 1916 

                                30th Sep 1916  Trench Raid

                                30th Sep 1916  Defence Work

                                30th September 1916  Demonstration

                                30th Sep 1916  In Support

                                30th Sep 1916  Emplacements

                                30th Sept 1916  Cuinchy

                                30th Sep 1916  Tribunal

                                30th September 1916  Diary

                                30th of September 1916  Dispositions

                                30th September 1916  Operations

                                30th September 1916  Fatigues, Baths & refitting.

                                30th September 1916  A Specials parade was held in the afternoon practicing "Communications with aeroplanes".

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th Sep 1916 In Action  7am Message received by 7th Buffs from Brigade “S.O.S. on Northern edge of Schwaben redoubt 7th Buffs to ready.” Verbal message from Brigade said “1 Coy to be sent to occupy Northern defences of trench.” D Coy was accordingly ordered up and reported its arrival without any casualties at 10.35 a.m.

                                Casualties up to 12 noon 30th Sept. O.R. killed. 3. O.R. Wounded. 5. 1.25pm Orders received from Brigade. stating “2 platoons 7th Buffs in conjunction with the 8th East Surrey Regiment. were to attack and recapture Schwaben Redoubt. Objectives of the 2 platoons 7th Buffs were points R.19.d.39.80 and R.19.d.1.9.” Zero time was 4 p.m. 2 platoons of D Coy under 2L/t Carman, nos. 15 and 16, were detailed for the attack.

                                3.35pm Orders were issued for A Coy 7th Buffs to stand by ready to move up to Thiepval at a moment’s notice. Major Monier-Williams ordered to report to Brigade H.Q.

                                4pm Verbal orders received from Brigade. “1 Coy to report to O.C. 8th East Surrey Regiment. at Thiepval at once.” A Coy 7th Buffs was ordered to proceed up.

                                8.50pm Verbal orders received from Brigadier who came up to Wood Post were that 1 Coy and H.Q. were to move up to Thiepval and reinforce the 8th East Surrey Regiment. who were to collect and withdraw back to Wood Post.

                                9.15pm H.Q. and B Coy moved up to Thiepval reaching there at 10.45 p.m. B Coy moving into dug outs about R.25.b.6.0. H.Q, going to 8th East Surrey H.Q. at R.25.d.0.4. C Coy ordered to move up to Joseph trench R.32.a.2.6 to 7.7.

                                12 midnight. Message received from A Coy saying nos. 1 and 3 platoons had been sent to reinforce 8th East Surrey Regiment. left near point R.19 d 65. Nos 2 and 4 platoons sent to help 7th R.W. Kent Regiment. Also report attached received from D Coy with reference to the attack at 4 p.m. by nos. 15 and 16 platoons by 2L/t L. G. Carman who was in command of the party.

                                A.W. Monier-Williams Commanding 7th Buffs 10th Oct 1916

                                30th September 1916  General Morland ( Commanding 10th Corps. ) presented medal ribbons

                                30th September 1916  Usual heavy shelling.

                                30th September 1916  Return

                                30th September 1916  Bombardier Jeffery Awarded Military Medal

                                30th September 1916  Physical drill & Bayonet exercises

                                30th Sep 1916  Training

                                30th of September 1916   Cleaning Up

                                30th September 1916  Paraded under Officer from 9th Gordons

                                30th of September 1916  Battalion relieved

                                31st of September 1916  Marched to Billets

                                30th Sep 1916  Trench Work

                                4th Sep 1916  Training  In the course of the morning all Officers of 7th Buffs visited the training area to examine the ground at U.1.d.74, which was to be used for the afternoon’s Scheme. They also witnessed a Demonstration of Intensive Digging. During the morning B and C Companies were instructed in wiring by an N.C.O. provided by 92nd Field Coy R.E. for the purpose. 1 pm The Battalion marched to the training area at U.I.d.74 and practiced a Brigade Attack on 2 lines of trenches. Cooperation with a Contact Aeroplane was practised and Intensive digging in the Captured positions. At the Conclusion of the Scheme the Battalion returned to billets for tea. Orders were issued for the Battalion to move with the 55th Infantry Bde to Maizieres. This was subsequently cancelled just before midnight.

                                4th Sep 1916  Guard Duty

                                5th Sep 1916  Training   The move having been postponed at the last moment, the day was given up to Company Training. A and B Companies 7th Buffs utilized the Bombing Redout at Rocourt during the morning, while the remaining Companies during the morning and the Battalion after dinners include Intensive Digging in their programme. The Southern half of B area was used by the Battalion.

                                6th Sep 1916 Training   Companies marched to A Area for training: including Drill, Intensive Digging, Bayonet fighting, etc 9am The C.O. examined the Platoons of A Company. 4Pm All Officers and Company Sgt Majors witnessed a Demonstration of Intensive Digging, and the erection of Cave Shelters and of Low wire entanglements. At the conclusion General Maxse held a Conference of Senior Officers, including Company Commanders. The Demonstration was under arrangements made by the 54th Infantry Brigade.

                                7th Sep 1916 Training  9am 7th Battalion Buffs marched to C Area for Training. Dinners were taken out. The Companies in turn practiced the Attack, closely following a Barrage; and consolidation of captured position. The remainder of the day was spent in Physical Training etc. C Coy and Hd Qtrs Details went to the Baths at Magincourt.

                                8th Sep 1916  Training  Battalion marched to A Training Area. After an hour’s Physical Training they witnessed a Demonstration of Field Works by 92nd Field Co. R.E. A and B Coys marched back to Billets for dinners while C and D ate theirs on the area. 2.15, 4.30 p.m. C and D Coys practised attacking with Artillery Barrage, and also the throwing of live bombs.

                                8th Sep 1916  Musketry  A and B Coys marched to the Rifle Range on A Area. During the day, orders were received Companies from 55th I. Bde., and re-issued to Companies i.e. relative to the march to Maizieres on the following day.

                                9th Sep 1916 On the March   The Battalion started from the Road Junction West of Monchy Breton Church at 9.45 a.m., the order of march being A, B, Companies, Drums, C, D, Companies. The Battalion passed the Brigade Starting Point (Cross-roads South of E in Monchy Breton) at 10.15, being rear Battalion in the Brigade. The attached troops of the Brigade and Echelon B of Transport followed. The route was by Bailleul Aux Cornailles, U in Le Haut Barley Fm, Averdoingt to Maiziéres; which was reached at 12.20 p.m. Major General Maxse watched the Brigade march past him just outside this village. Orders were received for the march of the following day.

                                  Officer transferred back to 3/9

                                October 1916   No.41 Squadron proceeded to France in October 1916 flying FE8s. Deployment to the front line soon showed that the F.E.8 was at a severe disadvantage compared with the German Fokker Eindekker fighter. The drag created by its tail ensured it was slower than the Fokker, and its light-weight construction made it vulnerable to attack both from other aircraft and from ground fire. It was nick-named Fokker fodder by its pilots and dead meat by the Germans. Pilots also soon learned not to use it for ground attack.

                                Oct 1916   No 45 Squadron proceeded to France in October 1916, equipped with Sopwith 1½ Strutters.

                                October 1916 

                                   9th battalion the london regiment (queen victorias rifles) were fighting at les plouef thiepval on this date. cant find out much about les plouef but beleive it may have been a trench. my great uncle was in the regiment and got shot here. his body never recovered.information came from a letter from his commander to my great grandmother.

                                1st Oct 1916 Abbotts VAD Hospital moves  The Abbotts VAD hospital, Cheltenham, moved from The Abbotts, 49 All Saints Road to The Priory, a larger house nearby doubling its capacity to 100 beds.

                                1st October 1916 Hostile Trenches Bombarded  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz Wood. At 0700 D236 began to bombard hostile trenches --- near Eaucourt L’Abbaye and other Batteries fired a short intense barrage from 1007 until 1015. At 1515 140 Infantry Brigade assaulted and took Eaucourt L’Abbaye in conjunction with the New Zealand Division on our right. They held firm on the left flank with the 20th Battalion holding firm on the right: another Battalion attacked, but the situation still remained obscure.

                                1st Oct 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  Pioneer Work started in September for the 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles and continued throughout October with the weather worsening as winter progressed.

                                "The trenches and dugouts to begin with were not such at all in the sense in which the troops had been wont to use the names on the Ancre. The fighting trenches consisted everywhere save on the highest ground, of parapets built of sandbags filled with clay. In places there was a parados similarly constructed, but over long stretches the men in the front line simply stood behind the wall, with no protection against the back-burst of shells. Water in this country appeared everywhere just below the surface and it was useless to dig trenches in the real sense for any other purpose than drainage. Even the communication trenches were sunk not deeper than a foot and piled high on either side with earth which made them satisfactory enough as cover from view, but very vulnerable to shellfire. These communication trenches were longer than those to which the troops had been accustomed, the approaches to the front line being much more exposed than among the folds of the Somme country. As for dugouts, there were none. Little wooden-framed shelves in the parapets, a few "baby elephants", arched steel shelters, which if covered thickly enough with sandbags, afforded protection against the shells of field guns, served for the troops in line, while further back, for battalion HQ and forts, there were ruined farms, which often had good cellars and in the framework of which concrete structures could be hidden. It was hard for troops used to the Somme chalk to accustom their minds to the spongy nature of this soil."

                                "When it rained, which was not seldom, all the low lying ground was flooded. The valley of the Douve (a small stream) above all, from Wulverghem to the front line, became a muddy swamp, in which water lay in sheets. At such times, and indeed during a great part of the winter, many trenches simply could not be occupied. No adequate idea of the impression conveyed upon the mind of a man coming up north from the clean white trenches of the Somme can be obtained of all this area unless it is conceived as dirty, mournful and disconsolate; haunted by the evil stench of blue clay, and brooded over by an atmosphere of decay."

                                "You went into that front line and you never even took --- I don’t think I took my equipment off; and there were no dugouts in this particular part; and the only place I could stretch myself out was where someone had sandbagged a part of the parapet and they’d left a space between sandbags and you could crawl in on hands and knees and stretch yourself out. I remember that was the only place I could get down to have a rest."

                                October Casualties in 16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles: Officers 1 wounded, Other Ranks 6 wounded.

                                1st Oct 1916  Zeppelin raid on London

                                1st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                1st Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                1st October 1916 Zeppelin raid on London  The next raid came on the 1st of October 1916. Eleven Zeppelins were launched at targets in the Midlands and at London. As usual weather played a major role and only L 31 under the experienced Heinrich Mathy, on his 15th raid, reached London. Approaching from Suffolk, L 31 was picked up by the searchlights at Kelvedon Hatch around 2145, turning away, the airship detoured over Harlow, Stevenage and Hatfield. As the airship neared Cheshunt at about 2320 the airship was quickly picked up by six searchlights. Three aircraft of No. 39 Squadron were in the air and closed in on L 31. A BE2c piloted by 2nd lieutenant Wulstan Tempest engaged the Zeppelin at around 2350. Three bursts were sufficient to set fire to L 31, and it crashed near Potters Bar with all 19 crew dying, Mathy jumping from the burning airship. His body was found near the wreckage, embedded some four inches in the ground. Tempest had had to dive out of the way of the stricken airship and, possibly suffering from anoxia, crashed without injury on landing.

                                "The Zeppelin was now nearly 15,000 feet high and mounting rapidly….[I] dived straight at her, firing a burst straight into her as I came. I let her have another burst as I passed under her and then banking my machine over, sat under her tail, and flying along underneath her, pumped lead into her …As I was firing, I noticed her begin to go red inside like an enormous Chinese lantern and then a flame shot out of the front part of her and I realized she was on fire. She then shot up about 200 feet, paused, and came roaring down straight on to me before I had time to get out of the way. I nose-dived for all I was worth… and just managed to corkscrew out of the way as she shot past me, roaring like a furnace." Second Lieutenant W. Tempest.

                                "The Zeppelin drifted perpendicularly in the darkened sky. A gigantic pyramid of flames, red and orange, like a ruined star falling slowly to earth. Its glare lit up the streets and gave a ruddy tint even to the waters of the Thames. The spectacle lasted two or three minutes. It was so horribly fascinating that I felt spellbound , almost suffocated with emotion, ready hysterically to laugh or dry. When at last the doomed airship vanished from sight there arose a shout the like of which I never heard in London before — a hoarse shout of mingled execration, triumph and joy. It was London’s Te Deum for another crowning deliverance. Four Zeppelins destroyed in a month!" Journalist, Michael MacDonagh, who watched the spectacle from Blackfriars Bridge. The next morning, MacDonagh’s editor sent him to Potters Bar, where in heavy rain, he located the crash site: "One body was found in the field some distance from the wreckage. He must have jumped from the doomed airship from a considerable height. So great was the force with which he struck the ground that I saw the imprint of his body clearly defined in the stubbly grass. There was around hole for the head, then deep impressions of the trunk, with outstretched arms, and finally the widely separated legs. Life was in him when he was picked up, but the spark soon went out. He was, in fact, the Commander, who had been in one of the gondolas hanging from the airship."

                                1st October 1916 New Squadron formed  No 75 Squadron formed at Goldington as a home defence squadron on the 1st of October 1916 to undertake defence of the Bedfordshire area. It was equipped with the BE2 scout aircraft.

                                1st October 1916 Home Defence Squadron formed  No 77 Squadron formed on the 1st of October 1916 at Edinburgh by redesignating B Flight of No.36 Squadron. It was a home defence squadron equipped with BE2s and BE12s.

                                It was a response to growing concerns that Zeppelin raids were now extending their targets to the north-east of England and into Scotland. Edinburgh itself had been attacked by Zeppelins on 2nd/3rd April 1916 and 13 people had been killed, so the unit’s particular remit was to be the Firth of Forth area.

                                To provide defensive patrolling, whilst its HQ remained in the capital, flights were based at Whiteburn (Grantshouse) and at New Haggerston near Berwick-upon-Tweed. In common with many other units charged with home defence, the squadron also had a remit to train personnel, typically using their night patrolling duties to practice and develop night-flying skills.
                                1st October 1916  Winter quarters

                                1st Oct 1916  Move to new billets

                                1st Oct 1916  Church service and C Sqn. relocation

                                1st Oct 1916  Pumping Resumes

                                1st Oct 1916  Clocks go Back

                                October 1916  On the Move

                                1st October 1916 

                                1st Oct 1916 

                                1st Oct 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams are in the trenches of the Givenchy Sector. Weather is fine. Quiet on the whole. 11 East Lancs relieved 13 York & Lancs on their left during the night. Mutual rifle grenade & trench mortar activity in late afternoon. 60 reinforcements reported to 18th DLI, Capt. J. B. Hughes-Game was wounded.

                                1st Oct 1916  Attack Made

                                Oct 1916  Move

                                1st Oct 1916  Local Nuisance

                                1st Oct 1916  Arguments and Ownership

                                Oct 1916  Move

                                1st Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Oct 1916  Training

                                1st of October 1916  Relieving the Canadians

                                1st of October 1916  Working Parties

                                1st Oct 1917  Shelling

                                1st Oct 1916  Church Parade

                                1st Oct 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                1st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                1st Oct 1916  Brigade Reserve

                                1st Oct 1916  Quiet

                                1st Oct 1916  Time Change

                                1st of October 1916  Artillery Active

                                1st Oct 1916  Training

                                1st of October 1916  Attacks

                                1st of October 1916  Mortars Retaliate

                                  Patrol

                                1st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                1st Oct 1916  Details

                                1st Oct 1916  Duties

                                1st October 1916 

                                1st Oct 1916  Quiet

                                1st Oct 1916  Visit

                                1st Oct 1916  Rain

                                1st Oct 1916  In Reserve

                                Oct 1916  On the Move

                                1st October 1916  Casualty at ration issue

                                1st of October 1916  On the Move

                                1st of October 1916  A New Area

                                1st October 1916  Preliminary Operation Order.

                                1st October 1916  Reliefs

                                1st October 1916  Wintertime came into force this morning at 0100 hours

                                1st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st October 1916  1430 hours the Battalion left Longpre by train to join 1st Army.

                                Autumn 1916 

                                1st October 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Oct 1916  Orders

                                Oct 1916  Training

                                1st October 1916  On the March

                                1st of October 1916  On the March

                                1st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                1st October 1916  Church Parades

                                2nd October 1916  Infantry Attack

                                2nd Oct 1916  Munitions Wages

                                2nd Oct 1916 125th Heavy RGA fall foul of wet weather  125th Heavy Battery, RGA record in their war diary: Tried to get battery up to behind Flers. Rain set in. Job abandoned. One gun stuck. Wet.

                                2nd October 1916  Onward move to Houzecourt

                                2nd October 1916  Inspections

                                2nd October 1916  Drainage

                                2nd Oct 1916  The Joy Wheel

                                2nd Oct 1916   In the Givenchy Sector 18th DLI are in The Trenches. Fair. Quiet. Continuous rain later. 8pm to 9pm considerable rifle & bombing activity South of Canal.

                                2nd Oct 1916  Counter Attack

                                2nd Oct 1916  Waiting for Theatre

                                2nd Oct 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                2nd Oct 1916  Advance Continues

                                2nd Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                2nd Oct 1916  Training

                                2nd Oct 1916  In Support

                                2nd Oct 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Oct 1916  Divisional Reserve

                                2nd Oct 1916  Trench Work

                                2nd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd of October 1916  Orders

                                2nd of October 1916  Attacks

                                2nd Oct 1916  Training

                                2nd of October 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd of October 1916  Orders

                                2nd of October 1916  In Action

                                2nd of October 1916  Minenwerfer Retaliate

                                2nd Oct 1916  Report

                                2nd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd October 1916 

                                2nd Oct 1916  Quiet

                                2nd Oct 1916  Defence Work

                                2nd of October 1916   Reconnoitring the Line

                                2nd October 1916  Wet & Cold. A quiet day.

                                2nd October 1916  Practice the attack.

                                2nd Oct 1916  Artillery Observation

                                Oct 1916  Recce

                                2nd October 1916  Officers reconnoitred trenches held by 92nd Brigade

                                2nd October 1916  On the Move

                                2nd Oct 1916  Brigades Training

                                2nd October 1916  Muddy

                                2nd of October 1916  Training and Practice

                                2nd October 1916  Wiring, Bombing, Musketry and Company Parades.

                                3rd October 1916 New Positions  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: The position at the front was satisfactorily cleared up. Eaucourt L’Abbaye was definitely captured and all the Germans in the dug out silenced. The wagons that got stuck were cleared and 3 more guns proceeded down to the new positions between dawn and dusk. Otherwise a fairly quiet day.

                                3rd Oct 1916  20th DLI rest at Mametz Wood

                                3rd October 1916  Onward move to Cramont

                                3rd October 1916  Bad weather hinders training

                                3rd Oct 1916  Wet and Miserable

                                3rd Oct 1916  Reorganisation

                                3rd Oct 1916   Givenchy Sector. 18th Durhams are in The Trenches "Thick scotch mist in morning and early afternoon. Very quiet."

                                3rd Oct 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                3rd Oct 1916  Prevention

                                3rd Oct 1916  Patients on the Mend

                                3rd Oct 1916  Shelling

                                3rd Oct 1916  Relief

                                3rd Oct 1916  Positions Held

                                3rd Oct 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Oct 1916  Drill

                                3rd Oct 1916  In Billets

                                3rd Oct 1916  Trench Work

                                3rd Oct 1916  Training

                                3rd Oct 1916  Training

                                3rd of October 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd of October 1916  Congratulations

                                3rd of October 1916  Attack

                                3rd of October 1916  Enemy's TMs Active

                                3rd Oct 1916  Awaiting Orders

                                3rd Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                3rd Oct 1916  Shelling

                                3rd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Oct 1916  In Reserve

                                3rd October 1916  Casualty at ration issue

                                3rd of October 1916  MG Coys into the Line

                                3rd October 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order No. 24.

                                3rd October 1916  Nearly all Battalion on fatigues.

                                3rd October 1916  Orders were received about 1030 hours that the Battalion will prepare to move on the 5th.

                                3rd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd October 1916  0900 hours we moved up in to Reserve and took over from 12th Notts & Derby Regt.

                                3rd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd October 1916  Reinforcements

                                3rd of October 1916   Training

                                1916-10-03 013royscots1 007scotfus1 045bde1 3rd October 1916  Warning Order.

                                3rd October 1916  Warning Order.

                                3rd of October 1916  Training continues

                                4th October 1916 Bad Light  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Mametz Wood. Very quiet day on our front with no infantry action at all. C236 Battery has one gun in it's new position and B236 Battery has 4. The light is very bad, but some registration is done by the Batteries. It has rained for most of the day.

                                4th October 1916  Reinforcements

                                4th October 1916  Divisional Inspections

                                4th October 1916  Listening Posts

                                4th Oct 1916  The Problem of Dark Evenings

                                4th Oct 1916   Quiet in morning. 18th Durhams are relieved in The Trenches of the Givenchy Sector by 1st Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry and moved into Village (support) Line. No casualties. D Coy. held Givenchy Keep, Hilders, Herts. A Coy. Pont Fixe South. B Coy. Orchard. Heavy rain at night.

                                4th Oct 1916  On the March

                                4th Oct 1916  Troop Ship Sunk

                                4th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                4th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                4th Oct 1916  In the Front Line

                                1916-10-04 

                                4th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                4th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Oct 1916  Reorganisation

                                4th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                4th Oct 1916  Training

                                4th Oct 1916  Shoots

                                4th of October 1916  On the March

                                4th of October 1916  Hostile Patrol Fired On

                                4th Oct 1916  In Billets

                                4th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                4th Oct 1916  Orders

                                4th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                4th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                4th October 1916  Harley Street

                                4th Oct 1916  In billets

                                4th of October 1916   Reliefs Underway

                                4th October 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order No. 25.

                                4th October 1916  Table

                                4th October 1916  Relief Orders

                                4th October 1916  General Notes.

                                4th October 1916  Y Party Timetable.

                                4th October 1916  Orders

                                4th October 1916  X Party Timetable.

                                4th October 1916  Orders Issued

                                4th October 1916  120th Infantry Brigade O.O.32

                                4th October 1916  Orders Received

                                4th October 1916  The attack was carried out today on the manouvre ground.

                                4th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th October 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                4th October 1916  Occasional rain,

                                4th of October 1916  Training

                                4th October 1916  Marched to Bresle.

                                4th of October 1916  Moved to Somme area

                                5th October 1916 236 Bde RFA HQ Moves  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report it was decided to move HQ. to a new position at S.10.c.4.6 on the road running from the Longueval - Contalmaison Road to the East Corner of High Wood. There was hostile artillery activity on the slope North East of High Wood. Nothing of any great importance.

                                5th October 1916  Battalion training

                                5th October 1916  Training and lecture

                                5th October 1916  Equipment Moved

                                5th Oct 1916  Parcel Still not Arrived

                                5th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Oct 1916  In Camp

                                5th Oct 1916  Prisoners sent to England

                                5th Oct 1916  Training

                                5th Oct 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                Oct 1916  A Quieter Sector

                                5th of October 1916  Firing on the Enemy

                                5th of October 1916  German Shelling

                                5th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Oct 1916  Trench Mortars

                                5th Oct 1916  Training

                                5th Oct 1916  Strafe

                                5th of October 1916  On the March

                                5th of October 1916  Morning Bombardment

                                5th Oct 1916  Change of Billets

                                5th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                5th October 1916  Officers reporting for duty

                                5th Oct 1916  Wire Cut

                                5th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                5th Oct 1916  Attack

                                5th Oct 1916  Transfer

                                5th of October 1916  More Reliefs

                                5th Oct 1916  Reorganisation

                                5th Oct 1916  Reorganisation

                                5th October 1916  Rations

                                5th October 1916  Reliefs

                                5th October 1916  The Battalion marched out of Coyecque this morning

                                5th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th October 1916  1st Bedfords moved in to Support and 1st Cheshires in reserve.

                                5th October 1916  Reliefs

                                5th of October 1916  Training

                                5th October 1916  Brigade Training Scheme

                                5th of October 1916  Training

                                6th Oct 1914  New Captain for Undaunted

                                6th October 1916 Gunners Buried  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Bazentin le Grand - High Wood(east)Road (S.10.c.4.6). Brigade HQ. moved to the new position on the road running from the Longueval-Contalmaison Road to the East side of High Wood (S.10.c.4.6). C236 Battery was shelled in their new position with 5.9 and 8 inch guns and had to evacuate it. Gunner Grove E.S.B. was killed and one wounded (Sgt. Irons). Two or three others were buried, but were successfully dug out and remained on duty. The Batteries fired some ordered barrages. A236 Battery relieved C236 Battery in their position while B236 Battery relieved A236 Battery in their position.

                                6th Oct 1916  Trench Mortar

                                6th October 1916  Scheme postponed due to bad weather.

                                6th October 1916  Equipment

                                6th October 1916  GOC Brigade inspection

                                6th Oct 1916  Gifts

                                6th Oct 1916  Advance Party

                                6th Oct 1916   18th DLI with transport moved in conjunction with 15th West Yorks leaving billets at Bethune 9.30am and leaving 15th West Yorks at Busnes, entered billets at La Pierriere 1.0pm.

                                6th Oct 1916  Training and Baths

                                6th Oct 1916  Recce

                                6th Oct 1916  On the March

                                6th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                6th Oct 1916  Enemy Machine Guns Active

                                6th Oct 1916  Enemy Active

                                6th of October 1916  Retaliatory Shellling

                                6th Oct 1916  In Billets

                                6th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                6th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                6th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Oct 1916  Baths

                                6th Oct 1916  Bombardment

                                6th of October 1916  Training

                                6th of October 1916  Vigorous German Retaliation

                                6th Oct 1916  Orders

                                6th Oct 1916  Mines Exploded

                                6th Oct 1916  Rounds Fired

                                6th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                6th Oct 1916  Patrol

                                6th of October 1916   31st Div Relieved

                                6th Oct 1916  Reorganisation

                                6th October 1916  Orders

                                6th October 1916  Casualties wounded.

                                6th October 1916  The Regimental transport moved off this morning

                                6th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Oct 1916  Orders

                                6th October 1916  Shelling

                                6th of October 1916  Operation Orders Received

                                6th October 1916  Company Parades in the morning

                                7th October 1916 Continuous Barrages  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report at 1345 47th Division attacked with a view to seizing the Grid Line and Butte de Warlencourt. The 15th Battalion on the right obtained their objectives and after several vicissitudes held it with a few parties and dug in behind it. On the left the attack was, as a whole, unsuccessful with very little ground being gained. The Batteries fired continuously on barrages ordered by Divisional Artillery. Lt J.F. Gayner proceeded to the Field Ambulance sick. 2/Lt B.B. Wallace was wounded by a bullet in his hand while reconnoitering the front.

                                7th Oct 1916  20th DLI back to the line

                                7th October 1916   SM U-84

                                Type U 81 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 254) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 25 Oct 1915 Launched 22 Jul 1916 Commissioned 7 Oct 1916

                                Commanders.
                                17 Oct 1916 - 26 Jan 1918 Walter Roehr

                                Career 8 patrols.
                                3 Dec 1916 - 26 Jan 1918 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 28 ships sunk with a total of 83,127 tons.
                                7 ships damaged with a total of 42,149 tons.
                                2 ships taken as prize with a total of 3,462 tons.

                                • 14 Dec 1916 U 84 Walter Roehr Aamot (prize) 1,362 nw
                                • 18 Dec 1916 U 84 Walter Roehr Malcolm (prize) 2,100 sw
                                • 9 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Alexandrian (damaged) 4,467 br
                                • 10 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bergenhus 3,606 nw
                                • 12 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Auchencrag 3,916 br
                                • 15 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Kinpurney 1,944 br
                                • 15 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Omsk 1,574 da
                                • 20 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bulgarian 2,515 br
                                • 20 Jan 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Neuquen 3,583 br
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bayonne 2,589 fr
                                • 17 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Romsdalen 2,548 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Berrima (damaged) 11,137 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Hunsworth (damaged) 2,991 br
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Juno 2,416 nw
                                • 18 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Valdes 2,233 br
                                • 21 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Dukat 1,408 nw
                                • 22 Feb 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Invercauld 1,416 br
                                • 13 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Argyll 3,547 br
                                • 13 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Lime Branch (damaged) 5,379 br
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Cragoswald 3,235 br
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Rowena 3,017 br
                                • 19 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Elswick Manor 3,943 br
                                • 20 Apr 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Malakand 7,653 br
                                • 1 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bachi 2,184 sp
                                • 1 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Demerara (damaged) 11,484 br
                                • 4 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Goathland 3,044 br
                                • 7 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Condesa 8,557 br
                                • 7 Jul 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Oxø 831 nw
                                • 12 Aug 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Ursus Minor 623 nw
                                • 13 Aug 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Bergamot 1,290 br
                                • 24 Nov 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Actaeon 4,999 am
                                • 1 Dec 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Antonios Stathatos 2,743 gr
                                • 2 Dec 1917 U 84 Walter Roehr Birchgrove 2,821 br
                                • 9 Jan 1918 U 84 Walter Roehr Bayvoe 2,979 br
                                • 10 Jan 1918 U 84 Walter Roehr Cardiff (damaged) 2,808 br
                                • 12 Jan 1918 U 84 Walter Roehr Chateau Laffite 1,913 fr
                                • 17 Jan 1918 U 84 Walter Roehr Messidor (damaged) 3,883 br

                                Fate 26 Jan 1918 - Possibly rammed and depth charged by PC62 in St George Channel and sunk at 51.53N 05.44W. 40 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 84 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 26 Feb 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 29 Apr 1941.

                                7th October 1916  Inspections

                                7th October 1916  Levels Dropping

                                7th October 1916  Corps Commander inspection

                                7th Oct 1916  Rations Improved

                                7th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1916  Training and Route March

                                7th Oct 1916  Attack Made

                                7th Oct 1916  Submarine Docks

                                7th Oct 1916  Guards Draft

                                7th Oct 1916  On the March

                                7th Oct 1916  Attack Made

                                7th Oct 1917  Training

                                7th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Oct 1916  Patrol

                                7th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                7th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                7th Oct 1916  Trench Work

                                7th Oct 1916  Into Camp

                                7th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Oct 1916  Training & Baths

                                7th Oct 1916  Recce

                                7th of October 1916  Training

                                7th of October 1916  TMs Active

                                7th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                7th October 1916 

                                7th Oct 1916  Trench Raid

                                7th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                7th October 1916  Harley Street

                                7th Oct 1916  Attack Made

                                7th of October 1916  In the Front Line

                                7th October 1916  Instructions

                                7th October 1916  Instructions

                                7th October 1916  Quiet

                                7th October 1916  Orders received that the Battalion will entrain at St. Pol tonight.

                                7th Oct 1916  Pilot wounded

                                7th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                7th October 1916  Shelling

                                7th October 1916  Return

                                7th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                7th October 1916  Attack Resumed

                                7th of October 1916  Quiet

                                7th October 1916  Operation Orders

                                7th October 1916  March Table

                                7th October 1916  Battalion parades.

                                8th Oct 1916 2nd Irish Fusiliers relieved at Cuinchy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers moved to up the line to relieve the 2nd Btn Royal Irish Rifles in the Cuinchy sub sector.

                                8th October 1916 Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Bazentin le Grand and High Wood Road. 236th Brigade RFA was relieved by 237th Brigade RFA. D236 battery remained in action under 237th Brigade RFA. D235 battery was taken over later by 236th Brigade RFA. All batteries held at their Wagon Lines in Bottom Wood except C236 Battery which took over C237 Battery gun position at Marlboro Wood and kept in charge of the depot guns of 47th Division Artillery. D235 Battery acts as depot Howitzer battery. Brigade Headquarters were moved to 237th Brigade Headquarters near Mametz.

                                8th October 1916  Church Parade and work party

                                8th October 1916  Pumps

                                8th October 1916  Church Parade

                                8th Oct 1916  Troops Congregate

                                8th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                8th Oct 1916   From La Pierriere 18th DLI moved to Lillers, entrained 4.45pm and arrived Doullens 11.30pm.

                                8th Oct 1916  Training

                                8th Oct 1916  Ships Sunk

                                8th Oct 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                8th Oct 1917  On the March

                                8th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Oct 1916  Casualties

                                8th of October 1916  A Daylight Patrol

                                8th of October 1916  Reinforcements Arrive

                                8th Oct 1916  On the March

                                8th Oct 1916  Orders

                                8th Oct 1916  Trench Work

                                8th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Oct 1916  Church Parade

                                8th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                8th of October 1916  Rain

                                8th of October 1916  Ontario Farm Bombarded

                                8th October 1916 

                                8th Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                8th Oct 1916  Church Parade

                                8th October 1916  Cuinchy again

                                8th of October 1916   Front Changed

                                8th October 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order No. 27.

                                8th October 1916  Preparation

                                8th October 1916  The Battalion detrained at Acheux

                                8th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th October 1916  Relief

                                8th October 1916  Quiet day

                                8th October 1916  Orders

                                8th Oct 1916  Orders Issued

                                8th October 1916  Heavy Artillery Fire

                                8th of October 1916   Attacks and Digging

                                8th October 1916  Marched from Bresle

                                8th of October 1916  Move to Englebelmer

                                9th October 1916 All Quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Mametz. No events of any importance. Several guns and Howitzers passed through our hands.

                                9th October 1916  Ops cancelled

                                9th October 1916  Message Intercepted

                                9th October 1916  Battalion training

                                9th Oct 1916  Fine Day

                                9th Oct 1916   18th Durhams moved by route march from Doullens into billets at Orville reaching billets 2.15am. 18th Battalion DLI entered Reserve Army XIII Corps.

                                9th Oct 1916  Training

                                9th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                9th Oct 1917  On the March

                                9th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                9th Oct 1916  Relief

                                9th of October 1916  Supporting a Gas Attack

                                9th of October 1916  A Gas Attack

                                9th Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                9th Oct 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                9th Oct 1916  Trench Work

                                9th Oct 1916  Training

                                9th Oct 1916  Training

                                9th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                9th of October 1916  Working Parties

                                9th of October 1916  Three POWs Taken

                                9th Oct 1916  School

                                9th Oct 1916  Orders

                                9th Oct 1916  Aircraft

                                9th Oct 1916  Defences

                                9th October 1916 

                                9th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                9th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                9th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                9h October 1916  Abercrombie on leave

                                9th of October 1916   Batteries Transferred

                                9th October 1916  Shelling.

                                9th October 1916  Three work parties numbering 350 NCO's and men were supplied

                                9th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th October 1916  Working Parties

                                9th October 1916  Battalion returned to Transport Lines.

                                9th of October 1916  Fairly Quiet

                                9th October 1916  Considerable shelling

                                9th of October 1916  Working parties

                                10th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved at Cuinchy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers relieved by the 2nd Btn East Surrey Regiment and the 2nd King Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the Cuinchy sub sector. The 16th Northumberlands move to Bethune for training.

                                10th October 1916 Ammunition Moved  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report No events of any importance. C236 Battery finally cleared its dump at it's old position at Bazentin le Petit Windmill and took the ammunition up to 237th Battery positions.

                                10th October 1916  Staff ride, appointment and award.

                                10th October 1916  Men Withdrawn

                                10th Oct 1916  27th Field Ambulance in Action

                                10th Oct 1916  Communication

                                10th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                10th Oct 1916  On the March

                                10th Oct 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                10th Oct 1917  In the Trenches

                                10th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Oct 1916  Training

                                10th of October 1916  Tit for Tat

                                10th of October 1916  Mortars on Ontario Farm

                                10th Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                10th Oct 1916  In Billets

                                10th October 1916  Operational

                                10th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Oct 1916  Training

                                10th Oct 1916  Training

                                10th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                10th of October 1916  Reliefs

                                10th of October 1916  Winter Trench Shelled

                                10th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                10th October 1916 

                                10th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                10th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                10th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                10th October 1916  Billets

                                10th of October 1916   Front Readjusted

                                10th October 1916  Battalion Order

                                10th October 1916  Consolidation of New Crater.

                                10th October 1916  Mines

                                10th October 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order No. 28.

                                10th October 1916  Table of Reliefs

                                10th October 1916  Table of Reliefs

                                10th October 1916  Instructions

                                10th October 1916  Reliefs

                                10th October 1916  Classes in Bombing and the Lewis Gun commenced today

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th October 1916  The Brigade side slipped one Battalion to the right.

                                10th Oct 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                10th October 1916  Orders Received

                                10th October 1916  Into Billets

                                10th of October 1916   Front Line Relieved

                                10th October 1916  Operation Orders

                                10th October 1916  Relieved by 13th Royal Scots.

                                11th October 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Nothing of any importance.

                                11th October 1916  Divisional Ops in the field

                                11th October 1916  Sand

                                11th October 1916  New formation training

                                11th Oct 1916  More Big Guns on the Move

                                11th Oct 1916   18th DLI moved from billets in Orville to shelters in Orville Wood.

                                11th Oct 1916  Football

                                11th Oct 1916  On the March

                                11th Oct 1916  Working Party

                                11th Oct 1917  Heavy Shelling

                                11th Oct 1916  Training

                                11th Oct 1916  Training

                                11th Oct 1916  Relief

                                11th Oct 1916  Orders

                                11th Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                11th Oct 1916  March

                                11th Oct 1916  Training

                                11th Oct 1916  Misty

                                11th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                11th of October 1916  Working Parties

                                11th of October 1916  Artillery Registers

                                11th Oct 1916  Course

                                11th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                11th Oct 1916  Award

                                11th of October 1916  5th Div's Artillery Area

                                11th October 1916  Orders

                                11th October 1916  Orders Updated

                                11th October 1916  Trench Raid

                                11th October 1916  Classes of instruction in Bombing and Lewis Gun continue.

                                11st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11th October 1916  Armourer Staff Sgt. inspected rifles.

                                11th of October 1916   Digging

                                11th October 1916  Operational Order

                                11th October 1916  Operational Orders

                                11th October 1916  Quiet day.

                                12th October 1916  Reliefs

                                12th October 1916  Squadron training

                                12th October 1916  Reliefs

                                12th October 1916  Ongoing training

                                12th Oct 1916  Work on the Mill

                                 

                                12th Oct 1916  New HQ

                                12th Oct 1916  Training & Football

                                12th Oct 1916  Training

                                12th Oct 1916  Attack Made

                                12th Oct 1917  Attack Made

                                12th of October 1916  Box Barrage for Inniskillings

                                12th of October 1916  Promotions and Work

                                12th Oct 1916  Demonstration

                                12th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                12th Oct 1916  Training

                                12th Oct 1916  Mines

                                12th Oct 1916  Recce

                                12th of October 1916  Training

                                12th of October 1916  Several Raids

                                12th Oct 1916  Orders

                                12th October 1916 

                                12th Oct 1916  Trench Raids

                                12th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                12th Oct 1916  Trench Raid

                                12th Oct 1916  Orders Received

                                12th of October 1916   In the Trenches

                                12th October 1916  Battalion Order 20 Issued.

                                12th October 1916  Companies receiving instruction in Musketry and Bayonet fighting.

                                12th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                12th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th October 1916  Relief Complete

                                12th Oct 1916  Bristol Red Cross

                                12th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                12th October 1916  Baths

                                12th of October 1916   Trench Improvements

                                12th October 1916  Slight shelling of Martinouich.

                                13th Oct 1916 New draft join 16th Northumberland Fusiliers   A further draft of 249 other ranks arrived at Bethune to join the 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers. Company training continued.

                                13th October 1916  On the Move

                                13th Oct 1916  Ongoing training

                                13th October 1916  Field work and conference

                                13th Oct 1916  Trench Raid

                                13th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                13th Oct 1916  Responsible Work

                                13th Oct 1916  Training & Working Parties

                                13th Oct 1916  Training

                                13th Oct 1916  Working Party

                                13th Oct 1916  Training

                                13th of October 1916  Gunsmoke

                                13th Oct 1916  Patrol

                                13th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                13th Oct 1916  Training

                                13th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                13th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                13th of October 1916 

                                13th of October 1916  Damage by Minenwerfers

                                13th Oct 1916  Orders

                                13th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                13th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                13th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Oct 1916  Fund Raising

                                13th of October 1916  Reliefs

                                13th October 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                13th October 1916  The band has been detailed for working party this evening.

                                13th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th October 1916  On the Move

                                13th October 1916  On the Move

                                13th of October 1916   New 2/CO

                                13th October 1916  Another quiet day

                                14th October 1916  At Rest

                                14th Oct 1916 125th Heavy Brigade move their guns  125th Heavy Battery move up to High Wood on right.

                                14th October 1916 2nd Btn Royal Irish Regiment join 7th Division  2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment transfer 22nd Brigade, 7th Division to to 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division.

                                14th October 1916  New attack scheme training

                                14th October 1916  Brigade Operations

                                14th October 1916  Shelling

                                14th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                14th Oct 1916  Training & Football

                                14th Oct 1916  Bivouac

                                14th Oct 1916  Working Party

                                14th Oct 1916  Training

                                14th Oct 1916  Training

                                14th of October 1916  Gunsmoke ceased

                                14th Oct 1916  Patrols

                                14th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Oct 1916  Training

                                14th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                14th Oct 1916  On the March

                                14th of October 1916  Training and Working Parties

                                14th of October 1916  Damaged Trenches

                                14th Oct 1916  YMCA Hut in France

                                14th Oct 1916  Last Letter to Father

                                14th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                14th October 1916  Bethune

                                14th of October 1916  Patrols Out

                                14th October 1916  Cleaning up.

                                14th October 1916  Practice the attack under direction of Commanding Officer.

                                14th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th October 1916  Report of the Patrol sent out by 1st Norfolk Regt. 14th October 1916 2200 hours.

                                14th October 1916  A very successful raid on the Fme. Cour D'Avoue under 2nd/Lt. Harrison

                                14th Oct 1916  Orders

                                14th October 1916  On the Move

                                14th of October 1916  Counter-Attack

                                14th October 1916  Working Parties.

                                14th Oct 1916  Accident

                                15th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers marched south from Bethune to return to The Somme sector. They spent the night at Dieval.

                                15th October 1916  On the March

                                15th October 1916  Church Parade

                                15th October 1916  Routine and conference

                                15th October 1916  Work Continues

                                15th Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                15th Oct 1916 

                                15th Oct 1916  Into Position

                                15th Oct 1916  Under Shellfire

                                15th Oct 1916  Test Firing

                                15th Oct 1916  Gunners Killed

                                15th Oct 1916  Training & Working Parties

                                15th Oct 1916  Working Party

                                15th Oct 1916  Trench Recce

                                15th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                15th of October 1916  Enemy Fairly Active

                                15th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                15th Oct 1916  Factory Life

                                15th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                15th Oct 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                15th Oct 1916  Church Parade

                                15th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                15th Oct 1916  On the March

                                15th of October 1916  Exercise

                                15th of October 1916  German Trenches "Knocked About"

                                15th Oct 1916  Sniping

                                15th Oct 1916  Move

                                15th Oct 1916  Musketry

                                15th October 1916  Btn in Bde reserve

                                15th Oct 1916  Conference

                                15th Oct 1916  Sunday

                                15th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                15th October 1916  Billets

                                15th of October 1916  Patrols Examine Wire

                                15th October 1916  Visit

                                15th October 1916  Confirmation of Orders

                                15th October 1916  Orders from Brigade

                                15th October 1916  Commencing today the Battalion supplies a daily work party of 30 men for work under the Town Mayor

                                15th Oct 1916  Pilot wounded

                                15th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                15th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th October 1916  Return

                                15th Oct 1916  Orders

                                15th October 1916  Holy Communion

                                15th of October 1916  Day Quiet

                                15th October 1916  Releifs Completed

                                16th October 1916  On the March

                                16th October 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ77 (LZ107)

                                • Production Ref: LZ77
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ107
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 16th October 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out one attack on Boulogne, France, dropping 1,440 kilograms (3,170 lb) of bombs with several other raids being cancelled or aborted. Decommissioned in July 1917.

                                16th October 1916  Battalion training

                                16th October 1916  Mounted training and reinforcements

                                16th October 1916  Loading

                                16th Oct 1916  Winter Setting In

                                16th Oct 1916  Training & Lectures

                                16th Oct 1916  Working Party

                                16th Oct 1916  Trench Recce

                                16th Oct 1916  In the Trenches

                                16th of October 1916  One Man Wounded

                                16th Oct 1916  Adaptation

                                16th Oct 1916  Trench Work

                                16th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                16th Oct 1916  Training

                                16th Oct 1916  Enemy Active

                                16th Oct 1916  On the March

                                16th of October 1916  Training

                                16th of October 1916  A Small Bombing Party

                                16th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Oct 1916  Route March

                                16th October 1916 

                                16th Oct 1916  Courses

                                16th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                16th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                16th October 1916  Marching

                                16th of October 1916  Artillery Relief Complete

                                16th October 1916  Orders

                                16th October 1916  Orders

                                16th October 1916  Order of Relief Table

                                16th October 1916  Army Commander expressed his appreciation

                                16th October 1916  Guards complimented by Army Commander.

                                16th October 1916  The Acheux bath's were alloted to the Battalion for four hours today

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th October 1916  Reliefs

                                16th October 1916  Close Order Drill

                                16th October 1916  Operational Order No.112

                                16th October 1916  Letter from 47th Division

                                16th of October 1916  Digging

                                16th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                16th October 1916  Quiet day.

                                16th of October 1916  Into the trenches

                                17th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march south  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers marched to Gouy-en-Ternois, via Frevillers, enroute to The Somme sector.

                                17th October 1916  On the March

                                17th Oct 1916  Wearside Pals leave The Somme

                                17th October 1916  Brigade Staff Ride

                                17th October 1916  Tamping Started

                                17th Oct 1916  Heavy Firing

                                17th Oct 1916   18th Durhams moved from shelters in Orville Wood to billets in St Leger.

                                17th Oct 1916  Fatigues

                                17th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Oct 1916  In Reserve

                                17th Oct 1916  Trench Recce

                                17th Oct 1916  In the Trenches

                                17th of October 1916 

                                17th of October 1916  Active Guns

                                17th Oct 1916  Relief

                                17th Oct 1916 Hard Days  "Poor old Love is back with us again after a few days in hospital. He had the misfortune to be buried alive under 5ft of earth and needless to say when dug out was not in the very best of health and temper. It has altered him a lot but I expect he will be himself again after a while. At the present moment he is sitting with me in my billet in a French chateau where we are resting for a few days whilst on the march to a fresh position. I am managing to keep in the best of health still. Last week I was ordered two days’ rest as I had had two or three very hard days in the trenches with a very perilous return journey successfully accomplished. I kept up OK until it was all over and then broke down and had to see the doctor. I am alright again now, but don’t want a similar experience again I can assure you. I had two fellows come to me afterwards and thank me for the splendid way I had backed them up during the trip with cheery words and my water bottle. I felt extremely satisfied, although it was done practically in an unconscious way and I cannot remember it. It is a long time since we have seen any of these green envelopes and we were surprised to have them issued today, as a matter of fact we had so few that they had to be raffled, and I was one of the lucky ones." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                17th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                17th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                17th Oct 1916  On the March

                                17th Oct 1916  Trench Raid

                                17th Oct 1916  On the March

                                17th of October 1916  Working Parties

                                17th of October 1916  Plane in Flames

                                17th Oct 1916  Training

                                17th Oct 1916  Visit

                                17th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                17th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                17th October 1916  Marching

                                17th Oct 1916  Training

                                17th of October 1916  Patrols Out

                                17th October 1916  Reliefs

                                17th October 1916  Bath's were again allotted, the remainder of the Battalion bathed.

                                17th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th October 1916  On the Move

                                17th October 1916  On the Move

                                17th of October 1916   Reliefs

                                17th October 1916  13th Royal Scots will relieve this Battalion tonight

                                17th October 1916  Relieved by 13th Royal Scots.

                                17th of October 1916  Relieved

                                18th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march south  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers march from Gouy-en-Ternois to Amplier, enroute to The Somme sector.

                                18th October 1916  On the March

                                18th Oct 1916  Wearside Pals arrive at Oismont

                                18th October 1916  Battalion training

                                18th October 1916  Weather postponements

                                18th October 1916  Shelling

                                18th Oct 1916  Blankets Issued

                                18th Oct 1916  Training & Working Parties

                                18th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Oct 1916  Orders

                                18th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Oct 1916  In the Trenches

                                18th of October 1916  An Officer Transfers

                                18th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                18th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                18th October 1916  2nd/5th Battalion East Kent (The Buffs)

                                18th Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                18th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Oct 1916  On the March

                                18th of October 1918  Training

                                18th of October 1916  Two Small Bombardments

                                18th Oct 1916  Soldiers Recreation rooms

                                18th Oct 1916  Training

                                18th October 1916 

                                18th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                18th October 1916  Marching

                                18th of October 1916  Patrols Out Again

                                18th October 1916  Instructions

                                18th October 1916  SECRET

                                18th October 1916  Quiet day.

                                18th October 1916  Orders received that the Battalion will move to other billets today.

                                18th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th Oct 1916  Aircraft Missing

                                18th of October 1916   Organisation for Attack

                                18th October 1916  Underclothing changed

                                18th of October 1916  Working parties

                                19th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march south  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers march from Amplier to Terramesnil, enroute to The Somme sector.

                                19th October 1916  Into Billets

                                19th October 1916  Move to Bivouac

                                19th October 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Oct 1916  274th Field Ambulance in Action

                                19th Oct 1916  Heavy Firing and Troops on the Move

                                19th Oct 1916  Wet Day

                                19th Oct 1916  On the March

                                19th Oct 1916  Under Shellfire

                                19th Oct 1916  In the Trenches

                                19th of October 1916  Reinforcements and an Order

                                19th Oct 1916  More Beds

                                19th Oct 1916  In Billets

                                19th Oct 1916  Orders

                                19th Oct 1916  Poor Weather

                                19th Oct 1916  Training

                                19th Oct 1916  Baths

                                19th Oct 1916  On the March

                                19th of October 1916  Rain

                                19th of October 1916  Orders

                                19th of October 1916  An Early Patrol

                                19th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                19th Oct 1916  Training

                                19th October 1916 

                                19th Oct 1916  Orders Issued

                                19th Oct 1916  Defence Work and Training

                                19th October 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order 30

                                19th October 1916  Letter

                                19th October 1916  Foot inspections

                                19th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th October 1916  On the Move

                                19th October 1916  Schedule 20th Oct. 1916

                                19th October 1916  In Support

                                19th October 1916  Working Party Schedule

                                19th of October 1916  Attack Postponed

                                19th Oct 1916  Funeral

                                19th October 1916  Operational Orders

                                19th October 1916  44th & 45th Brigades relieve 46th Brigade.

                                20th October 1916  On the March

                                20th Oct 1916  20th DLI entrain

                                22nd Oct 1916  20th DLI at Renningshelst

                                20th October 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ80 (L35)

                                • Production Ref: LZ80
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L35
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 20th October 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 13 reconnaissance missions around the North and Baltic Seas also three attacks on England, dropping a total of 4,284 kilograms (9,445 lb) of bombs. It was decommissioned in September 1918.

                                20th October 1916  Further move to St Leger

                                20th October 1916  Trenches

                                20th October 1916  Attack scheme

                                20th Oct 1916  Supplies Sought

                                20th Oct 1916  Frosty Weather

                                20th Oct 1916  Change of Position

                                20th Oct 1916  Fatigues

                                20th Oct 1916  On the March

                                20th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                20th Oct 1916  In the Front Line

                                20th Oct 1916  In the Trenches

                                20th October 1916  Enemy Activity Increases

                                20th of October 1916  Effective Bombardment

                                20th Oct 1916  In Billets

                                20th Oct 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                20th Oct 1916  Poor Weather

                                20th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Oct 1916  Change of Clothing

                                20th Oct 1916  Training

                                20th of October 1916  Working Parties

                                20th of October 1916  Weather Improves

                                20th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Oct 1916  Trench Raids

                                20th Oct 1916  Mobile Column

                                20th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                20th of October 1916  Patrol Report

                                20th October 1916  121st Brigade Order No. 30. received.

                                20th October 1916  Battalion marched to training ground

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Oct 1916  Pilot wounded

                                20th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th October 1916  Relief

                                20th Oct 1916  Concert

                                20th October 1916  Schedule 20th Oct. 1916

                                20th October 1916  Situation quiet all day.

                                20th October 1916  Operational Order No.114

                                20th of October 1916   Into Hessian Again

                                20th October 1916  Quiet day

                                20th Oct 1916  Reinforcements

                                21st Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march south  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers march to Harponville.

                                21st October 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Oct 1916 Engineers join Infantry near Mouquet Farm  Regina Trench Expected to be the last big battle before 106th Coy Engineers go on leave. All waiting at Mouquet Farm before joining the infantry, 12 Noon the guns started and the men went over taking the Germans by surprise. 12.15 the Germans ran back passed the Engineers. At 6.30pm the Engineers worked up to the infantry and joined them expecting a counter attack, the position was consolidated.

                                21st October 1916  Routine and reinforcements

                                21st October 1916  Mine Blown

                                21st October 1916  Brigade Ceremonial Parade

                                21st Oct 1916  Appalling Conditions

                                21st Oct 1916  Air Raid

                                21st Oct 1916   18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry moved from billets in St Leger to relieve 12th East Yorks as left Support in Left Sub-sector Hebuterne. Battalion in billets & bivouacs at Sailly Au Bois.

                                21st Oct 1916  Training

                                21st Oct 1915  Funeral held

                                21st Oct 1916  On the March

                                21st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                21st Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of October 1916  Enemy Shelling

                                21st Oct 1916  Concert

                                21st Oct 1916  Wounded Arrive

                                21st Oct 1916  On the March

                                21st Oct 1916  Intelligence

                                21st Oct 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                21st Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                21st Oct 1916  Training

                                21st Oct 1916  On the March

                                21st of October 1916  Training

                                21st of October 1916  A Sap Causes Anxiety

                                21st October 1916  Back in the trenches

                                21st Oct 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                21st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                21st October 1916  Abercrombie reassumed command

                                21st of October 1916  Enemy Aeroplanes Heard?

                                21st October 1916  Orders

                                21st October 1916  Order of Relief Table

                                21st October 1916  Reliefs

                                21st October 1916  Practice attack

                                21st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Oct 1916  Pilot wounded

                                21st Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st October 1916  Return

                                21st October 1916  Working parties

                                21st of October 1916   Bn Attacks

                                21st October 1916  Operation Orders

                                21st October 1916  Relieved 11th A. & S.H.

                                21st of October 1916  Working parties

                                22nd October 1916  Positions

                                22nd Oct 1916 SS Cluden lost  SS Cluden, a 3,166grt, defensively-armed merchant ship was sunk on 22 October 1916, 11 miles W from Cape Tenez, Algeria. teh ship was torpedoed without warning and sunk with 4 lives lost. She was sailing from Karachi to Cardiff with a cargo of wheat and sunk by U-39 captained by Walter Forstmann.

                                22nd October 1916  Allotment of horses to Squadrons

                                22nd October 1916  Enemy Active

                                22nd October 1916  Church Parade

                                22nd Oct 1916  Deaths and Destruction

                                22nd Oct 1916  Artillery In Action

                                22nd Oct 1916   Fine and quiet day. Fair amount of artillery activity. Enemy shelled heavy battery near 18th DLI Battalion HQ during the night. A & B Coys, 18th DLI moved from bivouac into billets in Sailly Au Bois.

                                22nd Oct 1916  Training

                                22nd Oct 1916  Looking Forward to Visit

                                22nd Oct 1916  Air Raid

                                22nd Oct 1916  On the March

                                22nd Oct 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Oct 1916  In the Front Line

                                22nd Oct 1916  Inspection

                                22nd of October 1916  Out to Red Lodge

                                22nd Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                22nd Oct 1916  Trench Work

                                22nd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Oct 1916  Football

                                22nd Oct 1916  Training

                                22nd of October 1916  Situation

                                22nd of October 1916  Orders

                                22nd of October 1916  Signals

                                22nd of October 1916 

                                22nd of October 1916  Wire Cutting

                                22nd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                22nd Oct 1916  Patrol

                                22nd Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                22nd of October 1916   TMs Quiet

                                22nd October 1916  Orders

                                22nd October 1916  Relief Table

                                22nd October 1916  Explosion

                                22nd October 1916  Practice Divisional attack.

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Pilot wounded

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Dec 1916  Exhibition

                                22nd October 1916  On the March

                                22nd October 1916  Enemy mine

                                22nd of October 1916  On the Move

                                22nd October 1916  Operational Orders

                                22nd October 1916  Defence Scheme.

                                22nd of October 1916  Working parties

                                23rd Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers return to the Somme  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers march from Harponville to Albert Brickfields, via Vadencourt, Warloy, Henencourt and Millencourt. They spend the night under canvas in heavy rain, some in bivouacs.

                                23rd October 1916 Batteries Register  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Nothing of any importance. Batteries registered. Very little firing.

                                23rd October 1916   SM U-85 was built at the Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 255), Ordered 23 Jun 1915 she was laid down on 29th Nov 1915. Launched 22 Aug 1916 she was commissioned 23 Oct 1916 From 23 Oct 1916 to 7 Mar 1917 she was commanded by Willy Petz

                                Her career spanned 2 patrols between 15 Jan 1917 and 12 Mar 1917 with the IV Flotilla. She claimed 4 ships sunk with a total of 20,225 tons and 1 ship damaged with a total of 7,608 tons.

                                • 26 Jan 1917 Dicax 923 nw
                                • 6 Feb 1917 Cliftonian 4,303 br
                                • 6 Feb 1917 Explorer (damaged) 7,608 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 California 8,669 br
                                • 7 Feb 1917 Vedamore 6,330 br

                                She was presumed foundered in the North Sea on or after 7th March 1917 with 38 dead (all hands lost). She had been recorded sunk by gunfire from Q-Ship Privet at 50°02’N 4°13’W, but this attack was against UC 68 which was not sunk in the action.

                                There was another U 85 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Apr 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 7 Jun 1941.

                                23rd October 1916  Awards Parade and Conference

                                23rd October 1916  Shelling

                                23rd October 1916  Battalion training

                                23rd Oct 1916  Trench Foot

                                23rd Oct 1916  Troops on the Move

                                23rd Oct 1916   Heavy rain. A & B Co. 18th DLI moved back into bivouac, on account of enemy shelling. Brigade HQ in Quanny was shelled, 93rd Brigade then moved to new HQ near Sailly Church.

                                23nd Oct 1916  On the March

                                23rd Oct 1916  Attack Made

                                23rd Oct 1916  Air Raid

                                23rd Oct 1916 Ship Sunk  HMS Genista, launched 26 February 1916 was sunk by German submarine U-57 in the Atlantic, whilst minesweeping off the west coast of Ireland. Genista sank rapidly and out of 73 crew, only 12 survived.

                                23rd Oct 1916  Baths

                                23rd Oct 1916  In the Front Line

                                23rd Oct 1916  Reinforcements

                                23rd of October 1916  Mortar Attack

                                23rd of October 1916  At Rest

                                23rd Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                Oct 1916 Envy  "Tuesday.The weather has turned a little colder but before that the heat was intense and mosquitos etc have been very annoying. My arms are simply one mass of bites, but thanks to my medicine chest the pain has been relieved. I had a long chat yesterday with Love. He seems to be fairly happy and optimistic and we have arranged a little evening together when we go back to rest next time. I am afraid it takes very little to excite one out here and even the prospect of an evening in some shelled village with bacon and eggs and very very mild beer causes as much pleasure as a real bash at home. Streeter was the lucky recipient of the Military Medal and everybody envies him his bit of ribbon. He takes his honour most modestly, I assure you." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                23rd Oct 1916  Patrols

                                23rd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd Oct 1916  Cold Weather

                                23rd Oct 1916  Football

                                23rd Oct 1916  On the March

                                23rd of October 1916  Orders

                                23rd of October 1916 

                                23rd of October 1916  Ontario Farm Shot Up

                                23rd Oct 1916  Quiet

                                23rd Oct 1916  Musketry

                                23rd Oct 1916  Fatigues

                                23rd October 1916 

                                23rd Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                23rd Oct 1916  Clearing Area

                                23rd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd October 1916  Brickfields

                                23rd of October 1916   Searchlights Reported

                                23rd October 1916  Orders

                                23rd October 1916  Orders

                                25th October 1916  Transport

                                23rd October 1916  Entertainment

                                23rd October 1916  Visit

                                23rd October 1916  "B" Coy. will be attached to the 2nd Suffolk Regt.

                                23rd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd October 1916  Relief

                                23rd Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd October 1916  Quiet

                                23rd of October 1916  On the Bus

                                23rd of November 1916   Nothing to Report

                                23rd October 1916  Operational Orders

                                23rd October 1916  Relieved by 6th/7th R.S.Fusiliers.

                                23rd of October 1916  Into Billets

                                24th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers prepare to attack  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers undertake reconnaissance to prepare for an attack on Pys and on to Achiet-le-Petit. The advance is postponed because of appalling weather conditions.

                                24th October 1916 Battery Zones  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a certain amount of movement in our zone which extends from just south of Clonmel Copse to just north of Zwarteleen. The Battery zones being in order from the north A236, B236, C236 and D238.

                                24th October 1916  Training

                                24th October 1916  Cutting Complete

                                24th Oct 1916  Heavy Rain

                                24th Oct 1916  No Rest

                                24th Oct 1916  Rules

                                24th Oct 1916  Baths

                                24th Oct 1916  In the Front Line

                                24th Oct 1916  Inspection

                                24th of October 1916  Active TMs

                                24th of October 1916  An Amended Order

                                24th Oct 1916  Patrols

                                24th Oct 1916  Very Wet Day

                                24th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Oct 1916  Wet Weather

                                24th Oct 1916  Training

                                24th Oct 1916  Training

                                24th of October 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of October 1916  Weather Turns Bad

                                24th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Oct 1916  Move

                                24th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Oct 1916  Experiment

                                24th Oct 1916  Snipers

                                24th of October 1916  Heavy Artillery Busy

                                24th October 1916  Enemy Trench Mortars

                                24th October 1916  Warning received that remainder of Battalion may move to trenches tomorrow.

                                24th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th October 1916  Reliefs

                                24th October 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of October 1916  On the March

                                24th October 1916  Quiet day.

                                24th of October 1916  Training continues

                                25th October 1916 Minewerfen Activity   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very little activity. C180 Battery is added to Right Brigade. This Battery commanded Major Digby. Left Brigade of 23rd RA consists of remainder of 180 Brigade RFA under the command of Major Stebbing. Right Brigade HQ shifted to Lille Gate. Considerable minewerfen (mortar) activity by the enemy from about 1200 to 1500. Batteries fired in retaliation. Nothing else of much importance.

                                25th Oct 1916 First leave for 106th Coy RE   106th Coy Royal Engineers first leave after marching for 12 miles in pouring rain, all wet through. 8 Days Leave

                                25th October 1916  training

                                25th October 1916  Mine Blown

                                25th Oct 1916  Overcoming the Rules

                                25th Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly Au Bois. Rainy, quiet day. Enemy shelled battery positions & road.

                                25th Oct 1916  Parades

                                25th of October 1916  TMs and Enemy Active

                                25th of October 1916  Night Work

                                25th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                25th Oct 1916  Patrols

                                25th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                25th Oct 1916  Wet Weather

                                25th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                25th Oct 1916  Working Parties & Training

                                25th of October 1916  Situation

                                25th of October 1916  Instructions

                                25th of October 1916  Artillery Active

                                25th of October 1916 

                                25th of October 1916  Information Required

                                25th of October 1916  Orders

                                25th of October 1916  Artillery Active

                                25th Oct 1916  Working Party & Baths

                                25th Oct 1916  On the March

                                25th October 1916  On the Move

                                25th Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                25th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                25th October 1916  Pozieres

                                25th of October 1916   Many Patrols Out

                                25th October 1916  Usual exchanges

                                25th October 1916  "A" Coy. and H.Q. will now remain in billets.

                                25th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                25th October 1916  Battalion had new Box Respirators fitted

                                25th October 1916  Disposition

                                25th October 1916  Special Order

                                25th October 1916  Trenches shelled

                                25th October 1916  Special Order by Brigadier General Viscount Hampden CMG

                                25th of October 1916  Inspection

                                25th October 1916  Considerable Artillery activity.

                                25th Oct 1916  Detachment

                                26th Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers ordered to Warloy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are ordered to move to Warloy via Bouzincourt and Senlis.

                                26th October 1916 Retaliation Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet day. Batteries only fired in retaliation.

                                26th October 1916 Naval Action in Dover Strait 1916  The First Battle of Dover Strait occurred on 26,27 October 1916. Two and a half flotillas of German torpedo boats launched a raid into the Dover Strait in an attempt to destroy Allied shipping. Upon approaching the barrage, the German torpedo boats were challenged by the British destroyer HMS Flirt. The Germans were able to destroy Flirt and successfully assault the barrage's drifters, but a flotilla of British destroyers was sent to repel them. The Germans were able to fight off the additional British units before successfully withdrawing. The British had lost one destroyer, a transport, and several drifters while the Germans themselves suffered only minor damage to a single torpedo boat.

                                Background

                                In October 1916, the Flanders Flotilla was reinforced by two full torpedo boat flotillas. The transfer of the 3rd and 9th Torpedo Boat Flotillas altered the balance of power in the Dover Strait. The Flanders Flotilla had not attacked the Dover Patrol in several months and as a result British defences were quite lax in the area. With his newly acquired flotillas, the Flanders Flotilla's commander — Ludwig von Schroeder — decided to launch a raid in the Dover Strait. Although the British had prohibited transports from being in the Channel at night in anticipation of a German raid, the Dover Barrage was not prepared to meet such an attack. Facing Schroeder's 23 boats, the Dover Barrage was only guarded by the old destroyer HMS Flirt, the yacht Ombra, and the naval trawler H. E. Straud. The four divisions of drifters manning the barrage's anti-submarine nets were only armed with a single rifle each for defence. In addition to the forces guarding the Barrage, there were six Tribal-class destroyers at Dover that could be called upon in the event of a raid.

                                Battle

                                The German boats split into five groups with each group attacking a different section of the shipping in the channel. The German 5th Half Flotilla sailed into the Dover Barrage. They came into contact with five drifters of the 10th Drifter Division tending the anti-submarine nets and began attacking them. Hearing gunfire, Flirt — the drifters' escort — approached and challenged the vessels. The German boats responded to the British signal with a similar signal. Confused, Flirt's commander thought they were Allied destroyers and that the drifters had been attacked by a submarine. An open boat was launched from Flirt to help rescue survivors from the sinking drifters. The German boats then turned their attention to the destroyer and attacked taking her completely by surprise. Flirt unsuccessfully attempted to ram one of the German boats and was sunk by gunfire and torpedoes. The Germans continued to attack the barrage, sinking two drifters each from the 8th and 16th Drifter Divisions. In all, a total of six drifters were sunk and three others were damaged, as well as the trawler H. E. Straud, before the Fifth Half-Flotilla withdrew. When the British received news of the German raid, they sent six Tribal-class destroyers — HMS Amazon, Mohawk, Viking, Tartar, Cossack and Nubian — to attempt to repel the German raiders. The British Commander Henry Oliphant of the Viking failed to keep his force compact as a single unit. He deployed his destroyers in two loose groups, one consisting of Viking, Mohawk, and Tartar and the other Nubian, Amazon and Cossack. The destroyer Nubian soon steamed far ahead of her group, and was the first of the dispatched vessels to reach the scene of Flirt's sinking. Meanwhile another half flotilla of German boats had caught the empty British transport Queen off Goodwin Sands as it returned from the French coast. The Germans boarded Queen and removed her crew before sinking her.

                                Nubian made the same mistake as Flirt and mistook the German boats for Allied vessels. Surprised with a hail of gunfire, Nubian attempted to ram the last boat in the German line of battle, but was struck by a torpedo that blew off her bow reducing her to a drifting hulk. Amazon and Cossack soon arrived to aid Nubian and began engaging the German boats. The Germans scored several hits on Amazon before withdrawing. The German 18th Half Flotilla was heading back to Zeebrugge when it met with Oliphant's group of destroyers, engaging them as they passed. Although Viking escaped unscathed, Mohawk suffered several hits before the Germans were able to break away. Near the end of the action, Reginald Bacon — the commander of the Dover Patrol — dispatched the Dunkirk Division to intercept the German torpedo boats, but the Germans were able to successfully withdraw before these further reinforcements arrived.

                                Aftermath

                                The British had failed to stop the raiders from destroying the drifters and six of them were sunk in addition to Flirt and the transport Queen. Besides those vessels that were sunk, several British vessels were damaged, including three destroyers, three drifters, and a naval trawler. The loss of life was also heavy with the British suffering 45 men killed, four wounded, and 10 taken prisoner. Of the German torpedo boats, only SMS G91 suffered any damage and no German vessel suffered any casualties. The success of the raid would spur further German sorties into the English Channel and raids continued until the Flanders Flotilla's 3rd and 9th Torpedo Boat Flotillas were redeployed to the High Seas Fleet in November 1916.

                                26th October 1916  Parade postponed bad weather

                                26th October 1916  Enemy Active

                                26th Oct 1915  1st Herts in the Trenches

                                26th Oct 1916  A Long Awaited Letter

                                26th Oct 1916  Christmas Plans

                                26th Oct 1916   18th Durhams vacated billets at Sailly Au Bois and relieved 18th West Yorks in Left Sub Sector Hebuterne. Relief complete 2.0pm. Very wet and trenches in very muddy condition. A & B Coys front line, D & C Coys Right & Left Support. Enemy used gas & tear shells.

                                26th Oct 1916  New CO

                                26th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                26th Oct 1916  Patrol

                                26th of October 1916  More Night Work

                                26th Oct 1916  Inspection

                                26th Oct 1916 On the Move  "I am afraid some of my letters to you have gone astray; several other fellows seem to have suffered likewise. We have been on the move now for practically three weeks and are now in another part of the line: thank goodness too as our last position was one not to be envied. Of course now we are safely out of it, it has been an experience never wanted again. Love is getting quite himself again. Our trip here has been very interesting through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, and the fact that we were leaving Hell behind us also helped to cheer us up. I am afraid this battalion is ‘Bankers’ only in name now and all the strange faces make one’s surroundings very different from what they were." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                26th Oct 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                26th Oct 1916  Shelling

                                26th Oct 1916  Training

                                26th Oct 1916  On the March

                                26th Oct 1916  Working Parties & Training

                                26th of October 1916  Orders

                                26th of October 1916  Orders

                                26th of October 1916  Orders

                                26th of October 1916  Patrols

                                26th of October 1916  Orders

                                26th of October 1916  An Aggressive Enemy Patrol

                                26th Oct 1916  In Billets

                                26th Oct 1916  Orders Recieved

                                26th Oct 1916  Fatigues

                                26th October 1916  Rest and training

                                26th Oct 1916  Wire Cutting

                                26th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                26th October 1916  Warloy

                                26th Oct 1916  Medals Prsented

                                26th Oct 1916  Reorganisation

                                26th of October 1916  Cookhouse Blown Up

                                26th October 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order 32

                                26th October 1916  March Table

                                26th October 1916  Billetting Arrangements

                                26th October 1916  Enemy blew in Saps

                                26th October 1916  The Divisional bath's at Louvencourt were allocated to the Battalion today for four hours.

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Oct 1916  Pilot wounded

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th October 1916  Patrols sent

                                26th of October 1916   Inspection

                                26th October 1916  Relieving 10th/11th H.L.I.

                                26th October 1916  Operational Orders

                                26th October 1916  Operational Orders

                                27th October 1916 Interpreter Joins Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report a Belgian interpreter was attached to the Brigade. The French interpreter M Chapaur returned after being away for some weeks with a French Corps Headquarters. Very quiet day.

                                27th Oct 1916 200th Seige Battery proceed to France.  200th Siege Battery, RGA left Southampton on 27th of Oct 1916 bound for Le Havre.

                                27th October 1916  Inspections

                                27th October 1916  Charges in Place

                                27th October 1916  Route march, baths and training

                                27th Oct 1916  Very Wet

                                27th Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Hebuterne Heavy rain and Mutual Trench Mortar activity. At 7.30pm a raid was attempted with the co-operation of artillery by 16th West Yorks, through lines of Battalion on our right. 2Lt Turner wounded (shell shock)

                                27th Oct 1916  On the March

                                27th Oct 1916  Parades

                                27th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Oct 1916  Change of Billets

                                27th Oct 1916  Patrols

                                27th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Oct 1916  Very Wet Day

                                27th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Oct 1916  Working Parties & Training

                                27th of October 1916  Situation

                                27th of October 1916  Shelling

                                27th of October 1916  Muddy Boots

                                27th Oct 1916  Training

                                27th Oct 1916  Orders

                                27th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                27th of October 1916  Raid Report

                                27th October 1916  Reliefs

                                27th October 1916  The remainder of the Battalion bathed today at the Louvencourt bath's.

                                27th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th October 1916  Enemy Wire

                                27th of October 1916  WO95/2246/2

                                27th October 1916  Shelled intermittently

                                28th October 1916 Minenwerfers Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet day until about 1400, when the hostile minenwerfers (mortars) showed some activity but were effectively silenced by our Howitzer Battery.

                                28th October 1916 Hospital ship  

                                HMHS Galeka alongside Britannic

                                SS Galeka was a steam ship originally built for the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, but requisitioned for use as a British troop transport and then a hospital ship during the First World War. On 28 October 1916 she hit a mine laid by the German U-boat UC-26.

                                Owner: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company. Builder: Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Yard number: 347. Launched: 21 October 1899. Completed: 23 December 1899. Fate: Hit a mine laid by German U-boat UC-26 on 28 October 1916.

                                General characteristics

                                Tonnage: 6,767 gtn. Length: 440 ft.(130 m), Beam: 53 ft (16 m). Speed: 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h).

                                History.

                                The ship was the last vessel to enter service before the merge between the Union and Castle shipping lines. She served on the South Africa route until the First World War when she was used by the UK as a troop transport, carrying troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps to the Gallipoli Campaign. Galeka was then refitted as a hospital ship with accommodation for 366 wounded passengers.

                                • Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
                                • Medical Staff strength.
                                • Officers:8
                                • Nurses:10
                                • Other:54
                                • Accommodation capacity.
                                • Officers:
                                • Cots:254
                                • Berths:112
                                • Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
                                • Date From:22nd June 1915
                                • Date To:28th October 1916
                                • Ships Crew details:

                                Sinking.

                                On 28 October 1916, while entering Le Havre HMHS Galeka struck a mine. She was not carrying patients at the time, but 19 Royal Army Medical Corps personnel died in the sinking. She was beached at Cap la Hogue, but was a total loss, Union-Castle's first war casualty.

                                28th October 1916  Training and inspections

                                28th October 1916  Craters

                                28th Oct 1916  Reports of Naval Fight

                                28th Oct 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne "Wet, Quiet day on the whole. Four fighting patrols from 92nd Brigade went out through our lines. None of the enemy were encountered. Enemy shelled Battalion HQ. Medical Aid Post blown in."

                                28th Oct 1916  Fatigue Parties

                                28th Oct 1916  Parades

                                28th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                28th of October 1916  Working for RE

                                28th Oct 1916  Patrols

                                28th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Oct 1916  Training

                                28th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                28th of October 1916  Orders

                                28th of October 1916 

                                28th Oct 1916  Working Parties & Training

                                28th of October 1916  Working Parties

                                28th of October 1916  Orders

                                28th of October 1916  Artillery in Action

                                28th of October 1916 

                                28th of October 1916  TMs Bombard Ontario Farm

                                28th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                28th Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                28th Oct 1916  Artillery in Action

                                28th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                28th October 1916  Forward

                                28th Oct 1916  Relics

                                28th of October 1916  NCO's Raiding Party

                                28th October 1916  20th Middlesex Regt. Battalion Order No. 26.

                                28th October 1916  l2lst Infantry Brigade Order No.33.

                                28th October 1916  Billeting Arrangements

                                28th October 1916  New small respirators fitted

                                28th October 1916  Parades today

                                28th Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th October 1916  Relieved 1st Cheshires in trenches.

                                28th October 1916  Reliefs

                                28th October 1916  Return

                                28th October 1916  Mining

                                28th of October 1916  Inspection

                                28th October 1916  Relieved by 7th/8th K.O.S.B.

                                29th October 1916 Some hostile Minewerfens  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery.: Nothing of very great importance. Some hostile minewerfens (mortars).

                                29th October 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL13

                                • First Flight: 29th October 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 90 km/h
                                • Payload: 20.5 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Army airship based at Leipzig. It was considered unfit for combat duty and used for training purposes only. It was badly damaged when it's hangar collapsed because of heavy snow and struck off on the 8th February 1917.

                                29th October 1916  Routine

                                29th October 1916  Shelling

                                29th October 1916  Church cancelled - bad weather

                                29th Oct 1916  French Customs

                                29th Oct 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne. Heavy rain all day. Enemy retaliated to our artillery. Seven men wounded. 2 Fighting Patrols consisting of 1 Officer and 30 OR from B & C Coys went out on our Left and Right to obtain an identification in No Mans Land. No trace of enemy found at all, our artillery having fired on enemy wire and in front of it. No casualties.

                                29th Oct 1916  Heavy Rain

                                29th Oct 1915  Survivors

                                29th Oct 1916  Punishment

                                29th Oct 1916  Church Parade

                                29th Oct 1916  On the Move

                                29th Oct 1916  Reinforcements

                                29th of October 1916  Raid Support

                                29th of October 1916 

                                29th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                29th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                29th Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                29th Oct 1916  Wet Weather

                                29th Oct 1916  Trench Motars

                                29th Oct 1916  Working Parties & Training

                                29th of October 1916 

                                29th of October 1916  Artillery Active

                                29th of October 1916 

                                29th of October 1916  Winter Trench Shelled

                                29th Oct 1916  Trench Work

                                29th Oct 1916  Orders

                                29th Oct 1916  Heavy Shelling

                                29th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                29th Oct 1916  Reorganisation

                                29th of October 1916   Patrol Reports

                                29th October 1916  Orders

                                29th October 1916  On the March

                                29th October 1916  Relieved the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers

                                29th October 1916  Schedule 22nd Nov. 1916

                                29th October 1916  Trench Work

                                29th October 1916  Operational Order No.115

                                29th of October 1916   Bn Entrains

                                29th October 1916  Moved to "C" Position in Martinpuich

                                30th October 1916 Considerable Minenwerfer Activity.   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report General Gorringe called at HQ in the morning. Nothing of any importance occurred. Very little activity with artillery, but considerable minenwerfer (mortar) activity.

                                30th October 1916  Bathing and dismounted work

                                30th October 1916  Mine Blown

                                30th October 1916  Attack scheme

                                30th Oct 1916  Learning the Language

                                30th Oct 1916  Medal Ribbons

                                30th Oct 1916   Fine in morning and heavy rain in afternoon. 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry are relieved at Hebuterne by 12th Yorks and Lancs. Relief complete about 3.30pm. Moved into billets at Rossignol Farm. Men's feet in fair condition.

                                30th Oct 1916  Recce

                                30th Oct 1915  Court of Inquiry

                                30th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Oct 1916  On the March

                                30th Oct 1916  Preparations

                                30th Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Oct 1916  On the March

                                30th Oct 1916  Patrol

                                30th Oct 1916  On the March

                                30th of October 1916  Rain

                                30th of October 1916  Orders

                                30th of October 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                30th of October 1916  Orders

                                30th of October 1916  A Daylight Reccy

                                30th Oct 1916  Preparations

                                30th Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                30th Oct 1916  Artillery Active

                                30th Oct 1916  Quiet

                                30th Oct 1916  Reorganisation

                                30th of October 1916  Two Successful Raids

                                30th October 1916  On the March

                                30th October 1916  Our patrols were out from 0230 to 0330 hours. They reported several gaps in the enemy wire.

                                30th October 1916  In Camp.

                                30th of October 1916   Bn Detrains

                                30th October 1916  Quiet, but wet day.

                                31st Oct 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers join Brigade exercises  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers move from Warloy to Herissart, via Vadencourt and Contay for a period of training and brigade exercises.

                                31st October 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a Quiet day. Very little firing by Batteries except for a little retaliation by C/180 Battery. GOCRA Corps went round Batteries in afternoon.

                                31st October 1916  Field work

                                31st October 1916  Listening Post

                                31st October 1916  Practice scheme cancelled - bad weather

                                31st Oct 1916  Skies Lit Up

                                31st Oct 1916  Mud and Dead

                                31st Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Rossignol Farm. Dull & showery, day spent cleaning up etc.

                                31st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                31st Oct 1916  Into the Trenches

                                31st Oct 1915  Technical Stores

                                31st Oct 1916  Concert

                                31st October 1916 

                                31st of October 1916  A Faulty Fuse

                                31st of October 1916  A Raid on Enemy Lines

                                31st Oct 1916  Into Billets

                                Oct 1916 Artillery  "Saturday. And yet another move. I am now one of those forming a prison guard just behind the lines. The captives are kept here until a sufficient number have arrived to march down to the internment camps. The position is not exactly an enviable one. Our artillery are all around us and Mr Fritz with his artillery keeps trying to find ours. Notwithstanding the noise, however, I managed to get a fair night’s sleep last night in a disused trench. The weather today is very nice and bright but yesterday was very miserable and the mud made the roads very nearly impassable. It was very fortunate that you sent out my spare glasses as a short while ago I lost my other pair in the dark. Perhaps when next time you are sending along a parcel you had better send my third pair. I also had the misfortune to lose my wrist watch, but am waiting until I get into a town again to replace it. I took it off to wash and came away without it; needless to say when I returned it had gone. There is a cheap metal watch in my cash box, does it go? If it does you might send that along too. I expect I have forgotten several birthdays of relatives since out here, I hope they will all forgive me. I shall not forget one date even if I am here for years: i.e. our wedding day. Love wishes to be kindly remembered to you. I have just been over to his dugout to borrow some cigarettes as I came away from camp yesterday and forgot to buy any. England seems to have succeeded at last in solving the Zeppelin problem. Now they have accounted for these perhaps the Zepps will not be such frequent visitors." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                31st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                31st Oct 1916  Reliefs

                                31st Oct 1916  Working Parties

                                31st Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                31st Oct 1916  On the March

                                31st of October 1916  Windy

                                31st of October 1916  Orders

                                31st of October 1916 

                                31st of October 1916  Orders

                                31st of October 1916  Enemy Bomb Showers

                                31st Oct 1916  Trench Raid

                                31st Oct 1916  Air Raid

                                31st Oct 1916  Work

                                31st October 1916 

                                31st October 1916 

                                31st Oct 1916  Warning

                                31st Oct 1916  Holding the Line

                                31st Oct 1916  On the Move

                                31st October 1916  Billets

                                31st of October 1916  Distribution

                                31st October 1916  Cleaning up.

                                31st October 1916  Our Front Line trenches have been much damaged by the enemy Artillery today.

                                31st Oct 1916  Pilot wounded

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st Oct 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                31st October 1916  Baths

                                31st of October 1916  Inspection and drill

                                31st October 1916  Another quiet day

                                31st Oct 1916  Training

                                1st Nov 1916 BRF Beddington opens.  Box Repair Factory Beddington, Croyden, Surrey started in November 1916 with first output in early 1917. Production was repairing bomb and grenade boxes. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions.

                                1st November 1916 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Ypres, Lille Gate. Quiet day on the whole. Considerable trench mortar activity on our left. Batteries fired in registration only.

                                1st November 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                November included some terrible weather with torrential rain, bitterly cold east winds and some snow. Mufflers and woollen gloves from home were eagerly sought after and leather lined jerkins were issued. Great efforts were made to equip the men’s huts with stoves and beds. A recreation and reading room was established with two fireplaces so that men returning cold and wet from work in the trenches had a place to get properly dried.

                                The real mud of Flanders was making any movement of equipment extremely difficult and ongoing work from October was now doubly difficult. With the heavy rains, what had until then been a friendly stream helping to drain the surrounding area, now became a deadly foe flooding dugouts and communication trenches. As a result hygiene problems were caused by the lack of natural drainage flow.

                                Casualties recorded: November Nil

                                1st November 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ82 (L36)

                                • Production Ref: LZ82
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L36
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight:1st November 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 20 flights around the North Sea and England, including four reconnaissance missions. It was damaged during a landing in fog at Rehben-an-der-Aller on the 7th February 1917 and decommissioned.

                                1st Nov 1916 7th Btn Royal Irish Fusiliers at Kemmel  7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers is at Kemmel then in December moved to Wyschaete. Jan 1917 saw it in the Kemmel and Hazebrouck sectors, then by July 1917 it was at Steenvorde on the Franco-Belgian border.

                                1st November 1916  Battalion training.

                                1st November 1916  Training courses

                                1st November 1916  Enemy Below

                                Nov 1916  Dual Role

                                1st Nov 1916  No Celebrations

                                1st Nov 1916  Artillery Exchange

                                1st Nov 1916   18th durhams report from Rossignol Farm "Dull & cloudy, slight rain. Practice of raiding parties started. Big working parties for trenches required. Only one case of trench foot. 2Lt Bradford re-joined & posted to C Coy. 30 reinforcements distributed."

                                1st Nov 1916  In Dugouts

                                1st Nov 1916  Preparations

                                1st Nov 1916  Relief

                                1st Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                1st of November 1916  A Big Explosion

                                1st of November 1916  Enemy "Pineapples"

                                1st Nov 1916  Inspection

                                1st Nov 1916  On the March

                                1st Nov 1916  Trench Work

                                1st November 1916  New Home Defence Squadron formed

                                1st Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Nov 1916  Wet Weather

                                1st Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                2nd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Nov 1916  Training

                                1st of November 1916  Thick Mud

                                1st of November 1916  Enemy Active

                                1st of November 1916  Unsuccessful Raids

                                  Explosives

                                1st Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                1st Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                1st Nov 1916  Improving billets

                                1st of November 1916   Instruction School Opened

                                1st November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order 34.

                                1st November 1916  March Table

                                1st November 1916   Training in open warfare

                                1st November 1916  Patrols

                                1st Nov 1916  Aircraft Brought Down

                                1st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                1st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                1st Nov 1916  Observer Wounded

                                1st November 1916  Battalion relieved by 1st Cheshire Regt.

                                1st November 1916  Attacks Postponed

                                Nov 1916  Record

                                Nov 1916  In Billets

                                Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st November 1916  Brigadier General Visited Camp

                                1st of November 1916   Reorganisation

                                1st November 1916  Operational Orders

                                1st November 1916  Relieved tomorrow night

                                1st of November 1916  Training and inspection

                                2nd November 1916 Light Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Light bad in the morning for registration. Some trench mortar and artillery activity displayed on our front about 1300. D236 Battery fired in retaliation for this.

                                2nd Nov 1916   200th Siege Battery reached Le Havre on 2nd of November having sailed from Southampton and went straight up to the line at Loos.

                                2nd November 1916  Ongoing training

                                2nd November 1916  Field work

                                2nd November 1916  Enemy Working

                                2nd Nov 1916  A Deep Impression

                                2nd Nov 1916  Night Duty

                                2nd Nov 1916  Rain Fall

                                2nd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Nov 1916  Working Parties and Reliefs

                                2nd Nov 1916  In Action

                                2nd November 1916 

                                2nd Nov 1916  On the March

                                2nd Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd Nov 1916  On the March

                                2nd Nov 1916  Shelling

                                2nd Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                2nd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Nov 1916  Exercise

                                2nd of November 1916  Heavy Rain

                                2nd of November 1916  Orders

                                2nd of November 1916  Instructions

                                2nd of November 1916  Orders

                                2nd of November 1916  Shelling

                                2nd of November 1916  Heavy Retaliation

                                2nd Nov 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                2nd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd Nov 1916  Consolidation

                                2nd of November 1916  Patrol Reports Welcomed

                                2nd November 1916  Move

                                2nd November 1916  Working Party

                                2nd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                2nd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                2nd December 1916  Trench Raid

                                2nd November 1916  Reliefs

                                2nd November 1916  Inspection

                                2nd of November 1916  On the March

                                2nd November 1916  Operational Orders

                                2nd November 1916  Instructions for Operational Order.

                                2nd November 1916  Brigade reliefs

                                3rd November 1916 Heavy Hostile Trench Mortar Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a Quiet day until about 1530 when there was heavy hostile trench mortar activity on the right portion of our front (Davison Street, Winnipeg St, Crab Crawl and Sanctuary Wood). Batteries fired in retaliation and ultimately stopped the enemy's fire.

                                3rd Nov 1916  Wearside Pals go into line

                                3rd Nov 1916  20th Durhams at Ontario Camp

                                3rd November 1916  GOC Inspection

                                3rd November 1916  Ongoing Fieldwork

                                3rd November 1916  Loading Begun

                                3rd Nov 1916  Muddy Route march

                                3rd Nov 1916  Short Shooting

                                3rd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Nov 1916  Under Shellfire

                                3rd Nov 1916  In Action

                                3rd Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd Nov 1916  On the March

                                3rd of November 1916  On the Move

                                3rd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Nov 1916  At Rest

                                3rd Nov 1916  Shelling

                                3rd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                3rd Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd Nov 1916  Training

                                3rd of November 1916  Orders

                                3rd of November 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd of November 1916  Orders

                                3rd of November 1916  Stinking Farm Shelled

                                3rd November 1916  Light

                                3rd Nov 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                3rd Nov 1916  Training

                                3rd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Nov 1916  Relief Completed

                                3rd of November 1916  Artillery Active

                                3rd November 1916  Orders

                                3rd November 1916  Orders

                                3rd November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade HQ

                                3rd November 1916  Lorries

                                3rd November 1916  Instructions

                                3rd November 1916  Battalion drill

                                3rd November 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd Nov 1916  Anti Aircraft Fire

                                3rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                3rd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                3rd November 1916  Close Order Drill, Bayonet Fighting and Musketry.

                                3rd of November 1916  Ploegsteert Wood Trenches

                                3rd Nov 1916  On the Move

                                3rd November 1916  Moved to Albert

                                4th November 1916 Trench Mortars Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report that at about 1620 the enemy fired some trench mortars on Crab Crawl but was stopped by the retaliation of C180 Battery.

                                4th November 1916   SM U-20

                                Type U 19 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 14) Ordered 25 Nov 1910 Laid down 7 Nov 1911 Launched 18 Dec 1912 Commissioned 5 Aug 1913.
                                Commanders.
                                5 Aug 1913 - 15 Dec 1914 Otto Dröscher 16 Dec 1914 - 4 Nov 1916 Walther Schwieger

                                Career 7 patrols 1 Aug 1914 - 4 Nov 1916 III Flotilla.
                                Successes 37 ships sunk with a total of 145,830 tons. 2 ships damaged with a total of 2,643 tons. (View ships hit by U 20)

                                • 30 Jan 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ikaria 4,335 br
                                • 30 Jan 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Oriole 1,489 br
                                • 30 Jan 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Tokomaru 6,084 br
                                • 7 Mar 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Bengrove 3,840 br
                                • 9 Mar 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Princess Victoria 1,108 br
                                • 11 Mar 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Florazan 4,658 br
                                • 5 May 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Earl Of Lathom 132 br
                                • 6 May 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Candidate 5,858 br
                                • 6 May 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Centurion 5,495 br
                                • 7 May 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Lusitania 30,396 br
                                • 8 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Marion Lightbody 2,176 ru
                                • 9 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ellesmere 1,170 br
                                • 9 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Leo 2,224 ru
                                • 9 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Meadowfield 2,750 br
                                • 13 Jul 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Lennok 1,142 ru
                                • 2 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Roumanie 2,599 br
                                • 3 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Frode 1,875 da
                                • 4 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Hesperian 10,920 br
                                • 5 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Dictator 4,116 br
                                • 5 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Douro 1,604 br
                                • 5 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Rhea 1,145 ru
                                • 6 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Guatemala 5,913 fr
                                • 7 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Bordeaux 4,604 fr
                                • 7 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Caroni 2,652 br
                                • 8 Sep 1915 U 20 Walther Schwieger Mora 3,047 br
                                • 30 Apr 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Bakio 1,906 sp
                                • 1 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Bernadette 486 fr
                                • 2 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ruabon 2,004 br
                                • 3 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Marie Molinos 1,946 fr
                                • 6 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Galgate 2,356 br
                                • 8 May 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Cymric 13,370 br
                                • 1 Aug 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Aaro 2,603 br
                                • 29 Aug 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ibo (damaged) 397 pt
                                • 26 Sep 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Thelma 1,002 br
                                • 18 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Ethel Duncan 2,510 br
                                • 23 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Arromanches 1,640 fr
                                • 23 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Chieri 4,400 it
                                • 23 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Felix Louis 275 fr
                                • 26 Oct 1916 U 20 Walther Schwieger Fabian(damaged) 2,246 br

                                Fate 4 Nov 1916 - Grounded at 5633N 0808E on the Danish coast and blown up by her crew the next day.

                                On 7 May, 1915 U 20 (Kptlt. Walther Schwieger) torpedoed the British liner RMS Lusitania. She sank in 18 minutes, taking 1195 lives with her, including 123 Americans. This sinking pushed the Americans slightly closer to declaring war on Germany, but that would not take place until April 1917.

                                There was another U 20 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 14 Jan 1936 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 1 Feb 1936.

                                4th November 1916  Brigade staff ride and training

                                4th November 1916  Camouflet

                                4th Nov 1916  Little Time to Oneself

                                4th Nov 1916  Artillery In Action

                                4th Nov 1916  Working Party

                                4th Nov 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                4th Nov 1915  To Rest Camp

                                4th Nov 1916  Quiet

                                4th Nov 1916  On the March

                                4th of November 1916  TM Action

                                4th Nov 1916  Under Shellfire

                                4th Nov 1916  On the March

                                4th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                4th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                4th Nov 1916  Training

                                4th of November 1916  Secret

                                4th of November 1916  Reliefs

                                4th of November 1916 

                                4th of November 1916  A 15-minute Bombardment

                                4th Nov 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                4th Nov 1916  Training

                                4th Nov 1916  Defences

                                4th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                4th of November 1916   German Attack

                                4th November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order No. 38.

                                4th November 1916  Orders for Haute Visee detachment.

                                4th November 1916  Lack of Accomodation

                                4th November 1916  On the Move

                                4th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                4th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th November 1916  Bombardment

                                4th November 1916  Return

                                4th November 1916  Testing of new small Box Respirators

                                4th of November 1916  Quiet Day

                                4th November 1916  Battalion Orders

                                4th November 1916  March Table

                                4th November 1916  Company inspections

                                5th November 1916 Retaliation Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Fairly quiet day. Some minenwerfers (mortars) were fired and the Batteries only fired in retaliation.

                                5th November 1916 Naval Action - 5th November 1916  The Naval Action on the 5th November 1916 was fought between a Royal Navy submarine and a dreadnought squadron of the Imperial German Navy. It took place in the months after the Battle of Jutland and is significant as it signalled a major shift in German naval policy.

                                Background

                                On the 2nd November 1916, the German U-boat U-30 suffered a mechanical failure while patrolling off the Norwegian coast. She sent a distress signal which was answered by U-20 returning from patrol around Ireland. They met and both U-boats set off for the Danish coast where they were to be met off the Bovsberg Light. The British meanwhile had intercepted this wireless traffic and dispatched a destroyer force to intercept them, but were unsuccessful. However, on the 4th November, both U-boats went aground during the evening fog. The German Admiralty were concerned that the Danes would intern the two U-boats or that the British would find them. They were also mindful of the reputation of U-20 and her skipper who were responsible for the sinking of the ocean Lusitania. Admiral Scheer dispatched a salvage group, with a cover force comprising destroyers of the 4th Half-Flotilla and the battlecruiser SMS Moltke. These were followed by four dreadnoughts of 3rd Battle Squadron (SMS König, Grosser Kurfürst, Kronprinz and Markgraf). This move was also detected by the British, who alerted the submarine HMS J1, which was on patrol in the area. On the evening of 5 November, J1 encountered the Battle squadron and was in a position to attack.

                                Action

                                On the 5th November, J1 was submerged on patrol in the North Sea, 30 miles south-west of Horns Reef. Her skipper, Commander NF Laurence, had been alerted to the approach of the German forces and, at 1150 in heavy seas, he spotted the four dreadnoughts of 3rd Battle Squadron only 2 miles away. Laurence went deeper to manoeuvre into a firing position, but on returning to periscope depth, he found that the dreadnoughts had altered course and were moving away. Surfacing to take advantage of J1's higher surface speed, but risking detection by the Squadron's destroyer escort, Laurence again moved into a firing position and at 1208 dived to launch four torpedoes. Two of these hit, striking Grosser Kurfurst astern and Kronprinz on the bow. Both were damaged, but were able to return to base under their own steam. J1 had not been detected by any of the screening destroyers during her approach and they were unable to make an effective counterattack. Laurence remained submerged until 1430 and on surfacing found the area was clear. The two damaged dreadnoughts were able to return to base, but both were under repair in drydocks for several months. The other German forces were able to return to base without further incident. U-30 was also able to return to base, but U-20 was unrecoverable and was scuttled to avoid capture. Laurence was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order for this action.

                                Aftermath

                                Following this action, Scheer came under criticism from Pless, the Naval chief of staff, and the Kaiser himself, who felt that risking so many capital ships of the High Seas Fleet and having two dreadnoughts put out of action, for the sake of two U-boats, was inappropriate. However, Scheer defended himself robustly, stating that it was imperative to give the men of the U-boat arm the fullest possible support. He also stated that Germany's naval strategy should be to concentrate all her efforts on the U-boat offensive. Henceforth the main role of the German surface fleet should be to ensure the safety of the U-boat force. It was a major demonstration of the shift in German naval policy to the war on commerce by her U-boat arm.

                                5th November 1916  Church services

                                5th Nov 1916  Strong Wind

                                5th Nov 1916  Root Crops Plentiful

                                5th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                5th Nov 1916  In Action

                                5th Nov 1916  On the March

                                5th of November 1916  Working Parties Quelled

                                5th Nov 1916  Shelling

                                5th Nov 1916  On the March

                                5th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                5th Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                5th Nov 1916  Baths

                                5th Nov 1916  Training

                                5th of November 1916  In Action

                                5th of November 1916  Hostile Barrage

                                6th of November 1916  Information Obtained

                                5th of November 1916  Night-time Signalling

                                5th Nov 1916  Quiet

                                5th Nov 1916  Training

                                5th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                5th of November 1916  Enemy Guns Active

                                5th November 1916  Orders for Detachment.

                                5th November 1916  After Orders

                                5th November 1916  On the March

                                5th November 1916  Divine Service.

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                5th November 1916  Relieved 1st Cheshire Regt. in trenches.

                                5th November 1916  Bad Weather Postpones Attack

                                5th November 1916  Distribution of Medal Ribbons

                                5th of November 1916  Wire examined

                                5th November 1916  Marched to Franvillers

                                6th November 1916 Reorganisation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Nothing much in the morning. B236 spotted German's minenwerfer (mortars) in the afternoon. It was decided that 236th Brigade should be reorganised into two six gun batteries and two four gun Howitzer Batteries.

                                6th November 1916  Ongoing training

                                6th November 1916  Training and inspections

                                6th November 1916  Gas

                                6th Nov 1916  Battle in the Air

                                6th Nov 1916  Good Observation

                                6th Nov 1916  Inspection

                                6th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Nov 1915  To Rest Camp

                                6th Nov 1916  Quiet

                                6th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Nov 1916  On the March

                                6th of November 1916  Enemy Signals

                                6th Nov 1916  Enemy Active

                                6th Nov 1916 Winter Clothing  "Ever so many thanks for the parcel to hand yesterday. The socks fit splendidly and are ever so comfortable. The tobacco is very good too: it’s a brand I have never heard of before but is an awfully good smoke. Will you please send a few more hankies. There is absolutely no chance of washing them and one has to last a long time. We are quite equipped for the winter now and you should see me in full war paint. Gum boots up to the waist and heavy leather jacket over tunic with cap comforter under tin hat. We are in a wood just at present. The Hun fortunately doesn’t shell us much and we have some very decent dugouts. Mine in fact is one of the best I have I have had out here as you can stand up in it, the height of luxury I assure you. I won’t say anything about the mud as that is beyond description. One is very seldom able to keep on one’s feet for very long at a spell. The only topic of conversation in the camp is England and our respective prospects of leave. Oh that this fearful war would end soon and let us be together as is our right. The more one sees the more hopeless and complicated things appear, yet everyone out here should be glad to be alive even as we see so many leaving us and all further earthly joys behind them just when they are beginning to enjoy life in early manhood: all for what purpose I cannot comprehend. How often I dream of you would be surprised, but to awake to realities is like a nightmare. Your loving hubby, Harry." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                6th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                6th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                6th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                6th Nov 1916  Exercise

                                6th of November 1916  Orders

                                6th of November 1916  Intelligence

                                6th of November 1916  Report

                                6th of November 1916  A Little Shoot

                                6th Nov 1916  Quiet

                                6th Nov 1916  Training

                                6th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                6th of November 1916  Shelling

                                6th November 1916  Respirator drill

                                6th November 1916  Musketry and Bayonet fighting

                                6th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th November 1916  Officers class and NCO class

                                6th of November 1916  All Quiet

                                6th November 1916  Cleaning up

                                6th of November 1916  Into Tents

                                7th November 1916 Quiet Day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Practically nothing happened all day.

                                7th Nov 1916 200 Siege Bty join 31st HAG  200th Siege Battery joined 31st Heavy Artillery Group (HAG) on 7 Nov 16

                                7th November 1916  Movement Orders

                                7th November 1916  Repairs

                                7th Nov 1916  Very Wet Day

                                7th Nov 1916   18th DLI, vacated billets at Rossignol Farm and occupied Left Sub Sector Hebuterne. Battalion HQ in the same place in Hebuterne. A & B Coys Right & Left Front. D & C Coys R & L Support. Relieved 14th Yorks & Lancs.

                                7th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                7th Nov 1915  To Rest Camp

                                7th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Nov 1916  Training

                                7th of November 1916  TMs Silenced

                                7th Nov 1916  Relief Completed

                                7th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                7th Nov 1916  Orders

                                7th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Nov 1916  Training

                                7th of November 1916 

                                7th of November 1916 

                                7th of November 1916 

                                7th of November 1916 

                                7th of November 1916  Mortar Farm Bombarded

                                7th Nov 1916  Flooding

                                7th Nov 1916  Training

                                7th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                7th of November 1916  Brickstacks Shelled

                                7th November 1916  Draft of 37 O.R. joined.

                                7th November 1916  Classes of instruction

                                7th November 1916  Schedule 7th Nov. 1916

                                7th November 1916  Gas demonstration

                                7th of November 1916  A Relief

                                7th November 1916  Company Parades

                                7th of November 1916  Preparation for attack

                                8th November 1916 Slight Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A little shelling took place on the German side but very little happened otherwise.

                                8th Nov 1916 HMS Zulu disabled  HMS Zulu was a Tribal class Destroyer, built by Hawthorn Leslie and launched 16th September 1909. She served out of Dover throughout the war and was disabled by a mine off Dover on the 8th of November 1916.

                                8th November 1916  Brigade move to Nouvian

                                8th November 1916  Quiet

                                8th November 1916  Ongoing training

                                8th Nov 1916  Training Aids

                                8th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at Hebuterne. Wet. Trenches in very bad condition. Mud waist deep. Rations etc carried up over the top.

                                8th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Nov 1915  Admitted to Hospital

                                8th Nov 1916  Training

                                8th of November 1916  Heavy Rain

                                8th of November 1916  An Outing

                                8th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Nov 1916 Trench Waders  "Will you please send for a pair of Anderson’s trench waders as advertised in London Opinion (advert enclosed). The water is very bad indeed here, and I think they look as if they will combat the evil of trench feet. You might also send me two or three blank cheques and two 10/- notes for remainder of enclosed cheque. The mud and rain the last few days have been terrible. PS It’s just possible that the Rubber Co Palmerston Ltd might stock them but I want them to fit inside boots, not over" Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                8th Nov 1916  Training

                                8th Nov 1916  Fine Weather

                                8th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Nov 1916  Training

                                8th of November 1916 

                                8th of November 1916 

                                8th of November 1916  The River Douve Floods

                                8th Nov 1916  Trench Work

                                8th Nov 1916  Reinforcements

                                8th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                8th Nov 1916  Bombardment

                                8th of November 1916  Shelling

                                8th November 1916  Company training

                                8th November 1916  Training

                                8th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                8th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                8th November 1916  Quiet

                                7th November 1916  Operational Order No.116

                                8th of November 1916   Red Tabs and Clothes

                                8th November 1916  Company parades and Intruction

                                9th November 1916 Battery Visit  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Major General Gorringe came round the Batteries in the afternoon. Very quiet day and only about five minenwerfers (mortars) were fired by the enemy, all of them coming from Clonmel Copse.

                                9th November 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ75 (L37)

                                • Production Ref: LZ75
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L37
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 9th November 1916

                                History.

                                Carried out 17 reconnaissance missions around the North and Baltic Seas,also England. Completed 4 raids dropping a total of 6,450 kilograms (14,220 lb) of bombs. Retired on 24 December 1917 and transferred to Japan in 1920 (disassembled).

                                9th November 1916 Schütte-Lanz Airship.  Schütte-Lanz SL12

                                • First Flight: 9th November 1916
                                • Length: 174 metres (571 ft)
                                • Diameter: 20.1 metres (66 ft)
                                • Gas Capacity: 38,780 cubic meters
                                • Performance: 86.4 km/h
                                • Payload: 21 tonnes
                                • Engines: 4 Maybach 960 hp/716 kW total

                                Navy airship based at Ahlhorn. Obsolete in design before completion, this ship only flew reconnaissance missions. It was badly damaged after hitting a gasometer near it's hangar and decommisioned on the 28th December 1916.

                                9th November 1916  Brigade move to winter billets at Hucqueliers

                                9th November 1916  Heavy trench work practiced

                                9th Nov 1916  Air Raid

                                9th Nov 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne. Rain. Trenches in Front Line practically impassable. Enemy shelled HQ 7.30pm. No damage done.

                                9th Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                9th Nov 1916  In Camp

                                9th Nov 1915  Survivor

                                9th Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                9th Nov 1916  Training

                                9th of November 1916  Another Relief

                                9th Nov 1916  On the March

                                9th Nov 1916  Training

                                9th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                9th Nov 1916  Training

                                9th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                9th Nov 1916  Training

                                9th of November 1916 

                                9th of November 1916 

                                9th of November 1916  Better Weather

                                9th Nov 1916  Shelling

                                9th Nov 1916  On the March

                                9th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                9th Nov 1916  Trenches Targeted

                                9th of November 1916  Cookhouse Hit

                                9th November 1916  Inspection

                                9th November 1916  Night Training

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Attacked

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                9th November 1916  Battalion relieved by 1st Cheshire Regt. and went to billets in Le Touret.

                                9th November 1916  Working parties

                                8th November 1916  In to Reserve

                                9th November 1916  Battalion in Reserve.

                                9th of November 1916   Aerial Activity

                                9th November 1916  Inspection by General Sir Douglas Haig

                                10th November 1916  Reorganisation Scheme

                                10th November 1916  Sorting Squadron billets allocations

                                10th Nov 1916  Heavy Bombardment

                                10th Nov 1916   18th DLI report from Hebuterne "Fairer. Artillery on both sides quiet all day."

                                10th Nov 1916  Patrol

                                10th Nov 1916  On the March

                                10th Nov 1916  Training

                                10th of November 1916  A reconnoitre

                                10th Nov 1916  Inspection

                                10th Nov 1916  Training

                                10th Nov 1916  Training

                                10th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Nov 1916  Training

                                10th of November 1916 

                                10th of November 1916 

                                10th of November 1916 

                                10th of November 1916  A Short Shoot

                                10th Nov 1916  In Billets

                                10th Nov 1916  On the March

                                10th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                10th Nov 1916  Bombardment

                                10th of November 1916  Enemy Guns Quiet

                                10th Nov 1916  Reorganisation

                                10th November 1916  Companies trained independently

                                10th November 1916  Working Party

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th Nov 1916  Ambulance Train

                                10th November 1916  Schedule 11th Nov. 1916

                                10th November 1916  Working Parties

                                10th Nov 1916  Conference

                                10th of November 1916  Quiet Day

                                10th November 1916  Company Parades

                                11th November 1916 Firing at Intervals  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Morning quiet. At 1500 the enemy opened fire of Crab Crawl with Trench Mortars and rifle grenades. We retaliated but the enemy continued firing at intervals until 1730.

                                11th November 1916  Allocation of billeting areas

                                11th Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                11th Nov 1916   18th DLI relieved at Hebuterne by 18th West Yorks. Relief complete 3.55pm. Only one casualty entering the town. Battalion moved into huts & shelters in the Dell, Sailly. Men's feet in poor condition.

                                11th Nov 1916  Trench Work

                                11th Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                11th Nov 1915  Ready to Move

                                11th of November 1916  Two Officers Lost

                                11th Nov 1916  On the March

                                11th Nov 1916  Training

                                11th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Nov 1916  On the March

                                11th Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                11th Nov 1916  Training

                                11th of November 1916 

                                11th of November 1916 

                                11th of November 1916 

                                11th of November 1916  An Officer is Killed

                                11th Nov 1916  In Billets

                                11th Nov 1916  Outposts

                                11th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                11th Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                11th Nov 1916  Working Party

                                11th of November 1916  Our Guns Active

                                11th November 1916  Brigade scheme

                                11th November 1916  Orders received

                                11st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11th November 1916  Return

                                11th November 1916  In Reserve.

                                11th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                11th of November 1916   Relieved

                                11th November 1916  Innoculated against Typhoid.

                                12th November 1916 Engineers Advise  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report OC. 128 Field Company went round all positions in the morning to advise on drainage and points in construction. Current Observation Point was also visited re continuation of Observation Point on the roof. The situation was normal until 1500 when Trench Mortar activity spread from the right onto our lines, but as before enemy did not give up until 1725 in spite of sharp retaliation.

                                12th November 1916  Church Parade

                                12th November 1916  Church services and move postponed

                                12th Nov 1916 

                                12th Nov 1916  A Change from Bully Beef

                                12th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at The Dell. Cloudy day but no rain. Whole Battalion out on carrying parties in Hebuterne. Men's feet much improved during the night. Very few Trench Feet. Battalion in reserve under orders to turn out at 20 minutes notice. 2Lts Hill, Weddell & Bushell and 50 ORs formed Smoke Barrage party proceeded to Front Line Trenches 6.15pm.

                                12th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Nov 1915  Move

                                12th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                12th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Nov 1916  Training

                                12th of November 1916  Normal War

                                12th of November 1916  Shell Shock and Wounds

                                12th Nov 1916  Into Position

                                12th Nov 1916  Training

                                12th Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                12th Nov 1916  Into the Trenches

                                12th Nov 1916  Quiet

                                12th Nov 1916  Church Parade

                                12th of November 1916 

                                12th of November 1916 

                                12th of November 1916 

                                12th of November 1916 

                                12th of November 1916 

                                12th of November 1916 

                                12th of November 1916 

                                12th of November 1916  A "Reckless" Enemy

                                12th Nov 1916  Conference

                                12th Nov 1916  Outposts

                                12th Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                12th Nov 1916  Artillery in Action

                                12th Nov 1916  Church Parade

                                12th of November 1916  TMs Irritate Enemy

                                12th November 1916  Training.

                                12th November 1916  Move

                                12th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                12th November 1916  In Support

                                12th Nov 1916  Preparations

                                12th of November 1916  Cutting Enemy Wire

                                12th November 1916  Church Parades

                                13th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers return to Warloy  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers return to thier old billets at Warloy.

                                13th November 1916 Visibility Good  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility good resulting as usual in comparative inactivity of hostile Trench Mortars. A236 Battery fired on and dispersed several working parties. A236 Battery carried out a registration of the zone sub group. Our aeroplanes were active and one hostile machine came over at 1400 but soon veered off. Major P F Clifton went to B235 Battery on order of Commander RA.

                                13th November 1916  Horses to winter quarters

                                13th November 1916  Brigade route march

                                13th Nov 1916  Air Raid Deaths

                                13th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                13th Nov 1916  Attack Sucessful

                                13th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                13th Nov 1916   18th Battalion DLI are still standing to. Smoke Barrage party returned as they were un-needed. 92nd Brigade attacked German positions S.E. of Hebuterne at 5.45am.

                                13th Nov 1916  Very Cold Night

                                13th Nov 1916  Mortal Wound

                                13th Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                13th Nov 1915  Enquiry

                                13th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Nov 1916  Training

                                13th Nov 1916  On the March

                                13th Nov 1916  Prisoners Taken

                                13th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                13th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                13th Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                13th Nov 1916  Harsh Conditions

                                13th Nov 1916  Trench Motars

                                13th Nov 1916  Orders

                                13th of November 1916 

                                13th of November 1916 

                                13th of November 1916 

                                13th of November 1916  Slight Artillery Activity

                                13th November 1916  Thanks

                                13th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Nov 1916  Visit

                                13th Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                13th November 1916  Warloy

                                13th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                13th Nov 1916  Training

                                13th of November 1916  Working Parties Hit

                                13th November 1916  Route March

                                13th November 1916  Attack Made

                                13th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th November 1916  In Action

                                13th November 1916  Schedule 13th Nov. 1916

                                13th November 1916  In Support

                                13th November 1916  Operational Order No.118

                                13th Nov 1916  Preparations

                                13th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                13th of November 1916   Quiet Time

                                13th November 1916  Company Parades

                                13th of November 2016  Attack - Battle of the Ancre

                                13th of November 2016  Attack Made

                                13th of November 2016  Battle of the Ancre

                                14th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers back in front line  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers go back to the line via Bouzincourt, Aveluy and Crucifix Corner, guided by 16th Rifle Brigade. B coy take up position in Schwaben Redoubt with the remainder of the battalion in the former German front line, in support of 19 Division, while remainder of 32 Division moved north to Beaumont-Hamel for an attack from the wagon road (this was abandoned because of mud). During this period, the Battalion recovered and buried its dead from 1st of July.

                                14th November 1916 Intermittent Shelling  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: During the morning intermittent shelling took place at Sanctuary Wood, Maple Copse, Lille Gate and Ypres with 77 mm and 4.2 inch guns. Batteries fired back at Clonmel and continued registration. At 1400 hostile Trench Mortars were active on the Right. Activity spread to our zone at 1605. We retaliated with fifty 4.5 inch and eighty 18 pounder guns in sharp bursts, until the enemy was silenced at 1700. Six men seen J.20.d.7.4 dressed in blue uniform dispersed. Six men in sap Jige 10.55 were Stokes Mortared and strafed with 18 pounders. They ran back along the sap. Considerable movement of men and vehicles on road J.21.a.1.7 to J.27.a.0.5. A squad of men were seen at Tower Hamlets, but disappeared quickly.

                                14th November 1916  inspections and training

                                14th November 1916  Move

                                14th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                14th Nov 1916  Prisoners Taken

                                14th Nov 1916  7th DLI In Action

                                14th Nov 1916  Battery Formed

                                14th Nov 1916  Regrets

                                14th Nov 1916   18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry vacated The Dell, HQ, A & B Coys moved into bivouacs on Bus - Courcelles. C & D Coys moved into billets at Rossignol Farm. A & B Coys came under orders of 94th Brigade for reinforcing, again under orders to get ready on alarm, to turn out at 20 minutes notice. Battalion supplying working parties for XIII Corps.

                                14th Nov 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                14th Nov 1916  To Camp

                                14th Nov 1915  Orders

                                14th Nov 1916  Trench Visit

                                14th Nov 1916  Trench Visit

                                14th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of November 1916  TMs Silenced

                                14th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                14th of November 1916  Shells on Fort Osborne

                                14th Nov 1916  Training

                                14th Nov 1916  Training

                                14th Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                14th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                14th Nov 1916  Retaliation

                                14th Nov 1916  On the March

                                14th of November 1916 

                                14th of November 1916 

                                14th of November 1916 

                                14th of November 1916  Three Explosions

                                14th Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                14th Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                14th Nov 1916  Relief Complete

                                14th November 1916  Thiepval

                                14th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                14th Nov 1916  On the March

                                14th Nov 1916  Working Party

                                14th of November 1916   "Tortoise" Shelled

                                14th November 1916  Brigade scheme

                                14th November 1916  Reliefs

                                14th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                14th Nov 1916   On the Move

                                14th November 1916  Quiet Day

                                14th of November 1916  Realloted Section

                                14th November 1916  Company Training

                                15th November 1916  Moves and inspections

                                15th November 1916  Inspections and preparing stables floors

                                15th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Nov 1916  Valiant Gunners

                                15th Nov 1916  Patrols

                                15th Nov 1916  On the March

                                15th Nov 1916  Into Billets

                                15th Nov 1915  Bad Weather

                                15th Nov 1916  Training

                                15th of November 1916  A TM Demo

                                15th of November 1916  To Red Lodge

                                15th Nov 1916  On the March

                                15th Nov 1916  Training

                                15th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                15th Nov 1916  Trench Raid

                                15th Nov 1916  On the March

                                15th of November 1916 

                                15th of November 1916 

                                15th of November 1916 

                                15th of November 1916  Three TM Bombardments

                                15th Nov 1916  Trench Work

                                15th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                15th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                15th Nov 1916  Quiet

                                15th Nov 1916  Working Party

                                15th of November 1916  A Combined Shoot

                                15th November 1916  121st Brigade Order No.39.

                                15th November 1916  Move

                                15th November 1916  Move

                                15th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th November 1916  Reliefs

                                15th November 1916  Reliefs

                                15th November 1916  The Battery Advances

                                15th November 1916  Hostile Artillery active

                                15th Nov 1916  Withdrawal

                                15th of November 1916  Bombardment

                                15th November 1916  Firing on the range.

                                15th of November 1916  End of Battle of the Ancre

                                15th of November 1916  On the March

                                16th November 1916 Visibility Excellent  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Visibility excellent bringing unusual district shelling. Hostile aeroplanes were again active and more daring. During the afternoon level crossing I.21.d 4.5, Shrapnel Corner, Hell Fire Corner and Zillebeke were shelled with 77 mm and 4.2 inch guns. Enemy artillery generally unusually active. Proposed bombardment of I.30.b.8.0 fell through owing to a failure of communication.

                                16th November 1916  Further moves

                                16th November 1916  Settling into Winter Quarters

                                16th Nov 1916  Reorganisation

                                16th Nov 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                16th Nov 1916  Air Combat Observed

                                16th Nov 1916  Training

                                16th Nov 1916  On the March

                                16th Nov 1916 

                                16th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                16th Nov 1916  On the March

                                16th of November 1916  Successful Raid

                                16th of November 1916  RE Working Parties

                                16th Nov 1916  Convoy Arrives

                                16th Nov 1916  Messages

                                16th Nov 1916  Training

                                16th Nov 1916  Training

                                16th Nov 1916  Into Camp

                                16th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Nov 1916  Preparations

                                16th of November 1916 

                                16th of November 1916 

                                16th of November 1916  A Large Scale Raid

                                16th Nov 1916  Trench Work

                                16th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                16th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                16th Nov 1916  Aeroplane Obervation

                                16th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                16th of November 1916  Enemy Guns Inactive

                                16th November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order No.40.

                                16th November 1916  Very Cold

                                16th November 1916  Warned for Move

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th November 1916  Enemy Artillery less active

                                16th of November 1916  Quiet Time

                                16th November 1916  Bombing and Sniping instruction.

                                16th of November 1916  Post battle

                                17th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers rejoin Brigade  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are withdrawn from the Schwaben Redoubt and move to Mailly-Maillet to rejoin the Brigade, now in support of the Division.

                                17th November 1916 A Very Satisfactory Shoot  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Several Trench Mortar emplacements were registered. At 1130 bombardment of I.30.b.8.0 trench was carried out by D236 Battery, our infantry being cleared. There were no duds and it was a very satisfactory shoot. Several hits were obtained with trench boards, pieces of wood and revetment being blown through the air. The enemy's work was wrecked. Fifty eight rounds were fired all being observed from the front line. (Note: Revetment is the general lining of trench floors and walls including fire stepping and duckboards).

                                17th November 1916  Reinforcements and inspections

                                17th November 1916  Settling to normal routines

                                17th Nov 1916  Very Cold

                                17th Nov 1916   At Courcelles 18th DLI carried out Inter Company relief, C & D Coys came out to bivouacs, A & B Coys moved into billets. Weather very cold, men in better condition after period of rest.

                                17th Nov 1916  Working Party

                                17th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Nov 1916  In Camp

                                17th Nov 1916  At Rest

                                17th Nov 1915  Orders

                                17th Nov 1916  On the March

                                17th of November 1916  Quiet and Misty

                                17th Nov 1916  Salvage

                                17th Nov 1916  On the March

                                17th Nov 1916  Training

                                17th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                17th Nov 1916  Awards

                                17th Nov 1916  Shelling

                                17th of November 1916 

                                17th of November 1916  Quiet Day and Night

                                17th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Nov 1916  Musketry

                                17th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                17th Nov 1916  Enemy Aircraft

                                17th November 1916  Mailly

                                17th of November 1916  Working Party Dispersed

                                17th November 1916  March Table

                                17th November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order 41 ( B.O.O.41 )

                                17th November 1916  March Table Issued with 121st Infantry Brigade Order 41 ( B.O.O.41 )

                                17th November 1916  Battalion Order by Major J.B. Johnson. Commanding 20th Middlesex Regt. Pt. 1

                                17th November 1916  Battalion Order by Major J.B. Johnson. Commanding 20th Middlesex Regt. Pt. 2.

                                17th November 1916  Move

                                17th November 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                17th November 1916  Heavy Minenwerfer bombardment of our lines in the afternoon

                                17th November 1916  Wagon Line Advances

                                17th November 1916  Enemy improving his Front Line

                                17th Nov 1916  Into Billets

                                17th of November 1916  Enemy Quiet

                                17th November 1916  Instruction in Bayonet fighting.

                                18th Nov 1916 Enemy attack  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers ordered to stand-to owing to enemy attack. They return to billets.

                                18th November 1916 Poor Visibility  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was poor generally. 4.2 inch guns were active in the morning on usual spots. Some activity with Trench Mortars on both sides near Hill 60 and The Dump. Bombardment of the Snout at 1630 by 18 pounders provoked no retaliation. 40% of Heavy Artillery shells were duds.

                                18th Nov 1916 In action  200th Siege Battery manned their 6" howitzers in gunpits at Mazingarbe.

                                18th Nov 1916 125th Heavy Brigade RGA convert  125th Heavy Battery, RGA convert into a 6 gun battery, gaining 2 guns from 174th Bty.

                                18th Nov 1916 Snow in Ypres Sector  20th Durhams report that it is very cold and snowing. Fighting dimishes but still casualties. They report the Battalion strength as 29 officers and 828 men.

                                18th November 1916  Inspections and promotions

                                18th November 1916  Move to reserve

                                18th Nov 1916  Winter Strikes

                                18th Nov 1916  Snow and Ice

                                18th Nov 1916  Attack Made

                                18th Nov 1916 Great Battle Ends  After 141 days of fighting the Battle of the Somme came to an end.

                                18th Nov 1916  Wounded

                                18th Nov 1916  At Rest

                                18th Nov 1915  Orders

                                18th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Nov 1916  Inspection

                                18th Nov 1916  Advance

                                18th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                18th Nov 1916  On the March

                                18th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Nov 1916  Inspections

                                18th Nov 1916  Cold Weather

                                18th Nov 1916  In Action

                                18th of November 1916 

                                18th of November 1916 

                                18th of November 1916  Poor Visibility

                                18th Nov 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                18th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                18th November 1916  No shelter

                                18th of November 1916   Guns Active

                                18th November 1916  Move

                                18th November 1916  Artillery Bombardment

                                18th November 1916  Reliefs

                                18th November 1916  Return

                                18th November 1916  Schedule 18th Nov. 1916

                                18th November 1916  Dump shelled

                                18th November 1916  Operational Order No.119

                                18th of November 1916   Successful Relief

                                18th November 1916  Inspection by 3rd Corps. Commander.

                                18th of November 1916  Battalion on the move

                                19th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers become Divisional Reserve  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers become Divisional reserve, at Ellis Square, attached to 14 Brigade. A and D coys go into the line to support 1st Btn Dorset Regiment.

                                19th November 1916 Battery Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report from Ypres. Registration for a special operation was carried out in the morning. Our Trench Mortars and artillery were active all day. At 2210 enemy Trench Mortars retaliated but stopped at once on our firing salvoes into Clonmel Copse. At 1550 Trench Mortars were active again. Our retaliation at first was ineffective because it was too dispersed. A second retaliation of well grouped Howitzers and 18 pounders effectively silenced the enemy. Enemy Trench Mortars fired from about J.19.c.2.4 and I.30.b.6.0.

                                19th November 1916 33rd Battalion Order No 14  33rd Battalion Order No 14 Headquarters, 33 Bn AIF, 19th November, 1916

                                MOVE The 33rd Battalion will entrain at Amesbury station loading dock (down side line ) on Tuesday 21st inst. as per timetable issued with this order.

                                CAMP Attention is directed to R.O. No.116 of 18.11.16. and to circular memorandum No. 24 a copy of which has been issued to all Officers. These instructions must be carried out in every detail.

                                ARRIVAL TIME AT AMESBURY STATION OC (Officer in charge of) trains will arrange that troops and transport will arrive at AMESBURY station at the following times before trains are due to start. Dismounted troops baggage with fatigues, 1 1/2 hours Dismounted troops, 1 hour All animals, 1 1/2 hours.

                                RULE OF ROAD From Amesbury village to the station troops are to keep to the right side of the road in order to leave entrance to station clear for ordinary traffic.

                                FATIGUE PARTIES All fatigue parties to be entrained in rear passenger coaches so they can assist at the docks if necessary. OC trains will detail their own fatigue parties in accordance with "Instructions for entrainment and embarkation, Part 1."

                                ANIMALS All animals will be fed and watered before leaving. They will be entrained saddled and harnessed but before being loaded they must have (a) bits out (b) head ropes down ready for fastening (c) traces hitched up.

                                WAGGONS Wagons to be a properly sheeted and tied before leaving camp. No chaff or hay to be on open trucks, limbers etc.

                                OC TRAINS OC Trains have been appointed as follows: First train - Major RJA Massie Second train - Captain GH Linklater Third train - Major HF White

                                These officers will report to R.T.O. (Railway Transport Officer - later Railway Traffic Officer) before troops are taken on to station.

                                RAIL WARRANTS OC Trains must hand in at Amesbury station a warrant to cover journey from Amesbury to docks. These warrants can be exchanged on application to Battalion headquarters.

                                LATRINE The Pioneer section will dig Latrines which are to be screened. These will be filled in after troops have gone under arrangements which have been made by Superintending Officer, Details. Troops must use these latrines only.

                                OFICERS' BAGGAGE This must not exceed the proper weight (55 lbs) and must be stacked in vehicle shed by 7 AM on Tuesday 21st.

                                ROLL CALL Careful roll call must be made before each trainload leaves Battalion lines, and carefully checked with Company Nominal Rolls. A marching out state will then be handed in to adjutant showing no. of officers, other ranks, animals, four wheel and two wheel vehicles marching out.

                                DRESS Full marching order, two blankets per man rolled in waterproof sheet and secured to pack with ends hanging down on either side. Greatcoats will be worn.

                                MEN FALLING OUT. All officers will carry "falling out permits" and keep a careful record of all men who fall out in the line of march.

                                R.C.Jones, Second Lieut. Adjutant, 33rd Battalion AIF ---------------------------------------------------------- The following is the distribution list to the various trains:-

                                First train No. X103 Troops to reach Amesbury Station at 6.50 am; train leaves Amesbury 7.50 am; train leaves Southampton 9.35 am. 12 officers 334 other ranks

                                Second train No. X105 Troops to reach Amesbury Station at 8.15 am; train leaves Amesbury 9.15 am; train leaves Southampton 11.00 am. 12 officers 331 other ranks

                                Third train No. X107 Troops to reach Amesbury Station at 10.00am; train leaves Amesbury 11.00 am; train leaves Southampton 12.00 am. 10 officers 333 other ranks

                                FIRST TRAIN

                                Major Massie; Lt. Duncan; Capts. Rosenthal, Hinton, Douglas; Lts. Fraser, Cormack, Duesbury, Clarence, Coombs; Capt. Sorenson; Chaplain Richmond; RQMS (Regimental quartermaster sergeant); Sgt. Garrett; 8 drivers 1st line transport; Band (17); AMG Details (7); Pioneers (11); Signallers (17); Band Cos. (10); A Byrne; J Handley; A Cantwell; JF Ellis; HJ Judge; T Mikburn, NS Lloyd; JP McGuire

                                SECOND TRAIN

                                Capt. Linklater; Lts. Fry, Cohen, Stockham, Saunders, Fletcher, Chapman; Capt. Craigio;Lts. Lark, Armstrong; DADMS (Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services); Pte T Cartwright (HQ); Dvrs. T Smith, R Milne, OD Blackadder, J Fairburn; 1 cook from each Co. as brakes men; Dvrs. T Keating, CW McGuire, CR Grood, EB Blackadder, H Lee, 2 drivers 1st line transport HQ.

                                THIRD TRAIN

                                MAJOR HF White; Lts. TW Tollis, McKenzie, King, Smith, Harman; CO; Adjutant; Quartermaster; Lt. Lazer; RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major); Sgt. Cook; S/Sgt ORS (other ranks); Sgt. Shoemaker; Armourer Sgt.; Lewis Gun Sgt; Batmen HQ; AW Keith; H Read; A Kinkado; W Pollock; AF Weiderman; 2 drivers 1st line transport.

                                19th November 1916  Church Parade

                                19th November 1916  Return to billets

                                19th Nov 1916  Football

                                19th Nov 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Nov 1916  New Line

                                19th Nov 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Nov 1916  On the March

                                19th Nov 1916  Church Parade

                                19th Nov 1915  Orders

                                19th Nov 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                19th Nov 1916  On the March

                                19th of November 1916  Enemy TMs Active

                                19th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                19th Nov 1916  Training

                                19th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                19th Nov 1916  Church Parade

                                19th Nov 1916  Awards

                                19th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                19th of November 1916 

                                19th of November 1916  A Two-Hour Bombardment

                                19th Nov 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                19th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                19th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                19th November 1916  Relieved

                                19th of November 1916  Relieved

                                19th of November 1916   Brickstacks Shelled

                                19th November 1916  Battalion Order by Major J.B. Johnson. Commanding 20th middlesex regt.

                                19th November 1916  Leave starts.

                                19th November 1916  Our aircraft active

                                9th Nov 1916  Training

                                19th November 1916  In Huts.

                                19th of November 1916   New Orderly Room

                                19 Nov 1916  On the Move

                                19th November 1916  Church Parades

                                19th of November 1916  Battalion on the move

                                20th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieve 15th HLI and 1st Dorsets  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers relieve 15th Btn Highland Light Infantry. B Coy under Capt W Lunn take over on the right and C coy under Capt W. Smith on the left. Communication with the 1st Dorsets on right and 2nd KOYLI on the left, is very difficult beacuse of the deplorable state of the trenches. A and D coys take over from 1st Dorsets.

                                20th November 1916 New Works  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report B236 and D236 Batteries carried out a registration on new works. D236 reported new work at two points. Enemy shelled I.27.a.9.8 for first time for about three weeks but except for slight Trench Mortar activity at 1500, the enemy was quiet. D236 Battery report 3/29 blind.

                                20th November 1916  Reorganisation

                                20th November 1916  33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force Routine Order No.116  33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force Routine Order No.116 Lt-Col LJ Morshead Commanding No. 21 Camp, Larkhill, 20th November 1916.

                                Part I Administration.

                                SCOUTS 163 The following have been accepted for the scout platoon:

                                No. 183 L/Sgt C Sinclair No. 2037 Pte LJ Byrne No. 2153 Pte. RE Harrison

                                STRENGTH 164 The undermentioned having been discharged from VD hospital is taken on strength and posted to "A" company. Pay commenced from 20/11/1916.

                                No.45, Pte JH Coleman

                                The following have been struck off the strength from this date

                                :

                                No. 483 Pte FE Morrissey "B" Co Hospital

                                No. 377 Pte G Butler "B" Co Absentee

                                No. 1462 Pte HMS Long "D" Co Absentee

                                No. 1637 Pte O Stowart "A" Co Absentee

                                No. 5686A Pte E Ryan "D" Co Absentee

                                No. 4271A Pte DC Anderson "A" Co Absentee

                                No.10125 Pte CT Gillan "C" Co Hospital

                                No. 5091A Pte JA Pearce "B" Co Hospital

                                No. 518 Pte AH Potts "B" Co Hospital

                                No. 72 Pte G Goodwin "A" Co Hospital

                                The following have been selected to remain behind as a rear party, and are struck off the strength of the Battalion:

                                No.1450 Sgt J Lawman Pioneers

                                No. 587 Pte OD Clarke

                                No. 586 Dvr FW Smith

                                No. 1614 Pte G Watson

                                No. 1519 Pte PE Anshaw "B" Co

                                No. 5108A Pte L Sherman "B" Co

                                No. 852 Pte EAC Paul. "C" Co

                                No. 5051B Pte WSC Hudson "A" Co

                                The undermentioned who are attached to the battalion awaiting transfer, will report to Lt. layton at 6:30 AM on 21 November 1916. The COs who are rationing these men will see that they report.

                                No. 124 Cpl PM McKillop attached to "A" Co

                                No. 5006A Pte J Curtis attached to "A" Co

                                No. 1930 Pte W Bagshaw attached to "A" Co

                                No. 256 Pte TO Jones attached to "A" Co

                                No. 5100A Pte JH Roberts attached to "B" Co

                                No. 2114 Pte GC McLeod attached to "C" Co

                                No. 2103 Pte HA Moodie attached to "C" Co

                                No. 2119. Pte WC Nagel attached to "C" Co

                                No. 2146 Pte Lance Ward attached to "C" Co

                                No. 5061A Pte HJ Mathieson attached to "D" Co

                                Pte Calloway attached to "C" Co

                                TRANSFER 165 The following transfer has been approved:- No. 1092, Cpl A Burkett from "D" Co. To Pioneers

                                GREATCOATS 166 Reference Battalion Order No.14 - that portion re greatcoats is cancelled. greatcoats will not be worn, but will be placed in packs so that it may readily be withdrawn.

                                PROMOTIONS 166 The following promotions have been approved:- A Company

                                No. 77 L/Cpl EG Gess to be Cpl. vice no. 124

                                Cpl DM McKillop struck off strength

                                No. 126 L/Cpl A Young to be Cpl. vice no. 127

                                Cpl AF Mayne reverted to ranks

                                No. 2148 Pte WP Whithill to be L/Cpl to complete establishment

                                No.2 Pte EP Austin to be L/Cpl to complete establishment

                                D Company

                                No. 1266 L/Sgt GD Thomas to be Sgt to complete establishment

                                No. 1245 Cpl WH Simpson to be L/Sgt vice no. 1266L/Sgt GD Thomas promoted

                                No. 2034 Pte LR Boulton to be Cpl vice no. 1245 Cpl WH Simpson promoted

                                No. 1197 L/Cpl TF McMahon to be Cpl to complete establishment

                                No. 1142 Pte WL Harding to be L/Cpl to complete establishment

                                ROUTE 167 Lt. Cohen will proceed to Amesbury and arrive there 6:20 am 21.11.1916 for the purpose of making all preliminary arrangements with RTO for entraining the first draft from this battalion. He will get a copy of states and full particulars of officers, other ranks, animals and vehicles and after entrainment await arrival of second draft with whom he will entrain after handing state to Lt. King. The latter officer will reach Amesbury station at 7:45 am 21.11.1916 and act similarly for second draft and in turn hand both sets of states to the Adjutant who will travel on third train.

                                PIONEER 168 The Pioneer section will move off Battalion Parade Ground at 5 am 21.11.1916 and proceed to Amesbury station, where they arrive at 6:20 am and receive orders as to digging latrines etc. Provision must be made for in erecting temporary canvas screens which will be dismantled after troops have been entrained.

                                STATES169 OC "B" Co and OC Headquarters Sections will hand parade states for their parties or sections to OC Trains on which they are travelling. This must be done before moving off the Battalion Parade Ground at Camp 21.

                                (signed) RG Jones Second Lieutenant Adjutant,33rd Battalion AIF

                                NOTICES

                                The regimental canteen will be closed at 6 pm today and no further purchases can be made after that hour.

                                Cheque for £30.6.6. being amount subscribed by officers, NCOs and men of 33rd battalion towards Lord Kitchener's National Memorial fund, has been forwarded to the Hon. Sec.

                                20th November 1916  Inspections

                                20th November 1916  CO's Inspection

                                20th Nov 1916  More Prisoners

                                20th Nov 1916  Working Party

                                20th Nov 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                20th Nov 1915  On the Move

                                20th Nov 1916  Cleaning up

                                20th Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                20th Nov 1916  Training

                                20th of November 1916  Fog and Orders

                                20th Nov 1916  Inspection

                                20th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                20th Nov 1916  Inspection

                                20th Nov 1916  Sport

                                20th Nov 1916  In Billets

                                20th of November 1916 

                                20th of November 1916  A Torpedo Ignored

                                20th Nov 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                20th Nov 1916  Postings

                                20th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                20th November 1916  Waggon Rd

                                20th of November 1916  Cleaning Up

                                20th of November 1916  Working Party Dispersed

                                20th November 1916  Outpost position.

                                20th November 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th November 1916  Heavy Minenwerfer bombardment

                                20th November 1916  Orders to Evacuate

                                20th November 1916  Working parties

                                20th of November 1916   Quiet Day

                                20th November 1916  Platoon Drill and Lectures

                                20th of November 1916  Douglas Haig visits

                                21st November 1916 Reorganisation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility bad all day which was quiet. A raid attempted at 1130 from Cross Trench against J.19.c.45.55, failed owing to wire not being completely cut by the Bangalore Tube. Contradictory reports led Battalion Commander to stop Artillery Barrage and almost immediately to start it again. This was done very quickly in each case communications being excellent. A full programme was carried out by Artillery after abandonment of raid owing to call wire from Crab Crawl being broken. The semi circular barrage appeared to be very effective. Enemy retaliated with Trench Mortars only on trenches and 77 mm guns behind. Batteries engaged were A180, B236, D236, C188 and A236. Reorganisation of 18 pounder Batteries took place at noon 21st inst. Right Section C236 to B236. Left Section C236 to A236. BQMS continued to draw rations for C/236 men. GOC 47th Division made formal inspection of Wagon Lines. (Bangalore Torpedo-an explosive tube used to clear a path through a wire entanglement)

                                21st November 1916 Hospital Ship Lost  

                                Britannic's survivors on HMS Scourge

                                After completing five successful voyages to the Middle Eastern theatre and back to the United Kingdom transporting the sick and wounded, HMHS Britannic departed Southampton for Lemnos at 1423 on the 12th of November 1916, her sixth voyage to the Mediterranean Sea. The Britannic passed Gibraltar around midnight on 15 November and arrived at Naples on the morning of 17th of November, for her usual coaling and water refuelling stop, completing the first stage of her mission.

                                A storm kept the ship at Naples until Sunday afternoon, when Captain Bartlett decided to take advantage of a brief break in the weather and continue on. The seas rose once again just as Britannic left the port. However, by next morning, the storms died and the ship passed the Strait of Messina without problems. Cape Matapan was rounded in the first hours of Tuesday, 21 November. By the morning, Britannic was steaming at full speed into the Kea Channel, between Cape Sounion (the southernmost point of Attica, the prefecture that includes Athens) and the island of Kea. There were a total of 1,066 people on board, mostly made up of the ships crew, wounded soldiers, and medical staff.

                                At 0812 on 21st of November 1916, a loud explosion shook the ship. It is believed to be either a torpedo or a mile from the German submarine U73. The cause, whether it was a torpedo from an enemy submarine or a mine, was not apparent. The reaction in the dining room was immediate. Doctors and nurses left instantly for their posts. Not everybody reacted the same way, as further aft, the power of the explosion was less felt, and many thought the ship had hit a smaller boat. Captain Bartlett and Chief Officer Hume were on the bridge at the time, and the gravity of the situation was soon evident. The explosion was on the starboard side, between holds two and three. The force of the explosion damaged the watertight bulkhead between hold one and the forepeak. The first four watertight compartments were filling rapidly with water also, the firemen's tunnel connecting the firemen's quarters in the bow with boiler room six was seriously damaged, and water was flowing into that boiler room.

                                Bartlett ordered the watertight doors closed, sent a distress signal and ordered the crew to prepare the lifeboats. Along with the damaged watertight door of the firemen's tunnel, the watertight door between boiler rooms six and five failed to close properly for an unknown reason. Water was flowing further aft into boiler room five. The Britannic had reached her flooding limit. She could stay afloat (motionless) with her first six watertight compartments flooded. There were five watertight bulkheads rising all the way up to B-deck. Those measures had been taken after the Titanic disaster. (Titanic could float with her first four compartments flooded, but the bulkheads rose only as high as E-deck.) The next crucial bulkhead between boiler rooms five and four and its door were undamaged and should have guaranteed the survival of the ship. However, there were open portholes along the lower decks, which tilted underwater within minutes of the explosion. The nurses had opened most of those portholes to ventilate the wards. As the ship's list increased, water reached this level and began to enter aft from the bulkhead between boiler rooms five and four. With more than six compartments flooded, the Britannic could not stay afloat.

                                On the bridge, Captain Bartlett was trying to save his ship. Only two minutes after the blast, boiler rooms five and six had to be evacuated. In about ten minutes, the Britannic was roughly in the same condition the Titanic had been in one hour after the collision with the iceberg. Fifteen minutes after the ship was struck, the open portholes on E-deck were underwater. Water also entered the ship's aft section from the bulkhead between boiler rooms five and four. The Britannic quickly developed a serious list to starboard. To his right Bartlett saw the shores of Kea, about three miles (5 km) away. He decided to make a last desperate effort to beach the ship at the island, where if successful she would have remained for the duration of the war. This was not an easy task because of the combined effect of the list and the weight of the rudder. The steering gear was unable to respond properly. However, by varying the speed of each propeller alone (giving more power to the port shaft), Britannic slowly started to turn to starboard.

                                Simultaneously, on the boat deck the crew members were preparing the lifeboats. Some of the boats were immediately rushed by a group of stewards and some sailors, who had started to panic. An unknown officer kept his nerve and persuaded his sailors to get out and stand by their positions near the boat stations. He decided to leave the stewards on the lifeboats because they were responsible for starting the panic, and he did not want them in his way in the evacuation. However, he left one of the crew with them in order to take charge of the lifeboat after leaving the ship. After this episode, all the sailors under his command remained at their posts until the last moment. As no RAMC personnel were near this boat station at that time, the officer started to lower the boats, but when he saw that the ship's engines were still turning, he stopped them within 2 metres (6 ft) of the water and waited for orders from the bridge. The occupants of the lifeboats did not take this decision very well and started cursing. Shortly after this, orders finally arrived: no lifeboats should be launched, as the Captain had decided to beach the Britannic at the nearby island.

                                Assistant Commander Harry William Dyke was making the arrangements for the lowering of the lifeboats from the aft davits of the starboard boat deck when he spotted a group of firemen who had taken a lifeboat from the poop deck without authorisation and had not filled it to maximum capacity. Dyke ordered them to pick up some of the men who had already jumped into the water.

                                At 0830, two lifeboats from the boat station assigned to Third Officer David Laws were lowered, without his knowledge, through the use of the automatic release gear. Those two lifeboats dropped some 2 metres (6 ft) into the water and hit the water violently. The two lifeboats soon drifted back into the still-turning propellers, which were almost out of the water by now. As they reached the turning blades, both lifeboats, together with their occupants, were torn to pieces. Word of the carnage arrived on the bridge, and Captain Bartlett, seeing that water was entering more rapidly as Britannic was moving and that there was a risk of more victims, gave the order to stop the engines. The propellers stopped turning the moment a third lifeboat was about to be reduced to splinters. RAMC occupants of this boat pushed against the blades and got away from them safely.

                                The Captain officially ordered the crew to lower the boats and at 0835, he gave the order to abandon ship. The forward set of port-side davits soon became useless. The unknown officer had already launched his two lifeboats and managed to launch rapidly one more boat from the aft set of portside davits. He then started to prepare the motor launch when First Officer Oliver came with orders from the Captain. Bartlett had ordered Oliver to get in the motor launch and use its speed to pick up survivors from the smashed lifeboats. Then he was to take charge of the small fleet of lifeboats formed around the sinking Britannic. After launching the motor launch with Oliver, the unknown officer filled another lifeboat with seventy-five men and launched it with great difficulty because the port side was now very high from the surface because of the list to starboard. By 0845, the list to starboard was so great that no davits were operable. The unknown officer with six sailors decided to move to mid-ship on the boat deck to throw overboard collapsible rafts and deck chairs from the starboard side. About thirty RAMC personnel who were still left on the ship followed them. As he was about to order these men to jump then give his final report to the Captain, the unknown officer spotted Sixth Officer Welch and a few sailors near one of the smaller lifeboats on the starboard side. They were trying to lift the boat, but they had not enough men. Quickly, the unknown officer ordered his group of forty men to assist the Sixth officer. Together they managed to lift it, load it with men, then launch it safely.

                                At 09:00, Bartlett sounded one last blast on the whistle, he then was washed overboard, as water had already reached the bridge. He swam to a collapsible boat and began to co-ordinate the rescue operations. The whistle blow was the final signal for the ship's engineers (commanded by Chief Engineer Robert Fleming) who, like their heroic colleagues on the Titanic, had remained at their posts until the last possible moment. They escaped via the staircase into funnel #4, which ventilated the engine room.

                                The Britannic rolled over onto her starboard side, and the funnels began collapsing. Violet Jessop (who was also one of the survivors of Britannic's sister-ship Titanic, and had even been on the third sister, Olympic, when she collided with HMS Hawke) described the last seconds: "She dipped her head a little, then a little lower and still lower. All the deck machinery fell into the sea like a child's toys. Then she took a fearful plunge, her stern rearing hundreds of feet into the air until with a final roar, she disappeared into the depths, the noise of her going resounding through the water with undreamt-of violence...." It was 0907, only fifty-five minutes after the explosion. Britannic was the largest ship lost in the First World War.

                                Compared to the Titanic, the rescue of the Britannic was facilitated by three factors: the temperature was higher (70 °F (21 °C)[14] compared to 28 °F (−2 °C) for the Titanic), more lifeboats were available (35 were launched and stayed afloat compared to Titanic's 20) and help was closer (arrived less than 2 hours after first distress call compared to 3½ hours for the Titanic.

                                The first to arrive on the scene were the Greek fishermen from Kea on their caïque, who picked up many men from the water. One of the fishermen, Francesco Psilas, was later paid £4 by the Admiralty for his services. At 1000, HMS Scourge (destroyer) sighted the first lifeboats and ten minutes later stopped and picked up 339 survivors. HMS Heroic (an armed merchant ship) had arrived some minutes earlier and picked up 494. Some 150 had made it to Korissia (a community on Kea), where surviving doctors and nurses from the Britannic were trying to save the horribly mutilated men, using aprons and pieces of lifebelts to make dressings. A little barren quayside served as their operating room. Although the motor launches were quick to transport the wounded to Korissia, the first lifeboat arrived there some two hours later because of the strong current and their heavy load. It was the lifeboat of Sixth Officer Welch and the unknown Officer. The latter was able to speak some French and managed to talk with one of the local villagers, obtaining some bottles of brandy and some bread for the injured.

                                The inhabitants of Korissia were deeply moved by the suffering of the wounded. They offered all possible assistance to the survivors and hosted many of them in their houses while waiting for the rescue ships. Violet Jessop approached one of the wounded. "An elderly man, in an RAMC uniform with a row of ribbons on his breast, lay motionless on the ground. Part of his thigh was gone and one foot missing; the grey-green hue of his face contrasted with his fine physique. I took his hand and looked at him. After a long time, he opened his eyes and said: 'I'm dying'. There seemed nothing to disprove him yet I involuntarily replied: 'No, you are not going to die, because I've just been praying for you to live'. He gave me a beautiful smile . . . That man lived and sang jolly songs for us on Christmas Day."

                                The Scourge and Heroic had no deck space for more survivors and they left for Piraeus signalling the presence of those left at Korissia. Luckily the destroyer HMS Foxhound arrived at 1145 and, after sweeping the area, anchored in the small port at 1300 to offer medical assistance and take onboard the remaining survivors. At 1400 the light cruiser HMS Foresight arrived. The Foxhound departed for Piraeus at 1415 while the Foresight remained to arrange the burial on Kea of Sergeant W. Sharpe, who had died of his injuries. Another two men died on the Heroic (Armed Merchantman) and one on the French tug Goliath. The three were buried with military honours in the British cemetery at Piraeus. The last fatality was G. Honeycott, who died at the Russian Hospital at Piraeus shortly after the funerals.

                                1,036 people were saved. Thirty men lost their lives in the disaster but only five were buried. The others were left in the water and their memory is honoured in memorials in Thessaloniki and London. Another twenty-four men were injured. The ship carried no patients. Survivors were hosted in the warships that were anchored at the port of Piraeus. However, the nurses and the officers were hosted in separate hotels at Phaleron. Many Greek citizens and officials attended the funerals.

                                For almost nine decades the exact location of the grave of RAMC Sergeant William Sharpe remained unknown. In November 2006 Britannic researcher Michail Michailakis discovered that one of the 45 unidentified graves in the New British Cemetery on the island of Syros contained the remains of a soldier collected from the church of Ag.Trias at Livadi (the old name of Korissia). The information was passed to maritime historian Simon Mills who came in contact with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Further research established that this soldier was a Britannic casualty and that his remains had been registered as belonging to a certain "Corporal Stevens" (October 1919). When the remains were moved to the new cemetery at Syros (June 1921) it was found that there was no record relating this name with the loss of the ship and the grave was registered as unidentified. Simon Mills provided all the necessary evidence in order to prove that this man could be no other than Sergeant William Sharpe and eventually the case arrived to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. Since the cause of the mistake couldn't be established with certainty—but with the evidence in favour of Sergeant William Sharpe being very strong—it was decided to have the grave marked with a new headstone bearing the inscription "Believed to be Sergeant William Sharpe". The new headstone was placed in 2009 and the CWGC has also updated its database with the new information.

                                21st November 1916 33 Bn AIF leaves Southampton  Battalion left Larkhill camp for Southampton.

                                Battalion transport and 186 men embarked on 'Hunslet' sailed 7:30 p.m.

                                Battalion less transport and 186 men embarked on 'Mona's Queen'. Sailed 4:30 p.m.

                                21st November 1916  Into reserve

                                21st November 1916  Inspections and Courses

                                21st Nov 1916  Route March

                                21st Nov 1916   At 09.30. 18th DLI left bivouacs at Courcelles and proceeded to take over left Northern Subsector Hebuterne. Dinner was served on open ground west of Sailly Au Bois. Moved off again 1.0pm Going very bad and large number of men sick owing to exposure. Relief complete 3.20pm. A Coy, B Coy, C Coy from right to left in front line. D Coy in support.

                                21st Nov 1916  Salvage

                                21st Nov 1916  On the March

                                21st Nov 1916  Taken Prisoner

                                21st Nov 1916  New Ward Opened

                                21st Nov 1916  Ship Sunk

                                21st Nov 1915  Back to Work

                                21st Nov 1916  Training

                                21st Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                21st Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                21st of November 1916  Another Relief

                                21st Nov 1916  On the March

                                21st Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                21st Nov 1916  On the Move

                                21st Nov 1916  Training

                                21st Nov 1916  Holding out

                                21st of November 1916 

                                21st of November 1916 

                                21st of November 1916  Company HQ Hit

                                21st Nov 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                21st Nov 1916  Clothing

                                21st Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                21th November 1916  Waggon Rd shelled

                                21st of November 1916  Drills

                                21st Nov 1916  On the March

                                21st of November 1916  Embankment Redoubt Hit

                                21st November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order 44 ( B.O.O.44 )

                                21st November 1916  March Table B.O.O.44

                                21st November 1916  Battalion Order by Major J.B. Johnson. Commanding 20th Middlesex Regt.

                                21st November 1916  Practicing replenishment of ammunition

                                21st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st November 1916  New billets

                                21st November 1916  Reliefs

                                21st November 1916  Working parties

                                21st of November 1916   Misty Day

                                21st November 1916  Company Tactical schemes for "A" & "D" Coys.

                                21st of November 1916  Battalion on the move

                                22nd November 1916 Visibility Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report from Ypres. Visibility bad and day quiet. At 0530 a party of twelve Germans crawled over opposite Cross Trench and attempted to throw bombs. These all fell short and they retired hastily.

                                22nd November 1916 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ84 (L38)

                                • Production Ref: LZ84
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: L38
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 22nd November 1916

                                History.

                                It was damaged beyond repair in a forced landing (due to heavy snowfall) during an attempted raid on Reval and Saint Petersburg on the 29th December 1916.

                                22nd November 1916 33 Bn AIF arrive at Le Havre   'Mona's Queen' arrived Havre 12 midnight disembarked 7:00 AM proceeded to Rest Camp No 1. 'Hunslet' arrived Havre 7:30 AM disembarked 10 AM proceeded to Rest Camp No 1.

                                22nd November 1916  Commenced work in trenches

                                22nd November 1916  Inspections

                                22nd Nov 1916  Thick Fog

                                22nd Nov 1916   18th Durham report "Weather very cold, frost during the night, no rain. Trenches in fair condition, 2 OR wounded. Patrols reconnoitred enemy wire and No Man's Land."

                                22nd Nov 1916  Aircraft Downed

                                22nd Nov 1916  CO Visits

                                22nd Nov 1915  Construction Work

                                22nd Nov 1916  Parades

                                22nd Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                22nd of November 1916  Tit for Tat

                                22nd Nov 1916  On the March

                                22nd Nov 1916  On the March

                                22nd Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                22nd Nov 1916  Inspections

                                22nd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Nov 1916  Holding out

                                22nd of November 1916 

                                22nd November 1916  Heavy Artillery on Messines

                                22nd Nov 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                22nd Nov 1916  Posting

                                22nd Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                22nd November 1916  4 killed

                                22nd of November 1916  On the March

                                22nd Nov 1916  To the trenches

                                22nd of November 1916  Enemy Unusually Quiet

                                22nd November 1916  Reference to Brigade Preparation Order of today

                                22nd November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade O.O.45. ( B.O.O.45. )

                                22nd November 1916  March Table ( Issued with B.O.O.45 )

                                22nd November 1916  On the Move

                                22nd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                22nd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd November 1916  New special course

                                22nd November 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd November 1916  Batteries Billet Together

                                22nd November 1916  Schedule 22nd Nov. 1916

                                22nd November 1916  Parades under arrangements of Company Commanders,

                                22nd November 1916  Operational Order No.120

                                22nd of November 1916  A Relief

                                22nd November 1916  Rapid Wiring & Section Drill.

                                22nd of November 1916  Battalion on the move

                                23rd Nov 1916 14 Brigade ordered to advance  An order is received from GOC 14 Brigade to capture point 88 and point 17, but mud and absence of artillery preparation makes the advance near impossible. 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers suffer several casualties, most caused by "shorts" from British artillery.

                                23rd November 1916 Exchange of Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy broke his custom and began Trench Mortar strafe in the morning. From 9am to 10.30am about thirty bombs were fired on our trenches I.21.d.5.3 and I.24.d.5.4. Group were informed and scheme two for bombardment of Trench Mortars was ordered at 1050. Left Brigade and Heavies did not fire but C180 Battery carried out the programme. Enemy became annoyed and at 1120 opened a heavy Trench Mortar fire on our trenches. Retaliation scheme two as ordered again at 1210. This time all batteries fired and at 1230 the enemy was silenced for the day. On Right of Group Zone the enemy's Trench Mortars were very active from 1345 to 1415 from Snout to Dump. This repeated from 1535 to 1615 with the addition of 4.2 inch and 77 mm guns. Reorganisation officially ordered but S.O. ASC still insists that C236 Battery should draw its own rations.

                                23rd Nov 1916  20th Durhams at Ontario Camp

                                23rd November 1916 Early start for 33 Bn AIF   Reveille 4:30 AM Battalion less 250 under Captain Linklater entrained at 8 AM. Train pulled out at 10 AM. Train halted Montérolier-Buchy at 8:30 PM for 30 minutes.

                                23rd November 1916  Fire trench completed

                                23rd November 1916  Winter training routine

                                23rd Nov 1916  Duty Upheld

                                23rd Nov 1916   Wet in the morning and cold. 15th West Yorks took over A Coy, 18th DLI sector. C Coy relieved by D Coy. A Coy moved into billets in Hebuterne. Now D Coy Left Front. B Coy Right Front. C Coy Left Support. A Coy Left Support. Patrols reconnoitred No Man's Land.

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Active

                                23rd Nov 1916  On the March

                                23rd Nov 1915  Construction Work

                                23rd Nov 1916  Gas Test

                                23rd Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                23rd of November 1916  Combined Bombardment

                                23rd of November 1916  TMs quiet

                                23rd Nov 1916  Little News

                                23rd Nov 1916  On the March

                                23rd Nov 1916  On the March

                                23rd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Nov 1916  On the March

                                23rd Nov 1916  Quiet

                                23rd Nov 1916  Comfort Fund

                                23rd Nov 1916  Orders

                                23rd of November 1916 

                                23rd of November 1916  A Combined Shoot

                                23rd Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd Nov 1916  Courses

                                23rd Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                23th November 1916  Tragedy at Waggon Road

                                23rd of November 1916  On the March

                                23rd Nov 1916  In the Trenches

                                23rd of November 1916  Division to Side Slip

                                23rd November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade After Order to No.46.

                                23rd November 1916  The 121st Infantry Brigade Group will move tomorrow

                                23rd November 1916  March Table ( Issued with B.O.O.45 )

                                23rd November 1916  Battalion Order by Major J.B. Johnson. Commanding 20th middlesex regt.

                                23rd November 1916  Move

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                23rd Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd November 1916  Baths

                                23rd November 1916  Working Parties

                                23rd November 1916  On the Move to St Requier

                                23rd November 1916  Work period 23rd/24th to 28th/29th Nov. 1916

                                23rd November 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd November 1916  Company Tactical Schemes for "C" & "B" Coys.

                                23rd of November 1916  Battalion on the move

                                24th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 2nd Gordons  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are relieved by 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders ("one of the finest battalions we met in France"). The Northumberlands move to Raincheval via Mailly-Maillet.

                                24th November 1916 Daily Battery Activity 236th London Brigade  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Ypres. Hostile Trench Mortars became active at 1450. Scheme two was ordered and enemy silenced. He appeared to retaliate for scheme two further to the right. At 1550 scheme six was ordered and was effective, but almost immediately a heavy bombardment broke out from Knoll Road to the Dump with the enemy using Trench Mortars, 4.2 inch and 77 mm guns. The Division on our Right retaliated and all was quiet by 1645.

                                24th November 1916 33 Bn AIF arrive late at Bailleul  33rd Btn AIF halted at Abbeville at 6 am for 45 minutes. Arrived Bailleul 2 pm. Detrained. Proceeded to billets. Guides took wrong road. Battalion did not arrive at billets till 9 pm. Battalion HQ at La Blanc M****?

                                24th Nov 1916 6th Sherwoods in Neuvillette  An inscription carved into the wall of a small gate house on the Rue du Chateau in Neuvillette reads: Pte C Niven, 1/6th Sher. For. Nov 24th 16. They were obviously here just after the battle of the Somme.

                                24th November 1916  Relief and casualties

                                24th November 1916  Brigade Pioneer Battalion Parade

                                24th Nov 1916  Lack of Supplies

                                24th Nov 1916  Reconnaissance

                                24th Nov 1916  Football

                                24th Nov 1916   18th DLI report "Quiet some more rain. Trenches began falling in and got very muddy. 4 OR wounded by grenade. Patrols out reconnoitring No Man's Land."

                                24th Nov 1916  On the March

                                24th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                24th Nov 1916  Training

                                24th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Nov 1916  Artillery Active

                                24th November 1916  Hostile TMs

                                24th of November 1916  Good Results

                                24th Nov 1916  On the March

                                24th Nov 1916  On the March

                                24th Nov 1916  Training

                                24th Nov 1916  Trench Motars

                                24th Nov 1916  In Billets

                                24th of November 1916 

                                24th of November 1916  Boche Trenches Hit

                                24th Nov 1916  Fine Weather

                                24th Nov 1916  Defence Line

                                24th November 1916  Trench Work

                                24th Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                24th November 1916  Motor buses

                                24th of November 1916  On the March

                                24th Nov 1916  Forty One Pounds Raised

                                24th Nov 1916  Huge British Hospital Ship Torpedoed

                                24th of November 1916   Artillery and TMs Active

                                24th Nov 1916  Guns

                                24th November 1916  Move

                                24th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                24th November 1916  Lectures in trench warfare

                                24th November 1916  Weather very bad.

                                24th November 1916  Permanent Billets at Roussent

                                24th November 1916  Battalion in Right Sub_Section Hill 60 Sector.

                                24th of November 1916  Brigadier's Tour

                                24th November 1916  Tactical Scheme.

                                24th of November 1916  Moved to huts

                                25th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers rejoin 32 Division  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers rejoin 32 Division at Amplier.

                                25th November 1916 Infantry Officers Instructed  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Infantry officers attached to A236 and B236 Batteries for instruction. Batteries did not fire with observation being bad.

                                25th November 1916 French Battleship Suffren Sinking  

                                French Battleship Suffren

                                Name Suffren, Type Battleship, Country French.
                                GRT 12,750 tons, Built 1899, Builder Arsenal de Brest.
                                Operator French navy

                                History

                                On the 25 Nov 1916, U 52 (Hans Walther) Sank the French Battleship Suffren, 90 miles West of Portugal (39.10N, 10.48W). There were no survivors with crew of 648 lost.

                                25th November 1916  33 Bn AIF lecture on respirators  Battalion HQ moved to Walters Farm. Captain Pollard 34th Division Gas Officer lectured to all Officers & Sergeants re new Respirators.

                                25th November 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Special Order No.1  33rd Battalion AIF Special Order No.1 by Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Horshead Commanding, Waltres Farm near Steenwerke 25.11.1916.

                                1. The following officers and specialists will parade at Battalion Headquarters at 8:45 am on 26.11.1916, and will proceed to the trenches: Officers, Commanding Officer, Intelligence Officer, Adjutant, Quartermaster, Transport Officer, Lewis Gun Officer, Signalling Officer, Scout Officer, Second-in-command Cos.

                                2. The CO, Adjutant, Quartermaster and Transport Officer will return to billets in the afternoon, the others will remain in the trenches and will take their Batmen.

                                3. Headquarters 12 Lewis gunners, 8 signallers.

                                4. COMPANIES 1NCO per platoon, 3 snipers, 1 signaller, 1 Gas NCO, 3 Scouts, 1 Runner, 3 Lewis gunners.

                                5. This party will proceed to Armentières in motor lorries.

                                6. The O's C Co's will be careful in the selection of their specialists for this advance party.

                                7. Officers will take their valises.

                                8. 2 companies of the Battalion will move forward to the trenches on the 27th inst., the remainder on the 28th.

                                (signed) RC Jones, Second Lieutenant Adjutant, 33rd Battalion AIF

                                Copy no.1 to OC A Co. Copy no.2 to OC B Co. Copy no.3 to OC C Co. Copy no.4 to OC D Co. Copy no.5 to Intelligence Officer Copy no.6 to QM Copy no.7 to Transport Officer Copy no.8 to Lewis Gun Officer Copy no.9 to Bombing Officer Copy no.10 to Scout Officer

                                25th November 1916  Pioneer formation event postponed

                                25th November 1916  ongoing trench activity and reinforcements

                                25th Nov 1916  A Parcel from Home

                                25th Nov 1916  Steady Rain

                                25th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                25th Nov 1916   Quiet, still raining occasionally. A Coy relieved B Coy 18th DLI in left Coy sector. Patrols reconnoitred enemy wire and No Man's Land.

                                25th Nov 1916  Wet and Miserable

                                25th Nov 1916  On the March

                                25th Nov 1915  Instruction

                                25th Nov 1916  Relief

                                25th Nov 1916  Training

                                25th of November 1916  Hostile Fire

                                25th Nov 1916  On the March

                                25th Nov 1916  On the March

                                25th Nov 1916  Quiet

                                25th Nov 1916  On the March

                                25th of November 1916 

                                25th of November 1916  Our TMs Active

                                25th Nov 1916  Trench Work

                                25th Nov 1916  Training

                                25th Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                25th Nov 1916  Billets

                                25th of November 1916  An Unexpected Move

                                25th Nov 1916  Change of Command

                                25th of November 1916  Active Enemy Guns

                                25th November 1916  Battalion Order

                                25th November 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order No.47.

                                25th November 1916  Arms drill

                                25th November 1916  Orders received

                                25th November 1916  Return

                                25th November 1916  Sniper

                                25th Nov 1916  Award

                                25th of November 1916  Fish Tails

                                25th November 1916  Parades in billets

                                25th of November 1916  Training and reinforcements

                                26th Nov 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers move to Bonneville  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers move to Bonneville, via Beauval and Valheureux, to rest.

                                26th November 1916 Fire on Sound Bearings  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record Morning very quiet until 1100 when five 5.9 inch shells fell near Blaupoort Farm. This was fired repeated at 1030. The Heavy Artillery were given Sound Bearings and fired on the suspected Battery and the Howitzer ceased fire. Visibility sketch was made from I.28.d.5.8, a proposed Observation Point on the back of Verbrandenmolen Hill to the corner of Armagh Wood site and Yeomanry Port and Observatory Ridge. From 1000 to 1300 the Dump was shelled with single 5.9 inch shell at one round per minute.

                                26th November 1916 Advanced Party  33rd Battalion, AIF Advanced party as per Battalion special order no.1 proceeded to Right sector trenches at La Chapelle-d'Armentières to arrange to take over from 27th Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                26th Nov 1916  Church services

                                26th Nov 1916  Ongoing work in trenches

                                26th Nov 1916  Leisure Time

                                26th Nov 1916  Ordered Issued

                                26th Nov 1916   18th DLI are in the Trenches. Quiet, raining all day. Enemy shelled Hebuterne.

                                26th Nov 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                26th Nov 1916  Inspection

                                26th Nov 1915  Construction Work

                                26th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                26th of November 1916  Three Men in a Plane

                                26th of November 1916  No Damage Done

                                26th Nov 1916  On the March

                                Nov 1916 Rabbits  "Sunday. I am sorry you have had no letter from me for several days but it has been impossible to find time for sleep even, let alone letter-writing. Once more we are back at our rest camp for a few days which pass only too quickly. Your parcel came to hand safely and was much appreciated, also the papers. I am quite fit. The weather the whole time we were in the front line was very considerate to us, but the day we came away was wet in the extreme following a heavy thunderstorm the previous day. Our period at the front would I suppose by the authorities be called ‘comparative quiet’. However I am not anxious to be there when it is really noisy. Taken from all points of view however we have been extremely lucky in every way since we have been out here and have far less reason to grumble than many. I think we shall all resemble first-class rabbits when we return as life is perpetually spent in most cramped positions, and we disappear into burrows in the earth just like our furry friends at the least sign of danger." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                26th Nov 1916  Shelling

                                26th Nov 1916  Misty

                                26th Nov 1916  Quiet

                                26th Nov 1916  On the March

                                26th of November 1916 

                                26th of November 1916  A Quiet Day

                                26th Nov 1916  Trench Work

                                26th Nov 1916  Holding the Line

                                26th November 1916  Bonneville

                                26th of November 1916  On the Move

                                26th of November 1916  Enemy Blow Mine

                                26th November 1916  On the March

                                26th Nov 1916  Prop Shot Away

                                26th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th November 1916  Reliefs

                                26th November 1916  Shared Billeting Area

                                26th November 1916  Shelled with 5.9" Minenwerfers & Rifle Grenades.

                                26th of November 1916   Artillery Bombardment

                                26th November 1916  March to camp in Baisieux

                                27th Nov 1916 Zeppelin Raids on Britain  A Zeppelin raid on the night of the 27th,28th of November 1916 targeted the Midlands and North East England. Nine Navy airships took part. The bombing was largely ineffective, killing 4, injuring 37 and causing £12,482 damage and two airships were shot down by the defending aircraft.

                                L34 crossed the North East coast at 23.30, and dropped thirteen high explosive bombs at the Elwick searchlight battery, which missed, destroying a cow shed and injuring two cows. More seriously the L34 then raided West Hartlepool, sixteen high explosive bombs killing four and injuring eleven more, as well as wrecking houses and demolishing a grandstand at West Hartlepool football stadium. 2nd Lt Ian Pyott of 36 Squadron, took off from Seaton Carew aerodrome in BE2c 2738 and chased Zeppelin L34, which was coned by searchlights, across the skies over Hartlepool and succeeded in shooting it down using incendiary bullets. The airship crashed in flames and fell into the sea about 1,800 yards offshore from the Heugh Lighthouse on the Hartlepool headland, the wreckage burning on the water for some time. 2Lt. Pyott was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for his actions and a plaque on the entrance gates to Seaton Park, commemorates the event. All the Zeppelin crew were killed, two bodies were later washed up, but identification proved impossible, they were buried with military honours in Seaton Carew Cemetery. L34 which had set off from Nordholz in Germany, was captained by Max Dietrich, the uncle of the singer and actress Marlene Dietrich. An another member of the crew was Hermann Pufahl, the father of two small children.

                                L21 was attacked by three aircraft near Yarmouth. Flt Sub-Lt. Edward Pulling was credited with the victory and awarded a DSO, the other pilots receiving the DFC

                                The following day a single LVG CIV made the first German aeroplane raid on London, hoping to hit the Admiralty, six 10 kg (22 lb) fell between Victoria station and the Brompton Road. There were no further raids in 1916.

                                27th November 1916 Instruction  2 sections per platoon of 33rd Battalion AIF relieved half of 27th Northumberland Fusiliers to learn trench routine.

                                27th November 1916 Heavy casualties in trench work areas  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are in the line - Thick morning mist and weather improved later. Shelling abnormally heavy in whole of battalions area. Post blown in at R2c81 and 7 killed. Shelters in Quarry at R7c73 destroyed with Sergeant-majors Good and Fraser killed. Railway line through Beaumont damaged and entrances to dug-outs in Quarry at R8a20 blown in. Communication trench from R7c68 continued. Trench cut from Quarry at R8a20 to Railway Road. Casualties in all 37.

                                27th Nov 1916  Winter training commences

                                27th Nov 1916  Frosty Weather

                                27th Nov 1916  On the March

                                27th Nov 1916  On the Move

                                27th Nov 1916 Reliefs Completed  18th DLI are relieved by 18th West Yorks and moved into billets in Rossignol Farm. Very wet day. Trenches in very muddy condition. Relief complete 5.30pm. Battalion formed part of Divsional Reserve. Men very tired but in fairly good condition.

                                27th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                27th Nov 1916  On the March

                                27th Nov 1916  Rations

                                27th Nov 1916  Training

                                27th Nov 1916  On the March

                                27th of November 1916  Thick Mist

                                27th of November 1916  Move to Divisional Reserve

                                27th Nov 1916  Route March

                                27th Nov 1916  Shelling

                                27th Nov 1916  On the March

                                27th Nov 1916  Some Shelling

                                27th Nov 1916  In Billets

                                27th of November 1916 

                                27th of November 1916 

                                27th of November 1916 

                                27th of November 1916 

                                27th of November 1916  Aeroplanes Active

                                27th Nov 1916  Reorganisation

                                27th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                27th of November 1916  On the March

                                27th of November 1916   LTMs Hit Enemy Saps

                                27th November 1916  Company training

                                27th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                27th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Nov 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                27th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th November 1916  Trenches are in a bad state of repair.

                                27th November 1916  Reliefs

                                27th November 1916  Patrols

                                27th November 1916  Reliefs

                                27th November 1916  During the afternoon a few T.M's. and Rifle Grenades were fired by the Enemy

                                27th of November 1916   Wire Rconnaissance

                                27th November 1916  Preparing for inspection by the G.O.C. 15th Division.

                                28th November 1916 Training  Remaining two sections per platoon of 33rd Battalion, AIF changed with other setions to learn trench routine with 27th Northumberland Fusiliers.

                                28th November 1916  Quieter in trenches and Relief overnight

                                28th November 1916  Horse casting inspection

                                28th Nov 1916  London Bombed

                                28th Nov 1916  Some Hope of Leave

                                28th Nov 1916  On the March

                                28th Nov 1916 Working Parties  From their HQ at Rossignol Farm, 18th Durham report "Better day, though cloudy. Battalion finding big working parties. Draft of 60 ORs reported from Base and posted to Coys. Fairly good set of men, though mostly very new."

                                28th Nov 1916  Cold Day

                                28th Nov 1916  Reinforcements

                                28th Nov 1916  Still Cold

                                28th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                28th of November 1916  Bulford Camp

                                28th Nov 1916  Cleaning up

                                28th Nov 1916  Relief Delayed

                                28th Nov 1916  Training

                                28th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Nov 1916  In Billets

                                28th of November 1916 

                                28th of November 1916 

                                28th of November 1916  Working On Our Wire

                                28th Nov 1916  Cleanliness

                                28th Nov 1916  Reinforcements

                                28th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                28th of November 1916  Billets Improved

                                28th Nov 1916  Night Relief

                                28th of November 1916  German Party Dispersed

                                28th November 1916  Company training and Specialists.

                                28th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th November 1916  Draining of trenches complete.

                                28th November 1916  Schedule 28th Nov. 1916

                                28th November 1916  No Hostile fire all day.

                                28th November 1916  Operational Order No.121

                                28th of November 1916  Stores Redistribued

                                28th November 1916  Inspection by G.O.C. 15th Division

                                29th November 1916 Low Cloud  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C180 Battery dispersed a working party at J.19.b.7.1. between 1126 and 1215. D236 Battery registered by aeroplane. Usual trench mortar, 5.9 and 4.2 inch shelling. A fine day, but low cloud interfered with aeroplane observation.

                                29th November 1916 33 Bn AIF in action against the enemy  Relief completed. CO took over command.

                                3 pm Our artillery and light trench mortar bombarded enemy front and support line with apparently good results.

                                2.55 pm Enemy shelled light trench mortar emplacements with minenwerfer*

                                Enemy played on our parapet all night with machine gun and rifle fire. Enemy bombed his own wire during night and fired many verey lights.**

                                10-12 pm Gas masks worn by all troops in front of support lines. Enemy working party in front no.4 locality dispersed with light gun fire.

                                Patrols and listening posts report all quiet. Enemy wearing blue caps observed, moving behind their line.

                                One enemy hit by snipers.

                                * Minenwerfer ("mine launcher") is the German name for a class of short range mortars used extensively during the First World War by the German Army.

                                ** a flare fired into the air from a pistol for signalling or for temporary illumination.

                                29th November 1916  In Dugouts overnight

                                29th November 1916  Ongoing winter training

                                29th Nov 1916  Beneath Beaumont Hamel

                                29th Nov 1916  Sickness in the Ranks

                                29th Nov 1916  On the March

                                29th Nov 1916  Very Cold

                                29th Nov 1916  Drill

                                29th Nov 1916  Sharp Frost

                                29th Nov 1916  Training

                                29th Nov 1916  Trench Raid

                                29th November 1916  Death of Charly Wood

                                29th Nov 1916  Training

                                29th Nov 1916  Fog

                                29th Nov 1916  Training

                                29th of November 1916 

                                29th of November 1916  Good Patrol Work

                                29 November 1916  Punishment

                                29th November 1916  Medical Discoveries

                                29th Nov 1916  Cleanliness

                                29th Nov 1916  On the March

                                29th Nov 1916  At Rest

                                29th Nov 1916  Move

                                29th of November 1916  Drills

                                29th Nov 1916   Reorganisation

                                29th of November 1916  Enemy TMs Silenced

                                29th November 1916  Company training and Specialists.

                                29th Nov 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                29th November 1916  Enemy Artillery was not particularly active.

                                29th November 1916  Orders for raid by "C" Company.

                                29th November 1916  Minenwerfer bombardment of our lines

                                29th November 1916  Battalion in huts

                                29th of November 1916  Quiet Day

                                29th November 1916  Company Training. Physical Exercise.

                                30 November 1916 

                                Nov 1916 France  36th Battalion AIF cross to France in late November 1916.

                                30th November 1916 Enemy is Strong  33rd Battalion AIF Report from La Chapelle-d'Armentières "Our artillery quiet all day. Enemy put 4 Minnie's over left CO without damage. At 10pm Our patrol from 3.10.1. reported enemy were strong. Enemy working on parapet repairing damage done by our Light trench mortar on 29th inst. At 8 pm Patrol from Post C report enemy quiet.

                                Right (1) Sector, Enemy used great number of Verey Lights, also 3 search lights all night. 3 of enemy said to have been shot by our snipers. Enemy bombed his own wire during night. Enemy used rifle grenades on our right during day without result. Enemy used M.G. (Machine gun) and Rifle fire along our parapet all night."

                                30th November 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 120   33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 120 by Lt Col LJ Morshead commanding Chapelle d'Armentières 30.11.1916.

                                BATTALION AREA 1183 No one is allowed in the battalion area without permission of the CO. O's C CO's will question all officers whether they had first reported to battalion headquarters before visiting the trenches. Yesterday a party of officers from another battalion made an inspection without the knowledge of the CO. Officers not belonging to this Brigade or Division Staff must have a pass signed by the CO or Adjutant.

                                SPECIALIST OFFICERS 1185 The following officers will report daily to the CO at times specified Signalling Officer 9:30 am

                                Scout Officer 10:00 am

                                Lewis GunOfficer at 10:30 am

                                Bombing Officer 10:45 am

                                Sniping Officer and 9:00 pm

                                VERY LIGHTS 1185 Apart from intelligence reports the CO must be informed when, where, how many, and why Very Lights are used.

                                DISTRIBUTION OF ORDERS 1186 The Signalling Officer is responsible for seeing that all specialist officers read and sign all copies of orders sent to him.

                                MESSAGES 1187 There is too much delay in replying to messages sent from Battalion Headquarters to Companies. These messages should be sent out to responsible officers by Company runners if necessary as soon as they are received from Headquarters runners. More attention must be paid to promptly detailing any specialists who are asked for.

                                SNIPERS 1188 Battalion snipers will take up their position at Cemetery Post, on the Subsidiary Line. They will report there to Lt. Saunders at 8 am. See RO No. 110 Paragraph 1177, re rations.

                                TELEPHONE MESSAGES 1189 All ranks must be warned of serious results that may follow from telephone messages giving particulars of strength, casualties, dispositions, etc. These matters are invariably to be sent by runners except in cases of extreme urgency when the officers sending same will be held responsible. Instances have already occurred of units using their designations instead of station calls. In future disciplinary action will be taken against the offender.

                                WATER 1190 The water supply of the town may be used for drinking by troops from the fountains in the streets. All water supply is cut off from dark to daylight. Cooks, etc. should therefore be warned to obtain a sufficient supply to last overnight and for breakfast. Water used in houses and obtained from wells should not be drunk by troops unless boiled, i.e. in the form of tea etc.

                                STRENGTH 1191 No. 4971 Pte. DC ? Anderson is taken on strength of this Battalion from ?/11/1916

                                PUNISHMENTS The following punishments were awarded on 25 November 1916

                                No. 4971 Private DC ? Anderson "A" company absent without leave from 6 am 20/11/1916 to 4:30 am 21/11/1916. Forfeit 1 days pay. 20 days at F.F. No 2.

                                No. 4262 Private H Long "D" company absent without leave from 6 am 29/11/1916 to 10 pm 21/11/1916. Forfeit 2 days pay. 20 days at F.F. No 2.

                                No. ? Private E Ryan "D" company absent without leave from 6 am 29/11/1916 to 10 pm 21/11/1916. Forfeit 2 days pay. 21 days at F.F. No 2. (signed) RC Jones, Second Lieutenant Adjutant, 33rd Battalion AIF

                                30th Nov 1916  Appointment to Reserve Cavalry

                                30th Nov 1916  Rest and Inspections

                                30th Nov 1916  Romania Defeated

                                30th Nov 1916  Advance by Tank

                                30th Nov 1916  On the March

                                30th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at Rossignol Farm. Frosty morning. Sick parade for past 3 days averaged over 100. Men mostly suffering from sores owing to run down condition.

                                30th Nov 1916  Letters Home

                                30th Nov 1916  Drill

                                30th Nov 1916  Training

                                30th Nov 1915  Construction Work

                                30th Nov 1916  Football

                                30th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                30th of November 1916  Combined Bombardment

                                30th Nov 1916  Route March

                                30th Nov 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Nov 1916  Working Parties

                                30th Nov 1916  On the March

                                30th Nov 1916  Working Parties & Baths

                                30th Nov 1916  Training

                                30th of November 1916 

                                30th of November 1916  Rapid TM Fire

                                30th Nov 1916  Recce

                                30th Nov 1916  Cleanliness

                                30th Nov 1916  In Billets

                                30th of November 1916  Training

                                30th Nov 1916  Relieved

                                30th of November 1916  Enemy Baling Out

                                30th November 1916  Company training and Specialists.

                                30th November 1916  General cleaning up after trench tour.

                                30th November 1916  Left Group operational Order No. 1.

                                30th November 1916  Issued with Left Group Operation Order No.1.

                                30th November 1916  Wire cutting

                                30th November 1916  Parades under Company arrangements.

                                30th of November 1916   A Relief

                                30th November 1916  Bath's at Vadencourt

                                30th November 1916  Addendum to March Table

                                Dec 1916 15th Battalion formed for Worcs  The 15th (Transport workers) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was formed in Swindon in December 1916

                                1st December 1916 Covering 23rd Division  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Ypres record: All map references on Zillebeeke Bund.3.E 1/10,000 and sheet 28 1/40,000 236th Brigade RFA still covering the 23rd Division. A236 and B236 Batteries registered for special operations. Heavy mist made general observation impossible enemy artillery and trench mortars were very quiet. At 1230 a raid was attempted by the 11th Sherwood Foresters on sap at I.30.b.15.20, which was not successful.

                                1st December 1916 Messines Sector - Flanders  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                December’s work continued as in November with the emphasis now on Mortar Emplacements, Saps and Trench Railways. Again the Division moved slightly southwards creating similar maintenance work in new areas. (Note: Saps are small trenches beyond the front line towards the enemy usually for advance listening posts)

                                As a relief to the heavy ongoing workload, Sundays were set aside for infantry training giving the men some respite whilst brushing up on their combat skills in case an enemy attack might take place though weather condition probably reduced its likelihood.

                                On the 21st December the Battalion received a most complimentary letter from the GOC. 36th (Ulster) Division expressing appreciation for work done during the four month period with special mention of joining up Calgary Avenue with the Front Line under wet and difficult conditions. The 16th Battalion's CO also had his Adjutant issue a statement congratulating the men for their efforts in earning such recognition from the GOC. It is rather unusual that he did not sign the letter himself as most Commanding Officers would normally have done.

                                There is no record of how Christmas 1916 was celebrated. Money was raised in Lurgan to ensure that all the men got their Christmas pudding. One can only hope that the gap in the War Diaries implies a quiet and uneventful period.

                                December Casualties: Other Ranks 2 wounded.

                                Dec 1916  Move

                                1st December 1916 33rd Bn AIF see enemy action during night  Our artillery quiet all day. Enemy trench mortar put over five Minnie's which did no damage.

                                Enemy machine gun active during night. He has a machine gun laid on the end of Central Avenue causing 1 casualty and causing the route be closed for the night. Enemy used more Verey Lights and seemed to be more active than previously. Patrols reported that wire was in good condition around railways salient (reference WEZ Macquart Trench Map). Parapet being repaired but in poor condition. Patrols also reported wire round mushroom in good condition being mostly supported on knife rests (?). Apparently large numbers of the enemy could be heard working behind the parapet. Trains could be heard moving behind enemy lines during the night.

                                1st December 1916  Kit inspections and cleaning

                                1st December 1916  Ongoing winter training

                                December 1916  New Aircraft

                                1st Dec 1916  Baths

                                1st Dec 1916  Ground Frozen

                                1st Dec 1916  Football

                                1st Dec 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Dec 1916  On the March

                                1st of December 1916  Obscured Lines

                                1st of December 1916  POWs help

                                1st Dec 1916  Training

                                1st Dec 1916  In Billets

                                1st Dec 1916  On the Move

                                1st Dec 1916  Training

                                1st Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                1st Dec 1916  Training

                                1st of December 1916  "A Good Piece of Work"

                                1st Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Dec 1916  Defences

                                1st Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                1st Dec 1916  Training

                                Dec 1916  On the Move

                                1st December 1916  Sports

                                1st of December 1916  A Route March

                                1st December 1916  In reserve in dug-outs

                                1st of December 1916   Enemy Artillery Active

                                1st December 1916  Into huts.

                                1st December 1916  In the Trenches

                                1st Dec 1916  Training

                                Dec 1916  Record

                                Dec 1916  On the Move

                                Dec 1916  In the Line

                                1st December 1916  Parades under arrangements of Company Commanders,

                                1st of December 1916  Very Cold

                                1st Dec 1916  In Support

                                1st December 1916  Battalion Orders

                                1st December 1916  March Table

                                1st December 1916  Marched to camp at Millencourt

                                1st of December 1916  Training continues

                                2nd December 1916 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force.

                                No firing due to thick mist.

                                2nd Dec 1916 125th Heavy Bty leave High Wood  125th Heavy Bty record in their war diary: Left High Wood. Took over 155 at Ginchy. 126 relieved in.

                                2nd December 1916   SM U-61

                                Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 216) Ordered 6 Oct 1914 Laid down 22 Jun 1915 Launched 22 Jul 1916 Commissioned 2 Dec 1916.

                                Commanders.
                                2 Dec 1916 - 26 Mar 1918 Victor Dieckmann.

                                Career 9 patrols.
                                15 Feb 1917 - 26 Mar 1918 II Flotilla

                                Successes 33 ships sunk with a total of 84,564 tons.
                                8 ships damaged with a total of 24,478 tons.
                                1 warship damaged with a total of 1,020 tons.

                                • 2 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Edvard Grieg 989 nw
                                • 3 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Rosborg 1,877 da
                                • 9 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Spartan 2,287 nw
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Angola 4,297 pt
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Luciline (damaged) 3,765 br
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Northwaite 3,626 br
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Warner 1,273 br
                                • 17 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Aburi 3,730 br
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Castilian 1,923 br
                                • 21 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Skjold 1,592 nw
                                • 21 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Telena 4,778 br
                                • 23 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Calluna 1,405 da
                                • 23 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Lena 2,463 br
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Metropolis 1,811 nw
                                • 24 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Thirlby (damaged) 2,009 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Jarstein 198 nw
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Ada 2,370 sw
                                • 9 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Dana 1,590 da
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Betty 2,683 ru
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Ribera 3,511 br
                                • 14 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Widwud (damaged) 299 ru
                                • 16 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Fallodon (damaged) 3,012 br
                                • 17 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Raloo 1,012 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Batoum 4,054 br
                                • 20 Jun 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Nitonian (damaged) 6,381 br
                                • 28 Jul 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Comanchee (damaged) 5,588 br
                                • 2 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Libia 2,416 fr
                                • 4 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Countess Of Mar 2,234 br
                                • 5 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Sauternes 902 fr
                                • 5 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Campo Libre 50 sp
                                • 6 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Campana 3,675 am
                                • 6 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Jeanne Et Genevieve (damaged) 695 fr
                                • 7 Aug 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Trento 3,276 it
                                • 29 Sep 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Elmsgarth 3,503 br
                                • 11 Oct 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Rhodesia 4,313 br
                                • 16 Oct 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Cassin (damaged) 1,020 am
                                • 27 Dec 1917 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Santee (damaged) 2,729 am
                                • 3 Jan 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Birchwood 2,756 br
                                • 5 Jan 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Rose Marie 2,220 br
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Halberdier 1,049 br
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Spenser 4,186 br
                                • 23 Mar 1918 U 61 Victor Dieckmann Etonian 6,515 br

                                Fate 26 Mar 1918 - Missing after March 23, 1918. 36 dead (all hands lost).
                                U 61 sailed on March 14, 1918 and was in contact with U 101 on March 17.
                                U 61 then sank the sank the Etonian on March 23, 1918. There was no known contact after that date.

                                Previously recorded fate.
                                Sunk in a D/C attack by PC51 at 51.48N 05.32W on March 26, 1918. This attack was actually against UC 56, which though shaken was able to continue on patrol. (Reattribution by Oliver Lörscher, December 2012.)

                                There was another U 61 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 15 Jun 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 12 Aug 1939.

                                2nd December 1916 More action for 33rd Bn AIF  Enemy Artillery quiet all day. 11.30 -11.50 am & 2.15 pm. Our artillery active on sectors to left of our position. At 9:30 pm a salvo was fired at Machine gun in railway salient without results at 10:30 pm machine gun in front No.1 locality was silenced by our artillery.

                                Evening machine gun kept up constant fire along our parapet and also at head of Central Avenue. Patrols again visited railway salient and reported much the same as on previous night. They discovered ? wires and an instantaneous fuse running between the trenches. These cut and samples taken. Our snipers claim having hit three enemy on the 2nd and on 3rd inst. Enemy sniper caused us one casualty killed.

                                2nd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine order No.123  Not to be taken in front line trenches.
                                33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                Routine order No.123.
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Chapelle d'Armentières 2-12-16

                                Patrols 1208
                                Special care must be taken that men going on patrol duty do not carry any letters, diaries, etc. and that identity discs and all identification marks or badges are removed to prevent the enemy obtaining any useful information. Instead of the identification disc the man should carry in his breast pocket a card merely giving his name, rank, and number.

                                Synchronising time 1209
                                In future units will synchronise watches with Brigade Signal Office at 9 am daily.

                                Documents 1210
                                Every officer is responsible for the documents he carries on his person. As soon as an order, circular, etc, has served its purpose it must immediately be destroyed or taken away from the front line trenches. Plans showing our trenches must not be kept in the front line.

                                Rules of the road in France 1211
                                It is republished for the information of all concerned that traffic will be kept to the right of the road and pass traffic in front on the left side. It is most important that all vehicles shall keep close into the side of the road to avoid blocks. Police and Traffic Control Posts have been instructed to report all offenders.

                                Bicycles lost 1212
                                The loss of bicycles is very frequent. Bicycles are to be issued to individual soldiers who will be responsible for their safety.
                                A man on duty by himself who has occasion to leave his bicycle must place it under charge of some responsible person or in a place of security. The Military Police have orders to take charge of all bicycles left unattended and to hand them over to the nearest A.P.M. who will return same to owners only on proof of ownership.

                                Photography 1213
                                G.R.O's No. 464, 1137 and 1348 are republished for information.
                                No officers, soldiers, or other person subject to military law is permitted to be in possession of a camera, to take photographs, or to send photographs or films through the post. This order will be republished in orders issued to all units, and promulgated to all troops now serving in this country in the future.
                                Any officer, soldier, or other person subject to military law who disobeys this order will be placed under arrest and the case reported to Army Headquarters.

                                Dispatch of letters 1214
                                The following Regulation is republished and will be brought to the notice of all ranks.
                                No correspondence to be dispatched by British troops serving abroad except through the Army Postal Service.
                                The posting of letters in civil Post Offices is forbidden within the zone of the British Armies.
                                Letters found in civil post boxes are handed to the British military authorities and will be detained.

                                Ration states 1215
                                Whilst in trenches a platoon parade state must be furnished daily by C.Q.M.S, to facilitate breaking down the Company issue at Quartermaster's store and repacking into sandbags for dispatch to front line. These states should be complied accurately as possible as the issue is based on them.

                                73 Intelligence Reports 1216
                                Intelligence reports to be addressed to intelligence officer H.G.2. marked Intelligence Report. These are to be delivered not later than 6:30 am. These intelligence reports include Scouts, Machine Gun, Officer and Sniper reports.

                                (Signed) R.C. Jones 2/Lt Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                2nd December 1916  Inspections

                                2nd December 1916  Winter training and inspections

                                2nd Dec 1916  Parcels Arrive

                                2nd Dec 1916  Sick

                                2nd Dec 1916  Relief

                                2nd Dec 1916  Working Parties and Training

                                2nd Dec 1916  Training

                                2nd Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                2nd of December 1916  Working Parties Dispersed

                                2nd Dec 1916  Trench Mortars

                                2nd Dec 1916  In Reserve

                                2nd Dec 1916  Training

                                2nd of December 1916  Training

                                2nd Dec 1916  Refitting

                                2nd of December 1916  Raiding Party Fails

                                2nd December 1916  Usual foot, rifle and equipment inspections

                                2nd December 1916  Relief Completed

                                2nd December 1916  Return

                                2nd Dec 1916  Training

                                2nd December 1916  Musketry

                                2nd of December 1916   Our TMs Active

                                2nd Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                2nd December 1916  0900 to 1200 hours Company training.

                                3rd December 1916 Visibility Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery Batteries did not fire as visibility was bad. Our Trench Mortars were active, both heavy and medium. The enemy did not retaliate. At 0300 in the morning the observing officer reported Trench Mortars were active. At 0230 a successful raid was carried out at J.19.c.15.55. Our barrage silenced the enemy's fire.

                                3rd December 1916  More action for 33rd Bn AIF   2 pm Our artillery covered fire of medium trench mortars in Railway Salient from the head of Central Avenue. Enemy retaliated with 5.9 and 77 mm. Heavy retaliation by our artillery silenced enemy artillery at 3.5 p.m. Enemy fired about 175 shells causing practically no damage and 2 very slight casualties. Our artillery failed to knock out enemy machine-gunning placements on Railway Salient.

                                Enemy machine gun active along our parapet all night. Machine guns still laid on Central Avenue at night. Enemy snipers active by day. Our snipers inflicted 1 casualty on enemy.

                                Patrol reported enemy working party at work on the wire south of Railway Salient. This was driven by Lewis Gun fire. Patrol also reported enemy working behind his parapet opposite Post C. Parapet here very much knocked about.

                                Enemy bombed his own wire during night and used many Verey Lights.

                                3rd December 1916  33rd Bn AIF Operational Order   33rd BATTALION, AIF

                                OPERATION ORDER NO. I.

                                By Lt. Col. L.J. Morshead, Commanding.

                                La Chapelle-d'Armentières. 3rd December 1916

                                Reference Map Sheet 35 N.W. 1/20,000.

                                1. PARTIAL RELIEF.

                                (i) Two Platoons per Company will be relieved in the Right 1 Sub-Sector by two platoons per Company of the 35th Battalion on Monday, December 4th.

                                (ii) The relief will be carried out by half platoons at 5 minutes interval.

                                2. Each Company will provide 4 guides who will report to Battalion Headquarters as follows -

                                A and C Cos. 7.30 a.m.

                                D and B Cos. 9.30 a.m.

                                These guides will proceed under Lieut. A.H. Fletcher to the Railway Crossing Chapelle-d'Armentières Road at I.i.d.4.9 and meet the relieving Battalion.

                                Each guide will have a slip of paper bearing his exact destination thereon, e.g.

                                33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                A Company

                                Firing Line. No.1 Locality

                                3.TABLE OF TIMES AND ROUTES.

                                (1) Incoming Battalion (35th Lin. A.I.F.)

                                COMPANY TIME AT RENDEZVOUS ROUTE

                                "A" (Right Flank) 8 a.m. Lothian Avenue

                                "C" (Left Flank) 8 a.m. Port Egale Avenue

                                "D" (Right Centre) 10.30 a.m. Lothian Avenue

                                "B" (Left Avenue) 10.30 a.m. Port Egale Avenue

                                (ii) 33rd Battalion

                                COMPANY READY TO MOVE AT ROUTE

                                "A" 8.45 a.m. Lothian Avenue.

                                "C" 8.45 a.m. Port Egale Avenue.

                                "D" 11.15 a.m. Lothian Avenue.

                                "B" 11.15 a.ee. Port Egale Avenue.

                                (iii) Specialists.

                                50% of Company Specialists and details will move out with their Companies, i.e. Lewis Gunners, bombers, stretcher bearers, sappers, salvage men, sanitary men, cooks, will be relieved with their respective companies.

                                (iv) Headquarters.

                                50% Headquarters and attached Specialists will be ready to move to billets at 1.30 p.m.

                                4. METHODS OF RELIEF.

                                (i) All ranks will be at their alarm stations during the relief.

                                (ii) Two sections or each relieving platoon will be posted to the firing line, the remaining two sections to the support line.

                                (iii) No move out will take place until the whole of the two platoons of the relieving Companies are actually in position. The men in the firing line being relieved will stand on the fire step, and as soon as the relieving units are in position they will change places, i.e. 35th Battalion will mount the fire steps and 33rd Battalion the trench walks.

                                (iv) Platoon Commanders will report to their Company Commanders when this is done, and orders will then be given to file out.

                                5. MARCH TO BILLETS.

                                (i) "A" and "C" Cos. on relief will proceed to the Subsidiary Line and will remain there until tail of "D" and "B" Cos. 35th Battalion, have passed the Subsidiary Line when they will proceed to billets in Armentières, by half platoons at 5 minutes interval, "A" Co. leading "D" and "B" Cos. will proceed to billets on relief.

                                (ii) Two guides per platoon will report to Battalion Headquarters at 9 a.m. They will be under the control of the Billeting Officer (Lieut.W.J.C. Duncan)

                                8. DISTRIBUTION OF DETAILS

                                Specialists and Headquarters details will be attached as follows:

                                A. Co. Bombing Platoon.

                                B. Co. Signallers, Stretcher Bearers, and AMC

                                C. Co. Pioneers, Sniping Platoon.

                                D. Co. Scouting Platoon.

                                Lewis Gunners will remain with their Companies.

                                7. COMMAND.

                                Company Commanders will remain in command of their sub-section until their units are completely relieved on the 5th inst. Company Second- in-Commands (excepting "A" Co) will proceed to billets on the 4th inst.

                                8. TRANSPORT

                                Trench kits of officers being relieved and a proportion of dixies will be dumped at Square Farm. The Transport Officer will arrange to have these collected at night. This officer will also see that officers kits are left at their billets, that Field Kitchens are placed at the Company billets, that companies are informed of the sites of water carts.

                                9. REPORTS

                                (i) On the completion of the partial relief Company Commanders will wire "Finis".

                                (ii) When settled in billets companies will so inform Battalion HQ by runner.

                                (Signed) RC Jones S/Lt. Adjutant, 33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                3rd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 124  Not to be taken in the front line trenches
                                33rd Battalion AIF
                                Routine order no. 124
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Chapelle d'Armentières, 3rd December 1916

                                Brigade guard 1217
                                The Brigade Guard will mount daily at 4:45 pm.
                                Tour of duty will be 24 hours.
                                This does not refer to guard over Brigade Stores.

                                Brigade runners 1218 Runners now on duty at Brigade Headquarters will not be relieved weekly but will become a permanent duty. If it is desired to change any man the matter must first be referred to Brigade Headquarters.
                                The above arrangements are necessary in order to maintain an efficient system of communication.

                                Working parties 1219
                                The personnel of all engineers working parties should consist of same men as far as practicable while the company in question is providing the party. This will enable better results to be obtained and loss of time to be avoided.

                                Return of empty sacks, jars, etc 1220
                                All empty sacks, petrol tins, grease, disinfectant, and oil drums and rum jars will be returned without delay by units to their respective Group Supply Officers in the empty supply wagons returning to Divisional Train after delivering supplies.

                                Fuel and fire 1221
                                Open fires will not be used, as much heat and fuel is thereby wasted. A considerable saving could be effected by using a closed in trench on the principle of the field kitchen. Every effort must be made to economises fuel.

                                Rocket signal 1222
                                "S.O.S." rocket signal at all Company Headquarters on the Corps front will be tested at 6 pm on the night of the 4-5th December. No artillery action will follow but all concerned should be warned to note the appearance of the signal.

                                Leaving trenches 1223
                                On no account will any officer leave the trenches to report himself to Battalion Headquarters without orders from the C.O.

                                "Q" Branch 1224
                                The strictest attention and closest supervision must be paid by Companies to the "Q" Branch. The greatest care must be given to the clothing, equipment, and feeding of men.
                                More attention must be paid to the parade states submitted to the Quarter Master.
                                Second in Command of Companies will be responsible for their company commanders for the proper working of this department.

                                Telephone wire 1225
                                In the case of telephone wire of any kind being found in No Man's Land it is not to be cut but to be reported to the Divisional Signal Officer who will communicate with O.C. Wireless before any action is taken.

                                Intelligence summaries 1226
                                Re R.O. 125. para 1216. the daily intelligence summaries must be sent direct to Intelligence Officer. (Major Massey) and not to Battalion Orderly Room. Runners are to be instructed to deliver these reports as above and they must be handed in by 6:30 am daily. The sentry on duty will direct runners to Intelligence Officer's Quarters if necessary.

                                Sick parade 1227
                                Whilst in the trenches a daily sick parade will be held at 9:30 am at Regimental Aid Post near Headquarters. Companies must arrange to have men paraded under an N.C.O. and they should be instructed not to allow the men to wander about whilst waiting to be examined. Owing to the danger of an aerial observation they must be instructed to keep close to walls of buildings about.

                                Promotion 1228
                                The appointment of L/Sgt E.C.P. Thomas to rank of sergeant and to be Platoon Sgt. No. 13 Platoon. vice C.J. Byrne reverted to rank of corporal is approved dated 4-12-16.

                                Reversion 1229
                                No.1077. Sgt C.J. Byrne reverts to rank of corporal at his own request, dated 4-12-16.

                                (Signed) R.C.Jones. 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion. A.I.F.

                                NOTICE.
                                An acknowledgement has been received from the Lord Mayor of London of receipt of the sum of £36-6-3 which was subscribed to the Lord Kitchener National Memorial Fund by the Officers, N.C.Os. and men of the 33rd Battalion.

                                3rd December 1916  Rest period

                                3rd December 1916  Church Parade

                                3rd Dec 1916  New Corps

                                3rd Dec 1916   18th Battalion DLI vacated billets at Rossignol Farm and proceeded to take over Left Subsector Hebuterne from 18th W.Y.R. Relief complete 3.20pm. C Coy. Left Front. B Coy. Right Front. D Coy. Left Support. A Coy. Right Support. Raiding party left out at 7.0pm.

                                3rd Dec 1916  Letters from Home

                                3rd of December 1916  Leaving Bulford Camp

                                3rd Dec 1916  Inspection

                                3rd Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                3rd Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                3rd Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd Dec 1916  Games

                                3rd of December 1916  Little Activity

                                3rd Dec 1916  Accident

                                3rd Dec 1916  Training

                                3rd December 1916  Draft

                                3rd of December 1916  A Parade

                                3rd of December 1916  Artillery Quieter

                                3rd December 1916  Baths

                                3rd December 1916  Reliefs

                                3rd December 1916  Church Parades held

                                3rd of December 1916  "Great Gallantry"

                                3rd Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                3rd December 1916  Church Parades

                                04 Dec 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers inspected  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers inspected by Brigadier-General Ashburner, the new 96 Brigade GOC

                                4th December 1916 Visibility Good   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was good and all batteries carefully checked map and gun ranges. Considerable enemy movement was seen behind their lines and working parties were dispersed by A236 Battery with two salvoes falling amongst them, after which no further movement was observed. Barrage Z to help 47th Division was ordered at 1501 which was successful.

                                4th Dec 1916  36th Battalion AIF in the trenches

                                4th Dec 1916  Won't be Home For Xmas

                                4th December 1916  33rd Bn AIF fire howitzers  Half Battalion relieved by half 35th Battalion as per Battalion 0.0 No.1 dated 3/12/1916. 11 am Enemy fired 10 - 77 mm shells from position which exploded left Co fire trench. No casualties.

                                2.15 p.m. Our artillery fired some howitzers at machine gun and emplacement in railway salient but failed to knock it out. 11 pm Our artillery gas attack on left of the Battalion sector.

                                Enemy machine gun as usual active during night.

                                Patrols reported all quiet on 'A' Co front. Snipers claim having inflicted 2 casualties on enemy. Enemy wearing steel helmet similar to ours seen in railway salient. Enemy showed less activity during night.

                                4th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF Operation order No.9  Not to be taken to the front line trenches

                                33rd Battalion AIF

                                Operation order No.9

                                by Lt Col LJ Morshead

                                Commanding

                                La Chapelle-d'Armentières 4th December 1916

                                Left Matt sheet 30 6N.W.one of bleak 20,000

                                1. COMPLETION OF RELIEF

                                (i) The remaining two platoons per Company will be relieved on the 5th inst. by the remaining two platoons per Company of the 35th Battalion.

                                (ii) The times, routes and method of relief, provision of guides, and march to billets will be in Operation Order No.1.

                                2. HANDING OVER

                                Officers commanding Companies will obtain receipts for all trench stores and equipment. Articles belonging to the 27th Battalion NF on charge to Companies will not be handed over, but will be sent to billets and thence to 27th Battalion NF.

                                3. LEWIS GUNS

                                Lewis guns and equipment will be placed in Square Farm by 7 am on the 5th inst.

                                4. TRANSPORT

                                All stores other than trench stores and officers trench kits will be dumped at Square Farm. The transport officer will arrange for the collection of these at 5 pm on 5th inst.

                                5. GUARD

                                The Battalion Police under Corporal Hewitt will guard all stores and Lewis Guns in Square Farm.

                                6. REPORTS

                                (i). On the completion of the relief Co. Commanders will wire "Compliant with" to Battalion HQ.

                                (ii). When their commands are settled in billets Co. Commanders will so inform Battalion HQ by Runner.

                                (signed) RC Jones S/Lt.

                                Adjutant 33rd Battalion AIF

                                DISTRIBUTION

                                COPY no. 1 to ? Inf. Bde; 2 - CO; 3 - 2nd in command; 4 - Adjutant; 5 - 'A' Co; 6 - 'B' Co; 7 - 'C' Co; 8 - 'D' Co; 9 - Lewis Gun Officer; 10 - Signalling Officer; 11 - Scout Officer; 12 - Sniping Officer; 13 - Bombing Officer; 14 - Billeting Officer; 15 - Regimental Medical Officer; 16 - Transport Officer; 17 - Quartermaster; 18 - 35th Battalion; 19 - file; 20 - War Diary

                                4th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 125

                                4th December 1916  Brigade inspection

                                4th December 1916  Ongoing winter training and inspections

                                4th Dec 1916   18th DLI report "Very wet. Trenches which had been in fair condition, got washed down badly."

                                4th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                4th Dec 1916  Locals

                                4th Dec 1916  Rejoining

                                4th Dec 1916  Training

                                4th of December 1916  Effective Shooting

                                4th of December 1916  Bombardments

                                4th Dec 1916  Field Day

                                4th Dec 1916  Bravery Recognised

                                4th Dec 1916  Training

                                4th Dec 1916  Fine Weather

                                4th Dec 1916  Route March

                                4th of December 1916 

                                4th of December 1916  An Unpleasant Sector

                                4th Dec 1916  Trench Mortars

                                4th Dec 1916  Defences

                                4th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                4th Dec 1916  Training

                                4th of December 1916  Training

                                4th of December 1916   German Trenches Damaged

                                4th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                4th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                4th December 1916  Bayonet fighting and Musketry

                                4th December 1916  Sports Meeting

                                31st October 1917  Hard Fighting

                                4th December 1916  Draft of 6 O.R. joined from Base.

                                4th of December 1916  Rockets

                                4th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                4th December 1916  Rifle inspection by Armourer Sgt.

                                5th December 1916 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility was good in the morning. D236 Battery registered a single gun at I.20.b.95.95. Working party in J.19.b fired on and dispersed. A direct hit was obtained on a wheelbarrow they were using. Trench Mortars were active against our trenches from 1315 to 1330 and 1500 to 1555. Scheme four was ordered and silenced the enemy fire at 1540. There was increased hostile artillery activity behind our lines. L’Ecole, Zillebeke Village and Station were shelled with 4.2 inch guns. Ypres Square, Station Crossing and Menem Road were shelled with 4.2 inch guns at 1700. Direct hits by 5.9 inch guns were obtained on Zillebeke Lake duck boards, Hellblast Corner and the Bund.

                                5th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF relieved  Relief of Battalion completed as per Battalion 0.0 No. 2 4/12/1916. Working parties supplied to A.E.* composite company reviewed by General Plummer during day.

                                * Corps of Australian Engineers

                                5th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 126

                                5th December 1916  Baths at Acheux

                                5th December 1916  GOC Inspection

                                5th Dec 1916   18th Durhams report "7.0am, very dull & observation impossible. Enemy very quiet, except for Minenwerfer on left Coy sector."

                                5th Dec 1916  Train Cancelled

                                5th Dec 1916  Artillery Active

                                5th of December 1916  Spranbroek Group Formed

                                5th of December 1916  Whiz Bangs

                                5th Dec 1916  Training

                                Dec 1916 White Frost  "Friday. Love still keeps most cheerful but at the same time he is not the same as before his terrible experiences. It seems to have affected his nerves. We had a very rough passage during our last turn in the trenches. The dear good Hun dropped two or three ‘rum jars’ [mortar bombs] just a few yards behind my dugout and left a few small holes in which a horse and cart could easily be lost. When you are sending a parcel next will you please put in a small pair of folding nail scissors. It’s very cold out here now and heavy white frosts are the order of the day. Half of our evenings are spent trying to get a fire going and the other half trying to get warm in front of it. It seems impossible to imagine Christmas so near. I’m afraid it won’t mean much to us out here this year.. The only topic that keeps one interested now is that of leave. But it does not do to pin any false hopes on getting it. The various restrictions prevailing now in England must be hard. I am afraid there are too many fanatic reformers getting their own way. One thing I am certain they will have to climb down when the boys come home. We have fought the war and I think we shall say what is good for us and not leave it to others who haven’t been out." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                5th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Dec 1916  Training

                                5th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                5th Dec 1916  Training

                                5th of December 1916 

                                5th of December 1916 

                                5th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Dec 1916  Training

                                5th of December 1916  Training

                                5th of December 1916   Brigade Relief Completed

                                5th December 1916  Battalion route march

                                5th December 1916  Reliefs

                                5th Dec 1916  On the Move

                                5th December 1916  Major General visited camp.

                                5th of December 1916  Battalion Relieved

                                5th of December 1917   On the Move

                                5th Dec 1916  Return

                                5th December 1916  Sniper, observers and Rifle Grenade Batteries training

                                6th December 1916 Hostile Trench Mortars  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility was good and the morning was quiet. Hostile Trench Mortars opened moderate fire on Crab Crawl and Winnipeg Street at 1300. Scheme two fire successfully silenced them.

                                6th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF in billets  In billets. Working parties supplied to AE raiding party (Capt. Douglas) billeted at Rue Barnard.

                                6th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 127   33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                Routine order No.127
                                By
                                Lt-Col LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Armentières 6-12-16

                                COMPANY LEWIS GUNNERS1239
                                One NCO and six men of the Company Lewis Gun Section and Battalion Headquarters Lewis Gunners are report to Lt Chapman at B Cos. billets at 10 am 6-12-16.

                                INSTRUCTIONS RE DUTIES 1240
                                In future every Officer, N.C.O. or man told off to report at Battalion Headquarters for a school, or any duty, must be given orders in writing saying:-
                                1. To whom he is to report.
                                2. Where he has to report.
                                3. When he has to report.
                                4. The duty for which he has to report.
                                All N.C.O's and men must be inspected by a Company Officer, or C.S.M., who must satisfy himself that the men has his instructions, that he is properly equipped, clean and shaven, and has his rations for the day with him. Men detailed as above must be punctual.

                                BADGES 1241
                                Men who lose their badges must at once be made to pay for them. The certainty that a man will have to pay for a lost badge is the only effective deterrent against carelessness in keeping badges. C.Q.M. Sergeants to be so instructed.

                                CADET SCHOOL TIDWORTH1242
                                The following is the result of Cadet School of Instruction, Kandaher Barracks, Tidworth from 23rd October to 16th November, 1916
                                Cpl. ECP Thomas 90.1%
                                Sgt. IG Dight 87.1%
                                Sgt. HM Buntine 84.6%
                                Lance Cpl. W Mclean 83.4%
                                CQMS HS Mclean 83.1%

                                SNIPING SCHOOL 1245
                                The undermentioned man has been detailed to attend 48th Course at Second Army School of Sniping at Mont des Cats from 9th to 15th December, 1916.
                                No. 973 Pte. WEA Phifer "C" Co.

                                MAIL CENSORSHIP 1246
                                Mail will now be received for dispatch to Field Post Office. All letters are to be read and censored by an officer before being forwarded to Battalion Headquarters to be stamped. The officer censoring letters will sign his name at the bottom left hand corner of the envelope but will not state his rank.
                                Lt. WJC Duncan has been appointed Battalion sensor.
                                Battalion mail matter must be made up and handed into Battalion Headquarters by noon daily.

                                LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION 1247
                                The following extract from G.S. Circular 5A is to be read to all troops on parade.
                                "Company Commanders will ensure that special and repeated instructions are given to those under your command with reference to the discussion of projected operations.
                                It has recently come to notice that the operations with reference to offensive action against the enemy have been freely discussed by the troops in estaminets and elsewhere.
                                It must be clearly pointed out that this action, whether inadvertent or wilful, troops jeopardise our chances of success and are likely to cause us heavy casualties.
                                Recent instances have come to light where soldiers in estaminets in Steenwerck have discussed the emission of gas and a driver of the Royal Field Artillery stated in an estaminet at Nieppe that gas was to be released on a certain night now past. Exemplary punishments will be inflicted on any who wilfully or carelessly neglect to obey the provisions of this circular."

                                LEWIS GUN COURSE 1248
                                The undermentioned NCOs have been detailed to attend a Lewis Gun class at Le Touquet assembling on 11th inst. Companies must arrange for men to hold themselves in readiness to report to Battalion Headquarters on Sunday 10th inst. and afterwards to Brigade Headquarters whence they will be transported by motorbus.

                                No. 30. L/Cpl N Clifton
                                No. 508. Cpl R White

                                WORKING PARTIES 1249
                                Care must be taken that parties detailed for work with 9th Field Company Engineers, are given their breakfast before leaving billets and that they carry their midday ration with them. Particular care must be taken that parties are punctual. Enquiries should be made beforehand to ensure that they can find their way to meeting place.

                                DAILY DUTIES 1250
                                Subaltern of the day: Lt. LCB Smith
                                Next for duty: S/Lt. WT McKenzie
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. SR Nelson
                                Next for duty: Sgt. RN Genge
                                Regimental Orderly Corporal: Cpl. LH Young
                                Next for duty: Cpl. CSL Byrne

                                INLYING PICQUET 1251
                                When the Battalion is for duty - an inlying picquet of one company will be furnished, mounting at 5 pm and remaining on duty till 7 am the following morning. They must sleep with arms and equipment at their sides and be ready to turn out at any moment. This duty will be found by companies in rotation.

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                6th December 1916  Specialist training

                                6th December 1916  GOC Inspection

                                6th Dec 1916  New Group

                                6th Dec 1916   Fine & frosty. A Coy. 18th Durhams relieved B Coy. & D Coy. relieved C Coy. in the trenches, relief completed at 5.0pm.

                                6th Dec 1916  At Rest Station

                                6th Dec 1916  Resignation

                                6th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                6th Dec 1916  Training

                                6th of December 1916  Effective Punishment

                                6th of December 1916  Road Bombarded

                                6th Dec 1916  Trench Work

                                6th Dec 1916  Shelling

                                6th Dec 1916  Training

                                6th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                6th Dec 1916  Training

                                6th of December 1916 

                                6th of December 1916  A Quiet Time

                                6th Dec 1916  Musketry

                                6th Dec 1916  Training

                                6th December 1916  Rebuilding

                                6th of December 1916  Route March

                                6th Dec 1916  In dug-outs at Thiepval

                                6th of December 1916   Working Parties Dispersed

                                6th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                6th December 1916  Company drill

                                6th December 1916  0900 hours started Company training.

                                6th Dec 1916  Billets

                                6th December 1916  Baths

                                6th of December 1916  Cleaning Up

                                6th Dec 1916  Posting

                                6th December 1916  Operation Orders

                                6th December 1916  March Table

                                6th December 1916  Bath's

                                7th Dec 1916 Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister  David Lloyd George became Prime Minister of the British coalition government. He had previously been the Minister of Munitions.

                                7th December 1916 Hostile Trench Mortars  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the morning was quiet. At 1400 Trench Mortars were active on I.30.a and a scheme four was effective in silencing them. Visibility bad owing to the mist. At 1530 a stationary engine was heard working near Stirling Castle. A bugle was heard at 1600 behind Bodmin Copse.

                                7th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF morning conference  In billets. Working parties supplied to AE.

                                10 am Conference of OC,COs and Second in Command.

                                7th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.128   33rd BATTALION. A.I.F.
                                ROUTINE ORDER No.128
                                By
                                Lt-Col LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Armentières, 7th December, 1916

                                WASHING OF SOCKS 1252
                                In order that the troops when in trenches will have a clean pair of socks daily, it will be necessary to withdraw one good pair for every man and send them to Q.M. store for despatch to Divisional Baths, to form a stock for re issue. These must be returned to Q.M. by noon on 8th inst.
                                The procedure will be as follows:,
                                Companies and smaller detached sections will arrange that men change their socks daily, the wet ones will be collected and packed in sandbags and taken to Regimental Transport Co. Divisional Baths. An equal number of clean socks will be given in exchange for wet ones handed in and clean ones will come back in waterproof bags issued at Divisional Baths. Clean socks are now available at baths.

                                REGIMENTAL ORDERLY DUTIES 1253
                                Really R.O. No. 126 para 62?.1237 delete 8 am and read "7 am".

                                BOX RESPIRATORS 1254
                                Each Company will submit a return by 10 am on Friday, 8th inst. showing number required to complete the issue of one per man. Allowances thus been made for all H.Q. details attached.

                                GAS HELMETS 1255
                                One Gas Helmet per man - all ranks - must be collected for return to Q.M. by 12 noon on Friday, 8th inst.

                                INLYING PICQUET 1256
                                Re R.O. 127. para 1251., Companies will in future notify Battalion HQ that this picquet has been duly warned whenever the duty has to be found by them.

                                DUTIES 1257
                                Captain of the week: Capt. SF Sorenson (in lieu of Capt. Douglas. special duty)
                                Subaltern of the day: 2/Lt. WD McKenzie
                                Next for duty: 2/Lt. FA Clarence
                                Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. CSL Byrne
                                Next for duty: Cpl. JA Williams
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. RN Genge
                                Next for duty: Sgt. RH Blomfield

                                GUM BOOTS 1258
                                Great care must be exercised to prevent Gum Boots being used unnecessarily, as owing to industrial conditions considerable difficulty will be experienced in obtaining further supplies. Their use in some parts of the line will be seldom necessary and the utmost care will be taken to ensure that they are not worn unless the condition of the trenches render it imperative. The correct procedure for handling Gum Boots is as follows:-
                                Men in Front and Support Lines should have Gum Boots, a spare pair for every man being kept in reserve in the store; where wet boots can be exchanged for dry ones. Reliefs, going into trenches require authority for issue of boots from the Asylum, and those relieved will wash boots in tube provided for that purpose outside the asylum, handing them over to be dried. Great care must be exercised to prevent Gum Boots being used when they are not needed and thus causing undue wear.

                                RIFLE GRENADES 1259.
                                Owing to the risk of accident through the handling of grenades by inexperienced persons, no officer, N.C.O. or man other than Company or Battalion bombers must handle or fire rifle grenades.

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                7th December 1916  Inspections

                                7th Dec 1916  Drug Control

                                7th Dec 1916   18th DLI report "Quiet, raining. Trenches in very bad condition. Patrols from raiding party went out."

                                7th Dec 1916  On the Move

                                7th Dec 1916  Dull Day

                                7th Dec 1916  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Dec 1916  Better Rations

                                7th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                7th Dec 1916  Training

                                7th of December 1916  Salving Parties

                                7th Dec 1916  Route March

                                7th Dec 1916  In the Trenches

                                7th Dec 1916  Training

                                7th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                7th Dec 1916  Training

                                7th of December 1916 

                                7th of December 1916 

                                7th Dec 1916  Musketry

                                7th Dec 1916  Postings

                                7th Dec 1916  Trench Work

                                7th Dec 1916  Training

                                7th December 1916  Poor quality draft

                                7th of December 1916   An Entertainment

                                7th of December 1916   Dugout Caught Fire

                                7th December 1916  Move

                                7th Dec 1916  On the Move

                                7th December 1916  Schedule O.O.No.122 Dated 7th December 1916

                                7th December 1916  Lecture at Brigade School.

                                7th December 1916  Operational Order No.122

                                7th of December 1916  Drills

                                7th Dec 1916  Holding the Line

                                7th December 1916  March to billets

                                8th Dec 1916 124th Heavy Battery to 24th HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA transfer 24th Heavy Artillery Group from 29th HAG on 8th Dec 1916

                                8th December 1916 Visibility again Bad  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Visibility was again bad. At 1320 hostile medium Trench Mortarss opened fire on Winnifred Street and a scheme two was ordered. Enemy ceased fire before the scheme (with Heavy Artillery) was put into force, but the enemy did not retaliate. Enemy artillery remained inactive.

                                8th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF raiders patrol  Billets. Working parties supplied to AE. Patrol of Raiders under Lt. King visited railway salient.

                                8th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.129   33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                ROUTINE ORDER No.129
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel L J Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Armentières, 8 December 1916

                                FATIGUES 1260
                                Duty Co. will detail a fatigue party of two NCOs and 30 men to report to point where Port Egale Avenue crosses support line at 9 am on Saturday, 9th inst. A guide will meet the party at the above point.

                                DAILY DUTIES 1261
                                Subaltern of the day: 2/Lt. BA Clarence
                                Next for duty: 2/Lt. CP Kirby
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. RH Blomfield
                                Next for duty: Sgt. TGE Rush
                                Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. JA Williams
                                Next for duty: Cpl. EA Turnbull

                                TRENCH FEET 1262
                                Now that arrangements have been made for regular issue of dry socks and provisions made for an adequate supply of whale oil and waders - the existence of Trench Feet only reflects the gravest discredit on the units where cases occur. To ensure that Trench Feet regulations are properly enforced Company commanders will obtain from each Platoon Commander daily, in writing a certificate:,

                                (A) that he has inspected the feet of every man in his platoon.
                                (B) that every man has thoroughly had his feet rubbed with whale oil (preferably by a comrade).
                                (C) that every man has put on a pair of dry socks.
                                (D) that so far as his platoon is concerned all trench feet regulations have been observed.

                                Certificates will be collected by Companies and handed in to Battalion HQ by 3 pm daily. Officers and NCOs in charge of specialist will render their certificates direct to Battalion Headquarters. R.S.M. is responsible for H.Q. details.

                                LOSSES OF KIT 1263
                                In connection with previous orders making the individual soldier financially responsible for losses of kit, arms, etc and in order to emphasise this responsibility as soon as possible each Company Commander and Officer or NCO in charge of Specialists or H.Q. sections will arrange to hold a careful kit inspection on 10th inst. with a view to ascertaining losses by individuals and taking necessary action thereon. In future these inspections will be held as soon as practicable after Battalion comes out of the line.

                                Fraternising With Enemy 1264
                                Under no circumstances must troops in the front line or patrols in No Man's Land be permitted to attempt to fraternise with the enemy during the Christmas season, whether by signs, signals, flags, messages or in any other manner.
                                If the enemy attempts to open intercourse in this way no response whatever is to be made, except only in connection with the display by him of white flags under the regular conditions provided by the usages of war (See HNL 1914, page 263 et seq).
                                Steps are to be taken to ensure that all troops engaged or likely to be engaged in the front line during Christmas are fully instructed in this matter.

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                8th December 1916  Inspection

                                8th December 1916  Ongoing winter training and inspections

                                8th Dec 1916  Unspeakable Conditions

                                8th Dec 1916 Blockade Established  As a response to an attack upon French troops in Athens earlier in the month, the Allies imposed a blockade of Greece on 8th December 1916. The French official Journal published the text of the notice announcing the blockade of Greece the Allies:

                                "The French Republic, being in agreement with its Allies in declaring a blockade of Greece, herewith announces the conditions under which it will take place. The blockade declared to effective from December 8th, 1916, eight o'clock in the morning. The Blockade applies to the coasts of Greece, including the islands Euboea, and Santa Maura, from point situated 39 degrees 20 north latitude, and 20 decrees east of Greenwich, point situated degress north latitude, and 20 degrees east of Greenwich, as well as the islands at present under the dependency occupation by the Greek Royalist authorities. Ships of neutral Powers in the blockaded ports may come out freely until December 12th, eight o'clock in the morning. Orders have been given to the Commander-in-Chief of the naval forces which are taking charge of the blockade to inform the local authorities of the present declaration." Another message states that the blockade will be maintained until Greece has furnished adequate reparation for the recent outrage against the Allies."

                                8th Dec 1916   18th Durhams are in the Trenches. Very quiet. Enemy quiet, nothing to report. 2Lt Armstrong proceeded to take over duties of Town Major at Couin.

                                8th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                8th Dec 1916  Foggy

                                8th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                8th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                8th of December 1916  A Livelier Enemy

                                8th Dec 1916  Training

                                8th Dec 1916  Reliefs Complete

                                8th Dec 1916  Training

                                8th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                8th Dec 1916  Rain

                                8th of December 1916 

                                8th of December 1916  Wire Examined

                                8th Dec 1916  Training

                                8th Dec 1916  Training

                                8th of December 1916  Training

                                8th Dec 1916  On the March

                                8th of December 1916  Princes Island Hit

                                8th December 1916  Reliefs

                                8th December 1916  Reliefs

                                8th December 1916  Defence Scheme

                                8th December 1916  Move

                                8th of December 1916  Training

                                8th Dec 1916  Holding the Line

                                8th December 1916  Location Albert

                                9th December 1916 Considerable Enemy Movement   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report during the morning considerable enemy movement was seen near Stirling Castle at J.13.d.4.5 and at Tower Hamlets. These parties were fired on and dispersed. Engine noise again heard on bearing 134 degrees from I.24.d.7.4.

                                9th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF supply working parties  Billets. Working party supplied to AE.

                                9th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF OPERATION ORDER No. 3  

                                Timetable re O.O No.3

                                33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                OPERATION ORDER No. 3

                                by

                                Lt.-Col. LJ Morshead

                                Commanding

                                Armentières 9th December 1916

                                ​RELIEF 1. 33rd Battalion, A.I.F. will relieve 35th Battalion, AIF in RIGHT (1) Sub-Sector on 11th inst., starting at 7 am from Railway Crossing I.?.c.4.7. in accordance with relief table attached.

                                (a) Battalion H.Q. and Co. Lewis Gun sections and Battalion Snipers will proceed to the trenches on 10th inst. starting at 12 noon from Railway Crossing and will take over from their opposite numbers during daylight.

                                (b) Transport Officer will arrange to take Lewis Gun magazines to Square Farm as early as possible on 10th. instant. Lewis Gun Officer will arrange to to take the magazines into the front line as early as possible after their arrival.​ Magazines belonging to 35th Battalion will not be removed until the 33rd Battalion have arrived at the gun position.

                                Lewis Gun section will carry gun and spare parts to the trenches.

                                (c) NCO in charge of snipers will arrange to take over from Sniping Officer 35th Battalion.

                                (d) Signalling Officer will arrange to take over from 35th Battalion signallers on 11th inst. at​ 8 am and Co. Signallers will march in with leading platoons and take over at once.

                                BLANKETS 3. 1 blanket per man will be taken into tho line.​ The remainder will be rolled in bundles of 10 and stacked ready for removal by Transport.​ Transport Officer will arrange to collect these rolls from billets at 10 a.m. and return them to the​ QM store.

                                GUM BOOTS 4. Gum boots will be drawn from the Asylum as fotllows:-

                                Each Co: 170 pairs

                                Scout Officer: 24 pairs

                                Snipers Officer: ​12 pairs

                                Bombing Platoon: 24 pairs

                                Lewis Gun Sector: 20 pairs

                                Total: 600 pairs

                                O.C. Cos. and sections will arrange to.draw these boots at such a time as to enable them to be at the starting point at the time ordered.

                                Snipers for this will be attached to the HQ Lewis Gun Section.

                                FORMATION 5. Cos. will move along communication trench by half platoons at 5 minutes intervals according to table attached.

                                MARCHING OUT 6. Firing and Support line units will not commence to march out until all reliefs are in the line ready to take over.

                                BILLETS 7. O.C. Cos. marching out of billets will forward the following to Battalion H.Q. on marching out:

                                (1) Certificate as to cleanliness, etc. of billets.

                                (2) Statement of breakages or damages, if any, occurring since occupation. Nil return if there are none.

                                (3) State showing the number of men who have occupied the billet stating unit to which they belong.

                                TAKING OVER 8. O.C. Cos. will detail an officer to report to their opposite numbers in 35th Battalion at 8 a.m. in order to take over trench stores as per 3rd. Div Trench orders, receipts therein mentioned to be handed over.

                                RATIONS 9. QM will arrange with Transport Officer to deliver Tuesdays rations at Square Farm on Monday night.

                                MESS GEAR 10. All officers mess gear will be at Battalion HQ ??? p.m. 11th inst. to be placed on the Officers Mess Cart. Any not at Battalion HQ at this time will not be taken in the cart.



                                9th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.130  33rd BATTALION, A.I.F.
                                ROUTINE ORDER NO.130
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding.
                                Armentières, 9th December 1916

                                TRENCH ROUTINE 1263
                                The following points must be carefully watched on return to trenches and steps should be taken to see that they are complied with:-

                                1. Loose ammunition must not be left lying about.
                                2. Saluting must be insisted on.
                                3. Men must be kept fully informed as to where their officers are to be found at all times.
                                4. Men must wear equipment and carry rifle when on detailed work.
                                5. Steps must be taken to prevent smoke from fires in front area as much as possible.

                                RATION PARTIES 1264
                                Arrangements have been made for rations to arrive at Fockaber Dump at 5 pm daily when the Battalion goes to trenches.
                                Companies and Headquarters units will make arrangements to have ration parties at the dump punctually at that hour.

                                ACCIDENTS WITH BOMBS 1265
                                The Divisional Commander has noticed that there are a large number of cases of accidental wounds, and the following orders have been drafted to prevent these in the future. The Officer Commanding the company, or similar unit in which a case of accidental wounding takes place, will be held personally responsible, and his name will be submitted to Divisional Headquarters for such action as the Divisional Commander may deem necessary.
                                There appears to be a lack of precaution and neglect of Divisional Standing Orders for War, Page 9.
                                All cases of accidental wounding will, in future, be remanded for trial by Courrt-Martial and the onus will rest with the individual concerned to prove that the wound was accidental, and not wilfully self-inflicted; for the latter, heavy sentences are invariably imposed.
                                Owing to the thorough training that the Division has had, it should be impossible for any rifle bullet wounds to be caused by accident, hence a conviction for an self-maiming will almost always follow.
                                All ranks will be specially warned not to meddle with rifle grenades, bombs, etc. These are to be handled by the personnel specially trained.

                                MEN GOING TO BATHS 1266
                                Men going to baths must be properly dressed and wear gas helmets.

                                DAILY DUTIES 1267
                                Subaltern of the day: 2/Lt. CF Kirby
                                Next for duty: Lt. OR Cormack
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. TGE Rush
                                Next for duty: Sgt. FJ Burke
                                Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. ETA Turnbull
                                Next for duty: Cpl. SJ Barrow

                                DUTY CO 1268
                                10-12-16 "C" Co.
                                11-12-16 "D" Co.

                                CHURCH PARADES 1269
                                The following VOLUNTARY Church Parade will be held on 10th inst.
                                CHURCH OF ENGLAND 8 am Holy Communion, Soldier's Club, 44 Rue Nationale.
                                9 am Parade at the Ecole Professionale cinema.

                                9:30 am Holy Communion
                                  6 pm Evening Service in École Professionale  

                                  ROMAN CATHOLIC:  R.C. service will be held at 9 am at Convent at rear of Bombarded Church in Place de la Republique.

                                  GAS RESPIRATORS 1270
                                  Men evacuated to Dressing Stations must be in possession of their respirators.

                                  SCHOOL OF SIGNALLING ZUYTPEENE 1271
                                  The undermentioned Officer, N.C.O. and men have been detailed to attend Signalling School at Zuytpeene commencing on 12th inst.

                                  Course A.  Linesmen - Cpl. CR Eaton
                                  Course B.  Visual - Pte. R O'Hara
                                  Course C.  Officers- Lt. CAK Cohen

                                  Signalling Officer and O.C. C. Co. will release note and warn candidates to hold themselves in readiness.

                                  LEWIS GUN SCHOOL. LE TOUQUET 1272
                                  The undermentioned have been selected to attend Lewis Gun classes at Le Touquet Assembling on 11th inst.

                                  Cpl. R White
                                  L/Cpl. M Clifton
                                  C.Cs. A and B Cos to note and warn candidates.

                                  BAGS TO BE RETURNED 1273
                                  All available bags will be returned to Quartermaster on 16th inst. and regularly thereafter, as they are required for the issue of chaff.

                                  PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS 1274
                                  The following promotions and appointments have been approved and to date from 2?-12-16.

                                  No. 559 Cpl. EA Turnbull to be Sgt vice Sgt. ES Earle
                                  No. 532 L/Cpl. RC Roach to be Cpl to complete establishment
                                  No. 1299 L/Cpl. WJ Tufrey to be Cpl to complete establishment
                                  No. 547 Pte. HT Spencer to be L/Cpl to complete establishment
                                  No. 426 Pte. G Goudern to be L/Cpl to complete establishment
                                  No. 2112 Pte. J " H" McIlveen to be L/Cpl to complete establishment  

                                  Companies should prepare acquittance rolls for fortnightly pay up to and inclusive of Wednesday, 15th inst.  Requisitions must reach Battalion Headquarters not later than 6 pm on Sunday 10th inst. or they will not be dealt with. Separate acquittance rolls must be used for men temporarily attached but belonging to Headquarters or other Companies (See paragraph 3 page 5 notes re  Pay Duties). The amount of local currency and the English equivalent must be shown on Acquittance Roll and English equivalent only is to appear in Men's Pay Books. Conversion tables have already been issued to simplify this matter.
                                  Pay for men detached for duty will be arranged for by Battalion Headquarters.

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                9th December 1916  Ongoing winter training and inspections

                                9th December 1916  On the Move

                                9th Dec 1916   18th DLI are relieved by 18th W.Y.R. relief complete 4.0pm. Proceeded into billets in Sailly & Keep, A & B Coys in Sailly. B & C Coys in garrison of Hebuterne Keep. Men in good condition, no casualties.

                                9th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                9th Dec 1916  Muddy Tracks

                                9th Dec 1916  Reinforcements

                                9th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                9th of December 1916  A Quiet Day

                                9th of December 1916  To Red Lodge

                                9th Dec 1916  Training

                                9th Dec 1916  Training

                                9th Dec 1916  Bathing

                                9th Dec 1916  Training

                                9th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                9th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                9th of December 1916 

                                9th of December 1916  Mortar Farm Bombarded

                                9th Dec 1916  Inspection

                                9th Dec 1916  Shelling

                                9th Dec 1916  Training

                                9th of December 1916  Training

                                9th of December 1916   Artillery Fairly Active

                                9th Dec 1916  Transfer

                                9th December 1916  Enemy seen repairing his wire.

                                9th December 1916  Return

                                9th of January 1916  Divine service

                                9th December 1916  A patrol of 2 men sent out

                                9th of December 1916   Drills

                                9th Dec 1916  Holding the Line

                                9th December 1916  C.O's inspection of Snipers, Observers and Rifle Grenade Batteries.

                                10th December 1916 Battery Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery A236 Battery carried out careful registration of all guns. Flashes of a 5.9 inch Howitzer battery firing on Dickerbusch seen on bearing 140 degrees 5 minutes (true) from I.24.d.7.3. with time from flash to sound 13.5 seconds. 2/Lt Edds observed large Tower like edifice about forty feet high with construction of seven poles with three hooped bands round them. True bearing 39 degrees from I.24.d.70.35. It has no platform.

                                10th Dec 1916 33rd Bn AIF LG and snipers move to trenches  33rd Battalion AIF, less Lewis Gunners and snipers in billets. Lewis Gunners and snipers moved to the trenches as per Battalion 0.0 No. 3 dated 9/12/1916.

                                10th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.131  33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                ROUTINE ORDER No. 131
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding
                                Armentières, 10th December, 1916

                                TRAFFIC CONTROL 1276
                                Vehicles must not proceed West of the railway line at Nouvel Houplines with more than a pair of animals. Remainder of teams must be unhooked and placed undercover until required on the return journey. (D.R.O.106 para 614.)

                                FROST COGS FOR HORSE-SHOES 1277
                                During the winter months horse-shoes which have been tapped with screw holes for frost cogs will entirely replace the ordinary shoes. Frost cogs will be packed with repaired horse-shoes. Transport Officer will arrange to have this carried out. (D.R.O.106 p.61).

                                PARAFFIN FOR PRIMUS STOVES 1278
                                Quarter Master will submit indents to the Brigade Supply Officer for paraffin required as fuel for Primus stoves. (D.R.O.106 para 612).

                                CLIPPING OF ANIMALS 1279
                                It is very necessary that all animals that require clipping should be done at once so as to avoid skin disease which are so liable to be contracted in the present conditions. Animals which have already been clipped once, in most cases will require to be clipped again during the winter. Units should indent for clipping machines in accordance with G.R.Os.1724 and 1818, paragraph 6 of "Extract s from General Routine Orders, Part II". Quartermaster to note.

                                HOGGED MANES 1280
                                All horses with hogged manes should have them trimmed quite close regularly. A hogged mane left long presents a very untidy appearance.

                                MULES TAILS 1281
                                Mules should have the hair of the tail clipped close except for a tuft 8 inches long. The tail should be cut off square at a level six inches above the points of the hocks.

                                MEN RETURNED TO DUTY 1282
                                Companies should notify Battalion Headquarters when a man returns to duty from hospital. Should notice of his return be received at Battalion Headquarters this will be at once passed on to companies.

                                LOG BOOKS 1283
                                Logbooks must be entered up daily and a careful record kept of the work done. Trench stores taken over on relief should be accurately recorded and have signature of both parties.

                                FATIGUE 1284
                                The Battalion for duty will detail a fatigue party of men to report to Br. Frank Baurepaire at École Professionale, Armentieres at 9 am daily.

                                BATHS 1285
                                Companies will arrange for those men who have not yet bathed to visit Divisional Baths tomorrow to proceed to trenches with one of the later reliefs.

                                REGIMENTAL ORDERLY SERGEANT 1286
                                Regimental Orderly Sergeant for 11th inst. will report to Battalion Headquarters at 7 am and remain on duty there until the building has been vacated. He will be responsible for the cleanliness of HQ billet and must make careful arrangements to see that the place is left thoroughly clean.

                                CANDIDATE FOR SCHOOLS 1287
                                Care must be taken that candidates whose names have appeared in orders and have been warned for schools are ready to report immediately on receipt of notice. See R.O.130 para1271 and 1272.

                                CORRIGENDA 1288
                                R.O. 130 para 1264 for "Fockaber Dump" read SQUARE FARM.

                                GUM BOOT ISSUE 1289
                                Duty Co. will detail reliable NCO to supervise issue of Gum Boots from depot to this Battalion on 11th inst. This NCO will report to depot at I.c.8.2.7. at 6.30 am and remain on duty till last relief has been issued with boots required.

                                RE-NUMBERING OF ORDERS 1290
                                The following amendments of the numbering of Routine Orders is approved. R.Os.105 - 7-11-16 to R.O.118 - 20-11-16 the number of paragraphs should read 1249 to 1169 inclusive.
                                R.O.1 - 29-11-16 to R.O.10 - 8-12-16 these numbers are altered to read consecutively from 119 to 129 includicrous and the paras therein should read 1170 to 1262 inclusive.

                                PROMOTIONS 1291
                                The following promotion has been approved dated 6.11.16.
                                No. 356 Pte. EG Atley to be L/Cpl.

                                TRANSFER 1292
                                The following transfer is approved dated 9-12-16
                                Lt MR Coombs from D to B Co.

                                TAKEN ON STRENGTH 1293
                                Lt. AG Farleigh, 2nd Rfts. 33rd Battalion having reported for duty is taken on strength from 2.12.16. and is posted to B Co.

                                STRUCK OFF STRENGTH 1294
                                The undermentioned having been admitted to hospital are struck off strength. No. 2147 Pte. D. Wells (deceased) No. 752 Pte. W Delaney
                                582 Sgt. ES Earle (deceased) 5124 HS Newcome
                                594 Pte. PT Mooney 512 Pte. DFO O'Brien
                                1127 Cpl. FE McMahon 1196 Pte. EMulhern
                                920 Pte. HL Chapman 2206 Pte. A Brown
                                844 Pte. WM Nicholson 1611 Private CA Wright
                                366 Pte. WH Bracken 5025A Pte. GH Green
                                864 Pte. VM Ryan 1273 Sgt. CE Wheaton
                                2190 Pte. SJ Nesbitt 1304 Pte AS McIntyre
                                1648 Pte. EC Dorrington 871 Cpl. G Sutherland
                                1644 Pte. J Warne 5066 Pte. A McConnell
                                4?? Pte. JE Herman 1273 Pte. AM Wightman
                                1144 Pte AR Ellis 1205 Sgt. WA McLean
                                1?? Pte. R Taggart 1784 Cpl.WP Chapman
                                5152 Pte. HT Ward 765 Pte. HA Eyles
                                407 Pte. WH Edwards
                                4650 Pte. FJ Daly 490 Pte. EJ McManus
                                1443 Pte. HR Cox 2138 Pte. EA Shaw
                                984 Pte. CE Dillon 47 Pte. WE Conway
                                471 Pte. WA Little 777 Pte. BP Gallagher
                                2072? Pte. SM Hefferman

                                DAILY DUTIES 1295
                                11-12-16
                                Subaltern of the day: Lt. TA Armstrong
                                Regimental Orderly Sgt: Sgt. FJ Burke
                                Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. SJ Barrow

                                DUTY CO. 1296
                                11-12-1916 D. Co.

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                10th December 1916  Ongoing training and inspections

                                10th December 1916  Rest period

                                10th Dec 1916   REFERENCE

                                Wet. Draft of 39 ORs reported to HQ. Raiding party continued training.

                                10th Dec 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly. Wet. Draft of 39 ORs reported to HQ. Raiding party continued training.

                                10th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                10th Dec 1916  Bad Weather

                                10th Dec 1916  Hold the Line

                                10th Dec 1916  Poor Visibility

                                10th Dec 1916  Training

                                10th Dec 1916  Wet

                                10th Dec 1916 Mud  "My commission seems to be going along fairly successfully and given a fair amount of luck there is a possibility of my being in England for Christmas or very soon afterwards. Don’t pin any hopes on such glorious prospects. If I do get the commission I shall be in England for at least three months, or even longer if again I am fortunate in getting the job I am after. Home is really beginning to have a most sacred spot in my heart and I long for a sight of you every minute of the day. Things out here are very miserable lately. Rain, nothing but rain. The mud is simply appalling, knee deep in many places. Those waders have proved most useful and are really waterproof." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                10th Dec 1916  On the Move

                                10th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                10th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                Dec 1916  Poetry

                                10th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Dec 1916  Inspection

                                10th of December 1916 

                                10th of December 1916  Enemy Artillery Active

                                10th Dec 1916  Training

                                10th Dec 1916  Identity Discs

                                10th Dec 1916  Training

                                10th December 1916  Poor quality draft

                                10th of December 1916  Bad Weather

                                10th Dec 1916  Training

                                10th of December 1916   Working Parties Dispersed

                                10th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                10th December 1916  Reliefs

                                10th Dec 1916  Training

                                10th December 1916  Our 18 Pounders retaliated.

                                10th December 1916  Operational Order No.123

                                10th of December 1916  Divine Services

                                10th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                10th December 1916  Working Party

                                11th December 1916 Enemy Working Parties  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Working parties at I.13.d.30.15, were dispersed three times by A236 Battery, with casualties. Hostile balloon up from dawn to 0800. At 0900 a hostile aeroplane came over Blauwe Poort farm. A236 Battery fired but this drew attention and battery was shelled.

                                11th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF relieved 35th Battalion  

                                Remainder of Battalion relieved 35th Battalion in Right (1) Sub Sector as per Battalion O.0 No. 3 dated 9/12/1916.

                                Strength of Co.s very much reduced by outside duties and specialists. cf Intelligence Summary attached dated 12/12/1916.

                                Graph system of organising as ordered by 3rd Australian Division found to be best method. Few modifications to suit conditions necessary.

                                11th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.132  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.132
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 11th December, 1916

                                  SIGNALLING 1227
                                  Telephones should only be used when an immediate answer is required, or in matters urgency. Conversations should be brief and to the point and time must not be wasted by endeavouring to make appointments and awaiting results. Enemy listening sets may be picking up conversations, therefore the greatest care must be taken with phrases shoes. Any officer, NCO, or man who discloses information useful to the enemy by means of telephone or buzzer will be tried by F.G.C.M.

                                  SIGNALLING SCHOOL ZUYTPEENE 1228
                                  The undermentioned candidates will parade at "Half past eleven Square" at 6:30 am, 12th inst. when motorbus will be waiting to convey them to destination.
                                  The party under Lt. Cohen will report at Battalion  HQ at 5 am on 12th inst. They should be fully equipped and rationed.

                                  Lieutenant CAE Cohen
                                  Cpl. CE Eaton
                                  Pte. R O'Hara

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                11th December 1916  Ongoing training

                                11th December 1916  Exercise and training

                                11th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                11th December 1916 

                                11th Dec 1916  Cold Night

                                11th Dec 1916  Aircraft Active

                                11th Dec 1916  Training

                                11th of December 1916  A Tea-time "Hate"

                                11th Dec 1916  Route March

                                11th Dec 1916  Training

                                11th Dec 1916  Training

                                11th Dec 1916  Training

                                11th Dec 1916  Innoculations

                                11th Dec 1916  Baths

                                11th of December 1916 

                                11th of December 1916  Germans Deal with TMs

                                11th Dec 1916  Inspection

                                11th Dec 1916  Training

                                11th Dec 1916  In Reserve

                                11th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                11th of December 1916   Training

                                11th Dec 1916  At Rest

                                11th of December 1916  Wiring Parties Fired On

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                11st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                11th December 1916  A Coy. remain in White City.

                                11th December 1916  Camoflet

                                11th December 1916  Enemy were fairly quiet during the day

                                11th of December 1916  Drills

                                11th Dec 1916  Training

                                11th December 1916  Instruction to Bombing Sections

                                12th December 1916 Army Commader Visits  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Visibility as very poor and none of the batteries fired. Enemy was also very quiet. During the morning the 2nd Army Commander visited all batteries and was pleased with what he saw.

                                12th Dec 1916  Weather Bad

                                12th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF suffer casualties  cf Intelligence Report attached dated 13/12/1916. Owing to orders scanned Battalion stood to arms from 10 pm to 12:30 am. Patrol connecting Right of Battalion with the Left of Unit on our Right captured by enemy at 6:30 AM. One 77 mm shell bursting at Top of Lothian Avenue killed two and wounded two more.

                                12th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF evening action  33rd Battalion AIF

                                Intelligent Report up to 6 am 12/12/1916. No.7.

                                1. Our operations

                                Artillery: Nil.

                                Machine guns: Our machine gun in right rear of the left-centre co was firing indirectly over to right CEOs during night. Apparent object of engaging MG opposite "A" post.

                                Lewis guns: Our Lewis guns during night fired at enemy working party about I.17.a.4.9.at 11.10 pm and at wiring party at about 1.17.a.3.8.5. Results could not be observed.

                                Patrols: No. 1 Patrol -one NCO, 3 men left I.10.1.at 9:30 pm. Found our wire in good condition. Enemy Searchlight burned on them apparently from enemy front line. After searchlights switched off enemy working party got up on parapet. Patrol returned by same route at 11:10 pm by same route and directed Lewis gun onto working party.

                                No. 2 Patrol: 1 NCO and three men left I.10.1. at 12:10 am. Found moon too strong to permit of much movement. Located enemy wiring party at about I-17-a-3,8.5. Returned at 1:30 am and directed Lewis Gun fire on wiring party.

                                No.3 Patrol: 1 NCO and three men left I,10-4 at 9:50 pm. They got to within 25 yards of the enemy wire and found it to be in good condition and very strong. Shell holes in this area will full of water. Four Verey lights were fired from enemy front line. Patrol returned at 10:40 PM by same route.

                                No. 4 Patrol: for men left I,10-4 at 12 midnight. Reports enemy working party between his parapet and wire. Only two Verey lights were fired while this patrol was out and about six rifle shots by the enemy. Patrol returned by same route at 1 am.

                                No. 5 Patrol: 1 NCO and three men left I,10-4 at 9:30 PM. Experienced difficulty on account of the moon and scarcity of cover. They report the ground as being very wet and swampy but comparatively free from shell homes. Returned at 10:15 pm.

                                No. 6 Patrol: 4 men left I-10,6 at 12 midnight and entered ditch returning from our line at 1,11-a -0.0,7 to enemy line at I-11-a-5.5-3.5. They advanced to within 30 yards of enemy wire along South bank of ditch. There they located an enemy sniper at about I-11-a-4-5 apparently in a shell hole about 20 yards in front of his wire. Patrol returned by same route at 1:15 am.

                                No. 7 Patrol: 1 NCO and three men left I-10-2 at 9:30 pm. Advanced straight to enemy wire which they found to be mainly supported by knife rests. Enemy at this time was particularly quiet and only fired three Verey lights. Patrol returned at 11:30 pm.

                                No. 8 Patrol: 4 men left I-10,2 at 12 midnight. Report finding what appeared to be new wire at I,11-c-3,0.0. Searchlight appeared well behind enemy front line and machine gun opened on patrol from their left flank apparently from railway salient. Patrol returned by same route at about 1:20 AM.
                                The moon rendered patrolling difficult.

                                Enemy operations
                                Artillery: nil
                                Machine gun fired intermittently during the night.
                                A great number of Verey lights were fired by enemy during night. Enemy trenches appeared to be badly knocked about at about I-11-C-6,7.5. He has erected some camouflage on his wire apparently in order to hide his working parties. New woodwork can be seen at this point.
                                Rear lines: nil

                                Enemy movements: A considerable noise of transport could be heard moving on rear of enemy lines during night particularly at about 6:30 pm.

                                Communication: Enemy used many Verey lights during the night. He also used a number of searchlights which appeared at different places along his line.
                                Aircraft: An enemy aeroplane (biplane) flew over DCO HQ and C gap from direction of Square Farm at about 300 feet from ground at 2:30 pm. It was moving very fast. Rifle fire was directed on it from frontline without effect. He was flying so low that the fact that it was an enemy machine was not discovered until it was almost over the line. One Lewis gun opened up on it but it jammed after firing two or three shots.
                                Sniping: Our snipers claim having hit 2 enemy.
                                Wind: Northwest 12 noon 6 mph to 5 pm 2 mph.

                                12th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.133  Not to be taken in front line trenches
                                33rd BATTALION AIF
                                ROUTINE ORDER NO.133
                                By Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                Commanding
                                Chappelle D'Armentieres, 19th December, 1916

                                RETURNS 1299
                                In submitting the daily casualty returns Units will furnish the following information. Regimental number, rank, full name, age, religion, nature of casualty, and name and address of next of kin.

                                LIGHTING 1300
                                The attention of all ranks is called to the necessity of suppressing all kinds of light which may serve as guiding marks to the pilots of hostile aircraft flying at night. No fires in the open are to be allowed after dark.

                                TRAFFIC CONTROL 1301
                                Vehicles must not proceed East of the railway line at NOUVEL HOUPLINES with more than a pair of animals. Remainder of team must be unhooked and placed undercover until required on the return journey.

                                GUM BOOTS 1302
                                To avoid ill effects it is essential that men should select boots which are full large for them, and that no tight straps should be used.

                                DRESS 1303
                                It has been brought to notice that officers have returned to United Kingdom from France wearing the Dan Browne belt which from which the braces have been removed.
                                In the United Kingdom, Officers, will invariably wear at least one brace with the Dan Browne belt. The frog will only be worn when the sword is worn.

                                STRENGTH 1304
                                The following having been admitted into hospital are struck off the strength:

                                No. 7?4 Sgt. GJ Carter (deceased)
                                No. 510?A Pte. B Wenban
                                No. 11?? Pte. W Crewe
                                No. 1413 Dvr. A Kinkade
                                No. 1100 Dvr. A. Carpenter
                                No. 1417 L/Cpl. J McDonald
                                No. ??91 Pte. CR Lisle
                                No. 5076 Pte. MA Miller
                                No. 5011 Pte. CE Fowler
                                No. 272 Pte. CC Smith
                                No. 212 L/Cpl. W Matley

                                The undermentioned having returned from hospital are taken on the strength:

                                No. 1114 Pte. AR Ellis
                                No. 1?? Pte. R Taggart
                                No. 753 Pte. W Delaney
                                No. 2132 Pte.EA Shaw
                                No. 1724 Cpl WP Chapman

                                (Signed) RC Jones 2/Lt.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                12th December 1916  Ongoing training

                                12th Dec 1916 RFC Expansion  The Army Council approves the expansion of the Royal Flying Corps to 106 frontline squadrons.

                                12th Dec 1916   A & D Coys 18th DLI relieved B & C Coys in the Keep, no casualties.

                                12th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                12th Dec 1916  Snow

                                12th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Dec 1916  On the March

                                12th Dec 1916  Training

                                12th Dec 1916  Lectures

                                12th Dec 1916  Reinforcements

                                12th Dec 1916  Snow

                                12th Dec 1916  Training

                                12th of December 1916 

                                12th of December 1916  Bad Weather

                                12th Dec 1916  Training

                                12th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                12th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                12th December 1916  Poor quality draft

                                12th of December 1916   Snow and Football

                                12th of December 1916   Combined Bombardment

                                12th December 1916  Reliefs

                                12th December 1916  Enemy transport was heard behind his line

                                12th of December 1916  Drills

                                12th Dec 1916  Training

                                13th Dec 1916  Training

                                12th December 1916  Instruction to Bombing Sections, Sniping Batteries.

                                13th December 1916 Unusual Enemy Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report There was some unusual enemy activity. At 0900 the enemy's Trench Mortars opened fire and a Scheme two was commenced and continued intermittently until 1200. An enemy 77 mm Battery covered the fire. At 1340pm the enemy made a special bombardment of C Sap. At about 1400 hostile Trench Mortars were again active and spread down towards Hedge Street. A Scheme four was at once put into operation after which there was no further activity.

                                13th December 1916 Exhausting work for 33rd Bn AIF scouts  cf Intelligence Report attached. Owing to capture of patrol on 12th. Battalion front patrolled continuing all night. Found to be very exhausting on scouts. Should have waterproof overalls for this work.

                                13th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 13th of December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF
                                Right (1) Sub Sector
                                Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 13th of December 1916

                                Our operations:
                                Artillery: At 11.30 am our Artillery and heavy trench mortar bombarded enemy positions according to orders received with apparently good results. A considerable number of our 4.5 How shells were duds. 3.25 artillery fired 1 round test I-10-2 in 44 seconds. At 9:53 pm salvo of 4-18 lbs shells fired at working party I-10-2 seemed to be well placed.
                                Lewis guns: Our Lewis guns fired on working parties at different times during the night.
                                Patrols: No.1 patrol (A Co):1 NCO and 4 men left No.1 post at 7 pm to search for patrol which had not returned from connecting up with NF regiment on our Right without success. At about 10 pm they located enemy working party at about I-17-a-30-90. Lewis gun fire was directed upon this party.
                                No.2 patrol (B Co): 1 NCO and 4 man left I-10-5 at 8:40 pm advanced to enemy's wire which they found very thick. They moved south along the wire for some distance and returned at about 9.35. Enemy machine gun in railway salient fired intermittently while they were out along our front. Enemy was not encountered.
                                No.3 patrol (C Co): 5 men went out from I-10-7 at 9 pm. This patrol was seen and fired on by machine gun at about 100' in front of our wire. The absence cover and strong light made it impossible to space make further progress as they returned 9:50 pm.
                                No.4 patrol (D Co): 5 men left I-10-2 at 8.30 pm report enemy wire very strong opposite this point. Ground rough giving good cover. Enemy fired five verey lights from his listening posts in front of mushroom. A wiring party was located on this front and artillery fired a salvo on them which appeared to be well directed. Lewis guns opened on them at the same time. The strong moonlight rendered movement in no mans land difficult.
                                Enemy operations: Enemy artillery: Enemy retaliated to our bombardment at 11:30 with minenwerfer and a few shrapnel. He damaged Lothian Avenue with the one and filled in 4 dugouts in A Co support line with another. We sustained one slight casualty. Enemy obtained one direct hit on Heavy trench mortar emplacements wounding the HTM officer and Lt. Caruthers AE and killing HTM Sgt. Most of the minenwerfer appeared to come from behind mushroom salient.
                                Enemy machine gun: Fired intermittently during night transversing one parapet accurately. Machine guns still fires from railway salient.
                                Enemy patrols: At 6:30 pm a patrol of two men left right of No.1 locality to connect with Irish regiment on right. These men have not since returned although search has been made for them and it is presumed that they have been captured by an enemy patrol.
                                Enemy did not use so many Verey lights as usual during night. He again used searchlights. These appear from a different point each night and last night one in front of I-10,2 appeared considerably nearer than ever before.
                                At 10:30 enemy fired two red lights which burst in 2 red balls on reaching its maximum height. This was followed by another about one minute later. They were fired from sector opposite I-10,5. No action followed.
                                Enemy bombed his own wire throughout the night opposite I-10-1 and I-10,4 to I-10,6.
                                Orders received about 9.45 re strengthening garrison of front line carried out.
                                Wind E.S.E about 8 mph all day.

                                13th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.134  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.134
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 13th December, 1916

                                  INFORMATION FROM PRISONERS 1305
                                  When the 5th Bavarian Division first arrived on our front the British patrol activity was far in excess of theirs.  Now the Germans do a fair amount of patrolling and are planning raids at various points; they hope to carry this out successfully and to affect surprise attacks where our wire is weak.
                                  The 5th Bavarian Division is opposite the Division next but one to our right; the 3rd Bavarian Divisions is opposite our front. It is not improbable that the Division opposite our front is acting under similar orders to the 5th Divisions and that similar action by them is anticipated.

                                  SHELL FIRE IN BILLETS 1306
                                  The following incident is published for information, and is to be promulgated to all ranks.
                                  On the 10th inst. 3 men including a sergeant were walking along the street in Armentières.  The two men who had previous experience of shellfire threw themselves flat on the ground when a shell was heard approaching; the Sergeant remained standing.
                                  The men who prostrated themselves were not injured but the sergeant was killed instantly.
                                  Troops should have it impressed upon them that the burst of a shell is outward and upward, and that if they act properly they can very often avoid injury.

                                  SIGNALS 1307
                                  S.O.S. LINES may in future be used to report presence of fleeting targets.
                                  The S.O.S. Signal will not be used for this purpose but will be reserved for its proper use.

                                  DRYING  ROOM 1308
                                  A Drying Room has been established  near Battalion Headquarters for use of Companies. The Details in the Subsidiary Line should now make use of this room.  Fuel can be procured from Battalion Trench Store.

                                  WORKING PARTIES 1309
                                  The work of Engineers Officers attached to the Battalion is principally of an advisory nature, therefore Regimental Officers who are at all times responsible for maintenance and repair of their trenches and wire must act on their own initiative and decide what should be done, but using Engineering Officers as advisers.
                                  The work must be carried out by their own men and their own Officers assisted by Engineering staff and a distinct gain in efficiency will result by making it clear to the working parties that the result of their efforts is primarily for the benefit of their own Company or Battalion.

                                  INVOICE OF STORES 1310
                                  Quartermaster will in future forward invoice with all stores  sent to Battalion Headquarters by Regimental Transport . This will be checked by R.S.M.and handed to Battalion headquarters within one hour of arrival.

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                13th December 1916  Ongoing training

                                13th December 1916  Training courses

                                13th Dec 1916 

                                13th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                13th Dec 1916  Very Cold

                                13th Dec 1916  In the Front Line

                                13th Dec 1916  In Camp

                                13th Dec 1916  Training

                                13th Dec 1916  Training

                                13th Dec 1916  Training

                                13th Dec 1916  Very Cold

                                13th Dec 1916  Training

                                13th of December 1916 

                                13th of December 1916  Intense Enemy Shelling

                                13th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                13th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                13th of December 1916  Training

                                13th of December 1916  Enemy "Quiet"

                                13th Dec 1916   Reorganisation

                                13th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                13th December 1916  G.O.C. 3rd Division much pleased

                                13th Dec 1916  Inspection

                                13th Dec 1916  Offer Accepted

                                13th December 1916  Enemy have been observed building up their parapet

                                13th of December 1916  MM Awarded

                                13th December 1916  Working Party

                                14th December 1916 Heavy Trench Mortar Silenced  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the morning was normal. At 1500 the Division on our right bombarded Hill 60 and the Snout. We cooperated on our front. The enemy retaliated at 1525. D236 Battery silenced a Heavy Trench Mortar. A Scheme five was ordered twice and the second time was effective. Much movement was seen on Tower Hamlets Road.

                                14th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF snipers effective  December cf Intelligence Report attached dated (15 /12/1916). Snipers harassing enemy continuously during daylight dealing effectively with the enemy sniping.

                                14th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 14th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF 7:50 am up to 6 am 14th December 1916
                                Right (1) Sub Sector
                                Intelligence Summary

                                Our Operations: Our artillery: At 2:30 our artillery and heavy trench mortar bombarded enemy parapet and line opposite I-10,7. 18 pounder shells appeared to burst well. At 3:30 pm in reply for call for retaliation they fired on I-16,4 and succeeded in silencing enemy minenwerfer.
                                Machine guns: Lewis guns: working party at I,11,c-50,70 dispersed with Lewis gun fire. Otherwise Lewis gun quiet owing to fact that front was patrolled almost continuously all night.
                                Vickers gun: in support line left centre Co fired indirectly at machine gun in railway salient.
                                Patrols: The battalion front was patrolled continuously from dark to stand to. Patrols report our wire in front of 1,11-4 and I-10-1 to be in good condition except for one gap which has now been filled. Patrols here report that enemy used a great number of verey lights also a searchlight which hindered their movement very much. He also fired on them with machine guns. Patrols in front of I-10,2 and I-10,3 report enemy wire very strong opposite these points, patrols examining wire from I-11,c, 40,50 to I-11,c-40,50. No enemy wire encountered. Patrols covering I-10,6 and I-10,7 report having seen three of enemy in no mans land but could not get in touch with them. They also discovered two wires and an instantaneous fuse remaining from enemy parapet to our own where it was connected with four jam tin bombs. They are apparently all old and have been there for some time. One bomb forwarded herewith. Enemy fired a considerable number of very lights during night on this front. Patrols on frontage I-10-4 - I-10-5 report everything as usual. Enemy not encountered.
                                Wiring: Wire was put out in front of B Post party being out for 4 hours used all material available. Also wire was put out in front of the central Avenue repairs being carried out where damaged by enemy artillery fire.
                                Enemy operations: Artillery: Enemy retaliated to our bombardment at about 2:30 pm with minenwerfer and 77 mm. Nine of the former and 70 of the latter being fired. 77 mm shells appeared to come from the direction of Wez Macquart. Enemy appeared to be shooting at Porte Egale Avenue with his 5.9. No of shells fired not ascertained and a number exploded on south side of Petite Porte Egale Farm. No material damage was done. One 77 shell exploded at head of Lothian Avenue killing two and wounding two. Four what appeared to be large rifle grenades or small strength mortar shells were fired into left Co. sector at about the head of Porte Egale Avenue. One exploded loudly and the others gave a dull report but a great deal of smoke rose from them. There were no duds so the nature of the shell could not be ascertained. He also fired 30 77mm shells which landed in the vicinity of our subsidiary line and Fochards (?) Dump, none of these shells exploded ??? shells have been dug up by R.A.
                                Enemy machine gun: one new machine gun position located in rear of Mushroom firing high apparently at support or rescue lines. It is not possible to give coordinates yet. The machine gun in railway salient also fired. Enemy machine guns active all along battalion front all night but no other guns could be located.
                                Enemy defences: Enemy could be heard at work in his trenches all night. One wiring party was dispersed with Lewis gun fire.
                                Enemy movements: Transport could be heard behind enemy lines during night, appeared to be unloading iron rails.
                                Communications: Enemy used more verey lights than usual during the night. He also used his search lights very frequently.
                                Aircraft: A British aeroplane passed over position at about 7:55 am flying north and returned at 8:45 from south east.
                                Miscellaneous: Enemy bombed his wire very frequently all along this front. Our snipers claim 2 hits on 12/12/1916 and 2 more on 13/12/1916. Wind Southwest about 5 mph all day.
                                Patrols continued: Patrols left each of 4 Cos sectors as follows:
                                Out: 7:00 pm 7:35 pm 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 11:10 pm 1:10 am 2:30 a.m.
                                Returned: 7:50 pm 8:30 pm 9:00 pm 11:10 pm 1:10 am 2:30 a.m. 5:00 am

                                14th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.135  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.135
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 14th December, 1916

                                  FROST COGS 1311
                                  Quarter Master will submit indents to D.A.D.O.S. for wrenches, taps, etc. on the following scale:
                                  For each farrier and shoeing-smith ... Taps 3/8" - 1
                                                                                              Taps 1/2" - 1
                                                                                              wrenches - 1
                                  In addition to the above for every four horses
                                  1 wrench
                                  1 tap
                                  Of which 25% of the taps will be 3/8"
                                  And 75% of the taps will be 1/2"
                                  For mules all taps will be 3/8"

                                  S.O.S. SIGNALS 1312
                                  Company Commanders must see that every officer in their command and every platoon Sergeant fully understands the instructions for the use of this signal.

                                  REPAIRING WIRE 1313
                                  Repairs to wire should be concentrated in the following order of importance.
                                  Gaps
                                  Posts
                                  Localities
                                  The gaps being weakest should have the strongest wire defences.

                                  STORAGE OF AMMUNITION 1314
                                  It is essential to have ammunition boxes inserted in parapet in trenches for the dry storage of hand grenades and loose S.A.A. These boxes should be so placed as to minimise the weakness to the parapet and at the same time give protection to the bombs from shellfire. The boxes should have a flap of hessian over the face to prevent rain beating in.  Companies will report to Battalion H.Q. when work is completed.

                                  BOUNDS 1315
                                  In order to safeguard the British troops billeted in NIEPPE from mumps contagion buildings in the village of NIEPPE will be out of bounds to all troops of this Battalion until further notice. This must be read to troops by all concerned.

                                  CASUALTIES 1316
                                  Reference R.O.133, para 1299, Companies and HQ sections need only report number, rank and name of casualties.  This must be done by runner immediately such casualties occur.  All other information will be supplied by Battalion Headquarters.  All officers and other ranks reported "Missing" and who eventually return to their Companies, etc should be at once shown in casualty lists.

                                  FOOT TRAFFIC  1317
                                  Men passing backwards and forward from the front must not use the LILLE-ARMENTIERES railway line. There is a good track inside the hedge on north side of the line and this must invariably be used.

                                  REGISTRATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIANS 1318
                                  Any British Columbian soldier serving with this Battalion will register his name at Battalion HQ by 15th inst. for purpose of voting in connection with Referenda on Prohibition and Female Suffrage in British Columbia.

                                  RATIONS 1319
                                  Companies must make provision for men who are kept at Regimental Aid Posts for medical attention. Rations for such men to be promptly despatched to Sgt Cook at the Battalion HQ otherwise patients may have nothing to eat.

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                14th December 1916  Ongoing training and inspections

                                14th December 1916  Specialist training in bad weather

                                14th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                14th Dec 1916  Relief

                                14th Dec 1916  Wood Shelled

                                14th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Dec 1916  Awards

                                14th Dec 1916  Training

                                14th Dec 1916  Training

                                14th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                14th Dec 1916  Training

                                14th of December 1916 

                                14th of December 1916  Enemy TMs Heavily Engaged

                                14th Dec 1916  Exercise

                                14th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                14th of December 1916  Working

                                14th of December 1916   A Combined Shoot

                                14th December 1916  Awards of the Military Medal

                                14th December 1916  Divisional Commander visited the line.

                                14th of December 1916  Into Trenches

                                14th Dec 1916  Training

                                14th December 1916  Battalion Orders

                                14th December 1916  March Table

                                14th December 1916  Relief Table

                                14th December 1916  Bombing & Sniping.

                                15th December 1916 An eventful day  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record an eventful day. From 0700 to 0940 the enemy bombardment the whole of our trench system, paying especial attention to the part from Hedge Street to Canada Trench. We retaliated vigorously. Considerable damage was done to our trenches. At 1600 the enemy commenced another bombardment this time accompanied by an artillery barrage. All batteries stood to (action stations). About forty Germans advanced against Sap B. An SOS flare was fired and our barrage opened whilst the rocket was still in the air. This barrage come down on the enemy in No Mans Land and inflicted casualties. The enemy at once left our trenches and returned to his own. No more Germans attempted to penetrate the barrage. Several dead Germans were left in our trench and on the parapets. Our casualties were very slight.

                                15th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF need waterproofs and revolvers  cf Intelligence Summary attached dated 16 /12/1916. The work of patrolling front continuously proving too exhausting for scouts. Waterproof suits essential. Also revolvers as rifles become unusable in the mud.

                                15th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Summary up to 6 am 15th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF up to 6 am 15th December 1916
                                Right (1) Sub Sector
                                Intelligence Summary

                                Our operations: Artillery: Artillery active on the front of unit on our right between 1 and 2 o'clock. Enemy retaliated. During the day our artillery fired some shells into the railway salient. Result not observed. Our artillery opened on enemy communication 5 pm. At 11:55 am. Our light trench mortarbombarded enemy lines south of Mushroom salient the shells bursting well. Enemy retaliated with five minnies and some 77 mm which did no damage.

                                Machine guns: Line fairly quiet all night. Our Lewis gun covered our patrols by traversing enemy parapet. An emplacement has been built with a fixed platform covering the gap between our Right Co.and the unit on our right.

                                Patrols: Localities I-16,4 and I-10,1. No.1 from I-16,4 at 5:45 pm returned 7:45 pm by same route. 1 NCO and six men reports having difficulty in getting through our wire moved forward through orchard and then to left in no mans land about 400'. Enemy fired a great number of verey lights and bombed his own wire. Enemy not encountered.
                                No.2 from I-10,1 7:45 to 9:45 pm 1 NCO and six men had no trouble getting through our wire. Report having examined no mans land as far north as Mushroom salient and returned to orchard. No enemy movement observed.
                                No.3 from I-16,4 9:45 to 12 pm. Advanced to within 50' of hostile wire. No enemy encountered but he could be heard working at his own trenches. He bombed his wire frequently and used many verey lights.
                                No. 4 from I-10,1 and12 to 2 am 1&6. Advanced about 200' towards enemy trenches and then patrolled towards mushroom. Report enemy bombing and firing Verey lights.
                                No.5 from I-10-1- 2:15 am to 4:45 am. 1 & 6. Moved to left to about I-11-c-0-3 thence to within 25 yards of enemy parapet. They report enemy at work in his trenches from I-11-c-35-15 to I-11-c-25-00. A machine gun on their right in enemy trench fired a burst from I-?-?-30-75. Enemy was then heard to walk to the left and when about 25' from first position he fired another burst. This was repeated and in all he fired 4 bursts in about 100' last burst from I-17-a-4.5-9.5. No Verey lights were sent up by him here.
                                When a shot from our parapet hit his parapet the scout said heard the enemy say "come on". The working party was heard whistling and singing. The patrol then moved about 100' to right. Work was going on the whole length of the enemy front.

                                At about midnight and officer and an NCO examined the wire where the enemy raiding party entered our trench in a gap two nights ago. At the forward edge of the wire a hand grenade was found and a piece of white tape leading through the gap which had been cut in the wire. A grenade was picked up about every 3 yards along the tape - 15 in all similar to those left inside the trench on night of raid. They appeared to have been put there for a purpose. There is a fairly well worn track here which leads to and follows along a ditch (no.2) on intelligence map sheet 4 which gives good cover as far as enemy trenches.
                                Front I-10,2, I-10,3 Patrols went out as follows:-
                                No. 1 from I-10,2 at 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm reports our wire good from I-10-D-90,25 to I-11-0,05-30. From from there out it is patchy and there are several gaps. Enemy not encountered.

                                No. 2 7:45 pm to 10:35 pm went out to examine our wire to right of mushroom and report it scattered and broken. Enemy not encountered.

                                No. 3 from I-10-2 - 10 35 pm to 11:30 pm to examine enemy wire opposite gap. Reports it impossible to approach it owing to mud and shell holes caused by our Artillery.

                                Patrols also went out at 12 midnight to 2 am, 2 am to 4 am. They report enemy wiring party at 12:15 am enemy wiring party at I-11-c-4,5. They were talking and coughing. They were dispersed with Lewis gun and rifle fire. Enemy sending up verey lights from enemy listening post. Enemy otherwise quiet.

                                Frontage : I-10,4, I-10,5. This frontage was controlled continuously from 5:30 pm to 5 am. They report no enemy working parties heard nor seen enemy exceptionally quiet on this front except for machine gun in railway salient which was firing in both directions and a great number of Verey lights were fired. Enemy still bombing his wire in this sector but not so much as on night before.

                                Patrols: Frontage: I-10,6, I-10,7. This frontage patrolled from 5:30 pm to 5 am. Report enemy quiet on this front no working parties being seen or heard. No mans land opposite I-10,6 very wet and boggy. Enemy bombed his own wire during night almost continuously and threw up many Verey lights. On several occasions as soon as one light went out another was fired on each occasion about 12 lights went up.

                                Enemy operations: Artillery: At different times during day shelled position 150' in rear of Mushroom with 77 mm shells (HE??)

                                Some shells seem to have come from opposite I-11-4 and others from in rear of railway salient. He replied to this bombardment of N.F. on our right with shrapnel and minnies but only feeble in comparison with what was put on him. He fired 4 machines (?) at 6:5 pm across the left of battalion front and again at 9:30 pm. No damage was observed on our front. At 10:45 enemy fired with field guns on Lewis gun emplacements in "C" post and hit the parapet in several places doing no material damage. At 3:45 pm he ranged on No. 3 locality the shells bursting in front of the parapet and doing no damage to our work. At about 5:10 pm 8 medium trench mortar or light trench mortar shells burst in front of parapet and again at 5:55 pm 4 more burst in same place doing no damage etc to our works. They appeared to come from enemy front line opposite I-10-7. At 9:50 am enemy shelled left Co. A few shells fell between front and support lines the remainder to the left of support line. Guns 77 mm. He repeated this at 2:45 pm. A great number of his shells failed to explode. Enemy also fired a number of rifle grenades especially about 5 pm. These seem to be very heavy for rifle grenades and some explode with loud detonation while others give very little report but a great deal of smoke.

                                Machine guns: Enemy machine gun particularly quiet during night. Enemy machine gun fired 2 good burst at about 9:30 pm on the right tramline running up to support line. This was evidently caused by working parties under R.E. showing themselves freely at this place during daylight. Machine gun in railway salient fired 12 bursts, in mushrooms salient six first and later three bursts during night mostly over our front line. During our bombardment of enemy communications enemy machine guns fired long burst at every salvo along our parapet and communication trenches.

                                Communications: Enemy fired very many verey lights all night along his whole front. He fired a new verey light which burnt for some seconds on the ground and then when nearly out burst again throwing another light with the area about half as high as the first shot. He used his searchlights as usual during the night.

                                Miscellaneous: Our snipers claim 4 hits.
                                Enemy bombed his own wire very frequently during night along our whole front.
                                Enemy transport and motor transport heard at 4 am at about I-17-B-3,1.
                                Wind South East 5 mph all day.

                                15th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.136   NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.136
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 15th December, 1916

                                    BILLETING PARTIES 1320
                                  Each Company will detail to men to act as Advance Billeting Party.  They will report to Lt. WJC Duncan at Battalion Headquarters at 9:30 am on the 16th inst. The men detailed as above must be detailed on Company guides on day of relief.

                                  CHURCH PARADES 1321
                                  For the future all Church Parades will be voluntary, but all ranks must be given every facility to attend.

                                PASSWORDS 1322
                                  Companies and specialist sections must not issue passwords when in the line. The practice to be adopted in this Battalion will be that when challenged a man will give his own name in reply.

                                  MACHINE GUNS 1323
                                Machine guns are at the disposal of Company Commanders for the purpose of defence.
                                  When necessary Company Commanders may arrange  with the MG Officer to fire from temporary emplacements but the permanent positions must not be changed.
                                  Normal night firing is controlled by the MG Officer.  Any Company Officer on discovering a suitable target may order machine gun fire. Such an order will be written and signed by the Officer and given to the officer in charge or NCO with the gun.  Care must be taken that the target is one for a machine gun. MG Officers will record every such target fired at and will report to Battalion Headquarters if guns are misused.
                                  Machine Guns should not fire regularly from their fixed emplacements, but alternative emplacement should be used as much as possible.
                                It must be remembered that Machine Guns must be laid during daylight for night firing. It is impossible to lay a gun at night.
                                  Company Commanders will confer and cooperate in every possible way with MG Officer.

                                  LIGHT TRENCH MORTARS 1324
                                  Stokes mortars are also at the disposal of Company Commanders and may be used on the following conditions:,
                                  General defensive in case of an attack.
                                On enemy working parties or groups of men. For this, the number of rounds to be fired by any one gun is limited to 12, but 6 rounds should suffice to disperse such a party.  Any Company Officer may order fire on pointing out a suitable target to the officer or NCO in charge of the guns. Again it is essential to have hearty cooperation with the Trench Mortar Battery.

                                  CORRESPONDENCE WITH STRANGERS 1325
                                  Information from an absolutely reliable source shows that the Germans are using the following devices to obtain identification, vis:,
                                  Collecting letters and field service postcards coming from the front and bearing postal marks.
                                  Sending parcels to soldiers with an addressed card to be signed by the recipient and returned as an acknowledgement of the gift.
                                  Copies of all military maps.
                                  Letters from an unknown writers and particularly gifts from unknown donors should at once be brought to the notice of Battalion Headquarters.

                                  STRENGTH 1326
                                  The undermentioned have been stuck of strength.
                                  No 161 Sgt.TGE Rush, killed in action
                                  No 257 Pte. R McRae, killed in action

                                  They undermentioned having been discharged from hospital are taken on the strength
                                  5124B Pte. H Newcomb
                                  1196 Pte E Malheron

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                15th December 1916  Ongoing winter training and inspections

                                15th December 1916  Ongoing training

                                15th Dec 1916   2Lt Busby & draft of 23 ORs reported to 18th DLI HQ. 130 ORs billeted at Couin. 18 DLI relieved 18th W.Y.R. in L3 relief complete 12.40pm. Raiding party left at Sailly. B & C Coys. right & left front. A & D Coys. support.

                                15th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                15th Dec 1916  Orders

                                15th Dec 1916  OP Shelled

                                15th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                15th of December 1916  Companies Deployed

                                15th Dec 1916  Training

                                15th Dec 1916  Training

                                15th Dec 1916  Training

                                15th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                15th Dec 1916  Route March

                                15th of December 1916 

                                15th of December 1916  A Big Explosion

                                15th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                15th of December 1916  Sports Day

                                15th Dec 1916  Exchange of Fire

                                15th of December 1916  5.9s Hit Festubert

                                15th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                15th December 1916  Training in rest billets.

                                15th December 1916  Time Spent in Roussent

                                15th Dec 1916  Inspection

                                15th December 1916  Slow bombardment of our trenches

                                15th of December 1916  Quiet Day

                                15th Dec 1916  Training

                                15th December 1916  45th Brigade relieved 46th Brigade, 48th Division.

                                16th December 1916 Enemy Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the enemy artillery was fairly active on our back area. Snipers were busy on both sides. D236 Battery fired one hundred and six rounds at 1530 in cooperation with Scheme of Division on our right (47th). Aeroplanes were active on both sides.

                                16th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF use Stokes mortars  cf Intelligence Summary attached dated 16 /12/1916. System of a man when challenged answering by giving his own name instead of his unit or a password adopted throughout the Battalion. Stokes mortars found effective for dispersing working parties at night on enemy wire. Stokes guns placed at disposal of O.C.Co for this purpose to be ordered to fire 12 shots at any time required.

                                16th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Report No.12   Intelligence Report No.12
                                33rd Battalion AIE, Chapelle d'Armentieres, Right (1) Subsector
                                Period 6 am 16/12/1916 to 6 am 17/12/1916

                                Our operations

                                1. Our Artillery:
                                1:45 PM as arranged our medium trench mortar covered by artillery fire bombarded enemy wire and trenches with apparently good results. A number of our 18 lbs shells were duds. Enemy wire in front of I-10,1 greatly damaged. I-10,2 1 round test three minutes seven seconds. Our Artillery light trench mortar bombarded enemy front line in front of the south of mushroom with 17 shells. Shells on lift appeared to fall short. Two salvos of N.P. rifle grenades fired from I-10,4 into enemy front line during night. Also nine grenades from I, 10,6. Five of the latter landed in anyway front line and two in his wire. Artillery made a large crack in enemy parapet at I-11-C- 6,6.

                                2. Machine guns: our machine guns fired indirectly on enemy communications last night.
                                Lewis guns: in good order fired very little during night.

                                3. Patrols: 1 NCO and six men left A gap at 8 pm returning same way at 10 pm. They went forward along ditch to within 50 feet of enemy wire. At this time D Co. light trench mortars started to bombard mushroom and enemy fired a great number of verey lights. 2 machine guns opened on left and right front of patrol at distance of 150 feet apart. It would appear as if there were a gap between these two guns from I-16,B,7-6 to I-16,B- 9,2 as no movement was heard and no shots fired from this sector while patrol was out.

                                Another patrol went out from same place at 1 am. Our wire here is weak. 10 foot from our wire they struck a track leading right into enemy line which seemed to be well worn. They followed this track to within 70 yards of enemy wire when enemy fired some verey lights. His wire here is very strong. There are about nine shell holes along this track - the largest would hold five men. Track runs from about I-16,B-4,6 to I-16,B-9,2. Patrol returned by this track at 8:10 am.

                                A patrol left work end of mushroom chord to examine enemy wire at 5 pm returning at 7:15 pm reported that the enemy wire has been considerably cut about by shellfire since last examined. Several gaps being noticed. Saw no enemy but heard working party in trench.

                                A patrol from the same point at 10 pm reported seeing an enemy patrol returning towards their gap. Returned 11 pm. The battalion front otherwise was patrolled continuously all night. Patrols report all quiet, no enemy encountered. Enemy was exceptionally quiet during the night.

                                Enemy operations

                                1. Artillery: Enemy retaliated to our bombardment at 1:45 with 5 minenwerfer shells. One landed some distance behind the parapet of I,10-1. Two landed in B post wrecking a firebay and two were duds. All seems to be directed towards the medium trench mortar emplacements. Enemy also fired a few rifle grenades into this locality during the day. No casualties resulted from this retaliation. Enemy fired 6,5.9 shells into our parapet at C Post but did no damage. At 2 pm he put over 11 minenwerfer shells all but two of which fell short of our wire. These two did considerable damage to our wire which has since been repaired. Two shells were duds. This occurred at No.3 locality and the shells appeared to come from opposite I-10-7. Light trench mortar fired four shots between fire trench and support line at I-10-4 doing no damage. Enemy fired three minenwerfer shells into our wire opposite I-10,6 at 1:55 pm. He also fired 12 rifle grenades into this locality at this time all of which landed between our front and support lines doing no damage.

                                Machine guns: enemy machine guns active during the night along the front but on the whole were quieter than usual.

                                2. Enemy defences: our Artillery considerably damaged the parapet of enemy trenches and also his wire. Enemy working parties seen working in his front line opposite No. 3 locality during the day. No new work observed. Enemy wire considerably damaged by our artillery fire at 1:45 pm.

                                Communications: bright light in Armentières referred to yesterday again appeared from 12: 5 pm to 12:10 pm just after the enemy had started to bombard our position. This light appears to come from ???

                                Aircraft: at 8 am enemy plane passed overhead at a great height. At 11 am two of our planes appeared overhead.

                                Miscellaneous: enemy wearing spiked helmets observed opposite I-10,7. Also some wearing steel helmets somewhat resembling ours except that the crown seems to be higher. Some weight-bearing round blue caps. A number were wearing cap comforters. Immediately in front of I-10-7 at about 10:30 am at about 1000 feet a number of men were observed working among the timber digging and clearing with what appeared to be a large bell book. The men, who were wearing blue uniform, and round flat topped caps, appeared to be of fine physique. At about 4 pm a man wearing a heavily braided cap looked over the enemy parapet opposite I-10-6. A shot was fired at him but the result could not be observed owing to the bad light. He put his head down and it did not reappear.

                                Sniping: snipers claim five hits today. On 15/12/1916 snipers claim three hits. Men take a great interest in the periscope rifle.

                                Wind: S.SW. all day at less than 4 mph. Enemy opposite A Gap oberved to be ? new sandbag something with a sand bag on the end of the stick.

                                Enemy bombed his own wired during the night. He used many verey lights.

                                16th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Operation order number No. 4    Secret.
                                33rd Battalion, A.I.F.
                                Operation order number No. 4
                                By
                                Lt. Col LJ Morshead,
                                Commanding.
                                Reference map. Sheet 36 N.W. 1/20,000.
                                Battalion headquarters, 16th December, 1916.

                                Relief.
                                1. The 33rd Battalion will be relieved by 35th Battalion commencing at 8 am on 17th December, the 33rd Battalion will move into billets and become "D" Battalion.

                                Advance parties.
                                2. In accordance with Third Australian Divisional Trench Standing Orders, para 4, specialists will move into front line on 16th inst.

                                Billeting parties.
                                3. Billeting parties of one officer and one NCO per platoon will proceed to "D" Battalion billets on 16th inst. to arrange billets for their companies.

                                Guides.
                                4. Four guides per Company (billeting party) will report to Lieut. WJC Duncan at Square Farm at 9 am to guide companies from trenches to billets.

                                Handing over.
                                5. Officers commanding Companies will hand over and obtain duplicate receipts for all trench stores, defence schemes, logbooks, aeroplane photos, maps, plans and other useful information, and forward these to Battalion headquarters immediately they have handed over. Code books are now a regimental issue and will not be handed over. RSM will obtain duplicate receipt for Battalion stores and hand it to Adjutant.

                                Tables of times and routes.
                                6. (1) In coming Battalion (35th Battalion AIF).
                                COMPANY TIME AT Bn HQ DESTINATION ROUTE
                                C (left flank) 7.37 am Fire Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                A (right flank) 7.51 am Fire Trench Lothian Avenue
                                C 8.5 am Support Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                A 8.10 am Support Trench Lothian Avenue
                                B (Left centre) 8.33 am Fire Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                D (Right centre) 8.47 am Fire Trench Lothian Avenue
                                B 9.1 am Support Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                D 9.45 am Support Trench Lothian Avenue
                                C 12.30 pm Subsidiary Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                A 12.44 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                C 12.52 pm Subsidiary Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                A 1.12pm Subsidary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                B 1.26 pm Subsidiary Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                D 1.40 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                B 1.54 pm Subsidiary Trench Port Egale Avenue
                                D 2.6 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                Bn Bombers 5.30 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue
                                Bn Scouts 5.44 pm Subsidiary Trench Lothian Avenue

                                (2) 33rd Battalion, A.I.F. The platoons it firing line and support trenches will be ready to move outat 10:15 am and clear Railway Crossing at 1.2.c.4.7. near gum boots store by 12 noon. Platoons in subsidiary line will be moved out as soon as relieved.

                                (3) Company specialists. Company specialists, including Lewis gunners, bombers, stretcher bearers, sappers, salvage men, sanitary men and cooks will be relieved their respective companies.

                                (4) Headquarters Specialist. The relief of headquarters and attached specialists, i.e. Lewis gunners, bombers, scouts and snipers will commence on 16th inst. and be completed on 17th inst. They will remain in subsidiary line until they are completely relieved when they will move to billets, on 17th inst.

                                Method of relief
                                7 (1) All ranks will be at their alarm stations during the relief.
                                (2) One platoon of each relieving Company will be posted to the firing line, one to support line and 2 to Subsidiary line.
                                (3) No platoon will move out until the whole of the relieving platoon is actually in position. The men in the firing line being relieved will stand on the fire step and as soon as relieving units are in position they will change places, i.e. 35th Battalion will mount fire steps and 33rd Battalion the trench walks.
                                (4) Platoon commanders will report to their Company commanders when this is done, and orders will then be given to file out.

                                Movement
                                8. Every precaution must be taken against hostile observation both aerial and from ground level. Troops will move in parties not larger than sections at two minute intervals south-east of the Armentières-Nouvel Houplines railway line.

                                March to billets
                                9 (1) Platoons on relief will proceed as in sub-section 2, para 6, moving in parties not larger than sections at 2 minutes intervals, C. Co. Leading. D and B Co.s will proceed to billets on relief.
                                (2) Guides detailed in para 4 will meet outgoing parties at Chapelle Armentières Railway Crossing (I.1.d.45.90) and conduct them to billets in Armentières.

                                Distribution of details
                                10 Specialists and headquarters details will be attached as follows:

                                A Co. Bombing platoon and HQ Lewis gunners
                                B Co. Signallers,
                                C Co. Pioneers and sniping platoon, Scouts.
                                D Co. AMC (Australian Medical Corps) and band.

                                Command
                                (11) Company commanders will remain in command of their sub-sections until their units are completely relieved on 17th inst.

                                Lewis guns
                                (12). Lewis guns and equipment will be placed in Square Farm by 3 pm. The transport officer will arrange to collect these at 5 pm on 17th inst.

                                Transport
                                (13) Trench kits, mess gear and all stores other than trench stores will be dumped at Square Farm by 3:30 pm. The transport officer will arrange to collect these at 5 pm on 17th inst. This officer will also see that officers kits are left at their billets and that Companies are informed of sites of water carts.

                                Gum Boots
                                (14) These must not be taken beyond the Gum Boot store at I.2.a. If handed over to incoming Battalion, receipt must be taken and this should also be obtained for boots returned to store. "A" Co. will detail a reliable NCO to check boots handed into store. He will report to Battalion HQ for instructions at 9 am on 17th inst.

                                Guard
                                (15) The Battalion police under Cpl Hewitt will guard all stores and Lewis guns in Square Farm and will assist in loading these on to transport after which they will report to Battalion HQ in Armentières.

                                Reports
                                17 (1) On completion of relief and before they leave front line Company commanders will wire "complied with" to Battalion headquarters.
                                (2) When their commands are settled in billets, Company commanders will so inform Battalion HQ in Armentières by runner.

                                (Signed) RC Jones S/Lieut.
                                Adjutant, 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                Distribution
                                Copy No. 1 to 9th Inf.Brigade
                                2 - CO
                                3 - Second in command
                                4 - Adjutant
                                5 - A Co.
                                6 - B. Co.
                                7 - C. Co.
                                8 - D. Co.
                                9 - Lewis gun officer
                                10 - Signalling officer
                                11 - Scout Officer
                                12 - Sniping officer
                                13 - Bombing officer
                                14 - Billeting officer
                                15 - Regimental Medical Officer
                                16 - Transport officer
                                17 - Quarter Master
                                18 - 35th Battalion AIF
                                19 - Office in charge Light trench mortar battery
                                20 - Officer in charge night Machine Gun Co.
                                21 - File
                                22 - War Diary

                                16th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.137  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.137
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 16th December, 1916

                                  INSPECTION 1327
                                  Lieut-General Birdwood will visit Armentieres on Sunday 17th inst. and may visit Subsidiary Line.  Platoons when relieved must be moved to billets as expeditiously as possible and all ranks are warned to be smart and orderly during the whole of relief operations.  Special stress must be laid on saluting.  

                                STATE OF WIRE 1328
                                  Company Commanders will prepare and submit to Battalion Headquarters by 10 am on 17th inst. a report on the amount of work done on the wire on their front during the present tour of duty, giving as much detail as possible.

                                  DIET SHEETS 1329
                                  Diet sheets must be kept in all cook houses and it is important that close attention should be given to these by Company Commanders and the Senior Major.

                                  SALVAGE DUMP 1330
                                  A salvage dump has been established at Square Farm near Fockaber's Dump.  All salved articles should be placed there.  

                                  DUTY CO 1331
                                  17-12-16 A. Co.
                                  18-12-16 B. Co.

                                DAILY DUTIES 1332
                                  Captain of the week: Capt. CH Linklater
                                Subaltern of the day: 2/Lt. CF Kirby
                                  Next for duty: Lt AG Farleigh
                                  Regimental Orderly Sergeant:  Sgt AE Walker
                                  Next for duty:  Sgt TW Rourke
                                  Regimental Orderly Corporal: Cpl. GA Cawkwell
                                  Next for duty: Cpl. G Richardson

                                  GUARDS 1333
                                  On return to billets each Company will mount a guard consisting of 1 NCO and 3 men over Company Headquarters and duty Co. will mount similar guard over Battalion Headquarters. These guards will be changed daily at 5 pm.

                                  PRIMUS STOVES 1334
                                  A and B Co. will return one Primus stove to Battalion Headquarters by 8 am on 17th inst.

                                  PROMOTIONS 1335
                                  The following promotions have been approved:

                                No.715, L/Sgt. BWA Budden to be Sgt vice Carter (killed in action)
                                No. 769, Cpl.F Flick to be L/Sgt. vice Budden promoted
                                  No. 2043, L/Cpl. W Casey to be Cpl. vice Flick promoted
                                  No. 240, Pte.J Reid to be L/Cpl. vice Casey promoted

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                16th December 1916  Ongoing training

                                16th Dec 1916   Wet & dull. Enemy fairly quiet. Shell hit left front of 18th DLI Coy HQ, Capt. Phorson & 2Lt Busby killed, 2Lt Lean wounded. 2Lt Waggott took temporary command of Coy.

                                16th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                16th December 1916 

                                16th Dec 1916  On the March

                                16th Dec 1916  Cold and Raining

                                16th December 1916  A Green Light

                                16th of December 1916  Misty and Quiet

                                16th Dec 1916  Training

                                16th Dec 1916  Experiment

                                16th Dec 1916  Change of Billets

                                16th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                16th Dec 1916  On the March

                                16th of December 1916 

                                16th of December 1916  Firing Before Light

                                16th Dec 1916  Training

                                16th Dec 1916  Orders

                                16th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                16th of December 1916  Bathing

                                16th Dec 1916  Motor Bus Transport to the trenches

                                16th Dec 1916  Training

                                16th of December 1916  Enemy Very Quiet

                                16th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                16th December 1916  Reliefs

                                16th December 1916  Draft

                                16th December 1916  Return

                                16th December 1916  A March to Renty

                                16th December 1916  Trenches East of the Bluff were bombarded

                                16th of December 1916  Enemy TMs Active

                                16th Dec 1916  Comforts Fund

                                16th December 1916  Parties working on improvements to camp.

                                17th December 1916 Poor visibility.  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record a very quiet day and poor visibility.

                                17th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF prefers pea soup  cf Intelligence Summary dated 18 /12/1916. Night firing positions 2 for machine guns selected on front line. Enemy machine guns replied with energy to burst fired. Found that men prefer pea soup to Oxo after stand down in morning. Relief of Battalion postponed one day on account of visit of Lieutenant-General Sir WR Birdwood to area. Front particularly quiet all day.

                                17th December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Intelligence Report No.13  Intelligence summary No. 13
                                33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                Period 6 am 17/12/1916 - 6 am 18/12/1916

                                Operations

                                Our artillery: 12:40 pm three rounds fired, enemy parapet opposite I-10-1 3:30 pm 11 rounds fired in retaliation enemy medium trench mortar.

                                Machine guns: our machine guns fired several times during the night each burst being replied to by enemy with energy.

                                Lewis guns: fired occasional bursts.

                                Patrols: I-16-4 - I-10,1. Patrol went out from I-16,4 proceeded to extreme right. Thence patrolled to the left of I-10,1 then returned by same route as they went out. No enemy encountered. Went out at 5:30 pm returning 8 pm. Second patrol went out from the left of I-10,1 at ??? advanced straight across to enemy wire. Machine gun opened on them and a number of flares were fired. They patrolled to the right along wire which was found to be strong and returned at about ??? by the same route.

                                I-10,2, I-10,3 First patrol at 7 pm from mushroom sap removed 15 foot south thence straight across to enemy wire. No enemy encountered. Moved south heard two enemy working parties on their parapet. Our wire south of mushroom in good order returned 9 pm same way as went out. Second patrol went out 9 pm from north of mushroom cord through mushroom thence 400 foot north. Encountered no Enemy reported all quiet at 11 pm except they that they had been fired on by enemy machine gun.

                                3rd patrol left at 11:30 pm halfway along Mushroom sap. Moved north along No Man's Land for some distance. No enemy encountered. Scouts believe that there is a gap between railway and Mushroom salients in enemy garrison. The wire here is very strong and he shows no activity. Requires confirmation. I-10-4, I-10,5. Patrol of 35th Battalion left I-10-4 11 pm patrolled towards enemy line returning 1 am. Report machine gun on south of railway salient very active on our machine gun position I-11-a-3-3.

                                No.2 patrol 35th Battalion left I-11-a-3-3 at 1:15 am returning the same place 3:15 am report all quiet on the front. About six verey lights were fired by enemy.

                                No. 3 patrol 35th Battalion left I-11-a-3-3 at 3:30 am. No enemy seen. Machine gun on railway salient still active returned 5:30 am.

                                No.4 patrol 35th Battalion left I-11-a-0-6 at 1 am report hearing enemy working party I -11-a-6-6 but could not see them. Verey lights were fired here by enemy showed no activity. Patrol returned at 3 am.

                                No. 5 Patrol 35th Battalion left I-11-a-1-8 at 3:15 am returning at 5:15 am, report all quiet.

                                Our patrols on front I-10-6 from 7 pm to ? pm report all quiet, no enemy encountered.

                                Enemy activity: Artillery nil. He threw 35 bombs from medium trench mortar into A company front without doing any damage at 3:5 pm.

                                Machine guns: enemy machine gun showed great activity during the night and showed even greater accuracy than before. Three guns between the railway and the Mushroom traversed our parapets and played on our wire continuously at one time or three guns were firing at the same time.
                                Our machine gun from left of Mushroom fired on LC said to be in No Man's Land. It did not fire after this again.

                                Enemy defences: nothing new could be observed. Patrols report this wired to be very strong practically all along his front.

                                Communications: enemy still fires a great number of verey lights at night. He also used to searchlights throughout the night.

                                Wiring: about 50 foot of new wire was put out north of Mushroom chord during the night.

                                Sniping: snipers claim three hits for the day.

                                Enemy bombed his wired during the night.

                                Wind: about 3 mph west north west.

                                17th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Operations Order No. 5  Appendix No.14
                                Secret
                                33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                Operation order No. 5
                                By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead
                                Commanding

                                Reference map Sheet 36 N.W. 1/20,000
                                Battalion headquarters. 17th December, 1916

                                Relief.
                                Owing to the visit of Lieut.- General Sir WR Birdwood, the relief of this Battalion as detailed in 33rd Battalion operation order No. 4 of 16th inst. para 1 is postponed to Monday, 18th December, 1916 commencing at 2 am.
                                Time of relief to be amended and read accordingly.

                                (Signed) RC Jones, S/Lieut.
                                Adjutant, 33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                17th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.138  NOT TO BE TAKEN IN FRONT LINE TRENCHES
                                  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.138
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Chappelle d'Armentières, 17th December, 1916

                                  RATION PARTIES 1336
                                  Ration parties for Sunday, 17th inst. will report at SQUARE FARM at 8 pm.

                                  DIVISIONAL ARMOURERS SHOP 1337
                                  The undermentioned will report to D.A.D.O.S. Divisional Armourer Shop on Monday, 18th inst.  He  will be attached to D.A.D.O.S. for rations, duty, etc.

                                  No.1064, Pte. HL Cutcher

                                  ACCIDENTS WITH BOMBS 1338
                                  Cases have recently occurred of loaded bombs and grenades having been found in the kits of officers and other ranks proceeding to and from France. This practice must cease.

                                  FIELD CONDUCT SHEETS 1339
                                  Attention is drawn to regulations concerning the disposal of Field Conduct Sheets  (A.F.B. 122).
                                  When a soldier leaves his unit his Field Conduct Sheet will accompany him.
                                  All Field Conduct Sheets of soldiers, killed in action, missing, evacuated to casualty clearing stations, soldiers committed to military prisons, or transferred to other units must be at once sent to Battalion Headquarters for disposition in accordance with above.

                                  S.A.A. SUPPLIES 1340
                                  The establishment of ammunition laid down by Mobilisation Store Table  (220 rounds per rifle) must be maintained intact, all ammunition expended in front line being replaced by daily indent on Battalion reserve.

                                  GERMAN GRENADES 1341
                                  The following points concerning German Cylinder Hand Grenades with handle (percussion) have been brought to notice and all ranks should be warned.
                                  As the grenade is percussion and is similar in general appearance to the ordinary 51/2 secs. time German grenade with which all ranks are now familiar, special care will be taking in handling such grenades if found.

                                All ranks will be warned of possibility of the enemy using this new type of grenade with which to lay traps for our patrols in No Man's Land such as in shell holes, abandoned saps or posts, etc.

                                  POSTAL 1342
                                  Mail matter is not to be retained by Companies longer than is necessary for purposes of identification, etc.  Empty mailbags are to be returned immediately. Every letter, parcel, etc. returned is to be marked "Not 33rd Battalion", "Hospital", "Not in Co." and dated and initialled.
                                  Whilst the Battalion is in the trenches, returned mail is to be handed to the Postal Corporal, who accompanies the ration transport each evening. Whilst Battalion is in billets such mail is to be handed in to Postal Room, Quartermasters' store.
                                  OUTWARDS MAIL.  After being censored, all outwards mail is to be handed in to Battalion Orderly Room for censor's stamp.
                                  All postal matter exceeding 4 ounces in weight must have stamps affixed.  Fee for registration Is 9d.

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                17th December 1916  Ongoing training

                                17th December 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Dec 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly. Wet & cold. Enemy quiet, very little reply to our bursts of artillery fire.

                                17th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                17th Dec 1916  On the March

                                17th Dec 1916  Still Cold

                                17th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                17th of December 1916  Enemy Active

                                17th of December 1916  Hunting a Pineapple Mortar

                                17th Dec 1916  Inspection

                                17th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                17th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                17th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                17th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                17th of December 1916 

                                17th of December 1916  Cylinders Buried

                                17th Dec 1916  Awards

                                17th Dec 1916  Orders

                                17th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                17th of December 1916  Football Competition

                                17th Dec 1916  Transfer

                                17th of December 1916   Enemy MG Silenced

                                17th December 1916  Church Parade

                                17th December 1916  Army Commander presented medal ribbons

                                17th December 1916  On the Move to Aire

                                17th December 1916  Patrols went out

                                17th of December 1916   German Patrol Under Fire

                                17th December 1916  Fatigues, Bombing instruction.

                                18th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.139

                                18th December 1916 Batteries Calibrated  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Again a very quiet day and the Batteries calibrated.

                                18th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF relieved by 35th  Battalion relieved by 35th Battalion as per Battalion 0.0 No.3 dated 15/12/1916 and postponed by Battalion 0.0 No.4 of 16 /12/1916. Relief completed without a hitch.

                                18th December 1916  Ongoing training

                                18th December 1916  Very foggy - quiet in trenches

                                18th Dec 1916   18th Durhams carried out Inter Company relief. Everything quiet.

                                18th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                18th Dec 1916  Parades

                                18th Dec 1916  Wood Shelled

                                18th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                18th of December 1916  Enemy is Listening

                                18th Dec 1916  Route March

                                18th Dec 1916  Training

                                18th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Dec 1916  Training

                                18th Dec 1916  Trench Motars

                                18th Dec 1916  New Grounds

                                18th of December 1916 

                                18th of December 1916  A Patrol Challenged

                                18th Dec 1916  New CO

                                18th Dec 1916  Courses

                                18th Dec 1916  Holding the Line

                                18th December 1916  Bombing accident

                                18th of December 1916   Firing and Drill

                                18th of December 1916  Blind 5.9s

                                18th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                18th December 1916  Reliefs

                                18th Dec 1916  Inspections

                                18th December 1916  Enemies T.M's were active

                                18th of December 1916   Inter-Coy Relief

                                18th December 1916  Orders received

                                19th December 1916 Much Work in Progress  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report at 0950 A236 Battery fired on and dispersed a working party. At 1515 A236 fired on a new machine gun emplacement near Observation Point at I.19.c.10.65, but without effect. A lot of work is being done here.

                                19th Dec 1916  Into Port

                                19th December 1916  Insufficient fuel for 33rd Bn AIF braziers  Battalion in billets. Working parties supplied to AE. Found great difficulty in supplying numbers ordered. It was found that while in the trenches the braziers issued to the Battalion were very satisfactory but that insufficient fuel was allowed to keep them going.

                                19th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.140  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO.140
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Armentières, 19th December, 1916

                                  VISIT OF C-in-C 1349
                                  The Commander in Chief - Sir Douglas Haig - will be visiting the Army Area tomorrow, 10th inst.  All ranks must be warned to turn out neatly and correctly dressed and shaven. They must be on the alert and pay strict attention to saluting, especially when the C.in C's car approaches. This can be readily recognised by the small Union Jack carried thereon.

                                  WORKING PARTIES 1350
                                  Working parties must parade at the times mentioned. For information of Company Commanders  it may be noted that work will cease in the line as follows:,
                                  7 am shift, Cease at noon
                                  Noon shift - Cease at 1 pm
                                  Care must be taken that men on morning shift have breakfast before leaving billets and that both shifts carry midday ration. Specialists will not be exempt from these parties unless expressly notified.
                                  Men who parade for baths will be included in the working parties for afternoon shift.
                                  Officers who are detailed to take charge of working parties must see that men do not idle.
                                  Companies will submit daily at 1 pm a state showing
                                  (a) men available for working parties.
                                  (b) details of all others (including all temporarily attached) showing distribution
                                  The two totals must show total strength of Company plus section attached in accordance with Operation Order No. 4, para 10.

                                  GUM BOOTS 1351
                                  All receipts obtained for handing over Gum Boots to relieving Battalion or gum boots store must  be forwarded to Battalion Headquarters by 10 am on ?? inst.

                                  GUARD 1352
                                  The guard over Battalion Headquarters is cancelled.  In future the duty Co. will mount a guard of one NCO and 6 men with one post at Co. and one at Battalion Headquarters.

                                  FATIGUE 1353
                                  The Duty Co. details of fatigue party of 4 men to report to Mr FE Bourepaire  at ÉCOLE PROFESSIONALE, Armentières at ? am daily.

                                  DUTY CO 1354
                                  20-12-16 - C Co.
                                  21-12-16 - D Co.

                                  DAILY DUTIES 1355
                                  Subaltern of the day: Lt. AG Farleigh
                                Next for Duty:  Lt. JG Fraser
                                  Regimental Orderly Sgt:  Sgt. TM Rourke
                                  Next for duty;  Sgt. IC Dight
                                  Regimental Orderly Cpl: Cpl. G Richardson
                                  Next for duty: Cpl. F? Mackney
                                  Officers visiting: Lt. JG Fraser
                                  Artillery 20-12-16:  Lt.  CAK Cohen
                                  (Report at Brigade Headquarters  at 9:15 am)

                                  STRENGTH 1356
                                  The undermentioned having been discharged from hospital are taken on strength
                                  No. 765. Pte. HA Eyles.            No. 490, Pte. EJ McManus
                                  No. 1413. Dvr. A Kinkade.        No. 1100. Dvr. A Carpenter
                                  No. 1417. L/Cpl. J McDonald.  No. 1101. Pte. W Grove?
                                  No. 87? Pte. ?? Smith.             No. 5076. Pte. WH Miller
                                  The undermentioned are struck off strength No. 2123. Pte. ?J Pillar (killed in action)
                                  No. 2074. Pte. ME Hockendorf (died of wounds)

                                  (Signed) RC Jones  2/Lt.
                                  Adjutant. 33rd Battalion A.I.F

                                19th December 1916 Snow and high activity in sector  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                19th December 1916 - In the Field - Weather much better although snow fell. Great activity by our aircraft also our artillery were very active. No casualties.



                                19th December 1916  Ongoing training and inspections

                                19th Dec 1916   18th Durhams report from Sailly "Rain turning to snow in evening. After artillery preparation raiding party entered Gommecourt Salient, but finding trenches all blown in and no Germans they returned. No casualties."

                                19th Dec 1916  On Leave

                                19th Dec 1916  Ship Lost

                                19th Dec 1916  Trench Recce

                                19th of December 1916  Two Recruits

                                19th Dec 1916  Training

                                19th December 1916  A False Alarm At Hartlepool

                                19th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                19th Dec 1916  Training

                                19th Dec 1916  Award

                                19th Dec 1916  New Grounds

                                19th of December 1916 

                                19th of December 1916  Farms Shelled

                                19th Dec 1916  Recce

                                19th Dec 1916  Posting

                                19th Dec 1916  Holding the Line

                                19th of December 1916  Route March

                                19th Dec 1916  Change of Command

                                19th of December 1916   German Artillery Inactive

                                19th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                19th December 1916  Trench work

                                19th December 1916  Heavy snow.

                                19th December 1916  Minenwerfers were sent over

                                19th of December 1916  Quiet Day

                                19th December 1916  Relieved by 7th Bn. Cameron Highlanders

                                20th December 1916 Considerable Damage  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report From 1000 to 1130 the enemy bombarded our trenches with Trench Mortars and 4.2 inch guns, we retaliated with D236 Battery firing one hundred and forty rounds. Heavy and counter artillery Groups cooperated. GOC. 23rd Division asked for a further bombardment at 1530. This was carried out on the enemy support line opposite Stewart Street and considerable damage was done to the enemy's works.

                                20th December 1916 Q Class Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ81 (LZ111)

                                • Production Ref: LZ81
                                • Class type : Q
                                • Tactical ref: LZ111
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 20th December 1916

                                History.

                                Not used in the German Army and transferred to German Navy in May 1917. It carried out 7 reconnaissance missions around the Baltic Sea and was decommissioned on the 10th August 1917.

                                20th December 1916 Australian Troop Transports  

                                HMAT A50 Itonus

                                Piture from: State Library of Victoria, picture number b38118.

                                The HMAT A50 Itonus weighed 5,340 tons with an average cruise speed of 12 knots or 22.22 kmph. It was owned by the British India SN Co Ltd, London. The Itonus was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean, 20 December 1916.

                                20th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF supplying working parties to AE  Billets. Working party supplies to AE. Unable to supply numbers ordered.

                                20th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.141

                                20th December 1916  Frosty - HQ moved

                                20th December 1916  Ongoing winter training and inspections

                                20th Dec 1916  Back in Camp

                                20th Dec 1916  Choir visits Hospital

                                20th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                20th of December 1916  Enemy aeroplanes

                                20th of December 1916  A Bombing Patrol

                                20th Dec 1916  Shelling

                                20th Dec 1916  Training

                                20th Dec 1916  Reinforcements

                                20th Dec 1916  Training

                                20th of December 1916 

                                20th of December 1916  A Listening Post Bombed

                                20th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                20th Dec 1916  On the March

                                20th Dec 1916  Specialist Training

                                20th Dec 1916  Holding the Line

                                20th of December 1916  A Bombing Competition

                                20th Dec 1916  In Frontline trenches at Beaucourt

                                20th Dec 1916  in dug-outs

                                20th of December 1916  German TMs Active

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                20th December 1916  Patrols

                                20th December 1916  On the March

                                20th Dec 1916  Inspections

                                20th December 1916  Camoflet was blown by Australian Tunneling Company

                                20th of December 1916   Parapet Smashed

                                20th December 1916  Bombing parades

                                21st December 1916 Slight Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: Day was normal. Slight artillery activity on usual places. B236 Battery dispersed a working party.

                                21st December 1916 33rd Bn AIF visited by General Plumer  Billets. Supplied working parties to A E. General Plumer GOC 2nd Army visited area.

                                21st December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.142

                                21st December 1916  Rain - high level trench activity

                                21st December 1916  Ongoing training and inspections

                                21st Dec 1916   18th DLI are relieved by 12th East Yorks and proceeded in busses to rest billets in Famechon. 2Lt Lean reported from C.C.S. and 2Lt Hornsby from Base.

                                21st Dec 1916  Slow Train

                                21st Dec 1916  In Reserve

                                21st Dec 1916  In the Trenches

                                21st of December 1916  Another Tea-Time "Hate"

                                21st of December 1916  Going to Bulford Camp

                                21st Dec 1916  Training

                                21st Dec 1916  Shelling

                                21st Dec 1916  Training

                                21st Dec 1916  Quiet

                                21st Dec 1916  Training

                                21st of December 1916 

                                21st of December 1916  Farms Hit

                                21st Dec 1916  Carrying Parties

                                21st Dec 1916  On the March

                                21st Dec 1916  Holding the Line

                                21st of December 1916  Divisional Sports

                                21st of December 1916  Ferme Cour d'Avoue Shelled

                                21st Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                21st Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                21st Dec 1916  Observer Wounded

                                21st December 1916  Reliefs

                                21st December 1916  Recce

                                21st December 1916  Inspection

                                21st Dec 1916  Defence Work

                                21st Dec 1916  Sports Medals

                                21st December 1916  Shells fell along Nynde Duckboards

                                21st of December 1916  Enemy Mortared

                                21st December 1916  Bombing parades and Work parties.

                                22nd December 1916 Hostile Battery in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report front was very quiet all day. Considerable activity took place on our right. At 1430 a hostile 77 mm battery was seen in action from St Peters Street, 176.5 (true) from I.24.d.6.1. The battery shelled Yeomanry Port and Observatory Ridge.

                                22nd December 1916  33rd Bn AIF reviewed   Billets. Supplied working parties for AE Composite CO commanded by Capt Linklater Reviewed by C in C British Army in France at Erquinghem.

                                22nd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Operation order number No. 7  33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                Operation order no. 7
                                By
                                Lieut-Col LJ Morshead
                                Commanding

                                Map reference sheet No. 36. N.W. 1/20,000
                                Armentières, 22nd December 1916

                                Relief
                                1. The 33rd Battalion will be relieved in the L'Epinette sector by 44th Battalion and will move back to reserve in the Steenwerck area, becoming "H" Battalion. Relief will commence and be completed on 23rd inst.

                                Route
                                2. Troops will pass starting point at I.1.d.30.65. according to timetable below, and will follow the road along Rue Nationale, Rue de Dunkerque, thence to cross road B.36.a.90, 5 thence south west to Railway Crossing B.28.b.20.65, thence south west to road intersection G.6.d.25.6 thence north west by Le Soquemeau (?) to Steenwerck. Timetable
                                3. Unit: "D" Co., Scouts, Stretcher Bearers pass starting point: 9 am
                                Unit: "C" Co., Signallers, Pioneers pass starting point: 9:6 am
                                Unit: "B" Co., "A" Co., Bombing Platoon pass starting point: 9.17 am
                                Unit: HQ Lewis gun section pass starting point: 9:24 am
                                Unit: Regimental transport pass starting point: 9:30 am

                                Order of March
                                4."D" Co. will pass the starting point at 9 am and will be followed by "C", "A" and "B" Co.s in that order., at intervals at five minutes thereafter. This must be maintained between by using connecting files, which will close up when a rear Company disengages to its billets.

                                Precaution
                                5. Every precaution must be taken against hostile observation, both aerial and from ground line. Companies must give way to parties of the 11th Brigade moving to Armentières.

                                Halts
                                6. There will be no halt for midday meal. A halt of 10 minutes before each hour will be made. When Companies are halted steps must be taken not to impede any other traffic.

                                Watches
                                7. Companies must arrange to have synchronised at Battalion headquarters at 8:15 am on 23rd inst.

                                Officers' Kit
                                8. These must not exceed the regulation weight of 55lbs each, and the kits must be stacked at company billets by 7 am on 23rd inst.

                                Mess kits ATC
                                9. All men's kits and field kitchens to be ready for transport at 8 am. The latter to be placed so that teams can be hooked in without delay.

                                Blankets
                                10. Blankets will be rolled in bundles of 10 and stacked at company billets where they will be collected by regimental transport and dumped at QM store from whence motor transport will remove same to billets.

                                Transport
                                11. Transport officer will arrange to collect Officers kits, mess gear, kitchens and water carts. Kits and officers mess gear will be dumped at QM store, No. 36 Rue de Lille by 9 am on 23rd inst.
                                Kitchens and water carts will move in rear of "B" Co. and pass the starting point at 9:30 am.
                                One kitchen will be left at each company's billet and one water cart left for use of "A" and "B" companies, and the other for "C"and "D" companies.

                                Dress
                                12. Full marching order, greatcoats in pack with waterproof sheet under the flap. Steel helmets will be carried between supporting straps on pack. Mess tins on top of pack.

                                Rations
                                13. A midday ration will be carried in the haversack, but must not be eaten until arrival at new billets. Water bottles must be filled before the march. Tea dixies on the kitchen must be filled and fires kept burning so to provide hot tea for the men on arrival at billets.

                                Billets
                                14. Before marching out company commanders or senior officer in charge will render to billeting officer a certificate as to cleanliness of billets and extent of damage (if any) which has occurred during occupancy of billets.

                                (Signed) RC Jones. 2/Lieut.
                                Adjutant. 33rd Battalion AIF

                                Copy No. 1. 9th infantry brigade
                                2. CO
                                3. "A" Co.
                                4. "B" Co.
                                5. "C" Co.
                                6. "D" Co.
                                7. Lewis gun officer
                                8. Signalling officer
                                9. Regimental medical officer
                                10.Transport officer
                                11.Quartermaster
                                12.File
                                13.War diary


                                22nd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Operation order number No. 6  

                                List of articles to be carried by raiding party

                                Secret
                                Operation order No. 6
                                By
                                Lt.-Col LJ Morshead,
                                Commanding 33rd Battalion, Chapelle d'Armentieres
                                Reference map: Vez Macquart (part of sheet 36) 22nd of December 1916.
                                1/10,000.
                                Aero-photograph: 42 B 365 - 36.I.11.a-9:11:16.

                                Information:
                                1. A silent raid will be made on the part of the enemy's trench known as the Railway Salient at a date and time to be notified later.

                                Objects:
                                2. (i) To take unwounded prisoners.
                                (ii) To inflict casualties.
                                (iii) To destroy machine gun emplacements and dug-outs.
                                (iv) To capture material and equipment.
                                (v) To gain information.

                                Strength of party:
                                3. 4 officers, 50 other ranks. Reserves: 1 officer 20 other ranks, (including eight stretcher bearers.)

                                Organisation:
                                4. (1) Commander: Capt WH Douglas. 2 runners. 2 telephonists. (1 officer, 4 privates)
                                (2) Scouts: 2/Lt. RC King. 1NCO. 4 scouts. 2 telephonists. 1 linesmen. (1 officer, 1 NCO, 7 privates.)
                                (3) Right party: Lt. LCB Smith. Two NCOs. 4 bombers. 4 Bayonet men. 2 demolition men. 1 carrier. 1 intelligence man. (1 officer. 2 NCOs. 12 Privates.)
                                (4) Left party: 2 NCOs. 4 bombers. 2 bayonet men. 1 carrier. 1 intelligence man. 2 NCOs, 8 privates. )
                                (5) Centre party: 1NCO. 3 bombers. 2 bayonet men. (1 NCO, 5 privates).
                                (6) Supports: Lt. WW Stockham (OC (officer in charge) Assault. 2 NCOs. 3 runners. 8 men. 4 stretcher bearers. (1officer, 2 NCOs, 15 privates).
                                Total: 4 officers, 8 NCOs, 51 privates.
                                Reserves: Lt. TW Tollis. 2 NCOs. 10 men. 8 stretcher bearers. (1officer, 2 NCOs, 12 Privates).

                                Preliminary measures:
                                5. (1) Dress
                                (a) All ranks will wear British pattern service dress from which will be removed all badges (except those denoting rank) and distinguishing marks.
                                (b) Faces and hands will be blackened.
                                (c) Balaclava caps will be worn.
                                (d) Body shields will be worn.
                                (e) Gas respirators will be carried.
                                (f) A strip of white cloth 15" x 3" will be worn on the arm 6 inches above each elbow and will be covered by a piece of sandbag loosely tacked on which will be torn off before entering the enemy's trench.
                                (e) identity disc, blotters, maps, documents or anything which could lead to an identification will not be carried. A piece of cardboard giving the regimental number, rank and name only will replace the identity disc.
                                (ii) Arms and equipment.
                                See appendix B.
                                Bayonets will be sharpened and blackened.
                                All marks giving a clue to the unit will be obliterated.
                                (iii) Reconnaisance.
                                All ranks will go over the approach across No Man's Land before the night of the raid.
                                The Scout officer will have No Man's Land specially patrolled on the night of the raid, and will see that the wire is cut.
                                (iv) Communications.
                                Port Egale Avenue will be kept clear of all traffic from two hours before zero until the raiding party is clear of the trench.
                                (v) Watches.
                                All ranks will wear luminous watches.
                                Watches will be synchronised that battalion headquarters at 9 am and 6 pm on the day of the raid, and that two hours before zero on the night of the raid.
                                (vi) Parade.
                                The raiding party will report at Battalion headquarters two hours before zero, when a nominal roll will be handed in by the officer in charge raid. (VII) Countersign.
                                The countersign will be notified when the raiding party reports the battalion headquarters.

                                Artillery cooperation.
                                6. (i)"Box" call. (a) If required the Artillery will form a barrage on the call "Box" being sent and a golden rain rocket being fired from I.10.b.9.4.
                                (b) the inner line of this barrage will extend along the enemy's front line from I.11.c.30.? to junction of the salient and chord (keeping within safe range of the limits set down in para. 9 subpara 4) ad then along the front line and then along the front line to I.5.c.62.10.
                                see appendix A
                                (ii) "Gun" Call. If enemy machine guns north of the salient open heavy fire the Artillery will open fire on the enemy's front line from I.11.c.57.40 to I.5.c.62.10.
                                (iii) OC assault will decide whether the barrage as stated in subparagraph (i) or the bombardment as stated in sub-para (ii) is needed and whether such support is required
                                (a) to enter the hostile trenches.
                                (b) while in their hostile trenches, or
                                (c) to cover the withdrawal.
                                (iv) OC raid will wire "Chase"when artillery support is no longer required.

                                Stokes mortars.
                                7. OC 9th ALTM (Australian Light Trench Mortar) battery will open fire when artillery barrage begins. Two guns will fire on hostile machine guns in front line between salient opposite the mushroom and I.11.a.6.0, and two guns between I.11.a.6.8. and I.5.c.7.0. Fire will cease when artillery barrage ceases.

                                Machine guns.
                                8. OC 9th Machine gun company will have Vickers guns ready to traverse enemy's parapet and engage enemy's machine guns. Two guns will fire between salient opposite mushroom and I.11.a 6.0. and two guns between I.11.a.6.5.and I.5.c.7.0. Fire will not be opened until
                                (a) hostile machine guns opens fire, or
                                (b)when artillery barrage commences
                                Fire will continue until artillery barrage ceases.

                                Position of Raiders.
                                9. (i) OC raid will be stationed near I.10.b.9.4. The artillery liaison officer will be with him.
                                (ii) OC Assault will direct operations from a point near the place of entrance after the enemy's trench has been entered.
                                (iii) A reserve officer and party will be in the vicinity of I.10.b.9.r. ready to take over the duties of OC Raid, should Capt. Douglas become a casualty.

                                Plan of action.
                                10. (i) Scouts will leave our trenches at ?? One hour 30 minutes before zero time and will precede the party to the place of assembly at I.11.A.30.35. The approach will be along the north side of the Armentières-Lille railway line.
                                After the Raiders have entered the hostile trenches at I.11.a.36.30 the scouts will breach the parapet and make a ramp to facilitate exit, and will lay a tape to guide the party back.
                                (Ii) The Raiding Party will leave our trenches at 1 1/4 hours before zero time and will enter the enemy trenches at zero hour.
                                (iii). The order of entrants will be:
                                (a) Right Party.
                                (b) Left Party.
                                (c) Centre Party.
                                (iv) Tasks.
                                Tasks allotted are shown in the attached map (Appendix A)
                                The Right Party will clear the trenches from the point of entry to point "A"and endeavour to capture the machine gun and destroy the emplacement at I.11.a.36.15.
                                The Left Party will clear the trenches from point of entry to point B, a distance of 30 yards, and on no account will they advance further.
                                The Centre Party will advance 25 yards along the communication trench to point C, and no further.
                                (v) Bombing stops will be established at Points A, B, and C in order to prevent the enemy from rushing. Bombs will not be used unless absolutely necessary.
                                (vi) Each demolition man will carry a charge of 10lbs of guncotton and two Lotbiniere bombs to destroy machine gun emplacements and dug outs. Machine guns are to be removed and brought in; if this cannot be done they are to be destroyed.
                                (vii) Intelligence men will search the trenches and enemy dead for documents and information.
                                (viii) Supports will close up to parapet and cover point of entrance. O.C. Assault will be responsible that prisoners are quickly escorted back to our lines.
                                (ix) Previous to the Raiding Party leaving our trenches a telephone line will be laid as far forward as possible. The two telephonists and linesman of the Scout Party will be attached to O.C.Assault.
                                The following codes will be used:
                                In…… Have entered trench.
                                Prisoners…… Prisoners are being escorted back.
                                Box…… Require box barrage immediately.
                                Gun.....Bombard from I.11.a.57.40 to I.5.c.52.10.
                                Empty…… Trench not garrisoned.
                                All clear......We have left enemy's trench.
                                Cease..... Cease barrage.

                                Withdrawal.
                                11.(i) Parties will remain in the trenches not longer than 10 minutes. The signal for withdrawal will be given by the O.C. Assault and will be the passing along of the word "Cut", convoyed by his runners. The withdrawal must be rapid, but congestion must however be avoided.
                                (ii) Supports will cover the withdrawal of the parties and will return on orders of O.C. Assault.
                                (iii) If it is not advisable to return to our trenches immediately, O.C. Assault will call out "Disperse" when men will move quickly to shell holes and return independently. They must report to Lt Duncan immediately on their return.

                                Roll Call.
                                12. A roll call station under the charge of Lt. WJC Duncan will be established at the junction of Support Trench and Port Egale Avenue . After answering their names the party will return to Battalion Headquarters at Square Farm. On dismissal they will return to billets.

                                Prisoners.
                                13. Prisoners will be dealt with as follows:
                                (i) They will be disarmed when captured.
                                (ii) On reaching our trenches they will be under the charge of Lt. TW Tollis who will be responsible that they are at once escorted to Advanced Battle Headquarters.
                                (iii) They will be kept separate from each other and not allowed to converse.
                                (iv) They will be searched immediately on arrival at advanced Battle Headquarters and relieved of all papers, books, badges and shoulder straps.
                                (v) Each prisoner's papers, etc. will be kept separate and marked so that he may be questioned concerning them.
                                (vi) Lt Tollis will arrange for their escort to the A.P. M. who will be at Headquarters, 9th Infantry Brigade, Rue Sadi Carnot, Armentières.
                                (vii) There must be no crowding round the prisoners.

                                Medical.
                                14. Advanced Dressing Station will be established at 5 Dug-Out.

                                Reports.
                                15. Reports to Advanced Battle Headquarters, Headquarters Left Centre Company.

                                (Signed RC Jones, S/Lieut.
                                Adjutant, 33rd Battalion, A.I.F.

                                Distribution.
                                Copies No. 1-2 9th Infantry Brigade AIF.
                                3. C.O.
                                4-8 O.C. RaID.
                                9. "A" Co.
                                10. "B" Co.
                                11. "C" Co.
                                12. "D" Co.
                                13. R.M.O.
                                14. Right Artillery Group
                                15. 9th LTM Battery, AIF
                                16. 9th Machine Gun Co. A.I.F.
                                17-20 11 th Infantry Brigade AIF
                                21. 35th Battalion AIF
                                22. 36th Battalion AIF
                                23. 10th Infantry Brigade AIF
                                24. 103rd Infantry .brigade, AID
                                25. File
                                26. War Diary
                                27-30 Spare

                                22nd December 1916  Weather very bad

                                22nd December 1916  Training and inspections

                                22nd Dec 1916  Change of Group

                                22nd Dec 1916  Changes

                                22nd Dec 1916  Patrols

                                22nd Dec 1916  Artillery Active

                                22nd Dec 1916  Training

                                22nd Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Dec 1916  Rain

                                22nd of December 1916 

                                22nd of December 1916  Fort Osborne Shelled

                                22nd December 1916  Shelling

                                22nd Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd Dec 1916  Holding the Line

                                22nd of December 1916  Billets Improved

                                22nd of December 1916  Quiet Day

                                22nd Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                22nd December 1916  General cleaning up

                                22nd December 1916  Reliefs

                                22nd December 1916  Parapet was blown in.

                                22nd Dec 1916  Company Training

                                22nd December 1916  Schedule O.O.No.127 Dated 22nd December 1916

                                22nd December 1916  Working Party

                                22nd December 1916  Enemy Machine Gun active

                                22nd December 1916  Operational Order No.127

                                22nd of December 1916   A Relief

                                22nd December 1916  Operation Orders

                                22nd December 1916  Conference of Company Commanders.

                                23rd December 1916 Slight Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Day was quiet except for slight activity from enemy 77 mm battery on roads. Working parties were seen and dispersed by our fire.

                                23rd December 1916 33rd Bn AIF billets unsatisfactory  33rd Battalion relieved by 44th Battalion as per Battalion O.O No. 7 Dated 22/12/1916. Billets unsatisfactory on account of wet and mud no duckboards being provided. All in Billets By 5 pm.

                                23rd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF hand written map dated 23/12/1916  



                                23rd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF undated hand written map  



                                23rd December 1916   Ongoing training and inspections

                                23rd December 1916   Bad weather continues

                                23rd Dec 1916  Route March

                                23rd Dec 1916  Attack Made

                                23rd Dec 1916  Trench Raid

                                23rd Dec 1916  Patrol

                                23rd Dec 1916  Inspection

                                23rd Dec 1916  Windy

                                23rd Dec 1916  Training

                                23rd Dec 1916  Wet Day in Resreve

                                23rd Dec 1916  Training

                                23rd of December 1916 

                                23rd of December 1916 

                                23rd of December 1916 

                                23rd of December 1916  A Gas Attack

                                23rd Dec 1916  Recce

                                23rd Dec 1916  Baths

                                23rd Dec 1916  Relief Completed

                                23rd of December 1916  Training

                                23rd of December 1916  Artillery Relief

                                23rd Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                23rd December 1916  Inspection

                                23rd December 1916  Return

                                23rd December 1916  Reliefs

                                23rd of December 1916  Three Bays Demolished

                                23rd December 1916  Marched to Front Line

                                24th December 1916 Enemy Artillery Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. report Enemy artillery activity on Railway Dugouts and Duckboards. Counter batteries engaged the battery shelling these places and the enemy ceased fire at 1700.

                                24th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF raided enemy trenches  Billets settling down. Raided Enemy Trenches as per Battalion O.O no.6 dated 17/12/1916. Found trenches empty and in bad condition. DCo changed from billets to huts.

                                24th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.144

                                24th December 1916  Christmas Eve church services

                                24th December 1916  Weather improved

                                24th Dec 1916 

                                24th Dec 1916  New Position

                                24th Dec 1916   Col. R.E. Cheyne proceeded on leave and Maj. W.D. Lowe assumed command of 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

                                24th Dec 1916  Festive Celebrations

                                24th December 1916 

                                24th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                24th Dec 1916  In Reserve

                                24th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                24th of December 1916  Some Hostility

                                24th Dec 1916  Inspection

                                24th Dec 1916 Christmas Hopes  "The commission papers have gone through successfully and I anticipate an early return to Dear Old England. The old colonel signed them practically without a murmur. I should be in England by the end of January if all goes well. It seems impossible to think tomorrow is Christmas Day. The weather, well, ’nuff said. A terrific wind prevails, which fortunately prevents Fritz from getting accurate range, and the rain has been really appalling. The only item of real interest is the menu tomorrow, a few jolly good meals provided our smoke doesn’t attract too much attention. Bacon, tomatoes, and porridge for breakfast. Roast beef, veg and Xmas pudding with nuts, beer etc for dinner and a fair supply of rum all day and cigarettes ad lib. I have not yet received the parcel but today’s post is not yet in. The papers still come regularly to hand. Now darling I must shut up. All the others in the dugout are asleep and its getting cold and my last candle is nearing its end and I must save some for tomorrow morning. My thoughts will be centred around you all day tomorrow. Your devoted hubby, Harry." Pte. Harry Davison, 26th Royal Fusiliers in a letter to his wife Olive.

                                24th Dec 1916  Training

                                24th Dec 1916  Working Party

                                24th Dec 1916  Gas Shells

                                24th Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                24th of December 1916 

                                24th of December 1916 

                                24th of December 1916  Enemy Aircraft Active

                                24th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                24th Dec 1916  In Billets

                                24th of December 1916  Church and Baths

                                24th of December 1916  Germans Very Active

                                24th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                24th December 1916  Decorations awarded

                                24th December 1916  Reliefs

                                24th December 1916  Battalion in Reserve.

                                24th of December 1916  Day Quiet

                                24th December 1916  Quiet day.

                                25th Dec 1916  CCLXVII Brigade RFA reorganized

                                25 Dec 1916 16th Northumberland Fusiliers enjoy splendid dinner  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers enjoyed a splendid christmas dinner, generously subsidised by the Chamber of Commerce.

                                25th December 1916 Christmas in ypres  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery are at Ypres on Xmas Day. All very quiet during the morning. A236 Battery fired at intervals throughout the day on working parties at J.20.d.7.7 firing eighty six rounds. After firing on two occasions stretcher parties were seen and finally a large horse ambulance drove up. In the afternoon the lines at Zillebeke and Ypres Square were shelled by enemy 77 mm and 4.2 inch batteries respectively.

                                25th Dec 1916  Trench Mortars at Christmas

                                25th Dec 1916 33rd Bn AIF presents from Comforts Fund  Billets. Men greatly pleased with presents from Comforts Fund. Working party supplied to AE.

                                25th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.145

                                25th Dec 1916 15th MGC relieve 71st MGC  71st Machine Gun Company billeted at Noeux-les-Mines after being relieved by the 15th MGC on the 20th from the front line at Le Preol (east of Beuvry).

                                25th December 1916  Christmas Day

                                25th December 1916  Relieved from trenches

                                25th Dec 1916  Christmas Treats

                                25th Dec 1916   Divisional Commander visited men of 18th DLI at their Xmas dinner at Famechon.

                                25th Dec 1916  Christmas Dinner

                                25th Dec 1916  Christmas Fun

                                25th Dec 1916  Festivities

                                25th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                25th of December 1916  A Quiet Christmas

                                25th Dec 1916  At Rest

                                25th Dec 1916  In Camp

                                25th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                25th Dec 1916  Sports

                                25th Dec 1916  Strong Wind

                                25th Dec 1916  Games

                                25th of December 1916 

                                25th of December 1916  60-pounders Targeted

                                25th Dec 1916  Bombardment

                                25th Dec 1916  Entertainment

                                25th Dec 1916  In Billets

                                25th December 1916  Spotted fever

                                25th of December 1916  Inter-Coy Sports

                                25th Dec 1916  Christmas Day Transport

                                25th Dec 1916  Festivities

                                25th of December 1916  British Bombardment "Intense"

                                25th December 1916  No parades.

                                25th December 1916  Enemy Trench Mortars and Artillery active

                                25th December 1916  Divisional Commander visited Battalion at 1330 hours.

                                25th of December 1916   Some Retaliation

                                25th Dec 1916  Festivities

                                25th December 1916  Operational Orders

                                25th December 1916  Relieved by 6th / 7th R.S. Fusiliers

                                26th December 1916 Misty  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Very quiet all day and observation was bad owing to mist. Battery Commanders of relieving Brigade - 103 Brigade RFA - came up early. At 1000 a German fighting aeroplane came over our lines and shot down one of our planes near Gordon House. The first sections of the 103 Brigade will relieve our sections as soon as it will be dark enough.

                                25th Dec 1916  Festivities

                                26th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF use Divisional bath  Billets. Supplied working party to AE. Divisional bath used by HQ and Cos.

                                26th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.146

                                26th Dec 1916 71st MGC into the line  71st Machine Gun Company relieve 162nd MGC at Vernmelles.

                                26th December 1916 Battalion at rest.   6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                26th December 1916 - Engelbelmer - Battalion resting. Weather fair.



                                26th December 1916  inspections and training

                                26th Dec 1916  Route March

                                26th Dec 1916  Rest

                                26th Dec 1916  Christmas Dinner

                                26th Dec 1916  Training

                                26th Dec 1916  On the March

                                26th Dec 1916  Christmas Celebrations

                                26th Dec 1916  Training

                                26th Dec 1916  Gas Shells

                                26th Dec 1916  Route March

                                26th of December 1916 

                                26th of December 1916 

                                26th of December 1916  A 50-strong Patrol

                                26th December 1916  Festivities

                                26th December 1916  Carols

                                26th December 1916  Christmas

                                26th Dec 1916  Concert

                                26th December 1916  Festivities

                                26 December 1916  Entertainment

                                26th Dec 1916  Bombardment

                                26th Dec 1916  Entertainment

                                26th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                26th December 1916  Spotted fever

                                26th of December 1916   Route March

                                26th December 1916  In billets

                                26th of December 1916  Guns Active

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                26th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                26th December 1916  Reliefs

                                26th December 1916  Battalion in Reserve.

                                26th of December 1916   Day Quiet

                                26th December 1916  Cleaning up and Fatigue parties.

                                26th Dec 1916  Reorganisation

                                27th December 1916 Relief  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Slight trench mortar activity in the morning. This was silenced by our Trench Mortars and 4.5 inch Howitzers. The remainder of the day was quiet. Completion of relief - the remaining two sections of each Battery moved in. Relief was completed by 2100 when command of Observatory Ridge Sector Artillery Group was handed over to OC. 103 Brigade RFA, 23rd Division Artillery. During the day the remaining section was moved to rest billets at Winnezeeze and Oudezeeze. Lt Col Lowe assumed command of the brigade. Lt G Lyon Smith returned to position of Adjutant after being Brigade Major of Lowe’s Group R.A.

                                27th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF supply working parties to AE.  In billets. Supplied working parties to AE.

                                27th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.147

                                27th December 1916  33rd Battalion AIF AFTER Order No.146

                                27th December 1916  Fatigues, cleaning and bathing

                                27th December 1916  inspections and training

                                27th Dec 1916  Bathing

                                27th Dec 1916  Football Match

                                27th Dec 1916  On the March

                                27th of December 1916  Bombardment and Relief

                                27th Dec 1916  Relief Complete

                                27th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                27th Dec 1916  Training

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft Downed

                                27th Dec 1916  Training

                                27th of December 1916 

                                27th of November 1916 

                                27th of December 1916  Enemy Artillery Active

                                27th Dec 1916  Trench Work

                                27th Dec 1916  Football

                                27th Dec 1916  Training

                                27th of December 1916  Boxing Competition

                                27th Dec 1916  Christmas Festivities

                                27th of December 1916  Combined Shoot Continued

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                27th December 1916  Usual trench work

                                27th December 1916  Working Party Schedule Dated 27th December 1916

                                27th December 1916  Battalion H.Q. was shelled

                                27th of December 1916   TMs Active

                                27th December 1916  Operation Orders

                                27th December 1916  Moved up to Front Line

                                27th of December 1916  Moved to Le Crotoy

                                28th December 1916 In Billets  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery now in billets at Winnezeeze and Oudezeeze. All horses were put under cover.

                                28th December 1916 Zeppelin accidents  There were no further raids in 1916 although the Navy lost three more craft, all on 28 December 1916.

                                SL 12 was destroyed at Ahlhorn by strong winds after sustaining damage in a poor landing and, at Tondern, L 24 crashed into the shed while landing with the resulting fire destroying both L 24 and the adjacent L 17.

                                28th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF again supply working parties to AE  In billets. Supplied working parties to AE.

                                28th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF After Order No.149

                                28th December, 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No.150  33rd BATTALION A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO. 150
                                  By
                                Lieutenant-Colonel LJ Morshead,
                                  Commanding
                                  Steenwerck, 28th December 1916

                                  GRENADES 1419
                                  In consequence of recent accidents which occurred in various Brigades of the Second Army during practice with live grenades the following additional precautions will be taken.
                                  All live grenades will be thrown from behind a safety wall.
                                  Dimensions: Wall of sandbags 6 foot high
                                                                                  15 foot long
                                  with buttress of traverse 6 foot long about the centre of the wall; the front half of the buttress to be 7'6" high and the rear half to be 5 foot high. This affords some protection to the instructor.
                                  A second sandbag wall 6 foot high should be built some 10 to 15 yards immediately in rear; behind which the remainder of the squad will sit until their turn comes to throw.
                                  The only persons at the throwing wall itself will be the officer in charge, the thrower, and next man to throw. The thrower will be by himself on left of buttress, and the officer on right of buttress, with next man to throw sitting in the right-hand corner.
                                  The officer in charge of the throwing practice will give a shot blast on his whistle immediately before each grenade is thrown, to ensure cover being taken by the remainder of the squad in rear.
                                Detonators will be kept at the front wall and will be placed in the grenade under the supervision of the instructor as each man comes up to throw.
                                  Steel helmets always to be worn when throwing.
                                  Each grenade will be carefully examined by an officer before the detonator is inserted.
                                  Any doubtful ones should be returned to rail-head at once.
                                  In the event of a blind grenade, at least one minute should elapse before it is recovered.

                                BOUNDS 1420
                                  Subject to necessary military requirements no Officer or man of the 3rd Australian Division  will leave the Divisional area and no Officer or man of other units in the Corps will enter the 3rd Australian Divional Area until further orders.  Billet No. 399? Rue de l'Hospice, Steenwerck is out of bounds to all troops. Billet No. 3?? Croix du Bac Road is quarantined and placed out of bounds to all troops.

                                  GRENADE STORES 1421
                                  All requisitions for grenades must be made through the Battalion Bombing Officer (Lt. AH Fletcher).

                                  BILLETS 1422
                                  Attention is drawn to para 41 "Standing Orders for War"- Evacuation of  billets.  This party will consist of one Officer detailed by Battalion Headquarters and one NCO and 8 men per company.

                                  FATIGUES 1423
                                  The Fatigue party mentioned in RO 147, para 1414, is cancelled.

                                  DUTIES 1424
                                  Subaltern of the day:  Lt. LCB Smith
                                  Next for duty:  Lt. WW Stockam
                                  Regimental Orderly Corporal:  Cpl. GA Cawkwell
                                  Next for duty:  Cpl. LJ Mathias

                                  WORKING PARTIES 1425
                                  The undermentioned working parties will be furnished daily until further notice.

                                  Party.   No required.       To report.        When.       To whom.         Furnished by.
                                                No.4 D.A.C.
                                    1         20                   B.25.c.3.8.       8 am to     Sapper.             )
                                                                                               12 noon    Chidsey.           )
                                    2.        12                   H.1.b.7.7.         8 am to      Cpl.                 )
                                                                                               12 noon.    Hills                 )
                                    3.        12                   H.1.b.7.8.         8 am          Cpl.                 )
                                                                                               12 noon.    Harrison.         ) B. Co.
                                    4.        12                   B.?6.a.3.7.        8 am          Cpl.                 )
                                                                                               12 noon      Mitchell.         )

                                    1          50                  No. ? Huts        8 am to       Cpl. Fletcher.         )
                                    2         12                   "    "     "          12 noon        Cpl. Derbyshire.    )
                                    3         12                   "    "     "                 "             Cpl. Roberts.        ) (torn, illegible text)
                                    4         12                   "    "     "                 "             Spr. Machin.         )
                                    5         12                   "    "     "                 "             Spr. Wilson.          )
                                    6         12                   "    "     "                 "                                          )
                                    7         12                   "    "     "                 "                                          )
                                    8         12                   "    "     "                 ".                                         )

                                  1           6        Div. Sig. Standings.       8 am and     Rutledge.             )
                                  2           6        Opposite Divisional       12 noon       Chippendale.       )
                                                         Headquarters                                                                 )
                                  3          20       Steenwerck                    "                  Cpl. Baker.           ) C Co.
                                  4          20                                              "                  Cpl. Rayner          )
                                  5            6                                              "                  Williams.               )
                                  6     2 NCOS   Railhead,                                                                        )
                                         & 20 men Steenwerck                9 am               S.S.O.                   )

                                  Complement of Officers and NCOs must be sent with parties requiring same.

                                  The personnel will be changed at each shift but strength of parties must be maintained.
                                Steps must be taken to see that these parties report at the correct time and place and any deviation from these orders must be immediately forwarded to Battalion Headquarters with  full explanation. The numbers detailed will be required for each shift but the men who work from 9 am to 12 noon will not be employed on the shift from 12 noon to 4 pm.

                                STEENWERCK TOWN ORDERS 1426
                                  Soldiers are forbidden to buy or accept spirits or liquors.  All soldiers,except those on duty, must be in billets by 9 pm.  Lights must be out by 9:30 am?
                                  Estaminets are open to troops from 12 noon to 2 pm and from 6 to 6 pm only and soldiers may not enter them except during those hours.

                                  (Signed) RC JONES, 2/Lieut.
                                  Adjutant, 33rd Battalion A.I.F.     

                                28th December 1916 New Squadron formed  No 69 Squadron was the formal RFC title given to No.3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps from the date it was formed on 28th December 1916 at South Carlton. The Squadron never carried that designation and was known by its officers and men only by its Australian title of No.3 Squadron AFC. In February 1918 it was formally re-designated with its Australian title.

                                28th December 1916  Ongoing cleaning

                                28th December 1916  Bad weather hinders training

                                28th Dec 1916  Tactical Excerise

                                28th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                28th of Decmber 1916  Relief Complete

                                28th Dec 1916  Training

                                28th Dec 1916  Harsh Conditions

                                28th Dec 1916  Shelling

                                28th Dec 1916  Training

                                28th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Dec 1916  Training

                                28th of December 1916 

                                28th of December 1916  Blind Shells

                                28th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                28th of December 1916   Training

                                28th Dec 1916  Still In Billets

                                28th of December 1916  Artillery Continue Shelling

                                28th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                28th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                28th Dec 1916  Aircraft Lost

                                28th December 1916  Patrols

                                28th December 1916  Reliefs

                                28th December 1916  Reliefs

                                28th Dec 1916  On the Move

                                28th December 1916  Shell splinters

                                28th of December 1916  Enemy Mortars Active

                                28th December 1916  Quiet day.

                                28th of December 1916 

                                29th December 1916 Xmas Festivities   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Friday 29th December to 31st December 1916 Refitting and Section Commander's inspections Xmas festivities are held late, owing to the fact that relief was taking place on the 25th and the day after.

                                29th Dec 1916  Wearside Pals return Ontario Camp

                                29th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF supply more working parties to AE.  In billets. Supplied working parties to AE.

                                29th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 151

                                29th December 1916  Training in poor weather

                                29th December 1916  Ongoing cleaning and specialist training

                                29th Dec 1916  Boxing Match

                                29th of December 1916  On the March

                                29th of December 1916  To Meteren

                                29th Dec 1916  Practice Attack

                                29th Dec 1916  Rations

                                29th Dec 1916  Very Wet Day

                                29th Dec 1916  Training

                                29th Dec 1916  Training

                                29th Dec 1916  Quiet

                                29th Dec 1916  Training

                                29th of December 1916 

                                29th of December 1916  Reorganisation

                                29th Dec 1916  Billets

                                29th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                29th December 1916  Joins

                                29th of December 1916  Digging Practice

                                29th Dec 1916  Change of Command

                                29th of December 1916   Artillery Quieter

                                29th December 1916  Trench work

                                29th December 1916  Reliefs

                                29th of December 1916   Enemy Wire Damaged

                                29th December 1916  Operation Orders

                                29th December 1916  Moved back in to reserve.

                                30th December 1916   SM U-62

                                Type U 57 Shipyard A.G. Weser, Bremen (Werk 217) Ordered 6 Oct 1914 Laid down 22 Jun 1915 Launched 2 Aug 1916 Commissioned 30 Dec 1916.

                                Commanders.
                                30 Dec 1916 - 24 Dec 1917 Ernst Hashagen.
                                25 Dec 1917 - 9 Mar 1918 Otto Wiebalck.
                                10 Mar 1918 - 11 Nov 1918 Ernst Hashagen

                                Career 9 patrols.
                                15 Feb 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 II Flotilla

                                Successes 47 ships sunk with a total of 123,294 tons.
                                5 ships damaged with a total of 16,483 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 9,517 tons.

                                • 8 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Storstad 6,028 nw
                                • 8 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Vega 452 ru
                                • 10 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Marie 127 fr
                                • 11 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Thrift 40 br
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Algonquin 1,806 am
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Collingwood 1,042 nw
                                • 12 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Jules Gommes 2,595 fr
                                • 13 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Dag 250 sw
                                • 14 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Rose Lea 2,830 br
                                • 23 Mar 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Tres Fratres 297 nl
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Dunmore Head 2,293 br
                                • 27 Apr 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Inveramsay 1,438 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Fortunata 3,348 it
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Tulip 1,250 br
                                • 3 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Frederick Knight 3,604 br
                                • 4 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Jörgen Olsen (damaged) 310 da
                                • 7 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Polamhall 4,010 br
                                • 10 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Berangere 2,851 fr
                                • 10 May 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Gazelle 288 nw
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Candace 395 nw
                                • 13 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Sylvia 148 nw
                                • 16 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Kornsø 115 da
                                • 20 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Bengore Head 2,490 br
                                • 21 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Lord Roberts 4,166 br
                                • 24 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen South Wales 3,668 br
                                • 25 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Guildhall 2,609 br
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Gorsemore (damaged) 3,079 br
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Cattaro 2,908 br
                                • 26 Jun 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Manistee 3,869 br
                                • 10 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Orion I 322 nw
                                • 15 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Albertha 170 da
                                • 24 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Henriette 2,005 fr
                                • 30 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Eastern Prince 2,885 br
                                • 30 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Grelhame 3,740 br
                                • 30 Aug 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Noya 4,282 br
                                • 13 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Woodburn (damaged) 2,360 br
                                • 17 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Adams 2,223 br
                                • 18 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Madura 4,484 br
                                • 19 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen J. L. Luckenbach (damaged) 4,920 am
                                • 19 Oct 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Orama 12,927 br
                                • 11 Dec 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Oldfield Grange 4,653 br
                                • 14 Dec 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Hare 774 br
                                • 15 Dec 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Formby 1,282 br
                                • 17 Dec 1917 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Coningbeg 1,279 br
                                • 16 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Heron Bridge 2,422 br
                                • 16 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Llancarvan 4,749 br
                                • 24 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Ruth Hickman 417 br
                                • 27 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Merionethshire 4,308 br
                                • 28 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Cairnross 4,016 br
                                • 30 May 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Ausonia 8,153 br
                                • 7 Aug 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Dupetit-thouars 9,517 fr
                                • 7 Aug 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Lorna 3,286 nw
                                • 8 Aug 1918 U 62 Ernst Hashagen Westward Ho(damaged) 5,814 am

                                Fate 22 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Broken up at Bo'ness in 1919-20.

                                There was another U 62 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 16 Nov 1939 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 21 Dec 1939.

                                30th December 1916 33rd Bn AIF still supplying working parties to AE.  In billets. Supplied working parties to AE.

                                Brig-Gen CBB White and Brig Caruthers visited billets. Brigadier General Delaboy and Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General inspected billets and stables.

                                30th December, 1916  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 152

                                30th December 1916  Training and inspections

                                30th December 1916  Inspections and fatigues

                                30th Dec 1916  Newsletter

                                30th Dec 1916  Football Match

                                30th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                30th of December 1916  Marching to Lumbres

                                30th Dec 1916  Training

                                30th Dec 1916  Artillery Active

                                30th Dec 1916  Shelling

                                30th Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                30th Dec 1916  Training

                                30th Dec 1916  Some Shelling

                                30th Dec 1916  Training

                                30th of December 1916 

                                30th of December 1916  109th Brigade Targeted

                                Dec 1916  Infantryman

                                30th Dec 1916  Festive Celebrations

                                30th Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                30th of December 1916  Wood Cutting

                                30th Dec 1916  In Billets

                                30th of December 1916   Shelling "All Day"

                                30th December 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order 52

                                30th December 1916  March Table B.O.O.52

                                30th December 1916  121st Infantry Brigade Order 36.

                                30th Dec 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                30th December 1916  Reliefs

                                30th December 1916  Return

                                30th December 1916  Brigade Reserve

                                30th of December 1916  Company Reliefs

                                30th December 1916  Operation Orders

                                30th December 1916  Cleaning up

                                31st December 1916 33rd Bn AIF inspections  Billets. Working party supplied to AE. Brigadier General Delaboy and Brigadier General Leslie inspected billets at report on shortage of material

                                31st December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF state as at noon 31st December 1916  Third Australian Division
                                State as at noon 31st December 1916. 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                Present..........29 officers ......903 other ranks.....
                                Absent with leave...........
                                Absent with leave...........
                                On command..........6 officers.....28 other ranks
                                Temporary sick..........15 other ranks
                                Total strength..........35 officers .....946.....other ranks
                                Establishment..........34 officers.....976 other ranks
                                Wanting to complete..........30 other ranks
                                Attached..........2 other ranks

                                Animals
                                Riding horses.........12
                                L.D. horses..........10
                                L.D. mules..........19
                                Pack horses..........7
                                H.D...........7
                                Pack mules...........2
                                Attached.................

                                Remarks.
                                "Attached" is comprised 1 chaplain, 1 batman, 1 interpreter

                                RC Jones S/Lieut.
                                Adjutant, 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                31st December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF List of schools candidates  Schools
                                List of candidates

                                Number. Rank. Name. Nature. Place. Date.

                                1233. Cpl. Richardson, G. Grenade. Terdecham. 4.12.16.
                                1540. Sgt. Clark, C.E. Anti-Gas. Oxelaire. 4.12.16.
                                728. Cpl. Calkwell, G. Lewis Gun. Le Touquet. 3.12.16.
                                508. Cpl.White, R. BLewis Gun. Le Touquet. 11.12.16.
                                30. L/Cpl. Clifton, M. Lewis Gun. 11.12.16.
                                1425. Cpl.Eaton, C.R. Sig. linesman. Zuytpeene. 19.12.16.
                                Lt. W.D.Mackenzie. Sniping. Mon des Cats. 23.12.16.
                                1184. Cpl. McKenzie, J. Sniping. Mon des Cats. 23.12.16.
                                1266. Sgt Thomas, G.D. Musketry. Tilques. 26.12.16.
                                Lt. C.P.Kirby. School of Instruction. Wisques. 25.12.16.
                                717 Pte. Butler, R.J. School of Instruction. Wisques. 25.12.16.
                                715. Sgt Budden, B.W.A. School of Instruction. Wisques. 25.12.16.
                                Lt. J.G. Fraser. Training School. Etaples. 26.12.16.
                                973. Pte.Phifer, W.I. Sniping School. Mont des Cats. 3.12.16.
                                1784. Cpl. Chapman, W.P. P.T. and B.F. Morbecque. 24.12.16.
                                1491. L/Cpl. O'Connor, C.P. Lewis Gun. Le Touquet. 27.12.16.
                                1484. L/Cpl. Macdonald, D. Lewis Gun. Le Touquet 27.12.16.
                                Lt. E.A.Clarence. Officers. Morebecque. 30.12.16.
                                534. Pte. Reading, P. Cookery Hazelbrouck. 1.1.17.
                                Lt.Col. L.J. Morshead C.O.'s. Wisques. 31.12.16.
                                374. L/Cpl. Betts, C.H. Signalling. Morebecque. 2.1.17.
                                60. L/Cpl.Easton, T.J. Signalling. Morebecque. 2.1.17.
                                1 officer 44 men. Bde. Sig. Sch. Armentières. 1.1.17.

                                31st December, 1916 33-aif1  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 153  33rd Battalion A.I.F.
                                  ROUTINE ORDER NO. 153
                                  By
                                  Lieut-Col. LJ Morshead
                                  Commanding
                                  STEENWERCK, 31st December, 1916

                                    IRON RATIONS 1451
                                  The iron ration is only to be consumed by the order of an officer.  Such orders are only to be issued when no other rations are available. If consumed under any other circumstances the men will be charged with the offence and on conviction the sentence will include payment for the ration.  Quartermaster will be responsible to C.O. that above instructions are carried out and for inspection of same at frequent intervals (always immediately after relief from trenches). Indents will be forwarded at once to Brigade Supply officer for rations required to replace any found deficient. A statement of the circumstances that should clearly show that orders were issued by an officer, giving his name, rank, et cetera will be attached when it is a case for replacement at Public expense of rations properly consumed by orders. When rations are lost or improperly consumed and replaced at expense of officers or men, a properly signed acquittance roll will be attached. Approval for fresh issue will be obtained from DHQ (through Brigade Headquarters).
                                  In cases where rations have been consumed and proper rations also issued but too late for consumption the SSO will make the necessary under issue to the unit and adjust the matter.

                                  STRAYED ANIMALS 1452
                                  All Government animals found straying are to be handed over at once to Mobile Veterinary Section, map location B.20.b.4.0 - Sheet 36. N.W.

                                  SIGNALLING SCHOOL, ARMENTIÈRES 1453
                                  A Brigade Signalling School will assemble at ÉCOLE ARMENTIÈRES on Monday, 1st January, 1917, and will not disperse until the Brigade again moves into the line.  Signalling Officer will supervise all arrangements and will muster candidates at the following points. (Sheet 36. N.W. 1/20,000.

                                  Section.                                     Place.                        Time.

                                  Battalion Signallers )                 at C Co. HQ               8 am
                                  C Co              "        )                 STEENWERCK 
                                A Co              "        )                 Cross roads                9 am
                                  D Co              "        )                 B.So.d.9.9. 
                                B Co              "                          B.27.d.1.8                   9.30 am

                                  They will proceed in full marching order less bicycles. Felt hats will be worn and steel helmets carried between support straps on back of packs. The unconsumed portion of days rations will be carried. Quartermaster will arrange for two dixies to be sent with the party.  Transport Officer will arrange to detail a GS Limbered wagon to call at Company billets for blankets which must be rolled in Company bundles and ready at 8 am on Monday, 1st January, 1917.  He will also collect dixies as directed by QM and all signal baggage.  This will be delivered to Battalion Signalling Officer at ÉCOLE, ARMENTIÈRES.  B. Co will detail a cook to proceed with signallers.

                                  RETURNS 1454
                                  A considerable amount of trouble and delay is being experienced through returns not arriving at this office at times laid down. Steps must beat once taken to permanently ensure that returns are rendered to time. An explanation will be required in every case of neglect in this matter.    

                                  DIVISIONAL BATHS, STEENWERCK 1455
                                  In addition to the allotment notified in R.O. 151, para 1433 the following additional accommodation has been provided for this Battalion on Wednesday and Thursday of each week.
                                  Time.         Wed.         Thurs.          Allotment
                                  1:30 pm         5               5                  Per Company
                                  In all cases troops must be paraded punctually, and  figures are not to be exceeded.

                                  FUEL 1456
                                  During the shortage of Coke, charcoal, if available, maybe issued at the rate of 1lb per man in the trenches instead of half a pound.

                                  PERSONNEL WITH RAILWAY EXPERIENCE 1457
                                  Re R.O. 152.para 1437, this return is required to reach Battalion Headquarters not later than noon on Wednesday 3rd January, 1917.

                                  OFFICERS CLUB, BAILLEUL 1458
                                  Owing to the 3rd Divisional Area (Australian) being isolated for mumps, Bailleul is out of bounds for all ranks.  The bus arranged for conveying offices to Officers Club, BAILLEUL will not run until further notice.

                                  DUTY BATTALION 1459
                                  1-1-1917 33rd Battalion.

                                  DUTIES 1460
                                  Captain of the week:  Capt. RF Craigie
                                  Subaltern of the day:  Lt. WJC Duncan
                                  Next for duty:  
                                Regimental Orderly Corporal:  Cpl. HE Thomas
                                  Next for duty:  Cpl. T Croft

                                  PROMOTIONS 1461
                                  The following promotions have been approved:-

                                  No. 353, Private JP McGuire to be driver and is transferred to C Co.
                                  1224, Private W Pollock to be driven and is transferred to D Co.

                                  PUNISHMENTS 1462
                                  The following punishment was awarded 30-12-16 

                                  No. 2052, Private WM Grady C Co.

                                  Disobedience or orders,
                                  in that he failed to appear at an appointed time for fatigues when ordered by his superior officer to do so.
                                  when ordered to appear for guard failed to do so.
                                  28 days F.P. No. 2
                                  No. 2211 Private: DA French  C Co.
                                  Disobedience of orders,
                                  in that he failed to appear at unappointed time for fatigue when ordered by his superior officer to do so.
                                  when ordered to appear for guard failed to do so
                                  28 days F.P. no 2

                                  (Signed) RC JONES, 2/Lieut.
                                  Adjutant, 33rd Battalion A.I.F.

                                  NOTICE

                                  NEW YEARS GREETINGS
                                  The commanding officer sends New Year Greetings to all ranks and wishes them every success in the coming year.    

                                 

                                31st December 1916  Church services

                                31st December 1916  Rest period

                                31st Dec 1916  New Year Hopes

                                31st Dec 1916  Under Shellfire

                                31st Dec 1916  Celebrations

                                31st Dec 1916  Concert

                                31st Dec 1916  Church Parade

                                31st of December 1916  A Broken March

                                31st Dec 1916  Inspection

                                31st Dec 1916  Reliefs

                                31st Dec 1916  Enemy Active

                                31st Dec 1916  Enemy Active

                                31st Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                31st of December 1916 

                                31st of December 1916  Enemy Shooting All Day

                                31st Dec 1916  Reinforcements

                                31st Dec 1916  Working Parties

                                31st of December 1916  Baths and Football

                                31st of December 1916  Our TMs Very Active

                                31st December 1916  General cleaning up

                                31st December 1916  C Battery RHA - New Duties as Depot Battery, 1st Army Artillery School, Aire

                                31st Dec 1916  Training

                                31st December 1916  C.O. inspected camp

                                31st of December 1916  Promotions

                                31st December 1916  Brigade relieved by 44th Brigade.

                                31st December 1916  March Table

                                15th April 1916   No 48 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on the 15th of April 1916. On the 8th June they relocated to Rendcomb aerodrome near Cirencester for training, flying BE12s.

                                29th June 1916  Enemy exploded a mine

                                9th June 1916  Battle Victim

                                25th July 1916  From the desert to France

                                19th Jul 1916  Aircraft damaged

                                  Attack by French 4th and Reserve Army.

                                1st of April 1916 

                                21st of April 1916 

                                2nd of April 1916 

                                25th of March 1916 

                                6th of April 1916 

                                11th of April 1916 

                                18th of April 1916 

                                21st of April 1916 

                                14th of April 1916 

                                22nd of April 1916 

                                20th of April 1916 

                                16th of April 1916 

                                19th of April 1916 

                                6th of April 1916 

                                12th of April 1916 

                                12th of April 1916 

                                13th of April 1916 

                                17th of April 1916 

                                4th of April 1916 

                                1st of April 1916 

                                15th of April 1916 

                                21st of April 1916 

                                   Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd was built on the north bank of the River Tees at Haverton Hill in 1917, one of three War Emergency shipyards created to increase production of ships to replace war losses.

                                1917   In 1917 the Royal Flying Corps School of Technical Training and the Boys Training Depot were established at Halton Park.

                                January 1917 

                                January 1917 

                                January 1917  Mobilisation abandoned

                                17th of January 1917  On the move again

                                1st Jan 1917 Breary Banks Camp becomes POW Camp  In 1917 the hutted camp at Breary Banks, Colsterdale, was put into use as a Prisoner of War Camp for German Officers.

                                   Kitchener Battery at Marsden was one of a pair of coastal batteries known as the Tyne Turrets, the other being Robert's Battery. The battery was armed with two 12 inch guns which had previously been removed from the warship HMS Illustrious, mounted in a turret with a reinforced concrete underground complex. Construction began in 1917 and was completed in 1921.

                                1st January 1917 Training and recreation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery. formerly 6th County of London Brigade RFA. Territorial Force are at Winnezeele. Batteries, with exception of C236 Battery in action with Left Group 47th Divisional Artillery, continued training in Reserve Area. 2/Lt A Morton Cole posted to B236 Battery.

                                1st January 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles are engaged as pioneers in preparation for the Battle of Messines

                                The British High Command had been wishing to launch an offensive towards the key German railhead at Roulers and so force a very significant withdrawal in the northern sector and from much of the Belgian Coast, but was restricted by lack of support from the French who maintained they were overstretched in their adjoining sector. Permission was finally given and planning for the necessary build up began.

                                Once again the 36th Division was to lose the services of its Pioneer Battalion as, in similar circumstances to the Somme, an improvement in the movement of supplies was paramount. So it was back to the Railways for the 16th Battalion.

                                Having established a reputation for railway construction, they were transferred to the X Corps area for just such work under the ADL RR, Second Army. (Assistant Director of Labour, Roads and Railways) While they were away the pioneering work in the trenches was to be taken on by a labour battalion made up with a company from each Brigade together with 3 officers and 110 men of the 16th Battalion to help oversee the work. They were still exposed to the poor weather and enemy activity. It did not really work well and fell short of the usual standard of the Pioneer’s work.

                                The remainder of the Pioneers were assigned work on the 60cm railway lines from Ouderdom to Kemmel and south-east from Busseboom as well as works on the broadgauge railway lines at Ouderdom involving excavating, levelling and ditching, laying steel, packing and ballasting and making crossings and sidings. On the 19th January 1917 a survey was commenced for a new 60cm line from Busseboom to Dickebusch. Downshire Camp near Ouderdom was a tented area and the accommodation was much inferior to their last billets.

                                January 1917 Casualties: Other ranks 2 killed and 1 wounded.

                                1st Jan 1917  New Year War Diary 20th DLI

                                1st January 1917 Zeppelin Developments  Zeppelin Developments for 1917.

                                The airship losses during 1916 caused the Germans to increase the ceiling of their airships. This was first achieved by lightening the existing craft, principally by removing one of the engines. These measures increased the ceiling to over 16,000 ft. In addition new types with a lightened hull framework were developed.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS President Lincoln

                                USS President Lincoln was a troop transport in the United States Navy during World War I.

                                Formerly the German steamer President Lincoln of the Hamburg-American Line, was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast, in 1907. It was seized in New York harbour in 1917, turned over to the Shipping Board, and transferred to the Navy for operation as a troop transport.

                                Having been damaged severely by her German crew, President Lincoln underwent extensive repairs and conversion at Robin's Dry Dock and Repair Company, Brooklyn, New York. The ship commissioned as a Navy troop transport at Brooklyn on the 25 July 1917, Commander Yates Sterling, Jr., in command.

                                President Lincoln made five voyages from New York to France, transporting approximately 23,000 American troops which she disembarked at Brest, France and St. Nazaire. Four cycles were completed without incident: October-November 1917, December 1917-January 1918, February-March, and March-May. She sailed from New York on her fifth and final trip to Europe on 10th May 1918. Arriving at Brest on the 23rd, she disembarked troops, and — escorted by destroyers — got underway on the 29th with troopships Rijndam, Susquehanna and Antigone for the return voyage to the U.S. At sundown on the 30th May 1918, having passed through the so-called "danger zone" of submarine activity, the destroyers left the convoy to proceed alone. At about 09:00 on the 31st May 1918, President Lincoln was struck by three torpedoes from the German submarine U-90, and sank about 20 minutes later. Of the 715 people aboard, 26 men were lost with the ship, and a Lieutenant Edward Isaacs was taken aboard U,90 as prisoner. Survivors were rescued from lifeboats late that night by destroyers Warrington and Smith. They were taken to France, arriving at Brest on the 2nd June 1918.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Leviathan - (SS Vaterland)

                                USS Leviathan

                                SS Leviathan, originally built as the Vaterland, was an ocean liner which regularly crossed the North Atlantic from 1914 to 1934. The second of three sister ships built by Germany's Hamburg America Line for their transatlantic passenger service, she sailed as the Vaterland for less than a year before her early career was halted by the start of World War I. In 1917, she was seized by the U.S. government and renamed Leviathan. She would become known by this name for the majority of her career, both as a troopship during World War I and later as the flagship of the United States Lines.

                                SS Vaterland, a 54,282 gross ton passenger liner, was built by Blohm & Voss at Hamburg, Germany, as the second of a trio of very large ships of Imperator class for the Hamburg-America Line's trans-Atlantic route. She was launched 13 April 1913 and was the largest passenger ship in the world upon her completion, superseding SS Imperator, but later being superseded in turn by the last ship of this class, SS Bismarck, the later RMS Majestic.

                                Vaterland had made only a few trips when, in late July 1914, she arrived at New York City just as World War I broke out. With a safe return to Germany rendered virtually impossible by British dominance of the seas, she was laid up at her Hoboken, NJ, terminal and remained immobile for nearly three years.

                                World War I

                                She was seized by the United States Shipping Board when the United States entered World War I, 6 April 1917; turned over to the custody of the U.S. Navy in June 1917; and commissioned July 1917 as the USS Vaterland, Captain Joseph Wallace Oman in command. Redesignated SP-1326 and renamed Leviathan by President Woodrow Wilson on 6 September 1917

                                The trial cruise to Cuba on 17 November 1917 prompted Captain Oman to order 241 Marines on board to relieve a detachment of Marines to station themselves conspicuously about the upper decks giving the appearance from shore that the great ship was headed overseas to increase American Expeditionary Forces. Upon her return later that month, she reported for duty with the Cruiser and Transport Force. In December she took troops to Liverpool, England, but repairs delayed her return to the U.S. until mid-February 1918. A second trip to Liverpool in March was followed by more repairs. At that time she was repainted with the British-type "dazzle" camouflage scheme that she carried for the rest of the war. With the completion of that work, Leviathan began regular passages between the U.S. and Brest, France, delivering up to 14,000 persons on each trip, carrying over 119,000 fighting men, before the armistice 11 November 1918. Amongst the ship's US Navy crew during this period was future film star Humphrey Bogart.

                                After that date Leviathan, repainted grey overall by December 1918, reversed the flow of men as she transported the veterans back to the United States with nine westward crossings ending 8 September 1919. On 29 October 1919, USS Leviathan was decommissioned and turned over to the U.S. Shipping Board and again laid up at Hoboken until plans for her future employment could be determined.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Arcadia (SS Arcadia)

                                USS Arcadia.

                                Arcadia was built as the German commercial steamer SS Arcadia in 1896 by Harland and Wolff at Belfast, Ireland. Upon the outbreak of World War I in Europe in early August 1914, Arcadia sought refuge from Allied forces in the United States, where she remained inactive through the period of American neutrality in the war. After the United States entered the war on the side of the Allies on 6 April 1917, the United States Customs Service seized her as enemy property and turned her over to the United States Shipping Board. Armed with two 3-inch (76.2-mm) guns manned by a United States Navy Armed Guard detachment, SS Arcadia operated under Shipping Board auspices for the remainder of World War I. After the war ended, Arcadia's guns were removed at Baltimore, Maryland, on 4 December 1918, and her naval armed guard detachment was transferred off of the ship.

                                On 20 January 1919, Arcadia was transferred to the U.S. Navy for service with the Cruiser and Transport Force. Assigned the naval registry identification number 1605, she was commissioned the same day as USS Arcadia (ID-1605) with Lieutenant Commander Peter F. Johnsen, USNRF, in command.

                                U.S. Navy service

                                Arcadia was fitted out for naval service and filled with cargo before departing the United States for France on 2 February 1919. Reaching French waters on 17 February 1919, Arcadia put into St. Nazaire on 19 February 1919 and discharged her cargo over the days that followed. Taking on ballast and embarking United States Army soldiers returning from World War I service in France, she left St. Nazaire on 1 March 1919 and, after a rough passage, reached Newport News, Virginia, on 17 March 1919.

                                After disembarking her passengers, Arcadia put into the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company at Newport News for voyage repairs and alterations. After their completion, she departed Newport News on 1 April 1919 for another voyage to France. She reached Bordeaux, France, on 20 April 1919, where she embarked more troops and a return cargo of "aeroplane and gun parts" before getting underway on 26 April 1919. She arrived at the Bush Terminal at Brooklyn, New York, on 11 May 1919. She made one more voyage to Bordeaux during late May and early June 1919, returning troops to Newport News for the second time. Later that summer she made a voyage to St. Nazaire and return trip to Hampton Roads, Virginia, followed by a voyage to Brest, France, and return trip to Hoboken, New Jersey. In all, she brought more than 4,700 men home to the United States from Europe on her five westbound U.S. Navy transatlantic voyages.

                                After completing her fifth and final U.S. Navy transatlantic voyage at Hoboken on 11 September 1919, Arcadia headed south on 12 September 1919, proceeding down the United States East Coast to Hampton Roads, where she moored alongside SS West Loquassuck - formerly the U.S. Navy cargo ship USS West Loquassuck (ID-3638) - at the U.S. Army base at Bush Bluff, later that day. A brief trip to the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company then followed. She soon returned to Bush Bluff.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Maui

                                USS Maui.

                                Maui was built as the commercial passenger ship SS Maui in 1917 by Union Iron Works at San Francisco, California, for the Matson Navigation Company of San Francisco. Matson placed her in service between the United States West Coast and Hawaii. The U.S. Navy acquired Maui from Matson on 6 March 1918 for World War I service as a troop transport, assigned her the naval registry Identification Number (Id. No.) 1514, and commissioned her the same day as USS Maui.

                                United States Navy service.

                                Assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Maui made transatlantic voyages carrying United States Army troops to Europe on her outbound voyages and bringing passengers and sick and wounded military personnel back to the United States on her return voyages until the end of the war in November 1918. After the war, she conducted voyages to bring American troops back to the United States for demobilization. In September 1919, Maui was decommissioned and returned to Matson.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Mongolia

                                USS Mongolia.

                                SS Mongolia was a 13,369-ton passenger-and-cargo liner originally built for Pacific Mail Steamship Company in 1904. She later sailed as USS Mongolia (ID-1615) for the U.S. Navy, as SS President Fillmore for the Dollar Line and as SS Panamanian for Cia Transatlantica Centroamericano.

                                Ordered by E. H. Harriman's Pacific Mail Steamship Co. for its San Francisco-Far East service, Mongolia was laid down as Minnelora on 7 June 1902 in Shipway J at New York Shipbuilding in Camden, New Jersey. The 615-foot vessel was contract #5 for the young company, and the first passenger-cargo liner built by the firm. A sister ship, SS Manchuria, was ordered at the same time and delivered three months after Mongolia. The accommodations of both ships reflected the importance of emigration to shipping lines of the era: 350 first-class, 68 second-class, and 1,300 steerage.

                                In August 1915 Pacific Mail sold Mongolia to Atlantic Transport Line, for whom she plied the New York-London route. Following the German declaration of a submarine blockade around Britain, Mongolia received a self-defense armament of three 6-inch (150 mm) deck guns manned by U.S. Navy gun crews. One month later, Mongolia became the first American vessel to test the blockade, using those guns to drive off (and possibly sink) a U-boat seven miles southeast of Beachy Head, in the English Channel. That was the first armed encounter for an American vessel after the US's entry to World War I.

                                For the next year, Mongolia ferried American troops and supplies to Europe under a civilian flag. On 27 April 1918, the US Navy requisitioned the vessel, which was commissioned 8 May as USS Mongolia (ID-1615). She served as a troop transport, completing twelve turnarounds at an average duration of 34 days before her decommissioning 11 September 1919. According to an article dated 22 May 1917 in the "Chicago Tribune" 2 American nurses, Edith Ayers and Helen Wood, were accidentally killed during one of these crossings.. The women were on the deck of the Mongolia observing the firing of various weapons when they were struck by fragments of the 6-inch gun's propellant caps which had ricocheted off a stanchion.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Antigone

                                USS Antigone (ID-3007) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I, and the first ship of that name for the U.S. Navy. She was originally SS Neckar for North German Lloyd from her 1900 launch until seized by the U.S. in 1917. After her war service she was SS Potomac for United States Lines.

                                SS Neckar

                                Neckar was launched on 8 December 1900 at Geestemünde, Germany, by J.C. Tecklenborg and was owned and operated by North German Lloyd. In the North Atlantic at the outbreak of World War I in the summer of 1914, the passenger and freight liner sought sanctuary at the neutral port of Baltimore, Maryland, lest she fall prey to the warships of the Royal Navy, and was interned, ostensibly for the duration of the conflict.

                                World War I

                                When the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, American customs agents seized the ship. She was transferred to the Navy by the United States Shipping Board on 12 July 1917; converted for naval service as a troop transport at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, renamed Antigone on 1 September 1917 and placed in commission on 5 September 1917, Comdr. Joseph R. Defrees in command.

                                Antigone was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Atlantic Fleet, on 14 September, and she departed Norfolk on 29 November. After coaling and completing sea trials, she proceeded to Hoboken, New Jersey, and embarked approximately 2,000 American troops. The transport sailed from New York City en route to France on 14 December and, during the next 11 months, made eight round-trip voyages to France, each of which terminated in either Brest or Saint-Nazaire. The ship also carried medical supplies and general cargo—as well as 16,526 troops—to Europe before hostilities ended.

                                After the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, the transport continued her transatlantic voyages and returned more than 22,000 veterans to the United States. She completed her last trip from France upon her arrival at New York City on 15 September 1919. She was decommissioned there on 24 September 1919, and her name was simultaneously struck from the Navy list. The ship was then transferred to the War Department for service in the Army Transport Service.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Aeolus

                                USS Aeolus (ID-3005), sometimes also spelled Æolus, was a United States Navy transport ship during World War I. She was formerly the North German Lloyd liner SS Grosser Kurfürst, also spelled Großer Kurfürst, launched in 1899 that sailed regularly between Bremen and New York. At the outset of World War I the ship was interned by the United States and, when that country entered the conflict in 1917, was seized and converted to a troop transport.

                                Originally commissioned as USS Grosser Kurfürst, the ship was renamed Aeolus — after the god of wind in Greek mythology — while undergoing repairs and conversion at a U.S. Navy yard. The ship carried almost 25,000 men to France during the hostilities, and returned over 27,000 healthy and wounded men after the Armistice.

                                After decommissioning by the U.S. Navy, the ship was turned over to the United States Shipping Board and underwent a $3,000,000 refit in Baltimore, Maryland, and was transferred to the Munson Steamship Company for whom she carried passengers and freight to and from South American ports as SS Aeolus.

                                In 1922 the ship was assigned to the Los Angeles Steamship Co. and renamed SS City of Los Angeles and sailed to and from Los Angeles and Honolulu. In 1937, the ship was sold for scrapping in Japan.

                                The United States Navy inspected Grosser Kurfürst and designated her "Id. No. 3005" and earmarked her for service with the Cruiser and Transport Force to carry troops to France. She commissioned as Grosser Kurfürst on 4 August 1917, at the New York Navy Yard, Comdr. Clarence S. Kempff in command. While the ship was undergoing the repairs and alterations necessitated by the German sabotage and in light of her expected role carrying troops across the Atlantic, General Order No. 320 of 1 September 1917 changed her name to Aeolus.

                                On 26 November 1917, the erstwhile luxury steamship, now wearing warpaint, departed the Port of Embarkation at Hoboken, New Jersey, bound for Europe on the first of eight round-trip voyages during World War I, carrying troops to the Old World. She reached St. Nazaire, France, on 10 December and spent Christmas in that French port before she headed home on 28 December, bringing the voyage to a close when mooring at Newport News, Virginia, nine days into 1918. Shifting thence to Hoboken, Aeolus again sailed to France and returned from Brest again to Hoboken

                                Two events highlighted the ship's wartime convoy experiences. The first occurred during the beginning of what was to be the ship's third voyage to France. Aeolus, in convoy, departed Hoboken on 23 April 1918. Two days out, a steering gear casualty in the transport Siboney forced that ship to leave her assigned place in the formation. Aeolus, to avoid collision with Siboney, altered course radically, and in so doing struck the transport Huron at about 21:00 hours, 25 April. Fortunately, no lives were lost; but both transports were damaged which necessitated their turning back. Aeolus reached Hoboken on 28 April.

                                The second event occurred on 1 August 1918, while the ship was returning to the United States from Brest. At 0605, lookouts spotted what looked to be the wake of a submarine periscope, some 6,000 yards (5,500 m) distant. Changing course, Aeolus stood to general quarters and within a minute of the sighting, her number one and three guns commenced firing. For the next few minutes, her gunners fired at the diminishing target until it pulled out of range at 0615.

                                While the signing of the armistice of 11 November 1918 signalled the end of hostilities — an occasion that found the ship en route from St. Nazaire to Newport News — it only meant the beginning of the task of returning American troops from "over there." During the war, Aeolus had transported 24,770 men to the European battlefront in her eight voyages. In the postwar months, Aeolus conducted a further seven turn-around voyages, bringing back some 22,080 healthy veterans, and some 5,018 wounded and sick. Commencing her last voyage from Brest on 26 August 1919, Aeolus reached New York City on 5 September and was immediately detached from the Cruiser and Transport Force.

                                Decommissioned at Newport News on 22 September 1919 and turned over to the United States Shipping Board, Aeolus was presumably struck simultaneously from the Navy list.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Agamemnon

                                The second SS Kaiser Wilhelm II, was a 19,361 gross ton passenger steamer built at Stettin, Germany, completed in the spring of 1903. It was eventually seized by the U.S. Government during World War I, and subsequently served as transport ship. A famous photograph taken by Alfred Stieglitz called The Steerage as well as descriptions of the conditions of travel in the lowest class have conflicted with her otherwise glitzy reputation as a high class, high speed trans-Atlantic liner.

                                German career.

                                Designed for high speed trans-Atlantic service, she won the Blue Riband for the fastest eastbound crossing in 1904. In the years before the outbreak of World War I, she made regular trips between Germany and New York, carrying passengers both prestigious (in first class) and profitable (in the much more austere steerage). Kaiser Wilhelm II was west-bound when war with Britain began on 4 August 1914 and, after evading patrolling British cruisers, arrived at New York two days later.

                                United States military service

                                She was seized by the U.S. Government when it declared war on Germany on 6 April 1917, and work soon began to repair her machinery, sabotaged earlier by a German caretaker crew, and otherwise prepare the ship for use as a transport. While this work progressed, she was employed as a barracks ship at the New York Navy Yard.

                                The U.S. Navy placed the ship in commission as USS Kaiser Wilhelm II (ID-3004) in late August 1917. Her name was changed to Agamemnon at the beginning of September and active war work commenced at the end of October, when she left for her first troopship voyage to France. While at sea on 9 November 1917, she was damaged in a collision with another large ex-German transport, USS Von Steuben (ID-3017), but delivered her passengers to the war zone a few days later. Following return to the U.S. in December and subsequent repair work, Agamemnon again steamed to France in mid-January 1918 and thereafter regularly crossed the Atlantic as part of the massive effort to establish a major American military presence on the Western Front. The routine was occasionally punctuated by encounters with real or suspected U-boats and, during the autumn of 1918, with outbreaks of influenza on board.

                                In mid-December 1918, just over a month after the Armistice ended the fighting, Agamemnon began to bring Americans home from France. She made nine voyages by August 1919, carrying nearly 42,000 service personnel, some four thousand more than she had transported overseas during wartime. USS Agamemnon was decommissioned in late August and turned over to the War Department for further use as a U.S. Army Transport. Laid up after the middle 1920s, she was renamed Monticello in 1927 but had no further active service. Monticello was considered too old for use in the Second World War, and was sold for scrap in 1940.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Calamares

                                USS Calamares (AF-18) was a cargo ship acquired by the U.S. Navy for service in World War I. When World War II occurred, she was again called back into service, providing goods to units in the various oceans of the world.

                                Calamares (No. 3662) was built in 1913 by Workman, Clark and Co., Belfast, Northern Ireland; chartered by the U.S. Army from United Fruit Co.; transferred to the navy 1 April 1918; outfitted at New York; commissioned 10 April 1918, Commander C. L. Arnold in command; and reported to the U.S. Cruiser and Transport Force.

                                World War I North Atlantic operations

                                Between April and October 1918 Calamares made five voyages to France as her part of the Navy's vast responsibility to transport to the American Expeditionary Force reinforcements, munitions, and supplies. On 11 October 1918 she was transferred to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service at New York, and converted to a refrigerator ship.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS De Kalb

                                USS DeKalb (ID-3010) was a German mail ship SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich (1904) that served during the early part of the First World War as an auxiliary cruiser (Hilfkreuzer) in the German Navy and later after the US entry into the war, as US Navy troop ship. Post war she returned to civilian service as the US transatlantic liner SS Mount Clay.

                                Gerrman civilian service.

                                Main article: SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich (1904)

                                The ship was a North German Lloyd (NDL) mail ship and ocean liner built by AG Vulcan, Stettin, Germany, and launched 18 June 1904 as SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich (1904). NDL had ordered her for the German Mail route between Germany and the Far East, for which she began her maiden voyage on 13 October.

                                German auxiliary cruiser.

                                When the First World War broke out on 1 August 1914 she was in Shanghai, China and was ordered to Tsingtao in the then German Kiaochow Bay concession. There she was quickly converted to an auxiliary cruiser for the Imperial German Navy by transferring the guns and crews of the German gunboats SMS Tiger and SMS Luchs to Prinz Eitel Friedrich.

                                For the next seven months she operated on the high seas with Vice Admiral Maximilian von Spee's squadron off South American and then as a detached commerce raider. She sank or captured eleven ships in the Pacific and the South Atlantic. Among these was the schooner William P. Frye, captured on 27 January 1915 and scuttled the next day, the first U.S. flagged vessel sunk in World War I.

                                On 11 March 1915 Prinz Eitel Friedrich, now low on supplies and burdened by over 300 prisoners, arrived at Newport News, Virginia. Allied warships were lying outside US waters and to avoid them she exceeded the time limit under international law for a combatant ship to remain in a neutral port. As a result the US authorities interned her. Later she was moved, still under the German flag, to Philadelphia Navy Yard. On 11 April another NDL liner that had been operating as an auxiliary cruiser, the SS Kronprinz Wilhelm, was interned alongside her.

                                US troop ship.

                                When the United States entered the First World War in April 1917, US Customs officials seized her and she was transferred to the US Navy. She was reconditioned and refitted as a troop transport and renamed USS DeKalb after General Baron Johann de Kalb. She was commissioned 12 May 1917 with Commander W. R. Gherardi in command.

                                DeKalb was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Atlantic Fleet, and on 14 June 1917 sailed in the convoy carrying the first troops of the American Expeditionary Forces to France. In the next 18 months DeKalb made 11 such voyages, carrying 11,334 soldiers safely. With the end of the war, she continued her transport duty returning 20,332 troops from Europe in eight voyages. On 6 September 1919 she was turned over to the Commandant, 3rd Naval District.

                                United American Lines.

                                She was decommissioned 22 September 1919 and returned to the United States Shipping Board for disposal the following day. She returned to civilian control, initially as DeKalb and, after 1920, as SS Mount Clay. She was operated by the United American Lines on the transatlantic route making her first eastbound voyage from New York to Hamburg on 26 December 1920 and her last westbound voyage from Hamburg via Queenstown, Ireland to New York on 15 October 1925. She was then laid up until 1934 when she was scrapped.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                SS Duca degli Abruzzi

                                In 1910 the SS Duca degli Abruzzi left Genoa bound for New York City. The crossing took several days to complete and there must have been a huge number of Italians onboard, most of them seeking a new life in America. The Duca degli Abruzzi (not to be confused with the Italian destroyer involved in WWII) belonged to the Navigazione Generale Italiana Line, and covered the transatlantic line between Italy and the Big Apple. During its numerous crossings between 1908 and 1922, the Duca degli Abruzzi transported almost 67,000 passengers to a new life in America. Some prominent Americans travelling to Europe avoided the Lusitania disaster having left a week earlier on this liner.

                                During and after WW1 this liner carried US troops to Europe and also back to the USA after the Armistice.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Rondo - on right.

                                The second USS Rondo (ID-2488) was a United States Navy cargo ship in commission from 1918 to 1919.

                                SS Rondo was built in 1914 at Rotterdam in the Netherlands by Rotterdam Droogdock Maatschappij as a commercial cargo ship for the Dutch steamship company Nederland Stoomvaart Maatschappij. In March 1918, she was among 89 Dutch ships the United States Customs Service seized for World War I use by the United States. The U.S. Navy's 3rd Naval District inspected her for possible naval service on 25 March 1918. She was transferred to the U.S. Navy in late March 1918, and became one of 31 of the formerly Dutch ships to enter U.S. naval service when she was assigned naval registry Identification Number (Id. No.) 2488 and commissioned as USS Rondo on 28 March 1918 at with Lieutenant Commander Paul C. Grening, USNRF, in command.

                                Assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service, Rondo departed New York City on 12 April 1918 for Norfolk, Virginia, where she loaded United States Army supplies for U.S. forces in Europe. Rondo subsequently made two round-trip voyages in convoy across the Atlantic Ocean between 7 May 1918 and 5 September 1918, unloading cargo at La Pallice, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, and Bordeaux, France.

                                Rondo was fitted for service as a horse transport during September 1918 under United States Shipping Board account. As an animal transport, she made one voyage to Montevideo, Uruguay, arriving there on 16 February 1919. Returning northward to Boston, Massachusetts, to unload her cargo, Rondo later was assigned duty carrying food to Europe. After engine trouble once forced her back into port, Rondo reached Falmouth, England, on 28 May 1919.

                                Steaming on to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Rondo was decommissioned and returned to Nederland Stoomvaart Maatschappij on 21 June 1919. Once again SS Rondo, she remained in commercial service with Nederland Stoomvaart Maatschappij until scrapped during 1933.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS George Washington

                                SS George Washington was an ocean liner built in 1908 for the Bremen-based North German Lloyd and was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. The ship was also known as USS George Washington (ID-3018) and USAT George Washington in service of the United States Navy and United States Army, respectively, during World War I. In the interwar period, she reverted to her original name of SS George Washington. During World War II, the ship was known as both USAT George Washington and, briefly, as USS Catlin (AP-19), in a short, second stint in the U.S. Navy.

                                When George Washington was launched in 1908, she was the largest German-built steamship and the third-largest ship in the world. George Washington was built to emphasize comfort over speed and was sumptuously appointed in her first-class passenger areas. The ship could carry a total of 2,900 passengers, and made her maiden voyage in January 1909 to New York. In June 1911, George Washington was the largest ship to participate in the Coronation Fleet Review by the United Kingdom's newly crowned king, George V.

                                On 14 April 1912, George Washington passed a particularly large iceberg south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and radioed a warning to all ships in the area, including White Star Line ocean liner Titanic, which sank near the same location. Throughout her German passenger career, contemporary news accounts often reported on notable persons—typically actors, singers, and politicians—who sailed on George Washington.

                                At the outbreak of World War I, George Washington was interned by the then-neutral United States, until that country entered into the conflict in April 1917. George Washington was seized by the United States and taken over for use as a troop transport by the U.S. Navy. Commissioned as USS George Washington (ID-3018), she sailed with her first load of American troops in December 1917.

                                In total, she carried 48,000 passengers to France, and returned 34,000 to the United States after the Armistice. George Washington also carried U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to France twice for the Paris Peace Conference. George Washington was decommissioned in 1920 and handed over to the United States Shipping Board (USSB), who reconditioned her for passenger service. SS George Washington sailed in transatlantic passenger service for both the United States Mail Steamship Company (one voyage) and United States Lines for ten years, before she was laid up in the Patuxent River in Maryland in 1931.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                USS Great Northern

                                USS Great Northern (AG-9) was a Great Northern-class cargo ship acquired by the United States Navy for use as a general cargo ship.

                                Great Northern was built by William Cramp & Sons in 1915; acquired from her owners, Great Northern Pacific Steamship Co. on 19 September 1917, by the United States Shipping Board; converted to a transport at the Puget Sound Navy Yard; and commissioned there on 1 November 1917, Captain W. W. Phelps in command.

                                World War I service

                                Embarking nearly 1,400 passengers at Puget Sound, including 500 "enemy aliens," women and children as well as men, Great Northern sailed for the U.S. East Coast on 21 January 1918, reaching New York on 9 February via the Panama Canal and Charleston, South Carolina. On 7 March, she sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey, for Brest, France with 1,500 members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Great Northern returned to Hoboken on 30 March with wounded veterans. From then until August 1919, she made a total of 18 transatlantic voyages, first carrying troops to the fighting zones and then bringing home the victorious "doughboys". Great Northern decommissioned at New York on 15 August 1919 and was transferred to the U.S. Army Transportation Service the same day.

                                Assigned to the U.S. Army.

                                While in the USATS, Great Northern was based mainly in the Pacific Ocean. In late 1919 and early 1920, she made two long trips from Honolulu to Vladivostok to pick up approximately 3,000 American officers and men returning from the Allies' campaign against the Russian Communists. Great Northern also took a Congressional party on a long Pacific inspection, touching at Hong Kong, Honolulu, Cavite, and then returning to San Francisco, California in the summer of 1920.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Hancock

                                USS Hancock (AP-3) was a transport ship in the United States Navy. Acquired by the Navy in 1902, she participated in World War I and a number of US military and diplomatic ventures prior to that.

                                Hancock - the third US Navy ship to bear the name - was built in 1879 by J. Elder & Co., Glasgow, Scotland. Formerly Arizona, she was purchased by the War Department during the Spanish-American War and transferred to the Navy 8 November 1902. She was commissioned 20 November 1902, Lt. Comdr. F. W. Coffin, USN, in command.

                                Operational service.

                                Hancock sailed from San Francisco for the East Coast 14 December 1902 via Valparaiso, Chile; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Bahia, Brazil. She arrived New York Navy Yard 21 February 1903 and decommissioned 9 March for fitting out. Recommissioned 21 September, she served as receiving ship at the New York Navy Yard until relieved by Washington 6 August 1913.

                                Mexican revolution.

                                Hancock departed New York 15 September and arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard the following day to be fitted out as a Marine transport. She sailed for the Gulf of Mexico on the 4th January 1914 having embarked the 1st Regiment, Advance Base Brigade of Marines. She landed the Marines at Vera Cruz, Mexico, to assist in the occupation of that city resulting from the arrest of the crew of a whaleboat of Dolphin (PG-24) by soldiers of General Huerta, aspirant to the Mexican presidency. During the tense months that followed, Hancock transported refugees uprooted by the Mexican Revolution between the coast of Mexico and Galveston, Texas, as she delivered supplies for the United States Expeditionary Force in Mexico.

                                Caribbean operations.

                                Other trouble spots erupted in the Americas. Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic were going through a series of violent revolutions endangering the lives and property of foreigners and inviting foreign intervention. This situation demanded a buildup of American strength in the area. As a result as the diplomatic crisis with Mexico eased, Hancock embarked a battalion of Marines from Vera Cruz and transported them to Guantanamo, Cuba. She returned to Norfolk 25 July 1914 to embark the 5th Marine Regiment and got underway 30 July to cruise in waters off Haiti and Santo Domingo to be on hand to protect American interests against any eventuality. She returned to Norfolk 23 December for a general overhaul.

                                Hancock resumed duty cruising in the Caribbean. She continued to transport Marines, stores, provisions, mail, and other cargo to forces ashore in Mexico, Haiti, and Santo Domingo. From 12 to 30 September 1916 she assisted in the salvage of material from Memphis (CA-10) after the cruiser was driven ashore by a tidal wave in the harbor of Santo Domingo. Hancock carried the ill-fated ship's crew, stores, fittings, and ammunition to the Norfolk Navy Yard.

                                Takeover of Danish West Indies.

                                Hancock was at Guantanamo Bay 27 March 1917 when ordered to proceed to St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies, where the Danish Government was to transfer the islands to the United States. She sailed the next day, embarking a Marine Detachment at Santo Domingo before arrival at St. Thomas, 30 March 1917. On 31 March, Hancock's captain, Comdr. Edwin T. Pollock, USN, took over the islands in the name of the United States of America at 1600 when the transfer became effective,

                                When the United States declared war on Germany six days later, Hancock took possession of German steamers Wasgenwald and Calabria interned there.

                                Hancock arrived at San Juan, Puerto Rico, 18 May 1917 to take possession of two more interned German steamships, SS Praesident and Odenwald. She embarked 29 German prisoners of war 23 May, and stood out of San Juan harbor that afternoon to tow Odenwald to the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she arrived 1 June.

                                Hancock was assigned to the U.S. Cruiser and Transport Force to embark troops of the 1st American Expeditionary Force 13 June. She got underway 17 June as Flagship of Troop Convoy Number 4 and arrived without mishap at St. Nazaire, France, 2 July. Returning to Philadelphia 22 July, her principal service until September 1919 was transportation of Marine passengers and military stores to ports in the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico. She returned to Philadelphia 3 September and decommissioned 18 October 1919.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Harrisburg

                                USS Harrisburg, USN 1918-1919 (ex-American SS Philadelphia, 1889). 10,232 Gross Tons, Length 527.6', Beam 63.2', Comm. 29 May 18, Decom. 25 Sep 19, ID # 1663. Two tall masts.

                                Worls War I Era Transports with Clipper Bows, Two Smokestacks and Two or Three Masts.

                                A nearly-identical pair of WWI era U.S. Navy transports featured distinctive "clipper" bows (every other ship in this category had a "plumb" bow). These were elderly ships, completed in the late 1880s with three smokestacks, and named City of Paris (later Paris) and City of New York (later New York). Both served in the Navy during the Spanish-American War as (respectively) USS Yale and USS Harvard. They were rebuilt in the early 1900s, with two tall smokestacks replacing the original trio, and Paris was renamed Philadelphia. The two ships operated as civilian-manned troopships during the first part of World War I, but were transferred to the Navy in 1918 and commissioned as USS Harrisburg and USS Plattsburg (existing U.S. Navy ships already bore the names Philadelphia and New York).

                                Though quite similar in appearance, Harrisburg had lost her mainmast prior to entering U.S. Navy service, leaving her with only two masts. Plattsburg still had three, though at some point in late 1917 or early 1918 the middle one was cut down to about half its original height.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Henderson

                                The first USS Henderson (AP-1) was a transport in the United States Navy during World War I and World War II. In 1943, she was converted to a hospital ship and commissioned as USS Bountiful (AH-9).

                                Named after Marine General Archibald Henderson, she was launched by Philadelphia Navy Yard on 17 June 1916; sponsored by Miss Genevieve W. Taylor, great-granddaughter of General Henderson; and commissioned at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 24 May 1917, Lt. C. W. Steel in command.

                                Henderson arrived New York on 12 June 1917 and sailed two days later with Rear Admiral Albert Gleaves' Cruiser and Transport Force, which carried units of the American Expeditionary Force to France. In her holds she had space for 1,500 men and 24 mules. Reaching Saint-Nazaire on 27 June she disembarked troops and returned to Philadelphia on 17 July 1917.

                                Subsequently, Henderson made eight more voyages to France with troops and supplies for the allies in the bitter European fighting. She established two large base hospitals in France during 1917. In constant danger from submarines, the transport was steaming near Army transport Antilles on 17 October 1917 when the latter was torpedoed. Henderson escaped attack by wrapping herself in an envelope of smoke. But torpedoes were not her only danger. She sailed for her seventh voyage on 30 June 1918 to France. A serious fire broke out in a cargo hold on 2 July 1918. Destroyers Mayrant (DD-31) and Paul Jones (DD-10) transferred her troop passengers to nearby transports without loss of life, and determined firefighting crews soon brought the flames under control. She sailed again from Philadelphia Tuesday 13 August 1918 and arrived at the port of Brest, France Monday 25 August 1918.

                                Caribbean, 1918,1923

                                Following the armistice, Henderson made eight more transatlantic voyages bringing home members of the A.E.F. She carried more than 10,000 veterans before returning to Philadelphia on 27 December 1919. She then took up duty as troop rotation ship for Marine units in the Caribbean, carrying Marines, their dependents, and supplies to bases in Cuba, Haiti, and other islands. She also participated in Marine training maneuvers in Florida before returning to Philadelphia on 6 July 1920. After an extended period of repairs, the transport resumed her duties in the Caribbean. This was interrupted from 21 June to 21 July as Henderson carried military and civilian leaders to observe the historic bombing tests off the Virginia Capes.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Huron

                                USS Huron (ID-1408) was a United States Navy transport ship during World War I. She was formerly the Norddeutscher Lloyd liner SS Friedrich der Grosse (or Friedrich der Große) built in 1896, which sailed Atlantic routes from Germany and sometimes Italy to the United States and on the post run to Australia. At the outset of World War I the ship was interned by the U.S. and, when that country entered the conflict in 1917, was seized and converted to a troop transport.

                                Originally commissioned as USS Fredrick Der Grosse, the ship was renamed Huron — after Lake Huron, the center lake of the Great Lakes — while undergoing repairs and conversion at a U.S. Navy yard. The ship carried almost 21,000 men to France during the hostilities, and returned over 22,000 healthy and wounded men after the Armistice.[3][4]

                                After decommissioning by the U.S. Navy, the ship was turned over to the United States Shipping Board and was later transferred to the United States Mail Steamship Company, for whom she sailed in the Atlantic as SS Huron. In May 1922 the ship was allocated to the Los Angeles Steamship Co. and renamed SS City of Honolulu. The ship caught fire on 12 October 1922 during her maiden voyage, and sank with no loss of life.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Koningin der Nederlanden

                                SS Koningin der Nederlanden (Dutch Passenger Liner, 1911). Served as USS Koningin der Nederlanden (ID 2708) in 1918-1919

                                Koningin der Nederlanden, a passenger cargo steamer, was built at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1911. She was employed commercially under the Dutch flag until March 1918, when the U.S. Government seized her at San Francisco, California. The ship served in the U.S. Navy as USS Koningin der Nederlanden (ID 2708) from early April 1918 until November 1919. Later returned to her Dutch owners, she resumed mercantile employment, which lasted until she was sold for scrapping in 1932.

                                8225 Gross Tons; Length 455.2'; Breadth 55.2' Long midships superstructure, two levels high (plus a long pilothouse). Paired kingposts close to superstructure face.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Kursk

                                SS Kursk built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow, Yard No 482, Engines by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow. Propulsion: steam - twin screw - 15 knots.

                                Launched: Thursday, 07/07/1910, Built: 1910, Ship Type: Steamship Ship's Role: Transatlantic liner, Tonnage: 7858 grt., Length: 450 feet Breadth: 56.2 feet

                                Owner History: Russian East Asiatic SS Co., Libau 1918 The Shipping Controller, UK (Cunard) 1920 The East Asiatic Company, Copenhagen 1930 Polish Transatlantic Shipping Co (Gdynia-America Line), Gdynia 1935 Gdynia-America Shipping Lines Status: Arrived for Scrapping - 05/03/1939

                                Remarks: Maiden voyage Libau New York 2nd November 1910. Transferred to Glasgow New York service 1914. Managed by Cunard from 1917 until 1921 when sold to Baltic America Line and renamed Polonia making her first Glasgow - New York - Danzig - Libau voyage 23rd January 1921. Went to Polish Gydnia America Line in 1930 on Gydnia to New York runs until 1933 when she transferred to Constanza Haifa services, remaining on this route until scrapping at Savona in 1939

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Louisville

                                SS St. Louis, was a transatlantic passenger liner built by the William Cramp & Sons Building & Engine Company, Philadelphia and was launched on 12 November 1894; sponsored by Mrs. Grover Cleveland, wife of the President of the United States; and entered merchant service in 1895, under United States registry for the International Navigation Co., of New York with her maiden voyage between New York and Southampton, England. She was acquired by the United States Navy during the Spanish,American War and commissioned under the name USS St. Louis in 1898, and again during World War I under the name USS Louisville (ID-1644) from 1918 to 1919. After she reverted to her original name in 1919, she burned in 1920 while undergoing a refit. St. Louis was scrapped in 1924 in Genoa.

                                For many years, SS St. Louis was prominent as a passenger liner between New York and Liverpool. On 17 March 1917, she was furnished an armed guard of 26 United States Navy sailors and armed with three 6-inch guns, to protect her from enemy attack as she continued her New York-to-Liverpool service. On 30 May, while proceeding up the Irish Sea and skirting the coast of England, she responded rapidly to the orders, "Hard Starboard," at the sighting of a periscope, and succeeded in dodging a torpedo while apparently striking the submarine which fired it. Later dry-dock examination revealed that 18 feet of her keel rubbing strake had been torn away. On 25 July, her gunners exchanged fire with a surfaced U-boat, some three miles away, and sighted many near misses.

                                On 17 April 1918, St. Louis was delivered to the Navy at New York to be wholly manned and operated by the Navy as a troop transport. She was renamed Louisville (SP-1644), as a cruiser named St. Louis was already in service in the Navy. Louisville was commissioned on 24 April.

                                Louisville first put to sea on 12 October bound for Portland and Southampton, England, and returned to New York on 7 January 1919. From then until 19 August of that year, she made six voyages from New York to Liverpool or to Brest, France, to return American soldiers from the Great War. On 20 August, she shifted to Norfolk and was decommissioned there on 9 September 1919. She was returned to her owner on the 11th and resumed her original name, St. Louis.

                                 American Troopship  SS Lutetia was a French liner which was used to transport US Troops during WW1.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Madawaska

                                USS Ullyses S. Grant (AP-29) was a transport ship that saw service with the United States Navy in World War II. Originally a German ocean liner named Konig Wilhelm II, she was seized by the United States during the First World War and renamed USS Madawaska (ID-3011) in 1917 before being renamed USS U. S. Grant (AP-29) in 1922.

                                Konig Wilhelm II was a steel-hulled screw steamer launched on 20 July 1907 at Stettin, Germany, by Vulcan Aktiengesellschaft. Built for the transatlantic passenger trade, Konig Wilhelm II operated between Hamburg, Germany, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, under the house flag of the Hamburg-Amerika Line, until the outset of World War I in 1914. Voluntarily interned at Hoboken, New Jersey, to avoid being captured by the Royal Navy, the passenger liner was seized after the United States entered the war on 6 April 1917, as were all other German vessels in American ports.

                                Before agents of the U.S. federal government took possession of the ship, her German crew unsuccessfully attempted to render her unusable by cracking her main steam cylinders with hydraulic jacks. Following repairs to the damaged machinery, Konig Wilhelm II was assigned the identification number 3011 and commissioned on 27 August 1917, Lt. Charles McCauley in temporary command pending the arrival of Comdr. Edward H. Watson.

                                Renamed Madawaska on 1 September, the ship was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force of the Atlantic Fleet. During World War I, she conducted 10 transatlantic voyages in which she carried nearly 12,000 men to Europe. After the armistice of 11 November 1918, Madawaska made seven more voyages, bringing 17,000 men home from the European theater. She completed the last of these runs upon her arrival at New York on 23 August 1919. She was decommissioned by the Navy on 2 September and simultaneously transferred to the War Department.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Martha Washington

                                USS Martha Washington (ID‑3019) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I named for Martha Washington, the first First Lady of the United States. She was originally ocean liner SS Martha Washington for the Austro-American Line before the war. Before and after her Navy service she was the United States Army transport USAT Martha Washington. The liner was sold to the Italian Cosulich Line in 1922. In 1932, when Cosulich was absorbed into Italia Flotte Riunite (English: United Fleets Italy), the ship was renamed SS Tel Aviv. The ship was scrapped in 1934.

                                Martha Washington was launched in 1908 by Russell & Co. of Port Glasgow, Scotland for the Austro-American Line (formal name: Unione Austriaca di Navigazione). The liner sailed between Trieste and New York City.

                                On the evening of 20 November 1911, while steaming in the Ionian Sea from Patras and headed for New York, Martha Washington came under fire from an Italian battleship for a period of ten minutes, with shells falling within one ship length (approximately 500 ft or 150 m) of the liner. According to the captain of the liner, the Italians, fighting against Turkey in the Italo-Turkish War, mistook Martha Washington for a Turkish ship. The ship was allowed to pass unharmed after the crew used a signal lamp to communicate her identity to the Italians.

                                At the outbreak of World War I, Martha Washington was interned at Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1914.

                                World War I.

                                After the United States entered the war, Martha Washington was taken over by the U.S. Army Quartermaster Department on 6 April 1917. The former liner was acquired by the Navy in November 1917. She was commissioned on 2 January 1918 with Commander Chauncey Shackford in command.

                                Transporting troops to France.

                                Two months of round‑the‑clock effort restored the ship to seaworthiness and modified her as a troop transport. Martha Washington sailed on eight wartime voyages carrying troops to France, embarking a total of 24,005 passengers. Sailing as a part of the Cruiser and Transport Force, Martha Washington sailed from New York on 10 February on her first voyage carrying troops to France with Navy transports Antigone, President Lincoln, and Von Steuben, and Army transport Finland, under escort of the cruiser Pueblo. Martha Washington arrived back at New York on 14 March. Leaving New York again on 23 March, she convoyed with El Occidente, Powhatan, Finland, and cruiser Pueblo, arriving in France on 4 April. Martha Washington and Powhatan returned to the U.S. on 22 April.

                                Martha Washington next departed Newport News on 30 April 1918 with Powhatan. Rendezvousing with the two transports was a convoy sailing from New York consisting of Kroonland, Matsonia, Manchuria, and Finland (now a Navy transport). South Dakota provided the convoy with protection until its arrival in France on 12 May. Martha Washington returned to Virginia on 1 June. Departing Newport News on 10 June, Martha Washington sailed with Aeolus, Powhatan, Matsonia, and British troopship Czaritza. Meeting up with Manchuria which sailed from New York, the convoy—escorted by cruisers Seattle and Frederick, and destroyer Stevens—reached France on 18 June. Martha Washington returned to the U.S. on 30 June.

                                Departing Newport News once again for France on 10 July, Martha Washington, accompanied by Aeolus, Powhatan, and Matsonia, joined with the New York contingent—Navy transports Sierra and Manchuria, and steamers Narragansett, Lutetia, and Toloa—and arrived in France on 21 July. Cruiser Seattle and destroyers Stringham, Fairfax, Mayrant, and Paul Jones served as escorts on the eastbound crossing. Aeolus and Matsonia joined Martha Washington in arriving in Virginia on 5 August.

                                With Manchuria, Henderson, Aeolus, Koningen der Nederlanden, and steamer Patria, Martha Washington sailed from Newport News for France on 14 August. Louisville and Matsonia, sailing from New York, joined the convoy, which was escorted by cruisers Rochester, Seattle, and Frederick. Records of this convoy are sketchy, but Henderson and Matsonia are known to have arrived in France on 25 August, and the other ships probably arrived around that same time. Upon Martha Washington 's return to the U.S. she shifted to New York.

                                After embarking 3,029 troops, Martha Washington departed again on 15 September sailing with Henderson, Pocahontas, Calamares, Finland, Powhatan, and steamer Ulua. Martha Washington 's New York group met up with a Virginia group of Navy transports Aeolus and Koningen der Nederlanden, and steamers Patria and Kursk. Escorts—consisting of battleship New Hampshire, cruisers St. Louis and Pueblo, and destroyers Stribling, Hopkins, and Stringham—helped to ensure the safe arrival of all ships in France on 28 September. Finland and Pocahontas accompanied Martha Washington on her return journey and arrived at New York on 12 October.

                                Beginning what would be her final wartime crossing, Martha Washington sailed with Aeolus and Italian steamer Duca d'Aosta on 21 October from Newport News. Navy transport Pocahontas and Brazilian steamer Sobral, sailing from New York, and escorts New Hampshire, Charleston, South Dakota, Talbot, and Radford filled out the convoy, which arrived on 4 November. Returning to the U.S. five days after the Armistice, Martha Washington made eight additional voyages—from 26 November 1918 to 11 November 1919—returning 19,687 troops and passengers from foreign ports. During her seventh voyage she also disembarked 945 interned German aliens at Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

                                On her final voyage she arrived at Brest on 14 August and received new orders to transport an American relief mission to Turkey and Russia. Under the leadership of Major General James Harbord, U.S. Army, the mission spent the first two weeks in September at Constantinople and after arriving at Batum, Russia, on 18 September, spent the following three weeks there. In this period of civil turmoil, Martha Washington brought 324 Armenian and Polish refugees to Constantinople. Sailing for the United States on 15 October, she called at Malta, Marseille, and Brest before arriving at New York on the first anniversary of the Armistice signing. She was decommissioned on 18 November 1919 and was turned over to the War Department.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Matsonia

                                USS Matsonia (ID-1589) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I. Before and after her Navy service she was ocean liner SS Matsonia for the Matson Navigation Company. The liner was sold in 1937 to the Alaska Packers Association and renamed SS Etolin. Shortly before World War II, the ship was chartered by the United States Army as USAT Etolin. Transferred to the War Shipping Administration in 1946, Etolin was placed in the James River Reserve Fleet and ultimately scrapped in 1957.

                                Matsonia, built by the Newport News Ship Building Company of Newport News, Virginia, in 1913, served the Matson Navigation Company until taken over by the U.S. Shipping Board and turned over to the Navy at New York by way of the Panama Canal, 22 January 1918, for use as a troop transport. She was commissioned 1 March 1918, Captain John M. Luby in command.

                                Beginning 14 March, when she sailed for France with troops and Army cargo, Matsonia completed six round trips to Europe prior to the Armistice. The preparation to turn the Matsonia into a troop carrier involved ripping out mahogany staircases "as if they were worth nothing" and utilizing every bit of space by rigging up 3,000 soldier bunks wherever they could be rigged. During her second France-bound trip during World War I the convoy was attacked by a German U-boat that was sunk about 800 meters from the Matsonia. During that time she transferred 13,329 passengers to Europe, and carried back only 10. After the Armistice she continued her transatlantic crossings to return over 23,000 troops in 8 voyages, ending such crossings at New York on 20 August 1919. She was decommissioned on 12 September 1919 and returned to her former owner on 17 September.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Mercury (SS Barbarossa)

                                USS Mercury (ID-3012) was a United States Navy transport ship during World War I. She was formerly the Norddeutscher Lloyd liner SS Barbarossa built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, Germany, in 1897, and operated by the North German Lloyd Line.

                                At the outset of World War I the ship was interned by the United States and, when that country entered the conflict in 1917, was seized and converted to a troop transport. After decommissioning by the U.S. Navy, the ship was turned over to the Army Transport Service and then to the U.S. Shipping Board. She was sold for scrapping in February 1924

                                SS Barbarossa was built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, Germany, in 1896, for the North German Lloyd Line. She operated on both North Atlantic crossings and the Bremerhaven-Australia route.

                                With the outbreak of World War I, she took refuge in Hoboken, New Jersey, and was interned by the United States. She was seized when the United States entered the war 6 April 1917.

                                U.S. Navy transport

                                Damage inflicted by her crew prior to seizure was repaired and she was commissioned on 3 August 1917, with Cmdr. H. L. Brinser in command. Shortly after commissioning she was renamed USS Mercury.

                                Mercury got underway for her first transatlantic troop-ferrying mission on 4 January 1918. Before the armistice, she had completed seven voyages to France, carrying over 18,000 passengers. After the armistice, she reversed the flow of troops, making eight crossings to return more than 20,000 to the United States.

                                Postwar service.

                                After completing her last crossing as a U.S. Navy ship on 19 September 1919, she decommissioned and on 27 September 1919 was turned over to the Army Transport Service for use as an Army transport. The Army in turn transferred her to the U.S. Shipping Board in August 1920. Mercury was chartered by the Baltic SS Corp of America for a proposed service between New York and Danzig, however the service never operated and the ship was returned to the Shipping Board in January 1921, when she was laid up. She was sold for scrapping in February 1924.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Orizaba

                                USS Orizaba (ID-1536/AP-24) was a transport ship for the United States Navy in both World War I and World War II. She was the sister ship of Siboney but the two were not part of a ship class. In her varied career, she was also known as USAT Orizaba in service for the United States Army, as SS Orizaba in interwar civilian service for the Ward Line, and as Duque de Caxias (U-11) as an auxiliary in the Brazilian Navy after World War II.

                                Orizaba made 15 transatlantic voyages for the Navy carrying troops to and from Europe in World War I with the second shortest average in-port turnaround time of all Navy transports. The ship was turned over to the War Department in 1919 for use as Army transport USAT Orizaba. After her World War I service ended, Orizaba reverted to the Ward Line, her previous owners. The ship was briefly engaged in transatlantic service to Spain and then engaged in New York,Cuba,Mexico service until 1939, when the ship was chartered to United States Lines. While Orizaba was in her Ward Line service, American poet Hart Crane leapt to his death from the rear deck of the liner off Florida in April 1932.

                                In World War II the ship was requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration and again assigned to the War Department as USAT Orizaba. After completing one voyage as an Army transport, the ship was transferred to the US Navy, where she was re-commissioned as USS Orizaba (AP-24). The ship made several transatlantic runs, was damaged in an air attack in the Allied invasion of Sicily, and made trips to South America. The transport also served in the Pacific Theatre, making several transpacific voyages, and one to the Aleutians.

                                In June 1945, Orizaba was transferred under Lend-Lease to the Brazilian Navy where she served as Duque de Caxias (U-11). In August 1945, Duque de Caxis carried parts of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force from Naples back to Rio de Janeiro. The ship was badly damaged by a fire in 1947, but was repaired and remained in service. Permanently transferred to Brazil in 1953, Duque de Caxias was decommissioned in 1959 and scrapped in 1963.

                                World War 1.

                                Orizaba—named after the town of Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico—was laid down for the Ward Line by William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and launched in February 1917. In mid-1917 the United States Shipping Board (USSB) commandeered and received title to all private shipbuilding projects in progress, including the still-incomplete Orizaba and her sister ship Siboney. Plans for both ships were modified for troop-carrying duties. Upon Orizaba’s completion, the USSB delivered her to the US Navy for transport duty on 11 April 1918, and she was commissioned as USS Orizaba on 27 May.

                                Assigned to the Atlantic Transport Service, Orizaba carried over 15,000 troops in six convoy trips to France before the end of World War I. In one such voyage, Orizaba’s executive officer, ordnance expert William Price Williamson, worked closely with Commander Richard Drace White—Orizaba’s commanding officer, himself an ordnance expert—to develop a workable depth charge launcher which would provide the transport with a measure of protection from enemy submarines. Williamson set about modifying a Lyle gun into a depth charge launcher, and successfully tested it on 16 August 1918. While attempting another test with an increased propellant charge the following day, a defective fuse exploded the depth charge prematurely, killing Williamson and three other sailors. White, four other officers, and twenty-two enlisted men were also wounded in the blast.

                                Four days later on 21 August at 08:30, Orizaba, traveling with Siboney, spotted a submarine in the act of submerging. Orizaba attempted to ram the sub and dropped depth charges, but there was no indication that the attack was successful.

                                In December 1918, she was temporarily assigned to assist the French government in repatriating French, Belgian, and Italian prisoners of war. Detached from that duty on 10 January 1919, she joined the Cruiser and Transport Force at Brest, and in nine voyages returned over 31,700 troops to the United States. After the completion of transport duty service in the summer of 1919, she decommissioned on 4 September and was turned over to the Army for further transport service as USAT Orizaba. The boat served in that capacity until returned to the Ward Line in 1920.

                                According to the Statistical Department of the US Navy, Orizaba had the second-shortest average in-port turnaround time out of 37 US Navy transports used in World War I. The ship completed 15 round trips with an average turn-around time of just over 30 days per trip, while the overall Navy average was 39.8 days.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Pastores

                                USS Pastores (AF-16) was a Pastores class store ship acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I and re-acquired during World War II. Pastores served as a stores ship, responsible for delivering supplies to military personnel in combat and non-combat areas. She served in both World War I and II, and was awarded one battle star during World War II.

                                World War One.

                                Pastores was built by Workman Clark, Ltd., Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1913; acquired by the U.S. Navy from United Fruit Company on 1 May 1918; and commissioned on 6 May 1918.

                                Pastores was one of the merchant ships chartered by the Navy during World War I to transport U.S. forces to Europe, through submarine-infested waters. Pastores began this service in the closing months of 1917, and she encountered several submarines during her early Naval service.

                                Departing New York in convoy on 20 December 1917, she was 900 miles off the coast of France in January 1918, when a submarine appeared astern. President Grant, one of the ships of the convoy, fired one shot at the submarine, which was not seen again. On 9 January, after the convoy had been joined by destroyer escort in the Bay of Biscay, a submarine attacked; the convoy fired 15 shots at the boat, not seen again. Pastores sighted submarines again during convoy crossings in August and September.

                                After war's end, Pastores transported troops back to the United States. She decommissioned and was returned to the United Fruit Company on 8 October 1919 and served on the West Indies,Central American run until 20 December 1941, when acquired by War Shipping Administration, from whom the Navy again chartered her.

                                 American Troopship  

                                SS Patria

                                SS Patria was a 11,885 GRT French ocean liner built in 1913 for Compagnie française de Navigation à vapeur Cyprien Fabre & Cie (Fabre Line), for whom she was first a transatlantic liner and then an emigrant ship. From 1932 Fabre Line leased her to Services Contractuels des Messageries Maritimes, who ran her between the south of France and the Levant. After the fall of France in June 1940 the British authorities in Mandatory Palestine seized her in the Port of Haifa and placed her under the management of the British-India Steam Navigation Company. In November 1940 the British placed European Jewish refugees aboard her for deportation to Mauritius but the Haganah planted a bomb aboard which sank her with the loss of between 260 and 300 lives. Patria remained a wreck in Haifa port until she was scrapped in 1952.

                                Fabre Line ordered Patria and her sister ship SS Providence from Société Nouvelle des Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée of La Seyne-sur-Mer, near Toulon. Patria had seven decks and three funnels, but one of the funnels was a dummy. Patria had nine boilers feeding two three-cylinder triple expansion steam engines. The cylinder bores were 30.4" (high pressure), 49.36" (medium pressure) and 70.55" (low pressure), all with a stroke of 51.2". The engines gave Patria a total of 900 NHP and propelled the ship by twin screws. Patria had direction finding equipment and was the first ocean liner to be equipped with a cinema.

                                Patria was launched on 11 November 1913 and entered Fabre Line service on 15th or 16th April 1914.

                                The New York Times reported that a German submarine attacked her on 1 March 1916 off the coast of Tunis. There is no naval record of such an attack, so it is not clear what incident may have taken place.

                                She plied as a transatlantic liner between Marseille and New York from then until 1920, when she and Providence were reassigned to carrying emigrants to New York from Naples, Palermo and Marseille. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 Messageries Maritimes withdrew Patria from the emigrant trade in 1930, although Providence continued to carry emigrants until 1932.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Plattsburg

                                The first USS Harvard of the United States Navy was an auxiliary cruiser in the Spanish-American War. She was launched as City of New York, and later commissioned as Plattsburg (SP-1645) for service in World War I.

                                Originally a schooner-rigged steamship, she was launched in 1888 as City of New York by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, for the Inman Line. Sister ship of City of Paris, City of New York was one of the largest and best liners of her day, and one of the first steamships with twin screws. She was transferred to American registry under the American Line in 1893 as New York. These ships brought the United States to the front rank in the Atlantic passenger trade, and New York established the record for the Southampton to New York crossing in September 1893.

                                Reverting to her old name, New York, the ship resumed transatlantic service with the American Line until World War I. During this period she underwent extensive conversion in 1903, when one of her three funnels was removed. When United States joined World War I, again needed in support of American forces abroad, New York was chartered by the Navy 9 May 1918 for use as a troop transport. She commissioned as Plattsburg on 24 May 1918 and was commanded by Claude C. Bloch.

                                Plattsburg made four voyages from New York to Liverpool transporting the American Expeditionary Force to Europe, and after the end of the war made a total of seven voyages, bringing home over 24,000 veterans. She returned to New York after her final crossing on 29 August 1919, and was returned to her owners on 6 October 1919.

                                As New York, the ship once again plied the Atlantic with passengers, but she was no longer a first-class liner and was withdrawn from service in 1920. Sold to the Polish Navigation Company, she made two more voyages, but the company was soon forced to close down and the ship was scrapped in 1923.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Pocahontas

                                USS Pocahontas (SP-3044) was a transport ship for the United States Navy during World War I. She was originally the SS Prinzess Irene, a Barbarossa-class ocean liner built in 1899 by AG Vulcan Stettin of Stettin, Germany, for the North German Lloyd line.

                                She was launched as Prinzess Irene on 19 June 1900 by Aktiengesellschaft Vulkan, Stettin, Germany for North German Lloyd Lines. On 9 September 1900, she started her maiden voyage to New York City. On 30 October 1900, she began the first of seven trips on the German Empire mail run to the Far East to Yokohama, the route she was built for.

                                On 30 April 1903, she went on the Genoa, Naples, New York run and stayed mainly on this service together with her sister ship SS König Albert and sometimes other ships of the Barbarossa class. In 1911 under, Captain Frederic von Letten-Peterssen, she was stranded for eighty-three hours on the Fire Island sandbars.

                                Her last voyage was to New York on 9 July 1914. With the outbreak of World War I in August, she was stranded in New York since the British Royal Navy controlled the North Atlantic. She remained there until seized by the United States by Executive Order 2651 on 30 June 1917, under the authority prescribed in the Enemy Vessel Confiscation Joint Resolution passed on 12 May 1917.

                                At the beginning of World War I the ship was in New York and was interned by the United States. She was seized when that country entered the conflict in 1917 and converted to a troop transport. As the USS Pocohantas, she carried 24,573 servicemen to Europe, and after the war returned 23,296 servicemen to the United States.

                                Although Pocahontas convey all of her passengers safely, she faced numerous dangers. The most serious incident occurred in the forenoon of 2 May 1918 when an Imperial German Navy submarine surfaced in her path and straddled her with 5.9 in (150 mm) shells. Captain Edward C. Kalbfus ordered the crew to battle stations and gave the signal to open fire. However, the U-boat was not in range of her guns. Fragments of enemy shells landed on the ship, but she was not directly hit and suffered no casualties. Captain Kalbus commenced zig-zag courses, and then at full speed drew away from the submarine, probably U,151, about twenty minutes after the attack began. Making a record of 16.2 knots (30.0 km/h; 18.6 mph), he kept the enemy out of range until her lost her. For his successful defense of his ship, Captain Kalfbus was awarded the Navy Cross.

                                Decommissioned by the U.S. Navy, the United States Shipping Board sold her back to the North German Lloyd line, where she saw mercantile service until being broken up in 1932.



                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Powhatan

                                USS Powhatan (ID,3013) was a transport ship for the United States Navy during World War I. She was originally the SS Hamburg, a Barbarossa-class ocean liner built in 1899 by Aktiengesellschaft Vulkan of Stettin, Germany, for the Hamburg America Line. At the outset of World War I the ship was interned by the United States.

                                She was soon chartered by the American Red Cross to take medical personnel and supplies to Europe. Renamed Red Cross, she left New York in mid-September, 1914.

                                When the U.S. entered World War I in April,1917, she was seized and converted to a troop transport. Originally commissioned as USS Hamburg (ID-3013), the ship was renamed Powhatan on 5 September 1917, During World War I, she carried 15,274 troops to France and after the war she returned 11,803 servicemen to the United States.

                                The ship was commissioned as the troop transport USS Hamburg by the United States Navy on 16 August 1917, with Commander Gatewood Lincoln in command. She was renamed Powhatan on 5 September 1917 and began the first of 12 consecutive Atlantic crossings on 12 November 1917. Powhatan was twice attacked by a submarine in the Bay of Biscay on 4 April 1918 but survived unscathed due to prompt location and depth charging by escorting destroyers. From 12 November 1917 to 9 December 1918, she carried 15,274 troops to France and after the war she returned 11,803 servicemen to the United States.

                                Powhatan was decommissioned on 2 September 1919 and was turned over to the Army Transport Service at New York, and finally to the United States Shipping Board.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS President Grant

                                USS Republic (AP-33) was a troop transport that served with the US Navy during World War II. In World War I she served with the Navy as USS President Grant (ID-3014) before being turned over to the Army and named Republic. The ship was renamed the President Buchanan in 1921 before reverting to Republic in 1924.

                                Originally christened as the SS Servian, she was built in 1903 by Harland and Wolff, Ltd. of Belfast for the Wilson & Furness-Leyland Line, a subsidiary of International Mercantile Marine Co. spearheaded by J.P. Morgan. After plans for a North Atlantic service collapsed, she spent four years at anchor in the Musgrave Channel in Belfast.

                                After being purchased by the Hamburg-American Packet Steamship Company (Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Aktien-Gesellschaft or HAPAG) in 1907, it was renamed the SS President Grant, the third ship named for Ulysses S. Grant. In August 1914, after seven years of trans-Atlantic passenger service, she took refuge at New York City when the outbreak of World War I made the high seas unsafe for German merchant ships. She was interned at Hoboken, New Jersey and remained inactive for nearly three years until the United States entered the war in April 1917. The ship was seized when the United States officially declared war against Germany.

                                World War I.

                                Turned over to the Navy, she was commissioned USS President Grant (SP-3014) on 2 August 1917, Comdr. J. P. Morton in command. During her operations as a troop transport she made sixteen round trips between New York and ports of France, carrying a total of 40,104 servicemen on her eastbound passage, and a total of 37,025 servicemen on her westbound returns to New York.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Princess Matoika

                                USS Princess Matoika (ID-2290) was a transport ship for the United States Navy during World War I. Before the war, she was a Barbarossa-class ocean liner that sailed as SS Kiautschou for the Hamburg America Line and as SS Princess Alice (sometimes spelled Prinzess Alice) for North German Lloyd. After her World War I Navy service ended, she served as the United States Army transport ship USAT Princess Matoika. In post-war civilian service she was SS Princess Matoika until 1922, SS President Arthur until 1927, and SS City of Honolulu until she was scrapped in 1933.

                                On 6 April 1917 the United States declared war and immediately seized interned German ships at U.S. and territorial ports, but unlike most other German ships interned by the United States, Princess Alice had not been sabotaged by her German crew before her seizure. Assigned the Identification Number of 2290, she was soon renamed Princess Matoika. Sources disagree about the identity of the ship's namesake, who is often reported as either a member of the Philippine Royal Family, or a Japanese princess. Putnam, however, provides another answer: one of the given names of Pocahontas was Matoaka, which was sometimes spelled Matoika. The newly renamed ship was taken to Olongapo City, 60 miles (97 km) north of Manila and placed in the drydock Dewey at Subic Bay where temporary repairs were made. She then made her way to San Francisco, and eventually to the east coast. Princess Matoika was the last ex-German ship to be commissioned.

                                Transporting troops to France.

                                Placed under the command of William D. Leahy in April 1918, the ship was readied for her first transatlantic troop run. At Newport News, Virginia, elements of the 4th Infantry Division boarded on 9 May. Sailing at 18:30 the next day, Princess Matoika was accompanied by American transports Pastores, Wilhelmina, Lenape, Antigone, and Susquehanna, the British steamer Kursk, and the Italian Duca d'Aosta. The group rendezvoused with a similar group that left New York the same day, consisting of President Lincoln, Covington, Rijndam, British troopship Dwinsk, and Italian steamers Caserta and Dante Alighieri. American cruiser Frederick served as escort for the assembled ships, which were the 35th U.S. convoy of the war. During the voyage—because of the inability to finish serving three meals for all the men during daylight hours—mess service was curtailed to two daily meals, a practice continued on later voyages. On 20 May, the convoy sighted and fired on a "submarine" that turned out to be a bucket; the next day escort Frederick left the convoy after being relieved by nine destroyers. Three days later the convoy sighted land at 0630 and anchored at Brest that afternoon. Princess Matoika sailed for Newport News and arrived there safely on 6 June with Pastores and Lenape. Fate, however, was not as kind to former convoy mates President Lincoln and Dwinsk. On their return journeys they were sunk by German submarines U-90 and U-151, respectively.

                                After loading officers and men from the 29th Infantry Division on 13 June, Princess Matoika set sail from Newport News the next day with Wilhelmina, Pastores, Lenape, and British troopship Czar. On the morning of 16 June, lookouts on Princess Matoika spotted a submarine and, soon after, a torpedo heading directly for the ship. The torpedo missed her by a few yards and gunners manning the ship's 6-inch (150 mm) guns claimed a hit on the sub with their second shot. Later that morning, the Newport News ships met up with the New York portion of the convoy—which included DeKalb, Finland, Kroonland, George Washington, Covington, Rijndam, Dante Alighieri, and British steamer Vauben—and set out for France. The convoy was escorted by cruisers North Carolina and Frederick, and destroyers Stevens and Fairfax; battleship Texas and several other destroyers joined in escort duties for the group for a time. The convoy had a false alarm when a floating barrel was mistaken for submarine, but otherwise uneventfully arrived at Brest on the afternoon of 27 June. Princess Matoika, Covington, Lenape, Rijndam, George Washington, DeKalb, Wilhelmina, and Dante Alighieri left Brest as a group on 30 June. The following evening at 21:15, Covington was torpedoed by U-86 and sank the next afternoon. Princess Matoika and Wilhelmina arrived back at Newport News on 13 July.

                                Around this time, Commander Leahy left Princess Matoika to serve as Director of Gunnery Exercises and Engineering Performance in Washington. For his service on Princess Matoika, though, Leahy was awarded the Navy Cross. He was cited for distinguished service as commander of the ship while "engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines".

                                In the next months, Princess Matoika successfully completed two additional roundtrips from Newport News. On the first trip, she left Newport News with DeKalb, Dante Alighiere, Wilhelmina, Pastores, and British troopship Czaritza on 18 July. The group joined a New York contingent and arrived in France on 30 July. Departing soon after, the Princess returned to Newport News on 13 August. Nine days later she departed in the company of the same ships from her last convoy—with French steamer Lutetia replacing DeKalb—and arrived in France on 3 September. Princess Matoika returned stateside two weeks later.

                                On 23 September, Princess Matoika departed New York with 3,661 officers and men accompanied by transports President Grant, Mongolia, Rijndam, Wilhelmina, British steamer Ascanius, and was escorted by battleship Georgia, cruisers Montana and North Carolina, and destroyer Rathburne. As with other Navy ships throughout 1918. Princess Matoika was not immune to the worldwide Spanish flu pandemic. On this particular crossing, two of her crewmen were felled by the disease as her convoy reached Saint-Nazaire on 6 October. After her return to the U.S. on 21 October, she departed New York once again on 28 October, arriving in France on 9 November, two days before the Armistice. In all, she carried 21,216 troops to France on her six trips overseas.

                                Returning troops home.

                                With the fighting at an end, the task of bringing home American soldiers began almost immediately. Princess Matoika did her part by carrying home 30,110 healthy and wounded men in eight roundtrips. On 20 December, 3,000 troops boarded her and departed France for Newport News, arriving there on 1 January 1919. Among those carried were Major General Charles T. Menoher, the newly appointed chief of the air service, and elements of the 39th Infantry Division. The Matoika arrived with another 2,000 troops on 11 February.

                                In March 1919, Princess Matoika and Rijndam raced each other from Saint-Nazaire to Newport News in a friendly competition that received national press coverage in the United States. Rijndam, the slower ship, was just able to edge out the Princess—and cut two days from her previous fastest crossing time—by appealing to the honor of the soldiers of the 133rd Field Artillery (returning home aboard the former Holland America liner) and employing them as extra stokers for her boilers.

                                On her next trip, the veteran transport loaded troops at Saint-Nazaire that included nine complete hospital units. After two days delay because of storms in the Bay of Biscay, Princess Matoika departed on 16 April, and arrived at Newport News on 27 April with 3,500 troops. Shifting south to Charleston, South Carolina, the Matoika embarked 2,200 former German prisoners of war (POWs) and hauled them to Rotterdam. This trip was followed up in May with the return of portions of the 79th Infantry Division from Saint-Nazaire to New York.

                                In mid-July, Princess Matoika delivered another load of 1,900 former German POWs from Charleston to Rotterdam; most of these prisoners were officers and men from interned German passenger liners and included Captain Heinler the former commander of Vaterland. One former POW, shortly after debarking in Europe, presciently commented that "this [was] no peace; only a temporary truce". After loading American crews of returned Dutch ships, Princess Matoika called at Antwerp and Brest before returning to New York on 1 August.

                                The ship departed New York on 8 August for her final roundtrip as a Navy transport. She departed Brest 23 August and returned to New York on 10 September. She was decommissioned there on 19 September, and handed over to the War Department for use as a United States Army transport.

                                USAT Princess Matoika.

                                As her career as an Army transport began, Princess Matoika picked up where her Navy career had ended and continued the return of American troops from Europe. After returning to France she loaded 2,965 troops at Brest—including Brigadier General W. P. Richardson and members of the Polar Bear Expedition, part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War—for a return to New York on 15 October. In December, Congressman Charles H. Randall (Prohibitionist-CA) and his wife sailed on the Matoika to Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal.

                                On 5 April, Princess Matoika carried a group of 18 men and three officers of the U.S. Navy who were to attempt a transatlantic flight in the rigid airship R38, being built in England for the Navy. Several of the group that traveled on the Matoika were among the 45 men killed when the airship crashed on 24 August 1921.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Siboney

                                USS Siboney (ID-2999) was a ship transport for the United States Navy during World War I. She was the sister ship of USS Orizaba (ID-1536) but neither was part of a ship class. Launched as SS Oriente, she was soon renamed after Siboney, Cuba, a landing site of United States forces during the Spanish,American War. After her navy service ended, she was SS Siboney for the Ward Line and American Export Lines. During World War II she served the U.S. Army as transport USAT Siboney and as hospital ship USAHS Charles A. Stafford.

                                As a transport during World War I, Siboney made 17 transatlantic voyages for the navy carrying troops to and from Europe, and had the shortest average in-port turnaround time of all navy transports. During her maiden voyage, her steering gear malfunctioned which resulted in a collision between two other troopships in the convoy.

                                World War I naval service.

                                SS Oriente was a combination cargo and passenger vessel built by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Ward Line. In mid-1917 the United States Shipping Board (USSB) commandeered and received title to all private shipbuilding projects in progress, including the still-incomplete Oriente and her sister ship Orizaba. Plans for both ships were modified for troop carrying duties. Oriente was launched on 15 August 1917, renamed Siboney on 28 February 1918, delivered to the navy on 8 April, and commissioned the same day, Commander A.T. Graham in command.

                                Siboney sailed from Philadelphia on 16 April as a unit of the Cruiser and Transport Force, and arrived at Newport News two days later to embark her first contingent of troops. She departed Hampton Roads on 23 April and joined her first convoy the following day. On 25 April, her rudder jammed; and, in the ensuing confusion, transports Aeolus and Huron collided and had to return to New York. On 4 May, the convoy was joined by the war zone escort of eight destroyers and, on 6 May, Siboney arrived at Brest. Disembarking her troops, she sailed the following day and arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey, on 15 May.

                                Siboney embarked her second contingent of troops at Lambert's Point, Virginia, on 25 May and sailed the following day. The New York section of the convoy joined two days later and the ships entered the war zone on 6 June. In French waters, they were met by USS Corsair, a squadron of minesweepers, an American dirigible, and two French hydroplanes. Siboney arrived in Bordeaux on 8 June and departed the following day but remained anchored in the mouth of the Gironde until 13 June, awaiting the tanker Woonsocket. On 15 June, the convoy passed six empty lifeboats from the torpedoed transport USS President Lincoln. Siboney entered the American war zone on 20 June, and the next day rescued survivors of the British vessel, SS Dwinsk, which had been torpedoed three days previously. The transport arrived at New York on 22 June and anchored in the North River.

                                Siboney sailed for France on 30 June; after delivering her troops at Brest on 12 July, she returned to New York on 25 July. She sailed again on 31 July. Before arriving at Brest on 12 August, she had to maneuver several times to evade possible submarine contacts. She arrived at New York on 22 August and was given a two-week repair period.

                                On 4 September, Siboney sailed from New York on her fifth crossing and arrived at Saint-Nazaire nine days later. On 15 September, she embarked a number of wounded troops and left Saint-Nazaire the same day, but, due to heavy submarine activity, swung at anchor for several days before her convoy sailed. She arrived on 29 September at New York. On her sixth eastward crossing, between 6 and 15 October, an influenza epidemic broke out among the troops, killing a number of soldiers. Sailing from Brest on 16 October, the transport returned to New York on 24 October.

                                Siboney had already embarked troops for her next voyage when, on 3 November, she was ordered to disembark them. She sailed the following day with an army brigadier general and his staff, and a naval draft of 500 men. She arrived at Saint-Nazaire on the 12 November, shortly after the announcement of the Armistice, and was met by a cheering crowd.

                                Siboney then began her peacetime mission of returning American veterans from Europe to the United States. After embarking 513 wounded men at Saint-Nazaire, she moved to Brest on the 15th and took on 600 more passengers. She sailed the same day under escort and reached New York on 24 November. During the next ten months, Siboney made ten more round trips between the United States and France, returning over 3,000 troops per trip when fully loaded. On one such return trip in August 1919, Siboney carried Admiral Henry T. Mayo and Congressman Thomas S. Butler home from France.

                                Siboney returned to New York on 2 September at the conclusion of her 17th trip, having traveled over 115,000 nautical miles (213,000 km) and transported approximately 55,000 military passengers to and from French ports. According to the Statistical Department of the U.S. Navy, Siboney had the shortest average in-port turnaround time out of 37 U.S. Navy transports used during World War I. The ship completed 17 round trips and had an average turn-around time of just under 30 days per trip, almost ten days shorter than the average of 39.8 days.

                                On 10 September at Hoboken, Siboney was decommissioned and turned over to the War Department, who returned the ship to the Ward Line, her original owners.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Sierra

                                The first USS Sierra (ID-1634) was a troop transport of the United States Navy that served during World War I and its immediate aftermath.

                                SS Sierra was constructed as a commercial passenger ship in 1900 by William Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Navy acquired her from the John D. Spreckel Brothers Company in San Francisco, California, on 27 May 1918 for use as a troop transport during World War I and assigned her the identification number 1634. After conversion work was complete, she was commissioned as USS Sierra (ID-1634) on 1 July 1918.

                                US Navy career.

                                Sierra was assigned to transatlantic service upon commissioning, and she transported troops from the United States to France until the end of World War I on 11 November 1918. After the war, she engaged in the reverse process of bringing American troops home from Europe for another eleven months.

                                Decommissioning and disposal.

                                Sierra was decommissioned on 1 October 1919. On the same day, her name was stricken from the Navy list and she was returned to her owners.

                                Later career.

                                As SS Sierra, the ship returned to commercial passenger service. She later was renamed SS Gdansk.

                                 American Troopship  

                                SS General Metzinger (SS Sobral)

                                SS Sobral was a Brazilian owned Steamer used to transport troops and equipment for the USA during WW1.

                                Built by Blohm and Voss, Hamburg Passenger vessel 9312 tonnes/Launched in 1906 as Cap Vilano, was seized by Brazil in 1917 and renamed Sobral. Later in 1924 owned by Messageries Marine, France and renamed General Metzinger, Converted for was in Liverpool and bombed in port of Le Havre(1940)with 6 crew killed.



                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Susquehanna

                                USS Susquehanna (ID-3016) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I. She was the second U.S. Navy ship to be named for the Susquehanna River. Before the war she operated at SS Rhein, an ocean liner for North German Lloyd. She was the lead ship of her class of three ocean liners. After the end of World War I, the ship operated briefly in passenger service as SS Susquehanna. Laid up in 1922, Susquehanna was sold to Japanese ship breakers in 1928 and scrapped.

                                SS Rhein was launched on 20 September 1899 by Blohm & Voss of Hamburg, Germany, for North German Lloyd. The ship was 152.70 metres (501 ft 0 in) long between perpendiculars (158.50 metres (520 ft 0 in) overall) was 58 feet 1 inch (17.70 m) abeam, and had a draft of 8.5 metres (28 ft). The ship's two quadruple-expansion steam engines turned her twin screw propellers that drove her at speeds of 13 to 14 knots (24 to 26 km/h).

                                Rhein sailed from Bremen to New York on 9 December 1899 for her maiden voyage, and began regular Bremen,Baltimore service in May 1900. Later that same year, Rhein served as a transport carrying German Empire troops as part of the Eight-Nation Alliance intended to put down the Boxer Rebellion in China. From September to November 1901, Rhein sailed on a Bremen, Suez Canal, Australia route.

                                Returning to North Atlantic sailings at the end of 1901, Rhein sailed from Bremen variously to New York, Baltimore, or Philadelphia through 1914. She began what would become her last voyage for North German Lloyd on 16 July 1914 when she left Bremen bound for Baltimore, and was in that port when Germany declared war in early August. As a neutral in the war at that time, the United States interned the liner and her sister ship Neckar, which was also in Baltimore. The two sisters would remain idle in Baltimore for almost three years.

                                After the United States declared war on Germany on 6 April 1917, Rhein, along with all other German ships interned in American ports, was seized by U.S. authorities. Initially handed over to the United States Shipping Board (USSB), she was later transferred to the U.S. Navy to effect repairs caused by neglect and sabotage by her German crew. The ship was overhauled, reconditioned, fitted out as a transport, and commissioned as USS Susquehanna at Norfolk, Virginia, on 5 September 1917.

                                USS Susquehanna sailed from New York on her first voyage with troops on 14 December 1917, under the Command of Captain Zachariah H. Madison with Commander Allen B. Reed, Executive Officer. Subsequently, Commander Reed relieved Captain Madison of command on 22 August 1918. Both Commanding Officers were awarded the Navy Cross in 1920 for the hazardous duty of commanding the troop ship through waters that were mined and patrolled by German U-boats.

                                On 29 May 1918, Susquehanna, escorted by three American and one French destroyer, got underway from Brest,, France, with troopships Rijndam, President Lincoln and Antigone for the return voyage to the U.S. At sundown on 30 May 1918, having passed through the so-called "danger zone" of submarine activity, the destroyers left the convoy to proceed alone. At about 0900 on 31 May 1918, President Lincoln, with Commander Percy Foote, in command, was struck by three torpedoes from the German submarine U-90, and sank about 20 minutes later. Of the 715 people aboard, 26 men were lost with the ship, and a Lieutenant Edward Isaacs was taken aboard U,90 as prisoner. Survivors were rescued from lifeboats late that night by destroyers Warrington and Smith. They were taken to France, arriving at Brest on 2 June. The President Lincoln at 33,000 tons, was the largest U.S. Naval vessel to be lost in World War I.

                                Susquehanna was attached to the Cruiser and Transport Force and made eight round trips to Europe before the Armistice, transporting 18,348 troops. After the Armistice, she made seven more voyages to France and returned 15,537 passengers to the United States. Susquehanna was placed out of commission on 27 August 1919 and turned over to the USSB.

                                The ship was chartered to the United States Mail Steamship Company (U.S. Mail Line) and began passenger service from New York to Bremen in August 1920. When the U.S. Mail Line ran into financial difficulties, SS Susquehanna, along with the other six former German vessels the company had chartered, was seized in April 1921 by the USSB, and later placed with the newly formed United States Lines. Beginning in April 1922, Susquehanna sailed on a New York, Plymouth, Cherbourg, Bremen route. Laid up in September 1922 after completing five roundtrips for United States Lines, the ship was sold in November 1928 to Japanese interests for scrapping.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Tenadores

                                USS Tenadores was a transport ship for the United States Navy during World War I. Before the war she was known as SS Tenadores in the service of the United Fruit Company. Before her Navy service, she served as a United States Army transport under the name USAT Tenadores.

                                World War I.

                                Tenadores was built in 1913 by Workman, Clark and Co. of Belfast, Northern Ireland for the United Fruit Company. After being turned over to the U.S. Army on 24 May 1917, the steamer served as Army transport USAT Tenadores. She was hurriedly outfitted for trooping duties, and at daybreak on 14 June, Tenadores — with fellow Army transport ships Saratoga, Havana, and Pastores, accompanied by cruisers Seattle, DeKalb, destroyers Wilkes, Terry, Roe, and converted yacht Corsair — set out from Ambrose Light for Brest, France, in the first group of the first American troop convoy to France during World War I. Corsair was unable to maintain the 15 kn (17 mph; 28 km/h) pace and fell back, being replaced by destroyer Fanning from the second group. At 22:15 on 22 June, some 850 nmi (980 mi; 1,570 km) from its intended destination of Brest, Saratoga's group of the convoy was attacked by submarines. Two torpedoes passed near Havana and two torpedoes straddled DeKalb. No submarines were definitively sighted, and the convoy — scattered by the alarm — reformed the next morning. The group, alerted by reports of submarine activity near Brest diverted to Saint-Nazaire and arrived on 25 June.

                                Tenadores was taken over by the U.S. Navy on 12 April 1918 and commissioned on 17 April 1918, with Commander James B. Gilmer in command. Tenadores served as a troop transport during the remainder of World War I. Shortly after midnight on 28 December, the ship grounded in a heavy fog off the north coast of the Île d'Yeu.

                                During unsuccessful efforts to refloat the ship, some 80 long tons (81 t) of supplies were removed from the stricken vessel and taken to Saint-Nazaire. On 30 December, minesweeper B. H. B. Hubbard rescued the last members of the transport's crew. On 2 January 1919, Hubbard returned to Tenadores for one last attempt to salvage the ship but was thwarted by high seas and the hopeless state of the transport, which was lying on her starboard side and breaking up. The name Tenadores was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 18 February.

                                1st January 1917 American Troopship  

                                SS Vauban

                                SS Vauban was built by Workman, Clark & Company, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1912. 10,660 gross tons; 511 (bp) feet long; 60 feet wide. Steam quadruple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 13.5 knots. 540 passengers (210 first class, 130 second class, 200 third class).Built for Lamport & Holt Line, British flag, in 1912 and named Vauban. New York-South American service service.

                                Transferred to Royal Mail Lines, British flag, in 1913 and renamed Alcala. Returned to Lamport & Holt Line, British flag, in 1913 and reverted to Vauban. New York-South American service. Chartered by Cunard Line, British flag, in 1919. Liverpool-New York service.

                                Chartered by Lamport & Holt Line, British flag, in 1922. South American service. Scrapped Royal Mail Lines, British flag, in 1922. Hamburg-New York service. Scrapped in Scotland in 1932.

                                Vauba was used to transport US troops during WW1.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Wilhelmina

                                USS Wilhelmina (ID-2168) was a transport for the United States Navy during World War I. Built in 1909 for Matson Navigation Company as SS Wilhelmina, she sailed from the West Coast of the United States to Hawaii until 1917. After her war service, she was returned to Matson and resumed Pacific Ocean service. In the late 1930s she was laid up in San Francisco, California, until sold to a British company in 1940. While a part of a convoy sailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Liverpool, she was sunk by U-94 on 2 December 1940.

                                Wilhelmina—a steel-hulled, single-screw, passenger and cargo steamer built at Newport News, Virginia, by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. for the Matson Navigation Company—was launched on 18 September 1909 and departed her builders' yard on 7 December of that year. Under the Matson flag, Wilhelmina conducted regular runs between San Francisco, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii, carrying passengers and cargo between 1910 and 1917.

                                World War I.

                                Inspected by the Navy at the 12th Naval District, San Francisco, on 18 June 1917—two months after the United States entered World War I—the steamship was later taken over by the United States Shipping Board on 1 December. Soon afterwards she sailed for Chile where she obtained a cargo of nitrates. Delivering that cargo at Norfolk, Virginia., Wilhelmina shifted to New York on 23 January 1918. Given Identification Number 2168, the ship was then taken over by the Navy and apparently commissioned on 26 January. Lt. Comdr. Joe W. Jory, USNRF, is listed as being in command in February. Wilhelmina was diverted to "special duty" and made her first voyage to France soon afterwards, departing New York with a general cargo on 1 February and returning on 26 March. Upon her return, she shifted to the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, where she was taken in hand and converted to a troopship for service with the Cruiser and Transport Force. When her extant deck logs begin, her commanding officer is listed as Comdr. William T. Tarrant.

                                On 10 May 1918, Wilhelmina sailed out of New York on the first of six wartime voyages to France and back prior to the November armistice. During these passages, Wilhelmina carried 11,053 troops "over there" to strengthen the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). The transport's half-dozen trips were all made safely, as far as she was concerned, although not totally without incident.

                                While in convoy with six other troopships and four destroyers, Wilhelmina was present when the transport Covington was torpedoed on 1 July. Nearly a month later, on 30 July, one of Wilhelmina's lookouts spotted what he thought to be a submarine periscope at 07:30. Going to general quarters, the transport surged ahead and opened fire to drive the submarine away. A short while later, when the periscope reappeared, Wilhelmina again fired at it, with the shell falling 50 yards (46 m) short.

                                Two weeks later, while Wilhelmina and Pastores were steaming under the protection of destroyer Hull, the erstwhile Matson steamship again went to general quarters to drive away what looked like a submarine. Shortly after 2000 on 14 August, while Wilhelmina's crew and passengers were holding abandon ship drill, a lookout spotted what looked like a submarine periscope 200 yards (180 m) from the ship and just forward of the port beam. The captain of the transport ordered the helm put over to starboard soon after the sighting, as the submarine moved away on an opposite course. The one-pounder on the port wing of the signal bridge barked out two shots, both missing. Three shots from the after port 6-inch (150 mm) gun followed, until their angle was masked by the ship's superstructure. The submarine, however, apparently frustrated, submerged. It may have remained in the area to try again, as on the following day, 15 August, a submarine periscope appeared some 200 yards (180 m) away from the troopship, prompting three salvoes which drove the would-be attacker off.

                                In company with seven other transports—including Wilhelmina—on 23 August, in a convoy escorted by armored cruiser Huntington and destroyers Fairfax and Hull, Pastores spotted what she took to be a submarine periscope at about 09:50. Hull rang up full speed and reversed course; Huntington and Fairfax soon did likewise but found nothing.

                                Later that day, however, the enemy apparently reappeared. Pastores's commander sighted a periscope at 1904; Hull sighted the same object five minutes later. The periscope appeared to be about 500 yards (460 m) distant, three points off Wilhelmina's starboard bow, and running on a course to the right and nearly opposite that of the convoy. Pastores went to battle stations and headed for the periscope. Wilhelmina, too, turned toward the enemy.

                                With the 'scope in sight for about 10 seconds, the time allotted the gun crews of the American ships that spotted the enemy was short. Pastores got off one round of 4-inch (100 mm) at the swirling water where the object had disappeared. Frustrated by the submarine's going deep, Wilhelmina, unable to ram, turned aside to port. Hull, rushing to the scene, soon dropped three depth bombs.

                                Three days later, on 26 August, Wilhelmina noticed a suspicious wake five degrees off her port bow, 2,500 yards (2,300 m) away and passing from port to starboard. Going to general quarters, Wilhelmina fired a shot from one of her forward guns shortly before she loosed three shots in succession from the forward starboard 6-inch (150 mm) battery. Nine rounds came from the after battery on that side; and, as the ship swung, the superstructure masked the forward guns. The wake soon disappeared; both Pastores and the Italian transport Dante Alighieri also fired several rounds at what was possibly a submersible with no apparent success.

                                Wilhelmina emerged from World War I unscathed, although near-missed by a torpedo on 1 September. After the armistice, she continued her troop-carrying activities, bringing back part of the AEF from France. She conducted seven postwar, round-trip voyages, returning 11,577 men home to the United States including 2,610 sick and wounded.

                                These postwar voyages were not made entirely without incident either. A fire broke out in a storeroom where blankets and pillows were kept, a little over six hours after the ship departed Bassens, France, standing down the Gironde River on 25 March 1919. The fire, reported at 2152, was put out by 2210. Slight damage had been caused in the fire.

                                Wilhelmina subsequently entered the Ambrose Channel on 4 April and docked at Pier 1, Hoboken, New Jersey, the following day. There, she disembarked the troops and patients carried back from France. She began her last voyage shortly afterwards, returning to New York on 6 August 1919. There, she was decommissioned, struck from the Navy list, and returned to her owners on 16 August.

                                 American Troopship  

                                USS Zeelandia

                                USS Zeelandia (ID-2507) was a transport that served in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919.

                                The passenger ship Zeelandia was constructed in 1910 by A. Stephens and Sons, Ltd., at Glasgow, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. She was operated in transatlantic service by the Royal Dutch Lloyd lines until March 1918, when she was chartered by the U.S. Navy.

                                The ship was given Id. No. 2507 and placed in commission as USS Zeelandia at New York, New York, on 3 April 1918, Commander Robert Henderson in command.

                                Assigned to the Newport News Division of the Transport Force, Zeelandia carried troops across the Atlantic Ocean during the remaining months of World War I. She made five round-trip voyages to French ports between commissioning and the armistice with Germany on 11 November 1918. During those voyages, she carried a total of 8,349 passengers — mostly troops — to Europe.

                                Though Zeelandia claimed to have sighted and engaged German U-boats on several occasions during her wartime service, only one encounter was verified as definitely a submarine. That event occurred at dusk on 31 August 1918, when a submarine surfaced to attack the convoy in which she cruised. The attacker, however, could not press home its attack because of zigzag tactics and a moderately strong escort.

                                Zeelandia remained in U.S. Navy service between 11 November 1918 and 31 July 1919, making seven voyages between Europe and the United States returning American troops home after the war. During those voyages, she repatriated 15,737 American soldiers and carried 3,170 passengers to Europe.

                                On 31 July 1919, Zeelandia was transferred to the custody of the Commandant, 3rd Naval District for disposal. She was finally decommissioned on 6 October 1919, was struck from the Navy List the same day, and was simultaneously returned to her owner.

                                 HMS Glorious  

                                HMS Glorious was the second of the Courageous-class battlecruisers built for the Royal Navy during the First World War. Designed to support the Baltic Project championed by the First Sea Lord, Lord Fisher, they were very lightly armoured and armed with only a few heavy guns. Glorious was completed in late 1916 and spent the war patrolling the North Sea. She participated in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in November 1917 and was present when the German High Seas Fleet surrendered a year later. Glorious was paid off after the end of the war, but was rebuilt as an aircraft carrier during the late 1920s. She could carry 30% more aircraft than her half-sister Furious which had approximately the same tonnage. After recommissioning she spent most of her career operating in the Mediterranean Sea. After the start of the Second World War, Glorious spent the rest of 1939 unsuccessfully hunting for the German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee in the Indian Ocean before returning to the Mediterranean. She was recalled in April 1940 to support British operations in Norway. While evacuating British aircraft from Norway in June, the ship was sunk by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the North Sea with the loss of over 1,200 lives.

                                • Name: HMS Glorious
                                • Ordered: 14 March 1915
                                • Builder: Harland and Wolff, Belfast
                                • Cost: £1,967,223
                                • Laid down: 1 May 1915
                                • Launched: 20 April 1916
                                • Commissioned: January 1917
                                • Reclassified: Converted to aircraft carrier February 1924 to March 1930
                                • Fate: Sunk by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau 8 June 1940

                                Her keel was laid down on 1 May 1915 by Harland and Wolff at their Belfast shipyard. Glorious was launched on 20 April 1916 and completed on 14 October 1916. Courageous had received stiffening after damages in her sea trials. Glorious did not suffer any similar damage and did not receive her stiffening until 1918. Upon commissioning, Glorious served with the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. After most of the 1st Cruiser Squadron was sunk at the Battle of Jutland, the squadron was re-formed with Courageous as flagship along with her sister ship Glorious.She cost £1,967,223 to build. Glorious received a half a dozen torpedo mounts, each with two tubes in mid-1917. One mount on each side of the mainmast on the upper deck and two mounts on each side of the rear turret on the quarterdeck. On 16 October 1917 the Admiralty received word of German ship movements, possibly indicating some sort of raid. Admiral Beatty, the commander of the Grand Fleet, ordered most of his light cruisers and destroyers to sea in an effort to locate the enemy ships. Courageous and Glorious were not initially ordered to sea, but were sent to reinforce the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron patrolling the central part of the North Sea later that day. Two German Brummer-class light cruisers managed to slip through the gaps in the British patrols and destroyed a convoy bound for Norway during the morning of 17 October, but no word was received of the engagement until that afternoon. The 1st Cruiser Squadron were ordered to intercept, but were unsuccessful as the German cruisers were faster than expected.

                                Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

                                Throughout 1917 the Admiralty was becoming more concerned about German efforts to sweep paths through the British-laid minefields intended to restrict the actions of the High Seas Fleet and German submarines. A preliminary raid on German minesweeping forces on 31 October by light forces destroyed ten small ships and the Admiralty decided on a larger operation to destroy the minesweepers and their light cruiser escorts. Based on intelligence reports, the Admiralty allocated the 1st Cruiser Squadron on 17 November 1917, with cover provided by the reinforced 1st Battlecruiser Squadron and distant cover by the battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron. The German ships, four light cruisers of II Scouting Force, eight destroyers, three divisions of minesweepers, eight sperrbrecher (cork-filled trawlers) and two trawlers to mark the swept route, were spotted at 0730 am, silhouetted by the rising sun. Courageous and the light cruiser Cardiff opened fire with their forward guns seven minutes later. The Germans responded by laying a smoke screen and this made spotting targets very difficult. The British continued in pursuit, but lost track of most of the smaller ships in the smoke and concentrated fire on the light cruisers as opportunity permitted. One 15-inch hit was made on a gun shield of SMS Pillau, but it did not affect her speed. At 0833 the left-hand gun in Glorious's forward turret was wrecked when a shell detonated inside the gun barrel. At 0930 the 1st Cruiser Squadron broke off their pursuit so they would not enter a minefield marked on their maps and the ships turned south, playing no further role in the battle. Glorious required five days of repairs to right the damage caused from the premature detonation and from her own muzzle blast. She fired 57 15-inch and 213 4-inch shells during the engagement. The ship received flying-off platforms on top of her turrets in 1918. A Sopwith Camel was carried on the rear turret and a Sopwith 1½ Strutter on the forward turret. She was present at the surrender of the German fleet on 21 November 1918. Glorious was reduced to reserve at Rosyth on 1 February 1919 and served as a turret drill ship, but succeeded Courageous as flagship of the Rear-Admiral Commanding the Reserve at Devonport between 1921 and 1922.

                                1st January 1917  New Equipment

                                August 1917  Reorganisation

                                1st January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF Routine Order No. 154

                                1st January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF Visited by L

                                1st January 1917  Reinforcement, Training and Relocation

                                1st January 1917  Reserve position

                                1st January 1917 Events in 1917  Bavarian Ersatz Division part of 7th Army

                                Aisne 1917.

                                On the Aisne front, east of Craonne, the Bavarian Ersatz Division received the French offensive of April, and its conduct gained the order "Pour le Merite" for its general. Relieved at the end of April, it occupied a sector in the Apremont Wood from the middle of May to the end of August.

                                Ypres 1917.

                                On the 1st September it was in Belgium, where it was engaged on both sides of the Ypres-Henn road until September 25. The 3rd Battalion of the 4th Bavarian Reserve Regiment was almost destroyed on the 20th September 1917.

                                Galicia 1917.

                                At the beginning of October the division was transferred to the eastern front and sent into line southeast of Tarnopol in December. At the end of autumn 1917, the 28th Ersatz Regiment (Baden) was withdrawn from the division and replaced by the 18th Bavarian Reserve. The division was then entirely Bavarian.

                                Recruiting.

                                The Bavarian Ersatz Division is recruited from the 1st and 2nd Bavarian Corps districts.

                                Allied Intelligence Value - 1917 Estimate.

                                The Bavarian Ersatz Division is classed as a very mediocre division.

                                1st January 1917 1917 Actions  1st Bavarian Division part of 1st Bavarian Corps and 2nd German Army.

                                1917.

                                Plateau du Californie.

                                Entrained about May 7th at Vigneulles, it proceeded to the Laon region, where it was in reserve (May 8-12th). The following day it took over the sector west of Hurtebise, where it participated in several attacks (May 20th - June 17th), losing heavily therein. The division was relieved June 21st and went to rest south of Mezieres (La Francheville, etc.), where it was reconstituted.

                                Champagne.

                                On July 25th it went back into the line on the Champagne front. (sector south of Ste. Marie a Py). It did not take part in any important engagements there. The division was withdrawn on the 27th December 1917.

                                Allied Intelligence Value Estimate

                                The division was recruited in the southern part of Bavaria. The presence of contingents from the Bavarian Alps was responsible for the withdrawal of the Body Regiment to form the Alpine Corps. Despite the losses it suffered during May and June in the Hurtebise sector, the 1st Bavarian Division may still be considered a good division. It has had time to reconstitute itself during the long calm period spent in Champagne (July 25th to Dec. 27,1917).

                                1st January 1917 Actions in 1917 and 1918  1st Bavarian Reserve Division part of 1st Bavarian Reserve Corps and 6th German Army

                                1917.

                                Artois.

                                After sometime at rest, the division went back into line February 27 to the north of Arras (Roclincourt-Neuville-St. Vaast). On April 9th, it received the full shock of the British attack, lost the villages of Thelus and Bailleul together with 1,500 prisoners.

                                Regrettably the pages for the remainder of 1917 and 1918 are missing from our main source.

                                Summary

                                The 1st Bavarian Reserve Division (1. Bayerische Reserve-Division) was a unit of the Royal Bavarian Army, part of the German Army, in World War I. The division was formed on mobilization of the German Army in August 1914 as part of I Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps. The division was disbanded in 1919 during the demobilization of the German Army after World War I. The division was raised and recruited in Bavaria. As a reserve division, it included a large number of recalled reservists and war volunteers.

                                The 1st Bavarian Reserve Division fought in the opening phases of the war in the Battle of the Frontiers. It then participated in the Race to the Sea, including the Battle of Arras in October 1914. It remained in the trench lines in Flanders until 1916, when it entered the Battle of the Somme in August 1916. In late 1917, it participated in the Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918, the division fought in the Battle of the Lys. The division ended the war still fighting in the Lys region.

                                Allied intelligence rated the division as a good division in 1917, but third class in 1918.

                                1st January 1917  Actions during 1917

                                1st January 1917 Ongoing Action  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                This page from the war diaries covers the period from 1st January 1917 to the 21st January 1917 inclusive. The overall image is very faint and the right hand side of the page totally unreadable. So the extracts are based on a combination of visible fragment and some guesswork.

                                1st Jan. 1917 - Battalion in Thievres.

                                2nd Jan. - Battalion leaves billets and marches to trenches in front of Thiepval to relieve 6th Battalion Border Regiment. No casualties in either Battalion happened during relief.

                                3rd Jan. - Artillery on both sides very active. First post captured 6 Germans -------- unreadable ---- who had taken 2 men of the Gloucesters --- prisoner.

                                4th Jan. - Weather again bad. Artillery very quiet.

                                5th Jan. - Weather still very bad. Situation normal. Great activity by enemy aircraft.

                                6th Jan. - Great activity by our aircraft. 15 minute barrage at night by our artillery.

                                7th Jan. - Our aircraft again very busy ---- unreadable.

                                8th Jan. - ----- No 5 ---- one German stretcher bearer --- unreadable ---- Raining during the night.

                                9th Jan. Very heavy shelling by enemy artillery continuing --- unreadable

                                10th Jan. - Battalion relieved by the 6th Battalion Border Regiment ----- unreadable ---- 1 Officer seriously wounded. 1 Stretcher bearer killed.

                                11th Jan. - In Billets. Fine sharp morning. Marched to ---- unreadable ---

                                12th Jan. - In Billets. Heavy rain during the night. ---- unreadable ---

                                13th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                14th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                15th Jan. - Thiepval ---- unreadable

                                16th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                17th Jan. - In Billets. Very heavy fall of snow during the night --- unreadable.

                                18th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------

                                19th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------



                                1st January 1917  Actions during 1917

                                1st January 1917  Actions during 1917

                                1st January 1917 Actions during 1917  German 2nd Division part of 1st Army Corps and 8th Army

                                Divisional Actions during 1917

                                The reconstituted 2nd Division was engaged in the Mitau sector up to the end of January 1917. All its units were identified in the vicinity of Kalnzen. On February 8th it entrained at Mitau for the western front. (Itinerary: Chavli, Kovno, Insterburg, Konigsberg, Stettin, Hamburg, Munster, Aix-la-Chapelle, Liege, Louvain, Bruxelles, Audenarde.)

                                Belgium.

                                Detrained on February 13th and remained at rest up to the end of March. It received reinforcements of various classes of men (wounded, convalescents and class 1917 reservists). The division occupied the Wytschaete sector from the 25th of March to the beginning of June. (On April 15th and May 10th and 15th it received the first reinforcements from the class of 1918, the last having had only three months instruction. In all, 4,460 men between 1st January 1 and 1st June). On the 7th June, it left 2,825 men in the hands of British troops. On June 10th the 2nd Division retired from the Belgian front. It was placed at rest in the district of Audenarde in June and then entrained for the eastern front(end of June).

                                Russia.

                                It arrived in Russia at the beginning of July and was put at rest in the district of Vilna. On July 14th it was identified in the Illukst District.

                                France.

                                It returned to France on the 25th of November. It entrained on this date at Kovno and was transported over the following itinerary: Insterburg, Thorn, Posen, Frankfort-sur-Oder, Berlin, Paderborn, Crefeld, Aix-la-Chapelle, Liege, Namur and Vouziers (Nov. 30).

                                On December 27th it relieved the 1st Bavarian Division in the Souain-Somme-Py sector.

                                Allied Intelligence 1917 Value Estimate.

                                Except during the period March-June 1917, when the 2nd Division was fighting in Belgium, it continuously occupied the Russian front from the beginning of the war till December, 1917.

                                1st January 1917 Actions 1917 to 1918  2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division part of 8th Army. Later part of 66th Corps(zbV) and 19th Army (zbV = zur besonderen Vervendung) (for special use)

                                Divisional Actions and review.

                                The 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division was formed in Lorraine at the end of December 1916 and the beginning of January 1917. Two of its regiments, the 5th Bavarian Landwehr and the 10th Bavarian Landwehr, were assigned respectively to the 1st Bavarian Landwehr Division and the 33rd Reserve Division at that time on the Lorraine front. The 2nd Bavarian Landwehr was ceded by the 6th Bavarian Landwehr Division, which held a Vosges sector.

                                Russia.

                                As soon as it was constituted the 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division was transported to the Eastern front via Frankfort and Leipzig.

                                Courlande.

                                Directed to Courlande and attached to the 8th Army it entered the line in the vicinity of Friedrichstadt (middle of January, 1917) and remained in this district up till February, 1918. In September it participated in the operations against Riga. In December a number of men were detached in order to reinforce the 10th Bavarian Division.

                                1917 Allied Intelligence Value Estimate.

                                It remained on the Russian front from the time of its formation (January, 1917). It held the calm sector of Courlande in 1917; it occupied Livonia in 1918 (May). Men under 35 years of age were withdrawn from the 5th Bavarian Landwehr in December 1917. It is rated as a 4th class division.

                                The 2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division initially served on the Eastern Front, entering the line in the Baltic region near Riga. In September 1917, it participated in the Battle of Riga. The division then remained on the line on the Duna River until the armistice on the Eastern Front in December 1917. For most of 1918, it served in Livonia and Estonia as part of the German occupation forces. In October 1918, it was transferred to the Western Front, and occupied a portion of the trench line in Lorraine until the end of World War I. Allied intelligence rated the division as fourth class.

                                1st January 1917  Actions during 1917

                                1st January 1917  Training and Pioneer Organisation

                                January 1917  Reinforcements

                                1st Jan 1917  New Year Dinner

                                January 1917  Move

                                1st Jan 1917  Sports

                                1st Sep 1917  On the Move

                                Jan 1917  New Aircraft

                                1st Jan 1917  Moves

                                1st Jan 1917  Sore Heads

                                1st Jan 1917  Training

                                1st Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                1st Jan 1917  Training

                                1st January 1917  Calais Arrival

                                1st of January 1917  Training and Resting

                                1st Jan 1917  Bombardment

                                1st Jan 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                1st Jan 1917  Training

                                1st Jan 1917  Appreciation

                                1st Jan 1917  Training

                                1st of January 1917 

                                1st of January 1917 

                                1917  Pals

                                1st Jan 1917  Redesignation

                                1st Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                1st Jan 1917  Concentration

                                Jan 1917  Move

                                1st of January 1917  Training

                                1st Jan 1917  In the Field

                                1st of January 1917   Organised Hostile Shoot

                                1st Jan 1917  Transfer

                                1st January 1917  Inspection

                                1st Jan 1917  Artillery Active

                                1st January 1917  Reliefs

                                1st January 1917  In the trenches

                                1st January 1917  In Reserve

                                1st Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                1917  Record

                                Jan 1917  Courses

                                1st Jan 1917  Thick Mist

                                1st January 1917  Inspected by A.D.M.S.

                                1st of January 1917  Enemy Bombarded

                                1st Jan 1917  Instructions

                                1st January 1917  Location - shelter Wood N. Camp.

                                1st of January 1917  Training continues

                                2nd January 1917 Training  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery from Tuesday 2nd January 1917 to Sunday 21st January Training continued.

                                2nd January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF still in billets

                                2nd January 1917  Training courses

                                2nd Jan 1917   FAMECHON

                                18th Battalion vacated billets & moved into Div. Reserve in billets at BAYENCOURT. Men fresh after rest. Roads very heavy for marching.

                                2nd Jan 1917  Route March

                                2nd Sep 1917  Town bombed

                                2nd Jan 1917  Training

                                2nd Jan 1917  Training

                                2nd of January 1917  Parades

                                2nd Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                2nd Jan 1917  Training

                                2nd Jan 1917  Fine Weather

                                2nd Jan 1917  Working Parties and Training

                                2nd of January 1917 

                                2nd of January 1917 

                                2nd of January 1917 

                                2nd of January 1917  An Enemy Patrol

                                2nd Jan 1917  Enemy Active

                                2nd Jan 1917  Wet Weather

                                2nd of January 1917  Divisional Follies

                                2nd of January 1917   German Artillery Active

                                2nd January 1917  Usual parades.

                                2nd Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                2nd January 1917  Reliefs

                                2nd Jan 1917  Bombardment

                                2nd January 1917  Scheme of Signaling between Infantry

                                2nd of January 1917  Baths and Work

                                2nd Jan 1917  Orders

                                2nd January 1917  Parties employed in improving path's in camp.

                                2nd of January 1917  Battalion on the move

                                3rd Jan 1917  Very wet in Ypres Sector

                                3rd January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF supply working party

                                3rd January 1917 33rd Battalion AIF list of names for training courses, appendix No. 1  NO.      RANK.         NAME.                NATURE.                            PLACE.                   DATE

                                  818.      Sgt.             Lloyd. CJ           BDE. BOMBING. SCH.       PONT DE PIERRE  3-1-17
                                  1181.    Sgt.             Lyons.  WM                    do.                                  do.                     do.
                                                                         (The above NCOs were detailed as instructors.)
                                        5 men per Company.                   BDE. BOMBING SCH.        PONT DE PIERRE.  3-1-17
                                                Lt.              CAK Cohen        SIGNALLING SCH.            ZUTYPEENE.           15-1-17
                                  884.       L/Cpl.        Tribe. BR.                       do.                                    do.                        do.  
                                1173.     Pte.            Lovejoy  AJ.                  do.                                     do.                       do.
                                  1454.     Sgt.            Penning. RS.      SANITATION SCH.            ARMENTIÈRES.        8-1-17
                                  5157A.   Pte.            Stafford W.                    do.                                     do.                       do.
                                  5037B.   Pte.            Hamilton. GA.     9th A.L.T.M.                                 do.                  5-1-17
                                  5054A.   Pte.            Hutchinson. G.              do. (School                        do.                       do.
                                  5010.      Pte.           Pascoe. LJ.                   do.       of                           do.                       do.  
                                  5099A.   Pte.            Wade. WR.                    do. Instruct-                      do.                       do.
                                  5084A.   Pte.            Ryan. E.                        do.          ion).                    do.                       do.  
                                5115A.                     Wright. TF.                     do.                                     do.                       do.
                                  978?       Pte.            Phifer. OJ.          SNIPING SCHOOL.         MONT DES CATS.      6-1-17.
                                                         Capt. Rosenthal. CP.    SANITATION SCH.           HAZEBROUCK.         8-1-17.
                                                         Lieut.AG Farleigh.         LEWIS GUN SCH.           LE TOUQUET.          12-1-17.
                                ?36.         Pte.           Edwards. RC.                do.                                  do.                      do.
                                  1?80.      Pte.            Walpole. CP.       SNIPING SCHOOL.        MONT DES CATS.    13-1-17.
                                1417.      L/Cpl         McDonald J.       TRANSPORT SCH.         ABBEVILLE.                7-1-17.
                                  1060.      L/Cpl.        Byrne. PJ            GAS. SCHOOL.              OXELAIRE.                17-1-17.
                                  1784A.    Cpl.           Chapman. WP.             do.                               do.                            do.
                                                                                         DIVISIONAL SCHOOL
                                  1142.      L/Cpl.        Hadkins. WL.       P.T. and B.F.                   STEENWERCK.         14-1-17.
                                  547.        L/Cpl.        Spencer. HT.               do.                                     do.                       do.  
                                                    Lieut. WJC Duncan. )         BOMBING and
                                  716.        Sgt.            Burke. FJ  )         TRENCH TACTICS.                   do.                       do.
                                77.          Cpl.            Goss. EG  )                      do.                                do.                       do.
                                  436.        Cpl.            Harris. CA.          ANTI-GAS.                                do.                       do.
                                                         Lieut. Smith. LCB     )
                                  940.        L/Cpl.         Reid. J.          )    MUSKETRY.                              do.                       do.  
                                  174.        L/Cpl.         Shepherd. C. )
                                  379.        Pte.            Capel. RS.           SNIPING SCHOOL.                  do.                      do.
                                  967.        Cpl.            Mathias. LJ.        LEWIS GUN SCHOOL.             do.                      do.  
                                1954.      L/Cpl.         See. GE.             RAPID WIRING.                         do.                     do.
                                                          Lieut. WW Stockham.  TRENCH MORTAR.        TREDEGHEM.           15-1-17.
                                  1245.      Sgt.            Simpson. WH.    P.T. and B.F.                    MOREBECQUE.        14-1-17
                                  1459.      Pte.            Byran. FT.           SANITATION SCH.          ARMENTIÈRES.        15-1-17.
                                  907.        Pte.            Wellington. R.              do.                                   do.                        do.
                                1833.      Cpl.            Richardson. G.   LEWIS GUN SCHOOL.   LE TOUQUET.           20-1-17
                                                                                              DIVISIONAL SCHOOL
                                  ?67.        Cpl.            Mathias. LJ.       P.T. and B.F.                     STEENWERCK.        28-1-17
                                  407.        Cpl.            Grattan. JS.    )  BOMBING and
                                  1?85.      Cpl.            White. AF.        ) TRENCH TACTICS.                   do.                        do.
                                  387.        L/Cpl.         Connolly. VP.   ) MUSKETRY.                              do.                        do.
                                  2034.      Cpl.            Boulton. LR.    )         do.
                                  30.          L/Cpl.         Clifton. M.         SNIPING SCHOOL.                   do.                       do.
                                  2148.      L/Cpl.         Whitehill. WO.   LEWIS GUN SCHOOL.              do.                       do.  
                                  704.        Cpl.             Barrow. SJ.      RAPID WIRING.                         do.                       do.
                                                          Lieut. CR Cormack.    STOKES MORTAR.          TERDEGHEM.               do.
                                  178.        Cpl.            Stone. RE.                      do.                               do.                        do.
                                  389.        Sgt.            Crowley. CS.     P.T. and B.F.                      MOREBECQUE.        28-1-17
                                  444         Pte.            Hogan. P.          SANITATION SCH.            MONT DES CATS.     23-1-17
                                  1464.      Pte.            O'Neill.                           do.                                do.                        do.
                                498.        Pte.            Matthews. J.     SNIPING SCHOOL.          MONT DES CATS      23-1-17
                                511.        Pte.            Nelson. H.         LEWIS GUN SCH.            LE TOUQUET.            28-1-17
                                862.        Pte.            Simpson. FJ.    SANITATION SCH.            ARMENTIÈRES.         29-1-17
                                  1468.      Pte.            Long. HMS.                do.                                     do.                        do.
                                                         Lieut. TA Armstrong.    CORPS SCHOOL.           MOREBECQUE.        28-1-17
                                  896.        Sgt.           Campbell. KJ              do.                                     do.                         do.
                                  4298A.    Pte.           Corby. DE.         SNIPING SCHOOL.          MONT DES CATS.      3-2-17
                                                                                        DIVISIONAL SCHOOL
                                  148. L/Cpl. Paton. AJ. P.T. and B.F.  STEENWERCK. 5-2-17
                                  1297. Cpl. Tufrey.  WJ. ) BOMBING and
                                  1054. L/Cpl. Ahrens.  J. ). TRENCH TACTICS. do. do.
                                  958. L/Cpl. Beat. WJ. LEWIS GUN SCHOOL do. do.
                                  2202. L/Cpl. Sawyer. D. RAPID WIRING. do. do.
                                  747. Cpl. Crapnell. J. ) STOKES MORTAR. do. do.
                                  484. L/Cpl. McIlveen. ) do. do. do. 

                                3rd January 1917  Return to regiment

                                3rd Jan 1917  On the March

                                3rd Sep 1917  Kit Inspection

                                3rd Jan 1917  Training & Football

                                3rd Jan 1917  Relief

                                2nd Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                3rd Jan 1917  Training

                                3rd Sep 1917  Standing by

                                3rd of January 1917  Daily Training

                                3rd Jan 1917  In Billets

                                3rd Jan 1917  Training

                                3rd Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                3rd Jan 1917  Working Parties and Training

                                3rd of January 1917 

                                3rd of January 1917 

                                3rd of January 1917  Gas and Heath Trenches Shelled

                                3rd Jan 1917  Enemy Artillery

                                3rd Jan 1917  Fatigues

                                3rd of January 1917  Training

                                3rd of January 1917  Gun Emplacement Buried

                                3rd January 1917  Inspections

                                3rd Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                3rd Jan 1917  Strong Wind

                                3rd Jan 1917  Movement Difficult

                                3rd January 1917  Bath's at Houpoutre Siding

                                3rd of January 1917   Baths

                                3rd January 1917  Operational Orders

                                3rd January 1917  March Table

                                3rd January 1917  Orders for move.

                                3rd January 1917  March Table

                                4th January 1917  Message from His Majesty the King

                                4th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF again in billets

                                4th January 1917  Inspection and movements

                                4th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT

                                Battalion in Div. Reserve, training and supplying working parties. Weather fair.

                                4th Jan 1917  On the March

                                4th Jan 1917  Training

                                4th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                4th Jan 1917  Training

                                4th Sep 1917  Standing by

                                4th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                4th Jan 1917  Training

                                4th Jan 1917  Training

                                4th Jan 1917  Festivities

                                4th Jan 1917  Training

                                4th of January 1917 

                                4th of January 1917 

                                4th of January 1917 

                                4th of January 1917  Stinking Farm Hit Again

                                4th Jan 1917  Mine

                                4th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                4th of January 1917  Rain

                                4th Jan 1917  In Trenches

                                4th Jan 1917  Into Position

                                4th of January 1917  German Artillery Busy

                                4th January 1917  Move to the trenches

                                4th Jan 1917  Artillery Active

                                4th Jan 1917  Relief

                                4th January 1917  Company and Platoon drill, Musketry, testing and fitting of Box Respirators.

                                4th of January 1917  Parades

                                4th January 1917  Moved to Vanilla Camp in Support

                                5th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF  C Co Move

                                5th January 1917  CO's Inspection

                                5th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                5th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT

                                Maj. W.D. LOWE awarded Military Cross, also Capt. J.B. HUGHES-GAMES. Draft of 26 ORs reported from base.

                                5th Jan 1917  Baths

                                5th Jan 1917  Training

                                5th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                5th Jan 1917  Training

                                5th Sep 1917  Reliefs Completed

                                5th Jan 1917  Shelling

                                5th Jan 1917  Training

                                5th Jan 1917  Trench Raid

                                5th Jan 1917  Training

                                5th of January 1917 

                                5th of January 1917 

                                5th of January 1917  Hostile Artillery Active

                                5th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                5th Jan 1917  Leave

                                5th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                5th of January 1917  Demonstration Attack

                                5th Jan 1917  Reinforced and Relieved

                                5th of January 1917   Aeroplanes Active

                                5th January 1917  Reliefs

                                5th January 1917  Trench Raid

                                5th Jan 1917  Artillery in Action

                                5th January 1917  In billets in Le Quesnoy.

                                5th January 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                5th Jan 1917  Relatiation

                                5th Jan 1917  Orders

                                5th January 1917  Box Respirators tested in Gas Chamber

                                5th of January 1917  Parades and a Lecture

                                5th January 1917  Working on improving camp

                                6th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers leave Bonneville  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers leaves Bonneville for Sarton.

                                6th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF supply more working parties

                                6th January 1917  CO's Inspection

                                6th Jan 1917  Raid

                                6th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                6th Jan 1917   18th DLI vacated billets and relieved 18th WYR in L3 subsector Hebuterne Relief complete 10.45am. B & C Coys left & right front Coy’s, A & D support. Weather bad. Communication trenches too bad to use. Only six Coy Officers including Coy Cdrs. Bosche very quiet.

                                6th Jan 1917  On the March

                                6th Jan 1917  Attack Made

                                6th Jan 1917  Training & Football

                                6th Sep 1917  Counter Attack

                                6th Jan 1917  Shelling

                                6th Jan 1917  Working Parties and Training

                                6th Jan 1917  Training

                                6th Jan 1917  Training

                                6th Jan 1917  On the March

                                6th of January 1917 

                                6th of January 1917 

                                6th of January 1917 

                                6th of January 1917 

                                6th of January 1917  Agnes Street Hit

                                6th Jan 1917  Arrivals

                                6th of January 1917  Outpost Drill

                                6th January 1917  On the March

                                6th of January 1917   German Guns Quiet

                                6th Jan 1917  New Battery Formed

                                6th Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                6th January 1917  Return

                                6th Jan 1917  Heavy Rain

                                6th January 1917  Fighting patrol training

                                6th of January 1917  A Relief

                                6th January 1917  Moved to Front Line

                                7th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on march  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers continue march, A & C companies to Bus, B & D coys to Couin.

                                7th January 1917 New Squadron formed  No 84 Squadron formed as a fighter squadron on the 7th of January 1917 at East Boldre Airfield, known as RFC Beaulieu.

                                7th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF remain in billets

                                7th January 1917  CO's Inspection

                                7th Jan 1917  Embarkation Leave

                                7th Jan 1917   TRENCHES

                                Day began very fair, but turned to heavy rain later. All trenches more or less impassable.

                                7th Jan 1917  Prepararations

                                7th Jan 1917  Reorganisation

                                7th Jan 1917  Football

                                7th Jan 1917  Reliefs Completed

                                7th Jan 1917  On the March

                                7th of January 1917  Battery Inspection

                                7th of January 1919  Miners Demob

                                7th Jan 1917  In Camp

                                7th Jan 1917  Awards

                                7th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                7th January 1917  New Squadron formed

                                7th January 1917  New Squadron formed

                                7th January 1917  New squadron formed

                                7th Jan 1917  Football

                                7th Jan 1917  On the March

                                7th of January 1917 

                                7th of January 1917 

                                7th of January 1917 

                                7th of January 1917 

                                7th of January 1917 

                                7th of January 1917  A Heavy Bombardment

                                7th Jan 1917  Church Parade

                                7th of January 1917  A Military Medal

                                7th January 1917  On the March

                                7th of January 1917   Hostile Artillery Quiet

                                7th Jan 1917  Bombardment

                                7th January 1917  Reliefs

                                7th Jan 1917  Heavy Bombardment

                                7th January 1917  7th London Regt. Church parade cancelled

                                7th of January 1917  Day Quiet

                                7th Jan 1917  Orders

                                7th January 1917  Front Line, Left Sub-Section

                                8th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers provide working parties  B and D coys 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers provide working parties at Colincamps and Beaussart, C coy provides guards for prisoners at Bus whilst the officers reconnoitre the new line in front of Serre.

                                8th January 1917  Lecture and inspections

                                8th Jan 1917   TRENCHES

                                Heavy rain, A & D Coys relieved B & C Coys in front line.

                                8th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                8th Jan 1917  Training

                                8th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                8th of January 1917  A Visit and Training

                                8th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                8th Jan 1917  Training & Sports

                                8th Jan 1917  Training

                                8th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                8th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                8th of January 1917 

                                8th of January 1917 

                                8th of January 1917 

                                8th of January 1917  Unpleasant Attention

                                8th Jan 1917  Trench Work

                                8th Jan 1917  Fatigues

                                8th Jan 1917  Move

                                8th of January 1917   Practice Attack

                                8th Jan 1917  Change of Command

                                8th of January 1917   German Guns Active

                                8th Jan 1917  Heavy Shelling

                                8th January 1917  Postings

                                8th Jan 1917  Adjustment

                                8th Jan 1917  Defences Damaged

                                8th January 1917  Proceeded by train to Ypres.

                                8th January 1917  Operational Order 130

                                8th of January 1917   Uneventful Day

                                8th Jan 1917  Officers

                                8th January 1917  Relieved by 11th A. & S.H.

                                9th January 1917  Brigade Conference and inspections

                                9th Jan 1917   TRENCHES

                                Dull. Village shelled in usual places.

                                9th Jan 1917  Under Shellfire

                                9th Jan 1917  Ship Sunk

                                9th Jan 1917  Inspection

                                9th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                9th of January 1917  Daily Training

                                9th Jan 1917  Artillery Active

                                9th Jan 1917  Reinforcements

                                9th Jan 1917  On the March

                                9th Jan 1917  Cold Weather

                                9th Jan 1917 In the Dugout  

                                THE BRITISH ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918

                                A group of officers of the 12th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment wash, shave and dress in their dugout near Roclincourt, 9 January 1918. © IWM (Q 10623)

                                9th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                9th of January 1917 

                                9th of January 1917 

                                9th of January 1917  Our Whole Front Hit

                                9th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                9th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                9th Jan 1917  On the March

                                9th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                9th of January 1917  On the March

                                9th January 1917  Artillery and Trench Mortars active

                                9th of January 1917   Spotted Dog Shelled

                                9th January 1917  New Billets

                                9th Jan 1917  Intermittent Shelling

                                9th January 1917  Reliefs

                                9th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                9th Jan 1917  Counter Attacks

                                9th January 1917  Battalion in Right Sub-Section Hill 60 Sector.

                                9th of January 1917  Enemy Bombarded

                                9th Jan 1917  Transfers

                                9th January 1917  In Reserve.

                                10th May 1917   The British introduced the convoy system, to combat the German submarine threat. By moving large numbers of merchant ships together under naval protection the threat of vessels being sunk was reduced.

                                10th January 1917  Leaving Southampton

                                10th January 1917 33rd Battalion AIF test anti-gas equipment  In billets. Supplied working parties to A.E. Battalion put through gas cloud to test helmets and box respirators.

                                10th January 1917  Inspections and Training

                                10th Jan 1917   TRENCHES

                                18th DLI relieved by 10th WORCESTERS 57th Inf. Bde. Relief complete 4.30pm. Proceeded to BAYENCOURT to rendezvous until time to embus.

                                10th Jan 1917  Very Cold Night

                                10th Jan. 1917  Trench Work

                                10th Jan 1917  Beauty and Beasts

                                10th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                10th of January 1917  Reinforcements

                                10th Jan 1917  Artillery Active

                                10th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                10th Jan 1917  At Rest

                                10th Jan 1917  Cold Weather

                                10th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                10th of January 1917 

                                10th of January 1917 

                                10th of January 1917 

                                10th of January 1917  Our Balloon Shot Down

                                10th Jan 1917  Enemy Active

                                10th Jan 1917  At Rest

                                10th Jan 1917  Inspection

                                10th of January 1917  On Front Line

                                10th Jan 1917  Casualties in the support line

                                10th of January 1917  Heavy TM Silenced

                                10th January 1917  Billets Inspected

                                10th Jan 1917  Shelling

                                10th Jan 1917  Prisoner

                                10th Jan 1917  Moves

                                10th Jan 1917  Steady Progress

                                10th January 1917  Battalion Hill 60 dispositions

                                10th Jan 1917  Award

                                10th of January 1917  Battalion Relieved

                                10th January 1917  Relieving 11th A. & S.H.

                                11th January 1917  Movements

                                11th January 1917  Working parties

                                11th January 1917  CO's Inspection

                                11th Jan 1917  Ship Sunk

                                11th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT

                                Proceeded in busses, 3 Coy’s 15 billets in OUTREBOIS. B Coy to FROHEN-LE-PETIT. Arrived destination 6.30am.

                                11th Jan 1917  Snow Fall

                                11th Jan 1917  Training

                                11th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                11th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                11th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                11th Jan 1917  Shelling

                                11th Jan 1917  Training

                                11th Jan 1917  On the March

                                11th Jan 1917  Snow

                                11th Jan 1917  Shelling

                                11th of January 1917 

                                11th of January 1917 

                                11th of January 1917 

                                11th Jan 1917  Enemy Active

                                11th Jan 1917  Training

                                11th of January 1917  Heavy Shelling

                                11th January 1917  Officers Visit

                                11th Jan 1917  In Billets

                                11th Jan 1917  In billets at Arqueves

                                11th of January 1917  Hostile Guns Active

                                11th January 1917  Reorganisation.

                                11th Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                11th January 1917  Posting

                                11th Jan 1917  Leave

                                11th Jan 1917  Assault Fails

                                11th January 1917  Enemy Battery shelled our Front and Support lines

                                11th of January 1917   Parades and Baths

                                11th Jan 1917  Postings

                                11th January 1917  Posts muddy.

                                12th January 1917  NCO's Training and routine

                                12th Jan 1917  Orders

                                12th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS

                                Maj. C.W. TILLY re-joined from England. 2Lt. NEAL & 2Lt. HITCHIN reported to HQ for duty.

                                12th Jan 1917  Artillery in Action

                                12th of January 1917  On the March

                                12th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                12th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                12th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                12th Jan 1917  On the March

                                12th Jan 1917  Holding the Line

                                12th Jan 1917  Shelling

                                12th of January 1917 

                                12th of January 1917 

                                12th of January 1917 

                                12th of January 1917 

                                12th of January 1917  Enemy Artillery Quiet

                                12th Jan 1917  Enemy Active

                                12th Jan 1917  Training

                                12th of January 1917  Artillery Quieter

                                12th of January 1917  Old Man's Corner Shelled

                                12th January 1917  Re-organisation continues.

                                12th Jan 1917  Artillery Active

                                12th Jan 1917  Hard Fighting

                                12th January 1917  Operational Order 131

                                12th January 1917  Relief Table

                                12th of January 1917  Parades

                                12th January 1917  44th Brigade relieved 45th Brigade.

                                1917  On the Move

                                13th January 1917  Leaving Havre

                                13th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF assemble board of enquiry

                                13th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF assemble board of enquiry

                                13th January 1917  Brigade inspection and reinforcements

                                13th Jan 1917  Enemy Raid

                                13th Jan 1917  Training

                                13th Jan 1917  Reliefs Completed

                                13th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                13th of January 1917  To Aldershot Camp

                                13th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                13th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                13th Jan 1917  On the March

                                13th Jan 1917  Enemy Active

                                13th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                13th of January 1917 

                                13th of January 1917 

                                13th of January 1917  Douve Valley Flooded

                                13th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                13th Jan 1917  Lectures

                                13th of January 1917  Quiet Day

                                13th Jan 1917  Reorganisation

                                13th of January 1917   Retaliation "Feeble"

                                13th January 1917  Re-organisation continues.

                                13th Jan 1917  Poor Conditions

                                13th January 1917  Relief

                                13th January 1917  Carrying party

                                13th January 1917  Return

                                13th Jan 1917  Progress Made

                                13th January 1917  Practically no Artillery or T.M. activity.

                                13th of January 1917  Parades

                                13th January 1917  Cleaning up and refitting.

                                13th Jan 1917  Equipment Captured

                                13th of January 1917  Battalion on the move

                                14th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into front line  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers takes over the new line in front of Serre with A and C coys in front line posts, B and D in support.

                                14th Jan 1917 122 Seige Battery Leave Camp  122 Siege Battery RGA leave Noydette Rest Camp on Jan 14th

                                14th January 1917  Billets still for 33rd Battalion AIF 

                                14th January 1917  Church Service and inspections

                                14th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS

                                Battalion undergoing training. Weather very cold & frosty.

                                14th Jan 1917  Working Party

                                14th January 1917 

                                14th Jan 1917  Church Parade

                                14th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                14th Jan 1917  Church Parade

                                14th Jan 1917  Training

                                14th Jan 1917  Attack Made

                                14th Jan 1917  On the March

                                14th of January 1917 

                                14th January 1917  Reorganisation

                                14th of January 1917 

                                14th of January 1917  MGs Sweep Our Wire

                                14th Jan 1917  Church Parade

                                14th of January 1917  Quiet Day

                                14th January 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                14th of January 1917   Our Guns Active

                                14th January 1917  Divine Service.

                                14th Jan 1917  Frost

                                14th January 1917  Reliefs

                                14th Jan 1917  Course

                                14th January 1917  In Camp.

                                14th of January 1917   In Trenches

                                14th January 1917  On fatigues.

                                14th Jan 1917  Aircraft shot down

                                14th of January 1917  Battalion moved on again

                                15th January 1917  Movements

                                15th Jan 1917 122 Siege Battery at Arras  122 Siege Battery are in position & billets at Arras with 48 Group 6th Corps until 15th Feb.

                                15th January 1917  Training courses

                                15th Jan 1917  Enemy Artillery Active

                                15th Jan 1917  Ribbons Presented

                                15th Jan 1917  On the March

                                15th of January 1917  Training

                                15th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                15th Jan 1917  Training

                                15th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                15th Jan 1917  Training

                                15th Jan 1917  In the Trenches

                                15th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                15th of January 1917 

                                15th Jan 1917 

                                15th of January 1917  The Douve Subsides

                                15th Jan 1917  Training

                                15th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                15th of January 1917  Visits

                                15th of January 1917  MG Fire "Different"

                                15th January 1917  Winter training.

                                15th Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                15th January 1917  Posting

                                15th January 1917  Fighting Patrol instruction

                                15th February 1917  Hostile aircraft driven off by Anti-Aircraft fire.

                                15th of January 1917   Day Quiet

                                15th January 1917  Location Shelter Woods.

                                15th Jan 1917  Air Raid

                                15th of January 1917  Battalion moved to Candas

                                16th January 1917  CO's Inspection

                                16th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS

                                18th DLI vacated billets & moved to THIEVRES. HQ, B & D Coy’s at THIEVRES A & C Coy’s at MARIEUX in huts.

                                16th Jan 1917  Enemy Observed

                                16th Jan 1917  Exhibition of Women's Work

                                16th Jan 1917  New Regulations

                                16th Jan 1917  New Ward Opened

                                16th Jan 1917  Training

                                16th Jan 1917  All Quiet

                                16th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                16th Jan 1917  Inspections

                                16th January 1917  Handover

                                16th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                16th Jan 1917  Reinforcements

                                16th Jan 1917  Snow

                                16th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                16th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                16th of January 1917 

                                16th of January 1917 

                                16th of January 1917  Livelier Enemy Artillery

                                16th Jan 1917  Awards

                                16th Jan 1917  Practice Attack

                                16th of January 1917  German POWs

                                16th January 1917  Returned to billets

                                16th of January 1917  Hostile Party Dispersed

                                16th Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                16th February 1917  Reliefs

                                16th January 1917  Camp Inspected

                                16th of January 1917  A Quiet Day

                                16th Jan 1917  Reorganisation

                                16th January 1917  Location Front Line.

                                16th January 1917  Operational Orders

                                16th January 1917  Relief Table

                                16th January 1917  Working Parties

                                16th Jan 1917  Slight Advance

                                16th of January 1917  Resting up

                                17th Jan 1917 Reliefs  16thNorthumberland Fusilers are relieved in line by 16th Lancashire Fusiliers, and move into huts at Courcelles as Brigade reserve.

                                17th Jan 1917  20th DLI in the line

                                17th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF Operation Order No. 2

                                17th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF Trench notes

                                17th January 1917  ASC Transport inspection

                                17th Jan 1917   THIEVRES & MARIEUX

                                Day spent cleaning up. Col. CHEYNE re-joined from leave. Continuation of training.

                                17th Jan 1917  Heavy Snow Fell

                                17th Jan 1917  Munitions Workers Fined

                                17th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                17th Jan 1917  On the March

                                17th of January 1917  Ten Minute Bombardment

                                17th of January 1917  More Reinforcements

                                17th Jan 1917  Trench Work

                                17th Jan 1917  Deserter

                                17th Jan 1917  Reinforcements

                                17th Jan 1917  Training

                                17th Jan 1917  Shadows

                                17th Jan 1917  Snow

                                17th Jan 1917  Standing by

                                17th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                17th of January 1917 

                                17th of Jan 1917 

                                17th of January 1917 

                                17th of January 1917  A Short, Heavy Shoot

                                17th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                17th Jan 1917  Route March

                                17th of January 1917  Cleaning Up

                                17th of January 1917  Guns Active

                                17th January 1917  Recreational winter training.

                                17th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                17th January 1917  Reliefs

                                17th January 1917  In the trenches

                                17th Jan 1917  Trench Raid

                                17th Jan 1917  Heavy Snow

                                17th January 1917  Battalion bathed

                                17th January 1917  Operational Orders

                                17th January 1917  Schedule.

                                17th of January 1917  Quiet Time

                                17th Jan 1917  Instructions

                                17th January 1917  Work done overnight, on Posts and wire strengthened.

                                17th Jan 1917  Hard Fighting

                                18th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF relieve 38th Battalion 

                                18th January 1917  CO's Inspection

                                18th Jan 1917  Heavy Snow

                                18th Jan 1917  Court of Inquiry

                                18th Jan 1917  Torpedo

                                18th Jan 1917  Route March

                                18th Jan 1917  On the March

                                18th Jan 1917  On the March

                                18th January 1917  Swapping Commands

                                18th Jan 1917  Training

                                18th Jan 1917  Inspection

                                18th Jan 1918  Busy

                                18th Jan 1917  Reinforcements

                                18th Jan 1917  On the March

                                18th of January 1917 

                                18th of January 1917  Artillery Replies Strongly

                                18th Jan 1917  Gas Shells

                                18th Jan 1917  Practice Attack

                                18th of January 1917  Route March

                                18th January 1917  Reliefs

                                18th of January 1917   Guns Active

                                18th Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                18th Jan 1917  Course

                                18th January 1917  Reliefs

                                18th of January 1917  Into Billets

                                18th January 1917  Location Pioneer Camp, Contalmaison.

                                18th Jan 1917  Heavy Bombardment

                                18th Jan 1917  Ground Gained

                                18th of January 1917  Up to the trenches

                                19th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into front line  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers relieves 5/6 Btn Royal Scots and 2 Btn Manchester Regiment in trenches. B, C andDd coys in line holding posts and A coy in reserve. This trench relief routine continues until the 27th of January.

                                28th Jan 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers relieved by 15th Lancs  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are relieved by 15th Btn Lancashire Fusiliers and move into billets at Mailly-Maillet amid rumours of an impending advance.

                                19th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF gum boots bad

                                19th Jan 1917  CO's Inspection

                                19th Jan 1917  Repremand & Recommedations

                                19th Jan 1917  Devastation

                                19th Jan 1917  Collision

                                19th Jan 1917  In Billets

                                19th Jan 1917  In the Trenches

                                19th Jan 1917  Snow

                                19th Jan 1917  Change of Camp

                                19th Jan 1917  On the March

                                19th Jan 1917  Sleet

                                19th Jan 1917  Recce

                                19th of January 1917 

                                19th of January 1917 

                                19th of January 1917 

                                19th of January 1917 

                                19th of January 1917  Currie Avenue Hit

                                19th Jan 1917  Courses

                                19th Jan 1917  Training

                                19th of January 1917  Training

                                19th January 1917  Post

                                19th of January 1917  Poison Gas Released

                                19th Jan 1917  Transfer

                                19th Jan 1917  Artillery Active

                                19th January 1917  Raid on enemy trenches

                                19th January 1917  Enemy working on his Support Line

                                19th of January 1917  Work

                                19th January 1917  Camp refurbing

                                19th of January 1917  Artillery duels

                                20th Jan 1917 11th Argylls lewis gun team lost  11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were at Le Sars on the Warlencourt Eucourt line on 20th of January 1917, facing the Butte de Warlencourt. On this day a short shell landed on a Lewis gun team, Andrew McShee s/14075, McNaish R s/3789 and MacFadyen Alexander Donald s/40235 died and the others were wounded. There was an attack a few days later on the Butte, this was not successful but the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg line a few days later.

                                20th January 1917  Conference and lecture

                                20th January 1917  On the move again

                                20th Jan 1917  Frozen Boots

                                20th Jan 1917  In Billets

                                20th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                20th of January 1917  A Concentrated Response

                                20th of January 1917  Route March

                                20th Jan 1917  Football

                                20th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                20th Jan 1917  Mending

                                20th Jan 1917  Baths

                                20th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                20th of January 1917 

                                20th of January 1917 

                                20th of January 1917  Intense Cold

                                20th Jan 1917  Leave

                                20th of January 1917   Attack Practised

                                20th January 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                20th of January 1917  Active Artillery

                                20th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                20th Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                20th January 1917  Return

                                20th January 1917  Enemy has strengthened his wire

                                20th of January 1917  Work

                                20th Jan 1917  Advance Party

                                20th January 1917  Relieved 6th / 7th Royal Scottish Fusiliers.

                                20th January 1917  Operational Orders

                                20th of January 1917  Duels continue

                                21st January 1917  Reliefs

                                21st Jan 1917  20th DLI return to Ontario Camp

                                21st January 1917   KUK U-29 Austrian Submarine.

                                Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 21st October 1916 Commissioned 21st January 1917

                                Commanders
                                21 Jan 1917 - 14 Aug 1918 Leo Prásil
                                4 Sep 1918 - 29 Sep 1918 Friedrich Sterz
                                29 Sep 1918 - 1 Nov 1918 Robert Dürrigl

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 3 ships sunk with a total of 14,784 tons.
                                1 warship damaged with a total of 7,350 tons.

                                  15 Apr 1917 k.u.k. U29 Leo Prásil Mashobra 8,173 br
                                • 19 May 1917 k.u.k. U29 Leo Prásil Mordenwood 3,125 br
                                • 4 Apr 1918 k.u.k. U29 Leo Prásil Edgar (hms) (damaged) 7,350 br

                                Fate Scrapped in 1920

                                21st January 1917  Church Parade

                                21st January 1917  Ongoing moves

                                21st Jan 1917  Enemy Shelling

                                21st Jan 1917  Church Parade

                                21st Jan 1917  Trench Raid

                                21st Jan 1917  Church Parade

                                21st of January 1917  A TM Punished

                                21st Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                21st Jan 1917  Frozen

                                21st Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                21st Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                21st Jan 1917  Holding the Line

                                21st of January 1917 

                                21st of January 1917 

                                21st of January 1917 

                                21st of January 1917  Company Commanders Shoots

                                21st Jan 1917  Frost

                                21st of January 1917  Church Service

                                21st January 1917  Marching

                                21st of January 1917  Our TMs Active

                                21st Jan 1917  Transfer

                                21st Jan 1917  Accident

                                21st January 1917  Our T.M.B's and Artillery very active

                                21st January 1917  In Reserve billets

                                21st January 1917  Enemy working parties heard

                                21st of January 1917  Work

                                21st January 1917  Deep snow freezing hard.

                                21st Jan 1917  On the Move

                                21st of January 1917  Under artillery fire

                                22nd January 1917 Registration & Reliefs  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres: The Brigade checked zero lines and registrations. A test SOS. was received by the Batteries of the Brigade and the times averaged two minutes. Lt G Lyon Smith left for England on Jan 21st 1917 to continue his medical studies. 2/Lt M O Haskell RFA(SR) becomes acting Adjutant. On the night of 22/23 January the 6th Battalion (City of London Rifles) relieved 7th Battalion and 15th Battalion (Civil Service Rifles) relieved 8th Battalion, (all units in 47th Division).

                                22nd January 1917  Move

                                22nd January 1917  Move to dual billets

                                22nd January 1917  CO's Inspection

                                22nd Jan 1917   THIEVRES & MARIEUX

                                Battalion vacated billets & moved into billets at HEUZECOURT. Training commenced in earnest, 18 mile route march.

                                22nd Jan 1917  Lunch Distrupted

                                22nd Jan 1917  Training

                                22nd Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                22nd Jan 1917  Inspections

                                22nd of January 1917  An Enemy Attack

                                22nd of January 1917  Reinforcements Arrive

                                22nd Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                22nd Jan 1917  Frost

                                22nd Jan 1917  Working Party

                                22nd Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                22nd Jan 1917  Holding the Line

                                22nd of January 1917 

                                22nd of January 1917 

                                22nd of January 1917 

                                22nd of January 1917  Anton's Farm Targeted

                                22nd Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                22nd Jan 1917  Exercise

                                22nd of January 1917  Relieved

                                22nd January 1917  Companies split

                                22nd Jan 1917  On the Move

                                22nd of January 1917  A Combined Shoot

                                22nd Jan 1917  Artillery AIn Action

                                22nd January 1917  Relief Complete

                                22nd January 1917  In Billets

                                22nd Jan 1917  Trench Raid

                                22nd Jan 1917  Working Parties and Training

                                22nd January 1917  Two Enemy aeroplanes patrolled

                                22nd of January 1917  In Front Line

                                22nd January 1917  Operational Orders

                                22nd January 1917  Relieved by 6th / 7th Royal Scottish Fusiliers

                                22nd of January 1917  Battalion takes more casualties

                                23rd Jan 1917 More guns for 124th Heavy Battery  On 23rd Jan 1917, 124th Heavy Battery, RGA was increased to six guns with one section joining from 203rd Heavy Battery.

                                23rd January 1917 Bomardment of Enemy Front Line  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery undertake Bombardment of enemy front line system and communication trenches by the division in conjunction with the Heavy Artillery was carried out. The enemy’s retaliation to this Bombardment was slight. The effect of the Bombardment was good as his front and communication trenches were considerably knocked about.

                                Casualties: Lt Hellier, V47 Ttrench Mortar Battery, wounded and one other rank, Y47 Trench Mortar Battery, wounded.

                                23rd January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF in support billets

                                23rd January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF in support billets

                                23rd January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF Operation Order No. 9 Appendix No. 4  

                                23rd January 1917  Rest and clean up

                                23rd January 1917  Interviews and reliefs

                                23rd Jan 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Continuation of training according to Divisional -------------

                                23rd Jan 1917  Enemy Aircraft

                                23rd Jan 1917  Route March & Working Parties

                                23rd Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                23rd Jan 1917  Training

                                23rd of January 1917  Aerial Activity

                                23rd Jan 1917  Training

                                23rd Jan 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                23rd Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                23rd Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                23rd Jan 1917  Patrols

                                23rd of January 1917 

                                23rd of January 1917 

                                23rd of January 1917  Germans Working Hard

                                23rd Jan 1917  Exercise

                                23rd of January 1917  Baths and Work

                                23rd Jan 1917  In billets at Domqueur

                                23rd Jan 1917  Reorganisation

                                23rd Jan 1917  Reorganisation

                                23rd of January 1917  Germans Fire Gas

                                23rd Jan 1917  Reorganisation

                                23rd Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                23rd Jan 1917  Orders Received

                                23rd Jan 1917  Moves

                                23rd January 1917  Orders

                                23rd January 1917  Schedule.

                                23rd January 1917  In Support.

                                23rd of January 1917  Work on Damaged Trenches

                                23rd January 1917  Operational Orders

                                23rd January 1917  Addendum to Operational Orders.

                                23rd January 1917  March Table

                                23rd February 1917  March Table

                                23rd January 1917  Quiet day.

                                23rd Jan 1917  On the Move

                                23rd of January 1917  into the reserve trenches

                                24th January 1917 Tests Show Improvement  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Two test SOS messages were received by the Brigade. The times achieved showed improvement over the previous test SOS.

                                24th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF relieve 35th Battalion 

                                24th January 1917  Inspections

                                24th January 1917  Horse casting inspection

                                24th Jan 1917  Enemy Aircraft

                                24th Jan 1917  Orders

                                24th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                24th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                24th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                24th of January 1917  Enemy at Work

                                24th Jan 1917  Training

                                24th Jan 1917  Huts

                                24th Jan 1917  Cold Weather

                                24th Jan 1917  Fine Weather

                                24th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                24th of January 1917 

                                24th of January 1917 

                                24th of January 1917 

                                24th of January 1917 

                                24th of January 1917  Our Two Bombardments

                                24th Jan 1917  Exercise

                                24th of January 1917  Baths and Work

                                24th January 1917  Companies alternate

                                24th of January 1917  Hostile Sniper Active

                                24th January 1917  Reorganisation

                                24th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                24th January 1917  The following Officer joined the Battalion

                                24th Jan 1917  Moves

                                24th January 1917  Working parties under 1st Australian Tunneling Company

                                24th of January 1917  Quiet Day

                                24th January 1917  Location Shelter Woods.

                                24th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                24th of January 1917  Working parties

                                25th January 1917 Hostile Artillery  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Hostile artillery (77mm 4.2 inch and 5.9 inch) bombarded B236 Battery and D236 Battery at Woodcote House and vicinity with about three hundred rounds, causing four casualties (three in D236 and one in B236)- all slight. Three direct hits were obtained on pits but only one gun was put out of action. A four point two fuse( for 4.2 inch shell)was found after this bombardment set to explode at 4 or 75 metres.

                                25th Jan 1917 HMS Laurentic lost  On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the White Star liner RMS Laurentic was requisitioned by the Admiralty as an armed merchant cruiser. On 25th January 1917 she struck a mine off Lough Swilly on the northern coast of County Donegal, Ireland and sank with the loss of 350 persons. HMS Laurentic was travelling to New York and her cargo included a substantial amount of gold bullion that was later recovered.

                                25th January 1917 33rd Battalion AIF relief completed  Relief of 35th Battalion completed as per Bn 0.0 No. 10. Cf Intelligence summary dated 26/1/17 (No. 5)

                                25th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF Interligence Summary

                                25th January 1917  COs Conference on training schemes

                                25th January 1917  Routine inspection

                                25th Jan 1917  Artillery in Action

                                25th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                25th of January 1917  Enemy Shelling

                                25th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                25th Jan 1917  Training

                                25th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                25th Jan 1917  Fine Weather

                                25th Jan 1917  In Camp

                                25th of January 1917 

                                25th of January 1917  Hill 63 Shelled

                                25th Jan 1917  Lecture

                                25th of January 1917  Baths and Working Parties

                                25th of January 1917  German Planes Active

                                25th Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                25th January 1917  Draft

                                25th Jan 1917  Relief Completed

                                25th Jan 1917  Boundary

                                25th January 1917  Enemy aeroplanes again active

                                25th of January 1917  Very Quiet

                                25th January 1917  Men's feet treated.

                                25th of January 1917  More working parties

                                26th Jan 1917 124th Heavy Battery to 60 HAG  124th Heavy Battery, RGA join 60 Heavy Artillery Group on 26 Jan 1917

                                26th January 1917 Registration and Calibration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report registration and calibration continued. Two test SOS messages were received and the average time was about one minute. Casualties one other rank. 2/Lt L B Tausley RFA assumed the Adjutancy and 2/Lt M D Haskell became orderly officer.

                                26th Jan 1917 SS Serapis lost  SS Serapis was a British steamer of 1932 tons, on a voyage from the Clyde to Genoa with a cargo of coal, she was sunk by the German submarine U-79 (Otto Rohrbeck), 106 miles NNW1/2W Tory Island. 19 persons were lost.

                                26th January 1917  Training and sports

                                26th January 1917  Examination and training

                                26th Jan 1917  Aircraft Active

                                26th of January 1917  A Gun Destroyed

                                26th Jan 1917  Trench Work

                                26th Jan 1917  Training

                                26th Jan 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                26th Jan 1917  Trench Raid

                                26th Jan 1917  At Rest

                                26th of January 1917 

                                26th of January 1917 

                                26th of January 1917 

                                26th of January 1917  Batteries Targeted

                                26th of January 1917  Attack Practised

                                26th January 1917  Relief

                                26th Jan 1917  Orders

                                26th of January 1917  TMs Busy

                                26th Jan 1917  Artillery Active

                                26th January 1917  Lt Chapman Posted to G Battery

                                26th Jan 1917  Orders

                                26th January 1917  Reliefs

                                26th of January 1917  March to Regina Camp

                                26th January 1917  Company inspections

                                26th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                26th of January 1917  Remain in reserve

                                27th January 1917 Bombardment of Enemy Trenches  The four Batteries of 236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery in conjunction with the Y and V Batteries of Trench mortar and the Batteries of Right Group and Corps Heavy Artillery carried out bombardment lasting from 1200 to 1330 onto hostile trenches on the Left Group front with special reference to enemy's Observation Points. 2/Lt Payne (Late --- ---- Battery) posted to D236 with effect from 26th Jan.1917. The Batteries of the Group took part in a Test SOS at 2009.

                                27th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF in trenches

                                27th January 1917  Completion of young nco's class

                                27th Jan 1917  Prisoners Taken

                                27th Jan 1917  In Action

                                27th Jan 1917  Patrols

                                27th of January 1917  A German Offensive?

                                27th of January 1917  Enemy Activity

                                27th Jan 1917  Fundraising

                                27th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                27th Jan 1917  Training & Sports

                                27th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                27th Jan 1917  Quiet

                                27th Jan 1917  Appreciation

                                27th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                27th of January 1917 

                                27th of January 1917 

                                27th of January 1917  Great Aerial Activity

                                27th Jan 1917  Ranging Practice

                                27th of January 1917  Attack Practised

                                27th of January 1917  Quieter Day

                                27th Jan 1917  Artillery Active

                                27th January 1917  Reliefs

                                27th January 1917  Return

                                27th Jan 1917  Attack Made

                                27th January 1917  In Reserve

                                27th of January 1917   Training and Baths

                                27th Jan 1917  Orders

                                27th January 1917  Company Parades

                                27th Jan 1917  On the March

                                27th of January 1917  In reserve

                                28th January 1917 Battery Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery at Langkhof Farm was shelled during the day.

                                28th Jan 1917  20th DLI clear trenches

                                28th January 1917 33rd Battalion AIF in trenches   Trench repair and routine.  Cf Intelligence Summary dated 29/1/17. (no. 5)
                                  10th Infantry Brigade carried out raids on Battalion front.  Troops withdrawn from front line as per Battalion Circular dated 28/1/17.  (No. 9) Casualties from enemy retaliation - 2.

                                28th January 1917  Church Services

                                28th January 1917  Church services

                                28th Jan 1917  Christmas Comforts Arrive

                                28th of January 1917  Active Albatrosses

                                28th Jan 1917  Inspection

                                28th Jan 1917  Quiet

                                28th Jan 1917  Shelling

                                28th Jan 1917  Patrols

                                28th of January 1917 

                                28th of January 1917  Insense Cold Continues

                                28th Jan 1917  Very Cold

                                28th Jan 1917  Attachment

                                28th Jan 1917  Orders Received

                                28th of January 1917  Stores Unloaded

                                28th of January 1917  Guns Active

                                28th January 1917  On the March

                                28th Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                28th January 1917  Draft

                                28th Jan 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                28th January 1917  Church parade

                                28th of January 1917  Work and Training

                                28th January 1917  Location Acid Drop Camp, Contalmaison.

                                28th January 1917  Operation Orders

                                28th January 1917  March Table

                                28th Jan 1917  Gun Pits

                                28th of January 1917  In reserve, training

                                29th January 1917 Batteries Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 2/Lt P S Ayers was transferred from 235 Brigade RFA to C236 Battery with effect from today’s date. C236 Battery and vicinity was shelled during the afternoon with three hundred to four hundred rounds - no casualties.

                                29th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF in trenches still 

                                29th January 1917  Routine

                                29th January 1917  Training Courses and Appointments

                                29th Jan 1917  In Position

                                29th Jan 1917  Freezing Cold

                                29th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                29th of January 1917  A Daring Albatross

                                29th of January 1917  Two Direct Hits

                                29th Jan 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                29th Jan 1917  Training

                                29th Jan 1917  Holding the Line

                                29th Jan 1917  Fine Weather

                                29th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                29th of January 1917 

                                29th of January 1917  Artilleries Register

                                29th of January 1917  Attack Practised

                                29th Jan 1917  Training

                                29th of January 1917  Guns Less Active

                                29th January 1917  On the March

                                29th Jan 1917  Shelling

                                29th Jan 1917  In Reserve

                                27th Jan 1917  In Action

                                29th January 1917  NCO's class

                                29th of January 1917  Training and Work

                                29th January 1917  Quiet day.

                                30th January 1917 Test Calls  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Two test SOS calls were fired on by the Group one at 0010 and one at 0312. Y47 Medium Trench Mortar Battery fired and much damaged a machine gun emplacement and surrounds. Working party of thirty eight men are now with the Group working on reserve reinforcement positions.

                                30th January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF specialists relieved

                                30th January 1917  CO's Inspection

                                30th January 1917  Ongoing training - weather cold and frosty

                                30th Jan 1917  Fire

                                30th Jan 1917  In the Trenches

                                30th January 1917  Target Registration

                                30th January 1917  2 Squadron AFC arrive

                                30th of January 1917  "C" Coy Targeted

                                30th Jan 1917  In Camp

                                30th Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                30th Jan 1917  On the March

                                30th Jan 1917  Quiet

                                30th Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                30th Jan 1917  Stand to

                                30th of January 1917 

                                30th of January 1917  Shooting All Day

                                30th Jan 1917  Exercise

                                30th of January 1917  Final Practice

                                30th January 1917  Took over subsector

                                30th January 1917  Attack

                                30th of January 1917  Hostile TMs Busy

                                30th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                30th January 1917  On the March

                                30th Jan 1917  Artillery in Action

                                30th of January 1917  Back in Trenches

                                30th Jan 1917  On the Move

                                30th January 1917  Company and Camp inspections

                                30th of January 1917  Working parties

                                31st January 1917 All quiet  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet. Signed A.C. Lowe, Lt Col R.A Commander 236th Brigade RFA.

                                31st January 1917 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ90 (LZ1 20)

                                • Production Ref: LZ90
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: LZ1 20
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 31st January 1917

                                History.

                                Carried out 17 reconnaissance missions and 3 attacks dropping 11,250 kilograms (24,800 lb) of bombs around the Eastern Front and the Baltic Sea. It was retired on the 8th October 1917. In 1920 it was ordered to be transferred to Italy as war reparations, where it broke apart one year later while gas was being removed.

                                31st January 1917  33rd Battalion AIF relieved by 35th

                                31st January 1917  Snow and CO's inspection

                                31st January 1917  Ongoing training - still very cold

                                31st Jan 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Continuation of training, Weather very frosty. Train service etc disorganised.

                                31st Jan 1917  Rough Night

                                31st Jan 1917  Working Parties

                                31st of January 1917  A Gunpit Hit

                                31st of January 1917  Batteries Shelled

                                31st Jan 1917  Gifts

                                31st Jan 1917  Working Parties & Training

                                31st Jan 1917  In the Trenches

                                31st Jan 1917  Sights

                                31st Jan 1917  Snow

                                31st Jan 1917  Reliefs

                                31st of January 1917 

                                31st of January 1917  Howitzers Hit

                                31st Jan 1917  Frost

                                31st Jan 1917  Poor Weather

                                31st Jan 1917  On the Move

                                31st of January 1917  Tactical Exercise

                                31st of January 1917  Two Patrols Dispersed

                                31st January 1917  On the March

                                31st Jan 1917  Night Firing

                                30th Jan 1917  Posting

                                31st January 1917  Battery Remains in Post at Aire

                                31st Jan 1917  Very Cold Weather

                                31st January 1917  Parades

                                31st of January 1917  In Trenches

                                31st Jan 1917  Orders

                                31st January 1917  Operational Order

                                31st January 1917  Location Left Sector of Left Section of Divisional Front.

                                31st January 1917  Honours in New Years Gazette.

                                31st of January 1917  Training

                                Feb 1917   By 1917 the factory at Gretna was employing 11,576 women and 5,966 men, and producing eight hundred tons of Cordite RDB every week, more than all the total production of all other munitions plants in Britain.

                                Feb 1917 

                                1st February 1917 Enemy Artillery very Active  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report from Ypres. Enemy artillery very active indeed on Back areas and Batteries. A test SOS call was received by Group at 2111 and all Batteries had full response within two minutes. 2/Lt D S Culterall was transferred from C236 Battery to the 47th Divisional Ammunition Column with effect from 31st January 1917.

                                1st February 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Work continued with the temporary labour battalion in the front line and support trenches throughout February with the rest of the Pioneers still fully occupied on the following Railway lines: Broadgauge Railway - work continued at Ouderdom. 60cm railway line - from point L1 to a point on the Wijverhock/Vierstraat line. 60cm railway line - from Busseboom to Ouderdom. 60cm railway line - Busseboom, Brandhoek, Kemmel branch lines included.

                                Substantial replacements were received in manpower. In total they had an influx of 220 men from 1/5 and 2/15 London Regiments, the Bedfordshire Regiment and 20 from the Reserve Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

                                Infantry training continued to be carried out, presumably on Sundays as a break from the heavy railway work.

                                February 1917 casualties, none recorded.

                                1st February 1917 Ongoing training  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                1st Feb. 1917 - In billets - 2 companies at Hanchy, HQ and 2 companies at Le Festel. Company training. Snow fell during the morning.



                                1st February 1917 

                                February 1917  Advance

                                1st Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Continuation of training according to Divisional Programme. Frost continued.

                                February 1917  Artillery Support

                                1st Feb 1917  Attack Made

                                1st Dec 1917  Football

                                1st Feb 1917  Entertainment

                                February 1917  Recruitment

                                February 1917 

                                Feb 1917  New CO

                                1st Feb 1917  Bravery Recognised

                                1st of February 1917  Heavy Shelling Received

                                1st of February 1917  Forty 105mm Shells

                                1st Feb 1917  In Camp

                                1st Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                1st Feb 1917  Orders

                                1st Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                1st Feb 1917  Very Cold

                                1st Feb 1917  In the Trenches

                                1st of February 1917 

                                1st of February 1917  Artillery Targets - 1st Phase

                                1st of February 1917  Machine Gun Targets

                                1st of February 1917  Artillery Targets - 3rd Phase

                                1st of February 1917  Artillery Targets - 2nd Phase

                                1st of February 1917  Orders

                                1st Feb 1917  Very Cold

                                1st Feb 1917  On the March

                                1st of February 1917  Specialists Training

                                1st of February 1917   Balloon Spotted

                                1st February 1917  Battalion resumed training.

                                1st February 1917  Reliefs

                                1st February 1917  In the trenches.

                                1st Feb 1917  Reorganisation

                                1st February 1917  In the Front Line

                                1st Feb 1917  Training

                                Feb 1917  Reorganisation

                                Feb 1917  Reinforcements

                                1st February 1917  In Brigade Reserve.

                                1st of February 1917  Enemy Active

                                1st Feb 1917  Holding the Line

                                1st Feb 1917  In Camp

                                1st February 1917  28th Australian Battalion reconoitered trenches

                                1st of February 1917  Back to Beaucourt

                                2nd Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into line  16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are attached to 97 Infantry Brigade. B and C coys and Ballation HQ march to the line in front of Beaumont Hamel and relieve 2nd Btn. KOYLI. HQ is set up in Walker Quarry, Wagon Road. C coy go into in dug-outs in Beaumont Hamel. B coy go into the front line on the ridge, in posts named Axle, Hell, Hub, Wheel and Peach. A and D coys remain in reserve at Mailly-Maillet but are brought up to Beaumont Hamel the next day.

                                2nd February 1917 GOC Visits  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report the GOC 47th Division visited B236, C236 and D236 Batteries at 1200.

                                2nd Feb 1917 Wearside Pals Football Match  In a welcome break from routine fighting, having been in and out of the trenches for weeks. The Battalion hold a football competition and attend church in Reninghelst.

                                2nd February 1917  Ongoing training

                                2nd February 1917  Rifle range project

                                2nd Feb 1917  Break from the Winter Campaign

                                2nd Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Battalion attack (parade)

                                2nd Feb 1917  Counter Attack

                                2nd Dec 1917  Jumping

                                2nd Feb 1917  Training

                                2nd of February 1917  Aeroplane Activity

                                2nd of February 1917  To Neuve Eglise

                                2nd Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                2nd Feb 1917  Deaths

                                2nd Feb 1917  Training & Baths

                                2nd Feb 1917  Appointment

                                2nd Feb 1917  In the Trenches

                                2nd Feb 1917  Patrols

                                2nd of February 1917 

                                2nd Feb 1917  Recce

                                2nd Feb 1917  On the March

                                2nd of February 1917  Short March

                                2nd February 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                2nd of February 1917   Aircraft Reconnaissances

                                2nd Feb 1917  Declaration

                                2nd February 1917  Battalion practice in the attack.

                                2nd February 1917  Reliefs

                                2nd February 1917  Reliefs

                                2nd Feb 1917  Training

                                2nd February 1917  Respirator drill.

                                2nd of February 1917   Battalion Relief

                                2nd Feb 1917  In Camp

                                2nd February 1917  Relieved at night by 28th Australian Division

                                2nd February 1917  March Table

                                2nd of February 1917  Plane seen at Beaucourt

                                3rd Feb 1917 Heavy Shelling at Beaumont Hamel  Heavy shelling all night as C coy relieve B coy 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers in the front line and locate the enemy in posts in Ten Tree Alley.

                                3rd February 1917 Enemy Front Line Bombarded  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Y47 Trench Mortar Battery bombarded the enemy's front line across the Railway Cutting with sixty rounds and no retaliation of any importance.

                                3rd February 1917  Courses and reliefs

                                3rd Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Route march.

                                3rd Feb 1917  Artillery In Action

                                3rd Dec 1917  On Stand by

                                3rd Feb 1917  MO to Hospital

                                3rd of February 1917  Wire Cutting

                                3rd of February 1917  Routine Work

                                3rd Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                3rd Feb 1917  Treatments

                                3rd Feb 1917  Training & Baths

                                3rd Feb 1917  Improvement Work

                                3rd Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                3rd Feb 1917  Orders

                                3rd of February 1917 

                                3rd of February 1917 

                                3rd Feb 1917  Recce

                                3rd Feb 1917  Leave

                                3rd Feb 1917  On the Move

                                3rd Feb 1917  On the March

                                3rd of February 1917  Relief Completed

                                3rd Feb 1917  Recruitment, training and deployment to the Western Front

                                3rd of February 1917  Artillery Active

                                3rd February 1917  Casualties

                                3rd February 1917  Return

                                3rd February 1917  Lt Morrison Posted in to Battery

                                3rd February 1917  Frostbite Grease

                                3rd Feb 1917  Training

                                3rd February 1917  Operational Order 135.

                                3rd of February 1917  Training

                                3rd February 1917  Preparing for march back to Franvillers.

                                3rd of February 1917  Assault at Beaucourt by the RND

                                3rd of February 1917  Orders for the attack, supporting Hawke and Hood Btn's

                                4th Feb 1917 Heavy Shelling continues at Beaumont Hamel  Further heavy bombardment forces Peach post to be temporarily evacuated by the 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers, during night B coy relieves C.

                                4th February 1917 Bombardment  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery engaged in Bombardment of a small area of enemy's trenches East of the Snout from 1500 until 1600 by Corps Heavy Artillery and 4.5 Howitzers Batteries included D236 Battery which fired one hundred and eighty rounds. The Medium Trench Mortar Battery(Y47) with thirty six rounds and A236 Battery shelled enemy Observation Points during the bombardment. Much damage was done and the enemy retaliated with light guns only. Relief by X47 Trench Mortar Battery of Y47 Battery in the line took place. 2/Lt E A de B West (D236 Battery) evacuated sick.

                                4th Feb 1917 SS Dauntless lost  On 4th of February 1917, SS Dauntless, on a voyage from Newcastle to Bayonne, with a cargo of coal, was sunk by the German submarine UB-39 (Heinrich Küstner), 10 miles off Pointe de la Coubre, Gironde. 15 persons were killed.

                                4th February 1917  Routine

                                4th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Church parade. Sports meeting with 18th WYR at LE MEILLARD 3 Officers & 300 ORs went to CANDAS on a working party. 11 ORs to GEZAINCOURT.

                                4th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Church parade. Sports meeting with 18th WYR at LE MEILLARD 3 Officers & 300 ORs went to CANDAS on a working party. 11 ORs to GEZAINCOURT.

                                4th Feb 1917  Parcels Arrive

                                4th Dec 1917  At Rest

                                4th Feb 1917  Recce

                                4th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                4th Feb 1917  On the March

                                4th of February 1917  Office Destroyed

                                4th Feb 1917  Advance Party

                                4th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                4th Feb 1917  Sewing

                                4th Feb 1917  Awards

                                4th Feb 1917  Training

                                4th of February 1917 

                                4th Feb 1917  Awards

                                4th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                4th Feb 1917  Advance Party

                                4th Feb 1917  On the March

                                4th of February 1917  CO Pays Visits

                                4th February 1917  Sailing to France

                                4th of February 1917  Guns Active

                                4th February 1917  Divine Service.

                                4th February 1917  2nd/Lt. C.E. Harrison to hospital.

                                4th Feb 1917  Training

                                4th February 1917  Enemy sent up a White Rocket

                                4th of February 1917  Parades

                                4th February 1917  Marched to Franvillers

                                4th of February 1917  Assault aftermath

                                4th of February 1917  Enemy counterattacks

                                5h Feb 1917 16th Northumberlands at Beaumont Hamel  D Coy 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers, take over the line from B coy. A coy moves into the HQ dug-out at Walker Quarry whilst B and C coys are in reserve in cellars at Beaumont Hamel. Orders recieved for 97 brigade to attack and A coy are to guard their left flank, they are sent to Mailly-Maillet for training. C coy take thier position in Walker Quarry.

                                5th February 1917 Daily Battery Activity  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 2/Lt H V Ramsey admitted to Field Hospital on 3rd February 1917 while on 47th Divisional Artillery Course

                                5th February 1917  Musketry course

                                5th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. 1 Officer & 75 ORs went to BOIS FLEUR woodcutting. 1st round Div. football competition, 18 WYR 1 goal, 18 DLI nil.

                                5th Feb 1917  Still Cold

                                5th Dec 1917  Training

                                5th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                5th Feb 1917  Training

                                5th of February 1917  A Few Rounds Fired

                                5th Feb 1917  Training

                                5th Feb 1917  Trench Raid

                                5th Feb 1917  Working Parties and Training

                                5th Feb 1917  Training

                                5th of February 1917 

                                5th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                5th Feb 1917  In Dugout

                                5th Feb 1917  Instruction

                                5th Feb 1917  Equipment

                                5th of February 1917  Inter-Coy Relief

                                5th February 1917  Working parties

                                5th February 1917  Leaving rest camp

                                5th of February 1917  Trench Mortars Active

                                5th February 1917  Practice in the attack.

                                5th February 1917  Reliefs

                                5th February 1917  In billets.

                                5th Feb 1917  Training

                                5th Feb 1917  Orders

                                5th February 1917  Enemy shelled the Bluff, Wynde, Duck Boards & King Street

                                5th of February 1917   Training

                                5th February 1917  Cleaning up and improving billets.

                                5th of February 1917  Quiet on the front line

                                6th February 1917 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery D236 Howitzer Battery from 1440 to 1540 fired one hundred rounds in combined bombardment with 23rd Divisional Artillery and Corps Heavy Artillery onto area of trenches immediately South of Stirling Castle on 23rd Division front. C236 Battery fired at intervals during the night onto area of bombardment the 4 lines, East of the Snout.

                                6th February 1917  Ongoing training and COs Conference

                                6th February 1917 

                                6th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. Lt Col CHEYNE proceeded to DOMART on CO’s Course. Severe frost continued.

                                6th Feb 1917  Aircraft Lost

                                6th Dec 1917  On the Move

                                6th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                6th Feb 1917  Training

                                6th of February 1917  Enemy Less active

                                6th Feb 1917  Baths

                                6th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                6th February 1917  Training

                                6th Feb 1917  Shelling

                                6th Feb 1917  Training

                                6th of February 1917 

                                6th of February 1917 

                                6th of February 1917  Visits by CO

                                6th February 1917  Conference

                                6th Feb 1917   Reorganisation

                                6th of February 1917  Troop movement via train

                                6th of February 1917  Fairly Quiet

                                6th February 1917  Battalion continued the attack.

                                6th Feb 1917  New CO

                                6th Feb 1917  Training

                                6th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                6th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                6th February 1917  Enemies batteries fired several shells in the vicinity of Bluff.

                                6th of February 1917  Musketry

                                6th February 1917  Company Parades

                                6th of February 1917  Working parties

                                7th February 1917 Registration  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report All quiet, registration by batteries.

                                7th Feb 1917 SS Vedamore lost  SS Vedamore was a British steamer of 6330 tons. On February 7th 1917 Vedamore on a voyage from Baltimore to Liverpool with general cargo, was sunk by the German submarine U-85 (Willy Petz) 20 miles west of Fastnet. 23 persons were lost including 8 members of the Filipino Liverpool community. Her crew was a multinational crew from India, USA, Ireland and Malaysia as well as Philippines.

                                7th February 1917  Ongoing training

                                7th February 1917 

                                7th Feb 1917  Troop Ship Lost

                                7th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                7,8,9,10 Feb. Training continued. On 8.2.17 Divisional Cross Country Run, first man home, Sgt REAY. Battalion team finished 2nd to 15th WYR.

                                7th Feb 1917  Enemy Aircraft

                                7th Dec 1917  On the Move

                                7th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                7th Feb 1917  Training

                                7th of February 1917  Active Aircraft

                                7th Feb 1917  Innoculations

                                7th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                7th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                7th Feb 1917  Training

                                7th of February 1917 

                                7th of February 1917 

                                7th of February 1917 

                                7th of February 1917 

                                7th of February 1917  Relieved

                                7th February 1917  Heavy Casualties

                                7th of February 1917  In billets

                                7th of February 1917   Feeble Retaliation

                                7th February 1917  Battalion route march.

                                7th Feb 1917  In Reserve

                                7th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                7th February 1917  Hostile Snipers active during the night

                                7th of February 1917   New Commander

                                7th February 1917  Company Parades

                                7th of February 1917  Roll call and awards

                                8th February 1917 Personnel changes  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery 2nd Lt H V Ramsey evacuated out of Divisional Area - sick.

                                8th February 1917 

                                8th February 1917  Regimental routine

                                8th Feb 1917  Artillery In Action

                                8th Dec 1917  Parade

                                8th Feb 1917  In the Trenches

                                8th of February 1917  Cutting Wire

                                8th of February 1917  Relief Complete

                                8th Feb 1917  Inspection

                                8th Feb 1917  Training

                                8th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                8th Feb 1917  Artillery Active

                                8th of February 1918  Active Counter-Battery Work

                                8th Feb 1917  Orders

                                8th of February 1917 

                                8th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                8th of February 1917  Cleaning Up

                                8th of February 1917  Fresh billets

                                8th of February 1917  An Attempted Raid

                                8th February 1917  On the Move

                                8th February 1917  Lt Patrick Posted in to Battery

                                8th Feb 1917  Moves

                                8th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                8th February 1917  Sounds of aeroplanes heard over our lines

                                8th of February 1917  Battalion Training

                                8th February 1917  Brigade H.Q. moved from Bresle to Franvillers.

                                8th of February 1917  Burial details

                                9th Feb 1917 16th Northumberlands at Beaumont Hamel  B Coy 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers are relieved in the line after suffering several casualties.

                                9th February 1917 Hostile Fire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Aeroplane registration carried out by D236 Battery for Counter Battery Work. Small crater with suspected enemy mine workings bombarded by X47 Medium Trench Mortar Battery with sixty rounds and many direct hits obtained. At 2030 the enemy opened heavy shrapnel fire on both Battalion fronts. Group Batteries replied as retaliation was asked for increasing to SOS fire at 2050 in answer to SOS call from Right Battalion. The hostile fire soon died down.

                                9th February 1917  Inspections

                                9th February 1917  Ongoing training and divisional medal ceremony

                                9th Feb 1917  Nice Day

                                9th Dec 1917  On the March

                                9th Feb 1917  In the Trenches

                                9th Feb 1917  Training

                                9th of February 1917  Lunchtime Bombardment

                                9th of February 1917  Boyle's Farm Shelled

                                9th Feb 1917  Preparations

                                9th Feb 1917  On the March

                                9th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                9th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                9th Feb 1917  Preparations

                                9th of February 1917 

                                9th of February 1917  Orders

                                9th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                9th of February 1917  Working Parties

                                9th February 1917  Relief Complete

                                9th of February 1917  Training

                                9th of February 1917   Little TM Retaliation

                                9th February 1917  Practice in extended order drill

                                9th February 1917  Reliefs

                                9th February 1917  In trenches.

                                9th February 1917  Trenches

                                9th February 1917  Lt Boylan Posted to IV Brigade RHA

                                9th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                9th Feb 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                9th February 1917  2nd/Lt. E.W. Pearce is awarded the Croix De Guerre.

                                9th of February 1917  Training

                                9th February 1917  Specialist training for Bombers and Rifle Grenadiers.

                                10th Feb 1917 A Coy, 16th Northumberland Fusilers advance  A Coy, 16th Btn Northumberland Fusilers arrive at start position and the advance commences.

                                10th Feb 1917 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry at Ten Tree Alley  The 2nd Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry are at Ten Tree Alley.

                                10th February 1917 Battery Activity  236th London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery report "The Field Marshall, Commander in Chief awarded the French decoration "Medale Militaire" to Corporal W. P Noel HQ Staff. At 1400 D236 4.5 Howitzer Battery took part in one hours bombardment by all 47th and 41st Division Field Howitzers of the area opposite trenches of left Battalion of Right Brigade 47th Division. A registration by aeroplane by D236 Battery was also attempted at 1530. 2/Lt T Ballantyne C236 Battery was evacuated to 2nd Casualty Clearing Station."

                                10th February 1917   SM U-93

                                Type U 93 Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 257) Ordered 15 Sep 1915 Laid down 12 Jan 1916 Launched 15 Dec 1916 Commissioned 10 Feb 1917

                                Commanders.
                                10 Feb 1917 - 30 Apr 1917 Freiherr Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim
                                30 Apr 1917 - 22 May 1917 Oblt. Wilhelm Ziegner
                                23 May 1917 - 15 Jan 1918 Helmut Gerlach

                                Career 5 patrols.
                                5 Apr 1917 - 15 Jan 1918 IV Flotilla

                                Successes 34 ships sunk with a total of 87,872 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 12,628 tons.

                                • 15 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Fram 105 da
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Troldfos 1,459 nw
                                • 18 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim West Lothian 1,887 nw
                                • 22 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Vestelv 1,729 nw
                                • 28 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Diana (damaged) 207 da
                                • 29 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Comedian 4,889 br
                                • 29 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Ikbal 5,434 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Ascaro 3,245 it
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Horsa 2,949 br
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 93 Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim Parthenon 2,934 gr
                                • 30 Apr 1917 U 93 Prize (damaged) 199 br
                                • 19 Jun 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Louise 645 nw
                                • 27 Jun 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Baron Ogilvy 4,570 br
                                • 4 Jul 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Kodan 308 da
                                • 12 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Bestum 3,520 nw
                                • 14 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Asti 5,300 it
                                • 20 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Elswick Lodge 3,558 br
                                • 21 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Volodia 5,689 br
                                • 23 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Carl F. Cressy 898 am
                                • 25 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Heatherside 2,767 br
                                • 25 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Ovar 1,650 pt
                                • 26 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Marmion 4,066 br
                                • 26 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Minas Queen 492 ca
                                • 29 Aug 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Treloske 3,071 br
                                • 18 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Macao 3,557 bz
                                • 27 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach D. N. Luckenbach 2,929 am
                                • 28 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Finland (damaged) 12,222 am
                                • 29 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach La Epoca 2,432 ur
                                • 30 Oct 1917 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Liff 2,521 nw
                                • 2 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Veda 25 br
                                • 4 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Goeland I 235 fr
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Kanaris 3,793 gr
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Harry Luckenbach 2,798 am
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Henri Lecour 2,488 fr
                                • 6 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Dagny 1,220 da
                                • 14 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach Babin Chevaye 2,174 fr
                                • 15 Jan 1918 U 93 Helmut Gerlach War Song 2,535 br

                                Fate 15 Jan 1918 - Missing after January 15, 1918. 43 dead (all hands lost). U 93 was assigned to operate along the French coast between the Channel Islands and Penmarch. The last contact with her was on January 5th, 1918 though sinkings show she active through at least the 15th.

                                Previously recorded fate.
                                Rammed by SS Braeneil off the Lizard in position 49.59N, 05.12W. U 93 could not have been at spot at the time of the ramming. Lost by unknown cause off Hardelot, France. The wreck in question is U 95.

                                There was another U 93 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 8 Jun 1940 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 30 Jul 1940.

                                10th February 1917  Inspections

                                10th February 1917  Ongoing training

                                10th Feb 1917  Change of Group

                                10th Feb 1917  Under Shellfire

                                10th Dec 1917  Ready to Move

                                10th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                10th Feb 1917  Training

                                10th of February 1917  Daily Wire Cutting

                                10th of February 1917  Snow Problem

                                10th Feb 1917  Patients

                                10th Feb 1917  On the March

                                10th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                10th Feb 1917  Training

                                10th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                10th Feb 1917  Snow

                                10th Feb 1917  Shelling

                                10th Feb 1917  In Action

                                10th of February 1917 

                                10th Feb 1917  Training

                                10th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                10th of February 1917  Work and Drill

                                10th February 1917  Successful Attack

                                10th of February 1917  Periscope Smashed

                                10th February 1917  Battalion drill.

                                10th February 1917  Return

                                10th Feb 1917  Hard Ground

                                10th February 1917 

                                10th of February 1917  Route March

                                10th February 1917  Training in Assault Formations

                                10th of February 1917  Relieved by Hood Battalion

                                11th Feb 1917  Fighting Continues

                                11th February 1917  Slight thaw. Church services

                                11th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Church Parade at MT RENAULT FM. Working parties from CANDAS & GEZAINCOURT returned. Lt. Col. CHEYNE returned from DOMART.

                                11th Feb 1917  Transport Lines

                                11th Dec 1917  Inspection

                                11th Feb 1917  New Squadron formed

                                11th Feb 1917  Reliefs Completed

                                11th Feb 1917  On the March

                                11th Feb 1917  Church Parade

                                11th of February 1917  Freezing at Messines

                                11th of February 1917  TMs Shelling

                                11th Feb 1917  Reliefs Completed

                                11th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                11th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                11th Feb 1917  Shelling

                                11th Feb 1917  In Action

                                11th of February 1917 

                                11th of February 1917 

                                11th Feb 1917  Training

                                11th Feb 1917  On the March

                                11th of February 1917  Back to Trenches

                                11th Feb 1917  Artillery Transfer

                                11th Feb 1917  Advance Party

                                11th February 1917  Divine Service.

                                11th Feb 1917  Leave

                                11th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                11th February 1917  Enemy put up an Observation Balloon

                                11th February 1917  Operational Order 137.

                                11th of February 1917  Parade

                                11th February 1917  Church Parades

                                11th of February 1917  Cleaning up

                                12th Feb 1917  Fighting Continues

                                12th February 1917 Conference  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery record Conference of OC. Group and Battery Commanders. First section of C236 Battery went out of action.

                                12th February 1917  Musketry course

                                12th February 1917  Ongoing training

                                12th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. Signs of thaw beginning. Pte’s MIDDLETON & CHRISTIE won their events in the Divisional Boxing Competition.

                                12th Feb 1917  Gas Alarm

                                12th Dec 1917  Training

                                12th Feb 1917  Working Party

                                12th Feb 1917  Training

                                12th of February 1917  Observation Bad

                                12th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                12th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                12th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                12th Feb 1917  Boxes

                                12th Feb 1917  Quieter

                                12th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                12th of February 1917 

                                12th Feb 1917  Training

                                12th Feb 1917  On the March

                                12th of February 1917  Quiet Day

                                12th February 1917  Relief

                                12th of February 1917  Artillery Quiet

                                12th February 1917  Digging a system of trenches

                                12th February 1917  Col. P.V.P. Stone DSO. left the Battalion

                                12th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                12th February 1917  Patrol went out at night

                                12th of February 1917  Practising Attack

                                12th February 1917  Division is moving to a new area.

                                12th of February 1917  Working parties

                                13th Feb 1917 17th HLI attack Ten Tree Alley  17th Battalion Highland Light Infantry attack a strong point in Ten Tree alley. B Coy, 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers suffers casualties and A coy send reinforcements forward, whilst C coy reinforce A coy in Hub post. the 16th Northumberland Battalion are relieved in the line by the 2/6 Btn West Yorkshire Regt who have just arrived from England. The Northumberlands return to billets at Mailly-Maillet and Bertrancourt.

                                13th February 1917 Batteries in Action  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery D236 Battery fired two hundred rounds in a combined bombardment on 23rd Division front by all available Howitzers. X47 Trench Mortar Battery commenced wire cutting on the Left Battalion's front and fired fifty four rounds. Remainder of C236 Battery went out of action and handed over position to B1014 Battery which is therefore part of Group. C246 took over Wagon Lines of B235 in rest at Winnizeele.

                                13th February 1917  Inspections

                                13th February 1917  Battalion practice attack

                                13th Feb 1917  Inspection

                                13th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Bde route march deploying into artillery formation.

                                13th Feb 1917  Late Night

                                13th Dec 1917  Artillery Active

                                13th Feb 1917  Relief

                                13th Feb 1917  Training

                                13th Feb 1917  On the March

                                13th of February 1917  TM Action

                                13th of February 1917  Move to Kortepyp

                                13th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                13th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                13th Feb 1917  In Dugouts

                                13th of February 1917 

                                13th Feb 1917  Inspection

                                13th Feb 1917  On the March

                                13th of February 1917  Enemy Shelling

                                13th of February 1917  Moving again

                                13th of February 1917   Hostile Guns Quiet

                                13th Feb 1917  Reorganisation

                                13th Feb 1917  At Rest

                                13th February 1917  Reliefs

                                13th February 1917  In Brigade Reserve.

                                13th February 1917  Heavy tremor was felt

                                13th of February 1917  Practising Attack

                                13th February 1917  Company parades in preparation to move.

                                13th of February 1917  In dugouts at Thiepval

                                14th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers leave Mailly-Maillet and Bertrancourt, marching to to Lealvillers.

                                14th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery B236 Battery commenced wire cutting opposite Right Battalion's front. X47 Trench Mortar Battery continued on wire with fifty rounds.

                                14th February 1917  Courses and reliefs

                                14th February 1917  Training and night operations

                                14th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. Our team 2nd in Brigade Cross Country Run. Sgt REAY first man home. In Divisional bombing competition our platoon team placed first.

                                14th Feb 1917  Ground Frozen

                                14th Dec 1917  Fatigues

                                14th Feb 1917  Training

                                14th Feb 1917  Cleaning up

                                14th of February 1917  Hostile Activity

                                14th Feb 1917  On the March

                                14th Feb 1917  Gifts

                                14th Feb 1917  On the March

                                14th February 1917  Reorganisation

                                14th Feb 1917  In Dugouts

                                14th of February 1917 

                                14th of February 1917  Intelligence

                                14th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                14th Feb 1917  On the March

                                14th of February 1917  Quiet Day

                                14th February 1917  On the March

                                14th February 1917  Trench Instruction

                                14th of February 1917  Numerous Rifle Grenades

                                14th February 1917  Practice of attack

                                14th Feb 1917  Prisoner

                                14th February 1917  Slight shelling with L.H.V.S. shells

                                14th of February 1917  Inspection

                                14th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                14th February 1917  Company Parades

                                14th February 1917  Operation Orders

                                14th February 1917  March Table

                                14th Feb 1917  Trench Raid

                                14th of February 1917  In dugouts at Thiepval

                                15th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report A236 and B236 Batteries continued on the enemy wire with the usual allotment of two hundred rounds a day. D236 fired on an area Bombardment scheme at 1545 in conjunction with Howitzers of 23rd and 41st Division and Heavy Artillery on Area Hill 60. 2/Lt V Overton and 2/Lt H S Metcalfe attached to A236 and D236 Batteries respectively for 14 days instruction (From the DAC).

                                15th February 1917  On the Move

                                15th February 1917  Lecture and reliefs

                                15th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. L/Sgt ALLISON C Co. awarded CROIX-DE-GUERRE for gallantry in the field (NEUVE CHAPELLE) No 8 platoon won Brigade Shooting Competition and represents Brigade in Corps competition.

                                15th Feb 1917  Preparing for Reliefs

                                15th Dec 1917  Football

                                15th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                15th Feb 1917  Training

                                15th Feb 1917  On the March

                                15th of February 1917  A Pilot Captured

                                15th Feb 1917  In Action

                                15th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                15th Feb 1917  Advance Party

                                15th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                15th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                15th Feb 1917  Refitting

                                15th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                15th of February 1917 

                                15th of February 1917 

                                15th of February 1917 

                                15th of February 1917  Intelligence

                                15th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                15th Feb 1917  On the March

                                15th of February 1917  Relieved

                                15th of February 1917  Enemy TMs Fall Short

                                15th February 1917  Battalion resumed digging in the trenches.

                                15th February 1917  Hospital Treatment

                                15th February 1917  Hostile aircraft over our lines

                                15th February 1917  Operational Order 138.

                                15th of February 1917  Training

                                15th Feb 1917  Orders Received

                                15th February 1917  Brigade marches to Beauval area.

                                15th February 1917  Operational Orders

                                15th February 1917  March Table

                                15th February 1917  Extract : 45th Infanrty Brigade No. 3/18/G.

                                15th February 1917  Extract : 45th Infanrty Brigade No. 3/19/G.

                                15th of February 1917  Working parties

                                16th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march South  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers leave Lealvillers and march south, first to Contay.

                                16th February 1917 Gaps made in Enemy Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: All Batteries of the Group (except D236) and including X47 Trench Mortar Battery, which fired fifty rounds, bombarded the enemy's wire today. Many gaps were made.

                                16th February 1917  Move to new billets

                                16th February 1917  Appointments and inspections

                                16th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Contact aeroplane scheme at LE MEILLARD.

                                16th Feb 1917  Ammunition Dump Targeted

                                16th Dec 1917  Football

                                16th Feb 1917  Reorganisation

                                16th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                16th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                16th Feb 1917  Inspection

                                16th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                16th of February 1917  British Planes Active

                                16th Feb 1917  Artillery Active

                                16th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                16th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                16th Feb 1917  Into Position

                                16th Feb 1917  Good Flying Weather

                                16th Feb 1917  Training

                                16th Feb 1917  In Billets

                                16th of February 1917 

                                16th of February 1917  Intelligence

                                16th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                16th Feb 1917  New Positions

                                16th Feb 1917  HQ Established

                                16th of February 1917  Baths

                                16th February 1917  On the March

                                16th Feb 1917  Orders

                                16th of February 1917  Guns Active

                                16th Feb 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                16th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                16th February 1917  Direct hits on Enemy Front Line, apparently hitting Bomb dumps.

                                16th of February 1917  Route March

                                16th Feb 1917  On the March

                                16th February 1917  Translation of German Attack Orders

                                16th February 1917  Operational Order

                                16th February 1917  Brigade continues march to Neuvillette

                                16th February 1917  March Table

                                16th of February 1917  Ordered back into the trenches

                                17th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march South  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers march into 4th army area, to Villers-Bocage.

                                17th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting by A236 and B104 Batteries continued with an average of two hundred rounds a day being fired by each Battery. X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired one hundred rounds on cutting the wire.

                                17th Feb 1917 HMS Zubian completed  HMS Zubian was a Tribal type destroyer, constructed from the bow of HMS Zulu and the stern of HMS Nubian, the work was completed on the 17th of February 1917.

                                17th February 1917   KUK U-30 Austrian Submarine.

                                Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 27th December 1916 Commissioned 17th February 1917

                                Commanders
                                17 Feb 1917 - Friedrich Fähndrich

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes No successes.

                                Fate Went missing after 31st March 1917.

                                17th Feb 1917 Engineers undertake daylight raid.  106th Coy Royal Engineers join with 14RE in a daylight Trench Raid at 12.20pm Bayonets fixed and carrying explosives to blow up the dugout. The writer received a small wound to the arm going over. The 6th Bavarian Regiment had been waiting for them and a desperate fight took place. Three German Prisoners were taken in the Raid. The 7th RE were also involved but the raid was not a complete success.

                                17th February 1917  Start of Authie Railway works

                                17th Feb 1917 Trench Raid  A trench raid was carried out in conjunction with a party of the 10th Cheshire Regt. (200 in strength) the objective allotted to the Brigade being the enemy's defences N and S of Factory Farm, the farm itself included. Zero hour was 10.40a.m. The enemy seemed to be taken quite by surprise and his trenches were gained with but slight loss. All objectives were seized, with the exception of Factory Farm, where stout resistance was offered. Elsewhere very few of the enemy were found. It is believed that about 20 Germans were killed in this Battalion's objective exclusive of casualties caused by shell fire. Two prisoners were taken, and no identification was secured. 1 died of wounds, 1 missing. The majority of these were caused by hostile machine gun fire, which was brought to bear upon the parties as they returned to our line.

                                17th February 1917  Interviews and appointments

                                17th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Training continued. Thaw set in properly, Battalion sports held in afternoon.

                                17th Feb 1917  No Mans Land Inspected

                                17th Dec 1917  Snowball Fights

                                17th Feb 1917  In the Trenches

                                17th of February 1917  A Minor Operation

                                17th Feb 1917  Shelling

                                17th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                17th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                17th Feb 1917  Attack Made

                                17th Feb 1917  Inspection

                                17th Feb 1917  In Billets

                                17th of February 1917 

                                17th of February 1917 

                                17th of February 1917  Intelligence

                                17th Feb 1917  Trench Raid

                                17th Feb 1917  Arrivals

                                17th Feb 1917  Arrivals

                                17th of February 1917  Working Parties

                                17th February 1917  On the March

                                17th of February 1917  Into billets

                                17th of February 1917  TMs Quiet

                                17th February 1917  Reliefs

                                17th February 1917  In trenches in Freme Du Bois sector.

                                17th February 1917  Return

                                17th February 1917  Letters addressed to persons in Germany

                                17th of February 1917  Practising

                                17th Feb 1917  Positions

                                17th February 1917  Marching continued.

                                17th February 1917  Operational Order

                                17th February 1917  March Table

                                17th of February 1917  Back into the trenches in reserve

                                18th February 1917  Small Enemy raiding party active

                                18th February 1917 Wire Cutting  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Wire cutting continued successfully by all Batteries. D236 took part in an area bombardment with all other Howitzer Batteries at 1430 and one hundred and eighty rounds were fired. X47 Trench Mortar Battery fired sixty rounds at enemy's trenches which were much damaged as a result of last few days bombardment.

                                18th February 1917  Church Service and inspections

                                18th February 1917  Church Parade and supplies

                                18th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT

                                Sunday. Church parade held at MT RENAULT FM.

                                18th Feb 1917  Night Patrols

                                18th Dec 1917  Very Cold

                                18th Feb 1917  Prisoner

                                18th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                18th of February 1917  Four Concentrations Given

                                18th of February 1917  Relieved 13 RI Rifles

                                18th Feb 1917  Communication Lost

                                18th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                18th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                18th Feb 1917  Training

                                18th Feb 1917  On the March

                                18th of February 1917 

                                18th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                18th of February 1917  On Relief

                                18th of February 1917  Relief

                                18th of February 1917   A New MG?

                                18th February 1917  Divine Service.

                                18th of February 1917  Church Parade

                                18th Feb 1917  Positions

                                18th February 1917  Billeted in Maizieres

                                18th of February 1917  Working parties cancelled

                                19th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers march South  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers march from Villers-Bocage to Camon, a suburb of Amiens.

                                19th February 1917 Batteries Cutting Wire  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report C236 Battery came into action in position immediately south of Left Infantry Brigade HQ as reserve Battery for raid operation. Wire cutting continued by A236, B236, B104 and D236 Battery with the other Howitzers firing again on right area National - one hundred and eighty rounds. X47 Trench Mortar Battery again fired sixty rounds at enemy wire.

                                19th February 1917   

                                SM U-155 (Deutschland Merchant Submarine)

                                SM U-155

                                Type U 151 Shipyard Flensburger Schiffbau (Werk 382) Ordered 27 Oct 1915 Launched 28 Mar 1916 Commissioned 19 Feb 1917

                                Commanders.
                                19 Feb 1917 - 5 Sep 1917 Karl Meusel.
                                6 Sep 1917 - 31 May 1918 Erich Eckelmann.
                                1 Jun 1918 - 14 Nov 1918 Ferdinand Studt.

                                Career 3 patrols.
                                19 Feb 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 U-Kreuzer Flotilla

                                Successes 43 ships sunk with a total of 120,434 tons.
                                3 ships damaged with a total of 9,080 tons.

                                • 2 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Hafursfjord 1,669 nw
                                • 10 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Scottish Hero 2,205 ca
                                • 14 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Aysgarth 3,118 br
                                • 30 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Benguela 4,612 nw
                                • 30 Jun 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Siraa 1,938 nw
                                • 7 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Coblenz (damaged) 1,338 br
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Ruelle 3,583 fr
                                • 12 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Calliope 2,883 br
                                • 14 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Chalkydon 2,870 gr
                                • 18 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Ellen 3,877 nw
                                • 20 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Hanseat 3,358 nw
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Doris 1,355 it
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel John Twohy 1,019 am
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Willena Gertrude 317 br
                                • 31 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Madeleine 2,709 fr
                                • 31 Jul 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Snowdonian 3,870 br
                                • 1 Aug 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Alexandre 2,671 fr
                                • 2 Aug 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Marthe 3,119 fr
                                • 7 Aug 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Christiane 964 am
                                • 7 Aug 1917 U 155 Karl Meusel Iran 6,250 br
                                • 16 Feb 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Tea 5,395 it
                                • 18 Feb 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Cecil L. Shave 102 br
                                • 23 Feb 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Sardinero 2,170 sp
                                • 4 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Antioco Accame 4,439 it
                                • 10 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Wegadesk 4,271 nw
                                • 15 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Joaquina (damaged) 333 sp
                                • 18 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Prometeo 4,455 it
                                • 18 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Reidar 3,574 nw
                                • 24 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Avala 3,834 it
                                • 24 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Jorgina 103 br
                                • 25 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Rio Ave 179 pt
                                • 27 Mar 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Watauga 127 br
                                • 1 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Lusitano 529 pt
                                • 7 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Sterope 9,500 it
                                • 13 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Harewood 4,150 br
                                • 16 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Nirpura 7,640 br
                                • 23 Apr 1918 U 155 Erich Eckelmann Frances 54 br
                                • 31 Aug 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Gamo 343 pt
                                • 2 Sep 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Stortind 2,510 nw
                                • 7 Sep 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Sophia 162 pt
                                • 12 Sep 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Leixoes 3,245 pt
                                • 20 Sep 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Kingfisher 353 am
                                • 3 Oct 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Alberto Treves 3,838 it
                                • 4 Oct 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Industrial 330 br
                                • 12 Oct 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Amphion (damaged) 7,409 am
                                • 17 Oct 1918 U 155 Ferdinand Studt Lucia 6,744 am

                                Fate 24 Nov 1918 - Surrendered. Taken to Britain and exhibitied in London and elsewhere. Broken up at Morecambe in 1922.

                                Special note about the commanders for this boat: Kptlt. d.R. Paul König commanded this boat when it was known as the Deutschland commercial submarine. The listing here above only shows the commanders of the boat while under Naval control from 19 Feb, 1917.

                                There was another U 155 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 12 May 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 23 Aug 1941.

                                19th February 1917  Inspections

                                19th February 1917  Railway work

                                19th Feb 1917   BEAUVAL

                                The Battalion left HEUZECOURT and marched to BEAUVAL.

                                19th Feb 1917  Fatigues

                                19th Dec 1917  On the March

                                19th Feb 1917  Reliefs Completed

                                19th of February 1917  Divisional Cooperation

                                19th of February 1917  A Lively Day

                                19th Feb 1917  Reliefs Completed

                                19th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                19th Feb 1917  Working Party

                                19th Feb 1917  Training

                                19th Feb 1917  Training

                                19th of February 1917 

                                19th of February 1917  Intelligence

                                19th Feb 1917  Temporary Positions

                                19th Feb 1917  Orders Received

                                19th of February 1917  Working Parties

                                19th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                19th of February 1917  Gas training

                                19th of February 1917  Our Guns Active

                                19th February 1917  Digging trench system near Liencourt.

                                19th February 1917  Draft of 12 O.R. joined

                                19th Feb 1917  Post Captured

                                19th Feb 1917  Report

                                19th February 1917  Minenwerfers active causing a few casualties.

                                19th February 1917  Operational Order 139.

                                19th of February 1917   Practising Attack

                                19th Feb 1917  Party Missing

                                19th February 1917  Cleaning up and inspections.

                                19th of February 1917  Working parties again

                                20th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers on the march  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers march from Camon, Amiens towards Beaufort, along the Amiens-Roye road.

                                20th February 1917 Daylight Raid  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report 18 pounder Batteries continued rigorous wire cutting in the morning as did Trench Mortar Battery. Much damage has been done and many gaps made in the enemy's defences. At 1700, Zero Time, a large daylight raid was carried out on the Right Brigade front of 47th Division. A dummy raid was made by explosion of mines and bombardment on the Hill 60 sub sector at the same time. All Batteries of Left Group barraged southern boundary of said area and cease fire took place at approx 1925. Raid highly successful with one hundred and thirteen prisoners and four machine guns being gained by 6th Battalion (City of London Rifles). 2/Lt M O Haskell A235 Battery (attached HQ) acted as liaison officer with raiding party. 6600 rounds of 18 pounder ammunition, 1100 rounds of 4.5 inch Howitzer and 450 rounds of 2" Trench Mortar ammunition were used by Left Group in the raid operations from 13th inst. onwards.

                                20th February 1917  Inspections

                                20th Feb 1917   COUIN

                                Marched from BEAUVAL to huts at COUIN very wet heavy and long march.

                                20th Feb 1917  Patrols

                                20th Dec 1917  On Leave

                                20th Feb 1917  Artillery Active

                                20th Feburary 1917  Punishment Meted Out

                                20th of February 1917  Camouflet Blown

                                20th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                20th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                20th Feb 1917  Working Party

                                20th Feb 1917  Training

                                20th Feb 1917  Training

                                20th of February 1917 

                                20th of February 1917 

                                20th of February 1917  Orders

                                20th of February 1917  Intelligence

                                20th Feb 1917  Reorganisation

                                20th Feb 1917  Orders Received

                                20th of February 1917  Working Parties

                                20th February 1917  On the March

                                20th of February 1917   Enemy TMs Active

                                20th February 1917  Digging trench system.

                                20th February 1917  Battalion in Dominion Camp.

                                20th of February 1917  On the March

                                20th Feb 1917  Party Arrive

                                20th February 1917  Company training continued.

                                20th of February 1917  Moved up to 3rd line

                                21st Feb 1917 No Retaliation  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report (A J Roberts due back from leave). All quiet - no immediate retaliation by the enemy for the raid. 2/Lt H Davies rejoined the Brigade from Hospital (B236 Battery).

                                21st February 1917  Inspections

                                21st February 1917 Railway work  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                Billets Authie and St Leger Authie

                                21st to 22th Feb. - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. A company move from Authie to Thievres.



                                21st Feb 1917  Ship Sunk

                                21st Feb 1917  On the Move

                                21st Feb 1917   SAILLY

                                Brigade moved into line. 18th DLI B & D Co. in the KEEP HEBUTERNE remainder of Battalion in SAILLY relieving 7th Battalion N. LANCS of 19th Div.

                                21st Feb 1917  Plans Changed

                                21st Dec 1917  On Leave

                                21st Feb 1917  Gas

                                21st of February 1917  A Minor Operation

                                21st of February 1917  An Investigation

                                21st Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                21st Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                21st Feb 1917  In Billets

                                21st Feb 1917  Working Party

                                21st Feb 1917  Reception

                                21st Feb 1917  Inspection

                                21st Feb 1917  On the March

                                21st of February 1917 

                                21st of February 1917  Intelligence

                                21st Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                21st of February 1917  Cleaning Up

                                21st February 1917  On the March

                                21st of February 1917   Our Guns Active

                                21st February 1917  Lecture to Officers

                                21st February 1917  Reliefs

                                21st February 1917  In billets. Company training throughout the rest.

                                21st February 1917  In the Trenches

                                21st February 1917  Military Medals Awarded

                                21st February 1917  Battalion bathed at Houpoutre Bath's.

                                21st of February 1917   Marching

                                21st Feb 1917  Positions

                                21st February 1917  Guard of Honour will be provided by the Division

                                21st of February 1917  Battalion in position

                                22nd Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers receive new draft  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers receive a new draft of 100 men at Berteaucourt.

                                22nd February 1917 Enemy Work Prevented  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Enemy was prevented from working on his lines by 18 pounder fire.

                                22nd February 1917 R Class Super Zeppelin  Zeppelin LZ83 (LZ113)

                                • Production Ref: LZ83
                                • Class type : R
                                • Tactical ref: LZ113
                                • Usage: Military
                                • First Flight: 22nd February 1917

                                History.

                                Carried out 15 reconnaissance missions around the Eastern Front and the Baltic Sea including three attacks dropping a total of 6,000 kilograms (13,000 lb) of bombs. In 1920 it was ordered to be transferred to France as part of war reparations.

                                22nd February 1917  Divisional GOC inspection

                                22nd Feb 1917   SAILLY & HEBUTERNE

                                22,23,24 Feb Quiet days, no working parties.

                                22nd Feb 1917  Difficult Reliefs

                                22nd Dec 1917  On Leave

                                22nd Feb 1917  Inspection

                                22nd Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                22nd Feb 1917  Artillery Active

                                22nd of February 1917  Wagons on the Move

                                22nd Feb 1917  Reorganisation

                                22nd Feb 1917  In Billets

                                22nd Feb 1917  Working Party

                                22nd Feb 1917  On the March

                                22nd of February 1917 

                                22nd Feb 1917  Quiet

                                22nd February 1917  New Squadron assembled

                                22nd Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                22nd Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                22nd Feb 1917  On the Move

                                22nd Feb 1917  On the March

                                22nd of February 1917  Attack Practised

                                22nd of February 1917  Hostile TMs

                                22nd February 1917  Digging trench system.

                                22nd February 1917  The range at Dickebushe was allotted to "C" Coy.

                                22nd of February 1917  Marching

                                22nd Feb 1917  Positions

                                22nd February 1917  15th Division A/55/154

                                22nd February 1917  15th Division A/55/154

                                22nd February 1917  Guard of Honour chosen

                                22nd of February 1917  Carrying rations to front line

                                23rd Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers into Brigade Reserve  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers arrive at Beaufort via Fresnoy and go into Brigade reserve.

                                23rd February 1917  Movements

                                23rd February 1917  Inspections and Courses

                                23rd February 1917 Railway work  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                Billets at Thievres, Authie and St Leger Authie

                                23rd to 24th Feb. - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. CO and Adjutant attend conference at Brigade Headquarters at 1120 (23rd).



                                23rd Feb 1917  Hostile Shelling

                                23rd Dec 1917  On Leave

                                23rd Feb 1917  Relief

                                23rd Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                23rd of February 1917  Attempted Enemy Raid

                                23rd of February 1917  Wiring and Patrolling

                                23rd Feb 1917  In Camp

                                23rd Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                23rd Feb 1917  On the March

                                23rd Feb 1917  Working Party

                                23rd Feb 1917  Football

                                23rd Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                23rd Feb 1917  Training

                                23rd of February 1917 

                                23rd of February 1917  Orders

                                23rd of February 1917 

                                23rd Feb 1917  Quiet

                                23rd Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                23rd Feb 1917  On the March

                                23rd of February 1917  Attack Practised

                                23rd February 1917  On the March

                                23rd Feb 1917  Money Raised

                                23rd Feb 1917  Orders Received

                                23rd of February 1917  Relief Ordered

                                23rd February 1917  Battalion moved to Liencourt today.

                                23rd Feb 1917  Refitting

                                23rd February 1917  15th Infantry Brigade Order No. G689.

                                23rd February 1917  Major C.V. Lanyon and 2nd/Lt. H.N. Fox joined

                                23rd February 1917  "C" & "D" Coys. under RSM, LGO & BO. for specialist training and drill.

                                23rd of February 1917  Muster Parades

                                23rd Feb 1917  Positions

                                23rd February 1917  45th Infantry Brigade No. 33/9/G

                                23rd February 1917  Operation Orders

                                23rd February 1917  Parade of Guard of Honour.

                                23rd of February 1917  Battalion in reserve, supporting front line

                                24th Feb 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers in dug outs  C and D Coys, 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers move up to dug-outs at Warvillers.

                                24th February 1917 Battery Rests  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report: After very successful raid by 41st Division, C236 Battery goes back to rest during night to Winnezeele.

                                24th February 1917   KUK SM U-27 Austrian Submarine.

                                Type U-27 Shipyard Ordered Launched 19th October 1916 Commissioned 24th February 1917

                                Commanders
                                24 Feb 1917 - 29 Dec 1917 Robert Teufl von Fernland
                                29 Dec 1917 - 31 Oct 1918 Josef Holub

                                Career
                                No flotilla information available

                                Successes 33 ships sunk with a total of 14,392 tons.
                                1 ship taken as prize with a total of 0 tons.
                                1 warship sunk with a total of 765 tons.
                                1 warship damaged with a total of 665 tons.

                                • 12 Apr 1917 k.u.k. U27 Robert Teufl von Fernland Niritos 3,756 gr
                                • 16 Apr 1917 k.u.k. U27 Robert Teufl von Fernland Zinovia 2,976 gr
                                • 9 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U27 Robert Teufl von Fernland Roland 703 fr
                                • 11 Jun 1917 k.u.k. U27 Robert Teufl von Fernland Sakaki (d.) 665 jp
                                • 22 Jan 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Andrea Costa 3,991 it
                                • 29 Apr 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Maria 40 gr
                                • 1 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub San Nicola unknown it
                                • 3 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Panaghia unknown gr
                                • 6 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Dimitrios 40 gr
                                • 6 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Evangelistria 46 gr
                                • 6 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Taxiarchis 40 gr
                                • 14 May 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Phoenix (hms) 765 br
                                • 3 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agia Trias 14 gr
                                • 3 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Evangelistria unknown gr
                                • 3 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Panaghia 12 gr
                                • 6 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub San Nicola 29 it
                                • 7 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Giuseppino Padre 67 it
                                • 9 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Tris Adelphi 53 gr
                                • 10 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Georgios 17 gr
                                • 10 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Loukis 11 gr
                                • 11 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Constantinos 14 gr
                                • 11 Jul 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Marigo unknown gr
                                • 13 Aug 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Anhui 2,209 br
                                • 11 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Antoinette (prize) unknown fr
                                • 14 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Nicolas 113 br
                                • 17 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Portaritissa 16 it
                                • 17 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Sofia 6 it
                                • 18 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Adelphotis 26 gr
                                • 18 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Amma 16 gr
                                • 19 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Spiridion 58 gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Aghios Nicolaos unknown gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Nicolas 13 gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Agios Spiridion 18 gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Dragonos unknown gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Prof. Elias 5 gr
                                • 20 Sep 1918 k.u.k. U27 Josef Holub Theologos 103 gr

                                Fate Scrapped in 1920

                                24th February 1917  Inspections and Courses

                                24th Feb 1917  On the March

                                24th Feb 1917  On the March

                                24th Dec 1917  On Leave

                                24th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                24th Feb 1917  Repatriated

                                24th Feb 1917  Into Billets

                                24th of February 1917  Relief and Work

                                24th Feb 1917  In Camp

                                24th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                24th Feb 1917  Change of Billets

                                24th Feb 1917  Errands

                                24th Feb 1917  Route March

                                24th Feb 1917  Training

                                24th of February 1917 

                                24th of February 1917  Orders

                                24th of February 1917 

                                24th Feb 1917  Training

                                24th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                24th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                24th of February 1917  Germans Retire

                                24th February 1917  Reliefs

                                Tamworth Herald, 24th February 1917  Funeral

                                24th of February 1917   Artillery Below Normal

                                24th February 1917  Digging trench system.

                                24th February 1917  Orders for raid by "B" Company North of Ferme Du Bois 26th/27th inst.

                                24th February 1917  Return

                                24th Feb 1917  New Trench

                                24th Feb 1917  Bombardment

                                24th February 1917  "A" & "B" Coys. under RSM, LGO & BO. for specialist training and drill.

                                24th of February 1917  Training

                                24th Feb 1917  Observation Post

                                24th February 1917  Guard of Honour marches to St. Pol

                                24th of February 1917  Movement complete

                                25th February 1917  Church Parade

                                25th February 1917 On the Move  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                Billets at Thievres and Couin

                                25th Feb. - A company remains at Thievres. HQ,B,C and D companies move from St Leger to Couin and take over camps at that place and go under canvas. A company work all day and B,C and D companies in the afternoons.



                                25th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                25th Feb 1917   SAILLY & HEBUTERNE

                                02.22. Battalion ordered to be ready to move at 5.0am to take part in advance, Germans reported returning along this front.

                                07.40. Battalion moved up to HEBUTERNE but operation cancelled.

                                14.30. Relieved 18th WYR in L4 sector, relief complete 8.30pm (MOUSE TRAP, WOOD ST)

                                25th Feb 1917  On the March

                                25th Dec 1917  On Leave

                                25th Feb 1917  In Action

                                25th Feb 1917  Quiet

                                25th Feb 1917  Training

                                25th Feb 1917  In Billets

                                25th of February 1917  Quiet and Misty

                                25th Feb 1917  In Camp

                                25th Feb 1917  Misty

                                25th Feb 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                25th Feb 1917  Working Party

                                25th Feb 1917  Church Parade

                                25th Feb 1917  On the March

                                25th of February 1917 

                                25th of February 1917  Orders

                                25th Feb 1917  Long Awaited Letter

                                25th of February 1917 

                                25th Feb 1917  In the Line

                                25th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                25th February 1917   Jaffa shelled

                                25th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                25th of February 1917  Into the Trenches

                                25th of February 1917   Our Guns Active

                                25th February 1917  Half battalion bathed at Berlencourt.

                                25th February 1917  Reliefs

                                25th February 1917  Divine Services

                                25th of February 1917  Parades

                                25th Feb 1917  Guns Inspected

                                25th February 1917  Guard of Honour returns.

                                25th of February 1917  Moving again, in reserve

                                26th February 1917   SM U-87

                                Type U 87 Shipyard Kaiserliche Werft, Danzig (Werk 31) Ordered 23 Jun 1915 Laid down 28 Oct 1915 Launched 22 May 1916 Commissioned 26 Feb 1917

                                Commanders.
                                26 Feb 1917 - 13 Oct 1917 Rudolf Schneider.
                                13 Oct 1917 - 25 Dec 1917 Freiherr Rudolf von Speth-Schülzburg

                                Career 5 patrols.
                                24 Apr 1917 - 25 Dec 1917 III Flotilla

                                Successes 22 ships sunk with a total of 59,828 tons.
                                2 ships damaged with a total of 7,638 tons.

                                • 23 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Bernisse (damaged) 951 nl
                                • 23 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Elve 962 nl
                                • 26 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Lucipara 1,943 ru
                                • 26 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Saint Mirren 1,956 br
                                • 30 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Bathurst 2,821 br
                                • 30 May 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Hanley 3,331 br
                                • 2 Jun 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Eliofilo 3,583 it
                                • 2 Jun 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Mississipi (damaged) 6,687 fr
                                • 4 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Loch Katrine 151 br
                                • 8 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Valetta 5,871 br
                                • 10 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Seang Choon 5,807 br
                                • 11 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Kioto 6,182 br
                                • 12 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Castleton 2,395 br
                                • 16 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Tamele 3,932 br
                                • 19 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Artensis 1,788 nw
                                • 21 Jul 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Coniston Water 3,738 br
                                • 19 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Eika Ii 1,268 nw
                                • 21 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Oslo 2,296 br
                                • 22 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Alexander Shukoff 1,652 da
                                • 27 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Anna 1,211 da
                                • 27 Aug 1917 U 87 Rudolf Schneider Aurora 768 da
                                • 13 Dec 1917 U 87 Rudolf von Speth-Schülzburg Little Gem 114 br
                                • 24 Dec 1917 U 87 Rudolf von Speth-Schülzburg Daybreak 3,238 br
                                • 25 Dec 1917 U 87 Rudolf von Speth-Schülzburg Agberi 4,821 br

                                Fate 25 Dec 1917 - Rammed by HMS Buttercup and depth charged to be finally sunk by PC56 in the Irish Sea. 44 dead (all hands lost).

                                There was another U 87 in World War Two.
                                That boat was launched from its shipyard on 21 Jun 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 19 Aug 1941.

                                26th February 1917  Training courses

                                26th February 1917 Railway work continues  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                Billets at Thievres and Couin

                                26th to 28th Feb - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. Lieutenants Barratt and Phillips leave the Battalion on the 27th Feb to proceed to England for interview at the India Office on the 3rd March 1917.

                                SG Burnett Major, commanding 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment.

                                26th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                26th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR

                                6 platoons occupy German trenches near NAMELESS FARM linking up with 15th WYR at CRUCIFIX.

                                26th Feb 1917  Man Under Arrest

                                26th Dec 1917  On Leave

                                26th Feb 1917  Advance Made

                                26th Feb 1917  Trench Raid

                                26th Feb 1917  Training

                                26th of February 1917  Aerial Activity

                                26th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                26th Feb 1917  Misty

                                26th Feb 1917  Reliefs Complete

                                26th Feb 1917  Ready to Move

                                26th Feb 1917  Sport

                                26th Feb 1917  In Billets

                                26th of February 1917 

                                26th of February 1917 

                                26th Feb 1917  In Billets

                                26th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                26th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                26th of February 1917  An Attack

                                26th February 1917  Sector Handed Over

                                26th Feb 1917  Moving On

                                26th Feb 1917  Attachment

                                26th of February 1917  Move

                                26th of February 1917  Guns Active

                                26th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                26th February 1917  Digging trench system.

                                26th February 1917  At 2300 hours the Battalion raiding parties commenced leaving our trenches

                                26th February 1917  Reliefs

                                26th February 1917  Major General Govinge visited Battalion

                                26th of February 1917  Training

                                26th Feb 1917  Guns Into Positions

                                26th February 1917  Working Party of 5 Officers and 450 men

                                26th of February 1917  Moved to Beaucourt trench

                                27th Feb 1917 Reliefs  A and B Coys, 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers move up to the dug-outs at Warvillers to join C & D Coys. At night they move to line, taking over from 16 Btn Lancashire Fusiliers. All companies are in the front line over a very extended front.

                                27th February 1917  New horses arrive

                                27th Feb 1917  In Billets

                                27th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR

                                4th Bn LEICESTER REGT relieved 5th Bn in sector on our left.

                                3.0pm. L/Cpl RIGG & Pte LAWER returned from patrol and report GOMMECOURT PARK and village evacuated.

                                6.0pm. GOMMECOURT occupied by two platoons of B Co.

                                27th Feb 1917  Reorganisation

                                27th Dec 1917  On Leave

                                27th Feb 1917  Relief Complete

                                27th Feb 1917  Training

                                27th of February 1917  Enemy Active

                                27th Feb 1917  Training

                                27th Feb 1917  Mist

                                27th Feb 1917  New Camp

                                27th Feb 1917  Errands

                                27th Feb 1917  Route March

                                27th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                27th Feb 1917  Training

                                27th of February 1917 

                                27th of February 1917  Orders

                                27th of February 1917 

                                27th of February 1917 

                                27th Feb 1917  On the March

                                27th Feb 1917  Relief Complete

                                27th of February 1917  Pushing Forward

                                27th February 1917  Reliefs

                                27th Feb 1917  Transfer

                                27th of February 1917  Reliefs

                                27th of February 1917   Our Artillery Active

                                27th February 1917  Kit Inspection

                                27th February 1917  0005 hours. The enemy fired two parachute "Very Flares" into the middle of the party who although lying absolutely flat could easily be seen and must have been seen by the enemy.

                                27th February 1917  Reliefs

                                27th February 1917  Support of Hill 60 Sector

                                27th February 1917  Operational Order 140.

                                27th of February 1917  Route March

                                27th Feb 1917  Positions

                                27th Feb 1917  On the Move

                                27th February 1917  Working Party of 5 Officers and 450 men

                                27th of February 1917  Consolidation

                                28th February 1917  Movements

                                28th February 1917  Regimental Routine and Brigade Conference

                                28th Feb 1917  Back in Action

                                28th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR

                                6.0am. GOMMECOURT detachment relieved by 4th LEICESTERS.

                                12 noon. Detachment at NAMELESS FARM push out patrols and gain touch with 4th LEICESTERS at GOMMECOURT CEMETARY.

                                4.15pm. Battalion HQ move to dug out in 1st GERMAN LINE at K11a24.

                                7.30pm. MOLTKE GRABEN occupied by posts. Patrols fail to establish themselves in 1st GARDE STELLUNG which was strongly held.

                                28th Feb 1917  Cavalry Moving Up

                                28th Dec 1917  On Leave

                                28th February 1917  Promotion

                                28th Feb 1917  Working Parties

                                28th Feb 1917  Training

                                28th Feb 1917  Working Party

                                28th Feb 1917  Mist

                                28th Feb 1917  Reliefs

                                28th Feb 1917  Working Parties and Training

                                28th Feb 1917  Training

                                28th Feb 1917  In Camp

                                28th Feb 1917  Inspection

                                28th of February 1917 

                                28th of February 1917 

                                28th Feb 1917  Training

                                28th of February 1917  Relieved

                                28th Feb 1917  Reorganisation

                                28th Feb 1917  Advance Party

                                28th of February 1917  Artillery Quiet

                                28th February 1917  In Billets

                                28th February 1917  In billets. Cleaning up.

                                28th Feb 1917  Trench Raid

                                28th Feb 1917  Prisoner

                                28th February 1917  7 O.R. joined for duty.

                                28th of February 1917   Training

                                28th Feb 1917  Guns Brought Up

                                28th Feb 1917  Equipment

                                28th February 1917  Working Party of 3 Officers and 290 men working at Gouves.

                                28th Feb 1917  Difficult Conditions

                                28th February 1917  Brigade Strength

                                28th of February 1917  Retired to tents

                                29th Dec 1917  On Leave

                                29th Feb 1917  New Position

                                30th Dec 1917  On Leave

                                Mar 1917 16th Battalion formed for Worcs  The 16th (Transport workers) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment was formed in Bristol in March 1917

                                March 1917 

                                1st Mar 1917 16th Northumberland Fusiliers return to Beaufort  The 16th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers are relieved in the front line and return to Beaufort for a week of drill and training. A further draft of 135 men arrives.

                                1st March 1917 Batteries Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery report Heavy shelling of A236 and B236 Batteries in the afternoon with direct hits on gunpits etc. but no casualties. Toll Gate and vicinity of Group HQ. were also shelled and one wounded in HQ. Visual signalling operated this morning, while telephones closed down from 1000 to 1400. Batteries fired on SOS message at 2200 but no attack.

                                1st March 1917 Railway Activity  16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers.

                                Work continues as in February with the temporary labour battalion fully stretched in the forward and support areas. The Pioneers continuing Railway work took place on the following lines. Broadgauge railway continued at Ouderdom. 60cm railway line from point L1 to a point on the Wijverhock/Vierstraat line. 60cm railway line from Busseboom to Ouderdom. 60cm railway line Busseboom, Brandhoek, Kemmel including branch lines. A total length of 16 miles was worked on, but details are not recorded as clearly as the earlier Candas to Acheux operations. However it seems fairly safe to assume that the works were completed around mid-March.

                                The 16th returned to its Parent Division on the 19th March and was now back up to strength having received substantial reinforcements in February 1917, with a further 64 men arriving in March. The March intake included 40 men from the Central Training School via 7 Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur.

                                Casualties in the period January to March had been fairly light. March 1917 Officers 1 wounded. Other ranks 1 wounded.

                                So the unit was fit and ready for its next great endeavour, the Battle of Messines.

                                1st March 1917  Ongoing actions

                                1st March 1917 Congratulatory Message  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

                                1st to 4th March 1917 - HQ, B,C and D Companies at Couin, A Company at Thievres. Engaged on Railway Construction work.

                                4th March - Orders received late at night that no more working parties for Railway work required. The OC CORCC sent a message of eulogy which was published in Battalion orders as follows: I wish to would convey to all ranks of your battalion my appreciation of their work while employed on the Railway. They always did their work in a cheerful spirit and the amount of work done speaks for itself as to their energy. The Brigadier 33rd Brigade wishes to express to all ranks his appreciation of the work done by this unit.



                                1st March 1917  Routine and inspections

                                March 1917 

                                1st Mar 1917  On the March

                                1st Mar 1917   1st GERMAN LINE K11 a 12.4

                                The days were spent in trying to push up patrols into 1st GARDE STELLUNG without success. This was kept up all night much information was gained and many Germans seen.

                                1st Mar 1917  Range Practice

                                1st Mar 1917  On the Move

                                1st Mar 1917  Entertainment

                                1st Mar 1917  On the March

                                1st Mar 1917  Working Parties

                                1st Mar 1917  In Reserve

                                1st Mar 1917  Training

                                1st of March 1917  Location and Action

                                1st of March 1917  At Rest

                                1st Mar 1917  Concert

                                1st Mar 1917  Artillery Active

                                1st Mar 1917  Working Parties and Training

                                1st Mar 1917  Training

                                1st Mar 1917  Reliefs

                                1st of March 1917 

                                1st of March 1917 

                                1st of March 1917 

                                1st of March 1917 

                                1st Mar 1917  Training

                                1st Mar 1917  On the Move

                                1st Mar 1917  Quiet

                                1st Mar 1917  Reorganisation

                                Mar 1917  Move

                                1st of March 1917  On the March

                                1st of March 1917  In reserve trenches

                                1st Mar 1917  Relief

                                1st of March 1917  POWs Taken

                                1st March 1917  Working parties

                                1st Mar 1917  Trench Raid

                                1st March 1917  Relieved by 1st Cheshire Regt in the Firing line and withdrew to Senechal Farm.

                                Mar 1917  Preparations

                                1st March 1917  Resting and training

                                1st March 1917  C Battery RHA Remains in Aire

                                1st Mar 1917  Training

                                1st Mar 1917  Explosions and Fires

                                Mar 1917  Trenches

                                1st March 1917  Battalion in Support in Railway Dugouts.

                                1st March 1917  Report of patrol.

                                1st of March 1917   Lectures and Training

                                1st Mar 1917  Training

                                1st March 1917  Work Parties continued.

                                2nd March 1917 Battery Shelled  236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery, A236 Battery was again heavily shelled. Batteries are on small allotment.

                                2nd March 1917  Routine

                                2nd Mar 1917  On the March

                                2nd Mar 1917  Lecture for Officers

                                2nd Mar 1917  On the Move

                                2nd Mar 1917  Working Party

                                2nd Mar 1917  Reliefs

                                2nd Mar 1917  Reliefs

                                2nd of March 1917  Hit with Shrapnel

                                2nd of March 1917  Into Trenches

                                2nd Mar 1917  Regimental Dinner

                                2nd Mar 1917  Artillery Active

                                2nd Mar 1917  In the Trenches

                                2nd Mar 1917  Training

                                2nd Mar 1917  Training

                                2nd Mar 1917  Working Parties

                                2nd of March 1917 

                                2nd of March 1917 

                                2nd of March 1917 

                                2nd of March 1917 

                                2nd Mar 1917  Training

                                2nd Mar 1917  In Huts

                                2nd Mar 1917  On the Move

                                2nd of March 1917   Cleaning Up

                                2nd March 1917  Training

                                2nd Mar 1917  Carrying Parties

                                2nd of March 1917  Hostile Arty Busy

                                2nd Mar 1917  Trench Raid

                                2nd March 1917  Carrying parties for T.M.B.s.

                                2nd Mar 1917  Reorganisation

                                2nd Mar 1917  On the Move

                                2nd March 1917  Situation all quiet

                                2nd of March 1917  Training

                                2nd Mar 1917  Drill

                                2nd March 1917  Operation Orders

                                2nd March 1917  Administration Order

                                2nd March 1917  Working Parties

                                2nd March 1917  On the Move

                                3rd Mar 1917 11th KRRC Men to be trained as Scouts  Nominal Roll of men to be trained as Scouts, in accordance with 59th Inf Brigade Letter .Z1.251 dated 2/3/17.

                                "A" Company.

                                • R20200. Cpl. Shepherd.J.
                                • R16684. Rfm. Smart.H.
                                • R9323. Rfm. Ward.M.
                                • A200517. Rfm. Daws.P.J.
                                • R6145. Rfm. Walker.R.
                                "B" Company.
                                • A200243. L/C. Allen.W.H.
                                • R15818. Rfm. Withington.L.S.
                                • R11064. Rfm. Berry.J.
                                • A200614. Rfm. Pell.A.
                                • A200246. Rfm. Ambrose.A.
                                "C" Company.
                                • R4937. L/C. Blainey.W.
                                • R11089. Rfm. Jones.G.
                                • R13249. Rfm. Harper.H.
                                • R21121. Rfm. Green.H.
                                • R24014. Rfm. Woodcock.G.W.
                                "D" Company.


  • Want to know more about ?


    There are:111795 items tagged available in our Library

      These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


    Those known to have served on

    during the Great War 1914-1918.

    • Adamheit Erwin. Marine-Ingenieur (d.5 Jun 1917)
    • Adler Robert. Obermaat (d.3 Sep 1914)
    • Ahrens Heinrich. Obermaat (d.17 Jun 1917)
    • Albrecht Heinrich. Lt. (d.12th Oct 1918)
    • Amann Klemens. Matrose (d.19 Jul 1917)
    • Andernach Friedrich. Obermatrose (d.26 Sep 1915)
    • Anders Walther. Obermaschinist (d.14 Nov 1916)
    • Andresen Hans. Gefreiter (d.7 Jul 1918)
    • Apitz Paul. Oberheizer (d.21 Oct 1917)
    • Arndt Friedrich. Matrose (d.26 Sep 1915)
    • Arndt Gottlieb. Obermatrose (d.29 Apr 1918)
    • Ascher Johann. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Atzenroth Hermann. Seesoldat (d.8 Jan 1918)
    • Aul Karl. Unteroffizier (d.17 Jun 1918)
    • Aumueller Max Ludwig Fritz. Maschinist (d.29 Nov 1918)
    • Auth Johan. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Baer Hermann. Landsturmmann. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Barthelmes Alfred. Vizefeldwebel. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Beckert Karl Hermann. (d.7th Sep 1916)
    • Berger Richard. Obersturman.
    • Bernhardt Sebastian.
    • Betz Georg. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Biermann . Commander
    • Blaurock Michael. Landsturmmann. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Bleier Pankraz. Landsturmmann. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Bohme Johann Gottlieb.
    • Brugger Julius Wilhelm. Unteroffizer (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Böhm Wilhelm. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Dauer Georg. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Diekmann Paul. Lt. (d.30th Nov 1917)
    • Dietrich Wilhelm Carl.
    • Dipplod Christian. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Dorsch Johann. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Eckhaus Jakob. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Emmert Martin. Unteroffizier. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Ernst Georg. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Fritz Hans. KaptLt.
    • Fuchs Josef. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Full Alois. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Goldstein Georg. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Greinwald Jakob. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Günther Karl. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Haass Jakob.
    • Hahn Karl. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Heid Max. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Hesele Wolfgang. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Heuring Anslem. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Hirsch Otto. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Johannes Michael. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Jung Peter. Unteroffizier. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Kirchner Alfons. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Kleinert Jakob Johannes.
    • Kleinheinz Josef. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Klüpfel Klemens. Vizefeldwebel (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Kuhn Englebert. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Kurt Richard. Mjr. (d.6th Aug 1914)
    • Laudemann Hermann. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Maurer Benno. Leutnant der Reserve. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Merkatz Adolar. Mjr. (d.6th Aug 1914)
    • Nothaas Karl. Rte. (d.1st December 1914)
    • Nöll Franz Josef. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Offenbächer Heinrich. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Pfirrmann Karl. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Pickel Johann. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Pieschottka Ludwig. Gefr. (d.7th Dec 1914)
    • Reulbach Theodor. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Roeder Georg. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Rudolf Freiherr von Dieklage. Hauptmn.
    • Saalmüller Karl. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Sauer Georg. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Schaefer Gustav. Uffz. (d.4th Jul 1915)
    • Scheuring Christian. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Schmidt Friedrich Wilhelm Karl . Fus.
    • Schulte Franz. Ltn.
    • Schultheiss Alois. Unteroffizier. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Schöller Georg. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Seitz Bernhard. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Staiger George.
    • Stoermer Albert. Gefr. (d.26th December 1914)
    • Tomaschefski Karl Paul. Helsman. (d.1st June 1916)
    • Wehr Friedrich. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Weinbrenner Emil. Reit. (d.1st Dec 1914)
    • Wiesberger Victor.
    • Wiese Karl. Gefr. (d.7th December 1914)
    • Wilm Blasius. Gefreiter. (d.7th Jun 1917)
    • Wolff Max. (d.4th Mar 1918)
    • Wolff Thyle. Lt. (d.30th May 1915)
    • Wussow Friedrich von. Gen Mjr. (d.6th Aug 1914)
    • Zirkelbach Karl. Infanterist. (d.7th Jun 1917)

    The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

    Records of from other sources.


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        Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.






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    History of the 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1918

    F.W. Bewsher


    The Highland Division was one of the pre-war Territorial divisions. Its HQ was in Perth with brigade HQs in Aberdeen, Inverness and Stirling. On mobilization the division moved down to its war station in Bedford where it remained, carrying out training till embarking for France in May 1915. During this period six of its battalions were sent to France, three in November 1914 and three in the following March, replaced by two Highland battalions and a brigade of four Lancashire battalions; it is not clear whether the latter were required to wear kilts. They were transferred to the 55th (West Lancashire) Division when that division reformed in France in January 1916 and were replaced, appropriately, by Scottish battalions. It was in May 1915, just as the division arrived in France, that it was designated 51st and the brigades 152nd, 153rd and 154th; by the end of the war the 51st (Highland) Division had become one of the best known divisions in the BEF.
    History of the 9th (Scottish) Division

    John Ewing


    The division’s record is graphically described in this history - what Field Marshal Lord Plumer in his foreword referred to as “a record of wonderful development of fighting efficiency.” There are useful appendices giving the Order of Battle, command and staff lists with the various changes; a table showing periods spent in the line, with locations; a table of battle casualties and the VC citations. The maps are good with adequate detail for actions to be followed.
    Liverpool Scottish 1900-1919

    A.M. McGilchrist


    The story of the 1/10th, 2/10th and 3/10th (Scottish) Battalions of the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), referred to in this account as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions Liverpool Scottish. The 1st and 2nd fought on the Western Front , the 3rd remained in the UK. Appendices include nominal roll of 1st Battalion on embarkment, list of Honours and Awards including the only VC and bar awarded, and Roll of Honour.
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    Liverpool Scottish 1900-1919


    CROWN AND COMPANY 1911-1922. 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers

    Col. H. C. Wylly


    This volume is concerned principally with the battalion’s service in the Great War during which it fought on the Western Front in 10th Brigade, 4th Division till the end of 1916 when it was transferred to 48th Brigade of 16th(Irish) Division. The last part gives a very full and often moving description of the disbandment of the battalion. 269 officers and 4508 WOs, NCOs and men of the Regiment died during the war and an appendix lists the names of the officers showing which battalion they were serving in. There is a full list of Honours and Awards including Mentions in Despatches and foreign awards for the whole regiment. Another appendix lists the officers of the 1st and 2nd battalions serving at the time of disbandment and shows which regiments they transferred to or whether they retired.
    History of the London Rifle Brigade 1859-1919


    A Detailed & readable history with num. anecdotes . Appendices inc. officers’ services, awards. The first 60 or so pages deal with the pre-war history,. The rest of book is devoted to the Great War in which three battalions served, the 1st and 2nd Battalions on the Western Front, the 3rd was a training battalion. Each battalion is covered separately concluding, in the case of the active service battalions, with a detailed itinerary. This is a very good history with many informative appendices including casualty lists by battalions, nominal roll of all officers who served between 1859 and 1919 with service, and in a number of cases biographical details, honours and awards including mentions
    Honourable Artillery Company in the Great War 1914-1919

    G. Goold Walker


    The history of this somewhat complex regiment has been admirably handled. Each of the units has a section to itself and each section has its own chapters numbered separately. The story begins with the 1st Battalion, then follow ‘A’ Battery. ‘B’ Battery, the Siege Battery, 2nd Battalion, 2/A Battery, 2/B Battery and finally the third line units and the regimental Depot. There is a combined regimental Roll of Honour, arranged alphabetically (officers and men together) There are three indexes, one of persons, one of places and one of units.
    History of the Welsh Guards

    C.H.Dudley Ward


    A very good history incorporating nominal roll of all WOs, NCOs and men who served with it, noting casualties and awards, records of service of all officers, chronology of every move from arrival in France to arrival in Cologne and list of enemy divisions engaged.
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    History of the Welsh Guards


    Devonshire Regiment 1914-1918

    C.T. Atkinson


    The author is among the foremost of the Great War divisional and regimental historians and this book is typical of his standard of writing and composition. He has provided a continuous narrative in a chronological order, bringing in the various battalions as they came onto the stage in the relevant theatre of war. He has made use of war diaries, not only of the battalions but also, where appropriate of brigades and divisions. He was also able to make use of collected accounts of various actions and experiences of those who took part in them, giving the point of view of the man in the trenches. One third of the book, some 250 pages, contains the complete list of honours and awards, including Mention in Despatches, and the Roll of Honour, listed alphabetically by battalions.
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    Devonshire Regiment 1914-1918


    Artists Rifles: Regimental Roll of Honour and War Record 1914-1919

    S.Stagoll Higham


    This remarkable book contains a complete record of all whose names have been inscribed in the regiment’s Muster Roll since August 1914, showing commissions obtained, when and in which corps/regiments; honours and decorations awarded with citations where published; and a list of all casualties. There is a total of 15,022 names, that is everyone who at one time or another served in the Regiment in any capacity. 10,256 received commissions, eight VCs were awarded, and the casualties suffered throughout the war numbered 6,071 of whom 2,003 were killed. There are summary tables of awards and of casualties
    History and Records of Queen Victoria's Rifles 1792-1922

    C.A.Cuthbert Keeson


    This is a good history with plenty of detail and with many names, covering the period from the earliest days up to the Great War in an appendix (185 pages) at the end of the book. It covers each battalion in turn - 1/9th, 2/9th, the amalgamated 9th and finally 3/9th. There is the Roll of Honour and a list of Honours and Awards, including Mentions in Despatches.
    Cast-iron Sixth: A History of the Sixth Battalion, London Regiment (City of London Rifles)

    E.G. Godfrey


    This history begins with the names of divisional and brigade commanders under whom the battalion served, followed by the Honours list where all recipients are named, except for Mention in Despatches where totals are given. The early history of the battalion is briefly narrated before the Great War, which takes up the bulk of the book. In addition to details of actions fought, in each chapter attention is given to some particular aspect of military training or operations, such as communications between front and rear, transport difficulties, individual exploits and so on, while to facilitate reading, at the head of each page appears the number of the battalion being discussed. The book ends with the Roll of Honour (1050 dead) and an index.
    Royal Fusiliers in the Great War

    H.C. O'Neill


    Sourced frm the battalion diaries, personal diaries of officers, special accounts of particular actions contributed by soldiers actually involved, letters and conversations, the author explains in some detail how the regiment expanded and how each wartime battalion came to be formed. The appendix gives the Roll of Honour of officers (1054 names); a table showing the numbers of Warrant Officers, NCOs and Men on the Roll of Honour, by battalions; a table summarising decorations awarded, including foreign awards; brief biographies or notes on a number of RF general ranking officers; and several accounts of soldiers who took part in the various operations.
    Footprints of the 1/4th Leicestershire Regiment: August 1914 to November 1918

    John Milne


    This account is written primarily for those who served or whose relatives served in the battalion, which is a good thing as we get plenty of names and the details of daily life in the trenches, officer casualties and new arrivals are mentioned by name in the text other ranks by totals. A reprint of the 1935 original.
    Fifth Leicestershire: A Record of the 1/5th Battalion the Leicestershire Regiment, TF, During the War 1914-1919

    J.D. Hills


    This battalion history, based essentially on the War Diary supplemented by contributions from various battalion members. There is plenty of meat in this history, detailed accounts of actions and events in and out of the trenches, names of officers and other ranks, list of honours and awards.
    East Yorkshire Regiment in the Great War 1914-1918

    Everard Wyrall


    This history covers all the battalions though only very briefly those that did not go overseas. The author, a prolific writer of divisional/regimental histories follows his customary pattern of arranging his story chronologically with chapters devoted to specific battles and periods of trench warfare. In the margins of the text describing events he notes the dates, as in a diary, and identifies the battalions involved. The Roll of Honour lists the officers alphabetically by ranks without indicating the battalion or date of death; the other ranks are shown by battalions and by ranks within each battalion. Given the number of battalions covered in this single volume the account of all the activities is necessarily compressed, based essentially on the War Diaries, without anecdotal contributions The maps are very good, uncluttered yet displaying tactical detail easy to follow.
    History of the Dorsetshire Regiment 1914-1919


    This reprint covers the Regular and TF battalions, each with their own index; And deals with the Service battalions and includes the Roll of Honour and the list of Honours and Awards for all battalions. It also has a separate index. There are numerous sketch maps in the text.
    History of the Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) 1914-1919

    Everard Wyrall


    Wyrall arranges his record of the regiment in chronological order, following the course of the war from the arrival of the1st Battalion in France. As he describes the operations and events he indicates in the margin the date of the action he is writing about with the identity of the battalion involved; operations in other theatres have their own chapters. Appendices list, by name, Honours and Awards including Mention in Despatches, promotions for service in the field, summary of other rank casualties (deaths) in each battalion (officers are totalled together) and brief records of service.
    History of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, 1st and 2nd Battalions 1881-1923

    C.D. Bruce


    The first two chapters in the book provide an historical outline of the raising of the 1st Battalion in 1702 and take its story through to 1923. The book recounts story of the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front, mainly by use of quotations from eyewitness accounts, letters, diaries and official documents supported by good maps. A good feature of this history is the recording by name of officers joining the battalion or leaving or becoming casualties, and the arrival of drafts with strengths.
    United States Naval Aviation 1910-1918

    Noel C Shirley


    United States Naval Aviation 1910-1918 for the first time provides a comprehensive study of the formation and initial deployment of naval aviation in the first world war. The book covers not only the subject of naval aircraft, but also describes the activities of the Navy in the field of lighter-than-air craft. Specific information is provided on each of the Naval Air Stations constructed and operated, both domestically as well as in Foreign Service during the War. Detailed discussion is also provided regarding the role of Marine Corps aviation during this time period.
    Brodick: Arran and the Great War 1914-1918

    James Inglis


    Account of war service of men and women from Brodrick, Isle of Arran and list of other Arran men on active service. This book begins with an account of the effect of the war on the island, especially preoccupation with the danger from U-boats threatening the communications and supply route with the Scottish mainland. The main part of the book consists of war service details of those who served, including nurses; some accounts are brief, others are much longer. There are separate headings for Nurses, Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, for regiments/corps, for Canadians and Australians and individuals are shown under the appropriate heading. At the end is list of names of other Arran men on active service
    Beneath Flanders Fields: The Tunnellers War 1914-1918

    Peter Barton, Peter Doyle & Johan Vandewalle


    Whilst the war raged across Flanders fields, an equally horrifying and sometimes more dangerous battle took place underground. "Beneath Flanders Fields" tells the story of the tunnellers' war, which still remains one of the most misunderstood, misrepresented and mystifying conflicts of the Great War. A wealth of personal testimonies reveal the engineering, technology and science behind how this most intense of battles was fought - and won. They speak of how the tunnellers lived a relentless existence in the depths of the battlefield for almost two and a half years, enduring physical and mental stresses that were often more extreme than their infantry counterparts. Their lives were reduced to a complex war of silence, tension and claustrophobia, leading up to the most dramatic mine offensive in history launched on 7 June 1917 at Messines Ridge. Yet, Messines was not the end of their story, which continued with the crafting of a whole underground world of headquarters, cookhouses and hos
    Underground Warfare 1914-1918

    Simon Jones


    Simon Jones's graphic history of underground warfare during the Great War uses personal reminiscences to convey the danger and suspense of this unconventional form of conflict. He describes how the underground soldiers of the opposing armies engaged in a ruthless fight for supremacy, covers the tunnelling methods they employed, and shows the increasingly lethal tactics they developed during the war in which military mining reached its apotheosis. He concentrates on the struggle for ascendancy by the British tunnelling companies on the Western Front. But his wide-ranging study also tells the story of the little known but fascinating subterranean battles fought in the French sectors of the Western Front and between the Austrians and the Italians in the Alps which have never been described before in English. Vivid personal testimony is combined with a lucid account of the technical challenges - and ever-present perils - of tunnelling in order to give an all-round insight into the extraord
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    Underground Warfare 1914-1918


    The Other Side of the Wire. Volume 1

    Ralph J. Whitehead


    "The Other Side of the Wire" brings to life a period long forgotten in the decades that have passed since the Great War ended in 1918. Until recently most books written on the Battle of the Somme concentrated almost exclusively on the British effort with only a brief mention of the period before 1 July 1916 and the German experience in the battle. Most simply ignore the nearly two years of warfare that preceded the momentous offensive. By focusing on one of the principal German formations involved in the Somme fighting, author Ralph Whitehead brings to life this little-known period, from the initial German advance on the Somme in September 1914 through the formation of the front that became so well known almost two years later. - Ralph Whitehead is a member of the Plugstreet Project Team.
    No Labour, No Battle: The Labour Corps in the First World War

    John Starling & Ivor Lee


    From 1917 British Soldiers who were unfit or too old for front line service were to serve unarmed and within the range of German guns for weeks or even months at a time undertaking labouring tasks. The vital, yet largely unreported role played by these brave soldiers was crucial to achieving victory in 1918. For this book John Starling and Ivor Lee have brought together extensive research from both primary and secondary sources. It traces how Military Labour developed from non-existent in 1914, to a Corps in November 1918 some 350,000 strong, supported by Dominion and foreign labour of more than a million men. The majority of the Labour Corps did not keep war diaries, therefore this work provides vital information for those wishing to acquire information about an ancestor who served in the Corps.
    Tea, Rum and Fags: Sustaining Tommy 1914-1918

    Alan Weeks


    It is said that 'an army marches on its stomach', but histories of the First World War usually concentrate on its political and military aspects. The gargantuan task of keeping the British Expeditionary Force fed and watered is often overlooked, yet without adequate provision the soldiers would never have been able to fight. Tommy couldn't get enough tea, rum or fags, yet his commanders sent him bully beef and dog biscuits. But it was amazing how 2 million men did not usually go short of nourishment, although parcels from home, canteens and estaminets had a lot to do with that. Incredibly, Tommy could be in a civilised town supping, beer, wine, egg and chips, and a few hours later making do with bully beef in a water-filled trench. Alan Weeks examines how the army got its food and drink and what it was like.
    The Steel of the DLI (2nd Bn 1914/18)

    John Sheen


    Sheen's history has all of the insight and detail we have come to expect of modern scholarship, drawing deeply on official, regimental and private records. With many excellent photographs, most of which will not have been seen before, and lacing the battalion's history with the stories of individual officers and men, he takes us through the whole war from the battalion's first searing experiences on the Aisne, right through to the honour of advancing into Germany as part of the army of occupation. In between, the 1915 nightmares of Hooge, the latter stages of the Somme, Hill 70, Cambrai and ceaseless engagement in 1918. The story also brings out how the nature of the battalion inevitably changed, from wholly regular through mostly volunteer to conscript, yet managed to maintain an ethos and professional air throughout.
    Machine-Guns and the Great War

    Paul Cornish


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    Machine-Guns and the Great War


    Messines 1917

    Alexander Turner


    Osprey Campaign book exploring the Battle of Messines. At 0310 hours on 7 June 1917, the pre-dawn gloom on the Western Front was shattered by the 'pillars of fire' - the rapid detonation of 19 huge mines, secreted in tunnels under the German lines and containing 450 tonnes of explosives. Admitted by the Germans to be a 'masterstroke', the devastating blasts caused 10,000 soldiers to later be posted simply as 'missing'. Launching a pre-planned attack into the carnage, supported by tanks and a devastating artillery barrage, the British took the strategic objective of Messines Ridge within hours. A rare example of innovation and success in the First World War, this book is a fresh and timely examination of a fascinating campaign.
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    Messines 1917


    The Attack of the British Ninth Corps at Messines Ridge (1917)

    The War Department



    Beneath Hill 60 [DVD]


    BENEATH HILL 60 tells the extraordinary true story of Oliver Woodward, the legendary Australian metal scientist. In 1916, Woodward faced the most difficult decision, ultimately having to separate from his new young love for the deadly carnage of the Western Front. On treacherous territory, behind the German enemy lines, Woodward and his secret platoon of Australian tunnelers face a suicidal battle to defend a leaking, tunnel system. A tunnel packed with enough high explosives to change the course of the War.
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    Beneath Hill 60 [DVD]


    Artillery Operations of the Ninth British Corps at Messines, June 1917

    Army War College (U.S.)



    Hill 60: Ypres (Battleground Europe)

    Nigel Cave


    The shell-ravaged landscape of Hill 60, some three miles south east of Ypres, conceals a labyrinth of tu nnels and underground workings. This book offers a guide to the memorials, cemeteries and museums at the site '
    New Zealand and the Great War: A Photographic Record of New Zealanders at War 1914-1918

    Glyn Harper


    They shall not grow old...In 1914, despite being forbidden, many a Kiwi soldier's kitbag included a portable camera, known as 'The Soldiers' Kodak'. In a major research project, Glyn Harper and the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum have combined official war photographs with more informal images to produce a moving visual history. While primarily drawn from the Museum's collection, many photographs from private sources have been included. From more than 25,000 photographs, just over 800 have been selected - most of which have never been published. Chosen to depict each theatre of the 1914-18 war, including Gallipoli, Sinai-Palestine and the Western Front, poignant images from the home front are also included, along with graphic portraits of wounded soldiers, whose treatment marked the beginnings of modern plastic surgery. Despite the First World War being described as the most important and far-reaching political and military event of the twentieth century, pivotal in forging our
    Beneath Hill 60 [Paperback]

    Will Davies


    'Ten seconds, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one - fire! Down goes the firing switch. At first, nothing. Then from deep down there comes a low rumble, and it as if the world is spliting apart...' On 7th June 1917, nineteen massive mines exploded beneath Messines Ridge near Ypres. The largest man-made explosion in history up until that point shattered the landscape and smashed open the German lines. Ten thousand German soldiers died. Two of the mines - at Hill 60 and the Caterpillar - were fired by men of the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, comprising miners and engineers rather than parade-ground soldiers. Drawing on the diaries of one of the key combatants, "Benealth Hill 60" tells the little-known, devastatingly brutal true story of this subterranean war waged beneath the Western Front - a stygian battle-ground where men drowned in viscous chalk, suffocated in the blue gray clay, choked on poisonous air or died in the darkness, caught up up in vicious hand-to-han
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    Beneath Hill 60 [Paperback]


    Border Regiment in the Great War

    Col. H. C. Wylly


    Tightly written regimental history of the Border Regiment in the Great War, which blends the story of its 13 battalions in six theatres of war into one continuous narrative. lllustrated by 14 photographic plates and seven maps.
    Diary of 2/4th Battalion the Border Regiment, 1914-19


    Reproduction of a book published before 1923
    Lander's War: The War Diaries of Lt. Charles Herbert Lander 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

    Charles Herbert Lander


    Charles Lander, had to wait until the chest measurement was reduced before he could apply as a private soldier with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Upon his commission, Charles was to serve in the 10th Battalion which was a part of 57th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. Read on, and let Charles take you into the tumultuous world of the Great War, where moments of comedy, low points and sheer terror combine; and wonder as to how humans could endure, go home and live again in everyday society. Lt. Charles Herbert Lander truly had the skill to pull back the curtains on the window of time; with his words, he will take you to the now quiet fields of France and Flanders, now transformed from the most dangerous places on Earth to their former rural peace. He tells us how it was and who were the players in the great game, as they appear and all too often disappear from these pages.
    Mud, Blood and Bullets: Memoirs of a Machine Gunner on the Western Front.

    Edward Rowbotham


    It is 1915 and the Great War has been raging for a year, when Edward Rowbotham, a coal miner from the Midlands, volunteers for Kitchener's Army. Drafted into the newly-formed Machine Gun Corps, he is sent to fight in places whose names will forever be associated with mud and blood and sacrifice: Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendaele. He is one of the 'lucky' ones, winning the Military Medal for bravery and surviving more than two-and-a-half years of the terrible slaughter that left nearly a million British soldiers dead by 1918 and wiped out all but six of his original company. He wrote these memoirs fifty years later, but found his memories of life in the trenches had not diminished at all. The sights and sounds of battle, the excitement, the terror, the extraordinary comradeship, are all vividly described as if they had happened to him only yesterday. Likely to be one of the last first-hand accounts to come to light, Mud, Blood and Bullets offers a rare perspective of the First World W
    Durham Pals: 18th, 19th, 20th and 22nd Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry in the Great War

    John Sheen


    The Durham Pals were the volunteer Geordie battalions of the Durham Light Infantry raised in the north-east in the Great War. The 18th Durhams had the proud distinction of being the first unit of Kitchener's New Armies to come under enemy fire before even leaving Blighty when German ships shelled Hartlepool in December 1914. The 19th were raised as Bantams ( men blow the minimum height requirement) ; the 20th (Wearside) hailed from Sunderland; while the 22nd was the last raised - and fought through the hard battles of 1918. After their baptism of fire while training in Hartlepool, the 18th were seriously blooded on July 1st 1916 as the battle of the Somme opened, when they fought in support of the Leeds and Bradford Pals. After fighting in the successful Messines offensive in June 1917 the 20th were sent to the Italian front; while the 19th distinguished themselves in Flanders during the final Allied advance of 1918. This book pay tribute to them all.
    World War I

    S. L. A. Marshall


    A "full-dress history of the war by one of our most distinguished military writers" (NEW YORK TIMES), WORLD WAR I takes us from the first shots in Sarajevo to the signing of the peace treaty in Versailles and through every bunker, foxhole, and minefield in between. General S.L.A. Marshall drew on his unique firsthand experience as a soldier and a lifetime of military service to pen this forthright, forward-thinking history of what people once believed would be the last great war. Newly introduced by the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, David M. Kennedy, WORLD WAR I is a classic example of unflinching military history that is certain to inform, enrich, and deepen our understanding of this great cataclysm.
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    World War I


    A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918

    G. J. Meyer


    The First World War is one of history’s greatest tragedies. In this remarkable and intimate account, author G. J. Meyer draws on exhaustive research to bring to life the story of how the Great War reduced Europe’s mightiest empires to rubble, killed twenty million people, and cracked the foundations of the world we live in today.
    Flying for France

    James R. McConnell


    This a fun aviation story detailing the day-to-day adventures of a young American pilot who volunteered to join the French air force at the beginning of World War I. There were several Americans who did this, as America was not directly involved in the war, and the French military assembled them all together in an Escadrille (squadron). The trials of day to day flight using Nieuport fabric and wood airplanes, fighting German Bosches and Fokkers, are all charmingly explored in this short, easy read.
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    Flying for France


    World War I

    Simon Adams


    Packed with photos on every double-page spread and dense with facts and snippets of analysis, this large-size volume in the Eyewitness series provides a quick, informative overview of WWI: how it started; who fought and why; the equipment used; what it was like in the trenches and at home; the horrific final cost. Even seasoned Web browsers accustomed to busy formats may sometimes feel bombarded by all the bits and pieces, especially when the tiny type is printed over colored pictures. It's the dramatic photos (many from London's Imperial War Museum) that will make readers pause and bring them close to the soldiers' experiences. Then there's John Singer Sargent's realistic painting Gassed, showing blinded soldiers led by their sighted colleagues toward a dressing station in northern France in 1918
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    World War I


    To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918

    Adam Hochschild


    World War I stands as one of history’s most senseless spasms of carnage, defying rational explanation. In a riveting, suspenseful narrative with haunting echoes for our own time, Adam Hochschild brings it to life as never before. He focuses on the long-ignored moral drama of the war’s critics, alongside its generals and heroes. Thrown in jail for their opposition to the war were Britain’s leading investigative journalist, a future winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, and an editor who, behind bars, published a newspaper for his fellow inmates on toilet paper. These critics were sometimes intimately connected to their enemy hawks: one of Britain’s most prominent women pacifist campaigners had a brother who was commander in chief on the Western Front. Two well-known sisters split so bitterly over the war that they ended up publishing newspapers that attacked each other.
    Hard as Nails: The Sportsmen's Battalion of World War One

    Michael Foley


    This is the history of the Sportsmen's Battalion, Royal Fusiliers 23rd service battalion, which consisted almost entirely of men from the world of sport or entertainment. The battalion was privately raised and took men up to the age of 45. The battalion included a champion boxer, cricketers, footballers, MPs and the author John Chessire. They were men who did not need to serve in the First World War but had an unquestioning sense of duty. The history is enhanced by the letters and drawings by John Chessire, giving a first-hand account of their experiences. A man from the upper classes, a writer, poet and artist, he chose to serve as a private so he could do his duty, even when it conflicted with his religious beliefs and love for his family. The book covers the battalion's beginnings in London and progression to Hornchurch, France and then Germany. It includes their time at Vimy Ridge, at the Somme and at the Battle for Deville Wood.
    In Flanders Fields: And Other Poems of the First World War

    Brian Busby


    a book that shows the reality of war through the poems of many soldiers who didn't return. Beautifully written.
    Poems of the Great War: 1914-1918

    Several


    Published to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of Armistice, this collection is intended to be an introduction to the great wealth of First World War Poetry. The sequence of poems is random - making it ideal for dipping into - and drawn from a number of sources, mixing both well-known and less familiar poetry. The work of 21 poets is represented: including Rupert Brooke, Robert Graves, Ivor Gurney, Thomas Hardy, Charlotte Mew, Alice Meynell, Wilfred Owen, Herbert Read, Isaac Rosenberg, Siegfried Sassoon and Edward Thomas
    Poetry of the First World War

    Various


    Packed full of analysis and interpretation, historical background, discussions and commentaries, York Notes will help you get right to the heart of the text you’re studying, whether it’s poetry, a play or a novel. You’ll learn all about the historical context of the piece; find detailed discussions of key passages and characters; learn interesting facts about the text; and discover structures, patterns and themes that you may never have known existed. In the Advanced Notes, specific sections on critical thinking, and advice on how to read critically yourself, enable you to engage with the text in new and different ways. Full glossaries, self-test questions and suggested reading lists will help you fully prepare for your exam, while internet links and references to film, TV, theatre and the arts combine to fully immerse you in your chosen text. York Notes offer an exciting and accessible key to your text, enabling you to develop your ideas and transform your studies!
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    Poetry of the First World War


    York Notes on Poetry of the First World War

    Hana Sambrook


    The York Notes series continues to be the leading range of GCSE and A-level study guides. If you are a GCSE student this will be invaluable for your coursework/exam preparation, as it covers all of the poems in the 'World War I' section of the AQA poetry anthology. Covering language, structure, form, style and context, amongst other useful exam information; the guide also offers a summary of each poem and some advice on how the poems can be compared. Essential book for students, and a competitive price on here.
    Out in the Dark: Poetry of the First World War in Context and with Basic Notes

    David Roberts


    This anthology, based on "Minds at War" - by same author - has been prepared for the general reader who requires less background information, and for students, including GCSE and A Level. One of mankind's greatest tragedies was the First World War. For over four years whole nations unleashed the full might of their new-found destructive powers. Poets played their part in this war as promoters of it, soldiers, victims and onlookers. Their stories and their responses to their experiences are deeply moving, and their work includes some of the greatest poetry of the 20th Century. Many of the poems in Out in the Dark are currently selected by exam boards. The 19th Century poems, examples of the culture of Empire and militarism, help to explain both the rush to war and the nature of the early poetry of the First World War - 140 poems in all.
    Anthem for Doomed Youth

    Jon Stallworthy


    This is an excellent introduction to the lives and work of twelve poets of WWI, many of whom were killed in action. The book was produced to accompany an exhibition at the Imperial War Museum and is illustrated with many photographs and original manuscripts. The famous are here - Owen and Sassoon- but there are also less well-known names - David Jones and Francis Ledwidge - whose work deserves recognition. I've read some of these poems many times, and I never fail to be moved by "Dulce et decorum est" (Owen), "Anthem for doomed youth" (Owen) and "When you see millions of the mouthless dead" (Sorley). The savagery and sarcasm of "The General" (Sassoon) and the grim humour of "Break of day" (Rosenberg), a meditation on a rat moving between the German and British lines, are also moving. Stallworthy tells the stories of their (mostly) brief lives sparingly, concentrating on the poetry and offering some interesting criticisms and insights. This poetry has influenced our imagery of the Great
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    Anthem for Doomed Youth


    Journey's End

    Robert Cedric Sherriff


    Set in the First World War, Journey's End concerns a group of British officers on the front line and opens in a dugout in the trenches in France. Raleigh, a new eighteen-year-old officer fresh out of English public school, joins the besieged company of his friend and cricketing hero Stanhope, and finds him dramatically changed ... Laurence Olivier starred as Stanhope in the first performance of Journey's End in 1928; the play was an instant stage success and remains a remarkable anti-war classic.
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    Journey's End


    Goodbye to All That

    Robert Graves


    In 1929 Robert Graves went to live abroad permanently, vowing 'never to make England my home again'. This is his superb account of his life up until that 'bitter leave-taking': from his childhood and desperately unhappy school days at Charterhouse, to his time serving as a young officer in the First World War that was to haunt him throughout his life. It also contains memorable encounters with fellow writers and poets, including Siegfried Sassoon and Thomas Hardy, and covers his increasingly unhappy marriage to Nancy Nicholson. Goodbye to All That, with its vivid, harrowing descriptions of the Western Front, is a classic war document, and also has immense value as one of the most candid self-portraits of an artist ever written. About the Author Robert Ranke Graves (1895-1985) was a British poet, novelist, and critic. He is best known for the historical novel I, Claudius and the critical study of myth and poetry The White Goddess.
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    Goodbye to All That


    A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918

    G.J. Meyer


    One only has to look at a few of today's "hotspots" (the Balkans and the Middle East) to realize that World War I's effects remain a determining factor in international relations. It may seem impossible to write an "intimate" account of such a global catastrophe, but Meyer has succeeded in doing just that: a masterful narrative history that eloquently conveys the sense of a civilization engaged in massive self-destruction, while its leaders, blinded by hubris, nationalism, or outright ignorance, led the charge. Although Meyer pays ample attention to the broad themes of causation and military strategies, he consistently reminds us that the war was a compilation of millions of individual tragedies. He captures the horror and futility of trench warfare, the slaughter at Gallipoli, and the genocide of Armenians as experienced by those who were there. Meyer also offers interesting and controversial insights into the motivations of many of the key participants. This is an outstanding survey
    The Beauty and the Sorrow: An Intimate History of the First World War

    Peter Englund


    In this masterly, highly original narrative history, Peter Englund takes a revelatory new approach to the history of World War I, magnifying its least examined, most stirring component: the experiences of the average man and woman—not only the tragedy and horror but also the absurdity and even, at times, the beauty. The twenty people from whose journals and letters Englund draws are from Belgium, Denmark, and France; Great Britain, Germany, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire; Italy, Australia, and New Zealand; Russia, Venezuela, and the United States. There is a young man in the British army infantry who had been considering emigrating until the war offered him its “grand promise of change” and a middle-aged French civil servant, a socialist and writer whose “faith simply crumbled” at the outbreak of war. There is a twelve-year-old German girl thrilled with the news of the army’s victories because it means that she and her classmates are allowed to shout and scream at school. There i
    The First World War


    In a riveting narrative that puts diaries, letters and action reports to good use, British military historian Keegan (The Face of Battle, etc.) delivers a stunningly vivid history of the Great War. He is equally at easeAand equally generous and sympatheticAprobing the hearts and minds of lowly soldiers in the trenches or examining the thoughts and motivations of leaders (such as Joffre, Haig and Hindenburg) who directed the maelstrom. In the end, Keegan leaves us with a brilliant, panoramic portrait of an epic struggle that was at once noble and futile, world-shaking and pathetic. The war was unnecessary, Keegan writes, because the train of events that led to it could have been derailed at any time, "had prudence or common goodwill found a voice." And it was tragic, consigning 10 million to their graves, destroying "the benevolent and optimistic culture" of Europe and sowing the seeds of WWII. While Niall Ferguson's The Pity of War (Forecasts, Mar. 8) offers a revisionist, economic int
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    The First World War


    A Coward If I Return, a Hero If I Fall: Stories of Irish Soldiers in World War I

    Neil Richardson


    IRELAND'S FORGOTTEN LEGACY In 1914-1918, two hundred thousand Irishmen from all religions and backgrounds went to war. At least thirty-five thousand never came home. Those that did were scarred for the rest of their lives. Many of these survivors found themselves abandoned and ostracised by their countrymen, their voices seldom heard. The book includes: * The Irish soldier firing the first shot * The first Victoria Cross * Leading the way at Gallipoli and the Somme * North and South fighting side by side at Messines Ridge * Ireland's flying aces * Brothers-in-arms -- heart-rending stories of family sacrifice * The lucky escapes of some; the tragic end of others * The homecoming -- why there was no hero's welcome
    The Complete Idiot's Guide to World War I

    Alan Axelrod Ph.D.


    For history buffs, students, and anyone interested in the 20th century, this book reveals why World War I began, explores the "guns of August," describes the horrors of trench warfare and the first uses of poison gas, and explains why the Americans were so slow to enter the war. From the eastern front to the west, from Gallipoli to the Marne, from the Lafayette Escadrillo to Lawrence of Arabia, the book tells the whole story of "the war to end all wars."
    The Eastern Front 1914 - 1920 (History of World War I)

    Michael Neiberg David Jordan


    Recreates the battles and campaigns that raged at The Eastern Front during World War I Updated for 2012 with a new foreward by Dennis Showalter The front in the East was much longer than in the West. The theatre of war was delimited by the Baltic Sea in the West and Moscow in the East, a distance of 1,200kms, and Saint Petersburg in the North and the Black Sea in the South, a distance of more than 1,600kms. While World War I on the Western Front developed into trench warfare, the battle lines on the Eastern Front were much more fluid; trenches never truly developed. The greater length of the front ensured that the density of soldiers in the line was lower so the line was easier to break. Once broken, the sparse communication networks made it difficult for the defender to rush reinforcements to the rupture in the line, to mount a counteroffensive and seal off a breakthrough. Also, the terrain in the Eastern European theatre was quite solid, often making it near impossible to construct a
    To the Last Man: A Novel of the First World War

    Jeff Shaara


    Moving on from the American Revolution and the Civil War, Shaara (The Glorious Cause, etc.) delivers an epic account of the American experience in WWI. As usual, he narrates from the perspective of actual historical figures, moving from the complexity of high-level politics and diplomacy to the romance of the air fight and the horrors of trench warfare. Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing commands all American forces in France in 1917–1918 and must prepare his army for a new kind of war while resisting French and British efforts to absorb his troops into their depleted, worn-out units. Two aviators, American Raoul Lufbery and German Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron) fly primitive aircraft in an air war that introduces new ways to die. And Pvt. Roscoe Temple, U.S. Marine Corps, fights with rifle and bayonet in the mud and blood of Belleau Wood and the Argonne Forest. These men and a supporting cast of other real-life characters provide a gruesomely graphic portrayal of the brutality
    Wipers: A Soldier's Tale From the Great War

    Jeff Simmons


    The World War One battlefield that bulged out around Ypres, Belgium, was one of the most horrific killing grounds of the bloody, four-year conflict. Not familiar with the proper pronunciation of "Ypres," (EE-pruh), the Allied soldiers called the sector "Wipers." The Allies took thousands of casualties daily there from 1914 to 1918. Unable to break the German line, a plan was made to dig 5 miles of tunnels under No Man's Land, planting charges, and blowing up the enemy from below. This novel follows a British miner-turned-soldier and his unlikely companion: a mischievous, wisecracking soldier who was a magician in civilian life and joined the army under shady circumstances. Their struggle to survive is often tragic, yet often humorous. The story climaxes with the tunnel attack and the shocking aftermath. Ultimately, it shows war is not glorious; it ruins lives, even among those who survive.
    The Guns of August

    Barbara W. Tuchman


    Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Barbara Tuchman has brought to life again the people and events that led up to World War I. With attention to fascinating detail, and an intense knowledge of her subject and its characters, Ms. Tuchman reveals, for the first time, just how the war started, why, and why it could have been stopped but wasn't. A classic historical survey of a time and a people we all need to know more about, The Guns of August will not be forgotten.
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    The Guns of August


    The Oxford Illustrated History of the First World War

    Hew Strachan


    This illustrated history is an outstanding summary of current scholarship on the war that was supposed to end all wars. Nearly two dozen contributors write smart and accessible essays on a range of subjects, including the military strategies of the Allies and the Central Powers, the war at sea, economic mobilization, politics on the home front, and the peace settlement. The chapters are full of intelligent insights. John Morrow, writing on the air war, notes that fighter pilots became "the ultimate heroes of the First World War" because their feats of individual combat could be easily romanticized, in contrast to the mass slaughter taking place in the trenches below.
    The Myth of the Great War: A New Military History of World War I

    John Mosier


    Mosier (English, Loyola Univ.) offers a scathing indictment of the Allied military mindset that caused so many senseless deaths on the Western Front during the Great War. For example, Mosier argues that it took the slaughter of thousands of infantrymen before the British and French commands tried to use artillery as an effective offensive weapon. Even then, Allied artillery bombardments never matched their opponents' effective use of heavy-caliber howitzers. Mosier points out that from the very beginning the German General Staff attempted to minimize losses by making firepower central to its offensive tactics. Consequently, German casualties were half those of the Allies. Blind adherence to antiquated military doctrines is not a new criticism of Allied generalship, but Mosier's original scholarship does offer a fresh perspective on an old theme. Recommended for public and academic libraries with strong military history collections.
    Adventures of a Motorcycle Despatch Rider During the First World War

    W.H.L. Watson


    The Battle of Mons, The Battle of le Cateau, The Great Retreat, Over the Marne to the Aisne, The Battle of the Aisne, The Move to the North, Round la AssÉe, The Beginning of Winter 1914, St Jans Cappel, Behind the Lines
    The Marne, 1914: The Opening of World War I and the Battle That Changed the World

    Holger H. Herwig


    It is one of the essential events of military history, a cataclysmic encounter that prevented a quick German victory in World War I and changed the course of two wars and the world. Now, for the first time in a generation, here is a bold new account of the Battle of the Marne. A landmark work by a distinguished scholar, The Marne, 1914 gives, for the first time, all sides of the story. In remarkable detail, and with exclusive information based on newly unearthed documents, Holger H. Herwig superbly re-creates the dramatic battle, revealing how the German force was foiled and years of brutal trench warfare were made inevitable. Herwig brilliantly reinterprets Germany’s aggressive “Schlieffen Plan”–commonly considered militarism run amok–as a carefully crafted, years-in-the-making design to avoid a protracted war against superior coalitions. He also paints a new portrait of the run-up to the Marne: the Battle of the Frontiers, long thought a coherent assault but really a series of hap
    World War I: Contains a 16-Page Guide to WWI Battlefields and Memorials

    H. P. Willmott


    beautifully produced and illustrated, an everything you need to know compendium
    Murder At Zero Hour

    Paul Westwood


    Author's Note: The idea of a murder occurring during the middle of a war seemed like an interesting idea to pursue. I chose The Great War since it has a level of brutality that was unparalleled until later wars. Research for this novel was particularly dreadful since the war seemed so senseless. With that in mind, I had my character lose much, but still gain something in return for his sacrifices
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    Murder At Zero Hour


    The War to End All Wars: World War I

    Russell Freedman


    Nonfiction master Russell Freedman illuminates for young readers the complex and rarely discussed subject of World War I. The tangled relationships and alliances of many nations, the introduction of modern weaponry, and top-level military decisions that resulted in thousands upon thousands of casualties all contributed to the "great war," which people hoped and believed would be the only conflict of its kind. In this clear and authoritative account, the author shows the ways in which the seeds of a second world war were sown in the first. Numerous archival photographs give the often disturbing subject matter a moving visual counterpart. Includes source notes, a bibliography, and an index.
    LETTERS FROM VERDUN: Frontline Experiences of an American Volunteer in World War 1 France

    Avery Wolfe


    A beautifully written and fully illustrated experience of the Great War from a participant . . .Though the United States was late to enter the Great War, a number of idealistic young Americans wished to take part from the beginning. One of these was Avery Royce Wolf, a highly educated scion of a family in America's burgeoning industrial heartland.Volunteering as an ambulance driver with the French Army in the Verdun sector, Royce sent back a constant stream of highly detailed letters describing the experience of frontline combat, not excluding comments on strategy, the country he encountered, and the Allies' prospects for success. This treasure trove of brilliant letters, only recently discovered, is accompanied by several albums worth of rare, high-quality photos depicting aspects of the Great War in France never previously published. The book contains expert overviews to set the reader in Royce's time and place; however, the narrative is most gripping with his own day-to-day percepti
    New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2 Who Began the War, and Why?

    Various


    This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
    Eye-Deep in Hell: Trench Warfare in World War I

    John Ellis


    Millions of men lived in the trenches during World War I. More than six million died there. In Eye-Deep in Hell, the author explores this unique and terrifying world—the rituals of battle, the habits of daily life, and the constant struggle of men to find meaning amid excruciating boredom and the specter of impending death.
    Faces of World War I: The Great War in Words and Pictures

    Max Arthur & Ian Hislop


    This magnificent commemorative volume traces the tragedy of the Great War in words and pictures. Best-selling author Max Arthur brilliantly conveys not only the heroism, but also the universal horror, futility, absurdity and boredom of early 20th-century warfare. From the frontline troops and the daily dance with death, to the support lines, communications, enlistment, training, and propaganda, the story of the war is illustrated with over 200 images that have been handpicked from the world famous collection of the Imperial War Museum in London. Every aspect of the soldier's life is covered in this brilliant collection of images and eyewitness accounts that bring the Great War to life once more.
    Where Poppies Grow: A World War I Companion

    Linda Granfield


    When World War I began in 1914, no one knew that millions of young people would die in the agonizing years ahead. No one imagined the effect it would have on family life, or that whole villages would disappear, or that entire nations would be changed forever. They believed their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers would be home by Christmas. They were tragically mistaken. With photos, memorabilia, and anecdotes, Linda Granfield brings us face-to-face with people from all walks of life who risked everything for their country. These painstakingly-gathered bits and pieces are remnants of conflict on a scale never before witnessed. Hastily-penned letters, notes written in code, and prayers for deliverance form an eloquent portrait of humanity, and a startling comment on the devastation of war.
    Hell in the Holy Land: World War 1 in the Middle East

    David R. Woodward


    In the modern popular imagination, the British Army's campaign in the Middle East during World War I is considered somehow less brutal than the fighting on European battlefields. A romantic view of this conflict has been further encouraged by such films as Lawrence of Arabia and The Light Horsemen. In Hell in the Holy Land, David R. Woodward uses graphic eyewitness accounts from the diaries, letters, and memoirs of British soldiers who fought in that war to describe in rigorous detail the genuine experience of the fighting and dying in Egypt and Palestine. The massive flow of troops and equipment to Egypt eventually made that country host to the largest British military base outside of Britain and France. Though many soldiers found the atmosphere in Cairo exotic, the desert countryside made the fundamentals of fighting and troop maintenance extremely difficult. The intense heat frequently sickened soldiers, and unruly camels were the only practical means of transport across the soft sa
    The Pity Of War: Explaining World War I

    Niall Ferguson


    In The Pity of War, Niall Ferguson makes a simple and provocative argument: that the human atrocity known as the Great War was entirely England’s fault. Britain, according to Ferguson, entered into war based on naïve assumptions of German aims—and England’s entry into the war transformed a Continental conflict into a world war, which they then badly mishandled, necessitating American involvement. The war was not inevitable, Ferguson argues, but rather the result of the mistaken decisions of individuals who would later claim to have been in the grip of huge impersonal forces.That the war was wicked, horrific, inhuman,is memorialized in part by the poetry of men like Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, but also by cold statistics. More British soldiers were killed in the first day of the Battle of the Somme than Americans in the Vietnam War; indeed, the total British fatalities in that single battle—some 420,000—exceeds the entire American fatalities for both World Wars. And yet, as Ferg
    A Short History Of The Great War...

    Albert Frederick Pollard


    This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
    The First Day on the Somme 1 July 1916

    Martin Middlebrook


    On 1 July, 1916, a continous line of British soldiers climbed out from the trenches of the Somme into No Man's Land and began to walk slowly towards dug-in German troops armed with machine-guns and defended by thick barbed wire. By the end of that day, as old tactics were met by the reality of modern warfare, there had been more than 60,000 British casualties - a third of them fatalities. Martin Middlebrook's classic account of the blackest day in the history of the British army draws on official sources, local newspapers, autobiographies, novels and poems from the time. Most importantly, it also takes in the accounts of hundreds of survivors: normal men, many of them volunteers, who found themselves thrown into a scene of unparalleled tragedy and horror. Compelling and intensely moving, it describes the true events behind the sacrifice of a generation of young men - killed as much by the folly of their commanders as by the bullets of their enemies.
    Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce

    Stanley Weintraub


    In the early months of World War I, on Christmas Eve, men on both sides of the trenches laid down their arms and joined in a spontaneous celebration. Despite orders to continue shooting, the unofficial truce spread across the front lines. Even the participants found what they were doing incredible: Germans placed candlelit Christmas trees on trench parapets, warring soldiers sang carols, and men on both sides shared food parcels from home. They climbed from the trenches to meet in "No Man's Land" where they buried the dead, exchanged gifts, ate and drank together, and even played soccer. Throughout his narrative, Stanley Weintraub uses the stories of the men who were there, as well as their letters and diaries, to illuminate the fragile truce and bring to life this extraordinary moment in time.
    Stolen Voices: Young People's War Diaries, from World War I to Iraq

    Zlata Filipovic


    Zlata Filipovic’s diary of her harrowing war experiences in the Balkans, published in 1993, made her a globally recognized spokesperson for children affected by military conflict. In Stolen Voices, she and co-editor Melanie Challenger have gathered fifteen diaries of young people coping with war, from World War I to the struggle in Iraq that continues today. Profoundly affecting testimonies of shattered youth and the gritty particulars of war in the tradition of Anne Frank, this extraordinary collection— the first of its kind—is sure to leave a lasting impression on young and old readers alike.
    Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting

    Jim Murphy


    Two-time Newbery Honor Book author Jim Murphy writes a stunning nonfiction masterpiece about a Christmas miracle on the Western Front during World War I. On July 29th 1914, the world’s peace was shattered as the artillery of the Austria-Hungary Empire began shelling the troops of the country to its south. What followed was like a row of falling dominoes as one European country after another rushed into war. Soon most of Europe was fighting in this calamitous war that could have been avoided. This was, of course, the First World War. But who could have guessed that on December 25 the troops would openly defy their commanding officers by stopping the fighting and having a spontaneous celebration of Christmas with their "enemies"?
    Causes of World War I

    Stewart Ross


    The disputes that led to the outbreak of World War I were festering for decades before the first shots were fired. This book examines the long term causes, such as the system of alliances and the arms race, as well as examining the lead up to Franz Ferdinand's assassination which was the trigger for war to break out over Europe. It also provides important insights into the prevailing attitudes and key personalities that led to this devastating war. This book is a clear, well-written, authoritative text packed with useful information, fascinating, thought-provoking photographs, paintings, posters, cartoons and maps. It has a wealth of panels that give biographical details of the major personalities, statistical information, eye-witness accounts and poetic responses to the war. The book ends with a comprehensive date list, glossary and a list of further resources.
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    Causes of World War I


    Between the Sword and the Wall: a novel of World War I

    Jeff Shaara


    Jeff Shaara has enthralled readers with his New York Times bestselling novels set during the Civil War and the American Revolution. Now the acclaimed author turns to World War I, bringing to life the sweeping, emotional story of the war that devastated a generation and established America as a world power. Spring 1916: the horror of a stalemate on Europe’s western front. France and Great Britain are on one side of the barbed wire, a fierce German army is on the other. Shaara opens the window onto the otherworldly tableau of trench warfare as seen through the eyes of a typical British soldier who experiences the bizarre and the horrible–a “Tommy” whose innocent youth is cast into the hell of a terrifying war. In the skies, meanwhile, technology has provided a devastating new tool, the aeroplane, and with it a different kind of hero emerges–the flying ace. Soaring high above the chaos on the ground, these solitary knights duel in the splendor and terror of the skies, their courage
    Between the Sword and the Wall: a novel of World War I

    Thomas De Angelo


    a novel set in 1914-15 during a period in World War I when it seemed the fighting would never end. From the first pages the author brings the WWI era to life and the reader feels everything that an eyewitness must have felt. One begins to understand the struggles of allied soldiers trapped in occupied Belgium, and the sacrifices some people made in helping them escape to Holland and freedom.
    Angels in the Gloom: A Novel (World War I)

    Anne Perry


    With this latest entry in a bestselling series that evokes all the passion and heroism of history’s most heartbreaking conflict–the war that was meant to end all wars–Anne Perry adds new luster to her worldwide reputation. Angels in the Gloom is an intense saga of love, hate, obsession, and murder that features an honorable English family–brothers Joseph and Matthew Reavley and their sisters, Judith and Hannah. In March 1916, Joseph, a chaplain at the front, and Judith, an ambulance driver, are fighting not only the Germans but the bitter cold and the appalling casualties at Ypres. Scarcely less at risk, Matthew, an officer in England’s Secret Intelligence Service, fights the war covertly from London. Only Hannah, living with her children in the family home in tranquil Cambridgeshire, seems safe. Appearances, however, are deceiving. By the time Joseph returns home to Cambridgeshire, rumors of spies and traitors are rampant. And when the savagely brutalized body of a weapons sc
    Til the Boys Come Home: A World War I Novel

    Jerry Borrowman


    A gripping tale that brings to life the meaning of freedom and patriotism and how the now little-appreciated Great War engulfed the lives of young Americans. A valuable addition to LDS literature
    Shoulder the Sky: A Novel

    Anne Perry


    In the firmament of great historical novelists, Anne Perry is a star of the greatest magnitude. First there were her acclaimed Victorian mysteries, sparkling with passion and suspense. Now readers have embraced this bestselling new series of World War I novels–which juxtapose the tranquil life of the English countryside with the horrors of war. By April of 1915, as chaplain Joseph Reavley tends to the soldiers in his care, the nightmare of trench warfare is impartially cutting down England’s youth. On one of his rescue forays into no-man’s-land, Joseph finds the body of an arrogant war correspondent, Eldon Prentice. A nephew of the respected General Owen Cullingford, Prentice was despised for his prying attempts to elicit facts that would turn public opinion against the war. Most troublesome to Joseph, Prentice has been killed not by German fire but, apparently, by one of his own compatriots. What Englishman hated Prentice enough to kill him? Joseph is afraid he may know, and his si
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    Shoulder the Sky: A Novel


    No Graves As Yet: A Novel

    Anne Perry


    Through Anne Perry’s magnificent Victorian novels, millions of readers have enjoyed the pleasures and intrigue of a bygone age. Now, with the debut of an extraordinary new series, this New York Times bestselling author sweeps us into the golden summer of 1914, a time of brief enchantment when English men and women basked in the security of wealth and power, even as the last weeks of their privileged world were swiftly passing. Theirs was a peace that led to war. On a sunny afternoon in late June, Cambridge professor Joseph Reavley is summoned from a student cricket match to learn that his parents have died in an automobile crash. Joseph’s brother, Matthew, as officer in the Intelligence Service, reveals that their father had been en route to London to turn over to him a mysterious secret document—allegedly with the power to disgrace England forever and destroy the civilized world. A paper so damning that Joseph and Matthew dared mention it only to their restless younger sister.
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    No Graves As Yet: A Novel


    At Some Disputed Barricade: A Novel (World War I)

    Anne Perry


    Anne Perry’s gift for illuminating the heart’s deepest secrets shines through in her bestselling series of World War I novels. With compelling immediacy, she depicts the struggles of men and women torn by their convictions and challenged by the perils of war. July 1917. Joseph Reavley, a chaplain, and his sister, Judith, an ambulance driver, are bone-weary as they approach the fourth year of the conflict; the peace of the English countryside seems a world away. On the Western Front, the Battle of Passchendaele has begun, and among the many fatalities from Joseph’s regiment is the trusted commanding officer, who is replaced by a young major whose pompous incompetence virtually guarantees that many good soldiers will die needlessly. But soon he, too, is dead–killed by his own men. Although Joseph would like to turn a blind eye, he knows that he must not. Judith, however, anguished at the prospect of courts-martial and executions for the twelve men arrested for the crime, has no such inh
    Crossing Stones

    Helen Frost


    Grade 6–10—The children of the Norman and Jorgensen families have grown up together, with their family farms located on either side of Crabapple Creek. In 1917, the outbreak of World War I shatters their idyllic lives: strong-willed Muriel opposes it, but the two young men, Frank and her brother, Ollie, enlist and are soon sent overseas. Muriel's lively personality comes alive in free-verse poems that roam across the page like the free-flowing waters of the creek. "My mind sets off at a gallop/down that twisty road, flashes by 'Young Lady,'/hears the accusation in it—as if it's/a crime just being young, and 'lady'/is what anyone can see I'll never be/…." The poems of Ollie and friend Emma are written in "cupped-hand" sonnets; their rounded shapes resemble the crossing stones of the creek and record their growing love. While the young men find themselves amidst the horrors of trench warfare, their families attempt to cope with their absence. Muriel travels to Washington, DC, to be with
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    Crossing Stones


    War Horse

    Michael Morpurgo


    In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again? Made into a movie 2012
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    War Horse


    An Ice-Cream War: A Novel

    William Boyd


    "Boyd has more than fulfilled the bright promise of [his] first novel. . . . He is capable not only of some very funny satire but also of seriousness and compassion." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times 1914. In a hotel room in German East Africa, American farmer Walter Smith dreams of Theodore Roosevelt. As he sleeps, a railway passenger swats at flies, regretting her decision to return to the Dark Continent--and to her husband. On a faraway English riverbank, a jealous Felix Cobb watches his brother swim, and curses his sister-in-law-to-be. And in the background of the world's daily chatter: rumors of an Anglo-German conflict, the likes of which no one has ever seen. In An Ice-Cream War, William Boyd brilliantly evokes the private dramas of a generation upswept by the winds of war. After his German neighbor burns his crops--with an apology and a smile--Walter Smith takes up arms on behalf of Great Britain. And when Felix's brother marches off to defend British East Africa,
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    An Ice-Cream War: A Novel


    World War I (Chronicle of America's Wars)

    Ruth Tenzer Feldman



    The Great War and Modern Memory

    Paul Fussell


    The year 2000 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of The Great War and Modern Memory, winner of the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and recently named by the Modern Library one of the twentieth century's 100 Best Non-Fiction Books. Fussell's landmark study of WWI remains as original and gripping today as ever before: a literate, literary, and illuminating account of the Great War, the one that changed a generation, ushered in the modern era, and revolutionized how we see the world. Exploring the work of Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves, Edmund Blunden, David Jones, Isaac Rosenberg, and Wilfred Owen, Fussell supplies contexts, both actual and literary, for those writers who most effectively memorialized WWI as an historical experience with conspicuous imaginative and artistic meaning. For this special edition, the author has prepared a new afterword and a suggested further reading list. As this classic work draws upon several disciplines
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    The Great War and Modern Memory


    Storm of Steel

    Ernst Jünger


    A memoir of astonishing power, savagery, and ashen lyricism, Storm of Steel illuminates not only the horrors but also the fascination of total war, seen through the eyes of an ordinary German soldier. Young, tough, patriotic, but also disturbingly self-aware, Jünger exulted in the Great War, which he saw not just as a great national conflict but—more importantly—as a unique personal struggle. Leading raiding parties, defending trenches against murderous British incursions, simply enduring as shells tore his comrades apart, Jünger kept testing himself, braced for the death that will mark his failure. Published shortly after the war’s end, Storm of Steel was a worldwide bestseller and can now be rediscovered through Michael Hofmann’s brilliant new translation.
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    Storm of Steel


    Rites of Spring : The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age

    Modris Eksteins


    Dazzling in its originality, Rites of Spring probes the origins, impact, and aftermath of World War I, from the premiere of Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring in 1913 to the death of Hitler in 1945. Recognizing that “The Great War was the psychological turning point . . . for modernism as a whole,” author Modris Eksteins examines the lives of ordinary people, works of modern literature, and pivotal historical events to redefine the way we look at our past and toward our future.
    The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry (Penguin Classics)

    George Walter


    Unrivaled in its range and intensity, the poetry of World War I continues to have a powerful effect on readers. This newly edited anthology reflects the diverse experiences of those who lived through the war, bringing together the words of poets, soldiers, and civilians affected by the conflict. Here are famous verses by Rupert Brooke, Siegfried Sassoon, and Wilfred Owen; poetry by women writing from the home front; and the anonymous lyrics of soldiers' songs. Arranged thematically, the selections take the reader through the war's stages, from conscription to its aftermath, and offer a blend of voices that is both unique and profoundly moving.
    World War One British Poets: Brooke, Owen, Sassoon, Rosenberg and Others (Unabridged)

    Candace Ward


    Rich selection of powerful, moving verse includes Brooke's "The Soldier," Owen's "Anthem for Doomed Youth," "In the Pink" by Sassoon, "In Flanders Fields" by Lieut. Col. McCrae, Thomas Hardy's "In Time of the Breaking of Nations," many more by Kipling, de la Mare, Bridges, others
    Regeneration

    Pat Barker


    In 1917 Siegfried Sasson, noted poet and decorated war hero, publicly refused to continue serving as a British officer in World War I. His reason: the war was a senseless slaughter. He was officially classified "mentally unsound" and sent to Craiglockhart War Hospital. There a brilliant phsychiatrist, Dr. William Rivers, set about restoring Sassoon's "sanity" and sending him back to the trenches. This novel tells what happened as only a novel can. It is a war saga in which not a shot is fired. It is a story of a battle for a man's mind in which only the reader can decide who is the victor, who the vanquished, and who the victim. It is one of the most amazing feats of fiction of our time.
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    Regeneration


    14-18: Understanding the Great War

    Stéphane Audoin-Rouzeau


    With this brilliantly innovative book, Stéphane Audoin-Rouzeau and Annette Becker have shown that the Great War was the matrix on which all subsequent disasters of the twentieth century were formed. Three elements of the conflict, all too often neglected or denied, are identified as those that must be grasped if we are to understand the war: First, what inspired its unprecedented physical brutality, and what were the effects of tolerating such violence? Second, how did citizens of the belligerent states come to be driven by vehement nationalistic and racist impulses? Third, how did the tens of millions bereaved by the war come to terms with the agonizing pain? With its strikingly original interpretative strength and its wealth of compelling documentary evidence drawn from all sides in the conflict, 14-18: Understanding the Great War has quickly established itself as a classic in the history of modern warfare.
    The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916

    Sir Alistair Horne


    The battle of Verdun lasted ten months. It was a battle in which at least 700,000 men fell, along a front of fifteen miles. Its aim was less to defeat the enemy than bleed him to death and a battleground whose once fertile terrain is even now a haunted wilderness. Alistair Horne's classic work, continuously in print for over fifty years, is a profoundly moving, sympathetic study of the battle and the men who fought there. It shows that Verdun is a key to understanding the First World War to the minds of those who waged it, the traditions that bound them and the world that gave them the opportunity.
    Aircraft of World War I, 1914-1918 (Essential Aircraft Identification Guide)

    Jack Herris


    Illustrated with detailed artworks of combat aircraft and their markings, 'The Essential Aircraft Identification Guide: Aircraft of WWI' is a comprehensive study of the aircraft that fought in the Great War of 1914-18. Arranged chronologically by theater of war and campaign, this book offers a complete organizational breakdown of the units on all the fronts, including the Eastern and Italian Fronts. Each campaign includes a compact history of the role and impact of aircraft on the course of the conflict, as well as orders of battle, lists of commanders and campaign aces such as Manfred von Richtofen, Eddie Rickenbacker, Albert Ball and many more.Every type of aircraft is featured, including the numerous variations and types of well-known models, such as the Fokker Dr.I, the Sopwith Camel and the SPAD SVII, through to lesser-known aircraft, such as the Rumpler C.1, and the Amstrong Whitworth FK8. Each aircraft profile is accompanied by exhaustive specifications, as well as details of in
    Albatros Aces of World War 1 Part 2 (Aircraft of the Aces) (v. 2)

    Greg Vanwyngarden


    Nearly every German ace who flew before the summer of 1918 scored victories in Albatros fighters, whose introduction coincided with the development of the famous and highly successful Jagdstaffeln, the first true German fighter formations, which became a critical German air tactic and helped to wrest back air superiority from the Allies. After wreaking havoc in the skies over Arras the Albatros was eventually outclassed by succeeding generations of Allied aircraft, but still remained the most numerous and ubiquitous of all German fighters in World War I, with Albatros biplanes contributing almost two-thirds of the German fighters at the front during the Spring Offensive of 1918. This book, with its 32 color profiles, charts the unique markings and design of one of the most menacingly beautiful fighters of the war. Featuring famous and unsung aces, a multitude of first-hand accounts and original photographs, this book offers a fresh view into the experiences of the German pilots who
    Italian Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Paolo Varriale


    The Italian aces of World War 1 have gone down in history as the irrefutable masters of the skies in the battle against their Austro-Hungarian enemies. In this often forgotten theater of warfare these remarkable pilots gave the Italian forces an undisputed air superiority and left an enduring legacy as extraordinary men. Having interviewed the descendants of almost every Italian ace from the Great War, Paolo Varriale uncovers these fighters' incredible and sometimes tragic histories. Years of painstaking research has culminated in this truly groundbreaking study which brings to life the exploits of such famous aces as Baracca, Ruffo and Piccio, and the lesser known Riva, Sabelli and Nardini. Letters, diaries and unpublished photographs shed light on previously unknown personal and unit insignia, exposing many myths and making this a commanding addition to the aviation history of World War 1.
    Pfalz Scout Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Greg Vanwyngarden


    The Pfalz Flugzeug Werke, located at Speyer am Rhein in Bavaria, was the third in the great triumvirate (along with Fokker and Albatros) of German fighter manufacturers in the Great War. When World War I broke out in 1914, Pfalz initially produced copies of the Morane-Saulnier parasol monoplanes for the German air service. With the advent of the famed Fokker Eindeckers with their synchronized machine guns, Pfalz entered the fighter market with the Pfalz E.I and its successors, all monoplanes which were similarly armed. Though never as as numerous as the Albatros or Fokker designs, the D III/IIIa was flown in combat by many well-known aces: Werner Voss, Carl Degelow, Erich Löwenhardt, and the balloon buster Fritz von Röth, among others. This book examines the little-known aircraft flown by these incredible men.
    Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Norman Franks


    The Sopwith Pup was the forerunner of the hugely successful Sopwith Camel, which duly became the most successful fighter of World War 1. The first proper British fighting scout, the first Pups – the Royal Naval Air Service – arrived on the Western Front in 1916. Although regarded as a ‘nice’ aeroplane to fly, pilots who used it in combat gained much success during the first half of 1917. The Royal Flying Corps also used the Pup from January 1917 onwards, with the final combats with the machine occurring in December of that year. This book describes the combat careers of the successful Pup aces, how they flew and how they fought.
    Fokker DVII Aces of World War 1 Part 2 (Aircraft of the Aces 63)

    Norman Franks


    Volume 53 in this series covered Fokker D VII aces from the four elite Jagdgeschwadern of the German army, and this follow-on volume charts the story of the many aces who flew the famed fighter in other units committed to combat in the final months of World War 1. D VII operations covered the entire Western Front, from the North Sea to the Swiss border. In the latter half of 1918 the Fokker was not only the mainstay of the army Jagdstaffeln, but also the most potent fighter flown by home defence Kests and the pilots of the German navy in Flanders. The D VII easily proved the equal of the many British, French, Belgian and American aircraft it met in combat, and served in such roles as day bomber interceptor, 'balloon buster' and nightfighter. Though handicapped by a lack of fuel and other supplies as the German war machine fell apart, aces such as Sachsenberg, Degelow and Rumey utilised the D VII to rack up impressive scores against consistently superior odds.
    Pusher Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Jon Guttman


    The quest for an effective fighter airplane to achieve air superiority during World War 1 resulted in a series of pusher fighter planes, designed with the engine at the rear and the machine gun at the front. These ungainly, heavy looking fighters did surprisingly well and they were able to hold their own against their German counterparts - including the Fokker Eindeckers with their synchronized machine guns - until 1917. By then, however, the drag-producing design rendered the pusher fighter unable to match the performance of tractor-engined machines. This is the story of the unusual pusher and its many aces, including Lanoe Hawker VC, who formed and led Britain's first fighter squadron before dying in a ten-minute duel with Manfred von Richtofen, American 'cowboy' ace Frederick Libby, third-ranking French ace Charles Nungesser and the aggressive Belgian ace Fernand Jacquet. Packed with colorful artwork of a variety of pusher designs, paint schemes, and camouflage from many different n
    Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Norman Franks


    Undoubtedly the most famous fighter type to see service on either side during World War 1, the Fokker Dr I was a revelation when it entered service on the western front in 1917. Manfred von Richthofen’s JG 1 ‘circus’ was the first Jasta to completely re-equip with the new fighter, and in the skilled hands of its numerous aces the Dr I proved a formidable opponent. The Dr I remained in service on the Western Front until replaced by the superior Fokker D VII in May 1918. Just weeks prior to that, however, Germany’s leading ace, the great ‘Red Baron’, had been killed at the controls of a Dr I.
    Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War 1

    Anonymous


    Aircraft of World War 1
    Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War 1

    Anonymous


    Aircraft of World War 1
    British and Empire Aces of World War I (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 45)

    Christopher Shores


    "Perhaps the most useful section is Chapter Five, a dispassionate evaluation of the British victory credit system and how it evolved during the war. The final chapter includes short bios of more than 50 notable pilots, with due attention to the Bishop-Mannock controversy. Nearly 100 photos are augmented by 36 color profiles depicting a dozen aircraft types, emphasizing SE-5s, SPADs, and Nieuports. The appendices are excellent, containing more information than many Osprey titles. Five stars." -Barrett Tillman, Aerodrome From the Publisher Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life. See all Editorial Reviews
    Sopwith Triplane Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Norman Franks


    The inspiration behind the iconic Fokker Dr I, Sopwith's Triplane was built as a replacement for the company's hugely successful, and much loved, Pup. Thanks to its massive wing area, the revolutionary Triplane boasted an unmatched rate of climb and greatly improved manoeuvrability. Indeed, when the type made its combat debut in late 1916, the Triplane could easily out-fight any other aircraft operated by either side. Used exclusively by the Royal Naval Air Service and the French Navy, theTriplane had a far greater impact on the aerial war over the Western Front than its meagre production numbers really deserved. Pilots such as Ray Collishaw, Bob Little and Roderic Dallas all enjoyed success in the bloody struggle for aerial supremacy over the Western Front in 1917. The first volume in print devoted exclusively to Triplane aces, this book includes numerous first-hand accounts, detailed appendices, more than 90 rare photographs and over 40 all-new colour profiles and planforms.
    Naval Aces of World War 1 part 2 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Jon Guttman


    Part 2 of Naval Aces looks at the many flying Naval heroes who flew alongside or against those of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). While the RNAS operated its own formidable arsenal of Nieuport and Sopwith scouts over the Flanders coast, the German navy countered with its own Land Feld Jagdstaffeln and Seefront Staffeln. In addition, German floatplane units, most notably at Zeebrugge, produced at least three aces of their own at the expense of British flying boats, airships and other patrol craft. Unique to World War 1 was the use of flying boats as fighters in combat, which figured at least partially in the scores of Russian aces Aleksandr de Seversky and Mikhail Safanov. Austrian ace Gottfried Banfield scored all nine of his victories in flying boats and Friedrich Lang claimed two of his total of five in one. The best flying boat fighter, however, was Italy's Macchi M 5, flown by three aces and also the mount of Charles H Hammann, the first American to earn the Medal of Honor in a
    Dolphin and Snipe Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Norman Franks


    This book focuses on the combat careers of the last of the famous Sopwith fighters to enter service during World War 1, the Dolphin and the Snipe, both of which were built on the strong scouting heritage of the Pup and Camel. The Dolphin featured the unique negative-staggered biplane wing arrangement, which provided the pilot with the best possible tactical view forward for seeking out his enemy. Used extensively on the Western Front, the Dolphin proved very effective in combat, with a substantial number of British aces scoring kills with the fighter. The Snipe was built as the successor of the highly successful Camel, and entered service with the fledgling Royal Air Force in the summer of 1918. Although seeing just a few months of action before the Armistice, the Snipe nevertheless proved its superiority over virtually all other fighters.
    Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Jon Guttman


    This is the history of the best Allied fighter-destroyer of World War 1 and the pilots who flew it. Nicknamed "Biff" by the pilots, the Bristol F2 Fighter enjoyed extraordinary success over the Western Front in the final 18 months of the war. However, it had an inauspicious debut, as an entire flight of F2As was wiped out by von Richthofen's Jasta 11. A new improved F2B was soon delivered to the front which functioned in an entirely different manner. The crews operated the plane not as a standard two-seater, but as a single-seat with a "sting in the tail" in the form of a rear gunner with a Lewis machine gun. Numerous ace teams earned the "Biff" grudging respect from its German opponents. This book charts the development of the plane from its unpromising beginnings to the revised model operating with a new kind of tactics. Moreover, the numerous first-hand accounts and combat reports give a fascinating insight into the experiences of the pilots themselves.
    Austro Hungarian Aces of World War I (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 46)

    Chris Chant


    Starting the war with only 35 aircraft, Austro-Hungarian industry went on to produce only moderate numbers of poor quality aircraft. The fliers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire operating on the Serbian and Russian fronts were fortunate at first, finding themselves faced by small numbers of aircraft yet more obsolescent than their own. Serbia fell in 1915, but when Italy declared war the Austro-Hungarians were still faced with a two-front war – a static front against Italy, and a far more fluid one against Russia. Austro-Hungarian fighter pilots performed bravely and often very effectively under extremely difficult geographic, climatic and operational conditions.
    French Aircraft Of The First World War

    James Davilla


    This is the full story behind some of the most important Allied aircraft of WWI. More than 950 rare photos and 25 pages of color plates document all 400 French planes that were the mainstay of Allied air power. Three-view drawings in standard scales (1/48 and 1/72) are perfect for modelers and artists. Includes operational details and orders of battle.
    Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Norman Franks


    Responsible for destroying 1294 enemy aircraft between June 1917 and November 1918, the Camel was the most successful fighting scout employed by either side in terms of the sheer number of victories that it scored. The Camel was renowned for its sensitivity and need for skill and experience, and casualties amongst pilots undergoing training on the type were very high. More than 5490 examples were constructed, and this book covers its combat use on the Western Front, in Palestine, on the Italian front, in the Home Defence role in the UK and in Russia.
    Aircraft of World War I

    John Hamilton


    Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up
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    Aircraft of World War I


    Pfalz Aircraft of World War I (Great War Aircraft in Profile, Volume 4)

    Jack Herris


    This book details every Pfalz design, from the early two seaters and prototypes through the classic D.III, D.VIII and D.XIII fighters that saw combat on the Western Front. It features more than 320 never-published photos, many of operational aircraft and their markings, plus a lavish, 18-page color section highlighting 62 aircraft, many of which have never been portrayed in color, and excellent five-view scale drawings of 15 Pfalz designs to standard modelers' scales of 1/48 a
    Nieuport Aces of World War I (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 33)

    Norman Franks


    The French Nieuport company provided the Allied air forces with the first true fighter scout of World War 1 in the shape of the diminutive XI of 1915. Based on the Bebe racer, built for the abandoned Gordon-Bennett Trophy of the previous year, the aircraft utilised a sesquiplane (lower wing much smaller than the upper wing) arrangement which gave the XI extreme manoeuvrability. It was the only scout respected by the all-conquering German Fokker E-series of 1915-16, and was flown by French, British, Russian, Belgian and Italian aces. The XI was replaced from May 1916 onwards by the bigger and more powerful XVII. which proved to be one of the best fighters of World War 1.
    Fokker V5/DR.1: (Schiffer Military History)

    Achim Sven Engels & Wolfgang Schuster


    This famed tri-winged World War I German aircraft was flown by Manfred von Richthofen, and was as legendary then as it is now. Detailed text and photographs explain development, technical aspects, and operations.
    Flying for the Air Service: The Hughes Brothers in World War I

    David K. Vaughan


    Flying for the Air Service provides a realistic picture of the typical flying experiences of the pilots who flew for the fledgling American Air Service during World War I. The narrative describes two brothers from Boston, George and Gerard Hughes, as they progress from apprentice pilots to flight instructors and combat pilots. After completing their pilot training program together, both were assigned as instructors. Then George was sent to France with the 12th Aero Squadrom, where he flew two-place observation aircraft over the front lines. Gerard, meanwhile, remained in America, instructing students in Texas. Eventually Gerard joined his brother's squadron in France as the war ended. Through the detailed letters and narrative comments of these two pilots, we can see clearly the hazards and challenges that were faced by those who flew in the early years of American aviation.
    British Aviation Squadron Markings of World War I: RFC - RAF - RNAS

    Les Rogers


    Years in the making, this book covers the wide variety of markings used by British aviation units in World War I. Organized numerically by squadron number the book includes both textual and photographic examples for nearly all RFC, RAF, and RNAS squadrons. Many of the photographs are published here for the first time, and the color profiles offer a representative selection of units, aircraft, and color schemes. A classic book.
    SE 5/5a Aces of World War I (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Norman Franks


    The SE 5/5a British single-seat aircraft was one of the major fighting scouts of the last 18 months of the war in France during World War I and was a true workhorse of the Royal Flying Corps, handling fighter-versus-fighter actions, combating the high-flying German photo-reconnaissance planes as well as balloons. A total of five SE 5/5a pilots, including the legendary Albert Ball, received the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry. A detailed account of the SE 5/5a, this title covers the development of the machine and its first tentative initiation into combat on the Western Front until it grew in stature to become a machine feared by the German Air Service. Packed with first-hand accounts and combat reports, this is a thrilling insight into the dangerous dogfights and fearless actions of the pilots who flew the SE 5/5a, bringing to life the deadly exploits of these "knights of the air" as they dueled for dominance over the Western Front.
    SE 5/5a Aces of World War I (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Norman Franks


    The SE 5/5a British single-seat aircraft was one of the major fighting scouts of the last 18 months of the war in France during World War I and was a true workhorse of the Royal Flying Corps, handling fighter-versus-fighter actions, combating the high-flying German photo-reconnaissance planes as well as balloons. A total of five SE 5/5a pilots, including the legendary Albert Ball, received the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for gallantry. A detailed account of the SE 5/5a, this title covers the development of the machine and its first tentative initiation into combat on the Western Front until it grew in stature to become a machine feared by the German Air Service. Packed with first-hand accounts and combat reports, this is a thrilling insight into the dangerous dogfights and fearless actions of the pilots who flew the SE 5/5a, bringing to life the deadly exploits of these "knights of the air" as they dueled for dominance over the Western Front.
    Naval Aces of World War 1 Part I (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Jon Guttman


    Though understandably overshadowed by their army colleagues, naval aviators played a significant role in World War 1, including some noteworthy contributions of fighter aviation. At a time when the Royal Flying Corps was struggling to match the 'Fokker Scourge' of 1915-16, the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was first to use Sopwith's excellent line of scouts, such as the Pup, Triplane and Camel. Some RNAS pilots such as Raymond Collishaw, Robert A Little and Roderick Stanley Dallas rated among the most successful in the British Commonwealth. Their ranks also included David Ingalls, the only US Navy pilot to 'make ace' with eight victories in Camels while with No 213 Sqn RAF. The Germans, too, formed Marine Feld Jagdstaffeln to defend the northern coast of Flanders, and also produced a number of aces, led by Gotthard Sachsenberg and Theo Osterkamp. Besides these land fighters, the Germans produced at least two floatplane aces. Unique to World War 1 was the use of flying boats as fighter
    War Bird Ace: The Great War Exploits of Capt. Field E. Kindley (C. A. Brannen Series)

    Dr. Jack Stokes Ballard Ph.D.


    Capt. Field E. Kindley, with the famous Eddie Rickenbacker, was one of America’s foremost World War I flying aces. Like Rickenbacker’s, Kindley’s story is one of fierce dogfights, daring aerial feats, and numerous brushes with death. Yet unlike Rickenbacker’s, Kindley’s story has not been fully told until now. Field Kindley gained experience with the RAF before providing leadership for the U.S. Air Service. Kindley was the fourth-ranking American air ace; his exploits earned him a Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster from the United States and a Distinguished Flying Cross from the British government. In February 1920, during a practice drill Kindley led, some enlisted men unwittingly entered the bombing target area. “Buzzing” the troops to warn them off the field, Kindley somehow lost control of his plane and died in the ensuing crash. Using arduously gathered primary materials and accounts of Great War aces, Jack Ballard tells the story of this little-known hero
    WORLD WAR ONE AIRCRAFT CARRIER PIONEER: The Story and Diaries of Captain JM McCleery RNAS/RAF

    Guy Warner


    Jack McCleery was born in Belfast in 1898, the son of a mill owning family. He joined the RNAS in 1916 as a Probationary Flight Officer. During the next ten months he completed his training at Crystal Palace, Eastchurch, Cranwell, Frieston, Calshot and Isle of Grain, flying more than a dozen landplanes, seaplanes and flying boats, gaining his wings as a Flight Sub-Lieutenant. In July 1917 he was posted to the newly commissioning aircraft carrier HMS Furious, which would be based at Scapa Flow and Rosyth. He served in this ship until February 1919, flying Short 184 seaplanes and then Sopwith 1.50 Strutters off the deck. He also flew a large number of other types during this time from shore stations at Turnhouse, East Fortune and Donibristle. He served with important and well-known naval airmen including Dunning, Rutland (of Jutland) and Bell Davies VC. He witnessed Dunning's first successful landing on a carrier flying a Sopwith Pup in 1917 and his tragic death a few days later. He als
    60 Years of Combat Aircraft: From World War One to Vietnam War

    Bruno Pautigny


    From the Battle of the Marne to the end of the Vietnam War, this "first half" of the 20th Century must undeniably be considered as quite representative of aerial warfare. With the 400 profiles and illustrations contained in this book, Bruno Pautigny, the world famous illustrator, paints the technical portraits of the most famous fighters and bombers of all the great conflicts of the previous century: First and Second World Wars, Indochina, Korea and Suez, Algeria, Vietnam, etc.
    Sikorsky S-16 (Great War Aircraft in Profile, Volume 1) (Great War Aircraft in Profile 1)

    Vadim Mikheyev


    Exclusive photos and scale drawings highlight this detailed look at Imperial Russia's first fighter plane.
    Aircraft Nose Art: From World War I to Today (Motorbooks Classics)

    Jeffrey Ethell


    This photo-filled collection takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the hearts and minds of the pilots, crews and artists who used cowling for canvas and left this colorful legacy. Ethell and Simonsen combine their knowledge to reveal stories behind the greatest nose art of all time. Packed with over 400 photographs of the best nose art from WWI, the Spanish Civil War and WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam and today.This is a paperback reprint of the original
    SPAD XII/XIII Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Jon Guttman


    This book details the exploits of the pilots who flew the hugely successful SPAD XIII and the trickier SPAD XII. Built in response to the combat inadequacies of the SPAD VII, the XIII first entered service with the French Aviation Militaire in late 1917. Despite suffering engine unreliability, the XIII enjoyed great success on the Western Front, where it was flown by numerous French, American, Italian and Belgian aces, including Eddie Rickenbacker, leading US ace of World War I. The SPAD XII, meanwhile, was the product of numerous improvements to the SPAD VII model. Entering service in July 1917, the aircraft boasted a single-shot 37 mm Puteaux cannon, which had to be hand-reloaded in flight! Tricky to fly, the XII was only issued to experienced pilots, and was flown briefly by a number of aces.
    Early German Aces of World War I (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Greg Vanwyngarden


    The Fokker Eindecker (monoplane) can truly be said to have begun the age of fighter aviation. With the development of its revolutionary synchronised system that enabled the machine gun to fire through the propellor, Fokker E I pilots caused consternation in the Allied air services as they began to reap a harvest of victims in the summer of 1915. While the first victory with a Fokker E-type is now believed to have been earned by Kurt Wintgens on 1 July 1915, it was the exploits of Max Immelmann and Oswald Boelcke that made the machine legendary. These men, along with others such as Parschau and Hohndorf, received the adulation of the German public along with such honors as the first awards of the coveted Blue Max. They created the tactics and principles of German fighter aviation as they did so, developing doctrine that is still relevant to today's fighter pilots. However, by the end of 1916, the glory days of the lone hunter and his Fokker Eindecker were over. They were replaced by
    Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

    Jon Guttman


    Tethered balloons reached their zenith as a means of providing a stationary observation platform above the battlefield during World War I. It took a special breed of daredevil to take on such odds deep in enemy lines in order to destroy a balloon, with Balloon specialists such as Willy Coppens, Pierre Bourjade and Michel Coiffard rising to the challenge. This book covers the story of these 'balloon busters' from both sides in World War 1 through a mix of first-hand accounts and expert analysis, which compares tactics, theatres of operation, aircraft types and the overall odds for success.
    'Richthofen's Circus': Jagdgeschwader Nr 1 (Aviation Elite Units)

    Greg Vanwyngarden


    Undoubtedly the most famous of any nation’s aviation units in World War 1 was the legendary Jagdgeschwader Nr 1, or ‘The Flying Circus’ as its respectful foes labelled it. Germany’s first true fighter wing, it would always be associated with its first commander, the charismatic and revered Manfred von Richthofen. JG 1 was formed in July 1917, and for sixteen months the unit’s young pilots in their colourful aircraft battled for aerial dominance of the Western Front. From its ranks emerged many of Germany’s most successful airmen, including the Red Baron’s brother Lothar; Ernst Udet; Werner Voss; Erich Löwenhardt and Hermann Göring. This book charts the World War I experiences of JG 1.
    A Grandstand Seat: The American Balloon Service in World War I

    Eileen Lebow


    The little-known American Balloon Service worked in combat to help direct artillery fire more accurately and provide essential intelligence on enemy troop movements during World War I. German use of observation balloons to direct artillery fire in August of 1914 forced the Allies to develop a similar force. With the U.S. entry into the war in 1917, the balloon service, starting from scratch, evolved into an effective, disciplined fighting unit, whose achievements are unfortunately overshadowed by those of the flying aces. Reminiscences from balloon veterans form the basis of this book, the first to picture life as a gasbagger in the three major American engagements of the war. Amazingly, life as an observer suspended in a wicker basket under an elephantine hydrogen balloon proved less deadly than piloting an airplane. From his grandstand seat, the observer kept tabs on the war below him and telephoned vital information to headquarters command. These reports were often the only accur
    Zeppelins of World War I: The Dramatic Story of Germany's Lethal Airships

    Wilbur Cross


    This is a very well-written book about the Zeppelin raids on Great Britain during World War 1. Both sides' development of new weapons and tactics is documented, and key events are described in a very dramatic style. Personalities such as Peter Strasser, the German airship fleet commander, emerge through the story. The book is a very readable history of the most important events in Zeppelin operations of WWI, including the failed resupply mission from Bulgaria to German East Africa. A final chapter briefly recounts the attempts to develop commercial Zeppelins between the wars, ending, of course, with the Hindenburg disaster.
    The Imperial Russian Air Service Famous Pilots and Aircraft of World War One

    Alan Durkata


    This book covers in great detail the Imperial Russian Air Service. The presentation is for the serious aviation enthusiast - one that has been longed for ! The massive book is well worth the price. Excellent 3-views are provided for virtually all Russian aircraft of World War One. There is also a complete section of beautiful color drawings of numerous aircraft from the war. The text covers all manufacturers, all aces and provides a detailed overview of Russian air operations. For modelers this will be a reference work that could keep you occupied for years ! For aviation enthusiasts its a wonderful reference work though its presentation isn't a start to finish type of read - it is presented in well defined broken doen catagories. A wonderful book - well worth the apparently steep price
    SPA124 Lafayette Escadrille: American Volunteer Airmen in World War 1 (Aviation Elite Units)

    Jon Guttman


    This book tells the story of one of World War I’s most famous squadrons, Spa. 124 - the only French squadron made up entirely of American volunteers (save for the commander and executive officer.) Organised in April 1916, the group was successively dubbed the Escadrille Americaine, Escadrille des Volontaires and finally the Escadrille Lafayette. Its achievements were modest, but it included several colourful characters who captured the public imagination and played a major role in gaining American sympathy for the Allied cause. When the United States finally entered the war, many Lafayette veterans helped prepare US Army Air Service and Navy pilots for combat, although a few chose to stay on with the French.
    Aircraft Archive: Aircraft of World War I, Vol. 1


    Aircraft of World War I
    Nieuport Aircraft of Wold War One (Crowood Aviation)

    Ray Sanger


    The French firm of Nieuport built some of the most numerous, best-looking and effective fighting planes of World War I -- they type 17 and 29 gaining particular fame. Ray Sanger's authoritative book covers all these aircraft in detail, paying attention to both thecical detail and operational use. Illustrated throughout with rare photographs this will be an indispensible volume for any World War I avaiation library.
    American Aces of World War I (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 42)

    Norman Franks


    American fliers arriving in Europe from September 1917 brought with them no aircraft. Instead, US units had to obtain machines mainly from the British and French. From early 1918 American pilots were issued with SPAD fighters and they never looked back. As this volume details, the first American trained pilot to become an ace was Lt Douglas Campbell, who shot down five German aircraft by the end of May 1918. He was a member of the celebrated 94th 'Hat in the Ring' Aero Squadron, which created the bulk of American aces in World War I.
    RAF in Camera: 1903-1939 Archives Photographs from the Public Record Office and the Ministry of Defence (The Raf in Camera Series) (v. 1)

    Roy Conyers


    Now in paperback -- the first volume in this successful pictorial history of the RAF with more than 200 rare and previously unpublished photographs. The three handsome volumes in this series bring together a representative selection of the previously unpublished photographs offering an exciting visual history of the RAF in all its glory. This volume covers the earliest period with its early attempts at flying, the First World War, operations in the inter-war years and the preparations for World War II.
    German and Austrian Aviation of World War I: A Pictorial Chronicle of the Airmen and Aircraft that Forged German Airpower (Osprey Aviation Pioneers 3)

    Hugh Cowin & Hugh W. Cowin


    This book underlines the technological advances represented by the different aircraft, and it comes as quite a shock to find out just how many German aircraft types were developed during, and deployed in, the Great War. This volume illustrates and analyses every single type. Aces featured include the Red Baron, Theodore Osterkamp with his Fokker EV, and Hermann Goering, a famous Ace who would feature even more prominently in a later conflict. This volume includes recon, training, bomber and fighter types.
    Flak: German Anti-Aircraft Defenses, 1914-1945

    Edward B. Westermann


    Air raid sirens wail, searchlight beams flash across the sky, and the night is aflame with tracer fire and aerial explosions, as Allied bombers and German anti-aircraft units duel in the thundering darkness. Such "cinematic" scenes, played out with increasing frequency as World War II ground to a close, were more than mere stock material for movie melodramas. As Edward Westermann reveals, they point to a key but largely unappreciated aspect of the German war effort that has yet to get its full due. Long the neglected stepchild in studies of World War II air campaigns, German flak or anti-aircraft units have been frequently dismissed by American, British, and German historians (and by veterans of the European air war) as ineffective weapons that wasted valuable matériel and personnel resources desperately needed elsewhere by the Third Reich. Westermann emphatically disagrees with that view and makes a convincing case for the significant contributions made by the entire range of German
    Classic Aircraft of World War I (Osprey Classic Aircraft)

    Melvyn Hiscock


    Illustrated with colour photographs, this guide presents the most authentic examples of restored and full-scale replica aircraft from the World War I era, and describes their specifications and the restoration techniques that have been used on them.
    Aircraft of World War One (i,1), Vol. 3 (Aircraft Archive)



    Italian Aces of World War I and their Aircraft



    Anti-Submarine Warfare in World War I: British Naval Aviation and the Defeat of the U-Boats (Cass Series: Naval Policy and History)

    John Abbatiello


    Investigating the employment of British aircraft against German submarines during the final years of the First World War, this new book places anti-submarine campaigns from the air in the wider history of the First World War. The Royal Naval Air Service invested heavily in aircraft of all types—aeroplanes, seaplanes, airships, and kite balloons—in order to counter the German U-boats. Under the Royal Air Force, the air campaign against U-boats continued uninterrupted. Aircraft bombed German U-boat bases in Flanders, conducted area and ‘hunting’ patrols around the coasts of Britain, and escorted merchant convoys to safety. Despite the fact that aircraft acting alone destroyed only one U-boat during the war, the overall contribution of naval aviation to foiling U-boat attacks was significant. Only five merchant vessels succumbed to submarine attack when convoyed by a combined air and surface escort during World War I. This book examines aircraft and weapons technology, aircrew train
    "Groupe de Combat 12, 'Les Cigognes'": France's Ace Fighter Group in World War 1 (Aviation Elite Units)

    Jon Guttman


    This book traces the combat history of the most famous and highest-scoring fighter group in France's World War I Aviation Militaire. Groupe de Combat 12 boasted the highest-scoring Allied fighter pilot, René Fonck, and France's most celebrated hero of the air, Georges Guynemer. Its ranks included numerous other famous aces, such as Rene's Dorme, Alfred Heurteaux, Albert Deullin, and American volunteers Edwin Parsons and Frank L. Baylies. Additionally, Guynemer was instrumental in developing France's premier series of fighter planes, the SPAD VII, XII, XIII and XVII.
    ALBERT BALL VC: THE FIGHTER PILOT HERO OF WORLD WAR I

    Colin Pengelly


    Albert Ball's individuality and his insistence on fighting alone set him apart from other fighter pilots during World War One. His invincible courage and utter determination made him a legend not only in Britain but also amongst his enemies, to whom the sight of his lone Nieuport Scout brought fear. In 1914 he enlisted in the British army with the 2/7th Battalion (Robin Hoods), of the Sherwood Foresters, Notts and Derby Regiment. By the October of 1914 he had reached the rank of Sergeant and then in the same month was made a Second-Lieutenant to his own battalion. In June 1915 he paid for private tuition and trained as a pilot at Hendon. In October 1915 he obtained Royal Aero Club Certificate and requested transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. The transfer granted, he further trained at Norwich and Upavon, being awarded the pilot's brevet on 22 January 1916. On 16 May 1916 - flying Bristol Scout 5512 - he opened his score, shooting down an Albatros C-type over Beaumont. On 29 May 1916 he
    The Dream of Civilized Warfare: World War I Flying Aces and the American Imagination

    Linda R. Robertson


    Linda R. Robertson argues that the development of the United States as a global military power arose from the influence of an image of air combat carefully constructed during World War I to mask the sordid realities of modern ground warfare. The Dream of Civilized Warfare carries this trajectory to its logical end, tracing the long history of the American desire to exert the nation's will throughout the world without having to risk the lives of ground soldiers-a theme that continues to reverberate in public discussions, media portrayals, and policy decisions today. Histories of American air power usually focus on World War II, when the air force became the foundation for the military strength of the United States. The equally fascinating story of World War I air combat is often relegated to a footnote, but it was the earlier war that first inspired the vision of the United States attaining dominance in world affairs through a massive air force. In The Dream of Civilized Warfare, Rober
    De Havilland Aircraft of World War I: Volume 1, D.H.1-D.H.4 (Great War Aircraft in Profile, Volume 5)

    Colin Owers


    Noted military aviation expert Colin Owers presents the most comprehensive work ever compiled on the great de Havilland aircraft of World War I. Volume I in this two-book set contains groundbreaking information on the D.H.1 and D.H.1A, D.H.3, D.H.4 and the U.S. D.H.4 "Liberty Plane". Among the 160 rare photos, detailed drawings (including 8 pages of 8 x 12-inch fold-outs) and 40 lavish full-color illustrations are first drawings ever of the D.H.3.
    French Army, Vol. 1: 1914 (Officers and Soldiers)

    Andre' Jouineau


    In January 1914, the French Army had 47 divisions (777,000 French and 46,000 colonial troops) in 21 regional corps, with attached cavalry and field-artillery units. Most these troops were deployed inside France with the bulk along the eastern frontier. With the fear of war with Germany a further 2.9 million men were mobilized during the summer of 1914. This book details the French Army's first year of the Great War.
    RAF in Camera: 1903-1939 Archives Photographs from the Public Record Office and the Ministry of Defence (The Raf in Camera Series) (v. 1)

    Roy Conyers Nesbit


    Now in paperback -- the first volume in this successful pictorial history of the RAF with more than 200 rare and previously unpublished photographs. The three handsome volumes in this series bring together a representative selection of the previously unpublished photographs offering an exciting visual history of the RAF in all its glory. This volume covers the earliest period with its early attempts at flying, the First World War, operations in the inter-war years and the preparations for World War II.
    Flying Guns of World War I

    Anthony G. Williams


    This book describes the history of aircraft guns, their ammunition and their installations in aircraft. It commences with a technical history covering the development of guns, their ammunition, and related issues such as mountings and sights. This is followed by chapters on aircraft installations covering all nations and an evaluation of their use in combat. Appendices include comprehensive tables of the gun installations of WWI combat aircraft with details and illustrations of the guns used and specifications of their ammunition. Comparative drawings and specifications of service weapons are provided, plus illustrations and data concerning their ammunition.
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    Flying Guns of World War I


    American War Plans, 1890-1939

    Steven T. Ross


    By the close of the 19th century, the United States was no longer a continental power, but had become a nation with interests that spanned the globe from the Caribbean to China. Consequently, the country faced a new set of strategic concerns, ranging from enforcing the Monroe Doctrine to defending the Philippines. As a result of the United States' new geostrategic environment, the armed services had to establish a system for the creation of war plans to defend the country's interests against possible foreign aggression. A Joint Army and Navy Board, established in 1903, ordered the creation of war plans to deal with real and potential threats to American security. Each major country was assigned a colour: Germany was Black, Great Britain Red, Japan Orange, Mexico Green and China Yellow. War plans were then devised in case Washington decided to use force against these or other powers.
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    American War Plans, 1890-1939


    Allied Aviation of World War I: A Pictorial History of Allied Aviators and Aircraft of the Great War (Osprey Aviation Pioneers 5)

    Hugh Cowin


    This title details every aircraft type that saw action in World War I. It encompasses a story of courage and technical innovation, focusing on some of the characters of the war and providing an overall account of allied aviation.
    Pensacola Bay, A Military History (FL) (Images of America)

    Dale Manuel


    Shortly after Ponce de Leon discovered La Florida in 1513, early Spanish settlers found a large and sheltered bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The bay became known as Pensacola after the Penzacola Indians who lived along the shore. In 1698, the first permanent colony was established by pioneers who recognized the strategic importance of a fine harbor with protective barrier islands and a high bluff, or barranca, on the mainland across from a defensible mouth. For centuries the bay was fortified and refortified. Battles raged in four wars, and five nations raised their flags along the harbor. Pensacola Bay: A Military History traces the rich military history of the bay from Spanish times to the present-day Naval Air Station Pensacola, home of the Navy's Blue Angels. The book presents over 200 black-and-white images that highlight the acquisition of Florida by the United States in 1821, the construction of fortifications and naval installations, the Civil War, both World Wars, the Old Navy Yar
    The Camel Drivers: The 17th Aero Squadron in World War I

    George Roland & Otis Lowell Reed


    The 17th Aero Squadron flew Sopwith Camels under British command along the Western Front during the summer of 1918. This definitive work on the 17th Aero Squadron in World War I is drawn from a wide range of official and personal sources, including original squadron records (found in an attic!), numerous interviews, letters written home, and half a dozen diaries including one kept by a German pilot flying in opposition.
    Rhetoric and Reality in Air Warfare: The Evolution of British and American Ideas about Strategic Bombing, 1914-1945

    Tami Davis Biddle


    A major revision of our understanding of long-range bombing, this book examines how Anglo-American ideas about "strategic" bombing were formed and implemented. It argues that ideas about bombing civilian targets rested on--and gained validity from--widespread but substantially erroneous assumptions about the nature of modern industrial societies and their vulnerability to aerial bombardment. These assumptions were derived from the social and political context of the day and were maintained largely through cognitive error and bias. Tami Davis Biddle explains how air theorists, and those influenced by them, came to believe that strategic bombing would be an especially effective coercive tool and how they responded when their assumptions were challenged. Biddle analyzes how a particular interpretation of the World War I experience, together with airmen's organizational interests, shaped interwar debates about strategic bombing and preserved conceptions of its potentially revolutionary
    German Fighter Units 1914-May 1917 (Osprey Airwar 13)

    Alex Imrie


    This book traces the combat history of German fighter units. Major aircraft types are all covered, and their missions detailed. Aircraft markings and aircrew uniforms are shown in full colour illustrations
    "Top British Fighter Pilots of World War One" - Thrilling Deeds of British Airmen [Illustrated]

    Eric Wood


    IN the changed conditions of modern warfare airmen have become the eyes of the army. Starting from their bases, aviators wing their way over the enemy's lines and observe every passing thing that comes within their vision, so that generals, sitting at headquarters, know exactly to where enemy reinforcements have gone, how many trains of munitions have been sent to certain places, where batteries are placed, and a thousand things that the brains of an army must be cognizant of. Trenches dug overnight are noted the next morning and inscribed upon the large-scale maps which are used as bases for the plans of operations. In fact, little that happens escapes notice—if the flying corps of an army has won command of the air.
    Junkers Aircraft and Engines 1913-1945 (Putnam Aviation)

    Antony L. Kay


    This volume maintains the high standards of Putnam's Manufacturer series, examining in detail the output of one of Germany's most famous aircraft manufacturers, Junkers. With 3-view drawings, cut-aways, fine photographs and unsurpassed in-depth treatment of the design history of Junkers aircraft, this volume is the definitive history of a German engineering legend. Hugo Junkers was a leading pioneer of aviation, especially all-metal aircraft construction, and his name is associated with great aerodynamic and structural advances in engineering. His design and manufacturing bureau was responsible for some of the most distinctive and famous aircraft of the 20th century, including the terrifying Ju87 Stuka divebomber and the Ju88 bomber which battered London in the Blitz, but successful airliners and transports were also part of the Junkers roster over the course of its 30-year history.
    SEPTEMBER EVENING: The Life and Final Combat of the German World War One Ace Werner Voss

    Barry Diggens


    This is the first full-length biography ever written on the life and death of the nineteen-year-old Werner Voss, who was a legend in his own lifetime and the youngest recipient of the Pour le Me'rite, Germany's highest award for bravery in WWI. At the time of his death he was considered by many, friend and foe alike, to be Germany's greatest ace and, had he lived, he would almost certainly have overtaken Manfred von Richthofen's victory total by early spring 1918. Voss is perhaps best remembered for his outstanding courage, his audacity in the air and the prodigious number of victories he achieved before being killed in one of the most swash-buckling and famous dogfights of the Great War; a fight involving James McCudden and 56 Squadron RFC, the most successful Allied scout squadron. Yet the life of Voss and the events of that fateful day in September are surrounded by mystery and uncertainty and even now aviation enthusiasts continue to ask questions about him almost on a daily basi
    America's First Air War

    Terry Treadwell & Terry C. Treadwell


    This fascinating pictorial study explains the main reasons why the US entered WWI and the violations by Germany that exacerbated the situation. Lavishly illustrated chapters cover the development of the US Air Service and the US Naval Air Service and their first use of aircraft in a combat situation. This pictorial essay highlights the personalities that emerged from the war. Contains original escape reports from USAS pilots and observers providing detailed insight into the conditions under which they were imprisoned.
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    America's First Air War


    Ghosts of the Great War: Aviation in WWI (Ghosts Aviation Classics)

    Philip Makanna; Javier Arango


    The First World War began to hammer aircraft into reliable flying form only ten summers after man s first flight. These first warplanes, born as sport planes, soon evolved into the lethal aircraft that swarmed over the bloody trenches of Europe. They altered the history of the world and carried the dreams and the nightmares of all mankind on their wings. Renowned aviation photographer Philip Makanna has captured the essence of this era in the forthcoming GHOSTS of THE GREAT WAR, a hardbound book that weaves his stunning color photographs with an extraordinary collection of archival duotones. Makanna has spent 31 years taking aviation photography to amazing heights. In this edition, his images depict the beginnings of military aviation with Bleriot s wing-warping Model XI, Fokker s Spider , a web of wires and wood, and Sopwith s simple seaplane racer. The book continues through to the advanced aircraft that appeared at the war s end. Javier Arango has written a passionate and informativ
    Fokker Dr.I Triplane: A World War One Legend

    Paul Leaman


    A detailed study of one of the greatest warplanes in aeronautical history, made famous by Manfred von Richthofen and other leading German aces. This generously illustrated book includes a brief outline of the history of the Fokker company, the development of the Triplane, its initial employment and its subsequent use over the front line. There is also an analysis of unit and individual markings. This book will become a leading reference work on the subject.
    First to the Front: The Aerial Adventures of 1st Lt. Waldo Heinrichs and the 95th Aero Squadron 1917-1918 (Schiffer Military History)

    Charles Woolley


    The 95th Aero Squadron was the first American pursuit squadron to fly over the front in March 1918 and 1st Lt. Waldo Heinrichs was one of its original members. The history of the Squadron is told through the words of those who served, Heinrichs' richly written diary forms the nucleus of the story supported by contemporary letters, anecdotes, and combat reports from many of the other flyers. Entries from the official Squadron history as contained in the History of the American Air Services A.E.F. (the Gorrell History) round out the narrative. Over 280 photos, most unpublished from the personal albums of the participants, show planes, places and personnel which surrounded this happy band of warriors.
    Italian Military Aviation in World War I 1914-1918

    Alexis Mehtidis


    Air Orders of Battle for the Italian military air arms in World War I 1914-1918, including Army, Naval, and Balloon units. Air orbats are given by months: five months in 1915, seven in 1916, and every month from January 1917 to the Armistice in November 1918. Units are listed by commands, groups, squadrons, bases, and aircraft types. An appendix gives a glossary/abbreviations, a list of Italian airships during the war, notes, and a bibliography for further reading. 58 content pages.
    War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series)

    John MacGavock Grider


    The Diary of Lt John M Grider, KIA in France, 1918, as amended and edited by his friend E.W. Springs. Springs believed it would add to the value of the book if he kept it anonymous and mysterious. The book was serialized in a popular magazine in 1926 and created a scandal because it depicts the American boys as womanizers, drinkers, etc. (the racist attitudes of the flyers caused no comment at the time). Later Griders sisters forced Springs to admit that the book was based on their brothers diary, although apparently Springs also included considerable material from his own letters home. Springs was a Princeton graduate from a wealthy family. He was a top pilot and received the DFC, shooting down 5 enemy planes. He wrote some other books but none as popular as this one. This book is gritty and tough, and depicts very well the descent from idealistic recruit to hardened and battle weary veteran.
    Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events, Volume 1: 1909-1945

    Norman Polmar


    Aircraft Carriers is the definitive history of world aircraft carrier development and operations. Norman Polmar’s revised and updated, two-volume classic describes the political and technological factors that influenced aircraft carrier design and construction, meticulously records their operations, and explains their impact on modern warfare. Volume I provides a comprehensive analysis of carrier developments and warfare in the first half of the twentieth century, and examines the advances that allowed the carrier to replace the battleship as the dominant naval weapons system. Polmar gives particular emphasis to carrier operations from World War I, through the Japanese strikes against China in the 1930s, to World War II in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Arctic, and Pacific theaters. It begins with French inventor Clément Ader’s remarkably prescient 1909 description of an aircraft carrier. The book then explains how Britain led the world in the development of aircraft-carrying ships,
    The Zeppelin Base Raids - Germany 1914

    Ian Castle


    In the summer of 1914, as Europe teetered on the brink of war, the prospect of immediate Zeppelin raids on London and other major British towns and cities loomed large. Britain's aerial defenses were negligible, while German armed forces mustered a total of eleven airships. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston S. Churchill, accepted responsibility for the defense of London, which translated to defense against Zeppelin attack. His resources were limited, but he believed that attack was the best means of defense. As such, the final four months of 1914 saw the Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS) launching four separate ground-breaking air attacks on Zeppelin bases in Germany, making these Britain's first ever strategic bombing raids: Düsseldorf/Cologne (September), Düsseldorf/Cologne again (October), Friedrichshafen (November) and Cuxhaven (December). The raids achieved mixed results, but coming so early in the history of military aviation they all demonstrate evidence of great dete
    Memoirs of Lt. Camillo Viglino: Italian Air Force 1915-1916

    Lt. Camillo Viglino


    In July of 1915, just two months after Italy joined the Allied Forces during World War I, Lieutenant Camillo Viglino, age 23, volunteered for flight training in the Italian Air Force. His account of the training provides the freshness and intimacy of an on-the-scene, firsthand report. It reveals an idealistic young man with an unbridled passion for flying and a patriotic zeal to fight for his country -- a young man daring to go up in the fragile flying machines of those early years of aviation, routinely placing himself at the mercy of the weather, cantankerous engines, and unreliable instruments. The discomforts of flying an open-cockpit 1914 Maurice Farman, the frequent crashes at the flight school, and the constant occurrences of pilots getting lost are all related with a nonchalant bravado befitting a 20-year-old. Viglino follows his diary-like accounts with a copy of a letter from a cousin at the front describing an air raid on Adelsberg, Austria. This book was written in Ital
    World War I (DK Eyewitness Books)

    Simon Adams


    Ages 8 and up. Gr. 6-12. Packed with photos on every double-page spread and dense with facts and snippets of analysis, this large-size volume in the Eyewitness series provides a quick, informative overview of WWI: how it started; who fought and why; the equipment used; what it was like in the trenches and at home; the horrific final cost. Even seasoned Web browsers accustomed to busy formats may sometimes feel bombarded by all the bits and pieces, especially when the tiny type is printed over colored pictures. It's the dramatic photos (many from London's Imperial War Museum) that will make readers pause and bring them close to the soldiers' experiences. Then there's John Singer Sargent's realistic painting Gassed, showing blinded soldiers led by their sighted colleagues toward a dressing station in northern France in 1918. For more reading suggestions, see the Read-alikes column, "The War to End All Wars" [BKL N 1 01]. Hazel Rochman
    The Kid's Book of World War I: A Project and Activity Book

    Kathi Oram Peterson


    Ages 9 & up. Revealing the causes, battles, and key players behind the Great War, this exploration provides a variety of hands-on activities for children, guaranteed to foster an appreciation for this complex period. Topics covered include Morse code, life in the trenches, the race for naval superiority, and tips on visiting museums and memorials. Featuring a collection of intriguing real-life wartime stories, biographies of notable world figures, and details on the food, music, and atmosphere of World War I, this educational book provides a deeper investigation into this historical era, spotlighting the United States’ emergence onto the international stage
    True Stories of World War One (Usborne True Stories)

    Paul Dowsall


    Offering an approachable insight into key events of the past, this book contains true stories of courage, heroism and disaster from World War I.
    Christmas in the Trenches

    John McCutcheon


    Ages 6 & up. Grade 2-4–In 1914, British and German troops were dug into trenches in France, facing one another across the barbed wire and barren ground called No Man's Land. On Christmas Eve, the British soldiers heard the Germans singing Stille Nacht and joined in. Spontaneously, soldiers on both sides climbed out of their trenches and met in between the lines, sharing small gifts, food, and drink. They played a game of soccer. Then they went back to their trenches. The next day, the shooting resumed. McCutcheon's account of this true event is based on a song he wrote about it in 1984. An accompanying CD includes that song, Silent Night/Stille Nacht, and a reading of the story. Sørenson's illustrations sanitize trench warfare somewhat. Michael Foreman's War Game (Pavillion, 2002) is a more sophisticated–and somewhat more cynical–presentation of this same Christmas truce.–Virginia Walter, University of California, Los Angeles
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    Christmas in the Trenches


    Sgt. York: His Life, Legend & Legacy: The Remarkable Untold Story of Sgt. Alvin C. York

    John Perry


    In a world desperate for authentic heroes, the story of Alvin C. York reminds us of the true meaning of heroism. York's bravery on the battlefield made him famous, but it was his decision to turn down the easy riches of celebrity that secured his position as one of history's greatest Christian patriots. Based on new interviews with all of York's living children, and York's own diaries, this exhaustive biography follows the young soldier from the hills of Tennessee to the battlefields of France, down Broadway in a triumphant ticker-tape parade, and back home to his family farm where he spent the rest of his life in service to his community and his God.
    Heroic Children of World War One: True Tales of Courage from the Warzone

    Ruth Royce


    The brave children of World War One France including: the child despatch bearer, the Heroine of Fort Montere and the Hero of the Guns...
    The First World War

    John Keegan


    The First World War created the modern world. A conflict of unprecedented ferocity, it abruptly ended the relative peace and prosperity of the Victorian era, unleashing such demons of the twentieth century as mechanized warfare and mass death. It also helped to usher in the ideas that have shaped our times--modernism in the arts, new approaches to psychology and medicine, radical thoughts about economics and society--and in so doing shattered the faith in rationalism and liberalism that had prevailed in Europe since the Enlightenment. With The First World War, John Keegan, one of our most eminent military historians, fulfills a lifelong ambition to write the definitive account of the Great War for our generation. Probing the mystery of how a civilization at the height of its achievement could have propelled itself into such a ruinous conflict, Keegan takes us behind the scenes of the negotiations among Europe's crowned heads (all of them related to one another by blood) and minister
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    The First World War


    The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry: Revised Edition (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)

    Various


    Ages 18 & up. The recent PBS 8-part miniseries THE GREAT WAR sparked renewed interest in the First World War. More than photographs or eyewitness reports, the poetry written during the embedded the horror of the war in our consciousness. Now, supplemented with five new poems, the works of 38 British, European, and American writers collected here include some of the most outstanding and poignant poems of this century.
    The Penguin Book of First World War Stories (Penguin Classics)

    Various


    ages 18 & up. This new collection of short stories about World War I features works by such famous British authors as Joseph Conrad, W. Somerset Maugham, Arthur Conan Doyle, John Buchan, Rudyard Kipling, D. H. Lawrence, John Galsworthy, Radclyffe Hall, Katherine Mansfield, Robert Graves, Muriel Spark, and Julian Barnes. Written during the war and after, these stories illustrate the impact of the Great War on British society and culture, as well as the many ways in which short fiction contributed to the literature of that time period.
    Fields of Agony: British Poetry of the First World War (Literature Insights)

    Stuart Sillars


    An illustrated study guide to poetry written by men and women in all parts of the British Isles during the First World War, 1914–18. This rich and valuable ebook has numerous fascinating hyperlinks to online resources. It discusses significant individual poems by the writers named, exploring them within their social, political and aesthetic frames and summarising important earlier critical readings and responses. It is copiously illustrated and covers Thomas Hardy, Popular Poetry, Anthologies, War Poetry by Women, the work of Graves, Blunden and Gurney, Siegfried Sassoon, Wilfred Owen, Edward Thomas, David Jones, Irish poetry, Scottish poetry, War Poetry and Modernism. Stuart Sillars is Professor of English at the University of Bergen, Norway. He has written extensively on the literature and visual art of the twentieth century: his books include Art and Survival in First World War Britain (Macmillan, 1987), British Romantic Art and the First World War (Macmillan, 1991) and Structure a
    In Flanders Fields: Scottish Poetry and Prose of the First World War by Trevor Royle

    Trevor Royle


    This anthology addresses Scotland`s unique contribution to the literature of the First World War. Well-known writers such as John Buchan, Eric Linklater, Hugh MacDiarmid, Compton Mackenzie, are included, as well as poets like Joseph Lee and Roderick Watson Kerr.
    The Second Battlefield: Women, Modernism and the First World War

    Angela K. Smith


    This book investigates the connection between women's writing about WWI and the development of literary modernisms, focusing on issues of gender which remain topical today. Drawing on a wealth of unpublished diaries and letters, the book examines the way in which the new roles undertaken by women triggered a search for new forms of expression. Blending literary criticism and history, the book contributes to the scholarship of women and expands our definition of modernisms
    World War One Short Stories (Dover Thrift Editions)

    Bob Blaisdell (ed)


    This original anthology features tales written mostly by former soldiers and others with firsthand experience of World War I's devastation. Contents include "Introduction to the Trenches" by Richard Aldington, "The Blind Ones," by Isaak Babel, and tales by Ernest Hemingway, Ford Madox Ford, John Galsworthy, Rudyard Kipling, Katherine Mansfield, and others.
    Voices of Silence: The Alternative Book of First World War Poetry

    Vivien Noakes


    There are many anthologies of poetry of the First World War, reflecting the huge interest there is in this subject, but "Voices of Silence" is unlike any of them. The poetry of the First World War has determined our perception of the war itself. Yet, this perception is based on the interpretation of a few poets who have become household names - writers such as Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and Isaac Rosenberg. Less literary but equally important, the poetry gathered together in this volume has been drawn from old newspapers and journals, trench and hospital magazines, individual volumes of verse, gift books, postcards, and an illicit manuscript magazine put together by conscientious objectors. For the first time, the huge body of rich, exciting and often deeply moving work that complements the established literary canon has been revived. It adds a new dimension to our perception of the immediate response to war - not least in the soldiers' recurring and important use of humour. Writt
    Women's Writing on the First World War

    Dorothy Goldman Ed


    Until now the impact of The First World War upon women writers has been less visible than that of their male counterparts. This anthology brings together women's writing about the War from the period 1914 to 1930. Letters, diary entries, and essays offer an interesting counterpoint to the novels and short stories through which women sought to encompass the extremes of wartime life.
    Because You Died: Poetry and Prose of the First World War and Beyond

    Vera Brittain


    Bringing together a selection of Vera Brittain’s poetry and prose, some of it never published before, this collection commemorates the men she loved—fiancé, brother, and two close friends—who served and died in World War I. It draws on her experiences as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse in London, Malta, and France, and illustrates her growing conviction of the wickedness of all war. Illustrated with many extraordinary photographs from Brittain’s own albums, and edited with a new introduction by Mark Bostridge, this is an elegy to men who lost their lives in a bloody conflict.
    Scars Upon My Heart: Women's Poetry and Verse of the First World War

    Catherine Reilly (Compiler)


    Your battle wounds are scars upon my heart' wrote Vera Brittain in a poem to her beloved brother, four days before he died in June 1918. The rediscovery of TESTAMENT OF YOUTH has reminded a new generation of the bitter sufferings of women as well as men in the terrible madness of the First World War. This, the first anthology of women war poets for over sixty years, will come as a surprise to many. It shows, for example, that women were writing protest poetry before Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, and that the view of 'the women at home', ignorant and idealistic, was quite false. Many of these poems come out of direct experiences of nursing the victims of trench warfare, or the pain of lovers, brothers, sons lost. Poets include: Nancy Cunard, Rose Macaulay, Charlotte Mew, Alice Meynell, Edith Nesbit, Edith Sitwell, Marie Stopes, Katharine Tynan. Here, as elsewhere, 'the poetry is in the pity' - a moving record of women's experience of war.
    A Corner of a Foreign Field: The Illustrated Poetry of the First World War

    Fiona Waters - Ed


    Illustrated with magnificent crisp, contemporary photographs from the Daily Mail of World War I battlefields, battles, and heartbreaking scenes on the homefront, this book would serve as a fine companion to Paul Fussell's "The Great War and Modern Memory," which also invokes poetry. The text of "A Corner of a Foreign Field," however, is entirely of poems written during the war, many by well known writers like Rupert Brooke, Wilfred Owen, Sigfried Sassoon, etc. Far more, however, are by lesser known or unknown poets, including many women, all of whom I was unaware. These include some of the finest entries, made even more powerful because they came as a surprise. This book features prominently on my bookshelf.
    The Nation's Cause: French, English and German Poetry of the First World War (Routledge Revivals)

    Elizabeth A. Marsland


    As we approach the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, this timely reissue, first published in 1991, evaluates the function of poetry in wartime Europe, arguing that war poetry must be understood as a social as well as a literary phenomenon. As well as locating the work of well-known French, English and German war poets in a European context, Elizabeth Marsland discusses lesser-known poetry of the war years, including poems by women and the neglected tradition of civilian protest through poetry. Identifying shared characteristics as well as the unique features of each nation’s poetry, The Nation’s Cause affords new insight into the relationship between nationalism and the social attitudes that determined the conduct of war.
    Irony and the Poetry of the First World War

    Susanne Christine Puissant


    How does irony affect the evaluation and perception of the First World War both then and now? Irony and the Poetry of the First World War traces one of the major features of war poetry from the author's application as a means of disguise, criticism or psychological therapy to its perception and interpretation by the reader.
    English Poetry of the First World War

    George Parfitt


    George Parfitt aims to recover a sense of the poetry of the war and places it in a context of national, cultural, and literary history. One of his aims is to recover a sense of the range of responses to the war that were recorded in the poetry of the time, and to suggest that the tendency to focus on just a few well-known figures (Brooke, Owen, and Sassoon) distorts our sense of what the poetry can tell us about the war itself and its appalling effects. Contents: 1 Overviews; 2 Cleansing and Ruper Brooke; 3 Satire and Siegfried Sassoon; 4 The Voice of the Noncommissioned; 5 Belief and Wilfred Owen; 6 England: Country and History; 7 Robert Graves; 8 Reception and Valuing; Conclusion; Bibliography.
    The First World War in Irish Poetry

    Jim Haughey


    This first book-length study of Irish poetry about the First World War, examines the extent to which the war has been preserved and appropriated in Irish memory. While the early chapters explore the various historical myths about Ireland's role in the war and review the war verse written by Irish soldier poets, the attention later shifts to Irish poets on the various home fronts who express a wide range of attitudes toward the war.
    Three Poets of the First World War (Penguin Classics)

    Ivor Gurney & Wilfred Owen


    ages 18 & up. This new selection brings together the poetry of three of the most distinctive and moving voices to emerge from the First World War. Here are the controlled passion and rich metaphors of Wilfred Owen's celebrated verses such as "Anthem for Doomed Youth" and "Strange Meeting", along with many of his lesser-known works. The elegiac poems of Ivor Gurney, including "Requiem" and "The Silent One", reflect his love of language, music and landscape, while the visceral works of Isaac Rosenberg, such as "Break of Day in the Trenches", are filled with stark imagery but also, as in "Louse Hunting", with vitality and humour. Each poet reflects the disparate experiences of ordinary soldiers in war, and attempts to capture man's humanity in the most inhumane of circumstances.
    Canadian Poetry from the Beginnings Through the First World War (New Canadian Library)

    Carole Gerson & Gwendolyn Davies (eds)


    This is the only anthology to present a full history of Canadian poetry — from the early 1600s through the expansiveness of poetic activity during the 18th and 19th centuries and into the flourishing first decades of the 20th century. The editors have compiled works from over 50 poets, including the verse of Isabella Valancy Crawford, Bliss Carman, Archibald Lampman and Duncan Campbell Scott, and several long narrative poems, including Oliver Goldsmith's "The Rising Village" and Crawford's "Malcolm's Katie." It includes World War 1
    Lads: Love Poetry of the Trenches (Duckbacks)

    Martin Taylor Ed


    A remarkable anthology, including many largely unknown poems from the trenches, in which Martin Taylor illustrates the extraordinary range of emotions generated by the horror of the First World War and the experience of trench warfare.
    Race, Empire and First World War Writing

    Santanu Das Ed.


    In a time when First World War studies remains largely Eurocentric, this book offers space for discussion in a comparative framework, giving a multi-racial and international view on modern memories of the War. It recounts experiences of combatants and non-combatants and draws upon fresh historical, literary and visual archival material.
    Stand in the Trench, Achilles: Classical Receptions in British Poetry of the Great War (Classical Presences)

    Elizabeth Vandiver


    Elizabeth Vandiver examines the ways in which British poets of the First World War used classical literature, culture, and history as a source of images, ideas, and even phrases for their own poetry. Vandiver argues that classics was a crucial source for writers from a wide variety of backgrounds, from working-class poets to those educated in public schools, and for a wide variety of political positions and viewpoints. Poets used references to classics both to support and to oppose the war from its beginning all the way to the Armistice and after. By exploring the importance of classics in the poetry of the First World War, Vandiver offers a new perspective on that poetry and on the history of classics in British culture.
    Modern English War Poetry

    Tim Kendall


    Tim Kendall's study offers the fullest account to date of a tradition of modern English war poetry. Stretching from the Boer War to the present day, it focuses on many of the twentieth-century's finest poets - combatants and non-combatants alike - and considers how they address the ethical challenges of making art out of violence. Poetry, we are often told, makes nothing happen. But war makes poetry happen: the war poet cannot regret, and must exalt at, even the most appalling experiences. Modern English War Poetry not only assesses the problematic relationship between war and its poets, it also encourages an urgent reconsideration of the modern poetry canon and the (too often marginalised) position of war poetry within it. The aesthetic and ethical values on which canonical judgements have been based are carefully scrutinized via a detailed analysis of individual poets. The poets discussed include Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling, Wilfred Owen, Charlotte Mew, Edward Thomas, Ivor Gurney,
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    Other Combatants, Other Fronts: Competing Histories of the First World War

    James E. Kitchen & Alisa Miller and Laura Rowe


    The First World War is a subject that has fascinated the public as well as the academic community since the close of hostilities in 1918. Over the past thirty years in particular, the historiography associated with the conflict has expanded considerably to include studies whose emphases range between the economic, social, cultural, literary, and imperial aspects of the war, all coinciding with revisions to perceptions of its military context. Nevertheless, much of the discussion of the First World War remains confined to the experiences of a narrow collection of European armies on the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium. This volume seeks to push the focus away from the Western Front and to draw out the multi-spectral nature of the conflict, examining forgotten theatres and neglected experiences. The chapters explore the question of what total war meant for the lives of people around the world implicated in this momentous event, broadening current debates on the First World War
    Women Writers of the First World War: An Annotated Bibliography

    Sharon Ouditt


    'They also serve who only stand and wait' The idea of there being a 'women's writing' during the First World War is often dismissed. The war, the story goes, was a masculine domain, and as women did not fight, it is also assumed that they were excluded from a war experience. This bibliography challenges that view by listing and annotating hundreds of published books, articles, memoirs, diaries and letters written by women during the First World War. Included are: * Virginia Woolf * Katherine Mansfield * G.B Stern * Brenda Girvin * known and unknown autobiographers and diarists * writers of pro and anti-war propaganda * journal and magazine articles * literary, cultural and historical criticism
    A Treasury of War Poetry, British and American Poems of the World War, 1914-1917 (Volume 1)

    George Herbert Clarke


    Volume: 1 Publisher: Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin company Publication date: 1917 Subjects: World War, 1914-1918 Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there.
    The Price of Pity: Poetry History and Myth in the Great War

    Martin Stephen


    On page 78, Stephen quotes another author as saying, "In the Great War eight million people were destroyed because two persons, the Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his consort, had been shot." Stephen's response is: "Historically, this is hogwash. Eight million people died because Germany was a lethal combination of militarism and expansionism, without the saving virtues of wisdom or humility. Eight million people died because Germany quite calmly decided to invade two countries against whom it had no specific quarrel..." This off-topic digression dooms him. His decision to digress, and the substance of that digression, forces one to ask how we can trust the rest of his writing, in this book and others. How dare he make such a statement when not 15 years earlier, Britain invented concentration camps to imprison and starve South African civilians. What about English behavior in India not only before the Great War, but after? When was England itself ever not militaristic or expansioni
    Military Miscellany: Manuscripts from the Seven Years War, the First and Second Sikh Wars and the First World War v. 1

    Alan J. Guy (Editor), etc. (Editor), R.N.W. Thomas (Editor), Gerard DeGroot (Editor)


    Spanning nearly two hundred years, this volume brings together letters and diaries recounting British experience in very diverse theatres of war. Included is the journal of George Durant on the Expedition to Martinique and Guadeloupe, 1758-58 and Rev.Duncan's diary gives a personal view of Haig's GHQ from 1916-18.
    Great Poets of World War I: Poetry from the Great War

    Jon Stallworthy


    In times of war and national calamity—writes Jon Stallworthy in his illuminating survey of the lives and work of twelve celebrated war poets—large numbers of people seldom seen in church or bookshop will turn for consolation and inspiration to religion and poetry. Never more so than in World War I did the poignant poetry of hundreds of young men scarred by battle reach so large and eager an audience. Among the most famous and memorable of these youthful voices were those of the strikingly handsome, golden-haired, nobly patriotic Rupert Brooke, dead at twenty-eight; the serious-minded, poignantly truthful Wilfred Owen, who was shot down, at twenty-five; and the defiant Siegfried Sassoon whose gallantry in the Somme Offensive earned him the Military Cross and nickname Mad Jack. Profiled in this volume, too, and illustrated throughout with photographs of the action they saw and manuscripts of the poems they wrote are Edmund Blunden, whose work is haunted by the war until his death in 1974
    A Traveller In War Time

    Winston Churchill


    I am reprinting here, in response to requests, certain recent experiences in Great Britain and France. These were selected in the hope of conveying to American readers some idea of the atmosphere, of "what it is like" in these countries under the immediate shadow of the battle clouds. It was what I myself most wished to know. My idea was first to send home my impressions while they were fresh, and to refrain as far as possible from comment and judgment until I should have had time to make a fuller survey. Hence I chose as a title for these articles, - intended to be preliminary," A Traveller in War-Time." I tried to banish from my mind all previous impressions gained from reading. I wished to be free for the moment to accept and record the chance invitation or adventure, wherever met with, at the Front, in the streets of Paris, in Ireland, or on the London omnibus. Later on, I hoped to write a book summarizing the changing social conditions as I had found them. Unfortunately for me, my
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    A Traveller In War Time


    Roots of Strategy, Book 3: 3 Military Classics: von Leeb's Defense/von Freytag-Loringhoven's The Power of Personality in War/Erfurth's Surprise

    Wilhelm Leeb (Author), Hugo Friedrich P. J. Freytag-Loringhoven (Author), Waldemar Erfurth (Author)


    The roots of strategy books have been an invaluble asset in my study of military strategy. The priciples set forth in Von leebs book should be read and if not implemented, certainly used as a spring board for further deliberatiion and study. I would strongly encourage the student of warfare to aquire this book and spend much time meditating on its contents. Although the material may seem outdated and archaic when viewed superficialy, many of the foundational points hold true. The middle book is especialy relevant to todays military comanders, As J.F.C. Fuller said, the art of generalship never changes.
    Poets of World War I: Comprehensive Research and Study Guide (Bloom's Major Poets) (Part 2)

    Harold Bloom


    Though overshadowed by others, Rupert Brooke's gifts as a poet were palpable; Siegfried Sassoon is known as a talented and prolific writer and poet. Learn much more about both poets with this edition of Bloom's Major Poets, which includes critical analyses and biographies of each writer. This series is edited by Harold Bloom, Sterling Professor of the Humanities, Yale University; Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Professor of English, New York University Graduate School. History’s greatest poets are covered in one series with expert analysis by Harold Bloom and other critics. These texts offer a wealth of information on the poets and their works that are most commonly read in high schools, colleges, and universities.
    Tom Swift and his War Tank

    Victor Appleton


    Reading the books in the original Tom Swift series is a look back to a more jingoistic and simplistic time. This book, written at the height of anti-German feeling in America during World War I, mimics some of the more propagandistic publications of that era. In this installment Tom is given an exemption from military service, which gets him unfairly branded as a slacker. The mandate is that everyone must "do their bit" for the war effort. In truth, he is working on a new and more powerful military tank and is sworn to secrecy so he cannot defend himself. Like most of the inventions showcased in the original series, the new device is an improvement on an existing technology and not a revolution. The villains in this case are German spies trying to glean Tom's secrets. In keeping with the jingoistic, simplistic portrayals they are not terribly efficient at the spy trade, failing largely due to their own incompetence rather than any effective countermeasures on the part of Tom Swift.
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    Tom Swift and his War Tank


    Poets of World War I: Comprehensive Research and Study Guide (Bloom's Major Poets) (Part 1)

    Wilfred Owen (Author), Isaac Rosenberg (Author)


    ages 13 & up. Grade 7-Up Bloom's introduction is little more than the scribbled notes for a dry professorial aside on the featured poets. However, there is much to recommend this book. It gathers in one volume the essential elements necessary for research on Owen and/or Rosenberg. The materials are well chosen and effectively edited to give students a taste of the sweet rewards of more serious research. Touched on specifically are eight poems (four by each poet), and each selection is given a thematic analysis, followed by criticism supplied in the form of excerpted essays by Dylan Thomas, Ted Hughes, and Philip Larkin, as well as many other important modernists. -Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
    The Peace Negotiations

    Robert Lansing


    While we were still in Paris, I felt, and have felt increasingly ever since, that you accepted my guidance and direction on questions with regard to which I had to instruct you only with increasing reluctance.. "... I must say that it would relieve me of embarrassment, Mr. Secretary, the embarrassment of feeling your reluctance and divergence of judgment, if you would give your present office up and afford me an opportunity to select some one whose mind would more willingly go along with mine." These words are taken from the letter which President Wilson wrote to me on February 11, 1920. On the following day I tendered my resignation as Secretary of State by a letter, in which I said:
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    The Peace Negotiations


    The War Poems of Siegfried Sassoon

    Siegfried Sassoon


    "In later years, when Siegfried Sassoon had written much else in prose and verse, he was annoyed at always being referred to simply as a war poet, but it was the Great War that turned him into a poet of international fame, and I feel sure that his ghost will forgive me for thus bringing together these magnificently scarifying poems."--Rupert Hart-Davis, from his Introduction
    Siegfried Sassoon : The Making of a War Poet, a Biography (1896-1918)

    Jean Moorcroft Wilson


    The World War I poet Siegfried Sassoon is one of the twentieth century's greatest icons and Jean Moorcroft Wilson is the leading authority on him. In Siegfried Sassoon: The Journey from the Trenches, the second volume of her best-selling, authorized biography, Wilson completes her definitive analysis of his life and works, exploring Sassoon's experiences after the Great War. For many people, Sassoon exists primarily as a First World War poet and bold fighter, who earned the nickname 'Mad Jack' in the trenches and risked Court Martial, possibly the firing squad, with his public protest against the War. Much less is known about his life after the Armistice. Wilson uncovers a series of love affairs with such larger-than-life characters as Queen Victoria's great-grandson, Prince Phillip of Hess, the flamboyant Ivor Novello and the exotic and bejewelled Hon. Stephen Tennant. This period also sees Sassoon establishing close friendships with some of the greatest literary figures of the age, H
    Biggles' Big Adventures (Biggles Omnibus 1)

    Capt. W. E. Johns


    Ages 12 & up. This thrilling compendium features four action-packed stories starring air ace James Bigglesworth. In Biggles Flies North, Biggles, Algy, and Ginger fly in to help an old friend counter the attempts of a vicious gang to stifle his air freight business in Canada. In Biggles Sees it Through, at the outbreak of World War II Biggles and his crew struggle to help a Polish scientist prevent his revolutionary aircraft designs from falling into the hands of Biggles’s old enemy Major Von Stalhein. In Biggles in the Baltic, Biggles’s first mission of the war sees him taken by submarine to a hidden air base in the Baltic, where he is to set up a secret unit of the RAF. In Biggles in the Jungle, our hero lands in Belize where he helps the local British governor destroy a gang of thugs who have enslaved native workers in the depths of the jungle.
    Pals at Suvla Bay

    Henry Hanna


    This is an unusual book in that it is the record of a company, a company of the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers(RDF) - `D' Company - at Gallipoli. The battalion was raised in August 1914 and allocated to 30th Brigade, 10th Irish Division. At the request of a Mr Browning, President of the Irish Rugby Football Union, the CO of the new battalion agreed to keep open a special company, `D' Company as it was subsequently known, for "Pals" from the Irish Rugby Union volunteers. It was a remarkable mix of volunteers - barristers, doctors, solicitors, stockbrokers, bankers, civil servants and the like, nearly all well known in Dublin's public and social life. Training in Ireland went on until, on the last day of April 1915, 7th RDF sailed for Holyhead and from there travelled to Basingstoke, the concentration area of the 10th Division. The final period training at divisional level lasted to the end of June and a week later they were off to the Dardanelles. They landed at Suvla Bay on the morning of
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    Pals at Suvla Bay


    For John, Winston, and of course, Harry

    Mr David Michael Holmes


    I started a journey to discover my Grandfather's War. This is the record of part of it, in prose, images, but mainly in poem.
    War Prose (Selections)

    Ford Madox Ford (Author), Max Saunders (Author, Editor)


    Ford's novel, "Parade's End", has been acknowledged as one of the great British novels about World War I. This book features a selection of Ford's other writings about the war, and should shed light on the tetralogy. It includes reminiscences, an unfinished novel, stories, and excerpts from letters.
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    War Prose (Selections)


    The Collected Poems of Wilfred Owen (New Directions Book)

    Wilfred Owen


    “The very content of Owen’s poems was, and still is, pertinent to the feelings of young men facing death and the terrors of war.” —The New York Times Book Review Wilfred Owen was twenty-two when he enlisted in the Artists’ Rifle Corps during World War I. By the time Owen was killed at the age of 25 at the Battle of Sambre, he had written what are considered the most important British poems of WWI. This definitive edition is based on manuscripts of Owen’s papers in the British Museum and other archives.
    The Red Flower: Poems Written in War Time

    Henry Van Dyke


    Kindle edition
    Rhymes of a Red Cross Man 1ST Edition

    Robert W. Service


    Rhymes of a Red Cross Man is a collection of poems based on Robert Service's experience as a Red Cross ambulance driver in France during World War I. The book begins with the patriotic call to war: "High and low, all must go: Hark to the shout of War!" Some of the volunteers never come back (e.g. "The Fool," "Our Hero," and "My Mate"). Others are severely wounded (e.g. "The Convalescent" and "Wounded"). Throughout the collection there is evidence of ambivalence toward the individual German soldier. In some moments he is "Only a Boche" (or Hun) who has killed the soldier's buddies, but in other moments the narrators reflect that their opponents are also ordinary men, sons and fathers, who love their families. Robert Service's poems are generally patriotic and meant to build morale.
    Touch and Intimacy in First World War Literature

    Santanu Das


    The First World War ravaged the male body on an unprecedented scale, yet soldiers experienced moments of great tenderness and physical intimacy in the trenches. Touch, the most elusive and private of the senses, became central to the traumatic experience of war. Through extensive archival and historical research, analysing previously unknown letters and diaries alongside literary texts such as the poetry of Wilfred Owen, Santanu Das opens up new ways of understanding First World War writing through an intimate history of how war was experienced by the body.
    War poets, 1914-1918 (Bibliographical series of supplements to British book news on writers and their work)

    Edmund Blunden



    A Preface to Wilfred Owen

    John Purkis


    This text seeks to understand how the poet Wilfred Owen fits into the poetic debate about the meaning of war. It also explores how his literary stance was formed by earlier and contemporary influences and comments in detail about some of his works.
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    A Preface to Wilfred Owen


    Edgar a Guest Collection (3 Antique Books; Rhymes of Childhood, War Time Rhymes, Just Folk)

    Edgar Guest


    WW I era poetry set
    In Parenthesis (New York Review Books)

    David Jones


    "This writing has to do with some things I saw, felt, and was part of": with quiet modesty, David Jones begins a work that is among the most powerful imaginative efforts to grapple with the carnage of the First World War, a book celebrated by W.B. Yeats and T.S. Eliot as one of the masterpieces of modern literature. Fusing poetry and prose, gutter talk and high music, wartime terror and ancient myth, Jones, who served as an infantryman on the Western Front, presents a picture at once panoramic and intimate of a world of interminable waiting and unforeseen death. And yet throughout he remains alert to the flashes of humanity that light up the wasteland of war.
    The Audacious War

    Clarence W. Barron


    The war of 1914 is not only the greatest war in history but the greatest in the political and economic sciences. Indeed, it is the greatest war of all the sciences, for it involves all the known sciences of earth, ocean, and the skies.
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    The Audacious War


    The Great War Syndicate

    Frank R. Stockton


    In the spring of a certain year, not far from the close of the nineteenth century, when the political relations between the United States and Great Britain became so strained that careful observers on both sides of the Atlantic were forced to the belief that a serious break in these relations might be looked for at any time, the fishing schooner Eliza Drum sailed from a port in Maine for the banks of Newfoundland. It was in this year that a new system of protection for American fishing vessels had been adopted in Washington. Every fleet of these vessels was accompanied by one or more United States cruisers, which remained on the fishing grounds, not only for the purpose of warning American craft who might approach too near the three-mile limit, but also to overlook the action of the British naval vessels on the coast, and to interfere, at least by protest, with such seizures of American fishing boats as might appear to be unjust. In the opinion of all persons of sober judgment, there w
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    The Great War Syndicate


    In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae

    Linda Granfield


    The lines of the celebrated poem are interwoven with fascinating information about the First World War, details of daily life in the trenches, accounts of McCrae's experience in his field hospital, and the circumstances that led to the writing of "In Flanders Fields."
    The Fierce Light : The Battle of the Somme, July-November 1916 : Prose and Poetry

    Anne Powell


    At 7.30 am on 1 July 1916, the Battle of the Somme opened when the first waves of the British troops went 'over the top'; by the end of the day nearly 60,000 had become casualties on the 18-mile front; one third of these men had been killed. During the following 140 days the relentless, appalling slaughter continued. By mid November, when the winter weather had set in and the battleground had become a sea of mud, the offensive was halted. The British and French armies had advanced six miles. The combined Allied and German losses were over a million men; 420,000 of those were British. "The Fierce Light" contains a selection of prose and poetry from 38 contemporary British, Australian and New Zealand writers who fought during the Battle of the Somme. Men from different backgrounds tell their terrible stories in powerful and vivid language. The extracts from their published works, depicting the horrendous bloodshed and destruction they experienced, are placed in chronological order betwee
    Why Nations Go to War

    John G. Stoessinger


    Meant to transmit an understanding of warfare from World War I to the present, WHY NATIONS GO TO WAR, a unique book and a product of reflection by the author, is built around ten case studies culminating in the two new wars that ushered in the twenty-first century, Afghanistan and Iraq. The distinguishing feature of the text remains the author's emphasis on the pivotal role of the personalities of leaders who take their nations or their following across the threshold into war.
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    Forever England: The Life of Rupert Brooke

    Mike Read


    Rupert Brooke became for many the embodiment of a generation that was all but wiped out between 1914 and 1918. He became a legend largely due to one of his sonnets: "If I should die, think only this of me / That there's some corner of a foreign field that is forever England". The poem, and all that it represented, became the focal point of a nation's grief for its lost youth. Brooke died in 1915 on board ship in the Aegean Sea on his way to fight at Gallipoli. Winston Churchill wrote his obituary. In this book, Mike Read writes about Brooke's days from his life at Rugby, through his time at King's College, Cambridge, to The Orchard, The Old Vicarage, Grantchester, America, Canada, the South Seas and the Great War. His poems emerge dramatically from a tangled love life, a nervous breakdown, an eminent circle of friends, Fabian politics and a South Seas love affair that produced a previously unrecorded daughter.
    Nicholas Everard (Mariner of England) (v. 1)

    Alexander Fullerton


    At 2.28pm on the last day of May 1916, in the grey windswept North Sea off the coast of Jutland, the fire-gongs ring...THE BLOODING OF THE GUNS is the first of the Nicholas Everard novels, the series that has won Alexander Fullerton world-wide acclaim. Dramatic and meticulously researched, this is how it felt to fight in the Battle of Jutland: to be in a tiny destroyer racing to launch torpedoes into a line of Dreadnoughts' blazing guns, to fight inside a battleship's fifteen-inch turrets, or on the bridge of a cruiser under pulverising bombardment. This IS battle at sea...Also in this volume are SIXTY MINUTES FOR ST GEORGE, a thrilling account of the raid on Zeebrugge, and PATROL TO THE GOLDEN HORN, where Nick Everard embarks on a dangerous submarine mission in the dying days of the war.
    A Century of Spies: Intelligence in the Twentieth Century

    Jeffery T. Richelson


    Here is the ultimate inside history of twentieth-century intelligence gathering and covert activity. Unrivalled in its scope and as readable as any spy novel, A Century of Spies travels from tsarist Russia and the earliest days of the British Secret Service to the crises and uncertainties of today's post-Cold War world, offering an unsurpassed overview of the role of modern intelligence in every part of the globe. From spies and secret agents to the latest high-tech wizardry in signals and imagery surveillance, it provides fascinating, in-depth coverage of important operations of United States, British, Russian, Israeli, Chinese, German, and French intelligence services, and much more. All the key elements of modern intelligence activity are here. An expert whose books have received high marks from the intelligence and military communities, Jeffrey Richelson covers the crucial role of spy technology from the days of Marconi and the Wright Brothers to today's dazzling array of Space Ag
    Regeneration Trilogy

    Pat Barker


    A trilogy of novels set during World War I which mingle real and fictional characters. "The Ghost Road" won the 1995 Booker Prize
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    EASTERN FRONT 1914-1920, THE (History of World War I)

    Michael Neiberg (Author), David Jordan (Author)


    The length of the front in the East was much longer than in the West. The theater of war was roughly delimited by the Baltic Sea in the West and Moscow in the East, a distance of 1,200 kilometers, and Saint Petersburg in the North and the Black Sea in the South, a distance of more than 1,600 kilometers. This had a drastic effect on the nature of the warfare. While World War I on the Western Front developed into trench warfare, the battle lines on the Eastern Front were much more fluid and trenches never truly developed. This was because the greater length of the front ensured that the density of soldiers in the line was lower so the line was easier to break. Once broken, the sparse communication networks made it difficult for the defender to rush reinforcements to the rupture in the line to mount a rapid counteroffensive and seal off a breakthrough. There was also the fact that the terrain in the Eastern European theater was quite solid, often making it near impossible to construct any
    A Short History of World War I

    James L. Stokesbury


    World War I was a bloodletting so vast and unprecedented that for a generation it was known simply as the Great War. Casualty lists reached unimagined proportions as the same ground -- places like Ypres and the Somme -- was fought over again and again. Other major bloody battles remain vivid in memory to this day: Gallipoli and the Battle of Jutland are but two examples. Europe was at war with itself, and the effect on Western civilization was profound, its repercussions felt even today. World War I saw the introduction of modern technology into the military arena: The tank, airplane, machine gun, submarine, and -- most lethal of all -- poison gas, all received their first widespread use. Professor Stokesbury analyzes these technological innovations and the war's complex military campaigns in lucid detail. At the same time he discusses the great political events that unfolded during the war, such as the Russian Revolution and the end of the Hapsburg dynasty, putting the social and pol
    World War One: A Short History

    Norman Stone


    Ages 12 & up. The First World War was the overwhelming disaster from which everything else in the twentieth century stemmed. Fourteen million combatants died, four empires were destroyed, and even the victors’ empires were fatally damaged. World War I took humanity from the nineteenth century forcibly into the twentieth—and then, at Versailles, cast Europe on the path to World War II as well. In World War One, Norman Stone, one of the world’s greatest historians, has achieved the almost impossible task of writing a terse and witty short history of the war. A captivating, brisk narrative, World War One is Stone’s masterful effort to make sense of one of the twentieth century’s pivotal conflicts.
    World War I 101: The Animated TextVook

    Dr. Vook Ph.D


    In 1914, for the first time in history, the WORLD would go to war. Whether you’re a history buff or always wanted to know a little more about the faces and places of the Great War, “World War I 101: The TextVook” is the newest, most engaging way to learn it all. This Vook presents World War I in an engaging and easy-to-follow format, combining text AND video. Download it now and experience this massive military precedent in a whole new light! World War I began with one man’s assassination and ended in massive casualties worldwide as well as dramatic shifts in global power. The world would never be the same again. The war inspired classic texts and art from all corners of the world, and dominated five years of life on Earth. In “World War I 101: The TextVook,” Dr. Vook, Ph.D, breaks it down for you into eight chapters that will leave you inspired and help you retain all that you’ve learned. Take a leap back in history with Dr. Vook, and explore the battles, strategy, and key figures
    The First World War, Second Edition: A Complete History

    Martin Gilbert


    It was to be the war to end all wars, and it began at 11:15 on the morning of June 28, 1914, in an outpost of the Austro-Hungarian Empire called Sarajevo. It would end officially almost five years later. Unofficially, it has never ended: the horrors we live with today were born in the First World War. It left millions-civilians and soldiers-maimed or dead. And it left us with new technologies of death: tanks, planes, and submarines; reliable rapid-fire machine guns and field artillery; poison gas and chemical warfare. It introduced us to U-boat packs and strategic bombing, to unrestricted war on civilians and mistreatment of prisoners. Most of all, it changed our world. In its wake, empires toppled, monarchies fell, whole populations lost their national identities as political systems, and geographic boundaries were realigned. Instabilities were institutionalized, enmities enshrined. And the social order shifted seismically. Manners, mores, codes of behavior; literature and the arts;
    The First World War: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

    Michael Howard


    By the time the First World War ended in 1918, eight million people had died in what had been perhaps the most apocalyptic episode the world had known. This Very Short Introduction provides a concise and insightful history of the Great War--from the state of Europe in 1914, to the role of the US, the collapse of Russia, and the eventual surrender of the Central Powers. Examining how and why the war was fought, as well as the historical controversies that still surround the war, Michael Howard also looks at how peace was ultimately made, and describes the potent legacy of resentment left to Germany. This edition was previously published in paperback as The First World War.
    The Russian Origins of the First World War

    Sean McMeekin


    The catastrophe of the First World War, and the destruction, revolution, and enduring hostilities it wrought, make the issue of its origins a perennial puzzle. Since World War II, Germany has been viewed as the primary culprit. Now, in a major reinterpretation of the conflict, Sean McMeekin rejects the standard notions of the war’s beginning as either a Germano-Austrian preemptive strike or a “tragedy of miscalculation.” Instead, he proposes that the key to the outbreak of violence lies in St. Petersburg. It was Russian statesmen who unleashed the war through conscious policy decisions based on imperial ambitions in the Near East. Unlike their civilian counterparts in Berlin, who would have preferred to localize the Austro-Serbian conflict, Russian leaders desired a more general war so long as British participation was assured. The war of 1914 was launched at a propitious moment for harnessing the might of Britain and France to neutralize the German threat to Russia’s goal: partitio
    The War to End All Wars: The American Military Experience in World War I

    Edward M. Coffman


    " The War to End All Wars is considered by many to be the best single account of America's participation in World War I. Covering famous battles, the birth of the air force, naval engagements, the War Department, and experiences of the troops, this indispensable volume is again available in paperback for students and general readers.
    The Ottoman Road to War in 1914: The Ottoman Empire and the First World War (Cambridge Military Histories)

    Mustafa Aksakal


    Why did the Ottoman Empire enter the First World War in late October 1914, months after the war's devastations had become clear? Were its leaders 'simple-minded,' 'below-average' individuals, as the doyen of Turkish diplomatic history has argued? Or, as others have claimed, did the Ottomans enter the war because War Minister Enver Pasha, dictating Ottoman decisions, was in thrall to the Germans and to his own expansionist dreams? Based on previously untapped Ottoman and European sources, Mustafa Aksakal's dramatic study challenges this consensus. It demonstrates that responsibility went far beyond Enver, that the road to war was paved by the demands of a politically interested public, and that the Ottoman leadership sought the German alliance as the only way out of a web of international threats and domestic insecurities, opting for an escape whose catastrophic consequences for the empire and seismic impact on the Middle East are felt even today.
    Naval Battles of the First World War (Military Classics Series)

    Geoffrey Bennett


    With the call to action stations of August 1914, the Royal Navy faced its greatest test since the time of Nelson. Geoffrey Bennett's classic history of the Great War at sea combines graphic and stirring accounts of all the principal naval engagements - battles overseas, in home waters and, for the first time, under the sea - with analysis of the strategy and tactics of both sides. He brings these sea battles dramatically to life, and confirms the Allied navies' vital contribution to victory. In his words, "Though the titanic struggle on the Western Front dominated the strategy of the Allies, it was their navies, of which the British was immeasurably the strongest, that in the end brought Germany to her knees". Illustrated with maps, plans and contemporary photographs, this detailed, immaculately-researched account is the authoritative history on an often overlooked but hugely important aspect of the First World War. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this
    Germany’s Western Front: Translations from the German Official History of the Great War, 1914, Part 1

    Mark Osborne Humphries (Editor), John Maker (Editor)


    This multi-volume series in six parts is the first English-language translation of Der Weltkrieg, the German official history of the First World War. Originally produced between 1925 and 1944 using classified archival records that were destroyed in the aftermath of the Second World War, Der Weltkrieg is the inside story of Germany’s experience on the Western front. Recorded in the words of its official historians, this account is vital to the study of the war and official memory in Weimar and Nazi Germany. Although exciting new sources have been uncovered in former Soviet archives, this work remains the basis of future scholarship. It is essential reading for any scholar, graduate student, or enthusiast of the Great War. This volume, the second to be published, covers the outbreak of war in July–August 1914, the German invasion of Belgium, the Battles of the Frontiers, and the pursuit to the Marne in early September 1914. The first month of war was a critical period for the German a
    The First World War: Volume I: To Arms (First World War (Oxford Paperback))

    Hew Strachan


    This is the first truly definitive history of World War I, the war that has had the greatest impact on the course of the twentieth century. The first generation of its historians had access to a limited range of sources, and they focused primarily on military events. More recent approaches have embraced cultural, diplomatic, economic, and social history. In this authoritative and readable history, Hew Strachan combines these perspectives with a military and strategic narrative. The result is an account that breaks the bounds of national preoccupations to become both global and comparative. The first of three volumes in this magisterial study, To Arms examines not only the causes of the war and its opening clashes on land and sea, but also the ideas that underpinned it, and the motivations of the people who supported it. It provides pioneering accounts of the war's finances, the war in Africa, and the Central Powers' bid to widen the war outside Europe.
    The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines in World War I

    Dick Camp


    Facing massed German machine guns, the Marines made sweep after bloody sweep through Belleau Wood. Repeatedly accosted by the retreating French and urged to turn back, Captain Lloyd Williams of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, uttered the now-famous retort, "Retreat, hell. We just got here." And indeed, by the end of that terrible June of 1918, the Marines had broken the back of the Germans powerful spring offensive. Their ferocity had earned them the nickname Teufelshunde--Devil Dogs--from their enemies; it also won such admiration from their allies that the French government changed the name of Belleau Wood to Bois de la Brigade de Marine. The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood recreates the drama of the battle for Belleau Wood as it was experienced by those who were there. Drawing on numerous firsthand accounts of the month-long engagement, the book captures the spirit of the Leathernecks in desperate battle. It offers a harrowing look at a critical campaign in which, as one sold
    A Grateful Heart: The History of a World War I Field Hospital (Contributions in Military Studies)

    Michael E. Shay


    Shay looks at the crucial yet unheralded role played by support troops in World War I, in particular those in the medical branch. The unarmed men of the 103rd Field Hospital Company, 26th (Yankee) Division spent a year and a half in France performing their duty bravely under arduous conditions. The experiences of the men of the 103rd Field Hospital were undoubtedly shared by any member of a frontline field hospital. Based on nearly four years of research, including original archival material, he fills an important gap in the military history of World War I. A Grateful Heart is a detailed account of the 103rd Field Hospital Company, 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I. All aspects of the company are examined. The book is more than a chronological narrative and it places the unit in the context of the larger role of the 26th Division. It features original maps and passenger lists showing the members of the unit who sailed to France in 1917 and who returned in 1919.
    To Conquer Hell: The Meuse-Argonne, 1918 The Epic Battle That Ended the First World War

    Edward G. Lengel


    On September 26, 1918, more than one million American soldiers prepared to assault the German-held Meuse-Argonne region of France. Their commander, General John J. Pershing, said that in thirty-six hours the doughboys would crack the German defenses and open the road to Berlin. Six weeks of savage fighting later, the battle finally ended with the signing of the armistice that concluded the First World War. The Meuse-Argonne had fallen at the cost of more than 120,000 American casualties, including 26,000 dead. In the bloodiest battle the country had ever seen, an entire generation of young Americans had been transformed forever. To Conquer Hell is gripping in its accounts of combat, studded with portraits of remarkable soldiers like Pershing, Harry Truman, George Patton, and Alvin York, and authoritative in presenting the big picture. It is military history of the first rank and, incredibly, the first in-depth account of this fascinating and important battle.
    Battles of World War 1 (Vital Guides)

    Martin Marix Evans


    The major land, sea and air battles of World War I are described with concise data on more than 50 confrontations. This text is structured so that readers can follow events in a chronological order on the Western and Eastern Fronts of the war in Europe and also in the Balkan, Middle East, Africa and at sea.
    Sub-Machine Gun: The Development of Sub-Machine Guns and their Ammunition from World War 1 to the Present Day

    Maxim Popenker & Anthony G. Williams


    In this book, weapons experts Maxim Popenker and Anthony Williams present a study of the development of the sub-machine gun and its ammunition, before undertaking a country-by-country survey of the weapons designed, built and used across the world. With data tables giving details of ammunition and hundreds of photographs, this is an authoritative account of an essential infantry weapon.
    The World War I Reader

    Michael S. Neiberg (Editor)


    Almost 100 years after the Treaty of Versailles was signed, World War I continues to be badly understood and greatly oversimplified. Its enormous impact on the world in terms of international diplomacy and politics, and the ways in which future military engagements would evolve, be fought, and ultimately get resolved have been ignored. With this reader of primary and secondary documents, edited and compiled by Michael S. Neiberg, students, scholars, and war buffs can gain an extensive yet accessible understanding of this conflict. Neiberg introduces the basic problems in the history of World War I, shares the words and experiences of the participants themselves, and, finally, presents some of the most innovative and dynamic current scholarship on the war. Neiberg, a leading historian of World War I, has selected a wide array of primary documents, ranging from government papers to personal diaries, demonstrating the war’s devastating effect on all who experienced it, whether Presiden
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    Origins of the First World War: Revised 3rd Edition (3rd Edition)

    Gordon Martel


    A concise, reliable, readable and up-to-date account for students of the origins of the First World War. The study of the First World War is key to all courses in Modern European History. Written to be a clear, concise introduction, without being simplistic. Suitable as an introduction for those new to the subject, or as a quick source of reference for more advanced undergraduates who may be struggling with early twentieth century geo-politics. It includes a particularly helpful guide to further reading divided by geographical region and by topic to support essay writing. Also offers a section of documents that includes key treaties, crises and representations of popular militarism and nationalism, as well as a chronology, glossary and who’s who.
    The Greatest War Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from Military History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy (History Channel)

    Rick Beyer


    Search the annals of military history and you will discover no end of quirky characters and surprising true stories: The topless dancer who saved the Byzantine Empire. The World War I battle that was halted so a soccer game could be played. The scientist who invented a pigeon-guided missile in 1943. And don't forget the elderly pig whose death triggered an international crisis between the United States and Great Britain. This is the kind of history you'll find in The Greatest War Stories Never Told. One hundred fascinating stories drawn from two thousand years of military history, accompanied by a wealth of photographs, maps, drawings, and documents that help bring each story to life. Little-known tales told with a one-two punch of history and humor that will make you shake your head in disbelief -- but they're all true!
    The Wolf: The Mystery Raider That Terrorized The Seas During World War I

    Richard Guilliatt & Peter Hohnen


    On November 30, 1916, an apparently ordinary freighter left harbor in Kiel, Germany, and would not touch land again for another fifteen months. It was the beginning of an astounding 64,000-mile voyage that was to take the ship around the world, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation in her wake. For this was no ordinary freighter—this was the Wolf, a disguised German warship. In this gripping account of an audacious and lethal World War I expedition, Richard Guilliatt and Peter Hohnen depict the Wolf ’s assignment: to terrorize distant ports of the British Empire by laying minefields and sinking freighters, thus hastening Germany’s goal of starving her enemy into submission. Yet to maintain secrecy, she could never pull into port or use her radio, and to comply with the rules of sea warfare, her captain fastidiously tried to avoid killing civilians aboard the merchant ships he attacked, taking their crews and passengers prisoner before sinking the vessels. The Wolf thus bec
    The Illusion Of Victory: America In World War I

    Thomas Fleming


    In this sweeping historical canvas, Thomas Fleming undertakes nothing less than a drastic revision of our experience in World War I. He reveals how the British and French duped Wilson into thinking the war was as good as won, and there would be no need to send an army overseas. He describes a harried president making speech after speech proclaiming America's ideals while supporting espionage and sedition acts that sent critics to federal prisons. And he gives a harrowing account of how the Allies did their utmost to turn the American Expeditionary Force into cannon fodder on the Western Front.Thoroughly researched and dramatically told, The Illusion of Victory offers compelling testimony to the power of a president's visionary ideals-as well as a starkly cautionary tale about the dangers of applying them in a war-maddened world.
    Dance of the Furies: Europe and the Outbreak of World War I

    Michael S. Neiberg


    The common explanation for the outbreak of World War I depicts Europe as a minefield of nationalism, needing only the slightest pressure to set off an explosion of passion that would rip the continent apart. But in a crucial reexamination of the outbreak of violence, Michael Neiberg shows that ordinary Europeans, unlike their political and military leaders, neither wanted nor expected war during the fateful summer of 1914. By training his eye on the ways that people outside the halls of power reacted to the rapid onset and escalation of the fighting, Neiberg dispels the notion that Europeans were rabid nationalists intent on mass slaughter. He reveals instead a complex set of allegiances that cut across national boundaries. Neiberg marshals letters, diaries, and memoirs of ordinary citizens across Europe to show that the onset of war was experienced as a sudden, unexpected event. As they watched a minor diplomatic crisis erupt into a continental bloodbath, they expressed shock, revu
    The Great War, 1914-1918: Essays on the Military, Political and Social History of the First World War (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series)

    R. J. Q. Adams (Editor)


    R. J. Q. Adams is professor of history at Texas A&M University. He is co-author and author of several books, including Arms and the Wizard: Lloyd George and the Ministry of Munitions, 1914-1918, published by Texas A&M University Press.
    The Arming of Europe and the Making of the First World War (Princeton Studies in International History and Politics)

    David G. Herrmann


    David Herrmann's work is the most complete study to date of how land-based military power influenced international affairs during the series of diplomatic crises that led up to the First World War. Instead of emphasizing the naval arms race, which has been extensively studied before, Herrmann draws on documentary research in military and state archives in Germany, France, Austria, England, and Italy to show the previously unexplored effects of changes in the strength of the European armies during this period. Herrmann's work provides not only a contribution to debates about the causes of the war but also an account of how the European armies adopted the new weaponry of the twentieth century in the decade before 1914, including quick-firing artillery, machine guns, motor transport, and aircraft. In a narrative account that runs from the beginning of a series of international crises in 1904 until the outbreak of the war, Herrmann points to changes in the balance of military power to e
    Over Here: The First World War and American Society

    David M. Kennedy


    The Great War of 1914-1918 confronted the United States with one of the most wrenching crises in the nation's history. It also left a residue of disruption and disillusion that spawned an even more ruinous conflict scarcely a generation later. Over Here is the single-most comprehensive discussion of the impact of World War I on American society. This 25th anniversary edition includes a new afterword from Pulitzer Prize-winning author David M. Kennedy, that explains his reasons for writing the original edition as well as his opinions on the legacy of Wilsonian idealism, most recently reflected in President George W. Bush's national security strategy. More than a chronicle of the war years, Over Here uses the record of America's experience in the Great War as a prism through which to view early twentieth century American society. The ways in which America mobilized for the war, chose to fight it, and then went about the business of enshrining it in memory all indicate important aspects
    The Hat in the Ring Gang: The Combat History of the 94th Aero Squadron in World War One (Schiffer Military History)

    Charles Woolley


    The names Raoul Lufbery, Doug Campbell, Reed Chambers, Ham Coolidge, and the greatest American fighter ace of World War I, Eddie Rickenbacker, are those most closely associated with Uncle Sam's "Hat in the Ring" squadron, the 94th Aero Squadron, U.S. Air Service, 1917-1919. This all new book, "The Hat in the Ring Gang," contains a rich mixture of official as well as personal contemporarily written accounts of the 94th Aero Squadron, the most successful pursuit squadron in the United States Air Service. Combat reports, letters of the aces, and diary entries of other pilots are woven together to tell the story. Over 375 photographs, color profiles on Nieuports and Spads, rosters of pilots, aircraft, and citations for bravery awards round out this lively history of war in the air American style, spotlighting the gallant 94th.
    The Marne, 1914: The Opening of World War I and the Battle That Changed the World

    Holger H. Herwig


    For the first time in a generation, here is a bold new account of the Battle of the Marne, a cataclysmic encounter that prevented a quick German victory in World War I and changed the course of two wars and the world. With exclusive information based on newly unearthed documents, Holger H. Herwig re-creates the dramatic battle and reinterprets Germany’s aggressive “Schlieffen Plan” as a carefully crafted design to avoid a protracted war against superior coalitions. He paints a fresh portrait of the run-up to the Marne and puts in dazzling relief the Battle of the Marne itself: the French resolve to win, and the crucial lack of coordination between Germany’s First and Second Armies. Herwig also provides stunning cameos of all the important players, from Germany’s Chief of General Staff Helmuth von Moltke to his rival, France’s Joseph Joffre. Revelatory and riveting, this is the source on this seminal event.
    Zeppelins of World War I

    Wilbur Cross


    Zeppelins of World War I details the saga of the most daring aerial campaigns of the Great War, the story of the development of dirigibles by Germany as machines of war, the psychological horror of air raids on London, the heroic efforts of Englands fighter pilots to shoot down these invading monsters and the consequent failure of Zeppelins to bring England to its knees.
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    Nothing Less Than War: A New History of America's Entry into World War I

    Justus D. Doenecke


    When war broke out in Europe in 1914, political leaders in the United States were swayed by popular opinion to remain neutral; yet less than three years later, the nation declared war on Germany. In Nothing Less Than War: A New History of America's Entry into World War I, Justus D. Doenecke examines the clash of opinions over the war during this transformative period and offers a fresh perspective on America's decision to enter World War I. Doenecke reappraises the public and private diplomacy of President Woodrow Wilson and his closest advisors and explores in great depth the response of Congress to the war. He also investigates the debates that raged in the popular media and among citizen groups that sprang up across the country as the U.S. economy was threatened by European blockades and as Americans died on ships sunk by German U-boats. The decision to engage in battle ultimately belonged to Wilson, but as Doenecke demonstrates, Wilson's choice was not made in isolation. Noth
    Uncle Sam Wants You: World War I and the Making of the Modern American Citizen

    Christopher Capozzola


    Based on a rich array of sources that capture the voices of both political leaders and ordinary Americans, Uncle Sam Wants You offers a vivid and provocative new interpretation of American political history, revealing how the tensions of mass mobilization during World War I led to a significant increase in power for the federal government. Christopher Capozzola shows how, when the war began, Americans at first mobilized society by stressing duty, obligation, and responsibility over rights and freedoms. But the heated temper of war quickly unleashed coercion on an unprecedented scale, making wartime America the scene of some of the nation's most serious political violence, including notorious episodes of outright mob violence. To solve this problem, Americans turned over increasing amounts of power to the federal government. In the end, whether they were some of the four million men drafted under the Selective Service Act or the tens of millions of home-front volunteers, Americans of th
    Tanks and Trenches: First Hand Accounts of Tank Warfare in the First World War

    David Fletcher (Editor)


    The vivid accounts in this book are taken from the early days of tank warfare and give an idea of the crucial role that tanks played in breaking the murderous stalemate on the Western Front. This influence was acknowledged by friend and foe alike and, while not decisive, it certainly hastened the end of that dreadful conflict, saving thousands of Allied lives and ushering in a new era of mechanised warfare. David Fletcher, the editor, draws his material exclusively from the archives of the world famous Tank Museum at Bovington Camp, Dorset. His linking narrative guides us through the war, battle-by-battle, from 15 September 1916 to the Armistice, using first hand accounts of the tank actions. A wealth of original photographs showing the tanks and their crews, both in action and at rest, support these vivid accounts. Tanks and Trenches is an invaluable aid to our deeper understanding of the war on the Western Front, seen as it is through the eyes of those who were actually there.
    World War One: German Army (Brassey's History)

    Stephen Bull


    This is a great book for those who are interested in the German Imperial Army. It contains historical info on the uniforms and weapons used by the German Soldat of WWI. I was disappointed to find not many colour photos of the equipment and uniforms, however, this book makes up by its large amount of period photos of soliders and its few colour photos it does have which are excellent.
    The First World War in Africa

    Hew Strachan


    To Arms is Hew Strachan's most complete and definitive study of the opening of the First World War. Now, key sections from this magisterial work are published as individual paperbacks, each complete in itself, and with a new introduction by the author. The First World War was not just fought in the trenches of the western front. It embraced all of Africa. Embracing the perspectives of all the nations who fought there, this is the first ever full account of the Great War in Africa.
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    French Tanks of World War I (New Vanguard)

    Steven Zaloga


    This title examines the emergence of the first modern tank, the Renault FT. It is a little known fact that France fielded more tanks in World War I than any other army. However, France's early tanks suffered from poor mobility and armor compared to their contemporaries. Indeed, their initial use on the Chemin des Dames in 1917 was a bloody fiasco. In spite of initial set-backs, the French army redeemed its reputation with the Renault FT. The Renault FT pioneered the modern tank design, with armament in a revolutionary central turret and the engine in the rear. More importantly, the Renault was designed to be cheap and easy to manufacture. Discover the history of the early French armor developments and their triumphant new design, the Renault FT, that helped to turn the tide of war in the favor of the Allies.
    A Brief History of the First World War (HistoryWorld's Pocket History Series)

    Bamber Gascoigne


    Kindle edition.This account of the First World War begins with the dangerous arms race developing between Germany and Britain in the early 1900s. Europe seems poised for a war, which is ignited when the heir to the Austrian empire is assassinated in 1914. There follow the four dreadful years of trench warfare, with soldiers undergoing constant bombardment and dying in their hundreds of thousands. The final end is ominous too. While an influenza pandemic adds millions more to the global death toll, the peace negotiators in Versailles impose on Germany a harsh treaty that can be partly blamed for a second world war a mere 20 years later.
    The US Army of World War I (Men-at-Arms)

    Mark Henry


    When the USA entered World War I in April 1917 her Regular Army counted just 128,000 men and lacked all the necessary equipment and training for modern trench warfare. By the Armistice of November 1918, General John J.Pershing's American Expeditionary Force in France had more than 2 million men and was holding 25 per cent of the Western Front. They had helped smash Ludendorff's brilliant Operation "Michael" in the lines before Paris; had turned onto the offensive themselves at St Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne; and if Germany had not negotiated peace with unexpected speed the US Army would have taken over from their tired Allies an even greater share of the planned 1919 campaign. This concise account of America's first world class army, its organization, uniforms, weapons and character, is illustrated with rare photos and eight full color plates.
    The Encyclopedia of World War I : A Political, Social, and Military History ( 5 vol. set)

    Spencer C. Tucker & Priscilla Mary Roberts (Editors)


    The Encyclopedia of World War I: A Political, Social, and Military History treats its monumental subject with the scope and insight it deserves. Its lavishly illustrated volumes, produced by an international team of experts, offer a deeper, more richly researched presentation of the battles, campaigns, and weapons technologies of the Great War than any previous work. The encyclopedia also ranges well beyond the day-to-day battlefield struggles to capture the whole impact of the war, offering in-depth portraits of historic figures, everyday soldiers, and civilians on all home fronts. It provides the latest thinking from experts around the world on the war's buildup (the Anglo-German naval arms race), legacy (the Russian Revolution and Civil War, the Red Scare in the United States), and unresolved questions such as the ultimate responsibility for the war. With over 1,200 entries (over one million words), plus a volume of primary documents, The Encyclopedia of World War I is the defini
    The Origins of the First and Second World Wars (Cambridge Perspectives in History)

    Frank McDonough


    Ages 16 & up. This innovative new study analyzes the origins of the First and Second World Wars in one single volume by drawing on a wide range of material, including original sources. In concise, readable chapters, the author surveys the key issues surrounding the causes of both wars, offers an original and critical survey of the conflict of opinion among historians and provides a lively selection of primary documents on major issues. The result is a unique perspective on the origins of the two most devastating military conflicts in world history.
    The British Soldier of the First World War (Shire Library)

    Peter Doyle


    The First World War affected the lives of a whole generation of people in Britain and the Commonwealth. Most people living today will have an ancestor who fought or died in the conflict, and as the 90th anniversary of the conclusion of the war approaches, there has been a rush of people trying to trace their ancestors and understand what life for them was like during World War I. While the familiar images - the photographs, film, poetry and prose of the First World War focus on the hellish trenches, mud and death, there is another dimension to the soldiers life in the war - that of everyday life at the front. The Tommy was only in the trenches for at most one-quarter of his time overseas, and when away from the front, vigorous routine, training and order soon took over. Peter Doyle addresses this, describing the lives of British soldiers while not in the trenches at the front, exploring the life of the average soldier of the First World War and answering the question: what was it r
    US Marine Corps in World War I, 1917-1918 (Men-At-Arms Series, 327)

    Mark Henry


    Though the US Marines initially struggled to maintain their distinctive identity within the huge American Expeditionary Force in France, their unforgettable performance at Belleau Wood, Soissons, St Mihiel, Blanc Mont and the Meuse-Argonne established their reputation as 'the most aggressive body of diehards on the Western Front'. This book describes the organization of this formidable force during World War II, from 1917 to 1918, and details their uniforms, insignia and decorations, weapons and equipment. Numerous photographs and eight full colour plates vividly depict the various ranks of the US Marine Corps.
    Toward the Flame: A Memoir of World War I

    Hervey Allen


    Considered by many to be the finest American combat memoir of the First World War, Hervey Allen’s Toward the Flame vividly chronicles the experiences of the Twenty-eighth Division in the summer of 1918. Made up primarily of Pennsylvania National Guardsmen, the Twenty-eighth Division saw extensive action on the Western Front. The story begins with Lieutenant Allen and his men marching inland from the French coast and ends with their participation in the disastrous battle for the village of Fismette. Allen was a talented observer, and the men with whom he served emerge as well-rounded characters against the horrific backdrop of the war. As a historical document, Toward the Flame is significant for its highly detailed account of the controversial military action at Fismette. At the same time, it easily stands as a work of literature. Clear-eyed and unsentimental, Allen employs the novelist’s powers of description to create a harrowing portrait of coalition war at its worst.
    The Yankee Division in the First World War: In the Highest Tradition (C. A. Brannen Series)

    Michael E. Shay


    Historians have been unkind to the 26th Division of the U.S. Army during World War I. Despite playing a significant role in all the major engagements of the American Expeditionary Force, the “Yankee Division,” as it was commonly known, and its beloved commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Clarence Edwards, were often at odds with Gen. John J. Pershing. Subsequently, the Yankee Division became the A.E.F.’s “whipping boy,” a reputation that has largely continued to the present day. In The Yankee Division in the First World War, author Michael E. Shay mines a voluminous body of first-person accounts to set forth an accurate record of the Yankee Division in France—a record that is, as he reports, “better than most.” Shay sheds new light on the ongoing conflict in leadership and notes that two of the division’s regiments received the coveted Croix de Guerre, the first ever awarded to an American unit. This first-rate study should find a welcome place on military history bookshelves, both for
    Over There: The American Experience in World War I (Classics of War)

    Frank Freidel


    Over There: The American Experience In World War I by Frank Freidel (Professor of History, Harvard University) presents the sometimes amazing, often horrifying experiences of American soldiers and sailors during World War I, and as told by the servicemen themselves! Extracts from diaries and letters, regimental histories, interviews, and more fill the pages of this detailed and vivid military history. Over There is very highly recommended as an "up-close" look at what it was really like to risk your life in order to "make the world safe for democracy" in the lethal arena of the Great War.
    The Origins of the First World War (3rd Edition)

    James Joll


    Although there are many narratives relating to this subject, the unique ambition and depth of this book make it a spectacular success. Revised and updated to incorporate the latest scholarship. The interest in World War One remains widespread. Global focus - incorporates a wider geographical scope in order to make it less Euro-centric.
    The First World War, Vol. 1: The Eastern Front 1914-1918 (Essential Histories)

    Geoffrey Jukes


    The first of four volumes that together provide a comprehensive account of World War I, this book unravels the complicated and tragic events of the war's Eastern Front. In particular, this book details the history of conflict between Germany and Russia, which proved disastrous for the Russian forces and would ultimately pave the way for the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917.
    Ottoman Army Effectiveness in World War I: A Comparative Study (Military History and Policy)

    Edward J. Erickson


    This volume examines how the Ottoman Army was able to evolve and maintain a high level of overall combat effectiveness despite the primitive nature of the Ottoman State during the First World War. Structured around four case studies, at the operational and tactical level, of campaigns involving the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire: Gallipoli in 1915, Kut in 1916, Third Gaza-Beersheba in 1917, and Megiddo in 1918. For each of these campaigns, particular emphasis is placed on examining specific elements of combat effectiveness and how they affected that particular battle. The prevalent historiography attributes Ottoman battlefield success primarily to external factors - such as the presence of German generals and staff officers; climate, weather and terrain that adversely affected allied operations; allied bumbling and amateurish operations; and inadequate allied intelligence. By contrast, Edward J. Erickson argues that the Ottoman Army was successful due to internal factors,
    The West Point Atlas of American Wars, Vol. 2: 1900-1918

    Vincent J. Esposito


    Long considered an authoritative reference, this updated edition of the classic military atlas of World War I is available again for the first time in 10 years. It analyzes the development of military theory and practice from the prewar period of Bismarck's Prussia to the creation of the League of Nations. This new edition incorporates research undertaken since the book's initial publication. 84 color maps .
    War In The Air. Being The Story Of The Part Played In The Great War By The Royal Air Force. Volume One.

    Sir Walter Raleigh


    The first book in the seven volume official history of the RAF in the Great War. This opening volume - the only one written by Sir Walter Raleigh before his death - covers the early days of the RFC and RNAS and the first months of the war.
    American Military Vehicles of World War I: An Illustrated History of Armored Cars, Staff Cars, Motorcycles, Ambulances, Trucks, Tractors and Tanks

    Albert Mroz


    In World War I the American motor vehicle industry was tested by the sudden appearance of vast transport challenges. The nation's immense manufacturing capabilities and abundant natural resources combined with increased standardization and mass production to enable the industry to meet the military's needs. Motor vehicles and aircraft were quickly cemented as the most influential military tools of the early twentieth century. This book both describes the development and use of a wide range of specialized motor vehicles during World War I and analyzes how their advent indelibly altered modern warfare and transportation.
    The Canadian Corps in World War I (Men-at-Arms)

    Rene Chartrand


    In 1914 with a regular army of only 3,110 men Canada was ill-prepared to enter World War I (1914-1918). Yet, in a display of incredible unanimity thousands of young Canadians volunteered to fight for the Allied cause. Ultimately the Canadian contribution was the most important non-British contingent within the vast Allied armies with a total of nearly 700,000 Canadians in uniform. For a nation of only 8 million people this was a remarkable war effort and nearly one of every ten who fought in the war did not return. The Canadians served in all the major conflicts on the Western Front; they were the first troops to suffer a gas attack in 1915 and served at Ypres and the Somme. The Canadian Corps is most famously remembered for their victory at Vimy Ridge one of the major successes of the war. This victory was also a national coming of age, having started the war as a single division under British command, here for the first time the four divisions of the Canadian Corps had attacked a
    The Origins of the First World War: Controversies and Consensus

    Annika Mombauer


    The seminal event of the 20th century, the origins of the First World War have always been difficult to establish and have aroused deep controversy. Annika Mombauer tracks the impassioned debates as they developed at critical points through the twentieth century. The book focuses on the controversy itself, rather than the specific events leading up to the war. Emotive and emotional from the very beginning of the conflict, the debate and the passions aroused in response to such issues as the ¿war-guilt paragraph¿ of the treaty of Versailles, are set in the context of the times in which they were proposed. Similarly, the argument has been fuelled by concerns over the sacrifices that were made and the casualities that were suffered. Were they really justified?
    Brave Battalion: The Remarkable Saga of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) in the First World War

    Mark Zuehlke


    German grenades generally fell short as they were throwing uphill, but their rifle fire was "deadly accurate." Casualties mounted. Unless something were to be done quickly, Mackie realized that No. 4 Company would be wiped out. Suddenly Richardson turned to the sergeant. "Will I gie them wund?" he asked calmly. "Aye mon, gie 'em wind, " Mackie barked back. Coolly, the young smooth-faced solder marched back and forth in front of the wire, playing the pipes while a storm of fire swirled past him on either side. "The effect was instantaneous," reads his Victoria Cross commendation. "Inspired by his splendid example, the company rushed the wire with such fury and determination that the obstacle was overcome and the positions captured."
    For Home and Country: World War I Propaganda on the Home Front (Studies in War, Society, and the Militar)

    Celia M. Kingsbury


    World War I prompted the first massive organized propaganda campaign of the twentieth century. Posters, pamphlets, and other media spread fear about the “Hun,” who was often depicted threatening American families in their homes, while additional campaigns encouraged Americans and their allies to support the war effort. With most men actively involved in warfare, women and children became a special focus—and a tool—of social manipulation during the war. For Home and Country examines the propaganda that targeted noncombatants on the home front in the United States and Europe during World War I. Cookbooks, popular magazines, romance novels, and government food agencies targeted women in their homes, especially their kitchens, pressuring them to change their domestic habits. Children were also taught to fear the enemy and support the war through propaganda in the form of toys, games, and books. And when women and children were not the recipients of propaganda, they were often used in p
    No Man's Land: Combat and Identity in World War 1

    Eric J. Leed


    Based on the firsthand accounts of German, French, British, and American front-line soldiers, No Man's Land examines how the first modern, industrialized war transformed the character of the men who participated in it. Ancient myths about war eroded in the trenches, where the relentless monotony and impotence of the solder's life was interrupted only by unpredictable moments of annihilation. Professor Leed looks at how the traumatic experience of combat itself and the wholesale shattering of the conventions and ethical codes of normal social life turned ordinary civilians into 'liminal men', men living beyond the limits of the accepted and the expected. He uses the concept of liminality to illuminate the central features of the war experience: the separation from 'home': the experience of pollution, death, comradeship, and 'the uncanny': and the ambivalence of returning veterans about civilian society. In a final chapter Professor Leed assesses the long-term political impact of the fro
    The Long Fuse: An Interpretation of the Origins of World War I

    Laurence Lafore


    In analyzing the causes of World War I without concern for the question of guilt, the author places emphasis on two central facts: first, that when statesmen and peoples took actions they knew might lead to war, they were not envisaging the catastrophe that the war became but rather a quick and limited war; and, second, that among the many conflicts that might have led to war, the one that did was the threat to the integrity of Austria-Hungary posed by Serbia and Serb nationalism.
    Eagles Over the Trenches: Two First Hand Accounts of the American Escadrille at War in the Air During World War 1-Flying For France: With the American Escadrille at Verdun and Our Pilots in the Air

    James R. McConnell & William B. Perry


    The fighter pilots-their aircraft and aerial battles fighting for France These two books are brought together in a single volume by Leonaur for the first time. They concern the lives, adventures, dogfights-and sometimes violent deaths-in the skies over the battlefields of the Western Front of young Americans who found common cause with France at a time when their own nation remained neutral. Their squadron was originally entitled the Escadrille Americain, but it became the internationally renowned Lafayette Escadrille and subsequently became part of the infant American Air Force. The first book, Flying for France is the account of one of the earliest groups of Americans who rallied to the tricolour. Drawn from among soldiers of fortune and the ranks of the Foreign Legion they flew the Spads and Nieuports bearing the Indian Chief head insignia which became the hallmark of their skill and daring. The second title Our Pilots in the Air is a is an account written as 'faction' by a serving
    Dictionary of the First World War (Pen & Sword Military Classics)

    Stephen Pope & Elizabeth-Anne Wheal


    This comprehensive dictionary of one of the world's greatest conflicts contains over 1,200 entries, combining facts, narrative and analysis, and covers all aspects of history's first global conflict such as :- *Actions from Achi Baba to the Zeebrugge raid, from the Falkland Islands to the Masurian lakes. *Campaigns from the Arab Revolt to Verdun, from East Africa to East Prussia. *Theaters of war from the Baltic to the Balkans, from Africa to the Arctic. *Fighters and commanders from Abdullah ibn Hussein to Sergeant York via Pershing, Pilsudski and Petain. *Forces from the Romanian Navy to the Royal Flying Corps. *Weapons and equipment from balloons and bayonets to Battleships and Big Bertha. *Tactics and strategies from submarine warfare to sniping, from the Schlieffen Plan to strategic bombing, breakthrough and blockade. *Politcs and diplomacy from Wilhelm II to Woodrow Wilson, from the July Crisis to Versailles. *Home Fronts from the Armenian massacres to the Amiens Dispatch, from A
    World War I Posters (Schiffer Book for Collectors with Price Guide)

    Gary A. Borkan


    World War I was the first war in which the pictorial full color poster played a major propaganda role. The eras greatest illustrators and fine artists contributed their energies to produce hundreds of great and classic posters. A surprising number of these posters have survived and many are still found in attics and barns today. This book illustrates over 450 World War I posters that were produced in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Many great classics are featured, but numerous less dramatic posters are also included which still have much historic importance. The text discusses the history of World War I posters and how they were designed and printed by color lithography. The book also devotes considerable attention to issues relevant to collectors: condition, conservation, display, and value. World War I posters are increasing in recognition and value as new collectors discover the beauty and power of these historic artifacts.
    The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness World War I: Over 280 First-Hand Accounts of the War to End All Wars

    Jon Lewis


    The Great War haunts the world still. It slaughtered a generation of young men; claimed limbs, wounded souls; drenched battlefields in blood; made sad legends of the Western Front, Gallipoli, and Jutland, and made heroes of poets; farmers, and factory workers. Clerks it made into Tommies, doughboys, or the Hun. And in this new Mammoth volume the voices of such eyewitnesses to history as these are heard again. So are the words of generals, statesmen, and kings. From the trenches in Flanders to the staff rooms of the Imperial German Army, with the Land Girls in England and U-boat crews in the Atlantic, alongside T. E. Lawrence in Arabia's desert and the Red Baron in the air—with a variety of extracts from letters, speeches, memoirs, diaries, and dispatches, this gripping collection covers each year and every facet of World War I. Among its wide range of witnesses are King George V, Robert Graves, Leon Trotsky, Erwin Rommel, Ernst Junger, Ernest Hemingway, American aviator Eddie Rickenbac
    The Great War in the Heart of Dixie: Alabama During World War 1

    Dr. Martin T. Olliff


    There has been much scholarship on how the U.S. as a nation reacted to World War I, but few have explored how Alabama responded. Did the state follow the federal government’s lead in organizing its resources or did Alabamians devise their own solutions to unique problems they faced? How did the state’s cultural institutions and government react? What changes occurred in its economy and way of life? What, if any, were the long-term consequences in Alabama? The contributors to this volume address these questions and establish a base for further investigation of the state during this era.
    The Lost History of 1914: Reconsidering the Year the Great War Began

    Jack Beatty


    In The Lost History of 1914, Jack Beatty offers a highly original view of World War I, testing against fresh evidence the long-dominant assumption that it was inevitable. "Most books set in 1914 map the path leading to war," Beatty writes. "This one maps the multiple paths that led away from it." Chronicling largely forgotten events faced by each of the belligerent countries in the months before the war started in August, Beatty shows how any one of them-a possible military coup in Germany; an imminent civil war in Britain; the murder trial of the wife of the likely next premier of France, who sought détente with Germany-might have derailed the war or brought it to a different end. In Beatty's hands, these stories open into epiphanies of national character, and offer dramatic portraits of the year's major actors-Kaiser Wilhelm, Tsar Nicholas II , Woodrow Wilson, along with forgotten or overlooked characters such as Pancho Villa, Rasputin, and Herbert Hoover. Europe's ruling classe
    The Somme: Heroism and Horror in the First World War

    Martin Gilbert


    "Gilbert has unearthed fascinating details of the campaign . . . An unforgettable read."--The Philadelphia Inquirer At 7:30 a.m. on July 1, 1916, the first Allied soldiers climbed out of their trenches along the Somme River in France and charged into no-man's-land, toward the barbed wire and machine guns at the German front lines. In the months that followed, the fifteen-mile-long territory erupted into the epicenter of the Great War, marking a pivotal moment in both the war and military history as tanks first appeared on the battlefield and air war emerged as a devastating and decisive factor in battle. All told, there were more than one million casualties, with 310,000 men dead in just 138 days. In this vivid account of one of history's most destructive battles, distinguished historian Martin Gilbert tracks the experiences of foot soldiers, generals, and everyone in between. With new photographs, journal entries, original maps, and military planning documents, The Somme is the
    British Popular Culture and the First World War (History of Warfare)

    Jessica Meyer (Editor)


    Much of the scholarship examining British culture of the First World War focusses on the 'high' culture of a limited number of novels, memoirs, plays and works of art, and the cultural reaction to them. This collection, by focussing on the cultural forms produced by and for a much wider range of social groups, including veterans, women, museum visitors and film goers, greatly expands the debate over how the war was represented by participants and the meanings ascribed to it in cultural production. Showcasing the work of both established academics and emerging scholars of the field, this book covers aspects of British popular culture from the material cultures of food and clothing to the representational cultures of literature and film. The result is an engaging and invigorating re-examination of the First World War and its place in British culture. The contributors to this book are: Keith Grieves; Rachel Duffett; Jane Tynan; Krisztina Robert; Lucy Noakes; Stella Moss; Carol Acton; Doug
    American Soldiers: Ground Combat in the World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam (Modern War Studies)

    Peter S. Kindsvatter


    Some warriors are drawn to the thrill of combat and find it the defining moment of their lives. Others fall victim to fear, exhaustion, impaired reasoning, and despair. This was certainly true for twentieth-century American ground troops. Whether embracing or being demoralized by war, these men risked their lives for causes larger than themselves with no promise of safe return. This book is the first to synthesize the wartime experiences of American combat soldiers, from the doughboys of World War I to the grunts of Vietnam. Focusing on both soldiers and marines, it draws on histories and memoirs, oral histories, psychological and sociological studies, and even fiction to show that their experiences remain fundamentally the same regardless of the enemy, terrain, training, or weaponry. Peter Kindsvatter gets inside the minds of American soldiers to reveal what motivated them to serve and how they were turned into soldiers. He recreates the physical and emotional aspects of war to te
    World War I: The American Soldier Experience

    Jennifer D. Keene


    World War I explores the daily lives of the men and women who served the United States in the Great War. Relying extensively on letters, diaries, and reminiscences of those Americans who fought or served in World War I, Jennifer D. Keene reports on the training camp experience at home; the journey overseas; and the unique difficulties African Americans, Native Americans, women, and immigrants encountered in the predominately white and native-born army. She also describes in vivid detail the perspective of naval and air service personnel and, for those on the ground in France, the horrors of static trench warfare and active engagement in combat. Chapters describe coping with and treating disease and wounds; the devastating frequency of death; and for those who came home, the difficult reentry into civilian life, as well as the causes, strategic decisions, and political outcome of the war. This volume includes a timeline, illustrations, and an extensive bibliography of recommended source
    United States Army Shoulder Patches and Related Insignia: From World War I to Korea 1st Division to 40th Division)

    William Keller


    Beginning in the Civil War, the U.S. Army sought to find an effective system to distinguish troops from different units. In the closing days of World War I, it finally arrived at a practical and desirable solution with the adoption of the shoulder patch or shoulder sleeve insignia. For more than eighty years, this often simple device, has been the source of pride and inspiration for servicemen everywhere. This new book (the first of a multi-volume set), with a gallery of more than 800 color and sepia toned illustrations of original insignia and period photographs, documents the evolution of these special insignia. From the period beginning with World War I to the Korean War era, you won't find a more indispensable guide for the study and collection of U.S. Army shoulder patches. Collectors will especially enjoy the handy reference section for determining whether a patch was made by an ally or a former foe. With special emphasis on theater made patches, this volume and the ones that wil
    The First World War (Questions and Analysis in History)

    Ian J. Cawood & David McKinnon-Bell


    The First World War examines the outbreak, events themselves and aftermath of the Great War, and the political, social and economic effects on the European countries involved. Important themes explored include : * recruitment and propaganda * women's involvement in the war * protest and pacifism * the links between the war and the revolutions in Russia and Germany.
    Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War (Contributions in Military Studies)

    Edward J. Erickson


    The first general history in English of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Ordered to Die is based on newly available Turkish archival and official sources. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Ottoman Army performed astonishingly well in the field and managed to keep fighting until the end of the war, long after many other armies had quit the field. It fought a multi-front war against sophisticated and capable enemies, including Great Britain, France, and Russia. Erickson challenges conventional thinking about Ottoman war aims, Ottoman military effectiveness, and the influence of German assistance. Written at the strategic and operational levels, this study frames the Turkish military contributions in a unitary manner by establishing linkages between campaigns and theaters. It also contains the first detailed discussion of Ottoman operations in Galicia, Romania, and Macedonia. Erickson provides a wealth of information on Ottoman Army organization, deployments, strategy, and staff p
    The Great War: An Imperial History

    John H. Morrow


    The Great War is a landmark history that firmly places the First World War in the context of imperialism. Set to overturn conventional accounts of what happened during this, the first truly international conflict, it extends the study of the First World War beyond the confines of Europe and the Western Front. By recounting the experiences of people from the colonies especially those brought into the war effort either as volunteers or through conscription, John Morrow's magisterial work also unveils the impact of the war in Asia, India and Africa. From the origins of World War One to its bloody (and largely unknown) aftermath, The Great War is distinguished by its long chronological coverage, first person battle and home front accounts, its pan European and global emphasis and the integration of cultural considerations with political.
    Brushes and Bayonets: Cartoons, sketches and paintings of World War I (General Military)

    Luci Gosling


    It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but, during World War I, newspaper illustrations were worth even more, not only conveying the news to anxious families at home and soldiers in battle, but also entertaining and lifting the spirits of a nation at war. Featuring work by some of the most well-known illustrators of the period fromW. Heath Robinson to Bruce Bairnsfather, this thematic collection of 250 WorldWar I magazine illustrations is published in association with The Illustrated London News (the British Harper's). The illustrations included range from light-hearted strip cartoons and line drawings, to poignant sketches and dark and hard-hitting political satire. The images not only depict events as they happened, but reveal all the moods of a nation at war. Many are published here for the first time in 90 years, creating a unique, bittersweet portrayal of the Great War and a fascinating and very human, historical and artistic reference source.
    A Short Military History of World War I with Atlas

    Various


    A short history of the campaigns of World War I used as a text at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Covers the Fronties, Marne, East Prussia, Eastern Front, Dardanelles, Verdun-Somme, Italy & the Balkand, Mesopotamia & Palestine, Western Front, The German Drives, and St. Mihiel & Meuse-Argonne Operations.
    Winged Warfare - In World War I

    Billy Bishop


    Kindle edition. This was a very informative and entertaining account of what it was like to be a Canadian fighter pilot on the Western Front. I have read biographies of most of the WWI and WWII aces and this compared very favorably. It really is a fascinating story; it compares well with the classics by pilots McCudden and Lewis.
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    Winged Warfare - In World War I


    German Artillery of World War One

    Herbert Jager


    World War I introduced the use of artillery on a hitherto unprecedented scale, changing the very nature of war from a series of set-piece battles to stalemates punctuated by attacks on frontlines. Starting with development of German artillery through 1914, this illustrated history describes in detail the light and heavy howitzers used by the Germans before going on to examine heavy mortars and long-range weapons. Specialist weapons for mountain, coastal and railway use are also covered, along with specialist engineer and infantry guns.
    French Women and the First World War: War Stories of the Home Front (Legacy of the Great War)

    Margaret H. Darrow


    Despite acts of female heroism, popular memory, as well as official memorialization in monuments and historic sites, has ignored French women's role in the First World War. This book explores stories that were never told and why they were not. These include the experiences of French women in the war, the stories they themselves told about these experiences and how French society interpreted them. The author examines the ways French women served their country - from charity work, nursing and munitions manufacture to volunteering for military service and espionage. In tracing stories about war heroines, but also about villainesses like Mata Hari, this fascinating study shows what these stories reveal about French understanding of the war, their hopes and fears for the future. While the masculine war story was unitary and unchanging, the feminine story was multiple and shifting. Initially praised for their voluntary mobilization, women's claims of patriotism were undercut by criticisms
    The Story of the Great War, Volume 1 Introductions; Special Articles; Causes of War; Diplomatic and State Papers

    Allen L. (Allen Leon) Churchill (Editor), Francis J. (Francis Joseph) Reynolds Francis Trevelyan Miller (Editors)


    Kindle edition.This is a collection of essays and historical documents related to WWI. Some really fascinating tidbits on the war. The essay prepared by an American Admiral is fascinating to me. He believed that WWI showed that submarines weren't that impressive, and same to airplanes. He has a remarkable comment about no one doubted that a submarine could sink a ship that insisted on being sunk. He also really overstated the value of the battle cruiser, IMO. The chapters on the various countries are quite interesting. Lots on the Balkans, also. This was written during WWI, so it didn't have the full information. Still, interesting for the thoughts during the war. If you like WWI history, this is a no-brainer download for free. Haven't checked out the other volumes yet.
    When Europe Went Mad: A Brief History of the First World War

    Terence T. Finn


    "When Europe Went Mad: A Brief History of the First World War" is not your typical World War I read. Terence T. Finn offers his readers the important facts of one of the most significant wars in human history, yet presents it in a concise and comprehensive style meant for the common reader and history buff alike. "When Europe Went Mad" recounts the harrowing events of a war now nearly a century behind us, and boldly tells the story of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Finn reminds the reader that well before General Dwight D. Eisenhower led American G.I.s into combat (1943-1945), John J. Pershing took an American army 'over there' and made history. With grace, Finn resurrects an understanding of this war's significance and ensures that its worldwide impacts, and the lives lost in the name of it, are never forgotten.
    The Battle of the Bulge: The Losheim Gap / Holding the Line (Stackpole Military History Series)

    Hans Wijers


    Most accounts of the Battle of the Bulge focus on Bastogne, but the Germans' main thrust actually occurred to the north, where Sepp Dietrich's Sixth SS Panzer Army stormed through the Losheim Gap. In this region of thick forests and tiny villages, U.S. troops halted the best of the German war machine, including the 12th SS Panzer and the 3rd Fallschirmjager Divisions.
    World War I Gas Warfare Tactics and Equipment (Elite)

    Simon Jones


    Osprey's study of gas warfare tactics that were employed during World War I (1914-1918). Battlefield Gas was first employed in April 1915 at the village of Langemarck near Ypres. At 1700 hours the Germans released a five mile-wide cloud of 168 tons of chlorine gas from 520 cylinders, causing panic and death in the French and Algerian trenches. Despite initial widespread condemnation and disgust, its use rapidly spread with all the armies entering into the race to produce gases, new ways to use them, and protective measures including masks and warning systems. For the first time in detail, this book charts the development of gas as a battlefield weapon and the steps taken to counter it. Delivery methods, including the use of artillery, the consequences of changing wind direction, and infantry advancing into an area just gassed, are all covered alongside key milestones in its introduction and usage. With an abundant array of artwork and photographs illustrating the gas masks, insig
    A Soldier in World War I: The Diary of Elmer W. Sherwood

    Robert H. Ferrell & Elmer W. Sherwood


    In April 1917 a sophomore from Indiana University, inspired by the stories of his grandfather’s service in the Union army during the Civil War, left school and enlisted with a National Guard unit in Indianapolis that became the 150th Field Artillery Regiment. Before long the young man, Elmer W. Sherwood, found himself in the thick of fighting in France, as his artillery regiment served in combat with the 42nd (Rainbow) Division, including the horrendous Meuse-Argonne offensive that claimed 26,000 American lives. Sherwood, who described himself as the Rainbow Hoosier, kept a diary of his time overseas, including his experiences in the army of occupation following the war’s end. Published by the Indiana Historical Society Press and edited by Robert H. Ferrell, Indiana University distinguished professor of history emeritus , A Soldier in World War I: The Diary of Elmer W. Sherwood, captures the words of the Hoosier soldier as he wrote them on the front lines. Corporal Sherwood tells of t
    The First Air War: 1914-1918

    Lee Kennett


    "In this fascinating book, Lee Kennett tells of (World War I fliers and) their experiences on all fronts and skillfully places them in proper context" (Edward M. Coffman, author of "The Old Army"). "A welcome and long overdue addition to the literature of military aviation."--Richard P. Hallion, Lindbergh Professor, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
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    The First Air War: 1914-1918


    The World Crisis, 1911-1918

    Winston S. Churchill


    As first lord of the admiralty and minister for war and air, Churchill stood resolute at the center of international affairs. In this classic account, he dramatically details how the tides of despair and triumph flowed and ebbed as the political and military leaders of the time navigated the dangerous currents of world conflict. Churchill vividly recounts the major campaigns that shaped the war: the furious attacks of the Marne, the naval maneuvers off Jutland, Verdun's "soul-stirring frenzy," and the surprising victory of Chemins des Dames. Here, too, he re-creates the dawn of modern warfare: the buzz of airplanes overhead, trench combat, artillery thunder, and the threat of chemical warfare. In Churchill's inimitable voice we hear how "the war to end all wars" instead gave birth to every war that would follow, including the current war in Iraq. Written with unprecedented flair and knowledge of the events, The World Crisis remains the single greatest history of World War I, essential
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    The World Crisis, 1911-1918


    Pride of America, We're With You: The Letters of Grace Anderson U.S. Army Nurse Corps, World War I (American Voices Series)

    Shari Lynn Wigle


    All of our strength we'll gladly give you ... In their unit song, Grace Anderson and the Base Hospital No. 115 nurses promised the soldiers: "Pride of America, we're with you, all of our strength we'll gladly give you ." More than ten thousand World War I army nurses volunteered for a perilous overseas venture. They aided the troops in the fight for democracy before American women had the right to vote. Grace, a nurse anesthetist, helped save lives in the operating rooms and hospital wards. She healed "our boys" and her own heartaches-a life-changing romance and the tragic loss of a loved one. Her 1917-1925 letters follow her from Camp Pike training to France, occupied Germany, and her return home. The narrative interweaves her correspondence with World War I history and her personal life, including her secret relationship with an army surgeon. The true story focuses on the human side of the Great War and recounts Grace's challenges in the postwar years. About the Author During a home
    The Home Front: Civilian Life in World War One (Revealing History)

    Peter Cooksley


    From bombing to rationing, from civil defense to war work, the face of Britain was radically changed as a result of World War I. More than once Britain was almost brought to its knees by unrestricted submarine warfare, and by the end of the war German Zeppelins and Gotha bombers had managed to bomb many parts of Eastern England, while in 1914 the German High Seas fleet bombarded the East Coast. The First World War was the first war to have a huge impact on civilians and few were safe from attack. In this book, Peter Cooksley tells us the true story of civilians at war on the Home Front.
    Bradford in the First World War

    Bradley World War 1 Group


    The men and women of Bradford, along with their cousins in other British towns and cities, made a distinguished if unhappy contribution to the First World War, as war memorials all around the city make clear. This book weaves together many personal accounts to tell the full story of Bradford at war - not just the experience of the trenches but primarly the impact that the war had at home: the part played by factories that manufactured aircraft and machine tools, the story of one of Britain's foremost sons, J.B. Priestley (publishing for the first time some of his letters home), the background to a massive munitions explosion, and of course, everyday life on the home front. Amply illustrated and impeccably researched, this book will appeal to anyone who is interested in Bradford's history.
    The Second Infantry Division in World War I: A History of the American Expeditionary Force Regulars, 1917-1919

    George B. Clark


    When the United States entered World War I in 1917, it sent the American Expeditionary Force to relieve the worn and beleaguered Allied Forces. On September 20, 1917, Congress approved the creation of the Second Division of the American Expeditionary Force. A hybrid Marine/Army unit, it was conceived and ultimately formed overseas, primarily from units in France. Giving themselves the nickname "Second to None," the Second Division effectively stopped the German drive on Paris in June 1918, becoming the first American unit to fight the enemy in a major engagement and revitalizing the Allied war effort. This volume details the fighting experiences of the Second Division, from its creation in the fall of 1917 through 1919. The book follows the unit from training in Toulon through the major campaigns including Chateau Thierry, Soissons, Blanc Mont and Meuse Argonne and records the experiences of the men who served. Appendices provide information regarding the pedigree of the division an
    Mons 1914: Britain's Tactical Triumph (Praeger Illustrated Military History)

    David Lomas


    The first major clash of the Great War, Mons came as a nasty shock to the Imperial German Army. Assured by their commanders that they would sweep the French and their British allies in the British Expeditionary Force--"that contemptible little army"--into the sea in a matter of weeks; they were stopped in their tracks at Mons by a numerically inferior British force. Eventually forced to fall back by overwhelming German numbers, the British carried out a masterful fighting retreat across Belgium and northern France. David Lomas examines not just the battle of Mons itself but also the ensuing British retreat, the battle of Le Cateau and several smaller engagements. The British Expeditionary Force of 1914 was one of the most highly trained armies ever fielded by the United Kingdom: having been denied the requested number of machine-guns due to financial considerations its soldiers had been taught to fire 15 aimed shots per minute, in some cases more, from their excellent Lee Enfield rifle
    Brief History of the Royal Flying Corps in World War One (Brief Histories)

    Ralph Barker


    This accessible text tells the story of the most star-studded of fighter squadrons, the RFC, and its part in all the major battles of World War I, from Bloody April 1917, when the squadrons suffered enormous casualties, through Third Ypres and Passchendaele to the chaotic retreat from Ludendorff's offensive. Drawing extensively from letters and diaries of the men who took part, Ralph Barker creates a bird's eye view of the battleground from the menacing skies above France and brings fresh off the page the exhiliration of combat, the debility of the "shakes", the grit of observers and gunners, the strain of low-level flying, the bonding of pilot and ground mechanic, and the awareness of tragedy as brave men gave their lives.
    War's Waste: Rehabilitation in World War I America

    Beth Linker


    With U.S. soldiers stationed around the world and engaged in multiple conflicts, Americans will be forced for the foreseeable future to come to terms with those permanently disabled in battle. At the moment, we accept rehabilitation as the proper social and cultural response to the wounded, swiftly returning injured combatants to their civilian lives. But this was not always the case, as Beth Linker reveals in her provocative new book, War’s Waste. Linker explains how, before entering World War I, the United States sought a way to avoid the enormous cost of providing injured soldiers with pensions, which it had done since the Revolutionary War. Emboldened by their faith in the new social and medical sciences, reformers pushed rehabilitation as a means to “rebuild” disabled soldiers, relieving the nation of a monetary burden and easing the decision to enter the Great War. Linker’s narrative moves from the professional development of orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists to the
    The British Working Class and Enthusiasm for War, 1914-1916 (Military History and Policy)

    David Silbey


    Millions of men volunteered to leave home, hearth and family to go to a foreign land to fight in 1914, the start of the biggest war in British history. It was a war fought by soldier-citizens, millions strong, most of whom had volunteered willingly to go. They made up the army that first held, and then, in 1918, thrust back the German Army to win the Great War. The British 'Tommy' has been lionized in the decades since the war, but little attention has been made in the literature to what motivated the ordinary British man to go to France, especially in the early years when Britain relied on the voluntary system to fill the ranks. Why would a regular working-class man leave behind his job, family and friends to go to fight a war that defended not British soil, but French? Why would a British man risk his life to defend places whose names he could pronounce only barely, if at all? This book answers why, in the words of the men who were there. Young and old, from cities and country, si
    Casualty Figures: How Five Men Survived the First World War

    Michèle Barrett


    Casualty Figures is not about the millions who died in the First World War; it is about the countless thousands of men who lived as long-term casualties—not of shrapnel and gas, but of the bleak trauma of the slaughter they escaped. In this powerful new book, Michèle Barrett uncovers the lives of five ordinary soldiers who endured the “war to end all wars,” and how they dealt with its horrors, both at the front and after the war’s end. Through their stories, Barrett sheds new light on the nature of the psychological damage of war, which for the first time became both widely acknowledged and profoundly controversial through the term "shell shock." Drawing on a wealth of previously unpublished material, Casualty Figures is a moving and original account of the psychological havoc caused by war."
    The First World War (2nd Edition)

    Stuart Robson


    This clear, concise account of the First World War examines the experience of nations drawn into the conflict from the perspectives of both the Home Front and the Trenches. The history of the First World War, its origins and consequences are still of global significance Benefits from being brought up-to-date with the latest reasearch Contains a new section on current debates about interpreting and remembering the war Includes all the usual seminar study features such as Who's Who, Glossary and Chronology of Key Events.
    Battleships of World War I: A Fully Illustrated Country-By-Country Directory Of Dreadnoughts, Including Armoured Cruisers, Battlecruisers And Battleships From 1906-1918

    Peter Hore


    n illustrated history of battleships of the world from 1906 to 1918, featuring fascinating expert descriptions of over 70 ships that details their construction, function and history.
    With A Machine Gun To Cambrai

    George Coppard


    First World War memoir of George Coppard who served as a private soldier from 1914 until he was wounded at the end of 1917.
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    With A Machine Gun To Cambrai


    History of the 12th (Eastern) Division in the Great War

    Arthur B. Scott


    12th (Eastern) Division was a New Army division formed in August 1914, they arrived in France in June 1915 and fought at Loos, Somme, Arras and Cambrai; Contains a detailed order of battle and succession of commanders and staff.
    BATTLE ON THE SEVEN SEAS: GERMAN CRUISER BATTLES 1914 - 1918

    Gary Staff


    The cruisers of the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserlische Marine) were active throughout the First World War and saw action all around the globe, tying up valuable Allied naval resources out of all proportion to their number. Drawing on firsthand accounts and original research in German archives, the author here describes in detail some of their most significant and/or audacious battles. Some are well known, such as their role at Jutland, Goeben's attack on the Russian fleet (which brought Turkey into the war) and the sagas of Konigsberg and Emden; but others have been unduly neglected. Gary Staff deliberately focuses on the latter to bring new material to the attention of the reader and to demonstrate the global span of the cruisers' activities. The blow-by-blow accounts of the action (drawing heavily on firsthand Allied and especially German accounts) are supported by dozens of photographs, many previously unpublished, from the author's own impressive collection. The battles described
    Death At Sea: Graf Spee and the Flight of the German East Asiatic Naval Squadron in 1914

    Eric Dorn Brose


    Death at Sea is the story of Graf Maximilian von Spee, commander of the German squadron in China at the outbreak of World War One. His was a powerful flotilla, but not powerful enough to remain in Asia, where the ships of Britain, France, Russia, and Japan could destroy him. If Graf Spee fled the Far East, however, attractive options beckoned. By sailing into the heart of the British Empire surrounding the Indian Ocean he could disrupt commerce and troop movements and perhaps spark rebellion in India. But if he sailed east across the Pacific and into the Atlantic, all the way around the world to Germany to reinforce the home fleet, together they represented a significant threat to the British navy. It all depended on what he decided to do. To a significant extent the outcome of World War One also depended on what he decided to do. Death at Sea is the novelistic history of what happened to Graf Spee's squadron and the ships that Britain deployed in an anxiety-charged effort to eliminate
    Death At Sea: Graf Spee and the Flight of the German East Asiatic Naval Squadron in 1914

    Eric Dorn Brose


    Death at Sea is the story of Graf Maximilian von Spee, commander of the German squadron in China at the outbreak of World War One. His was a powerful flotilla, but not powerful enough to remain in Asia, where the ships of Britain, France, Russia, and Japan could destroy him. If Graf Spee fled the Far East, however, attractive options beckoned. By sailing into the heart of the British Empire surrounding the Indian Ocean he could disrupt commerce and troop movements and perhaps spark rebellion in India. But if he sailed east across the Pacific and into the Atlantic, all the way around the world to Germany to reinforce the home fleet, together they represented a significant threat to the British navy. It all depended on what he decided to do. To a significant extent the outcome of World War One also depended on what he decided to do. Death at Sea is the novelistic history of what happened to Graf Spee's squadron and the ships that Britain deployed in an anxiety-charged effort to eliminate
    Tirpitz and the Imperial German Navy

    Patrick J. Kelly


    Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz (1849–1930) was the principal force behind the rise of the German Imperial Navy prior to World War I, challenging Great Britain's command of the seas. As State Secretary of the Imperial Naval Office from 1897 to 1916, Tirpitz wielded great power and influence over the national agenda during that crucial period. By the time he had risen to high office, Tirpitz was well equipped to use his position as a platform from which to dominate German defense policy. Though he was cool to the potential of the U-boat, he enthusiastically supported a torpedo boat branch of the navy and began an ambitious building program for battleships and battle cruisers. Based on exhaustive archival research, including new material from family papers, Tirpitz and the Imperial German Navy is the first extended study in English of this germinal figure in the growth of the modern navy.
    The Real German War Plan, 1904-14

    Terence Zuber


    On the basis of newly discovered or long-neglected documents in German military archives, this book gives the first description of Schlieffen’s war plans in 1904 and 1905 and Moltke’s plans from 1906 to 1914. It explodes unfounded myths concerning German war planning, gives the first appraisal of the actual military and political factors that influenced it, proves conclusively that there never was a "Schlieffen Plan," and reveals Moltke’s strategy for a war against Russia from 1909 to 1912. Tracing the decline in the German military position and the recognition by 1913 that Germany would be forced to fight outnumbered on both the eastern and western fronts, it is an essential read for anyone with an interest in World War I.
    Under Fire

    Henri Barbusse


    Ages 18 & up. Based on his own experience of the Great War, Henri Barbusse?s novel is a powerful account of one of the greatest horrors mankind has inflicted on itself. For the group of ordinary men in the French Sixth Battalion, thrown together from all over France and longing for home, war is simply a matter of survival, lightened only by the arrival of their rations or a glimpse of a pretty girl or a brief reprieve in the hospital. Reminiscent of classics like Hemingway?s A Farewell to Arms and Remarque?s All Quiet on the Western Front, Under Fire (originally published in French as La Feu) vividly evokes life in the trenches?the mud, stench, and monotony of waiting while constantly fearing for one?s life in an infernal and seemingly eternal battlefield.
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    Under Fire


    Testament of Youth

    Vera Brittain


    Ages 18 & up.Much of what we know and feel about the First World War we owe to Vera Brittain’s elegiac yet unsparing book, which set a standard for memoirists from Martha Gellhorn to Lillian Hellman. Abandoning her studies at Oxford in 1915 to enlist as a nurse in the armed services, Brittain served in London, in Malta, and on the Western Front. By war’s end she had lost virtually everyone she loved. Testament of Youth is both a record of what she lived through and an elegy for a vanished generation. Hailed by the Times Literary Supplement as a book that helped "both form and define the mood of its time," it speaks to any generation that has been irrevocably changed by war. * New introduction by Brittain's biographer examines her struggles to write about her experiences and the book's reception in England and America
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    Testament of Youth


    George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I

    Miranda Carter


    In the years before the First World War, the great European powers were ruled by three first cousins: King George V of Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Together, they presided over the last years of dynastic Europe and the outbreak of the most destructive war the world had ever seen, a war that set twentieth-century Europe on course to be the most violent continent in the history of the world. Miranda Carter uses the cousins’ correspondence and a host of historical sources to tell the tragicomic story of a tiny, glittering, solipsistic world that was often preposterously out of kilter with its times, struggling to stay in command of politics and world events as history overtook it. George, Nicholas and Wilhelm is a brilliant and sometimes darkly hilarious portrait of these men—damaged, egotistical Wilhelm; quiet, stubborn Nicholas; and anxious, dutiful George—and their lives, foibles and obsessions, from tantrums to uniforms to stamp collecting
    King, Kaiser, Tsar: Three Royal Cousins Who Led the World to War

    Catrine Clay


    The extraordinary family story of George V, Wilhelm II, and Nicholas II: they were tied to one another by history, and history would ultimately tear them apart. Known among their families as Georgie, Willy, and Nicky, they were, respectively, the royal cousins George V of England, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and Nicholas II of Russia--the first two grandsons of Queen Victoria, the latter her grandson by marriage. In 1914, on the eve of world war, they controlled the destiny of Europe and the fates of millions of their subjects. The outcome and their personal endings are well known--Nicky shot with his family by the Bolsheviks, Willy in exile in Holland, Georgie still atop his throne. Largely untold, however, is the family saga that played such a pivotal role in bringing the world to the precipice. Drawing widely on previously unpublished royal letters and diaries, made public for the first time by Queen Elizabeth II, Catrine Clay chronicles the riveting half century of the ro
    Introducing Timothy Findley's The Wars

    Lorraine York


    Canadian Fiction Studies are an answer to every librarian's, student's, and teacher's wishes. Each book contains clear information on a major Canadian novel. Attractively produced, they contain a chronology of the author's life, information on the importance of the book and its critical reception, an in-depth reading of the text, and a selected list of works cited.
    A Collection of First World War Military Handbooks of Arabia 1913-1917 10 Volume Set Including Boxed Maps (Cambridge Archive Editions) (Vol. 1)

    Great Britain


    Intelligence handbooks were compiled for the use of British officers for military purposes. The handbooks were compiled partly on the basis of existing authorities such as Lorimer«s Gazetteer, earlier travel records and recent military intelligence, and partly from what was called "native information". They provide detailed descriptions of the regions, settlements, routes and inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf. Originally all these documents were classified secret. They are now made available to historians and researchers as richly detailed surveys of a land and a culture.
    OTHER SIDE OF THE WIRE VOLUME 2, THE: The Battle of the Somme With the German XIV Reserve Corps, 1 July 1916

    Ralph Whitehead


    Volume 1 of 'The Other Side of the Wire' told the story of the German XIV Reserve Corps from the initial invasion of the Somme in Northern France in 1914 to the final hours before the momentous battle of 1 July 1916. Volume 2 covers the epic Battle of the Somme and takes the reader through the story of 1 July 1916 as seen from the German defenders. Each part of the great battle, from Gommecourt in the north to Curlu on the bank of the River Somme, is presented from the German perspective of the men who defended their sectors against the British and French offensive. The story of the Germans fighting on the Somme on 1 July 1916 is presented using first hand accounts and regimental histories to provide the reader with a part of the battle long ignored in most histories written since the war.Hundreds of illustrations of the men who fought on the Somme on 1 July are presented to the reader, many previously unpublished from the author's personal collection. Numerous maps provide additional
    A Military Atlas of the First World War [MILITARY ATLAS OF THE 1ST WW] [Paperback]

    Arthur Banks



    Rags: The Dog Who Went to War

    Jack Rohan


    This is a true story from the First World War, about the amazing clever terrier who was adopted by a soldier and became a war hero, saving many men's lives.
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    Rags: The Dog Who Went to War


    We Shall Not Sleep (World War One Series)

    Anne Perry


    After four long years, peace is finally in sight. But chaplain Joseph Reavley and his sister, Judith, an ambulance driver on the Western Front, are more hard pressed than ever. Behind the lines, violence is increasing: Soldiers are abusing German prisoners, a nurse has been raped and murdered, and the sinister ideologue called the Peacemaker now threatens to undermine the peace just as he did the war. Matthew, the third Reavley sibling and an intelligence expert, suddenly arrives at the front with startling news: The Peacemaker’s German counterpart has offered to go to England and expose his co-conspirator as a traitor. But with war still raging and prejudices inflamed, such a journey would be fraught with hazards, especially since the Peacemaker has secret informers everywhere, even on the battlefield. For richness of plot, character, and feeling, We Shall Not Sleep is unmatched. Anne Perry’s brilliantly orchestrated finale is a heartstopping tour de force, mesmerizing and totally sat
    Aircraft of World War I 1914-1918 (Essential Aircraft Identificat)

    Jack Herris


    Illustrated with detailed artworks of combat aircraft and their markings, 'The Essential Aircraft Identification Guide: Aircraft of WWI' is a comprehensive study of the aircraft that fought in the Great War of 1914-18. Arranged chronologically by theater of war and campaign, this book offers a complete organizational breakdown of the units on all the fronts, including the Eastern and Italian Fronts. Each campaign includes a compact history of the role and impact of aircraft on the course of the conflict, as well as orders of battle, lists of commanders and campaign aces such as Manfred von Richtofen, Eddie Rickenbacker, Albert Ball and many more.Every type of aircraft is featured, including the numerous variations and types of well-known models, such as the Fokker Dr.I, the Sopwith Camel and the SPAD SVII, through to lesser-known aircraft, such as the Rumpler C.1, and the Amstrong Whitworth FK8. Each aircraft profile is accompanied by exhaustive specifications, as well as details of in
    The Scribner Library of Modern Europe: Since 1914

    John Merriman


    This set presents Europe's major historical events between 1914 and 2005 and explores the political, military, social, cultural, and technological transformations of this period. Additionally, the encyclopedia examines Europe's global influence and European unification. Edited by two professors of history at Yale University, it is the companion to Europe 1789 to 1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of Industry and Empire (2006). The scope of the encyclopedia is extensive. It contains 920 alphabetically arranged articles, beginning with Abortionand ending with Zyklon B.Entries range in length from approximately one to seven pages. Articles are signed and include cross-references. A bibliography concludes each entry. Contributors are primarily academics from Europe and North America. As demonstrated by the "Systematic Outline of Contents," found in volume 5, entries fall under 15 broad categories, including "Concepts and Ideas," "Law, Justice, and Crime," "Philosophy and Intellectual Life," an
    Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, 1914-1918


    Complete biographies of all 49 courageous aces of the Dual Monarchy.
    The Idea of Europe Since 1914: The Legacy of the First World War

    Menno Spiering & Michael Wintle (Editorsr)


    This book is about the history of Europe in the 20th century and concentrates on two particular aspects. First, it examines the impact of the Great War on Europe; secondly it is concerned with European civilization and with ideas of what is meant to be "European". The approach is interdisciplinary, including integrated analyses from politics, international relations, political ideas, literature, and the visual arts. The common focus, which links all the chapters, is the effect of the Great War on a European mentality, or European identity.
    AVIATION AWARDS OF IMPERIAL GERMANY IN WORLD WAR I: Volume I - The Aviation Awards of the Kingdom of Bavaria [ Inscribed and SIGNED by the author Neal W. O'connor ]

    Neal W. O'connor



    Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War I

    Peter Grosz & George Haddow & Peter Schiemer


    Here is the most comprehensive, detailed and accurate story of these exotic aircraft ever written. It covers all manufacturers and their planes and provides important information on armament, flying units and more. Line iIlustrations in standard scales (1/48 and 1/72) make this a must purchase for modelers as well.
    Surrender be Damned: History of the 1/1st Battalion the Monmouthshire Regiment, 1914-18

    Les Hughes & John Dixon



    Surrender be Damned: History of the 1/1st Battalion the Monmouthshire Regiment, 1914-18

    Les Hughes & John Dixon



    Reading Study Guide: Answer Key (Creating America: A History of the United States, Beginnings through World War I)

    McDougal Littell



    A Concise History of the Participation of the Greek Army in the First World War 1914-1918

    Hellenic Army General Staff - Army History Directorate



    Major and Mrs.Holt's Battle Map of the Somme (No. 1)

    Valmai Holt Tonie Holt (


    This is one of a series of unique maps drawn and published by Major and Mrs Holt the well-known experts on touring the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. The maps are accurately drawn and double sided and have a consistent map reference and colour coding system across the series that enables precise location of memorials, cemeteries, museums, battle lines, places of particular interest. The maps not only enable the user to find a particular spot on a battlefield but also make it possible to plan a route for a visit.
    Nelson County North Dakota in the World War

    The Petersburg Record (Editor)


    In preparing this History of Nelson County, North Dakota, in The World War [World War I], the object has been to honor the dead, to record the services of those who returned, to give an account of the work accomplished by Home activities, and to put these things in such form that it will be preserved for future generations.
    The Warhorse in the Modern Era: The Boer War to the Beginning of the Second Millennium

    Ann Hyland



    Movements and supply of the German First Army during August and September, 1914

    H. von Kuhl



    The First World War: A Concise Global History (Exploring World History)

    William Kelleher Storey


    In a compact but comprehensive and clear narrative, this book explores the First World War from a genuinely global perspective. Putting a human face on the war, William Kelleher Storey takes into account individual decisions and experiences as well as environmental and technological factors such as food, geography, manpower, and weapons. He argues that the war profoundly changed the ways in which people imagined the landscape around them and thought about technology and the environment. Before the war, Europe and its colonies generally regarded industrial technology as an instrument of modernity; the landscape existed to be conquered, divided, and ruled. During and after the war, the costs of conquest became much higher, raising significant doubts about the value of progress. Soldiers experienced profound personal degradation, physical injuries, and mental collapse in the midst of nightmarish, technologically induced environmental conditions, which they vividly remembered when they for
    Civilians in a World at War, 1914-1918

    Tammy M. Proctor


    World War I heralded a new global era of warfare, consolidating and expanding changes that had been building throughout the previous century, while also instituting new notions of war. The 1914-18 conflict witnessed the first aerial bombing of civilian populations, the first widespread concentration camps for the internment of enemy alien civilians, and an unprecedented use of civilian labor and resources for the war effort. Humanitarian relief programs for civilians became a common feature of modern society, while food became as significant as weaponry in the fight to win. Tammy M. Proctor argues that it was World War I—the first modern, global war—that witnessed the invention of both the modern “civilian” and the “home front,” where a totalizing war strategy pitted industrial nations and their citizenries against each other. Civilians in a World at War, 1914-1918, explores the different ways civilians work and function in a war situation, and broadens our understanding of the civi
    The Great War in Africa: 1914-1918

    Byron Farwell


    General readers will enjoy this comprehensive narrative of operations against imperial Germany's African colonies, including Togo, the Cameroons, and Southwest Africa, as well as the more familiar East African campaign. Its anecdotes convey the flavor of war in theaters dominated by disease and logistics. But in contrast to his works on the Victorian army, Farwell limits his perspective to the battlefield. Overwhelmed by the number of good stories at his disposal, he eschews systematic discussion of the polyglot forces engaged, or of the war's impact on subsaharan Africa's fragile colonial structures. The tales of bush fighting become repetitive, adding little to such earlier works as Charles Miller's Battle for the Bundu (1974), and limiting the book's value for specialists. Dennis E. Showalter, History Dept., Colorado Coll., Colorado Springs
    Warrior: The Legend Of Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen

    Peter H. Capstick


    Peter Hathaway Capstick died in 1996. At the time of his death, the world-renowned adventure writer was putting the finishing touches on this, a stirring and vivid biography of Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen, a man with whom he felt he had much in common. Edited and prepared for publication by his widow, Fiona Capstick, this riveting book is Capstick's farewell to his fans and the final addition to the bestselling Peter Capstick Library. Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen was one of those rare men whom fate always seems to cast in the dramas that shape history. As a young officer, he served in India and Africa during the glory days of the British Empire, defending the crown's dominions and exploring its darkest reaches. His exploits in the bloody colonial wars of turn-of-the-century East Africa earned him a reputation as one of the most fierce and ruthless soldiers in the Empire, yet it was during those years spent roaming the silent places of the Serengeti, hunting its game and learning
    The Legacy of the Great War: Ninety Years on

    Jay Winter (Editor)


    Ages 18 & up. In late 2007 and early 2008, world-renowned historians gathered in Kansas City for a series of public forums on World War I. Each of the five events focused on a particular topic and featured spirited dialogue between its prominent participants. In spontaneous exchanges, the eminent scholars probed each other's arguments, learned from each other, and provided insights not just into history but also into the way scholars think about their subject alongside and at times in conflict with their colleagues. Representing a fourth generation of writers on the Great War and a transnational rather than an international approach, prominent historians from Britain, Germany, Ireland, Canada, and the United States, all of whom have studied that war over decades, brought to the proceedings an exciting clash of ideas. The forums addressed topics about the Great War that have long fascinated both scholars and the educated public: the origins of the war and the question of who was respons
    The Usborne Introduction to the First World War (Usborne Internet-Linked Introduction To...)

    Ruth Brocklehurst


    Ages 9 & up.
    The Penguin Book of First World War Prose

    Jon Silkin & Jonathan Glover (Editors)


    Selections from the letters, memoirs, autobiography and fiction of the World War I. Edmund Blunden, Vera Britain, Oskar Kokoschka, Hasek, Paul Klee and Hemingway are among the contributors to this anthology, which contains several specially translated pieces. Nearly all the authors participated in the Great War, whether in battle, or like Rebecca West, on the home front.
    World War I (First Books--America at War)

    Tom McGowen


    Ages 9 & up.
    Germany's Aims in the First World War

    Fritz Fischer


    Fritz Fisher "Germany's War Aims in the First World War" dwells on the tremendous amount of material collected primarily from the archives of the Central powers. It deals with one topic, and deals with it in methodical and exhaustive manner - a continuation of policy of War Aims of the Imperial Germany during the period immediately preceding and throughout the First World War. Germany, only united within the memory of the generation of 1914, was fighting the war not only for its rightful place as a European Great Power, but for a leading, pre-eminent place in the European and by extension the World balance of power. Germany was aiming to displace Britain as a traditional power broker in Europe, unite Austria-Hungary and other Central European powers in the economic and geo-political unit known as MittleEuropa, dominate Russia on its Eastern border and France on its Western. Bethman-Hollweg's (Chancellor for most of the War) vision of the post-war World was Germany dominating continenta
    The Origins of the War of 1914 (3 Volume Set)

    Luigi Albertini


    Luigi Albertini wrote this monumental investigation into the origins of the First World War in the 1930s, when many participants were still alive to be interviewed about their recollections of those tragic moments. This is in fact the best and by far the most authoritative study of how the war began and why.
    Origins of the First World War (Foundations of Modern History)

    L. C. F. Turner


    I found this book interesting for it's viewpoint but unconvincing. I was suprised by a Germany that did not want and even feared the coming war, and a France that seemed absolutely hungry for war, manipulating a somewhat pathetic Russia into fighting the central powers. It was a viewpoint different than I'd seen in the past and I appreciate the questions it has raised for me. However, I felt the author did a poor job of proving his points. While it is probably impossible to measure and describe the popular feeling of an era decades in the past, I thought Turner's haphazard quoting from memoirs (some written after the war) was remarkably unconvincing. I believe he could have proven just about any thesis imaginable using that technique. I felt he left out some important aspects of the Franco-Russian perspective that would make their actions seem less irrationally agressive. All in all, I'm glad I read the book as it opened my eyes to another line of thinking. I'm not sure I'll end up agr
    The Origins of Major War (Cornell Studies in Security Affairs)

    Dale C. Copeland


    One of the most important questions of human existence asks what drives nations to war--especially massive, system-threatening war. Much military history focuses on the who, when, and where of war; in this riveting book, Dale C. Copeland brings attention to bear on why governments make decisions that lead to, sustain, and intensify conflicts. Copeland presents detailed historical narratives of several twentieth-century cases, including World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. He highlights instigating factors that transcend individual personalities, styles of government, geography, and historical context to reveal remarkable consistency across several major wars usually considered dissimilar. The result is a series of challenges to established interpretive positions and provocative new readings of the causes of conflict. Classical realists and neorealists claim that dominant powers initiate war. Hegemonic stability realists believe that wars are most often started by rising states
    With Our Backs to the Wall: Victory and Defeat in 1918

    David Stevenson


    With so much at stake and so much already lost, why did World War I end with a whimper—an arrangement between two weary opponents to suspend hostilities? After more than four years of desperate fighting, with victories sometimes measured in feet and inches, why did the Allies reject the option of advancing into Germany in 1918 and taking Berlin? Most histories of the Great War focus on the avoidability of its beginning. This book brings a laser-like focus to its ominous end—the Allies’ incomplete victory, and the tragic ramifications for world peace just two decades later. In the most comprehensive account to date of the conflict’s endgame, David Stevenson approaches the events of 1918 from a truly international perspective, examining the positions and perspectives of combatants on both sides, as well as the impact of the Russian Revolution. Stevenson pays close attention to America’s effort in its first twentieth-century war, including its naval and military contribution, army recr
    Gallipoli

    Peter Hart


    One of the most famous battles in history, the WWI Gallipoli campaign began as a bold move by the British to capture Constantinople, but this definitive new history explains that from the initial landings--which ended with so much blood in the sea it could be seen from airplanes overhead--to the desperate attacks of early summer and the battle of attrition that followed, it was a tragic folly destined to fail from the start. Gallipoli forced the young Winston Churchill from office, established Turkey's iconic founder Mustafa Kemal (better known as "Ataturk"), and marked Australia's emergence as a nation in its own right. Drawing on unpublished eyewitness accounts by individuals from all ranks--not only from Britain, Australia and New Zealand, but from Turkey and France as well--Peter Hart weaves first-hand stories into a vivid narrative of the battle and its aftermath. Hart, a historian with the Imperial War Museum and a battlefield tour guide at Gallipoli, provides a vivid, boots-
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    Gallipoli


    The Somme: The Darkest Hour on the Western Front

    Peter Hart


    On July 1, 1916, the British Army launched the “Big Push” that was supposed to bring an end to the horrific stalemate on the Western Front between British, French, and German forces. What resulted was one of the greatest single human catastrophes in twentieth century warfare. Scrambling out of trenches in the face of German machine guns and artillery fire, the Allied Powers lost over twenty thousand soldiers that first day. This “battle” would drag on for another four bloody months, resulting in over one million causalities among the three powers. As the oral historian at the Imperial War Museum in London, Peter Hart has brought to light new material never before seen or heard. The Somme is an unparalleled evocation of World War I’s iconic contest—the definitive account of one of the major tragedies of the twentieth century. 32 b&w illustrations
    Bloody April: Slaughter in the Skies Over Arras, 1917

    Peter Hart


    As the Allies embarked upon the Battle of Arras, they desperately needed accurate aerial reconnaissance photographs. But by this point the Royal Flying Club were flying obsolete planes. The new German Albatros scouts massively outclassed them in every respect: speed, armament, ability to withstand punishment and manoeuverability. Many of the RFC's pilots were straight out of flying school - as they took to the air they were sitting targets for the experienced German aces. Over the course of 'Bloody April' the RFC suffered casualties of over a third. The average life expectancy of a new subaltern on the front line dropped to just eleven days. And yet they carried on flying, day after day, in the knowledge that, in the eyes of their commanders at least, their own lives meant nothing compared to the photographs they brought back, which could save tens of thousands of soldiers on the ground. In this book Peter Hart tells the story of the air war over Arras, using the voices of the men who
    Aces Falling: War Above the Trenches, 1918

    Peter Hart


    Relive the final days of the great aces of World War I! By 1918, the war was nearing its end and the legendary knights of the sky—names like Richthofen, Edward Mannock, Herman Goering, Billy Bishop, among others—were writing its bloody final chapters. Author Peter Hart, the Oral Historian at Britain’s Imperial War Museum, was granted unprecedented access to the museum’s archives; through these rare manuscripts and firsthand accounts, he provides a riveting perspective on the first true “air war.” From the swirling dogfights to the bombing missions that became ever more deadly, the book reveals the terrible scope of aerial combat and commemorates the men who fought, killed, and died in the clouds above.
    Winged Victory

    V Yeates


    There is no bitter snarl nor self-pity in this classic novel about the air war of 1914-1918, based very largely on the author's experiences. Combat, loneliness, fatigue, fear, comradeship, women, excitement - all are built into a vigorous and authentic structure by one of the most valiant pilots of the then Royal Flying Corps.returncharacterreturncharacter returncharacterreturncharacter REVIEWS returncharacterreturncharacter'Beautifully written with a poet's eye as well as a pilot's eye.' Southern Evening Echo'The only book about flying that isn't flannel.' Anonymous Fighter Pilot'Not only one of the best war books...but as a transcription of reality, faithful and sustained in its author's purpose of re-creating the past life he knew, it is unique.' Henry Williamson, author of Tarka the Otter.
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    Winged Victory


    SAGITTARIUS RISING

    Cecil Lewis


    'Classic . . . the definitive account of aerial combat - full of passion and poetry' - Max Arthur, Independent 'Magical evocation of the lonely battle fought in the clouds' - The Daily Telegraph 'This is a book everyone should read. It is the autobiography of an ace, and no common ace either. The boy had all the noble tastes and qualities, love of beauty, soaring imagination, a brilliant endowment of good looks . . . this prince of pilots . . . had a charmed life in every sense of the word' - George Bernard Shaw Sent to France with the Royal Flying Corps at just seventeen, and later a member of the famous 56 Squadron, Cecil Lewis was an illustrious and passionate fighter pilot of the First World War, described by Bernard Shaw in 1935 as 'a thinker, a master of words, and a bit of a poet'. In this vivid and spirited account the author evocatively sets his love of the skies and flying against his bitter experience of the horrors of war, as we follow his progress from France and the bat
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    SAGITTARIUS RISING


    LADY UNDER FIRE ON THE WESTERN FRONT: The Great War Letters of Lady Dorothie Feilding MM

    Andrew Hallam & Nicola Hallam (Authors)


    When Britain went to war in 1914 many people rallied to the cause, determined to join the colours or be useful in some other way. Lady Dorothie Mary Evelyn Feilding was one of the latter. 'Lady D' spent almost three years on the Western Front in Belgium driving ambulances for the Munro Motor Ambulance Corps, an all-volunteer unit. During her time in Flanders her bravery was such that she received the Belgian Order of Leopold, the French Croix de Guerre and was the first woman to be awarded the British Military Medal. She wrote home to Newnham Paddox, near Rugby, almost daily. Her letters reflect the mundane, tragedy and horror of war and also the tensions of being a woman at the front contending with shells, gossip, funding, lice, vehicle maintenance and inconvenient marriage proposals. Though Dorothie was the daughter of an Earl and from a privileged upbringing she had an easy attitude that transcended social boundaries and that endeared her to all that she came in to contact with w
    FLYING FURY: Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps

    James McCudden


    The day-to-day insights of a brilliantly daring World War I ace that only ends with his death at the age of 23 . . .James McCudden was an outstanding British fighter ace of World War I, whose daring exploits earned him a tremendous reputation and, ultimately, an untimely end. Here, in this unique and gripping firsthand account, he brings to life some of aviation history's most dramatic episodes in a memoir completed at the age of twenty-three, just days before his tragic death. During his time in France with the Royal Flying Corps from 1914 to 1918, McCudden rose from mechanic to pilot and flight commander. Following his first kill in September 1916, McCudden shot down a total of fifty-seven enemy planes, including a remarkable three in a single minute in January 1918. A dashing patrol leader, he combined courage, loyalty, and judgment, studying the habits and psychology of enemy pilots and stalking them with patience and tenacity.Written with modesty and frankness, yet acutely percept
    KNIGHT OF GERMANY: Oswald Boelcke German Ace

    Johannes Werner


    The story of the fighter pilot the Red Baron himself sought to emulate . . . German air ace Oswald Boelcke was a national hero during World War I, and was the youngest captain in the German air force, decorated with the Pour Ie Merite while still only a lieutenant and with 40 aerial victories at the time of his death. He became a pilot shortly before the outbreak of the war, and when he was tragically killed in a flying accident during combat less than two-and-a-half years later not only was his name known all over the world but the whole of Germany mourned his passing. He established his reputation on the Western front first in reconnaissance, then in scouts, and, with Max Immelmann, he became the best known of the early German aces. After Immelmann' s death, he was taken off flying and traveled to the Eastern front where he met a young pilot called Manfred von Richthofen. Transferred back to the Western Front in command of Jasta 2, when new small fighting units were formed he remem
    IMMELMANN THE EAGLE OF LILLE

    Frantz Immelmann


    The story of one of Germany's pioneers in aerial combat . . . Max Immelmann was born in Dresden, the son of a container factory owner. When World War I started, Immelmann was recalled to active service, transferred to the Luftstreitkafte and was sent for pilot training in November 1914. He was initially stationed in northern France as a reconnaissance aviator. On June 3, 1915 he was shot down by a French pilot but managed to land safely behind German lines. He was decorated with the Iron Cross, Second Class for preserving his aircraft. Later in 1915, he became one of the first German fighter pilots, quickly building an impressive score of victories as he became known as The Eagle of Lille (Der Adler von Lille). Immelmann was the first pilot to be awarded the Pour le Me'rite, Germany's highest military honor. The medal became colloquially known as the "Blue Max" in the German Air Service in honor of Immelmann. His medal was presented by Kaiser Wilhelm II in January 1916. Oswald Boelck
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    IMMELMANN THE EAGLE OF LILLE


    BLACK FOKKER LEADER

    Peter Kilduff


    One of the most noteworthy German fighter pilots of World War I was Leutnant der Reserve Carl Degelow, whose squadron of mostly black Fokker D.VII fighters posed a formidable threat to some of Britain's most celebrated air units on the Western Front. Degelow had a unique approach to aerial combat which fascinated the author, Peter Kilduff, so much that in 1979 he wrote Germany's Last Knight of the Air about his exploits, a book long out of print. During the intervening 30 years Kilduff has obtained new information and original photos, plus copies of significant German archival material and documentation which shed much new light on this legendary ace. Black Fokker Leader is a completely new work with unpublished material about Degelow and his comrades - how he was almost court-martialled; how his career was saved by Carl Josef Jacobs; how Degelow helped Willy Rosenstein escape from Nazi Germany, and much more. Plus new insights into men like Field Marshal Erhard Milch, Degelow's wing
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    BLACK FOKKER LEADER


    HERMAN GORING FIGHTER ACE

    Peter Kilduff


    Over the last 70 years, in countless books and essays, Hermann Goring has been defined by his crimes and excess during the Third Reich and the Second World War. But his activities as a young career military officer in World War I have invariably been glossed over - until now. 'Hermann Goring - Fighter Ace' is the first in-depth look at Goring's role as a military flyer and air combat leader from 1914 through the end of The Great War, and how those experiences shaped the personality that came to the world's attention in 1939. At the outset of the First World War, Goring was eager to prove his value to his fatherland in initial skirmishes with French troops. When struck by severe rheumatoid arthritis in September 1914, the twenty-one-year-old officer's burning ambition and ego could not tolerate being sidelined and the following month he forced himself out of a sick bed to begin a new career as an aviation observer. Goring went on to become a fighter pilot with twenty-two downed enemy a
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    HERMAN GORING FIGHTER ACE


    Jasta 18 - The Red Noses (Aviation Elite Units)

    Greg Vanwyngarden


    The history of Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel (or Jasta) 18 is one of the more unique and complex of German fighter squadrons of World War I. In fact, the unit could be said to have had something of a split personality. Formed in Flanders at the end of October 1916, the Jasta was first commanded by Oblt von Grieffenhagen, who led it to 35 victories in nine months. In August 1917, the aggressive and demanding Oblt Rudolf Berthold took over the Staffel and brought a cadre of seasoned pilots with him from his former command. Berthold molded his new unit into a dedicated group of hunters, and left his stamp on the unit with a striking color scheme of red-nosed Pfalz and Albatros fighters with dark blue fuselage and tail surfaces. This book tells the complete story of the unit: its victories, defeats, and the great aces who flew the red-nosed fighters
    Jagdgeschwader Nr II Geschwader 'Berthold' (Aviation Elite Units)

    Greg Vanwyngarden


    After struggling with inadequate supplies of aircraft and matériel, the veteran pilots of the Geschwader would go on to enjoy incredible successes against French and American opponents in September 1918. Aces who flew the famous blue-fuselaged Fokkers of JG II included such stalwarts as Josef Veltjens (35 kills), Georg von Hantelmann (25 kills), Franz Büchner (40 kills) and Ulrich Neckel (30 kills). This volume contains many first-hand accounts by these and other notable aces, which reveal the esprit de corps and camaraderie these airmen displayed in their struggles against superior numbers up to the war’s final grim days.
    No 56 Sqn RAF/RFC (Aviation Elite Units)

    Alex Revell


    By the autumn of 1916, with the formation of the new Jagdstaffeln, the pendulum of aerial supremacy had once again swung in favor of the German Air Force. The battle of the Somme in 1916 saw the RFC suffer losses of nearly 400 aircrew between September and November, and British casualties were to reach a zenith in the 'Bloody April' of 1917 when 319 aircrew were lost, killed or taken prisoner of war. This was the situation when No 56 Squadron arrived in France at the end of April 1917. Equipped with the superb new SE 5, it was the first fighter squadron of the RFC to be able to meet the Albatros and Halberstadt fighters of the Jagdstaffeln on equal terms. The squadron's pilots won an incredible tally of decorations, and by the end of the hostilities many famous fighter pilots had passed through its ranks - Albert Ball VC, Canadian Hank Burden and American Robert Caldwell to name but a few. In this fascinating study, Alex Revell uncovers the early days and development of No 56 Squadron,
    BRIEF GLORY: The Life of Arthur Rhys Davids DSO MC

    Alex Revell


    Arthur Rhys Davids was shot down and killed in October 1917. He was just twenty and had been flying over the Western Front with 56 Squadron for six months. He had entered the Royal Flying Corps direct from Eton College. In his brief operational career he was awarded the Military Cross twice and the Distinguished Service Order once. In the opinion of the commanding officer of his squadron he deserved the Victoria Cross. He came to public fame through shooting down the German ace Werner Voss. Rhys Davids was more than an outstanding fighter pilot, he was a man of thought as well as a man of action. Coming from an intellectual family, he was a brilliant classicist and popular with his fellow pilots in the RFC including James McCudden. Alex Revell has written a sensitive and deeply moving biography. It is based on letters from Rhys Davids early boyhood days at Eton to his last letter written on the night before he died.returncharacterreturncharacter returncharacterreturncharacter REVIEWS r
    MANNOCK: The Life and Death of Major Edward Mannock VC, DSO, MC, RAF

    Norman Franks


    Arguably the highest scoring R.A.F. fighter pilot of the First World War, Edward 'Mick' Mannock's life, and most particularly his death, are still shrouded in mystery. Did he achieve as many victories as are sometimes ascribed to him? How did he die? Where did he die, and more pertinently, where do his remains now lie? Respected investigative historians Norman Franks and Andy Saunders have assessed all the evidence and cut through the speculation to build up a complete picture of the man and his achievements as a fighter pilot. Having unearthed much new and enlightening information, they present herein, perhaps the first truly balanced overview of his life. Vitally, they now also reveal exactly where Mannock VC fell in battle ninety years ago, and have now begun a quest to persuade the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to accept their findings, published here for the first time, along with numerous original photographs.returncharacterreturncharacter returncharacterreturncharacter REVI
    Albert Ball VC

    Chaz Bowyer


    In the 1st World War the daring exploits of pilot Albert Ball caught the imagination of the British public like no other. Ball acquired his wings in the RFC in January 1916 and was first posted to France in February of that year. Then he joined No 13 Squadron and for a six-week period in March 1916 saw almost constant action flying the Squadron's Bristol Scout. Moving to No 11 Squadron in May 1916, Ball's score quickly accumulated. He had acquired a reputation as a tenacious scout pilot, often flying alone in his Nieuport and invariably returning to base with a near empty fuel tank. In August he returned to No 11 Squadron and soon after became the highest scoring scout pilot of the time. Waging his solitary aerial war, Ball became a true inspiration to the RFC when its squadrons were being mauled. But his life was to prove tragically short and he was killed in action just before his 21st birthday leading a patrol of SE5's. He had accounted for forty-four German aircraft and was posthum
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    Albert Ball VC


    The Frightful First World War

    Terry Deary


    It's history with the nasty bits left in! Want to know: • What the ‘Fat King' did with food scraps and dead horses? • How sniffing your own pee could save your life in a gas attack? • Why a pair of old socks gave away top German secrets? Discover all the foul facts about the Frightful First World War - all the gore and more. 'The Frightful First World War tells you all the horrors and hardships of the war that was meant to last for four months...but ground on for four grim years.' The usual Deary humour flows through the 136 pages packed with facts, written in a variety of fonts and full of black and white illustrations and cartoons, from Martin Brown. 'Want to know how sniffing your own pee could save your life in the First World War?' Read on! Split into 5 chapters:- 1914 - The year of the first shot 1915 - The year of total war 1916 - The year of the Somme 1917 - The year of the mud 1918 - The year of exhaustion with an introduction, a `Test Your Teacher' se
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    The Frightful First World War


    The Trenches: A First World War Soldier, 1914-1918 (My Story)

    Jim Eldridge


    It's 1917 and Billy Stevens is a telegraph operator stationed near Ypres. The Great War has been raging for three years when Billy finds himself taking part in the deadly Big Push forward. But h is shocked to discover that the bullets of his fellow soldiers aren't just aimed at the enemy... This book while based on historical events is not portrayed as a normal history book. As it follows the character Billy Stevens, a fictional character through his experiences of WW1, serving in the British army. Basing his story on facts of the time and how he dealt with them, it really does bring home the sacrifices the men made in WW1. All in all a good read, and you dont have to like history to like this book, it is more about human endurance. BUY IT!!
    The First World War

    Conrad Mason


    In 1914, the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked off the most destructive conflict the world had ever seen. This is the story of the First World War, and the people who lived and died fighting in it. Told for children ready to tackle longer and more complex subjects, this title is part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts from the University of Roehampton.
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    The First World War


    World War I

    DK


    DK Eyewitness World War 1 is an exciting and informative guide to the Great War that centred on Europe between 1914-1918. Stunning real-life photographs, illustrating the people, places and stories, offer a unique "eyewitness" view of the conflict dubbed the 'war to end all wars'. From disaster to victory, show your child what life was like as a soldier and how they survived in the muddy trenches. They'll also discover all about the world-changing events that led to the start of the conflict. Then use the giant pull-out wall chart to decorate their room. Great for projects or just for fun, make sure your child learns everything they need to know about World War 1. Find out more and download amazing clipart images at www.dk.com/clipart.
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    World War I


    Aeroplanes of World War I

    Gordon C. Davies


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    Aeroplanes of World War I


    Archie's War

    Marcia Williams


    What was it like to be a child growing up in an ordinary family during the First World War? Organised like a scrapbook, this exciting book tells of the big shapes of the conflict and the way the war years were experienced by thirteen-year-old Archie and his family in London. There is a broadly chronological organisation: the events and privations of the early stages of the war and how these impacted on Archie and his family; Uncle Teddy's experiences in the trenches; the bombing of London; the final stages of the conflict, and then peace. These are conveyed and made credible for young readers by the main linking narrative in Archie's `voice'. Marcia Williams shows that the comic strip form can convey the full range of human situations and emotions - not least in her depiction of the moving story of Nurse Edith Cavell. The book's powerful visual impact makes it original and boundary breaking. Cartoons, photographs, visual jokes, mementoes, drawings and diagrams combine to provide a d
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    Archie's War


    The Best Christmas Present in the World

    Michael Morpurgo


    Echoes of Christmas 1914 in the trenches call to the present day when a letter found by chance in an antique desk brings one soldier's experience hauntingly to life. Heart-warming and spine-tingling, this is a perfect story to curl up with on a winter's night. This is what this author, the current children's laureate, does best. He has taken a familiar story - in this case Christmas Day in the trenches of 1914 - and given it a contemporary twist which delivers poignance and pathos. It all begins when an old letter is discovered in an antique desk... If you already know Morpurgo's work then you won't be disappointed. And if you don't yet know his writings, which run to over 100 published books, then this little gem is as good a place as any to begin.
    One Boy's War

    Lynne Huggins-Cooper


    Ages 7 & up Sixteen-year-old Sydney is overwhelmed by the excitement of the 1914 recruitment campaigns and the bravado of men leaving for the Great War. Bursting with enthusiasm, he runs away to join up but soon finds himself a long way from home in a frontline trench where reality — and the rats — begin to bite. Told through Sydney's optimistic letters home and his journal, this is a frank portrayal of the realities of life and death in the trenches of World War I. Atmospheric art and realistic but restrained storytelling bring this remote time and place to life for young readers. When his dad heads off to fight in the Great War in 1914, Sydney, 15, also wants to leave his small town in England and join up. After running away from Ma, he lies about his age and is soon in the trenches. Sydney’s first-person narrative is mainly composed of letters to his family that are excited and hopeful at first (Don’t worry . . . |we’ll be home by Christmas) but soon become scared and depresse
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    One Boy's War


    The Battlefields of the First World War

    Peter Barton


    This is a truly remarkable book. --Warbooksoutnow.co.uk I bought this shortly before a trip to the battlefields late in 2008, thinking it would make suitable reading while away. I was wrong, not least since this is a very big, very heavy book. Definitely one to be sat before at a table and considered seriously. So, no field-spotter's guide, but an amazingly revealing and informative reference book which has captivated me for many hours since my return. It is almost impossible to envisage what that part of the world was like during the war by visiting it today, even on a cold, damp and misty November. However, this book and the panoramas it contains help you mentally overlay the contemporary scene and glimpse into the alien world millions of men fought and died in. As with so much about the First World War, it comes as a shock, especially driving across today's customs-less borders, to think that so much effort and life was wasted doing little more than moving mud about.
    Holt's Pocket Battlefield Guide to Ypres and Passchendaele

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    Covering the important WW1 Battles of Ypres, including the notorious Passchendaele, this guidebook takes readers on a historic trip through some of the well-known and most important sites of the area. This book, part of a new series of guides, is designed conveniently in a small size, for those who have only limited time to visit, or who are simply interested in as an introduction to the historic battlefields, whether on the ground or from an armchair. They contain selections from the Holts' more detailed guides of the most popular and accessible sites plus hand tourist information, capturing the essential features of the Battles. The book contains many full colour maps and photographs and detailed instructions on what to see and where to visit.
    Battlefields of the First World War: A Traveller's Guide

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    Mons, Ypes, Passchendaele, Vimy Ridge, the Somme...The names are no less poignant three-quarters of a century on, and the emotional pull of the physical reminders of the First World is undiminished. This book covers all the major battlefields of the Western Front, including Mons, where the British Expeditionary Force under Sir John French went into action for the first time to halt the German advance through Belgium; Le Cateau, scene of the last of the old style one-day battles; Verdun, the fiercely defended stronghold which came to symbolize the fighting spirit of France; the Somme, where the British suffered a scarcely credible 60,000 casualties on the opening day of the five-month battle; St Mihiel, the first all-American action and a striking success for Pershing's Doughboys; as well as Cambrai, the Kaiser's Offensive and the British and American breakthrough on the Hindenburg Line. At each historic site the book describes the events leading up to the battle, the aims and tactics o
    Major and Mrs. Holt's Concise Guide to the Western Front - North

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    Mons; Le Cateau; 1st Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, 2nd Ypres; Loos; Aisne/Chemin des Dames; Verdun, The Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele; Cambrai; Kaiser's Offensive; St Mihiel/Meuse-Argonne; Hindenburg Line Following in the Holts' series of five best-selling Battlefield Guides comes this Guide to 15 of the First World War's most significant battles of the Western Front. Whether travelling on the ground or in the mind the reader is carefully and concisely guided through the Western Front with a mixture of succinct military history, cameo memories, poetry and informed opinion - as well as careful travel directions. Each battlefield has a brief Summary of the Battle, the Opening Moves, a description of What Happened and a Battlefield Tour of the most salient features, accompanied by a sketch map and photographs of the battlefield today. There are sections on Tourist Information and War Graves Organisations and a sketch map on the end papers puts the battlefields in Perspective. This book conti
    Major and Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guide to the Somme

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    We have been visiting the Somme for over 25 years. The Somme is to the British what Gettysburg or Yorktown are to the Americans. We know them all well and have conducted hundreds of tourists around each of them. If you are visiting the Somme in mind or body this book gives you the answers to the questions that we have been asked by hundreds of people. It has over 130 colour photos and comes complete with a separate four colour map showing battle lines, bunkers, cemeteries, memorials and grid references linked to the book entries. You learn how to get to places, how long it will take and how long to stay as well as what happened. There are suggested itineraries and tourist information.We use the book ourselves!
    Major and Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guide to the Somme

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    We have been visiting the Somme for over 25 years. The Somme is to the British what Gettysburg or Yorktown are to the Americans. We know them all well and have conducted hundreds of tourists around each of them. If you are visiting the Somme in mind or body this book gives you the answers to the questions that we have been asked by hundreds of people. It has over 130 colour photos and comes complete with a separate four colour map showing battle lines, bunkers, cemeteries, memorials and grid references linked to the book entries. You learn how to get to places, how long it will take and how long to stay as well as what happened. There are suggested itineraries and tourist information.We use the book ourselves!
    Before Endeavours Fade

    Rose E.B. Coombs


    From the Belgian coast, across the fields of Flanders, over the valley of the Somme and down the line to the Argonne: all the major battlefields of the First World War - Ypres, Arras, Cambrai, Amiens, St. Quentin, Mons, Le Cateau, Reims, Verdun and St. Mihiel - are criss-crossed in this book over more than thirty different routes, each clearly shown on a Michelin map. Every significant feature is described in detail. Indispensable for anyone contemplating a tour of the battlefields in Belgium and France, this book combines the years of knowledge, travel and research of its author, Rose Coombs, who worked at the Imperial War Museum in London for nearly forty years. Since her death in 1991, "After the Battle's" editor, Karel Margry, has travelled every route, checking and revising the text where necessary, as well as re-photographing every memorial. Many new ones have been added, including the new cemetery at Fromelles inaugurated in July 2010, yet we have striven to keep true to the fla
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    Before Endeavours Fade


    World War One: A Very Peculiar History

    Jim Pipe


    With the centenary of the outbreak of the The Great War coming in 2014, World War One, A Very Peculiar History commemorates the events of the time by looking at some of the incredible lengths, no matter how risky or bizarre, people went to to defend their country. From Front pigs to hairy beasts, author Jim Pipe looks at the nicknames coined at the time, while providing mind-boggling lists and figures about the battles, the equipment used and the harsh conditions the troops faced. Laced throughout this chronological description of the events leading up to and during the war are tales of human endeavour, charity and daring some scary, some quirky, and some truly unbelievable. So take time to take in the sheer scale of sacrifice, destruction and political tension that World War One resulted in, because we won t be able to ask, first-hand, what it was like to fight in World War One for much longer.
    Causes and Consequences (World War One)

    S ADAMS


    This series provides a detailed examination of one of the most disasterous wars in history. Packed with information, photographs and maps. Timelines and quotes put events in context and help to personalise them. For ages 10-16 years. A deep and important book on the 1st World War. Concentrating on the final stages, it gives an excellent picture of the shortages of munitions, artillery, manpower and communications, particularly of railways. In addition it provides a means of understanding the problems of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the aspirations of the minorities it contained.
    The Way it Was - 1st World War drama on the homefront

    Margaret Hurdman


    Kindle edition This is children's story, full of passion and drama, and written by well known medium, spiritualist and stage performer Margaret Hurdman, about the drama of family life on the home front, with the father of the house serving King & country in the First World War. Author Margaret is also known for her poems and other nostalgic children's stories which have spanned the generations and inspired many of today's youngsters. This latest story is taken from a batch of perviously unpublished stories that have lain dormant in her office for decades.
    The Donkey of Gallipoli: A True Story of Courage in World War I

    Mark Greenwood


    Ages 6 & up Often cheerless, this tribute to a WWI foot soldier and the donkey he used to evacuate the wounded doesn't shy away from representing the grimness of war. The husband-and-wife Greenwood (The Legend of Moondyne Joe) and Lessac (Caribbean Alphabet) tell of Englishman Jack Simpson, who, while fighting for Australia, stumbled upon a donkey. Greenwood matter-of-factly relates Simpson's brave deeds: "They made twelve to fifteen trips each day, carrying water to thirsty troops and returning with a soldier straddled over the donkey's back." Spreads showing the bandaged and bloodied are tempered by the naïve styling of the gouache illustrations. Only close examination of the dramatic scene of army boats going ashore under a barrage of Turkish gunfire will reveal the dead body floating in blood-tinged water. This account pays homage to the fallen of Gallipoli and one soldier's unique heroics in particular, though colorful folk art and a furry animal don't make the content any easi
    The Kid's Book of World War I: A Project and Activity Book

    Kathi Oram Peterson


    Ages 9 & up Revealing the causes, battles, and key players behind the Great War, this exploration provides a variety of hands-on activities for children, guaranteed to foster an appreciation for this complex period. Topics covered include Morse code, life in the trenches, the race for naval superiority, and tips on visiting museums and memorials. Featuring a collection of intriguing real-life wartime stories, biographies of notable world figures, and details on the food, music, and atmosphere of World War I, this educational book provides a deeper investigation into this historical era, spotlighting the United States’ emergence onto the international stage.
    The Emperor's Coloured Coat: In Which Otto Prohaska, Hero of the Habsburg Empire, Has an Interesting Time While Not Quite Managing to Avert the First World War

    John Biggins


    This book follows the hapless Lieutenant Otto Prohaska in the waning years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and finds Otto taking an ill-considered break from duties to engage in a mad fling with a Polish actress. After a desperate attempt to elude his lover's husband, he finds himself mistaken by anarchists as one of their own. Otto soon masters their code names and secret handshakes, but when he also learns of their plans to assassinate the Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, his duty is clear. He must alert his superiors—now, if only he can find someone who will believe him! From Publishers Weekly In this robust sequel to A Sailor of Austria, young Lieutenant Otto Prohaska of the Austro-Hungarian navy continues to narrate his adventures during the early years of this century, as he careens across Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, buffeted by lovely ladies, tyrannical lords and world events. Prohaska volunteers for flight training only to be shot down over a royal picnic, allowing him
    Locating World War I Military Records

    Jennifer Holik-Urban


    Kindle edition Locating World War I service records can be difficult because of the National Personnel Records Center Fire in 1973. This quick reference guide will give you ideas on places to search for additional records.
    Alexander Arnot's World War 1 Letters

    Jeremy and Helen Rawson (Editor)


    Kindle. A series of letters written home from the Front in the First World War offer a fascinating insight into life for the ordinary soldier caught up in that conflict.
    Over There War Scenes on the Western Front

    Arnold Bennett


    Kindle The book gives a poignant insight into 'life' in France on the Western Front in 1915. Easy to read,very informative and a brilliant author. This is a fairly short book. It appears to be a series of essays written by an American journalist on a visit to the Western Front. There is mention of the sinking of the Lusitania which was in May of 1915, but no references to events in early 1916 that would have been appropriate in context; so it would seem likely to have been written in the latter part of 1915. It could be argued that the book is propaganda; the text shows that the author clearly sympathises more with the allies than with the Germans. It is quite possible that the book was destined to be used to make the American public more aware of the conflict, and the nature of the combatents, and to encourage the US to provide support for the allies, but that doesn't detract from the quality of the writing which is really superb. I found the book truly fascinating. It con
    Aircraft of World War 1

    Kenneth Munson


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    Aircraft of World War 1


    The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, The Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches

    Harry Patch & Richard Van Emden


    'An extraordinary biography by the very last witness of a devastating four years in British history .. 'Patch is unique - living history on legs, articulate, with wonderfully vivid recall' ' Daily Mail 'Patch was not unique among millions of his comrades who endured that prolonged and supreme test of nerve and courage. But, uniquely, as the last survivor, he embodies them all' Sunday Express 'This articulate, modest and outspoken man not only remains one of the last living links with a traumatic event that has become part of the national consciousness, but is an unassailable witness of what the war was like for those who fought in it' Daily Telegraph 'A wonderful book' Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate Book Description Poignant and fascinating memoir from one of the the last veterans of the trenches. I had seen Harry interviewed on TV, as the world suddenly became aware that the old WW1 soldiers were fading away. He stood out from the rest as being sharp, witty and engaging. I felt I c
    Diary of a Prisoner in World War I

    Josef Sramek


    Kindle An authentic diary of Josef Šrámek, a Czech soldier drafted to the Hungaro-Austrian army to fight from the beginning of World War 1. He was captured by Serbs. He survived and describes a series of death marches through Serbia and Albania. He was then confined in a concentration camp at the italian island of Asinara which comprises an important part of his story. Later he was transfered to a more humanly captivity in France where his diary ends.
    World War 1

    A.G. Armstrong (Editor)


    Kindle Contents: World War I Causes of World War I African theatre of World War I Asian and Pacific theatre of World War I Naval warfare of World War I Italian Campaign (World War I) Eastern Front (World War I) American entry into World War I Hundred Days Offensive Weapons of World War I Aviation in World War I Ottoman casualties of World War I Rape of Belgium Opposition to World War I French Army Mutinies (1917) Aftermath of World War I
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    World War 1


    The Bridge Carpenter: memories of the 1st World War

    Neville W Tickner


    Kindle. The First World War was an overpowering event for Australia. Almost every family in the country had a member who served and every family in the country would have known someone who was killed or wounded. In his Short History of Australia, Manning Clark used the term “the fiery furnace” to aptly describe what Australian servicemen had endured, adding that some of those who had experienced it “had been uplifted by it, not beyond good and evil, but beyond the mean, the petty, the trivial and the unworthy”. This is the story of one such man. The son of English parents, Arthur and Mary Ann Goodwin, who immigrated to Australia in 1888, Edward (Ted) Goodwin was the eldest of two brothers who volunteered to serve in 1915. After over sixty years of keeping his memories to himself, he finally decided to record them before, like his eyesight, they too began to fade. This manuscript largely owes its existence to Mr Goodwin’s daughter-inlaw Niree, who patiently wrote down
    Edexcel GCSE Modern World History Unit 1 Peace and War: International Relations 1900-91 Student Book

    Mr Nigel Kelly, Robin Bunce & Laura Gallagher (Authors)


    Peace and War: International Relations 1900-1991 Student Book has been written by a team of experienced examiners and subject experts and is designed to build students' historical skills, understanding and knowledge. For me I'm not exactly one for individual revision and so I sat down with my sister and went through all the important dates in the back and I told her all about it as she flicked back and told me if I was wrong or right. This book helped me 100% and so with all the help from the book it got me an A.
    A Companion to World War I

    John Horne (Editor)


    Selected as CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for 2011 – 3.01.12 ′The recipe for this volume′s success is simple: take 30 or so of today′s leading specialists, provide them with five broad categories in which to articulate their understanding of this conflict, insist that bibliography be a priority, and oversee the project with a scholar who is himself a respected, widely published authority. The book′s 38 essays are grouped to treat five aspects of the struggle: origins, conduct, culture, a survey of the major individual states involved, and a finale that treats the peace conference and the war′s aftermath....[A] superb one–stop portal into the period.′ Choice ′Horne is to be congratulated for editing such a disparate group of essays into a cohesive whole′. Reviews in History ′This substantial and comprehensive work is an important contribution to the literature of a conflict central to the history of the modern world
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    A Companion to World War I


    1st Bedfordshires: Mons to the Somme Pt. 1

    Steven Fuller


    In August 1914 the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment were amongst the small professional British Army who gathered and prepared for a war that would `be over by Christmas'. With a long and proud history, dating back to 1688, the regiment's fighting men had already served through numerous wars and rebellions over and above long periods on garrison duties in the `Fever Isles', the New World, and throughout the expanding British Empire. So when war was declared the `Old Contemptibles' of the 1st Battalion would find themselves heavily engaged in more intense fighting during the first three months of the Great War, as it came to be known, than many of the newly raised `Service' battalions would experience during their entire existence. Despite heavy casualties, atrocious conditions, and a steep learning curve, they remained professional and stoic through the early fire and movement battles and then the stagnant, arbitrary nature of trench warfare. They endured pitched battles, heavy she
    The Impact of World War 1:AA312:Total War and Social Change Europe 1914-1955

    J. Chapman, Clive Emsley, David Englander, A. Marwick, Mark Pittaway, Bernard Waites (Authors)


    The second in a series of five books, "The Impact of World War I" examines how far World War I was a total war and the military and technological imperatives of the war. The nature of the war itself is explored, in conjunction with its geopolitical and social effects. A comparative study of the collapse of the Hapsburg empire and the Russian and German revolutions is also included.
    Royal Navy Roll of Honour - World War 1, By Name: Part 1

    Don Kindell


    World War 1 Roll of Honour of Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Naval Division men and women lost, 1914-18. Listed by Name. Compiled from original sources including Admiralty Death Ledgers and Admiralty Communiques. Foreword by Capt Christopher Page, RN, Rtd, Head, Naval Historical Branch of the Naval Staff. Downloaded version, available from www.naval-history.net, is searchable.
    Nice Girls and Rude Girls: Women Workers in World War 1

    Deborah Thom


    Drawing on official records, contemporary writing and oral history, the author examines the myth and reality of women's "experience of war" and shows that before 1914 they were often supporting dependants, had acquired considerble industrial experience, and how women's trade acitivity was growing. She studies the effect of "dilution and substitution" in making good the loss of industrial workers, the effect of "patriotic fervour", the industrial roles of women, wages, the effect on health and family life and demobilization in 1918-19. The war showed that women were capable of a variety of tasks and they made great sacrifices and contributions massively to the war effort. The effect of war-work has underlined women's posistions by their gender; they had changed but not improved their working lives. In 1916, Jennie Randolph Churchill wrote in her book Women's War Work, 'It is one of the virtues of war that it puts the light which in peacetime is hid under a bushel in such prominence t
    Forgotten Voices Of The Great War: A New History of WWI in the Words of the Men and Women Who Were There

    Max Arthur


    Max Arthur's compilation of First World War memories, Forgotten Voices of the Great War, offers a reminder of the scale of human experience within the 1914-18 conflict. Arthur, a military historian best known for his history of the RAF and his account of the Falklands campaign in 1982, has assembled hundreds of excerpts from the sound archives of the Imperial War Museum. Officers, rank-and-file troops, Australians, Americans, war widows, women in the munitions factories, and German soldiers too, all left oral testimony of their experiences, and these interviews provide the basis of the book. Arthur has put them in chronological and campaign order, and provided a general commentary, but beyond that, has left the rich and moving record to speak for itself. The sheer humdrum ordinariness of modern warfare--the mud and rain, the relentless loss of life and inevitability of death, the pointless routine of attrition--come over in the matter-of-fact recollections of so many. But so too does
    Albatros Aces of World War 1 Part 2: v. 2

    Greg VanWyngarden


    "Almost every page of the book has interesting black & white photographs of either the pilots, the airfields or the Albatros itself. The author does discuss each of the plane's strengths and weaknesses as expressed by the pilots themselves, as well as the factories which produced the aircraft. Being an Osprey book, there is also an eleven-page set of color plates of various Albatros showing the paint schemes used by specific aces - some from the side and some from the top. These are a nice reference for those looking to make their own counters for the game of Dawn Patrol." -Earl Leyda, "Aerodrome" "Part 2 deliberately avoids repeating coverage found in Part 1 (No 32 in the series), written several years previously by Norman Franks. Franks' book is organized by unit, while VanWyngarden takes a chronological approach. Both contain the usual color profiles and planform drawings. Chris Savaglio's technique for presenting natural wood in small scales...is ideal for the varnished wood Pro
    They Called it Passchendaele: The Story of the Battle of Ypres and of the Men Who Fought in it

    Lyn MacDonald


    The third battle of Ypres, culminating in a desperate struggle for the ridge and little village of Passchendaele, was one of the most appalling campaigns in the First World War. In this masterly piece of oral history, Lyn Macdonald lets over 600 participants speak for themselves. A million Tommies, Canadians and Anzacs assembled at the Ypres Salient in the summer of 1917, mostly raw young troops keen to do their bit for King and Country. This book tells their tale of mounting disillusion amid mud, terror and desperate privation, yet it is also a story of immense courage, comradeship, songs, high spirits and bawdy humour. They Called It Passchendaele portrays the human realities behind one of the most disastrous events in the history of warfare.
    Somme

    Lyn MacDonald


    This book looks at the Battle of the Somme, which was planned as "The Big Push" that would at last break the long stalemate on the Western Front in World War I. However the 18 divisions that went over the top between Arras and St-Quentin on the morning of 1 July 1916, walked into a battle that has gone down in the annals of human conflict as the slaughterhouse of a generation. The author has written other books about the history of World War I, including, "They Called it Passchendaele" and "The Roses of No Man's Land". To add to the other reviews (and it *is* a triumph of research, and tells you pretty much all you need to know about the campaign), one thing puzzled me. The book doesn't seem to cover the first day of the battle, the day which most people think of when they think of the Somme. One moment, the troops are about to leap over the trenches - and then we're at the next chapter, and we've skipped several hours into the future. I assume Ms MacDonald is trying to replicate t
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    Somme


    The Roses of No Man's Land

    Lyn MacDonald


    'On the face of it,' writes Lyn Macdonald, 'no one could have been less equipped for the job than these gently nurtured girls who walked straight out of Edwardian drawing rooms into the manifest horrors of the First World War ...' Yet the volunteer nurses rose magnificently to the occasion; in this book they get a chance to tell their own stories. In leaking tents and draughty huts they fought another war, a war against agony and death, as men lay suffering from the pain of unimaginable wounds or diseases we can now cure almost instantly. It was here that young doctors frantically forged new medical techniques – of blood transfusion, dentistry, psychiatry and plastic surgery – in the attempt to save soldiers shattered in body or spirit. And it was here that women achieved a quiet but permanent revolution, by proving beyond question they could do anything. All this is superbly captured in The Roses of No Man's Land, a panorama of hardship, disillusion and despair, yet also of enduran
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    The Roses of No Man's Land


    Somme Mud

    E P F Lynch


    SOLDIER Magazine, March 2008 'His observations on life in the line and of his emotions in battle strike a chord. Difficult to put down - it has the feel of being written by a soldier for soldiers' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. BIRMINGHAM POST, 8 March 2008 'This vivid first-hand account of the experiences of an ordinary infantryman, Somme Mud reaches us as the voice of an ordinary, but highly literate, private soldier who simply endured the horrors that surrounded him and got on with his job' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. I bought this book as it sounded an interesting read. At first the way it is written takes a bit of getting used to, it isn't written after all by a professional story teller - the original text was penned by a soldier, Private Lynch, on returning from the Great War where, as an Australian infantryman, he fought in the front line and acted as a 'runner' for his CO. On hi
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    Somme Mud


    1915 : The Death of Innocence

    Lyn MacDonald


    By the end of 1914, the battered British forces were bogged down, yet hopeful that promised reinforcements and spring weather would soon lead to a victorious breakthrough. A year later, after appalling losses at Aubers Ridge, Loos, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres and faraway Gallipoli, fighting seemed set to go on for ever. Drawing on extensive interviews, letters and diaries, this book brilliantly evokes the soldiers' dogged heroism, sardonic humour and terrible loss of innocence through 'a year of cobbling together, of frustration, of indecision'. Over two decades' research puts Lyn Macdonald among the greatest popular chroniclers of the First World War. Here, from the poignant memories of participants, she has once again created an unforgettable slice of military history. This is an excellent account of 1915, the year when gas was used for the first time, Gallipoli became infamous and time and again thousands of men died, on both sides, for little gain. The interleaving of first hand acc
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    1915 : The Death of Innocence


    Forgotten Voices of the Somme: The Most Devastating Battle of the Great War in the Words of Those Who Survived

    Joshua Levine


    1916. The Somme. With over a million casualties, it was the most brutal battle of the First World War. It is a clash that even now, over 90 years later, remains seared into the national consciousness, conjuring up images of muddy trenches and young lives tragically wasted. Its first day, July 1st 1916 - on which the British suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead - is the bloodiest day in the history of the British armed forces to date. On the German side, an officer famously described it as 'the muddy grave of the German field army'. By the end of the battle, the British had learned many lessons in modern warfare while the Germans had suffered irreplaceable losses, ultimately laying the foundations for the Allies' final victory on the Western Front. Drawing on a wealth of material from the vast Imperial War Museum Sound Archive, Forgotten Voices of the Somme presents an intimate, poignant, sometimes even bleakly funny insight into life on the front line: from the day-t
    Forgotten Voices of the Victoria Cross

    Roderick Bailey & The Imperial War Museum


    Forgotten Voices of the Victoria Cross by Roderick Bailey, is one of the finest books about Victoria Cross recipients published in the last five years. Based on interviews held at the Imperial War Museum, some sixty-odd recipients are dealt with in either eye-witness accounts of the VC deed, accounts by the recipients themselves, or by men who knew the recipient. The period covered dates from the First World War up to the Korean War, and the illustrations are excellent. As a researcher who has been interested in the Victoria Cross for well over thirty years,I strongly recommend this book to all - even those with just a passing interest. for me, it was a great revelation of 'the man behind the medal.' Roderick Bailey has done an excellent job, and after reading the book, I felt very humbled by what I had read. Highly recommended.
    On Her Their Lives Depend: Munitions Workers in the Great War

    Angela Woollacott


    In this evocative book, Angela Woollacott analyzes oral histories, workers' writings, newspapers, official reports, and factory song lyrics to present an intimate view of women munitions workers in Britain during World War I. Munitions work offered working-class women--for the first time--independence, a reliable income, even an improved standard of living. But male employers and trade unionists brought them face-to-face with their subordination as women within their own class, while experiences with middle-class women co-workers and police reminded them of their status as working class. Woollacott sees the woman munitions worker as a powerful symbol of modernity who challenged the gender order through her patriotic work and challenged class differences through her increased spending power, mobility, and changing social behavior.
    The Deluge: British Society and the First World War

    Arthur Marwick


    Praise for the book when it first appeared in 1965: 'Mr Marwick has ingeniously discovered a new approach: away from strategy and battles to the home front. He draws efficiently on the abundant sources, from memoirs to official papers, and brings them together in a clear narrative.' - A.J.P. Taylor, Observer 'He writes well, without over-writing; the result is a piece of social history, well conceived and well executed, which deserves the rank as a permanent addition to the historical literature of the First World War.' - Max Beloff, The Listener Product Description Almost continuously in print for 40 years, The Deluge is widely recognised as one of the classics of post-1960 British historical writing, and as the book which initiated the systematic study of the social consequences of modern war. Arthur Marwick describes life on the home front during the first total war in history, analysing the social changes that made Britain of the 1920s a vastly different place from the Brit
    Over the Top: Great Battles of the First World War

    Martin Marix Evans


    Kindle The early battles of the First World War during the autumn and winter of 1914 were open, mobile affairs of the kind long familiar to professional soldiers. By early 1915, however, a new type of war had emerged – trench warfare. Modern artillery and machine-guns had been employed in the Boer War only a decade or so previously, but the perfection of their use led to the creation of a static front: the Western Front. Attempts to circumvent this Front, notably at Gallipoli in 1915, only succeeded in perpetuating the same form of warfare. Over the Top offers an innovative examination of trench warfare on the Western Front and Gallipoli during 1914-18 in the major battles that influenced the outcome of the First World War.
    An Introduction to World War One

    David Kaufman


    Kindle Do you want to gain a better understanding of the key events of the First World War? Do you want to understand the reasons behind the conflict and who was to blame? Do you want to understand the consequences of the ‘war to end all wars’? Would you like to discover the impact on those involved? The Beginners Guide to the First World War is a compelling and accessible introduction to a conflict that was fought on a scale not seen before. The First World War is often only seen in terms of the narrow confines of the trenches on the Western Front, but this book places the reader in the global picture, taking them from the more familiar fields of northern France and Belgium to the Italian Alps, the wide open spaces of European Russia, the Atlantic Ocean and the Middle East. Learn how victories and defeats on one front affected others. Learn how the pressures of war led to the fall of the great multi-national empires in Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Ottoman Turkey and s
    The First Day on the Somme: 1 July 1916

    Martin Middlebrook


    Kindle On 1 July, 1916, a continous line of British soldiers climbed out from the trenches of the Somme into No Man's Land and began to walk slowly towards dug-in German troops armed with machine-guns and defended by thick barbed wire. By the end of that day, as old tactics were met by the reality of modern warfare, there had been more than 60,000 British casualties - a third of them fatalities. Martin Middlebrook's classic account of the blackest day in the history of the British army draws on official sources, local newspapers, autobiographies, novels and poems from the time. Most importantly, it also takes in the accounts of hundreds of survivors: normal men, many of them volunteers, who found themselves thrown into a scene of unparalleled tragedy and horror. Compelling and intensely moving, it describes the true events behind the sacrifice of a generation of young men - killed as much by the folly of their commanders as by the bullets of their enemies. I have just finished
    The Soldier's War: The Great War Through Veterans' Eyes

    Richard Van Emden


    'Thousands of books have been written about the Great War, but perhaps none so vividly evocative as The Soldier's War an extraordinary homage to a lost generation' Daily Mail 'In The Soldier's War, Richard van Emden has toiled in archives and hunted down caches of letters to tell the story of the war chronologically through the eyes of the Tommies who fought it' The Times 'Not the least remarkable aspect of Van Emden's trawl through the memories of these survivors is that they are accompanied by around 100 unpublished photos Since original images from the war's sharp end are rarities, these pictures - blurred and fuzzy though many of them are - are themselves worth the price of the book' Literary Review 'Van Emden manages to establish in an immediate empathy with these ordinary men of Britain, thrown into such horrendous conditions. They hope, moan, laugh, grieve, despair and pray their way through the four years of the 'war to end all wars" Time Out Review `Profoundly moving ... ext
    Major and Mrs Holt's Pocket Battlefield Guide to the Somme 1916/1918

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    The Somme is the epicentre for most people in the study of the First World War from a UK and Commonwealth perspective. Today the landscape and terrain are dedicated to the soldiers that fought and died there and Major and Mrs Holt's Pocket Guide to the Somme has been put together to take you around the area. This book, part of a new series of guides, is designed conveniently in a small size, for those who have only limited time to visit, or who are simply interested in as an introduction to the historic battlefields, whether on the ground or from an armchair. They contain selections from the Holts' more detailed guides of the most popular and accessible sites plus hand tourist information, capturing the essential features of the Battles. The book contains many full colour maps and photographs and detailed instructions on what to see and where to visit. Major & Mrs Holt are the Formost experts on battlefield touring. Their previous guides books including the Somme, Ypres, Gallipo
    Only A Dog - The True Story of a Dog's Devotion to His Master During World War 1

    Bertha Whitridge Smith


    Kindle This was the first book I purchased after I bought my Kindle. Its a great little book with some nice illustrations and its an easy read format. It was written during the first world war so there are plenty of references to the ' Beastly Hun'. Its written through the eyes of the little dog and I recommend it to any animal lover or reader of war books.
    1914-1918: The History of the First World War

    David Stevenson


    Sunday Times, September 2004 ' the most thorough account of the war human hand has yet assembled' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Independent, 3rd September, 2004 'this history of the 1914-1918 conflict surpasses all others. It is tough, erudit and comprehensive' I thought this a magnificent book. Its 600 pages are written in crystal clear English, covering the political, economic and military aspects of the War. The major campaigns of this global conflict are all well described, as is life on the home fronts of the Allies and the Central Powers. The origins are well described, while the chapters on the aftermath are particularly helpful. I recommend it strongly to those wishing to read a comprehensive history of the conflict for the first time, while those who have read other works on the War will find many new perspectives here. This book is superb value.
    World War I Trench Warfare: 1916-1918 Pt.2

    Stephen Bull


    "Once again a winner in my opinion. No, it still hasn't made me an expert on World War I, but has increased the knowledge base a little in a simple, easy to understand format. Osprey is to be commended for their continued coverage of this neglected period. I highly recommend this to any figure modeler or painter with an interest in this time period, for a general overview, and some interesting figure/vignette ideas. For those interested in a more detailed study of various countries uniforms during WWI, be sure to see some of Ospreys other offerings." -Dave O'Meara," Historicus Forma "(August 2005) Product Description The years from 1914 to 1918 saw a whole series of complex and very rapid changes in infantry tactics, which fundamentally altered the way wars had been fought for 150 years. This two-part study describes and illustrates the development: of infantry equipment and weapons; of support weapons; of field fortifications; and, most importantly, exactly how these items and techn
    World War I Trench Warfare: 1914-1916 Pt.1

    Stephen Bull


    "I've never been disappointed by any of the Osprey Elite Series of books and I certainly wasn't with this one. It rekindled an area of history for me I've always enjoyed... Has this book turned me into a WWI expert? No, it hasn't. Has it increased my knowledge of the era and refreshed an aging mind? Yes. Would I recommend this book to someone else? Without a doubt or second though about it, especially if they have the slightest interest in World War I and wished to increase their knowledge a little more." -Dave O'Meara, "Historicus Forma "(June 2005)
    Fortifications of the Western Front 1914-18

    Paddy Griffith


    Following the early battles of 1914 along the Marne and in the Ypres salient. World War I rapidly transformed from a war of movement into one of attrition, with the opposing sides entrenching themselves in a line of fortified positions from the Flanders coastline to the Swiss border. This title details the different styles of fortification used on the Western Front throughout the course of the war, from the early ditches of 1914 to the complicated systems of 1918. It explains the development of the 'defence in depth' German system and the British reaction to it, as well as illustrating the importance of the forts around Verdun and how they were defended.
    Oxford Student Texts: Wilfred Owen

    Helen Cross


    One of a series designed to provide a new, accessible approach to the works of great poets and playwrights. Each text includes general notes on the text; discussion of themes, issues and context; and suggestions for further reading. I bought this book for my English lit AS level, and found it extremely useful. It contains a comprehensive selection of Owen's poems and letters to his mother, background about Owen's life and WW1 and also notes on all of the works included. The notes are most useful as a supplement to notes learnt in school, as they are quite obscure but contain fascinating ideas and references which most other students would probably not know about. Although I was only studying poetry, the letters were also indispensable as a source of information on Owen's life, thoughts, and most of all the experiences which inspired his poetry. Overall, a must-buy for A level english and also for anyone interested in WW1 poetry as it makes a very interesting read!
    York Notes on Selected Poems of Wilfred Owen



    The Poems of Wilfred Owen

    Wilfred Owen


    In his draft Preface, Wilfred Owen includes his well-known statement 'My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity'. All of his important poems were written in just over a year, and Dulce et Decorum Est, S.I.W., Futility and Anthem for Doomed Youth still have an astonishing power to move the reader. Owen pointed out that 'All a poet can do today is to warn. That is why all true Poets must be truthful'. His warning was based on his acute observation of the soldiers with whom he served on the Western Front, and his poems reflect the horror and the waste of the First World War. This volume contains all Owen's best-known poems, only four of which were published in his lifetime. He was killed a week before the Armistice in November 1918.
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    The Poems of Wilfred Owen


    The War Poems Of Wilfred Owen

    Wilfred Owen


    A much needed selection of Wilfred Owen WAR poems, with a new introduction by Jon Stallworthy. This selection of Wilfred Owen's war poems is being published partly to provide an ideal edition of the poems for schools, who essentially read the war poems and need a short, thorough edition. It contains a new introduction by Jon Stallworthy, which is aimed at a general audience, but will be thorough and academic enough to work for schools as well. Constable have a similar edition planned, but Chatto's will be out first, and contains copyright material unavailable to other editions.
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    The War Poems Of Wilfred Owen


    The War Poems

    Siegfried Sassoon


    Sassoon, who lived through Word War One and who died in 1967, was, as the introduction to this book tells us, irritated in his later years at always being thought of as a "war poet". Understandable perhaps from the point of view of the poet: readers on the other hand might wish to demur. The poems gathered here and chronologically ordered, thereby tracing the course of the war, are an extraordinary testimony to the almost unimaginable experiences of a combatant in that bitter conflict. Moving from the patriotic optimism of the first few poems (" ... fighting for our freedom, we are free") to the anguish and anger of the later work (where "hope, with furtive eyes and grappling fists / Flounders in mud ... "), there comes a point when the reality of trench-warfare and its aftershocks move beyond comprehension: Sassoon knows this, and it becomes a powerful element in his art. As a book, the images have a cumulative relentlessness that make it almost impossible to read more than a few poem
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    The War Poems


    Wilfred Owen: A Biography

    Jon Stallworthy


    Surely one of the finest biographies of our time. (Graham Greene, The Sunday Times ) a worthy memorial to its subject (Kingsley Amis, Observer ) Lovely, well researched biography, with good and full information from childhood to death. Numerous photographs also accompany the text. It contains many useful quotes from Wilfred Owen's younger brother, as well as poems and excerps from letters by Wilfred Owen. The volume is finished off beautifully with an amazing afterward.
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    Wilfred Owen: A Biography


    Undertones of War

    Edmund Blunden


    An established classic ... accurate and detailed in observation of the war scene and its human figures (D. J. Enright ) n what is one of the finest autobiographies to come out of the First World War, the distinguished poet Edmund Blunden records his experiences as an infantry subaltern in France and Flanders. Blunden took part in the disastrous battles of the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele, describing the latter as 'murder, not only to the troops, but to their singing faiths and hopes'. In his compassionate yet unsentimental prose, he tells of the heroism and despair found among the officers. Blunden's poems show how he found hope in the natural landscape; the only thing that survives the terrible betrayal enacted in the Flanders fields.
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    Undertones of War


    Her Privates We

    Frederic Manning


    First published privately in 1929 as The Middle Parts of Fortune, Her Privates We is the novel of the Battle of the Somme told from the perspective of an ordinary private. This edition now restores all the 'prunings and excisions' that were made to the first edition because the bluntness of language was thought to make the book unfit for public distribution. An undisputed classic of war writing and a lasting tribute to all who participated in the war, Her Privates We was originally published as written by 'Private 19022'. Championed by amongst others Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, TS Eliot and TE Lawrence, it has become recognised as a classic in the seventy years since its first publication. Now republished, with an introduction by William Boyd, it will again amaze a new generation of readers. First published in 1929, Her Privates We is an extraordianry novel of World War 1. When it first came out, the novel was censored and its language which was considered too crude was cleaned up
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    Her Privates We


    Fear

    Gabriel Chevallier


    A rediscovered, controversial classic of war literature with a new introduction by John Berger The author's Clochemerle is possibly my favourite book of all time (close run thing with Treasure Island) and I'd never heard of this book. Being a bit of a Chevallier completist I bought this though, and was first of all struck by how sparse and serious this book is, certainly compared to clochemerle. I suppose this is inevitable given the subject matter but it is quite a departure none the less. Yes there are elements of humour present and much of the "seriousness" is expressed through irony and sarcasm (think Blackadder without the belly laughs) but on the whole this is a doughty work which I believe has to be at least partly if not wholly autobiographical. It is very readable however and has been beautifully translated so that the nuances of the French language have been preserved but English idioms have been used where appropriate. I would put this on a par with "Under Fire" by Henri
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    Fear


    Six Weeks: The Short and Gallant Life of the British Officer in the First World War: The Life and Death of the British Officer in the First World War

    John Lewis-Stempel


    Best research resource ever. Beautiful book (Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) ) Compelling (Julian Fellowes ) This well researched book tells the harrowing story of the men - or adolescents, many of them -who unhesitatingly answered the call by War Minister Lord Kitchener for volunteers, and continued to answer it even after it became clear that the life expectancy of a subaltern in the trenches averaged only six weeks... Lewis-Stempel is excellent on life in the trenches... for all the horror and pity of their struggle, their legacy is our freedom. (Andrew Roberts MAIL ON SUNDAY ) It is only rarely that a book deserves to be recommended unreservedly but John Lewis-Stempel's Six Weeks falls firmly into that category...This is a book that should be read by every young man who aspires to serve as an officer in the Army; it will educate him about how to behave in command of soldiers and about how to face the perils of war. (GUARDS MAGAZINE ) woven with great narrative skill...prese
    They Shall Not Pass: The French Army on the Western Front 1914-1918

    Ian Sumner



    A Chaplain at Gallipoli: The Great War Diaries of Kenneth Best

    Gavin Roynon (Editor)


    Many chaplains were not permitted to go near the Front in the First World War - others insisted on doing so, like Kenneth Best in the Gallipoli Campaign. Best had no military training before the war but he felt that he could only fulfil his pastoral role by getting close to the front line and working with the troops under fire. Best was attached to the 42nd East Lancastrians - the first Territorial Army Division to serve overseas in the conflict, so arguably the least experienced in the ways of war. In his diary we follow his progress through his initial training in Egypt and on to his arrival in Gallipoli in May 1915. Gallipoli has become notorious, even by the standards of the First World War. After a naval campaign to open up a supply route to Russia through Turkey failed, some 480,000 Allied troops were drawn into a land invasion in which hundreds of thousands were injured or killed. In his diary, Best records his efforts to encourage frightened men before they go over the top, to
    Retreat and Rearguard 1914: The BEF's Actions from Mons to the Marne

    Jerry Murland


    Jerry Murland is an ex soldier, mountaineering instructor and teacher. He is also the and author of the recent, and highly regarded Aristocrats Go To War. He brings the all rounder's approach to his analysis and history of wahat Basil Liddel Hart called "that thing apart", the regular British Army of 1914. This is a period and a subject in which I have a particular interest; Murland's book is one I opened with particular relish and closed without finding disappointment. Like the best of current military historians the author has the ability to knit his narrative of events with truly apposite personal stories and accounts. Drawn from published and unpublished papers and accounts, they both colour his work and inform the reader. Absurdly, the Pen and Sword's publicity release for the book describes the account of the 12 day, 200 mile, retreat from Mons as a "near rout, "over blood drenched miles". Murland gives the lie to such half baked blurb. Certainly, there was poor, broken, co
    Under Fire

    Henri Barbusse


    A graphic account of the First World War from the perspective of the French trenches. It powerfully evokes the mundane degradations of trench life as well as the drama and trauma of military action, showing how ordinary men responded to one of the greatest horrors mankind has inflicted upon itself. This was a great book. I have read many, to try to understand and remember what my recent ancestors endured. This is one of the four definitive memoirs or autobiographical novels I have read on the subject. The others are All quiet, Storm of Steel and Her Privates We. Storm of Steel, whilst having a certain melancholy, could not be described as anti-war! Her Privates We takles the position that warfare is sometimes necessary. All Quiet is famously anti-war. Under Fire is anti war, anti capitalist, anti class system, in some ways anarchic. Barbusse was already a recognised author when he started this novel, and he wrote much of it whilst still in the Trenches. In my opinion, the charac
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    Under Fire


    The Return Of The Soldier

    Rebecca West


    Every now and then I will read a novel that makes me wonder why I don't try to cut down on the other things in my life and dedicate more time to reading. The Return of the Soldier is one such book. It is to be frank a masterpiece which will greatly affect how you look upon the world and reflect on your own attitudes to life and love. The story is simple but the book is far from a simple story. It tells of a shell shocked soldier Chris who escapes the horrors of Flanders by blotting out the last fifteen years of his life and returning to a passionate love affair of the past. He has no recollection of what has occurred since, of his marriage to the gloriously shallow and vain Kitty, of his having to take on the responsibilities of providing the wealth to allow his family to continue their affluent existence, to furnish Baldry Court with beautiful things, of the death of his father and of his own son. But the story is not his; it belongs to the three women of his life: Kitty his wife,
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    The Return Of The Soldier


    The British Tommy 1914-18

    Martin Pegler & Mike Chappell


    World War I (1914-1918) was a watershed in British military and social history, and even now the repercussions can still be felt. No town or village in the British Isles escaped casualty, and the creative genius of a generation was wiped out, at an incalculable loss to society. This book looks in detail at how the British soldier lived, fought and died during the traumatic war years. Enlistment, training and all aspects of life on active service are carefully examined, including discipline, relaxation and even the type and quality of food that soldiers ate. The analysis of the British infantryman's experience is greatly aided by the memories of old soldiers, which provide an interesting and often vivid account of life on the Western Front.
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    The British Tommy 1914-18


    The German Army in World War I: v. 3: 1917-18

    Nigel Thomas


    ."..beautifully illustrated and the eight color plates show off a variety of WWI uniforms/equipment that are appropriate for armies that fought in the RCW...fills a very necessary spot in my wargaming library... As always, Osprey books form the first line of any 'attack' on a new period of study!" -"HMG Reviewing Stand" Product Description This third volume of a mini-series covering the German forces in World War I examines the troops that fought during the climax of the war on all fronts: the last great battles of attrition in the West (Arras, Messines, 3rd Ypres - Passchendaele/Langemarck - and Cambrai, 1917) and the collapse of Russia in the East. The 'Kaiserschlacht' campaign is covered, as are the German operations in Italy, the Balkans, and in support of Turkey in the Middle East. Uniform changes during this period reflected the introduction of new tactics and weapons and new types of troops, such as tanks and assault battalions.
    German Stormtrooper, 1915-18

    Ian Drury


    he first official German stormtroop unit was authorized on 2 March 1915 when the Supreme Command of the field army ordered the VIII Corps to form a detachment for the testing of experimental weapons and the development of approximate tactics that could break the deadlock on the Western Front. By the summer of 1915, stormtroop units were springing up throughout the German armies in the west, and by the end of 1916 official stormtroop battalions were established throughout the western armies, providing a deadly new threat for the Allies. This book examines the uniform, equipment and tactics of Germany's feared elites of World War I (1914-1918).
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    German Stormtrooper, 1915-18


    The German Army in World War I: 1914-15 Pt. 1

    Nigel Thomas


    ."..beautifull illustrated and the eight color plates show off a variety of WWI uniforms/equipment that are appropriate for armies that fought in the RCW...fills a very necessary spot in my wargaming library... As always, Osprey books form the first line of any 'attack' on a new period of study!" -"HMG Reviewing Stand" Product Description This is the first of three books that study the German Army of World War I in great detail. They give a comprehensive study of the organisation, uniforms, insignia and equipment of the Imperial German army - in practice the combined armies of Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony and Wurttemberg. This first volume covers the troops who fought at Mons, Arras, and 1st Ypres in 1914; in winter 1914; at Neuve Chappelle, 2nd Ypres, Artois and the Argonne, 1915; and in East Prussia and Poland, 1914-15. It reflects the impact of the first period of trench warfare on the uniforms worn at the outbreak of war.
    The French Army, 1914-18

    Ian Sumner


    .,."beautifull illustrated and the eight color plates show off a variety of WWI uniforms/equipment that are appropriate for armies that fought in the RCW...fills a very necessary spot in my wargaming library... As always, Osprey books form the first line of any 'attack' on a new period of study!" -"HMG Reviewing Stand" Product Description Initially the strongest of all the Allied armies, France's metropolitan and colonial units bore the greatest burden during the first two years of the Great War, and made a great contribution to the final victory. In common with most European countries, the pre-war French Army was based on a system of national military service providing conscripts who could be subject to recall as reservists for several years after. However, the advent of war, the crisis in manpower, and the development of new tactics and weapons brought radical changes. The influence of these factors on the organisation, equipment, uniforms and tactics of the French Army during Worl
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    The French Army, 1914-18


    Somme 1 July 1916: Tragedy and Triumph

    Andrew Robertshaw


    "This brief account of that day, the first of a battle that would drag on for several months, sets the Somme in its larger context of World War I history. It explains the reasons for the disaster and discusses the British and German successes of that day. The book includes orders of battle for the BEF, French, and German units engaged, brief bibliography, and a description of the battlefield today." -Thomas R. Kailbourn, "Military Trader Magazine" Product Description Somme is still on record as the largest number of deaths in any one day in any war. This book explores the myths of this infamous battle and explains the underlying causes of the conflict, as well as the use of mines, tunnels, gas and flame throwers by the British in combination with innovative tactics such as smoke. Covering the first day of the Somme, Andrew Robertshaw analyses the battle through November, explaining how British battle tactics developed as a result of the experience of the Somme. He provides an overvie
    Cambrai 1917: The Birth of Armoured Warfare

    Alexander Turner


    This title, the latest offering from Osprey's Campaign series, covers the action so dear to all armoured enthusiasts, the Battle of Cambrai. It was an action which history tells us included the first use of armoured vehicles in the role for which they had been conceived. Commonly believed to be the world's first tank battle, Cambrai has a unique position in the battle honours of the British Army, claiming to be the birth of what we now know as armoured warfare. Alexander Turner's book is an intriguing study on the use of armour as an operational shock weapon, for the appearance of tanks on the battlefield changed the practice of war for ever. He also demolishes some of the myths surrounding the action and places the emerging role of the tank into its historical perspective. Cambrai was not the first appearance of tanks on the battlefield - they had taken part in the Somme offensive at Flers-Courcelette in September 1916 to support the infantry - but it was the first time that they were
    The German Army, 1914-18

    R.J. Marriot & D.S.V. Fosten


    The Imperial German Army began the Great War (World War I) as the most professionally impressive conscript force in the world. This fascinating book by Donald Fosten and Robert Marrion explores in great detail the organization, tactics, weapons, uniforms, equipment and origins of this army that fought in World War I from its start in 1914 to their ultimate defeat in 1918. Numerous contemporary photographs serve to illustrate this engaging and informative text which covers such wide-ranging topics as conscription, artillery and the army veterinary service. Eight full page colour plates by military artist Gerry Embleton, together with extensive commentaries provide a wealth of information concerning the uniforms and equipment of troops from a variety of services.
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    The German Army, 1914-18


    First Ypres, 1914

    David Lomas


    Osprey's overview of the First Battle of Ypres of World War I (1914-1918). In the autumn of 1914 the original British Expeditionary Force faced a heavily reinforced German drive. Field Marshal Sir John French, the British Commander-in-Chief, had sent his men north in an attempt to take the fight into Flanders, so they could fight across open ground. History tells us that this was not to be the case. David Lomas chronicles the first of the trench-warfare battles, where lines that would remain almost static for the rest of the war were established. Although the Germans failed to reach the channel ports, the death knell had rung for the BEF, which was virtually wiped out in this brave defence.
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    First Ypres, 1914


    Trench

    Stephen Bull


    This book would serve both the amateur and seasoned historian well in their ongoing acquisition of knowledge regarding the Great War. --The Western Front Association 'Stand to!' Product Description 'Going up Beek trench on a dark night was no picnic. You started along a long narrow alley winding uphill, your hands feeling the slimy sandbag walls, your feet wary for broken duck boards round corners you dived under narrow tunnels two or three feet high, finally emerging into the comparative open of the front line trench' - Soldier, 1/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 1916. Stephen Bull provides a complete picture of trench warfare, from the construction of the trenches and their different types, to the new weaponry and tactics employed in defence and attack. Alongside his compelling narrative of the campaigns fought in the trenches from 1914 to 1918, annotated trench maps highlight particular features of the trenches, while photographs, documents, and first-hand accounts
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    Trench


    The German Army in World War I (2): 1915-17

    Nigel Thomas


    This book is the second volume in a three part series reviewing the organisation, uniforms and insignia of the German Army between 1915 and 1917. In particular it covers the uniforms and organisation of German Army during the period between the introduction of the German M1915 uniform on 21 September 1915 and the day before the opening of the British offensive at Arras on 8 April 1917. The text itself consists of 48 pages (including plates)and it is divided into 4 principal sections and an index. The type itself is compact and dense and requires careful attention while reading. This is very much a technical book dealing with both the broad strokes and the minutiae of the uniforms of the German Army of the period. The first section 1 deals with the German Empire and Army in 1915 and covers the High Command and higher formations of the German Armies, Corps, Divisions and Divisional establishments. Its value is mostly historic. The second section deals (briefly) with German strat
    The Red Baron: Beyond the Legend

    Peter Kilduff


    This is the first clear, fully-documented history of Manfred von Richthofen's short but glorious career as the greatest First World War fighter ace. The making of a legend The Red Baron: dashing airman, gallant gentleman, killer ace Written and researched by Peter Kilduff, First World War aviation expert and acclaimed authority on Richthofen Lead title in the Cassell Military Paperback series, firm favourites in the bookshops
    The Red Baron: The Life and Death of an Ace

    Peter Kilduff


    "Red Baron: The Life and Death of an Ace" tells the story of Manfred von Richthofen - from awkward 11-year-old cadet to fearless aerial combatant and charismatic leader."Red Baron" is not just a biography of an extraordinary hero, it also takes a wider look at the times in which he lived: the equipment, his enemies and comrades, the battles, the political climate that led to his eventual disenchantment and new evidence about the controversial circumstances of his death.Containing previously unpublished photographs and accounts from Richthofen himself, his 'circus' and his adversaries, this book is the most up-to-date reference on the life and times of the legend.
    Duel 7: Sopwith Camel vs Fokker Dr I: Western Front 1917-18

    Jon Guttman


    "In one of the book's best sections, Guttman compares the training and operational capabilities of British and German pilots. It's a topic too seldom addressed, especially in WWI literature, since manned flight was barely out of its infancy at that point. With more than 50 photos plus a dozen or more excellent profiles, cockpit views and action scenes, "Sopwith Camel vs Fokker Dr I" maintains the Osprey series' visual appeal. Its 80 pages represent a taut, well-conceived treatment of a topic that could easily fill three times that volume." -Barrett Tillman, "Aviation History "(May 2009) .."."Sopwith Camel vs Fokker Dr I" describes the challenges of establishing aerial superiority over the trenches in 1917... the two aircraft were a good match for one another, which makes them an excellent subject for the Duel Series... [A] great companion to other titles detailing the specific aircraft and can become an important part of any aviation reference library." -Chris Banyai-Riepl, "Int
    Under the Guns of the Red Baron: The Complete Record of Von Richthofen's Victories and Victims in Graphic Detail

    Norman L.R. Franks & Hal Giblin


    A superb addition to Grub Street Publications World War One aviation histories, this book covers, in detail, the Allied combat pilots and observers who were the crews of the 80 aircraft claimed as shot down by Manfred Von Richtofen. The book itself is thoroughly well researched,the authors having combed both British and German records to authenticate MvR`s claims. The result is probably the definitive listing of the 80 victories. However, it goes further by giving the biographies, and wherever possible, the photographs of each of the RFC/RNAS/RAF crewmen. This I found to be extremely moving.Looking at the faces and reading the life stories of the men from all parts of the British Commonwealth and aged from 18 to 38, you get a sense of the sacrifice made during WW1.
    Under the Guns of the Kaiser's Aces: Bohme, Muller, Von Tutscher and Wolff - The Complete Record of Their Victories and Victims

    Norman L.R. Franks & Hal Giblin


    Following their approach to identifying and describing all the airmen who were claimed by Manfred von Richthofen in "Under the Guns of the Red Baron", and by Immelmann, Voss, Goring and Lothar von Richthofen in "Under the Guns of the German Aces", air historians Franks and Giblin have put four more equally distinguished German aces of World War I under the microscope. In doing so, they profile not only the aces themselves, all of whome received the "Blue Max" - Germany's highest award for bravery in action - but also the Allied airmen they fought and downed. By extensive research into records, and studying maps, timings and intelligence reports - contemporary and retrospective - as full a picture as possible is revealed with photographic coverage of the many protagonists involved. All four of the aces, Bohme, Muller, von Tutschek, and Wolff were unit leaders at different times, one commanded a Jagdesgeschwader, the others commanded Jagdstaffels. All four were destined to die in actions
    Fighter Heroes of WWI: The untold story of the brave and daring pioneer airmen of the Great War

    Joshua Levine


    ‘A vivid, moving story of the men who fought the Great War in the Air. Quite superb.’ Max Arthur ‘Those magnificent men in their flying machines recount in their own words just how mad and magnificent it was to be an air-ace in World War One. Joshua Levine's compilation is enthralling and breathtaking’. Chris Powling, Classic FM Guestlist ‘This is a superior example of the genre from a writer at the top of his game.’ Air Marshal Stuart Peach The first heroes of the air. Rewriting the rules of military engagement and changing the course of modern history as a result, the pioneering airmen of the First World War took incredible risks to perform their vital contribution to the war effort. Fighter Heroes of WWI is a narrative history that conveys the perils of early flight, the thrills of being airborne, and the horrors of war in the air at a time when pilots carried little defensive armament and no parachutes. The men who joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1914 were the
    Spad VII Vs Albatros D Iii: 1917-18

    Jon Guttman


    "Authoritatively researched, documented, and presented... Students of Albatrosen or SPADs in particular, and WWI air combat in general should be thrilled by this book." - Frederick Boucher, AeroScale "As with all Duel volumes, this one features helpful maps, rare photos and superb artwork. Five Stars." -Barrett Tillman, "The Aerodrome" ."..this 80-page work contains all that most readers would ever want to know about comparing these two fabled fighters." -Peter Kilduff, "Between the Bookends" When originally conceived, the French SPAD VII and German Albatros D II represented steps away from an emphasis on manoeuvre in aerial combat in favour of speed and durability. At the end of 1916, however, Albatros tried to have the best of both worlds. The result combined the better downward view and manoeuvrability of the Nieuport with the power and twin machine guns of the Albatros D II. At the same time, the French worked to improve the SPAD VII with more power and a more reliable coo
    Aces High: War in the Air Over the Western Front, 1914-18

    Alan Clark


    Aces High serves to remind us that, if not an entirely scrupulous politician, nor a perfect husband, Alan Clark really was a superb military historian. There has evolved something of a myth about the war in the air between 1914-1918. The myth goes that, while in the filth and gore of the trenches below, any idealism and chivalry quickly sputtered and died in the purer air above; the last noble heroes battled with each in one-to-one dogfights like knights of old. It is a myth that Clark shoots down in flames, with characteristic iconoclasm. One of the great RFC aces was Mick Mannock, famed for his encounter with a training instructor, out in a formation of six with five of his very green-horned pupils. Mannock first shot down the instructor and then ruthlessly pursued each of the novices and shot them down one by one. This wasn't chivalry, it was war, and although more elegant to watch, it was every bit as lethal as Passchendaele. The book is also superbly illustrated; there is a photog
    German Fighter Aces of World War One

    Terry C. Treadwell & Alan C. Wood


    The story of the legendary pilots and their daring exploits. World War One was the first truly modern war fought with modern equipment and for the first time the new-fangled aircraft were to play their part. The war created a new breed of men: brave, resourceful and skilled at piloting the new fighter aircraft. Many became household names and their exploits became legendary. At a time when, for some, their flying time could be counted in hours before they were shot down, the war inspired a group of elite pilots - the Aces. Those that fought on the German side included Frieherr Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron), Ernst Udet and Herman Goering (later to play a prominent part in the Second World War).
    Spad XIII Vs. Fokker D VII: Western Front 1916-18

    Jim Laurier, Mark Postlethwaite & Harry Dempsey


    ""SPAD XIII vs Fokker D VII "is the gripping story of two of the best fighters produced in World War I-the SPAD XIII and the Fokker D-VII-as they dueled in the skies above the trenches in the closing months of the war. Never before published artwork, including fascinating cockpit illustrations, reveal several dramatic clashes between the two foes while diary entries and first-hand accounts from the pilots bring this classic World War I duel to life with intimate detail." -"Flying Models "(August 2009) "In this book, the author, Jon Guttman, discusses the development of both aircraft as well as their technical specifications and deployments to the front. Pilot training and tactics are also part of the story and one will find quite a few 'I was there' stories to add some spice to the book... In all, a superlative inclusion to this series. It is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and is one that I know you will find a delight as well." -Scott Van Aken, "Modeling Madness www.mode
    The Red Fighter Pilot: The Autobiography of the Red Baron

    Manfred Von Richthofen


    The autobiography of the "Red Baron", Manfred von Richthofen, written shortly before his death in April 1918. New introduction gives a brief history of the birth of aerial combat. Of course everyone has heard of the myths about the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, but this book tells the real story, in his own words. Richthofen tells us about his early life, how he joined the army as a cavalry officer before going to flight school, and his experiences as the top-scoring fighter ace in World War One. This version of Richthofen's autobiography also has a number of interesting photos which illustrate the world in which the Red Baron flew, fought, and died. It also includes a very nice introduction which gives a short historical background of the First World War and the development of the airplane as a military weapon. Richthofen's accomplishments are placed in the context of earlier air aces like Roland Garros, Max Immelman, and Oswald von Boelcke, the German ace who took the y
    Jagdgeschwader II Geschwader 'berthold'

    Greg VanWyngarden


    After struggling with inadequate supplies of aircraft and materiel, the veteran pilots of the Geschwader would go on to enjoy incredible successes against French and American opponents in September 1918. Aces who flew the famous blue-fuselaged Fokkers of JG II included such stalwarts as Josef Veltjens (35 kills), Georg von Hantelmann (25 kills), Franz Buchner (40 kills) and Ulrich Neckel (30 kills). This volume contains many first-hand accounts by these and other notable aces, which reveal the esprit de corps and camaraderie these airmen displayed in their struggles against superior numbers up to the war's final grim days. There are warriors and then there are WARRIORS. Rudolf Berthold, a WWI Jagdflieger, fell into the latter category. Berthold first flew combat in 1914 in primitive Fokker Eindeckers. Repeatedly wounded, Berthold's fierce nationalism drove him on. Running up 20-odd kills, by 1918 he was a respected Jasta leader. His greatest glory came in March 1918 when he assume
    Fokker D VII Aces of World War I

    Norman L.R. Franks & Greg Van Wyngarden


    "With Sopwith Camel Aces of World War I "and "Fokker Dr I Aces of World War I: ""The prolific Norman Franks is the author of all three of these books, though he shares the credit with color expert Greg Van Wyngarden for the two German tomes. Franks is a highly regarded aviation historian, and Van Wyngarden is recognized as one of the top authorities on World War I aviation markings, so you can bet that what you see is a fair representation of historical hues. I recommend these books, and you will find the entire series to be worthwhile additions to your library." -Mike Corr, "Aerodrome" Designed in a great rush at the end of 1917 just in time to take part in the German standard fighter competition held in January/February 1918, the D VII easily walked away with first prize. As Germanys premier fighter unit, von Richthofens JG I (led by Hermann Goring in the wake of the 'Red Baron's' recent death) received the first examples of the D VII to reach the frontline in late April. Built to
    Goshawk Squadron

    Derek Robinson


    World War One aviators were more than just soldiers they were the knights of the sky, and the press and public idolised the gallant young heroes. But for Stanley Woolley, commanding officer of Goshawk Squadron, the romance of chivalry in the clouds is just a myth. There are two types of men up there: victims and murderers, and the code he drums into his men bans any notion of sport or fair play. This produces better killers but, even so, Wolley believes the whole squadron will be dead within three months. Derek Robinson quietly builds the day-to-day details of these mens lives and deaths into a powerful indictment of war. But this classic of war literature is also very funny, often painfully so; Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, this is Derek Robinson's masterly novel of the war in the air over the Western Front in 1918. Robinson writes excellently here and in his other books about fliers in WW1 and WW2. Dark, funny and best of all unsentimental. I've just finished "A Damned Good Sh
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    Goshawk Squadron


    Diary of a Young Soldiers World War I: Yound Soldiers in World War 1

    Dennis Hamley



    The Great War: Opening Moves 1

    H.W. Wilson (Editor)


    If you are lookng for the definitive history of the First World War, keep lookng. This series of books are re-prints of Circa 1920 British home front popaganda. The photos though numerous have been reprinted using a cheap photo-static plate process which does not reproduce the quality of the original volumes. The dust jacket leeds one to beleive that the buyer is getting a moderen top quality book . Do not be fooled. I would expect an American to give a biassed opinion of history- the first history of the civil war was written 4 years after the event. This book is definitive history in the making -12 volumes of it- and if it is propoganda, it is history to us who know so little about the causes and injustices of the times. You won't get anything more factual if you are able to read behind the hype.
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    The Great War: Opening Moves 1


    The Great War: The Illustrated History of the First World War, Vol.2: Digging In

    H.W. Wilson (Editor)



    British Postcards of the First World War

    Peter Doyle


    If there is one area of ephemera which captures the social history of the First World War, it must be the picture postcard, and Peter Doyle's book explores the subject thoroughly in a well researched and illustrated volume. Despite being a fairly new phenomenon (the current format of the picture-postcard dates from less than twenty years before the outbreak of the war), the postcard was quickly adopted as the ideal medium for expressing patriotism, keeping up the spirits, and conveying information. Doyle's book shows how the card was used to reinforce morale, as a recruiting medium, to share experiences of the Home Front, and to make fun of the enemy. Perhaps the most iconic are the silk-embroidered cards, sewn in sheets by French and Belgian civilians, and sold individually to soldiers, to be sent home in envelopes. Each of these, with designs ranging from birthday wishes to regimental crests, cost usually more than a shilling, representing a day's pay, itself a symbolic figure.
    Postcards from the Trenches: Images from the First World War

    Andrew Roberts (Introduction)


    For both Trenches and Russian Revolution: "With introductions by historian Andrew Roberts, these attractive books will interest the casual reader and bear close inspection by the specialist. Viewed from the angle of their postcards, the Russina Revolution and World War I become accessible and multifaceted on a human level, allowing readers a glimpse into aspects of those turbulent times that most will not have seen before."-Army This book is disappointing. It's postcard-sized--which is alright as a gimmick--but has hardly any content to make for it. Nevertheless, we are told in a short, tiny-fonted introduction, it was assembled from a collection of thousands amassed since boyhood by someone named John Fraser. There are a few good images but most are bland. I've started collecting WWI postcards in the last year and even I own some found in the book. There are no German postcards at all--and they produced the best ones! Wait for Postcards From the Trenches to hit the bargain table, t
    Women in the First World War

    Neil R Storey & Molly Housego


    At first,I was slightly disappointed to find that this book is only 62 pages long as I had thought given the title of the book, it would be much longer. The chapters cover nursing, munition work, on the land, uniform and demob. There is a good selection of old black and white photos, together with war posters and memorabilia from that era. This book is probably best suited to a GCSE student who is looking for some background information. This book is fabulous! I never really knew much about the first world war because I find all wars really saddening anyway I read this book about the women in WW1 and its amazing how much they did not just for our country, but for our businesses and for women today - for example women were only allowed to wear trousers during WW1 because of the women who took over the mens jobs in factories and farms. Ladies - can you imagine not being able to wear whatever you wanted? It's crazy! But this book is a fabulous read and if you want to learn a bit
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    Women in the First World War


    British Campaign Medals, 1914-2005

    Peter Duckers


    This book surveys the medals awarded to British personnel for military service around the world and in two world wars. The campaign medals awarded for the military actions have become a popular field for collectors, since the majority of British awards were officially named, thus making it possible to research the military career of an individual or regiment. This second edition has been extended to include the operations of the British forces in the opening years of the twenty-first century. OK, we are not talking about a book for experts here, but £4.99 wont buy a lot these days, however if you are a collector or researcher with even the slightest interest in British medals, this is one book you should certainly buy. It is a splendid and invaluable source of reference covering the war and campaign medals awarded to British service personnel between 1914 and the present day. It is smack up to date, it is very readable, handy in size and provides more than enough information to c
    British Army Cap Badges of the First World War

    Peter Doyle


    The fascination with the British involvement in the First World War extends to all aspects of the conflict. The battles and their outcomes; the armies and their leaders; the conditions of trench warfare; and the controversies form part of the growing literature examining every aspect of a war that was to cast a shadow over the rest of the twentieth century, the effects of which are still being felt today. For the British army, the cap badge is the most easily identifiable form of insignia. It represents a distillation of the pride of the regiment, its various battle honors and symbols borne proudly on the metallic emblem that was worn on all headdress, even within the trenches. Identification of the cap badge on old photographs is a first, important step in unraveling the military service of an individual. Cap badges have been collected avidly since they were first thought of in the nineteenth century. Cap-badge collecting is as popular now as it has ever been; yet with a growing n
    Arras: The Spring 1917 Offensive in Panoramas Including Vimy Ridge and Bullecourt

    Peter Barton


    "'Astonishing ... made my heart sigh' Independent 'An extraordinary set of panoramic photographs that reveal the battlefields of the Western Front as never before.' The Times 'Hauntingly magnificent' Navy News 'His works are widely regarded as milestones in the gaining of a balanced understanding of the First World War.' Soldier magazine" This title features unseen panoramas of the most dangerous battle of the First World War. In spring 1917, Allied troops on the Western Front began the largest ever artillery barrage on German positions, using over 2.7 million shells. During the battle they succeeded in capturing the famous Vimy Ridge. But the ultimate cost of fighting was immense, with a daily casualty rate 40 per cent greater than the Somme and almost double that of Passchendaele - making it hour for hour the most dangerous major campaign of the First World War. In this major new account of the conflict, Peter Barton showcases over 50 re-discovered British and German panoramic pho
    The Great War Handbook

    Geoff Bridger


    Geoff Bridger's The Great War Handbook answers many of the basic questions newcomers ask when confronted by this enormous and challenging subject - not only what happened and why, but what was the Great War like for ordinary soldiers who were caught up in it. He describes the conditions the soldiers endured, the deadly risks they ran, their daily routines and the small roles they played in the complex military machine they were part of. His comprehensive survey of every aspect of the soldier's life, from recruitment and training, through the experience of battle and its appalling aftermath, is an essential guide for students, family historians, teachers and anyone who is eager to gain an all-round understanding of the nature of the conflict. His authoritative handbook gives a fascinating insight into the world of the Great War - it is a basic book that no student of the subject can afford to be without.
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    The Great War Handbook


    British Campaign Medals of the First World War

    Peter Duckers


    Today, with a growing interest in British military history and particularly in family history and genealogy, more and more people want to trace their ancestors' past. This book looks in detail at the origin, types and varieties of the British medals awarded for general war service between 1914 and '18, and gives advice on researching the awards and their recipients.
    British and Commonwealth War Cemeteries

    Julie Summers


    In 1917 a remarkable organisation came into being. Its brief was vastly ambitious: to commemorate the 1,100,00 men of the British Empire who lost their lives in the First World War. The Imperial War Graves Commission was the creation of one man, Sir Fabian Ware, whose energy and determination brought together some of the greatest designers and architects of the early twentieth century. This book looks at the history of the war graves for British and Commonwealth servicemen and women, and examines how modern remembrance has been shaped by the work of Ware and his contemporaries after the First World War.
    Home in Time for Breakfast: A First World War Diary

    Stuart Chapman


    The shells are nothing in comparison to the everlasting torture of lice and the loathsome mud. To see me trudging along one would take me for an old man of sixty. Stuart Chapman was one of the lucky ones. A young soldier suffering staunchly through the nightmare of trench life in World War One, he returned to his native shores after the Armistice in one piece, unlike so many of his generation, many of whom never reached majority age. Chapman faithfully recorded his day-to-day life in France from 1916 to 1919, touching upon not only the squalor, violence, sheer exhaustion and astonishing discomfort but also the valour, comradeship and sacred moments of frivolity. This diary offers a unique perspective - of one who felt, lived and saw what history books can only recount from much-repeated facts. The fight was for the greater good, but set the tone for a century that darkened from there onwards. I highly recommend this book. This is a day to day diary evoking all the smells, horror and
    An Officer's Manual of the Western Front 1914-1918

    Edited by Dr Stephen Bull


    Many people have the idea that the 'Great War' on the Western Front was simple, if ghastly, to fight -- with few tactics, and unbroken, monotonous, trench lines as the main feature of the battlefield. In such a scenario soldiers with rifles and bayonets charging each other in blind obedience to stupid repetitious orders are imagined as archetypal of battle. Though undeniably bloody the war was in fact a ferment of new ideas and new weapons. Gas, flame throwers, super-heavy artillery, concrete bunkers, tanks, aircraft and other innovations were all introduced, whilst older notions such as barbed wire, machine guns and armour took on a new lease of life. If you are fascinated by this time period or have an interest in the military, I would definately recommend this book. It gives a compelling insight into the beuracracy behind a war that not only changed the direction of World affairs but also brought with it a modernised, mechanised style of warfare. It's filled with tactical info
    The Somme

    Peter Barton


    "* Astonishing... made my heart sigh' Independent * 'An extraordinary set of panoramic photographs that reveal the battlefields of the Western Front as never before. 'The Times * 'The book is a magnificent effort and most impressive - one could almost say unique' Lyn Macdonald" Not only does this book contain period photographic panoramas of the battlefields with 'present day' views (which are superbly done) it also gives the reader a 'blow by blow' account of the Somme battle by using numerous eyewitness reports and detailed photographs, beautifully detailed maps and illustrations. This is a gem of a book and out of all the books I've read on the subject ( too many to mention!) this is unbeaten for generating the atmosphere of the battle, complete with all its horrific detail. If you are planning to visit the battlefield, this book will prove to be a 'must have' companion. Simply one of the best books available on the subject. Buy it and I can guaratee you won't be disappointed.
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    The Somme


    Old Soldiers Never Die

    Frank Richards


    Frank Richards served in the 2/ Royal Welch Fusiliers along with (at one time or another) Robert Graves and Siegfried Sassoon, and Dr Dunn (compiler of the amazing 'The War That The Infantry Knew'- possibly THE best battalion history of WW1- and a good companion to this book as its interesting to cross reference small incidences somtimes...). Anyway, Richards was slightly different to his literary contemporaries in that he was 'Other Ranks', and a miner by trade. He was recalled to the colours in 1914 after several years on the reserve, and served as a Private right through to 1918. He writes his story as one would imagine he spoke- and for me as I read it, it was a style as if he was telling me his war history in anecdotes down the pub or something, supping over a pint of mild: theres no deep soul searching here, but plenty of bitterness, a lot of detail, and what an experience he had... So if you don't have this in your collection then get it now- one of the very few 'OR' books (I
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    Old Soldiers Never Die


    Walking Arras

    Paul Reed


    As is always the case with Paul Reed's books, the subject is extremely well researched and makes for an interesting read. The battlefields of Arras have largely been overshadowed by those of the Somme and Ypres. This guide goes a long way to fill the void and helps to give the battlefield walker a view of the terrible events which took place there. At last- a guide to the neglected battlefields of Arras! Paul Reed has again done an excellent job in collecting information and writing this guide to the Arras area. I have visited War Cemeteries in the area many times, but have always wanted to know more about what happened there, and what still survives to be seen in the area, and this book covers it all, and will be put to good use on my next visit. Well done Paul, this book is a must for anyone visiting the area, and I can't wait to try it out.
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    Walking Arras


    World War I in Cartoons

    Mark Bryant


    "Bryant follows up his magisterial Second World War volume... brilliantly realised and often revelatory... a wonderful book." In an age before TV and radio the impact and importance of cartoon art was immense, especially when the only sources of information were silent cinema newsreels, posters, newspapers and books - all largely black and white. The cartoon had an immediacy and universal accessibility, giving a message words could not convey. So, not surprisingly, the Great War proved an extraordinarily fertile time for cartoonists. When Zeppelins blackened the sky and U-boats challenged the Royal Navy's supremacy at sea, it was Heath Robinson's crazy cartoons and the antics of Bairnsfather's immortal 'Old Bill' that kept the British upper lip resolutely stiff. And who could take Kasier Bill, the Red Baron and all the mighty Prussians at all seriously when H.M. Bateman and Bert Thomas cocked a snook at all they held dear and the pages of "Punch", "Bystander", "London Opinion", "Le
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    World War I in Cartoons


    Warrior: The Amazing Story of a Real War Horse

    General Jack Seely


    December 2011 sees the premier of Steven Spielberg's much anticipated film, 'War Horse', which is the most popular piece of fiction ever written about horses in war. 'My Horse Warrior', first published in 1934 is equally wondrous fact. It is told by Winston Churchill's great heroic friend, Jack Seely, about the thoroughbred horse he took to France in 1914 surviving five years of bombs and bullets to lead a cavalry charge in 1918 before returning home where they rode on together until 1938, their combined ages (70 + 30) totalling 100. The book tells the whole history of Warrior from his birth in an Isle of Wight field, to his amazing life as a famous war horse and how a combination of both the horse's extraordinary character and some unbelievable twists of fate, helped him survive a war which claimed the lives of 8 million horses. This new edition is introduced by Jack Seely's grandson Brough Scott, a well-known broadcaster and journalist. It includes the original illustrations which eq
    Trench Art

    Nicholas J. Saunders


    This is not a catalogue of the different types of 'Trench Art' available to the collector. Nicholas Saunders has taken a more academic approach to the subject, looking into the reasons for the 'Trench Art' in the first place, as well as suggesting methods of classification rather than just by type of item. Covering methods, location and era of manufacture this is a book not only for the 'Trench Art' collector and 'militaria' buff, but also for anyone with an interest in the social history of the period 1914-1939. Written in an easy style, with many superb photos this book is sure to become a definitive work on the subject. In this book Nicholas Saunders has answered most, if not all, of my questions on this subject. He has exhaustively researched this much ignored field of militaria and the book includes some astounding photographic records of trench art being crafted 'in the field' and even contemporary adverts for having your 'souvenirs of the war' professionally mounted etc ! Th
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    Trench Art


    The German Army at Ypres 1914

    ack Sheldon


    This book will be the first complete account of the operations of the German army in the battles north of Lille in the late autumn of 1914. The main emphasis will be placed on the battles around Ypres against the Old Contemptibles of the BEF, but the fighting against the French and Belgian armies will also be featured, thus providing fresh, broader, insights into a campaign. There are those who consider that the BEF was all that saved world civilisation as the first year of the Great War drew to its end. The book uses the comprehensive histories of the participating German regiments found in the Kriegsarchiv in Munich and the Hauptstaatsarchiv in Stuttgart. Their use adds authority and authenticity to the book. The narrative adopts a chronological approach. The book focuses on some of the most bitterly disputed battles of the first three months of the war, when the Germans strained to achieve a breakthrough and the BEF resisted heroically, at the price of its own destruction. The book
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    The German Army at Ypres 1914


    A Very Unimportant Officer: Life and Death on the Somme and at Passchendaele

    Captain Alexander Stewart & Cameron Stewart


    The immediacy, candour and sheer literary merit of his journals make this an important new source for the Great War . . . a very remarkable man.' (Evening Standard ) 'something unusual and fresh on the subject of the Great War . . . edited sympathetically and unobtrusively by his grandson.' (The Times ) 'A vivid account of an infantry officer's war on the Western Front . . . should be required reading for those who really want to understand the war.' (Richard Holmes, author of Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front ) 'His trench diaries show a different aspect of World War I from the usual images of industrial massacre.' (Time Out ) Rediscovered after 80 years gathering dust on a family bookshelf and first brought to public attention on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, A VERY UNIMPORTANT OFFICER is a detailed and intimate account of the experience of Captain Stewart, an ordinary officer in the front line in France and Flanders throughout 1916 and 1917. Recruited t
    When This Bloody War is Over: Soldiers' Songs of the First World War

    Max Arthur


    The songs of the First World War represent the ascendancy of the human spirit over the cruel inhumanity of the war itself.' --Lyn Macdonald The haunting songs of the First World War still have a powerful emotional impact. These are the funny, bitter, sad and romantic words the soldiers actually sang on the march, in the dug-outs and trenches. Amidst the appalling carnage of the battlefield, the stoic courage and endurance of the ordinary soldiers shines through in songs like No More Soldiering for Me and It's a long, long way to Tipperary. This attractive and evocative book cannot fail to delight and move anyone with an interest in the First World War.
    Memorial to the Missing of the Somme

    Gavin Stamp


    To Great War enthusiasts, military historians and battlefield tour guides, architects and family history researchers, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme at Thiepval needs little if any introduction, as this most impressive monument which bears the names of 73,000 British Commonwealth servicemen whose bodies were never identified, not only stands out magnificently in the French countryside for miles around, but is also known by thousands worldwide. The first time I saw this structure, I was awestruck and although I have visited it many times since, I never cease to be amazed at both the incredible loss of life and the creativity of the architect who designed this imposing structure. Thiepval is an iconic memorial to the Great War and as such, it attracts thousands of visitors each year. A large number visit it out of curiosity, however the vast majority visit it during a battlefield tour or on a side trip to see the name of a long lost ancestor who died fighting for King and co
    The Virago Book of Women and the Great War

    Joyce Marlow (Editor)


    Another contribution to the growing body of work on women's experience of war, Joyce Marlow's anthology collects a broad spectrum of women's writings on the First World War. Extracts from diaries--published and unpublished--autobiographies, letters, newspapers, and memoirs jostle for the reader's attention, carrying the voices of an equally diverse range of women from Britain, the USA, France, Germany, and Russia. Nurses, train drivers, bank clerks, munition workers, policewomen, a "woman diplomatist", patriots, campaigners for peace: the list could go on, and the strength of this book is the scope and interest of the material it makes available (notably, extracts from previously untranslated German anthologies). Marlow includes a general introduction, together with brief notes to each section (one for each year of the war) and a guide to contributors-- some well known, others apparently unknown beyond their fleeting, if sometimes vivid, appearance here. There is some attempt to ar
    Shots from the Front: The British Soldier 1914-18

    Richard Holmes


    Praise for ‘Tommy’: ‘Holmes is one of our foremost military scholars and a skilled writer who knows his audience well. This is excellent popular history: scholarly, highly readable and utterly absorbing.’ Daily Telegraph ‘Monumental…Every page of this is worth reading.’ Time Out A handsomely illustrated photographic account, by the bestselling author of 'Tommy' (2003), of the human experience of war as directly witnessed by British soldiers in the First World War. Richard Holmes, one of Britain's best-known military historians (and President of the British Commission of Military History), has selected over 200 photographs taken for the most part by officers and men rather than by official photographers – mostly unfamiliar ones located in archive collections, regimental museums and private sources. There will also be specially taken photographs by Mike Sheil, one of the best battlefield photographers working today. The book will deal with the whole of the British Army's e
    In Search of a Better 'Ole: A Biography of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    Couldn't think what to give to a friend who was retiring after 36 years in the British Army. This book was perfect. I remember the image from my young days but didnt know about the book. It was received with great pleasure and interest. This book is the original and only biography of Bairnsfather. The edition here is out of print. It has now been updated by the same authors and republished in 2001 in hardback by Pen and Sword Books with additional information about the original Old Bill. A memorial to Bairnsfather will be unveiled on 13 December 2003 at St Yvon in Belgium where he drew his first cartoons
    The Last Great War: British Society and the First World War

    Adrian Gregory


    'Adrian Gregory has provided the best brief account we have of the history of the Great War. Using an astonishing array of sources uncovering wartime life at the front and at home, Gregory tells the story of the war in a manner which is engaging, combative, and authoritative. Here is an original, tough-minded and thoughtful book, written by an historian unafraid of exploding the myths which still surround the 1914–18 conflict.' Jay Winter, Yale University 'In a series of brilliant, well-argued and powerfully humane thematic chapters, Gregory transforms our understanding of how Britons went to war, how they persevered despite growing anger at unequal 'sacrifices', and, crucially, how victory allowed them to transcend the traumas and the hatreds of war by embracing the lie that bereavement and sacrifice had been universal. Throughout, Gregory places experience of life on the home front, in all its rich diversity, centre-stage.' Jon Lawrence, Emmanuel College, Cambridge 'The Last Gr
    There's a Devil in the Drum

    John F. Lucy


    A classic. Lucy enl, with his brother in the RIR 1912, 2nd Bn. in France & gives a very fine account of the 1914-1915 campaign.His brother was killed at the Aisne & Lucy was eventually sent home for a rest: ?My leave... was a nightmare.My sleep was broken The simple cover and unusual title do not do this splendid book any favours, for I can honestly say that this is one of the most eloquent and most interesting accounts of the Great War I have read in recent years! This excellent volume tells the fascinating story of John Lucy, a young man from Cork, who shortly after leaving school, was, along with his brother locked out of their home by their Father one evening and told to stay out. They therefore traveled to Dublin and being full of life and spirit and seeking adventure, joined the Royal Irish Rifles in January 1912. After training at the depot and subsequent postings to both Dover and Tidworth, they joined the 2nd Battalion as it moved to France. Sadly his brother was kill
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    There's a Devil in the Drum


    First World War Tanks

    E. Bartholomew


    Although tanks have become a symbol of military power, the first tanks were created as a temporary solution to the deadlock created by trench warfare. The early designs were unsophisticated and had little success when they were first used by the British Army on the Somme in 1916. The battle of Cambrai, however, proved that tanks were effective, and they were used extensively in the final year of the war. By 1918 over 2,700 tanks had been built in Britain, while France, Germany, the United States, Italy and Russia had all produced tanks of their own. This book covers the design and development of tanks during the First World War, describing the types that were used in action and the most important battles in which they fought. It is illustrated with photographs from the archives of the Tank Museum, at Bovington in Dorset.
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    First World War Tanks


    The Road Home: The Aftermath of the Great War Told by the Men and Women Who Survived It

    Max Arthur


    'Arthur's easily digestible anthology of poignant memories and personal testimonies is as moving as it is important.' (BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH ) 'A deeply poignant and thought provoking read.' (SOUTH WALES ARGUS ) 'Fascinating and highly readable. Now that no one is around to tell these stories it is invaluable that they have been put into print -- especially in such an accessible form.' (CATHOLIC HERALD ) 'This fascinating and sensitive accuont shows how veterans coped with war wounds, work and memories of those lost.' (HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER ) 'A poignant and profound collection of memories, it provides essential reading for all.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE ) 11am, 11.11.1918: the war is finally over. After four long years Britain welcomed her heroes home. Wives and mothers were reunited with loved ones they'd feared they'd never see again. Fathers met sons and daughters born during the war years for the very first time. It was a time of great joy - but it was also a time
    The Other Side of the Wire Volume 1: With the German XIV Reserve Corps on the Somme, September 1914-June 1916: With the German XIV Reserve Corps on ... on the Somme, September 1914-June 1916 v. 1

    Ralph J. Whitehead


    ... author brings to life this little-known period..... and brings a sense of humanity to the story of the war using the words of the men who fought there... --Cross & Cockade International "The Other Side of the Wire" brings to life a period long forgotten in the decades that have passed since the Great War ended in 1918. Until recently most books written on the Battle of the Somme concentrated almost exclusively on the British effort with only a brief mention of the period before 1 July 1916 and the German experience in the battle. Most simply ignore the nearly two years of warfare that preceded the momentous offensive. By focusing on one of the principal German formations involved in the Somme fighting, author Ralph Whitehead brings to life this little-known period, from the initial German advance on the Somme in September 1914 through the formation of the front that became so well known almost two years later.The book covers the early fighting around villages that took on such
    The Battle for Flanders: German Defeat on the Lys 1918

    Chris Baker


    Chris Baker occupies an iconic status in the world of Great War historians. Few can have done more for their fellow travellers: a former chair of the Western Front Association, founder of the Great War Forum and the man behind the outstanding Long Long Trail website. Now he has produced his first book and I was eager to review it! I purchased a copy from the man himself - then lost it! As at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 delays multiplied and it is only now that I have bought a replacement copy from the good folks at Amazon! So here goes! First impressions are good! The assessment of the lead up to the German attacks in the Spring of 1918 is well-judged and reflects Baker's sound grasp of the realities of warfare on the Western Front. When the storm bursts on the Portuguese sector he avoids casual racism and points out why they did so badly - it wasn't anything to do with national characteristics or culture, but was rather more to do with men trapped in an unpopular war
    The Chief: Douglas Haig and the British Army

    Gary Sheffield


    Douglas Haig is the single most controversial general in British history. In 1918, after the armies he commanded had played such an important part in helping to win the First World War, he was feted as the saviour of his country. On his death in 1928 he was mourned as a national hero. But within ten years his reputation was in ruins. It has never fully recovered. His name has become a byword for military incompetence, a callous and brutal ‘donkey’ who led the ‘lions’ of the British Army to their deaths in the trenches. Haig has been mercilessly lampooned by TV shows such as Blackadder and even recent academic studies depict him as a serial blunderer who learned nothing from his mistakes. In this fascinating biography, Professor Gary Sheffield reassesses Hague’s reputation, and demonstrates the crucial role he played in leading British forces to victory in the First World War. Using extensive research into primary sources, many of which have been ignored or misinterpreted by other histo
    Gallipoli: The Ottoman Campaign

    Edward J. Erickson


    Edward J. Erickson's book is an extremely important one that looks at the Gallipoli campaign from the Turkish point of view, something few western historians have done. He uses the Turkish official history, which is three volumes in length, as well as memoirs and other published accounts (in Turkish) from Turkish officers. Since 1916 we have heard largely a one sided version of the battle from the British/ANZAC/French point of view, with a little from some German officers. The book details how and why the Ottoman Army beat the British, ANZAC, and French forces during the battle, from the naval bombardment to the final evacuation. Erickson frequently stops to discuss western views of certain aspects of the battle, then contrasts them to what the Turkish were doing, which gives us a much better understanding of events. Erickson believes that the Turks out performed the British and others because they had superior reporting systems that allowed Turkish officers to know what was going o
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    Gallipoli: The Ottoman Campaign


    German Soldiers in the Great War: Letters and Eyewitness Accounts

    Bernd Ulrich


    This vivid selection of first-hand accounts and other wartime documents sheds new light on the experiences of German frontline soldiers during the First World War. It reveals in authentic detail the perceptions and emotions of ordinary soldiers that have been covered up by the smokescreen of official wartime propaganda with its talk of heroism and patriotic sacrifice . Over 200 mostly archival documents are featured in the selection, including wartime letters, military despatches and orders, extracts from diaries, newspaper articles and booklets, medical reports and photographs. This fascinating primary source material provides the first comprehensive insight into the German frontline experiences of the Great War published in English. As somebody who rarely gives five stars I must have been pretty impressed with this one - and indeed it is a very good read keeping you fully engaged as you go along. Attempting to be dispassionate however I can see that part of the appeal is the novel
    The German Army on Vimy Ridge 1914-1917

    Jack Sheldon


    Vimy Ridge is indelibly linked in popular memory to the exploits of the Canadian Corps. There, on 9 April 1917, all four Canadian divisions fought alongside one another for the first time. Battling through snow squalls and deep mud, they took and held the ridge, in the teeth of desperate German resistance, becoming the first Allied soldiers for two and a half years to see the view over the Douai plain. It was a triumph of arms for Canada and fundamental to its future sense of nationhood but, at the same time, April 1917 was simply the final act in a drama which had begun with the German seizure of the ridge in October 1914. Bitter fighting for the Lorette Spur, followed by two major French offensives in 1915 and months of incessant mining and minor operations, when British formations held the line in 1916, are as central to the story as the heroic tenacity of the German defenders. Drawing on the immense quantities of surviving archival material, dispelling myths and calling into qu
    The First World War: A New History

    Hew Strachan


    Hew Strachan is one of the world's foremost experts on the Great War of 1914-18. His ongoing three-volume history of the conflict, the first of which was published in 2001, is likely to become the standard academic reference work: Max Hastings called it 'one of the most impressive books of modern history in a generation', while Richard Holmes hailed it as a 'towering achievement'. Now, Hew Strachan brings his immense knowledge to a one-volume work aimed squarely at the general reader. The inspiration behind the major Channel 4 series of the same name, to which Hew was chief consultant, "The First World War" is a significant addition to the literature on this subject, taking as it does a uniquely global view of what is often misconceived as a prolonged skirmish on the Western Front. Exploring such theatres as the Balkans, Africa and the Ottoman Empire, Strachan assesses Britain's participation in the light of what became a struggle for the defense of liberalism, and show how the war sha
    Forgotten Victory: The First World War: Myths and Realities

    Gary Sheffield


    'Sheffield...sets out the arguments for an interpretation not based exclusively on the war poets, Alan Clark and Blackadder...One can only hope that his compassionate, clearly argued book will displace the [mythical] version' (David Horspool, Guardian ) 'This is revisionist history at its best - thought provoking and original' (Trevor Royle, Sunday Herald ) 'An important book that shatters many myths about the First World War' (Richard Holmes ) 'Amongst the most important books to have been published on the Great War for some years. Very strongly recommended' (Stand To! ) So often thought of in the ideal of poets such as Owen and Sassoon, Gary Sheffield argues that this was hardly the typical view of the British soldier in the Great War. The old line of the British Army being an archaic institution of incompetant officers and disillusioned soldiers is refuted as a myth of post-war pacifist literature. In reality, the BEF experienced the greatest learning curve of all the ar
    The Great War: 1914-1918

    Ian F.W. Beckett


    The course of events of the Great War has been told many times, spurred by an endless desire to understand 'the war to end all wars'. However, this book moves beyond military narrative to offer a much fuller analysis of of the conflict's strategic, political, economic, social and cultural impact. Starting with the context and origins of the war, including assasination, misunderstanding and differing national war aims, it then covers the treacherous course of the conflict and its social consequences for both soldiers and civilians, for science and technology, for national politics and for pan-European revolution. The war left a long-term legacy for victors and vanquished alike. It created new frontiers, changed the balance of power and influenced the arts, national memory and political thought. The reach of this acount is global, showing how a conflict among European powers came to involve their colonial empires, and embraced Japan, China, the Ottoman Empire, Latin America and
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    The Great War: 1914-1918


    Bloody Victory: The Sacrifice on the Somme

    William James Philpott


    'Required reading ... A thoughtful and important book by a first-rate historian ... It is a proper history of the battle, not simply an agonising account of its first day ... He is supremely skilful in charting what he terms the battle's "shifting history and enduring memory" ... There is something about the Somme that is imprinted onto my heart, and I am grateful that this book has helped me put it into a context that goes beyond time, place, courage and suffering' Richard Holmes, 'A sweeping and authoritative re-examination of the battle ... Bloody Victory is a magnificent and powerful book, destined to become the standard work on the subject' Christopher Silvester, Daily Express 'Comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and vividly written ... His new findings and his provocative conclusions will be of exceptional importance' David Stevenson 'Philpott argues that nearly everything we think we know about the Somme ... is either wrong or a misinterpretation of events ... After reading th
    The First World War: An Illustrated History

    A J P Taylor


    'The most readable, sceptical and original of modern historians' - Michael Foot 'Remarkable ... Taylor here manages in some 200 illustrated pages to say almost everything that is important for an understanding and, indeed, intellectual digestion of that vast event' Observer 'It is unlikely that there will be a more satisfactory compact survey of that Armageddon' Newsweek 'What makes Taylor's book outstanding is his capacity to penetrate through the undergrowth of controversy and conflicting interpretation to the central truth' New York Review of Books 'Probably the most controversial historian in the English-speaking world' The Times A. J. P. Taylor was one of the most acclaimed and uncompromising historians of the twentieth century. In this clear, lively and now-classic account of the First World War, he tells the story of the conflict from the German advance in the West, through the Marne, Gallipoli, the Balkans and the War at Sea to the offensives of 1918 and the state of Europe
    The Western Front

    Richard Holmes


    Best known for his BBC series presentations in War Walks and War Walks II, military history buff Richard Holmes chronicles the bloodiest days of World War I in The Western Front. This detailed compendium covers everything from how the front was created and the British Army in France, to the battle of Verdun and the last Hundred Days of the war. Those put off by lengthy historical accounts will find comfort in Holmes' concise layout and heartfelt narrative. What's more, it's filled with photos, illustrations, diagrams, maps and quotations that give needed imagery to a highly complex and inhuman four years of history. As in the words of one French solider who was not able to distinguish "if the mud were flesh or the flesh were mud." Of the 947,000 allied soldiers who died during the war, 750,000 died on the front; 128 000 are missing. Holmes captures the scale and intensity of the Great War and never lets you forget the human price: "As we now are, so once were they; as they now are, so
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    The Western Front


    Paths of Glory: The French Army, 1914-18

    Anthony Clayton


    Anthony Clayton is an acknowledged expert on the French military and his book is a major contribution to the study and understanding of the First World War. He reveals why and how the French army fought as it did. He profiles its senior commanders - Joffre, Petain, Nivelle and Foch - and analyses its major campaigns both on the Western Front and in the Near East and Africa. PATHS OF GLORY also considers in detail the officers, how they kept their trenches and how men from very different areas of France fought and died together. He scrutinises the make-up and performance of France's large colonial armies and investigates the mutinies of 1917. Ultimately, he reveals how the traumatic French experience of the 1914-18 war indelibly shaped a nation. Most books on the Western Front are Anglo-Centric. It is therefore corrective to read a book which describes the war fought by 8.7 million Frenchmen, over fifty percent of whom suffered death or injury. Equally painful is having to read the
    The First World War

    John Keegan


    Despite the avalanche of books written about the First World War in recent years, there have been comparatively few books that have concentrated on delivering the big picture--a comprehensive account of the war and its campaigns from start to finish--and this book fills the gap superbly. As readers familiar with John Keegan's previous books, such as the The Face Battle, Six Armies in Normandy, and The Second World War, will know, Keegan is a historian of the old school. He has no earth-shattering new theories to challenge the status quo, no first-person accounts to tug on the emotions; what he does have, though, is the gift for talking the lay person through the twists and turns of a complex narrative in a way that is never less than accessible or engaging. Keegan never tries to ram his learning down your throat. Where other authors have struggled to explain how Britain could ever allow itself to be dragged into such a war in 1914, Keegan keeps it practical. The level of communications
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    The First World War


    The Face Of Battle: A Study of Agincourt, Waterloo and the Somme

    John Keegan


    "'This without any doubt is one of the half-dozen best books on warfare to appear in the English language since the end of the Second World War.' Michael Howard, Sunday Times 'In this book, which is so creative, so original, one learns as much about the nature of man as of battle.' J. H. Plumb, New York Times Book Review" This is a great work. I've always been facinated by the Human elements of war making. What posseses people to endure battle? What were the experiences of the various types of combatants through the ages? This book looks at all of this and much more. Be warned, this is not light reading and nor shoul it be. Keegan employs complex structure in his language. This adds value for me. I've read this over and over and derived new thoughts each time. If you are interested in military history this is essential.
    The Price Of Admiralty

    John Keegan


    Kindle edition Keegan (The Mask of Command, 1987); Six Armies in Normandy, 1982; The Face of Battle, 1976; etc.) here offers a bravura appreciation of naval power down through the ages. In aid of his era-spanning study, the former Sandhurst lecturer (who points out that no Briton lives more than 80 miles from tidal waters) examines four landmark naval engagements, each of which featured different types of warship. First off, he analyzes 1805's battle of Trafalgar, in which England's wooden-wall vessels under the command of Lord Horatio Nelson defeated a French/Spanish fleet in atypically decisive fashion. More than a century later, in 1916, Germany's dreadnoughts achieved a Pyrrhic sort of victory over the Royal Navy off Jutland - the first clash of ironclads. With his customary economy and flair for telling detail, the author also recounts the battle of Midway, where US carrier forces slugged it out with a similar Japanese flotilla to gain an upper hand in WW II's Pacific theater. La
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    The Price Of Admiralty


    World War I

    HP Willmott


    ... beautifully produced and illustrated, an everything you need to know compendium (Daily Mail ) Published to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the armistice, this dramatic account of World War I combines emotive photography with personal accounts to evoke both the futility and spirit of the Great War. Every aspect of World War I – sea, land and the home front – are explored giving you a complete picture of the conflict. Re-live major campaigns through timelines and examine the decisions and military actions which decided each outcome. Compelling eyewitness accounts of soldiers and civilians paint a vivid picture both of crucial battles and day-to-day routines. Plus, letters home and haunting war poetry highlight the most important aspect of "the war to end all wars" – its appalling human cost. With a special anniversary guide to battlefield sites, memorials, cemeteries and visitor centres at Verdun, the Somme, Ypres and other locations commemorating the fallen of World W
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    World War I


    War

    DK


    Take a guided tour of every major conflict through the ages Trace the epic 5,000-year story of warfare from the earliest battles to the War on Terror. Explore the campaigns and conflicts, the warriors and commanders and the tactics, weapons and technology that have shaped human warfare. With fascinating features on topics including; the role of infantry, siege warfare, military tactics and the treatment of wounded soldiers. Combining a clear and compelling historical narrative with a wealth of fascinating supporting features, this is a definitive visual guide to this brutal, intense and often heroic dimension of the human story.
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    War


    World War I

    Simon Adams


    This book really brought World War I to life. I was surprised at how little I really knew about this war. This may be billed as a kid's book, but people of all ages will enjoy it. It's a great source for learning a lot about the war in a short period of time. The entire Eyewitness series is worth checking out. I bought this for my 7 year old son. He loved it!!, He loves to read about all the different wars, and this series has everything. The pictures are great, and it gives alot of info. I highly recommend it, and all of the books in this series. History is fun, and photos help a person understand the past. Thus, I enjoy photos, because I analyze them in detail. Using a magnifying glass I actually look closely to spot interesting items normally unseen by the casual reader. Since I have done some intel analysis in the past, based on photos, I know good photos tell a story about what is going on. However, a book needs to be more than good photos. Unfortunately that is about all
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    World War I


    The Somme: Then and Now - A Visual History with DVD

    Duncan Youel


    If there was a single day during World War I that illustrates the absolute stupidity of the high level brass it was the opening day of the Somme, July 1st, 1916. The commanders of the British forces had seen what modern weapons would do. They had had observers at the American Civil War and seen the results of frontally attacking dug in defenders. They ignored the reports because they were only colonials and the British red coats had more spirit, training, elan and everything else. They had seen the Boar War, and should have confirmed for themselves that modern equipment favored the defense. At the Battle of Colenso the British suffered 1,126 casualties to the Boar's 40. Anyway at the Somme the British charged into the German machine guns and British suffered 57,470 casualties in the first day. This book covers the Battle of the Somme. It wtarts with a prelude explaining how the battle came about. Then about half the book covers the battle itself. And the final quarter shows wh
    A Nurse at the Front: The Great War Diaries of Sister Edith Appleton

    Ruth Cowen


    This book, the second in a series of four unique War Diaries produced in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum, will tell a story that is rarely heard: the experiences of a nurse working close to the Western Front in the First World War. Incredibly, Edith Appleton served in France for the whole of the conflict. Her bravery and dedication won her the Military OBE, the Royal Red Cross and the Belgian Queen Elisabeth medal among others. Her diary details with compassion all the horrors of the 'war to end wars', including the first use of poison gas and the terrible cost of battles such as Ypres, but she also records what life was like for nurses and how she spent her time off-duty. There are moments of humour amongst the tragedy, and even lyrical accounts of the natural beauty that still existed amidst all the destruction.
    A War Nurse's Diary: Sketches From A Belgian Field Hospital

    A World War 1 Nurse


    A British Nurse's experiences working on the Belgian Front during the First World War I found this title particuarly interesting as my Aunt served as a nurse during World War One, winning a Red Cross medal for her bravery, and as I was reading about this author's experiences I kept asking myself, 'I wonder if she and my aunt ever met?' This is a very moving account and I loved the story about the little dog 'Bombe' the nursing staff found amongst the ruins and adopted. I also liked the fact that this nurse was a bit of a rebel, and didn't always do as she was told..she had a mind of her own and confessed she and a friend were sometimes 'naughty' and sneaked off to ride on the officer's horses! You go, girl! I loved the account of the nurses continuing to play hide and seek amongst the ambulances on Christmas day, despite heavy shelling by the Germans - I guess they wanted to be caught by the ambulance drivers who were chasing them waving bits of mistletoe!
    A War Nurse's Diary

    World War I Nurse


    The Shelf2Life WWI Memoirs Collection is an engaging set of pre-1923 materials that describe life during the Great War through memoirs, letters and diaries. Poignant personal narratives from soldiers, doctors and nurses on the front lines to munitions workers and land girls on the home front, offer invaluable insight into the sacrifices men and women made for their country. Photographs and illustrations intensify stories of struggle and survival from the trenches, hospitals, prison camps and battlefields. The WWI Memoirs Collection captures the pride and fear of the war as experienced by combatants and non-combatants alike and provides historians, researchers and students extensive perspective on individual emotional responses to the war.
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    A War Nurse's Diary


    The Forbidden Zone: A Nurse's Impressions of the First World War

    Mary Borden


    '...remains an unsettling collection of stories and fragments that record the experiences of a Chicago-born millionaire s daughter who became an unlikely nurse in WWI France.' --Open Letters Monthly '...a slim but very moving volume...It was Mary Borden s supreme achievement not only to save as many men as she did and nurse the others gently to the end but to put down on paper some of what it felt like to be there, living and dying in the mud.' --Booktrust website '...a flawless gem of a book, a beautifully written account of horrific tragedy.' --dovegreyreader May Borden worked for four years in an evacuation hospital unit following the front lines up and down the European theatre of the First World War; this beautifully written book is a collection of her memories and impressions of that experience. Describing the men as they march into battle, engaging imaginatively with the stories of individual soldiers, and recounting procedures at the field hospital, the author offers a
    Nurse at the Trenches: Letters Home from a World War I Nurse

    Agnes Warner


    This is a very interesting account of a Red Cross Nurse's experiences during World War One. Although they are 'letters', they read just like an account of the action. Certainly Miss Warner's obvious love for the French troops in the trenches or the 'Poilus' as she calls them, shines through every page. I have read quite a few nurse war books, but I found this to be quite an eye opener, as I had not realised some of the nurses worked quite so hard as they did. Well recommended! Agnes Warner, a Red Cross Canadian nurse on the French front in World War I, shared her experiences in letters she wrote to her close circle of friends and relatives. Not written for publication, the letters were genuine and descriptive. Also, they were eye-witness reports that put the reader at the front with Warner. I could see the field hospital's many huts and sheds, the sky glowing with flashes from shells, the air battle between the German and French aeroplanes. I could hear the guns roaring like
    Nurse at the Trenches: Letters Home From A World War One Nurse

    Agnes Warner


    Written from the French Front by a brave Red Cross nurse, these home letters were hurriedly penned amidst the incessant roar of mighty guns and surrounded by the wounded and the dying. Shivering at times with cold, and wearied almost to the point of exhaustion from working every day from 5.30am to 9pm, they give a fascinating glimpse into the life of a nurse at war. This is a very interesting account of a Red Cross Nurse's experiences during World War One. Although they are 'letters', they read just like an account of the action. Certainly Miss Warner's obvious love for the French troops in the trenches or the 'Poilus' as she calls them, shines through every page. I have read quite a few nurse war books, but I found this to be quite an eye opener, as I had not realised some of the nurses worked quite so hard as they did. Well recommended!
    Nurses at the Front: Writing the Wounds of the Great War

    Margaret R. Higonnet (Editor)


    Very few war books are written by women. This book is one of those, and, next to Tim O'Brien's 'The Things They Carried' and 'Going After Cacciato,' it's absolutely among the very best. Based on the women's experiences as nurses at the front during the First World War, it is spare, unflinching, horrifying - and at the same time, poetic, elegiac, and beautiful. Not an exclamation point anywhere, no attempt to dramatize or sensationalize the death and maiming injuries they saw daily. Read it, and prepare to be overwhelmed.
    Elsie and Mairi Go to War: Two Extraordinary Women on the Western Front

    Dr Diane Atkinson


    The true story of best friends Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm ... This biography is a fitting tribute to their role on the frontline --Daily Express The extraordinary and moving story of two women whose courage and charisma made them the most famous women in the First World War.
    Women in the War Zone: Hospital Service in the First World War

    Anne Powell


    In our collective memory, the First World War is dominated by men. The sailors, soldiers, airmen and politicians about whom histories are written were male, and the first half of the twentieth century was still a time when a woman's place was thought to be in the home. It was not until the Second World War that women would start to play a major role both in the armed forces and in the factories and the fields. Yet there were some women who were able to contribute to the war effort between 1914 and 1918, mostly as doctors and nurses. In "Women in the War Zone", Anne Powell has selected extracts from first-hand accounts of the experiences of those female medical personnel who served abroad during the First World War. Covering both the Western and the Eastern Fronts, from Petrograd to Basra and from Antwerp to the Dardanelles, they include nursing casualties from the Battle of Ypres, a young doctor put in charge of a remote hospital in Serbia and a nurse who survived a torpedo attack, alb
    Not So Quiet...: Stepdaughters of War

    Helen Zenner Smith


    Helen Zenna Smith is the pseudonym of Evadne Price who served as an ambulance driver in France during the FWW. This totally compelling fictionalised account of a woman's experience of the War should be ranked alongside E. M. Remarque's 'All Quiet on the Western Front', Siegfried Sassoon's 'Memoirs of an Infantry Officer' or Edmund Blunden's 'Undertones of War'. The value of the experiences of women who saw active service during the FWW are beginning to be recognised in academic circles thanks to the work of feminist critics, but it is time that such recognition came from the general public as well, and this book is one of many that is capable of bringing those experiences to wider attention. A wonderfully written book that is worth reading. Highly recommended !! This semi-autobiography, moulded in the style of All Quiet on the Western Front (hence the pun on "Quiet" which also connotes the supposed passivity of women during wartime), is a merciless but utterly gripping account of fe
    Last Voices of World War I

    Nick Maddocks (Director)


    This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe Winner of the Royal Television Society Documentary Award What was it really like to be a British Tommy fighting in the trenches of the First World War? How did it feel to face the wire, the machine guns, the artillery barrages, and the poison gas cloud? To see your friends and comrades dying all around you day after day? This award-winning factual series available for the very first time on DVD - draws on a unique collection of one hundred interviews with World War One veterans in which the soldiers and their loved ones relive all the heroism and heartbreak of the years from 1914 to 1918. Most of these men had never been interviewed before or since . It features the first ever interview with Harry Patch and the only ever interview with Henry Allingham, the two last surviving veterans of the war who died last year aged 111 and 113. All the voices are now silent. Powerful, moving and important, Last Voices Of The Great War provides the m
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    Last Voices of World War I


    A V.a.D. in France

    Olive Dent


    Publisher: London, G. Richards Publication date: 1917 Subjects: World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives World War, 1914-1918 -- War work Voluntary aid detachments World War, 1914-1918 -- Civilian relief Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. This book contains 15 pictures eg: doing night duty surrounded by rats, struggling in a collapsed tent in a rainstorm, a patient off to 'blighty', convalesecent military horses recieving medical treatment etc --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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    A V.a.D. in France


    From Narromine to the Nile: Jessie Tomlins- An Australian Army Nurse - World War One

    Ruth Rae


    Kindle Edition There is an abundance of historical and anecdotal information relating to the Australian soldier during World War One but very little which specifically deals with Australian nurses who served in the same conflict. 'From Narromine to the Nile' is about one ordinary Australian nurse, Jessie Tomlins, who trained at Sydney Hospital and then enlisted with the Australian Army Nursing Service in 1916. She spent the war attached to the 14th Australian General Hospital in Egypt and nursed the casualties of the present day Middle East campaign. Her two brother, Fred and Will, served in the First Australian Light Horse and their story (see 'To all at home ... letters from a Lighthorseman') forms a backdrop to the experiences of Jessie Tomlins. This is no sanitised view of the war but brings to light the social history of one Australian family within the context of the Desert Campaigns. Jessie was transferred to 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England after the peace
    Scarlet Poppies: The army experience of Australian nurses during World War One (2nd ed)

    Ruth Rae


    Kindle edition Scarlet Poppies includes the international political situation which culminated in the most brutal war of the twentieth century. This war involved hand to hand combat and the wounds which ensued were catastrophic to the soldier and the nurse who witnessed them. The ability of the nurses to deal with the impact of mustard gas, gangrene, shell-shock, amputations and the entire spectrum of communicable diseases ranging from venereal disease to the influenza pandemic with little more than their expertise is graphically illustrated in Scarlet Poppies. Antibiotics were unheard of and basic diagnositic tools such as x-rays were only beginning to be widely used. This book relies heavily on the first hand accounts of the nurses themselves and their honesty demonstrates that those who suffered in the First World War and those who witnessed their pain should be more than a statistic - each soldier and each nurse has a story. The Australian nurses who served overseas in the 1914-
    Waiting for Sunrise

    William Boyd


    'Boyd is English fiction's master storyteller' Independent '[Boyd] has probably written more truly classic books than any of his contemporaries' Sunday Telegraph 'A novel by William Boyd carries its own recommendation. To read one of his novels is like stepping into an expertly made and rather expensive motor vehicle' Philip Hensher, Daily Telegraph 'One of our top-notch novelists' The Times Vienna, 1913. It is a fine day in August when Lysander Rief, a young English actor, walks through the city to his first appointment with the eminent psychiatrist Dr Bensimon. Sitting in the waiting room he is anxiously pondering the particularly intimate nature of his neurosis when a young woman enters. She is clearly in distress, but Lysander is immediately drawn to her strange, hazel eyes and her unusual, intense beauty. Her name is Hettie Bull. They begin a passionate love affair and life in Vienna becomes tinged with a powerful frisson of excitement for Lysander. He meets Sigmund Freud in a
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    Waiting for Sunrise


    Notes: A Soldier's Memoir of World War 1

    Clifton, J. Cate & Charles, Cameron Cate


    Uniquely personal WW I account of an American youth's extraordinary experience in the Canadian artillery describing camp life, overstayed leaves, combat, hospitalization, shattered friendships and his poignant return to civilian life. I felt like I was there too at times, though I wasn't even born yet. I also know more about where my own grandfather was after being wounded. Fact are really coming out. Need to know the truth, read this book!
    Life Class

    Pat Barker


    Pat Barker's sensitive exploration of the devastating effects of The Great War on a group of artists from the Slade School of Art complements her similar exploration of the Great War from the point of view of the poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon in her Regeneration Trilogy, for which she won the 1995 Booker Prize. Examining the lives of art students Paul Tarrant, Elinor Brooke, and Kit Neville as they learn their craft, celebrate life by partying in the days leading up to the war, and eventually make life-altering decisions when war breaks out, Barker creates three worlds, the Before, During, and After of the war. The superficiality of life Before, the horrors of During, and the disillusionment of After develop here through the interactions of these three characters with each other as the world around them changes--war as a Life Class. When Germany invades Russia and advances on France, Neville and Paul volunteer to drive ambulances for the Belgian Red Cross, and when Richar
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    Life Class


    All Quiet on the Western Front

    Erich Maria Remarque


    This book is so moving and yet, despite the horrors endured on the frontline during WW1, a sense of humour (however grim) is retained throughout, almost to the last few paragraphs. The story is written in the first person narrative, by a young German soldier, Paul Bauer. He is only eighteen when he is pressured by his family, friends and society in general, to enlist and fight at the front. He enters the army, along with 6 other lads he was at school with, each one filled with fresh, lively, optimistic and patriotic thoughts, but within a few months they are all as old men, in mind if not completely in body. Paul and his friends witness such horrors and endure such severe hardship and suffering, that they are unable to even speak about it to anyone but each other. This is a very moving and poignant novel, and the reader is made even more aware of its poignancy in knowing that its author is writing from experience, having suffered greatly as a young man on the frontline, whilst fighting
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    All Quiet on the Western Front


    We That Were Young

    Irene Rathbone


    This fierce antiwar novel by Irene Rathbone (1892-1980) is told from the perspectives of a cultured former suffragist and several of her friends - young women who work at rest camps just behind the lines in France and as nurses of the severely wounded in hospitals in London. When Joan loses both her brother and lover to the war, she volunteers for work in a munitions plant - but by the end, she is a confirmed pacifist. This book is semi-autobiographical fiction based on Irene Rathbone's experiences as a volunteer worker during the Great War. It tells of life both as a VAD nurse and as a YMCA canteen worker in France, and includes a wealth of interesting detail not found elsewhere. Her story is one of loss and grief - both she and her friends lose many loved ones during the course of the war, but it's also a tale of strong family ties and lifelong friendships. It's longer than most of its genre, and although the language is rather stilted by today's standards, the story bowls along a
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    We That Were Young


    Beneath Flanders Fields: The Tunnellers War 1914-1918

    Peter Barton & Peter Doyle & & Johan Vandewalle


    Whilst the war raged across Flanders fields, an equally horrifying and sometimes more dangerous battle took place underground. "Beneath Flanders Fields" tells the story of the tunnellers' war, which still remains one of the most misunderstood, misrepresented and mystifying conflicts of the Great War. A wealth of personal testimonies reveal the engineering, technology and science behind how this most intense of battles was fought - and won. They speak of how the tunnellers lived a relentless existence in the depths of the battlefield for almost two and a half years, enduring physical and mental stresses that were often more extreme than their infantry counterparts. Their lives were reduced to a complex war of silence, tension and claustrophobia, leading up to the most dramatic mine offensive in history launched on 7 June 1917 at Messines Ridge. Yet, Messines was not the end of their story, which continued with the crafting of a whole underground world of headquarters, cookhouses and hos
    Cheerful Sacrifice

    Jonathan Nicholls


    Tells the story of the spring offensive of April - May 1917, otherwise known as the Battle of Arras. The author gives the Battle of Arras its proper place in the annals of military history, enhancing his text with a wealth of eye-witness accounts.
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    Cheerful Sacrifice


    Walking the Somme

    Paul Reed


    This is an excellant contribution to the Somme books as published by Pen and Sword. Covers some well-known areas, and other areas which have been badly neglected such as Gommecourt and Flers where tanks were used for the first time. What is good about this edition are the well mapped routes and suggestions for the first time visitor. Good photos too, particularly of the devastation the battle caused. Good all round account of what was perhaps the greatest battle of World War One.
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    Walking the Somme


    The Quick and the Dead: Fallen Soldiers and Their Families in the Great War

    Richard Van Emden


    At the end of the First World War more than 192,000 wives had lost their husbands, and nearly 400,000 children had lost their fathers. A further half a million children had lost one or more siblings. Appallingly, one in eight wives died within a year of receiving news of their husband's death. Few people remained unscathed and the effects of the conflict are still with us. The Quick and the Dead will pay tribute to the families who were left to suffer at home while their husband, fathers and sons went off to fight, and the generations that followed. Through the stories in this groundbreaking history, we realise not just what became of our grandfathers but how their experiences influenced the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of a generation that they left at home. Against all the odds some stories ended happily - missing fathers did return, men thought to be dead returned from prisoner of war camps to a joyous reunion. For others the loss, while difficult to bear at the t
    Artillery in the Great War

    Paul Strong & Sanders Marble


    The book delivered what I had expected; an explanation of how artillery was used and evolved through the Great War. I was not looking for a book showing description after description of every gun used during the war. However, I think the book would be much improved, if at the beginning, the characteristics of some of the principle guns of the war, shell types and gun usage were laid out. Then as the book describes the evolution of tactics during the war, the role of the guns usage would be easier to understand.
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    Artillery in the Great War


    Horsemen in No Man's Land: British Cavalry and Trench Warfare 1914-1918

    David Kenyon


    I would recommend this book to anyone who has even a cursory interest in the history of the First World War, regardless of previous knowledge or interest in this specific subject, this work has enough data to keep the scholar happy whilst at the same time explaining things enough so anyone (at any level of knowledge) can follow the narrative and enjoy the journey. This book stands alone in its subject matter, and like many books on the First World War which have come out in the last 10 years or so, it will stop and make people re-evaluate there previous conceptions on the conflict. Kenyon obviously has a keen affinity with the mounted wing of the BEF, and along with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject in question it would be easy to believe that he would have a specific agenda and bias his evidence accordingly. Yet, he shows a picture of the cavalry in a believable and colourful manner, 'Warts and all' explaining the faults as well as the good, and presenting evidence and arg
    Bullecourt 1917: Breaching the Hindenburg Line

    Paul Kendall


    The assault upon the formidable Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt in April and May 1917 by three British Divisions - the 7th, 58th and 62nd - and three Australian Divisions was initially designed to assist Allenby's Third Army break out from Arras. This book tells the full story of a battle that can be seen as an archetype of the horrors of trench warfare. The controversial first Bullecourt battle of 11th April came to be regarded as the worst Australian defeat of the War, when Australian infantry assaulted without artillery and tank support. They were badly let down by the British tanks - but the British tank crews were let down in their turn by their own commanders, who put them in the forefront of the attack in Mark II training tanks, prone to malfunction and not armour-plated. Significant numbers fought their way into the German lines at Bullecourt against all odds, including legendary ANZAC soldiers Major Percy Black, Captain Albert Jacka and Captain Harry Murray. The Australians achi
    The Confusion of Command: The Memoirs of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas D'Oyly 'Snowball' Snow 1914 -1918

    Dan Snow & Mark Pottle


    The enemy has got to be fought everywhere and hard... Everything is going very well indeed and no one minds the losses as long as we are moving. The never-before-published papers of General Sir Thomas D Oyly Snow provide a remarkable insight into the mindset of the Great War commanders. Despite being severely injured during the first Battle of the Marne when his horse fell and rolled over him, cracking his pelvis Snow served at some of the most important battles of the Western Front. His memoirs include the battle of Loos, the second battle of Ypres, the battles of Arras and Cambrai, the retreat from Mons and was responsible for the diversionary attack on Gommecourt on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Somme. This volume is comprised of vivid extracts from contemporary notes that only an eyewitness can offer coupled with frank postwar reflections that show the wisdom of hindsight and perspective, which brings an open awareness of military folly. D Oyly Snow died in London, aged 82, on
    Ghosts on the Somme: Filming the Battle, June-July 1916

    Alastair H. Fraser & Andrew Robertshaw Steve Roberts


    The Battle of the Somme is one of the most famous, and earliest, films of war ever made. The film records the most disastrous day in the history of the British army - 1 July 1916 - and it had a huge impact when it was shown in Britain during the war. Since then images from it have been repeated so often in books and documentaries that it has profoundly influenced our view of the battle and of the Great War itself. Yet this book is the first in-depth study of this historic film, and it is the first to relate it to the surviving battleground of the Somme. The authors explore the film and its history in fascinating detail. They investigate how much of it was faked and consider how much credit for it should go to Geoffrey Malins and how much to John MacDowell. And they use modern photographs of the locations to give us a telling insight into the landscape of the battle and into the way in which this pioneering film was created. Their analysis of scenes in the film tells us so much abou
    Ypres: The First Battle 1914

    Ian F.W. Beckett


    First Ypres was a devastating battle for the British and a turning point for all four of the major armies involved. Ypres: The First Battle draws on a wide range of British, French, German and Belgian sources in order to reconstruct the battle from all sides. Many of these personal papers and public accounts have never been published before. Through a shrewd analysis of the most recent secondary works as well as archival materials, Ian F.W. Beckett appraises the significance of First Ypres as a key moment in the Great War marking the transition from war as it had been to war as it would become. This book is suitable for undergraduate students studying World War One and is the perfect companion to Beckett’s The Great War.
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    Major and Mrs.Holt's Battlefield Guide to Ypres Salient

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    This is an invaluable guide for anyone looking to tour the battlefields of Flanders. A useful, if brief, intoduction to the history of the battles, bags of practical suggestions, a useful but complicated pull-out map. Great colour photography, with some well-planned itineries.
    Highlander: The History of The Legendary Highland Soldier

    Tim Newark


    'Highlanders have long been among the most feared soldiers in the world and Tim Newark's book admirably tells their stirring tale. A great read!' - Bernard Cornwell. On the fields of Waterloo, the deserts of Sudan, the Plains of Abraham and the mountains of Dargai, the trenches of Flanders and the jungles of Burma - the great Highland regiments made their mark. The brave kilted troops with their pipes and drums were legendary, whether leading the charge into the thick of battle or standing fast, the last to leave or fall, fighting against the odds. Acclaimed historian Tim Newark tells the story of the Highlanders through the words of the soldiers themselves, from diaries, letters and journals uncovered from archives in Scotland and around the world. At the Battle of Quebec in 1759, only a few years after their defeat at Culloden, the 78th Highlanders faced down the French guns and turned the battle. At Waterloo, Highlanders memorably fought alongside the Scots Greys against Napoleon's
    Pillboxes on the Western Front: Guide to the Design, Construction and Use of Concrete Pillboxes, 1914-18

    Peter Oldham


    When the First World War froze into a static line of trenches stretching from the North Sea to the Swiss border, the most obvious means of protection against the murderous machine-gun fire which both sides inflicted upon each other was some form of shell-proof shelter which from which fire could be returned in safety, hence the development of the pill box. The idea was certainly not new but the technology required to build them under the prevailing circumstances presented problems hitherto undreamed of. In this remarkably absorbing study of what at first seems a somewhat arcane study of what at first seems a somewhat arcane subject, Peter Oldham, himself a concrete technologist, examines the problems of the design and construction of the pill boxes of the Western Front. He describes how the innumerable difficulties involved in what might to the untrained eye seem to be a fairly simple structure, were gradually overcome. Containing as it does, a gazetteer of the remaining pill boxes and
    The War The Infantry Knew: 1914-1919: A Chronicle of Service in France and Belgium

    Captain J.C. Dunn


    Sometimes, through word of mouth and shared enthusiasm, a secret book becomes famous. The War the Infantry Knew is one of them. Published privately in a limited edition of five hundred copies in 1938, it gained a reputation as an outstanding account of an infantry battalion's experience on the Western Front (DAILY TELEGRAPH ) John Keegan ('A remarkably coherent narrative of the battalion's experiences in diary form ...a moving historical record which deserves to be added to the select list of outstanding accounts of the First World War’ )
    Monchy le Preux - Arras

    Colin Fox


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    Monchy le Preux - Arras


    The Somme: Then and Now

    John Giles


    Drawing on eyewitness accounts as well as contemporary and modern photographs, this book explores the conditions and conflicts endured by the men who marched through to the fateful battleground.
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    The Somme: Then and Now


    To End All Wars: How the First World War Divided Britain

    Adam Hochschild


    'World War I remains the quintessential war -- unequalled in concentrated slaughter, patriotic fervor during the fighting, and bitter disillusion afterward, writes Hochschild. Many opposed it and historians mention this in passing, but Hochschild, winner of an L.A. Times Book Award for Bury the Chains: Prophets and Rebels in the Fight to Free an Empire's Slaves, has written an original, engrossing account that gives the war's opponents (largely English) prominent place. These mostly admirable activists include some veteran social reformers like the formidable Pankhursts, who led violent prosuffrage demonstrations from 1898 until 1914, and two members of which enthusiastically supported the war while one, Sylvia, opposed it, causing a permanent, bitter split. Sylvia worked with, and was probably the lover of, Keir Hardie, a Scotsman who rose from poverty to found the British Labour party. Except for Bertrand Russell, famous opponents are scarce because most supported the war. Hochschild
    1918: A Very British Victory


    The story of the huge mobile battles of 1918, which finally ended the Great War.
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    1918: A Very British Victory


    Tommy's Ark: Soldiers and Their Animals in the Great War

    Richard Van Emden


    'A terrific book. If ever you are in doubt about the devastation and universal suffering that war brings to us, and to all creatures, great and small, then read Tommy's Ark' Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse Praise for 'The Soldier's War' 'In The Soldier's War, Richard van Emden has toiled in archives and hunted down caches of letters to tell the story of the war chronologically through the eyes of the Tommies who fought it' The Times 'Thousands of books have been written about the Great War, but perhaps none so vividly evocative as The Soldier's War ... an extraordinary homage to a lost generation' Daily Mail For soldiers in the Great War, going over the top was a comparatively rare event; much more frequently, they were bored and lonely and missing their families at home. Needing an outlet for their affection, many found it in the animal kingdom. "Tommy's Ark" looks at the war through the eyes of the soldiers who were there, and examines their relationship with a strange and u
    The Unending Vigil


    One million, one hundred thousand men and women lost their lives in the service of the British Empire during the First World War; in the Second, another six hundred thousand from all parts of the Commonwealth made the same sacrifice. The First World War, which began as a war between professional armies, was very soon to be fought by millions of ordinary citizens turned soldier. Those who died could no longer be "shovelled into a hole ... and so forgotten" as had happened, to Thackeray s indignation, at Waterloo, and in May 1917 a new organization, the Imperial War Graves Commission, was founded to provide permanent care for their graves and commemoration for the missing. The Unending Vigil tells the story of the Commission of its beginnings on the Western Front, with the efforts of one extraordinary man who conceived and directed it through to the conclusion of the Second World War, and of its work since then. Renamed in 1960 the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, its operations today
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    The Unending Vigil


    The Beauty And The Sorrow: An intimate history of the First World War

    Peter Englund


    'A richly complex and rarely heard account of the First World War that lingers in the memory ... Immensely powerful.' --Juliet Gardiner, author of The Blitz 'One of the finest writers of our time on the tactics, the killing and the psychology of war' --Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Jerusalem 'He conjures up the atmosphere over and over again with just a few stark words ... inspiring' --Margaret Forster 'A wonderfully wide and rich mosaic of personal experience from the First World War.' --Antony Beevor 'Englund introduces each new character with perfect timing, arranging them as a composer might bring in a new instrument. *****' --Toby Clements, Telegraph 'It deserves its success because it is perceptive, humane and elegantly written. It never fails to keep the reader's interest.' --Tony Barber, Financial Times 'Englund writes in a telegraphic present tense alive with detail.' --Ian Jack, Guardian 'Peter Englund has created a work of unconventional brilliance.'
    Remembering Fromelles: A New Cemetery for a New Century

    Julie Summers, Louise Loe, Nigel Steel


    At 96 pages, a masterpiece of conciseness in explaining the Battle of Fromelles and the subsequent discovery, recovery, identification and re-interment of the 250 men at Pheasant Wood Cemetery. Every aspect is covered, in layman's language where necessary, so that the reader can understand the problems faced at each stage. The book is very well illustated, each picture complementing the text. For me the important 'first step' was to see the map of the battlefield as it was perceived in the official history of the war, and from there, one can understand subsequent stages leading to the dedication ceremony on the 19th july, 2010. I had a number of questions that had not been answered through TV programmes and press articles on Fromelles. This book provided those answers and it is now a welcome addition to my bookshelf! Well done to all of those involved in the Pheasant Wood project, regardless of role!
    Twelve Days on the Somme: A Memoir of the Trenches, 1916

    Sidney Rogerson


    Sidney Rogerson has put down, plainly and simply, the experiences of his battalion. There is no attempt to compass drama by any device of selection or exaggeration --The Observer A more genuine and unbiased account of trench warfare would be hard to find --The Sunday Times Memoirs of a British subaltern first published in 1933; vivid descriptions without embellishment of life on the front lines written by a survivor of the 1916 Somme offensive. Unabashedly intended as an antidote to the usual downbeat 1930's war memoir. --Western Front Association A joint operation between Britain and France in 1916, the Battle of the Somme was an attempt to gain territory and dent Germany s military strength. By the end of the action, very little ground had been won: the Allied Forces had made just 12km. For this slight gain, a more than a million lives were lost. There were more than 400,000 British, 200,000 French, and 500,000 German casualities during the fighting. Twelve Days on the Somme
    Gallipoli

    Peter Hart


    'Superb... a serious and important work on Gallipoli. It is written in Peter Hart's increasingly excellent style.' --David McLoughlin, Press Association 'An impressive and timely reminder of the futility of war.' --Morning Star '[A] stirring account' --Irish Examiner 'A perceptive and refreshingly candid study of a doomed campaign.' --Peter Simkins 'A tremendous book and for anyone interested in this campaign or the political direction of the war' --Chris Baker, The Long, Long Trail 'Gallipoli by Peter Hart is one of the most refreshing books written about this campaign.' --Martin Hornby, Western Front Association 'All good history books should be an assault on myth, and in 'Gallipoli' Peter Hart mounts a supremely effective attack' --Mail on Sunday 'A marvellous, ghastly book...vivid and compelling' --The Economist 'An account filled with insight and poignancy' --Craig Gibson, TLS A gripping, revisionist account of an epic tragedy
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    Gallipoli


    Boiselle, La: Somme

    Michael Stedman


    A volume in the BATTLEGROUND EUROPE series, a battlefield guide which draws upon material in national and local archives, documentary evidence, personal reminiscence and British and German unit histories of the Somme battlefield during World War I. The battles for the centre of the Somme front of July 1916 is well covered in this remarkable account. La Boiselle and Ovillers were bitterly fought for between 1 July and 19 July 1916 with terrible losses on both sides. Contains good photos and maps. Recommended for first time visitors using the guide maps contained within. A must buy.
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    Boiselle, La: Somme


    Underground Warfare 1914-1918

    Simon Jones


    Simon Jones's graphic history of underground warfare during the Great War uses personal reminiscences to convey the danger and suspense of this unconventional form of conflict. He describes how the underground soldiers of the opposing armies engaged in a ruthless fight for supremacy, covers the tunnelling methods they employed, and shows the increasingly lethal tactics they developed during the war in which military mining reached its apotheosis. He concentrates on the struggle for ascendancy by the British tunnelling companies on the Western Front. But his wide-ranging study also tells the story of the little known but fascinating subterranean battles fought in the French sectors of the Western Front and between the Austrians and the Italians in the Alps which have never been described before in English. Vivid personal testimony is combined with a lucid account of the technical challenges - and ever-present perils - of tunnelling in order to give an all-round insight into the extraord
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    Underground Warfare 1914-1918


    Fort Vaux: Verdun

    Christina Holstein


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    Fort Vaux: Verdun


    Gavrelle: Arras

    Kyle Tallett & Trevor Tasker


    During the Battle of Arras 1917, the village of Gavrelle was captured by the Royal Naval Division; the Royal Marines suffered their highest casualties of their history at Gavrelle Windmill. Four VCs were awarded for actions around Gavrelle.'
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    Gavrelle: Arras


    Major and Mrs. Holt's Concise Guide to the Western Front - South: The First Battle of the Marne, the Aisne 1914, Verdun, the Somme 1916

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    I have just completed a two week visit to the battlefield sites of northern France and southern Belgium. This particular Holts' guide is one of a pair covering the region that we used (and I understand there is a separate tome on the Somme itself), and has a tremendous amount of detail. The maps and illustrations are excellent, and the guide is very comprehensive, with a personal touch provided by the comments of Major and Mrs. Holt. While very comprehensive, I must admit to finding this guide difficult at times to extract the appropriate information from. This is probably because I simply didn't have the time to spend reading it before setting off on our trip, but the problem comes from the difficulty in combining chronological and geographical history. The static nature of the conflict on the western front meant that events in time happened on the same sites, while the expanse over which the conflict took place saw offensives on a single date occur over a great distance. The reali
    Major and Mrs. Holt's Concise Guide to the Western Front - South: The First Battle of the Marne, the Aisne 1914, Verdun, the Somme 1916

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    I have just completed a two week visit to the battlefield sites of northern France and southern Belgium. This particular Holts' guide is one of a pair covering the region that we used (and I understand there is a separate tome on the Somme itself), and has a tremendous amount of detail. The maps and illustrations are excellent, and the guide is very comprehensive, with a personal touch provided by the comments of Major and Mrs. Holt. While very comprehensive, I must admit to finding this guide difficult at times to extract the appropriate information from. This is probably because I simply didn't have the time to spend reading it before setting off on our trip, but the problem comes from the difficulty in combining chronological and geographical history. The static nature of the conflict on the western front meant that events in time happened on the same sites, while the expanse over which the conflict took place saw offensives on a single date occur over a great distance. The reali
    The Wipers Times: The Complete Series of the Famous Wartime Trench Newspaper

    Malcolm Brown (Editor)


    In early 1916, Captain F.J. Roberts and Lieutenant J.H. Pearson salvaged an abandoned printing press from the ruins of Ypres in Northern France and started their own trench newspaper, written by and for the British Infantry. The initial title, 'The Wipers Times', says a lot about the audience they were pitching for - Wipers being the classic tommy's mispronunciation of the French town of Ypres. That informality is continued throughout the paper, which set out to cast a satirical eye at the war and those who were (mis)running it. No target was sacred as the number of the paper's contributors grew. Every issue was chock full of limericks, humourous poems, fake advertisments and short stories that cocked a thumb at the Generals, at the public back home, at the Kaiser and the Germans. There is a tendency to assume that the experiences of the British during the First World War were unrelentingly grim, but as the introduction in this collection says, we have become so convinced of the
    The Kensington Battalion: Never Lost a Yard of Trench

    G.I.S Inglis


    Can there be any more Kitchener infantry battalions, especially the locally raised "pals", waiting to have a history written? Surely there can not be many. This one, the 22nd (Service) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers - raised, as the title suggests, in Kensington in London - already has a good if rather short published history in Christopher Stone's "Short history of 22nd Royal Fusiliers in the Great War". So was Geoff Inglis' work necessary and is it a worthwhile purchase? In my view, a resounding yes on both counts. This battalion benefits from having an unusually extensive archive and a good deal of published work covering its activities. This provides an excellent background for compilation of a detailed history. But "Never lost a yard of trench" goes further, not least due to the fact that the author met several battalion veterans, as the work on the book began many years ago and was interrupted for a long spell. The personal touch, as well as the author's evident expertise an
    Shooting the Front: Allied Air Reconnaissance in the First World War

    Terrence J. Finnegan


    'The definitive reference work - There is no chance that the work will ever be surpassed' - David R. Mets, Professor Emeritus, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies 'Truly a pathbreaking book' - Ernest R. May, Charles Warren Professor of American History, Harvard University 'The sourcebook in its field' - Col Scott A. Willey, USAF (Ret.), Book Review Editor, Air Power History 'This is a benchmark in World War I aviation history' - Walter J. Boyne, former director of the National Air & Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution 'Finnegan has done a remarkable job - He incorporates the previously neglected dimension of photographic interpretation and its comprehensive battlefield application, from front lines to rear echelons' - Dennis Showalter, Professor of History, Colorado College --Dennis Showalter, Professor of History, Colorado College A massive, expertly written and richly illustrated history . . . based on meticulous archival research . . . Finnegan's prose is precise and
    Tommy's War: British Military Memorabilia, 1914-1918

    Peter Doyle


    The First World War has left an almost indelible mark on history, with battles such as the Somme and Passchendaele becoming watchwords for suffering unsurpassed. The dreadful fighting on the Western Front, and elsewhere in the world, remains vivid in the public imagination. Over the years dozens of books have been published dealing with the soldier's experience, the military history and the weapons and vehicles of the war, but there has been little devoted to the objects associated with those hard years in the trenches. This book redresses that balance.
    Fatal Avenue: A Traveller's History of the Battlefields of Northern France and Flanders 1346-1945

    Richard Holmes


    A unique work, combining military history and travel, studying the most fought-over area on earth.
    The German Army at Passchendaele

    Jack Sheldon


    Even after the passage of almost a century, the name Passchendaele has lost none of its power to shock and dismay. Reeling from the huge losses in earlier battles, the German army was in no shape to absorb the impact of the Battle of Messines and the subsequent bitter attritional struggle. Throughout the fighting on the Somme, the German army had always felt that it had the ability to counter Allied thrusts, but following the shock reverses of April and May 1917, much heart searching had led to the urgent introduction of new tactics of flexible defence. When these in turn were found to be wanting, the psychological damage shook the German defenders badly. But, as this book demonstrates, at trench level the individual soldier of the German Army was still capable of fighting extraordinarily hard, despite being outnumbered, outgunned and subjected to relentless, morale-sapping shelling and gas attacks. The German army drew comfort from the realisation that, although it had had to yield g
    Bygone Pilgrimage - The Somme 1914-1918: First Battle of the Somme 1916-1917 v. 1

    Michelin


    The first thirty pages provide an overview of the offensive, the objectives, the theory, methods and tactics adopted and the part played by each arm in the different phases of the attack. In this preamble, which takes the reader up to the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in February/March 1917, Gough is mistakenly referred to as commanding Second Army (page 2) instead of Fifth (Reserve Army till 30 October1916). Then follows an illustrated guide to the battlefield which covers both French and British operations with maps and photos, focussing on the area Albert-Bapaume-Peronne and the valley of the Somme, taking in all the battles in which the BEF was involved during the four and a half months' campaign.
    The First World War

    John Keegan


    Despite the avalanche of books written about the First World War in recent years, there have been comparatively few books that have concentrated on delivering the big picture--a comprehensive account of the war and its campaigns from start to finish--and this book fills the gap superbly. As readers familiar with John Keegan's previous books, such as the The Face Battle, Six Armies in Normandy, and The Second World War, will know, Keegan is a historian of the old school. He has no earth-shattering new theories to challenge the status quo, no first-person accounts to tug on the emotions; what he does have, though, is the gift for talking the lay person through the twists and turns of a complex narrative in a way that is never less than accessible or engaging. Keegan never tries to ram his learning down your throat. Where other authors have struggled to explain how Britain could ever allow itself to be dragged into such a war in 1914, Keegan keeps it practical. The level of communications
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    The First World War


    The Pity of War

    Niall Ferguson


    If someone less distinguished than Niall Ferguson--a fellow and tutor in Modern History at Jesus College, Oxford--had written The Pity of Waryou could be forgiven for thinking that he was a man in search of a few cheap headlines by contradicting almost every accepted orthodoxy about World War I. Ferguson argues that Britain was as much to blame for the start of the war as was German militarism, and that had Britain sacrificed Belgium to Germany, the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution would never have happened, Germany would have created a united European state, and Britain could have remained a superpower. He also contends that there was little enthusiasm for the war in Britain in 1914, but equally he claims that it was not prolonged by clever manipulation of the media. Instead, he purports that the reason men fought was because they enjoyed it. He also maintains that it wasn't the severity of the conditions imposed on Germany at Versailles in 1919 that led inexorably to World War II; rather i
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    The Pity of War


    Blighty: British Society in the Era of the Great War

    Gerard J. DeGroot


    'well worth reading'.The Times 'well written and very readable...can be highly recommended'African History 'an important contribution to our knowledge of the background to British policy-making in 1918 and 1919'English Historical Review "The author's skill in blending social history with a narrative of the main political developments makes Blighty well-suited for student use. In many respects it provides a model of what this genre should be like."Albion An analytical survey of Britain in the era of the Great War (focusing particularly on the period 1907-1922), which questions the common assumption that, because the war had a devastating impact on the British people, its social consequences must therefore have been equally apocalyptic and lasting. Dr. De Groot argues that prewar social structures and attitudes proved surprisingly resilient, and the innate conservatism of all classes in Britain ensured that postwar Britain was as little changed as new economic and technological circ
    The First World War

    Martin Gilbert


    "Written by one of our generation's most respected historians, it charts the Great War from its inception with a rigorous attention to dates, facts and statistics but coloured in with human perspective and poetry" (BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH ) It was to be the war to end all wars, and it began at 11.15 on the morning of June 28, 1914, in an outpost of the Austro-Hungarian Empire called Sarajevo. It would end officially almost five years later. Unoffically, it has never ended: The horrors we live with today were born in the First World War. It left millions - civilians and soldiers - maimed or dead. And it left us with new technologies of death: tanks, planes, and submarines; reliable rapid-fire machine guns, poison gas and chemical warfare. It introduced us to unrestricted war on civilians and mistreatment of prisoners. Most of all, it changed our world. In its wake, empires toppled, monarchies fell, whole populations lost their national indentities as political systems and geographic b
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    The First World War


    The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918

    Holger Herwig


    Full of fascinating detail, strongly argued, and lucidly written, Herwig's study is certain to force a re-evaluation of the origins and course of World War One. (Choice ) a comprehensive study...we have needed for some time...one cannot but admire the breathtaking scope of [Herwig's] scholarship. A brilliant work by one of the real giants in the field. An absolute must read for anyone with even a passing interest in the subject. (New York Military Affairs Symposium ) In making extensive use of achive material in Germany and Austria... [Herwig] is able to destroy effectively the myth of a well-run German war machine. (The Times Literary Supplement ) ...the most thorough and readable one-volume history of the war so far available. (History ) The Great War toppled four empires, cost the world 24 million dead, and sowed some of the seeds of another worldwide conflagration 20 years later. Yet, until now, there has been no comprehensive treatment of how Germany and Austria-Hungar
    Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front

    Richard Holmes


    Tommy is Richard Holmes's tribute to the ghosts of the millions of ordinary soldiers who fought in the First World War. The book also reflects the dissatisfaction he feels at the way we still remember it. Too often we approach World War I through the literature it inspired. The poems of Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon and others have their own truths to offer, but Holmes would dispute the assumption that they represent the experiences of the majority of those who endured the trench warfare of the Western Front. To discover new voices and new perspectives on the war he has trawled through the rich archives of letters, diaries and memoirs that still exist, most of them written while the fighting still continued. From these he has constructed an extraordinarily vivid and moving picture of what it felt like to be one of the millions of men who served in the British army during the four years between August 1914 and the armistice on November 11, 1918. From Private Albert Bullock rejoicing
    Battle Tactics of the Western Front: British Army's Art of Attack, 1916-18

    Paddy Griffith


    Historians have portrayed British participation in the Great War as a series of tragic debacles, with lines of men mown down by machine guns, untried new military technology and incompetent generals who threw their troops into improvised and unsuccessful attacks. In this book Paddy Griffith, a renowned military historian, examines the evolution of British infantry tactics during the war and challenges this interpretation, showing that while the British army's plans and technologies persistently failed during the improvised first half of the war, the army gradually improved its technique, technology and, eventually, its self-assurance. By the time of its successful sustained offensive in the autumn of 1918, he argues, the British army was demonstrating a battlefield skill and mobility that would rarely be surpassed even during the Second World War. Evaluating the great gap that exists between theory and practice, between textbook and bullet-swept mudfield, Griffith argues that many batt
    The Somme

    Peter Hart


    'Peter Hart pays handsome tribut to the 'ordinary soldiers...' ... one could not wish for a more appropriate testimony to that generation for which the Somme was much more than a topic for academic research or a source of poignant reflection.' (LITERARY REVIEW ) 'A monumental feat of research, his book is also a memorial of the most compelling kind to the hundreds of individuals whose diaries, letters and recollections are presented so vividly here.' (THE SCOTSMAN ) '[Hart] has produced a remarkably even-handed account... and the first-person accounts he has unearthed are rich in vivid images...' (SUNDAY TIMES ) 'Hart has succeeded in presenting his massive subject with objective clarity... the material gives it curious immediacy... brilliantly well-written extracts... Prepare to be enlightened, but prepare to feel respect for all the men involved.' (SOLDIER MAGAZINE ) 'Excellent' (TLS ) 'Hart is an accomplished author of anecdotal histories and here he is on top form...
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    The Somme


    The Donkeys: A History of the British Expeditionary Force in 1915

    Alan Clark


    On 26 September 1915 twelve British battalions - a strength of almost 10,000 men - were ordered to attack German positions at Loos in north-east France. In the three-and-a-half hours of the actual battle, they sustained 8,246 casualties. The Germans suffered no casualties at all. The Donkeys is a study of the Western Front on 1915, a brilliant exposé of a key stage of the Great War, when the opposing armies were locked in trench warfare. Alan Clark scrutinizes the major battles of the year. He casts a steady and revealing light on those in High Command - French, Rawlinson, Watson and Haig among them- whose orders resulted in the virtual destruction of the odd professional British Army. Professor Michael Howard summed this book up as "a worthless history", Dr John Bourne; the University of Birmingham justly cites it as "preserving historical writing about the Great War in its ridiculously protracted adolescence". This is generous. Clark is an agenda driven politician with an appal
    The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, The Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches

    Harry Patch & Richard Van Emden


    'An extraordinary biography by the very last witness of a devastating four years in British history .. 'Patch is unique - living history on legs, articulate, with wonderfully vivid recall' ' Daily Mail 'Patch was not unique among millions of his comrades who endured that prolonged and supreme test of nerve and courage. But, uniquely, as the last survivor, he embodies them all' Sunday Express 'This articulate, modest and outspoken man not only remains one of the last living links with a traumatic event that has become part of the national consciousness, but is an unassailable witness of what the war was like for those who fought in it' Daily Telegraph 'A wonderful book' Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate Harry Patch, 110 years old, is the last British soldier alive to have fought in the trenches of the First World War. From his vivid memories of an Edwardian childhood, the horror of the Great War and fighting in the mud during the Battle of Passchendaele, working on the home front in the S
    The Last of the Last: The Final Survivor of the First World War

    Claude Choules


    Written from memoirs penned more than two decades ago, together with further interviews and recollections from Claude Before his death at the age of 110 in May 2011, Claude Choules was the last man alive who had served in both world wars. Claude learned life's lessons during a rural childhood in England and later in the Royal Navy as a boy sailor, before graduating to become an explosives expert in the Australian navy. In his 80s, Claude began working on his memoirs with the help of his daughters, and The Last of the Last is a riveting account of his lifetime that vividly mirrors how the last century unfolded. Claude had the insight of an ordinary man thrust to the forefront of international furore. He was opposed to the glorification of war, but his charming anecdotes honour a generation called upon to serve not once but twice. This engaging, wryly humorous autobiography reflects the amiable nature of a truly unique man.
    Kitchener's Last Volunteer: The Life of Henry Allingham, the Oldest Surviving Veteran of the Great War

    Henry Allingham & Denis Goodwin


    Henry Allingham is the last British serviceman alive to have volunteered for active duty in the First World War and is one of very few people who can directly recall the horror of that conflict. In Kitchener's Last Volunteer, he vividly recaptures how life was lived in the Edwardian era and how it was altered irrevocably by the slaughter of millions of men in the Great War, and by the subsequent coming of the modern age. Henry is unique in that he saw action on land, sea and in the air with the British Naval Air Service. He was present at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 with the British Grand Fleet and went on to serve on the Western Front. He befriended several of the young pilots who would lose their lives, and he himself suffered the privations of the front line under fire. In recent years, Henry was given the opportunity to tell his remarkable story to a wider audience through a BBC documentary, and he has since become a hero to many, meeting royalty and having many honours bes
    Sapper Martin: The Secret Great War Diary of Jack Martin

    Richard Van Emden


    Praise for The Soldier's War 'Thousands of books have been written about the Great War, but perhaps none so vividly evocative as Richard van Emden's The Soldier's War ... an extraordinary homage to a lost generation' Daily Mail 'A remarkably distressing yet uplifting book ... these descriptions from a Tommy's eye-view have a gut-wrenching immediacy' Daily Mail 'In The Soldier's War, Richard van Emden has toiled in archives and hunted down caches of letters to tell the story of the war chronologically through the eyes of the Tommies who fought it, recording their days of tedium and moments of terror' The Times Jack Martin was a thirty-two-year-old clerk at the Admiralty when he was called up to serve in the army in September 1916. These diaries, written in secret, hidden from his colleagues and only discovered by his family after his return home, present the Great War with heartbreaking clarity, written in a voice as compelling and distinctive as Wilfred Owen or Siegfried Sassoon and
    The Reluctant Tommy

    Duncan Barrett & Ronald Skirth


    `Different from the hundreds of other memoirs about the Great War ...What he has to say was hard come by and should be heard' --Daily Mail `Superb' --Daily Telegraph ``An important contribution to the literature of the war ... whenever I get too misty-eyed about officer-man relationships I shall reread it to remind me of how badly things could go wrong.' Richard Holmes, Evening Standard --Richard Holmes, Evening Standard 'In the middle of No Man's Land, in the aftermath of the battle of Passchendaele young Tommy Ronald Skirth saw the body of a dead German and resolved never to help take a human life...In his retirement he finally, and controversially, unburdened memories held secret for some 50 years and these have just been published in paperback...' --Choice Magazine ‘One of the most extraordinary First World War memoirs you will ever read; an instant classic … absolutely perfect’ James Delingpole, Mail on Sunday
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    The Reluctant Tommy


    Britain's Last Tommies

    Richard Van Emden


    A deeply moving tribute to the courage and suffering of all who took part, and to the fallen (THE TIMES ) A remarkable new book (MAIL ON SUNDAY ) A compelling and moving history of the the First World War in the words of the last suriviving soldiers to have fought in it
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    Britain's Last Tommies


    Soldier's War: The Great War Through Veterans' Eyes

    Richard Van Emden


    `...tells the story of the war chronologically through the eyes of the Tommies who fought it' --The Times `How much more vivid is this account of the Great War from letters and diaries than any orthodox history ... A rich haul of unpublished snapshots reinforces a compelling work' --Independent I don't normally feel compelled to comment on any books I read, however this new book by Richard Van Emden is so good that I couldn't resist making my views known. The book progresses year by year through the duration of the war, each chapter is full of amazing personal accounts most of which have never previously been published, through these Mr Van Emden sets out not just to tell us of the utter horror of the war, but also of the everyday experiences of the troops out of the line. However it is not just the superb text that makes this book a must buy, the book also contains many truely excellent unpublished photos that I have never seen before. Most of these photos were taken by troo
    From Geordie Land to No Mans Land


    In writing his `one and only' book, George Elder, a proud Geordie, detailed many of his experiences endured whilst serving in the British Army during World War 1. Many of his tales would not have been appreciated by his peers, but they actually happened and would have been recognised by the common soldier. From Geordie Land to No Mans land was written to inform his family, friends and anyone buying his book of the real life events that occurred. How an ordinary man survived 4 years in the front line experiencing the horrors of war that most of us could not imagine, enduring many privations such as mud, cold, hunger, thirst and fear of imminent death all around him. George maintained his spirit by forming a close bond with his fellow Geordies even refusing to be transferred to Hospital in case he could not return to his original unit. His description of the intensity of shell fire that we have seen in pictures of the battlefields of Flanders and the Somme bring to life how men endured t
    The First Casualty

    Ben Elton


    "A work of formidable imaginative scope the writing is so good, the language so surprisingly subtle and the characters so beautifully delineated." --"Daily Telegraph ""Riveting action scenes bristle with a queasy energy unputdownable and disgustingly realistic." --"Sunday Telegraph" I must confess that I have not read a Ben Elton novel for sometime (Blast From the Past being the last), which is odd as it was Ben that inspired me to have a go at writing. Having read an article on The First Casualty I gave it a go... and loved it. Yes, like many I picked up on the obvious Blackadder 4 links, but as a period project obviously close to the author's heart this works on all levels, i.e. great characters, intrigue, history and comical observation. Against the backdrop of murder investigation there is a touching and poignant account of life in the trenches which really hits home - the cramped train journey, the march to the front and the appalling sanitation. It is observed from all
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    The First Casualty


    Strange Meeting

    Susan Hill


    John Hilliard, a young subaltern returning to the Western Front after a brief period of sick leave back in England, finds his battalion tragically altered. His commanding officer finds escape in alcohol, there is a new adjutant and even Hilliard's batman has been killed. But there is David Barton. As yet untouched and unsullied by war, radiating charm and common sense, forever writing long letters to his family. Theirs is a strange meeting and a strange relationship: the coming together of opposites in the summer lull before the inevitable storm. The theme of this novel is friendship, a friendship between two English soldiers, set against a background of the atrocities of the battlefield during the First World War. John Hilliard, a young officer, returns to his battalion in France, after a period of sick leave in England. In the mean time a new officer has arrived. It's David Barton, 21 years old and slightly younger that Hilliard. Hilliard, who is rather stiff and reserved and
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    Strange Meeting


    Letters from the Trenches: A Soldier of the Great War

    Bill Lamin


    ..as a chronicle of life for an ordinary foot soldier this is an excellent, easy read which gives a human face to the incomprehensible scale of the slaughter that was thought to be the war to end all wars. -- Daily Express 1st May 2009 I won't spoil the suspense of whether Harry survives to be reunited with his family. But as a chronicle of life for an ordinary foot soldier this is an excellent, easy read which gives a human face to the incomprehensible scale of the slaughter that was thought to be the war to end all wars. --Daily Express, May 1, 2009 ...this selection, edited by Harry's grandson, provides a rare insight into the everyday experiences of the war's unsung heroes.
    First World War Army Service Records: A Guide for Family Historians

    William Spencer


    This revised, expanded and fully updated edition of the longstanding bestseller explains the vast First World War holdings at The National Archives and the British Library's India Office. Expert advice for all those exploring the First World War or tracing relatives who served in it. It covers material already released and some soon to come on subjects such as service records, war diaries, medals, the WAAC, London Gazette and overseas records. This is an expanded and updated edition of William Spencer's already excellent book, which is indispensible for anyone researching their ancesters who fought in the British army (it doesn't cover navy) and wants to go beyond the medal-cards and fatality records that can be easily viwed via Ancestry. William Spencer has a thorough knowledge of the National Archives, and systematically describes the War Office archives available at Kew, and crucially gives the War Office WO reference numbers of each. If you are serious about tracing Britis
    Army Service Records of the First World War

    Simon Fowler, William Spencer, Stuart Tamblin


    This revised edition offers an introduction to the surviving service record for World War I non-commissioned officers and ordinary soldiers. It includes the 1998 release of service records for officers, with detailed explanations and illustrations of the most common forms to be found among the records. It reveals how to search the Medal Rolls for awards for gallantry and for service, as well as describing other sources that can be used to track and illuminate an individual's war service, notably war diaries, trench maps and major collections outside the Public Record Office. The records are brought to life by case studies of two ordinary soldiers and one notable officer - Lieutenant Siegfried Sassoon. Fowler has done his work thoroughly.From my own point of view,Fowler could have included the social consequences of having, "upper" and "the rest" rankings, and thier non inter-reaction, during WW1, and the causes and results of this. Why have so many Officers survived, to longlevity,
    Army Service Records of the First World War

    William Spencer


    A guide to the records relating to army personnel during World War I. This third edition is published to coincide with the transfer to the Public Record Office in early 2001 of the British Army Nurses and Indian Army Records. There are five new chapters covering: Army Nurses records; WAAC records; Indian Army records of service; Indian Army operational records; and casualties. It also provides more details on pension records; personnel files on selected officers, including General Haig; how to use the "London Gazette" to piece together a service record; expansion of the material on honours and awards; and information on service records contained within WO76. Researching a soldier of the British Army of 1914-1918 is no easy task. The records that survive are incomplete and full of military jargon that is difficult for the uninitiated. Most of the records are held at the National Archives in Kew, London, and this book gives good guidance to what is available and how to make effective
    Army Service Records of the First World War (Paperback)

    Simon Fowler, William Spencer, Stuart Tamblin


    This short guide offers a preliminary introduction to the surviving records for both non-commissioned and ordinary soldiers of World War One. The original records were badly damaged during bombing in 1940, so a second collection was compiled from duplicates held by the Ministry of Pensions. The book is designed to aid the researcher, illustrating common forms to be found amongst the records, including attestation forms, medical histories and regimental conduct reports. It also examines other military material held in the PRO, such as war diaries, maps and photographs, and such external sources as newspapers and war memorials.
    The Great War: A Guide to the Service Records of All the World's Fighting Men and Volunteers

    Christina K. Schaefer


    The Great War covers information on all WWI combattants. The Great War was a challenge to write, because I broadened the scope of the book to include the service records of all the countries who had forces which fought in WWI. Consequently, although the focus is on records of that time period, a researcher could use this book to locate military records from other wars, in many countries. I have identified the repositories for military records in the U.S., , the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, Austria (and the former Austro-Hungarian Empire), Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia (and former states of the USSR), Serbia, South Africa, and Turkey, There is a wealth of information available if you know where to look. This book tells the kinds of records which are available for the nations which participated in World War One and research tips. Methods of organization, military units, and ships are listed for
    Tracing Your Army Ancestors

    Simon Fowler


    Provides a comprehensive introduction to researching army history. This book shows how to trace the careers of individual soldiers from 1760. It explains army organization and regimental histories and covers information on the major archives and museums, including the National Archives.
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    Tracing Your Army Ancestors


    Tracing Your First World War Ancestors

    Simon Fowler


    A comprehensive guide for those researching their ancestors in all three armed services - the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Flying Corps.
    The Animals' War: Animals in Wartime from the First World War to the Present Day

    Juliet Gardiner


    Published in association with the Imperial War Museum, to coincide with their major exhibition, and including an introduction by Jilly Cooper. From the First World War to the present day, animals have played a key part in warfare - and many have suffered and died as a result. Juliet Gardiner's book is a moving tribute to their efforts and sacrifice - illustrated with hundreds of evocative photographs and paintings. Many different animals have played a role on the battlefield - horses and mules carrying supplies and munitions; dogs, like Buster in Iraq, seeking out ammo dumps; canaries trained by tunnellers to detect gas; carrier pigeons sending messages, like Gustav who flew back with the first reports of the D-Day landings; camels used in the Arab Revolt in the First World War; and dolphins trained to protect submarines. Having seen the exhibition at The Imperial War Museum, I decided to buy the book. It has amazing stories of the valuble contributions and sacrifices that animals h
    Art from the First World War

    Various


    Showcasing art from the extensive collection of the Imperial War Museum, this book includes works from the major artists of the time such as John and Paul Nash, Orpen, Bomberg, Spencer and Sargent as well as other artists who are less familiar to us today. With an introductory essay by Roger Tolson, Head of Art at the Imperial War Museum, this book offers an insight into the huge range and power of wartime art during the First World War.
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    Art from the First World War


    "A Terrible Beauty": War, Art and Imagination 1914-1918

    Paul Gough


    In-depth survey of artists of the Great War, including Paul Nash, Muirhead Bone, Nevinson, Orpen, Stanley Spencer and Wyndham Lewis. I bought "A Terrible Beauty." my brother in law who is is obsessed with first world war war graves so it was a perfect birthday present. However, having bought it, I couldn't put it down so bought myself a copy . It's a brilliant anthemic tapestry to so many forgotten and necessary wonders.
    Women War Artists

    Kathleen Palmer


    Women war artists have acted as witnesses to many of the major conflicts of the twentieth century, from the First and Second World Wars to the current engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some have been commissioned through Official War Art schemes; others have worked independently, bringing an unofficial and independent perspective to our view of conflict. Until recently, their treatment and their access to front-line battle situations has been markedly different to that of their male counterparts. Given these constraints, their achievement in creating works of power, authority and insight deserves far greater recognition. Rather than being an exhaustive survey, this book takes the cases of individual artists and examines both their stories and their art. In the First World War, Olive Mudie-Cooke was a pioneer, gaining access via medical service at the front. In the Second World War Dame Laura Knight, the first woman to be made an RA, was officially commissioned, as was Mary Kessell.
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    Women War Artists


    Modern Art, Britain and the Great War: Witnessing, Testimony and Remembrance

    Sue Malvern


    This fascinating book examines how the British state recruited artists to produce official art as part of propaganda during World War I and how their compelling work affected twentieth-century art and British modernism. '...an important and provocative book which is sure to be influential in directing debate...'
    Drawing Fire: The diary of a Great War soldier and artist

    Len Smith


    "I wish I could have met him - a sniper's rifle in one hand and an artist's brush in the other." Christy Campbell A vivid and powerful diary of life in the trenches The horrors of war in the trenches are brought to life with a rare immediacy and power through the diary of soldier and artist Len Smith. Enduring battles such as those at Loos and Vimy Ridge, Len survives with a mixture of whimsical humour, bravery and sheer good luck. Len enlisted as an infantryman in the City of London Regiment on his 23rd birthday, 22 September 1914. During the war years he kept a journal on scraps of paper which he hid in his trousers to smuggle home at the end of the war. At the same time, he added to his thoughts with colour sketches of the people and places he encountered. His drawing skills were also put to good use to gather and record intelligence on German army positions which he did under great personal risk; they were later used to help plan military strategy. One of his many ingen
    Undertones of War

    Edmund Blunden


    An established classic ... accurate and detailed in observation of the war scene and its human figures (D. J. Enright ) In what is one of the finest autobiographies to come out of the First World War, the distinguished poet Edmund Blunden records his experiences as an infantry subaltern in France and Flanders. Blunden took part in the disastrous battles of the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele, describing the latter as 'murder, not only to the troops, but to their singing faiths and hopes'. In his compassionate yet unsentimental prose, he tells of the heroism and despair found among the officers. Blunden's poems show how he found hope in the natural landscape; the only thing that survives the terrible betrayal enacted in the Flanders fields.
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    Undertones of War


    Women in the First World War

    Neil R Storey & Molly Housego


    At first,I was slightly disappointed to find that this book is only 62 pages long as I had thought given the title of the book, it would be much longer. The chapters cover nursing, munition work, on the land, uniform and demob. There is a good selection of old black and white photos, together with war posters and memorabilia from that era. This book is pr This book is fabulous! I never really knew much about the first world war because I find all wars really saddening anyway I read this book about the women in WW1 and its amazing how much they did not just for our country, but for our businesses and for women today - for example women were only allowed to wear trousers during WW1 because of the women who took over the mens jobs in factories and farms. Ladies - can you imagine not being able to wear whatever you wanted? It's crazy! But this book is a fabulous read and if you want to learn a bit of history about women's rights get this book!
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    Women in the First World War


    The Reluctant Tommy: An Extraordinary Memoir of the First World War

    Ronald Skirth


    'An important contribution to the literature of the war. I would certainly buy this book even if I had not been sent a review copy, and whenever I get too misty-eyed about officer-man relationships I shall reread it to remind me of how badly things could go wrong. And of just how vital it is, for any democratic society seeking to use war as an instrument of policy, to ensure that the connection between war's means and its political ends is crystal clear.' -- Richard Holmes, The Evening Standard I have spent a considerable time checking the statements made in this book, comparing them with battery and brigade war diaries and soldier's records. Barely a line stacks up. I am afraid that "The reluctant Tommy" can only be considered at best a well-meant work of fiction or at worst some kind of personal attempt to embarrass individuals with which the author served. It's an interesting and even absorbing read, but a fairy tale. UPDATE: on the basis of this and other research, the Imperi
    Call to Arms: The British Army 1914-18

    Charles Messenger


    '... illuminating... Charles Messenger has provided us with a lesson in excellence.' (SCOTTISH LEGION NEWS ) 'detailed and comprehensive... also fascinating to read... Thoroughly reccommended.' (MILITARY ILLUSTRATED ) 'comprehensive... based on years of research, this will become the standard work of reference' (MILITARIA MART ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. I like books of two types. Firstly, those that take a subject apart and push it back together again, adding to what you know, and secondly those that you can dip into, and learn a little that may be you didn't know before. This book is of the latter type. Covering many different aspects of the war, the book is well written and ideal for that longish train journey, or sit in the garden. For the casual reader, there is much of interest and yet for the 'in depth' reader there'll be much new or unmet stuff too.
    An Illustrated History of the First World War

    John Keegan


    John Keegan's The First World War was everywhere praised, and became the definitive account of the war that created the modern world. The New York Times Book Review acclaimed Keegan as "the best military historian of our day," and the Washington Post called the book "a grand narrative history [and] a pleasure to read." Now Keegan gives us a lavishly illustrated history of the war, brilliantly interweaving his narrative--some of it derived from his classic work and some of it new--with a brilliant selection of photograps, paintings, cartoons and posters drawn from archives across Europe and America, some published here for the first time. These images take us into the heart of battles that have become legend: Ypres, Gallipoli, Verdun, the Somme. They show us the generals' war and the privates' war--young soldiers, away from home for the first time, coming of age under fire. We see how a civilization at the height of its power and influence crippled itself as the faith in progress,
    Fear

    Gabriel Chevallier


    'Has bite and poignancy and deserves to be recognised next to 'All Quiet on the Western Front'' --Patrick Neale, Jaffe and Neale in Bookseller's Choice 'A work of great intensity, comparable to such great literary masterpieces of the period as Henri Barbusse's Under Fire' --Daily Mail 'There are enough flashes of intense colour and incident to make this translation a worthwhile exercise' --Sunday Telegraph 'Chevallier's pen is as sharp as a bayonet' --Herald 'Excoriating ... A bravura work, fearless from start to finish, pitiless in its targets, passionate in its empathy' --Times Literary Supplement The author's Clochemerle is possibly my favourite book of all time (close run thing with Treasure Island) and I'd never heard of this book. Being a bit of a Chevallier completist I bought this though, and was first of all struck by how sparse and serious this book is, certainly compared to clochemerle. I suppose this is inevitable given the subject matter but it is quite a d
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    Fear


    Famous: 1914-1918

    Richard Van Emden & Vic Piuk


    Famous tells the Great War stories of twenty of Britain's most respected, best known and even notorious celebrities. They include politicians, actors, writers, an explorer, a sculptor and even a murderer. The generation that grew up in the late 19th Century enlisted enthusiastically in the defence of the country. Many would become household names such as Basil Rathbone, the definitive Sherlock Holmes, AA Milne, creator of Winnie the Pooh, and John Laurie and Arnold Ridley who found fame and public affection as the dour Scotsman Fraser, and the gentle and genial Godfrey, in Dad's Army. From politicians such as Harold Macmillan and Winston Churchill to writers includsing JB Priestley, and JRR Tolkein, from sculptors like Henry Moore, to composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, their fame and influence continue even into the 21st Century. The authors Richard van Emden and Vic Piuk have discovered the exact locations where these celebrities saw action. They tell the story of how JRR Tolke
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    Famous: 1914-1918


    The Old Lie: The Great War and the Public-school Ethos

    Peter Parker


    Long unavailable, this acclaimed book traces the history of an ideal and examines its effect on the lives of those caught up in the First World War. Rupert Brooke's apparent enthusiasm for the War in 1914 was echoed throughout England, particularly by young men who had been educated in a gentlemanly tradition of patriotism, chivalry and sportsmanship at their public schools. These codes had also trickled down through society thanks to the school stories that appeared in popular boys' magazines, and to the missions and boys' clubs run by the schools and universities in the poorer parts of the country. Drawing upon a wealth of material, Peter Parker's fascinating book traces the growth and dissemination of what Wilfred Owen dismissed as 'the old lie' in his poem Dulce Et Decorum Est. It also explores the wide variety of responses to the war ? from celebration to denigration, from patriotic acquiescence to bitter rebellion ? as they were reflected in the poetry, plays and prose of the per
    Playing the Game: The British Junior Infantry Officer on the Western Front 1914-18

    Christopher Moore-Bick


    ... this is a groundbreaking work; a detailed examination of the platoon and company commanders who had to make the plans of their seniors work. It is scholarly but immensely readable … an essential addition to the library of any military historian, whether professional or interested amateur. --Gordon Corrigan, author of Mud, Blood and Poppycock: Britain and the Great War and The Second World War - A Military History A valuable contribution to our knowledge of the British Army in the First World War. --Dr Stephen Badsey, University of Wolverhampton The strength of Moore-Bick's work is that it is accessible to the enthusiast as well as to the academic; thankfully, the familiar subjects are covered succinctly and freshly, including a lot of original research alongside discussion of the conclusions that other researchers have drawn. --Birmingham 'On War' - the unofficial blog of the War Studies research students at the University of Birmingham Product Description The British Army
    The Great War: Myth and Memory

    Dan Todman


    "Former military history teacher and current lecturer in modern British history Dan Todman presents The Great War: Myth and Memory, a close examination of how perceptions of World War I have changed over the past ninety years, arguing that a distorted image of the war- one focusing too heavily upon its miseries- has dominated its understanding in present-day culture. The Great War debunks myths and reveals the astutely professional capabilities of its generals. From questioning the prevalence of mud and donkeys in popular perception of WWI, to examination of primary sources revealing differing views among veterans, The Great War: Myth and Memory is a welcome addition to history shelves for its counterbalance upon the enormous influence popular culture (from comics to war movies) has upon collective historical memory." Internet Bookwatch--, Product Description The First World War, with its mud and the slaughter of the trenches, is often taken as the ultimate example of the futility of
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    The Great War: Myth and Memory


    A Long Long Way

    Sebastian Barry


    'The story grips, shocks and saddens; but most importantly refuses to be forgotten.' --The Times 'A stunning achievement... Barry has written one of the most moving fictional accounts of war that surely must rank alongside those real-life testimonies of Owen and Sasson.' --Sunday Tribune 'A deeply moving story of courage and fidelity.' --J. M. Coetzee Sunday Times 'A beautifully written book with human value.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. I read this book a few months ago and when I finished it I felt I had to read it again to capture some of the powerful descriptions of human feelings, love, fear, confusion, betrayal, disappointment, compradeship, etc., I picked it up again last week and have enjoyed reading every page of it a second time. In this book Sebastian Barry has dealt with a subject rarely even talked about until recently in Ireland. That is, the dilemna of 1916 when Irishmen were fighting against Britain in Dublin
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    A Long Long Way


    Memoirs of an Infantry Officer

    Siegfried Sassoon


    It is my own story I am trying to tell, and as such it must be received; those who expect a universalization of the Great War must look for it elsewhere.' Memoirs of an Infantry Officer, first published in 1930, is Siegfried Sassoon's fictionalized autobiography of the period between the early spring of 1916 and the summer of 1917. The narrative moves from the trenches to the Fourth Army School, to Morlancourt and a raid, then to and through the Somme. The mind of the narrator turns from unquestioning acceptance of the war and of the standards which it set up, to doubting the necessity of the seemingly endless slaughter.
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    Memoirs of an Infantry Officer


    Regeneration

    Pat Barker


    A brilliant novel. Intense and subtle (Peter Kemp Sunday Times ) Product Description Craiglockhart War Hospital, Scotland, 1917, where army psychiatrist William Rivers is treating shell-shocked soldiers. Under his care are the poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, as well as mute Billy Prior, who is only able to communicate by means of pencil and paper. Rivers’s job is to make the men in his charge healthy enough to fight. Yet the closer he gets to mending his patients’ minds the harder becomes every decision to send them back to the horrors of the front … Regeneration is the classic exploration of how the traumas of war brutalised a generation of young men. The first book in the Regeneration trilogy
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    Regeneration


    Journey's End

    Robert Cedric Sherriff


    Set in the First World War, Journey's End concerns a group of British officers on the front line and opens in a dugout in the trenches in France. Raleigh, a new eighteen-year-old officer fresh out of English public school, joins the besieged company of his friend and cricketing hero Stanhope, and finds him dramatically changed ... Laurence Olivier starred as Stanhope in the first performance of Journey's End in 1928; the play was an instant stage success and remains a remarkable anti-war classic.
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    Journey's End


    Up the Line to Death: War Poets, 1914-18

    Brian Gardner


    Times Education Supplement 'To read through this anthology is ... to live the years 1914-1918, adding to the images of battle which most of us have already, the actual feelings expressed by the soldier poets who lived, and died, through trench warfare' Illustrated London News 'It is all here, the mud and rats of the trenches, the hellish noise of the bombardment, the insane waste of life, the high heroism and the bitter cynicism'
    The Accrington Pals

    Peter Whelan


    The Accrington Pals is a poignant and harrowing play set in the early years of the First World War, as the country's jingoistic optimism starts to wane and the true terror of warfare gradually becomes clear. The play looks at both the terrifying experiences of the men at the front and the women who were left behind to face social changes, deprivation and the lies of propaganda. While often comic vignettes portray the everyday life of a town denuded of men, the men face the terror that is the Battle of the Somme. This compassionate play portrays the devastating effects of war on a typical Lancashire mill town and the suffering of everyday people. This Modern Classic edition includes a new preface by the author, plus a full introduction exploring the themes, social/historical context and characters. The edition will also include a chronology of key events mentioned in the play and classroom activities. This is a play that can be read on so many levels, its a touching tale of the trial
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    The Accrington Pals


    Testament Of Youth: An Autobiographical Study of the Years 1900-1925

    Vera Brittain


    In 1914 Vera Brittain was 21 years old, and an undergraduate student at Somerville College, Oxford. When war broke out in August of that year, Brittain "temporarily" disrupted her studies to enrol as a volunteer nurse, nursing casualties both in England and on the Western Front. The next four years were to cause a deep rupture in Brittain's life, as she witnessed not only the horrors of war first hand, but also experienced the quadruple loss of her fiancé, her brother, and two close friends. Testament of Youth is a powerfully written, unsentimental memoir which has continued to move and enthral readers since its first publication in 1933. Brittain, a pacifist since her First World War experiences, prefaces the book with a fairy tale, in which Catherine, the heroine, encounters a fairy godmother and is given the choice of having either a happy youth or a happy old age. She selects the latter and so her fate is determined: "Now this woman," warns the tale, "was the destiny of poor Cather
    Not about Heroes

    Stephen MacDonald


    "Dulce et decorum est/Pro patria mori", facetiously penned British poet Wilfred Owen, who was soon to die in the Great War. It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. This moving play is about the poetic life and the inter relationship between two of the finest Great War poets: Owen who died and Siegfried Sasson who didn't. Told by means of letters and poetry, Not About Heroes paints a vivid picture of the war. It was staged to great acclaim at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and had an Off Broadway run. This play presents the tale of two men who are both, in their different ways, broken by their experiences of war, and the effecst that this has on their art. Owen and Sassoon, especially the former, have become symbols of the doomed youth of the Great War, and it is to them that we turn in order to discover the true realities of war today. We can no longer listen seriously to the solemn, romantic young heroism of the likes of Rupert Brooke, as we know that his perspective w
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    Not about Heroes


    "Oh What a Lovely War"

    Theatre Workshop" and Joan Littlewood


    " ""Joan Littlewood--one of our truly great theatre visionaries and an unsung hero." --"British Theatre Guide" Product Description Oh What a Lovely War is a theatrical chronicle of the First World War, told through the songs and documents of the period. First performed by Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, London in 1963, it received the acclaim of London audiences and critics. It won the Grand Prix of the Theatre des Nations festival in Paris that year and has gone on to become a classic of the modern theatre. In 1969 a film version was made which extended the play's popular success. The play is now on the standard reading list of schools and universities around the UK and was revived by the Royal National Theatre in 1998. This new version of the play, as edited by Joan Littlewood, returns the script to its original version. Includes a new photo section of the original production, and an Afterword by Victor Spinetti. A great piece of writing
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    "Oh What a Lovely War"


    Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning: The Great War in European Cultural History

    Jay Winter


    Jay Winter's powerful study of the 'collective remembrance' of the Great War offers a major reassessment of one of the critical episodes in the cultural history of the twentieth century. Dr Winter looks anew at the culture of commemoration and the ways in which communities endeavoured to find collective solace after 1918. Taking issue with the prevailing 'modernist' interpretation of the European reaction to the appalling events of 1914–18, Dr Winter instead argues that what characterised that reaction was, rather, the attempt to interpret the Great War within traditional frames of reference. Tensions arose inevitably. Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning is a profound and moving book of seminal importance for the attempt to understand the course of European history during the first half of the twentieth century. Book Description Jay Winter's powerful study of the 'collective remembrance' of the Great War offers a major reassessment of one of the critical episodes in the cultural histo
    AQA English Literature A AS: Literature of World War One: Student Book

    Stella Canwell


    AQA English Literature A is the only set of resources to have been developed with, and exclusively endorsed by, AQA, making them the first choice to support the new AQA specification for AS and A2. It isn't to long and gets straight to the point - which is a plus when you have a lot of revision to be getting on with. Gives a lot of useful tips on essay writing, the prose to be studied etc without being bombarding. I recommned this, especially if your struggling a bit with the course and need a few helpful hints.
    The Great War in British Literature

    Adrian Barlow


    Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. The Great War of 1914-18 continues to fascinate readers and writers. This book aims to explore the different ways in which this war has featured both as a genre and as a theme in British literature of the past century; it asks what actually is the literature of the Great War, and looks at different ways in which people have read this literature, reacted to it and used it. Book Description The Great War of 1914-18 continues to fascinate readers and writers. This book aims to explore the different ways in which this war has featured both as a genre and as a theme in British literature of the past century; it asks what actually is the literature of the Great War, and looks at different ways in which people have read this literature, reacted to it and used it.
    The Cambridge Companion to the Literature of the First World War

    Vincent Sherry


    'With its up-to-date scholarship, this book would be a very useful acquisition for serious research into the literature of the period, for undergraduate level-students and beyond.' Reference Reviews 'This outstanding volume is a welcome corrective to tired truisms surrounding Great War history, culture, and literature. Vincent Sherry's introduction argues for a literary history more attuned to the Zeitgeist of the war's early days … Sherry and his collaborators graciously acknowledge the primacy of these tropes in our cultural memory but also demonstrate new ways of reading and teaching literary representations of the Great War.' Yearbook of English Studies Product Description The Great War of 1914–1918 marks a turning point in modern history and culture. This Companion offers critical overviews of the major literary genres and social contexts that define the study of the literatures produced by the First World War. The volume comprises original essays by distinguished scholars of
    The Eye in the Door

    Pat Barker


    Gripping, moving, beautifully constrcted and profoundly intelligent (Independent on Sunday ) Product Description London, 1918. Billy Prior is working for Intelligence in the Ministry of Munitions. But his private encounters with women and men – pacifists, objectors, homosexuals – conflict with his duties as a soldier, and it is not long before his sense of himself fragments and breaks down. Forced to consult the man who helped him before – army psychiatrist William Rivers – Prior must confront his inability to be the dutiful soldier his superiors wish him to be … The Eye in the Door is a heart-rending study of the contradictions of war and of those forced to live through it. The second book in the Regeneration trilogy
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    The Eye in the Door


    The Ghost Road

    Pat Barker


    An extraordinary tour de force. I'm convinced that the trilogy will win recognition as one of the few real masterpieces of late 20th-century British fiction (Jonathan Coe ) Product Description 1918, the closing months of the war. Army psychiatrist William Rivers is increasingly concerned for the men who have been in his care – particularly Billy Prior, who is about to return to combat in France with young poet Wilfred Owen. As Rivers tries to make sense of what, if anything, he has done to help these injured men, Prior and Owen await the final battles in a war that has decimated a generation … The Ghost Road is the Booker Prize winning account of the devastating final months of the First World War. The third book in the Regeneration trilogy
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    The Ghost Road


    The Hell They Called High Wood: The Somme 1916 (

    Norman Terry


    The Somme was surely one of the bloodiest rendezvous for battle of all time. High Wood, dominating the Bazentin Ridge, was the fiercely contested focal point of the battle. The Germans showed great determination and sacrifice defending the feature and it was not until September that it finally fell to the attackers. Ironically the successful divisional commander was rewarded with dismissal for "wanton waste of men". This exceptional book not only paints a graphic and gruesome picture of the fighting but sheds light on the problems of high command.
    Women's Writing on the First World War

    Agnès Cardinal (Editor), Dorothy Goldman (Editor), Judith Hattaway (Editor)


    ground-breaking anthology ... wide array of perspectives on WW1, from both sides of the fighting (B. Adler, Choice ) a very fine anthology (Times Literary Supplement )
    Letters From A Lost Generation: First World War Letters of Vera Brittain and Four Friends

    Mark Bostridge (Editor), Alan Bishop (Editor)


    The events set in motion by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 changed many lives irrevocably. For Vera Brittain, an Oxford undergraduate who left her studies to volunteer as a nurse in military hospitals in England and France, the war was a shattering experience; she not only witnessed the horrors inflicted by combat through her work, but she lost the four men closest to her at that time--her fiancé Roland Leighton, brother Edward, and two close friends, Geoffrey Thurlow and Victor Nicholson, who all died on the battlefields. Letters from a Lost Generation, a collection of previously unpublished correspondence between Brittain and these young men--all public schoolboys at the start of the war--chronicles her relationship with them, and reveals "the old lie"--the idealised glory of patriotic duty which was soon overtaken by the grim reality of the Flanders trenches. The letters are lively, dramatic, immediate and, despite the awfulness of war, curiously optimistic: "..somehow
    The First World War

    Hew Strachan


    A significant addition to the literature on World War I, which takes a global view of what has frequently been misperceived as a prolonged skirmish on the Western Front. Exploring such theatres as the Balkans, Africa and the Ottoman Empire, this single-volume work assesses Britain's participation in the light of what became a struggle for the defence of liberalism, and shows how the war shaped the "short" 20th century that followed it. Published to tie in with a television series, "The First World War" accompanies 10 one-hour episodes to be shown on Channel 4 during the autumn of 2003. From the Inside Flap The popular view of the First World War is dominated by cliché. Young British soldiers, many of them budding poets, were led to early and ghastly deaths in muddy wastes by incompetent generals for reasons that were seemingly futile. And although clichés are not necessarily lies, they are at best a selective view of the truth. Building on his ongoing research for his mammoth three-
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    The First World War


    British And German Cartoons As Weapons In World War I: Invectives And Ideology Of Political Cartoons, A Cognitive Linguistics Approach

    Wolfgang K. Hunig


    he book provides 352 descriptions and interpretations of propaganda cartoons, but it ONLY INCLUDES ABOUT A DOZEN ACTUAL CARTOONS which are printed so small they might as well not ne there. A book on visual works with almost no pictures of the works in question. If I wasn't holding it in my hand, I wouldn't believe it. Truly the most useless reference ever.
    The Great War, 1914-1918: The Cartoonists' Vision

    Spencer Tucker


    "This book, likely to appeal most to educated general readers with a special interest in modern wars, has a simple but generally effective structure." -Marvin Rintala, Boston College, May 1996 An up-to-date and concise account of WWI for teachers and students looking for a balanced introduction. It details both the military operations as well as the development of war aims, alliance diplomacy and the war on the home front.
    Mr. Punch's History Of The Great War



    Best of Fragments from France

    Bruce Bairnsfather


    Bruce Bairnsfather (BB) was the most famous cartoonist of the First World War and his soldier characters Old Bill, Bert and Alf, faced with sardonic good humour everything that the Germans, the mud and their officers could throw at them. However, Bruce (known by some as The Man Who Won the War ) never received the acclaim that he deserved for the morale boost that his cartoons gave to the troops at the front and to the people back at home. The 50th Anniversary of Bairnsfather s death on 29 September 2009 offered an opportunity to redress the balance, and acknowledging it in combination with raising funds for Help for Heroes (H4H) seemed to be most appropriate. The cartoons reproduced in this collection were originally drawn for The Bystander, a popular weekly magazine, in which they appeared each Tuesday throughout most of the Great War. Their effect on the public was totally unexpected, and so dramatic that Bystander sales soared. The organisation, with unerring good judgement, decide
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    Best of Fragments from France


    The 2nd Bairnsfather Omnibus: The Bairnsfather Case / Fragments from His Life / Somme Battle Stories

    Bruce Bairnsfather



    The Bairnsfather Omnibus: "Bullets and Billets" and "From Mud to Mufti"


    Bruce Bairnsfather is now little remembered, yet he had a major effect on morale in WW1. His cartoons showed the reality behind life in the trenches and were appreciated by both officers and men. He later wrote a superb account of his life in the army that was a bestseller at the time. This omnibus edition of his work contains his books and his cartoons, together with an excellent introduction by Mark Marsay. This book will appeal to all interested in the First World War.
    Bullets and Billets

    Bruce Bairnsfather


    The best-selling autobiography from the British soldier, illustrator, author and creator of 'Old Bill' - the cartoon character who perhaps best illustrated the practical philosophy of the British private soldier during World War I. Beautifully illustrated with the author's own drawings.
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    Bullets and Billets


    Happy Days!


    This collection of cartoons by Captain Alban B. Butler is a seldom-seen look at the humor of the American doughboy who fought on the Western Front in the last year of the war, specifically those soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One). The artwork he produced was first-rate and his sense of humor clearly moulded by the experiences of trench warfare. The only criticism I have is that the smallish format makes it very hard to read some of the balloons in the cartoons. Otherwise, I consider it a unique example of WWI cartoon art.
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    Happy Days!


    Up to Mametz - and Beyond

    Llewelyn Wyn Griffith


    Llewelyn Wyn Griffith s Up to Mametz, published in 1931, is now firmly established as one of the finest accounts of soldiering on the Western Front. It tells the story of the creation of a famous Welsh wartime battalion (The Royal Welch Fusiliers), its training, its apprenticeship in the trenches, through to its ordeal of Mametz Wood on the Somme as part of 38 Division. But there it stopped. General Jonathon Riley has however discovered Wyn Griffith s unpublished diaries and letters which pick up where Up to Mametz left off through to the end of the War. With careful editing and annotation, the events of these missing years are now available alongside the original work. They tell of an officer s life on the derided staff and provide fascinating glimpses of senior officers, some who attract high praise and others who the author obviously despised. The result is an enthralling complete read and a major addition to the bibliography of the period. Llewelyn Wyn Griffiths was born into a Wel
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    Up to Mametz - and Beyond


    Major and Mrs.Holt's Battle Map of the Ypres Salient

    Tonie Holt & Valmai Holt


    The only map to show all memorials, cemeteries, forts and ramparts of the battle at the Ypres Salient. These include the battle lines of the first Ypres, the gas attack, second Ypres, Messines and the third Ypres, as well as the sites of the British and German bunkers and museums. The map is drawn accurately to scale and may be used for navigation. Road numbers are clearly indicated. To achieve maximum clarity, only roads, towns, villages, woods, etc that feature regularly in battle accounts, or are essential for orientation, have been included. All roads shown are suitable for family cars.
    The War Horses: The Tragic Fate of a Million Horses Sacrificed in the First World War

    Simon Butler


    TheWar Horses concentrates upon those groups of animals who were requisitioned rather than those `professionally' employed by the cavalry, in other words the horses, mules and donkeys who took on the drudgery of heaving rations, guns and munitions up to the front line, returning with wounded and maimed men. The author draws upon over 200 photographs and eye-witness accounts to illustrate the actuality of war and the vital role played by the horse on the Western Front. Poignant memoirs reveal the bond formed between the fighting men and the animals in their care; remarkable stories of compassion and kindness set against the harrowing background of `TheWar to End AllWars'.
    Fricourt and Mametz: Somme

    Michael Stedman


    The fighting at Fricourt and Mametz was freq uently punctured by the denotation of mines. This series is designed for both the battle field visitor and the armchair traveller. The historical significance is described with the aid of maps and photographs. '
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    Fricourt and Mametz: Somme


    IWM Western Front Experience

    Gary Sheffield


    Ninety years after the Armistice of 1918, we are still fascinated with the First World War. "The Western Front Experience" describes the development of the fighting from 1914-1918, spotlighting some of the obscure but important actions and as well as the major battles. From the ordinary soldiers in the trenches, to the generals commanding the action, this book combines a vivid narrative informed by recent research, and brings to life one of the most terrible periods of warfare the world has ever known. It provisionally includes: Diaries, letters and telegrams; Maps and orders; and, Propaganda.
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    IWM Western Front Experience


    Walking the Salient: Ypres

    Paul Reed


    Following on from Walking on the Somme, Reed has produced this remarkable voyage around the Ypres Salien t, which saw some of the most memorable campaigns of WW1. Il lustrated throughout, this book gives an insight for visitor s & armchair travellers. '
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    Walking the Salient: Ypres


    Montauban: Somme

    Graham Maddocks


    Montauban was the southernmost of the Somme villages attacked by the British Army on 1st July 1916 and i t was where there was the most success. Illustrated througho ut, this book details the memorials, cemeteries and museums, plus gives general advice. '
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    Montauban: Somme


    Forgotten Voices of the Somme: The Most Devastating Battle of the Great War in the Words of Those Who Survived

    Joshua Levine


    The definitive oral history of the most infamous and bloody conflict of the Great War 1916. The Somme. With over a million casualties, it was the most brutal battle of the First World War. It is a clash that even now, over 90 years later, remains seared into the national consciousness, conjuring up images of muddy trenches and young lives tragically wasted. Its first day, July 1st 1916 - on which the British suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead - is the bloodiest day in the history of the British armed forces to date. On the German side, an officer famously described it as 'the muddy grave of the German field army'. By the end of the battle, the British had learned many lessons in modern warfare while the Germans had suffered irreplaceable losses, ultimately laying the foundations for the Allies' final victory on the Western Front. Drawing on a wealth of material from the vast Imperial War Museum Sound Archive, Forgotten Voices of the Somme presents an intimate, p
    Beaumont Hamel

    Nigel Cave


    On the first day of the Somme, July 1st 1916, the VIII Corps lost 14,000 officers and men trying to capture this village, the high ground surrounding it, and the neighbouring village of Serre. Beaumont Hamel was not captured until November 13th 1916. This excellent book covers both battles of July and November. It contains excellent maps, and some amazing aerial pictures of the battlefield as it was in 1916. There are many stories of the men who fought and died there. There is also an excellent guide to the numerous battlefield cemeteries which abound in the area. A must read for the serious student of the Great War, and also an excellent guide for the visitor. A muist buy.
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    Beaumont Hamel


    Walking Verdun: A Guide to the Battlefield

    Christina Holstein


    On 21 February 1916 the German Fifth Army launched a devastating offensive against French forces at Verdun and set in motion one of the most harrowing and prolonged battles of the Great War. By the time the struggle finished ten months later, over 650,000 men had been killed or wounded or were missing, and the terrible memory of the battle had been etched into the histories of France and Germany. This epic trial of military and national strength cannot be properly understood without visiting, and walking, the battlefield, and this is the purpose of Christina Holstein's invaluable guide. In a series of walks she takes the reader to all the key points on the battlefield, many of which have attained almost legendary status - the spot where Colonel Driant was killed, the forts of Douaumont, Vaux and Souville, the Mort Homme ridge, and Verdun itself.
    The Middlebrook Guide to the Somme Battlefields: A Comprehensive Coverage from Crecy to the World Wars

    Martin Middlebrook & Mary Middlebrook


    While best known as being the scene of the most terrible carnage in the WW1, the French department of the Somme has seen many other battles from Roman times to 1944. William the Conqueror launched his invasion from there; the French and English fought at Crecy in 1346; Henry V's army marched through on their way to Agincourt in 1415; the Prussians came in 1870. The Great War saw three great battles and approximately half of the 400,000 who died on the Somme were British - a terrible harvest, marked by 242 British cemeteries and over 50,000 lie in unmarked graves. These statistics explain in part why the area is visited year-on-year by ever increasing numbers of British and Commonwealth citizens. This evocative book written by the authors of the iconic "First Day on the Somme" is a thorough guide to the cemeteries, memorials and battlefields of the area, with the emphasis on the fighting of 1916 and 1918, with fascinating descriptions and anecdotes.
    The Imperial War Museum Book of the Western Front

    Malcolm Brown


    'An unrivalled and readable introduction to the years of Trench Warfare' TES 'A blockbuster... as near as anyone is likely to get to the authentic life of the trenches' Yorkshire Post The First World War was won and lost on the Western Front. Covering the whole war, from the guns of August 1914 to the sudden silence of the November 1918 Armistice, the IWM Book of the Western Front reveals what life was really like for the men and women involved. With first-hand accounts of off-duty entertainments, trench fatalism, and going over the top, this is an extremely important contribution to the continuing debate on the First World War. Malcolm Brown has updated this edition, introducing new evidence on sex and homosexuality executions, the treatment or mistreatment of prisoners and shell shock.
    Digging the Trenches: The Archaeology of the Western Front

    Andrew Robertshaw & David Kenyon


    Modern research methods - archaeological, historical, forensic - have transformed our view of the past. This is especially true of the history of the Great War. In this, the first comprehensive survey of this exciting new field, Andrew Robertshaw and David Kenyon introduce the reader to the techniques that are employed and record, in vivid detail, many of the remarkable projects that have been undertaken. They show how archaeology can be used to reveal the position of trenches, dugouts and other battlefield features and to rediscover what life on the Western Front was really like. And they show how individual soldiers are themselves part of the story, for forensic investigation of the war dead is now so highly developed that individuals can be identified and their fate discovered.
    Somme: The Heroism and Horror of War

    Martin Gilbert


    The Battle of the Somme, fought between July and November 1916, was among the bloodiest conflicts of all time. The aim was to end the stalemate on the Western Front - the result was carnage. In a total of just over a hundred days of fighting, the death toll reached 310,459. Half the bodies were never recovered. At the close of the battle, the British and French forces had not even reached the line they set themselves for the first day. Yet, despite its horrific destruction, the fighting at the Somme was characterised by incredible individual bravery. In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the battle, Martin Gilbert, one of Britain's most distinguished historians, graphically recreates the tragedy. He interweaves individual stories, wartime documents, letters and poetry in a deeply moving, succinct narrative. From gripping descriptions of struggles on the battlefield to poignant evocations of the memorials and cemeteries that stand there today, this is a definitive guide to
    The Complete War Walks: From Hastings to Normandy

    Richard Holmes


    This one-volume edition comprises both Richard Holmes' "War Walks" and "War Walks 2". Dates such as 1066 and names such as Dunkirk often strike a chord of nostalgia, but the details of the historic events associated with them are forgotten. In "The Complete War Walks" Richard Holmes takes us on a journey through time to visit 12 battlefields throughout Britain, Northern France and Belgium that mark crucial moments in Britain's bloody and turbulent history. From Hastings to Dunkirk, Agincourt to The Somme, Richard vividly recreates the atmosphere of these key battles in our history. With his expert knowledge of weapons and warfare and using specially commissioned maps, Richard Holmes provides a clear picture of the events which led up to each battle, the conflicts themselves, and the people who fought them. Using practical "views of the field", he travels the battlefields as they exist today, pointing out their places of interest, paying tribute to the men who fought there, and bringing
    The Somme

    Lyn Macdonald


    To add to the other reviews (and it *is* a triumph of research, and tells you pretty much all you need to know about the campaign), one thing puzzled me. The book doesn't seem to cover the first day of the battle, the day which most people think of when they think of the Somme. One moment, the troops are about to leap over the trenches - and then we're at the next chapter, and we've skipped several hours into the future. I assume Ms MacDonald is trying to replicate the 'fog of war' that existed at the time - nobody in charge knew what had happened until several days later, and the people at home had to wait for months - but it's unsatisfying, somehow. Still, it's a superb book, and you can't fault the sheer hard work MacDonald has put into it - not only did she interview many of the surviving British soldiers (this was back in 1983, so there were more of them), she actually visited the battlefield. One other flaw, though, is that whilst she interviewed lots of British people, we don
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    The Somme


    The First Day on the Somme

    Martin Middlebrook


    A thorough and detailed survey of the events of the first of July 1916 including not only official records and information gleaned from regimental histories but also using first hand accounts from both German and British survivors.
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    The First Day on the Somme


    World War 1 An Illustrated History

    Lloyd Clark



    THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF AIRFORCES OF WORLD WAR 1 AND WORLD WAR 2

    Chris. Chant



    Zeppelins: German Airships 1900-40

    Charles Stephenson


    On 2 July 1900 the people of Friedrichshafen, Germany, witnessed a momentous occasion - the first flight of LZ 1, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin's first airship. Although deemed a failure, a succession of better craft (LZ2 to 10) enabled the Zeppelin to expand into the consumer market of airship travel, whilst also providing military craft for the German Army and Navy. The years of the Great War saw the Zeppelins undertake strategic bombing missions against Great Britain. This title covers the post-war fate of the Zeppelins, including the crash of the Hindenburg, and their use by the Luftwaffe at the beginning of World War II.
    Campaign 193: London 1914-17: The Zeppelin Menace

    Ian Castle


    "The book is a fascinating read into the initial hopes and expectations, the campaign itself and the results of that campaign. A book I am sure you will enjoy as much as did I and one that I can highly recommend to you." -Scott Van Aken, "Modeling Madness" (September 2008) "Ian Castle's "London 1914-17: The Zeppelin Menace" reveals the Zeppelin raids on London which fostered a new kind of warfare and German successes." -"California Bookwatch "(May 2008) "All of the raids are described here in considerable details, with their results on the ground and the losses inflicted upon them. Individual maps show the course of each airship that reached London, and where its bombs hit, and there are many contemporary photographs as well as good colour plates." -John Prigent, "Internet Modeler "(April 2008) Product Description The first Zeppelin attack on London came in May 1915 and with it came the birth of a new arena of warfare, the home front. German airships attempted to raid London on 2
    London 1917-18: The bomber blitz

    Ian Castle


    "This book is the companion to the 2008 Campaign title London 1914-17 ... [it] tells the story of the Gotha and the massive Staaken 'Giant' bomber raids against London, the first bomber blitz. These raids were attempts at destroying British morale, especially for those living in the capital. As a result, London quickly overhauled its defenses providing the basis for Britons' defense during World War II." - www.mataka.org (October 2010) "Ian Castle takes us through these raids with precise information on not only the aircraft involved, but also the flight path of each one and where each bomb was dropped. It is this level of detail that ... makes this book such a superb read." - Scott Van Aken, "Modeling Madness "(November 2010) ..".provides a fine, in-depth survey of the strategies and results of the bomber blitz in London during World War I. Military and British history are illustrated with color battle scenes, maps, and modern photos to enhance a collection perfectT Product Des
    British Airships 1905-30

    Ian Castle


    This book reveals the fascinating story of the cat and mouse duel between the airship and another pioneering form of technology - the submarine during World War 1. Detailed cut-away drawings reveal the design and development of the airship, during and after the war, whilst full-colour illustrations depict the airship in dramatic action shots. A tragic accident in 1930 brought the airship's military service to an end, resulting in a tiny window in which they were used and little acknowledgement over the years. Ian Knight gives deserved attention to an aeronautical wonder that for a short amount of time played a crucial service to the defence of Britain.
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    British Airships 1905-30


    First Blitz

    Neil Hanson


    Praise for The Unknown Soldier: "One of the best books I've read on the insanity of life in the trenches."-"Daily Mail" "From the Hardcover edition." Time Out Using first-hand witnesses plus government war records, Hanson draws a powerful picture of the impact of these first air raids
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    First Blitz


    Albatross Aces of World War 1

    Norman L.R. Franks


    The Albatros family of fighters were amongst the most effective aircraft employed by the Idlfieg (Imperial German Air Service) for much of World War 1, with the D.III and D.Va being flown by most of the 363 pilots who qualified as aces at some point in their often brief careers. The Albatros was the scourge of the RFC on the Western Front in 1916-17, with pilots of the calibre of von Richthofen, Boelke and Schleich cutting swathes through their opponents. Well over 4000 Albatros scouts were built between 1916 and 1918, and they were also extensively used by the Austro-Hungarians against Russian, Italian and British aircraft until war's end.
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    Albatross Aces of World War 1


    New Vanguard 145: British Submarines of World War I

    Innes McCartney


    Review "This delightful little book is one of the publisher's New Vanguard series... It manages to pack into a mere 48 pages an incredible amount of detail and infromation written in an easy style that does not descend to over-simplification... All in all, this is quite a remarkable book, both as a good historical summary of an often-overlooked aspect of the war and also as an important technical reference." -Michael Young, "The Northern Mariner / Le Marin Du Nord" "This book covers the various classes of submarine used by the Royal Navy as well as a considerable amount of detail in their usage during WWI. We are blessed with a superb variety of period photographs of these ships and this is further enhanced by the excellent illustrations and cutaways of artist Tony Bryan."- Scott Van Aken, "Modelingmadness.com" (June 2008) "As the major engaged in an arms race in the early years of the 20th century, the Admiralty was tasked with developing the sbumarine. Covering all classes Pro
    Zeppelin Over Suffolk: The Final Raid of L48

    Mark Mower


    Zeppelin Over Suffolk tells the remarkable story of the destruction of a German airship over East Anglia in 1917. The drama is set against the backdrop of Germany's aerial bombing campaign on Britain in the First World War, using a terrifying new weapon, the Zeppelin. The course of the raid on that summer night is reconstructed in vivid detail, moment by moment - the Zeppelin's take off from northern Germany, its slow journey across the North Sea, the bombing run along the East Anglian coast, the pursuit by British fighters high over Suffolk, and the airship's final moments as it fell to earth in flames near the village of Theberton in the early morning of 17 June 1917. Mark Mower gives a gripping account of a pivotal episode in the pioneering days of the air war over England.
    Royal Naval Air Service Pilot 191418

    Mark Barber


    Review "Whether you are a historian or modeler, "Royal Naval Air Service Pilot 1914-18" offers good information of interest for anyone. I recommend this book." -Frederick Boucher, "Model Shipwrights" Product Description In 1914, the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps was subsumed into the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). With the bulk of the Royal Flying Corps engaged in France, the aircraft and seaplane pilots of the RNAS protected Britain from the deadly and terrifying Zeppelin menace. In 1915, the RNAS sent aircraft to support the operations in the Dardanelles, and also gave increasing support to the Royal Flying Corps units engaged on the Western Front, conducting reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and artillery spotting, bombing raids, and aerial combat with German pilots. This book explores all of these fascinating areas, and charts the pioneering role of the RNAS in military aviation.
    In Search of the Zeppelin War: The Archaeology of the First Blitz

    Neil Faulkner & Nadia Durrani


    This book comprises a full introduction to the history and archaeology of the first strategic bombing campaign in history - the Zeppelin raids over Britain in 1915-1918 - based on pioneering new excavations and archive research. This is the story of the first Blitz and the first Battle of Britain, featuring a full report on the first ever excavation of a Zeppelin crash site and also covering airfields, gun sites, searchlights, and radio listening posts. This illustrated book features contemporary accounts as well as the accounts and photographs from the excavations including Hunstanton, Monkhams, Chingford and North Weald Basset, the Lea Valley, Potters Bar and Theberton. Written in a collaboration between academic archaeologists and aviation enthusiasts/metal detectorists, this fascinating project is the subject of a BBC2 "Timewatch" documentary to be shown this autumn.
    DH 2 vs Albatros D I/D II

    James F. Miller


    Flown by Victoria Cross recipient Lanoe Hawker and the members of No 24 Sqn, the ungainly yet nimble DH 2 helped the Allies attain air superiority over the Somme in early 1916 and hold it through the summer. With its rotary engine 'pusher' configuration affording excellent visibility and eliminating the need for a synchronized machine gun, the DH 2 was more than a match for anything the Germans could put in the air. That is, until the arrival of the Albatros D II, a sleek inline-engined machine built for speed and with twin-gun firepower. Thus, the later part of 1916 saw an epic struggle in the skies above the Somme pitting the manoeuvrable yet under-gunned DH 2s against the less nimble yet better armed and faster Albatros D IIs. In the end the Germans would regain air superiority, three squadron commanders - two of whom were considered pinnacles of their respective air forces - would lose their lives, and an up-and-coming pilot (Manfred von Richthofen) would triumph in a legendary dog
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    DH 2 vs Albatros D I/D II


    The Grand Fleet: Warship Design and Development 1906-1922

    D. K. Brown


    This is the third book in the author's series charting the design and development of British warships since 1815. It is said that old wines improve with age and it is evidently true of authors as well since, in this reviewers opinion, this rates as David Brown's best book yet. "The Grand Fleet" charts the development of RN design from the Dreadnought of 1905 to the Washington Conference of 1921, and falls neatly into three main parts. Part 1 sets the scene, with discussions on the resources, what is a good design, design drivers, pre-war development in naval architecture, marine engineering, armour schemes and armament. The extensive series of pre-war trials (armament, armour, shell design, propellant) is well covered - and indicates the gaps in the trials programmes which may have led to serious flaws being missed. Part 2 examines pre-war ship designs in more detail, with chapters on battleships cruisers, destroyers and early aviation vessels, and submarines. Part 3 goes o to covers
    Mark V Tank

    David Fletcher


    Although, to the casual eye, all British tanks of World War I look much the same, the Mark V is quite outstanding and has a strong claim to be the tank that won the Great War. In this title, renowned tank expert David Fletcher examines the technological developments that made this tank excel where others had failed, and the reasons why it gave the British the upper hand over the Germans on the battlefield and why it was adopted by the US Tank Corps. Accompanied by detailed artwork showing the design changes that allowed the Mark V to breach the widest German trenches, this title is an excellent resource for the study of the armour of World War I.
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    Mark V Tank


    British Mark I Tank 1916

    David Fletcher


    Review "In typical fashion, the author's text is extremely lively and informative... The photographic content of the book... is very comprehensive... [This book is] reliable, ready and inexpensive... Highly recommended." -Frank DeSisto, "missing-lynx.com ""A thoroughly useful new book on a largely-neglected subject. Good photographic coverage and excellent colour plates...An excellent contribution to the study of WW1 tanks, highly recommended." -David Maynard, "Armorama "(August 2007) " ""In line with other Osprey titles, the superb choice of period photographs and the excellent illustrations of Tony Bryan make this a must have for any armor or WWI enthusiast." -Scott Van Aken, "modelingmadness.com "(May 2007) Product Description In 1915 a machine christened Little Willie changed the way that wars were fought. Little Willie was a fully tracked armoured vehicle that could break a trench system. Its development was completed in December 1915, but by then it had already been sup
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    British Mark I Tank 1916


    Road to War - a First World War Girl's Diary 1916 - 1917

    Valerie Wilding


    It's 1917 and the Great War rages in Europe. When Daffy Rowntree's brother goes missing in action she refuses to sit safely in England, and determines to do something to help win the war. Soon she finds herself in the mud and horror of the battlefields of France, driving an ambulance transporting the wounded of the trenches...
    The First World War

    Henry Brook


    Contains stories of heroism, bravery and battling the odds. This title includes maps, line drawings and notes on sources and further reading.
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    The First World War


    World War I

    DK


    DK Eyewitness World War 1 is an exciting and informative guide to the Great War that centred on Europe between 1914-1918. Stunning real-life photographs, illustrating the people, places and stories, offer a unique "eyewitness" view of the conflict dubbed the 'war to end all wars'. From disaster to victory, show your child what life was like as a soldier and how they survived in the muddy trenches. They'll also discover all about the world-changing events that led to the start of the conflict. Then use the giant pull-out wall chart to decorate their room. Great for projects or just for fun, make sure your child learns everything they need to know about World War 1. Find out more and download amazing clipart images at www.dk.com/clipart.
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    World War I


    Private Peaceful

    Michael Morpurgo


    Longer novels from Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo are always a particular treat, and Private Peaceful is no exception. Tragic, surprising and engaging in equal measures, Morpurgo's novel charts both the childhood of young Thomas Peaceful in the early years of the 20th century, and his eventual underage enlistment in the British army to help fight the First World War. It is, above all, a poignant story of war and about all of its many life-changing effects on those involved--also the brutality of the commanding regimes and the relentless squalor of trench warfare. It's not for the squeamish--Morpurgo tells it like it was and his honest insight is on every page for all to appreciate. "Tommo" Peaceful is recalling his childhood from those terrible battlefields. He remembers his big brother Charlie taking him to his first day of school, the death of his father, his mum working hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. He remembers his brother Joe, who some cal
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    Private Peaceful


    Biggles Learns to Fly

    W E Johns


    Biggles is back! And with new retro-style covers he'll be bigger than ever! Product Description He tilted the machine on to its side, holding up his nose with the throttle, and commenced to slip wing-tip first towards the ground. Whether he was over British or German territory he neither knew nor cared; he had to get on to the ground or be burnt alive. This is the story of the very beginning - of the Air Service and of Biggles. It's the First World War and Biggles is just 17; the planes are primitive; combat tactics are non-existent; and pilots and their gunners communicate by hand signals and have no contact with the ground. This is where Biggles learns his craft and finds he has a certain aptitude for flying in battle...
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    Biggles Learns to Fly


    Birdsong

    Sebastian Faulks


    Readers who are entranced by sweeping historical sagas will devour Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks' drama set during the first world war. There's even a little high-toned erotica thrown into the mix to convince the doubtful. The book's hero, a 20-year-old Englishman named Stephen Wraysford, finds his true love on a trip to Amiens in 1910. Unfortunately, she's already married, the wife of a wealthy textile baron. Wrayford convinces her to leave a life of passionless comfort to be at his side, but things do not turn out according to plan. Wraysford is haunted by this doomed affair and carries it with him into the trenches of the war. Birdsong derives most of its power from its descriptions of mud and blood, and Wraysford's attempt to retain a scrap of humanity while surrounded by it. There is a simultaneous description of his present-day granddaughter's quest to read his diaries, which is designed to give some sense of perspective; this device is only somewhat successful. Nevertheless, Birdso
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    Birdsong


    World War One Source Book

    Philip Haythornthwaite


    Provides the facts, figures and guidance about World War I required by students of all levels. The book features each nation involved, all battles and campaigns, the weaponry and the commanders, and is arranged in an easy-access, highly-illustrated format. This book belongs in the library of every World War One researcher or enthusiast as an invaluable reference work with a variety of information - but it is not without shortcomings. A greater variety of easily accessible information would have been welcome, in the form of a wider range of statistics and tables. For example, I could not easily find a list of casualty numbers for the various nations; the information WAS there, it was just that it was incorporated into text when a table may have made finding it much easier. However, having said that, this book certainly has a wealth of information and there are number of useful tables, lists, maps et cetera among the blocks of text. Also, to go back to the earlier example, the casualt
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    World War One Source Book


    True World War 1 Stories

    Jon E. Lewis


    This is a collection of nearly 60 personal accounts of the war to end all wars, including the first gas attack, life in the trenches, Gallipoli, the war at sea, aerial dogfights and life as a prisoner of war. It is a record by those who were there at some of the bloodiest battles of the conflict including Loos, Mons, Ypres and the Somme, from the opening moves through to the day that peace was signed.
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    True World War 1 Stories


    Boy Soldiers of the Great War

    Richard van Emden


    Engaging, well-written and balanced study' -- The Times I have read many books on the First World War and have awaited this book with eager anticipation following the Channel 4 TV programme on the same subject. I was certainly not disappointed by this work as it packed so much information into its pages. Richard van Emden has unearthed some incredible research on the boys that joined up, trained, fought and sadly died for our country in the First World War. I find it extraordinary that no one had ever thought to write about such a poignant subject. This book covers the story with great detail, highlighting some amazing cameos. Most incredible was the story of 15 year old Jack Pouchot who won the DCM for bravery. Imagine a 15 year old doing that today! Another gem unearthed was that of an officer of the Accrington Pals commissioned at the tender age of 15 years old. To be in command of men at that age defies description, yet he still led his men over the top on 1st July 1916, th
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    Boy Soldiers of the Great War


    On the Front Line: True World War I Stories

    Jon E. Lewis


    In the words of Malcolm Brown ‘a rediscovered classic’. Sixty first-hand accounts of what life was really like in the Great War. Product Description In 1930, the editor of Everyman Magazine requested entries for a new anthology of Great War accounts. The result was a revolutionary book unlike any other of the period; for as Malcolm Brown notes in his introduction ‘I believe it might fairly be described as a rediscovered classic’. It was the very first collection to reveal the many dimensions of the war through the eyes of the ordinary soldier and offers heart-stopping renditions of the very first gas attack; aerial dogfights above the trenches; the moment of going over the top. Told chronologically, from the first scrambles of 1914, the drudgery of the war of attrition once the trenches had been dug, to the final joy of Armistice.
    Fromelles 1916

    Paul Cobb


    At Fromelles in July 1916 two divisions - one British and one Australian - within a few weeks of arriving in France - went into action for the first time. Their task was to prevent the Germans from moving troops to the Somme where a major British offensive was in progress, but the attack on 19/20 July was a disaster with nearly 7,000 casualties in a few hours. This account explores this battle which for many epitomises the futility of the Great War. In those few hours many heroic deeds were done but the battle caused a souring of Anglo-Australian relationships and truly was a baptism of fire for these British and Australian troops. This is their history. In a new section, Paul Cobb explores the recent discovery in 2008/09 of a mass war grave on the battlefield and includes details of the findings of the archaeological dig, the recovery of 250 bodies and the creation of a new military cemetery.
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    Fromelles 1916


    Mud, Blood and Bullets: Memoirs of a Machine Gunner on the Western Front

    Edward Rowbotham


    Mud, Blood and Bullets is a useful and still rare addition to the ordinary soldier's experience of the Machine Gun Corps in World War I. --War Books Review Likely to be one of the last first-hand accounts to come to light, this book offers an ordinary soldier's viewpoint of WWI. --Best of British Magazine Product Description It is 1915 and the Great War has been raging for a year, when Edward Rowbotham, a coal miner from the Midlands, volunteers for Kitchener's Army. Drafted into the newly-formed Machine Gun Corps, he is sent to fight in places whose names will forever be associated with mud and blood and sacrifice: Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendaele. He is one of the 'lucky' ones, winning the Military Medal for bravery and surviving more than two-and-a-half years of the terrible slaughter that left nearly a million British soldiers dead by 1918 and wiped out all but six of his original company. He wrote these memoirs fifty years later, but found his memories of life in the trenc
    Riding The Retreat: Mons to the Marne 1914 Revisited

    Richard Holmes


    "His ride, like the campaign of August 1914, took place in scorching weather, passing through still-recognizable battlefields and cemeteries of distracting sadness. The author tells two stories in parallel: that of his own journey and a first-rate account of what happened eighty years before." - Max Egremont, "Evening Standard" .,."an effortless blend of past and present." -"Independent on Sunday" Product Description The retreat of the British Expeditionary Force from Mons in the early months of the First World War is one of the great dramas of European history. Blending his recreation of the military campaign with contemporary testimony and an account of his own ride over the route, Richard Holmes takes the reader on a unique journey - to glimpse the summer the old world ended.
    Last Post

    Max Arthur


    'Nostalic photographs add to the book's flavour, lighting up a time when generations predating the modern, pervasie 'me' culture lived and worked for each other.' (TRIBUNE ) "For their devotion to King and Country and for Mr Arthur's work we should all be grateful" (CONTEMPORARY REVIEW ) "one you will want to add to your collection" (THE GREAT WAR ) Product Description FORGOTTEN VOICES OF THE GREAT WAR was the surprise best-seller at Christmas 2002, selling over 60,000 copies in hardback alone. The formula was simple: Max Arthur interviewed some of the 30 surviving British soldiers from the First World War and combined their stories with other interviews in the Imperial War Museum and various private collections. LAST POST is very consciously the last word from the handful of survivors left alive in 2004. When they die, our final human connection with the First World War will be broken: after this book, we will have only recordings or diaries. We will never be able to ask a que
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    Last Post


    The Old Contemptibles

    Robin Neillands


    'Neillands has given us a worthy tribute to their sacrifice' -- Sunday Times 'The book stands as a tribute to the bravery of an army that never really had a chance' -- History 'Tells the story of the BEF's first weeks of war neatly, cirsply and clearly' -- Literary Review 'Informed and explicit, this is military history at its best' -- Western Daily Press 20040731 'Brings to life the horrific experiences of ... the British Expeditionary Force of 1914' -- Soldier Magazine 20040731 'Fascinating detail' -- The Times 20050826 'Fascinating account' -- The Sunday Times 20050904 Soldier magazine 'Brings to life the horrific experiences of ... the British Expeditionary Froce of 1914'
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    The Old Contemptibles


    We Will Remember Them: Voices from the Aftermath of the Great War: Memories of Our First World War Soldiers

    Max Arthur


    'It's a winning formula, and his books have enjoyed much success... there is also much that is arresting.' (LITERARY REVIEW ) 'poignant... Today's youngsters should read this so they never forget the sacrifices of their forefathers.' (NEWS OF THE WORLD ) 'a seamless patchwork of memories and recollections which, perhaps for the first time, tell us exactly how it was for the men returning to 'a land fit for heroes'... essential reading... A simply superb work' (THE GREAT WAR ) Product Description For Britain and her empire, the human cost of the First World War was worse than any other conflict in history. Almost a million British people died in the war, with a further quarter of a million from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India and Africa. Almost twice as many again were injured in battle, and forced to live the rest of their lives with missing limbs, damaged lungs and mental disorders. The legacy of the Great War was just as deeply felt as the war itself, and much longer la
    A Crisis of Brilliance

    David Haycock


    'Haycock manages the drama in this tale with such skill that his story unfolds like a well-plotted novel. Never before have the private vicissitudes in these artists' lives been made so real or their exuberance so vivid' Frances Spalding, Daily Mail 'Haycock's narrative of this entangled, war-defined group is so strong that it often has the force of a novel, hard to put down . . . We should call for a joint exhibition of [their] work, to complement the moving portrayal of their lives in this engrossing and enjoyable book.' Jenny Uglow, Guardian BOOK OF THE WEEK 'A lucid study of the lives behind the art . . . What gives Haycock's book its freshness is that, through skilful use of letters and memoirs left by his five subjects, he injects it with the anxiety, ambition, self-doubt and jealousy that possessors of youth and talent are fated to feel' John Carey, Sunday Times 'What a fascinatingly tangled mess of human lives! Haycock tells the whole story engagingly and unprete
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    A Crisis of Brilliance


    Paul Nash: The Elements

    David Fraser Jenkins


    This book examines the career of Paul Nash, official war artist and one of the great pioneers of British Modernism. David Fraser Jenkins interprets the artist's work in terms of theme and visual symbolism, bringing together paintings from different periods, and considering how the artist took elements from the visual world and recreated them within the terms of modern art, developing reoccurring themes such as conflict, refuge and harmony. There are additional essays by David Boyd Haycock on the influence of Thomas Browne and by Simon Grant on Nash's legacy in the contemporary art world. "Paul Nash: The Elements" will accompany an exhibition, curated by Jenkins, at Dulwich Picture Gallery, which begins in February 2010. It includes over sixty paintings and watercolours as well as a group of Nash's own photographs, accompanied by descriptions by both the artist and his critics, which are often remarkable in their disparity.
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    Paul Nash: The Elements


    Stanley Spencer: Journey to Burghclere

    Paul Gough


    Stanley Spencer was one of Britain's greatest twentieth-century artists. He became famous for two things: his celebration and immortalisation of his home town of Cookham in Berkshire - his 'heaven on earth' as he lovingly called it - and the fusion in his paintings of sex and religion, the heavenly and the ordinary. In 1915, Spencer left home to serve as a medical orderly in the Beaufort Military Hospital in Bristol. Aged 24, he had rarely stayed away overnight from home. For ten months he scrubbed floors, bandaged convalescent soldiers and carried supplies around the vast, former lunatic asylum. In 1916, he signed up for overseas duty in Macedonia, where he saw violent action up to the eve of the Armistice. Five years after the war, Spencer started making large drawings of a possible memorial scheme based on his wartime experiences. So extraordinary were his sketches, and so committed was he to realising them in paint, that the Behrend family became his patrons, funding a purpose-buil
    Strange Meetings: The Poets of the Great War

    Harry Ricketts


    `This fascinating book gives a realistic and very human account of the lives and works of these brave poets...' --Financial Times, Tom Paulin `Ricketts offers a brilliantly original perspective on the lives and works of the First World War poets...' --Waterstone's Book Quarterly `Affecting, illuminating and immediate' --History Today, Juliet Gardiner Ricketts tells the story of their friendships so as to highlight mutual influences, envies, admirations and disgruntlements. It makes the poems seem linked to one another as well as their circumstances, and adds a sense of intimacy as well as common purpose. --Guardian Rickett's approach shows that the poetry of the war did not simply emerge from the carnage-harrowed minds of individual poets, but through mutual encouragement and rivalry. --New Statesman merits the attention of anyone who cares about poetry. --The Tablet `will appeal to those who love the work of the Great War poets and want to know a little more about th
    Images of Wartime: British Art and Artists of World War I

    Nigel Viney


    Taken from the Imperial War Museum's collection, this selection of paintings aims to capture the drama, the courage and the suffering of World War I. It features the work of almost 70 artists who became involved in the war effort either officially or unofficially. Many of these men produced some of their finest work in response to the appalling events they witnessed, both at home and on the Western Front. The book's text examines the artists in the context of their times, and in particular of the great propaganda machine which ground into action as hostilities broke out and which was responsible for commissioning much of their work.
    Now All Roads Lead to France: The Last Years of Edward Thomas

    Matthew Hollis


    'One of the many subsidiary delights of this exceptionally fine biography is its melancholy, and often very funny, evocation of the literary life ... Now All Roads Lead To France is a beautiful biography, an unfussy, clear-headed study of the making of a poet, and perhaps above all, a gentle reminder that poetry can be almost as essential to the human spirit as breathing.' --Mail on Sunday ~ Book of the Week 'Now All Roads Lead to France tells a story so delicate, tragic and inevitable, and which contains examples of such searingly perfect poetry, that all I can say is that this is a beautiful book. Read it.' --Tribune 'Hollis is [Thomas's] perfect biographer.' --New Statesman Reimagining [Thomas s] life might seem impossible but that is what Matthew Hollis has done ... an exquisitely perceptive account of Thomas s late turn to poetry and the complex inner currents that led him to enlist in the army and die from the blast of a shell in northern France. --John Gray, New Statesm
    The Red Sweet Wine of Youth: The Brave and Brief Lives of the War Poets

    Nicholas Murray


    'THE RED SWEET WINE OF YOUTH is a fine account of the poetic sensibility of the period, which makes a sprightly case for several poets who run the risk of being forgotten' --Thomas Marks, Daily Telegraph Book Description * A group portrait of the poets of the First World War, seen in their full historical, military and biographical context, out now in paperback. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
    William Orpen: An Onlooker in France

    Angela Weight (Author), Robert Upstone (Author)


    ...the book is a memorable and beautiful reminder of the outstanding abilities of this truly great Irish artist. --Bruce Arnold, The Irish Independent Product Description William Orpen was the only official war artist to publish an extensive memoir of his experiences in the Great War. This compelling narrative was first published in 1921 and is a classic of war literature. In this fully revised edition, Orpen s war paintings and drawings have been reproduced in colour and keyed to the narrative, resulting in a perceptive and moving account by an artist who moved easily between all levels of the military, from Generals to Tommies. A witness not only to the War but to the greed and self-interest of the national delegates at the Peace Conference in Versailles in 1919, Orpen s text contains some astute comments on the personalities of his sitters. Published on the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War, and of Orpen s War Pictures exhibition at Agnew s in 1918, this edition c
    The Annotated Collected Poems

    Edward Thomas


    Edna Longley's definitive new edition of Edward Thomas's Collected Poems makes a case for the enduring, essential relevance to the 21st century of this English poet who died in World War I. The book is a crowning achievement by Thomas's best advocate, approachable by the beginner and invaluable to the specialist, with a critical apparatus which is at once a biography tracing the growth of the poet's mind and an engrossing anthology of his vivid, melancholy prose. --Seamus Heaney, Sunday Business Post (Dublin) Product Description Edward Thomas wrote a lifetime's poetry in two years. Already a dedicated prose writer and influential critic, he became a poet only in December 1914, at the age of 36. In April 1917 he was killed at Arras. Often viewed as a 'war poet', he wrote nothing directly about the trenches; also seen as a 'nature poet', his symbolic reach and generic range expose the limits of that category too. A central figure in modern poetry, he is among the half-dozen poets
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    The Annotated Collected Poems


    British Culture and the First World War

    George Robb


    'Excellent student text - easy to understand summaries of main issues. Brilliant on arts and memory of the war. A great read, too!' - Professor J. Bourke, Birkbeck College Product Description A brief but comprehensive survey of British society and culture during the First World War. George Robb concentrates not on military campaigns and battle strategies, but on the lives of ordinary Britons - how they responded to and were affected by the war, how they attempted to understand the conflict and to explain it to others, and how they have dealt with the war's legacies in the years since. Robb synthesizes the most recent work on the social and cultural history of the war, as well as reclaiming many forgotten popular cultural sources such as films, cartoons, advertisements and pulp novels.
    A War Of Nerves: Soldiers and Psychiatrists, 1914-1994

    Ben Shephard


    War is often described as long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. Reactions to those who have been psychologically traumatised by war have often been equally polarised between "pull yourself together, man" psychiatrists and those of the touchy-feely "It must be post-traumatic stress disorder" persuasion. And as Ben Shephard points out in this well-researched and nicely observed book, both approaches are highly flawed. Given that since the Second World War half of the world has been training to be a counsellor while the other half has been trying to kill each other, you might ask why our understanding of war-related stress is still in its infancy. The answers are complex, not least because the relationship between psychiatrists and the military has been hopelessly confused, if not compromised, over the years. Put simply, the armed forces have often looked to minimise the problem; all they want are their personnel back on active duty in the shortest possible time
    Silent Heroes:The Bravery & Devotion of Animals in War: An Animals' Roll of Honour

    Evelyn Le Chene


    An account of the many courageous animals who went beyond the bounds of training and duty to display selfless acts of devotion in war. These animals have been the silent heroes of many wars over the last 150 years, from the Afghan Wars of 1879 to Rob, Britain's most decorated animal hero, who served with the SAS during World War Two. With new research and eye witness accounts Evelyn le Chene places each animal's heroism in the context of the battle or campaign in which they served, including maps and a wealth of archive photographs (many published for the first time) to evoke the valiant deeds of the brave animals to have served their country.
    Animals In War

    Jilly Cooper OBE


    How animals have helped mankind in time of war. Product Description Pigeons carrying vital messages to and from the beleaguered city during the Siege of Paris; horses and mules struggling through miles of fetid mud to bring ammunition to the front in the Great War; dogs sniffing out mines for the British invasion force in the Second World War - countless brave animals have played their part in the long, cruel history of war. Some have won medals for gallantry - like G.I. Joe, the American pigeon who saved 100 British lives in Italy, and Rob, the black and white mongrel who made over twenty parachute jumps with the SAS. Too many others have died abandoned, in agony and alone, after serving their country with distinction. Jilly Cooper has here written a tribute to the role of animals in wartime. It is a tragic and horrifying story - yet it has its lighter moments too: a hilarious game of musical chairs played on camels during the Desert Campaign; and the budgie who remarked, when carri
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    Animals In War


    Beyond the Call of Duty: Heart-warming stories of canine devotion and bravery

    Isabel George


    'If you want to read uplifting stories about positive contributions made by dogs to humans under stress, I’d heartily recommend it.' - The Daily Telegraph 'This is a touching tribute to some of our faithful, four-legged friends in the darkest days of war.' - MOD Defence Focus magazine ‘These stories are sensationally good, and brilliantly written.’ - www.booksmonthly.co.uk Product Description A second collection of incredible and heart-warming canine stories from around the world, from the bestselling author of The Dog That Saved My Life. Animals have accompanied man into battle since war first waged. Since those times, many stories have been told of the bears, camels, cats, dolphins, monkeys, mules, rats and other creatures that have served with the Armed Forces during both world wars and beyond. The five stories in this book represent the devotion and unquestioning loyalty of the canine companion in the darkest days of war. From the stub-tailed Bull Terrier that becam
    Animals at War: In Association with the Imperial War Museum

    Isabel George & Rob Lloyd Jones


    This brand new addition to the "Usborne Young Reading" series focuses on animals and the roles they have played in conflict, both modern and ancient. Find out how elephants helped Hannibal attack Rome, why pigeons saved hundreds of lives in World Wars 1 and 2 and how a little donkey called Murphy came to the rescue of wounded soldiers in World War One, along with many other stories of heroism and courage. Usborne's "Young Reading" series was developed in conjunction with experts from Roehampton University and is designed to encourage independent reading. Each title has clear, engaging text and is accompanied by original illustrations.
    Totally Un-English?: v. 7: Britain's Internment of Enemy Aliens in Two World Wars

    Richard Dove (Editor)



    Capital Cities at War: Volume 2, A Cultural History: Paris, London, Berlin 1914-1919

    Jay Winter (Editor), Jean-Louis Robert (Editor)


    'For anybody interested in the history of the Great War from a non-military perspective, for historians of modernity and modernism, or urban historians of the early twentieth century, these two volumes will constitute a major work of reference for many years to come.' Journal of Urban History Product Description Second volume of a two-volume pioneering comparative history of the capital cities of Britain, France, and Germany during the Great War. Leading historians explore these wartime cities, from the railway stations where newcomers took on new identities to the streets they surveyed and the pubs, cafes and theatres they frequented, and examine notions of identity, the sites and rituals of city life, and wartime civic and popular culture. The volume offers the first comparative cultural history of London, Paris and Berlin and reveals the great affinities and similarities between cities on both sides of the line. It shows the transnational character of metropolitan life and the dif
    From Gallipoli to Gaza: The Desert Poets of World War I

    Jill,Duchess of Hamilton


    It is almost ninety years since the Great War came to an end, and in that time there has never been a collection of poetry written by the men who fought in Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia and Syria. Countless anthologies, however have been inspired by the horrors of the trenches on the Western Front. This is probably because the battles of the Near and Middle East have always been seen as a side-show, despite the fact that the number of casualties was enormous. To address this imbalance, Jill Hamilton has delved into various archives around the world and brought to light 101 poems. Not only are these poems written by Australian, English, Irish and Scottish soldiers, but there are also poems by Turks and Arabs. Accompanying the poems is a commentary that builds up a picture of the different armies, the bloodshed, the privations and sacrifice of the men, ultimately revealing that each poem is the product of war. Poets include Banjo Paterson, Leon Gellert, Rupert Brooke, Siegfrie
    Art from the Trenches: America's Uniformed Artists in World War I

    Alfred Emile Cornebise



    The Blasphemer

    Nigel Farndale


    `This is a fine novel; strange and unforgettable.' --The Times `The writing is beautiful... Farndale's elegant prose, his storytelling ability and the wise tolerance with which he views the vagaries of... characters lend his exhilarating novel a tenderly redemptive afterimage.' --The Sunday Telegraph `He does suspense exceptionally well, and it's a book that won't leave your fingernails intact. This is a terrifically exciting and thought-provoking must-read.' --The Daily Mail `A constantly engaging and witty novel from a tremendously clever writer.' --Daily Telegraph Farndale's evocation of the minutiae of trench warfare surpasses Sebastian Faulks's Birdsong... Exquisite and luminous...a master class in the power of literature to illuminate the physical world and the human soul.' --The Australian Book Description Shortlisted for the 2010 Costa Novel Award, an astonishing, ambitious and masterful new novel, with echoes of Birdsong, that reads at the pace of a thriller.
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    The Blasphemer


    The Return Of Captain John Emmett

    Elizabeth Speller


    'The new BIRDSONG - only better' --INDEPENDENT 'This fabulously enjoyable novel has absolutely everything. Speller's writing is gorgeous, her research immaculate and very lightly worn. Sheer bliss' --Kate Saunders, THE TIMES `With its portrait of a war-blighted nation, Elizabeth Speller's gripping first novel shares territory with Pat Barker's Regeneration trilogy . . . This is a remarkable piece of storytelling . . . Equally impressive is Speller's portrait of a fearful and class-ridden England after the armistice' --FINANCIAL TIMES Book Description * London, just after WW1, but the men and women caught up in the battle have not yet found peace * 'Covering death, poetry, a bitter regimental feud and a hidden love affair, it's set to be the new BIRDSONG - only better' INDEPENDENT
    Letters from a Lost Generation - First World War Letters of Vera Brittain and Four Friends: Roland Leighton, Edward Brittain, Victor Richardson, Geoffrey Thurlow

    Alan Bishop (Author), Mark Bostridge (Author)


    The events set in motion by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 changed many lives irrevocably. For Vera Brittain, an Oxford undergraduate who left her studies to volunteer as a nurse in military hospitals in England and France, the war was a shattering experience; she not only witnessed the horrors inflicted by combat through her work, but she lost the four men closest to her at that time--her fiancé Roland Leighton, brother Edward and two close friends, Geoffrey Thurlow and Victor Nicholson, who all died on the battlefields. Letters from a Lost Generation, a collection of previously unpublished correspondence between Brittain and these young men--all public schoolboys at the start of the war--chronicles her relationship with them and reveals "the old lie": The idealised glory of patriotic duty which was soon overtaken by the grim reality of the Flanders' trenches. The letters are lively, dramatic, immediate and, despite the awfulness of war, curiously optimistic: "... somehow
    "Oh What a Lovely War"

    Theatre Workshop"


    " ""Joan Littlewood--one of our truly great theatre visionaries and an unsung hero." --"British Theatre Guide" Product Description Oh What a Lovely War is a theatrical chronicle of the First World War, told through the songs and documents of the period. First performed by Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, London in 1963, it received the acclaim of London audiences and critics. It won the Grand Prix of the Theatre des Nations festival in Paris that year and has gone on to become a classic of the modern theatre. In 1969 a film version was made which extended the play's popular success. The play is now on the standard reading list of schools and universities around the UK and was revived by the Royal National Theatre in 1998. This new version of the play, as edited by Joan Littlewood, returns the script to its original version. Includes a new photo section of the original production, and an Afterword by Victor Spinetti.
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    "Oh What a Lovely War"


    Rabbits: a short story of the First World War

    D. M. Mitchell


    Kindle edition From the bestselling author of 'Max', a psychological thriller and mystery - over 30,000 copies downloaded in four weeks. Two First World War veterans stare daily out across a contemporary wasteland at each other, both from different social classes, both bound by their wartime experiences. 'Rabbits' is a small window onto the ties that bind and the things that divide. Approx 3,720 words.
    Experiences of a Dug-out, 1914-1918 (World War I) includes a new annotated bibliography and research guide

    C. E. Callwell


    Kindle edition This digital book includes a new annotated bibliography and research guide to World War I works (added 2011)
    Brave Men: Allied Trench Raiding in the First World War

    Nicholas E. Efstathiou


    Kindle Edition A review of the methods of trench raiding that left me with the distinct impression the author knew nothing of the subject apart from what he had gleaned from a training manual. Don't read this book if you want to know more than the theory. When I purchased this I did not realise how short it was.This was my first Kindle purchase.It really is a quite short essay based on secondary sources & unfortunately lacking in depth & details.It would have been good to have first person accounts of trench raids & the German response.There are no illustrations of trench raiding weapons or for that matter anything else.The author concludes that trench raids were ultimately not worthwhile but fails to provide cogent evidence to substantiate his view.Certainly both sides did trench raids right to the end of the war & there was a perceived need to dominate the battlefield.It is an easy read which took me only a couple of minutes but ultimately I found this work unsatisfying.
    Gallipoli-a bastard of a place

    David Wray


    Kindle Edition It is 1914, Perth, Western Australia. There is great excitement throughout the country as Germany launches its attack in Europe. Thousands of Australians flock to join up in the armed forces to help the 'Mother Land', Britain, resist the attack. Among these are David, Bert and Bluey all young men eager to join the 10th Light Horse Brigade. They succeed and after an eventful training period find themselves sent not to Europe to fight the 'Hun' but to the peninsula of Gallipoli via Egypt to fight the German allies, the Turks. It is a killing ground, barren, cut through by deep ravines and high ridges,where the opposing sides are often only a few yards away from each other in trenches living in atrocious conditions, a poor diet, and the ever present stink of the dead when death can come at any moment.The innocence of the three young men is short lived when they encounter the horror that is Gallipoli!
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    Gallipoli-a bastard of a place


    The Defense of Gallipoli

    George S. Patton Jr.


    Kindle Edition Could the British have won at Gallipoli? This is a Study but the future four Star General George S. Patton Jr. Written while he as a Lieutenant Colonel. This study of the failures at Gallipoli led to the successful conquest of Europe in 1944.
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    The Defense of Gallipoli


    The War in the Air - The Part Played in the Great War by the Royal Air Force - includes a new annotated bibliography and research guide to World War I works

    Walter Alexander Raleigh


    Kindle Edition
    A Foreign Field

    Ben Macintyre


    In A Foreign Field Ben MacIntyre has found another story from history's margins In two previous books, Forgotten Fatherland and The Napoleon of Crime, he focused on characters from the footnotes of history, creating compelling narratives from the stories of Nietzsche's sister and of a Victorian master criminal, brought it centre stage and constructed a very powerful drama of love, war and death around it. Robert Digby was a well-educated, middle-class private in the British Expeditionary Force at the beginning of World War I. In the very first month of the war, as the British, French and German armies surged back and forth across tracts of northern France, he became isolated behind enemy lines. When the fluid front lines of the war's first phase rapidly hardened into the murderous stalemate of the trenches, Digby and other British soldiers were permanently trapped in German-occupied territory. Seven, including Digby, took refuge in the small village of Villeret and were given shelter a
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    A Foreign Field


    War Girls: The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in the First World War

    Janet Lee


    War Girls reveals the fascinating story of the British women who volunteered for service in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry during the Great. Examining their experiences on the Western Front with the Belgian, British and French Armies, this book shows how the FANY worked as nurses and ambulance driver-mechanics, inspiring stories of female heroism and solidarity. The FANY created skilled gendered performances against the cultural myths of the time, and in concert with their emerging legend. Coming from privileged backgrounds, they drew upon and subverted traditional arrangements, crafting new and unconventional identities for themselves. The author shares the stories of the FANY - a fascinating, quirky and audacious group of women - and illustrates the ways the Great War subverted existing gender arrangements. It will make fascinating reading for those working in the field of gender and war, as well as those who wish to find out more about this remarkable group of women
    Retreat and Rearguard 1914: The BEF's Actions from Mons to the Marne

    Jerry Murland


    The British action at Mons on 23 August 1914 was the catalyst for what became a full blown retreat over 200 blood drenched miles. This book examines eighteen of the desperate rearguard actions that occurred during the twelve days of this near rout. While those at Le Cateau and Nery are well chronicled, others such as cavalry actions at Morsain and Taillefontaine, the Connaught Rangers at Le Grand Fayt and 13 Brigades fight at Crepy-en-Valois are virtually unknown even to expert historians. We learn how in the chaos and confusion that inevitably reigned units of Gunners and other supporting arms found themselves in the front line.
    Great War Camps On Cannock Chase - A Town For Four Winters

    C.J. and G.P. Whitehouse


    An original study of military camps on Cannock Chase during the Great War, 1914-19. Full of numerous photographs & maps.
    A Strange War

    C P Mills


    A Strange War, by C.P.Mills, covers the History of the 2/5th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry.
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    A Strange War


    Surrender be Damned: History of the 1/1st Battalion the Monmouthshire Regiment, 1914-18

    Les Hughes & John Dixon



    A Major Soldier

    Ted Bailey


    A Major Soldier is part journey of discovery for the author and part history of the 1st Essex Battalion in the First World War. Frank Bailey was typical of many veterans of the era in that he never spoke of his exploits, despite having a long army career predating the war and being awarded the DCM. The author, his grandson, only found out the full details of his military service after his death. The author reminisces about his memories of his Grandfather before detailing his research into his life and military career, a journey that ultimately uncovered a hitherto unknown brother who had died in the war. The book then moves on to the actions of the 1st Essex battalion in the war, focusing on Gallipoli, the Somme, and Cambrai.
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    A Major Soldier


    Tim's Wars

    Robin Gregory


    This book highlights a remarkable legacy and is surely unique in chronicling a continuous record spanning not just the whole of the Great War but also the inter-war years. The editor / author has done a fantastic job bringing to life the terse entries Tim scribbled in the trenches while the mortars fell around him and placing them into context with the bigger picture. This little book is a compelling Pandora's box showing at once the growth of an impetuous youth into a mature family man, of a society from imperial to modern and of the reality of life in both war and peace 100 years ago. The diary entries themselves start off being somewhat terse and I was grateful for Robin Gregory's witty and very personal narrative to knit it all together. Later on, starting around 1917, the diary entries are much longer (apparently Tim had a bigger notebook!) wise, and absolutely fascinating. Here is a man fresh from the trenches predicting that the treaty of Versailles will cause World War II.
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    Tim's Wars


    Belfast Boys: How Unionists and Nationalists Fought and Died Together in the First World War

    Richard S Grayson


    This is the story of men from either side of West Belfast's sectarian divide during the Great War. Richard S. Grayson follows the volunteers of the 36th and 16th divisions who fought on the Somme and side-by-side at Messines, recovering the forgotten West Belfast men throughout the armed forces, from the retreat at Mons to the defeat of Germany and life post-war. In so doing, he tells a new story which challenges popular perceptions of the war and explains why remembrance remains so controversial in Belfast today. 'Provocative, meticulously researched and referenced.' --Irish Times
    A Private's War

    Ron James


    This is the true life story of Private Frank James' life in the trenches during World War 1. He volunteered at the outbreak of war, aged 18, and saw much heavy fighting in battles at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Loos, The Somme, Flers-Courcelette, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Cambrai, The Sambre and the Retreat and Advance of 1918. During that time he was wounded four times and he only returned to his home town of Northampton once. Although he describes the horrors and hardships of trench warfare, this is an upbeat, well written account which gives a Private's view of life at the time and provides a brief history of events, with photographs.
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    A Private's War


    The Territorials 1908-1914: A Guide for Military and Family Historians

    Ray Westlake


    The Territorials 1908-1914 is a unique, comprehensive record of the part-time soldiers who made up the Territorial Force that supported the regular army in the years immediately before the outbreak of the First World War. Previously information on the history and organization of these dedicated amateur soldiers has been incomplete and scattered across many sources but now, in this invaluable work of reference, Ray Westlake provides an accessible introduction to the Territorial Force and a directory of the units raised in each county and each town.The origin, aims and organization of the Territorial Force are described as well as the terms of service, recruitment, equipment and training. But the bulk of the book consists of details of over 600 Territorial units plus a comprehensive account of every city, town or village associated with them. Essential information on the all the infantry formations is supplied, but also covered are the yeomanry, the artillery, the engineers, the Royal Ar
    Tracing British Battalions on the Somme

    Ray Westlake


    Ray Westlake has collated all the information so painstakingly gathered, to produce a comprehensive compendium of the exact movements of every battalion involved in the battle. This book is invaluable not only to researchers but to all those visiting the battlefield and anxious to trace the movements of their forbears.
    The Home Front in the Great War

    David Bilton


    The Great War was the first in our history to have a deep impact on every aspect of civilian life. In an overdue attempt to portray the real effect of the War on life at home, David Bilton examines all the major events of the period and charts their effect on everyday life for those trying to live a normal existence. Examples are the air raids by Zeppelins and aircraft, rationing and shortages, recruitment, changes in employment habits, censorship. Extensive use is made of personal accounts and the author draws on many photographs, newspaper and magazine material and ephemera to make this very informative and atmospheric.
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    The Home Front in the Great War


    The Home Front: Civilian Life in World War One

    Peter G. Cooksley


    World War One continues to fascinate but little has been written on the civilian's war. From bombing to rationing, from civil defence to war work, the face of Britain was radically changed as a result of the conflict. More than once Britain was almost brought to its knees by unrestricted submarine warfare and by the end of the war German Zeppelins and Gotha bombers had managed to bomb many parts of Eastern England, while in 1914 the German High Seas fleet bombarded the East Coast destroying buildings in places as diverse as Hartlepool and Lowestoft. The First World War was the first war to have a huge impact on civilians and few were safe from attack. All endured hardship as rationing came into force. What was life like during the war for the civilian population? What hardships did they endure? How did they live? What was the feeling of those who stayed at home? Peter Cooksley tells us the true story of civilians at war on the Home Front.
    First World War Britain

    Peter Doyle


    The First World War profoundly changed British society. The armed forces' need for mass recruitment saw the workforce severely depleted, with women stepping up to shoulder the burden; but nobody could ignore the social upheaval or the strains put upon daily life. With poverty a major issue at the outbreak of war, the extra wages put more food on the table for many families, in spite of rationing and shortages, and away from the front the nation prospered. The war intervened in all aspects of home life, and attacks from the sea and the air meant that civilians were caught up in 'total war'. Peter Doyle explores how British citizens met these challenges, looking at such aspects of daily life as clothing restrictions and popular arts, alongside broader issues like food shortages and industrial unrest.
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    First World War Britain


    Great War Fashion: Tales from the History Wardrobe

    Lucy Adlington


    Imagine stepping into someone else s shoes . Walking back in time a century ago, which shoes would they be? A pair of silk sensations costing thousands of pounds designed by Yantonnay of Paris or wooden clogs with metal cleats that spark on the cobbles of a factory yard? Will your shoes be heavy with mud from trudging along duckboards between the tents of a frontline hospital... or stuck with tufts of turf from a football pitch? Will you be cloaked in green and purple, brandishing a Votes for Women banner or will you be the height of respectability, restricted by your thigh-length corset? Great War Fashion opens the woman s wardrobe in the years before the outbreak of war to explore the real woman behind the stiff, mono-bosomed ideal of the Edwardian Society lady draped in gossamer gowns, and closes it on a new breed of women who have donned trousers and overalls to feed the nations guns in munitions factories and who, clad in mourning, have loved and lost a whole generation of men. Th
    Britain's Civilian Volunteers: Authorized Story of British Voluntary Aid Detachment Work in the Great War

    Thekla Bowser


    This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
    The Manchester Pals

    Martin Steadman


    Manchester proved able to raise eight Pals battalions. Initially, these battalions were composed of middle-class men who experience before the war years was within the commercial, financial and manufacturing interests which formed the foundations of Edwardian Manchester's life and prosperity. Manchester was undeniably proud of its pals battalions; that the area was capable of raising. Seven months after their arrival in France the battle of the Somme was launched, on the fateful 1st July, 1916. On the right of the British Army's extraordinary efforts that day, the Manchester Pals were part of one of the few successful actions, taking the villages of Montauban and Mametz and making a deep incursion into the German defences north of the River Somme.
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    The Manchester Pals


    Sheffield City Battalion

    Ralph Gibson & Paul Oldfield


    On the 10th September 1914 the City of Sheffield officially raised its own battalion, named the 12th (Service) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (Sheffield City Battalion). Just three and half years later in February 1918, the Battalion was disbanded, never to be reformed. In this short space of time over 3,000 men passed through the ranks of the City Battalion. Of these almost 700 were killed or died of their wounds, and over 500 were commissioned.The book covers the raising of the battalion , training, Egypt, early days in France, preparations for the Somme, 1st July (over 248 men killed, over 300 wounded), the aftermath of the battle, Neuve Chapelle, Arras, Vimy Ridge and finally disbandment and post war.The book also has extensive appendices, listing decorations, army organisations and ranks, biographical list, The Reserves Companies, Documents. With a unique selection of photographs this book is a tribute to the men who served in the Sheffield City Battalion.
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    Sheffield City Battalion


    Barnsley Pals

    John Cooksey


    A history of the two battalions raised by Barnsley and the story of the men who enlisted in them, culminating in their virtual destruction at Serre on 1st July 1916. A superbly researched work with many personal experiences of survivors, fascinating, contemporary photos and exceptionally fine maps.
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    Barnsley Pals


    Bradford Pals

    David Raw


    The Comprehensive History of the 16th, 18th and 20th (Service) Battalions of the Prince of Wales Own West Yorlshire Regiment 1914-1918.
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    Bradford Pals


    Dorothea's War

    Dorothea Crewdson


    In April 1915, Dorothea Crewdson, a newly trained Red Cross nurse, and her best friend Christie, received instructions to leave for Le Tréport in northern France. Filled with excitement at the prospect of her first paid job, Dorothea began writing a diary. 'Who knows how long we shall really be out here? Seems a good chance from all reports of the campaigns being ended before winter but all is uncertain.' Dorothea would go on to witness and record some of the worst tragedy of the First World War at first hand, though somehow always maintaining her optimism, curiosity and high spirits throughout. The pages of her diaries sparkle with warmth and humour as she describes the day-to-day realities and frustrations of nursing near the frontline of the battlefields, or the pleasure of a beautiful sunset, or a trip 'joy-riding' in the French countryside on one of her precious days off. One day she might be gossiping about her fellow nurses, or confessing to writing her diary while on shi
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    Dorothea's War


    Lander's War: The War Diaries of Lt. Charles Herbert Lander 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

    Charles Herbert Lander


    Written by a serving officer from 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WW1 on the Western Front. This book provides detailed accounts of the Officers view of the war.
    Die Hard, Aby!: Abraham Bevistein - The Boy Soldier Shot to Encourage the Others

    David Lister


    'Die Hard, Aby!' tells Aby's story, rather than that of the historic times through which he lived. If a well known battle rages while Aby sits in a trench several miles away, writing to his mum - we are with Aby. We follow him from the Russian occupied land of his birth, across Europe to his East End home, and then through school days and the events that led to the Great War. One of the first to join, we see him through training and on to duty at the Front. We are with him in the mud of the trenches and share his deprivations through the cold of the winter of 1915. After 10 months in France, we see what led him to leave the Front without authority. We are with Aby again when as a 17-year-old boy he walks to his fate on a cold, March dawn in 1916. Finally we examine the impact his short life had on his times and on ours.
    The 25th Division in France and Flanders

    Lieut.-Col. M. Kincaid-Smith


    A history of the 25th Division, completed in February and in July 1918. The book contains 429 pages of fairly detailed history, including many statistics such as casualties, promotions and awards. The main periods are the Somme in 1916, the various battles of 1917 and the German and British offensives of 1918. From Amazon.co.uk: New Army division formed in September 1914. To France in September 1915. Armentieres, Vimy Ridge (1916), Somme, Messines. Third Ypres and the Aisne (1918). 48,289 casualties (623 officers and 12,623 other ranks dead). Reconstituted in England June 1918.
    Somewhere in Blood Soaked France

    Alasdair Sutherland


    This book follows the life of a crofters son from the Highlands of Scotland to Edinburgh and beyond and is a very rare example of a Brave man who secretely kept a diary during his military service from the Campaigns in Dardenelles, Egypt, the Somme, Ypres and every other battle he fought in, most not as memorable and probably long forgotten but every bit as Bloody. Angus's diary gives a modest and unique version of events he lived through and also the horrific conditions which he had to face on a daily basis. The author Alasdair Sutherland paints a bigger picture of what really took place on those diary entry dates looking back in time to the battlefields filling in the detail and giving the diary more depth and perspective. This is a unique story brought to life by a very knowledgeable author who researched the subject in great detail.
    Reminiscences of a V.A.D.

    Grace Pulvertaft


    Grace Pulvertaft was born in Dublin of Irish parents. She was educated in London and at the out break of the Great War, aged 20, became a nurse by joining the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Working in busy hospitals in London and Brighton throughout the war, she kept a diary recording her experiences along with contributions from patients and colleagues. The daily round has its lighter moments never far removed from the shadow of a terrible war. 100 years later, edited by her son John Brunsdon, Grace's diaries are presented in this beautiful hard back, full colour book.
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    Reminiscences of a V.A.D.


    The Irish Guards in the Great War: The First Battalion

    Rudyard Kipling


    This historical work by the great Kipling has all but been forgotten. As the title indicates, it covers the actions of the Irish Guards' First Battalion in World War I. Although Kipling was always a friend to the soldier, this book had special meaning to him since his son fought with and was killed in the unit. A towering piece of regimental history by one of our greatest writers.
    My Boy Jack?: The Search for Kipling's Only Son

    Toni Holt


    When noted author Rudyard Kipling pulled strings to get his son a commission in the Irish Guards at the beginning of World War I, he little realized he was sending the young man to his doom. Many years after Rudyard Kipling's own death in 1936, and after further decades of historical detective work, John Kipling's grave finally received a proper headstone in 1992.
    Irish Regiments in the World War

    David Murphy



    Beneath a Turkish Sky: The Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Assault on Gallipoli

    Philip Lecane


    It was the First World War's largest seaborne invasion and the Irish were at the forefront. Recruited in Ireland, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers were ordered to spearhead the invasion of Gallipoli in Turkey. Deadlocked in trench warfare on the Western Front, the British High Command hoped the assault would be Germany's ally out of the war. Using letters and photographs, this book tells the story of the 'Dubs' officers and men called from an idyllic posting in England. They then set off on what was presented as a great adventure to win glory and capture Constantinople. The book also gives the story of the Turkish defenders and the locality being invaded. Accomapnied by the Royal Munster Fusiliers, packed aboard the SS River Clyde, the 'Dubs' landed from boats on the fiercely defended beach at Sedd-el-Bahr. The song The Foggy Dew says, "It were better to die beneath an Irish sky than at Suvla or Sedd-el-Bahr." This book tells the story of the forgotten Irishmen who died beneath a Turkish
    Irishmen in the Great War 1914-1918

    Tom Burnell, Editor


    Twenty-seven Irish newspapers for the period covering the Great War have been trawled through to deliver the amazing stories of those years which changed the world for ever. These are the accounts of local men at the front; of torpedoed ships; drunken wives; final letters and requests from the trenches. Also eyewitness accounts of the slaughter as it was happening; battle reports from officers serving in Irish regiments; quirky snippets; chaplains' sympathetic letters; P.o.W reports of conditions and war poetry. Here are the tales of the Leinster’s, Munster’s, Connaught’s and Dublin Fusiliers serving in the Ulster Division, 10th and 16th Irish Divisions. We read of medical breakthroughs, paranormal occurrences and miraculous escapes from death. After the Irish Rebellion of April, 1916, these type of articles and casualty lists dwindled to very few as Irish hearts became divided.
    British Regiments at Gallipoli

    Ray Westlake


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    British Regiments at Gallipoli


    Somewhere in Blood Soaked France

    Alasdair Sutherland


    From the heat and dust of the Dardanelles to the mud of the Western Front, Corporal Angus Mackay had one constant companion, his diary. He wrote of the battles and campaigns he fought in, names that would go down in history: Gallipoli, the Somme, Ypres and Arras. Serving in the the 1st/5th Battalion (Queens Edinburgh Rifles) Royal Scots and later the 88th Brigade Machine Gun Corps, he left a record of one man's extraordinary and tragic war. In Somewhere in Blood Soaked France, Alasdair Sutherland reveals this previously unpublished account of the First World War, complete with historical context, orders of battle and extracts from official war diaries. This rare source - it was an offence to keep a record in a case of capture - offers a stirring insight into the bravery of Mackay and his companions, who were not afraid to die for their country. 'If I go under it will be in a good cause, so roll on the adventure.'
    Never so innocent again

    Richard Llewellyn Davies


    A narrative written from the notes and diary of Corporal Richard Llewellyn Davies of the 3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment and the 9th Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers. He left his native village of Hollybush in the Sirhowy Valley Monmouthshire on the morning of the 5th of August 1914. Three times wounded and twice gassed he survived the whole of the main battles of the Western Front and returned home in January 1919. Of the nine volunteers that left the village with him, he was the only one to return home in 1919
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    Never so innocent again


    Remembrances of Hell

    Norman Ellison


    Writer, broadcaster and naturalist, Norman Ellison's diary of a soldier's life in the trenches of Flanders in World War I.
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    Remembrances of Hell


    "PI" in the sky: a history of No. 22 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps

    Harvey, William Frederick James



    The Fighting Pioneers - The Story of the 7th Battalion DLI

    Clive Dunn


    Story of the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. With the creation of the Territorial Force in 1908 the battalion was re-designated as the 7th Battalion. It went to France in April 1915 with the rest of the Northumbrian Division seeing action almost immediately at the Second battle of Ypres. In November 1915 the battalion was picked to become the divisional pioneers. The 1/7 Battalion suffered 600 fatalities. In 1920 when the Territorial Army was reformed it was re-raised in its original role as infantry. The story concludes on 10 December 1936 when the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry became the 47th (Durham Light Infantry) A.A. Battalion R.E. (T.A.), whose personnel went on to serve in the Second World War.
    Alnwick in the Great War: Stories from the Home Front in Alnwick and District

    Ian Hall


    Written at the request of the Alnwick and District Centenary Commemoration Group, this small book examines the effects of the First World War on the district. These include the implementation of little-known anti-invasion precautions, how people reacted in the first weeks of war, the army encampments around Alnwick and the threat of aerial bombardment from Zeppelins which led to the arrival of the Royal Flying Corps
    Elswick-Hopper of Barton-on-Humber: The Story of a Great British Cycle Maker

    Nigel Lands


    An accurate and well-researched history of a bicycle manufacturer, covering over a century from its small beginnings, to its position as probably the biggest producer of bicycles in the UK outside the Raleigh conglomeration, to its eventual demise in the face of foreign competition. Not only that, it is an interesting social history lesson about the place of a major employer within a small community. It records the diverse interests necessary for a manufacturer to succeed in an industry that is notorious for its peaks and troughs.
    The Flying Elephants

    Chaz Bowyer


    The History of No. 27 Squadron RFC/RAC 1915 to 1969
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    The Flying Elephants


    Royal Flying Corps to the R.A.F., India, 1919: The 28 Squadron RAF

    John Ross


    Regency Press (London & New York) Ltd 1987
    Never so Innocent Again

    Richard Llewellyn Davie


    A narrative written from the notes and diary of Corporal Richard Llewellyn Davies of the 3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment and the 9th Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers.He left his native village of Hollybush in the Sirhowy Valley Monmouthshire on the morning of the 5th of August 1914. Three times wounded and twice gassed he survived the whole of the main battles of the Western Front and returned home in January 1919. Of the nine volunteers that left the village with him, he was the only one to return home in 1919.
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    Never so Innocent Again


    Shot At Dawn

    Julian Putkowski and Julian Sykes


    The issue of military executions during the war has always been controversial and embargoes have made it difficult for researchers to get at the truth. Now these two writers give us a vast amount of information. They show that trials were grossly unfair and incompetent. Many of the condemned men had been soldiers of exemplary behaviour, courage and leadership but had cracked under the dreadful strain of trench warfare. This acclaimed book is the authority on this shameful saga
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    Shot At Dawn


    Confound and Destroy

    Martin Streetley


    During WW2, the Royal Air Force 100 Group provided electronic warfare support for the nightly British bombing raids over occupied Europe. This book is something of a history of the group and it's operations. I say something of a history because really only part of the book is a history of the operations, and it's rather dull. The rest of the book is composed of numerous diagrams and drawings of radio equipment, antenna installations, maps, and all sorts of illustrations that would be very much at home in a technical manual. This is most definitely NOT a book for someone looking for some exciting WW2 "war in the air" action. It is a serious, scholarly, technical look at the functions of the group. Even then, the book is not for the faint of heart. If you really, really want to learn more about WW2 airborne electronic warfare then it would be worth your time. Still, it is about the only really in-depth book I've found on this particular subject.
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    Confound and Destroy


    Defiance!: Withstanding the Kaiserschlacht

    G H F Nichols


    George Nichols was an artillery officer serving with the 82nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was wounded in 1917, and returned to the guns in March 1918, just in time to experience the fury of the Kaiserschlacht, the great German offensive designed to knock the British army out of the war. Nichols wrote a powerful account of the Kaiser's last great offensive battle from inside the eye of the storm, and it is one of the few primary source accounts which are told from the often overlooked perspective of the British artillerymen. Nichols, with wonderful British reserve, records how the men of the Royal Field Artillery steadfastly manned their guns. Nichols survived the onslaught and in 1919, was able to produce a full account of both the retreat and the British counter-attack which won back the lost ground. First published in 1919, while censorship was still in force, this wonderful primary source has long been out of print and it's welcome return makes for essential reading for anyon
    Plough & Scatter: The Diary-Journal of a First World War Gunner

    J. Ivor Hanson & A Wakefield


    J. Ivor Hanson's personal diary describes his experiences as a gunner on the Western Front in the First World War, which left a deep and lasting impression on him. He wrote about the officers and men with whom he served, and the horror and humour of trench life - all subjects of Hanson's intense scrutiny and incisive wit. He vividly describes the German Army's crushing Spring Offensive in March 1918, when the British Army on the Western Front was almost pushed back to the Channel coast. Imperial War Museum historian Alan Wakefield has edited the diaries and provides engaging explanatory narratives for each chapter to set them within the context of the First World War.
    The Young Gunner: The Royal Field Artillery in the Great War

    David Hutchison


    The Young Gunner describes the history of the Royal Field Artillery in France and Flanders in the Great War, including the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The book is based on the letters and journals of Second Lieutenant Colin Hutchison who joined the army aged 19 just before the war started. He found himself in command of a single gun in battle in 1914, a section of guns in 1915, a battery of six guns in 1916, and a brigade of 24 guns by the end of the war. He tells the story of front line action in thirteen battles on the Western Front, including Mons 1914, Ypres 1915, The Somme 1916, Passchendaele 1917 and Ypres 1918. His personal stories are inspiring, but more importantly his letters and journals describe, in a consistent style, not only life on the front line with the artillery, but also the details of his tactical deployment in battle.David explains, from his perspective, why so many men died unnecessarily in that war, and why the changes in tactical thinking he saw as necessary t
    No 60 Sqn RFC/RAF

    Alex Revell


    AVIATION ELITE UNITS 41, Osprey Publishing

    When No 60 Sqn arrived in France in May 1916, partially equipped with the delightfully named Morane Bullet, there were only two dedicated single-seat fighter squadrons on the Western Front. In the opening weeks of the battles of the Somme in the summer of 1916, the squadron suffered heavy casualties and it was withdrawn from the front. Re-equipped with Nieuport scouts, the unit went on the offensive. Witnessing the exploits of pilots like Albert Ball, who scored 20 victories with the unit before his death, it rapidly became one of the most successful fighter units of the war. This book tells the complete story of the unit, from its humble beginnings to the end of the war.

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    No 60 Sqn RFC/RAF


    An Artist's War: The Art and Letters of Morris and Alice Meredith Williams

    Phyllida Shaw


    In 1914 Morris Meredith Williams was living in Edinburgh with his wife Alice, a sculptor, and earning his living from book illustration and teaching. A short man, his attempt to join the army in 1914 failed, but six months later he was accepted by the Bantam Battalion, 17th Welsh Regiment. Never without a sketchbook and pencils in his pocket, he drew at every opportunity, producing an extraordinary record of his surroundings on the Western Front. After the war some of the sketches became oil paintings while others inspired a series of war memorials in bronze, stone, wood and stained glass, most notably for the Scottish National War Memorial, on which he and Alice worked together. In this stunning book, the Meredith Williams’s art is displayed in fine style, ranging from the touching and heartfelt to the most brutal, stark images of the waste and loss of war.
    Surviving the Skies : a Night Bomber Pilot in the Great War.

    Joe Bamford


    Captain Stephen Wynn Vickers joined the Cheshire Regiment in August 1914, but after being badly wounded he remustered to the RFC. While other young pilots were killed or injured almost as soon as they got their wings, Captain Vickers survived numerous crash and forced landings. He joined 101 Squadron in 1917 and completed seventy-three sorties over enemy territory before being repatriated in May 1918 and awarded the newly inaugurated DFC, as well as the MC. With the war drawing to a close, he became a flying instructor at an RAF station in Lincolnshire, but he did not live long enough to receive either his medals or the distinction that he deserved..




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